Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Asai

Publications and source records attributed to K Asai.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Separation and characterization of macrophages and smooth muscle cells in rabbit atherosclerotic lesions.

Atherosclerotic aortic intimas of cholesterol-fed rabbits were enzymatically dispersed into single cells by collagenase and elastase. And monocyte-macrophages (M phi) were separated from smooth muscle cells (SMC), using the ability of M phi to adhere to a plastic dish firmly even in the enzyme solutions. Round or oval, heavily lipid-laden cells, so-called foam cells (FC), belonged to the M phi fraction. M phi-FC showed very strong activity for non-specific esterase using alpha-naphthyl butyrate, while SMC showed little or no activity. Some of the FC were large and multinucleated (multinucleated giant foam cells). They also showed positive non-specific esterase staining and are thought to be derived from M phi. M phi-FC synthesized various proliferate in the medium and the number decreased gradually within several days. Some SMC were heavily lipid-laden; however, they retained their original spindle shape. SMC lost lipid droplets gradually as they proliferated to confluence. SMC from atherosclerotic lesions showed higher proliferative activity than those from normal-appearing medias of atherosclerotic aortas or control aortas. Almost no M phi-FC were obtained from the intima-medias of grossly normal portions of atherosclerotic aortas and control aortas. The present method will be useful for studying the role of these cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effects of gustatory deafferentation on ingestion of taste solutions as seen by licking behavior in rats.

The role of the taste nerves in licking behavior to various taste solutions was examined in rats. The study consisted of two experiments. In the electrophysiological experiment, the whole nerve recording of the anterior palatine nerve (PN) was performed to examine the response properties of this nerve to taste stimulation applied to the taste buds in the nasoincisal duct. When the moderate concentrations of solutions were used, the PN responded best to HCl, followed by sucrose and NaCl. Quinine hydrochloride elicited the smallest response. In the behavioral experiment, the number of licks/20 sec was measured for each of the test solutions such as 0.5 M sucrose, 0.01-1.0 M NaCl, 0.03 M HCl and 0.0005 M-0.01 M quinine in normal control and experimental rats. The experimental animals received bilateral deafferentation of the PN, chorda tympani (CT) and glossopharyngeal nerve (GN) alone or in various combinations. Rats without one of the 3 taste nerves still rejected the aversive HCl and quinine solutions. However, after lesions of both CT and GN, or all the 3 taste nerves, the rats showed a significant increase in the number of licks to these aversive solutions. These results suggest that taste aversion disappears after denervation of more than 80% of the total taste buds. The interlick interval, lick duration and the amount of intake per lick did not change significantly after sections of the taste nerves in any combinations.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1985

The solvent action of sodium hypochlorite on bovine tendon collagen, bovine pulp, and bovine gingiva.

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum temperature and concentration of sodium hypochlorite solution required to dissolve bovine tendon collagen, pulp, and gingiva. The 10% concentration of sodium hypochlorite solution at 37 degrees C was found to be most effective in dissolving bovine tendon collagen, pulp, and gingiva. Sodium hypochlorite solution was more effective in dissolving bovine pulp or tendon collagen than in dissolving bovine gingiva.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A colorimetric assay for plasma antithrombin III using a new synthetic peptide substrate (PS-915).

A colorimetric assay for plasma antithrombin III (ATIII) has been developed, using a new synthetic peptide substrate, PS-915 (H-D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CHA). PS-915 is freely water-soluble and its aqueous solution is stable. It is highly specific for thrombin and its Km value is about the same as that of S-2238. By enzyme hydrolysis, the new substrate liberates 3-carboxy-4-hydroxyaniline (CHA), which turns blue in color due to the complex formation with added alkaline-pentacyanoammine ferroate. The assay is a three-stage kinetic, one-point procedure, based on the method of antithrombin (heparin cofactor activity) determination. Since absorption measurements of the CHA are usually obtained at 700 nm, no blank correction is necessary even when hyperbilirubinemic, lipemic and/or hemolyzed plasma are used. The calibration curve for ATIII is linear over the range of 0-175% of normal and has a high degree of reproducibility. The results obtained by this method are well correlated with data obtained by the commonly used chromogenic assay or by radial immunodiffusion.

Adult↗