Inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport ATPase by thapsigargin at subnanomolar concentrations

ATP-dependent calcium uptake by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles is inhibited by concentrations of free thapsigargin as low as 10(-10) M. This effect is due to primary inhibition of the Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase which is coupled to active transport. When binding of calcium to the activating sites of the enzyme is measured under equilibrium conditions in the absence of ATP, addition of thapsigargin produces strong inhibition. On the other hand, if [tau-32P]ATP is added to ATPase preincubated with Ca2+ under favorable conditions, significant levels of 32P-phosphorylated intermediate are still formed transiently, even in the presence of thapsigargin. The phosphoenzyme, however, decays rapidly as the calcium-enzyme complex is destabilized as a consequence of ATP utilization, and formation of the thapsigargin-enzyme complex is favored. Formation of the thapsigargin-enzyme complex is also favored by Ca2+ chelation with EGTA, with consequent inhibition of the enzyme reactivity to Pi (i.e. reverse of the ATPase hydrolytic reaction). Neither the Ca(2+)- and ATP-induced Ca2+ release from junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum nor the Ca(2+)- and calmodulin-dependent ATPase of plasma membranes (erythrocyte ghosts) were found to be altered by thapsigargin at such low concentrations.

Cisplatin suppository: preparation, release characteristics and clinical evaluation

Cisplatin (CDDP) has attracted attention as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of uterine endometrial carcinoma but causes serious side effects, including renal toxicity. CDDP suppositories containing NaCl at different concentrations were prepared to enhance the efficacy and to reduce the side effects of CDDP. The release characteristics, melting point and viscosity of the suppositories were first studied. The rate of CDDP release increased as the NaCl concentration increased: it was 12% 12 h after administration of suppositories containing no NaCl, but 32% with 0.2% NaCl. The melting point was raised by addition of NaCl: 35.5 degrees C without NaCl and 36.5 degrees C with 0.2% NaCl. Addition of 0.2% NaCl doubled the viscosity. Clinically, the suppository containing 0.06% NaCl was given to 3 patients with endometrial carcinoma twice a week for 3 weeks to examine serum CDDP levels and endometrial absorption. Patients with endometrial carcinoma showed different peak plasma platinum (Pt) levels which were as low as 0.12, 0.06 and 0.22 micrograms Pt/ml with similar patterns of change in the level. Radiographic analysis revealed many Pt particles in sections of necrosed endometria after 21d of the treatment. No side effects of CDDP were found in biochemical testing or subjective symptoms.

The effect of interferon on carcinogenesis by N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in the duodenum of mice

The inhibitory effect of murine interferon alpha/beta (Mu-IFN) on the induction of adenocarcinoma of the duodenum in C57BL/6 mice given N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) was examined. ENNG was given continuously in drinking water for 4 weeks and Mu-IFN was given intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. Then, the duodenal tumors of mice were examined stereomicroscopically and histologically. The level of IFN activity and natural killer (NK) activity were evaluated after an intraperitoneal single injection of Mu-IFN, and the level of NK activity was evaluated 2, 5 and 8 weeks after giving ENNG and Mu-IFN. In the mice given Mu-IFN, the incidence of duodenal tumors was significantly decreased (P less than 0.01), compared with that in mice given ENNG alone. Further, anti-asialo GM1 was given intraperitoneally every 5 days for 8 weeks to depress NK function and the incidence and size of duodenal tumors were examined. The results indicated that NK cells also have an important effect on the process of carcinogenesis. These data suggest that chemoprevention with IFN may be feasible.

[Surgical indication based on prognostic factors in pT1 tumors of the lung]

Among 385 patients of surgical resected lung cancer, 88 (22.8%) were pT1 tumors. The overall five year survival rate of these patients was 75.8%. There was statistically significant difference in survival rate depending on the pTNM staging, degree of differentiation and cytological atypia (CAT). Among these prognostic factors, CAT was most important. CAT may be an indicator to predict the postoperative prognosis of the patients and may contribute to the determination of the surgical indication.

[Serotonin metabolism in normal pregnant women and fetus]

To evaluate serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in normal pregnant women and their fetuses, plasma free 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). Tryptophan (TRP) and platelet free 5-HT content were determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Plasma free 5-HT and TRP concentrations and platelet 5-HT content in pregnant women did not change during pregnancy. In contrast, plasma free 5-HIAA increased after 30 weeks of gestation and reached its peak at 37 weeks. 5-HT, 5-HIAA and TRP concentrations in umbilical cord plasma were significantly higher than in maternal plasma. However, platelet 5-HT content in the fetus was significantly lower than in the mother. No significant correlation was found between 5-HT concentrations in maternal and cord plasma. However, a significant correlation was found between 5-HIAA, concentrations in maternal and cord plasma. The total 5-HT/TRP ratio in cord blood was significantly lower than in the maternal vein. The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in cord plasma was markedly higher than in maternal plasma. In conclusion, we demonstrated the patterns of plasma free 5-HT, 5-HIAA, TRP and platelet 5-HT concentrations in normal pregnant women and their fetuses. Furthermore, rapid 5-HT metabolism in the fetus was suggested.

Structural and functional characterization of human aromatase P-450 gene

The gene encoding aromatase P-450 (CYP XIX) has been isolated from two types of human genomic DNA libraries. It spans at least 70 kb and consists of 10 exons. The translational initiation site and the termination site are located in exon 2 and exon 10, respectively. The promoter region of the gene contains a TATA box, a CAAT box and two putative AP-1 binding sites beginning at -28, -83, -55 and -68 bp, respectively, from the transcriptional initiation site. In addition, a palindromic nucleotide sequence is observed between -209 and -196 and two types of repetitious hexanucleotide (consensus: AATGAA and CCATAAGG) are also present within the regions between -485 and -433 and between -358 and -331. Transient expression studies of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs bearing various lengths of 5'-flanking region of the gene show that the region between -500 and -243 contains negative cis-acting element(s), whereas the region between -242 and -183 is required for efficient transcriptional activity. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that the expression of aromatose P-450 gene is remarkably stimulated by treatment of cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate. By chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay the region up to nucleotide position -242 relative to the transcriptional initiation site is shown to participate in the transcriptional responsiveness to this phorbol ester.

[Study on serotonin metabolism in toxemia of pregnancy]

To evaluate the serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in toxemia of pregnancy, plasma free 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), tryptophan and platelet 5-HT content were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. The mean plasma free 5-HT concentrations in the severe preeclamptic group (S) and the mild preeclamptic group (M) were significantly higher than those in the normal group (N). A significant correlation was found between plasma free 5-HT values and Gestosis Index scores. However, there was no significant difference between plasma 5-HIAA level and platelet 5-HT content in the preeclamptic groups and the N. The mean plasma beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) concentrations in the preeclamptic groups were significantly higher than those in the N. The mean platelet counts in the S were significantly lower than those in the N. The mean plasma 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in the preeclamptic groups were significantly lower than those in the N. In conclusion, it is suggested that the higher plasma free 5-HT level in the toxemia of pregnancy seems to be attributed to the excess release of 5-HT from platelets in addition to the lower monoamine oxidase activity.

[Correlation between slopes of pulmonary blood flow-driving pressure curve and routine pulmonary function]

In 91 preoperative cases of lung cancer, an attempt was made to correlate the slopes of pulmonary blood flow-driving pressure curve (delta DP/delta CI), as constructed from unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion (UPAO) test values and pulmonary blood flow fraction values as measured by scintigraphy, with total pulmonary vascular resistance index (TPVRI) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) and routine pulmonary function. FVC and FEV per unit body surface (BSA) were found to correlate, to same degree, with delta DP/delta CI, TPVRI and PVRI (p less than 0.05). delta DP/delta CI correlated significantly with FRC/BSA, whereas TPVRI and PVRI did not. 3) The inverse of the cardiac index (1/cardiac index) was shown to significantly correlate with TPVRI and PVRI (r = 0.64, 0.48), but poorly with delta DP/delta CI (r = 0.32). These results suggest that delta DP/delta CI might possibly provide a more useful quantitative index for the pulmonary vascular bed than TPVRI and PVRI.

Structural organization of the bovine adrenodoxin gene

The gene structure of bovine adrenodoxin (Ad), a component of the steroid hydroxylating system in adrenal cortex mitochondria, was determined. This gene seems to be a single copy, but contains a pseudo exon in addition to the genuine gene region. The gene region for the active Ad is divided into 4 exons by 3 introns, and spans at least 27 kb. All the splice donor and acceptor sites follow the GT/AG rule. The transcription initiation site was determined by primer extension analysis, and putative TATA and GC boxes are present in the 5'-flanking region. A 12 base sequence, CCAGGGCCAGGG, is present 95 bases upstream from the transcription initiation site. A similar sequence was also found in the 5'-flanking regions of all genes for the steroid hydroxylating cytochromes P-450: P-450(SCC), P-450(11 beta), P-450(17 alpha), and P-450(C21), in the adrenal cortex. The consensus sequence for these five sequences is CGCAGGGCCATGGGA. The pseudo exon, exon 1', was present about 0.5 kb upstream from exon 1. It encodes the prepeptide region of the minor type Ad mRNA, but has a stop codon (TAA) in the frame. A TATA-box-like sequence and a CAAT-box-like sequence are also present in the 5'-flanking region of exon 1'. The GC content of exon 1 was over 80%, whereas for each of the other four exons, including exon 1', it was about 40%. Our observations suggest that exon 1, which encodes the prepeptide region of the major type Ad mRNA, has intruded into the region between exon 1' and exon 2.

[Pulmonary hemodynamics during mild exercise in COPD]

The effects of mild exercise on pulmonary hemodynamics and ventilatory responses in COPD were studied. Six patients with FEV1% less than 70% received 20 watt exercise tests by cycle ergometers for 5 minutes. Changes in hemodynamics and ventilation were observed before and during exercise. Nine patients with an FEV1% of more than 70% also received exercise tests as controls. There were no different in changes in respiratory frequency, tidal volume and minute ventilation between control and COPD group. However, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure were higher in the COPD group than in the control group before exercise. Moreover increments of mean pulmonary arterial pressure by exercise were also greater in COPD group. It was concluded that hemodynamics in COPD are much more influenced by mild exercise than in healthy subjects.

[Respiratory regulations of pulmonary vagal nerves under hypercapnic conditions; effects of J-receptor]

We studied ventilatory responses under hypercapnic condition in 9 lightly anesthetized dogs, using a vagal nerve cooling technique. One side of the cervical vagosympathetic trunks of dogs were previously severed, and a copper cooler was attached to the other side. When the cervical nerve was cooled below 7 degrees C, the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex ceased. We found that when the vagal nerve was not cooled or cooled to 7 degrees C, the respiratory frequency increased significantly in relation to hypercapnic gas inhalation. However, the increment of respiratory frequency was reduced by bilateral cervical vagotomy. We concluded that the J-receptor is responsible for the increase in respiratory frequency under hypercapnic gas inhalation.

[The climacteric: aging of ovary and objective evaluation of the climacteric symptoms]

Since the geriatric population has been increasing in the recent years, the health care of the elderly, especially the climacteric group, has received special attention in the gynecological field. The primary endocrine feature during the climacteric is the decline in estradiol (E2) production due to the loss of ovarian function. Pathophysiological characteristics of aging ovaries remain obscure. To understand the mechanism of the aging process in the ovaries, the lipid peroxidative status which has been suggested as a deteriorator involved in aging, and antioxidative defense system were investigated during aging. The amount of lipid peroxide (LPO) as a free radical decreased steadily in human ovaries with aging. In contrast, antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) showed a rapidly decreasing rate in these enzyme activities after 45 and 50 years of age, respectively. The in vitro production of E2 following the incubation with FSH was also measured in human ovaries with aging. The results indicate an excellent positive correlation between E2 production and the level of GSH-Px and reduced glutathione, but a negative correlation between E2 production and the amount of LPO. Our data suggest that the relatively high level of LPO to SOD and/or GSH-Px following 45 years of age may play an important role in the aging process of human ovaries. From the clinical aspect of the climacteric, scientific evaluation of the climacteric symptoms and responses to various therapies has not been sufficiently addressed because of the lack of a practical technique for objectively measuring the symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Assay of activated form of progesterone receptor with ATP-sepharose column chromatography]

Biological actions of progesterone are correlated with the ability of the progesterone receptor(PR) to bind to nuclear acceptor sites. Measurement of not only the presence of PR in a tissue but also the amount of that receptor which is able to bind to nuclear acceptor sites is important in predicting tissue response to progesterone. Activation of PR is required for effective binding to chromatin. Since the dextrancoated charcoal assay does not distinguish between an activated and a non-activated receptor, a rapid, relatively simple assay is needed which can account for an activated form of PR. Therefore, ATP-Sepharose column chromatography was tested to identify an activated form of PR. PR in crude uterine cytosol from estrogen-primed immature rabbits was labeled with 3H-progesterone at 0 degree C. The labeled PR was then incubated at 4 degrees C with uterine chromatin from ovariectomized mature rabbits. The freshly prepared PR had little capacity to bind to the chromatin. After activation manipulation at low temperature, low ionic strength and neutral pH, this PR was able to bind to chromatin approximately fourfold more than that activated by heating at 25 degrees C. The affinity of the activated and the non-activated PR for ATP was evaluated on ATP-Sepharose column chromatography. The activated PR was selectively adsorbed onto columns of ATP-Sepharose, and the binding ability of the activated PR to ATP paralleled that of the rabbit uterine chromatin. These results suggest that ATP-Sepharose column chromatography could be useful to identify an activated PR as a substitute for chromatin binding assay.

Alternative usage of different poly(A) addition signals for two major species of mRNA encoding human aromatase P-450

Two cDNA clones for human placental aromatase P-450 (P-450AROM) have been isolated and sequenced. The insert of one clone (2894 bp) contains an open reading frame encoding a protein consisting of 503 amino acid residues together with a 49 bp 5'-untranslated stretch and a 1336 bp 3'-noncoding region to which a poly(A) tract is attached. Three potential poly(A) addition signals are detected in this 3'-noncoding region. The other clone contains a shorter cDNA insert, the nucleotide sequence of which overlaps with most of the sequence of the longer cDNA insert (nucleotides 36-2355) except for one nucleotide substitution. The 3'-noncoding region of this shorter cDNA is only 846 bp in length but a poly(A) tract is also attached to its 3'-terminus. Northern blot analysis of human placental RNA reveals the presence of two major mRNA species of 3.4 and 2.9 kb when probes excised from the overlapping region of these two cDNAs are employed. The 2.9 kb mRNA is not detected, however, when a fragment of the non-overlapping region of the longer cDNA is used as a probe. It is therefore concluded that the two major species of P-450AROM mRNA are formed as a consequence of alternative processing of precursor mRNA(s).

[Pulmonary fibrosis after endotoxin-induced permeability edema]

To know the pathogenesis of the lung fibrosis after ARDS, we investigated the role of PMN-elastase after endotoxin-induced pulmonary edema in awake sheep with chronic lung lymph fistulas. The permeability of the pulmonary circulation increased 2 hours after endotoxin injection. Four hours after endotoxin injection, WBC migrated to the lung interstitium and the number of WBC in BALF increased. Endotoxin increased PMN-elastase in plasma and lymph whereas the level of alpha-1-protease inhibitor (alpha-1-PI) did not change. The activity of alpha-1-PI measured by trypsin inhibitory capacity was zero in the exudative phase. The level of PMN-elastase in lymph was significantly higher 1 week after endotoxin injection than baseline levels. Histologically, pulmonary fibrosis developed 1 week after endotoxin injection. These results suggest that inflammatory mediators released from PMN play an important part in progress to the fibrotic phase after ARDS.

A case of ovarian leiomyoma

A case of ovarian leiomyoma is reported, together with histologic, immunohistologic and electron microscopic findings. A solid firm tumor, measuring 6.5 X 5 X 5 cm, was found in the right ovary of a 65-year-old woman. The tumor had an obvious whorled pattern on the cut-surface. Well-differentiated, long spindle-shaped neoplastic cells revealed positive immunoreactivity for anti-desmin. Ultrastructural observations included numerous microfilaments with dense patches in the cytoplasm, micropinocytotic vesicles beneath plasma membranes and continuous basal laminae around neoplastic cells. These findings were compatible with leiomyoma. The possible histogenesis of ovarian leiomyoma was discussed.

Immunocytochemical localization of adrenodoxin in bovine adrenal cortex by protein A-gold technique

To investigate the intracellular localization of the enzymes that are involved in steroid hormone synthesis, an immunocytochemical study of the distribution of adrenodoxin in cells of the bovine adrenal cortex was carried out by the post-embedding immunostaining method and by immuno-cryoultramicrotomy in combination with the protein A-gold technique. Gold particles were seen on the matrix and the inner membrane of all the mitochondria examined, which have typical vesicular or tubulo-vesicular cristae, in parenchymal cells of the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis. Gold particles were distributed homogeneously among the mitochondria. The density of gold particles on mitochondria in the parenchymal cells of the zona glomerulosa was lower than that of the zona fasciculata, which was similar to that of the zona reticularis. Gold particles were also seen on round, electron-dense intramitochondrial bodies in the parenchymal cells. The intramitochondrial bodies were abundant in the zona glomerulosa and the outer region of the zona fasciculata.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA for rat liver monoamine oxidase B

The cDNA for rat monoamine oxidase B mRNA was isolated from liver cDNA library in lambda gt11 using specific antibody and oligonucleotide probes derived from FAD-containing peptide of the enzyme. The primary structure of the protein, deduced from the nucleotide sequence, consisted of 520 amino acid residues and its molecular weight was calculated to be 58.4 kD which is in good agreement with that of the in vitro-synthesized peptide. FAD-binding site is located in the carboxy-terminal region. There is no typical structural feature common to the targeting signals for mitochondria, the periodic distribution of basic amino acids spaced by several uncharged residues, at its amino-terminal region. This region has an uninterrupted stretch of 14 hydrophobic residues.

Generalized lymph node metastasis of early uterine cancer in an HTLV-I carrier

Generalized lymphadenopathy due to metastases of keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma developed in a 68-year-old woman who was a carrier of human T-cell leukemia Type I (HTLV-I). On her 74th hospital day, she died of massive metastases of the superficial and deep-seated lymph nodes, thyroid, lungs, pleura, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and retroperitoneum. At autopsy, the primary tumor was found in the uterine cervix. The depth of stromal invasion was approximately 4.0 mm. Such an extensive dissemination usually does not occur in cervical cancer with this type of early stromal invasion. It is conceivable that the chronic HTLV-I infection compromised the immunosurveillance against cancer and accelerated progression of the disease in this patient.

Effect of vagus nerve cooling on hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory responses in anesthetized dogs

We studied ventilatory responses under hypercapnic and hypoxic conditions in 18 lightly anesthetized dogs, using a vagus nerve cooling technique. One side of the cervical vagosympathetic trunks of dogs were previously severed, and a copper cooling probe was attached to the other side. When the cervical nerve was cooled below 7 degrees C, Hering-Breuer inflation reflex ceased. We found that when the vagus nerve was not cooled or cooled up to 7 degrees C, the respiratory frequency increased significantly in relation to hypercapnic gas inhalation. However, the increment of respiratory frequency was reduced by bilateral cervical vagotomy. On the other hand, the respiratory frequency in response to hypoxia increased significantly, even when bilateral vagotomy was done. The increment of the tidal volume in response to hypercapnic gas inhalation was reduced by the Hering-Breuer inflation reflex. We found that the effect of the vagus nerve on respiratory regulation was different between hypercapnic and hypoxic gas inhalation.

[Lipoleiomyoma of the uterus--report of a case]

A case of lipoleiomyoma, measuring 4 x 4.5 x 5 cm, in the uterine corpus is reported in a 64-year-old multiparous woman. Histologically, the tumor was mostly composed of mature fatty tissue intermingled with small amount of fibrous and smooth muscle components in an irregularly reticular or clustered pattern. Immunohistochemically fibroblast-like cells around the perivascular areas of the fibrous components were positive in various numbers for S-100 protein, desmin, vimentin, neuron specific enolase, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and Factor VIII. These results indicated the possibility that the present lipoleiomyoma was derived from multipotential undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, resembling fibroblast-like cells.

Cloning and sequence analysis of adrenodoxin reductase cDNA from bovine adrenal cortex

cDNA clones for bovine adrenodoxin reductase were isolated, and the primary structure of the enzyme precursor was deduced from their nucleotide sequences. The precursor consists of 492 amino acids including an extrapeptide of 32 amino acids at the amino terminus. The extrapeptide is hydrophilic [corrected] and rich in arginine. The amino terminal sequence of the precursor is homologous with that of the adrenodoxin precursor. A possible FAD- or NADPH-binding site is present near the amino terminus of the mature enzyme.

[Mechanism of the suppressive effect of catechol estrogen on the preovulatory LH surge]

The administration of 100 micrograms 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) or 2-hydroxyestradiol-17 beta (2-OHE2) at 0900h or 1000h in the morning of proestrus into normal 4-day cycling rats results in suppression of the preovulatory LH surge in the afternoon of that day. The LH-RH content of the median eminence in control rats decreases sharply in the afternoon from elevated noon levels. However, the catechol estrogen-treated rats do not show this decrease. These results indicate that the catecholestrogens block the preovulatory LH surge by preventing the release of LH-RH from the median eminence, but do not interfere with the synthesis and accumulation of LH-RH. Furthermore, injections of non-uterotropic 2-OHE1 twice at 30 minutes intervals into ovariectomized rats fail to affect the LH tonic secretion by 180 minutes after the initial injection. These data indicate that catechol estrogen interferes with the brief neuronal triggering phase necessary for LH-RH release, but does not affect the LH tonic secretion which is an estrogen-independent process.

Synthetic partial extension peptides of P-450(SCC) and adrenodoxin precursors: effects on the import of mitochondrial enzyme precursors

Various portions of the extension peptides of P-450(SCC) precursor were chemically synthesized. The effects of these peptides on the import of enzyme precursors into mitochondria were examined. Peptides SEP1-15 and SEP1-20, corresponding to the amino terminal portion of the extension peptides, strongly inhibited the import of P-450(SCC) precursor into mitochondria. These peptides were effective at concentrations above 30 microM, and complete inhibition was observed at 100 microM. SEP1-11, which is shorter than SEP1-15 and SEP1-20, showed very weak inhibition. SEP25-39, which corresponds to the carboxy terminal portion of the extension peptide, did not affect the import of the precursor. The import of P-450(11 beta) and adrenodoxin precursors were also inhibited by SEP1-15. Another peptide, AEP1-14, which corresponds to the amino terminal portion of the extension peptide of adrenodoxin precursor, was also synthesized. The peptide inhibited the import of both adrenodoxin and P-450(SCC) precursors into mitochondria. The import of malate dehydrogenase was also inhibited by SEP1-15 and AEP1-14. The rate of the internalization of the precursor into mitochondria was decreased by the peptides. The amount of the precursor bound to the surface of mitochondria and the processing of adrenodoxin precursor were not affected. The respiratory activities of isolated mitochondria were not influenced by SEP1-15 even at 100 microM. We conclude that the inhibitory activities of the synthetic partial extension peptides on the import of enzyme precursors into mitochondria require the presence of about fifteen amino acid residues in the amino terminal portion of the extension peptides, and the inhibition of the import by the peptides was dependent on the blockage of the internalization of the precursors into mitochondria.

Studies of catecholestrogen metabolism during normal pregnancy: changes of plasma catecholestrogen levels after DHA-S or E1-S injection

So as to evaluate metabolism of catecholestrogens during pregnancy, changes in plasma unconjugated estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), 2-methoxyestradiol (2-mE2) and 2-methoxyestrone (2-mE1) concentrations were measured after a bolus injection of 40mg of estrone-sulfate (E1-S) or 100mg of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHA-S) to normal pregnant women near term. The injection of E1-S resulted in a marked rise in plasma 2-mE1 levels followed by a rapid marked increase in the plasma E1 concentration. The injection of DHA-S produced a small increase in the plasma 2-mE2 levels in spite of a marked increase in the plasma E2 concentration. No significant correlation between E2 and 2-mE2 was found, however, significant correlations between E1 and 2-mE1, between E1 and 2-mE2 and between 2-mE2 in in both groups were demonstrated. The marked increase in 2-mE1 compared to a small increase in 2-mE2 after DHA-S injection indicates that E2 may participate in the formation of catecholestrogen via its conversion to E1 during pregnancy. These results suggest that the main route for the formation of catecholestrogen is via E2----E1----(2OHE1)----2-mE1 in normal pregnancy near term.

[The effect of vagotomy on carcinogenesis in the glandular stomach of rats, induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine]

The effect of hydrochlorhydria caused by vagotomy on carcinogenesis in the glandular stomach of male rats was studied. Group A (35 rats): After N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) 80 mg/l solution was orally administered during the first 15 weeks of life, vagotomy was performed. Group B (35 rats): After the oral administration of MNNG 80 mg/l solution during the first 15 weeks of life, laparotomy was done. Group C (10 rats): As the control, vagotomy was undertaken at the 15th week of life. Group D (10 rats): As the control, laparotomy was done at the same time. At the 52nd week, all surviving rats were autopsied, and gastrin cell counts and body weight were ascertained. The incidence of adenocarcinoma was 62% in Group A, 32% in Group B (p less than 0.05) and nil in Group C and D. These results strongly support the view that the hypochlorhydria plays the role of a promoting factor in producing gastric carcinoma.

Partial purification of a metalloprotease catalyzing the processing of adrenodoxin precursor in bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria

In vitro translation of bovine adrenal cortex RNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free system produced the precursor form of adrenodoxin having a molecular weight of approximately 22,000 daltons, which was about 10,000 daltons larger than mature adrenodoxin. The precursor of adrenodoxin was efficiently imported into adrenal cortex mitochondria in vitro. The precursor was also imported into rat liver mitochondria, suggesting the lack of tissue specificity and species specificity of the import process. The enzyme which processed the precursor of adrenodoxin to the mature form was in the matrix fraction from bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria, and the processing protease was partially purified from the matrix fraction. The apparent molecular weight of the processing protease was about 60,000 daltons as determined by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration, and its activity was optimal at pH 8.5. The processing protease was not inhibited by various bacterial protease inhibitors examined. Metal chelators (EGTA, GTP, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and Zincon) inhibited the processing, and EDTA and o-phenanthroline were more strongly inhibitory than other chelators. The processing protease was completely inactivated by incubation with 10 microM EDTA, and its activity was restored by addition of excess amounts of Mn2+, Fe2+, or Co2+. These results indicate that the maturation of the precursor of adrenodoxin is catalyzed by a soluble metalloprotease in the matrix.

[Endoscopic preoperative intralesional injection of OK-432 in early gastric cancer]

The study group consisted of 35 patients with early gastric cancer, 16 of whom were admitted for preoperative immunotherapy. Ten to 40 K.E. of OK-432 was injected intralesionally by endoscope, and then gastrectomy was performed. After the intralesional injection, fever, nausea, vomiting and epigastralgia occurred. In cancer lesion and regional lymph node, histological findings from OK-432 treated group were compared to those of the control group. Lymphoid cell infiltration at cancer lesion was marked in OK-432 treated group, and degenerated cancer cells were found in 3 cases. On the other hand, lymphoid follicles showed a marked statistical increase in OK-432 treated group. Also the cases with marked lymphoid follicle showed increased numbers of peripheral blood lymphocyte. From the results, intralesional injection of OK-432 may confirm the tumor-associated antigenicity and serves as a useful method to potentiate the specific and/or non-specific immunity in regional lymph nodes.

[Effective cases of advanced endometrial and recurrent ovarian cancers treated with oral administration of UFT]

A new antitumor agent, UFT, was administered to one patient with endometrial cancer and one with ovarian cancer. Case 1:53 year-old female with advanced endometrial cancer with an invasion to the bladder. Histological diagnosis was endometrial carcinoma. UFT of 600 mg per day was administered orally daily for 28 days as one course. Palpable inguinal lymph nodes and suprapubic uterus mass were disappeared by one course of UFT. Case 2:50 year-old female with recurrent ovarian cancer invading to the rectum and uterus with a histological diagnosis of papillary tubular adenocarcinoma. One course of UFT produced 64% decrease in the pelvic tumor size, and additional one course 74% decrease. No marked side effects except stomatitis in case 1 were noticed during UFT administration. Although, unfortunately, these two patients died of ileus due to cancer, marked antitumor effects of UFT on endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer were elucidated.