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Biomedical subjects

N Ito

Publications and source records attributed to N Ito.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Inhibitory effects of 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), green tea catechins and other antioxidants on 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1)-induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis and dose-dependent inhibition by HTHQ of lesion induction by Glu-P-1 or 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx).

The effects of 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), green tea catechins (GTC), alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, chlorophyllin, phenylethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), 3-O-ethylascorbic acid (EAsA), 3-O-dodecylcarbomethyl ascorbic acid (DAsA), n-tritriacontane-16,18-dione (TTAD) and d-limonene on 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1)- or dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, and the dose dependence of HTHQ inhibition of Glu-P-1- or 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx)-influence on lesion development were examined in a rat medium-term liver bioassay system featuring diethylnitrosamine initiation and partial hepatectomy. At the end of week 8, the number and total area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive liver foci in rats treated with 0.03% Glu-P-1 alone were increased significantly (46.8 +/- 11.0 and 12.0 +/- 5.6 respectively) as compared to the control values (3.8 +/- 1.6 and 0.4 +/- 0.2). Combined treatment with 1% HTHQ remarkably reduced both of these parameters (8.1 +/- 2.1 and 0.6 +/- 0.2). GTC (1%), PEITC (0.1%), beta-carotene (0.1%) and DAsA (1%) also demonstrated inhibition but less than HTHQ. On the other hand, these antioxidants did not influence development of foci initiated by 0.002% DMN. In the dose-response study, up to 0.125% HTHQ significantly reduced the effects of 0.02% Glu-P-1 or 0.03% MeIQx on the number and area of foci. These results indicate that several antioxidants exert chemopreventive effects against heterocyclic amine (HCA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, and particularly HTHQ which thus deserves further attention as a chemopreventor in the contest of the environmentally important HCA group of carcinogens.

Animals↗

Chemoprevention of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis by antioxidants in F344 female rats.

Chemopreventive effects of the antioxidants 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5- trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), 3-O-ethylascorbic acid (EAsA), 3-O-dodecylcarbomethylascorbic acid (DAsA), green tea catechins (GTC) and ellagic acid on 2-amino-1-methyl-6- phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary carcinogenesis were examined in female F344 rats. Groups of 20-21 6-week-old rats were maintained on a powdered diet containing 0.02% PhIP alone, PhIP together with 0.5% HTHQ, 1% EAsA, 1% DAsA, 1% GTC or 0.1% ellagic acid, these antioxidants alone or basal diet alone without supplement for 52 weeks. The survival rates of PhIP plus antioxidant groups at the end of the experiment were higher than that of the PhIP alone group. Sequential observation of palpable mammary tumors demonstrated only one tumor by week 52 in the PhIP plus HTHQ group, whereas 40% of the rats receiving PhIP alone had tumors by this time point. The final incidence of mammary adenocarcinomas was significantly decreased in the PhIP plus HTHQ group (4.8%, P < 0.01) as compared to the PhIP alone value (40%). Although statistically not significant, incidences of adenocarcinomas in the other antioxidant-treated groups (23.8-28.6%) were also lower than in the PhIP alone group. Furthermore, the incidence of large intestinal tumors in the PhIP plus HTHQ group (0%) showed a tendency to decrease relative to the PhIP alone group (16.7%). These results indicate that antioxidants, particularly HTHQ, exert a potent chemopreventive action against PhIP-induced carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Strong anti-mutagenic activity of the novel lipophilic antioxidant 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone against heterocyclic amine-induced mutagenesis in the Ames assay and its effect on metabolic activation of 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d] imidazole (Glu-p-1).

Antimutagenic effects of a novel lipophilic antioxidant, 1-O-hexyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), and other known antioxidants against heterocyclic amine- or other mutagen-induced mutagenesis were examined in the Ames assay using Salmonella strain TA 98 to access the chemo-preventive effects of antioxidants on heterocyclic amine-induced carcinogenesis. Further the mechanisms of inhibition by HTHQ were accessed. HTHQ was shown to potently inhibit mutagenesis induced by all of 8 different heterocyclic amines at rates between 100% and 63% in the presence of S9 mix. When the protection of HTHQ against 2-amino-6- methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1)-induced mutagenesis was compared with known antioxidants t-butylhydroquinone, propyl gallate, BHA, BHT and alpha-tocopherol, HTHQ showed the greatest effect. Among hexyl, butyl, ethyl and methyl derivatives of 1-O-alkyl-2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone, HTHQ was the most effective in inhibiting Glu-P-1-, 3-amino-1-methyl-5-H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2)- or 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)-induced mutagenesis. On the other hand, HTHQ did not inhibit mutagenic activity induced by other mutagens such as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) and benzo[a]pyrene. HTHQ weakly inhibited that due to direct mutagen 2-nitro derivative of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) only in the presence of S9 mix. No such influence on a 2-nitro derivative of 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) or 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mutagenesis, was observed with or without the S9 mix. HTHQ slightly inhibited mutagenesis induced by activated Glu-P-1, a direct acting proximate metabolite of Glu-P-1, in the absence of the S9 mix. HPLC analysis revealed activated Glu-P-1 to be formed by incubating Glu-P-1 with the S9 mix, but this was considerably decreased by the addition of HTHQ. These results indicate that HTHQ is a powerful antimutagenic compound and specifically acts against heterocyclic amines. Its antimutagenic activity appeared to exert by both inhibiting metabolic activation of heterocyclic amines and action on activated N-hydroxy species.

Amines↗

Inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin on PhIP-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female F344 rats.

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin, a water-soluble salt of chlorophyll, have been reported to inhibit carcinogen-DNA binding and exert antimutagenic activity for some carcinogenic heterocyclic amines and aflatoxins. In the present experiment, the possible inhibitory effects of chlorophyllin on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) carcinogenicity were investigated. Female F344 rats were administered both PhIP, 0.02% in the diet, and chlorophyllin, 1%, in the diet (group 1), or either PhIP (group 2) or chlorophyllin (group 3) alone for 54 weeks. The incidence of mammary adenocarcinomas induced by PhIP was reduced by chlorophyllin co-administration from 40% (8/20 rats) to 15% (3/20). While the difference was not statistically significant, the multiplicity of adenocarcinomas was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by chlorophyllin co-administration from 0.50 per animal to 0.15. On the other hand, incidence of colon adenomas was slightly, but not significantly, increased from 10% to 20%. Neither mammary nor colon adenocarcinomas were observed in group 3. Thus, chlorophyllin reduced PhIP mammary carcinogenesis, suggesting that chlorophyllin is an effective chemopreventor when ingested simultaneously with the carcinogen.

Animals↗

Hepatocyte growth factor enhancement of preneoplastic hepatic foci development in rats treated with diethylnitrosamine and N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine.

Effects of hepatocyte growth factor were investigated in a two-stage rat liver carcinogenesis protocol. Male F344 rats were first treated with diethylnitrosamine (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and then, starting two weeks later, with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN) for 6 weeks at a dose of 0.01% in drinking water. Hepatocyte growth factor, which was injected i.v. at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg body weight one (at week 3) or two times (at weeks 3 and 4) during EHEN administration, significantly increased the development of preneoplastic glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci. Although the observed effects of hepatocyte growth factor were weaker than that of the two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) performed at week 3, the present results suggest that the enhancing effects of PH performed during the promotion stage may be largely mediated through induction of hepatocyte growth factor.

Animals↗

Glycolytic inhibition: effects on diastolic relaxation and intracellular calcium handling in hypertrophied rat ventricular myocytes.

We tested the hypothesis that glycolytic inhibition by 2-deoxyglucose causes greater impairment of diastolic relaxation and intracellular calcium handling in well-oxygenated hypertrophied adult rat myocytes compared with control myocytes. We simultaneously measured cell motion and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) with indo-1 in isolated paced myocytes from aortic-banded rats and sham-operated rats. There was no difference in either the end-diastolic or peak-systolic [Ca2+]i between control and hypertrophied myocytes (97 +/- 18 vs. 105 +/- 15 nM, 467 +/- 92 vs. 556 +/- 67 nM, respectively). Myocytes were first superfused with oxygenated Hepes-buffered solution containing 1.2 mM CaCl2, 5.6 mM glucose, and 5 mM acetate, and paced at 3 Hz at 36 degrees C. Exposure to 20 mM 2-deoxyglucose as substitution of glucose for 15 min caused an upward shift of end-diastolic cell position in both control (n = 5) and hypertrophied myocytes (n = 10) (P < 0.001 vs. baseline), indicating an impaired extent of relaxation. Hypertrophied myocytes, however, showed a greater upward shift in end-diastolic cell position and slowing of relaxation compared with control myocytes (delta 144 +/- 28 vs. 55 +/- 15% of baseline diastolic position, P < 0.02). Exposure to 2-deoxyglucose increased end-diastolic [Ca2+]i in both groups (P < 0.001 vs. baseline), but there was no difference between hypertrophied and control myocytes (218 +/- 38 vs. 183 +/- 29 nM, respectively). The effects of 2-deoxyglucose were corroborated in isolated oxygenated perfused hearts in which glycolytic inhibition which caused severe elevation of isovolumic diastolic pressure and prolongation of relaxation in the hypertrophied hearts compared with controls. In summary, the inhibition of the glycolytic pathway impairs diastolic relaxation to a greater extent in hypertrophied myocytes than in control myocytes even in well-oxygenated conditions. The severe impairment of diastolic relaxation induced by 2-deoxyglucose in hypertrophied myocytes compared with control myocytes cannot be explained by greater diastolic Ca2+ overload, which implicates an increase in myofilament Ca(2+)-responsiveness as a possible mechanism.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolated from piglets with pleuropneumonia.

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 20 antimicrobial agents were determined for 67 field strains of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolated from the lungs of piglets with pleuropneumonia during the period 1992 to 1994, in Japan. Of these 67 strains, all 29 strains that were identified as serotypes 1 and 7 were resistant to chloramphenicol and tiamphenicol, whereas all of those identified as serotypes 2, 5 and 8 were susceptible to these antibiotics. Furthermore, 20 of 23 streptomycin-resistant strains were serotype 1, while, only 3 strains were serotype 2. These results suggest that the different serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae vary in terms of antimicrobial-resistance.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

[Evaluation of blood-group-related carbohydrate antigens in thyroid neoplasms].

An immunohistochemical study using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against blood group A, B, H and Lewis antigens Le(a), Le(b), Le(x) and Le(y) and lectins, such as PNA, VVA-B4 and UEA -1, was carried out to investigate the aberrant expression of carbohydrate antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of thyroid neoplasms. The tissues examined consisted of 26 papillary carcinomas, seven follicular adenomas, seven follicular carcinomas, one anaplastic carcinoma and one medullary carcinoma. MAbs against A, B and H antigens reacted strongly with papillary carcinomas from most of the individuals studied (22 of 26 individuals) and their reactivity corresponded well to the blood groups of individuals. In follicular adenomas and carcinomas, these mAbs reacted weakly with a small number of neoplastic cells from two of seven, and four of seven individuals, respectively. Positive staining with mAbs against Le(a) and Le(b) antigens was found in almost all papillary carcinomas. On the contrary, these mAbs rarely reacted with cells from follicular adenomas and carcinomas. T and Tn antigens which were recognized by PNA and VVA-B4, respectively, were only weakly expressed in a limited number of cells from the thyroid neoplasms. Normal cells adjacent to malignant cells were not stained by any of the stains used in this study. These results are discussed in light of our recent findings that polylactosamine structures produced in papillary carcinomas are quite different from those expressed in other types of neoplasms.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor as a hepatotrophic factor in rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Several growth factors including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) have been implicated in the regulation of liver regeneration. Recently, we reported that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has hepatotrophic effects in vitro. We investigated the role of HB-EGF as a hepatotrophic factor in regenerating rat liver after 70% partial hepatectomy. The level of HB-EGF messenger RNA (mRNA) in regenerating rat liver increased 1.5 hours after partial hepatectomy and reached a maximum (about sevenfold over normal) at 6 hours. In contrast, hepatic HGF mRNA levels increased at 12 hours and achieved maximal expression at 24 hours. HB-EGF protein expression increased about 2.8-fold over normal at 10 hours after partial hepatectomy. The number of EGF receptors, to which HB-EGF binds, decreased 6 hours after partial hepatectomy. HB-EGF mRNA levels increased in nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) at 6 hours after partial hepatectomy but not in hepatocytes. Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), HB-EGF gene expression was increased predominantly in Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells but not in lipocytes and hepatocytes. These results indicated that HB-EGF may be an important growth factor, produced in an earlier phase rather than HGF, in the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy by a paracrine mechanism.

Animals↗

Transcutaneous blood glucose monitoring system based on an ISFET glucose sensor and studies on diabetic patients.

A transcutaneous blood glucose monitoring system consists of an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) glucose sensor unit and a suction effusion fluid (SEF) collecting unit. The SEF is directly collected by a weak suction (400 mmHg absolute pressure) through the skin from which the corneum layer of the epidermis has been previously removed. An ISFET glucose sensor unit is able to measure glucose concentrations in a microliter order sampling volume. The system was applied to three diabetic patients during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test for monitoring blood glucose levels. During the experiments, glucose changes in the SEF followed actual blood glucose levels with 10 min delays. Results suggest the feasibility of utilizing quasi-continuous, transcutaneous blood glucose monitoring for individual patients with various diabetic histories or diabetic complications.

Aged↗

Histochemical demonstration of different types of poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures in human thyroid neoplasms using lectins and endo-beta-galactosidase digestion.

Blood-group-related antigens expressed in papillary carcinomas and other types of neoplasm of the human thyroid glands have been shown to be carried by poly-N-acetyllactosamines containing a linear domain susceptible to endo-beta-galactosidase digestion. To make clear more precisely the backbone poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures, labelled lectins specific to different types of these structures and specific to core structures with beta 1-6GlcNAc branching of N- and O-linked glycoproteins were employed in conjunction with prior endo-beta-galactosidase digestion on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded neoplasms of the human thyroid glands. In papillary carcinomas, Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA) and succinyl wheat germ agglutinin (Suc-WGA) reacted most consistently and frequently with papillary carcinomas from all the individuals examined. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) likewise stained the cells of papillary carcinomas from all the individuals examined, but in some individuals the number of lectin-reactive cells were very small. Lycoperscion esculentum aggultinin (LEA), Solanum tuberosum agglutinin (STA), Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin L (PHA-L) and Artocarpus integrifolia agglutinin (jacalin) similarly bound to the cancer cells from most of the individuals, and in these cases the number of reactive cells was usually much more restricted than was the case with DSA or PWM. In adenoma and other types of carcinoma, such as follicular carcinomas, these lectins specific to poly-N-acetyllactosamine exhibited slight or no reactivity with the cells, whereas PHA-L and jacalin similarly bound to the cells of adenomas and carcinomas from most of the individuals examined. Prior digestion with endo-beta-galactosidase completely eliminated or markedly reduced the reactivity with PWM and LEA in papillary carcinomas. Reactivity with DSA, Suc-WGA, STA, PHA-L and jacalin was slightly reduced or not at all affected by enzyme digestion. These results confirmed that poly-N-acetyllactosamine species found in papillary carcinomas are quite different from those in other types of thyroid neoplasm, suggesting that at least three different types of poly-N-acetyllactosamine, that is, linear unbranched short and long sequences and highly branched ones are produced in these cells.

Adult↗

Crystal structure of the U1A spliceosomal protein complexed with its cognate RNA hairpin.

We have determined the crystal structure of the RNA binding domain of the U1A spliceosomal protein bound to a 21-nucleotide RNA hairpin at 1.92 A resolution. The ten-nucleotide RNA loop binds to the surface of the four-stranded beta-sheet of the RNP domain as an open structure. The AUUGCAC hexanucleotide sequence interacts extensively with the conserved RNP1 and RNP2 motifs and the C-terminal extension of the RNP domain. The stacking interaction between RNA bases and aromatic protein side chains and the extensive hydrogen bonding network involving RNA bases, protein side chains and protein mainchain amide and carbonyl groups are crucial for the sequence specific recognition of RNA.

Base Sequence↗

Carcinogenicity of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in rats: dose-response studies.

The carcinogenic potential of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), identified as the most abundant mutagenic heterocyclic amine in cooked meat and fish, was investigated in dose-response studies. Six-week-old F344 rats of both sexes were administered PhIP in the diet at concentrations of 0, 25, 100, or 400 ppm for up to 104 weeks. Animals receiving the highest dose were killed at week 52 due to marked retardation in body weight gain. PhIP was demonstrably carcinogenic for the colon in males and for the mammary glands in females, in a clear dose-dependent manner for both cases. Mammary carcinogenicity of PhIP was also confirmed in female SD rats with a clear dose-response relationship. In rat two-stage carcinogenicity models, PhIP exerted tumor-promoting activity in the small intestine as well as in the large intestine, but no promoting effects were apparent in the liver, although DNA adducts were formed dose dependently. The virtually safe dose (VSD) at the 10(-6) risk level calculated from the long-term carcinogenicity test was 0.023-0.52 ppm in the diet. This range of values is very close to or lower than human intake in daily life. Since PhIP is a most abundant heterocyclic amine and its carcinogenic organotropism overlaps with the types of neoplasias most commonly observed in western countries, the compound is likely to be extremely important with respect to human cancer development.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Enhancement of rat liver cell foci development by combined treatment with heterocyclic amines at low doses.

Potential synergism between 5 or 10 carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2, Glu-P-1, Glu-P-2, IQ, MeIQ, MeIQx, MeA alpha C, A alpha C and PhIP) acting at low doses was examined in a medium-term liver bioassay system for carcinogens. Immunohistochemically-demonstrated glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci were assessed as the endpoint marker lesions. Male F344 rats were initially given diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200mg/kg, ip) and beginning 2 weeks later received heterocyclic amines individually or in combination for 6 weeks. All animals were subjected to partial hepatectomy at week 3 and killed at week 8. A clear dose response relationship was observed for all heterocyclic amines, except for the nonhepatocarcinogen PhIP, with the dose used in earlier carcinogenicity assays and 1/5, 1/10, 1/25 and 1/100 of these levels. Carcinogenicity could be predicted for all compounds at the highest dose or lower dose levels except for PhIP. With combined administration of 5 or 10 chemicals, foci induction significantly exceeded the sums of 5 or 10 individual data for the 1/5, 1/10 and 1/25 dose levels, but not for the 1/100 case. The findings are of particular significance since several heterocyclic amines and other carcinogenic agents might be simultaneously generated during cooking, although each at very low concentration.

Amines↗