Protective effect of ulinastatin against liver injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion in rats

The effects of ulinastatin (ULN), a human urinary protease inhibitor, on liver injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion were studied in rats. In the liver ischemia-reperfusion model, ULN suppressed the elevation of serum transaminase levels and tissue lipid peroxide levels in the liver. ULN did not exhibit a radical-trapping action on the superoxide and hydroxyl radicals as measured by electron spin resonance (ESR). ULN suppressed formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide production from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) as measured by the cytochrome c assay. ULN did not inhibit either xanthine oxidase (XO) activity or the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) to XO during the ischemic period. ULN also strongly protected against the hypotonic hemolysis of rat erythrocytes. These results suggest that ULN's membrane stabilizing action and suppressive effect against PMNs superoxide production might be attributed to its suppressive effect on the liver's lipid peroxidation caused by ischemia-reperfusion.

[A case of asymptomatic Dandy-Walker syndrome with cerebellar hemorrhage]

A case of asymptomatic Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) complicated by cerebellar hemorrhage is reported. A 65 year-old man was hospitalized for investigation and treatment of disturbance of consciousness. CT scan and MRI showed a large hematoma in the posterior fossa cyst. Postoperative CT scan and MRI revealed the DWS and cerebellar hemorrhage on the left side. This patient had no symptom until 65 years of age, in spite of having DWS. There has been no such case reported in the literature to our knowledge. Derangement of secretion and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid seem to have been the cause of late-onset symptoms after a long well balanced symptom-free period.

[Effects of Gomishi and Shosaiko-to on lipid peroxidation of rat brain]

Gomishi and Shosaiko-to were administered to the rats at a dose of 10-100 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks, and their effects on lipid peroxidation of rat brain were compared with that of alpha-tocopherol. Administration of Gomishi and Shosaiko-to showed almost the same suppressive action on the lipid peroxidation. Gomishi and Shosaiko-to exhibited a radical-trapping action on a stable free radical, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), which was estimated photometrically. The effects of Gomishi or Shosaiko-to at concentrations of 10(-3) to 10(-5)g/ml on lipid peroxidation of rat brain homogenates were investigated. The lipid peroxidation was inhibited by the addition of these drugs, and the suppressive effect was also dependent on the concentration. These suppressive effects with Shosaiko-to were stronger than those of Gomishi. These results suggest that the radical trapping action of Gomishi or Shosaiko-to is the likely mechanism suppressing brain lipid peroxidation; Particularly, the suppressive effect on the brain's lipid peroxidation by Shosaiko-to is at least in part due to its radical trapping action and inhibition of O2-. production.

Attenuation of dysfunction in the ischemia-reperfused liver by glycyrrhizin

The present study evaluated the effect of glycyrrhizin (GR) on an injury of the liver caused by ischemia-reperfusion in rats. In the liver ischemia-reperfusion model, levels of serum GOT, GPT and LDH activities and lipid peroxides in the liver tissue were significantly increased. On the contrary, total glutathione content in the liver tissue and NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase activity of liver microsomes were decreased. Pretreatment with GR 20 mg/kg, i.v. 10 min before induction of ischemia resulted in significant decreases in serum GOT, GPT, LDH activities and the lipid peroxide level and a higher tissue glutathione content during the period of reperfusion. Electron microscopic studies revealed various hepatocellular damages with an almost intact sinusoidal endothelium in ischemia-reperfused livers. However, the degree of damage was less severe in the livers from the rats pretreated with 20 mg/kg GR. The results indicate that GR is able to provide partial protection against ischemia-reperfused damage.

[Effects of kamikihi-to, a Chinese traditional medicine, on various cholinergic biochemical markers in the brains of aged rats]

The effects of kamikihi-to (EK-49) on various cholinergic biochemical markers, muscarinic receptors, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and choline uptake, in aged rat brains were examined. Administration of kamikihi-to in daily doses of 200 mg/kg, p.o. for 4 weeks to aged rats (24-months-old) significantly increased the density of muscarinic receptors (Bmax) for 3H-QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate), but did not affect the apparent dissociation constant (Kd). After repeated administration of kamikihi-to to aged rats, AChE activity and choline uptake were not significantly different in the kamikihi-to treated aged rats as compared with the control aged rats. However, administration of kamikihi-to for 4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in Vmax values of CAT in kamikihi-to treated aged rats as compared with those of the control rats. These results indicate that long-term treatment with kamikihi-to enhances both the Bmax and Vmax for QNB binding and CAT activity in aged rats, respectively.

Evidence for the existence of serotonin uptake inhibitor-like substances in human cerebrospinal fluid

Addition of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) induced a marked inhibition of 3H-paroxetine binding to the monkey cortical membranes, while the specific binding of 3H-imipramine was slightly inhibited. Moreover, 3H-serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine, 5-HT) uptake inhibition in the monkey cortical synaptosomes was also increased as the volume of added CSF was increased. Scatchard analysis of specific 3H-paroxetine binding with human CSF showed non-competitive kinetics, although CSF was competitive with 3H-imipramine binding. The inhibitory effect of human CSF on 5-HT uptake was non-competitive in nature. The endogenous substances in human CSF most probably act at the recognition site labeled with 3H-paroxetine. Moreover, occupation of this site by the endogenous substances is likely to inhibit the 5-HT uptake process.

[Bilateral traumatic hemorrhage in the basal ganglia: report of two cases]

Hematomas of the basal ganglia in head injury have long been recognized by pathologists with an interest in head injury but their mechanism has not been revealed clearly. We report two cases of bilateral traumatic hemorrhage in the basal ganglia. Case #1, a 17-year-old male was admitted to our hospital immediately after a traffic accident. Neurological examination revealed that the patient was comatose and had right hemiparesis. CT scan showed bilateral hemorrhage of the basal ganglia and subarachnoid hemorrhage in the perimesencephalic cistern. MRI showed high signal intensity areas in the bilateral basal ganglia, perimesencephalic cistern, cerebral white matter and corpus callosum. The patient was diagnosed as having diffuse axonal injury coinciding with bilateral hemorrhage of the basal ganglia. Stereotactic aspiration for the hematoma of the left basal ganglia was carried out. Case #2, a 75-year-old male was admitted immediately after falling from the roof of his house. Neurological examination revealed no neurological deficit except for headache and nausea. CT scan on the day of injury revealed no abnormality. But CT scan 12 hours following the injury showed bilateral hemorrhage of the basal ganglia. Blood pressure of the patient was within normal range and he was diagnosed as having traumatic bilateral intracerebral hematoma. Conservative treatment was carried out and the patient was discharged 7 days after injury with no neurological deficit. The mechanism of traumatic hemorrhage of the basal ganglia has not been clear. In case #1, diffuse axonal injury (DAI) may have played an important role in the bilateral hemorrhage. But in case #2, non-DAI factor such as vasoparalysis syndrome may have existed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Instrumentation surgery for tumor of the spine]

Spinal instrumentation surgery has come into wide use recently, especially for tumor of the spine. It is very effective for fixing the spine for relieving the patient from pain. But the decision about the indication of instrumentation surgery for tumor of the spine must be made carefully. In cases of double malignant tumors including spinal tumor, it is hard to decide how to treat tumor of the spine. We report a case of 78-year-old male with multiple myeloma of the cervical spine and cancer of the prostate. The patient had been in good health until one year previously, when he started to complain of nuchal pain. He became bedridden with loss of voluntary control of the right upper extremity for the last two months. Then he was admitted to our hospital and radiological examination was carried out. It revealed tumor of the cervical spine and it seemed to be bone metastasis. Further examination revealed that the patient was suffering from multiple myeloma and cancer of the prostate. The tumor of the spine was diagnosed as either multiple myeloma or metastasis of cancer of the prostate. Spinal instrumentation surgery using Luque-rod was carried out as one of the comprehensive treatment plans for double malignant tumors. The instrumentation surgery was effective for fixing the spine and improving the patient's quality of life. In operative procedures, intraoperative spinal cord monitoring was carried out. Intraoperative spinal cord monitoring was indispensable for preventing spinal cord injury. The tumor of the spine was diagnosed as multiple myeloma by pathological examination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Isoelectric focusing of isoenzymes of monkey platelet monoamine oxidase

Monkey platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) was preferentially found as the B-form of the enzyme as observed from differences in substrate specificities, as well as liver MAO. The isoelectric points and molecular weights of platelet MAO subunits were compared with those of monkey liver using sodium dodecyl sulfate-disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing-disc gel electrophoresis. The pI value of monkey liver was a single peak at 6.5, but the pI values of monkey platelets were triple peaks at 5.5, 6.5 and 7.0. The molecular weight of MAO subunits in monkey platelets was similar to that of liver, and was found to be about 60,000. These results indicate that MAO-B of monkey platelets differs from MAO-B of the liver, and that it has different electrophoretic properties.

[Stereotactic aspiration using coordinate software for hypertensive intracerebral hematomas]

Stereotactic aspiration for intracerebral hematoma has become widely used due to improvements in computed tomography (CT). CT-guided stereotactic aspiration for hypertensive intracranial hematomas was performed in 46 cases. Stereotactic aspiration with coordinate software was carried out among 16 cases. We compared the clinical results of conventional stereotactic aspiration with results of the new method using coordinate software. Using coordinate software, we can examine the route for the target point, as well as the target point of the hematoma before surgery. Therefore we can avoid obstacles such as ventricles and internal capsules. Further, we can aspirate hematoma by using only this one procedure. Mean hematoma aspiration percentage has risen from 44.9 to 87.2% by using coordinate software. Rate of drainage tube insertion after operation has decreased from 90 to 50%. The period of placement of the drainage tube and the frequency of infection due to the drainage tube has become lower, too. Therefore we can say that the outcome of treatment of hypertensive intracranial hematomas is improved by using coordinate software.

Avian adenovirus isolated from pigeons affected with inclusion body hepatitis

Avian adenoviruses were isolated from two pigeons affected with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) by using chicken embryo liver cell cultures. One of the isolates, designated strain S-PL1, replicated in the cell nuclei forming intranuclear inclusion bodies, showed adenovirus-like morphology by electron microscopy, and cross-reacted serologically with strain SR-48 known as serotype 2 of fowl adenovirus. The strain S-PL1 killed day-old chicks by subcutaneous inoculation, and its 50% chicken lethal dose was 10(3.8) plaque forming units per bird. Severe lesions characterized with IBH and pancreatitis, were produced in chicks inoculated with the virus. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were also recognized in the liver, pancreas, kidney, proventriculus, small intestine, and caecum. By indirect immunofluorescence test, intranuclear viral antigens were detected in the liver, pancreas and other tissues.

Suppressive effect of bifemelane on lipid peroxidation in rat liver

The effects of Bifemelane (BF) on lipid peroxidation, the activities of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, and the function of cell membranes were examined in rats. In the liver ischemia-reperfusion model, BF suppressed the elevation of the lipid peroxidation level during the period of reperfusion. BF did not exhibit a radical-trapping action using a stable free radical, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), which was estimated by electron spin resonance (ESR). BF remarkably inhibited NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in vitro. BF had no effect on the contents of cytochrome P-450 and b5 and the activities of NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD). BF suppressed phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide formation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), protected hypotonic hemolysis of erythrocyte and inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and serum phospholipase A activity. These results suggest that BF has neither radical-trapping activity nor any influence on the drug metabolizing enzymes, but BF has a membrane-stabilizing action and it attributes to the suppressive effect of lipid peroxidation.

Effect of bifemelane hydrochloride on an injury of the liver caused by ischemia-reperfusion in rats

In the liver ischemia-reperfusion model, the lipid peroxide level increased during ischemic periods, while a greater increase was observed during reflow periods. The increase in the cytochrome b5 content was observed during ischemia and reflow periods. On the contrary, the cytochrome P-450 content remained unchanged during ischemic periods, but decreased during reflow periods. Bifemelane suppressed the elevation of the lipid peroxide level, the cytochrome b5 content and the decrease in cytochrome P-450 content during the period of reperfusion.

Inhibition of MAO activity, 3H-imipramine binding, 3H-paroxetine binding and 3H-5-HT uptake by human cerebrospinal fluid

Addition of small amount of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inhibited both types of MAO in monkey brain mitochondria. The specific binding of 3H-paroxetine decreased remarkably with increasing CSF volumes, while 3H-imipramine binding was slightly inhibited. Scatchard analysis of 3H-paroxetine binding in the presence and absence of CSF indicated that the inhibitory effect was associated with a decreased Bmax without an appreciable change in Kd. Addition of CSF induced an inhibition of uncompetitive 3H-5-HT uptake to monkey cerebral membranes. These results indicate that the materials in human CSF inhibit 3H-paroxetine binding, and modulate the uptake system for 5-HT.

Amine oxidase released into plasma of rats treated with hepatotoxin allyl formate

Amine oxidase activity in plasma of rats were investigated after pretreatment with the perilobular hepatotoxin allyl formate (AF). Amine oxidase activities in plasma elevated after administration of AF 0.1 ml/kg i.p. to male rats with 1 microM and 100 microM benzylamine (Bz), 10 microM beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA) and 100 microM serotonin (5-HT) as substrates. But the complete inhibition of amine oxidase activities with 5-HT and beta-PEA were not observed by clorgyline as A-form MAO inhibitor and deprenyl as beta-form MAO inhibitor. The deamination of 1 microM Bz was not inhibited at high concentrations of these MAO inhibitors, while it was inhibited at low concentrations of phenelzine and semicarbazide. On the other hand, the deamination of 100 microM Bz was highly sensitive with these MAO inhibitors, while it was less sensitive with phenelzine and semicarbazide as compared with 1 microM Bz. Then, the Km values of amine oxidase in plasma of AF-administered rats with Bz as substrate were determined from Lineweaver-Burk double reciprocal plots. Two Km values for Bz of high and low Bz concentration in amine oxidase in plasma of AF-administered rats were obtained. However, this Km value of low Bz concentration was not obtained from liver mitochondria and microsomes of control rat and AF-administered rats. The Km value for beta-PEA of MAO in plasma of AF-administered rats was the same as the values of rat liver mitochondrial MAO. These results indicate that native mitochondrial MAO was released from the liver, and two or more distinct amine oxidases were released from other organs in response to AF.

Effects of bifemelane hydrochloride on various cholinergic markers in cortical and subcortical regions of aged rats

The effects of bifemelane hydrochloride (BF) upon various cholinergic markers, muscarinic receptors, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (CAT), in the aged rat brain were examined. Marked reduction of the density of muscarinic receptors (Bmax) as well as AChE and CAT activity concomitant with aging was observed. Administration of BF in daily doses of 10 mg/kg for 4 weeks to aged rats significantly decreased the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) for QNB in muscarinic receptors in the forebrain, but did not affect the value of Bmax. CAT activity also increased significantly compared with that of control aged rats, but administration of BF did not alter AChE activity. These results indicate that long-term treatment with BF enhances the affinity of muscarinic receptors for QNB as well as CAT activity and that BF may have therapeutic application in the treatment of CNS cholinergic dysfunctions.

[Neurochemical studies on bifemelane, a new cerebral function improver. I. Effects of bifemelane on the function of neurotransmission-related enzymes and receptors in rat brain]

We examined neurochemically the effects of bifemelane (BF) on muscarinic ACh (mACh-R) and beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AdR) and imipramine binding sites and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the P2 fractions of rat brain, ex vivo and in vitro. Male rats were given daily injections of 10, 30 mg/kg BF, p.o., for a period of 4 weeks. The Kd and Bmax values for mACh-R in the rat forebrain by administration of 10, 30 mg/kg BF decreased significantly compared with that of the control, although the Kd and Bmax values for beta-AdR and imipramine binding sites were almost identical. The Km and Vmax values of A- and B-form MAO decreased in rats that had been administered 30 mg/kg BF for 4 weeks. The binding of 3H-QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate) on mACh-R, 125I-CYP (iodocyanopindolol) on beta-AdR and 3H-imipramine on imipramine binding sites decreased by 60, 20 and 70% in the presence of 1 microM BF, respectively, while the addition of 1 microM BF inhibited MAO activity by about 50%. However, CAT and AChE activities were not inhibited by BF.

Simultaneous determination of methamphetamine and its metabolites in monkey urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring

A sensitive and specific gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of methampthetamine and its metabolites (amphetamine, p-hydroxymethamphetamine, and p-hydroxyamphetamine) in monkey urine. The method has been applied to the analysis of urine samples from monkeys singly and repeatedly treated with methamphetamine. We have shown that the repeated administration of methamphetamine causes the reduction of urinary excretion of aromatic hydroxylated metabolites. We propose that the method described here can be used for biological monitoring.

Endogenous monoamine oxidase inhibitor-like substances in monkey brain

The extraction and partial purification of endogenous "monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor-like" material from the monkey brain are described. The endogenous material (F-1 and F-2) obtained after Bio-Gel P-2 gel filtration and silica column chromatography inhibited MAO in the monkey brain mitochondria toward 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA), tyramine and dopamine as substrates. The inhibitory effects of F-1 and F-2 were non-linear concentration dependent, and F-1 non-competitively inhibited A-form MAO, while F-2 inhibited A-form MAO competitively and inhibited B-form MAO non-competitively. These substances were more potent inhibitors of A-form than of B-form MAO. F-2 was heat stable but liable to the treatment with pepsin and trypsin. F-1 was not inactivated by heat treatment and digestion with pepsin and trypsin. F-1 may be a low molecular weight (less than 1350) compound, including certain monoamines or their metabolites or other unidentified compounds, while F-2 was a low molecular weight (about 2500) peptide.

Effect of diethylnitrosamine on monoamine oxidase in rat liver

The effect of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a well-known experimental carcinogen, toward MAO-A and MAO-B activity of rat liver was investigated. The oxidations of both beta-PEA (MAO-B) and 5-HT (MAO-A) were inhibited by DEN. The K1 values of DEN in the inhibition of rat liver MAO-A and MAO-B activity were determined. The kinetic data show that DEN is a competitive, MAO-B selective inhibitor and its inhibitory effect on MAO-B is about 4-fold more potent than that on MAO-A. DEN might change the proportions of the multiple forms of MAO activity in tumor cells.