Effect of a specific endothelin receptor A antagonist on glomerulonephritis of ddY mice with IgA nephropathy

The present study assessed renal endothelin (ET)-1, ET-3, and ET receptor A and B mRNA levels in ddY mice at 8, 40, and 60 weeks of age. The renal mRNA levels of ET-1 increased significantly in ddY mice as their nephritis progressed, reaching a 6.6-fold (p < 0.01) higher level by 60 weeks than in control ICR mice. Renal ET-3 mRNA levels, however, remained unchanged. The renal mRNA levels of ET receptor A and B in ddY mice increased gradually with the progression of nephritis, reaching 4.8- (p < 0.01) and 3.6-fold (p < 0.01) higher levels, respectively, at 60 weeks of age than found in control ICR mice. A positive correlation was noted between ET-1 and ET receptor mRNA levels and histopathological changes in renal tissues. In addition, we assessed whether a specific ET receptor A antagonist, FR 139317, affects the progression of glomerulonephritis in ddY mice. At 24 weeks of age (before glomerulonephritis developed), ddY mice were divided into two groups that received intraperitoneally either FR139317 or its vehicle (saline) daily for 36 weeks. The development of histopathological lesions and urinary protein excretion were suppressed by FR139317 treatment. These data suggest that ET families play a role in the progression of glomerulonephritis and that FR139317 treatment can be used therapeutically in ddY mice with IgA nephropathy.

Detection of antioxidant enzyme activities in renal tissues of early stage IgA nephropathy in ddY mice

The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant enzyme activities in renal tissues of early stage ddY mice, an animal model for primary IgA nephropathy. Eight- and 40-week-old ddY female mice and normal healthy Balb/c female mice were used in this study. The levels of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and GSH-PX activities in the renal cortex were significantly higher in 40-week-old ddY mice than in Balb/c control mice of the same age; no change of catalase activity was observed. There were no significant differences in the levels of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GSH-PX, and catalase activities between the ddY mice and Balb/c mice at 8 weeks of age. Urinary protein was slightly higher in 40-week-old ddY mice. IgA or C3 was deposited at low levels in the glomerular mesangial areas of 8-week-old ddY mice. Marked depositions of IgA and C3 extended from the glomerular mesangial areas to the capillary walls of 40-week-old ddY mice. Expansion of glomerular mesangial matrices and mild mesangial cell proliferation was observed in 40-week-old ddY mice. Antioxidant enzyme activities in the renal cortex were already increased in the early stage IgA nephropathy in 40-week-old ddY mice. These findings suggest that measurements of antioxidant enzyme activities in the renal cortex of 40-week-old ddY mice was useful for evaluation of the pathogenesis of renal involvement in the early stage of IgA nephropathy.

Effects of the PGI2 analog beraprost sodium on glomerular prostanoid synthesis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

A study of albuminuria, creatinine clearance (CCr) and blood pressure of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with or without treatment by a prostacyclin (PGI2) analog, beraprost sodium (BPS), is described. Glomerular prostanoid synthesis was measured by gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry. Renal specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff were examined by light microscopy. Mean values of albuminuria in BPS-treated diabetic rats were significantly decreased compared with those in nontreated diabetic rats. The ratio of kidney to body weight in the BPS-treated diabetic rats was significantly lower than that in the nontreated diabetic rats. Levels of CCr and blood pressure were decreased in diabetic rats after the treatment with BPS. GC mass spectrometry showed that BPS did not influence the glomerular synthesis of PGI2 and TXB2. No histologic injury in the renal tissues was observed in the diabetic rats with or without BPS treatment. We concluded that BPS (PGI2 analog) might decrease the levels of urinary albumin excretion and CCr due to its vasodilating effects in the early phase of STZ-induced diabetes in rats.

Measurement of soluble thrombomodulin in sera from various clinical stages of diabetic nephropathy

The levels of soluble thrombomodulin (TM) in serum samples were measured by one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The aim of the present study was to determine if levels of soluble TM in sera might correlate with disease activity in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Three hundred and twenty patients with diabetic nephropathy were examined. Patients with diabetic retinopathy were excluded from the present study. This study showed an increase of soluble TM levels in sera from patients with diabetic nephropathy. The levels of soluble TM in sera from the macroalbuminuric stage with renal dysfunction were significantly increased compared with those from the normo-, micro-, or macroalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy without renal dysfunction. The increase of soluble TM in sera paralleled levels of urinary albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), s-creatinine (Cr), and duration of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Furthermore, a decrease of TM staining in the glomerular capillary walls was observed in both microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric stages by immunofluorescence. It appears that the measurement of soluble TM in sera is useful in evaluating the degree of glomerular endothelial injuries in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Modulation of endothelin family gene expression in renal hypertrophy

The present study was designed to assess how the renal expression of mRNA for endothelin (ET) families is regulated during compensatory renal hypertrophy in rats. ET family gene expression was studied in the contralateral kidney of uninephrectomized and sham-operated rats. Rats were sacrificed at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, adn 24 h after unilateral nephrectomy of the sham operation. Three hours after the left nephrectomy, ET-1 and ET receptor B mRNA levels in the renal cortex increased significantly (ET-1, 10.6-fold compared to those in sham-operated rats, p < 0.001, and ET receptor B, 6.8-fold, p < 0.001), and then decreased gradually to the control level after 24 h; in contrast, ET-3 and ET receptor A mRNA levels demonstrated little change throughout the experiment. We additionally measured the plasma ET concentration and renal ET-1 production following unilateral nephrectomy. ET-1 levels in the renal cortex increased gradually, with a peak 6 h after nephrectomy (3.6-fold compared to those in sham-operated rats, p < 0.01), and then decreased to the control level after 24 h. However, plasma ET-1 levels demonstrated little change until after 24 h. The glomerular expression of ET-1 and ET receptors A and B mRNA demonstrated minimal change throughout the experimental period. Glomerular ET-3 mRNA expression were detected in neither the unilateral nephrectomy nor the sham-operated rats. Our results indicate that the time course of the mRNA expression of ET-1 and ET receptor B differs from that of ET-3 and ET receptor A in the renal cortex, and that glomerular mRNA levels for ET families are not associated with renal hypertrophy in the early stages following unilateral nephrectomy.

Severity of alexithymia is related to psychosocial factors in patients with peritoneal dialysis

We examined the relationship between alexithymia and psychosocial factors in 72 peritoneal dialysis patients. The 72 patients had significantly higher scores on alexithymia and anxiety than did 73 healthy volunteers. The alexithymia scores were significantly and positively correlated with anxiety scores, suggesting that alexithymia may be related to anxiety derived from the stress associated with dialysis therapy. After 3 yr. of follow-up consultations, patients were still showing higher scores on alexithymia and anxiety; however, alexithymia scores were not correlated with anxiety scores but rather were significantly associated with poor social support. Alexithymic characteristics may be related to psychosocial factors such as the availability of social support.

Clinical effect of the anti-platelet drug, dilazep dihydrochloride, in patients at the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy--a multi-center study

Clinical effects of an anti-platelet drug (dilazep dihydrochloride) in the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy were investigated in a multi-center study. Thirty-seven patients with at the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy were examined in the present study. They were administered 300 mg/day of dilazep dihydrochloride (Comelian-Kowa) orally for 6 months. Mean values of albuminuria after the administration of dilazep dihydrochloride were significantly decreased compared with the pre-administration values. Urinary NAG activity was improved after this treatment in the microalbuminuric stage of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, impairment of renal function was not observed at that stage. It appears that administration of dilazep dihydrochloride from the early stage of diabetic nephropathy may be useful for the improvement of albuminuria and prevention of renal dysfunction.

[Symptoms in patients with tubulo-interstitial nephritis]

High dosages of nephrotoxic drugs in elderly patients might be correlated with an increase in the number of patients with tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN). In patients with acute TIN, marked fever, back or flank pain, CVA tenderness, skin rash, arthralgia, eosinophilia, and eosinouria are observed. Clinical symptoms might be induced by glomerular, proximal tubular or distal tubular dysfunction in chronic TIN. Mild to moderate proteinuria, edema, hypertension, azotemia, glucosuria, aminoaciduria, polyuria and polydipsia are characteristic findings in patients with chronic TIN. These findings are slowly progressive in such patients. It appears that the marked fibrosis with lymphocyte infiltration in the interstitium is a poor clinical marker in patients with TIN. Furthermore, it is important to differentiate TIN from glomerulonephritis.

Effect of a specific endothelin receptor A antagonist on mRNA levels for extracellular matrix components and growth factors in diabetic glomeruli

We have previously reported that the mRNA levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) components including alpha 1(I), alpha 1(III), and alpha 1(IV) collagen chains, laminin B1 and B2 chains, and growth factors including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) all increase with age in diabetic glomeruli. The present study was designed to assess whether glomerular expression of these mRNAs in rat diabetic glomeruli is affected by a specific endothelin receptor A antagonist, FR139317. Diabetes was produced by streptozotocin injection, and animals were divided into four groups: untreated diabetic rats, FR139317-treated diabetic rats, control nondiabetic rats, and FR139317-treated control rats. FR139317 treatment was continued for 24 weeks. FR139317 attenuated the rise in creatinine clearance (P < 0.01) and reduced urinary protein excretion (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats, but did not affect blood pressure. FR139317 attenuated the increases in glomerular mRNA levels of alpha 1(I) (P < 0.01), alpha 1(III) (P < 0.01), and alpha 1(IV) (P < 0.01) collagen chains, laminin B1 (P < 0.01) and B2 (P < 0.01) chains, TNF-alpha (P < 0.01), PDGF-B (P < 0.01), TGF-beta (P < 0.001) and basic FGF (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats. However, FR139317 did not affect these mRNA levels in glomeruli of control rats. These findings suggest that FR139317 may be useful in the treatment of diabetic glomerulopathy by reducing mRNA levels of ECM components and growth factors.

Glomerular expression of smooth-muscle myosin heavy-chain isoforms in aminonucleoside nephrosis in rats

1. We investigated the glomerular expression of three types of myosin heavy-chain isoforms, including S-myosin heavy-chain 40 (SM1), S-myosin heavy-chain 29 (SM2) and FS-myosin heavy-chain 34 (SMemb) in puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis. 2. There was little change in SM1 and SM2 mRNA levels throughout the experiment. In contrast, glomerular SMemb mRNA increased on days 2 and 4 (before and soon after the onset of proteinuria, respectively), but declined on day 8 (the peak of proteinuria). 3. Histological myosin heavy-chain expression was examined using three antibodies against SM1, SM2 and SMemb. Immunohistochemically, SM1 and SM2 were absent in the glomeruli associated with puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis until day 20. The SMemb isoform was barely detectable in normal glomeruli, but substantial amounts of SMemb were demonstrated in the glomeruli of rats with puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis. In the puromycin aminonucleoside-treated rats, the number of SMemb-positive glomerular cells increased on days 2 and 4. 4. We examined whether levels of alpha-smooth-muscle actin or proliferating cell nuclear antigen correlated with myosin heavy-chain levels in the glomeruli of rats with puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis. None of the cellular components in the glomeruli was positive for either alpha-smooth-muscle actin or proliferating cell nuclear antigen in puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis. 5. Administration of methylprednisolone to puromycin aminonucleoside-treated rats resulted in the rapid disappearance of proteinuria. However, methylprednisolone did not affect SMemb mRNA or immunostaining in a glomeruli of rats with puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of enalapril treatment on gene expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms in glomeruli of diabetic rats

We have previously shown that smooth muscle contains three types of myosin heavy chains: SM1, SM2, and SMemb. The present study was designed to assess how glomerular expression of mRNA for these isoforms is regulated and whether their expression is affected by enalapril treatment in diabetic rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups: (1) untreated diabetic rats; (2) enalapril-treated diabetic rats; (3) untreated control rats, and (4) enalapril-treated control rats. Enalapril treatment was continued for 24 weeks. The glomerular mRNA levels for SM1 and SM2 showed little change in all groups throughout the experimental period. In contrast, SMemb mRNA in group 1 increased significantly with age compared to levels found in untreated controls (4.6-fold higher at 4 weeks, p < 0.01; 6.8-fold higher at 12 weeks, p < 0.01, and 10.6-fold higher at 24 weeks, p < 0.001). Enalapril reduced both creatinine clearance (p < 0.01) and urinary protein excretion (p < 0.01) in diabetic rats. Moreover, enalapril significantly attenuated the increase in the glomerular SMemb mRNA level in diabetic rats (the difference between treated and untreated rats was significant at p < 0.01 from week 4 to 24). However, enalapril had no effect on SMemb mRNA levels in controls. These data suggest that SMemb is a molecular marker for phenotypic alteration and that the beneficial effect of enalapril on proteinuria and renal function may be, at least in part, associated with reducing SMemb mRNA expression in diabetic glomeruli.

Twelve-month follow-up study of regional cerebral blood flow in Parkinson's disease

Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 30 patients with Parkinson's disease using single-photon emission computed tomography and 123I-IMP demonstrated that hypoperfusion was relatively severer in the parietal cortex than other cortices before and after a 1-year follow-up period. The decline in the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination was significantly correlated with the decrease in rCBF in the parietal cortex during the follow-up period. Our findings suggest that the parietal cortex is involved in the cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Altered extracellular matrix component gene expression in murine polycystic kidney

The DBA/2FG-pcy mouse has a form of slowly progressive kidney disease that appears similar in many respects to that seen in the autosomal dominant form of human polycystic kidney disease. This study was designed to assess how the expression of extracellular matrix component genes is regulated in a model of murine polycystic kidney disease and control DBA/2 mice at 8, 16, and 30 weeks of age. The mRNA levels encoding for collagen IV, the B1 and B2 chains of laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, fibronectin, and collagens I and III increased with the progression of cystic lesions in the kidney of DBA/2FG-pcy mice. At 30 weeks of age, mRNA levels for collagen IV, laminin B1 and B2, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, fibronectin, and collagens I and III were increased 8.1-fold, 7.0-fold, 7.0-fold, 9.8-fold, 7.0-fold, 5.5-fold, and 5.4-fold, respectively, compared to those of control DBA/2 mice. An immunofluorescence study revealed the irregular staining for collagen IV, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and collagens I and III around the cysts. These data suggest that changes in the expression of basement membrane components and interstitial collagens are associated with the development of polycystic kidney disease.

Effect of a specific endothelin A receptor antagonist on murine lupus nephritis

The present study was designed to assess whether a specific endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist, FR139317, affects the progression of lupus nephritis and affects transcription of mRNA for extracellular matrix (ECM) components, metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and accumulation of ECM proteins in the renal cortex of NZB/W F1 mice. mRNA levels for alpha 1(I), alpha 1(III), alpha 1(IV) collagen chains, laminin B1 and B2 chains, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), MMP-1, -2, -3, and TIMP-1 increased significantly as nephritis progressed in NZB/W F1 mice. At 48 weeks of age, the levels of mRNA for alpha 1(I), alpha 1(III), alpha 1(IV) collagen chains, laminin B1 and B2 chains, HSPG, MMP-1, -2, -3, and TIMP-1 were increased by 5.6- (P < 0.001), 3.6- (P < 0.01), 6.8- (P < 0.001), 5.2- (P < 0.001), 5.0- (P < 0.001), 6.0- (P < 0.001), 7.6- (P < 0.001), 4.2- (P < 0.01), 8.2- (P < 0.001), and 15.2-fold (P < 0.001), respectively, in the renal cortex of NZB/W F1 mice compared to NZW mice. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the accumulation of collagens I, III, and IV, laminin, and HSPG in the renal cortex of NZB/W F1 mice increased markedly with the progression of nephritis. At 20 weeks of age, NZB/W F1 and NZW mice were divided into two groups that received either FR139317 or its vehicle (saline) intraperitoneally, daily, for 28 weeks. The development of histological lesions, proteinuria, hypertension, accumulation of collagens I, III, and IV, laminin, and HSPG in the renal cortex of NZB/W F1 mice were suppressed by FR139317 treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modulation of glomerular endothelin and endothelin receptor gene expression in aminonucleoside-induced nephrosis

This study assessed glomerular endothelin (ET)-1, ET-3, and ET-receptor A and B mRNA levels in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrosis. During the nephrotic stage, 8 days after PAN injection, ET-1 and ETB receptor mRNA were elevated by 2.8 +/- 0.8-fold (P < 0.01) and 2.4 +/- 0.9-fold (P < 0.01), respectively, as compared with controls. These mRNA levels decreased to control levels by Day 20, when the nephrosis was in remission. In contrast, glomerular ETA receptor mRNA levels did not change in PAN nephrosis or control rats during the experimental period. ET-3 mRNA was not detected in the glomeruli of PAN nephrosis or control rats. Additionally, plasma ET concentration and glomerular ET production were measured in PAN nephrosis and control rats by radio-immunoassay. Eight days after PAN injection, ET-1 levels in plasma and glomeruli were not significantly altered in rats with PAN-induced nephrosis (glomeruli, 104.68 +/- 16.46 pg/mg of protein versus 98.24 +/- 13.68 pg/mg of protein; plasma, 2.68 +/- 1.10 versus 2.52 +/- 0.98 pg/mL). The administration of methylprednisolone to PAN rats resulted in the rapid disappearance of proteinuria and partially attenuated the increased ET-1 and ETB receptor gene expression in the glomeruli. These data indicate that glomerular ET-1 and ETB receptor expression in PAN nephrosis in increased at the mRNA level and that methylprednisolone treatment results in an attenuated increase.

Effects of antiplatelet drug dilazep dihydrochloride on anionic sites and extracellular matrix (ECM) components in glomerular basement membrane of STZ-induced diabetic rats

A study of anionic sites in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with or without treatment by an antiplatelet drug, dilazep dihydrochloride, is described. Expression of glomerular extracellular matrix (ECM) components was examined by immunofluorescence. Renal specimens were immersed in polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a cationic probe and then examined by electron microscopy. Renal specimens were also incubated with rabbit antirat type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin antisera and then stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled goat antirabbit IgG antiserum. Mean values of proteinuria in the dilazep-treated diabetic rats were significantly decreased compared with those in nontreated diabetic rats. There was no significant correlation between the levels of proteinuria and those of creatinine clearance (CCr). Number of anionic sites on the GBM in the dilazep-treated diabetic rats were greater than those in diabetic rats. There was no significant difference in the staining of such ECM components between both rat groups. The authors concluded that the dilazep dihydrochloride might prevent anionic charges on the GBM and decrease the urinary excretion of proteins in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Effects of a low-protein diet on glomerular endothelin family gene expression in experimental focal glomerular sclerosis

1. The present study was designed to assess whether glomerular expression of mRNAs for endothelin-1 and endothelin-3, as well as endothelin receptors A and B is affected by a low-protein diet during the course of focal glomerular sclerosis. 2. Focal glomerular sclerosis was induced in rats by injection of puromycin aminonucleoside on days 0, 27, 34 and 41 in conjunction with unilateral nephrectomy on day 22. Control rats were subjected to nephrectomy or sham operation on day 22. 3. Animals were divided into six groups. In group 1, the puromycin aminonucleoside-injected rats were fed a standard diet containing 22% protein. In group 2, the puromycin aminonucleoside-injected rats were fed a low-protein diet containing 6% protein, which was initiated on the day of the first puromycin aminonucleoside injection. In group 3, the nephrectomized rats without puromycin aminonucleoside were fed a standard diet. In group 4, the nephrectomized rats without puromycin aminonucleoside were fed a low-protein diet. In group 5, the sham-operated rats were fed a standard diet. In group 6, the sham-operated rats were fed a low-protein diet. 4. The percentage of sclerotic glomeruli in group 1 rats increased markedly with time, reaching 77% on day 80. 5. The glomerular mRNA levels for endothelin-1 and endothelin receptors A and B increased significantly as glomerular sclerosis progressed, whereas no endothelin-3 mRNA was detected in the glomeruli of any group. The endothelin-1 production in isolated glomeruli from group 1 increased significantly as glomerular sclerosis progressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enalapril attenuates increased gene expression of extracellular matrix components in diabetic rats

This study was designed to assess whether the glomerular expression of mRNA for extracellular matrix (ECM) components including alpha 1 (I), alpha 1 (III), and alpha 1 (IV) collagen chains, laminin B1 and B2 chains, metalloproteinases (MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) is affected by enalapril in 12- and 24-wk-old rat after streptozotocin injection. Animals were divided into three groups; untreated diabetic rats, enalapril-treated diabetic rats, and control rats. Enalapril treatment was continued for 24 wk. Enalapril reduced both creatinine clearance (P < 0.01) and urinary protein excretion (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats. In diabetic rats, mRNA levels for alpha 1 (IV) collagen chain, laminin B1 and B2 chains, and alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III) collagen chains increased significantly at 24 wk compared with those in controls [alpha 1(IV): 3.8-fold (P < 0.01); laminin B1: 6.2-fold (P < 0.01); laminin B2:5.4-fold (P < 0.01), alpha 1(i): 4.8-fold (P < 0.01) and alpha 1(III): 3.8-fold (P < 0.01)]. At 24 wk, mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 fell to 40% (P < 0.01) and 20% (P < 0.01), respectively, in the glomeruli of diabetic rats compared with levels in controls. In contrast, mRNA levels for TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 increased significantly at 24 wk after streptozotocin injection (TIMP-1: 8.0-fold (P < 0.01) and TIMP-2: 6.4-fold (P < 0.01)).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In situ hybridization of type I collagen mRNA in puromycin aminonucleoside-induced glomerulosclerosis

In puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS), the accumulation of type I collagen has been reported to be observed immunohistochemically in the sclerotic area. The present study was designed to identify the cell type involved in the synthesis of type I collagen in glomerulosclerosis. Tissue sections obtained from rat kidneys with PAN-induced FGS were hybridized with digoxigenin-labeled alpha 1(I) collagen anti-sense and sense cRNA probes. Hybridization signals of alpha 1(I) collagen mRNA were mainly detected in adhesive lesions on the glomerular capillary loop, suggesting that alpha 1(I) collagen mRNA-positive cells were visceral or parietal epithelial cells and did not have a mesangial distribution. Signals were also detected in interstitial cells. The alpha 1(I) collagen mRNA expression, however, was not observed in ED-1-positive cells. It is likely that intrinsic glomerular cells and interstitial cells, but not macrophages, synthesize type I collagen in sclerotic glomeruli.

The role of the left somatosensory cortex in human hand movement

Hemispheric dominance for motor control in the human brain is still unclear. Here we propose asymmetric sensorimotor integration during human hand movements. We investigated the dexterity of hand movements and related sensory functions in four right-handed patients with cerebrovascular lesions in the postcentral gyrus. To clarify the distributions of cortical damage, semiquantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was performed using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and a three-dimensional surface display was generated from SPECT. Scores on motor and sensory tasks and rCBF values in the patients were compared with those in control subjects. All patients presented with asymmetric clumsiness of complex finger movements, in association with impairments of combined sensations such as stereognosis. These findings were indicative of a disorder of sensory information processing necessary to guide the movements. Two patients with left hemispheric damage showed bilateral clumsy hands, predominating on the right side, while the other two patients with right hemispheric damage showed only a left clumsy hand. In agreement with asymmetric clumsiness, measurement of rCBF along with a three-dimensional surface display revealed cortical hypoperfused areas, mainly in the perirolandic cortices, comprising the primary motor and somatosensory cortices. Perirolandic cortical hypoperfusion was bilateral in the two patients with bilateral clumsy hands, but only on the right side in the other two patients with left clumsy hands. These results suggest a dominant role of the left somatosensory cortex in sensorimotor integration for complex finger movements of humans.

Binding capacity of serum IgA to jacalin in patients with IgA nephropathy using jacalin-coated microplates

Binding capacity of serum IgA to jacalin in 22 patients with IgA nephropathy, 14 patients with diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (non-IgA nephropathy) and 20 age-matched healthy adults was examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) using jacalin-coated microplates. In contrast to previous findings, the binding capacity of serum IgA to jacalin in patients with IgA nephropathy measured by ELISA using jacalin-coated microplates was significantly higher than that in healthy adults. The ratio of serum IgA levels measured by this method to those obtained by single radial immunodiffusion was significantly increased in patients with IgA nephropathy. It appeared that the capacity of serum IgA binding to jacalin was marked in these patients. It is concluded that the binding capacity of serum IgA to jacalin is not ubiquitously impaired in all patients with IgA nephropathy.

Abnormal gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitor in glomeruli from diabetic rats

The steady state levels of mRNA encoding for metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, -3, and -9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were examined in glomeruli at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the injection of streptozocin (STZ) in rats. The mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 decreased with age in STZ-induced diabetes. At 24 weeks after STZ injection, mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 fell to 40% (p < 0.01) and 20% (p < 0.01), respectively, in the glomeruli of diabetic rats when compared with control rats. In contrast, mRNA levels for TIMP-1 increased significantly with age in the diabetic glomeruli and reached an 8-fold (p < 0.01) increased at 24 weeks after STZ injection. mRNA levels for MMP-2 were not altered in glomeruli from diabetic and control rats throughout the experimental period, whereas those for MMP-9 were not detected in glomeruli from either group of rats. Insulin treatment partially ameliorated the decrease in mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 and the increase in those for TIMP-1 in the glomeruli of diabetic rats. These data indicate that abnormal gene regulation of MMPs and TIMP-1 in the glomeruli of diabetic rats may contribute to the progression of glomerular lesions and that hyperglycemia or insulin deficiency may be associated with abnormal MMPs and TIMP-1 gene regulation.