Protective effect of vitamin E against focal brain ischemia and neuronal death through induction of target genes of hypoxia-inducible factor-1

Vitamin E has been shown to have protective effects against cerebral ischemia, possibly due to its anti-oxidant effects. However, its non-anti-oxidant, intracellular molecular mechanism remains elusive. For in vivo experiments in rats, orally administered vitamin E significantly reduced not only the brain infarct volume but also space navigation disability after permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The level of anti-oxidant after MCA occlusion was significantly increased specifically in the ipsilateral brain tissues of vitamin E-treated rats. For in vitro experiments, posttreatment with vitamin E protected primary cultured neurons from nitric oxide-induced insult. Vitamin E induced the expression of the alpha subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and its target genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and heme oxygenase-1. The hypoxia response element on the VEGF promoter was responsible for this vitamin E-induced transcriptional activation of VEGF gene. Taken together, these results suggest that cerebral infarction increased the permeability of vitamin E across the blood-brain barrier, and this increased vitamin E in brain tissue elicited neuroprotective effects not only through scavenging oxidants, as are previously well reported, but also by transactivating HIF-1-dependent genes, which results in protection of brains from ischemic insults.

Expression of c-Fos protein in the trigeminal nuclear complex resulting from quantified force application to the rat molar

This study was conducted to investigate the expression and distribution of c-Fos-like immunoreactive neurones (Fos-neurones), in the rat trigeminal sensory nuclear complex, produced by mechanical forces with various magnitudes and durations applied to the left upper first molar. The magnitudes of forces applied to the tooth were 25, 50 and 100 g and the duration was 2 h. A quantified force of 100 g was also applied to the upper molar for varying durations [short-time (1-2 min)], 2, 4, 8 and 12 h. Fos-neurones distributed in the bilateral superficial laminae of the subnucleus caudalis, and the ipsilateral dorsomedial part of subnucleus oralis (Sp5Odm). The number of Fos-neurones increased in the subnucleus caudalis (Sp5C) according to the force magnitude. In the Sp5C, the number of Fos-neurones exhibited maximum level, 2 or 4 h after the application. In the Sp5Odm, however, the number of Fos-neurones reached the maximum level at 8 h. These data suggest that the change in the number of nociceptive neurones in Sp5C reflect changes in encoding the magnitude of force to tooth, and that the nature of pain response to orthodontic forces might have some relation to the delayed expression of c-Fos protein in the Sp5Odm.

Inhibitory effects of green tea catechins on protein tyrosine phosphatase in Prevotella intermedia

Members of the Prevotella intermedia group possess protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of catechin derivatives from Japanese green tea on the activity of PTPase in P. intermedia and related organisms. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis of alkaline phosphatase derived from P. intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella pallens and Porphyromonas gingivalis revealed a species-specific migration pattern. Among the tea catechin derivatives tested, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), similar to orthovanadate, a specific inhibitor for PTPase, was effective in inhibiting the PTPase activity in P. intermedia at 0.5 microm, and related species at 5 microm. The results suggested that the inhibitory effect observed is due to the presence of galloyl moiety in the structure. In contrast, neither the green tea catechins nor orthovanadate inhibited the phosphatase activity in P. gingivalis, suggesting that this organism possessed a different family of alkaline phosphatase.

Relative contributions of myeloperoxidase and NADPH-oxidase to the early host defense against pulmonary infections with Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus

Generation of oxidative products by phagocytic cells is known to be an important host defense mechanism directed toward killing of invading microorganisms. The importance of two major oxidant-producing enzymes, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and NADPH-oxidase, in in vivo fungicidal action was directly compared in genetically engineered mice. Both MPO-deficient (MPO-/-) and NADPH-oxidase-deficient (X-linked chronic granulomatous disease [X-CGD]) mice showed increased susceptibility to pulmonary infections with Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus compared with normal mice, and the X-CGD mice exhibited shorter survivals than MPO-/- mice. This increased mortality of X-CGD mice was associated with a 10- to 100-fold increased outgrowth of the fungi in their organs during the first 6 days. These results suggest that superoxide (O2-) produced by NADPH-oxidase is more important than hypochlorous acid (HOCl) produced by MPO, although both oxidative products obviously contribute to the host defense against pulmonary infection with those fungi. We also observed that MPO-/-/X-CGD double knockout mice showed comparable levels of susceptibility to the X-CGD mice against C. albicans and A. funigatus, indicating that MPO is unable to play a role in host defense in the absence of NADPH-oxidase. This strongly suggests that hydrogen peroxide, the precursor of HOCl, is solely derived from O2- produced by NADPH-oxidase.

Effects of soy protein diet on the expression of adipose genes and plasma adiponectin

Many studies have reported the cholesterol-lowering, anti-lipogenic, anti-obesity and anti-hypertensive effects of soy protein. Adipose tissue-specific plasma protein, adiponectin, has anti-atherogenic and anti-insulin-resistance properties. Here, we investigated the effects of soy protein diet on body fat composition, plasma glucose, lipid and adiponectin levels and expression of genes involved in glucose and fatty acid metabolism in obese KK-A y mice. Body weights and adipose tissue weights of mesenteric, epididymal, and brown fat were lower in mice on calorie-restricted diet containing soy protein isolate. Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, and glucose levels were also decreased by this diet. Body fat content and plasma glucose levels in mice on a soy protein isolate diet were still lower than those treated with an isocaloric casein-protein-diet. Among the genes related to glucose and fatty acid metabolism, adiponectin mRNA levels in adipose tissue and adiponectin plasma concentrations were elevated in mice on a calorie-restricted diet, although there were no significant differences between soy protein and casein protein groups. Our results indicate that that soy protein diet decreased body fat content and plasma glucose levels more effectively than isocaloric casein-protein diet in obese mice.

Characteristics of mastication in the anodontic mouse

Teeth and periodontal mechanoreceptors play important roles in regulating jaw movements during mastication. However, little is known concerning how jaw movements develop without tooth eruption. To answer this question, we studied masticatory behavior in the osteopetrotic mouse, where tooth eruption does not occur and periodontal mechanoreceptors are missing. A masticatory sequence of the osteopetrotic mouse was divided into two stages: incision and chewing. Incision is characterized by small amplitude and rapid (7 Hz) open-close jaw movements, while slow (5 Hz) and large amplitude open-close jaw movements characterize chewing. The frequency and properties of jaw movements were comparable with those in the normal mouse, though the osteopetrotic mouse had a higher cycle number during incision than did the normal mouse. These results indicate that conversion from sucking to mastication occurs in the anodontic mouse, and the central pattern generator producing the masticatory rhythm develops almost normally without tooth eruption.

Ventricular expression of natriuretic peptides in Npr1(-/-) mice with cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are cardiac hormones that regulate blood pressure and volume, and exert their biological actions via the natriuretic peptide receptor-A gene (Npr1). Mice lacking Npr1 (Npr(-/-)) have marked cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis disproportionate to their increased blood pressure. This study examined the relationships between ANP and BNP gene expression, immunoreactivity and fibrosis in cardiac tissue, circulating ANP levels, and ANP and BNP mRNA during embryogenesis in Npr1(-/-) mice. Disruption of the Npr1 signaling pathway resulted in augmented ANP and BNP gene and ANP protein expression in the cardiac ventricles, most pronounced for ANP mRNA in females [414 +/- 57 in Npr1(-/-) ng/mg and 124 +/- 25 ng/mg in wild-type (WT) by Taqman assay, P < 0.001]. This increased expression was highly correlated to the degree of cardiac hypertrophy and was localized to the left ventricle (LV) inner free wall and to areas of ventricular fibrosis. In contrast, plasma ANP was significantly greater than WT in male but not female Npr1(-/-) mice. Increased ANP and BNP gene expression was observed in Npr1(-/-) embryos from 16 days of gestation. Our study suggests that cardiac ventricular expression of ANP and BNP is more closely associated with local hypertrophy and fibrosis than either systemic blood pressure or circulating ANP levels.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in breeding monkeys: detection and analysis of strain diversity by PCR

In the last three decades, several monkeys reared in outdoor/indoor-outdoor breeding colonies and cages of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, died of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, necessitating introduction of a method to detect the bacteria rapidly and thus allow preventive measures to be undertaken. A rapid nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for identification of Y. pseudotuberculosis in fecal samples and a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR approach for distinguishing between bacterial strains were therefore developed. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolates from monkey specimens were found to be classifiable into several types. To determine the source of infection, hundreds of fecal samples of wild rats, pigeons, and sparrows were collected from around the breeding colonies and cages, and subjected to PCR analyses. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was detected in 1.7% of the fecal samples of wild rats. The DNA fingerprints of the bacteria revealed by RAPD-PCR were the same as that of one strain isolated from macaques, suggesting the wild rat to be a possible source of infection.

Aggregation and sedimentation of mixtures of erythrocytes with different properties

The rouleau formation of erythrocytes and the erythrocyte sedimentation were examined for mixture of different kinds of the cells suspended in isotonic phosphate-buffered saline containing 1 or 2 g/dl dextran T-70 (MW = 70,400) and 4 g/dl albumin, using a low shear rheoscope and the Westergren method, respectively. The deformability of cells was decreased by treating with diamide, diazene-dicarboxylic acid bis[N,N-dimethylamide], and the sialic acid content of cells, i.e., the surface negative charge, was reduced by treating with neuraminidase. (1) The rate of rouleau formation was decreased in cells with decreased deformability, while it was increased in cells with reduced sialic acid content. The rate changed in proportion to the ratio of the modified cells to normal cells. (2) The erythrocyte sedimentation was also decreased in cells with decreased deformability, while it was increased in cells with reduced sialic acid content. Furthermore, the erythrocyte sedimentation changed almost proportionally to the ratio of the modified cells to normal cells. (3) When normal deformable cells were mixed with cells with decreased deformability, the deformable cells seemed to settle faster than the less deformable cells, though the difference was not significant. (4) When normal cells were mixed with cells with reduced sialic acid content, the cells with less sialic acid settled significantly faster than those with more sialic acid. The present experiment may conclude that erythrocyte aggregation is induced preferentially among more deformable cells and/or among less negatively charged cells with weaker electrostatic repulsive force, and then the formed aggregates settle faster.

Enhancement of red blood cell aggregation by plasma triglycerides

The effects of plasma triglycerides level on human red blood cells (RBCs) indices, hematological parameters, RBCs aggregation velocity and whole blood viscosity were studied at 2 hours after high-fat or low-fat meal. Proteins, triglycerides and cholesterol levels of plasma were analysed. The RBCs rouleaux formation rate was measured in 70% autologous plasma (with 30% phosphate-buffered saline, PBS) or 1 g/dl dextran T70 solution (with 4 g/dl bovine serum albumin) in PBS, using a low-shear rheoscope. The results were grouped according to triglycerides content in plasma. No significant difference in whole blood viscosity, hematological parameters, RBC indices, protein and cholesterol content was observed between high-fat and low-fat blood samples. There was a significant increase in rouleaux formation rate of samples with high triglyceride levels, when measured in 70% autologous plasma, but it was not significant in dextran T70 containing medium. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that alteration of plasma lipid levels as well as possible changes in the cell membrane lipid composition lead to enhanced RBC aggregation.

Microdosimetry of epithermal neutron field at the Kyoto University reactor

Microdosimetric spectra were measured in order to gain the microdosimetric parameters of some epithermal neutron fields. Changes in dose mean lineal energy YD as a function of depth of heavy water showed a trend of softening with heavy water of the beam. The neutron absorbed dose was obtained by using the frequency mean lineal energy. Results show good agreement with measurements with the activation method using gold foil. This study demonstrated how microdosimetric parameters change in radiation quality as a function of heavy water depth.

Enhancement of the aquaporin adipose gene expression by a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

The current study demonstrates that aquaporin adipose (AQPap), an adipose-specific glycerol channel (Kishida, K., Kuriyama, H., Funahashi, T., Shimomura, I., Kihara, S., Ouchi, N., Nishida, M., Nishizawa, H., Matsuda, M., Takahashi, M., Hotta, K., Nakamura, T., Yamashita, S., Tochino, Y., and Matsuzawa, Y. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 20896-20902), is a target gene of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma. The AQPap mRNA amounts increased following the induction of PPARgamma in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The AQPap mRNA in the adipose tissue increased when mice were treated with pioglitazone (PGZ), a synthetic PPARgamma ligand, and decreased in PPARgamma(+/-) heterozygous knockout mice. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, PGZ augmented the AQPap mRNA expression and its promoter activity. Serial deletion of the promoter revealed the putative peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor response element (PPRE) at -93/-77. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, the expression of PPARgamma by transfection and PGZ activated the luciferase activity of the promoter containing the PPRE, whereas the PPRE-deleted mutant was not affected. The gel mobility shift assay showed the direct binding of PPARgamma-retinoid X receptor alpha complex to the PPRE. DeltaPPARgamma, which we generated as the dominant negative PPARgamma lacking the activation function-2 domain, suppressed the promoter activity in 3T3-L1 cells, dose-dependently. We conclude that AQPap is a novel adipose-specific target gene of PPARgamma through the binding of PPARgamma-retinoid X receptor complex to the PPRE region in its promoter.

[Usefulness of enhanced ultrasonography after administration of intravenous contrast agent in the evaluation of therapeutic effect in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, and efficacy of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for residual tumor]

PURPOSE

To investigate the usefulness of enhanced ultrasonography after the administration of intravenous contrast agent in the evaluation of therapeutic effect in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comparison with dynamic CT, and to examine the efficacy of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for residual tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients (22 men, 8 women; age range, 42-76 years; mean age 60 years) underwent enhanced ultrasonography with the intravenous ultrasonographic agents Levovist, after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) (n = 15, size range 23-35 mm, mean 25.3 mm) or PEIT (n = 15, 15-35 mm, mean 24.5 mm), to compare the therapeutic effect with dynamic CT. If residual lesions were detected by enhanced ultrasonography, we performed additional PEIT.

RESULTS

The evaluation of enhanced ultrasonography correlated almost completely with that of dynamic CT. Two residual lesions could not be detected by dynamic CT due to lipiodol, but enhanced ultrasonography and dynamic MRI showed them clearly. In total, eight residual tumors (3-15 mm, mean 8.3 mm) were seen. We performed PEIT on seven lesions and obtained good control for six months.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced ultrasonography with Levovist could be performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of treatment for HCC, and could serve as be a good marker for additional US-guided therapy.

Contribution of myeloperoxidase to coronary artery vasculitis associated with MPO-ANCA production

The role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the pathogenesis of vasculitis associated with MPO-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA) was examined in a murine animal model. Coronary artery vasculitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice with and without endogenous MPO by intraperitoneal injection of Candida albicans-derived substances (CADS). The corresponding levels of MPO-ANCA in sera of mice with and without vasculitis were measured and compared in both wild-type and MPO-deficient animals. The MPO-ANCA titers in sera were significantly higher in mice with vasculitis than in vasculitis-negative mice, indicating that MPO-ANCA correlated with vasculitis formation. However, the increase of MPO-ANCA titers observed in sera of wild C57BL/6 mice were strongly suppressed in MPO-deficient C57BL/6 mice, accompanied with prevention of vasculitis formation. These results show that MPO acted as an antigen for MPO-ANCA production by CADS and was followed by the vasculitis formation. Vasculitis did develop in a few MPO-deficient mice, though the incidence of vasculitis was much lower in MPO-deficient mice than in C57BL/6 mice.

Elevated expression of type VIII collagen gene in the atherosclerotic plaque of the ApoE-deficient mouse

The proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis. To compare the nature of SMCs from advanced atherosclerotic lesions and normal aortic segments, we established SMC lines from plaque-containing portions (P) and non-plaque portions (NP) of aortas of apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice. Differential display showed several transcripts that were differentially expressed in P and NP lines. One of the transcripts whose expression was elevated in P lines compared to their NP counterparts was for type VIII collagen. Type VIII collagen transcripts were also readily detectable by RT-PCR in RNA isolated from plaques freshly dissected from apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice, but not in RNA isolated from the normal part of the aorta or from adventitia. In situ hybridization showed localization of Col8alpha1 transcripts near the luminal surface of the plaque. Thus, differential production of type VIII collagen in SMCs from atherosclerotic plaques continues when the cells are maintained in culture.

A case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the gallbladder with anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system

Anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AJPBD) is a congenital anomaly associated with gallbladder carcinoma. Especially patients with noncystic dilatation and without dilatation of the biliary tract are at risk of gallbladder carcinoma. A 56-year-old woman with advanced gallbladder cancer associated with AJPBD but without dilatation of the biliary tract was treated at our hospital. Although histologically cancer cells remained in the layer of the proprial mucosa, extensive metastases to lymph nodes including the paraaorta and peripancreas were detected. According to the TNM classification this case was of Stage IVB. The cancer consisted of medullary round cells, and was diagnosed as undifferentiated carcinoma. After surgery poor prognosis was expected, but three years have elapsed with no recurrence. The case is of interest because of two points of discrepancy: the primary cancer did not show deep invasion but demonstrated extensive lymph node metastases; the cancer was histologically malignant but prognosis was relatively good.

Mannose receptor ligand-positive cells express the metalloprotease decysin in the B cell follicle

Decysin, a gene encoding a disintegrin metalloprotease, is transcribed in human dendritic cells (DC) and germinal centers (GC). We have cloned its murine homologue and show that it is processed by the endoprotease furin before secretion of the catalytic domain. We have defined the cell types that express decysin in mouse spleen in the course of an immune response to T cell-dependent Ags. Like in humans, decysin is transcribed by activated CD11c(+) DC that enter the T cell zone from the marginal zone (MZ). In the GC, decysin is expressed by follicular DC and tingible body macrophages. In addition, a MZ cell population expresses decysin and appears to migrate into the B cell follicle. The majority of these follicle-homing cells express the mannose receptor ligand, a marker for the macrophage-like MZ metallophils. The follicle-homing cells are M-CSF dependent, as they are absent in op/op mice that lack functional M-CSF. This suggests that mannose receptor ligand(+) MZ metallophils differentiate into cells that migrate from the MZ into the B cell follicle. Decysin represents the first marker for this previously unrecognized cell population of the mouse spleen, which may represent a precursor for GCDC and may be specialized in the transport of unprocessed Ag from the MZ into developing GC.