[A simultaneous determination of various main components in oriental pharmaceutical decoction "heii-san" by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography]

A simple and precise method was established for the simultaneous determination of five selected marker components in oriental pharmaceutical decoction "Heii-San" by means of high-performance liquid chromatography using tetra-n-amylammonium bromide (TAA) as an ion-pair reagent. For the separation of these five components, such as hesperidin (1), 6-gingerol (2), honokiol (3), glycyrrhizin (4) and magnolol (5), an ODS column was used with multi-step gradient elution with 10 mM TAA (H3PO4, pH 4.0)-acetonitrile. The acetonitrile content linearly increased from 25 to 90%. This method was compared with other three methods, i.e. a water-acetonitrile method, a phosphate buffer method and an ion-suppression method. Five main components were eluted within 50 min without interference from co-existing components.

A comparison of scavenging abilities of antioxidants against hydroxyl radicals

The reactivities of various antioxidative compounds including catechol derivatives and endogenous radical scavengers toward hydroxyl radical (.OH) were investigated by an electron spin resonance-spin trapping method, thiobarbituric acid method, and DNA strand scission assay. Hydroxyl radical was generated by both the reaction of Cu(II) complex with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ultraviolet (uv) photolysis of H2O2. At physiological pH, catechol derivatives such as protocatechuic acid and catechin greatly suppressed the DNA strand scission by .OH produced from the reaction of Cu(en)2 with H2O2, whereas ascorbic acid and acetylcysteine accelerated DNA strand scission. The former case is due to the chelation of catechol derivatives to Cu(II) ion, forming of Cu(II) complexes being unable to react with H2O2, and the latter case is due to the acceleration of the reduction rate of Cu(II) to Cu(I). On the other hand, all compounds used here suppressed the DNA strand scission by .OH produced from uv photolysis of H2O2. The differences of the reactivities between the reaction system of Cu(en)2-H2O2 and the uv photolysis of H2O2 have been discussed.

Elimination of ioversol by hemodialysis

PURPOSE

The dialysability of ioversol was investigated in 12 patients with chronic renal failure, on 4-h hemodialysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred ml of ioversol (320 mg I/ml) was injected in less than 10 min during CT. Hemodialysis was commenced within 30 min of starting the contrast medium injection and was continued for 4 h. Blood was sampled before and at 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h after the start of hemodialysis. Mean dialysance of ioversol was 114 to 129 ml/min and the elimination rate was 82.5 +/- 5.1% 4 h after starting hemodialysis. The half-life of ioversol during hemodialysis was 1.80 +/- 0.38 h. The only side effects of the ioversol injection were heat sensations, which were experienced by 3 patients.

RESULTS

As ioversol was effectively removed from the body during the 4 h of hemodialysis and no severe adverse reactions were observed, we conclude that ioversol is suitable for use in hemodialyzed patients.

Arterial embolization to control renal hemorrhage in patients with percutaneous nephrostomy

Two patients with renal hemorrhage treated by arterial embolization are reported. In one patient, one kidney was injured and the another had poor function. The other patient had one kidney. Although both patients had hematuria and underwent percutaneous nephrostomy, the bleeding location was not detected angiographically. Repeated embolization and irrigations through a nephrostomy catheter following each embolization arrested the bleeding.

[The production of high sensitive anti-myeloperoxidase monoclonal antibodies and their sensitivity and specificity]

We produced anti-myeloperoxidase(MPO) monoclonal antibodies(moAb) to detect MPO sensitivity in leukemic cells by visual light microscopy. We got seven kinds of moAbs which showed different properties to MPO. These antibodies reacted to MPO in immature and mature neutrophils, monocytes and HL-60(human myeloid leukemic cell line) by immunochemical detection using the avidin-biotin complex(ABC) staining method, but the amounts of immune complex products were significantly different at each moAb. MPO2, MPO4, MPO9 and MPO13 moAbs blocked MPO activities but MPO5 showed no such inhibition. Most of the moAbs reacted to 59kD MPO moAb using the western blotting method, while MPO4 and MPO5 reacted to both 81kD and 89kD MPO precursors. This data suggests that these moAbs are useful to demonstrate a small amount of MPO in leukemic cells.

Glycylsarcosyl-L-histidylglycine, A peptide with a "breakpoint" in complex formation: hydrolysis of the complex [CuH-1L]

Coordination of CU(II) with glycylsarcosyl-L-histidylglycine to form the series of [CuL] and [CuH-1L] was studied potentiometrically and spectroscopically. [CuL] includes the Cu(N2O)O chromophore, in which Cu(II) coordinates with nitrogens from the terminal amino and imidazole groups and a carbonyl oxygen of the Gly-Sar bond, and shows a d-d transition band at 696 nm in the absorption spectrum and at 648 nm in the CD spectrum. The predominant species around pH 8 was [CuH-1L] with Cu(N3O) chromophore, in which Cu(II) coordinates with three nitrogens from a terminal amino, a deprotonated Sar-His peptide bond, and an imidazole of a histidyl residue, and shows the d-d transition band at 652 and 580 nm in the absorption and CD spectra, respectively. This species was hydrolyzed at the Gly-Sar peptide bond, yielding the Cu(II) complex of sarcosyl-L-histidylglycine.

Gliomatosis cerebri: a case report

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare disease that thus far was usually diagnosed at the time of autopsy. In this communication we report the case of a young woman with gliomatosis cerebri. Diagnosis was established on the basis of characteristic imaging findings and typical histopathological features of surgical specimens obtained by craniotomy.

Effects of hypergravity on growth and cell wall properties of cress hypocotyls

Elongation growth of etiolated hypocotyls of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) was suppressed when they were exposed to basipetal hypergravity at 35 x g and above. Acceleration at 135 x g caused a decrease in the mechanical extensibility and an increase in the minimum stress-relaxation time of the cell wall. Such changes in the mechanical properties of the cell wall were prominent in the lower regions of hypocotyls. The amounts of cell wall polysaccharides per unit length of hypocotyls increased under the hypergravity condition and, in particular, the increase in the amount of cellulose in the lower regions was conspicuous. Hypergravity did not influence the neutral sugar composition of either the pectin or the hemicellulose fraction. The amount of lignin was also increased by hypergravity treatment, although the level was low. The data suggest that hypergravity modifies the metabolism of cell wall components and thus makes the cell wall thick and rigid, thereby inhibiting elongation growth of cress hypocotyls. These changes may contribute to the plants' ability to sustain their structures against hypergravity.

Plant growth processes in Arabidopsis under microgravity conditions simulated by a clinostat

The life cycle of Arabidopsis plants was examined by growing them on a horizontal clinostat. Seeds on agar media were allowed to germinate and seedlings were grown under a simulated microgravity on a horizontal clinostat. Clinorotation (3 rpm) did not appear to interfere with germination of plant seeds and development of cotyledons and leaves. Stress relaxation parameters of the cell wall, the minimum relaxation time and the relaxation rate did not appear to be affected by clinostat rotation. On the other hand, the length of inflorescences was reduced to 61-62% by clinostat rotation. Rotation was found to inhibit the polar transport of auxin, although inflorescence growth and auxin transport were not completely inhibited. From these facts, it is possible that the life cycle in Arabidopsis plants could be accomplished in space, although growth phenomena involving auxin transport and its action may be disturbed. Plants may have a capacity to grow in space and we may be able to cultivate crops in space.

Kimura disease: CT and MR findings

The lesions of Kimura disease showed slightly high and very high intensity on T2-weighted MR, and low and intermediate intensity, respectively, on T1-weighted images. The degree of enhancement also differed between the two cases. These discrepancies may be attributable to differing degrees of fibrosis and vascular proliferation.

Oxidation of spin-traps by chlorine dioxide (ClO2) radical in aqueous solutions: first ESR evidence of formation of new nitroxide radicals

The reactivities of the chlorine dioxide (ClO2), which is a stable free radical towards some water-soluble spin-traps were investigated in aqueous solutions by an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The ClO2 radical was generated from the redox reaction of Ti3+ with potassium chlorate (KClO3) in aqueous solutions. When one of the spin-traps, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), was included in the Ti3+-KClO3 reaction system, ESR spectrum due to the ClO2 radical completely disappeared and a new ESR spectrum [aN(1) = 0.72 mT, aH(2) = 0.41 mT], which is different from that of DMPO-ClO2 adduct, was observed. The ESR parameters of this new ESR signal was identical to those of 5,5-dimethylpyrrolidone-(2)-oxyl-(1) (DMPOX), suggesting the radical species giving the new ESR spectrum is assignable to DMPOX. The similar ESR spectrum consisting of a triplet [aN(1) = 0.69 mT] was observed when the derivative of DMPO, 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (M4PO) was included in the Ti3+-KClO3 reaction system. This radical species is attributed to the oxidation product of M4PO, 3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidone-(2)-oxyl-(1) (M4POX). When another nitrone spin-trap, alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-t-butylnitrone (POBN) was used as a spin-trap, the ESR signal intensity due to the ClO2 radical decreased and a new ESR signal consisting of a triplet [aN(1) = 0.76 mT] was observed. The similar ESR spectrum was observed when N-t-butyl-alpha- nitrone (PBN) was used as a spin-trap. This ESR parameter [a(N)(1) = 0.85 mT] was identical to the oxidation product of PBN, PBNX. Thus, the new ESR signal observed from POBN may be assigned to the oxidation product of POBN, POBNX. These results suggest that the ClO2, radical does not form the stable spin adducts with nitrone spin-traps, but oxidizes these spin-traps to give the corresponding nitroxyl radicals. On the other hand, nitroso spin-traps, 5,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonate (DBNBS), and 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) did not trap the ClO2 radical. This result indicates that an unpaired electron of the ClO2 radical is localized on oxygen atom, because nitroso spin-traps cannot form the stable spin adduct with oxygen-centered radical.

[A simultaneous determination of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Evodia fruit by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography]

A simple and precise method was established for the simultaneous determination of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in oriental pharmaceutical decoctions containing Evodia Fruit using high-performance liquid chromatography with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an ion-pair reagent. Evodiamine and rutaecarpine were eluted within 60 min without interference from co-existing components using an ODS column and a mixture of water-methanol-acetonitrile-SDS-phosphoric acid (600:330:70:5:0.01, v/v/v/w/v, pH 5.0) as a mobile phase.

Detection of free radicals produced from reactions of lipid hydroperoxide model compounds with Cu(II) complexes by ESR spectroscopy

Using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap, alkoxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals produced from the reactions of tert-butyl hydroperoxide(tBuOOH) and cumene hydroperoxide (PhC(CH3)2OOH) with some copper(Cu)(II) complexes such as Cu(II) complexes of cimetidine (Cim), cyclo(L-histidyl-L-histidyl) (CyHH), L-histidylglycine (HG), and L-histidylglycylglycine (HGG) were detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. However, Cu(II) complexes of glycyl-L-histidine (GH), glycyl-L-histidylglycine (GHG),glycylglycyl-L-histidine (GGH), and glycylglycyl-L-histidyl-glycine (GGHG) did not cause the generation of free radicals during the reaction with tert-butyl or cumene hydroperoxide. Addition of a biological reductant such as cysteine or glutathione to the system including these Cu(II) complexes and hydroperoxides gave tert-butoxyl and cumyl alkoxyl (RO.) radicals, respectively. These alkoxyl radicals underwent subsequent beta-scission reaction and generated the carbon-centered radical (R.). Although cysteine and glutathione are considered to be cellular antioxidants, our results suggest that these biological reductants facilitate Cu(II) complexes-dependent free radical generation.

The senescence of oat leaf segments is promoted under simulated microgravity condition on a three-dimensional clinostat

Plants have evolved on the earth, indicating the morphology, growth and development, and life cycle of plants are highly influenced by gravity as well as other environmental stimuli. Indeed, simulated microgravity on a clinostat or hypergravity on a centrifuge has recently been reported to change the growth and development of plants (Hoson et al. 1992, 1993, 1995, Rasmussen et al. 1994, Kasahara et al. 1995). Senescence is a final drastic phenomenon in life cycle of plants, which is characterized by the loss of total chlorophyll and protein, and/or the formation of the abscission (Osborne 1973, Thimann 1977, Addicott 1982). Many environmental stimuli as well as the qualitative and quantitative changes of plant hormones have been reported to affect plant senescence. Among those stimuli, light is the most important factor to regulate plant senescence (Leopold 1964). Dark condition promotes leaf senescence due to the decrease in endogenous level of cytokinin and/or the increase in that of abscisic acid or ethylene (Tetley and Thimann 1974, Gepstein and Thimann 1980). However, there are few reports concerning the effect of gravity on leaf senescence. Strenuous effort to learn leaf senescence under microgravity condition has been done using a three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat. In this paper, we report that simulated microgravity condition on a 3-D clinostat promoted the senescence of oat leaf segments in the dark. A possible mechanism of microgravity condition on promoting the senescence is also discussed.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the complexation of zinc(II) with glycyl-L-histidylglycine

The complexation of Zn(II) with glycyl-L-histidylglycine and its deuterated derivatives, glycyl-d2-L-histidylglycine and glycyl-L-histidylglycine-d2, was studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy over the pD range, from 3.4 to 11.0, at 25 degrees C. Addition of Zn(II) to the peptide made the resonances of both imidazole C2-H and C4-H and both methylene-protons of glycyl residues at the amino-terminal and carboxylate end split to three lines in the pD range above 7.0. From the behavior of the C2-H and C4-H chemical shifts, formation of at least two species, in which the imidazole and amino nitrogens coordinated to the metal ion forming a chelate ring, was suggested. Those two species, the ratio of which varied depending on the total concentrations of complexes, seemed to be interconvertible; one referred to as B is a monomer and the other, referred to as C, may be a dimeric or polymeric complex.

Effect of simulated microgravity on auxin polar transport in inflorescence axis of Arabidopsis thaliana

The morphology, growth and development of higher plants are strongly influenced by environmental stimuli on the earth, which affect the changes in the dynamics of plant hormones in plants. Qualitative and quantitative changes in plant hormones are the most important internal factor to regulate plant growth and development. Among them, auxin (IAA) is of most significant. There are numerous reports concerning the physiological roles of auxin in plant growth and development (Matthysse and Scott 1984). One of the characteristics of auxin is to have the ability of polar transport along the vector of gravity on the earth (Schneider and Wightman 1978), suggesting that the activity of auxin polar transport is also important for the growth and development of plants. It has recently been reported that the normal activity of auxin polar transport in inflorescence axis of Arabidopsis thaliana was required for flower formation (Okada et al. 1991, Ueda et al. 1992). Considering the above evidence together with the fact that gravity affects the morphology, growth and development of higher plants, gravity might affect the qualitative and quantitative changes in plant hormones including the activity of auxin polar transport. In this paper, we report the effect of microgravity condition simulated by a three-dimensional (3-D) or a horizontal clinostat on the activity of auxin polar transport in inflorescence axis of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Hepatic amyloidosis in Japan: histological and morphometric analysis based on amyloid proteins

To investigate the relationship between the tissue distribution and the types of amyloid proteins, the detailed histopathologic features of the available liver in 284 cases of amyloidosis were examined. We classified hepatic amyloidosis into three types, namely, the vascular pattern, parenchymal pattern, and stromal pattern according to the topographic distribution pattern of amyloid. Of the 152 amyloid A (AA) cases, all but one exhibited the vascular pattern; the single exception had the parenchymal pattern. Among 117 amyloid light chain (AL) cases, 51.3% exhibited the vascular pattern and 43.6% the parenchymal pattern. The stromal pattern was observed in 5.1% of the cases but was found only in AL amyloidosis. The parenchymal and stromal patterns in the liver seemed to be characteristic morphological distributions of AL amyloidosis. Routine histochemical study is useful to distinguish AL from AA, although some ethnic differences were apparent. Morphometric results showed that the walls of the hepatic arteries with amyloid deposition were significantly thicker than walls in arteries from the control group. The arterial walls in AA amyloidosis, especially, were significantly thicker than walls in AL amyloidosis of any pattern.

Lung epithelial Na channel subunits are differentially regulated during development and by steroids

Because the alpha-subunit of the rat lung epithelial Na channel (rENaC) is not expressed until late fetal gestation, the developmental immaturity of alpha-rENaC may be involved in the premature fetal lung's inability to mount a Na-absorptive response to appropriate agonists. As previous work has shown that the beta- and gamma-rENaC subunits of the Na channel are required for maximal alpha-rENaC activity, we determined their developmental expression in the fetal lung. In addition, because thyroid and corticosteroid therapy can mature the in vivo fetal lamb lung's ability to transport Na, we wished to determine whether such treatment increased the expression of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rENaC. Lungs were harvested from normal rat fetuses of 17 through 22 days gestation (term = 22 days), normal rat pups during the first week of life, and adult rats. Initial expression of alpha-rENaC was detected at 19 days gestation and progressively increased in utero. beta- and gamma-rENaC mRNA were not detected until 21 and 22 days gestation, and then only at very low levels. During the first week after birth, the levels of alpha-rENaC declined, whereas beta- and gamma-rENaC mRNA levels increased. This pre- and postnatal pattern of alpha-rENaC expression correlates with the endogenous glucocorticosteroid levels in the fetus and the rat pup's early postnatal corticosteroid resistance. Combined or separate treatment of pregnant rats (16 through 22 days gestational age) with thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) and/or dexamethasone (Dex) for 48 h showed that Dex, but not TRH, could increase fetal lung alpha-rENaC mRNA levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Portal hypertension with intra- and extrasplenic arterial aneurysms and large venous varices

Imaging studies of two women with portal hypertension demonstrated multiple splenic artery aneurysms, splenomegaly, and large splenic veins varices with a spontaneous splenorenal shunt. In each case, a large splenic hilar, as well as intrasplenic aneurysms were found along with portal vein pressures of about 15 mmHg. Portal hypertension with splenomegaly might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of intra- and extrapaenchymal splenic artery aneurysms.

Reactions of copper(II)-oligopeptide complexes with hydrogen peroxide: effects of biological reductants

Cu(II) complexes with oligopeptides containing histidyl residue in the second or third position could scarcely activate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but they could activate H2O2 to yield hydroxyl radical (.OH) in the presence of biological reductants such as cysteine and ascorbic acid. Further, DNA single strand breakage was also observed during the reactions of Cu(II)-glycylglycylhistidylglycine (GGHG) with H2O2 in the presence of same biological reductants.

Catalytic activities and coordination environments of the copper ions in the imidazole clusters of histidine-peptides, His(His)nGly and N-acetyl-His(His)nGly (n = 3, 8, and 18)

The copper ions in the imidazole-clusters of histidine-oligopeptide, His(His)nGly (n = 18) and N-acetyl-His(His)nGly(n = 8 and 18), showed the d-d transition bands at 520 nm and 630 nm and oxidase-like activities. Those with the d-d bands at 480 nm and 550 nm did not have the activity.

Generation of hydroxyl radicals during dismutation of superoxide by SOD model compounds

The reactivities of copper(II) complexes with cimetidine (Cim) and cyclo(histidylhistidyl) (CyHH), both of which are SOD model compounds, toward active oxygen species such as superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were investigated by electron spin resonance-spin trapping and thiobarbituric acid methods. At physiological pH values, low concentrations of Cu(II) complexes (0.025 mM) with Cim and CyHH could scavenge O2-, but high concentrations of these compexes (0.25 mM) yielded hydroxyl radicals (.OH) during dismutation of O2-. These Cu(II) complexes could directly react with H2O2 to yield .OH. From these results, it is indicated that .OH formed during the dismutation of O2- by high concentration of SOD model compounds may be caused by the reaction of H2O2 generated form dismutation of O2- with Cu(II) complexes. Further, DNA single-stranded breakage was observed during the reactions of H2O2 with these Cu(II) complexes.

Oxidative DNA damage induced by Cu(II)-oligopeptide complexes and hydrogen peroxide

At physiological pH values, Cu(II)-tetraglycine and Cu(II) complexes with peptides containing a histidyl residue at the N-terminal caused DNA strand breakage in the presence of H2O2, whereas Cu(II) complexes with peptides containing histidyl residue in the second or third position did not. Because of the correlation between the generation of hydroxyl radical and DNA strand scission, a mechanism for the reaction is proposed.