The concentric structure of the developing gut is regulated by Sonic hedgehog derived from endodermal epithelium

The embryonic gut of vertebrates consists of endodermal epithelium, surrounding mesenchyme derived from splanchnic mesoderm and enteric neuronal components derived from neural crest cells. During gut organogenesis, the mesenchyme differentiates into distinct concentric layers around the endodermal epithelium forming the lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, submucosa and lamina muscularis (the smooth muscle layer). The smooth muscle layer and enteric plexus are formed at the outermost part of the gut, always some distance away from the epithelium. How this topographical organization of gut mesenchyme is established is largely unknown. Here we show the following: (1) Endodermal epithelium inhibits differentiation of smooth muscle and enteric neurons in adjacent mesenchyme. (2) Endodermal epithelium activates expression of patched and BMP4 in adjacent non-smooth muscle mesenchyme, which later differentiates into the lamina propria and submucosa. (3) Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in endodermal epithelium and disruption of Shh-signaling by cyclopamine induces differentiation of smooth muscle and a large number of neurons even in the area adjacent to epithelium. (4) Shh can mimic the effect of endodermal epithelium on the concentric stratification of the gut. Taken together, these data suggest that endoderm-derived Shh is responsible for the patterning across the radial axis of the gut through induction of inner components and inhibition of outer components, such as smooth muscle and enteric neurons.

Low novelty-seeking differentiates obsessive-compulsive disorder from major depression

OBJECTIVE

To make a direct comparison of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depression (MD) and a normal control group in terms of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) personality dimensions.

METHOD

Additionally to 43 patients with primary OCD, 43 MD patients and 43 normal subjects who were matched against the OCD patients for sex and age filled out the TCI.

RESULTS

Compared to the controls, the OCD and MD patients scored significantly higher on harm avoidance and significantly lower on self-directedness and co-operativeness. The OCD patients scored significantly lower on novelty-seeking than the MD patients and the controls.

CONCLUSION

Whereas OCD and MD share similar personality deviations on harm avoidance, self-directedness and co-operativeness, OCD is distinguishable from MD in terms of low novelty-seeking. Low novelty-seeking may have a profound relationship to the specific aetiology of OCD.

Typus melancholicus and the Temperament and Character Inventory personality dimensions in patients with major depression

Although many clinical studies have been conducted to determine the etiological role and clinical implications of typus melancholicus for unipolar depression, maladaptive personality features in depressive patients have not been well described. This study explores typus melancholicus, as measured by the rigidity subscale of the Munich Personality Test, and maladaptive personality features, as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), in 131 remitted patients with DSM-IV major depression and 154 normal controls. The patients reported significantly higher scores on rigidity and harm avoidance and significantly lower scores on self-directedness and cooperativeness. Only 23.6% of the variance of the rigidity scale was explained by the variance of the seven TCI scales, in which only persistence was significantly correlated positively to rigidity. Cluster analysis identified four subgroups, two of which were characterized by a high rigidity score. One of these two subgroups showed no maladaptive personality features, as measured by the TCI, while the other showed high harm avoidance and low self-directedness. These results indicate that the personality of depressive patients is characterized not only by typus melancholicus but also by maladaptive personality features, that typus melancholicus is not well represented by any TCI scale, and that typus melancholicus and maladaptive personality features can coexist in some depressive patients.

Parental bonding and personality in relation to a lifetime history of depression

This study explores whether personality is mediating the effects of adverse parenting on having had a lifetime history of major depressive disorder and whether personality dimensions, related to the development of lifetime depression, are disposed by adverse parenting in cross-sectional data derived from an epidemiological sample of volunteer workers. Of 447 individuals who were asked to complete the Munich Personality Test (MPT), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression Lifetime version (IDDL), 322 subjects were included in the analyses (150 male and 172 female; and 38 were diagnosed as having had a history of depression). Comparisons in fit between logistic regression models revealed that a combination of frustration tolerance and rigidity among personality dimensions, as measured by the MPT, and maternal care among the PBI scales were most primary in predicting a lifetime history of depression. Maternal care was, however, not significantly predictive of dimensional scores on the personality dimensions. Neither frustration tolerance nor rigidity was predicted by any PBI scale. When entering the variables sequentially, maternal care and the personality variables were additive and independent risk factors in predicting a lifetime history of depression. The results of this preliminary study raised an objection to a hypothesis that adverse parenting experienced in childhood disposes one to a dysfunctional personality, which then predisposes one to the development of depression in adulthood.

BMPs are necessary for stomach gland formation in the chicken embryo: a study using virally induced BMP-2 and Noggin expression

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are necessary for the normal development of various digestive organs. In chicken proventriculus (glandular stomach), morphogenesis and differentiation of the epithelium depend upon the inductive signals coming from underlying mesenchyme. However, the nature of such signals is still unclear despite extensive analyses carried out using experimental tissue recombinations. In this study we have examined the possible involvement of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the formation of stomach glands in the chicken embryo. Analysis of the expression patterns of BMP-2, −4 and −7 showed that these BMPs were present in the proventricular mesenchyme prior to the initiation of the proventricular gland formation. BMP-2 expression, in particular, was restricted to the proventriculus among anterior digestive organs. Virus-mediated BMP-2 overexpression resulted in an increase in the number of glands formed. Moreover, ectopic expression of Noggin, which antagonizes the effect of BMPs, in the proventricular mesenchyme or epithelium, led to the complete inhibition of gland formation, indicating that BMP signals are necessary for the proventricular gland formation. These findings suggest that BMPs are of prime importance as mesenchymal signals for inducing proventricular glands.

[Current state and related factors in examinations of those who have had contact with tuberculosis]

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the current conditions of identifying tuberculosis contacts and enforcing their examinations in Public Health Centers and examined related factors.

METHODS

The study subjects were 431 index cases with tuberculosis who were newly registered between 1995 and 1997 at four Public Health Centers in Tokyo and Yokohama. Based on case registration card information and interviews with public health nurses in charge, the data of identification of contacts and enforcement of examination of their contacts were collected.

RESULTS

The proportion of index cases with insufficient identification of contacts was 28.3%, particularly the non-family contact data being insufficient. From logistic regression analysis: index cases aged 20-39 years; contact with many people; "a moderate risk index of infection" cases; and being homeless were factors significantly related to insufficient identification of contacts. The proportion of contacts who were examined in individual contact examinations was 59.1%, that of mass contact examinations was 80.4%. From logistic regression analysis: negative index cases on sputum smear; and no history of routine health examinations for the past 3 years or a complete lack of information were factors significantly related to insufficient enforcement of individual contact examinations. As to mass contact examinations, not interviewing index cases was a factor significantly related to insufficient enforcement. Further individual and mass contact examinations differed in quality according to Public Health Center. The incidence in close contacts with active tuberculosis was 1.0%, and was especially high in members of the same household and friends of the newly diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the current contact examinations for tuberculosis are insufficient. In addition it was shown that an adequate identification of contacts and a complete enforcement of contact examinations are urgent needs in Japan.

Lack of association between an ecNOS gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

The development of diabetic nephropathy shows remarkable variation among individuals. Therefore, not only hyperglycemia but also genetic factors may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to examine the contribution of the 27-bp repeat polymorphism in intron 4 of the endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene (ecNOS4) to the development of diabetic nephropathy. For this purpose, we analyzed this polymorphism in 167 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy consisting of 102 patients with diabetic nephropathy (with macroalbuminuria) and 65 patients without diabetic nephropathy (with normoalbuminuria). The genotype and allele frequencies were not significantly different between patients with diabetic nephropathy and those without diabetic nephropathy (ecNOS4 "b/b" 79.4% vs. 84.6%, ecNOS4 "b/a" 20.6% vs. 15.4%, "b" allele 89.7% vs. 92.3%, "a" allele 10.3% vs. 7.7%). We conclude that the ecNOS4 polymorphism does not contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Substrate effects of gel surfaces on cell adhesion and disruption

Substrate effects of hydrogel surfaces prepared on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates on the cell adhesion and disruption were studied. The adhesion of tobacco protoplasts onto anionic hydrogels was strongly influenced by the substrates on which the gels were synthesized. In the case of anionic poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) gel, more cells adhered on the gel surface prepared on hydrophobic substrates than that prepared on hydrophilic substrates. On the other hand, in the case of cationic quaternized poly-(dimethylaminopropylacrylamide) gel, cell disruption occurred in a few seconds accompanied with an intensive release of cellular contents on the gel surface prepared on the hydrophilic substrates, while the cationic gel synthesized on hydrophobic substrates induced no cell disruption. These different behaviors of the cell have been made in terms of different structures of gel surfaces associated with the presence of flexible dangling chains.

Parental child-rearing behavior as measured by the Parental Bonding Instrument in a Japanese population: factor structure and relationship to a lifetime history of depression

BACKGROUND

Recent factor analyses showed that the variance of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) was more satisfactorily explained by the use of three factors (one factor corresponding to the original care factor and two factors derived from the original protection factor), casting doubt as to the accuracy of previous estimations regarding the associations between parental rearing behavior and depressive disorders.

METHODS

418 employed Japanese adults completed the PBI and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression, lifetime version. Associations of PBI scores with lifetime history of depression were explored by performing logistic regression analyses. The analyses were carried out using the original two PBI dimensions and the three new PBI dimensions validated in this sample.

RESULTS

The results of the analyses using the three new dimensions did not differ markedly from those using the original two dimensions. Parental low care was always associated with having a lifetime history of depression. Analyses using the three new PBI dimensions provided some evidence that overprotective aspects of parenting may also be associated with a lifetime history of depression (a higher score on paternal denial of the psychological autonomy dimension predicted a lifetime history of depression in female subjects).

LIMITATIONS

Subjects were Japanese adults, which may limit the validity of the conclusion to Western cultures. Data regarding both child-rearing behavior and lifetime major depression were obtained by self-rating instruments, which also may have influenced the results.

CONCLUSION

Low parental care may be the most important factor associated with depression, even though the factor-analytically appropriate three PBI dimensions are used. Evidence for an association between overprotective aspects of child-rearing behavior and a lifetime history of depression can be newly recognized using the three new PBI dimensions.

Temperament and character inventory dimensions as a predictor of response to antidepressant treatment in major depression

BACKGROUND

Cloninger's theory of personality, including 4 temperament dimensions and 3 character dimensions, is one of the most noteworthy theories in recent years. Several studies have explored temperament dimensions as a predictor of response to antidepressant treatments in major depression, but these have provided inconsistent results. The present study explored temperament as well as character dimensions, as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), as possible predictors of response to maprotiline, the most-widely prescribed antidepressant in Japan.

METHODS

86 consecutive patients with major depression underwent a 16-week open trial of maprotiline. They filled out the TCI at baseline, and were followed up at weeks 8 and 16 by using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

RESULTS

Hierarchial logistic regression analyses demonstrated that response to maprotiline was significantly predicted by the cooperativeness score at the 8-week outcome assessment, and by the self-directedness score at the 16-week outcome assessment, after controlling the possible effects of clinical variables on the response. There was no evidence that either temperament dimensions or their 2-way interactions significantly predicted the response.

LIMITATIONS

Large replication studies with other antidepressants are needed for generalizing the results in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The results in this study regarding temperament dimensions seem consistent with findings in previous studies, which are, as a whole, inconsistent with each other. It is suggested that character dimensions (particularly cooperativeness and self-directedness), rather than temperament dimensions, may be important predictors of response to antidepressants. Antidepressants may differ in the personality configurations that predict optimal responses.

[Outbreak of tuberculosis among middle aged employees in an office]

We experienced an outbreak of tuberculosis in a salesmen's office during the period from 1993 to 1997. The outbreak was detected retrospectively. In July, 1997, a 47-year-old man was diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. As he worked with a 42-year-old man who was already registered in our health center, we suspected an outbreak and started a survey. Contact examinations were carried out for 9 employees of his office and 3 members of his friends. As the result of these examinations, one employee showed strongly positive tuberculin skin test, and was indicated isoniazid chemoprophylaxis. Furthermore, some contacts told us that seven cases of active tuberculosis and three cases of primary infection indicated chemoprophylaxis had occurred among employees and their family members. The index case was a 41-year-old man who was diagnosed as tuberculosis in January, 1993. The second case among employees had previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Almost the patients among the employees had a hard life suffering from debts, and had heavy alcohol use. These facts may partly explain the spread of tuberculosis in this office. As each case was registered at different health centers, we hadn't noticed the outbreak for 4 years. But it is true that insufficient approach of health centers to contacts caused a serious delay of detecting the outbreak. A thorough investigation for contacts and complete contact examinations are needed.

Lack of association between the heparan sulfate proteoglycan gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese NIDDM with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

The development of diabetic nephropathy shows remarkable variation among individuals. Therefore, not only hyperglycemia but also genetic factors may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy Heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) is thought to play an important role as a component of the charge selectivity barrier in the glomerular basement membrane. Recently, a BamHI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the HSPG gene (HSPG2) was reported to be associated with diabetic nephropathy in Caucasian insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The aim of the present study was to examine the contribution of the BamHI HSPG2 polymorphism to the development of diabetic nephropathy in Japanese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). For this purpose, we recruited 102 patients with diabetic nephropathy and 64 age-matched patients without diabetic nephropathy from Japanese NIDDM patients. Since all the subjects had proliferative diabetic retinopathy, it seems likely that they would be exposed to hyperglycemia for a long time. In the present study, the BamHI HSPG2 genotype and allele frequencies were not significantly different between the patients with nephropathy and the patients without nephropathy. Therefore, we conclude that the BamHI HSPG2 polymorphism is not associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy in Japanese NIDDM.

Effects of short-term glycemic control, low protein diet and administration of enalapril on renal hemodynamics and protein permselectivity in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria

To determine whether each of glycemic control (GC), low protein diet (LPD) or administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) has beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy through the different mechanisms, changes in charge and size selectivity of glomerulus and renal hemodynamics were analyzed in microalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients after additive combination therapy (first period: GC only, second period: GC-LPD, third period: GC+LPD+ACEI). To detect improvement of the impairments of glomerular charge selectivity and size selectivity, changes in the ratio of the renal clearance of two plasma proteins with similar molecular radii and different isoelectric points (pIs) (ceruloplasmin and IgG: CRL/IgG) and changes in the ratio of the renal clearance of two plasma proteins with similar pIs and different molecular radii (alpha2-macroglobulin and albumin: alpha2/Alb) were examined before and after each therapy. Creatinine clearance decreased significantly in the first and third periods although slight but not significant decrease was detected in the second period. Filtration fraction was significantly decreased only in the third period. Although renal clearances of Alb, IgG and CRL were decreased in periods of all three therapies, that of alpha2-macroglobulin with a large molecular radius was decreased significantly only after the third therapy. Neither CRL/IgG nor alpha2/Alb changed during these three therapies. These findings suggest that each of three short-term therapies consisting of GC, GC+LPD and GC+LPD+ACEI, reduced proteinuria in microalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients not through the improvement of renal size and charge selectivities, but through improvement of renal hemodynamics.

No association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese type II diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

The development of diabetic nephropathy shows marked variation among individuals. Not only hyperglycemia, but also genetic factors may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Decreased activity of MTHFR which can result in hyperhomocysteinemia may lead to cerebrovascular disease and coronary artery disease. Recently, a common C to T mutation at nucleotide position 677 of the MTHFR gene (MTHFR677CT) has been reported to be correlated with hyperhomocysteinemia and the severity of coronary artery disease as macroangiopathy. In the present study, we recruited 173 of Japanese type II diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy who would be exposed to long-term hyperglycemia, and examined the contribution of the MTHFR gene polymorphism to the development of diabetic nephropathy as microangiopathy. The frequency of the mutated allele was 43.3% in patients with nephropathy (n = 105) versus 41.9% in those without nephropathy (n = 68). The genotype frequencies were +/+, 16.2%; +/-, 54.3%; -/-, 29.5% in patients with nephropathy versus +/+, 13.2%; +/-, 57.4%; -/-, 29.4% in those without nephropathy (+ indicates the presence of the mutation). The MTHFR genotype and allele frequencies were not significantly different between patients with and without nephropathy. Therefore, we conclude that the MTHFR gene polymorphism is not associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy in Japanese type II diabetic patients.

Wakame seaweed suppresses the proliferation of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats

We examined the anti-tumor proliferation effects of wakame seaweed on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumor. DMBA was administered to 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, and rats which developed mammary tumors were assigned randomly to three groups. Commercial rat feed was used in a control group (group I-A), and two feed mixtures were prepared, which contained commercial rat feed blended with wakame at 1.0% (group I-B) and 5.0% (group I-C) by weight. The respective feeds were given to each group for 8 weeks, and changes in mammary tumor size were compared. At the end of the experiment, mammary tumors and thyroid glands were resected to compare their weights. Serum total iodine and thyroxin (T4) levels were measured. Immunohistochemical studies for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and apoptosis were carried out in the resected tumor. Significant suppression of tumor growth was observed in groups I-B and I-C compared with I-A. In groups I-B and I-C, the weights of resected mammary tumors were significantly lower and serum total iodine concentration was significantly higher than in I-A. BrdU indices were significantly lower in groups I-B and I-C, compared with I-A. TGF-beta and apoptotic index were inversely related to BrdU. These results suggest that iodine is transported from the serum into mammary tissues and induces apoptosis through the expression of TGF-beta. In conclusion, wakame suppressed the proliferation of DMBA-induced mammary tumors.

Down-regulation of the INK4 family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors by tax protein of HTLV-1 through two distinct mechanisms

Tax oncoprotein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) affects multiple regulatory processes of infected cells through activation and repression of specific transcription and also through modulation of functions of cell cycle regulators. Previously, we found that Tax binds to p16ink4a, a member of the INK4 family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, and counteracts its inhibitory activity, resulting in cell cycle progression. In this study, we examined the effects of Tax on other members of the INK4 family and found that Tax can bind to p15ink4b similarly to p16ink4a, but not to p18ink4c and p19ink4d. Tax binding to p15ink4b inactivated its function and restored CDK4 kinase activity. Accordingly, Tax-expressing cells became resistant to p15ink4b-mediated growth arrest induced by TGFbeta. On the other hand, expression of p18ink4c was transcriptionally repressed by Tax through the E-box element of the promoter, which may contribute to the marked reduction of p18ink4c mRNA in HTLV-1-infected T-cells. These observations indicate that Tax suppresses the inhibitory activities of INK4 family members through two independent mechanisms: functional inhibition of two INK4 proteins and repression of expression of another INK4 protein. These effects may play roles in HTLV-1-induced deregulation of the cell cycle, possibly promoting cellular transformation.

Telomerase enzyme activity and RNA expression in adriamycin-resistant human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells

Telomerase activity has been reported in cancer cells after treatment with antineoplastic agents. Assessment of telomerase activity could be a valuable tool to measure the reduction of aggression caused by chemotherapy. This study was designed to investigate the significance of telomerase for chemotherapy with respect to Adriamycin (ADM)-resistance. MCF-7 and its ADM-resistant line (AdrR) were treated with ADM, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or taxotere (TAXO). Telomerase activity and human telomerase RNA component (hTR) were quantitatively measured by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Cell counting and MTT assay were also performed. In MCF-7, enzyme activity was significantly reduced by ADM and 5FU treatments. In AdrR, 5FU and TAXO reduced enzyme activity, while ADM significantly increased the activity. No significant changes in hTR were seen in these two cell lines after treatment with any of these drugs. When Bcl-2 expression was examined after drug treatments, ADM increased Bcl-2 expression in AdrR cells, while not changing it in MCF-7 cells. We conclude that an unusual reaction of telomerase activity in AdrR may explain, at least in part, one of the mechanisms of the malignant biological behavior related with the drug-resistance to ADM.

Remodeling of patellar tendon grafts augmented with woven polyester after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in humans

Arthroscopic and histological evaluations of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts were made in 38 patients at various intervals after reconstruction was performed with patellar tendons (PTs) augmented with woven polyester. The interval between the surgery and the examinations ranged from 3 to 36 months (mean, 14.1 months). Biopsy specimens with woven polyester were removed from the anterior mid-portion of the graft 5 mm in depth from the graft surface. Arthroscopically, all 38 grafts showed thick ligamentous tissues, but some polyester fibers had ruptured in 9 grafts. The transplanted grafts were arthroscopically very similar to normal ACL 12 months after reconstruction. Histologically, a marked inflammatory response to the woven polyester was observed in the first 4 months after the operation, but this decreased with time. Five of 6 grafts obtained 18-36 months postoperatively showed decreased cellularity, with longitudinally oriented fibrous bundles, suggesting approaching ligament maturity. The appearance of the fibroblasts in the grafts varied from patient to patient, with 13 of 37 grafts (35.1%) showing spindling fibroblasts, and 24 grafts (64.9%) oval ones. (The remaining graft consisted of mesenchynal cells). Clinically, postoperative KT 1000 arthrometer measurements showed that the mean injured-to-uninjured difference in anterior knee laxity was 1.7 +/- 2.6 mm. There was no chronic synovitis or effusion during the study period. These results suggest that grafts with PT augmented with woven polyester transform arthroscopically and histologically into a structure similar to that of normal ligaments after reconstruction, and may act as a substitute for the ACL. The advantage of woven polyester for the augmentation of PT grafts was that it allowed earlier mobilization and weight-bearing after reconstruction, without adverse effects on graft integrity.

Adenomyomatous hyperplasia of the papilla of Vater: A sequela of chronic papillitis?

A case of adenomyomatous hyperplasia of the papilla of Vater is described. The lesion presented as a small polypoid tumor projecting into the duodenal lumen, causing obstruction and dilatation of the common bile duct. Serial cross-section of the ampulla showed diffuse thickening of the muscular layer corresponding to Oddi's sphincter, with resulting narrowing of the lumen. Many ductal or glandular components were dispersed within the mucosa and the muscular layer and were admixed with lymphocytes, a few lymphoid aggregates, and fibrosis. Based both on the absence of cellular atypia and the presence of inflammation, fibrosis, and preservation of the normal architecture of the ampulla, we favor the interpretation that this hyperplastic lesion represents a sequela of chronic papillitis. The different diagnoses for this lesion are presented along with a review of the literature.

Abnormality in urinary protein excretion in Japanese men with impaired glucose tolerance

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) for more than 2 years have any abnormality in the kidney.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We measured urinary excretion rate and clearance of various plasma proteins with different molecular radii and different isoelectric points in 22 Japanese men with IGT (IGT group) and 37 age-matched healthy control subjects (control group).

RESULTS

Clearance of ceruloplasmin (molecular radius approximately 45 A; isoelectric point 4.4), IgG4 (molecular radius 55 A; isoelectric point 5.4), and IgG (molecular radius 55 A; isoelectric point 7.4) was significantly higher in the IGT group than in the control group, whereas there were no significant differences in urinary excretion rate of albumin (molecular radius 36 A; isoelectric points 4.8-5.2) and clearance of alpha 2-macroglobulin (molecular radius 88 A; isoelectric point 5.4) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we found that clearance of neutral-charged IgG, negatively charged IgG4, and ceruloplasmin with molecular radii of approximately 45-55 A was selectively increased in IGT subjects. This finding does not seem to be explained by impairment of charge and pore-size selectivity in the glomerulus. Therefore, considering the present result together with our recent finding that enhanced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after acute protein loading in healthy subjects induced a selective increase in clearance of IgG, IgG4, and ceruloplasmin, we suggest that increased intraglomerular hydraulic pressure, although enhanced GFR was not demonstrated, may be at work in these mildly hyperglycemic subjects.

Urinary excretion of ceruloplasmin is elevated in the subjects with "borderline glucose tolerance test"

To examine whether or not there are any renal alterations in subjects with borderline glucose tolerance and in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) classified by the criteria of Japan Diabetic Association, urinary excretions of plasma proteins including albumin, ceruloplasmin (Cerulo) and IgG were measured in timed overnight urine samples. Eighty middle-aged, non-obese, normotensive, untreated men with urinary albumin excretion rates below 20 microg/minutes, beta2-microglobulin excretion rates below 140 microg/minutes and creatinine clearance values exceeding 80 ml x min(-1) x (1.73 m2)(-1) were included in this study. Three groups were defined according to the results of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as follows: D group, 10 subjects with NIDDM; B group, 40 subjects with "borderline glucose tolerance test" and N group, 30 subjects with normal glucose tolerance. The fractional clearance (theta) of Cerulo, but not albumin and IgG, was elevated in 37. 5% of the B group compared with the upper limit of that of the N group. Furthermore, theta-Cerulo and theta-IgG increased in the D group compared with those of the N and the B groups. Recently, we found that theta-Cerulo and theta-IgG increased in healthy volunteers when GFR was elevated by acute protein loading and that increase in theta-Cerulo is remarkable than increase in theta-IgG. The present result, taken together with our recent finding mentioned above, suggests that increases in theta-Cerulo and theta-IgG may not be due to an impairment of charge selectivity in the glomerular basement membrane, but due to an increase of intraglomerular hydraulic pressure.

Production of ex-germfree rabbits for establishment of specific pathogen-free (SPF) colonies

Nine groups of ex-germfree (GF) rabbits were produced by inoculation of hysterectomy-derived GF rabbits with various combinations of cecal bacteria isolated from conventional (CV) rabbits in order to establish a barrier-sustained colony. Six strains of Bacteroides and two strains of Streptococcus isolated from CV rabbits (2 to 3 weeks old) were used for pretreatment. The mortality of ex-GF rabbits inoculated with the anaerobic growth (CF) on EG or SM10 plates inoculated with a 10(-5) dilution of cecal contents was 71.4 to 94.4% when given without pretreatment. All ex-GF rabbits pretreated with Bacteroides alone survived, but the mortality of ex-GF rabbits inoculated with Bacteroides plus Streptococcus strains as pretreatment was 20 and 45.4%. The mortality of ex-GF rabbits inoculated with only Bacteroides was 43%. All ex-GF rabbits inoculated with Bacteroides plus anaerobic growth (CF), cecal suspension of ex-GF mice which had been inoculated with cecal suspensions of CV rabbits (MF) or chloroform-treated cecal suspension (CHF) survived, but CHF inoculated ex-GF rabbits were in an unhealthy condition with slight diarrhoea. These data indicate that inoculation with Bacteroides strains as pretreatment plus CF or MF was required to convert GF rabbits to the normal state.

Establishment of specific pathogen-free rabbit colonies with limited-flora rabbits associated with conventional rabbit flora, and monitoring of their cecal flora

In the present study we attempted to establish specific-pathogen-free (SPF) rabbit breeding colonies with two groups of limited-flora (LF) rabbits, both ex-germfree rabbits, and their offspring. Two groups of LF rabbits associated with cecal flora of conventional (CV) rabbits produced in a previous study [Exp. Animals, submitted], were transferred to individual barrier rooms and some of the LF rabbits were accommodated in isolators to maintain the basic flora for SPF rabbits. The composition of the cecal flora of LF rabbits was stable for a long period; bacteroides remained predominant and clostridia dominant. From the SPF rabbits, different types of bacteria, e.g., enterobacteriaceae and streptococci, which could not be isolated in the isolator were detected at a low population level at an early stage in the establishment of the SPF colonies, but the basic composition of the cecal flora was mainly bacteroidaceae and clostridia and did not change over a long period, and the floral composition became similar to that of CV rabbits. The fertility and weaning rates of the SPF rabbits were satisfactory for a SPF rabbit colony. In addition, these SPF colonies were free of more than one year rabbit-specific pathogens.

An adenosine receptor agonist-induced modulation of TSH-dependent cell growth in FRTL-5 thyroid cells mediated by inhibitory G protein, Gi

Adenosine has been shown to modulate the TSH-induced DNA synthesis in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. The mechanism of this adenosine action has been somewhat controversial because both A1 adenosine receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated mechanisms have been proposed. We have now reexamined our preliminary finding of the inhibitory action of a non-metabolizable adenosine derivative, N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA), on the TSH-induced DNA synthesis to clarify the adenosine-dependent mechanism of cell growth modulation. PIA dose-dependently inhibited the TSH-induced DNA synthesis expressed by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. This adenosine derivative also prevented the TSH-induced entry of the cell cycle to the S phase at 24 h of culture and the increase in cell number at 48 h. These PIA actions on different aspects of TSH-dependent cell growth were abolished by the treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, suggesting the involvement of Gi in the PIA action mechanism. Dibutyryl cAMP-induced DNA synthesis was not influenced by PIA. In concert with our previous finding that PIA in a similar concentration range inhibited TSH-induced cAMP production through the adenosine A1 receptor, the present results strongly support the idea that the major pathway of adenosine signaling for the inhibition of the TSH-induced cell proliferation is through the A1 adenosine receptor-Gi system.