Second allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with fludarabine-based low-intensity conditioning regimen for relapsed myelodysplastic syndrome after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

We describe the case of a 51-year-old patient with relapsed myelodysplastic syndrome after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), who underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) after conditioning with a novel regimen consisting of fludarabine, busulfan, and antithymocyte globulin. The second PBSCT was performed early, at 3 months after the initial allogeneic BMT, but it was well tolerated and complete hematologic remission was documented. The patient did not experience any early transplantation-related organ toxicity but died from opportunistic infection 6 months after the second transplantation. Our experience suggests that this novel regimen may induce remission and could be offered to patients relapsing after the first transplantation; however, the fludarabine-containing regimen might be accompanied by profound immunosuppression.

In vitro melanin binding of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist

Characteristics of the in vitro binding of NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoromethanesulfonanilide hydrochloride, CAS 137431-04-0) to synthetic melanin were determined and compared with those of other drugs. At all the drug concentrations tested (12.5-200 mumol/l), chloroquine (CAS 54-05-7) had the highest melanin binding (%), followed by ofloxacin (CAS 82419-36-1), NS-49, norephedrine (CAS 154-41-6) and diazepam (CAS 439-14-5). Binding constants (Kb), calculated with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm were, in the order (largest to smallest) chloroquine, ofloxacin, NS-49, norephedrine, the Kb value for NS-49 being one-thirteenth that for chloroquine, one-seventh that for ofloxacin and ten times higher than that for norephedrine. 53% of NS-49 that was bound to synthetic melanin dissociated during 24 h of incubation after the binding experiment. The percent of dissociation for NS-49 was higher than the values for chloroquine (5%) and ofloxacin (39%). After 1 day incubation in the dissociation experiment, the amount of NS-49 bound per mg of melanin was 23 nmol, being less than the amounts of chloroquine (210 nmol) and ofloxacin (78 nmol). These findings indicate that NS-49 has a lower affinity for synthetic melanin than chloroquine and ofloxacin, which have high affinities and therefore accumulate in melanin containing ocular tissues.

Effect of sesame seeds rich in sesamin and sesamolin on fatty acid oxidation in rat liver

Activities of enzymes involved in hepatic fatty acid oxidation and synthesis among rats fed sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) differing in lignan content (sesamin and sesamolin) were compared. Sesame seeds rich in lignans from two lines, 0730 and 0732, lines established in this laborary, and those from a conventional cultivar (Masekin) were employed. Seeds from the 0730 and 0732 lines contained sesamin and sesamolin at amounts twice those from Masekin. Sesame seeds were added at levels of 200 g/kg to the experimental diets. Sesame increased both the hepatic mitochondrial and the peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation rate. Increases were greater with sesame rich in lignans than with Maskin. Noticeably, peroxisomal activity levels were >3 times higher in rats fed diets containing sesame seeds from the 0730 and 0732 lines than in those fed a control diet without sesame. The diet containing Masekin seed caused only a 50% increase in the value, however. Diets containing seeds from the 0730 and 0732 lines, compared to the control and Masekin diets, also significantly increased the activity of hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes including acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltranferase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. In contrast, diets containing sesame lowered the activity of enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis including fatty acid synthase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ATP-citrate lyase, and pyruvate kinase. No significant differences in enzyme activities were, however, seen among diets containing sesame from Masekin cultivar and lines 0730 and 0732. Serum triacylglycerol concentrations were lower in rats fed diets containing sesame from lines 0730 and 0732 than in those fed the control or Masekin diet. It is apparent that sesame rich in lignans more profoundly affects hepatic fatty acid oxidation and serum triacylglycerol levels. Therefore, consumption of sesame rich in lignans results in physiological activity to alter lipid metabolism in a potentially beneficial manner.

Effect of leucocyte reduction on the potential alloimmunogenicity of leucocytes in fresh-frozen plasma products

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Adverse effects mediated by leucocytes in cellular blood products are widely recognized. There are few studies, however, concerning the effects of residual leucocytes in fresh-frozen plasma (FFP). We examined the quantities and characteristics of leucocytes in FFP in order to investigate the potential leucocyte-associated adverse effects of FFP transfusion, focusing on the risk of alloimmunization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The quantity of leucocytes in FFP was estimated by using the Nageotte method and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. The viability and subsets of leucocytes were determined by FCM using propidium iodide (PI) and fluorescein-conjugated antibodies. To investigate alloimmunogenicity caused by the leucocytes in FFP, mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were performed using fresh, allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as responder cells and cell-concentrated thawed FFP as a stimulator. We also studied the performance of leucocyte-reduction filters with FFP products.

RESULTS

The average number of leucocytes in a single unit of FFP, derived from 200 ml of whole blood, was 2.98 x 10(6) (range 0.99-8.38 x 10(6)). The majority of these cells were PI-positive dead cells; however, a small but consistent population of PI-negative cells was present in these products. Both dead and live cells expressed human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens, and approximately 38% of these cells expressed HLA class II antigens. The average number of viable CD3+ T cells in one unit of FFP was 2.36 x 10(4). Growth of the allogeneic PBMCs increased following stimulation with highly concentrated FFP. Use of leucocyte-reduction filters significantly reduced the concentrations of both PI-positive (dead) and PI-negative (live) cells. The growth of allogeneic lymphocytes after stimulation with FFP was also completely suppressed by leucocyte filtration of FFP.

CONCLUSION

Transfusion of FFP is potentially alloimmunogenic owing to its residual leucocyte content. Leucocyte-reduction filters appear to be effective in suppressing the alloimmunogenicity of FFP.

[A patient with dysphagia treated successfully and discharged without nutritional support]

One of the main targets of medical care provided in our ward, which specializes in the cooperative practice of hospital- and home-doctors, is to maintain the quality of patients' lives after they are discharged from our hospital through home medical care by home-doctors. Intravenous hyperalimentation and tube-feeding at home are suitable solutions for some patients with dysphagia after cerebral infarction. However, the difficulties faced in their management are the burden on the families, which tends to be an obstacle for at-home-practice. We describe herein a case of severe dysphagia treated successfully through our rehabilitation program and discharged without nutritional supports. An 82-year-old man was admitted to our hospital suffering from pyrexia and dysbasia. The man, who lives with his wife and his son's family, was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia and multiple cerebral infarctions. The test for swallowing reflex revealed an impaired first phase reflex and intravenous hyperalimentation was performed for his nutritional support. He was still suffering from dysphagia but had the desire to eat orally after his dysbasia and aspiration pneumonia were cured. A rehabilitation program was scheduled with the aims of 1) recovery of ingestion and 2) sufficient expectoration, with an ongoing teaching program for the management of intravenous hyperalimentation. After one month of rehabilitation (ice-massaging, muscle rehabilitation of the tongue and neck and expectoration training in a prone position and after gorging), his ability to swallow was gradually recovered. With the frequent confirmation of absence of aspiration, special forms of diets were served and upgraded from jelly, paste-like-food to soft-cooked steamed rice. The patient is now at home without any nutritional support. Nutritional management without intravenous hyperalimentation or tube-feeding is important or even essential for some families providing home-care for patients. The problem of aging requires us to reduce the burden that families (who may be also getting older) should carry. We try to support patients and families for better home-care through cooperation with society and home-doctors.

Mutation and association analysis of the 5' region of the dopamine D3 receptor gene in schizophrenia patients: identification of the Ala38Thr polymorphism and suggested association between DRD3 haplotypes and schizophrenia

Although the association between the Ser9Gly polymorphism of the dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3) and schizophrenia has been investigated by many research groups, it is not known whether the Ser9Gly polymorphism alone or a variation in linkage disequilibrium may effect susceptibility to schizophrenia. We searched the 5' region of the DRD3 gene and found three novel polymorphisms: -712G/C, -205A/G, and Ala38Thr. The Ala38Thr polymorphism is located in the first transmembrane region and is conserved in the monkey, mouse, and rat. Case-control comparisons in 153 Japanese schizophrenia patients and 122 Japanese controls did not suggest an association between Ala38Thr and schizophrenia. However, there was a marginally significant association between the Ser9 allele of the Ser9Gly polymorphisms and schizophrenia (P = 0.02). Furthermore, there was a highly significant association between haplotypes of the -712G/C, -205A/G, and Ser9Gly polymorphisms and schizophrenia (P = 0.0007, corrected P = 0.007). These positive findings were replicated in an additional 99 Japanese schizophrenia patients and 132 controls (P = 0.04 and 0.0004, respectively). The most allelic differences of the Ser9Gly polymorphism between patient and control groups arose from the chromosome carrying specific alleles of the other three polymorphisms. This study indicates unknown variant(s) in linkage disequilibrium with the DRD3 haplotypes associated with schizophrenia.

Identification of a polymorphism in the promoter region of DRD4 associated with the human novelty seeking personality trait

Polymorphism in the human dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) exon III has been associated in some but not all studies of the human personality trait of Novelty Seeking. We searched for polymorphisms in the 5' region of DRD4 and identified six polymorphisms as follows: -1217G Ins/Del, -809G/A, -616C/G, -603T Ins/Del, -602(G)8-9, and -521C/T. Associations between these polymorphisms and personality traits measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were investigated in 86 healthy Japanese volunteers. The -521C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with Novelty Seeking (P = 0.0001). Subjects with the C/C genotype exhibited the highest Novelty Seeking scores and those with the T/T genotype exhibited the lowest. A transient expression method revealed that the T variant of the C-521T polymorphism reduces transcriptional efficiency. The present study suggests a contribution of dopamine D4 receptor availability to individual differences in Novelty Seeking behavior. Molecular Psychiatry (2000) 5, 64-69.

[Varicella-zoster virus infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Of 264 patients aged 15 years or more who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 1989 and September 1998 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, 47 were infected by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). In 2 patients, visceral disease preceded cutaneous dissemination. One of these patients exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms followed by disseminated skin rash 6 days later. In the other patient, epigastralgia developed and was followed by seizures secondary to meningitis; the appearance of a skin rash 5 days after these initial symptoms yielded the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of VZV infection are important, especially for patients who present with visceral symptoms suspected to be due to VZV.

A patient with rectal cancer associated with ulcerative colitis in whom endoscopic ultrasonography was useful for diagnosis

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was helpful for the diagnosis of rectal cancer associated with ulcerative colitis. The patient was a 38-year-old Japanese man with a 19-year history of relapsing-remitting type ulcerative colitis involving the entire colon. Routine colonoscopy revealed multiple polypoid prominences in the upper portion of the rectum. EUS revealed a hypoechoic mass in the submucosa beneath and around the polypoid lesion on the most oral side. Signet ring cells were found in a biopsy specimen from this lesion. Subtotal colectomy was performed. A depressed lesion was observed around the prominence on the most oral side; histologically, this lesion was poorly differentiated mucinous and signet ring cell carcinoma extending into the subserosa. The polypoid lesion on the most anal side was well differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was limited to the mucosa. Our findings suggest that EUS is helpful for detecting invasive cancer associated with ulcerative colitis.

Molecular remission in adult T cell leukemia after autologous CD34+ peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

This report describes a patient with acute-type adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) successfully treated by autologous CD34+ peripheral blood stem cell transplantation after fractionated total body irradiation and high-dose cytarabine and cyclophosphamide. A newly established inverse polymerase chain reaction method was used to demonstrate the disappearance of ATLL clonal cells. The patient achieved a sustained molecular remission after transplantation, but died from opportunistic infection 4 months after transplantation. Thus, autologous CD34+ peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is promising for this type of malignancy. However, a prudent clinical attitude toward immunological fragility after transplantation is needed for better outcome.

Antibody response to OspC-I synthetic peptide derived from outer surface protein C of Borrelia burgdorferi in sera from Japanese forestry workers

The prevalence of antibodies against Lyme disease spirochaetes in serum samples from 80 forestry workers at high occupational risk of Lyme disease was surveyed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the OspC-I synthetic peptide. The peptide is part of the outer surface protein C (OspC) amino acid sequence located in the region conserved among Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto or sensu lato. Positivity for antibodies against OspC-I was observed in 25 (313%) of the forestry workers. Of these positive cases, 12 (15.0%) and 19 (23.8%) were positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody, respectively. Among 62 workers who were negative for IgG antibody against B. garinii or B. japonica in our previous study, 9 (14.5%) and 4 (6.5%) were positive for IgM and IgG antibody, respectively, in OspC-I ELISA. These results demonstrate for the first time that Lyme disease in forestry workers can be revealed using OspC-I ELISA. We conclude that forestry workers who show positive results for antibodies against OspC-I have very likely been exposed to Lyme disease spirochaetes, and that those who show positivity for IgM antibody against OspC-I may be in the early stage of Lyme disease.

A genetic polymorphism in the promoter region of DRD4 associated with expression and schizophrenia

The human dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) is an important candidate gene for schizophrenia. We identified a novel -521C>T polymorphism in the 5'-promoter region of DRD4. A transient expression method revealed that the T allele of this polymorphism reduces the transcriptional efficiency by 40% compared with the C allele. This polymorphism is of interest because of reported elevation of D4-like sites and DRD4 mRNA in the postmortem schizophrenic brain. The C allele frequency was significantly higher in 252 Japanese schizophrenics (0.48) than in 269 Japanese controls (0.41) (p = 0. 02) [odds ratio = 1.35 (95% confidence interval 1.05 - 1.72)]. Although the association is weak and should be considered tentative until other studies replicate it, this polymorphism provides a tool with the potential to examine whether DRD4 is related to susceptibility to and neuroleptic response in schizophrenia.

Successful closure of coronary-bronchial artery fistula with vein graft-coated stent

A coronary-bronchial fistula and aneurysmal dilatation of the proximal part of the fistula was successfully closed using an autologous vein graft-coated stent (Palmaz-Schatz stent). This is the first report that demonstrates the feasibility of the vein-coated stent for the treatment of congenital disease.

A comparative study of a new, fully automated procedure and the standard mononuclear cell program using the Cobe Spectra for peripheral blood stem cell collection

Recently, a completely automated procedure, the AutoPBSC program for the COBE Spectra cell separator, has been developed for peripheral blood stem cell harvest (PBSCH). We compared the performance of the AutoPBSC program with the standard mononuclear cell (MNC) program in the same patients and in a donor. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were collected from 3 patients or a donor alternately using the MNC program and the AutoPBSC program in a course of PBSC mobilization. Equal blood volume was processed from each patient (200 ml/kg) and a donor (150 ml/kg). We used a harvest volume of 3 ml and a chase volume of 7 ml in all AutoPBSC procedures. The procedure duration was almost equivalent for both programs. The volume of products was significantly lower in the AutoPBSC program (71 +/- 13 ml) than in the MNC program (183 +/- 30 ml). MNC yields were fewer, and total nucleated cell (TNC) and MNC collection efficiency was less for the AutoPBSC program compared to the MNC program. The CD34+ cell collection efficiency was less for the AutoPBSC program (26.5 +/- 13.7%, compared with 77.7 +/- 60.6%; p > 0.05). The contamination of platelets and red cells was significantly less in the AutoPBSC program than in the MNC program. In conclusion, we consider that the collection efficiency in the new program should be improved by modification of parameters because there exist great advantages to automated procedures.

The effects of nucleotides and potassium channel openers on the SUR2A/Kir6.2 complex K+ channel expressed in a mammalian cell line, HEK293T cells

The effects of potassium channel opening drugs and intracellular nucleotides on the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel composed of SUR2A and Kir6.2 in HEK293T cells were examined using the patch-clamp technique. The SUR2A/Kir6.2 channel was activated effectively by pinacidil, marginally by nicorandil but not by diazoxide. The pinacidil-activated channel currents were inhibited by glibenclamide with a Ki value of 160 nM. Upon formation of inside-out (I-O) patches, spontaneous openings of the channels appeared, which were inhibited by intracellular ATP (ATPi) equipotently in the presence and in the absence of intracellular Mg2+ (Mg2+i). The channel activity ran-down gradually in I-O patches. The run-down channels could be reactivated by ATPi only in the presence of Mg2+i. Uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP) antagonized the ATPi-mediated inhibition of the channel activity before run-down. After run-down, UDP activated the channel without antagonizing ATPi-mediated channel inhibition. Thus, the SUR2A/Kir6.2 reproduced the major properties of the native cardiac KATP channel well in terms of nucleotide regulation and pharmacology, and therefore can be a useful tool with which to elucidate the molecular mechanisms characterizing the KATP channel.

Paraoxonase has a major role in the hydrolysis of prulifloxacin (NM441), a prodrug of a new antibacterial agent

NM441 is a prodrug of the new quinolone carboxylic acid antibacterial agent NM394. A rat serum enzyme (NM441-hydrolase) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of NM441 to NM394 was purified by ultracentrifugation, heparin-Sepharose column chromatography, and HPLC with a Mono Q anion exchange column. The enzyme showed a single protein band after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its molecular mass was estimated as 46 kDa. The amino-terminal sequence and two internal amino acid sequences of the NM441-hydrolase resemble those of mouse, rabbit, and human serum paraoxonases. Moreover, its enzymatic characteristics (optimum pH, calcium requirement, and molecular mass) were similar to those of the paraoxonases. These findings identify the NM441-hydrolase as rat serum paraoxonase. To determine whether the paraoxonase catalyzes the hydrolysis of NM441 to NM394 in human serum, we investigated whether the paraoxonase and NM441-hydrolase activities were correlated. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.653, p < 0.005) found in the sera of 67 healthy volunteers, indicating that paraoxonase is responsible for the conversion of NM441 to NM394 in humans. Human paraoxonase shows polymorphism. There was a 9-fold variation in paraoxonase activity but only a 2-fold variation in NM441-hydrolase activity. These findings show that paraoxonase polymorphism does not cause marked interindividual variation in NM441-hydrolase activity and is substrate dependent.

Vesnarinone inhibits adenosine uptake in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and myocytes, and mediates cytoprotection

Vesnarinone is a novel synthetic inotropic agent. Recently, it has been reported that vesnarinone inhibits adenosine uptake in the B-lymphocytoid cell line. Since extracellular adenosine is cardioprotective, we examined whether vesnarinone inhibits adenosine uptake in cells constituting the cardiovascular system. 1 microCi of -3H-adenosine was added to cells of the myocyte cell line (C2C12), human coronary smooth muscle cell line (HCASMC), human and bovine coronary endothelial cell lines (HCAEC and BCAEC), bovine arterial endothelial cell line (BAEC), and human umbilical venous endothelial cell line (HUVEC). After 10 s-5 min, cells were separated from free [3H]adenosine, and the radioactivity was measured. When 0.1-100 microM of vesnarinone was added to each cell line, the uptake of adenosine was inhibited dose-dependently {% inhibition of -3H-adenosine uptake at 10 and 30 microM of vesnarinone: 14 and 33% (C2C12), 47 and 72% (HCASMC), 37 and 58% (HCAEC), 42 and 68% (BCAEC), 19 and 68% (BAEC), 29 and 59% (HUVEC)}. The cellular viability of HCAEC exposed to 60 min of hypoxia and 60 min of reoxygenation increased from 34+/-5 to 67+/-6% (Trypan blue exclusion test) and 23+/-5 to 78+/-6% (LDH release), which was completely blunted by 8-sulfophenyltheophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist, and was partially blunted by alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate, an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. We also found that vesnarinone is cytoprotective against hypoxia and reoxygenation in C2C12 and HCASMC. We conclude that vesnarinone inhibits the uptake of adenosine in cardiovascular cells, which contributes to cytoprotection.

Role of protein kinase C-alpha in activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in the preconditioned canine myocardium

We have reported that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) increases ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity, which may contribute to the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning. Since we have reported that Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-sensitive PKC is activated due to ischemic preconditioning, we further tested 1) whether PKC-alpha or -beta is translocated to the cellular membrane of the preconditioned canine myocardium, and 2) whether activation of PKC contributes to the increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity via phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms. Four times of 5 minutes coronary occlusion separated by 5 minutes of reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning) translocated PKC-alpha to the cellular membrane in the canine hearts, although PKC-beta, -delta, -epsilon, and -zeta were not translocated. The activity of Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-sensitive PKC increased, which was attenuated by the removal of either Ca2+ or phosphatidylserine. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase was also activated in the preconditioned myocardium compared with control. Inhibition of PKC due to GF109203X blunted the activation of myocardial ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Okadaic acid (an inhibitor of phosphatase) enhanced the increases in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity due to preconditioning, and this enhancement was blunted by GF109203X. We conclude that ischemic preconditioning activates PKC-alpha, and thus ecto-5'-nucleotidase.

Butyrate activates the WAF1/Cip1 gene promoter through Sp1 sites in a p53-negative human colon cancer cell line

Butyrate is a well known colonic luminal short chain fatty acid, which arrests cell growth and induces differentiation in various cell types. We examined the effect of butyrate on the expression of WAF1/Cip1, a potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, and its relation to growth arrest in a p53-mutated human colon cancer cell line WiDr. Five millimolar butyrate completely inhibited the growth of WiDr and caused G1-phase arrest. WAF1/Cip1 mRNA was rapidly induced within 3 h by treatment with 5.0 mM butyrate, and drastic WAF1/Cip1 protein induction was detected. Using several mutant WAF1/Cip1 promoter fragments, we found that the butyrate-responsive elements are two Sp1 sites at -82 and -69 relative to the transcription start site. We also found that a TATA element at -46 and two overlapping consensus Sp1 sites at -60 and -55 are essential for the basal promoter activity of WAF1/Cip1. These findings suggest that butyrate arrests the growth of WiDr by activating the WAF1/Cip1 promoter through specific Sp1 sites in a p53-independent fashion.

Retinoblastoma binding factor 1 site in the core promoter region of the human RB gene is activated by hGABP/E4TF1

We previously reported two oncogenic point mutations present in the RB (retinoblastoma) gene promoter region, found at consensus Sp1 and ATF sites, respectively, and in two separate hereditary RB families. However, Sp1 protein was shown not to bind to the Sp1 site; this indicated that the Sp1 consensus site mutation was blocking the action of an alternative transcription factor, which we called RBF-1 (retinoblastoma binding factor 1). Subsequent purification of RBF-1 revealed it to be hGABP/E4TF1, a transactivator from the adenovirus early-region 4 promoter. In this study, we directly examined the effects of hGABP/E4TF1 on transactivation of the RB gene promoter through the RBF-1 site. As expected, hGABP/E4TF1 enhanced the core RB promoter activity, whereas it did not stimulate a mutant RBF-1 site. We therefore conclude that the most essential transcription factor in the human RB gene is likely to be hGABP/E4TF1.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody

We report a case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody in a 73-year-old female patient. She showed the typical course of ALS. She had no clinical findings of myasthenia gravis and had never undergone neurotoxin therapy using snake venom. Anti-AChR antibody was positive with a titer of 0.50 nmol/l on admission. We traced the titers during the progression of ALS; the titer was positive when muscle weakness worsened, and it became negative when the general condition became stable. We suppose that the occurrence of anti-AChR antibody may be partially relevant with abnormalities at the neuromuscular junction during the progression of ALS.