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Biomedical subjects

T Tamura

Publications and source records attributed to T Tamura.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Isolation and characterization of four cytochrome P450 isozymes from untreated and phenobarbital-treated beagle dogs.

Four different forms of cytochrome P450 (P450) were purified from liver microsomes of untreated or phenobarbital (PB)-treated male beagle dogs using HPLC techniques, and designated as DUT-1, DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3, respectively. Specific contents of the purified DUT-1, DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3 were 13.3, 9.6, 15.6 and 12.2 nmol/mg protein, respectively. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the monomeric molecular weights of DUT-1, DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3 were estimated to be 57.5, 50.0, 47.0 and 50.0 kDa, respectively. The absolute spectra of the oxidized forms indicated that they exist in the low-spin state of heme in their oxidized forms. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of DUT-1 was unique and different from that of any other P450 so far reported. DUT-1 was active in the omega-hydroxylation of lauric acid. The amino-terminal sequences of DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3 suggested that they belong to the P450 3A, 2C and 2B gene families, respectively. DPB-3 was a major form of P450 in PB-treated dog liver microsomes. Purified DPB-1 catalyzed nifedipine and (+)- and (-)-nilvadipine oxidations, as well as testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation in the reconstituted system. These activities were enhanced 3- to 5-fold by the addition of cytochrome b5. DPB-2 and DPB-3 catalyzed aminopyrine N-demethylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, biphenyl 4-hydroxylation and testosterone 16 alpha-hydroxylation. We believe that DUT-1 is a new form not purified previously.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibitory effect of karounidiol on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced tumor promotion.

Karounidiol [D:C-Friedo-oleana-7,9(11)-diene-3 alpha,29-diol] and 7-oxodihydrokarounidiol [7-oxo-D:C-friedo-olean-8-ene-3 alpha,29-diol], isolated from the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii, were examined for the effect on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 1 microgram/ear)-induced inflammation, following application of this tumor-promoting agent, to the ears of mice. Both compounds inhibited the inflammatory activity induced by TPA and the 50% inhibitory dose for TPA-induced inflammation was 0.3 and 0.4 mg/ear, respectively. Furthermore, at 2 mumol/mouse, karounidiol markedly suppressed the promoting effect of TPA (1 microgram/mouse) on skin tumor formation in mice following initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (50 micrograms/mouse).

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Effects of du-zhong leaf extract on serum and hepatic lipids in rats fed a high-fat diet.

We evaluated the effects of Du-Zhong leaf extract on the serum and liver lipids in rats fed a high-fat diet supplemented with animal fat, cholesterol and cholate. The Du-Zhong leaf extract suppressed significantly the high-fat diet-induced increases in total serum cholesterol, serum triacylglycerol and hepatic triacylglycerol but not the total hepatic cholesterol. The Du-Zhong leaf extract also suppressed the high-fat diet induced increases in very-low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein without affecting high density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggest that Du-Zhong leaf extract may be beneficial for the regulation of hyperlipidemia.

Animals↗

Five D:C-friedo-oleanane triterpenes from the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. and their anti-inflammatory effects.

Five triterpenes with a D:C-friedo-oleanane skeleton, D:C-friedo-oleana-7,9(11)-diene-3 beta,29-diol (3-epikarounidiol), 7-oxo-D:C-friedo-olean-8-en-3 beta-ol (7-oxoisomultiflorenol), 7-oxo-8 beta-D:C-friedo-olean-9(11)-ene-3 alpha,29-diol, D:C-friedo-olean-8-ene-3 alpha,29-diol (3-epibryonolol), and D:C-friedo-olean-8-ene-3 beta,29-diol (bryonolol), the first four of which are new naturally occurring compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. The structures were determined by spectral and chemical methods. 3-Epikarounidiol, 7-oxoisomultiflorenol, and 3-epibryonolol showed marked inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear inflammation in mice. The 50% inhibitory dose of these triterpenes for TPA-induced inflammation (1 microgram) was 0.2-0.6 mg/ear.

Animals↗

Risk factors for the development of post-lab acute coronary occlusion following successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Acute coronary occlusion can occur following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) upon return to the coronary care unit (CCU), and is sometimes life-threatening. To identify high-risk patients for acute occlusion following PTCA, we analyzed 11 patients with post-lab acute occlusion. All of the patients had some evidence of intimal tear or dissection at the site of dilatation. During the study period, 1343 patients (1998 lesions) with angina pectoris underwent PTCA. Of these, 331 vessels (17%) had some degree of intimal tear or dissection at the site of dilatation. From these 331, 50 patients (50 vessels) without evidence of acute occlusion were randomly selected to serve as the control group. Patients in the acute occlusion group had more extensive dissection (p < 0.05) and less water balance (drip-infused water-urine, ml) during angioplasty (p < 0.1) than those in the control group. Furthermore, a significantly higher percentage of patients in the acute occlusion group complained of chest discomfort upon arrival at the CCU (72% vs 8%, p < 0.0001). These variables may be useful in identifying high-risk patients for post-lab acute occlusion, particularly in the presence of an intimal tear or dissection at the target site.

Acute Disease↗

Cushing's disease associated with adrenal myelolipoma, adrenal calcification and thyroid cancer.

A 51-year-old woman with Cushing's disease associated with adrenal myelolipoma is reported. A further characteristic feature was the coexistence of bilateral adrenal calcification and thyroid cancer. Previously several cases of adrenal myelolipoma associated with endocrine dysfunction were reported. The combination of Cushing's disease and adrenal myelolipoma has only been described in two cases of recurrent Cushing's disease but never in an initial occurrence of Cushing's disease. Continued stimulation by excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) not only developed adrenal hyperplasia but also might be involved in the pathogenesis of adrenal myelolipoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Relationship between amniotic fluid and maternal blood nutrient levels.

To study the relationships between amniotic fluid and maternal blood nutrient concentrations, we obtained amniotic fluid and blood samples simultaneously from 76 pregnant women at around 17 weeks gestation. Folate and vitamin B-12 levels were measured by microbiological assay and radioassay, respectively, and zinc, copper and iron levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean concentrations of plasma and red blood cell (RBC) folate and plasma copper of the pregnant women were 38 (+/- 1, SD), 1,501 (+/- 374) nmol/L, and 32.7 (+/- 4.8) mumol/L, respectively, all of which were higher than those of healthy non-pregnant controls (p < 0.001). Mean concentrations of plasma vitamin B-12, zinc and iron levels and RBC zinc were 320 (+/- 130) pmol/L, 12.2 (+/- 2.3), 21.7 (+/- 6.1) and 177 (+/- 30) mumol/L and these were similar to those of non-pregnant controls. Amniotic fluid folate, zinc, copper and iron concentrations were 21 (+/- 13) nmol/L, 1.4 (+/- 0.6), 1.7 (+/- 0.6) and 6.8 (+/- 2.1) mumol/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than plasma levels (p < 0.001). However, this relationship was reversed for vitamin B-12 (650 +/- 420 pmol/L). Significant correlations were found between amniotic fluid and maternal plasma and RBC for folate, and between amniotic fluid and maternal plasma for vitamin B-12 (p < 0.001). No such correlations were observed for zinc, copper and iron. There was no correlation between amniotic fluid and/or blood nutrient concentrations and pregnancy outcome including birth weight of infants.

Adult↗

Suicide inactivation of aromatase in human placenta and uterine leiomyoma by 5 alpha-dihydronorethindrone, a metabolite of norethindrone, and its effect on steroid-producing enzymes.

Norethindrone (NET; 17 alpha-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone), a progestogen component of the contraceptive pill, irreversibly inhibits aromatase activity in human placental microsomes. However, it is known also to be aromatized in vitro and in vivo to produce a biologically very active estrogen called ethynylestradiol (EE2). It is therefore inappropriate to administer a high dose of NET to estrogen-dependent cancer patients for a prolonged time period. In this study, we focused on 5 alpha-dihydronorethindrone (5 alpha-DHNET), a metabolite of NET that is not aromatizable, and the inhibitory effects of 5 alpha-DHNET on human placental and uterine leiomyoma microsomal aromatase and other steroid synthetases. 5 alpha-Dihydronorethindrone showed weak affinity for both estrogen and progestogen receptors. It inhibited significantly human placental aromatase activity in a dose-dependent manner (Ki = 9.0 mumol/l; Kinact = 0.024/min), as well as that of uterine leiomyoma, but did not influence cholesterol side-chain cleavage or 17 alpha-hydroxylase, 21-hydroxylase or 11 beta-hydroxylase activities. These results suggest that 5 alpha-DHNET may be useful as an aromatase inhibitor, whose use in large doses is expected to reduce the size of estrogen-dependent tumors.

Adult↗

[Fat distribution in Japanese women. Part 2. Fat thickness of extremities and classification of fat distribution of whole body].

The first object of this paper was to follow the previous paper in clarifying the characteristics of the fat distribution on the extremities. The subcutaneous fat thickness was measured at 64 points on the upper extremity and on 129 points on the lower extremity. The difference of the fat distribution between obese subjects and lean subjects was mainly observed on the back of the upper arm and the thigh. The second object of this paper was to clarify the characteristics of the fat distribution on both the trunk and the extremities and to study the factors which contribute to the fat distribution of the whole body. Average subcutaneous fat thickness over the body was 7.8 mm, and the standard deviation was 1.2 mm. Types of fat distribution of the whole body were classified by principal component analysis of average fat thickness in the 8 regions. The first component was the size factor which expressed the amount of fat on the whole body. The second component showed the contrast of fat distribution in the lower extremities and in the breast, abdomen, back and arms. These two components accounted for 90.79% of the variance of fat distribution. Measuring points, which showed high correlation coefficient with the average fat thickness of the whole body, were abdomen, subscapular, back, thigh and side breast.

Adipose Tissue↗

Mechanism of FK506-induced glucose intolerance in rats.

To clarify the mechanism of glucose intolerance induced by FK506, a novel immunosuppressant, 5 or 10 mg/kg/day of FK506 was dosed orally to rats for 2 weeks, and 125I-insulin binding to the erythrocytes, plasma glucose and insulin levels, and pancreatic insulin content were examined. Insulin binding to the erythrocytes of rat dosed with FK506 was similar to that to erythrocytes of the placebo control; Scatchard analysis confirmed that FK506 did not cause damage to the insulin receptor of the erythrocytes. Contrarily, FK506 caused a clear decrease of pancreatic insulin content as well as a slight decrease of plasma insulin level. The results suggest that the glucose intolerance induced by FK506 is associated with a decrease of insulin secretion, but is not associated with impairment of the insulin receptor.

Animals↗

Influence of efonidipine hydrochloride, calcium antagonist on the epithelium of prostates in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The hypertensive effect on the development of the prostatic abnormality in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) was examined using Efonidipine hydrochloride, a calcium antagonist. The control SHRs were given a high sodium and potassium diet (SP-diet) alone, and the treated SHRs were given a SP-diet with 0.15% Efonidipine hydrochloride from 8 to 28 weeks of age. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the control SHRs increased with age, while the elevation of SBP was significantly prevented in the treated SHRs. Light-microscopically, the prostatic lesion was observed both in the control and treated SHRs. The glandular lumen was narrowed with papillary protrusions, and the epithelium was composed of tall columnar epithelial cells. However, hypertension-induced complications in kidneys and hearts were not observed in the treated SHRs. These results suggested that the prostatic abnormality of SHRs might not be the consequent lesions upon hypertension.

Animals↗

Myasthenia gravis associated with Addison's disease.

Idiopathic Addison's disease developed in a 52-year-old female with a 15-year history of myasthenia gravis. The association of myasthenia gravis with other autoimmune diseases is well known, however an association with Addison's disease is rare. It was speculated that the development of Addison's disease in this patient might have been due to common immunological abnormalities underlying these two diseases. We report this case and briefly discuss the pathogenetic mechanism of this association.

Addison Disease↗

Preliminary evaluation of the new tumor marker, CYFRA 21-1, in lung cancer patients.

Serum samples from 137 lung cancer patients were examined by RIA to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the new tumor marker, CYFRA 21-1, which could identify the soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19. The cut-off value was determined to be 2.2 ng/ml according to the receiver operating characteristic curve. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the RIA for CYFRA 21-1 were 57.7, 91.9 and 64.9%, respectively. The serum concentration of CYFRA 21-1 and the sensitivity of the assay increased as the disease progressed. Histologically, the sensitivity was highest for squamous cell carcinomas (SQ) (76.5%) in comparison with adenocarcinomas (47.8%) and small cell lung cancers (42.1%) (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). The sensitivities for SQ were 60.0, 83.3, 80.0 and 100% at stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. When compared with CEA (45.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma related antigen (SCC) (22.6%) in all lung carcinomas, CYFRA 21-1 showed the highest sensitivity (57.7%), (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). In SQ, the sensitivity of the CYFRA 21-1 RIA was significantly higher than that of the assay for SCC (47.1%) (P < 0.05). In patients with adenocarcinomas, the sensitivity of the CYFRA 21-1 assay was almost the same as that for CEA (49.3%). In a combination of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA for non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), the sensitivity and accuracy increased to 75.4 and 78.1%, respectively, although the specificity decreased to 86.5%. It is concluded that CYFRA 21-1 could replace SCC, a less satisfactory tumor marker, for SQ of the lung. The potentiality of the combination of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA for NSCLC should be estimated using larger samples in the near future.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein in pig epidermis: transient increase of the 45KDA cholera toxin substrate (Gs alpha) in the tape stripping-induced hyperproliferative state.

Cholera toxin catalyzed the transfer of ADP-ribose from [alpha-32P] NAD to 45kDa protein in pig epidermis. Western blot analysis using anti-Gs alpha antibody identified the 45kDa protein to be Gs alpha. In contrast to pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha, the cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation was enhanced by the presence of Mg2+ in the reaction mixture. The cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the epidermal 45kDa membrane protein was significantly decreased, when samples were prepared from the cholera toxin-pretreated epidermis. The results, coupled with our previous report (Tsutsui and Iizuka 1990), indicate that pig epidermis contains functional G proteins (Gs and Gi), that affect the epidermal adenylate cyclase activity. Tape stripping-induced hyperproliferative epidermis showed an increased cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the 45kDa protein (Gs alpha) at 12-24 h following the tape stripping. Immunoblot analysis, however, showed no remarkable change in the level of Gs alpha compared with non-stripping controls. There was no significant difference in the level of the pertussis toxin-induced ADP-ribosylation of 40kDa protein (Gi alpha) in the tape-stripped epidermis. Immunoblot analysis showed no change in Gi content, either. Forskolin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation was markedly increased in the tape stripping-induced hyperproliferative epidermis. Cholera toxin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation was slightly increased, but this was not statistically significant. These results indicate that the alteration of Gs that is documented by cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation, is among the functional derangements of adenylate cyclase of tape stripping-induced hyperproliferative epidermis.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Genetic heterogeneity of Helicobacter pylori by pulse-field gel electrophoresis and re-evaluation of DNA homology.

PURPOSE: The genetic heterogeneity of Helicobacter pylori isolates was re-evaluated by using pulse-field gel electrophoresis to examine macrorestriction patterns and by studying DNA homology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty H. pylori isolates, two closely related species, H. mustelae and H. felis, and Campylobacter spp. were used. Notl-digested macrorestriction patterns were examined by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. DNA homology was examined by the S1 nuclease method, using [3H]-labeled DNA from H. pylori NCTC11637 and two H. pylori isolates for reference. RESULT: Intergenus DNA homology between H. pylori and Campylobacters was 50-60%. Interspecies homology between H. pylori and H. mustelae or H. felis was around 60%. Intraspecies homology among H. pylori isolates was above 80%, except for a few that exhibited 70-80% homology. These findings indicate that all H. pylori isolates were homogeneous and belonged to the same species. Notl pulse-field gel electrophoresis patterns of H. pylori isolates differed markedly at the individual strain level. There was no specific relationship to any deviation from DNA homology, and the differences were observed within rather homogeneous members of the species. CONCLUSION: The polymorphism in the Notl pulse-field gel electrophoresis patterns of H. pylori isolates differed markedly among strains, even though these isolates displayed species homogeneity, with DNA homology of 70-100%.

Campylobacter↗

Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in two different geographical areas in Nepal.

A total of 302 serum samples collected from Chitawan (159) and Mustang (143) districts of Nepal were included in this study. Anti-toxoplasma antibody was detected using micro-latex agglutination (MLA) and ELISA methods. An overall positive rate was found to be 57.9%. The positive rate in Chitawan was significantly higher (64.1%) (less than 1,000 m altitude) compared to that in Mustang (51.0%) (more than 3,000 m altitude) (p < 0.05). Females in Chitawan showed significantly higher positive rate (71.2%) compared to males (56.9%) (p < 0.05). On the contrary, though insignificantly, males showed higher positive rate (57.9%) compared to that of females (43.3%) in Mustang. Almost equal positive rate was observed among males in both study area. Females in Chitawan showed significantly higher (71.2%) positive rate compared to their counterparts in Mustang (43.3%) (p < 0.001). A slight increase in positive rate with age was observed in Chitawan while in Mustang a decreasing trend was noticed. Ethnically though statistically not significant, Indo-Aryans showed a higher positive rate (69.2%) compared to the positive rate shown by Tibeto-Burmans (63.1%) in Chitawan while the reverse was true in Mustang (Tibeto-Burmans: 53.8% and Indo-Aryans: 38.4%). Interestingly, 2.9% and 1.3% of MLA positive samples showed toxoplasma IgM antibody. None of the IgM positive samples were positive for toxoplasmic antigens.

Altitude↗