Immunohistochemical localization of Klotho protein in brain, kidney, and reproductive organs of mice

Klotho mutant mouse (kl-/-), a mouse model for human aging, exhibits various phenotypes in a wide range of organs including arteriosclerosis, neural degeneration, skin and gonadal atrophy, pulmonary emphysema, calcification of soft tissues, and cognition impairment. Klotho mRNA, however, is expressed only in brain, kidney, reproductive organs, pituitary gland, and parathyroid gland. Therefore it remains to be elucidated how lack of Klotho protein in these limited organs leads to the variety of phenotypes. To shed light on mechanisms by which Klotho protein acts on distant targets, we examined localization of Klotho protein in brain, kidney, and reproductive organs, and analyzed brain and kidney in kl-/- mice searching for changes in target regions in these organs. In brain, Klotho proteins were localized at choroid plexus, where the proteins were dominantly localized at the apical plasma membrane of ependymal cells. In kl-/- brain, reduction of synapses was evident in hippocampus, suggesting a role of Klotho as a humoral factor in cerebrospinal fluid. Klotho proteins in kidney localized at distal renal tubules. Interestingly, in kl-/-mice, type IIa Na/phosphate (Pi) cotransporters, which function at the proximal renal tubules in reabsorption of phosphate ions, were translocated. This suggests that Klotho protein in kidney is implicated in calcium homeostasis which regulates localization of type IIa Na/Pi cotransporters via parathyroid hormone (PTH). Klotho proteins in reproductive organs were expressed only in mature germ cells, although in kl-/- mice germ cell maturation was arrested at earlier stages. Thus, Klotho proteins not only function as a humoral factor, but also are implicated in hormonal regulation, which may explain why mutation of klotho gene results in a variety of phenotypes.

The stimulatory action of amphiphysin on dynamin function is dependent on lipid bilayer curvature

Amphiphysin is a major dynamin-binding partner at the synapse; however, its function in fission is unclear. Incubation of large unilamellar liposomes with mice brain cytosol led to massive formation of small vesicles, whereas cytosol of amphiphysin 1 knockout mice was much less efficient in this reaction. Vesicle formation from large liposomes by purified dynamin was also strongly enhanced by amphiphysin. In the presence of liposomes, amphiphysin strongly affected dynamin GTPase activity and the recruitment of dynamin to the liposomes, but this activity was highly dependent on liposome size. Deletion from amphiphysin of its central proline-rich stretch dramatically potentiated its effect on dynamin, possibly by relieving an inhibitory intramolecular interaction. These results suggest a model in which maturation of endocytic pits correlates with the oligomerization of dynamin with either amphiphysin or other proteins with similar domain structure. Formation of these complexes is coupled to the activation of dynamin GTPase activity, thus explaining how deep invagination of the pit leads to fission.

Formation of meso, N-diphenylprotoporphyrin IX by an aerobic reaction of phenylhydrazine with oxyhemoglobins

Administration of phenylhydrazine to rabbits resulted in the denaturation of hemoglobins in erythrocytes, causing the formation of intracellular precipitates known as Heinz bodies, severe hemolytic anemia, and reticulocytosis. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the destabilization, we allowed human oxyhemoglobins to react aerobically with phenylhydrazine. After treatment with acetic acid/HCl and H2SO4/methanol, the chloroform extract contained blue-green pigments of major products accompanied by different minor products. Each product was isolated by column chromatography. By fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectrometry, dimethyl esters of N-phenylprotoporphyrin IX and meso, N-diphenylprotoporphyrin IX were determined. Other major products also were determined to be dimethyl esters of triphenyl-and tetraphenyl-substituted protoporphyrins by FAB-MS. The formation of meso, N-diphenylprotoporphyrin indicated that the addition of a phenyl radical to the meso-carbon atom of the protoporphyrin ring occurred. Triphenyl and tetraphenyl adducts also indicated the formation of phenyl radicals in the aerobic reaction of phenylhydrazine with oxyhemoglobins. From these results, we suggest that the formation of phenyl radicals and the replacement of heme with phenyl-substituted protoporphyrins cause the destabilization of hemoglobins to induce Heinz bodies and hemolytic anemia with phenylhydrazine.

Cophosphorylation of amphiphysin I and dynamin I by Cdk5 regulates clathrin-mediated endocytosis of synaptic vesicles

It has been thought that clathrin-mediated endocytosis is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of many endocytic proteins, including amphiphysin I and dynamin I. Here, we show that Cdk5/p35-dependent cophosphorylation of amphiphysin I and dynamin I plays a critical role in such processes. Cdk5 inhibitors enhanced the electric stimulation-induced endocytosis in hippocampal neurons, and the endocytosis was also enhanced in the neurons of p35-deficient mice. Cdk5 phosphorylated the proline-rich domain of both amphiphysin I and dynamin I in vitro and in vivo. Cdk5-dependent phosphorylation of amphiphysin I inhibited the association with beta-adaptin. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of dynamin I blocked its binding to amphiphysin I. The phosphorylation of each protein reduced the copolymerization into a ring formation in a cell-free system. Moreover, the phosphorylation of both proteins completely disrupted the copolymerization into a ring formation. Finally, phosphorylation of both proteins was undetectable in p35-deficient mice.

Formation ofS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl) ethyl]glutathione, a new metabolite ofL-histidine, fromcis-urocanic acid and glutathione by the action of glutathioneS-transferase

Exposure of the skin to sunlight results in an increase of the content of epidermal trans-urocanic acid, a key metabolite of L-histidine, and also in occurrence of the isomerization of trans-urocanic acid to the cis isomer. S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione (GS(CIE)), an adduct of urocanic acid and glutathione, is a presumed origin of a urinary compound S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (Cys(CIE)). The formation of GS(CIE) is stimulated by exposing the skin to sunlight irradiation. In this study we investigated an enzymatic formation of GS(CIE) from glutathione and cis-urocanic acid by incubation with rat liver extract that contained glutathione S-transferase (GST) at high activity. The formation of GS(CIE) was suppressed significantly when a liver extract depleted of GST activity was used. Enzymatic degradation of GS(CIE) with gamma -glutamyl transpeptidase resulted in the formation of N-[S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteinyl]glycine, a metabolic intermediate between the glutathione adduct and Cys(CIE). A hydrolyzed product of GS(CIE) by HCl was identical with the urinary Cys(CIE). Compounds were analyzed by high-voltage paper electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. From these results, we suggest that GS(CIE) formed from cis-urocanic acid and glutathione is an origin of the urinary compound Cys(CIE) and that the formation reaction is catalyzed mostly by the action of GST.

ARF6 stimulates clathrin/AP-2 recruitment to synaptic membranes by activating phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase type Igamma

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis of synaptic vesicle membranes involves the recruitment of clathrin and AP-2 adaptor complexes to the presynaptic plasma membrane. Phosphoinositides have been implicated in nucleating coat assembly by directly binding to several endocytotic proteins including AP-2 and AP180. Here, we show that the stimulatory effect of ATP and GTPgammaS on clathrin coat recruitment is mediated at least in part by increased levels of PIP2. We also provide evidence for a role of ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) via direct stimulation of a synaptically enriched phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase type Igamma (PIPKIgamma), in this effect. These data suggest a model according to which activation of PIPKIgamma by ARF6-GTP facilitates clathrin-coated pit assembly at the synapse.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy for a huge splenic cyst: operative technique and case report

We report the case of a huge splenic cyst that was successfully treated by hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy. A 17-year-old girl with a chief complaint of left-sided abdominal pain was admitted to our department for investigation of a splenic tumor. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a huge cystic lesion in the spleen measuring approximately 10 cm in diameter. Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy was safely performed to diagnose and treat the splenic tumor. The histologic diagnosis was an epithelial cyst of the spleen with no atypical cells in the cyst wall. Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy may be a good method of managing a huge splenic cyst that becomes symptomatic and potentially life-threatening through enlargement, rupture, and secondary infection.

Distribution of dynamins in testis and their possible relation to spermatogenesis

Dynamin 2 and dynamin 3 are highly expressed in testis. However, their functions in the tissue remain unclear. Considering that dynamin 1, neuron-specific isoform of dynamin, plays a pivotal role in endocytosis, functions of dynamin 2 and dynamin 3 in testis must be essential. Cellular expression and subcellular localization of dynamin 2 and dynamin 3 in testis were investigated. Dynamin 2 and dynamin 3 were highly expressed in germ cells and Sertoli cells, constituents of seminiferous tubules. By immunofluorescence it was revealed that dynamin 2 colocalizes with clathrin both at the plasmamembrane and at Golgi in a cell line of Sertoli cells. Immunoreactivity for dynamin 3, on the other hand, appeared as finer puncta, which did not colocalize with clathrin, suggesting that these two dynamins have distinct functions in Sertoli cells. In the klotho deficient mouse testis, which demonstrates disorder in spermatogenesis, expression of dynamin 2 and dynamin 3 was drastically reduced indicating possible association of these proteins with spermatogenesis.

Utilization of liposomes in vesicular transport studies

Various coated vesicles are implicated in the intracellular transport between different compartments. In vitro reconstitution is a powerful experimental system to study molecular mechanisms involved in assembly of coat proteins from cytosol onto membranes as well as formation of coated vesicles. Liposomes have been recently utilized in the cell-free systems. In this review, we summarize studies on reconstitutions of coated vesicles or coated structures on liposomes. A novel method using dynamic light scattering (DLS) to quantify vesicle formation from liposomes also is described. Our recent study on the role of phospholipids in vesicle formation, where the DSL assay is used in combination with lipid analysis, also is introduced.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate stimulates vesicle formation from liposomes by brain cytosol

As a step toward the elucidation of mechanisms in vesicle budding, a cell-free assay that measures cytosol-induced vesicle generation from liposomes was established. This assay then was used to explore the role of phosphoinositides in vesicle formation. Liposomes incubated with brain cytosol in the presence of ATP and GTP massively generated small vesicles, as assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively by a dynamic light-scattering assay. Both ATP and GTP were required. Vesicle formation was inhibited greatly by the immunodepletion of dynamin 1 from the cytosol, indicating a major contribution of this GTPase in this reaction and suggesting that it mimics endocytic vesicle fission. Increasing the concentration of l-alpha-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] but not of l-alpha-phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate or l-alpha-phosphatidylinositol in the lipid membranes enhanced vesicle formation. Lipid analysis revealed rapid degradation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 to l-alpha-phosphatidylinositol during the incubation with the reaction reaching a maximum within 5 sec, whereas vesicle formation proceeded with a longer time course. PtdIns(4,5)P2 degradation was independent of vesicle formation and occurred also in the presence of guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate), where few vesicle formations occurred. These results suggest that PtdIns(4,5)P2 plays a critical role in the early step of vesicle formation, possibly in the recruitment of coats and fission factors to membranes.

The usefulness of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy in comparison with that of open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The technique of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) was developed for early gastric cancer, but its feasibility and the associated clinical outcome remain unclear.

METHODS

We reviewed 24 patients who underwent LADG (LADG group) and 35 patients who underwent traditional open distal gastrectomy (ODG group) for early gastric cancer in our hospital, and compared the clinical data of the two groups.

RESULTS

The clinical and pathological backgrounds of the patients in the two groups were similar. The duration of surgery was not significantly different between the two groups, but the blood loss in the LADG group was significantly less than that in the ODG group. The number of removed lymph nodes was not significantly different between the two groups. The times to the first passing of flatus, first walking, and the restarting of oral intake; the length of hospital stay; and the duration of epidural analgesia were significantly shorter in the LADG group. The morbidity rate in the LADG group was lower than that in the ODG group.

CONCLUSIONS

LADG is a safe and minimally invasive surgical technique, after which we can expect a faster recovery.

[Significant role of cisplatin and 5-FU combination chemotherapy for first-line intensive treatment for advanced esophageal cancer]

We evaluated the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy (in the following, FP) in intensive treatment for esophageal cancer. This first-line chemotherapy was administered to 18 patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Three patients had T2 tumor, 10 had T3 and 5 had T4. Lymph node metastasis was detected in 10 patients and not detected in 8 patients. Five patients had distant metastasis. Ten patients showed a partial response and the response rate was 55.6%. Of these 10 patients, 5 were followed with surgery, 3 of whom survived without recurrence of the disease. Five patients were treated by FP, radiation therapy or combination of FP and radiation. Of these 5 patients, 2 showed a complete response. On the other hand, 8 nonresponders died from progressive disease, despite following intensive treatment. These results suggest that first-line chemotherapy by FP, which requires following intensive treatment, improves the overall long-term survival of advanced esophageal cancer patient.

[Usefulness of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis in gastric cancer]

We have performed intra-hepatic arterial chemotherapy for 9 patients with liver metastasis arising from gastric cancer. We mainly used 5-FU and CDDP as antineoplastic drugs.

RESULTS

The median survival after gastrectomy was 600 days. Of 9 cases, 2 showed CR, 4 PR, 2 NC, 1 PD. The response rate was 67%. The 9 cases were classified into 2 groups. One group, the short-term survival group, concised of 5 patients that had no more than 2 years survival and the other, the long-term survival group, consisted 4 patients that had more than 2 years survival. We compared these 2 groups and found no difference in the primary lesions between the 2 groups. The patients in the long-term survival group had fewer and smaller metastatic lesions in the liver than the patients of the short-term survival group. The patients in the long-term survival group had no unresectable lesions except liver metastasis when gastrectomy was performed. However, 2 patients in the short term survival group had unresectable lymphatic involvement at the time gastrectomy was performed. Of 9 patients, 6 died from the extrahepatic lesion.

CONCLUSION

The intra-arterial chemotherapy was effective and useful for liver metastasis arising from gastric cancer. However, the majority of patients died from extrahepatic lesions. We should therefore consider the use of systemic chemotherapy with intra-arterial chemotherapy.

[Evaluation of chemosensitivity testing by CD-DST, and TS and DPD activity in cases of colorectal liver]

We evaluated the usefulness of the following three in vitro assays in cases of resected colorectal liver metastases. Chemosensitivity by collagen gel droplet drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) was very low in all cases, suggesting this method is not predictive for this disease. In contrast, thymidylate synthetase (TS) activity and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity in tumor tissue were high in many patients with recurrent disease. Thus, these enzyme activities are promising for assessment of clinical outcome following hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases. Further analyses with large numbers of cases are needed to determine the significance of these in vitro studies.

Determination of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione, a novel metabolite of L-histidine, in tissue extracts from sunlight-irradiated rat by capillary electrophoresis

Exposure of the skin to sunlight results in an increase in the content of epidermal urocanic acid, a key metabolite of L-histidine, and some portions of the metabolite penetrate into the body fluid. S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione (GS(CIE)), an adduct of glutathione and urocanic acid, was proposed to be an origin of a urinary compound, S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (Cys(CIE)). Various catabolites of Cys(CIE) were also isolated from human urine previously. However, no direct evidence to show the existence of GS(CIE) as a biological material had been found. By using capillary electrophoresis, the glutathione adduct has now been found in the extracts of rat tissues from the kidney, liver, skin and blood when the rat was kept under conditions of sunlight irradiation after the fur on the dorsal skin had been clipped. On the other hand, no or a trace of GS(CIE) was determined in rat tissue extracts when the animal was kept indoor in usual manner. The glutathione adduct was isolated from the kidney extract of the sunlight-irradiated rat using ion-exchangers and high-voltage paper electrophoresis, and determined by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry. These results indicate that GS(CIE) formation actually occurs in the body and that the formation is accelerated by exposing the rat to sunlight irradiation. From these findings, we propose an alternative pathway of histidine metabolism which is initiated by the adduction of urocanic acid to glutathione to form GS(CIE) and terminates with the formation of the urinary compounds via Cys(CIE).

The usefulness, indications, and complications of laparoscopy-assisted colectomy in comparison with those of open colectomy for colorectal carcinoma

The technique of laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC) was developed for benign and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum; however, its feasibility and the associated clinical outcome remain unclear. We reviewed 45 patients who underwent LAC (LAC group) and 62 patients who underwent traditional open surgery (Open group) for colorectal carcinoma in our hospital, and compared the clinical data between the two groups in an effort to determine whether LAC is really minimally invasive and if it enhances the quality of life. So that the backgrounds of the patients in both groups were almost the same, we only compared data of patients with colorectal carcinoma of stages 0, I, and II. The duration of surgery in the Open group was significantly shorter for all procedures except sigmoid resection, but the blood loss was not significantly different between any of the procedures except for right colectomy. The time to the first passing of flatus and restarting oral intake, length of hospital stay, and duration of epidural analgesia were significantly shorter in the LAC group. The morbidity and mortality rates in the LAC group were almost the same as those in the Open group at 29.5% and 3.3% versus 22.6% and 1.6%, respectively. However, five major complications of LAC for advanced colorectal carcinomas might be prevented by performing an open procedure. In conclusion, LAC is a safe and minimally invasive surgical technique following which we can expect a faster recovery; however, patients with advanced colorectal carcinomas must be carefully selected for this operation.

[Evaluation of hepatic resection following hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases]

We evaluated the significance of hepatectomy following hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases. The prognosis of 4 cases with initially resectable tumors was discouraging, indicating no benefit of preoperative HAI for resectable tumors. The 2- and 3-year survival of patients who underwent hepatectomy after downstaging by HAI of originally unresectable metastases were 100% and 67%, respectively, suggesting that hepatectomy combined with HAI is a promising modality for those patients. However, it seems that the control of extrahepatic disease and decision making for the timing for surgical therapy are issues requiring improvement.

[Malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas with multiple liver metastases effectively treated by transcatheter arterial embolization with degradable starch microspheres--a case report]

A 57-year-old woman underwent distal pancreatectomy for malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas in 1991. One year later, multiple liver metastases appeared. Although three transcatheter arterial embolizations (TAE) with spongel and nine ethanol injections were performed over seven years, the tumors were growing gradually. Therefore, TAE with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) was selected. Under angiography, TAE of the left hepatic artery was done using 900 mg of DSM following injection of Farumorubicin (20 mg), Lipiodol (3 ml) and cisplatin (90 mg). The tumors in the embolized hepatic area were remarkably decreased in size, and satisfactory local control was obtained. Thereafter, TAE with DSM was carried out twice, and she is still living with outpatient treatment. Thus, it is suggested that TAE with DSM could be a promising, alternative therapeutic modality for liver metastases from malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas.

Inhibitory effects in vitro of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-glutathione, a proposed metabolite of L-histidine, on gamma-glutamyltransferase activity

A transfer of the gamma-glutamyl moiety of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione (I), an adduct of glutathione and L-histidine metabolite urocanic acid, has been investigated by using gamma-glutamyltransferase preparation from bovine kidney. When an equimolar mixture of two diastereomers of compound I in a phosphate buffer was allowed to react with glycylglycine in the presence of the transferase, two diastereomers of N-[S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteinyl]glycine (II) were formed in the same yield with each other and this was accompanied by a formation of gamma-glutamylglycylglycine. Kinetics of compound I with the transferase indicated high affinity between the two materials, while the maximal reaction velocity of the gamma-glutamyl transfer was low. Effects of compound I in vitro on the transfer of gamma-glutamyl moiety of gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide to glycylglycine with the transferase were also studied, and the results indicated that the transfer was suppressed by compound I based on its competitive and non-competitive inhibitions. These results suggest that little variation in reactivities of two diastereomers of compound I as the substrate is given by the difference in stereomerism of their asymmetric carbon atoms and that inhibitory effects of compound I on the catalytic action of the transferase is of sufficient physiological importance to decrease the degradation of natural gamma-glutamyl compounds, such as glutathione and its analogs.

[Analysis of 18 breast cancer patients with hypercalcemia]

A total of 91 breast cancer patients died of advanced and recurrent breast cancer at the Osaka Teishin Hospital from 1986 to 1996. There were 18 cases (19.8%) among them showing hypercalcemia (serum corrected Ca > or = 11.0 mg/dl). These 18 cases were analyzed to determine the incidence of hypercalcemia and to find a more effective treatment. All these patients had multiple bone metastases during their clinical course, and six patients (33.3%) had pathologic bone fracture just before the occurrence of hypercalcemia. Their common symptoms were general fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, renal dysfunction or neurological symptoms. There was no definitive correlation between clinical signs and serum calcium values. Among various therapies, the use of pamidronate disodium (Aredia) in combination with hydration, steroid and calcitonin was found to be the most effective treatment for hypercalcemia. The survival time from the diagnosis of hypercalcemia in the patients undergoing treatment with Aredia was significantly better than without it (p < 0.01). This suggests that Aredia should be effective and useful for advanced breast cancer patients with hypercalcemia.

Determination of chiral catabolites from S-[2-carboxyl-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione, a proposed metabolite of L-histidine, by capillary electrophoresis]

A new method for simultaneous determination of two diastereomers in each of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (I) and N-¿S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteinyl¿glycine (II) was developed by electrophoresis using a neutral coated capillary with a separation buffer, pH 6.00, containing 80 mM hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin at a field strength of 500 V cm-1 at 20 degrees C. This method was applied to establishment of a catabolic pathway from S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione (III) to compound I. Incubation of either of compound II diastereomers as an enzyme substrate with rat kidney homogenate in a phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, resulted in a formation of compound I only having correspondent configurations on asymmetric carbon atoms of its molecule with those of the substrate, i.e., no occurrence of isomerization in the catabolism. Additionally, little difference in action as the substrate between two diastereomers of compound II was found. When an equimolar mixture of two diastereomers of compound III was allowed to react with the homogenate in the presence of glycylglycine, two diastereomers of compound II were formed in the same yield with each other and then these were catabolized gradually to both isomers of compound I. These results suggest that compound II is a metabolic intermediate for the formation of compound I from compound III, and that little variation in reactivities of two diastereomers of compound III as well as compound II with enzymes is given by the difference in stereoisomerism of asymmetric carbon atoms on their molecules.

Appraisal of combination treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: long-term follow-up and lipiodol-percutaneous ethanol injection therapy

Since 1988, 124 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated in our departments. Among them, 31 cases treated by surgical resection and 30 cases administered a combination therapy (Lipiodol [Laboratoire Guerbet, Villepinte, France]-transcatheter arterial embolization [L-TAE] and lipiodol-percutaneous ethanol injection therapy [L-PEIT]) were analyzed retrospectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were, respectively, 89.0%, 72.7%, and 63.6% for the surgical resection group and 93.3%, 72.8%, and 42.0% for the combination therapy group. The follow-up results at less than 4 years after the procedures revealed that the survival rate with the combination therapy was slightly better than that with the surgical treatment. However, in the subsequent 4 years, the survival rate of the combination therapy group decreased rapidly. The reasons for this deterioration were local recurrence and/or new primary lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma, mainly due to inappropriate ethanol injection. To achieve adequate and accurate injection of ethanol, a 10% volume of Lipiodol was mixed with the ethanol so that the location of the injected ethanol could be easily confirmed. The effectiveness of L-PEIT was thus confirmed by computed tomography, performed on the following day. Defective Lipiodol accumulation in the tumor and/ or neighboring tissues was able to be corrected by additional ethanol injections. With this L-PEIT technique, the tumor necrosis rate is now improving. Therefore, a better prognosis is expected.

Isolation and characterization of N-acetyl-S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl) ethyl]-L-cysteine, a new metabolite of histidine, from normal human urine and its formation from S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl) ethyl]-L-cysteine

N-Acetyl-S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (I), a new imidazole compound with a sulfur-containing side chain, was isolated from normal human urine by ion-exchange column chromatography, and characterized by physicochemical analyses involving 1H-NMR spectrometry, mass spectrometry and high-voltage paper electrophoresis as well as chemical synthesis. Approximately five milligrams of crystals of the compound were obtained from 450 litres of the urine. Compound I was synthesized by the addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine to urocanic acid. The compound was also formed by incubation of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (II) with acetyl-CoA in the use of rat kidney or liver homogenate as an enzyme source in a Tris buffer at pH 7.4. Rat brain and spleen homogenates were the less or no effective preparations as the enzyme source. On the other hand, little N-acetylation of a diastereomer of compound II occurred in enzymatic reactions with rat tissue homogenates. Compound I was degraded to compound II by rat kidney or liver homogenate. These results suggest that compound I is a new N-acetylated metabolite of compound II, a compound previously found in human urine, and that the acetylating enzyme recognizes stereoisomerism of asymmetric carbon atoms on the molecule of compound II. These findings support an alternative pathway of L-histidine catabolism initiated by the adduction of glutathione and/or cysteine to urocanic acid, the first catabolite of histidine.

[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastases from breast cancer]

Twelve patients with liver metastases of breast cancer were treated with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using 20-30 mg/body of epi-adriamycin (epi-ADM) every 2 weeks and continuous infusion of 250 mg/body/day of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). All patients were followed by systemic chemo-endocrine therapy with oral administration of 600-1,200 mg/day of me droxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) alone or with 600-800 mg/day of 5'-deoxy-5-flurouridine (5'-DFUR). The response rate was 41.7% (5/12 cases). Duration of response was 2-28 months (mean 10 months). At one year, the survival rate was 46.8% (Kaplan-Meier method). As for side effects, gastrointestinal disturbance, bone marrow depression and alopecia were mild. These results suggest that hepatic arterial infusion therapy in combination with MPA is safe and effective for controlling liver metastases of breast cancer.

[A comparison of intra-arterial chemoembolization and infusion chemotherapy for liver metastases of breast cancer]

Seventeen patients with liver metastases of breast cancer were treated with a combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy and endocrine therapy at our hospital from 1986 to 1994. Of 17 patients, 9 were treated with transarterial chemoembolization through hepatic artery using 40-50 mg/body of 4'epi-adriamycin (epi-ADM) and lipiodol, and the other 8 were treated with hepatic infusion chemotherapy using 20-30 mg/body of epi-ADM every 2 weeks. All patients were followed by endocrine therapy with oral administration of 800-1,200 mg/day of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The results were as follows: 1) The comparison of response rate between the two groups was not substantially changed (44.4% x 4/9 in TAE group and 50.0% x 4/8 in Reservoir group). 2) Duration of response was 4-45 months (mean 25 months) in TAE group and 3-15+ alpha months (mean 8.7 months) in Reservoir group. But in the latter group, 3 patients are now under treatment. 3) At one year, the survival rates were 44.4 percent in TAE group and 50.0 percent in Reservoir group. We conclude that combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy and endocrine therapy is a useful treatment modality for controlling liver metastases of breast cancer.

Increase in cystathionine content in rat liver mitochondria after D,L-propargylglycine administration

Intraperitoneal administration of D,L-propargylglycine to rats resulted in an increase in the cystathionine content of whole liver and liver mitochondria. Cystathionine in mitochondria was identified by amino acid analysis, thin layer chromatography, high-voltage paper electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cystathionine content of whole liver was 5.37 ± 1.59µmol per g of fresh liver at 14 h after the administration of 50 mg of D,L-propargylglycine per kg of body weight, while 0.07 ± 0.02µmol of cystathionine per g of fresh liver was detected in the control rats. The cystathionine content of liver mitochondria from both groups of rats was 9.40 ± 1.20 and 0.19 ± 0.04 nmol of cystathionine per mg of protein, respectively. The mitochondrial cystathionine increased dose-dependently with the increase of D,L-propargylglycine administered. The increase was proportional to the time after the administration up to 12 h, and then decreased. The increase of cystathionine in the liver mitochondria was linearly proportional to that in the whole liver. These results suggest that cystathionine in liver mitochondria is in an equilibrium with that in the cytosol.

A method for determination of total glutathione and total cysteine as S-carboxymethyl derivatives by using an amino acid analyzer, and its application to samples from rat liver, kidney and blood after intraperitoneal administration of 2-(4-carboxy-D-gluco-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid

The effects of intraperitoneal administration of 2-(4-carboxy-D-gluco-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (CGUA), a cysteine derivative conjugated with glucuronic acid, on total glutathione and total cysteine contents in rat tissues were investigated. Total glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and total cysteine (cysteine and cystine) were determined by a new method consisting of preparation of S-carboxymethylglutathione (CMSG) and S-carboxymethylcysteine (CMC), respectively, and subsequent analyses with an amino acid analyzer. CGUA was determined by a coloration method employing an acidic ninhydrin reagent. Total cysteine contents in liver, kidney and plasma rapidly increased to 2.3, 2.7 and 6.5 times the levels of the controls, respectively, after CGUA administration at a dose of 5 mmol/kg of body weight. Total glutathione content did not change significantly in the liver or blood except for the kidney with a significant increase during the first 1-h period after administration. CGUA content increased markedly in these tissues, especially in the kidney, and 30% of administered CGUA was excreted in urine within 2h. These results indicate that CGUA is converted into cysteine in vivo, suggesting the usefulness of this compound for protection of the kidney and the liver.

Difference in rates of the reaction of various mammalian oxyhemoglobins with phenylhydrazine

Second order rate constants for the initial reaction of 12 mammalian oxyhemoglobins (Hb) with equimolar phenylhydrazine (PHZ), a compound inducing Heinz body hemolytic anemia, were determined by recording continuous changes in absorbance with time at 577 nm. The rate constants were varied in a range from 43 m-1.s-1 with pig Hb to 255 m-1.s-1 with dog Hb. On the other hand, isosbestic points at 526 and 587 nm were common to all the reaction processes. The aerobic reaction of Hb with PHZ resulted in denaturation of hemoprotein, and final reaction products were determined to be beta-meso-phenylbiliverdin IX alpha and N-phenylprotoporphyrin IX. These results suggest that the reactivity of PHZ to Hb is influenced by the globin molecule, and the oxidative cleavage of the porphyrin ring causes the denaturation of hemoprotein.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of taurine and hypotaurine using 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride as derivatizing reagent

A method for the determination of taurine and hypotaurine in biological samples involving the preparation of their 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivatives followed by HPLC was established. Taurine and hypotaurine in aqueous media were reacted with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine to prepare 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivatives. These derivatives were separated on a C18 reversed-phase column and detected by recording the absorbance at 254 nm. Derivatives of taurine and hypotaurine were obtained in yields of 91.4 +/- 3.3 and 85.6 +/- 2.6%, respectively. The calibration graphs for taurine and hypotaurine were linear between 2.5 and 500 microM with correlation coefficients of 0.999. The method was applied to the determination of taurine and hypotaurine in human and rat urine and blood and in rat liver and heart.

[Early detection of non-palpable (T0) breast cancer: the diagnostic procedure for pathological discharge from the nipple]

Detection of non-palpable (T0) breast cancer by pathological nipple discharge is possible 3 years or more earlier than tumorous breast cancer. However, the definite diagnosis of T0 breast cancer has been considered to be very difficult because the standard diagnostic method such as exfoliative cytology and ductography were not totally reliable. In 1985 we first demonstrated the significance of CEA measurement in nipple discharge for diagnosis of T0 breast cancer. Since then CEA activity in nipple discharge was estimated in 60 patients with breast diseases by means of enzyme immunoassay using monoclonal anti CEA antibody. They include 17 with T0 breast cancer, 9 with borderline lesion, 20 with intraductal papilloma and 14 with fibrocystic diseases. When the cut off value of CEA concentration was set at 600 ng/ml, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 76.5%, 100% and 92.2%, respectively. These levels were higher than those for mammography or cytology. In the past 7 years, 13 cases of T0 breast cancer were detected in our hospital. They accounted for 2.5% of total breast cancer cases. In conclusion, CEA measurement in nipple discharge is a useful method for the diagnosis of non-palpable breast cancer.

Isolation of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-thiolactic acid, a new metabolite of histidine, from normal human urine and its formation from S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine

S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-thiolactic acid (CIE-TL), a novel imidazole compound with a sulphur-containing side chain, was isolated from normal human urine by ion-exchange column chromatography, and characterized by physicochemical analyses involving m.s., i.r. spectrophotometry, high-voltage paper electrophoresis and elemental analysis as well as chemical synthesis. CIE-TL was synthesized by the reaction of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (CIE-Cys) with NaNO2 in HCl. CIE-TL was also formed during enzymic degradation of CIE-Cys by rat liver or kidney homogenate in a phosphate buffer, possibly via the metabolic intermediate S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-thiopyruvic acid, and this was accompanied by the formation of 3-[(carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid, a compound previously found in human urine [Kinuta, Yao, Masuoka, Ohta, Teraoka and Ubuka (1991) Biochem. J. 275, 617-621]. These results suggest that CIE-Cys [Kinuta, Ubuka, Yao, Futani, Fujiwara and Kurozumi (1992) Biochem. J. 283, 39-40] is a physiological precursor of the urinary compounds and that L-histidine is metabolized in part via an alternative pathway initiated by the adduction of natural thiol compounds such as cysteine and GSH to urocanic acid, the first catabolite of histidine.

Follow-up study of combination treatment (TAE and PEIT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

The subjects were 35 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The patients were divided into a transcatheter arterial embolization group (TAE group, 18 cases) and a combination therapy group receiving both TAE and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (TAE+PEIT group, 17 cases). The 50% survival period was 21.1 months for the TAE group and 37.8 months for the TAE+PEIT group (P < 0.05). The longest survival period in the TAE group was 89 months. In the TAE+PEIT group, one patient has survived for 59 months. The actuarial 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates for the TAE group were 82%, 45%, and 22%, respectively. For the TAE+PEIT group the rates were 83%, 64%, and 64%, respectively. The TAE+PEIT group showed a significantly higher survival rate in the 895- to 1,074-day period as compared with the TAE group (P < 0.05). Overall, the survival rate tended to be higher in the TAE-PEIT group (P < 0.1). The therapeutic responses of tumors were measured by the maximal reduction rate within 6 months of TAE and PEIT. In the TAE group, a PR was seen in only four cases. In the TAE+PEIT group, CRs and PRs were achieved significantly more frequently than in the TAE group. When the patients were divided into a responder group (CR, PR, and MR) and a nonresponder group (NC and PD), survival was significantly longer in the responder group. The findings of the present study suggest that the combination therapy was useful for improving the survival of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Studies on combination therapy with TAE and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma]

We studied and analysed the effects of combination therapy with TAE and PEIT for unresectable HCC. The subjects were 28 patients (21 males, 7 females) with 31 tumors treated in the Department of Surgery, Osaka Teishin Hospital. The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the tumor size (< 3 cm, 3-5 cm, 5-8 cm, > 8 cm). The therapeutic effect on the tumors was evaluated on the basis of the maximum reduction rate within 3 months after TAE and PEIT. The response rates after treatment were 87.5%, 60.0%, 25.0% and 0% for < 3 cm, 3-5 cm, 5-8 cm, and > 8 cm tumor size, respectively. The 50% survival period was 50.9 months. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 92%, 76%, 52% and 32%, respectively. In the cases of over 8 cm, this combination therapy had no effects on the survival period. The findings of the present study suggest that the combination therapy was useful for the unresectable HCC of under 5 cm in diameter.

Preparation and characterization of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione and its derivatives as proposed precursors of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine, a compound found in human urine

Formation of 3-[(carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid (I) and S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (II), compounds found in human urine, has been demonstrated by enzymatic degradation of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione (III). Compound (III) was chemically synthesized in 72% yield by incubating the reaction mixture of trans-urocanic acid and 3-fold excess GSH at 65 degrees C for 1 wk, which was accompanied by formation of N-(S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteinyl)glycine (IV) in 15% yield. S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-N-gamma-glutamylcysteine (V) was produced by partial hydrolysis of compound (III) in HCl. The synthesized compounds were characterized mainly by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and high-voltage paper electrophoresis as well as chemical degradation. Incubation of compound (III) with rat kidney homogenate in a Tris buffer (pH 8), formed compound (II) in 80% yield possibly via compound (IV). Yield of compound (II) was increased by adding glycylglycine to the reaction mixture. However, little degradation of compound (III) occurred in the use of rat liver, brain, heart or spleen homogenate as the enzyme source. Compound (II) was further metabolized to compound (I) by incubation with rat kidney homogenate in a phosphate buffer of pH 7.4. From these results, we suggest that the urinary compounds are products of enzymatic degradation of compound (III) and that GSH may participate in the metabolism of urocanic acid, the first catabolite of L-histidine.

Assay of sialidase activity using ion-exchange chromatography and acidic ninhydrin reaction

A new assay method for sialidase (EC 3.2.1.18) activity using ion-exchange chromatography and acidic ninhydrin reaction has been developed. Fetuin, 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid (MUB-NANA), gangliosides and N-acetylneuramin-lactose were examined as substrates. Free sialic acid liberated from these substrates by sialidase reaction was isolated with a Dowex 1-X8 column (trifluoroacetate form, 1.5 cm x 0.5 cm I.D.) and determined by acidic ninhydrin reaction. Among the substrates tested, MUB-NANA was the best in the present method, N-Acetylneuramin-lactose could not be used as the substrate, because it was not separated from liberated sialic acid under the conditions used. The recovery of N-acetylneuraminic acid was above 88%, and the sensitivity of the method was 20 nmol in 300 microliters of the reaction mixture. The method was applied to the sialidase assay during its purification from rat skeletal muscle, and a Michaelis constant of 1.15 mM was obtained with MUB-NANA as the substrate. The method using the acidic ninhydrin reaction was simple and exhibited good reproducibility.

[A case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma successfully treated with hyperthermic chemotherapy]

Continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) with cisplatin (CDDP) was performed for a 65-year-old female with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Ascites disappeared after CHPP, and she has survived 3 years and 3 months after the diagnosis. CHPP might be a useful therapy for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

Isolation of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine from human urine

S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (I), a proposed precursor of 3-[(carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid [Kinuta, Yao, Masuoka, Ohta, Teraoka & Ubuka (1991) Biochem. J. 275, 617-721], was isolated from healthy human urine by using ion-exchange column chromatography. Identification of the isolated compound with compound (I) was performed by physicochemical analyses involving i.r., m.s. and n.m.r. spectrometries as well as high-voltage paper electrophoresis, t.l.c. and paper chromatography. Compound (I) was synthesized in 80% yield by incubation of a reaction mixture containing trans-urocanic acid and 3-fold excess of cysteine at 70-75 degrees C. From these results we suggest that natural thiol compounds such as cysteine and GSH participate in the metabolism of urocanic acid, a key metabolite of L-histidine.

Efficacy of combination treatment--(TAE with adriamycin and ethanol)--for hepatocellular carcinoma

Among 44 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), combination treatment with both transhepatic arterial embolization (TAE) and ethanol injection therapy (EIT) was performed in 10 patients. Only two had tumors measuring less than 3 cm in diameter. In all, eight patients had solitary tumors and two had multiple tumors. The tumor was classified as stage I in one patient, stage II in six subjects, stage III in two patients, and stage IV in one subject prior to TAE, but one stage II case was changed to stage III after laparotomy. The clinical stage was I in two patients, II in six subjects and III in two patients. Five patients with tumors of stages I and II achieved either a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). However, three patients with tumors of stages III and IV showed progressive disease (PD). Thus, the response rate (CR+PR) was 50%. For tumor stages I and II, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival values were 100%, 100%, and 83%, respectively. For tumor stages III and IV, the 1- and 2-year survival values were 75% and 25%, respectively. Combination treatment of HCC appears to be efficacious for tumor stages I and II.

Isolation and characterization of 3-[(carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid from human urine and preparation of its proposed precursor, S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine

3-[(Carboxymethyl)thio]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid (I) was isolated from healthy human urine by using ion-exchange column chromatography, and characterized by physicochemical analyses involving i.r., m.s. and n.m.r. spectrometries as well as chemical synthesis. The urinary content was 0.04-0.07 mumol/l. Compound (I) was synthesized by the addition of mercaptoacetic acid to urocanic acid. In order to establish the origin of the compound. S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]cysteine (II) and S-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]glutathione (III) were produced by similar reactions of urocanic acid with cysteine and GSH respectively. The yield of compound (II) was markedly increased by sunlight irradiation of the reaction mixture or by the use of cis-urocanic acid rather than the trans isomer. Incubation of compound (II) with rat liver homogenate in a phosphate buffer, pH 7.40, formed a major and some minor products of enzymic degradation, one of which was identified with compound (I). Exposure of rats to the sunlight for 2 days resulted in increase of the epidermal content of trans-urocanic acid from the normal value of 0.38 to 1.70 micrograms/mg wet wt. of skin, accompanied by formation de novo of the epidermal cis isomer. After sunlight irradiation, the content of the trans isomer decreased at a constant rate of 0.03 micrograms/mg wet wt. of skin per day, whereas the cis isomer was eliminated more quickly, having a phase of rapid decrease in the early period. From these results we suggest that compound (I) may participate in the metabolism of urocanic acid and natural thiol compounds such as cysteine and GSH.

Embryonic mutation as a possible cause of in utero carcinogenesis in mice revealed by postnatal treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Although in utero irradiation at early stages induced a high incidence of somatic mutations at coat color genes in the embryos of a specified tester strain (PT x HT F1) of mice, it was not carcinogenic by itself. However, in utero-irradiated animals did develop skin tumors and hepatomas (but not leukemias) by the postnatal administration of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. The incidence of both tumors and embryonic mutations increased with in utero doses of X-rays. Furthermore, a large reduction of tumor incidence, about 80%, was observed by low-dose-rate irradiation, similar to the 75% reduction in spot size found for embryonic mutations. The tumor nodule size was also dramatically reduced by low-dose-rate irradiation. Consequently, the induced incidence and size of tumors produced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment parallel those which are observed for coat color mutations as expected, because somatic mutations observed in the pigment cells must similarly occur in embryonic cells of other organs. The larger the clone of mutant cells, the greater their chance of becoming tumorigenic by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate posttreatment. These results strongly support the recent epidemiological survey showing that adult types of cancers, but not leukemias, are increasing in the atomic bomb survivors exposed in utero, since humans are continuously exposed to a variety of cancer-promoting agents in contrast to experimental animals reared without such exposures.

Visualization of sialoglycoproteins in polyacrylamide gels by acidic ninhydrin reaction

A new method for staining sialoglycoproteins in polyacrylamide gel after disc electrophoresis is described. The method utilizes the reaction of sialic acids with an acidic ninhydrin reagent which yields a stable color with an absorption maximum at 470 nm. After electrophoresis, the polyacrylamide gel is placed in a test tube and heated with 5 ml of the acidic ninhydrin reagent for 10 min in a boiling water bath. Sialoglycoproteins are detected as brown bands. No additional procedure such as destaining is necessary. When 20 micrograms fetuin, a sialoglycoprotein, per gel is applied, the band remains visible for at least 2 h. Stained gel can be scanned with a gel scanner at 470 nm. When the stained gel was dried on a sheet of polypropylene filter, the color was stable for at least one month. The present method is superior to the method using Stains-all (3,3'-diethyl-9-methyl-4,5,4',5'-dibenzothiacarbocyanine) in specificity and simplicity for the detection of sialoglycoproteins.

Formation of sulfate from L-cysteine in rat liver mitochondria

Formation of sulfate in rat liver mitochondria was studied. About 0.1 mumol of sulfate was formed in mitochondria from 1 g of liver in 60 min when 10 mM L-cysteine was used as the substrate. Addition of either 10 mM 2-oxoglutarate or 10 mM glutathione to this system increased sulfate formation 3 to 4 times. The addition of both 2-oxoglutarate and glutathione resulted in a 20-fold increase in sulfate formation. Sulfate formation in the presence of 5 mM L-cysteine was 58% of that with 10 mM L-cysteine. L-Cysteine-glutathione mixed disulfide was not a good substrate, indicating that this mixed disulfide was not an intermediate of sulfate formation in the present system. Incubation of 3-mercaptopyruvate with rat liver mitochondria also resulted in sulfate formation, and the addition of glutathione accelerated it. Formation of sulfite and thiosulfate was also detected. These results indicate that sulfate is produced in mitochondria, at least in part, from L-cysteine through the transamination pathway (3-mercaptopyruvate pathway).

[Prognostic significance of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer]

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy of adriamycin (ADM) was performed in 31 cases with locally advanced breast cancer. The overall response rate for ADM was as high as 71% (22/31) in the primary lesions and histological response rate was obtained in 54.8% (17/31). Five-year survival rates for patients with stage IIIa, IIIb and IV breast cancer were 100%, 37.5% and 40.0%, respectively, compared with 63.8%, 35.7% and 12.5%, respectively, for 80 cases of control group. Although there was no correlation between local response rate and longer survival time, a more favorable prognosis seems possible with this treatment compared with other forms of therapy.

Direct determination of bound sialic acids in sialoglycoproteins by acidic ninhydrin reaction

A simple and rapid method for sialic acid determination in sialoglycoproteins by acidic ninhydrin reaction is described. The method is based on the reaction of sialic acids with an acidic ninhydrin reagent (K. Yao and T. Ubuka (1987) Acta Med. Okayama 41, 237-241). By heating a sample solution containing sialoglycoprotein with the reagent at 100 degrees C for 10 min, a stable color with an absorption maximum at 470 nm was produced. The standard curve was linear in the range of 20 micrograms to 3 mg of fetuin, a sialoglycoprotein, per 3.0 ml of the reaction mixture. The reaction is specific only for sialoglycoproteins among various proteins examined. The acidic ninhydrin method was applied to the determination of sialic acids in sialoglycoproteins in ascites fluids of Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice.

Gas chromatographic determination of sulfuric acid and application to urinary sulfate

A new gas chromatographic method for the determination of sulfate was developed. In this method, sulfate was quantitatively converted to a volatile derivative, dimethyl sulfate, by a two-step procedure. First, sulfate was converted to silver sulfate by reaction with silver oxide, and then to dimethyl sulfate by reaction with methyl iodide. The derivative was analyzed by gas chromatography. Methyl methanesulfonate was used as an internal standard. The method was applied to the determination of total urinary sulfate. Phosphate and chloride ions, which interfered with the present method, were eliminated with the use of basic magnesium carbonate and an excess of silver oxide, respectively. Recovery was over 96% when 5 to 40 mumol/ml of sulfate was added to human urine samples.

Bonding of nitrosobenzene and phenyl isocyanide to chelated mesoheme, hemoglobin and ferrous phthalocyanine

Reactions of nitrosobenzene, phenyl isocyanide and their ring-substituted analogues with hemoglobin, ferrous phthalocyanine and a synthetic model compound of hemoglobin were investigated by optical, 1H-NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Complexes of chelated ferromesoheme, the model compound, with 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl, 2-isopropyl- or 2,6-disubstituted nitrosobenzene were less stable than its complex with nitrosobenzene. Formation of a complex of the model compound with 2-tert-butylnitrosobenzene was incomplete. Previous studies showed that 2,6-disubstituted nitrosobenzenes are not ligands of ferrohemoglobin. In the present work 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide was found to be a ligand of ferrohemoglobin. These results are consistent with binding of the nitrogen of the nitroso group of nitrosobenzene and of the carbon of the isocyanide group of phenyl isocyanide to ferroheme. The same bonding modes of these ligands to ferrous phthalocyanine were inferred from ring-current-induced shifts in the 1H-NMR spectra of the respective complexes.

[A case of remarkable regression of a colonic cancer involving metastasis to the liver as a result of FT-207 treatment]

In mid-August, 1986, a 50-year-old man underwent a detailed examination following the finding of a tumor in the upper abdominal region. The tumor was revealed to be a sigmoid colon cancer with multiple metastasis to both halves of the liver. Subsequent administration of FT-207 suppositories (750 mg X 2/day) resulted in a recognizable shrinkage of the metastatic lesions in the liver after one month, and a barium enema a month later indicated a decrease in the size of the original tumor. The pre-operative CEA value was 2,317 ng/ml, but this has reduced to 46.7 ng/ml to date March, 1987. In this report of single chemotherapy treatment with FT-207 of a sigmoid colon cancer involving metastasis to the liver, the prognosis obtained for the original and hepatic lesions has been good, and the patient's course to date healthy.