Biomedical subjects

M Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to M Kojima.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Alexithymia following myocardial infarction: psychometric properties and correlates of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to explore the psychometrics and correlates of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: The TAS-20 and other self-report measures were administered 3-6 months after discharge to 1443 patients. RESULTS: Good internal reliability was confirmed for the total TAS-20 and two subscales (F1 and F2). The F3 showed low internal consistency linked to negatively keyed items. The prevalence of alexithymia was 30.2% at the first interview. Alexithymics were older, less educated, more likely to have previous MIs and had higher scores on all measures of negative emotions. Six-month test-retest reliability was.47 (n=167). Residual change score analysis showed patients with more education and a first MI had greater decreases in alexithymia than expected. CONCLUSIONS: The TAS-20 has adequate internal consistency in post-MI patients, and its correlates are similar to other reports. Low temporal stability suggests that secondary alexithymia is important after MI.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of 4-nonylphenols and 4-tert-octylphenol contamination of fish in rivers by laboratory accumulation and excretion experiments.

Laboratory accumulation and excretion experiments of 4-nonylphenols (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) were performed for killifish (Oryzias latipes). The bioconcentration factors (BCF, wet weight) in the whole fish were mean +/- SD of 167 +/- 23 (n = 4) for NP and 261 +/- 62 (n = 4) for OP. The biological half-lives in the whole fish were 9.9 h for NP and 7.7 h for OP. Parallel to the laboratory experiments, field survey on the chemicals contamination for water and ayu fish (Plecoglossus altivelis) from rivers flowing into Lake Biwa was performed. The contamination was not so high in agreement with the laboratory experimental data and the field BCF values (wet weight) in the ayu fish were 21 +/- 15 (n = 8) for NP and 297 +/- 194 (n = 3) for OP.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Immunohistochemical localization of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression and its relation to angiogenesis in prostate.

OBJECTIVES: Tumor angiogenesis has been reported as a predictor for prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the localization of one angiogenic factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), in benign and malignant prostatic tissues and the correlation between PD-ECGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in prostate cancer. METHODS: Forty cases of prostate cancer, 3 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and 5 young autopsy cases without prostatic disease were processed with immunohistochemistry, using an anti-PD-ECGF antibody and anti-factor VIII-related antigen antibody. The PD-ECGF expression intensity and MVD were evaluated in each case. RESULTS: In the 40 cases with prostate cancer, the expression of PD-ECGF was noted in the stromal cells within cancer tissues in 80% of cases. Additionally, noncancerous glands next to cancer lesions were positive for PD-ECGF in 85% of cases. However, cancer cells were negative for PD-ECGF in all cases. In the 8 cases without cancer, both the prostatic glands and their surrounding stroma were positive for PD-ECGF only when they were accompanied by inflammation. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.636, P <0.001) between the intensity of PD-ECGF expression and MVD. MVD was significantly different when comparing the intensity of PD-ECGF expression of grade 0 versus grade 1 (P <0.05), grade 1 versus grade 2 (P <0.05), and grade 0 versus grade 2 (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that PD-ECGF expression in the stromal cells within cancer tissues might play an important role in tumor angiogenesis in prostate cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Possible use of transrectal power Doppler imaging as an indicator of microvascular density of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the possible use of transrectal power Doppler imaging (PDI) of the prostate in the assessment of the microvascular density (MVD) of cancer lesions. METHODS: In 22 patients with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer, PDI was performed before radical prostatectomy and the degree of vascularity of the cancer lesions as evaluated by PDI was compared with the MVD determined on the surgical specimens. The vascularity by PDI of each cancer lesion was graded on a scale of DS0 to DS2, according to the degree of Doppler signal accumulation. MVD was obtained using factor VIII immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The vascularity of the PDI of 46 cancer lesions categorized 23 (50%), 10 (22%), and 13 (28%) cancer lesions as DS0, DS1, and DS2, respectively. Significant differences were found in the MVD between DS0 (46.6 +/- 26.8) and DS2 (89.0 +/- 18.1, P <0.005) lesions and between DS1 (50.9 +/- 25.4) and DS2 (P <0.001) lesions. The MVD of 30 cancer lesions in 13 patients without neoadjuvant therapy was significantly higher than that of the 16 lesions in 9 patients with therapy (70.2 +/- 28.2 versus 39.5 +/- 23.9, P <0.001). In the 13 patients without neoadjuvant therapy, the MVD of the DS2 lesions (89.1 +/- 18.9) was significantly higher than that of the DS0 lesions (59.3 +/- 32.5, P <0.01) and DS1 lesions (55.9 +/- 20.9, P <0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The semiquantitative assessment of Doppler flow signals using PDI appears to be of clinical value as an indicator of MVD.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

A role of jumonji gene in proliferation but not differentiation of megakaryocyte lineage cells.

In this study, megakaryocytopoiesis was investigated in the recessive mutant mouse, jumonji, obtained by a gene-trap strategy. We investigated the number of megakaryocyte progenitors in the fetal liver, yolk sac, and peripheral blood of jumonji homozygous embryos by in vitro colony forming assay and monitored colony formation from single megakaryocyte progenitors. We also investigated the differentiation of jumonji-deficient megakaryocytes in terms of the expression of megakaryocyte differentiation markers PF4, CD62P, and GATA-1, proplatelet formation, cytoplasmic maturation, and endomitosis. We found that the population of megakaryocyte progenitors in the fetal liver, yolk sac, and peripheral blood of jumonji homozygotes increased. A fraction of megakaryocyte progenitors derived from the fetal liver of jumonji homozygotes formed larger colonies in vitro when compared with controls. This abnormality is caused by delayed growth arrest in the progeny. Immature megakaryocyte progenitors showed this abnormality. The megakaryocytes of jumonji homozygotes expressed PF4, CD62P, and GATA-1, obtained cytoplasmic maturation, extended proplatelet-like processes, and underwent endomitosis. The loss of the jumonji gene causes an increase in the number of megakaryocyte lineage cells. Our data suggest that the jumonji gene regulates proliferation but not differentiation of megakaryocyte lineage cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Possible use of ultrasound estimated bladder weight in evaluating vesicoureteral reflux in children.

The present study was designed to reveal the possible use of ultrasound estimated bladder weight (UEBW) in evaluating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children in terms of possible implication of bladder hypertrophy in VUR. In 27 children with VUR, UEBW was measured by transabdominal ultrasound. The UEBW in an individual patient was evaluated quantitatively using the percent deviation from age matched UEBW. There was a significant difference noted in the percent deviation from age-matched UEBW between patients (n = 17) with primary VUR and those (n = 10) with secondary VUR (p <.05). When analyzed together in 27 patients, a significant positive correlation (p <.05) was recognized between the percent deviation from age-matched UEBW and VUR grade. This was also the case in ten patients with secondary VUR (p <.01), but not for 17 patients with primary VUR. The measurement of UEBW might be of clinical use in evaluating the pathogenesis as well as the severity of VUR in children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Ghrelin in domestic animals: distribution in stomach and its possible role.

Ghrelin, a novel growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide, was recently isolated from rat and human stomachs. In rat, peripheral or central administration of ghrelin stimulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland. Recent work suggests that ghrelin plays an important role in energy homeostasis, body weight, and food intake. We examined the distribution of cells immunoreactive to ghrelin in the stomachs of domestic animals and rats, using a polyclonal antibody for the N-terminal fragment of rat ghrelin [1-11]. We measured the plasma levels of ghrelin before and after feeding in cows, and GH levels after central administration of ghrelin in Shiba goats, to elucidate the possible role of ghrelin. Immunostained cells were widely distributed from the neck to the base of the oxyntic gland in all animals. The plasma ghrelin concentration in cows decreased significantly 1 h after feeding, and then recovered to pre-feeding levels. Administration of ghrelin into the third ventricle in Shiba goats dramatically increased the plasma GH concentration dose-dependently. These results suggest that ghrelin plays an important role in GH secretion and feeding regulation in domestic animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Ghrelin: discovery of the natural endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

Growth hormone (GH) secretagogues (GHSs) are small synthetic molecules that act through a specific G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) called GHS-R. Until the recent identification of 'ghrelin' from rat and human stomachs, GHS-R was an orphan receptor (i.e. had no known natural ligand). Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide with an essential n-octanoyl modification at Ser3. This peptide is found in the secretory granules of X/A-like cells, whose hormonal products and physiological functions have not been previously clarified. The discovery of ghrelin indicates that the release of GH from the pituitary might be regulated not only by hypothalamic GH-releasing hormone, but also by ghrelin derived from the stomach and hypothalamus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion and fasting in gastric mucosa compared to small intestinal mucosa in rats.

The effect of ischemia-reperfusion and 48-hr fasting on apoptosis was characterized in rat gastric mucosa and compared to small intestinal mucosa. Under halothane anesthesia, the celiac artery or superior mesenteric artery in the rat was occluded for 60 min followed by reperfusion. Occlusion of the celiac artery reduced blood flow in the stomach and occlusion of the mesenteric artery reduced blood flow in the small intestine. Additional rats were fasted for 48 hr to evaluate the effect of fasting on mucosal apoptosis. The ratios of fragmented DNA to total DNA, electrophoresis, and immunohistochemical staining were examined after ischemia-reperfusion or fasting. Apoptosis was not induced significantly in the gastric mucosa after ischemia-reperfusion, although it increased dramatically in the intestinal mucosa after ischemia-reperfusion. Further, after 48 fasting, apoptosis was induced in the small intestine, but not in the stomach. These results indicate that rat gastric mucosa is not as sensitive as small intestinal mucosa to ischemia-reperfusion or fasting-induced apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Cortical lens opacification in Iceland. Risk factor analysis -- Reykjavik Eye Study.

PURPOSE: Cortical lens opacification has been associated with outdoor exposure and UV radiation more than other types of lens opacification. We studied risk factors for cortical lens opacification only, the most common as well as the earliest age related change we observe in the lens. METHODS: 1,045 persons, 583 females and 462 males, 50 years and older, underwent a detailed eye examination and answered a questionnaire. Participants with cortical lens opacification grade I, totalling 374 persons, were assigned to case-control study I, and to case-control study II those with cortical lens opacification grades II and III, totalling 82 subjects. 378 age and sex matched persons served as controls. RESULTS: Those who spent more than 4 hours/day outside on weekdays, in their 20's--30's and 40's--50's respectively, were found to have increased risk of moderate to severe cortical lens opacification. Thus the relative risk for grades II & III, was 2.80 (95% CI 1.01--7.80) and 2.91 (95% CI 1.13--9.62) respectively. Ageing and systemic cortical steroids use were also found to be risk factors. CONCLUSION: Outdoor exposure appears to be associated with increased risk of moderate to severe cortical lens opacification. Ageing is, however, the main risk factor.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Acute viral lymphadenitis mimicking low-grade peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A clinicopathological study of nine cases.

Acute viral lymphadenitis, especially infectious mononucleosis (IM), often shows the presence of Reed-Sternberg-like cells, resulting in confusion with Hodgkin's disease. However, acute viral lymphadenitis requiring differential diagnosis from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not widely recognized. We describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of lymph node lesions from nine such patients which pose serious problems of differential diagnosis from low-grade peripheral T-cell lymphoma. There were three males and six females with ages ranging from 21 to 44 years (median 25 years). All patients had "B" symptoms and multicentric lymphadenopathy. The clinical course was also self-limiting. Each lymph node specimen showed an obvious expansion of an interfollicular area by pleomorphic and polymorphous infiltration with an increased number of arborizing postcapillary venules. The infiltrate was composed of variable numbers of small and medium-sized lymphocytes, immunoblasts, plasma cells in various stage of maturation and occasional granulocytes. The small lymphocytes usually had regular round nuclei, whereas the medium-sized lymphocytes occasionally showed nuclear pleomorphism. Hyperreactivity of B-lymphocytes, including hyperplastic germinal centers and/or foci of monocytoid B-cells, was seen in parts of the lesion. The majority of the interfollicular T-lymphocytes, including T-immunoblasts, expressed CD8 antigen. Various numbers of TIA-1-positive small and medium-sized T-cells were observed in the paracortical area. Despite these findings, the overall histological picture of this series posed serious difficulties when differentially diagnosing this condition from low-grade peripheral T-cell lymphomas such as angioimmunoblastic T-cell (AILD) and T-zone types, indicating that viral lymphadenitis occasionally presents with histological features of AILD and T-zone lymphomas. To avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment, we emphasize the need to pay careful attention to the clinical and laboratory findings as well as the morphological features.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Lymph node necrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. A histopathological and immunohistochemical study of four cases.

The lymph node lesions of lupus lymphadenitis are characterized by necrosis sometimes accompanied by hematoxylin bodies, but only a few immunohistological analyses of this unique lesion have been reported. In this study we investigated the immunopathogenesis of these lesions. Lymph node specimens from four patients were analyzed immunohistochemically by applying recently developed monoclonal antibodies to immunocompetent cells. Necrosis occupied almost the entire lymph node in two cases (extensive type), whereas small foci of necrosis were found in the paracortex in the remaining two (localized type). No hematoxylin body formation was detected in any of the samples. Necrosis of the small muscular arteries, arterioles and venules was seen in the necrotic areas in all four cases. In one case of the localized type, necrotizing angitis was seen in a few arterioles and venules in the non-necrotic area. By immunohistology, amorphous depositions of immunoglobulins and C3 were demonstrated in the walls of the arterioles and venules in two cases. Our findings indicate that vasculitis due to local deposition of immune complexes in the blood vessels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of necrosis in lupus lymphadenitis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with hyperplastic germinal centers: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 10 cases.

An absence of germinal centers is one of the histological characteristics of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). We report here 10 unusual cases of AITL with hyperplastic germinal centers. The clinical presentation of each patient was characterized by generalized lymphadenopathy, constitutional symptoms and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. The initial biopsy findings of each patient were similar and were characterized by hyperplastic germinal centers with ill-defined borders and a proliferation of high endothelial venules (HEV). In the paracortical area there was a mixed infiltrate including irregularly shaped clusters or small nests of clear cells in all cases. Moreover, the clear cells invaded the lymphoid follicles, resulting in expansion of the germinal centers, except for one case. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells, including clear cells, were CD4-expressing T cells. Some of the atypical lymphocytes were also Bcl-6-positive. A majority of the follicular dendritic cell networks showed a normal/reactive or an expanded/disrupted pattern in all cases. Moreover, three lesions possessed a few large irregularly shaped proliferations of follicular dendritic cells around the HEV Four cases progressed to AITL within a few years. The present 10 cases probably represent an early stage of AITL preceding follicular dendritic cell hyperplasia. Detection of clear cells, Bcl-6-positive atypical T lymphocytes, and foci of irregularly shaped proliferation of follicular dendritic cells appears to be critical for early diagnosis and treatment of AITL with hyperplastic follicles.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Periodontal status and serum antibody titers for Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbriae in a rural population in Japan.

BACKGROUND, AIMS: The present study was undertaken to assess the periodontal status of a rural Japanese population and to study the correlation between the periodontal status and the serum antibody titers for Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) fimbriae. METHOD: A total of 236 individuals were examined for their periodontal conditions by the use of the community periodontal index for treatment needs (CPITN), and serum antibody titers for Pg fimbriae in their peripheral blood samples were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was a substantially larger proportion of edentulous subjects in the age group older than 60 years. The remaining teeth were 24.1, 23.2, 11.1 and 10.1 per person in the 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and > or = 70 age groups, respectively. The % of sextants with a CPITN code of missing sextant (MS) increased towards elderly and reached >60% in the age group of > or = 70 years, as the % of the CPITN 2, 1 or 0 sextant decreased. The % of CPITN 4 and 3 sextants did not differ between different age groups and were about 6-8% and 15-20%, respectively. The % of CPITN 1 or 0 sextants was higher in female subjects than in male subjects in the 60-69 and > or = 70 age groups, while the % of CPITN 4 or 3 sextants was higher in male subjects than in female subjects in all age groups. There was no significant difference between various age groups in the mean serum antibody titers for Pg fimbriae. The mean anti-Pg fimbriae antibody titers was significantly higher for the subjects with a maximum CPITN code 4 (max.-CPITN 4 subject) than for the subjects with lower maximum CPITN codes. The antibody titers varied extensively among the max.-CPITN 4 or 3 subjects, but not among the max.-CPITN 2/1/0 or MS subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that tooth loss is a remarkable event in elderly subjects and that oral prophylaxis and mechanical debridement should be mandatory in the population examined. It was also demonstrated that the serum antibody titers against Pg fimbriae could be useful for screening individuals with moderate to severe periodontitis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The tree squirrel HP-25 gene is a pseudogene.

The gene for the hibernation-specific protein HP-25 is expressed in the liver in hibernating species of the squirrel family (chipmunk and ground squirrel), but not in a nonhibernating species (tree squirrel). To investigate why the HP-25 gene is not expressed in the tree squirrel, we isolated the tree squirrel HP-25 gene and compared its gene structure and promoter activity with that of the chipmunk. The tree squirrel HP-25 gene is composed of three exons, and the gene structures are conserved between the tree squirrel and chipmunk. However, the tree squirrel HP-25 gene has an insertional mutation of 13 nucleotides in exon 2 that disrupts the ORF. In the chipmunk HP-25 gene, the 80-bp 5' flanking sequence is sufficient for the liver-specific promoter activity, and HNF-4, which binds to the sequence from nucleotides -67 to -51, is involved in its transcriptional regulation. In contrast, the corresponding tree squirrel 5' flanking sequence had almost no promoter activity in HepG2 cells, and HNF-4 did not bind to the corresponding region of the tree squirrel HP-25 gene. Furthermore, a tree squirrel-type G to A mutation at -57 in the chipmunk HP-25 gene promoter context abolished its binding to and transactivation by HNF-4. Thus, the point mutation in the HNF-4-binding site is likely to be involved in the lack of HP-25 gene expression in the tree squirrel.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Different roles of arteriosclerosis in the rupture of intracranial dissecting aneurysms.

AIMS: Although intracranial dissecting aneurysm (IDA) is a newly described variant of the brain aneurysms that affects mainly the vertebrobasilar arterial system, its pathogenesis remains obscure. We aimed to clarify the role of arteriosclerosis in the pathogenesis of IDA based on histopathological findings in seven autopsy cases of IDA. METHODS AND RESULTS: All cases exhibited systemic hypertension or left ventricular hypertrophy. Macroscopically, all cases exhibited subarachnoid haemorrhage. Two types of dissection were recognized in the vertebral artery. Six of seven IDA cases showed a widespread disruption of the entire thickness of the arterial wall with the formation of a dilated pseudoaneurysm, which consisted of thin adventitia (arterial wall disruption type). Medial disruption of the arterial wall and subadventitial dissecting haemorrhage were also found, resulting in the formation of a false lumen and stenosis of the 'true' lumen of the artery. However, these lesions were connected to the site of rupture of the entire arterial wall. Within 1 day after onset of IDA, the autopsy cases showed formation of fibrin thrombus, marked leucocyte infiltration and necrosis of the arterial wall at the site of the lesion. Cases that survived more than 1 week showed smooth muscle cell proliferation, macrophage accumulation and lymphocytic infiltration in the lesions. These cases showed no atherosclerotic plaque, but non-atherosclerotic fibrocellular intima. The thickness of intima and media was significantly less in the vertebral artery of IDA patients than that of non-IDA patients with systemic hypertension. On the other hand, the remaining case showed severe atherosclerosis with haemorrhage into the lipid core without connection to the arterial lumen (intra-atheromatous plaque haemorrhage type). However, unusual arterioles and neovascularization of the intra-and peri-arterial walls were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that disruption of the entire arterial wall may be a critical event in the development of IDA and result in the medial disruption and subadventitial haemorrhage. Non-atheromatous intima might function as a protective factor in arterial wall disruption. On the other hand, atherosclerosis may predispose to intra-atheromatous plaque haemorrhage type of IDA through intramural haemorrhage originating from the newly formed vessels.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

iNOS expression by activated neutrophils from patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) is associated with various inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. Although activated neutrophils are presumably involved in septic organ injury, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by these cells has not been elucidated. The authors investigated whether activated neutrophils in sepsis could induce mRNA for iNOS and produce NO. METHODS: Peripheral blood neutrophils were obtained from healthy volunteers, and septic patients underwent a surgical operation. The neutrophils of the healthy volunteers were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The iNOS expression and NO production were examined by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Griess method, respectively. RESULTS: Circulating neutrophils obtained from patients with sepsis expressed higher levels of iNOS mRNA than those from patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Resting neutrophils from normal controls did not express iNOS mRNA and thus did not produce NO. After in vitro stimulation with LPS and TNF-alpha, the neutrophils did express iNOS mRNA and thus produce NO. CONCLUSION: Activated neutrophils may be one source of NO production in sepsis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Suppressive effects of oxcarbazepine on tooth pulp-evoked potentials recorded at the trigeminal spinal tract nucleus in cats.

1. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of oxcarbazepine, a keto derivitive of carbamazepine (an anticonvulsant), in an animal model. To evoke a nociceptive response, we electrically stimulated the maxillary canine tooth pulp (MCTP) in anaesthetized (allobarbital-urethane), spontaneously breathing cats. 2. The evoked potentials were recorded from the superficial layers of the caudal part of the trigeminal spinal tract nucleus (5ST). We examined a slow component with a large amplitude (the P3 component) in evoked compound potentials; its mean conduction velocity was 1.7 m/s, suggesting a response mediated by C-fibres. 3. To confirm that the P3 component was related to pain sensation, we used morphine, a most efficacious antinociceptive agent, in the present study. The P3 component was significantly suppressed by intravenous administration of morphine (3 mg/kg) and was also suppressed by microinjection of morphine (2 microg) into the recording site of the 5ST. These results suggest that the P3 component is involved in the transmission of nociceptive information. 4. We compared the effect of oxcarbazepine with mexiletine; both are known to block neuronal Na+ channels. Intravenous administration of mexiletine suppressed the P3 component at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Microinjection of mexiletine (10 microg) into the recording site of the 5ST tended to suppress the P3 component, but this effect was not significant. 5. Intravenous administration of oxcarbazepine (1-10 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the P3 component, which was significantly suppressed at 10 mg/kg oxcarbazepine. Intravenous administration of 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide (MHD), a metabolite of oxcarbazepine, at doses of 3-30 mg/kg caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the P3 component. Oxcarbazepine was not available for the microinjection study because it is not water soluble. We used MHD for the microinjection study instead of oxcarbazepine, because MHD can be dissolved in water up to 3 mg/mL. Microinjections of MHD (6 microg) into the recording site of the 5ST suppressed the P3 component. These results indicate that oxcarbazepine has an antinociceptive action.

Analgesics, Opioid↗