A case of xanthoma disseminatum: evaluation and monitoring by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography

Xanthoma disseminatum (XD) is a rare benign histiocytic disorder with extensive mucocutaneous xanthomas that often involves other sites such as the central nervous system (CNS), respiratory tract and abdominal organs. Evaluation of the extent of disease is important because lesions in critical locations may increase morbidity and mortality. However, there are no well-established tools for the evaluation and monitoring of XD. Here, we report a case of XD in a 21-year-old male patient showing skin, mucous membrane, CNS and internal organ involvement. In this case, (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was useful in detecting the extent of the disease and in estimating the therapeutic response.

Lactational coumestrol exposure increases ovarian apoptosis in adult rats

This study is the first to examine the increased apoptosis in the adult rat ovary after lactational exposure to coumestrol (COU), a potent phytoestrogen. Lactating dams were gavaged at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg COU during the lactation period and the reproductive effects of female pups were investigated in young adults. Rats were sacrificed at postnatal days (PND) 81-84. Ovarian weights were reduced significantly at 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg COU. The reduction in the ovarian weight occurred in parallel with an increase in the apoptosis at PND 135-140. A marked dose-dependent increase in the expressions of active caspase-3 and -7 was observed in ovarian granulosa cells. Immunostaining for active caspase-3 and the TUNEL staining of apoptotic cells were also increased in ovaries exposed to COU in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest new sights into the effect of lactational exposure to COU on the female reproductive health.

PEGylation improves the hypoglycaemic efficacy of intranasally administered glucagon-like peptide-1 in type 2 diabetic db/db mice

AIMS

PEGylation - covalent modification of therapeutic peptides with polyethylene glycol (PEG) - is viewed as an effective way of prolonging the short lifetime of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In this study, we investigated the hypoglycaemic efficacies of PEGylated GLP-1s administered intranasally in type 2 diabetic db/db mice.

METHODS

Three types of site-specific (Lys(34)) PEGylated GLP-1 analogues (PEG molecular weight: 1, 2 or 5 kDa) were synthesized. Their metabolic stabilities were evaluated in nasal mucosa enzyme pools. Oral glucose tolerance test was conducted 30, 60 and 120 min after intranasally administering these analogues in type 2 diabetic db/db mice.

RESULTS

PEGylated GLP-1 analogues were found to have significantly longer half-lives than native GLP-1 in nasal mucosa enzymes (2.4-fold to 11.0-fold, p < 0.005). Non-PEGylated GLP-1 at 100 nmol/kg was not found to have marked efficacy irrespective of nasal administration time [total hypoglycaemic degree (HD(total)) values 2.8-17.3%]. On the contrary, PEGylated GLP-1s (100 nmol/kg) showed obvious efficacies with maximum HD(total) values of >51.8 +/- 5.8% (p < 0.005 vs. GLP-1).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the pharmacological potential of intranasally administered PEGylated GLP-1s in terms of stabilizing postprandial hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

Multigeneration reproductive and developmental toxicity study of bar gene inserted into genetically modified potato on rats

Each specific protein has an individual gene encoding it, and a foreign gene introduced to a plant can be used to synthesize a new protein. The identification of potential reproductive and developmental toxicity from novel proteins produced by genetically modified (GM) crops is a difficult task. A science-based risk assessment is needed in order to use GM crops as a conventional foodstuff. In this study, the specific characteristics of GM food and low-level chronic exposure were examined using a five-generation animal study. In each generation, rats were fed a solid pellet containing 5% GM potato and non-GM potato for 10 wk prior to mating in order to assess the potential reproductive and developmental toxic effects. In the multigeneration animal study, there were no GM potato-related changes in body weight, food consumption, reproductive performance, and organ weight. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using extracted genomic DNA to examine the possibility of gene persistence in the organ tissues after a long-term exposure to low levels of GM feed. In each generation, the gene responsible for bar was not found in any of the reproductive organs of the GM potato-treated male and female rats, and the litter-related indexes did not show any genetically modified organism (GMO)-related changes. The results suggest that genetically modified crops have no adverse effects on the multigeneration reproductive-developmental ability.

Neurotoxic effects of alcohol and acetaldehyde during embryonic development

Alcohol drinking during pregnancy results in abnormal fetal development, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in humans and experimental animals. FAS is characterized by two major effects, including central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction and multiple anomalies recognizable mainly as a typical face. However, the mechanisms of alcohol-induced embryotoxicity have not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced FAS in the developing embryo. First, ethanol-induced developmental abnormalities were investigated in vitro. Postimplantation embryos at gestation day (GD) 9.5 were cultured for 48 h and observed for morphological changes. Ethanol-mediated changes in proteins regulated apoptosis (p53 and bcl-2), antioxidant (vitamin E and catalase) activities, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative DNA damage shown as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured in embryonic midbrain cells. Alcohol or acetaldehyde significantly induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat embryonic midbrain cells. The levels of p53, bcl-2, and 8-OHdG were concomitantly changed by alcohol and acetaldehyde treatment in midbrain cells. Injured cells induced by ROS were increased by alcohol or acetaldehyde treatment in midbrain cells. Cotreatment with alcohol or acetaldehyde and catalase decreased cytotoxicity in midbrain cells. In postimplantation embryo culture, alcohol or acetaldehyde-treated embryos showed retardation of embryonic growth and development in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde induce fetal developmental abnormalities by disrupting cellular differentiation and growth. Data demonstrate that some antioxidants can partially protect against the alcohol-induced embryonic developmental toxicity.

Differential gene profiles in developing embryo and fetus after in utero exposure to ethanol

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy results in morphological abnormalities in the fetuses of humans and experimental animals, and is referred to as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). However, the molecular mechanism underlying FAS has not been completely elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of ethanol-induced FAS in the developing embryo and fetus. cDNA microarray analysis was used to screen for altered gene profiles. Ethanol at a teratogenic dosage (3.8 g/kg, twice a day) was administered intraperitoneally to pregnant C57Bl/6J mice from gestation day (GD) 6 to 8. Morphologic observations showed excessive malformations of the craniofacial regions (reduction of the face, the absence of eyes, nose, jaw, and mandible, underdevelopment of vibrissae areas, cleft lip, and palate) in ethanol-exposed embryos (GD 10) and fetusus (GD 15). cDNA microarray analysis showed alterations in several gene profiles, including the "palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (plunc), "neurofilament, " and "pale ear. " Of these genes, the expressions of plunc were confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and whole-mount in situ hybridization. The plunc was highly expressed in the craniofacial region, specifically in upper airways and nasopharyngeal epithelium. RT-PCR analysis revealed that normal plunc mRNA expression levels were present in GD 15 fetuses, but not in GD 10 embryos. Interestingly, ethanol significantly downregulated the plunc expression in GD 15 fetuses. Our results suggest that ethanol-induced FAS is due in part to the downregulation of plunc expression in the fetus, and this gene may be a candidate biological marker for FAS.

Mechanism of antifertility in male rats treated with 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD)

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a food contaminant that is often found in foods containing acid-hydrolyzed (AH) protein, like seasonings and savory food products. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 3-MCPD on male fertility, sperm, and hormonal levels and its antifertility mechanism. In vivo male fertility testing was performed to observe the adverse effects of 3-MCPD on the functioning of the male reproductive system and pregnancy outcome. 3-MCPD (0.01-5 mg/kg) was administered daily by gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats for 4 wk. At the end of the pretreatment period, male rats were mated overnight with untreated females. Males successfully inducing pregnancy were sacrificed to assess sperm parameters, reproductive organ histopathology, and spermatogenesis. The resulting pregnant females were sacrificed on 20 of gestation to evaluate pregnancy outcome. The paternal administration of 3-MCPD (5 mg/kg) was found to result in adverse effects on male fertility and pregnancy outcome without inducing remarkable histopathological changes in testes and epididymides. Additionally, 3-MCPD (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced sperm motility, copulation, fertility indices, and the number of live fetuses showed steep dose-response curves. 3-MCPD did not affect spermatogenesis or induce hormonal changes in the blood and testes of male rats. An in vitro hormone assay using primary isolated Leydig cells showed no significant changes in related hormone levels after 3-MCPD treatment. To evaluate the effects of 3-MCPD on apoptotic induction and H+-ATPase levels in the testis and epididymis, 10 or 100 mg/kg of 3-MCPD was administered by gavage to male rats and testes and epididymides were examined at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h later. Apoptosis was not detected in the testes of animals treated with 100 mg/kg 3-MCPD. However, the level of H+-ATPase in the cauda epididymis was reduced by 3-MCPD treatment. These results indicate that 3-MCPD induced a spermatotoxic effect, which was mediated by reduced H+-ATPase expression in the cauda epididymis, and suggest that an altered pH level in the cauda epididymis might lead to a disruption of sperm maturation and the acquisition of motility.

Bioactive polymers for biohybrid artificial pancreas

To address the solution for some of the obstacles, such as low insulin secretion, limited lifespan and aggregation of transplanted islets, encountered in developing a biohybrid artificial pancreas (BAP), polymeric materials including a reversible polymeric extracellular matrix (ECM), crystallized glucagon-like peptide-1, and oxygen carrying polymers, were prepared and their potential utilities in designing a compact and rechargeable BAP were investigated. For a synthetic, reversible ECM, high molecular weight N-isopropylacrylamide copolymer with a small amount of acrylic acid (2 mole%) was synthesized by conventional radical polymerization in benzene, and its aqueous solution above a critical polymer concentration displayed a sol-gel transition temperature near physiological temperature (33-35 degrees C) without noticeable hysteresis. The physicochemical properties of the gel with islet compatibility proved that the synthetic ECM is an appropriate matrix which can make a BAP rechargeable. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1, 7-37) is known to have a strong stimulatory effect on insulin secretion, particularly at high glucose concentrations. When zinc-crystallized GLP-1 was entrapped along with islets in a hollow fiber macrocapsule device, insulin secretion was enhanced at a high glucose concentration (300 mg/dl) with a >85% increase in insulin secretion after an induction period. The cross-linked hemoglobin with difunctional PEO (Hb-C) was prepared to increase the high molecular weight of Hb. This prevents diffusional loss when enclosed in an immunoprotecting membrane. The Hb-C, entrapped in microcapsules, enhanced insulin secretion and improved the viability of microencapsulated islets by promoting oxygen supply to islets. The introduction of the synthetic ECM, crystallized GLP-1, and Hb-C into a BAP may provide a basis for designing a compact and rechargeable BAP (macrocapsule).

Synthesis of sulfonylurea conjugated copolymer via PEO spacer and its in vitro short-term bioactivity in insulin secretion from islets of Langerhans

In order to reduce the number of immunoprotected islets required in xeno- or allogenic transplants for reversing diabetes, analogues of glyburide (a sulfonylurea), an extremely hydrophobic insulin secretagogue, were synthesized and used in an attempt to produce water soluble sulfonylurea (SU) grafted polymers. After synthesizing various polymers containing glyburide analogues, a poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-sulfonylurea succinyl PEO (Mw = 3000) acrylate) was found to be soluble in a cell culture medium at pH 7.4. However, solubility was only obtained by decreasing solution pH from 11 to 7.4. When the copolymer was added to the islet cell culture media at a concentration of 5 microg ml(-1) (based on the theoretical SU content of the copolymer), insulin secretion was enhanced by about 30% at low glucose concentrations of 50 and 100 mg dl(-1) compared to the control. This is equivalent to 40-60% bioactivity of glyburide. The polymer's effect on insulin secretion at a higher glucose concentration of 200 mg dl(-1) was not significant. Considering the previous results where a similar but insoluble polymer without a PEO spacer was used and the polymer showed SU bioactivity only at a glucose concentration of 50 mg dl(-1), the observations from this study indicates that the solubility of SU-grafted polymers may affect the binding of SU groups to SU receptors on the pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in improved pharmacodynamic effect of SU.

Vestibulo-ocular reflex in eccentric rotation in squirrel monkeys

In addition to angular acceleration, eccentric rotation (ECR) imparts linear acceleration to the head positioned eccentric to the axis of rotation. Using ECR in squirrel monkeys, the effects of otolith organ stimulation by linear acceleration on vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain were investigated. With the animal's head facing away from the rotation axis, ECR significantly enhanced VOR gain over that seen in centric rotation (CR) at 1.0 Hz, but not at 0.5 Hz. However, no enhancement of VOR gain at 1.0 Hz was observed in eccentriclateral rotation when the animal faced tangentially. After bilateral ablation of the otolith organs (sacculectomy and utricular neurectomy), the ECR did not increase VOR gain, even at 1.0 Hz. In animals in which the lateral and posterior semicircular canals were plugged bilaterally, horizontal sinusoidal eye movements were induced by ECR at 1.0 Hz; no clear compensatory eye movement occurred during CR at 1.0 Hz. These findings demonstrate that during ECR, tangential acceleration along the interaural axis stimulates the utricular maculae, inducing horizontal eye movements in addition to those induced by the semicircular canal, thus resulting in an enhancement of VOR gain. Our results also suggest synergistic interactions of the otolith organs and semicircular canals. We conclude that ECR is a useful clinical test of the function of the otolith organs.

Effects of otolith stimulation in eccentric rotation on the vestibulo-ocular reflex in squirrel monkeys

When a subject is rotated around an axis located behind his head (eccentric rotation, ECR), he experiences a combination of angular acceleration and two kinds of linear accelerations, tangential and centrifugal. The effects of stimulation of the otolith organs by linear acceleration in ECR on gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) were examined in squirrel monkeys. The VOR gain in ECR with the animal's head facing away from the rotation axis was significantly higher than that in centric rotation (CR) at 1.0 Hz, but not at 0.5 Hz. However, the VOR gain did not increase in eccentric-lateral rotation when the animal faced tangentially, even at 1.0 Hz. After bilateral ablation of the otolith organs (sacculectomy and utricular neurectomy), the VOR gain in ECR did not increase, even at 1.0 Hz. These findings demonstrate that tangential acceleration along the interaural axis in ECR stimulates the utricular maculae, resulting in enhancement of the VOR gain. The results also suggest that ECR is a useful clinical test for the function of the otolith organs.

Recovery of the otolith-ocular reflex after unilateral deafferentation of the otolith organs in squirrel monkeys

The enhancement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain in the eccentric rotation is mediated by the otolith organs. Functional recovery of the otolith-ocular reflex after deafferentation of the otolith organs was examined in squirrel monkeys, using the enhancement of the eccentric VOR gain as an indicator of the reflex. After unilateral deafferentation of the otolith organs, the enhancement of the eccentric VOR gain decreased and then recovered completely within eight weeks. However, the eccentric VOR gain was not enhanced after contralateral side lesions. These findings demonstrate that functional recovery of the otolith-ocular reflex is achieved after unilateral deafferentation of the otolith organs, and that afferents from the remaining otolith organs are necessary for the functional compensation.

Sodium concentration in saliva along the time course of experimental Coriolis sickness

Procedures designed to evaluate the severity of motion sickness have included subjective reporting of changes in salivation. In order to increase objectivity, we studied the sodium concentration of saliva, which is directly related to the flow rate. Healthy adults with normal vestibular function underwent a modified Coriolis Sickness Susceptibility Index (CSSI) test, utilizing a staircase profile. Saliva was collected without interrupting the stimulus by means of cotton placed beneath the subject's tongue for one minute. Samples were obtained 5 min prior to stimulation, 30 and 45 min following stimulus onset, and/or upon reaching the "nausea II" endpoint. Saliva for analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was obtained by centrifugation of the cotton. A significant difference in sodium concentration was found between the baseline and 30-min sample (p less than 0.01). Although the amount of salivation was rather variable, the pattern of changes in sodium concentration was similar in all experimental cases.