Trehalose intake and exercise upregulate a glucose transporter, GLUT8, in the brain

Physical exercise influences cognitive function through a cascade of cellular processes that promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Autophagy is a cellular degradation system that is capable of producing energy in response to various conditions such as starvation, physical exercise and several treatments. Our previous report demonstrated that a disaccharide, trehalose, induced autophagy in the brain and reduced the levels of potentially toxic proteins. To achieve more efficient induction of autophagy in the brain, in this study, we examined the effect of disaccharide intake combined with exercise on autophagy in vivo. Consistent with the results of previous studies, our biochemical analyses demonstrated that trehalose increased the level of lipidated LC3 (LC3II) in the brain and liver of adult mice. However, contrary to our expectation, treadmill exercise reduced the level of LC3II in the brain and liver. Interestingly, glycogen storage was preserved in the liver of trehalose-intake mice even after exercise. Moreover, the trehalose transporter GLUT8 was increased in the liver by trehalose or in the brain by trehalose together with exercise. In contrast, the level of GLUT4 remained stable in the liver and brain even after exercise. These findings suggest that trehalose and GLUT8 coordinately contribute to energy supply in the brain.

Evaluation of serum IgE in peach-allergic patients with systemic reaction by using recombinant Pru p 7 (gibberellin-regulated protein)

BACKGROUND

Lipid transfer protein (LTP) is a major fruit allergen. It has, however, recently been revealed that the systemic reaction in peach-allergic patients is related not only to LTP (Pru p 3) but also to gibberellin-regulated protein (Pru p 7). We investigated recombinant Pru p 7 (rPru p 7) for its potential use in worldwide standardization for the diagnosis of peach allergy.

METHODS

Natural Pru p 7 (nPru p 7) was purified from peach crude extract using a monoclonal antibody affinity column. Complementary DNA for Pru p 7 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E in peach-allergic patients was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using nPru p 7 and rPru p 7 (E. coli product: erPru p 7 and P. pastoris product: prPru p 7).

RESULTS

Peach-allergic patients (n=27) were diagnosed and categorized into oral reaction (n=10) or systemic reaction (n=17). The nPru p 7 positivity based on serum IgE levels was 52% in the systemic-reaction group and 0% in the oral-reaction group (P<0.05). In the systemic-reaction group, there was no significant difference in reactivity between nPru p 7 and prPru p 7, but the reactivity of erPru p 7 was significantly lower than those of nPru p 7 and prPru p 7 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that prPru p 7 exhibited reactivity in ELISA comparable to that of nPru p 7 for the diagnosis of peach allergy with systemic reaction.

Abnormal asymmetries in subcortical brain volume in schizophrenia

Subcortical structures, which include the basal ganglia and parts of the limbic system, have key roles in learning, motor control and emotion, but also contribute to higher-order executive functions. Prior studies have reported volumetric alterations in subcortical regions in schizophrenia. Reported results have sometimes been heterogeneous, and few large-scale investigations have been conducted. Moreover, few large-scale studies have assessed asymmetries of subcortical volumes in schizophrenia. Here, as a work completely independent of a study performed by the ENIGMA consortium, we conducted a large-scale multisite study of subcortical volumetric differences between patients with schizophrenia and controls. We also explored the laterality of subcortical regions to identify characteristic similarities and differences between them. T1-weighted images from 1680 healthy individuals and 884 patients with schizophrenia, obtained with 15 imaging protocols at 11 sites, were processed with FreeSurfer. Group differences were calculated for each protocol and meta-analyzed. Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated smaller bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and accumbens volumes as well as intracranial volume, but larger bilateral caudate, putamen, pallidum and lateral ventricle volumes. We replicated the rank order of effect sizes for subcortical volumetric changes in schizophrenia reported by the ENIGMA consortium. Further, we revealed leftward asymmetry for thalamus, lateral ventricle, caudate and putamen volumes, and rightward asymmetry for amygdala and hippocampal volumes in both controls and patients with schizophrenia. Also, we demonstrated a schizophrenia-specific leftward asymmetry for pallidum volume. These findings suggest the possibility of aberrant laterality in neural pathways and connectivity patterns related to the pallidum in schizophrenia.

Characteristics of Diffusional Kurtosis in Chronic Ischemia of Adult Moyamoya Disease: Comparing Diffusional Kurtosis and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Detecting microstructural changes due to chronic ischemia potentially enables early identification of patients at risk of cognitive impairment. In this study, diffusional kurtosis imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were used to investigate whether the former provides additional information regarding microstructural changes in the gray and white matter of adult patients with Moyamoya disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR imaging (diffusional kurtosis imaging and DTI) was performed in 23 adult patients with Moyamoya disease and 23 age-matched controls. Three parameters were extracted from diffusional kurtosis imaging (mean kurtosis, axial kurtosis, and radial kurtosis), and 4, from DTI (fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, mean diffusivity, and axial diffusivity). Voxelwise analysis for these parameters was performed in the normal-appearing brain parenchyma. The association of these parameters with neuropsychological performance was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Voxelwise analysis revealed the greatest differences in fractional anisotropy, followed, in order, by radial diffusivity, mean diffusivity, and mean kurtosis. In patients, diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters were decreased in the dorsal deep white matter such as the corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus (P < .01), including areas without DTI abnormality. Superior longitudinal fasciculus fiber-crossing areas showed weak correlations between diffusional kurtosis imaging and DTI parameters compared with tissues with a single-fiber direction (eg, the corpus callosum). Diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters were associated with general intelligence and frontal lobe performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Although DTI revealed extensive white matter changes, diffusional kurtosis imaging additionally demonstrated microstructural changes in ischemia-prone deep white matter with abundant fiber crossings. Thus, diffusional kurtosis imaging may be a useful adjunct for detecting subtle chronic ischemic injuries.

Environmental radiation at Izu-Oshima after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

Environmental radiation at Izu-Oshima Island was observed 6 months after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1-NPP). A car-borne survey of the dose rate in air was conducted over the entire island and the results were compared with measurements performed in 2005 (i.e. before the accident). The activity concentrations of (134)Cs and (137)Cs were also measured using a germanium detector. The dose rate in air was found to be 2.9 ± 1.2 times higher than that in 2005 and (134)Cs was detected on Izu-Oshima Island. These results are attributed to the accident at the F1-NPP.

An explanation of the mineralization mechanism in osteoblasts induced by calcium hydroxide

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)) has been broadly used in endodontics, including apexification to obtain apical closure by mineralization. However, the detailed mechanism of mineralization induced by Ca(OH)(2) is still unclear. This study focuses on the function of calcium and hydroxyl ions which dissociate from Ca(OH)(2) during the mineralization process. Though primary osteoblasts cultured in the medium without or with 0.025mgml(-1) Ca(OH)(2) did not show mineralization, they did exhibit mineralization when they were cultured with a higher concentration of Ca(OH)(2) (0.25mgml(-1)). Mineralization induced in the presence of 0.25mgml(-1) Ca(OH)(2) was greater at pH 7.4 than at pH 8.5. The high mineralization activity observed under neutral conditions was caused by the prolonged activation of p38 and JNK. Hydroxyl ions did not have any effect on the mineralization. The results demonstrate that calcium ions dissociated from Ca(OH)(2) are critical for inducing the mineralization of osteoblasts.

Toxicity assessment of treated wastewater using cultured human cell lines

Bioassay using cultured human cell lines was applied to an effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Sapporo to assess their toxicity, and in order to investigate the fate of toxicity in the WWTP, bioassay of the water samples from several points in WWTP (influent, effluent, return flow from thickener, from dewatering process and from incineration process) was performed. We also applied bioassay to the mixture of the activated sludge from the investigated plant and artificial sewage. These results showed that the toxicity of the effluent was more intensive than the influent, and organic matter released from activated sludge bacteria during their decay process contributed to the increase of toxicity in the effluent.

Finasteride 1 mg has no inhibitory effect on omeprazole metabolism in extensive and poor metabolizers for CYP2C19 in Japanese

OBJECTIVE

To examine the inhibitory effect of finasteride 1 mg on the metabolism of omeprazole in genetically determined extensive (EMs) and poor metabolizers (PMs) for CYP2C19 in young healthy Japanese male subjects.

METHODS

Twenty-four volunteers participated in this study, among whom 12 were homozygous EMs and 12 were PMs for CYP2C19. A single center, controlled, randomized, open, crossover study with a 5 day washout between the two study periods was performed. Each of the six EMs and PMs received a single oral 20 mg dose of omeprazole on day 1 (treatment I). After a 5 day washout period, these subjects received 1 mg of finasteride once a day for three consecutive days, and a single oral 20 mg dose of omeprazole was co-administered on day 3 (treatment II). The 12 other EMs and PMs received treatments I and II in reverse. Plasma samples were collected for up to a 12 hours postdose of omeprazole, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of omeprazole were determined.

RESULTS

The geometric mean ratio (GMR) for the AUC((0-12 hr)) of omeprazole when co-administered with finasteride/omeprazole alone is 1.13 (90%CI, 1.03, 1.25) and 0.96 (0.88, 1.05) in EMs and PMs, respectively. Finasteride did not significantly alter C(max), T(max) and t(1/2) in both genotypes.

CONCLUSION

Finasteride 1 mg, widely used for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men, did not meaningfully increase omeprazole exposure (20 mg) in both EMs and PMs for CYP2C19. These results indicate that finasteride does not meaningfully inhibit CYP2C19 activity in vivo at the dose of 1 mg.

Organic matter released from activated sludge bacteria cells during their decay process

Organic matter released from activated sludge bacteria is a considerable issue in the wastewater reclamation process. In this study, we focused 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid in the Lipopolysaccharide existed in the gram-negative bacterial cell wall as an index of organic matter released from bacteria, and investigated the fate of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid in the aerated and ultrasonicated activated sludge samples. The results shows 1) 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid concentration in the hydrolyzed sample was higher than non-hydrolyzed sample, and this implied that 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid existed in the water phase as a monomer and also as a polymer such as Lipopolysaccharide form and their fragments; 2) the value of (2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid)/(dissolved organic carbon) ratio did not change in the sludge sonication process and was approximately 0.0006, on the other hand, in the bacteria decay process, the ratio varied from zero to approximately 0.0012; 3) the linear relationship was observed between the degraded heterotrophic biomass and the generated 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid; and 4) 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid might be considered as an index of organic matter originated from activated sludge bacteria cell.

Role of hydrophilic organic matter on developing toxicity in decay process of activated sludge

It is known that the toxicity of effluent is more intensive than that of influent in the activated sludge process. In this study, we applied bioassay using cultured human cell lines to the decay process of activated sludge to evaluate the toxicity of organic matter generated and/or released from activated sludge bacteria. We also applied this bioassay to hydrophilic fraction of samples. The bioassay results showed that: (1) the variation in the dose-response relation obtained from assay with original samples was observed during decay; (2) on the other hand, the response curves of only hydrophilic fraction at each time show the same relationship between TOC and viability of MCF7 cells; (3) this trend was confirmed by plotting the time course of EC50. These results imply that: (1) the hydrophilic organic matter controlled for developing toxicity during decay process of activated sludge; and (2) the character of hydrophilic organic matter is not changed during the experimental period.

High-resolution record of Northern Hemisphere climate extending into the last interglacial period

Two deep ice cores from central Greenland, drilled in the 1990s, have played a key role in climate reconstructions of the Northern Hemisphere, but the oldest sections of the cores were disturbed in chronology owing to ice folding near the bedrock. Here we present an undisturbed climate record from a North Greenland ice core, which extends back to 123,000 years before the present, within the last interglacial period. The oxygen isotopes in the ice imply that climate was stable during the last interglacial period, with temperatures 5 degrees C warmer than today. We find unexpectedly large temperature differences between our new record from northern Greenland and the undisturbed sections of the cores from central Greenland, suggesting that the extent of ice in the Northern Hemisphere modulated the latitudinal temperature gradients in Greenland. This record shows a slow decline in temperatures that marked the initiation of the last glacial period. Our record reveals a hitherto unrecognized warm period initiated by an abrupt climate warming about 115,000 years ago, before glacial conditions were fully developed. This event does not appear to have an immediate Antarctic counterpart, suggesting that the climate see-saw between the hemispheres (which dominated the last glacial period) was not operating at this time.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the ileum: report of a case

We report herein a case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the ileum. A 71-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of abdominal pain and anorexia. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, a follow-through study of the small intestine, and angiography all demonstrated a tumor of the ileum suggestive of a primary malignancy. A partial resection of the ileum was performed. It was histopathologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed to be a storiform-type primary MFH of the ileum with peritoneal dissemination. There have been a total of 25 cases of primary small bowel MFH documented in the Japanese or Western literature including our case. The malignant potential of such tumors is high, and the prognosis tends to be very poor. Unfortunately, we could not conclude whether the poor outcome was due to a delayed diagnosis or instead to its biological malignant behavior, since the number of such reported cases is still too small to make any definitive conclusions.

In vitro and in vivo activities of anti-influenza virus compound T-705

T-705 (6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide) has been found to have potent and selective inhibitory activity against influenza virus. In an in vitro plaque reduction assay, T-705 showed potent inhibitory activity against influenza A, B, and C viruses, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) of 0.013 to 0.48 microg/ml, while it showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 1,000 microg/ml in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The selectivity index for influenza virus was more than 2,000. It was also active against a neuraminidase inhibitor-resistant virus and some amantadine-resistant viruses. T-705 showed weak activity against non-influenza virus RNA viruses, with the IC(50)s being higher for non-influenza virus RNA viruses than for influenza virus, and it had no activity against DNA viruses. Orally administered T-705 at 100 mg/kg of body weight/day (four times a day) for 5 days significantly reduced the mean pulmonary virus yields and the rate of mortality in mice infected with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (3 x 10(2) PFU). These results suggest that T-705 may be a compound that is useful and highly selective against influenza virus infections and that has a mode of action different from those of commercially available drugs, such as amantadine, rimantadine, and neuraminidase inhibitors.

Striking effect of left ventricular high filling pressure with mitral regurgitation on mitral annular velocity during early diastole. A study using colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging

AIMS

To evaluate the effect of considerably high left ventricular filling pressure with mitral regurgitation on mitral annular velocity during early diastole.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and forty-three patients who underwent cardiac catheterization for evaluation of chest pain.

METHODS

Mitral annular velocity during early diastole was measured by colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to the cardiac catheterization data. Group A (n=147): patients having left ventricular relaxation time constant tau<46 ms and left ventricular end-systolic volume index <38 ml m(-2); group B (n=88): patients having tau>or=46 ms and/or end-systolic volume index >or=38 ml m(-2); group C (n=8): patients having mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >or=16 mmHg in addition to tau>or=46 ms and end-systolic volume index >or=38 ml m(-2).

RESULTS

Mitral annular velocity during early diastole was significantly less in group B (4.8+/-1.4 cm s(-1)) than in group A (7.7+/-1.9 cm s(-1)). However, there was no significant difference between groups A and C (8.3+/-0.8 cm s(-1)). A transmitral E/A >1.0 was observed in 12/147 patients of group A, 10/88 of group B, and 8/8 of group C. The incidence of >or=Sellers' grade II mitral regurgitation was higher in group C than the others.

CONCLUSIONS

A paradoxically faster mitral annular velocity during early diastole is found in patients having left ventricular dysfunction with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and considerably high left ventricular filling pressure. Attention should be paid to an interpretation of mitral annular velocity during early diastole regarding left ventricular early diastolic performance in patients having mitral regurgitation with an E/A >1.0 in their transmitral flow.

Fluvastatin depresses the enhanced lipid peroxidation in vitamin E-deficient hamsters

Fluvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, has recently been reported to have the antioxidative activity in vitro. However, it is still unclear whether chronic treatment with this drug actually leads to amelioration of the redox status in the body. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative effect of fluvastatin in vivo, using a vitamin E-deficient hamster model, an in vivo model of enhanced oxidative stress. After pre-treatment with a vitamin E-deficient diet for 2 months, fluvastatin, pravastatin or probucol was added to the diet for 1 month. Vitamin E deficiency caused a significant increase in the levels of plasma oxidative stress markers such as 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha) and hydroperoxides. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the oxidizability of plasma lipids in the vitamin E-deficient animals, indicating that the oxidative stress was increased in the circulation. Fluvastatin markedly depressed the above oxidative stress markers in plasma, and significantly decreased the oxidizability of plasma lipids without affecting their levels. Probucol, a reference antioxidant, also showed a similar effect while pravastatin, another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, showed only a weak improvement. We suggest that the treatment with fluvastatin leads to a reduction of oxidative stress in vivo, which is mainly derived from its antioxidative property rather than its lipid-lowering activity.

Striking effect of left ventricular systolic performance on propagation velocity of left ventricular early diastolic filling flow

Propagation velocity of left ventricular (LV) early diastolic filling flow (PVE) has been acknowledged as a useful parameter for LV early diastolic performance; however, the effect of LV systolic performance on PVE is not fully understood. Thus the purpose of this study was to investigate such an effect. Propagation of LV early diastolic filling flow was visualized by M-mode color Doppler imaging, and the slopes of the peak velocity tracings were measured as PVE in 150 patients who underwent coronary angiography. In cardiac catheterization, mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, time constant tau of LV pressure decay, LV end-systolic volume index, and LV ejection fraction were obtained. In univariate regression analysis, PVE significantly correlated with LV end-systolic volume index (r = -0.68, P <.001), LV ejection fraction (r = 0.66, P <.001), and time constant tau (r = -0.52, P <.001). In multivariate regression analysis, PVE was regressed by the LV end-systolic volume index, tau, and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. The contribution of each parameter to the variance of the PVE was 46%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. A break-point linear regression analysis showed that the relation between the LV end-systolic volume index and PVE was much better characterized by a broken line than a straight line. The broken line had a steeper slope in patients with LV end-systolic volume index < or =41 mL/m(2) than in those with >41 mL/m(2). These findings suggest that PVE is determined mainly by LV systolic performance and partly by both LV relaxation and LV filling pressure. Left ventricular systolic performance may play a key role in generating a much faster PVE, especially in patients with relatively better LV systolic performance.

A Drosophila haemocyte-specific protein, hemolectin, similar to human von Willebrand factor

We identified a novel Drosophila protein of approximately 400 kDa, hemolectin (d-Hml), secreted from haemocyte-derived Kc167 cells. Its 11.7 kbp cDNA contains an open reading frame of 3843 amino acid residues, with conserved domains in von Willebrand factor (VWF), coagulation factor V/VIII and complement factors. The d-hml gene is located on the third chromosome (position 70C1-5) and consists of 26 exons. The major part of d-Hml consists of well-known motifs with the organization: CP1-EG1-CP2-EG2-CP3-VD1-VD2-VD'-VD3-VC1-VD"-VD"'-FC1-FC2-VC2-LA1-VD4-VD5-VC3-VB1-VB2-VC4-VC5-CK1 (CP, complement-control protein domain; EG, epidermal-growth-factor-like domain; VB, VC, VD, VWF type B-, C- and D-like domains; VD', VD", VD"', truncated C-terminal VDs; FC, coagulation factor V/VIII type C domain; LA, low-density-lipoprotein-receptor class A domain; CK, cysteine knot domain). The organization of VD1-VD2-VD'-VD3, essential for VWF to be processed by furin, to bind to coagulation factor VIII and to form interchain disulphide linkages, is conserved. The 400 kDa form of d-Hml was sensitive to acidic cleavage near the boundary between VD2 and VD', where the cleavage site of pro-VWF is located. Agarose-gel electrophoresis of metabolically radiolabelled d-Hml suggested that it is secreted from Kc167 cells mainly as dimers. Resembling VWF, 7.9% (305 residues) of cysteine residues on the d-Hml sequence had well-conserved positions in each motif. Coinciding with the development of phagocytic haemocytes, d-hml transcript was detected in late embryos and larvae. Its low-level expression in adult flies was induced by injury at any position on the body.

Hemodynamic and sympathetic effects of fenoldopam and sodium nitroprusside

BACKGROUND

Fenoldopam is a novel dopamine-1 receptor selective agonist that can be used as a vasodilator perioperatively to treat hypertension and to produce induced hypotension. We were interested to find out whether there were any differences between fenoldopam (FM) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), one of the most popular vasodilators, in their effects on hemodynamics and sympathetic outflow using not only neuraxis intact but also baro-denervated animal models.

METHODS

A total of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups of 30 each: the neuraxis-intact group and the totally baro-denervated group. Each group was further divided into three groups of 10 each to receive SNP 10 microg x kg(-1), FM 10 microg x kg(-1) or FM 20 microg x kg(-1), respectively. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were recorded before and after intravenous (i.v.) administration of each agent. In addition, cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity were assessed in the neuraxis-intact animals.

RESULTS

In the neuraxis-intact groups, although RSNA was increased to a similar extent in all three groups (P<0.01), the reduction of MAP with FM groups was significantly greater than with SNP (P<0.05). HR was increased only in the SNP group. Cardiac (HR) and sympathetic barosensitivity were significantly attenuated with FM 20 microg x kg(-1) as compared to the SNP group. In the baro-denervated groups, there were significant and similar degrees of reduction of MAP in all three group up to 1 min (P<0.01). MAP remained significantly decreased in the FM groups for 10 min (only 2 min with SNP) in both animal models.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike sodium nitroprusside, fenoldopam attenuates both cardiac (heart rate) and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity, which may explain the lack of rebound hypertension with fenoldopam. The offset of hypotensive effects of fenoldopam is a significantly slower process as compared to nitroprusside, and this may be an unfavorable feature of fenoldopam should overshoot of hypotension occur.

Characteristics of acoustic noise in echo-planar imaging

Characteristics of the acoustic noise generated by magnetic resonance imagers of different systems and performance levels were studied when operating in echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence. Continuous equivalent A-weighted sound pressure levels (Leq) and peak impulse sound pressure levels (Lpeak) during EPI were measured in 12 clinical super-conducting MRI systems (0.5-1.5 T). Sound pressure levels and frequency spectra of EPI were compared with those of nine different pulse sequences. EPI sound pressure levels differed among institutions (Leq = 94.2 +/- 2.7 dBA. Lpeak = 109.1 +/- 3.5 dB), but these were within permissible noise exposure levels. Sound pressure levels during EPI were not significantly different from those during other pulse sequences. However, compared to other pulse sequences. EPI had a significantly greater proportion of acoustic noise in the high octave-frequency band. Single-shot EPI had relatively higher frequency noise and greater Leq than multishot EPI, but the difference in Leq decreased when the number of slices in multishot EPI was increased.

Fluvastatin inhibits O2- and ICAM-1 levels in a rat model with aortic remodeling induced by pressure overload

Upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression is suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase inhibitor fluvastatin on superoxide anion (O2-) production and ICAM-1 expression in a rat model with vascular remodeling induced by pressure overload. Two weeks after aortic banding, marked increases in O2- production and ICAM-1 protein levels were observed in the aorta. O2- formation and ICAM-1 immunoreactivity were mainly increased in the endothelium and adventitia of the aorta in banded rats. Oral administration of fluvastatin prevented both these changes and the development of perivascular fibrosis and increased the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Cholesterol and lipid peroxide levels in serum did not change in the banded rats. Thus the beneficial effects of fluvastatin seen in this study as well as its cholesterol-lowering effect may contribute to attenuate the atherosclerotic process.

[Evaluation of efficiency of a multi-crystal scintillation camera Digirad 2020tc Imager using a solid-state detectors]

Digirad 2020tc Imager is the movable scintillation camera, consisting of combining multi-crystal scintillators (CsI(Tl)) and photo-diodes. Total numbers of element are 4096, which are further divided into 16 x 16 modules. Each module contains 4 x 4 elements. We have examined Digirad 2020tc according to NEMA (National Electrical Manufactures Association), and the following results are obtained; the maximum count rate; 221 kcps, total system uniformity; 1.3% (integral uniformity), 0.9% (differential uniformity), system spatial resolution; 6.97 +/- 0.72 mm (the LEHR collimator to 99mTc source at 10 cm), intrinsic energy resolution; 12.8%, total system sensitivity; 3270.8 cpm/MBq (with LEHR collimator using 99mTc source at 10 cm). Further more, we determined the contrast of an imaging using the pin-hole (100 microns phi) 99mTc source in order to know the signal per noise (S/N) ratio among the pixels (S/N; 93.4 +/- 46.2 (first pixels)). Although the physical dimension of the camera has a smaller field of view, comparing with the standard camera, Digirad 2020tc has the equivalent characteristics as well as that of the standard camera and its field view is enough to measure the adult lung perfusion using a diverging collimator. We will further examine Digirad 2020tc with its movable portability and expect applications in nuclear medicine.

Usefulness and limitation of DiBAC4(3), a voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye, for the measurement of membrane potentials regulated by recombinant large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in HEK293 cells

The usefulness of bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)-trimethine oxonol (DiBAC4(3)), a voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye, for the measurement of membrane potentials (MPs) was evaluated in HEK293 cells, where alpha or alpha plus beta1 subunits of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels were expressed (HEKBK alpha and HEKBK alphabeta). The fluorescent intensity of DiBAC4(3) was measured at various potentials under voltage-clamp for calibration to estimate the absolute MP semi-quantitatively. The resting MPs measured with DiBAC4(3) were roughly comparable to those recorded with a microelectrode; the MP in HEKBK alphabeta was 10-20 mV more negative than that in native HEK. In HEKBK alpha, the membrane hyperpolarization induced by 10 microM Evans blue, a BK channel opener, was detected with DiBAC4(3). NS-1619, another BK channel opener, induced gradual but substantial change in F/F(K) even in native HEK, while the BK channel opening effect was detected. Oscillatory membrane hyperpolarization was induced in HEKBK alphabeta by application of 10 microM acetylcholine via increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The oscillatory hyperpolarization was, however, detected only as a slow hyperpolarization with DiBAC4(3). It can be concluded that relatively slow effects of BK channel modulators can be semi-quantitatively measured by use of DiBAC4(3) in HEKBK, while the limited temporal resolution and possible artifacts should be taken into account.

Effects of fluvastatin and its major metabolites on low-density lipoprotein oxidation and cholesterol esterification in macrophages

We investigated effects of fluvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, and its major metabolites, M2 and M4, on CuSO4-induced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and cholesteryl ester accumulation in mouse peritoneal macrophages. All the test compounds inhibited LDL oxidation, and M2 had the most potent effect comparable to vitamin E. When LDL was previously incubated with the test compounds in the presence of CuSO4, the pre-treatment resulted in a marked reduction of facilitated cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages. Supplementation of mevalonate did not overcome the inhibitory effects of fluvastatin and its metabolites on both LDL oxidation and facilitated cholesterol esterification. Pravastatin, another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, did not show any inhibitory effect. Consequently, these effects of fluvastatin and its metabolites are considered to be derived from their own unique chemical structures. Moreover, fluvastatin and M2 directly inhibited cholesterol esterification induced by oxidized LDL in macrophages, but pravastatin was also found to have a weak effect. As their inhibitory effects were overcome by addition of mevalonate, the direct inhibitory effect on cholesterol esterification would be a common property of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The inhibitory effects of fluvastatin and its metabolites on both LDL oxidation and cholesterol esterification in macrophages may contribute to the antiatherogenic action in vivo.

Occurrence of the major food allergen, ovomucoid, in human breast milk as an immune complex

The major food allergen, ovomucoid (molecular weight of 28 kDa) could be detected in 12 of 37 human breast milk samples by using three types of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. By gel-filtration, ovomucoid in breast milk was only eluted in the fractions corresponding to a molecular weight of about 450 kDa, suggesting its occurrence as an immune complex with IgA. In fact, almost the same elution profile as that for ovomucoid was obtained for its immune complex with IgA by gel-filtration.

Specific gravity of whole blood in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), and tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) and total blood volume in cynomolgus monkeys

Blood collection is a common laboratory procedure in animal experiments. The purpose of this study is to establish baseline data for two essential hematologic parameters, total blood volume (TBV) and specific gravity of blood (SGB), of nonhuman primates. The SGB was determined by dropping samples of whole blood into cupric sulfate solution. The values for the mean SGB +/- 1 standard deviation are: cynomolgus monkeys, 1.0526 +/- 0.0019 [males (n = 39), 1.0531 +/- 0.0017; females (n = 48), 1.0522 +/- 0.001]; squirrel monkeys, 1.0555 +/- 0.0037 [males (n = 56), 1.0581 +/- 0.0027; females (n = 76), 1.0536 +/- 0.0032]; and tamarins, 1.0582 +/- 0.0020 [males (n = 13), 1.0582 +/- 0.0023; females (n = 17), 1.0581 +/- 0.0018]. To determine the TBV, blood was collected in tubes containing 1.5 mg EDTA after intravenous injection of Evans Blue solution. The TBV was obtained after correcting for the hematocrit and the dilution factor of the Evans Blue solution. The formulae were established to estimate TBV by referring to body weight (BW). There was no significance between TBV and BW in male monkeys weighing more than 6 kg.

Regression by ACE inhibition of arteriosclerotic changes induced by chronic blockade of NO synthesis in rats

We previously reported that chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induces vascular inflammation at week 1 and produces subsequent arteriosclerosis at week 4 and that cotreatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor prevents such changes. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that treatment with an ACE inhibitor after development of vascular inflammation could inhibit arteriosclerosis in rats. Wistar-Kyoto rats were randomized to four groups: the control group received no drugs, the 4wL-NAME group received L-NAME (100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) for 4 wk, the 1wL + 3wNT group received L-NAME for 1 wk and no treatment for the subsequent 3 wk, and the 1wL + 3wACEI group received L-NAME for 1 wk and the ACE inhibitor imidapril (20 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) for the subsequent 3 wk. After 4 wk, we observed significant arteriosclerosis of the coronary artery (medial thickening and fibrosis) and increased cardiac ACE activity in the 1wL + 3wNT group as well as in the 4wL-NAME group, but not in the 1wL + 3wACEI group. In a separate study, we examined apoptosis formation and found that posttreatment with imidapril (20 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) or an ANG II AT1-receptor antagonist, CS-866 (5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), induced apoptosis (TdT-mediated nick end-labeling) in monocytes and myofibroblasts appearing in the inflammatory lesions associated with a clear degradation in the heart (DNA electrophoresis). In conclusion, treatment with the ACE inhibitor after 1 wk of L-NAME administration inhibited arteriosclerosis by inducing apoptosis in the cells with inflammatory lesions in this study, suggesting that increased ANG II activity inhibited apoptosis of the cells with inflammatory lesions and thus contributed to the development of arteriosclerosis.

[Development of the chromatography analysis of liquid trapping 99mTc-Technegas using Jikei impinger]

We developed the equipment which collected 99mTc-Technegas into liquid (saline) and named this equipment an impinger of Jikei University Style. We further developed a technique using this impinger to evaluate its formation qualitatively by paper chromatography. Utilizing this technique we investigated various factors that caused environmental contamination by 99mTc-Technegas, including changes over time in a Technegas generator. It was demonstrated that upon getting mixed with oxygen gas to the argon gas, the Technegas generator induced contamination of 99mTc-Pertechnegas easily, leading to changes in its formation. The change of formation quality of the Technegas generator with the lapse of time was also revealed. These findings indicated that the maintenance and inspection of the equipment were important. This method is a simple and easy technique for the evaluation of 99mTc-Technegas formation, making it possible to perform the quality control of examination agent and the Technegas generator.

Structural studies of lanthanide (III) complexes with oxydiacetic acid and iminodiacetic acid in aqueous solution by EXAFS

The local structure of the trivalent lanthanide (Ln(III)) complexes with oxydiacetic acid (ODA) and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) in aqueous solution was investigated by EXAFS spectroscopy. The coordination number and the bond distance were obtained by the detailed EXAFS analysis. The coordination number of Ln(III) in both the Ln-ODA and -IDA systems decreases from nine for lighter Ln(III) to eight for heavier Ln(III). The bond distances of ether O atoms from Ln(III) in the Ln(ODA)(3)3- complexes are shorter than those of N atoms in the Ln(IDA)(3)3- ones.

In vitro and in vivo efficacies of T-3811ME (BMS-284756) against Mycoplasma pneumoniae

T-3811, the free base of T-3811ME (BMS-284756), a new des-F(6)-quinolone, showed a potent in vitro activity (MIC at which 90% of the isolates tested are inhibited [MIC(90)], 0.0313 microg/ml) against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The MIC(90) of T-3811 was 4-fold higher than that of clarithromycin but was 4- to 8-fold lower than those of trovafloxacin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin and was 16- to 32-fold lower than those of levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline. In an experimental M. pneumoniae pneumonia model in hamsters, after the administration of T-3811ME (20 mg/kg of body weight as T-3811, once daily, orally) for 5 days, the reduction of viable cells of M. pneumoniae in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was greater than those of trovafloxacin, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin (20 and 40 mg/kg, orally) (P < 0.05).

Role of mucus reduction and luminal acid elevation in increased susceptibility of stomach to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced injury in arthritic rats

We investigated the role of gastric mucus and acid secretion in the increase of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced gastric lesions in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Both aspirin- and indomethacin-induced gastric injury were remarkably worsened in the arthritic rats. In the arthritic rats, the amounts of mucus glycoprotein in both the mucosa and adherent gel layer were respectively decreased to 70% and 34% of those in normal rats, while gastric acid secretion was augmented to 1.5-fold. The gastroprotective antiulcer agent ecabet sodium, which increased the mucus content in the gel layer but did not affect the luminal acid contents, prevented the increase of both lesions induced by aspirin and indomethacin. Cimetidine also inhibited the formation of aspirin- and indomethacin-induced damage as well as the acid secretion in the arthritic rats. In conclusion, an imbalance between gastric defensive and aggressive systems due to the loss of adherent mucus glycoprotein and the elevation of the luminal acid contents seems to account for the increased susceptibility of the lesion-inducing properties of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in arthritic rats.

Synthesis of N-labeled peptidyl AMP

This paper deals with the synthesis of a new type of N-labeled peptidyl AMP, which would be used as a good substrate for analysis of the peptidyl transfer reaction on ribosome and for co-crystallization with ribosome. 4-(Dimethylamino)azobenzene-4'-sulfonyl (Dabsyl) was selected as the labeling group. (N-Dabsylglycyl)-L-leucyl AMP was synthesized from glycyl-L-leucine via a three-step procedure.

Comparison of the effect of imidaprilat and ramiprilat on broncho-constriction and hypotension induced by bradykinin in guinea pigs

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate tissue selective brady-kinin (BK) potentiating action of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, we studied effects of imidaprilat and ramiprilat, active metabolites of imidapril and ramipril, respectively, on bronchoconstriction and hypotension both induced by BK in vasopressin-infused anesthetized guinea pigs.

METHODS

We measured pulmonary inflation pressure and blood pressure in vasopressin-infused anesthetized guinea pigs at the same time. BK-induced changes in pulmonary inflation pressure and blood pressure before and after the administration of ACE inhibitor were compared.

RESULTS

Imidaprilat and ramiprilat enhanced BK-induced hypotension comparably, and this effect was inhibited by Nomega-nitro-L-arginin-methylester (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor). Although imidaprilat did not affect BK-induced bronchoconstriction, ramiprilat enhanced the broncho-constriction significantly. SR48968, a selective NK2 receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the enhancing effect of ramiprilat on BK-induced bronchoconstriction.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that enhancement of BK-induced hypotension by imidaprilat and ramiprilat is mediated by nitric oxide (NO), but the mediator of the enhancing action of ramiprilat on BK-induced bronchoconstriction is mainly neurokinin A.

Food deprivation depletes gastric mucus glycoprotein in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Fasting causes gastric mucosal damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, but its pathogenic mechanism remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alteration of gastric mucosal mucin, one of the gastric defensive factors against the development of such damage. Diabetes was induced in rats by intravenous injection of STZ (65 mg/kg). The experiments were performed using 4-week STZ-diabetic rats with blood glucose levels above 350 mg/dl. The amount of gastric mucus glycoprotein was determined by gel filtration, and the distribution of neutral and acidic mucins in the stomach epithelium was examined by histochemical analysis. In normal rats, 24-h fasting neither affected the gastric mucin content nor caused any macroscopic gastric mucosal injury. In contrast, starvation significantly reduced the amount of total gastric mucus glycoprotein prior to the formation of mucosal lesions in the STZ-diabetic rats. Nine hours after food deprivation, the gastric damage developed in about 70% of the diabetic rats, the amount of mucus glycoprotein markedly decreased, and both the neutral and acidic mucins diminished in the epithelium. Taken together, in STZ-diabetic rats, fasting by itself depletes gastric mucus glycoprotein, and this depletion may be involved in the pathogenic mechanism of the formation of gastric mucosal lesions.

Antiplatelet mechanisms of TA-993 and its metabolite MB3 in ADP-induced platelet aggregation

We investigated the antiplatelet mechanisms of TA-993 [(-)-cis-3-acetoxy-5-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-2, 3-dihydro-8-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one maleate] and its metabolite MB3 (deacetyl and N-monomethyl TA-993) in human platelets stimulated by ADP in vitro. TA-993 and MB3 concentration-dependently inhibited fibrinogen binding to the ADP-stimulated platelets as well as inhibiting platelet aggregation. The antiplatelet effect of MB3 was about 300 times more potent than those of TA-993 and a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS). Aggregation of ADP-treated fixed platelets caused by the addition of fibrinogen was inhibited by RGDS but not by TA-993 and MB3. TA-993 and MB3 inhibited ADP-induced polymerization of actin filaments. Neither TA-993 nor MB3 affected cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels in resting platelets, and nor suppressed the increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration induced by ADP. These results suggest that the antiplatelet mechanisms of TA-993 and MB3 may involve inactivation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors via inhibition of the polymerization of actin.

Inhibitory effects of fluvastatin and its metabolites on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative destruction of hemin and low-density lipoprotein

Some 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, which are used as hypolipidemic drugs, have been reported to have the potential to reduce the oxidizability of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) when they are administered in vivo. Their in vivo mechanism is believed to be closely related to their hypolipidemic action based on the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity. We hypothesized that some type of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor has additional mechanism inhibiting LDL oxidation in vivo due not to its hypolipidemic action but to its direct antioxidative effect based on its unique chemical structure. We directly compared in vitro the antioxidative effects of well-known HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (fluvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, cerivastatin and atorvastatin) on the hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative destruction of hemin and LDL. Fluvastatin but not the others showed the inhibitory effect on this system. Its effect was dose-dependent and almost as strong as the natural antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid. Further, M2, which is a hydroxylated metabolite of fluvastatin, showed stronger antioxidative activity than did fluvastatin. We suggest that among these HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, fluvastatin especially has an ability to retard the LDL oxidation which is based on not only its hypolipidemic action but also its direct antioxidative effect.

Effects of imidapril and captopril on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice

We investigated whether the prevention of the development of diabetic nephropathy by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is associated with decreases in renal angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and/or blood pressure in diabetic mice. C57Bl/6 mice were injected with streptozotocin (200 mg/kg, i.v.) and randomized to receive either imidapril (1 and 5 mg/kg) or captopril (10 and 50 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage for 28 days. Each assay was performed on 8-10 mice from each treatment. At 28 days after the start of drug treatment, imidapril and captopril significantly reduced blood pressure of the diabetic mice, and this effect of captopril was stronger than that of imidapril. On the other hand, inhibition of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme activity by imidapril was stronger than that by captopril. Imidapril and captopril dose-dependently inhibited urinary albumin excretion to similar extents, but they failed to inhibit the renal hypertrophy and elevation of creatinine clearance. Total renal angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was significantly reduced in diabetic mice, but immunohistochemical localization of angiotensin-converting enzyme was intensive in the vasculature and glomeruli of the diabetic kidney. In conclusion, both effects on blood pressure and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity may be involved in the prevention of development of diabetic nephropathy by imidapril and captopril in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The data suggest that the degrees of contribution of their effects on blood pressure and renal angiotensin-converting enzyme activity to the inhibition of urinary albumin excretion may be different between the two angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.