Biomedical subjects

S Someya

Publications and source records attributed to S Someya.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Mitochondrial DNA mutations, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in mammalian aging.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulate in tissues of mammalian species and have been hypothesized to contribute to aging. We show that mice expressing a proofreading-deficient version of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase g (POLG) accumulate mtDNA mutations and display features of accelerated aging. Accumulation of mtDNA mutations was not associated with increased markers of oxidative stress or a defect in cellular proliferation, but was correlated with the induction of apoptotic markers, particularly in tissues characterized by rapid cellular turnover. The levels of apoptotic markers were also found to increase during aging in normal mice. Thus, accumulation of mtDNA mutations that promote apoptosis may be a central mechanism driving mammalian aging.

Aging↗

PubMed2001

HNS-32, a novel azulene-1-carboxamidine derivative, inhibits nifedipine-sensitive and -insensitive contraction of the isolated rabbit aorta.

The vasorelaxant profile of a novel azulene-1-carboxamidine derivative, HNS-32 [N1,N1-dimethyl-N2-(2-pyridylmethyl)-5-isopropyl-3,8-dimethyl-azulene-1-carboxamidine, CAS 186086-10-2], was investigated in the isolated rabbit aorta precontracted with high KCl, noradrenaline (NA) or phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and compared with those of nifedipine and nitroglycerin. In preparations without endothelium, HNS-32 elicited concentration-dependent, full inhibition of contractions elicited by high KCI (80 mM), NA (3x10(-6) M) or PDBu (10(-6) M). In contrast, nifedipine inhibited only the contraction elicited by membrane depolarization with high KCl. Nitroglycerin also attenuated high-KCl-, NA- and PDBu-elicited contractions effectively, although full suppression was obtained only for NA-elicited contraction. Whilst the relaxant effect of HNS-32 was not affected by the presence of endothelium, the relaxant response to acetylcholine was endothelium dependent. Addition of excess Ca2+ restored both the HNS-32-reduced tension in muscle precontracted with high KCI and the nifedipine-mediated tension decrease. Relaxation elicited by HNS-32 was not affected by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 9-(tetrahydro-2'-furyl)adenine (SQ 22,536, 10(-4) M), the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-(1,2,4)-oxadiazolo-(4,3-a)-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10(-5) M) or a cocktail of K+ channel blockers (glybenclamide 10(-6) M, tetraethylammonium 2x10(-3) M, apamin 10(-7) M, 4-aminopyridine 10(-4) M and Ba2+ 10(-5) M). These findings indicate that HNS-32 inhibits both L-type Ca2+ channel-dependent and -independent vascular contraction. Blockade of Ca2+ entry through L-type Ca2+ channels may be involved in the inhibitory effect of HNS-32 on the contraction due to membrane depolarization with high KCl. On the other hand, HNS-32 seems to inhibit Ca2+ channel-independent contraction via mechanism(s) other than elevation of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) and opening of K+ channels.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Potentiation of stretch-induced tone in the rabbit facial vein by an isoquinoline derivative, LOE 908.

The rabbit facial vein exhibits extracellular Ca2+- and temperature-dependent spontaneous myogenic tone in response to stretch. The present study aimed to elucidate pharmacological characteristics of Ca2+ entry mechanisms responsible for the stretch-induced tension development of the rabbit facial vein. Ca2+- and temperature-sensitive vascular tone in response to stretch was refractory to L-type Ca2+ channel blockers such as nifedipine and diltiazem but was abolished by papaverine or SK&F 96365 which blocks both receptor- and store-operated Ca2+ channels. Interestingly, LOE 908, another type of voltage-independent Ca2+-permeable channel blocker, showed augmentation of the stretch-induced vascular tone instead of inhibition. Potentiation by LOE 908 of stretch-induced vascular tone was also extracellular Ca2+-dependent and counteracted by SK&F 96365. Membrane stretch-activated Ca2+ channels in the rabbit facial vein smooth muscle cells may have a unique characteristic that their opening is stimulated by LOE 908 and thus is distinguishable from other voltage-independent Ca2+-permeable channels.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1989

[Case of the maxillofacial defect patient. Prosthetic treatment after reconstruction of the palate and face using deltopectral flap].

The patient, a 72-year-old edentulous man, had an extensive maxillofacial defect caused by treatment of the maxillary cartinoma. As his left maxillary and zygomatic bone, a portion of the soft palate, orbital cavity contents and soft tissues of the cheek had been excised, his face was ugly, and his speech and eating were extremely poor. For this patient, first of all, plastic surgeons reconstructed the cheek and palate using deltopectral flap. Secondly, dentists prepared a facial prosthesis and a set of complete dentures. Four months after prosthetic treatment, plastic surgeons corrected the left corner of the mouth using temporal muscle flap and fascia lata, and strengthened infraorbial region of deltopectral flap by grafting the left 5th rib. Lastly, dentists remade the facial prosthesis. As a result, the patient had great improvement in his face, speech and eating. Periodic examination of the surgical site can be practiced through the remaining facial defect. The advantages of the surgical reconstruction in this case were as follows. (1) As reconstruction of the cheek narrowed a facial defect, it was easy to improve patient's appearance by a small facial prosthesis. (2) The closure of the palate was effective to improve hypernasal speech, to prevent fluid leakage into the nasal cavity and to improve the retention and stability of the upper complete denture.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

Depolarizing afterpotentials in myelinated axons of mammalian spinal cord.

Microelectrode recordings were made from 5-10 micron dia axons of adult rat spinal cord in vitro. Action potentials in response to electrical stimulation were recorded intracellularly and electrical characteristics of the axons were examined by injecting current pulses through a bridge circuit. All action potentials larger in amplitude than 80 mV were followed by depolarizing afterpotentials, similar to those recorded in peripheral axons [Barrett and Barrett (1982) J. Physiol., Lond. 323, 117-144]. The afterpotential could be described as the sum of three exponential components, the time constants of which (tau 1, tau 2 and tau 3) were 25.2 +/- 5.6, 3.1 +/- 0.8 and 0.8 +/0 0.3 ms, respectively, at 25 degrees C and a membrane potential of -80 mV. The maximal amplitudes of the afterpotential components, obtained by extrapolating to the peak of the action potential, were 3.8 +/- 1.0, 6.4 +/- 5.2 and 21.7 +/- 9.8 mV, for action potential amplitudes of 102 +/- 11 mV. The amplitude of the longest component of the afterpotential decreased with depolarization and increased with hyperpolarization at the recording site. The amplitude decreased markedly with increase of temperature to physiological levels, in conjunction with the expected decrease in action potential duration. Similar afterpotential components were present in the response of the axon to injected hyperpolarizing current pulses. The observations are consistent with the suggestion [Barrett and Barrett (1982) J. Physiol., Lond. 323, 117-144] that the afterpotential results from charging of the axolemmal capacitance by current passing through the myelin sheath during the action potential. They are inconsistent with a number of calculations of electrical characteristics of peripheral axons derived from voltage clamp experiments in isolated fibers. It is argued that the electrical resistance of the myelin lamellae is relatively low, though within the range calculated for other glial membranes. This suggestion is found more compatible with the available morphological data than the alternative proposal that a leakage pathway under the myelin sheath might be responsible for the afterpotential [Barrett and Barrett (1982) J. Physiol., Lond. 323, 117-144]. The significance of this organization for the function of myelinated axons and the electrical basis of the afterpotential are examined further in the accompanying paper [Blight (1985) Neuroscience 15, 13-31].

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1985