Big endothelin-1 structure important for specific processing by endothelin-converting enzyme of bovine endothelial cells

Phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin-converting enzyme of bovine endothelial cells showed substrate selectivity for big endothelin-1 (ET-1) when compared to big ET-1(1-38), big ET-2(1-37), big ET-2(1-38) and big ET-3(1-41). To investigate the big ET-1 structure important for specific conversion by the endothelin-converting enzyme, we synthesized a series of truncated analogues of big ET-1, measured the hydrolysis of their Trp21-Val22 bonds, and found that a 16-residue peptide, big ET-1(19-34), is the minimal peptide sequence. This suggests that an unusually long carboxy-terminal sequence is required for big ET-1 conversion. Alanine substitution for individual amino acids in the carboxy-terminal region of big ET-1(19-34) demonstrated that His27, Val29, Pro30, Tyr31, Gly32, Leu33 and Gly34 are more important than Asn23, Thr24, Pro25, Glu26 and Val28 for eliciting efficient hydrolysis of the Trp21-Val22 bond, even though the former residues are located at more distant positions from the cleavage sites than are the latter. These results, together with the fact that big ET-2 and big ET-3 show heterogeneity in the big ET-1 residues His27, Val28, Val29 and Gly34, suggest that the His27-Val-Val-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Gly34 sequence in the carboxy-terminal region of big ET-1 plays the most important role in selective conversion by endothelin converting enzyme.

[Effect of training fitness on obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and disorders in glucose metabolism]

Effects of physical training on obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and disorders of glucose metabolism were investigated in 359 males, 30-59 years of age. Body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and fructosamine (FA) were measured before and after the 2 month period of physical training at intensities of about 50% of maximal O2 uptake. Results are summarized as follows; 1. Means of BMI, SBP, DBP, TC and FA after the training were significantly lower than before the training. Mean of HDL-C was significantly higher than before the training. 2. In subjects with high BMI (n = 124), high SBP (n = 129) and high DBP (n = 128), means of BMI, SBP and DBP decreased with increase of training time per week. In subjects with low HDL-C (n = 104), high TC (n = 135) and high FA (n = 66), changes in means of TC, HDL-C and FA after the training did not show a relationship to training time per week. 3. Differences observed for measured values before and after the training of 2-3 hours per week were 0.4 kg/m2 in BMI, 15 mmHg in SBP and 10 mmHg in DBP, suggesting that training of 2-3 hours per week was effective in intervention of obesity and hypertension.

[Cognitive ability regarding dental plaque and oral bacteria in schoolchildren: results from an interview research of primary and junior high school students]

The cognitive abilities regarding dental health terms, especially of dental plaque, were examined among schoolchildren. An interview of 112 primary and junior high school students was performed to test knowledge of the cause of dental caries and meaning of some dental health terms. Results indicate that most schoolchildren had difficulty understanding the correct meaning of dental plaque and oral bacteria. Some of them did not recognize the existence of oral bacteria, much less dental plaque. From these results, factors which may interfere with correct understanding of dental plaque were examined. Among them, inaccurate knowledge of existence of oral bacteria appears to be an important factor.

Induction of cytolytic activity of lymphocytes from carcinomatous pleural effusion by IL-2 and autologous tumor cells

We established a cell line (STKM-1) from tumor cells obtained from carcinomatous pleural effusion of a gastric cancer patient. The lymphocytes separated from her peripheral blood or pleural effusion were cryopreserved and immunological experiments were performed after the establishment of the cell line. They were treated with IL-2 or with both IL-2 and mitomycin C (MMC)-treated autologous STKM-1 cells. The cytolytic activity against STKM-1 cells was elevated in lymphocytes cultured with IL-2, and was more prominently augmented in lymphocytes cultured with both IL-2 and MMC-treated STKM-1 cells. The elevation in cytolytic activity was more marked with pleural effusion lymphocytes than with the peripheral blood lymphocytes. The results suggest that the lymphocytes obtained from the pleural effusion would be an excellent source for adoptive immunotherapy.

[The enhancement of the chemotherapeutic effects on human prostate cancer cell--the combination with the growth factor interaction inhibitor (suramin)]

The present study was designed to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of suramin and the combination of suramin plus cisplatin (CDDP) on the hormone-independent human prostate carcinoma cell line (PC-93). In vitro, suramin induced a dose-dependent reduction of PC-93 proliferation, and at the clinically achievable concentration (300 micrograms/ml), suramin induced a 19.7% decrease in proliferation on the 3rd day compared to suramin-free control (P < 0.01). However, from the 4th day on the inhibitory action of suramin was reversed following exposure. The suramin-cisplatin combination showed an additive effect (inhibition ratio 32.4% on the 3rd day), and prolongation of the inhibition activity on the 4th day on, but it did not show any synergistic effect. Suramin inhibited dose-dependently the growth stimulatory effect of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF). In vivo study, suramin and suramin-cisplatin combination showed antitumor effects continuously in nude mouse implanted PC-93. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of suramin on PC-93 are mediated by inhibition of the EGF-mediated growth mechanism, but by a cytostatic rather than cytotoxic manner in vitro. In addition, other mechanisms such as inhibition of angiogenesis factor might exist in vivo.

Changes in pH affect Cl- removal and AVP action in collecting tubules

We examined what mechanisms are involved in the alteration by chloride (Cl-) removal of arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced cellular cAMP production, and cellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) mobilization in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture, using two buffer systems: bicarbonate and non-bicarbonate buffers. The first study was performed in the bicarbonate-supplemented buffer. Removal of Cl-, which was replaced by methylsulfonate or gluconate, increased cellular pH (pHi) from 7.19 to 7.26. AVP increased cellular cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner; 1 x 10(-9) and 1 x 10(-7) M AVP-induced increases in cellular cAMP production were significantly enhanced by the Cl- removal. Also, 1 x 10(-7) M AVP-mobilized [Ca2+]i was augmented by the Cl- removal (181.3 vs. 224.5 nM, P < 0.05). The second study was carried out with the Krebs-Ringer buffered saline (KRB). Removal of Cl- lowered pHi from 7.20 to 7.09. AVP-induced increases in cellular cAMP production were significantly reduced in the Cl(-)-free KRB compared to those in the KRB. The reduction was obtained with KRB containing less than 25 mM Cl-. Similar results were obtained with 2 x 10(-8) M forskolin, a diterpene activator of adenylate cyclase. 1 x 10(-7) M AVP-mobilized [Ca2+]i was also diminished by the Cl(-)-free KRB. These results indicate that Cl- depletion affects the cellular response to AVP mediated via the changes in pHi in renal papillary collecting tubule cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunohistological study on bovine small intestine including gut associated lymphoid tissue using monoclonal antibodies to WC1, TCR1 and BoCD3

Selected antibodies (mAbs) that clustered in temporary cluster TC22 (WC1) and TC36 (TCR1) and one unclustered mAb thought to detect BoCD3 were used to compare the distribution of T and B cells and subpopulations of WC1+ or TCR1+ cells in fetal, calf, and young adult gut associated lymphoid tissue. Cells putatively positive for BoCD3 (MM1A) were detected in the interfollicular tissue similar to the pattern noted for BoCD2+ or BoCD5+ cells. WC1+ or TCR1+ cells were detected in small numbers in follicles and interfollicular tissue. Numerous WC1+ or TCR1+ cells were evident in the lamina propria and epithelia, with the highest frequency evident in tissues from animals 8 months of age.

Elevation of cytokines during open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: participation of interleukin 8 and 6 in reperfusion injury

Myocardial ischaemia is one of the major causes of low output syndrome during open heart surgery. Injury associated with ischaemia and reperfusion has been considered to result, in part, from the action of neutrophils, the interaction of neutrophils with vascular endothelial cells, and the effects of cytokines which are mediators that induce and modify reactions between these substances. We investigated cell injury in relation to the concentrations of interleukins 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8), which have recently received attention as neutrophil activators. Neutrophil counts, granulocyte elastase (GEL), IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), CK, and CK-MB concentrations were determined serially in 11 patients undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Neutrophil counts (mean +/- SD 2717 +/- 2421 microliters-1 preoperatively) peaked 60 min after declamping the aorta at 7432 +/- 4357 microliters-1 (P < 0.01) and remained elevated 7136 +/- 5194 microliters-1 at 180 min (P < 0.01). Plasma GEL level (168 +/- 71 micrograms.L-1 preoperatively) peaked at 1134 +/- 453 micrograms.L-1 120 min after declamping of the aorta (P < 0.01) and remained elevated, 1062 +/- 467 micrograms.L-1, after 180 min (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 level (118 +/- 59 pg.ml-1 preoperatively) peaked at 436 +/- 143 pg.ml-1 60 min after declamping of the aorta (P < 0.01) and remained elevated, 332 +/- 109 pg.ml-1, after 180 min. Serum IL-8 level (37 +/- 44 pg.ml-1 preoperatively) peaked at 169 +/- 86 pg.ml-1 at 60 min after declamping of the aorta (P < 0.001) and remained elevated at 113 +/- 78 pg.ml-1 180 min after declamping of the aorta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recurrent episcleritis associated with adult T cell leukaemia

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Selective en bloc resection of osteoid osteoma of the superior articular process of the sacral spine. A case report

Selective en bloc resection of an osteoid osteoma from the superior articular process of the sacral spine was performed, sparing the facet joint. Computed tomography was very useful, both in making a diagnosis and in facilitating precise planning of the operative procedure. The paraspinal approach readily facilitated complete excision of the tumoral nidus with minimal surgical dissection.

Extracellular release of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and serotonin increases in the cerebral cortex during walking in conscious rats

The effect of walking on the extracellular release of acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) in the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex was examined in conscious rats using the microdialysis technique. Walking at the speed of 2.3 m/min for 5 min produced significant increases in ACh, NA and 5-HT release in the cerebral cortical extracellular space. The increase in ACh release was the most prominent among the transmitters examined. It is suggested that the increased release of ACh in the cerebral cortex may contribute at least partly to the increases in the cerebral cortical blood flow during walking.

Regulation of scu-PA secretion and u-PA receptor expression in osteoblast-like cells

The production of proteolytic enzymes by osteoblasts is considered important for initiating osteoclastic bone resorption. Using the established cell line NY as an example of osteoblast-like cells, the effect of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) and protein kinase C (PKC) on plasminogen activator secretion and its specific binding to the cells were investigated. HT-1080 cells were used as the control. NY cells predominantly secrete single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) and some two-chain u-PA. Both scu-PA and u-PA were present in the cell surface and cell lysate of NY cells, and their distribution in HT-1080 cells was quite similar to that of NY cells. Exposing cells to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) enhanced the secretion of scu-PA and two-chain u-PA, whereas 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) decreased scu-PA secretion, indicating that it is enhanced by protein kinase C (PKC) as well as by cAMP in NY cells. On the other hand, in HT-1080 cells, PMA decreased the level of two-chain u-PA secretion into the conditioned medium. The binding assay of 125I-DFP-u-PA to NY cells revealed the presence of a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 2.23 nM and Bmax of 0.82 x 10(6) binding sites/cell. PMA however, altered neither the Kd nor the Bmax. Dibutyryl cAMP increased the Bmax 1.9 fold. Thus, NY cells secrete u-PA and express specific binding sites on the cell surface, which are modulated by cAMP and PKC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of high-dose thiazide treatment and low-K diet on citrate uptake by rat renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV)]

In order to study the effect of high-dose thiazide treatment and low-K diet on citrate uptake by rat renal brush border membrane, we measured citrate uptake by rat renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) and analyzed the acid-base balance of non-treated rats, high-dose thiazide-treated rats and low-K diet rats. Seven-week male Wistar rats (Jcl) were housed in metabolic cages, given 10 mg/Kg BW/day hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) by a gastric tube once a day for 3 weeks (high-dose thiazide treated rats) or a low-K diet for 3 weeks (low-K diet rats). Arterial blood was taken from the aorta and BBMV were prepared by the divalent cation precipitation method. Citrate uptake was measured by a Millipore rapid membrane filtration technique. High-dose thiazide treatment for 3 weeks showed a significant metabolic alkalosis and increase of urinary citrate excretion. However, it had no significant effect on citrate uptake by BBMV. On the other hand, low-K diet for 3 weeks showed significant hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and decrease in urinary citrate excretion. Moreover, it increased the maximal activity (Vmax) with no difference in citrate affinity (Km). These data suggested that urinary citrate excretion was more affected by the K depletion than by the acid-base balance.

[Toxicological findings in a death involving hydrogen sulfide]

A case of fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a sewage disposal plant is described. Hydrogen sulfide levels were determined in several postmortem body tissues and fluids using gas chromatography with a flame photometric detection (GC-FPD). The concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the blood, muscle, liver, lung, kidney, heart and brain were 0.305, 0.690, 1.089, 1.338, 1.170, 1.366 and 0.875 (micrograms/g or ml), respectively. The results are discussed in the light of the existing literature on the toxicological significance of hydrogen sulfide concentrations.

Stemline heterogeneity of nuclear DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma

Flow cytometric analysis of intratumoral DNA stemline heterogeneity was carried out in 48 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The nuclear DNA content was determined in specimens cut into one centimeter square pieces; all specimens had been taken from the largest section of the tumor. Of the 48 tumors twelve (25%) were diploid (group D), 11 (22.9%) had both diploid and aneuploid patterns (group DA), and the remaining 25 (52.1%) were aneuploid (group A). Out of 25 group A tumors, eleven had two or more different aneuploid peaks (multiple aneuploid). Thus, DNA stemline heterogeneity was present in 22 tumors (45.7%). With respect to survival, patients with group A tumors had a significantly poorer prognosis than did those with group D tumors, irrespective of tumor size. In group DA patients, the outcome was influenced by the "poor" prognostic nature of the positive DNA aneuploidy. Thus, HCC has a higher incidence of intratumoral DNA heterogeneity than previously considered, and the prognosis for patients with a positive aneuploidy pattern is poor.

Enhancement of vascular action of arginine vasopressin by diminished extracellular sodium concentration

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of diminished extracellular sodium concentration on the vascular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The preincubation of cells with the 110 mM extracellular Na+ ([Na+]e) solution supplemented with 30 mM choline chloride for 60 minutes enhanced the effect of AVP- (1 x 10(-8) M) induced VSMC contraction. The treatment of 110 mM [Na+]e solution also enhanced the cellular contractile response to the protein kinase C (PKC) activators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol. Furthermore, preincubation with the 110 mM [Na+]e solution also potentiated the effect of 1 x 10(-8) M AVP, but not 1 x 10(-6) M, to increase the cytosolic-free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) concentration. The 110 mM [Na+]e media decreased the basal intracellular Na+ concentration and increased intracellular 45Ca2+ accumulation, basal [Ca2+]i and AVP-produced 45Ca2+ efflux. These effects of 110 mM [Na+]e solution to enhance the vascular action of AVP were abolished by using Ca(2+)-free 110 mM [Na+]e solution during the preincubation period. The preincubation with the 110 mM [Na+]e solution did not change either the Kd and Bmax of AVP V1 receptor of VSMC or the AVP-induced production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. The present in vitro results therefore indicate that the diminished extracellular fluid sodium concentration within a range observed in clinical hyponatremic states enhances the vascular action of AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase gene expression by sodium ions in cultured neonatal rat cardiocytes

Na,K-ATPase (Na,K-pump) plays an important role in the regulation of intracellular ion composition. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Na+ regulates the levels of mRNA coding for Na,K-ATPase alpha and beta subunits in cultured neonatal rat cardiocytes. We measured intracellular Na+ levels ([Na+]i) in cardiocytes using a Na(+)-sensitive fluorescence dye (SBFI). 1 mM ouabain caused a significant increase in [Na+]i in cardiocytes; from 12.8 +/- 0.3 to 28.8 +/- 1.8 mM. Exposure of cardiocytes to 1 mM ouabain resulted in a three- to fourfold increase in alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3 mRNA accumulation, and an approximate two-fold increase in beta 1 mRNA accumulation. A maximum elevation was reached at 60 min in both cases. The ouabain-induced alpha 1 mRNA accumulation was still observed in the Ca(2+)-free culture medium. Exposure of cardiocytes to 10 microM monensin in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ also resulted in a threefold increase in alpha 1 mRNA accumulation. The increased alpha 1 mRNA expression by 1 mM ouabain was associated with a fourfold increase in alpha 1 subunit protein accumulation. Transfection experiments with chimeric plasmids containing 5'-flanking sequences of alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3 isoform genes and a luciferase reporter gene revealed that 1 mM ouabain caused a twofold increase in luciferase activity in each alpha system. These results suggest that Na+ directly regulates Na,K-ATPase gene expression in cardiocytes. The transfection study further supports the premise that Na(+)-responsive elements are located within the 5'-flanking sequences of each alpha isoform gene.

[Nutritional assessment and rapid turnover protein in the elderly]

Nutritional assessment with respect to rapid turnover protein (RTP) in the elderly was performed in 22 outpatients (7 males and 15 females, mean age 77 years) who suffered from slight illnesses such as mild hypertension and osteoporosis. Their nutritional parameters were almost within the normal range, judging from body mass index (BMI) and their plasma levels of total protein, albumin, lipids and RTP (transferrin, pre-albumin and retinol-binding protein). Statistically, BMI had a significantly positive correlation with subcutaneous fats and total protein and had a significantly negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol. Retinol-binding protein had a significantly positive correlation with prealbumin, ferritin and vitamin A. Conversely, in 12 bedridden patients the nutritional status was very poor, with their plasma levels of the above markers being significantly lower than those of the controls. We administered an enteral diet (EWH330) to 10 bedridden patients in an effort to restore their nutritional status. As a result, their nutritional parameters, especially RTP showed a significant increase after 4 and 8 weeks of the administration of EWH330. These results suggest that RTP is a very sensitive parameter of nutritional assessment in the elderly.

Enhancement of intracellular sodium by vasopressin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The arginine vasopressin-induced increase in intracellular sodium concentration was augmented in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells derived from 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with those from 12-week-old normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. This difference was enhanced by treatment with a Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain. The calcium-free state did not affect the basal intracellular sodium concentration but completely blocked the arginine vasopressin-induced increase in intracellular sodium concentration in both cell groups. The arginine vasopressin-mobilized cytosolic free calcium was enhanced in SHR compared with WKY rats. This enhancement was diminished but not completely inhibited in the calcium-free state. Also, arginine vasopressin-produced intracellular alkalinization was augmented in SHR. Pretreatment of both cell groups with a calmodulin antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, completely blocked arginine vasopressin-induced intracellular alkalinization and increased intracellular sodium concentration. Scatchard analysis showed that the V1 receptor number of either quiescent or proliferative cells of SHR was five to seven times greater than that of WKY rats, without any change in receptor affinity. These findings therefore indicate that the arginine vasopressin-induced increase in intracellular sodium concentration is augmented in vascular smooth muscle cells of SHR mediated through the enhancement of the mobilization of cytosolic free calcium and the activity of sodium-hydrogen exchange, which depends on an increase in V1 receptor number.

[Evaluation of surgical treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax]

To evaluate the effect of surgical treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax, we examined eighty patients who underwent the surgical treatment. Out of these, thirty five patients (53.0%) were the recurrent episode of the disease, since we vigorously chose surgical treatment for the second attack of the disease. Operative complications were observed in 6 cases (7.1%) including 2 cases of lasting air leakage and 1 case of bleeding, pneumonia, wound infection and atelectasis. Postoperative recurrence was not seen. From a viewpoint of prevention of the postoperative recurrence, the surgical treatment is effective and safe method.