Changes in copper distribution in the plasma and kidneys of LEC rats following acute hepatitis

Copper (Cu) accumulating bound to metallothionein (MT) in the liver of LEC (Long-Evans with cinnamon-like coat color) rats due to a hereditary metabolic disorder is assumed to lead to acute hepatitis with severe jaundice. The metal was shown to be present in the liver in a form not bound to MT at the beginning of hepatitis after first delivery and lactation. Following this change in the distribution of Cu from MT-bound to non-MT bound form in the liver, changes in the concentrations and distributions of Cu, zinc (Zn) and iron in the plasma and kidneys of LEC rats were also observed. Cu plasma distribution on a gel filtration column by HPLC-ICP revealed that the holo-form of ceruloplasmin (Cp) was present before hepatitis and increased with its development, indicating the availability of Cu for Cp by hepatitis. Cu-binding proteins migrating at the same retention times as those of hepatic Cu-MT and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected in plasma during hepatitis. Albumin was largely present in the form of nonmercaptoalbumin, reflecting that the bloodstream was under oxidative stress. A sudden increase in the concentration of Cu in the kidneys occurred with hepatitis, and the metal came to be distributed more to high molecular weight proteins with its development.

Selective removal of copper bound to metallothionein in the liver of LEC rats by tetrathiomolybdate

LEC rats (Long-Evans with a cinnamon-like coat color) have a genetical defect in Cu metabolism. Male LEC rats aged 10 weeks were injected ip with TTM at a dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight for 8 consecutive days and killed one day after the last injection. Cu that had accumulated in the liver at a concentration of 251 micrograms/g liver was decreased to 82.7 or 74.3 micrograms/g liver respectively, by the treatment. Although most of Cu was bound to MT as a soluble form before TTM treatment, the metal remaining in the liver after the treatment was present almost exclusively in the non-soluble fraction. Zinc (Zn) present, bound to MT before the treatment, was also partly removed from the liver by TTM, and the Zn remaining in the liver after the treatment was revealed to be bound to MT (Zn-MT) by high performance liquid chromatography-atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Iron (Fe) in the liver was not affected by TTM treatment. Cu in the kidneys and spleen increased by TTM treatment, while Zn and iron were not affected. Treatment of LEC rats with severe jaundice effectively cured the animals from otherwise lethal signs by only two ip injections of TTM at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight.

Phosphorylation of Mg(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase alpha (type 2C alpha) by casein kinase II

In this study we show that rat Mg(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase alpha (MPP alpha) expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was phosphorylated on serine residues in vivo. The recombinant rat MPP alpha purified from Escherichia coli cells harboring an expression vector was phosphorylated in vitro by casein kinase II, but not by casein kinase I, to 1.5 mol phosphate per mol enzyme protein. Analysis by phosphopeptide mapping and amino acid analysis suggested that the sites of both in vivo and in vitro phosphorylation were the same and involved only serine residues. These results suggest that the rat MPP alpha expressed in yeast cells is phosphorylated by yeast casein kinase II in vivo. It is further proposed that the phosphorylation sites are located in the carboxyl terminal region of the enzyme molecule.

[Trace metal elements in gallstones and their roles]

The concentrations of metal elements in gallstones were measured by absorption spectrometry. Crystallographic analysis by the powder X-ray diffraction method was also performed. For all stones calcium was the major component. In calcium carbonate stones aragonite form, one of the CaCO3 polymorphs and usually unstable in nature, was dominant. As a whole, black-stones contained highest proportions of all metal elements. But these stones were crystallographically grouped into three types; they are calcium carbonate-, calcium phosphate-, and other-one. In each type, the concentration of metal element differed greatly. It is suggested that in black-stones the amount of Mn is remarkable and Cu is highly correlated to black residue. It was true, but Mn was remarkable especially in calcium phosphate-type and Cu was the highest in other-type.

A case report of resected primary duodenal carcinoma associated with early gastric cancer and cumulative results at 21 institutions in Japan

A case of primary duodenal carcinoma simultaneously associated with an early gastric cancer is reported. A 72-year-old woman complaining of appetite loss and nausea was admitted in June 1988. Endoscopic examination showed an ulcerative lesion in the angle of the stomach and a Borrmann type 2 tumor in the bulb of the duodenum. Both lesions were revealed to be adenocarcinomas by histological examination of obtained biopsy specimens. Synchronous carcinoma was diagnosed and pancreatoduodenectomy and lymph node dissection were performed. The primary tumor of the duodenum was histologically a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and the gastric cancer was a tumor limited to the mucosa. Metastasis was recognized in a regional lymph node (No. 14A). There has been no recurrence during the 4-year postoperative follow-up period. This result suggests that pancreatoduodenectomy with systematic regional lymph node dissection can greatly contribute to prolonging the survival of patients with advanced duodenal cancer. This case is very rare, in that curative operation was performed for a primary duodenal carcinoma simultaneously associated with an early gastric cancer.

Determination method for methyl iodide using diffusive sampler and capillary GC with thermal desorption injector and FID

A determination method for methyl iodide in the work place has been developed, using a diffusive sampler and a capillary gas chromatograph with a thermal desorption cold trap injector and an FID. The sampler consists of a glass tube (6 mm o.d., 4 mm i.d., 16 cm length) packed with porous polymer beads. The diffusion path of the sampler is made of a 3 mm i.d., 52 mm length poly (tetrafluoroethylene) tube inserted in the glass tube. The sampling rate of the sampler for methyl iodide was 4.6 ml/h, and variations caused by temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were found to be small and negligible. The sample could be stored for at least two weeks without significant loss. A time-weighted average concentration of methyl iodide in the range of sub ppm to ppm for two to six hours can be measured by this method. The average concentration of methyl iodide for a period of a few seconds can also be measured by grab sampling, i.e., injecting 20 ml of air directly into the sampler.

Selective purification of two distinct protein kinases (C-kinase and casein kinase II) from the membrane fraction of mouse brain by NED-affinity column chromatography

By means of NED-affinity column chromatography, two distinct protein kinases have been selectively purified from the crude membrane extract of mouse brain. One (designated P-I kinase) was eluted from the column by the buffer containing 5 mM EGTA and the other (designated P-II kinase) was eluted by the buffer containing 0.6 M KCl. The activity of A-kinase was detected in the column passed through fraction. Biochemical characteristics of P-I and P-II kinases corresponded exactly to those of C-kinase and casein kinase II (CK-II), respectively. In addition, immunoprecipitate experiment using anti-CK-II antiserum against the beta-subunit of Drosophila CK-II showed that P-II kinase is identical to CK-II and the 62 kDa cellular polypeptide is associated with the kinase.

Biochemical characterization of the membrane-associated phosphorylating proteins involved in the anti-proliferative effect of human recombinant interferon-alpha 2a (rIFN-alpha 2a) in Daudi cells

The anti-proliferative effect of interferons (IFNs) was investigated, focusing on the physiological activities of membrane-associated proteins involved in the progress of cell proliferation. In preliminary screening of the inhibitory effect of IFNs against the cell growth of various human hematopoietic tumor cells, Daudi cell was the most sensitive to rIFN-alpha 2a. SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography detected that treatment of Daudi cells with rIFN-alpha 2a significantly reduced phosphorylation of the membrane-associated Mr 98,000 and 70,000 polypeptides. To determine the physiological significance of these phosphorylating polypeptides in mediation of the IFN effects, they were purified from Daudi cells. It was found that the molecular weight of the purified polypeptides was approximately 330,000 and it (designated 330-kDa protein) was consist of two distinct subunits [alpha-subunit (Mr 98,000) and beta-subunit (Mr 70,000)]. The biochemical properties, such as subunit structure, subunit phosphorylation, requirements for phosphorylating activity and protease sensitivity of the 330-kDa protein were similar to those reported for Na+, K(+)-ATPase. Evidence provided here suggests that the anti-proliferative action of IFNs may, at least in part, be implicated in the IFN-induced physiological impairment of the membrane-associated 330-kDa protein.

Characterization of glycyrrhizin-binding protein kinase from the crude membrane fraction of rat liver

Using GL-affinity column chromatography, a casein phosphorylating protein kinase was purified selectively from the crude membrane fraction of rat liver. The biochemical characteristics of the purified kinase (approximately Mr 210 kDa) are very similar to those reported for polypeptide-dependent protein kinase (kinase P). Moreover, low doses of GL selectively inhibit phosphorylation of Mr 35-36 kDa polypeptides (which are cross-reacted with anti-lipocortins I and II) by the kinase in vitro. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of GL may involve the impairment of the physiological functions of lipocortins through their specific modification by the kinase at the cell membrane level.

Plasma protein binding of propranolol enantiomers as a major determinant of their stereoselective tissue distribution in rats

We examined whether the distribution of propranolol (PL) exhibits stereoselectivity. (+)-, (-)- or (+/-)-PL was administered by i.v. bolus injection (5 or 10 mg/kg) to rats. The concentrations of PL enantiomers in plasma (Cp) and tissues (e.g., lung, heart, brain, kidney, muscle and gastrointestinal tract) were determined at 5, 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after administration by chiral stationary-phase liquid chromatography. Plasma protein binding of PL enantiomers was evaluated by ultrafiltration. Values of tissue-to-plasma partition coefficient and tissue-to-plasma-free fraction were obtained. Cp for (+)-PL was consistently higher than that of (-)-PL in plasma. In contrast, (-)-PL showed a significantly higher distribution than (+)-PL in all tissues observed (P less than .05) at 60 min after administration of the racemate. As a result, the tissue-to-plasma partition coefficient-Cp curve was markedly different for the two enantiomers. However, because the plasma-free fraction of (+)-PL was less than that of (-)-PL, no remarkable difference was found between the concentration-dependent tissue-to-plasma-free concentration curves for the two enantiomers. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the uptake or binding of PL enantiomers to tissues is saturable and not stereoselective. Therefore, the apparent stereoselective tissue distribution of PL seems to be caused mainly by the difference in plasma protein binding of its enantiomers.

[CT of the pelvic kidney]

Six cases of unilateral pelvic kidney are presented. CT features are summarized as follows: (1) an absence of a kidney in the renal fossa with normal sized opposite kidney: (2) a pelvic kidney whose hilus faces in various directions; and (3) homogeneous parenchymal enhancement and visualization of the pyelocalyceal system on post-contrast CT. In the study of suspected pelvic kidney, CT is a useful diagnostic tool.

[Experimental study on the changes of bile acids and their fractions after liver ischemia]

Serum bile acids and their fractions in the systemic and portal vein were measured after liver ischemia of 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes with extracorporeal venous bypass in 20 dogs. The following results were obtained: 1) Total concentration of bile acids in the serum rapidly increased during the ischemic phase because of extinction of enterohepatic circulation due to flow of portal blood into the systemic circulation. 2) Portal blood flow decreased after recirculation of the liver, and this decrease was more severe in the 90-minute ischemic group than in the 30- and 60-minute groups. 3) After recirculation, increased bile acids were taken up by hepatocytes, and their concentrations in the systemic vein decreased markedly. The 90-minute ischemic group had a significantly slower rate of decrease compared to the 30- and 60-minute groups. This was due to its significantly lower portal blood flow rate. 4) Hepatocyte dysfunction was suggested in the 90-minute ischemic group, since the uptake of bile acids into the liver, especially dihydroxy- and deconjugated bile acids, significantly decreased. These results indicate that measurement of serum bile acids and their fractions is useful for estimating the liver function after liver ischemia.

Endoscopic membranectomy for congenital duodenal stenosis in an infant

A 60-day-old baby boy (body weight, 3,100 g) with congenital membranous stenosis in the third portion of the duodenum was successfully treated with endoscopic membranectomy by means of a high-frequency wave cutter.

[Biological basis for combined radio-chemotherapy in radioresistant tumors]

Human tumor cells such as melanoma or glioblastoma are intrinsically radioresistant on an average than cells of more common tumors in radiotherapy such as squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. Mean inactivation dose (D) for glioblastoma A-7 cells was 3.1 Gy for cells growing exponentially, but was 4.3 Gy for cells grown in large spheroids with hypoxic cells and PLD recovery. The D for cells of squamous cell carcinoma was about 2.1 Gy. This indicates that local control of the radioresistant tumors may be achieved if a drug showing an enhancement ratio of about 2.0. Data on our experiments with others in the literature indicate that drugs which selectively sensitize hypoxic cells and inhibit PLD recovery may be useful to increase the therapeutic ratio. Experimental evidence on a nitrosourea, ACNU has been presented for such mechanisms of the action. Multivariate analysis with Cox's model on malignant gliomas of 209 patients indicated that a significant increase in the survival time was obtained in the radiotherapy combined with ACNU.

Laminar distribution of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, Area 17 and Area 18 of the visual cortex, and the superior colliculus of the cat

The laminar distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied in certain structures of the visual system of the adult cat. A microassay method to measure GABA (10(-12) mol) was established using enzymatic cycling of NADP-NADPH. In the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, GABA concentration was highest in lamina A (average concentration 23 mmol/kg dry weight) and lowest in lamina C. In the visual cortex (Areas 17 and 18), the concentration of GABA was 10-12 mmol/kg dry weight in layers I-IV and 5-8 mmol/kg dry weight in layers V and VI. No significant difference was found in the GABA distribution in Areas 17 and 18. In the superior colliculus, the highest level of GABA was found in the upper part of the superficial gray layer (40 mmol/kg dry weight), whereas the deep layers contained GABA at a concentration of 23-28 mmol/kg dry weight. The results of the GABA distribution measurements revealed an orderly, layer-specific disposition of the neurotransmitter in the cat visual system. GABA may play an important role in the function of the visual system.