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T Kitagawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Kitagawa.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Atrial natriuretic peptide stimulates Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux from freshly isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes.

In the present study, we examined the effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on Ca2+ efflux from freshly isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes. Rat ANP(1-28) stimulated the efflux of 45Ca2+ from the cells in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8) M to 10(-6) M). The 45Ca2+ efflux was not affected by removal of extracellular Ca2+, but was dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+. In addition, rat ANP(1-28) caused 22Na+ influx into the cells. The 45Ca2+ efflux was also stimulated by C-type natriuretic peptide-22 (CNP-22), but not by rat brain natriuretic peptide-45 (BNP-45). It was also observed that both rat ANP(1-28) and CNP-22 stimulated guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate production within the cells. These results indicate that ANP stimulates Na+-dependent 45Ca2+ efflux from freshly isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes, probably through Na+/Ca2+ exchange, and that the stimulatory effect of ANP on Ca2+ efflux may be mediated via the natriuretic peptide receptor which has been shown to couple to guanylate cyclase. Since it is reported that Na+/Ca2+ exchange is important in calcium homeostasis within cells, ANP may play a role in the extrusion of intracellular Ca2+ from isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Altered N-glycosylation of glucose transporter-1 associated with radiation-induced tumorigenesis of human cell hybrids.

Studies on human cell hybrids between a cervical carcinoma cell line, HeLa, and normal fibroblasts have indicated that their tumorigenicity is under the control of a putative tumor suppressor on chromosome 11. We have previously demonstrated that a tumorigenic cell hybrid CGL4 expresses a larger glucose transporter, GLUT1, due to altered glycosylation when compared to the nontumorigenic counterpart CGL1. In this study, we demonstrated this glycosylation change in GLUT1 in gamma-ray-induced tumorigenic mutants (GIMs) isolated from CGL1 cells as expressing a tumor-associated surface antigen, intestinal alkaline phosphatase. In contrast, GLUT1 in the gamma-irradiated nontumorigenic control cells (CONs) did not show this alteration. In accordance with this glycosylation change, affinity to 2-deoxyglucose in these GIM clones was increased by about twofold when compared to the nontumorigenic CONs. These results suggest a close correlation between the glycosylation change in GLUT1 with increased affinity to D-glucose and tumorigenicity of these human cell hybrids.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1997

Phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein stimulates DNA polymerase alpha.

Human retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, immunopurified from an extract of recombinant baculovirus infected cells, stimulated 10-100-fold the activity of DNA polymerase alpha from calf thymus or human HeLa cells. Purified Rb protein is composed of two electrophoretically distinguishable forms, i.e., partially phosphorylated and under-phosphorylated forms. Dephosphorylation of Rb protein by protein phosphatase 2A largely diminished its stimulatory effect. On the other hand, a hyperphosphorylated Rb protein, obtained from insect cells overexpressing Rb protein, cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 simultaneously, stimulated DNA polymerase alpha more strongly than the singly-expressed Rb protein. These results indicate that the phosphorylation is crucial for the stimulation. Rb protein isolated from human Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells also stimulated DNA polymerase alpha. In contrast, Rb protein did not affect eukaryotic DNA primase or Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. By immunoprecipitation using anti-DNA polymerase alpha antibody, Rb protein in nuclear extract of Raji cells was co-precipitated with DNA polymerase alpha. This result indicates that DNA polymerase alpha exists as a complex containing phosphorylated Rb protein in cells. DNA polymerase alpha specifically bound to a purified Rb protein-immobilized Sepharose column. Rb protein also bound to DNA polymerase alpha trapped to anti-DNA polymerase alpha antibody-Sepharose column, suggesting the direct association of these two proteins. These observations suggest a new function of phosphorylated Rb protein in the regulation of DNA replication.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed1997

Resonance Raman, infrared, and EPR investigation on the binuclear site structure of the heme-copper ubiquinol oxidases from Acetobacter aceti: effect of the heme peripheral formyl group substitution.

Acetobacter aceti produces two different terminal ubiquinol oxidases (cytochromes a1 and o) depending on the culture conditions. Two types of oxidases share a common protein moiety but with different heme components at the binuclear center (heme A for cytochrome a1 and heme O for cytochrome o). We investigated the structure of the binuclear site of the two oxidases using resonance Raman, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), and EPR spectroscopies to clarify the interactions of heme A formyl group with protein moiety. We found that the overall architecture and the electronic configuration at the binuclear center in the oxidized state seem to be well conserved irrespective of the heme peripheral group at position 8, except for the azide-inhibited state. In contrast, we observed great variations in the C-N stretching frequency and cyanide-binding affinity in the CN-reduced state, in addition to multiple C-O stretching bands in the CO-reduced state. Present and previous studies suggest that the conformational flexibility of the binuclear center in the reduced ligand-bound state may be a common feature among the heme-copper oxidase superfamily. In the CN-reduced state, a hydrogen bond network may be formed among the formyl group, water molecule(s), and the surrounding amino acid residue(s). This network may be very important to maintain proper orientations of the distal amino acid residues and/or the CuB1+ ion relative to the cyanide ion bound to the ferrous heme iron and could play a critical role for the high affinity in cyanide binding.

Acetobacter↗
PubMed1997

Direct observation of cooling of heme upon photodissociation of carbonmonoxy myoglobin.

The formation of vibrationally excited heme upon photodissociation of carbonmonoxy myoglobin and its subsequent vibrational energy relaxation was monitored by picosecond anti-Stokes resonance Raman spectroscopy. The anti-Stokes intensity of the nu4 band showed immediate generation of vibrationally excited hemes and biphasic decay of the excited populations. The best fit to double exponentials gave time constants of 1.9 +/- 0.6 and 16 +/- 9 picoseconds for vibrational population decay and 3.0 +/- 1.0 and 25 +/- 14 picoseconds for temperature relaxation of the photolyzed heme when a Boltzmann distribution was assumed. The decay of the nu4 anti-Stokes intensity was accompanied by narrowing and frequency upshift of the Stokes counterpart. This direct monitoring of the cooling dynamics of the heme cofactor within the globin matrix allows the characterization of the vibrational energy flow through the protein moiety and to the water bath.

Carbon Monoxide↗
PubMed1997

Predictive value of genetic diagnosis for cancer micrometastasis: histologic and experimental appraisal.

BACKGROUND: The recently introduced genetic diagnosis of cancer micrometastasis is quite attractive because of its high detection sensitivity. Not infrequently, however, there are marked discrepancies between genetic and conventional histologic diagnoses, especially concerning lymph nodes from colon carcinoma patients. Because the histologic approach has long been relied on in the clinic, the reasons for the differences in results need to be elucidated. METHODS: Serial sections of genetic diagnosis positive but histologic negative lymph nodes of colon carcinoma patients were prepared for histologic and immunohistochemical studies. To investigate the possible contaminating influence of DNA sequences derived from degraded carcinoma cells from the primary site through the lymphatics, the authors also injected purified DNA of human colon carcinoma cells (SW480) into the foot pads of rats and sequentially examined lymph nodes using genetic diagnosis methodology. RESULTS: Careful histologic examination of genetic diagnosis positive, histologically negative lymph nodes of colon carcinoma patients confirmed the absence of cancer cells, whereas p53 protein was immunohistochemically demonstrated to be present in the cytoplasm of sinus histiocytes. In the rat experiment, positive reactions were obtained with the inguinal lymph nodes beginning 30 minutes after the injection, and lymph nodes at various sites were subsequently affected, even after a 72-hour period. CONCLUSIONS: The current study thus suggests that positive results with genetic diagnosis may simply indicate the presence of tumor DNA and do not necessarily mean that viable cancer cells are present. Although the genetic approach may still hold promise for the detection of cancer micrometastases, its predictive value should be carefully assessed clinicopathologically, because its supersensitivity may be associated with a greatly increased false-positive rate.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Polyamine-like immunoreactivity in rat neurons.

The localization of polyamine (PA) pools in motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons and in the nerve cells of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of rats was examined by immunocytochemical method using the monoclonal antibody ASPM-29 specific to spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) fixed in situ. Strong PA immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm and dendrites of the large perikaryon of motor neurons in the anterior spinal column, in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, in the pyramidal cells of the cerebrum, in the nerve cells of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei in the hypothalamus, and in the nerve cells of the spinal and autonomic ganglions. No PA immunoreactivity was seen in the nucleus and nerve terminals of the neurons. The PA immunoreactivities in the motor and sensory neurons were characterized by clustered masses and blocks of immunoreactive cells. Irrespective of location, small and medium-sized neurons were weakly PA-positive. The glia cells, some stellite cells, and Schwann cells were almost completely PA-negative. These results may suggest that in neurons PAs are not transported axonally, but are located in conjunction with Nissl bodies (the rough endoplasmic reticulum), specified as sites for protein synthesis within cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of GTP on bound nitric oxide of soluble guanylate cyclase probed by resonance Raman spectroscopy.

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) was isolated from bovine lung, and its resonance Raman (RR) spectra were investigated for the reduced, CO-bound (CO-sGC), NO-bound (NO-sGC), oxidized, and oxidized NO-bound forms in the presence and absence of GTP. The enzyme was purified by more than 12 000-fold in terms of specific activity than the supernatant of homogenates, and the heme content was determined with the pyridine hemochoromogen method and Bradford's protein assay to be 0.8 per heterodimer (alpha, Mr = 74 000; beta, Mr = 69 000). The RR spectra of sGC and CO-sGC including the Fe-His stretch at 203 cm-1 and the Fe-CO stretch at 473 cm-1 were unaltered by binding of GTP and cGMP, but apparent RR spectra of NO-sGC in the presence of GTP changed with time and concentrations of GTP. In the absence of GTP, the RR bands of the N-O stretch (nuNO) and the Fe-NO stretch (nuFe-NO) were observed at 1681 and 521 cm-1, respectively. In its presence, however, two nuNO bands were observed at 1700 and 1681 cm-1, which exhibited 15NO isotopic frequency shifts of 32 and 34 cm-1, respectively. Similar Raman spectral changes were observed with the same amount of cGMP but not with PPi or GTP analogues including ATP, GMPPNP, and GTPgammaS. This suggests that GTP or cGMP binds to the distal side of the heme in the proximity of bound NO, possibly regulating NO binding.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Catalytic activities and structural properties of horseradish peroxidase distal His42 --> Glu or Gln mutant.

The distal histidine (His) is highly conserved in peroxidases and has been considered to play a major role as a general acid-base catalyst for peroxidase reaction cycle. Recently, however, the X-ray structure of chloroperoxidase from the marine fungus Caldariomyces fumago has revealed that a glutamic acid is located at the position where most of the peroxidase has a histidine residue, suggesting that the carboxyl group in the glutamic acid (Glu) can also assist cleavage of an O-O bond in peroxides [Sundaramoorthy, M., Terner, J., & Poulos, T. L. (1995) Structure 3, 1367-1377]. In order to investigate catalytic roles of the glutamic acid at the distal cavity, two horseradish peroxidase mutants were prepared, in which the distal His42 has been replaced by Glu (H42E) or Gln (H42Q). The formation rate of compound I in the H42E mutant was significantly greater than that for the H42Q mutant, indicating that the distal Glu can play a role as a general acid-base catalyst. However, the peroxidase activity of the H42E mutant was still lower, compared to that for native enzyme. On the basis of the CD, resonance Raman, and EPR spectra, it was suggested that the basicity of the distal Glu is lower than that of the distal His and the position of the distal Glu is not fixed at the optimal position as a catalytic amino acid residue, although no prominent structural changes around heme environment were detected. The less basicity and improper positioning of the distal Glu would destabilize the heme-H2O2-distal Glu ternary intermediate for the peroxidase reaction. Another characteristic feature in the mutants was the enhancement of the peroxygenase activity. Since the peroxygenase activity was remarkably enhanced in the H42E mutant, the distal Glu is also crucial to facilitate the peroxygenase activity as well as the enlarged distal cavity caused by the amino acid substitution. These observations indicate that the distal amino acid residue is essential for function of peroxidases and subtle conformational changes around the distal cavity would control the catalytic reactions in peroxidase.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1997

Nonoperative treatment for a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the celiac trunk: report of a case.

We report the case of a 67-year-old man in whom hemorrhage from a ruptured celiac trunk pseudoaneurysm, which occurred as a consequence of leakage at the site of gastroduodenostomy, was successfully controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with stainless steel coils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). The occurrence of a pseudoaneurysm of the celiac trunk associated with anastomotic leakage is etiologically rare. We compiled reports from the literature on TAE for ruptured aneurysms of the celiac trunk, and compared its therapeutic value with that of surgical treatment. Operative death occurred in 4 of a series of 43 patients with aneurysms of the celiac trunk that were surgically treated (9.3%). In 5 patients with ruptured aneurysms, the operative mortality rate was 40% (2/5). Conversely, while the unsuccessful rate of TAE therapy was 17% (1/6), the mortality rate was nil. The patient whose case is presented here was affected by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the site of leakage and in the lung. Under septic conditions such as hemorrhage secondary to pancreatitis, the mortality rate of surgical therapy was 23%-29%, whereas the success rate of TAE therapy was 79% and the mortality rate was 4%. Based on these findings, it is suggested that TAE therapy is a viable alternative to surgery for patients even with ruptured pseudoaneurysms of the celiac trunk.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Clinical significance of the DNA index in hematogenous dissemination of aneuploid colorectal cancer.

The DNA index (DI), defined as the ratio of the G0/G1 channel number of tumor cells to the G0/G1 channel number of stromal cells, was analyzed in 121 aneuploid colorectal cancers. In patients with aneuploid tumors, a high DI significantly correlated with tumor penetration beyond the proper muscle layer, positive vascular invasion, and the presence of liver metastasis. This observation led us to conclude that a high DI is likely to be associated with hematogenous dissemination in aneuploid colorectal cancer.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1997

Prognostic significance of the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index in primary colorectal carcinoma.

The bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index was determined in 40 primary colorectal carcinomas by DNA flow cytometry using a BrdU-specific monoclonal antibody. The labeling index, or the fraction of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle, ranged from 12% to 52%, with a mean of 28% (SEM, 2%). The labeling index in 19 patients was over 30%, which was termed a higher labeling index. There was no significant difference in the labeling index based on the clinical stage of the disease. During the 5-year follow-up after the apparently curative resection, 14 patients died of the disease, 1 died of an unrelated cause, 1 is alive with a recurrence of the disease, and 24 are alive without the disease. The higher labeling index was thus associated with a significantly poorer patient survival (P = 0.03 based on the generalized Wilcoxon test). The present study therefore disclosed that the S-phase fraction of tumor cells thus determined had prognostic significance in primary colorectal carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Neuropeptide Y as a stimulator of Na+ -dependent Ca2+ efflux from freshly isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes.

Several physiological stimuli cause a rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cardiomyocytes. This increased [Ca2+]i must be restored to physiological resting level to ensure response to further stimuli. In the present study, we examined the effect of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is secreted from certain adrenergic or nonadrenergic neurons, on Ca2+ efflux from freshly isolated, quiescent adult rat cardiomyocytes. The isolated cardiomyocytes were preloaded with 45CaCl2 for 1 h. Then, the fractional release of 45Ca2+ from the cells was measured. NPY stimulated the efflux of 45Ca2+ from isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8) M to 10(-6) M). NPY (10(-6) M)-induced Ca2+ efflux was 2.0 +/- 0.16% of the total cellular content. The 45Ca2+ efflux from the cells was also stimulated by Y1 receptor agonist, [Leu31, Pro34]NPY, but not by Y2 receptor agonist, NPY13-36. The effect of NPY was inhibited by a peptide NPY inhibitor, NPY18-36 and a non-peptide NPY inhibitor, benextramine to a similar extent. From these results, it is conceivable that the effect of NPY on Ca2+ efflux from cardiomyocytes is mediated through Y1 receptors. It was also observed that NPY caused a rise in [Ca2+]i to almost 150 nM. NPY-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux was not affected by removal of extracellular Ca2+, but was dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+. Moreover, NPY caused a 22Na+ influx into the cells of about 1.6-fold over the basal value which was inhibited by amiloride and 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride, known Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitors. In addition, isoproterenol also caused 45Ca2+ efflux from the cells and which was enhanced by the addition of NPY. These results suggest that NPY stimulates extracellular Na+-dependent 45Ca2+ efflux from freshly isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes, probably through its stimulatory effect on plasma membrane Y1 receptors with which NPY may couple during Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1997

Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by NS-398 in endotoxin shock rats in vivo.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The role of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was examined using a rat endotoxin shock model and the potency and selectivity of NS-398, a COX-2 selective inhibitor in vitro, for COX-2 activity was examined in vivo. MATERIAL: Male Wistar rats (weighing 140-180 g) were used. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered to rats (LPS-treated rats) and expression of COX-1 mRNA and COX-2 mRNA in the aorta and peripheral blood leukocytes was examined by RT-PCR. COX activity was assessed by measuring the plasma 6-keto prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha, PGE2 and thromboxane (TX)B2 30s after administration of arachidonic acid (AA, 3 mg/kg, i.v.), NS-398 (0.3-100 mg/kg, p.o.) or indomethacin (0.3-3 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1 h before the AA injection. RESULTS: COX-2 mRNA was detectable in the aorta and peripheral blood leukocytes at least from 3 to 9 h after the LPS injection but not in non-LPS-treated rats. Plasma 6-keto PGF1 alpha, PGE2 and TXB2 levels after AA injection into LPS-treated rats were significantly enhanced compared to findings in non-LPS-treated rats. NS-398 showed significant inhibition of the increase in PGs in LPS-treated rats, the ED50 values being 0.35 mg/kg for 6-keto PGF1 alpha, 1.5 mg/kg for PGE2 and < 0.3 mg/kg for TXB2. NS-398 even at 100 mg/kg did not significantly suppress the increased PGs levels in non-LPS-treated rats. In contrast, indomethacin significantly inhibited plasma PGs levels after AA injection into LPS-treated rats and non-LPS-treated rats. The ED50 values in LPS-treated rats, determined by 6-keto PGF1 alpha, PGE2 and TXB2 production, were 1.0, 1.3 and 2.3 mg/kg and those in non-LPS-treated rats were 0.42, 0.24 and 0.93 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat endotoxin shock model, expression of COX-2 plays a role in an increase in COX activity. NS-398 showed preferential inhibitory effects on COX-2 activity in vivo. This approach is useful to directly analyze the inhibitory activity of NSAIDs for COX-1 and COX-2 in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Pharmacokinetics of adriamycin and cisplatin for anhepatic chemotherapy during liver transplantation.

We investigated the pharmacokinetics of cytotoxic anticancer agents administered under anhepatic conditions. Beagle dogs underwent either a sham operation consisting of laparotomy only (control group, n = 11) or a laparotomy and total hepatectomy under venovenous bypass (anhepatic group, n = 12). Each dog received a bolus intravenous injection of either Adriamycin (1 mg/kg) or cisplatin (1 mg/kg). The plasma and urine concentrations of each drug were measured at intervals for up to 2 h after drug injection. The dogs given Adriamycin were then sacrificed to determine tissue drug concentrations in the liver (controls only), spleen, kidney, heart, lung, skeletal muscle and small intestine. The control and anhepatic groups showed similar Adriamycin profiles during the initial 5 min after drug injection. However, subsequently, the plasma Adriamycin concentrations remained persistently higher in the anhepatic dogs than in the controls, yielding a two-fold elevation of the mean area under the concentration-time curve in the anhepatic group (P < 0.01 vs controls). The renal clearance values did not significantly differ between the two groups. The tissue Adriamycin concentrations in all measured organs, excluding the liver, were higher in the anhepatic group than in the controls. In a second set of experiments with cisplatin, the plasma platinum concentrations did not significantly differ between the two groups throughout the time course. However, the renal clearance of platinum in the anhepatic dogs showed a fourfold increase compared with that in the controls (P < 0.01). These pharmacokinetic data suggest that Adriamycin carries the risk of increased systemic toxicities, while cisplatin may be associated with increased renal toxicity when administered during the anhepatic period of liver transplantation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Monoclonal antibodies against glutaraldehyde-conjugated histamine: application to immunocytochemistry.

We have developed mouse monoclonal antibodies (AHA-1-5, all IgG1 sub-isotype mAbs) against histamine (HA) conjugated to bovine serum albumin using glutaraldehyde-NaBH4. Among these, AHA-1 mAb was found to be the most useful for HA immunocytochemistry (ICC) in terms of specificity and sensitivity without non-specific immunobinding. AHA-1 was demonstrated to be specific to HA with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) binding test, simulating the ICC of tissue sections, and not reactive to any of the other amino acids and peptides with N-terminal histidine tested. By use of this antibody, indirect immunoperoxidase staining was observed in rat stomach fixed with glutaraldehyde (GA) in combination with NaBH4 reduction. In contrast, no immunoreactivity was seen in tissue fixed only with GA. Absorption controls indicated that the immunostaining could be completely inhibited by GA-conjugated HA, which was consistent with the results of an ELISA inhibition test. No cross-reactivity occurred with other GA-conjugated amino acids. ICC staining was dense in the cytoplasm of gastric enterochromaffin-like cells and very weak in mast cells. A new finding was that staining was noticed in some cell bands of the intermediate layer between the stratum lucidum and the stratum corneum of the stratified squamous epithelium of the gastric cardia, esophagus, tongue, and skin in rats. The results strongly suggest that the monoclonal antibody allowed highly specific detection of HA in animal tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effect of docarpamine, a novel orally active dopamine prodrug, on the formation of free and sulfoconjugated dopamine in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of orally active dopamine prodrug, docarpamine [N-(N-acetyl-L-methionyl)-O,O-bis (ethoxycarbonyl) dopamine], we examined its effect on the formation of free and sulfoconjugated dopamine in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. The preoperative values of free and sulfoconjugated dopamine in patients were 216 +/- 52 pg/ml and 4,930 +/- 820 pg/ml, respectively. The plasma level of free dopamine increased to 95.3 +/- 28.3 ng/ml by dopamine infusion after the operation and was sustained at a high level (87.7 +/- 26.5 ng/ml) by concomitant administration of docarpamine in spite of tapering of dopamine infusion. After stopping dopamine infusion, plasma level of free dopamine was 24.5 +/- 17.6 ng/ml maintained by oral administration of docarpamine alone. From these results, docarpamine may be a useful alternative to intravenous dopamine after cardiac surgery. Sulfoconjugated dopamine in plasma increased to 267 +/- 120 ng/ml after the start of dopamine infusion and increased further after oral docarpamine administration to 2,060 +/- 610 ng/ml. Since sulfoconjugated dopamine is thought to be a possible precursor of active free dopamine in plasma, orally administered docarpamine might be stored as a reserve pool for free dopamine in patients who undergo cardiac surgery.

Administration, Oral↗