Probucol prevents the progression of fatty liver in MSG obese mice

We investigated the effect of Probucol in preventing fatty liver in monosodium-L-glutamate (MSG) treated obese mice and control mice fed a high fat diet. MSG mice became significantly obese 9 weeks after birth with higher levels of serum blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, GPT, and cholinesterase, and had greater triglyceride contents in their livers relative to control mice. Morphologically, MSG obese mice also had a marked fatty liver. Administration of Probucol mixed with the high fat diet for 2 weeks significantly decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, and liver triglyceride contents in both MSG and control mice. Morphologically, the livers were less fatty after Probucol treatment. These results suggest that Probucol prevents the development of fatty liver, and in addition reduces hypercholesterolemia.

241 DIBUTYRYL CYCLIC AMP AND EGF-LIKE FACTORS SUPPORT IN VITRO MATURATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES IN A CHEMICALLY DEFINED MEDIUM WITHOUT GONADOTROPINS

Exposure of porcine oocyte–cumulus complexes (OCC) to gonadotropins induces meiotic resumption, but the details of this mechanism are still unknown. The present study was undertaken to examine combinational effects of EGF-like factors and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) in a chemically defined medium on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. The OCC were aspirated from 3- to 6-mm-diameter follicles of prepuberal ovaries and used in the current study. The basic culture medium was a chemically defined medium, Porcine Oocyte Medium (POM; Research Institute for the Functional Peptides, Yamagata, Japan). In the first experiment, various concentrations (0, 10, and 1000 ng mL–1) of EGF-like factors (EGF, amphiregulin, and betacellulin) were added to POM during an entire IVM period (44 h). In the second experiment, to determine the additive effect of EGF-like factors, each EGF-like factor with an effective concentration was combined with the others. In the last experiment, to examine the combined effect with dbcAMP, OCC were exposed to EGF (10 ng mL–1), amphiregulin (1000 ng mL–1), and dbcAMP (1 mm) during the first 20 h of IVM and then the culture was continued in the absence of EGF-like factors and dbcAMP. After culture, in all experiments, meiotic resumption and the progress of oocytes were examined after denuding, fixing, and staining. Statistical analyses was performed by ANOVA with a Bonferroni-Dunn post hoc test (significance, P < 0.05). In the first experiment, all treatments without supplementation with 10 ng mL–1 amphiregulin increased the incidence of oocytes maturing to the MII phase, as compared with controls (29.1 to 39.3% v. 11.1%, P < 0.05). In the second experiment, combinations with 2 kinds of EGF-like factor slightly (but not significantly) improved the percentage of oocytes at the MII stage (37.7 to 47.4%). In the last experiment, supplementation with 1 mm dbcAMP during the first 20 h of IVM, regardless of the presence of EGF-like factors, significantly increased the incidence of MII oocytes as compared with controls, whereas the incidence was the highest when 1 mm dbcAMP, 10 ng mL–1 EGF, and 1000 ng mL–1 amphiregulin were supplemented (75.5%). When those oocytes were cultured in a chemically defined medium after in vitro fertilization, the developmental competence of oocytes to the blastocyst stage (25.0%) was not different from oocytes matured in the presence of gonadotropins and dbcAMP during the first 20 h of IVM (17.3%). These observations indicate that supplementation of a chemically defined maturation medium with EGF-like factors and dbcAMP during the first 20 h of IVM can support the meiotic progress and developmental competence of porcine oocytes well. Currently, we are examining the developmental competence of those oocytes after embryo transfer. The results will be presented at the meeting. This study was supported by MAFF AgriBio1605.

Skin morphology of thyroidectomized rats

We induced hypothyroidism in rats by conducting a thyroidectomy (TD) and investigated subsequent changes in the morphology of the skin, especially that of the epidermis and hair follicles. The 6 rats in the TD group seemed less active than the 3 rats in the control group and had cold, dry paws. All of the rats in the TD group exhibited retarded hair growth 12 weeks after surgery. Histologically, all of the rats in the TD group exhibited epidermal thinning from 12 weeks after surgery. Many hair follicles were in the telogen phase: the bulbs and papillae were involuted and had migrated towards the epidermis. Hair follicle atrophy involving thinning of the outer root sheath and the inner root sheath was often observed. The immunoreactivities of antithyroid hormone receptors alpha and beta in the outer root sheaths of 5 of the TD rats were weaker than those of control rats. Cell proliferation in hair follicles of TD rats was weaker than in follicles of control rats 4 weeks after surgery. It is suggested that decreased expression of TRs and decreased cell proliferation activity in the hair follicles of rats is associated with a lack of thyroid hormone and results in retardation of hair growth.

Coherent quantum control of excitons at ultracold and high density in Cu2O with phase manipulated pulses

By phase manipulation of a short laser pulse, it is possible to selectively generate ultracold excitons in a two-photon process while quenching the multiphoton excitation of hot electrons and holes. We show how this technique allows us to suppress the heating of n=1 orthoexcitons in Cu(2)O at high density. Using a laser pulse having an energy of a few microJ and duration of 100 fs, we are thus able to produce a cold exciton gas up to a density of 10(15) cm(-3).

Morphology of Thyroid Follicular Cells of Methimazole-treated Rats

Thyroids of rats treated with methimazole (MMI) were analysed histologically, immunohistochemically and electron microscopically. Thyroids of MMI-treated rats displayed greater hypertrophy and were heavier than those of control rats. Thyroids of MMI-treated rats were composed of variant or small follicles and contained more columnar cells than those of control rats. Strong staining of thyroid granules by azocarmine G was evident in the apical regions of follicular cells from MMI-treated rats. Anti-thyroglobulin positivity was detected in the apical regions of follicular epithelial cells, especially those of MMI-treated rats. After application of a post-embedding method to detect thyroglobulin, colloidal gold particles were often observed in apical vesicles of MMI-treated rats. Our study suggests that apical vesicles may serve as markers of hyperthyroidism. When the functional state of the thyroid gland is known from histological analysis, use of the Azan stain could provide useful additional information.

Clinical results of continuous intrathecal or intracavitary administration of sodium butyrate for patients with recurrent and progressive malignant glioma: Experience with 23 cases

2040

Background: We evaluated the clinical potential of intrathecal use of sodium butyrate (NaB) for malignant glioma in experimental research. Based on the results of experimental research, continuous intrathecal or intracavitary administration of NaB for recurrent and progressive malignant glioma was clinically attempted. We evaluated the efficacy and therapeutic safety of this treatment. Methods: A total of 23 patients (pts)(glioblastoma:GB,19; anaplastic astrocytoma: AN, 4) were enrolled in this study between Oct. 2001 and Feb. 2006 and followed until Oct. 2006. Five patients showed CSF dissemination of tumor cells. Sixty milimolar NaB was administered to all pts after dose-escalation study using a simple balloon pump system and continued as long as possible by changing the pump containing NaB weekly. The primary end point was radiographic response, and the secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and therapeutic safety. Results: Nineteen of 23 pts (GB, 16; AN,3) were evaluable. Nine pts showed regression of the tumor, 5 showed stable disease, and 5 showed growth of the tumor. The overall median PFS of the pts was 6.0 months (mos) and that of pts with GB was 5.5 mos, while the 6-month PFS was 53.3.% and that of GB was 50%. The overall median survival time was 11.0 mos and that of GB was also 11.0 mos. The overall 1-year survival rate was 42 % and that of GB was 29.4%. Four of 5 pts with CSF tumor cell dissemination showed therapeutic response, including temporary negative cytological conversion. Various adverse effects and complications have been encountered to date, including bacterial meningitis, temporary bradycardia and convulsions. Conclusions: The present therapy was well tolerated and resulted in long-term inhibition of the growth of the tumor in some pts, and showed therapeutic safety.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gamma-ray detection efficiency of the microchannel plate installed as an ion detector in the low energy particle instrument onboard the GEOTAIL satellite

A microchannel plate (MCP) assembly has been used as an ion detector in the low energy particle (LEP) instrument onboard the magnetospheric satellite GEOTAIL. Recently the MCP assembly has detected gamma rays emitted from an astronomical object and has been shown to provide unique information of gamma rays if they are intense enough. However, the detection efficiency for gamma rays was not measured before launch, and therefore we could not analyze the LEP data quantitatively. In this article, we report the gamma-ray detection efficiency of the MCP assembly. The measured efficiencies are 1.29%+/-0.71% and 0.21%+/-0.14% for normal incidence 60 and 662 keV gamma rays, respectively. The incident angle dependence is also presented. Our calibration is crucial to study high energy astrophysical phenomena by using the LEP.

209 VIABILITY OF PORCINE EMBRYOS VITRIFIED BY THE METAL MESH VITRIFICATION METHOD AFTER SURGICAL OR NONSURGICAL TRANSFER

The aim of the present study was to evaluate viability of porcine embryos vitrified by the metal mesh vitrification (MMV) method after surgical or nonsurgical transfer. Prepubertal gilts were treated with eCG and hCG (= Day 0), and then inseminated artificially. Expanding blastocysts that were about 200 �m in diameter were collected on Day 7. The embryos were equilibrated in 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) + 7.5% DMSO + 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in PBS at 37�C for 5 min, and then transferred into 15% EG + 15% DMSO + 0.6 M trehalose + 20% FBS in PBS for 1 min. Embryos in groups of 5 were transferred in a minimum volume of the vitrification solution (less than 1 �L) onto stainless steel mesh (75 �m screen size, 1.5 mm in width by 10 mm in length, with a 3-mm right-angle bend), and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. The mesh was stored in a 1.8-mL cryotube submerged in liquid nitrogen. Warming and dilution were performed by moving the mesh from liquid nitrogen into 0.5 M trehalose + 20% FBS in PBS at 37�C for 5 min. Embryos were rinsed twice in NCSU37 + 10% FBS (mNCSU37) for 5 min. After being vitrified, embryos in groups of 20 per recipient were suspended in modified NCSU37 medium and then transferred into gilts either by surgical transfer (5 gilts) or by nonsurgical transfer (6 sows). For surgical transfer, embryos suspended in 0.1 mL of medium were transferred into the uterine horn at 15 cm above the uterine body, which was about 35 cm from the external uterine orifice. For nonsurgical transfer, an intrauterine catheter made from polyethylene tubing (1.2 m long, 3.0 mm outer diameter, 0.5 mm inner diameter) was used. A spiral guide inserted through the vagina into the cervix was used to guide the catheter into one uterine horn. The catheter was moved through the cervix and along the uterine horn. Then, embryos suspended in 1 mL of medium were transferred. Pregnancy was assessed by ultrasonography at 30 days post-estrus. With surgical transfer, 4 of 5 recipients became pregnant, and 3 gilts farrowed a total of 21 (10, 8, 3) live piglets; the fourth gilt aborted one fetus on Day 34. With nonsurgical transfer, 3 of 6 sows became pregnant. The present study demonstrates that vitrified porcine embryos can develop after both surgical and nonsurgical transfer to recipients. As a practical measure, nonsurgical transfer of vitrified porcine blastocysts may be used instead of surgical transfer.

197 EFFECTS OF HYALURONAN ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ATP CONTENT IN PIG BLASTOCYSTS PRODUCED IN VITRO

Hyaluronan (HA), a glycosaminoglycan present in follicular and oviductal fluids, has been related to sperm capacitation, fertilization, and embryo development. We have found that exogenous HA improves cell proliferation of porcine embryos cultured in a chemically defined medium (Yoshioka et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 264–265). Moreover, mitochondrial maturation was clearly more advanced in blastocysts cultured with HA compared to those cultured without HA, as seen by transmission electron microscopy. In the present study, the effects of HA on oxygen consumption and ATP content of blastocysts, produced in a defined system which reflects metabolic activity, were investigated. Porcine immature oocytes were matured for 44 h in porcine oocyte medium (POM) and subsequently fertilized with frozen–thawed ejaculated semen in porcine gamete medium supplemented with theophylline, adenosine, and cysteine (PGMtac4). Both POM and PGMtac4 were chemically defined media modified from porcine zygote medium (PZM)-5. After IVF, presumptive zygotes were cultured in PZM-5 containing HA (from the microorganism, Nacalai tesque, Kyoto, Japan) at concentrations of 0 [control], 10 [HA10], or 100 [HA100] �g mL-1 until 5 days after IVF. Blastocyst formation rate and total cell numbers/blastocyst at Day 5 were assessed. In addition, oxygen consumption and ATP content of single Day 5 blastocysts were measured. Blastocyst oxygen consumption was quantified using scanning electrochemical microscopy (HV-403; Research Institute for the Functional Peptides, Yamagata, Japan), and embryonic ATP content was determined using a commercial assay based on the luciferin-luciferase reaction (ATPlite; PerkinElmer, Groningen, The Netherlands). Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher&apos;s PLSD test. While the percentage of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage [30.5% (63/206) to 31.7% (65/206)] did not differ among treatments, blastocyst cell number in the HA100 group [57.9 cells (n = 64)] was greater (P &lt; 0.05) compared to those in the control [48.6 cells (n = 63)] or HA10 [50.0 cells (n = 65)] groups. Blastocyst oxygen consumption rate in the HA100 group [0.629 � 10-14 mol s-1 (n = 15)] was significantly higher than in the control [0.500 � 1-14 mol s-1 (n = 16)] or HA10 [0.464 � 10-14 mol s-1 (n = 14)] groups. ATP content/blastocyst did not differ among treatments [control: 0.645 pmol (n = 38), HA10: 0.727 pmol (n = 42), and HA100: 0.704 pmol (n = 43)]. It is concluded that HA affects the metabolic activity of pig blastocysts developed in a chemically defined medium, enhancing oxygen consumption and their total cell numbers, thus improving the quality of IVP blastocysts.

Usefulness of the skin index in predicting the outcome of oral challenges in children

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic accuracy of the skin prick test (SPT) for food allergies remains to be fully accepted and substantial individual differences in the prevalence of skin test reactivity have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of absolute wheal size and skin index (SI; ratio of food allergen-induced wheal to histamine-induced wheal) according to the outcome of controlled oral food challenges.

METHODS

Eighty-seven controlled oral challenges were performed with cow's milk, hen eggs, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, seafood, and/or fruit in 51 children (median age, 35 months). The wheal diameters in SPT, the SI, and the serum specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E concentrations were determined.

RESULTS

Thirty-three oral challenges were assessed as being positive. SI and wheal diameter in SPT were both significantly different according to the outcome of food challenge (P < .001 and P = .03, respectively); the greatest difference was found in the case of SI. Serum specific IgE concentration did not differ significantly according to the outcome of food challenge.

CONCLUSION

SI may be helpful for predicting a positive outcome of food challenge.

[Successful surgical management of papillary muscle rupture following acute myocardial infarction in an elderly patient]

Papillary muscle rupture is rare but catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction. We report a 91-year-old woman who underwent successful management of papillary muscle rupture following acute myocardial infarction. She was transferred to our hospital because of severe pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography revealed severe mitral valve regurgitation due to total rupture of anterolateral papillary muscle. After intubation, intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) insertion, mitral valve replacement was successfully performed. She was discharged 134 days after operation. In papillary muscle rupture deteriorating hemodynamics, early diagnosis and immediate cardiopulmonary support are required before surgical treatment. She was, to the best of our knowledge, the oldest among the reported cases of successful surgical treatment of papillary muscle rupture in Japan.

Immobility reduces muscle fiber necrosis in dystrophin deficient muscular dystrophy

Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle disease, which is caused by the abnormality of dystrophin. Spina bifida is characterized by paralysis of the feet, with most of the upper extremities not being affected. We report here on the first case of Becker muscular dystrophy coinciding with spina bifida. The muscle biopsy specimens of the patient showed dystrophic changes in upper extremities, but clearly less in lower extremities. The results show that the restriction of excessive exercise is important for dystrophin deficiency disease.

Difference of HBV Genotype Distribution Between Acute Hepatitis and Chronic Hepatitis in Japan

BACKGROUND

Recently genotype A which is rare in the patients in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was frequently noted in patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB). To investigate their clinical and virological features, we studied the AHB patients in the past 5 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

98 patients with AHB and 80 patients with CHB admitted to our hospital between 1998 and 2003 were studied.

RESULTS

Genotype A was not found in CHB but was frequently noted in AHB (p < 0.001). Comparison of the clinical features of acute hepatitis between the two major genotypes, A and C, homosexual and heterosexual with multiple partners were frequently seen among genotype A patients (p < 0.001). On the other hand, infection from steady partner showed a tendency to be more frequent in genotype C (p = 0.065). In genotype A, the levels of HBVDNA on admission was higher (p = 0.007) and AHB has significantly more frequently progress to chronic infection than in genotype C (p = 0.028). Phylogenetic analysis of genotype A revealed that almost all strains from homosexual men belonged not to the African type A1 but to the Western type A2.

CONCLUSION

Genotype A has increased recently among AHB in Japan. This fact may correlate to promiscuous intercourse in high risk group. Prophylactic efforts should be considered to prevent the prevailing of genotype A.

Blood pressure-depressing activity of a peptide derived from silkworm fibroin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Peptides showing inhibitory activity against the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) were investigated from the fibroin fraction of discarded silk fabric. Fibroin, which was hydrolyzed with alcalase after partial hydrolysis with hot aqueous 40% CaCl(2), released two major active peptides showing ACE-inhibitory activity. The two peptides were identified as glycyl-valyl-glycyl-tyrosine (GVGY) and glycyl-valyl-glycyl-alanyl-glycyl-tyrosine (GVGAGY) by analyses with a protein sequencer and LC/MS/MS. GVGY, whose ACE-inhibitory activity has not previously been reported, showed a blood pressure-depressing effect on spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).

Cell proliferation activity of proliferating bile duct after bile duct ligation in rats

The cell proliferation activity of proliferating bile ducts produced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats was examined histologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally. Proliferating bile ducts, which were similar to normal bile ducts, increased with time after BDL. The cell proliferation activity of proliferating bile ducts, measured using proliferating-cell nuclear antigen and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine antibodies, tended to be high at 1 and 3 days after BDL and decreased progressively at 2 to 4 weeks after BDL. On the other hand, alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblast-like cells increased continuously after BDL. These findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between the cell proliferation activity of proliferating bile ducts and that of myofibroblast-like cells.

Effects of 5'-uridylic acid feeding on postprandial plasma concentrations of GH, insulin and metabolites in young calves

Postprandial changes in plasma concentrations of GH, insulin, IGF-I, leptin and metabolites were compared between young Holstein bull calves fed with milk alone (control group) and with milk+5'-uridylic acid (UMP) (UMP group). UMP (2 g/day) was given with milk at 0830 h and 1530 h for 11 days from the 4th to the 14th day after birth. The perirenal fat weight was significantly lower in the UMP group than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the weights of the liver, spleen and heart between the groups. Basal GH concentrations in the UMP group were slightly higher, but the postprandial increase in plasma insulin level and the area under the curve for insulin in the UMP group were significantly lower than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in IGF-I levels between the groups. In addition, the postprandial glucose concentrations were lower in the UMP group as reflected by the insulin level, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were not different. In the muscle (M. longissimus thoracis) sampled at 14 days of age, the triacylglycerol (TAG) content was significantly greater but glycogen content was significantly lower in the UMP group than in the control group. From these results, we have concluded that feeding 5'-UMP at 2 g/day for 11 days significantly alters TAG accumulation in the body and plasma concentrations of GH and insulin in young bull calves.

Coronary arterial calcification is associated with albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patient

AIM

Although microalbuminuria has been suggested as an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease, the relationship between diabetic nephropathy and macroangiopathy remains unclear. Previously, we reported that coronary artery calcification detected by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) could indicate the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. In this study, we examine the association between coronary arterial calcification and microalbuminuria and aortic calcification and microalbuminuria.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-six patients, including 177 type 2 diabetic patients (106 patients with normoalbuminuria, 71 with microalbuminuria) and 79 non-diabetic patients were evaluated by assessing the urinary albumin excretion rate and using EBCT to determine a coronary calcification score (CCS) and an aortic calcification score (ACS).

RESULTS

No differences were observed regarding age, smoking index or BMI. Diabetic patients exhibited a greater CCS than non-diabetic subjects (non-diabetes 33 +/- 75 vs. diabetes 203 +/- 467, p < 0.05). Diabetic patients with microalbuminuria exhibited the most advanced CCS (253 +/- 491, p < 0.05). In contrast, no difference was observed in ACS among three groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that CCS is significantly associated with urinary albumin excretion rate as well as age, duration of diabetes and serum creatinine (R(2) = 0.31), while ACS is strongly associated with age, smoking, serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (R(2) = 0.29).

CONCLUSION

Increased urinary albumin excretion is associated with coronary arterial calcification in diabetic patients.