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T Ogihara

Publications and source records attributed to T Ogihara.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNAS encoding rat aldosterone synthase: variants of cytochrome P-450(11 beta).

Two distinct forms of cDNA encoding rat aldosterone synthase were cloned from an adrenal capsular tissue cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequences showed that one of the enzymes (P-450(11 beta),aldo-1) had a long extension peptide composed of 34 amino acid residues while the other (P-450(11 beta),aldo-2) had an extension peptide identical to that of rat P-450(11 beta). Glu at the 320th position of P-450(11 beta),aldo-1 was replaced with Lys in P-450(11 beta),aldo-2. The amino acid sequence of the aldosterone synthase was highly homologous (81%) to rat P-450(11 beta). Constructed expression vector containing the cDNA for extension peptide of P-450(11 beta) and the mature protein of P-450(11 beta),aldo-1 was transfected into COS-7 cells. The cells converted 11-deoxycorticosterone into corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone, and aldosterone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression of synthesis and release of glucagon by glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36 amide) without affect on mRNA level in isolated rat islets.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been reported to inhibit glucagon release. To investigate the mechanism involved, we examined the effects of GLP-1 on the preproglucagon mRNA level and the content and release of glucagon in the isolated rat islets. Arginine significantly increased the content and release of glucagon after incubation for 1 h or 18 h. The preproglucagon mRNA level was not increased after incubation for 1 h but was increased after incubation for 18 h. GLP-1 (7-36 amide) significantly decreased the content and release of glucagon after incubation for 1 h or 18 h, but did not affect arginine-induced increase in the preproglucagon mRNA level after incubation for 18 h. These data suggest that GLP-1 suppresses post-transcriptional processes in the content and release of glucagon.

Animals↗

[A case of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa associated with dwarfism with special reference to pathophysiological role of growth hormone].

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of disorders whose common primary feature is the formation of blisters following trivial trauma. Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a subtype of epidermolysis bullosa, is frequently associated with growth retardation. This growth retardation has been reported to be caused by trophopathy following protein loss through skin lesions. Endocrine disorders as the cause of growth retardation in RDEB have not been clearly described. An 11-year-old female had a typical RDEB with dwarfism. Her height was 125 cm and weight was 21 kg, both of which were 2.5 SD below the average. The skin lesions were generalized and probably caused by undernourishment, infection, and blood loss through the skin. However, her serum albumin was at the lower normal limit, and the rapid turnover proteins were slightly decreased. Endocrinological examinations revealed that all the basal levels of pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal hormones were normal. Results of the exercise test, the insulin tolerance test, and the growth hormone-releasing factor test indicated the presence of hypothalamic disorder in secretion of growth hormone. This is the first report of RDEB in which hypothalamic disorder in growth hormone secretion was investigated. On the other hand, growth hormone is known to be involved in collagen metabolism, and a decrease in collagen fibrils and an increase in collagenase activities are found in the skin of RDEB. This implies that this hypothalamic disorder in growth hormone secretion may be involved in the pathophysiology of both dwarfism and the skin lesions in RDEB.

Child↗

Characterization of immunoreactive brain natriuretic peptide in human cardiac atrium.

Based on cDNA sequence data for human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) precursor (1), a radioimmunoassay (RIA) system highly specific to human BNP (hBNP) was developed and used to characterize immunoreactive (ir-) hBNP in cardiac atrium. Gel filtration of ir-hBNP in atrium indicated that ir-hBNP was mainly comprised of two molecular forms of 13-15K and 4K. In reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the low molecular weight (MW) ir-hBNP emerged as a single peak at an elution time identical to that of synthetic hBNP-32. The high MW ir-hBNP was also eluted as a single peak. On the other hand, tissue concentrations of ir-hBNP in cardiac atria were found to be 9.98-593.22 pmol/g in 13 specimens, being about 1/150 the concentration of ir-human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP). These results demonstrate that hBNP is present as a peptide in human heart, suggesting that hBNP is secreted from heart and functions together with hANP as a hormone.

Adult↗

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the syntheses of DNA and glycosaminoglycans by rat aortic smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Studies were made on the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] on the syntheses of DNA and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) by rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) in vitro. DNA synthesis in cell cultures without fetal calf serum (FCS) was stimulated by incubation for 24 hr with 1,25-(OH)2D3 at concentrations of more than 10(-12) M, stimulation being maximal at a concentration of 10(-8) M. On the other hand, GAG synthesis was inhibited dose-dependently by 1,25-(OH)2D3 at concentrations of more than 10(-11) M. Other vitamin D3 metabolites had similar, but weaker effects on the syntheses of DNA and GAG by SMC, which were proportional to their affinities for the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor. These effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 were not seen after short-term incubation (1 hr). These findings suggested that 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated the proliferation of SMC independent of growth factors in FCS, and that its effects were dependent on its specific receptor. Excess 1,25-(OH)2D3 might cause arteriosclerosis not only by stimulating proliferation but also by suppressing GAG synthesis.

Animals↗

Effect of cyclosporin A on aldosterone production by dispersed rabbit adreno-capsular cells.

The effect of cyclosporin A on aldosterone production by dispersed adreno-capsular cells from rabbit was examined. Cyclosporin A significantly stimulated aldosterone production at concentrations of 10(-7) M and 10(-6) M. The maximum stimulation of aldosterone production by cyclosporin A (at 10(-6) M) was comparable to that by angiotensin II at 10(-8) M). This stimulating effect of cyclosporin A on aldosterone production was not accompanied by an increase in cyclic AMP production, and was not inhibited by a calcium-channel blocker, nicardipine. These results suggest that the aldosterone-stimulating action of cyclosporin A at these concentrations is not mediated by a known second messenger system such as channel-linked Ca2+ inflow or cyclic AMP.

Adrenal Glands↗

Aspartic acid at position 57 of the HLA-DQ beta chain is not protective against insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Japanese people.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Caucasians is closely associated with the HLA-DQ gene, especially the residue 57 of the DQ beta chain. Aspartic acid at this position provides protection against IDDM, and substitution of this residue by alanine, valine or serine increases susceptibility to IDDM. To determine whether this is a common feature of IDDM in different ethnic groups, we studied DQB1 DNA in Japanese patients with IDDM by polymerase chain reaction and non-radioactive restriction site analysis. In contrast to Caucasian patients with IDDM, most Japanese patients with IDDM possessed at least one aspartic acid at position 57 of DQ beta. This finding strongly suggests that aspartic acid at position 57 of DQ beta does not protect the Japanese from IDDM.

Amino Acids↗

Inverse relation between severity of psoriasis and serum 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D level.

The serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphate, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were measured in 34 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and compared with the severity of skin lesions. Severity of psoriasis was evaluated by three indices, the area-severity index (ASI), the area index (AI) and the severity index (SI), determined as the product of the area and severity, the area, and the severity of the individual skin lesions, respectively. The mean basal levels of these serum parameters were within the normal range. ASI and SI showed significant inverse correlations (r = -0.387, P less than 0.05 and r = -0.638, P less than 0.01, respectively) with the serum level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, but not with any other serum parameters, but AI was not correlated with any of these serum parameters. These data suggest that psoriatic patients are not deficient in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, but that development of this skin disease may be related to a slightly decreased level of active metabolites of vitamin D or abnormalities in the responsiveness of the skin cells to them.

Adolescent↗

Differential blood pressure responses to oral and central salt administration in two substrains of Dahl rats.

Studies were made on whether oral or intraventricular (icv) NaCl had different effects on the blood pressure (BP) of Dahl rats. Five groups of each strain of Dahl rats, salt-sensitive (S) and salt-resistant (R) rats, were given, respectively, a diet containing 0.3% and icv infusion of 0.15 mol/L NaCl (group 1, control group) or 0.8 mol/L NaCl (group 2), a diet containing 8% NaCl and icv infusion of 0.15 mol/L (group 3) or 0.8 mol/L NaCl (group 4) for 12 days, or an 8% NaCl diet and icv infusion of 5% glucose (group 5). The icv infusions were made into the third cerebral ventricle with an osmotic minipump. In the control group of S rats (group 1) the BP was 120 +/- 4 mm Hg, whereas the BP in groups 3, 4 and 5 were 154 +/- 4, 161 +/- 5 and 153 +/- 3 mm Hg, respectively, and that in group 2 was 142 +/- 3 mm Hg on day 12. In the R rat, group 2 and group 4 showed a significant increase in BP over that of the control group. Multivariate analysis (quantification I) of these data confirmed that the BP of S rats was more sensitive to oral salt loading and that of the R rat was more strongly influenced by central salt administration. These results indicate that the two substrains of Dahl rats show different BP responses to oral and central administrations of NaCl.

Animals↗

Blood pressure response to dietary calcium intervention in humans.

Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that dietary calcium deficiency may lead to the development of hypertension. This article reviews findings in human trials on calcium intervention with special reference to the responses of blood pressure and biochemical variables. Calcium supplementation consistently resulted in decreased blood pressure in a subset of hypertensive and normotensive subjects, but led to increased blood pressure in some hypertensive patients. The variable blood pressure responses to calcium supplementation could not be predicted on the basis of routine biochemical parameters and appeared to be due to differences in the backgrounds of the subjects and/or the design and size of the trials. It is concluded that further studies are required on the hypotensive effect of calcium supplementation.

Blood Pressure↗

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha on the mobilization of cytosolic free calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells and on the tension of aortic strips from rats.

The possible mechanism of action of prostaglandin F2 alpha on vascular smooth muscle was investigated. Prostaglandin F2 alpha induced sustained tonic vasoconstriction of rat aortic strips, accompanied by rapid increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in the vascular smooth muscle cells. Prostaglandin F2 alpha also evoked rapid increase in production of inositol 1,4,5,-trisphosphate (Ins-P3). Moreover, it increased release of Ca2+ from nonmitochondrial pools in digitonin-permeabilized vascular smooth muscle cells, although this effect was much weaker than that of Ins-P3. These results suggest that the sustained action of prostaglandin F2 alpha may involve not only a rise in [Ca2+]i mediated by Ins-P3, but also a direct stimulation of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

Animals↗

Autoimmune neutropenia with anti-neutrophil autoantibody associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

A 74-year-old man developed neutropenia in association with Sjögren's syndrome. The peripheral neutrophils in his blood decreased to 210/mm3 (total white blood cell count 2,100/mm3). Bone marrow examination showed an increase in the number of neutrophil precursors. The presence of anti-neutrophil autoantibody (ANAB) in his plasma was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prednisolone therapy resulted in an increase in the neutrophil count and a decrease in the ANAB titer. However, when the daily dose of prednisolone was decreased, the neutrophil count gradually decreased, and the ANAB titer increased again. These results suggest that neutropenia in this patient was caused by ANAB, and ANAB could be the result of autoimmune disorders associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Aged↗

Protective effect of PGD2 against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

The protective effect of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in ethanol-, HCl-, or NaCl-induced gastric mucosal injury was investigated. To clarify the mechanism, the gastric mucosal hemodynamics were also investigated using reflectance spectrophotometry and laser Doppler flowmetry in anesthetized rats. PGD2 administered orally significantly reduced the ethanol-induced mucosal injury. Although it did not reach any significance, PGD2 also reduced 0.6 N HCl-induced mucosal damage, and slightly reduced 25% NaCl-induced mucosal damage. Topical application of PGD2 did not affect gastric mucosal hemodynamics at steady state before the administration of necrotizing agent. However, PGD2 significantly improved the gastric mucosal microcirculatory congestion caused by ethanol, and partly improved 0.6 N HCl-induced ischemia. However, it did not improve the 25% NaCl-induced mucosal congestion. The results indicated that PGD2 had a protective effect in the ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury through the improvement of gastric mucosal microcirculation. However, further investigations are needed to clarify the precise effect of PGD2 in 0.6 N HCl- or 25% NaCl-induced mucosal damage.

Animals↗

Glucose and lipid metabolism during long-term lisinopril therapy in hypertensive patients.

The effects of long-term lisinopril therapy on glucose tolerance and serum lipid profiles were investigated prospectively in 30 hypertensive patients: 15 with normal glucose tolerance and the remaining 15 with glucose intolerance. The levels of plasma glucose, serum lipids, and plasma glycosylated hemoglobin A1c were determined before and during long-term (6 months) therapy with lisinopril. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed before and during long-term lisinopril therapy. Lisinopril produced significant falls in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both patient groups during the long-term therapy. Neither fasting nor post-glucose-load venous plasma glucose levels were altered in either group of patients, and no patients with normal glucose tolerance developed diabetes mellitus during the study. There was no significant change in the insulinogenic index (delta IRI/delta BS at 30 min post-glucose load) in both patient groups. No significant changes in fasting levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol were observed in either group during long-term lisinopril therapy. Long-term lisinopril therapy does not compromise glucose or lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients. Lisinopril may have an advantage as an antihypertensive agent that can be given to hypertensive patients without concern that it might alter their serum lipid concentrations or impair glucose tolerance.

Adult↗

Effects of chronic converting enzyme inhibition on the vascular renin-angiotensin system.

1. The effects of chronic oral administration of inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) on the vascular renin-angiotensin system were studied. 2. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally with five ACE inhibitors, captopril, enalapril, ramipril, cilazapril and CS-622 (10 mg/kg per day), for periods of 1-2 weeks. Their mesenteric arteries were then isolated and perfused in vitro with Krebs'-Ringer solution, and the angiotensin II (AII) released into the perfusate was measured under unstimulated and isoproterenol-stimulated conditions. The vascular renin activity was also determined after treatments with ACE inhibitors. 3. Treatment with captopril for 1 week suppressed the isoproterenol-stimulated increase in AII release, but had little effect on the baseline release. Oral treatment with captopril for 2 weeks or with other ACE inhibitors for 1 week markedly inhibited both the unstimulated and stimulated release of AII from the mesenteric vasculature. 4. Both the vascular renin activity and the plasma renin activity increased on captopril treatment, but their changes with time were different. 5. These results indicate that virtually complete inhibition of the vascular renin-angiotensin system can be achieved after prolonged treatment with ACE inhibitors, and suggest that the chronic antihypertensive action of ACE inhibitors is not solely due to inhibition of the plasma renin-angiotensin system.

Administration, Oral↗

Haemodynamic effect of endothelin, a novel potent vasoconstrictor in dogs.

1. The effects of endothelin (40 and 400 pmol/kg, intravenous (i.v.), a novel vasoconstrictor, on haemodynamics were evaluated in normal dogs and dogs treated with hexamethonium. 2. The lower dose of endothelin caused no significant changes in mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), or total peripheral resistance (TPR) in normal dogs. In dogs treated with hexamethonium MBP decreased transiently associated with decrease in TPR. 3. In both dogs, the higher dose of endothelin caused MBP increase with CO increase in an early phase, and with TPR increase in a later phase. In normal dogs, the CO decreased 60 min after endothelin, but in dogs treated with hexamethonium the decrease in CO was not significant. 4. Electrocardiograms showed ST changes and arrhythmias. 5. Thus, endothelin has dual effects on both the vasculature and the heart, its effect depending on its dose and the time after its administration: initial vasodilation followed by prolonged vasoconstriction, and cardiostimulation followed by cardiosuppression. The cardiosuppression appears to be mediated in part by a neural mechanism.

Animals↗