To elucidate age-related change of mineral contents in human bones, the mineral content and density of human calcanei were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Calcanei were removed from 27 subjects (17 men and 10 women) who died in the age range from 40-98 yr old. Both the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry indicated that there were age-dependent decreases of the mineral contents and density in the men's calcaneus in the age range from 40-98 yr, but not in the women's calcaneus in the age range from 42-87 yr. It was also found that the calcanean masses of the men and women remained constant within the same age range until 98 yr.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Free radical scavengers suppress the accumulation of platinum in the cerebral cortex.

We investigated whether free radical scavengers and antioxidants inhibit the accumulation of platinum (Pt) in the cerebral cortex. Pt was detected in the cerebral cortex of mice after administration of cisplatin and exposure to short-term hypoxia. When mice were treated with either allopurinol (20 mg/kg) or catalase (100 mg/kg) before cisplatin administration and low oxygen exposure, Pt was not detected in the cerebral cortex. However, Pt was detected in the cerebral cortex of mice pretreated with either a low dosage of allopurinol or heat-denatured catalase. Furthermore, Pt was detected in the cerebral cortex of mice preadministered vitamin C, vitamin E, or deferoxamine. Lipid peroxide levels in the cerebral cortex increased 10 min after the treatment of hypoxia, and peaked 30 min after the treatment. These results suggested that short-term hypoxia produces free radicals, which allows Pt to pass through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the cerebral cortex, and that the production of free radicals is reduced by the administration of either allopurinol or catalase, which prevents Pt from passing through the barrier.

Allopurinol↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Age-dependent aluminum accumulation in the human aorta and cerebral artery.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of aluminum (Al) accumulation in the human aorta and cerebral arteries. The Al contents in the aortae and in the cerebral arteries from 23 human subjects was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The subjects' age range was 45-99-yr-old; 15 of the subjects were males and 8 were females. Al was detected in twelve aortae and in six cerebral arteries, when the entire specimen was analyzed. Two specimens where Al was found in the cerebral arteries contained no Al in the aorta. No relationship to the subject's sex was found. When related to age, two groups were established. Group L (45-75 yr old) and group H (> 75 yr old), which exhibited aortal Al concentrations of 33.3 and 72.7%, respectively. When the aortic wall was dissected into the tunica intima, media, and adventitia, Al was found mainly in the tunica media. In the aorta, significant relationships were found between Al and phosphorus (P) levels (r = 0.801, p < 0.01) and between Al and calcium (Ca) (r = 0.661, p < 0.05). We have concluded that Al accumulation is age-dependent and that it occurs both in the aorta and in the cerebral artery. In the aorta, accumulation occurs mainly in the tunica media. Both P and Ca appear to enhance aortal Al accumulation.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A high accumulation of minerals in human internal jugular vein.

To elucidate age-related changes of mineral contents in human veins, the relative contents (RCs) of elements in the human internal jugular veins, superior and inferior venae cavae, and femoral veins from 27 subjects ranging from 40 to 98 yr old were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The average RCs of calcium in the 27 specimens were the highest in the internal jugular vein, followed in descending order by the superior vena cava, femoral vein, and inferior vena cava. The RCs of calcium and phosphorus in the internal jugular veins started to increase after the age of 50 yr, became the highest in subjects in their 60s and thereafter decreased gradually. It is noted that such accumulations of minerals, similar to the internal jugular vein, were also found in the veins, such as the superior and inferior venae cavae, and femoral vein. Accumulation of minerals in the veins is different from that of arteries, which increase progressively by aging, but do not decrease.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microphthalmia (mi) mice display an aberrant bone trace element composition.

It has been recognized that bone trace element composition analysis provides clues when analyzing bone-related physiological conditions. Increasing numbers of bone-related genetic diseases have been identified recently. In this study, we have analyzed bone trace element composition in a genetic mutant animal model. Mutations in the mouse microphthalmia (mi) gene affect the development of a number of cell types, including melanocytes, mast cells, and osteoclasts. Previous studies have shown that different alleles of the mi locus show osteopetrosis. In order to gain insights into the effects of a particular genetic defect on bone trace element composition and bone structure, we performed bone trace element composition analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES). Marked changes in bone trace element levels were found in vertebrate bones of mi mutant mice. The implications and possible applications of bone trace element analysis will be discussed in this article.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue platinum after clinical treatment with cisplatin or carboplatin in tumor-bearing patients.

Tissue platinum (Pt) levels were measured in tumor-bearing patients treated with either cisplatin or carboplatin. Cisplatin was given by intra-arterial, intraperitoneal, and intravenous (iv) administrations. After death, vertebrae and intervertebral disks were removed from eight human subjects, and livers and kidneys were removed from the half of them. When cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally, Pt of the liver was higher than that of the kidney, and a high content of Pt was detected in the vertebra by comparing with the other administration methods. At the intra-arterial administration of cisplatin, Pt was mainly accumulated in the kidney. At the iv administration of cisplatin, a high level of Pt was found in the vertebra and intervertebral disk, especially at the highest value at 10.31 micrograms/g in the intervertebral disk of one case, whereas a low level of Pt was detected in the liver. On the contrary, it was found that the iv administration of carboplatin did not result in high accumulations of Pt in the liver, kidney, intervertebral disk, and vertebra. Therefore, Pt is accumulated in different organs, depending on the way cisplatin is administered, but Pt is accumulated least in them by the administration of carboplatin.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen: evaluation by CT arteriography.

BACKGROUND: Intrapancreatic accessory spleens are frequently confused with primary pancreatic tumors, and differentiation from neoplastic lesions is important to avoid an unnecessary laparotomy. We present three cases of intrapancreatic accessory spleen evaluated by computed tomographic arteriography (CTA) and discuss the characteristic findings. METHODS: CTA was performed, followed by digital subtraction angiography, with an injection of contrast material through a 4-F catheter placed in the celiac artery. Single-level dynamic CTA was also performed in two patients with a 30-s continuous scan in one breath-hold. RESULTS: CTA clearly demonstrated early inhomogeneous enhancement of the lesion, similar to the splenic parenchyma. On single-level dynamic CTA, inhomogeneous enhancement of the lesion in the early phase was diminished in the late phase. Multiplanar reformatted images obtained in two cases showed the deep cleft between the lesion and the pancreas, which suggested that the lesion was originally extrapancreatic. CONCLUSIONS: These two findings on CTA, inhomogeneous enhancement of the lesion and the deep cleft between the lesion and the pancreas, may help to confirm the diagnosis of an intrapancreatic accessory spleen.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Substance P effects on the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

Substance P (SP) was applied by superfusion (0.8 to 3.4 x 10(-6) M) to neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) in slice preparations of the rat medulla oblongata. Intracellular recordings showed that 18 of 43 (42%) neurons were depolarized and the depolarization was associated with an increase in membrane input resistance; five of 43 (12%) neurons were hyperpolarized and the hyperpolarization was associated with a decrease in membrane input resistance. Both effects were reversible and persisted after blockade of synaptic transmission by Ca2+ free/high Mg2+ solution. These data show that: 1) vagal neurons in the DMV have receptors for SP; 2) SP may modulate vagal output specially by increasing neuronal excitability; 3) although electrophysiological effects of SP have been studied in a variety of central and peripheral neurons, this is the first evidence of SP effects on DMV; 4) DMV is a particular brain target site in which SP may induce depo- or hyperpolarization.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Different patterns of [18F]dopa uptake in siblings with hereditary dentato-rubro-pallido-luysian atrophy.

Striatal glucose metabolism and [18F]dopa uptake were studied by positron emission tomography (PET) in two siblings with hereditary dentato-rubro-pallido-luysian atrophy (HDRPLA). The regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose showed marked decreases in the cerebellum and brainstem in both cases. The elder brother, who had trunk titubation and intention tremor of extremities, showed decreased [18F]dopa uptake in the striatum. On the other hand, the younger brother, who had spontaneous myoclonus of the right shoulder and flank, showed increased [18F]dopa uptake in the striatum. These findings suggested that the wide variety of clinical symptoms of HDRPLA observed within a single family is closely related to the various neuronal dysfunctions at the neurotransmitter level.

Adolescent↗