Effects of liming on the flavor of kokuto-shochu, a spirit made from non-centrifugal sugar

Kokuto-shochu is a traditional Japanese spirit prepared from kokuto, a non-centrifugal brown cane sugar. When manufacturing kokuto, lime is added to the sugarcane juice to accelerate the crystallization of sucrose. Although the liming process differs depending on the manufacturer, the effects of liming on the quality of kokuto-shochu are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the flavor characteristics and volatiles present in kokuto-shochu prepared from kokuto with different liming degrees. Kokuto-shochu prepared from kokuto without liming had a pronounced kokuto-like flavor with a rich taste and contained higher contents of nerolidol, nonanal, acetoin, β-damascenone, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone compared to that prepared from kokuto with liming. On the other hand, kokuto-shochu prepared from kokuto with excess liming had a comparative grassy flavor. It contained higher esters, 4-vinylguaiacol, and pyrazines compared to other shochu. The levels nerolidol, isoamyl acetate, nonanal, and acetoin were affected by the mash pH during fermentation, and thus, liming would affect the formation of such volatiles via changing the mash pH. In contrast, pyrazines, 4-vinylguaiacol, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone were not affected by mash pH, and their levels in the kokuto-shochu were consistent with those in kokuto raw materials. These results suggested that the liming process affects the levels of volatiles in kokuto-shochu by changing the mash pH and volatile levels in kokuto raw materials.

Herbal Medicine Ninjin'yoeito in the Treatment of Sarcopenia and Frailty

Frailty and sarcopenia have recently gained considerable attention in terms of preventive care in Japan, which has an ever-increasing aging population. Sarcopenia is defined as atrophy of skeletal muscles caused by the age-related decrease in growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor and sex hormones. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reports that frailty can lead to impairment of both mental and physical functioning. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and dementia may underlie frailty. It is important to prevent progression of frailty and extend the healthy lifespan. In herbal medicine practice, including Japanese Kampo medicine, "Mibyo," a presymptomatic state, has long been recognized and may be applicable to frailty. Kampo medicines may include several medicinal plants and are thought to have the potential to improve symptoms of frailty, such as loss of appetite and body weight, fatigue, and sarcopenia, as well as anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Ninjin'yoeito (Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang) is the most powerful Kampo medicine and has been widely applied to palliative care of cancer patients. This review includes recent anti-aging studies and describes the effects and mechanisms of Ninjin'yoeito (Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang) when used for frailty or to extend a healthy life expectancy.

Key volatile compounds in red koji-shochu, a Monascus-fermented product, and their formation steps during fermentation

Red koji, which refers the solid culture grown koji mold on the steamed rice, is one of the ingredients of Asian fermented foods including the Japanese spirit shochu. This study was aimed at elucidating the characteristic flavor and key volatile compounds of red koji-shochu as well as the mechanism of their formation. Sensory evaluation showed that red koji-shochu has the distinctive flavors cheese, sour, milky, and oily. Fifteen key volatile compounds of red koji-shochu were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, and by comparison between red koji-shochu and white koji-shochu, as another typical shochu. The mash analysis revealed that ketone compounds and short-chain acids derive from red koji. Furthermore, although other key compounds were produced by yeast, it is highly likely that their concentrations were affected directly or indirectly by the high activities of protease and lipase in red koji.

Acute effects of traditional Japanese alcohol beverages on blood glucose and polysomnography levels in healthy subjects

Background. Alcohol consumption is a lifestyle factor associated with type 2 diabetes. This relationship is reportedly different depending on the type of alcohol beverage. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of traditional Japanese alcohol beverages on biochemical parameters, physical and emotional state, and sleep patterns.

Methods. Six healthy subjects (three men and three women; age, 28.8 ± 9.5 years; body mass index, 21.4 ± 1.6 kg/m²) consumed three different types of alcohol beverages (beer, shochu, and sake, each with 40 g ethanol) or mineral water with dinner on different days in the hospital. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 2, and 12 h after drinking each beverage, and assessments of physical and emotional state were administered at the same time. In addition, sleep patterns and brain waves were examined using polysomnography.

Results. Blood glucose levels at 1 h and the 12-h area under the curve (AUC) value after drinking shochu were significantly lower than that with water and beer. The 12-h blood insulin AUC value after drinking shochu was significantly lower than that with beer. Blood glucose × insulin level at 1 h and the 2-h blood glucose × insulin AUC value with shochu were significantly lower than that with beer. The insulinogenic indexes at 2 h with beer and sake, but not shochu, were significantly higher than that with water. The visual analogue scale scores of physical and emotional state showed that the tipsiness levels with beer, shochu, and sake at 1 h were significantly higher than that with water. These tipsiness levels were maintained at 2 h. The polysomnography showed that the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency with shochu and sake were shorter than that with water and beer.

Conclusions. Acute consumption of alcohol beverages with a meal resulted in different responses in postprandial glucose and insulin levels as well as REM sleep latency. Alcohol beverage type should be taken into consideration for people with impaired glucose tolerance.

Rice koji reduced body weight gain, fat accumulation, and blood glucose level in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Rice koji is considered a readily accessible functional food that may have health-promoting effects. We investigated whether white, yellow, and red koji have the anti-obesity effect in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), which is a model for obesity. Mice were fed HFD containing 10% (w/w) of rice koji powder or steamed rice for 4 weeks. Weight gain, epididymal white adipose tissue, and total adipose tissue weight were significantly lower in all rice koji groups than in the HFD-rice group after 4 weeks. Feed efficiency was significantly reduced in the yellow koji group. Blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the white and red koji groups with HOMA-R and leptin levels being reduced in the white koji group. White and red koji increased glucose uptake and GLUT4 protein expression in L6 myotube cells. These results showed that all rice koji have the anti-obesity or anti-diabetes effects although the mechanisms may differ depending on the type of rice koji consumed.

Randomised clinical trial: evaluation of the efficacy of mesalazine (mesalamine) suppositories in patients with ulcerative colitis and active rectal inflammation -- a placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Mesalazine suppositories are recommended and widely used as the standard therapy in induction and maintenance of remission for proctitis.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of mesalazine suppositories in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and rectal inflammation; and in patient groups categorised by the extent of lesions.

METHODS

This study was a phase III multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Mild-to-moderate UC patients with rectal inflammation were randomly assigned either a 1 g mesalazine or placebo suppository. The suppository was administered in the rectum once daily for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was the rate of endoscopic remission (mucosal score of 0 or 1) after 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The endoscopic remission rates after 4 weeks in the mesalazine and placebo suppository groups were 81.5% and 29.7%, respectively, and the superiority of mesalazine to placebo was confirmed (P < 0.0001, chi-squared test). For proctitis, the endoscopic remission rates after 4 weeks were 83.8% and 36.1% in the mesalazine and placebo suppository groups, respectively, and the corresponding rates for all other types of UC were 78.6% and 21.4%, respectively. The superiority of mesalazine to placebo was confirmed in both subgroups (P < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). The percentage of patients without bleeding was significantly higher in the mesalazine group than the placebo group from Day 3 of treatment (P = 0.0001, Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of mesalazine suppositories in all types of UC patients with rectal inflammation was confirmed for the first time in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study (JapicCTI- 111421).

Development of a heat-processing method for koji to enhance its antioxidant activity

We developed a heat-processing method to enhance the antioxidant activity of koji. The superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOSA) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of heat-processed koji (HP-koji) at 55 °C for 7 days were 4.9 times and 4.2 times, respectively, those of unheated koji. These results showed that heat processing effectively enhances the antioxidant activity of koji. Analysis of the antioxidant activities of koji subjected to a range of temperatures (45-75 °C) revealed that the SOSA is enhanced by heating at higher temperatures, which might be catalyzed by Maillard reaction, whereas the ORAC was enhanced by heating at lower temperatures, which might be catalyzed by an enzymatic reaction. Assuming these enhancements in antioxidant activities are contributed by both Maillard and enzyme reactions, we hypothesized that the antioxidant activity of HP-koji could be more effectively amplified by heating at a higher temperature after the progression of the enzymatic reaction at a moderate temperature. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of heating of koji in a stepwise manner, first at 55 °C for 2 days and then at 75 °C for 5days. The antioxidant activities of stepwise-heated HP-koji were higher than those of koji heated at either 55 °C or 75 °C. The SOSA and ORAC of stepwise-heated HP-koji were 94 times and 6 times, respectively, those of unheated koji. This result suggests that enzymatic reaction followed by Maillard reaction can effectively enhance the antioxidant activity of HP-koji. Thus, we developed a novel heat-processing method to enhance the antioxidant activity of koji.

Treating ulcerative colitis by Adacolumn therapeutic leucocytapheresis: clinical efficacy and safety based on surveillance of 656 patients in 53 centres in Japan

BACKGROUND/AIM

The Adacolumn selectively depletes granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages, which are thought to be part of the immunopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. This work aims at evaluating the safety and clinical efficacy of the Adacolumn in patients with ulcerative colitis in large population-based data sets.

METHODS

The Adacolumn post marketing surveillance in Japan was undertaken on 697 patients in 53 medical institutions over 7 years from 29 October 1999 to 28 October 2006. Clinical efficacy and safety data were provided by patients' physicians in the participating institutes.

RESULTS

Safety was evaluated in all the 697 patients and efficacy in 656 patients. At entry, 92% of the patients were on salicylates, 74% on prednisolone and only 9% on immunomodulators. Approximately 40% of patients had severe ulcerative colitis and over 70% had ulcerative colitis that was refractory to conventional medications. There was no serious adverse events; mild to moderate adverse events were seen in 7.7% of the patients. The overall response (remission or significantly improved) was 77.3%; the remission rate based on clinical activity index was 71.1%, while 17.1% remained unchanged and 5.6% worsened. Patients were subgrouped into severe, moderate and mild ulcerative colitis based on clinical activity index (n=578), the response rates were 63.2%, 65.7% and 80.4%, respectively (P<0.001). Endoscopic assessment of efficacy showed very significant mucosal healing, Matts' endoscopic index improved from 3.2+/-0.04 to 2.1+/-0.7 (n=219, P<0.001); reduction in prednisolone dose (P<0.0001); leucocyte count (n=358, P<0.0001) and C-reactive protein (n=314, P<0.0001). Patients who received > or =6 Adacolumn sessions (n=319) did better than patients who received < or =5 sessions (n=188, P=0.004) and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline granulocyte count was the strongest predictor of clinical response to Adacolumn (P=0.0191, odds ratio 1.151).

CONCLUSION

This post marketing surveillance provides the largest ever efficacy and safety data on the Adacolumn therapeutic leucocytapheresis in patients with ulcerative colitis. As a non-pharmacologic treatment for patients with active ulcerative colitis most of whom were refractory to conventional drug therapy, the observed efficacy was very significant. Baseline granulocyte count was convincingly an independent predictor of clinical response.

Biochemical response to interferon therapy correlates with interferon sensitivity-determining region in hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection

Biochemical responders maintain normal alanine aminotransferase levels after interferon (IFN) therapy despite persistent presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in their sera. There have been few reports on predictive factors for biochemical response. A region associated with sensitivity to IFN was identified in the nonstructural protein 5 A of genotype 1b [aa 2209-2248; IFN sensitivity-determining region (ISDR)]. The substitutions in ISDR correlate with sustained response to IFN. In this report, we assessed the association of ISDR with biochemical response. The sequences of ISDR were determined in 62 patients with HCV genotype 1b treated by IFN in two randomized controlled trials. 30 patients had wild ISDR (identical to HCV-J), 20 intermediate ISDR (1-3 amino acid substitutions compared with HCV-J), and 12 mutant ISDR (four or more amino acid substitutions). All 12 patients with mutant ISDR had a sustained response, while only one of those with wild or intermediate ISDR had a sustained response (P < 0.0001). In the 49 patients other than sustained responders, the patients with intermediate ISDR obtained biochemical response significantly more frequently (52.6%, 10/19) than those with wild-type ISDR (20.0%, 6/30) (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated the number of substitutions in ISDR as the most important predictor for biochemical response (discriminant coefficient=1.08, P < 0.05) and sustained response (discriminant coefficient=6.13, P < 0.0001). In phylogenetic analysis, clustering of sustained responders and biochemical responders was observed. These results demonstrate that the substitutions in ISDR are the most important predictor for biochemical response to IFN in patients infected with genotype 1b as well as for sustained response.

Clinical usefulness of and problems with three-dimensional CT angiography for the evaluation of arteriosclerotic stenosis of the carotid artery: comparison with conventional angiography, MRA, and ultrasound sonography

BACKGROUND

Prevention of stroke is aided by determination of the degree of carotid artery stenosis and progression of arterial sclerosis. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) angiography (3D-CTA) is a new method for evaluating the degree of arterial stenosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of 3D-CTA with the "gold standard": conventional angiography, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and ultrasound sonography (US).

METHODS

A total of 128 carotid bifurcations in 64 patients (42 men and 22 women; mean age, 68.5 years) were examined by 3D-CTA because of symptoms of cerebral infarction, carotid bruit, or findings suggestive of arteriosclerotic carotid artery stenosis on MRA screening. The following were used to compare 3D-CTA with conventional angiography, MRA and US: 1) estimation of the degree of stenosis; 2) depiction of irregularities in arterial walls, including calcification, intimal thickening, ulcers and plaque; and 3) surgical planning for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), and postoperative evaluation.

RESULTS

A strong correlation was found between the degrees of stenosis estimated by conventional angiography and 3D-CTA MIP image (r = 0.987/p < 0.0001). On the other hand, stenosis was generally overestimated by MRA, which, however, has the advantage of being able to scan the carotid siphon to the middle cerebral artery at one time. Calcification and ulceration of the artery wall could be evaluated with 3D-CTA, whereas with US, progression of arterial sclerosis could be evaluated by differentiation of homogenous and heterogenous plaque. The anatomical relationships between the site of stenosis and the internal jugular vein and bony structures, which must be known before CEA, were confirmed by observation of rotated images using the shaded surface reconstruction (SSR) method. Because the hemodynamics of cross and collateral flows cannot be clearly imaged with 3D-CTA, standard angiography is needed to determine suitability for bypass surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The current method used in our hospital for the diagnosis of stenosis of the internal carotid artery includes MRA or US for initial screening, 3D-CTA for evaluation of the degree of stenosis and for preoperative and postoperative evaluation of CEA and PTA, and conventional angiography for evaluation of hemodynamics and determination of the indications for a bypass surgery.

[Acute myelogenous leukemia with ins(21;8) expressing AML-1-MTG8 fusion transcript]

Here we report a case of acute myelogenous leukemia (M2, FAB classification) presenting with cytogenetic abnormalities of ins(21;8), +del(8) without t(8;21). A 8;21 chromosome translocation is frequently found in acute myelogenous leukemia, especially in the M2 subtype. The translocation results in a fusion transcript between AML1 and MTG8 (ETO), assigned on chromosomes 21 and 8, respectively. Among patients with a t(8;21) abnormality, solid leukemic tumor deposits outside the marrow or good response to chemotherapy are observed frequently. Decrease in neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score and positive rate, and eosinophilia in bone marrow or the blast cells with Auer rods expressing CD19, CD56 antigens occur at a relatively high rate. Although our case lacked these clinical, cytological and cytochemical features, expression of chimeric AML1-MTG8 mRNA was detected. AML1-MTG8 fusion transcript may play a critical role in leukemogenesis of AML M2. Studies on this case may help to reveal the oncogenic function of the AML1-MTG8 fusion gene in AML M2.

Effects of auricular acupuncture stimulation on nonobese, healthy volunteer subjects

Effects of auricular acupuncture stimulation on nonobese healthy volunteers were investigated. Subjects (n = 35) averaged 34.5 years old, and BMI was 25.3 kg/m2. Small (0.15 x 2.0 mm) auricular needles were applied intracutaneously into the bilateral cavum conchae that was identified by having less than 100 k omega resistance. Body weight was measured four times a day and charted by the subjects themselves. Results showed that, in the period 11-2, in which only body weight was measured, without auricular acupuncture stimulations, 57.1% of the subjects reduced their body weight. This indicates that charting body weight themselves might be useful to maintain their weight. In the auricular acupuncture treated period, 19 (70.4%) out of 27 decreased (p < 0.01), 5 (18.5%) was increased, and 3 (11.1%) had no change in body weight. In conclusion, the results suggest that success in maintaining weight reduction can be attributed to graphic illustration of one's weight pattern. Bilateral auricular acupuncture stimulation can also reduce body weight of healthy non-obese subjects. This is consistent with the suggestion that it might be effective in the treatment of obese patients.

Effects of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus: electrical stimulation produce marked analgesia in rats

The effect of the electrical simulation induced analgesia (ESIA) on the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was investigated by the paw pressure test, which was used to avoid any tissue damage to the paw of Wistar-SPF/VAF male rats. A stimulating electrode was chronically implanted in the parvocellular (PVN-prv) or magnocellular (PVN-mgn) divisions of the PVN. The ESIA was examined at least 10 days after surgery. The electrical stimulation of the PVN markedly showed analgesia (ESIA), but stimulation of most locations outside the PVN did not produce ESIA. Stimulation threshold for the ESIA was lower from PVN-prv than from PVN-mgn, but neither region was affected by naloxone administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that the PVN is a part of the pain inhibitory system in the CNS, and show that PVN-ESIA might not be mediated either by opioids or by neuropeptides such as vasopressin.

Effects of auricular stimulation on feeding-related hypothalamic neuronal activity in normal and obese rats

It is known that auriculotherapy occasionally affects dramatic body weight reduction for obese patients, although the physiological and anorexigenic functions are not clear. Effects of auricular stimulation on feeding-related lateral (LHA) and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic neuronal activity in normal and experimental (hypothalamic and dietary) obese rats were investigated. The LHA and/or VMH neuronal activity were recorded from feeding-related regions in Wistar SPF/VAF male and experimental (hypothalamic and dietary) obese rats, anesthetized with urethane-chloralose, under stereotaxic coordination. Recording was through 3 M KCI glass microelectrodes, while stimulating the ipsilateral vagal innervated region of the auricle. This is equivalent to the cavum conchae in the human, and was identified by resistance less than 10-50 k omega. The stimulating electrode was a stainless steel ear acupuncture (0.12 x 2.0 mm). The latency of potentials evoked in the LHA by unilateral stimulation of a specific site in the ear was 28.1 +/- 3.3 ms (8-92, n = 41). LHA neuronal activity was depressed 45.6% (n = 12, p < 0.01), and VMH activity was excited (60.5%, n = 18, p < 0.01). The auricular acupuncture stimulation clearly modulates feeding-related hypothalamic neuronal activity of experimental (both hypothalamic and dietary) obese rats. These auricle acupuncture stimulation effects were correlated to the degree of obesity. In conclusion, the results suggest that auricular acupuncture stimulation may not reduce appetite, but is more likely concerned with satiation formation and preservation. Thus, auricular acupuncture should be more effective on obese rats than on normal rats.

Frequent allelic losses on chromosomes 2q, 18q, and 22q in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma

Although it is widely accepted that tumor suppressor genes play an important role in the genesis and progression of human cancer, little is known about genetic events that accumulate during multistage lung carcinogenesis. Thus, to determine a subset of tumor suppressor genes that are involved in the genesis and progression of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), 22 brain metastases and 23 stage I primary lung tumors were examined for allelic losses at 40 loci on 10 chromosomes including the loci of 5 tumor suppressor genes, APC, WT1, RB, p53, and DCC. The incidence of allelic losses on chromosomes 3p, 13q, and 17p was high (> 60%) in both primary tumors and brain metastases. In brain metastases, a high incidence of allelic losses (> 60%) was also observed at loci on chromosomes 2q, 18q, and 22q, and the incidence of allelic losses on these chromosomes in brain metastases was significantly higher than that in primary tumors (P < 0.05). In two cases of brain metastases with corresponding primary lung tumors, sequential accumulation of allelic losses during progression of primary lung tumors was observed on several chromosomes including chromosomes 2q and 18q. These results indicate that, besides loss of heterozygosity for chromosomes 3p, 13q, and 17p, loss of heterozygosity for chromosomes 2q, 18q, and 22q also occurs frequently in advanced NSCLCS. Thus, it is possible that loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 2q, 18q, and 22q occurs late in the progression of NSCLC and/or causes phenotypic alterations of NSCLC cells into more aggressive ones.

Germ-line p53 mutation is uncommon in patients with triple primary cancers

We examined five patients with multiple primary cancers who had a history of three different types of primary cancers for germ-line p53 mutations. The germ-line p53 mutation was detected in a patient who conformed to the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, but not in the other four patients. The diagnosis of these four patients did not fall in the category of Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This result indicates that germ-line p53 mutations are uncommon even in patients with triple primary cancers.

Detection of novel germ-line p53 mutations in diverse-cancer-prone families identified by selecting patients with childhood adrenocortical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Germ-line p53 mutations appear to be inherited among the members of families diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). The mutations detected in those families to date have been clustered in exon 7 of the p53 gene and, typically, have been single-base substitutions resulting in amino acid changes.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to define the spectrum of p53 mutations associated with LFS.

METHODS

From seven cancer-prone families identified by selecting members with childhood adrenocortical carcinoma as probands, we chose two families, each of which had two members from whom specimens could be obtained for genetic analysis. To detect germ-line p53 gene mutations in these individuals, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis with Taq polymerase and oligonucleotide primers specific for p53 gene sequences. Genomic DNA extracted from fresh tissue samples and paraffin-embedded tumor samples was amplified, denatured, and electrophoresed on neutral polyacrylamide gels. PCR amplification was also carried out using total RNA from adrenocortical carcinoma samples of the proband in family 1. PCR products were purified, subcloned, and sequenced.

RESULTS

We detected novel germ-line p53 mutations in affected members of both cancer-prone families. In the proband of family 1, a single-base deletion was detected at the first nucleotide of codon 307 in exon 8 of the p53 gene, resulting in a premature stop codon in exon 10. In family 2, we detected an A to C transversion at the second nucleotide of codon 286 in exon 8, both in DNA isolated from the adrenocortical tumor of the proband and in DNA isolated from the astrocytoma of the proband's father. This single-base substitution resulted in an amino acid substitution of alanine for glutamic acid. Both of these mutations are located outside the highly conserved region of the p53 gene where mutations in patients with LFS have been reported previously.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that a wide range of germ-line p53 mutations is inherited in members of diverse-cancer-prone families.

Appearance of the tumor marker CA 19-9 in liver transplant patients during rejection episodes

The tumor marker CA 19-9 was shown to be elevated in liver transplant patients, particularly during rejection. Serial serum samples taken from 24 patients after liver transplantation were examined for tumor markers CA 19-9, SLEX, CEA, and TNF-alpha. During rejection, 85% of the patients had elevated levels of CA 19-9. Patients with early rejection had persistently higher levels than patients without rejection. The serum levels were low in nonrejecting patients compared with those with rejection. Thus, the CA 19-9 marker cannot be considered a specific tumor marker. It may, however, be an indicator of an immune response or it may be a byproduct of an inflammatory reaction to a tumor or a transplant.

Alterations of the p53 gene are common and critical events for the maintenance of malignant phenotypes in small-cell lung carcinoma

To clarify the incidence, timing and pathogenetic significance of p53 gene alterations in the progression of small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), 17 primary tumors, 13 metastases and nine cell lines from 27 patients were analysed by a polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Allelic losses and mutations of the p53 gene were detected in 24 out of 25 informative cases (96%) and 23 out of 27 cases (85%) respectively. Simultaneous losses and mutations were detected in all 16 stage III-IV tumors, while these alterations were detected only in 3 of 6 stage I-II tumors. When allelic losses and/or mutations were detected in the primary tumors, the same alterations were always maintained in the process of metastasis. In three cases, identical p53 alterations were detected among different organ metastases. The mutations detected in five cell lines were also detected in the corresponding original tumors. These results suggest that the alterations of the p53 gene are common and early events, but probably not the first events, in the development of SCLC, and that these alterations are essential for the maintenance of malignant phenotypes in the progression of SCLC.

Adult T-cell leukemia: structures and expression of the p53 gene

Experiments were undertaken to investigate a genetic event involved in leukemogenesis in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). For this purpose, the p53 gene was chosen for study, since alteration of the gene has been found in a wide variety of human cancers. Structures and expression of the p53 gene in ATL cells were investigated by Southern and Northern blot analyses and a polymerase-chain-reaction single-strand conformation-polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Either subtle alterations of the p53 gene or the absence of detectable level of p53 mRNA were found in 2 of 3 acute ATL cell lines and 2 of 12 acute ATL fresh samples. In contrast, no mutation was detected in 4 cases with less aggressive types of ATL (3 chronic and 1 smoldering ATL cases). Mutations found in acute ATL cells occurred in regions highly conserved in evolution and all the cells carrying p53 mutation showed loss of the other p53 allele. These results suggests that alteration of the p53 gene may contribute to progression of the disease in some cases of ATL.

Allelic loss on chromosome 17p and p53 mutations in human endometrial carcinoma of the uterus

To understand the involvement of allelic losses and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes for the development of endometrial carcinoma of the uterus (EC), 24 cases of EC were examined for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using a total of 57 polymorphic DNA markers covering all 23 pairs of chromosomes. LOH was observed at 27 loci on 10 different chromosomes, i.e., chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, and 21, but was not detected at loci on chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, and X. It was observed only in seven of 24 cases, and the other 19 cases did not show LOH at any loci examined, including five cases of tumors with a high proportion of adenomatous hyperplasia. Among seven tumors with LOH at one or more loci, five tumors showed LOH at loci on the short arm of chromosome 17. Furthermore, mutations of the p53 gene, which is located on the short arm of chromosome 17, were detected in three of these 24 tumors by a polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and subsequent DNA sequencing. In two of these three tumors, p53 mutations were accompanied by the loss of wild-type p53 alleles. These results suggest that inactivation of the p53 gene is involved in the development of EC as in the case of several other types of human cancers.

Frequent allelic losses and mutations of the p53 gene in human ovarian cancer

The p53 gene on chromosome 17p is considered to be a tumor suppressor gene, and frequent mutations of the p53 gene have been found in a wide variety of human cancers. We examined 31 ovarian cancers for allelic losses and mutations of the p53 gene by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis as well as restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Allelic loss of the p53 gene was detected in 16 of 20 cases (80%). Mutations were detected in 9 of 31 cases (29%): 2 cases in exon 4; 5 cases in exons 5-6; and 2 cases in exons 7-8. In 8 of 9 cases, p53 mutations were accompanied by losses of the normal allele. These alterations of the p53 gene were commonly detected from stage I to stage IV. These results suggest that alterations of the p53 gene play an important role in the development of human ovarian cancers.

Prognosis of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: an evaluation based on multivariate analysis of 90 cases

A multivariate analysis of data from 90 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma was performed using Cox's regression model to identify factors possibly affecting their prognoses. Thirty-one patients underwent arterial anticancer chemotherapy, and the remaining 59 patients received transcatheter arterial embolization with anticancer agents. Four of 27 variables tested for all the patients (i.e., encapsulation [p less than 0.05], gross appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma [p less than 0.01], clinical stage [p less than 0.01] and therapy [p less than 0.01]) were found to be prognostically significant. Five of 27 variables tested were prognostically significant for the transcatheter arterial embolization group; they were an extension rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (p less than 0.01), encapsulation (p less than 0.01), alpha-fetoprotein (p less than 0.01), prothrombin time (p less than 0.01) and serum sodium (p less than 0.01). Regression equations were used to describe a prognostic index. A prognostic index was defined as the regression equation derived from the results of a total of 90 patients; PI-1 = eY, where PI-1 = prognostic index 1 Y = 1.549 (gross appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma - 1.344) + 0.778 (encapsulation - 1.622) + 0.818 (clinical stage - 1.800) + 1.760 (therapy - 1.344) and prognostic index 2, the regression equation derived from the results of the transcatheter arterial embolization group of patients; PI-2 = eY, where PI-2 = prognostic index 2 Y = 1.210 (extension rate of hepatocellular carcinoma - 1.576) + 1.179 (encapsulation - 1.475) + 0.0001277 (alpha-fetoprotein - 1420.792) -0.039 (prothrombin time - 72.237) - 0.214 (serum sodium - 138.427).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Point mutation of the p53 gene resulting in splicing inhibition in small cell lung carcinoma

The p53 gene is functionally inactivated mostly by point mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions in a wide variety of human cancers. We found a novel mutation of the p53 gene in a small cell lung carcinoma cell line, Lu-143. One of the allelic p53 genes was lost accompanied by loss of heterozygosity for chromosome 17. In the remaining allelic p53 gene, there was a single-base substitution of G to T at position 1 within the splice donor site of intron 7, and the mutated intron was not spliced out during the mRNA maturation process. As a result of this mutation, larger sized p53 mRNA was expressed and no p53 specific protein was detected in this cell line. These results suggest that mutations causing splicing abnormalities are one of the molecular mechanisms for the p53 gene inactivation in human cancer.

Profiles of plasma amino acids in fasted patients with various liver diseases

We examined the level of plasma amino acids, glucose, immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) of patients in the fasted state with acute hepatitis in the actual acute stage (AHa), acute hepatitis in the convalescent stage (AHc), chronic active hepatitis (CAH), chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) and liver cirrhosis (LC). In AHa patients, the plasma glucose (FPG), plasma alanine (Ala), tryptophan (Trp) and histidine (His) levels were significantly lower and plasma cystine (Cys) level significantly higher than the control levels. This however, was not the case in the other patients. The glutamic acid (Glu) concentration was significantly higher in AHa (p less than 0.02), CAH (p less than 0.001) and CPH (p less than 0.001) and the tyrosine (Tyr) concentration was significantly higher in AHa (p less than 0.02), CPH (p less than 0.001), CAH (p less than 0.001) and LC (p less than 0.001) than they were in the controls. The lysine (Lys) concentration was significantly raised in the AHa (p less than 0.02) and CPH (p less than 0.05) cases. The IRG level was significantly higher in AHa (p less than 0.001), in AHc (p less than 0.01) and LC (p less than 0.01). Valine (Val) showed a significant decrease in concentration in AHa (p less than 0.01) and LC (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diffuse calcification in gastric cancer

The progressive expansion of calcification into the wall of the stomach and peritoneal metastatic foci was observed in a 31-year-old female with Borrmann type 4 calcified advanced gastric cancer. Despite treatment with systemic lentinan, uracil tegaful and mitomycin C, together with intraperitoneal injections of mitomycin C, OK-432 and prednisolone, the patient died 27 months after first presentation. The case provided a useful means of studying the mechanism of calcification.

Variable mutations of the RB gene in small-cell lung carcinoma

Loss of heterozygosity for chromosome 13q including the RB locus is a common genetic alteration in small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) as well as in retinoblastoma. We examined the RB cDNA sequences of exon 13 to 18 and exon 19 to 23 in 9 SCLC cell lines to detect mutations which cause inactivation of the remaining allele of the RB gene. Internal deletions of RB cDNA were observed in 3 of the 9 SCLC cell lines. In the Lu-24 cell line, a 114 base pairs (bp) deletion corresponding to exon 22 was due to abnormal splicing, which probably resulted from a two-base mutation within genomic exon 22, and aberrant 105 kilodaltons RB protein was detected by immunoprecipitation analysis. A base pair deletion within exon 20 in the Lu-135 cell line and a 1 bp deletion within exon 23 in the Lu-141 cell line were due to the deletions of the corresponding genomic DNA, and each deletion resulted in formation of a premature termination codon. These results indicate that both alleles of the RB genes are inactivated in SCLC by several different mechanisms, including small deletion, mutation and chromosomal loss.

Depression of drug metabolizing activity in the human liver by interferon-alpha

The depressant effect of interferon-alpha on drug metabolizing activity in the liver has been investigated in 12 patients with chronic active hepatitis B. 7-methoxy-coumarin (7-MC) O-demethylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) O-deethylase, in specimens obtained by liver biopsy, were measured before and after interferon treatment. 7-MC and 7-EC O-dealkylase activity were significantly reduced after interferon treatment, from 13.4 to 9.24 nmol.g-1 liver.min-1, and from 3.22 to 2.16 nmol.g-1 liver.min-1, respectively. The magnitude of the fall varied widely between individual patients. The study provides the first direct evidence that interferon-alpha can impair the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes in the human liver.

Gastric hemodynamic disturbance induced by hemorrhagic shock in rats. Role of platelet-activating factor

The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the induction of rat gastric mucosal damage by ischemia-reperfusion was examined with reference to hemodynamic characteristics. Gastric mucosal hemodynamics was measured continuously, using laser-Doppler flowmetry and reflectance spectrophotometry. Not only gastric mucosal damage but also characteristic hemodynamic change--that is, ischemia with congestion--was observed in the PAF infusion and reperfusion periods of the ischemia-reperfusion model. CV-6209, a specific PAF antagonist, significantly alleviated gastric mucosal damage and hemodynamic disturbance induced by ischemia-reperfusion. These results strongly suggest that PAF is a potent mediator of gastric mucosal damage during reperfusion in the ischemia-reperfusion model.

Characterization of ferrochelatase in kidney and erythroleukemia cells

Ferrochelatase from bovine kidney mitochondria has been purified 1600-fold with a 6.5% yield, exhibiting a specific activity of 490 nmol mesoheme formed/mg of protein per min. The Km values for mesoporphyrin IX and protoporphyrin IX with iron were 12.5 and 12.7 microM, respectively. The Km values for iron and zinc with mesoporphyrin IX were 3.51 and 3.17 microM, respectively. The purified enzyme showed a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 42,000 daltons (42 kDa) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The rabbit antibody against the purified enzyme markedly inhibited activities of the enzyme from both the kidney and liver. Immunoblot analysis showed that the antibody reacted with the renal as well as the hepatic enzymes showing the same molecular weight. Peptide mapping with trypsin or alpha-chymotrypsin showed that digested peptides of renal enzyme were similar to those of hepatic enzyme. Ferrochelatase activity in mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells increased in parallel with an increase of heme synthesis by treatment with dimethylsulfoxide. Using immunoblotting techniques, the amount of the enzyme in the MEL cells has been shown to increase by the induction, showing a molecular mass of 41 kDa which was the same as that of the mouse hepatic enzyme. Comparative structural analysis of the enzyme of MEL cells and that of mouse liver by peptide mapping showed that the partial digestive peptides of both enzymes exhibited a similar pattern. These results strongly suggest that ferrochelatase in kidney, liver and erythroid cells can be of one type.

Use of a specific monoclonal antibody to detect Mallory bodies in liver disease

Mallory bodies (MBs), which are common in alcoholic hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and liver disease associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, are often difficult to find on liver biopsy specimens or to predict from clinical or biochemical studies. Immunofluorescence studies with anti-NMB-1, a Mallory body-specific monoclonal antibody, indicate that this is a sensitive method for recognizing Mallory bodies in cryostat sections of liver from griseofulvin-treated mice or patients with liver disease. Validity of the leukocyte migration test, which facilitates detection and monitoring of patients who harbor Mallory bodies, is confirmed by pretreatment of Mallory bodies with anti-NMB-1. Prevention of Mallory body-induced migration inhibition by addition of anti-NMB-1 indicates that this effect is not due to inactivation of leukocytes by a Mallory body contaminant. Anti-NMB-1, developed using standard hybridoma techniques, does not react with normal hepatocytes or other cells. Investigations with SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting reveal that it exhibits binding with 62, 55, 42 kd peptides, and four other bands in the range from 40 to 30 kd from the Mallory bodies. The NMB-1 epitope which facilitates morphologic and clinical detection of Mallory bodies is distinct from cytokeratin and appears to be responsible for its immunogenicity.

[A case of adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma effectively treated with local ethanol injection]

We experienced a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with adrenal metastasis that was effectively treated with ultrasonographically guided percutaneous ethanol injection. Effectiveness was proved by various imaging procedures and decreased serum alpha-fetoprotein. No complications during and after the treatment were deserved.

Ultrasonically guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Ultrasonically guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (US-PEIT) was performed in 26 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in whom neither surgery nor transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was indicated, or TAE had proved ineffective. Comparison of results by various diagnostic imaging techniques with histopathological findings revealed that tumor necrosis after US-PEIT was correlated with increased echogenicity of the tumor by US, decreased density of the tumor and disappearance of contrast enhancement by computed tomography (CT), and change to a lower signal in the tumor by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI, 0.15 T permanent magnet, spin-echo sequence, repetition time (TR)/echo time (TE) = 2000/80 ms]. Thus, findings by imaging are useful in evaluating the initial effect of US-PEIT. Of three specimens obtained by liver resection and three obtained at autopsy, four showed complete necrosis after US-PEIT (maximum tumor diameter, 3 cm). This method also appeared to be effective in cases of capsular invasion. In this study, the 2-yr survival rate of patients with HCC was 75%. Although this study was not a controlled clinical trial, we conclude that US-PEIT may be a potentially effective treatment for HCC.

Validity of MR imaging for monitoring effects of percutaneous ethanol injection for HCC

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 44 hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who had undergone percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) were analyzed during and after the treatment. Using a long TE/TR spin-echo technique, the initial high intensity of the tumor decreased during treatment in all patients. Decrease in tumor intensity corresponded well with decrease of serum alpha-fetoprotein level and histopathological changes of the necrosis. During the long-term follow-up of three patients, the reappearance of a highly intense area was readily detected by MR imaging, and hence the recurrence of the tumor, as determined clinically or histopathologically, was confirmed. The long TE/TR spin-echo technique proves most helpful in monitoring the effectiveness of PEIT for HCC, as well as for its recurrence.

Comparison of the effects of various inducers on 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase activities in liver microsomes

The effects of six inducers and malotilate on 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase activities in rat liver microsomes were examined. Phenobarbital (PB) (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to rats for 6 days; 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) (40 mg/kg), beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF) (40 mg/kg), isosafrole (150 mg/kg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) (100 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 3 days; isoniazid (INH) (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 10 days; and malotilate (500 mg/kg) was administered orally for 3 days. The O-dealkylase activities toward 7-methoxycoumarin (7-MC), 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) and 7-propoxycoumarin (7-PC) were examined 24 hr after the final administration of the drugs. The ratios of 7-EC O-deethylase and 7-PC O-depropylase to 7-MC O-demethylase activity in the control and six inducer-treated groups were compared. The ratios in the groups treated with the six compounds, each of which induces a different form(s) of cytochrome P-450 (P-450), were clearly different from each other. Therefore, the measurement of 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase activities should be extremely useful for the routine determination of the molecular species of P-450. On the other hand, the ratio in the malotilate-treated group was different from that in any other inducer-treated group, so that there might be a possibility that malotilate induced a form(s) of P-450 that is different from any of the already known species.

Occurrence of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in normal rat stomach and alteration of PAF level by water immersion stress

We detected platelet-activating substance in gastrointestinal areas, which was confirmed to be platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the basis of the following findings: 1) it comigrated with authentic PAF on thin-layer chromatography; 2) it did not aggregate PAF-desensitized platelets; and 3) its activity was completely antagonized by the receptor antagonists CV3988 and L-652,731. The level of PAF was determined with a bioassay method based on the release of [3H]serotonin from washed rabbit platelets. In the normal rat stomach, the level of PAF was high in the antrum (940 +/- 200 nmol PAF/mol phosphorus of original phospholipids), especially in the antral mucosa (1801 +/- 426 nmol/mol phosphorus of original phospholipids). The stomach PAF level was significantly altered by water immersion stress. Stress for a period of 1 h was associated with a decrease in the antral PAF level to 39 +/- 7% of that of untreated controls. This low PAF level persisted during stress. On the other hand, in the corpus, stress for periods of 1 and 3 h was associated with decreases in the PAF content, and further stress (7 h) resulted in restoration of the PAF level to normal. Furthermore, 7 h of stress was associated with distinct hemorrhagic lesions, which were prevented by CV3988 infused i.v. before the stress. This is the first report of an association between a decrease of the endogenous PAF level in animal tissues and tissue damage.

Serum platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in rats with gastric ulcers induced by water-immersion stress

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase is an enzyme which hydrolyzes PAF to yield inactive lysoPAF. This study focused on the influence of water-immersion stress on serum PAF acetylhydrolase activity. The enzyme activity was determined by measurement of [3H]acetate produced from 1-O-alkyl-2-[3H]acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine upon precipitation of the complex of the radioactive substrate and albumin with trichloroacetic acid. The onset of water-immersion stress caused the development of gastric lesions associated with a significant increase in serum PAF acetylhydrolase activity. Serum PAF acetylhydrolase may leak into the blood from some tissues in rats with gastric injury induced by water-immersion stress and might control the action of PAF.