Biomedical subjects

M Yoshimura

Publications and source records attributed to M Yoshimura.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Dementia in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a clinicopathological study.

Dementia is in addition to cerebral haemorrhage major symptom of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAa). In order to explore the pathological basis for dementia in CAa-related conditions, we made a clinicopathological analysis of CAa, with special attention to dementia. Among 150 patients (mean age 78.6 years) with autopsy-proven intracranial haemorrhage in Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Medical Center, CAa with cerebral haemorrhage accounted for 8.0% (12 cases), associated with hypertension and metastatic brain tumour. Among 38 patients with lobar haemorrhage, CAa represented the second most common cause (21.1%) of intracranial haemorrhage after hypertension. A total of 20 patients with CAa (mean age 82.5 years) were studies clinically and pathologically. Hypertension was present in 50%. Thirteen had a history of stroke and others had either ill-defined or no strokes. The average number of strokes 2.9. Fifteen patients (75%) had dementia. Based on the clinicopathological grounds for dementia, CAa-related conditions could be divided into three subtypes: "haemorrhagic", "dementia-haemorrhagic" and "dementia" type. Haemorrhagic type (30%, 6 cases) showed multiple recurrent lobar haemorrhages caused by CAa. Hypertension was present in only 1 patient. The incidence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles was generally correlated with age. Only 1 patient had dementia. The dementia-haemorrhagic type (40%, 8 patients) had recurrent strokes with cerebral haemorrhage after preceding dementia. There were two different neuropathological subsets: CAa with atypical senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) and CAa with diffuse leucoencephalopathy. Patients with CAa with atypical SDAT had multiple cerebral haemorrhages caused by CAa combined with atypical Alzheimer-type pathology. Patients with CAa with diffuse leucoencephalopathy had cerebral haemorrhages in combination with diffuse white matter damage like Binswanger's subcortical vascular encephalopathy (BSVE). The incidence of senile changes correlated with age. Patients with the dementia type (30%, 6 patients) showed progressive dementia with or without haemorrhage. All had hypertension. They had a combined condition of Alzheimer-type pathology with conspicuous CAa with BSVE. Dementia in CAa-related conditions may be responsible for multiple factors including not Alzheimer-type degeneration, but also diffuse leucoencephalopathy like Binswanger's disease. We also found an asymptomatic type, an ischaemic type, a vasculitis type and an hereditary type in this condition.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Circulating myosin light chain I levels after coronary reperfusion: a comparison with myocardial necrosis evaluated from single photon emission computed tomography with pyrophosphate.

This study was performed to assess the influence of coronary reperfusion on the serial serum myosin light chain (LC)I levels and to evaluate the relationship between the peak LCI level and the infarct size calculated from single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with technetium-99m pyrophosphate (Tc-99m PYP) in 11 patients who underwent coronary reperfusion. Blood was drawn before reperfusion, immediately after reperfusion, and once a day for 14 days, to estimate the time course of serum LCI release. The infarct size estimated by Tc-99m PYP ranged from 7.3 to 62.4 ml. The LCI levels obtained before reperfusion were less than 2.5 ng/ml but those obtained immediately after reperfusion were much higher. The value ranged from 2.7 to 9.7 ng/ml and that expressed as a percentage of peak LCI (% peak LCI) ranged from 19 to 83%. Collateral circulation, reperfusion arrhythmia and the degree of residual stenosis had no influence upon the % peak LCI. The correlation between peak LCI levels and SPECT-determined infarct size was good, with a correlation of 0.76 (p less than 0.01, regression line by least squares method y = 3.31 + 1.53x). Early serum LCI might be influenced by coronary reperfusion but the peak LCI value reflected acute myocardial necrosis in patients who underwent coronary reperfusion.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Effects of intraaortic balloon pumping on coronary hemodynamics after coronary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

It has been reported that intraaortic balloon pumping can prevent reocclusion after coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. The speculated mechanism has been the production of markedly enhanced diastolic coronary perfusion pressure; however, most studies have reported that intraaortic balloon pumping has little effect on coronary blood flow. To assess the effectiveness of this procedure, we studied 12 patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction who were undergoing coronary angioplasty and intraaortic balloon pumping. After successful angioplasty, coronary blood flow velocity was measured with a coronary Doppler catheter before and during intraaortic balloon pumping. Although mean coronary blood flow velocity was unchanged, intraaortic balloon pumping increased peak coronary blood flow velocity from 34.6 +/- 5.0 cm/sec (mean +/- SEM) to 46.7 +/- 5.8 cm/sec (p < 0.005). Such an increase in peak coronary blood flow velocity seemed to be a mechanism by which intraaortic balloon pumping could prevent reocclusion after coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed1992

Fast inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and responses to inhibitory amino acids of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the adult cat.

Intracellular recordings were obtained from sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) of the intermediolateral nucleus (IML) in slices of upper thoracic spinal cord of the anesthetized cat. A total of 44 neurons was studied. Single shock stimulation of an area of white matter dorsolateral to the IML, close to the recording electrode (< 0.5 mm), evoked fast IPSPs with rise time of 3.8 ms and 1/2 decay time of 14.7 ms (n = 12). In 17 other cells only fast EPSPs were recorded but, after suppression of the EPSPs by the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists CNQX (20 microM) and APV (100-250 microM), fast IPSPs were unmasked. The IPSP reversed polarity at -63 mV (-67 mV in the presence of CNQX and APV). The reversal potential shifted to a less negative value when the extracellular chloride concentration was reduced. The IPSP was reversibly abolished by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline in 32% of the cells, by the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine in 47% of the cells and by the combination of the two in 21% of the cells. The IPSP was abolished by TTX (0.5 microM), had constant latency and showed no failures during high frequency stimulation. The IPSP presumably resulted from the excitation of inhibitory axons and/or inhibitory neuron somata with monosynaptic connections to the SPN. Glycine and GABA (1-3 mM) produced hyperpolarization associated with decreased membrane resistance. Sixty-nine percent of cells responded to both agonists, 19% to glycine only and 12% to GABA only. The GABAB agonist baclofen (5 microM) had no effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

PubMed1992

Characterization of baculovirus-expressed hemagglutinin and fusion glycoproteins of the attenuated measles virus strain AIK-C.

With measles virus cDNA of the avirulent vaccine strain AIK-C, two cDNAs of H or F genes were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. The amplified cDNAs were inserted respectively to the baculovirus transfer vector pAcYM1 derived from the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV). After co-transfection of the transfer vectors with AcNPV DNA to Spodoptera frugiperda cells, recombinant baculoviruses were screened by plaque assay, and the viruses containing H-cDNA or F-cDNA were named H-AIK or F-AIK, respectively. By Western blot analyses, the band around 80 kDa and some smaller bands were appeared in the H-AIK infected S. frugiperda cells, and the band around 40 kDa was detected in the F-AIK infected cells. Immunofluorescence studies on unfixed S. frugiperda cells infected with H- or F-AIK recombinants showed that both antigens were transported to the cell surface. When green monkey red blood cells were added to the recombinant infected cells, H-AIK infected cells showed haemadsorption, and cells infected with F-AIK lysed the red blood cells. The recombinant proteins elicited the neutralizing antibodies against measles virus.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials and the responses to excitant amino acids of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the slice of the cat spinal cord.

The properties of the excitatory postsynaptic potential evoked by focal stimulation and of the responses to excitatory amino acids were examined by intracellular recording from sympathetic preganglionic neurons in upper thoracic spinal cord slices of the adult cat. Single stimuli to the region dorsal to the intermedio-lateral nucleus evoked short-latency, presumably monosynaptic, excitatory postsynaptic potentials. The reversal potential of this response was -2.2 mV and became more negative when external Na+ or K+ concentration was decreased. The excitatory postsynaptic potential was depressed by the non-selective excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist cis-2,3-piperidine dicarboxylic acid and enhanced by a glutamate uptake inhibitor. The non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2.3-dione abolished the excitatory postsynaptic potential in 72% of neurons. In the remaining neurons, this antagonist only depressed the potential and unmasked a slower component which was abolished by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. In the presence of tetrodotoxin all neurons tested were depolarized by glutamate or aspartate, as well as by the selective agonists quisqualate, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole propionic acid, kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate. The glutamate-evoked depolarization reversed at a membrane potential of -2.0 mV and at a more negative value when external Na+ or K+ concentration was decreased. The response to alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole propionic acid was abolished by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione in all neurons tested and that to kainate in only one-third of the cells. In the remainder the response to kainate was only slightly depressed by this antagonist. The responses to glutamate and aspartate were only slightly depressed by the combined action of the various amino acid receptor antagonists used. The responses to N-methyl-D-aspartate were abolished by D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. The punched-out region of the intermedio-lateral nucleus, maintained in vitro, released glutamate and aspartate in the absence of stimulation. Field stimulation (20 Hz) enhanced release by between 40 and 100%. The increase was prevented by superfusion with calcium-free Krebs. It is concluded that excitatory amino acids, acting on both N-methyl-D-aspartate and non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, but mainly on the latter, are likely mediators of the monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potential evoked in sympathetic preganglionic neurons by the stimulated region. The efflux data suggest that glutamate and aspartate are among the mediators.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

PubMed1992

Endothelium-dependent dilator response to substance P in patients with coronary spastic angina.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine whether patients with coronary spastic angina have an impaired coronary artery dilator response to substance P, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator. BACKGROUND: Impairment of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator response has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary spasm. METHODS: In 11 patients with coronary spastic angina and 11 control patients, substance P was infused into the coronary artery at 20 pmol/min for 5 min. Incremental doses of acetylcholine were then injected into the coronary artery. The effects of these drugs and nitroglycerin on the coronary artery diameter were quantitatively analyzed. RESULTS: Heart rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product did not change after substance P infusion. In 12 coronary arteries of the patients with coronary spastic angina, spasm was induced with acetylcholine. At the site of coronary spasm documented, the lumen diameter, which was 1.6 +/- 0.5 mm at baseline, increased to 2.1 +/- 0.7 mm after substance P infusion (p less than 0.01). It decreased to 0.2 +/- 0.3 mm during acetylcholine-induced spasm (p less than 0.001) and increased to 2.3 +/- 0.8 mm after nitroglycerin administration (p less than 0.001 vs. baseline and p = NS vs. after substance P infusion). Of the 12 arteries with spasm, 5 were angiographically normal and the other 7 were minimally or moderately atherosclerotic: the diameter change after substance P was +28 +/- 20% and +30 +/- 22%, respectively (p = NS). In control patients, the diameter of the middle portion of the left anterior descending artery, which was 2.0 +/- 0.4 mm at baseline, increased to 2.5 +/- 0.4 mm after substance P infusion (p less than 0.001). The diameter changes after substance P infusion were not different between the patients with coronary spastic angina and control patients. CONCLUSIONS: Substance P dilated the artery with spasm of the patients with coronary spastic angina to a degree similar to that in control patients, indicating the preserved endothelium-dependent dilator response at the site of coronary spasm by way of substance P receptor.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1992

Serum calcium increases the incidence of arrhythmias during acetate hemodialysis.

We investigated the occurrence of arrhythmias during maintenance acetate hemodialysis (HD) using a 24-hour continuous electrocardiogram recording system. Three of 22 patients showed augmented increases in both ventricular premature beats and supraventricular premature beats during HD. When we changed the dialysate from one with a Ca2+ concentration of 1.75 mmol/L (3.5 mEq/L), to one with a Ca2+ concentration of 1.25 mmol/L (2.5 mEq/L), the elevation of serum Ca2+ concentration during HD was abolished and the increases in both ventricular premature beats and supraventricular premature beats were significantly decreased. The elevation of serum Ca2+ concentration during HD might induce either extracellular or intracellular increase in Ca2+ concentration in the heart and elicit either reentry- or triggered-activity types of arrhythmias during HD. The present results indicate that the dialysate with a lower Ca2+ concentration is advisable to use in patients with underlying cardiac diseases.

Acetates↗

PubMed1992

Human chorionic gonadotropin induces c-myc mRNA expression via TSH receptor in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells.

To elucidate the gene regulation of the thyroid-cell growth-promoting activity by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), we investigated the effect of hCG on c-myc proto-oncogene expression in cultured rat FRTL-5 cells by the Northern blot method. hCG induced c-myc mRNA expression, which peaked at 60-120 min. A dose-dependent increase in c-myc mRNA levels was also ascertained. In the presence of crude immunoglobulin G (IgG) from 2 patients with primary hypothyroidism who had blocking type TSH-receptor antibody, c-myc mRNA expressions induced by hCG were decreased to 82% and 62%, compared with that in the presence of normal IgG. The present results suggest that the expression of c-myc mRNA is a part of the molecular mechanism through which hCG regulates the proliferation of thyroid cells, and that hCG-induced c-myc mRNA expression is presumed to be mediated in part by TSH receptors.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1992

Effects of interleukin-1 beta on blood pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, and pituitary endocrine functions in anesthetized rats.

The effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1), an endogenous pyrogen, on both the central and peripheral endocrine, sympathetic, and cardiovascular systems were investigated by injecting it intracisternally (IC) and intravenously (IV). Intracisternal injections of IL-1 caused dose-dependent vasopressor responses, which were accompanied by corresponding increases in the abdominal sympathetic discharge. Blood pressure increased gradually, and attained a peak response at 20 to 30 min. Heart rate also increased dose-dependently. Intracerebroventricular pretreatments with indomethacin abolished both the pressor responses and tachycardia. The IV injections similarly elicited vasopressor responses with gradual onset, which were also accompanied by corresponding increases in the abdominal sympathetic firings. However, IL-1 did not constrict the peripheral vasculature in the perfused hindlimb preparation. Both IC and IV injections of IL-1 increased plasma vasopressin and corticotropin dose-dependently after 30 min. These results indicate that IL-1 of both central and peripheral origin may cause vasopressor responses. These may be partly mediated by the release of vasopressor pituitary hormones. The site of action could be a similar region in the central nervous system.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1992

Effects of endothelin-1 and inhibition of nitric oxide production with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine on arterial pressure and regional blood flow in anesthetized rats.

Regional hemodynamic responses to NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, were compared with those to endothelin (ET) using tracer microspheres with a reference sample method in anesthetized rats. Intravenous injections of these agents (16 and 160 mmol/kg of L-NMMA and 0.1 or 0.5 nmol/kg of ET-1) dose-dependently increased the blood pressure to the similar level. The cardiac index markedly decreased with ET-1, but was not greatly influenced by L-NMMA. Coronary and cerebral blood flow were not affected by these agents. ET-1 increased the bronchial arterial flow, and markedly decreased the flow in the other organs and tissues examined. L-NMMA almost homogeneously increased the regional vascular resistance to the lesser extent compared to ET-1. Although both ET-1 and nitric oxide are produced in the same cells and exhibit interrelationships, the present results indicate that the regional vascular effects of these agents are different: (a) ET-1 preferentially constricts arteries in all organs and tissues except the lung (where it increases flow) and the heart and brain where it has no wasted effects, leading to reduction in cardiac output, and (b) nitric oxide dilates arteries predominantly in the kidneys, muscle, and white adipose tissues.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1992

Measurements of serum levels of nitrate ions in men and women: implications of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in blood pressure regulation and atherosclerosis.

As endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator and degraded into nitric ions, we measured serum levels of nitrate (NO3-) concentrations as an index of endothelium-derived NO, to assess its role in blood pressure regulation. Because serum NO3- levels in men were significantly elevated compared to those in women, data from these two groups were analyzed separately. In men, multiple regression analysis revealed that NO3- significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and total cholesterol. Blood pressure correlated with age, BMI, and NO3- with multivariate analysis. In women, NO3- significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol with a simple correlation. With multiple regression analysis, serum NO3- highly correlated with serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol and age. The blood pressure correlated with four parameters, i.e., total cholesterol, age, BMI, and NO3-. In summary, serum NO3- levels seem to relate to serum lipids and glucose levels and blood pressure, which strongly suggests that production of endothelium-derived NO is increased in the atherosclerotic process.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome in anorexia nervosa.

A 15 year old boy with anorexia nervosa developed disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC). Because of severe cachexia he had been admitted to the Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital. During his hospitalization he developed generalized massive ecchymosis. Laboratory data revealed not only DIC but also multiple organ complications. The patient was treated intravenously with FOY (gabexate mesilate, a protease inhibitor), heparin, a transfusion of fresh frozen plasma, antithrombin III concentrates and platelets. Intravenous hyperalimentation was also administered. The laboratory data, the general condition and the emotional state of the patient improved remarkably. We emphasize the importance of keeping in mind coagulopathy as a complication in anorexia nervosa.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Unilateral brain damage after prolonged hemiconvulsions in the elderly associated with theophylline administration.

The brains of 14 elderly patients who died after status epilepticus were examined pathologically. Three of the 14 patients showed unilateral brain damage which corresponded to the side of the seizures, and the lesions were thought to be caused by seizures. In these three and two other patients, no causative lesion related to the seizures was found. In these five patients, status epilepticus occurred during theophylline therapy and thus the seizures in these five patients were assumed to be induced by theophylline. In the three patients with unilateral brain damage, the damage was seen in the hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus in two patients, while in the third, the whole hemisphere was damaged, including the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex. The distribution of pathological changes within the thalamus was described. It is suggested that the thalamus was primarily affected by seizures, rather than by secondary degeneration from the cortex.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Adrenergic receptors (alpha 1 and alpha 2) modulate different potassium conductances in sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Intracellular recordings were made from 168 sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the slice of the second or third thoracic spinal-cord segment of the adult cat to study the actions of noradrenaline on these neurons. Noradrenaline, applied by superfusion (0.5-50 microM), produced membrane depolarization in 73 neurons and membrane hyperpolarization in 39 neurons. In 26 neurons noradrenaline produced a biphasic response (depolarization-hyperpolarization or vice versa). The depolarization was blocked by prazosin, while the hyperpolarization was blocked by yohimbine. The noradrenaline-induced depolarization was associated with an increase in neuron input resistance, while the noradrenaline-induced hyperpolarization was associated with a decrease in neuron input resistance. Both responses decreased in amplitude with membrane hyperpolarization and were nullified at around the potassium equilibrium potential EK. The null potential of both responses became more and less negative with a decrease and an increase, respectively, in the extracellular potassium concentration. When the membrane potential was made more negative than EK, the noradrenaline-induced hyperpolarization reversed to depolarization in all cases, whereas in only 4 of 12 cases did the noradrenaline-induced depolarization reverse to hyperpolarization. These data suggest that the noradrenaline-induced depolarization is a result of a decrease, while the noradrenaline-induced hyperpolarization is a result of an increase in K+ conductance. Cobalt (2 mM), low calcium--high magnesium, and intracellular EGTA markedly reduced or abolished the noradrenaline-induced depolarization but had no significant effect on the noradrenaline-induced hyperpolarization. Barium (2 mM) depressed both responses. Tetraethylammonium (10-30 mM), 4-aminopyridine (3 mM), and cesium (2 mM) had no effect on either response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Endothelin enhances delayed potassium current via phospholipase C in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

The effects of endothelin, a novel vasoconstrictive peptide, on the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) were examined in single dialyzed cells from guinea pig ventricles. Either big endothelin or endothelin-1 enhanced IK at a dissociation constant of 2 nM with L-type Ca2+ current being unaffected. Under intracellular perfusion with pCa 7.6 solution, 3 nM big endothelin increased IK by 55 +/- 38.5%. Either pretreatment with 10 microM 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine (H 7) or a low Ca2+ [10 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and minus CaCl2] internal solution diminished the enhancement. Preceding stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by 10-20 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate also reduced the degree of enhancement. When Na+ was eliminated from the solutions, endothelin increased IK distinctively in cells internally dialyzed with a low Ca2+ solution. This enhancement was not abolished by either pretreatment with H 7 or by removal of Ca2+ from the external perfusate but by increasing the internal EGTA concentration to 40 mM. Preincubation with ryanodine or internal perfusion with heparin also reduced the IK enhancement under Na(+)-free conditions. Intracellular application of 200 microM guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) effectively attenuated the effect of endothelin. It is concluded that endothelin enhances IK via phospholipase C-mediated PKC activation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. GTP-binding protein is involved in these reactions.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Intraglomerular expression of MHC class II and Ki-67 antigens and serum gamma-interferon levels in IgA nephropathy.

In order to clarify intraglomerular cellular activation and cytokine involvement in IgA nephropathy, the glomerular expression of MHC class II antigens (HLA-DR and DQ) and cellular proliferative nuclear antigen (Ki-67), and serum gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) levels were evaluated in 49 patients with IgA nephropathy. HLA-DR was detected in all but 4 patients in whom glomerular sclerosis was present. HLA-DQ and Ki-67 were observed in 51 and 38% of the patients, respectively. Proteinuria, recent macroscopic hematuria, mesangial proliferation, and extracapillary and endocapillary lesions were more frequent and more severe in HLA-DQ-positive than in HLA-DQ-negative patients. In 10 patients with acute exacerbation, endocapillary lesions and HLA-DQ and Ki-67 expression were present in 70, 80 and 88%, respectively. Serum gamma-IFN levels were high in the patients (2.0 +/- 0.3 U/ml, n = 40), especially during acute exacerbation (3.4 +/- 1.1 U/ml, n = 9). Glomerular HLA-DO and Ki-67 expression correlated with serum gamma-IFN levels (r = 0.73, p less than 0.01 for HLA-DQ; r = 0.75, p less than 0.01 for Ki-67). Renal biopsy specimens taken before and after prednisolone and/or urokinase therapy were available from 4 patients. There was strong reactivity to HLA-DQ in the glomerular tufts of all 4 pretreatment samples. However, HLA-DQ reactivity disappeared after treatment in 3 samples, concomitant with normalization of serum gamma-IFN levels. We conclude that serum gamma-IFN levels are related to glomerular HLA-DQ and Ki-67 expression and acute exacerbation in patients with IgA nephropathy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Effects of biological response modifiers with different modes of action used separately and together on immune responses in mice with syngeneic tumours.

The effect of a protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) obtained from cultured mycelia of the Basidiomycetes Coriolus versicolor on activities involved in the host defence mechanism of C57BL/6 mice bearing adenocarcinoma 755 was compared with that of live bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Delayed footpad reaction, the activity of splenic natural killer cells and interferon production induced by concanavalin A in splenic cells of healthy mice were little affected by PSK, but in mice bearing tumours PSK prevented the tumour-induced reduction in these activities. Live BCG augmented these activities in healthy mice but had little effect on the reduction of activities induced by a tumour. The immunosuppressive activity of the serum of tumour-bearing mice was reduced by PSK administration; live BCG did not have this effect. The combined use of live BCG and PSK improved these activities in the host, with synergistic increases in the antitumour effect. These results suggest that the combined use of live BCG and PSK, which have different modes of action, may be useful in the treatment of cancer.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗