Thiosulfate promotes hair growth in mouse model

The present study describes the hair growth-promoting effects of sodium thiosulfate (STS), a widely used compound, in mice. STS accelerated hair growth in the "telogen model", suggesting that it stimulates telogen hair follicles to reenter the anagen phase of hair growth. In the same model, STS potentiated hair growth in an additive manner with minoxidil (MXD), a drug used for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. Furthermore, in the "anagen model", STS promoted hair growth, probably by promoting hair follicle proliferation. Since STS elevated the skin surface temperature, its hair growth-promoting activity may be partly due to vasorelaxation, similar to MXD. In addition, STS is known to generate a gaseous mediator, H₂S, which has vasorelaxation and anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidative stress activities. Therefore, STS and/or provisionally its metabolite, H₂S, may aid the hair growth process. Collectively, these results suggest that salts of thiosulfate may represent a novel and beneficial remedy for hair loss.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency during neurodevelopment in mice models the prodromal state of schizophrenia through epigenetic changes in nuclear receptor genes

The risk of schizophrenia is increased in offspring whose mothers experience malnutrition during pregnancy. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are dietary components that are crucial for the structural and functional integrity of neural cells, and PUFA deficiency has been shown to be a risk factor for schizophrenia. Here, we show that gestational and early postnatal dietary deprivation of two PUFAs-arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-elicited schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mouse offspring at adulthood. In the PUFA-deprived mouse group, we observed lower motivation and higher sensitivity to a hallucinogenic drug resembling the prodromal symptoms in schizophrenia. Furthermore, a working-memory task-evoked hyper-neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex was also observed, along with the downregulation of genes in the prefrontal cortex involved in oligodendrocyte integrity and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system. Regulation of these genes was mediated by the nuclear receptor genes Rxr and Ppar, whose promoters were hyper-methylated by the deprivation of dietary AA and DHA. In addition, the RXR agonist bexarotene upregulated oligodendrocyte- and GABA-related gene expression and suppressed the sensitivity of mice to the hallucinogenic drug. Notably, the expression of these nuclear receptor genes were also downregulated in hair-follicle cells from schizophrenia patients. These results suggest that PUFA deficiency during the early neurodevelopmental period in mice could model the prodromal state of schizophrenia through changes in the epigenetic regulation of nuclear receptor genes.

Comprehensive association analysis of 27 genes from the GABAergic system in Japanese individuals affected with schizophrenia

Involvement of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system in schizophrenia pathogenesis through disrupted neurodevelopment has been highlighted in numerous studies. However, the function of common genetic variants of this system in determining schizophrenia risk is unknown. We therefore tested the association of 375 tagged SNPs in genes derived from the GABAergic system, such as GABA_A receptor subunit genes, and GABA related genes (glutamate decarboxylase genes, GABAergic-marker gene, genes involved in GABA receptor trafficking and scaffolding) in Japanese schizophrenia case-control samples (n=2926; 1415 cases and 1511 controls). We observed nominal association of SNPs in nine GABA_A receptor subunit genes and the GPHN gene with schizophrenia, although none survived correction for study-wide multiple testing. Two SNPs located in the GABRA1 gene, rs4263535 (P_allele=0.002; uncorrected) and rs1157122 (P_allele=0.006; uncorrected) showed top hits, followed by rs723432 (P_allele=0.007; uncorrected) in the GPHN gene. All three were significantly associated with schizophrenia and survived gene-wide multiple testing. Haplotypes containing associated variants in GABRA1 but not GPHN were significantly associated with schizophrenia. To conclude, we provided substantiating genetic evidence for the involvement of the GABAergic system in schizophrenia susceptibility. These results warrant further investigations to replicate the association of GABRA1 and GPHN with schizophrenia and to discern the precise mechanisms of disease pathophysiology.

Investigation of the fatty acid transporter-encoding genes SLC27A3 and SLC27A4 in autism

The solute carrier 27A (SLC27A) gene family encodes fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) and includes 6 members. During fetal and postnatal periods of development, the growing brain requires a reliable supply of fatty acids. Because autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are now recognized as disorders caused by impaired early brain development, it is possible that functional abnormalities of SLC27A genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of ASD. Here, we confirmed the expression of SLC27A3 and SLC27A4 in human neural stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, which suggested their involvement in the developmental stage of the central nervous system. Additionally, we resequenced the SLC27A3 and SLC27A4 genes using 267 ASD patient and 1140 control samples and detected 47 (44 novel and 29 nonsynonymous) and 30 (17 novel and 14 nonsynonymous) variants for the SLC27A3 and SLC27A4, respectively, revealing that they are highly polymorphic with multiple rare variants. The SLC27A4 Ser209 allele was more frequently represented in ASD samples. Furthermore, we showed that a SLC27A4 Ser209 mutant resulted in significantly higher fluorescently-labeled fatty acid uptake into bEnd3 cells, a mouse brain capillary-derived endothelial cell line, compared with SLC27A4 Gly209, suggesting that the functional change may contribute to ASD pathophysiology.

Astrocyte-expressed FABP7 regulates dendritic morphology and excitatory synaptic function of cortical neurons

Fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) expressed by astrocytes in developing and mature brains is involved in uptake and transportation of fatty acids, signal transduction, and gene transcription. Fabp7 knockout (Fabp7 KO) mice show behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of human neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. However, direct evidence showing how FABP7 deficiency in astrocytes leads to altered brain function is lacking. Here, we examined neuronal dendritic morphology and synaptic plasticity in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of Fabp7 KO mice and in primary cortical neuronal cultures. Golgi staining of cortical pyramidal neurons in Fabp7 KO mice revealed aberrant dendritic morphology and decreased spine density compared with those in wild-type (WT) mice. Aberrant dendritic morphology was also observed in primary cortical neurons co-cultured with FABP7-deficient astrocytes and neurons cultured in Fabp7 KO astrocyte-conditioned medium. Excitatory synapse number was decreased in mPFC of Fabp7 KO mice and in neurons co-cultured with Fabp7 KO astrocytes. Accordingly, whole-cell voltage-clamp recording in brain slices from pyramidal cells in the mPFC showed that both amplitude and frequency of action potential-independent miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) were decreased in Fabp7 KO mice. Moreover, transplantation of WT astrocytes into the mPFC of Fabp7 KO mice partially attenuated behavioral impairments. Collectively, these results suggest that astrocytic FABP7 is important for dendritic arbor growth, neuronal excitatory synapse formation, and synaptic transmission, and provide new insights linking FABP7, lipid homeostasis, and neuropsychiatric disorders, leading to novel therapeutic interventions.

Exon resequencing of H3K9 methyltransferase complex genes, EHMT1, EHTM2 and WIZ, in Japanese autism subjects

Background

Histone H3 methylation at lysine 9 (H3K9) is a conserved epigenetic signal, mediating heterochromatin formation by trimethylation, and transcriptional silencing by dimethylation. Defective GLP (Ehmt1) and G9a (Ehmt2) histone lysine methyltransferases, involved in mono and dimethylation of H3K9, confer autistic phenotypes and behavioral abnormalities in animal models. Moreover, EHMT1 loss of function results in Kleefstra syndrome, characterized by severe intellectual disability, developmental delays and psychiatric disorders. We examined the possible role of histone methyltransferases in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and suggest that rare functional variants in these genes that regulate H3K9 methylation may be associated with ASD.

Methods

Since G9a-GLP-Wiz forms a heteromeric methyltransferase complex, all the protein-coding regions and exon/intron boundaries of EHMT1, EHMT2 and WIZ were sequenced in Japanese ASD subjects. The detected variants were prioritized based on novelty and functionality. The expression levels of these genes were tested in blood cells and postmortem brain samples from ASD and control subjects. Expression of EHMT1 and EHMT2 isoforms were determined by digital PCR.

Results

We identified six nonsynonymous variants: three in EHMT1, two in EHMT2 and one in WIZ. Two variants, the EHMT1 ankyrin repeat domain (Lys968Arg) and EHMT2 SET domain (Thr961Ile) variants were present exclusively in cases, but showed no statistically significant association with ASD. The EHMT2 transcript expression was significantly elevated in the peripheral blood cells of ASD when compared with control samples; but not for EHMT1 and WIZ. Gene expression levels of EHMT1, EHMT2 and WIZ in Brodmann area (BA) 9, BA21, BA40 and the dorsal raphe nucleus (DoRN) regions from postmortem brain samples showed no significant changes between ASD and control subjects. Nor did expression levels of EHMT1 and EHMT2 isoforms in the prefrontal cortex differ significantly between ASD and control groups.

Conclusions

We identified two novel rare missense variants in the EHMT1 and EHMT2 genes of ASD patients. We surmise that these variants alone may not be sufficient to exert a significant effect on ASD pathogenesis. The elevated expression of EHMT2 in the peripheral blood cells may support the notion of a restrictive chromatin state in ASD, similar to schizophrenia.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2040-2392-5-49) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Functional characterization of FABP3, 5 and 7 gene variants identified in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder and mouse behavioral studies

Disturbances of lipid metabolism have been implicated in psychiatric illnesses. We previously reported an association between the gene for fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) and schizophrenia. Furthermore, we identified and reported several rare non-synonymous polymorphisms of the brain-expressed genes FABP3, FABP5 and FABP7 from schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), diseases known to part share genetic architecture. Here, we conducted further studies to better understand the contribution these genes make to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and ASD. In postmortem brains, we detected altered mRNA expression levels of FABP5 in schizophrenia, and of FABP7 in ASD and altered FABP5 in peripheral lymphocytes. Using a patient cohort, comprehensive mutation screening identified six missense and two frameshift variants from the three FABP genes. The two frameshift proteins, FABP3 E132fs and FABP7 N80fs, formed cellular aggregates and were unstable when expressed in cultured cells. The four missense mutants with predicted possible damaging outcomes showed no changes in intracellular localization. Examining ligand binding properties, FABP7 S86G and FABP7 V126L lost their preference for docosahexaenoic acid to linoleic acid. Finally, mice deficient in Fabp3, Fabp5 and Fabp7 were evaluated in a systematic behavioral test battery. The Fabp3 knockout (KO) mice showed decreased social memory and novelty seeking, and Fabp7 KO mice displayed hyperactive and anxiety-related phenotypes, while Fabp5 KO mice showed no apparent phenotypes. In conclusion, disturbances in brain-expressed FABPs could represent an underlying disease mechanism in a proportion of schizophrenia and ASD sufferers.

Sequencing and expression analyses of the synaptic lipid raft adapter gene PAG1 in schizophrenia

Disruption of synaptic networks has been advocated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia. The majority of synaptic proteins involved in neuronal communications are localized in lipid rafts. These rafts form the platform for coordinating neuronal signal transduction, by clustering interacting partners. The PAG1 protein is a transmembrane adaptor protein in the lipid raft signaling cluster that regulates Src family kinases (SFKs), a convergent point for multiple pathways regulating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Reports of de novo missense mutations in PAG1 and SFK mediated reductions in tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunit proteins in schizophrenia patients, point to a putative role in schizophrenia pathogenesis. To evaluate this, we resequenced the entire coding region of PAG1 in Japanese schizophrenia patients (n = 1,140) and controls (n = 1,140). We identified eight missense variants, of which four were previously unreported. Case-control genetic association analysis of these variants in a larger cohort (n = 4,182) showed neither a statistically significant association of the individual variants with schizophrenia, nor any increased burden of the rare alleles in the patient group. Expression levels of PAG1 in post-mortem brain samples from schizophrenia patients and controls also showed no significant differences. To assess the precise role of PAG1 in schizophrenia, future studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Cyclic phosphatidic acid is produced by autotaxin in blood

Cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA), an analog of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), was previously identified in human serum. Although cPA possesses distinct physiological activities not elicited by LPA, its biochemical origins have scarcely been studied. In the present study, we assayed cPA formation from lysophosphatidylcholine in fetal bovine serum and found significant activity of transphosphatidylation that generated cPA. The cPA-producing enzyme was purified from fetal bovine serum using five chromatographic steps yielding a 100-kDa protein with cPA biosynthetic activity. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of its tryptic peptides revealed that the enzyme shared identical fragments with human autotaxin, a serum lysophospholipase D that produces LPA. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the 100-kDa protein was specifically recognized by an anti-human autotaxin antibody. Moreover, recombinant rat autotaxin was found to generate cPA in addition to LPA. No significant cPA- or LPA-producing activity was detected in autotaxin-depleted serum from bovine or human prepared by immunoprecipitation with an anti-autotaxin monoclonal antibody. These results indicate that the generation of cPA and LPA in serum is mainly attributed to autotaxin.

Exfoliation of Helicobacter pylori from Gastric Mucin by Glycopolypeptides from Buttermilk

In the human stomach, Helicobacter pylori, an ulcer pathogenic bacterium, colonizes the gastric mucosal layer primarily. The ability of glycopolypeptides (GPP) prepared from buttermilk to exfoliate H. pylori bound to gastric mucin was investigated. The GPP were prepared from buttermilk by digestion with trypsin, papain, pancreatin, bromelain, or pepsin. Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43504T and 43579 adhered more strongly to all of the GPP tested than to whole buttermilk, the soluble fraction of buttermilk, gastric mucin prepared from mouse stomach, or commercial pig gastric mucin. The GPP digested with trypsin, papain, or pancreatin were significantly more adherent. When the GPP concentration was 10 mg/mL, bound H. pylori ATCC 43504T, 43579, and 5 clinical isolates were exfoliated markedly from immobilized porcine gastric mucin following treatment with GPP digested with trypsin or pancreatin. This ability of GPP did not correlate with sialic acid content, indicating that sialic acid content is not important in the exfoliation of this microorganism. Such an ability may depend on the structure or number of sugar chains, or the position of sialic acid. We conclude that GPP promote the exfoliation of H. pylori bound to gastric mucin and prevent the de novo adherence of this microorganism. As such, GPP are a promising food material for preventing H. pylori infection.

EP1 and EP4 receptors mediate exocytosis evoked by prostaglandin E(2) in guinea-pig antral mucous cells

Effects of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on exocytosis of mucin were studied in mucous cells isolated from guinea-pig antrum using video-microscopy. Stimulation with PGE(2) elicited a sustained increase in the frequency of exocytotic events in a dose-dependent manner, which was under regulation by both Ca(2+) and cAMP. Stimulation with a selective prostanoid EP4 receptor agonist (ONO-AEI-329, 10 microM), which activates cAMP signals, elicited a sustained increase in the frequency of exocytotic events (30 % of that evoked by 1 microM PGE(2)). Stimulation with an EP1 agonist (17-P-T-PGE(2), 1 microM), which activates Ca(2+) signals, increased the frequency of exocytotic events to a lesser extent (5 % of that evoked by 1 microM PGE(2)), while addition of an EP1 antagonist (ONO-8713, 10 microM) decreased the frequency of exocytotic events (approximately 40 % of that evoked by 1 microM PGE(2)). However, addition of the EP1 agonist potentiated the frequency of exocytotic events evoked by the EP4 agonist or forskolin (which elevates cAMP levels) and increased the sensitivity of the exocytotic events to forskolin. These results suggest that the Ca(2+) signal activated via the EP1 receptor potentiates the cAMP-regulated exocytotic events activated via the EP4 receptor during PGE(2) stimulation, by increasing the sensitivity of the exocytotic response to cAMP. In conclusion, exocytotic events in PGE(2)-stimulated antral mucous cells were regulated by interactions between EP1 and EP4 receptors. Experimental Physiology (2001) 86.4, 451-460.

[Na+]i, [K+]i and [Cl-]i regulation of exocytosis in guinea-pig antral mucous cells

Effects of intracellular Na+, K+ and Cl- on Ca(2+)-regulated exocytosis activated by 10 microM acetylcholine (ACh) were studied in guinea-pig antral mucous cells which are permeabilized by nystatin treatment. Ca(2+)-regulated exocytotic events were modulated by [Na+]i, [K+]i and [Cl-]i via mediation of PTX-sensitive G proteins. Increases in [Na+]i and PTX inhibit G protein (G(Na)), which suppressed the exocytosis. Increases in [K+]i caused the exchange of G proteins (from G(Na) to G(K)) to increase, and GK evoked activation of the exocytosis and was inhibited by PTX. Increases in [Cl-]i and PTX inhibit G protein (G(Cl)), which stimulates exocytotic events. Based on these observations, the exocytosis in antral mucous cells were modulated by intracellular ions, concentration of which were increased or decreased by cell volume changes caused by Ach.

Alteration of colonic mucin after ureterosigmoidostomy

PURPOSE

Patients undergoing urinary diversion by ureterosigmoidostomy after complete cystectomy for malignant bladder tumors show a high incidence of neoplasia at and near the site of anastomosis. We examined a risk factor for tumor occurrence in the area of anastomosis, alterations of mucus glycoproteins in the surrounding colonic mucosa.

METHODS

Colonoscopy was performed in 37 patients who had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy. Biopsy specimens were obtained near the ureteral anastomosis and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, high iron-diamine alcian blue (pH 2.5), and a fluorescent lectin conjugate (peanut agglutinin).

RESULTS

At the anastomotic site colonoscopy showed protruding lesions in 26 of 37 patients (71 percent), all histologically representing inflammatory granulomas. The mucosa around the anastomosis was normal in endoscopic appearance; however, histologically, slight inflammatory cell infiltration, edema, and increased numbers of Paneth cells were observed. Alcian blue staining revealed an increase in mucosal sialomucin postoperatively compared with preoperatively. The proportion of peanut agglutinin-binding mucin, not observed in normal mucosa but seen in malignant or premalignant tissue, was increased.

CONCLUSION

As postoperative interval increases, changes in properties of the "background" mucosa become greater, which suggests an association with colonic carcinogenesis.

Breath and blood ammonia in liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hyperammonemia causes dysfunction of multiple organs in patients with cirrhosis, including hepatic encephalopathy. Blood ammonia concentrations are monitored with respect to disease progression and efficacy of treatment. Fetor hepaticus, the characteristic breath odor in hepatic encephalopathy has called little quantitative attention to breath ammonia. We studied the dynamics of ammonia metabolism in cirrhosis in terms of the relationship between breath and blood ammonia.

METHODOLOGY

Breath and blood ammonia levels were measured simultaneously in 20 cirrhotic patients and in 10 healthy volunteers. Breath ammonia was measured using ammonia electrodes in collected expired air. Helicobacter pylori serum antibody titers were also measured, since the organism produces ammonia.

RESULTS

Blood ammonia correlated positively with breath ammonia in patients with cirrhosis. Breath ammonia levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients (0.745 ppm) than in controls (0.278 ppm), and higher in cirrhotic patients with hyperammonemia (0.997 ppm) than in those without (0.558 ppm). Breath and blood ammonia decreased together with treatment of hyperammonemia. H. pylori seropositivity was 20% in controls, 27.3% in cirrhotic patients with normal blood ammonia, and 66.7% in those with hyperammonemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Breath ammonia measurement may be useful in diagnosis, treatment assessment, and follow-up in hepatic encephalopathy.

Inhibition of Ca(2+) entry caused by depolarization in acetylcholine-stimulated antral mucous cells of guinea pig: G protein regulation of Ca(2+) permeable channels

The effects of depolarizing conditions resulting from increasing extracellular K(+) concentration or nystatin treatment on intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were studied in guinea pig antral mucous cells following acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation. ACh stimulation evoked a biphasic increase in [Ca(2+)](i), that is, an initial transient increase followed by a plateau. Depolarizing conditions reduced the [Ca(2+)](i) in the plateau phase during ACh stimulation. However, pertussis toxin (PTX, a G protein inhibitor) treatment caused [Ca(2+)](i) in the ACh-evoked plateau phase to increase under depolarizing conditions, while it had no effect on [Ca(2+)](i) under hyperpolarized conditions. Based on these observations, Ca(2+) permeable channels are regulated by a G protein which is activated by depolarized conditions and inhibited by hyperpolarized conditions and PTX; activation of the G protein (depolarization) causes Ca(2+) permeable channels to inhibit, and in turn, inhibition of the G protein (hyperpolarization) causes them to activate.

Effect of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on circulation in the elderly

BACKGROUND

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly is increasingly becoming more common, despite the possibility that a minimal load on the circulation can cause serious complications such as shock and cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of endoscopy on the heart and the possibility of predicting circulatory accidents were studied using natriuretic peptide levels.

METHODS

The patients were randomly chosen according to their age and divided into an elderly group (over 60 years of age, 64 patients) and a young group (under 30 years of age, 20 patients). The patients in the elderly group were further subdivided into two groups based on the presence or absence of circulatory complications (46 patients with circulatory complications and 18 without complications). The load on the heart was evaluated by measuring human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP) which are secreted by the myocardial cells in response to cardiac load. Specimens were obtained before and after endoscopy.

RESULTS

The hANP level was significantly higher after endoscopy in the elderly group, regardless of the presence or absence of circulatory complications. No significant difference was observed in the hBNP level. No significant increase in hANP or hBNP levels was observed after endoscopy in the young group.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest an increased atrial load during endoscopy in the elderly. The increase in pulse rate during endoscopy is one possible cause of atrial load. Therefore, the risk of circulatory system damage must be recognized when endoscopy is performed in the elderly. The measurement of plasma hANP and hBNP levels may provide effective indices for evaluating cardiac load during endoscopy.

[A case of gastric carcinoma treated effectively with 5'-DFUR]

A 79-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for further examination on gastric carcinoma (1' type) in the cardia. The histology of biopsied tissue was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (tub2). The patient refused a gastrectomy and received three cycles of local injection therapy with OK-432 + Beriplast into the tumor. However, the tumor showed no decrease in size. Considering the quality of life, the patient was given out patient treatment with 5'-DFUR (Furtulon, 800 mg/day). Three months later, the patient showed a partial response (PR) on the basis of gastric X-ray and endoscopic findings. No adverse reactions to the drug were seen. The patient has been receiving the same drug since then, and has continued to show PR for 15 months. Biopsied tissues were checked immunohistochemically for expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TdRPase), and changes in tissue TdRPase level were examined by ELISA. The TdRPase level decreased with shrinking of the tumor. These results suggest that the shrinking of tumor following 5'-DFUR therapy is closely related to TdRPase.

Isosmotic modulation of Ca2+-regulated exocytosis in guinea-pig antral mucous cells: role of cell volume

1. Exocytotic events and changes of cell volume in mucous cells from guinea-pig antrum were examined by video-enhanced optical microscopy. 2. Acetylcholine (ACh) evoked exocytotic events following cell shrinkage, the frequency and extent of which depended on the ACh concentration. ACh actions were mimicked by ionomycin and thapsigargin, and inhibited by Ca2+-free solution and Ca2+ channel blockers (Ni2+, Cd2+ and nifedipine). Application of 100 microM W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, also inhibited the ACh-induced exocytotic events. These results indicate that ACh actions are mediated by intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in antral mucous cells. 3. The effects of ion channel blockers on exocytotic events and cell shrinkage evoked by ACh were examined. Inhibition of KCl release (quinine, Ba2+, NPPB or KCl solution) suppressed both the exocytotic events and cell shrinkage evoked by ACh. 4. Bumetanide (inhibition of NaCl entry) or Cl--free solution (increasing Cl- release and inhibition of NaCl entry) evoked exocytotic events following cell shrinkage in unstimulated antral mucous cells and caused further cell shrinkage and increases in the frequency of exocytotic events in ACh-stimulated cells. However, Cl--free solution did not evoke exocytotic events in unstimulated cells in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, although cell shrinkage occurred. 5. To examine the effects of cell volume on ACh-evoked exocytosis, the cell volume was altered by increasing the extracellular K+ concentration. The results showed that cell shrinkage increases the frequency of ACh-evoked exocytotic events and cell swelling decreases them. 6. Osmotic shrinkage or swelling caused the frequency of ACh-evoked exocytotic events to increase. This suggests that the effects of cell volume on ACh-evoked exocytosis under anisosmotic conditions may not be the same as those under isosmotic conditions. 7. In antral mucous cells, Ca2+-regulated exocytosis is modulated by cell shrinkage under isosmotic conditions.

Persistently increased gastrin and decreased pepsinogen concentrations in serum from some patients with Graves' disease of triiodothyronine-predominant type and common type

This study aimed to investigate the cause of persistently increased serum gastrin concentration seen in some Graves' disease patients even when euthyroid during antithyroid drug treatment. The subjects studied consisted of three groups: 33 patients with a common-type of Graves' disease, 14 with triiodothyronine (T3)-predominant Graves' disease (characterized from previous studies as having potent immunologic abnormalities including greater concentrations of thyroid-stimulating antibodies together with larger goiter size), and a group of 20 normal subjects. Fasting serum gastrin concentrations in common Graves' disease patients were significantly higher than those of normal subjects (58.4 +/- 38.9 pmol/L vs. 37.8 +/- 18.9 pmol/L [mean +/- SD], p < 0.05). The serum gastrin concentrations were even greater in T3-predominant Graves' disease patients than common Graves' disease patients (162.9 +/- 224.0 pmol/L vs. 58.4 +/- 38.9 pmol/L, p < .05). Serum pepsinogen I (PGI) concentrations were significantly lower in the T3-predominant patient group than the common Graves' group (24.0 +/- 12.9 ng/mL vs. 39.7 +/- 19.6 ng/mL, p < .05). Serum ratios of PG I to PG II were significantly lower in the T3-predominant Graves' disease patients than normal subjects (3.59 +/- 2.66 vs. 5.97 +/- 1.56, p < .01). The ratios also had a significant (p < .05) inverse correlation with serum gastrin concentrations in T3-predominant Graves' disease patients. The results suggest that autoimmune gastritis is associated with Graves' disease, particularly in patients with potent thyroid-autoimmunity.

Comparison of lidocaine with and without bupivacaine for local dental anesthesia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a combination of bupivacaine and lidocaine and that of lidocaine alone for local dental anesthesia. First, on different days, healthy volunteers were given 2% lidocaine with 1/80,000 epinephrine or 2% lidocaine with 1/80,000 epinephrine + 0.5% bupivacaine, after which pain was produced with a pulp tester. No difference was found in the time until onset of anesthetic effect between the preparations. However, the duration of anesthetic effect was longer with both lidocaine and bupivacaine than with lidocaine alone. Next, patients undergoing dental surgery were given one of the anesthetic preparations, after which serum concentrations of the anesthetics and epinephrine were measured. The maximal serum concentration of lidocaine was higher and was reached sooner after injection in patients receiving lidocaine alone (1.74 microgram/ml after 5 min) than in patients receiving both anesthetics (0.85 microgram/ml after 3 min). The mean maximal serum concentration of lidocaine was higher in patients receiving lidocaine alone (1.77 +/- 0.03 microgram/ml) than in those receiving both anesthetics (0.99 +/- 0.45 microgram/ml). Furthermore, the mean plasma concentration of epinephrine 1 min after injection was significantly higher in patients receiving lidocaine alone (0.671 ng/ml) than in patients receiving both lidocaine and bupivacaine (0.323 ng/ml). The results of this study suggest that the combination of lidocaine with epinephrine and bupivacaine produces lower systemic levels of the anesthetic and epinephrine and a longer duration of activity than lidocaine with epinephrine alone for local dental anesthesia.

[The effects of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on the circulatory system of elderly patients as evaluated by measuring hANP and hBNP]

Endoscopic examinations of the elderly have been increasing annually due to increase in the size of the elderly population, and due to the development and increased use of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The reserve potential of the circulatory system is frequently diminished in the elderly. Thus, a minimal load on the circulatory system can induce a critical status. Therefore, the effects of endoscopic examination on the circulation, most notably on the heart itself, was examined in the elderly (over 60 years old) and in younger (under 30 years old) individuals. Atrial and ventricular load were evaluated by measuring the concentration of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP), both before and after endoscopic examination. These peptides are secreted by myocardial cells in reaction to sharp increases in cardiac load. No significant difference was observed between the blood pressure of the elderly group (21 cases) and that of the young group (10 cases), either before or after endoscopic examination. However, the pulse rate was raised significantly after the examination in both groups. Furthermore, the hANP concentration was significantly higher after the endoscopic examination in the elderly group, although no notable difference in hBNP concentration was observed after endoscopy. In the younger group, the hANP concentration did not change significantly, but the hBNP concentration was notably lower after the examination. Increased atrial load during endoscopic examination of the elderly was indicated by these observations. Therefore, overall patients status must be correctly evaluated, with particular recognition of potential circulatory system damage, when endoscopic examinations are performed on the elderly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of acid secretagogues on mucin synthesis using primary monolayer culture of the guinea pig gastric mucous cells

Mucin plays a principal role in protecting the gastric mucosa against injury. We investigated the effect of acid secretagogues on mucin synthesis using a primary gastric mucous cell monolayer culture system of guinea pig. Significant increases in mucin synthesis were observed in response to the secretagogues pentagastrin (10(-8)M, 10(-7)M) and carbachol (10(-4)M, 10(-3)M), but not to histamine. After pretreatment with indomethacin (10(-5)M), 10(-8)M pentagastrin significantly increased mucin synthesis to 125.6 +/- 3.9%, but carbachol did not. Prostaglandin E2 release into the culture medium was significantly increased by 10(-4)M carbachol to 118.0 +/- 5.9%, but there was no change after application of pentagastrin. These findings suggest that pentagastrin and carbachol may act directly on mucous cells, and that part of the mucin synthesis-promoting action of carbachol is mediated by prostaglandins. There were no changes in intracellular cAMP concentration after the addition of these acid secretagogues. However, calcium ionophore (A23187) produced an increase in mucin synthesis, suggesting a Ca++ involvement in mucin synthesis. No differences were found in the sugar side chain structures of newly synthesized mucin glycoprotein as a result of exposure to acid secretagogues by histochemical or biochemical methods using lectins.

Kimura's disease (angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia) associated with ulcerative colitis

We treated a 35-year-old Japanese woman who had Kimura's disease associated with ulcerative colitis. Kimura's disease is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disease considered to be of allergic origin based on the presence of eosinophilia and IgE hyperimmunoglobulinemia, and may be a manifestation of a systemic immunologic disturbance. Some immunological complications such as nephrotic syndrome have been reported in association with Kimura's disease, but the present case is the first associated with ulcerative colitis.

Determination of free N-acetylamino acids in biological samples and N-terminal acetylamino acids of proteins

N-Acetylamino acids were derivatized with 9-anthryldiazomethane to the corresponding esters. The anthryl esters were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and detected fluorimetrically (excitation at 365 nm; fluorescence emission measured at 412 nm). N-Acetyl derivatives of Asn, Gln, Ser, Thr, Gly, Ala, Tyr, Pro, Met, Val, Ile and Leu as well as N-formyl-Met could be separated and identified in the same chromatographic run. The detection limit was from 0.10 pmol for AcGln to 5.5 pmol for AcIle and AcLeu. When the acetylamino acids listed above were added to the 700 g supernatant of a rat liver homogenate, the mean recovery was 72%. AcAla and AcTyr were found in free form in baker's yeast. Proteins with an acetylated N-terminus were digested by a protease, and the peptides formed were treated with an N-acylamino acid-releasing enzyme. This method was applied to end-group determination of four proteins (each 0.5 nmol).

Report of a case of Crohn's disease associated with hyper-creatine phosphokinase-emia

A young male patient with myositis associated with Crohn's disease is reported. His serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level was markedly elevated, but he had no muscle symptoms. The serum CPK level was not correlated with the activity of Crohn's disease. Muscle biopsy showed myositis with only degeneration of the muscle fibers and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The etiology of myositis in this case was not clear. Diagnosis of myositis based on a muscle biopsy in patients with Crohn's disease showing an elevated serum CPK level without any discernible cause has not been reported previously. Careful attention to the serum CPK and muscle symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease is suggested.

Clinical study of a new fecal occult blood test using a combination assay of hemoglobin and transferrin

The applicability of a new immunological fecal occult blood test in which hemoglobin (Hb) and transferrin (Tf) are simultaneously assayed was evaluated. The mean absorbance and standard deviation (510/630 nm) obtained by this test was 0.840 +/- 0.805 in 51 fecal samples from patients with colon cancer, 0.248 +/- 0.305 in 95 samples from patients with colon polyps, and 0.104 +/- 0.053 in 110 samples from control patients; these values differed significantly (P less than 0.005). Hb and Tf concentrations were separately determined in the same fecal samples, and qualitative evaluation was performed with a cutoff value of 5.1 micrograms/g feces for Hb and 0.4 micrograms/g feces for Tf. Hb or Tf was positive in 41 of the 51 samples in the colon cancer group, 33 of the 95 in the colon polyp group, and 3 of the 110 in the control group. Qualitative analysis of the values obtained by the combination assay of Hb and Tf with a cutoff value of 0.200 revealed positive rates of 41/51 in the colon cancer group, 33/95 in the colon polyp group, and 4/110 in the control group. These results suggest the usefulness of a combination assay of Hb and Tf as a fecal occult blood test.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatous angiitis) with peculiar multiple colonic ulcers

We treated a 40-yr-old Japanese woman who had Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), as diagnosed by characteristic clinical features and histological findings; in addition, peculiar multiple colonic ulcers were seen during the course of her illness. Although gastrointestinal symptoms are often seen in CSS, there are few descriptions of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. In the English literature, the gastrointestinal manifestations of CSS include eosinophilic gastroenteritis, but the mucosa is not usually ulcerated. On the other hand, Japanese cases are characterized by multiple ulcers which are considered to be caused by ischemia secondary to the vasculitis. Most of the reported cases have not been diagnosed until laparotomy or autopsy, and our case is the first with multiple ulcers throughout the entire colon as a complication of CSS.

Analysis of cancer-associated colonic mucin by ion-exchange chromatography: evidence for a mucin species of lower molecular charge and weight in cancer

Cancer-associated mucins in the colon are antigenically distinct and glycosylated differently from their normal counterparts. Mucin-rich glycoconjugate preparations were made from nine non-neoplastic colons, seven colon cancers, and two different xenografts from mucin-producing human colon cancer cell lines, and radiolabeled with 3H. The preparation was applied to a DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange column, and eluted with a discontinuous ascending NaCl gradient resulting in seven discrete fractions or 'species'. Over half of the 3H-labeled glycoconjugates from specimens of non-neoplastic colonic epithelium eluted in fraction V (eluted with 0.25 NaCl). Significantly less of the 3H-labeled glycoconjugates from specimens of colon cancer eluted in fraction V (34%, P less than 0.0005), and there were significant increases in glycoconjugates eluted in fractions IV (P less than 0.008), III (P less than 0.0005), and II (P less than 0.028). Additional samples were prepared without the radiolabeling procedures, chromatographed on a DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange column, and analyzed for monosaccharide content. Each of the fractions contained the monosaccharides expected in mucin-type glycoproteins, but only sialic acid was differentially expressed in the seven fractions or 'species', occurring principally in the more charged species. However, differences in sialic acid content were not sufficient to explain the differences in retention on the ion-exchange column, nor were differences in O-acetylation of the mucins. Mucin-type glycoconjugates from colon cancers are relatively less charged than those from the normal colon, and elute at lower ionic strengths. Of interest, cancer-associated mucins appear to be of lower molecular weight than their normal counterparts. Additional studies of oligosaccharide and apomucin structure will be required to explain the molecular basis of these differences in charge.

Glycoconjugate expression in normal, metaplastic, and neoplastic human upper gastrointestinal mucosa

Glycoconjugate structure in upper gastrointestinal epithelium was studied using five lectins to determine the relationship between aberrant differentiation and glycoconjugate expression. Specimens of normal esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were examined and compared with specimens of columnar metaplasia in the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) and specimens of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and stomach. Specific terminal glycoconjugate structures were found for the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Minor differences were found between the antral and fundic gland mucosae, reflecting their respective cell populations. In biopsies of Barrett's esophagus, gastric-type columnar metaplasia expressed glycoconjugates indistinguishable from those in the normal stomach. In specialized-type columnar metaplasia, a more restricted expression of glycoconjugates was seen resembling the normal duodenum. The presence of low grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus associated with adenocarcinoma had no impact on glycoconjugate expression. However, a distinctive difference in glycosylation was seen in high grade dysplasia of the columnar-lined esophagus and in adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and stomach. Barrett's esophagus is a morphological mosaic in which the glycoconjugate expression resembles that seen in the normal stomach and duodenum. However, in high grade dysplasia and carcinoma, variable deletion of glycoconjugate expression can be found.