[Effect of palmitate and phorbol ester on synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in isolated guinea pig gastric glands]

To better understand the mechanism of phosphatidylcholine synthesis in the stomach, [3H] choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine in response to agents which have been shown to induce phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in other tissues was examined using isolated guinea pig gastric glands. Palmitate and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) which has been shown to activate protein kinase C directly, stimulated [3H] choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine in gastric glands, by 189 +/- 12.9%, and 129 +/- 10.4% of control, respectively (n = 4, p less than 0.01, p less than 0.05). On the other hand, dibutyryl cyclic AMP had no effect on the incorporation. When the glands were pulsed with [3H] choline followed by incubation in the presence of palmitate and TPA for 180 min to see the effects of the agents on the limiting step of the phosphatidylcholine synthesis, phosphatidyl-[3H] choline was increased to 167 +/- 7.5% and 142 +/- 7.5% of control respectively (n = 4, p less than 0.01, p less than 0.05). In parallel to the increase in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, phosphoryl-[3H] choline in the glands incubated with palmitate and TPA was decreased as compared with control. These results suggest that palmitate or TPA may stimulate phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis through the activation of cytidylyltransferase in the stomach.

Endogenous and exogenous testosterone levels after administration of deuterium-labelled testosterone propionate in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring technique was employed to determine simultaneously the plasma concentrations of endogenous and exogenous testosterone in three patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after a single i.m. dose of testosterone propionate-19,19,19-d3. The plasma levels of testosterone-19,19,19-d3 derived from testosterone propionate-19,19,19-d3 were maintained above the normal testosterone levels (greater than 4 ng/ml) for 48 h, while the plasma levels of endogenous testosterone changed little.

Mandibular lesions in patients with adenomatosis coli

Adenomatosis coli is a very interesting disease accompanied by a number of associated stigmata in the mandible. If left ignored, colonic lesions in patients with this disease proceed almost entirely to malignancy. Hence, detection of the stigmata is very important. The panoramic radiographs of 26 patients diagnosed as adenomatosis coli at the 2nd Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine from 1978 to 1988 were compared with those of 264 controls. Osteomatous lesions were present in 62% of the patients with adenomatosis coli and 14% of the controls. Pantomographic comparison of the numbers and areas of the osteomatous lesions between the adenomatosis coli and control groups indicated that specific pathognomonic symptoms were demonstrated in panoramic radiographs of approximately 42% of the patients with adenomatosis coli.

[Long-term results of M-VAC for the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer]

Total of 37 patients with measurable lesions originating in advanced urothelial cancers received M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) combination chemotherapy and have been followed for a minimum of 12 months. The study included initial diagnoses of 24 bladder cancers and 13 upper urinary tract cancers in patients whose mean age was 62 years. The patients received a mean of three cycles of M-VAC. Clinical complete remission was observed in five of the 37 patients (13.5%) and partial remission was achieved in 10 patients (27.0%) after mean treatment of 2.4 and 2.1 cycles, respectively, for an over-all objective response rate of 40.5%. The mean duration of response was 11.6 +/- 7.1 months and 4.4 +/- 3.5 months for complete and partial remissions, respectively. A mean of 5.2 +/- 1.7 cycles of M-VAC was given for complete remissions and 3.5 +/- 1.4 cycles in partial remissions. An over-all survival rates after one and two years were 28.125% and 5.859%, respectively. Two of the five patients who had once marked complete remissions died after a mean survival time of 14.5 +/- 4.5 months and three survived with a mean duration of 20.3 +/- 5.4 months. Meanwhile, all of the patients who had achieved partial remissions died after a mean survival of 9.1 +/- 5.4 months except for one patient who survived more than 12 months. These results indicate that M-VAC combination chemotherapy for advanced urothelial cancer is extremely efficacious in initial responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of cholecystokinin antagonists on satiety induced by cholecystokinin octapeptide in dogs]

We administered two cholecystokinin antagonists to dogs intravenously (i.v.) and into the third cerebral ventricle (i.t.v.). Proglumide (3-300mg/kg/hr i.v. or 0.1-10mg/dog i.t.v.) reversed the satiety previously shown by mongrel dogs after i.t.v. CCK-8. A new glutaramic derivative, CR1409, blocked this satiety even more strongly when administered by either route. Proglumide increased proglumide levels in ventricular fluid, indicating its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, i.t.v. proglumide did not appear in the blood during the observation period. These results suggest that systemic proglumide and CR1409 act as antagonists of the central CCK receptor concerning satiety in dogs; intravenously administered proglumide was found to cross the blood-brain barrier and partially but significantly reverse the satiety caused by CCK-8.

Putative mechanisms involved in excitatory and inhibitory effects of somatostatin on intestinal motility

The mechanism of action of somatostatin on the motility of intestine was examined in the entire preparation and the longitudinal muscle attached with Auerbach's plexus (LA) preparation of guinea pig ileum, in relation to the cholinergic neuron and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neuron. Somatostatin produced a transient potentiation of electrical stimulation-induced twitch contractions followed by an inhibition. The excitatory effect of somatostatin was associated with an increase in the release of [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) from the preparations preloaded with [3H]choline. Bicuculline, a GABAA antagonist, inhibited the somatostatin-induced excitatory effect. Somatostatin inhibited the electrical stimulation-induced twitch contraction and release of [3H]ACh, and the inhibition was greater in the entire preparation than in the LA. Phaclofen, a GABAB antagonist, prevented the inhibitory effects of somatostatin. Somatostatin induced a Ca2+ -dependent, tetrodotoxin-sensitive release of [3H]GABA from the preparations preloaded with [3H]GABA. Therefore somatostatin exerts excitatory and inhibitory effects on the cholinergic neuron due to the stimulation of the GABAergic neuron, and the motility of the intestine is regulated.

Effects of pancreastatin on insulin and pancreatic polypeptide secretion in the dog

Porcine pancreastatin (1.19 nmol) was administered into the peripheral vein (i.v.) or the third cerebral ventricle (i.t.v.) of dogs and its effect on the secretion of insulin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) studied. Neither means of administration had any effect on basal and glucose-induced insulin or PP secretion. However, i.v. pancreastatin did inhibit the i.v. CCK-8-induced insulin but not PP release. Pancreastatin may thus play a role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the canine pancreas.

Effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide analogues on food intake in the dog

Cholecystokinin octapeptide, administered into the third cerebral ventricle (icv), suppresses feeding in sheep, pigs, chicken, rats, and dogs. Because of the species differences in the feeding response to cholecystokinin (CCK), we studied the pharmacological characterization of this peptide on feeding in 16-h-fasted dogs. We examined the effects of CCK-(26-33)-NH2 (CCK-8) and a variety of its analogues, nonsulfated CCK-(26-33)-NH2 (desulfated CCK-8), CCK-(26-33)-OH (deamidated CCK-8), (Nle28,31)-CCK-(26-33)-NH2 [(Nle28,31)-CCK-8], succinyl-CCK-(27-33)-NH2 (Suc-CCK-7) succinyl-Thr28, Leu29, MePhe33-CCK-(27-33)-NH2 [Suc-Thr28, Leu29, MePhe33)-CCK-7], CCK-(29-33)-NH2 (CCK-5), and CCK-(30-33)-NH2 (CCK-4) on food intake after iv injection. Systemic dose-response studies appeared to reveal the following rank order of potencies: Suc-CCK-7 = Suc-(Thr28, Leu29, MePhe33)-CCK-7 greater than CCK-8 = (Nle28,31)-CCK-8 greater than desulfated CCK-8 greater than deaminated CCK-8 greater than CCK-5 = CCK-4 = 0. Smaller COOH-terminal fragments acted as antagonists to the satiety effects of CCK-8. These data demonstrate in the dog that the structural requirements for the behavioral activity of CCK-8 are the COOH-terminal amide group, the sulfate ester of the tyrosine moiety, and the conformational constraints observed in CCK-7.

Cardiovascular and pupillary light reflexes in subjects with abnormal glucose tolerance

It is well known that in diabetes mellitus autonomic neuropathy frequently develops. This is usually determined by the cardiovascular reflex. Furthermore, even in borderline cases that have not become overt diabetes, we have already reported the presence of autonomic neuropathy as assessed by the pupillary light reflex. However, a relationship between the impairments of the cardiovascular and pupillary light reflexes is not clear, especially in people with abnormal glucose tolerance. In the present study diabetics were divided into three groups according to the results of their cardiac beat-to-beat variation (BBV) tests and Schellong tests; group I had no abnormality of these cardiovascular reflexes, group II had abnormal BBV scores and normal Schellong test scores, and group III had abnormal responses to both tests. People with borderline diabetes (B-DM) were free from any impairment of their cardiovascular reflexes. We examined their pupillary light reflexes. Age-matched non-diabetics were also studied as a control. The following results were obtained. (1) Compared to controls, (a) diabetics, but not borderline diabetics, had smaller pupils before photic stimulation (A1) and lower maximum dilatation velocities (VD). These illustrate sympathetic function; (b) diabetics and borderline diabetics had lower amplitudes of constriction (A3) and maximum constriction velocities (VC). These illustrate parasympathetic function; (c) borderline diabetics and those diabetics belonging to group III experienced a lower pupillary constriction rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hydrocortisone treatment increases the sensitivity and responsiveness to cholecystokinin in rat pancreas

The effects of hydrocortisone treatment on the secretory abilities of pancreatic acini to various secretagogues were studied. Rats were given subcutaneous injections of hydrocortisone at doses of 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/kg body wt once daily for 7 days. Hydrocortisone led to a small dose-dependent increase in pancreatic wet weight per 100 g body wt, which was associated with an increase in both total protein and DNA contents. In acini prepared from hydrocortisone-treated rats, both the responsiveness and the sensitivity to cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was increased. The concentration dependence of cellular Ca2+ mobilization in response to CCK-8 was also shifted to lower concentrations in acini from hydrocortisone-treated rats compared with control rat acini. In vivo administration of hydrocortisone caused a significant increase in the affinity of 125I-CCK-8 binding to high-affinity receptors. The secretory responsiveness to carbamylcholine and bombesin, but not to secretin, was also increased but without any change in the sensitivity. Moreover, the hydrocortisone treatment increased the secretory responsiveness of acini to the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate but did not to an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate analogue, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. The present observations suggest that in vivo glucocorticoid administration affects both the CCK receptors and a postreceptor loci.

Effect of dietary fructose on triglyceride turnover in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The effects of fructose or glucose on plasma triglyceride kinetics in streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) diabetic rats were studied using Triton WR1339. To separate groups of diabetic rats fructose or glucose was supplied at 10% in drinking water. Diabetic rats without sugar supplementation (diabetic control) had significantly suppressed triglyceride secretion compared to non-diabetic controls. Neither fructose nor glucose supplementation increased the triglyceride secretion rate in diabetic rats. However, despite reduced secretion rates, plasma triglyceride levels in glucose-supplemented diabetic rats, diabetic controls and non-diabetic controls were essentially identical. This suggested that removal of triglyceride from the circulation was impaired in the diabetic rats. In contrast, fructose supplementation resulted in a more than 150% (significant) increase in the mean plasma triglyceride of diabetic rats. The observation of significant hypertriglyceridemia in spite of low triglyceride secretion rate in fructose-supplemented diabetic rats suggests that dietary fructose, but not glucose, interferes with triglyceride removal from the circulation of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. This impairment by dietary fructose is in addition to the impaired triglyceride removal associated with diabetes alone.

[Plasma morphine levels during its continuous epidural infusion]

We evaluated plasma levels of morphine during its continuous epidural infusion for postoperative analgesia in nine adult patients. A bolus injection of 3 mg of morphine was administered epidurally 3 hours prior to the proposed end of the surgery, and thereafter continuous epidural infusion of morphine was continued at a rate of 0.167-0.042 mg.hr-1 with a pump (CADD-PCA, 5200P, Pharmacia) during and after the surgery until the 3rd postoperative day. The dose of morphine was gradually decreased to 0.021-0.042 mg.hr-1 without reducing the quality of postoperative analgesia. Plasma morphine levels were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Plasma concentrations of morphine were 4.6 +/- 0.7 (Mean +/- SE) ng.ml-1 at the end of surgery and they decreased thereafter to 0.7 +/- 0.1 ng.ml-1, 0.3 +/- 0.1 ng.ml-1 and 0.1 +/- 0.1 ng.ml-1 on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd postoperative days, respectively. Plasma levels of morphine decreased gradually correlating with reduction of infused morphine. Adequate postoperative pain relief was obtained throughout the procedure without any severe complications such as respiratory depression. The analgesic effect of epidural morphine did not parallel with that of plasma concentration. Plasma concentrations of morphine administered by continuous epidural infusion with a pump were estimated to be lower than the minimum analgesic plasma concentration (10-40 ng.ml-1), and the toxic levels of morphine during continuous epidural infusion were not detected by our method.

[Contralateral hearing and tympanoplasty]

The relationship between the contralateral hearing threshold in the operated ear and the type of tympanoplasty and the hearing threshold in the operated ear was investigated in this report. The subjects of analysis were 863 ears that received tympanoplasty during the past nine years at the Nippon Medical School Main Hospital. Patients who had good hearing in the contralateral ear received type I tympanoplasty more frequently than did those who had poor hearing on the contralateral ear. On the other hand, patients who had poor hearing in the contralateral ear received a modified type III tympanoplasty more frequently. Patients who had good hearing in the contralateral ear tended to have better hearing in the operated ear compared to those who had poor hearing in the contralateral ear. The hearing threshold in patients who had normal contralateral hearing on the average had 20 dB better hearing than did those who had profound hearing loss in the contralateral ear. More than one third of the patients whose hearing thresholds were worse than 30 dB in the operated ear also had a contralateral hearing loss of 30 dB or more. The decision to perform tympanoplasty in cases of the better hearing ear or the only hearing ear must be made very carefully. The contralateral hearing in patients with chronic otitis media, however, is frequently not normal as was evidenced in this investigation. Also, patients who had poor hearing or were deaf in the contralateral ear received more benefit by tympanoplasty than did those who had good hearing in the contralateral ear.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Role of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in exocrine pancreatic secretion--effects of cholera toxin and pertussis toxin on cholecystokinin action]

We have recently shown that F- can mimic the actions of cholecystokinin (CCK) on amylase release, Ca2+ mobilization and inositol phosphate generation in pancreatic acinar cells. We have concluded, therefore, that pancreatic CCK receptors may be coupled to the activation of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis by a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N protein), which seems to be sensitive to F-. In the present study, in order to further characterize this N protein coupled to pancreatic CCK receptors, we have examined the effects of bacterial toxins, pertussis toxin (PT) and cholera toxin (CT) on both CCK- and NaF-induced cellular responses in isolated rat pancreatic acini. Neither PT or CT pretreatment of acini affected both CCK- and NaF-stimulated increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration monitored by quin2. Furthermore, pretreatments of acini with PT and CT didn't alter the effects of CCK on inositol phosphate generation in acini. Similarly, NaF-induced inositol phosphate generation was not changed by these toxin treatments. However, pretreatment procedures employed in this study were considered to catalyze complete ADP-ribosylation of alpha-subunit of the stimulatory (Ns) and inhibitory (Ni) N protein. These results, therefore, strongly suggest that a N protein coupling pancreatic CCK receptors to the breakdown of polyphosphoinositide may be distinct from Ns or Ni like protein.

Destruction of pancreatic islet cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in nonobese diabetic mice

Proliferation of islet-associated leukocytes occurred when isolated islets from 20-wk-old female nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice were cultured with 10 U/ml rIL-2 for 7 days. Co-culture of these leukocytes with freshly isolated islets from 6- to 8-wk-old NOD donors in the presence of 1 U/ml rIL-2 produced islet structural deformation within 24 h and islet cytolysis within 48 h. Three lines of evidence suggest that these leukocytes were composed mainly of CTL specific for islet cells. First, morphologically, these proliferating cells adhered to NOD islets at 6 h and killed islets within 48 h of culture, but these phenomena could not be observed in the other tissues from NOD mice. These islet-derived cells were cytotoxic to NOD islet cells in a 51Cr-release assay, whereas no appreciable cytotoxicity was observed when NOD Con A-induced splenic blasts or fibroblasts were used as targets. Second, a flow cytometric analysis showed that these cells consisted of 97% Thy-1.2, 69% Lyt-2, 8% L3T4, and 4% asialo-GM1-positive cells, whereas Mac-1-positive cells could not be seen in these assays. After treatment with anti-Thy-1.2 or Lyt-2 mAb and C, these cells lost their activity to lyse NOD islet cells. However, these cells still had a full killing activity after the depletion of L3T4 or asialo GM1-positive cells. Third, islet cells from BALB/c, DBA/2, and B10.GD mice which share the same H-2K Ag with NOD mice were susceptible to cytolytic activity of these cells, whereas islet cells from NON, C57BL/6, C57BL/10, and C3H mice remained intact. Furthermore, anti-Kd antibody was capable of blocking this cytolysis. These results suggest that CTL expressing Thy-1.2 and Lyt-2 phenotypes appear to recognize the islet cell Ag with the restriction of MHC class I Kd, and then destroy NOD islet cells.

Destruction of pancreatic islet cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in nonobese diabetic mice

Proliferation of islet-associated leukocytes occurred when isolated islets from 20-wk-old female nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice were cultured with 10 U/ml rIL-2 for 7 days. Co-culture of these leukocytes with freshly isolated islets from 6- to 8-wk-old NOD donors in the presence of 1 U/ml rIL-2 produced islet structural deformation within 24 h and islet cytolysis within 48 h. Three lines of evidence suggest that these leukocytes were composed mainly of CTL specific for islet cells. First, morphologically, these proliferating cells adhered to NOD islets at 6 h and killed islets within 48 h of culture, but these phenomena could not be observed in the other tissues from NOD mice. These islet-derived cells were cytotoxic to NOD islet cells in a 51Cr-release assay, whereas no appreciable cytotoxicity was observed when NOD Con A-induced splenic blasts or fibroblasts were used as targets. Second, a flow cytometric analysis showed that these cells consisted of 97% Thy-1.2, 69% Lyt-2, 8% L3T4, and 4% asialo-GM1-positive cells, whereas Mac-1-positive cells could not be seen in these assays. After treatment with anti-Thy-1.2 or Lyt-2 mAb and C, these cells lost their activity to lyse NOD islet cells. However, these cells still had a full killing activity after the depletion of L3T4 or asialo GM1-positive cells. Third, islet cells from BALB/c, DBA/2, and B10.GD mice which share the same H-2K Ag with NOD mice were susceptible to cytolytic activity of these cells, whereas islet cells from NON, C57BL/6, C57BL/10, and C3H mice remained intact. Furthermore, anti-Kd antibody was capable of blocking this cytolysis. These results suggest that CTL expressing Thy-1.2 and Lyt-2 phenotypes appear to recognize the islet cell Ag with the restriction of MHC class I Kd, and then destroy NOD islet cells.

Radio-gas chromatography

Radio-gas chromatography (RGC) is a technique that combines the advantages of radioisotope tracer techniques with those of gas chromatography. The constitution and performance of RGC systems in common use are described. The relationships between the chromatographic resolution and detection sensitivity are discussed in a simplified form. Recent developments in RGC systems during the last decade are reviewed. A new detector system, named synchronized accumulating radioisotope detector, which makes it possible to improve the detection sensitivity without decreasing the chromatographic resolution, is discussed. Applications of RGC in the life sciences are briefly presented.

Effect of a new cholinergic agonist, aclatonium napadisilate, on exocrine and endocrine rat pancreas

The effect of aclatonium napadisilate, a choline sulfonate derivative, on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions was compared with that of carbamylcholine in both isolated pancreatic acini and the isolated perfused pancreas of rats. In the isolated acini, aclatonium napadisilate and carbamylcholine stimulated amylase release. While the relative efficacy of aclatonium napadisilate was the same as that of carbamylcholine, aclatonium napadisilate was about 20-fold less potent. In the isolated perfused pancreas, 0.1 microM or higher concentrations of aclatonium napadisilate elicited a significant insulin release in the presence of 8.3 mM glucose, whereas an appreciable increase in pancreatic exocrine secretion was obtained with a 10 times higher concentration (1.0 microM). In contrast, carbamylcholine did not stimulate insulin release at a dose (0.1 microM) that stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion. The insulin-releasing effect of aclatonium napadisilate depended on the glucose concentration. These stimulatory effects of aclatonium napadisilate on endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretion were inhibited by the muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine but were not affected by the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist proglumide. These results indicate that aclatonium napadisilate stimulates both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretion via muscarinic receptors and that its action on B cells is more potent than on the exocrine pancreas.

Estimation of cholesterol loading of the low-density lipoprotein fraction in diabetic subjects without ultracentrifugation

We report here a new formula for estimating apolipoprotein (apo) B concentration in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction from measurements of plasma triglyceride and apoB. ApoB in plasma and in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction (VLDL, d less than 1.019) and plasma triglyceride were measured in 112 subjects, including 56 diabetics. There was a significant correlation between VLDL-apoB and plasma triglyceride (Y = 0.07X + 1, r = 0.73, P less than 0.001). We calculated LDL-apoB according to this formula: LDL-apoB = total apoB - (0.07 x total triglyceride + 1). We found an excellent relationship between LDL-apoB (total apoB - VLDL-apoB) and calculated LDL-apoB (Y = 1.0X + 1, r = 0.96, P less than 0.001). This new formula will enable us to estimate the apoB concentration in the LDL fraction without ultracentrifugation.

The effect of fructose on collagen glycation

The effect of fructose on the formation of advanced Maillard reaction products which have fluorescence and cross-links was investigated. Type I collagen was added to various concentrations of glucose and fructose which were then incubated at 37 C for 4 weeks. Both the level of furosine and the fluorescence intensity increased in direct proportion to glucose and fructose levels and to the duration of incubation. Incubation with fructose produced less furosine but more intense fluorescence than incubation with glucose. These results suggest that fructose in the polyol pathway plays an important role in the formation of advanced Maillard products.

[Studies on biological characteristics of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in patients under 30 years of age]

The incidence of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder has been increasing in men with a peak incidence occurring in the sixth decade. However, development of tumors under the age of 30 is relatively rare. In this regard, it has been reported that vesical tumors in the young group is less malignant and rare to recur when compared with those in the elderly group. Recently, flow cytometric DNA histograms (FCM) provides quantitative and objective informations for detection and evaluation of malignant potential of bladder neoplasms. Here we report patients with tumor of the bladder under 30 years old and assess the clinical properties and biological characteristics of their tumors based on FCM. A total of 11 patients from 1975 through 1988 were reviewed. Their mean age at the diagnosis was 22.6 years old (range from 22 to 29 years old). Male/female ratio was 2.7:1. The mean follow-up period was 4 years and 7 months (range from 8 months to over 13 years). An asymptomatic gross hematuria was found in all of the patients, which is the most common sign. Filling defects of the bladder on excretory urograms were observed in six out of the 11 patients (54.5%). Cystoscopically, the size of tumors was less than 2 cm in diameter. Ten patients had a single tumor and one patient had multiple tumors at the time of the initial diagnosis. Endoscopically tumors were papillary in all but one patient, who had a non-papillary tumor. Their urine cytology showed class I in one, class II in eight, class III in one, class IV in one and class V in none.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical experience with Ureteromat in transurethral ureterorenoscopy]

By September 1988, we performed 58 ureterorenoscopies (52 for primary ureteral calculi, 3 for ureteral biopsy, 2 for ureteral stricture and 1 for ureteral foreign body) using a Ureteromat (Uromat Storz, West Germany). Continuous saline irrigation with the Ureteromat has obviated mechanical dilation of the ureteral orifice in 93.1% of the cases, which made this endoscopy as easy as the conventional cystourethroscopy. In 4 cases (6.9%), however, balloon dilation of the ureteral orifice was necessary for the passage of a rigid ureterorenoscope. Of 52 ureteral calculi, 37 were assigned for transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL), whereas transurethral ureterorenoscopy (TUURS) was indicated to flush the remaining 15 calculi up into renal pelvis for later extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. TUL was successful in 81.1% (30/37). The causes of failure were stone migration in 6 cases and ureteral avulsion by electrohydraulic lithotripsy necessitating open surgery in 1 case. The irrigation with the Ureteromat facilitated the manipulation of intraluminal ureteral lesions always under clear vision; by-passing the impacted stone with a guide wire and flushing-up of the calculi were successfully performed in 100%, in spite of the co-existing edematous and inflammatory mucosal changes. In 7 cases where ureteroscope could not be advanced well up to the lesion because of spasm in the iliac ureter, the irrigation pressure was transiently increased up to 200 mmHg to allow safe and easy dislodgement of impacted calculi under fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure was also effective to introduced a ureteral stent over a guide wire in 2 cases of ureteral stricture, which could not be achieved by conventional cystoscopic procedure. Immediate postoperative complications were fever in 8.6% and gross hematuria lasting for more than 4 days in 8.6%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fructose-related glycation

We investigated in vitro the effect of the polyol pathway on the formation of advanced Maillard reaction products which have fluorescence and cross-links. Bovine serum albumin supplemented with various concentrations of glucose, fructose or sorbitol was incubated for 14 days. The fluorescence intensity was higher after incubation with fructose than after incubation with glucose. However, no significant increase in fluorescence intensity was found after incubation with sorbitol. These results suggest that in the polyol pathway fructose plays an important role in the formation of advanced Maillard products.

Increased beta-cell secretory responsiveness to ceruletide and TPA in streptozocin-induced mildly diabetic rats

We examined the effects of various stimuli on immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and glucagon (IRG) release from perfused pancreases isolated from control and streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats. Diabetes was induced by injecting 30 mg/kg STZ into rats fasted for 16-18 h 12-17 days before our experiments. Glucose (11.1 mM) caused a distinct biphasic pattern of IRI release from the control pancreas, whereas the first phase was marginal and the second phase was absent in the diabetic pancreas. Arginine (20 mM)-induced IRI release was similar in both groups, whereas IRG release was greater in the control rats than in the diabetic rats. Thus, this model of STZ-D simulates a certain class of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In these diabetic animals, the cholecystokinin (CCK) analogue ceruletide (620 pM) caused a significantly greater increase in IRI release in the presence of 5.6 mM glucose than in the control rats, but ceruletide caused a similar IRG release in both groups. Because CCK and ceruletide stimulate phosphoinositide turnover in pancreatic islets, we examined the effects of carbachol and phorbol ester TPA on IRI release in the presence of 5.6 mM glucose. Carbachol (10 microM), which is thought to generate similar second messengers as ceruletide, induced greater IRI release in diabetic than in control rats. TPA (100 nM) caused a significantly greater increase in IRI release from the diabetic than the control pancreas. Our results demonstrate that the insulin-releasing mechanism involved in protein kinase C activation is enhanced in this model of NIDDM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)