GABA and benzodiazepine receptors in the gerbil brain after transient ischemia: demonstration by quantitative receptor autoradiography

Quantitative receptor autoradiography was used to measure the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors after ischemia by means of transient occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries in the gerbil. [3H]Muscimol was used to label the GABAA receptors and [3H]flunitrazepam to label central type benzodiazepine receptors. In the superolateral convexities of the frontal cortices, [3H]muscimol binding was increased in 60% of the animals killed 3 days after ischemia, and decreased in 67% of the animals killed 27 days after ischemia. Twenty-seven days after ischemia, [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the substantia nigra pars reticulata increased to 252% of the control, though the increase in [3H]muscimol binding was not significant. In the dorsolateral region of the caudate putamen, marked neuronal necrosis and depletion of both [3H]muscimol and [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites were observed 27 days after ischemia, the ventromedial region being left intact. In spite of the depletion of pyramidal cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, both [3H]muscimol and [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites were preserved 27 days after ischemia. Since our previous study revealed that adenosine A1 binding sites were depleted in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus after ischemia correlating with neuronal damage, GABAA and benzodiazepine receptors may not be distributed predominantly on the pyramidal cells in the CA1 region.

Lack of carcinogenicity of triethanolamine in F344 rats

The carcinogenic potential of triethanolamine was examined in F344 rats. Triethanolamine was dissolved in distilled water at levels of 0 (control), 1, and 2%, and groups of 50 males and 50 females were given these doses ad libitum as drinking water for 2 yr. The dose levels in females were reduced by half from wk 69, because of associated nephrotoxicity. A variety of tumors developed in all groups, including the control group, and all tumors observed were histologically similar to spontaneous tumors in this strain of rats. No statistically significant increase of the incidence of any tumor was observed in the treated groups of both sexes by the chi-square test. In this study, however, there was an increase in nephrotoxicity, which appeared to have an adverse effect on the life expectancy of the treated animals, especially of females. Therefore, an age-adjusted statistical analysis on incidences of main tumors or tumor groups of both sexes was also done by methods recommended by Peto et al. (1980). The result showed that a positive trend (p less than 0.05) was noted in the occurrence of hepatic tumors (neoplastic nodule/hepatocellular carcinoma) in males and of uterine endometrial sarcomas and renal-cell adenomas in females. These tumors, however, have been observed spontaneously in this strain of rats, and their incidences in the control group of the present study were lower than those of our historical controls. These results may indicate that a positive trend in the occurrence of these tumors is not attributable to triethanolamine administration. Increased incidence of renal tumors in the female high-dose group may have been connected with renal damage. Histological examination of renal damage observed in the treated groups, especially in the female high-dose group, revealed acceleration of so-called chronic nephropathy. In addition, mineralization of the renal papilla, nodular hyperplasia of the pelvic mucosa, and pyelonephritis with or without papillary necrosis were also observed. Thus, it is concluded that under these experimental conditions triethanolamine is not carcinogenic in F344 rats but is toxic to the kidneys.

Changes in levels of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides during acute hypoxia and recovery in neonatal rat brain

Neonatal rat brains were examined for changes in levels of ATP, ADP, AMP, cyclic AMP, GTP, GDP, UTP, UDP, UMP, and CTP during exposure to 100% nitrogen for 20 min and subsequent recovery in air. During hypoxia, ATP, GTP, UTP, and CTP levels and the GTP/GDP ratio decreased to 38, 50, 26, 21, and 21%, respectively, of control levels. No significant change in cyclic AMP level was observed. The decrease in the total uridine nucleotide pool during hypoxia was markedly greater (to 53% of control levels) than that in the total adenine nucleotide pool (to 92% of control levels). During recovery, ATP and GTP levels were rapidly and almost completely restored. On the other hand, CTP levels returned slowly to control values after a 2-h recovery period. Restoration of the UTP level was slow and incomplete (87% of the control value even after a 3-h recovery period). The GTP/GDP ratio also did not return to normal. These data suggest that hypoxic insult to the neonate may have an effect on the synthesis of nucleotidyl sugars, phospholipids, and proteins in the brain, resulting in significant problems with developmental processes of the brain. The present study also showed that the delayed restorations of the UTP level and the GTP/GDP ratio were not seen in the brains of adult rats subjected to acute severe hypoxic insult.

Spontaneous neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in aging Donryu rats

Spontaneous neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in 95 male and 96 female Donryu rats which were observed up to 120 weeks of age, were examined. The incidence of spontaneous tumors was 73.7% in males and 88.5% in females. In males, the most frequent tumors were pituitary adenomas, followed by pheochromocytomas and insulinomas. In females, uterine adenocarcinomas, mammary fibroadenomas and pituitary adenomas were the most common. Other tumors with relatively high incidences in both sexes included cortical adenomas of the adrenal gland, histiocytic sarcomas of the hematopoietic organs and granular cell tumors of the brain. Various tumors were also found in many other organs and/or tissues, although their incidences were low. The organ distribution and incidences of spontaneous tumors observed in Donryu rats were different from those in other strains of rats such as the ACI, Wistar, F344 or Sprague-Dawley strains. The main non-neoplastic lesions were observed in the lung, cervical lymph nodes and kidney of both sexes. In addition, lesions were also observed in the urinary bladder, prostate and peripheral nerves (spinal nerve roots and peripheral nerves) and/or femoralis muscle of males. Histologically, the most characteristic lesion was radiculoneuropathy with degeneration of the peripheral nerves.

Carcinogenicity of N-alkyl-N-(1-hydroperoxyalkyl) nitrosamines after intravenous injections in F344 rats

As model compounds of alpha-hydroxy N-nitrosamines, four alpha-hydroperoxy N-nitrosamines were tested for their carcinogenic potential in F344 rats by i.v. injections. Correlation between chemical structure and carcinogenic potencies with respect to target organs was examined. Compounds used in this study were N-methyl-N-(hydroperoxymethyl)nitrosamine (MHPMN), N-ethyl-N-(1-hydroperoxyethyl)nitrosamine (EHPEN), N-propyl-N-(1-hydroperoxypropyl)nitrosamine (PHPPN) and N-butyl-N-(1-hydroperoxybutyl)nitrosamine (BHPBN). All chemicals were dissolved in distilled water and rats received 10 X 1 weekly i.v. injections of these chemicals (10 X 1 weekly injection of 5 mg/kg of MHPMN or equimolar amounts of other chemicals). Lung tumors were detected in all groups of both sexes and the incidences were 100% in each group. Thyroid tumors were also observed with relatively high incidences in treated groups except BHPBN. In the control group, tumors were observed mainly in the testis or uterus, and only two lung tumors and one thyroid tumor were observed in females. Histologically, all lung tumors in the MHPMN group were adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas or a mixture of both types. In the EHPEN, PHPPN and BHPBN groups, especially in females, incidences of carcinomas decreased as the length of the alkyl chain of the compounds, and most of lung tumors in females of the PHPPN and BHPBN groups were adenomas. Many of the thyroid tumors observed in the treated groups were follicular adenomas/carcinomas, whereas C-cell adenomas were the most common type of spontaneous thyroid tumors in this strain of rats. These target organs were similar to those of alpha-acetoxy N-nitrosamines reported previously. The results indicate that the carcinogenic activities of these chemicals depend on the length of the alkyl chain and that organ specificity of these chemicals may differ from those of their mother compounds.

Lesions to Schaffer collaterals prevent ischemic death of CA1 pyramidal cells

The contribution of excitatory inputs to CA1 pyramidal cell death after ischemia was examined using rats with unilateral destruction of CA3 pyramidal cells. Intracerebroventricular injection of L-alpha-kainic acid (KA) was performed before the induction of transient forebrain ischemia. Five days after ischemic insult, pyramidal cells and L-glutamate binding sites in the CA1 region ipsilateral to the KA injection were preserved in spite of neuronal necrosis and a significant decrease in L-glutamate receptor density in the contralateral CA1 region, indicating the critical role of Schaffer collaterals in delayed neuronal death.

Mononucleotide metabolism in the rat brain after transient ischemia

Nucleotide metabolism was studied in rats during and following the induction of 10 min of forebrain ischemia (four-vessel occlusion model). Purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, nucleotides, and bases in forebrain extracts were quantitated by HPLC with an ultraviolet detector. Ischemia resulted in a severe reduction in the concentration of nucleoside triphosphates (ATP, GTP, UTP, and CTP) and an increase in the concentration of AMP, IMP, adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, and guanosine. During the recovery period, both the phosphocreatine level and adenylate energy charge were rapidly and completely restored to the normal range. ATP was only 78% of the control value at 180 min after ischemic reperfusion. Levels of nucleosides and bases were elevated during ischemia but decreased to values close to those of control animals following recirculation. Both the decrease in the adenine nucleotide pool and the incomplete ATP recovery were caused by insufficient reutilization of hypoxanthine via the purine salvage system. The content of cyclic AMP, which transiently accumulated during the early recirculation period, returned to the control level, paralleling the decrease of adenosine concentration, which suggested that adenylate cyclase activity during reperfusion is modulated by adenosine A2 receptors. The recovery of CTP was slow but greater than that of ATP, GTP, and UTP. The GTP/GDP ratio was higher than that of the control animals following recirculation.

Induction of Sertoli cell tumors in the rat ovary by N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas

Relatively high incidences of Sertoli cell tumors of the ovary were induced in Donryu rats given a 400 ppm N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea solution as drinking water for 4 weeks or a single dose of 200 mg/kg N-propyl-N-nitrosourea by stomach tube. Typical Sertoli cell tumors were composed of solid areas showing tubular formation. Tubules were lined by tall, columnar cells having abundant, faintly eosinophilic, often vacuolated cytoplasm, and basally oriented round nuclei. In some cases, Sertoli cell tumors were found to be mixed with granulosa cell tumors.

High susceptibility of analbuminemic rats to gastric tumor induction by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Analbuminemic rats were found to be highly susceptible to induction of gastric tumors by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (67-83 micrograms/ml) given to the rats in drinking water for 32 weeks. The rats were sacrificed at experimental week 44. Gastric tumors were found in 12 of 17 analbuminemic rats (70%) and in 8 of 21 normal rats (38%). Intestinal tumors developed in 7 of 17 (41%) analbuminemic rats and in 9 of 21 (42%) normal rats.

Autoradiographic visualization of adenosine A1 receptors in the gerbil hippocampus: changes in the receptor density after transient ischemia

N6-cyclohexyl-[3H]adenosine [( 3H]CHA) was used for the in vitro visualization of the hippocampal adenosine A1 receptors in the gerbil. The strata radiatum and oriens of the hippocampus showed particularly high binding activity. Depletion of pyramidal cells and consequent severe decrease in [3H]CHA binding activity in the CA1 subfield were observed after transient ischemic insult. These results suggest that most adenosine receptors in the CA1 region are localized in association with pyramidal cells.

Lack of evidence of carcinogenicity of technical-grade piperonyl butoxide in F344 rats: selective induction of ileocaecal ulcers

The carcinogenicity of technical-grade piperonyl butoxide was studied in F344/DuCrj rats fed a dietary level of 0.5 or 1% for 2 yr. Various tumours were detected in all groups, including the untreated control group, but no significant dose-related increase in the incidence of any tumour was found. Thus, it is concluded that under these experimental conditions piperonyl butoxide was not carcinogenic in F344 rats. Unexpectedly, however, ileocaecal ulcers were found in animals of both sexes in both experimental groups and the incidence was dose related. Further studies are required to establish the mechanism of induction of ileocaecal ulcers by piperonyl butoxide.

Organ-specific carcinogenicity of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in F344 and ACI/N rats

Male and female F344 rats were continuously administered N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in their drinking water at concentrations of 200 or 100 ppm, and both sexes of ACI/N rats were given MNU at a concentration of 200 ppm. By the 42nd week of the experiment, high incidences of brain/spinal cord tumors were observed in both strains of rats. Histologically, many of them were astrocytomas or anaplastic astrocytomas. In addition, malignant neurinomas were also detected in the spinal nerve roots and trigeminal nerves, although their incidences were rather low. There was no difference in the type and incidence of these neurogenic tumors between the two strains of rats. Tumors of the tongue and esophagus were mainly observed in the high-dose group of F344 rats and those of the glandular stomach were observed in the low-dose group of F344 rats. In ACI/N rats, tumors of the heart and renal pelvis were detected. The organ-specific carcinogenicity of MNU in these two strains of rats was compared with that of MNU in Donryu rats. It was demonstrated that organ specificity of MNU given orally was influenced not only by the strain of rats but also by the dose level.

Malignant fibrous histiocytomas induced in rats by polymers

Five polymeric materials (3 polyvinyl chlorides, 1 polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate, and 1 dimethyl polysiloxane) were implanted into subcutaneous (SC) tissues of rats. Subcutaneous tumors developed in all experimental groups. The incidences of the tumors differed however, although the experimental conditions were the same for all these materials. This result indicates that chemical characteristics of the materials may influence the incidence of SC tumors. From the histological and electron-microscopic findings many of these tumors were diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytomas.

Spontaneous tumors of the nervous system and associated organs and/or tissues in rats

Spontaneous tumors of the nervous system and associated organs and/or tissues in 346 male and 346 female F344/DuCrj rats and 200 male and 177 female Slc:Wistar rats were examined. The main neurogenic tumors observed were gliomas and neurinomas, which were detected in both strains of rats. Out of 7 gliomas, 6 were found in the brain and 1 in the spinal cord, and out of 4 neurinomas, 2 were in the trigeminal nerves and the other 2 were in the spinal nerves. In addition, other types of tumors (2 granular cell tumors in the brain, 1 pinealoma, 3 ganglioneuromas in the adrenal gland, 1 undifferentiated carcinoma in the nasal cavity and 1 chordoma in the posterior neck region) were observed.

Foreign-body tumorigenesis in rats by various kinds of plastics--induction of malignant fibrous histiocytomas

Five kinds of plastics (3 polyvinyl chlorides, 1 polyhydroxyethyl metacrylate and 1 dimethyl polysiloxane) were implanted into subcutaneous tissues of Wistar rats of both sexes. Subcutaneous tumors developed in all experimental groups. The incidences of the tumors, however, differed from each other, although these materials were tested on the same experimental condition. This result indicates that chemical characters of the materials may influence the incidence of subcutaneous tumors. Histologically, most of these subcutaneous tumors were mesenchymal tumors with spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern, with sheets of histiocyte-like cells or pleomorphic giant cells. Electron microscopy showed mixture of fibroblastic cells, histiocytic cells and undifferentiated cells in these tumors. From these histological and electron microscopical findings, many of the tumors were diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytomas.

Gallbladder necrosis after transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization: a technique to avoid this complication

We present a technique used to avoid unnecessary embolization of the cystic artery in the treatment of hepatoma by transcatheter arterial embolization. A special long tapering catheter that is flexible and soft enough to be inserted into the distal small branches of the heptic artery is used. Embolic material ( Oxycel , absorbable cellulose) was mixed with Mitocin -C (mitomycin) and contrast material. This mixture will help to avoid reflux.

Carcinogenicity of low doses of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea in F344 rats; a dose-response study

The threshold level of minimum carcinogenic dose of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) and the effect of dose on organ specificity were examined by continuous oral administration to both sexes of F344 rats of low doses of ENU at four concentrations (0.3, 1, 3 and 10 ppm) in the drinking water. ENU at 10 ppm selectively induced neurogenic tumors and tumors of the digestive tract, including duodenal tumors. Even at lower doses it enhanced the spontaneous development of some other tumors. A high dose of ENU (400 ppm) was previously found to induce duodenal tumors selectively. These results indicate that the organ specificity of ENU is influenced by the dose and that ENU has multi-potent carcinogenic activity in many organs and/or tissues. In this study, some specific tumors, such as those of the nervous system and digestive tract, seemed to require a minimum carcinogenic level of ENU (10 ppm) for their appearance. However, it seems that ENU is carcinogenic at much lower dose levels than 10 ppm because ENU enhanced the spontaneous development of some other tumors in many experimental groups. The so-called virtually safe doses inducing these specific tumors at a risk level of 10(-6) were calculated.

Neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in aging Slc: Wistar rats

Spontaneous neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in 98 male and 100 female Slc: Wistar rats, which have been widely used in Japan for toxicological studies, were examined. As spontaneous tumors, the most frequent tumors in males were testicular interstitial cell tumors, followed by tumors of the hematopoietic organs, adrenal gland, thyroid gland, preputial gland, pituitary gland, liver and mammary gland. Those in females were tumors of the pituitary gland, mammary gland, hematopoietic organs, uterus and thyroid gland. The organ distribution and histological types of spontaneous tumors observed in Slc: Wistar rats were very similar to those in F-344/DuCrj rats, although the incidences of some tumors differed slightly in the two strains. Various non-neoplastic lesions were also observed in the heart, kidney, liver and many other organs. These results should be useful in evaluating the results of toxicological and carcinogenic studies on this strain of rat.

Correlation of the real-time ultrasonographic appearance of hepatic hemangiomas with angiography

The ultrasonographic appearance of hepatic hemangiomas was studied in 19 patients (31 lesions). The detectability rate by real-time ultrasonography was 77%. A hyperechoic, sharply-marginated and internally homogeneous lesion is highly suggestive of hemangioma. If the hypoechoic lesion has homogeneous internal echoes and/or strong marginal echoes, it is also suggestive of hemangioma. It is difficult to detect small lesions in the lower lateral part of the right lobe and lesions in the right lobe immediately under the diaphragm. Computed tomography should be the next procedure of choice in the evaluation process. If the computed tomography is not characteristic, angiography should be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Ultrasonic endoscopy

With the use of a linear scan type ultrasonic endoscope, the possibility of gastric fiberscopy with ultrasonic procedure in the estimation of the extent of deep infiltration of gastric cancer and in the transgastric diagnosis of pancreatic tumors was studied. Results revealed that the echogenicity of the tumor was more clearly recorded by ultrasonic endoscopy than routine ultrasonography taken via the abdominal wall. With improvements in both the probe and manipulation technique, the device is expected to achieve far-reaching contributions to the diagnosis of the deep invasion of gastric cancer and small-sized pancreatic tumors.

Induction of tumors in the small intestine and mammary gland of female Donryu rats by continuous oral administration of N-carboxymethyl-N-nitrosourea

The carcinogenicity of N-carboxymethyl-N-nitrosourea (CMNU), a naturally occurring N-nitroso compound, was tested in female Donryu rats. Four groups of female Donryu rats were given 400, 200, 100, or 0 ppm of CMNU solution continuously as drinking water. The incidence of tumors was highest and the mean survival time shortest in the 400 ppm group. A dose-effect relationship was observed in the tumor incidence and the mean survival time and the incidences of tumors in all experimental groups were significantly different from those in the control group. In the 400 ppm group, tumors were detected most frequently in the small intestine, followed by the mammary gland. In contrast, most tumors were observed in the mammary gland in the other two experimental groups, although dose-dependent induction of tumors of the small intestine was also detected in these two groups. The organ specificity of CMNU is compared with that of other N-alkyl-N-nitrosourea derivatives.

Spontaneous tumors in F-344/DuCrj rats

Spontaneous tumors in 296 male and 297 female F-34/DuCrj rats used as control groups in six carcinogenicity tests were tabulated and evaluated. In males the most frequent tumors were testicular interstitial cell tumors, followed by mammary fibromas and fibroadenomas, mononuclear cell leukemias, pheochromocytomas, C-cell adenomas of the thyroid, pituitary adenomas, preputial adenomas, neoplastic nodules of the liver, and lung adenomas. In contrast, in females pituitary adenomas, uterine endometrial stromal polyps, mammary fibroadenomas, mononuclear cell leukemias and C-cell adenomas were the most common. Various other tumors of almost all other organs and/or tissues were found, although their incidences were low. Variability in the rates of incidence in some tumors was observed in different control groups.

Carcinogenicity study of ammonia-process caramel in F344 rats

The carcinogenicity of ammonia-process caramel, a food colouring, was examined in F344 rats. Caramel was dissolved in distilled water at levels of 0, 1 and 4% and groups of 50 male and 50 female rats were given 20-25 ml of one of these solutions/rat/day as their drinking water for 2 yr. There were no significant differences between the total incidences of tumours or mean survival times of control and experimental groups. A variety of tumours developed in all groups including the control group, and no dose-related effects were found either in the incidence or induction time of tumours in the various organs and tissues except in the pituitary gland of males, in which the incidence of tumours in males given 4% caramel solution was significantly higher than that in controls. Pituitary tumours are among the most common spontaneous tumours in ageing rats of this strain and have a variable incidence. In addition, almost all pituitary tumours detected in males given the 4% solution were microscopic tumours, and there was no significant difference between controls and treated groups in the incidence of hyperplasia or pre-neoplastic lesions in the pituitary gland. These results indicate that the significantly higher incidence of pituitary tumours in males given the 4% caramel solution was not related to caramel administration, but could be explained by the variability of the incidence of spontaneous pituitary tumours. Thus it is concluded that under these experimental conditions ammonia-process caramel was not carcinogenic in F344 rats.

Microautoradiographic study on the tissue localization of liposome-entrapped or unentrapped 3H-labeled beta-galactosidase injected into rats

The localization of intravenously injected liposome-entrapped or unentrapped 3H- beta-ga lactosidase in various tissues of rats was investigated by microautoradiography. The microautoradiographic silver grains, indicating the uptake of both forms of the enzyme were observed in all of the rat tissues studied, such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, heart, muscle and brain. The liver was found to be the most active in taking up both forms of the enzyme and probably Kupffer cells were primarily involved in the uptake of the enzyme. Also in the brain, the uptake of both forms of the enzyme was observed, though far less extensively, through the blood-brain barrier. The uptake of the enzyme in the brain was somewhat greater in the gray matter than in the white matter.

Refractive-index measurement of bulk materials: prism coupling method

A simple method of measuring refractive indices of bulk materials using a prism coupling procedure is described. Refractive indices are determined from the measurement of the angle incident to the prism at which total reflection on the prism base breaks. This method is shown to possess the advantages of its simple procedure and sample preparation. The accuracy is comparable with that of minimum deviation method if the prism is well calibrated. Experimental results for several materials are given with an evaluation of possible errors.

Diurnal profile of gallbladder size in diabetic patients: ultrasonographic evaluation of diabetic neurogenic gallbladder

The diurnal change of gallbladder size was clearly measured with a real time ultrasonography. To visualize the gallbladder, 21 diabetic patients and 11 healthy subjects were scanned right subcostally in the supine position nine times between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Photographs of the images were produced on Polaroid film, and the area of gallbladder was calculated. The diurnal changes of the gallbladder size were expressed as the percentage of the size measured at 8:00 a.m. after an overnight fast. The gallbladder in normal control started contracting immediately after breakfast and reached 57.2 +/- 7.6% at 9:00 a.m. In the diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy the gallbladder contracted to 80.9 +/- 14.5% and 72.4 +/- 14.8%, respectively, at 9:00 a.m. while the nadir of the diurnal profile curve in healthy subjects was 24.5 +/- 3.6% at 3:00 p.m., in the diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy those were 57.7 +/- 6.1% at 6:00 p.m. and 41.3 +/- 8.3% at 8:00 p.m., respectively. This implies that the gallbladder contraction was delayed and poor in diabetic patients. In this paper, the gallbladder tonicity index is proposed, which is useful for the easy evaluation of autonomic state of gallbladder in diabetes mellitus.