Guanidinated casein hydrolysate stimulates pancreatic secretagogue release by direct action to the intestine in rats

Previously, we observed that pancreatic exocrine secretion was strongly enhanced after duodenal administration of guanidinated casein peptic hydrolysate (HGC) in rats with chronic bile-pancreatic juice (BPJ) diversion. Using a perifusion system of isolated dispersed rat intestinal mucosal cells, we investigated whether this phenomenon depends on a direct effect of protein on the intestine to release pancreatic secretagogues, such as cholecystokinin (CCK). Amylase release from isolated pancreatic acini was used as an assay to measure CCK or other pancreatic secretagogues in the effluents. Mucosal effluent with HGC stimulated amylase release from acini with or without soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). Perifused effluent with low-concentrated SBTI did not stimulate amylase release. These results indicate that HGC stimulates release of pancreatic secretagogue from the intestinal mucosal cells independent of remaining trypsin activity in the isolated mucosa. Effluents with intact casein, its peptic digest, and homoarginine, which is a unique amino acid contained in HGC, were unable to stimulate amylase release from acini. Effluent with a high concentration of SBTI, which is rich in arginine residues, stimulated amylase release, but not with the same tryptic inhibitory effect of lima bean trypsin inhibitor, which is poor in arginine residues. These findings suggest that guanidyl residues in protein structure are responsible for release of pancreatic secretagogues from isolated intestinal mucosal cells. Finally, the increment of amylase release from pancreatic acini in response to the perifused effluent with HGC was eliminated in acini treated with a potent CCK antagonist, FK480. We conclude that in rats with BPJ diversion, HGC stimulates CCK release from the intestine by direct action on intestinal mucosa.

Early development of Epstein-Barr virus-associated T-cell lymphoma after a living-related renal transplantation

We herein report a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated T-cell lymphoma that developed within a month after a kidney transplantation. The recipient was a 37-year-old man who had evidence of a previous EBV infection. Cyclosporine, methylprednisolone, and azathioprine were used for immunosuppression, and acute rejection was treated with high-dose methylprednisolone. The lactate dehydrogenase level started to increase on day 24 and thereafter peaked on day 37 while also demonstrating progressive jaundice and a bleeding tendency. A transplant nephrectomy was done on day 37; however, the patient could not recover and eventually died of respiratory failure as a result of diffuse pulmonary edema. A pathological examination of the resected kidney revealed a diffuse proliferation of large atypical lymphoid cells in the parenchyma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD45 and T-cell marker, CD45RO, but negative for B-cell markers. EBV-encoded RNA was demonstrated within the neoplastic cells by in situ hybridization.

Posture-dependent modulation of reciprocal inhibition upon initiation of ankle dorsiflexion in man

The present study tested whether soleus H-reflex depression recorded from normal subjects during isotonic ankle dorsiflexion is due to reciprocal inhibition and this might be modulated by varying postures. The soleus H-reflex amplitude of eight healthy adults was investigated at various times prior to and during tibialis anterior discharge while subjects were seated and when standing. Results showed that the amount of soleus H-reflex depression was significantly larger in the standing than that in the sitting posture in spite of the same dorsiflexion movement. Furthermore, the depression upon initiation of dorsiflexion movement appeared earlier in the standing than in the sitting. The results suggest that increasing amounts of reciprocal inhibition are correlated with and dependent upon the preceding postural conditions for voluntary movement, i.e., modulation of reciprocal inhibition seems to be dictated by the difference in functional demand between sitting and standing posture.

[Analysis of inspiratory flow-volume curve]

Inhaled antiasthmatic agents can be effective, but their efficacy depends on the delivery system and on inhalation technique, especially in metered-dose inhalers (MDI). To find out whether inhalation therapy for asthmatics had been performed correctly, we studied inspiratory flow in the slow matter in healthy subjects and bronchial asthma patients. About half of 30 patients studied inspired more than 1 L/sec inspiratory flow rate, especially in male. Inspiratory flow in the fast matter (peak inspiratory flow; PIF) is important in the use of dry powder inhaler, so we studied the correlationship between PIF and expiratory flow and volume parameters. PIF correlated with PEFR, FEV1 and FEV1% in female, FVC and %FVC in male, respectively. In summary, we must recognize slow inspiratory flow can not be gotten easily, and asthmatic patients always have to use MDI carefully in inspiratory flow. Some expiratory parameters of spirometry can accurately predict PIF. The analysis of inspiratory flow-volume curve gives us beneficial data in inhalation therapy.

Effects of difructose anhydride III on calcium absorption in small and large intestines of rats

Difructose anhydride III (DFA III; di-D-fructo-furanose 1,2':2,3' dianhydride) was prepared from inulin with Arthrobacter sp. H65-7 inulin fructotransferase (depolymerizing (inulase II; EC 2.4.1.93). DFA III is not hydrolyzed by enzymes in the small intestine, but is metabolized by microorganisms in the large intestine. We investigated the effects of DFA III on calcium absorption in two experiments. In the in vivo experiment, we examined the effects of DFA III, fructooligosaccharides, and raffinose on calcium absorption in male Sprague-Dawley rats 5 weeks old at start of the experiment and given feed containing 3% of one of these oligosaccharides for two weeks. The apparent calcium absorption was significantly higher in rats fed any of these oligosaccharides than in control rats, and the increase with DFA III was the greatest. Absorption in both the small and large intestines was affected. In rats fed DFA III, the cecal wall thickened and soluble calcium and the amounts of some organic acids were higher than in the control groups. In an in vitro experiment with everted jejunal and ileal sacs of rats, calcium absorption was higher when DFA III was present in the mucosal fluid at all concentrations tested (up to 200 mM). In the jejunal sacs, the increase in calcium absorption depended on the DFA III concentration. In the ileal sacs, the absorption was maximum at 50 mM DFA III and did not increase further at higher concentrations. These results indicate that intact DFA III stimulates calcium absorption in the small intestine, and that cecal fermentation of DFA III may contribute to the increase in calcium absorption by the large intestine.

[Topical treatment of onychomycosis by occlusive dressing using bifonazole cream containing 40% urea]

Topical treatment with an antifungal agent was performed in 70 cases of onychomycosis (69 cases of tinea unguium and 1 case of Candida onychomycosis). The patients were treated every night by occlusive dressing using bifonazole cream containing 40% urea, and then by simple application of 1% bifonazole solution in the morning. During the treatment period, the softened affected nails were removed as completely as possible with nail clippers and files. The nails were observed every two weeks, and the efficacy was evaluated after 12 weeks. Two cases were excluded and 28 cases dropped out leaving 40 cases for efficacy evaluation. Among the 40 patients, 20 appeared to be mycologically negative (mycological cure rate: 50.0%). Clinical response was judged by the changes in opacity and thickness of the nails. Nine patients were evaluated as showing "marked improvement" and 16 as showing "improvement" (improvement rate: 62.5%). Erosion was noted as an adverse reaction in 2 patients. In one patient, treatment was stopped and the lesion was improved by antibiotic ointment, and in another, treatment was resumed when erosion was cured by discontinuation of the treatment. These results suggest that the topical treatment of onychomycosis by occlusive dressing is a useful method for those patients who have difficulties in or do not wish to be treated with oral antifungal agents.

Fermentation products of sugar-beet fiber by cecal bacteria lower plasma cholesterol concentration in rats

Plasma cholesterol concentration is reduced by feeding some dietary fibers but the mechanism is not fully understood. We examined whether cecal fermentation products are involved in lowering plasma cholesterol by feeding rats a highly fermentable sugar-beet fiber (SBF) in four separate experiments. These were designed to investigate the effects on plasma cholesterol of oral ingestion of fermentation products on plasma cholesterol, the effects of the products in comparison with that of a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) mixture, effects of individual SCFA and effects of alteration of energy and nitrogen ratio in the diet by the addition of the SCFA mixture. Cecal contents of rats were cultured with SBF by using a jar fermenter under anaerobic conditions, and the supernatant from the culture medium, containing fermentation products of SBF, was collected and freeze-dried before feeding to rats. Yield of fermentation products as dry weight from the fiber was 80-90%. In rats fed a diet containing fermentation products (80 g/kg diet), plasma cholesterol concentrations were lower than in rats of the fiber-free group 3, 7 and 14 d after feeding the test diet. Major SCFA in the fermentation products were sodium salts of acetic, propionic and butyric acids. Plasma cholesterol concentration in rats fed the diet containing a mixture of equal amounts of the three SCFA salts (66 g/kg diet) as the fermentation products diet was also lower than that in the fiber-free group and was not different from those in rats fed SBF (100 g/kg diet) and the fermentation products. In rats fed an acetate-containing diet but not in rats fed diets without acetate, plasma cholesterol was significantly lower than in the fiber-free group. In conclusion, absorption of SCFA from cecal fermentation products lowers plasma cholesterol. Acetate, and not propionate, may be responsible for lowering plasma cholesterol concentration.

Nuclear matrix protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitrite/nitrate levels in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

Nuclear matrix protein (NMP), an indicator of apoptosis, was analyzed in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Blood levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) were also measured in these patients to determine the involvement of these factors in the production of NMP. Forty-six patients with MODS were studied, 21 (45.7%) of whom died. NMP and TNF-alpha were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NOx was measured by the Griess's method. Marshall's multiple organ dysfunction score (MOD score) was used as an indicator of organ failure. The severity of organ failure was assessed by use of the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score (APACHE II score). The number of organs that failed was found to be significantly correlated with the NMP level. The NMP level was also correlated significantly with MOD score and APACHE II score, as well as with TNF-alpha and NOx levels. NMP and NOx levels in the group that died significantly exceeded those in the surviving group. Results suggest that apoptosis can occur in the presence of MODS, and that its extent increases as the number of failing organs increases. The results also suggest that TNF-alpha and NO are involved in the induction of apoptosis.

Factors that influence the eligibility of cases for inclusion in clinical trials. The Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group

BACKGROUND

It is important to minimize the incidence of ineligible cases to improve the quality of clinical trials. To determine factors which may influence the incidence of ineligible cases, the incidence of and reasons for ineligibility in clinical trials were retrospectively analyzed.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined the incidence of and reasons for ineligibility for inclusion in eight clinical trials conducted by the Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group and four trials financed by trust funds from a pharmaceutical company.

RESULTS

In these 12 clinical studies, the incidence of ineligibility was 4.2% (32/762) (range 0-10.6%). Specific factors that might influence the incidence of ineligible cases were then analyzed. There was a significant difference in the incidence of ineligibility between the methods of registration (P < 0.05). The incidences using a central registration and without using a central registration system were 2.8% (9/322) and 5.2% (23/440) respectively. We also analyzed ineligible cases in clinical studies published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In clinical studies published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology recently and 10 years ago, the incidences of ineligible cases were 5.0% (942/18 878) and 4.1% (206/4995) respectively. In clinical studies on lung cancer published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology from 1984 to 1995, the incidence of ineligible cases was 4.7% (900/19,116). There was no significant difference in the incidence of ineligible cases between our 12 studies and the Journal of Clinical Oncology clinical studies by the chi 2 test (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the incidence of ineligible cases in our studies is similar to that in clinical trials published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Central registration systems are useful for checking for ineligibility, and to increase the quality of clinical trials.

Successful treatment of infertility due to anejaculation with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a report of two cases

We investigated the efficacy of assisted ejaculation in combination with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in two couples with infertility due to anejaculation. Case 1 was in an anejaculatory condition associated with a spinal cord-injury. We performed intrauterine insemination (IUI) three times using motile sperm obtained by intrathecal injection of neostigmine, but no pregnancy followed. The couple then entered IVF-ET. The semen volume obtained by assisted ejaculation was 4.5 ml. The sperm count was 33 x 10(6)/ml with 33% motility. At 35 weeks of gestation she delivered three healthy babies by cesarean section. Case 2 was in an unexplained retrograde ejaculatory condition. We performed IUI eight times before changing to IVF-ET. We then used sperm obtained from urine or sperm recovered from the bladder after administration of human tubal fluid, but no pregnancy followed. At the fifth IVF-ET attempt, using sperm obtained from urine, we succeeded. We prepared the sperm by the Percoll gradient method. The sperm count was 36 x 10(6)/ml with 64% motility. At 39 weeks of gestation she delivered a healthy baby. Deficient seminal quality contributes to the decreased fertility potential in patients with anejaculation. With the use of IVF-ET methods, pregnancies can be achieved in these couples.

Bile-pancreatic juice-independent increases in pancreatic proteases and intestinal cholecystokinin by dietary protein in rats

Luminal bile-pancreatic juice (BPJ) is involved in the induction of pancreatic proteases in rats fed a high-protein diet. Recently, we have demonstrated that a BPJ-independent mechanism is responsible for enhancement of pancreatic secretion after feeding of a dietary protein in chronic BPJ-diverted rats. The aim of the present study was to explore the existence of a BPJ-independent mechanism during adaptation of the exocrine pancreas to dietary protein. Rats, whose BPJ was diverted into the ileum through a common bile-pancreatic duct catheter for 5 days (PBD rat), were fed a fat-free diet containing 25% or 60% casein for 3 days. Messenger RNA levels for pancreatic enzymes, cholecystokinin, and secretin in the jejunal mucosa were evaluated by northern blotting method. Pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin activities and mRNA levels of their zymogens were higher in PBD rats than in rats whose diverted BPJ was returned into the duodenum (PBD returned rat). In the PBD groups, pancreatic protease activities were further increased by 3-day feeding of a high-protein diet without changes in mRNA levels of these proteases. Cholecystokinin mRNA was increased after feeding of a high-protein diet in the PBD rats. These results indicate that pancreatic proteases are induced by feeding a high-protein diet by a mechanism independent of luminal BPJ, which is associated with an increase in intestinal cholecystokinin mRNA level.

Genetic immunotherapy by intrapleural, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection of IL-2 gene-modified Lewis lung carcinoma cells

The induction and augmentation of tumor non-specific immunity and of tumor-specific immunity by intrapleural, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene-modified Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells (LLC-IL2) was tested in C57BL/6 mice. Intrapleural injection of LLC cells induced lung tumors with a malignant effusion, intraperitoneal injection induced peritoneal tumors with ascites and subcutaneous injection induced subcutaneous tumors. Intrapleural injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 cured pre-existing lung LLC tumors and extended the survival of the mice but did not affect survival of mice with pre-existing peritoneal tumors nor did it affect the growth of s.c. tumors. Intraperitoneal injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 cured pre-existing LLC peritoneal tumors and extended the survival of the mice but did not affect survival of mice bearing lung tumors nor did it affect the growth of s.c. tumors. Subcutaneous injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 did not affect the growth of preexisting s.c. tumors and also did not improve survival of mice bearing the lung or peritoneal tumors. Injection with irradiated LLC-IL2 by all routes, i.e., intrapleural, intraperitoneal and s.c., protected against subsequent re-challenge with LLC. Eight days after the initial immunization (early stage of immunization), non-adherent mononuclear cells in the peritoneal cavity of the mice treated with intraperitoneal injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 displayed enhanced cytotoxicity against LLC, B16-F10 and P815 cells, while the cytotoxic activity of spleen cells in the same mice did not change. The efficiency of induction of tumor-specific immunity was the strongest after intraperitoneal immunization and weakest after s.c. immunization. In vitro analysis using the spleen cells of mice immunized with irradiated LLC-IL2 suggested that CD8+ T cells play a key role in tumor-specific immunity.

Increased serum CA19-9 in patients with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis

We present three cases of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) with an increased serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). All of the patients were elderly females and had gallstones lodged in the neck of the gallbladder. Preoperative serum CA19-9 levels were 709 U/ml, 87 U/ml, and 400 U/ml, respectively. A cholecystectomy with or without bile duct exploration was performed, and the histological diagnosis of XGC was made. Serum CA19-9 levels fell to normal levels in two patients who recovered uneventfully, but rose again in one patient who died of cholangitis. Clinicians must remember that XGC is a possible cause of increased serum CA19-9 levels.

[Clinical trial of IL-12 for cancer patients]

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine that stimulates T cells and NK cells. It induces interferon-gamma and plays a unique role in promoting type 1 T helper cell responses. In various animal models, IL-12 has shown a therapeutic effect controlling growth of primary and metastatic tumors at nontoxic doses. On the basis of these findings, IL-12 is now under clinical trial. Fever, flu-like, general fatigue, arthralgia, myalgia, leukopenia, liver dysfunction and so on are the reported toxicities of IL-12. A dramatic decrease of IL-12 AUC after consecutive dosing of IL-12, production of IL-10 and temporal elevation of NK and LAK activities after IL-12 administration have also been observed. Several patients achieve PRs after the administration, but dramatic clinical responses have never been reported. Intensive research on the mechanisms of antitumor response of IL-12 in cancer patients should be very important to the successful development of IL-12 as an anti-cancer agent.

Suppression of the number of aberrant crypt foci of rat colorectum by ingestion of sugar beet fiber regardless of administration of anti-asialo GM1

Anti-asialo GM1 serum (AGM1) reduces natural killer (NK) activity in vitro and in vivo. We investigated the effect of ingestion of sugar beet fiber (SBF) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and whether the effect was maintained under NK-reducing conditions by AGM1 injection. The ingestion of SBF decreased the number of ACF in the colorectum at 4 weeks after treatment with DMH. Dietary SBF had a suppressive effect on the formation of ACF regardless of the administration of AGM1. These results suggest that the suppressive effect created by the ingestion of SBF may overwhelm the effect of AGM1 treatment on ACF formation.

Genetic immunotherapy by intrapleural, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection of IL-2 gene-modified Lewis lung carcinoma cells

The induction and augmentation of tumor non-specific immunity and of tumor-specific immunity by intrapleural, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene-modified Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells (LLC-IL2) was tested in C57BL/6 mice. Intrapleural injection of LLC cells induced lung tumors with a malignant effusion, intraperitoneal injection induced peritoneal tumors with ascites and subcutaneous injection induced subcutaneous tumors. Intrapleural injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 cured pre-existing lung LLC tumors and extended the survival of the mice but did not affect survival of mice with pre-existing peritoneal tumors nor did it affect the growth of s.c. tumors. Intraperitoneal injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 cured pre-existing LLC peritoneal tumors and extended the survival of the mice but did not affect survival of mice bearing lung tumors nor did it affect the growth of s.c. tumors. Subcutaneous injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 did not affect the growth of preexisting s.c. tumors and also did not improve survival of mice bearing the lung or peritoneal tumors. Injection with irradiated LLC-IL2 by all routes, i.e., intrapleural, intraperitoneal and s.c., protected against subsequent re-challenge with LLC. Eight days after the initial immunization (early stage of immunization), non-adherent mononuclear cells in the peritoneal cavity of the mice treated with intraperitoneal injection of irradiated LLC-IL2 displayed enhanced cytotoxicity against LLC, B16-F10 and P815 cells, while the cytotoxic activity of spleen cells in the same mice did not change. The efficiency of induction of tumor-specific immunity was the strongest after intraperitoneal immunization and weakest after s.c. immunization. In vitro analysis using the spleen cells of mice immunized with irradiated LLC-IL2 suggested that CD8+ T cells play a key role in tumor-specific immunity.

Clinical findings, status of care, comprehensive quality of life, daily life therapy and treatment at home in patients with Parkinson's disease

We analyzed patients with Parkinson's disease from various aspects such as clinical findings, the degree of independence in daily life, care environment, quality of life (QOL) and treatment at home. The subjects were 104 in- and outpatients (47 males and 57 females) seen at our hospital. The mean age was 69.85 years in the males and 70.35 years in the females. The disease most frequently developed at the age of 60-69 years and the disease duration was 5 years or more in 52 patients. Rigidity was the most common symptom (91 patients), followed by gait disturbance (n = 87) and tremor (n = 86). Levodopa/carbidopa was the drug most frequently used (77 patients). The number of patients treated by combination drug therapy increased with the duration of disease. Concerning the degree of independence in daily life, assistance was often necessary in bathing, dressing and undressing, toileting and walking. In particular, total assistance was necessary in patients with Hoehn-Yahr stage-IV and V disease. The comprehensive QOL was the lowest in terms of social activities, hobbies and leisure activities, followed in order by work and subjective QOL. QOL decreased in each item with the severity of the disease. Treatment at home was performed for 19 patients, of whom 11 are still being treated by our staff. Treatment at home combined with persons who care for the patient and in cooperation with other welfare resources may improve the patient's QOL. In diseases that require long-term care such as Parkinson's disease, a comprehensive care management system should be established from the aspect of the patient's QOL.

Bronchial artery aneurysm as a cause of atelectasis

A 54-year-old nonsmoker female developed atelectasis of the anterior basal segment of the right lower lobe. A non-pulsating endobronchial tumor was observed bronchoscopically obstructing the right basal bronchus. The tumor was confirmed on arteriography to be a saccular aneurysm of the right bronchial artery. The aneurysm was treated with bronchial artery embolization. Bronchial artery aneurysm, without a predisposing disease, is quite rare, but should be considered as an etiological factor of atelectasis.

Dietary wheat bran modulates proliferating cell nuclear antigen-labeling index of the rat colorectum after treatment with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

We investigated whether dietary wheat bran (Wb) influences the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-labeling index (LI) of the colorectum of rats after the injection of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Male Wistar/ST rats were divided into four groups and given either a fiber-free diet or diets supplemented with Wb at the expense of the whole diet (5, 10 or 20 g/100 g diet). Then, they were subcutaneously injected with a single dose of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) or the vehicle. At four weeks after the treatment, frozen sections of the colorectum were immunostained with anti-PCNA antibody (19F4). In the fiber-free group, DMH treatment significantly increased the PCNA-LI of the distal colon and rectum. Among the DMH treatment groups, the PCNA-LI of the distal colon in the Wb 5 g/100 g diet group was significantly lower than that in the fiber-free group. The PCNA-LI of the distal colon tended to increase as the amount of Wb supplemented was increased in the DMH-treated groups except for the fiber-free group. A similar trend was observed for the rectum. In conclusion, the ingestion of Wb diminished the increase in PCNA-LI in rat colorectum induced by DMH injection.

Comparison of the mutational specificity induced by environmental genotoxin nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Salmonella typhimurium his genes

Mutagenicity of 15 nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro PAHs), which were detected in ambient air particles and/or combustion source emissions, were examined using a set of six Salmonella typhimurium tester strains (TA7001 to TA7006), and the mutational specificity was characterized by the comparison of the mutagenic potencies of nitro-PAHs in the tester strains. Each strain carries a unique missense mutation in the histidine operon and is reverted by only one specific base-substitution out of six possible changes. All nitro-PAHs tested were mutagenic in multiple strains, and were classified into four categories based on the strains predominantly reverted. 1-Nitropyrene (1-NPy), 2,7-dinitrofluoren-9-one and 1,3-, 1,6- and 1,8-dinitropyrene isomers exerted the highest mutagenicity in strain TA7005 (C.G-->A.T transversion) followed by strain TA7006 (C.G-->G.C transversion). 2- And 3-nitrofluoren-9-one isomers, 2-NPy and 2,7-dinitrophenanthrene were also markedly mutagenic in strain TA7005 but not in strain TA7006. For 2-, 3- and 9-nitrophenanthrene isomers, 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NFT) and 4-NPy, TA7004 (G.C-->A.T transition) was the most responsive strain. 3-NFT was unique, showing the highest mutagenicity in strain TA7002 (T.A-->A.T transversion). All nitro-PAHs tested induced C.G-->A.T transversion, which is observed as the most frequent base-substitution mutation of p53 tumor suppressor gene in human lung cancer.

Anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with septic shock

We measured the plasma levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-4 and IL-10; inflammatory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor receptor I and II (TNFR I and TNFR II); and endotoxin in 11 patients with septic shock associated with gram-negative bacteria and 12 patients with sepsis not associated with shock. The plasma levels of IL-1ra and IL-10 were elevated in the septic shock group compared with the sepsis group. TNFR I and TNFR II levels tend to be higher in the septic shock group. The plasma level of TRNF-alpha was significantly correlated with levels of IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-10, TNFR I, and TNFR II. The elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines, TNFR I, and TNFR II, appeared to reflect an attempt to suppress the shock syndrome.

Assessment of inflammatory cytokines, nitrate/nitrite, type II phospholipase A2, and soluble adhesion molecules in systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Plasma endotoxin levels, nitrate/nitrite (NOx), type II phospholipase A2 (PLA2), soluble adhesion molecules, and inflammatory cytokines were measured in 34 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Significant correlations were found between NOx values, PLA2 values, soluble adhesion molecules, and inflammatory cytokines, suggesting the possibility that these factors were deeply affected each other. When the 34 SIRS patients were divided into the group with sepsis (n = 20) and with the group with trauma without documented infection (n = 14), despite the fact that the difference in APACHE II scores was not significant, all of the factors except endotoxin were significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the trauma group, and the outcome was death in 4 of the 14 patients in the trauma group (28.6%), as opposed to 14 of the 20 patients in the sepsis group (70.0%). The mediator values measured in this study seemed to reflect the difference in the severity of the patients' disease and their outcome.

Stimulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion by soybean trypsin inhibitor does not depend on the masking of luminal trypsin activity in rats that have bile-pancreatic juice diverted into the ileum

We reported previously that dietary proteins stimulate pancreatic secretion by a mechanism not involved in masking trypsin activity in rats that have bile-pancreatic juice (BPJ) diverted from the proximal small intestine for 7 days. However, BPJ in the distal small intestine is possibly responsible for the stimulation of pancreatic secretion in chronic BPJ-diverted rats. To examine whether the BPJ-dependent mechanism operates in the distal small intestine of chronic BPJ-diverted rats, we investigated pancreatic responses after inhibition or removal of pancreatic trypsin activity in the distal small intestine of conscious rats. Duodenal instillation of soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), which is a proteinaceous trypsin inhibitor, stimulated pancreatic secretion in the chronic BPJ-diverted rats, whereas a nonpeptidic trypsin inhibitor, FOY 305, did not. Ileal administration of both trypsin inhibitors did not enhance pancreatic secretion in the diverted rats. Exclusion of luminal BPJ from the distal small intestine was also ineffective in causing pancreatic exocrine secretion in the chronic BPJ-diverted rats. These observations reveal that ileal BPJ does not contribute to the stimulation of pancreatic secretion in rats that have BPJ chronically diverted into the ileum, as in intact rats, and that a duodenal instillation of SBTI stimulates pancreatic secretion as a protein, and not as a trypsin inhibitor.