Biomedical subjects

H Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to H Inoue.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Differential interaction of Cbl with Grb2 and CrkL in CD2-mediated NK cell activation.

Natural killer (NK) cells participate in both innate and adoptive immunity by their prompt secretion of cytokines and by their ability to lyse virally infected cells or tumor cells. CD2 is surface glycoprotein receptors and crucial for NK cell activation. However, molecular events involved in CD2-mediated NK cell activation have not been fully elucidated. Cbl-Grb2 and Cbl-CrkL interactions have been implicated in T cell and B cell receptor, and cytokine receptor signaling. Here we analyzed tyrosine phosphorylation and interactions of Cbl with adapter proteins, Grb2 and CrkL, in NK3.3 cells. CD2 crosslinking results in the marked tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl in an antibody concentration- and time-dependent manner. Immunodepletion studies reveal that Grb2-associated tyrosine phosphorylated p120 kDa protein is Cbl. In vitro binding studies using GST-fusion proteins demonstrate that Cbl constitutively associates with the SH3 domains of Grb2, with a preference for the amino-terminal domain. In addition, we demonstrate that CrkL associates with a large portion of tyrosine phosphorylated Cbl after CD2 stimulation of NK3.3 cells. In contrast to constitutive Cbl association with Grb2, tyrosine phosphorylated Cbl interacts with CrkL via its SH2 domain only after CD2 stimulation. Although the precise roles of interactions of Cbl with Grb2 and CrkL in NK cell activation remains to be elucidated, their tyrosine phosphorylation, in addition to the multiple protein interactions described here, strongly suggest that interactions of Cbl with Grb2 and CrkL may play pivotal roles in CD2-mediated NK cell activation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2000

Regional distribution and plasma concentration of peptide YY in sheep.

Peptide YY (PYY)-positive cells are distributed in the mucosa of the ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum of sheep, but not in other layers of these regions. By radioimmunoassay, mucosal content of PYY in the ovine large intestine was much less than that in the rat intestine. The plasma concentration of immunoreactive PYY did not significantly fluctuate over a 48-h period in conscious sheep, even after ingestion of roughage and concentrate. Intraluminal nutrients into the ileum and i.v. CCK8 also did not raise the plasma level of PYY. Therefore, PYY seems unlikely to play a role as "ileal brake" in sheep.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Lipoprotein(a) is a risk factor for occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in patients with coronary vasospasm.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine whether lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is an independent risk factor for coronary spasm and occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with coronary spasm. BACKGROUND: Although elevated serum Lp(a) levels are known to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis and AMI, the association between the elevated level of this lipoprotein and coronary spasm remains to be elucidated. METHODS: Serum Lp(a) levels were measured using a latex immunoassay in 77 patients with coronary spasm but without a significant (>75%) fixed coronary stenosis, including 16 with prior myocardial infarction (MI), in 177 patients with a fixed stenosis but without rest angina, including 114 with prior MI and in 81 control subjects without coronary artery disease. RESULTS: The serum Lp(a) level in patients with coronary spasm (median; 17 mg/dl) was higher (p < 0.01) than in control subjects (12 mg/dl) but lower (p < 0.01) than in patients with a fixed stenosis (23 mg/dl). The incidence of subjects with higher (>25 mg/dl) serum Lp(a) levels was higher in patients with a fixed stenosis (46%, p < 0.01) but not in patients with coronary spasm (27%), compared with control subjects (21%). Among the patients with coronary spasm, the incidence of higher Lp(a) levels was higher in patients with than in those without a history of prior MI (56% vs. 21%, p < 0.05). The patients with higher Lp(a) levels had a higher incidence of prior MI than those without (41% vs. 13%, p < 0.05). The multivariate analysis confirmed that higher serum Lp(a) level is an independent determinant for prior MI in these patients (odds ratio, 4.19; 95%, confidence interval, 1.03 to 17.00). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum level of Lp(a) was found to be associated with a history of prior MI in patients with coronary spasm, suggesting that Lp(a) may play an important role in the genesis of thrombotic coronary occlusion and the occurrence of AMI subsequent to coronary spasm.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

The effects of growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) on the release of growth hormone and growth performance in swine.

The effects of GHRP-2 (also named KP102), a new growth hormone-releasing peptide, on the release of growth hormone (GH) and growth performance were examined in swine. The single intravenous (i. v.) injection of GHRP-2 at doses of 2, 10, 30 and 100 microg/kg body weight (BW) to cross-bred castrated male swine stimulated GH release in a dose-dependent manner, with a return to the baseline by 120 min. The peak GH concentrations and GH areas under the response curves (GH AUCs) for 180 min after the injections of GHRP-2 were higher (P < 0.05) than those after the injection of saline. The GH responses to repeated i.v. injections of GHRP-2 (30 microg/kg BW) at 2-h intervals for 6 h were decreased after each injection. The chronic subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of GHRP-2 (30 microg/kg BW) once daily for 30 days consistently stimulated GH release. The GH AUCs for 300 min after the injections on d 1, 10 and 30 of treatment in GHRP-2-treated swine were higher than those in saline-treated swine. However, chronic administration of GHRP-2 caused a partial attenuation of GH response between d 1 and 10 of treatment. The chronic s.c. administration of GHRP-2 also increased average daily gain for the entire treatment period by 22.35% (P < 0.05) and feed efficiency (feed/gain) by 20.64% (P < 0.01) over the saline control values, but did not significantly affect daily feed intake. These results indicate that GHRP-2 stimulates GH release and enhancing growth performance in swine.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Removal of 125I from radioactive experimental waste with an anion exchange paper membrane.

The behavior of radioactive iodide and chloride ions through an anion exchange paper membrane to remove 125I from radioactive experimental waste has been studied with nonequilibrium thermodynamic analyses. Anion exchange paper membrane was found to be electroconductively more permeable to iodide ion than to chloride ion. The iodide ion bound more strongly to the anion exchange site within a membrane phase than the chloride ion by more than twice. The results suggested that an anion exchange paper membrane was appropriate for the filtration removal system.

Filtration↗

PubMed2000

Expression of neurotrophins and their receptors (TRK) during fracture healing.

To clarify the roles of neurotrophins and their receptors in bone formation, expression of neurotrophins and their receptors (TRK) in a model of mouse fracture healing was investigated. A total of 120 male ICR mice were studied. The right eighth rib of 70 mice was fractured. For sham operation as a control, the right eighth rib of 50 mice was similarly exposed but not fractured. Localization of TRKA, TRKB, and TRKC in a rectangular region of the rib together with surrounding soft tissues was investigated by immunostaining. Localizations of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) at the fracture callus were also investigated by immunostaining, and their mitochondrial RNA (mRNA) expressions were investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result, we observed two types of neurotrophin receptors in the bone forming area: immunostaining by anti-TRKA was observed in almost all bone forming cells, and staining with anti-TRKC was observed in osteoblast-like cells and hypertrophic chondrocytes, but no staining was observed with anti-TRKB. On the other hand, localization of NGF was observed in almost all bone forming cells, localization of BDNF was observed in osteoblast-like cells, and localization of NT-3 was observed in osteoblast-like cells and hypertrophic chondrocytes at the fracture callus. Expression levels of the mRNA of three neurotrophins in the fractured rib were increased during the process of healing, especially those of NGF and NT-3, which peaked at 2 days after the fracture. The level of BDNF mRNA increased gradually over 8 days. These findings show that neurotrophins and their receptors were expressed in bone forming cells, and suggest that they are involved in the regulation of bone formation as an autocrine and paracrine factor in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

A unique monoclonal antibody mNI-11 rapidly enhances spread formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

We previously reported a novel monoclonal antibody (MAb), designated mNI-11, recognizing an adhesion-associated antigen distinct from any previously reported ones. In this article, this adhesion-associated antigen with a molecular weight of about 97 kDa was found to be strongly expressed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. Expression of this antigen on HUVECs was slightly increased in response to the exposure to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). As a biological function exerted by this antigen, it was of great interest that immobilized mNI-11 directly and rapidly enhanced the spread formation of HUVECs, whereas MAbs binding other adhesion-associated antigens such as mNI-58A (anti-CD11a), L130 (anti-CD18), L133.1 (anti-CD31), L178 (anti-CD44), L25.3 (anti-CD49d), or LB-2 (anti-CD54) did not carry such activity under the same conditions. The HUVECs spread formation enhanced by mNI-11 was completely blocked in the presence of a microfilament formation inhibitor, cytochalasin D (CyD), a Ca2+ calmodulin inhibitor, W-7, EDTA, and was partially blocked by a microtubule formation inhibitor, nocodazole, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, H-7, and a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX). However, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, genistein, did not affect the spread formation under the same conditions. Taken together, it was suggested that the spread formation of HUVECs enhanced by mNI-11 was mainly associated with the influx of Ca2+ and microfilament reorganization. In addition, the novel property associated with mNI-11 to enhance the spread formation of HUVECs was possibly mediated through its reaction against a unique epitope on HUVECs.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed2000

Clinical implications of interleukin (IL)-10 induced by non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The type 2 cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 has been reported to inhibit the antitumour activity of the regional immunity against various neoplasms. Certain lung cancers produce IL-10, but the clinical significance of IL-10 expression is not well understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined IL-10 and IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) mRNA expression in 82 non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were applied to evaluate the cellular localisation and the serum levels of IL-10. RESULTS: RT-PCR assay revealed IL-10 mRNA expression in 68 (83%) of 82 NSCLC surgical specimens (40 of 50 adenocarcinomas, 22 of 26 squamous cell carcinomas, 5 of 5 large-cell carcinomas, 1 of 1 adenosquamous-cell carcinoma). RT-PCR assay also revealed IL-10R mRNA expression in 79 cases of NSCLC (96.1%). IL-10 expression was confirmed within tumour cells by IHC. EIA showed no significant serum IL-10 elevation in the 12 NSCLC positive for IL-10 mRNA expression (0-2.99 pg/ml). The NSCLC patients with IL-10 production showed significantly poorer prognosis than those without IL-10 production (P < 0.05, Kaplan Meier, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the cytoplasmic IL-10 correlated to clinical prognosis, and that IL-10 expression is a prognostic factor for NSCLC.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

PubMed2000

Expression of interleukin-7 and its receptor in thyroid lymphoma.

Patho-epidemiological studies have shown that thyroid lymphomas (TL) develop in thyroids affected by chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLTH). Cytokines produced in CLTH might play a pivotal role for lymphomagenesis, because previous reports indicate an important role of cytokines in lymphomagenesis. We examined the expression of interleukin-7 (IL-7), a pleiotropic cytokine that acts mainly on cells of the hematolymphoid system, and IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) in both TL and CLTH by RT-PCR. IL-7-specific transcripts were detected more frequently in TL than in CLTH lesions (p < 0.01). IL-7 expression was higher in TL than in CLTH. IL-7R and the common gamma chain were expressed in all but one TL and in all CLTH lesions, in similar levels. We established the sensitive in situ hybridization (ISH) method for detection of IL-7. ISH for IL-7 revealed cytoplasmic signals among cells in the germinal center and mantle zone of lymphoid follicles and interfollicular areas in the TL and CLTH lesions. In the lymphomatous areas of TL, similar numbers of scattered large and small lymphoid cells expressing IL-7 were found. The number of IL-7-expressing cells counted in 10 fields in TL (119.4 +/- 10.6 cells) was significantly higher than found in CLTH lesions (43.1 +/- 4.6) (p < 0.001). These findings suggest a pathogenetic role for IL-7 in the development of TL. ISH showed that the germinal center cells, interfollicular cells, and lymphoma cells expressed IL-7R, but mantle zone cells did not. Because lymphoid cells in lymphoid follicles and the interfollicular area formed in CLTH expressed IL-7, TL cells might proliferate via their own IL-7 and IL-7R, and via IL-7 from reactive lymphoid cells.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Manometric and hormonal changes after distal partial gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Alkaline oesophagitis attributable to duodenal mechanisms may induce oesophageal carcinogenesis in a rat reflux model. AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the regurgitation after distal partial gastrectomy. METHODS: Oesophageal manometry was used in 16 patients before and after distal partial gastrectomy with reconstruction by Bilroth methods. Serum concentrations of four gastrointestinal hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay in 10 gastrectomy patients and nine healthy volunteers before and after a standardized meal. RESULTS: The lower oesophageal sphincter pressure was reduced to 83% after surgery. The amplitude and duration of the peristaltic waves tended to be increased, and the velocity tended to be less after surgery (amplitude 120%, duration 114%, velocity 88%). Interrupted waves appeared more frequently after surgery. The manometric changes in gastrectomized patients are considered to be disadvantageous relative to regurgitation. After surgery, gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide were completely abolished postprandially, whereas cholecystokinin and neurotensin were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The hormonal changes should have a suppressive effect on the lower oesophageal sphincter. Both the manometric and the hormonal changes may exacerbate reflux oesophagitis after distal partial gastrectomy.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Pulmonary lipiodol embolism during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatoblastoma under general anaesthesia.

We present a case of pulmonary embolism that occurred during the injection of lipiodol during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization under general anaesthesia. A 7-year-old child suffering from a large hepatoblastoma was admitted for arterial chemoembolization and carcinostatic administration. Pulmonary embolism due to lipiodol during arterial chemoembolization was evident by a sudden fall in oxyhaemoglobin saturation from 100 to 90%. This was associated with a spread of lipiodol into both lungs, particularly the middle lung zones and detected by chest fluoroscopy. Arterial blood gases returned to normal values 1 day later but pulmonary infiltration persisted for 7 days before final clearance. Pulmonary embolism caused by lipiodol during arterial chemoembolization is infrequent, but such a complication could prove fatal. Understanding the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients receiving lipiodol, during and after arterial chemoembolization, and late onset pulmonary injury is important and a close follow-up for several days after arterial chemoembolization is advisable.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

PubMed2000

Carboxyl-terminal region conserved among phosphoinositide-kinase-related kinases is indispensable for mTOR function in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) belongs to the family of phosphoinositide (PI)-kinase-related kinases that includes the ataxia-telangiectasia gene product (ATM). mTOR plays a critical role in controlling translational effectors such as p70 S6 kinase alpha (p70 alpha) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1). RESULTS: We show that the C-terminal region of mTOR, which is highly conserved among the PI-kinase-related kinases, plays a critical role in the mTOR protein kinase activity. Deletion of the C-terminal residues did not adversely affect the expression of mTOR, but caused a nearly complete loss of the mTOR protein kinase activity toward both 4EBP1 and p70 alpha in vitro. These deletions also abolished the ability of a rapamycin-resistant mTOR mutant to rescue the activity of p70 alpha from inhibition induced by rapamycin in vivo. Furthermore, replacement of Trp2545, a conserved residue in the C-terminal region throughout the PI-kinase-related kinase family, abolished the function of the mTOR kinase, both in vivo and in vitro. However, substitution of 32 C-terminal residues of mTOR with those of ATM did not restore the mTOR function. CONCLUSIONS: These findings define an indispensable role for the noncatalytic C-terminal region of mTOR and indicate that, although this highly conserved region may be important throughout the PI-kinase-related kinase family, it is not functionally interchangeable within the family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Clinicopathologic analysis of lymph node metastasis in surgically resected superficial cancer of the thoracic esophagus.

We examined lymph node metastasis clinicopathologically in 236 cases of superficial cancer (T1, Tis) of the thoracic esophagus surgically resected at our department without adjuvant treatment. Mucosal cancer was observed in 112 cases (47%) and submucosal cancer in 124 cases (53%). Lymph node metastasis was present in 3% of mucosal cancer cases and 41% of submucosal cancer cases. By the recent pathologic subclassification of the extent of the cancerous invasion in superficial esophageal cancer, mucosal cancer and submucosal cancer were each divided into three subtypes according to the extent of invasion, i.e. m1, m2, m3, sm1, sm2 and sm3 cancers. There was no case of lymph node metastasis in m1 and m2 cases, but it was observed in 8% of m3 cases, in 11% of sm1 cases, in 30% of sm2 cases and in 61% of sm3 cases. The number of involved nodes was three or less in m3 and sm1 cases, however four or more involved nodes were observed in 14% of sm2 cases and in 24% of sm3 cases. Positive lymph nodes were found only in the mediastinum in m3 and sm1 cases. On the contrary, they were found extensively in the mediastinum, the abdomen and the neck and in two or more regions in 27% of sm2 cases and in 38% of sm3 cases. Considering the location of positive nodes, the recurrent nerve lymph nodes were most frequently involved, followed by the cardiac lymph nodes. A similar tendency was observed in cases with single node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate of cases from m1 to sm1 was similar. That of sm3 cases was significantly worse than that of other groups. Based on the clinical results, the therapeutic guidelines for superficial cancer of the thoracic esophagus are considered to be as follows: (i) in m1 and m2 cancer, endoscopic mucosal resection is generally indicated in principle, although transhiatal esophagectomy may be indicated in some cases; (ii) in m3 and sm1 cancer, endoscopic mucosal resection is performed initially, then subsequent treatment is selected if necessary; (iii) in sm2 and sm3 cancer, conventional transthoracic esophagectomy with systematic lymph node dissection is indicated.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

A stress distribution analysis of a ceramic lunate replacement for Kienbock's disease.

To determine the usefulness of a ceramic lunate replacement for the wrist joint as a possible treatment for Kienböck's disease, stress distribution of five wrist joint models (a normal wrist, one with the lunate bone removed, one with a coiled tendon replacement, one with a coiled tendon replacement with a ceramic core, and one with a ceramic lunate replacement coated with sheets of tendon) were analysed by the finite element method. The results of finite element method analyses were compared with those of pressure distribution analyses on the wrist joint using pressure-sensitive film and measurement of pressure on the radio-lunate joint with a tactile sensor. Both the coiled tendon model and ceramic core model were unable to resist applied force. Stress and pressure were well-distributed in the wrist joint of the ceramic lunate implant model. These results indicate that the ceramic lunate implant could be expected to prevent carpal collapse.

Cadaver↗

PubMed2000

Penetration by a giant gastric ulcer induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

A patient presented with penetration by a giant gastric ulcer resulting from treatment with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. A test for Helicobacter pylori proved negative. Treatment with a combination of an inhibitor of gastric acid secretion and prostaglandin substitution therapy with misoprostol resulted in closure of the perforation and cicatrization of the gastric ulcer without the need for laparotomy.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed2000

A novel method of virtual histopathology using laser-scanning confocal microscopy in-vitro with untreated fresh specimens from the gastrointestinal mucosa.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Histopathological examination for superficial gastrointestinal lesions has been mainly based upon the light microscopic examination of thin-slice specimens with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. However, it takes at least a couple of days to create a slide-glass for microscopic study. In order to obtain immediate microscopic images for untreated specimens, the authors used laser-scanning confocal microscopy (LCM) to study fresh samples of gastrointestinal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh untreated mucosal specimens from the esophagus, stomach, and colon, obtained by endoscopic pinch biopsy, polypectomy, or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), were fixed in normal saline and examined by LCM collecting the reflective light of a 488-nm wavelength argon laser beam. Findings from the LCM image were compared with those of conventional H&E staining in all specimens. For objective evaluation of the similarity of both pictures, the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio (N/C) of normal mucosa and that of cancer of the esophagus were calculated and statistically analyzed. The overall diagnostic accuracy for cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: The average scanning time to obtain the LCM image of a specimen was 1.6 seconds. The LCM images acquired corresponded well to the conventional H&E light microscopic images in the esophagus, stomach, and colon. Cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm, and tissue structural elements were simultaneously visualized by LCM scanning. A difference in N/C ratios between normal mucosa and cancer in the esophagus was statistically apparent when Welch's test (P=0.05) was applied. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the LCM study for cancer was 89.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This novel method enables us to obtain an immediate serial virtual microscopic section through a fresh specimen, which has not actually been cut, although the resolution of the image obtained is still limited. These early results encourage us to develop imaging relevant to conventional histopathology alongside the development of LCM technology in the near future. We should aim at the in vivo application of LCM coupled to probes which can be introduced through the working channel of endoscopes.

Colon↗

PubMed2000

A new face-mounted display system: pilot trial of clinical application in therapeutic endoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Since fiber endoscopes evolved into video endoscopes, there has been no remarkable progression in the optical system for endoscopy. The current optical system provided by fixed cathode-ray tube (CRT) display is a monitor-oriented system. In this study, we evaluate the practical usefulness of the face-mounted display (FMD), which provides us with an operator-oriented optical system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The FMD device, weighing 110 g, is designed for consumer video home use, consisting of two active matrix liquid crystal color panels with 180,000-pixel resolution. With the picture-in-picture capability, FMD provided us with image-navigated endoscopic procedure. Fourteen patients were enrolled in this study; seven patients for endoscopic mucosal resection, two for insertion of an esophageal metallic stent, three for clipping for the bleeding and two for dilatation of anastomotic strictures. RESULTS: The FMD device allowed us to use an ultra large screen as if there has been a 62-inch screen 2 m ahead. During endoscopy, we could concentrate more on the procedures. There were no complications attributable to the use of the device. CONCLUSION: We are convinced of a new evolution in the optical system for therapeutic endoscopy with the FMD device.

Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal↗

PubMed2000

Localization of insulinomas. Comparison of conventional arterial stimulation with venous sampling (ASVS) and superselective ASVS.

PURPOSE: To examine the value of superselective arterial stimulation venous sampling (ASVS) to localize insulinomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Superselective ASVS (SS-ASVS) was performed in 9 patients with insulinoma. Injection of secretagogue (calcium gluconate: 0.01 mEq Ca++/kg) was performed into the gastroduodenal, splenic (proximal and distal), and superior mesenteric arteries in 9 patients and additionally into the dorsal pancreatic artery in 6 patients. Sampling from the hepatic vein was performed to measure serum insulin concentrations at 30, 60 and 120 s after each injection of secretagogue into these arteries. SS-ASVS results were correlated with surgical findings, compared to those of conventional ASVS. RESULTS: Insulinomas were correctly localized to the head, body or tail of the pancreas by SS-ASVS in 8 patients (89%). Conventional ASVS detected insulinomas in 7 patients (78%), although it could not distinguish whether the insulinoma was located in the pancreatic body or tail in 4 of the 7 patients. There were eight-fold or more increases in serum insulin levels in hepatic venous samples related to the artery supplying the tumor in 8 patients. Localization of the insulinomas was verified at surgery in all patients. CONCLUSION: SS-ASVS is a useful method for detailed evaluation of overproduction of insulin from pancreatic insulinomas and their localization. When the pancreatic insulinoma is situated in the pancreatic body or tail, the localization is more accurately made by SS-ASVS than by conventional ASVS.

Aged↗