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Biomedical subjects

H Matsuo

Publications and source records attributed to H Matsuo.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Plasma adrenomedullin concentrations and cardiac and arterial hypertrophy in hypertension.

It has been reported that plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin (AM), a novel vasodilator peptide, are higher in patients with essential hypertension than those in normotensive subjects. To clarify the clinical significance of increased levels of AM in patients with essential hypertension, in this study we examined the relationship between plasma concentrations of AM and the structure of the left ventricle or carotid artery. Plasma AM concentrations; renin activity; and norepinephrine, epinephrine, and creatinine concentrations in 50 patients with untreated essential hypertension without renal dysfunction and heart failure were measured. We also measured the mean wall thickness of the left ventricle and left ventricular mass index by M-mode echocardiography and intimal-medial thickness and arterial distensibility of the carotid artery by ultrasonography. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: hypertensives with and those without left ventricular hypertrophy. Plasma AM concentrations in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were significantly higher than in hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy (7.87+/-2.70 vs 5.74+/-1.65 fmol/mL, P<.01). In all hypertensive patients, plasma AM concentrations were not correlated with blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma norepinephrine, plasma epinephrine, or plasma creatinine concentration. Plasma AM concentrations were positively correlated with left ventricular mass index or mean wall thickness (r=.37, P=.009; r=.40, P=.004, respectively) and inversely correlated with carotid artery distensibility (r=-.33, P=.02), whereas plasma AM concentrations were not correlated with intimal-medial thickness. These results suggest that the observed elevation of plasma AM in patients with essential hypertension with normal renal function may be partly related to cardiac hypertrophy and decreased carotid artery distensibility.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed1997

Cardiac production and secretion of adrenomedullin are increased in heart failure.

Plasma adrenomedullin (AM) levels are reportedly increased in heart failure, but whether the cardiac production and secretion of AM is increased in heart failure remains unknown. To investigate the sites of production and secretion of AM in heart failure, we measured plasma AM levels and peptide and mRNA levels of AM in various tissues in rats with heart failure. We also examined whether the heart actually secretes AM into the circulation in patients with heart failure. We measured plasma and tissue AM levels by specific radioimmunoassay and AM mRNA by Northern blot analysis in rats with heart failure produced by aortocaval fistula. We also measured plasma AM levels in the coronary sinus and aorta in patients with left ventricular dysfunction before and after rapid right ventricular pacing. The increase in plasma AM levels in heart failure rats correlated with ventricular weight. Tissue AM levels were increased in the heart and lungs but not in the kidneys or adrenals of rats with heart failure. Similarly, tissue AM mRNA levels were also increased in the heart and lungs of heart failure rats. Plasma AM levels were higher in the coronary sinus than in the aorta in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Rapid right ventricular pacing increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptide but not AM. These results suggest that plasma AM levels are increased in heart failure in proportion to the severity of heart failure and that cardiac production and secretion of AM is increased in heart failure rats. The lung may be another site for increased production of AM in heart failure rats. Human failing heart actually secretes AM into the circulation, and the regulation of AM secretion appears to differ from that of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1997

Volume of infarction and blood flow in cerebral embolism.

The value of measuring asymmetry of cerebral perfusion semiquantitatively by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) correlated with measuring the volume of infarction on computed tomography (CT) was evaluated in cerebral embolism. Eighteen patients with acute cerebral embolism (mean age: sixty-nine years) were evaluated. Ten were diagnosed as having middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, 3 as having MCA branch occlusion, and 4 as having unilateral and 1 as having bilateral internal carotid occlusion. The infarct volume was measured, summing up the area of infarction on CT, at 8.5 days, mean time after onset. Outcomes of the patients were classified into three groups: good, fair, or dead, judged by the consequences one month after onset. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in 9 of 10 surviving patients at one month, mean time after onset, by 123[iodine N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP) SPECT. Semiquantitative rCBF index of asymmetry (AI) was evaluated from four regions of brain cortex. Eleven patients with < 300 mL infarct and 7 with > or = 300 mL infarct showed a significant difference of outcome with infarct volumes (P < 0.01). The mean AI value in patients with < 150 mL infarct was 31% while it was 52% with > or = 150 mL infarct (P < 0.039). There were significant linear correlations between mean AI values and the volumes of infarction or infarct/brain volume ratios (P < 0.034 or P < 0.018). The significant correlations of the AI values with the volumes of infarction suggest that the measured asymmetry of perfusion evaluated by SPECT could reflect the ultimate tissue damage and residual intact brain volume after cerebral embolism.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Left ventricular diastolic filling dynamics during isometric exertion in syndrome X assessed with Doppler flowmetry.

To study left ventricular diastolic properties in syndrome X, we analyzed transmitral filling dynamics during handgrip exertion. In 14 normal subjects (N), 17 with syndrome X (Syn X), 16 with single-vessel disease (SVD), and 8 with multiple-vessel disease (MVD), transmitral inflow was recorded at baseline and during handgrip (50% of maximal effort for one minute) using pulsed Doppler echocardiography. We measured early diastolic (E) and late atrial (A) inflow velocities, A/E ratio and percent change of A/E from baseline (%A/E). Blood pressure and heart rate increased to the same degree in each group during handgrip. In normal subjects, E did not change with handgrip; A (51 +/- 10 vs 54 +/- 11 cm/sec, P < 0.05) and A/E (1.16 +/- 0.22 vs 1.25 +/- 0.33, P < 0.05) increased minimally. In Syn X subjects, E decreased (51 +/- 10 vs 38 +/- 10 cm/sec, P < 0.0001), A increased (52 +/- 11 vs 60 +/- 14 cm/sec, P < 0.005), and A/E increased markedly (1.07 +/- 0.31 vs 1.68 +/- 0.51, P < 0.0001). The %A/E in Syn X and MVD were significantly larger than that in SVD and N (Syn X: 58 +/- 29%; MVD: 45 +/- 25%; SVD: 22 +/- 21%; N: 8 +/- 13%). Handgrip-induced changes in diastolic filling in syndrome X and are similar to those in MVD and more marked than in SVD. These changes are consistent with impaired ventricular relaxation and support a generalized left ventricular (LV) abnormality in syndrome X.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Increased expression of Bcl-2 protein in human uterine leiomyoma and its up-regulation by progesterone.

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign smooth muscle cell tumor of the myometrium. Although Bcl-2 protein is known to be an apoptosis-inhibiting gene product and to prevent apoptotic cell death in a variety of cells, there are no published data regarding whether human leiomyomas express Bcl-2 protein. In the present study, we examined the expression of Bcl-2 protein in leiomyomas in comparison with that in the normal myometrium using an immunohistochemical method and immunoblot analysis with a monoclonal antibody to human Bcl-2 protein. Furthermore, we investigated whether sex steroid hormones could influence the levels of Bcl-2 protein expression in leiomyoma cells cultured in vitro under serum-free, phenol red-free conditions. Immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2 protein was prominent in leiomyoma cells, but was scarcely present in normal myometrial smooth muscle cells. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in leiomyoma cells was most abundant in the secretory, progesterone-dominated, phase of the menstrual cycle, but was less abundant in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Western blot analyses of leiomyoma and myometrium tissue extracts revealed that Bcl-2 protein, with a molecular mass estimated at approximately 26 kDa, was abundantly present in leiomyoma tissue extracts, but was undetectable in normal myometrial tissue extracts. In monolayer cultures of uterine leiomyoma cells under a serum-free condition, the addition of progesterone (100 ng/mL) resulted in a striking increase in Bcl-2 protein expression in the cultured leiomyoma cells relative to that in control cultures, whereas the addition of 17 beta-estradiol (10 ng/mL) resulted in a reduction in Bcl-2 protein expression in the cells. The concentrations of sex steroids used were within the physiological tissue concentrations found in leiomyomas and myometrium. The present results suggest that the abundant expression of Bcl-2 protein may have a molecular basis characteristic of leiomyomas in the human uterus and that progesterone may play a vital role in the enhanced expression of Bcl-2 protein in human uterine leiomyoma cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Adult Still's disease with myocardial dysfunction induced by microangiopathy.

A 52-year-old man with inflammatory disease of unknown origin but no specific laboratory abnormalities was referred to our hospital. He has subsequently diagnosed as having adult Still's disease. During an episode of severe inflammation he suffered reversible myocardial damage as revealed by electrocardiography, echocardiography and 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy; this was ameliorated by treatment with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. No significant stenosis of the coronary artery was observed on coronary angiography. Interstitial mononuclear infiltration was apparent in the right ventricle on endomyocardial biopsy. Myocardial injury with adult Still's disease, which may result in heart failure, has rarely been reported. We report a case of adult Still's disease with myocardial dysfunction that may have been caused by microangiopathy.

Heart↗
PubMed1997

Perforin-secreting killer cell infiltration in the aortic tissue of patients with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm.

Cell-mediated immunity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular cell injury in patients with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms. To clarify the immunologic mechanisms involved, we examined the expression of a cytolytic factor, perforin, in infiltrating cells from aortic tissue samples taken from 6 patients with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the infiltrating cells consisted mainly of macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and T helper cells, and that perforin was expressed in NK cells and CTLs. Immunoelectron microscopic studies demonstrated that the infiltrating cells released massive amounts of perforin directly on to the surface of arterial vascular cells. These findings provide the first direct evidence that some of the infiltrating cells in the aortic tissue consist of killer cells, and strongly suggest that these killer cells, especially NK cells and CTLs, may play a critical role in the vascular cell injury caused by atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm by releasing perforin.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Serum insulin and lipoprotein(a) concentrations. The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between serum insulin and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in both sexes in a large population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The authors conducted a cross-sectional investigation of fasting serum concentrations of insulin and Lp(a), other blood tests, blood pressures, anthropological measurements, physical activity index, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, and menopause. The subjects were 1,121 men and 1,480 women, ranging between 30 and 90 years of age, who were voluntary participants in the Jichi Medical Cohort Study and who resided in one of five rural communities in Japan. RESULTS: In men, insulin, age, BMI, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and fibrinogen were significantly correlated with Lp(a). In women, insulin, age, LDL cholesterol, fibrinogen, and activated coagulation factor VII were significantly correlated with Lp(a). However, all correlations were weak in either sex. Insulin was inversely correlated with Lp(a) in both sexes. However, the coefficients were weak (r = -0.16 in mean and r = -0.06 in women). In the partial correlation analyses, Lp(a) was not significantly associated with insulin in either sex. The result was not influenced by selecting the subjects on the basis of detectable values of insulin and Lp(a) and stratifying them by serum glucose level. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant relationship found between serum insulin and Lp(a) concentrations in either sex of the cohort, which indicates that Lp(a) does not play a role in the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in hyperinsulinemic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Structural comparisons of cell organelles and nuclei in rat hepatocytes with three different fixation techniques.

The morphological properties of cell organelles and nuclei in rat hepatocytes were compared, when the hepatocytes were either chemically fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium (GA-Os), chemically fixed only in osmium (Os-2h) or physically fixed with a microwave-irradiated osmium (Mw-Os) fixative for a short duration. Judging from the fine structure, the mitochondria and rER were best preserved after physical fixation; because of the smooth surfaces and regular open contours, but both organelles shrank in the two chemical fixatives. The Golgi complexes and peroxisomes of the hepatocytes were not markedly changed by any of the fixative procedures. However the lysosomes and sER were changed to some extent after physical fixation. In the nucleus, the two kinds of chromatins and the nucleolus were best preserved with physical fixation. In conclusion, physical fixation is a very simple and fast procedure that is convenient for routine electron microscopy if some attention is paid to the morphological changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Different secretion patterns of adrenomedullin, brain natriuretic peptide, and atrial natriuretic peptide during exercise in hypertensive and normotensive subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise on plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in patients with essential hypertension (n = 15) and in normotensive controls (n = 10). Exercise consisted of two fixed workloads, 40 and 80 watts of work load using a supine bicycle ergometer. Plasma levels of all three peptides at rest were significantly higher in hypertensives than in controls. Plasma concentrations of ANP increased with exercise in both groups and had greater increments in hypertensive patients than in normotensives. Plasma concentrations of BNP increased only in patients with hypertension and the levels of increase correlated with basal plasma BNP levels (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) and with left ventricular mass (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) determined by echocardiography. In contrast, plasma adrenomedullin did not change with exercise in either group. These results suggest that secretion patterns of these peptides are regulated by different mechanisms and that the amount and kind of peptides mobilized by exercise may depend on the underlying diseases or pathophysiologic condition.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed1997

[Prognostic survey of elderly patients with hypertension in the Chugoku and Shikoku districts--mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular complications. Study Group for Elderly Hypertensives in Chugoku and Shikoku Districts].

In order to examine the current status of antihypertensive drug therapy for elderly hypertensive patients, and the effect of clinical characteristics and drugs on their prognosis, 1669 hypertensive patients in the Chugoku and Shikoku districts, aged between 65 and 84 years, were enrolled and followed for 3 years. Of the 1669 patients enrolled, 1459 were selected for evaluation and 1127 patients were followed. Group A comprised 955 patients who had not suffered from any accident, group B comprised 139 patients who had suffered from a cerebral, cardiac, renal or other non-fatal accident, and group C comprised 33 patients who died. The mortality rate was 10.7/1000 patient.years and the morbidity rate was 55.6/1000 patient.years. The number of patients who received monotherapy was 736 (calcium channel blockers: #436, beta blockers: #100, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: #80, diuretics: #64, alpha blockers: #16; others: #13). In group C, there were more male, and the patients were older and showed a higher level of serum creatinine concentration at enrollment compared with other groups. The use of diuretics and beta blockers tended to be low in this group. Among the three groups, however, there was no difference in blood pressure, heart rate or the use of each drug at enrollment. In summary, it is suggested that the different antihypertensive drug therapies die not influence the prognosis of elderly hypertensive patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Long-term follow-up study of bone mineral density in a patient with adult idiopathic Fanconi syndrome].

A 64-year-old woman complaining of severe lumbar pain was admitted to our hospital because of the finding of pre-existing mitral valve regurgitation on examination. Laboratory data revealed the proximal type of renal tubular acidosis, renal glucosuria, phosphaturia, generalized aminoaciduria and low-molecular-weight proteinuria. She did not have any cause of these tubular dysfunctions, and was diagnosed as adult idiopathic Fanconi syndrome. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) revealed a reduction of bone mineral density in the lumbar spine to about 65% of the age-and gender-matched control value. Alkali agents (sodium citrate and potassium citrate), calcium lactate and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 were administered. Bone mineral density estimated with DEXA improved with a reduction of serum alkali phosphate and disappearance of lumbar pain, and was restored to 82% of the age-and gender-matched control value after about 30 months of treatment. DEXA is useful for the long-term follow-up study of bone mineral density in a patient with Fanconi syndrome.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1997

Factor VII and fibrinogen levels examined by age, sex, and other atherosclerotic risk factors in a Japanese population. The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study.

Factor VII coagulant activity (FVIIc) and fibrinogen (Fbg) levels have been investigated as cardiovascular risk factors. We studied these two factors with stratification for age, sex and blood pressure, and the relation with other atherosclerotic risk factors in a Japanese general population. The subjects were 3,139 Japanese (1,315 males and 1,824 females) aged 30 to 89 in 1992 and 1993. A linear increase with age was observed in the levels of Fbg in both men and women, but no differences were observed between men and women in each age group. A linear increase with age was also seen in the levels of FVIIc in women, but the levels of FVIIc in men were significantly higher for the age group 40-49 years than for any other age group. The levels of FVIIc in women were significantly higher than in men at age > or = 60 years. As concerning the effect of alcohol intake status, Fbg had a tendency to decrease with alcohol intake. Fbg and FVIIc levels were associated with an increase in smoking status in men, but no association was seen in women in either Fbg or FVIIc. FVIIc was positively correlated with age, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting insulin level. Fbg was positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in women, but Fbg had few positive correlations with risk factors in men. A comparison with previous Western studies showed that the Fbg levels of our Japanese population were lower than those of the Caucasians studied, but the present FVIIc levels were nearly the same level or slightly higher than theirs. The association of Fbg and FVIIc and with other cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese was similar to those observed in Caucasians.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[A new mechanically manipulated unit for CT-guided biopsy].

To avoid radiation exposure to the radiologist during biopsy with CT fluoroscopy, we have developed a new system for CT-guided biopsy. The system is composed of three parts, a needle holder, arm and support. The automatic biopsy needle is mechanically remote controlled by flexible shafts with four functions. In the phantom study and the clinical trial, we were able to biopsy nodules under remote control with this equipment, eliminating radiation exposure to the radiologist. Although a few refinements of the system are necessary, it may enable us to perform CT-guided biopsy more safely and easily.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Non-invasive determination of the quantity of pleural effusion and evaluation of the beneficial effect of pleuracentesis in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic congestive heart failure].

A non-invasive method to determine the quantity of pleural effusion and to evaluate the beneficial effect of pleuracentesis in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic congestive heart failure was evaluated. Twenty-three patients with pleural effusion due to acute exacerbation of chronic congestive heart failure were studied. The angle (x) formed by the diaphragm and lung (right side) or pericardium (left side) was measured by ultrasonography in the sitting position using the subscapular approach. Pleuracentesis was then performed in 15 patients, and the quantity of aspirated pleural effusion (y) was measured and compared with the angle x. There was significant relationship between y and x: y = 0.125 x 10(0.017x) (r = 0.77, p < 0.01). The 18 patients with more than 500 ml of estimated one-sided pleural effusion were divided into two groups; the nonpleuracentesis group (n = 8) and the pleuracentesis group (n = 10). The intravenous furosemide dose per increased body weight, and the term of oxygen supply and time to disappearance of edema were compared between the two groups. Intravenous furosemide dose was lower (p < 0.05) and the term of oxygen supply was shorter in the pleuracentesis group than in the nonpleuracentesis group (p < 0.05), whereas time to disappearance of edema was not significantly different. This non-invasive method can estimate the quantity of pleural effusion, and pleuracentesis had beneficial effect on patients with pleural effusion of greater than 500 ml (the angle x > 35 degrees ) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic congestive heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Mechanism mediating hypertension induced by chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis].

Although the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is known to induce systemic hypertension, the underlying mechanisms mediating this type of hypertension are incompletely understood. In the present study we investigated the influence of sodium intake on the pressor effect of long-term administration of the NO synthesis inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 16 mg/dl in drinking fluid for 8 weeks), in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. Urinary excretion rates of catecholamine during NO synthesis inhibition were also examined. Long-term administration of L-NAME produced a sustained elevation in tail-cuff pressure without altering urine flow, or sodium excretion rate. L-NAME-induced hypertension was accompanied by a decreased urinary excretion of the stable NO metabolites, NO2- and NO3-, and was aggravated when rats drank 0.9% saline in place of tap water. Thus, inhibition of NO synthesis resulted in a rightward shift of the pressure natriuresis relationship and a significant decrease in the slope of this relationship. Urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine, but not that of dopamine, in L-NAME-treated rats significantly increased within the first week of the study when compared with those observed in control rats. A natriuretic index of the sympathetic nervous system, the ratio of dopamine to norepinephrine excretion, was significantly less in L-NAME-treated rats than in control rats. After 8-week treatment with L-NAME, renal morphologic evaluation revealed significant narrowing and obliteration of the arterioles. L-arginine (2 g/dl in drinking fluid) completely reversed the elevation of blood pressure as well as the decrease in urinary NO2- and NO3- excretion and the increased urinary excretion of catecholamines associated with L-NAME treatment after 3 weeks of concomitant administration. These results suggest that the inhibition of chronic NO synthesis produces sodium-sensitive hypertension and that changes in sympathetic nerve activity may, at least in part, contribute to the sodium sensitivity in this type of hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[A Japanese family with paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis].

We present the first report of Japanese family with paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis (PDC). At least seventeen individuals of this family in six generations were affected by PDC by autosomal dominant inheritance. The affected individuals had attacks of choreoathetosis/dystonia-like involuntary movements without loss of consciousness. These attacks were precipitated by stress, caffeine, menstruation or ovulation, but not by sudden voluntary movements, which are common precipitating factors in paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis (PKC). MRI studies of the brain revealed no abnormalities. Some of the family members received clonazepam, or garlic with significant therapeutic effects, while one female case improved after hysterectomy. The pathogenesis of PDC remains unknown, but it could be attributed to a form of channelopathy. Recently, two linkage studies were reported and the PDC locus was identified on chromosome 2q, which may lead to clarify the PDC gene. The family described here may be important for the future biochemical and genetic analyses. We also suspect that PDC may relate to endocrinological abnormalities besides channelopathy.

Adolescent↗