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Biomedical subjects

Y Kohno

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kohno.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Histological evidence for neuroprotective action of nebracetam on ischemic neuronal injury in the hippocampus of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The protective effect of nebracetam on ischemic neuronal damage was histologically examined in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal CA1 subfield 7 days after operation using stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) subjected to 10-min bilateral carotid occlusion. Nebracetam (50 and 100 mg/kg), given orally 10 min after reperfusion, dose-dependently protected against ischemic delayed neuronal damage in the SHRSP with occlusion; however, the blood pressure remained unchanged following nebracetam administration. These findings further support the notion that nebracetam protects against ischemic delayed neuronal cell death in the hippocampus.

Animals↗

[Clinical evaluation of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigram in patients with valvular heart disease].

Myocardial sympathetic nerve function can be evaluated by 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. Congestive heart failure is closely related to myocardial sympathetic nerve function. This study evaluated the severity of congestive heart failure in 30 patients with valvular heart disease [aortic regurgitation (AR): n = 20, mean age = 70 +/- 13 years; mitral regurgitation (MR): n = 10, mean age = 61 +/- 18 years], who had chronic heart failure by MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and anterior planar myocardial images were obtained 15 minutes (initial images) and 4 hours (delayed images) after injection of MIBG (111MBq). Defect score was determined by the delayed SPECT images visually as a semi-quantitative index. Myocardial MIBG uptake was quantified by the heart to upper mediastinum uptake ratio on the delayed anterior planar images (H/M) and mean cardiac MIBG washout rate during 4 hours was calculated from the bull's eye display data (clearance). These indices were compared with the NYHA class and echocardiographic findings of the patients. MIBG regional defect in the delayed image was most frequently seen in the inferoposterior wall, and defect score and clearance were significantly higher and the H/M ratio was significantly lower in NYHA class III patients than in class II patients. In patients with AR, clearance significantly correlated with left ventricular end-systolic dimension. In patients with MR, both the H/M ratio and clearance significantly correlated with left atrial dimension. Defect score, H/M, and clearance were closely related to the severity of AR and MR. These results indicate that MIBG scan can be used to assess the severity of valvular heart disease.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

[Nasal smear cytology in bronchial asthma: correlation of appearance and numbers of nasal smear mast cells, eosinophils or basophils and serum IgE antibodies to house dust mite in patients with bronchial asthma].

Nasal smear cytology was studied in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma with special reference with IgE RAST to house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp). Results obtained were as follows: (1) Numbers of eosinophils on the nasal smear correlated well with Dp RAST score, (2) mast cells were detected before Dp RAST becoming positive and appearance of eosinophils, (3) basophils appeared after detection of eosinophils and only in patients with nasal smear eosinophils. These results suggest that mast cells are the early marker for allergic inflammation and basophils and eosinophils appear in association with overt sensitization with house dust mite in house dust mite-sensitized asthmatic patients.

Adolescent↗

Chondroitinase ABC-resistant sulfated trisaccharides isolated from digests of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate chains.

Four kinds of sulfated trisaccharides resistant to chondroitinase ABC were isolated after chondroitinase B or ABC treatment of dermatan sulfate or various chondroitin sulfate isomers, respectively. Their composition was determined by chemical analysis and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry. Their structures were characterized by chondroitinase ACII digestion in conjunction with HPLC, and 500-MHz one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. All the four trisaccharides have in common the core saccharide sequence, alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-D-GlcpA. A monosulfated component isolated from shark scapular cartilage chondroitin sulfate C or bovine aorta dermatan sulfate was elucidated as alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc6SO3(-)-(1-->4)-D-GlcpA or alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc4SO3(-)-(1-->4)-D-GlcpA , respectively. A disulfated component obtained from shark scapular cartilage chondroitin sulfate C or squid cartilage chondroitin sulfate E was identified as alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA2SO3(-)-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc6SO3(-)-(1-->4)-D-G lcpA or alpha-L-delta 4,5HexpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc4SO3(-)6SO3(-)-(1-->4)- D-GlcpA, respectively. These trisaccharides are derived from the reducing termini of the parent polysaccharides. Some of the trisaccharides could be derived from the reducing termini exposed by the peeling reaction during the alkaline treatment while some others may represent the cleavage sites exposed by tissue endo-beta-D-glucuronidase(s), indicating the presence of such enzyme(s) which may release chondroitin/dermatan sulfate fragments from proteoglycans.

Animals↗

Excitation by talipexole, a dopamine D2 agonist, of caudate nucleus neurons activated by nigral stimulation.

An electrophysiological study using cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose was performed to elucidate whether or not talipexole (B-HT 920 CL2: 6-allyl-2-amino -5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo [4, 5 -d] -azepine-dihydrochroride), a dopamine D2 agonist, acts on postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the caudate nucleus (CN) neurons receiving excitatory input from the pars compacta of substantia nigra (SN). Extracellular neuron activities were recorded in the CN using a glass-insulated silver wire microelectrode attached along a seven-barreled micropipette, each of which was filled with talipexole, quinpirole (dopamine D2 agonist), domperidone (dopamine D2 antagonist), glutamate and 2M NaCl. These drugs were microiontophoretically applied to the immediate vicinity of the target neuron. In the same neurons in which the spikes elicited by the SN stimulation were blocked by microiontophoretically applied domperidone, microiontophoretic application of talipexole and quinpirole induced a dose-dependent increase in spontaneous firing. This increase in firing by talipexole and quinpirole was blocked during simultaneous application of domperidone, although glutamate-induced firing remained unaffected by domperidone. In the CN neurons, in which the SN stimulation-induced spikes were not blocked by domperidone, spontaneous firing was not affected by talipexole or quinpirole. These findings suggest that talipexole activates CN neurons receiving a dopaminergic input from SN via D2 receptors, as does quinpirole.

Action Potentials↗

Entrapping efficiency and drug release profile of an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion formulation using a polydimethylsiloxane-coated glass bead assay.

Evaluation of entrapping efficiency is difficult for an o/w emulsion formulation containing a lipophilic oily drug, isocarbacyclin methyl ester (TEI-9090), by commonly employed techniques (dialysis, ultrafiltration, or gel filtration), because of its adsorption to the system materials. Employing this characteristic of TEI-9090, we developed an adsorption technique with polydimethylsiloxane-coated glass beads (PDMS-GB). The assay is based on the quantitative adsorption of unentrapped TEI-9090 to the PDMS-GB. The entrapping efficiency of a 10% soybean oil emulsion containing [3H]TEI-9090 (1 microgram/mL) assayed by this method approached 100%. The PDMS-GB assay was performed for the emulsion diluted 100 times with physiological saline at different time intervals after dilution over a period of 24 hr. A plot of [3H]TEI-9090 in the emulsion particles versus time showed rapid release within 1 hr, followed by very slow release, reaching equilibrium. Applying first-order kinetics, the data were found to fit to a biexponential equation over the first hour of release. The terminal release resembled the first-order release of the drug from the phospholipid-rich infranatant, which was separated from the creamy layer by ultracentrifugation of the emulsion and contained 35% [3H]TEI-9090. These results suggest that the drug is released from two components in the emulsion.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Isolation and characterization of a novel hair follicle-specific gene, Hacl-1.

We have isolated a hair-follicle-specific gene, termed hacl-1, from a cDNA library of ICR mouse skin. Hacl-1 is expressed specifically in skin, and its mRNA level is correlated with the active state of hair follicles in developmental and regenerative processes of hair. Its mRNA is approximately 1 kilobase pairs (kb). Its cDNA was completely co-linear with the genomic clone, indicating that the hacl-1 gene is composed of one exon. The hacl-1 gene has an open reading frame of 579 base pairs (bp). The deduced amino acid sequence showed six direct repeats of a decapeptide on the C-terminal side. The repetitive unit contains a CQP motif, which is present in repetitive peptide sequences of some hair- and epidermal-cell-specific proteins. In situ hybridization with a 3' untranslated region of the hacl-1 cDNA as a probe showed that hacl-1 was expressed specifically in the keratogenous zone of the cortical cells of the hair shaft. No other components of hair follicles or epidermis showed a positive signal. Thus, hacl-1 is a novel, hair-follicle-specific gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Growth and differentiation properties of normal and transformed human keratinocytes in organotypic culture.

The growth and differentiation of human normal keratinocytes and their transformed counterparts were examined in organotypic cultures in which the keratinocytes were grown at the air-liquid interface on top of contracted collagen gel containing fibroblasts. We developed a modified culture procedure including the use of a mixed medium for keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Normal keratinocytes formed a three-dimensional structure of epithelium that closely resembled the epidermis in vivo, consisting of basal, spinous, granular and cornified layers. Cells synthesizing DNA were located in the lowest basal layer facing the collagen gel. Expressions of proteins involved in epidermal differentiation were examined by immunohistochemical staining and compared with those in skin in vivo. In the organotypic culture, transglutaminase, involucrin and filaggrin were expressed, as in the epidermis in vitro, most prominently in the granular layer. Type IV collagen, a component of basement membrane, was expressed at the interface between the keratinocyte sheet and the contracted collagen gel. Keratinocytes transformed by simian virus 40 or human papilloma virus (HPV) exhibited a highly disorganized pattern of squamous differentiation. In particular, HPV-transformed cells invaded the collagen gel. Organotypic culture is unique in that regulatory mechanisms of growth and differentiation of keratinocytes can be investigated under conditions mimicking those in vivo.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Effects of human neonatal serum on DNA synthesis in suckling and adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture.

The effect of human neonatal serum on DNA synthesis in suckling and adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture was investigated to characterize growth regulating factors of the liver in neonates and to confirm whether the stimulatory factor is human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF). Neonatal serum stimulated DNA synthesis of both adult and suckling rat hepatocytes. The stimulatory effect was dose-dependent up to 20% in volume. The molecular weight of the stimulatory substance in neonatal serum was between 12,500 and 25,000, as estimated by gel filtration. Its activity was stable after heating at 56 degrees C for 20 min, but was lost after heating at 90 degrees C for 30 s, and easily passed through S- or heparin-Sepharose columns. The concentration of hHGF quantified by ELISA was too low to stimulate DNA synthesis in vitro. Biological and biochemical properties of the growth stimulatory activity in neonatal serum differed from that of hHGF. The presence of other growth factors in human neonatal serum for suckling and adult hepatocytes was suggested.

Animals↗

Heterogeneity of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in adrenergic contractions of dog blood vessels.

1. We determined the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in adrenergic contractions of eight different blood vessels isolated from the dog. 2. Noradrenaline produced concentration-dependent contractions in all the blood vessels tested, which were competitively inhibited by prazosin, WB4101, HV723 and 5-methylurapidil. However, there was considerable difference between the vessels with regard to the pKB values for all the antagonists. The alpha 1-adrenoceptors of dog vertebral and carotid arteries had high affinity for prazosin (pKB > 9.0) but low affinity for WB4101 (< 8.5), 5-methylurapidil (< 7.5) and HV723 (< or = 8.5). By contrast, HV723 had higher affinity (> 9.0) than prazosin (< 8.3), WB4101 (< 8.7) and 5-methylurapidil (< 8.2) in the portal vein, mesenteric artery and vein, and renal artery. In the femoral artery and vein, however, the four antagonists showed pKB values in the range 8.0-8.7. 3. Chloroethylclonidine (10 microM) produced a remarkable reduction of the contractile responses to noradrenaline in the vertebral and carotid arteries as compared with those in the other vessels. Nifedipine inhibited the responses to noradrenaline in all the tissues tested, and had marked effects in the portal vein. 4. Sympathetic adrenergic contractions induced by transmural electrical stimulation were also inhibited by prazosin and HV723 at different potencies among tissues. The relative potencies of both the antagonists paralleled the relationship in inhibiting the responses to exogenous noradrenaline in each vessel. 5. According to recent alpha l-adrenoceptor subclassification, the present results suggest that the contractions of blood vessels induced by endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline are mediated through different alpha l-adrenoceptor subtypes heterogeneously distributed in each vessel; presumably, the alpha 1 B subtype in the carotid and vertebral arteries, the alpha IN subtype in the visceral region and the alpha IL subtype in the femoral region. Regionally different expression of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes may be in part associated with the regional heterogeneity of sympathetic responses in the blood vessels.

Acetonitriles↗

Determination of protein binding of a highly lipophilic drug, isocarbacyclin methyl ester (TEI-9090), using a polydimethylsiloxane-coated glass beads assay.

An adsorption technique with polydimethylsiloxane-coated glass beads (PDMS-GB) was developed to determine the protein binding of a highly lipophilic and hydrophobic drug. The present assay method is based on the quantitative adsorption of unbound drug to the PDMS-GB. This method of batch separation in a glass assay tube has an advantage of simplicity and rapidity. To evaluate the reliability of PDMS-GB assay, we compared the protein binding of diazepam in serum in-vitro measured by ultrafiltration and PDMS-GB assay. There was no significant difference between the extent of binding measured by each method. Using PDMS-GB assay, we determined the protein binding of the prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) analogue isocarbacyclin methyl ester (TEI-9090), whose binding cannot be measured by commonly employed techniques (equilibrium dialysis, ultrafiltration, gel filtration or ultracentrifugation) because of a high degree of adsorption to membranes, resins or tubes. The percentage of TEI-9090 bound in human serum, 4% human serum albumin (HSA, fatty acid-free) and dog serum were approximately 98, approximately 87 and approximately 95%, respectively, and these values were independent of TEI-9090 concentration up to 10 ng mL-1. The binding of isocarbacyclin (TEI-7165) to serum protein in man, dogs, rabbits and rats, determined by ultrafiltration, was also high (> 90%). While the displacement of TEI-9090 and TEI-7165 binding to HSA by aspirin, salicylic acid and indomethacin was not observed, clofibric acid and free fatty acids significantly inhibited the protein binding of both compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adsorption↗

Specificities of IgE, IgG and IgA antibodies to ovalbumin. Comparison of binding activities to denatured ovalbumin or ovalbumin fragments of IgE antibodies with those of IgG or IgA antibodies.

We studied the binding activities of IgE, IgG and IgA antibodies in patients with allergy to hen's egg white against two different ovalbumin (OVA) preparations, which were physically or chemically denatured OVA and enzyme-digested OVA fragments. The binding activities of IgE antibodies to these OVA preparations with those of IgG or IgA antibodies were compared. It was found that the binding activities of IgE antibodies to denatured OVA by treatment with dithiothreitol, urea or hydrochloric acid were similar to those of IgG or IgA antibodies. In contrast, the binding activities of IgE antibodies to heat-denatured OVA or by treatment with sodium hydroxide at pH 11.0 were different from those of IgG or IgA antibodies to these denatured OVA. Furthermore, we found that the binding activities of anti-OVA antibodies in sera from patients with allergy to hen's egg white against fragmented OVA were different between IgE antibodies and IgG or IgA antibodies. Thus, it can be concluded that IgE antibodies to OVA in sera from patients with allergy to egg white differ from IgG or IgA antibodies in respect to binding activities against different preparations of denatured or fragmented OVA, probably due to differences in fine specificities of these antibodies against OVA.

Allergens↗

Identification of the disease-related T cell epitope of ovalbumin and epitope-targeted T cell inactivation in egg allergy.

An ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cell line (TCL) was established from a patient with hen egg allergy. The TCL was CD4+, expressed alpha beta T cell receptor, and recognized OVA presented by HLA-DR10. Based on the response of the TCL to synthetic OVA peptides, it was found that the TCL recognized OVA 323-339, which is a major T cell epitope presented by murine I-Ad. The TCL secreted high levels of IL-5, but undetectable amounts of IL-2, interferon-gamma, and IL-4 when stimulated with OVA or the OVA 323-339 peptide. Since IL-5 is an important growth and chemotactic factor for eosinophils, it is possible that these OVA 323-339-specific T cells can contribute to human egg allergy. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of food allergen-specific TCL establishment and identification of a T cell epitope possibly related to the allergic reaction to food antigens. An analog peptide of the OVA 323-339 which is known to strongly bind to I-Ad partially inhibited the response of the TCL to OVA 323-339 presented by HLA-DR10, raising the possibility of peptide-based immunotherapy of food allergy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantitative evaluation of 99mTc-GSA in the rat liver after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) is a new liver-imaging agent which binds specifically to hepatic binding protein. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Tc-GSA in quantitatively evaluating hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat. Regional hepatic ischemia was induced by clamping the left hepatic artery and the left portal vein for 5 to 45 min. A hepatic accumulation index (t90) was obtained on the basis of the dynamic data. A significant difference of this index was observed between all ischemic groups and the control. In conclusion, 99mTc-GSA appears useful for evaluating the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Thyroglobulin-specific T cell line from a healthy individual does not produce proinflammatory cytokines on antigenic stimulation: an implication for possible fail-safe mechanism to avoid autoimmunity.

In order to investigate the regulation of autoimmune response to thyroglobulin (Tg), one of the thyroid autoantigens, we established a Tg-specific T cell line by stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a healthy volunteer with Tg and characterized its cytokine production pattern. The Tg-specific T cell line, designated DH5D1, obtained from a limiting dilution culture bore alpha beta T cell receptor and was CD4 and CD45RO positive. Upon stimulation with Tg, DH5D1 secreted little or no titers of IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, whereas activation with combination of phorbol myristate acetate and calcium ionophore produced measurable levels of these cytokines. These results indicate that the Tg-specific T cell line is not defective in its capacity to produce proinflammatory cytokines and suggest that the inability of cytokine production by autoreactive T cells of healthy individuals is one fail-safe mechanism for preventing aggression of harmful autoimmune response.

Antigens↗