AmAMP1 from Acropora millepora and damicornin define a family of coral-specific antimicrobial peptides related to the Shk toxins of sea anemones

A candidate antimicrobial peptide (AmAMP1) was identified by searching the whole genome sequence of Acropora millepora for short (<125AA) cysteine-rich predicted proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide but lacking clear homologs in the SwissProt database. It resembled but was not closely related to damicornin, the only other known AMP from a coral, and was shown to be active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. These proteins define a family of AMPs present in corals and their close relatives, the Corallimorpharia, and are synthesised as preproproteins in which the C-terminal mature peptide contains a conserved arrangement of six cysteine residues. Consistent with the idea of a common origin for AMPs and toxins, this Cys motif is shared between the coral AMPs and the Shk neurotoxins of sea anemones. AmAMP1 is expressed at late stages of coral development, in ectodermal cells that resemble the "ganglion neurons" of Hydra, in which it has recently been demonstrated that a distinct AMP known as NDA-1 is expressed.

Stimulatory effect of insulin on H+-ATPase in the proximal tubule via the Akt/mTORC2 pathway

Purpose

Acid-base transport in renal proximal tubules (PTs) is mainly sodium-dependent and conducted in coordination by the apical Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE3), vacuolar H+-adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase), and the basolateral Na+/HCO3- cotransporter. V-ATPase on PTs is well-known to play an important role in proton excretion. Recently we reported a stimulatory effect of insulin on these transporters. However, it is unclear whether insulin is involved in acid-base balance in PTs. Thus, we assessed the role of insulin in acid-base balance in PTs.

Methods

V-ATPase activity was evaluated using freshly isolated PTs obtained from mice, and specific inhibitors were then used to assess the signaling pathways involved in the observed effects.

Results

V-ATPase activity in PTs was markedly enhanced by insulin, and its activation was completely inhibited by bafilomycin (a V-ATPase-specific inhibitor), Akt inhibitor VIII, and PP242 (an mTORC1/2 inhibitor), but not by rapamycin (an mTORC1 inhibitor). V-ATPase activity was stimulated by 1 nm insulin by approximately 20% above baseline, which was completely suppressed by Akt1/2 inhibitor VIII. PP242 completely suppressed the insulin-mediated V-ATPase stimulation in mouse PTs, whereas rapamycin failed to influence the effect of insulin. Insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation in the mouse renal cortex was completely suppressed by Akt1/2 inhibitor VIII and PP242, but not by rapamycin.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that stimulation of V-ATPase activity by insulin in PTs is mediated via the Akt2/mTORC2 pathway. These results reveal the mechanism underlying the complex signaling in PT acid-base balance, providing treatment targets for renal disease.

Effect of Left Ventricular Assistance on Sympathetic Tone

To determine the effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pumping on sympathetic tone, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was detected in acute animal experiments.

Our TH-7B pneumatically driven, sac-type ventricular assist device was used in 7 adult mongrel dogs. RSNA was detected by the use of bipolar electrodes attached to the left renal sympathetic nerve. RSNA was amplified and integrated by use of an R-C integrator circuit. The area of the integrated nerve discharge per unit time was calculated in the computer system and expressed as RSNA per unit time.

During LVAD pumping, RSNA decreased with increase in blood pressure, with an increase in pulmonary artery flow, and with a decrease in left atrial pressure. These data suggest that LVAD has an effect on the sympathetic nervous system which is mediated by the aortic and cardiopulmonary baroreflex system.

Low-frequency and very low-intensity ultrasound decreases blood pressure in hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Despite lifestyle interventions and various types of anti-hypertension agents, hypertension remains difficult to control in some patients with type 2 diabetes. As a noninvasive device-based approach for the treatment of clinic hypertension, we examined the effects of low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound (500 or 800kHz, 25mW/cm(2)) applied to the forearm on blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

METHODS

We examined the effects of low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound (500 or 800kHz, 25mW/cm(2)) applied to the forearm on BP, pulse rate, and pulse pressure in 212 Japanese subjects (82 men and 130 women; mean age±SE, 65±1years) with type 2 diabetes and hypertension (systolic BP>140mmHg). The subjects were treated with anti-hypertension agents.

RESULTS

Systolic and diastolic BP, pulse rate, pulse pressure in the 800-kHz ultrasound treatment group were significantly lower than the baseline values in hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes, and lower than those of placebo controls. In addition, systolic and diastolic BP, pulse rate, and pulse pressure in the 500-kHz ultrasound treatment group were significantly lower than the baseline values in hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes, and systolic BP, pulse rate, and pulse pressure were significantly lower than those of placebo controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-frequency (800kHz or 500kHz) and low-intensity (25mW/cm(2)) ultrasound irradiation to the forearm might have potential usefulness as a therapeutic application for clinic hypertension in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Direct heating of a laser-imploded core by ultraintense laser-driven ions

A novel direct core heating fusion process is introduced, in which a preimploded core is predominantly heated by energetic ions driven by LFEX, an extremely energetic ultrashort pulse laser. Consequently, we have observed the D(d,n)^{3}He-reacted neutrons (DD beam-fusion neutrons) with the yield of 5×10^{8} n/4π sr. Examination of the beam-fusion neutrons verified that the ions directly collide with the core plasma. While the hot electrons heat the whole core volume, the energetic ions deposit their energies locally in the core, forming hot spots for fuel ignition. As evidenced in the spectrum, the process simultaneously excited thermal neutrons with the yield of 6×10^{7} n/4π sr, raising the local core temperature from 0.8 to 1.8 keV. A one-dimensional hydrocode STAR 1D explains the shell implosion dynamics including the beam fusion and thermal fusion initiated by fast deuterons and carbon ions. A two-dimensional collisional particle-in-cell code predicts the core heating due to resistive processes driven by hot electrons, and also the generation of fast ions, which could be an additional heating source when they reach the core. Since the core density is limited to 2 g/cm^{3} in the current experiment, neither hot electrons nor fast ions can efficiently deposit their energy and the neutron yield remains low. In future work, we will achieve the higher core density (>10 g/cm^{3}); then hot electrons could contribute more to the core heating via drag heating. Together with hot electrons, the ion contribution to fast ignition is indispensable for realizing high-gain fusion. By virtue of its core heating and ignition, the proposed scheme can potentially achieve high gain fusion.

Dirac versus Weyl fermions in topological insulators: Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly in transport phenomena

Dirac metals (gapless semiconductors) are believed to turn into Weyl metals when perturbations, which break either time reversal symmetry or inversion symmetry, are employed. However, no experimental evidence has been reported for the existence of Weyl fermions in three dimensions. Applying magnetic fields near the topological phase transition from a topological insulator to a band insulator in Bi1-xSbx we observe not only the weak antilocalization phenomenon in magnetoconductivity near zero magnetic fields (B<0.4  T), but also its upturn above 0.4 T only for E//B. This "incompatible" coexistence between weak antilocalization and "negative" magnetoresistivity is attributed to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly ("topological" E·B term) in the presence of weak antilocalization corrections.

Streamline phenomena in liver metastasis of gastrointestinal tumors - a clinical-study based upon 172 patients

Location and number of liver metastasis of gastrointestinal tumors were detected preoperatively and intraoperatively. The distribution of the liver segment(s) occupied by metastatic tumors varied significantly (p<0.05). Significantly more frequent distributions were demonstrated in the lateral segment with gastric cancer (p<0.05), in the posterior segment with left colic cancer (p<0.001), in the medial segment with rectal cancer (p<0.01), in the anterior segment with bile duct cancer (p<0.05) and the whole of the liver with pancreatic cancer (p<0.05). Significantly less frequent distribution was demonstrated in the posterior segment with gastric cancer (p<0.01). When the liver was divided into the right and the left halves, the distribution of each half of the liver occupied by metastatic tumors varied significantly (p<0.05). Liver metastases of whole colic cancer were significantly more frequent in the right half of the liver (p<0.05). The results suggest that the tumor distribution in liver metastases of gastrointestinal tumors differ depending upon the primary tumors, basically in accordance with the 'streamline' phenomena.

Distal pancreatectomy using a no-touch isolation technique

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Distal pancreatectomy is the only effective treatment for cancers of the pancreatic body and tail. The recurrence rate after DP has remained high. In an effort to over-come this problem, we developed a no-touch surgical technique for DP. This is a pilot study to see if distal pancreatectomy can be technically done using a no-touch surgical technique with-out deteriorating the post-operative prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 2000 through May 2011, 16 pancreatic ductal adeno-carcinoma patients have been operated on using a no-touch technique by a single operator. We described the surgical technique, and we reported our preliminary experience. During the procedure, the pancreatic body and tail is neither grasped nor squeezed by the surgeon. And all drainage vessels from the pancreatic body and tail are ligated and divided during the early phase of the operation. Furthermore, for improved dissection of the retroperitoneal tissue (rightward and posterior margins), we use a hanging and clamping maneuver and dissection behind Gerota's fascia.

RESULTS

In the current series, the posterior and rightward resection margins were free in all patients, although seven were positive for anterior serosal invasion. The post-operative prognosis was not deteriorated with this technique.

CONCLUSION

No-touch distal pancreatectomy technique may have some theoretical advantages, which merit future investigation in randomized controlled trials.

Fusion using fast heating of a compactly imploded CD core

A compact fast core heating experiment is described. A 4-J 0.4-ns output of a laser-diode-pumped high-repetition laser HAMA is divided into four beams, two of which counterilluminate double-deuterated polystyrene foils separated by 100  μm for implosion. The remaining two beams, compressed to 110 fs for fast heating, illuminate the same paths. Hot electrons produced by the heating pulses heat the imploded core, emitting x-ray radiations >20  eV and yielding some 10(3) thermal neutrons.

MULTI-SITE AEROSOL MONITORING USING MINI STEP SAMPLER

We developed mini step samplers with low manufacturing and running costs for application in multi-site air-pollution monitoring. The miniaturization of the sampler was achieved by reducing the suction nozzle size. We tested the samplers with suction nozzle diameters of 2 and 4 mm through simultaneous exposure in the same site. Elemental concentrations of aerosol collected by these samplers were consistent within ±20% during comparison and the sample uniformity did not differ significantly. Sampling with small suction nozzle did not adversely affect aerosol collection. Aerosol samples were collected simultaneously at two sites in our laboratory and in the hall outside for 3 days and analyzed subsequently by PIXE. The time variation of elemental concentrations was high during daytime and low at night time and also during the weekend. Elemental concentrations in the hall were always higher than those in the laboratory. In our laboratory, we change shoes at the entrance and therefore, elemental concentrations inside the lab are lower than in the hall. In a second field experiment, we carried out simultaneous multi-site aerosol sampling during two periods in correlation with meteorological data (wind direction and velocity). It was observed that elemental concentrations of some soil origin elements changed periodically. On the other hand, the concentration of Cu and Zn showed irregular concentration spikes whose pattern showed a variation with the sites. Analysis using the data of wind directions showed that Cu had been transported to the sites from northeasterly direction and that the concentration of Zn was influenced by two big factories nearby. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the multi-site sampling system combined with meteorological data is well suited to identify sources of pollution.

Cytopathologic features of secondary peripheral ameloblastic carcinoma: a case report

Peripheral ameloblastic carcinoma is an extremely rare odontogenic tumor derived from the remnants of dental lamina and/or mucosal epithelium of the oral mucosa. We present a case of secondary peripheral ameloblastic carcinoma of the mandibular gingiva. The patient was a 71-year-old man with gingival swelling and persistent bleeding. Exfoliative cytology revealed cohesive clusters composed of basaloid cells with nuclear atypia and various forms of keratinized cells of dysplastic squamous appearance. Some cell groups had a peripheral palisade. Histology of the biopsy and surgically removed specimens revealed characteristic features resembling squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and benign follicles of ameloblastoma. These neoplastic structures, as well as proliferation and elongation of the mucosal epithelium, comprised an extensive network. The varied cytopathologic findings may be related to proliferation and transformation of basal cells of the mucosal epithelium toward ameloblastic carcinoma and variable squamous differentiation.

The influence of metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease on hemorheology assessed by the microchannel method

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Abnormal hemorheology may be associated with CVD in both disorders. The present study investigated the impact of MetS and CKD on hemorheology. We studied 138 adults (women/men=63/75, mean age=52.2 years), who included 87 participants with MetS and 33 with CKD. The hemorheology was assessed by the index of 'whole blood passage time (WBPT)' using the Micro Channel array Flow ANalyzer (MC-FAN). The WBPT values of MetS participants were significantly higher than those of non-MetS participants (52.5±13.1 vs. 46.3±7.7 sec, p=0.03). The WBPT values of CKD participants were significantly higher than those of non- CKD (55.5±12.7 vs. 48.6±11.0 sec, p=0.003). The significant influence of MetS and CKD on WBPT was qualified by their effect modification to WBPT (p=0.04). There was a significantly greater influence of the combination of MetS and CKD on WBPT (59.9±13.4 sec) in comparison to the influence of non-MetS and CKD (46.6±3.5) or non-CKD and MetS (50.0±12.2). The influence of the combination of MetS and CKD was clearer in men, relative to women. Abnormal hemorheology as assessed using MC-FAN may be enhanced by the combination of MetS and CKD.

Down-scattered neutron imaging detector for areal density measurement of inertial confinement fusion

A custom developed (6)Li glass scintillator (APLF80+3Pr) for down-scattered neutron diagnostics in inertial confinement fusion experiments is presented. (6)Li provides an enhanced sensitivity for down-scattered neutrons in DD fusion and its experimentally observed 5-6 ns response time fulfills the requirement for down-scattered neutron detectors. A time-of-flight detector operating in the current mode using the APLF80+3Pr was designed and its feasibility observing down-scattered neutrons was demonstrated. Furthermore, a prototype design for a down-scattered neutron imaging detector was also demonstrated. This material promises viability as a future down-scattered neutron detector for the National Ignition Facility.

[Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2M with adult-onset loss of ambulation. A case report]

We report a 29-year-old man with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2M (LGMD2M) caused by a compound heterozygous mutation of 3-kb insertion in the 3'-untranslated region and c.1073A > C (p.Q358P) mutation in exon 9 in FKTN. He had been diagnosed since childhood as having Becker muscular dystrophy based on limb-girdle muscle weakness and calf muscle hypertrophy. Loss of ambulation occurred at age 26 years and cardiomyopathy was noted one year later. Muscle biopsy at age 29 revealed dystrophic changes with loss of immunoreactivity to alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG), which prompted us to analyze FKTN and subsequent establishment of the diagnosis of LGMD2M. Brain MRI revealed hypoplasia of the right cerebellar hemisphere and tonsil. Dysplastic part was present in the lower medial part of the hypoplastic hemisphare, which was bordered by a deep cleft. Previously reported LGMD2M patients had mild or minimal muscle weakness in addition to dilated cardiomyopathy. In contrast, our patient had more severe skeletal muscle weakness and loss of ambulation. Treatment with 3-blockers or angiotensin II converting enzyme blockers has been reported to be efficacious for cardiomyopathy in patients with muscular dystrophy. The precise diagnosis should be established early in patients with muscular dystrophy complicated with cardiomyopathy.

Transmitral E/A ratio decreases in association with abdominal fat accumulation in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or mild diabetes without left ventricular hypertrophy

An abnormal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is an early sign of diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by an impaired diastolic and/or systolic function of the left ventricle in the absence of ischemic, valvular, or hypertensive heart disease, and serves as a marker of cardiovascular risk. However, it is unclear whether LV diastolic abnormalities can be detected in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or mild diabetes without LV hypertrophy (LVH). We examined echocardiographic data from 92 consecutive Japanese patients aged 45-79 years with or without IGT or mild diabetes in the absence of LVH. Impaired glucose tolerance or mild diabetes was defined as the presence of one or more of the following criteria: fasting plasma glucose >110 mg/dl, hemoglobin A1c >5.6%, homeostasis model assessment ratio >1.73, or the taking of oral antihyperglycemic drugs. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as an LV mass index (LVMI) >116 g/m(2) in men and >104 g/m(2) in women. Patients with ischemic, valvular, or hypertensive heart disease were excluded. The age, blood pressure, heart rate, and LVMI were similar between patients with (IGT/DM group, n = 43) and without IGT or mild diabetes (non-IGT/DM group, n = 49), whereas the body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were greater in the IGT/DM compared to the non-IGT/DM group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). The transmitral E/A ratio was lower and the deceleration time longer in the IGT/DM than in the non-IGT/DM group (both P < 0.05). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that age and WC were independent determinants of the E/A ratio. In conclusion, diastolic abnormalities without LVH can be detected in Japanese patients with IGT or mild diabetes. The E/A ratio decreases in association with abdominal fat accumulation.

Soluble VEGF receptor-2 is increased in sera of subjects with metabolic syndrome in association with insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with impaired angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in angiogenesis through binding to its specific receptor, VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), whereas the expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2 in the myocardium of insulin-resistant rats is down-regulated. Soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and -2 (sVEGFR-2) have been reported to inhibit angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. However, the balance between circulating levels of VEGF and its soluble receptors, which may reflect and/or affect cardiovascular VEGF signaling, in subjects with MetS is unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We carried out a cross-sectional study including 272 consecutive, apparently healthy subjects who were not receiving any drugs. Plasma levels of VEGF and serum levels of its soluble receptors were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels did not differ between subjects with and those without MetS. However, sVEGFR-2 levels were significantly increased in MetS compared with non-MetS subjects. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that HOMA-IR was the strongest independent determinant of the sVEGFR-2 level. Accordingly, the mean sVEGFR-2 levels increased in proportion to both the accumulation of components of MetS and quartile of HOMA-IR. Interestingly, multiple regression analyses revealed that independent determinants of VEGF were the body mass index and blood pressure, whereas, in contrast, those of sVEGFR-2 were HOMA-IR and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlation of sVEGFR-2 with insulin resistance supports the need for further investigations to define the clinical utility and predictive value of serum sVEGFR-2 levels in cardiovascular dysfunction in MetS.

Evaluation of the cardio-ankle vascular index, a new indicator of arterial stiffness independent of blood pressure, in obesity and metabolic syndrome

Aortic stiffness is predictive of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mortality in lifestyle-related diseases. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a new index of arterial stiffness, was recently developed by measuring of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure (BP). CAVI is adjusted for BP based on stiffness parameter beta and is less influenced by BP, suggesting its superiority over brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV). However, there are currently no reports on the usefulness of CAVI as an atherogenic index in obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). Among the 325 obese Japanese outpatients enrolled in the multi-centered Japan Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Study, 216 patients (67%) met the criteria of MS according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. CAVI values were significantly higher in MS than in non-MS patients, whereas there was no significant difference in body mass index, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol between both groups. CAVI values were weakly correlated with BP but closely correlated with the severity of MS and MS-related parameters such as hypoadiponectinemia, relative to baPWV. Furthermore, weight-reduction therapy through diet and exercise over a 3-month period significantly decreased CAVI values in parallel with increasing adiponectin. This study demonstrates for the first time that CAVI is a good indicator of arterial stiffness. It is closely correlated with the severity of MS and CVD risks in obesity and independent of BP, and is thus superior to baPWV. Therefore, the determination of arterial stiffness by CAVI may be useful for evaluating and managing the CVD risks of MS patients.

Unfavorable blood rheology is closely associated with arterial stiffness in obese patients

Little information on the relationship between blood rheology and atherosclerosis indicators in obese patients is available. We examined blood rheology as assessed by the blood passage time (BPT) with the microchannel method in 109 obese patients. BPT was correlated well with the extent of each metabolic syndrome component. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the independent contributors to BPT were pulse-wave velocity, an index of arterial stiffness, body mass index and red blood cell. Furthermore, weight reduction intervention significantly decreased BPT. Assessment of rheology may be associated with pulse-wave velocity, and useful to manage obese patients.

Effects of risedronate or alfacalcidol on bone mineral density, bone turnover, back pain, and fractures in Japanese men with primary osteoporosis: results of a two-year strict observational study

Although osteoporosis in men is already a major public health problem, there is still a dearth of data about the effects of risedronate in male osteoporosis, especially in Japanese with primary osteoporosis. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate the effects of risedronate on bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover, back pain, and fractures in these patients prospectively for two years (at baseline, three months, six months, twelve months, and twenty-four months) both longitudinally and compared with those of alfacalcidol. The subjects enrolled for this study were 66 Japanese male patients with untreated primary osteoporosis (mean age 63.52 +/- 8.7 years), who were divided into two groups (44 with risedronate and 22 with alfacalcidol). We measured BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at three sites-the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and distal radius. Risedronate treatment significantly increased BMD at the lumbar spine and at the femoral neck, reduced bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), and reduced back pain, both longitudinally and compared with alfacalcidol treatment. We observed a lower rate of incident fracture in risedronate users. However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that this trend was not statistically significant, possibly because of the small number of patients enrolled. These potentially beneficial effects of risedronate on bone in male patients with primary osteoporosis suggest the possibility that osteoporosis should be treated with risedronate regardless of gender in order to effectively prevent subsequent osteoporotic fractures.

Up-regulated expression of microRNA-143 in association with obesity in adipose tissue of mice fed high-fat diet

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA that post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression. miR-143 has been proposed to play a role in the differentiation of adipocytes in culture. However, the mechanism regulating the expression of miR-143 in adult adipose tissue during the development of obesity in vivo is unknown. Here in, we showed that the expression of miR-143 in the mesenteric fat was up-regulated in mice fed a high-fat diet. Increased miR-143 expression was associated with an elevated body weight and mesenteric fat weight. Furthermore, miR-143 levels were closely correlated with expression levels of adipocyte differentiation markers such as PPARgamma and aP2 as well as plasma levels of leptin, one of the important adipocytokines involved in insulin resistance. These findings provide the first evidence for the up-regulated expression of miR-143 in the mesenteric fat of high-fat diet-induced obese mice, which might contribute to the regulated expression of adipocyte genes involved in the pathophysiology of obesity.

A novel oxidized low-density lipoprotein marker, serum amyloid A-LDL, is associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

The putative association between the novel oxidized low-density lipoprotein markers, serum amyloid A-LDL (SAA-LDL) and alpha1-antitrypsin-LDL (AT-LDL), and obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been previously studied. In the present report, we investigated the levels of SAA-LDL and AT-LDL in relation to the components of the MetS. We also assessed the effect of weight reduction therapy on serum SAA-LDL and AT-LDL levels among obese subjects.

METHODS

The study population included 421 obese Japanese outpatients (185 men and 236 women, mean age: 51.1 years) enrolled in the multicenter Japan Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Study (JOMS). The novel oxidized low-density lipoprotein markers, serum SAA-LDL and AT-LDL, were measured in all participants.

RESULTS

Circulating SAA-LDL levels were independently associated with the presence and the number of components of the MetS. SAA-LDL levels were also significantly and independently correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Notably, successful weight reduction resulted in a significant decrease in circulating SAA-LDL concentrations. Levels of AT-LDL were not associated with the MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

We documented, for the first time, that serum SAA-LDL levels correlate positively with the number of components of the MetS and weight reduction. Whether SAA-LDL may be involved in the pathophysiology of MetS and atherosclerosis deserves further investigation.

Effects of Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium, Bupleurum falcatum, and saponins on nephrotoxic serum nephritis in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Bupleuri radix is a commonly prescribed Oriental herbal medicine containing extracts of different Bupleuri species. We wished to determine whether two of these species, Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium and Bupleurum falcatum, or their active ingredients, saikosaponins a, c, and d, could prevent the development of immune-complex nephritis in nephrotoxic serum treated mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immune-complex nephritis was created in C57BL/6 mice by administration of nephrotoxic serum containing anti-basement membrane antibodies. Mice were next given one of five treatments: Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium, Bupleurum falcatum, saikosaponin a, saikosaponin c, or saikosaponin d. Proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and renal histological changes were then examined.

RESULTS

Saikosaponin c almost completely prevented the development of nephritis, although immune-complex deposition was not affected. Bupleurum falcatum and saikosaponin d had a significant, although lesser effect, and Bupleurum falcatum and saikosaponin a showed no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism of action of saikosaponin c and the reasons for the difference between the two bupleuri species should be investigated further in order to find the best way to utilize the therapeutic effect of Bupleuri radix on nephritis.

The cell death machinery controlled by Bax and Bcl-XL is evolutionarily conserved in Ciona intestinalis

Bax and Bcl-XL are key regulators of apoptosis in mammals. Here we report the functional characterization of two Bcl-2 homologues, ciBax and ciBcl-XL, in a basal invertebrate-chordate ascidian Ciona intestinalis. CiBax is a Ciona homologue of the BH1-3 pro-apoptotic protein Bax, whereas ciBcl-XL is a Bcl-XL-like anti-apoptotic protein. Molecular modeling analysis showed that ciBax and ciBcl-XL share both sequence and structural similarities to human Bax and Bcl-XL, respectively. Like their human counterparts, ciBax could form a homodimer or oligomers as well as heterodimerize with ciBcl-XL, and overexpression of ciBax caused apoptosis that could be attenuated by ciBcl-XL. Mutagenesis studies showed that the BH3 domain of ciBax is critical for its cell death-inducing function and also for its interaction with ciBcl-XL. In Ciona embryos, ectopic expression of ciBax but not its BH3 deletion mutant resulted in cell dissociation and apoptosis after late gastrula stage of embryonic development. Moreover, not only wild type ciBcl-XL but also a mutant ciBcl-XL(F101V), which is unable to interact with ciBax, could block cell dissociation and developmental deficit in Ciona embryos induced by overexpression of ciBax. Taken together, these findings suggest that functional homologues of both the BH1-3 death effector Bax and the pro-survival Bcl-XL exist in sea squirt Ciona intestinalis, and they control the cell death machinery independent of their heterodimerization.

Efficacy of combined treatment with raloxifene and alfacalcidol on bone density and biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Because both raloxifene (RLX) and alfacalcidol (ALF) have been established as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis, it is tempting to speculate that the combination therapy of RLX and ALF might provide benefits over that of either one alone. However, the efficacy of the combination therapy has not been reported yet. The purpose of this study was thus to assess the efficacy of the combination therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Sixty postmenopausal patients (mean age 71.62 +/- 9.9 years) with untreated osteoporosis were selected for this study, and were randomly divided into two groups by therapeutic regimen. Group A consisted of 28 patients treated with RLX plus ALF, while Group B consisted of 32 patients with RLX alone. Among them, 20 in group A and 22 in group B completed this study. Contrary to our expectations, at either 6 months or 12 months after the initiation of treatment, RLX plus ALF did not increase BMD at any of the skeletal sites measured, including lumbar spine, femur, and radius, nor did it reduce bone-specific alkaline phosphatase or N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen more than RLX alone. Our results do not support the hypothesis that the combination therapy of RLX and ALF exerts more beneficial effects on bone compared than with RLX alone. However, it still remains unclear from this study whether the combination therapy of RLX and ALF is more efficacious in preventing fractures compared with RLX alone. Further studies are needed to clarify these issues.

Association between baseline values of bone turnover markers and bone mineral density and their response to raloxifene treatment in Japanese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

It has been well established that raloxifene improves bone turnover, increases bone mineral density (BMD), and reduces the risk of fractures. However, it remains obscure which patients are more likely to respond to treatment with raloxifene in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between baseline values of BMD and bone turnover markers (BTMs) and changes of those values after 1-year treatment with raloxifene. Sixty-eight Japanese postmenopausal women with untreated osteoporosis were selected for this study, among whom 58 patients (mean age 70.40 +/- 9.2 years) completed this study. Lower baseline values of BMD at the lumbar spine, the femoral neck, and the distal radius were significantly correlated with greater increases of BMD at those corresponding sites after 1-year treatment with raloxifene. On the other hand, higher baseline values of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) were significantly correlated with greater reductions of BAP and NTx, respectively, after 1-year treatment with raloxifene. Although longer and larger studies with fracture endpoints are needed, our findings suggest that baseline values of BMD and BTMs can be used to predict subsequent skeletal response to raloxifene therapy in Japanese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Increased bone turnover in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Osteoporosis has been linked with arteriosclerotic vascular diseases, suggesting that hypercholesterolemia or dyslipidemia may be a common pathogenetic factor underlying these diseases. However, little is known about the relationship between osteoporosis and hypercholesterolemia. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effects of hypercholesterolemia upon bone metabolism, by measuring bone turnover markers in hypercholesterolemic patients. This study included 281 Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia, and 267 control subjects. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) of the patients was significantly higher than that of the controls in women. Serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) of the patients was significantly higher than that of the controls in both men and women. In addition, both BAP and NTx in men showed a significantly negative correlation with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). On the other hand, in women, both BAP and NTx showed a significantly positive correlation with total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). These results indicate increased bone turnover in hypercholesterolemic or dyslipidemic patients regardless of gender, and suggest the importance of treating hypercholesterolemia or dyslipidemia in order to prevent not only arteriosclerotic complications but also osteoporotic bone loss and subsequent fractures.

Three-month changes in bone turnover markers and bone mineral density response to raloxifene in Japanese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

It has been well established that raloxifene (RLX) improves bone turnover, increases bone mineral density (BMD), and reduces the risk of fractures. However, it remains obscure how to monitor the therapeutic effects of RLX, while numerous clinical trials for other antiresorptive agents have suggested that greater short-term reductions of bone turnover markers (BTMs) can predict greater increases in BMD and greater reduction in risk of future fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between short-term reductions of BTMs and subsequent changes of BMD after 1-year treatment with RLX. Seventy-three Japanese postmenopausal women with untreated osteoporosis were selected for this study. Reductions in BTMs [bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) or serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx)] after 3 months did not correlate with increases of BMD at any major sites (lumbar spine, femoral neck, total neck, and distal 1/3 radius) either after 6 months or after 12 months. Our results suggest that short-term reductions or 3-month reductions of BTMs with RLX treatment cannot be used to predict increases of BMD. However, this does not directly mean that short-term reductions or 3-month reductions of BTMs with RLX treatment cannot be used to predict risk reduction of future fractures or the ultimate effects of RLX on bone. Further studies with fracture endpoints in longer observation and larger number of patients are warranted to establish how to monitor the therapeutic effects of RLX or early identification of responders or nonresponders to RLX treatment.

Efficacy of risedronate in Japanese male patients with primary osteoporosis

OBJECTIVE

Although osteoporosis in men previously was relatively neglected, bisphosphonates have been strongly suggested as potent therapeutic agents. However, there are few studies on the effects of risedronate in male osteoporosis, especially in Japanese with primary osteoporosis. The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the effects of risedronate on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in Japanese male patients.

METHODS

According to the therapeutic regimen, the subjects were divided into two groups (group A, 22 with risedronate; group B, 10 without risedronate). During a one-year study duration, we measured bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) every 3 months, and BMD at 7 sites by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry every 6 months.

PATIENTS

The subjects were 32 Japanese male patients with untreated primary osteoporosis.

RESULTS

In group A, but not in group B, BMD was significantly increased at the lumbar spine both at 6 months and 12 months, and at the femoral neck at 12 months, compared with baseline. Likewise, in group A, but not in group B, both BAP and NTx were significantly decreased at all time points measured (3 months, 6 months, and 12 months), compared with baseline.

CONCLUSION

These results confirmed the beneficial effects of risedronate upon increasing BMD and reducing bone turnover markers in Japanese male patients with primary osteoporosis, comparable to those previously reported in postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis.

Expression of a novel 90-kDa protein, Lsd90, involved in the metabolism of very long-chain fatty acid-containing phospholipids in a mitosis-defective fission yeast mutant

The fission yeast lsd1/fas2 strain carries a temperature-sensitive mutation of the fatty-acid-synthase alpha-subunit, exhibiting an aberrant mitosis lsd phenotype, with accumulation of very-long-chain fatty-acid-containing phospholipid (VLCFA-PL). A novel 90-kDa protein, Lsd90 (SPBC16E9.16c), was found to be newly expressed in small particle-like structures in lsd1/fas2 cells under restrictive conditions. Two mismatches leading to a double frame shift were found between the sequences of the lsd90(+) gene registered in the genomic database and the sequences determined experimentally at the amino acid, cDNA and genomic DNA levels. Unexpectedly, overexpression and disruption of the lsd90(+) gene in either lsd1/fas2 or wild-type cells did not affect either cell growth or expression of the lsd phenotype. The amounts of VLCFA-PL that accumulated in lsd90-overexpressing lsd1/fas2 cells were significantly lower than those in lsd1/fas2 cells, suggesting the involvement of Lsd90 in the metabolism of VLCFA-PL.

Clinical significance of 1-year treatment with raloxifene on bone and lipid metabolism in Japanese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

It has been well established that raloxifene (RLX) has beneficial effects on bone primarily in Caucasian women. However, to date, there is a dearth of data for Japanese postmenopausal women. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the effects of RLX on bone and lipid metabolism in fifty Japanese postmenopausal patients with untreated osteoporosis. We measured bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 7 sites including the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and distal radius. BMD was significantly increased at the lumbar spine both at 6 months and at 12 months compared with at baseline (p<0.01 for both), although the possibility could not be completely excluded that this increase may be partly explained by an apparent increase induced by degenerative changes in lumbar vertebrae since we had no control subjects to compare and be more certain of the findings in this study. Both bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) significantly decreased both at 6 months (p<0.01 for both) and at 12 months (p<0.01 for both) compared with at baseline, but not below the lower limit of the reference value. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly improved while triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were unaltered. Although longer and larger studies with fracture endpoints are needed to draw definite conclusions, our findings suggest the favorable effects of RLX on bone and lipid metabolism in Japanese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis as in Caucasian women.