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Biomedical subjects

H Ohkawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Ohkawa.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Production of bone-resorbing activity and colony-stimulating activity in vivo and in vitro by a human squamous cell carcinoma associated with hypercalcemia and leukocytosis.

A squamous cell carcinoma of 33-yr-old patient who developed marked leukocytosis and hypercalcemia was transplanted into nude mice in which more marked leukocytosis and hypercalcemia also developed. This tumor (LJC-1-JCK) produced a colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and formed a cyst in the tumor from which a CSF-producing cell line (T3M-1) was established. The CSF causes predominantly formation of granulocytic colonies in addition to macrophage colonies. Bone-resorbing activity (BRA) was detected in the cystic fluid and was eluted as two separate peaks with proteins of an apparent molecular weight of 30,000-50,000 and 10,000-20,000. Colony-stimulating activity (CSA) was eluted at an apparent 30,000 mol wt. The conditioned medium of the T3M-1 cells also contained a BRA with an apparent 14,000 mol wt, whereas CSA eluted at an apparent 30,000 mol wt. PTH, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, prostaglandin Es, and vitamin D could not account for the powerful BRA. In contrast to CSA, BRA was not inactivated by trypsin and more stable at 70 degrees C. When T3M-1 cells were transplanted into nude mice, marked hypercalcemia developed in addition to granulocytosis. Our findings suggest that the tumor produces and secretes a powerful BRA in vivo and in vitro, which is different from CSA in terms of molecular weight, heat stability, and trypsin treatment. We speculate that the synergistic action of CSF that stimulates macrophage colony formation and recruits osteoclast precursors, and BRA, which stimulates mononuclear phagocytes and/or osteoclasts were responsible for a marked increase in osteoclastic bone resorption and humoral hypercalcemia in the patient.

Animals↗

Low-sodium resistant non-adrenergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the guinea-pig duodenum.

The evoked inhibitory potentials (i.p.s) in the longitudinal smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig duodenum were recorded intracellularly. The i.p.s were not blocked by adrenergic blocking agents, guanethidine (10(-6) g/ml), propranolol (10(-6) g/ml) and phentolamine (10(-6) g/ml), and atropine (10(-6) g/ml). Tetrodotoxin (10(-7)-10(-6) g/ml) abolished the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic i.p.s evoked by single or repeated stimulation without changes in the resting membrane potential of the longitudinal smooth muscle. In the presence of atropine (10(-6) g/ml), acetylcholine (5 X 10(-9)-7 X 10(-7) g/ml) had no effect on the amplitude of the i.p.s d-tubocurarine (2 X 10(-5) g/ml) reduced the amplitude of the i.p.s and produced a small depolarization in the muscle membrane. The longitudinal muscle membrane was slightly depolarized by Li-solution and the i.p.s could be evoked in the Li-solution for a long period, accompanying with the slight decrease in the amplitude of the i.p.s. In the choline-solution, the depolarization of the muscle membrane and the slight increase in the amplitude of the i.p.s were obtained. The i.p.s were abolished in the Ca2+-free choline-solution. In the sucrose-solution, the decrease of the resting membrane potential of the longitudinal smooth muscle was observed and the amplitude of the i.p.s was gradually reduced during the perfusion of the sucrose-solution. Chloride deficiency had no considerable effect on the amplitude of i.p.s. The results obtained suggest that the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory neurotransmission is low-sodium resistant and the excitation-secretion coupling in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves is mainly dependent on the external calcium ions but not sodium ions.

Acetylcholine↗

Cholinergic modulation and effects of dynorphin on the non-adrenergic inhibitory potentials in the guinea-pig duodenum.

Cholinergic modulation and effects of dynorphin on the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory potentials (NANC i.p.s) in the longitudinal smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig duodenum were studied intracellularly. Atropine (1.4 X 10(-7)-1.4 X 10(-5) M) and scopolamine (3.3 X 10(-8)-3.3 X 10(-7) M) increased the amplitude of the evoked i.p.s while physostigmine (3.7 X 10(-7)-3.7 X 10(-6) M) and neostigmine (4.8 X 10(-8) M) decreased it. The frequency of the spontaneous action potentials in the longitudinal smooth muscle cells was increased by dynorphin (6 X 10(-8)-3 X 10(-7) M) without continuous membrane depolarization. The excitatory effect of dynorphin on the spontaneous electrical activity was not blocked by atropine (1.4 X 10(-6) M). Dynorphin (6 X 10(-8)-2.4 X 10(-7) M) increased the amplitude of the i.p.s evoked in the presence of atropine (1.4 X 10(-7)-1.4 X 10(-6) M) and in the propranolol (3.9 X 10(-6) M) solution containing atropine while dynorphin decreased the amplitude of the i.p.s evoked in the absence of atropine. In the high calcium solution containing atropine, the amplitude of the i.p.s increased. Further increase in the amplitude of the i.p.s was observed by additively applied dynorphin. However, the amplitude of the i.p.s evoked in the high calcium solution without atropine was decreased by dynorphin. These results suggest the cholinergic inhibitory modulation on the NANC inhibitory nerves in the guinea-pig duodenum, the non-cholinergic excitatory action of dynorphin on the spontaneous electrical activity of the longitudinal smooth muscle and the excitatory action of dynorphin on the NANC inhibitory nerves in the presence of muscarinic blocking agents.

Action Potentials↗

[Organ defects due to cancer treatment in infancy and childhood].

In infancy and childhood, as in adults, organ defect is the most direct adverse effect of cancer treatment. Anatomical defects due to surgical treatment and functional defects due to radiotherapy are the two main types. In this paper, the relationship between the radicality of surgical treatment and preservation of organ form and function are discussed with regard to the thyroid, chest wall, lung, stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney and intra-pelvic organs. The more radical the treatment, the less preservation of organ form and function. The role of surgery has been changing in accordance with the development of chemotherapeutic drugs and drug combination, and must always be reevaluated in accordance with any progress made in other treatment modalities. Some typical cases from a series of patients we have treated were presented. A neonatal case of broad right chest wall defect due to surgical removal of chondroblastoma was presented, showing our new method of chest wall reconstruction. A case of bilateral Wilms' tumor was presented, which was treated using bench surgery to prevent total removal of kidney tissue. A case of huge and infiltrative intra-pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma was also described, which was treated by tumor extirpation and 2/3 partial resection of the urinary bladder, in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Child↗

Cholangio-venous reflux as a cause of recurrent hyperamylasemia in choledochal dilatation with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union: an experimental study.

Cylindrical choledochal dilatation, associated with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union, causes recurrent episodes of right hypochondrial pain, vomiting, and fever. The symptoms are very often accompanied by hyperamylasemia, which is generally considered to be due to acute pancreatitis. However, our clinical experience and experimental studies have led us to the conclusion that pancreatitis is not the sole cause of hyperamylasemia. In this paper we report our further investigations of the cause of the hyperamylasemia. In 22 mongrel adult dogs, intracholedochal infusion was performed under a continuous hydrostatic pressure of 20 cm H2O for 2 hours. Solutions of amylase from three different sources and a lipase were used in the range of concentrations found clinically in the bile within a cylindrical choledochal dilatation. In the 3 groups, hyperamylasemia was proven by quantitative estimation of serum amylase level and/or by the changes in specific amylase isozymes. Lipase was also shown to transfer into the blood stream. In an additional experiment on 5 dogs, only the extrahepatic biliary tree, including the gallbladder, was infused with a solution of amylase from Bacillus subtilis. This produced no increase in the serum amylase. Our experiments suggest that amylase passes from the hepatocholedochal system into the blood stream. This phenomenon has long been known as cholangiovenous reflux.

Amylases↗

Expression of rat liver cytochrome P-450MC cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Rat liver cytochrome P-450MC cDNA was inserted between the ADH1 promoter and terminator regions of the yeast expression vector pAAH5. On introduction of the resulting recombinant plasmid pAMC1, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells synthesized up to 8 X 10(5) molecules per cell of the cytochrome P-450MC protein, most of which was localized in yeast microsomes. Approximately half of the synthesized cytochrome contained heme in the enzyme molecule. These formed a functional electron-transport chain in the microsomes which exhibited aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity toward benzo[a]pyrene.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Characterization of rat cytochrome P-450MC synthesized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Rat cytochrome P-450MC cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae AH22, SHY3 and NA87-11A cells under the control of the yeast ADH1 promoter and terminator. Although the three yeast strains transformed with the constructed expression plasmid, pAMC1, contained approximately three copies of the plasmid, the levels of both P-450MC mRNA and the corresponding protein in the AH22 cells carrying plasmid pAMC1 were 1.4- to 1.7-fold and 2-fold higher than in the other two strains, respectively. The P-450MC protein was purified from the microsomal fraction of AH22 cells carrying pAMC1 by a rapid purification method. The apparent molecular weight, chromatographic behavior, spectral properties, substrate specificity and immunochemical properties of the purified P-450MC protein were indistinguishable from those of rat liver P-450MC-I and P-450MC-II (Sasaki, T., et al. (1984) J. Biochem. 96, 117-126). The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein up to 10 residues was the same as those of P-450MC-I and P-450MC-II. In addition, HPLC analysis of the microsomal fraction of AH22 cells containing pAMC1 indicated that the synthesized P-450MC protein corresponds to P-450MC-II, but not P-450MC-I. With another purification method, we obtained the cleaved P-450MC protein which lacked the NH2-terminal 30 amino acids of intact P-450MC. The spectral properties and monooxygenase activities towards benzo(a)pyrene and 7-ethoxycoumarin of the cleaved P-450MC were nearly the same as those of intact P-450MC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of neurotensin on the non-adrenergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the guinea-pig duodenum.

The effects of neurotensin on the non-adrenergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the guinea-pig duodenum were investigated. The resting membrane potential of the duodenal smooth muscle cells was reduced by neurotensin at the concentration of 3 X 10(-8) M or more. The amplitude of the non-adrenergic inhibitory potentials was decreased by neurotensin (1-3 X 10(-8) M). In the Ca2+-free solution, the amplitude of the inhibitory potentials was also decreased. The increased amplitude of the non-adrenergic inhibitory potentials evoked in the high calcium solution (Ca2+, 5 mM) was decreased by neurotensin (10(-8) M). Neither atropine (1.4 X 10(-6) M) nor propranolol (3.4 X 10(-6) M) blocked the inhibitory action of neurotensin (10(-8) M) on the inhibitory potential. The frequency of the spontaneous action potentials of the duodenal smooth muscle cells was strongly increased with accompanying depolarization by neurotensin 8 X 10(-8) M. The tonic contraction of the duodenal smooth muscles was produced by neurotensin (3-8 X 10(-8) M). The results obtained suggest that neurotensin relates to the non-adrenergic inhibitory pathway in the control mechanism on intestinal motility.

Action Potentials↗

A new assay method for lipid peroxides using a methylene blue derivative.

To determine the absolute amount of lipid hydroperoxides in biological materials, a simple and sensitive colorimetric method was newly developed, based on the reaction of lipid hydroperoxides with a leucomethylene blue derivative in the presence of hemoglobin. The amount of methylene blue formed was measured by its absorbance at 666 nm to calculate the amount of lipid hydroperoxides using cumene hydroperoxide as external standard. By this method, lipid hydroperoxide concentrations of less than 7.5 nmol/tube were accurately determined.

Colorimetry↗

Nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA coding for 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat liver cytochrome P-450MC.

We constructed a full-length cDNA coding for 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450MC by the method of Okayama and Berg. The isolated clone pAU157 contained the cDNA insert of 2.7 kb in length. Sequence analysis of the cDNA insert revealed that the amino acid sequence of cytochrome P-450MC was composed of 523 amino acid residues, including the initial 22 N-terminal amino acids whose sequence was determined with the purified protein. The primary structure was found to contain two highly conserved regions as pointed out from comparisons of the reported amino acid sequences of cytochrome P-450 species. The predicted molecular weight of the apoprotein was 59,300 daltons. Therefore, we concluded that the amino acid sequence determined here is for cytochrome P-450MC, probably corresponding to cytochrome P-450c.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of Sudan III on drug metabolizing enzymes.

We have examined the induction of drug metabolizing enzymes in rat liver microsomes by azo dye, 1-(p-phenylazophenylazo)-2-naphthol (Sudan III). Marked increases were observed in the levels of cytochrome P-448 as well as in p-nitroanisole O-demethylase (p-NAD), amaranth (AR) and neoprontosil reductases (NPR) and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECD) activities. On the other hand, aminopyrene N-demethylase activity was not significantly increased. Further, induced ECD activity was inhibited 90% by a specific antibody against cytochrome P-448 while the inhibition observed with an antibody against cytochrome P-450 was less than 25%. Simultaneous administration of Sudan III and 3-methylcholanthene (3-MC) induced cytochrome P-448 up to a level brought about by either Sudan III or 3-MC treatment alone. In contrast, Sudan III did not induce cytochrome P-448 in the 3-MC insensitive DBA/2 mouse. Solubilized microsomes from Sudan III-treated rats showed an identical sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) pattern with those from 3-MC-treated animals. It is concluded that the cytochrome P-448 induced in liver by Sudan III is very similar to that induced by 3-MC. Sudan III also induced UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity towards 1-naphthol and estradiol. It did not induce NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, nor any of the enzymes which constitute the microsomal electron transport chain except for cytochrome P-448.

Animals↗

Comparative metabolism of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) in mice and rats.

In male and female DDY/Slc mice given single oral doses (20 or 500 mg/kg body weight) of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) labelled with 14C at the p-methyl group, 14C was distributed mainly in the stomach, intestines, liver and kidney, and then excreted in the urine, faeces and expired air. During the 7 days after treatment, 41-65, 26-50 and 6-9% of the 14C dose was excreted in faeces, urine and expired air, respectively, and the total recovery was 96-98%. Levels of 14C in 21 male and 22 female tissues 7 days after treatment were less than 1 microgram BHT equivalents/g tissue (ppm) in mice given 20 mg/kg and less than 11 ppm in mice given 500 mg/kg. When [14C]BHT was given orally to male mice at 20 mg/kg/day for 10 days, 14C was rapidly excreted and did not exhibit any tendency to accumulate in any tissues. Thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that more than 43 metabolites were present in the urine and faeces of both species, and all of these were identified to determine metabolic pathways for BHT in mice and rats. Major metabolic reactions of [14C]BHT in mice were the oxidation of the p-methyl group attached to the benzene ring and of the tert-butyl groups. The products from the latter reaction were cyclized to some extent by reacting with the adjacent phenolic OH group to give hemiacetals or lactones. The carboxyl derivatives from the p-methyl oxidation were conjugated with glucuronic acid. When single oral doses of 20 or 500 mg [14C]BHT/kg were given to male Sprague-Dawley rats, metabolites similar to those in mice were found. However, the major biotransformation was oxidation of the p-methyl group, and oxidation of the tert-butyl groups was a minor reaction in rats.

Animals↗

Characterization of three forms of cytochrome P-450 isolated from liver microsomes of rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene.

Three forms of cytochrome P-450, designated as P-450MC-I, P-450MC-II, and P-450MC-III, were isolated from liver microsomes of rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) by using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. The major MC-inducible forms, P-450MC-I and P-450MC-II showed a single protein band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis giving a minimum molecular weight of 56,000 daltons. The oxidized absolute spectra of both cytochromes P-450 were of low spin type, having a Soret absorption peak at 417 nm. The CO-reduced difference spectra of these two cytochromes P-450 showed a peak at 447 nm. In a reconstituted system, both cytochromes P-450 exhibited similar high levels of catalytic activity for benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation. Anti-P-450MC-I IG and anti-P-450MC-II IG, which were produced against the corresponding cytochromes P-450, each formed a single continuous precipitin line with both P-450MC-I and P-450MC-II in Ouchterlony double diffusion tests. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the sequence of the NH2-terminal 18 amino acids of both enzymes was the same. Therefore, the major MC-inducible forms, P-450MC-I and P-450MC-II, were highly homologous, being indistinguishable from each other in terms of apparent molecular weight, spectral properties, substrate specificity and the NH2-terminal 18 amino acid residues, but clearly separable by HPLC. The characteristics of both P-450 forms appear to correspond to those of the previously reported P-450c (1). On the other hand, a minor form, P-450MC-III was different from P-450MC-I and P-450MC-II in chromatographic properties, apparent molecular weight, substrate specificity and immunochemical properties, and did not correspond to any P-450 species previously purified from MC-treated rat liver microsomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of complementary DNA clones coding for two forms of 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450.

Double-stranded DNA complementary to the partially purified mRNA prepared from 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-treated rat liver was constructed and cloned in Escherichia coli. Twenty clones were verified to carry a complementary DNA (cDNA) insert coding for MC-inducible cytochrome P-450 by positive hybridization translation assay and immunochemical assay with anti-cytochrome P-450 antibody. The identified cDNA clones were divided into at least two groups on the basis of comparison of restriction maps of the cDNA inserts. A clone pAU157 whose cDNA insert was approximately 2.7 kb in length contained nearly full-length mRNA information for cytochrome P-450MC or P-450c, which is the major form of MC-inducible cytochrome P-450. Other cDNA clones pTZ286-pTZ330 contained the 1.2 kb sequence complementary to cytochrome P-450d mRNA. RNA blot analysis revealed that pAU157 and pTZ286-pTZ330 cDNA clones were derived from 22S and 18S mRNAs, respectively, both of which were induced in rat liver by MC treatment. Sequence analysis revealed that there were closely homologous sequence regions in pAU157 and pTZ286-pTZ330 cDNA inserts and most of the homologous sequences were localized in two limited coding regions of the two cytochrome P-450 species. pAU157 encoded the total amino acid sequence of cytochrome P-450MC or P-450c and pTZ286-pTZ330 coded for the C-terminal 368 amino acid residues of cytochrome P-450d. Two highly homologous regions were found in the amino acid sequences of these cytochrome P-450 species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗