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Biomedical subjects

Kentaro Takahashi

Publications and source records attributed to Kentaro Takahashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Concomitant treatment of severe uterine adenomyosis in a premenopausal woman with an aromatase inhibitor and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of aromatase inhibitors with GnRH agonist for a severe symptomatic adenomyosis that is refractory to GnRH agonist and danazol with GnRH agonist. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Clinical practice in university hospital. PATIENT(S): A 34-year-old woman with a complaint of severe dysmenorrheal, symptomatic anemia, and a desire to retain fertility. INTERVENTION(S): Aromatase inhibitor anastrozole given orally (1.0 mg or 2.0 mg daily) for 16 weeks and GnRH agonist given monthly (injected SC, 1.8 mg) for 4 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Measurements of uterine volume and levels of serum E(2), estrone, A, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, LH, FSH, and CA125. RESULT(S): Uterine volume was reduced. The reduction rate of uterine volume estimated by magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography was 60% after 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION(S): Aromatase inhibitor with GnRH agonist therapy was useful for the management of a severely adenomyotic woman whose desire was for conservative treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effect of micro-environment maintenance on embryo culture after in-vitro fertilization: comparison of top-load mini incubator and conventional front-load incubator.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of microenvironment maintenance on embryo culture and clinical results using two types of incubators. METHODS: Temperature and oxygen concentration in a mini-incubator and a conventional incubator were compared following a 5-s door opening/closing procedure. Embryos of 30 in-vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cases were randomly allocated to either one of the incubator, cultured, and the early-stage good embryo formation rate and the good blastocyst formation rate were compared, as indicators for micro-environment maintenance ability. RESULTS: Temperature recovery after a 5-s door opening/closing procedure was approximately 5 min for the mini-incubator and 30 min for the conventional incubator. The oxygen concentration return was significantly improved in the mini-incubator (3.0 +/- 0 min) compared with the conventional incubator (7.8 +/- 0.9 min). Both the early-stage good embryo formation rate and the good blastocyst formation rate were significantly higher in the mini-incubator (39.5% and 15.1%) than the conventional incubator (28.4% and 7.8%). CONCLUSION: The microenvironment maintenance ability of incubators appears to significantly influence the formation of good embryos.

Embryo Culture Techniques↗
PubMed2006

Odd variation of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test results in a Japanese patient with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case report.

We report a young woman of normal body weight who was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and had an odd variation of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This woman underwent the 75 g OGTT to evaluate the association between PCOS and insulin secretion capacity. Although the blood sugar levels were within normal range before the OGTT load test, we noted an odd variation of insulin response in which a condition of hyperinsulinemia after the load test was followed suddenly by hypoglycemia. Hyperandrogenism in the PCOS patient and insulin resistance indicated by 75 g OGTT suggest that insulin may influence the ovary and that there could be an association between this disease and insulin resistance. The insulinogenic index in this case showed higher than normal values, demonstrating that there was a positive correlation between hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. This patient experienced ovulation followed by pregnancy after treatment with an herbal medicine called Shakuyaku-Kanzo-To. We believed that identifying the subset of PCOS woman who is insulin resistant may be useful, as this resistance could be import in terms of follow-up and future exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Neither intravenous nor intracerebroventricular administration of obestatin affects the secretion of GH, PRL, TSH and ACTH in rats.

To examine the effect of obestatin, a recently identified peptide derived from preproghrelin, on pituitary hormone secretion, obestatin was administered in anesthetized male rats. Intravenous administration of obestatin did not show any effect on plasma GH, PRL, ACTH and TSH levels. Since obestatin has been reported to have opposite effects of ghrelin in regulating food intake, gastric emptying and intestinal contractility, GH suppressive effect, which is opposite effect of ghrelin, was tested. Intravenous administration of GHRH or GHRP-2, a ghrelin receptor ligand, resulted in a marked plasma GH elevation. However obestatin did not show any effect on GHRH- or GHRP-2-induced GH rise. Furthermore intracerebroventricular administration of obestatin also did not influence plasma GH, PRL, ACTH and TSH levels. These findings suggest that obestatin has no effect on pituitary hormone secretions despite the presence of GPR39, a receptor for obestatin, in the pituitary.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2006

The N131S mutation in the von Hippel-Lindau gene in a Japanese family with pheochromocytoma and hemangioblastomas.

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease (VHLD) is a hereditary autosomal dominant syndrome that causes various benign and malignant tumors. VHLD is caused by mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene. Here, we report a mutation in the VHL gene in a Japanese family with VHLD type 2A, characterized by pheochromocytoma (PHE), and hemangioblastomas (HAB) in both the retina and thoracic spinal cord but without renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We identified a heterozygous A to G point mutation at the second base of codon 131 of the VHL protein (pVHL). This mutation was predicted to convert codon 131 from asparagine to serine (N131S). Although most mutations in VHLD type 2A have been detected in the alpha domain of pVHL, the present mutated amino acid was located at the region encoding the beta domain of pVHL. Previous patients with the N131K or N131T mutation in pVHL developed VHLD type 2B with RCC or VHLD type 1 without PHE, respectively. We also identified somatic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome 3p25-26 in the adrenal tumor of the patient. The results of our study suggest that not only the location of mutation but also the altered amino acid may be critical for determining the clinical phenotype of VHLD. LOH was associated with the development of PHE in a patient with the N131S mutation in pVHL.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Glucose intolerance in Japanese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hyperinsulinemia, which is related to obesity, played a pathogenic role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the incidence of obesity in Japanese women with PCOS is different from that reported in patients with PCOS in Europe and USA. We should determine if insulin resistance occurs in Japanese PCOS. The purpose of this study is to assess the presence of insulin resistance in Japanese PCOS, while also considering obesity as a factor. METHODS: We divided the patients with polycystic ovary (PCO) into three groups based on body mass index and levels of gonadotropin. Nine obese PCOS, 34 normal body-weighted PCOS (luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) >1.0) and 11 normal LH (LH/FSH </= 1.0), normal body-weighted PCO were studied. We compared those patients to 16 control subjects with normal ovulation or with hypothalamic anovulation. Eleven women in the control were normal body-weighted and five were obese. Patients were given an oral glucose tolerance test. Testosterone, plasma glucose and serum immunoreactive insulin after oral administration of 75 g dextrose were studied. We also compared glucose-intolerance [total plasma glucose (SigmaPG) and insulin (SigmaIRI), insulinogenic index (I.I.), fasting plasma glucose/immunoreactive insulin (FPG/IRI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-R)] and testosterone among these groups. RESULTS: There were no differences in SigmaPG, SigmaIRI, I.I., FPG/IRI or HOMA-R between PCOS and controls. However, there were significant differences in SigmaPG, SigmaIRI, FPG/IRI and HOMA-R between obese and normal body-weighted patients. Similarly, there were no differences in SigmaPG, SigmaIRI, I.I., FPG/IRI or HOMA-R between PCOS and controls in the normal body-weighted group. However, there were significant differences in SigmaPG, SigmaIRI, FPG/IRI and HOMA-R between the obese and the normal body-weighted PCOS. There were also significant differences in SigmaPG and I.I. between LH-dominant, normal body-weighted PCOS and normal LH PCO. CONCLUSION: Japanese PCOS might have insulin-resistance but the factor of obesity had a stronger effect on insulin-resistance than did the existence of PCOS. The possibility of a different type of glucose-intolerance was suggested in the patients with ultrasonographical PCO in whom gonadotropin secretion was abnormal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Expression and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the fluctuation of expression and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in normal human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-three normal endometrial tissues were obtained from fertile women who had undergone hysterectomies for reasons other than endometrial disease. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase, -1, and -2 expression were studied by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was analyzed by gel kinase assay. RESULTS: Western blotting analysis with anti-pan-extracellular signal-regulated kinase antibody mainly demonstrated an immunoreactive band of 42 kd that corresponded to extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 in the endometrium. The expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 tended to increase in the secretory phase. Immunohistochemical analysis for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 in endometrial sections revealed a weak staining of glands and almost no staining of stromal cells. Immunohistochemical analysis for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 in endometrial sections revealed a distinct staining of glands in both proliferative and secretory phases and a weak staining of stromal cells. Although the intensity of staining for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 in stromal cells did not change during the secretory phase, in the glands the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 was highly stained in the mid-to-late secretory phase. In gel kinase assay revealed that extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was increased significantly in the mid-to-late secretory phase. CONCLUSION: Expression and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the human endometrium was increased particularly during the secretory phase. We suggest that fluctuation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the human endometrium may be induced by ovarian steroid hormones.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A novel mutation in the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene identified in a Japanese family with pheochromocytoma and hepatic hemangioma.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a neoplastic syndrome caused by a mutation in the VHL gene. There is a discrepancy between the phenotypes of human VHL syndrome and VHL gene-disrupted mouse models. A heterozygous VHL gene-disrupted model (vhl +/-) developed hepatic vascular lesions; in contrast, hepatic hemangioma is a rare manifestation of human VHL syndrome. We identified a novel mutation (P154S) in the VHL gene in a Japanese family with pheochromocytoma. One of the members demonstrated hepatic hemangiomas, suggesting that there may be a relationship between the mutation of the VHL gene and hepatic vascular lesions, even in humans.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Gene expression profile in the heart of spontaneous dwarf rat: in vivo effects of growth hormone.

Excess and deficit of growth hormone (GH) both affect cardiac architecture as well as its function. To date, experimental and clinical studies have reported that GH has an inotropic effect on animal and human heart, however, it remains controversial whether GH is applicable to the treatment for the patients with chronic heart failure. Also, the mechanism by which GH exerts these biological effects on the heart is not well understood. In this study, we attempted to specify the genes regulated by GH in the heart of spontaneous dwarf rat using a microarray analysis. We found that soluble forms of guanylate cyclase, cofilin1, and thymosin beta4 mRNA were up-regulated in the heart by GH treatment. On the other hand, acyl-CoA synthetase, aldosterone receptor, myosin regulatory light chain, troponin T, laminA, and beta-actin mRNA were down-regulated. These results suggest GH regulates essential molecules that regulate structural, contractile, remodeling, and regenerative functions. Collectively, our data indicate a new integrative understanding for the biological effects of GH on cardiac function.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Variant LH].

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Animals↗
PubMed2005

MRI evaluation of the uterine structure after myomectomy.

Myomectomy is a good indication for women with uterine leiomyoma who desire to preserve their child-bearing potential. However, there are still no reports about how long it takes the uterus to reach a stable state after myomectomy. We evaluated the changes in uterine structure during the recovery process after myomectomy by MR images. MR images were used to analyze the time-dependent changes in the length of the uterine cavity, the volume of the uterus, recovery of the junctional zone, prevalence of modification of the endometrium, and uterine structure in the region of the enucleated myoma. The cavity length and the volume of the uterus, and the myometrium were stabilized at six weeks after the myomectomy. With regard to the endometrium, 12 weeks were required for it to achieve a stable state after myomectomy. However, even at 12 weeks postoperatively, 14.2% of the cases showed an unusual view near the uterine incision on MR images. We concluded that the recovery process is complete at 12 weeks after the operation if there are no clear findings of hematoma or edema formation in the myometrium on MR images.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Influence of ovarian cystectomy on the ovulatory function of the residual ovary.

BACKGROUND: Whether the surgery for benign ovarian disease affect ovulatory function on residual ovarian tissue has not yet been established. METHODS: We investigated the post-operative function of residual ovaries in 62 patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy or abdominal ovarian cystectomy. RESULTS: The results based on an average of 7.9 monitored ovulatory cycles after surgery showed that 53% of patients did not have natural ovulation from the diseased ovary. The number of developing follicles after ovulation-induction treatments was significantly less in the diseased ovary than in the healthy ovary. However, in 13 of 24 women who became pregnant after surgery, ovulation occurred in the diseased ovary. Although a reduction in maturation of follicles was suggested after cystectomy, some women became pregnant after ovulation from the diseased ovary. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that careful attention should be given to preventing post-operative adhesion in the diseased and surgically managed ovary in cases that undergo cystectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effectiveness of antiadhesion barriers in preventing adhesion after myomectomy in patients with uterine leiomyoma.

BACKGROUND: Myomectomy often causes adhesion formation and decreases subsequent fertility. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of several antiadhesion barrier materials in preventing adhesion after myomectomy. METHODS: We prospectively classified 63 women undergoing myomectomy alone into four groups according to the type of antiadhesion material used: Hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose film (Seprafilm) (n = 21, Group 1), Dextran 40 (10% Dextran 40 Low Injection) (n = 17, Group 2), factor 13 with fibrinogen (Beriplast) (n = 12, Group 3) and control (n = 13, Group 4). We performed early second-look laparoscopy after the seventh post-operative day in all patients and examined adhesion formation in the abdominal cavity. The incidence of adnexal adhesions was evaluated according to the American Fertility Association (AFS) adhesion score. RESULTS: The incidence of uterine adhesion was 14.3% in Group 1, 70.6% in Group 2, 75.0% in Group 3 and 76.9% in Group 4. Adhesion formation in Group 1 was significantly less than that in Group 2 (p = 0.0004), Group 3 (p = 0.0005) and Group 4 (p = 0.0003). The incidence of peritoneal adhesion was 14.3% in Group 1, 29.4% in Group 2, 41.6% in Group 3 and 69.2% in Group 4. Adhesion formation in Group 1 was significantly less than that in Group 4 (p = 0.001). AFS scores in Groups 1-4 were 0.38+/-1.02, 4.58 +/- 7.02, 0.83 +/- 1.99 and 8.53 +/- 8.79 (mean +/- S.D.), respectively. Group 1 had the lowest AFS score and the difference between Group 1 and Group 4 was significant (p < 0.0001). The AFS score in Group 3 was also significantly less than that of Group 4 (p = 0.0009). CONCLUSION: Seprafilm was highly effective and was superior to the other antiadhesion materials tested in preventing uterine adhesions after myomectomy.

Adult↗