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Biomedical subjects

A Matsuda

Publications and source records attributed to A Matsuda.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Isolation and characterization of novel Chlamydomonas mutants that display phototaxis but not photophobic response.

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas displays two distinct kinds of behavioral response to light: phototaxis, in which cells swim toward or away from the light source under constant illumination; and photophobic responses (also called stop responses or photoshock responses), in which cells transiently convert their flagellar waveform and swim backward upon sudden increase in light intensity. It has been suggested that the two responses partly share a common signal transduction pathway, but exactly how the different responses are produced has not been established. In this study, to help understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that bring about the photophobic response, we isolated novel mutants (ppr1, ppr2, ppr3, and ppr4) that do not show the photophobic response. Importantly, these mutants retain the ability to display phototaxis, with almost the same sensitivities as in the wild type cell. Demembranated and reactivated flagellar axonemes of the ppr mutants were found to convert the bending patterns depending on the Ca2+ concentration, indicating that the axonemal mechanism for waveform conversion required for the photophobic response was unaffected by the mutations. In addition, measurements of electric currents in cell suspensions showed that these mutants generate normal photoreceptor currents (PRC) upon photostimulation, suggesting that they retain the normal activity of photoreception and the ionic channels that produce PRCs. However, the all-or-none flagellar current (FC), a Ca2+ current generated by PRC-induced depolarization of flagellar membrane, was absent or seriously impaired in the mutants. These findings clearly indicate that the all-or-none FC is necessary for the photophobic response but not for phototaxis. The isolation of the four genetically independent ppr mutants suggests that the generation of the FC is based on multiple components that are not used in the mechanism for phototaxis, and implies that the Chlamydomonas flagellar membrane possesses a voltage-dependent Ca2+-channel specifically used for generation of photophobic responses.

Animals↗

Metabolism of EICAR (5-ethynyl-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide), a potent inhibitor of inosinate dehydrogenase.

The cytostatic agent 5-ethynyl-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide (EICAR) causes a rapid and marked inhibition of inosinate (IMP) dehydrogenase activity in intact tumor cells. [3H]EICAR is metabolised in L1210 cells to its 5'-mono-, 5'-di- and 5'-triphosphate in a concentration-dependent manner. The metabolites accumulate proportionally with the initial extracellular EICAR concentrations (ranging from 0.25 to 200 microM). The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) analogue of EICAR, designated EAD, also accumulates within the cells and becomes the major metabolite after 48 hr incubation with 5 microM [3H]EICAR. EAD has a markedly longer intracellular half-life than EICAR 5'-mono-, 5'-di- and 5'-triphosphate. An additional EICAR metabolite elutes on an anion exchange Partisphere SAX HPLC chromatogram between EICAR 5'-di- and 5'-triphosphate. Its intracellular levels are approximately 10-fold lower than those of EAD and the nature of this metabolite has still to be identified. The differential role of EAD and EICAR 5'-monophosphate in the inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase is currently under investigation.

Animals↗

Significance of magnetic resonance image and blood manganese measurement for the assessment of brain manganese during total parenteral nutrition in rats.

In this study, we report on the influence of trace elements (TE) on signal intensities of nuclear magnetic resonance images (MRI), both in vivo and in vitro. Optimal parameters for the assessment of Mn concentration in the brain of rats on total parenteral nutrition were established. For the in vitro study, Mn and trace element solutions, one containing Zn, Cu, Fe, and I (TE-4) and another containing the above elements plus Mn (TE-5), were diluted with physiological saline or with rat brain homogenate and used to measure signal intensities in MRI. Concentration-dependent signal hyperintensity was observed in both cases in the Mn and the TE-5 solutions, but no effect was observed with the TE-4 solution. The signal increase was greater for brain tissue homogenates. In the in vivo study, the experimental animals were maintained under total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a standard clinical dose of TE-5 and/or with 10-fold the clinical dose of TE-4 and TE-5 for 1 wk. Only rats that were receiving the increased TE-5 dose showed signal hyperintensity on MRI. Positive correlations were observed among the signal hyperintensity, the blood Mn concentrations, and that of the rat brain. Our results suggest that Mn in TE preparations may be the cause of signal hyperintensity on MRI in a concentration-dependent fashion, and that MRI and measurement of blood Mn may be used to estimate Mn accumulation in brain tissue.

Animals↗

Influence of selenium deficiency on vital functions in rats.

To clarify the relationship between selenium (Se) deficiency and functional disorders, the authors determined the Se concentration, anti-oxidant enzyme activity, and other parameters in rats fed a Se-deficient diet. Rats fed the Se-deficient diet showed a decrease in Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in plasma, erythrocytes, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle from the first week after the initiation of the diet, an increase in heart lipid peroxide concentration from the second week, and an increase in liver glutathione S-transferase activity from the fourth week. From the twelfth week, a decrease in the growth rate in the rats fed the Se-deficient diet was observed. In spite of this growth impairment, no changes in electrocardiogram, muscle tone, degree of hemolysis, plasma biochemistry, or hematological values were detected. In summary, the authors found that a reduction of body Se is easily induced, but that the appearance of functional disorders following Se deficiency is difficult to detect in rats.

Animals↗

Refractory anemia with severe dysplasia: clinical significance of morphological features in refractory anemia.

Refractory anemia (RA) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are very heterogeneous diseases regarding their morphology, clinical features and survival. We proposed the new designations 'RA with severe dysplasia (RASD)' and 'RA with minimal dysplasia (RAminiD)'. In our criteria, RASD is considered present if a bone marrow (BM) examination shows Pseudo-Pelger-Huet anomalies of mature neutrophils > or =3% and/or micromegakaryocytes (mMgk) of megakaryocytes > or =10% in RA patients. RAminiD is defined as RA cases other than RASD. After the reclassification of 58 primary RA patients, the group was composed of 45 RAminiD and 13 RASD patients. The blast percentage in the BM and the frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities observed in the RASD patients were intermediate between those in the RAminiD and RAEB patients. The analysis of survival curves revealed differences among the three groups; the RASD patients had lower survival probabilities than those of the RAminiD group, and significantly higher probabilities than those of the RAEB group. (RAminiD vs RASD, P=0.06; RASD vs RAEB, P=0.004.) Our data indicate that in RA patients, RASD is a distinct subset of RA with an unfavorable clinical outcome.

Adult↗

The characterization of cell death induced by 1-(3-C-ethynyl-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl) cytosine (ECyd) in FM3A cells.

The characterization of cell death induced by 1-(3-C-ethynyl-beta-D- ribopentofuranosyl) cytosine (ECyd), a potent inhibitor of RNA synthesis, was performed using mouse mammary tumor FM3A cells in vitro. Accompanied with the cell death induced by ECyd (3.0 muM) -treatment, about 100-200 kbp-sized and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation were observed by orthogonal-field-alternation gel electrophoresis (OFAGE) and conventional gel electrophoresis, respectively. Protease inhibitors, carbobenzoxy-L-aspart-1-yl[(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)oxy]methane (Z-Asp-CH2-DCB), N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) and N-p-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), effectively blocked the cell death, suggesting that the proteases inhibited by Z-Asp-CH2-DCB, TLCK or TPCK were involved in the process of cell death.

Animals↗

High prevalence of T354P sodium/iodide symporter gene mutation in Japanese patients with iodide transport defect who have heterogeneous clinical pictures.

A missense and loss of function mutation of the Na+/I- symporter (NIS) gene, T354P [Thr354-->Pro (ACA-->CCA)], was found in the homozygous state in two unrelated Japanese patients with iodide transport defect. In this study we have identified the homozygous T354P NIS germline mutation in seven Japanese patients, including one previously reported, from five unrelated families. No other nucleotide changes were found in the coding regions and the exon-intron boundaries of the NIS gene in these seven patients. These results suggest a common prevalence of the T354P mutation in Japanese patients. Although these seven patients have the identical NIS mutation, T354P, marked heterogeneity in clinical pictures, especially concerning goiter and hypothyroidism, were noted among them. Therefore, another factor(s), but not the nature of the NIS mutation, may account for the clinical heterogeneity among patients with the iodide transport defect. We have previously reported that the NIS messenger ribonucleic acid was markedly increased in the thyroid of a patient with the homozygous T354P mutation. In this study we demonstrated that the NIS proteins in the patients' thyroids were significantly increased (approximately 10-fold) by Western blot analysis of integral membrane proteins using an antibody against the C-terminal peptide of the human NIS. Furthermore, we showed by immunohistochemical staining that the T354P mutant NIS proteins were overexpressed in the basal and lateral plasma membranes of patients' thyrocytes.

Adult↗

A homozygous inactivating mutation in the parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor causing Blomstrand chondrodysplasia.

We describe a patient with Blomstrand chondrodysplasia, a lethal genetic disorder characterized by extremely advanced endochondral bone maturation, in whom a homozygous missense mutation is present in the gene coding for the PTH/PTHrP receptor that leads to the substitution of a proline for a leucine in the N-terminal portion of the receptor (P132L). PTH-induced cAMP accumulation was severely reduced in COS-7 cells expressing P132L receptors compared to that of cells expressing wild-type receptors, and PTH-induced inositol phosphate accumulation was not detectable in cells expressing the mutant receptor. Similar results were obtained using PTHrP as an agonist. Maximal specific binding of radioiodinated [Tyr36]PTHrp(1-36) by cells transfected with the P132L receptor was < 10% of that observed for cells transfected with the wild-type receptor. Despite the reduction in radioligand binding to P132L receptors, the intensity and distribution of the fluorescent signal resulting from the expression of receptors fused to GFP were similar for cells transfected with the wild-type and mutant P132L receptors, suggesting a similar degree of cell surface expression. These results firmly establish the role of abnormalities in the PTH/PTHrP receptor in the pathogenesis of Blomstrand chondrodysplasia, and thereby confirm the importance of signaling through the PTH/PTHrP receptor in human fetal skeletal development. Because the amino-acid mutated in the patient described here is otherwise conserved in all mammalian class II G protein-coupled receptors, this abnormality may provide insights into structural features needed for the normal function of this family of receptors.

Animals↗

Antitumor activity of 5'-O-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl 2'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabino-pentofuranosylcytosine is enhanced by long-circulating liposomalization.

We previously synthesized the 5'-O-diacylphosphatidyl derivative of 2'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabino-pentofuranosylcytosine (CNDAC), a novel antitumor nucleoside, and observed it to have a high antitumor activity. Since this compound is readily incorporated into liposomal membranes, we liposomalized the compound using a formulation for conventional and long-circulating liposomes, and investigated the antitumor activity of liposomal 5'-O-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl CNDAC (DPP-CNDAC). Long-circulating liposomes composed of DPP-CNDAC, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and palmityl-D-glucuronide (PGlcUA) (2:2:2:1 as a molar ratio), as well as liposomes containing dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) instead of palmityl-D-glucuronide and those composed of only DPP-CNDAC, were injected intravenously into Meth A sarcoma-bearing mice. DPP-CNDAC showed suppression of tumor growth, whereas CNDAC did not at the same concentration, suggesting that 5'-phosphatidylation is useful to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, liposomal DPP-CNDAC reduced the acute toxicity, and liposomes containing PGlcUA showed more enhanced activities of reducing tumor growth and increasing the lifetime of the mice than liposomes containing DPPG. To obtain a higher therapeutic efficacy, we injected long-circulating liposomal DPP-CNDAC 5 times. The tumor growth was suppressed to 13.2% (86.8% inhibition), and the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice increased to 128.5% with one completely cured mouse out of five. Next, the effect of DPP-CNDAC incorporation on the in vivo behavior of PGlcUA and DPPG liposomes was examined by a non-invasive method using positron emission tomography (PET). Liposomes were labeled with [2-(18)F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and administered to tumor-bearing mice. PET images and time-activity curves indicated that DPP-CNDAC/PGlcUA-liposomes tended to accumulate in tumor tissues a little bit more than DPP-CNDAC/DPPG-liposomes, although the difference between the two kinds of liposomal distribution was not as marked as between PGlcUA and DPPG liposomes, suggesting that DPP-CNDAC incorporation partly affected the liposomal behavior in vivo but that the long-circulating character of PGlcUA-liposomes might not be fully abolished. Thus, the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of long circulating liposomalized DPP-CNDAC observed here may be due to passive targeting of DPP-CNDAC to the tumor tissue, making this formulation of DPP-CNDAC useful for cancer chemotherapy.

Animals↗

[Influence of infusion solution on the vascular permeability in rat skin].

In this study, we attempted to confirm the assessment system of incidence of angialgia and thrombophlebitis by evaluating the influence of test solutions on the vascular permeability by intradermal injection into rat skin, and following results were obtained: 1) Dimensions of dye leakage in the rat skin were not increased by injection of one commercially available preparation (solution 1), but increased significantly by injection of a preparation (solution 2) that had induced a high incidence of angialgia in a clinical study. 2) Dimensions of the dye leakage increased significantly by injection of glucose solutions with about four degrees of osmolality ratio. 3) In the injection of acetate buffers with different titratable acidity, dimensions of the dye leakage increased depending on titratable acidity. 4) Solution 1 was adjusted to pH 4.43 with L-lactate, acetic acid of HCl, and then these solutions were intradermally injected to rats. The influence on dimensions of the dye leakage was in the following order of strength: acetic acid >> L-lactate > HCl. These results suggest that the vascular permeability by injection into rat skin is influenced by osmolality, pH, titratable acidity and composition of test solutions. Therefore, this system using the vascular permeability reaction in rat skin may be useful for evaluation of angialgia and thrombophlebitis incidence.

Acetic Acid↗

Nutritional effects of a D-methionine-containing solution on AH109A hepatoma-bearing rats.

The effects of a D-methionine-containing solution (DMCS) on the nutritional status of AH109A hepatomabearing rats receiving total parenteral nutrition were studied. The DMCS solution inhibited the decrease of transferrin in the plasma of tumor-bearing rats when compared with the effect of an L-methionine-containing solution. The survival time was also significantly prolonged in the DMCS-treated rats. These results indicate that DMCS had a beneficial effect on the malnutrition induced in tumor-bearing rats and would be a useful amino acid solution for the nutritional support of cancer patients.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Morphological studies of glomeruli in obstructive kidneys by confocal laser scanning microscopy and quick-freezing replica method.

Morphological changes of glomeruli in obstructive kidneys were studied by using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and quick-freezing and deep-etching (QF-DE) method. Twenty-one rabbits were divided into three groups, consisting of control, 6-hr bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) and 24-hr BUO. In the experimental groups, the attenuation of cell bodies, the lengthening and stretching of major processes, the cystic formation in the cytoplasm and the fusion of foot processes were observed on conventional ultrathin sections. These changes in the 24-hr BUO group were more clearly observed than those in the 6-hr BUO group. By the CLSM, cell bodies and foot processes of podocytes in the experimental groups were more intensely immunostained with anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and phalloidin-FITC. By the QF-DE method, cytoskeletons in the podocyte cell bodies and major processes were composed of numerous intermediate filaments, but distinct changes of actin filaments and microtubules were not observed in the control and experimental groups. Considering the physiological changes in BUO, the mechanical stress appeared to be brought about by hemodynamic factors rather than the change of intratubular pressure, resembling the morphological changes in experimental animals with hyperfiltration and the homeostatic adaptation of podocytes under the BUO condition.

Animals↗

Comparison of glucose and fat as energy sources in peripheral parenteral nutrition in rats.

Glucose is usually chosen as the energy source for total parenteral nutrition. However, the optimal glucose:fat ratio for peripheral parenteral nutrition has not been examined sufficiently. We compared glucose:fat ratios in hypocaloric nutrition. Male SD rats were given hypocaloric parenteral nutrition (approx. 190 kcal/kg/d) for 5 d after laparotomy. The hypocaloric solutions used contained 0, 33, 50, 67 or 100% of the non-protein energy in the form of fat. Body weight change, nitrogen balance, organ weights, and hepatic, splenic and plasma biochemistries were assessed. Body weight increase in the 67 and 100% fat groups was significantly greater than that in the 0% fat group. Nitrogen balance was the same in all groups. Hepatic glycogen content was significantly lower in the 100% fat group than that in the 0% fat group. The weight of epididymal fat deposits was significantly lower in the 0% fat group than in the 50 and 67% fat groups. On the other hand, tissue triglyceride content and plasma lipid levels in the 100% fat group were significantly higher than in the 0% fat group, and were also higher than in the control group. It is suggested that combinations of glucose and fat have sparing effects on body fat and hepatic glycogen. Combinations of glucose and fat as non-protein energy sources were superior to glucose or fat alone for hypocaloric parenteral nutrition.

Animals↗

Tumor growth inhibition and nutritional effect of D-amino acid solution in AH109A hepatoma-bearing rats.

We examined the inhibitional and nutritional effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) containing D-amino acids (D-phenylalanine, D-Phe; D-valine, D-Val; D-leucine, D-Leu; D-methionine, D-Met) on tumor growth in AH109A hepatoma-bearing rats. Five experimental groups were examined: a control amino acid solution group (control group), D-Phe group, D-Val group, D-Leu group and D-Met group. The analysis of tumor volume and weight revealed significant tumor growth inhibition in the D-Val group as compared with the control group. In the D-Val group, decreases of DNA and protein contents in the tumor tissues were also observed. The D-Leu and D-Met groups showed a tendency toward tumor growth inhibition. The protein content in the liver tissues of these two groups was significantly higher as compared with the control group. The DNA content in the liver tissue was also significantly higher in the D-Met group. The body weight including the tumor (on the final day of TPN) was significantly lower in the D-Val group as compared with the control group, but there was no significant difference in the groups for body weights not including tumors (carcass body weight). The hematocrit and hemoglobin values, indicators of anemia, were significantly higher in the D-Val group as compared with the control group. From these results, regarding tumor growth inhibition, the D-Val solution had the strongest inhibitory effect with no negative influence on the host, and improvement of nutritional status was also suggested in the rats that received the D-Leu or D-Met solutions.

Amino Acids↗

[Effects of various Ringer's solutions on acid-base balance in rats in hemorrhagic shock and with hepatic dysfunction].

We investigated the effects of bicarbonated Ringer's solution (BR) on arterial blood acid-base balance, and compared these with the effects of lactated Ringer's solution (LR) and acetated Ringer's solution (AR) in rats in hemorrhagic shock. Rats underwent 70% reduction of hepatic blood flow and blood shedding of 1.5% of body weight. Each solution was infused through the femoral vein at a rate of shed blood volume x 8.hr-1 for 30 min under urethane anaesthesia. After the blood shedding, arterial blood pH and HCO3-decreased but plasma lactate concentration increased. These parameters improved significantly in the BR group compared with those in the LR group. However, the LR group showed the lowest blood pH and the highest plasma lactate concentration among the groups. These results suggest that BR has superior effects on the arterial blood acid-base balance and glucose metabolism in rats in hemorrhagic shock and with hepatic dysfunction.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

[Effects of folic acid supplementation on hyperhomocysteinemia in CAPD patients: effects on unsaturated fatty acids].

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been recognized as one of the risk factors for atherosclerosis and premature vascular disease. Patients on dialysis and end-stage renal disease also manifest high plasma concentrations of homocysteine. We performed this study to evaluate the effects of folic acid supplementation on hyperhomocysteinemia in CAPD patients. Twenty-three CAPD patients (8 males, 15 females, 49.1 +/- 14.2-years-old) dialyzed for 22.7 +/- 19.2 months participated in the study. Daily 5-mg doses of folic acid supplementation for 4 weeks significantly reduced plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (p < 0.01) and serine (p < 0.001). This observation suggests that the reduction of plasma concentrations of total homocysteine results from activation of homocysteine remethylation to methionine. On the other hand, folic acid supplementation also revealed significant correlations between changes in serum concentrations of both dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid and changes in plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (r = -0.517, p < 0.05, r = -0.451, p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, serum concentrations of both dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid in 11 CAPD patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (> or = 35 micromol/litter) were significantly lower than those of 12 CAPD patients with normohomocysteinemia (< 35 micromol/litter) (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Serum concentrations of both dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid in CAPD patients with hyperhomocysteinemia increased significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) and reached similar levels of CAPD patients with normohomocysteinemia, while plasma concentrations of total homocysteine decreased after folic acid supplementation. These findings suggest that correction of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients on dialysis produces an increase in unsaturated fatty acids.

Administration, Oral↗