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Biomedical subjects

Y Tamura

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tamura.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Sterol carrier protein2 (SCP2)-like protein in rat aorta.

Immunoblot analysis using affinity-purified antibody against sterol carrier protein2 (SCP2) showed that SCP2-like protein exists in 105,000 x g supernatant of rat aorta. Analysis of subcellular distribution of SCP2-like protein in rat aorta was determined with enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The highest level of SCP2-like protein was observed in cytosolic fraction, while the lowest level was in nuclear fraction. Analysis of marker enzymes in subcellular fractions showed that catalase, a marker enzyme of peroxisomes, leaked to cytosolic fraction to a significant extent during subcellular preparation, suggesting that SCP2-like protein in cytosolic fraction of rat aorta might be partially originated from peroxisomes. In vitro addition of homogenous SCP2 purified from rat liver dose-dependently stimulated the formation of [14C]cholesteryl esters from exogenously added [14C]cholesterol by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in microsomal preparation of rat aorta. However the addition of cytosolic fraction did not enhance cholesterol esterification by ACAT, most likely due to a markedly low level of SCP2-like protein in this fraction. The role of SCP2 in the formation of cholesteryl esters by ACAT in rat aorta was discussed.

Animals↗

Occurrence and subcellular location of NADH- and NADPH-linked aquacobalamin reductases in human liver.

1. Both activities of NADH- and NADPH-linked aquacobalamin reductases were found in some human tissues, liver, kidney pancreas, heart, spleen, lung, cerebrum, cerebellum, adrenal glands, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and bone marrow. 2. Human liver contained both enzymes with higher specific activities than any other tissues. 3. The liver NADH-linked enzyme was distributed in both mitochondrial (approx. 60%) and microsomal (40%) fractions; similar to the distribution of the NADPH-linked enzyme, but of which 40% activity was found in the mitochondria and the remaining activity was recovered in the microsomes. 4. The results suggest that the synthetic systems of the cobalamin coenzymes occur in both mitochondria and microsomes of human liver.

Cell Fractionation↗

Hypersensitivity to thromboxane A2 in cholesterol-rich human platelets.

The effect of changes in platelet membrane cholesterol content on thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-induced platelet activation was studied. Concentrations of 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-TXA2 (STA2), a stable analogue of TXA2 which can cause half-maximal aggregation and release of [14C]serotonin in cholesterol-rich platelets were significantly lower than those in cholesterol-normal platelets. STA2-induced increase in cytosolic calcium concentration and [32P]phosphatidic acid formation in cholesterol-rich platelets were significantly greater than those in cholesterol-normal platelets. The maximal concentration of binding site (Bmax) for SQ29548 was significantly increased in cholesterol-rich platelets compared with cholesterol-normal platelets, while the equilibrium dissociation rate constant (Kd) for SQ29548 did not differ between cholesterol-rich and cholesterol-normal platelets. The present study suggested that sensitivity to TXA2 was increased by the incorporation of cholesterol into platelet membrane and that the cause of hypersensitivity to TXA2 in cholesterol-rich platelets may be partly explained by an increase in binding capacity for TXA2.

Blood Platelets↗

Cardioprotective effects of amlodipine on ischemia and reperfusion in two experimental models.

The cardioprotective effect of amlodipine, a long-acting dihydropyridine derivative, was studied in 2 experimental models of ischemia and reperfusion. Isolated and blood-perfused feline hearts were made globally ischemic for 60 minutes and then reperfused for 60 minutes. Alterations of left ventricular developed pressure and compliance were monitored in both amlodipine-treated hearts and saline-treated control animals. Changes in perfusion pressure indicated that amlodipine significantly reduced myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary vascular resistance. Furthermore, a progressive increase in resting left ventricular diastolic pressure indicated that amlodipine, administered before the onset of global ischemia, attenuated the development of ischemic contracture. Return of contractile function 60 minutes after reperfusion and maintenance of tissue concentrations of electrolytes were significantly better in the amlodipine-treated group than in the control animals. In intact canine hearts, regional myocardial ischemia was induced for 90 minutes, followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. Although the hemodynamic variables and the size of the region of risk did not differ significantly between treated animals and control animals, the infarct size was significantly smaller in the amlodipine-treated group than in the control animals, and a gradual reduction in coronary blood flow was observed in the control group that was prevented in the amlodipine group. A comparison of these findings with those observed with oxygen radical scavengers also is discussed. A detailed report of these studies was published in The American Journal of Cardiology (1989;64:101I-116I). This review is included here to maintain continuity of the symposium for the convenience of the reader.

Amlodipine↗

Expression of novel DNA-binding protein with zinc finger structure in various tumor cells.

We have isolated from B16 mouse melanoma cells a complementary DNA (Mel-18), whose deduced amino acid sequence possesses a characteristic zinc finger structure. Immunostaining with antibodies raised against partial Mel-18 peptide sequences demonstrated nuclear localization of the gene product. We have also demonstrated that this protein has DNA-binding capacity, and the zinc finger is responsible for the DNA binding. At the transcriptional level the Mel-18 mRNA was detected in all tumor cells examined as well as melanoma cells (ontogenically of neural origin) but was scarcely present in normal tissues except neural organs. The transcript is developmentally regulated. These data suggest that Mel-18 may play a role in transcriptional regulation and also in control of cell proliferation and/or neural cell development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Possible involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase pathway in vasopressin-stimulated glycogenolysis in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Arachidonic acid (AA) is reported to be metabolized by three major pathways, i.e., cyclooxygenase (CO), lipoxygenase (LO), and NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (MO) pathways. Monooxygenase metabolites of AA have been proposed to play an important role in hormone action in various cells. Recently it was reported that the MO pathway may exist in rat liver. The present study was carried out to investigate the role of MO metabolites in vasopressin-induced glycogenolysis in isolated rat hepatocytes. The pretreatment of isolated rat hepatocytes with eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), an inhibitor of CO, LO, and MO pathways, and ketoconazole and SKF 525A, inhibitors of the MO pathway, dose-dependently reduced vasopressin-induced phosphorylase activation, while the pretreatment with indomethacin, an inhibitor of the CO pathway, had no effect. The increment of cytosolic calcium concentration in vasopressin-stimulated hepatocytes was also dose-dependently decreased by ETYA, ketoconazole, and SKF 525A. In vitro addition of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) dose-dependently increased both phosphorylase a activity and cytosolic calcium concentration. 14,15-EET was the most potent among four regioisomeric EETs. These results suggest that MO metabolites of AA, most likely EETs, may be involved in vasopressin-induced glycogenolysis probably via the activation of phosphorylase by increasing the cytosolic calcium concentration.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗

Prediction of preserved flow to the infarct area based on admission electrocardiogram in anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.

To determine whether preserved flow to the infarct area could be predicted from the admission electrocardiogram and to define the effect of preserved flow on the late results after reperfusion, 20 anterior myocardial infarction patients who were successfully reperfused were studied. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) no-flow group (8 patients), with an occluded infarct-related artery and no easily visible collaterals; (2) intact collateral group (6 patients); and (3) subtotal obstruction group (6 patients). From the admission electrocardiogram, the sum of ST-segment elevation (sigma ST), the sum of R-wave amplitude (sigma R) in leads V1 through V6 and the ratio of these (sigma R/sigma ST) were measured. There was no significant difference in sigma R among the 3 groups. The no-flow group had significantly lower sigma R/sigma ST and higher sigma ST than the intact collateral group or subtotal obstruction group. All patients (6 of 6) with subtotal obstruction and all except 1 patient (5 of 6) with intact collateral showed sigma R/sigma ST greater than 2.5 or sigma ST less than 2.0 mV. All patients (8 of 8) with no flow showed sigma R/sigma ST less than or equal to 2.5 and all except 1 patient with no flow (7 of 8) showed sigma ST greater than or equal to 2.0 mV. The regional wall motion was assessed by the radial method at 4 weeks. The mean percentage systolic shortening in the anterior and apical regions was significantly correlated with sigma R/sigma ST (r = 0.75, p less than 0.001) and sigma ST (r = -0.65, p less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Possible role of coronary artery spasm in unexplained syncope.

Coronary spasm provocation by intracoronary methylergonovine was performed in 14 patients (8 men and 6 women, mean age 56 +/- 6 years) with syncope that remained unexplained despite neurologic and noninvasive cardiac evaluations. Electrophysiologic testing was also performed in 6 of 14 patients. No patient had structural heart disease or significant fixed stenosis of greater than or equal to 75% in the coronary arteries. Six patients had no history of chest pain even when they developed syncope. Serious arrhythmia was documented in 2 patients, cardiac standstill in 1 and complete atrioventricular block in the other. Coronary spasm was induced in 9 patients using the methylergonovine provocation test. Multivessel spasms were found in 3 patients. Coronary spasm was induced in the artery supplying the inferior wall in 7 of 9 patients with positive results. In 4 of 9 patients who had a positive result, there was no prior history of chest pain. In 1 patient, whose electrocardiogram was recorded during syncope, cardiac standstill was documented and cardiac standstill and syncope also occurred during the provocation test. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia was not induced by the electrophysiologic study. These results suggest that coronary spasm is involved in unexplained syncope.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗

Antitumor effect of combination of murine recombinant interferon beta, murine recombinant interferon gamma and human recombinant interleukin-2 in MethA-bearing mice.

We have previously reported that the combination of murine recombinant interferon beta (Mu-rIFN beta) with murine recombinant interferon gamma (Mu-rIFN gamma) provided greater inhibition of tumor growth than did each one alone in MethA-bearing mice. In the present study the effect of addition of human recombinant interleukin-2 (Hu-rIL-2) to the combination of Mu-rIFN beta with Mu-rIFN gamma on tumor growth in BALB/c mice bearing syngeneic MethA fibrosarcoma was examined. Low doses of Hu-rIL-2 (5 x 10(3) U or 5 x 10(4) U at 3-day intervals) showed no antitumor activity, while a high dose of Hu-rIL-2 (5 x 10(5) U) showed profound growth inhibition. The administration of IL-2 (ranging between 5 x 10(3) U and 5 x 10(5) U) in addition to the combination of IFN beta and IFN gamma showed more augmented antitumor effects in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the simultaneous administration of IL-2, IFN beta and IFN gamma had more effective therapeutic activity, compared with the sequential administration of interferons and IL-2. These findings indicated that IL-2 in combination with IFN beta and gamma was effective for cancer treatment.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effect between leukotriene B4 and leukotriene B5 on the induction of interleukin 1-like activity and calcium mobilizing activity in human blood monocytes.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), one of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) products of arachidonic acid, was reported to be more potent than leukotriene B5 (LTB5), one of 5-LO products of eicosapentaenoic acid, in the activation of neutrophil functions through the differential potency between these leukotrienes in calcium mobilization. So we compared the effect of LTB4 and LTB5 on the induction of interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like activity and calcium mobilization in human blood monocytes. LTB4 significantly augmented IL-1-like activity in monocytes, however, LTB5 had no significant effect. Also LTB4 was apparently more potent than LTB5 in inducing calcium mobilization in fura-2-loaded monocytes. IL-1 production in monocytes was reported to be partly dependent on cytosolic free calcium. These results, therefore, may indicate that the different activity between LTB4 and LTB5 in the enhancement of IL-1-like activity could be partly ascribed to the different potency in inducing calcium mobilization between LTB4 and LTB5 in human blood monocytes.

Calcium↗

Significant increase of interleukin 6 production in blood mononuclear leukocytes obtained from patients with active inflammatory bowel disease.

In the present study, we compared the potency of interleukin 6 production in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes between paired patients with active stage and inactive stage of inflammatory bowel disease. Subjects included nine patients with ulcerative colitis, ten patients with Crohn's disease and sex-matched nine healthy volunteers. Mononuclear leukocytes were stimulated with concanavalin A for 24 h to induce interleukin 6 production. Interleukin 6 content in the culture medium was assayed by using specific ELISA and interleukin 6 dependent cell line MH-60. Interleukin 6 production was found to be significantly increased in mononuclear leukocytes from both active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease as compared to that from control subjects. There was no significant difference in interleukin 6 production between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The potency of interleukin 6 production was returned to the control level when the diseases became inactive. The present results, therefore, may indicate some important role of interleukin 6 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and also the potency of interleukin 6 production in mononuclear leukocytes can be an indicator of the activity of inflammatory bowel disease.

Adult↗

Transformation of arachidonic acid by 5- and 15-lipoxygenase pathways in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells.

[1-14C]Arachidonic acid was incubated with isolated bovine adrenal fasciculata cells for 15 min at 37gC. The metabolites were separated and purified by reverse- and straight-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or radioimmunoassay. Identified metabolites were 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), leukotriene B4 and 11,14,15-trihydroxy-5,8,12-eicosatrienoic acid (11,14,15-THET). Addition of 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), an intermediate metabolite of 15-lipoxygenase pathway to microsomes of bovine adrenal fasciculata cells resulted in the formation of 11,14,15-THET. The formation of 11,14,15-THET by microsomes was not dependent on the presence of NADPH, while it was dose-dependently suppressed by ketoconazole, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 dependent enzymes. These results indicate that 5- and 15-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid may exist in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells and that 15-HPETE is further metabolized to 11,14,15-THET by adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450.

Animals↗

Involvement of protein kinase C in the regulation of cortisol production by guinea pig adrenocortical cells.

Cytosol of the guinea pig adrenals was found to contain a protein kinase which was dependent on the presence of both calcium and phospholipids (phosphatidylserine and diolein), i.e., calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). The peak of protein kinase C was separated from type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase by DE-52 chromatography. 12-0-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) caused dose-dependent increments of cortisol formation without affecting cAMP formation by guinea pig adrenocortical cells as well as angiotensin II did. TPA-activated cortisol production was blocked by the addition of aminoglutethimide and cycloheximide, suggesting that the site of action of TPA might be located at a point before the production of pregnenolone in the mitochondria. Since TPA showed an increase in the cortisol production, protein kinase C may be involved in modulating steroidogenesis in the guinea pig adrenals in addition to the classical cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

A novel model of solitary hepatic tumor in rats using ascites hepatoma AH13: suitability for chemotherapeutic studies.

A highly reproducible model of a solitary hepatic tumor in rats using ascites hepatoma AH13 has been developed using a two-step method which was suitable for quantitative chemotherapeutic studies. Diffuse hepatic metastases were induced first by inoculation of three different ascites hepatomas, AH13, AH130 and AH7974 into the portal vein in a dose-dependent fashion. Second, the induced hepatic tumor (3 x 10(7) cells) was minced into 1 x 1 x 4 mm fragments and implanted in the liver of normal rats. In this procedure, the AH13 strain proved best suited for the generation of a solitary hepatic tumor. The growth of the solitary liver tumor using AH13 was highly reproducible. To demonstrate the suitability of this solitary hepatic tumor model for the evaluation of chemotherapy, the tumor-burdened rats were treated with adriamycin (ADR) and mitomycin C (MMC). The reduction in tumor size was proportional to dosage, and the statistical significance of the differences between the treatment group and control group was proportional to dosage. A synergistic effect of ADR and MMC on the tumor also was demonstrated. This model should prove to be a useful tool for the testing of newly developed treatments of hepatic cancer.

Animals↗

Mechanism of plasma clotting by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

Experiments were performed to determine the mechanism by which Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clots plasma. Detection of plasma-clotting activity in four strains of E. rhusiopathiae was carried out by mixing a 24-h broth culture of a tested bacterial strain with rabbit plasma (tube coagulation test). Sodium citrate, sodium oxalate, EDTA, and heparin were used as anticoagulants in preparing the rabbit plasma. E. rhusiopathiae strains clotted solely citrated plasma in 18 to 24 h. A known coagulase-positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus clotted all of the plasma preparations within 1 h. Various constituents of the organisms, such as cell-free culture filtrates, sonicated extracts, and Formalin-killed bacteria, were also checked for their ability to clot citrated plasma. No constituents of any strain of E. rhusiopathiae clotted the plasma. Only culture filtrates of S. aureus clotted the plasma under these conditions. The spectrophotometric assay demonstrated that two plasma-clotting strains of E. rhusiopathiae consumed the citrate in the plasma just before clotting. Of 301 veterinary clinical isolates of E. rhusiopathiae, 267 (88.7%) were positive in the tube coagulation test. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that plasma clotting by E. rhusiopathiae was due not to extracellular factors such as staphylocoagulase but to consumption of the citrate in the plasma.

Animals↗

Sustained limitation of myocardial reperfusion injury by a monoclonal antibody that alters leukocyte function.

Pentobarbital anesthetized dogs were subjected to 90 minutes of left circumflex coronary artery (LCCA) occlusion followed by 72 hours of reperfusion. Control or anti-Mo1 (904) F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibodies were administered intravenously at a dose of 1 mg/kg beginning 45 minutes after occlusion and at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg at 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (IN/AR) measured postmortem after 72 hours of reperfusion was significantly reduced by 904 F(ab')2 (21.6 +/- 2.8%, n = 8) compared with control F(ab')2 (37.4 +/- 5.8%, n = 8; p less than 0.025). There were no significant differences between groups in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, rate-pressure product, or LCCA blood flow that could account for a reduced infarct size. Regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was determined with 15-microns radiolabeled microspheres. Transmural blood flows (ml/min/g) within the region of myocardium at risk were not statistically different between treatment groups. Infarct size in both groups was related to regional myocardial blood flow, and the relation was shifted downward in the group treated with the anti-Mo1 F(ab')2 antibody (analysis of covariance, p = 0.01). Thus, anti-Mo1 F(ab')2 produces a sustained limitation of myocardial infarct size compared with controls under similar hemodynamic conditions and a similar degree of myocardial ischemia as determined by RMBF. These data suggest that inhibition of neutrophil adhesive interactions (as suggested by the inhibitory effect of anti-Mo1 on canine neutrophil aggregation) may be an effective mechanism for protection against myocardial injury secondary to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals↗