Clinical analysis of autoimmune-related pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Several investigators have reported on autoimmune-related pancreatitis, but the clinical findings and pathophysiology still remain unclear. To clarify it, we analyzed eight patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.

METHODS

We evaluated clinical findings in eight patients (four men and four women) with autoimmune-related pancreatitis. Patients were aged 45-73 yr (mean, 57.5 yr). We examined blood chemistry and immunological studies, including autoantibodies against lactoferrin or carbonic anhydrase II, and compared ERCP images with clinical findings. In two patients, we studied the subset of lymphocytes infiltrating in the pancreas by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Four of eight patients had jaundice, two had renal dysfunction, two had abdominal pain, and two had back pain. Three patients were complicated with other autoimmune diseases. Three patients showed abnormal pancreatic exocrine function by an N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-para-aminobenzoic acid excretion test. Antinuclear antibody was detected in four of eight patients, antilactoferrin antibody in three of six, anticarbonic anhydrase II antibody in two of six, antismooth muscle antibody in two of seven, and rheumatoid factor in one of eight. All eight patients showed segmental stenosis of the main pancreatic duct by ERCP. Four patients showed stenosis of the common bile duct as well as the pancreatic duct. Microscopic findings showed infiltration of CD4-positive lymphocytes around the pancreatic duct, and HLA-DR was expressed on both CD4-positive cells and pancreatic duct cells. In two patients, stenosis of the pancreatic duct improved by prednisolone.

CONCLUSIONS

Autoimmune mechanism may be involved in some patients with idiopathic pancreatitis associated with hypergammaglobulinemia.

Overexpression of midkine in pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas induced by N-Nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine in hamsters and their cell lines

The expression of midkine (MK) was investigated in pancreatic ductal hyperplasias, atypical hyperplasias and adenocarcinomas induced by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) in hamsters, and in hamster ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HPD-1NR, -2NR and -3NR). MK mRNA was clearly overexpressed in invasive pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas (PCs) and the three cell lines as assessed by northern blot analysis, and MK protein expression increased from ductal hyperplasia through atypical hyperplasias, intraductal carcinomas and invasive PCs by immunohistochemistry. The extent of overexpression of MK mRNA in PCs was almost the same as in hamster whole embryonic tissue. MK is reported to be a retinoid-responsive gene, but MK mRNA expression was not affected by treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) or N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) in HPD-1NR cells. The results thus suggest that MK expression is involved in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas induced by BOP in hamsters, with loss of upregulation by retinoic acid.

Mutations of the Smad2 and Smad4 genes in lung adenocarcinomas induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in rats

Mutations of the Smad2 and Smad4 genes, identified as mediators of the transforming growth factor-beta pathway, were investigated in lung adenocarcinomas induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) in rats. Male Wistar rats, 6 wk old, were given 2000 ppm BHP in their drinking water for 12 wk and maintained without additional treatment until killed at week 25. Total RNA was extracted from 12 adenocarcinomas, and mutations in Smad2 and Smad4 were investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction restriction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by sequencing analysis. In Smad2, single adenocarcinomas showed a GGC to GAC (Gly to Asp) transition at codon 100 and an AAG to GAG (Lys to Glu) transition at codon 383. In Smad4, one adenocarcinoma exhibited a TTC to CTC (Phe to Leu) transition at codon 214. These results suggest that mutations of Smad2 and Smad4 may play roles in a limited fraction of lung adenocarcinomas induced by BHP in rats.

Elevated expression of interleukins in lung adenocarcinomas induced by N-Nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in rats

The expression of interleukins (ILs) in lung adenocarcinomas induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) in rats was investigated using a multiprobe RNase protection assay (RPA) followed by densitometric quantification. Male Wistar rats, 6 weeks old, were given 2000 ppm BHP in their drinking water for 12 weeks and maintained without further treatment until they were killed at week 25. Total RNAs were extracted from 14 individual adenocarcinomas and 2 specimens of normal lung tissue of untreated rats. In adenocarcinomas, elevated expression of IL-1alpha (6 / 14), IL-1beta (14 / 14), IL-3 (7 / 14), IL-4 (11 / 14), IL-5 (9 / 14), IL-6 (11 / 14) and IL-10 (8 / 14) was observed, compared with normal lung tissues. In contrast, no expression of IL-2 was detected in any case. The results suggest that preferential expression of these ILs and their complex networks may contribute to the development and progression of lung adenocarcinomas induced by BHP in rats.

Applications of mass spectrometry to food proteins and peptides

The application of mass spectrometry (MS) to large biomolecules has been revolutionized in the past decade with the development of electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) techniques. ESI and MALDI permit solvent evaporation and sublimation of large biomolecules into the gaseous phase, respectively. The coupling of ESI or MALDI to an appropriate mass spectrometer has allowed the determination of accurate molecular mass and the detection of chemical modification at high sensitivity (picomole to femtomole). The interface of mass spectrometry hardware with computers and new extended mass spectrometric methods has resulted in the use of MS for protein sequencing, post-translational modifications, protein conformations (native, denatured, folding intermediates), protein folding/unfolding, and protein-protein or protein-ligand interactions. In this review, applications of MS, particularly ESI-MS and MALDI time-of-flight MS, to food proteins and peptides are described.

Difference in the metabolic response to photic stimulation of the lateral geniculate nucleus and the primary visual cortex of infants: a fMRI study

The metabolic change that occurs during early development of the human brain was studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in which the signal change reflects the balance between the supply and the demand of oxygen during stimulus-related neuronal activation. The subjects were 16 infants, aged < 1 year. They were sedated with pentobarbital, and 8-Hz flickering light was intermittently projected onto their eyelids. Two age groups were analyzed: infants < 60 days old and > 60 days old (corrected for gestational age at birth). The stimulus-related signal change was positive in the lateral geniculate nucleus regardless of the infants' age, but in the primary visual cortex reversed from positive in the younger group to negative in the older group. It is known that synaptogenesis in the lateral geniculate nucleus peaks before birth, and in the primary visual cortex accelerates in the second month after birth. Hence, the inversion of the stimulus-related signal change in the primary visual cortex may be due to an increased demand for oxygen owing to rapid synaptogenesis.

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of a centrifugal blood pump with washout holes

The authors studied avoidance of coagulation occurrence using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis from the fluid dynamical point of view. Concerning centrifugal pumps, blood coagulation sometimes occurs at the region behind the impeller where the flow is generally stagnant. Therefore, we conducted a thorough study with the specimen pump with and without washout holes, mocking up the Nikkiso HPM-15. As the result, the model with washout holes indicated that the fluid rotates rapidly at the vicinity of the shaft and generates washout effects near the stationary rear casing. On the other hand, the model without washout holes showed that fluid cannot be quickly shipped out of the area behind the impeller and rotates mildly around the shaft. To clarify the moving relations between the impeller and the fluid, validation studies by comparing the results of CFD analysis and flow visualization experiments are ongoing; thus far, the studies show that CFD results are similar to the results from flow visualization experiments.

Goosecoid suppresses cell growth and enhances neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells

In all vertebrate species, the homeobox gene goosecoid serves as a marker of the Spemann organizer tissue. One function of the organizer is the induction of neural tissue. To investigate the role of goosecoid in neuronal differentiation of mammalian cells, we have introduced goosecoid into PC12 cells. Expression of goosecoid resulted in reduced cell proliferation and enhanced neurite outgrowth in response to NGF. Expression of goosecoid led to a decrease in the percentage of S-phase cells and to upregulation of the expression of the neuron-specific markers MAP-1b and neurofilament-L. Analysis of goosecoid mutants revealed that these effects were independent of either DNA binding or homodimerization of Goosecoid. Coexpression of the N-terminal portion of the ets transcription factor PU.1, a protein that can bind to Goosecoid, repressed neurite outgrowth and rescued the proliferation of PC12 cultures. In contrast, expression of the bHLH transcription factor HES-1 repressed goosecoid-mediated neurite outgrowth without changing the proportion of S-phase cells. These results suggest that goosecoid is involved in neuronal differentiation in two ways, by slowing the cell cycle and stimulating neurite outgrowth, and that these two events are separately regulated.

A milestone for normal development of the infantile brain detected by functional MRI

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between cerebral cortical function and white matter myelination in the visual pathway in the evaluation of normal brain development.

METHODS

The authors performed quantitative analysis of white matter myelination detected with conventional T1-weighted spin echo (SE) MRI and brain functional MRI (fMRI) using echoplanar imaging with photic stimulation in 27 neurologically normal infants (age range, 0 to 22 weeks).

RESULTS

An age-dependent gradual increase in signal intensity was observed in optic radiation on the T1-weighted SE images, indicating progression of white matter myelination. A rapid age-dependent reverse in signal response was observed on fMRI. Infants older than 8 weeks showed a stimulus-induced signal decrease in the visual cortex, whereas infants younger than 7 weeks showed a signal increase.

CONCLUSIONS

A rapid inversion of response revealed by fMRI with photic stimulation in infants suggests a change in oxygen consumption during neuronal activation, which is related to rapid synapse formation and accompanying increased metabolism. fMRI can detect dynamic metabolic changes during brain maturation, which is a different developmental process from white matter myelination. The metabolic changes detected by fMRI provide a milestone for the evaluation of normal brain development.

Possible involvement of bcl-2 suppression in wild-type p53 gene-dependent cell growth repression in rat osteosarcoma cells

We recently obtained 3 cloned cell lines demonstrating the p53 mutation from a lung metastatic nodule of a rat transplantable osteosarcoma. In this study, we applied wild-type p53 gene transfer to the rat osteosarcoma cells by lipofection to investigate the effects on cell growth, expression of genes such as waf1/p21, bcl-2, and bax, and nucleosomal DNA fragmentation due to apoptosis. Reconstitution of the p53 gene inhibits cellular growth, and this growth-suppressive effect is partly due to apoptosis involving bcl-2 gene suppression in this tumor type. This rat osteosarcoma model is similar in biologic behavior to human cases and thus is very suitable for further investigation of tumorigenesis and gene therapy for osteosarcoma.

Isolation and localization of type IIb Na/Pi cotransporter in the developing rat lung

Differential display analysis of rat lung at different developmental stages identified a fragment, HG80, which appeared on embryonic day 16.5 and thereafter. A full-length cDNA derived from a cDNA library of newborn rat lung probed with HG80 was the rat counterpart of sodium-dependent phosphate transporter type IIb and was designated rNaPi IIb. In situ hybridization showed that rNaPi IIb was expressed in type II alveolar cells, suggesting a role in the synthesis of surfactant in the alveoli. The time-dependent changes in localization of this gene in the developing lung and its possible use as a type II pneumocyte marker are discussed.

Monitoring glycation of lysozyme by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to study the glycation of lysozyme by D-glucose (LZM-G) and by D-fructose (LZM-F) under dry heating conditions in the presence and in the absence of oxygen. ESI-MS proved to be a precise method for monitoring protein glycation with respect to following the extent of glycation and changes in the glycoconjugate profile with time. The ESI-MS spectrum of glycated LZM revealed a heterogeneous distribution of glycoforms of LZM at different reaction stages. D-Glucose showed a higher level of reactivity with the amino groups of LZM than D-fructose, both in the presence and in the absence of oxygen. The presence of oxygen in the reaction system induced oxidative side reactions, which competed with and slowed the initial rate of formation of Amadori or Heyns products. The more reactive glycoxidation products formed during the initial stages of incubation in the presence of oxygen accelerated the rate of glycation during the later stages of incubation and increased the involvement of arginine residues of LZM in the glycation reaction. The interaction between the initial glycoxidation product(s) of the reducing sugars and intact lysozyme during the later stages of incubation was observed by the appearance of a different cluster of glycoconjugates in the mass spectrum during the latter stages of incubation. The molecular weight differences between the molecular ions of the new cluster of glycoconjugates are consistent with the formation of D-glucosone from the autoxidation of D-glucose or from the oxidative cleavage of the glucose-lysozyme imine adduct in the lysozyme-glucose system. The effect of oxygen-induced glycoxidation on the glycation reaction was also more pronounced in the LZM-G system compared with that in the LZM-F system.

Identification of the C-terminal activation domain of the NeuroD-related factor (NDRF)

NeuroD-related factor (NDRF) is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein whose expression is restricted to the central nervous system, and is considered to be responsible for maintenance of differentiated neurons as well as neurogenesis. NDRF structurally resembles NeuroD in the bHLH region and can induce neurogenesis ectopically in ectodermal cells of the Xenopus embryo. In this study, we delineated the functional domains of NDRF. Using GAL4/NDRF fusion proteins, we identified the C-terminal activation domain (C-AD) in NDRF between amino acid positions 294 and 383. This region was highly homologous to one part of the activation domain of NeuroD. We further investigated the transactivational function of C-AD in the mouse type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor promoter, which has an NDRF site. Truncation of C-AD resulted in reduction of the activation function, whereas the DNA-binding specificity was not affected. These results suggest that C-AD has a stimulatory function in the mammalian nervous system.

Characteristics of polyarthritis in rabbits by hyperimmunization with attenuated Enterococcus faecalis

To produce polyarthritis and rheumatoid factor like substance (RFLS), rabbits were hyperimmunized intravenously with 0.02% thimelosal (TMS)-treated Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) as a persistent bacterial flora. Swelling of knee joints occurred at a rate of 41% (27/66), and of shoulder joints at a rate of 25% (17/66) while that of elbow joints occurred at a rate of 4.5% (3/66). On culturing of knee joint fluids, no colonies appeared while 2/4 fluid specimens from the shoulder joints gave positive colonies for 78 days after the first immunization; thereafter, no colonies appeared. On histological examination, in early stages, acute inflammatory reactions with degenerative changes of synovial tissue was observed. In later stages, chronic inflammatory changes, proliferation of synovial cells with pannus formation, destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone were observed. RFLS titer showed bi-phasic peaks at 11 days and 41 days after the first immunization. A high incidence of polyarthritis, particularly knee joints, occurred. Thus, hyperimmunization with attenuated E. faecalis as a normal intestinal flora may provide an animal model of chronic polyarthritis.

Genetic resistance to chemical carcinogen-induced preneoplastic hepatic lesions in DRH strain rats

DRH strain rats were established by inbreeding a closed colony of Donryu rats continuously fed the chemical hepatocarcinogen 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene for over 10 years. They are highly resistant to chemical induction of liver cancer and preneoplastic lesions. We studied the genetic basis of DRH resistance to preneoplastic lesions by analyzing 108 (F344 x DRH)F2 male rats fed 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene for 7 weeks. Five parameters of preneoplastic liver lesions were selected for quantitative analysis: (a) number of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci per unit area of liver section; (b) percentage area occupied by the foci; (c) average size of foci; (d) glutathione S-transferase placental form mRNA level; and (e) gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase mRNA level. Furthermore, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase and mannose 6-phosphatase/insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor mRNA levels were quantified. Composite interval mapping analysis showed that there were two remarkably significant clusters of quantitative trait loci affecting preneoplastic liver lesions on chromosomes 1 and 4. These clusters were designated collectively as Drh1 and Drh2, respectively. The functions of the recessive DRH allele of Drh1 and the semidominant DRH allele of Drh2 were to suppress the phenotypes of precancerous lesions. Each cluster showed two to three subpeaks in linkage likelihood plots, suggesting the presence of several closely linked quantitative trait loci affecting preneoplastic lesions. Possible candidate genes at each locus will be discussed. Expression of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase and mannose 6-phosphatase/insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor did not affect DRH resistance to hepatocarcinogenesis, although they were polymorphic between DRH and F344 rats.

Dietary choline restriction causes complex I dysfunction and increased H(2)O(2) generation in liver mitochondria

Removal of choline from the diet results in accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, and chronic dietary deficiency produces a non-genotoxic model of hepatocellular carcinoma. An early event in choline deficiency is the appearance of oxidized lipid, DNA and protein, suggesting that increased oxidative stress may facilitate neoplasia in the choline deficient liver. In this study, we find that mitochondria isolated from rats fed a choline-deficient, L-amino acid defined diet (CDAA) demonstrate impaired respiratory function, particularly in regard to complex I-linked (NADH-dependent) respiration. This impairment in mitochondrial electron transport occurs coincidentally with alterations in phosphatidylcholine metabolism as indicated by an increased ratio of long-chain to short-chain mitochondrial phosphatidylcholine. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) generation is significantly increased in mitochondria isolated from CDAA rats compared with mitochondrial from normal rats, and the NADH-specific yield of H(2)O(2) is increased by at least 2.5-fold. These findings suggest an explanation for the rapid onset of oxidative stress and energy compromise in the choline deficiency model of hepatocellular carcinoma and indicate that dietary choline withdrawal may be a useful paradigm for the study of mitochondrial pathophysiology in carcinogenesis.

Absence of p16, p21 and p53 gene alterations in hepatocellular carcinomas induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

To clarify the involvement of tumor suppressor genes in exogenous and endogenous liver carcinogenesis, alterations of p16, p21 and p53 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) and a choline deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet in rats were investigated. Male Fischer 344 rats received DEN at 6-week of age followed by partial hepatectomy (PH), with colchicine to induce cell cycle disturbance, and a selection pressure regimen. Sacrifice was after 42 weeks. Other animals continuously received a CDAA diet for 75 weeks and were then killed. Eleven and 15 HCCs were obtained, respectively. Total RNA was extracted from and cDNA was synthesized with reverse transcriptase to allow investigation of mutations in p16, p21 and p53 by polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Expression of p16 and p21 mRNA was also analyzed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. The results showed no mutations or deletions of p16, p21 and p53 in any of the HCCs induced by DEN or CDAA. Loss or decrease of p16 and p21 expression were also not found, suggesting that p16, p21 and p53 alteration may not be necessary for either exogenous or endogenous liver carcinogenesis in rats.

Spontaneous oscillation of oxy- and deoxy- hemoglobin changes with a phase difference throughout the occipital cortex of newborn infants observed using non-invasive optical topography

We investigated spontaneous changes in the cerebral oxygenation state of infants during quiet sleeping by using a form of multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy: non-invasive optical topography. Eight infants born at 32-39 weeks were studied at postconceptional term age (38-43 weeks). Spatially synchronized oscillations of changes in the concentration of oxy- and deoxy- hemoglobin ([oxy-Hb] and [deoxy-Hb]) were observed throughout the occipital cortex. Time series analysis based on the theory of non-linear oscillators showed that the mean periods of the oscillation for each infant ranged from 11 to 18 s. The phase lag of [oxy-Hb] relative to [deoxy-Hb] was stable at about 3pi/4. This phase difference may result from interplay between the vasomotion and the oxygen consumption in relation to brain activity.

Design of P1' and P3' residues of trivalent thrombin inhibitors and their crystal structures

Synthetic bivalent thrombin inhibitors comprise an active site blocking segment, a fibrinogen recognition exosite blocking segment, and a linker connecting these segments. Possible nonpolar interactions of the P1' and P3' residues of the linker with thrombin S1' and S3' subsites, respectively, were identified using the "Methyl Scan" method [Slon-Usakiewicz et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 13494-13502]. A series of inhibitors (4-tert-butylbenzenesulfonyl)-Arg-(D-pipecolic acid)-Xaa-Gly-Yaa-Gly-betaAla-Asp-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Ile-Pro-Glu-Glu-Ala- (be ta-cyclohexylalanine)-(D-Glu)-OH, in which nonpolar P1' residue Xaa or P3' residue Yaa was incorporated, were designed and improved the affinity to thrombin. Substitution of the P3' residue with D-phenylglycine or D-Phe improved the K(i) value to (9.5 +/- 0.6) x 10(-14) or 1.3 +/- 0.5 x 10(-13) M, respectively, compared to that of a reference inhibitor with Gly residues at Xaa and Yaa residues (K(i) = (2.4 +/- 0.5) x 10(-11) M). Similarly, substitution of the P1' residue with L-norleucine or L-beta-(2-thienyl)alanine lowered the K(i) values to (8.2 +/- 0.6) x 10(-14) or (5.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(-14) M, respectively. The linker Gly-Gly-Gly-betaAla of the inhibitors in the previous sentence was simplified with 12-aminododecanoic acid, resulting in further improvement of the K(i) values to (3.8 +/- 0.6) x 10(-14) or (1.7 +/- 0.4) x 10(-14) M, respectively. These K(i) values are equivalent to that of natural hirudin (2.2 x 10(-14) M), yet the size of the synthetic inhibitors (2 kD) is only one-third that of hirudin (7 kD). Two inhibitors, with L-norleucine or L-beta-(2-thienyl)alanine at the P1' residue and the improved linker of 12-aminododecanoic acid, were crystallized in complex with human alpha-thrombin. The crystal structures of these complexes were solved and refined to 2.1 A resolution. The Lys(60F) side chain of thrombin moved significantly and formed a large nonpolar S1' subsite to accommodate the bulky P1' residue.

Lack of involvement of metallothionein expression in pancreatic carcinogenesis by N-nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine in Syrian hamsters

The possible involvement of metallothionein (MT) in pancreatic ductal carcinogenesis by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP) in hamsters was investigated. Hamsters received subcutaneous (s.c.) injections with dissolved BOP to 70 mg/kg body weight (BW) followed 7 days later by 20 mg/kg BW BOP and they were sacrificed at 4, 11, 16 and 27 weeks after the beginning of the experiment. MT expression was studied by immunohistochemistry and MT contents were assayed biochemically. Pancreatic ductal hyperplasias were developed from 11 weeks on and carcinomas from 16 weeks on, the incidence of the latter reaching 73% at the end of experiment. However, while normal appearing proliferating duct cells were sometimes positive, MT expression was not evident in hyperplasia (H), atypical hyperplasia (AH) or carcinoma (C), and MT contents did not significantly differ in pancreas of hamsters receiving saline or BOP at any time point. The results suggest that MT is not involved in pancreatic duct carcinogenesis. However, the presence of MT in proliferating ducts not related to carcinogenesis may suggest some unknown role for MT in cellular homeostasis.

Predictability of the progress of secondary osteoarthritis after developmental dislocation of the hip, utilizing inferior edge (of the teardrop)--center (of the femoral head) distance

We followed-up a group of patients in their youth and then in middle age after they had been treated for developmental dislocation of the hip, and studied whether we could predict the progress of osteoarthritis of the hip when the patients were in the "youth" stage. We studied 21 hips of 21 patients with unilateral dislocation that could be examined twice, in 1975 and 1995, in patients who were treated at our hospital between 1953 and 1963. We measured the acetabular-head index (AHI), center-edge angle (CE angle), and the Sharp angle, and our created index (inferior edge of the teardrop - center of the femoral head distance), and we divided this index by the distance of the inferior edges of the teardrops on both sides. Using these measured values, we studied whether we could predict changes in clinical and radiographic evaluation after a follow-up of 20 years. There was no significant correlation of clinical and radiographic results and AHI, CE angle, and the Sharp angle; however, there was a significant correlation with our created index. The index we created is relatively easily measured and enables us to make a more precise prognosis, in comparison with previously developed indices.

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 protein in rat lung tumors induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine

Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein in preneoplastic and neoplastic lung lesions induced by the administration of 2000 ppm of N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) in the drinking water to Wistar male rats, was examined immunohistochemically. The majority of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas (ADs) and all adenocarcinomas (ADCs) examined, stained positive or strongly positive for COX-2. In contrast, only a minority of alveolar/bronchiolar hyperplasias demonstrated immunoreactivity and half of the squamous cell carcinomas examined, were only weakly positive. Western blotting analysis also revealed expression of COX-2 protein in the resected ADs and ADCs. These results clearly indicate up-regulated expression of COX-2 in lung neoplastic lesions, particularly ADs and ADCs, induced by BHP in rats.

Inhibitory effects of combined administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs on lung tumor development initiated by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in rats

The effects of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs on the promotion stage of lung carcinogenesis initiated with N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP) in rats were investigated in two experiments with a similar protocol. In experiment 1, rats received tap water containing 2000 p.p.m. BHP for 12 weeks followed by basal diet or basal diet containing 0.02% erythromycin (EM), 0. 04% ampicillin (ABPC), 1.5% sho-saiko-to, 0.02% EM plus 1.5% sho-saiko-to or 0.04% ABPC plus 1.5% sho-saiko-to for 8 weeks after BHP administration. The development of adenocarcinomas (AC), squamous cell carcinomas (SqC) and adenosquamous carcinomas (ASqC) was completely inhibited in rats given ABPC plus sho-saiko-to and the numbers of lung lesions including alveolar hyperplasias, adenomas and carcinomas were decreased in rats given EM plus sho-saiko-to or ABPC plus sho-saiko-to. Neutrophil and macrophage infiltration into alveolar spaces of the lung were also markedly suppressed. In experiment 2, rats received BHP in the same manner as in experiment 1 and basal diet or basal diet containing 0.04% ABPC, 0.006% piroxicam, 0.04% ABPC plus 0.006% piroxicam and 0.04% ABPC plus 0.75% ougon for 8 weeks. The incidence and number of carcinomas, including ACs, SqCs and ASqCs were decreased in rats given ABPC plus piroxicam or ABPC plus ougon. Bacteria, mainly Escherichia coli, were detected in broncho-alveolar lavage of rats receiving BHP. The results suggest that chronic inflammation might be involved in the progression of lung carcinogenesis by BHP in rats and its suppression may therefore be useful as a chemopreventive strategy in lung cancer clinics.