The transfer of ebiratide into the brain was examined in rats. Its brain levels after intravenous administration (2-20 mg/kg), determined by radioimmunoassay, peaked at 5 min and declined almost in parallel with the plasma levels. Brain/plasma ratios (B/P) were constantly about 0.05 ml/g at all doses. Brain distribution study at 5 min after 125I-ebiratide at an effective dose (0.4 microgram/kg) revealed that unchanged ebiratide had larger B/P than the metabolites and region selectivity. The combined use with unlabeled ebiratide resulted in marked decreases in B/P, particularly in the hippocampus, suggesting a specific uptake of this peptide.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Xenogeneic (pig to rat) fetal liver fragment transplantation using macrocapsules for immunoisolation.

Acute liver failure caused by viral infection, surgical resection of a large part of the liver or by drug use has a high mortality. For its treatment, hepatocyte or liver tissue transplantation is useful. We report here the beneficial effects of xenogeneic fetal liver fragment (FLF) transplantation with an immunoisolation macrocapsule. The macrocapsules were made of a microporous polypropylene membrane. Pig FLFs (1 mL) was inserted into each capsule to serve as a graft in LEW rats. Acute liver failure was induced by 90% liver resection on day 0. Group 1: transplantation of encapsulated FLF into the omentum 2 days before liver resection (n = 17). Group 2: FLF transplantation into the omentum on day -2 (n = 11). Group 3: liver resection (control) (n = 19). The survival rate, the histology of the grafts and the biochemical parameters [blood sugar (BS), GPT, and GOT] were evaluated. The survival rates of groups 1, 2, and 3 on day 7 were 70.6, 0, and 11.1%, respectively. There were significant differences in BS, GPT, and GOT levels between groups 1 and 3 on day 1 (p < 0.05). On day 28, the histological analyses of the grafts of encapsulated FLFs revealed that the hepatocytes appeared viable, but that the haematopoietic cells had degenerated. Xenogeneic FLFs with macrocapsules survived more than 1 mo, and supported the host's liver function.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanism of hyporesponsiveness caused by donor-specific transfusion to allogeneic minor antigens.

Donor-specific transfusion (DST) is one of the methods to prevent allograft rejection, presumably through induction of donor-specific nonresponsiveness in humans and animal models. In this study, we used a skin graft model in fully allogeneic (AKR into B6), H-2 class I-disparate (bm1 into B6), class II-disparate (bm12 into B6), minor-H-disparate (C3H/SW into B6) and whole MHC-disparate (B10.BR into B10) combinations to analyze the mechanisms of DST-induced immunomodulation from the view point of antigen disparity. Skin graft survival was prolonged by DST only in the combination of bm1 and B6 as already confirmed by many reports. In other combinations, skin graft survivals were not prolonged at all by DST but rather shortened. In a fully allogeneic combination between AKR and B6 in which I-E antigens or Mls-1 antigens are recognized by T-cell subsets with TCR Vbeta11 or Vbeta6, respectively, responses to stimulation by anti-Vbeta11 and Vbeta6 monoclonal antibodies were decreased by DST. Furthermore, the number of Vbeta6+ T cells was decreased in the periphery probably due to peripheral clonal deletion. In such a condition, the mixed lymphocyte reactions of B6 to AKR were reduced to some extent, but were clearly detected. In addition, skin allografts from AKR were more rapidly rejected in B6 mice given AKR spleen cells. From these results, DST seems to induce nonresponsiveness to some antigens (I-E antigens, Mls antigens and bm1 antigens in this study), but not to others. Our study also indicated that DST alone, at least in the absence of other treatments, does not contribute to allograft tolerance in fully allogeneic combinations.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of iso and xeno fetal liver fragments transplantation on acute and chronic liver failure in rats.

Isogeneic (rat) and xenogeneic (swine) fetal liver fragments (FLF) transplantation into the omentum was performed for D-galactosamine (D-Gal)-induced acute and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic hepatic failure in rats. The recipients that had iso or xeno FLF showed higher survival rates than the nontransplanted controls on a lethal dose (2.6 g/kg body weight) of D-Gal (survival rates: Iso 70%, Xeno 80%, and control 9.1%). On a sublethal dose (1.0 or 1.2 g/kg) of D-Gal, iso, or xeno FLF caused marked improvement of the values of GPT, GOT, and total bilirubin (T.Bil); at 72 h after D-Gal injection they went significantly lower than those of controls (Iso vs. control; p < 0.01, Xeno vs. control; p < 0.05). Histological examination of the livers revealed severe damage in controls, however, only a slight damage was found in iso or xeno FLF transplanted rats. Iso grafts were fairly well preserved in the omentum at 72 h posttransplants, however, xeno graft had almost changed into a necrotic tissue. CCl4 was administered subcutaneously for 14 wk to induce chronic hepatic failure and then iso FLF were transplanted 3 days after the last CCl4 injection. Iso FLF transplanted rats showed higher improvement of GPT and GOT values at 12 days posttransplants compared with controls (GPT p < 0.01, GOT p < 0.05), although histological improvement was not so remarkable in both group. Iso grafts formed nodules with many hepatocytes in the omentum 12 days posttransplant. The results indicate that iso or xeno FLF transplantation could be an alternative approach for incurable liver insufficiencies.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunological analysis in xenogeneic fetal porcine liver transplantation into a beagle.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: While allogeneic organ transplantation has been performed safely, a major barrier in xenogeneic transplantation is how to inhibit hyperacute rejection. METHODOLOGY: We challenged xenogeneic fetal liver transplantation from pig to dog. The graft was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis on recipient's IgG, IgM and C3. RESULTS: In 1 of 4 cases, the graft escaped hyperacute rejection for about 4 hours after transplantation, however, the recipient died next day due to hemorrhage from the torn capsule of the liver due to the arterial blood pressure of the recipient. Histologically, the parenchyma showed good countenance and no congestion nor hemorrhage was shown in the vessels. On immunohistochemical analysis, canine IgG, IgM and C3 were deposited on the sinusoidal epithelium of the fetal liver more moderately than that of adult control. Fetal porcine liver showed less expression of major histocompatability complex class I antigen than that of the adult one. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that the hyperacute rejection occurred more slowly in xenogeneic fetal liver transplantation than in the adult one due to not only less expression of major histocompatability complex class I, but also lower expression of the epitope recognized by a natural antibody of the recipient.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gallbladder hematoma in a patient with hemophilia B, report of a case.

The authors report the case of a 49-year-old man, hematoma of the gallbladder associated with hemophilia B. The patient was diagnosed incidentally by abdominal computed tomography with a gallbladder tumor. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed negative gallbladder and angiography showed no obvious abnormality in the cystic artery. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass of mixed intensity on T2-weighted image and a mass of mixed intensity on the lining of the gallbladder wall. Hemorrhage in the gallbladder was thought to be most likely, however, the gallbladder tumor could not to be neglected. Cholecystectomy was performed on the patient and the pathological diagnosis was of a hemorrhage in the gallbladder. Hematoma of the gallbladder is a rare complication in patients with hemophilia B, however, it leads sometimes to a fatal course and magnetic resonance imaging is very useful to diagnose hemorrhage in the gallbladder.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Double cystic duct detected by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and confirmed by intraoperative cholangiography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.

A case of double cystic duct with cholecystolithiasis detected by preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and confirmed by intraoperative cholangiography which was treated successfully by laparoscopic surgery is reported. The patient was a 74-year-old woman who complained of abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. On admission, ultrasonography revealed hyperechoic areas accompanied by obscure acoustic shadows in the gallbladder. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed 2 cystic ducts; 1 branched from the common bile duct and the other from the right hepatic duct. After a diagnosis of double cystic ducts, we chose laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative cholangiography via 1 of the cystic ducts revealed the presence of the other. We were able to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy without any complications and the postoperative course was uneventful. This case suggests that preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and intraoperative cholangiography is required to avoid complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidermoid cyst of an intrapancreatic accessory spleen--a case report.

We report an extremely rare case of a splenic epidermoid cyst of the pancreas in a 51-year-old Japanese male with no clinical symptoms. A cystic tumor of the pancreatic tail was detected incidentally by abdominal ultrasonography. The patient was referred to the Gunma University Hospital for further examination of the pancreatic tumor. Upon diagnosis of a benign cystic tumor, a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. Microscopically, the multicystic tumor, which was surrounded by the splenic tissue, was located within the pancreatic tissue. The cysts were lined by non-keratinizing squamous epithelium. The diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst occurring in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen was confirmed. To our knowledge, this is the 4th case ever reported in the English literature.

Choristoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Primary intracranial solitary leptomeningeal glioma: a report of 3 cases.

Primary intracranial solitary leptomeningeal gliomas are exceedingly rare. We, therefore, performed a detailed clinical, radiological and pathological analysis to better characterize these tumors in 3 patients (33- and 72-year-old men and a 72-year-old woman). Two of the tumors were located in the frontal region and 1 in the temporal region. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well circumscribed large lesion (maximal diameter 4 - 6 cm) with peritumoral edema, mixed low- and isosignal intensity on T1-weighted images, hypersignal intensity on T2-weighted images and non-homogeneous contrast enhancement. External carotid angiography demonstrated a vascular supply to these tumors via branches of the middle meningeal artery. Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. The pathological diagnosis was glioblastoma in 2 patients and oligodendroglioma in 1. The MIB-1 nuclear labeling index ranged from 11.8% - 23.6% (mean 18.2%). Local tumor recurrence was documented in 2 patients after 8 and 11 months, respectively. The other patient with glioblastoma developed a metastasis to the femur 39 months after craniotomy. A definitive diagnosis can be made by careful radiological assessment and histopathological examination.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A clinicopathological study of malignant glioma done after local administration of chemotherapeutic agents.

Light and electron microscopic studies on tumor tissue from 5 autopsied and 7 rebiopsied patients with malignant glioma after receiving intratumor administration of anti-neoplastic agents were made. Four patients were correlated with their serial MRI. After craniotomy 0.5 mg of adriamycin was administered using an Ommaya reservoir into the tumor bed. Light microscopy of the recurrent tumor and adjacent necrotic tissue revealed massive coagulation necrosis which was aspirated into the tip of the Ommaya tube. Around the massive coagulation necrosis and cystic cavity, abundant reactive collagenous tissues, gliomesenchymal tissue, infiltrating lymphocytes, and a small amount of foreign body giant cells were found concomitantly with organized necrotic tissue. The electron microscopic study of the above mentioned tissue showed deposits of lipofuscin, lipid droplets, lysosomes in the tissue as well as abundant disintegrated myelin figures and fibrous strands. Furthermore, marked histological necrosis was found mainly at the tip of the Ommaya tube. These morphological findings corresponded to the high signal intensity areas on the gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI. These facts may indicate that the antineoplastic agents administered directly to a tumor per se cause morphological alternations. Moreover, these facts may suggest a therapeutic effect in the residual tumor cells which would be facilitated by formation of coagulation necrosis and collagenous tissue.

Adult↗