Elevated concentrations of the beta-subunit of S100 protein in renal cell tumors in rats

Concentrations of alpha and beta-subunits of S100 protein (S100-alpha and S100-beta) in rat kidney neoplasms, including renal cell and mesenchymal tumors, were determined using a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay, and both types immunohistochemically localized in tissue sections. Concentrations of S100-alpha in each histological type of rat tumor were lower than in normal kidney, whereas levels of S100-beta (mean +/- SE: 29.7 +/- 14.2 ng/mg protein, n = 15) in renal cell tumors were significantly higher than in normal kidneys (0.55 +/- 0.06 ng/mg protein, n = 7), or mesenchymal tumors (1.21 +/- 0.43 ng/mg protein, n = 9). In normal rat kidney tissues S100-alpha was immunohistochemically positive in epithelial cells of the distal tubules, the thin limbs of loops of Henle, and the collecting ducts. No appreciable immunostaining for S100-beta was found in any nephron segment. Both S100-alpha and S100-beta were positive for renal cell tumors, indicating new appearance of the latter during renal carcinogenesis in rats.

Papovavirus detection by electron microscopy in the brain of an elderly patient without overt progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Virions resembling papovavirus were demonstrated in glial cells in the brain of an aged patient without overt progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The patient was not in a severely immunocompromised state. On histological examination, only a few tiny incomplete necrotic foci were found in the subcortical area. These foci were widely dispersed. Rare, swollen oligodendroglial cells and astrocytes in which papovavirus capsid protein (VP-1) was demonstrated immunohistochemically were present around the foci. The two typical types of virus particles i.e. 35 to 40 nm round particles and elongated particles, were observed in the nuclei of the swollen glial cells. The latter were in the minority. Distinct crystals were also found in the nuclei. The centre-to-centre distance of the particles in the crystals, about 40 nm, and the electron-opaque spots of the round-shaped virions and of the elongated particles, were indicative of structural subunits of papovavirus capsids. This case provides further evidence that papovavirus, possibly JC virus, may be reactivated in the brains of aged patients who are not in an immunocompromised state.

Developmental expression of cytochrome P450s within intrasplenically transplanted fetal hepatocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Fetal hepatocytes were harvested at 20 days of gestation from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and then transplanted into recipient adult SHR spleens. Morphological examination of the recipient spleens revealed that after 4 wk, large masses of hepatocytes were present in the red pulp with apparent cord-like structures. Of major significance was the fact that hepatocyte transplanted spleens were able to express several families of cytochrome P450 (cyto P450) proteins 2-6 wk after transplantation. Thus, the transplanted hepatocyte tissue appeared to grow and develop a cyto P450 metabolic system. Immunochemical determinations revealed that cytos P450 IA1, P450 IIB1, P450 p, P450 HLp, and P450 LA omega were over detected without any prior induction. None of the cyto P450s could be detected in control nontransplanted spleens, however, all were detected in fetal hepatocyte microsomes before transplantation. All were intensely expressed 6 wk after transplantation, however P450 IA1 and P450 IIB1 did not appear to be expressed by 2 wk after transplantation. These results demonstrate that fetal hepatocytes can be successfully transplanted to the spleens of recipient hosts, and that the fetal hepatocytes appear to grow and develop functional cyto P450 metabolizing systems. Therefore, transplantation of fetal hepatocytes to splenic tissue represents a unique in vivo system of extra hepatic metabolizing tissue.

Prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid neuron-specific enolase and S-100b protein in Guillain-Barré syndrome

We measured the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100b protein (S-100b) using enzyme immunoassay methods, in 24 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and 46 controls, and examined their prognostic values. Sixteen of 24 patients showed elevated levels (> the mean + 2SD levels of controls) of NSE, S-100b, or both, and in those with higher NSE or S-100b levels there was a rather longer duration of disease, whereas 8 patients with the normal levels showed an early recovery. Further, NSE or S-100b levels were significantly correlated with months to recovery. Thus, NSE and S-100b in CSF may be useful markers for predicting the outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Charge isomers of urinary bikunin (trypsin inhibitor)

It was observed that the purified urinary bikunin (trypsin inhibitor) consisted of four major isomers with different electric charges which could be separated by HPLC using a Mono Q column. These isomers revealed the same antitrypsin activity and did not show any differences in the apparent molecular weight by SDS-PAGE, amino-acid composition, N-terminal amino-acid sequence (1-40) and C-terminal amino acid (Leu). The contents of sialic acid and uronic acid were also identical among these isomers. However, analysis of chondroitin sulfate revealed all the glycosaminoglycan chains of these isomers were undersulfated, comprising nonsulfated and 4-sulfated disaccharide units, and 4-sulfated disaccharide unit ratio varied among these isomers. After the chondroitin ABC lyase digestion, all the isomers were eluted at the same position on a Mono Q column chromatography. These results indicated that charge isomers of urinary bikunin was attributed to the difference on sulfation ratio in a glycosaminoglycan chain.

Fluoride uptake in human dentine from glass-ionomer cement in vivo

The purpose was to examine F uptake and distribution in dentine from a F-containing glass-ionomer cement in vivo. Nine volunteers were selected from dental students who were scheduled for extraction of their third molars. Two cavities were prepared on the same occlusal surface of the third molars for each subject; one was restored with glass-ionomer cement (Virtabond), the other with zinc phosphate cement as a control. After 3 months the teeth were extracted. F profiles in the dentine from the cavity floor to the pulpal surface were determined in tissue immediately adjacent to the restorations. An abrasive micro-sampling technique was used. The F concentration of the dentine was highest immediately beneath glass-ionomer cement filling, decreasing towards the pulpal surface. Overall F concentrations were greater in the dentine beneath the glass-ionomer cement than in that beneath the zinc phosphate cement. It was concluded that the glass-ionomer cement markedly enhanced fluoride uptake by underlying dentine in vivo.

[Efficacy of 48-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil for gall bladder cancer]

Usefulness of an adjuvant chemotherapy for 23 patients who had undergone "non-curative" resection for adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder was investigated. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (16 patients) was given MF (mitomycin C 6 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil 250 mg/body) by injection on the 2nd and 9th postoperative day and received orally Tegafur 600 mg/day and PSK 3 g/day. Group B(7 patients) was treated weekly with a 48-hour infusion of 5-FU (1,000 mg/m2/24 hours), for 6 weeks and leucovorin (30 mg/body) was given for 2 hours prior to 5-FU infusion. The results were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Response rate of anti-tumor was 0% in Group A and 14.3% in Group B, including: PR, 1 and NC, 6 cases. The 50% survival time was 230 days in group A and 471 days in group B (p = 0.0008). The results suggest that treatment with 5-FU and LV is effective for gallbladder cancer.

Formation of autophagosomes during degradation of excess peroxisomes induced by di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate treatment. II. Immunocytochemical analysis of early and late autophagosomes

We have investigated the autophagocytic process of excess peroxisomes and mitochondria induced by di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) treatment using immunocytochemical techniques. Rat liver peroxisomes were induced by 2 weeks treatment with DEHP. The animals were then injected with leupeptin (2 mg/100 g body weight), and their livers were fixed by perfusion at various intervals. The liver tissues were embedded in LR White or Epon. Semithin sections of the Epon-embedded tissue were stained for cathepsin D, B, and H, and lysosomal glycoprotein (LGP107) by the immunoenzyme technique after removal of epoxy resin. Thin sections of LR White-embedded tissue were stained for the same antigens by the immunogold technique. Some liver specimens were processed to ultracryotomy, and frozen-thawed thin sections were immunostained for carboxylesterase E1 and alpha-glucosidase II, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers. Twenty minutes after leupeptin injection, many peroxisomes and mitochondria were surrounded by a double-layered membrane (isolation membrane) continuous with the ER. These membranes were positive for carboxylesterase E1 and alpha-glucosidase, but not for LGP107 as well as cathepsins. Forty to 60 minutes after leupeptin injection many autophagic vacuoles showing various developing stages appeared and accumulated. The early autophagic vacuoles were surrounded by a double-layered membrane, whereas the late autophagic vacuoles had a single limiting membrane. The former was negative for cathepsins as well as LGP107, but positive for carboxylesterase E1 and alpha-glucosidase II. The results suggest strongly that the isolation membrane is derived from the ER membrane and converted later into the lysosomal membrane and support our previous morphological observations.

Expression and localization of a major lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein (LGP107) in plasma membranes of rat osteoblasts and osteocytes

The immunocytochemical localization of a major lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein with a molecular mass of 107 kDa, which was designated as LGP107, was investigated in osteoblast lineage cells involved in osteoclastic bone resorption using specific polyclonal antibody against LGP107. Osteoclastic bone resorption was induced by transplantation of parathyroid glands. In control experiments, no immunoreaction product for LGP107 was recognized in osteoblasts and osteocytes. Strong immunoreaction products for LGP107 occurred on the plasma membranes in the osteoblasts and osteocytes prior to the appearance of osteoclasts one day after transplantation of the parathyroid glands. Furthermore, two days after induction, strong diaminobenzidine reactions were also observed on the plasma membranes in the osteoblastic cells adjacent to the active osteoclasts. These data suggest that LGP107 in osteoblastic cells and osteocytes may play an important role in cell-recognition and/or cell-adhesion, and that LGP107 may be involved in osteoblastic degradation of the osteoid as well as exposure of the bone surface.

Mutagenicity of blue rayon extracts of human bile in the Ames test

The mutagenicity of human bile was examined in the Ames Salmonella/microsome assay. Bile samples were obtained from the gallbladders resected from patients with cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, gallbladder cancer, extrahepatic bile duct cancer and other diseases. For extraction of mutagenic components, the bile samples were treated with blue rayon and the adsorbed materials were assayed with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 in the presence of S9 mix. Twenty-four bile samples were tested and positive mutagenic activity was found in 14 samples. A 200-microliter bile equivalent material gave 6.3 times as many revertant colonies as the solvent control. With several samples that had undergone two cycles of blue rayon extraction, clear dose-response relationships in mutagenicity were demonstrated.

Molecular structural studies of effector functions of a mouse immunoglobulin G that lacks the entire CH1 domain: small-angle X-ray scattering, nanosecond fluorescence depolarization and stable isotope-aided NMR analyses

Molecular structural studies are reported of a short-chain mouse IgG2a antibody that lacks the entire CH1 domain. We have recently shown that (1) this short-chain antibody comprises two components in which the inter light-chain disulfide bridge does and does not exist, and (2) these two components are different in the constitutive complement-activating activity [Mizutani et al. (1993) J. Immunol. 150, 131-138]. Structures were compared for these two components on the basis of small-angle X-ray scattering, nanosecond fluorescence depolarization and isotope-aided NMR data. It has been discussed how the presence and absence of the inter light-chain disulfide bridges affect the complement-activating activity of the two components of the short-chain antibody.

Localization of Cu/Zn and Mn superoxide dismutase in various thyroid disorders

The intracellular localization of Cu/Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), which catalyze the dismutation of superoxide radicals (O2-) to O2 and H2O2, was studied in the thyroid tissue of various thyroid disorders by an immunohistochemical technique. The concentrations of both SODs in those tissues were measured also by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Copper/zinc-SOD in thyroid tissues were identified by immunocytochemical staining in most cases of papillary carcinoma and in some cases of other thyroid disorders. In normal follicular cells this enzyme is localized in the perinuclear cytoplasm, whereas in thyroid tumor or hyperplastic follicular cells it exists homogeneously in cytoplasm. Manganese-SOD stained strongly in papillary carcinoma and papillary-growing cells in the thyroid tissue of adenoma and Graves' disease. The concentrations of Cu/Zn-and Mn-SOD in thyroid tumor tissues and hyperplastic follicular disorders were significantly higher than those in normal thyroid tissue when they were compared as a function of protein or deoxyribonucleic acid contents. The ratio of Mn-SOD to Cu/Zn-SOD was significantly higher only in papillary carcinoma, except for other thyroid disorders as compared with that in the normal thyroid. In conclusion, SOD seems to be related to cell proliferation and differentiation in the thyroid follicular cell because Cu/Zn-SOD changes its localization in tumor and hyperplastic follicular cells and because the Mn-SOD concentration is increased in papillary carcinoma or papillary-growing cells.

Aldolase C in neuroendocrine tumors: an immunohistochemical study

The expression of cerebral type aldolase C was investigated immunohistochemically in six varieties of neuroendocrine (n = 57) and six types of non-endocrine tumor (n = 76) using the avidin-biotin complex method. Aldolase C expression in the neuroendocrine tumors was also compared with those of chromogranin and gamma enolase. Aldolase C was detected in all the islet cell (7/7) and carcinoid tumors (10/10), thyroid medullary carcinomas (7/7), and pheochromocytomas (10/10), as well as in the majority of neuronal tumors (8/10) and bronchial small cell carcinomas (10/13). Chromogranin immunoreactivity was restricted to the tumors with abundant neuroendocrine granules. Gamma enolase positivity was generally similar to that of aldolase C, but there were some differences. Amongst the bronchial small cell carcinomas, three tumors negative for gamma enolase were positive for aldolase C, while another three tumors were positive for gamma enolase only. However all the small cell carcinomas were positive for at least one of these two enzymes. Aldolase C was detected in 28 (37%) of the 76 non-endocrine tumors and tended to be expressed preferentially in the differentiated portions of these tumors. Although aldolase C was expressed in many bronchial squamous cell carcinomas, the immunoreactivity was localized mainly in keratinizing foci and the less differentiated parts of these tumors expressed the enzyme only occasionally. Thus aldolase C, in conjunction with other neuroendocrine-associated markers, may be of value in identifying tumors of neuroendocrine type.

Effects of intracerebroventricular injection of indomethacin on adaptive gastric cytoprotection in the conscious rat

We investigated the role of prostaglandins in the central nervous system for the adaptive gastric cytoprotection in male Wistar rats with chronic intracerebroventricular cannulas. Three, 50, 200, or 500 micrograms of indomethacin or vehicle alone was injected via the intracerebroventricular (central) or intraperitoneal route 1 h before oral administration of 20% ethanol. The animals were then given 1 ml of absolute ethanol 15 min later. One hour later, gastric mucosal damage and plasma indomethacin concentrations were measured. Pretreatment with 50-500 micrograms of indomethacin abolished adaptive gastric cytoprotection induced by 20% ethanol in a dose-dependent fashion, regardless of the route of administration. Central administration of 3 micrograms indomethacin resulted in a more than twofold increase in mucosal damage compared with intraperitoneal administration. Plasma indomethacin concentrations were increased dose-dependently. However, plasma levels were lower in rats administered centrally than those peripherally at a dose of 50 micrograms indomethacin or more. On the other hand, plasma indomethacin concentrations did not differ between central and intraperitoneal administration of 3 micrograms indomethacin. Measurement of gastric mucosal blood flow revealed that central administration of 3 micrograms indomethacin reduced gastric mucosal blood flow, whereas intraperitoneal administration of an identical dose had no effect. These results suggest that central prostaglandins may contribute to adaptive gastric cytoprotection, possibly by altered gastric mucosal blood flow.

Antioxidants in the serum of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

To determine whether alteration in serum antioxidant status is related to the increased oxidative stress as a cause of diabetic angiopathy, we measured both the antioxidant activity (AOA) and total peroxyl radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and their component individual antioxidants in serum of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The AOA was measured as the ability to inhibit lipid autoxidation in brain homogenates. TRAP was assayed as the ability to delay lipid peroxidation induced by an azo initiator. Antioxidants measured were ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and albumin as components of AOA; and ascorbic acid, uric acid, protein sulfhydryl, and alpha-tocopherol as components of TRAP. Serum AOA appeared to be decreased in the diabetics in relation to poor glycemic control, corresponding to the decrease in transferrin and albumin. Serum haptoglobin level was also decreased in the diabetics. Similarly, the directly measured TRAP value was decreased in the diabetic serum mainly due to the decreased contribution of unidentified chain-breaking antioxidants, despite the increase in ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol. The decrease in both types of antioxidant activity in the diabetic serum, as new findings, suggests that a defective serum antioxidant status contributes to the increased oxidative stress in IDDM.

Dental findings of the elderly with or without senile dementia at a special nursing home

Survey of dental health condition was performed at a special nursing home for the elderly with senile dementia (28 subjects, 83.3 +/- 6.8 year-old; SD group) or without senile dementia (68 subjects, 84.6 +/- 7.2 year-old; NSD group). There was no difference in number of teeth survived between SD and NSD groups. However, the elderly in SD group had more unfunctionable and/or unrestorable teeth (C4) and less sound and filled teeth (SFT) than those in NSD group. Number of teeth of the elderly in 85- to 89-year-old group was smaller than those of not only younger but older age groups, irrespective of senile dementia. Lower canines showed the highest survival rate among all kinds of teeth in SD as well as in NSD group.

Coinduction of two low-molecular-weight stress proteins, alpha B crystallin and HSP28, by heat or arsenite stress in human glioma cells

The responses of two low-molecular-weight stress proteins, alpha B crystallin and HSP28, to various types of stress were determined quantitatively by specific immunoassays in a human glioblastoma cell line (U118 MG). Levels of alpha B crystallin (2-4 ng/mg protein) and HSP28 (1-1.5 micrograms/mg protein) in the soluble fraction from cells that had been cultured at 37 degrees C increased about 100-fold and 3-fold, respectively, within 24 h after heat treatment for 15 min at 45 degrees C, with a temporary decrease, due to redistribution to the insoluble fraction, during the heat treatment. Exposure of cells to arsenite (NaAsO2, 100 microM for 1 h) also induced the two proteins with a time course similar to that observed after heat stress, but without a decrease during the stress period. L-Azetidine-2-carboxylate (5 mM for 5 h) was also effective in inducing the two proteins, but to a lesser extent. Other chemicals, including CdCl2, ZnCl2, AlCl3, ethanol, caffeine, nicotine, NaN3, dibutyryl 3',5'-cyclic AMP, forskolin, and a phorbol ester, did not induce the two proteins. Expression of alpha B crystallin and HSP28 mRNAs in cells was enhanced after heat stress and after exposure to arsenite. When cells were challenged with heat stress in the presence of arsenite, the effect on the induction of the two proteins was synergistic. Ethanol (1-2%) enhanced the responses to heat stress or arsenite stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alpha B crystallin and HSP28 are enhanced in the cerebral cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease

The localization of two small heat shock proteins, alpha B crystallin and 28-kDa heat shock protein (HSP28), was studied immunochemically and immunohistochemically in cerebral cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and control groups. By specific immunoassays for alpha B crystallin and HSP28, we found that the concentrations of alpha B crystallin are elevated in the temporal and frontal lobes, while those of HSP28 are elevated in the temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes in the AD brains. Immunohistochemically, alpha B crystallin was localized in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, while HSP28 was present in degenerating neurons in the cerebral cortex of both AD and control brains. However, alpha B crystallin-immunoreactive astrocytes and HSP28-immunoreactive degenerating neurons were more frequently observed in AD brains. The immunoreactivity for HSP28 was also found in the senile plaques in the AD brains. These findings suggest that the increased accumulations of these small heat shock proteins appear to be part of reactive processes of glial cells and neurons under pathologic conditions.

Nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth in the presence or absence of gingival inflammation in rats

One adverse effect of nifedipine, a long-acting vasodilator, is gingival overgrowth. Preexisting gingival inflammation and/or dental plaque has been suggested to be responsible for the progression of this side effect, but the precise mechanism is uncertain because of a lack of suitable animal models. A study was therefore done to establish an experimental model of gingival overgrowth in rats and to investigate the possible involvement of gingival inflammation and/or dental plaque in its development. Specific pathogen-free Fischer rats (male, 14 days old) were used. Gingival inflammation and dental plaque accumulation were induced by infection with Streptococcus mutans MT8148R. The nifedipine-treated rats (experimental group) were fed a caries-inducing diet containing nifedipine either with or without infection, while the nifedipine-untreated rats (control group) were fed the same diet, similarly with or without the infection. Marked gingival overgrowth was induced in the mandibular molar region of nifedipine-treated rats regardless of S. mutans infection, although the infection resulted in a further increase in the degree of gingival overgrowth. Histological examination of the gingival overgrowth revealed the presence of redundant subepithelial connective tissue in the treated rats, and inflammatory cell infiltration was apparent only in the tissue of the S. mutans-infected rats regardless of the nifedipine administration. These findings suggest that nifedipine induces gingival overgrowth in rats either in the presence or absence of gingival inflammation and/or dental plaque, although these factors can augment the effect of the drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of a bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the pharmacokinetics of tobramycin in rats

The effects of Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 lipopolysaccharide on the renal handling and distribution characteristics of the aminoglycoside tobramycin were investigated in rats. Tobramycin (2 mg kg-1) and inulin (100 mg kg-1) were administered intravenously 2 h after administration of 50, 250 or 500 micrograms kg-1 lipopolysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide delayed the disappearance of tobramycin from plasma in a dose-dependent manner. A dose-dependent decrease in systemic clearance of tobramycin was observed, although the elimination rate constant and fraction of urinary recovery of unchanged drug were not significantly different in any group. Lipopolysaccharide significantly decreased the central compartment volume of distribution of tobramycin, but did not influence the steady-state volume of distribution. A dose-related increase in the ratio of the rate constant of transfer to the peripheral compartment to the rate constant of transfer from peripheral compartment to central compartment was observed. The glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased by pretreatment with 250 micrograms kg-1 lipopolysaccharide and the clearance ratio was decreased by 20%, indicating that lipopolysaccharide increases the tubular reabsorption of tobramycin. Our findings suggest that K. pneumoniae O3 lipopolysaccharide modifies the glomerular filtration rate and tubular reabsorption without change in the terminal half-life and that drug distribution characteristics from the rapidly-distributing compartment to the peripheral compartment were altered without expansion of the extracellular fluid volume.

Age dependency of cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth in rats

Effects of age on cyclosporin A- (CsA) induced gingival overgrowth were investigated in Fischer rats. Rats 15, 30, 45, and 60 days old were fed a diet containing cyclosporin A (120-200 micrograms/g) for 40 days. Gingival overgrowth was estimated by measuring the gingival sulcus depth with a thin color slide probe under a stereoscopic dissecting microscope. The youngest group (15 days old) of rats developed the most significant gingival overgrowth (buccal sulcus depth of mandibular first molar, CsA-treated rat/untreated rat: 875 +/- 78/275 +/- 25 micron, mean +/- SD, P < 0.001), followed by those in which CsA treatment was initiated at age 30 days (505 +/- 29/267 +/- 56, P < 0.001) and 45 days (400 +/- 45/267 +/- 25, P < 0.001). Significant gingival overgrowth was not induced in rats when CsA treatment had been started at age 60 days (310 +/- 38/292 +/- 18). Average body weight gain of CsA-treated rats during this experiment period was not different from untreated rats of the same age group. These results suggest that CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in rats is age dependent.