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Hirofumi Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to Hirofumi Hashimoto.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The short chain sugar acid, 2-buten-4-olide, activates oxytocin-secreting neurons but not arginine vasopressin-secreting neurons in the hypothalamus of rats.

The effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 2-buten-4-olide (2-B4O), an endogenous sugar acid, on the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system were examined in rats. Plasma oxytocin (OXT) levels were significantly increased 15-60 min after i.p. administration of 2-B4O (100 mg/kg), whereas plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) did not change. Dual immunostaining revealed that Fos-like immunoreactivity (LI) was predominantly observed in OXT-secreting neurons in the paraventricular (PVN) and the supraoptic nuclei (SON) 120 min after i.p. administration of 2-B4O. In addition, many Fos-LI neurons were observed in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) after i.p. administration of 2-B4O. These results suggest that a peripherally administered high dose of 2-B4O activates OXT-secreting neurons in the hypothalamus through activation of NTS neurons, possibly as a result of a stress response.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed2006

Adrenomedullin 2 protects rat cerebral endothelial cells from oxidative damage in vitro.

Adrenomedullin 2 (AM2, intermedin) is a recently identified new member of the calcitonin gene-related peptide family. We examined whether AM2 can attenuate the increased blood-brain barrier permeability and cerebral endothelial cell (CEC) death induced by oxidative stress in vitro. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2), 0.5 mM) induced a continuous decrease of the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and resulted in intercellular gap formations in rat CECs co-cultured with astrocytes. AM2 induced cAMP and nitric oxide production, increased TEER, enhanced peripheral localization of F-actin bands, and attenuated the increased permeability induced by H(2)O(2). AM2 treatment preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and improved CEC viability in H(2)O(2) treated cultures. These effects of AM2 were similar to those what were reported for adrenomedullin. These results suggest that AM2 protects CECs against oxidative injury in vitro.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed2006

Centrally administered neuropeptide W-30 activates magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei with neurosecretion in rats.

We examined the effects of i.c.v. administration of neuro-peptide W-30 (NPW30) on plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and plasma oxytocin (OXT) using RIA. The induction of c-fos mRNA, AVP heteronuclear (hn)RNA, and c-Fos protein (Fos) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats were also investigated using in situ hybridization histochemistry for c-fos mRNA and AVP hnRNA, and immunohistochemistry for Fos. Both plasma AVP and OXT were significantly increased at 5 and 15 min after i.c.v. administration of NPW30 (2.8 nmol/rat). In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that the induction of c-fos mRNA and AVP hnRNA in the SON and PVN were significantly increased 15, 30, and 60 min after i.c.v. administration of NPW30 (1.4 nmol/rat). Dual immunostaining for Fos/AVP and Fos/OXT revealed that both AVP-like immunoreactive (LI) cells and OXT-LI cells exhibited nuclear Fos-LI in the SON and PVN, 90 min after i.c.v. administration of NPW30 (2.8 nmol/rat). These results suggest that central NPW30 may be involved in the regulation of secretion of AVP and OXT in the magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the SON and PVN.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effects of cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 on hypothalamic oxytocin-secreting neurons in rats lacking CCK-A receptor.

Peripheral administration of cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 selectively activates oxytocin (OXT)-secreting neurons in the supraoptic (SON) and the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) with the elevation of plasma OXT level in rats. We examined the effects of intravenous (iv) administration of CCK-8 on the neuronal activity of hypothalamic OXT-secreting neurons and plasma OXT level in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats that have a congenital defect in the expression of the CCK-A receptor gene. In situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH) for c-fos mRNA revealed that the expression of the c-fos gene was not induced in the SON, the PVN, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and the area postrema (AP) 30 min after iv administration of CCK-8 (20 and 40 microg/kg) in OLETF rats. In Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats (controls), c-fos mRNA was detected abundantly in those nuclei 30 min after iv administration of CCK-8 (20 microg/kg). Immunohistochemistry for c-fos protein (Fos) showed that the distributions of Fos-like immunoreactivity (LI) were identical to the results obtained from ISH. Dual immunostaining for OXT and Fos revealed that Fos-LI was mainly observed in OXT-secreting neurons in the SON and the PVN of LETO rats 90 min after iv administration of CCK-8 (20 microg/kg). Radioimmunoassay for OXT and arginine vasopressin (AVP) showed that iv administration of CCK-8 did not cause significant change in the plasma OXT and AVP levels in OLETF rats, while iv administration of CCK-8 caused a significant elevation of plasma OXT level without changing the plasma AVP level in LETO rats. These results suggest that peripheral administration of CCK-8 may selectively activate the hypothalamic OXT-secreting neurons and brainstem neurons through CCK-A receptor in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Centrally administered adrenomedullin 2 activates hypothalamic oxytocin-secreting neurons, causing elevated plasma oxytocin level in rats.

We examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of adrenomedullin 2 (AM2) on plasma oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels in conscious rats. Plasma OXT levels were markedly increased 5 min after i.c.v. administration of AM2 (1 nmol/rat) compared with vehicle and remained elevated in samples taken at 10, 15, 30, and 60 min. By contrast, plasma AVP levels were not significantly elevated in samples taken between 5 and 180 min after i.c.v. administration of AM2 except at the 30-min time point. Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) was observed in various brain areas, including the paraventricular (PVN) and the supraoptic nuclei (SON) after i.c.v. administration of AM2 (2 nmol/rat) in conscious rats (measured at 90 min post-AM2 infusion). Dual immunostaining for OXT/Fos and AVP/Fos showed that OXT-LI neurons predominantly exhibited nuclear Fos-LI compared with AVP-LI neurons in the PVN and the SON. In situ hybridization histochemistry showed that i.c.v. administration of AM2 (0.2, 1, and 2 nmol/rat) caused marked induction of the expression of the c-fos gene in the PVN and the SON. This induction was significantly reduced by pretreatment with both the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist CGRP-(8-37) (3 nmol/rat) and the AM receptor antagonist AM-(22-52) (27 nmol/rat). These results suggest that centrally administered AM2 mainly activates OXT-secreting neurons in the PVN and the SON, at least in part through the CGRP and/or AM receptors with marked elevation of plasma OXT levels in conscious rats.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed2004

Fate of allelopathic substances in space--allelopathy of velvet bean plant and gravity.

Interactions between organisms and species have been long known. It has not been known that the interactive phenomena (allelopathy) may (or may not) differ in space from those on earth. We have studied the gravitational effects on allelopathy by exposing a plant-plant system to pseudo-microgravity, which was generated by a 3D-clinostat. We hypothesized that allelopathy would be modified under altered gravity. L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is known to be the major substance in the allelopathy of velvet bean, released from its root. It has been found that there have been some differences of the allelopathic action of velvet bean plant under pseudo-microgravity. Biosynthesis, release, transport and sensing mechanism associated with allelopathy might be affected by gravity.

Levodopa↗
PubMed2004

Germination of white radish, buckwheat and qing-geng-cai under low pressure in closed environment.

In order to cultivate plants under low pressure in closed environment, the germination rate of seeds of white radish was investigated under low pressure, low oxygen partial pressure and condition of pure oxygen. The result of these experiments showed that the germination rate was affected by the oxygen partial pressure. From this fact, it is possible to lower the total pressure by using only the pure oxygen in germination. Furthermore, the germination rates of seeds of buckwheat and qing-geng-cai were also investigated in pure oxygen for the comparison. Consequently, though tendency in germination rate of white radish was similar to qing-geng-cai, it was different from buckwheat.

Atmospheric Pressure↗
PubMed2004

Distribution of L-DOPA in the root of velvet bean plant (Mucuna pruriens L.) and gravity.

Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.) has been found that the degree of suppression on the lettuce root growth by velvet bean was less on the 3D-clinorotation. The number and growth of adventitious root in velvet bean differed among the clinostated and control group. L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is known to be the major substance in the allelopathy of velvet bean plant, released from its root. Since L-DOPA is a precursor of melanin pigment, and is easily converted to melanin by oxidation, locality of L-DOPA production in the plant body can be seen through pigmentation. The amount of L-DOPA was analyzed by HPLC and LC-ESI/MS. The distribution of L-DOPA in the root was different among the ground control condition and pseudo-microgravity.

Gravitation↗
PubMed2004

Formation and stability of complex organic compounds in space environments.

Complex organic compounds have been found in extraterrestrial bodies such as meteorites and comets. We confirmed the formation of complex organic compounds that contained amino acid precursors from a mixture of carbon monoxide (or methanol), ammonia and water by radiation or UV. Molecular weights of the complex organics were several thousands. Stability of the complex precursors was studied. When free amino acids were irradiated with gamma rays or synchrotron radiation, they easily decomposed. The complex precursors were, however, much more stable than free amino acid against irradiation. We propose to examine the formation and alteration of amino acid precursors in space by using exposed facility of ISS.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2003

Climate-driven increases in global terrestrial net primary production from 1982 to 1999.

Recent climatic changes have enhanced plant growth in northern mid-latitudes and high latitudes. However, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of global climatic changes on vegetation productivity has not before been expressed in the context of variable limiting factors to plant growth. We present a global investigation of vegetation responses to climatic changes by analyzing 18 years (1982 to 1999) of both climatic data and satellite observations of vegetation activity. Our results indicate that global changes in climate have eased several critical climatic constraints to plant growth, such that net primary production increased 6% (3.4 petagrams of carbon over 18 years) globally. The largest increase was in tropical ecosystems. Amazon rain forests accounted for 42% of the global increase in net primary production, owing mainly to decreased cloud cover and the resulting increase in solar radiation.

Atmosphere↗
PubMed2003

Reduced allelopathic inhibition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth caused by velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) under 3D-clinorotation.

Allelopathy between Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) and Lactuca sativa (lettuce) was studied under 3D-clinorotation. Growth of both roots and shoots of lettuce seedlings was suppressed by the presence of velvet bean. The degree of suppression was less on the clinostat compared to the normal static earth gravity. L-DOPA (L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is known to be a major substance in allelopathy of velvet bean. Amount of L-DOPA diffused out from a sintered filter paper into agar medium was compared between clinorotation and control group, and found no significant difference. It was concluded that some factors related to release, transport, and sensing phenomena of allelopathic substances may be responsible to the new findings in this study.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed2003

Pyrolysis experiment of simulated exogenous complex organics synthesized from the gas mixtures of CO, NH3, and H2O by 3 MeV proton irradiation.

High molecular weight organic matter synthesized from mixtures of carbon monoxide, ammonia and water gases similar to those found in the interstellar medium were irradiated with a 3 MeV proton beam and analyzed by Curie point pyrolysis with detection by gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer (Pyr-GC-MS). A wide variety of organic compounds, not only a number of amide compounds, but also heterocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were detected among the products of the pyrolysis. The present data shows that primary and primitive organic matter serving as precursors to bioorganic compounds such as amino acids, nucleic acid bases and sugar might have been formed in a gaseous mixture of similar composition to that of the interstellar dust environment.

Amides↗
PubMed2003

Experiment of seed germination with low pressure environment simulator.

Seeds of Brassica campestris germinated in low pressure environment at the pressures of 100, 50, 30, 20 kPa. The germination rates of 7 days after seeding were more than 90% without the rate at the pressures of 20 kPa. As the pressure was less, the germination was slower. The results showed that seeds of Brassica campestris normally germinated at the pressure of more than 30 kPa. The germination rate at the pressures of 20 kPa was about 60%. The germination rate was not normal. However, it was possible to germinate. The germination at the pressure of less than 20 kPa is expected.

Atmospheric Pressure↗
PubMed2003

Volatile allelopathy in velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens [correction of pruiens] L.) and gravity.

Allelopathy caused by volatile compounds was studied with velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens [correction of prueiens] L.). Preparatory experiment was conducted to identify the relationship between action of volatiles and gravity. The experimental protocol was defined and tested to study on volatile allelopathy of velvet bean. Root growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings was inhibited by volatile gas from velvet bean seedlings planted in Agripot. In this study, it was shown that ten-day velvet bean seedling could exhibit the volatile allelopathic ability. Growth chambers for volatile experiment were designed. Velvet bean seed can germinate in a 3-ml small vial.

Lactuca↗
PubMed2002

[Research plan to study allelopathy under microgravity].

Living organisms interact each others and form ecological system on the earth. Such interactions between organisms and species have been long known, and studied at a global scale. Allelopathy is a phenomenon observed in many plants that emit specific chemicals acting on other organisms, including animals and microorganisms, in either inhibitory or excitatory ways. We propose to study whether phenomena of allelopathy are modified under altered gravity or not. If biosynthesis, emission and sensing mechanism of allelopathic substances would be affected by gravity, many organisms and ecological system might show different behaviors based on the inter-organisms and species interactions under microgravity. In the macroscopic scale, transport of the substances between organisms is largely affected by convection induced by gravity. Furthermore, the fate of allelopathic substances in confined environment differs from that seen on the earth, because of lacking sink compartment for removal and producing exotic bio-active substances by man-made system. We design basic ground experiment to evaluate gravitational effects on allelopathy applying pseudo-microgravity. Our study contributes to the synthesis of ecological system and its control on spacecrafts and extraterrestrial bodies. It also makes possible to sustain qualitative human life even on the ground under confined artificial environment that dominates in many scenes.

Agriculture↗