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Biomedical subjects

S Sakoda

Publications and source records attributed to S Sakoda.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Disturbed function of the pineal gland in familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

In order to estimate the function of the pineal gland, the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy relative to healthy subjects, we have quantified urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin, normetanephrine and metanephrine. Urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin level correlated with neither of two O-methylated catecholamine levels in healthy subjects. The excretion of both 6-hydroxymelatonin and metanephrine were reduced in the patient group as compared with the control group, and the normal daily rhythm of 6-hydroxymelatonin was undetectable in the most of the patients. This finding indicates that the function of the pineal gland is disturbed in familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1987

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptor binding has been studied in platelet membranes from 16 patients with type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) at various clinical stages and 15 normal subjects. Binding of the radioligand [3H]yohimbine to platelet membranes was used to examine alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. The number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors were significantly lower in patients of the early stage than in normal subjects. Then, the numbers tended to be higher than those of normal subjects in the intermediate stage, and they were higher in the single advanced-stage patient studied. The reduction in alpha 2-adrenergic receptor numbers in platelet membranes from patients of the early stage might be explained by the down-regulation of the receptors in vascular smooth muscle, but it remains uncertain whether a high number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors observed in the single advanced-stage patient might be explained by the up-regulation of the receptors.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Metabolic myopathies.

Six glycogen storage diseases (resulting from deficiencies of acid maltase, phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase, phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, and lactate dehydrogenase) and one mitochondrial myopathy (cytochrome c oxidase deficiency) are reviewed to illustrate: clinical heterogeneity, biochemical heterogeneity, evidence for tissue-specific and developmentally controlled isozymes, and molecular genetic studies.

Bisphosphoglycerate Mutase↗
PubMed1985

Mass spectrometric measurements of norepinephrine synthesis in man from infusion of stable isotope-labelled L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine.

The kinetics of stable isotope-labelled L-threo-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylserine(L-threo-DOPS), an immediate precursor of (-)-norepinephrine, was studied to investigate the pharmacologic mechanism of its therapeutic effect on orthostatic hypotension in familial amyloid polyneuropathy(FAP) and on akinesia and freezing in parkinsonism. [13C,D]-L-threo-DOPS was synthesized, and 100 mg of the compound was infused for 2 h into two normal subjects, two FAP patients and two patients with the degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Labelled and endogenous norepinephrine in urine and plasma was assayed simultaneously by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results indicate that the increase in norepinephrine in biological fluids after administration of L-threo-DOPS is attributable mostly to norepinephrine derived from L-threo-DOPS, not to pre-formed endogenous norepinephrine released by L-threo-DOPS.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1985

Treatment of orthostatic hypotension in Shy-Drager syndrome with DL-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine: a case report.

Orthostatic hypotension in a patient with Shy-Drager syndrome was treated for 6 months with oral DL-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DL-threo-DOPS). Adrenergic function was evaluated before and during treatment by measurements of changes in blood pressure and plasma norepinephrine on head-up tilting and by the response of blood pressure to the Valsalva maneuver and infused norepinephrine. After the patient received DL-threo-DOPS, the fall in his mean arterial blood pressure on head-up tilting was reduced and he had no syncope when standing. When peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor was combined with DL-threo-DOPS, the same beneficial effect on orthostatic hypotension was observed.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed1984

Treatment of parkinsonism with L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine: a pharmacokinetic study.

We have examined the kinetics of oral L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS) alone and combined with peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors in patients with Parkinson's disease and other degenerative diseases of the brain. Combined administration of L-threo-DOPS and carbidopa or benserazide produced higher plasma concentrations of L-threo-DOPS and suppressed the increase in plasma norepinephrine. This finding indicates some advantages of combined therapy with L-threo-DOPS and decarboxylase inhibitors. Measurable quantities of DL-threo-DOPS were found in the CSF during repeated administration, but there was no consistent change in norepinephrine concentration.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Peripheral ameloblastoma.

Peripheral ameloblastoma is a rare odontogenic neoplasm, which arises in the tooth-bearing gingiva or other oral soft tissues and has no invasive character as compared with an intraosseous ameloblastoma. A new case of the neoplasm has been presented, and the literature concerning behavior, histogenesis, and treatment of this entity has been evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Lymphoepithelial cyst of oral cavity. Report of a case and review of the literature.

A rare case of the oral lymphoepithelial cyst in the ventral surface of the tongue is reported. Histological findings show the same appearance as reported previously, and the continuity of the cyst wall to the oral mucosa in the specimen is suspected. Some aspects of the lesion are reviewed, and its pathogenesis, as reported in the literature, is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Genetic studies of familial amyloid polyneuropathy in the Arao district of Japan: I. The genealogical survey.

A genealogical survey of familial amyloid polyneuropathy in the Arao district of Japan was undertaken, and the data were analysed statistically. The survey revealed 92 patients (46 males and 46 females) in 9 families. Thirty-one of the patients (16 males and 15 females) are alive. For 44 patients, the mean age of onset was 34.1 years (range 20-46 years). The penetrance corrected for late onset was 83.5% by Morton's method. The segregation ratio of 18 sibships in which one of the parents was affected was 36 +/- 6% for single ascertainment and 46 +/- 5% for complete ascertainment; the corresponding figures of 14 sibships in which neither parent was affected was 30 +/- 7% for single ascertainment and 40 +/- 6% for complete ascertainment. The results of the analysis were consistent with the assumption of an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Pharmacokinetic studies of oral L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine in normal subjects and patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

The pharmacokinetics of oral L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-DOPS) was studied in 7 normal subjects and 7 patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Each person swallowed a single 300 mg dose in the fasting state, and L-threo-DOPS in plasma and urine was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector after separation on a boric acid gel column. L-threo-DOPS was slowly absorbed by normal subjects; the maximum plasma concentration occurred 3 h after administration and 20% of the oral dose was recovered unchanged in the urine within 12 h. It induced a substantial elevation of plasma norepinephrine levels, the peak being attained at 5 h, but without any change in blood pressure. In the patients, the absorption and metabolism of L-threo-DOPS were delayed, and a prolonged pressor response was observed, with a peak after 8 h. It was concluded that the effects on plasma norepinephrine and blood pressure of oral L-threo-DOPS were essentially equal to those of twice as large a dose of DL-threo-DOPS.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Orthostatic hypotension in familial amyloid polyneuropathy: treatment with DL-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine.

We measured plasma norepinephrine levels in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Patients with orthostatic hypotension had low basal plasma norepinephrine levels, which did not increase after postural change. On the basis of biochemical findings that suggest depletion of peripheral norepinephrine, DL-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine, an immediate precursor of norepinephrine, was given orally. Six hundred mg of this drug induced substantial and sustained elevation of blood pressure for several hours, and plasma norepinephrine content increased. Daily administration for 4 weeks improved postural dizziness and syncope, and daily activity increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Effect of infused L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine on adrenergic activity in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS), an immediate precursor amino acid of (-)-norepinephrine, was used as a pharmacological tool to investigate the pathophysiology of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system in Type 1 familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Patients with the well-established disorder showed an enhanced pressor response to L-threo-DOPS under conditions that produced no change in normal subjects. While octopamine induced a brisk pressor response, L-threo-DOPS produced a slow and prolonged change in blood pressure, with a marked concomitant increase in urinary excretion of norepinephrine. A slight increase in urinary excretion of total metanephrine was observed in both groups, but there was no significant increase in serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity. Since infusion of dilute norepinephrine into patients also produced a markedly hypersensitive response, the characteristic pressor response to L-threo-DOPS was indicative of denervation supersensitivity of adrenergic receptors to norepinephrine formed enzymatically from L-threo-DOPS.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pergolide mesilate may improve fatigue in patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Fatigue is a complaint frequently encountered among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Considering the possible relationship between fatigue and dopaminergic dysfuncion, we investigated the effect of pergolide mesilate (a D2 and D1 dopamine receptor agonist) and bromocriptine (a D2 selective dopamine receptor) in patients with PD. METHODS: We evaluated 41 patients with PD and controls. We assessed the degree of fatigue by using a fatigue scale. The severity of PD was evaluated by the Hoehn and Yahr Scale and the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS). RESULTS: After five weeks from prescription, patients taking pergolide mesilate showed significant improvement in the fatigue scale (from 5.1 +/- 0.7 to 4.4 +/- 0.55, p < 0.05, ) but patients taking bromocriptine did not (from 4.8 +/- 0.9 to 4.7 +/- 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested the possibility of functional correlation between fatigue and D1 receptor in patients with PD.

Aged↗