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Biomedical subjects

K Koike

Publications and source records attributed to K Koike.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Structures of steroidal saponins from the tubers of Brodiaea californica and their inhibitory activity on tumor promoter-induced phospholipid metabolism.

Phytochemical examination of the fresh tubers of Brodiaea californica resulted in the isolation of four new steroidal saponins. Their structures were determined, by extensive spectral analysis including two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis, to be (25S)-spirost-5-ene-1 beta,3 beta-diol [(25S)-ryscogenin] 1-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)- beta-D-glucopyranoside] (1), (25S)-ruscogenin 1-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O -[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (2), the C-20 and C-22 isomer of 2 (3) and the 6'-O-acetyl derivative of 2 (4), respectively. The conformations of the tetrasaccharide moiety of 2 and 4 were inspected through molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculation studies, showing that the acetyl group attached to C-6 of the inner glucose was near the C-21 methyl of the aglycon in the calculated preferred conformation of 4, which must cause the downfield shift of 21-Me by 0.07 ppm in comparing the 1H-NMR of 4 with that of 2. The inhibitory activity of the isolated saponins on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbor-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells was evaluated to identify new antitumor-promoter compounds.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed1995

Signal transduction pathway involved in beta 3-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation in guinea pig taenia caecum.

Experiments were carried out to examine the components of the intracellular second messenger system that is involved in beta 3-adrenoceptor (atypical beta-adrenoceptors)-mediated relaxation in the guinea pig taenia caecum. Propranolol and butoxamine caused competitive antagonism of the relaxant response to isoprenaline. However, propranolol or butoxamine did not significantly affect the relaxant responses to CGP 12177 (4-[3-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-1,3-dihydro-2H- benzimidazol-2-one), a beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist. The concentration-response curves of the isoprenaline-induced increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels were shifted to the right in a parallel manner by propranolol and butoxamine. However, propranolol or butoxamine did not significantly affect the concentration-response curve for the CGP 12177-induced increase in cyclic AMP levels. MDL 12330 (cis-N-(2-phenylcyclopentyl)-azacyclotridec-1-en-2-amine) inhibited the isoprenaline- or CGP 12177-induced increase in cyclic AMP levels. These results suggest that the production of cyclic AMP contributes to the beta 3-adrenoceptor (or atypical beta-adrenoceptor)-mediated relaxation of the guinea pig taenia caecum.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1995

Adhesion molecule CD18 on polymorphonuclear cells correlates to the lung injury caused by continuous infusion of endotoxin in sheep.

We investigated the mechanisms of increase in the pulmonary vascular permeability, focusing on the changes in the peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts and the surface expression of CD18 on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Anesthetized sheep with chronic lung lymph fistulas were used in this study. We infused synthetic endotoxin (LPS) at a rate of 10 ng/kg/min (i.v.) continuously for 24 hr. We measured lung lymph flow, lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratio and WBC counts in blood and lung lymph, and the PMNs' surface expression of CD18 before and at 2, 10 and 24 hr after the start of endotoxin infusion, respectively. CD18 was analyzed by flow cytometry using monoclonal anti-CD18 antibody. We found that the pulmonary vascular permeability increased during 2-4 hr after the start of endotoxin infusion, and returned to the baseline over 10 hr. At time 2 hr period, the number of WBCs in the lung lymph increased, the number of peripheral WBCs, mostly PMNs, decreased and the surface expression of CD18 on the peripheral PMNs was up-regulated. At time 10 and 24 hr, the number of WBCs in lung lymph decreased, the number of peripheral WBCs increased and CD18 expression was down-regulated. These data indicate that up-regulation of CD18 expression promotes the PMN adherence to the pulmonary endothelium, migration into the lung and increases the pulmonary vascular permeability. We conclude that the continuous endotoxin infusion up-regulates CD18, which contributes to the PMN migration into the lung.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Functional abnormalities of natural killer cells in childhood hemophagocytic syndrome].

To analyze the abnormality of natural killer (NK) cells in childhood hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), we investigated the numbers, cytolytic functions of circulating NK cells, and responsiveness to cytokines by flow cytometry, 51Cr-releasing and single-cell assay in 13 patients. In the active phase, the relative number of CD 16+ cells was decreased in 3 patients. NK activity was depressed in 6 patients but normal in the remaining 7 in the active phase. Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity showed the similar tendency. The responsiveness of NK cells to IFN-gamma was absent, but that to IL-2 was normal in the active phase. Single-cell assay showed depressed maximal recycling capacity (MRC) and killing capacity values in the active phase and in remission phase, respectively. From these results, NK cells have such functional abnormalities as the absence of responsiveness to IFN-gamma and depressed recycling capacity in the active phase of childhood HPS. Further, abnormality of killing capacity of NK cells may exist even in the remission phase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Relaxation effect of an audiovisual system on dental patients. Part 2. Palus-amplitude.

Dental care services include relaxation of patients to reduce their displeasure at and tension during treatment. For this purpose, it is common to use audio or audiovisual programs, that is, to let them listen to music or watch TV. However, the former utilizes only the auditory sense, and the latter is disadvantageous in that a TV set is a rather large-scale unit. In the present study, we determined the relaxation effect of an audiovisual instrument on dental patients. The instrument, which gives virtual vision, was composed of a lightweight eyeset of the snow goggle type that has a built-in TV screen, with earphone and accessories. The relaxation effect was determined using a polygraph.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Peripheral B lymphocyte repertoire to mitochondrial antigen in primary biliary cirrhosis--positive correlation between the disease activity and the frequency of circulating B lymphocytes specific for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

B lymphocytes committed to the production of IgG antibodies (Abs) to mitochondrial antigen such as pyruvate dehydrogenase complex(PDC) were quantitated in the peripheral blood of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) using Epstein-Barr virus as a polyclonal activator of human B lymphocytes. B lymphocytes committed to the production of IgG Abs to PDC were found in high frequency in patients with PBC(0.54 +/- 0.16%, mean value +/- SE, of total IgG-producing B lymphocytes) in contrast to type C chronic hepatitis and healthy subjects in which they were less than 0.01%. The frequency of these B lymphocytes specific for PDC increased in parallel to the progression of the Scheuer's stage from I to II (stage I: 0.35 +/- 0.23%, stage II: 1.04 +/- 0.32%), but decreased with further progression to stage IV (stage III: 0.39 +/- 0.21%, stage IV: 0.07 +/- 0.06%). In addition, B lymphocytes specific for PDC decreased in the peripheral blood during the administration of cyclosporin A; this was accompanied by an improvement of lymphocyte infiltration severity in the liver. These data indicate that B lymphocytes specific for PDC are present in the peripheral blood of patients with PBC and their frequency reflects the degree of the lymphocyte infiltration in the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Enzyme immunoassay of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis factors].

Various types of immunoassays are at present applied to inspection items in clinical aspect of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, in which EIA is acting as one of the major methods. Commercial EIA kits, available in Japan, can be itemized into categories of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, endothelial cell injury, and platelet activation systems, along with other types of immunoassays and enzymatic activity assays, itemized for comparison. Assay methods suitable for an objective antigen should be selected, based on its biological, biochemical characteristics, such as plasma concentrations, and even clinical demands. The matters to be solved range over making reliable standard materials, using monoclonal antibody to detect absolute concentrates of specific antigen, and then further discovery of molecular markers that specifically reflect coagulative or fibrinolytic activation, leading to thrombotic or bleeding tendency.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1995

[Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-induced pulmonary vasodilation mediated by EDRF/NO in isolated perfused rat lungs].

We studied the effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) on the pulmonary circulation in isolated perfused rat lungs. VIP caused pulmonary vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was inhibited by pretreatment with L-N omega-nitro-arginine (L-NNA), a competitive inhibitor of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF/NO), but not by meclofenamate, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Addition of L-arginine, a substrate of EDRF/NO, after treatment with L-NNA reversed VIP-induced pulmonary vasodilation. These results indicate that VIP causes pulmonary vasodilation, and they suggest a role for EDRF/NO in VIP-induced pulmonary vasodilation in isolated rat lungs.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Polymorphisms of the beta fibrinogen gene and plasma fibrinogen concentration in Caucasian and Japanese population samples.

We reported previously that plasma fibrinogen was significantly higher in U.S. Caucasians than in Japanese, which may contribute to the higher mortality rate of coronary heart disease in the United States than in Japan. To examine the contribution of genetic variations to the race difference in plasma fibrinogen levels, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the beta fibrinogen gene were examined in 293 nonsmoking Caucasians and Japanese men and women aged 47-69 years. Three RFLPs were detected by digestion of genomic DNA using the BclI restriction enzyme, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products using HaeIII and HindIII. The alleles B2 (4.2 kb, BclI digestion), H2 (957 b, HaeIII) and Hd2 (465 b. HindIII) were associated with higher fibrinogen concentrations in previous studies. Because of a strong linkage disequilibrium between HaeIII and HindIII polymorphisms, the data of HindIII was presented. The frequency of the B2 allele was 22% (95% Cl: 17-27%) for Caucasians and 13% (10-17%) for Japanese (the difference: p < 0.01). The respective frequency of the Hd2 allele was 26% (21-31%) and 12% (8-16%) (p < 0.001). After controlling for age, body mass index, alcohol intake, triglycerides, fish intake, and for women, menopausal status and hormone replacement therapy, the adjusted mean fibrinogen level among Caucasians was 289 mg/dl for genotype B1B1 and 301 mg/dl for genotype B1B2 or B2B2 combined (p = 0.18), and 285 mg/dl for Hd1Hd1 and 306 mg/dl for Hd1Hd2 or Hd2Hd2 combined (p = 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1995

A direct role of transcription factor E2F in c-myc gene expression during granulocytic and macrophage-like differentiation of HL60 cells.

The transcription factor E2F is known to play an important role in cell cycle progression through interaction with retinoblastoma protein. HL60 cells are able to differentiate into a granulocytic lineage by prolonged exposure to retinoids and into a macrophage-like lineage by exposure to tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, with a rapid decrease of c-myc gene expression. In this study, we assessed the changes of the E2F-binding pattern to the P2 promoter region of the c-myc gene during differentiation into both lineages. The observed changes of the E2F-binding pattern were a decrease of free E2F and an appearance of retinoblastoma protein-containing E2F complexes in both lineages. The effects of the anti-c-myc antibody and the recombinant c-Myc protein on the E2F-binding patterns suggest that the c-Myc protein is not involved directly in these changes. These changes also led the suppression of transcriptional initiation from the P2 promoter. The results indicate that, in the course of HL60 cell differentiation, E2F plays a direct role in the transcriptional control of the c-myc gene through interaction with the retinoblastoma protein. A potential role for the c-Myc protein is discussed in relation to an existing state of E2F and E2F-RB complexes in the HL60 cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Receptor-mediated transfer of pSV2CAT DNA to mouse liver cells using asialofetuin-labeled liposomes.

Asialofetuin-labeled liposomes (AF-liposomes) were developed as a nonviral vector having high transfection activity for receptor-mediated gene transfer to hepatocytes by systemic administration. Initially, the majority of pSV2CAT, a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene expression plasmid, was associated with AF-liposomes (AF-liposome-pSV2CAT), and they were injected into the portal vein of an adult mouse. Significantly high CAT activity was observed in the liver. The CAT activity in the liver was further increased two-fold by using AF-liposomes completely encapsulating pSV2CAT. Nonlabeled control liposomes, on the other hand, showed lower CAT activity in the liver than in the spleen or lung. The level of CAT mRNA reflected the CAT activity obtained by each liposome preparation in each tissue. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CAT was produced in a large number of parenchymal cells localizing in the periportal area. The plasmid encapsulated in the internal aqueous layer of the liposomes was effectively protected from environmental degradation. Thus, by administration into the blood circulation, AF-liposomes would be successfully incorporated into hepatocytes through receptor-mediated endocytosis, and the encapsulated plasmid would be transferred to the intracellular pathway.

Animals↗