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Biomedical subjects

N Sakura

Publications and source records attributed to N Sakura.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Dopamine and alpha-endorphin are contained in different neurons of the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus as revealed by combined fluorescence histochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

An attempt was made to demonstrate dopamine and alpha-endorphin neurons in the same sections of the arcuate nucleus by combining the techniques of fluorescence histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Dopamine neurons were found mainly in the medial part near the wall of the third ventricle and alpha-endorphin neurons in the lateral part. We failed to detect any neurons showing simultaneous dopamine fluorescence and alpha-endorphin positive immunoreactivity. We conclude therefore that dopamine synthesizing neurons are probably different from alpha-endorphin synthesizing neurons in the arcuate nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Immunoreactive dog C-peptide level in the pancreatic vein.

C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) levels were measured in dog superior pancreaticoduodenal vein using synthetic dog C-peptide and its antiserum. The basal CPR level was approximately twice as high as the basal immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level on a molar basis. Glucose (10 mg/kg/min) or arginine (250 mg/kg/min) infusion for 5 min into the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery caused a prompt, parallel increase in IRI and CPR. IRI and CPR were closely equimolar at peak secretions. One bolus administration of synthetic neurotensin (10 microgram/kg) into the same artery produced a mild hyperglycemic response and biphasic IRI and CPR responses at 30 min in the vein. The IRI and CPR increases were closely equimolar during the first phase of secretion, but during the second peak a larger increase was found in CPR than IRI. Upon infusion of synthetic substance P (50 ng/kg/min) for 30 min, IRI and CPR concentrations showed a parallel and closely equimolar fall. These results indicate that insulin and C-peptide were released from beta cells in equimolar concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactivity in a human neuroblastoma cell line and the coexistence of other neuropeptide immunoreactivity in the cell line.

The presence of VIP-like immunoreactivity in human neuroblastoma cell line NB-1 was demonstrated by radioimmunoassay of the crude cell extract and by immunocytochemical staining of the cells. Gel filtration profiles of VIP-like immunoreactivity in the cell extract measured by radioimmunoassays using three different region-specific antisera revealed that the immunoreactivity consists of a major molecular form corresponding to porcine VIP having 28 amino acid residues with at least two additional minor forms larger and smaller than the VIP. In addition to VIP-like immunoreactivity, the cell extract was shown to contain substance P-, neurotensin- and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity as well.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Bombesin inhibits insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets of rats in vitro.

The effect of bombesin on insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets of rats was examined in vitro. Bombesin, at the doses ranging from 10 ng/ml to 1 microgram/ml, significantly inhibited 16.7 mM glucose-induced insulin release, while bombesin had no inhibitory effect on insulin release at 8.3 mM and 3.3 mM glucose. Moreover, bombesin also suppressed insulin release elicited by 10 mM arginine at the doses of 100 ng/ml and 1 microgram/ml. These results indicate that bombesin has a direct inhibitory action on insulin release.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Somatostatin radioimmunoassay with 125I-Nalpha-tyrosyl-somatostatin.

Nalpha-Tyrosyl-somatostatin was synthesized and proved to be homogeneous. Radioiodination of this tyrosine-containing somatostatin analogue by either the lactoperoxidase method or the chloramine T method led to the formation of crude iodinated compound, which was purified by ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-25 using a linear ammonium acetate buffer gradient. This purification process was found to be satisfactorily reproducible and suitable for the preparation of 125I-Nalpha-tyrosyl-somatostatin. Using the purified 125I-somatostatin analogue, radioimmunoassay for somatostatin was performed and the assay system was proved to be sensitive and specific for somatostatin. Immunoassays of hot-water extracts of porcine and tupaia brain, pancreas, stomach and various regions of the intestine in the system revealed that those tissues contained immunoreactive somatostatin at various concentrations. Of the results, it was remarkable that somatostatin immunoreactivity was found in the ileum, middle colon and rectum in both animals, although the concentration were lower when compared with those in the stomach, duodenum and jejunum.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Syntheses of C-peptides and human proinsulin.

Syntheses of human, dog, rat, and duck C-peptides and their analogues and preliminary results on the total synthesis of human proinsulin are described. In the syntheses of the C-peptides, chain elongation was performed exclusively by the azide-fragment condensation method in solution. The synthetic human, dog, rat, and duck C-peptides and their analogues were proved to be homogeneous by several analytic means. With these synthetic peptides, radioimmunoassay systems for dog, rat, and duck C-peptides were developed. For the total synthesis of human proinsulin, 10 protected peptide hydrazides were prepared, and the linearly protected hexaoctacontapeptide having the proposed sequence of human proinsulin was constructed by the azide-fragment condensation method in solution starting from the C-terminal undecapeptide (HP 75-86). After deblocking of the alpha-amino protection, the partially protected hexaoctacontapeptide was treated with sodium in liquid ammonia. The ensuing sulfhydryl form was converted to the S-sulfonate form, which was reduced and then air-oxidized. The oxidized material was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 (fine) followed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The cross-reactivity in the insulin radioimmunoassay of the ensuing product was 62.5 per cent of porcine proinsulin on a weight basis at B/Bo = 60 per cent. Acid hydrolysis and amino acid analysis of this product gave the theoretically expected ratios. In addition, this peptide, as well as the S-sulfonate form of the hexaoctacontapeptide, showed displacement curves superimposable on that of synthetic human C-peptide on an equimolar basis in the human C-peptide radioimmunoassay (antiserum 527). These results confirm the synthesis of human proinsulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1977

Screening for primary immunodeficiencies associated with purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency or adenosine deaminase deficiency.

A screening method has been established for PNP deficiency. This enzyme activity in dried blood absorbed on filter paper can be detected by the formation of a blue insoluble formazan with a gel containing inosine, xanthine oxidase, MTT-tetrazolium, and phenazine methosulfate. The color change is very clear and definite and no false results have been obtained in the testing of 256 enzyme-positive and 107 enzyme-negative samples. The enzyme activity in dried blood on filter paper is so stable at room temperature that samples can be mailed. A screening method for ADA deficiency was developed, also depending on the color change of MTT-tetrazolium. Although the test is slightly more expensive than that developed by Moore and Meuwissen, its accuracy is greater. A common screening method for detecting deficiencies of either PNP or ADA is described.

Adenosine Deaminase↗