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Biomedical subjects

N Ito

Publications and source records attributed to N Ito.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Strain differences in susceptibility to 2-acetylaminofluorene and phenobarbital promotion of rat hepatocarcinogenesis in a medium-term assay system: quantitation of glutathione S-transferase P-positive foci development.

Strain differences in susceptibility to promotion by the liver carcinogens 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and phenobarbital (PB) were examined in the medium-term bioassay system initially developed in our laboratory using male F344 rats as the test animal and glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci as the lesion end-point. Numbers and areas per cm2 of induced GST-P-positive hepatocellular foci were compared in LEW, F344, NAR, SD, WBN, SHR, Wistar and ODS rats initiated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and subjected to partial hepatectomy during subsequent administration of 2-AAF or PB. LEW, SD, WBN, and F344 rats were most susceptible to hepatopromotion by both compounds, with a hundred fold increase in lesion area being observed for 2-AAF in the LEW case. NAR and SHR strains demonstrated an intermediate response, while Wistar and, in particular, the related ODS rats demonstrated very low susceptibilities. The obvious strain differences could be expressed in terms of comparative indices of promoting effects of 2-AAF and PB as well as DEN itself regarding each of the 8 strains tested. The use of F344 rats for the bioassay model was validated by the relatively high sensitivity to both DEN and 2-AAF initiation as well as second-stage promotion stimulus exhibited.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Synergistic effects of low-dose hepatocarcinogens in induction of glutathione S-transferase P-positive foci in the rat liver.

The effects of combined administration of hepatocarcinogens at low doses on the development of glutathione S-transferase P-form (GST-P)-positive foci of rat liver were examined utilizing a bioassay model which consists of a single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg, ip), two-thirds partial hepatectomy at week 3 and a 6-week administration of test compounds. The chemicals used, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB), phenobarbital (PB), thioacetamide (TAA), N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), carbazole, and alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) were incorporated in the diet, except for EHEN which was dissolved in the drinking water, at levels of 1/6 of the doses usually used. The combinations were: I) 2-AAF, 3'-Me-DAB, PB, TAA, EHEN and B[a]P, II) 2-AAF, 3'-Me-DAB and PB, III) TAA, EHEN and B[a]P, IV) 2-AAF, 3'-Me-DAB, carbazole, TAA, EHEN and alpha-HCH, V) 2-AAF, 3'-Me-DAB and carbazole, and VI) TAA, EHEN and alpha-HCH. All combinations, except for II, caused an increase in the area of the foci as evaluated by the ratios of areas in the combined administration groups to the sum totals of 3 or 6 individual data: I) 1.75, II) 0.81, III) 2.01, IV) 3.62, V) 1.34 and VI) 2.91. The non-synergistic effect in combination II might be related to PB induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes leading to enhanced enzymatical detoxification of 2-AAF and 3'-Me-DAB. The present results indicate that exposure to several chemicals of similar organotropism, even at doses lower than the apparent carcinogenic levels, might be critical to the carcinogenic process.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Synergism between sodium chloride and sodium taurocholate and development of pepsinogen-altered pyloric glands: relevance to a medium-term bioassay system for gastric carcinogens and promoters in rats.

In an approach to early detection of gastric carcinogens and promoters in an in vivo test system, promotion by sodium chloride (NaCl) and the synergistic effects of NaCl and sodium taurocholate (Na-TC) on development of pepsinogen-altered pyloric glands (PAPG) in rat glandular stomach after initiation with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated. A total of 205 male WKY/NCrj rats were divided into 8 groups. Group 1 was given a single dose of MNNG of 160 mg/kg body weight by gastric intubation, and starting 2 weeks later basal diet containing Na-TC for 18 weeks. In addition, 1 ml doses of saturated NaCl solution were given by gastric intubation at weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10. Similarly, group 2 was treated with MNNG and Na-TC, while group 3 animals received MNNG and NaCl. Group 4 was given MNNG alone. Groups 5-8 served as equivalent controls without MNNG initiation. The results revealed significantly enhanced induction of immunohistochemically defined PAPG in the Na-TC + NaCl (P less than 0.001), Na-TC (P less than 0.01) and NaCl (P less than 0.01) treated animals initiated with MNNG. Sodium chloride demonstrated a clear synergistic effect with Na-TC in promoting the development of PAPG, suggesting possible advantage for its use in medium-term in vivo assays for detection of gastric carcinogens and promoters.

Animals↗

Strain differences in susceptibility to 2-acetylaminofluorene and phenobarbital promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis: immunohistochemical analysis of cytochrome P-450 isozyme induction by 2-acetylaminofluorene and phenobarbital.

Strain differences in the expression of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes (P-450s) during enhancement of hepatocarcinogenesis by 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and phenobarbital (PB) were investigated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against phenobarbital (PB) (APF3) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) (APH8) inducible P-450s. LEW, SD, WBN, F344, SHR, NAR, Wistar and ODS rats were studied, the first five strains proving to be less susceptible to 2-AAF induction of APH8 while responding strongly to the promoting influence of this chemical, as reported previously. The other three strains, NAR, Wistar and ODS, demonstrated greater inducibility, this correlating with an observed resistance to promotion by 2-AAF. PB administration was not associated with any strain difference in APF3 cytochrome P-450 inducibility except in the ODS rat, in which its effects were minimal. The results provide direct evidence that differential expression of cytochrome P-450 species plays a major role in determining responsiveness to hepatocarcinogenesis-promoting agents such as 2-AAF.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Effects of age on multiple organ carcinogenesis induced by 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl in rats, with particular reference to the prostate.

The effects of age on multi-organ carcinogenesis induced by 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) in male F344 rats were examined. Groups of 5-, 35-, and 65-week-old animals were given 4 weekly sc injections of DMAB at a dose of 200 or 150 mg/kg body weight. Prostate carcinomas were induced in 8 to 19% of rats treated, no significant differences in the incidence between different ages being observed. Tumors in the small intestine, skin, pancreas and peritoneum, however, developed more frequently in young than in old animals, whereas higher incidences of testis, preputial and mammary gland lesions were found in the 35- and/or 65-week-old groups. Colon and Zymbal gland carcinogenesis did not reveal any age dependence.

Age Factors↗

Lack of carcinogenicity of quercetin in F344/DuCrj rats.

Quercetin was administered at dietary levels of 0(control), 1.25 and 5.0% to groups of 50 male and 50 female rats for 104 weeks, and then all animals were maintained without quercetin supplement for a further 8 weeks. At 5.0% quercetin, both sexes showed growth retardation throughout the study. There were no treatment-ascribed effects regarding clinical signs, mortality, urinalyses or hematology. Although serum glucose in 5.0% quercetin-treated males was significantly decreased and some relative organ weights in 5.0% groups showed statistically significant increases, these latter changes seemed to be related to the growth retardation. An increased incidence of non-neoplastic hyperplastic polyps in the cecum was noted in the 5.0% males. The incidences of cystic changes and fibroadenomas of the mammary gland, and foci (areas) of hepatocellular alteration in the 5.0% females, and liver bile duct proliferations in the 5.0% males were significantly decreased. No proliferative lesions of the urinary bladder related to treatment with quercetin were found in any rats. The incidences of several other nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions which demonstrated statistically significant changes appeared to be related to the growth retardation or to be within the normal range, and therefore none was considered to be significant biologically. Thus, the investigation did not demonstrate any clear carcinogenic effect of quercetin on F344 rats at dietary levels of up to 5.0%.

Animals↗

Advantages and limitations of stereological estimation of placental glutathione S-transferase-positive rat liver cell foci by computerized three-dimensional reconstruction.

The applicability to a medium-term bioassay for liver carcinogens of mathematical formulae for the calculation of numbers of foci per volume was examined in F344 rats. Two weeks after initiation with diethylnitrosamine, animals were given test compounds for 6 weeks, partial hepatectomy being performed at week 3. At week 8, the rats were killed, the livers removed and stained immunohistochemically for assessment of glutathione S-transferase P form (GST-P)-positive foci development. Numbers and areas of lesions were measured two-dimensionally using a color image analyzer, and the Enzmann and Campbell formulae for estimation of number and volume per cm3 were applied to the results. In addition, three-dimensional reconstruction of individual foci was performed using up to 150 GST-P stained foci, with the aid of a computerized graphic system. Both two- and three-dimensionally expressed quantitative results were found to adequately demonstrate the modifying potential of test chemicals on hepatocarcinogenesis. The three-dimensional approach was only more accurate if most of the foci were small and the liver was enlarged by compound treatment. Stereological reconstruction revealed that the shape of GST-P-positive foci, especially if relatively large, is not always spherical but that many demonstrate irregular branching forms, so that the assumptions behind stereological estimation are not met. The results therefore show that care must be taken in applying mathematical formulae for the calculation of three-dimensional data.

Animals↗

Comparative study of urinary bladder carcinomas in Japanese and Egyptians.

One hundred six Japanese and 169 Egyptian cases of urinary bladder carcinoma treated by total cystectomy were analyzed histopathologically. Urinary bladder carcinomas in Egypt were encountered at an earlier age than those in Japan. The proportion of carcinomas in Egyptian males was higher than in Japanese males. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) predominated in Egyptian cases whereas transitional cell carcinomas predominated in Japanese cases. The pathological stage of Egyptian cancers was more advanced than in Japanese cases; even grade 1 SCCs showed invasion into the muscular layer. Most carcinomas in Egypt were associated with Schistosoma haematobium infections.

Aged↗

Bladder cancers. Their process of development and its modification.

Much information on the development of bladder cancers and its modification has accumulated. It is generally considered that the presence of chemicals in the environment including carcinogens and modifiers (promoters, inhibitors, anti-promoters, etc.) is responsible for the geographical variation in human neoplasia including urinary bladder cancer development. A diagrammatic representation of the possible interactions between environmental factors and tumor development in man is shown in Fig. 6. Thus if potent carcinogens or promoters are present, neoplasia results, with tumor death occurring within an individual's normal lifetime. However, lack of such substances or the existence of powerful inhibitory factors is presumed to slow down the process, so that the normal life-span is not affected. It is therefore of prime importance for thorough awareness of the factors involved to be generated.

Adult↗

Two cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with pupillary disturbances.

Two cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with pupillary disturbances are reported. Case 1 was a 58-year-old housewife, displaying pandysautonomia. Case 2 was a 65-year-old housewife, suffering from chronic polyneuropathy and polymyopathy. Both patients showed similar pupillary disturbances, suggesting both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic denervation of the pupil. Hashimoto's thyroiditis may have caused the pupillary disturbances in association with generalized polyneuropathy or pandysautonomia.

Aged↗

Complete reversibility of physiological coronary vascular abnormalities in hypertrophied hearts produced by pressure overload in the rat.

Using an experimental model of ascending aortic banding in the rat, we examined whether coronary circulation abnormalities in hypertrophied hearts are reversible after debanding. 4-wk banding produced significant increases in in vivo left ventricular (LV) pressure (194 +/- 13 vs. 114 +/- 9 mmHg in shamoperated controls) and LV dry wt/body wt (48 +/- 5% above controls). In isolated hearts perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer, coronary flow rate (CFR) was estimated under nonworking conditions. During maximal vasodilation after 1 min-ischemia, CFR at a coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) of 100 mmHg and CFR/myocardidial mass at CPPs of 100 and 150 mmHg decreased significantly (72 +/- 5%; 53 +/- 4 and 61 +/- 4% of controls). 1 or 4 wk after debanding, LV systolic pressures were similar to control values, and the degree of myocardial hypertrophy decreased to levels 23 +/- 6 (P less than 0.01) and 11 +/- 6% (P less than 0.01) above their control values, respectively. At 1 wk there was no significant increase in CFR/myocardial mass, compared to values in the banded group (67 +/- 8 vs. 53 +/- 4% of controls at 100 mmHg and 67 +/- 9 vs. 61 +/- 4% at 150 mmHg of CPP). At 4 wk, CFR and the ratio had increased toward normal. Thus, decreased coronary perfusion in hypertrophied hearts is completely reversible.

Animals↗

Medium-term bioassay system for detection of carcinogens and modifiers of hepatocarcinogenesis utilizing the GST-P positive liver cell focus as an endpoint marker.

We have developed a medium-term bioassay system of 8 weeks duration utilizing male Fischer 344 (F344) rats for detection of liver carcinogens and modifiers of hepatocarcinogenesis. The system consists of a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg), 6-weeks-administration of test chemical beginning 2 weeks after the DEN injection, and 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) performed at week 3. Carcinogenic potency of test chemicals is predicted based on the results of quantitative analyses of immunohistochemically-demonstrated glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive liver cell foci. At present, a total of 140 chemicals have been tested using this system, and the findings show a good correlation with reported carcinogenic activities in long-term tests. Furthermore, the reliability of the system has been extensively examined: the results from the medium-term bioassay were compared with those from long-term experiments using the same doses of selected chemicals; the data from presently-used 2-dimensional analysis were compared with calculated values utilizing mathematical formulae for three-dimensional analysis: conformity of phenotypic expression of enzymes in preneoplastic lesions was examined in relation to their growth activity. In conclusion, although the results with non-hepatocarcinogens were less than satisfactory, the present experimental protocol, which requires far fewer animals and shorter duration than a long-term carcinogenicity test, appears of advantage for rapid screening of the large number of environmental chemicals which may possess hazard potential for induction of liver cancer in man.

Animals↗

Histochemical analysis of the chemical structure of blood group-related carbohydrate chains in serous cells of human submandibular glands using lectin staining and glycosidase digestion.

Using lectin staining methods in combination with exo- and endo-glycosidase digestion procedures, we analyzed the chemical structure of different types of blood group-related substances in serous cells of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human submandibular glands. Serous cells produced only H antigen; A and B antigens were not present, and the expression of H antigen is dependent on the secretor status of the tissue donor. Although reactivity with Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) was not markedly reduced by alpha-L-fucosidase digestion, an affinity for peanut agglutinin (PNA) was seen after fucosidase digestion in the cells from secretors. In those from nonsecretors, no PNA reactivity appeared after enzyme digestion. On the other hand, sialidase digestion elicited PNA reactivity in serous cells irrespective of the donor's secretor status. PNA reactivity observed after fucosidase or sialidase digestion was susceptible to endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (endo-GalNAc-dase) digestion. SBA reactivity in UEA-I-negative cells from secretors, or in cells from fetuses and newborn infants, was markedly reduced by beta-galactosidase digestion. After galactosidase digestion, reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin II (GSA-II) appeared in the corresponding cells. This GSA-II reactivity was almost completely eliminated by subsequent beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase digestion. Whereas PNA reactivity in these cells was not reduced by beta-galactosidase treatment, it was significantly diminished by endo-GalNAc-dase digestion. These results suggest that at least two kinds of precursor disaccharides are produced in submandibular serous cells, i.e., SBA-reactive D-galactose-(beta 1-3,4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and PNA-reactive D-galactose-(beta 1-3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine alpha 1-serine or threonine (O-glycosidically linked Type 3 chain or T antigen). Final fucosylation and synthesis of these two types of precursor chain appear to be under the control of the secretor gene.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Left ventricular pump function in right ventricular overload.

To clarify how left ventricular pumping action is altered in cor pulmonale, an experimental study was performed using canine heart preparations in which the effects on left ventricular performance of right ventricular overload, with and without depressed systolic function, were investigated. For this purpose, two methods using excised perfused hearts (n = 16) and in vivo hearts (n = 6) were employed, and in the latter condition, pulmonary artery constriction (n = 7), femoral arterial-venous (A-V) shunt (n = 3) and right coronary artery occlusion (n = 6) were induced. Left ventricular systolic function was assessed by the relationship between left ventricular isovolumic developed pressure and left ventricular volume in excised heart, and by ejection fraction with 2 dimensional echocardiogram in the vivo condition, taking into account preload and afterload changes. From the excised heart preparation, it was shown that left ventricular developed pressure significantly decreases when right and left ventricular diastolic pressure increases greatly. On the other hand, in vivo right ventricular overload due to pulmonary constriction and A-V shunt, the left ventricular ejection fraction increased following afterload reduction. When we compare the left ventricular ejection fraction in pulmonary constriction with that in right coronary occlusion, in which reduction of left ventricular diastolic area from the control was similar, the latter was significantly decreased despite afterload reduction. These results suggest that right ventricular overload does not necessarily induce left ventricular systolic dysfunction unless left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, as well as that of the right ventricle, increases definitely and simultaneously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Determination of blood volume in dogs using an enriched stable isotope 50Cr.

For the measurement of canine blood volume, various experimental conditions and techniques have been investigated using a non radioactive stable isotope 50Cr. On the basis of the results in this preliminary work, erythrocytes were labeled using 50Cr. Five micrograms of 50Cr per 1 ml of blood was added and incubated for 60 min. The canine erythrocytes were tagged using 50Cr and injected into vein of the same dogs. The blood samples collected at 60 min after the injection were irradiated by thermal neutron for 20 min at the reactor of the JAERI. Activities of 51Cr (the 50Cr concentration method) and 51Cr/59Fe radioactivity ratios (the 51Cr/59Fe ratio method) in the samples were measured. There was a very high correlation (r = 0.97, P less than 0.001) between the blood volumes calculated by the 50Cr concentration method and the 51Cr/59Fe ratio method. The latter method is less complicated than the former, because measurement of the sample weight and correction of thermal neutron flux are unnecessary. The mean blood volumes calculated by the ratio method and the Evans blue method were 89.8 +/- 6.8 ml/kg B.W. (mean +/- SD) and 98.9 +/- 10.6 ml/kg, respectively, showing a significant difference between them (P less than 0.05). However, these values are almost in accord by correction of venous blood PCV values with factor 0.97. As a detection limit of 50Cr was approximately 0.1 ng per 1 ml of blood in this system, this method has been concluded to be applicable to the measurement of the blood volume of cattle.

Animals↗

Rapid bioassay methods for carcinogens and modifiers of hepatocarcinogenesis.

It is very important to detect environmental carcinogens in a short period. For this purpose, a rapid bioassay system based on two-step hepatocarcinogenesis has been developed in our laboratory. Rats were initially given a single dose (200 mg/kg) of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) i.p. and, starting 2 weeks later, were treated with test compounds for 6 weeks and then sacrificed, all rats being subjected to a two thirds partial hepatectomy at week 3. Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci in the liver with those of the corresponding control. More than 90% of hepatocarcinogens showed positivity, and none of the compounds reported as noncarcinogenic demonstrated positivity. Furthermore, this system also detected inhibitory effects. In order to detect nonhepatocarcinogens, other appropriate systems also have been developed, for example, using methylnitrosourea or other multispectrum carcinogens. These rapid bioassay systems are particularly useful for the screening of environmental carcinogens.

Animals↗

[Dental caries of primary teeth and life habits in Shinshinotsu Nursery School: three years of observations].

It is well known that there is a high positive correlation between increases in caries increment and life habits such as use of nursing bottle, tooth brushing, between-meal eating, and sweet consumption. The purpose of this study was to analyze data of caries status in primary dentition and life habits observed in 373 Shinshinotsu nursery schoolchildren aged 3-5 years over three years. Dental examinations were conducted in good natural light using dental mirror and probe. Caries was diagnosed according to the Welfare Ministry criteria and life habits were examined by a questionnaire. The mean number of df was 7.1 for the whole sample for three years and 17.6 of the children were caries free, whereas 47.3 were more than 10 df. The former group showed the best score for the frequency of between-meal eating, frequency of sweet consumption, tooth brushing habits, and frequency of fluoride application. The latter group showed a tendency to lower sweet consumption during the three years. Our data also showed that the life habits at nursing (use of nursing bottle and weaning period) influenced incidence of caries.

Child, Preschool↗