Effects of verapamil on lipolysis due to dibutyryl cyclic AMP

The effects of verapamil, a calcium antagonist, on lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes were studied. Verapamil (100 microM) potentiated lipolysis due to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) at submaximal concentrations, with or without extracellular Ca2+. Lipolysis due to 0.5 mM-Bt2cAMP was potentiated by verapamil in a dose-dependent manner up to 200 microM, whereas at concentrations higher than 100 microM the stimulatory effect of verapamil was progressively diminished with or without extracellular Ca2+. Verapamil showed only an inhibitory effect on lipolysis due to adrenaline (0.1-10 microM) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 25-200 microM). The stimulatory effect of verapamil on lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP was not blocked by alpha-adrenergic antagonists. These results suggest (i) that verapamil has a biphasic effect on lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP and only an inhibitory effect on that due to adrenaline or IBMX, and (ii) that extracellular Ca2+ or alpha-adrenergic receptors are not involved in the action of verapamil.

[Clinical study of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder]

Clinical and statistical observations were made on 15 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder experienced at our department during the past 19 years. The patients were 10 men and 5 women ranging in age from 41 to 80 years (median: 65.1 years). Forty percent of the chief complaints was bladder irritability without macrohematuria. The prognosis was very poor. Three-year and five-year survival rates were 32.3% and 26.1% respectively.

[A case of multiple aneurysms at the distal portion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery]

We present a case of multiple aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) at the distal portion, which is very rare. A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with complaint of a severe headache. Four-vessel study was carried out and we found one aneurysm in the retromedullary segment of the right PICA. The aneurysm was clipped through the median suboccipital approach. But postoperative angiography showed that aneurysm was not being clipped and the clip was seen about 1 cm proximal to the aneurysm. We concluded that she had two aneurysms and the second operation was performed. The second aneurysm was found about 1cm distal of the one first clipped. The histological finding of the first clipped aneurysm was a degenerative change of slight cellular swelling of the muscle layer. The patient died 10 days after the second operation from fluminant hepatitis and autopsy was not performed. We made a review of the literature about the incidence of multiple aneurysms at the distal portion of PICA.

Maintenance of neonatal endocrine cells of the rat. I. Effects of 2-deoxyglucose and 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose

Pancreatic endocrine cells of the neonatal rat cultured in medium with 5.5 mM glucose for 7 days showed no response to glucose. By contrast, the supplementation of the medium with 1.0 mM 2-deoxyglucose or with 0.1-5.0 mM 2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose maintained the capacity of glucose-induced insulin release and biosynthesis, and the recovery of insulin in cells at day 7 at levels significantly higher than in basal medium; the highest responses were recorded for 1.0 mM deoxysugars. Moreover, the addition of 1.0 mM deoxysugars caused a selective deletion of fibroblasts and yielded monolayers mostly consisted of endocrine cells at the end of the culture study period. In these monolayer cells, the stimulating level of c-AMP release was significantly higher than the basal. On the other hand, the in vitro function of A cells in culture was also better preserved in media with 1.0 mM deoxysugars.

Immunohistochemical detection of carcinoembryonic antigen in benign hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the prostate with monoclonal antibody

Immunoperoxidase localization of carcinoembryonic antigen was done on tissue sections of benign hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the prostate using murine monoclonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen. The study was done to determine whether carcinoembryonic antigen would be a tissue marker of prostatic malignancy. Of 30 benign lesions 25 (83 per cent) were negative and 5 had focally weak staining, while of 36 adenocarcinomas 31 (86 per cent) had diffusely positive staining and 5 were negative. Diffusely moderate or strong staining was noted in 5 of 10 grade I (50 per cent), 11 of 12 (92 per cent) grade II and 13 of 14 (93 per cent) grade III tumors, as well as 14 of 15 (93 per cent) tumors from patients with bone metastasis. These findings suggested that extensive immunostaining for carcinoembryonic antigen in prostatic glandular lesions might be a potentially important prognostic marker of malignancy. Further studies are warranted to extend and confirm these results.

Prostatic origin of metastases: immunoperoxidase localization of prostate-specific antigen

An immunoperoxidase technique for prostate-specific antigen was used to evaluate autopsy material from 8 patients with multiple prostatic metastases, 22 primary prostatic carcinomas and 12 nonprostatic tumors. All specimens of primary and metastatic prostatic carcinomas stained positively, irrespective of the Gleason grade. None of the nonprostatic tumors showed immunostaining. Thus, the method appeared to be highly specific and highly sensitive for the detection of the prostatic origin of metastases.

The effects of heat on Sporothrix schenckii in vitro and in vivo

In order to clarify the mechanism of action of topical thermotherapy on sporotrichosis, the effects of heat on Sporothrix schenckii in vitro and in vivo were investigated by observing the percentage germination and the ultrastructure. When the spores were heated to 42 degrees C, it took 10 hr with the conidia, 2 hr with the yeast-like cells and 1 hr with the spores in vivo to reduce the germination rates to 10%. The percentage germination curves were reduced slowly at first but later exponentially. Changes in the ultrastructure became evident in 2 hr with the yeast-like cells and in 8 hr with the conidia. The ribosome count declined and amorphous dense materials appeared in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. In vivo, the outstanding feature of the heated spores was the diversity of internal ultrastructural changes encountered and morphological changes. These were observed at 1 hr post treatment.

Prognostic validity of the specific red cell adherence test in upper urothelial tumours

The specific red cell adherence (SRCA) test for blood group antigens was used in 32 patients with upper urinary tract tumours to determine whether their survival could be predicted by this test. The SRCA results correlated well with survival in each grade and stage of the tumours. Overall, patients with positive tests showed a significantly higher 5-year survival rate than those with negative tests (87.2% vs. 24.6%). These findings add support to the prognostic importance of this test in upper urinary tract tumours.

Differential growth regulation of human bladder tumor cells (J82) in culture by normal bladder cells from different aged human donors

This study used an agarose gel culture system to study growth regulatory interactions between normal and neoplastic human bladder cells. The effects of normal human fibroblasts on tumor cell cloning efficiency in agarose was studied using 2 experimental protocols. In 1 system, the fibroblasts proliferated as anchored cells beneath the agarose, and in the other the fibroblasts were nongrowing cells embedded within the agarose as nonanchored cells. In contrast to the largely inhibitory effects of anchored fetal fibroblasts on tumor cell growth, their nonanchored counterparts were exclusively stimulatory. Similar experiments with normal fibroblasts derived from the bladders of increasingly older donors showed a progressive decline in their capacity to inhibit tumor cell growth in agarose. Further experiments modulating the growth rate of neonatal fibroblasts with fetal bovine serum have indicated that the diverse tumor responses elicited by anchored versus nonanchored cells, as well as those observed for the aged bladder fibroblasts, were a function of fibroblast growth rate. We concluded that there was an inverse regulatory relationship between the growth of normal and tumor cells; rapidly growing fibroblasts were inhibitory whereas nongrowing fibroblasts stimulated tumor cell growth in agarose culture.

Comparable growth regulation of five human tumor cell lines by neonatal human lung fibroblasts in semisolid culture media

Cellular growth interactions were studied between neonatal human lung fibroblasts (NLF-13) and human tumor lines derived from carcinomas of the prostate (PC-3, DU145), bladder (J82), and endometrium (HEC-1A) and from a glioma (Hs 683t). NLF-13 were interacted with tumor cells in soft agar or agarose media using two experimental protocols. In one system, NLF-13 cells were grown as anchored monolayers proliferating under the tumor cell layer. In the second, NLF-13 were embedded directly (nonanchored) into the agar or agarose layer with the tumor cells. The results from both interaction systems were similar for all five tumor lines. Anchored NLF-13 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth, whereas nonanchored cells produced a dose-dependent growth stimulation. A time exposure experiment indicated that tumor stimulation and inhibition were biphasic responses to NLF-13. It was concluded that low concentrations of a diffusible NLF-13 product(s) accelerated tumor growth, whereas high concentrations were inhibitory. Further, the production of the active NLF-13 substance(s) was positively correlated with NLF-13 growth rate. Tumor cell inhibition was irreversible after a 5-day exposure to proliferating NLF-13 cells. Another line of normal neonatal human lung fibroblasts (NLF-147) showed inhibitory properties similar to those described for NLF-13. However, preliminary studies with fibroblasts from the skin of a Down's syndrome neonate (DS-172) and from a human kidney tumor (KTF-130) have shown both these fibroblast types to have a reduced ability to inhibit tumor cell cultures (J82) compared to the neonatal lung fibroblasts (NLF-13 and NLF-147).

Specific red cell adherence test in benign and malignant lesions of the prostate

The specific red cell adherence test (SRCA) for blood group antigens has been shown to have some bearing on the invasive potential of bladder tumours. Hitherto there have been few data published from patients with prostatic disease. The results of SRCA testing in 69 such patients are presented. Each of the 30 cases of adenocarcinoma was antigen negative. However, as 18 of 39 patients with only benign hyperplasia were also antigen negative, the test clearly does not reflect extant tumour and is probably not an indicator of subsequent growth of prostatic cancer. Antigen expression was also negative in sections showing prostatitis. As the test was invariably negative in patients with adenocarcinoma, whether or not metastases were present and whatever the degree of differentiation of the primary tumour, it lacks the power to discriminate invasive potential.

Possible induction by blood transfusion of immunological tolerance against growth of transplanted tumors in mice

That blood transfusions aid kidney graft survival is well known. Our data show that blood transfusions, except for the red blood cell component, promote growth of transplanted tumors in mice. These clinical and experimental observations suggest that blood transfusions may induce some immunological tolerance.

The effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on insulin release by neonatal rat B cells in culture

The culture for 7 days in medium with 5.5 mM glucose and 1 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose enhanced the glucose sensitivity of neonatal rat B cells, and even stimulated their growth in vitro. Also, 2-deoxy-D-glucose supplementation maintained insulin release evoked by leucine and 2-ketoisocaproate from B cells at day 7 at levels several times higher than at day 1. The effect of leucine was greatly augmented by glutamine, whereas that of the 2-keto acid remained almost unchanged irrespective of the presence of glutamine. These results suggest an increase in oxidative catabolism of medium nutrients in B cells grown in medium with 2-deoxy-D-glucose for 7 days, and such metabolic changes may promote the growth of B cells in vitro.

A, B, O(H) blood group antigen distribution in normal skin and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

The distribution of A, B, O(H) blood group antigens was studied in paraffin sections of 4 and 11 specimens, respectively, of normal skin and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis using specific red cell adherence (SRCA) test. In the normal skin of the penis the antigens appeared on the uppermost cornifying layers, while basal and malpighian layers were devoid of antigens. In squamous cell carcinoma of the penis the antigens were either absent or confined only to the epithelial pearl formations. Each of the 4 normal skins and 3 of the 11 carcinomas were antigen positive. As the blood group antigens were frequently absent in patients with carcinoma of the penis regardless of the tumor grade and stage as well as patient's condition, they lack the power to discriminate invasive potential.

Specific red cell adherence testing of benign and malignant lesions of the urethra

We herein report the first application of the specific red cell adherence test in patients with benign and malignant lesions of the urethra. In an attempt to determine whether the specific red cell adherence test could have potential use in predicting malignant behavior of urethral carcinoma we applied this test on specimens from 17 patients with a urethral caruncle, 3 with chronic urethritis and 4 with primary urethral carcinoma. Of the 20 benign lesions 18 (90 per cent) were positive for adherence, while the 4 urethral carcinoma specimens were negative. The high positive rate obtained in specimens of benign urethral lesions, together with the uniformly negative tests in those of urethral carcinoma, indicate the possible use of the specific red cell adherence test in early detection of aggressive behavior of urethral carcinoma, as well as predictiveness in bladder cancer.

A radioreceptor assay for insulin: direct measurement of human serum insulin

A simple radioreceptor assay was established with sensitivity and accuracy sufficient to detect concentrations of insulin in human peripheral sera. The radioreceptor assay was carried out at 4 degrees C using rabbit erythrocyte membranes and 125I-insulin. In the absence of native insulin, approximately 31% of the total 125I-insulin concentration was bound to erythrocyte membranes. Fourty-six per cent of this binding was displaced by 312 microunits/ml of native insulin. The precision expressed as coefficient of variation was 3 to 21% of the mean for the within-assay, and 1 to 21% for the between-assay, respectively. The recovery of standard porcine insulin added to the serum was 105% on the average. Insulin values in 24 samples of human sera measured by the present assay agreed well with immunoreactive insulin values.

Effect of D-glucosamine on the functional maturation of cultured B cells of the neonatal rat

The present study demonstrates the effect of glucosamine on the functional maturation of cultured B cells of the neonatal rat. When B cells had been maintained at a physiological concentration (5.5 mM) of glucose for 7 days, a drop in the stimulatory effect of 16.7 mM glucose on insulin release and biosynthesis was observed together with a reduced insulin content. By contrast, the sensitivity of glucose-induced insulin release was increased after one week of culture with 5.5 mM glucose and 5 mM glucosamine. And both the insulin content and glucose-induced insulin biosynthesis also remained at the same level as observed at the first day of culture with 5.5 mM glucose alone. In summary, it was suggested that glucosamine-supplemented culture may result in the transition of B cells of neonatal rat from a poor glucose sensitivity to adult-type response of insulin release.

No effect of naloxone on hypoxia-induced ventilatory depression in adults

The ventilatory response to acute isocapnic hypoxia is prompt but is not maintained at its peak. Within 10 min, it begins to fall, and by 30 min has reached an approximately steady level, usually still above control. We used naloxone to test in four men the hypothesis that this fade is hypoxic depression mediated by endogenous opioid peptides, e.g, endorphins. Breath by breath minute ventilation was recorded during a hyperoxic control period (FIO2 = 0.3) to establish control alveolar PCO2. After 15 min. of isocapnic hypoxia (end-tidal PO2 = 45 Torr), naloxone injection (1.2 or 10 mg, iv) failed to alter the slow decrement of ventilation. Hypoxic ventilatory depression appears not to be mediated by endorphins in adults.

[Intralymphatic administration of BCG-CWS in advanced malignant melanoma]

BCG-CWS was administrated into lymphatic vessels in the treatment of advanced malignant melanoma metastasized to the lymph node of the posterior peritoneum. Side effects consisted of fever, lymphangitis, a decrease in urinary output and a slight rise in serum GOT, there being no serious side effects. Clinically, tumor mass in the abdomen cleared but metastases to the other organs increased, and the patient died of general dispersion of the disease. At autopsy, the abdominal mass became flat, with the cut surface of yellowish brown color. Histologically, this mass formed necrosis made up of destroyed tumor cells and histiocytes. BCG-CWS mediated histiocyte response appeared to destroy tumor cells. Thus, it is possible that local administration BCG-CWS could elicit a potent response even in advanced carcinoma. Since the contact of BCG-CWS with tumor cells produced this response, administration of BCG-CWS into the lymphatic vessels may be indicated where the lymph current to the metastasized lymph node is not obstructed. This treatment would be effective particularly in the case of micrometastasis, and there is a possibility that it could elicit a specific response.

[The protective effect of mannitol and artificial blood (perfluorochemicals) on hemorrhagic infarction -- experimental study (author's transl)]

It has previously been thought difficult to produce hemorrhagic infarction in animals. Using the thalamic infarction model in the dog, the production of hemorrhagic infarction can be achieved consistently. In this study, the protective effect of mannitol and/or artificial blood (perfluorochemicals) on the hemorrhagic infarction was investigated. Adult mongrel dogs weighing about 10 kg each were used. Following temporal craniotomy, thalamic ischemia was produced by occluding four trunk arteries (the internal carotid, anterior cerebral, middle cerebral and posterior communicating arteries). Dogs which showed EEG changes indicative of thalamic ischemia were used in further experiments. The dogs were divided into 4 groups: (I) non-treated, (II) mannitol-treated, (III) fluorochemical-treated and (IV) mannitol and fluorochemical-treated. All dogs in each group underwent 6 hours of vascular occlusion followed by 1 hour recirculation. In order to evaluate the degree of hemorrhagic infarction, classification into 4 grades was done. Grade O: pale infarction without microscopical bleeding; Grade I: pale infarction wit microscopical bleeding; Grade II: a few sites of macroscopical petecheal bleeding; and Grade III: diffuse macroscopital petecheal bleeding. In the non-treated animals, autopsied brains showed hemorrhagic infarction in all cases. In mannitol-treated animals, some protective effect was found, especially in cases in which mannitol was administered within 60 minutes following occlusion. Hemorrhagic infarction was not suppressed in any of the fluorochemical-treated animals, but there was no hemorrhagic infarction in any of the animals treated with both mannitol and fluorochemicals. The present results are thought to indicate that these drugs administered together are effective in the treatment of hemorrhagic cerebral infarction.

[Development of new methods in suppressing brain infarction--combined administration of mannitol and perfluorochemicals (author's transl)]

Various therapeutic methods have been attempted for cerebral infarction, but the development of more effective methods is still awaited. We have investigations of the effect of mannitol in preventing the development of cerebral infarction and have reported it effects in clinical cases of operated cerebral aneurysms. In recent years, our attention has been drawn to the so-called red cell substitute, perfluorochemicals (FC), which has a high oxygen-carrying capacity and a small particle less than 0.1 mu. In the present studies, using infarction models in dogs which have previously developed and reported, observations are made on the recovery of brain electrical activity in sever ischemia, suppressing brain swelling following recirculation of cerebral blood flow and protection upon the hemorrhagic brain infarction, due to administration of mannitol or FC. These experimental results indicate that the combined administration of mannitol and FC is effective in protecting the brain from cerebral ischemia.

[Development of new methods in suppressing brain infarction--combined administration of mannitol and perfluorochemicals (author's transl)]

Various therapeutic methods have been attempted for cerebral infarction, but the development of more effective methods is still awaited. We have investigations of the effect of mannitol in preventing the development of cerebral infarction and have reported it effects in clinical cases of operated cerebral aneurysms. In recent years, our attention has been drawn to the so-called red cell substitute, perfluorochemicals (FC), which has a high oxygen-carrying capacity and a small particle less than 0.1 mu. In the present studies, using infarction models in dogs which have previously developed and reported, observations are made on recovery of brain electrical activity in severe ischemia, suppressing brain swelling following recirculation of cerebral blood flow and protection upon the hemorrhagic brain infarction, due to administration of mannitol or FC. These experimental results indicate that the combined administration of mannitol and FC is effective in protecting the brain from cerebral ischemia.

Effect of hyperthermia on experimental bladder tumors

Studies were made on hyperthermic treatment of BC-50 bladder cancer cells in ACI/N rats with the following results: (1) Hyperthermia had a marked cytotoxic effect on BC-50 transitional carcinoma cells in vitro. (2) In vivo, heat treatment for 30 min was insufficient, but heat treatment for 60 min or more was effective. (3) A significant difference was found between the effects of heat treatment at 41 and 42 degrees C, indicating that the critical temperature for killing tumor cells was 42 degrees C. (4) BC-50 tumor itself was sensitive to the X-ray irradiation so that we could not evaluate the effect of combination treatment of hyperthermia and X-ray irradiation. (5) Hyperthermia in combination with X-ray irradiation prolonged the survival rate of the rats.

Intravesical instillation of adriamycin combined with low-dose irradiation for superficial bladder cancer

Ten patients with superficial low-grade bladder cancer were treated with intra-vesical instillation of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) with low-dose irradiation (total dose of 800 rads), and the therapeutic effect was evaluated clinically and histopathologically. In clinical evaluation based on cystoscopic findings, all 10 patients showed marked response to the combination therapy. In 3 patients the main tumors disappeared, in 6 the tumors were reduced by 50 per cent or more with or without disappearance of daughter tumors, and in 1 the tumor was reduced by 50 per cent or less with disappearance of daughter tumor. Histopathologically the tumor cells could not be confirmed in 3 patients; the tumor cells were almost nonviable with some viable cells in 2; the tumor cells were almost viable with some nonviable cells in 4; and 1 showed no effect.

Insulin receptors in rabbit erythrocyte

The existence of insulin receptors in rabbit erythrocytes was studied by evaluating the specific binding of 125I-insulin to erythrocyte membranes. The binding of 125I-insulin was pH, time and temperature dependent. Maximal binding was achieved by incubation for 20 hr at 0 degrees C. The optimum pH was 7.4. Treatment with cations and enzymes enhanced the specific binding except for with trypsin, the treatment which greatly reduced the binding. Unlabeled insulin over a wide range of concentrations competitively inhibited the binding of 125I-insulin, while the binding was little affected by structurally unrelated hormones. Scatchard plot was represented as a concave curve. Binding sites of relatively high affinity (K1 = 0.9 X 10(9) M-1) and low capacity (8.0 X 10(13)/g protein) could be distinguished from those of lower affinity (K2 = 0.8 X 10(7) M-1) and higher capacity (1.8 X 10(15)/g protein). Hill's analysis and dissociation of 125I-insulin from membranes demonstrated the characteristics of negative cooperation between receptor sites. Both incorporation of H3(32)PO4 to erythrocyte membranes and uptake of 45Ca were significantly reduced by the addition of unlabeled insulin. Unlabeled insulin produced no effect on uptake of 45Ca into trypsin-treated erythrocytes. On the basis of these results, it was suggested that rabbit erythrocytes might possess biologically significant insulin receptors located on the cell membranes.