Three TNFalpha single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Japanese population

BACKGROUND

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is an essential regulator of immune responses and is implicated to relate to several types of disease susceptibilities. Population information on polymorphisms is essential for the study of genetic diseases.

AIM

To obtain accurate information about single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNFalpha gene in the Japanese population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The entire TNFalpha gene was screened for SNPs by directly sequencing 48 chromosomes derived from 24 unrelated Japanese individuals. Allele frequencies of each polymorphism were determined and compared with those previously reported in other populations.

RESULTS

Three SNPs, -308G/A at nt -308, IVS1 + 125G/A at nt 492 and IVS3 + 104G/A at nt 1359 were observed, of which one (IVS3 + 104G/A at nt 1359) was novel. In addition, allele frequencies of -308G/A were remarkably different from those presented in the NCBI dbSNP, indicating a significant ethnic difference.

CONCLUSIONS

The polymorphisms and allele frequencies obtained in this study will be useful for genetic studies of common diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis in the Japanese population.

Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis among eight novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), a serine protease, activates the conversion of plasminogen to the fibrinolytic protein, plasmin. The t-PA gene, mapped to chromosome 8p12-p11.2, contains 14 exons. An Alu insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in this gene has been associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction. In the work reported here we sequenced 11 kilobases (kb) of genomic DNA from 50 normal Japanese volunteers (100 alleles), to include all 14 exons of the t-PA gene, flanking intronic sequences, and 6kb of the 5' sequence. These experiments identified eight novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in addition to the known Alu I/D polymorphism, from which genotypic data we constructed 12 haplotypes in the tested population. Two-way comparisons of SNPs and the Alu polymorphism revealed strong linkage disequilibrium between the Alu site and SNPs at positions 20,209 (chi2 = 92.263) and 27,555 (chi2 = 47.53), and between SNPs at positions 27,849 and 28,902 chi2 = 66.331). A phylogenic tree was constructed to infer a process of genome construction that would reflect the sequence variations we observed. Our results help to explain the lack of agreement among results of various disease-association studies in which a contribution of the human t-PA gene has been suspected but not always confirmed.

Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis among four novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the human leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine implicated in various pathological conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Despite the possible importance of LIF as a therapeutic target, little is known about the bioregulation of the human LIF gene. We here sequenced the entire structure of the LIF gene of 48 alleles in the Japanese population. These experiments identified four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and determined their allelic frequencies from a 48-allele sequence in the Japanese population. All four SNPs found in the LIFgene were located within exon 3, that is, a C/T at nucleotide (nt) position 3951, a C/G at nt position 4376, an A/C at nt position 4442, and a G/A at nt position 5961 (nucleotide numbering starts from the ATG start codon). Based on the genotypic data, we constructed four major haplotypes in the tested population. Two-way comparisons of SNPs revealed complete linkage disequilibrium between SNPs at positions 3951, 4376, and 4442. These results may prove to be useful as genetic markers for population-based disease-association studies in osteoporosis.

Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis among ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin 11 identified by sequencing of the gene

Interleukin (IL11) is a member of the interleukin 6 (IL6)-related cytokine subfamily, which stimulates T cell-dependent development of immunoglobulin-producing B cells. IL11 is also an important paracrine regulator of bone metabolism that induces formation of osteoclasts. In the work reported here, we sequenced the entire IL11 structural gene of 48 alleles in a Japanese test population. These experiments identified ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and determined their allelic frequencies. One polymorphism was identified upstream of exon 1, one in exon 3, four in intron 4 and four in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of exon 5. Based on the genotype data, we constructed six haplotypes in the tested population. Two-way comparisons of SNPs revealed two combinations in complete linkage disequilibrium, one with SNPs at nucleotide positions 2753, 3644, 5154, and 5568, and another with SNPs at positions 3686, 5141, and 5734. These results will be useful in disease-association studies where a contribution of the human IL11 gene has been suspected, especially in disorders affecting immune response and bone metabolism.

A nucleotide variant in the promoter region of the interleukin-6 gene associated with decreased bone mineral density

Interleukin-6 (IL6) has come to be regarded as a potential osteoporotic factor because it has stimulatory effects on cells of the osteoclast lineage, and, thus, may play a role in the pathogenesis of bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency. We previously described association of the IL6 microsatellite with bone mineral density (BMD), as well as genetic linkage of the IL6 locus to human osteoporosis, by means of sib-pair analysis. However, the molecular mechanism by which this locus regulates BMD remains unknown. Accordingly, we searched for polymorphisms in the 5' and 3' flanking regions and in all five exons of the IL6 gene in a Japanese population sample. We identified three single-nucleotide sequence variations: a C/G substitution at nucleotide (nt) -634 in the promoter region, a G/A substitution at nt 4391 in the 3' noncoding region, and a variation in the AnTn tract around nt -447. The last of these had already been observed in Caucasians, as well as in Japanese. The single-nucleotide polymorphism at -634 created a restriction site for the BsrBI endonuclease, and the frequency of the minor (G) allele was 0.184. Five haplotypes were constructed among three variations examined in the population. Linkage disequilibrium was observed between the variation at -634 and the variation at 4391, as well as between the variation at -634 and the AnTn tract variation. We found a significant correlation, in 470 subjects, between the presence of the G allele and decreased BMD, by analysis of variance. When BMD values were compared among the three genotypic groups (G/G, G/C, C/C) at nt -634, BMD was lowest among the G/G homozygotes (mean +/- SD; 0.284 +/- 0.062g/cm2), highest among the C/C homozygotes (0.314 +/- 0.059g/cm2), and intermediate among the heterozygotes (0.303 +/- 0.066g/cm2; P < 0.05). Given the several lines of evidence from different genetic studies, we suggest that IL6 is, indeed, one of the genes affecting bone metabolism, in which variations can lead to osteoporosis.

Human calcitonin receptor-like receptor for adrenomedullin: genomic structure, eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and haplotype analysis

Adrenomedullin (ADM), a peptide characterized by persistent hypotensive activity, is thought to be involved when the control mechanism of blood pressure is deranged, because its plasma concentration is upregulated in hypertensive patients. The receptor for ADM, a molecular complex consisting of calcitonin-receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor-activity-modifying protein 2 (RAMP2), is activated through a unique intracellular transport mechanism. By analyzing the nucleotide sequences of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones, we have established that the gene encoding CRLR is spread over a genomic distance of 103,145 bases; it contains 15 exons interrupted by 14 introns, including 1 that spans more than 60 kilobases. Exons 1-3 constitute the 5' noncoding region; exons 4 through 15 are coding elements, of which exons 8 to 14 encode seven transmembrane domains. Eight novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their allelic frequencies in the Japanese population were found by direct sequencing of 32 alleles; two SNPs were in the 5' flanking region, one in exon 2, and the other five around intron-exon junctions. Eight haplotypes were constructed using these alleles in our Japanese population sample. The data establish a basis for investigations to detect molecular variants in the ADM receptor that might alter control of blood pressure and confer on individuals a predisposition to essential hypertension.

Association of essential hypertension in elderly Japanese with I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene

Recent evidence suggests that an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the gene encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with myocardial infarction and related cardiovascular diseases. We investigated a possible association of the ACE polymorphism with essential hypertension in a total of 263 cases/controls from among the elderly (age, over 70 years) and middle-aged (age between 30 and 60 years) Japanese population. The frequency of the I/I homozygote was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects than in controls in the elderly age group (33/57 vs 16/46; P = 0.02), but no association was observed in the middle-aged group (25/75 vs 26/85; P = 0.71). Similarly, having at least one insertion allele was associated with essential hypertension in the elderly age group (83/114 vs 46/92 in controls; P = 0.001), but not in the middle-aged group (78/150 vs 94/170; P = 0.524). These data suggest that genetic variation at the ACE locus may be associated with some determinants for blood pressure in elderly persons, and imply the involvement of the ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism in the etiology of age-related essential hypertension in the Japanese population.

Screening of crude drugs for influence on amylase activity and postprandial blood glucose in mouse plasma

Screening of crude drugs for inhibitory activity on alpha-amylase in mouse plasma was performed. Hot water extracts and ethanolic extracts of Arecae Semen, Ephedrae Herba, Malloti Cortex, Rhei Rhizoma and ethanolic extract of Moutan Cortex inhibited enzyme activity in isolated mouse plasma strongly and dose-dependently. However, the effects of these 9 extracts were not observed in the plasma when they were administered intraperitoneally or orally. Ethanolic extract of Arecae Semen also showed a depressive effect on elevation of postprandial blood glucose.

Interactions between bacteriohopane-32,33,34,35-tetrol and liposomal membranes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine

The effects of bacteriohopane-32,33,34,35-tetrol (Tetrol), on liposomal membranes composed of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were examined and compared with those of bacteriohopane-32-ol (Monol) and cholesterol (Chol) by means of ESR and NMR techniques. 1H-NMR spectra of Tetrol-incorporated DPPC membranes showed splitting of the signals of the choline N-methyl resonance, whereas Monol- and Chol-incorporated membranes showed not splitting of signals above the transition temperature of DPPC. It was suggested that the incorporation of Tetrol affected only the fluidity near the polar head groups of the DPPC membranes. The characteristics of the interactions between Tetrol and membranes are due to the fact that in DPPC bilayers Tetrol and Monol have an inverted orientation contrary to Chol, and that the hydroxy groups of Tetrol suppress the hydrophobic interaction between DPPC molecules whereas the methyl groups of the hopanoid ring promote this.

Some features in prostaglandin synthesis of the cancer cells which metastasized into liver from intestinal cancer lesions

In order to study the mechanism of cancer metastasis, AH100B cells, an ascitic hepatoma cell line, were transplanted into the small intestine of male Donryu rats. Each metastatic nodule in the liver was collected with the respective intestinal lesion. Each sample thus obtained was injected into the peritoneal cavity of male Donryu rats to make free cancer cells. Then, the cancer cells, having an intact cell surface, of the metastatic and primary intestinal lesion were collected respectively. After washing in Dolbecco's PBS (Ca2+ and Mg(2+)-free, pH 7.2), the definite numbers of cancer cells of the metastatic and primary intestinal lesion were incubated in the PBS containing [1-14C]-AA at 25 degrees C for 30 min, respectively. AA metabolites formed during the incubation period were extracted and subjected to TLC, followed by autoradiography. Each radioactive part was scraped off the plate and measured for its radioactivity. The pattern of the ability to synthesize PGs was different between the cancer cells which metastasized to the liver and those of the primary lesion, that is, percentage values of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were higher (p < 0.01) in the cancer cells which metastasized to liver as compared with those of the primary intestinal lesion. These results suggest that PGs produced by hepatic metastatic cancer cells might play an important role in cancer metastasis.

Some features of prostaglandin synthesis of the cancer cells metastasized into liver from gastric cancer lesions

In order to study the mechanism of cancer metastasis, AH100B rat hepatoma cells were transplanted to the stomach of male Donryu rats. Each hepatic metastatic nodule was collected with the respective primary gastric lesions. Each sample thus obtained was injected separately into the peritoneal cavity of male Donryu rats to make free cancer cells; then, intact cancer cells of the hepatic metastatic and primary gastric lesions were collected. After washing in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (Ca2+ and Mg(2+)-free, pH 7.2), the definite number of the metastatic and primary gastric cancer cells were incubated in the phosphate-buffered saline containing [1-14C] arachidonic acid at 25 degrees C for 30 min. Arachidonic acid metabolites formed during the incubation period were extracted and subjected to thin-layer chromatography, followed by autoradiography. Each radioactive spot was scraped off the plate and measured for its radioactivity. The pattern of the ability to produce PGs was different between the cancer cells which metastasized to the liver and those of the primary lesions, that is, percentage of PGF2 alpha was higher (p < 0.05) and that of PGE2 was quite higher (p < 0.01) in the hepatic metastatic cancer cells as compared with those of the primary gastric lesion. These results suggest that PGs produced by hepatic metastatic cancer cells might play an important role in hepatic metastatic formation.

A difference in prostaglandin-producing ability between cancer cells metastasized into liver and kidney

In order to study the mechanism of cancer metastasis AH100B cells, a rat hepatoma cell line, were injected into the left carotid artery of male Donryu rats to form metastatic lesions. Each metastatic nodule in the liver and kidney was collected and injected into the peritoneal cavity of normal rats. About 3 weeks later, intact metastatic cancer cells were collected from each ascites that was not bloody. After washing in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, Ca2+ and Mg(2+)-free, pH 7.2), 1 x 10(6) cancer cells were incubated in the PBS containing [1-14C]-arachidonic acid (AA) at 24 degrees C for 5 min. AA metabolites formed during the incubation period were extracted and subjected to thin layer chromatography, followed by autoradiography. Each radioactive spot was scraped off the plate and its radioactivity was measured. In the cancer cells which metastasized to the liver, the ability to produce prostaglandin (PG) E2 was higher (p less than 0.05) but those to produce PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were lower (p less than 0.01) than in the cancer cells which metastasized to the kidney. These results suggest that cancer cells metastasizing to the liver and the kidney are different from each other in the ability to produce PG.

Some features of the metastatic cancer cells in prostaglandin production

In order to establish metastatic lesions, 2.5 x 10(6) AH100B cells were injected into the left carotid artery of male Donryu rats. Each metastatic nodule in the liver or kidney, 1 mm or less in diameter, thus obtained was then injected into the peritoneal cavity in which these metastatic cells come to free. About 3 weeks later, each ascites was collected from the rats, while not bloody. Then, cancer cells obtained from each ascites were suspended in Dulbecco's PBS without Ca2+ and Mg2+ (pH 7.2) after washing. Then, 10(6) metastasized or control cancer cells were incubated in 0.1 ml of PBS mentioned above together with 0.1 microCi of (1-14C)-AA at 24 degrees C for 3 min, respectively. After the extraction procedure, AA metabolites formed were separated by means of TLC, and each TLC plate was subjected to autoradiography. In the metastasized cells, PG production ability was generally accelerated and especially in that of PGF2 alpha as compared with that of the control.

A role of the cancer cell membrane fluidity in the cancer metastases: an ESR study

AH66F or Yoshida sarcoma (YS) cells were transplanted intraperitoneally into male Donryu rats. Cancer cells obtained from ascites were suspended in saline solution (10(7) cells/ml) after washing. Then, 0.1 ml of each suspension obtained from both strains was injected into the tail vein of 5 rats, respectively. Each metastatic nodule, 1 mm or less in a diameter, thus obtained was then injected into the peritoneal cavity in which these metastatic cells come to free. After 10 days, cancer cells obtained from each ascites were suspended in phosphate buffered saline (Ca2+ and Mg2+ free, pH 7.2) after washing. Each suspension (10(7) cells/ml) was violently vibrated with a definite amount of 5-doxyl stearic acid and spin labeling of cancer cell membrane was done. Furthermore, each specimen thus obtained was subjected to the electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement and the order parameter was determined from the spectra. In both YS and AH66F strains, the cell membrane fluidity of the metastatic cancer cell was increased at each temperature measured from 5 degrees C through 35 degrees C. The results obtained here suggest that the change of the cell membrane fluidity of cancer cell is closely related with the cancer metastases.

A correlation between cancer metastases and the fluidity of cancer cell membrane

Male Donryu rats weighing from 100 to 120 g were transplanted with AH100B, AH66F or Yoshida sarcoma (YS) cells intraperitoneally. After collecting ascites, while not bloody, the cancer cells were washed three times with Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (PBS) without Ca++ and Mg++ (pH 7.2). Then, each sediment was suspended in PBS mentioned above. Each suspension in which 10 million of cancer cells were contained was violently vibrated with a definite amount of 5-doxyl stearic acid and spin labeling of cancer cell membrane was done. Furthermore, each specimen thus obtained was subjected to measurements of ESR spectra and the order parameter was determined from the spectra. The order parameter of AH100B was the highest and that of YS the lowest at each temperature measured from 5 degrees C to 35 degrees C. YS cells have been reported to be found in blood stream within 24 hr, AH66F cells in a day and AH100B cells in 10 days or more after intraperitoneal inoculation. The results obtained here suggest that the accelerated fluidity of cancer cell membrane is related with the cancer metastasis.

[A clinical investigation of the combination therapy of 1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil (FH) fine granules and 5-FU dry syrup]

The anticancer effect and side effect of 1-(2-Tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil (FH Fine granules "MI-TSUI") plus 5-FU Dry Syrup combination therapy was evaluated in 24 patients with cancer of the digestive organs. In this study, it was suggested that the daily oral administration of 400mg of FH Fine granules combined with 100mg of 5-FU Dry Syrup is most adequate and effective among them.

The effect of oral administration of amphotericin B on the incorporation of 5-fluorouracil into human gastric cancer tissue

Amphotericin B (AmB)-5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination therapy against cancer was evaluated when both were given orally. Seven gastric cancer patients were treated in this manner, and 4 gastric cancer patients treated with 5-FU alone to serve as the control. AmB syrup and 5-FU syrup were administered orally for 3 days before surgical operation. Then, the drugs were given through a gastric tube into the stomach 4 hr before the start of the gastric surgery. Lesion tissues and healthy tissues were collected from each patient and the 5-FU titers were measured by bioassay. It was shown in the majority of the gastric cancer cases that the 5-FU levels in the lesion tissues were substantially higher than those in the surrounding normal tissues, whereas in the gastric cancer patients who received 5-FU alone, most of the lesion tissues showed lower 5-FU content as compared with that of the surrounding tissues.

The promoting effect of amphotericin B on the incorporation of neocarzinostatin into human gastric cancer tissue

AmB/NCS combination therapy against cancer was evaluated. Six gastric cancer patients were treated in this manner, and 7 gastric cancer patients treated with NCS alone to serve as the control. AmB sirup was administered orally for 4 days before surgical operation. NCS was given intraveously at the onset of gastric surgery. Lesion tissues and healthy tissues were collected from each patient and the NCS titers were measured by bioassay. It was shown in the majority of the gastric cancer cases that the NCS levels in the lesion tissues were substantially higher than in the surrounding normal tissues, whereas in the gastric cancer patients who received NCS alone, no significant differences were found between the tissues.

The lipid-chemical features of the metastatic tissues into the liver from the human gastric cancer, large intestinal cancer and malignant insulinoma

In order to clarify the biochemical features of metastatic tissues into the liver of human cancerous cells, 12 of primary cancerous tissues and 3 of metastatic tissues of the large intestinal cancer, 6 of primary cancerous tissues and 2 of metastatic tissues of the gastric cancer, and 3 of primary cancerous tissues and 3 of metastatic tissues of malignant insulinoma were studied lipid-chemically. Cancerous tissues and metastatic tissues into the liver were collected by biopsy or surgical operation. From each tissue, the total lipid was extracted and one part of the total lipid was separated into phospholipid and triglyceride by TLC. Then, the fatty acid composition and the fatty acid content of each lipid fraction were measured by GLC. The most remarkable findings were recognized in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of the tissues. Namely, the percentage values of C14:0 and C16:1 were larger and that of C20:4 was smaller in metastatic tissues than those of gastric primary lesions. As for the large intestinal cancer, the percentage value of C18:1 was smaller and that of C18:2 larger in metastatic tissues than those of primary lesions. In the malignant insulinoma, the percentage value of C18:0 was larger in metastatic tissues than that of the primary lesions.

Effect of amphotericin B on the incorporation of neocarzinostatin into human gastric cancerous tissues

AmB/NCS combination therapy against cancer was evaluated. Seven gastric cancer and 2 gastric polyp cases were treated in this manner and in addition 2 gastric cancer patients were treated with NCS alone, to serve as the control. AmB dissolved in glucose solution was administered intravenously as was NCS, which was given at the onset of gastric surgery. Lesion tissues and healthy tissues were collected from each patient and the NCS titers measured by bioassay. It was shown in the majority of the gastric cancer cases that the NCS levels in the lesion tissues were substantially higher than in the surrounding normal tissues, whereas in the gastric polyp and the gastric cancer patients who received NCS alone, no significant differences were found between the tissues.

Lipid-chemical features of human gastric cancerous, polypous and ulcerative tissues

Fourteen cases of gastric cancer, 9 cases of gastric polyp and 4 cases of gastric ulcer were studied on their tissues lipid-chemically with the aim to clarify the biochemical differences between malignant and benign growth of the human gastric tissue. Tissues were collected by surgical operation or a biopsy together with the normal tissues surrounding the lesions. One part of each tissue was subjected to histologic examination and the other part to lipid analyses by means of TLC and GLC. The total lipid content was dcreased in 71% of gastric cancerous cases and in 75% of both cases of gastric polyp and gastric ulcer as compared with the respective control tissues. The phospholipid fatty acid content of the lesions was decreased in 83% of cancerous cases but in 50% of polypous cases as compared with the respective control tissues. As for the phospholipid fatty acid composition, the percentage value of C20:4 was increased and the percentage value of C18:2 was decreased in gastric cancerous tissues when compared with those of gastric polypous tissues. Such a change of the phospholipid fatty acid composition may produce the change of the fluidity of the cell membrane and may provoke a malignant growth of human gastric cancer cells.

Biochemical differences between human malignant and benign insulinoma tissues

Five cases of malignant insulinoma and 2 cases of benign insulinoma were studied lipid-chemically. Tissues were collected by surgical operation or biopsy under peritoneoscopy. The total lipid was extracted from each tissue, and one part of each total lipid was separated into phospholipid, triglyceride and other lipid fractions by a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on silica gel. The fatty acid composition and fatty acid content of each lipid fraction were measured by a gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The most remarkable difference between malignant and benign isulinoma tissues was a higher percentage value of eicosatrienoic acid in the phospholipid of malignant insulinoma tissues when compared with that of non-malignant insulinoma tissues; the values mentioned above distributed between 9.82 and 3.32 in 5 malignant cases, but were 2.89 and 2.57 in 2 benign cases. Those changes in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of malignant insulinoma tissues may represent one of the mechanisms of malignant growth in the malignant neoplastic tissue.

Further studies on lipid-chemical differences between cancerous and adenomatous polypous tissues in the human large intestine

17 cases of cancer and 18 cases of adenomatous polyp in the large intestine were subjected to lipid-chemical studies of their tissues in order to clarify the biochemical differences between malignant neoplastic growth and benign growth. Cancerous and adenomatous polypous tissues were collected by biopsy or surgical operation together with the respective control tissues. One part of the total lipid extracted from each tissue was separated into triglyceride and phospholipid fraction by a thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The fatty acid composition and content of each lipid fraction were measured by a gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). When the fatty acid composition of a phospholipid was expressed in terms of the deviation rate, that of C14:0 was remarkably increased and that of C20:4 was remarkably decreased in the cancerous cases as compared with the respective values of the cases of adenomatous polyp. More definite differences were recognized between the cancerous cases and the cases of adenomatous polyp, when the ratio of the deviation rate of C14:0 to that of C20:4 was calculated in each case. Namely, the ratios distributed between 2.064 and 4.125 in 10 cancerous cases, and between 0.393 and 1.856 in 16 cases of adenomatous polyp, indicating the biochemical differences between cancerous tissues and adenomatous polypous tissues.

The lipid-chemical features of the biopsied human liver tissues of patients with malignant neoplastic diseases

In order to clarify the differences in lipid metabolism between malignant neoplastic and benign cases, livers of patients were biopsied under peritoneoscopy. One half of each sample was subjected to histologic examination and the other half to lipid analyses by means of thin layer chromatography and gas lipid chromatography. Histologic examination was necessary to confirm whether the lipid metabolism in the liver of patients would be influenced by hepatic disease or not. The most significant differences between malignant and benign cases were observed when the ratio of fatty acid content of the phospholipid fraction to that of triglyceride was calculated for each patient. These ratios were over 2.20 in 40 cases out of 47 malignant neoplastic cases without benign hepatic diseases and in 3 out of 4 malignant neoplastic cases combined with benign hepatic diseases, but were under 2.19 in 35 benign cases. Moreover, 4 cases of early gastric cancer and a case of relatively early pancreatic cancer included in the malignant cases mentioned above also showed the ratios over 3.00. This finding would be applicable for the clinical diagnosis of the malignant neoplastic diseases.

In vitro activity of the fatty acyl desaturases of human cancerous and noncancerous tissues

The microsomal desaturase activity of human cancerous and noncancerous tissues was measured in vitro using 1-14C, -11, 14-eicosadienoic and 1-14C-oliec acids as substrates. Tissues used were a case of ovarian cancer, a urinary bladder cancer, a rectal cancer, and a non-specific colonic ulcer with appropriately normal tissues. When 11, 14-20:2 was used as substrate, radioactive tetraene and triene were produced. The tetraene was identified by radio gas chromatography as arachidonic acid (5, 8, 11, 14-20:4), and the triene had a retention time of 5, 11, 14-20:3. Thus, the possibility arises that a delta8 desaturase was involved. In the delta6 desaturase, with the urinary bladder cancerous tissue, the desaturase activity appeared to be decreased in comparison to neighboring tissue, whereas with the colonic cancer tissue, the desaturase appeared to be relatively increased, though the number of samples was inadequate for confidence.