The phosphocreatine content of smooth muscle is of similar magnitude to ATP. Thus the function of the creatine kinase system in this tissue cannot simply be regarded as an energy buffer. Thus an understanding of its role in smooth muscle behavior can point to CK function in other systems. From our perspective CK function in smooth muscle is one example of a more general phenomenon, that of the co-localization of ATP synthesis and utilization. In an interesting and analogous fashion distinct glycolytic cascades are also localized in regions of the cell with specialized energy requirements. Similar to CK, glycolytic enzymes are known to be localized on thin filaments, sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. In this chapter we will describe the relations between glycolysis and smooth muscle function and compare and contrast to that of the CK system. Our goal is to more fully understand the significance of the compartmentation of distinct pathways for ATP synthesis with specific functions in smooth muscle. This organization of metabolism and function seen most clearly in smooth muscle is likely representative of many other cell types.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

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Embolization of a thoracic aortic aneurysm; the straddling coil technique: technical note.

Occlusion of a patent postligated aortic aneurysm was performed percutaneously with modified use of giant steel coils in a 50-year-old man. Steel coils were placed across the short, narrowed segment of the aorta. Successful thrombosis of entire aortic aneurysm was accomplished. No complications occurred.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

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Actions of diazepam on the discharge pattern of phrenic motoneurones in rats.

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Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Characterization of cultured cells derived from ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL) is a common cause of spinal canal stenosis and myelopathy in Orientals. OPLL is characterized by heterotopic new bone formation in ligamentous tissue. To investigate the pathogenesis of OPLL, human posterior longitudinal ligament cells were cultured and their in vitro morphological and biochemical characteristics were studied. Cell cultures from control subjects with normal spinal ligaments did not show any osteoblastic properties. In contrast, cell lines (OG1-OG5) obtained from an OPLL patient showed several different phenotypic characteristics for osteoblasts. OG1 cells showed typical osteoblast-like phenotypic characteristics (i.e., in vitro calcification, high alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity, and elevation of cAMP levels by parathyroid hormone [PTH]). All cell lines (OG1-OG5) responded to PTH and PGE2 by markedly increasing cAMP levels, ALP activities varied among the cell lines. The OG1 and OG2 cells exhibited a high level of ALP activity. Compared with cell lines from the non-ossification group, the activities were higher in the OG3 and OG4 cells, but not significantly in the OG5 cells. Only in the OG3 cells, CT caused an increase in cAMP level and ALP activity, and its stimulatory effects demonstrated that CT had a direct, in vitro action on ligament cells of OPLL patients to stimulate osteoblastic differentiation. It is clear that some cells from ligaments with OPLL had several phenotypes characteristic of osteoblasts, but cells from ligaments without ossification did not show any osteoblastic properties. This observation is considered to be an important clue to understanding the pathophysiology of OPLL.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Age-dependent changes in noradrenergic innervations of the frontal cortex in F344 rats.

Noradrenergic innervations of the frontal cortex with advancing age (9, 13 and 25 months) in male F344 rats were quantified by immunohistochemistry for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), which is a marker enzyme for noradrenergic axons. The density of DBH-positive axons, varicosities (swellings along an axon from which noradrenaline is released), and the number of varicosities per unit length of axon were measured in the frontal cortex. We found that the density of axons and varicosities significantly decreased at an earlier stage of aging (9-13 months), but not at a later stage (13-25 months). On the other hand, the number of varicosities per unit length of axon did not change with age. The result shows that the density of varicosities, which represent the synapses of noradrenergic neurons, decrease in the frontal cortex in the early aging process.

Aging↗

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Effect of beta-blockade on regional left ventricular function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

It has been reported that beta-blockade has beneficial effects on the cardiac function and prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure. However, the mechanism for these effects remained unclear. This study compared the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (enalapril, 2.5 to 5.0 mg/day, or delapril, 15 to 30 mg/day) alone with the effects of beta-blockade therapy (metoprolol, 40 to 60 mg/day) coupled with an ACE inhibitor on global and regional left ventricular (LV) function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. In 12 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, the global LV ejection fraction (EF), regional EF (rEF), and regional ejection time (rET) were determined by sector analysis of the radionuclide ventriculogram before and after therapy (duration 14 +/- 9 months). The coefficients of variation of rEF and rET were calculated as indexes of the heterogeneity of regional LV systolic wall motion. EF increased significantly from 20% +/- 8% to 30% +/- 8% (p < 0.05) in patients who received beta-blockade and an ACE inhibitor (n = 5). Furthermore, the coefficients of variation of rET decreased from 27% +/- 13% to 16% +/- 7% (p < 0.05). In contrast, patients treated with an ACE inhibitor only (n = 7) showed no significant improvements in any of these parameters. These results suggest that, compared with an ACE inhibitor alone, beta-blockade improves global and regional LV function in dilated cardiomyopathy by synchronizing myocardial contraction.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Age-dependent expression of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in human pituitary gland.

A major oxidative product, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is involved in ageing, carcinogenesis, and different diseases. The expression of 8-OHdG in the human pituitary gland was investigated immunohistochemically using specimens from individuals aged 19-88 years. 8-OHdG was localized at the nuclei of the anterior lobar parenchymal cells of the pituitary gland. The number of cells positive for 8-OHdG were counted, and the ratio of the positive cells to the total parenchymal cells was evaluated. The ratios increased in accordance with the ages of the individuals examined. Statistically, there was a significant correlation between the ages in years and the 8-OHdG positive ratios in the anterior lobar parenchymal cells (r = 0.757, p < 0.01). These findings indicate an age-dependent accumulation of 8-OHdG in the pituitary gland, which may also be related to the ageing of neuroendocrine systems as well.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of sildenafil as the first-step therapeutic tool for Japanese patients with erectile dysfunction.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of sildenafil as the first-step tool for erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japanese males. Between March 1999 and March 2003, 281 patients were prescribed five tablets of sildenafil (50 mg) as the first step in the therapeutic management of ED. Of the 281 patients, 206 were evaluable patients. The overall success rate in achieving sexual intercourse in subjects after taking sildenafil was 77.2% (159/206), while 22.8% (47/206) were unsuccessful. The success rates in men with functional ED and organic ED were 91.4% (85/93) and 65.5% (74/113), respectively (P<0.0001). Overall, transient adverse effects of sildenafil occurred in 16 (8%) males. Intolerable adverse effects (edema and dizziness) occurred in only 1% of patients (2/206). Sildenafil citrate may be recommended as the first choice drug for ED because of its high success rate and low invasiveness.

Adult↗