Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan

The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is very closely associated with chronic liver disease. In the present study, the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a causative role in the development of HCC was analysed in 253 patients with HCC, who were admitted to our hospital during 1976-90. Among these patients, 68 (27%) were positive for HBsAg but negative for anti-HCV antibody (group I); in contrast, 147 (58%) were negative for HBsAg but positive for anti-HCV antibody (group II), 19 (7.5%) were both positive (group III), and 19 (7.5%) were both negative (group IV). To evaluate the serial changes in the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody, changes in the number of patients were compared between group I and group II. The number of group I patients reached a peak during 1982-84 and was thereafter followed by a decreasing trend, whereas the number of group II patients steadily increased and reached a plateau over 6 recent years. These results suggest that HCV infection recently seems to play a more important role in the development of HCC than chronic HBV infection, even in the Nagasaki Prefecture, where the HBV carrier rate is higher than elsewhere in Japan.

EDTA-insensitive deacylation of phosphatidylinositol in porcine platelet membranes

Pathways for EDTA-insensitive degradation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) were investigated in porcine platelet membranes and cytosol. The incubation of platelet membranes with [3H]glycerol-labeled PI in the presence of 2mM EDTA produced [3H]lysoPI and aqueous radioactive products, but not radioactive neutral lipids. The degradation in the membranes was optimal at pH8.0-9.0, while EDTA-insensitive hydrolysis was also observed in cytosol with optimal pH at pH7.0-9.0. The major water-soluble product was identified as glycerophosphoinositol. Under the conditions, [14C]arachidonate was released from 1-stearoyl-2-[14C]arachidonyl PI without accumulation of [14C]lysoPI. The deacylation activity preferred PI to phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Collectively, these results suggest that PI can be converted to lysoPI by phospholipase A2 in the absence of free Ca2+, providing the substrates for lysoPI-specific phospholipase C characterized earlier in porcine platelet membranes (Murase and Okuyama (1985) J.Biol.Chem. 260, 262-265).

Regulation of albumin and alpha-fetoprotein gene expression by colloid osmotic pressure in human hepatoma cells

BACKGROUND

Colloid osmotic pressure has been thought to regulate albumin synthesis; however, the exact mechanism remains obscure. In the present study, the effect of colloid osmotic pressure on the albumin and alpha-fetoprotein gene expression in HuH-7 human hepatoma cells was analyzed.

METHODS

HuH-7 cells were treated with albumin or dextran (mean mol wt, 70,000), and changes in the levels of albumin and alpha-fetoprotein messenger RNA (mRNA) were analyzed by Northern blotting. Furthermore, in transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) plasmid transfection experiments, effects of colloid osmotic pressure on CAT activities were studied.

RESULTS

By Northern blot analysis, the levels of both albumin and alpha-fetoprotein mRNA were dose-dependently suppressed by the elevation of colloid osmotic pressure and returned to pretreatment levels 48 hours after the culture medium containing dextran was replaced with a dextran-free fresh medium. In transient CAT plasmid transfection experiments, the increased level of colloid osmotic pressure resulted in the repression of both albumin and alpha-fetoprotein promoter activities. In contrast, alpha-fetoprotein enhancer activity, which possibly regulates not only alpha-fetoprotein but also albumin gene expression, was not affected by changes in colloid osmotic pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that colloid osmotic pressure regulates both albumin and alpha-fetoprotein gene transcription through the modulation of their promoter activities.

Hepatocyte growth factor down-regulates the alpha-fetoprotein gene expression in PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for hepatocytes; however, in certain human hepatoma cell lines, the growth is inhibited by HGF. In the present study, the effect of HGF on the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene expression was analyzed in PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cells. HGF did not inhibit cell proliferation, but dose-dependently suppressed AFP secretion at the concentrations of 10 ng/ml or less. By Northern blot analysis, the levels of AFP mRNA were suppressed by HGF, whereas the levels of beta-actin mRNA used as a control did not show any significant changes. In the transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase plasmid transfection assays, the AFP promoter activity was repressed by HGF, in contrast, the AFP enhancer activity was not affected by HGF. These results suggest that the AFP gene expression is down-regulated by HGF through the suppression of its promoter activity in human hepatoma cells.

Transbilayer movement and metabolic fate of ether-linked phosphatidic acid (1-O-Octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) in guinea pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes

1-O-Octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (octadecylacetyl-GP) and its deacetylation product were used as a model of phosphatidic acid and its lyso derivatives, respectively. The binding, transbilayer movement, and intermembranous transport, which should be related to its metabolism in guinea pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes, were studied. The albumin extraction procedure (Tokumura, A., Tsutsumi, T., Yoshida, J., and Tsukatani, H. (1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1044, 91-100) was used for studying the transbilayer movement of [3H]octadecylacetyl-GP. The binding, translocation, and metabolism of octadecylacetylglycerol, a dephosphorylated product of octadecylacetyl-GP, in polymorphonuclear leukocytes were also investigated for comparison. The translocation of octadecylacetyl-GP was dependent on temperature, but not on its concentration (in the range of 1-100 nM). The rate of translocation of octadecylacetyl-GP was much slower than that of octadecylacetylglycerol. Treatment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with N-ethylmaleimide did not affect the translocation of octadecylacetyl-GP. These results suggest that the transbilayer movement of octadecylacetyl-GP is driven by a diffusion process, not by a carrier protein. From these findings, the process of translocation of octadecylacetyl-GP is concluded to be a rate-limiting step in its metabolic conversion to triglyceride, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine.

Interaction of interferon-alpha with interleukin-1 beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha on hepatitis B virus enhancer activity

The interaction of IFN-alpha with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression was analysed in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA integrated PLC/PRF/5 and non-integrated HuH-7 human hepatoma cells. Secretion of HBsAg in PLC/PRF/5 cells was reduced by IFN-alpha, IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha, and synergistically depressed when IFN-alpha was used in combination with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. By Northern blot analysis, the levels of HBsAg mRNA were suppressed by IFN-alpha in combination with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. In the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase plasmid transfection assay, IFN-alpha in combination with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha caused a much greater suppression of HBV enhancer activity than IFN-alpha, IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha alone in both hepatoma cells. These findings suggest that the interaction of IFN-alpha with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha synergistically represses HBV enhancer activity, resulting in depressed expression of HBsAg.

Antagonism of ceruletide, a cholecystokinin analog, to the neurochemical effects of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, phencyclidine and MK-801, on regional dopaminergic neurons in the rat brain

In the present study, we investigated the effects of ceruletide (CL), a cholecystokinin analog, on the neurochemical response to non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, phencyclidine (PCP) and MK-801, of the dopaminergic neuron systems in the discrete regions of the rat brain. Systemically administered PCP (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or MK-801 (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) produced significant increases in the tissue contents of dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens and the olfactory tubercle but not in the nucleus caudatus putamen after 60 min. The effects of NMDA receptor antagonists in the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex were partially antagonized by pretreatment with CL (80 and 400 micrograms/kg, i.p., at 60 min prior to the drugs). While CL alone decreased the dopaminergic metabolism only in the nigrostriatal pathways in naive rats, the present results indicated that CL also attenuates the activities of the meso-limbic and meso-cortical dopaminergic neuron systems when these are enhanced by either PCP or MK-801.

Inhibitory effect of prostaglandin Δ12-PGJ2 on cell proliferation and α-fetoprotein expression in HuH-7 human hepatoma cells

9-deoxy-delta 9,delta 12-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin D2 (delta 12-PGJ2) is a potent inhibitor of proliferation of tumor cells. In the present study, the effect of delta 12-PGJ2 on the alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) and the albumin gene expression was analyzed in HuH-7 human hepatoma cells. delta 12-PGJ2 inhibited the cell growth and reduced the medium AFP concentrations dose-dependently. To determine whether this decline of AFP depends only on the relative decrease in cell numbers by delta 12-PGJ2, or is in part, due to the decrease in the cellular AFP synthesis by delta 12-PGJ2, Northern blot analysis was performed in this study. By Northern blotting, it was shown that delta 12-PGJ2 caused a marked reduction in the levels of the AFP mRNA and the albumin mRNA. In contrast, the level of the beta-actin mRNA was not changed by delta 12-PGJ2. In the transient chloramphnicol acetyltransferase plasmid transfection experiments, delta 12-PGJ2 did not suppress the AFP enhancer activity, which possibly regulates both the AFP and the albumin gene expression in HuH-7 hepatoma cells, but resulted in the selective repression of the AFP and the albumin promoter activity. These results suggest that delta 12-PGJ2 suppresses not only cell growth but also expression of the AFP gene and the albumin gene at the transcriptional level in human hepatoma cells.

Follow-up study of camp marathon group psychotherapy for adolescents with emotional disturbances

Every summer since 1972, the Department of Psychiatry at Fukuoka University has been holding the Camp Marathon Group Psychotherapy (MGP) for adolescents with emotional disturbances. This time we conducted a follow-up survey on 114 camp attendees from 1978 to 1985. Questionnaires were mailed out and we received 56 replies, that is a response rate of 49.1%. The average observation period of the follow-up was 4 years. The results were as follows: Thirty-six cases or 64.3% were making satisfactory progress at the time of the survey. Eight or 14.3% showed no change or showed worsening conditions. Seven or 12.5% cases developed into schizophrenia. Based on these results, we studied roughly what role MGP plays in the therapy of adolescents with emotional disturbances.

A case of transient elevation of the serum carcinoembryonic antigen and associated with severe malnutrition and low T3, T4 syndrome

A patient with a transient elevation of the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) associated with a benign disease was reported. The elevation of CEA was noted in the patient with low T3, T4 syndrome associated with malnutrition due to malabsorption syndrome induced by post-gastrectomy and chronic pancreatitis. Mild liver dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were also noted. The CEA level decreased as T3, T4 level and malnutrition were improved by administration of a massive digestive enzyme preparation. This inverse correlation between the serum CEA and serum T3, T4 levels suggested that high levels of the serum CEA can be found in the patient with malnutrition.

[The efficacy and side effects of chemotherapy for primary lung cancer with cisplatin and etoposide]

We treated 34 primary lung cancer patients with chemotherapy of cisplatin and etoposide. There were 2 cases of CR (15%) and 8 cases of PR (61%) out of 13 cases of small cell lung cancer. No case of CR and one case of PR (5%) were obtained out of 21 cases of non-small cell cancer. Side effects were leukopenia, increase of BUN and creatinine, angina pectoris, supraventricular premature contraction, and renal failure. WBC reached nadir on day 15 on average. When we repeated this regimen, we encountered 3 cases of acute myocardial infarction, and it was useful for small cell lung cancer.

[The usefulness of pleural biopsy in benign or malignant pleurisy]

Retrospective studies of pleural biopsy, cytology and ADA in pleural effusion were performed in 116 patients with pleural effusion between 1980 and 1988. Pleural malignant disease was diagnosed in 25 patients (75.8%) by cytology, in 19 patients (57.6%) by pleural biopsy. Thus, cytology should be performed first in patients with pleurisy. Both of cytologic study and CEA in pleural effusion were negative in 3 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Tuberculous pleuritis was diagnosed in 24 patients (50.0%) by pleural biopsy, in 5 patients (10.4%) by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both pleural biopsy and adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) were examined in 19 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and ADA was elevated in 16 patients (84.2%). These data suggested that pleural biopsy was useful for diagnosis of pleuritis and the combination of cytology, tumor markers and ADA with biopsy improved diagnostic rates of pleuritis.

Stimulation of granulocytic cell iodination by tannins and related compounds

Tannic acid stimulated the iodination (incorporation of radioactive iodine into an acid-insoluble fraction) of human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells, without affecting the iodination of 9 other cultured cell lines. The stimulation of both PMN and HL-60 cells depended on incubation time and temperature, and was significantly suppressed by myeloperoxidase inhibitors. Among chemically defined natural polyphenols, condensed tannins (epicatechin gallate oligomers) and monomeric and oligomeric hydrolyzable tannins potently stimulated PMN iodination, whereas polyphenols of lower molecular weight (gallic acid, alkyl gallates, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, caffeic acid derivatives and licorice flavonoids) had much less activity. Various synthetic polyphenolic compounds structurally unrelated to tannins also stimulated PMN iodination depending upon their molecular weight, but to a slightly lesser extent. The results suggest that the stimulation activity of tannins and related polyphenols might depend more on their molecular weights than the number of hydroxyl groups on each benzene ring in the molecule, or the presence of sugars or hexahydroxydiphenoyl groups.

[Clinical and bacteriological studies in four cases of pulmonary infection caused by Protomonas extorquens]

A novel bacterium, Protomonas extorquens was isolated from sputum, pleural effusion and ascitis in four cases of pulmonary infection by buffered charcoal yeast extract agar (B-CYE) which was generally used for Legionella spp. Three cases were so-called immunocompromised hosts (2 malignant diseases, 1 renal failure), and they died from underlying diseases. Protomonas extorquens was newly named by Komagata in 1984, which was characterized by production of pink pigment, growth in methanol medium and positive production of oxidase and catalase. This organism is ordinarily isolated from soil and dead leaves. This is the first report for isolation of P. extorquens from clinical specimens in Japan and it seems to have a significant role in immunocompromised hosts.

Computer simulation of supraventricular tachycardia with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome using three-dimensional heart models

Supraventricular tachycardias with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome have been successfully simulated using a newly developed simulation system. The heart model, including atria and ventricles, was constructed of about 50,000 discrete elements (model cells) in three dimensions with 1.5-mm spatial resolution. The model cells covered all of the types of cells in the actual heart, including the normal myocardium, special conduction system and abnormal cells, such as the bundle of Kent (accessory pathway) and ectopic pacemaker (premature beat). Different model cells were specified by their electrophysiologic parameters, such as action potential, refractory period, and conduction velocity. The WPW syndrome was simulated by setting an accessory pathway between the right atrium and ventricle. Based on this model a premature atrial beat was introduced, which initialized the tachycardia. By adjusting the parameters, three types of reciprocal supraventricular tachycardia were simulated with the reentry circuits (1) formed anterogradely by the A-V node and retrogradely by the accessory pathway, (2) formed anterogradely by the accessory pathway and retrogradely by the A-V node, and (3) confined within the A-V node. Time relations for initializing and maintaining the tachycardias were evaluated. The simulated ECGs were in good agreement with the clinical findings.

Regional distribution of DNA and RNA in rat brain: a sensitive determination using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

DNA and RNA contents in 20 brain regions or nuclei of the rat were determined by a highly sensitive method using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The high DNA and RNA contents were found in the hypothalamic nuclei, especially the median eminence-arcuate nucleus. These results may be available for the preparation of nucleic acids as the regional control.

Translocation of exogenous platelet-activating factor and its lyso-compound through plasma membranes is a rate-limiting step for their metabolic conversions into alkylacylglycerophosphocholines in rabbit platelets and guinea-pig leukocytes

Platelets and leukocytes are known to degrade platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potential mediator of inflammation, to its lyso-derivative (lyso-PAF) and then convert this to 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines. However, little is known about the mechanism of internalization of PAF and lyso-PAF, which is a prerequisite for their metabolism within the cells. In this work, the internalization of PAF and lyso-PAF by rabbit platelet and guinea-pig leukocyte plasma-membranes were examined by the washing method with bovine serum albumin. The rates of translocation of PAF and lyso-PAF across guinea-pig plasma membranes were significantly higher than those across rabbit platelets. In these cells, the translocation of PAF was found to be accelerated indirectly by activation of PAF receptors by a small portion of added PAF. Results suggest that a temperature-dependent diffusion process is involved in the internalization of these phospholipids. In both rabbit platelets and guinea-pig leukocytes, the translocation of PAF and lyso-PAF through the plasma membranes was shown to be rate-limiting for the metabolic conversion of these compounds to 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine.

[Acute myocardial infarction induced by lung cancer chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide]

From June of 1986 to May of 1989, we encountered 78 cases of lung cancer and administered CDDP and etoposide, orally and intravenously. We found 3 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) onset after this chemotherapy regimen. It is important to detect AMI onset as soon as possible. We must take prophylactic procedures for patients with coronary risk factors who have had radiation therapy previously.

[Diagnostic usefulness of transbronchial aspiration and bronchial lavage for pulmonary tuberculosis]

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a well established methods as a useful tool in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis with smear negative cases. In order to get the early and definite diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, we performed transbronchial aspiration and bronchial lavage by a fiberoptic bronchoscope in 97 patients. All patients (1) were clinically suspected of having active tuberculosis; (2) showed abnormal chest roentgenogram suggesting tuberculosis; (3) showed negative sputum smears of acid-fast bacilli, or had no sputum. The results of the study were summarized as follows: 1) Final diagnosis of study subjects were 90 patients of active pulmonary tuberculosis, and 7 patients of pulmonary atypical mycobacteriosis. 2) Sputum culture of acid-fast bacilli was positive in 22 out of 90 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. 3) Smear and culture examination of acid-fast bacilli of transbronchial aspirates were positive in 9 and 28, respectively out of 90 patients. 4) Smear and culture examination of acid-fast bacilli of bronchial lavage were positive in 12 and 39, respectively out of 90 patients. 5) A rapid and definite diagnosis was made in 16 out of 90 patients by transbronchial aspirates or bronchial lavage. 6) Atypical mycobacteria were detected in 7 out of 97 patients by transbronchial aspirates or bronchial lavage. 7) There were no serious complications such as pneumonia and exacerbation of pulmonary tuberculosis. These results suggested that transbronchial aspiration and bronchial lavage were useful procedures for rapid and definite diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Involvement of the cholinergic system in haloperidol-induced release of dopamine from slices of striatum in the rat

The effects of cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs on spontaneous or haloperidol-induced release of dopamine (DA) were studied in vitro. The slices of striatum were placed in a chamber and continuously superfused with Krebs' solution, containing various concentrations of haloperidol, with or without atropine, d-tubocurarine (d-TC), tetrodotoxin (TTX), physostigmine or carbachol. Haloperidol, enhanced the release of endogenous DA from the slices of striatum at an EC50 value of 25.6 microM. The effect of haloperidol was significantly reduced by atropine (2.5 microM), while it was unaffected by d-TC (10 microM) and TTX (1 microM). In contrast, physostigmine (3.7 microM) significantly increased the haloperidol-induced efflux of DA from the slices of striatum. In addition, acetylcholine (ACh), in the presence of physostigmine or carbachol, enhanced the basal efflux of DA at EC50 values of 2.8 microM and 83 microM, respectively. The effect of ACh on the efflux of DA was antagonized by atropine. These data suggest that haloperidol-induced release of DA is, at least partially, mediated by the activation of muscarinic ACh receptors located in the striatum.

Behavioral sensitization to beta-phenylethylamine (PEA): enduring modifications of specific dopaminergic neuron systems in the rat

Repeated daily administration of an endogenous trace amine, beta-phenylethylamine (PEA), produces behavioral sensitization such that the intensity of PEA-induced stereotyped behaviors in rats increases gradually during the treatment, and a challenge injection with PEA reinstates the enhanced stereotypy even long after withdrawal. In the present study, we examined the neurochemical changes in the central dopaminergic neurons systems in the rat for 7 drug-free days after repeated treatment with PEA (50 mg/kg, IP day for 14 or 28 days). During withdrawal, a decrease in steady-state levels of tissue dopamine (DA) and its metabolite, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), was found in the mesolimbic DA nerve terminal areas of the rat brain receiving repeated PEA treatment. Fifteen minutes after challenge administration of PEA at varying doses from 6.3 to 75 mg/kg, the rats with repeated PEA treatment required smaller doses of PEA challenge than the rats with acute PEA treatment in order to obtain a significant decrease in striatal DOPAC content compared to the saline control in each treatment group. These results imply that the behavioral sensitization to PEA is accompanied by enduring modifications of the specific dopaminergic neuron systems in the rat brain. This suggestion was strongly supported by the results of the study using in vivo intracerebral dialysis, which indicated that 25 mg/kg PEA challenge elicited a remarkable increase in the extracellular DA concentrations in striatal perfusates collected from the PEA-pretreated rats, in accordance with the intensity of stereotyped behaviors. These findings argue that the hyper-responsiveness to PEA of the striatal dopaminergic neuron systems persists long after withdrawal from repeated treatment with PEA.

Classification of antiarrhythmic drugs based on ventricular fibrillation threshold

The antifibrillatory action of antiarrhythmic drugs, classified on the basis of their effects on ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT), was investigated. The relation between drug action and cardiac excitability, orthodromic/antidromic conduction through Purkinje fibers and ventricular muscle and the restitution of premature action potential duration was studied. Drug classifications were: group A, VFT markedly increased; group B, VFT moderately increased; and group C, no significant change. Group A was subdivided according to presence or absence of the dip phenomenon and supernormal period in the anodal strength-interval curve. Drugs in group A significantly reduced the difference between effective refractory period of orthodromic and antidromic conduction and the range over which the premature action potential duration reappeared. In groups B and C, the effective refractory period in orthodromic conduction was longer than that in controls, and the range of the restitution of premature action potential duration for Purkinje fibers was reduced only slightly.

Determination of guanine by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection: application to DNA and RNA assays

A highly sensitive assay for guanine was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (ECD). Guanine was susceptible to the electrochemical oxidation, and ECD response was proportional to the amount of guanine in the range 0.25-4 pmol of guanine. The ECD of guanine was applicable to the analysis of nucleic acids. DNA and RNA were hydrolyzed in 0.03 and 3 M HCl, respectively, and guanine liberated from the nucleic acids was separated on a reverse-phase column and determined by ECD. The method allowed detection of 0.2 ng of calf thymus DNA or tRNA. An application of the method is shown for DNA and RNA assays in trichloroacetic acid extracts of rat adrenal and liver.

Involvement of brain stem noradrenergic neurons in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study attempted to investigate the possible involvement of the brain stem noradrenergic system in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Steady-state norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations and norepinephrine turnover were determined in the individual brain stem nuclei using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Decreased norepinephrine contents in the nucleus tractus solitarii in spontaneously hypertensive rats compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats at the age of 4, 8, and 16 weeks were demonstrated. In later stages (8 and 16 weeks), increased norepinephrine levels were observed in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis, the A1 and A5 areas. Norepinephrine turnover was not different between spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats in the nucleus tractus solitarii at the age of 4 and 16 weeks and increased in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis of spontaneously hypertensive rats at 16 weeks. Our results indicate that altered norepinephrine metabolism in the specific brain stem nuclei, especially the consistently decreased norepinephrine in the nucleus tractus solitarii of spontaneously hypertensive rats, contribute to the development of genetic hypertension.

The effects of oxygen toxicity on the pregnant rat using an apparatus designed to measure oxygen consumption method

To evaluate the effects of oxygen toxicity in the pregnant rat at high and low concentrations of oxygen, an oxygen-consumption apparatus was devised to measure the consumption of oxygen continuously over long periods. Oxygen consumption, partial oxygen pressure on the skin (tcPo2), and lipid peroxide levels in the serum were measured. There was a close correlation between oxygen consumption and body weight of rats that weighed between 150 g and 450 g. Oxygen consumption during the later stages of pregnancy increased by 1.8 ml/day, an increase of 8%. Oxygen consumption by rats during parturition increased markedly for up to 1 h and then reached and remained at a plateau value until the end of delivery. Exposure of pregnant rats to low concentrations of oxygen resulted in a marked depression in oxygen consumption and tcPo2 during the exposure time. A significant increase in the lipid peroxide level in serum was observed in the mother rat after birth and in the newborn offspring of pregnant rats exposed to 16% oxygen for 3 h.

Enhancement of dopamine release from striatal slices of rats that were subchronically treated with methamphetamine

The effect of dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitors (methamphetamine, nomifensine, and phenylethylamine) on the release of endogenous DA from striatal slices of rats pretreated with methamphetamine (6 mg/kg/day for 9 days) was investigated. The exposure of methamphetamine-pretreated rat striatal slices to a low concentration (10(-7) M, 5 X 10(-7) M) of methamphetamine caused a greater increase in DA efflux than that of saline-treated rat striatal slices. The drug-treated rats displayed an enhanced stereotyped behavioral response to a small dose of methamphetamine (1 mg/kg). Removal of Ca2+ from the superfusion medium did not affect the difference in the rates of methamphetamine (10(-7) M) induced DA release between methamphetamine-treated and saline-treated rat striatal slices. Nomifensine- and phenylethylamine-induced DA release from striatal slices was also enhanced by repeated administration of methamphetamine. On the other hand, there was no difference in K+-induced DA release between the two groups. Moreover, repeated administration of methamphetamine caused a significant increase in 3H-dopamine uptake in rat striatal synaptosomes. These results suggest that the behavioral sensitization produced by the repeated administration of methamphetamine is accompanied by an enhancement in the release of DA induced by methamphetamine, nomifensine, and phenylethylamine in vitro and is also accompanied by increased DA uptake into striatal synaptosomes.

Massive striatal dopamine release in acute cerebral ischemia in rats

Extracellular dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and cerebral blood flow were simultaneously determined using in vivo brain dialysis and a hydrogen clearance method in the striatum of spontaneously hypertensive rats during ischemia and after recirculation. Massive striatal dopamine release was demonstrated in acutely induced ischemic brain.

Effect of antiarrhythmic drugs on the ventricular fibrillation induced by low intensity train pulses

We evaluated the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) by analysing the electrophysiologic parameters obtained from strength-interval curves. The VFT determined by low intensity train pulses was significantly increased from the control value under the administration of clinical dosage of procainamide, lidocaine, propranolol, bepridil and prenylamine, although not verapamil. The elevation of VFT could be explained by changes in the strength-interval curve induced by the drugs, including disappearance of dip phenomenon, supernormal period, prolongation of effective refractory period (ERP) and elevation of end diastolic threshold (EDT).

Effects of exogenous ubidecarenone on cardiac action potential and activation time in hypoxic, glucose-free solution. Possible antiarrhythmic action of ubidecarenone

Effects of ubidecarenone (coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, E-0216) on the cardiac action potential depressed by the superfusion with hypoxic, glucose-free solution (modified Tyrode solution) and on the activation time (ACT) altered by the same means were investigated. In the control specimens, the action potential duration (APD) was markedly shortened and action potential amplitude (AMP) reduced. The maximum rate of rise of phase zero Vmax) and the resting membrane potential (RMP) were slightly affected. Superfusion with exogenous CoQ10 significantly reversed the depressed APD and AMP, and tended to increase RMP and Vmax. Moreover, the ACT which, in the control, was slightly shortened until after the 10th min of superfusion became progressively longer. It was slightly prolonged during the first 10 min, and from the 12th to the 15th min was slightly shortened by treatment with CoQ10. These results suggest that CoQ10 could evoke an antiarrhythmic action in cardiac cells in depressed metabolic conditions.

Vectorcardiographic QRS loop in spontaneous pneumothorax

Vectorcardiographic QRS loops were recorded in twenty-nine patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SP), comprised of eighteen of left SP and eleven of right SP. The configurations of QRS loops in acute to recovery phases were compared. The patients were classified into three groups according to the degree of collapse of the lung (Group A: 25% or less, Group B: 25% to 50%, Group C: 50% or more). The major features of the QRS loop in SP were as follows: Left SP--Leftward QRS force was markedly reduced and the mean QRS axis showed a shift to the inferior and posterior. The greatest changes in the QRS loop appeared in group B. Right SP--The mean QRS axis tended to shift to the posterior and to the right. For clarifying the cause of the changes in the QRS loop, a simulation study was performed with a two-dimensional electrical field model. The results of the simulation study strongly suggested that the alterations of the QRS loop in spontaneous pneumothorax were mainly due to extracardiac reasons.

Effects of acute and chronic treatment with imipramine on 5-hydroxytryptamine nerve cell groups and on bulbospinal 5-hydroxytryptamine/substance P/thyrotropin releasing hormone immunoreactive neurons in the rat. A morphometric and microdensitometric analysis

Groups of male rats were treated for a period of 14 days with imipramine (10 mumol/kg) given twice daily. Separate groups of rats received a single dose treatment using the same dose and experimental design as for the repeated treatment. Employing the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique for immunohistochemistry 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-, substance P(SP)- and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)-like immunoreactivities (IRs) were visualized in consecutive coronal sections of the brain stem and of the spinal cord. The IRs were studied by means of morphometric and microdensitometric procedures using automatic image analysis on profiles representing nerve terminal networks of the ventral horn of the cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord as well as their coexistence (5-HT/SP and 5-HT/TRH). With the same technique 5-HT IR was measured in the 5-HT nerve cell groups of the medulla oblongata (B1, B2, B3) and of the nucleus raphe dorsalis (B7) of the midbrain. In addition 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were measured in the ventral and dorsal horns of the cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the same parts of the spinal cord SP IR was studied by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA). The microdensitometric studies showed that chronic, but not acute, imipramine treatment selectively increased SP IR in the 5-HT/SP/TRH costoring nerve terminals of the medial part of the ventral horn in both the cervical and the lumbar enlargements. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of the entity of coexistence in the 5-HT nerve terminals networks of these areas showed that all the 5-HT nerve terminals contained SP and TRH IRs and that this phenomenon remained after acute and chronic imipramine treatment. The microdensitometric studies on the 5-HT nerve cell groups of the medulla oblongata and of the nucleus raphe dorsalis demonstrated that chronic, but not acute, imipramine treatment selectively increased 5-HT IR in the nerve cell bodies of the lateral part of group B3 as evaluated from the median grey values. Acute, but not chronic, imipramine treatment significantly increased the field area of 5-HT IR of nerve cell bodies in group B7, reflecting an increase in the mean profile area of the 5-HT IR nerve cell body profiles. Instead, the mean profile area of 5-HT IR cell bodies of group B1 was acutely reduced by imipramine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Sprouting of striatal serotonin nerve terminals following selective lesions of nigro-striatal dopamine neurons in neonatal rat

The effects of neonatal intracisternal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 50 micrograms) treatment on striatal serotonin (5-HT) nerve terminals in rat have been characterized using histo- and neurochemical methods. The 6-OHDA lesion caused a 60% reduction of striatal dopamine (DA) concentration when analyzed in the adult stage, while 5-HT levels were increased by about 40% and 3H-5-HT uptake in vitro was increased by about 60%. Using computerized image analysis, a marked increase in 5-HT-like immunoreactive terminal density was found in both rostral (+200%) and caudal (+50%) striatum. Pretreatment with the DA uptake blocker amfolenic acid completely counteracted the 6-OHDA-induced alterations in both DA and 5-HT neurons in the striatum, while pretreatment with the noradrenaline uptake blocker desipramine had no significant effects. Regional analysis of 5-HT levels in the CNS after neonatal 6-OHDA treatment or the combined desipramine + 6-OHDA treatment showed no significant effect in any of the brain areas analyzed, apart from the observed 5-HT increase in striatum. It was furthermore observed that the striatal 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT ratio was decreased, while the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA ratio was increased following the 6-OHDA lesion, indicating compensatory mechanisms in turnover of transmitters. These alterations were completely reversed after pretreatment with amfolenic acid. The present results support the view that the 5-HT hyperinnervation following neonatal 6-OHDA treatment is a collateral sprouting response induced by lesioning of the striatal DA neurons.

Studies on the effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on central catecholamine neurons in C57BL/6 mice. Comparison with three other strains of mice

The effect of the parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on central catecholamine neurons in C57BL/6 mice has been studied employing neuro- and histochemical techniques. The number of dopamine (DA) cell bodies in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) was reduced by 70% in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice, as demonstrated both by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry and conventional histology (Cresyl violet staining) and an almost complete loss of DA fibers in striatum was also found. A detailed analysis of the effects of MPTP on endogenous catecholamine levels in various brain regions revealed that MPTP caused a severe reduction of endogenous DA in substantia nigra and striatum (35 and 5% of control) which was accompanied by an increase in the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA ratio. There was also a decrease of DA in nucleus accumbens and the olfactory tubercle to 41 and 44% of control, respectively, without any significant change in the DOPAC/DA ratio and density of TH-positive fibers. Small but significant decreases of the noradrenaline (NA) levels in septum, entorhinal cortex and frontal cortex were seen, although the uptake of [3H]NA in frontal cortex was not significantly changed. Minor MPTP-induced decreases of the serotonin levels in frontal cortex, occipital cortex and spinal cord were also seen. The MPTP treatment also induced a 55% increase of adrenaline levels in hypothalamus, while no changes were seen in pons-medulla and spinal cord. Comparing this with 3 other strains of mice, the MPTP-induced reduction of endogenous DA in striatum was most pronounced in C57BL/6, less in N.M.R.I. and CBA/Ca mice, and least in Swiss-Webster. Concerning the effect of MPTP on cortical NA levels, the same relation was at hand except for C57BL/6, where, as mentioned, the effect was merely detectable. No reduction of DA perikarya in SNC was seen in Swiss-Webster mice. These findings show that in mice major differences exist in sensitivity of catecholamine neurons to MPTP between different strains. The data show that MPTP can produce an almost complete, permanent and relatively selective degeneration of the nigrostriatal DA neurons in C57BL/6 mice similar to that seen in primates. This strain may therefore serve as a useful model for studies on various aspects of MPTP-induced parkinsonism.

The catecholamine uptake blocker nomifensine protects against MPTP-induced parkinsonism in monkeys

Administration of MPTP (1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) to Macaca fascicularis monkeys produced severe parkinsonism (hypokinesia, tremor, rigidity, aphagia, adipsia) and more than 90% loss of nigral dopamine neurons, striatal dopamine content and striatal 3H-mazindol binding. Treatment with the catecholamine uptake blocker nomifensine counteracted the behavioral, histological and neurochemical effects induced by MPTP. For obtaining best protection, nomifensine had to be administered for weeks after MPTP. The results suggest that the selective target-directed neurotoxic action of MPTP on dopamine neurons in monkeys is mediated via the dopamine uptake mechanism.

Vectorcardiogram with McFee-Parungao lead system in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Vectorcardiograms (VCG) were recorded from five spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and five age-matched normal wistar rats (WR). Arterial systolic blood pressure was 115 +/- 10.8 mmHg in WR and 176 +/- 7.7 mmHg in SHR. The basic procedures for recording VCG in the rat were investigated. After rats were anesthetized with urethane-chloralose, VCG were taken by using the McFee-Parungao lead system in restrained ventral position. VCG in SHR were characterized by superior, posterior and leftward shift of QRS loops, a more elliptical form of QRS loops in the horizontal plane, and an increase in QRS-T angles in all planes, when compared with WR. These vectorcardiographic findings in SHR were quite similar to those produced by left ventricular hypertrophy in humans.

Post-pacing T loop abnormalities

Vectorcardiograms of paced and unpaced beats were recorded from 18 patients with implanted pacemakers to investigate the characteristics of post-pacing T inversions. The intraventricular conduction during sinus rhythm of unpaced beats was normal in 13 of 18 patients and abnormal in the other 5 (RBBB in 3, LBBB in 2). The directions of the maximum QRS vector in paced beats (max QRSp.V) and maximum T vector in unpaced beats (max T unp.V) were studied. In 8 of 13 patients with normal intraventricular conduction (group A) and in 3 patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB), the differences between the directions of max QRSp.V and max T unp.V in both frontal and horizontal planes were less than 30 degrees, and in 5 of 13 patients with normal intraventricular conduction (group B) and 2 patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), differences exceeded 30 degrees. The direction of max T unp.V tended to be superiorly, posteriorly and to the right regardless of max QRSp.V direction. The similarity in direction of max QRSp.V and max T unp.V supports the hypothesis by Rosenbaum et al that post-pacing T inversions may be, in part, explained on the basis of 'cardiac memory'. However the absence of correlation between the max QRSp.V and max T unp.V suggests that the post-pacing T inversions may be caused by other unknown mechanisms.

Marked episodic elevation of cerebrospinal fluid pressure during nocturnal sleep in patients with sleep apnea hypersomnia syndrome

The CSF pressure was measured continuously at the lumbar level during nocturnal sleep in 3 patients with sleep apnea hypersomnia syndrome. Nocturnal sleep was very unstable with frequent episodes of obstructive sleep apnea. When the patients were awake and relaxed in the supine position, their CSF pressure was stable and within the normal range. Episodic marked elevations of CSF pressure occurred frequently during sleep, and each elevation was preceded and accompanied by an episode of sleep apnea or hypopnea. Significant correlations were found between the duration of apneic episodes and increase of CSF pressure, and between decrease of SaO2 or TcPO2 and increase of CSF pressure. The duration of sleep apnea was longer, increase of CSF pressure was greater, and decreases of SaO2 and TcPO2 were more marked during REM sleep than during NREM sleep. It is suggested that the frequent marked episodic elevations of CSF pressure are caused by an increase in the intracranial vascular volume occurring mainly in response to transient hypercapnia and hypoxia, which are induced by pulmonary hypoventilation during the episodes of sleep apnea.

Distribution of action potential durations in the canine left ventricle

The distribution of action potential durations (APD) in the left ventricle were investigated and compared to the spatial orientation of the maximum T vector (MaxTv). Eight dogs with similar vectorcardiographic spatial orientations of MaxTv were used. Action potentials were recorded from 42 to 64 sites on each isolated endocardial and epicardial specimen with glass microelectrodes. Preparations included the entire left ventricular free wall. The APD50 and APD90 had similar distributions, but the APD90 distribution was less uniform in all 8 dogs. On the endocardium, APDs were longest between the roots of the papillary muscles, and progressively shorter toward the upper edge (base) where the shortest APDs were found. On the epicardium, APDs were longest in the lower lateral region, and gradually shortened, approximately concentrically, toward the anterior and posterior bases. APDs were longer in the endocardium than in the corresponding epicardium. Maximum APD endocardial-epicardial differences were found in the lower lateral region of the ventricular free wall. Results agree with reports of ventricular recovery properties in vivo, and partly account for the spatial orientation of the MaxTv. This study adds new details, and delineates the longest and shortest distributions of APDs.