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H Itoh

Publications and source records attributed to H Itoh.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

A study on rat platelet responsiveness following intravenous endotoxin administration.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate platelet responsiveness in rats following E.coli endotoxin administration. Injection of E.coli to rats caused a reduction in ADP-induced pulmonary 111In labelled platelet accumulation four hours later. Similarly, when platelet aggregation was evaluated on PRP obtained from rats four hours after endotoxin administration, we found that platelet response to both ADP and collagen was significantly reduced. When platelets obtained from endotoxemic rats were suspended in normal plasma, the aggregating response to ADP and collagen was not different from that obtained with control platelets. Similarly, platelets from control rats suspended in plasma from endotoxemic rats showed hyporesponsiveness to ADP and collagen. There was no difference in the aggregatory response to collagen or to thrombin of washed platelet suspension (WPS) obtained from endotoxemic and normal rats. In conclusion, by using an in vivo minimally invasive technique and an ex vivo platelet aggregation test we demonstrate that during endotoxemia platelet are functionally unaltered and the platelet hyporesponsiveness is only observed in presence of plasma.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Reduction of insulin resistance attenuates the development of hypertension in sucrose-fed SHR.

We examined the effect of pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione derivative that increases insulin sensitivity without increasing insulin secretion, on the development and maintenance of hypertension in sucrose-fed SHR. Nine-week-old male SHR received 12% sucrose dissolved in tap water as drinking water. For 5 weeks, half of the rats were given regular rat chow, and the rest were fed with rat chow containing 0.03% pioglitazone. In week 6, blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were examined before and after oral glucose administration by gavage. Sucrose treatment elicited a significant elevation of systolic blood pressure 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment; pioglitazone treatment attenuated this elevation. The insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia observed in sucrose-fed SHR were prevented by pioglitazone treatment. Pioglitazone treatment also significantly reduced the urinary excretion of catecholamines and plasma renin activity, both of which were significantly greater in sucrose-fed SHR than in control SHR. Along with improving insulin sensitivity, pioglitazone treatment also attenuated the development of hypertension in SHR fed the regular rat chow, but not in WKY rats. These results indicate that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia play an important role in the development of hypertension in SHR probably through the activation of the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous outflow. This study also shows that chronic sucrose treatment exacerbated the development of hypertension through these mechanisms, precipitating insulin resistance.

Animals↗

Protective effect of monoclonal antibodies to adhesion molecules on rat liver ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: The source of reactive oxygen species in the liver remains to be elucidated. The present study was undertaken to determine whether polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) can contribute to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, and pretreatment with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), and CD 18 could improve energy metabolism and prolong the viability of the organ. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were used. Rat liver ischemia was induced by clamping blood vessels supplying median and left lateral hepatic lobes. Monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1, LFA-1, or CD18 were injected intravenously 5 minutes before inducing ischemia. To determine the effect of mAbs on the survival rate, total hepatic ischemia was induced by clamping the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct after making a portafemoral shunt. RESULTS: Although ischemia of the liver for 90 minutes did not permit survival of the animals, pretreatment with mAbs to ICAM-1 plus LFA-1 increased the survival rate to 57%. Pretreatment with mAb to ICAM-1 failed to increase the survival rate. The number of PMNs in the liver increased continually up to 24 hours after reperfusion after 90 minutes of ischemia, and the expression of ICAM-1 was enhanced 4 hours after reperfusion. This is accompanied by a low recovery of hepatic adenosine triphosphate and, on the contrary, a marked increase in lipid-peroxide in the reperfused liver. Pretreatment with mAbs suppressed the infiltration of PMNs and the elevation of lipid peroxide and enhanced the recovery of hepatic adenosine triphosphate 6, 12, or 24 hours after reperfusion. Pretreatment with mAbs also prevented the rise in serum alanine aminotransferase level after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PMNs contribute to ischemia-reperfusion injury in the liver 4 hours and more after reperfusion, and pretreatment with mAbs to adhesion molecules is useful for the prevention of ischemic liver cell injury.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

A case of pseudolymphoma of the liver with chronic hepatitis C.

A case of pseudolymphoma (reactive lymphoid hyperplasia) of the liver in a 72-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C is presented. Imaging studies, comprising ultrasonography, computed tomography, incremental computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, suggested hepatocellular carcinoma. A tumor-like lesion was therefore resected. Grossly, the lesion was relatively poorly defined and measured 15 x 17 mm; microscopically, it consisted of lymphocytic proliferations forming follicles comprising numerous germinal centers that were mainly composed of L-26 positive B-cell lymphocytes. The lymphocytes surrounding germinal centers were mainly UCHL-1 positive T lymphocytes. The B cells in the lymphoid follicles stained positive for both kappa and lambda light chains at sequential frequencies, indicating polyclonal and benign features. These findings suggest that the diagnosis of pseudolymphoma of the liver is tenable from imaging studies supplemented, when necessary, with biopsy. Further studies may provide insights into diagnostic strategies and the mechanism of stimulation in HCV infections.

Aged↗

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lymphadenopathy presenting with histopathologic features of Castleman' disease: a clinicopathologic study of five cases.

Lymph node enlargement is common in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease characterized by well defined clinical criteria. Although numerous reports have described the characteristic histology of SLE lymphadenopathy to include necrotizing lesions and hematoxylin bodies, no detailed description has examined the histopathologic features that are similar to Castleman's disease (CD) in SLE patients. In this report, we describe the clinicopathologic findings of CD-like peripheral lymphadenopathy, which was identified in five (26%) of 19 SLE patients. These five patients were all female with an age range of 24 to 44 years, and four of them presented with multicentric lymphadenopathy. They also had systemic symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings, indicating active disease, although two patients had not fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of SLE at the initial disease. The size of the enlarged lymph nodes seldom exceeded 2.0 cm in diameter, and biopsies revealed histopathologic features similar to CD, of intermediate type in three patients and hyaline vascular type in two according to the classification of Flendrig [7]. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated polyclonal plasma cell populations in all five cases. Epstein-Barr virus genomes were detected in the small lymphocytes of two of the three cases examined by in situ hybridization studies. Recently, the histopathologic findings of CD have been associated with a disrupted immune response, and the present data suggest that SLE should be listed as one of the diseases showing the histopathologic features similar to CD.

Adult↗

A simulation study of the electromyographic volley at initiation of rapid isometric contractions in the first dorsal interosseous muscle.

Monopolar surface electromyograms (EMGs) of rapid isometric abduction of the first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDI) were initiated from an EMG volley that was characterized by a negative potential lasting over several tens of milliseconds. An EMG model was developed to study how the EMG volley was generated. EMGs were defined as the linear summations of surface-recorded action potential trains originating from single motor units (MUs). All action potential trains had the same discharge pattern but different recruitment thresholds, depending on the potential amplitude. Real action potentials in single MUs in FDI were recorded with a monopolar surface electrode, one of which was used as a prototype wave in simulation. The model predicted an initial negative potential comparable to that of the EMG volley observed in rapid contractions of FDI. Results from our simulation studies suggest that the EMG volley is caused by at least two independent factors: (1) the negative phase of the action potential is greater in area than the positive one, in which the effect is enhanced by the high discharge rate of many MUs; (2) many MUs are recruited within a short time in an orderly fashion starting from those with small action potentials to those with large ones.

Action Potentials↗

The role of integrins in saphenous vein vascular smooth muscle cell migration.

PURPOSE: Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is an essential feature of the intimal hyperplastic process that so frequently limits the patency of vascular reconstructions. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a series of integrins, or cell surface receptors that mediate cellular attachment, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein-induced migration of human SMCs. METHODS: Immunofluorescence staining was used to search for various integrins and subunits on the surface of SMCs derived from human saphenous vein. Chemotaxis and haptotaxis of SMCs to various matrix proteins and PDGF were assayed using a 48-well microchemotaxis chamber in the presence or absence of antibodies that blocked the function of these integrins. RESULTS: Several subunits (beta 1, alpha 2, alpha 5) and one integrin (alpha v beta 3) were identified in saphenous vein SMCs. The beta 1 integrin antibody inhibited chemotaxis to collagen I and IV, laminin, and PDGF. The alpha 2 integrin antibody inhibited collagen I and IV, and laminin-induced chemotaxis. The alpha 5 integrin antibody had no effect on SMC migration. The alpha v beta 3 integrin antibody inhibited chemotaxis to PDGF but not to the ECM proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Integrins are necessary for SMC migration induced by PDGF and ECM proteins. The integrin or subunits responsible for facilitating migration varies with the stimulant. Agonists designed to inhibit integrin function might be used to suppress SMC migration and suppress the formation of intimal hyperplasia.

Cell Movement↗

Mutation of D. radiodurans in a gene homologous to ruvB of E. coli.

Following the digestion of chromosomal DNA of Deinococcus radiodurans with a restriction enzyme a partial genomic library was constructed using lambda phage as a vector. A phage clone whose DNA can complement the deficiency in a radiation-sensitive mutant of D. radiodurans was isolated. Following the subcloning using phasmid vector, a hybrid plasmid containing 1.2 kb inserted DNA was obtained. After the determination of nucleotide sequence, the deduced amino acid sequence showed close homology to RuvB protein of Escherichia coli; approximately 81% of the amino acids (310 residues in total) was homologous (152 were identical and 100 amino acids were similar). The putative protein has a conserved ATP binding domain characteristic of DNA helicases. However, we could not find an SOS promoter and ORF for RuvA protein in the sequence upstream of ruvB in contrast to the E. coli homologue. The mutant was transformed with exogenous DNA at the same rate as the wild-type cells, but it was moderately sensitive to UV, gamma-rays and to interstrand cross-linking reagents.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Behavior of carbonate and magnesium ions in the initial crystallites at the early developmental stages of the rat calvaria.

Analysis of the contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphate, and carbonate ions in the mineral phase of rat calvaria specimens obtained at different developmental stages indicated that the mineral at the newborn stage contained a negligible amount of carbonate, but a high content of Mg. There was no significant difference in Ca and phosphate (as PO4) contents between the newborn material and that from later stages. A relatively large amount of carbonate was detected in the calvaria from 6-day-old rats, in which only immature crystals were observed, thus indicating the beginning of apatite formation. Furthermore, using laser Raman microprobe analysis we confirmed that the Raman peak at 1120 cm-1 band, indicative of a Mg-CO3 compound, appeared at the 6-day stage. We also observed that the Raman peak at 988 cm-1 found in the samples from the newborn seemed to have shifted to 963-962 cm-1 in the case of those obtained from 6-day-old rats, a shift which suggests the conversion from the non-apatitic to the apatitic form. These results indicate that carbonate ions might facilitate the initiation of crystal development by converting the inhibitory Mg ion into its inactive form (Mg-carbonate compound).

Aging↗

The effect of probucol on intimal thickening of autologous vein grafts in hyperlipidemic rabbit.

Probucol is used to treat hypercholesterolemia and also has an anti-atherogenic effect. The effects of probucol on intimal thickening of autologous vein graft in hyperlipidemic rabbits with poor distal run-off were investigated. A poor distal run-off model was prepared in the right hindlimb of 18 rabbits allocated to four groups depending on diet: normolipidemic commercial diet, (NL group, n = 5); hyperlipidemic diet (HL group, n = 5); commercial diet with 1% probucol (NP group, n = 4); and hyperlipidemic diet with 1% probucol (HP group, n = 4). After 4 weeks the femoral vein grafts were implanted into normal (n = 18) or poor (n = 18) runoff limbs. Vein grafts were harvested 4 weeks after implantation. Intimal thickening of the graft was measured and macrophages therein examined immunohistochemically. The serum cholesterol level was not reduced by probucol treatment. The mean flow rate of the graft was significantly reduced in the poor run-off limb. On histological examination intimal thickening in the poor run-off limb was significantly greater than that of controls, while intimal thickening in the HL and HP groups was enhanced compared with that in the NL and NP groups, respectively. Mean intimal thickening in each limb in HP group rabbits was significantly lower than that in HL rabbits (microm): control (HL/HP): 99.4(7.4)/58.8(0.7) (P < 0.05); poor run-off (HL/HP): 155.3(9.6)/130.3(7.3) (P < 0.O5). There was no difference between NL and NP (microm): control (NL/NP): 44.6(24.7)/31.5(12.8); poor run-off (HL/HP): 115.3(13.8)/97.5(34.0). In addition, enhanced intimal thickening due to poor distal run-off was not suppressed. Immunohistochemical staining showed intimal macrophage infiltration in the HL and HP groups; however, macrophage infiltration in grafts in the HP group was less than in the HL group. In conclusion, under hyperlipidemic conditions, probucol decreased intimal thickening enhancement of the vein graft, and suppressed intimal macrophage infiltration. These findings were similar to the anti-atherogenic effect of probucol in the native artery. Hence, probucol administration after vascular reconstruction with vein grafts in patients with hyperlipidemia may be beneficial.

Animals↗

Surgical strategy of abdominal aortic aneurysm with preoperative renal failure.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of preoperative renal failure on the outcome of patients suffering from infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHOD: During the period from January 1979 to August 1995, 364 patients with AAA were admitted to our hospital and 323 underwent elective repair. The patients were retrospectively analysed in three groups. Group I was composed of 273 patients with a normal renal function who underwent an aneurysm repair. Group II was composed of 50 patients who demonstrated a preoperative renal dysfunction (creatinine above 2.0 mg/dl or creatinine clearance below 40 ml/min) and underwent an operation, including three patients maintained on chronic haemodialysis. Group III was composed of 18 patients with a renal dysfunction who did not undergo repair, including one patients maintained on chronic haemodialysis. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate of groups I and II were 0.4% and 2.0%, respectively, although no significant difference was observed. The incidence of postoperative cardiac and pulmonary complications were also comparable in two groups. No patients required acute haemodialysis. The 5-year survival rate of group II (44%) was significantly higher than that of group III (20%), and seven of the 18 patients (39%) in group III ultimately died of a rupture of the AAA. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic renal failure can undergo an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair based on the same indications as those without renal failure.

Aged↗

Effect of preinduction of heat shock proteins on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

In order to study the cytoprotective function of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in vivo, the effect of preinduction of HSPs by hyperthermia on acetic acid-induced colitis was investigated. Expression of 60-kDa, 72-kDa, and 90-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP72, and HSP90, respectively) in rat colonic mucosa was investigated by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical study before and after hyperthermia. Following pretreatment with or without hyperthermia, the rats received intrarectal infusion of various doses of acetic acid. The colonic mucosal damage was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic assessments 24 hr after the intrarectal infusion of acetic acid. Expression of HSPs was significantly increased by hyperthermia in rat colonic mucosa. Immunohistochemical study also showed the increments of HSPs in the colonic mucosal cells after hyperthermia. Acetic acid-induced colitis was dramatically prevented by pretreatment with hyperthermia when HSP72 and HSP90 were preinduced. On the other hand, induction of HSP60 did not correlate with mucosal protection. Our findings suggest that HSP72 and HSP90 may have cytoprotective function against acetic acid-induced mucosal damage. These results may be important for understanding the mechanism of "adaptive cytoprotection" mediated by HSPs.

Acetic Acid↗

Differential induction of HSP60 and HSP72 by different stress situations in rats. Correlation with cerulein-induced pancreatitis.

We previously reported that water-immersion stress specifically induced the synthesis of a 60-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP60, chaperonin homolog) in pancreatic cells and preinduction of HSP60 completely prevented development of cerulein-induced pancreatitis in the rat in an HSP60 quantitatively dependent manner. In order to study the cytoprotective function of a 72-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP72, stress-inducible hsp70), the effect of specific preinduction of HSP72 by hyperthermia on cerulein-induced pancreatitis was investigated and compared with the effect of preinduction of HSP60 in this study. Expression of HSP60 and HSP72 in the pancreas was investigated by immunoblot before and after water immersion or hyperthermia. Following pretreatment with water-immersion stress or hyperthermia, the rats were injected with cerulein (40 micrograms/kg, intraperitoneally). The pancreas wet weight and serum amylase concentration were measured before and after cerulein injection. Hyperthermia (42.5 degrees C, 20 min) specifically induced HSP72 in the pancreas. The synthesis of HSP60 was specifically induced by water-immersion stress in the pancreas. Cerulein-induced pancreatitis was clearly prevented by specific preinduction of HSP60 by water-immersion stress. However, preinduction of HSP72 by hyperthermia had no preventive effect on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Our findings suggest that HSP60 and HSP72 have distinct functions in the pancreas, and their induction mechanisms are also different in vivo. These results could be important for understanding the mechanism of "adaptive cytoprotection" in the pancreas mediated by heat-shock proteins.

Amylases↗

Induction of a 72-kDa heat shock protein and cytoprotection against thioacetamide-induced liver injury in rats.

Heat shock proteins are ubiquitous intracellular proteins induced by various physiological stress-related events. A 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) has been reported to be an endogenous cytoprotectant in variety of cells in vitro. In order to study the cytoprotective function of HSP72 in the liver, the effect of preinduction of HSP72 in rat liver by systemic hyperthermia on thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury was investigated in this study. Expression of HSP72 in the liver was investigated by immunoblot and densitometric analysis. Rats were injected with thioacetamide (100 mg/kg, subcutaneously) with or without preinduction of HSP72 by hyperthermia. Serum AST and ALT concentrations were measured before and after thioacetamide injection in both group. Histologic alteration of the liver was evaluated also. Systemic hyperthermia (42.5 degrees C, 20 min) significantly induced HSP72 in the liver. Thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury was clearly prevented by preinduction of HSP72 by hyperthermia. Prevention of hepatocyte damage was more clear in the area around central veins where HSP72 induction was apparent. Our findings might suggest that HSP72 has an important function in the liver with respect to cytoprotection. These results might be important for understanding the mechanism of "adaptive cytoprotection" in the liver mediated by the function of heat shock proteins as "molecular chaperons" as reported in vitro.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Impaired expression of nitric oxide synthase in the gastric myenteric plexus of spontaneously diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The mechanism responsible for defective gastric accommodation in diabetes is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate if this abnormality is due to a defective nitric oxide pathway secondary to impaired nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression in the gastric myenteric plexus. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we studied nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation, NOS activity, NADPH diaphorase histochemistry, NOS immunohistochemistry, NOS immunoblotting, and NOS messenger RNA expression in the gastric myenteric plexus of spontaneously diabetic biobreeding/Worcester (BB/W) rats. Age-matched nondiabetic Wistar rats were used as controls. RESULTS: Gastric neuromuscular preparations from control rats showed a frequency-dependent NANC relaxation in response to transmural stimulation. This relaxation was markedly antagonized by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, indicating mediation by the neuronal release of NO. The NANC relaxation in gastric muscle preparations obtained from diabetic BB/W rats was significantly impaired. The number of NOS-immunoreactive cells in the gastric myenteric plexus and the NOS activity were significantly reduced in diabetic BB/W rats, suggesting that NOS synthesis is impaired in diabetes. Northern blot analysis showed that the density of NOS messenger RNA bands at 9.5 kilobases was significantly reduced in the gastric tissues of diabetic BB/W rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that gastric relaxation in diabetics is hampered mainly by impaired NOS expression in the gastric myenteric plexus.

Animals↗

Traumatic pancreatic duct rupture in a child diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.

We report on a child who sustained blunt abdominal trauma with pancreatic duct rupture diagnosed by preoperative endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). Duct laceration remained undiagnosed by computerized tomography or ultrasonography. Preoperative ERP is the only known method for the accurate diagnosis of injury to main pancreatic duct. Even in children with pancreatic trauma we recommend ERP before any surgery is attempted to help in decisions on operative strategy.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Cigarette smoking induces an increase in oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, in a central site of the human lung.

To evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on oxidative stress in lung tissues, we compared the levels of a type of oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), in tissue obtained from the central sites of lungs from 14 current smokers, seven ex-smokers and nine non-smokers. The mean level of 8-OH-dG in the lung tissues from smokers was 1.43-fold higher than that of the non-smokers (the difference was statistically significant, P = 0.0262). A positive correlation between the 8-OH-dG levels in normal lung tissues and the Brinkman index was obtained from smokers and ex-smokers (r = 0.525; P = 0.0134). A positive correlation was also obtained for the 8-OH-dG levels in normal lung tissues and the number of cigarettes smoked per day (r = 0.436; P = 0.0132). These results suggest that oxidative DNA damage is induced in lung DNA by cigarette smoking.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗