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Biomedical subjects

H Ueki

Publications and source records attributed to H Ueki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Stimulatory release of hepatic lipase activity from rat hepatocytes by ruthenium red.

Ruthenium Red (RuR; ruthenium oxychloride ammoniated) stimulated the release of hepatic lipase (HTGL) activity from primary cultured rat hepatocytes into medium in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The RuR-stimulated release of HTGL activity was suppressed by tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors (ST-638 and biochanin A). The activity of partially purified TK preparation from hepatocytes was found to be increased by incubation with RuR. In addition, treatment of the hepatocytes with H-89, a potent inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), decreased the stimulatory release of HTGL activity by RuR. Moreover, cAMP content in RuR-incubated hepatocytes was rapidly increased, and activation of PKA was observed. The RuR-stimulated release of HTGL activity is also inhibited by uncouplers and glycosylation inhibitors. In addition, incorporation of [3H]leucine into protein was increased in the present of RuR. Under marked inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide, RuR still showed a full effect on the release of HTGL activity. These results suggest that RuR stimulates the release of HTGL activity through mechanisms of action involving TK- and PKA-activating pathways, which require a metabolic energy-sensitive process rather than elevation of enzyme molecule synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A study of anti-carbonic anhydrase II antibodies in rheumatic autoimmune diseases.

Autoantibodies to human carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) were screened by ELISA in 109 sera from Asian Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren's syndrome (Sjs), progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and dermatomyositis (DM). Anti-CAII antibodies were positive in 24.1% of SLE, 20.0% of primary Sjs, 16.7% of PSS and 25.0% of DM. On the other hand, sera from atopic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid and psoriasis patients showed no activity for anti-CAII antibodies. CAII could be a common exonuclear autoantigen in subsets of rheumatic autoimmune diseases.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1999

Serum levels of soluble Fas ligand in patients with silicosis.

Certain patients with silicosis have been reported to exhibit immunological abnormalities such as the appearance of antinuclear antibodies and the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Fas ligand (FasL) is a type II membrane protein which induces apoptosis by binding to its membrane receptor, Fas. FasL is converted to a soluble form by a metalloproteinase-like enzyme. We have already found serum soluble Fas (sFas) levels in silicosis patients as well as in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to be significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers. To examine further the role of the Fas/FasL system in silica-induced immunological abnormalities, we investigated serum soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in silicosis patients with no clinical symptoms of autoimmune diseases, using ELISA for sFasL. Although the serum sFasL levels in patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers and showed a slight positive correlation with serum sFas levels, those in silicosis patients exhibited no significant difference from those in healthy volunteers, and there was no correlation with serum sFas levels. However, sFasL levels were elevated in silicosis patients with slight dyspnoea or normal PCO2 among various clinical parameters of silicosis. It may be speculated that the immunological disturbances presented by the abnormalities of apoptosis-related molecules in silicosis patients do not occur with a similar degree of respiratory involvement. Further studies are required to clarify which kinds of factors are involved in silicosis patients who exhibit immunological abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Mental health problems after stroke.

We investigated the mental health of 47 subjects (30 men, mean age 63.8+/-7.7; 17 women, mean age 68.9+/-8.7) with the 60-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). All the subjects lived at home in a Japanese rural community and were examined from 2 to 3 years after suffering a stroke. Among the subjects, 18 (38.3%) had GHQ scores of 17 or more, which indicated a mental health problem (MHP). The following variables were included in multiple logistic regression analysis: age, sex (men/women), grade of motor paralysis (no/slight/moderate/severe), side of motor paralysis (no/left side/right side/both sides: in analysis, we used dummy variables), paresthesia (no/yes), rehabilitation (need no rehabilitation or participate in rehabilitation/fail to participate in rehabilitation), social support (not needed or sufficient/insufficient) and overall physical recovery (1/2/3: 1 = 67-100, 2 = 34-66, and 3 = 0-33 on a visual analog scale 100 mm long, 100 meaning full recovery). In univariate analysis all variables except age and sex showed statistically significant associations with MHP. In multivariate analysis, only one variable, overall physical recovery', had a statistically independent association with the status of MHP (Odds ratio 4.39, 95% confidence interval 1.46-13.19). The results of logistic regression analysis indicate that the presence of an MHP is more strongly dependent upon subjective assessment about overall physical recovery after stroke than upon physical impairments and the other psychosocial variables. Therefore, in the community setting, the visual analog scale of overall physical recovery is considered to be a simple, valid method for assessing MHP following stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

A vanadyl sulfate-bovine serum albumin complex stimulates the release of lipoprotein lipase activity from isolated rat fat pads through an increase in the cellular content of cAMP and myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

A vanadyl sulfate-bovine serum albumin complex (vanadyl-BSA) prolonged the stability of the V4+ oxidation state, although vanadyl alone can readily change the oxidation state from V4+ to V5+ under physiological conditions. Vanadyl-BSA stimulated the release of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity from isolated rat fat pads and increased the cellular LPL activity in a time-dependent manner. These effects were independent of protein synthesis. Propranolol, quin 2-AM, ruthenium red, and neomycin all inhibited LPL release more potently than the increase in activity. In contrast, potent inhibition of the increase effect was observed with genistein and wortmannin. Short-term incubation of the fat pads with vanadyl-BSA showed a transient increase in the cellular content of cAMP and myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which was inhibited by propranolol and neomycin, respectively. These results suggest that vanadyl-BSA stimulates the release of LPL activity through an increase in the cellular content of cAMP and IP3, leading to an increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and that it also increases cellular LPL activity via process(es) sensitive to genistein and wortmannin.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

[Ictal visual hallucination intermittent photic stimulation: using evaluation of the clinical findings, ictal EEG, ictal SPECT, and rCBF].

A 43-year-old, right-handed woman experienced right hand paresthesias and a visual field abnormality. We attributed her symptoms to psychiatric abnormalities, due to the presence of delusions and auditory hallucinations. Upon photostimulation, she experienced left visual field hallucinations and demonstrated slow waves on the right parieto-occipital regions. The clinical and electro-encephalographic findings suggested that these episodes were epileptic seizures originating from the right occipital region. Ictal fear appeared at the end of the seizure, reflecting the spread of seizure activity to the mesial temporal region. Ictal SPECT images showed hyper-perfusion in the right occipital region and left cerebellar cortex. rCBF in the occipital lobe was significantly asymmetrical. When we encounter an epileptic patient with psychosis who has a visual hallucination, we should consider the possibility of epileptic seizure originating from the occipital lobe.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

High-spatial-resolution and real-time medical imaging using a high-sensitivity HARPICON camera.

A HARPICON(TM) camera has been applied to a digital angiography system with fluorescent-screen optical-lens coupling. It uses avalanche multiplication in the photoconductive layer for high-sensitivity imaging. The limiting spatial resolutions in the 1050 scanning-line mode of the camera are about 30 and 50 micro m at input field sizes of 20 x 20 and 50 x 50 mm on the screen, respectively. For high-speed imaging, the 525 scanning-line mode at a rate of 60 images s(-1) can be selected. High-quality images of coronary arteries in dogs were obtained by intra-aortic coronary angiography and superselective coronary angiography using a single-energy X-ray above the iodine K-edge energy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Release of lipoprotein lipase from Ehrlich ascites tumor produced by an association with a rapid increase in cyclic AMP content.

Although it is considered that the lipoprotein metabolism in tumor plays an important role in growth and multiplication, it is not clear as to the details. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of lipoprotein-triacylglyceride. In this study, we examined the regulatory step of LPL in lipoprotein metabolism of Ehrlich ascites tumor and especially the enzyme-release from the tumor cells. When LPL was stimulated to release from the tumor cells by the low molecular weight dextran sulfate (3.2 kDa), cyclic AMP content in the tumor cells was observed to increase rapidly in a time-dependent manner up to 30 s; its maximal effect was 1.5-fold higher than the basal level of cyclic AMP. The increase in cyclic AMP content was more enhanced in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine and was never suppressed by propranolol. Moreover, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity in the tumor cells was also recognized to elevate in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, the release of LPL activity from the tumor cells was inhibited by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine. These results suggest that LPL in the tumor cells is released through a pathway involving an activation of PKA associated with the rapid increase in cyclic AMP content.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1998

Reduced expression of mRNA for transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and TGF beta receptors I and II and decreased TGF beta binding to the receptors in in vitro-aged fibroblasts.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression of type I collagen, the most abundant protein in the dermis, is reduced in in vitro-aging fibroblast cultures, but the mechanism controlling the reduction of type I collagen expression is not understood. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) plays an important role in the regulation of type I collagen expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of TGF beta in downregulation of type I collagen expression in in vitro-aged fibroblasts. We compared the expression of mRNA for alpha 1 (I) collagen, TGF beta, TGF beta type I receptor and TGF beta type II receptor in early and late-passage fibroblasts by Northern blot hybridizations. The mRNA levels of alpha 1(I) collagen, TGF beta, and TGF beta receptors I and II in late-passage fibroblasts were reduced to 62%, 62%, 59% and 59%, respectively, of those in early-passage fibroblasts. We also compared TGF beta receptor binding in early- and late-passage fibroblasts using receptor binding assays. The affinity of 125I-TGF beta in late-passage fibroblasts was lower than that in early-passage fibroblasts. These results suggest that the reduction of type I collagen expression in in vitro-aged fibroblasts is regulated by reduced expression of TGF beta and TGF beta receptors I and II and by decreased TGF beta receptor binding ability of the fibroblasts.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗
PubMed1998

Nodular localized cutaneous amyloidosis: further demonstration of monoclonality of infiltrating plasma cells in four additional Japanese patients.

Nodular localized cutaneous amyloidosis (NLCA) is a disorder characterized by deposition of amyloid derived from immunoglobulin light chains. We used semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyse archival paraffin-embedded sections from a previous patient and from four additional, previously reported patients with NLCA to determine whether involvement of monoclonal plasma cells is a universal feature of this condition. The semi-nested PCR analysis revealed one or two amplified bands, around 100-120 bp, for all five cases of NLCA, although the yields varied from case to case. These results suggest that clonal expansion of plasma cells in NLCA may occur locally.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Soluble Fas mRNA is dominantly expressed in cases with silicosis.

Although it is well known that cases with silicosis exhibit various immunological abnormalities, the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of immuno-dysfunction or dysregulation induced by silica compounds have not yet been determined. Fas is a well-known cell surface molecule that is involved in the apoptosis pathway that belongs to the tumour necrosis factor-receptor family. Soluble Fas (sFas) is produced as an alternatively spliced product of the Fas gene and protects cells from apoptosis due to antagonization of the binding between membrane form of the Fas gene (mFas) and the Fas ligand. To determine the role of the Fas/Fas ligand system in silica-induced immunological abnormalities, we investigated Fas and Fas-ligand message expression levels using the multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from silicosis cases with no clinical symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Although the relative expression levels of the Fas or Fas-ligand genes were not remarkably altered in these cases, we observed the sFas message was dominantly expressed compared with mFas expression. These results suggest that self-recognizing clones in cases with silicosis survive for decades, escaping the exclusion mechanisms induced by apoptosis. Then they cause the appearance of autoantibodies and the acquisition of autoimmune diseases sequentially.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

An autopsy case of dermatomyositis with rapidly progressive diffuse alveolar damage.

A 47-year-old woman visited a clinic with dyspnea which had continued for two months and was followed by general fatigue and fever. Antibiotics were not effective. Edematous erythema occurred on her face, elbows, knees and feet, and she entered our hospital. A skin biopsy revealed interface dermatitis with severe edema and mucinosis in dermis. Diffuse bilateral infiltration was observed in the chest X-ray, and laboratory findings showed increased LDH, GPT, GOT and CPK. No antinuclear factor was detected. Her respiratory condition rapidly worsened, and she died eight days after hospitalization in spite of corticosteroid pulse therapy. The autopsy revealed that the main cause of death was diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). Interstitial pneumonia related to dermatomyositis is not histologically uniform; the response to the therapy depends on its histological type. The patients with dermatomyositis who have poor prognosis are clinically characterized by acute onset with general symptoms and less pronounced muscle weakness; they generally show DAD in their lungs. We need to establish a simple method for distinguishing histological types of interstitial pneumonia and adequate therapy for each one.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1998

Pemphigus vulgaris associated with silicosis.

Pemphigus vulgaris has never before been associated with silicosis, although there are many reports of silicosis accompanied by several autoimmune diseases such as progressive systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis or rheumatoid arthritis. We observed a patient with pemphigus vulgaris accompanied with silicosis. The patient was a 75-year-old man with a 2-month history of repeated oral erosions and blisters on the back, thighs and axillas. Histological examination showed suprabasal cleavage with acantholysis. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated binding of the patient's serum to the 130-kD pemphigus vulgaris antigen (desmoglein 3) and the 160-kD pemphigus foliaceus antigen (desmoglein 1). The patient has radiographically been diagnosed as having silicosis. An elevated serum IgG, antinuclear antibody, anti-ssDNA, antimicrosomal antibodies and a biologically false-positive reaction to the Wassermann test were also detected. Although the clinical symptoms improved after treatment with systemic steroids, the patient died due to pneumonia. This is the first reported case in which the characteristics of both pemphigus vulgaris and silicosis could be detected.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Enhancement of the vanadate-stimulated release of lipoprotein lipase activity by astilbin from the leaves of Engelhardtia chrysolepis.

Astilbin, a dihydroflavonol rhamnoside isolated from the leaves of Engelhardtia chrysolepis, enhanced the vanadate-stimulated release of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity from rat isolated fat pads. N-[2-(Methyl-amino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-8), a potent inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), markedly inhibited the enhancement by astilbin. Lipolysis in the fat pads was stimulated by astilbin alone in a dose-dependent manner and this stimulation was suppressed in the presence of vanadate, probably due to its antilipolytic action. A significant enhancement by astilbin was observed with increasing effects of vanadate on cAMP content in the fat pads and on cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in the particulate fraction although astilbin alone showed only a slight increase in the cellular cAMP content and PDE activity. Astilbin may enhance the vanadate-stimulated release of LPL activity through a synergistic effect on an increase in the cellular cAMP content produced by vanadate accompanied by more potent activation of PKA.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Involvement of adenosine in vanadate-stimulated release of lipoprotein lipase activity.

A short-term incubation of isolated rat fat pads with vanadate showed the stimulated release of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and suppression of the rise in extracellular adenosine level. The addition of adenosine to the medium showed inhibition of both the stimulated release of LPL activity and an increase in intracellular cAMP content by vanadate. A progressive increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity in the particulate fraction containing plasma membrane was suppressed by vanadate in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting that vanadate inhibits, in part, the production of adenosine based on a dephosphorylation of AMP. In adipocytes, the inhibition of adenylate cyclase via A1 adenosine receptor is more predominant than the stimulation of adenylate cyclase via A2 adenosine receptor (Londos C. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 75, 5362-5366 (1978)). Therefore, vanadate may stimulate the release of LPL activity from the fat pads by suppressing the rise in extracellular adenosine level, accompanied by the activation of adenylate cyclase activity.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1998

Activation-induced cell death in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after stimulation with silicate in vitro.

Silica and related substances such as silicate have been proven to possess "adjuvant effects". We have previously reported a finding of polyclonal human T cell activation induced by silicate as a superantigen in vitro. In this study, we observed activation-induced cell death in human lymphocytes after stimulation with chrysotile, a kind of silicate. Apoptotic cells were detected flow cytometrically using the TUNEL assay, and the maximum appearance of TUNEL positive cells occurred on day 4 of incubation. Simultaneously the manifestation of small-sized cells in the specimens increased implying apoptosis. Fas expression on lymphocytes increased to day 3 of incubation with chrysotile, and then spontaneously decreased on day 4 when remarkable apoptosis could be detected. Based on these results it is conceivable that activation-induced cell death occurred through Fas-Fas ligand interaction in lymphocytes after stimulation with silicate in a concentration with which no acute cytotoxicity has been detected. Whether and how the repeated apoptosis in definite clones of lymphocytes causes the induction of sFas synthesis need clarification.

Asbestos, Serpentine↗
PubMed1997

Two-dimensional aortographic coronary arteriography with above-K-edge monochromatic synchrotron radiation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic potential of two-dimensional aortographic coronary arteriography with synchrotron radiation was examined in dogs. METHODS: The experiment was performed at a wiggler beam line by using a silicon monocrystal, fluorescent plate, and avalanche-type camera. The x-ray energy was adjusted to just above the iodine K-edge to obtain the highest contrast. Quantitative densitometry was used to compare intravenous coronary arteriography with aortographic coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Aortographic coronary arteriography clearly depicted the branches of the coronary arteries such as the left anterior descending coronary artery, circumferential coronary artery, and right coronary artery to sizes of less than 0.2 mm without major overlap of coronary arteries. Intravenous coronary arteriography depicted only the branches of the left anterior descending coronary artery and right coronary artery with poor image quality. The ratio of contrast material dilution was about 2.4 to 3.4 in aortographic procedures, whereas in intravenous procedures it ranged widely from 7.7 to 15.6. CONCLUSION: These preliminary investigations indicate that two-dimensional aortographic coronary arteriography with synchrotron radiation promises to be a minimally invasive and easily repeatable method of clearly imaging the coronary arteries.

Animals↗