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Biomedical subjects

Y Kakuta

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kakuta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Bradykinin regulation of airway submucosal gland secretion: role of bradykinin receptor subtype.

To clarify the role of bradykinin receptor subtypes, we examined the effect of bradykinin on feline tracheal and human airway submucosal gland secretion using an isolated gland preparation. Bradykinin induced a significant increase in [3H]glycoconjugate secretion in a dose-dependent manner from isolated glands, which was significantly inhibited by D-Arg-(Hyp3, Thi5,8, D-Phe7)-bradykinin (the B2-receptor antagonist), whereas Des-Arg9-(Leu8)-bradykinin (B1-receptor antagonist) or indomethacin did not significantly alter it. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) caused a significant inhibition of bradykinin-induced glycoconjugate secretion, which was reversed by the addition of L-arginine. Bradykinin evoked bidirectional current responses, and an initial inward current (Cl- current) was followed by an outward current (K+ current) of the acinar cells in a whole cell configuration by patch-clamp technique. Bradykinin induced an immediate increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of the acinar cells followed by a prolonged plateau, and Ca2+ removal resulted in an initial increase alone. [Ca2+]i rise was significantly inhibited by the B2-receptor antagonist, whereas the B1-receptor antagonist did not significantly alter it. These findings suggest that B2-receptor stimulation and the resultant [Ca2+]i rise induced both mucus glycoprotein and electrolyte secretions, involving NO formation in airway submucosal gland cells.

Animals↗

P2u-purinoceptor regulation of chloride secretion in cultured human tracheal submucosal glands.

We examined the purinergic regulation of chloride secretion and intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the cultured epithelial cells passaged from human tracheal submucosal glands. Adenosine, AMP, ADP, ATP, and UTP induced transient short-circuit current (Isc) responses in a concentration-dependent fashion. The rank order of peak Isc responses at 10 microM concentrations was UTP = ATP > ADP > AMP = adenosine. Diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (1 mM) and 4,4'- diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate (0.5 mM), and quinidine (1 mM) inhibited Isc responses induced by extracellular nucleotides. However, amiloride (10 microM) was without effect. Theophylline (1 mM) did not alter ATP (10 microM)-induced Isc response. Increases in Isc induced by ATP and UTP were significantly larger than those by alpha, beta-methylene ATP, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, or 2-methylthio ATP. Extracellular nucleotides caused increases in [Ca2+]i, and the rank order of [Ca2+]i responses was same as that of Isc responses. 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxy-methyl ester (50 microM) inhibited increases in Isc and [Ca2+]i induced by extracellular nucleotides. These results suggest that extracellular nucleotides induce chloride secretion across cultured human tracheal glands via a P2u-purinoceptor, and this chloride secretion appears to be dependent on increases in [Ca2+]i and activation of Ca-dependent K channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Alveolar destruction in guinea pigs chronically exposed to diesel engine exhaust. A light- and electron-microscopic morphometry study.

Guinea pigs were exposed 16 h a day, 6 d a week, for 6, 12, 18, or 24 mo to filtered air or diesel-exhaust at low (NO2 = 0.22 +/- 0.03 ppm; SO2 = 0.60 +/- 0.19 ppm; particles = 0.21 +/- 0.07 mg/m3), medium (NO2 = 1.07 +/- 0.09; SO2 = 2.83 +/- 0.73; particles = 1.14 +/- 0.26) or high (NO2 = 2.88 +/- 0.29; SO2 = 6.49 +/- 1.75; particles = 2.94 +/- 0.69) concentrations, or at a medium concentration without particles (NO2 = 1.01 +/- 0.09; SO2 = 2.66 +/- 0.64; particles = 0.01 +/- 0.01). We quantitated the holes in the alveolar wall and alveolar size by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 12 mo of exposure, the ratio of the area of alveolar holes to that of the alveolar wall, and the number of holes per alveolus, rose as the concentration and duration of exposure increased. There were no differences in alveolar size between the study groups. Animals exposed to the medium concentration of diesel exhaust without particles showed less of an increase in the development of holes than animals exposed to the same concentration of diesel exhaust with particles. These findings suggest that diesel exhaust causes alveolar destruction (alveolar holes) without an enlargement in alveolar size in a concentration- and duration-dependent manner. Particulate matter in diesel exhaust may play some role in the development of these lesions.

Animals↗

[Lymphangiomyomatosis with chylous ascites treatment successfully by peritoneo-venous shunting].

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of coughing and dyspnea. A chest roentogenogram showed emphysematous changes and a diffuse reticular shadow. A high-resolution CT scan of the chest showed many small cysts throughout the lungs. Lymphangiomyomatosis was diagnosed after examination of a specimen obtained by transbronchial biopsy. Abdominal distention due to chylous ascites developed during the hospital stay despite anti-estrogen therapy. Because the ascites was resistant to conservative therapy, we decided to begin peritoneo-venous shunting with a Denver Shunt system. After the operation, the abdominal distention was controlled for 1 year and 11 months, at which time the patient died of respiratory and heart failure with pneumonia. At autopsy, the shunt was patent and functional although about 900 ml of serous ascites fluid was present. An adenocarcinoma was found in the upper lobe of the right lung, but it may not have been related to the lymphangiomyomatosis. Peritoneovenous shunting with a Denver Shunt can be used to treat chylous ascites due to lymphangiomyomatosis when conservative therapy is insufficient.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Decreased protein C inhibitor after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Plasma thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), FDP-D-dimer, activated protein C (APC)-protein C inhibitor (PCI) complex, and tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA), PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-I) were significantly increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at onset. These patients exhibited a hypercoagulable state and protein C activation at onset. The plasma PCI level at onset of AMI was within the normal range, but was significantly decreased after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). After PTCA, plasma t-PA, FDP-D-dimer, and plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor were increased but APC-PCI complex and TAT were not. The decrease in PCI after PTCA may have been caused by the activation of fibrinolysis. PCI may play an important role in the inhibition of fibrinolysis in stimulated or damaged endothelial cells. These findings suggest that the protein C pathway plays an important role in the onset of AMI and after PTCA.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

A specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor (ONO-5046.Na) attenuates LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in the hamster.

We have examined the effect of ONO-5046.Na, a synthetic specific inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung inflammation. Syrian golden hamsters were injected intraperitoneally with either 300 mg.kg-1 of ONO-5046.Na or saline, 30 min before and 1 h after intratracheal administration of 0.1 mg.kg-1 LPS. Animals were sacrificed 2 and 24 h later and the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (W/D) was determined. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed, and tissue sections were examined histologically. The effect of ONO-5046.Na on migration of isolated neutrophils was determined. W/D was not significantly different at 2 h, but was increased at 24 h in the LPS-treated animals. This increase was attenuated in the LPS-treated animals injected with ONO-5046.Na. Analysis of BAL fluid revealed that both at 2 and 24 h after LPS administration the total cell number and neutrophil number, albumin concentration, and elastase-like activity were significantly lower in the LPS-treated animals injected with ONO-5046.Na than in those given LPS alone. Histological examination of the lungs of the animals treated with LPS alone showed intra-alveolar haemorrhages and inflammatory cell infiltration 24 h after LPS administration, whereas the lungs of the LPS-treated ONO-5046.Na injected animals were only sparsely infiltrated by inflammatory cells, as indicated by the inflammation score.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Stereotactic radiosurgery with the gamma knife for brain metastases in patients with lung cancer].

Between February 1992 and April 1993, six patients with lung cancer were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery for brain metastases. Five patients had adenocarcinoma, and one patient had small cell carcinoma. Two patients had solitary metastases, and four patients had multiple metastases. Twelve metastases were treated with the gamma knife (peripheral dose between 12 Gy and 25 Gy). After radiosurgery, three complete and eight partial responses were achieved, which resulted in an overall response rate of 92%. In two patients, histological studies showed that few viable cells were surrounded by necrosis. Neurological status improved in all patients, and none died of complications. However, four of six patients later developed new intracranial metastases outside the treatment field. These data suggest that radiosurgery with the gamma knife is effective against brain metastases in patients with lung cancer, especially when the lesions are deep in the brain.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma treated with cisplatin plus etoposide followed by surgery].

A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a mass shadow in the upper lobe of the right lung. Undifferentiated carcinoma was diagnosed after transbronchial biopsy. Combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide was given. After two cycles of chemotherapy, partial response was obtained, and surgery was done because there was no evidence of lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis. After successful surgery, malignant fibrous histiocytoma was diagnosed because histological examination revealed the typical storiform pattern and most tumor cells showed positive cytoplasmic staining for alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and CD68. No evidence of another primary lesion was found, so this tumor was thought to be a pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Cisplatin and etoposide have synergistic effect in vivo, and this combination is widely used as a standard regimen for small cell lung cancer and other malignancies. It might also be effective against pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

13C-NMR relaxation study on mobility of the DNA-binding arm of HU.

The mobility of the DNA-binding arm of HU protein was studied by 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The correlation times tau c of Phe47C alpha in the body and Gly60C alpha in the arm of HU were determined for HU and HU-DNA complex. The value of tau c of Phe47C alpha is 2-4 times larger than that of Gly60C alpha irrespective of the presence or absence of DNA. These results show that Gly60C alpha undergoes more rapid motion than Phe47C alpha. The increase in correlation time on addition of DNA is greater for Gly60C alpha than for Phe47C alpha. This suggests that the addition of DNA influences more significantly the motion of Gly60C alpha than that of Phe47C alpha. These results are in accord with the X-ray result, in which the top part of the arm is not visible. Gly60C alpha in the arm is thus more mobile than Phe47C alpha in the body, and the mobility of Gly60C alpha is reduced by the DNA binding.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Quinine inhibits production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from human alveolar macrophages.

Although tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) produced by alveolar macrophages plays a key role in acute and chronic inflammatory states of the lung, the regulation of TNF-alpha synthesis remains to be elucidated. Recently, a K channel blocker, quinine, has been reported to inhibit cell proliferation and protein synthesis in lymphocytes, implicating physiologic roles for K channels in lymphocytes. The effect of quinine on protein synthesis in human alveolar macrophages, however, has not been determined, although alveolar macrophages have been reported to have two types of K channels. Therefore, we investigated the effect of quinine on TNF-alpha production from human alveolar macrophages. The production of TNF-alpha was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. We obtained the following results. First, LPS induced time-dependent activation of both types of K channels. Second, quinine inhibited TNF-alpha release in a dose-dependent fashion at concentrations of 50 to 200 microM, concentrations capable of blocking both types of K channels, with no appreciable reduction of phagocytosis of latex beads. Third, the compound remarkably inhibited the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA without any appreciable effect on the expression of beta-actin mRNA. These results indicate that both types of K channels are activated by stimulation with LPS and that quinine, at concentrations required to inhibit K channels, specifically blocks TNF-alpha production of human alveolar macrophages at the level of gene transcription.

Adult↗

[Simultaneous bilateral testicular tumors: a case report].

We report a case of bilateral simultaneously-occurring testicular tumors. A 43-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with a complaint of right inguinal pain in May 1992. Under the diagnosis of bilateral testicular neoplasms, bilateral high orchiectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed typical seminoma of bilateral testes. The patient was diagnosed with stage IIIO seminoma, and he was treated with combination chemotherapy (PVB). No evidence of disease has been seen after chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Ischemic heart disease showing unusual angiographic findings.

Atherosclerotic lesions usually occur in the proximal and middle portion of the coronary arteries. Multiple obstructive lesions appearing only in the peripheral branches without lesions in the proximal or distal portion have not been reported. We encountered a patient with ischemic heart disease showing multiple obstruction in the peripheral branches of the right and left coronary arteries without significant stenotic lesions in the proximal or middle portion. This 49-year-old male was admitted to Yamada Red Cross Hospital due to angina pectoris. Coronary risk factors for him included hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance, smoking habit, and obesity. Laboratory studies showed a complete blood count and normal blood chemistries, as well as thromboplastin and prothrombin times. Coronary angiography showed multiple obstruction or marked stenosis in the distal portion and peripheral branches; there was no stenosis in the proximal and middle portions. Left ventriculography showed severe hypokinesis in the diaphragmatic segment. Biopsy of the left ventricular endocardium showed interstitial fibrosis but showed no abnormalities in the myocardial fibers or cell infiltration to perivascular areas and vascular walls. Coronary angiography after two months showed multiple lesions, as previously observed. Although ischemic heart disease is caused by various types of vasculitis, embolism, coronary spasm, and fibromuscular dysplasia, in this patient, there were no findings suggestive of causes other than atherosclerosis. This case is interesting in terms of rare angiographic findings and its cause.

Coronary Angiography↗

A case of dilated cardiomyopathy manifested by exercise-induced left bundle branch block.

We report an extremely rare case of dilated cardiomyopathy manifested by exercise-induced left bundle branch block. A 63-year-old female came to our hospital because supraventricular arrhythmia had been detected at a check-up. A treadmill exercise test induced left bundle branch block. However, chest X-ray and echocardiography revealed no abnormal finding. Two years later, the patient experienced exertional dyspnea. A chest X-ray examination showed cardiomegaly, and echocardiography showed a moderate impairment of left ventricular function with left ventricular dilatation. The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy was made by left ventricular myocardial biopsy. No previous cases have initially shown exercise-induced left bundle branch block which was followed by left ventricular dysfunction due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Careful long-term observation of the clinical course is necessary in patients with exercise-induced left bundle branch block which shows no significant underlying disease.

Bundle-Branch Block↗

[A case of stunned myocardium with marked 99mTc-PYP accumulation].

A 71-year-old woman with unstable angina was admitted to our department. Upon admission, electrocardiography revealed a QS pattern in Leads V1-V3. Left ventriculography disclosed akinesis of the anterior wall and the septum. Myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) revealed marked accumulation (Parkey's grade III) in the anterior wall, septum and apical region. Coronary arteriography revealed stenosis (99% with delay) in the LAD #6. Based on these findings, we performed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on this patient. About 3 months later, the patient underwent PTCA again because stenosis had recurred. The resting 201Tl myocardial scintigram, taken immediately after the first PTCA, demonstrated complete defects in the anterior wall, septum and apical region. After the second PTCA, no stenosis was observed. About 1 year later, the wall motion returned to normal (except in part of the apical region), suggesting that this was a case of stunned myocardium. On the same occasion, the 201Tl uptake was normal except in the apical region. The present case was regarded as stunned myocardium which demonstrated marked radioactivity accumulation when examined by 99mTc-PYP myocardial scintigraphy. In the past, 99mTc-PYP has been thought to be incorporated into irreversibly impaired myocardium (e.g., in cases of acute myocardial infarction). The uptake of 99mTc-PYP into stunned myocardium has not been reported before. Thus, this case is rare and noteworthy.

Aged↗

[Induction of granule release by intracellular application of Ca and GTP gamma S in human eosinophils].

The roles of Ca and G proteins in granule release from human eosinophils were examined using a patch-clamp technique in single cells. The morphological changes and the release of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) from single cells were simultaneously observed. The intracellular application of Ca, and GTP-gamma-S induced fusion of EPO containing granules with the surface membrane which was associated with a marked increase in membrane capacitance. Ca alone caused a rapid granule release at an early stage of cell dialysis, but most granules still remained in a cluster. GTP-gamma-S alone caused a gradual degranulation. Northern blot analysis revealed the definite expression of smg p21 mRNA with no appreciable expression of smg p25A in human eosinophils.

Calcium↗