Vasodilating actions of cromakalim in resting and contracting states of carotid arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats

To determine the properties of cromakalim-opened K+ channels in arterial smooth muscle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the effects of cromakalim on tension and 86Rb efflux were compared in endothelium-denuded strips of carotid arteries from 13-week-old SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The addition of cromakalim or of nifedipine to resting strips caused a relaxation only in SHR. When strips from both strains were contracted with 15.9 mM K+, the magnitude of the precontraction was greater in SHR than in WKY. Under these conditions, relaxant responses to lower concentrations of cromakalim were decreased and those to higher concentrations of cromakalim were increased in SHR. When strips from both strains were contracted with a different concentration of K+ to an equivalent magnitude (78% of the maximum) relaxant responses to cromakalim were greater in SHR than in WKY. When strips were contracted with 10(-7) M norepinephrine, the precontraction was similar between SHR and WKY, and relaxant responses to cromakalim were greater in SHR. In both strains, the relaxant responses to cromakalim were competitively antagonized by glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, with a pA2 value of approximately 7.3. Charybdotoxin (10(-7) M), a blocker of Ca(2+)-activated K+ (KCa) channels, did not inhibit the relaxant responses to cromakalim in both strains. Charybdotoxin alone elicited a contraction, which was greater in SHR than in WKY. In resting strips preloaded with 86Rb, the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant was higher in SHR than in WKY. The addition of cromakalim (10(-5) M) to the resting strips increased the 86Rb efflux rate constant in both strains to a similar peak value. The addition of nifedipine (10(-7) M) to the resting strips decreased the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant only in SHR, and concomitantly affected the action of cromakalim in SHR. The results suggest that (1) cromakalim caused arterial relaxation via the opening of KATP channels in both SHR and WKY, (2) although the relaxant effects of cromakalim tended to be greater in SHR than in WKY, the differences were rather small, depended on the precontraction tone and varied with the concentration of the vasoconstrictors, and (3) there was an increased basal Ca2+ influx and a high activation of KCa channels in the resting state of SHR arteries, and these changes might influence the effects of cromakalim.

[Studies on adjuvant chemotherapy using subserosal or submucosal administration of neocarzinostatin for gastric cancer and colorectal cancer]

The significance and effectiveness of adjuvant intraoperative chemotherapy using subserosal or submucosal administration of Neocarzinostatin (NCS) and CH 40 for gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were studied. Tissue NCS concentration of proximal lymph nodes were higher than for distant lymph nodes, while the immunocompetency of distant lymph nodes (lower NCS concentration) showed slightly higher activity than that of proximal lymph nodes. From these results, it is suggested that loco-regional administration of NCS might be effective for chemical lymph node cleaning of the cancer.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor released by 5-HT: distinct from nitric oxide in basilar arteries of normotensive and hypertensive rats

1. The role of the endothelium in cerebrovascular responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) in vitro. 2. Cumulative addition of 5-HT caused concentration-dependent contractions in ring preparations of SHR basilar arteries; the contractile response was smaller in WKY basilar arteries. 3. Removal of the endothelium enhanced markedly the contractile responses to 5-HT in WKY arteries but had only a slight effect in SHR arteries. The responsiveness to 5-HT in WKY arteries after removal of endothelium was comparable to that in SHR arteries. 4. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in WKY basilar arteries was almost abolished by treatment with 10 microM methylene blue or 10 microM NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). However, the response to 5-HT was not affected by treatment with methylene blue, L-NOARG or indomethacin. 5. Application of 10-20 mM K+ or 3.2 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) did not change significantly, or only increased slightly, the resting tension, but markedly enhanced the contractile response to 5-HT in WKY arteries with endothelium. In contrast, the submaximal response to 5-HT in SHR arteries with endothelium was significantly enhanced by 0.3 mM TEA. 6. In the presence of 1 mM TEA, the application of 10 microM L-NOARG further enhanced the responses of 5-HT in WKY arteries with endothelium. In SHR arteries with endothelium, 10 microM L-NOARG per se enhanced slightly but significantly the responses to 5-HT. 7. These results indicate that 5-HT-induced contraction in basilar arteries is substantially attenuated by an endothelium-dependent mechanism in WKY, but to a much lesser extent in SHR. The major relaxing factor released by 5-HT from endothelium in WKY is distinct from NO and may exert its effect by activating K+ channels.

Pharmacological properties of YM-15430-1, a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative with beta 1-adrenoceptor-blocking activity

The pharmacological properties of YM-15430-1 and its stereoisomers (YM-15430-2, YM-15430-3 and YM-15430-4) were evaluated in in vitro experiments. In the rabbit isolated aorta, all compounds antagonized the CaCl2-induced contraction with a negative logarithm of the dissociation constant in calcium antagonism of 8.51, 7.13, 8.68 and 7.16, respectively. In the rat isolated right atrium, YM-15430-1 produced a competitive antagonism of the isoprenaline-induced tachycardia with a pA2 value of 7.59. YM-15430-2, YM-15430-3 and YM-15430-4 also antagonized the isoprenaline-induced tachycardia, with pA2 values of 7.91, 7.09 and 6.24, respectively. Because it was the most active of the 4 stereoisomers, YM-15430-1 was particularly studied. YM-15430-1 showed an about 100-fold greater selectivity for beta 1- than for beta 2-adrenoceptors, and had no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. These results suggest that YM-15430-1 is a hybrid compound which combines calcium entry-blocking and selective beta 1-adrenoceptor-blocking activities in one molecule.

Functional role of charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels in the resting state of dog basilar artery

To determine the possible role of Ca(2+)-activated K+ (KCa) channels in the regulation of resting tone of cerebral arteries, the effect of agents which interact with these channels on tension and 86Rb efflux was examined in endothelium-denuded strips of dog basilar artery, and data were compared with findings in the mesenteric artery. The basilar artery maintained a myogenic tone; that is, the resting tone decreased when nifedipine was added. The addition of charybdotoxin, a blocker of large conductance KCa channels, caused a concentration-dependent contraction in the basilar artery but not in the mesenteric artery. In strips preloaded with 86Rb, the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant was significantly greater in the basilar artery than in the mesenteric artery. Nifedipine decreased the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant only in the basilar artery. The basal 45Ca influx in the resting state of the basilar artery was significantly increased when compared with the mesenteric artery and this increase in the basilar artery was reduced by nifedipine. The results suggest that the charybdotoxin-sensitive KCa channels regulate the myogenic tone in the resting state of the basilar artery. The activation of KCa channels in the basilar artery appears to be secondary to the increased transmembrane Ca2+ influx probably via the activation of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the resting state of this artery.

Protection by dexamethasone from a lethal infection with Listeria monocytogenes in mice

The effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on a lethal infection with Listeria monocytogenes were studied in mice. Mice were completely protected against the lethal infection when treated with 3.3 mg per kg of DEX. The effect was observed only when DEX was injected before infection. The control mice died from day 3 to day 5 of infection, whereas DEX-treated mice could eliminate L. monocytogenes cells from the organs by day 11 of infection. High titres of endogenous tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were induced in the bloodstreams and organs of the drug-free mice. DEX suppressed IL-6 production, but augmented TNF and IFN-gamma production within 24 h of infection, whereas production of all three endogenous cytokines was suppressed in the DEX-treated mice on day 3 of infection when the control mice began to die. These results suggest that DEX shows a protective effect on a lethal infection with L. monocytogenes in mice and that regulation of production of endogenous cytokines might be involved in the effect of DEX.

Effect of FR128998, a novel PAF receptor antagonist, on endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of FR128998, (1s,6s)-1-benzyl-10-(3-pyridyl-methyl)-7-thia-10-azaspiro [5,6]-dodecan-11-one 7,7-dioxide hydrochloride, a novel platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, on endotoxin lipopolysaccharide-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in rats. Experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation was induced by an infusion of lipopolysaccharide at 0.25 mg/kg/h for 4 h. Simultaneous infusion of FR128998 (0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg/h) with lipopolysaccharide dose dependently inhibited thrombocytopenia, but not leukopenia. The changes in coagulation parameters of disseminated intravascular coagulation, i.e., prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time and elevated levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products, were also prevented by the treatment with FR128998. In addition, FR128998 attenuated the increase in serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) which appeared during the initial stage of disseminated intravascular coagulation. FR128998 (10 microM) also inhibited the TNF production by peripheral blood leukocytes or alveolar macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in vitro. Furthermore, TNF production induced by PAF itself in vitro was also inhibited in the presence of FR128998. These data indicate that PAF plays a pivotal role in the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation via TNF production.

Theiler's virus is eliminated by a gamma-interferon-independent mechanism in the brain

The intravenous infection of Theiler's virus GD VII strain causes acute encephalomyelitis in infected mice. To determine the cellular mechanism of resistance and interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing cell populations, mononuclear cells isolated from tissues of the brain were analyzed by the flow cytometry method. Antibodies specific for CD3, CD4, CD8, T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha beta, and Asialo GM1 were used to deplete the corresponding cell populations in Theiler's virus-infected mice. CD4+ lymphocytes and CD8+ lymphocytes infiltrated in the brains of infected mice from 5 days postinfection (p.i.). The number of CD3+/TCR-gamma delta+ lymphocytes increased in the brains on Day 6 p.i. The elimination of CD3+ lymphocytes or CD4+ lymphocytes augmented viral replication and suppressed the production of IFN-gamma. The suppression of IFN-gamma production by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) persisted, although the suppression by anti-CD4 mAb was observed only on Day 6 p.i. The depletion of CD8+ lymphocytes as well as TCR-alpha beta+ lymphocytes also augmented the viral replication; however, it did not alter the production of IFN-gamma. Anti-Asialo GM1 antibody had no effect on viral replication and IFN-gamma production. These results indicate that T lymphocytes are important for eliminating Theiler's virus from the brain, CD3+/CD4+/CD8- lymphocytes and CD3+/TCR alpha beta-/CD4-/CD8- lymphocytes would produce IFN-gamma in brain. However, from the result on the experiment of the depletion of TCR-alpha beta+ lymphocytes, the defence mechanisms by T lymphocytes against Theiler's virus would be independent of endogenous IFN-gamma production.

Comparative study on alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist binding in human prostate and aorta

1. Specific binding of [3H]-prazosin in prostatic and aortic membranes of humans was saturable and of high affinity (prostate: apparent dissociation constant, Kd = 0.35 +/- 0.03 nmol/L; aorta: Kd = 0.26 +/- 0.03 nmol/L). The density of [3H]-prazosin binding sites (Bmax) for prostate and aorta was 546 +/- 31 and 61.6 +/- 1.6 fmol/mg protein, respectively. 2. Prazosin, YM617, naftopidil and urapidil competed with [3H]-prazosin for the binding sites in a dose-dependent manner in the prostate and aorta of humans. The binding affinities of these antagonists in both tissues were compared, based on the inhibition constant, Ki. Both prazosin and urapidil showed similar affinity to [3H]-prazosin binding sites in human tissue, whereas YM617 and naftopidil showed approximately a 12 and two times higher affinity, respectively, to alpha 1-adrenoceptor sites of prostate than aorta. 3. The chloroethylclonidine treatment reduced partially the Bmax values for specific [3H]-prazosin binding in the prostate and aorta of humans with little effect on the Kd values. 4. These data suggest that YM617 is a relatively selective antagonist of human prostatic alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

Modification of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and its derivative ND 28 with polyethylene glycol

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) has been obtained from genetically engineered Escherichia coli as an unglycosylated protein. Both native glycosylated hG-CSF and rhG-CSF are rapidly cleared from the circulation, which may limit their effectiveness for clinical use. To improve this biological property, rhG-CSF and its derivative ND 28, which has a higher specific activity than does rhG-CSF, were modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Modified rhG-CSF and ND 28 in which 1 to 3 mol of PEG were bound, were purified by two-step chromatography and characterized by several methods. The results of their physicochemical characterization suggest that PEG-modification does not appreciably change the conformation of rhG-CSF and ND 28. As a result of the whole characterization, the PEG-modification of rhG-CSF and ND 28 enhanced the stability of rhG-CSF and ND 28 and decreased the plasma clearance rate, which led to more effective hemopoiesis.

Purification and characterization of nuclear phospholipase C specific for phosphoinositides

A phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) was solubilized from the isolated nuclei of rat ascites hepatoma AH7974 cells by ultrasonication in 2 M KCl. The extract was then subjected to five steps of column chromatographies in the order of Sephacryl S-300, phosphocellulose, Mono Q, Mono S, and Superose 6. Four forms of PLC (tentatively designated as N1, N2, N3, and N4) were purified 440-1400-fold. N1, N2, N3, and N4 showed apparent molecular masses of 85, 83, 80, and 88 kDa, respectively, on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N1 cross-reacted with the antibody against the delta 1 isoform, while the other three forms did not cross-react with any of the antibodies against PLC-delta 1, -gamma 1, -gamma 2, and -beta 1. They hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) but did not show any activities against phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. They showed the same optimal pH:pH 6.5 for PI hydrolysis and pH 7.0 for both PIP and PIP2 hydrolyses. They absolutely required Ca2+ for activity, with optimal concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-5) M for PIP and 10(-4)-10(-5) M for PIP2. For PI hydrolysis, N1, N2, and N3 required a Ca2+ concentration higher than 10(-2) M whereas N4 revealed significant activity even at 10(-5) M Ca2+ concentrations. Two forms of plasma membrane PLC and three forms of cytosolic PLC were purified from AH7974 cells by the same procedure as for nuclear PLC. Comparative study with these three groups revealed that all of the purified PLC isoforms shared similar enzymological properties except N4, which showed an exceptionally high affinity to Mono S column and was active at low concentrations of Ca2+ for PI as substrate. Furthermore, when PLC isoforms of nuclei from adult resting rat liver were compared with those from regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy, a PLC isoform corresponding to N4 of AH7974 cells was found only in regenerating liver nuclei. From these results, it was suggested that the nuclei of growing liver cells possessed a unique form of PLC (N4).

Direct compression by megadolichobasilar anomaly as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia; a case diagnosed by MRI

A 49 year-old man with trigeminal neuralgia caused by megadolichobasilar anomaly was described. The patient having neuralgic attacks in the second branch of the right trigeminal nerve for two and a half years showed the angiographic evidence of a tortuous and elongated vertebrobasilar artery and MRI of the brain clearly visualized the root entry zone of the nerve having been compressed by the main trunk of ectatic basilar artery. Cases of trigeminal neuralgia due to the compression by the basilar artery itself have been rarely described previously. In order to evaluate trigeminal neuralgia, MRI is essential to determine the relationship of the involved site of nerve to the pathogenic artery.

Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor is detectable in the sera of tumor-bearing mice and cancer patients

We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF). The assay revealed that VEGF/VPF levels in the sera of mice were significantly increased from undetectable level by s.c. transplantation with a solid tumor. We also measured VEGF/VPF levels in serum specimens obtained from cancer patients with several types of cancers. VEGF/VPF levels in the sera from cancer patients were significantly higher than those in the sera from the individuals with no sign of cancer.

[A case of Shy-Drager syndrome complicated with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and incomplete paralysis of bilateral vocal cords]

A 67-year-old man with SIADH complicated by slowly progressing autonomic failure was described. The patient noticed constipation at the age of 57. In the following years, he suffered from urinary incontinence, depletion of sweating, impotence, sleeplessness with snore, and dizziness while walking. Physical examination revealed a masked oily face with slight cerebellar disturbance. Abnormality of autonomic function tests was recognized and he was diagnosed as Shy-Drager syndrome with gradually progressing, diffuse autonomic failure accompanied by slight cerebellar ataxia and Parkinsonism. Both serum sodium level and plasma osmotic pressure were reduced, whereas daily sodium excretion was more than 100mEq and urinary osmolality was about 500mOsm/kgH2O. His renal function was intact, and the adrenocortical and thyroid hormone levels were normal, then criteria of SIADH was fulfilled. SIADH was thought to have occurred on the basis of Shy-Drager syndrome. Water load test showed failure of adequate water diuresis, but intravenous phenytoin administration following the water load test ameliorated the diuresis to normal. The relationship between plasma osmolality and the ADH response indicates that ADH was adequately secreted in response to the increase in plasma osmolality but not suppressed in response to the decrease in plasma osmolality below 280mOsm/kgH2O. These results suggest that ADH synthesis in the hypothalamus and its secretion from the pituitary gland were both intact. The response of ADH secretion to the orthostatic hypotension induced by head-up tilt was quite blunted, being compatible with Shy-Drager Syndrome. Sleep disturbance was studied by polysomnography and laryngoscopy, and was revealed to be based upon severe sleep apnea due to incomplete paralysis of the bilateral vocal cords. Sleep apnea due to vocal cord paralysis is sometimes found to be complicated in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) including Shy-Drager syndrome, and is known as Gerhardt syndrome. This is the first report on a case of Shy-Drager syndrome complicated with SIADH and bilateral vocal cord paralysis. In this case, SIADH is caused by impaired afferent pathways from baroreceptors to the hypothalamus, which transfer inhibitory stimuli on ADH secretion. It is suggested that Shy-Drager syndrome should be considered one of the causes of SIADH.

[Anti-tumor activity of zinostatin stimalamer (YM 881) examined by human hepatoma cells in vitro and VX2 liver tumor in vivo]

Anti-tumor activities of zinostatin stimalamer (YM 881) were examined using human hepatoma cell lines (SK-Hep1 and HuH 2) and VX2 liver tumor-bearing rabbits. YM881 inhibited the growth of human hepatoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of YM881 against SK-Hep 1 and HuH 2 cells were 6.7 and 27 mM, respectively. In VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits, administration of YM 881 suspended in iodinated fatty acid ethylesters of poppyseed oil (YM 881/Lipiodol suspension, 0.2 mg/0.2 ml/body) into the hepatic artery showed significant (p < 0.01, vs sham-operated and Lipiodol-treated groups) inhibitory effects on the growth and pathological changes 1 and 2 weeks after administration. On the other hand, Lipiodol (0.2 ml/body) showed a tendency to inhibit the growth of VX2 tumor (p < 0.1, vs sham-operated group) 1 week after administration, but it showed only moderate effects on the VX2 tumor growth 2 weeks after administration. Minimal necrosis was observed 1 and 2 weeks after administration of Lipiodol, and these pathological findings were similar to those in the sham-operated group. From the present study, it is suggested that YM 881/Lipiodol suspension showed the anti-tumor activity against VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits, presumably due to the inhibition of the growth of hepatoma cell by YM 881 per se. On the other hand, Lipiodol is considered to augment the anti-tumor activity by maintaining high YM881 concentrations in tumor tissue.

Pharmacologic profiles of YM934, a novel potassium channel opener

Pharmacologic profiles of YM934, a newly synthesized 1,4-benzoxazin derivative K channel opener were evaluated in in vitro and in vivo experiments. In isolated rat portal vein, YM934 and a benzopyran derivative K channel opener lemakalim inhibited the frequency of spontaneous rhythmic contractions concentration dependently, with IC50 values of 14 and 38 nM, respectively. These inhibitory effects were competitively antagonized by glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K channel blocker; 10(-7)-3 x 10(-6) M). In isolated rabbit aorta, YM934 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) and lemakalim (10(-8)-10(-6) M) relaxed the contractions induced by 20 mM KCl concentration dependently but were ineffective against the contractions induced by 50 mM KCl. YM934 (10(-8)-3 x 10(-6) M) and lemakalim (3 x 10(-8)-10(-5) M), but not the calcium antagonist nifedipine, relaxed the contractions induced by norepinephrine (NE 10(-6) M) or prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha 3 x 10(-6) M) in the aorta. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, YM934 (1-10 micrograms/kg intravenously, i.v.) dose-dependently increased coronary artery blood flow (CBF), and decreased total peripheral resistance (TPR) and mean blood pressure (MBP). YM934 selectively increased CBF, but had little effect on vertebral, carotid, mesenteric, renal and femoral artery BF. These vasodilatory effects of YM934 were antagonized by glibenclamide. YM934 is a potent K channel opener and possesses potent vasodilatory effects, with particularly pronounced effects on the coronary artery. These effects of YM934 may, like lemakalim, be mediated by opening of ATP-sensitive K channels.

Possible mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness after late asthmatic response in guinea pigs

To elucidate the mechanism of airway hyperresponsiveness after late asthmatic response (LAR), we analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and examined the airway smooth muscle contractility to acetylcholine (ACh). On day 1 after LAR, there was a significant positive correlation between the number of neutrophils in BALF and the increase in airway responsiveness after LAR (r = 0.82, p < 0.01). In the in vitro study, the dose response curve to ACh was significantly shifted to the left after removal of the epithelium in control guinea pigs. However, in hyperresponsive animals after LAR, removal of the epithelium had no significant effect on ACh-induced response. These results indicate that infiltration of neutrophils and other inflammatory cells induce epithelial damage and hence the development of airway hyperresponsiveness after LAR.

Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of YM-21095, a novel renin inhibitor, in dogs and monkeys

The pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of YM-21095 ((2RS), (3S)-3-[N alpha-[1,4-dioxo-4-morpholino-2-(1-naphthylmethyl)- butyl]-L-histidylamino]-4-cyclohexyl-1-[(1-methyl-5-tetrazolyl)thi o]-2-butanol), a potent renin inhibitor, have been studied in beagle dogs and squirrel monkeys. Plasma levels of YM-21095 after 3 mg kg-1 intravenous dosing to dogs declined biphasically and fitted a two-compartment model. Kinetics were as follows: t1/2 alpha = 4.9 +/- 0.2 min, t1/2 beta = 2.76 +/- 0.79 h, Vdss = 3.86 +/- 1.04 L kg-1, plasma clearance = 2.22 +/- 0.39 L kg-1, and AUC = 1445 +/- 266 ng h mL-1. After 30 mg kg-1 oral dose, maximum plasma concentration, tmax and AUC of YM-21095 were 28.8 +/- 9.6 ng mL-1, 0.25 h and 23.6 +/- 7.7 ng h mL-1, respectively. Systemic bioavailability as determined on the basis of the ratio of AUC after intravenous and oral dose was 0.16 +/- 0.04%. In conscious, sodium-depleted monkeys, YM-21095 at an oral dose of 30 mg kg-1 lowered systolic blood pressure and inhibited plasma renin activity without affecting heart rate and plasma aldosterone concentration. Maximum plasma concentration of YM-21095 after 30 mg kg-1 oral dose to monkeys was 71.8 +/- 41.5 ng mL-1, which was reached 0.5 h after the dose. At equihypotensive doses, captopril and nicardipine increased plasma renin activity markedly and slightly, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Magnetic resonance imaging of inflammatory reaction in osteoid osteoma

Between 1988 and 1993, 16 cases of osteoid osteoma were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI clearly visualized the extent of inflammation in the bone marrow and soft parts that is difficult to observe with other diagnostic techniques. The degree of inflammation varied among the patients. This might be associated with the anatomical relationship between the nidus and the cortex. The high sensitivity of MRI, unfortunately, may lead to an erroneous interpretation in lesions accompanied by inflammatory responses of the bone marrow or soft parts, such as osteoid osteoma. However, these reactions on MRI may offer a key to the pathogenesis of osteoid osteoma, a unique bone neoplasm.

[Lipid peroxide and free radical scavengers in congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension]

There is a strong possibility that lipid peroxide (LPO) exerts a great influence on the persistence of pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) after radical operation of congenital heart disease with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We investigated the relationship between LOP and PVO, and discussed the effects of scavengers. Fourteen cases of infantile open heart surgery were investigated. LPO, superoxide dismutase SOD and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood and lung tissue. In the cases of PH group, the levels of lung tissue and plasma LPO showed significantly higher than those of PS group (p < 0.05) before and after radical operation. The levels of Pp/Ps and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of PH cases showed still higher than those of PS group (p < 0.05) even after radical operation. In addition, the levels of plasma and lung tissue SOD, lung tissue GSH of PH cases were lower than those of PG group. These suggest that LPO plays an important role as the cause of PVO before operation and which remains unchanged even after operation. It is to be expected that increase of the free radical scavengers will be effective to suppress the generation of LPO and at last to reduce the level of PVR after operation.

Functional role of charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels in the resting state of cerebral, coronary and mesenteric arteries of the dog

To determine the possible role of Ca(++)-activated K+ (KCa) channels in the regulation of resting tone of arteries, the effects of agents that interact with these channels on tension and 86Rb efflux were examined in endothelium-denuded strips of cerebral (middle cerebral, posterior cerebral and basilar), coronary and mesenteric arteries of the dog. Strips of cerebral arteries maintained a myogenic tone; i.e., the resting tone decreased when either the Krebs' solution was replaced with a Ca(++)-free solution or nifedipine was added. The addition of charybdotoxin, a blocker of large conductance KCa channels, to the resting strips (strips at a resting state) caused a concentration-dependent contraction in the cerebral arteries but not in the coronary or mesenteric artery. In resting strips preloaded with 86Rb, the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant was significantly greater in the cerebral arteries than in the coronary and mesenteric arteries. The addition of nifedipine to the resting strips decreased the basal 86Rb efflux rate constant in the cerebral and coronary arteries. Effects of nifedipine on tension and 86Rb efflux in 20.9 mM K(+)-contracted strips of the mesenteric artery were comparable to the effects of this blocker in the resting strips of the middle cerebral artery. The 86Rb efflux rate constant during the stimulation with 65.9 mM K+ was similar for the middle cerebral and mesenteric arteries. Studies using 1- or 5-min pulse labeling with 45Ca demonstrated increased basal 45Ca influx in the resting state of cerebral arteries compared with the coronary and mesenteric arteries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

JICWELS' MCH training program in the Aiiku Institute: Asian MCH workshop

Taking a form of Official Development Aid (ODA), the Japan International Cooperation of Welfare Services (JICWELS) and Imperial Gift Foundation, Boshi-Aiiku-Kai (Aiiku Association for Maternal and Child Health and Welfare) have extended a study program on maternal and child health (MCH) since 1989 on the commission of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 'Community participation' is the key to the first international study program focused solely on MCH. The purpose of the program is to help to improve the planning and administration in the field of MCH. Through this, the information and experience attained in Japanese MCH activities are introduced especially by participation in community-level activities of 'Aiiku-Han' in which local citizens play a major role. The operation system of the Asian MCH Workshop, contents of the workshop, evaluation and future prospects are discussed.

Increased resting Ca2+ maintains the myogenic tone and activates K+ channels in arteries from young spontaneously hypertensive rats

We examined whether the Ca2+ channel function in the resting state alters the resting tone in femoral and carotid arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at early hypertensive stages (6 and 4 weeks of age), and data were compared with findings in age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Strips of femoral and carotid arteries from 6-week-old SHR, but not from WKY, maintained a myogenic tone, that is, the resting tone decreased when 10(-7) M nifedipine was added. A similar myogenic tone was maintained in 4-week-old SHR. In strips of carotid arteries preloaded with fura-2, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, the decrease in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration following 0-Ca2+ solution or 5 x 10(-7) M nicardipine was significantly greater in SHR than in WKY. The basal 45Ca influx in femoral and carotid arteries from 6-week-old SHR was significantly increased when compared with WKY, and this increase in SHR was abolished by 10(-7) M nifedipine. The addition of charybdotoxin (a blocker of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels) or of Bay k 8644 (an agonist of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels; VDCs), caused a concentration-dependent contraction, which was significantly greater in 6- and 4-week-old SHR than in WKY. These results suggest that the Ca2+ influx via L-type VDCs was increased in the resting state of femoral and carotid arteries from SHR at the early hypertensive stages, and therefore the myogenic tone was maintained and charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels were highly activated.

Data on the CGG repeat at the fragile X site in the non-retarded Japanese population and family suggest the presence of a subgroup of normal alleles predisposing to mutate

The fragile X mutation is the result of amplification in the repeat number of p(CGG)n in FMR-1; alleles with more than 52 repeats have been shown to be so unstable as to mutate in the repeat number in almost every transmission. To improve our understanding of mutations in normal alleles of FMR-1, the following studies were carried out in the Japanese population: a study on length variation in the repeat to determine the allele distribution of the repeat length in a non-retarded population, family studies to observe new mutations in normal allele, and haplotype analyses with microsatellite markers flanking the repeat to confirm estimated mutation rates and founder chromosomes in the fragile X syndrome. Analysis of the p(CGG)n in 370 unrelated males detected 24 distinct alleles with repeats of 18-44. A comparison with previously reported data suggests the presence of racial/ethnic differences in the allele distribution. No premutation allele was found in 824 unrelated X chromosomes examined by the polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Family studies detected one new mutation in a total of 303 meioses. However, the mutation rate was not in accordance with the expected or observed heterozygosities in the population or with linkage disequilibrium observed between the repeat numbers and the haplotypes of the markers flanking the CGG. The haplotype in the chromosome in which the new mutation was found was the same as that frequently found in the Japanese fragile X chromosomes, and the variance in the CGG repeat number was wider in chromosomes with the haplotypes frequently found in the fragile X chromosome than in those with the other haplotypes. These observations suggest that a subgroup is present in normal alleles and that this subgroup is more liable to mutate than others.