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Biomedical subjects

N Yanagihara

Publications and source records attributed to N Yanagihara.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Stimulatory effect of lymphocyte-derived factor on catecholamine efflux from cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

The effects of lymphocytes and their conditioned medium on catecholamine efflux and uptake were examined in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. Co-culture of adrenal medullary cells with lymphocytes for 3 days caused an increase in appearance of catecholamines in the culture medium. Treatment of adrenal medullary cells with a conditioned medium prepared from lymphocytes also enhanced the appearance of catecholamines in culture medium in time- (8-48 h) and concentration-dependent manners. Heat treatment of the conditioned medium at 60 and 100 degrees C for 10 min reduced its stimulatory effect to 59 and 20% of control, respectively. After gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column or dialysis (<8 kDa molecular mass cutoff), the stimulatory activity of the conditioned medium was found in a high molecular fraction. The conditioned medium had little effect on the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the medium of cultured adrenal medullary cells and on desipramine-sensitive [3H]norepinephrine uptake by the cells. These findings suggest that lymphocytes release a heat-sensitive factor(s) (molecular mass of more than 8 kDa) which increases efflux of catecholamines from cultured adrenal medullary cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Transmural compression-induced proliferation and DNA synthesis through activation of a tyrosine kinase pathway in rat astrocytoma RCR-1 cells.

Gliosis results from abnormal proliferation of glial cells and often occurs in response to brain or spinal cord injury. There are many factors that trigger gliosis associated with such injuries, including ischemia, humoral factors produced by the injured tissue, and possibly mechanical compression itself. In the present study, the effects of mechanical compression on cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were examined in vitro with the rat astrocyte cell line RCR-1. Pressure was applied to cells by instilling compressed helium into sealed plates or flasks in which the partial pressure of oxygen were maintained constant. Compression resulted in time- and intensity-dependent increases in cell number and [3H]thymidine incorporation, with maximum effects apparent at 10 min and 120 mmHg. Compression-induced cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were not inhibited by gadolinium (Gd3+), a blocker of stretch-activated ion channels, or by inhibitors of protein kinase A, protein kinase C, or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. However, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited these effects of compression in a concentration-dependent manner. Conditioned medium from compressed cells also induced cell proliferation and DNA synthesis at atmospheric pressure in a genistein-sensitive manner. These results suggest that transmural compression triggers the release of a factor (or factors) that induces cell proliferation and DNA synthesis through a tyrosine kinase pathway in RCR-1 cells.

Animals↗

Atherogenic lipoproteins inhibit catecholamine secretion in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

The effects of lipoproteins on ion channel-mediated catecholamine secretion were investigated in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. Low density lipoprotein (LDL: 20-80 mg/dl) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a); 10-80 mg/dl] inhibited catecholamine secretion induced by carbachol, an activator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels. LDL and Lp(a) suppressed carbachol-induced 22Na+ influx as well as 45Ca2+ influx in a concentration-dependent manner similar to that of catecholamine secretion. The inhibition of catecholamine secretion by Lp(a) was not overcome by increasing the concentration of carbachol. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein (HDL; < 150 mg/dl) had no effect on 22Na+ influx, 45Ca2+ influx, and catecholamine secretion. Like LDL and Lp(a), a synthetic peptide homologous to human plasma apolipoprotein B (apoB), apoB fragment(3358-3372)-amide (3-60 microM), attenuated 22Na+ influx, 45Ca2+ influx, and catecholamine secretion caused by carbachol. The apoB fragment also suppressed 22Na+ influx induced by veratridine (an activator of voltage-dependent Na+ channels) and 45Ca2+ influx induced by 56 mM K+ (an indirect activator of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels). These findings suggest that atherogenic lipoproteins such as LDL and Lp(a) suppress catecholamine secretion by interfering with Na+ influx through nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels, in which apoB, a structural component common to both LDL and Lp(a), plays an important role. The inhibition by atherogenic lipoproteins of catecholamine secretion may influence the progression of atherosclerosis induced by these lipoproteins.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Ketamine interacts with the noradrenaline transporter at a site partly overlapping the desipramine binding site.

Effects of the intravenous anaesthetic ketamine on the desipramine-sensitive noradrenaline transporter (NAT) were examined in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells and in transfected Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the bovine NAT (bNAT). Incubation (1-3 h) of adrenal medullary cells with ketamine (10-300 microM) caused an increase in appearance of catecholamines in culture medium. Ketamine (10-1000 microM) inhibited desipramine-sensitive uptake of [3H]noradrenaline (NA) (IC50=97 microM). Saturation analysis showed that ketamine reduced Vmax of [3H]NA uptake without changing Km, indicating a non-competitive inhibition. Other inhibitors of NAT, namely cocaine and desipramine, showed a competitive inhibition of [3H]NA uptake while a derivative of ketamine, phencyclidine, showed a mixed type of inhibition. Ketamine (10-1000 microM) also inhibited the specific binding of [3H]desipramine to plasma membranes isolated from bovine adrenal medulla. Scatchard analysis of [3H]desipramine binding revealed that ketamine increased Kd without altering Bmax, indicating a competitive inhibition. In transfected Xenopus oocytes expressing the bNAT, ketamine attenuated [3H]NA uptake with a kinetic characteristic similar to that of cultured adrenal medullary cells. These findings are compatible with the idea that ketamine non-competitively inhibits the transport of NA by interacting with a site which partly overlaps the desipramine binding site on the NAT.

Adrenal Medulla↗

An active metabolite of carbamazepine, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, inhibits ion channel-mediated catecholamine secretion in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

We have recently reported inhibitory effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on ion channel-mediated secretion of catecholamines in bovine adrenal medullary cells. Here, we report the effects of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E), an active metabolite of CBZ, and carbamazepine-10,11-diol (CBZ-D), a non-active metabolite, on 22Na+ influx, 45Ca2+ influx and catecholamine secretion in cultured adrenal medullary cells. CBZ-E, but not CBZ-D inhibited 22Na+ influx, 45Ca2+ influx and catecholamine secretion induced by carbachol or veratridine with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.26 or 0.68 microg/ml, respectively. CBZ-E also inhibited high K+-evoked 45Ca2+ influx and catecholamine secretion (IC50 = 0.3 microg/ml), but CBZ-D did not. These findings suggest that CBZ-E, but not CBZ-D, attenuates catecholamine secretion by inhibiting nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-associated ion channels, voltage-dependent Na+ channels and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the cells. This inhibition of CBZ-E as well as CBZ may be related to the clinical effects in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Down-regulation of the noradrenaline transporter by interferon-alpha in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term treatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha on the noradrenaline transporter of bovine adrenal medullary cells. Treatment of cultured adrenal medullary cells with IFN-alpha caused a decrease in uptake of [3H]noradrenaline by the cells in time (4-48 h)- and concentration (300-1,000 U/ml)-dependent manners. IFN-beta also inhibited [3H]noradrenaline uptake to a lesser extent than did IFN-alpha, whereas IFN-gamma had little effect. An anti-IFN-alpha antibody reduced the effect of IFN-alpha on [3H]noradrenaline uptake. Saturation analysis of [3H]noradrenaline uptake showed that the inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha was due to a reduction in the maximal uptake velocity (Vmax) values without altering apparent Michaelis constant (Km) values. Incubation of cells with IFN-alpha caused a translocation of protein kinase C from the soluble to the particulate fraction in the cells. The effect of IFN-alpha on [3H]noradrenaline uptake was diminished in protein kinase C-down-regulated cells. Incubation of cells with IFN-alpha for 48 h significantly reduced the specific binding of [3H]desipramine to crude plasma membranes isolated from cells. Scatchard analysis of [3H]desipramine binding revealed that IFN-alpha decreased the maximal binding (Bmax) values without any change in the dissociation constant (K(D)) values. These findings suggest that IFN-alpha suppresses the function of noradrenaline transporter by reducing the density of the transporter in cell membranes through, at least in part, a protein kinase C pathway.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide causes Ca2+ release from ryanodine/caffeine stores through a novel pathway independent of both inositol trisphosphates and cyclic AMP in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) causes both Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. To elucidate the mechanisms of PACAP-induced Ca2+ release, we investigated expression of PACAP receptors and measured inositol trisphosphates (IP3), cyclic AMP, and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in bovine adrenal medullary cells maintained in primary culture. RT-PCR analysis revealed that bovine adrenal medullary cells express the PACAP receptor hop, which is known to couple with both IP3 and cyclic AMP pathways. The two naturally occurring forms of PACAP, PACAP38 and PACAP27, both increased cyclic AMP and IP3, and PACAP38 was more potent than PACAP27 in both effects. Despite the effects of PACAP on IP3 production, the Ca2+ release induced by PA-CAP38 or by PACAP27 was unaffected by cinnarizine, a blocker of IP3 channels. The potencies of the peptides to cause Ca2+ release in the presence of cinnarizine were similar. The Ca2+ release induced by PACAP38 or by PACAP27 was strongly inhibited by ryanodine and caffeine. In the presence of ryanodine and caffeine, PACAP38 was more potent than PACAP27. PACAP-induced Ca2+ release was unaffected by Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, an inhibitor of protein kinase A. Ca2+ release induced by bradykinin and angiotensin II was also inhibited by ryanodine and caffeine, but unaffected by cinnarizine. Although IP3 production stimulated by PACAP38 or bradykinin was abolished by the phospholipase C inhibitor, U-73122, Ca2+ release in response to the peptides was unaffected by U-73122. These results suggest that PACAP induces Ca2+ release from ryanodine/caffeine stores through a novel intracellular mechanism independent of both IP3 and cyclic AMP and that the mechanism may be the common pathway through which peptides release Ca2+ in adrenal chromaffin cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Effects of mastoid cavity obliteration on the growth of experimentally produced residual cholesteatoma.

The effects of obliteration of the mastoid cavity on the growth of residual cholesteatoma were histologically studied in an animal model. A dermal cyst was produced by grafting a piece of autologous auricular skin in the otic bulla of 11 guinea-pigs. Three weeks after grafting, part of the cyst wall facing the cavity was removed and the debris accumulated inside was inserted into the surrounding granulation using a micropick. This procedure simulates the growth mechanism of cholesteatoma residue which sometimes occurs after middle ear surgery in human subjects. In six animals, the bulla was then obliterated with plaster of Paris. The remaining five animals were used as controls. Animals were killed for histological study at 2, 4 or 8 weeks postoperatively. Microscopic examinations revealed that in the obliteration group, severe inflammatory reactions were induced in the otic bulla, although the graft epithelium survived there; dermal cyst reformed in only one of six animals. In the controls, cyst reformation was recognized in all animals. This indicated that severe inflammation induced by plaster prevented growth of the graft epithelium in the otic bulla.

Animals↗

Immunologic aspects of facial nerve paralysis induced by herpes simplex virus infection in mice.

This immunologic aspects of facial nerve paralysis due to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection were investigated in a mouse model system. Half of the 4- to 5-week-old mice developed facial nerve paralysis, whereas none of the 6-week-old mice died or developed facial nerve paralysis on inoculation with HSV-1. Six-week-old mice showed significantly higher titers of anti-HSV-1 neutralizing antibody than did 4-week-old animals. Passive transfer of either anti-HSV-1 antibody or HSV-1-immunized splenic T cells into 4-week-old mice 3 hours after HSV-1 inoculation prevented development of facial nerve paralysis and death, whereas such transfers 48 or 96 hours after HSV-1 inoculation did not prevent or exacerbate facial nerve paralysis. These results demonstrate that the age and the immunologic potency of mice are closely related to the pathogenesis of facial nerve paralysis. That facial nerve paralysis developed even in 6-week-old mice whose T-cell function was suppressed with anti-CD3 antibody suggests that virus-induced cellular demyelination is unlikely as a cause of facial nerve paralysis in this animal model.

Age Factors↗

Staged intact canal wall tympanoplasty for treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma.

Results of surgery for middle ear cholesteatoma were investigated in 202 ears of 197 patients who had undergone surgery by the staged intact canal wall technique. Surgical procedures used in the second stage for prevention of a retraction pocket were classified into three types: Type S1, no scutumplasty; Type S2, scutumplasty; Type S3, scutumplasty plus mastoid obliteration. Recurrent cholesteatoma was found in 9 ears (4%) and retraction pocket in 47 ears (23%). They occurred between 2 and 120 months (average: 26 months) after the second stage, most frequently at 1 to 3 years. The incidence was higher after Type S3 surgery than after the other types, probably because the middle ear was severely involved in patients who were indicated Type S3 surgery. For prevention of a retraction pocket, bone putty and cartilage were proved to be appropriate materials for scutumplasty, and hydroxyapatite for mastoid obliteration. As the retraction pocket tended to recur in patients with the pocket at the second stage, these patients needed obliteration of the mastoid cavity to prevent a retraction pocket. Postoperative hearing was evaluated according to the criteria proposed by the Japan Society of Clinical Otology. Of 145 ears of the 142 patients who were followed for more than 1 year, 118 ears (81%) the surgery was judged successful. The success rate in hearing was in good accordance with the condition of the tympanic membrane.

Adolescent↗

Carbamazepine-induced up-regulation of voltage-dependent Na+ channels in bovine adrenal medullary cells in culture.

Treatment of cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells with carbamazepine (CBZ) for 5 days caused an increase in catecholamine secretion induced by veratridine, an activator of voltage-dependent Na+ channels. However, no increase was stimulated by carbachol, an agonist of nicotinic receptors, or by 56 mM K+, a depolarizing agent that activates voltage-dependent Ca++ channels. CBZ (30 microg/ml) treatment enhanced veratridine-induced catecholamine secretion in a time-dependent manner (increases of 25%, 65% and 70% for 3, 5 and 7 days of treatment, respectively). CBZ treatment (5 days) increased veratridine-induced catecholamine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner (increases of 27%, 36%, 45% and 55% at 10, 15, 20 and 30 microgram/ml of CBZ, respectively). CBZ treatment also increased 22Na+ influx and 45Ca++ influx stimulated by veratridine. The stimulatory effect of CBZ treatment on catecholamine secretion was blocked by either actinomycin D or cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Additive responses of catecholamine secretion and 22Na+ influx induced by veratridine were associated with combined exposure of the cells to CBZ and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. CBZ treatment (30 microg/ml, 5 days) significantly increased the specific binding of [3H]saxitoxin to cell membranes. A Scatchard analysis of [3H]saxitoxin binding revealed that CBZ increased the Bmax value without any change in the dissociation constant. These findings suggest that CBZ up-regulates the density and activity of voltage-dependent Na+ channels.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Enhancement by baclofen of the Gs-coupled receptor-mediated cAMP production in Xenopus oocytes expressing rat brain cortex poly (A)+ RNA: a role of G-protein beta gamma subunits.

We investigated the mechanism by which GABA-B receptors enhance the Gs-coupled receptor-mediated cAMP production in Xenopus oocytes expressing poly (A)+ RNA derived from rat brain cortex. We expressed the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) as a reporter for cAMP changes in oocytes. The GABA-B agonist (-)baclofen enhanced the adrenergic beta 2 agonist isoproterenol- or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-induced CFTR currents, whereas (-)baclofen alone did not cause any currents. The (-)baclofen-enhanced currents were inhibited by the GABA-B antagonist 2-OH saclofen. The enhancement by (-)baclofen was further augmented by coexpressing adenylyl cyclase (AC) type II, an isotype activated by G beta gamma and G alpha s, but not by coexpressing AC type III, an isotype insensitive to G beta gamma. Moreover, pretreatment of the oocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX) abolished the enhanced effect of (-)baclofen. These results indicate that upon GABA-B activation, the G beta gamma released from PTX-sensitive G-proteins activates the AC type II (or IV), and this process requires the G alpha s activation by Gs-coupled receptors.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Efflux of glutamate into the perilymph of the cochlea following transient ischemia in the gerbil.

Using a microdialysis technique followed by an enzyme cycling analysis, we measured changes in the glutamate levels in the perilymph of gerbil cochleae before, during and after transient ischemic insult. The basal glutamate level in perilymph was 0.35 +/- 0.22 pmol/microl. An almost immediate and continuous rise in the level of glutamate occurred after the ischemic insult, which advanced even further after recirculation; the average concentration was higher than 40 pmol/microl 55 min after recirculation. The compound action potentials (CAP) monitoring the auditory function totally disappeared after ischemic insult. However, CAP reappeared after recirculation; the threshold for acoustic stimulation was higher than that observed at the pre-ischemic state.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

C-type natriuretic peptide suppresses arginine-vasopressin secretion from dissociated magnocellular neurons in newborn rat supraoptic nucleus.

Central administration of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) affects various neuroendocrine systems. In the present study, we examined whether CNP acts directly on arginine-vasopressin (AVP) secretion from rat supraoptic nucleus (SON) neurons, using acute dissociated cell preparations. CNP inhibited the basal secretion of AVP in a dose-dependent manner (10(-11)-10(-6) M). A- type natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) also suppressed the basal secretion of AVP, however, the effects were two-orders of magnitude less potent than CNP. CNP also suppressed All-induced AVP secretion, however, the inhibitory effect of CNP was less than that of ANP or BNP. These findings suggest that CNP inhibits the basal secretion of AVP through natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-B and has a role in the body water and electrolyte homeostasis in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome with acyclovir-prednisone: significance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Although the antiviral agent acyclovir is currently used for the treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, its effects on facial nerve and hearing recovery remain controversial. We retrospectively analyzed the effects of acyclovir-prednisone treatment in 80 Ramsay Hunt patients. Of 28 patients for whom treatment was begun within 3 days of the onset of facial paralysis, the recovery from paralysis was complete in 21 (75%). By comparison, of 23 patients for whom treatment was begun more than 7 days after onset, recovery from facial paralysis was complete in only 7 (30%). A significant difference in facial nerve recovery was found between these groups. Early administration of acyclovir-prednisone was proved to reduce nerve degeneration by nerve excitability testing. Hearing recovery also tended to be better in patients with early treatment. There was no significant difference in facial nerve outcome between intravenous and oral acyclovir treatment.

Acyclovir↗

Interferon-alpha reduces catecholamine secretion from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells stimulated by acetylcholine.

A long-term pretreatment (72 h) of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells with recombinant human interferon (IFN) -alpha-2b (1500 units/ml) produced a decrease in the secretion of catecholamines from the cells stimulated by acetylcholine (ACh) (25 micromol/l) but not that with human fibloblast IFN-beta (3000 units/ml) or recombinant human IFN-gamma (3000 units/ml). IFN-alpha-2b inhibited the ACh-induced secretion in a concentration- (30-1500 units/ml) and time-dependent manner (18-72 h). The content of catecholamines in the cells treated with IFN-alpha-2b for 72 h did not change. The inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha-2b on the secretion was abolished when the cells were simultaneously treated with anti-IFN-alpha antibody, and it was overcome by the increase in the external ACh concentration. IFN-alpha-2b also inhibited ACh-induced Ca2+ influx into the cells in a concentration-dependent manner similar to that of the IFN-alpha-2b inhibiting ACh-induced secretion. On the other hand, IFN-alpha-2b failed to reduce the secretion from the cells induced by high K+. These results strongly suggest that IFN-alpha-2b reduces the ACh-induced secretion of catecholamines from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells due to modulating the gene expression of the nicotinic ACh receptor-operated cation channels rather than due to directly affecting the channels. The results further indicate that the IFN-alpha-2b inhibition may be associated with the psychiatric side effects of IFN-alpha (depression, neurasthenica and somnolence, etc.), and that immune systems may regulate the function of (autonomic) nervous systems or adrenal medulla via IFN-alpha in vivo.

Acetylcholine↗