Rat-liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA. Structure, tissue distribution and regulation

We have cloned a full-length cDNA for rat-liver-type phosphofructokinase. The similarities of the rat liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA to the human and mouse counterparts were 94% and 99% in their amino acid sequences and 88% and 94% in the nucleotide sequences of their coding regions, respectively. Rat liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA was expressed in all tissues examined, but its level was regulated tissue-specifically. The nutritional and hormonal regulations of the mRNA in the liver were examined in comparison with those of two other key glycolytic enzymes, glucokinase and L-type pyruvate kinase. The level of liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA was essentially unchanged by starvation (72 h) or diabetes. The mRNA level also did not change significantly on refeeding starved rats on a high carbohydrate diet, or treating diabetic ones with insulin. These results suggested that rat liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA in the liver was not under control of diet or insulin, in contrast to glucokinase and L-type pyruvate kinase.

Abnormal glucagon response to arginine and its normalization in obese hyperinsulinaemic patients with glucose intolerance: importance of insulin action on pancreatic alpha cells

An excessive glucagon secretion to intravenous arginine infusion was found in obese hyperinsulinaemic patients with glucose intolerance. This study was designed to determine whether the glucagon hyperresponsiveness to arginine in these patients would improve by insulin infused at a high enough dose to overcome insulin resistance. By infusing high dose insulin during arginine infusion, the previously exaggerated glucagon response to arginine could be normalized. To normalize the abnormal glucagon response, insulin doses of 4.2 +/- 0.7 and 3.8 +/- 0.5 IU were required during arginine infusion in obese hyperinsulinaemic patients with impaired glucose tolerance and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, respectively. This achieved plasma peak insulin levels 3 to 4 times higher than those observed in non-obese healthy subjects. Furthermore, we clarified whether or not the effect of normalizing insulin action and/or glycaemic excursions contributed to normalizing the exaggerated glucagon response to arginine in these patients. Blood glucose was clamped while high dose insulin was infused at the same levels as observed during the arginine infusion test with no insulin infusion. As a result, normalization of the exaggerated plasma glucagon response was achieved, whether hyperglycaemia existed or not. These results clearly demonstrate that, similar to non-obese hypoinsulinaemic Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, the exaggerated Alpha-cell response to arginine infusion in obese hyperinsulinaemic patients with glucose intolerance is secondary to the reduction of insulin action on the pancreatic Alpha cell, and that the expression of insulin action plays an important part in normalizing these abnormalities.

Effects of food intake on the bioavailability of sulpiride from AEA film-coated tablet having a pH-dependent dissolution characteristic in normal or drug-induced achlorhydric subjects

The effect of food intake on the bioavailability of sulpiride from a commercial film-coated tablet (100 mg/T) treated with polyvinylacetal diethylaminoacetate (AEA), which remains undissolved at pH above 4 approximately 5, were investigated in four healthy male subjects in the normal state or in a drug-induced achlorhydric state. The drug was administered as a single oral 100 mg dose of sulpiride under the fasting and nonfasting state using a crossover study design. Fifteen urine samples were collected over a 48 h period following sulpiride administration to determine sulpiride concentrations by HPLC. The bioavailability was estimated from the cumulative amount excreted unchanged in urine over 48 h (Du48). When AEA film-coated tablet was taken by subjects in the normal state, the bioavailability under the fasting state differed markedly among the four subjects due to differences in gastric acidity. The effect of food intake on the bioavailability also differed markedly among the individuals, being lower in high gastric acidity subject and higher in those with low gastric acidity subjects. When AEA film-coated tablet was taken by subjects in a simulated achlorhydric state, the bioavailability under the fasting state was very poor for all four subjects and did not show inter-subject variation. With food intake, the bioavailability increased 6-fold, probably due to the more vigorous movement of the formulation in the gastrointestinal tract, since both the basal and the meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion were markedly inhibited in the simulated achlorhydric state.

Interaction of taurine with methionine: inhibition of myocardial phospholipid methyltransferase

Perfusion of isolated, working rat heart with buffer containing 300 microM methionine in the presence of 2.5 U/L insulin led to a 15% decrease in cardiac work and a four-fold decrease in sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange activity. These effects of methionine were largely prevented by inclusion of 10 mM taurine in the buffer supplemented with methionine and insulin. Taurine also reduced the extent of 3H-methyl group incorporation from radioactive methionine into myocardial phospholipids by approximately 45%. Assays of sarcolemmal phospholipid methyltransferase activity at catalytic sites I, II, and III revealed that taurine inhibited N-methylation activity approximately 30%. The data imply that the ability of taurine to modulate myocardial contraction and calcium transport may be related to taurine-mediated inhibition of phospholipid N-methylation.

Tissue specificity in expression and alternative RNA splicing of human phosphofructokinase-M and -L genes

Mode of the expression of phosphofructokinase (PFK) -M and -L genes was examined in various human tissues including muscle, placenta, liver, kidney, pancreas, stomach and reticulocytes. The gross level of mRNA expression of PFK-M and -L genes was estimated by Northern analysis. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect mRNA expressed at low levels in these tissues. Tissue-specific expression of alternatively spliced PFK-M gene transcripts was also determined by polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that alternative splicing of PFK-M gene transcripts was controlled in a tissue-specific manner.

Effects of food intake and meal size on the bioavailability of sulpiride in two dosage forms

This study examined the influences of food intake on sulpiride (100 mg) bioavailability from a commercial film-coated tablet and of the meal size (small, medium or large) on sulpiride bioavailability from an aqueous solution in three healthy male volunteers. The cumulative urinary excretions of sulpiride for 48 h (Du48) from two dosage forms following oral administration were decreased approximately 30% by food intake. Also, a good correlation was found between the bioavailability of sulpiride from the solution and size of meals with the same dietary components. These results suggest that food intake and meal size before dosing significantly affect the gastrointestinal absorption of sulpiride.

[Clinical study of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for 1000 patients with renal and ureteral stones]

Using a Dornier HM3 lithotripter, we treated 1,000 patients with renal and ureteral stones from April, 1986 to July, 1989. They consisted of 612 solitary stones (pelvic stones, 152; calyceal stones, 167; ureteral stones, 293), 265 multiple stones and 123 staghorn calculi (complete, 48; partial, 75). The overall rate of the auxiliary procedure was 59.3% (pre-operative, 47.9%; post-operative, 11.4%). Pre-operative procedure included 430 catheterizations, 26 percutaneous nephrostomies (PNSs) and 23 pyelograms . Post-operative procedure included 69 transurethral lithotripsy , 21 PNSs, 26 percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNLs), 6 meatotomy , 5 chemolysis and 1 open surgery. 484 (68.3%) in 709 good follow-up cases were stone-free at the time of 3 months since the first extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Complications were pain (34.8%), fever (4.3%), pain & fever (8.5%), subcapsular hematoma (0.1%) and ureteral obstruction (0.1%). Thus, ESWL is considered to be a useful means for renal and ureteral stones and in the case of large stone the combination therapy with PNL is more effective than ESWL-monotherapy.

Glucose infusion abolishes the excessive ATP degradation in working muscles of a patient with McArdle's disease

A 23-year-old woman with McArdle's disease performed mild leg exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Saline or 10% glucose solution was infused throughout exercise. After exercise with saline infusion, her plasma concentrations of ammonia, hypoxanthine and creatine kinase increased greatly. Conversely, after exercise with glucose infusion, there were no appreciable changes in these plasma substances. In addition, she noticed that glucose infusion relieved her from muscle symptoms during exercise. These findings suggest that glucose infusion to patients with McArdle's disease ameliorates excessive ATP degradation in exercising muscles.

Taurine deficiency and doxorubicin: interaction with the cardiac sarcolemmal calcium pump

An anticancer drug, doxorubicin, and a naturally occurring beta-amino acid, taurine, exert opposing actions on myocardial calcium content and lipid peroxidation. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that the two agents may interact to modify cardiac calcium metabolism and indices of lipid peroxidation. Cardiac taurine levels were reduced by half in rats given tap water containing a beta-amino transport inhibitor, beta-alanine. Taurine deficiency was associated with an increased susceptibility of the heart to doxorubicin-mediated calcium accumulation, a phenomenon commonly associated with doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Taurine deficiency also predisposed the heart to enhanced formation of malondialdehyde caused by doxorubicin administration. While increases in malondialdehyde levels are often associated with lipid peroxidation, the failure of doxorubicin to cause changes in oxidized glutathione content makes peroxidative mechanisms a less likely explanation for the potentiation of doxorubicin-mediated myocardial calcium accumulation in taurine-deficient rats. A more likely possibility is the interaction between taurine deficiency and doxorubicin to inhibit the sarcolemmal calcium pump. The data also suggest that the interaction between doxorubicin and taurine deficiency does not involve alterations in the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin or the cardiotoxic metabolite, doxorubicinol. It is concluded that reduction in sarcolemmal calcium pump activity by taurine deficiency may contribute to myocardial calcium accumulation in hearts whose calcium homeostasis has been compromised by doxorubicin.

Protective effect of taurine against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in perfused chick hearts

The ability of taurine to protect the isolated heart against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity was examined. Chick hearts perfused for 20 min with medium containing 17 microM doxorubicin exhibited a decrease in contractility, an increase in resting tension and a dramatic depletion in tissue high energy phosphate content. Addition of 20 mM taurine to the perfusate attenuated the increase in resting tension and the decrease in myocardial adenosine triphosphate content induced by doxorubicin. The present study confirms our previous in vivo observations that taurine partially prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

The bioavailability of sulpiride taken as a film-coated tablet with sodium bicarbonate, cimetidine, natural orange juice or hydrochloric acid

The bioavailability of sulpiride taken in film-coated tablet form with sodium bicarbonate or cimetidine or with natural orange juice or diluted hydrochloric acid was studied. A commercial sulpiride film-coated tablet (100 mg/T) treated with polyvinylacetal diethylaminoacetate (AEA), which remain undissolved at pH above 4-5, was given to four healthy volunteers who had fasted overnight. The subjects were divided into two groups, those showing high and low bioavailability of sulpiride from an AEA film-coated tablet. The two high bioavailability subjects took one tablet (100 mg) with 100 ml of water (1) alone, (2) together with 1 g of sodium bicarbonate or (3) during concurrent dosing with cimetidine, 200 mg three times a day. The two low bioavailability subjects swallowed one tablet with 100 ml of (1) water, (2) natural orange juice, or (3) diluted hydrochloric acid. Urine samples were collected over a 48-h period following sulpiride administration to determine sulpiride concentrations by HPLC. The bioavailability was estimated from the cumulative amount excreted unchanged in urine over 48 h (Du48). In the high bioavailability subjects, the bioavailability of sulpiride markedly decreased with the coadministration of sodium bicarbonate or cimetidine compared to when the tablet was taken alone. In the low bioavailability subjects, the bioavailability remarkably increased with the concomitant intake of orange juice or diluted hydrochloric acid over that with only water. These results suggest that the bioavailability of sulpiride from AEA film-coated tablet is influenced by the individual's gastric acidity and by coadministered drug and drink which affect gastric acidity.

Hyperinsulinemia due to impaired insulin clearance associated with fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia: an analysis of a patient with antiinsulin receptor antibodies

Antiinsulin receptor antibodies were detected in the serum of a patient with insulin-resistant diabetes. Fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia recurred every day. The plasma insulin level was 553 +/- 359 pmol/L [77 +/- 50 microU/mL (mean +/- SD)] in the fasting state and rose above 7500 pmol/L postprandially. The glycemic clamp at 2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) without insulin infusion revealed that the half-life of plasma endogenous insulin was 173 min, indicating severely impaired plasma insulin clearance. During the clamp the glucose infusion rate was almost constant (0.9-1.2 mg/kg.min) despite an exponential decline in the plasma insulin level from 460 pmol/L (65 microU/mL) to 129 pmol/L (18 microU/mL). Intravenous insulin administration did not appreciably accelerate the basal constant decrease in the plasma glucose level during the postabsorptive period. These results indicate the coexistence of marked insulin resistance and constant ability to decrease plasma glucose level. In in vitro experiments, antireceptor immunoglobulin G from this patient increased the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate concentration in the presence of glucagon (less than 0.1 nmol/L) in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The antireceptor immunoglobulin G stimulated autophosphorylation of rat liver insulin receptor. We conclude that antiinsulin receptor antibodies could impair plasma insulin clearance, resulting in persistent hyperinsulinemia, and that continuous receptor stimulation by the antibodies was responsible for the development of hypoglycemia.

[Successful surgical treatment of a patient with tension pneumopericardium and left hemothorax caused by multiple rib fractures]

A 62-year-old man underwent operation for tension pneumopericardium and left hemothorax caused by multiple rib fractures. He sustained other multiple injuries, such as acute subdural hematoma, compound fractures of the left leg. At left thoracotomy, massive hemorrhage from the left apical lung disrupted by the first and second fractured ribs was encountered and pericardium was seen to be bulging and tensely inflated. Incision of the pericardial sac resulted in expulsion of air with a subsequent fall in central venous pressure and heart rate. And after repair of the tear of the laceration of the left lung, the chest was closed with underwater seal drainages of the left pleural cavity. He was successfully weaned off the ventilator after 12 days. After extubation, repeated bronchoscopy was done, but the tracheobronchial injury was not able to be found out.

[4 cases of paraquat poisoning]

A clinical study was performed on 4 patients with paraquat poisoning treated between 1985 and 1987. The survival rate was 0% in our hospital.

Autoantibodies to the insulin receptor impair clearance of plasma endogenous insulin

Plasma insulin clearance was studied in a patient with autoantibodies to the insulin receptor, manifesting persistent hyperinsulinemia associated with alternating hyper- and hypoglycemia. In the postabsorptive period, the plasma glucose level gradually decreased. To prevent the development of hypoglycemia, glucose was infused and the glycemic level was clamped at 50 mg/dl without insulin infusion. The plasma C-peptide level was below the detectable range during the clamp, indicating no appreciable secretion of insulin. The plasma insulin level declined exponentially with a markedly prolonged disappearance rate (half-time: 3.0 h) during the study. These results indicate that hyperinsulinemia in the postabsorptive period in this patient is attributable to the impairment of plasma insulin clearance through receptor-mediated mechanisms, and also confirm that the receptor plays the principal role in plasma insulin removal.

[Problems in evaluating male fertility: valuable factors in evaluating male fertility and normal values of seminal parameters]

To determine the valuable factor for evaluating male fertility, a comparative study was done as to various seminal parameters between fertile and infertile groups. The fertile group consists of 57 proven fertile males and the infertile group consists of randomly chosen 67 infertile patients. Seminal parameters assessed were sperm concentration, motility, mean velocity, total sperm output, total motile sperm output, sperm morphology, acrosin activity and sperm penetration rate on zona-free hamster egg penetration assay (SPA). The infertile group was significantly different from the fertile group in every parameter except acrosin activity. However, the range of each parameter in the two groups overlapped each other. The diagnostic rate of each parameter, which is the percentage of an infertile male correctly diagnosed as infertile, was calculated by using 95% specificity threshold value of fertile males. The 95% specificity threshold values of sperm concentration, motility and % normal shaped sperm were 24.9 x 10(6)/ml, 34.9% and 55%, respectively, and they could be acceptable for the normal limit of seminal parameters. The diagnostic rate was highest in penetration rate (72.4%). In other words, penetration rate is the most valuable factor in various parameters for making a distinction between fertile and infertile males. Sperm motility and mean velocity showed the next highest diagnostic rate. On the other hand, sperm concentration showed a poor diagnostic rate (36.8%). In addition, there was no significant correlation between penetration rate and any other seminal parameters. These results suggest that the SPA will be an essential test for evaluating male fertility and penetration rate may be a marker of male fertility in the treatment of male infertility.

Cellular oncogene expression in the idiopathic cardiomyopathic hamster heart during the growing process

The expression of various proto-oncogenes was evaluated in the Syrian hamster with hereditary idiopathic cardiomyopathy. mRNA from the heart and aorta of controls (BIO-RB) and cardiomyopathic hamsters (UM-X7.1 strain, BIO 14.6 line) was tested using RNA hybridization techniques. Of the 19 different v-oncogene probes used in the study, only the v-myc probe revealed a substantially greater expression of oncogene in the 30th day of cardiomyopathic hamster heart than in control hamster heart. The amplified expression of c-myc was also observed in the heart of 1-year-old, but not of 7-day-old cardiomyopathic hamster. Overexpression of c-myc, otherwise associated with the regulation of cell differentiation or rapid growth, may relate to the pathological state or pathogenesis of the hereditary cardiomyopathy.

[A case of a complete paraplegic fathering a girl following artificial insemination after an intrathecal neostigmine injection]

A case of a 32-year-old paraplegic male who fathered a girl following artificial insemination after an intrathecal neostigmine injection is described. The patient became a complete paraplegic after injury to the spinal cord caused by a traffic accident in 1971, resulting in ejaculatory disturbance. In June, 1984 the first intrathecal neostigmine injection was tried and 2.7 ml of semen was collected and offered to artificial insemination. However, the first to ninth attempt did not result in fertilization. The tenth attempt was made in March 7, 1986, and 3 ml of semen presenting 240 X 10(6) spermatozoa per ml with 5% of motile sperms was collected. This resulted in pregnancy, and the patient's wife delivered a healthy girl weighing 2552 g by cesarean section on November 19, 1986. This is the fourth case of a paraplegic who fathered a child following artificial insemination after an intrathecal neostigmine injection in the Japanese literature.

Mechanism of the protective action of taurine against isoprenaline induced myocardial damage

The effect of the sulphur amino acid, taurine, on the biochemical changes induced by a toxic dose of isoprenaline was examined in chick hearts. Isoprenaline treatment (80 and 240 mg.kg-1 subcutaneously twice a day for four days) caused a dose dependent increase in heart to body weight ratio. Isoprenaline administration induced a substantial accumulation of calcium and caused a profound decrease of adenosine triphosphate content and creatine phosphokinase activity in the myocardium. A pronounced increase in lipoperoxide and decrease in phospholipid and reduced glutathione concentrations were also seen. Oral administration of taurine (200 mg.kg-1 for seven days) partially protected against these changes induced by isoprenaline. It is suggested that the beneficial effect of taurine may be due in part to inhibition of lipoperoxide formation and calcium accumulation and to protection against the deterioration of membrane phospholipids.

[Male infertility with chromosomal abnormalities. III. 46, XYq-]

A deletion of the long arm of the Y chromosome (46,XYq-) was found in two cases with normal male habitus but with azoospermia. The first case was of a 28-year-old married man, an office worker, complaining of infertility. His height was 153 cm, weight 57 kg and distance of extended hand 152 cm. Both testes were 13 ml in size. The second case was a 32-year-old married man, a fireman, complaining of infertility. His height was 160 cm, weight 64 kg and distance of extended hand 161 cm. Both testes were 10 ml in size. In each case, the external genitalia showed a normal male type, but azoospermia was identified in semen analysis. The testicular biopsy specimens revealed spermatogenic arrest with thickening of basement membrane. Chromosomal analysis showed 46,XYq- karyotype. Basal serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were slightly elevated and the serum testosterone level was within normal limits. Eight cases of 46,XYq- karyotype in the Japanese literature including our cases were reviewed.

Further studies on the resolution of human mercapt- and nonmercaptalbumin and on human serum albumin in the elderly by high-performance liquid chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of human serum albumin (HSA) on Asahipak GS-520 showed at least two peaks, the principal component corresponding to human mercaptalbumin (HMA) and the secondary one to nonmercaptalbumin (HNA). HPLC analysis of HSA on Asahipak ES-520 N showed three peaks, the principal component corresponding to HMA, the secondary one to HNA having mixed disulfide with cysteine or glutathione and the tertiary one to HNA oxidized higher than mixed disulfide. Two kinds of rapid HPLC for the resolution of HSA into HMA and HNA were developed by the present authors. Using these HPLC, the present authors found a significant decrease in the fraction of HMA in the elderly.

Reduction of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice by taurine

The effect of taurine on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was examined in mice. A single intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg) produced a significant elevation of calcium and lipoperoxide content at 72 hr, as well as a significant depletion of creatine phosphokinase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities at 48 hr and glutathione peroxidase activity at 24 hr in the myocardium. These results suggest that a substantial myocardial damage had occurred. All biochemical alterations except depletion of glutathione peroxidase, were markedly attenuated by the combined oral and intraperitoneal administration of taurine. Taurine significantly improved the survival rate of the mice treated with doxorubicin. These results demonstrate that taurine antagonized doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Acute haemodynamic effect of taurine on hearts in vivo with normal and depressed myocardial function

The acute haemodynamic effects of taurine were studied in normal and in beta blocker (propranolol) or calcium antagonist (diltiazem) treated rabbits and in rabbits with experimentally produced chronic aortic regurgitation. The administration of taurine (25 mg.kg-1) did not affect heart rate and left ventricular end diastolic pressure but produced significant increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax, cardiac output, and left ventricular systolic pressure in control hearts, indicating that intravascularly administered taurine substantially increased cardiac performance. In propranolol (1 mg.kg-1) treated rabbits taurine significantly improved left ventricular dP/dtmax and cardiac output, which were previously depressed by propranolol. Taurine had the same effect on diltiazem (1 mg.kg-1) treated rabbits. In rabbits with aortic regurgitation a bolus injection of taurine improved cardiac performance. Continuous infusion of taurine (100 mg.h-1) also produced a significant increase in left ventricular dP/dtmax. These results suggest that taurine has a unique action as an inotropic agent and that it may be useful in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure.

[Male infertility with chromosomal abnormalities. II. XX-male syndrome]

We report two cases of the XX-male syndrome, and review the literature. The first case was a 31-year-old married man, a welder, complaining of infertility. His height was 158 cm, weight 82 kg and distance of extended hand 155 cm. The external genitalia showed a normal male type, but bilateral small testes and gynecomastia were noticed. The second case was a 32-year-old married man, a shopkeeper, complaining of infertility. His height was 165 cm, weight 60 kg and distance of extended hand 167 cm. No gynecomastia was noted. The external genitalia showed a normal male type, but bilateral small testes were noticed. In each case, azoospermia was identified in semen analysis. Urethrography revealed the prostatic utricle in the second case. The testicular biopsy specimens revealed hyalinization of seminiferous tubules and proliferation of Leydig cells. X chromatin was positive in buccal smears, and Y chromatin negative in cultured lymphocytes. Chromosomal analysis showed 46, XX karyotype in the first case and 46, XXp+ in the second case. H-Y antigen was positive in each case. Basal serum levels of LH and FSH were moderately elevated and the serum testosterone level was low. Serum levels of PRL, TSH, estradiol, GH, T3 and T4 were normal. An impaired response by testicular Leydig cells to hCG was observed. The LH and FSH responses to LH-RH were almost normal. Clomiphene citrate administration resulted in a decrease in the serum testosterone and gonadotropins levels. These results indicate hypergonadotropic hypogonadism secondary to testicular failure in both XX-males. Twenty-six cases of the XX-male syndrome have been cited in the Japanese literature. The clinical features and etiology of this syndrome are discussed.

Effects of food on absorption of mefenamic acid from two commercial capsules differing in bioavailability under the fasting state

The influence of food on the bioavailability of mefenamic acid from two commercial capsules (products A and B) differing in bioavailability was studied with four healthy male volunteers. The drug was administered as a single oral dose of 250 mg under fasting and nonfasting conditions. The study used a 4 X 4 Latin-square design. Seven blood samples were collected over a 9-h period following administration and the plasma concentrations of mefenamic acid were determined by a high performance liquid chromatographical method. The bioavailability was significantly different between the two products in the fasting condition, agreeing with the result of an in vitro dissolution study. However, in the nonfasting state, the difference was not significant because the product showing poor bioavailability, product A, in the nonfasting state showed marked improvement. On the other hand, the product showing good bioavailability, product B, was not affected by food.

Beneficial effect of taurine in rabbits with chronic congestive heart failure

To examine the effect of daily treatment with taurine on improving the status of congestive heart failure (CHF), we used rabbits with artificially induced aortic regurgitation. Ten rabbits were treated daily with taurine (100 mg/kg by mouth) and eight with guanidinoethyl sulfonate (GES) (100 mg/kg by mouth) immediately after induction of aortic regurgitation. The cumulative mortality rate at 8 weeks in the taurine-treated CHF group was 10% (1 of 10) compared with 53% (16 of 30) in the nontreated CHF group and 75% (6 of 8) in the GES-treated CHF group (p less than 0.05). Although cardiac function (max dP/dt) in CHF rabbits was significantly decreased (p less than 0.001), taurine-treated CHF rabbits maintained the same values as control rabbits. Taurine content of the left ventricular tissue of the CHF rabbits was significantly increased (p less than 0.01). Administration of taurine and GES to control rabbits for 8 weeks affected neither the hemodynamics nor the taurine content of the heart. It was concluded that taurine slowed the rapid progression of heart failure and consequently prolonged life expectancy.

[Study of sperm fertilizing ability in male infertility using the zona free hamster egg penetration assay]

Zona free hamster egg-sperm penetration assay (SPA) was performed on 50 normal fertile men and 58 infertile men. The median penetrating rate was 68% (13%-100%) for the fertile men and 11% (0-100%) for the infertile men. These existed no clear relationship between SPA and any other sperm parameters. SPA showed the best diagnostic rate (72.4%) for male infertility, which was evaluated by the 95% specificity threshold values of normal males. Therefore, SPA is best correlated with male impregnating ability. On the contrary, the infertile diagnostic rate of sperm density was relatively low (36.8%). SPA was also carried out on male partners of unexplained infertility couples, and 8 out of 36 (22%) showed decreased sperm penetration rate (less than 10%). In these couples, the deterioration of fertilizing ability was thought to be one of the causative factors of infertility.

[A case of bladder tumor with brain metastasis]

We report a case of bladder tumor with multiple metastases including the brain. Bladder tumor is the most common malignancy in uroepithelial tumor, but brain metastasis from bladder tumor is extremely rare. Since 1970 only 8 cases have been reported in Japan. The literature was reviewed.

Bioavailability of mefenamic acid: influence of food and water intake

The influence of food and water intake on mefenamic acid (N-2,3-xylylanthranilic acid) bioavailability from commercial capsules of high bioavailability was studied in four healthy male volunteers. The drug was administered as a single oral dose of 250 mg, under fasting or nonfasting conditions, and a 4 X 4 Latin-square design was used. Eight blood samples were collected over a 24-h period following drug administration, and the drug plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC. The bioavailability of mefenamic acid from capsules was markedly influenced in the fasting subjects by the water but not by the food intake. A good correlation was found between the bioavailability and amount of water ingested with the drug in the fasting subjects. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-infinity) of mefenamic acid was highest when the capsule was taken with 50 mL of water or immediately after a meal. Increasing the amount of water from 50 to 500 mL in the fasting subjects caused a significant reduction in AUC0-infinity.

[Clinical study on tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in gastric cancer]

We evaluated whether assay of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in the serum ia valuable for the determination of cancer stages compared to other tumor markers such as CEA, AFP, and ferritin. The study population consisted of 79 gastric cancer patients and 212 patients with benign gastroenteric disease. The percentage of positive cases for TPA (higher than 200u/l) was 41% in gastric cancer and 20% in active peptic ulcer. Serum TPA levels in well differentiated carcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma were higher than that in other histological types. Serum TPA levels correlated well with the stage of the gastric cancer.

Therapeutic effect of taurine in congestive heart failure: a double-blind crossover trial

In a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the effects of adding taurine to the conventional treatment in 14 patients with congestive heart failure for a 4-week period. Compared with placebo, taurine significantly improved the New York Heart Association functional class (p less than 0.02), pulmonary crackles (p less than 0.02), and chest film abnormalities (p less than 0.01). A benefit of taurine over placebo was demonstrated when an overall treatment response for each patient was evaluated on the basis of clinical examination (p less than 0.05). No patient worsened during taurine administration, but four patients did during placebo. Pre-ejection period (corrected for heart rate) decreased from 148 +/- 14 ms before taurine treatment to 137 +/- 12 ms after taurine (p less than 0.001), and the quotient pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time decreased from 47 +/- 9 to 42 +/- 8% (p less than 0.001). Side effects did not occur in the patients during taurine. The results indicate that addition of taurine to conventional therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure.

[Male infertility with chromosomal abnormalities. I. XYY syndrome]

Chromosomal abnormalities are found in a considerably high percentage of cases of male infertility, in particular azoospermia. We report a case of the XYY syndrome and review the literature. A 36-year-old man, a factory hand, presented with infertility. He was safely delivered at term as a fourth child when his father was 41 years old and his mother 38. He had no delinquent or criminal record. His height was 179 cm, weight 75 kg and distance of extended hands 184 cm. No gynecomastia was noticed. Both testes were 8ml in size and growth of pubic hair and penis were normal. Severe oligozoospermia was identified in semen analysis. Seminal vesiculography showed pathological dilatation of the seminal vas end. The testicular biopsy specimens revealed spermatogenic arrest for the most part. Chromosomal analysis showed 47, XYY karyotype; and, two Y-chromatin was revealed in cultured lymphocytes. Though plasma gonadotropin levels were high, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, TSH, GH, T3 and T4 levels were within normal limits. Pituitary reserve function for secreting gonadotropins and Leydig cell reserve function to secrete testosterone have been found to be almost normal.

[A study on Ureaplasma urealyticum and sperm. Comparison of sperm morphology before and after chemotherapy]

Spermiogram (morphology of sperm heads and tails) was evaluated in 21 men visiting our infertility clinic before and after the eradication of genital infection with Ureaplasma urealyticum. The percentage of coiled tails and fuzzy granular tails were decreased after eradication of Ureaplasma but there were no significant changes in the morphologic characteristics of sperm heads. Spermiogram was also analysed in 5 men who were unsuccessfully treated for genital Ureaplasma infection. In this group there were no significant changes in the morphologic characteristics of sperm heads and tails before and after chemotherapy.

A new method for rapid spermatozoal concentration and motility: a multiple-exposure photography system using the Polaroid camera

A multiple exposure photography (MEP) system using the Polaroid camera PM-CP (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) has been developed to accurately estimate the concentration and motility of spermatozoa in routine clinical work for the treatment of infertility. This Polaroid-MEP system is equipped with a xenon stroboscope MS-230 (Sugawara Laboratories Inc., Tokyo, Japan), and Makler's Counting Chamber (Sefi-Medical Instruments, Haifa, Israel). The system immediately produces printed images of spermatozoal tracks at the laboratory of the outpatient clinic, providing objective and exact information about the concentration and the motility of spermatozoa.

[Clinical study on tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) as a tumor marker]

We evaluated whether assay of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in sera is valuable for the determination of cancer stages compared to other tumor markers such as CEA, AFP, beta2-microglobulin, ferritin, and elastase-1. The study population consisted of cancer patients (33 gastric cancers, 7 colo-rectal cancers and 15 hepatomas), 169 patients with benign gastro-enteric diseases and 72 healthy volunteers. The percentage of positive cases for TPA (higher than 200 u/l) was 61% in gastric cancer, 71% in colo-rectal cancer and 87% in hepatoma. In certain non-cancerous conditions, such as gastric ulcer (active stage), acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis, the TPA levels were increased over the level of healthy volunteers. There was no significant correlation between TPA and the other tumor markers. Our study suggests that TPA may be useful in the identification and evaluation of cancer patients.

Quantitative analysis of electrical properties of dendritic spines

Several suggestions have been made with regard to the functional significance of dendritic spines in connection with synaptic plasticity. We have shown that for a constant synaptic current, when the synaptic resistance is large compared to the spine-stem resistance, a morphological change in the spine does not produce a marked change in the postsynaptic potential (PSP). When the synaptic resistance is comparable to the spine-stem impedance a morphological change in the spine can induce changes in the synaptic current and the PSP due to the so-called nonlinear effect to the synapse (Kawato and Tsukahara, 1983, 1984). Consequently, in a study of the electrical properties of dendritic spines the input impedance of the parent dendrite, the spinestalk conductance and the conductance change associated with synaptic activity must be considered. We quantitatively estimated all three factors. By comparing electrophysiological data with morphological data, we estimated the synaptic conductance which causes corticorubral EPSP. Its maximum amplitude was 43 nS with a time-to-peak value of 0.3 ms. With this value, the effects of the spine were examined using an improved algorithm based on that of Butz and Cowan (1974). It uses a three-dimensional morphology of the rubrospinal (RS) neurons, which was reconstructed from serial sections containing HRP-filled RS cells. As the spine shortens, the amplitude of the EPSP becomes considerably larger, but its time-to-peak value does not markedly change. Moreover, if unitary EPSP in the RS cell is produced by the activation of several synaptic terminals a morphological change of the spine has a smaller effect on the EPSPs.

[Experience of peripheral osteosynthesis using single crystal alumina ceramics screws (author's transl)]

As a new kind of material for peripheral osteosynthesis we have developed the single crystal alumina ceramics screws (artificial sapphire screws) taking under consideration of the properties of alumina ceramics, and we have tested them experimentally in animals, and used them clinically too. The results of the mechanical tests and animal experiments were excellent. In the clinical follow-up studies the perfect bone unions has been recognized roentgenologically. The sapphire screws have, sofar, proved to be harmless also as anchor for bone cement. Our experience with our sapphire screws has opened the way for the clinical application of this material instead of metal screws.