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Biomedical subjects

H Ohshima

Publications and source records attributed to H Ohshima.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Synergistic induction of DNA strand breakage by cigarette tar and nitric oxide.

Cigarette smoking is a major cause of human cancer at a variety of sites, although its carcinogenic mechanisms remains unestablished. Cigarette smoke can be divided into two phases, gas phase and particulate matter (tar). Both phases contain high concentrations of oxidants and free radicals, especially nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen oxides in the gas phase and quinone/hydroquinone complex in the tar. We have found that incubation of pBR322 plasmid DNA with aqueous extracts of cigarette tar and a NO-releasing compound (diethylamine NONOate) caused synergistic induction of DNA single-strand breakage, whereas either cigarette tar alone or NO alone induced much less strand breakage. This synergistic effect of cigarette tar and NO on DNA strand breakage was prevented by high concentrations of superoxide dismutase, carboxy-PTIO (an NO-trapping agent) or N-acetylcysteine, whereas hydroxyl radical scavengers such as dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol and D-mannitol did not show inhibitory effects. Possible mechanisms for this synergistic effect mediated by cigarette tar and NO are proposed, including involvement of peroxynitrite, which is a strong oxidant and nitrating agent formed rapidly by the reaction between NO and O2.-. NO is present in the gas phase of smoke and may be formed by a constitutive or inducible NO synthase in the lung, whereas O2.- is generated by auto-oxidation of polyhydroxyaromatic compounds such as catechol and 1,4-hydroquinone present in cigarette tar. Thus, potent reactive species including peroxynitrite formed by the interaction between cigarette tar and NO may play an important role in smoking-related diseases including lung cancer.

Copper↗

Immunolocalization of inducible nitric oxide synthase in synovium and cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Nitric oxide has been implicated as a mediator of inflammatory arthritis, and recent work has shown that pro-inflammatory cytokines stimulate NO production in vitro by activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathway. In order to identify the cellular sources of NO production within the joint, we have used immunohistochemical techniques to study the distribution of iNOS in synovium and cartilage from normal and diseased joints. iNOS was most strongly expressed in the synovial lining layer, subsynovium, vascular smooth muscle and chondrocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Analysis of serial sections, coupled with double immunofluorescent staining, showed that the CD68+ macrophages in the synovial lining layer and, to a lesser extent, fibroblasts were the predominant source of iNOS within synovium, whereas T cells, B cells and neutrophils were negative. A similar pattern of iNOS staining was seen in osteoarthritis, but fewer cells were iNOS positive and the intensity of staining, particularly in cartilage, was much weaker than in RA. In contrast, no evidence of iNOS was detected in non-inflammatory synovium or in cartilage derived from normal joints (fractured neck of femur). In conclusion, these data support the hypothesis that synovium and cartilage are important sources of increased NO production in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Localization of iNOS at these sites within the inflamed joint raises the possibility that increased local production of NO may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis by increasing synovial blood flow and by modulating cellular function within synovium and articular cartilage.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Reactions between hydroxyl-radical-induced 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine precursor and the spin trap alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone.

An N2O-saturated aqueous solution containing 2'-dG and the spin trap agent PBN was examined by ESR and HPLC-ECD methods after X irradiation. ESR examination showed that the ESR spectrum obtained consisted of signals due to the PBN-OH and PBN-H adducts. The signal intensity of PBN-H adducts was larger in the presence of 2'-dG than in the absence of 2'dG, while that of PBN-OH adducts was smaller in the presence of 2'-dG than in the absence of 2'-dG. When the OH-radical-induced 8-oxodG was measured by HPLC-ECD, the yield of 8-oxodG was found to be enhanced about twofold in the presence of PBN. By contrast, usual OH-radical scavengers (DMSO, sodium formate and mannitol) inhibited the formation of 8-oxodG beyond expectation. The enhancement of the yield of PBN-H adducts by 2'-dG and the enhancement of the 8-oxodG formation by PBN were explained by the electron transfer and subsequent proton transfer reactions from OH-radical-induced guanine-N7 radicals to PBN to form 8-oxodG and PBN-H. The present study led us to conclude that PBN reacted with the precursor radical of 8-oxodG to accelerate the formation of 8-oxodG, while OH-radical scavengers reacted with it to diminish the formation of 8-oxodG.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in bone and bone cell cultures.

Recent work has shown that nitric oxide (NO) acts as an important mediator of the effects of proinflammatory cytokines and mechanical strain in bone. Although several bone-derived cells have been shown to produce NO in vitro, less is known about the isoforms of NO synthase (NOS), which are expressed in bone or their cellular distribution. Here we investigated the expression, cellular localization, and regulation of NOS mRNA and protein in cultured bone-derived cells and in bone tissue sections. We failed to detect inducible NOS (iNOS) protein in normal bone using immunohistochemical techniques, even though low levels of iNOS mRNA were detected by sensitive reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays in RNA extracted from whole bone samples. Cytokine stimulation of bone-derived cells and bone explant cultures caused dramatic induction of iNOS mRNA and protein in osteoblasts and bone marrow macrophages, but no evidence of iNOS expression was seen in osteoclasts by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization. Endothelial NOS (ecNOS) mRNA was also detected by RT-PCR in whole bone, and immunohistochemical studies showed widespread ecNOS expression in bone marrow cells and trabecular lining cells in vivo. Related studies in vitro confirmed that ecNOS was expressed in cultured osteoblasts, stromal cells, and osteoclasts. Neuronal NOS mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in whole bone, but we were unable to detect nNOS protein in bone cells in vivo or in studies of cultured bone-derived cells in vitro. In summary, our data show that mRNAs for all three NOS isoforms are expressed in bone and provide evidence for differential expression and regulation of the enzymes in different cell types. These findings confirm the likely importance of the L-arginine-NO pathway as a physiological mediator of bone cell function and demonstrate that it may be possible to exert differential effects on osteoblast and osteoclast activity in vivo by differential targeting of constitutive and inducible NOS isoforms by selective NOS inhibitors.

Animals↗

[Two cases of coronary artery bypass grafting following radical mastectomy using bilateral internal thoracic arterial grafts].

We report two cases of coronary artery bypass grafting following radical mastectomy using bilateral internal thoracic arterial grafts. One was a 68-year-old woman with angina pectoris, and the other was a 71-year-old woman with old myocardial infarction. Dissection of the internal thoracic arterial pedicles from the chest wall was not so difficult in both cases. The pedicles had good patency and each free flow of them was enough. They had no postoperative complications. It may be a useful method to use the internal thoracic arterial grafts for a case of coronary artery bypass grafting after radical mastectomy.

Aged↗

Effects of carbon dioxide/bicarbonate on induction of DNA single-strand breaks and formation of 8-nitroguanine, 8-oxoguanine and base-propenal mediated by peroxynitrite.

Carbon dioxide has been reported to react with peroxynitrite (ONOO-), a strong oxidant and nitrating agent, to form an ONO2CO2- adduct, altering the reactivity characteristic of peroxynitrite. We found that bicarbonate (0-10 mM) caused a dose-dependent increase of up to 6-fold in the formation of 8-nitroguanine in calf-thymus DNA incubated with 0.1 mM peroxynitrite, whereas it produced no apparent effect on 8-oxoguanine formation. In contrast, bicarbonate inhibited peroxynitrite-induced strand breakage in plasmid pBR322 DNA and thymine-propenal formation from thymidine. We conclude that C02/HCO3- reacts with peroxynitrite to form a potent nitrating agent, but also to inactivate hydroxyl-radical-like activity of peroxynitrous acid.

Animals↗

Occurrence of amorphous and crystalline mineral deposits at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of incisors in the calcium-loaded rat: implication of novel calcium binding domains.

BACKGROUND: In order to clarify the regulatory factors that promote precipitation of enamel crystals in mammalian tooth germs, possible calcium binding domains were visualized at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of rat incisor teeth by means of electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. METHODS: Adult rats were loaded with calcium (30 mM Ca) by vascular perfusion and further loaded through fixation and dehydration in the presence of high doses of calcium. RESULTS: Electron microscopy of anhydrously prepared Epon sections of the calcium-loaded rat incisors revealed numerous electron-dense granular deposits, enriched with calcium and phosphorus, scattering in the fibrous mantle dentin matrix and the intercellular spaces of the inner enamel epithelium, but not in the pulp tissues including the odontoblastic cells layer. The electron-dense deposits were specific for the enamel-related portion and were never shown to occur in the cementum-related portion. Proceeding incisally, dense deposits in both the mantle dentin matrix and presecretory ameloblast layer gradually converted to fine needlelike figures resembling the early enamel crystallites. Mineral deposits in experimental rats disappeared concomitant with the onset of normal mineralization of mantle dentin. There was no spatial correlation between the dense deposits and either stippled material or matrix vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the presence of novel calcium-binding domains in the enamel-related portion of the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of rat incisors that form enamellike crystallites under calcium-loaded conditions. A contribution of these putative calcium-binding domains in the induction and spontaneous formation of enamel crystals is suggested.

Animals↗

Distribution and organization of peripheral capillaries in dental pulp and their relationship to odontoblasts.

BACKGROUND: Developmental and chronological changes in the peripheral capillaries of the dental pulp and their relationship to odontoblasts during dentin formation has not been sufficiently detailed. This study aims to elucidate the morphological changes of the peripheral capillaries in relation to the life cycle of odontoblasts. METHODS: Peripheral capillaries of the dental pulp were examined in the labial region of rat incisors and in the crown region of rat molars by using light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Before the start of dentin formation, continuous capillaries formed a coarse vascular network under the odontoblast layer. With the start of dentin deposition, capillaries began to invade into the odontoblast layer and finally located close to the predentin, where they formed a dense vascular network consisting of fenestrated capillaries. In the incisors, dentin was formed actively even near the incisal tip, and fenestrated capillaries continued to locate in the odontoblast layer. In the molars, however, the activity of dentin deposition gradually decreased with the advance of dentin formation, and the fenestrated capillaries altered to continuous capillaries and withdrew from the predentin border to the odontoblastic-pulpal border shortly before the cessation of active dentin deposition. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the changes in the peripheral capillaries are closely related to the secretory activity of the odontoblasts. To facilitate a rapid and sufficient supply of raw materials from the bloodstream to the calcifying front, peripheral capillaries first approach the odontoblasts, invade into the odontoblast layer close to the predentin with increases in density, and finally alter the endothelium from the continuous to the fenestrated type in compliance with the nutritional requirements of the odontoblasts, which lay down the dentin. When the activity of odontoblasts decreases, capillaries first alter the endothelium from the fenestrated to the continuous type, then retreat from the odontoblast layer, and finally locate below the odontoblast layer.

Animals↗

Autocrine/paracrine mechanism of insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion, and the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 on proteoglycan synthesis in bovine intervertebral discs.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 on proteoglycan synthesis and the autocrine/paracrine mechanism involving insulin-like growth factor-1 in the bovine coccygeal intervertebral disc. Insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulated proteoglycan synthesis in cultured cells of the nucleus pulposus of bovine intervertebral discs in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect was inhibited by an anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 monoclonal antibody. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA in the cultured cells, and its production in these cells was demonstrated by radioimmunoassay. Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor in the cultured cells was also demonstrated immunohistochemically. Scatchard analysis using an [125I]insulin-like growth factor-1 binding assay showed that the cells cultured in monolayer had a single type of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, whose affinity and number were estimated to be 7.38 x 10(8)/M and 9.27 x 10(4)/cell, respectively. These results suggest that insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulates proteoglycan synthesis in cells of the nucleus pulposus and that these cells in culture have an insulin-like growth factor-1 autocrine/paracrine mechanism. The expressions of insulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor in disc tissue were greater in cells of the nucleus pulposus of fetal bovine intervertebral discs than in those of the adult discs. These findings suggest that the action of autocrine/paracrine insulin-like growth factor-1 is more active in cells of the young nucleus pulposus than in cells of mature subjects.

Age Factors↗

Development of a de novo tumorous necrotic lesion in the liver after transcatheter arterial embolization combined with iodized oil infusion: report of a case.

We report herein the case of a 69-year-old woman in whom a hepatic tumorous necrotic lesion was discovered following transcatheter arterial embolization combined with iodized oil infusion (Lp-TAE) for a hepatoma. The lesion, which had not been evident prior to the Lp-TAE, was resected and analyzed pathologically. The portal area distribution in the necrotic lesion was the same as that in the surrounding hepatic tissue, suggesting that the lesion was derived from the nonneoplastic hepatic tissue. Moreover, extensive wall thickening and obstruction were observed in the intrahepatic portal vein and hepatic artery. These findings suggest that the lesion was a focus of hepatic infarction triggered by Lp-TAE.

Aged↗

Electrostatic interaction between two charged spherical molecules.

An explicit analytic expression is obtained for the electrostatic energy of the interaction between two ion-impenetrable space-charged hard spheres as a model for spherical molecules in an electrolyte solution on the basis of the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation. An explicit expression for the potential distribution in a 3D-space is also found. The polarization effects due to the mutual influence between the spheres are taken into account. The analysis is done by assuming different dielectric permittivities of the respective spheres and of the solution as well. It is shown that the correction terms in the expression for the total energy of interaction arising from the polarization effects always correspond to forces of attraction between the spheres. The contribution of these terms to the total energy of interaction depends on the distance between the two spheres and the dielectric permittivities of the spheres and the solution as well as on the electrolyte concentration in the solution. A numerical simulation of the potential field topography is carried out at several values of the Debye-Hückel parameter. It is shown that the polarization effect can produce significant changes in the potential distribution in the case of strong interacting spheres.

Journal Article↗

The effects of alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) on copper-induced rat fulminant hepatitis with jaundice.

In the present study we demonstrated the protective effects of the spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) against fulminant hepatitis with jaundice in LEC rats. In LEC rats an excess amount of copper is accumulated in the liver and causes hepatitis with severe jaundice. PBN was subcutaneously administered every 2 d at the concentration of 128 mg/kg, beginning with 13-week-old rats and continuing for 17 weeks. PBN prevented the loss of body weight, reduced death rate, and suppressed the increase in GTP and GOT values reflecting hepatic cell destruction. Ocular inspection also confirmed the suppressive effects of PBN on jaundice. In parallel with these phenomena, the amounts of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in livers of PBN-administered rats were found to be lower than those of non-PBN-administered rats. Little histological changes were observed in PBN-administered rats in comparison with non-PBN-administered rats. The protective effect of PBN on the formation of oxidative damage in liver DNA was observed but not so remarkable as that on lipid peroxidation. From these results, it was concluded that PBN had the liver-protective effects against fulminant hepatitis with jaundice. This suggested that free radicals play an important role in abnormally accumulated copper-induced liver injury and that PBN potentially has therapeutic value for the treatment of hepatitis.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Histological grading of carcinoma in situ of the bladder: its clinical significance in patients who underwent intravesical mitomycin C and doxorubicin sequential therapy.

PURPOSE: The clinical behavior of carcinoma in situ of the bladder seems rather complicated. Although some have advocated the histological grading of carcinoma in situ, to our knowledge no sufficient clinical information has been reported. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical significance of histological grading of carcinoma in situ of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1984 to December 1991, 58 patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder were treated initially with intravesical mitomycin C and doxorubicin sequential therapy. Of the patients 20 had grade 2 and 38 had grade 3 anaplasia according to the modified World Health Organization grading system. Those who failed the initial therapy received another course of mitomycin C and doxorubicin sequential therapy or intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin. RESULTS: Following initial therapy, 13 patients (65%) with grade 2 and 28 (74%) with grade 3 disease achieved a complete response. Subsequent intravesical therapy resulted in complete response in 17 patients (85%) with grade 2 and 31 (82%) with grade 3 cancer. The local recurrence rate was higher in the grade 2 than in the grade 3 cases after a median followup of 48 months (range 10 to 84). The recurrent tumor configuration was significantly different between the 2 groups. Papillary cancer recurred only in grade 2 cases, while only nodular cancer recurred in grade 3 cases. The progression-free and survival curves were slightly higher in grade 2 than in grade 3 cases, although the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: There may be some difference in response to initial intravesical chemotherapy and the local recurrence rate between grades 2 and 3 carcinoma in situ, both of which are detrimental to grade 2 lesions. Moreover, it appears likely that grade 2 carcinoma in situ is a precursor of papillary high grade cancer and grade 3 carcinoma in situ is a precursor of nodular cancer. However, patient prognosis in the 2 groups was not significantly different.

Administration, Intravesical↗

Cellular signals regulating antibiotic sensitivities of bacteria.

The effects of bacterial masses upon the drug resistance of neighboring bacteria were investigated. The experiments were performed with plastic Petri dishes divided into two identical compartments. A growing mass of Bacillus subtilis (signal emitter cell) in one compartment exerted enhancing effects upon the erythromycin and streptomycin resistance of Bacillus carboniphilus (signal recipient) cells, sparsely seeded in the other compartment, through the plastic wall and the air. These effects of the growing mass of cells are attributed to the emission of "sonic" signals.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Characterization of bacterial cytochrome cd(1)-nitrite reductase as one enzyme responsible for catalysis of nitrosation of secondary amines.

Bacterial formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds may play a role in the etiology of human cancer. Biochemical and immunological studies in denitrifying bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) strongly support the identification of cytochrome cd(1)-nitrite reductase as the enzyme responsible for the catalysis of nitrosation through the production of nitric oxide or NO(+)-like species. Interestingly, electron paramagnetic resonance studies have shown that large quantities of nitric oxide or NO(+)-species were also produced by non-denitrifying enterobacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus morganii).

Antibodies↗

Dendritic cells: a novel cellular component of the rat incisor enamel organ appearing in the late stages of enamel maturation.

Immunocompetent cells in the enamel organ of rat incisors were examined immunohistochemically using OX6, ED1, and ED2 monoclonal antibodies known to recognize the Class II MHC molecules, a monocyte-macrophage lineage, and residential macrophages, respectively. The OX6 immunopositive cells (MHC cells) were located exclusively in the enamel maturation zone. MHC cells increased in number in the incisal direction and occasionally extended cytoplasmic processes deep into the ameloblast layer. Migration of MHC cells in the ameloblast layer were also encountered. MHC cells lacked phagolysosomes and could be distinguished from typical macrophages. ED2 immunopositive cells were not seen in the enamel organ. ED1 positive cells displayed identical localization to MHC cells except that some appeared in the transitional zone. MHC cells could not be seen in the enamel organ of rat molar tooth germs. Our data confirmed the presence of a large population of "dendritic" immunocompetent cells in the enamel organ of rat incisors and characterized the ultrastructural features of these cells. Biological significance of the immunocompetent cells in the enamel organ during amelogenesis needs to be clarified.

Amelogenesis↗

Damage induced by hydroxyl radicals generated in the hydration layer of gamma-irradiated frozen aqueous solution of DNA.

Aqueous DNA solutions with or without the spin trap alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) were exposed to gamma-rays at 77 K. After thawing the solutions, three experiments were carried out to confirm the generation of OH radicals in the hydration layer of DNA and to examine whether they act as an inducer of DNA strand breaks and base alterations. Observation with the ESR-spin trapping method showed ESR signals from PBN-OH adducts in the solution containing PBN and DNA, but there were few signals in the solution containing PBN alone, suggesting that reactive OH radicals were produced in the hydration layer of gamma-irradiated DNA and were effectively scavenged by PBN, and that unreactive OH radicals were produced in the free water layer of gamma-irradiated DNA. Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA proved that PBN had no effect on the formation of strand breaks, whereas examination with the high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) method showed that PBN suppressed the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). From these results it was concluded that OH radicals generated in the hydration layer of gamma-irradiated DNA did not induce DNA strand breaks but induced base alterations.

Animals↗