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K Yasuda

Publications and source records attributed to K Yasuda.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Carbonylated proteins in aging and exercise: immunoblot approaches.

Protein carbonyls were studied in aging and exercise by immunoblot followed by one- or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using antibodies against 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones. Proteins of rat kidneys exhibited significant age-related increase in the amount of carbonyl while those of the brain and liver did not. Major carbonylated proteins in the kidney included serum albumin. In nematodes in which protein carbonyls increased with age, one of the carbonylated proteins was identified as vitellogenin, an egg-yolk protein. A possible biological significance of this protein present in abundance even after egg-laying stages is discussed in terms of protection against oxidative stress. Exhaustive exercise induced significant increase in the carbonylation of selected but unidentified proteins in the lung. This oxidative stress might be caused by xanthine oxidase in this tissue and hypoxanthine derived from ATP-depleted muscles. Exercise at high altitude caused higher carbonylation of the skeletal muscle proteins, most notably a protein likely to be actin, than that at sea level but no significant difference was observed in lipid peroxidation. These studies emphasize the value of immunoblot analysis of tissue protein carbonyls in a variety of situations where oxidative stress is likely involved.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Genomic cloning and promoter analysis of the mouse 105-kDa heat shock protein (HSP105) gene.

The 105-kDa heat shock protein (HSP105) is a member of the high-molecular-mass heat shock protein family. We have isolated and characterized the mouse HSP105 gene including about 1.2 kb of the 5'-flanking region. The mouse HSP105 gene spans about 22 kb, consisting of 18 exons separated by 17 introns. Southern blotting analysis revealed the existence of a single copy of HSP105. Primer extension analysis revealed that the transcription initiation site was located 165 bp upstream of the ATG translation initiation codon. The 5'-promoter region of the HSP105 gene contained a TATA box, a CAAT box, an inverted CAAT box, and two GC boxes. Two heat shock element (HSE) sequences were found as four nGAAn repeats at nt -64 and nt -128. Promoter analysis using deletion derivatives revealed that a minimal region which contained the two consensus HSE sequences was active in response to heat shock and also for constitutive expression of the gene.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1999

Molecular cloning, expression and localization of human 105 kDa heat shock protein, hsp105.

We have shown that the 105 kDa heat shock protein (hsp105alpha) and hsp105beta (42 degreesC-specific heat shock protein) constitute high molecular mass (HMM) heat shock proteins (HSPs) in mouse cells. However, since HMM HSPs have not been identified in human cells, we screened a cDNA library constructed with poly(A)+ RNA derived from heat-shocked human HeLa cells using mouse hsp105alpha cDNA. Two full-length cDNA clones were obtained: the pBH105-1 insert encoded an 858-amino-acid protein, and the pBH105-2 insert encoded an 814-amino-acid protein which lacked 44 amino acids from pBH105-1. The deduced amino acid sequences of pBH105-1 and pBH105-2 inserts were highly homologous to mouse hsp105alpha (96%) and hamster hsp110 (92%), and to mouse hsp105beta (93%), respectively. The transcript of pBH105-1 was induced by various stresses in HeLa cells, but the transcript of pBH105-2 was only induced during heat shock at 42 degreesC. These results indicated that pBH105-1 and pBH105-2 encoded human hsp105alpha and hsp105beta, respectively. Furthermore, a rabbit antibody was raised against recombinant human hsp105alpha, and immunofluorescence study also confirmed that hsp105 was present in the cytoplasm but was not found in the nucleoli of mammalian cells under both nonstressed and stressed conditions.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1999

Disordered expression of the sucrase-isomaltase complex in the small intestine in Otsuka Long-Evans tokushima fatty rats, a model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with insulin resistance.

To clarify the relationship between diabetes mellitus and carbohydrate digestion, the activities of sucrase and isomaltase, which form a complex enzyme (SI complex) on the brush border membranes, were compared in the progression of diabetes mellitus in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, a model of human non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with insulin resistance, and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats as non-diabetic controls. Until 40 weeks of age, OLETF rats were obese and had a high plasma glucose level, compared to age-matched LETO rats, but the sucrase and isomaltase activities showed no significant differences between the two strains. Oral glucose tolerance test revealed that during 40-48 weeks of age, NIDDM became very severe with advancing insulin resistance in OLETF rats. In OLETF rats, in contrast to LETO rats, at 48 weeks of age, abnormal increases in the sucrase and isomaltase activities occurred, along with a remarkable decrease in body weight and a further great increase in the plasma glucose level in the non-fasting state. Hyperinsulinemia occurred in 20-week-old OLETF rats; however, at 40 and 48 weeks of age, the plasma insulin level in the non-fasting state in OLETF rats was not significantly different from that in LETO rats. The level of mRNA encoding the SI complex increased abnormally in 48-week-old OLETF rats. These results suggest that the advance of insulin resistance leads to an increase in the expression of the SI complex on the transcriptional level.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Amino acid substitutions in NS5A region of GB virus C and response to interferon therapy.

GB virus C (GBV-C) is related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and has a similar genomic structure. Some predictors for the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy on HCV have been reported: genotype, viral load, IFN dose, and the amino acid substitutions in the NS5A region, designated as the interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR). To evaluate the correlation between the amino acid substitutions in the GBV-C NS5A region and the response to IFN therapy, single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was performed in the 12 concomitantly GBV-C-and HCV-infected patients who received IFN therapy at three time points: before, end-point, and after the IFN therapy. The region in the GBV-C NS5A studied includes the amino acids that exhibit some homology to the ISDR and the various substitutions. By SSCP analysis, amplicons were separated into 1-4 bands, which indicated the existence of heterogeneity in each host. However, the deduced amino acid sequences in these bands exhibited no characteristic differences among these strains irrespective of response to IFN therapy. Of the 32 strains separated by SSCP, 7 strains were responders, and 25 were nonresponders. The mean amino acid substitution, compared with the consensus sequence of nonresponders, was 1.00+/-0.93 among responders, and 1.40+/-0.85 among non-responders (P= NS). No correlation between the amino acid sequence in the GBV-C NS5A region and response to IFN therapy was found, indicating that the GBV-C NS5A region dose not act as the ISDR.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Induction of urethral closure and inhibition of bladder contraction by continuous magnetic stimulation.

Magnetic stimulation has been considered to be a technique for stimulating nervous system noninvasively and it has been used for experimental and clinical testings on the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, commercially available magnetic stimulators can only discharge single pulses for less than several minutes because the coil soon overheats. We newly devised a continuous magnetic stimulator assuring long-time stimulation, and this study was designed to confirm whether continuous magnetic stimulation would result in urethral closure and inhibition of bladder contraction in anesthetized canine models. Twelve female beagle dogs, weighing 9 to 12 kg, were anesthetized with a mixture of alpha-chloralose and urethane. In six beagles, a 4 F microtip transducer was inserted transurethrally, and maximum intraurethral pressure was monitored. In the remaining six animals, urethra was ligated at the bladder neck and a 4 F double lumen catheter was inserted from the dome of the bladder to infuse physiological saline, monitoring iso-volumetric rhythmic bladder contraction. The stimulating coil, of which temperature was kept at 20-25 degrees C by the built-in cooling system, was placed on the ishio-rectal fossa to stimulate the pudendal nerve at 10 Hz. The intraurethral pressure increased by 69.1 +/- 27.8 cm H(2)O, and iso-volumetric rhythmic bladder contraction was inhibited during the stimulation with 80% (240 Joule) of maximum output. In conclusion, continuous magnetic stimulator was found effective for urethral closure and inhibition of bladder contraction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:505-510, 1999.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Variation in urinary flow according to voiding position in normal males.

Our objective was to study whether the urinary flow rate would vary according to voiding position. Twenty-one normal healthy male volunteers aged 24 to 40 years (mean, 29 years) were studied. The bed used was designed so that a hole could be opened at its center for voiding, and the bed could be bent at two points so that the subject could void in various positions. Urinary flow was measured with a portable uroflowmeter (P-Flow), which permits measuring urinary flow rate. Each subject assumed five voiding positions (standing, sitting, lateral, supine, and prone) in random order. Urinary flow was measured at least twice in each position to record a stable voiding. For voiding in the lateral position, subjects were instructed to void while bending the upper leg to keep an open angle between the legs. All subjects were also instructed to void without increasing abdominal pressure. Maximum flow rate was 20.7 +/- 6.59 mL/sec with voided volume of 262 +/- 77.8 mL in the lateral, 22.1 +/- 7.05 mLl/sec with voided volume of 309 +/- 130 mL in the supine, 25.0 +/- 8.25 mL/sec with voided volume of 287 +/- 122 mL in sitting, 27.1 +/- 8.89 mL/sec with voided volume of 263 +/- 102 mL in the standing, and 28.7 +/- 10.6 mL/sec with voided volume of 303 +/- 98 mL (mean +/- SD) in the prone positions. The maximum and mean urinary flow rates were greatest in the prone position. With regard to these parameters, significant differences were noted between the prone and lateral positions and between the prone and supine positions. In conclusions, the maximum urinary flow rate was highest in the prone position, followed by the standing, sitting, supine, and finally the lateral positions in normal males. Neurourol. Urodynam. 18:553-557, 1999.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic resection for ectopic gastric mucosa of the duodenum: report of a case.

We report herein the case of a 53-year-old man in whom ectopic gastric mucosa was successfully resected laparoscopically. Radiography and endoscopy showed a well-demarcated and sessile polypoid lesion measuring 2.0 cm in diameter in the second part of the duodenum. Under the diagnosis of a submucosal tumor of the duodenum, a wedge resection of the duodenum was performed laparoscopically. Subsequent histological examination revealed that the tumor was ectopic gastric mucosa of the duodenum.

Choristoma↗
PubMed1999

Therapeutic strategy of perioperative use of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support (PCPS) for adult cardiac surgery.

SUBJECT AND METHOD: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support is beneficial for patients with circulatory collapse. However, therapeutic strategies of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support for post-cardiotomy LOS have not been determined. We reviewed 9 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and treated with percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support to determine an adequate strategy for perioperative use of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support. Patients included 8 males and 1 female with a mean age of 56.4 +/- 3.9 years. Six patients with IHD underwent CABG for 5 and CABG + MVR for 1 patient and 3 patients with valvular disease underwent AVR, AVR + MVR, and Ross operation respectively. Indication for percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support was post-cardiotomy LOS in 7 and preoperative cardiogenic shock in 2 patients. All patients underwent IABP associated with percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support. Systemic blood pressure was regulated to 100-120 mmHg by percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support flow and with minimum inotropic supports. RESULTS: Six of 9 patients (66.7%) were weaned from percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support and 5 patients were discharged. Five of 6 patients (83.3%) with IHD were weaned from percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support compared to 1 of 3 patients (33.3%) (p = 0.134) with valvular disease. Hemodynamic conditions in patients weaned from percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support were markedly improved within 40 hours of the introduction of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support (mean percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support running time: 23.9 +/- 5.5 hrs). In contrast, those unable to be weaned from percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support (mean percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support running time: 84.3 +/- 6.3 hrs) showed no improvement and developed major complications such as cerebral damage or multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative use of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support may be more effective for patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Limited use of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support within 48 hours may be applicable for post-cardiotomy patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Reliable 18-hour lung preservation with University of Wisconsin solution. An ex vivo rat model with a pulsatile perfusion system.

OBJECTIVES: A common experimental model is necessary to assess therapeutic intervention in lung preservation. This study was designed to establish lung preservation in an ex vivo rat model that would enable post-storage lung function to be stably evaluated during the 2 hours following reperfusion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Lungs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 36) were flushed and stored in University of Wisconsin solution at 4 degrees C for the following periods: Group 1: no storage (n = 12); Group 2: 4 hours (n = 8); Group 3: 18 hours (n = 8); and Group 4: 24 hours (n = 8). After storage in University of Wisconsin solution, all lungs were reperfused with homologous venous blood exsanguinated from donor rats using a pulsatile perfusion system. Pulmonary variables, including lung airway resistance, dynamic lung compliance, total pulmonary vascular resistance, and blood gas analysis, were assessed during reperfusion. RESULTS: All lungs stored for 24 hours failed within 1 hour of reperfusion. Lungs stored for up to 18 hours survived 2-hour reperfusion. pO2 in groups 1 to 3 (87.1 +/- 3.5, 89.7 +/- 2.4, and 80.6 +/- 6.4, pO2 mmHg at 30 minutes) was similar during reperfusion, but that in group 4 (49.5 +/- 4.6 mmHg, at 30 minutes) deteriorated within 30 minutes after reperfusion onset. Lung airway resistance, dynamic lung compliance, and shunt fraction also deteriorated in group 4, whereas these variables were similar in groups 1, 2, and 3 during reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that this experimental model provided a reliable evaluation of preserved lung function after 18-hour cold storage. Any therapeutic intervention for extending storage periods or ameliorating post-storage lung function is easily tested using this system.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1999

Partial median sternotomy as a minimal access for the closure of subarterial ventricular septal defect. Feasibility of transpulmonary approach.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive techniques in congenital heart surgery have evolved steadily over the past few years, but documentation in the literature is rare. The majority of reported techniques involve thoracoscopic approach and partial sternotomy. We have employed a lower partial sternotomy as a minimal-access procedure for the closure of subarterial ventricular septal defect, for situation where this approach would be unsuitable for adequate exposure of the pulmonary artery. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of this technique and report its superior cosmetic result. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Beginning in 1997, we began approaching the closure of subarterial ventricular septal defect through a lower sternal split incision using a 6 to 10 cm skin opening, associated with a reversed L incision at the left second intercostal space. A total of consecutive 12 patients (6 male and 6 female) have been operated on using this approach. The patients ranged in age from 6 to 21 years (mean, 12.8 +/- 5.0 years). The straight cannula with stylet was used for aortic cannulation. RESULTS: There was no mortality or morbidity, except for late pericardial effusion in 4 cases. The durations of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamping ranged from 94 to 206 (mean, 131 +/- 33) minutes and from 40 to 122 (mean, 70 +/- 26) minutes, respectively. Ten of 12 patients were extubated in the operating room, and no patient required blood transfusion. The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 8 to 21 (mean, 13.4 +/- 4.2) days. No patient developed deterioration of aortic regurgitation or residual ventricular septal defect. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrates that the lower partial sternotomy for the closure of subarterial ventricular septal defect is technically feasible and can be used with excellent cosmetic results and safety. Although experience is limited and follow-up is relatively short, this less invasive surgical technique may become a beneficial option for the management of subarterial ventricular septal defect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Clinicopathologic study of gastric cancer based on Dukes' classification.

Dukes' classification is a useful staging system in patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to present clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with gastric cancer based on Dukes' classification. A total of 273 patients with gastric cancer curatively treated by radical gastrectomy and lymph node dissection (D2, D3) were studied. With the modified Dukes' classification, A includes tumors limited to the mucosa, submucosa, or muscularis propria; B includes tumors extending into the subserosa or serosa; Ca includes tumors with one to six positive lymph nodes; and Cb includes tumors with seven or more positive lymph nodes. Dukes' classification modified by the number of positive lymph nodes well correlated with the tumor size (p < 0.01), depth of wall invasion (p < 0.01), level of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.01), and degree of lymphatic permeation (p < 0.01) and venous permeation (p< 0.01). The 5-year survival rate was significantly different among Dukes' A (98%), Dukes' B (90%), Dukes' Ca (75%), and Dukes' Cb (44%) cases. The results indicate that Dukes' classification modified by the number of positive lymph nodes (Dukes' A, B, Ca, an Cb) significantly correlates with tumor progression and patient survival; and it may be a simple and useful staging system for gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Histopathologic criteria for local excision of colorectal cancer: multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: Local treatment of colorectal cancer, including endoscopic removal of colonic polyps and transanal resection of rectal tumors, has become widely accepted. However, risk factors predicting the presence of lymph node metastasis have not been fully investigated. To determine the criteria for local excision of colorectal cancer, histopathologic factors independently predicting the lymph node metastasis were investigated. METHODS: We performed a retrospective histopathologic study on 335 patients who underwent resection of colorectal cancer and dissection of regional lymph nodes between 1982 and 1996. Features of node-positive tumors (n = 150) were compared with those of node-negative tumors (n = 185), with special reference to the histopathologic findings of the resected tumor. Multivariate analysis was done using the stepwise logistic regression test. RESULTS: Node-positive tumors, when compared with node-negative tumors, were characterized by tumor larger than 6 cm (42% vs. 22%), serosal invasion (88% vs. 56%), lymphatic invasion (32% vs. 5%), venous invasion (9% vs. 2%), and histology other than well-differentiated (66% vs. 29%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with lymph node metastasis were serosal invasion, lymphatic invasion, and histologic type. When these three risk factors were negative, lymph node metastasis was rare (5%). When one, two, or three factors were positive, the frequency of lymph node metastasis was 38%, 66%, and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In colorectal cancer, factors independently associated with lymph node metastasis are serosal invasion, lymphatic invasion, and histologic type. When these three parameters are favorable, local treatment of colorectal cancer does not require additional lymph node dissection.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Current trends in thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) in women.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) affects mainly young male smokers and rarely women. Clinical manifestations between men and women with TAO were compared based on the Japanese Nationwide Survey database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From the database registered in 1993, 850 patients with complete records were analyzed. There were 771 males and 79 females, with the mean age of 50.8 +/- 0.4 years. The following factors were compared: Fontaine's classification, distribution of lesions, associated disease, response to treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Fontaine's classification at the first consultation (P = 0.372) and at the survey (P = 0.740), the incidence of migratory superficial phlebitis (P = 0.76), ulcer formation (P = 0.306), requirement for amputation (P = 0.809) were not different between men and women. Nonsmokers at the first consultation were more common among women (25.3%) than among men (4.9%; P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical presentations in women with TAO were almost equal to those in men. The only difference was the higher incidence of nonsmokers in women at the first consultation, but it did not influence the response to treatment or outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin in grapefruit juice and Seville orange juice: effects on cyclosporine disposition, enterocyte CYP3A4, and P-glycoprotein.

BACKGROUND: 6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin is a furanocoumarin that inhibits CYP3A4 and is found in grapefruit juice and Seville orange juice. Grapefruit juice increases the oral bioavailability of many CYP3A4 substrates, including cyclosporine (INN, ciclosporin), but intestinal P-glycoprotein may be a more important determinant of cyclosporine availability. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the contribution of 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin to the effects of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine disposition and to assess the role of CYP3A4 versus P-glycoprotein in this interaction. METHODS: The disposition of oral cyclosporine was compared in healthy subjects after ingestion of water, grapefruit juice, and Seville orange juice. Enterocyte concentrations of CYP3A4 were measured in 2 individuals before and after treatment with Seville orange juice. The effect of 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin on P-glycoprotein was assessed in vitro. RESULTS: Area under the whole blood concentration-time curve and peak concentration of cyclosporine were increased by 55% and 35%, respectively, with grapefruit juice (P < .05). Seville orange juice had no influence on cyclosporine disposition but reduced enterocyte concentrations of CYP3A4 by an average of 40%. 6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin did not inhibit P-glycoprotein at concentrations up to 50 micromol/L. CONCLUSIONS: 6',7'-Dihydroxybergamottin is not responsible for the effects of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine. Because the interaction did not occur with Seville orange juice despite reduced enterocyte concentrations of CYP3A4, inhibition of P-glycoprotein activity by other compounds in grapefruit juice may be responsible. Reduced enterocyte CYP3A4 by 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin could be important for other drugs whose bioavailability is less dependent on P-glycoprotein.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1999

Differential effects of troglitazone and D-chiroinositol on glucosamine-induced insulin resistance in vivo in rats.

Troglitazone and D-chiroinositol have been shown to exert antidiabetic effects by either potentiating or mimicking insulin action. We studied whether pretreatment with these compounds can prevent the deleterious effects of glucosamine on insulin action that may play an important role in hyperglycemia-induced insulin resistance. Normal Wistar rats were pretreated with troglitazone (100 mg/kg/d), D-chiroinositol (100 mg/kg/d), or placebo (saline) for 7 days. Glucosamine (50 micromol/kg/min) was then infused for 210 minutes, and a euglycemic glucose clamp was performed during the last 120 minutes. Pretreatment with troglitazone or D-chiroinositol had no effect on fasting plasma glucose or insulin or basal hepatic glucose output (HGO). Under the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (956+/-93 pmol/L) clamp condition, HGO in glucosamine-infused placebo-treated rats was not suppressed, but instead was increased over the basal level, indicative of hepatic insulin resistance. In contrast, HGO failed to increase during glucosamine infusion in rats pretreated with troglitazone but was not normally suppressed. This may indicate a partial improvement in the hepatic insulin resistance. D-Chiroinositol pretreatment had no effect on the glucosamine-induced increase in HGO. The glucose disposal rate (GDR) was 25% lower in rats infused with glucosamine versus saline-infused rats (25.5+/-2.5 v 34.1+/-2.0 mg/kg/min), indicative of peripheral insulin resistance. Pretreatment with D-chiroinositol (34.5+/-2.3 mg/kg/min) prevented the glucosamine-induced decrease in the GDR, indicating an improvement in peripheral insulin resistance. Troglitazone (25.2+/-3.3 mg/kg/min) was without effect. In conclusion, (1) in normal control rats, glucosamine infusion induced hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance; (2) D-chiroinositol, but not troglitazone, pretreatment prevented glucosamine-induced peripheral insulin resistance; and (3) troglitazone, but not D-chiroinositol, partially blocked the glucosamine-induced hepatic insulin resistance. D-Chiroinositol may provide a novel pharmacological approach to hexosamine-induced peripheral insulin resistance.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effect of functional continuous magnetic stimulation on urethral closure in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To study urodynamically the effect of functional continuous magnetic stimulation on urethral closure in normal volunteers. METHODS: Ten volunteers (6 men and 4 women, 20 to 29 years old, mean age 24.5) were recruited for the study. Seven subjects were assigned to an active group and 3 to a sham group. An 8F transducer was inserted transurethrally, and the urethral pressure profile was monitored. Then the catheter was fixed so that the transducer could be positioned at the portion at which the highest pressure was recorded (maximum intraurethral pressure). In the active group, the stimulating intensity was gradually increased up to the tolerable limit. A 15-minute single session of stimulation was carried out at 20 Hz in an intermittent manner with 1-minute-on/30-second-off cycles. After stimulation, the urethral pressure profile was repeated. RESULTS: In the active group, the greatest pressure difference between the on and off phases of the maximum intraurethral pressure was 62.4+/-37.6 cm H2O at 35% to 55% of maximum output (46 to 113 J). In the urethral pressure profile, the maximum urethral closure pressure increased significantly after stimulation (P = 0.0280). In the sham group, no changes in these parameters were noted. All subjects tolerated the functional continuous magnetic stimulation well, and none experienced any adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: Functional continuous magnetic stimulation safely and significantly increased maximum intraurethral pressure during stimulation and maximum urethral closure pressure after stimulation.

Adult↗