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Biomedical subjects

T Endo

Publications and source records attributed to T Endo.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Aging and oxidative stress in neurodegeneration.

The effect of oxidative stress on the function of brain synapse, the difference in susceptibility of synapse to hyperoxia with age, and the changes in vitamin E status by stress and aging were investigated. Synaptic membrane permeability to sucrose was increased with age. When rats were subjected to hyperoxia, the membrane permeability on each age increased significantly. The susceptibility of synapse of 25 month old rats exposed to stress was about 2.5 times higher than unexposed old rats. The synaptic plasma membrane fluidity decreased significantly either in response to hyperoxia or during aging. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the synaptic plasma membranes increased with age, and those in the membranes of oxygen-exposed rats were higher than in the unexposed rats. The cholesterol/phospholipids (C/P) ratio of the membranes increased significantly with age, and the values in the membranes of oxygen-exposed rats increased more significantly than in unexposed rats of each age. In a measurement of fatty acid content in the membranes, the content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) decreased significantly during aging and by hyperoxia. These results suggest that free radicals derived from oxygen may attack nerve terminals and peroxidize the membrane, resulting in the deterioration of function of brain synapse, and that susceptibility of synapse to oxidative stress was significantly increased with age. Vitamin E content in the synaptic plasma membranes decreased with age. When rats were subjected to oxidative stress, the content was lower in each age than in normal rat membranes. An intraperitoneal administration of vitamin E prior to stress reduced these abnormalities. It is obvious that vitamin E contributes to the protection against nerve terminal dysfunction caused by oxidative stress.

Aging↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide induces cGMP-mediated relaxation in guinea-pig airways.

The mechanism of relaxation of the guinea-pig trachea induced by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP)-27 was investigated. We examined whether modulators of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) affect PACAP-induced response of tracheal strips in vitro. Pretreatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and L-arginine (L-arg) had no effect, while 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), haemoglobin and zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP-9) partially abolished the PACAP-induced relaxation. PACAP-27 elevated cyclic GMP level in airway smooth muscle tissue. These results indicate that PACAP-27 not only induces cyclic AMP-mediated responses, but also cyclic GMP-mediated responses in the airway. In addition, CO is related to the PACAP-induced elevation of cGMP level in the tracheal tissue.

Analysis of Variance↗

Apoptosis and PCNA expression induced by prolactin in structural involution of the rat corpus luteum.

There are two stages of luteal regression. The first stage is functional regression that is characterized by a decreased production of progesterone secretion; the second stage of structural involution is referred to as a structural luteolysis. In rodents, prolactin has a biphasic action on the corpus luteum. It is luteotrophic, but when exposed to functionally regressed corpora lutea it causes luteolysis. The objective of the present studies was to examine mechanisms of prolactin action in structural luteolysis, whether apoptosis is involved in this process, and to examine the possible association of cell proliferation signals as mediators of structural luteolysis. Prolactin-induced structural luteolysis was associated with apoptosis verified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Apoptotic cells made up about 3% of the cells 24 hours after the first injection of prolactin, a level that remained constant at all stages of structural luteolysis. Total ovarian weight and DNA content were decreased about 50% in 72 hours after induction of structural luteolysis by prolactin, The finding of about 3% of cells in apoptosis indicates apoptosis is a rapid process. Proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA) of luteal cells were significantly decreased during functional luteal regression, but were conversely increased in structural luteolysis as shown by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In general PCNA expression is reported to be decreased during structural involution, and there are no reports that have linked excess expression of PCNA with apoptosis and structural luteolysis. We speculate that an excessive increase in expression of PCNA which signals activation of cell proliferation creates a disorder in the signals involved with DNA synthesis. This disorder results in mitotic catastrophe and in the induction of apoptosis. Therefore the disorder of cell cycle signals in luteal cells are associated with prolactin induced apoptosis in structural luteolysis.

Animals↗

Detection of circulating anti-MUC1 mucin core protein antibodies in patients with colorectal cancer.

MUC1 mucin has a unique immunogenic peptide epitope in the extracellular domain, which has been shown to induce humoral and cellular immune response. In this study, we evaluated the pathophysiological significance of circulating anti-MUC1 mucin core protein IgG antibodies (anti-MUC1 antibodies) in colorectal cancer by Western blot analysis and 51Cr release assay. Anti-MUC1 antibodies were detected in 5 of 31 (16.1%) healthy subjects and in 27 of 56 (48.2%) patients with colorectal cancer. The presence of circulating anti-MUC1 antibodies was not significantly correlated with the level of circulating antigen MUSE11 or with other clinicopathological parameters tested. The incidence of positivity for anti-MUC1 antibodies in stage I and II (staged according to the General Rules for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Cancer of the Colon and Rectum of the Japanese Research Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum) cancers was 45.5% and 58.8%, respectively, suggesting that positivity for these antibodies may be of use as an adjunct for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the early stages in the absence of serious complications such as liver diseases. Because of the epitope similarity, anti-MUC1 antibodies in the serum may function in a manner similar to that of anti-MUC1 peptide monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We therefore observed antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity with anti-MUC1 peptide mAb using MUC1 cDNA-transfected colon cancer CHC-Y1 cells as the target. The decreased sensitivity of MUC1 transfectants to effector cells was restored to a level equivalent to that in control cells. These data suggest that the detection of circulating anti-MUC1 antibodies may be a useful adjunct for the early diagnosis and immunological analysis of colorectal cancer.

Adult↗

Goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix endoscopically diagnosed and examined with p53 immunostaining.

We report a case of a 62-year-old woman with goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix. She was admitted to our hospital in September 1994 after the discovery of liver tumors. After admission, a tumor in the right kidney and multiple tumors in the liver were found. She was diagnosed with renal cell cancer and metastasis to the liver and underwent excision of the kidney and enucleation of the largest liver tumor. Histological examination revealed that the liver tumor was a metastatic carcinoid tumor. As carcinoid tumors have frequently been found in the appendix, endoscopic examination was performed and a lesion was found in the appendix by colonoscopy. As predicted, the biopsy specimen was a carcinoid tumor, and she underwent an appendectomy. Histologically, the tumor was a goblet cell carcinoid. Goblet cell carcinoid is a rather rare neoplasm that has the histologic features of both carcinoids and adenocarcinoma. Forty-two cases of goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix have been reported thus far in Japan. However, few were diagnosed via endoscopic examination before surgical operation. We also carried out an immunohistochemical study with anti p53 antibody on the goblet cell carcinoid tumor of the appendix. Most tumor cells were strongly positive, while in three benign carcinoid tumors investigated simultaneously they were negative. These findings suggest that goblet cell carcinoid has an aggressive phenotype compared with benign carcinoid tumors.

Appendiceal Neoplasms↗

Expression of sulfated carbohydrate chain and core peptides of mucin detected by monoclonal antibodies in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Columnar epithelium-lined esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) is an acquired disorder associated with a high incidence of adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus. Columnar epithelium resembling intestinal metaplasia (IM) is especially important, since it is considered to be a premalignant condition. The aim of this study was to define the sulfated carbohydrate chain of mucin and its core peptide profile in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and to compare it with the profile in Barrett's adenocarcinoma and lower esophageal adenocarcinoma. The sulfated carbohydrate chain was not expressed in 16 specimens of normal esophageal epithelium, but in BE, it was expressed in 50% (8/16) of the specimens. This chain was detected in 100% (7/7) of esophageal adenocarcinoma specimens, including four cases of Barrett's adenocarcinoma. These data suggest that the sulfated carbohydrate chain may be associated with malignant phenotype of the esophagus. MUC1 core peptide was positive in 87% (13/15) of BE specimens and in 29% (2/7) of the esophageal adenocarcinoma specimens. MUC2 core peptide was present in 57% (8/14) and 43% (3/7) of these specimens, respectively. These data suggest that Barrett's epithelium, which is similar to IM, but not normal esophageal epithelium, expresses the sulfated sugar chain which is known to be present in gastric IM and colonic mucosa. However, there was no significant correlation between the expression of the sulfated sugar chain and the expression of either mucin core peptide MUC1 or MUC2. Thus, this carbohydrate chain may be expressed on as yet unidentified core proteins, other than MUC1 or MUC2 core peptide, in BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Identification of these proteins may be very important in helping to detect premalignant status in BE.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Intraportal endovascular ultrasonography for assessment of vascular invasion by biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of intraportal endovascular ultrasonography (IPEUS) in assessing vascular invasion by biliary tract cancer. METHODS: A prospective study of 31 consecutive patients with biliary tract cancer was performed. All patients underwent surgery. The sonographic criterion for right hepatic artery invasion was interruption of the hyperechoic layer or encasement by tumor. The sonographic criterion for portal vein invasion was obliteration of the echogenic band of the portal vein. IPEUS findings were confirmed by surgical exploration and pathologic examination of resected specimens. RESULTS: Right hepatic artery invasion was confirmed in resected specimens in seven patients and by operative findings in four patients. Portal vein invasion was confirmed in resected specimens in six patients and by operative findings in five patients. For diagnosis of right hepatic artery invasion, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of IPEUS were all 100%; respective values were 63.6%, 84.2%, and 76.7% for angiography. For diagnosis of portal vein invasion, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of IPEUS were 100%, 95%, and 96.8%, respectively. The corresponding values were 63.6%, 89.5%, and 80% for portography and 54.5%, 85%, and 74.2%, respectively, for CT. CONCLUSION: IPEUS will improve the assessment of vascular invasion at the hepatic hilum by biliary tract cancer.

Aged↗

Determination of isatin, an endogenous monoamine oxidase inhibitor, in urine and tissues of rats by HPLC.

1. We have previously identified isatin as one of the endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the urine and the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 2. In this study, we attempted to develop a convenient assay to determine isatin using high performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). The standard curve for authentic isatin was linear at a range from 2 to 20 nmol per ml. The coefficient of variance was within 3% for both intra-assay and inter-assay. The sensitivity was 20 pmol per 10 microl of urine sample. 3. Isatin concentration correlated significantly and positively with endogenous MAO activity (tribulin-like activity) in both urine (r=0.924, P<0.001) and kidney extracts (r=0.862, P<0.01). There was a significant difference in urinary isatin between Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHRSP. Oral administration of isatin increased urinary isatin concentration and systolic blood pressure in WKY. 4. Determination of isatin using HPLC-UV may be useful for elucidating role of isatin in various conditions of stress and disease.

Animals↗

Effects of granisetron and its combination with dexamethasone on cisplatin-induced delayed emesis in the ferret.

1. Granisetron and its combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of delayed emesis following cisplatin (CDDP) administration were investigated using ferrets. 2. CDDP-induced emesis was significantly inhibited in both the granisetron group and the combined granisetron and dexamethasone group during the acute and delayed phase in terms of total emesis, latency to first emesis and duration of emesis. 3. Food and water consumption in the combined group of ferrets was significantly increased as compared with the CDDP control group. 4. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level was increased in the ileum and the 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) level was increased in the area postrema of ferrets after 3 days of CDDP administration. It is suggested that the antiemetic activity of granisetron and/or dexamethasone is not related to 5-HT levels in delayed emesis. 5. Both granisetron and its combination with dexamethasone are effective in CDDP-induced emesis, but combination treatment is more effective than granisetron alone for the duration of emesis in the delayed phase.

Animals↗

Early diagnosis of herpes encephalopathy using fluid-attenuated inversion recovery pulse sequence.

This study describes the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) pulse sequence for early diagnosis and treatment of herpes encephalitis. An 8-year-old boy with suspected herpes simplex encephalitis was examined by magnetic resonance imaging at 3 days post-symptom onset. Lesions in the right thalamus and insular cortex were detected by conventional T2-weighted images and images from FLAIR pulse sequence. Bilateral temporal lesions, however, were only detected by FLAIR images.

Child↗

West syndrome with periventricular leukomalacia: a morphometric MRI study.

A morphometric magnetic resonance imaging study was performed, and the results were compared among three groups (group 1, periventricular leukomalacia patients with West syndrome; group 2, periventricular leukomalacia patients without West syndrome; and group 3, control patients) to clarify the characteristics and cause of West syndrome. This study included 21 infants (11 males and 10 females, 7 months to 2 years 8 months old) born at 24-32 weeks of gestation and weighing 625-1,908 gm. The Evans ratio, ratio of the posterior horns, Cella media index, width of the third ventricle, and the areas of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata were measured and compared among the three groups. There were no differences of gestation or birth weight among the three groups. The Evans ratio, ratio of the posterior horns, Cella media index, and width of the third ventricle were larger in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The ratio of the posterior horns and Cella media index were larger in group 2 than in group 3, although the width of the third ventricle was not. Myelination was delayed in all patients in group 1 and in two patients in group 2. In group 1 the areas of the midbrain and pons were smaller than in groups 2 and 3 and the medulla oblongata was smaller than in group 3, although there were no differences in midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata between groups 2 and 3. Although the infants with periventricular leukomalacia and West syndrome frequently demonstrated marked ventricular dilatation and delayed myelination, the atrophy of midbrain and pons was the most characteristic, and the damage may cause West syndrome.

Brain↗

Comparison of lectin-binding patterns between young adults and older rat glycoproteins in the brain.

Glycoproteins in the soluble fraction and in the membrane fraction of various portions of brains and spinal cords, obtained from 9-week-old rats and 29-month-old rats, were comparatively analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and lectin staining. The glycoprotein patterns of each brain part showed marked differences by the age of donors. The most prominent evidence in the soluble fractions of white matter, basal ganglia, and spinal cord detected by WGA is that the glycoproteins with an apparent molecular weight of 123K and 115K have increased in the aged rats. In addition, the reactivity of 115K with Con A and PNA has also increased in the aged rats. On the other hand, reactivity of an apparent molecular weight of 115K with WGA has increased in the membrane fractions of white matter, basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, and spinal cord from the aged rats. In contrast, by MAM, which is specific for Siaalpha2-->3Gal linkage, an apparent molecular weight of 115K has been detected only in the membrane fraction of cerebellum and it has decreased in the aged rats. Reactivity of an apparent molecular weight of 133K and 125K in the membrane fractions of white matter and basal ganglia with LCA has decreased in the aged rats. In contrast, reactivity of the front band with LCA and AAL has increased and that of 130K with AAL has decreased in spinal cord from the aged rats, respectively. These results indicate that the glycosylation state of the protein in the brain changes during aging.

Aging↗

Large-scale production of UDP-galactose and globotriose by coupling metabolically engineered bacteria.

A large-scale production system of uridine 5'-diphospho-galactose (UDP-Gal) has been established by the combination of recombinant Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium ammoniagenes. Recombinant E. coli that overexpress the UDP-Gal biosynthetic genes galT, galK, and galU were generated. C. ammoniagenes contribute the production of uridine triphosphate (UTP), a substrate for UDP-Gal biosynthesis, from orotic acid, an inexpensive precursor of UTP. UDP-Gal accumulated to 72 mM (44 g/L) after a 21 h reaction starting with orotic acid and galactose. When E. coli cells that expressed the alpha1,4-galactosyltransferase gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were coupled with this UDP-Gal production system, 372 mM (188 g/L) globotriose (Galalpha1-4Galbeta1-4Glc), a trisaccharide portion of verotoxin receptor, was produced after a 36 h reaction starting with orotic acid, galactose, and lactose. No oligosaccharide by-products were observed in the reaction mixture. The production of globotriose was several times higher than that of UDP-Gal. The strategy of producing sugar nucleotides by combining metabolically engineered recombinant E. coli with a nucleoside 5'-triphosphate producing microorganism, and the concept of producing oligosaccharides by coupling sugar nucleotide production systems with glycosyltransferases, can be applied to the manufacture of other sugar nucleotides and oligosaccharides.

Base Sequence↗

Role of endogenous nitric oxide in allergen-induced airway responses in guinea-pigs.

1. Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) can be detected in exhaled air and accumulates in inflamed airways. However its physiological role has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated a role for endogenous NO in allergen-induced airway responses. Sensitised guinea-pigs were treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester L-NAME (2.0 mM) or aminoguanidine (AG) (2.0 mM) 30 min before the allergen challenge, and 3 and 4 h after the challenge. Alternatively, L-arginine (2.4 mM) treatment was performed 30 min before, and 2 and 3 h after the challenge. In all groups, ovalbumin (OVA) challenge (2 mg ml(-1) for 2 min) was performed, and airway responses, NO production, infiltration of inflammatory cells, plasma exudation and histological details were examined. 2. Allergen-challenged animals showed an immediate airway response (IAR) and a late airway response (LAR), which synchronised with an increase in exhaled NO. Treatment with L-NAME and AG did not affect IAR while they significantly blocked LAR (72% and 80% inhibition compared to vehicle) and production of NO (35% and 40% inhibition). On the other hand, treatment with L-arginine did not affect IAR but potentiated LAR (74% augmentation). 3. In bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, allergen-induced increases in eosinophils were reduced by 48% for L-NAME treatment compared to vehicle, and increased by 56% for L-arginine treatment. 4. Treatment with L-NAME significantly decreased airway microvascular permeability to both Monastral blue (MB) and Evans blue (EB) dye (50.6% and 44% inhibition). 5. We conclude that allergen-induced LAR is closely associated with NO production, and that NO plays a critical role in inflammatory cell infiltration and plasma exudation in the allergic condition.

Allergens↗

Recurrence with histological transformation 40 days after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) for cutaneous CD30-negative large T cell lymphoma.

Localized cutaneous nontender nodules appeared on the back of a 52-year-old Japanese woman. Skin biopsy revealed atypical large T-lymphocytes infiltrating the dermis. CD30 staining was negative in tumor cells. The diagnosis was CD30-negative cutaneous large T cell lymphoma. There was no evidence of peripheral lymphadenopathy or bone marrow involvement. Six cycles of induction chemotherapy were administered and a complete clinical remission (CCR) was attained. Local irradiation was not given. As the clinical course of CD30-negative cutaneous large T cell lymphoma is recurrent and often incurable with conventional chemoradiotherapy, she received high-dose chemotherapy without total body irradiation (TBI) followed by unpurged autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). A relapse in the skin followed 40 days after APBSCT, but tumor cells transformed into a CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). We question the need for TBI in conditioning and for purged stem cells for APBSCT in patients with high risk cutaneous lymphomas.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗