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Biomedical subjects

A Takada

Publications and source records attributed to A Takada.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

TNP-470 inhibits collateralization to complement the anti-tumour effect of hepatic artery ligation.

We examined hepatic artery ligation combined with an angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, in the treatment of VX2 tumour inoculated into the liver of rabbits. Effects on tumour growth were correlated with arterial collateral development in this system. Three treatment methods were compared: (1) the left hepatic artery was ligated at the liver hilum (ligation group); (2) TNP-470 (40 mg per body) was infused continuously for 7 days via the common hepatic artery (TNP group); (3) the left hepatic artery was ligated and TNP-470 was infused continuously for 7 days via the common hepatic artery (ligation + TNP group). These treatments were started 12-14 days after tumour inoculation. The day of initiating treatment was defined as day 0. Although there were no significant differences in tumour volume among the three treated groups on day 7 after treatment, tumour volumes in the ligation + TNP group were significantly smaller than in the ligation group and the TNP group on day 14 after treatment. The vasculature and arterial collaterals around the tumour were demonstrated by the perfusion of a silicon rubber solution, Microfil. In the ligation + TNP group, the new microvasculature around the tumour decreased compared with the ligation group. The TNP-470 inhibition of microvascular proliferation may limit the development of collaterals that communicate with new feeding arteries. These results suggest that transarterial embolization combined with TNP-470 may enhance the anti-tumour effect of transarterial embolization alone in the treatment of liver tumours.

Alanine Transaminase↗

A case of giant peritoneal loose bodies mimicking calcified leiomyoma originating from the rectum.

Two giant peritoneal loose bodies were found in the pelvis in a 79-year-old man. These bodies were demonstrated by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to be well circumscribed masses and to have marked calcification in their central portion. Preoperatively, these bodies had been diagnosed as a calcified leiomyoma originating from the rectum; however, surgery revealed these lesions to be detached appendices epiploica. Histological examination showed that these peritoneal loose bodies consisted of thin layers of eosinophilic substance and had no cellular component. Small peritoneal loose bodies are occasionally found during laparotomy, but such large ones measuring 6 cm are very rare. In our case, accurate diagnosis could not be obtained preoperatively, because these loose bodies mimicked calcified leiomyoma of the rectum.

Aged↗

Cloning, tissue distribution, and functional expression of two novel rabbit cytochrome P450 isozymes, CYP2D23 and CYP2D24.

We cloned two novel cytochrome P450 cDNAs (CYP2D23 and CYP2D24) from a rabbit liver cDNA library. The open-reading frames of these cDNAs encode proteins that are each composed of 500 amino acids. The amino acid sequence identity of CYP2D23 with CYP2D24 is 91.6%, and the homology of these two isozymes with other known mammalian CYPs in the CYP2D subfamily range from 64.9 to 79.8%. Using RT-PCR, we determined the distribution of these two isozymes in 9 major organs, including brain tissue sections. CYP2D23 mRNA was abundantly expressed in the liver and small intestine, but only slightly in the brain sections, whereas CYP2D24 mRNA was expressed in the liver, small intestine, and stomach. CYP2D23 and CYP2D24 were heterogeneously expressed in 293T cells. CYP2D24 effectively catalyzed the oxidation of bufuralol and bunitrolol, the archetypal substrates of the CYP2D subfamily, while CYP2D23 exhibited catalytic activity only toward bufuralol. The results of this first study on rabbit CYP2D isozymes indicate that CYP2D23 and CYP2D24 are functionally expressed in rabbits, and have different organ distributions and metabolic properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Endoscope-assisted transaxillary removal of glandular tissue in gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is a condition commonly associated with puberty. An endoscope-assisted transaxillary procedure was used to treat a patient with this condition. An endoscope system was inserted into a 4-cm skin incision in the axilla, and the glands and adjacent fat were removed en bloc. The resulting scar in the axilla was small and inconspicuous, and the postoperative breast contour satisfied the patient. The endoscopic system provided a useful transaxillary approach. These results show that this method appears to be the most suitable one for surgical management of gynecomastia.

Adolescent↗

Vascular and cardiac effects of DV-7028, a selective, 5-HT2-receptor antagonist in rats.

The effect of 5HT2A-receptor antagonist DV-7028 (3-[2-[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]ethyl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro - 2H-pyrido[1,2,-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-dione maleate on the rat cardiovascular system was evaluated. DV-7028 (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg), given intravenously, caused a significant, dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial blood pressure in anesthetized normotensive rats. In vagotomized rats, administration of DV-7028 resulted in a reduction of mean blood pressure, but this effect was less prominent than that seen in nonvagotomized rats. Intravenous administration of DV-7028 induced bradycardia, which was almost completely abolished by vagotomy. In pithed rats, bradycardia and hypotension were not demonstrated after DV-7028 administration. In pithed rats, serotonin administered intravenously caused a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure. In this experimental model, DV-7028 inhibited the pressor effects of serotonin at doses of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg, which caused neither hypotension nor bradycardia in anesthetized rats. DV-7028 strongly inhibited the pressor effects of serotonin in the isolated perfused hindlegs of the rat (IC50 = 0.032 +/- 0.004 microM) and caused a concentration-dependent, almost parallel shift to the right of the concentration-response curve to serotonin for its pressor effect in the rat perfused tail artery (pA2 value for DV-7028 was 7.92, a slope 0.94). These data demonstrate that DV-7028 exhibits 5-HT2A-receptor antagonistic property in the rat cardiovascular system. Besides this peripheral action, DV-7028, when applied in high doses, exerts hypotension and bradycardia via an unknown site and mechanism.

Animals↗

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura causing recurrent hypoglycemia by secretion of insulin-like growth factor II.

A case of malignant solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is reported, occurring in a 61-year-old man with frequent hypoglycemia. Endocrinological analyses showed high serum levels of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and suppressed secretion of insulin. After the removal of a pleural tumor, which weighed 3150 g, serum IGF-II levels returned to normal and hypoglycemic attacks ceased. The tumor was composed of uniform spindle cells arranged in bundles, and fascicles with varying amounts of collagen and reticulin fibers. Mitotic figures at the rate of 6/10 high-power fields, and frequent foci of necrosis and hemorrhage were seen. Almost all of the tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for vimentin and CD34. Electron microscopy revealed the immature mesenchymal or myofibroblastic nature of the tumor cells. These findings are consistent with malignant SFT of the pleura. Moreover, the tumor produced IGF-II mRNA as demonstrated by northern blot analysis. Thus, hypoglycemia of this patient was induced by SFT through the production and secretion of IGF-II.

Antigens, CD34↗

Evaluation of the topical delivery of a prednisolone derivative based upon percutaneous penetration kinetic analysis.

Prednisolone (PN) and an esterified derivative (PND) were evaluated in pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies. The pharmacological study was performed using a rat croton-oil induced ear edema model. The results for the topical effect in skin and the systemic effect through multiple topical applications showed that PN and PND were equally potent in suppressing edema, and that PN caused a reduction in thymus weight, whereas PND had little effect. The concentration of these steroids in hairless mouse skin was estimated from an in vitro percutaneous absorption study using the computer simulation program MULTI(FILT). PND was found to be poorly absorbed. In fact, the PND concentration in the viable skin remained low (0.79 microg/cm2), even after 7 d. However, the estimated concentration of PND in the viable skin appears to be in excess of the threshold for effective topical effect during the pharmacological evaluation. In contrast, in the case of PN, the estimated PN concentration increased gradually after application and reached a level of 10.22 microg/cm2 at day 7, suggesting that this increase in PN concentration in the viable skin could result in a systemic effect. The difference between PN and PND concentration in the skin during the time course could be due to the metabolism of PND to PN in the viable skin. Consequently, the difference between the pharmacological study is reflected from the results of the pharmacokinetics of PN and PND in the skin.

Administration, Topical↗

Pharmacological studies on the novel antiallergic drug HQL-79: I. Antiallergic and antiasthmatic effects in various experimental models.

The effects of oral administration of 4-benzhydryloxy-1-[3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-propyl]piperidine (HQL-79), a newly synthesized antiallergic drug, in various experimental allergic and asthmatic models were investigated. HQL-79 markedly inhibited immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats, antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and nasal vascular permeability in actively sensitized guinea pigs, like epinastine and ketotifen did. Airway eosinophilia in repeatedly antigen-exposed guinea pigs was suppressed by chronic administration of HQL-79 for 2 weeks. In another experiment, the antigen-induced late asthmatic response (LAR) in metyrapone-treated guinea pigs was also ameliorated by chronic treatment with HQL-79. Moreover, HQL-79 partially inhibited the toluene diisocyanate-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in mice when administered chronically during the immunization period. The corticosteroid dexamethasone inhibited the airway inflammatory responses in guinea pigs and the DTH in mice. These results indicate that HQL-79 has potent inhibitory effects on the immediate hypersensitivity reactions, and when administered chronically, it also inhibits airway eosinophilia, LAR and DTH, similarly to corticosteroids.

Animals↗

Pharmacological studies on the novel antiallergic drug HQL-79: II. Elucidation of mechanisms for antiallergic and antiasthmatic effects.

The effects of 4-benzhydryloxy-1-[3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-propyl]piperidine (HQL-79), a newly developed antiallergic drug, on various chemical mediators and on chemical mediator release were investigated. Orally administered HQL-79 strongly inhibited the histamine-induced skin reaction in rats, and histamine- and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. HQL-79 inhibited antigen-induced release of leukotriene (LT) B4, LTC4, histamine and prostaglandin (PG) D2 from the chopped lung tissues of actively sensitized guinea pigs. On the other hand, release of PGE2, one of the bronchoprotective prostanoids, was significantly enhanced by HQL-79. In an in vivo experiment, chronic administration of HQL-79 clearly reduced PGD2 contents and enhanced PGE2 contents in the lungs of repeatedly antigen-exposed guinea pigs. In biochemical studies, HQL-79 inhibited mouse spleen PGD synthase in a concentration-dependent manner. None of the antiallergics such as epinastine, terfenadine, oxatomide and cetirizine inhibited the PGD synthase. HQL-79 did not affect PGE synthase in sheep vesicular gland microsomes. These results suggest that antiallergic and antiasthmatic effects of HQL-79 could be ascribed to antihistaminic- and anti-5-HT effects, chemical mediator release inhibition, PGE2-release enhancement and PGD synthase inhibition. It is considered, in particular, that the differential modulation of PGD2 and PGE2 production is a conspicuous pharmacological feature of HQL-79.

Animals↗

Plasma levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA increased after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) causes serious systemic injury, mainly from a variety of bioactive substances released from the injured intestine. To assess the possible roles of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a bioactive amine mainly stored in the intestine, in I/R injury, we assayed the levels of tryptophan, 5-HT, and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the blood and intestine in a rat I/R model. Plasma 5-HT increased significantly over time after reperfusion; the plateau level was obtained 4 h after reperfusion and was associated with an increase in 5-HIAA. Plasma tryptophan levels declined gradually after reperfusion. The ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT was significantly higher in I/R rats than in control rats, suggesting that elevated 5-HT was quickly metabolized in the systemic circulation. In the intestine, 5-HT decreased dramatically, whereas tryptophan increased. This phenomenon was prominent in the severely damaged intestine. These findings suggest that the injured intestine released large amounts of 5-HT, whereas its synthesis in the injured intestine was suppressed. An increase in 5-HT in the circulation may be related to various circulatory disturbances observed in humans after intestinal ischemia.

5-Methoxytryptamine↗

Potentially virulent Newcastle disease viruses are maintained in migratory waterfowl populations.

Forty-seven Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains isolated from fecal samples of waterfowls in Alaska and Siberia from 1991 to 1996 were analyzed for their virulence. None of the viruses formed plaques on MDBK cells in the absence of trypsin. Of these, 29 strains showed virulent character by the mean death time with the minimum lethal dose in chicken embryos comparable to velogenic NDV strains. Of the 29 strains, 11 were sequenced for their fusion protein (F) gene. The results showed that 5 of them contained a pair of dibasic amino acids at the cleavage site of the F, which is of a virulent type. The present results suggest that potentially virulent strains of NDV are maintained in migratory waterfowl populations in nature, and that some of those may be transmitted to domestic poultry and acquire pathogenicity during passages in chicken population.

Alaska↗

Human thrombin and calcium bound factor Xa significantly shorten tPA-induced fibrin clot lysis time via neutralization of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 activity.

Employing a fibrin clot lysis assay, we reassessed the significance of the neutralization of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) activity by thrombin and factor-Xa in fibrinolysis. When PAI-1 enriched fibrin clots were formed using increasing concentrations of thrombin (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 IU/ml), their lysis times became shorter (43.8 +/- 4.9, 25.7 +/- 3.7, 13.9 +/- 0.8 h respectively). Times were shortened further by either heparin (43.9 +/- 11.0, 12.1 +/- 2.6, 3.6 +/- 0.2 h respectively) or vitronectin (17.0 +/- 1.6, 1.9 +/- 0.7, 0.9 +/- 0.0 h respectively). Factor-Xa together with Ca++ shortened the clot lysis time further. Fibrin autography revealed that both enzymes dose dependently interfered with complex formation between tPA and PAI-1, making large amounts of tPA remaining to be free form. The mechanism seems to play a role in the coagulation associated enhancement of fibrinolysis.

Anticoagulants↗

A system for functional analysis of Ebola virus glycoprotein.

Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates, resulting in mortality rates of up to 90%. Studies of this virus have been hampered by its extraordinary pathogenicity, which requires biosafety level 4 containment. To circumvent this problem, we developed a novel complementation system for functional analysis of Ebola virus glycoproteins. It relies on a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that contains the green fluorescent protein gene instead of the receptor-binding G protein gene (VSVDeltaG*). Herein we show that Ebola Reston virus glycoprotein (ResGP) is efficiently incorporated into VSV particles. This recombinant VSV with integrated ResGP (VSVDeltaG*-ResGP) infected primate cells more efficiently than any of the other mammalian or avian cells examined, in a manner consistent with the host range tropism of Ebola virus, whereas VSVDeltaG* complemented with VSV G protein (VSVDeltaG*-G) efficiently infected the majority of the cells tested. We also tested the utility of this system for investigating the cellular receptors for Ebola virus. Chemical modification of cells to alter their surface proteins markedly reduced their susceptibility to VSVDeltaG*-ResGP but not to VSVDeltaG*-G. These findings suggest that cell surface glycoproteins with N-linked oligosaccharide chains contribute to the entry of Ebola viruses, presumably acting as a specific receptor and/or cofactor for virus entry. Thus, our VSV system should be useful for investigating the functions of glycoproteins from highly pathogenic viruses or those incapable of being cultured in vitro.

Animals↗

The cysteine residues of the M2 protein are not required for influenza A virus replication.

The M2 protein of influenza A virus functions as an ion channel. It contains three cysteine residues: cysteines 17 and 19, which form disulfide bonds in the ectodomain, and cysteine 50 which is acylated. To understand the role of these cysteine residues in virus replication, we used reverse genetics to create influenza viruses in which the individual cysteines were mutated and a virus in which all three cysteines were changed to serine. The M2 cysteine mutants that lacked either of the cysteine residues in the ectodomain and the mutant that lacked all three residues had appreciably lower amounts of M2 oligomers than did the wild-type virus when examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. None of the mutants, however, were defective in replication, either in vitro or in ferrets and mice. These findings demonstrate that noncovalent interactions are sufficient for the M2 protein to form functional oligomers for virus replication and that its cysteine residues are dispensable for influenza virus replication in vitro and in vivo.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Stimulation of delta1- and delta2-opioid receptors produces amnesia in mice.

The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of delta1- and delta2-selective opioid receptor agonists on spontaneous alternation performance, elevated plus-maze behavior and passive avoidance learning including step-down and step-through types were examined in mice. Although the delta1-selective opioid receptor agonist, [D-Pen2,L-Pen5]enkephalin (DPLPE) (1-10 microg) or the delta2-selective opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala2]deltorphin II (deltorphin) (1-10 microg) did not markedly affect spontaneous alternation performance or elevated plus-maze behavior, DPLPE (1, 3 and/or 10 microg) and deltorphin (3 and 10 microg) inhibited passive avoidance learning including step-down and step-through types. The delta1-selective opioid receptor antagonist, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (3.5 ng), and the delta2-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naltriben (19 ng), significantly antagonized the inhibitory effects of DPLPE (3 microg) and deltorphin (3 microg) on passive avoidance learning, respectively. In contrast, DPLPE (3 microg) or deltorphin (3 microg) did not markedly influence behavioral responses induced by electroshocks during training of passive avoidance learning. Moreover, DPLPE (0.3-3 microg) or deltorphin (0.3-3 microg) failed to significantly affect the radiant heat-induced nociceptive responses. These results suggest that stimulation of delta1- and delta2-opioid receptors produces amnesia, depending on the learning tasks used.

Amnesia↗

DNA binding properties of the hfq gene product of Escherichia coli.

We found that plasmids isolated by alkaline-lysis method occasionally showed abnormal mobility on agarose gel electrophoresis. This abnormality was not detected after phenol extraction of plasmids, indicating that it was caused by proteinous factor(s). A 15-kDa protein was found in the plasmid preparations on SDS-PAGE. The sequence of eighteen N-terminal amino acid residues of the 15-kDa protein was identical with the host factor I (HF-I) encoded by the hfq gene at 95 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome map, which is known to be required for bacteriophage Qbeta replication. The HF-I protein was purified and in vitro DNA binding experiment was carried out. HF-I bound to both supercoiled DNA and linear DNA and the binding of HF-I seemed to be sequence-nonspecific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗