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Biomedical subjects

T Kanzaki

Publications and source records attributed to T Kanzaki.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Role of latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein in vascular remodeling.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is secreted as a latent, high molecular weight complex, which is composed of TGF-beta, a latency associated peptide (LAP) and a latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP). In this study, we report on the role of LTBP in vascular remodeling. 0.01-5 ng/ml of LTBP stimulated the migration activities of cultured rat arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) about 4-7 fold compared with control in vitro. The maximal activity of SMC migration by LTBP was 75% of that by 10 ng/ml of PDGF-BB. A checker board analysis showed that the migration by LTBP was chemotactic, not chemokinetic. By cross-linking experiment, LTBP associated with 80-120 kd cell surface protein of SMC, suggesting that a part of LTBP can bind with SMC. Furthermore, LTBP was more strongly expressed in the intimal layer than in the medial layer of BCI artery. These results suggest that LTBP plays an important role in the initial stage of arterial intimal thickening through the acceleration of SMC migration from the medial to intimal layer and is one of the essential factors influencing vascular remodeling.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Autocrine inhibition of leptin production by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) through TNF-alpha type-I receptor in vitro.

The aim of this study was to find factors which regulate m-leptin secretion during pregnancy. Mouse parametrial adipocytes from day 13 of pregnancy were cultured with or without mouse placental lactogen (mPL)-I, mPL-II, or mouse tumor necrosis factor-alpha (mTNF-alpha) and mouse-leptin (m-leptin) concentration in the medium was assessed by RIA. Up to four days of mPL-I or mPL-II treatment did not affect m-leptin secretion. However, mTNF-alpha, which is produced by adipocytes, significantly inhibited m-leptin secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Antibody to mTNF-alpha completely blocked the inhibitory effect of mTNF-alpha on m-leptin secretion. mTNF-alpha significantly inhibited the expression of m-leptin messenger RNA. Agonistic polyclonal antibody directed against the mTNF-type-I receptor (mTNF-RI) significantly inhibited m-leptin secretion, but the anti-mTNF-RII antibody did not change m-leptin secretion. Moreover, human TNF-alpha (h-TNF-alpha) also inhibited human-leptin (h-leptin) secretion by cultured human adipocytes collected from the subcutaneous fat of pregnant women. These results suggest that TNF-alpha, which is secreted by adipocytes, inhibits m-leptin secretion through mTNF-RI and suggest the presence of an autocrine or paracrine regulation of leptin secretion in human and mouse adipose tissue in vivo.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1998

An atherogenic midband lipoprotein: a risk factor for coronary artery disease in diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia.

On polyacrylamide gel (PAG) disc electrophoresis of serum lipoproteins, the band(s) which migrates between pre beta- and beta-lipoproteins was more frequently observed in hyperlipidemics with diabetes mellitus (73%), than in those without diabetes mellitus (37%) (P < 0.01). Those bands were seen at three positions between pre beta- and beta-lipoproteins. A higher incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) was observed in patients with midband as a shoulder of beta-lipoproteins (44%), than in those without midband (11%) (P < 0.05) after the matching of other risk factors. These results suggest that midband as a shoulder of beta-lipoproteins may be a risk factor for CAD in diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1998

Effects of nicotine on peripheral cutaneous blood flow and skin temperature.

We hypothesized that if nicotine was used in a form that was not adulterated with other hazardous substances found in tobacco, it would increase cutaneous blood flow (CBF) resulting in an increase in skin temperature. The effects of nicotine on CBF was investigated in 80 healthy volunteers and 6 patients with peripheral circulation disturbances. Each subject was required to chew nicotine gum (containing 2 mg nicotine) for 15 min and the CBF was then measured with laser blood flowmetry. Skin temperature of 35 volunteers was measured with thermography before and after chewing the gum for 15 min. A control study was performed using ordinary gum without nicotine. Increased CBF (> or = + 1 ml/min/100 g) was observed in 55 of 86 subjects (64%, 33.7-38.6 ml/min/100 g, P < 0.01). An elevation in skin temperature (> + 0.1 degree C) was also observed with nicotine gum in 26 of 35 healthy subjects (74%, + 0.62 +/- 0.96 degree C, P < 0.001). The increase in CBF was greater in subjects in which the initial CBF was lower than in others (P < 0.01). Nicotine gum was found to increase CBF (55/86) and elevate skin temperature (26/35). The smaller the initial CBF value, the greater was the increase in CBF. Nicotine or nicotine derivatives might prove to be useful agents for the treatment of peripheral circulation disturbances.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Morphological, biochemical and molecular biological characteristics of a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-producing human eccrine carcinoma cell line.

We describe here a newly established cell line from an eccrine carcinoma which produced an abundant amount of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). An eccrine carcinoma of the scalp of a 69 year-old-Japanese female had metastasized to the pleura. Clinically, she had marked neutrophilia (up to 60,000/mm3), and a high level of G-CSF (38.7 x 10(3) pg/ml) was detected in the pleural effusion, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We established a cell line in vitro and maintained the cells in culture for 30 months in 90 subcultures. We investigated whether these tumor cells were able to produce G-CSF in culture and found that they were. We also found that the amount of G-CSF produced paralleled the rise in cell number (26.5 x 10(3) pg/ml at confluency). When culture media were administered to rabbits (25 ml/rabbit), the amount of circulating neutrophils increased until the number was equal to or greater than that resulting from injection of recombinant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF)(75 micrograms). This effect persisted for 7 days. When tumors were induced in SCID and nude mice by injecting cultured cells (1 x 10(7) cells/mouse), the number of circulating neutrophils also correlated well with tumor size in these mice (200,000/mm3, 3 cm tumor). After tumor removal, the neutrophil number returned to normal within 30 days. G-CSFmRNA in cultured, cells was detected by RT-PCR. Based on these results, it was confirmed that the marked neutrophilia observed in the patient was caused by the tumor-generated G-CSF. This is the first G-CSF-producing cell line developed from a cancer of the skin.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Search for human T-lymphotropic virus type I carriers among northeastern Chinese.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is thought to be the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/ lymphoma (ATL). This virus infection is endemic in southwestern Japan, parts of Africa and the Caribbean Islands. We examined sera of 1645 subjects of Liaoning province, northeastern China to detect HTLV-I carriers in an effort to reveal the migratory route taken by the early Japanese (Jomon people). As a result, all sera were found to be negative as tested by particle-agglutination (PA), immunofluorescence (IF), enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent (ELISA) and Western blotting methods. This suggests that the Jomon people, who are thought to have brought HTLV-I to the Japan archipelago tens of thousands of years ago, did not come from northeast China.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Role of transforming growth factor-beta pathway in the mechanism of wound healing by saponin from Ginseng Radix rubra.

1. The effects of saponin from Ginseng Radix rubra on extracellular matrix metabolism, the activation and synthesis of TGF-beta1, and the modification of TGF-beta receptor in fibroblasts were examined to elucidate the contribution of the TGF-beta pathway to the mechanism of wound healing by saponin. 2. Fibronectin synthesis was analysed by the immunoprecipitation method. Activation and synthesis of TGF-beta1 were measured by ELISA. The expressions of TGF-beta receptors in fibroblasts were examined at protein and mRNA levels by the cross-linking method and Northern blot analysis, respectively. 3. The fibronectin synthesis increased 2.3- and 3.9-fold at fibroblasts treated with 1 and 10 microg ml(-1) of saponin, respectively, compared with that in non-treated cells. Fibronectin synthesis stimulated with 10 microg ml(-1) of saponin was inhibited with 69% by 5 microg ml(-1) of an anti-TGF-beta1 antibody. mRNA of TGF-beta type I receptor increased 4.8- and 4.4-fold at fibroblasts treated with 1 and 10 microg ml(-1) of saponin, respectively, and that of TGF-beta type II receptor also increased 3.4- and 3.2-fold at fibroblasts treated with 1 and 10 microg ml(-1) of saponin, respectively. The significant increases of TGF-beta type I and II receptors and of fibronectin synthesis were observed at the same concentrations of saponin. TGF-beta content increased 1.74- and 1.87-fold at conditioned medium of fibroblasts treated with 100 and 250 microg ml(-1) of saponin, respectively, higher concentrations than those which accelerated fibronectin synthesis. Furthermore, the active TGF-beta content was below 10% of total TGF-beta at each concentration of saponin. 4. These results indicate that saponin stimulates fibronectin synthesis through the changes of TGF-beta receptor expressions in fibroblasts.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1998

Prurigo as a clinical prodrome to adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma.

We report a case of adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with prurigo as a prodromal skin manifestation. The patient was a 52-year-old woman with a 2-year history of a fluctuating skin condition consisting of pruritic papules and pigmentation on her lower legs and right buttock. Prurigo was diagnosed at her first visit in October 1995, and she was found to be seropositive for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Two years later, the skin lesions had spread over the patient's forearms and dorsa of the hands, and abnormal lymphoid cells had appeared in her peripheral blood. Southern blot analysis revealed monoclonal integration of HTLV-1 provirus in the peripheral blood, but not in a skin lesion. Based on these results, a diagnosis of overt ATLL of the smouldering type was made. The findings in this case indicate that in healthy HTLV-1 seropositive carriers, prurigo requires careful follow-up as a cutaneous prodrome of ATLL.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1998

Administration of a small amount of lard enhances intimal thickening in the balloon catheter injury model without affecting serum lipids.

Effects of fatty acids on intimal thickening induced by a balloon catheter injury model were investigated by feeding rabbits a small amount of either lard [L] or fish oil [F]. Serum lipids of these groups were not different from those of basal diet-fed rabbits [controls] after 4 weeks of feeding. Serum saturated fatty acids such as 14:0, 16:0, and 18.0 were significantly greater in the L-fed rabbits compared with controls, but those of the aorta were not significantly different. Fatty acid composition of the F-fed rabbits was only different from that of the controls in that n-3 fatty acids slightly increased. The mean and maximum intimal thickening 2 weeks after ballooning, carried out 2 weeks after feeding, were significantly higher in the carotid arteries of the L-fed rabbits than in the controls. The intimal thickening of the F-fed rabbits did not significantly differ from that of the controls. These results suggest that lard promotes the formation of the smooth muscle cell dominant type of arteriosclerosis without affecting serum lipid levels.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1998

Membranocystic lesions in a patient with cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis associated with subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

A 51-year-old Japanese woman had erythematous, tender subcutaneous nodules on her lower legs and buttocks, as well as fever, pancytopenia, and liver dysfunction. Histopathologic examination of the nodules showed subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma with cytophagocytosis and membranocystic lesions. Our patient was unique in having the combination of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis due to subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma and membranocystic lesions.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1998

Drug eruption (erythema multiforme type) due to a digestive enzyme drug.

An 84-year-old Japanese male had pruritic indurated erythema on his upper limb and left lower abdomen, which had developed abruptly two months before visiting our hospital. Hematological examination showed eosinophilia, 550/mm3. Histopathological findings were suggestive of erythema multiforme in response to a drug. By means of patch tests and a p.o. challenge test, Aczym, a digestive enzyme drug, was shown to be the cause of his condition. Further study revealed that the specific ingredients involved were pancreatin and Taka-diastase. An eruption resulting from ingestion of a digestive enzyme drug has not previously been reported.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin associated with sarcoid reactions in the regional lymph nodes.

Sarcoid reactions in lymph nodes with or without metastasis from a primary malignant neoplasm are well-known. However, it is extremely rare to find these reactions associated with cutaneous solid tumors; only one such case has appeared in the literature. Here we describe a case of an 83-year-old man with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma accompanied by sarcoid reactions and metastatic foci in the regional lymph nodes. The possibilities of systemic sarcoidosis and tuberculosis were excluded after extensive examinations specific for these diseases. Some authors regard the sarcoid reaction to be a sign of a good prognosis on the basis of studies of a few patients with solid tumors. In our case, however, the patient died of pulmonary metastasis with pleuritis carcinomatosa shortly after surgery. Systematic analysis of a sufficient number of cases should be carried out to evaluate the clinical significance of this type of reaction.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by a health drink (Eberu) containing ophiopogonis tuber.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is considered to be a severe type of erythema exsudativum multiforme. It is characterized by erythema with bullous and eroded lesions of skin and mucous membranes. We report a case of Steven-Johnson syndrome following consumption of a health drink containing ophiopogonis tuber. A 66-year-old female took an O.T.C. health drink for fever. The next morning, she noted erythema and swelling of her face, neck, and chest. She started to develop bullous and eroded lesions on the skin of her entire body and the mucous membranes of her oral cavity, conjunctiva, and cornea, and she became feverish. She had high degrees of corneal erosion and liver dysfunction. Skin biopsy showed diffuse necrosis of the epidermis. After admission to the hospital, steroid pulse therapy (1000 mg/day of methylprednisolone sodium succinate) was continued for 5 days. The health drink induced a positive drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) and patch test. A challenge test was done with a one hundredth dose, and it was positive. We did patch tests with all components of the drink and found that Mai-Meu-Dong-Tang (ophiopogonis) alone was positive at 72 hours. There is no previous report of Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by a health drink or Mai-Meu-Dong-Tang. Even though it is a health drink, we should be aware of the possibility of a severe reaction.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Prediction of postpartum onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prediction of the postpartum onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Two thousand five hundred and forty seven healthy pregnant subjects were examined prospectively and the relation between serum rheumatoid factors (RF) and postpartum onset of RA was observed. Rheumatoid factors were measured in early pregnancy by the antihuman IgG latex agglutination test (Latex test) and antirabbit IgG haemagglutination test (RAHA test). RESULTS: Latex test and RAHA test were positive in 26 (1.0%) and 64 (2.5%) pregnant subjects, respectively. Four hundred and ten subjects of 2547 pregnant women could be followed up for one year after delivery. None of 401 subjects without RF, or with only one RF on either Latex test or RAHA test, developed RA after delivery. Two (22.2%) of nine subjects with both RFs developed RA at one and three months postpartum, respectively. Transient arthralgia was found within 12 months postpartum in three of nine (33.3%) subjects with both RFs and this prevalence was significantly higher than that in RF negative subjects (8.1%). CONCLUSION: Postpartum onset of RA was found in at least 2 of 2547 healthy subjects (0.08%) and onset was predicted by positive test for rheumatoid factors.

Adult↗