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Biomedical subjects

A Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to A Nishimura.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Hepatic infarction following percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

We report on two patients who developed hepatic infarction after undergoing percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In both cases, liver function parameters deteriorated immediately after the ethanol injection, and enhanced computed tomography images showed a wedge-shaped avascular low-density area due to hepatic infarction. In one patient, PEIT was performed for a nodule treated with transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI) using a suspension of styrene maleic acid neocarzinostatin (SMANCS) 4 weeks before. In the other patient, TAI with SMANCS had been carried out 14 months previously for a different nodule in the same segment where the nodule treated with PEIT was located. When PEIT is used for patients with HCC who have previously undergone TAI, especially with SMANCS, PEIT may induce hepatic infarction.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1998

ftsE(Ts) affects translocation of K+-pump proteins into the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli.

The ftsE(Ts) mutation of Escherichia coli causes defects in cell division and cell growth. We expressed alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) fusion proteins of KdpA, Kup, and TrkH, all of which proved functional in vivo as K+ ion pumps, in the mutant cells. During growth at 41 degrees C, these proteins were progressively lost from the membrane fraction. The reduction in the abundance of these proteins inversely correlated with cell growth, but the preformed proteins in the membrane were stable at 41 degrees C, indicating that the molecules synthesized at the permissive temperature were diluted in a growth-dependent manner at a high temperature. Pulse-chase experiments showed that KdpA-PhoA was synthesized, but the synthesized protein did not translocate into the membrane of the ftsE(Ts) cells at 41 degrees C and degraded very rapidly. The loss of KdpA-PhoA from the membrane fractions of ftsE(Ts) cells was suppressed by a multicopy plasmid carrying the ftsE+ gene. While cell growth stopped when the abundance of these proteins decreased 15-fold, the addition of a high concentration of K+ ions specifically alleviated the growth defect of ftsE(Ts) cells but not cell division, and the cells elongated more than 100-fold. We conclude that one of the causes of growth cessation in the ftsE(Ts) mutants is a defect in the translocation of K+-pump proteins into the cytoplasmic membrane.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1998

Detection of measles virus mRNA from autopsied human tissues.

By reverse transcription-PCR, measles virus (MV) mRNA was detected in the brain, kidney, spleen, liver, and lung tissues obtained from 23 (45.1%) of 51 autopsy subjects, with the detection rates of each tissue ranging from 8 to 20%. Sequence analysis revealed frequent mutations in the corresponding viral protein. These results suggest that MV mutants commonly persist in apparently healthy individuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Short-chain fatty acids regulate IGF-binding protein secretion by intestinal epithelial cells.

Gastrointestinal epithelial cells secrete insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which modulate the actions of IGFs on cell proliferation and differentiation. Short-chain fatty acids are bacterial metabolites from unabsorbed carbohydrate (including fiber). We hypothesized that they may alter the pattern of IGFBPs secreted by epithelial cells as part of a wider phenomenon by which luminal molecules regulate gastrointestinal epithelial cell signaling. The intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2, predominantly secretes IGFBP-3; however, butyrate increased the secretion of IGFBP-2 in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. Butyrate decreased the secretion of IGFBP-3. Butyrate altered only the synthesis and not the cell sorting of IGFBPs because 1) the secretion of IGFBPs remained polarized despite changes in their rates of production, and 2) IGFBP secretion corresponded to mRNA accumulation. The ability of short-chain fatty acids or the fungicide trichostatin A to stimulate IGFBP-2 correlated with their actions on histone acetylation. In conclusion, intestinal epithelial cells respond to short-chain fatty acids by altering secretion of IGFBPs.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Upregulation of retinal vascular endothelial growth factor mRNAs in spontaneously diabetic rats without ophthalmoscopic retinopathy. A possible participation of advanced glycation end products in the development of the early phase of diabetic retinopathy.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has recently been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. However, its involvement in the development of the early phase of diabetic retinopathy is not fully understood. In this study we investigated the retinal VEGF mRNA level in spontaneously diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, a model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, without overt retinopathy, using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The retinal VEGF mRNA level was 2.2 times higher (p < 0.0005) in OLETF rats than in control rats at the age of 60 weeks. Moreover, their retinal mRNA level was positively correlated with serum concentration of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) but not to serum glucose concentration. Furthermore, the peak latency of the oscillatory potentials in the electroretinogram, one of the most sensitive markers for the early phase of diabetic retinopathy, was significantly prolonged in OLETF rats (p < 0.05), being also correlated with the serum AGE concentration. The results thus suggest that AGEs, which are formed acceleratedly in diabetic conditions, are involved in the development of the early phase of diabetic retinopathy probably through the induction of retinal VEGF mRNAs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Change of peripheral levels of pituitary hormones and cytokines after injection of interferon (IFN)-beta in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Interferons (IFNs) are now in use worldwide for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Unfortunately, various side effects of IFNs have been reported. Because cytokines, which include IFNs, can affect endocrine function, endocrinological abnormalities are sometimes observed in patients treated with IFNs. We examined the effects of IFN-beta on peripheral levels of pituitary and adrenal hormones and cytokines. Six million international units of IFN-beta dissolved in glucose solution was injected for 30 min. As a control study, glucose solution without IFN-beta was injected. Pituitary hormones (ACTH, GH, TSH, prolactin (PRL), LH, FSH, and arginine-vasopressin (AVP)), cortisol, and cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were measured before and after IFN-beta injection. The study was carried out on 14 patients with chronic hepatitis type C who were under treatment with IFN-beta. All studies were performed when the patients were afebrile. None of the patients had any endocrine or autoimmune diseases. Plasma ACTH levels increased significantly at 60-120 min after IFN-beta injection compared with the levels before IFN-beta injection and in the control study using glucose injection. Plasma cortisol levels increased after IFN-beta injection, in parallel with plasma ACTH elevation. Serum GH levels increased significantly at 120 min after IFN-beta injection. All the increased hormones including ACTH, cortisol, and GH, were decreased at the end of the study-180 min after IFN-beta injection. Serum levels of TSH, PRL, LH, FSH, and AVP were not changed significantly by IFN-beta injection. Plasma IL-1 and TNF levels did not change after IFN-beta injection, while IL-6 and IL-1ra were elevated significantly. The increases in IL-6 and IL-1ra were gradual, reaching their peak levels at 180 min after IFN-beta injection. However there were no correlations between the hormones measured in this study and the levels of IL-6 or IL-1ra. It would seem that IFN-beta has direct or indirect stimulatory effects for ACTH and GH without mediation of the cytokines. These in vivo results are important for investigating the relationship between endocrine and cytokine systems in humans.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of variable number of tandem repeats of human genome D1S80 locus using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detector.

The conventional method of identifying individuals by DNA in the field of forensic medicine is slab gel electrophoresis, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and nonquantitative. Accordingly, the use of capillary electrophoresis with a laser-induced fluorescence detector (CE-LIF), human genome D1S80 locus, a DNA marker which has a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) on chromosome 1, was examined to improve DNA analysis for identification. Using an internal standard, fragment size of VNTR was accurately and rapidly determined.

DNA↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of a variable number of tandem repeats in a heart disease gene by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detector.

Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detector (CE-LIF) was successfully applied to the analysis of the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in a human apolipoprotein B gene (APOB). Apolipoprotein B VNTR alleles containing more than 35 repeat units are a significant risk factor for heart disease. Thus, we developed a method for accurately determining the number of repeat units (16 bp) in the VNTR using capillary electrophoresis. The CE-LIF technique gave excellent resolution of APOB alleles differing by 2 or 4 repeat units over the range 600 to 1000 bp. The recommended conditions for the analysis of APOB VNTR loci by CE-LIF are as follows: effective length of capillary (100 microns i.d., 360 microns o.d.), 50 cm; running buffer, 50 mM Tris-borate 0.5% methylcellulose and 0.1 microM fluorescent dye YO-PRO-1; electric field, 150 V/cm.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Correlation of lining thickness and expression of alpha 2 and alpha 3 integrins within the epithelial lining of odontogenic cysts.

Using monoclonal antibodies, we performed immunohistochemical investigations of the expression of alpha 2, alpha 3 and beta 4 integrin subunits within the squamous epithelial linings of odontogenic cysts. Tissue samples consisted of both follicular cysts and odontogenic keratocysts from 15 patients. It was found that beta 4 integrin was expressed on the basement membrane regardless of the histological type of the cyst. The degree of immunostaining for alpha 2 and alpha 3 integrin expression corresponded to the thickness of the epithelial cyst wall. We found that the thickness of the epithelial lining of odontogenic cysts had a direct correlation with the expression of integrin molecules.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of serum cytokine levels in primary biliary cirrhosis patients and healthy adults.

By using commercially available ELISA kits, serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in healthy adults, and the levels of various cytokines in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis or chronic viral liver diseases, were investigated. IL-6 levels of healthy subjects were distributed in a wide range, and the distribution pattern was similar to those of the patients. TNF-alpha levels tended to be low in females in their 30s, but there were no abnormalities in the patients. Characteristic findings, in the primary biliary cirrhosis patients, were an increase of IFN-gamma and IL-2 levels, and a decrease of GM-CSF levels (P < 0.05). IL-8 levels were higher in the patients than in the healthy subjects (P < 0.05), and the increase was remarkable in chronic viral liver disease patients. We believe that measurement of serum cytokine levels as a clinical immunological test is highly useful. Further development of simpler, more rapid, and more sensitive analysis methods is desired.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Flow cytometric analysis of IL-6 receptors on peripheral lymphocytes in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Interleukin-6 receptors (IL-6R) and interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1R) on lymphocyte surfaces were analyzed, using flow cytometry and dye-labeled IL-6 and IL-1 beta, to examine the clinical and immunological significance of these receptors. Incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of mitogen resulted in a remarkable increase of lymphocytes expressing the IL-6 and IL-1 beta receptors on the cell surface. The increase in lymphocytes bearing these cytokine receptors may reflect an increase in stimulated lymphocytes. When peripheral blood from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) was examined for these receptors, the percentage of IL-6R positive cells was significantly higher in the patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.01). The increase in IL-6R positive cells was only significant for the T lymphocyte fraction (P < 0.01). No significant change in IL-1R was observed. There was a significant positive correlation between the percentage of IL-6R positive T lymphocytes and the titer of antimitochondrial antibody in patients with PBC. These findings concerning IL-6R may be noteworthy elucidating autoimmune etiological features of PBC.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Demonstration of L-dopa decarboxylating neurons specific to human striatum.

In the human striatum, we immunohistochemically demonstrated many neurons that were immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC; the second step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme) but not for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the first step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme). The number of AADC-positive neurons was especially large in the ventral striatum including the nucleus accumbens. The significance of AADC-positive neurons are discussed in relation to the acting sites of L-dopa and antipsychotic drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of ion channel blockers on rapid postmortem changes in extracellular dopamine and serotonin levels in the rat nucleus accumbens.

In the present study, we used in vivo brain microdialysis to examine the effects of ion channel blockers tetrodotoxin (TTX), EGTA-free Ca2+ and verapamil on rapid postmortem changes in extracellular levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the ACC of freely moving rats. Extracellular ACC DA levels decreased following the perfusion of the three ion channel blockers in freely moving rats, and then, at death by cervical dislocation, maximum respective 220-, 60- and 90-fold increases were observed in the extracellular output of DA in animals treated with EGTA, verapamil and TTX, respectively. Also, ACC 5-HT decreased following perfusion with the three blockers in the freely moving rats, and then maximum increases of 80-, 30- and 45-fold in the extracellular output of 5-HT were observed at death in animals treated with EGTA, verapamil and TTX, respectively, compared to the baseline. Cervical dislocation-induced rapid postmortem changes were inhibited markedly by perfusion with CSF containing the CA2+ entry blocker verapamil. These observations suggested that rapid postmortem changes in ACC DA and 5-HT release were associated with the action of calcium ion channels and/or voltage gated channels in the CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of the Japanese herbal medicine "Sho-saiko-to" (TJ-9) on in vitro interleukin-10 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

"Sho-saiko-to" (TJ-9) consists of 7 herbal components. In Japan, it is widely prescribed to patients with chronic viral liver disease. TJ-9 is known to suppress liver cancer development and possess macrobiotic effects, but its mode of action is not fully understood. This study investigated the following: 1) cytokine production levels, mainly interleukin (IL)-10, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic active hepatitis B and C patients, and healthy volunteers; 2) effects of TJ-9 on these productions; and 3) effects of each of its herb components on cytokine production in cell fractions. Results showed that without stimulants, IL-10 production in mononuclear cells of hepatitis B and C patients was significantly lower than that of healthy subjects (P < .01). IL-10 production induced by either phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in mononuclear cells of hepatitis C patients were significantly lower than in patients with hepatitis B (P < .01) and healthy subjects (P < .05). IL-10 production induced by anti-CD3 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was significantly lower than in healthy subjects (P < .05). The addition of TJ-9 to the cultures strongly induced IL-10, and this induction was mainly attributable to the effects of 2 components (scutellaria root and glycyrrhiza root) on the monocyte/macrophage fraction. The production of IL-4 and IL-5 in cultures with concanavalin A (conA) was significantly higher in patients with hepatitis C than in the healthy subjects (P < .01; P < .05), but the addition of TJ-9 suppressed these increases by 25% to 33% (P < .01). Therefore, TJ-9 could adjust the decreased IL-10 production and the increased IL-4 and IL-5 production of mononuclear cells from patients with hepatitis C. Moderate regulation of the cytokine production system in patients with hepatitis C by using TJ-9 may be useful in the prevention of disease progression.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Attenuation of monosodium urate crystal-induced arthritis in rabbits by a neutralizing antibody against interleukin-8.

Accumulating evidence implicates interleukin-8 (IL-8) as an essential mediator in neutrophil-mediated acute inflammation. Neutrophils have also been shown to have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute gouty arthritis. Thus, we investigate the pathophysiological role of IL-8 in an experimental model of acute gout, monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced arthritis in rabbits. The injection of MSU crystals into knee joints caused a marked swelling of joints. Concomitantly, the infiltration ofleukocytes, mostly neutrophils, was observed in synovial membrane and synovial fluids. The injection of MSU crystals also induced an elevation in synovial fluid IL-8 levels preceding neutrophil infiltration into synovial fluids, without an accompanying increase in plasma IL-8 levels. Immunoreactive IL-8 protein was detected in synovial lining cells at 12-24 h after the injection. IL-8 protein was also observed in infiltrated leukocytes in synovium as early as 3-24 h after the injection. Finally, the intraarticular injection of a neutralizing anti-IL-8 antibody significantly attenuated the crystal-induced joint swelling that occurred at 12 h, and neutrophil infiltration into arthritic joints at 12 and 24 h after the induction. These results provide evidence on the pathogenic roles of locally produced IL-8 in MSU crystal-induced gouty arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Epicoprostanol found in adipocere from five human autopsies.

Adipocere formation is well known as a later postmortem change. We collected adipocere from five male victims which had been submerged under the sea or fresh water for 1 mon to 4 yr. Fresh subcutaneous fat of a male victim who died from a cerebral contusion was used as the control. The samples were homogenized, and the lipids were extracted with chloroform and methanol followed by injection into a gas chromatograph and a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. We detected hydroxy fatty acids (10-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 10-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid) as well as 10-ketooctadecanoic acid in adipocere, but not in the control. In addition, we found for the first time a cholesterol-related peak with a molecular ion of 388 in adipocere and identified it as epicoprostanol, suggesting not only oxidation but also reduction had occurred during the formation of adipocere. In addition, we showed the time-course of epicoprostanol accumulation. The relationship between the time of adipocere formation and the characteristic lipid composition is discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

In vitro effects of sho-saiko-to on production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor by mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C.

During the past 2 years, drug-induced interstitial pneumonia was reported in 66 Japanese patients, mainly among chronic hepatitis C patients, undergoing treatment with the Japanese herbal medicine "Sho-saiko-to" (TJ-9). As interstitial pneumonia is also induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), we examined the effects of TJ-9 on G-CSF production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In patients with hepatitis B or C, G-CSF production in the absence of any stimulation was significantly lower than healthy controls (p < 0.01). G-CSF production increased along with the increase of TJ-9 levels, and this could induce excessive production of G-CSF in hepatitis C patients, and this may be a cause of interstitial pneumonia.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗