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S Kitamura

Publications and source records attributed to S Kitamura.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

A scanning calorimetric study of the thermal denaturation of the lysozyme of phage T4 and the Arg 96----His mutant form thereof.

High-sensitivity scanning calorimetry has been employed to study the reversible thermal unfolding of the lysozyme of T4 bacteriophage and of its mutant form Arg 96----His in the pH range 1.80-2.84. The values for t1/2, the temperature of half-denaturation, in degrees Celsius and for the enthalpy of unfolding in kilocalories per mole are given by (standard deviations in parentheses) wild type t1/2 = 9.63 + 14.41 pH (+/- 0.58) delta Hcal = 5.97 + 2.33t (+/- 4.20) mutant form t1/2 = -19.84 + 21.31 pH (+/- 0.51) delta Hcal = -8.58 + 2.66t (+/- 4.48) At any temperature within the range -20 to 60 degrees C, the free energy of unfolding of the mutant form is more negative than that of the wild type by 3-5 kcal mol-1, indicating an apparent destabilization resulting from the arginine to histidine replacement. The ratio of the van't Hoff enthalpy to the calorimetric enthalpy deviates from unity, the value expected for a simple two-state process, by +/- 0.2 depending on the pH. It thus appears that the nature of the unfolding of T4 lysozyme varies with pH in unknown manner. This complication does not invalidate the values reported here for the temperature of half-completion of unfolding, the calorimetric enthalpy, the heat capacity change, or the free energy of unfolding.

Arginine↗

Comparative study on metabolic formation of N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides from carcinogenic arylamines in mammalian species.

The metabolism of carcinogenic arylamines was examined focusing on their N-acylation in mammalian species. When 4-aminobiphenyl, 2-aminonaphthalene, 2-aminofluorene, or 1-aminopyrene was given orally to rabbits, the corresponding N-arylformamides were isolated from the urine together with the corresponding N-arylacetamides. Identification of these N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides was performed unequivocally by comparing their mass and UV spectra, and thin-layer chromatographic behaviors with those of authentic samples. Such metabolic conversion of the arylamines to the N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides was also observed in guinea pigs and rats. In addition, carcinogenic nitro compounds such as 4-nitrobiphenyl and 2-nitronaphthalene, which are metabolically reducible to the arylamines, were metabolized to the corresponding N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides in rabbits. On the other hand, quantitative experiments showed that only minor amounts of the N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides were excreted in the urine or feces of rats and rabbits given the arylamines. This seems to be due to almost complete further metabolism of these N-acyl derivatives in vivo. Liver cytosols from several mammalian species exhibited a significant N-formylating activity toward the arylamines in the presence of N-formyl-L-kynurenine and N-acetylating activity in the presence of acetyl-CoA. In rabbits, the N-formylating activity was clearly higher than the N-acetylating activity, while the reverse was the case in guinea pigs and hamsters. The experiments with rat liver preparations showed that the liver cytosolic N-formylating and N-acetylating activities are due to formamidase and arylamine acetyltransferase, respectively. Furthermore, enzymatic transfer of the formyl group from one arylamine to another was demonstrated.

2-Naphthylamine↗

Protein kinase C phosphorylation of desmin at four serine residues within the non-alpha-helical head domain.

We reported that phosphorylation by either cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) in vitro induces disassembly of the desmin filaments (Inagaki, M., Gonda, Y., Matsuyama, M., Nishizawa, K., Nishi, Y., and Sato, C. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 5970-5978). For this subunit protein, Ser-29, Ser-35, and Ser-50 within the non-alpha-helical head domain were shown to be the sites of phosphorylation for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (Geisler, N., and Weber, K. (1988) EMBO J. 7, 15-20). In the present work, we identified the sites of desmin phosphorylated in vitro by other protein kinase which affects the filament structure. The protein kinase C-phosphorylated desmin was hydrolyzed with trypsin, and the phosphorylated peptides were isolated by reverse-phase chromatography. Sequential analysis of the purified phosphopeptides, together with the known primary sequence, revealed that Ser-12, Ser-29, Ser-38, and Ser-56 were phosphorylated by protein kinase C. All four sites are located within the non-alpha-helical head domain of desmin. Ser-12, Ser-38, and Ser-56, specifically phosphorylated by protein kinase C, have arginine residues at the carboxyl-terminal side (Arg-14, Arg-42, and Arg-59, respectively). Ser-29 phosphorylated by both protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent protein kinase has arginine residues at the amino and carboxyl termini (Arg-27 and Arg-33). These findings support the view that the head domain-specific phosphorylation strongly influences desmin filament structure; however, each protein kinase differed with regard to site recognition on this domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enzymic conversion of 11,12-leukotriene A4 to 11,12-dihydroxy-5,14-cis-7,9-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid. Purification of an epoxide hydrolase from the guinea pig liver cytosol.

(11S,12S)-Epoxy-5,14-cis-7,9-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (11,12-leukotriene A4) was nonenzymically converted to seven compounds: two diastereomers of (12S)-hydroxyeicosatetraeno-delta-lactones (major products), two diastereomers of (5,12S)-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and three stereoisomers of (11,12S)-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Among these compounds, (11R,12S)-dihydroxy-5,14-cis-7,9-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid proved to be the only enzymic product. This hydrolysis activity was present in the cytosol fractions of various tissues of guinea pig such as liver, adrenal gland, small intestine, and brain. We purified the epoxide hydrolase to an apparent homogeneity from the guinea pig liver. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 60,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and an isoelectric point of 7.3. The partial amino acid sequence was different from that of the microsomal enzyme. Km and Vmax values for 11,12-leukotriene A4 were 18 microM and 2.4 mumol/min/mg protein, respectively. These results indicate that 11,12-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is enzymically synthesized from 11,12-leukotriene A4 by the action of the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase in vitro.

Animals↗

Neurons of origin of the internal ramus of the rabbit accessory nerve: localization in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve and the nucleus retroambigualis.

The neurons of origin of the internal ramus of the rabbit accessory nerve were identified in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, using bilateral injections of horseradish peroxidase into the inferior vagal ganglion, soft palate, and pharynx, which were preceded by different combinations of the unilateral intracranial severings of the rootlets of the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves, those of the cranial root of the accessory nerve, and the trunk of its spinal root. The neurons of origin occupied the caudal four-fifths of the dorsal vagal nucleus extending from about 1.0 mm rostral to the obex as far caudally as the second cervical spinal segment, with their number being about half the total number of neurons of the nucleus. Although considerably fewer, they were also located in the nucleus retroambigualis of the caudal half of the first cervical spinal segment and the second segment. Axons of most internal ramus neurons traversed the rootlets of the cranial accessory root. Axons of the few neurons located more caudally than about 1.0 mm caudal to the obex emerged from the upper cervical spinal cord to run along the trunk of the spinal accessory root before finally joining the internal ramus; caudal to the midlevel of the first cervical segment, the dorsal vagal nucleus and the nucleus retroambigualis contained neurons whose axons followed only that course.

Accessory Nerve↗

A differential scanning calorimetric study of the conformational transitions of schizophyllan in mixtures of water and dimethylsulfoxide.

The thermal conformational transitions of two sonicated samples of schizophyllan were studied in water-dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixtures by high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Two transitions were observed over most of the range of solvent compositions. These were assigned to an internal change of the triple helix [T. Itou et al. (1986) Macromolecules 19, 1234-1240] and a triple-helix-single-coil transition [T. Sato et al. (1981) Carbohydr. Res. 95, 195-204], respectively. In water, the former transition observed at lower temperature for a low molecular weight sample, U-1, is centered at 3 degrees C and characterized by the specific enthalpy, delta hcal = 3.29 J g-1. A higher molecular weight sample, M-2, showed this transition at 7 degrees C with delta hcal = 4.39 J g-1. The transition temperature for both samples increased with increasing DMSO concentration up to about 50 degrees C at 70 weight % DMSO, and then rapidly decreased with increasing DMSO concentration, with about 3 degrees C higher for M-2 than for U-1 over the DMSO concentration. The transition was not observed when the concentration of DMSO exceeded 87%. It was found that delta hcal for both samples was a linear function of t 1/2, the temperature of half-completion in degrees C, delta hcal = 0.177t + 2.96. The triple helix-coil transition was observed at around 127 degrees C for U-1 and above 130 degrees C for M-2 in the range of DMSO composition below about 70%. The transition temperature decreased with increasing DMSO concentration at above 70%, and the transition finally disappeared when the DMSO concentration exceeded 90%. The plot of delta hcal vs. t 1/2 for the transition of both samples gave a linear relation, delta hcal = 0.253t - 10.58. The reversibility of the transition at lower temperature was demonstrated by the reversibility of the curves when the first heating was stopped before the second transition. Once the heating was performed over the second transition, the reheating DSC curves showed several endothermic peaks, indicating the irreversibility of the transition and heterogeneity in the conformation of the heated schizophyllan.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Central effect of aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

We examined the effect of centrally administered aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, on blood pressure (BP) in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Twenty-two gauge needles and polyethylene catheters were implanted into lateral cerebroventricle and femoral artery, respectively, at 48 hours before the experiments. In Group 1 (8 SHR, 6 WKY), rats received a bolus intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of aprotinin (1,000 KIU/kg/10 microliters). A prompt increase of BP was observed in SHR after aprotinin and this elevation of BP was persisted for over 30 minutes (mean BP: 158.8 +/- 2.9 mmHg at control to 168.7 +/- 3.2 at 15 min., p less than 0.01; to 168.3 +/- 3.4 at 30 min., p less than 0.01). On the other hand, BP of WKY decreased gradually after aprotinin (mean BP: 143.0 +/- 3.3 at control to 136.8 +/- 2.7 at 15 min., n.s.; to 134.2 +/- 5.1 at 30 min., p less than 0.05). The intravenous injection (i.v.) of aprotinin (Group 2: 7 SHR, 5 WKY) and the i.c.v. of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (Group 3: 5 SHR, 6 WKY) did not affect BP in both SHR and WKY except for the minor transient increase of BP in WKY immediately after artificial CSF i.c.v.. We performed additional experiments to study the contributions of sympathetic nervous system and vasopressin to these changes in BP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effects of propylene glycol on redox state of the perfused rat liver--a note of caution.

Propylene glycol is used as a solvent for bile salts in studies on their biologic effects on the liver. While using this solvent (32-64 mmol/l) in the isolated perfused rat liver, we found a significant change in the extramitochondrial redox system as indicated by a fivefold increase of the lactate pyruvate ratio in the perfusate. The increase was due to an increased uptake of pyruvate (0.8 mumol/g/min) and to a release of lactate (1.8 mumol/g/min). The intramitochondrial redox state was affected to a lesser degree as estimated by the beta-hydroxybutyrate acetoacetate ratio (twofold increase). These abnormalities resemble those induced by similar concentrations of ethanol. We suggest, therefore, that investigators studying bile acids should be aware of this artifact which causes significant alterations in cellular energy systems and enzyme activities.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Corrosive gastritis mimicking linitis plastica carcinoma.

A 59-year-old female with depressive tendencies was admitted suffering from hematemesis and abdominal pain, two hours after ingestion of an unknown amount of toilet bowl cleaner (hydrochloric acid, pH 1.0). A barium study 24 days after ingestion revealed rigid narrowing and granulation of the entire stomach. The esophagus and duodenum were normal. The radiographic results were similar to those obtained for linitis plastica carcinoma of the stomach, but biopsy specimens of the stomach revealed no cancer cells. A total gastrectomy was performed about two months after ingestion to relieve the persistent feeling of nausea. Specimens revealed a rigid and thickening lining and a denuded mucosal surface of the stomach. The cut surface of the specimen showed a remarkable fibrous thickening of the submucosal layer. Microscopic examination failed to reveal a normal mucosal layer except in a narrow area of the fornix, and remarkable fibrosis of the submucosal lining was noted. No cancer cells were found. Corrosive gastritis has a linitis plastica appearance with a predilection for the antrum. Radiological examination revealed the very rare manifestation of a rigid narrowing of the whole stomach mimicking linitis plastica type cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗

Different responses of coronary artery and internal mammary artery bypass grafts to ergonovine and nitroglycerin in variant angina.

The dynamic responses of a coronary artery and an internal mammary artery (IMA) graft to pharmacological intervention were examined by arteriography in 5 patients with variant angina who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting with an in situ IMA to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Preoperative electrocardiographic findings included elevated ST segments in chest leads during attacks of angina, and all patients had severe fixed lesions in addition to marked spasm of the left anterior descending coronary artery after the administration of ergonovine maleate. Postoperatively with ergonovine stimulation, complete occlusion or marked subtotal narrowing was again observed at the primary fixed lesion in the proximal portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, but the IMA graft and the coronary artery distal to the anastomotic site maintained satisfactory patency with no further occurrence of anginal pain or ST segment elevation. By computer-assisted graphic analysis, which allows highly reproducible measurements of vascular internal diameters, the diameter of the IMA showed only small changes under ergonovine (p = not significant) or nitroglycerin (p less than 0.05) stimulation in contrast to the marked vascular reactivity of the coronary artery (p less than 0.05 and less than 0.01, respectively). These findings indicate that the IMA graft is unresponsive to ergonovine at least in the amount required to produce coronary artery spasm in patients with variant angina and fixed lesions. The IMA graft appears to function well from a clinical and pharmacological viewpoint in patients with variant angina.

Adult↗

Interaction of N-alkylanthracyclines with lipid bilayers: correlations between partition coefficients, lipid phase distributions and thermotropic behavior.

The thermotropic behavior of multilamellar vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), or of DPPC in admixture with cardiolipin or cholesterol, in the presence of various N-alkyl derivatives of both adriamycin and adriamycin-14-valerate has been investigated by high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. The analogues, particularly the 14-valerate derivatives, which were most lipophilic as judged by their lipid/buffer, and to a lesser extent by their octanol/buffer, partition coefficients, were the most effective in depressing the tm of the investigated lipids; correlations, however, were not absolute. Other factors, such as the distribution of the drugs between the solid and liquid-crystalline phases of the bilayer, were also important to the observed membrane perturbations. With all anthracyclines, however, no major changes in the transition enthalpy were observed. In the case of vesicles prepared from pure DPPC, curve fitting analysis based on ideal solution theory (J.M. Sturtevant (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 1398-1400) applied at relatively low drug concentrations where single peak transitions were produced, adequately described the differential scanning calorimetric results. At high drug concentrations, however, the presence of multi-peak transitions were indicative of non-ideality.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

The effects of calcium channel blocking drugs on the thermotropic behavior of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine.

The effects of four calcium channel blocking drugs, diltiazem, verapamil, nimodipine and nisoldipine, on the main phase transition of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine have been studied by high resolution differential scanning calorimetry. In all cases, the phase transition temperature is lowered, though much more effectively by nimodipine and nisoldipine than by the other two drugs. Nimodipine and nisoldipine markedly reduce the enthalpy of transition while diltiazem and verapamil have no significant effect on the enthalpy within the drug concentration range studied. Analysis of the data in terms of ideal solution theory is presented. X-ray and neutron scattering studies indicate that nimodipine and verapamil differ significantly with respect to their location within a lipid bilayer, and this difference suggests a partial rationalization of the experimental results presented here.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Electrophoretic characterization and immunoblot analysis of the proteins from the myelin-like light membrane fraction of shrimp ventral nerve (Penaeus duorarum).

1. The proteins of the light membrane fraction (LMF) from the ventral nerve of the pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum) were separated by SDS gel electrophoresis and analysed by staining and immunoblotting. 2. Shrimp LMF carried four major proteins with apparent molecular weights of Mr = 21,500, 40,000, 78,000, 85,000 and four minor components (Mr = 36,000, 41,500, 43,000, 50,000). 3. None of these proteins bound Concanavalin A. 4. The four major proteins showed no reaction with antisera against six vertebrate myelin proteins. Only the minor Mr = 50,000 component was weakly recognized by the antibodies against mammalian myelin P0 protein.

Animals↗

Clinical results and in vivo valve function after implantation of a Bicer valve prosthesis in the aortic position.

Between December 1981 and June 1987, 71 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with a Bicer monostrut tilting disc prosthesis. Clinical results and in vivo function of the artificial valve were assessed. The average age of the 71 patients at the time of operation was 51.3 +/- 11.5 years. The hospital mortality rate was 2.8% (two patients) and there were no further deaths during a mean (+/- SD) follow-up period of 2.4 +/- 1.6 years (range 1 month to 5.5 years) after surgery. There was also no occurrence of thromboembolism or valve dysfunction. Function of the Bicer valve prosthesis was assessed in 17 patients: 5 with a 21 mm valve, 7 with a 23 mm valve and 5 with a 25 mm valve. Examination was performed on average 10.3 +/- 8.1 months after surgery. Valve function was examined at rest and during exercise performed with a bicycle ergometer. Pressure gradients at rest were low: 21 mm valve = 8 mm Hg, 23 mm valve = 3 mm Hg and 25 mm valve = 2 mm Hg; the gradients during exercise were 11, 8 and 8 mm Hg, respectively. The valves had the following effective orifice area at rest: 21 mm valve = 1.54 cm2, 23 mm valve = 4.20 cm2 and 25 mm valve = 3.76 cm2; during exercise, the respective areas were 1.57, 3.48 and 3.01 cm2. These valves are deemed to be sufficiently wide for effective valve function. Aortographic observation indicated mild regurgitation that was within reasonable limits and posed no problem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aortic Valve↗

Metabolism of LTC4 to LTD4 and LTE4 in isolated guinea pig lung lobes.

Leukotrienes are known to be easily metabolized to other substances. But the metabolic fates of LTC4 and LTD4 have not been established in the intact lung. In this investigation we perfused isolated guinea pig lung lobes and injected synthesized LTC4 and LTD4. The effluent was assayed by HPLC. LTD4 and LTE4 were detected following perfusion of LTC4, and LTE4 was detected following perfusion of LTD4. These results suggest that perfused guinea pig lung lobes may metabolize LTC4 to LTD4 and LTE4, and LTD4 to LTE4.

Animals↗

Chemotactic factor generation and cell accumulation in acute lung injury induced by endotracheal acid instillation.

We studied the time course of chemotactic factor generation and inflammatory cell accumulation in the rabbit aspiration pneumonia model. Two major potent chemotactic factors, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and C5a, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and cell analysis was also done. The level of LTB4 increased only in the early phase (2-6 h) after endotracheal acid instillation. The level of C5a increased gradually almost in parallel with the total protein level in BALF, and reached a maximum at 24 h. Neutrophil accumulation occurred early and reached a maximum at 24 h. In contrast, the number of alveolar macrophages increased from days 1 to 7. These findings suggest that the increases in LTB4 and C5a are responsible for accumulation of neutrophils and that C5a may be an important chemotactic factor for alveolar macrophage.

Animals↗

Possible biological growth factors in breast milk and postnatal development of the gastrointestinal tract.

To investigate as to whether or not biological growth factors known to be present in natural milks could influence postnatal development of gastrointestinal (GI) tract, tests were made to determine the enteric mucosal, protein and DNA contents, alkaline phosphatase and disaccharidase activities in mongrel puppies at birth and after four days of both mother-reared and artificial reared. Microvilli of the jejunal segment were also investigated histologically by electron microscopy. Similar increases in body weight over the first four days of life were obtained and mucosal protein and DNA contents in the small intestine were greater in the mother-reared animals than in the newborn animals but neither mucosal protein content nor DNA content of the artificially reared animals was different from that of the newborn animals. Alkaline phosphatase activity was greater in both the mother-reared and artificially reared animals than that of the newborn animals. The disaccharidase activities were not different among the three groups. The jejunal microvilli of the mother-reared animals were more elaborately grown in the structure than those of the artificially reared or newborn animals. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the mother rearing over the first four days of life resulted in acceleration of the enteric mucosal growth, and the result indicates that breast feeding plays an important role in the development of the GI tract during the neonatal period.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗