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Biomedical subjects

A Akasawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Akasawa.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Adrenal function of children with bronchial asthma treated with beclomethasone dipropionate.

The function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was investigated in nine asthmatic children treated by inhalation of beclomethasone dipropionate (300 micrograms/day) for 12 weeks. The trial was designed as a prospective study. The 24-hour urinary free cortisol, serum cortisol, response to ACTH, and nocturnal serum cortisol followed by 20-minute sampling were measured before and after the study period. No significant changes were found, suggesting that inhaled beclomethasone, in a daily dose of 300 micrograms, does not cause suppression of the HPA axis.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1992

[Relationship between arterial blood gas tensions and a clinical scoring system in asthmatic patients].

We evaluated the relationship between blood gas tensions and a clinical scoring system in pediatric asthma patients, who were divided into two groups according to their ages (under 5 years and over 6 years). The clinical score was derived from Mitsui, which was constructed using reference only to clinical symptoms and signs. The clinical scores had a statistically significant correlation with PaO2, PaCO2, SaO2 and pH in both groups. However there were fluctuations between clinical score and blood gas tensions. A low clinical score did not exclude hypoxemia. There were no statistical differences between the two groups, but subjects under 5 years old showed better correlation. This scoring system is useful to evaluate the degree of asthma attack, especially severe attack, both in younger (under 5 years) and older (over 6 years) asthmatic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[The effect of sustained-release theophylline granules in the inhibition of exercise-induced asthma].

We studied the protective effect of sustained-release theophylline granules on early or late response in exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in 16 patients ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. A standardized exercise test was examined 2 hours after administration of theophylline granules on one day and after no medication on another day. On both days, the lung functions and the serum theophylline and cortisol concentrations of the patients were examined before exercise and over a period of 8 hours after exercise. On days without medication, early response was seen in 16 patients and late response in 6. On days with medication, the theophylline granules inhibited early response in 13 of the 16 patients and late response in 5 of the 6 patients. This suggests that theophylline preparation is a useful drug for inhibiting the dual responses of EIA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Extracellular ATP stimulates interleukin-dependent cultured mast cells and eosinophils through calcium mobilization.

We examined the effect of ATP and related nucleotides on the changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) and human cord blood-derived eosinophils (EO) cultured in the presence of interleukins. ATP, ADP and AMP released a substantial amount of histamine and leukotriene C4 from BMMC, and EO showed locomotive activity in response to ATP, ADP and GTP. These reactions were accompanied with an increase in [Ca2+]i in BMMC and in EO. The rise in [Ca2+]i in BMMC induced by ATP or antigen at optimal concentrations was inclined to be persisting. On the other hand, these nucleotides induced a rapid and transient rise in [Ca2+]i in EO. Purified human peripheral EO also exhibited locomotive activity and an increase in [Ca2+]i in response to ATP. These results indicate that extracellular ATP activates interleukin-dependent cultured mast cells and EO through Ca2+ mobilization, and suggest that ATP, which is known to be released from activated platelets or autonomic nerves, may stimulate in vivo counterparts of these cultured inflammatory cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1991

The stimuli releasing histamine from murine bone marrow-derived mast cells. 2. Mechanisms involved in histamine release induced by extracellular ATP and its metabolites.

Extracellular ATP stimulated histamine release and generation of leukotrience C4 (LTC4) accompanied with the formation of inositol phosphates and a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMMC). The rank order of histamine-releasing potency of ATP and its metabolites is ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP greater than adenosine. Nonhydrolyzable ATP analog, adenosine-5'-O-[2-thiotriphosphate] (ATP-S) released more histamine from the cells than ATP. On the other hand, simultaneous addition of adenosine analogues at micromolar concentrations potentiated histamine release from the cells induced by ATP (50 microM) or DNP-HSA antigen (0.1 ng/ml) in the following rank order: adenosine greater than AMP much greater than ADP = ATP. Histamine release potentiated by adenosine was blocked by the treatment with pertussis toxin, whereas histamine release induced by ATP was not affected by the toxin, suggesting that extracellular ATP stimulate histamine release from BMMC probably via mechanisms independent of the potentiation of histamine release induced by adenosine.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

[Investigation of the genetics in allergic children: the first report--Twin study on HLA in allergic disease].

Twenty-two twins' families were investigated to determine the influence of a genetic factor in the etiology of allergic diseases in children. Zygosity was confirmed by eight red cell blood types and HLA type. Eight pairs of monozygotic twins were divided by a probability of monozygosity as calculated from Essen-Möller's method. Concordance rate of allergic disease and asthma were 88% in MZ, 86% in DZ, 75%, 73% and that of positive rate of DF-specific IgE antibody were 60% in MZ, 58% in DZ. In DZ, not sharing the same HLA haplotypes, concordance of the positive rate of DF-specific IgE antibody was 0%. Concomitant coefficiency of total serum IgE levels were 0.593 in MZ, 0.063 in DZ. These data suggested that IgE production may be influenced by genetic factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Investigation of the genetics of allergic children, the second report--family study to determine the major gene in allergic disease using affected sib pair method].

Twenty-six families with allergic siblings were investigated to define the mode of inheritance of asthma and DF specific IgE antibody production in children. The affected sib pair method was used to establish the linkage between disease susceptibility genes and HLA antigens. The affected sib pair method revealed that in asthmatic families chi 2 = 4.9 (no significance) and in DF-specific IgE positive families chi 2 = 6.2 (p less than 0.05). This study suggests that the gene of DF-specific IgE antibody production is linked to HLA haplotypes, but the mode of inheritance of DF-specific IgE antibody production couldn't be defined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of status asthmaticus--hormone changes before and after aminophylline i.v. drip therapy.

The treatment of status asthmaticus is one of the most important factors in controlling the patient with asthma attacks. We have studied hormone changes in status asthmaticus and considered what is the best treatment in the asthma attack condition in children. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), renin activity, and aldosterone activity are elevated in severe asthma attack conditions, and these high levels are correlated with high levels in Wood's clinical score. It is theoretical that patients with dehydration and respiratory failure show such elevation in hormones, and it is well known that under such conditions beta 2-stimulant enhances renin production. From our study, it is concluded that beta 2-stimulant subcutaneous injection must be considered in status asthmaticus. In children, aminophylline i.v. drip therapy may be one of the best treatments in status asthmaticus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis: improvement after removal of amalgam in dental caries.

We present a case of exercise-induced anaphylaxis with improvement following the removal of dental amalgam. Although her symptoms were unresponsive to various kinds of therapy until removal of the amalgam, her symptoms related to exercise improved remarkably after the removal. The increase in plasma histamine levels for exercise provocation test also improved. This suggests that sensitivity to metals might cause exercise-induced asthma in some patients.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1989

[Infantile JRA and ACTH therapy].

Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic arthritis and associated with extra-articular features. Although JRA may present at any age throughout childhood, the onset of symptoms during the first year of life is relatively uncommon. The diagnosis of infantile JRA is difficult because of poor complaints. We had a 7-month-old female, first onset at 6 months of age for daily "spiking" fever and skin rash, subsequently developed signs of systemic rheumatoid arthritis. Although aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents were used for the therapy, no significant effect was obtained. Prednisone was administered to control arthritis and serious systemic features, however no satisfactory effect was shown. In this patient a single morning alternate-day shot of ACTH-Z (4 units) was employed, and this regimen showed significant effect to control her clinical symptoms. It may be necessary to add a small dose of ACTH-Z for control in some cases of infantile JRA patient compared to adult cases.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1989

[Studies of specific IgE and IgG antibodies in allergic children. Changes in specific IgE and IgG antibodies to egg white, milk, soybean and mite from children with atopic dermatitis].

Egg, milk, soybean, mite (DF)-specific IgG and IgE antibodies were measured in 276 atopic dermatitis children in whom dietary restrictions had never been done. We recommend cleaning house and bed clothes to decrease number of mites and elimination diet according to clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. After elimination periods (approximately 140 days) the same specific antibodies were examined again. In the patients who improved clinically by elimination of foods, the specific IgG antibodies to the foods decreased significantly. The other patients did not improved clinically suggesting that inadequate elimination diet were done and cleaning house and bed clothes was incomplete and/or other types of allergic reactions might exist.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of liver function in infants with atopic dermatitis using the 13C-methacetin breath test.

Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) levels were determined in 214 infants (133 males and 81 females) with atopic dermatitis during their first visit to the Department of Allergy, National Children's Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Compared with the normal hospital range, their levels were found to be significantly higher, a tendency which was more conspicuous in lower age groups. We carried out a 13C-methacetin breath test (MBT), administering the stable-isotope-labeled compound to 11 children with higher serum GOT values and 5 within the normal range to investigate hepatic metabolism of methacetin in infants with atopic dermatitis. 13C-methacetin was given orally, and the 13CO2 level in the breath was determined immediately before and after administration, by mass spectrometry. Compared to the normal controls, the atopic infants demonstrated significantly lower 13CO2 peak excretion and delayed peak time. The clearance rate of 13CO2 was also decreased. These results suggest some relationship between atopic dermatitis and liver function in infants.

Acetamides↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Continuous isoproterenol inhalation therapy in children with severe asthmatic attack.

We studied the 1-type isoproterenol inhalation therapy for patients with severe asthmatic attacks who were admitted at the Department of Allergy of National Children's Hospital from 1981 to 1991. One hour after l-type isoproterenol inhalation therapy, statistically significant effects were noted with regard to the asthmatic status. Moreover, no side effect was found amoung the subjects. From these data, 1-type isoproterenol inhalation therapy is thought to be effective for severe asthmatic attacks.

Administration, Inhalation↗