Transforming growth factor-beta 1 inhibits prolactin secretion and lactotropic cell proliferation in the pituitary of oestrogen-treated Fischer 344 rats

Recently it has been shown that lactotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland produce and secrete transforming growth factor-beta 1-(TGF-beta 1) like peptide. The in vivo action(s) of this peptide growth factor on lactotropic cells have not been studied. In this study we determined the effects of TGF-beta 1 on lactotropic cell function in estradiol-17 beta-treated ovariectomized rats. Intrapituitary administration of TGF-beta 1 significantly inhibited plasma levels of prolactin (PRL). In addition, TGF-beta 1 decreased pituitary weight and the DNA synthesis in lactotropes and reduced the PRL levels in the pituitary. These results suggest that TGF-beta 1 may be a physiological regulator of PRL secretion and lactotropic cell proliferation.

Effects of chitin and chitosan particles on BALB/c mice by oral and parenteral administration

Chitin and chitosan were administered orally and parenterally into mice and their toxicity was investigated. When 5 mg of chitin were injected intraperitoneally every 2 weeks over a 12-week period, the mice were apparently normal, but histologically, many macrophages with hyperplasia were observed in the mesenterium and foreign-body giant-cell-type polykaryocytes were observed in the spleen. The polykaryocytes were also observed in the spleen of the mice injected subcutaneously with 5 mg of chitin, but no other changes were observed. When 5 mg of chitosan were injected intraperitoneally, the body weights of the mice decreased significantly and inactivity was observed in the fifth week. Histologically, many macrophages with hyperplasia were observed in the mesenterium. Subcutaneous injection of 5 mg of chitosan did not evoke the general and cellular abnormalities. Oral administration of 5% chitosan via a casein diet caused mouse body weights to decrease and also decreased the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in normal flora of the intestinal tract. These results indicate that special care should be taken in the clinical use of chitin and chitosan over a long time period.

Genomic organization and polymorphism of human angiotensin II type 2 receptor: no evidence for its gene mutation in two families of human premature ovarian failure syndrome

Angiotensin II type 2 (AT(2)) receptor is highly expressed in the fetal tissues and decreases rapidly after birth. AT(2) receptor is re-expressed in the adult atretic ovarian follicles. Recently, it has been reported that AT(2) receptor mediates apoptosis. Primarily, we have cloned human AT(2) receptor cDNA and mapped it to the X-chromosome. To further analyze the organization and function of the AT(2) receptor gene, in this study we cloned the human AT(2) receptor genomic DNA. Human AT(2) receptor gene is composed of three exons and two introns. Primer extension analysis revealed a putative transcription initiation site at 24 bp downstream from TATA box. Furthermore, we identified a polymorphism (C-A) in 3' untranslated region of exon 3, which may be a useful genetic marker for genetic analysis of human X-linked inherited disease. In this study, we postulated that the patients with premature ovarian failure, which has been reported to be linked with X-chromosome abnormality, have AT(2) receptor mutation that may contribute to the early onset of atresia. We examined the entire coding sequence of this receptor in two different families of sisters with premature ovarian failure (POF) but found no changes in nucleotide sequences.

Structural scoliosis model in dogs with experimentally induced syringomyelia

STUDY DESIGN

Animal scoliosis model associated with syringomyelia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pathogenesis of scoliosis produced in dogs with kaolin-induced syringomyelia.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Kaolin injected into the cisterna magna produces basilar arachnoiditis, leading to hydrocephalus and syringomyelia. There have been no reports on scoliosis associated with kaolin-induced syringomyelia.

METHODS

Kaolin was injected percutaneously into the cisterna magna of 11 beagles 6-8 weeks after birth. Roentgenograms, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were obtained. The spinal cord and the paraspinal muscles were examined histologically. Structural changes of the vertebral column were analyzed with calcein and tetracycline labeling.

RESULTS

Hydrocephalus occurred in nine dogs. A communicating syringomyelia appeared in five dogs. Mild scoliosis developed in two dogs, and severe cervical scoliosis in one dog. In the syringomyelia cases, acute or subacute inflammatory changes were found in the spinal cord. Damage of the anterior and posterior horn cells was more marked in the scoliotic animals than in the nonscoliotic animals. In three of the syringomyelia cases, including two scoliosis cases, the paraspinal muscles revealed neurogenic changes. The deformed vertebrae appeared to diminish rather than to increase the deformity in severe scoliosis.

CONCLUSION

The exact mechanism of the development of scoliosis could not be identified, although an etiologic relation with malfunction of the central nervous system was noted. This model may be useful to study scoliosis experimentally.

A case of rest angina due to microvascular spasm

A 66-year-old woman underwent elective cardiac catheterization for investigation of periodic attacks of chest pain at rest. During the examination, a chest pain attack occurred unexpectedly, resulting in ST elevation in the precordial leads on electrocardiography. Immediate coronary arteriography demonstrated no organic stenosis but markedly delayed contrast medium perfusion in the mild to distal portion of the left anterior descending artery. These phenomena spontaneously disappeared about 3 min later, and the patient was diagnosed as having angina pectoris due to microvascular spasm. The demonstration of angina pectoris due to microvascular spasm by coronary arteriography during a spontaneous attack is very rare.

Antibacterial activity of T-5575, a novel 2-carboxypenam, and its stability to beta-lactamase

The in-vitro activity of T-5575, 2-carboxypenam, a new parenteral antibiotic and its stability to beta-lactamases were compared with those of ceftazidime and imipenem. The activity of T-5575 was equal or superior to that of ceftazidime or imipenem against Gram-negative bacteria that produced penicillinase with the exception of the enzyme OXA-1. Against strains that produced Cephalosporinase and zinc-dependent beta-lactamase, the activity of T-5575 was superior to that of ceftazidime or imipenem. T-5575 was a poor substrate and had low affinity for beta-lactamases produced by Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The activity of T-5575 was less influenced by the derepressed production of chromosomal enzymes than that of ceftazidime. Overall, T-5575 had excellent activity against Gram-negative pathogens that produced various types of beta-lactamases.

Increased pituitary growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in food-deprived rats

In prolonged food-deprived rats, growth hormone (GH) secretion in response to exogenous GH-releasing factor (GRF) is enhanced both in vivo and in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that, in fasted rats, GRF receptors in the pituitary may be up-regulated. The expression of mRNA for the GRF receptor in the pituitary and GRF binding to the pituitary membrane were examined in adult male Wistar rats deprived of food for 72 h. The level of GRF receptor mRNA in the pituitary was significantly increased after 48 h food deprivation and was more than 3 times the level in control rats after 72 h food deprivation. GRF binding to the pituitary was significantly increased after 72 h food deprivation. The results of the present study provide evidence regarding changes in the GH axis in fasted rats, involving increased pituitary responsiveness to GRF and an increase in the pituitary membrane GRF receptor concentration.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with mumps

A 35-year-old man with Guillain-Barré syndrome and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with serologically-confirmed mumps is presented. A polyneuropathy developed 18 days after the onset of mumps, that improved with plasmapheresis. A decreased platelet count was observed 25 days after the onset of mumps attributed to platelet agglutination in blood anticoagulated with EDTA, and the agglutination was prevented by other anticoagulants. Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with mumps is rare and EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia following mumps has never been documented. This represents the first report of Guillain-Barré syndrome and EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia following mumps. Furthermore, our findings suggest activation of the humoral immune response as a potential pathogenesis.

[Bone marrow transplantation versus maintenance chemotherapy for adult acute leukemia in first remission]

We compared the outcome of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with that of maintenance chemotherapy for adults with acute leukemia who achieved first remission in Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital. From 1976 to 1993, 17 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and 10 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) received allogeneic BMT from HLA genotypically identical siblings in first remission, 4 patients with ALL undertook purged autologous BMT using monoclonal antibody and complement, and 55 patients with AML and 27 patients with ALL were treated with maintenance chemotherapy. The estimated 6-year disease free survival (DFS) of AML patients was significantly higher in the BMT group than in the chemotherapy group (77.3% vs 42.6%; p < 0.01). For ALL patients, the estimated 6-year DFS was 72.5% in the allo-BMT group and 100% for the auto-BMT group, but no patient was disease free more than 2 years in the chemotherapy group (p < 0.0001). We conclude that BMT after several courses of consolidation chemotherapy is the optimal treatment of choice in patients with AML and ALL in first remission. A prospective study is needed to confirm the efficacy of BMT after intensive consolidation chemotherapy.

Isolation of viable cells in canine transmissible sarcoma (CTS) using density gradient centrifugation

Density gradient centrifugation using Ficoll-Conray solution was attempted to isolate viable canine transmissible sarcoma (CTS) cells. The viability of isolated tumor cells increased from about 50% to > 90%, and the yield of CTS cells was > 50% with over 99% purity, in when an isolation solution density of 1.05 was used.

Intracerebroventricular administration of the growth hormone-releasing peptide KP-102 increases food intake in free-feeding rats

Recent evidence suggests that growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) mimic an unidentified native GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-amplifying hormone. GHRH has been shown to stimulate food intake acting on the central nervous system. The present studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that GHRPs may also potentiate the central effect of GHRH on feeding in free-feeding rats. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of picomole doses of a newly developed GHRP, KP-102, or human GHRH stimulated feeding, but the phenomenon was not reproduced by systemic injection. A prior ICV injection of a GHRH antagonist completely prevented the increase of food intake evoked by GHRH, but this pretreatment did not influence the increase in food intake induced by KP-102. When maximally effective doses of GHRH and KP-102 were co-administered ICV, the amount of food intake increased significantly compared with after ICV injection of a maximum dose of either peptide alone. These findings suggest that GHRPs stimulate food intake via a specific receptor for GHRPs in the central nervous system and amplify the central effect of GHRH on feeding.

[Comparative study of bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors and identical sibling donors in a single institute]

This retrospective study analyzes the result of bone marrow transplantation in 28 patients with unrelated donors compared with 75 patients transplanted from identical HLA sibling donors at a single institute during the same time period. One unrelated donor patient with severe aplastic anemia died without evidence of engraftment. The incidence of grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in unrelated donor patients (19%) was higher than sibling donors (0%) and the probability of survival more than 30 years was lower compared with sibling donors. However, the probability of survival without grade III-IV acute GVHD was similar in the two groups, 62% (n = 21) vs. 65% (n = 75), and there was no significant difference in relapse-free survival, good prognostic factors; 76% (n = 11) vs. 66% (n = 37), higher risk factors; 30% (n = 11) vs. 31% (n = 21). Death due to viral infection were significantly higher among unrelated donor patients. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation for patients younger than 30 years old from unrelated donors should be considered equally to sibling donors with great care to engraftment for severe aplastic anemia, grade III-IV acute GVHD and viral infection.

SMAP, an Smg GDS-associating protein having arm repeats and phosphorylated by Src tyrosine kinase

Smg GDS is a regulator having two activities on a group of small G proteins including the Rho and Rap1 family members and Ki-Ras; one is to stimulate their GDP/GTP exchange reactions, and the other is to inhibit their interactions with membranes. Structurally, it has 11 Arm repeats, a protein interaction motif, found in the Drosophila Armadillo protein, a homolog of mammalian beta-catenin. We have isolated here an Smg GDS-interacting protein from a human brain cDNA library by use of the yeast two-hybrid method and named it SMAP (Smg GDS-associated protein). SMAP was a protein with a Mr of 91,189 and 792 amino acids. SMAP had 9 Arm repeats. Recombinant SMAP interacted with recombinant Smg GDS but did not affect the two activities of Smg GDS on RhoA. SMAP was tyrosine phosphorylated by v-Src, and this phosphorylation reduced the affinity of SMAP for Smg GDS. Tissue and subcellular distribution analyses indicated that SMAP was ubiquitously expressed and highly concentrated at the endoplasmic reticulum area. Searches for sequence homology to SMAP revealed that SMAP was significantly homologous to sea urchin SpKAP115, suggesting that SMAP is a mammalian counterpart of SpKAP115 or its related protein. SpKAP115 is an accessory subunit of sea urchin kinesin II, an ATPase motor that transports vesicles along microtubules. These results suggest that SMAP serves as an adaptor for both Smg GDS and kinesin II or its related protein and links them with both the Smg GDS-regulated small G protein and Src tyrosine kinase signalings.

Serum thrombopoietin level after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: possible correlations with platelet recovery, acute graft-versus-host disease and hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Nagoya Bone Marrow Transplantation Group

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a growth and differentiation factor for megakaryocytes and platelets. An ELISA was developed for measuring TPO concentrations in human sera. The mean +/- S.D. of TPO level obtained in 29 control subjects was 0.87 +/- 0.35 fmol/ml. We measured the TPO level in 36 patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and determined the relationship between blood levels of TPO and changes in the circulating platelet mass. In general, a reciprocal relationship was observed between TPO and platelet count (r = -0.609, P < 0.0001; n = 165). With the decrease in the platelet mass after myeloablative therapy, the TPO level increased proportionally and peaked during the platelet nadir. The peak concentration of TPO ranged from 20-50 fmol/ml. The TPO level decreased with the normalization of the platelet mass. In contrast, the TPO level decreased during acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in several patients. Furthermore, the TPO level was significantly lower in the patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) than in the patients after BMT without GVHD and VOD in the samples of less than 50000/microliters platelets (P < 0.005). These findings suggest that in the patients given allogeneic BMT, TPO has an important role in the physiologic regulation of platelet production and that liver damage due to acute GVHD and VOD may decrease the TPO level.

Inhibitory effect of neuropeptide Y on growth hormone secretion in rats is mediated by both Y1- and Y2-receptor subtypes and abolished after anterolateral deafferentation of the medial basal hypothalamus

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) may play a physiological role in the regulation of growth hormone (GH) secretion by acting via somatostatin (SS) in the periventricular nucleus (PeV), as well as via the GH-releasing factor in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). The objectives of the present study were to determine the neuron structures and receptor subtypes necessary for mediating the inhibitory effect of NPY on GH secretion in unanesthetized male rats. To eliminate the influence of hypophyseotropic SS, anterolateral deafferentation (ALC) of the hypothalamus was performed. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of 1.17 nmol of NPY decreased the blood level of GH for 3-4 h in sham-operated rats, while the procedure was without effect in ALC rats. The i.c.v. administration of 1.17 nmol of a Y1-receptor agonist ([Leu31, Pro34]-NPY) or a Y2-receptor agonist (NPY 13-36 and NPY 3-36) similarly suppressed the blood GH level. The data support the hypothesis that neuron structures anterolateral to the MBH are required for NPY-induced inhibition of GH secretion that is mediated via Y1- and Y2-receptor subtypes. Combined with data of other investigators, SS is likely the neurohumoral mediator of the effect of NPY on GH secretion.

The growth hormone-releasing peptide KP-102 induces c-fos expression in the arcuate nucleus

Growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide (GHRP) stimulates GH secretion by acting on both the pituitary and the hypothalamus through a poorly understood mechanism. To reveal the hypothalamic action of GHRP, rat brains were processed for in situ hybridization for c-fos mRNA as a marker of neuronal activity after systemic administration of a newly developed GHRP, KP-102. Hypophysectomized adult male Wistar rats were administered KP-102 through an indwelling right atrial cannula. KP-102 treatment was accompanied by transient expression of the c-fos gene selectively in the ventromedial and ventrolateral regions of the arcuate nucleus (ARC). The distribution of c-fos gene-expressing cells overlapped that of GRF mRNA-containing neurons in the ventrolateral region on adjacent sections, whereas few c-fos mRNA signals were detected in the dorsomedial region where somatostatin mRNA signals were localized. To confirm this observations, hypothalamic sections were subjected to double-label in situ hybridization. Twenty-three percent of c-fos mRNA-containing cells were GRF neurons, comprising 20% of the GRF neurons in the ARC. The remaining c-fos mRNA containing cells were unidentified. KP-102 thus appears to act on a subpopulation of GRF neurons and unidentified cells in the ARC to stimulate GH secretion.

Growth hormone receptor gene is expressed in neuropeptide Y neurons in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of rats

GH feeds back on the hypothalamus and regulates its own secretion. We have previously shown that systemic administration of GH induces expression of the c-fos gene, a marker of neuronal activity, on the hypothalamic neuropeptide Y(NPY) and somatostatin neurons in rats. We argued that if GH were to act directly on NPY neurons, NPY neurons should express the GH receptor (GHR) gene. To test this hypothesis, coronal sections of the medial basal hypothalamus from adult male Wistar rats were processed by double label in situ hybridization using a 35S-labeled NPY complementary RNA probe and a digoxigenin-labeled GHR complementary RNA probe. In the medial basal hypothalamus, NPY messenger RNA (mRNA) was observed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the dorsomedial nucleus. The majority (95%) of NPY mRNA-containing cells in the ARC expressed the GHR gene, whereas no NPY mRNA-containing cells in the dorsomedial nucleus expressed the GHR gene. These findings suggest that NPY neurons in the ARC mediate the feedback effect of GH on the hypothalamus.

Hormonal regulation of apoptosis in early antral follicles: follicle-stimulating hormone as a major survival factor

Hormonal regulation of apoptosis has been studied in cultured preovulatory follicles. Because early antral follicles are most vulnerable to undergo atretic degeneration under physiological conditions in vivo, the present studies were designed to investigate the hormonal regulation of apoptosis using in vitro culture of early antral follicles. Rats were implanted with diethylstilbestrol at 24 days of age to stimulate the development of early antral follicles, and ovaries were collected at day 27 of age. Early antral follicles were dissected and cultured (four per vial) for 24 h with or without hormonal treatments. After culture, DNA was extracted from follicles, and the degree of apoptotic DNA fragmentation was determined using 3'-end labeling and gel electrophoresis. In situ analysis of apoptotic DNA fragmentation revealed that granulosa cells in these follicles are the main cell type undergoing apoptosis. Follicles cultured in the absence of hormones showed a 12-fold increase in the level of apoptotic DNA fragmentation which was prevented by treatment with FSH in a dose-dependent manner (60% maximal suppression and apparent ED50 of 30 ng/ml). Similarly, treatment with (Bu)2cAMP also suppressed follicle apoptosis. Treatment with LH or human CG, however, minimally suppressed apoptotic DNA fragmentation (35% maximal suppression). Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) also suppressed apoptosis by 45%. Moreover, the suppressive effect of FSH on apoptosis was partially reversed by coincubation with IGF-binding protein-3, suggesting a potential mediatory role of endogenous IGF-I. However, recombinant bovine GH had no effect on follicle apoptosis despite its ability to stimulate IGF-I messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. Incubation of follicles with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor maximally suppressed follicle apoptosis by only 32% and 42%, respectively. Ligand binding analysis indicated the minimal effectiveness of EGF on apoptosis in early antral follicles, as compared with its potent action in preovulatory follicles reported earlier, may be due to a 3.5 fold increase in EGF receptor concentration in the mature follicles. High doses (150 or 500 ng/ml) of interleukin-1beta also suppressed apoptosis by 48% whereas treatment with an NO generator, sodium nitroprusside, or a cyclic GMP analog suppressed apoptosis as effectively as that of FSH. Furthermore, treatment with activin resulted in a dose-related suppression of follicle apoptosis, reaching a maximal 40% suppression. In contrast, cotreatment of activin with its binding protein, follistatin, abolished this effect. Collectively, these data demonstrated a stage-dependent difference in the hormonal regulation of follicle apoptosis. Although FSH, LH/human CG, GH, IGF-I, EGF, basic fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin-1beta are all effective survival factors for preovulatory follicles, FSH is a major survival factor for early antral follicles, the stage during which a majority of follicle undergo atresia under physiological conditions.

[Increased CA19-9 level in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis]

A 66-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of general malaise and loss of appetite. Laboratory examination revealed an abnormally high level of CA19-9 in serum and a chest roentgenogram revealed soft reticular shadows in the right mid-lung field. An extensive examination revealed no malignant disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from the right B5 contained an abnormally high level of CA19-9. Immunochemical staining for CA19-9 was positive in the epithelial cells of respiratory bronchioles. The level of CA19-9 decreased during anti-tuberculosis therapy. This case suggests that the CA19-9 level can reflect the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis.

ACTH independent Cushing's syndrome occurring in siblings

Familial Cushing's syndrome due to ACTH independent bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia occurring in siblings is reported. The proband was a 69-year-old woman who presented with a typical Cushingoid appearance. The serum cortisol level was elevated, with a loss of diurnal rhythm, and the plasma ACTH level was undetectable. Dynamic testing showed no suppression of urinary 17-OHCS by high dose dexamethasone and no stimulation by metyrapone. An abdominal CT scan showed bilateral adrenal enlargement. The patient died of a subarachnoid haemorrhage, and autopsy revealed a massively thickened adrenal cortex composed of nodules up to 3.5 cm in diameter. A pituitary adenoma was not found. We learned that the patient's elder brother was also diagnosed at 59 years of age with Cushing's syndrome due to bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia. His plasma cortisol levels were not suppressed by high dose dexamethasone and the plasma ACTH level was undetectable. Screening of the available family members by administering 1 mg dexamethasone at midnight and performing abdominal CT scan revealed impaired suppressibility of serum cortisol associated with enlarged bilateral adrenal glands in a 64-year-old sister and a 54-year-old brother. The 64-year-old sister was considered as a possible 'affected' case in the early stages of development, because the basal level of ACTH was not suppressed and hyperplasia of the bilateral adrenal glands as revealed by CT scan was less evident.

[Diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma (IgA lambda type)]

A 75-year-old man with multiple myeloma presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. A chest roentgenogram showed interstitial shadows and transbronchial lung biopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of amyloid in the alveolar walls. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed the presence of an IgA-lambda paraprotein, and the IgA/albumin ratio was similar to that in serum. However, plasma cells could not be detected in the cells obtained by lavage. We know of no previous case in Japan in which bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was examined in a case of diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis.