Cysteinyl Leukotriene Synthesis via Phospholipase A2 Group IV Mediates Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction and Airway Remodeling

It is well known that the prevalence of asthma is higher in athletes, including Olympic athletes, than in the general population. In this study, we analyzed the mechanism of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction by using animal models of athlete asthma. Mice were made to exercise on a treadmill for a total duration of 1 week, 3 weeks, or 5 weeks. We analyzed airway responsiveness, BAL fluid, lung homogenates, and tissue histology for each period. In mice that were treated (i.e., the treatment model), treatments were administered from the fourth to the fifth week. We also collected induced sputum from human athletes with asthma and analyzed the supernatants. Airway responsiveness to methacholine was enhanced with repeated exercise stimulation, although the cell composition in BAL fluid did not change. Exercise induced hypertrophy of airway smooth muscle and subepithelial collagen deposition. Cysteinyl-leukotriene (Cys-LT) levels were significantly increased with exercise duration. Montelukast treatment significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway remodeling. Expression of PLA₂G4 (phospholipase A₂ group IV) and leukotriene C₄ synthase in the airway epithelium was upregulated in the exercise model, and inhibition of PLA₂ ameliorated AHR and airway remodeling, with associated lower levels of Cys-LTs. The levels of Cys-LTs in sputum from athletes did not differ between those with and without sputum eosinophilia. These data suggest that AHR and airway remodeling were caused by repeated and strenuous exercise. Cys-LTs from the airway epithelium, but not inflammatory cells, may play an important role in this mouse model.

Phenotypic analysis of asthma in Japanese athletes

BACKGROUND

Asthma in athlete populations such as Olympic athletes has various pathogeneses. However, few reports are available on the features of asthma in the athlete population in clinical practice. In this study, we focused on classifying asthma in Japanese athlete population.

METHODS

We performed a cluster analysis of data from pulmonary function tests and clinical biomarkers before administering inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy in athlete population of individuals diagnosed with asthma (n = 104; male, 76.9%; median age, 16.0 years), based on respiratory symptoms and positive data on methacholine provocation tests. We also compared backgrounds, sports types, and treatments between clusters.

RESULTS

Three clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (32%) comprised athletes with a less atopic phenotype and normal pulmonary function. Cluster 2 (44%) comprised athletes with a less atopic phenotype and lower percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%FEV₁) values, despite less symptomatic state. Cluster 3 (24%) comprised athletes with a strong atopic phenotype such as high eosinophil count in the blood and total serum immunoglobulin E level. After treatment with ICS or ICS plus long-acting β-adrenergic receptor agonist for 6-12 months, %FEV₁ values were significantly improved in Cluster 2 athletes, whereas Cluster 3 athletes had a significant decrease in the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide compared to pretreatment values.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest three clusters exist in Japanese athlete population with asthma. Between the clusters, the characteristics differed with regard to symptoms, atopic features, and lower %FEV₁ values. The pathogeneses between clusters may vary depending on the inflammation type and airway hyperresponsiveness.

Effects of sublingual immunotherapy in a murine asthma model sensitized by intranasal administration of house dust mite extracts

BACKGROUND

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has received attention as a method for allergen immunotherapy. However, the mechanism of SLIT has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of SLIT in a murine asthma model, sensitized by intranasal administration of house dust mite (HDM) extracts.

METHODS

Female BALB/c mice were intranasally exposed to HDM for either 3 or 5 weeks (5 consecutive days per week). Mice were administered either low-dose (0.5 mg/day) or high-dose (5 mg/day) sublingual HDM extracts for 2 weeks, followed by an additional week of intranasal exposure. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell count, cytokine levels in the BALF and lymph node cell culture supernatants, and allergen-specific antibodies were measured. Lung histology was also investigated.

RESULTS

In mice sensitized for 5 weeks, high-dose SLIT ameliorated AHR, airway eosinophilia and goblet cell metaplasia. In mice sensitized for 3 weeks, even low dose SLIT ameliorated AHR and airway eosinophilia. Th2 cytokine levels in culture supernatants of submandibular lymph node cells in high-dose SLIT mice decreased, whereas IL-10 levels increased. Total IgA in BALF increased in mice sensitized for 3 or 5 weeks, and high-dose SLIT also increased allergen-specific IgG2a in mice sensitized for 5 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that earlier induction of SLIT in HDM-sensitized mice provides superior suppression of AHR and goblet cell metaplasia. The modulation of allergen specific IgG2a and local IgA might play a role in the amelioration of AHR and airway inflammation.

The Effects of All-Trans Retinoic Acid on the Induction of Oral Tolerance in a Murine Model of Bronchial Asthma

BACKGROUND

Active suppression induced by regulatory T (Treg) cells is reported to be one of the mechanisms involved in oral tolerance. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been reported to affect Treg cell differentiation. The present study examined the effects of ATRA on the induction of oral tolerance in a murine model of bronchial asthma.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were sensitized to and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) through feeding followed by OVA challenges. In some study groups ATRA was orally administered concomitantly with OVA feeding either in the presence or absence of the retinoic acid receptor antagonist LE135. Lung CD4+ T cells were isolated from mice exposed to ATRA and/or OVA, and transferred to control mice. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), cell counts and cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and lung histology were assessed.

RESULTS

Concomitant administration of ATRA with OVA ameliorated AHR, airway eosinophilia, elevation of cytokines in BAL fluid and goblet cell metaplasia. The proportion of Treg cells in the lungs was increased in mice treated with OVA and ATRA, as compared to those treated with OVA only. Transfer of lung CD4+ T cells from mice treated with OVA and ATRA induced suppression of AHR and airway inflammation. LE135 completely reversed the effects of ATRA on AHR, airway allergic inflammation and the number of Treg cells in the lungs.

CONCLUSION

These data suggested that oral administration of ATRA with OVA had the potential to enhance oral tolerance in this murine model of bronchial asthma. These effects were mediated, at least in part, by Treg cell expansion.

Effect of inhaled corticosteroids on bronchial asthma in Japanese athletes

BACKGROUND

Asthma has a higher prevalence in athlete populations such as Olympic athletes than in the general population. Correct diagnosis and management of asthma in athletes is important for symptom control and avoidance of doping accusations. However, few reports are available on asthma treatment in the athlete population in clinical practice. In this study, we focused on the clinical efficacy of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for asthma in a Japanese athlete population.

METHODS

The study subjects included athletes who visited the Niigata Institute for Health and Sports Medicine, Niigata, Japan for athletic tests and who were diagnosed with asthma on the basis of respiratory symptoms and positive results in a bronchodilator or bronchial provocation test such as exercise, hypertonic saline, or methacholine provocation. The athletes received ICS alone for at least 3 months, and the clinical background, sports type, and treatment efficacy were analyzed.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 80 athletes (59 men and 21 women) with a median age of 16.0 years. Regarding sports type, 28 athletes engaged in winter sports (35%), 22 in endurance sports (27.5%), and 25 in indoor sports (31.3%). Although ICS is the primary treatment in athlete asthma, 16.3% of the athletes showed an unsatisfactory response to treatment according to the Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE). These subjects were characterized by a decreased response to methacholine and lower values for FEV1/FVC and type 2 helper T cell (Th2)-associated biomarkers relative to responsive athletes. In multivariate analysis, FEV1/FVC and the logarithm to the base 10 of the IgE level were independently associated with the ICS response.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that ICS is effective for asthma in most athletes. However, certain asthmatic athletes are less responsive to ICS than expected. The pathogenesis in these subjects may differ from that of conventional asthma characterized by chronic allergic airway inflammation.

Characteristics of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma during treatment with inhaled corticosteroids

OBJECTIVE

Eosinophilic inflammation in the respiratory tract is a hallmark of bronchial asthma. In naïve cases, the inflammatory profile is associated with disease severity and reactivity to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Sustained airway eosinophilia has been reported during ICS treatment. However, the immunological characteristics of these cases are not known and it is unclear if this situation contributes to asthma control. This study was performed to determine the answer of these questions.

METHODS

To compare phenotypes of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma (EA and NEA, respectively) under ICS treatment, clinical data were obtained from asthmatic subjects (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 10), and the leukocyte compositions of induced sputum and peripheral blood were determined. T lymphocyte profiles in systemic blood were assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

A higher frequency of emergency room visits was observed in the NEA group, which had a higher neutrophil count relative to the total inflammatory cell population in induced sputum than the EA group (59.5 versus 36.6%; p < 0.01). The fraction of helper T (Th)17 lymphocytes as well as the ratio of Th17 to regulatory T cells (Treg) in the peripheral blood was higher in the NEA than in the EA group (0.24 versus 0.13; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Th17 were more prevalent than Treg cells in the peripheral blood of NEA patients under ICS treatment, corresponding to neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation and a severe asthmatic phenotype. Thus, an imbalance in Th17/Treg may be associated with the pathogenesis of NEA in patients undergoing ICS treatment.

The effects of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor on the postoperative respiratory failure of acute aortic dissection

BACKGROUND

Postoperative respiratory failure is often encountered in patients suffering from acute aortic dissection (AAD) and is believed to be influenced by release of neutrophil elastase after cardiopulmonary bypass. Sivelestat is a specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor, and this study aims to evaluate the effects of sivelestat on postoperative respiratory failure due to AAD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients who were operated for AAD from January 2000 to April 2005 and who had less than 300 mmHg initial postoperative PaO (2)/FiO (2) were investigated retrospectively and divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 9) received intravenous administration of sivelestat immediately after the operation, while Group II (n = 9) received no sivelestat. There were no significant differences between Group I and II with respect to patients' characteristics or background (age, body weight, operating time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, amount of bleeding, preoperative WBC number and initial PaO (2)/FiO (2)). Though patients in Group I showed a subtle improvement in certain parameters such as PaO (2)/FiO (2), A-aDO (2) and respiratory index (RI) over a 3-day observation period compared to those of Group II, there were no significant differences. Neither postoperative mechanical ventilation time nor ICU stay differed between Group I and II. However, Group I showed a significantly greater improvement in the ratio of RI to initial RI on the 3POD compared to that of Group II (61.6 +/- 44.2 % vs. 111.9 +/- 40.9 %, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Inhibiting the activity of the neutrophil elastase may attenuate the postoperative respiratory complications of patients with AAD.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor-1 in cardiac myxoma

BACKGROUND

To clarify the significance of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in angiogenesis or proliferative activity in cardiac myxoma, the expression of bFGF and its receptor (FGFR-1) were immunohistochemically examined.

METHODS

Formalin-embedded tissues of cardiac myxomas were obtained by surgical resection from 15 patients and analyzed by immunostaining of bFGF and FGFR-1. The microvessel density was measured in the 15 myxomas using platelet derived endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. For evaluation of proliferative activity of the cardiac myxomas, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining was performed, and the PCNA labeling index was measured in each section.

RESULTS

bFGF and FGFR-1 were observed in 73.3% and 67.7% of the myxomas, respectively. There was a close correlation between the expression of bFGF and FGFR-1. This co-expression was frequently observed in the myxoma cells around the microvessels appearing as a ring structure. Regarding possible relationships between the expression of bFGF or FGFR-1 and the clinicopathologic features, there were no parameters excluding the macroscopic type of myxoma. The microvessel density in the myxomas with bFGF or FGFR-1 expression was higher than that in myxomas without it. The PCNA labeling index in myxomas with bFGF expression was higher than that in myxomas without it, and the PCNA labeling index tended to be higher in myxomas with FGFR-1 expression than that in myxomas without it.

CONCLUSIONS

bFGF and/or FGFR-1 was expressed in some of cardiac myxoma, and may be an important role for tumor angiogenesis and proliferative activity.

[Peak expiratory flow (PEF)]

Controlling drugs and relieving drugs are prescribed for many of the patients and they use their drugs when their symptoms are getting worse. It is still controversial whether that decision should be made on the basis of the patient's perception or PEF. Some studies suggest the significance of peak flow monitoring (PFM), while others are negative about introduction of PEF. Patients tend to underestimate their symptoms, since they cannot evaluate their airway obstruction correctly. It is known that patients without PEF meters are at higher risk of dying from asthma. This review attempts to infer the significance of PEF and PFM especially in the management of adult asthmaticus.

Early growth-response factor 1 and basic transcriptional element-binding protein 2 expression in cardiac allografts

Early growth-response factor 1 (Egr-1) and basic transcriptional element-binding protein 2 (BTEB2) are transcriptional factors that regulate multiple genes involved in phenotypic changes of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), one of the outstanding pathologic features of chronic cardiac allograft rejection. In this study, we used a heterotopic abdominal heart transplant model in monkeys to evaluate the roles of these molecules in graft coronary vasculopathy. We demonstrated that Egr-1 and BTEB2 are induced in vascular SMCs of rejected cardiac allografts well before morphologic changes, such as intimal thickening. These findings suggest that expression of Egr-1 and BTEB2 is one of the initial events in allograft angiopathy.

[Clinical characteristics of asthmatics who stop peak expiratory flow monitoring (PFM)--analysis of patients who continued PFM more than eight weeks]

To estimate the effect of treatment and for patient education, we recommend 8 weeks PFM for all asthmatics when we start their treatments. To elucidate clinical characteristics of asthmatics who stop PFM, we analyzed 311 patients (145 males aged 15-76 years and 166 females aged 17-79 years) who could measure their PEFs twice daily for more than 8 consecutive weeks. The analysis of cumulative continuation rate of PEF monitoring revealed that the patients' withdrawal rate was 19% per year. The sixty asthmatics who gave up monitoring their PEFs (group A) showed significantly younger present ages (38.8 +/- 14.2, mean +/- S.D.) and younger ages of onset of their asthma (29.8 +/- 19.6) than the other 251 asthmatics who could continue to monitor their PEFs (group B). The present ages and ages of onset of asthma of group B were 46.2 +/- 16.7 and 37.6 +/- 21.2 years, respectively. Despite no significant differences in the severity of the asthma based on both clinical symptoms and PEF between groups A and B, the asthma severity based only on the clinical symptoms of group A were significantly less than those of group B. The analysis of Cox's proportional hazards model revealed that major factors which influence patients' stopping of PFM were present age and severity of their asthma which was estimated by the patients' symptoms only, without PEF assessment. These results suggest that asthmatics whose present age is young and whose ability of perception of asthma is poor will be apt to stop PFM.

Expression of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase in coronary vessels of allotransplanted primate hearts

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms of intimal thickening in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remain controversial after heart transplantation. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays a crucial role in degrading extracellular matrix (ECM) during neointimal formation. Recently, it has been revealed that MMP-2 is activated by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). This process involves tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2), forming an MT1-MMP/TIMP-2/pro-MMP-2 complex. In this study, we hypothesize that these components contribute to the pathogenesis of CAV.

METHODS

Heterotopic cardiac allografting was performed in randomly paired Japanese monkeys with an immunosuppressive regimen of intravenous administration of antihuman CD18 monoclonal antibody. The donor hearts were harvested at Days 22, 28, 40, 41, and 95 posttransplantation. We examined expression of MMP-2, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2 of graft vessels using immunohistochemistry and protein level by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Pathologically, various degrees of neointimal formation were observed. In the allografts harvested at Days 22, 28, 40, and 41, MT1-MMP was expressed in the endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in media of some arteries without histological change, accompanied by expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2. In the severely thickened neointima of the allograft harvested at Day 95, MMP-2 and faint MT1-MMP were expressed in SMCs of severely thickened neointima and media; TIMP-2 expression was seen only in noncollagenous tissue of severely thickened neointima. MMP-2 protein was more intensely expressed in the allograft harvested at Day 95 than in the allograft harvest at Day 41, while TIMP-2 protein level was almost same in the 2 samples.

CONCLUSION

We observed the simultaneous expression of MMP-2, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2. Thus, ECM degradation triggered by MT1-MMP/TIMP-2/pro-MMP-2 complex could be a novel mechanism of CAV.

[Studies on surfactant replacement therapy in pediatric measles pneumonitis]

Measles pneumonitis, as well as encephalitis, is the most important complication associated with mortality in measles. Many medications including steroids and vitamin A have been applied to pediatric measles pneumonitis. However, the efficacy of such medication has not yet been established. This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of surfactant replacement therapy in pediatric measles pneumonitis. Five patients (aged 1-2 years) with measles pneumonitis were transferred to our emergency center. On the transferred day, Surfactant-TA was administered by intratracheal method. After administration of surfactant, PaO2/FIO2 increased from 63.6 +/- 11.0 (mean +/- SE) to 206.2 +/- 54.1 in an hour and to 163.8 +/- 34.8 in 24. At the same time, the CO2 elimination and the dynamic compliance were improved. Because of these effects, the peak inspiratory pressure employed in mechanical ventilation could be reduced. It is concluded that surfactant replacement therapy can prevent the patients with measles pneumonitis from hypoxemia and ventilation-induced lung injury. However, further study is needed to maintain the improved oxygenation. Recently, it is reported that the effect of exogenous surfactant on oxygenation and activity of pulmonary neutrophils is regulated by the amount and/or concentration of administered surfactant. Therefore, it is an urgent issue to find out the optimum amount and concentration of exogenous surfactant used clinically.

[A case of Salmonella subdural empyema developed in chronic subdural hematoma]

A case of Salmonella subdural empyema developed in chronic subdural hematoma (Infected Subdural Hematoma; ISH) was reported. A 64-year-old man had been in a nearby hospital due to myelodysplastic syndrome with cerebral infarction for two months. His condition there had been almost uneventful. But spike fever occurred and the patient became drowsy two days before his transfer to our medical center. His consciousness level deteriorated progressively and CT scan showed a right chronic subdural hematoma. He had had no history of head trauma in the previous two months. On admission to our center, his consciousness level was semicoma with anisocoria. An emergency operation was performed via a single burr hole initially. From the burr hole, old bloody fluid accompanied by yellowish pus was obtained. Thus so-called ISH was diagnosed and the craniotomy was carried out. Gram stain of the specimen revealed gram negative rods. Although an epileptic state developed after the operation, it was controlled by barbiturate coma therapy for 3 days, followed by phenytoin administration. Fever subsided gradually with antibiotics sensitive to the bacteria and his anisocoria disappeared on the 4th postoperative day. In this case, Salmonella enteritidis was detected from bacterial culture both of the specimen and of the arterial blood. Salmonella enteritidis might have been implanted on the capsule of the chronic subdural hematoma by bacteremia derived from immunological dysfunction due to myelodysplastic syndrome. In conclusion, the possibility of ISH should be considered in chronic subdural hematoma patients with immunological dysfunction.

Blood purification for crush syndrome

At least 372 people developed crush syndrome after they were injured by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Of these, 23 were transferred to Osaka City General Hospital from the disaster area. The serum creatinine kinase (CK) of each of the 23 patients exceeded 10,000 IU/L. Sixteen of these patients were treated with various methods of blood purification including hemodialysis (HD), plasma exchange (PE), and continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF). The effectiveness on each method of blood purification was evaluated in this study based on the clearance of myoglobin and the length of time until recovery from acute renal failure (ARF). None of the patients died, and none suffered from ARF longer than 2 months. The length of time required for blood purification was significantly correlated with the serum CK and myoglobin levels on admission. The serum myoglobin levels decreased linearly regardless of the method of blood purification used. Our findings showed that the severity of ARF that occurred in association with crush injury was proportional to the amount of crushed muscle and that once ARF had developed, the clearance of myoglobin was not affected by any of the blood purification methods tested including HD, PE, and CHDF. Therefore, the method of blood purification employed for crush syndrome should be selected for its effectiveness in treating ARF, rather than the elimination of myoglobin.

[Cardiac injury successfully treated by emergency cardiorrhaphy--a report of 5 cases]

Five cases who were successfully treated for cardiac injuries by emergency cardiorrhaphy were reported. The range of the ages of the patients was 14 to 71 years. Four of the 5 were males with stab wounds and one was a 71-year-old female with a blunt injury by motor vehicle accident. As to the site of cardiac wounds, all of the cases suffered single chamber injury. In the cases of stab wounds, the right atrium was involved in one case and the right ventricle was involved in the three others. The site of the blunt injury was the left auricle. However there was only one case with the pre-operative diagnosis of cardiac injury. The emergency room thoracotomy was done in 2 cases. One was stab injury and the other was blunt trauma. Both of them had an uneventfull post-operative course without any infection. In conclusion, ERT is most helpful when used in the cases with PI* < or = 15. *: physiologic index (Ivatury).

[Comparison of different types of peak flow meter and reference values for peak expiratory flow (PEF) for healthy Japanese subjects]

Any observed value of PEF in a given subject must be assessed by comparing it with that achieved by a normal healthy individual of the same race, sex, age, and, height. I introduce reference values for PEF for healthy Japanese subjects (established in 1995) for this purpose. During our survey, however, we observed considerable differences in references obtained by four different types of PEF meter (mini-Wright, Assess, Personal Best, and Vitalograph). This is an important observation that warrants our further investigation.

[Standard range of peak expiratory flow in normal, healthy Japanese subjects]

The measurement and analysis of the standard range of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in normal, healthy Japanese is necessary at any cost to facilitate bringing the Japanese Guidelines for Bronchial Asthma smoothly into effect. In a study as part of The Bronchial Asthma Group of the Comprehensive Research Project (Terumasa Miyamoto, Chairman of the Planning and Evaluation Committee) under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, we measured PEF in 2,785 healthy Japanese volunteers (1,407 males aged 15-84 years and 1,738 females aged 15-80 years) who had no history of smoking, respiratory and/or thoracic diseases, or wheezing with four different peak flow meters (e.g., mini-Wright, Assess, Personal Best and Vitalograph). As a result of comparing PEF measured by the four meters in the same subjects over a short interval of time, we noted significant differences on analysis of variance. Accordingly, the equation for prediction should account for variables in gender and the type of peak flow meter used. A comparison of cubic equations for prediction suggests that the PEF of both Japanese men and women is similar to that of the British but is different from that of the Chinese.

[Death due to pulmonary tuberculosis--a comparison between 1984-88 and 1989-93]

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains the single leading cause of death from any single infectious agent in the world. We reviewed the case records and chest radiographs of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who died between 1984 and 1993. Of 2333 patients discharged from National Nishi-Niigata Hospital, 86 (3.7%) died during that period. Comparison between the data for 1984-88 and for 1989-93 showed an increase in the number of elderly patients, TB-related deaths, and complication of TB by malignancy. Thirty-nine of the 86 patients died within 2 months of admission: a spread of TB over a wide region and low performance scores were noted in these patients. Multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was often the cause of death. These results encourage us to pursue early detection in elderly people, to improve management during initial treatment such as with steroids, and to develop new and more effective drugs to treat TB.

Increased plasma level of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and decreased serum PAF acetylhydrolase (PAFAH) activity in adults with bronchial asthma

We evaluated the plasma level of platelet-activating factor (PAF), a chemical mediator that induces various symptoms of bronchial asthma, and the activity of serum PAF acetylhydrolase (PAFAH), an enzyme that specifically inactivates PAF, in adults with bronchial asthma. Measurements were made by radioimmunoassay of samples obtained from 137 adult asthmatic patients (137 cases examined in remission and from among these 41 cases were also measured at the time of an asthmatic attack) 59 adult patients with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis and 106 healthy adult volunteers. It was demonstrated that the plasma PAF level was markedly higher and the serum PAFAH activity markedly lower in the asthmatic patients, both in remission and at the time of asthmatic attack, than in the healthy volunteers. The plasma PAF level was more closely associated with asthma both in remission and at the time of asthmatic attack than with pulmonary tuberculosis, whereas there was no significant difference in the serum PAFAH activity between the two diseases. The low serum PAFAH activity in the asthmatic patients may have been due to saturation as a result of continuous reaction to the increased plasma PAF level in those patients.

[Questionnaire survey on "The guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of asthma" edited by the Japanese Society of Allergology (1993)]

A questionnaire on the evaluation of "The Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Asthma" edited by the Japanese Society of Allergology in 1993 was sent to 586 physicians consisting of specialists authorized by the Japanese Society of Allergology and the board members of this Society, who treated patients with bronchial asthma. Of total 306 (52.2%) who responded, 177 (57.8%) answered the questions on adult asthma only, 65 (21.2%) on childhood asthma only and 52 (17.9%) on both adult and childhood asthma. In total, we had 229 respondents on adult asthma and 117 on childhood asthma. As a result, on drug therapy for chronic asthma, it was pointed out that the use of oral anti-allergics, oral steroids and inhaled beta-stimulants was excessive whereas the use of DSCG, inhaled steroids and long acting theophylline was slightly insufficient in both adults and children. On the management of acute episodes, the excessive use of beta-stimulants (inhaled, oral and injections) and the lack of the use of parenteral steroids and oxygen inhalation were pointed out in adults. The lack of oxygen inhalation also got a higher percent in children. Nevertheless, the guidelines were found to be highly regarded as a whole: "Very good" was 6.1% in adults (6.8% in children). "Appropriate" 38.0% (33.3%), "Almost appropriate" 52.0% (52.1%) and "Inappropriate" 3.9% (3.4%).

[Identification of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare using DNA probe test, and their ratio in Niigata area]

Using Gen-Probe test, both the Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare strains were identified in the 76 disease-associated Mycobacterium-avium complex (MAC) strains isolated in the NIIGATA area. The following results were obtained: 1) Fifty-four MAC strains (71.1%) reacted with M. avium-probe and 22 strains (28.9%) reacted with M. intracellulare-probe. 2) There were no significant differences between the ratio of two strains before and after 1991. 3) The ratio of female cases with M. avium was significantly higher (22/32) in the later period (after 1991) than in the former period (9/22).

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax with aberrant vessels found to be the source of bleeding: report of two cases

We report herein our experience of two cases of spontaneous hemopneumothorax in which the source of bleeding was found to be aberrant vessels. Both patients were successfully treated by early thoracotomy. Case 1 was a 23-year-old female in whom chest X-ray revealed an air-fluid line and a bulla with a narrow restiform shadow connecting the pleural cupola. Angiography clearly visualized aberrant vessels branching from the costocervical trunk, distributed in and around the bulla in the apex of the lung, being the possible source of bleeding. These aberrant vessels were confirmed at surgery and resected. Case 2 was a 56-year-old male who underwent thoracotomy for persistent bleeding. At surgery, a continuously bleeding vessel from the pleural cupola was seen and ligated. The remnant of the vessel was located in the apex of the lung, and resected with the bulla. Thus, the rare entity of a congenital aberrant vessel lying concealed as a possible source of bleeding should be borne in mind.

[Increased plasma levels of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and low serum PAF acetylhydrolase (PAFAH) activity in adult patients with bronchial asthma]

We studied the relationship between the blood levels of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and the activity of serum PAF acetylhydrolase (PAFAH), an enzyme that inactivates PAF, in adult patients with bronchial asthma. The PAF levels in the blood and the PAFAH activity in the serum obtained from adult patients with bronchial asthma in remission (137 cases) and from healthy adult controls (106 cases) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and compared. The following results were obtained. 1. The plasma levels of PAF were significantly higher in the patients with bronchial asthma in all severity groups (mild, moderate, and severe) and all asthma types (atopic, mixed, and infectious) than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences associated with the severity and type of asthma were noted. 2. Serum PAFAH activity was significantly lower in the patients with bronchial asthma in all severity groups (mild, moderate, and severe) and asthma types (atopic, mixed, and infectious) than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences associated with the severity and type of asthma were noted. 3. PAF/PAFAH in the patients with bronchial asthma showed no significant difference associated with the severity and type of asthma. 4. There was not a significant correlation between plasma levels of PAF and serum PAFAH activity in the patients with bronchial asthma. It was, therefore, suggested that the significantly high plasma PAF levels and the significantly low serum PAFAH activity in asthmatic adults compared to the respective values in healthy controls may explain one of the mechanisms of the development and persistency of adult bronchial asthma.

[Studies on HLA typing in a family line with spontaneous pneumothorax]

Our patient with spontaneous pneumothorax is the oldest brother of 3 siblings. Pneumothorax had occurred in his younger sister and in 3 of his mother's 4 siblings also. Namely, pneumothorax had occurred in 5 (including our patient) of 7 persons, family line on mother's side, and thoracotomy had been performed in 3 of them. Two cases in which operative findings were obtained were introduced. Next, HLA and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) were determined in this family line. As the result, the alpha 1-AT all remained in the normal range and HLA typing was not in a special relation to the occurrence of pneumothorax in this family line.

[The influence of serum theophylline concentration on the bronchodilating effect of salbutamol inhalation for bronchial asthma]

To examine the effects of serum theophylline concentration on the bronchodilating effect of beta 2-stimulant inhalated by patients with bronchial asthma, 200 micrograms-Salbutamol inhalation test was performed on 30 patients with bronchial asthma (from 17 to 71 years old, averaging 49.7; 3 mild, 15 moderate, 12 severe), who had taken theophylline at various oral doses up to 6 hours before the test. Measurements of respiratory function, serum theophylline concentration, blood pressure, pulse rate and the plasma c-AMP and c-GMP concentrations before and one hour after inhalation revealed that inhalation of 200 micrograms salbutamol significantly increased FVC, FEV1.0, PEF and plasma c-AMP (p less than 0.001). No significant change was noted in plasma c-GMP, diastolic pressure or pulse rate. Systolic pressure significantly decreased (p less than 0.05). Furthermore, no significant correlation was noted between the rates of increase (%) in FVC, FEV1.0 and PEF and those in plasma c-AMP, c-GMP and c-AMP/c-GMP in one hour after inhalation. Inaddlition no significant correlation was noted between the rates of increase in FVC, FEV1.0 and PEF one hour after inhalation and serum theophylline concentrations (0-19.3 and 0-21.5 micrograms/ml before and one hour after inhalation, respectively). The above results suggest that the bronchodilating effect of salbutamol inhalated at dose of 200 micrograms is not influenced by the serum theophylline concentration both before and at one hour after inhalation of salbutamol. The bronchodilating effect of salbutamol seems to be ascribable to an increase of intracellular c-AMP level of bronchial smooth muscle.

[Chondrosarcoma of the ribs: report of two cases]

Chondrosarcoma of rib origin is relatively rare in Japan. Two patients with chondrosarcoma of rib origin were treated surgically. Case 1: A 79-year-old male, 4 years ago, he noticed a tumor in the left anteroinferior part of the chest. The histological examination of the specimen obtained by incisional biopsy showed osteochondroma in another hospital and he had been under observation. Since the tumor has recently increased in size, he was referred to our department. Radical resection of the chest wall was performed. As expected, the tumor was found to be a secondary chondrosarcoma by postoperative histological examination. Case 2: A 49-year-old female. In the follow up studies after radical nephrectomy, Tc-MDP scintigram revealed an accumulation in the left second rib. Under the diagnosis of rib metastasis, radical resection was performed. The histological examination showed chondrosarcoma of rib origin postoperatively. This lesion was a primary central type, and is considered to have been resected in the earliest stage of all cases we have found in the Japanese literature.

[Angiographic findings in a patient with spontaneous hemopneumothorax]

We experienced one patient with spontaneous hemopneumothorax in whom angiography was performed preoperatively. The patient was a 23-year-old female and her plain chest X-ray revealed an index-finger-tip-sized bulla at the left apex and a narrow restiform shadow connecting the pleural cupola with the bulla. Left subclavian arteriography revealed preoperatively that the restiform shadow consisted of aberrant vessels branched from the left costocervical trunk and distributed in and around the bulla at the apex. In the present study very rare angiographic findings and excised specimens obtained from the patient are shown, with reference to surgical indication of spontaneous pneumothorax.

[Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia]

Five cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia were reported and 495 cases reported in Japan were reviewed. Analysis of cases of hernia following blunt trauma in the present study provided a simple classification of fissure of the diaphragm, i.e., "tension type (indirect type)" and "impact type (direct type)". In the former type, the fissure occurs in the central tendon or its vicinity in the diaphragm as a result of distortion of the bony thorax without direct force on the diaphragm, while in the latter type, the fissure occurs in the diaphragm close to the struck bony thorax as a result of blunt force on the bony thorax to which the diaphragm is attached.