Induction of heat-shock proteins HSP73 and HSP90 in rat kidneys after ischemia

We examined rat kidneys for serial expressions of two major heat-shock proteins (HSPs), HSP73 and HSP90, after 60 min of unilateral renal ischemia up to day 28. Immunohistochemical studies showed that HSP73 and HSP90 were rapidly induced in the cytoplasm of injured epithelial cells of the S3 segment of proximal tubules and were again induced in the cytoplasm of regenerative cells in this segment from day 3. In epithelial cells of the Henle's loops, HSP90 was also induced in the cytoplasm of both injured and regenerative cells, but HSP73 was not induced in this portion. Furthermore, a transient accumulation of HSP73 into the nucleus was observed in epithelial cells of papillary collecting ducts shortly after ischemia. Serial immunoblot analysis of isotonic buffer extractable fractions from ischemic kidneys revealed the induction of both HSP73 and HSP90 in the degenerative and regenerative phases: the maximal inductions in the two phases were at 3-6 and on days 5-7, respectively. These results demonstrate that HSP73 and HSP90 are induced in injured tubular epithelial cells with a regional heterogeneity during the degenerative and regenerative phases after renal ischemia and suggest that these HSPs are involved in the process of postischemic cellular recovery.

[Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma treated with tumor enucleation: a case report]

We report a 65-year-old man with a multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma which was found incidentally. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a 3.0 cm x 3.0 cm multilocular cystic mass at the upper pole of the left kidney. Dynamic MRI demonstrated that the septic wall of the multilocular cystic mass was enhanced. Renal angiography showed a hypovascular tumor. We diagnosed that the tumor was multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma with a tumor capsule and performed tumor enucleation. The histopathological examination showed that the cystic and septic wall consisted of renal cell carcinoma, clear cell subtype, grade 1. From the review of the literature, the prognosis of multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma was good, so we selected nephron sparing surgery for this case.

Duct ectasia due to mucus-producing cancers with intraductal extension: histopathologic correlation with radiologic imagings

BACKGROUND

Although duct ectasia due to mucus-producing pancreatic cancer has been well known, its occurrence in other organs has not been reported. We have studied the pathologic basis of the radiologic features in cases of mucus-producing cancer with intraductal extension.

METHODS

We conducted a comparative study of detailed various radiographic images and pathological findings in 10 cases of mucus-producing cancers (four of mucus-producing pancreatic cancer, two of mucinous gastric cancer with diffuse lymphangitic liver metastasis, and four cases of bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma with cyst or cavity).

RESULTS

When mucus-producing cancer occurs in a secretory duct or extends into lymphatic ducts, the normal duct is dilated due to the mucus and increased internal pressure, leading to the formation of a cyst and cavity. Because of having the liquid property of mucus floating cancer cells, the lesion can easily progress to continuous ducts as well as regionally.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of mucus-producing cancer with extension into the ductal structure not only in the pancreas but also in the lung and liver, continuous duct ectasis and cysts filled with mucus or cavities of all sizes made by the nature of the mucus may be detected by CT and US.

cDNA sequencing and expression of rat mast cell tryptase

A cDNA encoding rat mast cell tryptase (rMCT) was successfully cloned, and sequenced, from peritoneal cells of Lewis rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. The cDNA was 1,097 base-pairs long, and included 822 base-pairs of an open reading frame. As judged from the deduced amino acid sequence, rMCT is highly homologous to mouse mast cell protease-6, and is considered to be translated as a prepro-enzyme with a 19-amino acid signal peptide, a 10-amino acid activation peptide, and a 245-amino acid mature enzyme. The rMCT mRNA was not detected in peritoneal cells of mast cell-deficient Ws/Ws rats, though it was strongly detected in ones of littermate +/+ and Lewis rats. In addition to in peritoneal mast cells, the rMCT mRNA was detected in the tongue. However, mRNA signals were not detected in the small intestine regardless of N. brasiliensis infection. Nor were mRNA signals detected in RBL2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells. In the lung, the rMCT mRNA was strongly detected after infection with N. brasiliensis, though it was only faintly detected before infection. These results suggest that the rMCT is basically specific for connective tissue mast cells, but not for mucosal mast cells and that it is up-regulated in the lung during the inflammatory process of a parasitic infection.

Mammalian 60-kDa stress protein (chaperonin homolog). Identification, biochemical properties, and localization

Mammalian chaperonin homolog (HSP60) was purified from porcine livers cytosol using a tandem ATP-Sepharose column and Mono Q column chromatography. A partial amino acid sequence (96 amino acid residues) of this protein was determined and coincided with those of human HSP60 with 96.9% homology, which was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA. The sequence of the NH2 termini of the purified protein (5 amino acid residues) coincided with the signal sequence of HSP60. These facts led to the identification of the 60-kDa liver protein with the chaperonin homolog. Dihydrofolate reductase was able to form a stable complex with the liver chaperonin homolog. The liver chaperonin homolog was detected by at least five spots around pI = 5.6 on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Immunoblotting studies using an antibody against chaperonin homolog showed that the chaperonin homolog was localized in the cytosol, mitochondrial, and nuclear fractions of porcine liver. The chaperonin homolog was localized both in the mitochondria and cytoplasm of rat kidneys at the electron microscopic level. The chaperonin homolog in the cytosol, but not in the other subcellular fractions, was cross-reacted with an antibody against the synthetic peptide corresponding to the signal peptide of HSP60 as well as the purified chaperonin homolog on immunoblotting. These results suggested that the functional chaperonin homolog in the cytosol may be transported into the mitochondria and the protein may be processed to mitochondrial HSP60 in the organella.

Serum antibody against Helicobacter pylori assayed by a new capture ELISA

We developed a highly specific detection technique for serum antibody, using a monoclonal antibody to a specific antigen of Helicobacter pylori. A monoclonal antibody preparation that reacted with the 54-kDa molecule of H. pylori antigens was obtained. Using this preparation, an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established by fixation of the monoclonal antibody, followed by reaction with sonicated whole cell antigens. The serum antibody titers of patients with gastritis and peptic ulcers were significantly higher than control titers, and the antibody titer correlated with the histological severity of gastritis. Patients positive for H. pylori by bacterial culture had higher titers than H. pylori-negative patients. Our new ELISA may be useful for the diagnosis of H. pylori infections and for evaluation of the severity of gastric inflammation.

Eye scanning behavior as a discriminator of instrument- and scenery-centered flight task

Aircraft pilot's eye scanning behavior represented by saccadic amplitudes and dwelling time of eye movements is a promising indicator of discrimination whether some flight task is instrument- or scenery-centered. The saccadic amplitude seems to reflect spatial and temporal values of target information. The dwelling time or gaze duration reflects the changing rate of visual information, amounts extracted from and density and complexity of the target information, or experience level of a relevant pilot. This study is for confirming the validity of the above indicator to discriminate the two types of flight tasks, instrument- and scenery-centered tasks. Five jet aircraft pilots, aged 25 to 32, participated in this experiment. A flight simulator equipped with a computer generated visual scene (field of view: 116 degree (H) x 25 degree (V)) was used. Five kinds of flight tasks were selected. These were takeoff, level flight, low-airspeed flight, acrobatic flight (minimum timed turn), and landing. These tasks were selected with the difference in degree of instrument- or scenery-centered flight, by the pilots' comments. Eye movements during simulator flight were recorded by a conventional electrooculographic apparatus with an 12-channel polygraph system. Analogue data from the amplifiers was digitized at a sampling rate of 2 kHz, and stored in a computer system. Horizontal components of eye movements by flight task were analyzed. Mean saccadic amplitudes (microV) showed significant differences among flight tasks, and no significance between subjects was obtained. The largest mean amplitude was in the acrobatic flight, and the smallest was in the low-airspeed flight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Correlation between the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, E-cadherin and malignancy in gastric cancer]

We aim to elucidate the correlation between clinicopathological parameters and uPA and ECD expression in gastric cancer. Some 125 patients with primary gastric cancer, who were treated at the Second Department of Surgery, Kanazawa University, between 1988 and 1993, were enrolled in this study. The expression of uPA and ECD was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining using a anti-uPA and an anti-ECD monoclonal antibody. The nuclear DNA contents were measured by flow cytometry. Among 125 tumors, 42 (34%) were found to have preserved ECD expression (ECD (+)), and 83 (66%) reduced ECD expression (ECD (-)). uPA immunoreactivity was observed in 82 (65%) of 125 tumors. According to the expression of uPA and ECD status, groups of 22 uPA (-)/ECD (+), 21 uPA (+)/ECD (+), 17 uPA (-)/ECD (-) and 65 uPA (+)/ECD (-) were identified. There was a significant correlation between uPA (+)/ECD (-) status and depth of invasion, liver metastasis, peritoneal dissemination, lymph node metastasis, and venous invasion. Patients with uPA (+)/ECD (-) tumors showed the poorest prognosis and the highest rate of recurrence, as compared with the other groups of patients. No significant correlations were found between uPA (+)/ECD (-) status and DNA ploidy patterns, and histological type. Immunohistochemical analysis of the combination of uPA and ECD expression could be a useful method for the evaluation of metastasis and prognosis in gastric cancer patients. Our results indicate that uPA may have an important role in cancer infiltration and ECD in cancer infiltration and metastasis.

Immunohistochemical expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) and chemotherapy response in malignant ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the relationship between the expression of GST-pi and the therapeutic effects of high-dose combination chemotherapy with support by autologous bone-marrow transplantation (ABMT).

METHODS

Expression of GST-pi in tissue specimen were analyzed by indirect immunoperoxidase methods using anti-GST-pi polyclonal antibody.

RESULTS

(1) Eighteen of 36 cases (50%) tested prior to administration of any chemotherapeutic agents were found to be positive in terms of immunohistochemical expression of GST-pi in the cancer cells. (2) The rate of GST-pi expression was elevated following administration of cisplatin, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide, which suggests that administration of such anti-cancer agents is capable of inducing expression of GST-pi in cancer cells. (3) GST-pi negative patients exhibit better survival rates than do GST-pi positive patients (Kaplan Meier method: p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of GST-pi obtained at primary surgery can serve as a valid marker in anticipating chemotherapeutic effects and long-term prognoses.

[The control of smooth muscle tissues by nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) nerve fibres in the autonomic nervous system]

Smooth muscle cells distributed in the visceral organs are under the control of the autonomic nervous system, and contraction or relaxation of the muscle cells plays an important physiological role in the control of blood pressure, motility of the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts and secretion. Recent physiological, pharmacological and histochemical investigations indicate that neurotransmitters other than acetylcholine or noradrenaline are involved in peripheral autonomic neuro-effector transmission, and these neurotransmitters are generally termed non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters responsible for excitatory and inhibitory NANC neurotransmission (e-NANC and i-NANC respectively) have not been conclusively identified, but ATP, nitric oxide (NO) and peptides such as VIP and substance P are candidates for these roles. In this review, we discuss the possible role of ATP and NO as e- or i-NANC neurotransmitter in the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts. Much of the work on NANC innervation in the digestive tract has been carried out on the circular muscle layers of the ileum. This receives inhibitory NANC innervation with ATP responsible for fast relaxation and VIP, and possibly NO, for the slow response. Early and late excitatory junction potentials can be recorded in the presence of atropine. The second is due to substance P since it is blocked in the presence of spantide and by desensitization of the tissue with high doses of substance P. The transmitter responsible for the early NANC contraction has not been identified. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) applied to the tracheal smooth muscle during contraction induced by 5-HT in the presence of atropine and guanethidine elicited monophasic NANC relaxation. By contrast, NANC relaxation elicited in the smaller airways was biphasic, comprising an initial fast component followed by a second slow one. L-NAME selectively abolished the first component without affecting the second. VIP-antagonists or alpha-chymotrypsin considerably attenuated the amplitude of the L-NAME insensitive relaxation. These results indicate that at least two neurotransmitters, possibly NO or NO-containing compounds and VIP, are involved in i-NANC neurotransmission in the airway. In the urinary bladder a large, transient atropine resistant contraction occurs in response to pelvic nerve stimulation. This is blocked by alpha, beta methylene ATP suggesting that it is due to ATP. There is no evidence of inhibitory innervation. In the urethra contraction is completely blocked by atropine and guanethidine; a rapid NANC relaxation is abolished by drugs that block NO synthesis. Nerves containing peptides supply both urethra and bladder and may also be involved. These results suggest that all visceral smooth muscles may receive inhibitory NANC innervation involving NO. ATP produces contraction of the urinary bladder but relaxation of the digestive tract. The role of peptides is not yet clear but there is evidence that substance P may be an excitatory transmitter and VIP an inhibitory transmitter in many organs.

Induction of heat shock protein 70 and nucleolin and their intracellular distribution during early stage of liver regeneration

Our previous work demonstrated a simultaneous induction of Hsp70 and nucleolin mRNA during the prereplicative stage of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy [Ohmori, H. et al. (1990) Exp. Cell Res. 189, 227-232]. In the present study, changes of intracellular localization of these proteins were examined. Nucleolin, which mainly localized in the nucleus, increased with time and accumulated in the nucleolus around 12-18 h after partial hepatectomy. Hsp70 protein also increased slightly around 6-12 h after the operation. In accordance with this increase, immunohistochemical staining revealed that almost all nuclei of hepatocytes became Hsp70-positive, although Hsp70 was seen to be dispersed throughout the nucleoplasm and nucleolus at all times examined. Next, we isolated a cDNA clone of ribosomal protein (S-17) and examined its behavior. Induction of S-17 mRNA was observed to be essentially similar to that of nucleolin mRNA in regenerating rat liver, although inductions of histone H2A and H4 occurred at a later time, that is, in parallel with DNA synthesis. Furthermore, we observed a simultaneous induction of Hsp70 and nucleolin mRNA by serum-stimulation after serum-depletion in HeLa and IAR-20 (rat) culture cells. These results suggest that the induction of Hsp70, in addition to nucleolin, was not fortuitous but may be involved in the early events of liver regeneration.

Clinicopathologic and molecular-pathologic approaches to Lowe's syndrome

The oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL), an X-linked disorder involving several organ systems, including the eyes, nervous system, and kidneys, is often difficult to diagnose because few pathologic data of diagnostic features about OCRL are available, and its rarity has hampered comprehensive investigations into its clinical spectrum. Recently, the genetic and biochemical abnormalities responsible for this syndrome have been reported. We have synthesized a cDNA probe of the OCRL locus using a polymerase chain reaction, in which there is no homology of cDNA sequence with human inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase (HUMINP5P); we have taken a genetic approach to diagnose this disorder in a 10-year-old male by using Northern blotting and have demonstrated the expression of mRNA in human tissues of a 17-week fetus by in situ hybridization. This paper presents a new method that should be an easy and helpful tool for diagnosing OCRL and that contributes a new aspect of this syndrome through in situ hybridization histochemical staining of normal fetal tissues.

Structural organization and chromosomal assignment of the human prostacyclin receptor gene

Prostacyclin receptor is a member of the prostanoid receptor family in the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily with seven transmembrane domains. We report here the isolation and structural organization of the human prostacyclin receptor gene. Southern blot analysis demonstrated a single copy of the human prostacyclin receptor gene in the human genome. The human prostacyclin receptor gene spanned approximately 7.0 kb and was composed of three exons separated by two introns. The first intron occurred in the 5'-untranslated region, 13 bp upstream to the ATG start codon. The second intron was located at the end of the sixth transmembrane domain, thereby separating it from the downstream coding region and the 3'-untranslated region. By primer extension analysis, the transcription initiation sites were mapped 870-872 bp upstream to the ATG start codon. The 1.2-kb human prostacyclin receptor 5'-flanking region lacked conventional TATA and CCAAT boxes, but it contained several cis-acting regulatory elements including an inverted CCAAT box (Y box) and two copies of SP-1 binding sites. Using human-rodent somatic hybrid cell DNA, the human prostacyclin receptor gene was assigned to human chromosome 19. The present study helps establish the genetic basis for prostacyclin receptor research and provides further insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the prostanoid receptor family.

Rapid gastric emptying and pathological changes of vagus nerve in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster

To estimate autonomic neuropathy in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster, which is an established strain for the non-obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus model, gastric emptying and morphometric analysis of the vagus nerve were studied in 12-month-old spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamsters (duration of diabetes was 9 months). Gastric emptying was determined by the phenol red method. Vagus was obtained from just above the diaphragm. Morphometric analysis of myelinated fibers was performed light-microscopically using semi-thin sections and unmyelinated fibers were studied electron-microscopically using ultra-thin sections. Gastric emptying of spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster was significantly increased compared with control (86.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 51.2 +/- 3.4, P < 0.01). Myelinated fibers of the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster were not different from control animals, while the size of unmyelinated fibers in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster was significantly decreased. These data suggest that pathological changes in unmyelinated fibers, which consist mainly of afferent fibers, might play a role in gastric motor dysfunction in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster.

Preventive effects of dexamethasone on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the neonatal rat

To clarify the preventive effects of glucocorticoid on perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage, an experiment was carried out on 4-day-old rats pretreated for 4 consecutive days with 3 different regimens; namely, a low dose dexamethasone (Dex) (0.1 mg/kg/day), a high dose Dex (0.5mg/kg/day), and a saline administration. On the 7th postnatal day, after ligation of the left common carotid artery, the rats were exposed to 8% oxygen and decapitated on the 10th, 14th, 21st and 28th postnatal days. Ligated side brain damage was observed in 75, 7 and 3% of the rats in the saline, low and high dose Dex groups, respectively. However, a high mortality rate (42%) was noted in the high dose Dex group. The cumulative number of animals with poor outcome (death or brain damage) was 49 (80%), 13 (33%) and 24 (44%) in the saline, low and high dose Dex groups, respectively. On the 10th and 14th postnatal days, the rats in both the Dex groups showed delayed neuronal maturation and myelination in the non-ligated side motor cortex, however, these maturational differences disappeared on the 21st postnatal days. Otherwise, the number of cortical cells in both the Dex groups were significantly lower than that in the saline group on the 28th postnatal days (P < 0.05 in each). These findings suggest that the pretreatment with Dex protects the developing brain from HI injury through the suppression of the neuronal maturation. However, a decreased number of cortical cells may give rise to psychomotor retardation later.

[Low-dose cytarabine ocfosfate therapy in an elderly acute myelogenous leukemia]

A 71-year-old man was admitted for severe anemia. Bone marrow puncture revealed 48% of blast cells. A diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML-M 4) was made. As the patient was old, we administered 300mg of cytarabine ocfosfate (SPAC) for 21 days. Blast cells in bone marrow decreased 5.6%, and SPAC was considered effective. We treated him with the same dose of SPAC for 14 days after a 21-day interval from the end of the first treatment. Although leukemic cells were still seen in bone marrow after two treatments, we considered him in partial remission, and he was discharged. After discharge, the hematological findings remain almost normal with intermittent treatment of 150 mg of SPAC for over one year. Thus, cytarabine ocfosfate might be useful in elderly AML patients.

[Hyperplasia and adenoma of the ectopic parathyroid gland]

The frequency of the ectopic parathyroid glands has been reported to be 7-46% by anatomists or surgeons, while the proper frequency is still unknown. Recently the diagnostic methods of hyperparathyroidism have been developed, and many surgeons select total parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism. Therefore the frequency of the ectopic glands has been supposed to be higher than that recognized previously. We investigated 97 patients with renal hyperparathyroidism, and detected 60 ectopic glands in 34 patients (35.1%). The ectopic glands existed in the mediastinum, intrathyroid, carotid sheath, post-pharynx, para-esophagus, and other regions. We describe the features of procedures for detecting ectopic glands. Using non-invasive examination, including ultrasonography, scintigraphy (T1 201-Tc 99 m), and MRI, will be a great assistance in the diagnostic procedures.

Antitumor active fucoidan from the brown seaweed, umitoranoo (Sargassum thunbergii)

Neutral and acidic polysaccharides and their protein complexes were fractionated and purified from the brown seaweed umitoranoo (Sargassum thunbergii) by fractional extraction, iron-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Thirty-one polysaccharide fractions were obtained and tested for antitumor activity in mice with Ehrlich carcinoma transplanted i.p. Two of the fractions, GIV-A ([alpha]25D -127 degrees and mol. wt., 19,000) and GIV-B ([alpha]25D -110 degrees and mol. wt., 13,500) had such activity. On the basis of chemical and spectral analyses, these compounds were found to be a fucoidan or L-fucan containing approx. 30% sulfate ester groups per fucose residue, about 10% uronic acid, and less than 2% protein.

Late graft failure of autologous vein grafts for arterial occlusive disease: clinical and experimental studies

Late graft failure following arterial reconstructive surgery, especially after infrainguinal reconstruction, remains a major concern for vascular surgeons. To more effectively predict the outcome of reconstructed arteries, we herein propose an intraoperative flow waveform analysis which correlates well with the long-term patency rate of grafts. According to this flow waveform analysis, late graft failure was occasionally seen in grafts with type II waveforms when poor distal runoff vessels had been shown by the preoperative arteriogram. Next, to investigate which events occurring in autologous vein grafts under abnormal hemodynamics may contribute to late graft failure, a distal poor-runoff model was made in the canine femoral artery. In this review, we present the results of our investigation on autologous vein grafts using this poor-runoff model. We also relate our recent findings on the function of regenerated endothelium in autologous vein grafts.

Spatiotemporal relationships among early events of fertilization in sea urchin eggs revealed by multiview microscopy

Four early events of egg fertilization, changes in intracellular calcium concentration and intracellular pH, reorientation of the surface membrane, and the elevation of the fertilization envelope, were imaged in real time and in pairs in single sea urchin eggs. The paired imaging allowed the correlation of the four events spatially and temporally. Three of them propagated as waves starting at the sperm entry site. The earliest was the calcium wave, visualized with fluorescent indicator dyes. After a delay of 10 s there followed a large decrease in the fluorescence polarization of membrane-bound dyes, which we interpret as arising from membrane reorientation as a result of cortical granule exocytosis and microvillar elongation. With a further delay of 15 s the fertilization envelope was seen to rise in transmitted light. All three waves propagated with similar velocities of approximately 10 microns/s, supporting the view that calcium triggers the latter two events. The fluorescence polarization changed in two steps with a clear pause of 10-20 s in between. The second step, which also propagated as wave, reflects either further elongation of microvilli or straightening of irregular microvilli. This second step was abolished by cytochalasin B and was coincident with an increase in cytoplasmic pH, suggesting that pH-induced actin reorganization may play a role. The cytoplasmic alkalinization, imaged with a fluorescent probe, was quite different from the other events in that it took place homogeneously throughout the egg and slowly (over 100 s). Apparently, the alkalinization is not on a direct downstream pathway of calcium origin. An opposing possibility, that the alkalinization may in fact be triggered by the traveling calcium wave, is also discussed.

Nucleosides and nucleotides--CXXXVII. Antitumor phospholipids with 5-fluorouridine as a cytotoxic polar-head: synthesis of 5'-phosphatidyl-5-fluorouridines by phospholipase D-catalyzed transphosphatidylation

5'-Phosphatidyl-5-fluorouridines, with the same backbone structure as that of natural phospholipids, in which a polar-head group of usual phospholipids is replaced by 5-fluorouridine, were designed to be potent antitumor agents. 5'-Phosphatidyl-5-fluorouridines with a variety of diacyl or dialkyl residues in the glycerol moiety, were synthesized by phospholipase D-catalyzed transphosphatidylation from the corresponding phosphatidylcholine and 5-fluorouridine. These new compounds were evaluated in mice with experimental tumors by ip and po administration. Dipalmitoyl and distearoyl derivatives 1b and 1c had the greatest antitumor activity against both P388 leukemia and Meth A fibrosarcoma in mice.

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-II in experimental liver fibrosis in rats

Matrix metalloproteinase-II (MMP-II, 72-kd type IV collagenase, or gelatinase) is one of the gene families of zinc enzymes capable of degrading extracellular matrix molecules, and specifically of degrading type IV and V collagens, gelatin, fibronectin, and elastin. In this study, we used both the liver fibrosis model and the reversibility model of experimental cirrhosis to clarify how MMP-II participates in liver fibrosis of rats. To produce fibrosis model, rats received subcutaneous injections of CCl4 twice weekly for 7, 9, or 14 weeks. For the reversibility model, rats were treated with CCl4 three times a week for 8 weeks and killed at 3, 7, 14, 28, or 42 days after discontinuation of treatment. MMP-II gene expression was studied by Northern hybridization technique, and gelatinase activity of MMP-II was examined by zymography using gelatin substrate. At the same time, an immunohistochemical study using anti-type IV collagen antibody was carried out. In liver fibrosis model, nodule formation was established at 14 weeks. Immunodeposit of type IV collagen was increased in wide fibrous septa and was clearly observed along sinusoidal wall. Gene expression of MMP-II increased up to 7 to 12 times compared with that of controls, with the expression rate being maximum at an intermediate stage of fibrosis. Zymography showed the expressions of both 65-kd latent MMP-II, which is confirmed to be activated by adding p-aminophenylmercuric acetate, and 62-kd active MMP-II during fibrosis. The expression of both forms increased 13 to 28 times as the fibrosis progressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to adenosine diphosphate is impaired under poor runoff conditions in the canine femoral artery

To examine whether poor distal runoff conditions of the canine femoral artery modulates endothelium-dependent relaxations, we developed a poor distal runoff limb in the canine right femoral artery (poor runoff group). The left femoral artery was used as a control. Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro. The rings of femoral artery were obtained from dogs pretreated with 6 weeks of poor distal runoff. In the control, flow rate and tau-variation were 79.1 ml/min and 214.2 dynes/cm2, respectively. In the poor runoff group, the flow rate and tau-variation were 27.4 ml/min and 52.7 dynes/cm2. There were significant differences between the two groups. In the rings taken from the control group contracted with norepinephrine, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and A23187 caused endothelium-dependent relaxations. In the poor runoff group, the endothelium-dependent relaxations in response to ADP were impaired, while A23187 caused comparable endothelium-dependent relaxations. Direct relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside were comparable between the two groups. These experiments indicate that under poor runoff conditions, the endothelium-dependent relaxations to ADP are impaired without changing the properties of the smooth muscle cells. This dysfunction of the endothelium under conditions of abnormal flow may accelerate a loss of late patency of the reconstructed arteries.