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Biomedical subjects

M Ozaki

Publications and source records attributed to M Ozaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[A case of olfactory neuroblastoma with intracranial, intraorbital extension and multiple metastases].

A 51-year-old man presented with headache, vomiting and exophthalmus. Neurological examination revealed anosmia, papilledema, decrease in visual acuity, and disability in ocular movement. MRI showed a huge mass which occupied the whole nasal cavity and compressed the frontal lobe upwards and the eyes laterally. CT revealed an extensive bony destruction of the frontal base and bilateral orbits. The mass was biopsied transnasally, and was histologically diagnosed as olfactory neuroblastoma. It was highly radiosensitive and disappeared with a local irradiation of 40 Gy. Three months later the patient complained of a pain radiating from the neck to the right arm. MRI demonstrated a metastasis at the vertebral body of C5. Local irradiation of 30 Gy was performed. The metastatic lesion was removed, and a bone graft taken from the iliac bone was transplanted via an anterior cervical approach. Three weeks later, however, a hard mass appeared in the right of his neck and was surgically removed. By histological examination, it was also identified as a metastatic neuroblastoma to the cervical lymph node. A week after the removal of the cervical metastatic lesion, the metastasis extended rapidly to the left cervical and the bilateral hilar lymph nodes of the lungs. Chemotherapy was performed with a total doses of 800mg of cyclophosphamide, 1.5mg of vincristine, 40mg of pirarubicin, and 80mg of cisplatin. The lesions disappeared within 7 days. However, the patient died from disseminated intravascular coagulation 10 months after the onset. Olfactory neuroblastoma is usually an intranasal neoplasm, but it rarely extends intracranially and intraorbitally as is shown in our case. Basically, olfactory neuroblastoma is a relatively slow-growing tumor though it has a tendency to develop local recurrences over long periods even after aggressive primary treatment, and accompanied with distant metastases. However, our patient showed a very short survival time. Invasive extension and multiple metastases occurred during a short period, followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Combined chemotherapy at the initial treatment may be recommended in such an extensive case.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1996

Analysis of the mRNA cap-binding ability of human eukaryotic initiation factor-4E by use of recombinant wild-type and mutant forms.

In order to identify the amino acid residues necessary for the selective recognition of the mRNA cap structure by human eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF-4E), which plays a central role in the first step of mRNA translation, we prepared recombinant wild-type and fourteen mutant forms and compared their cap-binding abilities by affinity chromatography. By the direct expression of a synthetic gene encoding human eIF-4E as the soluble form in Escherichia coli and the application on a 7-methylguanosine-5'-triphosphate-Sepharose 4B cap affinity column, pure recombinant eIF-4E was prepared; the optimum pH for the binding of the mRNA cap was 7.5. Among the amino acid residues conserved among various eIF-4E species, each of 14 functional residues was replaced with a nonpolar amino acid (alanine or leucine). All mutant eIF-4E genes, which were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis, were expressed in the same way as the wild type, and their cap-binding abilities were compared with that of the wild type. Consequently, all eight tryptophan residues. Glu103, and two histidine residues at positions 37 and 200 in human recombinant eIF-4E were suggested to be important for the recognition of the mRNA cap structure through direct interaction and/or indirect contributions. Indirect contributions included the construction of the overall protein structure, especially the cap-binding pocket.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Opioid peptide participates in post-tetanic twitch inhibition in guinea pig isolated ileum.

The effects of a mixture of peptidase inhibitors, consisting of 100 nM each of amastatin, phosphoramidon, and captopril, on the twitch inhibitory response (0.1 Hz, 0.5 ms duration, maximum intensity) exerted by opioid peptides were investigated. The opioid peptides, Met-enkephalin (50-200 nM), dynorphin(1-13) (0.2-1 nM), and beta h-endorphin (20-100 nM) concentration-dependently inhibited the electrically evoked twitch response. In the presence of the mixture of peptidase inhibitors, the twitch inhibition evoked by Met-enkephalin was significantly increased; however, the twitch inhibition evoked by beta h-endorphin and dynorphin(1-13) was only slightly increased. These increases were abolished by naloxone (NLX; 100 nM). Inhibition of the twitch response (0.1 Hz, 0.5 ms duration, maximum intensity) induced after high frequency stimulation (10 Hz, 0.5 ms pulse width, maximum voltage for various lengths of time) (post-tetanic twitch inhibition) was investigated in isolated guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscles. The mixture of peptidase inhibitors, which did not affect the twitch response or ACh-contraction, increased post-tetanic twitch inhibition. This increase was abolished by naloxone (100 nM). These results suggested that the potentiated post-tetanic twitch inhibition evoked by the peptidase inhibitors in the ileum was due primarily to mu-ligand(s) rather than to the kappa-type of endogenous opioid ligand(s) released from opioidergic neurons.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1996

A comparison of four infrared tympanic thermometers with tympanic membrane temperatures measured by thermocouples.

PURPOSE: To compare measurements made with four infrared tympanic thermometers (Genius, Thermopit, Quickthermo, and Thermoscan) with those recorded from thermocouples positioned in the contralateral ear. METHODS: Four tympanic thermometers were evaluated in 50 healthy volunteers (12 female and 38 male). Temperatures were measured, in random order, at the right tympanic membrane four times and the highest temperature was considered to be the true value measured by each thermometer. The control temperature was measured at the left tympanic membrane using Mon-a-Therm thermocouples. RESULTS: The tympanic membrane temperature measured by Genius correlated best with the Mon-a-therm measurement (TM) (r = 0.74). The tympanic membrane temperatures measured by Thermopit, Quickthermo, and Thermoscan correlated moderately with TM (r = 0.56, 0.63, and 0.58, respectively). Mean differences between TM and each temperature (TG, TTP, TQ, and TTS) were -0.3, 0.73, 0.42, and -0.3 degrees C, respectively. Likewise standard deviations were 0.33, 0.37, 0.35, and 0.35. CONCLUSION: We conclude that all but the Thermopit (TTP) are similarly useful for the management of patients during anaesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hypoglossal neurinoma extending intra- and extracranially: case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypoglossal neurinoma is very rare; our case is the 46th case. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a 59-year-old woman with hypoglossal neurinoma. Her equilibrium state was disturbed due to vestibular dysfunction and she exhibited right hypoglossal palsy with glossal hemiatrophy. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large bony erosion of the right hypoglossal canal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed intra- and extracranial tumor extension. There was an intracranial mass attached to the enlarged hypoglossal vertebral and posterior inferior cerebellar artery medially. The extracranial part of the mass extended along the course of the hypoglossal nerve through the enlarged hypoglossal canal. The intracranial part of the tumor was totally removed via the transcondylar approach. The diameter of the origin of the posterior interior cerebellar artery was narrow before tumor removal; it increased after surgery due to decompression. A histological diagnosis of neurilemoma was made. Her symptoms due to vestibular dysfunction disappeared postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient's difficulty with balance was thought to be an ischemic symptom due to circulation disturbance of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. It disappeared after tumor removal. Surgery may be necessary later if further growth of the extracranial part of the neurinoma becomes evident.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

Temperatures measured by a deep body thermometer (Coretemp) compared with tissue temperatures measured at various depths using needles placed into the sole of the foot.

Continuous monitoring of body temperature during anaesthesia is a widely accepted clinical practice for which a variety of techniques are used. In this study, the accuracy of the deep body thermometer (Coretemp) was compared with temperatures measured by needle thermocouples. With IRB approval and informed consent, seven ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing otolaryngeal surgery were studied. General anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade were induced with thiamylal and vecuronium. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane at an end-tidal concentration of 1.0-2.0% and 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen. After induction of general anaesthesia, subcutaneous temperature was measured at the sole of the left foot using a Coretemp. Additionally 8-, 18-, and 38-mm-long needle thermocouples were inserted into the the sole of the left foot close to Coretemp and skin-surface temperature was also recorded adjacent to the needles. The Coretemp measurement (Tc) correlated best with 18-mm-deep needle temperature (r2 = 0.87). There was also a good correlation between Tc and 38-mm-deep needle temperature (r2 = 0.83). Skin and 8-mm-deep needle temperatures correlated poorly or only moderately with Tc (r2 = 0.67, 0.75, respectively). These results indicate that temperatures measured by Coretemp well reflect the temperatures at a depth of 18 mm or more from the skin into the foot.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1996

Prediction of movement during propofol/nitrous oxide anesthesia. Performance of concentration, electroencephalographic, pupillary, and hemodynamic indicators.

BACKGROUND: Movement in response to painful stimulation is the end point classically used to assess the potency of anesthetic agents. In this study, the ability of modeled propofol effect-site concentration to predict movement in volunteers during propofol/nitrous oxide anesthesia was tested, then it was compared with the predictive abilities of the Bispectral Index and 95% spectral edge frequency of the electroencephalogram, pupillary reflex amplitude, and systolic arterial blood pressure. In addition, the relationships between simple end points of loss and recovery of consciousness, and pupillary, hemodynamic, and propofol concentration indicators were studied. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were anesthetized with an infusion of propofol, which was increased in three equal steps to 21 mg.kg lean body mass-1.h-1. After loss of the ability to hold a syringe and of the eyelash reflex, 60% nitrous oxide was introduced and the trachea was intubated without the use of muscle relaxants. The propofol infusion rate then was decreased to 15.4 mg.kg lean body mass-1.h-1. Ten minutes later, tetanic electrical stimulation was administered to the thigh via needle electrodes: if movement was observed within 1 min, the propofol infusion rate was increased by 1.75 mg.kg lean body mass-1.h-1 5 min after the stimulus; if not, it was similarly decreased. This 15-min sequence was repeated until volunteers "crossed over" from movement to no movement (or vice versa) four times. The propofol infusion rate then was increased to 21 mg.kg lean body mass-1.h-1, nitrous oxide was discontinued, the trachea was extubated, and the infusion rate was decreased in five equal steps over 50 min. The times at which the eyelash reflex returned and the birth date was recalled were recorded. The electroencephalogram was monitored continuously (FP1, FP2, ref: nasion, ground: mastoid). Measurements of the pupillary response, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded during induction and awakening, just before and for 5 min after each stimulation. Arterial blood samples were obtained for propofol assay, and propofol effect-site concentrations were calculated at each time. The predictive value of indicators was compared using a new static, the prediction probability (PK). RESULTS: Loss and return of the eyelash reflex occurred at greater propofol effect-site concentrations than either dropping the syringe or recall of the birthday. The propofol effect-site concentration (in the presence of 60% nitrous oxide) predicted to prevent movement after a supramaximal stimulus in 50% of volunteers was 1.80 micrograms/ml (95% confidence limits: 1.40-2.34 micrograms/ml). The Bispectral Index (PK = 0.86), 95% spectral edge frequency (PK = 0.81), pupillary reflex amplitude (PK = 0.74), and systolic arterial blood pressure (PK = 0.78) did not differ significantly from modeled propofol effect-site concentration (PK = 0.76) in their ability to predict movement. CONCLUSIONS: Indicators of pharmacodynamic effect, such as the electroencephalogram, pupillary light reflex, and systolic arterial blood pressure, predict movement as well as effect-site concentration during propofol/nitrous oxide anesthesia. Loss and return of the eyelash reflex correspond to a deeper level of anesthesia than syringe-dropping or recall of the birth date.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Uptake and intracellular activity of NM394, a new quinolone, in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The uptake of NM394, a new quinolone, by and its subsequent elution from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were studied and compared with those of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The kinetics of the uptake of NM394 was similar to that of ciprofloxacin. The maximum intracellular-to-extracellular concentration ratio was 12.3, compared with 8.6 for ciprofloxacin and 4.9 for ofloxacin at the extracellular concentration of 20 micrograms/ml. The elution of NM394 from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurs relatively slowly; 5 min after the removal of extracellular NM394, nearly 100% still remained in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, compared with ofloxacin, which was so rapidly eluted that only 12% remained. The uptake of NM394 was significantly decreased at 4 degrees C and by the presence of NaCN but was not affected by the presence of L-glycine, L-leucine, L-serine, adenosine, or NaF. NM394 showed intracellular activity at a concentration of 0.1 microgram/ml that significantly reduced the number of phagocytosed Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells with 2 h of incubation. These results suggest that uptake of NM394 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurs via an active transport system differing from that of ofloxacin, whose uptake is affected by the presence of L-glycine and L-leucine, and that once accumulated, NM394 remains intracellularly active and participates in protection against bacterial infection.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1996

Estrogen metabolism and impaired spermatogenesis in germ cell tumors of the testis.

We evaluated spermatogenesis in 36 patients with germ cell tumors [11 with seminoma (S) and 25 with nonseminoma (NS)] in terms of sperm concentration and histological score (Johnsen's mean score) of spermatogenesis in the ipsilateral and contralateral testes. We also measured the steroid concentration in the spermatic vein of the tumor-bearing side and performed biochemical and immunohistochemical studies of aromatase activity of the tumor to investigate the mechanism of exocrine and endocrine testicular dysfunction, with particular emphasis on the role of estrogen metabolism. The sperm concentration was significantly lower in patients with S (42.9 +/- 40.7 x 10(8)/mL) and NS (17.6 +/- 20.8 x 10(6)/mL) compared to normal adult men (114.4 +/- 41.2 x 10(6) mL; P < 0.01). The histological score was lower in patients with NS than in patients with S. The histological score was highest in the contralateral testis, followed by the ipsilateral testis far from the tumor and the ipsilateral testis near the tumor in both the S and NS groups. Serum levels of estradiol and hCG were significantly elevated in both the systemic and spermatic veins of patients with NS compared to normal values, but they were within normal limits in patients with S. The histological score count in the contralateral testis was significantly and inversely correlated with the tumor weight and serum levels of hCG and estradiol. Aromatase activity examined in 9 tumors (5 S and 4 NS) and 6 ipsilateral nonneoplastic testis (3 S and 3 NS) was significantly higher in both neoplastic and nonneoplastic testes in NS patients (tumor, 5.343 +/- 4.027; nontumor, 14.647 +/- 7.688 pmol/h.pg protein) compared to S patients (tumor, 0.622 +/- 0.408; nontumor, 1.979 +/- 1.164 pmol/h.pg protein). Aromatase immunoreactivity was observed in Leydig cells of the nonneoplastic testis in both S and NS patients and in interstitial or stromal cells in 16 of 25 of NS patients and none of S patients. Our results suggest that impaired spermatogenesis in patients with testicular germ cell tumor is caused by increased tumor size in both NS and S patients and/or by increased aromatization and in situ estrogen production in Leydig cells of the nonneoplastic testis and in interstitial or stromal cells of the tumor in patients with NS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Structure-antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity relationships of thiazolo and thiazetoquinolone derivatives.

In the course of our search for derivatives with potent antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity, we have studied the relationships among the structure, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of thiazoloquinolone and thiazetoquinolone derivatives (the term quinolone as used in this paper includes the quinolone, 1,8-naphthyridine and pyridopyrimidine nuclei). The antibacterial activities and cytotoxicity of these derivatives were compared with those of norfloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin. The antibacterial activities of the thiazoloquinolone derivatives were more potent than those of the dihyrothiazoloquinolone derivatives, and comparable to that of ciprofloxacin. All of the thiazoloquinolone derivatives were highly cytotoxic against mammalian cells, but some of the dihyrothiazoloquinolone derivatives were less cytotoxic, being comparable in cytotoxicity to the reference drugs. The thiazetoquinolone derivatives were less cytotoxic than the thiazoloquinolone derivatives, and one of them, 6-fluoro-1-methyl-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-4H-[1,3]thiazeto[3,2-a] quinoline-3-carboxylic acid, showed the most potent antibacterial activity of all compounds tested in this study, as well as a very low cytotoxicity. The antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of this compound were similar to that of ciprofloxacin.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1996

[Shichimotsu-koka-to prevents stroke and changes free-radical-related enzymes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP)].

Shichimotsu-koka-to, a Chinese herb, is a medicine prescribed to treat patients with hypertension. We investigated the effects of Shichimotsu-koka-to on the lesions of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The SHRSP were given 1% or 2% Shichimotsu-koka-to solution (1 g/kg/day or 2 g/kg/day) instead of drinking water from 8 to 42 weeks of age. When the 2 g/kg/day Shichimotsu-koka-to was chronically administered to the SHRSP, their life span was significantly prolonged by prevention of stroke, but there was no effect on blood pressure. The Shichimotsu-koka-to treatment decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex and increased SOD activities in the cytosol of the brain stem. The treatment with 2 g/kg/day Shichimotsu-koka-to decreased xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex, and Shichimotsu-koka-to quenched superoxide anion (O2-) as determined by electron spin resonance analysis in vitro. In addition, SOD activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex of SHRSP not administered Shichimotsu-koka-to were increased by the drug in vitro. XOD activities in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex of SHRSP not administered Shichimotsu-koka-to were inhibited by this herb in vitro. These results suggest that these preventive effects of Shichimotsu-koka-to on the stroke in SHRSP are due its ability to scavenge O2- and to inhibit O2- production by the hypoxanthine-XOD system in the cytosol of the cerebral cortex.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The metabolic and hemodynamic effects of oxethazaine in the perfused rat liver.

Alteration of hepatic microcirculation and its effects on hepatic metabolism were examined using oxethazaine (OXZ). The infusion of OXZ into isolated perfused livers rapidly increased the portal perfusion pressure (PP) and inhibited oxygen (O2) uptake, which was followed by a decrease in tissue ATP content and an increase in lactate, pyruvate and glucose release into the perfusate. P-450-dependent reductive drug metabolism was enhanced by OXZ, whereas oxidative drug metabolism was suppressed, and this was accompanied by a decrease in substrate uptake. During OXZ infusion, a time delay between the inhibition of O2 uptake and the release of cellular and xenobiotic metabolites was observed. The actions of OXZ required Ca2+. It is unlikely that the inhibition of O2 uptake is due to the inhibition of cellular respiration. The PP increase induced by OXZ was inhibited by papaverine, but not by prazosin, sodium nitroprusside and verapamil, whereas all of these vasodilators were effective against norepinephrine. Under retrograde perfusion, the PP increase by OXZ was abolished, but norepinephrine, uridine 5'-triphosphate, angiotensin II and endothelin 1 were still effective. The extrahepatic portal vein preparation contracted at high concentrations of OXZ. The results suggest that OXZ acts differently from other known vasoconstrictors and possibly narrows hepatic sinusoids to reduce the rate of substance exchange between the sinusoids and hepatocytes, including a reduction in O2 extraction.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Aromatase in human common epithelial ovarian neoplasms.

The expression of aromatase was evaluated in 44 ovarian carcinomas, 7 carcinomas of low malignant potential (LMP), and 14 benign adenomas. Aromatase immunoreactivity was observed in stromal cells in 35 of 44 (79.5%) ovarian carcinomas and 3 of 7 carcinomas of LMP. However, no immunoreactivity was pronounced at sites of frank invasion in ovarian carcinoma. To characterize aromatase in ovarian carcinoma, aromatase activity, mRNA expression, and alternative uses of exon 1 were determined. Quantitation of aromatase activity with the tritiated water method demonstrated 41.62 +/- 9.15 pmol/hour/mg protein in 11 ovarian carcinomas. The mean concentration of aromatase mRNA for 14 ovarian carcinomas was 3 +/- 4 amol/ng RNA, which significantly correlated with aromatase immunoreactivity. The alternative use of multiple copies of exon 1 was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in 11 carcinomas. The transcript, mainly using exons 1c and 1d, was detected in 4 and 5 cases of carcinoma, respectively. Patterns of utilization of exon 1, however, did not significantly correlate with aromatase overexpression. These results suggest that aromatase is expressed in stromal cells of ovarian carcinoma but not in benign ovarian neoplasms. Increased aromatase expression in stromal cells of human ovarian carcinoma is, therefore, considered to play an important role in the biological behavior of these tumors by producing estrogens in situ as in other female sex-steroid-dependent neoplasms.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

[Phase II study of paclitaxel (BMS-181339) in patients with ovarian cancer by 3-hour intravenous infusion].

A phase II study of Paclitaxel in patients with ovarian cancer by 3-hour intravenous infusion was undertaken by a cooperative study group of 30 institutes. Of 66 cases enrolled, 57 cases were evaluable for efficacy, and 63 cases were evaluable for safety. In spite of the fact that all cases for efficacy evaluation were previously treated with chemotherapy including platinum-based drugs, 2 cases of complete response (CR) and 15 cases of partial response (PR) were observed, with a response rate of 29.8% (The 95% confidence interval of response rate was 18.4-43.4%). Paclitaxel also showed 28.2% (11/39) response rate in patients refractory to treatment by platinum-based drugs. Histologically, the response rates were 28.9% (11/38) in serous adenocarcinoma, 40.0% (2/5) in clear cell adenocarcinoma and 25.0% (1/4) in mucinous adenocarcinoma. As the major laboratory abnormalities, leukopenia, neutropenia and decrease in hemoglobin were observed with incidence rates of 98.4% (62/63), 95.2% (59/62) and 85.7% (54/63), respectively. However, these abnormalities were clinically manageable by either withdrawal of medication, administration of antibiotics, G-CSF or metachysis etc. In addition, thrombocytopenia, elevation in GOT and GPT were seen with moderate incidence. Peripheral neuropathy was a major adverse symptom with an incidence of 79.4% (50/63), followed by alopecia, myalgia, arthralgia and fever. However, the majority of these adverse reactions were less than grade 3. From these findings, we confirmed that 3-hour intravenous infusion of Paclitaxel was a clinically useful chemotherapeutic agent in patients with ovarian cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Thermoregulatory research in the field of anesthesia and intensive care: a review].

Most general anesthetics, opioids, sedatives and local anesthetics perturb thermoregulatory responses. Accordingly the core temperatures triggering sweating, thermoregulatory vasoconstriction and shivering are varied in perioperative periods. Redistribution hypothermia is a quite common phenomenon during not only general anesthesia but epidural/spinal anesthesia. Maintenance of core temperature after redistribution hypothermia is achieved by the effective vasoconstriction which prevents heat loss from the skin surface. Deliberate mild hypothermia is effective for brain protection during neurosurgery and ischemic episode. However, obtaining effective decrease of core temperature is sometimes difficult because of thermoregulatory vasoconstriction. Subsequently, vasodilation therapy with appropriate drugs is now under investigation. Hypothermia per se causes critical complications in patients, and the maintenance and warming method to maintain normothermia is important in perioperative period.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1996

[Sevoflurane comparably decreases the threshold for thermoregulatory vasoconstriction as isoflurane].

The core temperature triggering thermoregulatory arteriovenous shunt constriction is defined as the threshold for vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction helps prevent further core hypothermia by decreasing cutaneous heat loss and constraining metabolic heat to the core thermal compartment. A previous study showed isoflurane inhibited thermoregulatory threshold. However there is no study to confirm whether sevoflurane perturb thermoregulatory vasoconstriction or not. Consequently we tested the hypothesis that 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) sevoflurane and 1.0 MAC isoflurane would reduce the vasoconstriction threshold comparably. With institutional review board approval, we studied 20 patients, aged 20-60 yr, undergoing open abdominal surgery. No premedication was given. Ten patients each were anesthetized with 1.0 MAC sevoflurane (2.0%) alone or 1.0 MAC isoflurane (1.2%) alone. A forearm minus fingertip, skin temperature gradient 0 degree C was considered to demonstrate significant vasoconstriction; the esophageal temperature triggering vasoconstriction identified the threshold. Morphometric characteristics were comparable in each group. The threshold for vasoconstriction was 35.1 +/- 0.4 degrees C in the patients given 1.0 MAC sevoflurane, which was comparable that in those given 1.0 MAC isoflurane: 35.3 +/- 0.7 degrees C. We thus conclude that sevoflurane impairs thermoregulation comparably with isoflurane.

Adult↗