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Biomedical subjects

M Nishikawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Nishikawa.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase in heart --effects of triiodothyronine and angiotensin II on its activity and mRNA in cultured rat myocytes.

We previously demonstrated that iodothyronine 5'-deiodination (5'D) activity is present and increased by triiodothyronine (T3) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in cultured rat cardiac myocytes. To further elucidate the stimulatory mechanism of Ang II, we investigated the effect of intracellular Ca2+ and protein kinase C on myocardial 5'D activity. Moreover, to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the stimulatory effect of T3 and Ang II, we detected the mRNA levels by means of a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 5'D activity was increased by adding Bay-k 8644, Ca2+ channel agonist and the effect of Bay-k 8644 was completely blocked by nifedipine, a Ca2+ channel antagonist. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a protein kinase C activator, similarly stimulated 5'D activity. The addition of a high concentration (20-40 mM) of K+, which caused the depolarization of the membrane had significant stimulatory effects on 5'D activity. Type 1 deiodinase (D1) mRNA was evident in myocardial cells by RT-PCR in a single 758 bp band similar to that in the liver. Cardiac fibroblasts did not express the D1 mRNA. A significant increase in D1 mRNA was also evident after adding T3 and Ang II. These findings indicate that 5'D activity in myocardial cells is increased by activating the voltage sensitive Ca2+ channel, protein kinase C, and membrane depolarization, and that the D1 mRNA is present in cardiac myocytes and is increased by T3 and Ang II. This study therefore suggests that Ang II could affect the action of thyroid hormone on the heart by increasing the D1 gene expression.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗
PubMed1999

High incidence of persistent primitive arteries in moyamoya and quasi-moyamoya diseases.

This study investigated the incidences of persistent primitive arteries in patients with moyamoya disease, unilateral moyamoya disease, and quasi-moyamoya disease. Cerebral angiograms of 50 patients (39 moyamoya disease patients, 6 unilateral moyamoya disease patients, and 5 quasi-moyamoya disease patients) were retrospectively reviewed. There were 35 females and 15 males, aged from 3 to 63 years (mean 27.4 years). Persistent primitive carotid-basilar artery anastomoses were observed in three patients: primitive hypoglossal artery in one moyamoya disease patient, primitive trigeminal artery variant in one unilateral moyamoya disease patient, and an anastomosis between the accessory meningeal artery and the anterosuperior cerebellar artery in one quasi-moyamoya disease patient. The ophthalmic artery originated from the middle meningeal artery in three moyamoya and two quasi-moyamoya disease patients. The incidence of the persistent primitive arteries is significantly higher in patients with moyamoya disease (10.7%) and quasi-moyamoya disease (60%) than in patients with other disease (0.67%) (p < 0.001), so congenital factors may be important in the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The influence of craniofacial form on bite force and EMG activity of masticatory muscles. VIII-1. Bite force of complete denture wearers.

Today, Japan as a society is aging. The average life expectancy of Japanese people is approximately 80 years. One result of this is that preservation of masticatory functions in elderly people has become increasingly important from the viewpoint of quality of life. In the future, the use of dentures in facilitating masticatory functions as a substitute for teeth that are lost during the aging process will assume greater significance. Accordingly, appropriate evaluation and judgment of complete dentures for edentate jaws is crucial. This study was designed to elucidate the effects of the craniofacial form in complete denture wearers on the mode of activity of gnathic functions. First, subjects wearing complete dentures in both the upper and lower jaws were instructed to carry out vertical clenching, and bite force direction was determined. These data were then related to the subject's craniofacial morphology. These results suggest that the bite force direction in complete denture wearers is not affected by gender differences, but is closely associated with lateral craniofacial morphology, and that appropriate setting of occlusal plane and the occluded vertical dimension is extremely important in the preparation of complete dentures.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of mannosylated bovine serum albumin as a liver cell-specific carrier: quantitative comparison with other hepatotropic ligands.

To assess the feasibility of mannosylated macromolecules as a liver-specific carrier system, hepatic uptake characteristics of mannosylated bovine serum albumin (Man-BSA) were pharmacokinetically investigated. After intravenous injection, 111In-Man18-BSA accumulated in the liver up to 70% of dose at 2h; the endothelial cells and Kupffer cells contributed about 66% and 21% of the uptake, respectively. In single-pass perfusion experiments using rat liver at varying inflow concentrations (0.1-2.0 microg/ml), 111In-Man18-BSA and 111In-Man33-BSA were continuously extracted by the liver and their extraction ratios decreased with the increasing inflow concentrations. The outflow curves of each 111In-Man-BSA at three concentrations were simultaneously fitted to a pharmacokinetic model including a binding to the cell surface and an internalization, by using a nonlinear regression program MULTI(RUNGE). The binding constant augmented with the increase in the number of mannose per BSA, whereas the internalization rate constant was quite comparable for both derivatives. The pharmacokinetic analysis has demonstrated that the uptake process of 111In-Man-BSA is characterized to possess fewer binding sites and a greater internalization rate in comparison with other liver-specific carriers such as galactosylated, succinylated and cationized BSAs. These results will provide useful information in designing drug targeting systems to the liver nonparenchymal cells via mannose receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Transumbilical embolization of a congenital dural arteriovenous fistula at the torcular herophili in a neonate. Case report.

A neonate, in whom a congenital cerebral vascular anomaly had been diagnosed prenatally, exhibited progressive high-output congestive heart failure soon after birth. Cerebral angiography revealed a congenital dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with a huge dural lake located at the torcular herophili. In addition to the meningeal blood supply, an unusual pial blood supply from all cerebellar arteries was observed to feed the fistula. The patient was treated by repeated transarterial and transvenous embolization through the umbilical venous route. To the authors' knowledge, neither the existence of a congenital dural AVF at the torcular herophili presenting with an enormous pial blood supply or the technique of trans-umbilical venous intervention has been reported in the literature.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗
PubMed1999

Fusiform vertebral artery aneurysms as a cause of dissecting aneurysms. Report of two autopsy cases and a review of the literature.

Two autopsy cases of angiographically determined fusiform aneurysms of the vertebral arteries (VAs) are reported and the appropriate literature is reviewed to investigate the pathological characteristics of both fusiform and dissecting VA aneurysms and the pathogenesis of dissecting aneurysms. One patient had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to dissection of a previously documented incidental fusiform aneurysm. The other patient had harbored incidental fusiform aneurysms coexistent with a ruptured aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The location and pathological features of the aneurysms were similar in the two cases. The aneurysms in both cases displayed intimal thickening, disruption of the internal elastic lamina, and degeneration of the media. A mural hemorrhage and patchy calcification were also found in the case that included SAH. Based on their pathological investigation of these two cases and a review of reported cases, the authors propose that incidental fusiform aneurysms in the VAs are characterized by weakness in the internal elastic lamina and, therefore, have the potential to become dissecting aneurysms, resulting in a fatal prognosis. This suggests that long-term control of blood pressure is mandatory in patients with incidental fusiform aneurysms in the VAs.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Age-related changes in Bruch's membrane in rats].

PURPOSE: We investigated rats were worth the experimental animal on the aging changes in Bruch's membrane. METHODS: We did an ultramicromorphological study on the aging changes in Bruch's membrane, in male Sprauge-Dawley rats at 1,6,12 and 27 months after their birth. RESULTS: With the aging, the basement membranes on both sides of Bruch's membrane have become thick. At 6 months of age, the basement membranes of the endothelial cells of the choriocapillaris were found to be multilayered and cracked and pseudopodia of the endothelium were also observed toward the retinal pigment epithelium. At 12 months of age, we found vacuoles in the basal portion of the retinal pigment epithelium, as well as fibrillae and a part of the process of a cell in the outer collagenous zone correspond with the portion of the multilayered and cracked basement membranes of the endothelial cells of the choriocapillaris. At the age of 27 months, the basement membranes were thicker and a basal laminar deposit was seen. Prominent changes such as disappearance of the elastic fibers and increase of the collagenous fibers and fibrillae were also seen in some portions. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the aging changes in Bruch's membrane of rats were remarkably reinforced in accordance with the age, it were appeared these rats were worth the experimental animal.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in Bruch's membrane in experimental hypercholesteremia in rats].

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of high cholesterol diet for the aging changes in Bruch's membrane of rats. METHODS: After feeding a 4% cholesterol diet for 15 weeks to three young rats 3 months old and four aged rats 23 months old, we observed the morphological changes of Bruch's membrane by electron microscopy, and made a comparison with rats fed an ordinary diet. RESULTS: In one young rat fed a high-cholesterol diet, the endothelial basement membrane of the choriocapillaris formed multiple folds separated from the plasma membrane of the endothelium and showed lamellar thickening and crack in some areas. The elastic fiber layer in Bruch's membrane disappeared partly and some new microfibrils appeared. In one aged rat fed a high-cholesterol diet, the endothelial basement membrane of the choriocapillaris showed more lamellar thickening with lumps in some parts. Compared with rats fed an ordinary diet, rats fed a high-cholesterol diet showed thickening of the basement membrane and the changes were more severe. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that high-cholesterol diet might promote age-related changes of Bruch's membrane.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Targeted delivery and improved therapeutic potential of catalase by chemical modification: combination with superoxide dismutase derivatives.

Four types of bovine liver catalase (CAT) derivatives, succinylated (Suc-CAT), galactosylated (Gal-CAT), mannosylated (Man-CAT), and polyethylene glycol conjugate (PEG-CAT), were synthesized and their pharmacokinetics and therapeutic potential in a hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury model were studied in mice. About 90% of the CAT enzymatic activity was retained after chemical modification. Biodistribution studies showed that 111indium (111In)-Gal-CAT accumulated selectively in the liver parenchymal cells as 111In-CAT, whereas an increased amount of 111In-Suc-CAT and 111In-Man-CAT was delivered to liver nonparenchymal cells. 111In-PEG-CAT exhibited prolonged retention in plasma. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the hepatic uptake clearances of 111In-Suc-CAT, 111In-Gal-CAT, and 111In-Man-CAT were much greater than that of 111In-CAT, whereas that of 111In-PEG-CAT was very small. In the ischemia/reperfusion injury model, in which hepatic injury was induced by occlusion of the portal vein for 30 min followed by 1 h reperfusion, the elevation of plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels was slightly inhibited by treatment with native CAT or Gal-CAT. PEG-CAT was less potent. In contrast, Suc-CAT and Man-CAT effectively suppressed the increase in plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. Coinjection of mannosylated superoxide dismutase marginally improved the inhibitory effects of CAT derivatives. These results demonstrate that targeted CAT delivery to liver nonparenchymal cells via chemical modification is a promising approach to prevent hepatic injuries caused by reactive oxygen species. The potential usefulness of combining of CAT and superoxide dismutase derivatives is also demonstrated.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1999

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1997). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The frequencies of isolation and susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents were investigated on 560 bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during the period of June 1997 to May 1998. Of the above bacterial isolates, Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 29.3% and a majority of them were Enterococcus faecalis. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 70.7% and most of them were Escherichia coli. Susceptibilities of several isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as followed; 1. Enterococcus faecalis Ampicillin (ABPC) showed the highest activity against E. faecalis isolated from patients with UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml. Imipenem (IPM) and vancomycin (VCM) were also active with the MIC90s of 2 micrograms/ml. The others had low activities with the MIC90s of 16 micrograms/ml or above. 2. Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA VCM and arbekacin (ABK) showed the highest activities against both S. aureus and MRSA isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90s of them were 1 microgram/ml. The others except minocycline (MINO) had low activities with the MIC90s of 32 micrograms/ml or above. More than a half of S. aureus strains (including MRSA) showed high susceptibilities to gentamicin (GM) and MINO, the MIC50s of 0.25 microgram/ml or 0.5 microgram/ml. 3. Enterobacter cloacae IPM showed the highest activity against E. cloacae. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 1 microgram/ml. The MIC90s of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and tosufloxacin (TFLX) were 1 microgram/ml, the MIC90s of amikacin (AMK) and ofloxacin (OFLX) were 4 micrograms/ml, the MIC90 of GM was 16 micrograms/ml. Among E. cloacae strains, those with low susceptibilities to quinolones have decreased in 1997, compared with those in 1996. But the other drugs were not so active in 1997 as 1996. 4. Escherichia coli All drugs except penicillins were active against E. coli with the MIC90s of 8 micrograms/ml or below. Particularly, flomoxef (FMOX), cefmenoxime (CMX), cefpirome (CPR), cefozopran (CZOP), IPM, CPFX and TFLX showed the highest activities against E. coli with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. 5. Klebsiella pneumoniae K. pneumoniae was susceptible to almost all the drugs except penicillins. Carumonam (CRMN) had the strongest activity with the MICs for all strains equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. FMOX, CPR, CZOP, CPFX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. The MIC90s of quinolones had changed into a better state in 1997, compared with those in 1996. 6. Proteus mirabilis Almost all the drugs except ABPC and MINO showed high activities against P. mirabilis. CMX, ceftazidime (CAZ), latamoxef (LMOX), CPR, cefixime (CFIX), cefpodoxime (CPDX) and CRMN showed the highest activities against P. mirabilis. The MICs of them for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. CPFX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. 7. Pseudomonas aeruginosa The MIC90 of GM was 8 micrograms/ml, the MIC90s of AMK, IPM and meropenem (MEPM) were 16 micrograms/ml. The others were not so active against P. aeruginosa with the MIC90s of 32 micrograms/ml or above. The MIC90s of quinolones had changed into a lower state in 1997, compared with those in 1996. 8. Serratia marcescens IPM showed the highest activity against S. marcescens. Its MIC90 was 2 micrograms/ml. GM was also active with the MIC90 of 4 micrograms/ml. The MIC90s of the others were 16 micrograms/ml or above. The MIC50s of CRMN was 0.125 microgram/ml or below, the MIC50s of CPR and CZOP were 0.25 microgram/ml.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Possible involvement of bcl-2 in regulation of cell-cycle progression of haemopoietic cells by transforming growth factor-beta1.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) acts directly on haemopoietic progenitor cells to regulate their growth. To investigate a possible link between the action of TGF-beta1 and cell death regulators such as bcl-2, we utilized Ba/F3 cells, the interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent growth of which could be modulated by TGF-beta1, as well as haemopoietic progenitor cells. We demonstrate here that up-regulation of bcl-2 protein (Bcl-2) as well as that of an inhibitor of cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase complex, p27, was associated with TGF-beta1-induced deceleration of the cell-cycling of haemopoietic progenitor cells and Ba/F3 cells. The data from cell-cycle analysis of Ba/F3 cells showed that TGF-beta1 retarded the G1 to S phase transition. Analysis of cells with the potential to express Bcl-2 in an inducible manner indicated that up-regulation of Bcl-2 was sufficient for not only an increase in the level of p27 but also to inhibit the cell growth. Using c-kit-overexpressing cells, we observed that the potential of TGF-beta1 to up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and p27 could be counteracted by the c-kit ligand, stem cell factor. These results demonstrate that Bcl-2 exerts an essential function in the regulation of G1 to S phase transition of haemopoietic cells by TGF-beta1.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[A clinical study on long-term outcome in patients with syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation].

To investigate the long-term outcome in patients with syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation (chronic tonsilar herniation), we investigated the actual factors of the patient's problems by a questionnaire for the patient. Replies to the questionnaires were obtained from 44 patients with syringomyelia who had been treated with expansive suboccipital cranioplasty with dural plasty (with plugging of the central canal in 20 patients). In 25 cases (68%) in whom the motor dysfunction of the upper extremities remained, the symptoms improved in 16 cases (43%) and were unchanged in 9 cases (24%). In 18 cases (64%) in whom the motor dysfunction of the lower extremities remained, the symptoms improved in 10 cases (36%) and were unchanged in 8 cases (29%). In 31 cases (78%) in whom the sensory disturbance remained, the symptoms improved in 19 cases (48%) and were unchanged in 12 cases (30%). The motor dysfunction of the upper extremities persisted significantly in more patients having a duration of illness over 2 years than in patients with those less than 2 years. Sensory disturbance persisted significantly in more patients with a duration of illness over 3 years than in patients with that less than 3 years. These results suggest that firstly, sensory disturbance (disturbance of the posterior horn) is most apt to remain, then motor dysfunction of the upper extremities (disturbance of the anterior horn) and followed by motor dysfunction of the lower extremities (disturbance of the pyramidal tract). We conclude that patients should be treated before having irreversible spinal cord disturbance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation: multi-staged feeder clipping in two neonatal cases with intractable heart failure].

The authors reported the surgical experience of two cases of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation in the newborn, whose congestive high-output cardiac failure was intractable. Along with the intensive care to clinical manifestations of the heart failure, multi-staged feeder clipping was carried out to decrease the high-flow shunt of the malformation. As stages going on, heart failure was relieved gradually and cathecolamines were weaned. Although certain retardation became apparent in both cases, they are showing satisfactory development in the long-term follow up. By the recent advancement of the embolization technique, the embolization appears to have already taken place the treatment of choice for this malformation. According to the neonatal evaluation score of Lasjaunias, the embolization would no longer be recommendation in neonates, whose general condition scored less than eight points. The authors believe, based on our two cases, that multi-staged feeder clipping is one of the effective modality of treatment in neonates of the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation with severe multiorgan failure.

Cardiac Output, High↗
PubMed1999

Measurement of serum leptin in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Leptin, the product of the obese gene, is produced exclusively in fat cells. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the clinical significance of measuring serum leptin in 56 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (HD), we measured leptin levels using radioimmunoassay in 34 normal volunteers and in 56 patients on HD. RESULTS: Normal serum leptin averaged 5.7 +/- 0.7 (mean +/- SEM) ng/ml, which correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with the body fat percentage as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum leptin in HD patients ranged from 1.3 to 142 ng/ml. The mean serum leptin analyzed after the logarithmic conversion was 5.6 ng/ml, which was not significantly different from the normal control value, although the body fat percentage was significantly lower than normal volunteers. There was a significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation between body fat percentage and serum leptin in both normal controls and HD patients. The slope of the regression curve was steeper in HD patients than in normal controls. CONCLUSION: (1) serum leptin levels to body fat mass are significantly higher in HD patients than controls; (2) the variability is much wider in HD patients; and (3) a significant relation exists between percent body fat and log serum leptin, the relation being steeper in HD patients than in controls.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1997). III Secular changes in susceptibility].

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Echerichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during June 1997 to May 1998, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period in earlier years. 1. E. faecalis The MIC90s of quinolones for E. faecalis isolated from uncomplicated UTIs have changed better state during the latest period. Among E. faecalis strains, those with high susceptibilities to ampicillin (ABPC) and minocycline (MINO) appeared to had decreased during period of 1995-1997, which recovered during the latest period. 2. S. aureus The sensitive strains of S. aureus to imipenem (IPM) and clindamycin (CLDM) had increased during the period of 1996-1997, but those have decreased again during the latest period. 3. E. coli The susceptibilities of E. coli to MINO have been better in the latest period with the MIC90 was ranged from 2 to 4 micrograms/ml. The susceptibilities to quinolones of E. coli isolated from complicated UTIs had decreased during the period of 1995-1997, but those have recovered during the latest period. 4. Klebsiella spp. Among Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from uncomplicated UTIs, those with low susceptibilities to almost cephems have increased in the latest period. To other antimicrobial agents, the susceptibilities of Klebsiella spp. did not show any changes during the latest period. 5. P. aeruginosa The susceptibilities to most agents of P. aeruginosa did not show any changes, the decreased susceptibilities to cefozopran (CZOP), carbapenems and monobactams of P. aeruginosa observed in 1996 appeared to have been retrieved in 1997. These susceptibility changes should be utilized in determining clinical treatments.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Development of a hepatocyte-specific prostaglandin E(1) polymeric prodrug and its potential for preventing carbon tetrachloride-induced fulminant hepatitis in mice.

A polymeric prodrug of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) was synthesized using galactosylated poly(L-glutamic acid hydrazide) (Gal-HZ-PLGA) as a biodegradable and targetable carrier to hepatocytes. Poly(L-glutamic acid hydrazide) was prepared by reacting poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) with hydrazine monohydrate, followed by reaction with 2-imino-2-methoxyethyl-1-thiogalactosides to obtain Gal-HZ-PLGA after i.v. injection. (111)In-labeled galactosylated poly(L-glutamic acid hydrazide) ((111)In-Gal-HZ-PLGA) rapidly accumulated in the liver in a dose-dependent manner, whereas (111)In-poly(L-glutamic acid hydrazide) did not, indicating the involvement of a galactose-specific mechanism in the uptake of (111)In-Gal-HZ-PLGA. Fractionation of liver cells revealed that (111)In-Gal-HZ-PLGA was preferentially taken up by liver parenchymal cells. After being taken up by the liver, (111)In-Gal-HZ-PLGA was gradually degraded, and radioactive metabolites with low molecular weight were detected within 10 min after injection. Then, PGE(1) or [(3)H]PGE(1) was coupled to Gal-HZ-PLGA via a hydrazone bond under mild conditions to obtain PGE(1) conjugate. After i.v. injection, [(3)H]PGE(1) conjugate was rapidly taken up by the liver (more than 80% of the dose). After injection of the conjugate, (3)H radioactivity remained in the liver, representing about 70% of the dose, even at 24 h, whereas little radioactivity remained in the organ at 1 h after the injection of free [(3)H]PGE(1). Finally, its pharmacological activity was examined in mice with fulminant hepatitis induced by peritoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. The i.v. injection of PGE(1) conjugate at a dose of 1 mg (0.074 mg PGE(1))/kg effectively inhibited the increase of plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity, whereas twice this dose (0.15 mg/kg) of free PGE(1) had little effect. These results suggest that the PGE(1) conjugate is an excellent polymeric prodrug of PGE(1) for hepatitis therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

[Animal models for autoimmune thyroid disease].

Animal models for chronic thyroiditis include (1) experimental autoimmune thyroiditis induced by immunizing rabbits or rodents with thyroid extracts or thyroglobulin and (2) spontaneous thyroiditis in certain species of rodents and chickens. For Graves' disease, no spontaneous animal models are reported. An animal model for Graves' disease has been developed by xenotransplantation of Graves' thyroid tissue plus autologous immune cells to immunodeficient mice. Another animal model for Graves' disease is made by immunizing TSH receptor-peptide or protein to mice. Animal models are very useful for studying etiology of autoimmune thyroid diseases, although no current animal models are satisfactory for human autoimmune thyroid disease.

Animals↗