MAO inhibitors, clorgyline and lazabemide, prevent hydroxyl radical generation caused by brain ischemia/reperfusion in mice

The effects of clorgyline, the MAO-A inhibitor, and lazabemide, the MAO-B inhibitor, on the levels of the hydroxyl radicals appearing in the cerebral ventricles of mice during brain ischemia/reperfusion were examined by using a salicylate trapping method. The amount of hydroxyl radicals formed peaked at 20 min after reperfusion (approximately 150% vs. basal level). The dopamine level markedly increased shortly after the initiation of an ischemic insult and thereafter waned. By contrast, the concentration of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) level decreased during a 40-min period of ischemia, gradually returning to the preischemic basal level upon reperfusion. The ischemia reperfusion-induced hydroxyl radical generation was attenuated by 3 mg/kg of clorgyline and lazabemide. Furthermore, mice pretreated with these MAO inhibitors showed decreased DOPAC levels in comparison with those of their respective vehicle-treated control groups; recovery of the reduced DOPAC level was also delayed. In conclusion, it is likely that both type A and type B MAOs participate in the generation of hydroxyl radicals during brain ischemia/reperfusion. This finding suggests the possible use of MAO inhibitors as neuroprotective agents for treating ischemic injury.

A rapid method for detection of mutations in the lacI gene using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis: demonstration of its high sensitivity

The lacI gene has been used as a target gene in various mutation assays. We modified single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis by introducing restriction digestion to detect mutations in the gene rapidly, and determined the sensitivity of the method. The entire coding sequence and partial promoter region of the lacI gene were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction with [alpha-32P]dCTP in a 1247 base pair fragment, digested into eight restriction fragments, and analyzed by SSCP. The sensitivity of the method was assessed using 160 phages with lacI mutations, which were selected by assay of expression of beta-galactosidase after their infection into E. coli. Of the 160 mutants, 146 (91.3%) showed shifted bands in the first condition of SSCP analysis (without glycerol, 20 degrees C). The remaining 14 mutants were analyzed in a second condition (with 5% glycerol, 20 degrees C), and eight of them showed shifted bands (cumulatively 96.3% of the 160 mutants). The remaining six mutants were analyzed in a third condition (with 5% glycerol, 10 degrees C), and all of them showed shifted bands (cumulatively 100%). Sequencing of the restriction fragments with mobility shifts in the 160 mutants revealed 108 kinds of mutations, 100 (92.6%) being detected in the first condition, seven (cumulatively 99.1%) in the second condition, and one (cumulatively 100%) in the third condition. This method greatly reduced the time to identify lacI mutations, and allowed the detection of multiple mutations in one lacI mutant. The results also show that in general PCR-SSCP analysis is very sensitive when test fragments are shorter than about 250 base pairs and electrophoresis is performed under at least two conditions.

Cytochrome P4502D isozymes catalyze the 4-hydroxylation of methamphetamine enantiomers

The 4-hydroxylation of S(+)- and R(-)-methamphetamine by rat liver microsomes was examined in Sprague-Dawley and Dark Agouti strains to determine the role of cytochrome P4502D (CYP2D) subfamily isozymes in catalyzing the reaction. In the study, anti-P450-BTL IgG, bufuralol, and quinine, a substrate and inhibitors of CYP2D isozymes, respectively, were found to block approximately 90% of the reaction as catalyzed by microsomes from Sprague-Dawley rats. Reconstituted systems of CYP2D isozymes purified from rat liver microsomes also mediated the reaction. These observations and the minimal activity found in microsomes from Dark Agouti rats support the notion that methamphetamine, like other phenylisopropylamine compounds, is oxidized on the 4-position of the aromatic ring by CYP2D isozymes.

Bacteriology of chronic otitis media, chronic sinusitis, and paranasal mucopyocele in Japan

A bacteriologic study of cases of chronic otitis media, chronic sinusitis, and paranasal mucopyocele diagnosed at Gifu University Hospital was performed between 1989 and 1992. Bacteria were isolated from all of 13 samples of discharge from the ears of patients with chronic otitis media, all of 14 mucosal biopsy specimens from patients with chronic sinusitis, 8 of 10 aspirate samples from patients with chronic sinusitis, and 9 of 15 aspirates samples from patients with mucopyocele. Cultures often yielded polymicrobial growth, with an average of 3.1, 3.8, and 4.2 species per positive specimen from chronic otitis media, chronic sinusitis, and mucopyocele, respectively. The most commonly encountered anaerobes were Peptostreptococcus, Propionibacterium, and Prevotella species; the most common aerobes were Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. One strain of Prevotella melaninogenica highly resistant to ampicillin and two strains of Peptostreptococcus resistant to cefaclor were found.

Inhibin alpha, beta A subunit and activin type II receptor mRNAs are expressed in human brain tumors

Inhibin and activin were initially isolated as regulators of pituitary or gonadal hormone and are now known to be growth factors belonging to the TGF-beta family with diverse influences on the differentiation and proliferation of various tissues. To investigate the role of inhibin and activin in human brain tumors, the expression of inhibin alpha, and beta A mRNA as well as activin type II receptor (ACTR II) mRNA were studied in various human brain tumors. The tumors were divided into the following 4 groups: 3 Rathke's cleft cysts and 2 craniopharyngiomas (group 1), 8 meningiomas (group 2), 8 malignant gliomas (group 3), and various other tumors including 1 each of germinoma, astrocytoma, hemangioblastoma, and osteochondroma as well as 2 malignant lymphomas and 2 metastatic squamous cell carcinomas (group 4). Immediately after resection, tumor tissues were homogenized in guanidine thyiocyanate to extract total RNA. PCR was then performed with reverse-transcribed cDNA and the respective amplification primers. DNA bands were obtained by agarose gel electrophoresis. Messenger RNA for the inhibin beta A subunit was demonstrated in all of the tissues studied. In contrast, inhibin alpha subunit mRNA was expressed in 60%, 50%, 75%, and 75% of the tumors in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, whereas ACTR II mRNA was demonstrated in 20%, 37.5%, 62.5% and 50% of the tumors in each group. Coexpression of mRNAs for the inhibin alpha, and beta A subunits and ACTR II occurred in some brain tumors. The levels of inhibin alpha and ACTR II mRNA tended to be higher in the tumors with a higher grade of malignancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Visual comfort in VDT workstation design

This study aims to give recommendations for a comfortable visual display terminal (VDT) workstation design by investigating physiological resting states of the eye in 3 experiments. Dark vergence, in experiment 1, was evaluated to be at a distance of about 50 cm from the eye as an average of 14 subjects. Dark vergence was found to shift farther with an upward gaze while a nearer shift occurred with a downward gaze. In experiment 2, the average dark focus for 11 subjects was found to be 1.4 diopters (D) or a distance of about 74 cm from the eye. Experiment 3 ascertained the superiority of a positive display polarity (dark characters on a bright background) under 500 1x illuminated level, by using pupil size analysis in 10 subjects. The ergonomic recommendations for a VDT workstation obtained in this study are a positive display polarity under regular lighting condition, a downward gaze, and a viewing distance between 50 and 70 cm.

Identification and distribution of peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase) in mouse organs

A wide occurrence of peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase) in mouse organs was demonstrated. PNGase activities were determined using 14C-labeled fetuin glycopeptide I as a substrate by a newly improved enzyme assay based on the paper chromatographic and paper electrophoretic analyses. PNGase activities were detected in both soluble and membranous (or particulate) fractions, although the levels of the activities were different from organ to organ. Soluble PNGases were partially purified from brain, liver, kidney, and spleen by TSK butyl-Toyopearl 650 M hydrophobicity chromatography and characterized for enzymatic properties. The soluble enzymes were found to share the following properties: (a) high hydrophobicity; (b) sensitivity to metal cations such as Zn2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+; and (c) requirement of sulfhydryl group(s) for enzyme activity. Notably, soluble PNGases were unable to degrade glycoasparagine substrates and the optimal pH was near 7.0, suggesting that they were not lysosomal enzymes, but perhaps being involved in basic biological processes in certain intracellular nonlysosomal events. All of these enzymatic properties found for mouse organ-derived PNGases were the same as those recently found for L-929 PNGase that was highly purified as a soluble enzyme from mouse fibroblast L-929 cells (Suzuki, T., Seko, A., Kitajima, K., Inoue, Y., and Inoue, S. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 17611-17618.

A case of glomangiosarcoma

A case of glomangiosarcoma (GS) arising on the lateral side of the left upper arm is reported here. GS is very rare compared with benign glomus tumor (GT) and there has been some controversy regarding whether it is a true malignant tumor. Histologically, the tumor consisted of two different components. In the periphery of the tumor, a solid sheet-like growth of small cuboidal cells identical to benign GT was seen. However, in the central portion, the tumor was composed of short spindle cells with hyperchromatic atypical nuclei arranged in weak fascicles, mimicking leiomyosarcoma. Mitotic figures were not uncommon in the latter area. Immunohistochemistry revealed that both cuboidal and spindle-shaped tumor cells were positive for vimentin and muscle actin as were cells of other benign GTs used for controls. In addition, only spindle-shaped cells expressed protein produced by the suppressive oncogene p53 in the nuclei, a phenomenon not seen in the five benign GTs or in cuboidal cells of GS. These results suggest that GS may exhibit more aggressive behavior than benign GT.

Selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activities in blood in an andean high-altitude population

Selenium (Se) levels in blood (whole blood, erythrocytes and serum) and blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were investigated in people living at high altitude in Bolivia (4,000 m above sea level). These parameters were compared to those of people living at low altitude (300 m above sea level). The Se levels in whole blood of the high-altitude subjects did not differ significantly from those of the low-altitude subjects. However, the Se levels in erythrocytes were significantly lower in the high-altitude subjects than in the low-altitude subjects, whereas serum Se levels were higher in the high-altitude subjects than in the low-altitude subjects. GSH-Px activity (Unit/g Hb) was significantly lower in the high-altitude subjects than in the low-altitude subjects. The mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC), an indicator of the age of erythrocytes, in the high-altitude subjects was significantly higher than in the low-altitude subjects. These results show that the GSH-Px activity in the blood of the high-altitude subjects is relatively low. This may be due to their aged erythrocytes and/or to relatively low Se intake in the high-altitude population compared with low-altitude population.

Effects of a highly selective nonpeptide delta opioid receptor agonist, TAN-67, on morphine-induced antinociception in mice

The effects of a potent and highly selective nonpeptide delta opioid receptor agonist, 2- methyl-4a alpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a alpha- octahydroquinolino [2,3,3,-g] isoquinoline (TAN-67), on morphine-induced antinociception were examined using the warm-plate (51 degrees C) method. When a peptide delta 1 opioid receptor agonist, [D-Pen2, Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), was co-administered with i.c.v. morphine, low-dose morphine-induced antinociception was significantly increased. In contrast, i.c.v. co-administration of a peptide delta 2 opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala2]deltorphin II (DELT), with morphine did not affect the morphine-induced antinociception. When morphine and TAN-67 were co-administered i.c.v., low-dose morphine-induced antinociception was significantly increased. Moreover, when TAN-67 and morphine were co-administered s.c., the morphine dose-response curve shifted to the left and the ED50 value of morphine decreased. These effects DPDPE and TAN-67 were antagonized by the delta opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (NTI) and the delta 1 opioid receptor antagonist 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) not by the delta 2 opioid receptor antagonist naltriben (NTB). Moreover, the mu opioid receptor antagonist beta-FNA also antagonized the effects of DPDPE and TAN-67. These results suggest that the effect of TAN-67 may result from the activation of central delta 1 opioid receptors, since the effect of TAN-67 was antagonized by NTI and BNTX, but not NTB. Furthermore, since pretreatment with beta-FNA also antagonized the effects of both DPDPE and TAN-67, a beta-FNA-sensitive site, i.e. a mu-delta complex site, may play an important role in the modulation of morphine-induced antinociception.

Usefulness of simple assays for serum concentration of hepatitis C virus RNA and HCV genotype in predicting the response of patients with chronic hepatitis C to interferon alpha 2a therapy

The use of two new assays was evaluated for predicting the response to interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was established by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on genotype-specific recombinant peptides of the NS4 region (genotyping ELISA). The concentration of HCV RNA was measured by a branched DNA assay (bDNA assay). Seventy-eight patients received the same regimen of IFN alpha 2a. Of the 74 patients assessed who completed the program, 38 (51.4%) were responders; i.e., their serum aminotransferase levels remained normal for 6 months or longer after stopping IFN, while 36 (48.6%) were nonresponders. The results of the HCV genotype determined by the genotyping ELISA and by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on genotype-specific primers were similar. The serum concentrations of HCV RNA as measured by the bDNA assay and by the competitive PCR assay correlated closely and significantly (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the serum concentration of HCV RNA determined by the bDNA assay, the HCV genotype determined by the genotyping ELISA, and the histology activity index (HAI) of the liver were independently associated with IFN efficacy. By using these three variables in combination, a predictive rate of 82.4% was obtained. A lower level of HCV RNA, genotype 2 and a lower HAI score for liver histology were predictive of a favorable response to IFN. Thus, the genotyping ELSIA and the bDNA assay appear to be useful for clinical management of patients receiving IFN therapy.

Accumulation of plasma cells in atherosclerotic lesions of Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits

By screening a cDNA library constructed from aortic total RNA derived from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits by differential hybridization, we have obtained a cDNA encoding the kappa light chain of immunoglobulin. Northern blot analysis of total RNA prepared from aortas of WHHL and normal rabbits of various ages revealed that this light-chain mRNA accumulates gradually with age in aortas in WHHL rabbits. Northern blotting and in situ hybridization with an antisense oligonucleotide specific to rabbit immunoglobulin gamma heavy-chain mRNA also detected accumulation of this heavy-chain mRNA in advanced lesions of WHHL rabbit aortas. Moreover, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analyses demonstrated the presence of plasma cells in the atherosclerotic lesions.

Mixed cultures comprising syngeneic and allogeneic mouse keratinocytes as a graftable skin substitute

Using inbred mouse strains C3H/He and BALB/c and an anti-class I MHC monoclonal antibody, we examined the graftability of mixed cultures composed of syngeneic and allogeneic mouse keratinocytes. Keratinocytes from neonatal C3H/He (syngeneic donor) and BALB/c (allogeneic donor) mice were cultured for 7 days, both individually and at the inoculum ratio of 1:1, 1:3, or 1:15. The resulting sheets of keratinocytes were implanted subcutaneously into adult C3H/He mice and morphological evaluation was made on the 4th, 7th, and 14th days after grafting. The control cultures of 100% allogeneic keratinocytes were rejected, whereas epidermal reconstruction without typical signs of rejection took place in all grafts derived from the mixed cultures, including the 1:15 cultures. However, immunofluorescence staining showed that, within the grafts, the allogeneic keratinocytes were gradually replaced by syngeneic cells. Thus, these results suggested that graftable skin substitutes may be produced by co-culturing a small amount of autologous keratinocytes with allogeneic keratinocytes, which are readily available.

Thallium-201 SPECT and technetium-99m-phytate subtraction liver imaging in the evaluation of pancreatic cancers

We preliminarily evaluated the usefulness of 201Tl SPECT in the investigation of pancreatic cancers.

METHODS

The subjects included 32 patients with malignant tumors, 16 with benign disorders and 10 controls. SPECT was performed 10 min after the injection of 148-222 MBq of 201Tl; subjects had fasted to minimize intestinal activity. In addition, subtracted SPECT using 99mTc-phytate to separate the boundary of abnormal uptake from liver activity was carried out in 14 patients.

RESULTS

Thallium-201 did not accumulate in the pancreatic bed of the controls. In contrast, 29 of the 32 patients with malignant tumors showed positive phytate uptake with a sensitivity of 90.6% in the detection of malignancy. Of the 16 benign disorders, only four patients showed abnormal uptake; however, the mean value of the lesion-to-hepatic ratio (0.43 +/- 0.06; range, 0.35-0.51), as an index of the degree of uptake, was lower than that in positive malignant tumors (0.72 +/- 0.16; range, 0.53-1.28). Thallium-201 activity per milligram of resected cancer tissue in two patients was 2-3 times greater than in normal tissue. Follow-up 201Tl SPECT in the five treated patients demonstrated similar alterations between 201Tl uptake and tumor markers.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that 201Tl SPECT may have clinical potential in the investigation of pancreatic cancers.

Oral administration of nipradilol and the acute and chronic splanchnic hemodynamic effects of a new beta-blocker with nitrovasodilating properties in patients with liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVES

We studied the effects of nipradilol, which has both a nonselective beta-blocker action and a vasodilating action similar to nitroglycerin, on portal hypertension.

METHODS

We measured hepatic venous pressure gradient and splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics before beginning therapy, 2 h after an oral dose of 6 mg, and after either 6 months of nipradilol 6 mg twice a day (n = 14) or of a placebo (n = 6) in 20 cirrhotic patients.

RESULTS

No significant changes were observed after the administration of the placebo. Oral nipradilol induced a significant reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient (base line: 14.8 +/- 3.2 mm Hg vs 2 h: 12.3 +/- 3.4 mm Hg, p < 0.01; 6 mo: 12.5 +/- 3.2 mm Hg, p < 0.05) without a significant change in the free hepatic venous pressure. The hepatic vascular resistance decreased significantly (base line: 1811 +/- 778 dyn.sec.cm-5 vs 2 h: 1540 +/- 701 dyn.sec.cm-5, p < 0.05; 6 mo: 1564 +/- 693 dyn.sec.cm-5, p < 0.05) without a significant change in hepatic blood flow. A decrease in the hepatic venous pressure gradient greater than 10% was observed in nine patients (64%), defined as "responders," at 2 h and in 10 patients (71%) at 6 months. The reduction of mean heart rate and hepatic venous pressure gradient in these responders was 16.2% and 28.3% at 2 h and 15.1% and 27.1% at 6 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that in some cirrhotic patients, at the doses used in this study, long term oral nipradilol administration produces a reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient with both a beta-blocking and a nitrovasodilating action.

Endothelin-1 and its binding sites are upregulated in pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy

The purpose of this study was to determine whether endothelin and endothelin receptors play an important role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy due to pressure overload in vivo. Cardiac hypertrophy was produced by placing a constricting clip around the suprarenal abdominal aorta of rats. Hemodynamic parameters and plasma and ventricular concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured in control unoperated rats, and 30 min, 2 and 6 h, and 1 and 8 days after operation in pressure overload rats and sham-operated rats. The density and dissociation constant of ET-1 binding sites were also measured in control rats and 1 and 8 days after pressure overload and sham operation. Additionally, in situ mRNA hybridization for preproendothelin-1 (preproET-1) mRNA was performed to determine which cells were responsible for increased ET-1 levels. Ventricular ET-1 levels increased markedly on day 8 of pressure overload, whereas plasma ET-1 levels increased transiently only 30 min after operation, quickly returning to control level. In addition, ventricular ET-1 levels on day 8 showed a significant positive correlation with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. In situ mRNA hybridization revealed that cardiac myocytes expressed preproET-1 mRNA in hypertrophied hearts in vivo. In accord with the elevation of ventricular ET-1 levels, the density of ET-1 binding sites was increased significantly, without affecting their binding affinity, on day 8 of pressure overload. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that increases in locally produced ET-1 and the density of ET-1 binding sites have an important relationship with the development of cardiac hypertrophy in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A case of fetal bradycardia and sinusoid-like fetal heart rate pattern associated with maternal hypothermia

A 23-year-old pregnant woman presented with severe hypothermia (33.8 degrees C) as a complication of treatment for urosepsis. The baseline fetal heart rate was 100 beats/min. Despite evidence of variability, a 'sinusoid-like' pattern was observed. However, the fetal heart rate gradually returned to normal after rewarming the patient. This suggests that maternal hypothermia may induce fetal bradycardia and a 'sinusoid-like' fetal heart rate pattern.

Changes in prostatic thickness and the location of ejaculatory ducts in autopsy prostates

OBJECTIVE

To measure prostatic thickness and the depth of ejaculatory ducts from the urethral surface to prevent ejaculatory duct damage during transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 47 prostates obtained at autopsy, the prostatic thickness and the depth of ejaculatory ducts from the urethral surface were measured in eight directions from the centre of the urethra.

RESULTS

The depth of ejaculatory ducts was approximately 6 mm from the urethral surface regardless of prostatic weight. Increase in prostatic weight was associated with increase in the thickness in all directions except the posterior one; the thickness ranged from 9 to 20 mm. The posterior thickness at the level of the transition zone was 10 mm regardless of prostatic weight.

CONCLUSION

When benign prostatic hypertrophy is treated transurethrally, using laser or microwave equipment, care should be taken to avoid heating the posterior region of the prostate.

Chronic effect of losartan in a murine model of dilated cardiomyopathy: comparison with captopril

The long-term effects of losartan, an angiotensin II subtype-I receptor antagonist, were compared with those of captopril in a murine model of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by encephalomyocarditis virus. Four weeks after viral inoculation, 42 DBA/2 mice were given oral losartan 1.2 mg/kg/day (n = 8), 12 mg/kg/day (n = 8) or 60 mg/kg/day (n = 8) or captopril 7.5 mg/kg/day (n = 8) in drinking water or distilled water (n = 10). Mice were killed at the end of the 12-wk treatment period. Heart weight, left ventricular thickness, left ventricular cavity dimension and myocardial fiber diameter were significantly lower in mice given losartan 60 mg/kg as compared with the infected untreated group. Captopril had a similar effect on all parameters. The pathologic score of cardiac fibrosis was significantly lower in the mice treated with captopril but was not reduced in the mice treated with losartan. Moreover, as compared with the age- and sex-matched normal mice, cardiac mass and myocardial fiber diameter were significantly lower in normal mice treated with losartan 60 mg/kg. This study suggests that long-term treatment with losartan may prevent thickening of left ventricular wall and cavity dimension in dilated cardiomyopathy caused by encephalomyocarditis virus. The potency, and perhaps the efficacy, of losartan appear to be less than those of captopril.

Regulatory role of gamma delta T cells in uterine intraepithelial lymphocytes in maternal antifetal immune response

To elucidate the potential roles of the gamma delta T cells in uterine intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in the regulation of maternal antifetal immune response during pregnancy, we examined the kinetics and function of gamma delta T cells in uterine IEL obtained from (C3H/He x AKR/J) pregnancy. The number of gamma delta T cells increased in the uterine IEL in (C3H/HexAKR/J) pregnancy more than those in (C3H/HexC3H/He) pregnancy and much more than in nonpregnant C3H/He mice. The uterine IEL in (C3H/HexC3H/He) pregnancy significantly proliferated in response to AKR/J stimulator cells. In contrast, the uterine IEL in (C3H/HexAKR/J) pregnancy showed little, if any, proliferation in response to the same stimulator cells. gamma delta T cell depletion from the uterine IEL in (C3H/HexAKR/J) pregnancy restored their responsiveness against AKR/J stimulator cells. Both gamma delta T cell-enriched fraction and alpha beta T cell-depleted fraction, but neither gamma delta T cell-depleted fraction nor alpha beta T cell-enriched fraction in the uterine IEL exhibited suppressive activity against allogeneic responses of nonpregnant C3H/He LN cells. This suppressive activity was shown by transferring the supernatant of culture medium in the uterine IEL stimulated with AKR/J cells that contained a large amount of TGF-beta, and the suppressive activity was significantly blocked by addition of anti-TGF-beta mAb to the culture. Taken together, our results suggest that gamma delta T cells in the uterine IEL suppress the maternal antifetal immune response at the maternal-fetal interface at least in part through TGF-beta production to prevent a rejection of the fetus.

[The survival rate of impaired glucose tolerance groups in the elderly]

We analyzed a total of 468 cases, all inmates of the Yokufukai Home for the Aged who had undergone a 50-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) from January 1980 to December 1981 and who were followed up to the end of March 1994. All cases were divided into different normal, borderline and diabetic categories according to glucose tolerance. 1) Normal cases accounted for 39.6% of males and 39.2% of females, 50% and 52.5% were borderline cases in males and female and these were 10.4% and 8.3% diabetic cases, respectively. 2) The overall survival rate of females was significantly higher than that of males groups (p < 0.05). 3) There was no significant difference in survival rate of males and females in the normal and impaired glucose tolerance groups (border and diabetic). CONCLUSION. Mildly impaired glucose tolerance could be considered as part of the normal aging process.

Presence of activated eosinophils, high IgE and sCD23 titers in gingival crevicular fluid of patients with adult periodontitis

Our previous studies showed that the expression of CD23 on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from adult periodontitis (AP) patients was higher than in autologous peripheral blood (PB). Percentages of eosinophils in GCF PMNLs ranged between 6 and 14%. The purpose of the present studies was to increase understanding of the potential role of eosinophils and their products, including CD23, in periodontal disease. We analysed the eosinophil fraction in GCF and PB by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies to CD23b (BB10), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in stored and secretory forms (EG1 and EG2), and CD67 (80H3). Simultaneously, we measured IgE and soluble CD23 titer and GCF and serum by ELISA. Flow cytometric analysis of BB10, EG2 and 80H3 binding showed that GCF eosinophils from AP were activated. A large BB10+ EG2+ cellular fraction was detected in GCF from AP whereas it was very low in autologous serum (9.30 +/- 2.460 vs 0.16 +/- 0.10, p < 0.001). GCF from gingivitis patients exhibited no flow cytometric evidence for the presence of BB10+ EG2+ cells. BB10+ EG1+ cells, or inactivated eosinophils rated lower in GCF than in PB both in gingivitis and periodontitis patients (0.45 +/- 0.63 vs 1.83 +/- 0.96 and 0.15 +/- 0.30 vs 1.30 +/- 0.20, p < 0.05, respectively). IgE titer in AP patients reached 1208.1 +/- 421.2 IU/ml in GCF while only 49.1 +/- 50.4 in sera. Soluble CD23 in GCF reached 236.1 +/- 81.3 ng/ml in GCF and 5.6 +/- 1.8 ng/ml in sera. GCF of gingivitis patients, however, contained no detectable sCD23.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)