Biomedical subjects

A Morikawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Morikawa.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Influence of environmental mite antigen on anti-mite antibody production in mice.

To investigate the effects of environmental mite antigen on anti-mite antibody production in mice, a mite-free breeding system was established. The amount of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen was measured using the ELISA inhibition method. Df antigen was detected in the wood-chip bedding used in our conventional breeding system for 1 week (2.55 +/- 0.79 micrograms/g sample) and 2 weeks (8.96 +/- 3.27 micrograms/g sample). Df antigen was also detected in the standard diet (0.4 micrograms/g sample) in the conventional system, whereas no antigen was detected in the case of the mite-free breeding system. Neither anti-Df IgE nor IgG antibody was detected before immunization, either in mice raised in the mite-free breeding system or in mice raised in the conventional system. Primary and secondary antibody production after immunizations with 1 or 10 micrograms Df antigen was studied in the mouse bred in the conventional and in the mite-free breeding system. Primary anti-Df IgE antibody response of the conventional group was greater than that in the mite-free group after immunization with either dose of 1 and 10 micrograms Df antigen. Primary anti-Df IgG antibody response was greater in the conventional than the mite-free group after immunization with 1 microgram Df antigen. Secondary IgE and IgG responses of the conventional group were greater than the mite-free group after immunizations with 10 micrograms Df antigen. These results suggest that anti-Df antibody production is enhanced by chronic exposure to Df antigen in the environment.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1993

Role of arachidonic acid metabolites in airway responses induced by trimellitic anhydride in actively sensitized guinea pigs.

We studied the role of arachidonic acid metabolites, histamine, and 5-HT in airway responses to trimellitic anhydride (TMA) in actively sensitized guinea pigs. Sensitization was produced by two intradermal injections of free TMA (0.1 ml of 0.3% TMA in corn oil). After 21 to 28 days, guinea pigs were anesthetized and challenged with intratracheal instillation of 0.5% TMA conjugated to guinea pig serum albumin (TMA-GPSA; 50 microliters). Lung resistance (RL) was measured to assess airflow obstruction, and the tissue content of Evans blue dye was measured to assess airway plasma exudation. Before challenge, sensitized animals were pretreated intravenously with inhibitors of different mediators: pyrilamine (antihistamine: 2 mg/kg, indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor: 10 mg/kg), OKY-046 (thromboxane synthetase inhibitor: 30 mg/kg), ICI-198,615 (leukotriene receptor antagonist: 10(-6) mol/kg), ketanserin (5-HT2 receptor antagonist: 1 mg/kg), or azelastine ("antiallergic agent": 1 mg/kg). Intratracheal instillation of TMA-GPSA induced a slowly progressing increase in RL and produced extravasation of Evans blue dye at all airway levels in sensitized animals. Pyrilamine and azelastine abolished the increase in RL induced by TMA-GPSA until 2.5 min after the challenge. Indomethacin and OKY-046 significantly attenuated the increase in RL 3 min after the challenge. ICI-198,615 and ketanserin did not significantly affect the increase in RL. Extravasation of Evans blue dye induced by TMA-GPSA was decreased by pyrilamine, azelastine and ICI-198,615 in main bronchi and intrapulmonary airways. Indomethacin, OKY-046 and ketanserin did not significantly affect the extravasation of dye into the airway tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗

PubMed1993

Relationship of thyroid states and serum thrombomodulin (TM) levels in patients with Graves' disease: TM, a possible new marker of the peripheral activity of thyroid hormones.

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a thrombin receptor glycoprotein that functions as an anticoagulant on the surface of endothelial cells. Serum TM is regarded as a new marker of generalized endothelial cell damage. Serum TM concentrations were measured in 75 patients with Graves' disease and 75 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Serum TM levels in patients in the hyperthyroid state were significantly increased, while those in patients in the hypothyroid state due to treatment were significantly decreased compared with levels in control subjects. All patients with untreated Graves' disease had markedly elevated TM levels. Serum TM levels correlated closely with thyroid hormone concentration (TM vs. free T4, r = 0.858; P = 0.001). Serial measurement of individual patients revealed that serum TM levels paralleled thyroid hormone concentration, reaching normal control values upon attainment of euthyroidism. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between serum TM concentration and titer of antithyroglobulin antibodies, titer of antimicrosomal antibodies, serum thyroglobulin level, or goiter size, and serum TM was not directly influenced by TSH receptor antibodies or resting pulse rates. The close correlation between serum TM and thyroid hormone concentration suggests that thyroid hormones might influence the synthesis or metabolism of TM on the surface of endothelial cells in patients with Graves' disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Inhaled furosemide prevents ultrasonically nebulized water bronchoconstriction in children with both atopic and nonatopic asthma.

To determine whether inhaled furosemide can modify the bronchoconstriction induced by ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) in children with both atopic and nonatopic asthma, a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was undertaken. The UNDW inhalation challenge was performed in 21 asthmatic children (atopic, 14; nonatopic, 7; mean +/- SEM age, 11.5 +/- 0.5 years), who had a fall in FEV1 of at least 20 percent after distilled water inhalation. On separate days, these subjects underwent UNDW challenge test after inhalation of furosemide (10 mg/body square meters) or placebo (saline solution). Inhaled furosemide exerted a protective effect against bronchoconstriction induced by UNDW in children with both atopic and nonatopic asthma (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). These results indicate that the protective action of furosemide against UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction may be independent of its direct inhibitory effect on airway mast cell activation.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1993

Effects of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on plasma lipoprotein(a) levels.

Effects of apolipoprotein E (apo E) genetic polymorphism on plasma lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels were investigated in 305 civil service workers (158 men and 147 women). Plasma Lp(a) levels were measured by ELISA. Apo E phenotypes were determined from plasma by isoelectric focusing, Western blotting and immunostaining, as we previously reported. A total of 305 subjects were divided into the three apo E groups; apo E2 group (n = 19 for apo E3/2 and n = 4 for apo E4/2), Apo E3/3 group (n = 224) and apo E4/3 group (n = 58). Mean levels of plasma Lp(a) were 14.2 mg/dl. Plasma Lp(a) levels were significantly lower in the apo E2 group (6.6 mg/dl) than in the apo E3/3 (15.1 mg/dl) and E4/3 (13.7 mg/dl) groups. Plasma total cholesterol (T-chol) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-chol levels were significantly lower in the apo E2 group than in the apo E4/3 group and tended to be highest in the apo E4/3 group. A significant positive correlation was noted between plasma Lp(a) levels and plasma LDL-chol levels, indicating that the effects of apo E polymorphism on plasma Lp(a) levels were parallel to its effects on plasma LDL-chol levels. In women plasma Lp(a) levels were significantly lower in the apo E2 group than in the apo E3/3 and E4/3 groups, whereas in men plasma Lp(a) levels tended to be lower in the apo E2 group but no significant difference was noted among the three apo E groups. It is concluded that plasma Lp(a) levels are, at least in part, modulated by apo E polymorphism (particularly apo E2) and that there is a gender difference in the effects of apo E polymorphism on plasma Lp(a) levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Three cases of anaphylaxis by tannalbin].

We reported 3 cases of patients developed moderate to severe anaphylactic reaction induced by tannalbin as anti-diarrhoeic. Specific IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to tannalbin was demonstrated by history, prick skin test, RAST and Immunoblotting. We also certified that tannalbin is composed by tannic acid and casein using HPLC and SDS-PAGE.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Effect of maturation on histamine-induced airflow obstruction and airway microvascular leakage in guinea pig airways.

To study the effect of maturation on histamine-induced airflow obstruction and airway microvascular leakage, we measured concomitant changes in lung resistance (RL) and in extravasation of Evans Blue dye in the airways of anesthetized immature (aged 14 +/- 2 days) and adult guinea pigs (aged 60 +/- 12 days). RL was measured for 6 min after iv. histamine (0, 5, 15, 30 and 50 micrograms/kg). For comparison, responses after 1 microgram/kg substance P were also examined. After measurement of RL, microvascular leakage in trachea, main bronchi, and proximal and distal intrapulmonary airways was also examined in the same animal. Immature animals required a larger dose of histamine than adults to achieve a similar degree of maximal bronchoconstriction after histamine. In contrast, equal doses of histamine (15 and 30 micrograms/kg) induced a significantly greater extravasation of dye in immature airways in both proximal and distal intrapulmonary airways, although not in trachea or main bronchi. Substance P did not cause any age-related differences in dye extravasation at any airway level. These results suggest that i.v. histamine specifically causes a greater degree of airway microvascular leakage in peripheral airways but induces less smooth muscle contraction in the airways of immature guinea pigs than in the airways of adult animals.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

T-independent polyclonal activation of B cells in vitro by immunoglobulin binding substance (IBS) from the granary weevil.

Experiments are described for T-independent polyclonal activation of B cells in vitro by the immunoglobulin binding substance (IBS) from the granary weevil. The affinity-chromatographically purified IBS was used. IBS is a heat-, alkali- and acid-stable glucopeptide which is characterized by non-specific immunoglobulin binding to the Fab fragment. The purified IBS consists of three polymer homologues whose molecular weights are 12-14,000, 25-30,000 and more than 150,000 Da. IBS did not stimulate DNA synthesis by murine T cells, macrophages or plasma cells whereas it did stimulate that by mature B cells without any help from T cells or macrophages. IBS also stimulated both in vitro IgG production by spleen cells and in vitro sensitization of spleen cells by sheep red cells (SRBC). IBS was found to stimulate DNA synthesis by B cells mediated by binding to surface immunoglobulins of B cells. IBS is thought to be a useful amplifier for inducing human hybridomas and a valuable tool for examining mature B cells, both diagnostically and experimentally.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. IV. Analgesic effect of LPSw, a lipopolysaccharide of wheat flour.

The effect of LPSw, a lipopolysaccharide from a water extract of wheat flour, on pain response was investigated using an acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. LPSw inhibited writhing dose-dependently in the range of 10 ng-10 micrograms/mouse i.v. This effect reached its maximum 1.5-3 h after the LPSw inoculation and was detectable even after 8 h. The analgesic effect of LPSw was inhibited by i.v. injection of naloxone and also beta-endorphin was detected in serum and brain tissue following injection of LPSw. Preliminary clinical trials were done in which LPSw was administered percutaneously to relieve the pain of patients with herpes. The results showed that pain was relieved by this application. LPSw may be the best analgesic drug so far known, since it induces the endogenous mediator of analgesia, beta-endorphin.

Analgesics↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. V. Suppression of diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic mice by LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour).

A lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour (LPSw) which was isolated and characterized is shown to exert definitely a suppressive effect on incidence of type 1 diabetes in mice. Therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes in patients was also obtained, though only from preliminary results. The percutaneous route of administration is most favorable. The important role that precursor tumor necrosis factor, free or cell bound, may play in this mechanism is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. VI. Protective effect of LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) against acute infection by Toxoplasma gondii in mice.

An oral administration of partially purified LPSw, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from wheat flour, at a concentration of 20 ng/ml in drinking water beginning 1d after infection significantly decreased mouse mortality and prevented animal weight loss in acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Whereas 71% (5/7) of mice in a control group that did not receive LPSw died of toxoplasmosis, only 14% (1/7) of mice treated with LPSw died (p less than 0.05). The administration of LPS purified from Bordetella pertussis also significantly decreased the mortality of infected mice. LPS from Escherichia coli and synthetic lipid A (LA-15-PP(506)), however, did not show a significant decrease in mortality.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. VII. Suppression of serum cholesterol level by LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) in WHHL (Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic) rabbit.

The effect of LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) on cholesterol catabolism was examined using WHHL (Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic) rabbit, which is an experimental model of familial hyperlipidemia. The serum cholesterol level of the animal decreased by the addition of LPSw to drinking water. Following cessation of the addition of LPSw to the drinking water, the cholesterol level was decreased for 30 to 40d and then gradually elevated. The serum level of apolipoprotein B, which is a constituent of apolipoprotein of low density lipoprotein (LDL), also decreased in accord with serum cholesterol at a nearly coincident rate. Conversely, the level of apolipoprotein A-I, which is a constituent of apolipoprotein of high density lipoprotein (HDL), did not change, nor did HDL-cholesterol. Furthermore, the atherosclerosis risk factor, expressed as the ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I, was decreased by LPSw administration.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. VIII. LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) can regulate bone resorption of chick embryo.

The effect of LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) on the bone resorption of 18-d chick embryonic calvaria was examined in an organ culture following the method of Raisz. Bone was prelabeled in culture medium containing 45Ca and chased in a cold medium. On addition of test samples, labeled calcium was released indicating the grade of bone resorption. LPSw (10-100 ng/ml) stimulated bone resorption, showing an effect comparable to parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1 U/ml). PTH at 1 U/ml decreased the total amount of calcium and phosphorus, while LPSw did not. LPSw is thus assumed to stimulate bone resorption more actively than PTH.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. IX. Enhancement effect of LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) on hen egg-laying and breaking strength of eggshell.

Oral administration of LPSw (a lipopolysaccharide from wheat flour) given at 60 micrograms/hen/d in drinking water, markedly enhanced eggshell strength. The monthly percentage of eggs laid with a shell strength of more than 4 kg to the total number of eggs was 32% in the group given LPSw in drinking water while it was 12% in the control group given plain water. At the same time, LPSw caused a 30% enhancement of total monthly number of eggs laid over that of control.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

5-Isoquinolinesulfonamide derivatives. III. Synthesis and vasodilatory activity of 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)piperazine derivatives.

On the basis of a hypothesis that cyclization and alkylation of the diamine part in formula 1 may give highly active compounds, a new series of 5-isoquinolinesulfonamide derivatives, shown as formula 2, were prepared from cyclic diamines. Their vasodilatory effects were subsequently evaluated in vivo according to the increase in arterial blood flow after the formulas were injected locally to the femoral and/or vertebral arteries of dogs. Cyclization of the diamine structure in formula 1 gave very potent vasodilators: 6 and 14. Acylation and sulfonylation of terminal amino nitrogen afforded much less potent compounds. In contrast to the hypothesis, alkylation on the ring carbon and the terminal nitrogen of the cyclic amine afforded less active compounds except for compound 11. The most active compounds, 6, 11 and 14, showed more potent vasodilatory effects and more selective activity to the vertebral artery than either trapidil or diltiazem.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. II. LPS of plant origin other than wheat flour and their concomitant bacteria.

In order to seek a macrophage-activating substance, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of plant origin other than that of wheat flour was surveyed. A large amount of LPS (10-100 micrograms/g) was detected in Laminaria japonica (kelp), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Undaria pinnatifida and other substances. Since concomitant bacteria possibly existing in root of farm products can be considered to contribute to LPS of plant origin, a count was taken of bacterial cells both dead and alive. This count revealed that some LPS were derived from concomitant bacteria which had probably come from root. Few concomitant bacterial cells were found in seaweed, while stem-root contained enough bacterial cells. Three predominant bacteria have been isolated and identified; Pantoea agglomerans, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia ficaria. These LPSs were purified and their chemical compositions were examined. They are similar to that of Escherichia coli except that their molecular sizes are smaller. Since LPS is non-toxic when taken orally or percutaneously, these LPSs may also be advantageous in the cure of intractable diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Homeostasis as regulated by activated macrophage. III. Protective effect of LPSw (lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of wheat flour) on gastric ulcer in mice as compared with those of other LPS from various sources.

Protective effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from various sources on gastric ulcer has been examined in mice using parenteral as well as oral route. Ulcer is induced by indomethacin, stress or alcohol. LPS was prepared from 6 species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pantoea agglomerans, Serratia ficaria, Enterobacter cloacae, Bordetella pertussis, Alcaligenes faecalis) and from wheat flour. When administered intravenously, LPS of Pantoea agglomerans was the most effective among other LPS examined. Lipopolysaccharide of wheat flour (LPSw) showed a significantly protective effect by the oral route, especially when given ad libitum in drinking water to mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Plasma theophylline concentrations and airway function in asthmatic children receiving standard and modified RTC therapy.

The effects of three different dosage schedules for sustained-release theophylline (Theolong) were investigated in children with asthma. With regimen II (unequal doses at 0800 h and 2000 h), the maximum plasma theophylline concentration following the evening dose was significantly higher than that following the morning dose, and also was larger than that following the evening dose with regimen I (equal doses at 0800 and 2000 h). With regimen III (equal doses at 0600 h and 2100 h), the mean theophylline concentration-time curve showed a single large peak at 1100 h, whereas with regimen I, there were two peaks at 2300 and at 1400 h. Knowledge that a change of the dosage schedule can affect the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in this way should aid physicians in its safe and effective use.

Asthma↗