Interrelationships among whole-body coordination, functional potentiality, and environmental adaptability

The term "adaptability" or "capacity of adaptation" is the central concept in the general advancement and promotion of research in physiological anthropology. Throughout the history of Homo sapiens, mankind has adapted itself to environmental stress. As a result, numerous physiological polymorphisms in humans are present in our planet-wide distribution. Totally regulated physiological function by integration and coordination is referred to as whole-body coordination and is associated with a high degree of adaptability in humans. Functional potentiality also affects environmental adaptability. Thus, whole-body coordination and functional potentiality are necessary for adaptation to environmental changes. There is an interrelationship among functional potentiality, whole-body coordination, physiological polymorphisms, and environmental adaptability.

Effects of Dietary Restriction on Physical Performance in Mice

Dietary restriction is known to prolong life in laboratory animals. However, little is known about the effects of dietary restriction on physical performance. To evaluate physical performance, we measured four item indices: time to climb out of obstacles, time to escape restraint by gummed tape, time hanging from a bar, and ability to resist slipping every week. The diets of ICR mice were restricted from the age of 7 weeks through 24 weeks. Body weight of the diet-restricted mice decreased during the 7th to 9th weeks of age. After the 10th week, weight gain resumed. In response to assigned tasks, the diet-restricted mice performed better in all activities: they climbed out of obstacles faster, freed themselves sooner from restraint by gummed tape, hung from a bar longer, and better resisted slipping down a slope. These results suggest that diet-restricted mice have superior physical abilities, such as those required to overcome or avoid risks to life, than do ad-libitum-fed mice.

Trends in levels of cholesterol in Japanese children from 1993 through 2001

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular risk factors in children raise the possibility of cardiovascular disease later in life. We attempted to determine the current trends in cardiovascular risk factors among Japanese children.

METHODS

We examined fifth-graders at all the elementary schools in Iwata city in Japan every year from 1993 through 2001. We examined 4,673 boys and 4,484 girls, aged 10-11 years. Height, body weight, body mass index, and serum total cholesterol concentrations were measured. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the trends. The independent variable was the calendar year of the examination. The dependent variables were the anthropometric values and the serum total cholesterol concentration in each individual. The relationships between the year and the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and the prevalence of obesity were also examined.

RESULTS

Both the heights of the girls and the body weights of the both sexes were positively associated with the year. The body mass index in both girls and boys also showed positive relationships with the calendar year. In addition, there was an increase in the prevalence of obesity. Concerning the levels of cholesterol, positive regression coefficients were shown between the total cholesterol concentration and the year in both sexes. Furthermore, there was an increase in prevalence of hyperlipidemia.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that during the past decade among Japanese children involved in the study, both the body mass index and the serum total cholesterol concentrations increased.

Dietary restriction: effects of short-term fasting on protein uptake and cell death/proliferation in the rat liver

Dietary restriction (DR) is known to prolong life in laboratory animals. Intermittent (alternate-day) fasting or short-term repeated fasting has also been reported to increase the life span of animals. In the present study, we investigated the changes or induction of abnormalities of protein metabolism in rats during fasting, and measured asialoglycoprotein uptake and cell death/proliferation in the liver of rats receiving fasting and refeeding. In the results, liver weight decreased significantly after 48 h of fasting and increased during the refeeding period, returning to the pre-fasting level by 12 h of refeeding. Cell death, determined by single stranded DNA (ssDNA) staining method, increased during the fasting period, and returned to the pre-fasting level during the refeeding period. Cell proliferation, determined using antibodies (Ab) against proliferating cell nuclear antigen, decreased during the fasting period, and increased during the refeeding period. Changes in cell death and cell proliferation were inversely related. However, there was no significant difference in asialoglycoprotein uptake by the whole liver between the ad libitum (AL)-fed rats and 48 h fasted rats. Thus, neither the changes in liver weight nor cell death/proliferation affected asialoglycoprotein uptake on a living body. These results suggest that episodes of 48 h fasting do not induce protein metabolism abnormalities in the liver.

Negative relationships between growth in height and levels of cholesterol in puberty: a 3-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Previously, there were only a few reports on the negative relationship between pubertal growth in height and levels of serum lipid in boys. Detailed information on both genders is needed.

METHODS

We investigated the relationship between pubertal growth in height and serum lipid. Subjects were 1442 boys and 1350 girls followed up from age 10-11 years (the fifth grade level of elementary school) to age 13-14 years (the second year of junior high school). Anthropometric variables and serum lipids were measured by the same protocol at both ages.

RESULTS

From cross-sectional analysis, at both ages negative relationships between total cholesterol levels and height were found in both genders. On longitudinal analysis, height at age 10-11 years was one of the factors predicting the level of total cholesterol at age 13-14 years. In addition, negative relationships between increase in height and change in serum lipids (total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol) over the 3-year period were obtained in both genders. Thus, pubertal children who experience a large increase in height tended to show a decrease in serum lipids, and children who experience a small increase in height tended to show an increase in serum lipids.

CONCLUSION

In both genders, total cholesterol level in pubertal children is negatively associated with height. Height velocity is inversely associated with dynamic changes in serum lipids during puberty.

Suppressive effects on delayed type hypersensitivity by fasting and dietary restriction in ICR mice

Dietary restriction improves declining physiologic functions, prevents or lessens the severity of neoplasms and autoimmune diseases, and attenuates various inflammatory reactions. In the present study, we compared the effect on allergic dermatitis from repeated short-term fasting (every 3 days), and from moderate dietary restriction receiving 60% of the amount of food consumed by an ad libitum feeding group. In addition, we attempted to verify the involvement of corticosteroids and oxidative stress during nutritional deprivation. The overall food intake in mice undergoing moderate dietary restriction was less than that in mice undergoing repeated fasting. Nonetheless, moderate dietary restriction and repeated fasting showed similar suppressive effects on dermatitis. Furthermore, both the restricted-diet and fasted mice showed less oxidative stress than the mice fed ad libitum. In RU486 (a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist)-injected mice, no suppressive effect of fasting on dermatitis was seen. In conclusion, repeated fasting and moderate dietary restriction suppressed dermatitis in similar ways. Hypercorticism and reduced oxidative stress is associated with the suppression of dermatitis.

Calorie Restricted Diet and Urinary Pentosidine in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Low-energy diets and fasting have suppressive effects on rheumatoid arthritis. It was reported recently that urine levels of pentosidine (i.e., an advanced glycation end product formed by glycosylation) is associated with the activity of rheumatoid arthritis. We conducted a regimen of caloric restriction combined with fasting in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and then evaluated urinary pentosidine levels. Ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis underwent a 54-day caloric restriction program. Urinary pentosidine levels were measured and the Lansbury Index were determined by examining the clinical features, blood biochemistry and the inflammation activity of rheumatoid arthritis on days 0, 25 and 54. On day 0, the mean urinary pentosidine level of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was significantly higher than that of the control subjects. On day 54, the mean body weight had reduced due to caloric restriction. The mean values of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the Lansbury Index of patients both significantly decreased during the study. In addition, although the urinary pentosidine levels showed no significant difference between day 0 and 25, it was significantly decreased at the end of the study (day 54). The study showed that under a low energy diet a reduction of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis was accompanied with a reduction of the urinary pentosidine.

Urachal anomalies: ultrasonography and management

BACKGROUND

Fifty-six children with anomalies of the urachus remnant identified by ultrasound scan have been encountered in the authors' hospital over the last 4 years.

METHODS

Twenty of these 56 cases were symptomatic urachal remnants, whereas the urachus remnants were seen incidentally by ultrasound scanning in the other 36 patients. Symptomatic cases were treated with antibiotics or observation. Then, symptomatic cases were divided into 2 groups. One group, surgical group, was treated with surgical resection of the urachal remnant. The other group, observation group, was followed up without its surgical resection. Forty-four patients, 11 cases of symptomatic urachal remnant and 33 asymptomatic cases, were followed up, excluding patients who had surgical treatment and who were lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty patients underwent periodical ultrasonographic examination during follow-up. In 9 cases, including 2 symptomatic cases, urachal remnants have disappeared during the follow-up period spontaneously. No symptom had developed during follow-up from asymptomatic cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with asymptomatic urachal remnants do not require follow-up, and urachal remnants, especially those under 1 year of age, do not require surgical resection unless the patient has multiple episodes.

An Adult with Atopic Dermatitis and Repeated Short-term Fasting

It has been reported that nutritional stress, such as short-term fasting and long-term energy restriction, has a suppressive effect on allergic dermatitis in experimental animals. Furthermore, clinical study has demonstrated a positive association between weight loss by low-energy diet and improvement in patients with atopic dermatitis. In this report, a 23-year-old female with atopic dermatitis received a treatment of repeated short-term fasting. 24-hour fasting was conducted once a week for a period of 20 weeks. On the fasting day, the amount of energy intake was 200 kcal. No medication was administered during the trial period. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index, and IgE, lactase dehydrogenase-5, and number of eosinophils were measured. At the end of the trial, body weight was reduced and clinical symptoms improved, whereas no improvements in laboratory findings were shown. For sufficient evidence of the effects of fasting, additional controlled study is needed.

Cardiovascular risk factors in a tourist town: association with job-related factors

Previous studies have shown that mortality from cardiovascular diseases in fishing villages was lower than that in farming villages. In contrast, few reports on the population living in a tourist village have appeared. Then, we report here the characteristic features of a tourist town, and that in fishing and farming towns. The rural farming town in Gunma prefecture had a population of 15,100. The population working in the primary industry was 17.1%, and the farming population was 17.0%. The fishing town in Shizuoka prefecture had a population of 11,700. The population working in the primary industry was 11.0%, and the fishing population was 10.2%. The rural tourist town in Shizuoka prefecture had a population of 17,800. The population working in the tertiary industry was 60.2%, and the wholesaling or retailing population was 16.6%. Standardized mortality ratios of cardiovascular diseases in the tourist town reported by Shizuoka health officials were higher than the fishing town. The rate of participation at ages of 50-59 years for the basic health examination in the tourist town was lower than the fishing and the farming towns. From the results of the health examination of residents at ages of 50-59 years, the high prevalence of obesity and hypertension in men and high prevalence of hypertension in women were found in the tourist town. In the tourist town, self-employed women at ages of 50-59 years had irregular time of meals and insufficient care of diet in comparison with employed women. Furthermore, the prevalence of hypertension in self-employed women was also higher than that of employed women. We could suggest that health status in communities might be associated with job-related factors.

Effects of dietary restriction on spontaneous dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

In laboratory animals, dietary restriction prolongs life span, improves physiologic function, and prevents or lessens severity of several diseases including some experimental inflammatory states. We investigated the effect of dietary restriction on a spontaneously occurring mouse model of atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin disease. NC/Nga mice were assigned to a group fed ad libitum or to a restricted diet group receiving 60% of the amount of food consumed by the other group. Dermatitis was characterized according to extent, intensity, and scratching time. We then used computer-assisted image analysis to quantify immunologic findings in skin sections. Extent, intensity score, and scratching time in mice with restriction increased more gradually than in mice fed ad libitum. Infiltrating inflammatory cells (CD4-positive T cells, CD8-positive T cells, eosinophils, and mast cells) as well as interleukin-4 and -5 secreted into tissue were reduced in mice with restriction. In conclusion, dietary restriction delayed onset and progression of spontaneous dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, an effect possibly involving inhibition of inflammatory infiltration cell and cytokine secretion.

Vegetarian diet ameliorates symptoms of atopic dermatitis through reduction of the number of peripheral eosinophils and of PGE2 synthesis by monocytes

Many patients with atopic dermatitis are dissatisfied with conventional treatments based on topical steroids and have experienced some traditional remedies and alternative therapies. However, most of such therapies have not been evaluated scientifically and clinically by specialists. This study was designed to assess whether a certain vegetarian diet might be effective for atopic dermatitis and if so, to identify the mechanisms of this remedy through analyses of immunological parameters. An open-trial study was carried out in twenty patients with atopic dermatitis. An improvement of dermatitis was evaluated by SCORAD index and serological and immunological parameters were monitored. After a two-month treatment, the severity of dermatitis was strikingly inhibited, as assessed by SCORAD index and serological parameters including LDH5 activity and a number of peripheral eosinophils. A sharp reduction in eosinophils and neutrophils was observed prior to improvement in the skin inflammation. In addition, PGE2 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was reduced by this treatment. In contrast, serum IgE levels did not change during the same period. Although this study is an open-trial one, it suggests that this treatment may be useful for the treatment of adult patients with severe atopic dermatitis.

Removal of broken pedicle screws. Technical note

The authors describe a simple, new method for removing broken pedicle screws. Under microscopic visualization a straight, narrow slot is etched in the broken surface of the pedicle screw by using a power drill with a 2-mm diamond burr. A minus screwdriver is then inserted into the slot, and the broken screw is rotated and removed. There is no need to enlarge the screw hole around the broken screw or to use any special devices. The authors succeeded in removing broken screws in two cases, and there were no complications. This method allows preservation of both the pedicle and the screw hole. Consequently, it is possible to insert new pedicle screws into the same hole without losing the strength and stability of pedicle screw fixation. The authors recommend this simple and new method for removal of broken pedicle screws.

The relationship of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and glycoxidative damage marker pentosidine

OBJECTIVES

8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. Pentosidine is a biomarker of glycoxidation reaction. In this study, we investigated relationships among 8-OHdG, pentosidine and age.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We determined the urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG and pentosidine in adults with mild hypercholesterolemia or/and mild hypertension (hypercholesterolemia group, n = 31; hypertension group, n = 25; hypercholesterolemia and hypertension group, n = 7).

RESULTS

The strength of the relationship between 8-OHdG and age was the same as that between pentosidine and age (the correlation coefficient between 8-OHdG and age was 0.33, pentosidine and age was 0.37). In addition, there was a positive and significant correlation between 8-OHdG and pentosidine. On the other hand, mean values of 8-OHdG and pentosidine showed no significant difference among the three groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that both 8-OHdG and pentosidine levels increase similarly in degenerative pathologic conditions.

Five novel highly oxygenated diterpenes of Orthosiphon stamineus from Myanmar

Five novel highly oxygenated diterpenes, orthosiphols K (1), L (2), M (3), and N (4) and norstaminone A (5), were isolated from the aerial part of Orthosiphon stamineus, together with three known diterpenes, orthosiphols A (6) and B (7) and neoorthosiphol A (8). Orthosiphol L (2) is an isopimarane-type diterpene with a hydroxyl group at C-12, which supports the biogenesis of staminane-type diterpenes, i.e., migration of a vinylic group from C-13 of isopimarane to C-12. Norstaminone A (5) has a staminane carbon framework and supports the biosynthetic pathway from staminols to norstaminols via staminolactones. All the isolated compounds showed mild to weak antiproliferative activities toward highly liver metastatic colon 26-L5 carcinoma and human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell lines.

Use of 5-FU plus hyperbaric oxygen for treating malignant tumors: evaluation of antitumor effect and measurement of 5-FU in individual organs

PURPOSE

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been shown to increase tumor radiosensitivity. Several reports indicate that it also increases sensitivity to alkylating agents, but other reports suggest that it may speed angiogenesis and tumor growth. To throw light on these questions, we investigated the effects of HBO and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), individually and in combination, on Sarcoma 180 implants in mice.

METHODS

We administered 5-FU at a dose of 0.75 mg/mouse six times per week and HBO at 2 atm absolute pressure for 90 min six times per week, both 17 times in total. In combination treatment, HBO was administered immediately after 5-FU injection.

RESULTS

Over the treatment period, tumor diameter increased 277.8% in the untreated control group, 244.1% in the group receiving HBO monotherapy, 182.7% in the group receiving 5-FU monotherapy, and 138.5% in the group receiving combination therapy. Concomitant HBO increased accumulation of 5-FU in the tumors, liver, and kidneys, but not in the brain, of recipient animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the above results, we conclude that concomitant HBO enhances the effects of 5-FU.

Suppressive effects on allergic contact dermatitis by short-term fasting

Fasting alters various hormonal and immune conditions. It has been reported that delayed type immune response to the injection of keyhole limpet hemocyanin was depressed by short-term fasting. In this study, we adopted the computer-assisted image analyzer for histopathological analysis and evaluated the influence of short-term fasting on allergic contact dermatitis induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Mice were sensitized by painting of DNFB to the abdomen. After the sensitization, mice were challenged by DNFB painting to the ear. Fasting started 24 hour before (48-hour fasted group) or immediately after (24-hour fasted group) the challenging. Fasting without DNFB treatment did not induce remarkable change of ear thickness, ear tissue, serum albumin, serum total protein, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. or serum creatine phosphokinase. In contrast, lasting suppressed the increment of ear thickness in the DNFB-treated group in this study. We could also demonstrate, using the computerized image analyzer, that both lymphocyte infiltration and the edema in the dermis were suppressed in fasted mice treated with DNFB. Further, edema in the dermis was inhibited more strongly in 48-hour fasted mice than in 24-hour lasted mice. These findings indicate that short-term fasting induce histopathological changes in the state of contact dermatitis.

Low-energy diet in atopic dermatitis patients: clinical findings and DNA damage

Undernutrition without malnutrition (low-energy diet) increases maximum longevity, reduces the incidence of several cancers and delays their onset, in animal studies. It has also been demonstrated by experimental study that caloric restriction provides a beneficial effect on various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we offered a low-energy diet to patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Nineteen adult patients (5 males and 14 females aged 15 to 36 years) were enrolled in the study which lasted 8 weeks. The energy intake was 55% of nutritional requirements; protein was 75%, calcium 180%, iron 130%, vitamin A 105%, vitamin C 250% and vitamin E 110% of the daily requirement. No patient experienced adverse reaction, and none dropped out of the trial. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure had decreased significantly by the end of study. The SCORAD (scoring atopic dermatitis) index, which combines objective (extent and intensity of lesions) and subjective (daytime pruritus and sleep loss) criteria, was reduced significantly. In 11 patients with severe AD, there was a significant reduction in oxidative DNA damage. The change in the inflammatory intensity score and the change in BMI caused by energy restriction showed a significant positive correlation. The change in oxidative DNA damage levels and the change in BMI showed a positive correlation. These results clarify the relationship between weight loss and the improvement of AD. It may be hypothesized that this low-energy diet which included several additional nutrients has a possibility to reduce inflammatory symptoms of patients with AD.

[Long-term endoscopic follow-up for peptic ulcer patients after eradication of H. pylori; comparison with the maintainance therapy by H2-blocker]

This study was aimed to clarify the endoscopic findings and the decline of serum IgG titer after successful eradication of H. pylori in long-term (from 2 to 7 years). Forty-six H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer (22 GU and 26 DU) cases were eradicated with antimicrobial therapy. Sixty-nine non-eradicated DU cases who received maintainance therapy with H2-blocker were control group. Biopsy urease test (BUT) and culturing was performed to diagnose the H. pylori infection. Anti-H. pylori IgG titer (EIA) were also measured in some cases, pre and 6, 12, 24 months after the eradication. In 3 cases, H. pylori were recrudescent and only in a case, DU recurred during 5 years after eradication. Meanwhile, in 55% of control cases, DU were recurred during same periods. In 62% of eradicated cases, serum IgG-antibody to H. pylori declined below the cut-off level during 2 years after eradication. It was certified that eradication therapy against H. pylori prevents ulcer recurrence for long time, and re-rise of serum IgG titer to H. pylori might predict a recrudescence of infection.

Increased technetium-99m-GSA uptake per hepatocyte in rats with administration of dimethylnitrosamine or hepatocyte growth factor

Technetium-99m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-galactosyl-human serum albumin (GSA) is a new scintigraphic agent that binds specifically to asialoglycoprotein receptors on hepatocytes, and can be used to evaluate hepatic function. Asialoglycoprotein receptor is a hepatocellular membrane receptor responsible for the endocytosis of asialoglycoproteins, and the function of this receptor is affected in various disease states. The aim of this study was to investigate GSA uptake per hepatocyte in the convalescent stage from hepatic damage.

METHODS

We used rats with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic injury and rats with recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor (rhHGF) stimulation. Plasma clearance of GSA and the number of hepatocytes in whole liver were calculated.

RESULTS

In the DMN-treated rats, the total number of hepatocytes and GSA plasma clearance were reduced significantly at 3 wk after the final administration of DMN. However, calculated GSA uptake per individual hepatocyte was significantly greater by 53.2% than in the normal controls. The area of hepatic nucleus was also significantly greater than in the normal controls. In the rhHGF-treated rats, an increase in the total number of hepatocytes was not demonstrated on the final day of rhHGF administration (Day 4). However, calculated GSA uptake per hepatocyte was significantly greater (59%) than in the controls.

CONCLUSION

Augmented GSA uptake per hepatocyte during the convalescent stage after hepatic injury suggests a cellular compensation to the decreased number of hepatocyte. This mechanism may be caused by the secretion of some hepatotropic factors such as HGF.

[Stimulation of asialoglycoprotein receptor activity after transcatheter arterial embolotherapy in clinical study and continuous infusion of human hepatocyte growth factor in rat]

The concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was increased immediately after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We measured the changes in serum HGF levels and those of the asialoglyco-protein receptors (ASGP) in hepatocytes using 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) on 22 patients with HCC after TAE. HGF and Rmax were increased 33% +/- 32, 40% +/- 28, respectively. Effects of HGF administration were examined in normal rats. Liver weight, hepatocyte nuclear size, and number of hepatocytes (cells/mm2) were not altered by HGF, but GSA blood clearance per hepatocyte was significantly increased over the preinfusion rate. We conclude that increased HGF stimulates a hepatocytic function of the receptor-mediated uptake of ASGP.

8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in urine as an index of oxidative damage to DNA in the evaluation of atopic dermatitis

8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is one of the products which are excreted in urine as a result of oxidative damage to DNA. We investigated the feasibility of using 8-OHdG in urine as an index for oxidative damage to DNA in atopic dermatitis (AD). Seventeen patients with long-standing AD and 17 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The severity of AD was evaluated by SCORAD index. Eosinophils, total IgE and lactate dehydrogenase-5 in peripheral blood were measured as clinical parameters for AD. A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure urine 8-OHdG. The AD patients showed significantly higher levels (P < 0.0001) of 8-OHdG in their urine than corresponding controls. Urine 8-OHdG levels showed as strong a positive correlation as other haematological parameters did using the SCORAD index. Thus, we conclude that the urine 8-OHdG levels can also serve as a biochemical index of tissue damage and can act as a useful tool in the clinical evaluation of AD.

Stimulation of asialoglycoprotein uptake by recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor in normal and damaged rat liver

BACKGROUND

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a strong mitogen of hepatocytes. However, little is known about the effect of HGF on the asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) of hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to identify alterations in binding of ligand to ASGPR by recombinant human HGF (rhHGF) infusion.

METHODS

RhHGF was administered to rats with either normal or dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-damaged livers. Technetium-99m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-galactosyl-human serum albumin (GSA) blood clearance was used to measure ASGPR activity.

RESULTS

In normal and damaged rats, liver weight, hepatocyte nuclear size, and number of hepatocytes (cells/mm2) were not altered by rhHGF, but GSA blood clearance after rhHGF infusion was significantly increased over the preinfusion rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent of proliferation of hepatocytes, rhHGF stimulates a hepatocytic function of the receptor-mediated uptake of ASGP.