[Prevention of coronary spasm during and shortly after coronary revascularization in patients with variant angina]

From June 1990 to March 1993, 9 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 4.4% of all CABG cases at our hospital during this period, had significant perioperative coronary spasm. For 4 patients who underwent CABG before May 1992 (Group 1), preventive and suppressive procedures for the coronary spasm were the addition of diltiazem in the cardioplegic solution and the continuous intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin. Perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) occurred in all 4 patients in Group 1, with the mean peak MB-CPK of 356 +/- 197 IU/l. One patient had delayed sternal closure because of his unstable hemodynamic status. Thereafter, we changed our protocol as follows: 1) Ergometrine loading (intracoronary infusion) test was performed in all candidates for CABG, aiming at finding out patients with a high risk. And for the high-risk patients, in addition to the measures done in Group 1, 2) intraaortic balloon pumping was performed through the perioperative period, and 3) a pig-tail catheter was dwelled in the Valsalva sinus, through which bolus doses of isosorbide dinitrate were injected frequently in this period. 4) Additionally nifedipine was periodically administered through the nasogastric tube. With these intensive preventive/suppressive measures, the perioperative spasm in 5 patients (Group 2) with variant angina were successfully managed, with no resultant PMI nor operative death (The occurrence of PMI was significantly less frequent in Group 2 than in Group 1, with the p value < 0.05). For patients with variant angina undergoing CABG, combined intensive preventive/suppressive measures for perioperative coronary spasm as listed above proved effective.

Differential expression of fos family and jun family mRNAs in the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis after immobilization stress

We aimed to clarify the regulatory mechanism of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis that plays key roles in initiating stress responses, as well as the roles of immediate early genes in this process. We investigated the stress-induced activation of fos and jun family proto-oncogenes by means of in situ hybridization histochemistry. Immobilization stress induced c-fos and jun B mRNAs in the parvocellular region of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, the anterior and intermediate lobes of pituitary, and in the adrenal gland after 7 min of immobilization, although no c-fos or jun B mRNAs were detected in these and other organs in control rats. The levels of these mRNAs peaked after 30-60 min of immobilization, then declined. A low level of fos B mRNA appeared at 15-30 min and peaked after 60-90 min. On the contrary, c-jun and jun D mRNAs were constitutively expressed in the paraventricular nucleus and adrenal cortex. These findings indicate that the members of the fos and jun family proto-oncogenes play different roles in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and that monitoring immediate early genes is a useful method for following stress-induced cellular responses in the neuro-endocrine system.

Rapid improvement of coagulopathy by all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was associated with rapid improvement in hemostatic markers. We made serial analyses of various hemostatic parameters in seven newly diagnosed APL patients. In all patients at diagnosis, plasma fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (fragment-E), cross-linked fibrin degradation product (D-dimer fragment), thrombin-antithrombin III complex and plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex were elevated, indicating the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Antithrombin III (ATIII) levels were normal in all patients except for the patient with congenital ATIII deficiency. In four patients subsequently treated with ATRA without anticoagulant therapy, these hemostatic markers returned to near-normal levels by day 7 of treatment, indicating that DIC was essentially resolved. By contrast, in three patients who received conventional chemotherapy with a continuous low-dose heparin, improvement of coagulopathy was slower than in patients treated with ATRA. These results suggest that ATRA therapy exerts the rapid improvement in abnormal hemostatic markers in APL patients without any anticoagulant therapies, by inducing differentiation of leukemic cells and, in turns no massive release of procoagulant or fibrinolytic substances from these cells.

Histological and topographical characteristics of canine granulomatous leptomeningitis

Histological and topographical characteristics of granulomatous leptomeningitis were studied in 14 laboratory beagle dogs (12 males, two females), 8 to 19 months old. The dogs, which were either saline-treated controls or drug-treated animals in four different toxicity studies, remained clinically normal during the experimental period, and granulomatous leptomeningitis was identified as an incidental finding by routine histopathological examination. There were no macroscopical lesions in the brain or other organs. Microscopical lesions of the central nervous system were of three types, namely (1) a diffuse inflammatory type, characterized by diffuse infiltration of macrophages, (2) a granulomatous type, characterized by non-caseating granulomas, or (3) a fibrotic type, featuring dense connective tissue. Each of the 14 cases fell into one of three disease phases, early, fulminating and healing. In the early phase, only diffuse inflammatory-type lesions were seen. In the fulminating phase, all three types of lesion were present. In the healing phase, discrete granulomas were relatively few and fibrosis was prominent.

Isolation and characterization of a highly hydrophobic new bacteriocin (gassericin A) from Lactobacillus gasseri LA39

A new bacteriocin, gassericin A, was purified from the culture fluid of Lactobacillus gasseri LA39 mainly by reverse-phase (RP) chromatography. The purification of gassericin A from a modified MRS broth, in which Tween 80 had been replaced by oleic acid, resulted in a 4500-fold increase in specific activity with a 6% recovery. Gassericin A was eluted as a single peak on the chromatogram from RP-HPLC and migrated by SDS-PAGE as a single band with a molecular weight of ca. 3.8 kDa. Gassericin A, a highly hydrophobic bacteriocin, was slightly soluble in water, but its solubility was increased by adding alcohol and acetonitrile. An amino acid analysis revealed that it was composed of 45.7% hydrophobic amino acids in the total residues of 35 amino acids. Gassericin A produced in the MRS broth associated strongly with Tween 80, although several further trials of dissociation were unsuccessful.

Effects of isocarbacyclin, a stable prostacyclin analogue, on monkey isolated cerebral and peripheral arteries

1. The effects of isocarbacyclin (TEI 7165), a stable prostacyclin analogue, were examined in monkey isolated cerebral and peripheral arteries. 2. Addition of TEI 7165 (0.1 nM-10 microM) produced a dose-dependent relaxation in cerebral arteries pre-contracted with 1 microM 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). High concentrations (more than 1 microM) of TEI 7165 elicited a transient contraction followed by a sustained relaxation. 3. TEI 7165 also elicited a dose-dependent relaxation in the peripheral (except popliteal) arteries. The maximum relaxation induced by 10 microM TEI 7165 was greater (P < 0.05) in the mesenteric artery than in the cerebral artery. The negative logarithm of the EC50 value for the mesenteric, 7.6 +/- 0.3, was greater (P < 0.05) than that for the cerebral artery, 6.4 +/- 0.3. The decreasing order of potency for the TEI 7165-induced relaxation was as follows: mesenteric > renal > cerebral > coronary > popliteal. 4. Removal of the endothelium did not significantly affect TEI 7165-induced relaxations. 5. The transient contraction produced by high concentrations of TEI 7165 was not observed in cerebral arteries precontracted with 1 nM U46619, a stable analogue of thromboxane A2 (TXA2). Furthermore, the TEI 7165-induced contraction was markedly suppressed (P < 0.05) by treatment with 10 nM S1452, a TXA2 blocking agent. 6. These results suggest that TEI 7165 causes an endothelium-independent relaxation in monkey cerebral and peripheral arteries, and that there is a marked regional difference in the TEI 7165-induced relaxations. A high concentration of TEI 7165 also produces a transient contraction which is probably through activation of TXA2 (TP-) receptors.

Effects of vasoactive substances on the pig isolated hepatic lymph vessels

The present study examined the responses of isolated pig hepatic lymph vessels to vasoactive substances, the classification of alpha adrenoceptors and the mode of action of acetylcholine (ACh) with special reference to the lymphatic endothelial cells. Contractions of the hepatic lymph vessels were induced by norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in a dose-dependent manner. NE was the most potent vasoconstrictor agent. 5-bromo-6[2-imidazolin-2-ylamino]-quinoxaline, xylazine and clonidine also produced dose-dependent contractions. NE-induced contractions were inhibited significantly by yohimbine (10(-8)-10(-6) M) but not by prazosin (10(-8)-10(-6) M). Pretreatment with yohimbine (10(-8)-10(-7) M) or rauwolscine (10(-8)-10(-7) M) caused a parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve for 5-bromo-6[2-imidazolin-2-ylamino]-quinoxaline. These results suggest that the NE-induced contraction in pig hepatic lymph vessels seems to be mediated mainly through stimulation of alpha-2 adrenoceptors. ACh, isoproterenol, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, ATP and adenosine caused dose-dependent relaxations in the hepatic lymph vessels precontracted by 5 x 10(-6) M prostaglandin F2 alpha. ACh was the most potent vasorelaxant agent. Pretreatment with atropine (10(-9)-10(-7) M) inhibited the ACh-induced relaxation in a competitive manner. Removal of endothelium caused a significant reduction of the ACh-induced relaxation. The ACh-induced relaxation was suppressed by pretreatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (3 x 10(-5) M) and methylene blue (10(-5) M) but was unaffected by aspirin (10(-5) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification and characterization of D-xylose isomerase from Bifidobacterium adolescentis

D-Xylose isomerase was purified to homogeneity from cell-free extracts of Bifidobacterium adolescentis by ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose and Butyl-Toyopearl. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 168,000 by gel filtration on TSKgel G-3000SW, and 53,000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH was around 7 and the enzyme was stable at pH 7-8. The enzyme required bivalent cations, Mg2+, Co2+, or Mn2+ for the activity, particularly Mn2+ to be best. The enzyme had a pI of 4.3, and the Km for D-xylose was 4 mM. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was not similar to those of D-xylose isomerases from other sources such as Clostridium thermosulfurogenes, Escherichia coli, or Bacillus subtilis.

Serial changes in coagulant activities after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction

Early reocclusion and bleeding complications are still unresolved problems in thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the present study, 16 patients treated with either fibrin-specific tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) or nonspecific urokinase (UK) were studied to determine the effects of thrombolytic therapy on serial hemostatic states. Hemostatic states of each patient were estimated by measuring various plasma markers at one- to two-hour intervals during the first six hours of therapy, daily during the next three days, and subsequently on day 7. Two markers of plasma thrombin generation, thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F 1 + 2), showed an activated coagulant state immediately after thrombolytic therapy. The amount of thrombin generation indicated by these markers showed significant positive correlation with direct markers of fibrinolysis such as fibrin degradation products (FDP), while it did not show any correlation with the markers for plasmin generation. The potential for coagulation as indicated by prothrombin time (%) decreased with thrombolysis using fibrin nonselective agents, owing perhaps to destruction of coagulant factors by free plasmin. Fibrinolytic activity induced by thrombolytic therapy for AMI caused transient activation of the coagulant system, which could contribute to early reocclusion. Fibrin nonselective agents decreased the potential for coagulation by destroying clotting factor through the generation of free plasmin. These data provide theoretical support for simultaneous administration of anticoagulant therapy with fibrin-specific thrombolytic agents.

The expression of neuropeptides and their mRNAs in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus following masseteric nerve transection

By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression of neuropeptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin (Gal), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and their mRNAs in the rat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes5) following masseteric nerve transection. On the side contralateral to the nerve transection, none of the peptides examined were labeled in Mes5 cell bodies. However, on the side ipsilateral to the lesion, NPY, Gal and preprotachykinin (PPT) mRNAs appeared in Mes5 cell bodies. Double labeling for mRNAs by in situ hybridization and retrograde tracer fluoro-gold (FG) revealed that almost all (96-97%) the FG-labeled neurons which were cut expressed NPY and Gal mRNAs, whereas less neurons (87%) expressed PPT mRNA. NPY and Gal-like immunoreactivities were detected in Mes5 cell bodies ipsilateral to the axotomy. The results suggested that these neuropeptides play roles in adaptive processes after peripheral nerve injury in Mes5 neurons as they are thought to do so in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNAs encoding two isoforms of protein phosphatase 2C beta from mouse testis

Two isoforms of protein serine/threonine phosphatase were isolated and sequenced from mouse testis. A deletion of 48 nucleotides of PP2C beta 4 cDNA in comparison with PP2C beta 3 cDNA resulted in different COOH-terminal sequences of 12 and 15 amino acids, respectively. These COOH-terminal sequences of PP2C beta 3 and PP2C beta 4 were further found to be different from those of isoforms MPP beta 1 and MPP beta 2 of mouse PP2C beta reported (Terasawa, et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 307: 342-349, 1993). The common sequence of 378 amino acids from these four isoforms of mouse PP2C beta exhibited 95% identity with the corresponding sequence of rat PP2C beta. The mRNAs of approximately 2.0 Kb for PP2C beta 3 and PP2C beta 4 were expressed only in testis, while the mRNAs of 3.3 Kb and 8.5 Kb for MPP beta 1 and MPP beta 2, respectively, were found in somatic tissues.

Flow cytometric analysis of mouse sperm using monoclonal anti-sperm antibody A-1

We have previously prepared an anti-mouse sperm monoclonal antibody (A-1) which inhibited sperm penetration into the egg zona pellucida. By indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), the A-1 antibody was shown to recognize an antigen localized in the acrosomal area of sperm. This antibody bound negligibly to fresh sperm, while binding to methanol-fixed sperm was almost complete. After methanol fixation, no sperm that penetrated into the zona were immunoreactive for this antibody. In the present study we examined the localization and fate of A-1 antigen during the acrosome reaction by IIF and flow cytometry (FCM). Cauda epididymal sperm were treated with either calcium ionophore A23187 or zona solution, immunostained indirectly, and subjected to FCM. Treatment with A23187 reduced the percentage of immunoreactive sperm to 59% from the 80% obtained in the untreated sperm. The treatment also reduced the average fluorescence intensity per fluorescence-positive spermatocyte to 65 channels, while this intensity was 89 channels in the untreated sperm. A similar result was obtained from treatment with zona solution. The proportion of sperm that was immunoreactive with A-1 antibody was reduced to 55% by incubation in zona-containing media from the 80% obtained in zona-free media. On the other hand, neither A23187 nor the zona solution affected the immunoreactivity or the fluorescence intensity of caput epididymal sperm, while the A-1 antigen was present in both the immature sperm from the caput epididymis of adult mice and in the mature sperm from the cauda epididymis of the same mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Repeated stress reduces the subsequent stress-induced expression of Fos in rat brain

Repeated stress is known to potentiate the CNS response to subsequent stress. Various stressful stimuli can induce Fos expression in discrete regions of the brain, such as the lateral septum, the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and the locus coeruleus. We investigated by immunohistochemistry the effect of the stress of repeated immobilization on Fos expression in those regions of the brain in adult male rats. Six daily immobilizations suppressed the expression of Fos in all regions when immobilization was subsequently applied, suggesting that Fos does not play a major role in potentiating the stress response under repeated stressed conditions.

[Serious bacterial infections in patients with hematologic disorders]

In patients with hematologic disorders, especially, leukemias and lymphomas, complicated bacterial infection frequently becomes serious. Main predisposing factors are (1) the disease and its chemotherapy (2) granulocytopenia and (3) mucosal damage. The site of infection is often unidentified. Two special sites, the oral cavity and central venous catheter, should not be overlooked. The infection is usually treated by empiric therapy. G-CSF is effective for rapid granulocyte recovery. For prophylaxis, the laminar air flow room, oral nonabsorbable antibiotics, and systemic chemoprevention with colonization resistance are recommended. Noteworthy among recent infections are (1) MRSA infection caused by long-term use of third generation cephems and (2) neutropenic enterocolitis, for which the most recommended aid is surgical resection of the lesion.

[Evaluation of plasma prothrombin fragment 1+2 in healthy donors and thrombotic diseases]

We have evaluated plasma F1+2 values by enzyme immunoassay (Enzygnost F1+2; Behringwerke) in 80 healthy blood donors in various ages and compared to that from patients with DIC, thrombosis and oral anticoagulant therapy. The reference range of F1+2 from 35 donors with 20 to 29 age-group, was found 0.82 +/- 0.39 nM, whereas the range from 20 donors with 30 to 39 age-group showed higher F1+2 levels with 1.46 +/- 0.56nM (p < 0.001). F1+2 values from 15 donors with 40 to 49 age-group revealed similar with 30 to 39 age-group, while the range from 10 donors with 50 to 59 age-group was found much higher F1+2 levels with 2.16 +/- 0.80nM (p < 0.001). In patients with DIC, F1+2 levels were significantly higher than those in all healthy subjects (p < 0.01). In patients under stable oral anticoagulant therapy, F1+2 values were significantly lower than in healthy donors with any age-group (p < 0.001). On the contrary, in patients with thrombosis including 9 AMI and 4 DVT, the determination of F1+2 values appeared controversial. They were significantly higher than those in 20 age-group donors (p < 0.001), however, when compared with those in all healthy donors, it showed no statistical significance. These results suggest that evaluation of reference range of plasma F1+2 values is very important from the viewpoint of aging. In addition, F1+2 determination is clinically useful for monitoring of DIC and anticoagulant therapy.

Clinical pharmacology of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine-5'-stearylphosphate, an orally administered long-acting derivative of low-dose 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine-5'-stearylphosphate (cytarabine ocfosfate, stearyl-ara-CMP) is a newly synthesized 5'-alkylphosphate derivative of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), which is lipophilic, resistant to inactivation by deamination, and orally active. Pharmacology of this drug was studied in patients with hematological malignancies. The concentrations of stearyl-ara-CMP, ara-C (its active metabolite), and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (ara-U, its inactive metabolite) were determined by radioimmunoassay. When six patients received a single p.o. dose of the drug (500 mg/m2), stearyl-ara-CMP, ara-C, and ara-U could be detected in the plasma for at least 72 h afterwards. The plasma disappearance curve of stearyl-ara-CMP corresponded to a one-compartment open model with first-order absorption kinetics. The peak plasma level (Cmax) was 322 +/- 218 nM, and the predicted time to reach Cmax (Tmax) was 6.5 +/- 4.5 h, while the elimination half-life (t1/2) was very long (32.0 +/- 8.4 h). The plasma ara-C level increased slowly to a Cmax of 26.3 +/- 12.7 nM (Tmax, 13.3 +/- 4.7 h) after stearyl-ara-CMP administration. This level was quite low compared with that achieved by low-dose s.c. ara-C therapy, but ara-C persisted longer in the plasma in the former case, and the area under the curve was similar for both regimens. For ara-U, the Cmax, Tmax, and t1/2 were 483 +/- 315 nM, 23.6 +/- 4.0 h, and 19.6 +/- 5.3 h, respectively. No stearyl-ara-CMP was detected in the urine, and only 8.0% of the administered dose was excreted as ara-C and ara-U within 72 h. The stearyl-ara-CMP concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was below the limit of detection in three patients without meningeal involvement at 6 h. During clinical use of stearyl-ara-CMP, macrocytic anemia was observed, and some patients also developed megaloblastic change of their erythroblasts, suggesting a mild and persistent cytostatic effect. In conclusion, p.o. therapy with stearyl-ara-CMP achieved prolonged maintenance of the plasma drug level. Thus, the drug released a very low dose of ara-C over a long period in plasma and tissues and had a prolonged mild antineoplastic effect in patients with hematological malignancies.

Prognosis after hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, estimated on the basis of the morphometric indices

To determine whether the morphometric indices of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlated with the prognoses, the microscopic morphometric values for 84 HCC cases treated by hepatic resection were studied using an image analyzer in relation to the survival rate and the gross classification. The mean survival time (MST) was 58 months in cases with a nucleocytoplasmic area ratio (N/C) of less than 0.28; this was significantly longer than the 38-month MST in cases with an N/C of more than 0.28 (P < 0.05). In stage III disease, the MST for cases with an N/C of less than 0.28 was 63 months, which was significantly longer than the MST of 13 months for cases with an N/C of more than 0.28. After relatively noncurative hepatic resection, the MST for cases with an N/C of less than 0.28 was 49 months, and this was significantly longer than the MST of 8 months for cases with an N/C of more than 0.28. The MST was 71 months for cases with a coefficient of variance of the nuclear form factor (NCV) of less than 5.5%, which was significantly longer than the MST of 33 months for cases with an NCV of more than 5.5% (P < 0.05). In stage III disease, the MST was 69 months for cases with an NCV of less than 5.5%, and this was significantly longer than the MST of 29 months for cases with an NCV of more than 5.5% (P < 0.05). In cases with an N/C of less than 0.28, 18% had vascular invasion and 38% had intrahepatic metastases, whereas in those with an N/C of more than 0.28, 62% had vascular invasion and 67% had intrahepatic metastases (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Based on the results of these morphometric studies on HCC cases treated by hepatic resection, N/C and NCV may be useful as prognostic factors.

Mapping of Marek's disease virus genome: identification of junction sequences between unique and inverted repeat regions

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify MDV DNA and subsequent sequencing identified the junction of TRL/UL, UL/IRL, IRS/US, and US/TRS. The TRL/UL junction is located 192 bp downstream of the last EcoRI site in the TRL region, while the UL/IRL junction is located 192 bp upstream of the first EcoRI restriction enzyme site in the IRL region. The IRS/US junction is located 950 bp downstream of the second EcoRI site in the IRS region, while the US/TRS junction is located 950 bp upstream of the first EcoRI restriction enzyme site in the TRS region. BamHI restriction enzyme mapping of one of the PCR products identified two novel DNA subfragments, BamHI-U2 and -P4, upstream of the US/TRS junction of the MDV genome. Sequencing of the BamHI-D fragment revealed a novel open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 155 amino acid protein. The TRL/UL junction is located in this ORF. The N-terminal 65 amino acids of this protein is homologous to the N-terminal region of the previously reported pp38, which is located in the UL/IRL region. Computer-assisted analysis indicated that both are transmembrane proteins and that they share an antigenic domain.

[Efficacy of 48-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil for gall bladder cancer]

Usefulness of an adjuvant chemotherapy for 23 patients who had undergone "non-curative" resection for adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder was investigated. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (16 patients) was given MF (mitomycin C 6 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil 250 mg/body) by injection on the 2nd and 9th postoperative day and received orally Tegafur 600 mg/day and PSK 3 g/day. Group B(7 patients) was treated weekly with a 48-hour infusion of 5-FU (1,000 mg/m2/24 hours), for 6 weeks and leucovorin (30 mg/body) was given for 2 hours prior to 5-FU infusion. The results were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Response rate of anti-tumor was 0% in Group A and 14.3% in Group B, including: PR, 1 and NC, 6 cases. The 50% survival time was 230 days in group A and 471 days in group B (p = 0.0008). The results suggest that treatment with 5-FU and LV is effective for gallbladder cancer.

Sequential promotion of normal and leukemic hemopoiesis by recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor during the course of myelodysplastic syndrome

A 48-year-old man developed refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation. Complete response was achieved by low-dose ara-C therapy, but he relapsed 15 months later, with pancytopenia and 13.0% myeloblasts in normocellular marrow. He was treated unsuccessfully with prednisolone, metenolone, and 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 for 8 weeks. He then developed life-threatening pneumonia and was treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF Filgrastim; 125 micrograms/day s.c.). The pneumonia resolved and, interestingly, he achieved a partial response, with normal blood cell counts and only a few dysmyelopoietic cells in the marrow. However, thrombocytopenia progressed when rhG-CSF administration was tapered. When the dose was increased again, leukemic blasts were found to proliferate. When rhG-CSF was discontinued, blasts rapidly decreased in the peripheral blood. Chromosomal analysis revealed a complex abnormality during the first relapse, a normal 46,XY karyotype during the partial response, and recurrence of the same complex abnormality during leukemic transformation. The stimulation index of marrow mononuclear cells cultured with rhG-CSF increased with disease progression. These findings suggest that rhG-CSF initially stimulated the selective proliferation of normal hemopoietic cells, but the evolution or selection of a leukemic clone responsive to rhG-CSF appears to have occurred subsequently.

Lipoxygenase in soybean seedlings catalyzes the oxygenation of phospholipid and such activity changes after treatment with fungal elicitor

Lipoxygenase (LOX) activities in the crude extracts of soybean cotyledons on phospholipid were measured by a chemiluminescence (CL) assay system. The activity of LOX on phospholipid increased at 6 h after treatment with fungal elicitor, whereas the activity in the control experiment without elicitor treatment declined with incubation. A rise of LOX activity at 6 h incubation is considered to be induced by the elicitor treatment. The LOX fraction obtained from soybean cotyledons at 6 h after elicitation by a DEAE column chromatography was reacted with 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine substrate. The reaction product was analyzed by HPLC equipped in series with a UV (205 nm) and a CL detector. Most of the substrate was converted to a hydroperoxy compound. By the CL-HPLC analysis after transesterification of reaction product and by mass spectrum of the trimethylsilyl derivative after reduction of methyl ester confirmed that the linoleic moiety was subjected to oxygenation at 13-position. The steric analysis of menthoxyacetyl derivative prepared from hydroxy fatty acid methyl ester showed S configuration. These findings suggest that the oxygenation of membrane lipids in biological plant tissues might be initiated by the direct action of LOX.

Changes in myosin heavy chain isoform expression of overloaded rat skeletal muscles

1. The effect of functional overload produced by tenotomy of synergistic gastrocnemius muscle on the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms in the plantaris and soleus muscles of the rat was studied using gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. Five weeks tenotomy, the plantaris and soleus muscle weights induced by tenotomy of the gastrocnemius muscle were 44.3% (P < 0.005) and 37.4% (P < 0.005), respectively, heavier than the contralateral control muscles. 3. Although four types of MHC isoforms were observed in both control and experimental plantaris, the percentage of MHC isoforms in the control and experimental muscles differed; the hypertrophied plantaris muscle contained more HCI (P < 0.05), HCIIa and HCIId (P < 0.05) and less HCIIb (P < 0.05) than the control muscle. 4. The control soleus muscle contained two MHC isoforms, HCI and HCIIa. However, there was only a single HCI isoform in the hypertrophied soleus muscle. 5. These results indicate that overloading a skeletal muscle by removing its synergists produces not only the muscle hypertrophy but also the changes in the expression of MHC isoforms.