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Biomedical subjects

T Matsuo

Publications and source records attributed to T Matsuo.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Dynamics of secretory granules in somatotrophs of rats after stimulation with growth hormone-releasing factor: a stereological analysis.

The anterior pituitary tissue of male rats injected with growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) was either processed for stereology at the light- and electron-microscopic levels, or homogenized for growth hormone (GH) assay 2-60 min after GRF injection. Secretory granules of somatotrophs became smaller but increased in numerical density 2 min after GRF injection. Their volume density began to increase at 5 min. The frequency of exocytosis of the granules was most prominent as early as 2 min after GRF injection and reduced thereafter. GH levels in the tissue were lowest at 2-5 min, and returned to the control value by 60 min. Serum GH levels were highest at 15 min; even at 60 min, this value was higher than in the controls. These findings suggest that secretory granules in somatotrophs are stimulated to divide by GRF, resulting in a decrease in size and an increase in number. The discrepancy between the earlier formation of new secretory granules and the later restoration of intracellular GH levels implies that GRF first stimulates the synthesis of constituents of granules other than GH, and only later the synthesis of GH, and that newly formed small secretory granules contain less GH. From the clearance rate of serum GH and the frequency of granule exocytosis, it can be estimated that about a half million granules are released to maintain 1 ng/ml of serum GH in rats.

Animals↗

Effect of Thrombin Inhibition on Patients with Peripheral Arterial Obstructive Disease: A Multicenter Clinical Trial of Argatroban.

Background: Enhanced thrombin generation has been found in patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD). The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of thrombin inhibition in PAOD patients. Methods: Argatroban (20 mg/day) was infused intravenously over 2 hours for 14-68 days in 27 patients with chronic PAOD of the lower extremities. Plasma thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) levels and clinical signs were assessed. Results: TAT levels before argatroban therapy were significantly higher in the PAOD patients than in age- and gender-matched controls. In the PAOD patients, TAT levels increased stepwise in the presence of rest pain classified as Fontain III and IV. To assess the effect of thrombin inhibition, we divided the patients into a high-TAT group (pretreatment TAT level >/=5 ng/ml, n = 12) and a low-TAT group (pretreatment TAT level <5 ng/ml, n = 15). In the high-TAT group, TAT levels were suppressed in 8 of 12 patients after the administration of argatroban, along with improvement of their clinical symptoms and a decrease in the size of ischemic skin ulcers, indicating that argatroban clearly inhibited thrombin generation in vivo. Even in the low-TAT group, argatroban improved the clinical signs and symptoms, and also reduced the size of ischemic skin ulcers although TAT levels remained within the low range (<5 ng/ml) in 13 of the 15 patients, indicating that PAOD signs and/or symptoms may be related to small amounts of thrombin generated locally at the sites of atherothrombotic stenotic lesion. Conclusions: These results suggest that thrombin generation was enhanced in PAOD and that the amount was related to disease severity. Thrombin inhibition by argatroban may break this vicious cycle and lead to clinical improvement in PAOD.

Journal Article↗

Improved spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol in the presence of benzyldimethylstearyltrimethylammonium chloride.

An improved spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) is proposed using 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol(PAR) in the presence of benzyldimethylstearyltrimethylammonium chloride(BSTAC) as a cationic surfactant. The calibration graph is linear in the range of 0.3-60 microg/10 ml uranium(VI), measuring the absorbance at 550 nm. The reproducibility for 19.0 microg/10 ml uranium(VI) is 0.57%. The third-derivative method using the third-derivative distance (d(3)A/dlambda(3)) among lambda(1) 530 nm, lambda(3) 594 nm and lambda(2) 565 nm was also investigated.

Journal Article↗

Gender differences of disturbed hemostasis related to fasting insulin level in healthy very elderly Japanese aged > or = 75 years.

We investigated the relationship between fasting insulin level and various hemostatic factors, including fibrinolytic factors (active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA)-PAI-1 complex, plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (PIC), and D-dimer), coagulation factors (activated factor VII, factor VII coagulant activity and antigen, factor VIII, factor X, and fibrinogen), coagulation inhibitors (antithrombin III, heparin cofactor II, and protein C), and an acute phase marker (sialic acid) in 102 healthy individuals aged > or = 75 years (46 men and 56 women). Active PAI-1 levels had a significant negative correlation with PIC levels (r = -0.342, P = 0.0006), indicating that PAI-1 influences in vivo fibrinolytic activity in the very elderly. Gender differences were found in the relationship between insulin and hemostatic abnormalities, with the insulin level being positively correlated with coagulation factors in men (factor VIII activity: r = 0.422, P < 0.01; factor VII activity: r = 0.386, P < 0.01) and with hypofibrinolysis in women (active PAI-1: r = 0.549, P < 0.0001). Insulin levels were positively correlated with the levels of factor VII antigen and factor VII activity in men (P < 0.01), but there was no correlation with activated factor VII levels. The fasting insulin level was also correlated with the levels of heparin cofactor II and sialic acid in men (P < 0.05). However, other hemostatic factors were not related to the insulin level in either sex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Beef tallow diet decreases beta-adrenergic receptor binding and lipolytic activities in different adipose tissues of rat.

The effects of dietary fats consisting of different fatty acids on lipolytic activity and body fat accumulation were studied in rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were meal-fed an isoenergetic diet based on either beef tallow or safflower oil for 8 weeks. Lipolytic activities in epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissues were lower in the beef tallow diet group than in the safflower oil diet group. Body fat accumulation was greater in rats fed the beef tallow diet versus the safflower oil diet. Norepinephrine (NE) turnover rates used as an index of sympathetic activities in adipose tissues were lower in the beef tallow diet group. beta-Adrenergic receptor binding was determined with [3H]dihydroalprenolol. Binding affinities of beta-receptors in adipose tissues were significantly lower in the beef tallow diet group. Membrane fluidities of adipose tissues were also lower in the beef tallow diet group. Membrane fluidities were correlated with the affinities of the beta-receptor. We believe from these correlations that the decreases in beta-receptor binding affinities are due to the changes in membrane fluidities. The results of the present study suggest that intake of the beef tallow diet promotes body fat accumulation by reducing lipolytic activities resulting from lower beta-receptor binding and sympathetic activity in adipose tissues.

Adipose Tissue↗

Beef tallow diet decreases norepinephrine turnover rates in rat hypothalamus and cerebral cortex.

The effects of dietary fats consisting of different fatty acids on norepinephrine (NE) turnover rates in various brain regions were studied in rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were meal-fed isoenergetic diets based on safflower oil or beef tallow for 8 weeks. Body weight gain during the experimental period did not differ between the two groups of rats. The weights of brain regions were also similar in the two diet groups. Basal NE contents and turnover rates in the hypothalamus and cortex were significantly lower in rats fed the beef tallow diet versus the safflower oil diet. These results suggest that the beef tallow diet reduces noradrenergic functions in brain regions as compared with the safflower oil diet in rats.

Animals↗

Sympathetic activity is lower in rats fed a beef tallow diet than in rats fed a safflower oil diet.

Effects of dietary fats consisting of different fatty acids on sympathetic activity and body fat accumulation were studied in rats. Rats were meal-fed an isoenergetic diet based on either beef tallow or safflower oil for 8 weeks. Carcass fat content was greater (P < .05) in rats fed the beef tallow diet than in rats fed the safflower oil diet. Norepinephrine (NE) turnover rate was significantly lower (P < .05) in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and pancreas in rats fed the beef tallow diet than in rats fed the safflower oil diet, resulting in a decreased (P < .05) diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) and an increased (P < .05) serum insulin concentration in the former. To confirm the effects of dietary fats on sympathetic activity in relation to body fat accumulation, rats were chemically sympathectomized. Sympathectomy abolished the differences in body fat accumulation, DIT, and serum insulin concentration between the two dietary groups. These results suggest that the beef tallow diet promotes body fat accumulation by reducing sympathetic activity as compared with intake of the safflower oil diet.

Adipose Tissue↗

Morphological comparison of dysplastic changes between de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with trilineage myelodysplasia and AML developed from de novo myelodysplastic syndromes.

To elucidate the clinical and morphological differences between de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with trilineage myelodysplasia (AML/TMDS) and AML developed from de novo myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), we analyzed 12 and 13 cases, respectively. The median age of AML/TMDS patients was lower, but not significantly so, than the median age of patients with AML from MDS (45 vs 55 years). Platelet counts and the percentage of peripheral blasts were significantly higher in the patients with AML/TMDS than in the patients with AML from MDS (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Four patients with AML from MDS could not be classified into FAB subtypes. Eight patients (67%) with AML/TMDS achieved complete remission (CR). Nine with AML from MDS were treated with less intensive regimens; none of these patients achieved CR. In the comparison of dysplastic changes in both groups, the rate of pseudo-Pelger anomaly was significantly higher in the patients with AML from MDS (p < 0.001), and micromegakaryocytes and multinuclear erythroblasts were also more frequent in the patients with AML from MDS than in those with AML/TMDS (p < 0.05). The overall survival curves showed that the 12 patients with TMDS had a significantly better survival than the 13 patients with AML from MDS (p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that AML/TMDS is a subtype of de novo AML and is different from AML from MDS. Further study is required to determine the biological differences between AML with TMDS and AML transformed from MDS.

Adolescent↗

An alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, AO-128, retards carbohydrate absorption in rats and humans.

The present study was designed to determine the possible significance of a therapeutic dose (0.2 mg) of AO-128 on carbohydrate absorption by measuring the breath hydrogen concentration, which is an index of the amount of unabsorbed carbohydrate in the large intestine. Post-prandial hyperglycemia is common among diabetic patients. AO-128, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, suppressed post-prandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in healthy volunteers at a dose of 0.2 mg with each meal. These volunteers increased the breath hydrogen concentration in response to ingestion of non-absorbable lactulose, but decreased only slightly its concentration from the basal level after sucrose ingestion, indicating complete absorption. When AO-128 (0.2 mg) was given with sucrose, hydrogen production increased only slightly compared with placebo, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of AO-128 on sucrose absorption was minimal. Only 5 g of the 100 g of sucrose was not absorbed and this 5% reduction is too small to explain the observed inhibitory effect on the post-prandial rise in plasma glucose. Sucrose loading in rats (about 443 mg) sharply increased blood glucose and was accompanied by the rapid disappearance of sucrose from the upper small intestine. AO-128 (0.03 or 0.1 mg/kg) lessened the elevation of blood glucose after sucrose ingestion. The lower dose (0.03 mg/kg) retarded small intestinal absorption, but did not induce an influx of sucrose into the cecum and large intestine, while the higher dose (0.1 mg/kg) caused an increased influx of sucrose into the large bowel. These results indicated that AO-128 retards the absorption of carbohydrate and reduces post-prandial hyperglycemia.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative analysis of immunoglobulins and inflammatory factors in human pulpal blood from exposed pulps.

The levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and inflammatory factors (elastase, prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in the blood of human dental pulp were quantified, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The pulpal blood samples were obtained with nylon fiber pellets from normal and inflamed dental pulp at pulp sites exposed on pulpectomy. Statistically significant differences between normal and inflamed pulp were found in the levels of IgG (p < 0.01), IgA (p < 0.05), IgM (p < 0.01), elastase (p < 0.05), and prostaglandin E2 (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that these factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulpal disease, and the sampling methods used in this study are useful for examination of pulpal inflammation.

Biomarkers↗

Diet-induced thermogenesis is lower in rats fed a lard diet than in those fed a high oleic acid safflower oil diet, a safflower oil diet or a linseed oil diet.

The objectives of the present study were to examine the effects of dietary fats differing in fatty acid composition on diet-induced thermogenesis, sympathetic activity in brown adipose tissue and body fat accumulation in rats. Rats were meal-fed for 12 wk an isoenergetic diet based on lard, high oleic acid safflower oil, safflower oil or linseed oil, and norepinephrine turnover rates in brown adipose tissue were then estimated. Whole-body oxygen consumption after the meal indicated that diet-induced thermogenesis was significantly lower in rats fed the lard diet than in those fed the other diets. The norepinephrine turnover rate in the interscapular brown adipose tissue was also significantly lower in the lard diet group than in the other diet groups. The carcass fat content was significantly higher in the lard diet group than in the other diet groups, whereas the abdominal adipose tissue weights were the same in all diet groups. These results suggest that the intake of animal fats rich in saturated fatty acids, compared with the intake of vegetable oils rich in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreases diet-induced thermogenesis by a decline of sympathetic activity in brown adipose tissue, resulting in the promotion of body fat accumulation.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Serum triiodothyronine concentration and Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in liver and skeletal muscle are influenced by dietary fat type in rats.

It has been shown previously that dietary fat type influences body fat accumulation in rats. The effects of dietary fat type on serum thyroid hormone, activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase and lipoprotein lipase were studied. Rats were fed an experimental diet containing lard, high oleic safflower oil, safflower oil or linseed oil for 12 wk. Carcass fat content was significantly higher in rats fed the lard diet than in those fed the other diets. However, intra-abdominal adipose tissue weights were not affected by type of dietary fat. The serum triiodothyronine concentration and the activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the liver and skeletal muscle were significantly lower in the lard diet group than in the other diet groups. The lipoprotein lipase activity of abdominal subcutaneous fat was significantly higher in rats fed the lard diet than in rats fed the other diets, but the activity of lipoprotein lipase in intra-abdominal fat was not significantly different. These results suggest that the intake of lard, compared with the intake of the vegetable oils, may decrease Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in the liver and skeletal muscle by lowering serum triiodothyronine concentration, resulting in the promotion of body fat accumulation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Thrombin inhibition in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke using argatroban.

We studied the effect of argatroban, a new selective thrombin inhibitor, on the haemostatic system in seven patients with acute ischaemic stroke (the argatroban group). Argatroban was infused continuously at 2.5 mg/h for the first 48 h, and then 10 mg of argatroban was infused over 3 h twice a day on days 3-7. The placebo group consisted of six acute ischaemic stroke patients. As a combination therapy, intravenous administration of glycerol was also performed at the same time in five of the seven patients in the argatroban group and in four of the six patients in the placebo group. D-dimer levels were measured by a latex photometric immunoassay that allowed immediate quantitative assessment. The D-dimer levels of our 13 patients with acute ischaemic stroke were raised at the time of admission (day 1) and 69% of the values were above the 97th percentile ( > 500 ng/ml) in healthy subjects. D-dimer levels were significantly reduced in the argatroban group on days 2 and 7 after admission when compared with the placebo group (day 2: P = 0.032; day 7: P = 0.046). Thus, haemostatic activation occurred in acute ischaemic stroke was effectively blocked by argatroban.

Aged↗

Intraoperative observation of the vitreous base in patients with atopic dermatitis and retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: Patients with atopic dermatitis often develop tears around the vitreous base. An attempt was made to determine whether these patients had any abnormalities of the vitreous base that would lead to formation of such tears. METHODS: The medical records and intraoperative videotape recordings of 12 patients with atopic dermatitis and retinal detachment who underwent vitrectomy were reviewed. RESULTS: Tears were located at the ora serrata or in the nonpigmented epithelium of the pars plana or plicata of the ciliary body. The vitreous gel at its base was condensed like fluffy cotton in all of the patients, whereas the retina and the continuing nonpigmented epithelium around the ora serrata were wrinkled by contraction of the overlying abnormal gel. CONCLUSION: Frequent occurrence of oral dialyses and tears of the nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body in patients with atopic dermatitis could be attributed to the abnormal vitreous gel at its base.

Adolescent↗

Differential transcription of the MPB70 genes in two major groups of Mycobacterium bovis BCG substrains.

Substrains of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) have been divided into two major groups, high and low producers, on the basis of the amount of secretion of the MPB70 protein. The antigen is produced in high concentration by BCG Tokyo, Moreau, Russia and Sweden (high-producer substrains), whereas in BCG Pasteur, Copenhagen and Tice (low-producer substrains) it is detected at 1% (w/w) or less of the concentration of BCG Tokyo. To investigate why this protein is secreted differently, the MPB70 genes of BCG Tokyo and Pasteur were cloned, sequenced and compared. The MPB70 genes in two substrains showed exactly the same sequence. Even the upstream and downstream regions of the MPB70 gene were identical. MPB70 gene expression was assessed by means of Northern hybridization analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA was clearly detected in BCG Tokyo, but a very low level in BCG Pasteur. On the basis of these results, the difference in the secretion of the MPB70 protein between BCG Tokyo and Pasteur was attributed to differential transcription efficiencies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and sequencing of a unique antigen MPT70 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and expression in BCG using E. coli-mycobacteria shuttle vector.

MPB70 is known to be an immunogenic mycobacterial protein secreted in large amounts from Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) Tokyo. The analogous gene for MPT70 was cloned from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv which produces this protein in only a small amount. The gene encoding 193 amino acid residues including 30 amino acids for the signal peptide, the promoter-like sequence, and the ribosome-binding site, was completely identical to that of BCG Tokyo. Computer analysis revealed that the carboxy-terminal half of MPT70 was homologous to amino acid sequences of fasciclin I, osteoblast-specific factor 2 (OSF-2), and human transforming growth factor-beta induced gene product (beta IG-H3). Escherichia coli (E. coli) -mycobacteria shuttle vectors containing mpt70 or mpb70 genes 0.7kbp upstream of the 5' end of them were able to be expressed in BCG Pasteur which is a MPB70 low-producer, but the extent of the expression was not that of a high-producer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the gene encoding the MPB51, one of the major secreted protein antigens of Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and identification of the secreted protein closely related to the fibronectin binding 85 complex.

The secreted protein MPB51 is one of the major proteins in the culture filtrate of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) and is a protein immunologically cross-reacting with the fibronectin binding 85 complex secreted by this bacterium. The gene encoding MPB51 (mpb51) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The mpb51 gene was mapped downstream of the gene for 85A component with 179 bp spaces. The mpb51 gene encoded 299 amino acids, including 33 amino acids for the signal peptide, followed by 266 amino acids for the mature protein with a molecular mass of 27807.37 Da. This is the first complete sequence of MPB51. MPB51 showed 37-43% homology to the components of 85 complex. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of culture fluids of BCG and Western blotting indicated the existence of the other novel protein(s) which strongly cross-reacted with the alpha antigen (85B) and MPB51.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of nutritional factors on reproduction, growth, preweaning reflex development and postweaning learning performance in SHRSP.

1. Dietary high protein intake in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) induces a reduction of blood pressure and decreases the incidence of cerebral lesion. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of nutritional factors of dietary high protein on reproduction, growth, preweaning reflex development, postweaning behaviour and learning performance in SHRSP. 2. SHRSP were fed on a high protein rat diet (OA2 diet) and a standard rat diet for SHRSP (FSP diet). Rats were mated by brother-sister combinations and observed on reproductive performance, preweaning reflex development and postweaning learning performance among the 3rd to the 6th generations. 3. OA2 showed some advanced responses at the preweaning period compared to FSP in the surface righting, negative geotaxis and mid-air righting reflexes. 4. At the postweaning period, hyperactivity of OA2 was indicated at the open field test. In the ambulatory activity of the circadian rhythm, OA2 was better synchronized with running activity in the light and dark alternation cycle. 5. OA2 group indicated the higher postweaning learning performance in the water E, the water multiple T (Biel) and the Morris water-maze test as well as the acquisition of the conditioned avoidance response test. 6. In conclusion, dietary high protein intake in SHRSP produced some advanced effects on preweaning reflex development and postweaning learning performance.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗