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Biomedical subjects

T Takayanagi

Publications and source records attributed to T Takayanagi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules in patients with inflammatory myopathies].

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured by ELISA in patients with 18 inflammatory myopathies as well as 23 healthy controls. Both serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were elevated in patients with active polymyositis. Serum sVCAM-1 levels were elevated in the active stage of dermatomyositis, while sICAM-1 levels were elevated only in patients with dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial pneumonia. In paired serum samples before and after prednisolone therapy, elevated serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels decreased in patients responding well to steroid therapy without complications. These findings suggested that soluble adhesion molecules reflect as the clinical activity of inflammatory myopathies.

Adolescent↗

An intergenerational contraction of the CTG repeat in Japanese myotonic dystrophy.

We present the first report of a Japanese family with myotonic dystrophy (DM) that showed an intergenerational contraction of the CTG repeat. The size of the expanded CTG repeats was 3.2 kb for the father and 2.2 kb for the daughter, indicating that the expansion decreased during transmission from the father to the daughter. Despite the CTG repeat contraction, the daughter showed earlier age of onset than the father. However, she appeared to be less severely affected than the father. We discuss the correlation between the CTG repeat contraction and the clinical phenotype. The presence of the CTG repeat contraction in Japanese DM is important for genetic counseling of Japanese DM families.

Adult↗

The relationship between trinucleotide repeat length and phenotypic variation in Machado-Joseph disease.

Trinucleotide repeat expansion in the Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) gene has been found in 26 patients from 20 unrelated Japanese families. Expanded alleles had 68 to 84 repeats, whereas normal alleles had 14 to 37 repeats. The age of onset was inversely correlated with the repeat length. To evaluate in detail the relationship between the repeat length and clinical features, we subdivided the 26 patients into three groups on the basis of the repeat length (group 1, 78 repeats or more; group 2, 74 to 77 repeats; group 3, 73 repeats or less). Group 1 and group 2 had common features of spasticity, hyperreflexia, Babinski sign, bulging eyes, facial myokymia and extrapyramidal signs as well as cerebellar ataxia and ophthalmoplegia. It should be noted that group 1 showed more prominent pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs than group 2. In contrast, group 3 showed hypotonia, hyporeflexia and sensory disturbance in addition to cerebellar ataxia and ophthalmoplegia. These findings suggest that the repeat length plays an important role in phenotypic variation. DNA analysis for the MJD mutation was clearly useful for making an accurate diagnosis in patients without bulging eyes, facial myokymia, dystonia or marked spasticity.

Adult↗

The role of fibroblast growth factor-2 in the vascular effects of interleukin-1 beta in porcine coronary arteries in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: We recently demonstrated that chronic treatment with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), a major inflammatory cytokine found in atherosclerotic lesions, induces coronary arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine in pigs in vivo and that those responses are partially mediated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This study was designed to examine, first, whether the effects of IL-1 beta are also partially mediated by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), which is another important growth factor in atherosclerotic lesions, and, secondly, whether chronic treatment with FGF-2 per se also induces histological and functional changes in porcine coronary arteries in vivo. METHODS: Porcine coronary arteries were aseptically wrapped with cotton mesh absorbing IL-1 beta with or without neutralizing antibody to FGF-2. In a separate series of experiments porcine coronary arteries were chronically treated with FGF-2 itself in the same manner. Coronary vascular responses in vivo and histological changes were examined 2 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: Coronary vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine and neointimal formation were induced at the site of the coronary artery where IL-1 beta was chronically and locally applied. These responses were significantly suppressed by co-treatment with a neutralizing antibody to FGF-2 but not by that with non-immune IgG. Immunostaining revealed the presence of FGF-2 in the endothelial cells, the thickened intima and the media at the IL-1 beta-treated site. Furthermore, chronic treatment with FGF-2 also induced coronary vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine and neointimal formation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the vascular effects of IL-1 beta may also be mediated by FGF-2 in our swine model and that chronic treatment with FGF-2 also causes coronary arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses in vivo.

Animals↗

[The relationship between muscle pathology and DM kinase abnormalities in patients with dystrophia myotonica].

We studied the relationship between muscle pathology and the number of trinucleotide (CTG) repeats observed in lymphocytes and biopsied muscle tissues from patients with dystrophia myotonica (DM). The diameter of type 1 muscle fibers was smaller than that of type 2 fibers in all patients. The diameter and proportion of each muscle fiber type were related to the patient's age, but not to the number of trinucleotide (CTG) repeats of DM kinase in biopsied muscles. On the other hand, the proportion of type 1 fibers with central nuclei was closely related to the number of trinucleotide (CTG) repeats in muscles. These findings suggest that DM kinase abnormalities influence the muscle nuclei, and increase the number of central nuclei.

Adult↗

[Sympathetic skin responses in the face by magnetic stimulation of the neck].

We studied the sympathetic skin responses (SSRs) in the face with magnetic stimulation of the neck, in 10 normal healthy subjects. The SSRs were recorded with surface electrodes placed on the forehead, the lower eyelid, the apex nasi, two points of cheek (one is near the ear, and another is near the mouth), the upper lip, and the lower jaw. Reproducible SSRs were obtained easily at the forehead and the upper lip compared to the other parts of the face. The SSRs on the forehead and upper lip were constantly evoked after drinking of hot water. Mean latencies are 0.98 +/- 0.22 sec. (mean +/- 1SD) at the forehead, and 0.89 +/- 0.12 sec. (mean +/- 1SD) at the upper lip. In the cervical sympathetic pathway, one part of postganglionic fibers runs along the internal carotid artery to innervate the eyelids and forehead, whereas another part runs along the external carotid artery to innervate other parts of the face. It suggests that the forehead and the upper lip are representative parts of those different innervations SSRs in the forehead and the upper lip could be useful for evaluating the sympathetic function of the face in various diseases.

Adult↗

Chronic inhibition of endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthesis causes coronary microvascular structural changes and hyperreactivity to serotonin in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is believed to regulate myocardial perfusion and structural changes in the vascular wall. Our objective was to determine whether chronic inhibition of NO synthesis causes structural and functional changes in coronary arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: Coronary vasomotor response was studied in pigs before and after chronic oral administration of the NO synthesis antagonist N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 30 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 2 weeks. Chronic L-NAME treatment increased (P < .01) arterial pressure but did not alter baseline coronary blood flow (CBF), epicardial coronary diameter, or heart rate. Chronic L-NAME treatment augmented (P < .01) the decrease in CBF in response to intracoronary serotonin (30 micrograms/kg) from 5 +/- 14% to 40 +/- 5% but did not alter the CBF response to prostaglandin F2 alpha. The serotonin-induced decrease in CBF after acute L-NAME administration was still less before (1.3 +/- 0.4%) than after chronic L-NAME treatment (51 +/- 6%). Chronic L-NAME treatment attenuated the increase in CBF with bradykinin (100 ng/kg) but did not alter the CBF response to nitroglycerin (10 micrograms/kg). Compared with intact pigs without L-NAME treatment, L-NAME-treated pigs had significant thickening of the media in the microvessels (diameter, < 300 microns) but not in the large epicardial vessels. Chronic intracoronary infusion of L-NAME at 3 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 2 weeks, which did not produce arterial hypertension, caused similar microvascular medial thickening. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that chronic administration of L-NAME caused coronary microvascular structural changes and hyperreactivity to serotonin in pigs in vivo, suggesting an important role of defective NO synthesis in coronary microvascular disorders.

Animals↗

Glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, attenuates metabolic coronary vasodilatation induced by pacing tachycardia in dogs.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that glibenclamide (a selective inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels [K+ATP channels]) inhibited metabolic coronary vasodilatation induced by beta 1-adrenoceptor stimulation. However, the role of K+ATP channels in metabolic coronary vasodilatation induced by tachycardia is still unknown. This study aimed to determine whether glibenclamide attenuates metabolic coronary vasodilatation induced by pacing-induced tachycardia. METHODS AND RESULTS: In anesthetized dogs, increasing heart rate from 103 +/- 1 to 160 beats per minute with atrial pacing increased coronary blood flow without altering arterial pressure and left ventricular pressure. Intracoronary infusion of glibenclamide at 1.5 and 5.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 did not alter basal coronary blood flow but significantly attenuated (P < .01) the tachycardia-induced coronary vasodilatation without altering the tachycardia-induced increase in myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). In conscious dogs, intracoronary glibenclamide at 5.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 attenuated (P < .05) coronary vasodilatation induced by ventricular pacing from 85 +/- 6 to 150 beats per minute. Glibenclamide markedly attenuated coronary vasodilation evoked with the K+ATP channel opener pinacidil. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that blockade of coronary vascular K+ATP channels with glibenclamide inhibited metabolic coronary vasodilatation induced by pacing tachycardia in dogs, suggesting that K+ATP channels are involved in the mechanism mediating metabolic coronary vasodilatation associated with pacing tachycardia.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Central motor reorganization after anastomosis of the musculocutaneous and intercostal nerves following cervical root avulsion.

In 4 patients with a complete upper limb palsy due to traumatic cervical root avulsion, surgical anastomosis of intercostal to musculocutaneous nerves was performed to restore function in the biceps brachii muscle. Four to 6 months after the operation, motor unit discharges were recorded from the biceps muscle on the operated side during deep breathing and by cortical magnetic stimulation. The motor unit discharges became independent from respirations gradually over 1 to 2 years. The latencies of the motor potentials evoked by cortical and thoracic root magnetic stimulation decreased gradually over 2 to 3 years. Motor cortex mapping of the reinnervated biceps muscle showed a gradual change over 4 to 33 months from the area of the intercostal muscles to that of the arm area, which was more lateral on the motor cortex. These findings suggest that reorganization of the motor cortex to arm flexor muscles occurs following peripheral nerve anastomosis.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Production of minor lymphocyte stimulatory-1a antigens from T cell subsets.

T cell subsets that produce minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls) antigens were analyzed using mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in vitro or clonal elimination assay in vivo. When lymph node T cells from B10.BR(Mls-1b) mice were stimulated with various T cell subsets from AKR (Mls-1a) mice in the presence of B10.BR antigen presenting cells (APC), proportions of Mls-1a reactive T cell blasts (V beta 6+, V beta 8.1+) increased. The stimulatory potency of CD8+ T cells was higher than that of CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, among either CD8+ or CD4+ T cell subset, CD44+ T cells appeared to produce larger amounts of Mls-1a antigens than CD44- T cells. More marked difference was demonstrated, when stimulator AKR T cells were being activated by immobilized anti-T cell antigen receptor (TCR) antibody during MLR. Thus, AKR T cells appeared to produce large amounts of Mls-1a antigens on appropriate stimulations. These findings were confirmed by the semiquantitative analysis of mRNA levels of MTV-7 in the AKR T cell subsets. When CD8+CD44+ T cells from (AKR x B10.BR)F1 mice were injected intravenously into [B10.BR-->B10.BR] syngeneic bone marrow (BM) chimeras 1 week after BM reconstitution and proportions of V beta 6+ T cells were quantitated 7 weeks later, significant clonal elimination of V beta 6+ T cells was induced among both thymocyte population and lymph node T cell population in a dose-dependent manner of the inoculated F1 T cells. Inoculation of CD8+CD44-F1 T cells eliminated V beta 6+ T cells less efficiently from lymph node T cells and inoculation of CD4+F1 T cells induced no significant clonal elimination of the V beta 6+ T cells. The present findings demonstrate clearly that CD8+CD44+ T cells represent the cells producing large amounts of Mls-1a antigens and inducing clonal elimination of V beta 6+ T cells in vivo.

Animals↗

Early detection of cutaneous microcirculatory change during hemorrhage using a laser Doppler flowmetry.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of cutaneous microcirculatory monitoring during hemorrhage. We observed changes in cutaneous blood volume, velocity and flow of five adult rabbits during hemorrhage by using a laser Doppler flowmetry. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and blood gas values were measured. Cutaneous blood volume, velocity and flow decreased significantly after drawing 10 mL/kg of blood, while heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and blood gas did not change. The decrease of cutaneous blood velocity preceded that of blood volume and was associated more deeply with the reduction of blood flow. In conclusion, cutaneous microcirculatory monitoring using laser Doppler flowmetry is a sensitive technique for detecting early changes of circulatory failure caused by hemorrhage.

Animals↗

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor suppresses coronary arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses induced by chronic treatment with interleukin-1 beta in pigs in vivo.

We recently demonstrated that chronic treatment with IL-1 beta induces coronary arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses to autacoids in pigs in vivo and that those responses are importantly mediated by PDGF. The receptors for PDGF and other major growth factors are known to have tyrosine kinase activity. We therefore investigated the effects of a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ST 638, on those responses induced by IL-1 beta in our swine model. Intimal thickening and coronary vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine were induced at the site of the coronary artery where IL-1 beta was chronically and locally applied. These responses were significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by cotreatment with ST 638. In addition, ST 494, which is an inactive form of ST 638, did not inhibit those responses. The treatment with ST 638 alone did not affect the coronary vasoconstricting responses to the autacoids. Immunoblotting using an antibody to phosphotyrosines confirmed the inhibitory effects of ST 638 on the tyrosine phosphorylations induced by IL-1 beta. These results thus suggest that tyrosine kinase activation may play an important role in mediating the effects of IL-1 beta, while also suggesting that ST 638 has an inhibitory effect on the arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses to autacoids in our swine model in vivo.

Animals↗