The effect of 4-(3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-6,10,14-hexadecatrienoyl)morpholine (E-0712), a new synthetic compound, on liver injury induced by two hepatotoxins in rats was studied. Oral doses of E-0712 four times at 0, 6, 12 and 18 hr significantly attenuated elevated SGPT values and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) at 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hr in rats with a single s.c. dose of D-galactosamine in which SGPT values and PT reached the peak within 48 hr. In cases in which a dose of carbon tetrachloride (i.p.) produced peak SGPT values and PT within 36 hr attenuation occurred likewise at 24, 36 and 60 hr. In the control and E-0712-treated rats dosed with D-galactosamine or carbon tetrachloride, SGPT values were positively correlated with PT at 24 hr. In addition, morphological degrees of acidophilic body formation or centrizonal necrosis were significantly reduced by E-0712. These results suggest that E-0712 protects against liver injury, particularly hepatocellular necrosis, induced by D-galactosamine and carbon tetrachloride in rats.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Decreased collagen accumulation by a prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor in pig serum-induced fibrotic rat liver.

Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by repeated i.p. injections of pig serum. The hepatic hydroxyproline content increased to 2.1 times the normal control level at 6 weeks and to 3.2 times at 10 weeks. When P-1894B, an inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase, was administered, there was a dose-dependent inhibition of the increase to nearly normal control levels at 6 and 10 weeks. There was also by histology a dose-dependent reduction in the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Hepatocellular damage was minimal and its extent did not vary with the degree of fibrosis or the treatment. P-1894B dose dependently reduced the hydroxylation of peptidyl proline in the fibrotic liver. These data suggest that P-1894B inhibited hepatic fibrogenesis by direct action on collagen but not by protection against hepatocellular damage leading to collagen formation. A prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor may be a candidate for use in treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sonographic features of colon carcinoma seen with high-frequency transabdominal ultrasound.

To assess the value of high-frequency ultrasonography as a diagnostic imaging procedure in patients with colon carcinoma, we first evaluated the sonograms of 37 patients who had been already diagnosed with contrast enema and/or colonoscopy as having colon carcinoma. As a result, the sonographic criteria for diagnosis of a possible colon carcinoma were (1) a localized and irregular thickening of the colonic wall with heterogenous low echogenicity, (2) an irregular contour, (3) a lack of demonstrable movement or change of configuration of the bowel on real-time scanning, and (4) absence of wall stratification. During the last 4 years, 41 consecutive patients had findings meeting our sonographic criteria. In 37 patients (90%), the presence of colon carcinoma was confirmed by contrast enema and/or colonoscopy. Our study suggests that high-frequency real-time ultrasonography may be a useful imaging technique in diagnosis of colon carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatocellular carcinoma exhibiting a concentric structure of different histologic grades: evaluation by chondroitin sulfate iron colloid-enhanced MR imaging.

A patient with hepatocellular carcinoma exhibiting a concentric structure of different histologic grades was examined with chondroitin sulfate iron colloid (CSIC)-enhanced MR imaging. After CSIC injection, the advanced component was enhanced in comparison with the surrounding liver, and the well-differentiated component was not enhanced. CSIC-enhanced MR imaging was helpful in evaluating histologic grade on the basis of reticuloendothelial function.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of Takayasu's aortitis with self-expanding metallic stents (Gianturco stents) in two patients.

Gianturco self-expanding metallic stents were successfully placed to treat incomplete balloon dilatation of the abdominal aorta in 2 patients with Takayasu's aortitis. In 1 case eleven 1-cm long, 1-cm diameter stents were inserted in tandem to bridge a long stenosis. In the other patient, four stents 1.5 cm long, 1.5 cm in diameter were inserted in tandem to bridge what had been a complete occlusion prior to balloon angioplasty. Clinical symptoms, as well as angiographic findings, improved significantly after placement of the stents. The patients underwent repeat aortography at 10 and 8 months, respectively, and were followed clinically for a total of 18 months and 15 months, respectively, without clinical evidence of deterioration. Our results show the usefulness of expandable metallic stents in the treatment of aortic stenosis due to Takayasu's aortitis that remains unresponsive to balloon dilatation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Type of lymphocytes affected by the islet-activating protein (IAP).

By flow cytometric analysis, we identified the subclass of lymphocytes that proliferates in response to islet-activating protein (IAP), both in vitro (human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, MNC, cultured with IAP) and in vivo (peripheral blood MNC derived from A/J mice treated with IAP). IAP caused a preferential proliferation of CD8+ T cells. These cells expressed the IL-2 receptors on their surface. CD4+ CD8+ T cells could also be detected in these cultures, IAP caused human MNC to produce IL-1 and to induce expression of HLA-DR antigen. These effects may play an important role in the T-cell proliferation induced by IAP, although IAP by itself suppressed the proliferative action of IL-1 in mouse thymocytes. IAP induced proliferation of the purified CD4+ cells but had a smaller effect on the purified CD8+ cells. This suggests that the proliferation of CD8+ cells in IAP-treated MNC depends on the function of other types of cell, e.g. CD4+ cell and macrophage.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical localization of endothelin in human vascular endothelial cells.

The cellular localization of endothelin (ET), a novel vasoconstrictor peptide, was studied in human vascular tissues by immunohistochemistry. Distinct and diffuse staining for ET-like immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of vascular endothelial cells, but not in smooth muscle cells or adventitial fibroblasts. The specificity was confirmed by the negative results following immunoabsorption. These findings suggest that human vascular endothelial cells function as an endocrine and/or paracrine cells for ET secretion.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Induction of estrogen receptor and cell division in genital tracts of male mice by neonatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol.

Estrogen receptor (ER) and ER mRNA expression and cell division induced by neonatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure in male C57BL/Tw mouse genital organs were studied using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and cell counting at metaphase. A single injection of 3 micrograms DES on the day of birth induced ER in both epithelial (E) and stromal (S) cells of the epididymis and the seminal vesicles, in E cells of the ductus deferens, and in S cells of the ductus efferens and the anterior prostate 24 h after the injection. After 5 daily injections of DES, ER was induced in S cells of the ventral prostrate at 5 days of age. The staining intensity of ER increased in E cells of the epididymis and the ductus efferens at 5 days. A single injection of DES induced ER mRNA in both E and S cells of the ductus efferens, the caput epididymis, and the ductus deferens 4 to 12 h after injection of the newborn mice. A single injection of DES stimulated cell division of both E and S cells in the ductus deferens and the epididymis; cell division of S cells of the ductus efferens, the anterior prostate, and the urethra was stimulated 24 h after the injection. After 5 daily injections of DES, cell division was stimulated significantly in E and S cells of the epididymis, the ductus deferens, and the ventral prostate, and in S cells of the seminal vesicle at 5 days. At 30 days of age, mitotic rates were significantly higher in E cells of the seminal vesicles and the epididymides of mice given 5 daily injections of DES.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androgens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Characterization and role of proteinases induced by estrogen-deprivation in female mouse reproductive tracts.

Normal mouse vaginae and uteri regress following ovariectomy, whereas the vagina of mice given five daily injections of 3 micrograms diethylstilbestrol (DES) from the day of birth exhibit ovary (estrogen)-independent persistent stratification and cornification of the epithelium. Zymography indicated expression of four proteinases in both vaginae and uteri of normal mice after ovariectomy. Two proteinases detected in gelatin-containing gel and two others in casein-containing gel proved to be metalloproteinases and serineproteinases, respectively. The two metalloproteinases were identified as gelatinases A and B. Only gelatinase B was intensified 1 d after ovariectomy; however, all four proteinases showed an increase in expression 3 d after ovariectomy. In the uterus, the two gelatinases showed increased expression after ovariectomy. Progelatinase B and serineproteinase II were expressed in the vagina of normal mice at estrus; ovariectomy intensified expression and activation of gelatinases and serineproteinases II in the vagina. Vaginae of mice treated neonatally with DES exhibited a weak expression of proteinases. Ovariectomy changed neither the histology nor the expression of proteinases in these DES-exposed vaginae. Expression of gelatinases was inhibited by estrogen; progesterone stimulated expression and activation of gelatinase B. Serineproteinases found in the vagina and uterus of ovariectomized mice were also inhibited by estrogen but neither was affected by progesterone. These results suggest that gelatinase B and both gelatinases participate in vaginal and uterine regression, respectively, following ovariectomy. Estrogen negatively regulates expression of gelatinases and serineproteinases in the vagina, and of gelatinase A and serineproteinase II in the uterus.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic usefulness of MR imaging for pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma (HC) is an uncommon tumor of the liver. We present the case of a 56-year-old man with pedunculated HC arising from the lower surface of the liver. We recommend sagittal magnetic resonance imaging, which offers a superior choice of scanning planes, in the diagnosis of pedunculated HC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B virus replication in dark reddish patchy markings appearing on the hepatic surface.

We investigated the localization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens and HBV DNA in dark reddish patchy markings (DRPM) on the hepatic surface in three patients with chronic active hepatitis B. The number of hepatitis B core antigen-positive hepatocytes in areas of DRPM was less than that in areas not appearing as DRPM. The grain concentration indicating HBV DNA on autoradiography in hepatocytes in areas of DRPM was less than that in areas not appearing as DRPM. These findings suggest that replication of the hepatitis B virus is reduced in pre-nodular lesions which are appearing as DRPM in chronic active hepatitis.

Adult↗