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Biomedical subjects

H Ohta

Publications and source records attributed to H Ohta.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

Lack of cholinergic control in feedback regulation of pancreatic secretion in the rat.

The effect of atropine (100 micrograms/kg/h, i.v.) on plasma cholecystokinin and pancreatic secretion during diversion of bile and pancreatic juice from the intestine was studied in 8 conscious rats equipped with jugular vein, pancreatic, biliary, and duodenal cannulas, and with pyloric ligation and gastric drainage. Diversion of bile and pancreatic juice to the exterior for 4 h significantly increased pancreatic protein and fluid secretion. Atropine delayed the pancreatic response to diversion, but during 4 h of diversion, neither total nor incremental pancreatic protein or fluid secretion was inhibited by atropine. Plasma cholecystokinin levels were elevated after diverting bile and pancreatic juice and were not significantly reduced by atropine (23.0 +/- 6.6 pM vs. 16.0 +/- 3.9 pM at 1.5 h and 17.3 +/- 5.4 pM vs. 13.1 +/- 2.9 pM at 4 h after bile and pancreatic juice diversion; atropine-treated vs. controls, respectively). These results indicate that cholinergic nerves play no important role in feedback regulation of cholecystokinin release and that the previously reported suppressive effect of atropine on the pancreatic response to diversion of bile and pancreatic juice from the intestine was secondary to inhibition of gastric secretion.

Animals↗

Regulation of plasma cholecystokinin levels by bile and bile acids in the rat.

To determine whether intraduodenal bile acids inhibit pancreatic secretion and cholecystokinin (CCK) release independent of pancreatic proteases, experiments were conducted in rats with bile and pancreatic juice chronically diverted to the ileum. Diversion of bile and pancreatic juice increased plasma CCK concentration to 19.1 +/- 4.0 pmol/L. Intraduodenal sodium taurocholate (78 mumol/h) reduced plasma CCK concentration to 6.6 +/- 1.5 pmol/L after 1 hour, but values increased to 17.3 +/- 2.3 pmol/L after 13.5 hours despite continued taurocholate infusion. Pancreatic protein secretion was also significantly but transiently inhibited by taurocholate. However, neither acute nor chronic intraduodenal bile infusion significantly reduced plasma CCK concentration compared with sodium bicarbonate infusion (13.4 +/- 1.9 pmol/L vs. 15.0 +/- 1.7 pmol/L, respectively). Chronic (13.5 hours) intraduodenal infusion of taurocholate plus pancreatic juice caused a sustained reduction of plasma CCK level to 3.1 +/- 0.5 pmol/L, which significantly increased to 9.4 +/- 1.1 pmol/L after cessation of taurocholate but with continued infusion of pancreatic juice. The results indicate that bile does not inhibit CCK release and that bile acids do not physiologically inhibit pancreatic secretion or CCK release independent of the presence of pancreatic proteases.

Animals↗

Induction of metallothionein synthesis by zinc in cadmium pretreated rats.

The ability of zinc (Zn) salts to induce the synthesis of metallothionein (MT) in liver, kidney and pancreas of rats pretreated with cadmium (Cd) salts was investigated. Twenty-four hours after either CdCl2 (2.0 mg Cd/kg, s.c.) or saline pretreatment, rats were injected with saline, CdCl2 (2.0 mg Cd/kg, s.c.) or ZnSO4 (20 mg Zn/kg, s.c.) and the concentrations of MT and MT-1 mRNA in tissues subsequently measured. After a single injection of Cd salts, concentrations of MT and MT-1 mRNA were significantly increased in liver as compared to control. With two injections of Cd, the accumulation of MT in liver was approximately twice the levels of MT following a single injection of Cd. In kidney, MT and MT-1 mRNA expression were significantly increased only after two injections of Cd and in the pancreas, Cd injections did not alter either MT content or MT-1 mRNA expression. Treatment with Zn salts increased MT concentrations in both liver and pancreas. However, the pancreas was the most responsive to injections of Zn salts as compared to the liver in terms of increases in both protein concentration and MT-1 mRNA expression. When Zn injection was preceded by a Cd injection, induction as measured by MT-1 mRNA and MT concentrations were approximately additive in liver. In kidney, although Cd or Zn treatment separately had no effect on MT or MT-1 mRNA content, injection of Cd followed by Zn resulted in significantly increased levels of renal MT and MT-1 mRNA. Fractionation of liver cytosols on a Sephadex G-75 column revealed that in animals receiving two injections of Cd, virtually all the Cd was associated with MT whereas Zn was distributed between both high molecular weight (HMW) proteins and MT. In animals receiving both Cd and Zn injections, cytosolic Cd was still bound predominantly to the MT fraction, while the proportion of cytosolic Zn associated with MT increased. The results of this study suggest that, treatment with Cd salts followed by Zn salt injection can induce further synthesis of MT in liver, kidney and pancreas with subsequent binding of both Zn and Cd to the intracellular MT.

Animals↗

CT simulator: a new 3-D planning and simulating system for radiotherapy: Part 1. Description of system.

A real time CT-linked 3-D treatment planning system, called a CT simulator, has been developed. The basic system consists of a CT scanner, a multi-image display component, a treatment planning device with real time visual optimization, and a laser beam projecting component. All the components are connected on line. The system can be conveniently used for 3-D planning and simulation for radiation therapy within a reasonably short period of time.

Computer Simulation↗

CT simulator: a new 3-D planning and simulating system for radiotherapy: Part 2. Clinical application.

We have performed radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP) with a new system called CT simulator in 72 patients. With the system, RTP is performed with the patient lying on the CT couch within a short period of time. All the CT images scanned were immediately transported to the multi-image monitors and to the treatment planning device. Radiotherapy treatment planning could be performed not only at the beam center but also at any CT slice. Using a laser-beam field projector, field outlines were drawn over the patient's skin. In clinical use, the system was useful for cases in which a target lies adjacent to dose limiting organs, cases with a complicated target shape, cases with complicated dose distribution curves, and cases treated with tangential fields. This system enables us to make optimum use of CT information and to make accurate 3-dimensional treatment planning programs.

Computer Simulation↗

Colonial variation and fimbriation of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Three colonial variants of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, which formed transparent rough (TR)-, transparent smooth (TS)-, and opaque smooth (OS)-surfaced colonies, were described in relation to their fimbriation. TR- and TS-cells were adhesive to agar and glass surfaces but not the OS-cells. The examination by electron microscopy revealed that TR-cells were highly fimbriated but not TS- and OS-cells. Thus, TS-cells seemed to be an intermediate type. The fimbriae were isolated from TR-cells by suspending in 0.15 M ethanolamine-HCl buffer (pH 10.5) and purified by dissolving non-fimbrial components in 0.5% deoxycholate and 0.7% n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The relative molecular mass of the fimbrial subunit protein was 54,000.

Actinobacillus↗

Characterization of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase from human pancreatic cancer.

To elucidate the specific changes of pancreatic gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) associated with malignant transformation, some properties of gamma-GTP purified from pancreatic cancer were compared with those of gamma-GTPs from normal pancreas and other tissues. Four of five pancreatic cancer gamma-GTPs showed distinctly slower electrophoretic mobility than normal pancreatic enzymes. Isoelectric points of pancreatic cancer gamma-GTPs varied in each case, but they were all higher than those of normal pancreatic enzymes. This difference in isoelectric points of gamma-GTPs between cancerous tissue and normal tissue was reduced by neuraminidase treatment. Lectin affinity chromatography revealed two of five pancreatic cancer gamma-GTPs with a greater affinity to concanavalin A (Con A) than normal pancreas gamma-GTPs. Four of five pancreatic cancer gamma-GTPs had a greater affinity to Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) than normal pancreas gamma-GTPs. Normal pancreas gamma-GTPs had little affinity to Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinating (E-PHA), but two of five pancreatic cancer gamma-GTPs had an apparent affinity to E-PHA and one of them had a slight affinity to E-PHA. These results indicate that the transformational changes of pancreatic cancer gamma-GTP are mainly induced in the sugar chains of the enzyme molecule, resulting in lower content of sialic acid and higher content of fucose and bisecting GlcNAc residue (the beta-N-acetylglucosamine residue linked at the C-4 of the beta-mannosyl residue of the trimannosyl core of the asparagine-linked sugar chain) as compared with the normal pancreatic enzyme.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

CCK-releasing activity of rat intestinal secretion: effect of atropine and comparison with monitor peptide.

A bioassay for studying the cholecystokinin (CCK)-releasing activity of intraluminal protease-sensitive bioactive peptides was developed. In conscious rats, bile and pancreatic juice were chronically diverted from the proximal intestine to the ileum to cause chronic stimulation of CCK release and pancreatic protein secretion. CCK-releasing activity of test substances was assayed during transient inhibition of CCK release by intraduodenal sodium taurocholate (78 mumols/h). Intestinal secretion as a source of the putative trypsin-sensitive intestinal CCK-releasing peptide was obtained by rapid intestinal perfusion of isolated Thiry-Vella fistulae of jejunum in conscious rats, collected with or without atropine pretreatment. Partially purified rat pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI, or "monitor peptide") was compared with ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor (OMTI) and with concentrated jejunal secretions for CCK-releasing activity and trypsin inhibitor activity. Concentrated, heat-treated jejunal secretions were the strongest stimulants of CCK release and pancreatic protein secretion in this model. OMTI had no CCK-releasing activity in this model, whereas a larger amount (approximately 5x, based on trypsin inhibitor activity) of PSTI weakly but significantly stimulated CCK release. CCK-releasing activity manifested by pancreatic protein secretion was equivalent in intestinal washes from atropine-treated and control Thiry-Vella fistula donor rats. Concentrated jejunal secretions had no trypsin inhibitory activity, indicating that the putative intestinal CCK-releasing peptide and "monitor peptide" are different substances.

Animals↗

Exclusion mapping of the hereditary dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy gene from the Huntington's disease locus.

Hereditary dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. Clinical and genetic findings in hereditary DRPLA are very similar to those of Huntington's disease (HD). However, it can be differentiated from HD by the pathological findings of dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophies and by a lack of prominent atrophy of the striatum at necropsy. The hereditary DRPLA gene has not been localised and the possibility that the two disease loci are allelic has been suggested. We have searched for linkage between the locus for hereditary DRPLA and D4S10 using the G8 probe, which is a genetic marker linked to HD. In four families, there were negative scores at all recombination fractions and the lod score was -2.215 at recombination fraction theta = 0.15. These data indicate that the locus for hereditary DRPLA is not closely linked to D4S10 and that hereditary DRPLA is a distinct disease from HD.

Blotting, Southern↗

Measurement of immunoreactive prothrombin precursor and vitamin-K-dependent gamma-carboxylation in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues: decreased carboxylation of prothrombin precursor as a cause of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin synthesis.

Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin is an abnormal prothrombin which is drastically increased in the plasma of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. To investigate the process of the abnormal prothrombin synthesis, the amount of prothrombin precursor was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific antibody directed to human prothrombin; the vitamin-K-dependent gamma-carboxylation of prothrombin precursor was determined in human liver tissues. The tissue content of prothrombin precursor was increased in hepatoma tissues compared with noncancerous liver tissues, while the vitamin-K-dependent carboxylation of prothrombin precursor was markedly decreased in hepatoma tissues of the patients with increased plasma des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin. The present study indicates that in hepatocellular carcinoma an increase in prothrombin precursor concentration does not induce vitamin-K-dependent carboxylase activity, which is ordinarily observed in normal liver; probably an overproduction of prothrombin precursor with reduced gamma-carboxylation causes an increase in plasma des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

Serum levels of tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72) in digestive cancers.

Serum levels of tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72) were measured using a two-step sandwich radioimmunoassay kit in 281 patients with digestive cancers and 135 patients with benign digestive diseases. The positive rates of TAG-72 with the cut-off values of 2.2 and 4.0 U/ml were high in pancreatobiliary (56%, 38%), gastric (49%, 37%) and colorectal (62%, 29%) cancers, while the false-positive rate in benign diseases was 11%, 0.7% respectively. Very high levels were found in patients with advanced cancer. TAG-72 was positive in 17 (greater than 2.2 U/ml) and 7 (greater than 4.0 U/ml) out of 60 CEA-negative patients, and in 7 (greater than 2.2 U/ml) and 3 (greater than 4.0 U/ml) out of 17 CA19-9-negative patients. TAG-72 might be a useful serum marker for digestive cancers, especially gastric and colorectal cancers.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Systemic effects of carteolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The preventive effects of carteolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, on secondary lesions were pathophysiologically examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) from 8 to 30 weeks of age. Carteolol was added to the drinking water in doses of 0.005% (8 to 18 weeks of age) to 0.01% (19 to 30 weeks of age) (3.8 and 6.0 mg/kg/d, respectively). These animals gained significantly more weight than the untreated control SHRSP, and their heart rate reduced from 14 weeks of age. Suppression of blood pressure rise was not definite, however, histology revealed prevention of the development or aggravation of secondary hypertension-related lesions, such as myocardial fibrosis, proliferative arteriolitis, necrotic arteriolitis and renal glomerular lesions. A decrease in non-esterified fatty acids in the serum was evident. Thus, carteolol has cardiac as well as renal protective effects, in the SHRSP.

Adrenal Glands↗

Prolongation of life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) ingesting persimmon tannin.

The effects of persimmon tannin on pathophysiological changes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were investigated. When the persimmon tannin was chronically ingested by SHRSP, the life span was significantly prolonged, yet the effect on blood pressure was slight. The incidences of brain hemorrhage and infarction were also significantly decreased by this treatment. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in these events, the effects of condensed tannins, including persimmon tannin, on free radicals and lipid peroxidation were examined in vitro. Using electron spin resonance analysis, we found that these tannins have a potent, concentration-dependent scavenging action toward active oxygen free radicals. These tannins strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates, in a concentration-dependent manner. Persimmon tannin inhibited lipid peroxidation similarly to (-)-epigallocatechin. Persimmon tannin was 20 times more effective than alpha-tocopherol in terms of the 50%-inhibitory concentration. The radical scavenging action and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by persimmon tannin may explain, in part, the prolongation of the life span of the SHRSP ingesting persimmon tannin.

Animals↗

Effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on survival of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) transplanted into the third ventricle in rats.

Effect of short-term exposure to nerve growth factor (NGF) on neuron survival of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) transplanted into the third ventricle in rats and that on neurite outgrowth of SCG neurons in a tissue culture system were examined. Because SCG taken from 3 week-old rats exhibited a high survival rate in transplantation and they were highly sensitive to NGF in culture, they were used in the short-term NGF treatment experiment. SCG from 3 week-old rats were preincubated with NGF for 30 min at room temperature, and then they were cultured for 2 days or grafted for 14 days. Short-term exposure to NGF at the concentration of 10 micrograms/ml enhanced the survival of transplanted SCG neurons. The same concentration of NGF enhanced neurite outgrowth of SCG neurons in culture. These results suggest that short-term NGF pretreatment could increase the efficiency of neuronal transplantation.

Aging↗

Changes in density and distribution of gap junctions after partial hepatectomy: immunohistochemical and morphometric studies.

The disappearance and reappearance of rat liver gap junctions with respect to the time elapsed after partial hepatectomy and the location in the liver acinar zones were analysed immunohistochemically and morphometrically using an affinity purified antibody against the rat liver gap junction protein. The specificity of antibody was assessed by comparing the immunofluorescent staining patterns of rat organs with those obtained with an antibody raised against a synthetic peptide having the partial primary structure of the putative cytoplasmic domain of the gap junction protein. At 20 h after partial hepatectomy, the population density of gap junctions decreased rapidly in the periportal area of the liver acinus. The disappearance of gap junctions progressed from the periportal area toward the central vein. The mean density of gap junctions reached the minimum, about 10% relative to the zero time value, at 48 h after the operation. The reappearance of gap junctions became marked after 72 h. No periportal-centrilobular gradient in the distribution of gap junctions was discernible after 96 h. The time course of the change in the density of gap junctions was found to take a much longer period than those previously reported. The possible effect of the liver microcirculation on the alteration of gap junctions during the liver regeneration is suggested.

Animals↗

Postoperative luxury perfusion syndrome in patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by early aneurysmal clipping.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in 90 patients who underwent early aneurysmal clipping after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Measurements were made by a noninvasive, two-dimensional method involving intravenous injection of 133Xe. Patients of Hunt and Hess grades I and II exhibited normal to slightly subnormal CBF, without significant changes, during the study period. Grades III-V patients had almost normal CBF in the early postoperative period, but their CBF gradually decreased, becoming significantly low after day 31. It is noteworthy that in grades IV and V patients, CBF was abnormally high in the acute stage, relative to their poor neurological condition; these patients were considered to have the "global luxury perfusion syndrome." The syndrome was not uncommon in patients with severe SAH. Possible causative or contributory factors are attempts to surgically reduce intracranial pressure, which leads to increased cerebral perfusion pressure, and concomitant global dysautoregulation. In patients with this syndrome, maneuvers intended to increase CBF should be avoided, as they may aggravate brain swelling or cause hemorrhagic events. Positron emission tomographic studies will provide more accurate and useful information concerning the management of SAH patients.

Adult↗

[Effects of oxygen on growth of Streptococcus mutans].

Effects of oxygen on growth of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt (serotype c) were examined. The strain could be passaged under aerobic conditions at 37 degrees C in a peptone/yeast extract medium containing 0.2% glucose. Although the growth rate was slightly retarded under aerobic conditions (the doubling time, 60 min; 45 min under anaerobic conditions), the increment of cellular dry weight change was 35 g per mole of glucose under both conditions. To investigate such aerotolerance in growth as indicated by these results, oxygen metabolism was compared between aerobically and anaerobically grown cells. No difference was observed in the apparent rate of superoxide production or superoxide dismutation. However, aerobically grown cells showed a higher activity of hydrogen peroxide reduction with glucose as substrate and accumulated a lower level of hydrogen peroxide when incubated with glucose under aerobic conditions. In addition, hydrogen peroxide added to the medium was less inhibitory to anaerobic growth when aerobic cells were used as the inoculum. These results indicate that aerotolerance of S. mutans Ingbritt can be ascribed at least in part to its hydrogen peroxide reducing activity which is elevated under aerobic conditions.

Hydrogen Peroxide↗