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Biomedical subjects

Y Fukuda

Publications and source records attributed to Y Fukuda.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

Endothelin is a potent secretagogue for atrial natriuretic peptide in cultured rat atrial myocytes.

Using cultured neonatal rat atrial cardiocytes, we have studied the effect of synthetic porcine endothelin (pET), a novel potent vasoconstrictor isolated from endothelial cells, on the release of immunoreactive (IR) rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP). pET stimulated IR-rANP secretion in a dose-dependent manner (10(-10)-10(-7) M) with an approximate half-maximally stimulatory dose of 2 x 10(-10) M. The pET-induced IR-rANP secretion was attenuated by Ca2+-channel blocker nicardipine, but no further stimulation was induced when combined with a Ca2+-channel agonist BAY-K 8644. pET in combination with tetradecanoyl-phorbol-acetate resulted in a synergistic effect on IR-rANP secretion. These data suggest that ET may play as an endogenous secretagogue for rANP by modulating Ca2+ influx through the voltage-dependent Ca2+-channels in atrial cardiocytes.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Effects of EEG synchronization on visual responses of the cat's geniculate relay cells: a comparison among Y, X and W cells.

Single unit activities of Y, X and W cells were recorded in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus to study how their responses to stationary light spots change with the cortical EEG. The shift from desynchronized to synchronized EEG drastically suppressed W cell activities, depressed both transient and sustained components of X cell responses, but did not affect the transient component of Y cell responses. This was ascribed to different inhibitory circuitries in the three parallel pathways and their differential modulation by the ascending brainstem activities.

Animals↗

Phorbol ester modulates serotonin receptor-mediated increases in inositol phosphate production and calcium mobilization in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

The effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on serotonin-induced inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation and intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations [( Ca2+]i) was investigated in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Pretreatment with TPA had no effect on basal levels of both IP production and [Ca2+]i, whereas it significantly attenuated serotonin-induced increases in both IP production and [Ca2+]i. These data suggest that protein kinase C is involved in the negative feedback control of serotonin-induced rises in both IP production and [Ca2+]i.

Animals↗

A novel human plasma factor(s) capable of mobilizing intracellular Ca2+ in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

Using fura-2-loaded rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in culture, we have attempted to partially purify and characterize yet unidentified factor(s) from normal human plasma that stimulates cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The plasma extract caused an immediate and transient increase of [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner, of which effect was not prevented by pretreatment with either any of receptor antagonists for -adrenergic agonist, angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, serotonin, thromboxane A2, or with EGTA and nifedipine. This novel plasma factor(s) was heat-stable and completely inactivated by pronase E, suggesting its protein nature. Furthermore, plasma extracts dose-dependently stimulated the accumulation of [3H] inositol phosphates in rat VSMCs. Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography of plasma extracts resolved one major component (mol wt 13,000) and two minor components with larger (greater than 30,000) and smaller (3,000) mol wt. Present study demonstrates the presence of hitherto unidentified plasma factor(s) with size heterogeneity capable of stimulating both mobilization of [Ca2+]i and breakdown of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphates in rat VSMCs.

Animals↗

Two types of thalamic reticular cells in relation to the two visual thalamocortical systems in the rat.

We found in urethane-anesthetized rats that thalamic reticular (TR) cells responding to an electrical stimulus of the optic tract (OT) can be further subdivided into two types, viz. S- and L-type cells. S-type cells, which were selectively excited from area 17 of the visual cortex, were characterized by short latency responses (2.3-6.1 ms) to OT stimulation. TR cells activated antidromically from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus were all classified as S-type. Long OT latencies (5.2-15.3 ms) and selective excitation from area 18a were peculiar to L-type cells, which showed antidromic responses to the lateral posterior nucleus stimulation. Mapping studies documented that cells belonging to each type were segregated in the thalamic reticular nucleus; L-type cells were located in the most posterior part. It is suggested that S- and L-type cells are inhibitory interneurons modulating activity of geniculocortical and extrageniculocortical projection cells, respectively.

Animals↗

Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor in cultured vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

Using 125I-labeled-Tyr0-rat(r)-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilatory neuropeptide, we have identified and characterized specific binding sites for CGRP in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and bovine endothelial cells (EC). rCGRP and human (h) CGRP equipotently inhibited 125I-rCGRP binding to both cells, but human calcitonin (hCT) was less potent and other unrelated polypeptides were ineffective. Both rCGRP and hCGRP, but not hCT, equally stimulated intracellular cAMP generation in both cells distinct from beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated mechanism, although they had no effect on cGMP generation in either cell or synthesis of prostacyclin in EC. Autoradiograph of affinity-labeled cell membranes revealed that 125I-rCGRP interacts with a single binding component of almost identical molecular size (approximately 60-kDa) in both cells under reducing and nonreducing conditions. The present study demonstrates for the first time the presence of CGRP receptors in cultured VSMC and EC, functionally coupled to adenylate cyclase system distinct from beta-adrenergic receptors. It is suggested that CGRP-induced vasorelaxation may be mediated partly by cAMP-dependent and/or endothelium-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗

Effects of porcine follicular fluid on male pronucleus formation in porcine oocytes matured in vitro.

Porcine follicular oocytes, collected from antral follicles (2-5 mm in diameter) of gilt ovaries, were matured in vitro with or without porcine follicular fluid (pFF), gonadotrophins (GTH) or fetal calf serum (FCS) for 48 hours at 37 degrees C under 5% CO2 in air, and their ability of male pronucleus (mPN) formation was examined after in vitro fertilization. Formation of mPN was observed in 38.6% of penetrated oocytes matured in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (TYH) 18 hours after insemination. The addition of GTH into the maturation medium did not improve the proportion of mPN-formed oocytes (20-30%). In contrast, the mPN formation rate elevated significantly (59.5%) when the oocytes were cultured with pFF, and the addition of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) enhanced this pFF action (the rate became 81.0%). In the presence of FSH, significant pFF effect was observable at the concentration of 5%, and its efficiency was elevated with the increase of pFF concentration. When the oocytes were matured with FCS, the mPN formation rate was unchanged or decreased rather than improved (0-25%). These results suggest that pFF, but not FCS, have substance(s) stimulating the ability of mPN formation in porcine oocytes.

Animals↗

Increased ventilatory response to acute hypoxia with high Hb-O2 affinity induced by Na-cyanate treatment in the rat.

The effects on the ventilatory response to acute hypoxia of increasing the Hb-O2 affinity by NaOCN administration were studied in the halothane anesthetized spontaneously breathing rat. Increases in ventilation during the progressive hypoxia test were significantly augmented, and ventilatory depression occurring in severe hypoxia was clearly inhibited in the NaOCN-treated rat. Beneficial effects of NaOCN treatment probably result from the protection of respiratory regulating mechanism from functional deterioration in severe hypoxia.

Animals↗

A monoclonal antibody to the carbohydrate chain on human hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen which suppressed tumor growth in nude mice.

There have been few reports stating that monoclonal antibody alone inhibits human solid tumor growth in vivo. The present study demonstrated that monoclonal antibody S1 (IgG2a), which recognized the antigenic determinant of the carbohydrate moiety, showed antibody-dependent cell (or macrophage)-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC or ADMC) in conjunction with murine splenocytes of both BALB/c and athymic mice. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the antibody S1 clearly prolonged the survival of athymic mice which had been inoculated with a human liver carcinoma cell line. In addition, the antibody S1 significantly suppressed the human hepatoma line transplanted s.c. into nude mice. 125I-Labeled monoclonal antibody S1 revealed that the antibody accumulated significantly in the tumor mass. Many mononuclear cells were observed surrounding tumor cells when the antibody was given. This model system might be useful for analyzing the ADCC (or ADMC) mechanism in vivo.

Animals↗

Retinal inputs and laminar distributions of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus relay cells in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus asiaticus).

Retinal inputs and their laminar distributions in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) of the eastern chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus asiaticus) were studied using histological and microelectrode recording techniques. A previous anatomical study (Fukuda et al. 1986a) indicated that the chipmunk LGNd had five laminae: contralaterally (contra) innervated lamina 1 and ipsilaterally (ipsi) innervated lamina 2 in its ventromedial part; laminae 3a (contra), 3b (ipsi) and 3c (contra) in its dorsolateral part. We have confirmed this finding in our present anatomical study and have also noted another ipsilaterally innervated thin lamina 0, medial to lamina 1. In our electrophysiological study, however, we were unable to record units from lamina 0 and to investigate it functionally. We recorded 232 units from laminae 1, 2 and the 3 complex, of which 95 were identified as Y-like, 46 as W-like, 15 as X-like, and 8 as mixed Y/W-like cells; the rest were either unclassified or visually unresponsive. In laminae 1 and 2, only Y-like and X-like cells were recorded, whereas in the laminae 3 complex W-like cells were recorded as well. The results suggest that the chipmunk laminae 1, 2 and 3 complex correspond relatively well to the cat laminae A, A1 and C complex, respectively. In the chipmunk LGNd, however, there were more Y-like cells in laminae 1 and 2, and a few X-like cells of which some were color sensitive. Also, lamina 3a had a concentration of mixed-type cells with Y-like receptive field properties and W-like OX latencies. As for retinotopy, the dorsoventral transition of the contralateral visual field (laminae 1, 3a, 3c) is represented along the dorsoventral dimension of the chipmunk LGNd, whereas the temporonasal transition is represented in the rostrocaudal direction. Receptive field positions of the ipsilaterally innervated relay cells are limited to the central overlapping field of the contralateral visual fields of both eyes. Relay cells with visual fields having elevations of below -20 degrees had relatively fast latency range and Y-like properties.

Animals↗

Effects of protein kinase inhibitors on growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

The effects of H-7 and ML-9, inhibitors of protein kinase C and myosin light-chain kinase, respectively, on DNA synthesis stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were studied in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). H-7 and ML-9 significantly inhibited PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis in lower concentrations, while both compounds were only effective in inhibiting EGF-induced DNA synthesis in higher concentrations. These data suggest that protein kinase C and myosin light-chain kinase activated by PDGF play a more important role in cell proliferation of VSMC than EGF.

Animals↗

Intraretinal axons of ganglion cells in the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata): conduction velocity and diameter distribution.

In anesthetized and immobilized Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata), intraretinal conduction velocities of the ganglion cell axons were measured. The field potentials elicited by optic chiasm shocks consisted of fast and slow components with estimated conduction velocities of 1.19 and 0.72 m/s in recordings from the optic nerve fiber layer, and 1.65 and 1.00 m/s in recordings from the ganglion cell layer. Single cell recordings verified that the time course of the fast component corresponded to the antidromic spike latencies of Y-like cells, whereas that of the slow component covered the latency range of both X-like and W-like cells. In an electron microscopic study of the cross-sections of the intraretinal optic nerve fiber bundles, the axon diameter histograms of large samples (n = 3000-6000) all showed a unimodal distribution with a sharp peak at 0.3-0.6 micron and a long tail extending to 2-3 micron. The mean diameter was largest in the ventral and nasal bundles, smallest in the papillomacular bundle and intermediate in the dorsal, upper arcuate and lower arcuate bundles. However, diameter histograms of a small number of regional axons (n = 255-300) showed a broad tail distinct from the peak at 0.3-0.6 micron, enabling us to segregate a group of larger axons from the medium-sized to small axons. From such regional axon diameter histograms we estimated the mean relative occurrences of the larger axons (7.1-11.3%) and their mean diameters (0.9-1.3 micron). We further applied this relative frequency to the unimodal distribution of the histograms with larger samples in the upper and lower arcuate bundles and estimated the mean axon diameter of the large axons (1.1 micron) and that of the medium-sized to small axons (slightly below 0.5 micron). Finally, in studying the relation between axon diameter and conduction velocity in the two arcuate fiber bundles, we found it to be somewhat different from that previously reported for the cat retina.

Animals↗

Plasma prostaglandin E2 level in Kawasaki disease.

Plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha were determined in 15 patients in the acute and recovery stages of Kawasaki disease, 10 patients with anaphylactoid purpura, 16 with bacterial and viral infections and 10 healthy children. Plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 were markedly increased in the acute stage of Kawasaki disease, and these levels were decreased in the recovery stage. The prostaglandin F2 alpha/prostaglandin E2 ratio in the acute stage of Kawasaki disease was markedly decreased. Plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 in patients with anaphylactoid purpura, bacterial and viral infections were within the normal range. In Kawasaki disease which is associated with systemic vasculitis with a severe inflammatory reaction, prostaglandin E2 is considered to be more selectively produced and released than prostaglandin F2 alpha, suggesting that prostaglandin E2 plays an important role in the immunological and inflammatory reaction.

Bacterial Infections↗

Analysis of the T wave of the magnetocardiogram in patients with essential hypertension by means of isomagnetic and vector arrow maps.

Magnetocardiograms (MCGs) of 50 normal subjects and 40 patients with essential hypertension were recorded to determine the value of the MCG for detecting abnormal repolarization. Among the patients with essential hypertension, there were nine cases (22.5%) in whom isopotential maps did not show rightward repolarization vectors but isomagnetic and vector arrow maps showed a rightward repolarization vector in some areas in addition to the normal repolarization vector. Departure maps of the ECG showed an increased repolarization vector directed anteriorly in some of these cases. The repolarization abnormality was recognized in only the MCG departure map in four cases, while no case showed abnormality in only the ECG departure map. With the progress of hypertension, the repolarization abnormality was seen more frequently and its detection using the MCG was higher than that using the ECG. Furthermore, multiple dipoles were detected more frequently from the MCG than from the ECG. Thus the MCG seems more useful than the ECG in the analysis of repolarization abnormalities in essential hypertension.

Adult↗

IgA deposition in alcoholic liver disease. An immunoelectron microscopic study.

The ultrastructural localization of IgA, IgA1, and IgA2 deposited on liver tissues from 13 patients with alcoholic liver disease and 9 patients with nonalcoholic liver diseases was investigated by the immunoperoxidase method. A continuous pattern of IgA deposition along the perisinusoidal area was observed not only in the alcoholic patients but also in the nonalcoholic patients. Ultrastructurally, IgA deposits were seen on the plasma membranes of Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes and in the endocytotic vesicles and phagosomes of Kupffer cells and endothelial cells. In the alcoholic group, deposits of IgA on collagen fibers were observed at sites where pericellular fibrosis developed but, on the other hand, IgA deposits were diminished or absent on the plasma membranes of hepatocytes. IgA1 showed the same deposit pattern as IgA. IgA2 was observed on and in Kupffer cells and endothelial cells but was not detected on the plasma membranes of hepatocytes. From these studies, the authors conclude that IgA deposition in the liver is not specific for alcoholic liver disease but may reflect the reduced metabolism of damaged liver. An additional finding was that, of the IgA subclasses, only IgA1 combined with the plasma membranes of hepatocytes.

Hepatitis↗

Cellular mechanism of atrial natriuretic factor secretion by cultured rat cardiocytes.

Using primary culture of atrial cardiocytes from neonatal rats, we have demonstrated that alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic agonists have a direct stimulatory effect on secretion of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and that ANF secretion is stimulated by phorbol ester, Ca2+ ionophore, high K+-induced depolarization and Ca2+-channel agonists. These data suggest that receptor-mediated mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C as well as Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are involved in the secretory mechanism of ANF.

Animals↗