Involvement of MCH-oxytocin neural relay within the hypothalamus in murine nursing behavior

Multiple sequential actions, performed during parental behaviors, are essential elements of reproduction in mammalian species. We showed that neurons expressing melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) are more active in rodents of both sexes when exhibiting parental nursing behavior. Genetic ablation of the LHA-MCH neurons impaired maternal nursing. The post-birth survival rate was lower in pups born to female mice with congenitally ablated MCH neurons under control of tet-off system, exhibiting reduced crouching behavior. Virgin female and male mice with ablated MCH neurons were less interested in pups and maternal care. Chemogenetic and optogenetic stimulation of LHA-MCH neurons induced parental nursing in virgin female and male mice. LHA-MCH GABAergic neurons project fibres to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) neurons. Optogenetic stimulation of PVN induces nursing crouching behavior along with increasing plasma oxytocin levels. The hypothalamic MCH neural relays play important functional roles in parental nursing behavior in female and male mice.

Growth hormone activates X-box binding protein 1 in a sexually dimorphic manner through the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β pathway in rat liver

Growth hormone (GH) has multiple physiological roles, acting on many organs. In order to investigate its roles in rat liver, we tried to identify novel genes whose transcription was regulated by GH. We identified X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) as a candidate gene. XBP1 is a key transcription factor activated in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mode of action of GH on XBP1, including the relation with ER stress, sex-dependent expression of the mRNA, and the signaling pathway. Intravenous administration of GH rapidly and transiently increased Xbp1 mRNA in hypophysectomized rat livers. Neither phosphorylated inositol-requiring-1α (IRE1α) nor phosphorylated PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) increased, suggesting that Xbp1 expression is induced by an ER stress-independent mechanism. The active form of XBP1(S) protein was increased by GH administration and was followed by an increased ER-associated dnaJ protein 4 (ERdj4) mRNA level. XBP1(S) protein levels were predominantly identified in male rat livers with variations among individuals similar to those of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B (STAT5B), suggesting that XBP1(S) protein levels are regulated by the sex-dependent secretary pattern of GH. The GH signaling pathway to induce Xbp1 mRNA was examined in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells. GH induced the phosphorylation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) following extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Taken together, the results indicated that XBP1 is activated by GH in rat liver in a sexually dimorphic manner via ERK and C/EBPβ pathway.

Clinicopathologic Impact of Early Medullary Ray Injury in Patients Following Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Previously, we explored the histopathologic characteristics of medullary ray injury (MRI) inducing interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) to determine its etiologies, which include calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity and urologic complications. However, we did not examine the effects of these etiologies on long-term kidney allograft prognosis, because biopsy timing differed among cases.

AIM

We examined the influence of early MRI on kidney allograft prognosis using protocol biopsies taken within a 3-month time frame.

METHODS

We defined early MRI as tubular degeneration with interstitial edema or mild fibrosis localized to the medullary ray. We divided 53 protocol biopsies into 2 groups, with and without early MRI. Early MRI+ cases with isometric vacuolization were classified as CNI toxicity; those with Tamm-Horsfall protein in the interstitium and a thyroidlike appearance were classified as urinary tract system abnormalities; remaining cases were classified as "others." We compared changes in serum levels of creatinine (sCr) over 3 years and fibrosis extent at 1 year.

RESULTS

The sCr levels were significantly higher in the MRI+ group than the MRI- group at 3 years (P = .024). Examining the 3 MRI+ subgroups, only the MRI+ urinary tract system abnormalities group had significantly high sCr levels compared to the MRI- group (P = .019). The MRI+ group showed significant signs of IF/TA at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Early MRI after kidney transplantation was significantly more likely to develop IF/TA at 1 year and had higher sCr levels at 3 years. In such cases, intervention might preserve graft function over the long term.

Vomeronasal signal deficiency enhances parental behavior in socially isolated male mice

We previously reported that social isolation promotes parental care in sexually naïve male mice. This effect was blocked by exposure to chemosensory and auditory social signals derived from males in an adjacent compartment. In the present study, we examined whether the chemosensory signals detected in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) are involved in parental behavior by using mice deficient for a VNO-specific ion channel (Trpc2^-/-) and thus impaired in VNO-input signaling. We housed virgin homozygous Trpc2^-/- and heterozygous Trpc2^± males for 3weeks during puberty (5-8weeks old) alone or in groups of 3-5 males. At 8weeks of age, the mice were placed with three pups in an observation cage and tested for parental behavior. The Trpc2^-/- males housed under isolated conditions spent significantly longer in the vicinity of pups than did the Trpc2^-/- males than had been group housed, whereas no isolation effect was observed in heterozygous Trpc2^± males. Both Trpc2 knockout and isolation housing significantly increased the time males spent licking pups and crouching (arched back posture over pups to enable nursing), whereas only isolation housing increased the incidence of retrieval behavior. These results demonstrated that social signals transmitted not only through the VNO but also from other modalities, independent of each other, suppress the expression of parental behavior during puberty in sexually naïve males.

Social isolation prompts maternal behavior in sexually naïve male ddN mice

Maternal behavior in mice is considered to be sexually dimorphic; that is, females show maternal care for their offspring, whereas this behavior is rarely shown in males. Here, we examined how social isolation affects the interaction of adult male mice with pups. Three weeks of isolation during puberty (5-8 weeks old) induced retrieving and crouching when exposed to pups, while males with 1 week isolation (7-8 weeks old) also showed such maternal care, but were less responsive to pups. We also examined the effect of isolation during young adulthood (8-11 weeks old), and found an induction of maternal behavior comparable to that in younger male mice. This effect was blocked by exposure to chemosensory and auditory social signals derived from males in an attached compartment separated by doubled opaque barriers. These results demonstrate that social isolation in both puberty and postpuberty facilitates male maternal behavior in sexually naïve mice. The results also indicate that air-borne chemicals and/or sounds of male conspecifics, including ultrasonic vocalization and noise by their movement may be sufficient to interfere with the isolation effect on induction of maternal behavior in male mice.

Growth hormone ameliorates adipose dysfunction during oxidative stress and inflammation and improves glucose tolerance in obese mice

Patients with adult growth hormone deficiency exhibit visceral fat accumulation, which gives rise to a cluster of metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia. Plasma growth hormone levels are lower in obese patients with metabolic syndrome than in healthy subjects. Here we examined the hypothesis that exogenous growth hormone administration regulates function of adipose tissue to improve glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Twelve-week-old obese male C57BL/6 J mice received bovine growth hormone daily for 6 weeks. In epididymal fat, growth hormone treatment antagonized diet-induced changes in the gene expression of adiponectin, leptin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and significantly increased the gene expression of interleukin-10 and CD206. Growth hormone also suppressed the accumulation of oxidative stress marker, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, in the epididymal fat and enhanced the gene expression of anti-oxidant enzymes. Moreover, growth hormone significantly restored glucose tolerance in obese mice. In cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, growth hormone prevented the decline in adiponectin gene expression in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. These results suggest that growth hormone administration ameliorates glucose intolerance in obese mice presumably by decreasing adipose mass, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation in the visceral fat.

Sunitinib, a small-molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suppresses neointimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured rat carotid artery

The migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by growth factors play a critical role in in-stent stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The present study tested the hypothesis that sunitinib malate (sunitinib), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of multiple receptors for growth factors, can reduce neointimal formation after arterial injury in vivo and sought to reveal the underlying mechanism in vitro. Male Wistar rats with balloon-injured carotid arteries were administered either sunitinib or a vehicle orally for 2 weeks. Sunitinib significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia relative to control by reducing active cell proliferation. In cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), sunitinib significantly inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced increases of DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and migration relative to controls as evaluated by [(3)H] thymidine incorporation, cell number, and the Boyden chamber assay, respectively. Immunoblot analyses showed that sunitinib suppressed phosphorylation of PDGF-BB inducible extracellular signal-regulated kinase and autophosphorylation of PDGF β-receptor, which are the key signaling steps involved in HASMC activation. These results indicate that sunitinib inhibits neointimal formation after arterial injury by suppressing VSMC proliferation and migration presumably through inactivation of PDGF signaling. As such, it may be a potential therapeutic agent, which targets arterial restenosis after PCI.

[Newly developed method of computed tomography scanning to obtain three-dimensional graphics for supporting pulmonary resection]

To acquire the pulmonary artery (PA) and pulmonary vein (PV) image separately, we scanned PA phase while X-ray source moved caudal direction, followed by continuous scan of PV phase by moving back reverse direction. We assessed some scanning conditions to shorten scanning time and determined the starting time for scanning to obtain the maximum intensity difference of radio-opaque contrast between PA and PV phase. Additional infusion of normal saline was followed after contrast medium administration. Finally, scanning could be finished almost 10 seconds with only 20 ml contrast medium for establish three-dimensional (3D) images of pulmonary vessels, and the residual contrast medium could be used for consecutive usual preoperative computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three patients who underwent lung resection were assessed their preoperative 3D-CT images using 5-point scale; 5 and 4 as good, 3 as fair, 2 and 1 as poor. As a result, 18 (78.3%) and 1 (4.3%) were categorized as good and poor, respectively. We successfully decreased the frequency of CT and contrast agent dose for 3D-CT in patients being scheduled for lung resection by the new methods reported herein. Additionally, the workload of building up 3D-CT images by medical workers was also reduced.

Melanocortin 2 receptor is required for adrenal gland development, steroidogenesis, and neonatal gluconeogenesis

ACTH (i.e., corticotropin) is the principal regulator of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and stimulates steroidogenesis in the adrenal gland via the specific cell-surface melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R). Here, we generated mice with an inactivation mutation of the MC2R gene to elucidate the roles of MC2R in adrenal development, steroidogenesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. These mice, the last of the knockout (KO) mice to be generated for melanocortin family receptors, provide the opportunity to compare the phenotype of proopiomelanocortin KO mice with that of MC1R-MC5R KO mice. We found that the MC2R KO mutation led to neonatal lethality in three-quarters of the mice, possibly as a result of hypoglycemia. Those surviving to adulthood exhibited macroscopically detectable adrenal glands with markedly atrophied zona fasciculata, whereas the zona glomerulosa and the medulla remained fairly intact. Mutations of MC2R have been reported to be responsible for 25% of familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) cases. Adult MC2R KO mice resembled FGD patients in several aspects, such as undetectable levels of corticosterone despite high levels of ACTH, unresponsiveness to ACTH, and hypoglycemia after prolonged (36 h) fasting. However, MC2R KO mice differ from patients with MC2R-null mutations in several aspects, such as low aldosterone levels and unaltered body length. These results indicate that MC2R is required for postnatal adrenal development and adrenal steroidogenesis and that MC2R KO mice provide a useful animal model by which to study FGD.

Corticotropin-releasing factor type-1 receptor mRNA is not induced in mouse hypothalamus by either stress or osmotic stimulation

In rats, acute stress substantially increases corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) type 1 receptor (CRFR-1) mRNA expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and osmotic stimulation induces both CRF and CRFR-1 mRNA in magnocellular PVN and supraoptic nucleus (SON). However, these phenomena have not been analysed in other species. We compared CRF and CRFR-1 expression in rat and mouse hypothalamus. Male C57BL/6 mice and Wistar rats were exposed to acute restraint stress for 3 h, or to hypertonic saline ingestion for 7 days. Restraint stress increased CRF and c-fos mRNA expression in both rat and mouse PVN. CRFR-1 mRNA was barely detectable in controls, whereas restraint stress substantially increased CRFR-1 mRNA in rat PVN, but not in mouse. Hypertonic saline ingestion induced CRF mRNA in magnocellular PVN and SON of the rat, but did not alter CRF mRNA levels in mouse hypothalamus. CRFR-1 mRNA was also induced in magnocellular PVN and SON of the rat in response to osmotic stimulation, but not in mouse. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CRFR-1-like immunoreactivity (ir) was distributed within parvocellular and magnocellular PVN of mouse and rat. CRFR-1-ir in rat PVN was increased by acute stress and osmotic stimulation. By contrast, these treatments did not alter CRFR-1-ir in mouse PVN. Combined immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that CRFR-1-ir was most frequently colocalized to CRF in mouse PVN, whereas only a small percentage of oxytocin and vasopressin-producing cells coexpressed CRFR-1-ir. These results indicate that (i) by contrast to rats, neither acute stress nor osmotic stimulation induces CRFR-1 mRNA expression in the mouse PVN; (ii) osmotic stimulation does not alter CRF mRNA expression in parvocellular and magnocellular neurones of mouse PVN; and (iii) acute stress increases c-fos and CRF mRNA to a similar degree in mouse and rat PVN. Thus, differences may exist between mouse and rat in the regulation of CRF and CRFR-1 gene expression in hypothalamus following stress and osmotic stimulation.

Regulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) type-1 receptor gene expression by CRF in the hypothalamus

We reported previously that acute stress and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) increased neuronal activation and CRF type-1 receptor (CRFR-1) mRNA expression in the CRF-producing neurons of the parvocellular paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. In this study, to determine whether CRF can act directly on hypothalamic CRF neurons, thereby increasing CRFR-1 expression, microinjection of CRF into PVN neurons in vivo and primary cultures of dispersed rat fetal hypothalami in vitro were performed. Microinjection of 0.1 microg of CRF into the PVN significantly increased c-fos and CRFR-1 mRNA expression in the CRF-producing parvocellular PVN, 30 min or 180 min after injection, respectively. This effect was blocked by a CRF antagonist, alpha-helical CRF. CRF, when injected into the lateral ventricle at the same dose, increased neither CRFR-1 nor c-fos mRNA levels in the PVN. Primary culture of hypothalamic neurons revealed that CRFR-1 like immunoreactivity was located in CRF-containing neurons, and that the CRFR-1 mRNA level was significantly increased 4 h after incubation with 10(-8) M CRF. These results demonstrate that CRF directly affects hypothalamic neurons to increase CRFR-1 mRNA expression, providing evidence of a direct role for CRF in the regulation of CRFR-1 expression of hypothalamic neurons.

Alteration of endothelin-1 concentration in STZ-induced diabetic rat nephropathy. Effects of a PGI(2) derivative

BACKGROUND

Recently, an endothelin (ET-1) with a potent vasoconstrictive activity and stimulative activity of vascular muscular cell growth was discovered and blood ET-1 levels were higher in diabetic patients than in healthy subjects, suggesting that high ET-1 levels assist development and progression of diabetic microangiography.

METHODS

We examined renal function, and serum and tissue ET-1 levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats treated with a prostaglandin (PG) I(2) derivative to investigate the effect of PGI(2) in diabetic vascular disturbance.

RESULTS

Renal weight, urinary albumin, urinary N-acetyl-beta,D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and serum ET-1 levels increased in STZ-induced diabetic rats, and a tendency to increase in renal tissue ET-1 levels was observed. Furthermore, electron-microscopic findings in the kidneys showed mesangial cell proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion which might be caused by diabetic nephropathy. The PGI(2) derivative reduced urinary albumin and NAG levels in STZ-induced rats. It was considered, therefore, that the PGI(2) derivative is effective in diabetic nephropathy. As the PGI(2) derivative also reduced renal tissue ET-1 levels, improvement of diabetic nephropathy partially was considered to result from the reduction of renal tissue ET-1 levels.

CONCLUSION

In STZ-induced rats, increased serum ET-1 levels and a tendency to increase in renal tissue ET-1 levels were associated with increases in urinary albumin and NAG levels, and these levels were decreased by a PGI(2) derivative. These findings suggested that increased ET-1 concentrations assist development and progression of diabetic nephropathy, especially diabetic microangiopathy, and the PGI(2) derivative may be effective for inhibition of diabetic microangiopathy mediated by reduction of ET-1 concentrations.

Bouncing a ball: tuning into dynamic stability

Rhythmically bouncing a ball with a racket was investigated and modeled with a nonlinear map. Model analyses provided a variable defining a dynamically stable solution that obviates computationally expensive corrections. Three experiments evaluated whether dynamic stability is optimized and what perceptual support is necessary for stable behavior. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) Performance is stable if racket acceleration is negative at impact, and (b) variability is lowest at an impact acceleration between -4 and -1 m/s2. In Experiment 1 participants performed the task, eyes open or closed, bouncing a ball confined to a 1-dimensional trajectory. Experiment 2 eliminated constraints on racket and ball trajectory. Experiment 3 excluded visual or haptic information. Movements were performed with negative racket accelerations in the range of highest stability. Performance with eyes closed was more variable, leaving acceleration unaffected. With haptic information, performance was more stable than with visual information alone.

Exhaled nitric oxide decreases during exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children with asthma

Nitric oxide (NO) produced in the airways can be either detrimental or protective to the host. To investigate the role of NO in the pathogenesis of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), we measured exhaled NO (ENO) after exercise challenge in 39 asthmatic and six normal children. FEV(1) and ENO were measured before and at 0, 5, 10, and 15 min after exercise performed on a treadmill for 6 min. EIB was defined as a decrease in FEV(1) of more than 15% after the exercise. Normal children (control group) did not have EIB. Twenty-one patients with asthma had EIB (EIB group) whereas the remaining 18 patients did not (non-EIB group). The baseline ENO value was significantly higher in the asthmatic children than in the normal children, and there was a positive correlation between the maximal percent decrease in FEV(1) and the baseline ENO value (r = 0.501, p = 0.012). At the end of the exercise, ENO had decreased in all the subjects. In the non-EIB and control groups, ENO rebounded to above the baseline at 5 min after the exercise and thereafter. In contrast, ENO remained at a decreased level in the EIB group. The change in ENO did not correlate with the change in minute ventilation, and beta-agonist inhalation at the peak of EIB that accelerated the recovery of FEV(1) did not affect the depressed level of ENO, demonstrating that the reduction of ENO is not a simple consequence of increased ventilation nor airway obstruction. Among the EIB group, steroid-treated patients showed sooner recovery in ENO after the exercise than steroid-naive patients. Our study suggests that NO production in response to exercise may be impaired in patients with EIB, and that ENO represents not only airway inflammation but also a protective function of NO in EIB.

Bouncing a ball: tuning into dynamic stability

Rhythmically bouncing a ball with a racket was investigated and modeled with a nonlinear map. Model analyses provided a variable defining a dynamically stable solution that obviates computationally expensive corrections. Three experiments evaluated whether dynamic stability is optimized and what perceptual support is necessary for stable behavior. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) Performance is stable if racket acceleration is negative at impact, and (b) variability is lowest at an impact acceleration between -4 and -1 m/s2. In Experiment 1 participants performed the task, eyes open or closed, bouncing a ball confined to a 1-dimensional trajectory. Experiment 2 eliminated constraints on racket and ball trajectory. Experiment 3 excluded visual or haptic information. Movements were performed with negative racket accelerations in the range of highest stability. Performance with eyes closed was more variable, leaving acceleration unaffected. With haptic information, performance was more stable than with visual information alone.

Expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone type 1 receptor in paraventricular nucleus after acute stress

We have previously proposed the existence of ultrashort loop-positive feedback regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamus. To gain a better understanding of this effect, we performed double-label in situ hybridization to identify the neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) that express CRH type 1 receptor (CRH-R1) following stress. We also conducted immunohistochemistry to determine whether CRH-R1 mRNA was translated to CRH-R1 protein in the PVN. Thirty-minute restraint stress given to male Wistar rats increased c-fos mRNA expression primarily in the CRH-producing neurons of the parvocellular PVN. Small numbers of vasopressin and oxytoxin-producing cells were also labeled by c-fos probes. Approximately 70% of CRH-R1 positive neurons exhibited CRH mRNA 2 h after the beginning of stress, while only a small percentage of the vasopressin and oxytocin-producing cells coexpressed CRH-R1 mRNA. CRH-R1 immunoreactivity, which was detected in the perikarya and fibers of PVN neurons, appeared to increase in response to stress, though this was not statistically significant. Pretreatment with a selective CRH-R1 antagonist, CP-154,526, significantly attenuated stress-induced corticotropin (ACTH) secretion as well as c-fos mRNA expression in the PVN. These results demonstrate that acute stress increases neuronal activation and CRH-R1 mRNA expression primarily in CRH-producing neurons of the parvocellular PVN, that CRH-R1 message is translated to CRH-R1 protein, and that PVN neurons are activated at least in part through CRH-R1 under acute stress. The data further support the possibility of feedback regulation of CRH itself in CRH-producing neurons.

Evaluation of gelatin microspheres for nasal and intramuscular administrations of salmon calcitonin

The suitability of gelatin microspheres for nasal and intramuscular delivery of salmon calcitonin (sCT) was examined. Negatively and positively charged gelatin microspheres were prepared using acidic gelatin [isoelectric point (IEP) value of 5.0] and basic gelatin (IEP=9.0), respectively. The average diameters of positively charged gelatin microspheres in their dried state were 3.4, 11.2, 22.5 and 71.5 microm, while that of negatively charged gelatin microspheres was 10.9 microm. Both types of gelatin microspheres were capable of adhering to the nasal mucosa. The mucoadhesion of positively charged gelatin microspheres was significantly higher than that of their negatively charged counterparts. The absorption of sCT after intranasal and intramuscular administration was evaluated by calculating the area above the hypocalcemic-time curve (AAC) in rats. The AAC values after nasal administration of sCT in positively and negatively charged gelatin microspheres were significantly greater than that in pH 7.0 PBS. Therefore, the nasal absorption of sCT was enhanced by both types of gelatin microspheres. The hypocalcemic effect after administration of sCT in positively charged gelatin microspheres of 11.2 microm was significantly greater than that of negatively charged gelatin microspheres of the same size. On the other hand, AAC values were not affected by their particle sizes. The AAC values after the intramuscular administration of sCT in positively and negatively charged gelatin microspheres were significantly increased compared to that in PBS. Furthermore, the time-courses of the plasma calcium levels differed between positively and negatively charged gelatin microspheres. The hypocalcemic effect of the negatively charged gelatin microspheres tended to appear more slowly and last longer compared to that of positively charged gelatin microspheres. The hypocalcemic effects after intramuscular administration of sCT in gelatin microspheres were not affected by their particle sizes as well as those after intranasal administration. In conclusion, the gelatin microspheres have been shown to be a useful vehicle for nasal or intramuscular delivery of sCT.

Expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), urocortin and CRF type 1 receptors in hypothalamic-hypophyseal systems under osmotic stimulation

The expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin in hypothalamic magnocellular neurones increases in response to osmotic challenge. To gain a better understanding of the physiological roles of CRF and urocortin in fluid homeostasis, CRF, urocortin and CRF type 1 receptor (CRFR-1) gene expression was examined in the hypothalamic-hypophyseal system usingin situ and double-label in situ hybridization following chronic salt loading. CRFR-1 expression was further examined by immunohistochemistry and receptor binding. Ingestion of hypertonic saline by Sprague-Dawley rats for 7 days induced CRF mRNA exclusively in the oxytocin neurones of the magnocellular paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON), but induced CRFR-1 mRNA in both oxytocin and vasopressin-containing magnocellular neurones. Hypertonic saline treatment also increased urocortin mRNA expression in the PVN and the SON. In the SON, urocortin was localized to vasopressin and oxytocin neurones but was rarely seen in CRF-positive cells. Changes in CRFR-1 mRNA expression in magnocellular neurones by hypertonic saline treatment were accompanied by changes in CRFR-1 protein levels and receptor binding. Hypertonic saline treatment increased CRFR-1-like immunoreactivity in the magnocellular PVN and SON, and decreased it in the parvocellular PVN. CRF receptor binding in the PVN and SON was also increased in response to osmotic stimulation. Finally, hypertonic saline treatment increased CRFR-1 mRNA, CRFR-1-like immunoreactivity and CRF receptor binding in the intermediate pituitary. These results demonstrate that the increase in the expression of CRF and urocortin message in magnocellular neurones induced by salt loading is accompanied by an increase in CRF receptor levels and binding in the hypothalamus and intermediate pituitary. Thus, CRF and urocortin may exert modulatory effects locally within magnocellular neurones as well as at the pituitary gland in response to osmotic stimulation.

Effects of low-viscosity sodium hyaluronate preparation on the pulmonary absorption of rh-insulin in rats

PURPOSE

A low-viscosity formulation for pulmonary delivery of rh-insulin as model peptide drugs was developed using a solution of sodium hyaluronate.

METHOD

The effects of different concentrations and pH values of low-viscosity solutions of hyaluronate on the pulmonary absorption of rh-insulin were examined after intratracheal administration in rats. The permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (molecular weight 4300; FD-4) and insulin through excised rat trachea in vitro were also examined.

RESULTS

The hyaluronate (2140 kDa) solutions (0.1% and 0.2% w/v) at pH 7.0 significantly enhanced the pharmacological availability (PAB) of insulin compared to the aqueous solution of insulin at pH 7.0. The absorption-enhancing effect at a concentration of 0.1% w/v hyaluronate was greater than that at a concentration of 0.2% w/v hyaluronate. Furthermore, the greatest absorption-enhancing effect was obtained, regardless of the molecular weight of hyaluronate, when the concentration of hyaluronate was adjusted to 0.47 microM. Absorption-enhancing effects were consistent with the effect of a 0.1 w/v hyaluronate preparation at pH 4.0 and 7.0 on the permeation of FITC-dextran and insulin through excised rat trachea in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Low-viscosity hyaluronate preparation was shown to be a useful vehicle for pulmonary delivery of peptide drugs.

Quantum statistical approach to Debye-Waller factor in EXAFS: application to monatomic fcc systems

Temperature dependence of the Debye-Waller factors in EXAFS is studied for monatomic fcc lattice by use of the perturbation approach in terms of temperature Green's function. We apply the theory to the temperature dependence of EXAFS for Kr and Ni crystals. Furthermore we make a comparison among sc, bcc and fcc lattices for the present ab initio calculations.

Dynamics of a bouncing ball in human performance

On the basis of a modified bouncing-ball model, we investigated whether human movements utilize principles of dynamic stability in their performance of a similar movement task. Stability analyses of the model provided predictions about conditions indicative of a dynamically stable period-one regime. In a series of experiments, human subjects bounced a ball rhythmically on a racket and displayed these conditions supporting that they attuned to and exploited the dynamic stability properties of the task.

The evaluation of corticosteroid therapy in conjunction with plasma exchange in the treatment of renal cholesterol embolic disease. A report of 5 cases

In this report, we describe 5 patients with cholesterol atheroembolic renal failure. In 3 of the 5 patients, combined therapy with corticosteroids and plasma exchange was performed. These 3 patients survived, with 2 showing an improvement in renal function. The 2 remaining patients died of multifactorial causes. The literature on therapy for cholesterol atheroembolic renal failure is reviewed and the efficacy of combined therapy by use of corticosteroids and plasma exchange is evaluated.

Gelatin microspheres as a pulmonary delivery system: evaluation of salmon calcitonin absorption

The use of negatively and positively charged gelatin microspheres for pulmonary delivery of salmon calcitonin was examined in rats. The microspheres were prepared using acidic gelatin (isoelectric point (IEP):, 5.0) and basic gelatin (IEP, 9.0) for the negatively and positively charged microspheres, respectively. The average diameters of positively charged gelatin microspheres in the dry state were 3.4, 11.2, 22.5 and 71.5 microm, and that of negatively charged gelatin microspheres was 10.9 microm. Neither positively nor negatively charged gelatin microspheres underwent any degradation in pH 7.0 PBS and there was less than 8% degradation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after 8 h. In in-vitro release studies in pH 7.0 PBS, salmon calcitonin was rapidly released from positively charged gelatin microspheres within 2 h, and its cumulative release was approximately 85%. In addition, the release profiles were not influenced by particle sizes. The release rates of salmon calcitonin from negatively charged gelatin microspheres were lower than that from positively charged gelatin microspheres. The cumulative release was approximately 40% after 2 h, but there was no evidence of any sustained release. The pulmonary absorption of salmon calcitonin from gelatin microspheres was estimated by measuring its hypocalcaemic effect in rats. The pharmacological availability after administration of salmon calcitonin in positively and negatively charged gelatin microspheres was significantly higher than that in pH 7.0 PBS. The pharmacological availability after administration of salmon calcitonin in positively charged gelatin microspheres was significantly higher than that in negatively charged gelatin microspheres. Administration of salmon calcitonin in positively charged gelatin microspheres with smaller particle sizes led to a higher pharmacological availability. The pharmacological availability after pulmonary administration of salmon calcitonin in positively charged gelatin microspheres with particle sizes of 3.4 and 11.2 microm was approximately 50%. In conclusion, the gelatin microspheres have been shown to be a useful vehicle for pulmonary delivery of salmon calcitonin.

Usefulness of a highly sensitive urinary and serum IL-6 assay in patients with diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND/AIM

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) promotes the growth of renal mesangial cells. IL-6 may play a major role in such mesangial proliferation, but there has been little research on IL-6 in relation to diabetic nephropathy because of the difficulty in measuring urinary and serum IL-6 levels. Using a newly developed, highly sensitive IL-6 assay, we studied the relationship between serum and urinary IL-6 and diabetic nephropathy.

METHODS

We investigated 72 patients with type 2 diabetes. Urinary and serum IL-6 concentrations were measured using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay with a detection limit of 0.11 pg/ml.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase of the serum IL-6 level as diabetic nephropathy progressed, with the level being 1.4 +/- 0.3 pg/ml in patients with normal albuminuria, rising to 2.4 +/- 0.6 pg/ml in patients with microalbuminuria and then to 4.4 +/- 0.8 pg/ml in those having proteinuria. The serum IL-6 level was also significantly correlated with fibrinogen and aortic pulse wave velocity. The urinary IL-6 level was also significantly increased in diabetic patients as nephropathy progressed. Both serum and urinary IL-6 levels were high in the group with nephropathy, but there was no correlation between the two.

CONCLUSION

The urinary IL-6 level seems to be a good indicator of diabetic nephropathy, and atherosclerotic changes were related to the serum IL-6 level. The serum IL-6 may, therefore, be useful in the evaluation of atherosclerosis including nephropathy.

A monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of ursodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfates in human urine

Sulfation of the 3-hydroxy group is assumed to be a major metabolic route of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) which is used for treating various hepatobiliary diseases. We have developed a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determining the total amount of nonamidated, glycine- and taurine-amidated ursodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfates (UDCA 3-Suls) using a newly established monoclonal antibody. In this study, 12 kinds of antibody-secreting hybridoma clones were generated by a fusion experiment between P3/NS1/1-Ag4-1 myeloma cells and the spleen cells from a BALB/c or an A/J mouse which had been immunized with a conjugate of nonamidated UDCA 3-Sul and bovine serum albumin. One of the monoclonal antibodies, Ba-10 (gamma2a, kappa), had suitable binding properties for clinical application, which was group-specific to the UDCA 3-Suls, and showed negligible cross-reactivities with various related bile acids including potentially interfering compounds, namely, the unconjugated UDCA, UDCA 7-N-acetylglucosaminide, the 3-sulfates of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid. The antibody Ba-10 allowed us to develop a sensitive competitive ELISA system whose measurable range was approximately 2-200 pg per assay. A serial dilution study indicated that the ELISA enables the direct measurement of the UDCA 3-Suls in human urine before and after the administration of exogenous UDCA. The daily urinary excretion rate of UDCA 3-Suls from healthy male volunteers (n = 5) was determined to be a mean of 131 +/- 61.2 (SD) microgram as the nonamidated UDCA 3-Sul equivalent.

[Treatment by corticosteroid and plasma exchange in 5 cases of renal cholesterol embolic disease]

Cholesterol arterial embolization is a systemic disease resulting from cholesterol crystal embolization to multiple organs, including the kidney, skin, brain, eye, gastrointestinal tract and extremities. In general, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but no optimal treatment has yet been developed. In this paper, we report five patients with cholesterol atheroembolic renal failure. In three of the five patients, combined therapy with corticosteroids and plasma exchange was performed. The three patients survived. On the other hand, the two remaining patients died of multifactorial causes. In this report, the literature on steroid therapy for cholesterol atheroembolic renal disease is reviewed and the efficacy of combined therapy by use of corticosteroids and plasma exchange is evaluated.

[A case of Chinese herbs nephropathy in which the progression of renal dysfunction was slowed by steroid therapy]

The patients was a 43-year-old woman whose chief complaints were nausea and heaviness of the heads. There was a history of toxemia of pregnancy. The patient had previously taken Tenshin Tokishigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to for two years because of cold sensitivity. Fever, thirst, and loss of appetite developed from approximately 18 months after she started treatment with the Chinese herbal preparation, and she presented at our outpatient clinic 2.5 years later. On initial examination, deterioration of renal function was evident and the serum creatinine level was 3.4 mg/dl. A renal biopsy specimen showed marked interstitial fibrosis without inflammatory cell infiltration, leading to the diagnosis of Chinese herbs nephropathy (CHN). Steroid therapy was started on the 36th hospital day after a sharp rise in the serum creatinine level to 5.1 mg/dl. This resulted in the rapid improvement of renal function and reduction of the serum creatinine to 2.6 mg/dl by 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. In a study on the use of steroids for patients with progressive moderate renal dysfunction caused by Chinese herbs, Vanherweghem et al. reported that the progression of renal failure was appreciably slowed in patients given steroids when compared with the control group. We were also able to slow the progression of renal dysfunction in our patient by steroid therapy, although the prognosis of CHN is generally considered to be very poor.

Prolactin secretion in response to prolactin-releasing peptide and the expression of the prolactin-releasing peptide gene in the medulla oblongata are estrogen dependent in rats

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), recently isolated from bovine hypothalamus as an endogenous ligand to a seven transmembrane-domain orphan receptor, is a candidate specific prolactin-releasing factor. The prolactin-releasing activity of the peptide and the expression of the PrRP gene were examined in vivo in relation to estrogen status. Plasma prolactin levels increased significantly with a peak at 5 min after the administration of 50 microg/kg PrRP in female rats in estrus under urethane anesthesia as compared with those in vehicle-treated control rats, but not in female rats in diestrus or proestrus or in male rats. In ovariectomized rats treated with supraphysiological concentration of estrogen, a dose-dependent increase of prolactin secretion in response to 2-50 microg/kg PrRP was observed. However, the peak values induced by 50 microg/kg PrRP were much less than those induced by 2 microg/kg thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). PrRP mRNA levels in the medulla oblongata were decreased by ovariectomy and increased by estrogen treatment. The data indicate that estrogen is prerequisite to the stimulatory effect of PrRP on the secretion of prolactin and to the increase of PrRP mRNA levels in the medulla oblongata. The weak in vivo potency of PrRP on prolactin secretion relative to TRH suggests that PrRP differs from the classical hypophysiotropic hypothalamic releasing hormones.

A novel LDLR mutation, H190Y, in a Utah kindred with familial hypercholesterolemia

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a serious disorder causing twice normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels early in childhood and very early coronary disease in both men and women. Treatment with multiple medications together with diet can normalize cholesterol levels in many persons with FH and prevent or delay the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Previously published blood cholesterol criteria greatly under-diagnosed new cases of FH among members of known families with FH and over-diagnosed FH among participants of general population screening. Thus, there is a need for accurate and genetically validated criteria for the early diagnosis of heterozygous FH. In the course of investigations of coronary artery disease in Utah, we identified a family whose proband showed elevated plasma levels of LDL cholesterol. To carry out molecular genetic diagnosis of the disease, we screened DNA samples for mutations in all 18 exons and the exon-intron boundaries of the LDL receptor gene (LDLR). Novel point mutations were identified in the proband: a C-to-T transversion at nucleotide position 631, causing substitution of tyrosine for histidine at codon 190 in exon 4 of the LDLR gene. The mutant allele-specific amplification method was used to examine 12 members of the family recruited for the diagnosis. This method helped to unequivocally diagnose 7 individuals as heterozygous for this particular LDLR mutation, while excluding the remaining 5 individuals from carrier status with FH.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in Utah kindred with novel 2412-6 Ins G mutations in exon 17 of the LDL receptor gene

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disorder associated with primary hypercholesterolemia. FH is characterized by autosomal co-dominant inheritance with strikingly elevated LDL-cholesterol, the presence of xanthoma and premature atherosclerosis. In the course of investigations of coronary artery disease in Utah, we identified a family whose proband showed elevated plasma levels of LDL cholesterol. To determine the genetic etiology of the lipoprotein abnormalities, we screened DNA samples from the family for mutations in all 18 exons and the exon- intron boundaries of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Novel point mutations were identified in the proband: a one-base insertion of G to a five-G stretch at nucleotides 2412-6 (codons 783-785), causing a frameshift in exon 17 of the LDL receptor gene. The direct sequencing method was used to examine six members of the family recruited for the diagnosis. This method helped to unequivocally diagnose the five individuals as heterozygous for this particular LDL receptor mutation. This method also helped us to diagnose with FH, or to exclude from carrier status, three children between ages 6 and 11.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in Utah kindred with novel R103W mutations in exon 4 of the LDL receptor gene

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a serious disorder causing twice normal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels early in childhood and very early coronary disease in both men and women. Previously published blood cholesterol criteria greatly under-diagnosed new cases of FH among members of known families with FH and over-diagnosed FH among participants of general population screening. Thus, there is a need for accurate and genetically validated criteria for the early diagnosis of heterozygous FH. In the course of investigations of coronary artery disease in Utah, we identified a family whose proband showed elevated plasma levels of LDL cholesterol. To carry out molecular genetic diagnosis of the disease, we screened DNA samples for mutations in all 18 exons and the exon- intron boundaries of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene. Novel point mutations were identified in the proband: a C-to-T transversion at nucleotide position 369, causing substitution of Tryptophan for Arginine at codon 103 in exon 4 of the LDL receptor gene. The SSCP method was used to examine seven members of the family recruited for the diagnosis. This method helped to unequivocally diagnose only the proband as heterozygous for this particular LDL receptor mutation while excluding the remaining six individuals from carrier status with FH.

Association of diffuse panbronchiolitis with microsatellite polymorphism of the human interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a distinctive chronic inflammatory lung disease predominantly found in Asian populations. Although its etiology is unknown, DPB is considered to be a multifactorial disease of whose susceptibility is determined by genetic predisposition unique to Asians. We and others have previously reported that the B*5401 allele of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B gene or a closely linked gene in the HLA region on 6p21.3 is one of the major genetic factors in susceptibility to this disease. However, the association with B*5401 is not absolute and the contribution of other genetic or environmental factors should also be considered. Here, four candidate genes that are postulated to play a role in the pathophysiology of DPB, namely, RON-kinase, CYP3A4, motilin, and interleukin (IL)-8, were chosen, and association studies between microsatellite markers at these loci and DPB were conducted. We demonstrated the presence of a specific allele at the IL-8 locus was associated with the disease (c2 = 9.13; P = 0.0025; corrected P [Pc] < 0.05). Although further studies are needed to examine whether neutrophil accumulation in the airways of patients with DPB is controlled by a possible genetic variation of IL-8 or other chemokine genes located in the region 4q12-q13, our data suggest that genes other than those of the HLA system may also contribute to a genetic predisposition to DPB.

Effects of cicletanine on the progression of renal failure in 5/6 nephrectomized hypertensive rats

1. The effect of cicletanine, a novel antihypertensive agent with natriuretic activity, on blood pressure and progression of renal failure of 5/6 nephrectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats with salt loading was examined. 2. All nephrectomized rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups and their diet was changed from a normal- to a high-salt (5.5% NaCl) diet for the next 10 weeks. Either 10 or 50 mg/kg per day cicletanine (low- and high-dose cicletanine, respectively) or 10 mg/kg per day trichlormethiazide were administered to rats during this period once a day. During the experimental period, urine volume, urinary excretion of sodium, protein, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured every 2 weeks. 3. Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced by the administration of trichlormethiazide and the higher dose of cicletanine, but not by the lower dose of cicletanine. 4. In contrast with changes to SBP, levels of serum creatinine in rats treated with both doses of cicletanine were significantly lower than in controls (0.57 +/- 0.12, 0.78 +/- 0.12 and 1.68 +/- 0.26 mg/dL for high- and low-dose cicletanine and control, respectively). 5. Urinary excretion of both PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were significantly increased in groups treated with high and low doses of cicletanine compared with control. In rats treated with trichlormethiazide, PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were significantly decreased compared with control. 6. In contrast with changes in SBP, marked glomerular sclerosis with hyalinosis found in the control group was not ameliorated by trichlormethiazide treatment. These changes were not observed in rats treated with low- and high-dose cicletanine, particularly those treated with the higher dose of cicletanine. 7. These data suggest that administration of cicletanine has a beneficial protective effect regarding the progression of renal failure, regardless of the level of blood pressure, through a direct and/or indirect action on the glomerulus.

Familial hypercholesterolemia kindred in Utah with novel C54S mutations of the LDL receptor gene

In the course of investigations of coronary artery disease in Utah, we identified a family whose proband showed elevated plasma levels of LDL cholesterol. To determine the genetic etiology of the lipoprotein abnormalities, we screened DNA samples for mutations in all 18 exons and the exon- intron boundaries of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene. Novel point mutations were identified in the proband: a T-to-A transversion at nucleotide position 223, causing substitution of Ser for Cys at codon 54 in exon 3 of the receptor gene. This amino acid replacement would disrupt one of the disulfide bonds necessary for maintenance of the secondary structure of the repeat at the N-terminal of the receptor, prevent correct folding of the receptor, and result in defective intracellular transport of the receptor.

Status of patients who underwent uninephrectomy in adulthood more than 20 years ago

We investigated the status of patients without systemic diseases who had undergone uninephrectomy for unilateral renal diseases in adulthood more than 20 years ago at Tokyo Denryoku Hospital. There were 21 participants (mean age +/- SD, 58.6 +/- 8.0 years) who fulfilled these criteria. The average interval since nephrectomy was 27.9 +/- 6.2 years. The mean current creatinine clearance was 88.5 +/- 21.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, which is 92.9% of that in healthy age- and sex-matched controls with two kidneys. The 24-hour urine protein excretion in these patients was only slightly higher than in the controls (214 +/- 190 mg v 119 +/- 62 mg, P = NS). Age at nephrectomy, length of time with a single kidney, or sex had little effect on the remnant renal functions. There was a positive correlation between current mean arterial pressure and serum creatinine (r = 0.44, P < 0.05). Patients who developed hypertension after uninephrectomy had a family history of hypertension more frequently than those with normotension (86% v 29%, P < 0.05). We conclude that (1) renal function after compensatory hyperfiltration of more than 20 years due to uninephrectomy for unilateral renal diseases in adulthood is well maintained, although hypertension has a considerable effect on the renal functions, and that (2) family history of hypertension plays a key role in determining the incidence of hypertension even in the uninephrectomized patients.

C1Q complexes with beta-2-microglobulin and amyloid P-component in sera of patients with dialysis-associated amyloidosis

We studied complexes composed of C1q and beta 2-microglobulin (C1q.beta 2M) or serum amyloid P-component (C1q.SAP) in the sera of 38 patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) and 20 healthy control subjects using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. We also compared complex levels in HD patients with and without symptoms of HD-associated amyloidosis (HA). Serum C1q-beta 2M levels were significantly higher in HD patients without HA than in healthy control subjects and significantly higher in HD patients with HA than in HD patients without HA. Serum C1q.SAP levels were significantly lower in patients with HA than in those without HA. These results suggest that C1q.beta 2M may contribute to HA.

Two cases of Goodpasture's syndrome--clinicopathological studies and relapse

The requirements for a diagnosis of Goodpasture's syndrome (GPS) include: (1) the presence of glomerulonephritis, (2) alveolar bleeding, and (3) the presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM antibody). Among Japanese case, the 2 patients reported here were rare in that they satisfied all of these requirements. In case 1 (a 40-year-old male), the disease developed with initial signs of proteinuria and hematuria. The patient developed hemoptysis after hospitalization. The interval from onset to hospitalization was 38 days. The serum creatinine (CRN) level was 3.6 mg/dl on admission. The pathological findings were rated as full-circumferential, cellular crescentic nephritis, and the patient did not display oliguria. The renal and pulmonary impairments in this case were markedly improved by glucocorticoid (prednisolone PSL, 60 mg/day), cyclophosphamide therapy (50 mg/day) and plasma exchange (PE 10 times). In case 2 (a 58-year-old male), the initial signs developed as proteinuria and hematuria, followed by rapidly progressive renal functional deterioration and hemoptysis occurred. Compared to Case 1, the interval from onset to hospitalization was longer in Case 2 (125 days) and the CRN level was also higher (10.7 mg/dl). Case 2 was rated as full-circumferential, fibrous crescentic nephritis, and the patient was oliguric. Although the pulmonary impairment was reduced by pulse therapy and 10 PEs, recovery of renal function has not been achieved, still necessitating maintenance hemodialysis at present. In case 1, the disease relapsed at 4.5 years after remission, presenting with aggravated renal function and hemoptysis. In this case, low-dose PSL therapy had been discontinued at 3 months before the relapse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)