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A Sugiyama

Publications and source records attributed to A Sugiyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

No proarrhythmic properties of the antibiotics Moxifloxacin or Azithromycin in anaesthetized dogs with chronic-AV block.

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: The therapeutically available quinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin has been used as a positive control for prolonging the QT interval in both clinical and non-clinical studies designed to assess the potential of new drugs to delay cardiac repolarization. Despite moxifloxacin prolonging QT, it has not been shown to cause torsades de pointes arrhythmias (TdP). Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that has rarely been associated, clinically, with cases of proarrhythmia. As there is a lack of clinical data available, the cardiac safety of these drugs was assessed in a TdP-susceptible animal model by evaluating their repolarization and proarrhythmia effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH & KEY RESULTS: In transfected HEK cells, the IC(50)s for I (hERG) were 45+/-6 and 856+/-259 microg ml(-1) for moxifloxacin and azithromycin, respectively. Intravenous administration of 2 and 8 mg kg(-1) moxifloxacin (total peak-plasma concentrations 4.6+/-1.5 and 22.9+/-6.8 microg ml(-1)) prolonged the QT(c) in 6 anaesthetized dogs with chronic AV block by 7+/-3 and 21+/-19%, respectively. Similar intravenous doses of azithromycin (total peak-plasma concentrations 5.4+/-1.3 and 20.8+/-4.9 microg ml(-1)) had no electrophysiological effects in the same dogs. The reference compound, dofetilide (25 microg kg(-1) i.v.) caused QT(c) prolongation (29+/-15%) and TdP in all dogs. Beat-to-beat variability of repolarization (BVR), quantified as short-term variability of the left ventricular monophasic action potential duration, was only increased after dofetilide (1.8+/-0.7 to 3.8+/-1.5 ms; P<0.05). CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS: As neither moxifloxacin nor azithromycin caused TdP or an increase in the BVR, we conclude that both drugs can be used safely in clinical situations.

Anesthesia↗

Correlation between chemical structure and biological activities of Porphyromonas gingivalis synthetic lipopeptide derivatives.

We recently separated a PG1828-encoded triacylated lipoprotein (Pg-LP), composed of two palmitoyl and one pentadecanoyl groups at the N-terminal of glycerocysteine from Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontopathic bacteria, and found that Pg-LP exhibited definite biological activities through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2. In the present study, we synthesized 12 different Pg-LP N-terminal peptide moieties (PGTP) using four combinations of glyceryl (R and S) and cysteinyl (l and d) stereoisomers, and three different acyl group regioisomers, N-pentadecanoyl derivative (PGTP1), S-glycero 2-pentadecanoyl derivative (PGTP2) and S-glycero 3-pentadecanoyl derivative (PGTP3). All the PGTP compounds (RL, SL, SD, RD) tested showed TLR2-dependent cell activation. The activating capacities of the PGTP-R compounds were more potent than those of the PGTP-S compounds, whereas there were no differences between the PGTP-L and -D compounds. Furthermore, the production of interleukin (IL)-6 following stimulation with the PGTP1-RL, PGTP2-RL and PGTP3-RL compounds was impaired in peritoneal macrophages from TLR2 knock-out (KO), but not those from TLR1 KO or TLR6 KO mice. These results suggest that P. gingivalis triacylated lipopeptides are capable of activating host cells in a TLR2-dependent and TLR1-/TLR6-independent manner, and the fatty acid residue at the glycerol position in the PGTP molecule plays an important role in recognition by TLR2.

Adult↗

Roles of virD4 and cagG genes in the cag pathogenicity island of Helicobacter pylori using a Mongolian gerbil model.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The roles of the virD4 and the cagG genes in the cag pathogenicity island of Helicobacter pylori for gastroduodenal pathogenesis are unclear and their roles in vivo have not been examined. METHODS: Seven week old male Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with the wild type H pylori TN2GF4, its isogenic virD4, or cagG mutants. Animals were sacrificed at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after inoculation. Gastric inflammation and H pylori density were evaluated by histology, inflammatory response (as measured by interleukin (IL)-1beta mRNA levels), proliferative activity (as assessed by 5'-bromo-2'deoxyuridine labelling indices), and host systemic reaction (as measured by anti-H pylori IgG antibody). RESULTS: Degree of gastric inflammation, proliferative activity, and mucosal IL-1beta mRNA levels remained low throughout the first 12 weeks in gerbils infected with the virD4 mutants. Degree of gastric inflammation and proliferative activity increased at 24 weeks with the virD4 mutants reaching levels comparative with those seen at four weeks with the wild-type strains. Mucosal IL-1beta mRNA levels were also increased at 24 weeks with the virD4 mutants and levels at 24 weeks were similar between the wild-type and virD4 mutants. In contrast, gerbils infected with the cagG mutants had reduced ability to colonise gerbils, and no or little gastric inflammation or proliferative activity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of the virD4 gene temporally retarded but did not abrogate gastric inflammation. Loss of the cagG gene abolished gastric inflammation partially via reduced ability to colonise gerbils. Unknown factors related to the type IV secretion system other than CagA may influence gastric inflammation.

Animals↗

Physical and functional interaction between BH3-only protein Hrk and mitochondrial pore-forming protein p32.

Bcl-2 homology domain (BH) 3-only proteins of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 subfamily play a key role as initiators of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. To date, at least 10 mammalian BH3-only proteins have been identified, and it is now being realized that they have different roles and mechanisms of regulation in the transduction of apoptotic signals to mitochondria. Hrk/DP5 is one of the mammalian BH3-only proteins implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological apoptosis, yet the molecular mechanism involved in Hrk-mediated apoptosis remains poorly understood. In an attempt to identify cellular proteins participating in Hrk-mediated apoptosis, we have conducted yeast two-hybrid screening for Hrk-interacting proteins and isolated p32, a mitochondrial protein that has been shown to form a channel consisting of its homotrimer. In vitro binding, co-immunoprecipitation, as well as immunocytochemical analyses verified specific interaction and colocalization of Hrk and p32, both of which depended on the presence of the highly conserved C-terminal region of p32. Importantly, Hrk-induced apoptosis was suppressed by the expression of p32 mutants lacking the N-terminal mitochondrial signal sequence (p32(74-282)) and the conserved C-terminal region (p32 (1-221)), which are expected to inhibit binding of Hrk competitively to the endogenous p32 protein and to disrupt the channel function of p32, respectively. Furthermore, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of p32 conferred protection against Hrk-induced apoptosis. Altogether, these results suggest that p32 may be a key molecule that links Hrk to mitochondria and is critically involved in the regulation of Hrk-mediated apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thoracoscopic enucleation of esophageal stromal tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a rare entity, especially in the esophagus. We report a patient with a stromal tumor of the esophagus who underwent a thoracoscopic enucleation of the tumor. The patient was a 61-year-old man complaining of slight dysphagia. A submucosal tumor of the middle thoracic esophagus was found endoscopically. The tumor was approximately 4.0 cm in diameter measured by endoscopic ultrasonography. On 17 May 2001, thoracoscopic enucleation of the esophageal tumor was performed using a Kodama Di-suction. The Kodama Di-suction was useful for the thoracoscopic enucleation of the submucosal tumor of the esophagus, acting as both a dissector and a sucker. The patient's course was uneventful after surgery. Histopathologically the esophageal tumor revealed a high cellularity, consisting of spindle cells, and the tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for CD34 and c-kit protein, but not for a-smooth muscle actin or S-100 protein. From these findings, the esophageal submucosal tumor was diagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor, distinguished from leiomyoma.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Contrasting responses of human gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts to bacterial cell-surface components through the CD14/Toll-like receptor system.

We compared human periodontal ligament fibroblasts with human gingival fibroblasts isolated from the same donor to examine interleukin-8 (IL-8) responses of the cells to Salmonella lipopolysaccharide, a water-soluble peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus epidermidis and the synthetic muramyldipeptide, with special reference to the possible involvement of the CD14/Toll-like receptor (TLR) system of the cells in the responses. Human gingival fibroblasts expressed CD14 on their surfaces and strongly expressed CD14 mRNA, while human periodontal ligament fibroblasts showed considerably lower levels of expression in both respects. Both cells expressed mRNA of TLR-related molecules, i.e. TLR2, TLR4, MD-2 and MyD88, although human periodontal ligament fibroblasts expressed TLR2 more strongly than human gingival fibroblasts. Human gingival fibroblasts exhibited a stronger IL-8 response than human periodontal ligament fibroblasts to lipopolysaccharide, while human periodontal ligament fibroblasts exhibited a response comparable to, or slightly stronger than, that of human gingival fibroblasts to S. epidermidis peptidoglycan and muramyldipeptide. The IL-8 responses of both cells to lipopolysaccharide and S. epidermidis peptidoglycan were completely inhibited by antihuman CD14 monoclonal antibody (MAb). The responses of both cells to lipopolysaccaride were significantly inhibited by antihuman TLR4 MAb, while those to S. epidermidis peptidoglycan were inhibited by antihuman TLR2 MAb. In contrast, muramyldipeptide activated both types of cells in a TLR2- and TLR4-independent manner, although the activities of muramyldipeptide on human gingival fibroblasts, but not human periodontal ligament fibroblasts, were significantly inhibited by anti-CD14 MAb.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Duodenogastric reflux and Helicobacter pylori infection synergistically increase gastric mucosal cell proliferative activity in Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori and duodenogastric reflux (DGR) are both recognized as aetiological factors in chronic gastritis and gastric carcinogenesis. In this study, a Mongolian gerbil (MG) model was used to investigate the histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa resulting from DGR and/or H. pylori infection. METHODS: One-hundred-and-eleven 7-week-old, specific-pathogen-free, male MGs were divided into four groups: normal controls, gerbils with surgically induced DGR, and H. pylori-infected gerbils with and without DGR. Gerbils were killed 4, 12 and 26 weeks after DGR surgery, their stomachs removed and sections prepared. Sections were fixed immediately in 20% phosphate-buffered formalin and subjected to haematoxylin and eosin staining, Alcian blue at pH 2.5/periodic acid-Schiff staining, and immunostaining for smooth muscle cells, H. pylori and 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). RESULTS: The gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected gerbils showed chronic active gastritis irrespective of DGR throughout the experimental period. The gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected gerbils with DGR demonstrated higher BrdU labelling than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In MGs, DGR and H. pylori infection synergistically increased gastric mucosal cell proliferative activity. DGR and H. pylori infection may be involved synergistically in gastric carcinogenesis by increasing cell proliferative activity.

Animals↗

M6a acts as a nerve growth factor-gated Ca(2+) channel in neuronal differentiation.

To elucidate the function of M6a, which is a neuron-specific membrane glycoprotein of the brain and possesses putative phosphorylation sites for protein kinase C (PKC), we established rat M6a cDNA expression vector-transfected PC12 cells. These transfectants exhibited high susceptibilities to nerve growth factor (NGF) for neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, we found that Ca(2+) influx in these transfectants was significantly augmented by the treatment of NGF, but not epidermal growth factor (EGF), which stimulates PC12 cell growth. NGF-dependent augmentation of Ca(2+) influx was detected within 3h and severely inhibited by EGTA- and PKC-specific inhibitors. Anti-M6 antibody suppressed both NGF-triggered Ca(2+) influx and neuronal differentiation. These results support the idea that M6a implicates in neuronal differentiation as a novel Ca(2+) channel gated selectively by phosphorylation with PKC in the downstream of NGF signaling pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activation of human gingival epithelial cells by cell-surface components of black-pigmented bacteria: augmentation of production of interleukin-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

Black-pigmented anaerobic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, are amongst the predominant bacteria in periodontal pockets and have been implicated in periodontal diseases. To elucidate the roles of gingival keratinocytes, which are the first cells encountered by oral bacteria in periodontal diseases, human gingival keratinocytes in primary culture were stimulated with cell-surface components of P gingivalis and Pr. intermedia. A glycoprotein fraction from Pr. intermedia (PGP) clearly augmented the release of interleukin-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This PGP also induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), as determined by flow cytometry. The augmentation of mRNA expression for these molecules was also confirmed by reverse transcription PCR. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Pr. intermedia and Escherichia coli was completely inactive in these assays. LPS fraction and purified fimbriae from P gingivalis exhibited weak activities. Cytokine production and ICAM-1 expression by gingival keratinocytes might cause accumulation and activation of neutrophils in the epithelium and, therefore, may be involved in the initiation and development of inflammation in periodontal tissues.

Cells, Cultured↗

Neutrophil proteinase 3-mediated induction of bioactive IL-18 secretion by human oral epithelial cells.

IL-18, a potent IFN-gamma-inducing cytokine, is expressed by various nonimmune cells as well as macrophages, suggesting that it has important physiological and immunological roles. The present study focused on the mechanism of active IL-18 induction from human oral epithelial cells. The epithelial cells and the cell lines constitutively express IL-18 mRNA and the 24-kDa precursor form of IL-18. Bioactive IL-18 exhibiting IFN-gamma-inducing activity was detected in the supernatant of the cells on costimulation with neutrophil proteinase 3 (PR3) and LPS for 24 h after IFN-gamma-priming for 3 days. An active 18-kDa form of IL-18 was detected in lysate and supernatant of the cells only after the above treatment and the induction was inhibited by cycloheximide and by serine proteinase inhibitors. After the treatment, lactate dehydrogenase activity was not detected in the cell culture supernatant, and PR3 was detected only in the membrane and not in cytoplasm fractions of the cells. Caspase-1 was not detected in the cells even after the treatment and the IL-18 induction was not inhibited by a caspase-1 inhibitor. These results suggest that the PR3-mediated induction of bioactive IL-18 secretion from oral epithelial cells in combination with LPS after IFN-gamma-priming occurred via a caspase-1-independent pathway, and provide new insight into the possible involvement of a neutrophil proteinase in the induction of bioactive IL-18 in oral inflammation such as periodontitis.

Adult↗

In vivo canine model comparison of cardiohemodynamic and electrophysiological effects of a new antipsychotic drug aripiprazole (OPC-14597) to haloperidol.

The cardiovascular effects of aripiprazole were assessed in comparison with those of haloperidol using a halothane-anesthetized canine model with monophasic action potential monitoring. Aripiprazole (n = 6) or haloperidol (n = 6) was infused over 10 min at escalating doses of 0.03, 0.3, and 3.0 mg/kg with intervals of 20 min between doses. Clinically relevant plasma concentrations were obtained after 0.03-0.3 mg/kg of aripiprazole as well as haloperidol. After 0.03-0.3 mg/kg of aripiprazole, positive chronotropic, inotropic, and dromotropic effects, shortening of the ventricular effective refractory period (ERP) and repolarization phase, and decrease of total peripheral resistance were observed in a dose-related manner. However, in the presence of a beta-blocking dose of esmolol (0.1 mg/kg/min), these changes were not induced. After 3.0 mg/kg of aripiprazole administration, cardiac effects induced by the lower doses were attenuated or disappeared, while the negative chronotropic, dromotropic, and hypotensive actions and prolongation of ERP and repolarization phase were induced. After 0.03 mg/kg of haloperidol, no significant change was observed, except for the decrease of the peripheral resistance. After 0.3-3.0 mg/kg of haloperidol, negative chronotropic, inotropic, and hypotensive actions, intraventricular conduction delay, and prolongation of ventricular ERP and repolarization phase were observed in a dose-related manner accompanied by further decrease of the peripheral resistance. The inhibitory effects of aripiprazole on cardiovascular parameters in dogs were less potent than those of haloperidol at clinically relevant exposures, moreover, aripiprazole, unlike haloperidol, neither induced early afterdepolarization nor prolonged the ventricular electrical vulnerable period. Therefore, aripiprazole can be considered safer to use than haloperidol.

Animals↗

Cardiovascular action of a cardioselective Ca(2+)channel blocker AH-1058 in conscious dogs assessed by telemetry.

AH-1058, 4-(5H-Dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-[(E)-3-(3-methoxy-2-nitro)phenyl-2-propenyl]piperidine hydrochloride, is a novel Ca(2+)channel blocker exerting cardioselective action in isolated or anesthetized canine heart preparations. To clarify the cardiac and hemodynamic action of AH-1058 in conscious dogs, we assessed the effects of the drug on the hemodynamic parameters continuously recorded by telemetry in conscious unrestrained beagle dogs, and its cardiovascular effects were compared with those of verapamil, disopyramide and atenolol. Oral administration of AH-1058 (0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg) reduced the systolic blood pressure and maximal upstroke velocity of the left ventricular pressure (LVdP/dt(max)), increased heart rate and prolonged the QA interval in a dose-dependent manner whereas the drug did not affect diastolic blood pressure. Verapamil at 10 mg/kg reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure with little effect on heart rate, LVdP/dt(max) and QA interval. Disopyramide at 20 mg/kg increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreased LVdP/dt(max) and prolonged the QA interval with little changes in heart rate. Atenolol at 10 mg/kg decreased LVdP/dt(max) and prolonged the QA interval with little changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. The time course of the cardiohemodynamic action of AH-1058 was longer than those of the other drugs. These results suggest that AH-1058 is a long-acting cardiodepressive drug, and its hemodynamic profile is obviously different from that of disopyramide and atenolol. This unique cardiovascular profile may be beneficial for the treatment of certain pathological processes in which selective inhibition of the ventricular Ca(2+)channels would be the target of drug therapy.

Animals↗

Antinociceptive effect of spinally injected L-NAME on the acute nociceptive response induced by low concentrations of formalin.

The formalin test has been proposed as an animal model of pain produced by tissue injury. Although biphasic nociceptive responses to formalin injection have been well documented, low concentrations (0.125 and 0.5%) of formalin injected into the mouse hindpaw produced only the phasic (acute) paw-licking response, lasting the first 5 min after the formalin injection. To explore the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the spinal cord and peripheral system during the acute phase of the formalin test, we examined the effect of intrathecal (i.t.) or intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of L-N(G)-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthase inhibitor in mice. Pretreatment with L-NAME (160 nmol), injected i.t., resulted in a significant inhibition of the paw-licking response induced by 0.125 and 0.5% of formalin. L-Arginine (600 mg/kg, i.p.) but not D-arginine (600 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the antinociceptive effect of L-NAME on the acute nociceptive response induced by low concentrations of formalin. The i.pl. injection of L-NAME (160 nmol) produced a significant decrease of the late (tonic) phase response evoked by 2.0% formalin without affecting the early (acute) phase response. Similar results have been reported in the case of i.t. injected L-NAME as assayed by the 2.0% formalin test. L-NAME (160 nmol), injected into the plantar paw, gave no significant effect on the acute nociceptive response induced by a low concentration of formalin (0.125%). These results suggest that NO in the spinal cord may be involved in not only the late phase response of the formalin (2.0%)-induced paw-licking, but also at least the acute phase response induced by low concentrations (0.125 and 0.5%) of formalin, while peripheral NO has little effect on the early (acute) phase nociceptive response evoked by formalin (0.125--2.0%) injection.

Analgesics↗

Development and characterization of a hybrid bioartificial liver using primary hepatocytes entrapped in a basement membrane matrix.

For the development of a bioartificial liver (BAL) support device, it is most important to establish highly differentiated liver cells cultured at high density. When rat hepatocytes were cultured on a basement membrane matrix, Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) gel, their rates of albumin secretion were very high, as measured by ELISA, and these high rates were maintained for more than three weeks of culturing. This level of activity greatly exceeded that of hepatocytes cultured on a plastic substratum, poly-N-p-vinylbenzyl-D-lactonamide (PVLA), on a single layer of collagen, or in a collagen sandwich culture. In an in vitro perfusion experiment, rat hepatocytes rapidly and completely removed ammonia from Eagle's MEM supplemented with 0.2 mM NH4Cl, although ammonia levels of the medium serially increased in modules containing HepG2 cells. A hybrid liver support system was developed and consisted of plasma perfusion through porous hollow fiber modules inoculated with 10 billion porcine hepatocytes entrapped in EHS gel. This system was applied to pigs with ischemic liver failure 8 hr after creation of a portocaval shunt and hepatic devascularization. In animals treated with the BAL support system, blood bicarbonate levels were increased immediately after treatment, and hemodynamic stability was improved. In control pigs, on the other hand, blood bicarbonate levels and blood pressure remained low. Plasma levels of ammonia and lactate decreased in pigs treated with the BAL device, but not in control animals. These results indicate that primary hepatocytes outperform HepG2 cells as a source of biotransformation functions in a BAL system and that the use of a BAL support device in combination with a hollow fiber module and hepatocytes entrapped in EHS gel has potential advantages for clinical use in patients with fulminant hepatic failure.

Ammonia↗

Paradoxical role of Helicobacter pylori infection: protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in Mongolian gerbils.

We investigated the effect of ethanol (a representative necrotizing agent) on gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils. Seventy-eight gerbils were used. Four and 12 weeks after H. pylori inoculation, 30% ethanol was administered into the stomach. The stomachs were removed after 30 min, the intramucosal prostaglandin (PG) E2 concentration was measured, and histopathology was recorded. H. pylori infection caused chronic active gastritis, gastric erosion, hypersecretion of mucin from gland mucus cells, and a rise in the activity of intramucosal PGE2. After ethanol administration, gastric erosion was significantly less in animals infected with H. pylori than in uninfected animals. In conclusion, in the early stage of H. pylori infection, accentuation of intramucosal PGE2 and hypersecretion of mucin from gland mucus cells have a protective effect against gastric mucosal injury induced by necrotizing agents.

Animals↗

Proliferation of alpha-smooth muscle actin-containing stromal cells (myofibroblasts) in the lamina propria subjacent to intraepithelial carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: The lamina propria of the digestive tract is the space containing vessels, myofibroblasts, and other interstitial components. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the relationships between the proliferation of myofibroblasts within this space and other histological features such as inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferation of blood vessels. METHODS: Thirty-eight cases in total-comprising 19 cases of early and 19 cases of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with intraepithelial extension (the former including 10 lesions of carcinoma in situ and 15 lesions of carcinoma with invasion only into the lamina propria)-were examined using H&E staining, Azan Mallory staining, and immunostaining for the characterization of mesenchymal cells in the lamina propria against alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), desmin, vimentin, factor VIII, collagen type IV, laminin, or inflammatory cells (L26, UCHL1, Kp1, and c-kit). The proliferative potential of myofibroblasts was evaluated by measuring the total length of the bundles of myofibroblasts per case. RESULTS: Proliferation of alphaSMA-containing stromal cells: i) occurred in the lamina propria subjacent either to intraepithelial carcinomas (64%) or to the intraepithelial extension of carcinoma tissue (47%), and ii) showed a significant correlation with both the degree of mononuclear cell infiltration (mostly UCHL1-positive T cells) and the total length of the carcinoma tissue in each case. CONCLUSIONS: Proliferation of alphaSMA-containing stromal cells in the lamina propria may be involved in altering the endoscopic features of the esophagus in cases with intraepithelial carcinoma or an intraepithelial extension of carcinoma tissue.

Actins↗

Role of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in the induction of intestinal metaplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma in Mongolian gerbils infected with Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Progression from intestinal metaplasia to neoplasia has not been demonstrated experimentally. The hypothesis that gastric adenocarcinoma arises from intestinal metaplasia was tested in a Mongolian gerbil model of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen specific pathogen-free gerbils were divided in five groups. A and D: infected with H. pylori and administered the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU); C and E: received MNU; B: H. pylori, but no MNU. Animals were killed at 41 weeks, stomachs were mapped, and the relationship between metaplasia and cancer was assessed. RESULTS: Intestinal metaplasia occurred more frequently in the H. pylori-infected, MNU-treated gerbils than in those receiving H. pylori inoculation only (P < 0.01). Carcinomas arose only in H. pylori-infected animals receiving MNU (8 well differentiated, 2 poorly differentiated, and 10 signet ring). Intestinal metaplasia occurred more frequently in association with intestinal-type carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma arise in stomachs subjected to the same injuries (in this study, H. pylori and MNU). Only two intestinal-type carcinomas were contiguous to intestinal metaplasia; all other tumors developed most commonly at non-metaplastic sites. This suggests that in this animal model H. pylori and MNU induce several phenotypes of gastric cancer, but intestinal metaplasia may be a direct precursor only in a subset of the intestinal-type tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗