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Biomedical subjects

K Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to K Fukuda.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effects of nine active ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine sho-saiko-to on 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide mutagenicity.

The antimutagenic effects of nine active compounds in the Chinese herbal medicine "sho-saiko-to" on mutagenesis induced by a direct-acting mutagen, 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) were investigated in Salmonella typhimurium, strain TA100. The active compounds examined were classified into two major groups, saponins and flavonoids, the former comprising glycyrrhizin, saikosaponins a, c, and d, and ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1, and the latter, baicalin, baicalein and wogonin. Saikosaponin a and ginsenoside Rb1 were found to reduce the mutagenicity of AF-2 significantly when applied post-AF-2-treatment in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay. Ginsenoside Rb1 also decreased the mutagenic activity of AF-2 in a simultaneous treatment protocol. The results indicate that saikosaponin a and ginsenoside Rb1 may enhance DNA repair, and ginsenoside Rb1 may also have the ability to inactivate the mutagenic activity of AF-2 directly. On the other hand, saikosaponin d and baicalin showed a slight enhancing effect. None of the compounds, except baicalein, showed any toxic effect on the test strain. These findings may be useful for the development of chemopreventive agents.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Increased mitogenic response to heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in vascular smooth muscle cells of diabetic rats.

We investigated the mitogenic effects of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) obtained from rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and evaluated the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in inducing these effects. HB-EGF significantly increased DNA synthesis in the SMCs of diabetic rats (STZ-SMCs) compared with control rats (control SMCs). However, the mitogenic effects of EGF, which shares EGF receptors with HB-EGF, and basic fibroblast growth factor, another heparin-binding growth factor, were similar in STZ-SMCs and control SMCs. The mitogenic response to HB-EGF in SMCs of insulin-treated diabetic rats was similar to the response in control SMCs. HB-EGF-induced autophosphorylation of EGF receptors was increased in STZ-SMCs compared with control SMCs, although the number of EGF receptors in STZ-SMCs was 40% of that in controls. This increased mitogenic response to HB-EGF in STZ-SMCs was completely inhibited by treatment with heparitinase, chlorate, and a synthetic peptide corresponding to the heparin-binding domain of HB-EGF. Compared with heparan sulfate isolated from control SMCs, heparan sulfate isolated from STZ-SMCs was of smaller molecular size and caused a greater mitogenic effect of HB-EGF. These findings suggest that the mitogenic response to HB-EGF is increased in SMCs of diabetic rats. Changes in cell-associated heparan sulfate in STZ-SMCs may be related to the increased mitogenic response to HB-EGF.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Chitosan-derived polymer-surfactants and their micellar properties.

Chitosan derivatives, sulfated N-acyl-chitosan (S-Cn-chitosan) possessing various lengths of alkyl chain, were prepared, and the properties of their aqueous solutions were examined. The 1H-NMR spectrum of D2O solutions of S-C12-chitosan showed broadening of the proton signals caused by aggregation of the alkyl chain. The solubility of a hydrophobic compounds, azobenzene, was small in the aqueous solutions of S-Cn-chitosan with shorter alkyl chains, but increased with increasing length of the chains above C10, showing that micelles had been formed. The ESR spectrum of a spin probe, TEMPO, in an S-C14-chitosan solution showed the existence of a hydrophobic region in the solution, but this region did not exist in the S-C2-chitosan solution. The rigidity of this region was examined by using a spin probe, 16-doxyl-stearic acid. From these results, it was revealed that S-Cn-chitosan with longer alkyl chains formed a novel type of micelle called a "polymer micelle," which was more stable than the ordinary micelles formed from low-molecular-weight surfactants.

Acylation↗
PubMed1995

Epidemiological assessment of an intervention trial to increase calcium intake in female college students.

An educational intervention trial to increase calcium (Ca) intake was conducted on female college students taking a dietician course and the efficacy of the trial was assessed by a prospective cohort study. The one hundred and eight 18- or 19-year-old students were divided into two cohorts, i.e., a control group and an intervention group. The educational intervention was given to the intervention group only and both group received 3 surveys, before the intervention (baseline, BL), 1 week after the intervention (WAI), and 1 year after the intervention (YAI). The amount of Ca intake at BL did not differ significantly between the cohorts. The Ca intake of the control group did not change significantly in the 3 surveys. The intervention group significantly increased Ca intake at WAI and maintained a higher level of Ca intake at the time of YAI. These results suggest some efficacy of the educational intervention to increase Ca intake in the female college students.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Expression of CD44 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

CD44 is a glycosylated cell surface adhesion molecule expressed on a diverse range of cells and has several variant forms, some of which are involved in metastasis of cancer cells. Because little is known about CD44 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we investigated its expression in tissue specimens from primary lesions (12 cases), in smear specimens from peritoneal effusions (2 cases), and in cell lines (HCC cell lines, KIM-1, KYN-1, KYN-2, KYN-3, HAK-1A, and HAK-1B; combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma cell lines, KMCH-1 and KMCH-2; and bile duct carcinoma cell lines, KMC-1 and KMBC). Immunohistochemical studies using monoclonal antibody recognizing epitope Group 1 of human CD44 molecule showed that HCC cells in all tissue specimens, including the original tumors of one smear specimen and HAK-1A, were negative for CD44; whereas, HCC cells in two-smear specimens, KIM-1, KYN-2, KYN-3, HAK-1A, HAK-1B, KMCH-1, KMC-1, and KMBC, showed positive reactions on the cell membrane. Immunostain-positive cell lines showed a positive cell rate of 51.9% to 99.8% by flow cytometric analysis. Western blotting detected CD44 protein of hemopoietic type in KIM-1, KYN-3, HAK-1A, and HAK-B and epithelial type in KMC-1 and KMBC. Southern blotting of complementary DNA amplified after reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected hemopoietic type and some variant forms with longer insertion in all cell lines but KMCH-2, whereas hemopoietic type and variants with minor insertion were only detectable in tissue specimens. These findings suggest that HCC cells in ascites and in culture often express CD44, but those in tissue do not at protein level.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of prophylactic hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy after hepatectomy for metastases from colorectal cancer].

The significance of continuous hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy of 5-FU to prevent recurrence in the remnant liver following curative hepatectomy for colorectal metastases was analyzed in the prospective randomized study. Patients of HAI chemotherapy group received 6 weeks of 5-FU 500 mg/day. The one- and two-year overall survival rates of nine patients with HAI therapy were 87.5% and 87.5%, respectively, while the rates of ten cases without the regional chemotherapy were 100% and 66.7%, respectively, indicating no obvious difference. On the other hand, the disease-free survival rates of HAI Group were higher than those of control group. The disease-free survival rates of the former were 75.0% at one-year and 75.0% at two-year, and the rates of the latter were 47.6% and 47.6%, respectively. No serious complications such as severe liver dysfunction, sclerotic cholangitis or hepatic necrosis were observed. Although the follow-up period was not enough long to accurately evaluate the efficacy, local prophylactic chemotherapy by continuous infusion of 5-FU could be a promising method as an adjuvant chemotherapy after hepatic resection for colorectal metastases.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy with dose intensification in locally advanced breast cancer].

Sixteen patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy with high dose epirubicin. The following results were obtained: 1) Excellent down-staging effects were confirmed. Response rate of the primary tumor was 81.3%. 2) Leukopenia was the dose-limiting factor, and 81.3% of patients had WHO grade 2 or more leucopenia. However, the regimen was completed with supportive therapies. 3) At a median follow-up of 17 months, improved survival rates were noted. The present study showed the efficacy of neoadjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy with high dose epirubicin in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer.

Alopecia↗
PubMed1995

Activation of protein kinase C and the involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the inhibition of osteosarcoma-derived cell alkaline phosphatase activity.

We present evidence for the presence of specific, high-affinity binding sites for tritiated phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate on osteosarcoma-derived (HT-3) cells. Activation of protein kinase C by a phorbol ester resulted in an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity and the accumulation of prostaglandin E2. Indomethacin blocked prostaglandin E2 production and enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity. These data suggest that prostaglandin E2 is enhanced by activation of protein kinase C, and in turn, alkaline phosphatase activity is reduced.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Development of a new soft gas permeable contact lens with Dk 300.

The effects on the rabbit cornea of a new gas permeable nonhydrophilic soft contact lens made of newly designed polymer with a Dk value of 300 were studied physiologically, histologically, and histochemically during 5 days of daily wear followed by 14 days of extended wear. Corneal swelling was observed to be within 10% of corneal thickness during the wear period. No serious corneal surface changes were observed. Specular microscopy showed no endothelial changes in terms of cell density, coefficient of variation of cell area (CV), or hexagonality before and 2 weeks after lens wear. Histochemical study using periodic acid-Schiff staining and histological study with hematoxylin-eosin revealed no remarkable changes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed slight focal changes; there were no significant changes. The results show that the new soft gas permeable contact lens has no harmful effect on the rabbit cornea.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[The effects of mild hypothermia on expression of stress protein (HSP72) after experimental brain injury].

Recent studies have demonstrated that mild hypothermia protects brain from ischemic insults. In the present study, we investigated the effects of mild hypothermia on stress responses of the neurons and glia after experimental brain injury. We evaluated the immunocytochemical expression of 72kDa molecular weight heat shock protein (HSP72) as a marker of cellular injury. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a lateral fluid percussive injury. After injury the animals were divided into two groups (normothermic and hypothermic groups). Body temperature of the normothermic groups was maintained at 37.0-37.5 degrees C throughout the experiment. In the latter groups, the rats were exposed to hypothermia of 30.0-31.5 degrees C by surface cooling for 150 minutes beginning at 15 minutes after injury. Animals in each groups were sacrificed at 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury. Vibratomed brain sections were provided for immunocytochemical staining of HSP72 and hematoxyline-eosin staining. The induction of HSP72 was evaluated under the light microscopic level. Results 1) The rats that produced HSP72 in the hypothermic group were significantly less than those in the normothermic group. 2) HSP72 was expressed in the neurons and glia in the various brain regions including the impact site, parasagittal cortex, deep cortical layer, hippocampus, caudate-putamen and midbrain in both groups. However HSP72 positive cells in each brain region of the hypothermic group were significantly less than those in the corresponding regions of the normothermic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Possible low response of C-reactive protein production in eosinophilic pneumonia.

C-reactive protein (CRP) in the patients with eosinophilic pneumonia was examined compared with that of bacterial pneumonia. While no difference between erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in eosinophilic pneumonia (mean +/- SE: 74.5 +/- 10.6 mm/hr) and that in bacterial pneumonia (86.2 + 7.7 mm/hr) was observed, serum CRP level (3.87 +/- 1.24 mg/dL) and alpha 2-macroglobulin level (182.53 +/- 13.00 mg/dL) in eosinophilic pneumonia were lower in comparison with those in bacterial pneumonia (14.89 +/- 1.34 mg/dL, 315.65 +/- 11.54 mg/dL, respectively), suggesting that the pathogenesis of eosinophilic pneumonia might involve defective secretion of certain cytokine related to the production of acute-phase reactant proteins such as interleukin-6.

Blood Sedimentation↗
PubMed1994

Ca2+ channel inhibition by kappa opioid receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Functional coupling between kappa opioid receptors and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels was studied in the Xenopus oocyte translation system, in which specific RNAs encoding rat kappa opioid receptor, rabbit BI-2 alpha 1 subunit, and human beta subunit were co-injected. Perfusion of the oocytes with U50488H inhibited depolarization-evoked Ba2+ current (IBa) in a reversible manner, showing maximal inhibition of 25% at 1 microM (IC50 = 31 nM). The inhibitory effect of U50488H was desensitized by pre-exposure of the oocytes to U50488H and abolished by the kappa opioid antagonist nor-binaltorphimine and by overnight pretreatment with pertussis toxin. Agents affecting the activity of protein kinase A or C did not affect the U50488H-induced inhibition of IBa. These findings suggest that kappa opioid receptors inhibit the activity of neuronal Ca2+ channels via GTP-binding proteins, without the participation of protein kinase A or C.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1994

The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group.

The complexities of the chronic fatigue syndrome and the methodologic problems associated with its study indicate the need for a comprehensive, systematic, and integrated approach to the evaluation, classification, and study of persons with this condition and other fatiguing illnesses. We propose a conceptual framework and a set of guidelines that provide such an approach. Our guidelines include recommendations for the clinical evaluation of fatigued persons, a revised case definition of the chronic fatigue syndrome, and a strategy for subgrouping fatigued persons in formal investigations.

Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic↗