1,5-Anhydroglucitol attenuates cytokine release and protects mice with type 2 diabetes from inflammatory reactions

1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) decreases in diabetic patients and is used as a marker of glycemic control. Type 2 diabetic patients are susceptibile to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which stimulate macrophages to release large quantities of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6. This study examines the effects of 1,5-AG on lung inflammation induced by LPS and consequent systemic inflammation to determine whether the decrease of 1,5-AG concentration induces susceptibility to LPS. Before the challenge with LPS (1 mg/kg in vivo and 500 ng/ml in vitro), we pretreated db/db mice and RAW264.7 cells with 1,5-AG at 38.5 mg/kg and 500 microg/ml, respectively. The levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and IL-1beta in the serum and in the cell supernatants were measured. We also measured macrophage recruitment and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in pulmonary tissues. We found that 1,5-AG attenuated serum cytokine release and protected db/db mice from LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation. In addition, 1,5-AG suppressed cytokine release and iNOS expression by suppressing Akt/NF-kB activity in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that 1,5-AG may be a mediator in, as well as marker for diabetes, and 1,5-AG intake may confer tolerance to LPS in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Exercise effects on methylation of ASC gene

Chronic moderate exercise has been reported to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. To analyze the molecular mechanisms by which training exerts these effects, the epigenetic influences of age and exercise on the ASC gene, which is responsible for IL-1beta and IL-18 secretion, were investigated by ASC gene methylation. Further, the relationship between carcinogenesis and exercise, and methylation of the P15 tumor suppressive gene was also analyzed. High-intensity interval walking exercise, consisting of 3 min low-intensity walking at 40% of peak aerobic capacity followed by a 3 min high-intensity walking period above 70% of peak aerobic capacity, was continued for 6 months. Peripheral blood DNA extracts from young control (n=34), older control (n=153), and older exercise (n=230) groups were then analyzed by pyrosequencing for DNA methylation. Methylation of ASC decreased significantly with age (young control vs. older control, p<0.01), which is indicative of an age-dependent increase in ASC expression. Compared to the older control group, the degree of ASC methylation was higher in the older exercise group (older control vs. older exercise: p<0.01), and presumably lower ASC expression. Neither exercise nor age affected the methylation of the P15. In summary, chronic moderate exercise appears to attenuate the age-dependent decrease in ASC methylation, implying suppression of excess pro-inflammatory cytokines through reduction of ASC expression.

Oxidative degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in subcritical and supercritical waters

Presence of chlorinated organic compounds in water bodies has become a concern among governments, health authorities and general public. Oxidation of organic compounds in water under high temperature and pressure is considered as a promising technique, but usefulness of the technique to mineralize 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is not well understood. This article aimed to elucidate degradation characteristics of 2,4-D in both subcritical and supercritical waters by laboratory batch experiments. 2,4-D degradation, total organic carbon (TOC) removal and dechlorination increased with increasing reaction time and temperature especially in subcritical waters, while dechlorination was a major step. 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and acetic acid were the main degradation intermediates both in subcritical and supercritical waters. Though 2,4-D disappeared almost completely in subcritical waters near critical region ( approximately 99%), significant amounts of TOC and organic chlorine still remained as 2,4-DCP and acetic acid. But TOC removal and dechlorination were significantly enhanced ( approximately 95 and 91% respectively) in supercritical waters. Complete mineralization of 2,4-D in subcritical waters required a considerably longer reaction period, while the mineralization was almost complete within a short reaction period in supercritical waters. This is an important information of practical significance for oxidative degradation of chlorinated pesticides similar to 2,4-D.

Involvement of NMDAR2A tyrosine phosphorylation in depression-related behaviour

Major depressive and bipolar disorders are serious illnesses that affect millions of people. Growing evidence implicates glutamate signalling in depression, though the molecular mechanism by which glutamate signalling regulates depression-related behaviour remains unknown. In this study, we provide evidence suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor, contributes to depression-related behaviour. The NR2A subunit of the NMDA receptor is tyrosine-phosphorylated, with Tyr 1325 as its one of the major phosphorylation site. We have generated mice expressing mutant NR2A with a Tyr-1325-Phe mutation to prevent the phosphorylation of this site in vivo. The homozygous knock-in mice show antidepressant-like behaviour in the tail suspension test and in the forced swim test. In the striatum of the knock-in mice, DARPP-32 phosphorylation at Thr 34, which is important for the regulation of depression-related behaviour, is increased. We also show that the Tyr 1325 phosphorylation site is required for Src-induced potentiation of the NMDA receptor channel in the striatum. These data argue that Tyr 1325 phosphorylation regulates NMDA receptor channel properties and the NMDA receptor-mediated downstream signalling to modulate depression-related behaviour.

[Surgical treatment of aortic root disease]

We reviewed aortic root disease and operative procedures. Between January 1982 and December 2008, aortic root operation was performed for 58 patients with various aortic root disease. We chose Bentall type operations in extensive root destructive cases and urgent or reoperative cases. Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.6% (5/58). Four patients (7.5% of survivors) died during the period of followup. Actuarial survival at 15 years was 92%. Freedom from cardiovascular event at 10 and 15 years was 81% and 27%, respectively. Of 5 reoperations in 5 patients, only 1 was required due to complications of the initial Bentall type operation. The Bentall type operations resulted in a durable result. Although, in Marfan syndrome, freedom from cardiovascular event was lower than that in non-Marfan syndrome, actuarial survival rate was equal with non-Marfan syndrome. Close observation is necessary for detecting cardiovascular event, especially in Marfan syndrome.

[Improved cardiac function after inhalation of nitric oxide and tricuspid annuloplasty in dilated cardiomyopathy patient on left ventricular assist system]

A 17-year-old man with severe cardiac failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy was treated by medication. As he did not improve, he had indication for transplantation of the heart and was put on a ventricular assist system as a bridge until he could be transplanted. He also had severe tricuspid regurgitation and tricuspid annuloplasty was performed. Inhalation of nitric oxide was used to decrease pulmonary vascular resistance. Although cerebral infarction was present postoperatively, he is waiting for transplant without paralysis. The ventricular assist system proved to be useful therapy for serious cardiac failure due to terminal dilated cardiomyopathy.

Interaction between the p53 genotype of lung cancer and response to mTOR inhibitor combined with irradiation therapy

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Background: Frequent activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and aberrations of tumor suppressor gene p53 are associated with therapeutic resistance in lung cancer. Nevertheless, the possibility of the variants of p53 genotype to affect response to mTOR inhibitor combined with irradiation therapy remains still unclear. Methods: Human non-small lung cancer cell line H1299 with p53 null genotype, was transfected with wild type or mutated p53 gene (H1299/wtp53 (WT), H1299/mp53 (MT)). Both cell survival and cell proliferation were estimated by colony formation assay to assess differences between WT and MT in sensitivity to rapamycin and ability of rapamycin to enhance radiation sensitivity. Cells were treated according to the individual study; DMSO (control), rapamycin (100 nM for 1 hour), irradiation (IR) (increasing doses), combination (RR) (rapamycin followed by irradiation). Changes in the cell cycle were also analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Rapamycin decreased cell survival only in WT (P < 0.01, vs. control). MT was resistant to rapamycin exhibiting slightly inhibited cell proliferation. Compared with IR, RR with no less than 6 Gy radiation enhanced inhibitory effects on both cell survival and proliferation independent of p53 genotype (P < 0.01 in WT and P < 0.01 in MT, respectively), that indicating additive interaction. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated rapamycin induced G1 cell cycle arrest in both types of cells compared with controls (P < 0.01 in WT and P < 0.05 in MT, respectively) at 24 hours after treatment. Enhancement of G1 arrest by RR was observed in both WT (P < 0.01, vs. IR) and MT (P < 0.01, vs. IR) at the same time point. In addition, RR caused a greater reduction of cells in S phase than that of IR regardless of p53 gene status (P < 0.01 in WT and P < 0.01 in MT, respectively). Conclusions: Rapamycin is an effective radiosensitizer in a p53 independent manner, in which increased G1 cell cycle arrest and decrease in S phase cells are responsible for increased growth inhibitory effect. It will enable us to provide more appropriate treatment to patients with mutated p53 gene.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Regenerating gene 1α (REG 1α) expression and new treatment strategies in early non-small cell lung cancer

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Background: Regenerating gene (REG) I was originally isolated as an endogenous growth factor from pancreatic islet β cells. REG Iα protein is suggested to be involved in carcinogenesis in various gastroenterologic tissues. In the present study, to elucidate roles for REG Iα in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we investigated REG Iα expression in NSCLCs, focusing especially on its relationship with prognosis. Methods: We enrolled 70 NSCLCs (adenocarcinoma (AC)(n=48) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)(n=22)) who received surgery at Nara Medical University Hospital. Total RNA was extracted from each tumor tissue and corresponding normal lung tissue (NL)(n=70), cDNA was then reverse-transcribed from total RNA, and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was then carried out. The expression level of REG Iα in each sample was normalized with respect to that of β-actin, and the cutoff level was set at average+3SD expression of the 70 NLs. We also examined the relationship between REG 1α expression in the tumor tissue and the prognosis. Results: Six (12.5%) of the 48 ACs and 5 (22.7%) of the 22 SCCs were positive for REG Iα gene, and which is higher than that of NLs (2 of 70: 2.9%). After median follow-up of 26.2 months, 12 patients died due to disease progression. The survival rate among the REG 1α positive patients was significantly worse than among the REG 1α negative patients in ACs (P<0.05), and not significantly but worse in SCCs (P=0.07). In case of stage I, none of REG 1α negative patient died in both ACs and SCCs compared with 4 patients died of positive patients (AC:2, SCC:2), and also the survival rate among the REG 1α positive patients was significantly worse than among the negative patients in ACs (P<0.01) and SCCs (P<0.05). Disease free survival of REG 1α positive patients was also worse than negative patients in ACs (P<0.05) and SCCs (P=0.16). Conclusions: REG Iα expression in NSCLCs may be the risk factor for poor prognosis, and we anticipate that it will enable us to provide more appropriate and individualized treatment to patients of early NSCLC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland: clinical and MR features in six patients

This study reports the clinical and MR features of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) of the parotid gland, which is a rare and highly malignant tumour. We assessed retrospectively the clinical and MR features of six patients with histologically proven SDC of the parotid gland. The five men and one woman, ranging in age from 65-71 years (mean, 67 years), had undergone MRI before surgery. All patients presented with parotid masses and four patients had facial paralysis. Two had been aware of the parotid mass for more than 10 years. On MRI, all of the tumours had an ill-defined margin along either the entire circumference or part of the circumference. Four tumours showed infiltration into the subcutaneous or parapharyngeal space. Two tumours showed a wholly solid internal content, and four tumours had varying proportions of cystic content. The signal intensity of the solid portion was low to intermediate on both T(1) weighted and T(2) weighted images. Three patients showed multiple cervical lymph node swellings. Although SDC can show non-specific MRI findings, the combined findings (e.g. low-to-intermediate signal intensities on T(2) weighted images, ill-defined boundaries, infiltration into the surrounding fat space, facial nerve paralysis and associated cervical lymphoadenopathy, seem to suggest a high-grade malignancy.