Improvement of pulmonary graft after storage for twenty-four hours by in vivo administration of lazaroid U74389G: functional and morphologic analysis

BACKGROUND

We examined the effects of in vivo administration of a potent inhibitor of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, lazaroid U74389G, on lung preservation.

METHODS

Lungs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 23) were either immediately reperfused after removal (control, n = 8) for 2 hours by means of an isolated, pulsatile blood perfusion system or reperfused after cold storage (4 degrees C) for 24 hours in the University of Wisconsin solution with (n = 7) or without (n = 8) lazaroid. The lazaroid group had in vivo infusion of lazaroid U74389G (6 mg/kg) before lung harvest plus addition to the perfusate (50 mu mol/L) at the onset of reperfusion. Routine aerodynamics, hemodynamics, and blood gases were assessed during the perfusion period. Lipid peroxidation in the lung tissue was assayed with the thiobarbituric acid-reactive product, malondialdehyde. Histologic evaluation was performed with light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic analyses.

RESULTS

All lungs in the University of Wisconsin solution group (24-hour storage without lazaroid) failed within 1 hour of reperfusion. Lungs in control and University of Wisconsin solution + lazaroid group survived the 2-hour perfusion period. University of Wisconsin solution + lazaroid group showed significantly better arterial oxygen tension values relative to those in the University of Wisconsin solution group (control, 85.2 +/- 1.9; University of Wisconsin solution, 53.9 +/- 3.2 [p < 0.05 versus control group and University of Wisconsin solution + lazaroid]; University of Wisconsin solution + lazaroid, 74.8 +/- 1.4; arterial oxygen tension (mm Hg) at 30 minutes). Lipid peroxide in University of Wisconsin solution + lazaroid group was significantly lower than that of the University of Wisconsin solution group (65.0 +/- 5.0 versus 495 +/- 105 nmol malondialdehyde/gm wet lung tissue; p < 0.01). Transmission electron microscopic analysis showed that University of Wisconsin solution + lazaroid group significantly attenuated lung damage when compared with University of Wisconsin solution group.

CONCLUSION

Administration of lazaroids in vivo before organ harvest and in situ at the onset of the reperfusion enhances lung preservation in this model.

An electrophysiological demonstration of axonal projections of single ventral inspiratory neurons to the phrenic nucleus of the cat

Axonal branching patterns of single inspiratory (I) neurons of the nucleus retroambigualis (NRA) were studied electrophysiologically in cat phrenic nucleus (C4-C6). Experiments were performed on Nembutal anesthetized, artificially ventilated cats, and extracellular spikes of I neurons were recorded. The cervical spinal gray matter was microstimulated from dorsal to ventral sites at 100 microns intervals with an intensity of 150-250 microA using a glass insulated tungsten microelectrode. The stimulations were made at 1 mm intervals rostrocaudally along the spinal cord, and effective stimulating sites of antidromic activation in axonal collaterals were systematically mapped. I neurons examined (n = 8) descending contralaterally distributed multiple collaterals in the phrenic nucleus. These collaterals were found throughout the rostrocaudal phrenic nucleus. An I neuron (n = 1) descending ipsilaterally also distributed collaterals in the ipsilateral phrenic nucleus. Axonal collaterals in the contralateral phrenic nucleus occupied 44.2% of the total length of the cervical spinal cord examined. To determine the detailed trajectory of collaterals in the cervical gray matter, microstimulation was performed in and around the collateral arborizations at the maximum intensity of 50 microA. The descending stem axons could be localized in the lateral funiculus in four I neurons and in the ventral funiculus in one I neuron. I neurons distributed axonal collaterals within the phrenic nucleus. Some part of the collaterals ran to the medial region of the gray matter, re-crossed the midline under the central canal and reached the phrenic nucleus ipsilateral to the I neuron. Re-crossed collaterals arborized in the phrenic nucleus, but did not extend to the gray matter more lateral than the phrenic nucleus. Rostrocaudal extension of the re-crossed collaterals was found to be narrow.

[Experience with one stage repair of hypospadias and chordee without hyposradias using free graft of prepuce]

We treated 14 patients with moderately severe hypospadias and chordee without hypospadias using a free graft of prepuce by a modified Devine-Horton technique, between September 1993 and April 1995. There were 12 primary cases and 2 secondary cases in which prior operations had already been done. Four (33%) of the primary cases required a second procedure; 3 for urethrocutaneous fistula and 1 for urethral shrinkage. Both of the secondary cases needed further procedures; 1 for meatal stenosis and 1 for urethral stricture and diverticula. Although the need for reoperation is unfortunately high, six of the 7 recently treated patients experienced no complications. Thirteen of the 14 patients (93%) achieved excellent functional and cosmetic results with 1 or 2 procedures. We believe the use of free grafts allows a better functional and cosmetic outcome because the secondary torsion and bulkiness of the penile shaft caused by a vascular pedicle are eliminated.

Presence and regulation of Raf-1-K (Kinase), MAPK-K, MAP-K, and S6-K in rat nephron segments

Renal nephron segments are heterogeneous, and receptors for endothelin (ET)-1, ET-3, Angiotensin II (AII), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor I distribute differently along the nephron segments. Recently, growth factors and vasoactive substances are reported to stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP-K). In this study, we showed that mRNA and proteins of MEK-K, Raf-1-K, MAPK-K, MAP-K (p42 and p44), and S6-K are expressed ubiquitously in intact nephron segment. We demonstrated that four tiers of a cascade composed of the Raf-1-K, MAP-K, MAP-K, and S6-K are stimulated by ET-1 and ET-3 in rat intact glomeruli (Glm) via primarily B-type ET receptors and PKC. The stimulatory effect of EGF and IGF-I to MAP-K activity is inhibited by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in Glm. IGF-I significantly stimulates MAP-K activity and EGF and All moderately stimulate MAP-K activity in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT). EGF significantly increased MAP-K cascades and ET-1 and ET-3 slightly increased MAP-K cascades in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL). EGF significantly stimulated MAP-K cascades, and ET-1 and ET-3 moderately stimulate MAP-K cascades in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) and the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). MAPK-K and S6-K are similarly stimulated by these agonists in each segment. This study shows that MAP-K cascades are expressed in every nephron segment. ET-1, ET-3, All, EGF, and IGF-I stimulate MAP-K cascades heterogeneously along the nephron segment. It was concluded that MAP-K cascades play an important role in the regulation of renal function.

Role of water channel AQP-CD in water retention in SIADH and cirrhotic rats

We determined whether aquaporin of collecting duct (AQP-CD) is involved in pathogenesis of water retention in rats with experimental models of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and liver cirrhosis. SIADH rats were made by administering 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) subcutaneously and providing them with a liquid diet. Serum Na levels decreased to < 120 meq/l on day 2, and hyponatremia persisted throughout the rest of observation period. Six hours after the DDAVP infusion, the expression of AQP-CD mRNA significantly increased by 198%, followed by > 144% increases in its expression during the 14-day observation period. On day 7, the increased expression of AQP-CD mRNA was abolished after the administration of an antidiuretic, nonpeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) antagonist, OPC-31260, which was closely related to a marked diuresis and a prompt normalization of serum Na levels in SIADH rats. Rats were made cirrhotic by injecting a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and olive oil subcutaneously for 3 mo. The expression of AQP-CD mRNA was increased by 164% in the decompensated cirrhotic rats. The blockade of AVP action by OPC-31260 significantly diminished its expression. These results indicate that water channel AQP-CD plays an important role in water retention in pathological states of SIADH and liver cirrhosis.

Effects of gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids on blood pressure in SHR

1. The present study was performed to determine whether chronic treatments with gamma linolenic acid (n-6, GLA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (n-3, EPA) would alter serum and red blood cell (RBC) unsaturated fatty acid composition, and to determine whether these treatments would affect blood pressure (BP), serum lipid metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. To compare the effects on atherosclerosis, some SHR were denuded of aortic endothelium so that the development of atherosclerosis would be accelerated. Olive oil (control), GLA or EPA (low dose: 5 mg/day per rat, high dose: 50 mg/day per kg, respectively) was administered intraperitoneally for 6 weeks in SHR. 3. GLA treatments increased GLA and its metabolite, dihomo-GLA, levels in serum but not in RBC, while EPA treatments increased EPA level both in serum and in RBC. 4. The BP of control SHR was further elevated. EPA significantly reduced this elevation of systolic, mean and diastolic pressure within the first week and thereafter, whereas GLA did not affect BP elevation. Neither heart rate or bodyweight gain was affected by these treatments. 5. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and glucose (G) levels and the development of atherosclerosis were unaffected by either GLA or EPA treatment. 6. In summary, chronic EPA but not GLA treatment slightly reduced BP elevation in SHR. Although chronic GLA or EPA treatment increased the respective serum level, these treatments unaltered serum TC, TG and G levels, and could not prevent the development of aortic atherosclerosis in SHR.

Role of nitric oxide in impaired coronary circulation and improvement by angiotensin II receptor antagonist in spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. To determine whether coronary flow regulation by nitric oxide (NO) is impaired in the hypertensive heart (HTH), coronary perfusion was measured in isolated rat hearts using NO synthesis inhibitor L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) with and without chronic Nomega-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME) treatment. Moreover, the effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist (AT1 receptor antagonist) (TCV-116) on the impaired coronary circulation in HTH was examined. 2. Coronary flow (CF) was decreased in HTH accompanied with cardiac hypertrophy. The decreased response of CF to L-NMMA infusion was diminished in HTH. It is suggested that NO production was reduced in coronary vasculature in HTH. 3. In chronic L-NAME treated SHR, blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy were accelerated. Although coronary flow resistance (CFR) was increased, the increased response of CFR to L-NMMA infusion was not altered. 4. The AT1 antagonist improved total minimal coronary flow resistance (MCFR) restoring CFR response in SHR, although it did not recover CFR response in chronic L-NAME treated SHR. 5. Taken together the findings suggest that NO production was exhausted in the coronary artery even in the developing stage of hypertension and this exhaustion could contribute to the impairment of coronary circulation of HTH.

Cloning and characterization of a rat H+/peptide cotransporter mediating absorption of beta-lactam antibiotics in the intestine and kidney

A complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the rat H+/peptide cotransporter (PepT1) was isolated, and the transport characteristics of orally active beta-lactam antibiotics were assessed by measuring uptake into Xenopus oocytes expressing the rat PepT1. The rat PepT1 cDNA encoded a 710-amino acid protein with 77% identity to the rabbit PepT1. The message for rat PepT1 was approximately 2.9 kilobases and was found predominantly in the small intestine, whereas reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification revealed that the message was expressed both in the small intestine and in the kidney cortex. The 75-kDa protein was identified by translation of in vitro synthesized transcript of rat PepT1 cDNA by use of rabbit reticulocyte lysates and by Western blot analysis with a specific antibody against the rat PepT1. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, rat PepT1 stimulated the uptake of ceftibuten (anion) and cephradine (zwitterion) in the presence of an inward H+ gradient, and the expressed uptake was inhibited by excess dipeptides. Kinetic analysis revealed that ceftibuten has 14-fold higher affinity for the rat PepT1 than cephradine. These findings suggest that the rat PepT1 mediates H(+)-coupled uphill transport of the oral beta-lactam antibiotics across the brush-border membranes of intestinal and renal proximal tubular cells.

Hypothalamic and medullary GABAA and GABAB-ergic systems differently regulate sympathetic and cardiovascular systems

1. To determine whether hypothalamic and medullary GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)B stimulation would affect the sympathetic and cardiovascular activities, and to determine whether these effects would be altered in hypertension, baclofen (a GABAB agonist) was injected into a hypothalamic pressor area (ventromedial hypothalamus, VMH), a depressor area (anterior hypothalamus, AH), or a nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of a GABAA agonist (muscimol, 1 mu g) decreased blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). ICV injections of baclofen (2 mu g) elicited biphasic depressor and pressor effects, and these effects were abolished by a pretreatment with saclofen (GABAB antagonist, 100 mu g, icv). 3. Muscimol (400 ng) and baclofen (800 ng) injected into VMH decreased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), BP and HR to almost similar levels, while saclofen injected into VMH increased HR without affecting BP levels. 4. The same dose of baclofen injected into AH increased BP, but muscimol (AH) did not alter BP. 5. Both muscimol and baclofen injected into NTS increased BP, but its magnitude was larger in baclofen injections. 6. Depressor and sympatho-inhibitory effects of baclofen (VMH) in SHR were larger than those in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, while pressor responses elicited by baclofen (AH) did not differ between SHR and WKY. 7. In summary, GABA reduces SNA, BP and HR through both GABAA and GABAB receptors in VMH. In addition, the GABAB system acts on AH and NTS to further regulate the cardiovascular activities. In SHR, GABAB-ergic dysfunction in VMH but not in AH might contribute to the development of hypertension.

Functional alteration of the GABAB receptor in the brain of spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. We studied the ontogenetic development of GABAB receptors and their coupling to cyclic AMP formation in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat brains. GABAB receptor binding to various brain regions was compared in age-matched SHR and WKY rats. 2. The specific [3H]-GABA binding to the posterior hypothalamus (PH) was significantly lower in not only 4 week old (normotensive) but also 11 week old (hypertensive) SHR, when compared with age-matched WKY. 3. Moreover, GABAB receptor agonists (baclofen and DN-2327)-induced suppression of adenylate cyclase activity also showed a decrease in 4 week old and 11 week old SHR PH. 4. We concluded that the number and the functional responsiveness of GABAB receptors in rat brains decrease in SHR, preceding blood pressure elevation. The activity of GABABergic mechanisms may be different in the brains of SHR and WKY rats.

Role of baroreflex and central alpha2-adrenergic receptor systems in the diurnal variation of blood pressure and heart rate in normotensive and hypertensive rats

1. To elucidate whether baroreflex could contribute to manifest the diurnal blood pressure variations (DBPV) in normotension and hypertension, DBPV were recorded continuously via a femoral artery in awake normotensive (NT) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with and without sinoaortic denervation (SAD). To determine the role of central alpha2-adrenergic receptor system in DBPV in hypertension, guanabentz (0.5-1.0 mu g/kg per min) was infused in SHR. 2. There were no differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) variability (SD) of MAP of 24 h (MAP -- SD/MAP) and SD of 24 h heart rate (HR -- SD/HR) between SHR and NT. SAD did not elevate MAP and HR in both SHR and NT. 3. However, in SAD rats, MAP -- SD/MAP was significantly greater than those in sham-operated rats in both SHR and NT, while MAP -- SD/MAP and HR -- SD/HR did not show any difference between the two groups even after SAD. On the other hand, SAD did not augment HR -- SD/HR in either strain. 4. During guanabentz infusion, MAP was significantly lowered in sham-operated and SAD -- SHR. Moreover, MAP -- SD/MAP was significantly reduced in sham-operated, but it was not in SAD -- SHR. 5. These findings suggest that baroreflex could suppress tonically the diurnal change of blood pressure in NT and SHR. The regulation of diurnal blood pressure by baroreflex via a central alpha-adrenergic receptor system may be altered in SHR.

Further characterization of the receptor mechanism involved in the antidysrhythmic effect of dexmedetomidine on halothane/epinephrine dysrhythmias in dogs

BACKGROUND

alpha 2 Adrenoceptors in the central nervous system mediate various physiologic processes, including cardiovascular control. Recently, some of these actions have been reported to be mediated by a nonadrenergic receptor, namely an imidazoline receptor. The authors previously reported that dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha 2 agonist, prevents the genesis of halothane-epinephrine dysrhythmias through a central mechanism. Because dexmedetomidine also binds to imidazoline receptors, we performed the current study to examine the precise receptor mechanism involved in the antidysrhythmic property of dexmedetomidine.

METHODS

Adult mongrel dogs were anesthetized with halothane (1.3%) and monitored continuously for systemic arterial pressure and premature ventricular contractions. The dysrhythmogenic dose of epinephrine was defined as the smallest dose producing four or more premature ventricular contractions within 15-s period. We examined the antidysrhythmic action of dexmedetomidine in the presence of two kinds of alpha 2 antagonists, that is, agents that label imidazoline receptors and exert a pharmacologic action through imidazoline receptors (idazoxan and atipamezole) and agents that are nonimidazoline compounds and are lacking in pharmacologic action through imidazoline receptors (rauwolscine and L-659,066). They were given cerebroventricularly.

RESULTS

Idazoxan and atipamezole significantly inhibited the antidysrhythmic action of dexmedetomidine, whereas rauwolscine and L-659,066 did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Because alpha 2 antagonists having imidazoline or imidazole structures inhibited the antidysrhythmic action of dexmedetomidine, and the inhibition produced by the non-imidazoline alpha 2 antagonists was not significant, imidazoline receptors in the central nervous system are more responsible for the antidysrhythmic action of dexmedetomidine than are alpha 2 adrenoceptors.

Altered cardiovascular responses to purinergic A2 stimulation in the nucleus tractus solitarius of spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cardiovascular effects of adenosine A2 receptor stimulation in the nucleus tractus solitarius and whether these effects are altered in hypertension.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten- or 11-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) or Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were anaesthetized with urethane. Adenosine (100 ng) or adenosine A2 agonist (2-octynyladenosine, 5 ng) were micro-injected (50 nl) into the nucleus tractus solitarius. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured from a femoral artery. Sympathetic nerve activity was recorded from the abdominal splanchnic nerve.

RESULTS

Blood pressure, heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity were consistently decreased after the micro-injection of adenosine into normotensive rats. Changes from the baseline in blood pressure, heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity were significantly smaller in SHR than in WKY rats (blood pressure: SHR -5.6 +/- 2.1% versus WKY rats -20.0 +/- 2.1%; heart rate: SHR -5.4 +/- 0.88% versus WKY rats -9.2 +/- 2.3%; sympathetic nerve activity: SHR -5.5 +/- 1.1% versus WKY rats -21 +/- 2.8%). Micro-injection of an A2 agonist into the nucleus tractus solitarius also decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and those responses were not inhibited by pretreatment with an adenosine A1-specific antagonist. The response induced by micro-injection of A2 agonist into the nucleus tractus solitarius was significantly smaller in SHR than in WKY rats, whereas the changes in heart rate did not differ statistically (blood pressure: -23.4 +/- 4.7% versus -10.8 +/- 2.1%; heart rate: -12.1 +/- 1.2% versus -13.6 +/- 2.1%).

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that stimulation of adenosine A2 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius decreases both blood pressure and inhibitory sympathetic nerve activity and that those inhibitory responses to adenosine in the nucleus tractus solitarius are deranged in SHR.

Cloning, tissue distribution, and intrarenal localization of ClC chloride channels in human kidney

Two kidney-specific chloride channels, ClC-K1 and ClC-K2, have been isolated from rat kidney. In the present study, we sought to isolate human homologue of rat ClC-K2 chloride channel that was present in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and collecting ducts. Human kidney cDNA library was screened with the whole rat ClC-K2 cDNA probe. Two highly homologous but not identical cDNAs were isolated and sequenced. Northern analysis showed that both clones were expressed only in kidney among various human tissues, demonstrating that kidney-specific ClC family members were also present in human kidney. Because both clones had almost the same nucleotide identity (approximately 80%) with rat ClC-K2, we could not determine by sequence alone which human clone corresponded to rat ClC-K2. Accordingly, we performed reverse transcription PCR using dissected human nephron segments and identified the site of expression of each clone in human nephron segments. One clone was only expressed in the thin limb of Henle's loop and the other was expressed in glomeruli, proximal tubules, and collecting ducts. We identified the latter clone as human ClC-K2 based on the localization of rat ClC-K1 and ClC-K2. Identification of human ClC-K2 clone will be of help in understanding the genetic involvement of chloride channel in disorders of chloride transport such as Bartter's syndrome.

Two consecutive nucleotide substitutions resulting in the T3 receptor beta gene resulting in an 11-amino acid truncation in a patient with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone

We identified unusual mutations in the T3 receptor (TR) beta gene in a 6-year-old Japanese girl with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone. Two consecutive base substitutions, T to A and C to A at nucleotide positions 1637 and 1638, respectively, changed the 451st codon coding for Phe(TTC) to stop codon (TAA), resulting in an 11-amino acid carboxyl(C)-terminus truncation. The patient was a heterozygote. Western blotting using an anti-TR antibody demonstrated the truncated receptor protein. The patient showed severe mental retardation (IQ41), disturbance in speech development, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Thyroid functional status by clinical evaluation was considered within the normal range in spite of high serum thyroid hormone levels (T4 725.9 nmol/l, T3 12.7 nmol/l, FT4 166.0 pmol/l). TSH increased from 0.6 to 24 mU/L after TRH (150 micrograms) injection. TSH secretion as well as 123I-uptake was suppressed only partially by T3 (75 micrograms/day for a week). Close examination of thyroid functions and TR beta gene analysis were not possible in the family, except for paternal grandmother and one of her two sisters who showed no abnormality. The patient's truncated TR beta showed very low T3 binding activity (Ka = 0.1 x 10-10 M), transcriptional activity, and a very strong dominant negative effect. When co-expressed with wild-type TR beta at the molar ratio 1:1 in CV-1 cells, the mutant receptor inhibited the wild-type TR beta transcriptional activity by 74% at 10 nM T3. Even 1 microM T3 could not normalize these impaired functions.

[A case of adult pure yolk sac tumor of the testis achieving pathological complete response by chemotherapy]

We report a case of pure yolk sac tumor of the left testis in a 22-year-old male. He consulted a physician with left back pain and induration of his left scrotal content in December, 1992. Intravenous pyelography (IVP) revealed left hydronephrosis. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed para-aortic lymph node swelling and lung metastases. Left high inguinal orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was pure yolk sac tumor. After two courses of "COMPE" chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, peplomycin and etoposide, two courses of "high dose "COMPE" chemotherapy and three courses of "high dose COME" chemotherapy without peplomycin, he achieved a partial response (the regression rate of the pulmonary metastases and the retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were 100% and 96.0% on CT, respectively) and the residual masses in the retroperitoneum were removed. Necrosis and xanthogranulomatous fibrosis were found in the resected material. The patient showed no evidence of disease two years after chemotherapy.

Changes in the sex ratio of stroke mortality in the period of 1955 through 1990

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stroke mortality worldwide has decreased in men and women in most industrialized countries, except in eastern European countries. The purpose of this study was to compare the sex ratio of stroke mortality between populations and over time. This approach may help to determine the factors influencing this ratio.

METHODS

The sex ratios (men to women) of stroke mortality between ages 55 to 64, 65 to 74, and 75 to 84 years from 27 populations between 1955 and the latest available year were analyzed using World Health Organization data. The relationship between log stroke mortality and age and the relationships between alcohol, animal fat, cigarette consumption, and urinary cation excretion and the sex ratio of stroke mortality were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean sex ratio of stroke mortality increased 50%, 34%, and 15% in the three age classes, respectively, over 35 years. Highly significant relationships of log stroke mortality with age exist, which vary between men and women and among countries. In general, stroke mortality changed in the same direction in both sexes but decreased earlier and more rapidly in women than in men. Alcohol consumption and urinary sodium excretion correlated positively and significantly with the sex ratio. The time trends of the sex ratio also correlated positively and significantly with the time trends of cigarette consumption. No relationship with animal fat consumption was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The sex ratio of stroke mortality is increasing with time and decreasing with age. Differences in lifestyle among countries and over the last three decades may contribute partially to these differences in sex ratio.

Role of prostaglandins E1, E2 and F2 alpha in the brain in interleukin 1 beta-induced adrenocorticotropin secretion in the rat

It is well known that interleukin (IL)-1 is a potent activator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat. Many studies have reported that prostaglandins (PGs), especially PGE2, in the brain may mediate the IL-1 stimulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone release, which then leads to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion. However, a general consensus has yet to emerge regarding whether PGE2 is the only or the most important PG in the brain mediating IL-1-induced ACTH secretion in the rat. To address this question, we examined the effect of intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of antisera against PGE1, PGE2 or PGF2 alpha, or normal rabbit serum on the ACTH response induced by an icv injection of IL-1 beta in the rat. Each antibody or normal rabbit serum (as the control) was given icv 15 min before an icv administration of human recombinant IL-1 beta (50 ng). IL-1 beta produced a significant rise in plasma ACTH levels, and this response was significantly suppressed by either of the three PG antibodies. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of anti-PGE2 antibody seemed to be somewhat weaker than those of the other two antibodies. We conclude that not only PGE2 but also PGE1 and PGF2 alpha in the brain may mediate the IL-1 beta stimulation of ACTH secretion in the rat.

Lung preservation threshold in a compromised septic lung injury model

BACKGROUND

Discrepancy between clinical and research works in lung transplantation could be due to differences between compromised clinical donor lungs and intact research lungs. The purpose of this laboratory study was to produce compromised lungs to compare with normal ones.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously infused with lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg) for 24 hours before organ harvest. Lungs were stored in University of Wisconsin solution at 4 degrees C for the following period: group 1: intact lungs, no storage (n = 12); group 2: septic lungs, no storage (n = 6); group 3: septic lungs for 6 hours (n = 5); and group 4: septic lungs for 12 hours (n = 5). All lungs were reperfused for 2 hours with venous blood using an isolated, pulsatile perfused lung system.

RESULTS

Experimental variables were comparable between groups 1, 2, and 3. All septic lungs stored for 12 hours (group 4) failed within 1 hour of perfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that compromised lungs with septic injury functioned at near control levels after 6 hours of preservation. Six hours may be a safe limit for human donor lungs, all of which are compromised in some way by the time of harvest.

Nutrition, latitude, and multiple sclerosis mortality: an ecologic study

An epidemiologic study has been performed on the relation between the mortality rates from multiple sclerosis for the period 1983-1989 obtained for 36 countries, dietary fat, and latitude. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, saturated fatty acids, animal fat, animal minus fish fat, and latitude correlated independently and positively with multiple sclerosis mortality (p < 0.01-0.001 for fat consumption, and p < 0.05-0.01 for latitude). The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (P/S ratio) and the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) to saturated fatty acids (U/S ratio) correlated independently and negatively with multiple sclerosis mortality (p < 0.05-0.001). These findings support the hypothesis linking dietary fat intake and latitude to multiple sclerosis mortality.