Biomedical subjects

N Koh

Publications and source records attributed to N Koh.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Increased alanine uptake and lipid synthesis from alanine in isolated hepatocytes of Wistar-Kyoto fatty rats: an inhibitory effect of biguanides.

To examine the pathophysiological characteristics of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, alanine metabolism in isolated hepatocytes of male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) fatty rats (genetically obese and hyperglycemic) and their lean littermates was investigated. The effects of glucagon and the biguanides, metformin and buformin, on alanine metabolism were also studied by measuring alanine uptake and lipid synthesis from alanine. WKY fatty rats showed higher plasma insulin and lipid concentrations than lean rats at 5 as well as at 12 weeks of age. Alanine uptake into hepatocytes was increased in fatty rats only at 12 weeks of age compared with lean rats. Lipid synthesis from alanine in hepatocytes was increased in fatty rats at 5 and 12 weeks of age compared with lean rats. Glucagon increased alanine uptake into hepatocytes but did not affect lipid synthesis from alanine in both fatty and lean rats. Low concentrations (0.1 mM) of biguanides decreased lipid synthesis from alanine only in fatty rats without inhibiting alanine uptake into hepatocytes. These observations suggest that lipid synthesis from alanine in hepatocytes of WKY fatty rats is accelerated prior to the onset of diabetes mellitus, which might be associated with the development of diabetes, and that an inhibitory effect on increased lipid synthesis is one of the pharmacodynamic actions of biguanides.

Aging↗

PubMed1996

Rapid formation of advanced glycation end products by intermediate metabolites of glycolytic pathway and polyol pathway.

To clarify roles of intermediate metabolites of the glycolytic pathway and the polyol pathway in nonenzymatic glycation under physiological conditions, we incubated bovine serum albumin with intermediates of both pathways in the micromolar range as well as with 20 mmol/l glucose, and observed the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). We found that triose phosphates, glyceraldehyde, and a novel polyol pathway-related metabolite, fructose 3-phosphate along with its breakdown product, 3-deoxyglucosone were extremely potent glycating agents that at nearly physiological concentrations on incubation with albumin produced substantial amounts of AGEs as early as 24 hours, while 20 mmol/l glucose afforded trace amounts of AGEs after two week incubation. The results along with the previous evidence of the increased level of intermediates in diabetic states may suggest that the intermediate metabolites rather than glucose contribute to enhanced glycation in diabetic tissues, inspite of the much lower concentrations compared with glucose.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Nerve function and blood flow in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats with sucrose feeding: effect of an anticoagulant.

To investigate the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, an animal model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and non-diabetic Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats were fed with or without sucrose and/or cilostazol, an anticoagulant, for 8 weeks. Sucrose-fed diabetic rats showed a delayed motor nerve conduction velocity, decreased R-R interval variability of electrocardiogram, reduced sciatic nerve blood flow, increased platelet aggregability and a decreased erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration compared with non-sucrose-fed diabetic rats and non-diabetic rats. These abnormalities were significantly prevented by treatment with cilostazol without changes in the nerve tissue levels of polyols. These findings indicate that sucrose-fed Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats may be a useful animal model of neuropathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and that cilostazol may prevent the development of diabetic neuropathy by modifying vascular factors.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

PubMed1996

Effect of propionyl-L-carnitine on oscillatory potentials in electroretinogram in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The effect of propionyl-L-carnitine, an analogue of L-carnitine, and insulin on the oscillatory potentials of the electroretinogram was determined in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Propionyl-L-carnitine was administered at a daily dose of 0.5 g/kg by gavage for 4 weeks, while other rats were treated with subcutaneous injections of insulin (8-10 U/day). Both treatments shortened the peak latencies of the oscillatory potentials in the electroretinogram, which were significantly prolonged in untreated diabetic rats (O1, O2 and O3, and sigma (O1 + O2 + O3)) (P < 0.0001 vs. untreated normal rats). A significant decrease in the erythrocyte free carnitine level in diabetic rats was prevented by both treatments. Insulin produced a significant reduction of retinal glucose, sorbitol and fructose levels in diabetic rats, while propionyl-L-carnitine failed to do so. However, both treatments markedly reduced serum lipids levels in the diabetic rats. These findings provide information on the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy as well as suggesting the potential therapeutic value of propionyl-L-carnitine for retinopathy.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

Effects of propionyl-L-carnitine and insulin on the electroretinogram, nerve conduction and nerve blood flow in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The effect of an analogue of L-carnitine, propionyl-L-carnitine, on the electroretinogram, motor nerve conduction velocity and nerve blood flow was determined in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and was compared with the effects of insulin alone or combined therapy. Oral administration of propionyl-L-carnitine (3 g/kg daily for 4 weeks) significantly increased caudal nerve motor conduction velocity and sciatic nerve blood flow in diabetic rats. There were no differences in the effects of insulin (8-10 U daily for 4 weeks), propionyl-L-carnitine and combined therapy. Although propionyl-L-carnitine significantly shortened the peak latency of the electroretinogram b-wave in diabetic rats, its effect was far weaker than that of insulin or combined therapy, with combined therapy producing the greatest improvement. These effects of propionyl-L-carnitine were accompanied by a decrease of serum lipid levels, an increase of the sciatic nerve carnitine content, and no changes of the tissue (nerve and retinal) sorbitol and myo-inositol concentrations. In contrast, insulin significantly reduced the tissue sorbitol content and markedly increased myo-inositol. These findings suggest that propionyl-L-carnitine may improve diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy without influencing the polyol pathway, and that this beneficial effect may be mediated through the amelioration of microcirculation and tissue carnitine content, thus probably increasing fatty acid oxidation.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Enhancement and inhibition of mitogenic action of insulin-like growth factor I by high glucose in cultured bovine retinal pericytes.

To explore the possible relationship between insulin-like growth factor I(IGF-I) and diabetic retinopathy, we examined the effects of glucose on IGF-I stimulated thymidine incorporation into DNA and IGF-I binding in cultured bovine retinal pericytes. IGF-I significantly increased thymidine incorporation, and its effect was completely inhibited by IGF-I receptor antibody. The exposure to high glucose for 8 h significantly enhanced the IGF-I induced increase in thymidine incorporation as compared with those to normal glucose and to high osmolarity. In contrast, the incubation with high glucose for 24 h decreased thymidine incorporation in response to IGF-I. Specific binding of IGF-I to pericytes was increased by the incubation with high glucose for both 8 and 24 h. These results suggest that glucose may play an important role in the regulation of mitogenic action of IGF-I in retinal pericytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of acarbose on blood glucose profiles and plasma 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol in type 2 diabetes poorly controlled by sulfonylurea therapy.

Sixteen patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled by glibenclamide (7.5-10.0 mg/day) were treated with acarbose (100 mg tds) for one week and the effect on the blood glucose profile, 24-hour urinary glucose excretion, plasma fructosamine, and plasma 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG) level was determined. The blood glucose profile was more stable and levels were lower during acarbose administration. In some patients, this improvement was maintained after discontinuing acarbose. The M-value, an indicator of blood glucose fluctuations, decreased significantly from 33.2 +/- 3.0 (mean +/- SEM) in the run-in period to 13.4 +/- 2.4 during acarbose therapy (P < 0.001), and rose again to 26.5 +/- 4.4 (P < 0.001) in the follow-up period. The 24-hour urinary glucose excretion and plasma fructosamine decreased similarly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) during and after acarbose therapy. Plasma 1,5-AG levels did not change significantly during acarbose therapy, but increased markedly afterwards (from 19.3 +/- 3.1 mumol 1(-1) to 25.0) +/- 3.1 mumol l-1, P < 0.001). Plasma 1,5-AG levels were significantly correlated with urinary glucose excretion one week earlier (r = 0.513, P < 0.006). These findings suggest that acarbose may improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients poorly controlled by sulfonylurea therapy and that plasma 1,5-AG might be used as a marker of glycemic control cooperating with other markers such as fructosamine and urinary glucose determination for monitoring the short-term response to antidiabetic therapy.

Acarbose↗

PubMed1996

Effect of a novel hypoglycemic agent, KAD-1229 on glucose metabolism and fructose-2,6-bisphosphate content in isolated hepatocytes of normal rats.

The effects of a novel hypoglycemic agent, calcium(2s)-2-benzyl-3-(cis-hexahydro-2-isoindolinylcarbonyl) propionate dihydrate (KAD-1229), which is a benzyl succinate derivative, on liver metabolism were investigated using isolated hepatocytes from normal rats. In the presence of 10 mM glucose, KAD-1229 increased the L-lactate production (41.1 +/- 0.9 versus 60.9 +/- 2.6 mumol of lactate/g of cells/30 min; P < 0.05) and inhibited gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes (0.94 +/- 0.02 versus 0.70 +/- 0.03 mumol of [2-14C]-pyruvate converted to glucose/g of cells/20 min; P < 0.05). These effects by KAD-1229 were accompanied by an increase in the cellular content of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-P2), which is one of the important regulators of hepatic glucose metabolism, in a dose-dependent manner (0.05-2.5 mM). KAD-1229 also stimulated the oxidation of [2-14C]-pyruvate and [6-14C]-glucose in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (+18 and +31%, respectively), indicating that stimulation of tricarboxylic acid cycle activity and/or enhancement of the glycolytic flux rate had occurred. Moreover, KAD-1229 did not modify the activities of 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase or fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, but increased significantly the accumulation of fructose 6-phosphate in hepatocytes. These results suggest that KAD-1229 has extrapancreatic effects on hepatic glucose metabolism, that its actions are mediated through the inhibition of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and stimulation of both the 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase reaction and tricarboxylic acid cycle activity by increasing the F-2,6-P2 content in hepatocytes, and that these multiple effects may account in part for the ability of KAD-1229 to reduce blood glucose levels in vivo.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

Effects of beraprost sodium and insulin on the electroretinogram, nerve conduction, and nerve blood flow in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The effect of a prostacyclin analog, beraprost sodium, on the electroretinogram, motor nerve conduction velocity, and nerve blood flow was determined in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and was compared with the effect of insulin. Beraprost sodium (0.01 mg x kg-1 x day-1 for 8 weeks) significantly shortened the peak latency of the electroretinogram b-wave, increased tail nerve conduction velocity, and increased sciatic nerve blood flow in diabetic rats (P < 0.0003, 0.0001, and 0.0001 vs. untreated diabetic rats, respectively). This was accompanied by a significant increase in the 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha content of the thoracic aorta and a marked increase in the cAMP content of the sciatic nerve. Beraprost sodium had no effect on the sorbitol and fructose contents of the sciatic nerve and retina, but insulin (8-10 U/day) significantly reduced both parameters. These findings suggest that beraprost sodium may be useful for prevention of vascular and neural dysfunction in the retina and peripheral nerve.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

PubMed1996

An importance of carbohydrate ingestion for the expression of the effect of alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the usefulness of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in glycemic control of patients with NIDDM. The involvement of carbohydrate ingestion in manifestation of the effects of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors was also investigated. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 41 patients hospitalized with NIDDM (22 patients receiving sulfonylurea and 19 receiving insulin therapy) were given alpha-glucosidase inhibitors during the period when their blood glucose levels were well controlled. They were followed for 3 weeks as inpatients and for an additional 6 months as outpatients. They were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the percentage of carbohydrates in all sources of calories during outpatient management: the < 50% group and the > 50% group. Between these two groups, we compared circadian variation in blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and urine C-peptide. RESULTS: Treatment with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors during the hospital stay markedly improved circadian variation in blood glucose levels and HbA1c and decreased urine C-peptide in both groups. While HbA1c returned to its pretreatment level at 6 months after the treatment in the < 50% group, HbA1c had further improved in the > 50% group at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors are useful for glycemic control in patients with NIDDM and the percentage of carbohydrate in all calorie sources is an important factor for the expression of their effects.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1996

Effect of propionyl-L-carnitine on motor nerve conduction, autonomic cardiac function, and nerve blood flow in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes: comparison with an aldose reductase inhibitor.

The effects of propionyl-L-carnitine (PCAL) on caudal motor nerve conduction velocity, the coefficient of variation of the R-R interval on the electrocardiogram, and sciatic nerve blood flow were compared with those of [5-(3-thienyl)tetrazol-1-yl] acetic acid monohydrate, an aldose reductase inhibitor, in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Diabetic control rats showed significantly delayed nerve conduction (P < .05), decreased R-R variability (P < .05) and reduced sciatic nerve blood flow (P < .05). Oral administration of PCAL (0.5 g/kg/day) and [5-(3-thienyl)tetrazol-1-yl] acetic acid monohydrate (0.05% in the diet: 60 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks significantly improved both nerve conduction (P < .05) and R-R variability (P < .05) in diabetic rats, along with the normalization of sciatic nerve blood flow. PCAL treatment increased the nerve tissue levels of carnitine and myo-inositol and reduced the serum triglyceride level in diabetic rats. Our results suggests that PCAL could have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

PubMed1995

Polyol pathway, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in erythrocytes and diabetic neuropathy in rats.

The relationship between the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration in red blood cells as a biological indicator of tissue hypoxia and diabetic neuropathy, and the effect of a potent aldose reductase inhibitor, (2S,4S)-6-fluoro-2'5'-dioxospiro [chroman-4,4'-imidazolidine]-2-carboxamide (SNK-860), on both were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats demonstrated significantly delayed motor nerve conduction velocity and reduced sciatic nerve blood flow. Altered biochemical features in the sciatic nerves, including a marked accumulation of sorbitol and fructose, myo-inositol depletion and decreased Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity were also detected in diabetic rats. These defects were accompanied by a decrease in the red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration. Treatment with SNK-860 partially or completely ameliorated these abnormalities. These observations suggest that a decrease in the red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration is one of the factors contributing to tissue hypoxia, which results in diabetic neuropathy, and that this decrease is mediated through an aldose reductase inhibitor-sensitive pathway.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

PubMed1995

Point mutation of ornithine decarboxylase gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) plays an important role in cell growth, and its activity is regulated by many mechanisms. The biochemical characteristics of ODC in malignant cells differ from those of ODC in normal cells. To determine whether novel changes occur in ODC in neoplastic tissue, we compared the nucleotide sequence of ODC cDNA obtained from human hepatoma tissue as determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR with that of ODC cDNA obtained from nontumorous tissue in the same patients. There were three point mutations accompanied by replacements of amino acids in hepatoma tissue with other amino acids or a stop codon. In one poorly differentiated hepatoma, codon 415, CAA was converted to TAA, resulting in replacement of Gln-415 by a stop codon. The mutated ODC protein produced by translation in a reticulocyte-lysate protein synthesizing system was truncated and stabilized in an ATP antizyme-dependent degradation system. These findings suggest that formation of a truncated and stabilized ODC protein due to point mutation is one reason why ODC activity is high in human hepatoma tissue.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Effects of an aldose reductase inhibitor on erythrocyte fructose 3-phosphate and sorbitol 3-phosphate levels in diabetic patients.

Fructose 3-phosphate and sorbitol 3-phosphate are novel metabolites that have been shown to associate with the polyol pathway in animal experiments. Fructose 3-phosphate is of particular interest because of its potent glycation capability as compared with other glycolytic intermediates, e.g., fructose. We observed the effects of treatment with epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, on their concentrations in erythrocytes from diabetic patients. The levels of both metabolites were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic subjects. A group of patients who had been treated with epalrestat showed significantly lower levels of both metabolites as compared with those untreated. A treatment of three patients with epalrestat for one month resulted in obvious decreases in their concentrations. The results suggest a possible explanation for the preventive effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor on nonenzymatic glycation.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Neurotropin prevents neurophysiological abnormalities and ADP-induced hyperaggregability in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Neurotropin, a non-proteinaceous extract from the inflamed dermis of rabbits inoculated with vaccinia virus, was administered for 8 weeks to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The physiological and biochemical changes of the nerves were studied as well as ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Neurotropin improved the caudal motor nerve conduction velocity, R-R variability, sciatic nerve blood flow, and platelet hyperaggregability in diabetic rats, despite having no effect on sorbitol and fructose accumulation or myoinositol depletion in the sciatic nerve. The correlation between nerve conduction velocity, R-R variability, nerve blood flow, and platelet aggregation were significant between each two parameters (p < 0.0001). Thus, the mechanism of action of neurotropin differed from that of aldose reductase inhibitors. These findings suggest that vascular factors may play an important role in the development of diabetic neuropathy, and that neurotropin may be useful for the treatment of this condition.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1995

Prevention of abnormalities in motor nerve conduction and nerve blood-flow by a prostacyclin analog, beraprost sodium, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The effects of the prostacyclin analog beraprost sodium on motor nerve function and nerve blood-flow were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of beraprost sodium 0.1 mg/kg/day for 8 wks significantly (P < 0.001) improved caudal motor nerve conduction velocity and sciatic nerve blood-flow, both of which are impaired in diabetic rats. Beraprost sodium did not affect glucose, sorbitol, or fructose levels in the sciatic nerve. However, a decreased content of cyclic AMP in the sciatic nerve and higher level of thromboxane B2 in the thoracic aorta of diabetic rats, as compared with those in normal rats, were reversed by the treatment with beraprost sodium (P < 0.01). Results suggest that beraprost sodium may have value in treating diabetic neuropathy, mainly by improving endoneurial blood-flow.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Effect of a potent new aldose reductase inhibitor, (5-(3-thienyltetrazol-1-yl)acetic acid (TAT), on diabetic neuropathy in rats.

(5-(3-Thienyl)tetrazol-1-yl)acetic acid (TAT), a novel potent aldose reductase inhibitor, was administered for 4 weeks to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Physiological and biochemical studies were subsequently conducted on rat nerve tissue and erythrocyte sorbitol content was estimated. Sciatic nerve blood flow (SNBF) was markedly lower (about 43.4%) in untreated diabetic (DC) rats than in non-diabetic controls (NC). A significant delay in caudal motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and significantly higher glucose, sorbitol and fructose values were observed in the sciatic nerve, accompanied by a markedly higher sorbitol concentration in erythrocytes. In contrast, TAT-treated diabetic groups (DT-10, DT-40 and DT-200) had significantly higher SNBF, MNCV and sciatic nerve myo-inositol values and lower sciatic nerve sorbitol and fructose levels and erythrocyte sorbitol concentration than the DC group. There were good correlations between SNBF and MNCV (r = 0.672, P < 0.001) and between SNBF and erythrocyte sorbitol (r = 0.455, P < 0.003). These findings suggest that both vascular and metabolic factors play an important role in diabetic neuropathy and the effect of aldose reductase inhibitors on diabetic neuropathy may be mediated by at least these two factors.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

PubMed1995

Interference by gliclazide in the glucose oxidase/peroxidase method for glucose assay.

Gliclazide interferes with the glucose determination using the glucose oxidase/peroxidase (EC 1.1.3.4/1.11.1.7) (GOD-PERID) method utilizing 2,2-azino-di-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) as the oxygen acceptor chromogen. There was an essentially linear relationship between the concentrations of gliclazide and decreasing glucose readings. One mu mol/1 of gliclazide in samples leads to an apparent loss of about 2.5 mu mol/l of glucose. However, gliclazide did not interfere with the glucose determination using the hexokinase/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase method. This interference in the GOD-PERID method for glucose assay can occur in the in vitro experimental samples and cause underestimation of the glucose values. It is suggested that careful attention should be paid to the limited applicability of the GOD-PERID method for glucose assay.

Animals↗