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Biomedical subjects

K Yamashita

Publications and source records attributed to K Yamashita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

IgE-anti-IgE-induced prostaglandin D2 release from cultured human mast cells.

To elucidate the characterization of cultured human mast cells, the generation of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) upon stimulation with IgE-anti IgE challenge was determined by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring (GC/MS/SIM) assay. Mononuclear cells obtained from human umbilical cord blood were cultured in the presence of Steel Factor, IL-6, and PGE2. After 8 weeks of culture, approximately 90 to 95% of cultured cells became tryptase-positive and included basophilic granules. At 12 weeks of culture, cells were harvested and incubated with 1 microgram/ml of human IgE for 1 hr and then challenged with 10 micrograms/ml of anti-IgE. The level of PGD2 release into the supernatant was measured by GC/MS/SIM with the stable isotope dilution method. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors affected the PGD2 release from the cell by IgE-anti IgE challenge incubation. Indomethacin inhibited 98% of PGD2 release. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and NS-398 (potent COX-2 inhibitor) also inhibited PGD2 release by 85 and 45% respectively.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic

Quantitative differences in GlcNAc:beta1-->3 and GlcNAc:beta1-->4 galactosyltransferase activities between human colonic adenocarcinomas and normal colonic mucosa.

The activities of GlcNAc:beta1-->3 and GlcNAc:beta1->4 galactosyltransferases in normal human colonic mucosa and well or moderately differentiated colonic adenocarcinomas and their enzyme-kinetic characteristics were investigated. After UDP-[3H]galactose and N-linked type monoantennary oligosaccharides GlcNAc beta1-->2Man alpha1-->3(6)Man beta1-->4GlcNAc) had been incubated with microsome fractions prepared from these tissues, the synthesized [3H]galactose-labeled oligosaccharides were analyzed by Ricinus communis agglutinin-I agarose chromatography, Streptococcus 6646K beta-galactosidase, Gal beta1-->4-specific diplococcal beta-galactosidase, and Gal beta1-->3GlcNAc-specific lacto-N-biosidase digestion. The beta-galactosyltransferases from normal mucosa synthesized both type 1 and type 2 chains at comparable levels, whereas those from adenocarcinomas predominantly synthesized type 2 chains. To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative estimation of GlcNAc:beta1-->3 galactosyltransferase activity toward N-linked sugar chains. Furthermore, we compared the two galactosyltransferase activities in 10 normal mucosa and adenocarcinoma samples and found that while there existed similar levels of GlcNAc:beta1-->4 galactosyltransferase activity in normal mucosa and adenocarcinomas, GlcNAc:beta1-->3 galactosyltransferase activity apparently decreased from 0.67 +/- 0.26 (normal mucosa) to 0.18 +/- 0.11 nmol/min/mg of protein (adenocarcinomas). These results are consistent with those of comparative structural studies on N-linked sugar chains of carcinoembryonic antigen and its normal counterparts and suggest that in the process of differentiated carcinogenesis of human colonic tissues, the expression of GlcNAc:beta1-->3 galactosyltransferase is negatively regulated.

Acetylglucosamine

Alteration of enzyme function of the type II hexokinase C-terminal half on replacements of restricted regions by corresponding regions of glucokinase.

To know the structural properties responsible for the enzymic activity of the 50-kDa C-terminal half of type II hexokinase (HKII-C) derived from rat hepatoma cell line AH130, we constructed cDNAs of HKII-C and its recombinants in which restricted regions containing highly conserved sequences, referred to as regions 2 and 3, were replaced by the corresponding regions of glucokinase. The binding domains of ATP and glucose were proposed to exist in these regions, respectively. Then, the HKII-C and chimera HKII-Cs were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS. They all exhibited hexokinase activity, and their activities were inhibited by glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) competitively for ATP and uncompetitively for glucose. The replacement of region 2 of HKII-C by the corresponding region of glucokinase increased the affinity for glucose and decreased the affinity for Glc-6-P, but it did not significantly affect the affinity for ATP. In contrast, the replacement of region 3 did not cause an appreciable change in hexokinase activity. These findings suggest that region 2 is associated with the binding of ATP and Glc-6-P, and that the latter binding site is located close to the ATP binding site. In addition, region 2 was suggested to be directly related with the binding of glucose and other hexoses.

Amino Acid Sequence

Genetic polymorphisms of the cancer related gene and Helicobacter pylori infection in Japanese gastric cancer patients. An age and gender matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is a multistage process, each caused by numerous factors. The objective of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for gastric cancer by using molecular epidemiologic techniques and serum markers. METHODS: Serum pepsinogen I levels, pepsinogen I/pepsinogen II (I/II) ratios, serum IgG antibody against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome p450 2E1 (CYP2E1), glutathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), and L-myc protooncogenes were analyzed in 82 persons with gastric cancer and in 151 age- and sex-matched controls, who were selected from 208 gastric cancer patients and 375 noncancer patients, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed to elucidate which risk factors for gastric cancer were contributing the most to gastric carcinogenicity. RESULTS: Serum pepsinogen I level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-3.16) and pepsinogen I/II ratios (OR = 3.09; 95% CI, 1.74-5.49) were significantly associated with gastric cancer risk in a case-control study. Seropositivity of serum IgG antibody against H. pylori (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 0.84-1.85) and specific genotypes of a L-myc genetic polymorphism (OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.59-2.99) were more commonly observed in gastric cancer cases, but this was not statistically significant. Specific genotypes of the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism and GSTM1 gene deletion were not associated with gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Atrophic mucosal change, indicated by serum pepsinogen levels, is possible a risk factor for gastric cancer. H. pylori infection and genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1, L-myc, and GSTM1 genetic polymorphisms were not risk factors in this study.

Adult

Vascular endothelial growth factor is induced by long-term high glucose concentration and up-regulated by acute glucose deprivation in cultured bovine retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is closely correlated to diabetic retinopathy. Its basal production in three types of cultured retinal cells (endothelial cells, pericytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells; RPE) was examined. RPE production of VEGF was markedly higher than the rest of the cells. VEGF production in RPE was significantly elevated by 10-day, but not by 1- or 3-day exposure to 16.5 mM glucose compared to a 5.5 mM glucose group. Transient deterioration of diabetic retinopathy is frequently observed during rapid correction of glycemic control. To determine whether VEGF is up-regulated following a sharp drop in the glucose concentration or not, we examined the changes in VEGF production in RPE before and after a sudden drop in the glucose concentration. VEGF production was significantly increased by a glucose concentration decrease from 5.5 to 0.5 mM, but not by a decrease from 33 or 16.5 to 5.5 mM. These findings suggest that up-regulation of VEGF may contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy and its worsening by hypoglycemia.

Animals

Interaction between tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 and progelatinase A: immunoreactivity analyses.

By immunoreactivity analysis using monoclonal antibodies, we showed that the C-terminal domain [R415-631; R is residue] of progelatinase A [pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2); EC 3.4.24.24] affected the immunoreactivity of a one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (sandwich EIA) for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) in exactly the same way as does proMMP-2 [Fujimoto, Zhang, Iwata, Shinya, Okada and Hayakawa (1993) Clin. Chim. Acta 220, 31-45], confirming that the C-terminal domain ("tail" portion of TIMP-2 participates in the binding with the C-terminal domain of proMMP-2. We also demonstrated that not only the C-terminal domain but also the N-terminal domain (R1-417) of proMMP-2 bound to TIMP-2 in a 1:1 molar ratio. The binding of each individual domain to TIMP-2, however, was weak enough that either domain could be fully replaced by proMMP-2 through the same binding sites as does proMMP-2, and also that the high-order structure of proMMP-2 allows a more stable binding to TIMP-2. We further confirmed that TIMP-2 complexed with the N-terminal domain of pro-MMP-2 had fully inhibitory activity against the collagenolytic activity of MMP-1. We also demonstrated that either the interstitial collagenase-TIMP-2 complex or the gelatinase B(MMP-9)-TIMP-2 complex was able to form a ternary complex with proMMP-2 in a 1:1 molar ratio, clearly indicating that there are two distinct binding sites, one specific for proMMP-2 complex, but the binding seemed to be less stable than the binding with TIMP-2 alone. Even in the presence of a 10-fold molar excess of the N-terminal domain, ternary complex formation was not observed between the N-terminal domain and the MMP-9--TIMP-2 complex. These clear differences might be ascribed to some significant conformational change(s) evoked in the TIMP-2 molecule, or hindrance of a part of the N-terminal domain binding site of TIMP-2 by complex formation with MMP-9.

Animals

Effect of cilostazol on the production of platelet-derived growth factor in cultured human vascular endothelial cells.

Increased levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) may play a central role in the development of arteriosclerosis, but the factors that inhibit PDGF production in vascular endothelial cells remain mostly unknown. We examined the effects of cilostazol, an antithrombotic agent, and high glucose on PDGF production in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC grown in high glucose exhibits increased PDGF production, which was markedly inhibited by cilostazol. Since cilostazol inhibits PDGF production in HUVEC, its use may exhibit anti-arteriosclerotic effects in diabetic patients.

Cells, Cultured

A cationic polymer, Eudragit-E, as a new liquid embolic material for arteriovenous malformations.

We have developed a new liquid material for embolisation of arteriovenous malformations: a mixture of methyl and butyl methacrylate, plus dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer (Eudragit-E) in a solvent consisting of ethanol and iopamidol. Upon contact with aqueous substances, Eudragit-E precipitates rapidly and forms a soft elastic sponge within 3 s, as the ethanol diffuses. In blood, the positively charged Eudragit-E aggregates the negatively charged blood elements. Transcatheter embolisation of 4 canine and 52 rat renal arteries was feasible. Histological studies revealed no acute inflammatory reaction within 1 week, but mild to moderate reactions in the subacute and chronic stages. No recanalisation was seen. Because of its unique properties and excellent thrombogenicity the Eudragit-E, mixture seems a promising embolic material.

Analysis of Variance

Tissue distribution after a single subcutaneous administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin in comparison with toxicokinetics of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in female Wistar rats.

Tissue concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin (TBDD) and induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) were determined in female Wistar rats following a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of TBDD. Two sets of experiments were performed in order to study (a) the time course after a single s.c. administration of 600 ng TBDD/kg body wt up to 78 days, and (b) the dose-response seven days after a single s.c. injection of different doses of TBDD (3 to 3,000 ng/kg body wt). The results obtained on toxicokinetics and enzyme induction were compared with those following a single s.c. administration of 300 ng/kg body wt 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Three days after the injection, approximately 93% of TBDD and 90% of TCDD had been absorbed. Fourteen days after s.c. injection less than 1% of the administered dose of both substances remained at the injection site. Three days after a single s.c. injection of 600 ng TBDD/kg body wt and 300 ng TCDD/kg body wt, the maximum tissue concentrations in the liver amounted to (M +/- S.D.) 5.7 +/- 0.8 and 4.7 +/- 0.9 ng/g wet weight, respectively. In adipose tissue, the peak concentration was 3.2 +/- 0.2 ng/g wet weight for TBDD on day 14, and 0.8 +/- 0.1 ng/g for TCDD on day 7. Throughout the study, the concentration ratio in the TCDD-treated group was always at least twice as high as that in the TBDD-treated group. The elimination half-life (t1/2) of TBDD and of TCDD in the liver was 13.3 and 13.6 days, respectively. In the adipose tissue the t1/2 of TCDD was 24.5 days but no reliable t1/2 could be calculated for TBDD (t1/2 = 39.4 days with a 95% confidence interval of 25.9 to 82.4 days). Tissue content of TBDD and TCDD in liver and adipose tissue increased dose-dependently, and the linear regression in a double-logarithmic plot showed a straight line. Time course of the induction of hepatic EROD activity after treatment with 600 ng TBDD/kg body wt was almost identical with that observed following a single dose of 300 ng TCDD/kg body wt. The induction of hepatic EROD activity was linearly correlated in a double-logarithmic plot to the hepatic concentrations of the congeners (both TBDD and TCDD). The slopes of the dose-response curves after administration of TBDD and TCDD were almost parallel for tissue concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 ng/g wet weight.

Absorption

Progesterone induces vascular endothelial growth factor on retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture.

Diabetic retinopathy is known to frequently deteriorate during pregnancy but the cause remains obscure. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a potent vascular endothelial cell mitogen which is mainly up-regulated by hypoxia, and is closely associated with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. To examine the influence of the drastic hormonal alterations during pregnancy on the worsening of diabetic retinopathy, we examined the effects of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) on the production of VEGF/VPF in bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture. The VEGF/VPF production was significantly elevated (214.5 +/- 28.3 ng/g protein, P < 0.01) by 48 h of exposure to a high concentration of P4(10 microM), which is still within the physiological range during pregnancy, compared to that of the control group (147.7 +/- 17.9 ng/g protein). However, E2 significantly stimulated the production of VEGF/VPF only at concentrations (100 microM) much higher than normally encountered during pregnancy. These two hormones were not observed to have a synergistic effect, at least at physiological concentrations. As the increase in serum P4 levels during pregnancy is reported to be greater in pregnant diabetic patients with progressive retinopathy, our findings suggest that P4 may contribute to the worsening of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy by up-regulating intraocular VEGF levels.

Animals

Some novel N-fatty acyl derivatives of a microbial galactosaminan.

Novel seven N-fatty acyl derivatives (degree of substitution 0.78-0.96) of a microbial galactosaminan were prepared in 59-79% yields by its reaction with fatty acid anhydrides in aqueous acetic acid-methanol. N-Acetyl and N-propionyl derivatives were soluble in water, aqueous 2% sodium hydroxide, and aqueous 2% acetic acid, but N-higher fatty acyl (> C6) derivatives were insoluble. Gel was not formed in these reactions.

Acylation

Cyclin D1 messenger RNA is induced in microglia rather than neurons following transient forebrain ischaemia.

Following 30 min of forebrain ischaemia in the rat, delayed neuronal death occurs in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus within two to three days, whereas neurons in other selectively vulnerable regions, such as the dorsolateral striatum, die within 6-12 h. In this study, we investigated cyclin D1 expression, which codes for a regulatory protein in cell cycle regulation, but it is also induced in sympathetic neurons undergoing programmed cell death. Cyclin D1 messenger RNA could not be detected by in situ hybridization techniques in brains of control rats, but was found at one and two days after ischaemia in regions of the dorsolateral striatum with neuronal degeneration. DNA fragmentation in this region, identified by the terminal transferase biotinylated-UTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) procedure, was observed from 6 h after ischaemia onward. In the hippocampus, increased levels of cyclin D1 messenger RNA were found at two and three days after ischaemia in the striatum pyramidale of the CA1 sector. This expression was associated with the occurrence of neuronal damage and TUNEL-stained neurons. By seven days cyclin D1 messenger RNA was found in hardly any brain structure. There was no temporospatial overlap of cyclin D1 expression with the expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos, c-jun, and mkp-1, a result which is clearly distinct from findings in sympathetic ganglion neurons undergoing programmed cell death. These results do not suggest a role for cyclin D1 in neuronal cell death following transient forebrain ischaemia. The similarity of the cyclin D1 expression profile with that of the microglia-specific CR3 complement receptor beta-subunit messenger RNA, and the results of combined in situ hybridization and microglia-specific immunohistochemistry suggest that microglia are the source of cyclin D1 messenger RNA in the postischaemic brain. Since cyclin D1 codes for a critical regulatory protein for progression of the G0 to G1 phase in the cell cycle and we did not observe prominent occurrence of DNA fragmentation in microglial cells in the hippocampus at time points when cyclin D1 messenger RNA was found, we suggest that cyclin D1 induction is involved in the onset of microglial cell proliferation.

Animals

Electrophysiologic effects of ischemic preconditioning on QT dispersion during coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ischemic preconditioning on the manner of ventricular repolarization by assessing the change in QT dispersion during coronary angioplasty. BACKGROUND: QT interval dispersion reflects regional variations in ventricular repolarization and cardiac electrical instability. Previous studies have suggested that increased QT dispersion is associated with an increased incidence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, whereas brief episodes of myocardial ischemia can render the heart more resistant to subsequent ischemic episodes, a phenomenon called ischemic preconditioning. METHODS: To assess the effects of ischemic preconditioning on myocardial repolarization by examining the change in QT dispersion during coronary angioplasty, we studied 47 consecutive patients (39 men and 8 women; mean age 57 +/- 16 years). QT dispersion was measured after each balloon inflation during coronary angioplasty. Statistical analysis was performed by using repeated measurement of analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were significant differences in QT dispersion as the number of balloon inflations increased (mean +/- SD 52 +/- 14, 42 +/- 11, 36 +/- 9, 31 +/- 10 and 29 +/- 11 ms, respectively [p < 0.01], for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth balloon inflations). The magnitude of decrease in QT dispersion was significant in the first and second balloon inflations, then became insignificant with later inflations. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the gradual decrease in QT dispersion provoked by coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion during coronary angioplasty may be associated with electrophysiologic effects of ischemic preconditioning on myocardium in the human heart.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary

Ventricular tachycardia with narrow QRS duration, a right bundle branch block pattern, and right axis deviation abolished by catheter manipulation.

A 25-year-old women underwent electrophysiologic evaluation for sustained normal QRS complex tachycardia with a pattern of right bundle branch block and right axis deviation. Ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed by demonstrating fusion beats, atrioventricular dissociation, and bundle of His potential activation, which began before the onset of each QRS complex. A single ventricular extrastimulus was capable of easily provoking the tachycardia. There was an inverse relationship between the coupling interval of the first extrastimulus and the interval of the first tachycardia beat, suggesting reentry as the mechanism. The tachycardia was unexpectedly abolished during catheter manipulation in the left ventricle and has never recurred during 1 year of follow-up evaluation. The tachycardia was thought to be an unusual form of interfascicular tachycardia or microreentrant fascicular tachycardia.

Adult