Histochemical localization and analysis of blood group-related antigens in human pancreas using immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies and exoglycosidase digestion

We examined the distribution of blood group-related antigens using an indirect immunoperoxidase method with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) directed to A, B, H, Lewis a (Lea), Lewis b (Leb), Lewis x (Lex), and Lewis y (Ley) antigens and Type 1 precursor chain in human pancreas. Effects of prior digestion with exoglycosidases on MAb stainings were simultaneously investigated. A, B, H, Leb, and Ley antigens were detected in acinar cells and interlobular duct cells but not in centroacinar cells, intercalated duct cells, and islet of Langerhans cells. The expression of these antigens in acinar cells was not dependent on Lewis type and secretor status of the tissue donors, whereas that in interlobular duct cells was strictly dependent on secretor status. The distribution pattern of these antigens in acinar cells was not homogeneous, i.e., cells producing H antigens expressed both Leb and Ley antigens but not A or B antigens, whereas those producing A or B antigens did not secrete Leb and Ley as well as H antigens. Digestion with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase or alpha-galactosidase resulted in the appearance of Leb and Ley antigens as well as H antigen in acinar cells producing A and/or B antigens. Type 1 precursor chain was not detected in pancreatic tissues from secretors but appeared in acinar cells producing H antigen after alpha-L-fucosidase digestion, which also disclosed Lex but not Lea antigen in acinar cells expressing both Leb and Ley. In some non-secretors, MAb against Type 1 precursor chain reacted with acinar cells without enzyme digestion. Although Lea antigen was not detected in acinar cells, it was found in centroacinar cells, intercalated duct cells, and interlobular duct cells from all individuals examined except two Le(a-b-) secretors. After sialidase digestion, Lex antigen appeared in centroacinar and intercalated duct cells from some individuals. Sialidase digestion also elicited reactivity with MAb against Type 1 precursor chain in islet of Langerhans cells from some individuals. These results demonstrate the complexity in the pattern of expression and regulation of blood group-related antigens in different cell types of human pancreas. Such complexity may largely be ascribed to differences in individual genotypes and in gene expression patterns of different cell types.

Heterogeneity of the blood group ABH antigens and variation in the expression of these antigens of secretory granules in human cervical glands. An electron microscopic observation using lectins and monoclonal antibodies

Cytochemical localization of blood group ABH antigens was examined in secretory cells of human cervical glands by application of a post-embedding lectin-gold as well as immuno-gold labeling procedure using monoclonal antibodies. Blood group specific lectins such as Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 (GSAI-B4) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) reacted with secretory granules but not with other cytoplasmic organellae such as nucleus and cell membrane. The reactivity of secretory granules with these lectins showed strict dependence on the blood group and secretor status of tissue donors. The binding patterns with these lectins were not homogeneous, but exhibited marked cellular and subcellular heterogeneity. Thus, for example, in blood group A individuals, some granules were stained strongly with DBA and others were weakly or not at all with the lectin. Such a heterogenous labeling with the lectin was observed even in the same cells. Similar results were obtained with UEA-I and GSAI-B4 staining in blood group O and B secretor individuals, respectively. Monoclonal antibodies likewise reacted specifically with the granules but they occasionally bound to some nucleus. The labeling pattern of the antibodies with the granules was essentially the same as those of lectins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case report of definitive repair for pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum associated with aortic valve regurgitation]

A successful definitive repair for a 10-year-old girl with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA.IVS) associated with aortic valve regurgitation is described. The Fontan type repair was not indicated in this case because of the left ventricular dysfunction due to aortic valve regurgitation and inadequate size of the pulmonary artery. Therefore, right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, Glen shunt and aortic valve replacement were performed despite severe hypoplastic right ventricle (RVEDVI; 33% of normal) and restrictive tricuspid valve (TVD; 48% of normal). Postoperatively, good result was obtained. There is general agreement that biventricular repair could be safely performed using Glenn shunt, when RVEDVI is above 40% of normal and TVD is above 50% of normal in a patient with PA.IVS. Moreover recently including our case, several successful repairs for PA.IVS with more hypoplastic right ventricle and tricuspid valve have been reported. So it is suggested that the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction and Glenn shunt can be reliably applied for PA.IVS with more hypoplastic right ventricle and more restrictive tricuspid valve. To our knowledge, this is the first successful report of definitive repair (right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, Glenn shunt and AVR) for PA.IVS associated with AR.

[A case of disseminated breast cancer successfully treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate]

We reported the successful treatment of disseminated breast cancer with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The patient was a 52-year-old female with brain and bone metastasis developed 1 year after surgery. The primary tumor was ER-positive, and she had been treated previously with adjuvant therapy consisting of UFT and tamoxifen. Brain metastasis was surgically removed, but the following combination chemotherapy (epirubicin and vindesine) failed to result in further improvement. Then MPA (1,200 mg/day) was administered as the second-line therapy. After 6 months, multiple bone lesions showed remarkable calcification (PR) and disappeared completely (CR) 13 months later. But the patient was forced to discontinue MPA because of uncontrollable hyperglycemia. At this writing, CR was still being continued and the patient was enjoying favorable quality of life without any treatment. We confirmed that MPA was effective as the second-line treatment for disseminated breast cancer.

[A long-term follow-up study of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer]

Long-term follow-up results were reported for 61 patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated by intraarterial infusion chemotherapy (IA), compared with those for 96 patients who received no such treatment. The results were as follows. (1) The response rate of the primary lesions to IA was 53.6%, and the post-surgical survival of responders (CR, PR) was significantly better than those of non-responders (NC). (2) Excellent loco-regional control was also achieved in the IA-group. The local recurrence rate was only 16.2%. (3) However, there was no difference between survival rates of each group. The author confirmed that IA was an effective initial treatment for locally advanced breast cancer in terms of loco-regional control, but definite conclusions can be made only after randomized study.

Development of the hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-containing neuron system in the rat: in vivo and in transplantation studies

The development of the hypothalamic LHRH-containing neuron system was immunohistochemically investigated in vivo and in tissue transplantation using rat embryos aged from 12.5 to 17.5 days of gestation. The sera used were generated against rat gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone-associated peptide (28-56) (rGAP) and LHRH. Immunoreaction for rGAP was first found in cells migrated from and in the vomeronasal organ on Days 13.5 and 14.5 of gestation. Immunoreactive cells seem to ascend along the terminal nerves, reaching the medial surface of the forebrain vesicles. Subsequently the cells occurred in the septum and further into their final position in the septopreoptic-diagonal band area on Days 16.5-17.5 of gestation; during this traverse the cells become secretory neurons after changes in morphology and in behavior. Intraventricular transplantation revealed that nasal epithelia of Day 12.5 embryos raised only a few cells immunoreactive both for LHRH and rGAP, but a great number of immunoreactive cells and fibers in the presence of the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). The fibers formed a median eminence-like structure together with dense capillary plexus that had grown in the cografted MBH. The same phenomenon was apparently observed in the grafts obtained from older embryos of gestation, but not in the combined grafts of the anterior septum and the nasal epithelium or the MBH. We conclude that hypothalamic LHRH neurons originate from the nasal placode and acquire secretory behavior in the presence of the MBH.

Coronary revascularization in a child with Kawasaki disease: use of right gastroepiploic artery

In coronary insufficiency produced by Kawasaki disease, myocardial revascularization using saphenous vein, internal mammary arteries, and a combination of both grafts has been performed with considerable success. Recently, we successfully used a right gastroepiploic artery as another conduit in coronary revascularization of a 6-year-old boy with Kawasaki disease. Use of the gastroepiploic artery was feasible even in a small child, and this technique is expected to contribute to long-term graft patency as an arterial graft adjunct to internal mammary arteries.

[A case report of Ebstein's anomaly treated with Carpentier's procedure]

A 42-year-old male patient was admitted with congestive heart failure. Echocardiogram and cardiac angiogram revealed Ebstein's anomaly and severe tricuspid valve incompetence. He underwent Carpentier's procedure for the treatment of Ebstein's anomaly. Carpentier's procedure consists of the following two new points; (1) the right atrium and atrialized ventricle is plicated longitudinally; (2) the anterior leaflet and the posterior leaflet of tricuspid valve are transposed with a clockwise rotation to the level of the normal tricuspid anulus. Compared with Hardy's procedure (transverse plication), longitudinal plication preserves the cavity and the function of the right ventricle and excludes atrialized chamber. In our case, there is a trivial residual regurgitation of tricuspid valve postoperatively, but the patient's clinical status has improved remarkably. We conclude that Carpentier's procedure is an effective operation for Ebstein's anomaly.

Relationship between lectin binding properties and the expression of blood group ABH antigens in vascular endothelia and red blood cells from 18 primate species

The reactivity was examined of horseradish peroxidase labelled Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 (GSAI-B4) with red blood cells and vascular endothelium in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues from 18 primate species. The expression of blood group ABH antigens in these cells as well as secretions from other tissues was also examined by the indirect immunoperoxidase method using monoclonal anti-ABH antibodies as primary antibodies. In Prosimians and New World monkeys which lack ABH antigens on both red blood cells and endothelial cells, but produce these antigens in other tissue secretions, GSAI-B4 always reacted with both red blood cells and endothelial cells. In Old World monkeys, which express blood group antigens on endothelial cells but not on red blood cells, neither GSAI-B4 nor UEA-I reactivity were observed, except the endothelial cells from blood group B or O individuals occasionally reacted with GSAI-B4 or UEA-I, respectively. Although UEA-I reactivity was not observed in the endothelial cells of gibbon, it reacted with these cells from chimpanzees. In these two anthropoid apes, both endothelial cells and red blood cells expressed ABH antigens as in humans. These results suggest the close evolutionary relationship between the expression of blood group ABH antigens and lectin binding properties of red blood cells and endothelial cells in primate species.

Further studies on the effect of cyclosporin A on the course of Paragonimus infection in rats

Paragonimus ohirai-infected rats were treated with cyclosporin A (CyA) at different times during the course of infection. CyA (5 x 80 mg/kg) affected the worm recovery, growth and maturation rates of P. ohirai with respect to control values. This tendency was most remarkable in animals treated 15 days and more after infection with CyA (groups B, +15 to +19 days; C, +25 to +29; D, +35 to +39 and E, +45 to +49). In group A (0 to +4), however, the drug did not affect markedly the growth and maturation of worms, although it significantly lowered worm recovery rates. CyA administration also affected normal migration of P. ohirai in the highly susceptible host (rat), when the drug was administered during the peritoneal and/or liver phase of infection. Thus, in this P. ohirai/rat model, CyA significantly reduced worm recovery rates, and affected the growth, maturation and migration of the worms depending on the time of administration.

[Clinical evaluation of perioperative myocardial infarction as a complication of valve replacement]

Perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) is a well-known complication of coronary artery surgery, but rarely encountered in valvular surgery. We have experienced 6 cases of valve replacement with PMI, using blood cardioplegia since 1979. Those patients (5 men, one woman; mean age 47 +/- 8 years) had no previous angina, and preoperative CAG revealed no significant stenosis. Three patients were reoperative cases. A diagnosis of PMI was established by the following criteria; an abnormal increase in maxCPK-MB (greater than 150 IU/l), new Q waves at ECG, positive 99mTc-PYP scan (grade 3-4). The area of PMI was inferior in 4 patients, posterior in one, and anterior infarction was seen in only one case. Three cases required IABP, but all 6 cases showed good exercise capacity by Treadmill exercise test in late stage. Several factors are thought to be the cause of PMI at valvular surgery; such as coronary air embolism, perioperative coronary spasm, inappropriate topical hypothermia, etc. Prognosis is not necessarily poor, however much attention should be paid to prevent PMI in valve replacement.

A case of Cushing's disease and multiple myeloma

A 55-year-old female of Cushing's disease associated with multiple myeloma is reported. The association of the two diseases has not been previously noted. Elevated cortisol level was controlled successfully by low doses of adrenocorticolytic agent, o,p'-DDD. However, the exacerbation of multiple myeloma was found to accompany the serum cortisol normalization. Previous reports have shown the good efficacy of combination therapy with melphalan and prednisolone for multiple myeloma. It was suggested that the decrease of endogenous cortisol level might exacerbate the patient's multiple myeloma.

[Long-term survival in patients with breast cancer after intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy]

Twenty two patients with locally advanced breast cancer survived for more than 5 years after intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (IA). In this study, we compared these long-term-survivors with thirteen cases who died within 2 years. The results were as follows. (1) ER positive rate of the long-term-survivors (90%) was significantly higher than in short-term-survivors (25.0%). (2) There was no difference between the response rates of each group; 63.2% in long-term-survivors vs. 53.8% in short-term-survivors. (3) Adjuvant endocrine therapies were carried out in the former group, and their D.F.I. were considerably longer than in the latter group. (4) Common sites of recurrence in long-term-survivors were soft tissues and bones, compared with visceral in short-term-survivors. Post-recurrence survivals of the former were, also, longer than in the latter. From these results, we confirmed that preoperative IA and following adjuvant endocrine therapies induces favorable results in the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer.

Histochemical analysis of the chemical structure of blood group-related carbohydrate chains in serous cells of human submandibular glands using lectin staining and glycosidase digestion

Using lectin staining methods in combination with exo- and endo-glycosidase digestion procedures, we analyzed the chemical structure of different types of blood group-related substances in serous cells of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human submandibular glands. Serous cells produced only H antigen; A and B antigens were not present, and the expression of H antigen is dependent on the secretor status of the tissue donor. Although reactivity with Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) was not markedly reduced by alpha-L-fucosidase digestion, an affinity for peanut agglutinin (PNA) was seen after fucosidase digestion in the cells from secretors. In those from nonsecretors, no PNA reactivity appeared after enzyme digestion. On the other hand, sialidase digestion elicited PNA reactivity in serous cells irrespective of the donor's secretor status. PNA reactivity observed after fucosidase or sialidase digestion was susceptible to endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (endo-GalNAc-dase) digestion. SBA reactivity in UEA-I-negative cells from secretors, or in cells from fetuses and newborn infants, was markedly reduced by beta-galactosidase digestion. After galactosidase digestion, reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin II (GSA-II) appeared in the corresponding cells. This GSA-II reactivity was almost completely eliminated by subsequent beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase digestion. Whereas PNA reactivity in these cells was not reduced by beta-galactosidase treatment, it was significantly diminished by endo-GalNAc-dase digestion. These results suggest that at least two kinds of precursor disaccharides are produced in submandibular serous cells, i.e., SBA-reactive D-galactose-(beta 1-3,4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and PNA-reactive D-galactose-(beta 1-3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine alpha 1-serine or threonine (O-glycosidically linked Type 3 chain or T antigen). Final fucosylation and synthesis of these two types of precursor chain appear to be under the control of the secretor gene.

[Five cases of the double renal pelvis and ureter]

Five cases of the double renal pelvis and ureter were encountered among 340 cadavers for dissection practice. Number of minor calices and their surface area in these kidneys were calculated, and causal relationship to abnormal organogenesis was discussed. These 5 cases were formal exclusively in consist of males; 4 right sides and 1 left side, 2 complete duplications and 3 partial duplications. The 5 cases were divided into 2 groups by the number and surface area of minor calices in upper and lower pelvises as follows: 1) The number and surface area of minor calices in the upper pelvis and the lower pelvis were respectively equivalent to the mean value of those in one normal kidney (case 1). 2) The sum of the number and surface area of minor calices in the upper and those in the lower pelvises were equivalent to the mean value of those in one normal kidney (case 2-5). These cases give useful criteria for classification of the double renal pelvis and ureter.

A comparative study of the estrogen receptor ratio in myometrium and uterine leiomyomas

Estrogen receptor (ER) content in myoma and myometrium was determined by radio-receptor assay (RRA), and ER staining was performed by immunocytochemical staining, i.e. the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method, in uterine samples from eight patients with uterine leiomyoma. ER content in myoma tended to be hither than that in myometrium, but the difference was not significant. The distribution pattern of ER staining was thought to be an important criterion. When the data were compared on the basis of the number of cells in the site where the largest number of positive cells aggregated, the number for myoma was significantly higher than that for myometrium (P less than 0.05). These results suggest that myoma contains more ER positive cells to obtain estrogen effects than myometrium.

[Changes in autonomic nerve function during the normal menstrual cycle measured by the coefficient of variation of R-R intervals]

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a change in autonomic nerve function during the menstrual cycle. The subjects were 20 females (average age 26.1 years +/- 4.6) with a normal menstrual cycle. The coefficient of variation of R-R intervals (CV R.R) was measured to investigate autonomic function in the menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and premenstrual phases. Average CV R-R for all phases was 5.2 +/- 1.9%. And the CV R-R tended to be lower in those in their 30s than in those in their 20s. And no noticeable difference was seen in the CV R-R among the 5 phases of the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, the CV R-R of 11 females with premenstrual syndrome was low in the ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual phases. These results, which provide basic data for clinical use, suggest the following. (1) The age of subjects should be taken into consideration. (2) Changes in the CV R-R during the menstrual cycle are negligible. (3) However, in those showing symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle such as premenstrual syndrome, changes during the menstrual cycle should be taken into account. At the same time psychological changes in the subjects were evaluated by the following tests: Cornell Medical Index, Taylor's manifest anxiety scale, and Zung's self-rating depression scale. The results of these tests did not vary significantly during the menstrual cycle.

[Clinical study of blood cardioplegia--for aerobic metabolism during aortic cross-clamping]

Blood cardioplegia is considered to be superior in oxygenating potential, buffering potential, oncotic, and other physiologic effects. In clinical cases, however, it is unproven whether aerobic metabolism can be obtained by using blood cardioplegia during aortic cross-clamping. Aerobic metabolism during aortic cross-clamping was therefore evaluated in patients with valvular heart disease who underwent relatively long periods of ischemic arrest. Myocardial metabolism of oxygen, lactate and pyruvate was studied in 14 patients under 126 +/- 41.2 min of cardiac arrest, and intramyocardial carbon dioxide tension (PmCO2) was also monitored continuously in 23 patients who received 121 +/- 29.8 min of aortic cross-clamping. After aortic cross-clamping, 4 degrees C St. Thomas solution was infused for immediate cooling, followed by blood cardioplegia for replenishment every 20-25 min. Blood cardioplegia and myocardial temperature were maintained within 15-20 degrees C by using an automatic cardiac hypothermia control system. Myocardial oxygen extraction during the pre-ischemic period was 26.8 +/- 13.3%. At 15 and 30 min after reperfusion, it was 30.0 +/- 10.8% and 33.8 +/- 8.2%, respectively. During ischemic arrest, myocardial oxygen extraction decreased, but the infusion of blood cardioplegia kept it above 14.0 +/- 9.3% at all times. As for lactate metabolism, although some cases showed lactate production even before the aortic cross-clamping, lactate extraction was attained in some cases during blood cardioplegia perfusion. Changes in excess lactate and redox potential of lactate and pyruvate (delta Eh) showed that aerobic metabolism could be obtained in 13/32 (41%) infusions of blood cardioplegia. PmCO2 at the aortic cross-clamp was 47.0 +/- 27.7 mmHg, and gradually rose during the ischemic arrest, but only as far as 68.4 +/- 64.8 mmHg at the time of cross-clamp release. PmCO2 decreased with each infusion of blood cardioplegia, and the decrease lasted up to 10 minutes. Though PmCO2 began to rise thereafter, the effect of blood cardioplegia continued as long as 20-25 min after the infusion. In conclusion, blood cardioplegia provides aerobic metabolism during aortic cross-clamping even in clinical setting, provided that cardiac hypothermia and delivery of cardioplegic solution are maintained appropriately.

Histochemical demonstration of O-glycosidically linked, type 3 based ABH antigens in human pancreas using lectin staining and glycosidase digestion procedures

Histochemical analyses of the chemical structures of sugar sequences with or without blood group specificity were carried out by combined stepwise digestion of tissue sections with exo- and endoglycosidases and subsequent lectin stainings in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human pancreas. In acinar cells from blood group A or AB secretor individuals, sequential digestion with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and alpha-L-fucosidase imparted reactivity with peanut agglutinin (PNA) in cells reactive with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin as well as those with Ulex europaeus agglutinin I(UEA-I). Simple fucosidase digestion imparted the PNA reactivity only in UEA-I reactive cells. Sequential digestion with alpha-galactosidase and fucosidase likewise liberated the PNA binding sites in Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 reactive cells from blood group B and AB secretors. Sialidase digestion liberated the PNA binding sites not only in acinar cells but also intercalated duct cells, islet cells of Langerhans and endothelial cells. The PNA reactivity obtained by these enzyme digestions was eliminted by endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (endo-GalNAcdase) digestion. Preexisting PNA affinity in acinar cells from non-secretors was also susceptible to endo-GalNAcdase treatment. Following the endo-GalNAcdase digestion, fucosidase or sialidase digestion recovered the PNA reactivity in acinar cells from nonsecretors. These results show that ABH determinants carried on O-glycosidically linked type 3 chain (D-galactose-(beta 1-3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine alpha 1-serine or threonine) are secreted in pancreatic acinar cells and suggest that product coded by the secretor gene is required for the complete conversion of type 3 precursor chains into H determinants.

Hypothalamic neurons from a developmental aspect

The development of hypothalamic neurons was examined in vivo and in transplanted grafts in rats. The neurons appeared in vivo in distinctive chronotopical schedules showing such morphological characteristics as synaptocrine or hemocrine neurons. These phenotypical properties seemed to be primed already by day 12.5 of gestation in rats, because the grafted hypothalamic primordia from 12.5-day-old embryonal rats differentiated neurons, which express these neuronal properties in the third ventricle of adult female rats. The synaptocrine neurons projected to other neurons, suggesting the establishment of synaptic contacts, and the hemocrine neurons projected to vasculatures developed in the grafts, suggesting the accomplishment of neurovascular associations.

[Establishment of primary culture of cells derived from human uterine endometrium]

A culture of cells derived from the endometrium was established to study in vitro the effects of hormone on the endometrium. Endometrial tissue was cut into small pieces and suspended in trypsin and collagenase-containing medium. The primary cell culture was obtained by six passages. The following observations appeared to indicate that the cultured cells consisted of endometrial epithelium-derived adenocytes, endometrial stromal cells and fibroblasts: 1. The epithelium-derived adenocytes and the endometrial stromal cells were positive and the fibroblasts were negative for staining with keratin by the enzyme-labelled antibody method. 2. Transmission electron microscopic observation revealed microvilli on the surface of the adenocytes, abundant free ribosomes in the cytoplasm, and nucleoli in distinct nuclei whose margin was deeply stained. Junction complexes among the cells were also observed. There were no microvilli on the surface of the endometrial stromal cell. Filaments, mitochondria and secreting granules were distinctly seen in the cytoplasm. The adenocytes on the margin of the nucleus itself were more deeply stained, and the margin was notched. The fibroblasts were spindle-shaped, and there no basement membrane structure laterally along the surface of the fibroblast. There were no intercellular junction complexes but there were filaments in the intercellular borders and in the cytoplasm. Chromatin in the large oval nuclei was dispersed.

[Pharmacokinetics of N4-behenoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine after intraperitoneal administration]

The patients with cartinomatous peritonitis were treated with the intraperitoneal administration (ip) of N4-behenoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosineine (BH-AC: analogue of Ara-C), and the pharmacokinetics of BH-AC ip was studied. The following results were obtained (1) Immediately after ip administration, the concentration of BH-AC in ascites became as high as 10(6) ng/ml. At 24 hours following BH-AC ip, 10(4) ng/ml of BH-AC was detected in ascites. (2) Immediately after ip administration the concentration of Ara-C derived from BH-AC in ascites became as high as 10(3) ng/ml. At 24 hours, more than 10 ng/ml of Ara-C was detected in the ascites. (3) Ara-U in ascites was detected also soon after BH-AC ip was performed. Accordingly, it is expected that deaminase may be present in ascites. (4) As compared with in ascites, Ara-C in plasma showed very low level (less than 1 ng/ml). These findings indicate that BH-AC is suitable drug for intraperitoneal administration, because BH-AC revealed low peritoneal and high plasma clearances.

The effect of cyclosporin A on the course of Paragonimus miyazakii infection in rats

The effect of the immunomodulatory fungal metabolite cyclosporin A (CyA) on the course of Paragonimus miyazakii infection in rats was studied. Administration of CyA 15 to 19 days post-infection resulted in a significantly lower recovery rate of worms and cyst formation in the host's lungs than in controls. Administration of CyA -1 to +3 days post-infection enhanced the growth and maturation of P. miyazakii, expressed as weight of worms and the number of worms with eggs in uteri with respect to control values. This study shows that administration of CyA to rats affects the host-parasite relationship, depending on the time of administration of the drug.

[A comparison of radioreceptor assay and immunocytochemical staining for estrogen receptor in leiomyoma and myometrium]

Estrogen receptor (ER) content in myoma and myometrium was determined by radioreceptor assay (RRA), and ER staining was performed by immunocytochemical staining, i.e., the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method, in uterine samples from eight patients with uterine leiomyoma. ER content in myoma tended to be higher than that in myometrium, but the difference was not significant. The distribution pattern of ER staining was thought to be an important criterion. When the data were compared on the basis of the number of cells in the site where the largest number of positive cells aggregated, the number for myoma was significantly higher than that for myometrium (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that myoma contains more ER positive cells and more efficiently absorbs estrogen than myometrium.

[A comparative study of preoperative intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy and transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization in patients with locally advanced breast cancer]

A Comparative study of preoperative intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (I.A.) and transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization (TAC-E) was carried out on thirty-eight patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The results were as follows. (1) In the primary lesions, there was no difference in response rate between these two treatment modalities. (2) As for side effects, moderate myelosuppression and gastrointestinal disorders were frequently observed in I.A. group. (3) Considerably lower recurrence rate of visceral metastasis was noted in I.A. group, in comparison with the TAC-E group. After TAC-E, however, there was no local recurrence. (4) Five-year cumulative survival rate of I.A. and TAC-E group were 52.3% and 60.7% respectively, without any significant difference between the two groups. These results indicated that both I.A. and TAC-E were effective preoperative treatment for locally advanced breast cancer. Therefore, we should select each treatment modality considering the patient's characteristics.

Double immunoelectron microscopic labelings of human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen in human chorionic villi

Simultaneous immunoelectron microscopic localization of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and human placental lactogen (HPL) was examined on the same ultrathin section of human chorionic villi by means of the double labeling technique. Using specific rabbit antisera against HCG and HPL followed by goat anti-rabbit IgG-coated colloidal gold of different sizes (15 nm and 5 nm), immunoreactions of HCG were concentrated on middle-sized secretory granules of 200-300 nm and large dense bodies of 500-1000 nm, while those of HPL were exclusively located on small secretory granules of 80-180 nm. The present experiment provides direct evidence for our previous data that HCG and HPL seem to be stored in different granular components in the syncytiotrophoblast.

Effects of alpha-L-fucosidase digestion on lectin staining in human pancreas

We examined the effects of alpha-L-fucosidase digestion on lectin staining in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human pancreatic tissue from individuals of different blood groups. Digestion with the enzyme resulted in apparent diminished intensity of Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) staining in the acinar cells. In addition to the decreased intensity of UEA-I staining, reactivity with soybean agglutinin (SBA) was increased in the enzyme-susceptible, UEA-I-reactive cells. The intensity of Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II (GSA-II) staining performed after beta-galactosidase digestion in UEA-I-reactive acinar cells was markedly increased by prior treatment with fucosidase. GSA-II staining following sequential digestion with fucosidase and galactosidase was completely abolished by subsequent digestion with beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase. These results therefore substantiate the previous assumption that SBA-reactive D-galactose-(beta 1-3,4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and GSA-II reactive beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine imparted following galactosidase digestion represent precursors of H antigen. The present study further demonstrated that intense peanut agglutinin (PNA) staining was imparted after digestion with fucosidase in UEA-I-reactive sites in secretors. In contrast, nonsecretors showed vivid PNA staining that was usually detected throughout the pancreas without prior enzyme digestion. Here, fucosidase digestion had if any little effect on PNA staining. These results suggest that in secretors a terminal trisaccharide, fucosylated D-galactose-(beta 1-3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine exhibiting positive PNA reaction after fucosidase digestion, exists in UEA-I-reactive acinar cells. It is assumed that the secretor gene could control the step of final fucosylation of D-galactose-(beta 1-3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in human pancreas.

[A case report of advanced ovarian cancer with chronic renal dysfunction treated by CDDP i.p]

Reported in this paper is a case of a 56-year-old female patient who was diagnosed as having an ovarian cancer (stage T 4) with a renal dysfunction (CCr 30.5 ml/min). We instilled CDDP intra-peritoneally (CDDP-ip), taking into consideration the peritoneal clearance (CLp.). The administration of sodium thiosulphate also was combined. The low CLp. of this case (299.2 ml/h) made it possible to instill a high dose in the peritoneal cavity and a low dose in the plasma. This method provided enough of anti-tumor effect and kept the renal function safe. We believe that the CLp. is the most important factor in determining the effect and side effects of CDDp-ip.

Development of hypothalamic neurons in intraventricular grafts: expression of specific transmitter phenotypes

The anlages of the medial-basal hypothalamus (MBH), septopreoptic area (POA), Rathke's pouch, and the parietal cortex (CC) of rats (at 12.5, 14.5 and 16.5 days of gestation) were transplanted singly or in combination into the third ventricle of adult female rats, and the development of neurons in the grafts was investigated immunohistochemically with the use of antisera to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), somatostatin (SRIH), ACTH, methionine enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (Enk-8), rat corticotropin-releasing factor (rCRF), rat hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing factor (rhGRF), and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). TH and all the peptides examined except LHRH were detected in distinct neurons in MBH grafts and in cografts of MBH plus Rathke's pouch from 12.5-day-old embryos. SRIH, rCRF, Enk-8, and TH were found in POA grafts from embryos of the same age. Although immunoreactive LHRH was first detected in neurons in POA grafts from 16.5-day-old embryos, it appeared in cografts of POA and MBH from 12.5-day-old embryos. The immunoreactive fibers developed in the grafts expressed the same characteristic behaviors as in intact brain; the fibers containing hormonal substances formed complexes with the vasculature like in the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT) or in the median eminence, while the fibers containing neurotropic signals formed fiber networks surrounding other nerve cell bodies as if they synaptically associate. In CC grafts, the neurons contained TH, SRIH, rCRF, or Enk-8, and their axonal processes formed fiber networks. These findings suggest that all the hypothalamic neurons examined are committed by 12.5 days of gestation to develop maintaining transmitter phenotype and target recognition capacity.

The efficacy of every-other-day administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea: gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment can induce clomiphene responsiveness

The efficacy of every-other-day gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration was investigated in clomiphene-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) resistant, anovulatory women with hypogonadotropism or normogonadotropism. One hundred micrograms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone was injected intramuscularly three times a week for four weeks (one course). Ten of 11 hypogonadotropic patients responded to clomiphene or clomiphene-hCG after one to three courses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment. Once the patients were converted to clomiphene responsiveness, ovulatory response continued without additional treatment, and all four patients who desired pregnancy conceived. Among eight normogonadotropic women, four with amenorrhea of one year or less became clomiphene-hCG responders after one or two courses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment. They were subsequently treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone after every one or two ovulatory cycles. One of the four women who desired to be pregnant conceived. We conclude that intramuscular gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment is effective in inducing responsiveness to clomiphene, especially in hypogonadotropic anovulatory women. In normogonadotropic women, gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment may be useful in those who have been amenorrheic for less than a year.

Cytochemical localization of blood group substances in human salivary glands using lectin-gold complexes

We investigated localization of blood group antigens and their related substances in human labial salivary and submandibular glands by application of a post-embedding cytochemical staining procedure using lectin- or glycoprotein-gold complexes. Surgical tissue was obtained from 10 patients. Blood group-specific lectins, such as Dolichos biflorus agglutinin or Helix pomatia agglutinin (group A-specific), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-I B4 (group B-specific), and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (group H-specific) could recognize A, B, and H antigens, respectively, only in mature secretory granules (mature SG), which were found preferentially in cells in the late phase of the maturation cycle. In immature secretory granules (immature SG), which were found in cells in the early or middle phase of the maturation cycle, no binding with these lectins was observed. The Golgi complexes and endoplasmic reticula also were not labeled with these lectins. In blood group O and B secretors, blood group antigens were uniformly distributed throughout all the mature SG examined. However, in blood group A secretors, the distribution was heterogeneous, i.e., in some granules only H antigen was demonstrated, whereas in others both A antigens and a small amount of H antigens were detected. Among the blood group-nonspecific lectins, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was found to bind more preferentially to immature SG than to mature SG. This was demonstrated irrespective of the blood group and secretor status of the tissue donor, except that in blood group A secretors WGA bound strongly to some mature SG which possessed A antigen. We discuss the significance of cellular and subcellular mosaic distribution of blood group antigens in connection with morphological differences of secretory granules and the maturation cycle of mucous cells.

Effects of alpha-galactosidase digestion on lectin staining in human pancreas

Effects of alpha-galactosidase (from green coffee beans) digestion on lectin staining were examined in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human pancreatic tissues from individuals of blood-group B and AB. Digestion with the enzyme resulted in almost complete loss of Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 (GSAI-B4) staining in the acinar cells with concomitant appearance of Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I(UEA-I) staining in the corresponding cells. In addition, reactivity with soybean agglutinin(SBA) was also imparted by the enzyme digestion in GSAI-B4 positive acinar cells. beta-Galactosidase digestion following alpha-galactosidase digestion neither reduced the reactivity with SBA nor induced the reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II(GSA-II) in GSAI-B4 positive cells, while in UEA-I positive cells, both reduction of SBA reactivity and appearance of GSA-II reactivity occurred after simple beta-galactosidase digestion as well as sequential digestion with alpha- and beta-galactosidase. However, when alpha-L-fucosidase digestion procedure was inserted between alpha- and beta-galactosidase digestion, UEA-I staining imparted by alpha-galactosidase digestion was markedly decreased in intensity and GSA-II reactivity was appeared in GSAI-B4 positive acinar cells. Furthermore, after sequential digestion with alpha-galactosidase and fucosidase, reactivity with peanut agglutinin(PNA) was revealed in GSAI-B4 positive acinar cells as well as UEA-I positive cells in secretors. In non-secretors, strong PNA staining was usually observed in the acinar cells throughout the glands without enzyme digestion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The role of glutathione on placental amino acid transport (using microvillous membrane vesicles)]

To elucidate the role of glutathione (GSH) on placental amino acid transport, we investigated L-lysine transport using microvillous membrane vesicles prepared from full term human placenta. 1. The transport of L-lysine into microvillous membrane vesicles was not affected by glutathione. 2. The transport of L-lysine into microvillous membrane vesicles was inhibited by inorganic mercury (Hg2+), and 0.1mM Hg2+ inhibited 34% of this transport and 1mM Hg2+ inhibited 50%. 3. The transport of L-lysine inhibited by Hg2+ was almost completely restored when glutathione was added simultaneously. These results indicated that glutathione defended the inhibitory action of inorganic mercury on L-lysine transport across microvillous membrane.

Kinetic differences between Na channels in the egg and in the neurally differentiated blastomere in the tunicate

In the tunicate embryo, the cleavage can be arrested at any stage by treatment with cytochalasin B, and yet treated blastomeres can express differentiated phenotypes after a certain period of incubation. We took advantage of these large differentiated blastomeres, which were amenable to electrophysiological recordings, to compare Na channels in the egg cell and those in the neurally differentiated blastomere. The macroscopic Na current in the differentiated blastomere showed a marked slow-decaying component in addition to a fast one, whereas in the egg the fast-decaying component was predominant. Both the I-V relationship and the steady-state inactivation curve shifted about 8 mV in the positive direction in the neurally differentiated blastomere compared with those in the egg cell. Furthermore, single-channel current recordings revealed that Na channels reopened more frequently in the differentiated blastomere than in the egg cell. This characteristic of the channel corresponded well to the marked slow-decaying component of the macroscopic current in the differentiated blastomere. The single-channel conductance was similar in both types of cells. We conclude that the neurally differentiated blastomere expresses a Na channel that has properties of inactivation kinetics distinct from those of the egg-type Na channel and that no detectable egg-type channel coexists in the neurally differentiated blastomeres.

[The effect of antibiotics (gentamicin) on placental amino acid transport activity (using human placental microvillous membrane vesicles)]

In order to elucidate the effect of antibiotics (gentamicin) on placental amino acids transport, we investigated L-alanine transport using microvillous membrane vesicles prepared from full-term human placental by a rapid filtration technique. 1. The active transport of L-alanine into microvillous membrane vesicles was dependent on Na+ electrochemical gradient (extravesicular greater than intravesicular). And the double reciprocal plot of this Na+ dependent initial uptake rate versus L-alanine concentration exhibited an apparent Km of 0.79 + 0.23mM and a Vmax of 3.56 + 0.70n mol/mg protein/20 sec. 2. Gentamicin did not affect the Km value of this Na+ dependent L-alanine transport kinetics (0.77 + 0.19 mM [lmM gentamicin], 0.79 + 0.21mM [10mM gentamicin]). On the other hand, gentamicin apparently decreased, the Vmax value of this transport kinetics (1.99 + 0.48n mol/mg protein/20 sec [1mM gentamicin], 1.12 + 0.32n mol/mg protein/20 sec [10mM gentamicin]).

[Cold constitution: analysis of the questionnaire]

"Hie-sho" means having a cold constitution. The authors studied basic data for cold constitution with a questionnaire and with the Cornell Medical Index. The subjects were 318 females, and the average age was 26.4 +/- 6.1 (Mean +/- SD) and the range was 20 approximately 51 years of age. The results were as follows: (1) 38.7% of the subjects had been conscious of having a cold constitution, and it was recognized that the subjects with a cold constitution are found not only in the climacterium but also in the young. (2) The average age of onset of cold constitution was 19.3 +/- 5.1 years old. (3) The parts of the body that usually felt cold were first the feet and then the hands. (4) In winter or at bedtime the cold sensation was increased. And it is characteristic that the sensation was changed by weather or by body condition, especially by the stimulation of coldness. (5) Most subjects with a cold constitution took care in their daily life, but very few of them were treated. (6) Many other physical symptoms were recognized in subjects with a cold constitution, and their CMI scores were high. Therefore these data may be regarded as indicating that most cases of cold constitution are a partial symptom of vegetative disturbance (autonomic nerve dysfunction). (7) Most of the mothers of subjects with a cold constitution also had a cold constitution, which suggests the involvement of a hereditary factor concerning in the development of a cold constitution.

[A case report of an advanced ovarian cancer (stage T4) treated with a total amount of 1815 mg of CDDP]

A case is reported of a 34-year-old female who complained of an adult head-sized tumor in the pelvis and was treated with a high dose of CDDP. On the first look operation, it was found impossible to perform reduction surgery because of severe adhesion and peritonitis carcinomatosa. To introduce a high concentration of an anti-cancer agent into the tumor tissue, we administered CDDP intravenously, intraperitoneally and intra-arterially to the total amount of 1815 mg. After this high dose combination chemotherapy, a second look operation was performed and the tumor was seen to be reduced. The patient is now in remission and is being followed up as an out-patient. The clinical course of this case had decided for us which route would be the most effective and would have the least side effect, also, how much of a dosage can be administered as a maximum adoptive dose of an anti-cancer agent, and what kind of a second-line chemotherapy is effective against resistant cancer cells.

[The changes in EPH gestosis placental amino acid transport activity (using human placental microvillous membrane vesicles)]

To elucidate the change in EPH gestosis placental amino acid transport activity, we investigated the uptake of L-alanine into microvillous membrane vesicles prepared from EPH gestosis placenta and from normal placenta by using a rapid filtration technique. 1. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was the marker enzyme of microvillous membrane vesicles (MMV). The ALP activity of mild EPH gestosis placental MMV didn't differ from that of normal placental MMV. On the other hand, the ALP activity of severe EPH gestosis placental MMV decreased compared to that of normal placental MMV. 2. The uptake of L-alanine into human placental MMV was dependent on the Na+ electrochemical gradient, so the transport across human placental MMV was a secondarily active one. The L-alanine transport activity of mild EPH gestosis placental MMV didn't differ from that of normal placental MMV. On the other hand, the L-alanine transport activity of severe EPH gestosis placental MMV decreased prominently compared to that of normal placental MMV.

Parathyroid adenoma imaged by gallium-67 citrate. A case report

A parathyroid adenoma imaged by Ga-67 citrate in a 17-year-old man with primary hyperparathyroidism and a palpable solid tumor in the neck is presented. Although preoperative examination and intraoperative findings suggested a parathyroid carcinoma, histologic studies showed a parathyroid adenoma with predominant chief cell type.

[The study on human placental DHA-S transport mechanism (using placental microvillous membrane vesicles)]

To investigate the placental DHA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) transport mechanism, the uptake of DHA-S into microvillous membrane vesicles prepared from human term placenta was studied using the rapid filtration technique. 1. The uptake of DHA-S into microvillous membrane vesicles was not dependent on both Na+ electrochemical gradient and membrane potential difference. 2. The uptake of DHA-S into microvillous membrane vesicles was dependent on temperature. The initial uptake rate of DHA-S at 37 degrees C was three times as great as at 4 degrees C. 3. The initial rate of DHA-S transport exhibited saturation kinetics with respect to the DHA-S concentration; an apparent Km of 0.067 mM and Vmax of 1.01 nmol/mg protein/20 sec were calculated. 4. The uptake of DHA-S into microvillous membrane vesicles was inhibited by DHA, but not by estriol. These results indicated that placental DHA-S transport was carrier mediated and a passive one.

Examination of exchange assay for glucocorticoid receptor

We examined a method for the measurement of total, activated and non-activated glucocorticoid receptors using sodium-p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (PHMB) and dithiothereitol (DTT) developed by Banerji and Kalimi (1981). Since the concentration of PHMB required for dissociation of the ligand from the receptors varied with the concentration of protein in the reaction mixture and the rate of reassociation of the ligand to the ligand-liberated receptors was sensitive to the concentration of PHMB used, it was necessary to find the minimum concentration of PHMB which was required for complete dissociation of the ligand. When the optimum concentration of PHMB was selected based on the concentration of protein in the cytosol, almost 100% exchange was attained in the non-heated dexamethasone (Dex)-receptor complexes by this method. However when Dex-receptor complexes were heated at 25 degrees C for 30 min, the amount of 3H-Dex reassociated with the glucocorticoid receptors dropped to 60% of that of the non-heated ones. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of the heated sample revealed that approx. 40% of the bound receptors were activated (eluted with 0.05 M KCl) during the heating period. After DEAE cellulose column chromatography of the exchanged 3H-Dex receptor, complexes reassociated with 3H-Dex were observed only in the fraction of unactivated receptor complexes (eluted with 0.2 M KCl). Furthermore, the fraction eluted with 0.05 M KCl in the DEAE cellulose chromatography of liver cytosol bound to unlabelled Dex did not exchange significantly with 3H-Dex with the method used in the present study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histochemical reactivity of soybean agglutinin with blood group antigens and their precursor substances in acinar cells of human pancreas

In human pancreas, soybean agglutinin (SBA) conjugated to horseradish peroxidase reacted with the acinar cells secreting blood group A and/or H antigen, but not with those secreting only B antigen. For detailed histochemical characterization of SBA staining, the effects of treatment with unlabeled lectins and of digestion of certain enzymes on SBA staining were investigated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded pancreatic tissue from individuals of different blood groups. Pre-incubation of sections with unlabeled Dolichos biflorus agglutinin to block A antigen eliminated subsequent SBA staining in the cells secreting A antigen, although failing to induce any effects in those secreting H antigen. In contrast, pre-incubation with unlabeled Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) to block H antigen abolished SBA staining in cells secreting H antigen but not in those secreting A antigen. Treatment with galactose oxidase yielded the same results as those with unlabeled UEA-I, i.e., SBA reactivity was significantly diminished in cells secreting H antigen but not in those secreting A antigen. Digestion with beta-galactosidase resulted in a slight decrease of SBA staining in the cells secreting H antigen. Accompanying the decrease of SBA staining, reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II (GSA-II) appeared for the first time in the enzyme-susceptible, SBA-reactive cells secreting H antigen. Pre-treatment with galactose oxidase abolished this effect of beta-galactosidase. The GSA-II reactivity disclosed by treatment with galactosidase was completely eliminated by digestion with beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, indicating that GSA-II staining after digestion with galactosidase is due to exposed penultimate beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues. These results demonstrate that at least two substances react with SBA in acinar cells of human pancreas, one being terminal beta-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues of A antigen, and the other being terminal beta-D-galactose-(1----3 or 1----4)-beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine dimers in the precursor of blood group H antigen. Such dimers may exist in close proximity to L-fucose residues of H antigen, since unlabeled UEA-I blocked SBA staining.

[D-glucose reabsorption activity of fetal kidney (by using brush border membrane vesicles of proximal tubule)]

By using brush border membrane vesicles prepared from human mid gestational fetal kidney (cortex), the D-glucose transport mechanism and its developmental pattern was studied by the rapid filtration technique. 1. The transport of D-glucose into brush border membrane vesicles prepared from fetal kidney (18 gestational weeks) did not show a great degree of Na+ gradient (extravesicular greater than intravesicular) dependence. 2. The transport of D-glucose into brush border membrane vesicles prepared from fetal kidney (22 gestational weeks) depended on Na+ gradient. This Na+ dependent D-glucose transport showed overshoot and markedly increased when the intravesicular space was rendered electrically more negative with a membrane potential induced by highly permeant anions or by the K+ diffusion membrane potential via valinomycin. These results indicated that the Na+ dependent active D-glucose reabsorption system in the proximal tubules of kidney might be formed between 18 and 22 gestational weeks and the D-glucose reabsorption mechanism of kidney at 22 gestational weeks was Na+ cotransport dependent on membrane potential as in adult ones.

[Absorption of L-alanine in small intestine of human fetus (by using brush border membrane vesicles of jejunum)]

By using brush border membrane vesicles prepared from human mid gestational fetal intestine (jejunum), the intestinal L-alanine transport mechanism was studied using a rapid filtration technique. The uptake of L-alanine by the vesicles was osmotically sensitive. This finding indicated that the uptake of L-alanine by the vesicles represented transport into the vesicles. A Na+ electrochemical gradient (extravesicular greater than intravesicular) stimulated the initial rate of L-alanine uptake, and Na+ dependent uptake of L-alanine into vesicles showed a typical overshoot phenomenon. This overshoot and the initial rate of uptake markedly increased when the intravesicular space was rendered electrically more negative by membrane diffusion potentials induced by with highly permeant anions. A similar stimulation of L-alanine uptake was observed, when membrane potential (inside negative) was imposed by K+ diffusion potentials via valinomycin. These results indicated that an Na+ dependent uptake of L-alanine into the brush border membrane vesicles was dependent on the electrical potential difference of the membrane. The initial rate of L-alanine transport exhibited saturation kinetics with respect to the L-alanine concentration; an apparent Km of Km1; 1.6mM, Km2; 14.1mM, and Vmax of Vmax1; 4.0n mol/mg protein/20sec, Vmax2; 8.2n mol/mg protein/20 sec were calculated. From these results mid gestational fetal intestine (jejunum) already has an L-alanine absorption system which is comparable to the adult one's.

[Study on human placental beta-alanine and taurine transport mechanism (using microvillous membrane vesicles]

Using microvillous membrane vesicles prepared from human full term placenta, we studied the placental beta-amino acid transport mechanism. The transport of amino acids into microvillous membrane vesicles was studied by a filtration technique using a millipore filter. The uptake of beta-alanine into microvillous membrane vesicles was dependent on Na+ electrochemical gradient (extravesicular greater than intravesicular). The initial rate of this Na+ gradient dependent beta-alanine transport exhibited saturation kinetics with respect to the beta-alanine concentration: an apparent Km of 0.24 mM and Vmax of 46 pmol/mg protein/20 sec were calculated. Taurine inhibited beta-alanine uptake into microvillous membrane vesicles, but on the other hand L-alanine didn't inhibit this beta-alanine uptake. The L-alanine uptake into microvillous membrane vesicles was Na+ electrochemical gradient dependent and the initial rate of this Na+ dependent L-alanine uptake into vesicles was faster than the uptake of Na+ itself into vesicles. On the other hand, the initial rate of Na+ dependent beta-alanine and taurine uptake into vesicles was slower than the uptake of Na+ itself into vesicles. These results indicated that there existed a beta-amino acid specific transport system in human placental microvillous membrane, and placental taurine transport was carried out by this system. And it was also indicated that this placental beta-amino acid transport mechanism is quite different from that of L-alanine.