Antinociceptive effects of Randia siamensis extract and its constituent, pseudoginsenoside-RP1 in experimental animals

Analgesic activities of Randia siamensis CRAIB (R. siamensis) extract and pseudoginsenoside-RP1, a constituent of the extract, were examined in the writhing test, hot plate test and Randall-Selitto test. Oral administration of R. siamensis extract dose-dependently decreased the number of writhings and stretchings induced by 0.6% acetic acid in the writhing test in mice. Moreover, in the Randall-Selitto test in rats, the extract raised the nociceptive threshold of the carrageenan-inflamed but not of non-inflamed paw. It did not affect the nociceptive response in the hot plate test in mice. The R. siamensis extract did not affect hexobarbital-induced sleep or spontaneous motor activity in mice, suggesting that it has no sedative effect. Pseudoginsenoside-RP1 produced similar effects to the R. siamensis extract, but its effective doses in the analgesic tests were lower than those with the extract. These results suggest that R. siamensis extract produces anti-nociceptive actions similar to those of a peripherally acting analgesic drug aspirin, and that pseudoginsenoside-RP1 may partly contribute, but is not the main contributor, to the antinociceptive action of the extract.

Detection of manganese superoxide dismutase mRNA in the theca interna cells of rat ovary during the ovulatory process by in situ hybridization

To determine the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species in ovulation, dynamic aspects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozyme were studied in the ovaries of rats by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Previously, mRNA levels of ovarian manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) were reported markedly to increase whilst enzymic activity of Mn-SOD decreased during the ovulatory process after treating immature rats with 10 and 5 Units, respectively, of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Levels of Cu/Zn-SOD activity and Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA were reported to remain unchanged throughout ovulation. This increase in the Mn-SOD mRNA level was shown in the present study by in situ hybridization to be localized to the theca interna cells throughout the PMSG/HCG-induced ovulatory process. The observations suggest that the turnover rate of Mn-SOD but not Cu/Zn-SOD increases specifically in the mitochondria of these cells. SOD has been postulated to play important roles in steroidogenesis. The relationship is discussed between mitochondrial functions in steroid-secreting cells and superoxide radicals and related metabolite(s).

[Tetralogy of Fallot with a restrictive ventricular septal defect caused by a membranous flap]

A 5-year-old boy who had typical tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with mild cyanosis was referred to us. Preoperative echocardiogram revealed that in addition to the TOF morphology, an abnormal piece of tissue attached to the right side of the ventricular septum was floating and obstructing flow through the ventricular septal defect (VSD) in systole. Preoperative cardiac catheterization showed suprasystemic right ventricular pressure with a gradient of 60 mmHg between the right ventricle and the aorta, and a right ventriculogram demonstrated a narrow radiolucent structure beneath the aortic valve in the right ventricle. During surgery a fibrous membranous tissue, with no relation to the tricuspid valve, was found to extend from the edge of the VSD to the aortic valve and to partially occlude the defect. This tissue was used as a suture anchorage for patch closure of the defect. Preoperative echocardiography is useful to detect such flaps and early surgical correction should be done to prevent right ventricular failure resulting from right ventricular pressure overload.

Increase in the proportion of granulated CD56+ T cells in patients with malignancy

Evidence is presented for the existence of a unique T cell population which expressed one of the natural killer (NK) markers, CD56 antigen, in humans. Although such CD56+ T cells were a minor population in the peripheral blood (< 10%), they were abundant in the liver (up to 50%), which was recently demonstrated to be a major organ for extrathymic T cell differentiation in mice. As in the case of extrathymic T cells in mice, these CD56+ T cells in humans contained a higher proportion of gamma delta T cells than did CD56- T cells, contained double-negative CD4-8- cells, and had the morphology of large granular lymphocytes. This unique population of CD56+ T cells tended to be elevated in the blood and among tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with colorectal cancer, especially in advanced cases. These results raise the possibility that, as in mice, CD56+ T cells with extrathymic T cell properties may also be associated with tumour immunity in humans.

Coexistence of choriocarcinoma and hepatoid adenocarcinoma in the stomach

The case is presented of a 46 year old woman who had a gastric tumor with components of choriocarcinoma, hepatoid adenocarcinoma and common types of adenocarcinoma. Although two histologic types of tumor producing carcinoplacental or carcinofetal proteins were contained within the tumor, immunohistochemical analyses, especially of placental alkaline phosphatase, clearly showed that each component was present separately within the same tumor. It was only hepatoid adenocarcinoma cells that permeated the lymph and blood vessels. After the recurrence, the serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) markedly elevated, but that of human chorionic gonadotropic beta-subunit (hCG-beta) was always within normal range. These findings indicate that in the present case the hepatoid adenocarcinoma component was more aggressive in growth than the choriocarcinoma component.

Paeoniflorin attenuates learning impairment of aged rats in operant brightness discrimination task

The effects of paeoniflorin isolated from peony were examined on an aging-induced learning deficit in an operant brightness discrimination task in Fischer 344 rats. Learning in aged (25 months) rats was significantly impaired compared with young (5 months) rats. Daily administration of paeoniflorin (0.01 mg/kg, PO) significantly attenuated the learning impairment in aged rats, whereas it did not affect the learning in young rats. Although tacrine (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, IP), a cholinesterase inhibitor, also did not affect the learning in young rats, it slightly augmented the aging-induced learning deficit in the present task. These data indicate the therapeutic potential of paeoniflorin in the treatment of senile dementia and aging-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Monoamine depletion attenuates the REM sleep deprivation-induced increase in clonidine response in the forced swimming test

Effect of monoamine depletion on the REM sleep (REMs) deprivation-induced increase in clonidine response in the forced swimming test was investigated. Mice were deprived of REMs by the small pedestal method. Clonidine HCl (10-1000 micrograms/kg, IP), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, dose dependently increased swimming activities in group-housed and socially isolated mice used as the control groups. The dose-response relationship shifted to the left following REMs deprivation (ED50 values in the group-housed, isolated, and REMs-deprived mice were 250, 200, and 27 micrograms/kg, respectively). Monoamine depletion, induced by reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP) plus alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (250 mg/kg, IP), did not produce any changes in the effects of clonidine in the control groups. However, in REMs-deprived mice, monoamine depletion significantly decreased the effect of 100 micrograms/kg clonidine, but not that of 300 micrograms/kg clonidine on swimming activity. These results indicate that clonidine-induced increase in swimming activity in the forced swimming test is mainly mediated by postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor, and that endogenous noradrenaline in the brain plays an important role in the increase of clonidine response following REMs deprivation treatment. The neuronal mechanism of the increase in clonidine response is discussed.

Right atrial to left atrial shunt through foramen ovale during pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

A 62-year old female patient in whom paradoxical right atrial to left atrial shunt flow through the foramen ovale was detected by transesophageal echocardiography during pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was reported. This patient had a history of mitral valve replacement with residual tricuspid valve regurgitation. It was considered that the onset of paradoxical interatrial shunting through the foramen ovale might be caused not only by mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure but also by pneumoperitoneum, especially in patients with heart disease, even if the intra-abdominal pressure was maintained at 12 mmHg.

[Doses of epirubicin used in oily chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Epirubicin (EPIR), an anticancer agent, has recently been used with increasing frequency in transcatheter oily chemoembolization (TOCE) of hepatocellular carcinoma. We conducted a dose-finding study of EPIR with regard to its safety. One hundred thirty-four patients were divided into five groups according to the EPIR doses (mg/m2), Group A (< 30 mg/m2), Group B (> or = 30 - < 40 mg/m2), Group C (> or = 40 - < 50 mg/m2), Group D (> or = 50 - < 60 mg/m2), and Group E (> or = 60 mg/m2). The number of leukocytes decreased at 2 weeks but recovered at 4 weeks with no significant differences among the groups. However, there were significantly fewer leukocytes in Group E than in Groups A to D. There were no significant differences among the groups in either the number of erythrocytes or platelets. The number of platelets tended to remain at increased levels even at 4 weeks. Liver function as represented by GOT, GPT, LDH, and total bilirubin was not aggravated, but tended to improve. GOT and LDH in Groups D and E, in particular, improved significantly at 4 weeks, probably because of the antitumor effect of TOCE. These results suggest that EPIR can be administered up to 50 mg/m2 for TOCE.

Progressive cognitive impairment following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries in rats

The effects of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO) on learning and memory performance were examined in rats using an eight-arm radial maze task. The learning of the task was severely impaired in the permanent 2VO rats that had not been pretrained, while the retention was slightly impaired and soon recovered in the permanent 2VO rats that had been fully pretrained when tested within 1 month after the 2VO operation. The performance, however, was impaired in the pretrained rats when a 3-min delay was interposed between the fourth and fifth choices. Moreover, when retrained in the radial maze 4 months after the permanent 2VO, these same rats showed a performance impairment. Some loss of the hippocampal pyramidal neurons was observed 1 month after the permanent 2VO, although the decrease was not significant. However, significant loss of the cells was observed in the hippocampus CA1 subfield 4 months after the operation. We concluded that: (1) In the early stage (1 month after permanent 2VO), a learning deficit was observed in the non-pretrained rats. In the pretrained rats, working memory was not impaired, whereas longer term memory was compromised; (2) in the late stage (4 months after permanent 2VO), working memory may have also been impaired in the pretrained rats; and (3) this progressive cognitive deficit seemed to parallel the progress of neuronal damage.

Characteristics of partially purified prolidase and prolinase from the human prostate

Both prolidase and prolinase from the human prostate were separated into two peaks by TSK DEAE-5PW chromatography. These peaks of prolidase isozymes I and II differed from each other in their responses to preincubation with Mn2+, their substrate specificity, optimal pH, and heat stability. The molecular weights of prolidases I and II were estimated to be 110,000 and 165,000, respectively, by gel filtration. Substrate specificity of prolinase peaks I and II was almost the same, but they differed in optimal pH and heat stability. The molecular weights of prolinases I and II were about 85,000 and 63,000, respectively. These results indicate that two isozymes of prolidase and of prolinase, which differ in various characteristics, are present in the human prostate.

A similar expression pattern of adhesion molecules between intermediate TCR cells in the liver and intraepithelial lymphocytes in the intestine

Two major populations of extrathymically differentiated T cells exist in the liver and intestine. Such T cells in the liver have TCR of intermediate intensity (i.e., intermediate TCR cells) and constitutively express IL-2 receptor beta-chain (IL-2R beta), whereas those in the intestine, especially intraepithelial lymphocytes, have TCR of bright intensity, consisting of a mixture of IL-2R beta+ and IL-2R beta-. All mature thymocytes and thymus-derived T cells seen in the peripheral immune organs are TCR-bright+ IL-2R beta- under resting conditions. When the expression pattern of adhesion molecules, including CD44, L-selectin, LFA-1 and ICAM-1, was compared among these T-cell populations, they displayed quite unique patterns of expression. All extrathymic T cells in the liver, intestine, and even other organs were CD44+ L-selectin-LFA-1++ICAM-1+, whereas thymocytes and thymus-derived T cells were CD44-L-selectin+LFA-1+ICAM-1-. This inverted expression of adhesion molecules between extrathymic T cells and thymus-derived T cells might be associated with their unique tissue-localization.

Correlates of bone and blood lead levels in carpenters

In the course of a health screening for construction carpenters, 127 subjects underwent blood lead testing, administration of detailed questionnaires, and in vivo measurement of bone lead levels with a 109Cd K-X-ray fluorescence (K-XRF) instrument. The mean age of subjects was 48.5 (SD = 9.8) years. Blood lead levels were low, with a mean of 8.2 (SD = 4.0) micrograms/dl. Bone lead levels had means of 9.8 (SD = 9.3) micrograms/g bone mineral for the tibia and 14.0 (SD = 13.8) micrograms/g bone mineral for the patella (which consist primarily of cortical bone and trabecular bone, respectively). In multivariate regression models, age was the dominant predictor of both tibia and patella bone lead, with years since last worked and welding/brazing contributing an additional small amount of influence over tibia bone lead, and carpet laying, paint stripping, and regular exercise contributing an additional small amount of influence over patella bone lead. Demolition, carpet laying, and alcohol ingestion were significant predictors of blood lead. We conclude that age is the most important predictor of bone lead levels among workers with intermittent exposures to lead; in addition, K-XRF is useful in generating hypotheses on additional factors that may influence lead burden.

Indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide, the primary emitter of low-level chemiluminescence in plasma of hemodialysis patients

Characteristic light emission induced by the oxidation of hydroxyl radicals has been found in plasma of hemodialysis patients (Agatsuma et al., Clin Chem 1992;38:48-55). We purified a primary emitter, a chemiluminescent component peaking at 430 nm, by anion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. By using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and authentic indoxyl compounds, we determined the primary emitter to be indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of the purified sample coincided well with those of authentic indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide, as did the peak in the chemiluminescence emission spectrum. Retention time of the purified sample on reversed-phase HPLC, measured by fluorescence, was also in accordance with that of indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a primary emitter of low-level chemiluminescence from a biological source.

[Successful primary correction for tetralogy of Fallot associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (type Ia)]

The surgical correction was performed successfully in a 3-year-old girl with tetralogy of Fallot associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (type Ia). The preoperative cardiac catheterization and angiography showed high systolic pulmonary artery pressure (58 mmHg) and small left ventricular volume (54% of normal). The early postoperative course was stormy because of the unstable circulatory state. During the early postoperative period, we estimated the volume of left ventricle by 2 D echocardiography. A significant increase of the volume was observed on the 8th postoperative day, when her circulatory state became stable. The cardiac catheterization before discharge revealed Pp/Ps of 0.38 and normal LV volume. We conclude that primary repair should be done for this combined cardiac anomaly, even if small left ventricle and pulmonary hypertension is present.

[Renal cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending into the right ventricle: a case report]

A case of left renal cell carcinoma extending into the right ventricle was reported. The 72-year-old male entered Kansai Rosai Hospital because of dyspnea. Cardiac and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a left renal tumor with a tumor thrombus extending into the right ventricle. Left nephrectomy and removal of the intracaval and intracardiac tumor thrombus were performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. We also analyzed and discussed the 17 cases, including our case, reported in Japan.

Immunoperoxidase procedures for rapid detection of bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease virus antigen

Bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease (BVD-MD) virus antigen was detected in bovine fetal muscular cells from sera of 42 cattle persistently infected with noncytopathic BVD-MD virus by the indirect immunoperoxidase procedure (IIP) but not from sera of 100 apparently healthy cattle. These findings agreed with the results obtained by the interference method. Furthermore, BVD-MD virus antigens were detectable in the smears of buffy coats by the IIP procedure and in the formalin-fixed tissue sections by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex procedure. These procedures are therefore expected to be useful for rapid detection of BVD-MD virus antigen.

Indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide, the primary emitter of low-level chemiluminescence in plasma of hemodialysis patients

Characteristic light emission induced by the oxidation of hydroxyl radicals has been found in plasma of hemodialysis patients (Agatsuma et al., Clin Chem 1992;38:48-55). We purified a primary emitter, a chemiluminescent component peaking at 430 nm, by anion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. By using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and authentic indoxyl compounds, we determined the primary emitter to be indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of the purified sample coincided well with those of authentic indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide, as did the peak in the chemiluminescence emission spectrum. Retention time of the purified sample on reversed-phase HPLC, measured by fluorescence, was also in accordance with that of indoxyl-beta-D-glucuronide. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a primary emitter of low-level chemiluminescence from a biological source.