Aspirin lowers blood pressure in patients with renovascular hypertension

To clarify the role of renal prostanoid in hyperreninemia and high blood pressure in human renovascular hypertension, we measured prostaglandin E2 and renin activity in renal venous and abdominal aortic plasma before and after the intravenous administration of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, aspirin DL-lysine. Subjects were six patients with unilateral renovascular hypertension and six with essential hypertension. In patients with renovascular hypertension, prostaglandin E2 concentration in renal venous plasma from the stenotic kidney was 9.25 +/- 1.48 pg/ml, which was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than the concentration in the renal venous plasma from the normal kidney (4.97 +/- 1.02 pg/ml) or in the aortic plasma (2.59 +/- 0.15 pg/ml). Plasma renin activity was also higher in the renal vein of the stenotic kidney than in the other two sites. The stenotic side/normal side ratio of the renal venous prostaglandin E2 correlated significantly with a renin ratio greater than 1.5 (r = 0.8211, p less than 0.05). Intravenous injection of aspirin DL-lysine (18 mg/kg) 30 minutes later markedly suppressed prostaglandin E2 and renin levels at all sites and clearly lowered arterial blood pressure (mean: from 120 +/- 6 to 110 +/- 5 mm Hg, p less than 0.01). The reduction in blood pressure correlated significantly with the suppression of plasma renin activity in the aorta (p less than 0.05) and in the renal vein of the stenotic kidney (p less than 0.01). Conversely, in patients with essential hypertension, aspirin had little effect on renin levels and increased mean blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Direct current therapy with chemotherapy for the local control of lung cancer]

Direct current therapy (DC therapy), consisting of the application of electric current directly to the lesion, with chemotherapy using BLM was performed in 4 advanced inoperable lung cancer patients in whom chemotherapy and radiotherapy were not effective or could not be performed. Fluoroscopically two electrodes were inserted percutaneously into the tumor under local anesthesia. The distance between the two electrodes was about 3-4 cm. About 10 volts of direct current for 1 hour (totally over 40 coulombs) was passed between them using a DC treatment processor model 85 (Inter Nova Co., Ltd.), and simultaneously 15-30 mg of BLM was administered intravenously according to the general condition of the patient. The histologic type was adenocarcinoma in 3 cases and there was 1 large cell carcinoma. This treatment was performed once in 3 cases and twice in another. A reduction of tumor size was recognized in 3 cases (2 adenocarcinomas and 1 large cell carcinoma). In another adenocarcinoma case it was not measurable in size because of infiltrative shadow but histologically tumor destruction was recognized within a short period after DC therapy. The complications were mainly slight fever and light pain during the procedure. There was one small amount of hemoptysis and one pneumothorax but it was not necessary to perform special treatment for these complications. DC therapy with chemotherapy is based on our basic experimental experience that some anticancer agents accumulate around the electrodes in lung tissue when direct current is passed. In addition, current itself has cytocidal effects in some cases. Our clinical experience suggested the usefulness of this therapy to treat lung cancer lesions locally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alterations in cerebrospinal fluid angiotensin II by sodium intake in patients with essential hypertension

1. Angiotensin (ANG) levels were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of 15 patients with essential hypertension on a high sodium diet for 1 week and on a low sodium diet for a further week. ANGs were determined using a system of extraction by Sep-Pak cartridges followed by h.p.l.c. combined with radioimmunoassay. 2. Sodium depletion resulted in increases of ANG II in the cerebrospinal fluid from 1.16 +/- 0.38 (SEM) to 1.83 +/- 0.43 fmol/ml (P less than 0.01) and of ANG III from 0.65 +/- 0.11 to 0.86 +/- 0.15 fmol/ml (P less than 0.01). 3. The ANG II level in the cerebrospinal fluid was found to be unchanged and recovery of added ANG II was approximately 90%, even after incubation for 3 h, on both diets. Thus, it is unlikely that ANG II is produced or degraded in the cerebrospinal fluid in vitro. 4. There was no significant correlation between the cerebrospinal fluid and the plasma ANG II concentration on the low sodium diet. 5. These results suggest that the cerebrospinal fluid ANG II level increases with sodium depletion, and that the effect of the level of ANG II on the activity of the angiotensin-forming system in the central nervous system may be assessed by determination of ANG II in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with essential hypertension.

[One-stage resected case of dumbbell type tumor of the posterior mediastinum]

We reported a dumbbell type tumor of the posterior mediastinum. The patient was an asymptomatic 40-year-old male. An abnormal shadow in the right lower lung field was pointed out in a mass survey. We recognized a dumbbell type tumor in the posterior mediastinum by chest CT and MRI. The tumor invaded the intervertebral canal through the spinal foramen. It was most clearly seen by MRI myelography. Operation was performed with the patient in a prone position and with an L-shaped skin incision of the back and 11th intracostal thoracotomy and Th11 laminectomy. The dumbbell type tumor was completely removed by this operation. The pathological diagnosis was Schwannoma. The post operative course was good. The one-stage operation is useful for dumbbell type tumors of the posterior mediastinum.

[Studies on colonic motor correlates of spontaneous defecation in conscious dogs]

The colonic motilities during defecation were studied by means of extraluminal strain gauge force transducers in six conscious dogs. A set of eight transducers was implanted in each dog: one was on the terminal ileum and the remaining seven were on the whole length of the colon equidistantly. As Karaus & Sarna had already described in 1987, giant migrating contractions (GMC) that were initiated in the proximal colon and rapidly migrated caudad before defecation were reconfirmed also in this study to be motor equivalent of mass movements. Several new findings in addition were obtained. At spontaneous defecation, a reflex relaxation was always observed at the distal end of the colon. This colonic outlet relaxation (COR) usually occurred synchronously with the initiation of GMC at the proximal colon and lasted until GMC had arrived at the distal end. Evacuation of feces occurred during this COR. COR was not observed at defecation induced by neostigmine or prostaglandin F2 alpha. After bilateral pelvic nerve section, both GMC and COR were completely abolished. Instead, group of low amplitude caudad migrating contractions occurred at the proximal or middle colon and were followed by frequent evacuation of small amount of loose stools. COR was not observed at this type of defecation. It is suggested from this study that not only GMC but also COR are the essential motor correlates of spontaneous defecation. Both GMC and COR are under control of pelvic nerves.

Radioactive metal complexes with affinity for tumors. II. Biodistribution of radioactivity in cellular and subcellular fractions of tumor tissues

The 99mTc and 57Co complexes of ethylenediamine-N,N-diacetic acid (EDDA) are accumulated in tumor tissue. The complexes and related radioactive compounds were administered to experimental animals bearing Ehrlich tumor, and the blood, tumor, abscess, and other tissues were separated, fractionated and analyzed. In blood, the EDDA complexes of 99mTc and 57Co were in dialyzable forms, whereas other tumor-nonlocalizing compounds were in undialyzable or protein-bound forms. The tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios of the radioactivity showed that the complexes had the high affinity for tumor tissues. Density gradient centrifugation analysis of the ascites tumor tissues showed that a significant amount of the radioactivity of the complexes was present in tumor cells. Subcellular fractionation of solid tumor tissue showed that the radioactivity was present in nuclear fraction.

Dose-response carcinogenicity in rats on low-dose levels of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourethane

A dose-response study on the carcinogenicity of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourethane (ENUR) was undertaken to examine its effect at low doses. Six-week-old female F344 rats were divided into 5 groups, each consisting of 40 animals. ENUR was dissolved in distilled water at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.15, 0.6, 2.5 and 10 ppm, and rats were given these solutions ad libitum for 2 years. Significant increase of the total tumor incidences and shortening of the mean survival times were observed in groups given 2.5 and 10 ppm ENUR. In groups given 0.6 ppm or more ENUR, digestive tract tumors were induced dose-dependently. They were restricted to the upper digestive tract from the oral cavity to the forestomach, and were histologically squamous cell papillomas or carcinomas. Dose-related differences in the location and incidence of these tumors were found. The virtually safe doses (VSDs) calculated by using the Weibull, Logit and Probit models were 0.365 x 10(-2), 0.110 x 10(-1) and 0.779 x 10(-1) ppm, respectively. The VSDs estimated in the present study are discussed in comparison with those of other carcinogens.

[Case-control study of moyamoya disease]

The cause of Moyamoya disease is still unknown. We made a research about the factors closely related to Moyamoya disease through a case-control study. The number of cases studied was 66. Controls were selected from among patients' friends, matched as to sex, age and residential area. Questionnaires were sent to the cases and the respective controls by mail. The questions were about past history, developmental history, school records, habitual factors, dietary habits and pets. The first symptoms and age at onset were also surveyed in the cases. The response rate was 84.8% (56 cases) of the cases and 76.5% (101 cases) out of the 132 controls. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, and bronchitis. Odds ratio of fever of unknown origin is 2.793 and X2 is 7.213. Diseases whose odds ratio was over 1 were herpes, appendicitis, bronchitis, asthma, anemia, dental caries, head injury and drug allergy. But all of them were not significantly prevalent. Odds ratios of school records were 4-9 and X2 were 4-17 from elementary to junior high school. Odds ratio of western dishes was 2.709 and X2 was 5.189. There was no significant difference as to pets kept. We could not find overt relationships between Moyamoya disease and diseases of head and neck like tonsillitis.

A chemical model of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Methylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in aqueous solution

The reaction of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (LH2) and dimethylsulfate (DMS) to form the m- and p-O-methylated products (vanillin and isovanillin, respectively) in aqueous 2-(N-morpholino)ethane sulfonate buffer was studied kinetically. The products were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. The O-methylation occurred principally at the p-hydroxyl group in the absence of divalent metal ions. In the presence of Cu(II), the m-methylation was promoted and became predominant. Zn(II) showed a similar but less pronounced effect. The effects were explained in terms of the complex formation of LH2. The second order rate constants for the m- and p-methylation of the species, LH2, CuL and CuL2-2 by DMS were calculated. The values and their ratio for the m-/p-reactions increased in the order of LH2 less than CuL less than CuL2-2. The reaction may serve as a chemical model for catechol-O-methyltransferase, which requires divalent metals and catalyzes the m-methylation.

Changes in cerebral hemodynamics following encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) in young patients with moyamoya disease

To evaluate the effect of encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis, (EDAS), we obtained follow-up angiograms and measured regional cerebral blood flow in 21 young patients with Moyamoya disease. Carotid fork stenosis continued to progress after EDAS, although angiography demonstrated a marked increase in the number of middle cerebral artery branches via implanted arteries. Preoperative cortical blood flow was lower than normal. The post-EDAS increases in hemispheric and cortical flow were significant in patients with transient ischemic attacks, but not in patients with infarction. The increase in cortical flow at the site of EDAS was first noted 2 weeks after EDAS.

[Diurnal changes in colonic motility in conscious dogs]

Daily profile of colonic motor activity was observed in 10 conscious dogs by means of extraluminal force transducers. Each dog was implanted with a set of seven strain, gauges, one on the terminal ileum and the remaining six on the colon equidistantly. The colonic motor activity was basically composed of migrating and non-migrating motor complexes at all six recording sites. Each motor complex was characterized by a tonic contraction superimposed by rhythmic bursts of phasic contractions. During fasted period these motor complexes recurred at a mean interval of 36 min, and a mean duration was 7 to 12 min. Those motor complexes which migrated over at least three recording sites were defined as "migrating", 72% of those observed at the most proximal sites (n = 2680) were migrating, and the remaining 28% were non-migrating. Of those migrating motor complexes 90.4% migrated caudad (iso-peristalsis), while only 9.4% migrated orad (antiperistalsis). During postprandial period the colonic motor complexes at all recording sites uniformly increased their frequency with shorter intervals. Different from the small intestine, the contractile patterns were essentially the same as those of fasted period. The postprandial acceleration of the colonic motor complexes seems to be compatible with gastrocolic response.

Teratoma of the pituitary gland in a young male rat

A pituitary teratoma was found in a 5-week-old (37-day-old) male Donryu rat. The tumour (10 x 11 x 9 mm) was round in shape and white in colour. The cut surface was solid without haemorrhagic or cystic change. Histologically, it was composed of various kinds of tissue components including mature and immature elements derived from the three embryonic germ layers, i.e., nervous tissue, cartilage, bone, squamous epithelial element, glandular element lined by one or more layers of ciliated columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells, striated muscle tissue, adipose tissue and connective tissue. Neuroepithelial rosettes and immature or embryonal epithelium as well as immature cartilage were intermingled with mature somatic tissues.

[Perifocal abnormal signal intensity area in MRI in meningiomas]

To investigate the perifocal abnormal signal intensity area in MRI in meningiomas, we have analysed MRI in 10 cases among 73 meningiomas which were diagnosed by X-ray CT and verified by operation and pathology. The MRI scanners used in this study were Siemens Magnetom and Toshiba MRT 15A. Ten meningiomas diagnosed by MRI were as follows; one free convexity, one pyramidal, three falx and parasagittal, one sphenoid ridge, one olfactory groove, one cerebellopontine angle, two ventricular meningiomas. Perifocal abnormal signal intensity area was diagnosed as vasogenic edema in 4 cases. This area was shown as high signal intensity in T2-weighted MRI and was confined to the white matter. In proton density-weighted MRI, it was shown as high signal intensity and usually clearly distinguished from rather iso- or hypointensity tumor area. In T1-weighted MRI, this area was shown as slightly low signal intensity, which could be readily differentiated from the remarkably low intensity ventricular CSF. In one case a thin semi-lunar abnormal intensity area bordering the tumor was verified in MRI, but no abnormal area was shown in CT. In the remaining 6 cases, namely one free convexity, one pyramidal and two ventricular meningiomas, one cerebello-pontine and one sphenoid ridge meningioma, in which CSF abutted the tumor, abnormal signal intensity area was diagnosed as entrapped CSF space. The perifocal abnormal signal intensity area in MRI should be regarded as vasogenic edema or entrapped CSF space, and these two should be differentiated by the signal intensity, the distribution of the area and CT-cisternography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The anatomy and pathology of the brain stem demonstrated by thin slice CT cisternography]

We demonstrated normal CT anatomy of the brain stem and adjacent structures using thin slice CT cisternography. Reducing the streak artifact caused by bony structures, thin slice CT cisternography can visualize the detailed features of the brain stem and its pathological changes. In addition, reconstructed images are also useful in diagnosis.

Unruptured aneurysms in patients with transient ischemic attack or reversible ischemic neurological deficit. Report of eight cases

Thirty-five patients with unruptured aneurysms were treated between 1981 and 1987. Eight of them had either transient ischemic attacks or reversible ischemic neurological deficits as their presenting symptoms. Six of the eight patients underwent direct aneurysm surgery. All eight patients are well, and have had no recurrent attack during the follow-up period ranging from 2 to 7 years. The feasibility of surgical treatment for such aneurysms associated with reversible ischemic symptoms is discussed.

Cerebrospinal fluid angiotensin II in patients with essential hypertension

We measured components of the cerebrospinal fluid renin-angiotensin system from patients with essential hypertension under different dietary sodium intakes. The cerebrospinal fluid concentration of angiotensin II (Ang II) from the patients on a normal-sodium diet was 1.36 +/- 0.41 fmol/ml (n = 5). Neither the inactive nor the active form of renin was detected by the enzymatic activity or by the immunoreactivity, whereas angiotensinogen was detected (38.6 +/- 3.1 pmol/ml, n = 5). The Ang II level remained unchanged even after incubation of the cerebrospinal fluid at 37 degrees C for 3 h. Further, when authentic Ang II was added to the cerebrospinal fluid followed by incubation for 3 h at 37 degrees C, more than 90% of the added Ang II remained unchanged. Thus, the cerebrospinal fluid Ang II level may be reflected by the activity of the brain Ang II-forming system, as it was not affected by the cerebrospinal fluid constituents. The circulating renin-angiotensin system was stimulated by sodium depletion, and the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of Ang II also increased significantly. Sodium depletion may stimulate the brain Ang-II forming system, as it does the circulating renin-angiotensin system.

A comment on the evaluation of equilibrium constants for alpha-tocopherol interactions with fatty acids by absorbance in the ultraviolet region

This paper comments on the evaluation of Erin and co-workers (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 774 (1984) 96-102) of equilibrium constants for alpha-tocopherol interactions with fatty acids on the basis of the changes of absorbance in a 200 nm ultraviolet region. It is concluded that the ultraviolet method is inadequate because it is affected by absorption in that region of the solvent, ethanol and fatty acids which they used.

Carcinogenicity and organ specificity of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-N-nitrosourea (TMS-MNU), N-neopentyl-N-nitrosourea (neoPNU), and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in rats

The carcinogenicity and organ specificity of TMS-MNU and neoPNU, a carbon-analogue of TMS-MNU, in rats were investigated and compared with those of MNU. Compounds were dissolved in olive oil and rats in the experimental groups received 20 weekly intragastric intubations of 10 mg/kg of MNU or equimolar amounts of TMS-MNU or neoPNU in the same manner. The experiment was terminated when the survivors were sacrificed at the 52nd week after the final administration. In the TMS-MNU and MNU groups, tumors of the forestomach were induced and the incidence was 100% in the groups of both sexes. In addition, tumors of the glandular stomach, nervous system, kidney, and lung were also observed in these groups. Neurogenic tumors were found more frequently in the MNU group than in the TMS-MNU group. The incidence of lung tumors, however, was higher in the TMS-MNU group than in the MNU group. On the other hand, in the control and neoPNU groups, no tumor was found in these organs except the lung, and all tumors observed in these two groups were histologically similar to spontaneous ones in this strain of rats. These results indicate that the carcinogenicity of N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas is dependent on the chemical structure of their alkyl chain. The result of the present study coincides with the previous result that the species of TMS-MNU in the alkylating step is the same as that of MNU, but different from neoPNU. The difference in the organ specificity between TMS-MNU and MNU demonstrates that the organ specificity is dominantly dependent on the distribution of the chemicals, since TMS-MNU may possibly be distributed differently from MNU because of its different partition property.

Increases in renal angiotensin II content and tubular angiotensin II receptors in prehypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats

To examine the role of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system in the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we measured angiotensin II contents and tubular 125I-angiotensin II binding sites in the kidney of SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In prehypertensive (4-week-old) SHR, not only the kidney angiotensin II content but also the angiotensin II receptor density in brush border membranes were significantly higher than in the WKY. In contrast, angiotensin II levels in the 20-week-old SHR kidneys were significantly lower than in the WKY. Acceleration of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system and the increased density of tubular angiotensin II receptors in young SHR may therefore play an important role in the development of high blood pressure in SHR.