Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

N Uemura

Publications and source records attributed to N Uemura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Acquisition of interleukin-3 independence in FDC-P2 cells after transfection with the activated c-H-ras gene using a bovine papillomavirus-based plasmid vector.

Since the ras family of proto-oncogenes is supposed to be involved in leukemogenesis by point-mutational activation, we studied the effect of the activated ras gene on the growth of a murine interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line, FDC-P2. The human activated c-H-ras gene was transfected into FDC-P2 cells by electroporation using a high-level expression vector, BMGhph, which contains a partial DNA sequence from bovine papillomavirus (BPV) and a hygromycin B (hmB)-resistant gene as a selectable marker. The transformed FDC-P2 cells showed a high incidence of IL-3-independent growth and tumorigenicity in nude mice. These clones did not express or secrete IL-3, suggesting the acquisition of IL-3 independence by a nonautocrine mechanism. The high incidence of autonomous growth may be due to the use of the BMG vector, because (1) the activated ras gene in pBR322 vector (pHs-49) was not so efficient in the induction of IL-3 independence, (2) the c-H-ras genome copies per cell increased in number up to about 50 copies by using the BMG vector, and (3) cotransfection with the activated ras gene and the BPV gene in separate plasmids partly enhanced the incidence of autonomous growth without increasing the copy number of the ras gene compared with transfection with the activated ras gene alone. The present study supports the idea that the activation of ras gene is an important step in malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells and suggests that the BPV gene products may cooperate with ras gene activation probably by affecting the cellular genes that may be involved in multistep leukemogenesis. The BMG vector may be useful to test the transforming ability of oncogenes whose oncogenic potential is relatively low.

Animals

Renojejunal reflex controlling jejunal absorption of fluid and NaCl.

The aim of this study was to elucidate renojejunal reflex controlling the net jejunal fluid, Na+, and Cl- absorption in response to an increased ureteropelvic pressure (UPP) in anesthetized dogs. Unilateral UPP was increased under hydrostatic pressure from 0 to 80 mmHg by a step of 20 mmHg in random order, while the contralateral UPP was maintained at around 0 mmHg. The net absorption of fluid, Na+, and Cl- decreased in proportion to increased UPP. At a UPP of 0 mmHg, the net jejunal fluid, Na+, and Cl- absorption were 11.1 +/- 0.4 ml, 2.48 +/- 0.07, and 1.98 +/- 0.05 mEq, and significantly decreased to 7.38 +/- 0.6 ml, 2.11 +/- 0.15, and 1.68 +/- 0.13 mEq by an increase of UPP to 40 mmHg, respectively. An increase of bilateral UPP up to 40 mmHg or more occlusively depressed the absorption. These responses were blocked by renal denervation and by administration of atropine but not by yohimbine. These results indicate that the increase of UPP decreases jejunal fluid, Na+, and Cl- absorption (renojejunal reflex), and that the afferent and efferent limbs of this reflex are the renal nerves and cholinergic fibers. This renojejunal reflex might play an important role in body fluid homeostasis under the pathological condition.

Animals

Mechanisms of alpha 1-adrenergic vascular desensitization in conscious dogs.

To investigate the mechanisms of alpha 1-adrenergic vascular desensitization, osmotic minipumps containing either saline (n = 9) or amidephrine mesylate (AMD) (n = 9), a selective alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist, were implanted subcutaneously in dogs with chronically implanted arterial and right atrial pressure catheters and aortic flow probes. After chronic alpha 1-adrenergic receptor stimulation, significant physiological desensitization to acute AMD challenges was observed, i.e., pressor and vasoconstrictor responses to the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist were significantly depressed (p < 0.01) compared with responses in the same dogs studied in the conscious state before pump implantation. However, physiological desensitization to acute challenges of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) (0.1 micrograms/kg per minute) in the presence of beta-adrenergic receptor blockade was not observed for either mean arterial pressure (MAP) (30 +/- 7 versus 28 +/- 5 mm Hg) or total peripheral resistance (TPR) (29.8 +/- 4.9 versus 28.9 +/- 7.3 mm Hg/l per minute). In the presence of beta-adrenergic receptor plus ganglionic blockade after AMD pump implantation, physiological desensitization to NE was unmasked since the control responses to NE (0.1 micrograms/kg per minute) before the AMD pumps were now greater (p < 0.01) than after chronic AMD administration for both MAP (66 +/- 5 versus 32 +/- 2 mm Hg) and TPR (42.6 +/- 10.3 versus 23.9 +/- 4.4 mm Hg/l per minute). In the presence of beta-adrenergic receptor, ganglionic, plus NE-uptake blockade after AMD pump implantation, desensitization was even more apparent, since NE (0.1 micrograms/kg per minute) induced even greater differences in MAP (33 +/- 5 versus 109 +/- 6 mm Hg) and TPR (28.1 +/- 1.8 versus 111.8 +/- 14.7 mm Hg/l per minute). The maximal force of contraction induced by NE in the presence or absence of endothelium was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in vitro in mesenteric artery rings from AMD pump dogs compared with saline control dogs. Furthermore, alpha 1-adrenergic receptor density, as determined by [3H]prazosin binding in membrane preparations from vessels in the mesentery, was decreased (8.2 +/- 1.0 versus 18.4 +/- 1.4 fmol/mg protein, p < 0.001) without any change in Kd in the AMD pump dogs compared with the saline pump dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Effects of increased ureteropelvic pressure on fluid and NaCl absorption across the jejunum.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of an increased ureteropelvic pressure (UPP) on the net jejunal fluid, Na+, and Cl- absorption in anesthetized dogs. UPP was changed under hydrostatic pressure with warmed Ringer's solution. At a UPP of 0 mmHg, the net jejunal fluid, Na+, and Cl- absorption were 10.1 +/- 0.5 ml, 2.4 +/- 0.1, and 2.0 +/- 0.1 mEq, and were significantly reduced to 5.9 +/- 0.4 ml, 2.0 +/- 0.1, and 1.6 +/- 0.1 mEq, respectively, by an increase in UPP to 60 mmHg. After lowering the UPP to 0 mmHg, the net absorption recovered to the control values. The same experiments were performed after ipsilateral renal denervation. Ipsilateral renal denervation completely abolished this response. This result suggests that the afferent pathway of this response is the renal nerves. We also assessed the validity of the method using a jejunal loop by examining the effects of repetition of the absorption experiment on the net absorption. The net absorption was not altered by 6 times repetition of the absorption experiment. To determine the collection ratio, phenol red was used in the first and sixth absorption experiments. The collection ratios were 92.2 +/- 1.1 and 90.3 +/- 0.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in collection ratio between the first and sixth values. This is the first report in which an increased UPP was found to inhibit the net jejunal fluid, Na+, and Cl- absorption.

Animals

Bombesin, neuromedin B and neuromedin C interact with a common rat pancreatic phosphoinositide-coupled receptor, but are differentially regulated by guanine nucleotides.

Bombesin (BB), neuromedin C (NMC) and neuromedin B (NMB) stimulated amylase secretion to similar maximum levels, with EC50 values (concentrations causing 50% of maximum effect) of 0.2, 0.3 and 2 nM respectively. Treatment of pancreatic acini with BB or NMB (10 nM) for 30 min resulted in cross-desensitization of secretory responses to subsequent BB and NMB, but not to acetylcholine, which suggests that NMB and BB activate the same receptor. BB, NMC and NMB stimulated production of similar maximum amounts of inositol mono-, bis- and tris-phosphates, with EC50 values of 3, 5 and 141 nM respectively. The bombesin receptor antagonist [Leu13-psi(CH2NH)Leu14]BB inhibited stimulation of amylase secretion and inositol phosphate formation by BB, NMC and NMB. Binding of 125I-labelled gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; 200 pM) to rat pancreatic membranes at 22 degrees C was inhibited with relative potencies and IC50 (concn. causing 50% of maximal inhibition; nM) as follows: NMC (0.4) = BB (0.5) greater than NMB (1.8 = GRP (2.6). IC50 values for BB, NMC and NMB inhibition of 125I-GRP binding to intact acini were 5-, 19- and 68-fold higher than their respective values in membranes. The guanine nucleotide analogue guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) produced rightward shifts of NMC and NMB competition curves by 3.5- and 16-fold respectively, but had little effect on the BB and GRP curves. Elevation of the temperature to 37 degrees C or inclusion of NaCl (40 mM) produced quantitatively similar effects to those of Gpp[NH]p. In the presence of both NaCl and Gpp[NH]p the affinities of peptides for membrane receptors were similar to those for intact cells. Modulation of NMB competition curves by Gpp[NH]p was not attenuated by prior treatment of acini with activated pertussis toxin. These results suggest that BB, NMB and NMC stimulate pancreatic secretion by interaction with a common phosphoinositide-linked receptor. Differences in guanine nucleotide regulation suggest that secretagogue-induced receptor-protein interactions may not be identical for NMB and BB.

Amylases

Multiplicative effect of hyperpepsinogenemia I and non-secretor status on the risk of duodenal ulcer in siblings.

In a search for genetic markers of duodenal ulcer, serum pepsinogen I level, ABO blood groups and secretor status were determined in 89 siblings of 34 duodenal ulcer families. Duodenal ulcer patients were likely either to have hyperpepsinogenemia I or to be non-secretors on a familial basis, but not to have an increased frequency of blood group O. The frequency of duodenal ulcer in the siblings was highest in hyperpepsinogenemia I/non-secretor and lowest in normopepsinogenemia I/secretor. Therefore, the influence of two genes, hyperpepsinogenemia I and non-secretor, on the risk of duodenal ulcer is multiplicative. These results provide evidence on the hypothesis of polygenic inheritance of duodenal ulcer.

ABO Blood-Group System

The role of Ca2+ in the time-dependent pepsinogen secretion of frog oesophageal peptic glands stimulated by bombesin.

Time- and dose-related stimulation of pepsinogen secretion by bombesin was studied in perifused dispersed peptic glands from the oesophagus of the American bullfrog Rana catesbeiana. The dose response to bombesin was monophasic between 10(-10) and 10(-7) M, with an EC50 of 10(-9) M. Time-dependent secretion was closely monitored at 1-2 min intervals. Though there was overlap, we could discriminate an early response at approximately 2 min (phase I) and a delayed or sustained response at greater than or equal to 2 min (phase II) on the basis of responses in the presence and absence of external Ca2+. Phase I was relatively independent of external [Ca2+] and coincided with 45Ca efflux following a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic [Ca2+], measured by Fura-2AM. Phase II was sustained at approximately 80% of control at an external [Ca2+] of 1-5 microM, but was eliminated by adding 0.5-1 mM EGTA. Bombesin caused a sustained Ca2+ influx and, when this was prevented by EGTA, the response to successive stimulations by bombesin and by acetylcholine was greatly attenuated. The phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate, which stimulates secretion at high concentrations, was used as background at a threshold concentration of 10(-7) M, which did not by itself stimulate secretion. At this concentration, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate potentiated the responses to bombesin and to acetylcholine. These results define the different Ca2+ dependencies of the immediate and sustained secretory responses to bombesin, but indicate a complex relationship of stimulation responses to Ca2+ homeostasis in various agonist-sensitive Ca2+ pools.

Animals

Decreased secretion due to a Ca2+ influx defect in frog peptic cells isolated with EGTA.

Cells prepared from frog esophageal peptic glands by dispersal in low-Ca2+ medium (peptic acini) or 1 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)-containing medium ("EGTA cells") were compared. EGTA cells were characterized by decreased secretory responses to agonists [bombesin (BB), acetylcholine, and isoproterenol] and intracellular messenger activators (forskolin, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate), decreased relative intrinsic efficacies of muscarinic agonists, and somatostatin insensitivity. Decreased BB and muscarinic receptor responses were not associated with changes in receptor number or characteristics. The time course of BB- and acetylcholine-stimulated pepsinogen secretion indicated that the marked reduction was confined largely to the late secretory phase (2-30 min), dependent on extracellular Ca2+, rather than early phase (less than 2 min) secretion, which is related to release of intracellular Ca2+. The defect could be reversed by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. BB-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization measured with fura-2/AM was similar in the two cell preparations, whereas BB-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake was reduced threefold in EGTA cells, and this defect was also reversed by A23187. Somatostatin inhibited both BB-stimulated secretion and 45Ca uptake by peptic acini, but it had no significant effect on these parameters in EGTA cells. Cytochalasin B inhibited BB stimulation in peptic acini but not EGTA cells. These findings suggest that peptic cells isolated with EGTA exhibit decreased secretory responses that are due at least in part to impairment of a mechanism for uptake of extracellular Ca2+.

Acetylcholine

Role of intact cardiac nerves and reflex mechanisms in desensitization to catecholamines in conscious dogs.

To study chronic catecholamine desensitization, mini-osmotic pumps were implanted subcutaneously to deliver NE, (0.5 micrograms/kg/min) or saline over 3-4 wk in dogs instrumented with left ventricular (LV) pressure gauges and arterial and left atrial pressure catheters. An acute challenge to NE (0.4 micrograms/kg/min) in intact, conscious dogs increased LV dP/dt by 1,531 +/- 208 mmHg/s before NE pumps, and by a similar amount, 1,340 +/- 166 mmHg/s, 3-4 wk after NE pumps. In contrast, an acute challenge to isoproterenol (ISO, 0.4 micrograms/kg/min) increased LV dP/dt by 5,344 +/- 532 mmHg/s before NE pumps, and significantly less (P less than 0.05; 2,425 +/- 175 mmHg/s) after NE pumps. In the presence of ganglionic and alpha 1-adrenergic blockades, NE (0.4 micrograms/kg/min) increased LV dP/dt by 3,656 +/- 468 mmHg/s before NE pumps and significantly less (P less than 0.01; 1,459 +/- 200 mmHg/s) after NE pumps. Confirming this, an acute challenge to NE (0.4 micrograms/kg/min) in dogs with arterial baroreceptor denervation increased LV dP/dt by 3,732 +/- 896 mmHg/s before NE pumps, and significantly less (P less than 0.05, 1,725 +/- 408 mmHg/s) after NE pumps. In addition, in cardiac denervated dogs, NE (0.4 micrograms/kg/min) increased LV dP/dt by 9,901 +/- 1,404 mmHg/s before NE pumps and significantly less (P less than 0.01, 2,690 +/- 306 mmHg/s) after NE pumps. Desensitization of heart rate responses to NE challenge was also more apparent in the absence of reflex mechanisms. Thus, neural reflex mechanisms play a major role in physiological expression of cardiac desensitization to catecholamines in conscious dogs.

Animals

125I-iodopindolol binding to frog esophageal peptic cells. Detection of amine uptake and beta-adrenergic receptors coupled to pepsinogen secretion.

The beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) coupled to pepsinogen secretion on frog esophageal peptic cells have been compared to frog erythrocyte beta-ARs using the radioligand 125I-iodopindolol (125I-PIN). 125I-PIN binding to intact peptic cells was time and temperature dependent. Saturation and competition experiments established that a large component of this binding represented radioligand uptake, which was energy dependent, pH sensitive, Na+ independent, and inhibited by agents that depress cellular ATP or disrupt proton gradients. This uptake system, which was absent from frog erythrocytes, appeared similar to that recently described for a number of mammalian cells. 125I-PIN bound to a single class of sites on peptic cell homogenates with a KD = 64 (+/- 5) pM. Binding to cell homogenates and a proportion of the binding to intact cells was inhibited by beta-agonists and antagonists with pharmacological characteristics similar to typical beta 2-ARs of frog erythrocytes. The number of beta-ARs in these peptic cell preparations was 1300 (+/- 240) sites/cell. Isolated peptic cells were poorly responsive to isoproterenol stimulation even in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine). Pretreatment of cells with the phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate) (100 nM) promoted isoproterenol stimulation of pepsinogen secretion. Catecholamine agonists stimulated pepsinogen secretion with an order of potency: isoproterenol greater than epinephrine much greater than norepinephrine, which was identical to that determined for inhibition of 125I-PIN binding. These findings indicate that frog peptic cells contain beta 2-ARs functionally coupled to pepsinogen secretion.

Animals

Somatostatin and lanthanum discriminate two Ca2+ mobilizing mechanisms regulated by bombesin receptors in peptic cells.

Bombesin (BB)-stimulated pepsinogen secretion from frog esophageal peptic acini was inhibited 40% by somatostatin (SS) (IC50 = 1 nM), and by 30-50% by low concentrations (10(-7)-10(-4)M) of lanthanum chloride. SS inhibited basal secretion as well as both early (0-2 min) and late (2-30 min) BB-stimulated secretory phases. By contrast, LaCl3 selectively inhibited the late secretory phase and was without effect on basal secretion. SS (100 nM) and LaCl3 (30 microM) attenuated BB-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake, and the combination resulted in additive inhibition. High K+ media decreased basal secretion, abolished SS but not LaCl3 inhibition of BB-stimulated secretion, and blocked SS inhibition of BB-mediated 45Ca2+ uptake. These findings suggest the existence on peptic cells of distinct La3+-sensitive, and somatostatin-sensitive, K+ dependent, Ca2+ mobilizing mechanisms which contribute to BB receptor-mediated secretion.

Animals

Alpha-agonist modifies baroreflex vasoconstriction by a postjunctional mechanism in dogs.

1. We examined whether or not circulating alpha-agonist modified baroreflex vasoconstriction of the hindlimb, using anaesthetized dogs in which the limb was vascularly isolated and perfused with blood from a donor dog using a pulsatile pump. 2. The open-loop gain (G) of the baroreflex was estimated from changes in mean arterial pressure following mild quick haemorrhage from the aorta of the recipient dog. 3. The hindlimb perfusion pressure increased after haemorrhage due to neurogenic vasoconstriction. 4. An overall gain (Gh) of the baroreflex hindlimb vascular bed control system was estimated from the ratio of the increase in hindlimb perfusion pressure to the change in systemic arterial pressure of the recipient dog. 5. Administration of a relatively selective alpha 1-agonist with no prejunctional beta 2 stimulating action (phenylephrine) or a selective alpha 2-agonist (clonidine) to the donor dog increased its systemic arterial pressure and augmented Gh. 6. Since both drugs were administered to the donor dog and could not enter into the recipient dog, these drugs did not affect the recipient's sympathetic nervous system, including the central nervous system and afferent limb of the baroreflex system. Therefore, these drugs could modify baroreflex vasoconstriction of the hindlimb only at the junction of the efferent sympathetic nerve and the vascular smooth muscle. 7. It was concluded that postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation augments neurogenic vasoconstriction.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Increased myocardial infarct size because of reduced coronary collateral blood flow in beagles.

Effects of permanent left circumflex coronary artery occlusion (CAO) were examined in conscious purebred beagles and mongrel dogs, instrumented with miniature left ventricular (LV) pressure gauges, wall thickness gauges in the ischemic zone, catheters in left atrium and aorta, and snares around the left circumflex coronary artery. Blood flow was measured using the radioactive microsphere technique before CAO and at 5 min, 1, 3, and 24 h after CAO. Although CAO reduced myocardial blood flow similarly in beagles and mongrels, significantly less (P less than 0.05) recovery of myocardial blood flow was observed over the following 24-h period in beagles. Infarct size, as determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride and expressed as percentage of area at risk, was larger (P less than 0.05) in beagles (62.0 +/- 5.1%) than mongrels (42.5 +/- 4.2%). Thus beagles do not tolerate ischemia as well as mongrel dogs and possess fewer functional coronary collaterals resulting in larger infarcts after CAO.

Animals

Superoxide dismutase reduces reperfusion arrhythmias but fails to salvage regional function or myocardium at risk in conscious dogs.

To determine if oxygen free radical scavengers administered before coronary artery reperfusion can limit reperfusion arrhythmias, increase the return of regional function in ischemic myocardium, and reduce tissue necrosis at 1 week after 90-minute coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion, conscious dogs were treated with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase before and for 1 hour after coronary artery reperfusion. Another group was treated with recombinant SOD (rSOD) because the commercially available SOD and catalase contained endotoxin. The conscious dogs were studied 3-4 weeks after implanting left ventricular pressure gauges, ultrasonic wall thickness gauges in the posterior left ventricular wall, left atrial catheters, and arterial catheters, Doppler flow transducers, and hydraulic occluders on the left circumflex coronary artery. The only beneficial effect observed was that the number of arrhythmic beats per minute in the rSOD-treated group was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) when compared with a control group after coronary artery reperfusion. Treatment neither increased the amount of recovery of wall thickening in the ischemic zone nor reduced infarct size when expressed either as a percentage of the area at risk or as a function of collateral blood flow in the ischemic zone. For example, infarct size as a percentage of the area at risk was 32.6 +/- 5.8%, 37.4 +/- 6.4%, 28.3 +/- 5.1% in the control, SOD and catalase-, and rSOD-treated groups, respectively. Thus, although treatment with oxygen free radical scavengers invoked a transient reduction in the number of reperfusion arrhythmias, this treatment in conscious dogs failed to improve regional myocardial dysfunction or reduce the amount of necrosis when compared with a control group. The lack of a sustained salutary effect may indicate that longer periods of treatment with free radical scavengers are required in chronic preparations.

Animals

Chronic norepinephrine elicits desensitization by uncoupling the beta-receptor.

The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism of beta-adrenergic receptor desensitization after chronic elevation of circulating NE levels. Osmotic minipumps containing either NE or saline were implanted subcutaneously in dogs for 3-4 wk. Physiologic desensitization to isoproterenol was confirmed in conscious dogs, i.e., left ventricular dP/dt increased in response to isoproterenol (0.4 micrograms/kg per min) by 5,625 +/- 731 mmHg/s in control dogs with saline pumps, and significantly less, P less than 0.01, by 2,093 +/- 263 mmHg/s in dogs with NE pumps. Myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor density as determined with 125I-cyanopindolol binding was 49% higher (p less than 0.05) in the NE pump group. However, beta-adrenergic receptor agonist binding with isoproterenol demonstrated a significant shift into the low affinity state for the animals with NE pumps. Basal, GTP plus isoproterenol, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, sodium fluoride, and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the NE pump group were significantly depressed (P less than 0.05) by amounts ranging from 20 to 40%. The functional activity of the guanine nucleotide binding protein Gs was also reduced (P less than 0.05) in animals with NE pumps. Thus, the process of desensitization in response to chronic elevation of NE levels in intact, normal dogs does not involve a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor density. Rather, it is characterized by reduced adenylate cyclase activation and uncoupling of the beta-adrenergic receptor in association with decreased activity of the GTP-coupling protein Gs.

Adenylyl Cyclases

Increased serum pepsinogen I and recurrence of duodenal ulcer.

To determine whether the serum pepsinogen I (PG I) level would be a suitable marker for selecting patients at risk for duodenal ulcer recurrence and, thus, would benefit from maintenance therapy, we treated duodenal ulcer patients with H2-receptor antagonists. After healing 140 ulcer patients we assessed the recurrence rate at 1 year with and without maintenance therapy. The annual recurrence rates in duodenal ulcer patients with hyper-PGI (95 ng/ml or more), with 66 ng/ml less than or equal to PGI less than 95 ng/ml, and with PGI less than 66 ng/ml were 87.0%, 27.3%, and 17.9%, respectively, when they did not receive maintenance therapy. In patients with hyper-PGI the recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients receiving maintenance therapy than in patients not receiving maintenance therapy, whereas in patients with PGI less than 66 ng/ml the recurrence rate was as low as 20% regardless of maintenance therapy. These results indicate that maintenance therapy with half the dose of H2-receptor antagonist is not required by patients with PGI less than 66 ng/ml, whereas those with hyper-PGI may be good candidates for long-term maintenance therapy.

Adult

Urinary prostaglandins and renal function in obstructive jaundice.

Changes in urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane (TXB2) excretion in 12 patients with obstructive jaundice were observed in relation to renal function and the renin-angiotensin (R-A) system. In obstructive jaundice before percutaneous biliary drainage the creatinine clearance (CCr) was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) and the PGE2 and plasma angiotensin II (AII) concentrations were significantly higher (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.005, respectively) than those in normal subjects. Both 6-keto PGF1 alpha and TXB2 were widely distributed. When CCr returned to normal after drainage, PGE2 and plasma AII also returned to normal, but when CCr decreased after drainage, PGE2 and plasma AII increased. Before drainage, PGE2 correlated negatively with CCr (r = -0.72, p less than 0.01) and positively with plasma AII(r = 0.69, p less than 0.02). 6-Keto PGF1 alpha correlated positively with serum total bilirubin (r = 0.66, p less than 0.02). The percentage change in PGE2 after drainage correlated negatively with that in CCr (r = -0.95, p less than 0.005). The percentage chang in plasma AII correlated positively with that in urine PGE2 (r = 0.94, p less than 0.005) and negatively with that in CCr (r = -0.85, p less than 0.02). These results suggest that PGE2 is closely related to the R-A system and might assist in the maintenance of renal circulation in obstructive jaundice.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

[Gastric mucosa in patients with fundic hyperplastic polyps].

To assess the functional and morphological characteristics of the gastric mucosa of patients with fundic hyperplastic polyps (FP), the determination of gastric acid secretion, serum gastrin levels, serum pepsinogen 1 (PG1) levels and histological examination were undertaken in 24 patients with FP, 34 with foveolar hyperplastic polyps (HP) and 62 controls, who had no gastric lesions. The following were the results of our investigation. 1) There were no differences between the patients with FP and the controls as to gastric acid secretion, serum gastrin levels, and serum PG1 levels. On the other hand, hypochlorhydria, hypergastrinemia and hypopepsinogenemia were common in those with HP. 2) Histological examination using gastric biopsy specimens showed almost normal gastric mucosa in patients with FP. However, severe atrophic gastritis of the fundus was common in patients with HP. 3) It was shown that there were definite differences between the patients with FP and those with HP with regard to the gastric function and morphology, although both types of gastric polyp were histologically classified as hyperplastic.

Adolescent