Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Harano

Publications and source records attributed to Y Harano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Noninvasive quantitative evaluation of early atherosclerosis and the effect of monatepil, a new antihypertensive agent. An interim report.

In two studies on the same group of patients we evaluated noninvasive methods of assessing atherosclerosis and determined the effect of the new calcium channel-blocking agent monatepil on the progression of early atherosclerosis in humans. Computed tomography (CT) of the lower abdominal aorta and ultrasonography of the carotid arteries were used as noninvasive methods to determine the extent of atherosclerosis. To evaluate the CT images, we developed a new medical image analysis program. This enabled aortic calcification volume (ACV) to be quantified using plain CT images, and aortic wall volume (AWV) and aortic wall and calcification volume (AWCV) to be quantified from contrast CT images. Interobserver coefficients of variation of ACV, AWV, and AWCV (n = 8) were 4.7, 2.4, and 5.0%, respectively. In the monatepil study, the effect of the drug on serum lipid profiles was evaluated. Preliminary results show that shortly after monatepil administration, total serum cholesterol levels decreased significantly from 253.8 +/- 35.6 to 244.8 +/- 38.6 mg/dL (P < .009) and triglyceride levels tended to decrease. A positive correlation between the change in total cholesterol and changes in mean platelet volume was found (P = .028). Fasting immunoreactive insulin levels decreased in the four patients in which they were determined. Although this is a preliminary study, results indicate that CT of the lower abdominal aorta in combination with our new analysis program may be a precise, reproducible means of assessing early atherosclerosis. We have also shown that monatepil significantly decreases total cholesterol levels. However, the long-term effects of monatepil on the progression of atherosclerosis remain to be determined.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Quantitative and qualitative alterations of plasma lipoproteins in obesity].

In order to clarify lipoprotein abnormality in mild to moderate obesity (BMI > or = 25), plasma was separated by table top ultracentrifugation into VLDL (chylomicron), IDL, LDL and HDL. Chol, TG and ApoB were determined in each fraction by enzymatic and sensitive Latex method. The data were analysed according to glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia (HI). In obese subjects, irrespective of glucose intolerance, Chol, TG & ApoB levels were high in plasma, and an increase in VLDL (Chol, TG & ApoB), IDL (Chol & ApoB), LDL (Chol & ApoB), and a decrease in HDL-Chol were observed. These levels were also abnormal in nonDM particularly with HI. In DM, HI did not seem to affect hyperlipidemia. Correlation between Chol, TG and ApoB in three ApoB containing lipoprotein subfractions was noted in obesity. The ratio of Chol/ApoB and TG/ApoB in LDL was significantly lower in obesity implying that LDL particles were smaller in size. Half of nonDM patients had HI, and only 29% of DM patients had HI, and both groups had almost the same lipoprotein abnormality. Hyperlipidemia was severe in nonDMHI(+) compared to nonDMHI(-). Therefore, in hyperlipidemia of obesity, hyperinsulinemia plays a role in nonDM and hyperglycemia in DM. Insulin resistance seems to be an important factor in DM. Although the mechanism may be different, the consequence of hyperlipidemia is similar. Increased numbers of ApoB containing lipoproteins and smaller size of LDL are the characteristic features of hyperlipidemia in mild to moderate obesity. Because these quantitative and qualitative changes appear to be linked to an increased risk for premature arteriosclerosis, intensive therapy should be recommended even in mild to moderate obesity.

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1992

Hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in experimental insulinopenic diabetic monkeys.

Chronic insulinopenic diabetes was induced by i.v. streptozotocin in the non-human primate Macaca fuscata. Five diabetic monkeys were kept for 8-19 months and nine for 24-48 months without any insulin treatment. Hyperglycemia (241 +/- 22 mg/dl, M +/- SE less than or equal to 1 year) progressed to 376 +/- 34 mg/dl (greater than 2 years) and ketosis to 3.5 mM (greater than 2 years) during the course of diabetes; this was roughly inversely proportional to hypoinsulinemia (3.4 microU/ml, 2 years). Serum cholesterol increased from 184 +/- 11 (less than or equal to 1 year) to 328 +/- 66 mg/dl (greater than 2 years) with the major increase in LDL-cholesterol (2.7-fold over control, greater than 2 years). HDL-cholesterol did not change at all throughout the experimental period. TG increased from 144 +/- 25 (less than or equal to 1 year) to 676 +/- 116 (greater than 2 years) with a major increase in the VLDL fraction (15-fold over control, greater than 2 years). Serum levels of apo B increased to 141 +/- 16 (less than or equal to 2 years) and 223 +/- 8 mg/dl (greater than 2 years) in contrast to control, 73 +/- 2. Morphologically, lipid deposition in the intima and fatty streaks have been observed in the abdominal aorta of all the diabetic monkeys with duration of more than 2 years. In six of the diabetic monkeys atheromatous changes such as intimal and medial thickening with smooth muscle cell proliferation were observed with foam cell formation. Similar atherosclerotic lesions were observed in renal and coronary arteries in at least six of these monkeys. In diabetic monkeys with duration of less than 2 years, mild atherosclerotic lesions were observed in two out of five. The results indicate that long standing insulinopenia leads to metabolic derangements characterized by hyperglycemia, ketonemia and hyperlipidemia. Elevation of LDL-cholesterol and VLDL TG with an increase of apo B is a characteristic of lipoprotein disorder. Morphologically, early to moderately advanced lesions of atherosclerosis were observed in aorta, renal and coronary arteries as a result of metabolic derangement due to insulin deficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Suppressive effect of vasopressin on ketosis in diabetic rats.

In order to clarify if vasopressin (VP) plays a role in the pathophysiology of hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma (HNDC), VP has been infused to diabetic rats and plasma levels of glucose (PG), ketone bodies, FFA and glucagon were determined. High-dose VP infusion (1.2 U/kg/h) caused gradual elevation of PG (60%) and glucagon levels (600%), while ketone bodies showed transient decrease (20%) at 30 min. Under the suppression of endogenous glucagon secretion by constant infusion of somatostatin (100 micrograms/kg/h), high dose VP showed 25% increase in PG levels and 30% reduction of ketone body levels for the subsequent VP infusion for 1.5 hour. Low-dose VP infusion (0.06 U/kg/h) had no hyperglycemic effect, but suppressed ketosis (20%) in the same condition. There were no changes in plasma FFA concentrations, indicating no significant effect of VP on lipolysis. The results indicate that VP often elevated in HNDC may play an important role for the pathophysiology of HNDC through suppression of hepatic ketogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Increased ketogenesis related to insulin deficiency in isolated hepatocytes from NIDDM model rats.

To investigate the hepatic ketone body metabolism in NIDDM, we studied the ketone body production rates in hepatocytes from newly developed non-obese NIDDM model rats. NIDDM model rats were prepared by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 2 or 5 days of age (STZ2, STZ5 respectively). After 10-15 weeks, ketone body production rates in hepatocytes isolated from these rats were compared with those from control rats as well as ketotic rats made by intravenous injection of streptozotocin into adult rats. Basal ketone body production rates from 0.3 mM [U-14C] palmitate in hepatocytes from control, STZ 2, STZ 5 and ketotic rats were 11.7 +/- 0.98, 14.9 +/- 0.72, 16.0 +/- 0.45, 22.8 +/- 2.32 nmole.palmitate/mg.prot/hr, respectively. These rates were stimulated by 1 microgram/ml of glucagon in control, STZ 2 and STZ 5 rats (14.1 +/- 0.99, 18.6 +/- 1.36, 18.7 +/- 0.69 nmole.palmitate/mg.prot/hr, respectively), but not in ketotic rats (22.8 +/- 2.07 nmole.palmitate/mg.prot/hr). The similar effects were observed by 1 microgram/ml of epinephrine. The basal ketone body production rates were negatively correlated to both hepatic glycogen contents and plasma IRI levels. Considering these parameters together, the extent of metabolic derangement in STZ 2 and STZ 5 rats was between that in control and ketotic rats. These results indicate that the derangements of hepatic ketone body production are related to the severity of insulin deficiency and suggest that the enhanced hepatic ketogenesis contributes in part to the elevated plasma ketone body levels in non-obese NIDDM.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Insulin insensitivity in nonobese, nondiabetic essential hypertension and its improvement by an alpha 1-blocker (bunazosin).

To investigate insulin insensitivity and its reversibility, we performed an insulin sensitivity test using the steady state plasma glucose (SSPG) method in 10 lean hypertensive subjects with normal glucose tolerance before and after treatment with alpha 1-blocker bunazosin, and 14 age body mass index-adjusted healthy control subjects. Steady state plasma glucose was significantly higher in the hypertensive subjects compared with the control group (182 +/- 10 mg/dL v 104 +/- 7, P < .01, mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM). Steady state plasma glucose significantly decreased to 136 +/- 12 mg/dL (P < .01) after the treatment with alpha 1-blocker bunazosin, with a decrease of blood pressure. Hypertensive subjects had shown an increased area under the curve of glucose and insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test compared with normal controls. The glucose area decreased significantly, but the insulin area did not change after the treatment. There was no difference in plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, and fractional excretion of Na between normal and hypertensive subjects both before and after treatment with bunazosin at basal and during insulin sensitivity tests (2 h). Serum total cholesterol level decreased and HDL cholesterol increased significantly after treatment with bunazosin. A significant correlation was observed between SSPG and blood pressure, but not between insulin level and blood pressure. The results indicate that insulin sensitivity is better related than hyperinsulinemia to hypertension and that this insensitivity is partially reversible by alpha 1-blocker, bunazosin.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1992

Case report of primary cardiac lymphoma. The applications of PCR to the diagnosis of primary cardiac lymphoma.

A 75-year-old man initially complained of pollakiuria and low abdominal pain, and died of massive bleeding from an exacerbated gastric ulcer. The diagnosis of primary cardiac lymphoma was made postmortem. The tumor involved only the epicardium and myocardium, which met the criteria of primary cardiac lymphoma as defined by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. The lymphoma consisted of large cells and expressed the B cell marker, CD20. Although chronic inflammation due to chronic renal failure was observed in the pericardium around the lymphoma, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to detect monoclonality at the DNA level in lymphoma cells, which were shown to comprise a monoclonal population.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Survival of bacteria, and release of the endotoxin from the bacterial cells in the dialysates].

Survival of bacteria and release of the endotoxin from the bacteria with and without ultraviolet irradiation in three kinds of dialysate were investigated. The results obtained are as follows: (1) No growth of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Aspergillus and C. albicans in the saturated dialysates tested were observed. (2) All of the bacterial cells tested here is gradually, and naturally spontaneously inactivated in all the dialysates. (3) Among the dialysates tested, the saturated dialysate, AF-2, is the most effective for inactivating P. aeruginosa ATCC, but the effect depends upon the isolates of P. aeruginosa. (4) The inactivating effect was somewhat decreased when the saturated AF-2 solution was diluted, but the killing effect was still maintained. (5) The bacterial cells are constantly and significantly inactivated by UV irradiation, especially by the direct irradiation. The indirect irradiation, i.e., through glass, has remarkably less effective than the direct one. However, a tendency of the decrease of bacterial cells by the indirect irradiation is maintained with the killing effect of the dialysated, especially in the case of AF-2 solution. (6) No significant increase of endotoxin was observed, even when the bacterial cells were killed by UV irradiation. Therefore, it is recommended to use UV irradiation for inactivating the bacteria. From the results obtained here, it is indicated that there is no possibility of the growth of naturally contaminated bacteria in the dialysates, and is an effectiveness of the use of UV irradiation for inactivating the bacteria cells, in terms of release of the endotoxin from the dead cells.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1991

Enzymatic activity of cellulase adsorbed on cellulose and its change during hydrolysis.

Hydrolysis of pure cellulose Avicel has been carried out, using Meicelase from Trichoderma viride, where the enzymatic activity of cellulase adsorbed on cellulose and its changes during the hydrolysis were investigated. A rapid drop of the hydrolysis rate during the reaction, that is always observed in enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, could be explained by a decline of specific activity of adsorbed enzyme, and it was implied that the decline results from a loss of synergistic action between endoglucanase and exoglucanase. An empirical equation expresses the change of hydrolysis rate during the reaction and also shows that the change of the hydrolysis rate is caused by the decline of the specific enzymatic activity of adsorbed enzyme.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1991

In vitro stimulation of glucose utilization by insulin in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The effect of glucose concentration and insulin on glucose incorporation was studied in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The rate of glucose incorporation into hepatocytes was proportional to the medium glucose concentration from 100 to 800 mg/dl. At 800 mg/dl glucose the rate reached a plateau. Of the glucose taken up by hepatocytes, 16 and 18% was incorporated into glycogen and lipid, respectively, and 58% into the nucleotide fraction after incubation for 4 h. In the medium, lactate was the major product found. Insulin stimulates glucose incorporation by 20-112% into all the above pathways at glucose concentrations between 100 and 800 mg/dl. The insulin effect was noted as early as 2-4 h (early effect) and up to 24 h (delayed effect). This effect of insulin was observed to be dose dependent from 5 to 200 ng/ml insulin. While the delayed insulin effect was abolished by cycloheximide, the early effect of insulin was not affected. With respect to the key enzyme activities of glucose utilization, activation of glycogen synthase (increase of I-activity/total activity) and pyruvate kinase (activation at 0.2 mM phosphoenolpyruvate) was noted 4 h after insulin addition, and these effects were not abolished by cycloheximide. These two enzymes increased in total activity after 24 h. Both glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities increased by 30-35% and 65-93% at 4 and 24 h, respectively. The results indicate that hepatocytes directly utilize glucose in a dose-dependent manner with respect to glucose and insulin. A major early and delayed effect of insulin appeared due to the activation and induction of the key hepatic enzymes of glucose utilization, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A case of diabetic non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma with an increase with plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate.

We have seen a case of "diabetic non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma" with ketosis. An 84-year-old man was brought into the hospital in a deeply comatous and dehydrated state. The initial blood glucose level was 1252 mg/dl with plasma osmolarity of 435 mOsm/l, but no ketonuria was detected by the nitroprusside method (Ketostix). However, the plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHBA) level was 5 mM in a newly developed bedside film test. The serum ketone bodies were later found to be 5.56 and 0.82 mmol/l for 3-OHBA and acetoacetate (AcAc), respectively. A marked increase in glucagon, cortisol and ADH with renal dysfunction (creatinine 5.0 mg/dl) were noted. An abnormal electrocardiogram, occular convergence and chorea like movement disappeared after correction of metabolic disturbances. The moderate level of IRI (14 microU/ml) on admission and a good response to glucagon 2 months after admission also indicate that the present case is a typical hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma. Because of a preferential increase in 3-OHBA, ketonuria seemed to be absent in the regular nitroprusside test. Marked dehydration is thought to cause renal dysfunction, and the increase in ADH may have helped to prevent further aggravation of ketoacidosis. We propose to change the term hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma (HNC) to diabetic hyperosmolar coma (DHC), because sometimes patients with hyperosmolar non-ketotic diabetic coma are ketotic, as seen in the present case. Determination of 3-OHBA or individual ketone bodies in blood is important and essential for the differential diagnosis of diabetic coma. The diagnosis of either ketoacidotic or hyperosmolar coma should be made depending on the major expression of ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolarity.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1991

[Effect of heat-staining procedure on the gram staining properties of mycobacteria].

Since the establishment of Gram stain by H.C.Y. Gram in 1884, it has been widely and routinely used as an aid for differentiation of bacteria. The bacteria are divided into three categories by the staining properties; Gram-positive, -negative, and -indefinite. All the text books in the world describe that mycobacteria such as M. tuberculosis are Gram-positive. By the merest chance, however, it was found that M. lepraemurium grown in tissues was not stained by the routinely used Gram staining method. Therefore, we tried to stain some of the mycobacteria by the Gram staining procedure which is widely used at present. The results obtained indicated that the mycobacteria tested were divided into three groups; the unstainable group such as M. leprae and M. lepraemurium, the Gram-positive and difficult-to-stain group which involves such slow growing mycobacteria as M. tuberculosis, M. avium, and M. intracellulare, and the Gram-indefinite group which contains such rapid growing mycobacteria as M. phlei, M. smegmatis, and M. chelonae. However, if Gram stain is carried out by the heating procedure at the first staining step, all the mycobacteria would become Gram-positive. Therefore, we emphasize that Gram staining of mycobacteria should be performed by the heating procedure.

Hot Temperature↗
PubMed1991

[Progress in glycated albumin assay and its clinical significance].

Glycated albumin (G-Alb) measured as one of the glycated proteins is recognized to be the clinical significant index of blood glucose control at earlier stage rather than HbA1c. The borate affinity column (BAC) method is regarded as a reference assay method, but the assay of fructosamine (FRA) is widely used at present as the easier method of G-Alb. In this paper, the characteristics, problems and usefulness of BAC method and FRA assay were described.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1990

Apolipoprotein B-48 analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography in VLDL: a sensitive and rapid method.

Apolipoprotein (apo) B subspecies were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze Apo B-48 contents in very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) more easily. Apo B-100 and B-48 were eluted through two connected column of Shim-pack Diol-300 at a retention time of 24 min and 32.3 min, respectively. The molecular masses estimated by this method were approximately 600 kDa in apo B-100, 220 kDa in apo B-48. % apo B-48 in total apo B (% B-48) determined by measuring peak area of HPLC-separated apo B in a healthy subject was 76% in chylomicrons, 13% in fasting VLDL, and 20% in 2 h-postprandial VLDL. No peak of apo B-48 was detected in LDL. Recovery of Apo B determined by re-chromatography of HPLC-separated sample was 91 +/- 4.0% and 95 +/- 3.6% in Apo B-100 and apo B-48, respectively. 125I-labeled apo B in VLDL were also analyzed by both HPLC and SDS-PAGE. Percent radioactivity of apo B-48 fraction in the total apo B determined by the HPLC (17.3%) was similar to the value obtained through the measurement of radioactivity separated by the SDS-PAGE (17.6%). Coefficient of variation in % B-48 determined by the peak area was 2.5%. Percent B-48 determined by the HPLC method was significantly correlated with % B-48 by SDS-PAGE, but 6-8 times higher, which might be accounted for in part by the reported difference of chromogenicity between apo B-100 and apo B-48. % B-48 in VLDL separated from fasting plasma were 17.1 +/- 5.6% in 14 healthy subjects, and positively related to VLDL triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations. Apo B isoprotein analysis by the HPLC method is reliable and easy to perform for studying apo B metabolism in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in physiological as well as pathological conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Development of stable film test for rapid estimation of blood or plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate.

A film test for the rapid detection of plasma/serum 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) has been developed. The film contains NAD, nitro blue tetrazolium, 3-OHB dehydrogenase, and diaphorase, and the surface is coated with modified biomembrane and can detect 50-1500 microM 3-OHB within 2-3 min. One drop or 50 microliters of plasma/serum or blood is applied to the film, and the violet color is read via reflectance meter after 2 min. Plasma/serum samples greater than 1500 microM 3-OHB can be measured by dilution with saline. In blood with 40% hematocrit, the color developed is 50% less than with plasma/serum, and this was adjusted in the reflectance meter. A good correlation (r = 0.99) was observed between results with automated and film methods and between visual methods and reflectance meter. In insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, all 3 subjects with positive ketonuria (+ +), 8 of 12 subjects with mild ketonuria (+), and 7 of 25 subjects without ketonuria exhibited elevation of 3-OHB in blood greater than 200 microM. The results indicate that 3-OHB film is valuable not only in the emergency room for the differential diagnosis between ketoacidotic and nonketotic hypersomolar coma but also as a marker for insulin dependency, energy dependency on fatty acid compared with glucose, and metabolic control of diabetes.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1990

[Isolation of a strain of M. tuberculosis which is considered to be rifampicin-dependent, from a patient with long-lasted smear positive and culture difficult (SPCD) mycobacteria].

During the course of clinical examination of drug sensitivity tests for M. tuberculosis, a strain of M. tuberculosis which is considered to be rifampicin-dependent was isolated from a patient with persisting smear positive, culture negative (SPCN) or culture difficult (SPCD) mycobacteria status. The strain isolated produced a few tiny colonies on the control Ogawa-egg yolk medium, whereas it showed abundant growth like a bacteria plaque on the medium containing rifampicin 50 micrograms/ml. Furthermore, the growth of the strain on Ogawa medium containing rifampicin 50 micrograms/ml is much better than that on the medium containing rifampicin 10 micrograms/ml.

Colony Count, Microbial↗