Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Matsui

Publications and source records attributed to H Matsui.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Involvement of 1,2-diacylglycerol in improvement of heart function by etomoxir in diabetic rats.

Abnormal lipid metabolism has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we measured myocardial lipid levels, including 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DAG) and ceramide (CM), and myocardial function in diabetic rats. We also evaluated the effects of etomoxir (ETM), a carnitine palmitoyl transferase I inhibitor, on diabetic rat hearts from the viewpoints of alterations in lipid second messengers and myocardial function. Rats were injected with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) to induce diabetes and were treated 5 weeks later with ETM (18 mg/kg) for 8 days. In diabetic rats, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and fractional shortening were significantly reduced compared with those in controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with ETM ameliorated myocardial dysfunction other than heart rate. Myocardial 1,2-DAG levels in diabetic rats were significantly elevated compared with those in controls, while myocardial CM levels were not. ETM treatment caused an additional increase in myocardial 1,2-DAG levels in diabetic rats, but the CM levels did not change. There was a marked difference in fatty acid pattern of 1,2-DAG between diabetic and ETM-treated diabetic rat hearts. The fatty acids 18:1 and 18:2 were significantly increased and the fatty acids 16:0, 18:0, 20:4, and 22:6 were significantly reduced in ETM-treated diabetic rat hearts. These data suggest 1,2-DAG is involved in ameliorating myocardial dysfunction in diabetic rats and that its source is different between diabetic and ETM-treated diabetic rats. CM is unlikely to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy or the improvement of cardiac contractility in diabetic rats by ETM.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effect of quinapril on intimal hyperplasia after coronary stenting as assessed by intravascular ultrasound.

We studied whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with quinapril treatment can prevent in-stent restenosis after successful implantation of Palmaz-Schatz stents. Intravascular ultrasound study, but not quantitative coronary angiography analysis, revealed that quinapril treatment significantly prevented the loss of both minimal lumen cross-sectional area and lumen volume in stents, in addition to reducing the increase in intimal hyperplasia volume.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Angelica sinensis modulates migration and proliferation of gastric epithelial cells.

A crude extract from Angelica sinensis (ASCE), which mainly consists of polysaccharides, prevents ethanol- or indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage and promotes ulcer healing. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ASCE has a direct stimulating effect on gastric epithelial cells for wound healing. We found that ASCE significantly promoted the migration of epithelial cells over an artificial wound on the surface of an RGM-1 monolayer. The extract also stimulated DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner and concomitantly increased EGF mRNA expression. Co-incubation of ASCE with anti-EGF antibody reduced the speed of migration and the DNA synthesis, which however were still higher than the control without ASCE. These results strongly suggest that ASCE has a direct wound healing effect on gastric mucosa, and this is acting partially through an EGF-mediated pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

HUNT: launch of a full-length cDNA database from the Helix Research Institute.

The Helix Research Institute (HRI) in Japan is releasing 4356 HUman Novel Transcripts and related information in the newly established HUNT database. The institute is a joint research project principally funded by the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and the clones were sequenced in the governmental New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Human cDNA Sequencing Project. The HUNT database contains an extensive amount of annotation from advanced analysis and represents an essential bioinformatics contribution towards understanding of the gene function. The HRI human cDNA clones were obtained from full-length enriched cDNA libraries constructed with the oligo-capping method and have resulted in novel full-length cDNA sequences. A large fraction has little similarity to any proteins of known function and to obtain clues about possible function we have developed original analysis procedures. Any putative function deduced here can be validated or refuted by complementary analysis results. The user can also extract information from specific categories like PROSITE patterns, PFAM domains, PSORT localization, transmembrane helices and clones with GENIUS structure assignments. The HUNT database can be accessed at http://www.hri.co.jp/HUNT.

Computational Biology↗
PubMed2001

Msx3 protein recruits histone deacetylase to down-regulate the Msx1 promoter.

Msx1 promoter is known to be repressed by Msx1 protein [Shetty, Takahashi, Matsui, Iyengar and Raghow (1999) Biochem. J. 339, 751-758]. We show that in the transiently transfected C(2)C(12) myoblasts, co-expression of Msx3 also causes potent repression of Msx1 promoter that can be relieved by exogenous expression of cAMP-response-element-binding protein-binding protein (CBP) and p300 in a dose-dependent manner. Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses revealed that Msx3 interacts with CBP and p300 and this interaction significantly decreases the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity of both proteins. We also discovered that Msx3-mediated repression of Msx1 promoter is synergized by the exogenous co-expression of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). Furthermore, the repression of Msx1 promoter by Msx3 could be relieved by treating transfected cells with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of HDAC(s). Finally, we show that Msx3 and HDAC1 can be co-immunoprecipitated in a complex that does not contain CBP and that Msx3 and HDAC1 proteins are co-localized in the nucleus. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that two distinct multiprotein complexes are present within the nuclei of C(2)C(12) cells: one containing Msx3 and HDAC(s) and another containing Msx3 and CBP and/or p300. On the basis of these results, we propose a dual mechanism of repression by Msx3 protein that involves the squelching of the HAT activity of co-activators, CBP and p300, and recruitment of HDAC(s).

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed2001

Increasing rice productivity and yield by manipulation of starch synthesis.

Plant productivity and yield are dependent on source-sink relationships, i.e. the capacity of source leaves to fix CO2 and the capacity of developing sink tissues and organs to assimilate and convert this fixed carbon into dry matter. Studies from our laboratories as well as others have demonstrated that rice productivity and yield are mainly sink-limited during its development because of limited capacity to utilize the initial photosynthetic product (triose phosphate). This limitation in triose phosphate utilization, evident at both the vegetative and reproductive stages of rice development, may be associated with limited capacity for carbohydrate synthesis in rice leaves (which are poor accumulators of starch) or feedback due to limited sink strength of developing seeds. Strategies in improving triose phosphate utilization by enhancing starch production in leaves and developing seeds by the expression of engineered genes for ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase, a key regulatory enzyme of starch biosynthesis, are discussed.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2001

Direct measurement of HDL cholesterol: method eliminating apolipoprotein E-rich particles.

It has been reported that the existing direct method of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol measures particles enriched with apolipoprotein E (apoE). The aim of our study was to investigate a new analytical protocol to directly measure HDL cholesterol that eliminates apoE-rich particles. The interactions of four lipoproteins (HDL(3), HDL(2), LDL, and VLDL + chylomicron) with surfactants, divalent cations, sugars, and lectins were investigated. By analyzing sera, HDL(3), and HDL(2), we examined the relationships among the measurements obtained by our protocol, a precipitation method using heparin-MnCl(2), and a commercially available kit for this direct method. A significant difference was found between the direct method and the heparin-MnCl(2) method, but not between our protocol and the heparin-MnCl(2) method. Multiple regression analysis showed that the difference between the direct method and the heparin MnCl(2) method is dependent on sources of apoE-rich HDL. In conclusion, our protocol enables a direct measurement of HDL cholesterol that eliminates apoE-rich particles.

Apolipoproteins E↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic side-to-side esophagogastrostomy using a linear stapler after proximal gastrectomy.

In order to improve anastomotic procedures, we performed laparoscopic side-to-side esophagogastrostomy, using a linear stapler, after proximal gastrectomy in two patients with gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach. The patients' postoperative courses were excellent. During postoperative recovery, the patients experienced very little pain, used no analgesic medications, and never experienced reflux esophagitis. This procedure is technically feasible and is an excellent option, given the less involved anastomotic procedure and better postoperative quality of life compared with these features in end-to-side anastomosis using a circular stapler.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2001

The replicon of the cryptic Plasmid pSBO1 isolated from Streptococcus bovis JB1.

The cryptic plasmid pSBO1 (3904 bp) was isolated from Streptococcus bovis JB1. pSBO1 contained an open reading frame (ORF) that is homologous to sequences encoding the replication protein (Rep) in pEFC1 (isolated from Enterococcus faecalis), pSK639 (Staphylococcus epidermidis), pLA103 (Lactobacillus acidophilus), and pUCL287 (Tetragenococcus halophila). In addition, four 22-bp direct repeats (DRs) were located upstream of the putative replication gene (rep) of pSBO1. Recombinant plasmids (pSBE10 and pSBE11) containing the DRs and putative rep of pSBO1 replicated in S. bovis 12-U-1 and no8 strains. This result indicates that the putative rep encoded Rep and that the replicon of pSBO1 contained the DRs and the rep. Gel shift assays showed that the Rep of pSBO1 bound the 22-bp DRs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Antioxidant changes in the hypertrophied heart due to energy metabolic disorder.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both heart hypertrophy and heart failure. Hypertrophied heart, in response to pressure overload, is associated with an increase in antioxidant capacity and a decrease in oxidative stress. However, in the hypertrophied heart due to energy metabolic disorder, antioxidant capacity has not been investigated. Antioxidant changes in juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice, a model of heart hypertrophy due to disorder of fatty-acid oxidation, were examined at 4 weeks (developing hypertrophy stage) and 8 weeks of age (established hypertrophy stage). Superoxide dismutase activity in the JVS mice was higher than that in control mice at 4 weeks of age and was not different from that in the control mice at 8 weeks of age. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the JVS mice at 8 weeks of age was lower than that in the control mice. Catalase activity showed no significant differences between the control and the JVS mice. Lipid peroxidation in the JVS mice was significantly reduced at 4 weeks of age and increased toward control levels at 8 weeks of age. The levels of vitamin E in the heart were increased in the JVS mice at 8 weeks of age. To determine whether antioxidants affect the pathogenesis of hypertrophy in this model, long-term treatments of vitamin E and 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine were performed. Vitamin E treatment partially reduced the heart hypertrophy in these mice. The present study shows that heart hypertrophy in the JVS mice is accompanied with increased antioxidant capacity as indicated in other animal models of heart hypertrophy. The precise mechanism of heart hypertrophy in JVS mice is still unknown, but oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart hypertrophy.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Changes in gastrointestinal lymph and blood vessels in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to characterize the lymph vessels in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and also to evaluate morphometric changes in these vessels during cirrhotic portal hypertension. METHODS: Sixteen patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension and 18 control subjects without portal hypertension were enrolled in the study. Tissue specimens were collected at autopsy or surgery, and were stained enzyme histochemically, using 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase to distinguish lymph vessels and blood vessels, respectively. The numbers of vessels and their luminal areas were estimated using computer graphics software (National Institutes of Health [NIH] image program). RESULTS: The numbers and luminal areas of the lymph vessels varied considerably among the different organs of the gastrointestinal tract, both in controls and in the patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. There was no significant difference in the numbers of lymph vessels between controls and patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, the luminal area of the lymph vessels in the esophagus and stomach was significantly greater in the patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension than in the controls. These differences in lymph vessels were not seen in the small intestine and colon. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that dilatation of lymph vessels may be related to the absorption of excess interstitial fluid, resulting from congestion, in cirrhotic portal hypertension.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with radical lymph node dissection using the no-touch isolation technique for advanced colon cancer.

The treatment of advanced right-sided colon cancer presents numerous challenges for the surgeon who must aim to minimize the invasiveness of surgery, achieve curative resection, and prevent port-site recurrences. To overcome these issues, we performed a totally intra-abdominal laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with radical lymph node dissection based on a no-touch isolation technique. To perform this no-touch technique, we initially dissected the lymph nodes along the surgical trunk, then transected the transverse colon, terminal ileum, and mesentery without tumor manipulation. Finally, the right side of the colon was freed retroperitoneally. We performed this surgical technique on three patients and no intraoperative complications were encountered. Curative resection was achieved in all three patients, as curability A according to the Japanese Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma, and their postoperative courses were uneventful. Therefore, this novel technique proved to be both feasible and safe. Furthermore, it enabled us to minimize the invasiveness of surgery, while providing clear access to resect the right-sided advanced colon cancer.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Prediction of neurologic outcome in patients with spinal cord injury by using hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in predicting neurological recovery in patients with spinal cord injury was evaluated. HBO has been used to treat spinal cord injury, but HBO does not appear to greatly alter the neurological outcome. This is the first report of the use of HBO as a diagnostic tool to evaluate neurological recovery after spinal cord injury. The study group consisted of 22 patients, aged 21-73 years, with spinal cord injuries. The effect of HBO was evaluated on admission and categorized as one of four grades (excellent, good, fair, or poor). The neurological status was evaluated on admission and at the time of follow-up, according to Frankel grade and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score. Correlations between the HBO effect and Frankel grade recovery and correlations between the HBO effect and recovery rate of the ASIA motor score were evaluated. The recovery in Frankel grade from admission to the final follow-up became better as the effectiveness of HBO increased (r = 0.445; P = 0.0414). The Frankel grade (r = 0.036; P = 0.871) and ASIA motor score (r = 0.029; P = 0.893) on admission did not correlate with the recovery in Frankel grade. There was a significant correlation between the HBO effect and the recovery rate of the ASIA motor score (r = 0.586; P = 0.0072), but this correlation was weaker than that for the ASIA motor score on admission (r = 0.752; P = 0.0006). We conclude that HBO can be employed to assess the status of spinal cord function recovery after spinal cord injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor possesses a potent anti-atherosclerotic effect other than serum lipid lowering effects--the relevance of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and superoxide anion scavenging action.

We have determined whether the anti-atherosclerotic effect of a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (fluvastatin) is mediated through nitric oxide (NO) as well as affecting plasma lipids. NO related vascular responses, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) release were examined in vascular walls of oophorectomized female rabbits fed 0.5% cholesterol chow for 12 weeks with or without fluvastatin (2 mg/kg per day). Serum lipid profile was not different between two groups. NO dependent responses stimulated by acetylcholine and calcium ionophore A23187 and tone related basal NO response induced by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMA); nitric oxide synthase inhibitor were all improved by fluvastatin treatment. Endothelium independent vasorelaxation induced by nitroglycerin was not different between the two groups of rabbits' arteries. Fluvastatin treatment increased cyclic GMP concentration in aorta of rabbits. eNOS mRNA expression and O(2)(-) release were measured in aorta using competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and with lucigenin analogue, 2-methyl-3,7-dihydroimidazol [1,2-a]pyrazine-3-one (MCLA) chemiluminescence methods. eNOS mRNA in the endothelial cells of aorta was significantly up-regulated and O(2)(-) production was significantly reduced in fluvastatin treated rabbit aorta. Anti-macrophage staining area, but not anti-smooth muscle cell derived actin stained area in the aorta was also reduced by fluvastatin treatment. Conclusion, fluvastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, retards the initiation of atherosclerosis formation through the improvement of NO bioavailability by both up-regulation of eNOS mRNA and decrease of O(2)(-) production in vascular endothelial cells, and this means that part of the anti-atherosclerotic effect of fluvastatin may be due to nonlipid factors.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

Adjuvant hysterectomy in low-risk gestational trophoblastic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant hysterectomy with chemotherapy for women with low-risk gestational trophoblastic disease. METHODS: One hundred fifteen consecutive Japanese women (16-52 years old) with low-risk gestational trophoblastic disease (46 with metastatic disease and 69 without) were treated initially with single-agent chemotherapy (etoposide in 85, methotrexate in 27, and actinomycin D in three) with or without adjuvant hysterectomy, and 97 patients (84.3%) achieved primary remission with those treatments. Eight women (9.4%) treated with etoposide required other regimens because of drug resistance or toxicities. The total dose of etoposide given to achieve primary remission was analyzed in 77 women who received etoposide alone or with adjuvant hysterectomy. RESULTS: In 34 women with metastatic disease, the mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) total dose of etoposide was not significantly different with and without adjuvant hysterectomy (2857 +/- 842 mg versus 2815 +/- 815 mg; P =.957; Mann-Whitney U test). However, in 43 women without metastases, the total dose of etoposide was significantly less in those who had adjuvant hysterectomies than in those who did not (1750 +/- 635 mg versus 2545 +/- 938 mg; P <.05; Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant hysterectomy decreased the total dose of etoposide given to achieve primary remission in women with nonmetastatic, low-risk gestational trophoblastic disease. If the lesions of gestational trophoblastic disease are confined to the uterus and the woman has no desire to preserve fertility, she should be informed of adjuvant hysterectomy as a treatment option.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Endogenous gibberellins in immature seeds of Prunus persica L.: identification of GA(118), GA(119), GA(120), GA(121), GA(122) and GA(126).

The endogenous gibberellins in immature seeds of Prunus persica were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Eleven known gibberellins, GA(3), GA(9), GA(17), GA(19), GA(30), GA(44), GA(61), GA(63), GA(87), GA(95) and GA(97) were identified. Additionally, several hitherto unknown gibberellins were detected and their putative structures were verified by synthesis of the authentic gibberellins. These gibberellins were then assigned trivial numbers, e.g. 1alpha-hydroxy GA(20) (GA(118)), 1alpha-hydroxy GA(9) (GA(119)), 1,2-didehydro GA(9) (GA(120)), 1,2-didehydro GA(70) (GA(121)), 1,2-didehydro GA(69) (GA(122)) and 1,2-didehydro GA(77) (GA(126)). GA(118) and GA(119) were the first 1alpha-hydroxy gibberellins identified from higher plants. The above profile of 1,2-didehydro gibberellins suggests that 1,2-dehydrogenation might occur prior to 3beta-hydroxylation in biosynthesis of GA(3), GA(30) and GA(87) in immature seeds of P. persica.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗