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Biomedical subjects

M Akimoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Akimoto.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

[The effect of an arginine-imbalanced diet on the growth of implanted MM-48 and MH-134 tumors in C3H/He mice].

The arginine-imbalanced diet used in this study was a diet of 27% casein supplemented with 8% arginine monochloride. There was no difference in the serum protein level between C3H/He mice fed a casein diet (N-mice) and mice fed on the arginine-supplemented diet (A-mice). The serum arginine level was increased in the A-mice compared with the N-mice. Significant inhibition of MM-48 tumor incidence was seen in the A-mice when the transplanted tumor was below 5 X 10(6) cells. Growth inhibitory effect against MM-48 tumor was significantly enhanced in the A-mice with i.p. injection of OK-432. Interferon production of spleen cells was increased in the A-mice compared with the N-mice. We speculate that the effect of arginine depends partially on the immune functions in the mice.

Amino Acids↗

[Interferon production in lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma and its augmentation by OK-432].

In breast cancer patients on whom modified radical mastectomy is performed, relatively more of the regional lymph nodes draining the breast carcinoma remain in comparison with standard radical mastectomy. Therefore, investigation of the functions of lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma has become important. Lymphocyte subsets of 33 axillary lymph nodes from 19 breast cancer patients were analysed using flow cytometry. In axillary lymph nodes, both OKT-3(+) cells and OKT-8(+) cells were decreased in comparison with those in peripheral blood. However, the OKT 4/8 ratio was increased in axillary lymph nodes. These findings suggest that axillary lymph nodes are immunologically more functional against cancer spread than peripheral blood. OK-M1(+) cells, Leu-7(+) cells and Leu-11a(+) cells were decreased in axillary lymph nodes in comparison with peripheral blood. The ability of IFN production in axillary lymph nodes and peripheral blood was analysed using the cytopathic effect of VSV-sindbis virus. After 72 hours incubation, IFN production of axillary lymph nodes showed maximum titer. When lymph nodes were co-cultured with OK-432, IFN production of axillary lymph nodes was strongly augmented. IFN production of axillary lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma were increased in comparison with peripheral blood. Axillary lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma would thus seem to be important as cytokine-producing organs. IFN has been found to be an activator of NK cells, cytotoxic T cells and IL-2 production. Axillary lymph nodes may therefore play an important role against the spread of breast cancer.

Axilla↗

[Prevention of cancer chemotherapeutic agent-induced toxicity in postoperative breast cancer patients with glycyrrhizin (SNMC)].

It is well known that all cell lines, normal as well as malignant, have a sensitivity to the growth inhibitory effect of IFN or IFN inducers. We speculated that the antiproliferative effects of the IFN inducer SNMC might help alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Fifty-seven patients with postoperative breast cancer received MMF (mitomycin, methotrexate, futraful therapy with SNMC and 60 were given MMF alone. There was only one patient (1.7%) in the former group in whom the MMF chemotherapy was discontinued because of liver dysfunction; however, 15 patients (25%) in the latter group had to stop the therapy because of its side effects. Thus, there was a significant effect of SNMC in preventing the side effects of MMF chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Assessment of host immune response in breast cancer patients.

Cell-mediated immune status of breast cancer patients was evaluated by percentage of T gamma cells, natural killer (NK) activity, and the augmentation of NK cells by interferon. The patients with breast cancer did not show impaired cell-mediated immune responses until they were in the late stage of cancer. Sixty-one patients with breast cancer revealed higher proportions of T gamma cells measured by a new method utilizing microplate compared with those of 50 healthy subjects. Reduced NK activity was seen in the patients with stage III or IV breast cancer. Natural cytotoxicity against K-562 target cells was strongly augmentated by treatment with interferon in vitro for 2 hr, both in the patients with breast cancer and in healthy donors, except for far advanced breast cancer patients. A negative correlation between the percentage of T gamma cells and T cell was significant in the patients with primary breast cancer prior to radical mastectomy.

Adult↗

[Modified radical mastectomy and lymphocyte subsets of regional lymph nodes].

Whether or not regional lymph nodes in tumor-bearing hosts possess special immunological properties, still remains an important problem in the management of breast cancer. Regional lymph node cells from 22 patients with breast cancer were immunologically studied using monoclonal antibodies, OKT-3, 4, 8, OK-M 1, Leu-7, and laser flow cytometry. Among these patients, 13 early cancer patients underwent modified radical mastectomy (Auchincloss operation or Patey operation) and 9 underwent standard radical mastectomy (resection of breast, pectoralis major muscle and axillary dissection). More helper T lymphocytes defined by OKT-4 were found in regional lymph nodes in modified radical mastectomy patients in comparison with standard radical mastectomy patients. In patients given the modified operations, NK activity defined by OK-M 1 or Leu-7 were significantly increased, especially in lateral axillary lymph nodes. Also, OK-M 1 lymphocytes and Leu-7 lymphocytes were increased in lymph nodes without metastasis rather than those with metastasis. These findings suggest that regional lymph nodes may have defence mechanisms against the spread of tumor cells in early cancer patients.

Axilla↗

Intestinal absorption enhancement of coenzyme Q10 with a lipid microsphere.

Coenzyme Q10 (ubidecarenone; CoQ10) was administered at a dose of 60 mg/d either using two conventional formulations or in a lipid microsphere to dogs. Plasma concentrations of CoQ10 were determined by HPLC. The bioavailability of CoQ10 from the lipid microsphere formulation was superior to conventional formulations. These results suggest that three daily administrations of the new formulation should be suitable for therapeutic use.

Animals↗

[Modulation of the anti-tumor effect of BRM under various nutritional or endocrine conditions].

Immuno-chemotherapeutic effects on the growth of MM-48 mammary tumor were studied in syngeneic C3H/He mice fed diets containing a low (D), normal (N) or arginine-supplemented (NA) protein content. The serum protein levels were 5.7 g/dl in N-mice and 3.7 g/dl in D-mice, respectively. On the other hand, no difference was seen between the two groups, with regard to intra-tumoral protein concentrations. The natural killer (NK) activity of spleen cells was significantly lower in D-mice than in N-or NA-mice. Augmentation of NK activity was detected following the i.p. injection of OK-432 or LENTINAN, while no augmentation was recognized in D-mice. Interferon production of cultured spleen cells was significantly reduced in D-mice, and significantly increased in NA-mice compared with N-mice. NK activity was markedly augmented at 7 days after bilateral oophorectomy in N-mice. Both NK and IFN titers were significantly reduced following administration of estradiol every 7 days. The growth of MM-48 tumor was inhibited by daily administration of OK-432 or LENTINAN in N-mice. However, the tumor growth was paradoxically accelerated after administration of the same drugs in D-mice. These findings indicated that the nutritional or endocrine environment of cancer-bearing mice plays an important role in the effect of some kinds of BRMs. A clinical randomized study of advanced and recurrent gastric cancer patients treated with MMC and FT (MF) with or without LENTINAN, was then performed. We recognized excellent end-point results only in LENTINAN-administered patients with normal protein levels, while no effect of LENTINAN was seen in patients with low protein levels (below 6.0 g/dl).

Animals↗

[Transurethral ureteroscopic removal of ureteral calculi].

Rigid ureteroscopy was used for transurethral removal of ureteral stones. Calculi were extracted under direct vision using flexible grasping forceps or a stone basket. If the size of the stone precluded the use of these techniques, we disintegrated the stone using an electro-hydraulic lithotriptor (EHL) or ultrasonic lithotriptor (USL). Between January, 1985 and October, 1985, 35 ureteroscopic procedures were performed for removal of ureteral stones. In 27 cases (77%) the stone was removed successfully. All stones could be removed in mid and lower ureter. However, in upper ureter, the success rate was only 50%. In 8 instances, ureteroscopy failed to remove the ureteral calculus and 6 underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy, 2 open surgery. Of the ureteral stones, 12 were removed with grasping forceps or a basket manipulation. EHL and USL were used successfully to remove calculi in 15 cases. To make smooth passage of the ureteroscope, a 6F UPJ occlusion balloon catheter was introduced into the ureter and the balloon was inflated in the intramural ureter for 24 hours preoperatively. We have found this to be a useful procedure for smooth passage of the ureteroscope. Most common complication of ureteroscopic stone removal was fever (29%). In 1 case, the ureter was penetrated by the scope. The patient was treated with an indwelling ureteral catheter for 2 weeks. After the catheter was removed, an excretory urogram demonstrated normal ureter without extravasation or obstruction. We conclude that ureteroscopic stone removal can be done safely with careful passage of the scope and careful manipulation of calculi.

Adult↗

[Quantitative variations of lymphocyte subsets in various kinds of cancer patients in the terminal stage].

Immunological studies of the peripheral blood were made in terminal breast cancer and terminal abdominal cancer patients. Two immunological parameters were studied: (1) lymphocyte subsets and (2) proliferative response to PHA. A decrease in the number of OKT-3(+) cells and an increase in that of OKT-8(+) cells were observed in abdominal cancer. It was suggested that the immunological status in abdominal cancer is more suppressive than in breast cancer. Increases in the number of OK-M1(+) cells and Leu-7(+) cells were observed in breast cancer. It is suggested that cytotoxic lymphocytes increase in number in breast cancer more than in abdominal cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. With emphasis on large renal stones.

With utilization of safety guide wire, dilator (up to 36F), and Mazzariello-Caprini forceps, percutaneous removal of renal stone was successfully performed in 18 cases, including 5 cases with staghorn calculus, although parts of the staghorn calculus were left in 4 cases. Attempts at stone extraction were performed on the day nephrostomy was made. All of the renal stones excluding staghorn calculi were removed without disruption followed by satisfactory postoperative renal function. Unexpectedly Kocher forceps was found to be a useful and relatively safe instrument for quick fragmentation and removal of staghorn calculi.

Female↗