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Biomedical subjects

N Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to N Fukuda.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Cyclic GMP formation of resistance vessel in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We investigated the basal levels and responses of cyclic GMP (cGMP) derived from perfused mesenteric arteries to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) at different ages, in order to evaluate the basal and stimulated release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from the resistance vessel during the development of hypertension. The mesenteric arteries were removed from 8-, 12- and 20-week-old WKY and SHR, and were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 0.2 mM isobutyl methyl xanthine. The effluents from the perfused arteries were corrected before and after infusions of graded doses of ACh or SNP, and the levels of cGMP were measured. The basal levels of cGMP from the mesenteric arteries in the 12- and 20-week-old SHR were significantly lower than those in age-matched WKY. A negative correlation was observed between the basal levels of cGMP and the systolic blood pressure in SHR, but not in WKY, among all ages. On the other hand, there were no differences in the responses of cGMP to infusion of ACh between the WKY and SHR at each age. Moreover, the responsiveness of cGMP to infusion of SNP in the 12-week-old SHR was much higher than that in age-matched WKY. These data suggest that the basal cGMP formation in the arteries which may reflect the basal release of EDRF is reduced in older SHR and is associated with the development of hypertension, and that the stimulated release of EDRF is not associated with the development of hypertension.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1991

Effects of indomethacin, endothelium-denudation, methylene blue and L-NG-monomethyl arginine on the vasoactive effects of endothelin-3.

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the vasoactive effects of endothelin-3 (ET-3), we examined the effects of indomethacin, endothelium-denudation, methylene blue and L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) on the perfusion pressures of isolated rat mesenteric arteries infused with ET-3. ET-3 at 10(-15)-10(-8) M elicited significant vasodilations in a dose-related manner, in which 10(-9) and 10(-8) M ET-3 caused biphasic pressure changes involving a transient dilation and subsequent vasoconstriction. Five micromolar indomethacin did not affect the vasodilations and vasoconstrictions induced by ET-3. In endothelium-denuded arteries, 10(-13)-10(-8) M ET-3 elicited significant vasoconstriction in a dose-related manner without any vasodilation. In the presence of 30 microM methylene blue, the vasodilations induced by ET-3 disappeared. In the presence of 100 microM L-NMMA, 10(-15)-10(-8) M ET-3 elicited significant vasoconstrictions in a dose-related manner, and the vasodilation by ET-3 existed only at 10(-8) M ET-3. These data suggest that the vasodilating effects of low doses of ET-3 through the endothelium overcome the vasoconstricting effects, and that the vasodilating effects of ET-3 are associated with an endothelium-derived relaxing factor as an endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in experimental spinal cord injury: a quantitative histopathologic study.

Spinal cord injuries in rats were experimentally produced by compressing the cord (T11 vertebra level) for 60 min with stainless steel screws. Morphometric analysis of the injured cord revealed that at 14 days post-injury, there were significant correlations between the neurologic score (NS) and all morphometric parameters, including total cross-sectional area (rs = 0.438), lesioned area (rs = -0.421) and area of the gray (rs = 0.377) and white matter (rs = 0.704). Although rats treated with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 22.5 mg/kg, s.c., twice daily for 7 days starting 24 hr post-injury) showed significant improvement in NS 14 days post-injury, there were no significant differences in morphometric parameters between saline- and TRH-treated rats. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between NS and any of the morphometric parameters in TRH-treated rats, even though there was a significant correlation between the area of white matter and NS in saline-treated rats. These results suggest that neurologic recovery closely reflects the histopathological changes evident at the injury site in the present model, and that the improvement of neurologic status seen in rats with cord injury given TRH starting 24 hr post-injury is not due to protection against progression of neural damage at the injury site.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of endothelin-3 (ET-3) on renal function in rat perfused kidney.

We examined the effect of endothelin-3 (ET-3) at a high dose (pressor dose) and a low dose (non-pressor dose) in rat perfused kidney (PK), since ET-3 has recently been reported to exert a vasodilator action especially at a low dose. Kidneys were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at a fixed flow rate (6 ml/min) in situ. After collection of the renal venous effluent and urine for 20 min, vehicle (saline; n = 6), 10(-13)M ET-3 (low dose; n = 6) or 10(-8) M ET-3 (high dose; n = 6) was added to the perfusate, and sample collection was performed for the same period with each. The high dose of ET-3 significantly increased the perfusion pressure, fractional sodium excretion and synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) consistently with a significant reduction in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). On the other hand, the low dose of ET-3 significantly increased the GFR, urine volume and free-water clearance with no change in the perfusion pressure or synthesis of PGs. These findings suggest that a low dose of ET-3 can increase the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient and that ET-3 exerts an influence on sodium and water handing in the rat PK.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Possible mechanism of production of the musical second heart sound and its clinical significance].

To investigate the predisposing factors and the clinical significance of the musical aortic component of the second heart sound (musical S2), 18 patients with musical S2 (musical group) among the consecutive 2,000 patients with phonocardiographic examination were noninvasively studied by analyzing underlying diseases, phonocardiographic findings, organic changes of the aortic valve, severity of aortic regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction. Organic changes of the aortic valve were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography, and aortic regurgitation was assessed by color Doppler flow imaging. Twenty-two normal subjects (normal group) and 17 patients with essential hypertension (hypertensive group) served as controls. Mean ages were matched among the three groups. 1. Left ventricular dilatation (seven patients) and hypertension (six patients) were the dominant part of underlying disease in the musical group. 2. Musical S2 was classified in the following two types based on the phonocardiographic characteristics; musical vibrations followed immediately after the accentuated S2, and the S2 which was replaced by regular vibratory waves. 3. Frequency of the musical vibrations ranged from 120 to 200 Hz, and its duration ranged from 60 to 120 msec. Amplitude of the musical vibrations decreased by inhalation of amyl nitrite, but increased by infusion of methoxamine. In a case with mild rheumatic valve disease, methoxamine induced marked intensification of the amplitude and prolongation of the duration of the musical vibrations, finally giving a typical cooing murmur. 4. Echo intensity of the aortic valve tended to be higher in the musical group than in the other two groups. 5. Echocardiographically, aortic regurgitation appeared more frequently in the musical group (88%) than in the normal (36%) and hypertensive (41%) groups. Area of the aortic regurgitant signal was significantly larger in the musical group (4.1 +/- 1.4 cm2) than in the normal (1.2 +/- 0.8 cm2) and hypertensive (2.3 +/- 1.2 cm2) groups. 6. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was significantly larger in the musical group (5.8 +/- 0.6 cm) than in the normal (4.7 +/- 0.5 cm) and hypertensive (4.8 +/- 0.7 cm) groups. Fractional shortening of the left ventricle was significantly smaller in the musical group (26 +/- 10%) than in the normal (37 +/- 5%) and hypertensive (37 +/- 8%) groups. In a case of the musical group, musical vibrations following the S2, which was large in amplitude at the state of heart failure, decreased markedly after the recovery from heart failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Transesophageal echocardiographic study on systolic flow pattern of the pulmonary vein in patients with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation].

To determine the clinical significance and effect of cycle length on systolic backward (C) and forward (S) flow patterns of the pulmonary vein, we performed transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation (Af). Study population consisted of 10 patients with mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm (MS-SR), 15 with MS and Af (MS-Af), 15 with mitral valve replacement and Af (MVR-Af), 10 with Af without organic heart disease (lone-Af) and 15 normal subjects. Various parameters, including peak velocities of C and S waves, closing amplitude of anterior mitral valve echogram during end-diastole, amplitude of the mitral annulus and interatrial septal motion during systole and left atrial pressure during the mitral closing period or end-diastole, were measured in each group. Results were as follows: 1. C wave was observed in all Af groups and six of 10 patients with MS-SR. Particularly, peak velocity of the C wave in MS-Af group was increased significantly compared with those of every other group. 2. Peak velocity of S wave in all Af groups, particularly in MS- and MVR-Af groups, decreased significantly compared with that of the normal group. 3. There were significant negative correlations between preceding R-R interval and peak velocity of the C wave or closing amplitude of anterior mitral valve echogram or left atrial pressure during end-diastole in MS-Af group. 4. There were significant positive correlations between preceding R-R interval and peak velocity of the S wave or amplitude of the mitral annulus or interatrial septal motion during systole in MS-Af group. 5. Peak velocities of the C and S waves had no correlations to preceding R-R interval in lone-Af group. We concluded that the C and S waves of pulmonary venous flow velocity pattern in MS-Af are affected by cycle length, and that the former is influenced by left atrial pressure and/or pliability of the mitral valve during the mitral closing period, and the latter by the grade of left atrial dilatation and/or preceding left atrial emptying.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of pulmonary venous flow pattern in hypertrophied and dilated hearts: a study with transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography].

In order to evaluate the clinical significance of pulmonary venous flow (PVF) pattern, transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 25 patients with hypertrophied heart (all with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), 15 patients with dilated heart (10 with old myocardial infarction and 5 with dilated cardiomyopathy) and 10 normal controls. Parameters obtained from the PVF pattern were compared with those of transmitral flow (MVF) pattern, % fractional shortening (%FS) of left ventricle (LV) and amplitude of mitral anular motion (MAM) during a cardiac cycle. Results were as follows: 1. PVF pattern in cases of sinus rhythm was divided into four components, atrial systolic backward flow (PVA), ventricular systolic (PVS1, PVS2) and diastolic (PVD) forward flows. 2. In patients with dilated heart, peak velocities of PVS1 and PVS2 were markedly decreased compared with those of hypertrophied and normal hearts. 3. Peak velocity of PVD in hypertrophied and dilated hearts was significantly decreased compared with that of normal controls, and PV-D/S (ratio of peak velocity of PVD to PVS2) was significantly lower in hypertrophied heart than in normal controls. 4. Time interval from the first heart sound to the peak of PVS2 (TS) was significantly longer in dilated heart, and time interval from the second heart sound to the peak of PVD (TD) was longer in hypertrophied heart than in the other two groups. 5. MAM and %FS of dilated heart were significantly lower than those in normal and hypertrophied hearts, and peak velocity of PVS2 in dilated heart group correlated well with MAM or %FS. 6. There were significant correlations among the diastolic parameters from PVD of PVF (peak velocity of PVD, PV-D/S) and early diastolic wave (D) of MVF (peak velocity, deceleration time and deceleration of rapid filling). 7. In a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mid-diastolic wave of MVF, distinct forward wave was observed after PVD of PVF, and this wave coincided in timing with the mid-diastolic wave of MVF. 8. In a case of extensive myocardial infarction with the development of severe LV dysfunction and with "normalized" pattern of MVF, peak velocities of PVD and PVA were markedly increased, and that of PVS2 was decreased. However, the peak velocities of PVD and PVA were decreased, and that of PVS2 was increased with the fair improvement of LV dysfunction and with the compensatory augmentation of atrial contraction wave (A) of MVF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

L-NG-monomethyl arginine inhibits the vasodilating effects of low dose of endothelin-3 on rat mesenteric arteries.

We have reported that low doses of endothelin-3 (ET-3) elicited continuous vasodilation of rat mesenteric arteries, which is possibly related to endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). In order to clarify whether or not the vasodilating effects of ET-3 are associated with EDRF, we examined the effects of L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), an analog of L-arginine, on low-dose ET-3 induced vasodilation of rat mesente-Hc arteries. Infusion of 50 microM L-NMMA inhibited the vasodilation induced by 10(-13) M ET-3 and rather elicited an increase in perfusion pressure, which itself was decreased by infusion of 150 microM L-arginine. In the presence of 50 microM L-NMMA, 10(-13) M ET-3 did not elicit any vasodilation of the mesenteric arteries preconstricted with NE, in which 150 microM L-arginine, but not D-arginine, caused considerable vasodilation. These data suggest that the vasodilating effects of low doses of ET-3 are associated with EDRF as an endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

New spinal cord injury model produced by spinal cord compression in the rat.

Graded spinal cord injuries were produced in rats by compressing the spinal cord at the level of the T11 vertebra for 5, 15, 30, 60, or 180 min with stainless steel screws of 2-mm diameter and 2.8-mm length, or for 60 min with screws of the same diameter and various lengths (2.5, 2.8, 3.1, or 3.4 mm). The main neurologic symptoms caused by spinal cord compression were motor deficits, sensory deficits, and urinary incontinence. Neurologic scores, based on both motor and sensory deficits, correlated significantly with both the screw length and the duration of compression at every observation point from 4 hr to 21 days after removal of the screw. The incidence of urinary incontinence (from 24 hr to 21 days) and the percentage of rats surviving (from 14 days to 21 days) also correlated closely with the two factors (screw length and duration of compression). These results suggest that the present procedure could be a useful and simple model for studying traumatic spinal cord injury in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Outcome standards for the client with chronic congestive heart failure.

This article discusses the outcome standards for the client with chronic congestive heart failure. The pathophysiology of chronic congestive heart failure is explained and used as a basis for the outcome standards nurses need to strive for in this patient population. This article outlines the basic outcome standards for this patient population and aspires to open the doorway for further research into the needs of the client with chronic congestive heart failure.

Heart Failure↗
PubMed1990

Adenylate cyclase activities of vascular smooth muscle in early and established DOCA/salt hypertensive rats.

It has been demonstrated that the adenylate cyclase activity of vascular smooth muscle regulates its tonus. The present study was undertaken to examine adenylate cyclase activity in early and established deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/salt hypertensive rats. Early and established DOCA/salt hypertensive rats were prepared by injecting 30 mg of DOCA weekly for 3 and 10 weeks, respectively, into male Wistar rats given drinking water with 1% saline. The membrane protein fraction medium containing the protein, 50 microM isoproterenol, 100 microM GTP, 50 microM forskolin or 25 microM calmodulin was applied. The adenylate cyclase activity was determined by a modified method developed in our laboratory using double isotope counting. The adenylate cyclase activity in the early DOCA/salt hypertensive rats was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than that in the control rats in the basal condition, which was unaffected by additions of isoproterenol, GTP or forskolin. There was no significant difference in basal adenylate cyclase activity between the established DOCA/salt hypertensive and control rats. The adenylate cyclase activities in the established DOCA/salt hypertensive rats were significantly lower with GTP (p less than 0.02) and forskolin (p less than 0.01) as compared with the control rats. Calmodulin elevated the adenylate cyclase activity significantly (p less than 0.05) in the established DOCA/salt hypertensive rats as well as in the control rats. However, enzyme activity with calmodulin in the established DOCA/salt hypertensive rats was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than that in the control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1990

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on the time course of neurologic recovery after spinal cord injury in the rat.

Spinal cord injuries in rats were experimentally produced by compressing the cord at the eleventh thoracic vertebral level for 60 minutes with stainless steel screws (2 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm in length). The main neurologic signs produced by cord compression were motor as well as sensory deficits and urinary incontinence. Rats with a neurologic score, based on both motor and sensory deficits, of 1 (complete paraplegia but responsive to tail pinching) 24 hours after injury were used to study the relative effect of subcutaneous treatment with TRH once or twice daily for 7 consecutive days on the time course of recovery after spinal cord injury and the dose-dependency of this effect. Once daily (5, 15, or 45 mg/kg/day) or twice daily (2.5, 7.5, or 22.5 mg/kg x 2/day) treatment with TRH starting 24 hours after injury improved the neurological signs and reduced the incidence of urinary incontinence, dose-dependently. The minimum effective doses for once and twice daily treatments were 45 mg/kg/day and 7.5 mg/kg x 2/day. These results indicate that the neurologic recovery-accelerating effect of TRH administered 24 hours after cord injury for 7 days is dose-dependent and that a twice daily dosage schedule tends to produce better improvement in the neurologic state than a once daily schedule dose.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on adrenal renin and aldosterone.

The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on adrenal renin and aldosterone was investigated in anesthetized rats. Under pentobarbital anesthesia 40 mg/kg), intravenous infusion of ANP (0.25 micrograms/kg/min) for 45 min failed to alter the adrenal renin, adrenal aldosterone, and plasma aldosterone (PA). In this condition, intraperitoneal injection of ACTH (10 micrograms/kg) significantly increased the adrenal renin (from 2.4 +/- 0.1 to 5.0 +/- 0.08 ng/mg protein/h, P less than 0.05), adrenal aldosterone (from 13.6 +/- 1.3 to 22.7 +/- 2.3 ng/mg protein, P less than 0.01) and PA (from 59.8 +/- 5.8 to 75.5 +/- 7.4 ng/dl, P less than 0.05), respectively. Under ACTH stimulation, ANP infusion induced significant decreases in adrenal renin (from 5.0 +/- 0.08 to 2.8 +/- 0.2 ng/mg protein/h, P less than 0.05), adrenal aldosterone (from 22.7 +/- 2.3 to 16.2 +/- 1.8 ng/mg protein, P less than 0.05) and PA (from 75.5 +/- 7.4 to 61.6 +/- 4.9 ng/dl). These results suggest a possible role for adrenal renin in the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of ANP on aldosterone production in vivo.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1990

Preventive effect of angiotensin I on weight reduction in the adrenal glands of DOCA/salt hypertensive rats.

We examined the effect of angiotensin I (AI), without the effect of angiotensin II (AII) converted from AI, on the weight of the adrenal glands, adrenal corticosterone (B) and adrenal aldosterone under conditions where the renin-angiotensin system was suppressed, since a reduction in the size of the adrenal glands is often observed in DOCA/salt hypertensive rats. Sixty male Wistar rats fed on a 1% NaCl solution were divided into 6 groups as follows: a) Salt group: received sesame oil and vehicle, b) Salt + C group: received sesame oil and MK422 (0.14 mg/day), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI), c) DOCA group: received DOCA (30 mg/week) and vehicle, d) DOCA + A group: received DOCA and AI (0.5 mg/kg/day), e) DOCA + A + C group: received DOCA and AI with MK422, and f) DOCA + C group: received DOCA and MK422. After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed to sample their blood and remove their adrenal glands. There was no significant difference in adrenal B among the groups apart from the DOCA + C group. Adrenal aldosterone was lower in the groups of DOCA/salt hypertensive rats than in the Salt group and Salt + C group. Furthermore, the DOCA + A + C group and DOCA + C group had lower adrenal aldosterone levels than the DOCA group and DOCA + A group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1990

Role of two types of glucose transporters in enlarged adipocytes from aged obese rats.

The mechanism of insulin-resistant glucose-transport activity in enlarged aged adipocytes was examined. Glucose-transport activity was assessed by measuring 3-O-methylglucose transport and the concentration of HepG2 erythrocyte/glucose transporter (GLUT1), and the muscle/adipose tissue transporter (GLUT4) was estimated by immunoblotting. Basal glucose-transport activity increased 6.3-fold/cell but remained constant per unit cellular surface area due to cell enlargement. Maximal insulin-stimulated transport activity remained constant per cell but decreased per unit cellular surface area. On a per protein basis, GLUT1 and GLUT4 from aged rats decreased to approximately 60 and 10% of those from young rats, respectively. However, when the protein content of each fraction and the recoveries of marker enzymes were used for estimating the amount of transporters in intact adipocytes, the amount of GLUT1 per cell remained relatively constant, whereas that of GLUT4 decreased. In basal cells from young rats, 31% of the total GLUT1 per cell was located in the plasma membrane, whereas in those from aged rats, 63% was located in the plasma membrane. Thus, in comparing basal adipocytes from aged rats with those from young rats, GLUT1 per cell in the plasma membrane increased 2.8-fold, but this increase was less than that of transport activity (6.3-fold). In basal cells from young rats, 8% of the total GLUT4 was located in the plasma membrane, and a 4.5-fold increase was observed with insulin treatment, but the amount of GLUT4 in each fraction from aged rats markedly decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1990

Altered hepatic metabolism of free fatty acid in rats fed a threonine-imbalanced diet.

The effects of a threonine-imbalanced diet (8% casein supplemented with 0.3% methionine, TI) on the ketone body production and the secretion rate of lipids were examined in the isolated perfused rat liver. Feeding a TI diet compared to an 8% casein (C) diet resulted in an enlargement of liver, presumably due to 2-4-fold accumulation of triglyceride. Serum triglyceride likewise increased significantly in rats fed a TI diet. No significant difference was found in the other lipid components both in serum and liver. When the livers from rats fed C or TI diets were isolated and perfused in the presence of an exogenous oleate substrate, the TI diet decreased the ketone body production and conversely increased the secretion rate of triglyceride, suggesting an inverse relationship between rates of ketogenesis and triglyceride secretion. The proportion of oleate in the perfusate triglyceride obtained at the end of perfusion was comparable between the C and TI groups, whereas in the post-perfused liver it was higher in the former than in the latter, suggesting a stimulatory effect of the TI diet on the secretion of the oleate in the form of triglyceride. These results indicate that altered hepatic metabolism of long-chain free fatty acids between the pathways of oxidation and esterification is one of the causative factors for triglyceride accumulation in the liver produced by threonine imbalance.

Animals↗