Expression of superficial zone protein in mandibular condyle cartilage

OBJECTIVE

Superficial zone protein (SZP) has been shown to function in the boundary lubrication of articular cartilages of the extremities. However, the expression of SZP has not been clarified in mandibular cartilage which is a tissue that includes a thick fibrous layer on the surface. This study was conducted to clarify the distribution of SZP on the mandibular condyle and the regulatory effects of humoral factors on the expression in both explants and fibroblasts derived from mandibular condyle.

METHODS

The distribution of SZP was determined in bovine mandibular condyle cartilage, and the effects of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on SZP expression were examined in condyle explants and fibroblasts derived from the fibrous zone of condyle cartilage.

RESULTS

SZP was highly distributed in the superficial zone of intact condyle cartilage. The SZP expression was up-regulated by TGF-beta in both explants and cultured fibroblasts, whereas the expression was slightly down-regulated by IL-1beta. A significant increase in accumulation of SZP protein was also observed in the culture medium of the fibroblasts treated with TGF-beta.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that SZP plays an important role in boundary lubrication of mandible condylar cartilage, is synthesized locally within the condyle itself, and exhibits differential regulation by cell mediators relevant to mandibular condyle repairing and pathologies.

Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus reuteri on visceral pain induced by colorectal distension in Sprague-Dawley rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Probiotic bacteria are being investigated as possible treatments for many intestinal disorders. The present study aimed to explore the effects of live, heat killed, or gamma irradiated Lactobacillus reuteri on cardio-autonomic response and single fibre unit discharge in dorsal root ganglia to colorectal distension in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats housed under conventional conditions. The effects of this treatment on somatic pain were also examined.

METHODS

1x10(9) bacteria were given by gavage for nine days. Colorectal distension occurred under anaesthesia. Heart rate was measured through continuous electrocardiography. Single fibre unit discharge was recorded from the 6th left lumbar dorsal root ganglion. Somatic pain was evaluated by the tail flick and paw pressure tests.

RESULTS

Colorectal distension caused a pressure dependent bradycardia in the control (native medium) group. Treatment with live, heat killed, or gamma irradiated bacteria as well as their products (conditioned medium) prevented the pain response even during the maximum distension pressure (80 mm Hg). Both viable and non-viable bacteria significantly decreased dorsal root ganglion single unit activity to distension. No effects on somatic pain were seen with any treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of either live or killed probiotic bacteria or conditioned medium inhibited the constitutive cardio-autonomic response to colorectal distension in rats through effects on enteric nerves. These data may provide a novel explanation for beneficial probiotic effects on visceral pain.

Dilated coronary arterial lesions in the late period after Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES

There are two types of late coronary dilated lesions after Kawasaki disease: new aneurysms and expanding aneurysms. The development of coronary dilated lesions late after Kawasaki disease was investigated.

METHODS

Between 1978 and 2003, 562 patients with coronary arterial lesions underwent selective coronary angiography on at least two occasions.

RESULTS

Of the 562 patients studied, 17 new dilated or expanding lesions were found in 15 patients (3%, 11 boys, four girls). The time of detection of new aneurysms after Kawasaki disease ranged from 1.9-19.2 years (median 11.4 years) and their diameters ranged from 2.0-6.5 mm (median 4.4 mm). Thirteen new aneurysms occurred in vessels in which previous aneurysms had regressed and all new aneurysms were associated with localised stenosis. A new aneurysm at the bifurcation or in the branches was seen in 14 (93%) and 13 were eccentric (87%). Of two expanding aneurysms, one involved the right coronary artery in one patient and the other the left anterior descending coronary artery. One expanding aneurysm increased from 4.4 mm to 19.5 mm over 17 years, and the other expanding aneurysm increased from 10 mm to 15 mm in one year.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither new nor expanding aneurysms have caused cardiac events. New aneurysms often develop as a pre-stenotic or post-stenotic dilatation secondary to localised stenosis. New and expanding aneurysms may be caused by haemodynamic factors in addition to the abnormality of the coronary arterial wall after severe acute vasculitis. Coronary arterial wall abnormalities were stenosis as well as, rarely, dilatation of the vessels in the late period. It is important to recognise that the changes of the coronary arterial wall persist late after regression of a large aneurysm.

Incidence of stenotic lesions predicted by acute phase changes in coronary arterial diameter during Kawasaki disease

To clarify the incidence of stenotic lesions according to the coronary arterial diameter in the acute phase. we investigated 190 patients with coronary arterial lesions who underwent an initial coronary angiogram (CAG) less than 100 days after the onset of Kawasaki disease. The largest diameters of the major branches were measured in the initial CAGs. The diameter of the large group was > or = 8.0 mm, that of the medium group was > or = 6.0 mm but < 8.0 mm, and that of the small group was > or = 4.0 mm but < 6.0 mm. There were 121 patients in the large group, 85 in the medium group, 77 in the small group. We investigated the stenotic lesions in the follow-up CAGs and evaluated the incidence of stenotic lesions in each group by the Kaplan-Meier method. The mean interval from the initial CAGs to the latest CAG was 97 months. The incidence of stenosis at 5, 10, and 15 years in the large group was 44, 62, and 74%, respectively. In the medium group the corresponding values were 6, 20, 58%, respectively. None of the patients in the small group developed stenotic lesions. Dilatation of more than 6.0 mm produces a high probability of irreversible change in the coronary arterial wall, leading to subsequent stenotic lesions.

The neuroprotective effect of a free radical scavenger and mild hypothermia following transient focal ischemia in rats

Edaravone, a novel free radical scavenger, has been reported to reduce ischemic damage in rats subjected to transient focal ischemia. The aim of this study is, therefore, to investigate the effect of a combined therapy with edaravone and mild hypothermia of 35 degrees C. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to MCA occluding an intraluminal suture technique for 2 hrs. The rats were reperfused for 24 h and decapitated for infarct and edema analysis. Animals were randomly devided into four groups: (I) vehicle + normothermia (control) (II) vehicle + mild hypothermia (III) Edaravone + normothermia (IV) Edaravone + mild hypothermia. Mild hypothermia alone had no reduction of the brain damage. The edaravone alone significantly reduced edema volume. The combined treatment with edaravone and mild hypothermia reduced both infarct and edema volume. In addition, this treatment provided for the best functional outcome. These results demonstrate that free radical scavenger, edaravone attenuates brain edema and that the combined therapy with edaravone and mild hypothermia significantly reduces not only edema but also infarct on transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. The neuroprotective effects seen in this study may be due to the combined interaction of antiedema activity between edaravone and mild hypothermia, suppressing free radical production.

Mild hypothermia enhances the neuroprotective effects of a selective thrombin inhibitor following transient focal ischemia in rats

The aim of this study is to determine whether a selective thrombin inhibitor, Argatroban, would prevent neuronal cell death and whether extra-mild hypothermia (35 degrees C) would enhance the neuroprotective effect of a selective thrombin inhibitor following transient focal ischemia in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to MCAo using an intraluminal suture technique for 2 hrs. The rats were reperfused for 24 h and decapitated for infarct and edema analysis. Argatroban-treated animals received a continuous injection of argatroban (3.0 mg/kg) for 24 hrs after onset of ischemia, while vehicle-treated groups received same dose of vehicle. During ischemia, temporal muscle and rectal temperatures were monitored and maintained at 37 degrees C in the normothermic animals and at 35 degrees C in the hypothermic animals. Argatroban ameliorated the cortical ischemic damage significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, argatroban with mild hypothermia decreased the cortical infarct or edema volume significantly compared with those of groups I and III (p < 0.05). Argatroban improved neurological symptoms significantly and also improved survival rate. These results demonstrate that extra-mild hypothermia (35 degrees C) enhances neuroprotective effects of a selective thrombin inhibitor, argatroban, suggesting that this combined therapy may be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute stroke.

Dietary intake of the flower extracts of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) inhibited compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch responses in mice

The antipruritic effects of the diets containing German chamomile on the compound 48/80-induced scratching in ddY mice were examined. Since it is reported that an injection of compound 48/80, but not histamine, induced scratching behaviour due to itch but not to pain in ddY mice (Kuraishi et al., 1995), compound 48/80-induced scratching in ddY mice seems to be a suitable parameter for evaluating antipruritic agents independent of histamine receptor antagonism. In the mice fed the diet containing 1.2 w/w % of the ethyl acetate extract of dried flower of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) for 11 days, the compound 48/80-induced scratching behaviour was significantly suppressed. The ethyl acetate extract of German chamomile dose dependently suppressed compound 48/80-induced scratching without affecting body weight increase. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract and the ethanol extract of hot water extraction residue of German chamomile flower also showed strong inhibition on the compound 48/80-induced scratching. The inhibitory effects of the dietary intake of the German chamomile extracts on compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch response were comparable to oxatomide (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an anti-allergic agent.

Expression of low-frequency Ala108Pro substitution in the platelet glycoprotein Ibbeta gene

We determined the gene frequency of the glycoprotein (GP) Ibbeta Ala108Pro substitution. The Pro108 allele was not found in 208 healthy Japanese and 200 healthy Caucasians. In vitro expression studies showed surface expression of the GPIbbeta Pro108 variant, suggesting the possibility of the involvement of the substitution as an alloantigen.

Identification of six novel MYH9 mutations and genotype-phenotype relationships in autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopenia with leukocyte inclusions

The autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopenia with leukocyte inclusions, May-Hegglin anomaly (MHA), Sebastian syndrome (SBS), and Fechtner syndrome (FTNS), are rare platelet disorders characterized by a triad of giant platelets, thrombocytopenia, and characteristic Döhle body-like leukocyte inclusions. The locus for these disorders was previously mapped on chromosome 22q12.3-q13.2 and the disease gene was recently identified as MYH9, the gene encoding the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain-A. To elucidate the spectrum of MYH9 mutations responsible for the disorders and to investigate genotypephenotype correlation, we examined MYH9 mutations in an additional 11 families and 3 sporadic patients with the disorders from Japan. Korea, and China. All 14 patients had heterozygous MYH9 mutations, including three known mutations and six novel mutations (three missense and three deletion mutations). Two cases had Alport manifestations including deafness, nephritis, and cataracts and had R1165C and E1841K mutations, respectively. However, taken together with three previous reports, including ours, the data do not show clear phenotype-genotype relationships. Thus, MHA, SBS, and FTNS appear to represent a class of allelic disorders with variable phenotypic diversity.

Coronary artery dilatation exceeding 4.0 mm during acute Kawasaki disease predicts a high probability of subsequent late intima-medial thickening

We used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to compare the degree of coronary artery dilatation during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease with the extent of intima-medial thickening more than 10 years later. We wanted to determine if there was a threshold degree of dilatation that was highly predictive of later thickening. Twenty-eight patients with a mean age of 17.3 +/- 1.7 years were studied; the mean interval from the initial selective coronary angiography to the IVUS study was 15.0 +/- 1.6 years. We measured the maximum intima medial thickness of selected coronary arterial segments in IVUS images and measured the largest diameters of the corresponding coronary arterial segments in the initial coronary angiograms. A significant correlation was found between the initial diameters of the coronary arteries and the intima medial thickness more than 10 years later in the right coronary, the left anterior descending coronary, and the left circumflex arteries. The coefficient of correlation was 0.77 (n = 120, p < 0.0001), and for the bifurcation of the left coronary artery it was 0.50 (n = 26, p < 0.01). For this study, abnormal intima medial thickness was defined as more than 0.40 mm. When the initial coronary arterial dilatation exceeded 4.0 mm, the sensitivity was 28/31 (90%) and the specificity was 87/89 (98%) in the right coronary, the left anterior descending coronary, and the left circumflex arteries. For the bifurcation of the left coronary artery, the sensitivity was 14/21 (67%) and the specificity was 5/5 (100%).

The progression of aging in klotho mutant mice can be modified by dietary phosphorus and zinc

Reduction in klotho gene expression causes accelerated senescence in klotho mutant mice. We have now found two key substances, phosphorus and zinc, which affect the appearance of klotho phenotypes. Klotho mutant homozygotes fed nonpurified diet with a phosphorus concentration of 1.03 g/100 g showed typical klotho phenotypes. However, most of the klotho phenotypes no longer appeared in male homozygotes fed a 0.4 g/100 g phosphorus diet. These homozygotes were capable of spermatogenesis. In the kidneys of the rescued male homozygotes, klotho protein expression was clearly detected. On the other hand, female klotho mice required supplementation of 0.25 g/100 g zinc orotate to the 0.4 g/100 g phosphorus diet to be rescued. Unlike in the rescued male mice, klotho protein levels in the kidneys of the rescued females were quite low. Wild-type (C3H/He) mice fed 1.5 or 1.0 g/100 g phosphorus diets had lower klotho protein expression in the kidneys than those fed a 0.4 g/100 g phosphorus diet (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary phosphorus and zinc modulate the phenotypes of klotho mice, and that klotho expression in the kidneys is regulated not only in klotho mutant mice, but also in wild-type mice.

Novel heterozygous missense mutation in the platelet glycoprotein Ib beta gene associated with isolated giant platelet disorder

The glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX/V complex plays an important role in primary hemostasis, serving as the platelet receptor for von Willebrand factor (vWF). Recent studies have shown that the phenotype caused by mutations in the subunits of the GPIb/IX complex spans a wide spectrum; from the normal phenotype, to isolated giant platelet disorders (GPD), and to the full-blown bleeding disorder, the Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS). We characterize here a novel missense mutation of the GPIb beta gene associated with isolated GPD. In the patient's platelets, the expression level of the GPIb/IX complex was moderately reduced compared with that of the GPIIb/IIIa complex, whereas the latter was expressed at higher levels than in a normal control. Immunoblot analysis showed normal electrophoretic mobility of GPIb alpha, GPIb beta, and GPIX. However, the amount of GPIb beta was approximately 66% of the normal value. DNA sequencing analysis revealed a novel heterozygous missense mutation in the GPIb beta gene that converts Arg (CGC) to Cys (TGC) at residue 17. Transient transfection studies demonstrated that mutant GPIb beta protein was not detected in transfected 293T cells. These findings indicated that null expression of the abnormal GPIb beta causes decreased expression of the complex and results in the GPD phenotype in the patient, and suggested that homozygosity of the mutation may lead to a BSS phenotype in vivo.

Capsaicin-like anti-obese activities of evodiamine from fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa, a vanilloid receptor agonist

Evodiamine, a major alkaloidal principle of Evodia fruits (Evodia rutaecarpa, Rutaceae), showed vanilloid receptor agonistic activities comparable to capsaicin. The Chinese literature refers to Evodia fruits as a "hot nature" herb. In spite of the similarities in the actions of evodiamine and capsaicin in vitro, evodiamine has no perceptible taste, including a peppery hot taste. Therefore, the effectiveness of evodiamine and the extract of Evodia fruits in preventing obesity on male C3H mice, or male SD rats were examined. When evodiamine was supplemented at 0.03% of the diet and fed to mice for 12 days, the perirenal fat weight became significantly lower than in the control group. The epididymal fat mass was also decreased in the evodiamine diet group. When evodiamine was supplemented at 0.02% in the form of ethanol extract of Evodia fruits to the high-fat diet and fed to rats for 21 days, the body weight, the perirenal fat weight, epididymal fat weight, the levels of serum free fatty acid, total lipids in the liver, triglyceride in the liver, and cholesterol level in the liver were significantly reduced as compared with the control diet group. Furthermore, both lipolytic activity in the perirenal fat tissue and specific GDP binding in brown adipose tissue mitochondria, as the biological index of enhanced heat production, were significantly increased in the evodiamine fed rats. Fasting mice subcutaneously administered 1-3 mg/kg evodiamine showed decreased core body temperature by 1-2 degrees C. This hypothermic effect was prevented by the pretreatment of intraperitoneally administered 10 mg/kg capsazepine, a vanilloid receptor antagonist. On the other hand, food-sated mice subcutaneously administered 1-3 mg/kg evodiamine showed unchanged core body temperature and increased tail skin temperature by more than 5 degrees C, suggesting the increased energy expenditure by enhanced heat dissipation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that a novel non-pungent vanilloid receptor agonist, evodiamine, mimics the characteristic anti-obese effects induced by capsaicin. Evodiamine would induce heat loss and heat production at the same time and dissipate food energy, preventing the accumulation of perivisceral fat and the body weight increase.

Neuroprotective effect of immunosuppressant FK506 in transient focal ischemia in rat: therapeutic time window for FK506 in transient focal ischemia

Tacrolimus (FK506), an immunosuppressant currently used in clinic, is known to have neuroprotective properties. However, effects in focal ischemia are shown only in a endothelin induced middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion model or with filament technique at a relatively high dose. We have previously shown that FK506 had significant protective effects at a low dose of 0.3 mg kg(-1) when administered immediately after ischemia. In this study, we explored the therapeutic time window of FK506 at this low dose, in a transient focal ischemia model using filament technique. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 h MCA occlusion and subsequent reperfusion. They received FK506 or vehicle (0.3 mg kg(-1)) i.v. at 30, 60 or 120 min after induction of ischemia, and were decapitated 24 h after ischemia. FK506 injected at 30 and 60 min significantly reduced cortical infarction volume (FK506 vs. vehicle; 30 min: 95 +/- 33 mm3 vs. 170 +/- 62 mm3, p < 0.05; 60 min: 93 +/- 45 mm3, vs. 168 +/- 35 mm3, p < 0.05, respectively). FK506 was ineffective when given at 120 min after ischemia. FK506 had no effect on edema formation, nor on the infarct volume in striatum. The therapeutic time window for this low dose of FK506 given i.v. is between 60 and 120 min in this model.

Topical application of cyclosporin A induces rapid-remodeling of damaged anagen hair follicles produced in cyclophosphamide administered mice

Adult C3H mice which had either anagen IV or anagen VI hair follicles were given the anti-tumor drug cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporin A or minoxidil were topically applied to the mice daily from the 4th day after cyclophosphamide administration. In the mice that had anagen IV-hair follicles, 0.5% cyclosporin A induced very thick and long hairs after 21 days of cyclophosphamide administration, while vehicle and 1% minoxidil induced sparsely visible, short hairs. In the mice which received cyclosporin A, the injured hair follicles seemed to remodel themselves into intact anagen hair follicles and restart the production of hairs, instead of shifting to telogen. In the mice that had anagen VI-hair follicles at the time of cyclophosphamide administration, complete alopecia occurred within the first 7 days in all groups. After 14 days of cyclophosphamide administration, hair regrowth was observed in both the 0.5% cyclosporin A-group and the 1% minoxidil- group with the predominant effect over the vehicle. This study shows that anagen hair follicles respond to cyclophosphamide in different ways depending on their stages (IV and VI), and that the damaged anagen IV hair follicles have the potential of remodeling themselves, which is promoted by topical cyclosporin A administration.

Presence of Propionibacterium acnes in blood components

BACKGROUND

Sterility testing, as part of the QC of blood components at the Japanese Red Cross Aichi Blood Center between April 1998 and March 2000, showed that 10 of 5568 tested blood components (0.18%), all of which were RBC concentrates, were contaminated with bacteria. Nine isolates were Propionibacterium acnes and one was Staphylococcus capitis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

To investigate the molecular relatedness of eight available P. acnes isolates, 16S rRNA gene analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis were performed.

RESULTS

DNA sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that five isolates were identified as distinct strains and that three had identical sequences. RAPD analysis in the latter three isolates showed that two exhibited indistinguishable banding patterns that differed from that of the third isolate.

CONCLUSION

P. acnes was the most frequent contaminant of blood components, and six of eight isolates were molecularly unrelated. Further studies are necessary to investigate the precise mechanisms of contamination.

Low metacarpal bone density, tooth loss, and periodontal disease in Japanese women

The relationship between periodontitis and systemic bone mineral density in Japanese women is undetermined. We tested the hypothesis that periodontitis was more frequent in women with low metacarpal bone mineral density (m-BMD). Subjects were 190 Japanese women (89 premenopausal, 101 post-menopausal). Periodontal status was evaluated according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN). M-BMD was measured by computed x-ray densitometry. The proportion of subjects with periodontitis (CPITN > or = 3) increased as m-BMD decreased in pre-menopausal (18.2%, 36.9%, and 66.6% in the normal, borderline, and very low m-BMD groups, p < 0.02) and post-menopausal women (41.5%, 54.8%, 60%, and 68.4% in the normal, borderline, low, and very low m-BMD groups, p < 0.05). Among post-menopausal women, those with very low m-BMD had fewer teeth present than women with normal m-BMD (19.9+/-7.2 vs. 25.1+/-4.1, p < 0.01). These results indicate that m-BMD loss is associated with periodontitis in Japanese women, and with tooth loss after menopause.

Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium: ultrafast computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of ultrafast computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for anatomical and pathophysiological diagnosis of isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium (INVM) compared with other imaging modalities including thallium myocardial imaging. Six patients, three sets of siblings, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years, were included in this study. Two-dimensional echocardiograms revealed numerous prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses in one or more ventricular wall segments in all cases. Thallium-201 myocardial imaging disclosed a hypoperfusion area corresponding to the zones where noncompacted ventricular myocardium was localized. Ultrafast CT showed early defects of varying degrees and rate enhancement of the noncompacted ventricular myocardium, implying fibrosis in this area. MRI disclosed inner zones of noncompacted myocardium distinguishable from thin outer zones of compacted myocardium. T2-weighted imaging revealed high intensity areas at the apex of the left ventricle, suggesting disturbed microcirculation due to fibrosis, thrombus formation, and hypokinesis. Cine MRI revealed hypokinesis of the noncompacted ventricular wall during the cardiac cycle. In conclusion, ultrafast CT and MRI provide high-resolution imaging of noncompacted myocardium, and also pathophysiological details regarding this rare disease.