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Biomedical subjects

T Shibasaki

Publications and source records attributed to T Shibasaki.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Effect of sodium ion on atrial natriuretic factor release from rat hypothalamic fragments.

The effects of Na ion and choline chloride on the release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF) from rat hypothalamic fragments including the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) were examined in vitro. Although the release of ANF was stimulated by Na ion, choline chloride, and glucose in concentration-dependent manners, the release was more sensitive to a change in concentration of Na ion than to those of choline chloride and glucose. On the other hand, the change in Na ion concentration did not affect the release of GHRF. It can be therefore proposed that Na ion is the first candidate controlling ANF release from the brain tissue and that ANF in the hypothalamus and/or OVLT may play some role in the regulation of the Na ion and water balance in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Antagonistic effect of somatostatin on corticotropin-releasing factor-induced anorexia in the rat.

The effect of somatostatin on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced anorexia was examined in rats. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of 0.11 nmol and 0.21 nmol ovine CRF significantly suppressed food intake of 24 h-starved rats. Icv administration of 0.31 nmol somatostatin 14 and somatostatin 28 partially reversed suppression of food intake induced by icv injection of 0.21 nmol CRF in 24 h-starved rats. These results suggest that somatostatin may counteract the suppressive effect of CRF on food intake within the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Ontogeny of pituitary responsiveness to corticotropin-releasing hormone in rat.

The ontogeny of the pituitary's responsiveness to synthetic rat corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the late prenatal and early postnatal periods of rats was studied by a superfusion system using whole pituitaries. A significant increase of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (IR-beta-Ep) secretion in response to 10(-10) M CRH but not to 10(-11) M CRH was observed in pituitaries from the 15th day of gestation, the earliest day that we tested, whereas 10(-11) M CRH stimulated IR-beta-Ep release from the pituitaries of 17.5-day-old fetuses. Dose-related IR-beta-Ep secretions induced by 10(-12) M to 10(-10) M CRH were observed in pituitaries of 19.5- and 21.5-day-old fetuses, and 1-, 3- and 9-day-old newborn pups. CRH stimulated not only IR-beta-Ep and IR-adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) but also IR-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (IR-alpha-MSH) secretions from fetal pituitaries. The content of IR-CRH in the hypothalamic extract from 15-day-old fetus was 6.6 +/- 3.6 pg/hypothalamus (mean +/- S.E.M.) and it gradually increased to reach 212.7 +/- 20.3 pg/hypothalamus on the 21.5th day of gestation. However, the content of IR-CRH in the hypothalamus dramatically decreased just after birth and then rapidly increased again from the 5th day after birth. These data indicate that the responsiveness of corticotrophs to CRH is already present on the 15th day of gestation, when the content of IR-CRH in the hypothalamus is extremely low and that the amount of hypothalamic IR-CRH dramatically dropped for several days just after birth in rats.

Animals↗

Cation-induced thermostability of yeast and Escherichia coli pyrophosphatases.

Inorganic pyrophosphatases (PPiases) from both yeast and Escherichia coli were found to be stable against heat denaturation in the presence of Mg2+, as previously observed with the enzymes from thermophilic bacteria. No loss of activity was observed after 1 h of incubation at 50 degrees C and pHs between 6 and 9 in the yeast enzyme, and at 60 degrees C and pHs between 7.2 and 9.2 in the E. coli enzyme. Such an induced thermostability of the E. coli enzyme was detected when Mn2+, Co2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ were added in place of Mg2+. On the other hand, the degree of induced thermostability of the yeast enzyme was dependent upon the divalent cations used, and Ni2+ and Cu2+ accelerated the heat inactivation. On adding the divalent cations, the difference spectra of the E. coli enzyme always showed negative peaks in the ultraviolet region, but those of the yeast enzyme changed again depending upon the divalent cations. The circular dichroism spectra in the near ultraviolet region of both enzymes greatly differed from each other, but both were not affected so much by adding the divalent cations unlike the thermophilic enzymes from Bacillus stearothermophilus and thermophilic bacterium PS-3. Yeast and E. coli PPiases did not cross-link with the anti-immunoglobulin G's from the thermophilic enzymes, but the thermophilic enzymes did with each other's antisera. The results in the present study indicated that the conformation of PPiase, in which the aromatic amino acid residues were buried in the interior of the protein molecule, was very important for the thermostability and also that the protein structures of PPiases from B. stearothermophilus and thermophilic bacterium PS-3 were very similar to each other, but were very different from those of the mesophilic enzymes.

Cations, Divalent↗

A reliable method combining horseradish peroxidase histochemistry with immuno-beta-galactosidase staining.

A sensitive combination of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing and immunohistochemistry was used by Rye et al. [J Histochem Cytochem (1984) 32:1145] in a search for the origins of neurotransmitter- and neuromodulator-containing nerve fibers in brain. In this combination, peroxidase as a marker in immunohistochemistry was thought to yield a homogeneous brown immunoreaction product of diaminobenzidine, different from the black granular reaction product of retrogradely transported HRP, which is visualized by the tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) reaction and subsequent stabilization. A neuron that exhibits both kinds of reaction products in its cytoplasm in sections subjected to combination staining is referred to as a double-labeled cell. With a combined HRP and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) immunoperoxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method, the first set of experiments showed "false" double-labeled cells in the pyramidal cell layer of rat cerebral cortex, but only rarely in the subcortical areas, possibly because of the use of one enzyme system in two different histochemical procedures. This limitation of the double-staining technique prompted us to demonstrate an alternate combination of HRP tracing and immunohistochemistry in the second set of experiments by employing two previously described independent enzyme systems: HRP as a retrograde tracer and beta-galactosidase as a marker for immunohistochemical demonstration of CRF. A homogeneous blue reaction product indicated immuno-beta-galactosidase staining, and a granular black or brown reaction product labeled retrogradely transported HRP in double-labeled cells in subcortical regions. Neither double labeling nor "false" double labeling was seen in pyramidal cells of cerebral cortex. These findings suggest that application of two independent enzyme systems in a combined HRP and immunohistochemical method may be useful for investigating in origins of peptidergic fibers in brain when the combination of HRP histochemistry and the PAP method appears to be inappropriate.

Animals↗

[Treatment of delayed brain injury after pituitary irradiation].

Treatment for delayed brain injury after pituitary irradiation is discussed. Six cases with delayed brain injury were treated with a combination of dexamethasone or betamethasone, with heparin, glycerol, dextran 40 and some vasodilators. Two cases with temporal lobe syndrome were treated in the early stages of brain injury for a period of over 12 months were almost completely cured, another two cases with chiasma syndrome were treated in the relatively late stages, showed a partial improvement. One case which was irradiated 120 GY during 13 years did not improve. The final case treated with steroids for a short period also resulted in failure and the patient underwent an operation for the removal of the necrotic mass three years after the radiotherapy. Steroid therapy started in the early stages of brain injury after irradiation for over the 12 months is thought to be effective. Heparin therapy was also effective in one out of three cases, but in one of the cases subarachnoid hemorrhage from a traumatic aneurysm occurred during the therapy. In an acute phase, showing edematous change of the injured brain, the administration of glycerol is also thought to be useful. But the effectiveness of the other medicines containing some vasodilators was obscure or doubtful. We propose the following: (1) A meticulous observation is essential for the patients who received high doses of irradiation to diagnose brain injury in the early reversible stage. (2) Steroids should be given immediately in this reversible stage of brain injury before the irreversible "necrosis" occurs. (3) Steroids should be maintained for a long period over 12 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma↗

Corticotropin-releasing factor-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the rat superior cervical ganglion and their fine structures.

The existence of nerve fibers containing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity (CRFI) in the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) was demonstrated by using immunocytochemistry. They were found to be extrinsic in origin, because no CRFI neurons were seen in the SCG and decentralization resulted in the disappearance of CRFI fibers in the SCG on the operated side. These findings were also confirmed by immunoelectron microscopic analysis; CRFI fibers contained a number of small clear synaptic vesicles but were devoid of large granular and agranular vesicles. These morphological characteristics are identical to those of the preganglionic fibers. The present immunoelectron microscopic analysis revealed that most of the CRFI fibers in the SCG make synaptic contact predominantly with the dendrites of the principal cells, partly with their somas and rarely with a non-CRFI terminal. Thus, the present study provides direct morphological evidence that CRF directly influences the function of the principal cells of the SCG and that CRFI fibers are preganglionic.

Animals↗

Coronary hemodynamics and cardiac beating modulate atrial natriuretic factor release from isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts.

The role of coronary hemodynamics and cardiac beating on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release was studied in the isolated Langendorff-perfused rat heart. ANF release was measured by radioimmunoassay. When the coronary flow rate was changed, ANF release decreased or increased in a flow-dependent manner. When the perfusion pressure was changed, ANF release also increased or decreased, respectively, with concomitant changes in coronary flow rate. Furthermore, perfusion with 50 mM potassium chloride showed immediate cardiac arrest and a decrease of ANF release to an undetectable level with a significant decrease in coronary flow. However, low but readily detectable amounts of ANF were released when coronary flow rate was maintained. These results may suggest that coronary hemodynamics and cardiac beating could be factors modulating ANF secretion from the atrium.

Animals↗

Corticotropin-releasing factor-containing afferents to the inferior colliculus of the rat brain.

Using a modified cobalt-glucose oxidase-diaminobenzidine (Co-GOD) method in a combination of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry, a widespread localization of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactive (CRFI) structures in the rat inferior colliculus (IC), and a CRFI-containing pathway from the subthalamus and the hypothalamus to the IC have been observed. By means of the modified Co-GOD method, CRFI cells were detected in almost all the subdivisions of the IC, including the dorsomedial part of the central nucleus, the ventrolateral part of the central nucleus, the pericentral nucleus and the external nucleus. Neural processes with CRFI were observed in all of the above areas. Following HRP injection into the IC, double-labeled cells which contained a homogeneous brown immunoreaction product of CRF and a granular black reaction product of retrogradely transported HRP were identified in the lateral hypothalamic area (LH), zona incerta (ZI) and perifornical hypothalamic area (PeF). These double-labeled cells provide direct evidence for CRFI projections from the LH, ZI and PeF to the IC. Thus, the present study supports the view that CRF may act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the brain.

Animals↗

Corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain as revealed by a modified cobalt-glucose oxidase-diaminobenzidine method.

A cobalt-glucose-oxidase diaminobenzidine (Co-GOD) method, employing a specific antiserum against rat corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), was applied to determine immunohistochemically a widespread and detailed localization of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity (CRFI) in the rat brain. Besides the CRFI cells in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus that project to the median eminence, CRFI cells were demonstrated in many brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, septal nuclei, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamic nuclei, medial hypothalamic nuclei, lateral hypothalamic area, perifornical area, central gray, cuneiform nucleus, inferior colliculus, raphe nuclei, mesencephalic reticular formation, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, locus coeruleus, parabrachial nuclei, mesencephalic tract of the trigeminal nerve, pontine reticular formation, lateral superior olive, vestibular nuclei, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, lateral reticular nucleus, nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, external cuneate nucleus, inferior olive, and medullary reticular formation. CRFI-reacting neural processes were also detected in these same areas. In particular, the median eminence, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, mesencephalic reticular formation, parabrachial nuclei, and nucleus of the solitary tract contained large numbers of CRFI fibres. The widespread localization of CRFI demonstrated in the present study strongly suggests that CRF, like many other neurohormones and peptides, may act as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in numerous extrahypothalamic circuits, as well as participate in neuroendocrine regulation.

3,3'-Diaminobenzidine↗

Urotensin I-like immunoreactivity in amacrine cells of the goldfish retina.

Urotensin I-like immunoreactivity (UILI), in different localization from that of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity (CRFLI), in the goldfish retina has been demonstrated by means of radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and immunohistochemistry. Radioimmunoassay showed 350 +/- 40 pg/mg prot. of UILI in goldfish retina extracts. The immunoreactive material present in the retina was also characterized by reversed phase HPLC. Some of the UILI co-eluted with synthetic carp UI, though the HPLC experiments suggested the existence of other UILI substance(s) with less hydrophobicity than synthetic UI. By immunohistochemistry, UILI and CRFLI were seen in different amacrine cells of the goldfish retina. It is suggested that UI may be involved in the fish visual transmission system together with CRF and other neuropeptides.

Animals↗

Intragranular colocalization of arginine vasopressin and methionine-enkephalin-octapeptide in CRF-axons in the rat median eminence.

Ultrastructural appearances of axonal terminals containing corticoliberin (CRF) were examined in the rat median eminence prepared by a freeze-drying procedure. Immunolabeling was performed by using 5-, 8-, or 15-nm gold-antibody complexes for CRF, arginine vasopressin (VP) and methionine-enkephalin-octapeptide (Enk-8), singly or in combination. In intact animals, the CRF-containing secretory granules were only slightly labeled with gold-anti-VP or -Enk-8. In adrenalectomized rats, granules within single axons appeared to be labeled with all the immunogold complexes. This intragranular colocalization of the three antigens was confirmed by using three neighboring sections of the same axon terminals which were stained separately with each one of the antibodies and visualized with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The granules labeled for CRF had decreased 9 days after adrenalectomy but had increased again by day 21, while those labeled for VP steadily increased after adrenalectomy. However, this did not correspond with the appearances of cell bodies in the paraventricular nucleus; the cell bodies labeled for both CRF and VP steadily increased in number and in stainability. By contrast, Enk-8 immunoreactivity in the axonal terminals and cell bodies was not affected by adrenalectomy. These findings suggest that although the three peptides could be released simultaneously from the axonal terminals, VP may play some special role in the expression of CRF activity.

Adrenalectomy↗

Traumatic giant aneurysm of the external carotid artery.

Because the main trunks of the external carotid artery and maxillary artery are well protected from blunt trauma and superficial penetrating wounds through their course, traumatic aneurysms on these arteries are extremely rare. A 75-year-old woman had struck her occipital region against a door but there was no trauma to the mandibuloauricular region. After 1 month, she noticed a pulsatile mass below her right auricle. At operation an aneurysm was found to be located just distal to the origin of the maxillary artery.

Aged↗

Effects of adrenergic blockers on corticotropin-releasing factor-induced behavioral changes in rats.

The effects of adrenoreceptor blocking agents on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced behavioral changes in rats were examined. The i.c.v. injection of 1 micrograms ovine CRF significantly increased the grooming frequency, number of occurrences of rearing and total distance moved. I.c.v. administered phentolamine at a dose of 10 nmol completely suppressed the increase in rearing and total distance moved induced by CRF without affecting the grooming frequency, whereas 100 nmol phentolamine significantly decreased the grooming frequency as well as the rearing and total distance moved. In contrast, propranolol reduced the increase in rearing induced by CRF only at a dose which induced ataxia in rats. The increases in rearing and total distance moved induced by CRF were reduced by 10 nmol of yohimbine and 100 nmol of prazosin. S.c. injection of caffeine (10 mg/kg) produced a significant increase in grooming frequency, rearing, and total movement. Administration of 10 nmol phentolamine and yohimbine did not affect these behavioral changes induced by caffeine, while 100 nmol prazosin suppressed them. Therefore, prazosin depressed the behavior of rats non-specifically. These results suggest that CRF-induced behavioral hyperactivity is mediated at least in part by alpha-noradrenergic, mainly alpha 2-noradrenergic, systems in the brain.

Animals↗

Conductance and kinetics of delayed rectifier potassium channels in nodal cells of the rabbit heart.

1. The delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) of single pace-maker cells from the sino-atrial node and the atrioventricular node of the rabbit heart was investigated using the whole-cell and cell-attached configurations of the patch-clamp technique. 2. The activation kinetics of the macroscopic IK were not altered by varying the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) between 5.4 and 150 mM. The amplitude of the tail current of IK, however, was about 10-fold larger at a [K+]o of 150 mM than that at a [K+]o of 5.4 mM. 3. By using a high-[K+]o solution, inward single-channel currents were observed on repolarization from potentials positive to -40 mV. The current-voltage (I-V) relation was linear over the negative potential range and the reversal potential estimated by extrapolating the I-V curve was shifted by about 60 mV for a 10-fold increase in [K+]o, indicating that the channel was highly selective for K+. 4. The single-channel conductance was 11.1 pS at a [K+]o of 150 mM and varied in proportion to the square root of [K+]o. The total number of channels was estimated as approximately 1000 per cell (0.7/micron 2). On repolarization, the averaged single-channel current disappeared with a time constant similar to that of the macroscopic tail current of IK. 5. At potentials between -50 and -100 mV, the open and closed times of the single channel fitted well with single-exponential and biexponential distributions, respectively. As the membrane was progressively depolarized, the open time was shortened while the closed time was prolonged, suggesting a decrease of open probability. These changes were in the opposite direction to those expected from the delayed rectifier K+ current which progressively increases in magnitude at more positive potentials. 6. At the beginning of the macroscopic tail current, a transient increase of the inward current was found to precede the time-dependent decrease. This rapid initial change can be attributed to a quick removal of inactivation of IK which had occurred during the depolarizing pulse. This inactivation gate of the channel has very fast kinetics and could be responsible for the inward-going rectification observed in the 'fully activated' IK.

Action Potentials↗

Improved fixation and cobalt-glucose oxidase-diaminobenzidine intensification for immunohistochemical demonstration of corticotropin-releasing factor in rat brain.

An optimal fixation method and intensification procedure may be required in brain immunohistochemistry to obtain intense and widespread staining for a specific antigen, in cases where ordinary fixation and conventional immunohistochemistry result in only partial demonstration of the antigen. In the present study of localization of corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactivity (CRFI) in rat brain, the importance of such intensification is shown. We describe a fixation procedure in which perfusion of rat brain with Bouin's solution is followed by a PBS wash and a further perfusion with either Zamboni's fluid or 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), for subsequent investigation of the detailed localization of CRFI in cerebral cortex and subcortical structures. The cobalt-glucose oxidase-diaminobenzidine (Co-GOD) intensification method has been modified to increase the sensitivity of immunostaining by reducing the concentration of glucose oxidase, which is added to the final incubation solution as a generator of hydrogen peroxide. The use of cobalt acetate instead of cobalt chloride appears to slightly suppress background staining in the Co-GOD method. Combination of the two modified procedures was applied to visualize intense and widespread CRFI in a variety of rat brain regions, including median eminence, cerebral cortex, and central amygdaloid nucleus.

3,3'-Diaminobenzidine↗