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J Soma

Publications and source records attributed to J Soma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Tranilast: a novel weapon against insulin resistance.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), TGF-beta, and IL-2 are supposed to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR). Tranilast is an anti-allergic drug which exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effects through inhibition of expression of MCP-1, TGF-beta, and antigen-induced IL-2 lymphocyte responsiveness. It also possesses a certain antioxidant activity. Considering the above facts and in view of its safety, tranilast may prove invaluable in the treatment of IR.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Relationship between function and perfusion early after acute myocardial infarction.

To assess the relationship between baseline left ventricle function, functional reserve and resting myocardial perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). After AMI the presence of dysfunctioning but viable myocardium plays a determinant role in clinical outcome. Regional ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography both in resting conditions and during dobutamine infusion (10 microg/kg/min). Perfusion was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in a single slice approach where the first pass of an intravenously injected bolus of gadolinium-based contrast agent was followed through six regions of interest within the myocardium. In each patient a region with normal function was used as reference and the cross-correlation coefficient (CCC), which described the myocardial perfusion relatively to the reference region (CCC = 1 means equivalent perfusion), was obtained for the other five myocardial regions. Twenty-two patients were enrolled into the study. Sixty-one segments had normal function and normal perfusion (CCC = 0.92+/-0.23). The perfusion deficit was more marked in the 29 regions with resting akinesia-dyskinesia than in the 20 hypokinetic regions (CCC = 0.71+/-0.45 vs. 0.84+/-0.23; p < 0.05). Out of the 29 regions with resting akinesia-dyskinesia the 13 segments which showed functional improvement following dobutamine had a higher resting perfusion than the 16 segments which were unresponsive to dobutamine (CCC = 0.83+/-0.32 vs. 0.61+/-0.52, p < 0.05). Similarly, out of the 20 regions with resting hypokinesia the 11 segments having functional reserve showed an higher resting perfusion than the segments which did not (0.96+/-0.21 vs. 0.69+/-0.19; p < 0.05). Early after AMI, the perfusion deficit reflects the severity of the mechanical dysfunction. In regions with baseline dyssynergy resting perfusion is, in general, higher when contractile reserve can be elicited by stress-echo.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Sublingual nitroglycerin delays arterial wave reflections despite increased aortic "stiffness" in patients with hypertension: a Doppler echocardiography study.

Venodilatation with consequent reduction in left ventricular filling and end-diastolic wall stress is an important mechanism for the beneficial effects of nitroglycerin in ischemic heart disease and in left ventricular failure. The effects of sublingual nitroglycerin on arterial pulsatile hemodynamics are less well defined. Doppler echocardiography and the calibrated subclavian artery pulse tracing were used to assess hemodynamics in subjects with sustained arterial hypertension (n = 25) before and 5 to 10 minutes after sublingual deposition of 0.5 mg glyceryl trinitrate. Aortic characteristic impedance was calculated by averaging the modulus of the input impedance (ratio of pressure to flow) at high frequencies and by calculating the ratio of pressure and flow increments during upstroke. The pressure wave was split into forward and backward components, and the reflection coefficient (the ratio of backward to forward pressures) was calculated. Parameters of the arterial bed were estimated by using 2- and 3-element Windkessel models. Nitroglycerin delayed the return of arterial wave reflections by 17% (P =.02) and increased aortic characteristic impedance by 20% (P =. 01), but it did not influence total arterial compliance. Mean arterial pressure decreased 7% (P =.0001), but pulse pressure did not change. Stroke volume and the acceleration time of aortic root flow decreased by 13% (P =.0001) and 8% (P =.01), respectively. Cardiac output decreased 7% (P =.01), despite an increase in heart rate of 10% (P =.0001). Peripheral resistance tended to decrease (4%, P =.06). Thus, in subjects with sustained hypertension, sublingual nitroglycerin dilates peripheral, predominantly muscular arteries with a subsequent delayed return of reflected pressure waves. Reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system with consequent increased acceleration of left ventricular ejection seems to counteract the effect of reduced mean arterial pressure (distending pressure) with respect to the "stiffness" of the aorta.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Two aged patients with chronic renal failure and chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation secondary to aortic aneurysms: effect of continuous subcutaneous heparin infusion therapy].

We describe here two cases of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) secondary to aortic aneurysms. The patients were 78- and 84-year-old males, who visited our hospital to receive hemodialysis therapy for chronic renal failure probably due to nephrosclerosis. They had mild bleeding tendency and thrombocytopenia(< 10 x 10(4)/microliter). Coagulation test revealed the findings of chronic DIC in both patients, and computed tomography showed abdominal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with mural thrombi, respectively. In one patient, subcutaneous hemorrhage after vascular access surgery had continued for a month. However, the hemorrhage and swelling of the limb disappeared after continuous subcutaneous heparin infusion(CSHI) therapy in a daily dose of 10,000-14,000 unit. These findings suggest that chronic DIC secondary to aortic aneurysm should be considered when bleeding tendency and thrombocytopenia are observed in aged patients, and that CSHI is the choice of therapy for the bleeding tendency of chronic DIC.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[White coat hypertension].

The prevalence of white coat hypertension, which is defined by hypertension in the physician's office, and normotension at other times, may be as high as 30% in a hypertensive population. Since white coat hypertension is associated with a low degree of end-organ damage and, accordingly, a potential favourable prognosis, the use of ambulatory blood pressure recordings has increased with the aim of identifying hypertensive subjects who may not need medical treatment. White coat hypertension is, however, not yet clearly defined, and there seems to be evidence that such subjects may have reduced vasodilator capacity. Low arterial compliance, a feature associated with hypertension in the elderly, seems to be another characteristic. Hence, although the prognostic significance of white coat hypertension has not yet been completely defined, there is accumulating evidence that ambulatory blood pressure recordings may serve as an important tool in the risk assessment of subjects with arterial hypertension.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Clinicopathological characteristics of interstitial foam cells in membranous nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial foam cells are occasionally observed in various renal diseases, and they have been reported to belong to the monocyte/macrophage (M phi) lineage and to be associated with heavy proteinuria and hyperlipidemia. We investigated the characteristics of interstitial foam cells and their association with proteinuria and hyperlipidemia in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN). METHODS: Patients with MN (N = 320) were divided into two groups: group I consisted of 51 patients with interstitial foam cells, and group II consisted of the other 269 without foam cells. We compared clinical parameters and the findings of an immunohistochemical study using monoclonal antibodies to various types of leukocytes and adhesion molecules. RESULTS: The age at renal biopsy, the degree of proteinuria, serum levels of lipids, and other clinical parameters except for sex ratio were not different between the two groups. The ratio of nephrotic patients was compatible between groups I (56.9%) and II (52.8%). All interstitial foam cells were positive for CD68 and 25F9, which are markers for M phi and mature M phi, respectively, but were negative for CD3 or cytokeratin. Interstitial infiltrating cells were positive for CD68 and CD3 but were negative for 25F9. Furthermore, most of interstitial foam cells were positive for both leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), but not for ICAM-3 (the third ligand for LFA-1). By contrast, most of infiltrating nonfoamy M phi s were positive for ICAM-3 and LFA-1, however, ICAM-1 was observed on only some of them. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that interstitial foam cells in MN may not depend on proteinuria nor hyperlipidemia directly. The accumulation of foam cells, which have characteristics of mature M phi, may be related to ICAM-1 as a ligand of LFA-1, whereas infiltration of nonfoamy M phi s has a close relationship with ICAM-3. Thus, the formation of interstitial foam cells may be related to the phenotypical transformation of M phi s.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Total arterial compliance in ambulatory hypertension during selective beta1-adrenergic receptor blockade and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.

Aortic root flow and pressure estimates were obtained noninvasively with Doppler echocardiography and calibrated subclavian artery pulse tracing in 30 subjects with ambulatory hypertension in a randomized, crossover study with 4 weeks' treatment and washout periods. Total arterial compliance, assessed by use of a three-element Windkessel model of the arterial tree, increased 42% with atenolol (50-100 mg once daily), and 7% (p = NS) with captopril (25-50 mg twice daily). Atenolol reduced mean arterial pressure by 15%, heart rate by 22%, and cardiac output by 14%, and increased acceleration time of aortic root flow by 17% and stroke volume and ejection time each by 11%. Captopril reduced mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance each by 7%. Acceleration time of aortic root flow, ejection time, heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output were not significantly changed by captopril. We conclude that total arterial compliance, at the operational blood pressure, increases during selective beta1-adrenergic receptor blockade in subjects with ambulatory hypertension. Although the main mechanism may be a reduction in mean arterial pressure, it should be considered whether reduced heart rate may play an additional role. The nonsignificant increase in total arterial compliance during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition may primarily be a consequence of a modest reduction of the mean arterial pressure.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗
PubMed1998

Familial lobular glomerulopathy: first case report in Asia.

A 23-year-old male Japanese student presented a unique lobular glomerulopathy characterized by mesangial and subendothelial expansion with numerous periodic acid-Schiff-positive deposits. Electron microscopy showed massive fine granular deposits with a homogeneous distribution. Fibrillar or microtubular structures were not demonstrated. Fibronectin was positive on immunostaining, as was immunoglobulin G and fibrinogen. Familial study revealed that the patient's grandfather, two aunts, and one cousin on his father's side had developed end-stage renal failure. Clinicopathologic features of this patient are identical with those of familial lobular glomerulopathy, which has been previously described by several investigators. Seven of the previously reported families were white and resided in the United States or in European countries. This is the first report of an Asian case, and indicates that this disease universally occurs independently of racial specificity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Successful treatment with steroid pulse therapy in a case of immunotactoid glomerulopathy with hypocomplementemia.

We report a case of immunotactoid glomerulopathy with severe hypocomplementemia. The patient was a 47-year-old woman who presented with pitting edema, proteinuria, and hypertension. Serological testings were negative or within normal limits except for hypocomplementemia. There were no findings of hematopoietic diseases, cryoglobulinemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The renal biopsy specimen showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with numerous periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive deposits. Under electron microscopy, however, microtubular structure was shown in the mesangial matrix and the subendothelial and subepithelial spaces of the peripheral capillary loops. These histological features were compatible with those of immunotactoid glomerulopathy. Although conventional oral steroid therapy failed to have an effect on proteinuria and hypocomplementemia over 3 months, steroid pulse therapy brought dramatic relief: complete remission of proteinuria and normalization of hypocomplementemia. These findings suggest that intensive immunosuppressive therapy may cure a kind of immunotactoid glomerulopathy with hypocomplementemia.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1998

Influence of body size and left ventricular ejection dynamics on total arterial compliance determined using Doppler echocardiography and subclavian artery pulse tracings in healthy humans.

The aim was to investigate determinants of total arterial compliance in healthy humans. Estimates of aortic root pressures and flow were obtained non-invasively with the calibrated subclavian artery pulse tracing and Doppler echocardiography in 37 males (27-76 years) and 45 females (20-77 years). Total arterial compliance, estimated using a three-element vascular model, correlated positively with body height (r = 0.45, p < 0.01) and acceleration time of aortic root flow (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and inversely with age (r = -0.34, p < 0.05), heart rate (r = -0.33, p < 0.01), and mean arterial pressure (r = -0.51, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that height and heart rate contributed most to the prediction of total arterial compliance. The inclusion of mean arterial pressure within the model significantly reduced the contribution of age, but not that of body height and heart rate. After adjustment for height and heart rate, total arterial compliance did not differ significantly between gender. Thus, total arterial compliance, as assessed in this study, seems to reflect both arterial capacity and viscoelastic properties of the arterial wall. Differences in body size, heart rate and mean arterial pressure should be considered when comparing total arterial compliance in different groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Differences in glomerular leukocyte infiltration between IgA nephropathy and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: An important aspect in glomerular nephritic processes is the enhanced influx of leukocytes into the glomerulus. METHODS: To investigate the mechanisms of intraglomerular leukocyte infiltration in IgA nephropathy (IgA-N) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I (MPGN-I), we immunohistochemically examined the intraglomerular expression of leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18), macrophage-1 (Mac-1, CD11b/CD18) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54) together with glomerular deposition of C3c and fibrinogen. RESULTS: In IgA-N (n=42), LFA-1+ cells were distributed mainly in glomeruli with intense expression of ICAM-1, and there was a positive correlation (P<0.001) between the number of LFA-1+ cells and the degree of ICAM-1 expression. Mac-1+ cells had no correlation with glomerular C3c deposition, but had a significant correlation with fibrinogen deposition (P<0.05). The number of LFA-1+ cells was significantly greater than of Mac-1+ cells (P<0.05). The number of LFA-1+ cells was strongly correlated with that of CD68+ cells (P<0.00001). In MPGN-I (n= 43), on the contrary, Mac-1+ cells correlated only with C3c deposition (P<0.001), and they were observed mainly in peripheral loops of glomerular capillaries where C3c was deposited with a similar distribution. However, there was no relationship between LFA-1+ cells and ICAM-1 expression. The number of Mac-1+ cells was greater than that of LFA-1+ cells (P<0.0001), and most Mac-1+ cells were identical to CD15+ cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the possibility that different mechanisms may cause glomerular leukocyte infiltration in various forms of human glomerulonephritis. The LFA-1/ICAM-1 pathway may play an important role in glomerular leukocyte infiltration in IgA-N, while the Mac-1/complement pathway may be important in MPGN-I. The former may promote mainly the infiltration of CD68+ cells, and the latter may promote that of CD15+ cells. In addition, Mac-1+ cells may act as fibrinogen and complement receptors in IgA-N and MPGN-I, respectively.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1998

Significance of leukocyte infiltration in membranous nephropathy with segmental glomerulosclerosis.

AIM: To clarify the role of leukocyte subsets in the development of glomerulosclerosis (GS) and interstitial lesions which may contribute to the prognosis of membranous nephropathy (MN), we investigated infiltrating cells in both glomeruli and interstitium in biopsy specimens. METHODS: Forty-one cases of MN were divided into two groups: MN with segmental GS (MN+GS; n = 21) and MN without GS (MN-GS; n = 20). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding clinical data at the time of the renal biopsy. The cells were analyzed with a three-layer indirect immunoperoxidase method using monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte common antigen, T cells, B cells, and monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mstraight phi). RESULTS: Renal function tended to deteriorate during the final follow-up period in group MN+GS, but not in group MN-GS. The number of glomerular and interstitial leukocytes in group MN+GS were significantly higher than those in group MN-GS. Leukocytes were mostly Mo/Mstraight phi in the glomerulus, while T cells and Mo/Mstraight phi were predominant in the interstitium. In group MN+GS, there was a significant correlation in number of Mstraight phi (CD68+) between glomeruli and interstitium, but not in group MN-GS. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Mo/Mstraight phi may play an important role in the development of segmental GS and interstitial lesions in MN which may be responsible for the incurability and poor prognosis.

Adult↗