Biomedical subjects

Y Ohkubo

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ohkubo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Spermine modulates calcium flux through the rat erythrocyte membrane.

The uptake of 45Ca by inside-out erythrocyte membrane vesicles (IOV) was dose-dependently inhibited by spermine. A cationic substance, Mg2+, did not affect this inhibitory activity of spermine. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, however, was not inhibited by spermine at a concentration that could inhibit the uptake of 45Ca by the IOV. The release of 45Ca from IOV was significantly accelerated by spermine. Spermine bound to the surface of the IOV and was removed by treatment with acetic acid. These results suggest that spermine stimulates the release of Ca2+ from the IOV (or uptake of Ca2+ by erythrocytes) via an effect on the outer surface of the IOV (or the inner surface of erythrocytes).

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Hepatocyte growth factor induces transglutaminase activity that negatively regulates the growth signal in primary cultured hepatocytes.

Transglutaminase (TGase) activity increased 2.5-fold at 6 h after treatment of rat hepatocytes with 117 nM hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In the same manner, putrescine incorporation into proteins of cells occurred in HGF-treated cells but did not in those pretreated with monodansylcadaverine (MDC), a TGase inhibitor, even in the presence of HGF. These results suggest that HGF-induced TGase was active and catalyzed some cross-linkage reaction. Cycloheximide completely blocked the increase in TGase activity induced by HGF, suggesting that HGF stimulated de novo synthesis of TGase within 6 h. Both [35S]methionine incorporation and Northern blotting analyses supported this possibility. Pretreatment of cells with MDC additionally increased HGF-induced DNA synthesis and the ratio of cells in S-phase. Similarly, TGase antisense oligonucleotide inhibited de novo synthesis of TGase, resulting in increase in the ratio of S-phase cells in the presence of HGF. Analyses of cross-linking of HGF to the receptor indicated that the antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the downregulation of HGF receptor subsequent to HGF-addition. These results provide the first evidence for inducibility of de novo synthesis of TGase by HGF and suggest that TGase negatively regulates the growth signal of HGF through the downregulation of receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Autonomous regulation of proliferation and growth arrest in mouse primordial germ cells studied by mixed and clonal cultures.

In culture, mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) proliferate and undergo growth arrest with a time course similar to that in vivo. It is unclear whether this behavior is regulated autonomously or by coexisting somatic cells. We performed mixed culture experiments using PGCs from 8.5- and 11.5-d.p.c. embryos and found no interaction between the PGCs and somatic cells at the two stages. Next, we carried out clonal culture of PGCs and examined the proliferation of and morphological change in individual clones. Such clonal culture did not reveal any subpopulation of PGCs with an increased growth rate or less differentiated characteristics, which might have been suggested by formation of the embryonic germ cell lines. Our results suggest that there is an autonomous regulation of growth and cell shape change in PGCs which occur as stochastical events but are not strictly timed by the number of cell divisions.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Transglutaminase induced by epidermal growth factor negatively regulates the growth signal in primary cultured hepatocytes.

Transglutaminase (TGase) activity increased 2.5-fold at 6 h after treatment of rat hepatocytes with 17 nM epidermal growth factor (EGF). In the same manner, putrescine incorporation into the proteins of cells occurred in EGF-treated cells, but not in those pretreated with monodansylcadaverine (MDC), a TGase inhibitor, even in the presence of EGF. These results suggest that EGF-induced TGase was active and catalysed some cross-linkage reaction. Cycloheximide completely blocked the increase in TGase activity induced by EGF, suggesting that EGF stimulated de novo synthesis of TGase within 6 h. Furthermore, Northern blotting analysis indicated that EGF increased the expression of TGase mRNA. Pretreatment of cells with MDC additionally increased EGF-induced DNA-synthesis and the ratio of cells in S-phase. TGase antisense oligonucleotide inhibited de novo synthesis of TGase, resulting in increases in the ratios of S- and G2/M-phase cells in the presence of EGF. This effect was the result of inhibition of EGF-induced down-regulation of high-affinity receptor expression. These results suggest that the EGF-induced increase in TGase activity is a negative regulator of a growth signal in rat hepatocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Purification, and fluorometric and kinetic analysis of the binding of substrates, L-lysine and ATP.

Lysyl-tRNA synthetase [L-lysine:tRNA(Lys)ligase (AMP forming); EC 6.1.1.6] was purified from Bacillus stearothermophilus NCA1503 approximately 1,100-fold to homogeneity in PAGE. The enzyme is a homodimer of M(r) 57,700 x 2. The molar absorption coefficient, epsilon, at 280 nm is 71,600 M-1.cm-1 at pH8.0. Enzyme activity in the tRNA aminoacylation reaction and the ATP-PPi exchange reaction increases up to 50 degrees C at pH 8.0, but is lost completely at 70 degrees C. The pH-optima of the two reactions are 8.3 at 37 degrees C. In the tRNA aminoacylation reaction, the Km values for L-lysine and ATP are 16.4 and 23.2 muM, respectively, and in the ATP-PPi exchange reaction, the Km values for L-lysine and ATP are 23.6 and 65.1 muM, respectively at 37 degrees C, pH 8.0. Interaction of either L-lysine or ATP with the enzyme has been investigated by using as a probe the ligand-induced quenching of protein fluorescence and by equilibrium dialysis. These static analyses, as well as the kinetic analysis of the L-lysine dependent ATP-PPi exchange reaction indicate that the binding mode of L-lysine and ATP to the enzyme is sequential ordered (L-lysine first). The interaction of lysine analogues with the enzyme has also been investigated.

Acylation↗

PubMed1996

[A case report of ileovesical fistula in radiation enteritis].

A 49-year-old female was admitted with chief complaint of fecaluria on March 4th 1993. A radiation therapy had been performed for uterocervical cancer 18 years ago. The small intestine and bladder was detected by DIP- and cystogram simultaneously. It was diagnosed as an ileovesical fistula. A segmental resection of the ileum with partial cystectomy was performed on March 23rd. Histopathologically, the ileum showed a radiation enteritis. Eventually, we diagnosed that this ileovesical fistula was caused by radiation. After operation, an incompletion of suture occurred. So we made an ileostomy secondarily and performed hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient was getting well temporarily but died of gastric hemorrhage on May 1st.

Female↗

PubMed1996

FK960 N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate ameliorates the memory deficits in rats through a novel mechanism of action.

With passive avoidance (PA), Morris water maze (WM) and eight-arm radial maze tasks, we evaluated the memory-enhancing action of FK960 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate], a compound which we have found through rational drug screening based on our hypothesis that penile erection is a valid predictor of central cholinergic activation. Memory performance in the tasks was impaired in aged (24- to 26-months-old) rats as well as in rats with nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesions. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.) treatment induced memory impairment in PA and WM; treatment with cysteamine (200 mg/kg s.c.) induced memory impairment in PA but not in WM, whereas fimbria fornix lesioning affected the rats in the opposite manner. FK960 (0.1-10 mg/kg i.p.) ameliorated all the memory impairments except those induced by cysteamine or fimbria fornix lesion, and the dose-response curves were bell shaped with maximal response at 1 to 3.2 mg/kg. The effects of FK960 on the scopolamine-induced memory impairment in the PA and/or WM were abolished by cysteamine (200 mg/kg s.c.), dl-p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (150 mg/kg i.p. for 3 days) or raphe lesioning, but not by neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (35 micrograms/head) treatment. Neurochemical analysis revealed that cysteamine and raphe lesions reduced brain somatostatin and serotonin contents, respectively. The treatment with FK960 (0.32-320 mg/kg p.o.) dose-dependently increased both serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the brain areas examined and significantly increased hippocampal somatostatin contents at the smaller doses. From these results, we conclude that FK960 ameliorates cognitive dysfunction through an activation of the somatostatinergic-serotonergic link.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

Intensive insulin therapy prevents the progression of diabetic microvascular complications in Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a randomized prospective 6-year study.

To examine whether intensive glycemic control could decrease the frequency or severity of diabetic microvascular complications, we performed a prospective study of Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) treated with multiple insulin injection treatment. A total of 110 patients with NIDDM was randomly assigned to multiple insulin injection treatment group (MIT group) or to conventional insulin injection treatment group (CIT group). Fifty-five NIDDM patients who showed no retinopathy and urinary albumin excretions < 30 mg/24 h at the baseline were evaluated in the primary-prevention cohort, and the other 55 NIDDM patients who showed simple retinopathy and urinary albumin excretions < 300 mg/24 h were evaluated in the secondary-intervention cohort. The appearance and the progression of retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy were evaluated every 6 months over a 6-year period. The worsening of complications in this study was defined as an increase of 2 or more steps in the 19 stages of the modified ETDRS interim scale for retinopathy and an increase of one or more steps in 3 stages (normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and albuminuria) for nephropathy. The cumulative percentages of the development and the progression in retinopathy after 6 years were 7.7% for the MIT group and 32.0% for the CIT group in the primary-prevention cohort (P = 0.039), and 19.2% for MIT group and 44.0% for CIT group in the secondary-intervention cohort (P = 0.049). The cumulative percentages of the development and the progression in nephropathy after 6 years were 7.7% for the MIT group and 28.0% for the CIT group in the primary-prevention cohort (P = 0.032), and 11.5% and 32.0%, respectively, for the MIT and CIT groups in the secondary-intervention cohort (P = 0.044). In neurological tests after 6 years, MIT group showed significant improvement in the nerve conduction velocities, while the CIT group showed significant deterioration in the median nerve conduction velocities and vibration threshold. Although both postural hypotension and the coefficient of variation of R-R interval tended to improve in the MIT group, they deteriorated in the CIT group. In conclusion, intensive glycemic control by multiple insulin injection therapy can delay the onset and the progression of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy in Japanese patients with NIDDM. From this study, the glycemic threshold to prevent the onset and the progression of diabetic microangiopathy is indicated as follows; HbA1c < 6.5%, FBG < 110 mg/dl, and 2-h post-prandial blood glucose concentration < 180 mg/dl.

Albuminuria↗

PubMed1995

A human monoclonal antibody to a human self-antigen, CD2 derived from human peripheral blood lymphocytes engrafted in SCID mice.

To establish human hybridoma lines, production of human immunoglobulin (Ig) and behavior of the implanted human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were characterized in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Human PBL from healthy donors were injected into the peritoneal cavity of SCID mice, and they were immunized with self-antigen, CD2. CD45+ cells (human PBL) migrated to lymphoid tissues in the mice as early as 4 days, accounting for more than half the lymph node cells and thymocytes. The number of cells releasing human IgG specific to the antigen increased 3.5 weeks after immunization without the usual constraint that production of the IgG, an autoantibody, is prohibited by immunological tolerance in humans. Therefore, we established several human hybridomas secreting human IgG to CD2, since splenocytes and lymph node cells from the implanted SCID mice at 3.5 weeks were fused with a human B lymphoblastoid cell line. A human anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) was confirmed to bind to natural CD2 on human T cells by flow cytometric analysis. The epitope for the MAb was identical with a portion that the ligand LFA-3 binded, so that the MAb might reduce the inflammatory reaction caused by preventing activation of human T cells. Here, we report that the human immune system could be reconstituted in SCID mice to develop human hybridomas producing human MAb to a human self-antigen.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Tiapride attenuates pain transmission through an indirect activation of central serotonergic mechanism.

Tiapride dose-dependently attenuated the biphasic nociceptive responses induced by s.c. injection of formalin to the hindpaw of mice, and its activity on the first (ED50 = 110 mg/kg p.o.) and the second (ED50 = 32.0 mg/kg p.o.) phases paralleled that on the nociceptive response to intrathecal injection of substance P (ED50 = 190 mg/kg p.o.) and somatostatin (ED50 = 56.0 mg/kg p.o.), respectively. Moreover, a similar antinociceptive activity was observed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic or genetically diabetic (db/db) mice. The effects of tiapride (100 mg/kg p.o.) on both phases of the formalin test in normal mice were abolished by pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (800 x 2 mg/kg p.o.), a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depletor, or pindolol (1 mg/kg i.p.), a 5-HT1 antagonist, but were scarcely affected by 3-tropanyl-indole-3-carboxylate, a 5-HT3 antagonist. Ketanserin (1 mg/kg i.p.), a 5-HT2 antagonist, attenuated the effect of tiapride on the second phase but not on the first phase. This study on the antinociceptive mechanism of action of tiapride (that blocks painful neuropathy in diabetic patients) has led us to hypothesize that the drug attenuates pain transmission through an indirect activation of central 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

FR121196, a potential antidementia drug, ameliorates the impaired memory of rat in the Morris water maze.

We investigated the effects of FR121196 N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-fluorobenzenesulfonamide on the performance of rats in the Morris water maze using a two-trial-per-day regimen. Escape latency to find the platform was significantly prolonged in young rats subjected to scopolamine (1 mg/kg) treatment or to nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) or fimbria-fornix (FF) lesioning compared with the respective control animals. Similar memory deficit was observed in aged rats (24-26 months old) compared with young rats. Daily treatment with FR121196 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.p.) ameliorated all the memory deficits except in the FF-lesioned rats, whereas physostigmine (0.032-0.32 mg/kg) ameliorated the memory deficits in scopolamine-treated rats but not in the NBM-lesioned, FF-lesioned or aged rats. Methamphetamine (0.32-3.2 mg/kg) hardly ameliorated the memory deficits and, rather, aggravated those in the scopolamine-treated, NBM-lesioned and aged rats. Neurochemical analysis of the brain showed that dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin levels were significantly reduced in the hippocampus of the FF-lesioned rats compared with the sham control, and a significant reduction of dopamine level in the cortex was also observed in the aged rats compared with young rats. None of these parameters were changed after NBM lesioning. We concluded that FR121196 ameliorates the memory deficits of rats with cholinergic dysfunction through the action on the hippocampal monoaminergic (possibly serotonergic) neurons.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Characterization of a Rana catesbeiana lectin-resistant mutant of leukemia P388 cells.

Sialic acid-binding lectin (SBL-C) from Rana catesbeiana eggs inhibits the growth of tumor cells such as P388 and L1210 leukemia cells (K. Nitta et al., Cancer Res., 54: 920-927, 1994). Here we report the establishment of an SBL-resistant P388 variant cell line, RC-150. Both P388 and RC-150 cells were agglutinated by SBL-C; however, growth of RC-150 cells was unaffected by SBL-C. Cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration and transglutaminase activity of RC-150 cells were 0.5 (110 nM) and 3 times (0.62 nmol/mg/min) as high as those of P388 cells, respectively. Microvilli and microplicae were observed on the surface of P388 cells by scanning electron microscopy but were rarely seen on RC-150 cells. Dansylcadaverine-labeled SBL-C bound to both P388 and RC-150 cells. Binding of SBL-C to these tumor cells appears to be mediated by two species of wheat germ agglutinin-stained cell membrane sialoglycoproteins. Labeled SBL-C entered P388 but not RC-150 cells, suggesting that internalized SBL-C acts as an inhibitor of cell proliferation.

Agglutination↗

PubMed1994

SV40 large T antigen reinduces the cell cycle in terminally differentiated myotubes through inducing Cdk2, Cdc2, and their partner cyclins.

Terminally differentiated skeletal muscle myotubes are arrested in G0 phase of the cell cycle and are unable to be released from this arrest by stimulation with mitogens including serum and growth factors. To inspect a possibility of reversing the quiescence at the G0 phase, we have exploited the mouse skeletal muscle cell line C2SVTts11, which is a clone of C2 cells transfected with the SV40 T antigen gene (encoding thermolabile large T and wild-type small t) fused to an inducible promoter. When the large T is induced in the myotubes, the terminally differentiated cells reenter the cell cycle and proceed to S and M phases. To elucidate how large T forces the myotubes to traverse each phase of the cell cycle, we examined the expression and activity of Cdk2 and Cdc2, which in complex with cyclin A and cyclin B are essential for S and M phases, respectively in undifferentiated cells. The levels of their mRNAs and proteins and histone H1 kinase activity, which was ascribed to Cdc2-cyclin B, were high in the proliferating myoblasts but gradually decreased during terminal differentiation. In contrast, they were reinduced in the myotubes reentering the cell cycle. Stimulation of the myotubes with serum failed to evoke these factors. These results indicate that large T, but not mitogens, is able to drive terminally differentiated myotubes to pass each phase of the cell cycle through eliciting these factors as do mitogens on proliferating undifferentiated cells. Since large T is a nuclear protein, signals generated by the protein in the nucleus are likely to be sufficient to induce each phase of the cell cycle in the terminally differentiated cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Effect on insulin sensitivity of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors with or without a sulphydryl group: bradykinin may improve insulin resistance in dogs and humans.

The present study compared the effect on insulin sensitivity of ACE inhibitors with a sulphydryl group (captopril) or those without a sulphydryl group (delapril and enalapril) during the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp test in both animal and clinical experiments. A possible contribution of bradykinin to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by ACE-inhibition was also studied. In healthy control and depancreatized dog experiments, administration of captopril either intravenously (3.0 mmol.kg-1) or orally (5.0 mmol.kg-1) increased insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. In comparison, intravenous administration of an active metabolite of delapril (3.0 mmol.kg-1) and oral administration of either delapril or enalapril (5.0 mmol.kg-1) showed slight, but not significant increases in insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. Infusion of a bradykinin antagonist (N-alpha-adamantane-acetyl-D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]-b bradykinin) (0.5 nmol.kg-1 x min-1) abolished the effect of captopril on insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, intravenous administration of bradykinin (0.1 nmol.kg-1 x min-1) increased insulin sensitivity indices. In clinical experiments, insulin sensitivity indices decreased in the following order: normotensive healthy subjects, hypertensive non-diabetic patients, normotensive NIDDM patients and hypertensive NIDDM patients. In these four groups, oral administration of captopril (2.0 mmol.kg-1) significantly increased insulin sensitivity indices, and a concomitant increase in plasma bradykinin concentrations was observed. By contrast, oral administration of enalapril or delapril showed slight, but not significant effects on insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. From these studies, it is concluded that ACE inhibitors with a sulphydryl group have more potent action on the improvement in insulin sensitivity than those without a sulphydryl group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed1994

Concentration of 226Ra in human teeth.

226Ra concentrations in human teeth from several cities, mainly Tokyo, Japan, were determined with emphasis on the measurement of low-level 226Ra by alpha-ray spectrometry following chemical separation. No appreciable differences in 226Ra concentration were found among various permanent teeth samples of different age groups in Tokyo. The mean 226Ra concentration for Tokyo was 0.51 +/- 0.06 mBq (g Ca)-1. 226Ra concentration [mean: 0.67 +/- 0.11 mBq (g Ca)-1] in teeth in western regions of the country was statistically higher than that [mean: 0.48 +/- 0.09 mBq (g Ca)-1] in eastern ones. The mean 226Ra concentration [0.51 mBq (g Ca)-1] in teeth from Tokyo was less than the concentration [1.11 mBq (g Ca)-1] reported for vertebral bone samples of this city.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Involvement of membrane-bound transglutaminase in the invagination of transferrin into rat reticulocyte plasma membrane.

We demonstrated the invagination of transferrin into reticulocyte plasma membrane to learn whether membrane-bound transglutaminase (TGase, a Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme) is involved in this invagination. The invagination was assessed by acid-resistance assay and antibody-inaccessibility assay. The invagination was blocked in the absence of ATP. [14C]Putrescine, a substrate for TGase, was incorporated into the membrane during the invagination. This incorporation was decreased in the absence of ATP or transferrin and was completely blocked in the presence of monodansylcadaverine or EGTA. The TGase inhibitor and EGTA also decreased the invagination. In the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis, the labeling of 43 kDa membrane protein with [14C]putrescine and the increase in aggregation of proteins were observed in a transferrin-, ATP- and Ca(2+)-dependent manner. These results provide the first evidence for modification of protein by TGase accompanying the invagination of transferrin into the membrane, and suggest that membrane-bound TGase is involved in the invagination step of endocytosis.

Acids↗

PubMed1994

A screening concept based on a hypothesis led to the development of a putative cognitive enhancer that stimulates penile erection.

Starting from the hypothesis that drugs which specifically activate the hippocampal cholinergic nerve activity may ameliorate memory impairments, we carried out a series of evaluations for a novel cognitive enhancer using enhancement of penile erection as a sign of cholinergic activation, and found FR64822. The compound facilitated penile erection in naive rats, and it ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia of rats in passive avoidance tasks with bell-shaped dose-response curves, while it dose-dependently reduced body weight gain in Zucker fatty rats. Pretreatment with sulpiride (32 mg/kg, p.o.) hardly affected the former two activities, but significantly reduced the anorectic activity in Zucker rats. Further evaluation of FR64822 derivatives characterized a second compound, FR121196, which induces penile erection and memory enhancement, but not body weight reduction. Memory enhancing and erection stimulating activities of FR121196 were abolished in rats treated with either cysteamine (200 mg/kg, s.c.), a somatostatin depletor, or lesioning of the serotonergic raphe nuclei. Thus, classic whole animal studies based on a hypothesis proved to be efficient for reaching our objective, the discovery of a new drug. They also gave us insight into the common somatostatinergic and serotonergic mechanisms underlying penile erection and memory improvement.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Bladder carcinoma producing granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). A case report].

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital complaining of general fatigue and lower abdominal pain. She had undergone total cystectomy because of invasive recurrent bladder carcinoma three months ago. Histopathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) grade 3 and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pT3a. A goose egg-sized painful mass was noticed at the lower abdominal region. A CT scan revealed an intrapelvic fist-sized mass and suggested tumor recurrence with ileus caused by intestinal invasion. The laboratory examination showed remarkable leukocytosis of 79,700/mm3 in the peripheral blood and serum analysis revealed high value of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), 240 pg/ml (normal: less than 30 pg/ml). In spite of active treatment, the patient died of cachexia about a month after detection of the leukocytosis. The autopsy showed that the recurrent tumor had positive immunohistochemical staining for G-CSF, and the bone marrow had reactive proliferation mainly by granulocytes. From these findings, this case was diagnosed as bladder carcinoma producting G-CSF. G-CSF producting tumor of the bladder is very rare. This was the 8th case in Japanese literatures. The previous reports were reviewed and discussed.

Aged↗