Rapid and simple assay method to study the content and the biosynthesis of peptide leukotrienes in whole blood.
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Kikawa
Publications and source records attributed to Y Kikawa.
Branched-chain alpha-ketoacids and related acids in thiamin-deprived rats.
We showed elevated plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids, alpha-ketoacids, alpha-hydroxyacids in thiamin-deprived rats, which had decreased liver thiamin levels (2.4% of control) after 4 weeks of feeding of thiamin-deficient diet. The ratios of mean levels of these acids in thiamin-deficient rats to those in control rats were as follows: total branched-chain amino acids 1.6; total branched-chain alpha-ketoacids 2.7; total branched-chain alpha-hydroxyacids 3.6; pyruvic acid 1.6. The plasma level of total branched-chain alpha-hydroxyacids was correlated to liver thiamin concentration (r = -0.67, p less than 0.01), but those of the other two acids were not correlated. Although the increased levels of branched-chain acids in thiamin-deprived rats were less remarkable than those of ill patients with maple syrup urine disease, they reflect the reportedly decreased branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase activities (about 40% of control), and we discussed whether the toxic effects of individual branched-chain acid could be demonstrated by its administration to the thiamin-deprived rats.
Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗
[Development of a system for monitoring the production of leukotriene B4, C4, D4 and E4 in whole blood of pediatric asthmatic patients].
We have developed a new method using a computerized photodiode-array spectrophotometer (CPAS), to characterize the biosynthesis and the inhibition of leukotriene (LT) B4, C4, D4 and E4 in calcium ionophore (Ca-I)-stimulated whole blood. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The use of CPAS enabled us to identify and measure LTs from 2 ml volume of Ca-I stimulated whole blood as well as to check the purity of LTs, without any use of radioimmunoassay or bioassay. 2. LTC4 produced in whole blood was almost completely converted to LTE4 after 80 min incubation, and at this time both the production of LTE4 and LTB4 reached a plateau and remained constant thereafter. 3. Azelastine added in vitro caused a dose-dependent inhibition of Ca-I stimulated LTB4 and LTE4 production with an IC50 of 10 microM.
Adolescent↗
Occurrence of 9-deoxy-delta 9,delta 12-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin D2 in human urine.
We have developed a highly sensitive and specific solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for 9-deoxy-delta 9,delta 12-dihydroprostaglandin D2 (delta 12-PGJ2) and studied the occurrence of this novel PGD2 metabolite in human urine. The assay detected delta 12-PGJ2 over the range of 2-200 pg, and the antiserum showed 2% cross-reaction with PGJ2 and less than 0.2% with other PGs. We used this assay and purified the delta 12-PGJ2-like immunoreactive substance from human urine. Purification consisted of chromatographies on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, a silicic acid column, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and finally an affinity column of anti-delta 12-PGJ2 antibody. As a result, about 850 ng of delta 12-PGJ2-like immunoreactive substance were recovered from 60 liters of human urine. The purified material was identified as delta 12-PGJ2 by gas chromatography/high resolution-selected ion monitoring using the molecular ion m/z 448[M]+. and ions [M - 15]+, [M - 43]+, [M - 100]+., and [M - 143]+. The amounts of delta 12-PGJ2 in the urine from normal, volunteer men and women were 151.5 +/- 20.0 and 65.6 +/- 5.4 ng/24 h (mean +/- S.E., n = 5), respectively. The delta 12-PGJ2 amount in urine did not alter significantly during storage for at least 24 h or by the addition of authentic PGD2 to urine samples, suggesting that the delta 12-PGJ2 we determined was not derived from the decomposition of PGD2 in the urine during storage or purification. Moreover, when a single dose of PGD2 (1 mg/kg) was injected intravenously into cynomolgus monkeys, the urinary level of delta 12-PGJ2 increased 20- to 180-fold over the normal levels, whereas the delta 12-PGJ2 level decreased by 40-50% of the normal levels, following the administration of indomethacin at a dose of 1 mg/kg. These results indicate that delta 12-PGJ2 is formed naturally in the body and excreted as a urinary PGD2 metabolite.
Adult↗
Stimulated arachidonate metabolism during foam cell transformation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with oxidized low density lipoprotein.
Changes in arachidonate metabolism were examined in mouse peritoneal macrophages incubated with various types of lipoproteins. Oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) was incorporated by macrophages and stimulated macrophage prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene C4 syntheses, respectively, 10.8- and 10.7-fold higher than by the control. Production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, a stable metabolite of prostacyclin, was also stimulated. No stimulation was found with native LDL, which was minimally incorporated by the cells. Acetylated LDL and beta-migrating very low density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL), though incorporated more efficiently than oxidized LDL, also had no stimulatory effect. When oxidized LDL was separated into the lipoprotein-lipid peroxide complex and free lipid peroxides, most of the stimulatory activity was found in the former fraction, indicating that stimulation of arachidonate metabolism in the cell is associated with uptake of the lipoprotein-lipid peroxide complex. These results suggest that peroxidative modification of LDL could contribute to the progression of atheroma by stimulating arachidonate metabolism during incorporation into macrophages.
Animals↗
Leukotriene B4 and 20-OH-LTB4 in purulent peritoneal exudates demonstrated by GC-MS.
Inflammatory peritoneal exudates from 11 patients with purulent peritonitis or non-perforative appendicitis were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for their content of 5S, 12R-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (LTB4) and its omega-oxidized catabolite, 5S,12R,20-trihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-OH-LTB4). Eleven samples of peritoneal exudates were examined. LTB4 and 20-OH-LTB4 were demonstrated only in the samples from patients with purulent peritonitis. LTB4 was detected in 4 samples, and 20-OH-LTB4 was detected in 6 samples by GC-MS with selected ion monitoring. In addition, a nearly full spectrum corresponding to that of synthetic 20-OH-LTB4 was obtained with 3 samples. Neither LTB4 nor 20-OH-LTB4 were detected in samples from patients with non-perforative appendicitis. LTB4 or 20-OH-LTB4 may be related to the pathophysiological mechanism of purulent inflammations.
Appendicitis↗
Leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from blood of umbilical cord, infants, children, and adults.
The biosynthesis of 5(S), 12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid, leukotriene B4, by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was examined in relation to age. The leukotriene B4 production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes from umbilical cords, infants, and adults was assayed using high pressure liquid chromatography. The specificity of the leukotriene B4 assay was examined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 10 umbilical cords, 24 infants and children, and 10 adults were examined for their ability to synthesize leukotriene B4, in vitro after stimulation by the ionophore A23187 or platelet-activating factor. Among the infants and children, there was a slight age-dependent increase of leukotriene B4 production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in response to ionophore A23187, but it was not statistically significant. Leukotriene B4 production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the umbilical cords and infants was not significantly lower than that of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in adults in response to both ionophore A23187 and platelet-activating factor under our experimental conditions.
Adolescent↗
A simple method of determining 4-hydroxyisovaleric acid and its level in a patient with isovaleric acidemia.
We developed a simple and rapid method for the quantitative determination of 4- hydroxyisovaleric acid using the conversion of this acid to the corresponding lactone,and measured its levels in the plasma of a patient with isovaleric acidemia during an episode of severe ketoacidosis. 4-Hydroxyisovaleric acid reached a peak two days after plasma isovaleric acid was at its highest level.
Acidosis↗
9-Deoxy-delta 9, delta 12-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin D2, a metabolite of prostaglandin D2 formed in human plasma.
Incubation of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) with human plasma yielded a product that has been identified as 9-deoxy-9,10-didehydro-12,13-didehydro-13,14-dihydro-PGD2 (9-deoxy-delta 9, delta 12-13,14-dihydro-PGD2). The identification was based on mass spectrometry, UV spectrometry, mobilities and retention time on TLC and HPLC, and NMR. The conversion of PGD2 to this product was dependent on the incubation time and the amount of plasma added to a reaction mixture and was abolished by prior boiling. The conversion rate of PGD2 to this metabolite was 0.03 nmol/min per mg of protein of whole plasma at pH 8.0 at 37 degrees C. Similar conversion was also found by incubating PGD2 with human serum albumin added at the concentration found in plasma. These results suggest that the conversion of PGD2 to this product is catalyzed by the enzymatic action of a plasma protein, probably serum albumin. The biological activities of this compound were examined in several systems. It showed negligible activity in inhibition of human platelet aggregation and relaxation of rabbit stomach strip. On the other hand, it exhibited a three times stronger inhibitory activity (IC50, 1.8 microM) than PGD2 (IC50, 5 microM) on the growth of L-1210 cultured cells.
Blood Proteins↗
Inhibition of growth of HeLa cells by new synthetic protease inhibitors.
Tryptic hydrolysis of benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroanilide was competitively inhibited by phenyl and substituted phenyl esters of trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (GMCHA), amidinopiperidine-4-carboxylic acid (APCA), amidinopiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (AP3CA), amidinopiperidine-4-acetic acid (APAA), amidinopiperidine-4-propionic acid (APPA), amidinopiperidine-3-propionic acid (AP3PA), amidinopiperidine-4-butyric acid (APBA), and amidinopiperidine-3-butyric acid (AP3BA). The 4-tert-butylphenyl (tBP) ester of APPA was the most effective inhibitor, its K1 value being 5.0 X 10(-7) M. The free acids and phenols had no inhibitory effect at 10(-3) M. The tBP esters of GMCHA, APPA, and APBA caused 50-60% inhibition of growth of HeLa cells, their effects being dose-dependent, while same esters of APCA, AP3PA, APPA, AP3PA, and AP3BA inhibited the growth by 30-40%. The phenyl esters of these were less inhibitory than the tBP esters. A protease preparation obtained from HeLa cells by sonication and ultrafiltration through a molecular sieve membrane strongly hydrolyzed the fluorescent peptides Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-MCA and Bz-Arg-MCA. This proteolytic activity was not affected by soybean trypsin inhibitor but was strongly inhibited by the tBP esters of GMCHA, APAA, and APBA, their effects roughly paralleling their inhibitions of the growth of HeLa cells.
Cell Division↗
Organic acids and branched-chain amino acids in body fluids before and after multiple exchange transfusions in maple syrup urine disease.
We successfully treated a critically ill infant with the classical type of maple syrup urine disease by multiple exchange transfusions via a peripheral artery and vein and with positive calorie supplementation in the early stage of therapy. Clinical improvement was definite after the plasma leucine level fell below 1 mmol/l. There was a close linear correlation between plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and their corresponding branched-chain alpha-keto acids and branched-chain alpha-hydroxy acids. alpha-Hydroxy acids were more easily excreted in the urine than alpha-keto acids and amino acids. Our studies on urinary organic acids supported the existence of minor metabolic pathways of branched-chain alpha-keto acids, although they were not thought to be important in eliminating accumulated alpha-keto acids. Urinary excretion of succinic acid and alpha-ketoglutaric acid, which are components of the citric acid cycle, increased transiently during the patient's convalescence. The cerebrospinal fluid/plasma ratios for branched-chain amino acids, alpha-keto acids, and alpha-hydroxy acids were very high before the transfusions and decreased after improvement. The cerebrospinal fluid/plasma ratios for 5-carbon acids, alpha-ketoisovaleric acid and alpha-hydroxyisovaleric acid were much higher than for other branched-chain acids not only in the patient but also in normal controls. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and alpha-hydroxyisovaleric acid were as high as 1 mmol/l in our patient.
Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗
[Fundamental and clinica evaluation of cefoxitin in children (author's transl)].
Fundamental and clinical evaluations were made on cefoxitin, a new cephamycin antibiotic, and the following results were obtained. 1) MIC of the drug to clinical isolates was determined and was higher than that of cefazolin to Gram-positive bacilli. Among Gram-negative rods, the drug showed a sufficient antibacterial activity even to cefazolin-resistant strains. However, the MIC of cefoxitin to cefazolin-sensitive strains tended to be higher than that of cefazolin. 2) As to the passage of cefoxitin in experimental staphylococcal meningitis in rabbits, a percentage of CSF/serum ratio of AUC was 10.7% up to 3 hours and CSF/serum ratio of T1/2 was 1.78 of which value was an intermediate between those of ampicillin and cefazolin. There were, however, larger individual differences. 3) Blood concentrations and urinary recovery rates were determined in 2 children. In 1 patient, in whom the drug was given intravenously at a dose of 25 mg/kg, a blood concentration after 30 minutes was 50 microgram/ml, T1/2 was 57.2 minutes. This patient, however, showed a slight renal dysfunction. In another patient, who received an intravenous injection of 12.5 mg/kg, a 30 minutes blood concentration was 14.6 microgram/ml and T1/2 was 31.8 minutes. Urinary recovery rates up to 6 hours were 85.8% and 73.5%, respectively. 4) Thirty patients with the following bacterial infections were treated with cefoxitin, i.e., urinary tract infection (24 cases), respiratory tract infection (4 cases), each one case of peritonitis and suspected sepsis. An overall efficacy rate was 93.3%, i.e., excellent in 13 cases, good in 15, and failure in 2. Disappearance rate of the causative organism of the 23 clinical isolates was 87.0%, i.e., that the causative organism disappeared in 20 strains, reduced in 1 and persisted in 2. 5) Based on the above results, it was concluded that cefoxitin is a potent new antibiotic in bacterial infections in children, particularly respiratory and urinary tract infections. The optimal recommended dose will be about 25 mg/kg which should be given 3-4 times daily intravenously or by drip infusion.
Adolescent↗
Successful treatment of essential thrombocythemia evolving into agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with interferon-alpha.
PURPOSE: Essential thrombocythemia and agnogenic myeloid metaplasia as one form of idiopathic myelofibrosis are myeloproliferative disorders and are quite rare in children. A patient with essential thrombocythemia that transformed to "adult-type" agnogenic myeloid metaplasia is described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A routine examination of an 8-year-old girl with bronchial asthma showed thrombocytosis. Essential thrombocythemia was diagnosed 2 years later. During a 3-year follow-up without treatment, transition of the essential thrombocythemia to agnogenic myeloid metaplasia was noticed. The patient had an excellent response to interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy. CONCLUSION: This case is unique because of the availability of premorbid hematologic data and the natural progression of essential thrombocythemia to agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. Whether IFN-alpha therapy can prevent the progression of idiopathic myelofibrosis to leukemia has not yet been determined.
Child↗
Serum soluble CD44 in pediatric patients with acute leukemia.
PURPOSE: CD44 is an adhesion molecule expressed on a variety of cells, and its level correlates with the metastatic potential of malignant tumors. Serum concentrations of soluble CD44 (sCD44) are elevated in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to measure the serum concentrations of CD44 in pediatric patients with acute leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen pediatric patients with acute leukemia were studied. The authors measured the serum concentration of sCD44 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after therapy. The concentrations were compared with those of 15 control healthy children and 10 patients with bacterial infections. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of sCD44 at presentation was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects, but decreased to a normal range in complete remission after chemotherapy. There was no difference in sCD44 concentrations between patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia and those with acute myeloid leukemia. Serum concentrations of sCD44 did not correlate with lactic dehydrogenase concentrations or bone marrow nucleated cell counts and only weakly with peripheral leukocyte count. sCD44 levels in patients with bacterial infections were similar to those of control subjects. CONCLUSION: Serum concentration of sCD44 may reflect disease status in pediatric patients with acute leukemia and might be a useful tumor marker in these patients.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗