Inhibition of angiogenesis as a mechanism for inhibition by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 of colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane in Wistar rats

The effects of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3[1alpha(OH)D3] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] on the incidence of colon tumors induced by azoxymethane and on the labeling index and angiogenesis of colon tumors were investigated in Wistar rats. Rats received 10 weekly injections of 7.4 mg/kg body weight of azoxymethane and i.p. injections of 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 at lower and higher doses every other day for 45 weeks. Prolonged administration of both 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 at a higher dose significantly reduced the incidence of colon tumors in week 45. However, administration of 1alpha(OH)D3 or 1,25(OH)2D3 had little or no effect on the histologic type of colon tumors and cancers. Administration of 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 at higher doses significantly decreased the labeling index, the immuno-histochemical staining for vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel counts in colon tumors. Our findings suggest that both 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibit development of colon tumors. A possible mechanism of inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 is the inhibition of angiogenesis as well as an anti-proliferative effect.

Effects of D-galactosamine hydrochloride and partial hepatectomy on spontaneous hepatic injury and hepatocarcinogenesis in Long-Evans Cinnamon rats

To examine the effect of nongenotoxic chemicals on hepatocarcinogenesis in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, we gave 6-week-old male and female LEC rats (n = 18) weekly subcutaneous injections of D-galactosamine hydrochloride (GalN, 300 mg/kg) in 0.9% NaCl or only 0.9% NaCl for 50 weeks, and killed them in week 62. GalN-treated male rats unexpectedly showed no lethal necrotizing hepatitis. GalN treatment increased the incidence of cholangiofibrosis in males and its severity in females, but did not cause significant increases of hepatocellular tumors in either sex. GaIN treatment increased the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeling index of hepatocytes and plasma hepatocyte growth factor, and accelerated megalocytic alterations without reduction of the hepatic copper concentration. Next, male and female LEC rats were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) or sham hepatectomy in week 8 (n = 12) or in week 14 (n = 9), and killed in week 62. PH in week 14 inhibited lethal hepatitis, but PH in week 8 was less effective. PH reduced the hepatic copper concentration to half that of controls. The present data suggest that induction of hepatocyte regeneration by repeated injections of GalN, or by PH just before the onset of jaundice has a significant effect in prevention of hepatic injury of LEC rats, but not enhancement of spontaneous hepatocarcinogenesis.

Detection of telomerase activity utilizing energy transfer primers: comparison with gel- and ELISA-based detection

We have developed a closed-tube format telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay for direct quantification of telomerase activity within the PCR vessel. The assay utilizes energy transfer (ET) primers, which emit fluorescence only upon incorporation into PCR products. This novel ET primer system (Amplifluor primers) has major advantages over existing detection methods because it eliminates the need for post-PCR processing and thus reduces greatly the risk of carryover contamination and the time required for the sample analysis. The assay is as sensitive, specific and quantitative as the polyacrylamide gel-based or ELISA-based TRAP assay.

Attenuation by genistein of sodium-chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of prolonged administration of genistein, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, on sodium-chloride-enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and the labeling and apoptotic indices and vessel counts in the gastric mucosa and gastric cancers, were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of the carcinogen treatment, rats were fed chow pellets containing 10% sodium chloride and were given s.c. injections of genistein at dosages of 15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg body weight every other day. In week 52, the incidence of gastric cancers was significantly greater in rats fed sodium chloride than in untreated control rats. Prolonged administration of genistein at a dosage of 30 mg/kg, but not 15 mg/kg, body weight significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers, which was increased by oral treatment with sodium chloride. Genistein at the higher dose significantly decreased the labeling index and vessel counts of the antral mucosa and the gastric cancers (which were increased by treatment with sodium chloride) and significantly increased the apoptotic index of the antral mucosa and the cancers (which was lowered by the treatment with sodium chloride). These findings suggest that genistein attenuates gastric carcinogenesis promoted by sodium chloride, by inducing increased apoptosis and lower cell proliferation and angiogenesis of antral mucosa and gastric cancers.

Attenuation by genistein of sodium-chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of prolonged administration of genistein, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, on sodium-chloride-enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and the labeling and apoptotic indices and vessel counts in the gastric mucosa and gastric cancers, were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of the carcinogen treatment, rats were fed chow pellets containing 10% sodium chloride and were given s.c. injections of genistein at dosages of 15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg body weight every other day. In week 52, the incidence of gastric cancers was significantly greater in rats fed sodium chloride than in untreated control rats. Prolonged administration of genistein at a dosage of 30 mg/kg, but not 15 mg/kg, body weight significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers, which was increased by oral treatment with sodium chloride. Genistein at the higher dose significantly decreased the labeling index and vessel counts of the antral mucosa and the gastric cancers (which were increased by treatment with sodium chloride) and significantly increased the apoptotic index of the antral mucosa and the cancers (which was lowered by the treatment with sodium chloride). These findings suggest that genistein attenuates gastric carcinogenesis promoted by sodium chloride, by inducing increased apoptosis and lower cell proliferation and angiogenesis of antral mucosa and gastric cancers.

Attenuation by genistein of sodium-chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of prolonged administration of genistein, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, on sodium-chloride-enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and the labeling and apoptotic indices and vessel counts in the gastric mucosa and gastric cancers, were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of the carcinogen treatment, rats were fed chow pellets containing 10% sodium chloride and were given s.c. injections of genistein at dosages of 15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg body weight every other day. In week 52, the incidence of gastric cancers was significantly greater in rats fed sodium chloride than in untreated control rats. Prolonged administration of genistein at a dosage of 30 mg/kg, but not 15 mg/kg, body weight significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers, which was increased by oral treatment with sodium chloride. Genistein at the higher dose significantly decreased the labeling index and vessel counts of the antral mucosa and the gastric cancers (which were increased by treatment with sodium chloride) and significantly increased the apoptotic index of the antral mucosa and the cancers (which was lowered by the treatment with sodium chloride). These findings suggest that genistein attenuates gastric carcinogenesis promoted by sodium chloride, by inducing increased apoptosis and lower cell proliferation and angiogenesis of antral mucosa and gastric cancers.

Modifying effects of a mixture of acetaminophen, aspirin, dipyrone and ethenzamide on a multiorgan initiation model and its carcinogenicity in male F344 rats

Six-week-old male F344 rats were given a mixture of 0.01% diethylnitrosamine, 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine and 0.02% N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in their drinking water for 1 week. When 0.8%, 0.4%, or 0% of a mixture of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (acetaminophen, aspirin, dipyrone plus ethenzamide) was given after treatment with initiators in their food from weeks 2 to 68, the incidences of liver cell tumors in the rats were 68% (P < 0.001), 25% and 8%, respectively, but those of other tumors were not different. Administration of NSAIDs from weeks 2 to 104 without initiators showed no carcinogenicity. From the results of medium-term liver bioassay, it was suggested that dipyrone and ethenzamide had promoting effects and acetaminophen had an inhibitory effect on rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Minute carcinoma of the pancreas measuring 1 cm or less in diameter--collective review of Japanese case reports

BACKGROUND/AIMS

According to Tsuchiya's collective review on small pancreatic cancer measuring 2 cm or less in diameter (5), more than half of them had obstructive jaundice and the 5-year survival rate was as low as 30%. Thus, a more aggressive diagnostic approach is needed to detect a smaller and more curable cancer of the pancreas.

METHODOLOGY

Thus, we collected 36 reported cases of "minute" pancreatic cancer measuring 1 cm or less in diameter, from Japanese medical literature, to analyze the relationships between the diagnostic processes and long-term results.

RESULTS

Excluding 3 patients with obstructive jaundice, the other 33 patients did not show any specific initial symptoms. However, 28 (78%) out of 36 patients showed an elevation in serum pancreatic enzyme levels and/or glucose intolerance. Among the 35 patients who had received ultrasonography (US) and/or computed tomography (CT), 20 (57%) patients showed duct dilation alone, whereas only 9 patients (26%) showed tumor mass. Among 35 patients who received an endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP), all patients showed positive findings such as obstruction/stenosis, filling defect or duct dilation. All 36 patients underwent pancreatectomy and the 5-year survival rate was 57%. However, the 5-year survival rate was 34% in the 13 patients with jaundice and/or tumor mass depicted in US/CT, while it was 69% for the 22 patients without these two findings (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These data lead us to conclude that an elevation of serum pancreatic enzyme levels, glucose intolerance, and duct dilation alone depicted by US/CT should not be overlooked. ERP should be more widely applied to such patients, instead of persisting in delineating the tumor mass by US/CT or follow-up by tumor marker.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by cytology and measurement of oncogene and tumor markers in pure pancreatic juice aspirated by endoscopy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Cytological examination of pancreatic juice is useful in the diagnosis of an occult cancer of the pancreas. The early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma using traditional radiographic or ultrasonographic methods is extremely difficult.

METHODOLOGY

In order to detect an early pancreatic cancer, cytological examination, measurement of tumor marker, and detection of K-ras point mutation were performed using the samples of pure pancreatic juice aspirated endoscopically in patients who had symptoms or findings that suggested pancreatic disease.

RESULTS

By routine ERP-cytology, positive cytologic results were obtained in 15 (4%) out of 359 patients without a mass. With the aid of intra-operative cytodiagnosis, all 15 occult neoplasms of the pancreas were successfully resected. One patient died from another disease without evidence of recurrence. However, the other patients were alive with no evidence of recurrence for an average of 5.5 years following surgery. The patients who had negative ERP-cytology results were observed, but no further cases of pancreatic cancer were found. The CEA levels in the pure pancreatic juice were significantly higher in patients with pancreatic cancer than in those with pancreatitis. K-ras point mutation at codon 12 was detected not only in cases of pancreatic cancer, but also in cases of chronic pancreatitis as well as control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytological examination of pancreatic juice is useful in the diagnosis of an early and potentially curable in situ cancer of the pancreas. The CEA levels in the pure pancreatic juice provided useful information for differentiating the pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis. K-ras point mutation at codon 12 in pancreatic juice was considered to be useful in identifying patients at high risk for the development of pancreatic cancer.

Dunham Treatment Including Effects of the Born-Oppenheimer Breakdown for Open-Shell Diatomic Molecules in 2Sigma States

A Dunham treatment of an effective Hamiltonian for diatomic molecules in 2Sigma states that includes contributions of the Born-Oppenheimer breakdown has yielded an expression for vibrational-rotational energy by an expansion in powers of (v + (1/2))i[N(N + 1)]j-k(N'/2)k, where N' is N for the J = N + (1/2) spin-doublet state and -(N + 1) for the J = N - (1/2) state and k = 0, 1, ellipsis, j. Analytic expressions for the expansion coefficients Y*vJijk provide a potential model appropriate for the spectral fits for molecules in 2Sigma states. The expansion coefficients Y*vJij0 for the k = 0 terms are exactly the same as the Y*vNij coefficients given for 1Sigma states, the Dunham coefficients Yij modified by the contributions of the Born-Oppenheimer breakdown, provided that a spin contribution originating from off-diagonal electronic corrections of the electronic part of the spin-orbit interaction can be ignored. Spin-rotation energy is given by the terms with coefficients Y*vJijk (k >/= 1). There are no Y*vJijk (k >/= 2) terms in the previously known methods of analysis for 2Sigma molecules. The present potential model is applied to the reported vibrational-rotational spectra of CaH and all spectral lines of 40CaH and 40CaD isotopomers are fitted to a single set of molecular constants simultaneously with significantly smaller standard deviations. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Non-carcinogenicity of capsaicinoids in B6C3F1 mice

The carcinogenicity of a mixture of capsaicinoids (64.5% capsaicin and 32.6% dihydrocapsaicin) was examined in B6C3F1 mice. In a 13-week toxicity study, renal toxicity was observed in 1% capsaicinoid-treated males. Next, groups of 50 mice of each sex were given 0, 0.025, 0.083 or 0.25% capsaicinoids in powdered diet for 79 weeks and killed in week 83. Food intake was reduced in mice of all capsaicinoid-treated groups, especially females, because of the pungency of capsaicinoids, and inhibition of body weight gain was apparent in females. The numbers of tumour-bearing females in the high-dose groups were significantly lower than that in the controls, and the incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms in both sexes were negatively correlated with the dose of capsaicinoids (Cochran-Armitage trend test). Renal cell adenomas developed in one mouse each of 0.025 and 0.25% capsaicinoid-treated males. The incidences of other tumours were similar in the treated and control groups. Thus, the present study indicated that a mixture of capsaicinoids is not carcinogenic in B6C3F1 mice.

Inhibition by transforming growth factor (34-43)-alpha, a TGF-alpha antagonist, of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of prolonged administration of transforming growth factor (34-43)-alpha, an antagonist of TGF-alpha, on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on the labelling and apoptotic indices and TGF-alpha immunoreactivity of gastric mucosa and gastric cancers was examined in Wistar rats. The rats received intraperitoneal injections of 10 or 20 microg kg(-1) body weight of TGF(34-43)-alpha every other day after oral treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks. Long-term administration of TGF(34-43)-alpha at both doses significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers at the end of the experiment in week 52. However, TGF(34-43)-alpha had no significant effect on the number, histological type or depth of involvement of gastric cancers. Administration of TGF(34-43)-alpha also significantly decreased the bromodeoxyuridine labelling index and TGF-alpha immunoreactivity, and significantly increased the apoptotic index of antral mucosa and gastric cancers. These findings indicate that TGF(34-43)-alpha inhibits gastric carcinogenesis, and that its effects are mediated through decreased cell proliferation and TGF-alpha immunoreactivity and increased apoptosis induction in the gastric cancers.

Up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor induced by hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor stimulation in human glioma cells

Recent findings suggest that hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) contributes to the malignant progression of human gliomas. We investigated the effect of HGF/SF on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of c-Met/HGF receptor-positive human glioma cell lines. Treatment of the glioma cells with various concentrations of HGF/SF resulted in an enhanced secretion of VEGF proteins accompanying increased transcription of VEGF mRNA in a dose-dependent fashion. Since malignant gliomas frequently co-express HGF/SF and its receptor, these results suggest that HGF/SF could act as an indirect angiogenic factor through autocrine induction of VEGF expression and secretion in malignant gliomas.

Adenosarcoma of the uterine cervix presenting as a cervical polyp

A case of adenosarcoma arising from the uterine cervix of a 55-year-old female who complained of vaginal discharge is reported. A polyp, 6 x 2 x 1.5 cm in size, identified in the cervical canal was clinically diagnosed as benign cervical polyp and resected. Histologically, the polyp was composed of benign epithelial components and sarcomatous stroma wherein periglandular hypercellularity and some mitoses including atypical ones were noted. Immunohistochemically, stromal cells were positive for muscle-type actins, desmin and estrogen receptor. Adenosarcoma is a rare, biphasic tumor of the uterus and usually presents as a polypoid mass in the endometrial cavity. When they arise from the cervix, adenosarcomas may be confused with benign cervical polyps clinically and pathologically. As the former often recurs, microscopic differentiation is crucial for further treatment.

Alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation enhances experimental gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of prolonged administration of the norepinephrine-mimicking agent metaraminol, the alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine and the alpha2-adrenergic agonist clonidine on the incidence of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric cancer and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in Wistar rats. Rats received s.c. injections of metaraminol, phenylephrine or clonidine every other day after 20 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. At week 52, administration of metaraminol and phenylephrine at the higher dose significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancers, the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric cancers and the labeling index of the antral epithelial cells. Administration of phenylephrine at the lower dose and clonidine at both doses had no significant effect on the incidence of gastric cancers, the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric cancers or the labeling index of the gastric mucosa. Our results suggest that adrenoreceptor stimulation enhances gastric carcinogenesis and that such enhancement is mediated through alpha1-adrenoceptors without alpha2-adrenoceptor involvement.

Alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation enhances experimental gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of prolonged administration of the norepinephrine-mimicking agent metaraminol, the alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine and the alpha2-adrenergic agonist clonidine on the incidence of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric cancer and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in Wistar rats. Rats received s.c. injections of metaraminol, phenylephrine or clonidine every other day after 20 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. At week 52, administration of metaraminol and phenylephrine at the higher dose significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancers, the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric cancers and the labeling index of the antral epithelial cells. Administration of phenylephrine at the lower dose and clonidine at both doses had no significant effect on the incidence of gastric cancers, the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric cancers or the labeling index of the gastric mucosa. Our results suggest that adrenoreceptor stimulation enhances gastric carcinogenesis and that such enhancement is mediated through alpha1-adrenoceptors without alpha2-adrenoceptor involvement.

[A measure to continue intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy long-term for locally advanced pancreatic cancer]

For locally advanced non-resectable cancer of the pancreas, we have routinely performed intra-arterial chemotherapy: Each catheter is placed in the splenic artery and gastroduodenal artery during laparotomy, and a mixture of Methotrexate and Angiotensin-II is infused within 30 minutes. This treatment is repeated weekly at our outpatient clinic as long as possible. However, obstruction of the catheter or corresponding artery is the major cause of interruption of treatment. The present paper reports a case in which intra-arterial chemotherapy was possible by repeated catheterization for the catheter obstruction. A 54-year-old woman with non-resectable pancreatic cancer underwent catheter placement during laparotomy, but they became occluded one month later. Another catheter was placed into the common hepatic artery by the Seldinger method. After this catheter was occluded again, another catheter was placed into the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery via the superior mesenteric artery by the Seldinger method. By repeating this catheter placement, we succeeded in continuing the intra-arterial chemotherapy, and the patient has remained alive (30 postoperative months) without losing her quality of life.

Basic studies on hydroxy apatite cement: I. Setting reaction

Self-setting cements, alpha D-Cement and alpha DT-Cement, were prepared. They consisted of only the calcium phosphates alpha-TCP, TTCP and DCPA. These cements reacted and hardened in a moist environment at 37 degrees C. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns were taken to examine the conversion of their reactions as a function of time. The cements reacted and produced hydroxyapatite. The optimum powder/liquid ratio of alpha D-Cement was 2.0 and that of alpha DT-Cement was 1.8. The initial setting time of alpha D-Cement was 87.5 m and that of alpha DT-Cement was 107.5 m. The component and the product of these cements are calcium phosphates which are the putative minerals in teeth and bones. Therefore, these cements are useful for oral surgery as bone-filling materials.

"Facilitated" amino acid transport is upregulated in brain tumors

The goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of "facilitated" amino acid transport across tumor and brain capillaries and to evaluate whether amino acid transporter expression is "upregulated" in tumor vessels compared to capillaries in contralateral brain tissue. Aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (ACPC), a non-metabolized [14C]-labeled amino acid, and a reference molecule for passive vascular permeability, [67Ga]-gallium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Ga-DTPA), were used in these studies. Two experimental rat gliomas were studied (C6 and RG2). Brain tissue was rapidly processed for double label quantitative autoradiography 10 minutes after intravenous injection of ACPC and Ga-DTPA. Parametric images of blood-to-brain transport (K1ACPC and K1Ga-DTPA, microL/min/g) produced from the autoradiograms and the histology were obtained from the same tissue section. These three images were registered in an image array processor; regions of interest in tumor and contralateral brain were defined on morphologic criteria (histology) and were transferred to the autoradiographic images to obtain mean values. The facilitated component of ACPC transport (deltaK1ACPC) was calculated from the K1ACPC and K1Ga-DTPA data, and paired comparisons between tumor and contralateral brain were performed. ACPC flux, K1ACPC, across normal brain capillaries (22.6 +/- 8.1 microL/g/min) was >200-fold greater than that of Ga-DTPA (0.09 +/- 0.04 microL/g/min), and this difference was largely (approximately 90%) due to facilitated ACPC transport. Substantially higher K1ACPC values compared to corresponding K1DTPA values were also measured in C6 and RG2 gliomas. The deltaK1ACPC values for C6 glioma were more than twice that of contralateral brain cortex. K1ACPC and deltaK1ACPC values for RG2 gliomas was not significantly higher than that of contralateral cortex, although a approximately 2-fold difference in facilitated transport is obtained after normalization for differences in capillary surface area between RG2 tumors and contralateral cortex. K1ACPC, deltaK1ACPC, and K DTPA were directly related to tumor cell density, were higher in regions of "impending" necrosis, and the tumor/contralateral brain ACPC radio-activity ratios (0 to 10 minutes) were very similar to that obtained with 0 to 60 minutes experiments. These results indicate that facilitated transport of ACPC is upregulated across C6 and RG2 glioma capillaries, and that tumors can induce upregulation of amino acid transporter expression in their supporting vasculature. They also suggest that early imaging (e.g., 0 to 20 minutes) with radiolabeled amino acids in a clinical setting may be optimal for defining brain tumors.

Contribution of the Breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer Approximation to Higher Order Dunham Coefficients

By means of a Deltaomega and DeltaB formalism for correction parameters, expressions were derived for higher-order Dunham coefficients, Y*vJ04, Y*vJ12, and Y*vJ21, in which contributions of the breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation were taken into account. Including Y*vJ04, Y*vJ12, and Y*vJ21, and Dunham's Y09, Y17, and Y25 coefficients in addition to the lower-order Y*vJij and Yk1 in the analysis, an extensive data set of the vibrational-rotational and the rotational transitions for four isotopomers of lithium hydride was fitted simultaneously to a single set of molecular constants within experimental errors. Since lithium hydride is a very light molecule, expressions shown in the present article should provide a means applicable to most cases of the spectral analysis of diatomic molecules in the 1Sigma state. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Application of SPET using technetium-99m sestamibi in brain tumours and comparison with expression of the MDR-1 gene: is it possible to predict the response to chemotherapy in patients with gliomas by means of 99mTc-sestamibi SPET?

Technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI) is thought to be passively taken up by metabolically active tumour cells and effluxed from them by P-glycoprotein (Pgp). This 170-kDa membrane-bound protein, encoded by the MDR-1 gene, acts as an energy-dependent efflux pump for several antineoplastic agents, resulting in multidrug resistance. For this reason, it is of interest whether the tumour's response to chemotherapy can be predicted by MIBI single-photon emission tomography (SPET). In this study, MIBI SPET was compared with thallium-201 (Tl) SPET using magnetic resonance imaging as a guide in 16 patients with untreated brain tumours [ten glioblastomas (GBs), two anaplastic astrocytomas (AAs), two low-grade gliomas (LGASs) and two metastatic brain tumours) and in four patients who had received treatment for with brain tumours (two GBs, two AAs). In addition, we investigated the expression of the MDR-1 gene and its product Pgp in the same patients, and compared the results with MIBI SPET findings. MIBI, as well as Tl, was highly accumulated and retained in the enhanced region of malignant gliomas. In addition, MIBI SPET yielded sharp and well-contrasted images, and the margin of the tumour was more clearly defined than with Tl SPET due to a good signal-to-noise ratio. Follow-up MIBI SPET in patients who had received therapy showed marked uptake in a patient with malignant transformation, who deteriorated clinically. Patients with no uptake on MIBI SPET showed no sign of recurrence. Semiquantitative analysis of untreated patients showed a relationship between the early uptake index (UI, ratio of average count/pixel in the lesion to that in the contralateral area on early images) and the degree of malignancy (early UI = 1.08+/-0.06 in LGASs, 4.10+/-0.84 in AAs, 5.71+/-3.47 in GBs, and 7.52+/-1.52 in metastatic brain tumours). The retention index (RI, ratio of delayed to early UI) of MIBI was significantly lower than that of Tl in metastatic brain tumours (P<0.05), but not in malignant gliomas. Histological and biological investigation of gliomas showed that the MDR-1 gene and its product Pgp were expressed only in normal endothelial cells and not in tumour cells or proliferating endothelial cells; Pgp tended to decrease as the degree of malignancy rose. Hence, the presence of Pgp and the grade of malignancy were inversely related in gliomas. By contrast, immunohistochemical study showed strong accumulation of Pgp in metastatic brain tumour cells. These histopathological findings and MIBI SPET findings are compatible with experimental data; MIBI was washed out by Pgp. The main cause of chemoresistance is probably not an increasing drug efflux by Pgp in gliomas. Thus, MIBI SPET is useful for detecting the active lesions, but may not be useful for predicting the response to chemotherapy in gliomas.