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Biomedical subjects

T Ogihara

Publications and source records attributed to T Ogihara.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Meta-analysis of association of insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy.

An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has repeatedly been shown to be associated with ischaemic heart disease, but the association of this genetic marker with diabetic microangiopathy is controversial. To assess the association of the genotypes with the development of diabetic nephropathy or retinopathy, we performed a meta-analysis of data from the literature, using Mantel-Haenszel method followed by the Breslow-Day test for assessing homogeneity among data. In a total of 4773 diabetic patients from 18 studies with (n = 2495) and without (n = 2278) renal complications, the D allele was significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy (p < 0.0001) in a dominant model (summary odds ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 1.51). There was no significant evidence against homogeneity of the odds ratios (chi(2) = 18.9, 20 df; p = 0.53). The association was significant both in non-insulin-dependent (p < 0.005) and in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05). Likewise, in a total of 2010 diabetic patients with (n = 1008) and without (n = 1002) retinopathy, there was no association of the I/D polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy. These data suggest that the ACE I/D polymorphism affects the risk for diabetic nephropathy, but not for diabetic retinopathy.

Alleles↗

Association of distal chromosome 2q with IDDM in Japanese subjects.

An insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-susceptibility gene (IDDM13) has recently been mapped to a region of distal chromosome 2q, which is syntenic to the region of mouse chromosome 1 containing a murine susceptibility gene for IDDM, Idd5. To determine the contribution of this region to IDDM disease susceptibility further and to narrow the region for positional cloning of susceptibility genes, we have studied the association of distal chromosome 2q with IDDM in the genetically distinct Japanese population. A 137 mobility unit (mu) allele at D2S137 locus was significantly associated with IDDM (odds ratio 1.92, p = 0.0016). Other markers, D2S301 and D2S143, located in the same region were not associated with IDDM, indicating that IDDM13 is in linkage disequilibrium with D2S137, but not with D2S301 or D2S143. The association of D2S137 with IDDM was observed in patients lacking one of two high risk HLA alleles, DQBI*0303 and DQBI*0401, but not in patients with either of these alleles. The frequency of high risk HLA alleles was significantly lower in patients with the susceptible allele at D2S137, suggesting that IDDMI3 contributes to IDDM susceptibility in subjects without high risk genotypes at IDDM1. Demonstration of allelic association of D2S137 with IDDM localizes IDDM13 in the close vicinity (<2 centiMorgans) of D2S137, greatly facilitating fine structure mapping and positional cloning of IDDM13.

Adolescent↗

Role of JTT-501, a new insulin sensitiser, in restoring impaired GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes of rats fed a high fat diet.

JTT-501 is an insulin-sensitising compound with an isoxazolidinedione rather than a thiazolidionedione structure. Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high fat diet for 2 weeks were used as an animal model of insulin resistance, and JTT-501 was administered for the final week of the diet. An euglycaemic glucose clamp study showed that the glucose infusion rate (GIR) required to maintain euglycaemia was 57% lower in rats fed a high fat diet than in control rats, and that JTT-501 treatment restored the reduction in GIR produced by the high fat diet. To explain the mechanisms underlying the effects of a high fat diet and JTT-501 treatment, epididymal fat pads were excised and used in the analysis of insulin action. The high fat diet caused: (1) a 58% decrease in insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) content with a 58% decrease in IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation; (2) reductions of 56% and 73% respectively in insulin-induced maximal PI 3-kinase activation in anti-phosphotyrosine and anti-IRS-1 antibody immunoprecipitates; (3) a 46% reduction in the glucose transporter protein, GLUT4 content and, consequently, (4) severely impaired insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane and glucose uptake in adipocytes. JTT-501 treatment restored appreciably the protein content and tyrosine phosphorylation level of IRS-1. Insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activation was also restored in anti-phosphotyrosine and anti-IRS-1 antibody immunoprecipitates. As reflected by these improvements in insulin signalling, JTT-501 treatment improved considerably insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane as well as insulin-induced glucose uptake. However, JTT-501 had no effect on the decrease in GLUT4 content produced by the high fat diet. These observations suggest that JTT-501 enhances insulin signalling and may be effective in reducing insulin resistance.

Adipocytes↗

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha gene and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Japanese population.

Recently, hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha(HNF-1alpha, which is encoded by the TCF1 gene) mutations were reported in a subset of patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY3). We studied the contribution of TCF1 to genetic susceptibility to common non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2) in Japanese subjects by investigating allelic association with type 2 diabetes use of three markers. We also studied the frequency of the G191D mutation, the only mutation of TCF1 reported so far in late-onset type 2 diabetes. A total of 356 subjects were studied. There were no significant differences in allele frequency of the three markers between patients with type 2 diabetes and control subjects. A G191D mutation was not found in the subjects studied, giving a frequency of less than 0.4% in common type 2 diabetes. The lack of association of type 2 diabetes with three markers in and near TCF1 suggests that mutations in TCF1 derived from a limited number of founders are not a major cause of common type 2 diabetes even in the genetically homogeneous Japanese population. The data also indicate that the G191D mutation in TCF1 plays little, if any, role in susceptibility to common type 2 diabetes in the Japanese.

Adult↗

Marginal irregularity of flat elevated type of colorectal tumor as a marker of malignant potential.

BACKGROUND: The malignant potential of superficial elevated type tumors is still controversial. Because biopsy specimens alone are sometimes not sufficient for diagnosis due to histologic heterogeneity within the tumor, other clinical parameters for evaluation of the degree of malignancy would be helpful. METHODS: A new morphometric parameter, the "F-circle," which represents the irregularity of the tumor margin, was studied in 115 endoscopically recognized superficial, flat, elevated type colorectal tumors without a central depressed area with respect to histologic evaluation of the degree of malignancy. RESULTS: The mean F-circle values of adenomatous lesions with mild or moderate atypia, severe atypia, and adenocarcinoma were 0.709+/-0.115, 0.619+/-0.149, and 0.536+/-0.133, respectively. CONCLUSION: The superficial elevated type of colorectal tumor having more marginal irregularity had a greater malignant potential, and the F-circle may be a useful clinical parameter for evaluation of the degree of malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Decreased circulating levels of vitamin K and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in osteopenic elderly men.

Changes in the circulating factors participating in involutional osteoporosis have been intensively investigated in women, but little is known about this in men. We investigated the possible participation of circulating factors including testosterone, vitamin D metabolites, and vitamins K1 and K2 in osteopenia in elderly men. In a group of 27 ambulatory men aged 74 +/- 10 years (mean +/- SD; range, 60 to 90), the bone mineral density (BMD) of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and expressed as a Z score, the age-adjusted BMD value for the Japanese population (mean +/- SD, 0 +/- 1). Although the plasma level of total testosterone significantly decreased with age in the group, it did not significantly correlate with the Z score. However, the plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), phylloquinone, menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and albumin were significantly positively correlated with the Z score. Moreover, plasma 25-OHD and both phylloquinone and MK-7 were significantly positively correlated in the subjects. These observations suggest that depressed circulating levels of 25-OHD and vitamin K concomitantly and cooperatively participate in osteopenia in elderly men, which may reflect the etiology of the type II moiety of involutional osteoporosis.

Aged↗

Central amino acids mediate cardiovascular response to angiotensin II in the rat.

To elucidate the role of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in cardiovascular control through the release of central amino acid neurotransmitters, experiments were performed in Sprague-Dawley (normotensive) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) anesthetized with urethane by using microdialysis sampling from the RVLM for determination of amino acid neurotransmitters. The baseline release of the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter, glutamate (GLU) from the RVLM in SHR was higher and those of the inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters, glycine (GLY), taurine (TAU), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), were lower than in normotensive rats. Microinjection of angiotensin II (ANG II) into the RVLM caused a dose-dependent increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), accompanied by increased release of GLU in the RVLM. In contrast, microinjection of the ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonist CV 11974 into the RVLM reduced MAP and HR, accompanied by increased release of GLY, TAU and GABA. These changes in MAP and HR after administration of ANG II or AT1 antagonist were partially blocked by the use of the corresponding antagonist of each amino acid neurotransmitter. Furthermore, these effects were more prominently seen in SHR than in normotensive rats. These results suggest that the release of amino acid neurotransmitters mediate the cardiovascular effects of the angiotensin system in the RVLM, which may be involved in the generation of hypertension in SHR.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism is associated with increase of left ventricular mass but not with hypertension.

A genetic epidemiologic approach is useful to elucidate the genes responsible for hypertension. Genetic analyses of the components of the renin-angiotensin system have succeeded in showing an association between their polymorphism and hypertension. Recently, two types of angiotensin II receptor were cloned and characterized. To examine the genetic contribution of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and type 2 receptor (AT2) genes in human essential hypertension, a case-control study was performed in Japanese subjects. The study comprised 321 subjects with hypertension who satisfied the criteria for essential hypertension, together with 215 age and sex matched controls. The significance of the differences in genotype distribution between hypertensive and normotensive subjects was examined by chi2 analysis. Neither AT1 nor AT2 gene variants were associated with human essential hypertension in the Japanese subjects. However, the AT1 receptor gene polymorphism was associated with left ventricular mass index in normotensive subjects. The study results suggest that gene polymorphisms of both angiotensin II receptors are not directly involved in the increase of genetic risk for hypertension, but that the AT1 receptor gene might contribute genetically to the increase of left ventricular mass.

Aged↗

No association between alpha-adducin 460 polymorphism and essential hypertension in a Japanese population.

Many unknown genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Recently, the reverse genetic approach revealed that some genetic variants, such as angiotensinogen, lipoprotein lipase, and alpha-adducin gene polymorphisms, increase the risk for hypertension. Both in rat and human, the genetic predisposition to hypertension was confirmed only for angiotensinogen and alpha-adducin genes. Adducin is a membrane cytoskeletal protein, which is thought to regulate sodium transport. Abnormalities of membrane sodium transport in the kidney play an important role in hypertension. A recent report by Cusi et al showed that the Trp allele of alpha-adducin polymorphism (Gly 460 Trp) is associated with an increased risk of hypertension in whites, which led us to carry out a case-control study to examine whether the same association is observed in the Japanese population. We recruited 170 hypertensive and 194 normotensive Japanese subjects and compared the genotype distribution of alpha-adducin 460 polymorphism between cases and controls and between whites and Japanese. Trp allele frequency of controls in the Japanese subjects was twice as high as in the whites. However, no association was observed between alpha-adducin polymorphism and hypertension. Furthermore, alpha-adducin 460 polymorphism was not associated with any clinical characteristics. Accordingly, we concluded that alpha-adducin 460 polymorphism is not a major genetic risk for hypertension in Japanese people.

Alleles↗

In vivo evaluation of in vitro hypothesis using "gain or loss" of function: functional analysis of renin-angiotensin system.

Characterization of the role of components of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in vivo is limited by the difficulty in manipulating these individual components, as well as by methodologic limitations in studying the function of a local RAS in the absence of any contribution by the circulating RAS. In vivo gene transfer technology provides us with the opportunity to study the physiologic responses to in vivo manipulation of the individual components related to hypertension (ie, by overexpression or inhibition) without changes in the circulating system. Using this technology, the importance of each component of RAS in blood pressure regulation has recently been shown. Such an approach may increase our understanding of the biology and pathobiology of the autocrine-paracrine system in hypertension. This review discusses the potential utility of in vivo gene transfer methods.

Animals↗

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism: relation to blood pressure and cerebrovascular disease.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is reported to be associated with an increase in the incidence of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Genetic aberrations in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) may account for reduced enzyme activity and elevated plasma homocysteine level. A recent report revealed that a common mutation (677C to T; Ala to Val) in the MTHFR gene is associated with decreased specific MTHFR activity and with increased risk for coronary artery disease in the homozygous state (Val/Val). In the present study, we investigated whether the MTHFR gene is a genetic risk factor for cerebrovascular disease (CVD). To undertake a case-control study, we selected the patients with cerebral infarction (n = 48) or cerebral hemorrhage (n = 35) and examined the association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and CVD. The genotype distribution of the MTHFR gene was not significantly different between cases and controls. Because the possibility of matching the morbidity of the effects of hypertension, the lack of association could not be excluded in the first study; however, we also examined whether the MTHFR mutation was associated with any clinical risk factor for CVD or with hypertension. It turned out that the subjects with the Val allele of the MTHFR gene had significantly lower blood pressure than the subjects with other genotypes in the general population (P = .02), and that the frequency of the Val/Val genotype in hypertensive subjects (n = 173) was significantly lower than in control subjects (n = 184) (P = .03). From these results, we conclude that the Val/Val homozygous state of the MTHFR gene increased the risk of thrombosis, but reduced the blood pressure, which resulted in the lack of increased risk for CVD.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

Application of fractal kinetics for carrier-mediated transport of drugs across intestinal epithelial membrane.

PURPOSE: Fractal kinetics was used for the analysis of the carrier-mediated transport for drugs across the intestinal epithelial cells. METHODS: The transport was examined under various agitation rates using a monolayer of Caco-2 cells and rabbit ileum sheets. RESULTS: The passive transport of antipyrine across Caco-2 cells was increased with the increasing rate of agitation and was supposed to be caused by a change in the thickness of the unstirred water layer. On the contrary, in the case of L-lactic acid transport, which follows a carrier-mediated transport mechanism, the more the agitation rate controlling the fractal dimension was increased, the more the permeability rate across the Caco-2 cells was decreased. Fractal kinetic analysis of L-lactic acid transport indicated that the permeability was caused by a single saturable process. Similar agitation effects with L-lactic acid transport were observed in the transport of phenylalanine and cephradine in Caco-2 cells. However, the permeability rates of benzoic acid and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose across Caco-2 cells and L-lactic acid transport across the rabbit ileum tissue indicated the maximum levels at a designated agitation rate. This phenomenon was likely to be caused by the agitation effects controlling not only the fractal environment but also the unstirred water layer. CONCLUSIONS: Carrier-mediated transports are well defined by fractal kinetics rather than classical kinetic analysis. Fractal kinetics are one of the important areas for understanding and confirming the properties of a carrier-mediated transport process.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Inhibition of intimal hyperplasia after vein grafting by in vivo transfer of human senescent cell-derived inhibitor-1 gene.

The senescent cell-derived inhibitor (sdi)-1 (p21) protein has been identified as a downstream mediator of the tumor suppressor p53 in the cell cycle regulation. In this study, we focused on the function of sdi-1 gene in inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation after vein grafting in a rabbit model. To test the hypothesis, we transfected human sdi-1 gene by an intra-operative approach. Accompanied by markedly increased sdi-1 protein, the significant increase in PCNA-stained VSMCs in vein grafts was inhibited by transfection of sdi-1 gene. Moreover, at 2 weeks after transfection, transfer of sdi-1 gene resulted in a significant inhibition in neointimal formation, compared with control vector. Of importance, immunohistological studies determining the expression pattern of myosin heavy isoforms, adult type specific SM2 and embryonic specific SMemb/NMHC-B, demonstrated expression of the adult phenotype of VSMCs in the neointima of sdi-1 gene-transfected vein grafts at 2 weeks after the operation, while the neointima was predominantly composed of embryonic phenotype of VSMCs in the control grafts. Overall, these results demonstrate that a single intraluminal incubation of human sdi-1 gene can result in a significant inhibition of neointimal formation after vein grafting, associated with phenotypic change of VSMCs from neonatal to adult type in a rabbit model. Inhibition of hyperplasia in a graft model by transfection of sdi-1 gene may be due to the change in VSMC phenotype from neonatal to adult, in addition to the inhibition of VSMC growth.

Actins↗

Potential role of hepatocyte growth factor in the maintenance of renal structure: anti-apoptotic action of HGF on epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Mesangial cells (MC) are known to secrete various vasoactive substances that may control endothelial and epithelial cell growth. Therefore, the cell-cell interactions among these cells may be important in the control of renal function. However, the exact mechanisms of maintaining the cell-cell interactions are not yet understood. We have focused on the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the regulation of cell-cell interactions, since HGF has many protective functions in the kidney. To investigate the role of HGF in renal injury, we examined (1) the effects of HGF on epithelial injury induced by serum deprivation, and (2) the role of local HGF production in the maintenance of renal structure. METHODS: Apoptotic changes in epithelial cells were assessed by nuclear morphology and DNA fragmentation assay. Transfection of human HGF vector into epithelial cells was performed by a highly efficient viral-liposome method. The effects of secreted HGF on the growth of renal cells were examined using a co-culture system. RESULTS: The addition of recombinant HGF (rHGF) stimulated the growth of rat and porcine epithelial cells. Moreover, the decrease in number of epithelial cells by serum deprivation was significantly attenuated by rHGF. Interestingly, apoptotic changes in epithelial cells induced by serum deprivation were also significantly attenuated by rHGF (P < 0.01). As a model of gene therapy, the effects of overexpression of human HGF gene in epithelial cells on apoptosis induced by serum deprivation were examined. Transfection of human HGF vector into epithelial cells also attenuated epithelial cell death induced by serum deprivation through the inhibition of apoptosis, accompanied by increased HGF production (P < 0.01). In addition, HGF also prevented endothelial injury induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and dexamethasone. Given the presence of a local HGF system, we measured local HGF secreted from renal cells. Immunoreactive HGF was observed in the conditioned medium of MC, but not epithelial cells, while the specific receptor of HGF, c-met, was expressed in epithelial cells. Of importance, co-culture of MC with epithelial cells resulted in a significant increase in number of epithelial cells, which was significantly abolished by neutralizing anti-HGF antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results demonstrate that local production of HGF in MC may maintain the growth of epithelial and endothelial cells through its anti-apoptotic action.

Animals↗

Actions of hepatocyte growth factor as a local modulator in the kidney: potential role in pathogenesis of renal disease.

Endothelial cells are known to secrete various vasoactive substances that may control mesangial cell growth, whereas mesangial cells also secrete various growth factors and cytokines that may regulate endothelial cells. Therefore, it is apparent that cell-cell interactions among renal cells are important in the control of renal function. Indeed, co-culture of endothelial cells with mesangial cells resulted in a significant decrease in mesangial cell growth. However, the exact mechanisms of maintaining the cell-cell interactions are not yet understood. We have focused on the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the regulation of cell-cell interactions, since HGF has been reported to have many organ protective functions in the kidney. Our present data demonstrated that addition of recombinant HGF (rHGF) stimulated DNA synthesis and growth of endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, there was no stimulatory effect of rHGF on the growth of mesangial cells in the time and dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we examined the presence of the local renal HGF system and its potential role in renal disease. The presence of secreted local HGF was observed in the conditioned medium from endothelial and mesangial cells. The presence of HGF mRNA was also detected in endothelial and mesangial cells. Interestingly, the specific receptor of HGF, c-met, was also expressed in both cells. Next, regulation of local HGF secretion was studied under stimulation with rHGF, angiotensin (Ang) II, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Of importance, rHGF significantly stimulated local HGF secretion from mesangial cells by positive feedback. In contrast, TGF-beta significantly decreased HGF secretion in mesangial cells and endothelial cells. Angiotensin II also significantly decreased local HGF production in mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, the effect of local HGF production from mesangial cells was studied using a co-culture system. Co-culture of mesangial cells with endothelial cells resulted in a significant increase in number of endothelial cells, which was abolished by co-incubation with neutralizing anti-HGF antibody. Overall, these results demonstrated the local production of HGF, which has stimulatory effects on growth of endothelial cells, but not mesangial cells. Local HGF secretion from mesangial cells may maintain the growth of endothelial cells. Negative regulation of local HGF production by Ang II and TGF-beta may play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal disease. Taken together, dysfunction of cell-cell regulation in the kidney due to decreased local HGF production may be an initial trigger for the development of renal disease such as glomerulonephritis.

Angiotensin II↗