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Biomedical subjects

A Mitani

Publications and source records attributed to A Mitani.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Distribution of hypoxia-induced calcium accumulation in gerbil hippocampal slice.

Microfluorometry was used to examine distribution of hypoxia-induced intracellular free calcium accumulations in Mongolian gerbil hippocampal slice. Acute increase of intracellular free calcium was detected 80-170 s after the beginning of hypoxia. Large calcium accumulations were seen in the stratum radiatum, stratum lacunosum and stratum oriens of CA1 region and in the inner portions of the dentate gyrus molecular layer, and moderate accumulations were seen in the other laminae of CA1 region, other portions of dentate gyrus and the CA3 region.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Gerbil hippocampal extracellular glutamate and neuronal activity after transient ischemia.

In order to elucidate the role of glutamate in the pathogenesis of delayed neuronal death, we analyzed changes in extracellular levels of glutamate induced by transient ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil hippocampus by a new brain microdialysis method combined with an enzymatic cycling technique. We also studied the effect of this change in glutamate on CA1 spontaneous neuronal discharges. The level of glutamate significantly increased during the 5 min of ischemia and during the first 5 min of recirculation. However, neuronal hyperactivity anticipated as a result of the increased extracellular glutamate was not observed. Spike discharges disappeared during and shortly after 5 min of ischemia; CA1 spontaneous spike discharges reappeared about 15 min after the recirculation. The frequency and amplitude of the discharges of CA1 neurons returned to normal by 30 min of the recirculation. However, the pattern of discharges was different from that recorded before the ischemia. CA1 neurons were found dead 4 days after the ischemia. Brief exposure to toxic concentrations of glutamate may cause the delayed neuronal death.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1990

Differential effects of fasciculus retroflexus lesions on serotonin, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyrate content and choline acetyltransferase activity in the interpeduncular nucleus.

After placing bilateral electrolytic lesions in the fasciculus retroflexus (FR) of the rat, the endogenous content of serotonin, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) as well as choline acetyltransferase activity (ChAT) were measured in the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) at the 7th, 28th and 120th survival days. Confirming earlier results, an almost total depletion of ChAT was obtained in the IPN following complete FR lesions at any survival day studied. In such cases, the following changes were observed; 1) the serotonin level increased consistently and roughly doubled at the 120th survival day, suggesting heterotypic sprouting of serotonergic fibers and/or enhanced serotonin synthesis in the serotonergic neurons in the IPN, 2) the glutamate level decreased by approximately one-half, while the activity of high affinity uptake of glutamate remained unaltered, at the 7th survival day, suggesting a lowered glutamate formation coupled with lowered glucose utilization in the IPN, and 3) the GABA level decreased at a slower rate and reached one-third of the control at the 120th survival day, for which either transsynaptic degeneration of GABA neurons in the IPN or a suppressed metabolic rate in the GABA shunt following the lowered glutamate formation is a possible explanation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Diamine Oxidase from Cultured Roots of Hyoscyamus niger: Its Function in Tropane Alkaloid Biosynthesis.

Diamine oxidase was partially purified from cultured roots of Hyoscyamus niger L. that produce considerable amounts of tropane alkaloids, and then characterized. N-Methylated amines inhibited the activity of the enzyme more strongly than the corresponding primary amines. N-Methylputrescine was the best substrate of those studied, the respective K(m) values for it and for putrescine and cadaverine being 0.33, 2.85, and 6.25 millimolar. The specificity constants V(max)/K(m) for putrescine and cadaverine were 11 and 1% of the constant for N-methylputrescine. Marked specificity for the N-methylated diamine would enable the Hyoscyamus enzyme to function specifically in tropane alkaloid biosynthesis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

A new enzymatic cycling technique for glutamate determination in brain microdialysates.

A quantitative analysis of glutamate in brain dialysate was made by using an enzymatic cycling technique. This method made it possible to measure the concentration of glutamate in dialysate collected at 30-s intervals. Dialysates were collected from Mongolian gerbil hippocampus before, during, and after two 90-s ischemic insults at an interval of 5 min. An extracellular increase in levels of glutamate was already observed in samples collected during a 30-60 s period after the onset of each ischemia, and the levels of glutamate were maximal at the end of each period of ischemia (approximately a fourfold increase). The increased levels of glutamate rapidly returned almost to preischemic levels by 30 s of recirculation. This method will provide more precise information about temporal changes in the extracellular glutamate concentration in the brain during ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The mechanism of protective effect of diltiazem on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in isolated rat heart.

This investigation was undertaken to define the mechanism by which diltiazem protects against life-threatening, reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. Using an isolated retrogressively perfused rat heart preparation with transient coronary artery occlusion, we compared the effects of diltiazem in its active form (d-cis) to its stereo-isomer (1-cis). Pre-ischemic administration of d-diltiazem (5 x 10(-8), 5 x 10(-7), 5 x 10(-6) M) caused a dose-dependent reduction in ventricular arrhythmias upon reperfusion following 10 min of regional ischemia. The incidence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation (RVF) was 50%, 0% (p less than 0.05) and 0% (p less than 0.05) with 5 x 10(-8), 5 x 10(-7), 5 x 10(-6) M diltiazem, respectively, compared with 60% in the control group. Preischemic administration of the 1-isomer caused different dose-dependent reduction in RVF. With 5 x 10(-6) M, the 1-isomer also reduced the incidence of RVF to 0% (p less than 0.05). However below this concentration it was ineffective (67%). D-diltiazem (5 x 10(-7) and 5 x 10(-6) M) increased coronary flow from 11.5 +/- 1.9 ml/min to 15.3 +/- 1.6 ml/min (p less than 0.05) and 15.2 +/- 1.0 ml/min (p less than 0.05) respectively, prior to ischemia. In contrast, the same dose of the 1-isomer did not alter coronary flow. The highest dose (5 x 10(-6) M) of d-diltiazem decreased heart rate by approximately 30% during the reperfusion phase, but all other concentrations had no significant effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Pressor effect of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine in SHRSP.

Pressor effects of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide production from L-arginine, on mean blood pressure (MBP) were investigated in conscious Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). L-NMMA (0.1-10 mg/kg, i.v.) elicited a dose-dependent increase in the MBP of WKY and SHRSP. The pressor response to L-NMMA was more marked in SHRSP than in WKY. These results suggest that nitric oxide may play an important role in the blood pressure regulation in the conscious SHRSP.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A new method of retrograde cardioplegic administration. Right ventricular protection by right atrial perfusion cooling.

Retrograde administration of cardioplegic solution via the right atrium with continuous cooling of the right ventricular cavity (right atrial perfusion cooling) was assessed for its protective effect in 12 dogs with occlusion of the right coronary artery subjected to global ischemia for 60 minutes. After an initial administration of 4 degrees C crystalloid cardioplegic solution by antegrade aortic perfusion, myocardial protection was established either by right atrial perfusion cooling (group I; n = 6) or by antegrade aortic perfusion alone (group II; n = 6). The right ventricular temperature was approximately 15 degrees C in group I and 20 degrees C in group II. After ischemia for 60 minutes, the adenosine triphosphate content of the right ventricular free wall was significantly higher in group I than in group II (24.4 +/- 1.45 versus 13.8 +/- 2.34 mumol/gm dry weight, p less than 0.05). The percent recovery of right ventricular contractility, which was evaluated by end-systolic pressure-volume relationships, was significantly better in group I at each reperfusion period (30 minutes: 130.0% +/- 9.6% versus 86.1% +/- 11.8%, p less than 0.05; 60 minutes: 159.6% +/- 12.9% versus 96.5% +/- 20.1%, p less than 0.05). Postischemic right ventricular stiffness (reciprocal value of compliance) increased in group II compared with group I, although the difference was not statistically significant. There were no major differences in percent recovery of the left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume relationships between the two groups. The evidence suggests that the right atrial perfusion cooling method produces excellent right ventricular protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of left heart bypass on right ventricular performance. Evaluation of the right ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic pressure-volume relation in the in situ normal canine heart.

Although left heart bypass has gained popularity as a powerful technique to assist the severely failed left heart, apparent right heart failure has often developed during the bypass procedure. We investigated whether the coexisting right heart failure is attributable to the left heart bypass in 16 open-chest dogs. We evaluated the effects of left heart bypass on the right ventricular systolic properties by the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation and its effects on the diastolic properties by chamber compliance. Overall right ventricular performance was assessed by the end-diastolic pressure versus cardiac output relationship. The left heart bypass decreased the slope slightly when the assisted flow ratio exceeded 75% (-14% +/- 8% at the assisted flow ratio of 100%, p less than 0.02) and thus had a deleterious influence on right ventricular performance. The left heart bypass, on the other hand, had a counteracting beneficial influence on right ventricular performance through the increase in chamber compliance (38% +/- 5%, p less than 0.01) and the decrease in pulmonary arterial input resistance (-15% +/- 12%, p less than 0.01). The net effect of the left heart bypass was the increase in cardiac output (20% +/- 2%, p less than 0.05) for any given right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. We conclude that in normal hearts the left heart bypass augments right ventricular performance. We ascribe these beneficial effects to diastolic ventricular interdependence and afterload unloading.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in the conscious rat: a comparative study with three calcium antagonists.

The effects of three calcium antagonists (diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine) on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias were compared in a conscious rat preparation with coronary artery occlusion and implanted electrocardiogram limb electrodes. Upon reperfusion after a 5-min period of occlusion, all (15/15) untreated control rats exhibited immediate ventricular tachycardia, which rapidly deteriorated to ventricular fibrillation; 87% (13/15) of the rats died as a consequence of these rhythm disturbances. In the groups treated with calcium antagonists, each drug (diltiazem, verapamil, or nifedipine) was given as an intravenous bolus 10 min prior to coronary occlusion (n = 12 in each group). The incidence of ventricular fibrillation was significantly reduced by all three calcium antagonists and this antifibrillatory effect resulted in a significantly lower mortality in all drug-treated groups. With diltiazem (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) mortality fell from 87 to 42% (P less than 0.05) and 35% (P less than 0.01), respectively; with verapamil (0.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) it fell to 25% (P less than 0.01) and 0% (P less than 0.001); and with nifedipine (5.0 and 50 micrograms/kg), it fell to 25% (P less than 0.01) and 8% (P less than 0.001). At a dose of 5.0 mg/kg, verapamil caused a large reduction in heart rate both prior to and during coronary occlusion and reperfusion; however, with other doses and drugs no significant changes in heart rate were observed. ST segment elevation during the 5-min ischemic period was reduced by pretreatment with all drugs. In conclusion, in the conscious rat, pretreatment with diltiazem, verapamil, or nifedipine affords some protection against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

High frequency discharges of gerbil hippocampal CA1 neurons shortly after ischemia.

It has been postulated that the central neurotoxicity of glutamate participates in the pathogenesis of the ischemia-induced neuronal death and the process of the neuronal death is initiated by overexcitation or depolarization of postsynaptic neurons induced by increased extracellular glutamate during ischemia. In the present study, in order to know whether ischemic neurons show the overexcitation, we studied changes of CA1 neuronal discharges in gerbil hippocampus induced by transient forebrain ischemia (1-5 min) using an extracellular unit recording technique. CA1 neurons showed the high frequency discharges shortly after ischemic insult of 90 sec, however, these discharges did not induce neuronal death. Delayed neuronal death in the CA1 sector was observed in animals with 5-min ischemia which did not induce high frequency discharges. Neuronal depolarization with no spike discharge may persist during and shortly after 5-min ischemia and initiate the delayed neuronal death.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

[Myocardial protection during transplantation procedure following cold storage in Collins' solution].

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the myocardial protective effects of two types of solution during heart transplantation procedure following cold storage in Collins' solution. Based on the concept whether the ischemic time during the procedure is an extension of heart storage or is an usual aortic cross-clamped ischemic time, we compared the effects of our cardioplegic solution (Group I) and Collins' solution (Group II) using isolated working rat heart model. After 30 minutes of global ischemia at 25 degrees C following 2 hours of cold storage, the hearts in Group I exhibited better functional recovery than those in Group II (% recovery of cardiac output was 61.1 +/- 5.4% in Group I and 42.4 +/- 7.4% in Group II, p less than 0.01). In Group II, marked elevation of coronary vascular resistance occurred on reperfusion. CPK release during reperfusion period was greater in Group II (0.41 +/- 0.24 IU/15 min/heart in Group I, 1.92 +/- 1.25 IU/15 min/heart in Group II, p less than 0.01). Myocardial metabolites contents (ATP, TAN, creatine phosphate and lactate) and energy charge were not significantly different between two groups. We conclude that it is harmful to ischemic myocardium to use Collins' solution as myocardial protection during transplantation procedure even if following cold storage in Collins' solution.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Morphological and electrophysiological identification of gigantocellular tegmental field neurons with descending projections in the cat: II. Bulb.

There are three different descending projections from the bulbar gigantocellular tegmental field (BFTG) in the cat, as defined by intracellular recording and intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) techniques. The first pathway arises from neurons which send axons to the contralateral medial longitudinal fasciculus (cMLF neurons); cMLF neurons show excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) after stimulation of the ipsilateral pontine gigantocellular tegmental field (PFTG). Most cMLF neurons have large ellipsoid-polygonal somata (mean, 56.8 micron), thick axons (average diameter, 3.09 microns), mostly non-spiny dendrites and dendritic fields flattened in the anteroposterior direction. No cMLF neurons with axon collaterals in the BFTG are present in the data of this study. The second pathway arises from neurons which send axons to the ipsilateral MLF (iMLF neurons); iMLF neurons show EPSPs after stimulation of the ipsilateral PFTG. Most iMLF neurons have large ellipsoid-polygonal somata (mean, 60.2 microns), thick axons (average diameter, 3.00 microns), mostly non-spiny dendrites and dendritic fields that are only slightly flattened in the anteroposterior direction. As with cMLF neurons, no iMLF neurons with axon collaterals in the BFTG are present in the data of this study. The third pathway arises from neurons that send axons directly into the ipsilateral caudal bulbar reticular formation (iBRF neurons). Most iBRF neurons have smaller ellipsoid-polygonal somata (mean, 38.6 microns), thinner axons (average diameter, 1.84 microns), mostly nonspiny dendrites, and dendritic fields that are flattened in the anteroposterior direction. In contrast to cMLF and iMLF neurons, axon collaterals are present in 73% of iBRF neurons. About half of iBRF neurons have bifurcated axon collaterals with both anterior and posterior projections, and in these neurons antidromic spike potentials are elicited by stimulation of the ipsilateral PFTG.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Cholinergic projections from the laterodorsal and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei to the pontine gigantocellular tegmental field in the cat.

This study demonstrates that the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) are sources of cholinergic projections to the cat pontine reticular formation gigantocellular tegmental field (PFTG). Neurons of the LDT and PPT were double-labeled utilizing choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry combined with retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA-HRP). In the LDT the percentage of cholinergic neurons retrogradely labeled from PFTG was 10.2% ipsilaterally and 3.7% contralaterally, while in the PPT the percentages were 5.2% ipsilaterally and 1.3% contralaterally. These projections from the LDT and PPT to the PFTG were confirmed and their course delineated with anterograde labeling utilizing Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) anterograde transport.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Morphological and electrophysiological identification of gigantocellular tegmental field neurons with descending projections in the cat: I. Pons.

Two different descending projections from the pontine gigantocellular tegmental field (PFTG) were defined by the use of intracellular recording and intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) techniques in the cat. Type I neurons (reticulospinal neurons) had antidromic spike potentials produced by stimulation of the ipsilateral medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) and sent axons to the ipsilateral MLF. Most type I neurons had large ellipsoidpolygonal somata (mean, 59.7 microns), thick axons (average diameter, 3.33 microns), and slightly oblate large dendritic fields. The mean anteroposterior extent of the dendritic field was 1,492 microns, the mean mediolateral extent was 1,784 microns, and the mean dorsoventral extent was 1,562 microns. There were no type I neurons with axon collaterals. In contrast, type II neurons (reticuloreticular neurons) had antidromic spike potentials produced by stimulation of the bulbar reticular formation (BRF) and sent axons directly to the BRF. In comparison with type I neurons, most type II neurons had smaller ellipsoidpolygonal somata (mean, 40.2 microns), thinner axons (average diameter, 2.32 microns), and smaller, slightly oblate dendritic fields. The mean anteroposterior extent of the dendritic field was 1,264 microns; the mean mediolateral extent was 1,511 microns; and the mean dorsoventral extent was 1,226 microns. Also in contrast to type I neurons, 36% of type II neurons had axon collaterals.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

Descending projections from the gigantocellular tegmental field in the cat: cells of origin and their brainstem and spinal cord trajectories.

The trajectories and the cells of origin of the pontobulbar gigantocellular tegmental field descending pathways were studied in the cat using anterograde WGA-HRP and retrograde HRP techniques. Four main descending pathways and cells of origin were delineated: (1) Predominantly large neurons in the pontine gigantocellular tegmental field (average soma diameter = 43.4 microns) and rostral bulbar gigantocellular tegmental field (41.3 microns) gave rise to reticulospinal fibers descending in the ipsilateral medial longitudinal fasciculus and ventral funiculus and distributed in laminae V-X with an ipsilateral predominance. These were primarily large-diameter fibers. (2) Predominantly large neurons (46.9 microns) in the bulbar gigantocellular tegmental field gave rise to reticulospinal fibers descending in the contralateral medial longitudinal fasciculus and ventral funiculus. These were mainly large-diameter fibers. (3) Neurons of predominantly medium size (29.5 microns) in the pontine gigantocellular tegmental field gave rise to reticuloreticular fibers descending directly to and distributed bilaterally in the bulbar reticular formation. These were small-diameter fibers. (4) Neurons of predominantly medium size (28.9 microns) in the bulbar gigantocellular tegmental field gave rise to reticulospinal fibers descending in the ipsilateral reticular formation and lateral funiculus. These were small-diameter fibers.

Animals↗