High-cholesterol diet in combination with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin induces NASH-like disorders in the liver of rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a general term for fatty liver disease not caused by viruses or alcohol. Fibrotic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma can develop. The recent increase in NAFLD incidence worldwide has stimulated drug development efforts. However, there is still no approved treatment. This may be due in part to the fact that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis is very complex, and its mechanisms are not well understood. Studies with animals are very important for understanding the pathogenesis. Due to the close association between the establishment of human NASH pathology and metabolic syndrome, several animal models have been reported, especially in the context of overnutrition. In this study, we investigated the induction of NASH-like pathology by enhancing cholesterol absorption through treatment with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CDX). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet with normal water (control group); a high-fat (60 kcal%), cholesterol (1.25 %), and cholic acid (0.5 %) diet with normal water (HFCC group); or HFCC diet with 2 % CDX water (HFCC+CDX group) for 16 weeks. Compared to the control group, the HFCC and HFCC+CDX groups showed increased blood levels of total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. At autopsy, parameters related to hepatic lipid synthesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis were elevated, suggesting the development of NAFLD/NASH. Elevated levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes were evident in the HFCC+CDX group. In the novel rat model, excessive cholesterol intake and accelerated absorption contributed to NAFLD/NASH pathogenesis.

A case of breast milk-acquired cytomegalovirus infection in an extremely low birth weight infant

INTRODUCTION

Although breast milk is considered the optimal nutrition for infants, it is also the primary cause of postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Preterm infants with postnatal CMV infections are susceptible to a variety of life-threatening conditions.

CASE SUMMARY

Twin male infants were delivered via emergency caesarian section at 27 weeks' gestation secondary to maternal complete uterine rupture. The Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were 1 and 1 for the older twin (Twin A) and 0 and 3 for the younger twin (Twin B). Their birth weights were 1203 g (+ 0.65SD) and 495 g (- 3.79SD) respectively. On day 41, laboratory blood test results for Twin B showed a moderate elevation in C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombocytopenia. CMV quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests in Twin B's urine and blood as well as in the mother's breast milk were positive, but stored, dried umbilical cord CMV qPCR tests were negative. Twin B was diagnosed with a postnatal CMV infection secondary to infected breast milk and ganciclovir was commenced on day 52. Treatment was switched to valganciclovir at 74 days of age, but a negative CMV-DNA level in the blood was not achieved. Postnatal CMV infection in this infant led to an exacerbation of pre-existing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and he demised at 182 days of age.

CONCLUSION

Postnatal cytomegalovirus infections may lead to exacerbations of BPD. Early use of raw breast milk in preterm infants should be done with careful consideration of this potential complication.

Unilateral nephrectomized SHR/NDmcr-cp rat shows a progressive decline of glomerular filtration with tubular interstitial lesions

In patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) is always used as an index of decline in renal function. However, there are few animal models of DKD that could be used to evaluate renal function based on GFR or Ccr. For this reason, it is desirable to develop animal models to assess renal function, which could also be used for the evaluation of novel therapeutic agents for DKD. Therefore, we aimed to develop such animal model of DKD by using spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR)/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) rats with the characteristics of obese type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. As a result, we have found that unilateral nephrectomy (UNx) caused a chronic Ccr decline, development of glomerular sclerosis, tubular lesions, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, accompanied by renal anemia. Moreover, losartan-mixed diet suppressed the Ccr decline in UNx-performed SHR/NDmcr-cp rats (UNx-SHR/cp rats), with improvement in renal anemia and histopathological changes. These results suggest that UNx-SHR/cp rats could be used as a DKD model for evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic agents based on suppression of renal function decline.

Functional analysis of thermo-sensitive TRPV1 in an aquatic vertebrate, masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae)

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is mainly expressed in nociceptive primary sensory neurons and acts as a sensor for heat and capsaicin. The functional properties of TRPV1 have been reported to vary among species and, in some cases, the species difference in its thermal sensitivity is likely to be associated with thermal habitat conditions. To clarify the functional properties and physiological roles of TRPV1 in aquatic vertebrates, we examined the temperature and chemical sensitivities of TRPV1 in masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae, Om) belonging to a family of salmonids that generally prefer cool environments. First, behavioral experiments were conducted using a video tracking system. Application of capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist, induced locomotor activities in juvenile Om. Increasing the ambient temperature also elicited locomotor activity potentiated by capsaicin. RT-PCR revealed TRPV1 expression in gills as well as spinal cord. Next, electrophysiological analyses of OmTRPV1 were performed using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique with a Xenopus oocyte expression system. Heat stimulation evoked an inward current in heterologously expressed OmTRPV1. In addition, capsaicin produced current responses in OmTRPV1-expressing oocytes, but higher concentrations were needed for its activation compared to the mammalian orthologues. These results indicate that Om senses environmental stimuli (heat and capsaicin) through the activation of TRPV1, and this channel may play important roles in avoiding environments disadvantageous for survival in aquatic vertebrates.

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Capsaicin evoked behavioral responses of Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae (Om).

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The behavioral response to heat was potentiated by capsaicin.

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Heterologously expressed OmTRPV1 was activated by heat and capsaicin.

Pathophysiological Analysis of Uninephrectomized db/db Mice as a Model of Severe Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic nephropathy, included in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is the primary disease leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or dialysis treatment, accounting for more than 40% of all patients with ESRD or receiving dialysis. Developing new therapeutics to prevent the transition to ESRD or dialysis treatment requires an understanding of the pathophysiology of DKD and an appropriate animal model for drug efficacy studies. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease with type 2 diabetes in uninephrectomized db/db mice. In addition, the nephrectomized db/db mice from 10 weeks to 42 weeks were used to assess the efficacy of long-term administration of the angiotensin-II–receptor antagonist losartan. The blood and urinary biochemical parameters and the blood pressure which is a main pharmacological endpoint of the losartan therapy, were periodically measured. And at the end, histopathological analysis was performed. Uninephrectomized db/db mice clearly developed obesity and hyperglycemia from young age. Furthermore, they showed renal pathophysiological changes, such as increased urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) (the peak value 3104±986 in 40-week-old mice), glomerular hypertrophy and increased fibrotic areas in the tubulointerstitial tubules. The blood pressure in the losartan group was significantly low compared to the normotensive Vehicle group. However, as expected, Losartan suppressed the increase in UACR (829±500) indicating the medication was sufficient, but the histopathological abnormalities including tubular interstitial fibrosis did not improve. These results suggest that the uninephrectomized db/db mice are useful as an animal model of the severe DKD indicated by the comparison of the efficacy of losartan in this model with the efficacy of losartan in clinical practice.

The effects of vanilloid analogues structurally related to capsaicin on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is known as a receptor of capsaicin, a spicy ingredient of chili peppers. It is also sensitive to a variety of pungent compounds and is involved in nociception. Here, we focused on the structural characteristics of capsaicin, and investigated whether vanillylmanderic acid (VMA), vanillic acid (VAcid), vanillyl alcohol (VAlc), vanillyl butyl ether (VBE), and vanillin, containing a vanillyl skeleton similar to capsaicin, affected the TRPV1 activities. For detection of TRPV1 activity, intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured in HEK 293 cells heterologously expressing mouse TRPV1 (mTRPV1-HEK) and in mouse sensory neurons. Except for vanillin, four vanilloid analogues dose-dependently increased [Ca²⁺]_i in mTRPV1-HEK. The solutions that dissolved VMA, VAcid and vanillin at high concentrations were acidic, whereas those of VAlc and VBE were neutral. Neutralized VAcid evoked [Ca²⁺]_i increases but neutralized VMA did not. Mutation of capsaicin-sensing sites diminished [Ca²⁺]_i responses to VAcid, VAlc and VBE. VAcid, VMA, and vanillin suppressed the activation of TRPV1 induced by capsaicin. VAcid and VMA also inhibited the acid-induced TRPV1 activation. In sensory neurons, VMA diminished TRPV1 activation by capsaicin or acids. The present data indicate that these structural characteristics of chemical compounds on TRPV1 may provide strategies for the development of novel analgesic drugs targeting nociceptive TRPV1.

Detection of ranunculus mild mosaic virus in weed species in Japan

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) is one of the most popular cut flowers in Japan. However, the infection rate of ranunculus mild mosaic virus (RanMMV) in ranunculus plants has been gradually increasing during cultivation, suggesting that RanMMV may be transmitted from weeds to ranunculus plants in cultivation fields. In our survey, RanMMV in R. japonicus, R. tachiroei, R. cantoniensis, Geranium carolinianum, Vicia sativa, V. tetrasperma and V. hirsute in ranunculus fields and noncultivation regions in Japan was detected. Ranunculaceae weeds grow all year in cultivation fields, unlike R. asiaticus, indicating that these weeds may be a source of RanMMV infection. In addition, a pairwise comparison of CP genes between RanMMV isolates taken from R. asiaticus, R. japonicus, and R. tachiroei showed high nucleotide (98·1-100%) and amino acid (98·5-100%) identities. These results support the hypothesis that RanMMV may be transmitted between Ranunculaceae weeds and R. asiaticus plants. Thus, virus control should focus on removing host weeds from the cultivation fields.

Inhibitory effect of polysulfide, an endogenous sulfur compound, on oxidative stress-induced TRPA1 activation

Polysulfide (PS), an endogenous sulfur compound, generated by oxidation of hydrogen sulfide, has a stimulatory action on the nociceptive TRPA1 channel. TRPA1 is also activated by reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) produced during inflammation. Here, we examined the effect of PS on H₂O₂-induced responses in native and heterologously expressed TRPA1 using a cell-based calcium assay. We also carried out behavioral experiments in vivo. In mouse sensory neurons, H₂O₂ elicited early TRPA1-dependent and late TRPA1-independent increases of [Ca²⁺]_i. The former was suppressed by the pretreatment with PS. In cells heterologously expressed TRPA1, PS suppressed [Ca²⁺]_i responses to H₂O₂. Simultaneous measurement of [Ca²⁺]_i and the intracellular PS level revealed that scavenging effect of PS was not related to the inhibitory effect. Removal of extracellular Ca²⁺, a calmodulin inhibitor and dithiothreitol attenuated the inhibitory effect of PS. Pretreatment with PS diminished nociceptive behaviors induced by H₂O₂. The present data suggest that PS suppresses oxidative stress-induced TRPA1 activation due to cysteine modification and Ca²⁺/calmodulin signaling. Thus, endogenous sulfurs may have regulatory roles in nociception via functional changes in TRPA1 under inflammatory conditions.

Glomerular hyperfiltration with hyperglycemia in the spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat, an obese type 2 diabetic model

Glomerular hyperfiltration is observed in an early stage of kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy. A better understanding of pathophysiological changes in glomerular hyperfiltration is essential for development of new therapies to prevent kidney disease progression. In this study, we investigated glomerular changes including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and glomerular size in the Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat, an obese type 2 diabetic model, and we also evaluated pharmacological effects of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on the renal lesions. Dapagliflozin was administered to SDT fatty rats from 5 to 17 weeks of age. Blood and urinary biochemical parameters were periodically measured. GFR was determined by transdermal GFR monitor at 16 weeks of age and histopathological analysis was performed at 17 weeks of age. SDT fatty rat developed severe hyperglycemia and exhibited pathophysiological abnormalities in the kidney, such as an increased GFR, glomerular hypertrophy and tissue lesions. Dapagliflozin achieved good glycemic control during the experimental period, inhibited the increase in GFR, and improved histopathological abnormalities in tubules. These results suggest that the SDT fatty rat is a useful model for analyzing the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy during its early stage and dapagliflozin improves not only hyperglycemia but also glomerular hyperfiltration and tubule lesions in SDT fatty rat.

Monitoring the build-up of hydrogen polarization for polarized hydrogen-deuteride (HD) targets with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at 17 T

We report on the frozen-spin polarized hydrogen-deuteride (HD) targets for photoproduction experiments at SPring-8/LEPS. Pure HD gas with a small amount of ortho-H₂ (∼0.1%) and a very small amount of para-D₂ (∼0.001%) was liquefied and solidified by liquid helium. The temperature of the produced solid HD was reduced to about 30 mK with a dilution refrigerator. A magnetic field (17 T) was applied to the HD to grow the polarization with the static method. After the aging of the HD at low temperatures in the presence of a high-magnetic field strength for three months, the polarization froze. Almost all ortho-H₂ molecules were converted to para-H₂ molecules. Most remaining para-D₂ molecules were converted to ortho-D₂ molecules. The para-H₂ and ortho-D₂ molecules exhibited weak spin interactions with the HD. If the concentrations of the ortho-H₂ and para-D₂ were reduced appropriately at the beginning of the aging process, the aging time can be shortened. We have developed a new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system to measure the relaxation times (T₁) of the ¹H and ²H nuclei with two frequency sweeps at the respective frequencies of 726 MHz and 111 MHz and succeeded in the monitoring of the polarization build-up at decreasing temperatures from 600 mK to 30 mK at 17 T. Automatic NMR measurements with the frequency sweeps enabled us to omit the use of a manual tuning circuit and to remove magnetic field sweeps with eddy current heat. This technique enables us to optimize the concentration of the ortho-H₂ and to efficiently polarize the HD target within a shortened aging time.

Reduction of extracellular sodium evokes nociceptive behaviors in the chicken via activation of TRPV1

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a non-selective cation channel, is mainly expressed in nociceptive primary sensory neurons. Sensitivity of TRPV1 to several stimuli is known to vary among species, specifically, the avian orthologue is nearly insensitive to capsaicin. Extracellular sodium ions ([Na⁺]_o) regulate TRPV1 activity in mammals, but their regulatory role on chicken TRPV1 (cTRPV1) is unknown. Here, we focused on the actions of capsaicin and low [Na⁺]_o on cTRPV1 activity. In chicken dorsal root ganglion (cDRG) neurons, capsaicin elicited [Ca²⁺]_i increases, but its effective concentration was much higher than those in mammals. Low [Na⁺]_o evoked [Ca²⁺]_i increases in cDRG neurons in a decreasing [Na⁺]_o-dependent manner and the complete removal of [Na⁺]_o (0Na) produced maximal effects. The population of 0Na-sensitive neurons was mostly overlapped with those of proton- and capsaicin-sensitive ones. Low [Na⁺]_o synergistically potentiated the capsaicin- and proton-induced TRPV1 activation in cDRG neurons. In HEK293 cells expressing cTRPV1 (cTRPV1-HEK), capsaicin elicited [Ca²⁺]_i increases with an EC₅₀ of 11.8 µM, and low [Na⁺]_o also did. Well-defined mammalian TRPV1 antagonists hardly suppressed cTRPV1 activation by low [Na⁺]_o. 0Na evoked outwardly rectified currents in cTRPV1-HEK. Mutagenesis analyses revealed a possible interaction of [Na⁺]_o with the proton-binding sites of cTRPV1. The administration of capsaicin and 0Na to chick eyes elicited pain-related behaviors. These results suggest that low [Na⁺]_o is capable of activating cTRPV1 in vitro, resulting in pain in vivo. Our data demonstrate that characterization of the cTRPV1 function is important to understand activation mechanisms of TRPV1.

Search for η^{'} Bound Nuclei in the ^{12}C(γ,p) Reaction with Simultaneous Detection of Decay Products

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2  nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

P1354 Prognostic value of the left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential function in patients with takotsubo syndrome during the acute phase

Background

Takotsubo syndrome is generally considered a benign disease with a reversible condition; however, hemodynamic and electrical instability during the acute phase exposes patients to the risk of serious adverse in-hospital events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential function in patients with TTS during the acute phase.

Methods

We divided the 27 patients with TTS (77.4 ± 10.2 years old, 21 females) into two groups; the severe group (SG) of 9 patients (in-hospital death, mechanical assist devices such as IABP or ECMO, oozing rupture) and non-severe group (NSG) of 18 patients. The echocardiographic examination on admission, catheter hemodynamic assessment, and laboratory data, and ST-T change in electrocardiogram were compared between two groups.

Results

There were no differences in age, laboratory data, electrocardiogram findings between the two groups. The LVEF was lower in SG (35.3 ± 6.1% vs. 45.9 ± 13.5%, p = 0.03). The index of Ballooning, the ratio of the systolic left ventricular diameter of ballooning segments to that of basal segments, was higher in SG (2.07 ± 0.61% vs.1.60 ± 0.32%, p = 0.016). The circumferential fractional shortening (CFS) of ballooning segments was lower in SG (4.6 ± 3.2% vs. 18.2 ± 8.2%, p = 0.00007), CFS of basal segments was not different between the two groups, and the ratio of CFS of ballooning segments to CFS of basal segments (CFS imbalance index) was lower in SG (5.60 ± 3.84 vs. 10.83 ± 3.92, p = 0.00003). The left ventricular longitudinal fractional shortening was lower in SG (0.12 ± 0.09 vs. 0.46 ± 0.19, p = 0.00003). The absolute value of GLS was lower in SG (7.6 ± 4.3% vs. 13.0 ± 3.6%, p = 0.002). In all three cases of in-hospital death, the CFS imbalance index was lower than 0.14.

Conclusion

In patients with TTS, left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential function could be related to serious adverse in-hospital events.

Abstract OT1-05-04: Phase 3 trial of carboplatin in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with residual invasive carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (JONIE4:J-CAT trial)

Background: It is well known that the prognosis of non pCR TNBC patients was poor after anthracycline and taxan treatment. For such patients, capecitabine seems to be effective to reduce recurrence based on the HR 0.58 of the CREATE X trial (Masuda, N. et al. Adjuvant Capecitabine for Breast Cancer after Preoperative Chemotherapy. N Engl J Med. 376, 2147. 2017) . However, the target of capecitabine is still unclear for TNBC. We classified non pCR tumors as BRCAness and Sporadic using BRCAness test(MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). The recurrence rate of the BRCAness group was about 70%. Carboplatine is expected to be effective against BRCAness tumors, as it is a DNA damaging agent. In this study BRCAness can be checked just before carboplatin treatment using surgical specimens. Then the efficacy of carboplatin will be directly known to make comparison between DFS in the carboplatin group and that of the observation group.

Trial design: This is anopen label, randomized phase III study that will enroll TNBC with residual invasive cancer after surgery with preoperative chemotherapy including both anthracycrine and taxan. Patients are randomly assigned to either the carboplatin group or observation group. The patients in the carboplatin group are treated with carboplatin at AUC 6 and those in the observation group are observed at only 3 years.

Eligibility criteria:

1) ER and PgR&lt;1%, HER2 0, 1+ or 2+ with FISH negative on core needle biopsy before the chemotherapy and surgical specimens.

2) Preoperative chemotherapy including both anthracycrine and taxan.

3) Residual invasive cancer on breast tumors or lymph node metastasis in surgical specimens.

4) 20-79 year old women.

5) No chemotherapy within 5 years.

6) Not bilateral breast cancer, without metastasis, no prior breast cancer.

7) No severe bone marrow suppression.

Specific aims:Primary objective is DFS (Disease Free Survival). Secondary objectives are overall survival and safety.

STATISTICAL METHODS:

The 3 years recurrence rate of the observation group was estimated as 40% and hazard ratio at 0.58 based on the CREATE X trial. For both groups, 135 patients are necessary. This study is powered to approximately 80% to test the superiority of carboplatin group at a 2-sided α=0.05 using a stratified log-rank test.

Activation Date:22ndMarch 2018. No patients had been enrolled till 3rd July.

Citation Format: Tanino H, Suzuki M, Kaise H, Miyashita M, Chishima T, Hayashi M, Miyoshi Y, Futamura M, Ohtani S, Nagahashi M, Ohta T, Kosaka Y, Ishikawa T, Hasegawa Y, Kubota T, Sangai T, Iwatani T, Yamada A, Akazawa K, Kohno N. Phase 3 trial of carboplatin in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with residual invasive carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (JONIE4:J-CAT trial) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-05-04.

Differential Cross Section and Photon-Beam Asymmetry for the γ[over →]p → π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) Reaction at Forward π^{-} Angles for E_{γ}=1.5-2.95 GeV

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7<cosθ_{π}^{c.m.}<1 and E_{γ}=1.5-2.95  GeV at SPring-8/LEPS. The first-ever high statistics cross-section data are obtained in this kinematical region, and the asymmetry data for 1.5<E_{γ}(GeV)<2.8 are obtained for the first time. This reaction has a unique feature for studying the production mechanisms of a pure uu[over ¯] quark pair in the final state from the proton. Although there is no distinct peak structure in the cross sections, a non-negligible excess over the theoretical predictions is observed at E_{γ}=1.5-1.8  GeV. The asymmetries are found to be negative in most of the present kinematical regions, suggesting the dominance of π exchange in the t channel. The negative asymmetries at forward meson production angles are different from the asymmetries previously measured for the photoproduction reactions producing a dd[over ¯] or an ss[over ¯] quark pair in the final state. Advanced theoretical models introducing nucleon resonances and additional unnatural-parity exchanges are needed to reproduce the present data.

Pathophysiological characteristics of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-like changes in cholesterol-loaded type 2 diabetic rats

Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats, a new obese diabetic model, reportedly presented with features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) after 32 weeks of age. We tried to accelerate the onset of NASH in SDT fatty rats using dietary cholesterol loading and noticed changes in the blood choline level which is expected to be a NASH biomarker. Body weight and biochemical parameters were measured from 8 to 24 weeks of age. At 16, 20, 24 weeks, pathophysiological analysis of the livers were performed. Hepatic lipids, lipid peroxides, and the expression of mRNA related to triglyceride (TG) synthesis, inflammation, and fibrosis were evaluated at 24 weeks. Hepatic fibrosis was observed in SDT fatty rats fed cholesterol-enriched diets (SDT fatty-Cho) from 16 weeks. Furthermore, hepatic lipids and lipid peroxide were significantly higher in SDT fatty-Cho than SDT fatty rats fed normal diets at 24 weeks. Hepatic mRNA expression related to TG secretion decreased in SDT fatty-Cho, and the mRNA expression related to inflammation and fibrosis increased in SDT fatty-Cho at 24 weeks. Furthermore, SDT fatty-Cho presented with increased plasma choline, similar to human NASH. There were no significant changes in the effects of feeding a cholesterol-enriched diet in Sprague-Dawley rats. SDT fatty-Cho has the potential to become a valuable animal model for NASH associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Pharmacokinetics of Bisoprolol and Its Effect on Dialysis Refractory Hypertension

The efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of bisoprolol were investigated following oral administration once daily for 12 weeks in hyperreninemic patients with dialysis-refractory hypertension. Mean blood pressure rapidly fell from 132 to 112 mmHg in the 5.0-mg/day (n = 6) and from 142 to 128 mmHg in the 2.5-mg/day patients (n = 5), which were accompanied by a fall in plasma renin activity. On nondialysis days, Cmax and T1/2 were significantly higher in patients than in healthy control subjects. However, Cmax in the 2.5-mg/day patients was almost equal to that in healthy control subjects receiving 5.0 mg/day of bisoprolol. Plasma bisoprolol was dialyzable. During the course of the study, dialysis hypotension and bradycardia occurred in two patients receiving 5.0 mg/day of bisoprolol. In conclusion, a daily dose of 2.5 mg bisoprolol seems to be an adequate and relatively effective dose in our patients with dialysis-refractory hypertension.

Diabetic macular edema-like ocular lesions in male spontaneously diabetic torii fatty rats

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a major factor contributing to visual disabilities in diabetic patients, and the number of patients is increasing. Animal models play a key role in the development of novel therapies. In this study, pathophysiological analyses of ocular lesions in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats were performed. First, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in vitreous humor, retinal vascular permeability and retinal thickness were measured in SDT fatty rats (Experiment 1). Furthermore, the pharmacological effects of two anti-diabetic drugs, phlorizin and pioglitazone, on retinal lesions were evaluated (Experiment 2). As results, the SDT fatty rats exhibited VEGF increase in vitreous humor at 8 and 16 weeks of age, and both retinal vascular hyperpermeability and retinal thickening at 16 weeks of age. In particular, the layers between the retinal internal limiting membrane and the outer nuclear layer were thickened. Phlorizin treatment from 4 to 16 weeks of age improved hyperglycemia and normalized retinal thickness; however, the effect of pioglitazone on retinal thickness was not strong despite the normalization of hyperglycemia. These data demonstrate that the male SDT fatty rat is a useful model for developing new therapeutic approaches in DME.

Comparison of Examinees’ and Doctors’ Judgement of Health Status Using Data in an AMHTS

Judgements of examinees’ health status by doctors and by the examinees themselves are compared applying multiple discriminant analysis. The doctors’ judgements of the examinees’ health status are studied comparatively using laboratory data and the examinees’ subjective symptom data.

This data was obtained in an Automated Multiphasic Health Testing System. We discuss the health conditions which are significant for the judgement of doctors about the examinees. The results show that the explanatory power, when using subjective symptom data, is fair in the case of the doctors’ judgement. We found common variables, such as nervousness, lack of perseverance etc., which form the first canonical axis.

Pathophysiological analysis of the progression of hepatic lesions in STAM mice

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a current health issue since the disease often leads to hepatocellular carcinoma; however, the pathogenesis of the disease has still not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological changes observed in hepatic lesions in STAM mice, a novel NASH model. STAM mice, high fat-diet (HFD) fed mice, and streptozotocin (STZ) treated mice were prepared, and changes over time, such as biological parameters, mRNA expression, and histopathological findings, were evaluated once animal reached 5, 7, and 10 weeks of age. STZ mice presented with hyperglycemia and an increase in oxidative stress in immunohistochemical analyses of Hexanoyl-lysine: HEL from 5 weeks, with fibrosis in the liver also being observed from 5 weeks. HFD mice presented with hyperinsulinemia from 7 weeks and the slight hepatosteatosis was observed at 5 weeks, with changes significantly increasing until 10 weeks. STAM mice at 10 weeks showed significant hepatic changes, including hepatosteatosis, hypertrophic hepatocytes, and fibrosis, indicating pathological changes associated with NASH. These results suggested that the increase in oxidative stress with hyperglycemia triggered hepatic lesions in STAM mice, and insulin resistance promoted lesion formation with hepatic lipid accumulation. STAM mice may be a useful model for elucidating the pathogenesis of NASH with diabetes.

Proliferative Enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis in Chickens

Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is an infectious disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis (Li), an obligate intracellular bacterium. PE is endemic in swine herds and has been reported in a variety of mammals including horses, hamsters, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, foxes, dogs, sheep, deer and non-human primates. Avian cases are reported only in ratite birds, including emus and ostriches. Some studies show an absence of Lawsonia spp. infection in chickens. In this study, we performed morphological and bacteriological examinations on the intestines of two broiler chickens that had been condemned at a poultry slaughter plant in Japan due to intestinal haemorrhage, which was a result of focal coccidial enteritis. Histopathology revealed proliferation of the villous epithelium in the small and/or large intestines, especially the caeca, regardless of coccidial lesions. Warthin-Starry silver staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-Li monoclonal antibody revealed numerous bacteria and/or antigens in the villous epithelium. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of curved rods, morphologically compatible with Li, in the apical cytoplasm of the epithelium. Polymerase chain reaction products specific for Li were amplified from DNA samples extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded tissue. These results suggest that Li can cause PE, characterized by proliferation of the villous epithelium, in chickens.