Biomedical subjects

J Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to J Watanabe.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Influence of anesthetic regimens on intestinal absorption in rats.

We compared the influence of anesthetic regimens using urethane (U), pentobarbital (P), ether (E), and ketamine/midazolam (K) on the intestinal absorption of several probes using a single-pass perfusion technique in rats. The selected probes were D-glucose (1 mM) for the resistance of the unstirred water layer (UWL), D-glucose (100 mM) for the capacity of carrier-mediated D-glucose transport, L-glucose, and urea for membrane-limited passive transport, and tritiated water (3H2O) for blood flow at the absorption site. The absorbed fraction of D-glucose (1 mM) was the smallest for U and the largest for P, suggesting that the resistance of UWL is the largest for U and the smallest for P. The absorbed fraction of D-glucose (100 mM) was the largest for P (U = E = K < P), suggesting a higher capacity of carrier-mediated D-glucose transport for P. The absorbed fraction of urea was similar for all anesthetics, while that of L-glucose was the smallest for K (U = P = E > K). Although the results for these two markers of membrane-limited passive transport were inconsistent, the passive permeability of the intestinal membrane may be lower when treating with K. The intestinal absorptions of D-glucose (1 and 100 mM), L-glucose, and urea were, in general, lower with any of the anesthetics than under nonanesthesia (N), suggesting increased resistance of UWL and decreased intestinal membrane permeability by carrier-mediated and passive transport under anesthesia. The only exception was the absorption of D-glucose (100 mM) under P, which was comparable to that under N.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthetics↗

PubMed1993

Germ line polymorphisms of p53 and CYP1A1 genes involved in human lung cancer.

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is mutated in diverse types of human cancer, and the normal allele encodes a nuclear protein that regulates expression of cell cycle-related genes as a transcription factor. The wild-type of p53 protein exists as at least two forms of variants among human populations, ascribed to amino acid replacement at codon 72 of Arg by Pro. In this study, we show that this germ line Arg-Pro polymorphism at codon 72 of the p53 gene is associated with genetically determined susceptibility to smoking-induced lung cancer; a susceptible genotype Pro/Pro has a 1.7-fold higher risk of this cancer compared with other genotypes. This p53 polymorphism modulates risk to smoking-induced lung cancer independently of other genetic risk factors such as germ line polymorphism of CYP1A1 or GST1 genes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Continuous measurement of canine coronary blood volume change with alterations of heart rate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the effects of heart rate on total coronary blood volume with pressure-type plethysmography in isolated and vasodilated canine hearts. METHODS: Nine hearts were excised from anaesthetised mongrel dogs (13.1-15.2 kg) and perfused with arterial blood of other dogs (17.0-29.0 kg). The venous blood returning to the right atrium and both ventricles was drained under constant negative pressure (-10 mm Hg). A thin latex balloon filled with water was inserted into the left ventricle to keep the intraventricular volume constant. The pressure difference between the cylinder into which the heart was placed and a compensation chamber was measured as a change in coronary blood volume while heart rate was altered from 120 beats.min-1 (control heart rate) to a target level (60, 90, 150, or 180 beats.min-1). RESULTS: The mean coronary blood volume change compared with that at control heart rate was 1.65(SEM 0.32) ml x 100 g-1 at 60 beats.min-1 (p < 0.005) and -0.74(0.20) ml x 100 g-1 at 180 beats.min-1 (p < 0.005) under the perfusion pressure of 70 mm Hg. The mean volume decreased with the increase in heart rate. Diastolic-systolic variations in coronary blood volume also decreased with an increase in heart rate, from 0.61(0.06) ml x 100 g-1 (60 beats.min-1) (p < 0.005) to 0.12 ml.100 g-1 (180 beats.min-1). Both mean change and variation were almost linear functions of R-R interval (r = 0.88 and r = 0.83). Lowering the perfusion pressure from 70 to 40 mm Hg diminished the changes in both mean and variation of the coronary blood volume. CONCLUSIONS: Tachycardia reduces the mean coronary blood volume and the diastolic-systolic variations in isolated vasodilated canine hearts.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Predictive value of screening tests for persistent hepatitis C virus infection evidenced by viraemia. Japanese experience.

In November 1989, Japanese Red Cross Blood Centres started screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) for the C100-3 viral peptide as the first such nationwide programme in the world. Thereafter post-transfusion non-A non-B hepatitis (PTNANBH) was reduced by 61-80%, but this was not as complete a success as our programme to prevent post-transfusion hepatitis B by screening for high titer hepatitis B core antibody, which we began in the same period. In order to acquire more effective control of PTNANBH, the HCV core-related antigen (GOR, N14) and second-generation Elisa (Ortho2, Abbott2) and second-generation antigen agglutination (PA, PHA) tests have been employed. Among 16,500 donors in 11 blood centers, 365 were serologically positive by at least one of these tests. Among these, HCV RNA was detected in 138 units and the remaining 227 were HCV RNA negatives. The effectiveness of these serological tests to detect HCV RNA-positive status were analyzed. Passive haemagglutination and particle agglutination (PHA and PA) tests were highly effective to predict HCV viraemia among blood donors. Also, these tests can easily determine antibody titre. By either PHA or PA, all units with > or = 2(12) agglutination titre (120 and 122 units) were HCV RNA positive and all agglutination-positive units with serum alanine aminotransferase level higher than 35 Karmen units were HCV RNA positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1993

Macrophages in the urine in acute bacterial cystitis.

In the previous study in this series of studies concerning the role of macrophages in urinary tract infection, we attempted to detect macrophages in the urine of acute bacterial cystitis patients by nonspecific esterase staining of urinary sediment, however none of the leukocytes stained, probably because of cell damage caused by the urine and by centrifugation. In the present study, detection of macrophages in urine was again attempted, this time by prompt transfer of urinary leukocytes to culture medium after minimum centrifugation, 1 hr culture in a glass bottom chamber and non-specific staining of leukocytes adhering to glass. Macrophages in urine were detected by this method, and they comprised 5.9% of the adherent leukocytes, although macrophage spreading, which implies macrophage activation and is often seen in the early stage of nonbacterial prostatitis, was hardly ever observed. The percentages of adherent leukocytes were not correlated with urine osmolarity, probably because the effect of urine was minimized by prompt transfer of urinary leukocytes to culture medium after the urine samples had been collected. There have been quite few studies involving culture of urinary leukocytes in the past. Our simple techniques, such as prompt transfer of urinary leukocytes to culture medium after centrifuging with minimum gravity and for a minimum period of time, appear to be useful in the study of urinary leukocytes using other cells which appear in urinary tract infection, as well as cytokines and antibiotics, to clarify cellular mechanisms of defenses in urinary tract infection.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Biological characterization of cyclothialidine, a new DNA gyrase inhibitor.

Cyclothialidine is a new DNA gyrase inhibitor isolated from Streptomyces filipinensis NR0484. Structurally, it belongs to a new class of natural products containing a unique 12-membered lactone ring that is partly integrated into a pentapeptide chain. Cyclothialidine was found to be one of the most active of all the DNA gyrase inhibitors tested in the DNA supercoiling reaction of Escherichia coli DNA gyrase; 50% inhibitory concentrations (in micrograms per milliliter) of 0.03 (cyclothialidine), 0.06 (novobiocin), 0.06 (coumermycin A1), 0.66 (norfloxacin), 0.88 (ciprofloxacin), and 26 (nalidixic acid) were found. In addition, DNA gyrases from gram-positive species were inhibited equally as well as DNA gyrase from E. coli. Cyclothialidine also inhibited the in vitro DNA replication directed from oriC of E. coli. Among the bacterial species tested, only Eubacterium spp. were inhibited by cyclothialidine, suggesting that it can enter the cells of Eubacterium and exert antibacterial activity through interference with the DNA gyrase within the cells, although its penetration into most bacterial cells appears to be poor. These results provide a basis for cyclothialidine to be a lead structure for novel antibacterial agents with DNA gyrase inhibitory activities.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

alpha-Adrenergic augmentation of myogenic response in rat arterioles: role of protein kinase C.

We tested the hypothesis that protein kinase C (PKC) activation plays a major role in alpha-adrenergic augmentation of the myogenic response in rat isolated arterioles. Lumen diameter measured was with a video-monitored microscopic system. Lumen diameter did not change (131 +/- 5 vs. 126 +/- 6 microns) despite an increase in lumen pressure from 40 to 100 mmHg. Phenylephrine (Phe; 3 x 10(-7) M) augmented the myogenic response, since lumen diameter decreased significantly from 117 +/- 8 to 101 +/- 8 microns. High potassium (40 mM) failed to augment the myogenic response, while constricting the vessels to nearly the same extent as did Phe. PKC inhibitors 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7, 5 x 10(-5) M, n = 7) and staurosporine (3 x 10(-9) M, n = 7) abolished the Phe-induced augmentation. H-7 and staurosporine depressed the myogenic response even without Phe. PKC activators phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (3 x 10(-9) M; n = 7) and 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (6 x 10(-8) M; n = 6) constricted the vessels by 11 +/- 2 and 18 +/- 3%, respectively. However, PKC activators failed to augment the myogenic response. These results suggest that PKC activation does not play a major role in alpha-adrenergic augmentation of the myogenic response in rat skeletal arterioles.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Left ventricular diastolic chamber stiffness and intramyocardial coronary capacitance in isolated dog hearts.

BACKGROUND: Because the myocardium is perfused primarily during diastole, changes in diastolic properties of the left ventricle (LV) should influence the intramyocardial circulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the influence of LV diastolic properties on the magnitude and localization of intramyocardial coronary capacitance by analyzing the coronary pressure-venous flow relation in isolated, isovolumic dog heart preparations. After sudden occlusion of the left coronary artery during a long diastole, we measured precapacitance and postcapacitance resistances (RPRE and RPOST) and calculated intramyocardial coronary capacitance (CIM) from RPOST and the time constant of the coronary venous flow decay. Using this method, we characterized the effects of coronary vasodilation, LV diastolic volume, and LV diastolic chamber stiffness on the coronary circulation. The magnitude of CIM increased from 0.09 +/- 0.01 to 0.24 +/- 0.20 mL.mm Hg-1 x 100 g-1 (P < .01) after adenosine-induced vasodilation, whereas both RPOST and RPRE decreased significantly. The ratio of RPOST to RPRE+RPOST decreased from 0.35 +/- 0.02 to 0.23 +/- 0.02 (P < .01), suggesting redistribution of CIM to the distal portion of the coronary vascular tree. An increase in LV volume and wall stress was imposed to increase LV diastolic pressure from 2 +/- 0.1 to 25 +/- 1 mm Hg: this increased RPOST significantly but not RPRE and decreased the magnitude of CIM. The resistance ratio did not change significantly. Increased LV diastolic chamber stiffness induced by hypoxic perfusion (isovolumic LV diastolic pressure increased from 11 +/- 1 to 28 +/- 1 mm Hg) raised RPOST and decreased the magnitude of CIM from 0.32 +/- 0.12 to 0.17 +/- 0.04 mL.mm Hg-1 x 100 g-1 (P < .05). The resistance ratio increased significantly from 0.21 +/- 0.05 to 0.33 +/- 0.05 with increased LV diastolic chamber stiffness. Adjustment of LV diastolic volume to lower diastolic pressure to 10 +/- 1 mm Hg did not alter these changes significantly, suggesting that an intrinsic increase in myocardial stiffness played a major role in these changes. CONCLUSIONS: Extravascular compression by raised LV diastolic volume and/or increased LV diastolic chamber stiffness acted mainly on coronary vessels that determine intramyocardial capacitance and postcapacitance resistance.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Modification of myogenic intrinsic tone and [Ca2+]i of rat isolated arterioles by ryanodine and cyclopiazonic acid.

The role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in regulating myogenic tone and [Ca2+]i was examined with ryanodine and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in the rat skeletal muscle arteriole (A(sk)) and mesenteric arteriole (Ams). Arterioles were cannulated at both ends to control luminal pressure in a tissue bath. Luminal diameter was measured with a video-monitored microscopic system. Fura 2-AM was loaded to measure [Ca2+]i using the fluorescence intensity ratio at excitation wavelengths of 340 to 380 nm (F340/380). The myogenic response (luminal pressure was increased from 40 to 100 mm Hg) and the intrinsic tone at 40 mm Hg were observed in A(sk) but not in Ams. Ryanodine (10(-5) M decreased the steady-state diameter of A(sk) from 138 +/- 8 to 85 +/- 9 microns (P < .05) and increased the F340/380 ratio; these effects were reversed by nifedipine or Ca(2+)-free solution. Ryanodine shifted the [Ca2+]o-contraction response curve upward. CPA (10(-5) M) also decreased the steady-state diameter of A(sk) from 131 +/- 7 to 98 +/- 11 microns (P < .05). In contrast, Ams responded to neither ryanodine nor CPA. Caffeine-induced contractions were significantly reduced by either ryanodine or CPA in both arterioles. These results indicate that SR dysfunction increased the susceptibility of the arteriolar tone to [Ca2+]o and enhanced the tone of A(sk). In conclusion, the SR function may play a critical role in regulating [Ca2+]i and the intrinsic tone of A(sk) that was myogenically active at physiological luminal pressure.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Densities of NADPH-ferrihemoprotein reductase and cytochrome P-450 molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of rat hepatocytes.

In hepatocytes, NADPH-ferrihemoprotein reductase (reductase) has been hypothesized to exist as aggregates or micelles in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. However, if the number of reductase molecules per unit area of ER is low, this hypothesis cannot explain how a few reductase molecules efficiently reduce many P-450 molecules. To test this hypothesis, we estimated the numbers of reductase and P-450 molecules per unit ER area (reductase and P-450 densities) by microphotometry of the two enzymes in conjunction with morphometry of ER in periportal, midzonal, and perivenular rat hepatocytes. The reductase density in periportal, midzonal, and perivenular hepatocytes (107-179 molecules/microns 2 of ER) was high enough to efficiently reduce all P-450 molecules in the ER, although the value in perivenular hepatocytes was lowest owing to the relatively greater amount of ER in this region. The pattern of sublobular gradient in the reductase density was similar to that in the P-450 density. Consequently, the molar ratio of P-450 to reductase in ER was similar (about 40:1) in hepatocytes regardless of their positions within the liver lobule.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Significance of high glucose-6-phosphatase activity in rat oviduct epithelium.

To study the origin of glucose in the oviduct fluid, we cytochemically examined glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity in rat oviduct. The activity in the whole oviduct was also assayed biochemically. During proestrous, estrous, and metestrous phases, staining reaction for the activity was moderate in the epithelium of the caudal isthmus (CaI) and uterotubal junction (UJ), whereas it was weak in that of the ampulla (A) and cephalic isthmus (CeI). In the diestrous phase, staining reaction in the epithelium of CaI and UJ became strong although it remained weak in that of A and CeI. Reaction product for the activity was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of all cell types in the epithelium. The amount of reaction product in secretory cells was small to moderate in CaI and UJ, and small in A and CeI during proestrus, estrus, and metestrus. In diestrous the amount became abundant in CaI and UJ and moderate in A and CeI. However, the amount in ciliated cells remained small in the four segments during the four phases. The biochemical activity in diestrous was greater than that in proestrus, estrus, or metestrus. This shows that the activity is high in secretory cells in the epithelium of CaI and UJ in the diestrous phase and suggests that the role of the high activity is to release glucose into the oviduct fluid for use by the embryo passing down the CaI and UJ to the uterus.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Postnatal development and sublobular distribution of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver: a microphotometric study.

To study the process of expression of cytochrome P-450 (P-450) in hepatocytes during development, we measured microphotometrically the P-450 content in periportal and perivenular hepatocytes of male rats during peri- and postnatal growth. From Day 19 of gestation to Day 5 after birth, P-450 content in both periportal and perivenular hepatocytes increased markedly (periportal 1046%; perivenular 819%). The content in periportal hepatocytes remained unchanged from 5 to 20 days of age, and increased slightly (24%) from 20 to 45 days of age. However, the content in perivenular hepatocytes increased progressively (105%) between 5 and 45 days of age. The difference in P-450 content became apparent between periportal and perivenular hepatocytes after 7 days of age. The content in periportal or perivenular hepatocytes reached the adult level at 45 days of age. Therefore, the perinatal period is the time at which a marked increase in P-450 occurs in hepatocytes throughout the liver lobule. The subsequent period before weaning is the time at which the sublobular heterogeneous distribution of P-450 appears. The period after weaning is the time at which a slight increase in P-450 content in periportal hepatocytes and a marked increase in the enzyme in perivenular hepatocytes takes place.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Dose-dependent uptake of radioactivity by liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells after intravenous administration of fractionated 3H-heparin to rats.

The dose-dependent uptake of fractionated 3H-heparin in the subpopulations of liver cells, parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, was characterized in rats in vivo. Following the intravenous administration of fractionated 3H-heparin, the radioactivity in plasma was eliminated according to the first order kinetics at each dose. However, the elimination rate constant decreased with dose over the dose range of 0.3 to 100 U/kg, suggesting nonlinear elimination. In accordance with the delay in the plasma elimination, the uptake rate constant of radioactivity by parenchymal as well as non-parenchymal cells of liver, the major distribution organ, also decreased. Although heparin has long been considered to be taken up by a reticuloendothelial system (RES) such as non-parenchymal cells in the liver, the uptake of fractionated 3H-heparin by parenchymal cells was found to be comparable with that by non-parenchymal cells at the lowest dose of 0.3 U/kg, and even larger than that by non-parenchymal cells at the highest dose of 100 U/kg. The uptake clearances of fractionated 3H-heparin at the dose of 0.3 U/kg were 86.4 and 504 ml/10(8) cells/d, respectively, for parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. These values were much larger than those reported for polyvinylpyrrolidone, which has been suggested to be taken up by fluid phase endocytosis. Thus, the present study revealed the significant contribution of parenchymal cells in the hepatic uptake of fractionated 3H-heparin. The dose-dependent uptake with high clearance values in both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells provides an in vivo suggestion of the specialized transport of fractionated heparin in these two subpopulations of liver cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Macromolecule-macromolecule interaction in drug distribution. III. Kinetic characterization of the uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin and the effect of plasma proteins in the perfused rat liver.

The concentration-dependent hepatic uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin, a macromolecular model drug, was kinetically characterized and the effect of plasma proteins, albumin and alpha-globulin, was evaluated in the perfused rat liver as part of an ongoing effort to elucidate the mechanism of interaction of macromolecular drugs with biological macromolecules and the role of this interaction in the drugs' distribution. In the absence of proteins, the uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin was saturable with the maximum uptake velocity (Vmax) of 7.6 pmol/min/g liver and the Michaelis constant (Km) of 32.2 nM, suggesting the involvement of a specialized transport. alpha-Globulin (8.0 mg/ml) reduced the uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin at lower heparin at lower heparin concentrations. However, albumin (40 mg/ml) did not affect the uptake of fractionated [3H]heparin, suggesting an insignificant interaction. Assuming that fractionated [3H]heparin bound to alpha-globulin cannot be uptaken and that the reduction in uptake was solely attributable to the saturable Scatchard-type binding of fractionated [3H]heparin to alpha-globulin, the dissociation constant (Kd) and the binding capacity (n) were estimated to be 2.1 nM and 0.002, respectively. In in vitro binding experiments by ultrafiltration, Kd and n were estimated as 168 nM and 0.5, respectively, for alpha-globulin and 1021 nM and 0.02, respectively, for albumin, suggesting lower affinity and higher capacity in vitro for each protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Uptake mechanism of fractionated [3H]heparin in rat parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture: effect of transport inhibitors on the uptake.

In order to elucidate the uptake mechanism of fractionated [3H]heparin by rat parenchymal hepatocytes, the concentration dependent uptake was kinetically analyzed in primary culture of rat parenchymal hepatocytes, and the effects of established transport inhibitors and heparin analogues on the uptake were also examined. The uptake rate of heparin measured over an extended period of 60 min was saturable, with the maximum uptake velocity (Vmax) of 0.36 +/- 0.05 pmol/min/mg protein and the Michaelis constant (Km) of 21.2 +/- 5.4 nM. The uptake was inhibited by the addition of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), an inhibitor of the anion transport system, and rose bengal, an organic anion. Heparin analogues (pentosan polysulphate, or heparan sulphate) also inhibited the uptake of fractionated heparin. However, the uptake was not inhibited by the inhibitors of receptor-mediated endocytosis (phenylarsine oxide). These results suggest that fractionated heparin may be taken up by anion transport system, rather than by receptor-mediated endocytosis, though the fractionated [3H]heparin is a compound with the high molecular weight of about 20000 Da. At least the negative charge or sulphate group in the drug structure is supposed to play an important role in the uptake of fractionated heparin by parenchymal hepatocytes.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

PubMed1993

Uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-fractionated heparin by rat parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture.

The distribution of fractionated heparin in a primary culture of rat parenchymal hepatocytes was investigated optically using the fluorescence labelled drug and confocal imaging system with an inverted fluorescence microscope. The cell-associated fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-fractionated heparin was observed to increase in conjunction with incubation time and also to localize, suggesting an internalization to cell organella with the exception of the nuclei.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Tetronothiodin, a novel cholecystokinin type-B receptor antagonist produced by Streptomyces sp. NR0489. I. Taxonomy, yield improvement and fermentation.

Streptomyces sp. NR0489 produces tetronothiodin, a novel brain-type cholecystokinin receptor antagonist. This species was differentiated from its related species S. gelaticus, S. griseolus and S. hydrogenans on the basis of their cultural characteristics, such as the utilization of carbohydrates and the presence or absence of various enzymatic activities. We applied the DNA-DNA hybridization method using photobiotin, which proved the genetic difference between the four species mentioned above. The yield improvement effort including single colony isolation, mutation, and protoplast regeneration together with medium optimization resulted in more than an 81-fold increase of the productivity of tetronothiodin as compared to that of the wild type strain.

DNA↗

PubMed1993

Tetrafibricin, a novel fibrinogen receptor antagonist. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, characterization and biological activities.

Tetrafibricin is a novel fibrinogen receptor antagonist produced by Streptomyces neyagawaensis NR0577. It was isolated from the culture broth by Diaion HP-21 adsorption, MeOH extraction, MCI GEL CHP-20P column chromatography, preparative HPLC and Toyopearl HW-40 SF column chromatography. The physico-chemical properties of tetrafibricin indicated that the structure of tetrafibricin is different from the known peptide fibrinogen receptor antagonists and closely related to the polyene macrolide antibiotics. Tetrafibricin strongly inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to its receptors with an IC50 of 46 nM. It also inhibited ADP-, collagen-, and thrombin-induced aggregation of human platelets with IC50s of 5.6, 11.0 and 7.6 microM, respectively.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗