Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Fujii

Publications and source records attributed to H Fujii.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources

Anomeric preference of glucose phosphorylation and glycolysis in human erythrocytes.

Lactate output from the alpha and beta anomers of glucose was measured in intact human erythrocytes at 37 degrees C; and glucose anomer phosphorylation, in human erythrocyte homogenates. The rates of both glucose metabolism (lactate output) and phosphorylation were higher in the presence of beta-D-glucose as distinct from alpha-D-glucose at three glucose concentrations used (2, 5, and 10 mM). Thus, the v beta/v alpha ratios of metabolism and phosphorylation of glucose at 2 mM were 1.24 and 1.22, respectively. The results indicate that the beta preference of hexokinase, a rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, is reflected in beta-preferential glycolysis.

Blood Glucose↗

[Intracranial pressure irregularities in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage].

The intracranial pressure (ICP) irregularities, i.e., pressure waves, were studied in dogs with experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. Animals were lightly anesthetised, immobilised with panchronium bromide and respirated artificially. Subarachnoid infusion of hemolysed red blood cells was used to induce intracranial hypertension. Recordings of both systemic blood pressure (SBP) and ICP were undertaken continuously. After the infusion of hemolysed blood the ICP increased gradually and reached to 50 mmHg or more at the terminal stage. The pressure waves were classified into two types, i.e., the fast waves and the slow waves. The fast waves had a duration of 10-30 seconds, being accompanied by a marked increase of the SBP. The slow waves gradually increased their frequency and the duration, when the ICP increased more than 20 mmHg or more resembling plateau-like waves. Postmorten examination showed hemogenic meningitis at the base of the brain, especially the medulla oblongata. The results suggest that studies of the slow waves is of value for analyzing plateau waves.

Animals↗

Liver microsomal drug metabolism in ethanol-treated hamsters.

Administration of ethanol in drinking water to Syrian golden hamsters for 1-3 weeks caused alterations of microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in the liver accompanied by a slight elevation in cytochrome P-450 content. Ethanol treatment resulted in an increase in the activities for ethanol oxidation, aniline p-hydroxylation and dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylation. In particular, when dimethylnitrosamine was used as a substrate, the rate of formaldehyde formation was enhanced by 2- to 2.7-fold, while ethanol oxidation and aniline p-hydroxylation were increased by 1.5- to 2- and 1.2- to 1.3-fold, respectively. On the other hand, the activities of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, benzphetamine N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylase were apparently decreased after ethanol treatment. These results for hamsters were significantly different from those reported for rats.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of biological specimens by electron paramagnetic resonance of nitroxide spin labels.

Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated on two plant species, Apium graveolens and Coleus blumei. This was accomplished by soaking stems of these plants in the paramagnetic nitroxide imaging agent 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl. The experiments were accomplished at L-band frequency (1.4 to 1.9 gigahertz) with single-turn, flat-loop surface coils. One-dimensional imaging spectra were diagnostic of capillary structure and long-term stability.

Cyclic N-Oxides↗

Altered metabolic profiles of valproic acid in a patient with Reye's syndrome.

Urinary valproate metabolite and endogenous organic acid profiles in a 6-yr-old girl with Reye's syndrome were investigated by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 2-n-Propyl-3-oxovaleric acid, normally the major metabolite of valproate in man, was undetectable, while 2-n-propylglutaric acid, the end product via omega-oxidation was markedly increased. Polyunsaturated valproate was not found. Valproate-glucuronide was still found as the major metabolite. The clinical findings coupled with a greatly increased excretion of lactate and adipate was compatible with Reye's syndrome. Ketone bodies were not detectable. This case study shows that Reye's syndrome causes altered valproate metabolism, consistent with the defective mitochondrial beta-oxidation of medium chain fatty acids, and suggests that valproic acid should not be used in the treatment of seizures in patients with this syndrome.

Biotransformation↗

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) in leukemia: clinical value of plasma ADA activity and characterization of leukemic cell ADA.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and mononuclear cells from 18 patients with acute and chronic leukemia. High levels of ADA activities were found in plasma, erythrocytes, and mononuclear cells from patients with acute leukemia, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and blastic crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia. Serial determination of plasma ADA activities was done in 9 patients with acute leukemia. All patients untreated or in relapse had an elevation of plasma ADA activity, which decreased to normal or subnormal levels during complete remission. On starch gel electrophoresis, plasma ADA in leukemic patients separated into two bands. The major band showed a mobility identical to that of normal red cells and mononuclear cells, and the minor band corresponded to that of normal plasma ADA. Enzymatic and immunological studies were performed on ADA from leukemic cells of acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia. There were no differences in Michaelis constant for adenosine, thermostability, electrophoretic mobility, immunological reactivity, and specific activity between ADA of leukemic cells and normal mononuclear cells. These results strongly suggest that the increased ADA activity in leukemic cells is caused by an increased synthesis of a structurally normal enzyme and that increased plasma ADA activity in leukemic patients reflects an increment of leukemic cells in bone marrow. Therefore, serial determination of plasma ADA activities seems to provide a good indicator of the total mass of leukemic cells in bone marrow.

Acute Disease↗