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Biomedical subjects

J Yamada

Publications and source records attributed to J Yamada.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

The hypoglycemic effects of tryptamine in mice: mediation by 5-HT receptors.

The effects of tryptamine on blood glucose levels were studied. Tryptamine induced significant hypoglycemia in mice. The hypoglycemia elicited by tryptamine was strongly antagonized by methysergide, an antagonist of both 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. A 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, partially inhibited the tryptamine-induced hypoglycemia. These results suggest that tryptamine-induced hypoglycemia is mediated by 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors.

Animals↗

The behavioural effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) in mice.

The effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) on the behaviour of mice were studied. 8-OH-DPAT given i.v. in doses greater than 1 mg/kg induced the distinct 5-HT syndrome, including head weaving, hindlimb abduction, forepaw treading and tremor. The 8-OH-DPAT-induced behaviour was not affected by the 5-HT depleter, p-chlorophenylalanine. Reserpine, which depletes monoamines, significantly decreased the head weaving elicited by 8-OH-DPAT, although it did not reduce the other components of the behavioural syndrome. The non-specific 5-HT receptor antagonist, metergoline, attenuated the 8-OH-DPAT-induced behaviour, while the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, was without effect. In addition, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, spiperone, inhibited the 5-HT syndrome elicited by 8-OH-DPAT, while the dopamine receptor antagonist, haloperidol, affected only the head weaving. These results suggest that 8-OH-DPAT-induced behaviour in mice is mediated by the postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Genetic polymorphism of tear proteins in the rat.

Polymorphism of tear proteins was found by agarose gel electrophoresis among inbred strains of rats. The proteins (RTP-1) are inherited as a single autosomoal trait. The locus was designated Rtp-1 (rat tear protein-1) and it had two codominant alleles (Rtp-1a, Rtp-1b). Although we did not find any recombinant between the Rtp-1 and the Mup-1 loci among 67 backcross progeny, we found 3 strains with the recombinant type between them in 33 inbred strains tested. The results suggest that the Rtp-1 locus is very closely linked with the Mup-1 locus, which belongs to rat linkage group II. RTP-1 proteins strongly reacted with anti-MUP-1 A serum on agarose gel electrophoretograms.

Animals↗

Tryptophan metabolism in D-galactosamine-induced liver injury.

We have reported that in rats with D-galactosamine-induced liver injury, the serum level of indoleacetic acid (IAA), a metabolite of tryptophan (TRP), increases before the increase in serum transaminase activity. To determine whether this IAA is derived from hepatocytes, isolated hepatocytes were treated with D-galactosamine and loaded with TRP, and the changes in TRP and IAA levels in the culture supernatant of the isolated hepatocytes were measured at various time intervals. As a result, IAA level in the culture supernatant of hepatocytes treated with D-galactosamine and loaded with TRP significantly increased in a time-dependent manner. This indicates that in D-galactosamine-induced liver injury, a metabolic pathway which produces IAA from TRP through tryptamine is present in hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Saccadic eye movements evoked by microstimulation of the fastigial nucleus of macaque monkeys.

1. Systematic exploration throughout the deep cerebellar nuclei and white matter disclosed that the region from which saccadic eye movements (saccades) were evoked with weak currents (less than 10 microA) was confined to the fastigial nucleus and the adjacent white matter. 2. When an electrode for stimulation was advanced in the cerebellum, saccades were evoked in the direction of the stimulated side (ipsilateral saccades) as it entered the low-threshold region. In some tracks, particularly when the electrode was advanced in the medial portion of the fastigial nucleus, the direction of the evoked saccades changed from the ipsilateral to the contralateral. 3. The mappings with microstimulation disclosed that the ipsilateral saccades were elicited from a relatively wide region that included almost the full extent of the fastigial nucleus. The low-threshold region continued in the white matter caudally into vermal lobule VII and rostrally into the dorsal aspect of the brachium conjunctivum. On the other hand, the contralateral saccades were evoked from a relatively circumscribed region in the ventromedial portion of the fastigial nucleus. 4. The reversal in the direction of the horizontal component occurred always in a narrow zone in the core of the fastigial nucleus. The caudal part of this zone coincided with an ellipsoidal region where anterogradely labeled axons of the Purkinje cells terminated when HRP was injected into vermal lobule VII. 5. When bicuculline (0.2-1 microgram) was injected in the ellipsoidal region, the ipsilateral saccades evoked from the dorsocaudal aspect of the region were suppressed for several hours. On the other hand, the contralateral saccades evoked from the ventromedial portion of the fastigial nucleus were either unchanged or enhanced. 6. Because the ipsilateral saccades were suppressed by bicuculline, they were most probably evoked by stimulation of the presynaptic component of gamma-amino-butyric acid-(GABA) mediated synapses, namely the axons of Purkinje cells. 7. Because stimulation of the presynaptic component of the inhibitory synapses evoked ipsilateral saccades, activation of the postsynaptic component would evoke contralateral saccades. In fact, the distribution of the fastigial sites yielding contralateral saccades coincided with the course of axons of fastigial neurons arising in the ellipsoidal region. It is most likely, therefore, that the contralateral saccades were evoked by stimulation of fastigial neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical study on the endocrine pancreas of cattle with special reference to coexistence of serotonin and glucagon or bovine pancreatic polypeptide.

Bovine pancreatic endocrine cells were investigated by light microscopic immunohistochemistry. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells as well as insulin-, glucagon-, somatostatin-, bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP)-immunoreactive cells were detected in the pancreatic islets. Generally, insulin-immunoreactive cells were distributed throughout the islet and the others took peripheral location. Since the distribution and shape of serotonin-immunoreactive cells were very similar to glucagon- and BPP-immunoreactive cells, serial sections were restained by using the elution method. All glucagon- and BPP-immunoreactive cells also showed serotonin immunoreactivity but glucagon and BPP immunoreactivities were never observed to be colocalized in the same cell. A small number of serotonin-immunoreactive cells were observed that showed serotonin immunoreactivity only.

Animals↗

Electron immunocytochemical co-localization of prochymosin and pepsinogen in chief cells, mucous neck cells and transitional mucous neck/chief cells of the calf fundic glands.

The electron immunocytochemical co-localization of prochymosin and pepsinogen in chief cells, mucous neck cells and transitional mucous neck/chief cells of calf fundic glands was studied using specific antisera for prochymosin and pepsinogen with a protein A-gold method. Prochymosin and pepsinogen immunoreactivities were detected in the same secretory granules of the chief, mucous neck and transitional cells, simultaneously using small and large colloidal gold particles. In chief cells, both immunoreactivities were distributed uniformly over the same zymogen granules showing a round, large, homogeneous and electron-dense appearance. In mucous neck cells, both immunoreactivities were found exclusively on the same electron-dense core located eccentrically in the mucous granule showing light or moderate electron density. In transitional mucous neck/chief cells, electron-dense cores became larger in size and some granules were occupied by the electron-dense core without a halo between the core and the limiting membrane. Both immunoreactivities were found uniformly over the electron-dense core. The granules having no halo in the transitional cells could not be distinguished from the typical zymogen granules in the chief cells.

Abomasum↗

The involvement of serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in hypothermia induced in mice by intracerebroventricular injection of serotonin.

The hypothermia elicited in mice by intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of serotonin (5-HT) was studied. The 5-HT-induced hypothermia was attenuated by methysergide and pindolol, although ketanserin and p-chlorophenylalanine were without effect. These results suggest that 5-HT-induced hypothermia is produced by the direct activation of the 5-HT1 receptor. In addition, haloperidol, pimozide and alpha-MT inhibited 5-HT-induced hypothermia, which indicates that the dopaminergic systems are also involved in 5-HT-induced hypothermia in mice.

Animals↗

[A cineradiographic study of normal wrist motion].

To clarify carpal alignment during wrist motion, a cineradiographic analysis of 60 normal wrists was carried out. The radio-lunate angle, radio-scaphoid angle and scapho-lunate angle were all measured in lateral view. While in postero-anterior view, the angular change and radio-ulnar displacement of the lunate, and the height of the scaphoid were also measured. Normal standard curves for respective parameters were obtained from this analysis, which clarify the movement of each carpal bone. The normal standard curves enable the respective parameters of the X-ray films in the various positions to correct that in the neutral position. Therefore, the standard curves are useful not only for quantitative diagnosis of abnormality of the wrist joint, but for comparison of pre- and post-operative carpal alignment. Moreover, examination of variation and laterality among the individual normal cases confirmed the importance of examining movement patterns of the lunate in the diagnosis of carpal instability.

Adolescent↗

[Local administration of recombinant interferon-beta to patients with cancer-associated body cavity fluids].

The effects of local administration of interferon-beta produced by recombinant DNA technology (GKT-beta, Kyowa Hakko) on malignant effusion were studied in cancer patients and evaluated on the basis of the Criteria for the Evaluation of the Clinical Effects of Solid Cancer Chemotherapy (effects on malignant effusion). Out of 13 cases of peritoneal effusion, the effects were evaluated in 9 cases. Four of these cases remained free from ascites for 4 weeks and were evaluated as complete response (CR). Administration of GKT-beta alone was performed in 4 of 7 cases of pleural effusion, and CR was obtained in 1 case each of breast cancer, gastric cancer and malignant mesothelioma. In cases of gastric cancer, CR was obtained in 5 of 10 cases. The above results suggest that GKT-beta is a very effective drug against malignant effusion.

Aged↗

An immunohistochemical study of gut endocrine cells in two species of insectivorous vespertilinid bats (Chiroptera: Pipistrellus abramus and Plecotus auritus sacrimontis).

11 endocrine cell types immunoreactive for either 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), motilin, secretin, neurotensin, pancreatic glucagon, enteroglucagon or bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP) were found in gastrointestinal tract of 2 species of insectivorous bats. 5 of these 11 types of endocrine cells were located in the stomach and all 11 types of endocrine cells were found in the intestine. However, the distribution and relative frequency of each immunoreactive endocrine cell varied among the cell types and between the 2 species of bats examined. In Brunner's glands, gastrin- and 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were detected very rarely in Pipistrellus and only occasionally in Plecotus. The present results obtained from the insectivorous bats were compared with those of the sanguivorous vampire bats.

Animals↗

Lateral reticular nucleus neurons sending their axons to the contralateral inferior cerebellar peduncle. A horseradish peroxidase study in the rat.

The lateral reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata (LRN) in the rat was observed after injecting horseradish peroxidase (HRP) bilaterally into the anterior lobe of the cerebellum; the inferior cerebellar peduncle had been cut unilaterally prior to the HRP injections. HRP-labeled neurons were seen bilaterally in the LRN; 89% in the contralateral, and 11% in the side ipsilateral to the pedunculotomy. The labeled neurons in the LRN ipsilateral to the pedunculotomy were assumed to send their axons to the anterior lobe of the cerebellum via the controlateral inferior cerebellar peduncle. Of these neurons, 60, 11 and 29% were distributed in the magnocellular, subtrigeminal and parvicellular divisions of the LRN, respectively.

Animals↗

Afferent and efferent connections of the oculomotor cerebellar vermis in the macaque monkey.

Saccadic eye movements were evoked with weak currents applied to a circumscribed vermal area. The area was confined to lobule VII in the majority of the monkeys and coincided with the distribution of saccade-related neural activity. We defined this area as the oculomotor vermis and studied its anatomical connections with wheat germ-agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA/HRP) and HRP. When injected HRP was confined to the oculomotor vermis, most labeled Purkinje axons terminated ipsilaterally in an ellipsoidal region in the mediocaudal aspect of the fastigial nucleus. Retrogradely labeled cells were found in two relatively circumscribed regions in the fastigial nucleus: one group was in the lateral half of the ellipsoidal terminal region and the other group was in a spherical region near the lateral margin of the nucleus. Following the injection of HRP into the oculomotor vermis, the largest population of retrogradely labeled neurons was found in the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis. Labeled cells were located only in the medial and dorsolateral portions of the nucleus. The cell aggregates in the dorsolateral portion merged with densely labeled cells of the processus tegmentosus lateralis. The second largest population of labeled cells was found in the pontine nuclei. Approximately 28% of the labeled pontine cells aggregated in the paramedian pontine nucleus, whereas the other labeled pontine cells were widely distributed in the dorsal part of the pontine peduncular nucleus and the dorsolateral pontine nucleus. Labeled cells were scattered also in the pontine raphe, the paramedian pontine reticular formation, and the interfascicular nucleus at the rostral level of the hypoglossal nucleus. Fewer labeled cells were discovered in the vestibular nuclear complex and the prepositus hypoglossi. In the inferior olivary nucleus, labeled cells were located in the subnucleus b of the medial accessory nucleus.

Afferent Pathways↗

Participation of peroxisomes in the metabolism of xenobiotic acyl compounds: comparison between peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation of omega-phenyl fatty acids in rat liver.

The peroxisomal beta-oxidation of omega-phenyl fatty acids (PFAs) as model compounds for xenobiotic acyl compounds was investigated. In isolated hepatocytes, omega-phenyllauric acid (PFA12) was chain-shortened to PFAs having an even number of carbon atoms in the acyl side chain. Associated with this reaction, H2O2 generation was observed, the rate of which was markedly enhanced by clofibrate treatment of rats. Also when using isolated peroxisomes, such a chain-shortening of PFA12 occurred, associated with stoichiometrical production of NADH and acetyl-CoA. The CoA-ester form of PFA12 as a substrate and NAD as a cofactor were required in this reaction, indicating the participation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation in the chain-shortening of PFA12. When using PFAs with various chain lengths, the rates of H2O2 generation measured as the peroxisomal beta-oxidation in isolated hepatocytes were similar to those with the corresponding fatty acids, whereas the rates of ketone body production measured as the mitochondrial beta-oxidation were much lower than that with any fatty acid examined. From the study with isolated mitochondria and purified enzymes, it was found that the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of PFAs was carnitine-dependent, and that the activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase for PFA-CoAs are low. Moreover, the activities of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase for PFA-CoAs were lower than those for fatty acyl-CoAs, while the activities of acyl-CoA oxidase for PFA-CoAs were comparable to those for fatty acyl-CoAs. As a result, relatively long chain PFAs were hardly subjected to mitochondrial beta-oxidation. Based on the maximum enzyme activities of the beta-oxidation, which were measured by following acyl-CoA-dependent NAD reduction in isolated peroxisomes and O2 consumption in isolated mitochondria, about 60% of the beta-oxidation of PFA12 in the rat liver was peroxisomal. In clofibrate-treated rats, the value reached about 85%. From these results it is concluded that the peroxisome is one of the important sites of degradation of xenobiotic acyl compounds.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗