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Biomedical subjects

T Itakura

Publications and source records attributed to T Itakura.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Autotransplantation of the superior cervical ganglion into the brain. A possible therapy for Parkinson's disease.

The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of rats was transplanted into their own parietal cortex. Four weeks after implantation, catecholamine histofluorescence revealed many transplanted catecholamine cells in the cortex. However, no fibers extended from the transplanted tissue to the cerebral cortex. In a second group of rats which had been pretreated with 6-hydroxydopamine (a specific neurotoxin to the catecholamine neuron), some showed extension of catecholamine fibers to the cerebral cortex. To simulate an animal model of Parkinson's disease, MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine) was administered to five monkeys. Two weeks after MPTP administration, dopamine terminals in the caudate nucleus disappeared. After autotransplantation of the SCG into the caudate nucleus of these monkeys, many of the transplanted SCG cells extended axons beyond the graft into the caudate nucleus. These results show that transplanted SCG cells survived well in the brain. Under special circumstances, such as a shortage of catecholamine in the brain, implanted SCG cells extended their axons into the brain. It is suggested that autotransplantation of SCG grafts may be a new therapy for Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Pineoblastoma with an unusually long survival. Case report.

The authors report a case of pineoblastoma with a 9-year follow-up period after stereotaxic biopsy, a shunting procedure, and radiotherapy. Light and electron microscopic studies of biopsy and autopsy specimens revealed no cell differentiation of the pineoblastoma. The possible factors predisposing to long survival are discussed in comparison with the course in patients with medulloblastoma.

Adult↗

[A case of carotid superior cerebellar artery anastomosis associated with bilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery represented as the rupture of posterior cerebral artery-posterior communicating artery aneurysm].

A rare case of a variant type of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery associated with bilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery was reported. Left common carotid arteriography revealed a thin left internal carotid artery terminated at the ophthalmic artery. Right common carotid arteriography showed that a narrow internal carotid artery gave off several fine vessels to the cavernous portion, and terminated at the right superior cerebellar artery via the prominent persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PTA). Supraclinoid portions of the bilateral internal carotid arteries were not able to be found. Eventually the entire cerebral hemisphere was supplied by the vertebrobasilar system via the posterior communicating artery. The narrowed supraclinoid portion of the left internal carotid artery was confirmed by surgery of the left posterior cerebellar artery-posterior communicating artery aneurysm. This case may provide an important suggestion about the mechanism of the persistence of the primitive trigeminal artery. In an embryo, at the stage of 5-6mm embryo in size, the posterior communicating artery begins to develop and then PTAs begin to dwindle. If the C1- or C2- portion of the internal carotid artery is gradually occluded, the forebrain, which has to be supplied by the internal carotid system, must be supplied retrogradely by the basilar system via the posterior communicating artery. At this stage, however, the vertebral artery has not developed enough to supply the entire central nervous system. Therefore, the PTA can not regress and this results in the postnatal persistence of the primitive trigeminal artery.

Adult↗

[Transplantation of the superior cervical ganglion into the brain--a new experimental therapy of Parkinson disease].

To supplement catecholamine deficit in the brain with Parkinson disease, we have aimed to transplant the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), which contains norepinephrine and dopamine, into the brain. 1. Transplantation of SCG into rat cerebral cortex SCG was transplanted into the same rat's parietal cortex. Three weeks after the transplantation, catecholamine histofluorescence revealed many transplanted catecholamine cells in the cortex. However, no fibers extended from the transplanted tissue to the cerebral cortex. Some catecholamine fibers extended to the cerebral cortex where 6-OHDA (a specific neurotoxin to the catecholamine neuron) had been pretreated. 2. Transplantation of SCG into the caudate nucleus of MPTP-induced Parkinson monkey For animal model of Parkinson disease, MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine) was administered to 5 monkeys. Tow weeks after MPTP administration, dopamine terminals disappeared in the caudate nucleus. After transplantation of SCG in the same animal, many transplanted SCG cells extended their axons to the caudate nucleus. The present results showed that transplanted SCG cells were well survived in the brain. Under a special circumstance such as shortage of catecholamine in the brain, transplanted SCG cells extended their axons into the brain. It is suggested that the transplantation of SCG can be a new therapy for Parkinson disease.

Animals↗

[Usefulness of CT angiography for demonstrating cerebral aneurysms].

We report the usefulness of computed cerebral angiotomography (CT angiography) for demonstrating cerebral aneurysm and the clinical significance of CT angiography for ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Our modified method of CT angiography was easy and less time-consuming. Fifteen seconds after starting a single bolus injection, 1 ml/kg/25 seconds via cubital vein, of contrast medium (60% urograffin), 5 serial 5 mm thick-CT slices were scanned in every 6.5 seconds including 2 seconds of interval, beginning from an axial level 20 mm above the orbitomeatal line and ending at a level 40 mm. A total of 103 patients were examined in this report, consisting of 70 unruptured asymptomatic, 8 unruptured symptomatic (oculomotor nerve palsy) and 25 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Seven unruptured aneurysms in 4 asymptomatic cases, 2 unruptured aneurysms in 2 symptomatic cases 27 aneurysms in 24 SAH cases were suspected by CT angiography. Of these 36 aneurysms suspected by CT angiography 32 aneurysms were confirmed by cerebral angiography. The detection rate of CT angiography in this report was 89%, higher than those of previous reports. Thirteen aneurysms were located at internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (ICPC) junction. 11 at anterior communicating artery (Acom), 7 at middle cerebral artery (MCA). CT angiography showed a false positive findings in 4 cases, which were all located at Acom. Four aneurysms were not detected in CT angiography, which were all located at MCA and were very small (2-3 mm) in diameter. There were no deteriorated cases during and after CT angiography. We suggest that CT angiography is a useful and safe method for predicting the location of not only unruptured but ruptured aneurysms.

Aged↗

Stereotactic operation for brain abscess.

Stereotactic management of brain abscess (stereotactic aspiration with external drainage) was performed in 14 patients. Fifteen abscesses in 14 patients were successfully aspirated by this method. After aspiration of the abscess, all patients underwent external drainage for an average of 14.5 days. No complications during aspiration or during external drainage (such as bleeding or infection, respectively) were encountered in our series. Ten out of 14 patients (71.4%) showed excellent prognosis, and 3 of 14 (21.4%) showed good outcome. Only one patient died after the operation, but this was due to lung cancer. Our operative results are quite satisfactory in comparison with operative results reported by other authors.

Adult↗

Pharmacological effects of nicergoline and its metabolites, decomposition products and impurities in animals.

The main pharmacological effects and acute toxicity of nicergoline (NCG, ester type), its 5 metabolites [1-DN (ester type), 1-MMDL, 1-OHMMDL, MDL (ergoline-alcohol type) and 5-BNA (bromonicotinic acid)], 2 decomposition products (1-MMDL and 5-BNA) and 2 impurities [1-DN and 5-CN (ester type)] were studied in animals. In mice, the acute intraperitoneal toxicity of 1-MMDL, 1-OHMMDL and 5-CN was similar to that of NCG (LD50 197.6 mg/kg). The toxicity of 1-DN, MDL and 5-BNA was approximately 2-fold, 2- fold and one half of NCG, respectively. These substances caused no delayed death. In protective effects against KCN- and adrenaline-induced death in mice when given i.p., 1-DN and 1-MMDL were less potent than NCG, and 1-CN was similar in potency to NCG. In competitive inhibitory effects on phenylephrine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig vas deferens, 1-DN was less potent, 1-MMDL was much less potent and 5-CN was more potent than NCG. In an inhibitory effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro using rat platelet-rich plasma, 1-DN and 5-CN were similar in activity to NCG and 1-MMDL was less active than NCG. On the other hand, 1-OHMMDL, MDL and 5-BNA were inactive in these experiments. In experiments on gross behavior, motor function and barbital anesthesia using mice, when given i.p., 5-CN as well as NCG moderately induced depressive effects on the central nervous systems. 1-DN and 1-MMDL were less potent in the effects than NCG. In anesthetized rats, when given i.v., 1-DN and 5-CN dose-dependently caused lowering effects on blood pressure similar to NCG. 1-MMDL and 1-OHMMDL were less potent than NCG in the lowering effect. 1-DN and 5-CN moderately decreased the contractile force in the isolated guinea pig heart when given i.a. 5-CN alone decreased urine volume in rats when given i.p. and all the substances had no effect on the intestinal transit ability in mice when given i.p. These results suggest that the pharmacological effects of NCG are due to NCG per se and in part to its metabolites. As regards structure-activity relationships, NCG, 1-DN and 5-CN with an ester linkage were found to be more potent in pharmacological activities than ergoline-alcohol compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Microangioarchitecture of the feline spinal cord. Three-dimensional observation of blood vessel corrosion casts by scanning electron microscopy.

The microangioarchitecture of corrosion casts of the cat spinal cord was studied by scanning electron microscopy. On the ventral surface of the spinal cord, the anterior spinal artery and the anterior spinal vein ran parallel along the anterior median fissure. Many central arteries branching from the anterior spinal artery coursed in a wavelike manner in the anterior median fissure. The number of central arteries was lowest in the thoracic spinal cord. Central arteries at some spinal cord levels revealed well-developed anastomoses with other central arteries in the anterior median fissure. These well-developed anastomotic central arteries were frequently observed in the thoracic spinal cord, in which the number of central arteries was lowest. On the dorsal surface of the spinal cord, the posterior spinal vein ran longitudinally at the midline and was drained by circumferential veins and posterior central veins. This vein formed a characteristic anastomotic plexus. Small arterioles (20 microns in diameter) in the spinal parenchyma revealed a ring-like compression at the branching site.

Animals↗

Regulation of rCBF by intracortical vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing neurons. Immunohistochemical and hydrogen clearance study in rats.

The role of intracortical vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing neurons in the regulation of cortical blood flow was investigated in rats by immunohistochemical and hydrogen clearance methods. Immunohistochemical studies revealed an intimate association between intracortical VIP-containing neurons and small blood vessels. Intracortical injection of a VIP solution (10(-5) M) produced significantly higher blood flow in the treated cortex (mean +/- standard error of the mean: 46.2 +/- 4.0 ml/100 gm/min) than in the untreated cortex (36.9 +/- 2.4 ml/100 gm/min). These data suggest that intracortical VIP-containing neurons produce dilatation of intracortical blood vessels.

Animals↗

[Primary T-cell type lymphoma of the central nervous system: a case report].

A case of T cell type primary lymphoma of the CNS is reported. A 50-year-old man was admitted because of speech and memory disturbance and dyscalculia. He had suffered from uveitis of both eyes two years before admission. Neurological examination revealed motor aphasia, finger agnosia, dyscalculia and memory disturbance. CT scan showed a mass lesion which was enhanced irregularly by the contrast medium in the left temporoparietal region. CAG confirmed the presence of a left temporoparietal avascular mass. Total removal of the tumor was performed through the left temporoparietal craniotomy. Histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was malignant lymphoma (diffuse, large cell type). Immunological study with tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid revealed that the tumor was T cell type malignant lymphoma. After postoperative whole CNS irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate injection, his preoperative symptoms disappeared. No evidence of the tumor recurrence is seen under CT scan one year and two months after the tumor resection. Relationship between the cell type of the tumor and CT findings is discussed.

Brain Neoplasms↗

The distribution of adrenergic receptors in cerebral blood vessels: an autoradiographic study.

The first morphological evidence of the existence of adrenergic receptors (alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta) within the vascular walls of the central nervous system were presented using the in vitro receptor autoradiographic technique. In the rat pial arteries all three types of adrenergic receptors were demonstrated, whereas the human pial arteries failed to show significant autoradiographic grains of alpha 1 type of adrenergic receptors indicating a considerable inter-species difference in the distribution of adrenergic receptors. alpha 2 and beta receptors in human pial arteries were found not only in the arterial smooth muscle layers but also in the endothelial layers. This suggests a possibility that circulating sympathomimetic agents play some role in controlling the tone or permeability of vascular walls within the central nervous system. A distinct distribution of alpha 1 receptors in cortical layer IV where the vascular plexus was richest may suggest a relation of alpha 1 receptors and blood flow of brain parenchyma.

Animals↗

Three dimensional observation of the nerve fibers along the cerebral blood vessels.

Three dimensional observation of the nerve fibers along the cerebral blood vessels was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis was also performed in the cerebral blood vessels treated with peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemistry intensified by nickel ammonium sulfate. Nerve fibers (2-8 microns in diameter) formed a plexus on the outer surface of the adventitia. After branching, the nerve fibers penetrated the blood vessel adventitia. Substance P-immunoreactive nerve fibers showed a meshwork pattern in the outer layer of the adventitia, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers revealed a spiral running pattern in the inner layer of the adventitia. Taken together with previous studies, these findings suggest that substance P nerve fibers in the cerebral arteries may not be related to arterial dilatation or constriction, but VIP nerve fibers may be vasodilative.

Animals↗

[Pharmacological study of nicergoline. (II). Protective effect on ischemic brain damages in animals].

Effects of nicergoline on ischemic brain damages induced by bilateral carotid arterial ligation (BCAL) in ICR-strain mice and mongolian gerbils and lipid peroxide formation (LPOF) in normal brain homogenate of rats were compared with those of dihydroergotoxine (DHE). In mice, nicergoline (16 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the cumulative mortality rate after BCAL (from 80-83% in the control to 50-55%). In gerbils, nicergoline (32 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly prolonged the mean onset time of ischemic seizure following recirculation after the 30-min BCAL (from 45.8 min in the control to 94.9 min). DHE also showed protective effects in these animals. In the ischemic brain of mice, marked decreases of creatine-P, ATP, glucose and glycogen; a remarkable increase of lactate; and elevation of L/P ratio were observed 1 to 10 min after BCAL. Nicergoline (16 mg/kg, i.p.) slightly prevented these decreases and significantly suppressed the increase of lactate and the elevation of L/P ratio 2 min after BCAL. The inhibitory action of nicergoline (20-100 microM) on LPOF is more potent than those of alpha-tocopherol and DHE. These results suggest that nicergoline may have protective effects against ischemic brain damages due to its ameliorating action on cerebral energy metabolism and partially due to its inhibitory action of LPOF.

Animals↗

[Pharmacological study of nicergoline. (I): Protective effect against anoxic brain damages in animals].

The protective effects of nicergoline (NCG) against anoxic brain damages in animals were compared with those of dihydroergotoxine (DHE) and phentolamine (PTA). NCG (16 mg/kg, i.p.) prolonged the survival time of mice under hypobaric hypoxia, but DHE and PTA shortened the time. NCG (1-16 mg/kg, i.p. and 16-64 mg/kg, p.o.), like DHE, dose-dependently prolonged the survival time of mice after a lethal dose of KCN (3 mg/kg, i.v.), but PTA did not. NCG (8-128 micrograms/kg, i.v.), like DHE, dose-dependently protected against disappearance of EEG of rats in histotoxic anoxia induced by a sublethal dose of KCN (1.5 mg/kg, i.v.), but PTA did not. Its protective effect was 10 times or more stronger than that of DHE. NCG (1-16 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently promoted recovery from behavioral disorders and disturbance of cerebral energy metabolism of mice in histotoxic anoxia induced by a sublethal dose of KCN (1.8 mg/kg, i.v.). NCG (100 microM), like DHE, showed antagonistic action against inhibition of cerebral cytochrome oxidase activity by KCN, but PTA did not. The ED50 values of NCG, DHE and PTA for the protective effect against adrenaline-induced death in mice were 1.18, 0.27 and 0.35 mg/kg (i.p.), respectively. 7) These results suggest that NCG may show protective effects against the anoxic brain damages due to its ameliorating action on cerebral energy metabolism, mainly contributed by an activation of cerebral cytochrome oxidase, without relation to its alpha-blocking action.

Animals↗

A role of the central catecholamine neuron in cerebral circulation.

The effect of the central catecholaminergic neurons on the cerebral microcirculation was investigated by means of a unilateral intracerebral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) which produced the degeneration of catecholamine (CA) nerve terminals. Subsequent observation with CA histofluorescence revealed an absence of CA fibers in the vicinity of the 6-OHDA injection site. A significant increase in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), measured by the hydrogen clearance method, was demonstrated in the CA-depleted cortex under normocapnia as compared with rCBF in the control cortex (CA-depleted cortex 47.0 +/- 2.8 ml/100 gm/min; control cortex 38.5 +/- 3.5 ml/100 gm/min; p less than 0.005). The increased rCBF in the cortex treated with 6-OHDA was suppressed by the iontophoretic replacement of noradrenaline (NA) to the CA-depleted cortex. An iontophoretic replacement of 10(-5) M dopamine (DA) mildly suppressed the increased rCBF in the 6-OHDA-treated cortex. The CO2 reactivity in the CA-depleted cortex was significantly lower than that of the control cortex (CA-depleted cortex 2.13% +/- 0.6%/mm Hg; control cortex 3.53% +/- 0.70%/mm Hg). No change was noticeable in the cerebral glucose metabolism in the CA-depleted cortex in an investigation based on tritiated (3H)-deoxyglucose uptake. It is suggested that the 6-OHDA-induced change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) is not secondary to alterations in cerebral metabolic rate, and that the central NA neuron system innervating intraparenchymal blood vessels regulates CBF through a direct vasoconstrictive effect on the cerebral blood vessels. The central DA neuron system may modulate the cerebral circulation as a mild vasoconstrictor.

Animals↗

Total parenteral nutrition in familial hypercholesterolemia: importance of caloric control.

Effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on serum cholesterol levels were examined in four patients with homozygous and three patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and 13 patients without hypercholesterolemia. Fat-free TPN was administered in average doses of 26.5 cal/kg/day (43.6 cal/kg/day in a child) for 5 to 14 weeks. The serum cholesterol level decreased markedly by 47.5% and 58.6% in homozygous and heterozygous cases, respectively. Despite restriction in calories of TPN, protein nutrition was maintained in all patients. It became apparent that in familial hypercholesterolemia, whether the heterozygous or homozygous form, TPN performed at a well-adjusted caloric intake provided an adequate control of the serum cholesterol level as far as TPN was continued. In patients without hypercholesterolemia under TPN, serum cholesterol levels varied correlatively with the amount of calories to be administered. Compared with values before TPN, serum cholesterol level as far as TPN was continued. In patients without hypercholesterolemia under TPN, serum cholesterol levels varied correlatively with the amount of calories to be administered. Compared with values before TPN, serum cholesterol levels at the fourth week of TPN were elevated or maintained in patients receiving more than 40 cal/kg/day, while it was reduced in patients given less than 40 cal/kg/day. There was a statistically significant correlation between daily caloric intake per body weight and change of serum cholesterol level at the fourth week of TPN. This indicates that caloric control is of importance in TPN-induced change in serum cholesterol levels.

Adolescent↗