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Biomedical subjects

J Satoh

Publications and source records attributed to J Satoh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Inhibitory effect of nicotinamide on in vitro and in vivo production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Nicotinamide, a pellagra-preventive factor, has multiple functions such as inhibition of poly-ADP-ribose synthetase, inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase, free radical scavenging and suppression of major histocompatibility complex class II expression and ICAM-1 expression on endothelial cells. In addition to these, we have found an inhibitory effect of nicotinamide on production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in vitro and in vivo. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced in vitro TNF-alpha production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was significantly inhibited with more than 1 x 10(-3) mol/l of nicotinamide, while interleukin-1-beta was not inhibited and interleukin-6 was slightly inhibited even with 10(-2) mol/l. Oral administration of nicotinamide with more than 62.5 mg/kg also significantly inhibited LPS-induced serum TNF-alpha production measured by ELISA and bioassay in Balb/c mice. Thus, nicotinamide has an inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha production that may be beneficial to TNF-alpha-mediated diseases.

Animals↗

Characterization of dynamics of the psbD light-induced transcription in mature wheat chloroplasts.

Dynamical aspects of three chloroplast promoters responding to change in light condition were examined in mature chloroplasts of wheat (Triticum aestivum) by in vitro transcription. The wheat psbD/C operon has four distinct promoters, two of which named as D/C-3 and D/C-4 promoters dominantly function in mature chloroplasts to produce the mRNAs encoding D2/CP43 and CP43 alone, respectively. Activity of the D/C-3 promoter in mature chloroplasts was reduced to less than 30% by 24 h dark adaptation and recovered by re-illumination to the original level within 30 to 60 min. The activation of the D/C-3 promoter which requires de novo cytoplasmic protein synthesis was induced by low fluence of light (e.g. 16 microE m(-2) s(-1)), but the extent of activation increased with increasing light fluence. The accumulation of mRNAs from the D/C-3 promoter saturated at 2- to 3-fold higher level within 2 h when the dark-adapted seedlings were transferred to the light at 72 microE m(-2) s(-1), concomitant with the increase in rate of D2 synthesis, suggesting that synthesis of D2 in mature chloroplasts is controlled via the D/C-3 promoter activity in a light-dependent way. Activity of the D/C-4 promoter slightly increased in the dark and decreased in the light. Effect of light on the psbA promoter activity was not observed at all in mature chloroplasts. In vitro transcriptional analysis of the D/C-3 promoter with 5' deletion mutations revealed that at least two cis elements which are located within the sequences of -78 to -47 and -46 to -29 of the transcription initiation site, respectively, act as enhancing elements in the D/C-3 promoter. The light-switching element of the transcription, however, was suggested to be located in the core promoter sequence downstream of the -35 element.

Chloroplasts↗

Identifying monoaminergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic characteristics in immortalized neuronal cell lines.

We measured the concentration of neurotransmitters in immortalized neural cell lines of hippocampal, septal, brainstem and cerebellar origin. While in most of the cell lines, concentrations of monoamines, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine were low, in some they were markedly higher. This made it quite easy to identify possible monoaminergic, GABAergic or cholinergic cell lines. However all the cell lines contained glutamate and aspartate and there were no outstanding differences in levels of these amino acids differences between the cell lines. Deprivation of serum, which made the cells acquire a more differentiated morphology, caused an increase in the intracellular concentrations of some compounds and a switch from multiple to a single transmitter in the case of some cell lines. It suggested that measurement of transmitter concentrations combined with serum deprivation studies, may provide an indication of the neurochemical characteristics of immortalised neuronal cell lines.

Acetylcholine↗

[Localized lesions on MRI in the globus pallidus, subthalamic nuclei and hippocampus in patients with severe intellectual and motor disabilities].

We examined the clinical picture of eight patients with severe intellectual and motor disabilities, who had experienced prolonged and severe neonatal jaundice, and showed localized lesions in the globus pallidus, subthalamic nuclei and hippocampus on MRI. All patients had athetoid tetraplegia, and five patients showed disturbed ocular movements and seven showed dysphagia. Five patients could communicate with others or utter words, and all showed mental retardation. Auditory brainstem responses were abnormal in seven, and the percentage of REM sleep on all-night polysomnography was reduced in three. Neither CT nor T1-weighted MR images could detect any changes in the pallidum or subthalamic nuclei, while T2-weighted MR images disclosed bilateral high signals in the pallidum, especially in the internal segment, in all patients. Five of the 7 patients, in whom coronal T2-weighted MR imagings were obtained, showed high signals in the subthalamic nuclei. The hippocampus showed atrophy and/or T2-prolongation in seven patients. In one autopsy case, these MRI changes were concordant with pathological lesions. In patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, brainstem dysfunctions, and abnormal ABR, localization of MRI lesions to the pallidum and subthalamic nuclei is evidence for neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy.

Adult↗

Interleukin-15 gene expression in human astrocytes and microglia in culture.

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a novel cytokine that has recently been cloned and expressed. IL-15 interacts with components of the IL-2 receptor and exhibits T-cell stimulating activity similar to that of IL-2. In the present study, we investigated the expression of IL-15 in enriched cultures of human fetal astrocytes and microglia using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunodetection analysis. Low levels of IL-15 were expressed by unstimulated human fetal astrocytes and microglia, and treatment of astrocytes with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increased the expression of IL-15 at both the mRNA and protein level. Treatment of microglia with IFN-gamma and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) similarly increased IL-15 expression in microglia. These findings suggest that IL-15 produced by human fetal astrocytes and microglia may have a role in T cell-mediated immune responses in the human CNS.

Astrocytes↗

Inhibition of development of peripheral neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with N-acetylcysteine.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, a free radical scavenger and an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF). Because these functions might be beneficial in diabetic complications, in this study we examined whether NAC inhibits peripheral neuropathy. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) was significantly decreased in streptozotocin-induced-diabetic Wistar rats compared to control rats. Oral administration of NAC reduced the decline of MNCV in diabetic rats. Structural analysis of the sural nerve disclosed significant reduction of fibres undergoing myelin wrinkling and inhibition of myelinated fibre atrophy in NAC-treated diabetic rats. NAC treatment had no effect on blood glucose levels or on the nerve glucose, sorbitol and cAMP contents, whereas it corrected the decreased GSH levels in erythrocytes, the increased lipid peroxide levels in plasma and the increased lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF activity in sera of diabetic rats. Thus, NAC inhibited the development of functional and structural abnormalities of the peripheral nerve in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Acetylcysteine↗

Improvement of glucose tolerance with immunomodulators on type 2 diabetic animals.

Cytokine-inducers prevent insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in animal models. We extend this therapy to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), because it was reported that diabetes of KK-Ay mice, a model for NIDDM, was recovered by allogenic bone-marrow transplantation that also prevented IDDM in animal models. An i.p. or i.v. injection of streptococcal preparation (OK-432) lowered fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and markedly improved glucose tolerance test (GTT) in KK-Ay mice for more than 32 h regardless of the glucose loading routes (oral, i.v. or i.p.), while an i.v. injection of BCG improved FBG and GTT for more than 4 wks without body weight loss. The improvement of FBG and GTT with OK-432 was brought about in other NIDDM animals, GK rats and Wistar fatty rats. Among various cytokines possibly induced by OK-432 and BCG, IL-1 alpha, TNF alpha and lymphotoxin significantly improved FBG and GTT in KK-Ay mice, whereas IL-2 and IFN gamma did not. There were no differences between the OK-432-treated KK-Ay mice and control in histology of the pancreas, degree of insulin-induced decrease in blood glucose levels, and muscle glycogen synthase activities. As to insulin secretion, there is a tendency that the OK-432-treatment less that 1 week did not affect insulin levels during GTT, whereas the treatment more than 2 weeks increased the insulin levels. Thus, cytokine-inducers improved FBG and glucose tolerance of NIDDM animals probably via cytokines. The results imply a role of the cytokines in glucose tolerance of NIDDM, although precise immune and metabolic mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Septo-optic dysplasia with cerebellar hypoplasia in Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

Little is known about the neuropathology of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. We report a unique type of cerebral malformation combined with Cornelia de Lange syndrome in a 5-year-old female child. At autopsy, the optic systems, hypothalamic nuclei, corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis were hypoplastic, and the septum pellucidum, fornix and anterior commissure were rudimentary. The brain had malformative features of septo-optic dysplasia combined with commissural dysplasia and cerebellar vermian hypoplasia. This case suggests an interrelationship between Cornelia de Lange syndrome and midline development of the brain.

Brain↗

N-acetylcysteine inhibits loss of diaphragm function in streptozotocin-treated rats.

We examined whether streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats have an impairment in diaphragm contractility, and if so, whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a nonspecific antioxidant, prevents this impairment. First, diaphragm contractility, assessed by tension-frequency relationships and twitch kinetics in in vitro diaphragm strip preparations of Wistar rats, was obtained on Days 3 and 7 after administration of STZ of 30 or 60 mg/kg body weight, and compared with that of the control group. Second, NAC at 500 mg/kg body weight or vehicle solution was administered orally every day in rats treated with STZ at 60 mg/kg body weight, and diaphragm function on Day 7 after starting NAC treatment was compared between vehicle control and STZ-treated groups. We found that diaphragm function in STZ-treated rats, which had hyperglycemia, decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. NAC inhibited the decrease in diaphragm contractility in STZ-treated rats without reducing blood glucose. These findings suggest that the loss of diaphragm function in STZ-induced diabetic rats is not directly related to hyperglycemia. The data are consistent with secondary alterations of normal cytokine signaling or changes in the redox state of the cell, both of which could be affected by NAC treatment.

Acetylcysteine↗

Counteracting effect of IFN-beta on IFN-gamma-induced proliferation of human astrocytes in culture.

Recent clinical trials have shown that interferon beta (IFN-beta) is effective in reducing exacerbations in relapsing-remitting MS, while interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) precipitates the relapses. To investigate mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of IFN-beta and the detrimental effects of IFN-gamma in MS, cell growth-regulatory effects of IFNs were examined in astrocyte-enriched cultures isolated from fetal brains of 12-20 weeks' gestation. Treatment with IFN-gamma (50 or 500 IU ml-1) stimulated significantly the proliferation of astrocytes in 6 out of 9 culture series examined, while IFN-beta (50 or 500 IU ml-1) inhibited the astrocytic proliferation in 3 out of 9 cultures, and IFN-alpha (50 or 500 IU ml-1) did not affect the proliferation IFN-beta and to a lesser degree IFN-alpha reduced the astrocytic proliferation induced by IFN-gamma-treatment in 8 out of 9 culture series. The counteracting effect of IFN-alpha/IFN-beta against IFN-gamma-induced astrocytic proliferation was verified by the DNA content distribution analysis of propidium iodide-labeled cells. The antagonistic effect of IFN-alpha/IFN-beta on the growth-promoting activity of IFN-gamma in cultured human astrocytes suggests that interferons serve as growth regulators of astrocytes at sites of reactive gliosis lesions of MS.

Astrocytes↗

[Clinical evaluation of 99mTc-HMPAO labeled leukocyte imaging in ulcerative colitis].

Inflammatory imaging using 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled mixed leukocytes was assessed for use in treating 11 cases diagnosed as ulcerative colitis: 10 cases with total colitis and 1 with left-sided colitis. They consisted of 8 patients with relapse-remitting type and 3 with chronic continuous type. Radionuclide abdominal images were obtained at 1 hr, 4 hr and 24 hr after intravenous injection of 200 MBq prepared 99mTc leukocytes. Obvious colonic activity noted at 4 hr served as the basis for positive comparative criterion in the present study. The diagnostic efficacy of radionuclide imaging was compared with endoscopic findings (based on Matts' classification) and the clinical manifestations as reference. The sensitivity and specificity of this imaging were 83.3% and 85.7%, respectively, these values being consistent with endoscopic findings and clinical manifestations at sites of disease activity. All of positive images changed to negative after treatment by leukocyte apheresis or glucocorticoid. Based on these results, 99mTc leukocyte imaging can be used to accurately evaluate severity and treatment response in ulcerative colitis. Leukocytes may be closely related to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Adolescent↗

Neurotransmitter synthesis by SN6 cell lines, a family of hybrid cell lines of embryonic septal origin.

Previously, we reported the presence of multiple neurotransmitters in subclones of SN6, a septal cholinergic hybrid cell line. To obtain information concerning the functionality of these transmitters, we measured transmitter contents, activities of transmitter-producing enzymes, and the effect of serum-free culture medium in two different batches (SN6.1.6 and SN6.10.2.2) and two subclones of the SN6 cell line (SN6.2a and SN6.1b). Except for SN6.1b, SN6 cell lines and subclones had basically the same neurotransmitter characteristics. Among the transmitters, only acetylcholine seemed to be functional. Monoamine oxidase was missing and activity of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase was diminished in SN6 cell lines. Even in serum-containing medium, SN6.1b had a more mature morphology than the other cell lines, and it contained choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine but not tyrosine hydroxylase or catecholamines. Similar characteristics were acquired by the mother cell line in response to serum-free conditions. Thus, SN6.1b is the most mature of these central cholinergic neuronal cell lines, at least with regard to neurotransmitter profiles.

Animals↗

T-cell costimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) are expressed in human microglia but not in astrocytes in culture.

The B7-1 and B7-2 expressed on the 'professional' antigen-presenting cells (APC) of the lymphoid system are counterreceptors for the T cell antigens CD28/CTLA-4. The B7/CD28 interaction provides a critical costimulatory signal in the decision between functional activation or clonal anergy of T cells. To investigate the biological role of B7 in the central nervous system, constitutive and cytokine-induced expression of B7 was investigated in fetal human astrocytes and microglia in culture. B7-1 expression was minimally detectable in unstimulated microglia but was increased markedly following exposure to IFN-gamma or GM-CSF. B7-2 was expressed at a high level in untreated microglia and upregulated to a small degree by exposure to IFN-gamma or GM-CSF. In contrast, B7-1 and B7-2 were undetectable in astrocytes under unstimulated or IFN-gamma/GM-CSF-treated conditions. These results indicate that both B7-1 and B7-2 are expressed in cultured human microglia but not in astrocytes.

Antigens, CD↗

Constitutive and inducible expression of heat shock protein HSP72 in oligodendrocytes in culture.

The stress-induced HSP72 expression in bovine oligodendrocytes (OL) in culture was investigated following exposure to heat stress, oxidative stress and cytokines by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Under the unstressed condition, HSP72 was expressed in a small number (3%) of OL. After exposure to heat stress, the level of HSP72 expression in OL was elevated significantly and an intense HSP72 immunolabelling was identified in almost all OL, while HSP72 was not induced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (10 microM) or glucose oxidase (20 mU ml-1). The level of HSP72 expression was not elevated by treatment with interleuken (IL)-1 alpha (10 ng ml-1), IL-1 beta (10 ng ml-1), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (200 ng ml-1), or TNF-beta (200 ng ml-1). Our results indicate that HSP72 is upregulated in cultured bovine OL by heat stress but not by oxidative stress or cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF.

Animals↗