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Biomedical subjects

R Honda

Publications and source records attributed to R Honda.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

The relationship between itai-itai disease among inhabitants of the Jinzu River basin and cadmium in rice.

Women over 50 years of age in 32 cadmium(Cd)-polluted and 16 nonpolluted hamlets were studied. Itai-itai disease patients and proteinuria with glucosuria were used as indices of the effect of Cd on health. Unpolished rice samples were collected from 568 households in the same area and analyzed for Cd. The hamlet's average Cd concentration in rice was used as an index of Cd exposure. A close relationship between Cd exposure and health effects was found to exist when the women were classified according to their hamlet average rice-Cd concentrations. It is demonstrated that a dose-response relationship between Cd exposure and itai-itai disease exists.

Cadmium↗

Effect of motilin on the opossum upper gastrointestinal tract and sphincter of Oddi.

We studied the effect of motilin on myoelectric activity of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and upper gastrointestinal tract in conscious opposums. In 17 animals, bipolar electrodes were implanted on the gastric antrum, SO, duodenum, and jejunum. Subsequent 8-h recordings reconfirmed our previous findings that SO spike burst rate changed with interdigestive cycles of the gastrointestinal migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), becoming maximal during passage of phase III activity through the duodenum. In eight animals, peak motilin levels were shown to occur concurrently with maximal SO spike burst rate and MMC phase III activity in the duodenum. Motilin infusion (0.3 and 0.9 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1), given for 30-60 min starting 10 min after duodenal phase III, elicited premature MMC activity that originated in the stomach. Maximal SO activity occurred coincident with passage of premature phase III activity through the duodenum. Pulse intravenous doses of motilin (25-1,600 ng/kg) generally caused an immediate increase in spike burst activity in the gastric antrum, duodenum, and SO that lasted 3-5 min and was often followed by a premature MMC, usually starting in the antrum and progressing through the duodenum and jejunum. Increases in SO spike burst rate also occurred concurrent with motilin-induced, premature duodenal phase III. Motilin given at 5-60% of the duodenal MMC cycle length elicited premature MMCs at 10-60% of the cycle, but no premature MMCs were elicited by any of the motilin doses at the 5% intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ampulla of Vater↗

Motor function of the opossum sphincter of Oddi.

We studied the opossum sphincter of Oddi (SO) because in this species the SO is approximately 3 cm in length and its extraduodenal location permits recording of motor activity with negligible interference from duodenal motor activity. The SO segment of 120 animals was evaluated by one or more of the following: (a) intraluminal manometry; (b) electromyography; (c) common bile duct (CBD) flow monitored by a drop counter; (d) cineradiography of intraductal contrast medium; and (e) histologic examination. SO pull-throughs using an infused catheter of 0.6-mm o.d. invariably showed a high pressure zone (HPZ) of 18 +/- 3 SE mm Hg in the terminal 4-5 mm of the SO segment. This HPZ had a narrow lumen, 0.5-0.7 mm in diam, and prominent circular muscle. The HPZ in the terminal SO had both active and passive components. HPZ with minimal amplitude and a paucity of underlying smooth muscle were present inconstantly at the junction of the SO segment with the CBD and pancreatic duct, respectively. The dominant feature of the SO segment was rhythmic peristaltic contractions that originated in the proximal SO and propagated toward the duodenum. These contractions occurred spontaneously at a rate of 2-8/min, ranged up to 200 mm Hg in magnitude, had a duration of approximately 5 s and were not abolished by tetrodotoxin. Concurrent myoelectric and manometric recordings showed that each phasic contraction was immediately preceded by an electrical spike burst. Simultaneous recordings of cineradiography, CBD inflow of contrast medium, SO manometry, and SO electromyography indicated that rhythmic peristaltic contractions stripped contrast medium from the SO into the duodenum. During SO systole, CBD emptying was transiently interrupted, whereas SO filling occurred during the diastolic interval between SO peristaltic contractions. SO distention increased the frequency of SO peristalsis. We conclude that (a) the dominant feature of the opossum SO is rhythmic peristaltic contractions that originate in the proximal SO and propagate toward the duodenum; (b) these forceful SO peristaltic contractions are myogenic in origin and serve as a peristaltic pump that actively empties the SO segment; (c) CBD outflow occurs passively during SO diastole, but is interrupted transiently during each SO peristaltic contraction; and (d) a short HPZ with active as well as passive components exists in the distal SO segment and acts as a variable resistor to SO outflow.

Ampulla of Vater↗

Effect of enteric hormones on sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal myoelectric activity in fasted conscious opossums.

In this study we evaluated the effect of enteric hormones on sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst frequency in fasted conscious opossums. A chronic model for obtaining multiple long-term recording of sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal myoelectric activity was prepared in 12 animals by implanting bipolar electrodes in the gastric antrum, duodenum, sphincter of Oddi, jejunum, and ileum. Subsequently, 8-18 recording session, 6-8 h in length, were obtained in each animal. Each study was preceded by a 15-h fast. After recording two cycles of the interdigestive migratory myoelectric complex, a 60-min infusion of saline, cholecystokinin-octapeptide, pentagastrin, glucagon, or secretin was begun early in the quiescent period of duodenal activity, 10 min after termination of phase 3 of the migratory myoelectric complex activity. Cholecystokinin-octapeptide (10-80 ng/kg . min) and pentagastrin (25-200 ng/kg . min) increased sphincter of Oddi spike burst frequency while converting interdigestive gastrointestinal myoelectric activity to a fed-like pattern of continuous, irregular spike bursts. Glucagon at high doses of 500 and 1000 ng/kg . min depressed sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity, whereas lower doses of glucagon and secretin (3-12 CU/kg . h) had no effect. We conclude that in the opossum, relatively low doses of cholecystokinin-octapeptide and pentagastrin stimulate sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity while disrupting the cyclic pattern of sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity present during fasting. The physiological significance of these findings remains to be determined.

Action Potentials↗

Urinary metallothionein as a new index of renal dysfunction in "Itai-Itai" disease patients and other Japanese women environmentally exposed to cadmium.

The significance of elevated excretion of metallothionein in urine of women living in cadmium-polluted areas of Japan was studied with respect to renal dysfunction. The relationships between the concentrations of metallothionein in urine and those of other non-specific urinary indices of renal dysfunction, i.e., total protein, glucose, beta 2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, alpha-amino nitrogen and proline were examined. In addition, the relationships between urinary metallothionein and urinary cadmium and copper were also evaluated. It was found that the logarithm of the metallothionein concentration in urine was significantly correlated with the logarithm of the concentrations of each of the above parameters. When subjects with signs of renal dysfunction, including "itai'itai" disease patients and patients suspected of the disease, were compared with subjects with normal renal functions, as a group, the former excreted significantly higher concentrations of metallothionein in their urine than the latter. The results suggest that the elevated excretion of metallothionein is not only an index of excessive cadmium exposure, but also of renal dysfunction caused by chronic exposure to this metal.

Aged↗

Relationship of sphincter of Oddi spike bursts to gastrointestinal myoelectric activity in conscious opossums.

The oppossum sphincter of Oddi (SO) exhibits peristaltic spike bursts with accompanying contraction waves that originate proximally in the sphincter of Oddi and propagate toward the duodenum. In this study we recorded myoelectrical activity of the opossum SO and upper gastrointestinal tract in six conscious animals using chronically implanted electrodes. Biopolar electrodes were implanted in the gastric antrum, duodenum, SO segment, jejunum, and ileum. During fasting the frequency of SO spike bursts, scored as number per minute, showed a cyclic pattern consisting of four phases (A to D). Phase A had a low spike burst frequency of approximately 2/min that lasted approximately 20 min. In phase B, the spike burst frequency increased progressively during a 40-45 min interval culminating in a short interval of phase C activity characterized by a maximal spike burst frequency of approximately 5/min. During phase D, the spike bursts decreased over 15 min to merge with the low frequency of phase A and the cycle repeated. Cycle length of the interdigestive SO cycle, 87+/-11 SD min, was virtually identical with that of the interdigestive migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The onset of phase C activity in the SO began 1-2 min before phase III of the MMC activity in the duodenum. Feeding abolished the cyclic pattern of spike burst activity in the SO as well as in the upper gastrointestinal tract. After feeding the SO spike bursts occurred at a frequency of 5-6/min for at least 3 h. We conclude that: (a) During fasting, the oppossum SO exhibits cyclic changes in its spike burst frequency; (b) Maximal spike burst frequency of the SO occurs virtually concurrent with passage of phase III MMC activity through the duodenum and; (c) Feeding abolishes the interdigestive cyclic spike burst pattern of the SO as well as that of the gastrointestinal tract.

Action Potentials↗

Elevated urinary excretion of metallothionein due to environmental cadmium exposure.

Metallothionein, a low molecular weight cadmium-binding protein, has been determined for the first time in urine of "itai-itai" disease patients and other Japanese women environmentally exposed to cadmium. On a group basis, the urinary metallothionein levels of "itai-itai" disease patients and suspected patients were significantly higher than that of women living in a cadmium-polluted area. Women living in a non-polluted area excreted significantly less metallothionein than women living in a cadmium-polluted area. A similar trend was observed for urinary beta 2-microglobulin, a nonspecific index of renal tubular dysfunction. However, mean levels of urinary cadmium in the "itai-itai" disease patients, suspected patients and women living in the cadmium-polluted area were similar. It is suggested that if, in addition to beta 2-microglobulin and cadmium, metallothionein is used as another index of cadmium exposure, monitoring of renal tubular dysfunction caused by cadmium may be more effectively carried out.

Aged↗

Effect of histamine on motor function of opossum sphincter of Oddi.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of histamine on phasic contractile activity in the opossum sphincter of Oddi (SO). SO manometry was done in 35 animals, using an infused catheter system with minimal compliance. In anesthetized animals, phasic SO contractions occurred at a frequency of 7.3 +/- 0.3 (SE) contractions/min with an amplitude of 83 +/- 4 mmHg. Intravenous histamine (5-80 micrograms/kg) invariably inhibited the frequency and amplitude of SO phasic contractions. At larger doses, the SO contractions were abolished for several minutes. The SO inhibitory effect of histamine was duplicated by the selective H1-agonist, 2-pyridylethylamine, and abolished by H1-blockade with pyrilamine or neural blockade with tetrodotoxin. After tetrodotoxin, histamine and 2-pyridylethylamine caused an increased frequency and amplitude of SO contractions. This excitatory effect was blocked by pyrilamine. The histamine effects on SO phasic contractions were not altered by metiamide, atropine, phentolamine, propranolol, hexamethonium, or a large dose of nicotine. We conclude that 1) histamine depresses phasic SO contractions in the opossum; 2) histamine's depressant SO effect is mediated by H1 stimulation of noncholinergic, nonadrenergic SO inhibitory nerves, overriding an H1 stimulatory effect on SO smooth muscle; and 3) histamine has no H2-mediated effect on the opossum SO.

Ampulla of Vater↗

Regular and irregular cycles of interdigestive contractions in the stomach.

We have previously reported that during the interdigestive state repeated episodes of high-amplitude contractions interrupted by long-lasting motor quiescence were seen to occur regularly until the next meal in the dog. However, none of the dogs used in our laboratory showed such regular changes in gastric motor pattern all the time during the interdigestive state. In the present study, we measured plasma motilin concentrations and intraduodenal pH together with gastric motor activity in conscious dogs. It was found that as long as intraduodenal pH remained between 7.0 and 8.5 the regular occurrence of the interdigestive contractions was closely associated with increases in the plasma immunoreactive motilin (IRM) concentration. However, when intraduodenal pH became acid, there were no typical interdigestive contractions even though plasma IRM concentration was elevated. We consider that high-amplitude contractions like the interdigestive contractions could not be evoked in the acid-secreting stomach even if the plasma IRM concentration was elevated during the interdigestive state. Acid secretion during the fasted state, the cause of which is not known, seems to be one of the main factors in disturbing the regularity of the interdigestive motor pattern.

Animals↗

Diurnal pH changes in duodenum of conscious dogs.

Continuous measurements of intraduodenal pH changes were made in five healthy conscious dogs by means of a miniature pH electrode inserted into the duodenum through a chronically implanted duodenal cannula. Gastric motor activity was also recorded simultaneously by means of a chronically implanted force transducer. When dogs were fed once a day with a measured volume of dog food, it was found that 24-h pH changes in the duodenal contents could be divided into three major periods: the weak acid period, the strong acid period, and alkaline period. The weak acid period lasted for 9.2 +/- 0.43 h after feeding with the duodenal pH ranging from 7.0 to 4.0. The weak acid period was gradually changed to the strong acid period in which the duodenal pH fluctuated widely from 8.0 to 1.0. This period lasted for 5.2 +/- 0.26 h. After the strong acid period, pH of the duodenum abruptly turned alkaline and remained between 7.0 and 8.3 until the next meal. These three periods of pH change are closely related to those of three different gastric motor patterns; the digestive, intermediate, and interdigestive patterns, respectively.

Animals↗

Biphasic secretory response of exocrine pancreas to feeding.

By means of a newly developed device, secretory response of the exocrine pancreas to feeding was continuously recorded for 24 h in conscious dogs. It was then found that the postprandial secretory pattern of the pancreas was biphasic. The first peak of secretion, rich in enzymes, occurred 2.3 +/- 0.11 h after feeding and its secretory volume was 25.3 +/- 3.10 ml/h. After the first peak, pancreatic secretion decreased slightly, but started to increase again. At 10.8 +/- 0.31 h after feeding, the second peak of secretion occurred and this was 40.5 +/- 2.93 ml/h, significantly higher than the first peak secretion and the greatest in 1 day. The second peak secretion did not contain a higher concentration of enzymes, but was rich in bicarbonate. Approximately 16 h after feeding, pancreatic secretion returned to the basal level, which continued until the next meal. That water and bicarbonate secretion of the pancreas is the greatest at about the 11th postprandial h had never been reported before. The physiological role of the pancreatic secretion at that time is more likely to be related to the neutralization of acid entering from the stomach than to the digestion of food.

Animals↗

A study of the relationship between cadmium concentrations in urine and renal effects of cadmium.

The relationship between urinary cadmium concentration expressed as microgram/g creatinine and renal effects of cadmium exposure was studied in 542 inhabitants over 20 years of age who lived in the Jinzu River basin which is polluted by cadmium. Cadmium concentration in urine was employed as the index of cadmium exposure. Total protein with glucose, beta 2-microglobulin, retinol binding protein, and proline served as indices of renal effects. The prevalent rate of high beta 2-microglobulin excretion was the highest among these indices both in men and women. Prevalence rates of indices of renal effects increased proportionally with increasing cadmium concentrations in urine and probit linear regression lines could be calculated between them. The urinary cadmium concentrations corresponding to 1% prevalence rates of indices of the renal effects were calculated by the regression line. For beta 2-microglobulin, 3.2 microgram Cd/g creatinine and 5.2 microgram Cd/g creatinine were obtained in men and women, respectively. This method may be useful for evaluating the risk of renal damage of exposed inhabitants.

Adult↗