Comparison of hormonal therapy and chemohormonal therapy in patients with newly diagnosed clinical stage D prostatic cancer

BACKGROUND

In order to examine the usefulness of chemohormonal therapy, we conducted a multicentered randomized trial comparing hormonal therapy, using a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist, with chemohormonal therapy, hormonal therapy plus cyclophosphamide (CPM), in patients with newly diagnosed clinical stage D prostatic cancer.

METHODS

Between January 1991 and March 1995, 41 evaluable patients with stage D prostatic cancer were randomized into 2 groups: group A (hormonal therapy alone), goserelin acetate depot 3.6 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks: group B (chemohormonal therapy), goserelin acetate depot 3.6 mg subcutaneously and CPM 1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 4 weeks. The responses to the therapies were evaluated based on the criteria of The Japanese Urological Association.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to objective and subjective response rates. No advantage in chemohormonal therapy was observed in the survival rate and progression-free survival rate. However, the survival rate and progression-free survival rate of responders were significantly higher than those of nonresponders in both groups. When the results were categorized by histologic grade patients with poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma had significantly higher response rates, survival rates, and disease-progression-free survival rates in Group B compared to similar patients in Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that chemohormonal therapy does not definitely improve the clinical response and prognosis of patients with stage D prostatic cancer; however, for patients with poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma, chemohormonal therapy is a useful treatment.

[Radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer]

We studied 81 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Ten, 57 and 14 patients were clinically diagnosed with stage T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Pelvic lymph node dissection was performed prior to prostatectomy in all cases. The neurovascular bundle was preserved in 21 patients. Compared with pathological stage, the accuracy rate of clinical staging in T1, T2 and T3 was 40, 46 and 64% respectively. Approximately half of the patients clinically diagnosed with stage T2 were pT3. The positive rate of lymph node in pT2 and pT3 was 3.3 and 37% respectively, showing a marked difference between these two pathological stages. The 3-year non-recurrence rates were 89% in patients with pT2 and 79% in pT3. In the well differentiated carcinoma group, no patients had recurrence for up to 3 years. All of the patients with infiltration (INF) gamma showed recurrence within 3 years. Fifty-five patients had no problem on urination post-operatively, while the other 23 patients had a mild or moderate incontinence and the remaining 3 patients had a small urine stream. Regarding erectile potency, 4 out of 18 evaluable patients were potent.

Rejection of mouse renal cell carcinoma elicited by local secretion of interleukin-2

We introduced the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene into mouse renal cell carcinoma (RenCa) in order to examine the mechanism of tumor rejection. IL-2 gene-transfected RenCa (RenCa/IL-2Hi) exhibited marked retardation of tumor growth when implanted in a syngeneic host. Growth retardation of RenCa/IL-2Hi was also observed in athymic nude mice even after depletion of natural killer (NK) cells by treatment with anti-asialo GM1 antibody. Histological analysis of RenCa/IL-2Hi tumors disclosed non-specific inflammatory changes in syngeneic hosts. Co-injection of Bacillus Calmette Guerin with RenCa/IL-2Hi considerably enhanced the anti-tumor effects. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that in situ IL-2 production leads to tumor rejection through non-specific inflammatory responses without participation of T cells and NK cells. On the other hand, the syngeneic mice that had rejected RenCa/IL-2Hi acquired immunity against parental RenCa, suggesting possible participation of memory T cells in the second rejection of the tumor.

[Association between dental erosion and exposure to acids in a chemical factory]

An examination of dental erosion status and a semi-quantitative assessment of exposure to acids were carried out for 134 workers in a chemical factory in Osaka Prefecture, and an association between the dental erosion and the exposure to acids was discussed. 1) Percentage of workers with dental erosion of grade + or more among the subjects was 30.6%. 2) Most of the erosion was observed in the front teeth. There were more eroded teeth in the upper jaw than in the lower jaw. 3) The workers were divided into 4 groups according to job type at the time of the examination: production, research, clerical work and others. The production workers, those routinely handling a large amount of various kinds of acids, was the highest proportion of workers with eroded teeth. Because some of the clerical workers had previously handled acids, this group of workers included a larger number of those with dental erosion than the other two groups. 4) More than half of the workers who had been engaged in production had eroded teeth including those of grade +/- 5) The intensity of exposure to acids, as a semi-quantitative index for cumulative exposure to acids, was calculated in each worker from a score for the job type and its duration. A significant association was observed between the intensity and the manifestation of dental erosion.

Introduction of basic fibroblast growth factor gene into mouse renal cell carcinoma cell line enhances its metastatic potential

To clarify the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) in the malignant progression of renal cell carcinoma, we transfected the FGF-2 gene, which lacks the typical signal sequence, into RenCa, a mouse renal cell carcinoma cell line that does not express FGF-2 mRNA. In an in vitro tumor cell invasion assay, the FGF-2-transfected cell lines (RenCa/F) exhibited 3- to 4-fold higher invasive potential than either the parental RenCa (RenCa/P) or the vector-only transfected cell line (RenCa/C). Zymography showed a marked increase in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) production in the culture supernatants of RenCa/F. Furthermore, when injected i.v. or into the renal subcapsule in syngeneic mice, RenCa/F formed more than 10 times as many metastatic nodules in the lung as did RenCa/P and RenCa/C. Metastases to the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes were observed only after the injection of RenCa/F into the renal subcapsule. In contrast, there was no significant difference in either cell proliferation in vitro or tumor growth in vivo among RenCa sublines. These results suggest that if it is overexpressed, endogenous native FGF-2 plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma, probably through the production of MMP-2.

Messenger ribonucleic acids for fibroblast growth factors and their receptor in bladder and renal cell carcinoma cell lines

FGF-like growth factors have been detected in the urine of patients with bladder or renal cell carcinoma. FGF-1-like and FGF-2-like proteins have been detected in the urine of patients with bladder carcinoma. However, the expression of FGFs and their receptor in bladder and renal cell carcinoma cells remains limited. We measured the mRNA levels of FGFs and their receptor in these carcinoma cell lines by means of RT-PCR. We detected FGF-8 mRNA expression in murine cell lines of bladder and renal cell carcinomas but not in those of the normal bladder and kidney. Furthermore, FGF-8 mRNA expression was detected in all human bladder and renal cell carcinoma cell lines tested. We also frequently detected FGF-1, FGF-2 and FGF-5 mRNA expression in human bladder and renal cell carcinoma cell lines. These results indicate that FGF-8 is also candidate for marker of these types of carcinoma as well as FGF-1 and FGF-2.

Changes in nasal and oral respiratory resistance before and after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Twelve patients with complaints of sleep apnea were examined with the all-night sleep test. They underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and were studied with the all-night sleep test again 3 to 6 months after the operation. Nasal and oral respiratory resistance was measured in sitting and supine position before and after surgery using a microrhinograph. The physiological effect of UPPP was also compared with the results of an MRI anatomical study. Nasal and oral respiratory resistance was significantly decreased post-operatively (p <0.05). The decreased value of post-operative nasal respiratory resistance in a supine position was more marked than that of oral resistance, suggesting that UPPP eliminates the obstruction at the soft palate, especially in a supine position. Although our study was performed in awake patients enlargement of the airway in the middle pharyngeal region may improve the nasal and oral respiratory function during sleep.

Relationship between oral breathing and nasal obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

In 30 normal subjects and 20 patients complaining of snoring or sleep apnea nasal percentage of total respiratory air volume (nasal fraction) was measured when nasal resistance was gradually increased. The switching point from nasal to oral breathing was also examined. Nasal respiratory resistance was measured by a rhinograph, and nasal fraction was measured with an inductive body-plethysmograph and with a CPAP nasal mask when the patients were at rest. Several sizes of cotton pledgets were inserted into the nasal vestibules as obturators, and nasal respiratory resistance and nasal fraction were measured repeatedly until subjects had to breathe through the mouth completely. Although the value of nasal respiratory resistance in patients with complaints of snoring or sleep apnea was higher than that of normal subjects, most of the patients did not complain of a sensation of nasal obstruction. However, the switching point from nasal to oro-nasal breathing in patients with complaints of snoring or sleep apnea was statistically higher than that in normal subjects. These results suggest that patients with complaints of snoring or sleep apnea can easily breathe through the mouth during sleep, and that chronic nasal obstruction may induce obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, measurements of nasal respiratory resistance and nasal fraction are useful to evaluate obstructive sleep apnea.

Implicating a role for immune recognition of self in tumor rejection: passive immunization against the brown locus protein

The immune system can recognize differentiation antigens that are selectively expressed on malignant cells and their normal cell counterparts. However, it is uncertain whether immunity to differentiation antigens can effectively lead to tumor rejection. The mouse brown locus protein, gp75 or tyrosinase-related protein 1, is a melanocyte differentiation antigen expressed by melanomas and normal melanocytes. The gp75 antigen is recognized by autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells in persons with melanoma. To model autoimmunity against a melanocyte differentiation antigen, mouse antibodies against gp75 were passively transferred into tumor-bearing mice. Passive immunization with a mouse monoclonal antibody against gp75 induced protection and rejection of both subcutaneous tumors and lung metastases in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, including established tumors. Passive immunity produced coat color alterations but only in regenerating hairs. This system provides a model for autoimmune vitiligo and shows that immune responses to melanocyte differentiation antigens can influence mouse coat color. Immune recognition of a melanocyte differentiation antigen can reject tumors, providing a basis for targeting tissue autoantigens expressed on cancer.

[Nephron sparing surgery of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney or bilateral renal cell carcinoma]

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of nephron sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma in patients with a solitary kidney or bilateral tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1982 to 1994, a total of 12 patients with a solitary kidney or bilateral tumors underwent nephron sparing surgery. The survival and complications were examined.

RESULTS

The patients were 11 males and 1 female. Three patients were in stage 1, 6 in stage 2, 2 in stage 3, and 1 in stage 4, and the mean tumor size was 3.4 cm (0.8-6.5). The complications were post-operative bleeding in one patient and slight transient renal dysfunction which didn't require hemodialysis in 3 patients. The local recurrence was observed in 1 patient (8.3%), metastasis in 3 (25%), no evidence of disease in 8 (66.7%), alive with cancer in 1 (8.3%), death due to cancer in 2 (16.7%), death due to other disease in 1 (8.3%), and the 5 year survival of all patients was 62.5%, that was almost the same as the result of 141 renal cell carcinoma patients treated with nephrectomy in our hospital. The disease free survival rate of the patients in stage 1 and 2 seems to be higher than in stage 3 and 4 with no significant difference (p = 0.0956).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that nephron sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma in patients with a solitary kidney or bilateral tumors is a useful therapy.

Rejection of mouse melanoma elicited by local secretion of interleukin-2: implicating macrophages without T cells or natural killer cells in tumor rejection

Tumor cells transduced with cytokine genes provide a model to study host-effector mechanisms involved in tumor rejection. Local IL-2 production within a tumor site mimics a specific helper-T-cell response, bypassing an immunization phase. Growth of mouse B16F10 melanomas transduced with interleukin-2 (IL-2) in syngeneic hosts were significantly delayed. IL-2-producing B16F10 cells were super-transduced with interferon-gamma to up-regulate expression of major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) antigens. Expression of class-I- or class-II-MHC molecules did not augment tumor rejection of IL-2-secreting tumor cells. Rejection of IL-2-transduced B16F10 cells in syngeneic mice was unaffected by depletion of CD8+ T-cell and NK1.1+ natural-killer (NK) cell populations. Tumor rejection occurred in SCID mice even after depletion of NK1.1+ cells, confirming that T cells and NK cells were not required for tumor rejection. Histologic examination of sites of tumor rejection showed inflammation, characterized by infiltrates of macrophages, occasional neutrophils, and areas of necrosis. When mice were treated systemically with macrophage-colony-stimulating factor to expand monocyte pools, tumor rejection was significantly augmented further. This study shows that in situ IL-2 production can result in tumor rejection mediated by inflammatory events, possibly involving macrophages, and mimicking a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response even in the absence of T cells and NK cells. Furthermore, tumor rejection can be enhanced by systemic administration of a cytokine to expand potential inflammatory cell populations.

Masseter muscle activity and the hypoglossal nerve

The effects of severing the hypoglossal nerve and resultant restriction of tongue movement was evaluated for its effect on masticatory jaw movement. Electromyograms of masseter muscles in the feeding rat were recorded 3 days after the nerve severing operation at 1 week intervals. Even after severing the lateral branches of the hypoglossal nerve bilaterally, active-feeding behaviour continued with mastication slightly impaired. After severing the medical branches bilaterally, feeding behaviour was rarely observed, but where eating did take place mastication was impaired with marked disturbance in the masticatory rhythm.

Reactivity of autologous CD4+ T lymphocytes against human melanoma. Evidence for a shared melanoma antigen presented by HLA-DR15

Reactivity of CD8+ T lymphocytes against human melanoma has been extensively characterized, but little is known about melanoma Ags recognized by CD4+ lymphocytes. We have identified CD4+ CTL that recognize shared melanoma Ag(s) expressed by autologous melanoma cells and a subset of allogeneic melanomas. The same Ag(s) was shared by autologous and positive allogeneic melanomas by cross-blocking experiments. Cytotoxicity was directed against epitopes presented by HLA-DR on target melanoma cells, and allelic typing revealed that cytotoxicity was restricted through HLA-DR15. These CD4+ T cells released IFN-gamma, IL-4, and TNF-alpha, but not IL-2, in response to HLA-DR15+ target cells. CD4+ T cells did not lyse DR15+ nonmelanoma cell types, including melanocytes or fibroblasts (induced to express HLA-DR by IFN-gamma). Thus, by cytotoxicity assays, shared Ags were only recognized on melanoma cells but not on normal melanocytes. In summary, this analysis shows that melanoma cells share an Ag that is presented by HLA-DR15.

Reactivity of autologous CD4+ T lymphocytes against human melanoma. Evidence for a shared melanoma antigen presented by HLA-DR15

Reactivity of CD8+ T lymphocytes against human melanoma has been extensively characterized, but little is known about melanoma Ags recognized by CD4+ lymphocytes. We have identified CD4+ CTL that recognize shared melanoma Ag(s) expressed by autologous melanoma cells and a subset of allogeneic melanomas. The same Ag(s) was shared by autologous and positive allogeneic melanomas by cross-blocking experiments. Cytotoxicity was directed against epitopes presented by HLA-DR on target melanoma cells, and allelic typing revealed that cytotoxicity was restricted through HLA-DR15. These CD4+ T cells released IFN-gamma, IL-4, and TNF-alpha, but not IL-2, in response to HLA-DR15+ target cells. CD4+ T cells did not lyse DR15+ nonmelanoma cell types, including melanocytes or fibroblasts (induced to express HLA-DR by IFN-gamma). Thus, by cytotoxicity assays, shared Ags were only recognized on melanoma cells but not on normal melanocytes. In summary, this analysis shows that melanoma cells share an Ag that is presented by HLA-DR15.

Adult T-cell leukemia involving the central nervous system after remission of adult respiratory distress syndrome

We report a rare case of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) in which the patient had an acute type of ATL involving the central nervous system (CNS) after remission of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to human T lymphotropic virus type 1 associated bronchopneumopathy. A 62-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of ARDS. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone improved ARDS, but she fell into a coma due to ATL and CNS invasion 5 months after recovery. Although chemotherapy decreased the fraction of abnormal lymphocytes, her consciousness level did not improve and she died.

Schistosoma mansoni: fatty acid-induced cercarial tail loss does not involve eicosanoid production and chemoreceptors

Inhibitors of eicosanoid production had no effect on linoleic acid-induced Schistosoma mansoni cercarial tail loss. In addition, linoleic acid-induced cercarial tail loss was not inhibited by silver nitrate, which binds to putative chemoreceptors for fatty acids in cercariae. There was no correlation between molecular structures of fatty acids and their potencies to induce tail loss. Furthermore, transcompounds of fatty acids which cannot be precursors of eicosanoids elicited tail loss as potently as cis-compounds did. The present results suggest that fatty acid-induced cercarial tail loss is not mediated by eicosanoid production and chemoreceptors, which are involved in cercarial penetration behavior stimulated by fatty acids.

[Morphology of the ganglion cervicale superius in human fetuses and an adult]

Morphology of the ganglion cervicale superius (GCS) was studied on 16 sides of 10 human fetuses and the 2 sides of an adult cadaver with a binocular stereomicroscope. The obtained results were as follows. GCS is fusiform on 8 sides, takes the form of an eggplant on 3 sides, and is weakly constricted on 7 sides. The GCS was symmetrical in 2 cases. The GCS lay slightly above the first cervical vertebra and extended downward to the superior half of the second cervical vertebra on 11 sides of fetuses. The level in the adult is lower than in the fetuses by one vertebra. The nervus caroticus internus (CI), originating from the superior pole of the GCS as a cephalic prolongation, comprises one bundle on 14 sides, and splits into 2 bundles in the original position on 4 sides. The Nn. carotici externi (CE) arise from the medial part of the superior half of the GCS with several roots (the average number of roots: 3.4) on 17 sides. The CE communicates with the Rami pharyngei of the N. vagus and the N. laryngeus superior. The Rr. laryngopharyngei arise from CE on many sides. The N. jugularis originates from the laterosuperior side of GCS with one to three branches. On a few sides, the N. jugularis communicates with the N. vagus and the N. hypoglossus. The communicating branch between the Ggl. inferius of the N. vagus and the GCS was observed in all cases. The communicating branch between the R. ventralis of the Nn. cervicales and GCS is found in all sides, and the lower limit of the branch is at the ansa from C3 to C4. The Rr. laryngopharyngei (RL) arise from the medial part of the GCS with several branches near the CE, or it may arise from the CE or from both the GCS and the CE, and join with the N. laryngeus superior (laryngeal branch of RL:RL1), the Plexus pharyngeus (pharyngeal branch of RL:RL2) and CE (RL1 and RL2). It is found in a few sides that RL directly extends to the pharyngeal and laryngeal portions. The N. cardiacus cervicalis superior (CS), which originates from the anteroinferior portion or the inferior pole of the GCS, was found on all fetal sides. The average number of CS is 2.9. Some nerves, crossing from the CI to the root of CE over the A. carotis interna, were recognized on 15 sides of the fetuses and on both sides of the adult.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of calcium ion in Schistosoma mansoni cercarial tail loss induced by unsaturated fatty acids

Linoleate (C18: 2) and oleate (C18: 1), but not stearate (C18: 0), induced tail removal in cercariae. Linoleate stimulated tail loss more strongly than oleate did. Tail loss induced by linoleate was significantly suppressed by incubating cercariae with ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). Preincubation of cercariae with EGTA for 5 min caused further inhibition of the tail loss. Calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) increased the cercarial tail-loss rate. When A23187 was combined with linoleate at 0.03 mM, an additive effect on tail loss appeared, whereas the ionophore in combination with linoleate at 0.3 mM had no such effect. EGTA almost completely abolished cercarial tail loss induced by linoleate at both 0.03 and 0.3 mM in the presence and absence of A23187. Linoleate at 3 mM provoked cercarial tail loss even in the presence of EGTA, although the effect of oleate at 3 mM disappeared. Under these conditions, the effect of linoleate was synergistically enhanced by the combination with A23187. A similar, but not significant, synergism took place in cercariae stimulated by oleate. These findings suggest that unsaturated fatty acids enhance calcium influx into cercariae, resulting in triggering tail loss, and, furthermore, that the fatty acids have other potentiating effects on cercarial tail loss. Protein kinases play an insignificant role in fatty acid-induced cercarial tail loss, because a protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), and an inhibitor of various protein kinases, staurosporine, had little or no effect on cercarial tail loss induced by linoleate at 3 mM.

Human seminal plasma proteinase inhibitor: action toward some trypsin-like arginine amidases from humans

Human seminal plasma trypsin-like proteinase inhibitor (HSTPI) was separated and examined by trypsin Cellulofine affinity adsorption and Cellulofine GCL-300 gel filtration and its inhibitory action toward some arginine amidases obtained from the urine, semen, and blood of humans. HSTPI showed strong inhibitory action toward two types of human seminal plasma basic arginine amidases (BHSAA-L and -A), human seminal plasma acidic arginine amidase with affinity to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) column (AHSAA-L), and human acrosin and thrombin. Conversely, no or little inhibition was observed toward human urinary arginine amidase-2, human high molecular weight urokinase, or human seminal plasma acidic arginine amidase with affinity to aprotinin column (AHSAA-A, tissue kallikrein). Measurement of Ki values of BHSAA-L with affinity to LBTI column toward HSTPI and LBTI revealed that the arginine amidase had a stronger affinity for LBTI than that for HSTPI. This indicates that it is the difference in Ki values that allows BHSAA-L to be separated by the LBTI affinity adsorption method from human seminal plasma containing a large amount of HSTPI.

[Exposure to DMTP by sprayers and the urinary excretion of metabolites]

Exposure in vinyl hothouses to DMTP (0,0-dimethyl-s-(2-methoxy-1,3,4-thiadiazol-5(4H)-onyl-(4)-m ethyl)- dithiophosphate) was studied in 5 spray-operators and one assistant worker. To determine the level of exposure to DMTP, concentrations in the atmosphere, concentration in atmosphere near the operators breathing zone, skin levels from penetration through the operator's clothing, and urinary excretion of metabolites of DMTP (2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3-methyl-sulphonyl methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one and 2,3-dihydro-5-methoxy-3-methyl-sulphinyl methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one) were measured. The results were as follows; 1. DMTP concentrations in the atmosphere were 10.0-18.0 micrograms/m3, and concentrations in the atmosphere near the operators breathing zone were 5.4-33.6 micrograms/m3 during spraying. 2. Metabolites of DMTP were detected in all sprayers. Levels were 1.5 to 31.6 micrograms/day for the sulphonyl-metabolite. But it was not detected in the assistant sprayer. 3. Urinary concentrations of the DMTP metabolite were maximum 15-20 h after spraying. 4. Amount of DMTP adherent on the skin was estimated to be 0.4 to 71.3 micrograms for spray-operators. Variations resulted from differences in condition of protective clothing. 5. DMTP appeared to be absorbed not only through the respiratory system, but also through the skin.

Two forms of basic trypsin-like arginine amidases in boar sperm

Acrosin and newly detected basic arginine amidase were separated from boar sperm by affinity adsorption using lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin columns, respectively. These enzymes differed in various respects, including response against calcium chloride, amidolytic substrate specificity, and reaction against the inhibitor. They also differed widely in the affinity to LBTI. The difference appears to be expressed as the difference in ability of affinity of the enzymes with LBTI, thus leading to their separation.

Cytomegalic inclusion disease presenting acute intrahepatic cholestasis

An 83-year-old man suffering from pulmonary emphysema was admitted to our hospital because of jaundice. He was diagnosed as acute intrahepatic cholestasis but the etiology could not be determined during the treatment period. In spite of treatment, the jaundice worsened progressively without any elevation in serum transaminase, and he died of respiratory failure 58 days later. An autopsy revealed a generalized cytomegalic inclusion disease, predominantly in the biliary tracts, liver and lungs. This is a rare case of cytomegalic inclusion disease presenting acute intrahepatic cholestasis without any elevation of transaminase during the clinical course.

Enzymatic action of basic arginine amidases in human seminal plasma

Three basic arginine amidases with different affinities to lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBTI) and aprotinin affinity columns were separated in the middle molecular weight (MMW) preparation obtained from Cellulofine GCL-2000 gel filtration of CM-cellulose adsorbed human seminal plasma and were tentatively called basic human seminal plasma arginine amidase-L (BHSAA-L, with affinity to LBTI), -A (BHSAA-A, with affinity to aprotinin), and -TH (BHSAA-TH, without affinity to either). Some enzymatic properties were measured, including Ki values of LBTI and human seminal plasma proteinase inhibitor (HSP-PI) toward present enzymes. The Ki values of LBTI toward BHSAA-L and -TH were lower than those of HSP-PI and no Ki values for LBTI toward BHSAA-L were observed. The Km values of BHSAA-L and -A to some tripeptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates seemed relatively lower than that of BHSAA-TH.