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Biomedical subjects

M Asano

Publications and source records attributed to M Asano.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Functional role of charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels in the resting state of cerebral, coronary and mesenteric arteries of the dog.

To determine the possible role of Ca(++)-activated K+ (KCa) channels in the regulation of resting tone of arteries, the effects of agents that interact with these channels on tension and 86Rb efflux were examined in endothelium-denuded strips of cerebral (middle cerebral, posterior cerebral and basilar), coronary and mesenteric arteries of the dog. Strips of cerebral arteries maintained a myogenic tone; i.e., the resting tone decreased when either the Krebs' solution was replaced with a Ca(++)-free solution or nifedipine was added. The addition of charybdotoxin, a blocker of large conductance KCa channels, to the resting strips (strips at a resting state) caused a concentration-dependent contraction in the cerebral arteries but not in the coronary or mesenteric artery. In resting strips preloaded with 86Rb, the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant was significantly greater in the cerebral arteries than in the coronary and mesenteric arteries. The addition of nifedipine to the resting strips decreased the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant in the cerebral and coronary arteries. Effects of nifedipine on tension and 86Rb efflux in 20.9 mM K(+)-contracted strips of the mesenteric artery were comparable to the effects of this blocker in the resting strips of the middle cerebral artery. The 86Rb efflux rate constant during the stimulation with 65.9 mM K+ was similar for the middle cerebral and mesenteric arteries. Studies using 1- or 5-min pulse labeling with 45Ca demonstrated increased basal 45Ca influx in the resting state of cerebral arteries compared with the coronary and mesenteric arteries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Cardiovascular effects of YM-16151-4: a novel calcium entry blocking and selective beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent in rats and dogs.

The cardiovascular effects of YM-16151-4 were evaluated in rats and dogs. In conscious rats, YM-16151-4 (3-30 mg/kg p.o.) produced a dose-dependent hypotensive effect without increasing heart rate (HR) and plasma renin activity (PRA). Nifedipine (3-10 mg/kg p.o.) produced a dose-dependent hypotensive effect but significantly increased HR and PRA. Atenolol (30 mg/kg p.o.) decreased PRA but did not decrease blood pressure and HR. The cardiovascular effects of the combination of nifedipine and atenolol were similar to those of YM-16151-4. It is interesting that the time course of the hypotensive effect of YM-16151-4 was similar to that of its beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking effect, although the time courses of these effects of the combination of nifedipine and atenolol were different. In conscious dogs, YM-16151-4 (0.3-10 mg/kg p.o.) also produced a long-lasting hypotensive effect with almost no effect on HR and PQ-interval. The time course of the beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking effect was similar to that of its hypotensive effect. Furthermore, during 10-day repeated oral administration, neither tolerance nor augmentation was observed in the hypotensive and beta 1-adrenoceptor-blocking effects. In conclusion, the present results indicate that YM-16151-4 is an effective and long-lasting hypotensive agent that does not increase HR and PRA. These effects of YM-16151-4 may be attributable to its calcium-entry-blocking and beta 1-adrenoceptor-blocking activities, and the ratio of two activities was constant after single and repeated oral administrations.

Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists↗

Hemodynamic effects of lipo-PGE1 on peripheral artery in patients with diabetic neuropathy: evaluated by two-dimensional color Doppler echography.

Twenty non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients were studied to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of lipo-PGE1 (prostaglandin E1 incorporated in lipid microspheres). Improvement of diabetic neuropathy was assessed on the basis of subjective symptoms such as pain, coldness, numbness and dysethesia (subjective) after intravenous administration of lipo-PGE1. After lipo-PGE1 treatment, the subjective symptoms were markedly improved. Hemodynamic effects of this drug on the dorsalis pedis artery were examined using new real-time two-dimensional color Doppler echography. After administration of lipo-PGE1, the cross-sectional area of the dorsalis pedis artery significantly increased from 2.6 +/- 0.2 mm2 to 3.5 +/- 0.2 mm2 (P < 0.01). Moreover, the blood flow index significantly increased from 40 +/- 7 to 61 +/- 11 (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that lipo-PGE1 may serve as a useful drug in improving diabetic neuropathy.

Adult↗

[Smoking restrictions in medical schools in Japan].

The theme of the 6th WHO World Non-Smoking Day in 1993 was "Health services: our window to a tobacco-free world". A survey of the public health departments of all medical schools and universities was conducted in April, 1992 in order to investigate the state of smoking restrictions in those departments responsible for training in health services. Responses were received from 76 schools out of 80. The results were as follows: 1) In school cafeteria: Smoking prohibited (17.8%), Separate smoking/non-smoking areas (21.9%), Unrestricted smoking (60.3%), In student lounges: Smoking prohibited (2.9%), Separate Smoking/non-smoking areas (7.1%), Unrestricted smoking (90.0%), 2) The number of schools with tobacco vending machines: 59 schools (77.6%), 3) In medical faculty meetings: Smoking prohibited--32 schools (42.1%), Unrestricted smoking--22 schools (28.9%), No rules but no smokers--22 schools (28.9%), A total of 54 schools (71.0%) have established non-smoking meetings. 4) The number of school that give no attention to raking students aware of smoking risks: 6 schools As a result of this investigation, one national and one private medical school initiated prohibition of smoking at medical faculty meetings. In order to stimulate consciousness of the health hazards of smoking in future medical professionals, freshmen orientation should be utilized for teaching about the risks of both tobacco and "chug-a-lugging" of alcoholic beverages. In addition, the elimination of tobacco vending machines from all medical department area is strongly indicated.

Humans↗

[Lipid peroxide and free radical scavengers in congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension].

There is a strong possibility that lipid peroxide (LPO) exerts a great influence on the persistence of pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) after radical operation of congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We investigated the relationship between LOP and PVO, and discussed the effects of scavengers. Fourteen cases of infantile open heart surgery were investigated. LPO, superoxide dismutase SOD and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood and lung tissue. In the cases of PH group, the levels of lung tissue and plasma LPO showed significantly higher than those of PS group (p < 0.05) before and after radical operation. The levels of Pp/Ps and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of PH cases showed still higher than those of PS group (p < 0.05) even after radical operation. In addition, the levels of plasma and lung tissue SOD, lung tissue GSH of PH cases were lower than those of PG group. These suggest that LPO plays an important role as the cause of PVO before operation and which remains unchanged even after operation. It is to be expected that increase of the free radical scavengers will be effective to suppress the generation of LPO and at last to reduce the level of PVR after operation.

Free Radical Scavengers↗

Cardiovascular properties of the new anti-ulcer drug 3-[[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl]methyl]-amino-N- methylbenzamide.

Cardiovascular activities of 3-[[[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl]methyl]-amino-N- methylbenzamide (DQ-2511, CAS 104775-36-2), an anti-ulcer drug, were investigated in anesthetized dogs and conscious rats. In anesthetized and laparotomized dogs, DQ-2511 at intravenous doses of 5-50 mg/kg dose-relatedly induced an increase in celiac and mesenteric arterial blood flow, and a decrease in their resistance, whereas the drug had little or no effect on carotid and renal blood flow. DQ-2511 increased cardiac contractility in anesthetized dogs at an intravenous dose of 15 mg/kg. In addition to this effect, it produced an increase in respiratory rate, a decrease in blood pressure and a slight increase in heart rate after dosing at 50 mg/kg. The drug had little or no effect on femoral blood flow and produced no significant changes in the electrocardiogram. In conscious rats, blood flow in gastrointestinal organs was compared with flow in other organs using the microsphere method. Blood flow in the stomach, duodenum, ileum, pancreas, spleen, and kidney tended to decrease in the vehicle-treated control group. DQ-2511, at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg, significantly increased blood flow in the stomach, duodenum and spleen, and tended to increase flow in the pancreas, testis and fat in comparison with the vehicle-treated control group. Blood flow in the liver, heart and skeletal muscle tended to decrease, whereas the other regional blood flows did not differ from those in the control group. DQ-2511 at this oral dose had little or no effect on blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia↗

[A case of postoperative pulmonary metastasis of colon cancer which responded to treatment with leucovorin and 5-FU].

A 72-year-old man underwent a radical operation for sigmoid colon cancer (well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, stage III) in 1989. Chest X-ray examination performed in September 1992 showed multiple nodular shadows in the lungs. A diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis was made from abnormally increased CEA and CA 19-9 and findings by chest tomography and CT scanning. There was no evidence of metastasis or recurrence in the liver, bone, brain or large intestine. He received three courses of bolus injections of leucovorin (30 mg/body) and 5-FU (500 mg/body), each over five consecutive days with a two-week rest period, and subsequently weekly at the same doses. CEA and CA 19-9 levels started to decrease after completion of the second course of consecutive treatment. In week 18 of chemotherapy, CEA and CA 19-9 levels dropped to 5.6 ng/ml and 32 U/ml from 66 ng/ml and 130 U/ml, respectively. Chest tomography and chest CT showed the disappearance or reduction in size of the nodules, with a reduction rate of 87.1%. Twenty-two weeks later, at this writing, there was no evidence of disease progression, and the patient was thus judged to be PR. He continues to receive chemotherapy at our outpatient clinic.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Two novel functions associated with the Rel oncoproteins: DNA replication and cell-specific transcriptional activation.

The v-Rel oncoprotein and its cellular homolog c-Rel belong to the Rel/kappa B family of transcription factors. Members of this family share extensive sequence similarity in their N-terminal halves, a region referred to as the Rel Homology Region (RHR), bind to NF-kappa B DNA motifs and form heterodimers with one another. Whereas c-Rel activates transcription of kappa B-linked genes, v-Rel behaves as a dominant-interfering mutant of c-Rel- and kappa B-mediated transcription activation. Here we describe two novel activities of the Rel oncoproteins. One induces kappa B-site dependent stimulation of polyomavirus (Py) DNA replication and maps to the N-terminus of the RHR, a region where no transcription activation function was detected. This activity is common to v-Rel, c-Rel, p52 (p49/lyt10), RelA (p65) and the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B. The second promotes transcriptional activation in undifferentiated F9 cells and maps 3' to the RHR, a region essential for the transforming activity of v-Rel.

Animals↗

Amino acid substitutions modulate the effect of Jun on transformation, transcriptional activation and DNA replication.

The retroviral oncogene v-jun and its cellular counterpart code for proteins that function as major components of the transcription factor complex AP-1. Jun proteins bind to the AP-1 consensus sequence as homodimers or heterodimers with members of the Fos protein family. This report compares the ability of viral and cellular Jun proteins (v-Jun and c-Jun) to activate transcription and to stimulate DNA synthesis. The effect of amino acid substitutions on cellular transformation is also described. In F9 cells c-Jun is a more effective transactivator than v-Jun, which carries two amino acid substitutions in the carboxy-terminal region that together down-regulate transactivation. The delta deletion, present in the amino-terminal region of v-Jun, does not affect transactivation in F9 cells; however, it does modulate the stimulation of DNA synthesis. When delta is deleted, the amino acid substitutions are without consequence on DNA synthesis. In the presence of delta the amino acid substitutions down-regulate DNA synthesis. Deletion of the Jun transactivation domain, which is required for cellular transformation, abolishes both transactivation and stimulation of DNA synthesis. We conclude that transformation, transactivation and stimulation of DNA synthesis all depend on the presence of the transactivation domain. The three functions are, however, not tightly correlated, and further work is needed to define the role of the biochemical activities of Jun in oncogenesis.

3T3 Cells↗

Constitutive and inducible factors bind to regulatory element 3 in the promoter of the gene encoding mouse granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

The expression of the mouse gene (G-CSF) encoding granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is controlled by at least three regulatory elements, GPE1, GPE2 and GPE3 (G-CSF promoter elements). A set of 30-mer oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos) scanning the GPE3 region (-104 to -51) of the G-CSF promoter was synthesized, and the tetramer of each oligo was inserted upstream from the cat gene with the simian virus 40 enhancer element. By introducing these hybrid genes into human squamous carcinoma CHU-2 and mouse macrophage BAM3 cells, the enhancer core element of the GPE3 was localized to the region from -98 to -79 in the promoter. A nuclear factor which specifically binds to the core element of the GPE3 was constitutively detected in human CHU-2 cells, whereas the expression of a similar, but distinctly different, factor was significantly induced in BAM3 cells by lipopolysaccharide. The results suggest that these nuclear factors play important roles in the constitutive expression of G-CSF in CHU-2 cells and its inducible expression in macrophages.

Animals↗

Different utilization of Ca2+ in the contractile action of endothelin-1 on cerebral, coronary and mesenteric arteries of the dog.

Vasoconstrictor responses to endothelin-1 (ET) were compared between endothelium-denuded strips of cerebral, coronary and mesenteric arteries of the dog. Contractile responses to lower concentrations (below 3 x 10(-10) M) of ET were significantly greater in the cerebral and coronary arteries than in the mesenteric artery. The cerebral and coronary arteries, but not the mesenteric artery, relaxed significantly from the resting level when placed in a 0-Ca solution. Readdition of Ca2+ to the cerebral and coronary arteries placed in the 0-Ca solution caused a biphasic contraction which was susceptible to inhibition by nifedipine. When ET below 10(-10) M was introduced before the Ca2+ contraction, this peptide produced no detectable contraction, but augmented the Ca2+ contraction. The augmented Ca2+ contractions were abolished by 10(-7) M nifedipine. These effects of ET were not observed in the mesenteric artery. The contractile responses of the mesenteric artery to ET determined in the presence of elevated extracellular K+ concentrations were comparable to the responses of the cerebral artery to this peptide determined in the presence of normal K+ concentrations. These results indicate that the enhanced responses to ET in the cerebral and coronary arteries were dependent on the Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and suggest that these channels are in an activated state when these arteries are in a resting state.

Animals↗

The effect of intravenous recombinant human renin on blood pressure in pithed spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effect of highly purified recombinant human renin (rh-renin), expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, on mean blood pressure (MBP) was evaluated in pithed spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Intravenous bolus injection of rh-renin produced dose-dependent increases in MBP in pithed SHR and WKY. The pressor response to rh-renin in pithed SHR was about 3 times as potent as that in pithed WKY. Intravenous infusion of rh-renin produced dose-dependent progressive increases in MBP during the first 40 min, reaching plateaus and thereafter MBP was maintained up to 120 min. This hypertensive response to rh-renin was antagonized by renin inhibitors, YM-21095 and KRI-1314, which inhibited the reaction between rh-renin and tetradecapeptide competitively, with Ki values of 5.1 x 10(-10) and 4.3 x 10(-9) M, respectively. In rh-renin-infused pithed SHR, the hypotensive effect of YM-21095 was 37 times as potent as that of KRI-1314. These results suggest that rh-renin can stimulate the rat renin-angiotensin system, thereby producing hypertension. Moreover, the rh-renin-infused rat model could be useful to evaluate the effect of renin inhibitor.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of a Xenopus cDNA which encodes a homeodomain highly homologous to Drosophila Distal-less.

A novel homeobox gene of Xenopus was isolated from the ovary cDNA library. The homeodomain of the encoded protein was homologous to that of Drosophila Distal-less (Dll), and the gene was termed Xdll. The mRNA exists in a large amount in ovary, and in a small amount in testis, but was not detected in muscle, kidney, gut, and liver. The mRNA also occurs in a large amount in oocytes and is maintained in unfertilized eggs and cleavage stage embryos as a maternal mRNA at a low but distinctly detectable level. The amount of the mRNA per embryo increases gradually in later stages by zygotic expression. Embryo dissection experiment revealed that the transcript is abundant in the anterior region at the neurula stage, suggesting that Xdll may play a role in the establishment of the structures in the anterior part of the embryo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pax-5 is expressed at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary during mouse development.

The murine paired-box-containing gene 5, Pax-5, is highly homologous to two other Pax genes, Pax-2 and Pax-8. The expression pattern of Pax-5 during mouse embryogenesis was examined by in situ RNA hybridization and compared to those of Pax-2 and Pax-8. Beginning at day 9.5 postcoitum (p.c.), Pax-5 was expressed in the developing brain, predominantly at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, and in the neural tube. While the neural tube expression pattern overlapped completely with Pax-2 and Pax-8, the expression pattern in the brain was only partially overlapping. Unlike Pax-2 and Pax-8, Pax-5 was not expressed in the developing excretory system, thyroid, eye or ear. Our data suggest that Pax-5 has a role in the development of the central nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Existence of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in rat liver nuclei and its change during liver regeneration.

We found phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PtdIns-PLC) activity in nuclei isolated from rat liver. The enzyme hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, and produced inositol mono-, bis-, and triphosphate, respectively. Neither phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, nor phosphatidylserine was utilized as a substrate. After partial hepatectomy, the PtdIns-PLC activity in isolated nuclei increased transiently in the S phase (20-22 h post-hepatectomy), to 2.5-fold higher than in the control, when measured with PIP. This result suggests a close relationship between the nuclear PtdIns-PLC, especially its PIP-hydrolyzing activity, and cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Cardiovascular effects of a novel calcium entry blocking and selective beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent, YM-16151-4, in anesthetized and conscious dogs.

Cardiovascular effects of YM-16151-4, a combined calcium entry blocking and beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent, were evaluated in dogs. In anesthetized dogs, YM-16151-4 (0.01-1 mg/kg intravenously, i.v.) dose-dependently increased coronary blood flow (CBF) and decreased mean blood pressure (MBP), total peripheral resistance (TPR), dP/dtmax, double product, and left ventricular (LV) work without increasing heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO). YM-16151-4 increased vertebral blood flow as well as CBF, but had no effect on carotid, mesenteric, renal, and femoral blood flow. Coronary vasodilating activity of YM-16151-4 was also observed after intracoronary artery injection (i.a.). In anesthetized and vagotomized dogs, YM-16151-4 dose-dependently inhibited isoproterenol (0.2 micrograms/kg i.v.)-induced tachycardia and decrease in diastolic BP (DBP), with ED50 values of 0.039 and 0.52 mg/kg i.v., respectively. In conscious dogs, YM-16151-4 (0.1-1 mg/kg i.v.) produced a dose-dependent hypotensive effect with no effect on HR or PQ-interval. The hypotensive effect of YM-16151-4 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg i.v.) reached its maximum approximately 1-2 h after each dosing and lasted 6-8 h. These results suggest that YM-16151-4 actually behaves as a hybrid compound, combining calcium entry blocking and beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking activities, and that this compound could be a novel long-acting antianginal and antihypertensive agent.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Comparison of vasoconstrictor actions of endothelin-1 in cerebral, coronary, and mesenteric arteries of the dog.

Vasoconstrictor actions of endothelin-1 (ET) were compared between endothelium-removed strips of cerebral (basilar, posterior cerebral, and middle cerebral) and peripheral (coronary and mesenteric) arteries of the dog. ET produced a concentration-dependent contraction in these arteries. A threshold concentration and EC50 value for ET were significantly lower in the basilar, posterior cerebral, middle cerebral, and coronary arteries than in the mesenteric artery. In the basilar artery, nifedipine caused a rightward displacement of the concentration-response curve for ET with a significant reduction in the maximum response to ET. On the other hand, nifedipine showed a typical noncompetitive antagonism against ET in the mesenteric artery. Contractile responses of the mesenteric artery to ET determined under an elevation of extracellular K+ concentration were comparable to the responses of the basilar artery to this peptide determined under normal K+ concentrations. The cerebral and coronary arteries, but not the mesenteric artery, relaxed significantly from the resting level when placed in a Ca(2+)-free solution containing 0.1 mM EGTA (0-Ca solution). The readdition of Ca2+ to the cerebral and coronary arteries soaked in the 0-Ca solution caused a biphasic contraction that was susceptible to inhibition by nifedipine. When ET in concentrations below 10(-9) M was introduced before the Ca(2+)-induced contraction, this peptide produced no detectable contraction, but potentiated the Ca(2+)-induced contraction. The extent of potentiation induced by ET was much greater in the cerebral and coronary arteries than in the mesenteric artery. Even in the 0-Ca solution, higher concentrations of ET (1 x 10(-8) and 3 x 10(-8) M) produced a contraction that was weaker in the basilar artery than in the mesenteric artery. These results indicate that the cerebral and coronary arteries exhibited more potent contractions in response to lower concentrations (below 10(-9) M) of ET than the mesenteric artery. A likely possibility for these enhanced responses to ET in the cerebral and coronary arteries appears to be that the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in these arteries are more activated in the resting state than those in the mesenteric artery.

Animals↗