Biomedical subjects

A Kamiya

Publications and source records attributed to A Kamiya.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

P2X(4) receptors mediate ATP-induced calcium influx in human vascular endothelial cells.

ATP induces Ca(2+) influx across the cell membrane and activates release from intracellular Ca(2+) pools in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Ca(2+) signaling leads to the modification of a variety of EC functions, including the production of vasoactive substances such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin. However, the molecular mechanisms for ATP-induced Ca(2+) influx in ECs have not been thoroughly clarified. Here we demonstrate evidence that a P2X(4) receptor for an ATP-gated cation channel is predominantly expressed in human ECs and is involved in the ATP-induced Ca(2+) influx. Northern blot analysis distinctly showed the expression of P2X(4) mRNA in human ECs cultured from the umbilical vein, aorta, pulmonary artery, and skin microvessels. Competitive PCR revealed that P2X(4) mRNA expression was much higher in ECs than was the expression of other subtypes, including P2X(1), P2X(3), P2X(5), and P2X(7). Treatment of ECs with antisense oligonucleotides designed to target the P2X(4) receptor decreased the P2X(4) mRNA and protein levels to approximately 25% of control levels and markedly prevented the ATP-induced Ca(2+) influx.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2000

Baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity after 120 days of 6 degrees head-down bed rest.

To examine how long-lasting microgravity simulated by 6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR) induces changes in the baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and changes in responses of MSNA to orthostasis, six healthy male volunteers (range 26-42 yr) participated in Valsalva maneuver and head-up tilt (HUT) tests before and after 120 days of HDBR. MSNA was measured directly using a microneurographic technique. After long-term HDBR, resting supine MSNA and heart rate were augmented. The baroreflex slopes for MSNA during Valsalva maneuver (in supine position) and during 60 degrees HUT test, determined by least-squares linear regression analysis, were significantly steeper after than before HDBR, whereas the baroreflex slopes for R-R interval were significantly flatter after HDBR. The increase in MSNA from supine to 60 degrees HUT was not different between before and after HDBR, but mean blood pressure decreased in 60 degrees HUT after HDBR. In conclusion, the baroreflex control of MSNA was augmented, whereas the same reflex control of R-R interval was attenuated after 120 days of HDBR.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Head-down bed rest alters sympathetic and cardiovascular responses to mental stress.

Astronauts usually work under much mental stress. However, it is unclear how and whether or not an exposure to microgravity affects physiological response to mental stress in humans. To examine effects of microgravity on vasomotor sympathetic and peripheral vasodilator responses to mental stress, we performed 10 min of mental arithmetic (MA) before and after 14 days of 6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR), a ground-based simulation of spaceflight. Total muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, measured by microneurography) slightly increased during MA before HDBR, and this increase was augmented after HDBR. Calf blood flow (measured by venous occlusion plethysmography) increased and calf vascular resistance (calculated by dividing mean blood pressure by calf blood flow) decreased during MA before HDBR, but these responses were abolished after HDBR. Increases in heart rate and mean blood pressure during MA were not different between before and after HDBR. These findings suggest that HDBR augmented vasomotor sympathoexcitation but attenuated vasodilatation in the calf muscle in response to mental stress.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Adhesive strength of autologous fibrin glue.

To establish an easy and rapid method for measuring the adhesive strength of fibrin glue and to clarify the factor(s) most affecting the strength, a study was made on the effect of the concentration of plasma components on the strength of cryoprecipitate (Cryo) prepared from a subject's own autologous plasma to be used as fibrin glue. The adhesive strength of the Cryo was measured with various supporting materials instead of animal skin using a tester of tension and compression. The results were as follows: (1) the strength of Cryo applied to ground flat glass (4 cm2) was significantly greater than that applied to clear glass, clear plastic, or smooth and flat wood chips; (2) the adhesive strength of Cryo depended on the concentration of thrombin with the optimal concentration being 50 units/ml; (3) the concentration of CaCl2 did not affect the adhesive strength of Cryo; (4) the adhesive reaction was dependent on the temperature and the adhesive strength more quickly reached a steady state at 37 degrees C than at lower temperature; (5) the adhesive strength was correlated well with the total concentration of fibrinogen and fibronectin. These results indicate that the adhesive strength of Cryo can be easily and quickly evaluated using a tester and ground glass with thrombin at 50 units/ml, and that the adhesive strength of Cryo can be predicted from the total concentration of fibrinogen and fibronectin.

Calcium Chloride↗

PubMed2000

Novel drug delivery system using autologous fibrin glue--release properties of anti-cancer drugs.

To clarify the release properties of anti-cancer drugs from fibrin glue, a study was performed using several anti-cancer drugs with remarkably different physical properties. Concentrated fibrinogen, fibronectin, and coagulation factor XIII were prepared from healthy human plasma according to the cryoprecipitate method. Fibrin glue containing anti-cancer drugs was prepared as follows; the cryoprecipitate was mixed with each anti-cancer drug and aprotinin, then thrombin was added. These glues were incubated in PBS containing plasminogen and urokinase at 37 degrees C for seven days, and the medium was then sampled several times after centrifugation. The drug concentration in each sample was measured using HPLC. Fibrin glue without aprotinin was quickly hemolyzed and disappeared after 2--4 h. That with aprotinin was only slightly hemolyzed and more than half remained after 7 days. Mitomycin C and fluorouracil were quickly released from the glue regardless of the presence or absence of aprotinin. However, enocitabine was gradually released from glue with aprotinin although quickly released from that without. The rate of release of each drug from the glue with aprotinin correlated well with its hydrophobicity. Thus, to establish a sustained release system using fibrin glue, one should use the more lipophilic anti-cancer drugs and a fibrinolytic enzyme inhibitor.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2000

Microbial contamination of in-use lubricants for non-touch urethral catheters in intermittent self-catheterization.

There are no reports on microbial contamination of repeatedly used lubricant (84-87% glycerin containing 0.02% benzalkonium chloride) for non-touch urethral catheters in intermittent self-catheterization. In this work, we evaluated microbial contamination of in-use lubricant and its prevention. Between September and December, 1996, microbial contamination and water activity of in-use lubricants in sheathed and lubricated non-touch catheters connected to a tube used by 46 outpatients at our hospital was examined. Microbial contamination was detected at 5 to 2.6 x 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml in 14 (30.4%) of 46 samples. With higher water activity of the lubricant (a higher dilution rate of the lubricant with water), a higher concentration of microbial contamination was observed. In 3 (21.4%) of the 14 patients using contaminated lubricant, urine samples showed the same microbial species as those detected in the lubricant. To prevent microbial contamination of the lubricant, dilution of the lubricant with water, as a result of repeated use, should be avoided.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2000

Current non-surgical usage of albumin preparations in clinic divisions.

New guidelines for the clinical use of blood preparations, intended to promote a more rational use, were issued by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare in June 1999. The purpose of this article is to clarify the current situation in the non-surgical use of albumin (Alb) preparations in each clinic division and to design a plan to promote the rational use of these products at Yamaguchi University Hospital. Of the patients administered Alb preparations in the clinic divisions of our hospital over the six-month period from January 1 to June 30, 1999, 454 were selected based on prescription records of plasma component preparations. Most of the patients were 60 years of age or older (61.7%) and from the surgery division (65.2%). The total amount of Alb administered to the patients was 52.9 kg. Those patients whose serum Alb concentration was less than 2.5 g/dl before and more than 3.5 g/dl after the administration numbered 125 and 122, respectively. The total amount of Alb overdosed to the patients, whose Alb concentration after administration of the preparations was more than 2.5 g/dl, was 17.7 kg (33.5% of the administered amount). The overdosed patients belonged mainly to the surgery division. These results indicate that it is possible to cut back on Alb by reconsidering the criteria for its administration, and that we need to promote more intensively the need to monitor the level and predict the effect of Alb in surgical divisions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

The use of albumin preparations during surgery.

New guidelines for the clinical use of blood preparations intended to promote more rational use were issued by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare in June 1999. The purpose of this article is to clarify the current situation in the use of albumin (Alb) preparations during surgery and to design a plan to promote the rational use of these products at Yamaguchi University Hospital. Of the patients administered Alb preparations during surgery in our hospital over the 6 month period from January 1 to June 30, 1999, 158 were selected based on prescription records of plasma component preparations. Most of the patients (63%) were 60 years old or over. The total amount of Alb administered to the patients was 6150 g. Those patients, whose postoperative serum Alb concentration was lower than 3, 3 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4, and more than 4 g/dl, numbered 60, 45, 21, and 23, respectively. The total amount of Alb overdosed to the patients, whose postoperative Alb concentration was more than 3 g/dl, was 2282 g (37% of the administered Alb). The overdosed patients mainly belonged to the Cardiovascular Surgery Division and were treated with a pump-oxygenator during surgery. Three bottles (37.5 g) of concentrated Alb had usually been used to prime the perfusate. These results indicate that it is possible to cut back on Alb by reconsidering the criteria for its administration.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity in men during bed rest and on orthostasis after bed rest.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in autonomic function are commonly seen during and after spaceflight, and its ground-based analog, 6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR). They may include peripheral vascular regulation, but vasomotor sympathetic efferent nerve discharges to peripheral vasculatures have not been examined. The aim of our study was to examine changes in vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity during HDBR and under orthostasis after HDBR. METHODS: We performed 6 d of HDBR on six male subjects, and measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) together with plasma norepinephrine concentrations in the supine position before HDBR and in 6 degrees head-down position on the sixth day (HDBR6) of HDBR. We also measured MSNA in head-up tilt (HUT) test before and after HDBR. RESULTS: On HDBR6, MSNA burst rate was the same (17+/-4 bursts x min(-1)) as that in supine position before HDBR (15+/-2 bursts min(-1)), but plasma norepinephrine concentrations were decreased to 1.14+/-0.10 pmol x ml(-1) compared with the supine value before HDBR (1.56+/-0.20 pmol x ml(-1), p<0.05). After HDBR, supine MSNA burst rate significantly increased by 58% to 24+/-4 bursts x min(-1). MSNA increment in response to HUT was similar between before (34+/-3 bursts min(-1) x sin HUT(-1)) and after (40+/-6 bursts x min(-1) x sin HUT(-1)) HDBR. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that: a) the relationship between MSNA and plasma norepinephrine concentrations was altered on the sixth day during HDBR; b) the vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity was enhanced after HDBR; and c) the augmentation of vasomotor sympathetic outflow to muscles under orthostasis was preserved after HDBR.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Leg venous compliance in orthostatic intolerance before and after 14-day head-down bed rest.

To test the hypothesis that increased leg venous compliance (LVC) is one of the contributory factors to orthostatic intolerance (OI) after simulated microgravity, 28 healthy young males were exposed to a 14-day head-down bed rest, and LVC was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Orthostatic tolerance was evaluated by a 60 degree head-up tilt (HUT) for 15 min. Sixteen subjects suffered from OI after the bed rest. They were then divided into orthostatic tolerance (non-fainters, n=12) and intolerance (fainters, n=16) groups. We found that fainters had significantly larger LVC before bed rest (0.055 +/- 0.003 vs. 0.065 +/- 0.002 ml 100 ml-1 mm Hg-1, non-fainter vs. fainter; P < 0.05). After bed rest, LVC markedly increased in both groups. In all the subjects calf circumference was reduced on average by 4.7% and the percent change in LVC was negatively correlated with the percent change in calf circumference when all subjects' data were combined after bed rest (r = -0.42, P < 0.05). Our results did not support the hypothesis that increased LVC is the contributory factor to OI after a 14-day bed rest; however, the mechanisms behind the large LVC in the fainters before bed rest are unclear, and the initial LVC might be a predictive indicator for OI after microgravity exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Arm elevation enhances muscle sympathetic nerve activity during static exercise.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of hypoperfusion to the static-exercised-muscle induced by arm elevation on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) recorded from the right tibial nerve (n= 10) by microneurography. Subjects performed static handgrip exercises (SHG) at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 2 min, followed by 2 min of posthandgrip muscle ischemia (PHGMI) at the heart level (control) and with the arm elevated (50 cm above heart level). Basal heart rate, mean blood pressure and MSNA responses expressed as burst rate (bursts/min) and total MSNA (%) were unaffected by the arm-position. Heart rate response during SHG was not influenced by the arm elevation, while mean blood pressure and MSNA responses were increased by it (P<0.05). MSNA responses were increased during the second minute of the SHG period (P<0.05) and the PHGMI period (P<0.05) in the elevated arm position. In conclusion, arm elevation increased MSNA responses to SHG and PHGMI, suggesting an increased magnitude of muscle metaboreflex.

Adrenergic Fibers↗

PubMed2000

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) during high-intensity, isometric leg exercise in humans.

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is activated during mild-intensity isometric handgrip exercise, but not during isometric leg exercise at a similarly relative intensity. It is unclear whether MSNA is increased by leg exercise at heavy intensity in humans. We aimed to examine how MSNA responds to high-intensity, isometric leg exercise in humans. Eight young healthy male volunteers performed isometric plantar flexions of high intensity (70% of MVC) for 2 min, followed by 2 min of post-exercise muscle ischemia (PEMI; isolated muscle metaboreflex stimulation), with monitoring of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), heart rate and arterial blood pressure. MSNA was increased at the onset of exercise (p<0.05), and further increased to 512 +/- 111% of baseline at the second min of exercise (p<0.05). Furthermore, MSNA remained elevated above baseline during PEMI (259 +/- 41 % of baseline, p<0.05). Heart rate also rose at the onset of the test (P<0.05) and gradually increased all through the test (p<0.05), but decreased to baseline level during PEMI. Mean blood pressure was progressively increased from the onset to the end of test (p<0.05), and remained elevated above baseline during PEMI (p<0.05). In summary, MSNA was increased progressively throughout high-intensity, isometric plantar flexion in humans, primarily due to muscle metaboreflex.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Effect of aging on muscle sympathetic nerve activity and peripheral venous pressure in humans.

To elucidate the effect of aging on blood pressure regulation, especially cardiopulmonary baroreflex in humans, we measured the resting value of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), peripheral venous pressure (PVP), and calf blood flow (CBF) in eight healthy young male subjects and eight healthy aged subjects, and compared the responses to the low level of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) between the two groups. The resting MSNA was higher, and the response of MSNA to LBNP was lower in the aged group than in the young group; the response of PVP to LBNP was also lower in the aged than in the young group. Delta MSNA/delta PVP showed no significant differences between the two groups. The present findings indicate that the effect of LBNP on cardiopulmonary baroreflex is greater in young people than in aged people, but that cardiopulmonary baroreflex may be preserved with advancing age.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Body temperature and skin blood flow during a 14-day bed-rest in a head-down tilt position in humans.

Exposure to microgravity or simulated microgravity is known to affect regulatory function in autonomic nervous system. With regard to thermoregulation, simulated microgravity impairs sweating and induces lower skin and higher internal temperatures during physical work. During supine rest after HDT bed rest, the internal temperatures were reported to be higher than those of pre-HDT bed rest in some studies but not in others. There is no report about the dynamic changes of skin blood flow during 14-day HDT bed rest. The process of HDT bed-rest deconditioning on the function of the thermoregulatory system is virtually unknown. The HDT induces an immediate cephalad fluid shift which would inhibit the sympathetic outflow through the arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflexes, which may increase the skin blood flow. On the other hand, prolonged HDT bed rest induces dehydration, which will increase sympathetic outflow through cardiopulmonary baroreceptor modulation. Both sympathetic activation and dehydration itself will decrease skin blood flow. It seems probable that the general effect on skin blood flow may reverse along the HDT bed rest. However, the dynamic characters of skin blood flow and body temperature during the HDT bed rest have not been studied thoroughly. Therefore, the purpose of present study was to investigate the changes of skin blood flow and body temperature during 14 days HDT bed rest.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Arterial baroreflex control of sympathetic vasoconstrictor traffic and orthostatic intolerance after head-down bed rest.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the changes in the arterial baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) after head-down bed rest (HDBR), in relation to orthostatic hypotension after HDBR. Therefore, we performed 60 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) tests before and after 14 days of HDBR, with monitoring MSNA, heart rate and blood pressure. We calculated the gain of the arterial baroreflex control of MSNA, and compared the gains between the subjects who did (defined as the fainters) and those who did not (defined as the nonfainters) become presyncopal in HUT tests after HDBR.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Responses of muscle sympathetic nerve activity to static handgrip exercise after 14 days of exposure to simulated microgravity.

Decrease in muscle perfusion affects on cardiovascular response to exercise. Muscle hypoperfusion enhances the increase in blood pressure responses to exercise. Muscle perfusion depends not only on central blood pressure but also how fit the active muscle is above or below the heart level; muscle perfusion decreases as arm is elevated. Static exercise increases muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) innervating vessels in non-active muscles. The exercise-induced increase in MSNA is mainly mediated by stimulating chemosensitive muscle afferents in active muscles. However, the effect of arm elevation on MSNA during forearm exercise is not examined. On the other hand, space flight and simulated microgravity exposure causes reduction in muscle blood flow, suggesting chronic muscle hypoperfused condition during simulated microgravity. Therefore, there is a possibility that arm elevation after microgravity exposure alters MSNA responsiveness during exercise. However, arm elevation effect after exposure to simulated microgravity is not examined.

Arm↗

PubMed2000

Effects of leg venous hemodynamics on cardiovascular responses to lower body negative pressure and aging.

In aged people, decreases in stroke volume and cardiac output during orthostatic challenge are less. It is suggested that the stiffness of blood vessels is greater in the elderly, blunting leg venous pooling and drop in central blood volume in an upright position. Leg venous hemodynamics plays an important role in human cardiovascular homeostasis against gravitational stress. This study aimed to clarify how aging influences the leg venous hemodynamics and its contribution to cardiovascular homeostasis during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Regulation of the venous capacitance during microgravity.

The purpose of this paper is to report our recent investigations on the relationship between sympathetic tone and leg venous compliance, as well as on the baroreflex control of leg venous compliance after simulated microgravity exposure in healthy humans.

Baroreflex↗