Syntheses of novel antitumor dihydroxanthone derivatives with inhibitory activity against DNA topoisomerase II

A series of methoxycarbonyl group modified nidulalin A analogs were synthesized to improve stability against esterases. The amide derivatives showed cytotoxic activity along with inhibitory activity against DNA topoisomerase II. Among the analogs, amide 9a exhibited antitumor activity in Colon 26 murine tumor model.

A novel combretastatin A-4 derivative, AC-7700, shows marked antitumor activity against advanced solid tumors and orthotopically transplanted tumors

AC-7700, a novel combretastatin A-4 derivative, suppresses the growth of solid tumors by inhibiting tumor perfusion. We evaluated the antitumor activity of AC-7700 on solid tumors in two experimental models, an advanced tumor model (murine colon 26 (c26) adenocarcinoma, colon 38 (c38) adenocarcinoma, MethA fibrosarcoma, Sarcoma 180 (S180), Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL), human LS180 adenocarcinoma) and an orthotopically transplanted tumor model (c26), compared with that of cisplatin (CDDP). The maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of CDDP suppressed early-stage c26 and c38 tumor growth when treatment was started after the tumor volume (TV) reached 0.2-0.5 cm3, but it showed reduced activity against the same tumors at an advanced growth stage when TV exceeded 2 cm3. At its MTD, AC-7700 was active against all tumors tested except 3LL in both early and advanced growth stages, reducing the tumor mass and having a curative effect in advanced c38 tumors. AC-7700 was also effective on orthotopically transplanted c26 tumors, showing a comparable activity to that on subcutaneous tumors. Unlike flavon acetic acid, which damages tumor vasculature by inducing endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, AC-7700 potently suppressed the growth of advanced c26 tumors in athymic as well as euthymic mice. These results suggest that AC-7700 is a novel antivascular agent that may have potent activity against advanced-stage cancer in the clinical setting.

Efficacy of the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in pediatric donors

The advantages/disadvantages of the use of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for allogeneic transplantation still need to be clarified, particularly in children. We compared the kinetics, efficacy, and safety of PBSC mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and collection by apheresis between healthy pediatric and adult donors. A total of 19 pediatric (median age, 6 years) and 25 adult healthy donors (median age, 37 years) were given 10 micro/kg/day of G-CSF for 5 consecutive days for PBSC mobilization, which were harvested by apheresis on days 5 and/or 6. All of the donors tolerated the whole procedures. Serum trough levels of G-CSF determined by ELISA were significantly lower in the 16 pediatric donors evaluated than in adults (n = 16) on days 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). Although the WBC counts on days 4 and 5 were significantly higher in adults than in children (P = 0.006 and 0.004, respectively), the numbers of circulating CD34+ cells/unit of blood were identical. The number of blood CD34+ cells collected per unit of blood processed was identical in both donor populations. We propose that PBSCs could be effectively mobilized and collected in small children so that they could be donors for adult patients.

Antitumor activity of alpha-galactosylceramide, KRN7000, in mice with EL-4 hepatic metastasis and its cytokine production

Liver metastasis of primary tumor is a clinically major problem. KRN7000, an alpha-galactosylceramide, significantly augments natural killer (NK) activity of spleen cells and shows strong antitumor activity in mice with lung metastasis of melanoma B16 cells. To test whether KRN7000 has an antitumor activity in mice with hepatic metastasis of tumors, we examined the effect of KRN7000 on NK activity of hepatic mononuclear cells (MNC) and the antitumor activity in mice with liver metastasis of EL-4 cells. The in vivo administration of KRN7000 significantly augmented NK activity of hepatic MNC and inhibited tumor growth of EL-4 cells in the liver more markedly than chemotherapeutic agents, leading to a relatively high rate of cured mice. In addition, it appeared that the KRN7000 treatment is effective in mice with established EL-4 tumors. Moreover, we found that KRN7000 can produce significant amounts of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-12, and interferon-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that KRN7000 will be useful for the treatment of cancer liver metastasis.

Comparative evaluation of procedures with a Baxter CS-3000 cell separator for collecting peripheral blood cells from children

The safety and efficacy of apheresis using a newly developed procedure with a small volume separation container holder (SVSCH, Baxter) for the collection of PBSC from children with cancer were retrospectively compared with our historical experience with other procedures using different equipment and the CS-3000 plus cell separator. The procedures tested included the application of (a) specialized collection protocol 4 using the combination of an SVSCH and a small volume collection chamber (SVCC) (group A: 6 collections in 4 patients), (b) standard lymphocyte collection protocol 3 with GRANULO separation (G) and A-35 collection chambers (group B: 9 collections in 5 patients), and (c) modified collection procedure 1-120 with G and SVCC (group C: 7 collections in 3 patients). Although the retrospective nature of this study and the differences in the cohorts tested prevent a reliable analysis, the percent decrease in the peripheral platelet count after collection tended to be minimum in group A (11% +/- 5% versus 23% +/- 4% [B] or 17% +/- 4% [C]). Moreover, the largest number of CD34+ cells was collected in group A (8.7 +/- 9.4 x 10(5)/100 ml processed blood) compared with groups B (5.5 +/- 7.5 x 10(5)/100 ml processed blood) and C (4.0 +/- 2.8 x 10(5)/100 ml processed blood). These data suggest that a procedure incorporating SVSCH can be safely and effectively applied to small children and enables the selective collection of PBSC with less contamination by platelets, which is useful for subsequent cell processing.

Maternal body burden of organochlorine pesticides and dioxins

To investigate the body burden of organochlorine pesticides and dioxins in Japanese women, 125 milk samples were collected from 41 mothers in 1994, 42 in 1995, and 42 in 1996. Of the 125 samples, 82 were from primipara mothers (first delivery) and 43 were from multipara mothers (second or later delivery). By using capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection, beta-HCH and p,p'-DDE were detected as the major chlorine pesticides in human milk. Average levels of beta-HCH and p,p'-DDE were 475 and 368 ng/g lipid, respectively, in primipara breast milk, 314 and 259 ng/g lipid in multipara breast milk, and 420 and 330 ng/g lipid in total breast milk. Dieldrin, heptachor epoxide, oxychlordane, trans-chlordane, and cis-chlordane were detected at lower average levels of 3, 4, 34, 41, and 5 ng/g lipid, respectively. By using high-resolution gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection, dioxins were detected in all samples. Average levels of total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), total polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF), total PCDD + PCDF, total coplanar polychlorinatedbiphenyl (CoPCB), and total dioxin were 10.0, 7.8, 17.7, 9.9, and 27.5 TEQ (toxic equivalent) pg/g lipid, respectively, in primipara breast milk; 7.0, 5.8, 12.8, 7.3, and 20.1 TEQ pg/g lipid in multipara breast milk; and 8.9, 7.1, 16.1, 8.9, and 25.0 TEQ pg/g lipid in total breast milk. In primipara breast milk, significant correlations were found among levels of beta-HCH, p,p'-DDE, total PCDD-TEQ, total PCDF-TEQ, total CoPCB-TEQ, and total TEQ except for less correlation between p,p'-DDE and total PCDF-TEQ. Levels of these analytes also significantly increased depending on mother's age, except for total Co-PCB-TEQ. For the correlation with food habit, the only positive correlation was between total PCDF-TEQs and fish intake.

[Blood PCB analysis by capillary column-gas chromatograph/quadruple mass spectrometer--comparison with packed column-electron capture detector/gas chromatograph]

The contents of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the blood of Yusho patients (Y) and normal subjects (N) were analyzed, using a gas-chromatograph equipped with a capillary column/quadruple mass spectrometer (capillary column GC/MS). While the average of the content of blood PCBs was 679 ppt in N, those were 2960, 1480 and 1090 ppt in Y diagnosed previously as A, B and C patterns, respectively. The contents of non-ortho coplanar PCBs (3,3',4,4' Tetra-, 3,3',4,4',5-Penta- plus 3,3',4,4',5,5'-Hexa-CB) were 0.9-2.1 ppt in Y, and 0.8 ppt in N. The contents of eight mono-ortho coplanar PCBs having the toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were 118-424 (Y) and 78 ppt (N), respectively. The differences between Y and N in the species of mono-ortho coplanar PCBs contained were observed as follows: 2,3,3',4,4',5- and 2,3,3',4,4',5'-Hexa-CB were predominant in Y, whereas 2,3,4,4',5-Penta-CB was a major congener in N. The levels of di-ortho coplanar PCBs (2,2',3,4,4',5,5' plus 2,2',3,3',4,4'5-Hepta-CB) were determined to be 195-608 and 98 ppt in Y and N, respectively. In both groups, the content of the former isomer was greater than the latter. Total TEQ values were 0.214-1.226 ppt in Y, and 0.148 ppt in N. The analyses were also performed by a conventional method in which a GC equipped with a packed column/electron capture detector (packed column GC/ECD) was used, and the results obtained were compared with those by capillary column GC/MS method. The results showed that the total PCB levels obtained by capillary column GC/MS method were 56-61% in Y and 67% in N of those obtained by packed column GC/ECD method.

Endogenous interleukin-8 (IL-8) surge in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced peripheral blood stem cell mobilization

The relationship between stem cell mobilization with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and the endogenous production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was studied in normal donors for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. G-CSF was administered to 20 normal donors at a dose of 10 microg/kg/d for 5 days with aphereses on days 5 and 6 of G-CSF treatment. Cytokine serum levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and during G-CSF treatment. Before treatment, the average level of IL-8 was 7.1 pg/mL, increasing to 207.0 pg/mL on day 5 and 189.1 pg/mL on day 6. Serum IL-8 levels correlated CD34(+) cell numbers (P =.0151 and P =.0005 on days 5 and 6, respectively) and colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) numbers (P =.0019 and P =.0010 on days 5 and 6, respectively). Furthermore, preapheresis serum IL-8 levels correlated with the yield of CD34(+) cells (P =.0027). In contrast, before treatment, the average levels of MIP-1alpha, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were 70.1, 4.03, and 3.84 pg/mL, respectively, and no significant changes in the levels of these cytokines were observed during G-CSF treatment. These studies suggest that IL-8 production may be critical to G-CSF-induced stem cell mobilization, although the underlying mechanism could not be clarified.

Surgical management of infants with mitral valve stenosis or atresia without diminutive ascending aorta

The surgical strategy in infants with mitral valve stenosis or atresia without diminutive ascending aorta remains to be established, including the potential for biventricular repair as a definitive operation. Our surgical experience of six infants with mitral valve stenosis (4 patients) or atresia (2 patients) without diminutive ascending aorta was evaluated based on three important factors: left ventricular volume; the nature of the systemic outflow obstruction; and the type of mitral valve anomaly. Two patients with systemic outflow tract diameter less than 65% of normal underwent systemic outflow tract reconstruction, and the other patients with outflow tract diameter more than 68% of normal were able to maintain systemic circulation without repair. Only one patient with mitral valve stenosis without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction underwent a successful open mitral valvotomy as a biventricular repair after first-stage palliation. The left ventricle of the other patients did not grow after first-stage palliation. Due to progressive subaortic narrowing, pulmonary artery banding should be avoided in patients with mitral atresia due to absent atrioventricular connection who are future Fontan candidates. Most patients with this lesion can be expected to become candidates for safe Fontan-type repair.

Prevalence of specific allergic diseases in school children as related to parental atopy

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to investigate the influence of parental allergy on the manifestations and course of allergic disease in children.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 15,234 school children aged 6 and 9 years were evaluated by means of questionnaires completed by their parents in a cross-sectional survey conducted in Tokushima, Japan. The prevalence and relative risk ratio (RRR) for parental allergy in children with atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis were 6.4% (RRR 2.5), 3.2% (RRR 2.4) and 15% (RRR 2.4), respectively. The risk of atopic dermatitis was particularly high in children whose parent had atopic dermatitis, with an RRR of 2.8 (father) and 3.7 (mother). Children with a parental history of asthma also had a high risk of that disorder (RRR of father 5.3, mother 6.2). However, the risk of allergic rhinitis was no different in children with a parental history of allergic rhinitis or from children with a parental history of asthma and atopic dermatitis. A history of allergic disease in both parents, especially of asthma and atopic dermatitis, increased the risk of allergic disease in the child. Milder symptoms, such as wheezy bronchitis, in schoolchildren were similarly related with the same hereditary tendency as the identical allergic disease. The disappearance of allergic symptoms with age also related to a hereditary component, being less likely in children with a history of parental allergy than in those without such an atopic history.

CONCLUSIONS

The manifestations and course of allergic disease in school children relate to parental allergic disease.

Novel B-ring modified combretastatin analogues: syntheses and antineoplastic activity

A series of B-ring modified combretastatin analogues were synthesized and their inhibitory activity against microtubule assembly, cytotoxic activity against Colon 26 adenocarcinoma cancer cell line were evaluated. Among these, pyridone derivative (19) showed strong antimitotic activity and cytotoxicity, along with excellent water-solubility.

Syntheses and antitumor activity of cis-restricted combretastatins: 5-membered heterocyclic analogues

A series of cis-restricted combretastatin analogues with 5-membered heterocycles were synthesized and their inhibitory activity against microtubule assembly and cytotoxic activity against the colon 26 adenocarcinoma cancer cell line were evaluated. Some of the heterocyclic analogues showed potent antitubulin activity and cytotoxicity. Compounds 16 and 35 showed marked tumor growth suppression in the colon 26 murine tumor model.

Clinically applicable bulk isolation of blood CD34+ cells for autografting in children

CD34+ cells were purified in bulk from apheresis-collected cells of children with cancer using monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and magnetic beads (Baxter ISOLEX system). To improve the purity of the final product for possibly better tumor cell purging and to make the manufacturer's original procedure more cost-effective, we incubated the cells for 30 min with l-phenylalanine methylester hydrochloride (PME) to reduce the cell number by removing contaminating granulocytes and monocytes in the initial step before incubation with MoAb. Our modification prevented nonspecific interactions between MoAb and magnetic beads, and thereby saved expensive materials for purification. A total of 40 purifications were performed with samples containing a mean of 3.1 x 10(9) blood cells mobilized from 15 children by chemotherapy plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The entire purification procedure, from the end of apheresis to storage, was completed within 5h. After incubation with PME and double-layered (40/60%) Percoll separation, the number of CD34+ cells was reduced to 48+/-29%, which suggests the possibility that half of the CD34+ cells in the inoculum were nonclonogenic in the hematopoietic progenitor assay. PME/Percoll-treated cells were then subjected to a final isolation procedure with MoAb according to the manufacturer's suggestions, and 52+/-42% and 32+/-22%, respectively, of the CFU-GM and CD34+ cells present in the initial bag inoculums were recovered. The recovery rates were, respectively, 54% and 67%, when the calculation was limited to the isolation procedure with MNoAb. The purity of isolated CD34+ cells and the plating efficiency in methylcellulose culture were, respectively, 77+/-24% and 33+/-13%. Fourteen children were subsequently autografted with purified CD34+ cells after marrow ablative chemotherapy. The median number of days to achieve an ANC of 0.5 x 10(9)/l was 12 and that to achieve a platelet count of 50 x 10(9)/l was 22.5, which were comparable to those in our historical group of 55 patients who underwent transplant with unmanipulated blood cells (13 and 16 days). These results suggest that our modified purification procedure with PME is useful for the initial reduction of cell numbers to save costly materials, and that cells isolated by this procedure can be directly used in clinical transplantation procedures.

Intra-apheresis recruitment of blood progenitor cells in children

BACKGROUND

Determination of the optimal duration of apheresis requires a careful examination of blood progenitor cell (BPC) kinetics during apheresis. Intra-apheresis recruitment of BPCs should be evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Twenty-six apheresis procedures were performed in 13 children with various malignant disorders (ages, 10 months to 17 years; median, 7 years) to collect BPCs for autologous transplant, using a blood cell separator with 2 to 5.2 blood volumes processed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to age: below 1 year (n = 4), 2 to 10 years (n = 5), and 11 to 20 years (n = 4). BPCs were mobilized by a combination of chemotherapy and granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; 2-7.5 micrograms/kg/day intravenous drip). The levels of circulating CD34+ cells and colony-forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) were monitored to examine intra-apheresis recruitment. For every 50 mL per kg or 2 L of processed blood, 5-mL blood samples were collected via a central line.

RESULTS

In the first apheresis procedure, more CD34+ cells were mobilized by the procedure itself in the infant group than in the older groups, and the number of cells decreased with the subject's age. When the same analysis was made during the second apheresis procedure, performed 1 day later, the levels of both CD34+ cells and CFU-GM had decreased to below the preapheresis values in all of the populations. Cell yields in the second apheresis procedure were significantly lower than those in the first.

CONCLUSION

Although several factors prevent a reliable analysis, the data suggest that the intra-apheresis recruitment of BPCs may be age-specific; the continuous and prolonged supply of cells from the bone marrow to peripheral blood that occurs during apheresis is more predominant in infants, which leads to the collection of proportionately more BPCs in younger children than in their older counterparts.

Change and behavior of residual mercury in paddy soils and rice of Japan

Paddy soils collected near Agano River, Niigata Prefecture in Japan. Agano River is located on an attack area of Niigata-Minamata disease. Soil samples were collected from 122 sites in 1989 and 120 sites in 1997. As a result, the total mercury concentrations were ranged from 0.019 to 0.62ppm based on dry weight with a mean 0.155ppm in 1989, and from 0.015 to 0.34 with a mean 0.146ppm in 1997. The decrease of residual mercury concentrations in paddy soils was only 0.009ppm in the interval of eight years. However, the mercury concentrations in paddy soils were about 3 times as large as that of uncultivated soils in its surroundings. It is suggested that the soils in paddy fields still contain the mercury residues to be influenced by some agricultural fungicide. Mercury concentrations in rice were natural background level. A comprehensive evaluation shows that the concentrations in boil rice with an average content of under 0.001ppm total mercury pose no health risk to Japanese people consuming rice of 200g/day.

Selection of DNA binding sites for human transcriptional regulator GATA-6

The DNA-binding sites for transcriptional regulator GATA-6 were selected and amplified by means of a PCR-mediated random-site selection method involving filter binding and gel-mobility shift analysis using the zinc finger region of human GATA-6 fused with GST. Sequencing and comparison of the selected clones suggested that (A/T/C)GAT(A/T)(A) is the consensus binding sequence, which is similar to the GATA motif (A/T)GATA(A/G) and the gastric motif (G/C)PuPu(G/C)NGAT(A/T)PuPy. GATA-6 also binds to a similar sequence containing the GATC but not the GATG sequence. These results indicated that GATA-6 shows broader sequence specificity as to DNA binding. However, adenine is favored on both sides of the core for strong binding [AGAT(A/T)A], and the order of binding is GATA > GATT > GATC. Full-length human GATA-6 expressed in COS-1 cells showed essentially the same binding specificity, suggesting that the zinc finger region of GATA-6 mainly contributes to the selection of the binding sequence. Furthermore, the non-RI method presented in this paper is convenient for determination of the binding sites of other DNA-binding proteins.

Novel combretastatin analogues effective against murine solid tumors: design and structure-activity relationships

A series of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogues were synthesized, and their cytotoxic effects against murine Colon 26 adenocarcinoma and inhibitory activity on tubulin polymerization were evaluated. Since CA-4 has limited aqueous solubility, the target compounds were designed to improve solubility by introduction of a nitrogen-containing group. Among the compounds synthesized, those with an amino moiety in place of the phenolic OH of CA-4 showed potent antitubulin activity and cytotoxicity against murine Colon 26 adenocarcinoma in vitro. Some of the compounds which were potent in vitro were evaluated in the murine tumor model Colon 26 in vivo. Among these, 13bHCl, 21aHCl, and 21bHCl showed significant antitumor activity in the animal model, while CA-4 was ineffective. 13bHCl and 21aHCl were further evaluated in two murine tumor models (Colon 38 and 3LL) and human xenografts HCT-15. These compounds showed potent antitumor activity comparable or superior to that of CDDP. The structure-activity relationships of this series of compounds are also discussed.

[Postoperative analgesic effects of epidural bolus administration of bupivacaine and morphine in patients after vaginal hysterectomy and vaginoplasty]

This study was conducted to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effects of epidural bolus administration of bupivacaine and morphine in patients after vaginal hysterectomy and vaginoplasty. A total of 100 patients who had received the elective vaginal hysterectomy and vaginoplasty were investigated retrospectively by separating them into two groups. Fifty patients who had received epidural analgesics (E group) showed significantly lower pain scores for 12 hrs after the surgery compared with 50 patients who had received intramuscular buprenorphine hydrochloride (C group). The patients in E group needed significantly less supplemental analgesics than those in C group for 2 hrs after the operation. The incidence of side effects was not significantly different between the two groups. But the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the patients in E group than those in C group. These results show that epidural bolus administration of bupivacaine and morphine is effective for postoperative pain relief and decreases the incidence of postoperative complications after vaginal hysterectomy and vaginoplasty.

Variable gene segment-specific N-insertions at the signal joint of T-cell receptor Vbeta-Dbeta recombinations

The V(D)J recombination of immunoglobulin and a T-cell receptor generates two species of DNA junctions, a coding joint and a signal joint. Non-templated nucleotides (N-nucleotides) are inserted in these DNA junctions. We analyzed the N-insertion at signal joints generated by the Vbeta-Dbeta recombinations. N-insertions were detected at signal joints of Vbeta2, Vbeta3, Vbeta10, Vbeta18 and Vbeta14 but not in Vbeta8 and Vbeta7. These data show that the N-insertion at signal joints is dependent on the Vbeta locus used for the recombination. We suggest that the regional chromosomal configuration may differ in recombinase accessibility.

Treatment of hepatic metastasis of the colon26 adenocarcinoma with an alpha-galactosylceramide, KRN7000

Colorectal liver metastasis is clinically a major problem. We examined the antitumor activity of KRN7000, an alpha-galactosylceramide, on mice with liver metastases of adenocarcinoma Colon26 cells. KRN7000 treatment, beginning 1 day after tumor inoculation (day 1), significantly inhibited tumor growth in the liver, and its potency was equal to that of interleukin 12. KRN7000 treatment from day 3 caused regression of established Colon26 nodules. KRN7000 administration resulted in a high percentage of cured mice that acquired tumor-specific immunity. In addition, it appeared that highly activated, liver-associated natural killer cells made the major contribution to the killing of Colon26 cells in the liver. These results suggest that KRN7000 may be useful for the treatment of colorectal liver metastasis.

Total mercury intake from fish and shellfish by Japanese people

Elevated mercury concentrations have been reported in fish in recent years. Japanese people eat a great deal of raw fishes and shellfishes as "Sashimi" and "Sushi". The action level of large predatory fish such as tuna with total mercury levels exceeding the Japanese maximum permitted limit of 0.4 ppm is exempted from regulation in Japan. Therefore, current total mercury intake from fish and shellfish of Japanese people is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the total mercury intake from fish and shellfish. It was found that the mean total mercury concentration of 1.11 ppm in tuna of eatable base as Sashimi or Sushi was clearly higher than the normal level. The mean total mercury intake from fish and shellfish was 0.17 mg per capita per week. According to the hypothesis that 75% of total mercury in fish and shellfish is methylmercury, the weekly intake of 0.13 mg as methylmercury was corresponding amount to about 74% of provisional tolerable weekly intake 0.17 mg of methylmercury set by the Welfare Ministry of Japan.

CD1d-restricted and TCR-mediated activation of valpha14 NKT cells by glycosylceramides

Natural killer T (NKT) lymphocytes express an invariant T cell antigen receptor (TCR) encoded by the Valpha14 and Jalpha281 gene segments. A glycosylceramide-containing alpha-anomeric sugar with a longer fatty acyl chain (C26) and sphingosine base (C18) was identified as a ligand for this TCR. Glycosylceramide-mediated proliferative responses of Valpha14 NKT cells were abrogated by treatment with chloroquine-concanamycin A or by monoclonal antibodies against CD1d/Vbeta8, CD40/CD40L, or B7/CTLA-4/CD28, but not by interference with the function of a transporter-associated protein. Thus, this lymphocyte shares distinct recognition systems with either T or NK cells.

Gastric GATA-6 DNA-binding protein: proteolysis induced by cAMP

The rat gastric GATA DNA-binding protein, GATA-6 (GATA-GT1), was stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells. The GATA-6 protein was localized in the nucleus but not in the cytoplasm. Interestingly, when cells were treated with dibutyryl cAMP, the GATA-6 protein was specifically degraded. Such a phenomenon was not observed in the presence of 5'-AMP or dibutyryl cGMP. The cellular level of the GATA-6 protein was restored upon removal of dibutyryl cAMP. Degradation was also induced by cholera toxin, which increased the cellular cAMP concentration, and was inhibited by a protein kinase A inhibitor. However, activators of protein kinase C did not have any effect. The degradation was inhibited by proteasome inhibitors (PSI (benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu(O-t-Bu)-Ala-leucinal) and MG115 (benzyloxycarbonyl-Leu-Leu-norvalinal)) but not by those of lysosomes and serine proteases. These results suggest that a kinase-mediated protein phosphorylation is the cellular signal for degradation of the GATA-6 protein. This finding constitutes a novel aspect of regulation by GATA DNA-binding proteins, which are essential for developmental processes and tissue-specific transcription.

[Concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in blood of 83 patients with Yusho]

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) and total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in blood samples from 83 Yusho patients and 39 normal control subjects in 1995. The average concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and Co-PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients were 14, 128 and 14 pg toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ)/g, lipid, respectively. The levels of these compounds in the blood of normal subjects were 14, 10 and 8 pg/g lipid, respectively. Thus, although the average levels of PCDDs and Co-PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients were similar to those of control subjects, the PCDF level in Yusho patients was 12.8 fold higher than in normals. Average concentrations of total PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients and normal control subjects were 789 and 339 ng/g lipid, respectively. Thus, the PCB level in the blood of Yusho patients was 2.3 fold higher than in normal subjects. To test the reproducibility of determination of PCDDs, PCDFs and Co-PCBs, three normal blood samples were analyzed twice. These analyses gave similar results each time. Since, these compounds could be measured in five-milliliter blood samples, they can be monitored in Yusho patients.

Geographical distribution and background levels of total mercury in air in Japan and neighbouring countries

Concentrations of total atmospheric mercury were determined in air collected from several locations in Japan and neighbouring countries to elucidate the geographical distribution and the background levels of total mercury in environmental air. The concentrations of mercury in urban air in Japan were 2.3-67 ng/m3, mean value 11.2 ng/m3. Those values were higher relative to those in urban air of other countries around Japan. In the past, a large quantity of mercury was used as an agricultural fungicide and a chloralkali catalyst in Japan. Therefore, the concentrations of mercury in rural air were higher rather than those in urban air. This phenomenon supports the hypothesis that the residual mercury used in the paddy field in the 1970s still remains in soils of Japan.

Tendency toward atopy in Kawasaki disease

To evaluate the possible trend towards developing allergic disease in children who had suffered from Kawasaki disease (KD), we evaluated data related to allergy that were collected by parental questionnaire on 1,165 children who had suffered from KD. Comparisons were made with 5,825 sex- and age-matched control children. The incidence of household pets and of cigarette smoking in the family were significantly lower in the children with a history of KD than in those of control children. A family history of allergy was significantly more common in the children with a history of KD (71%) versus the controls (56%) (P < 0.001). The incidence of atopic dermatitis and of allergic rhinitis was significantly higher (by approximately 1.7 times) in the KD children versus the control group (P < 0.01), even in subgroups with no family history of allergy.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that a genetic predisposition to atopy may be associated with a susceptibility to KD. Patients with KD tended to develop atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.

Characteristic evoked potentials in childhood-onset dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy

To determine the characteristics of multimodal evoked potentials (MEPs) in childhood-onset dentatorubral-palli-doluysian atrophy (DRPLA) we studied three DRPLA patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials showed reduced or absent brainstem components as well as delayed latencies. In addition, short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (S-SEPs) had prolonged central conduction time and reduced amplitude of cortical components. Two patients with symptom onset in the first decade of life had extremely enlarged flash visual evoked potentials with shortened latency even in the absence of giant SEPs. Therefore, children with progressive myoclonus epilepsy and the above MEP findings are likely candidates for childhood-onset DRPLA and should undergo DNA analysis for DRPLA.

Potentiation of antitumor and antimetastatic activities of adriamycin by a novel N-alkylated dihydropyridine, AC394, and its enantiomers in colon cancer-bearing mice

PURPOSE

We have previously shown that a series of N-alkylated 1,4-dihydropyridines potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of vincristine in vincristine-resistant P388 leukemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of one of the compounds, AC394, and its enantiomers to potentiate the antitumor activity of adriamycin against colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The effects of AC394 on potentiation of adriamycin cytotoxicity and enhancement of its accumulation were evaluated using colon 26, HCT-15 and MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the activities of AC394 and its enantiomers were compared. We also studied the combined effects of (+)-AC394 and adriamycin on subcutaneously (s.c.)-implanted and liver metastasis tumor models.

RESULTS

AC394 potentiated the cytotoxicity of adriamycin and enhanced its accumulation in colon cancer cells (colon 26 and HCT-15), which are known to express P-GP (P-glycoprotein) intrinsically. Enhancement of adriamycin accumulation by AC394 was found in s.c.-implanted colon 26 cells in vivo. Although both enantiomers of AC394 showed equal activity in vitro, (+)-AC394 was more effective than (-)-AC394 given orally. (-)-AC394 was found to be cleared more rapidly from the plasma than (+)-AC394. Thus, (+)-AC394 was evaluated for further study. Administration of (+)-AC394 significantly potentiated the antitumor activities of adriamycin in human colon cancer HCT-15 cells implanted s.c. Furthermore, in the liver metastasis model using colon 26 cells, a model completely resistant to adriamycin, the combination therapy of adriamycin with (+)-AC394 produced superior antitumor effects over adriamycin alone.

CONCLUSIONS

A newly synthesized N-alkylated 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, (+)-AC394, showed superior effects on the potentiation of adriamycin antitumor and antimetastatic activities in vivo. These results suggest that this combination may have therapeutic efficacy not only against primary colon cancers but also against metastatic liver cancer.

Purification and characterization of two lectins from calllus of Helianthus tuberosus

Two lectins were purified from Helianthus tuberosus callus by maltose affinity chromatography and subsequent preparative electrophoresis. The lectins were designated HTA I and HTA II and their molecular masses were about 34 kDa by gel-filtration chromatography. A single band of 17 kDa and bands of 17 kDa and 18 kDa were detected after SDS-PAGE of HTA I and HTA II, respectively, indicating that HTA I is a homodimer while HTA II is a heterodimer. The amino acid compositions of the two lectins were very similar; they were rich in glycine residues, lacking detectable amounts of methionine, cysteine, and histidine. A hapten-inhibition assay showed that HTA I and HTA II had identical saccharide-binding specificity to the extent tested and belonged to the group of so-called mannose/glucose-binding lectins. They had high affinity for alpha-linked manno-oligosaccharides. Each HTA completely lost its hemagglutinating activity at pH 5.0, as a result of its dissociation to monomers, but it did not lose its ability to bind to oligosaccharides.

Studies on the levels in atmospheric concentrations of mercury in Japan

Several factors that influence the total mercury levels in atmosphere concentrations of mercury in Japan were investigated. The daily variation in the mercury content of air was ascribed to daily temperature differences. The maximum amount of mercury in air was found at about 1:00 pm; much smaller amounts were found in the morning and in the evening. The minimum amount of mercury in air was found at about midnight. The effect of atmospheric pressure was less obvious. The seasonal variation indicated that the mercury concentration showed no apparent trend for samples collected in daytime on clear days with no precipitation. The total mercury concentration in the summer as a whole, however, was slightly higher than that of the winter. In addition, the total mercury levels in air have been monitored over a period of 17-years (1978-1994) at three different environmental stations. In 1988, the total mercury in air was minimum levels at three stations and was corresponded to background levels, then they began to rise steadily up to date. It is found that the current atmospheric concentrations of total mercury inferred from measurements of air has an increasing tendency every year.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) in children undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

The incidence of SIADH (the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion) was analyzed retrospectively in 43 children who received marrow-ablative chemotherapy before autografts with peripheral blood stem cells for lymphoid malignancies. SIADH was documented in three children (ages 3, 13, and 13 years) who received chemotherapy, which included high-dose methyl 6-[3-(chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-6-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (MCNU) and cyclophosphamide, under a concomitant overhydration protocol. SIADH was manifested as frequent vomiting in two patients and as generalized seizure in one. Hyponatremia (< 125 mEq/L), hypo-osmolality (< 260 mOsm/kgH2O), and continued urinary excretion of sodium (> 30 mEq/L) were used to diagnose SIADH in these three patients. All signs and symptoms subsided within 24 hours either by fluid restriction alone (n = 1) or by supportive care including anticonvulsant and D-mannitol, or hyperhydration with saline plus 5% glucose and diuretic. None of the patients died. Careful monitoring of the serum sodium level, as well as the osmolality of plasma and urine, should be incorporated into the patient management protocol for this type of high-dose chemotherapy.

Estimation of 1992-1993 dietary intake of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in Fukuoka, Japan

To estimate Japanese daily intakes of organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDTs), dieldrin (aldrin), heptachlor-epoxide (heptachlor), and hexachlorobenzenes (HCBs) from foods, fish, fish products, meat, eggs, milk, and milk products were analyzed as major sources of these pesticides in the diet. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) per person were 0.56 microgram for total HCH, 0.20 microgram for gamma-HCH, 0.09 microgram for dieldrin, 1.42 micrograms for total DDT, and 0.15 microgram for HCB. Similarly, daily intakes of organophosphorus pesticides such as malathion and chlorpyrifosmethyl were estimated by analyzing wheat and wheat products as major contributing foods. EDIs of malathion and chlorpyrifos-methyl were 0.22 and 0.24 microgram, respectively. Daily intakes of total HCH, dieldrin, and total DDT in fiscal year 1992-1993 decreased 29, 44, and 40%, respectively, but gamma-HCH intake increased 167%, in comparison with results of total diet studies for fiscal years 1980-1984. It was also shown that increase in gamma-HCH intake was due to recent increase in consumption of imported meat and meat products. Malathion intake did not change significantly. This method, which estimates EDIs based on concentrations of pollutants in main foods and statistical data of food consumption from the Japanese National Nutrition Survey, is considered to be sufficiently accurate for use as a simplified total diet study.

Collection and transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells in very small children weighting 20 kg or less

The safety and efficacy of harvesting peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSC) were evaluated in 38 children weighing 20 kg or less, with the smallest patient weighing 7 kg. The patients had a median age of 42 months and included 26 children with acute leukemias or lymphoma and 12 with various solid tumors. A total of 81 aphereses were performed, mostly in the recovery phase of chemotherapy, with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, using a CS-3000 cell separator and regular procedure no. 3. Blood was withdrawn at a mean rate of 30 mL/min (range, 17 to 46 mL/min) through a temporary radial arterial catheter (20 to 24 guage) and returned through a larger catheter in a peripheral vein. Morbidity related to PBSC harvest was low and all aphereses were completed within 3 hours. The volume of blood per kilogram processed for each apheresis ranged from 85 to 615 mL (median, 270 mL). The median number of colony-forming units--granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and CD34+ cells collected were, respectively, 34 x 10(4)/kg and 15 x 10(6)/kg per apheresis and 126 x 10(4)/kg and 31 x 10(6)/kg per patient. Thirty-three patients (87%) required only a single apheresis to collect the minimum requirement of 10 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg, including 28 patients (74%) from whom 30 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg was obtained in a single apheresis. Twenty-three of the patients subsequently underwent autografts with PBSC. The median number of days required to achieve an absolute granulocyte count of 0.5 x 10(9)/L and a platelet count of 50 x 10(9)/L were, respectively, 10 (range, 6 to 15) and 14 (range, 9 to 46). The patients remained dependent on platelet transfusion support for a median of 10 days (range, 5 to 35). Thus, harvesting PBSC in very small children with active cancers is effective and safe and does not involve the risk of anesthesia or multiple invasive marrow aspirations.

Clinical trial of a combination of rice bran fiber and cholestyramine for promotion of fecal excretion of retained polychlorinated dibenzofuran and polychlorinated biphenyl in Yu-Cheng patients

A clinical trial using the combination of rice bran fiber (RBF) and cholestyramine (CHO) was carried out on Yu-Cheng patients in 1993-1994. By the analysis of blood and stool samples collected from the patients before and after (or during in the case of stool), it was verified that the administration of RBF and CHO is effective for excretion of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) (p < 0.05) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF), especially 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (p < 0.05). However, the degree of effectiveness varied upon individual patients from 60 to 160% for 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzofuran, from 30 to 110% for 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-hexachlorodibenzofuran and from 50 to 190% for PCB, respectively.

[Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in the blood and stool of Taiwanese Yu-Cheng patients]

Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs were measured in the blood and stool obtained from seventeen patients with Yu-Cheng in Taiwan. The average total concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in the blood collected from Yu-Cheng patients in January 1993 and August 1994 were 590 and 570 pg Toxic Equivalents (TEQs)/g lipid, respectively. The concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in the blood of patients were 21, 540 and 10 pg TEQs/g fat, respectively. On the other hand, the fecal excretion of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs were 26, 720 and 15 pg TEQs/day, respectively. The composition of congeners in the feces was quite similar to the one in the blood. The half lives were estimated as 9.1 and 8.6 years for 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzofuran and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-hexachlorodibenzofuran based on fecal excretion, respectively.

N-alkylated 1,4-dihydropyridines: new agents to overcome multidrug resistance

New N-alkylated 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives were synthesized and their ability to overcome multidrug resistance was examined in vincristine-resistant P388 cells (P388/VCR cells). Compounds that possessed an arylalkyl substituent on the dihydropyridine ring nitrogen were more potent than verapamil in potentiating the cytotoxicity of vincristine against P388/VCR cells. However, neither drug effectively enhanced the antitumor activity of vincristine in tumor-bearing mice. Introduction of basic nitrogen-containing substituents on the side chain of 1,4-dihydropyridines gave improved activity in vitro and in vivo. The piperazine derivative 12c and 12o were more than 10 times as potent as verapamil in vitro. Four compounds selected for in vivo testing showed superior antitumor activity in P388/VCR-bearing mice in combination with vincristine. The structure-activity relationships of the compounds are discussed.

Concentration of mercury in hair of diseased people in Japan

The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the total hair mercury of diseased people (not including patients of mercury poisoning such as Minamata disease). Hair samples were collected from 133 diseased volunteers in Tokyo and the surrounding areas from Oct. 1992 to June 1993. The total mercury concentrations in the hair of ordinary diseased people (atopic dermatitis, asthma, dementia, cerebral infarct, osteoporosis, hypertension and diabetes) were from 2.08 ppm to 36.5 ppm. Those values were considerably higher than that of healthy people of the same age groups. However, the uptake routes and the metabolic mechanism of high hair mercury concentrations in diseased people are not clear.

Concentration of mercury in hair of Japanese people

This investigation was made to estimate current normal concentrations of total mercury in the hair of Japanese people. Hair samples were collected from 365 healthy volunteers in Tokyo and the surrounding areas from June 1992 to June 1993. Mercury contents in the samples were analyzed by gold amalgam flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean of the concentrations of total mercury in the hairs of the males (2.98 ppm, 81 volunteers with an average age of 34.7, age 11 to 73) was higher than that of the females (2.02 ppm, 284 volunteers with an average age of 26.5, age 12 to 82). In both the male and female, the mean of the concentrations of total mercury in hair increased with age up to their thirties, then gradually decreased. The concentrations of total mercury in the hair of females at age 18 to 40 showed greater fluctuation, as compared to those of males in the same age groups. In both males and females, the concentration of total mercury in the hair was higher in volunteers who have a preference to fish in their diet than in those who prefer other foods. In both males and females, there was no positive correlation between the total hair mercury and the place of residence of the volunteer although the total hair mercury (2.30 ppm) of male volunteers who inhabit Ibaragi and Chiba, in eastern part of Tokyo, facing the Pacific Ocean or both the Pacific Ocean and Tokyo Bay, was lower than those (3.30 and 3.25 ppm) of male volunteers of other two areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Splenectomy for treatment of immunoblastic lymphadenopathy

A 5-month-old girl was diagnosed with immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL) on the basis of clinical symptoms and pathological findings. alpha-interferon, immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporin A, deoxyspagarine, and azathioprine, and an alternating regimen of low-dose 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate were tried with partial success. Finally, splenectomy was carried out at 58 months of age, inducing prolonged complete remission without any medication.

[Therapeutic trials for promotion of faecal excretion of PCDFs by the administration of rice bran fiber and cholestyramine in Yusho patients]

It is well-known that Yusho disease was caused by polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and that 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran (PnCDF), 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8- and 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-Hexachlorodibenzofurans (HxCDFs) still retain in the patient bodies. As patients usually suffer from various chronic syndrome, an effective treatment is extremely needed. In order to assess the rice bran fiber (RBF) and cholestyramine on stimulating faecal excretion of PCDFs, two clinical trials were carried out in 1990 and 1991. In the first trial in 1990, 10 g of RBF (dietary fiber content was 50%) and 4 g of cholestyramine were administered to four Yusho patients three times a day for a week. The stool from patients were collected a week before and during the administration. These were pooled respectively, and then two samples for measurement. In the second trial in 1991, 10 g of dietary fiber rich RBF (refined-RBF, dietary fiber content was 85%) and 4 g of cholestyramine were administered to four Yusho patients three times a day for two weeks. In this trial, three stool samples were obtained from each patient, ie., a week before administration, and first and second week during administration. Level of PCDFs was determined by high resorption GC/MS and the following results were obtained. 1) In the first trial (1990) the faecal excretion of PnCDF and HxCDFs increased at the rates of 42-88% and 7-47%, respectively, in three out of four patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Studies on the application of residual PCBs, PCQs and PCDFs concentrations to Yusho diagnosis]

Results of Yusho annual inspection were reviewed from the view point of correlation of PCBs, PCQs and PCDFs concentration in blood or subcutaneous adipose tissue and clinical findings. To make discussion quantitative, fifteen terms of clinical findings on Yusho disease were quantified on the severity by evaluating (+) as 2 points, (+-) as 1 point and (-) as 0 point. First, the temporal variations of the severity of clinical findings on 5 Yusho patients were figured. Additionally, the temporal variations of blood triglyceride and PCBs concentration, and GOT were also surveyed. The adopted terms of clinical findings were general malaise, cough, sputum, headache, abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, soreness of joints, deformity of nails, comedo formation, acne-like eruption, secondary infection, scar formation, disorder of Meibomian glands, edema of eye lids and increased discharge from the eyes. During the investigated period from 1972 to 1988 the total score of clinical findings clearly decreased on two patients who had high score, tended to decrease on two other patients, and was not clear on another patient. Secondly, the correlation coefficients were calculated between each of PCDFs, PCBs or PCQs concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue or blood and the total score at the year in which the adipose tissue and blood were taken. For the female patients the correlation coefficient of PCDFs concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue and total score of clinical findings was the highest of all (r = 0.9885). However, for the male patients it was not available because the number of the subjects was only two. Thus far it has been reported that the powers of PCBs gas chromatogram pattern and PCQs concentration as criteria for Yusho diagnosis are low as for the subjects who belonged to the border area between Yusho patients and normal persons. This survey suggests that PCDFs concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue can be a potent criterion that has a high correlation with the clinical findings of Yusho.

[Therapeutic trial for promotion of fecal excretion of PCDFs and PCBs by the administration of cholestyramine in Yusho patients]

Any effective therapy for elimination of causal agents remaining in Yusho patients was not found until now. To know the profile of fecal excretion of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the amounts of PCDFs and PCBs in the stool of six Yusho patients with the typical symptoms were determined. The stool samples of Yusho patients were collected in 1989. PCDFs, i.e., 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PnCDF), 1,2,3,4,7,8- and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofurans (HxCDFs), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzofuran (HpCDF) and octachlorodibenzofuran (OCDF) were detected in all of the samples. PCDFs found in the stool samples were mostly PnCDF and HxCDFs. Of PCDFs detected, PnCDF and HxCDFs contributed to 42 +/- 4.7% and 43 +/- 5.5% as mean +/- SE, respectively. The fecal excretion of PnCDF and HxCDFs in Yusho patients was 720 +/- 490 pg/day and 790 +/- 620 pg/day as mean +/- SE, respectively. On the other hand, the fecal excretion of PnCDF and HxCDFs in normal controls was 32 +/- 13 pg/day and 47 +/- 5.2 pg/day as mean +/- SE, respectively. The fecal excretion of PnCDF and HxCDFs in Yusho patients was about 23 times and 17 times each higher than that in normal controls. The fecal excretion of PCBs in Yusho patients and normal controls was 400 +/- 430 ng/day and 150 +/- 39 ng/day, respectively, as mean +/- SE. In order to promote the excretion of these toxic chemicals in the stool of Yusho patients, the patients were continuously administered with cholestyramine, an anion exchange resin, at a dose of 4 g, 3 times a day, for 6 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunohistochemical localization of Na+, K(+)-ATPase and calmodulin in rat myocardium

The immunohistochemical localization of Na+, K(+)-ATPase and calmodulin was investigated in rat heart muscle using antiserum against the catalytic subunit of the human kidney Na+, K(+)-ATPase and bovine testis calmodulin at the electron microscopic level. Immunostaining for both Na+, K(+)-ATPase and calmodulin was noted on the plasma membrane and plasmalemmal vesicles of the vascular endothelium and cardiac muscle cells. Calmodulin was also detected in the cytoplasm. These immunohistochemical localizations were evaluated by immunoblot analyses. Such localization of Na+, K(+)-ATPase and calmodulin suggests that they may play an important role in the regulation of Na(+)-Ca++ exchange across the cell membrane.

[Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of yusho patients]

The abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissues, the mother milk, and the blood samples of yusho patients were collected between 1986 and 1988, and analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. PCDDs and PCDFs were found all of the samples examined.: 1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (pentaCDD), 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDD, octaCDD, 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (pentaCDF), and 1,2,3,4,7,8- and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDF were detected. The levels of PCDDs was several times lower than those of PCDFs in all samples. The concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs found in the fat of the mother milk were similar to those of the adipose tissues. On the other hand, the levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in the blood samples were several hundred times less than those of the adipose tissues.

[Statistical analysis of subjects with type A, BC and C pattern of blood PCB on GC]

Various combinations of measured data on PCBs, PCQs, and PCDFs in adipose tissue or blood were tested on its discriminating power between normal persons and persons poisoned by yusho oil. The most discriminative single parameter was concentration of PCDF in adipose tissue. Furthermore, discriminative power increased by using additional parameters.

[Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of yusho patients and normal controls]

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are well known to be the toxic chemicals in both animal experiments and human studies. It is, therefore, important to determine the level of PCDFs still retained in patients for understanding relationship between the concentration of PCDFs and present symptoms of the disease. In this study, the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of 18 yusho patients and those of 11 normal controls who were all of volunteers were collected, and their levels were determined by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry. Results obtained were as follows: The principal compounds detected in the adipose tissue of yusho patients were 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF), 1,2,3,4,7,8- and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF). The concentration of the compounds in 7 patients, wearing typical symptoms, from 160 to 3,000 ppt for 2,3,4,7,8-PenCDF, from 51 to 1,000 ppt for 1,2,3,4,7,8-HCDF, and from 16 to 220 ppt for 1,2,3,6,7,8-HCDF. In normal controls, 2,3,4,7,8-PenCDF was detected only in five samples at the low level of from 16 to 38 ppt. On an average, PCDF levels in in the typical 7 yusho patients and 11 normal controls were 1,900 ppt and 16 ppt, respectively. On the basis of the results, the concentrations of PCDF congeners in the adipose tissues of the typical 7 patients was 100 times higher than that of the normal controls. Hence, we consider that the present levels of PCDFs in the patients probably play an important role for the symptoms of the yusho.