Lifestyle and colorectal cancer: A case-control study

A case-control study has been conducted to investigate the relationship between lifestyle and risk of colorectal cancer. Cases are one hundred patients diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in Tokai University Hospital between 1986 and 1994. Three controls per case were individually matched by age, sex, local areas and date of health checkups at the Automated Multi-phasic Health Testing and Services (AMHTS ) Center of the hospital. The results were analyzed by multi-factorial logistic regression models. Positive history of maternal cancer, large consumption of alcohol, frequent consumption of potato products and white-collar job were predominant risk factors while frequent intake of seaweed was a protective factor. Frequent intakes of dairy foods and lack of exercise showed no significant tendency to increase risk of colorectal cancer. Smoking habits, intakes of meat and egg were shown not to be related to this disease. These findings suggest that family history of cancer and dietary factors play a key role in causation and prevention of colorectal cancer.

The use of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation to ameliorate the hyperactivity of rat pups induced by in utero ethanol exposure

It has been demonstrated thatin utero ethanol (EtOH) exposure induces hyperactive behavior and learning disturbances in offspring. In order to investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on these neurobehavioral dysfunctions of rat pups induced byin utero EtOH exposure, pregnant Wistar rats were divided into four treatment groups depending on the type of oil added to the diet and drinking water as follows; (a) 5% safflower oil with tap water (TW/n-6), (b) 3% safflower oil and 2% DHA with tap water (TW/n-3), (c) 5% safflower oil with 10%-EtOH (ET/n-6), (d) 3% safflower oil and 2% DHA with 10%-EtOH (ET/n-3) at gestational day (GD) 7.10%-EtOH was administered to dams in ET/n-6 and ET/n-3 groups from GD 7 to the pups' weaning (postnatal week 4), and all pups were fed with the same diet that was given to their dams during the entire examination period. The open-field test and the water E-maze test were conducted for all pups, and a spontaneous motor activity test and the Sidman electric shock avoidance test were performed for some of male pups. Amounts of monoamine metabolites in striatum were then determined, and fatty acid analyses of total brain lipids were performed.The male pups in the ET/n-6 group showed significandy more rearing and square-crossing movements in the open-field test, and significandy higher spontaneous motor activity during the dark period in the daily cycle compared to the males in the TW/n-6 group. The male pups in the ET/n-3 group showed fewer of these behaviors in the open-field test compared to the ET/n-6 group males, and a normal pattern of spontaneous motor activity.Learning disturbance induced byin utero EtOH exposure was not observed in the E-shaped water maze, but was observed in the avoidance rates in the Sidman electric shock avoidance test. However, there was no significant modifying effect of DHA on the avoidance rates in EtOH exposed pups.The analysis of the fatty acid composition of total lipids in the brains of the pups revealed high levels of DHA in the diet reflected an increased level of brain DHA and caused a decreased level of the brain arachidonic acid. Retroco nversion from DHA to eicosapentaenoic acid was also observed. However, there was no significant effect of DHA on the levels of monoamine metabolites.These results support the hypothesis that DHA can counteract the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Identification of homologous biologically active sites on the N-terminal domain of laminin alpha chains

Laminin, a multifunctional glycoprotein of the basement membrane, consists of three different subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma chains. To date, five different alpha chains have been identified. N-terminal domain VI in the alpha1 chain has various biological activities. Here we screened biologically active sequences on domain VI of the laminin alpha2, alpha3, and alpha5 chains using a large number of overlapping peptides. HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell attachment to the peptides was evaluated using peptide-coated plastic plates and peptide-conjugated Sepharose beads. We identified four cell adhesive sequences from laminin alpha2 chain domain VI, two sequences from the alpha3 chain, and two sequences from the laminin alpha5 chain. Sequences homologous to A13 (RQVFQVAYIIIKA, alpha1 chain 121-133) on all the alpha chains (FQIAYVIVKA, alpha2 chain 130-139; GQLFHVAYILIKF, alpha3 chain 96-108; FHVAYVLIKA, alpha5 chain 74-83) showed strong cell attachment activity. A5-16 (LENGEIVVSLVNGR, alpha5 chain 147-160) showed the strongest cell attachment activity in the plate assay, and the homologous peptide in the alpha3 chain promoted similar strong cell attachment activity. A5-16 and its homologous peptide in the alpha2 chain promoted moderate cell attachment, while the homologous peptide to A5-16 in the alpha1 chain did not show activity. A2-7 (SPSIKNGVEYHYV, alpha2 chain 108-120) showed cell attachment activity only in the plate assay, but homologous sequences in the alpha1, alpha3, and alpha5 chains did not promote activity. A2-7 promoted endothelial cell sprouting from aortic rings in vitro and melanoma colonization to murine lungs in vivo. However, none of the homologous peptides of A2-7 promoted experimental pulmonary metastasis by B16-BL6 melanoma cells. These results indicate that there are chain-specific active sites in domain VI of the laminin alpha chains, some of which contain conserved activities.

Dynamic change of cells expressing MMP-2 mRNA and MT1-MMP mRNA in the recovery from liver fibrosis in the rat

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate whether both matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) participate in the spontaneous resolution of liver fibrosis.

METHODS

Transcription of both genes was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Gelatinase activity was investigated by zymography.

RESULTS

Gene expression by RT-PCR showed that both genes increased in the process of liver fibrosis, then decreased gradually in the recovery phase. ISH revealed that distribution of positive cells changed quickly in the recovery phase. Positive cells were widely seen in the liver, mainly around fibrous septa, in the aggressive phase, but were exclusively observed at the interface between the resolving fibrous band and the parenchyma, then were diffusely located in the lobules in the recovery phase. Main cells expressing both mRNAs seemed to be stellate cells for their morphology, though they did not express characteristic cell markers. Some hepatocytes and Kupffer cells expressed both mRNAs in the recovery phase. Gelatinase activity of MMP-2 increased in the recovery phase of 8-week-treated rat liver by gelatin zymography.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of present study suggest that both enzymes participate in the destruction of extracellular matrix in coordination with MMP-13.

Reversibility of hepatic fibrosis: from the first report of collagenase in the liver to the possibility of gene therapy for recovery

Since the authors reported the presence of collagenase in the liver as well as its increased activity in the early stage of hepatic fibrosis and its reduced activity in advanced fibrosis in rats induced by chronic CCl4 intoxication, in baboons fed alcohol chronically and in patients with alcoholic fibrosis, other investigators have demonstrated the same tendency of collagenase activity biologically and histochemically. Very recently, the authors demonstrated definite gene expression of collagenase during the recovery from experimental hepatic fibrosis using Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. The findings of in situ hybridization not only demonstrated the cells expressing collagenase, but also suggested much information on the mechanism of the recovery from fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells play a key role not only in fibrogenesis but also in fibrolysis. The authors' recent observation revealed that collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13)) gene expression appears very early in the process of recovery from liver fibrosis, and that both stellate cells and hepatocytes express MMP-13. Recovery from liver cirrhosis requires the gene expression of collagenase, increased production of the collagenase enzyme, and activation of the enzyme balanced with the specific inhibitors of collagenase. The understanding of molecular mechanisms of MMP-1 gene expression which is under investigation in our laboratory may provide us a new strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis including the possibility of gene therapy.

Amino acids and peptides. Part 39: A bivalent poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid containing an active site (RGD) and its synergistic site (PHSRN) of fibronectin

Fibronectin contains the active sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), along with its synergic site Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN). However, the PHSRN peptide does not show synergic activity when it is mixed with the RGD peptide, indicating that a spatial array between RGD and PHSRN in fibronectin may be necessary for synergic activity. Here, we have used an amino acid type poly(ethylene glycol) derivative (aaPEG) to design a bivalent PEG hybrid of fibronectin active peptides. We prepared the aaPEG hybrid peptides PHSRN-aaPEG, aaPEG-RGD, and PHSRN-aaPEG-RGD, and tested their biological activity. Whereas aaPEG-RGD promoted cell spreading activity, PHSRN-aaPEG had no activity. The PHSRN-aaPEG-RGD hybrid strongly promoted cell spreading compared with aaPEG-RGD. These results suggest that the PHSRN sequence in the PHSRN-aaPEG-RGD molecule synergistically enhances the cell spreading activity of the RGD sequence, and that the bivalent aaPEG hybrid method may be useful for conjugating functionally active peptides.

[Coronary risk appraisal for primary prevention of coronary heart disease in a community]

PURPOSE

In discussion on application of "National Health Promotion Toward 21st Century in Japan" in Kanagawa prefecture, it was noted that the age-adjusted mortality rate of death from ischemic heart disease in this part of Japan was higher than that for the whole nation in 1996. To facilitate development of a strategy for primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD), the present study was conducted to predict 2-yr incidence of CHD and decrease with simulations assuming improvement in CHD risk factors.

METHODS

Using CHD risk prediction algorithm; the Weibull accelerated failure regression model based on the Framingham Heart Study, a 2-yr incidence of CHD was predicted for 1652 residents (515 male, 1137 female) on the basis of results of a health check up in 1998. We then estimated the probable decrease in CHD recalculated assuming decrease in total cholesterol (TC), increase in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP), or quitting the smoking habit.

RESULTS

1. The 2-yr probability of developing CHD for men free of heart disease was 2.79 +/- 2.17%, and that for men who had heart disease was 10.25 +/- 2.17%. The 2-yr probability for women free of heart disease was 16.80 +/- 14.40%, and that for women who had heart disease was 3.66 +/- 1.09%. As the reported probability of developing CHD in the U.S.A. is remarkably higher than in Japan, the fact that the present model was based on American data explains why these predicted probabilities are higher than values reported from Japanese cohort studies. 2. For men free of heart disease, a strategy for high risk case such as a decrease in TC and an increase in HDL-C, or quitting the smoking habit, was more effective than a population-based strategy. For women free of heart disease, the population-based strategy was more effective. 3. Women more than 60-yrs old who had a high 2-yr probability of developing CHD were divided into three groups; high, middle, and low risk. The mean body weight, mean body mass index, mean diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood glucose in the high risk group were significantly higher than the values in the other groups. Decrease in systolic blood pressure was a more effective strategy for decrease in CHD incidence in the high risk group than in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

CHD risk prediction of this type may be considered useful for setting target CHD risk factors and for focusing interventions to prevent CHD effectively.

Neuronal cell adhesion, mediated by the heparin-binding neuroregulatory factor midkine, is specifically inhibited by chondroitin sulfate E. Structural ans functional implications of the over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate

The heparin-binding neurotrophic factor midkine (MK) has been proposed to mediate neuronal cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth promotion by interacting with cell-surface heparan sulfate. We have observed that over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate (CS) D and CS-E show neurite outgrowth-promoting activity in embryonic day (E) 18 rat hippocampal neurons (Nadanaka, S., Clement, A., Masayama, K., Faissner, A., and Sugahara, K. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 3296-3307). In the present study, various CS isoforms were examined for their ability to inhibit the MK-mediated cell adhesion of cortical neuronal cells in comparison with heparin from porcine intestine and heparan sulfate from bovine kidney. E17-18 rat cortical neuronal cells were cultured on plates coated with recombinant MK in a grid pattern. The cells attached to and extended their neurites along the MK substratum. Cell adhesion was inhibited by squid cartilage over-sulfated CS-E as well as by heparin, but not by heparan sulfate or other CS isoforms. Direct interactions of MK with various glycosaminoglycans were then evaluated using surface plasmon resonance, showing that CS-E bound MK as strongly as heparin, followed by other over-sulfated CS isoforms, CS-H and CS-K. Furthermore, E18 rat brain extracts showed an E disaccharide unit, GlcUAbeta1-3GalNAc(4,6-O-disulfate). These findings indicate that CS chains containing the E unit as well as heparin-like glycosaminoglycans may be involved in the expression and/or modulation of the multiple neuroregulatory functions of MK such as neuronal adhesion and migration and promotion of neurite outgrowth.

High and low affinity heparin-binding sites in the G domain of the mouse laminin alpha 4 chain

G domains of the mouse laminin alpha 1 and alpha 4 chains consisting of its five subdomains LG1-LG5 were overexpressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and purified by heparin chromatography. alpha 1LG1-LG5 and alpha 4LG1-LG5 eluted at NaCl concentrations of 0.30 and 0.47 m, respectively. In solid phase binding assays with immobilized heparin, half-maximal concentrations of 14 (alpha 1LG1-LG5) and 1.4 nm (alpha 4LG1-LG5) were observed. N-Glycan cleavage of alpha 4LG1-LG5 did not affect affinity to heparin. The affinity of alpha 4LG1-LG5 was significantly reduced upon denaturation with 8 m urea but could be recovered by removing urea. Chymotrypsin digestion of alpha 4LG1-LG5 yielded high and low heparin affinity fragments containing either the alpha 4LG4-LG5 or alpha 4LG2-LG3 modules, respectively. Trypsin digestion of heparin-bound alpha 4LG1-LG5 yielded a high affinity fragment of about 190 residues corresponding to the alpha 4LG4 module indicating that the high affinity binding site is contained within alpha 4LG4. Competition for heparin binding of synthetic peptides covering the alpha 4LG4 region with complete alpha 4LG1-LG5 suggests that the sequence AHGRL1521 is crucial for high affinity binding. Introduction of mutation of H1518A or R1520A in glutathione S-transferase fusion protein of the alpha 4LG4 module produced in Escherichia coli markedly reduced heparin binding activity of the wild type. When compared with the known structure of alpha 2LG5, this sequence corresponds to the turn connecting strands E and F of the 14-stranded beta-sheet sandwich, which is opposite to the proposed binding sites for calcium ion, alpha-dystroglycan, and heparan sulfate.

Gene expression of interstitial collagenase in both progressive and recovery phase of rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic state between matrix production and degradation. Since our report in 1974, many studies have examined collagenase and liver fibrosis, but not the identification of cells responsible for collagenase production in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression of interstitial collagenase in the progressive and recovery phases of experimental rat liver fibrosis by in situ hybridization.

METHODS

We examined the gene expression of interstitial collagenase (MMP-13) in the progressive and recovery phase of experimental rat liver fibrosis induced by chronic CCl4 intoxication by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. In order to identify the cells expressing MMP-13 mRNA by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry was performed using serial sections.

RESULTS

In normal rat liver, a faint band for MMP-13 mRNA was observed by RT-PCR, but not by in situ hybridization. The livers of rats treated with CCl4 for 4 weeks showed fatty metamorphosis but no definite fibrosis. Positive signals for MMP-13 mRNA were observed in scattered mesenchymal cells, within lobules which seem to be stellate cells from immunohistochemical staining. Once the fibrosis became prominent, the faint band for MMP-13 mRNA was detected only by RT-PCR and very few signals, if any, by in situ hybridization. On the other hand, in the recovery phase of liver fibrosis, gene expression of MMP-13 was markedly enhanced. Strong positive cells by in situ hybridization were observed mainly at the interface between the resolving fibrous septa and the parenchyma. Overlapping both images of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining with the help of a computer revealed that some positive cells, but not all cells, were stellate cells stained with a-smooth muscle actin antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

MMP-13 participates in the degradation of newly-formed matrix in the recovery from rat liver fibrosis more than in the remodeling of extracellular matrix for the formation of fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells play a crucial role in MMP-13 production in the recovery from fibrosis, though not all stellate cells were positive for MMP-13 mRNA. Further investigation into gene expression of MMP-13 in recovery will lead to new strategies for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 worsens glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who drink low to moderate amounts of alcohol

BACKGROUND

Alcohol intake can have hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to investigate the glycemic control of male patients with diabetes mellitus from the aspect of the genetic status of alcohol metabolism.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-three men with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the present study. They were all outpatients at the Diabetes Center of Saiseikai Central Hospital. The genotype of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene of each patient was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the patients were divided into those with active or inactive ALDH2 phenotype. We compared the amount of habitual alcohol intake and clinical data that included physical findings and blood chemistry of the patients in the active and inactive ALDH2 groups. The glycemic control of each patient was evaluated by the serum level of HbAlc.

RESULTS

Of the 163 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 90 patients had the active ALDH2 phenotype and 73 patients had the inactive ALDH2 phenotype. The mean HbA1c level of the active ALDH2 group was nearly the same as that of the inactive ALDH2 group. However, the HbA1c level of the light-to-moderate drinkers (1-400 g/week) in the inactive ALDH2 group was highest and was significantly higher than the HbA1c level of the light-to-moderate drinkers of the active ALDH2 group. The HbA1c of the patients with diabetic complications was higher than the HbAlc of those without diabetic complications in both the active and inactive ALDH2 groups. However, the HbA1c level of the light-to-moderate drinkers without diabetic complications in the inactive ALDH2 group was significantly higher and the incidence of 24 hr urinary C-peptide was higher than the respective level of the light-to-moderate drinkers without diabetic complications in the active ALDH2 group.

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual light-to-moderate alcohol intake worsens glycemic control in diabetic patients who have the inactive ALDH2 phenotype. The data on 24 hr urinary C-peptide level suggested that increased acetaldehyde after light-to-moderate drinking by inactive ALDH2 diabetic patients may increase the HbA1c value by the insulin-resistant condition that resulted in hyperinsulinemia.

Molecular mechanism of the reversibility of hepatic fibrosis: with special reference to the role of matrix metalloproteinases

The participation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their specific inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP), in both the formation and degradative recovery processes of liver fibrosis were mainly reviewed from the molecular biological aspect. Since authors first reported increased activity of interstitial collagenase in the early stage of hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by chronic CCl4 intoxication, in baboons fed alcohol chronically and in patients with alcoholic fibrosis, other investigators have also demonstrated increased activity biologically and histochemically. However, species-specific differences in response have been found and gene-level research on the rat model has not demonstrated increased mRNA transcription of collagenase. It has also been clarified that activated stellate cells can also produce matrix components. Very recently, authors observed the participation of interstitial collagenase in the recovery from experimental hepatic fibrosis by using polymerase chain reaction northern blotting and in situ hybridization. The in situ hybridization findings not only demonstrated the cells responsible for interstitial collagenase, but also suggested a great deal about the mechanism of recovery from fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells are activated via the expression of c-myb and nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) which is induced by oxidative stress, and inhibited by antioxidant (1-alpha-tocopherol) and butylated hydroxytoluene. The activation mechanism is now being revealed. The relationship between the activation mechanism of stellate cells and the production and secretion of MMP and TIMP in the formation and recovery process of hepatic fibrosis should be investigated from the promoter gene level. This approach might help develop a new strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Binding of biliverdin, bilirubin, and thyroid hormones to lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase is a major protein of the cerebrospinal fluid and was originally known as beta-trace. We investigated the binding ability of prostaglandin D synthase toward bile pigments, thyroid hormones, steroid hormones, and fatty acids in this present study. We found that the recombinant enzyme binds bile pigments and thyroid hormones, resulting in quenching of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, the appearance of induced circular dichroism of the lipophilic ligands, and a red shift of the absorption spectra of bilirubin and biliverdin. The binding of prostaglandin D synthase to lipophilic ligands was also demonstrated by the resonant mirror technique and surface plasmon resonance detection. The dissociation constants were calculated to be 33 nM, 37 nM, 660 nM, 820 nM, and 2.08 microM for biliverdin, bilirubin, L-thyroxine, 3,3',5'-triiodo-L-thyronine, and 3,3', 5-triiodo-L-thyronine, respectively. Biliverdin and bilirubin underwent a shift in their absorption peaks from 375 to 380 nm and from 439 to 446 nm, respectively, after binding to prostaglandin D synthase. Bilirubin bound to the enzyme showed a bisignate CD spectrum with a (-) Cotton effect at 422 nm and a (+) Cotton effect at 472 nm, indicating a right-handed chirality. The ligands also inhibited prostaglandin D synthase activity noncompetitively in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values between 3.9 and 10. 9 microM. Epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein and beta-lactoglobulin, two other lipocalin proteins that bind retinoids such as prostaglandin D synthase, did not show any significant interaction with bile pigments or thyroid hormones. These results show that prostaglandin D synthase binds small lipophilic ligands with a specificity distinct from that of other lipocalins.

Collagen biosynthesis in gastric cancer: immunohistochemical analysis of prolyl 4-hydroxylase

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The mechanism of the desmoplastic response in gastric carcinoma tissues is largely unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the localization of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (PH), an enzyme that plays a crucial role in collagen biosynthesis.

METHODS

Freshly prepared gastric carcinoma tissues from 51 cases, including 13 of the scirrhous type (diffusely infiltrative type), were immunostained by using monoclonal antibodies to human placental PH.

RESULTS

Although cytoplasmic staining for PH was observed in both fibroblasts and carcinoma cells, there was increased expression of the alpha-subunit in fibroblasts and no difference in expression between the scirrhous and non-scirrhous type gastric carcinomas. In scirrhous type samples, there was increased PH expression in fibroblasts located in the tumor periphery when compared with fibroblasts in the tumor center. These findings suggested that maintenance of a balance between production and degradation of collagen in gastric carcinoma tissues might be important for stroma formation.

CONCLUSIONS

It is speculated that activated fibroblasts participate in collagen biosynthesis at the tumor periphery rather than in the tumor center and that increased collagen biosynthesis at the tumor periphery in scirrhous gastric carcinoma may assist further invasion of tumor cells.

Roles of the complex formation of SHPS-1 with SHP-2 in insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation

SHPS-1 is a receptor-like protein that undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation and binds SHP-2, an SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase, in response to insulin and other mitogens. The overexpression of wild-type SHPS-1, but not of a mutant SHPS-1 in which all four tyrosine residues in its cytoplasmic region were mutated to phenylalanine, markedly enhanced insulin-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in Chinese hamster ovary cells that overexpress the human insulin receptor. Mutation of each tyrosine residue individually revealed that the major sites of tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1 in response to insulin are Tyr449 and Tyr473. In addition, mutation of either Tyr449 or Tyr473 abolished the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1 and its association with SHP-2. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the NH2-terminal or COOH-terminal SH2 domains of SHP-2 bound preferentially to phosphotyrosyl peptides corresponding to the sequences surrounding Tyr449 or Tyr473, respectively, of SHPS-1. Furthermore, phosphotyrosyl peptides containing Tyr449 or Tyr473 were effective substrates for the phosphatase activity of recombinant SHP-2 in vitro. Together, these results suggest that insulin may induce phosphorylation of SHPS-1 at Tyr449 and Tyr473, to which SHP-2 then binds through its NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal SH2 domains, respectively. SHPS-1 may play a crucial role both in the recruitment of SHP-2 from the cytosol to a site near the plasma membrane and in increasing its catalytic activity, thereby positively regulating the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade in response to insulin.

Expression of interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) in gastric cancers

The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) gene and the presence of MMP-1 protein in gastric cancer were examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of the interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) gene was detected within the stroma of the neoplastic glands, and infiltration of eosinophils was observed to be associated with regions of MMP-1 gene expression. The degree of eosinophilic infiltration correlated with the level of MMP-1 mRNA expression. Immunostaining showed localization of MMP-1 protein in the stromal cells, and additionally in the neoplastic glands. These findings indicate that the stromal cells may play an important role in the expression of MMP-1, and suggest a pathophysiological role for MMP-1 in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.

Difference in gene expression for matrix metalloproteinase-1 between early and advanced hepatocellular carcinomas

The histological observation that well-differentiated cancer cells in early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invade portal tracts and/or fibrous bands and that these fibrous tissues then disappear suggests the participation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the degradation of fibrous tissue. To confirm this hypothesis, the authors investigated the localization of both the MMP-1 protein and its messenger RNA (mRNA) in early HCC immunohistochemically and by in situ hybridization using complementary DNA (cDNA) and synthetic antisense probe of MMP-1; they then compared the results with those in advanced HCC. MMP-1 gene transcripts and protein were observed in well-differentiated cancer cells of early HCC but not in moderately or poorly differentiated cancer cells. Thus, cancer cells producing MMP-1 in early HCC may destroy the portal tract tissue adjacent to the cancer lesion and/or the fibrous band of cirrhosis. These results seem to have demonstrated a difference in the mechanism of cancer growth and invasion between early and advanced HCCs.

GAK: a cyclin G associated kinase contains a tensin/auxilin-like domain

We have cloned a cDNA encoding a novel association partner of cyclin G by West-Western blotting. The cDNA encodes a protein that harbors a Ser/Thr protein kinase-like catalytic domain at the N-terminal. Hence, we named it GAK (cyclin G-associated kinase). The long C-terminal extension shares homology with tensin and auxilin, and contains a leucine zipper region. Co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting showed that GAK and cyclin G associate together in vivo. GAK also co-precipitated with CDK5, and CDK5 was found to be associated with cyclin G. We also showed by BIAcore analysis that the GAK-cyclin G interaction was direct.

ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases and ADP-ribosyltransferases. Partners in ADP-ribosylation cycles

Mono-ADP-ribosylation is a reversible modification of arginine residues in proteins, with NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferases and ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases constituting opposing arms of a putative ADP-ribosylation cycle. The enzymatic components of an ADP-ribosylation cycle have been identified in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The regulatory significance of the cycle has been best documented in prokaryotes. As shown by Ludden and coworkers, ADP-ribosylation controls the activity of dinitrogenase reductase in the phototropic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. ADP-ribosylation of other amino acids, such as cysteine, has also been demonstrated, lending credence to the hypothesis that this modification is heterogeneous. In eukaryotes, the functional relationship between ADP-ribosyltransferases and ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases is less well documented. The transferase-catalyzed reaction results in sterospecific formation of alpha-ADP-ribosylarginine from beta-NAD; ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases specifically cleave the alpha-anomer, leading to release of ADP-ribose and regeneration of the free guanidino group of arginine. The two reactions can thus be coupled in vitro. Coupling in vivo is dependent on cellular localization. The deduced amino acid sequences of ADP-ribosyltransferases from avian and mammalian tissues have common consensus sequences involved in catalytic activity but, in some instances, enzyme-specific cellular localization signals. The presence of amino- and carboxy-terminal signal sequences is consistent with the glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchoring to the cell surface. The muscle and lymphocyte transferases ADP-ribosylate integrins. Some transferases lack the carboxy- terminal signal sequence needed for GPI-anchoring. Most ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase activity is cytosolic, although perhaps some is located at the cell surface. Deduced amino acid sequences of hydrolases from a number of mammalian species are consistent with their cytoplasmic localization. Katada and coworkers have determined, however, that auto-ADP-ribosylated RT6, a GPI-linked protein, is metabolized by a hydrolase-like activity, consistent with the existence of an ADP-ribosylation cycle. ADP-ribosyl RT6 may be internalized, thereby coming in contact with the cytosolic hydrolase; alternatively, a novel form of the hydrolase may be located at the surface. The mechanism of coupling of ADP-ribosyltransferases and hydrolases in eukaryotic ADP-ribosylation cycles has yet to be clarified.

Effects of ethyl alcohol administration to THA rat dams during their gestation period on learning behavior and on levels of monoamines and metabolites in the brain of pups after birth

Children born from chronic alcoholic mothers have shown behavioral teratogenic effects more frequently than morphological malformations. To investigate the possible mechanisms and evaluate maternal alcohol dosage levels to induce behavioral dysfunctions, we gave pregnant Tokai High Avoider (THA) rats 0, 5, 10, and 20% ethanol (EtOH) as drinking water during the gestation period. We evaluated the brain function of pups born of alcohol-administered dams. Sidman avoidance behavior test and the levels of monoamines (nor-adrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin) and metabolites (3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid) in whole brain were examined for neurobehavioral and neurochemical effects. EtOH-exposed THA offsprings showed high pre- and postnatal mortality, growth deficits, and brain weight reductions. Compared with the results of the same conditioning experiment using Wistar rats, the THA rat may have higher susceptibility to the effects of in utero EtOH exposure than Wistar rats. EtOH-exposed THA pups exhibited deficits in avoidance operant learning that were not shown in Wistar rats. We also observed the increased levels of all monoamines that were assumed to be related with the deficit of learning, the decreased levels of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid and homovanillic acid, and the unchanged levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in pups from dams administered 10 and 20% EtOH. However, contrary alteration of monoamines and their metabolites were shown in pups from 5% EtOH-administered dams.

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of prulifloxacin (NM441)(4)--A perinatal and postnatal study in rats by oral administration]

A peri- and postnatal study of prulifloxacin, a new antibacterial agent, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. Female rats were given prulifloxacin orally at dose levels of 0 (control), 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg from day 17 of pregnancy to day 21 after delivery. All pregnant rats were allowed to deliver naturally for postnatal examination of their offspring. Food consumption in the period of pregnancy decreased in the dams given 100 and 300 mg/kg, and food and water consumption during lactational period increased in the dams given 300 mg/kg. The weight of the cecum of the dams increased in 100 and 300 mg/kg groups, and these doses caused enlargement of the cecum. Prulifloxacin had no effects on general sign, delivery, nursing, body weight gain, and kidney. Prulifloxacin also did not affect the number of live newborns and birth index, and have any adverse effects on the postnatal development of the first generation offspring (F1) such as differentiation, functional development, emotionality, motor ability, learning ability and reproductive performance. Prulifloxacin also had no adverse effects on the second generation offspring (F2). These results show that the NOAEL of prulifloxacin are 30 mg/kg for general toxicity in mother animals, 300 mg/kg for pregnancy and delivery of mother animals and development of their offspring.

Changes in serum levels of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors by treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon

We treated 18 patients with chronic hepatitis C by recombinant interferon-alpha (6 MIU for 24 weeks). In seven patients, serum aminotransferase levels declined to normal (responders). To evaluate the effect of interferon on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, namely tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), the serum levels of these enzymes were determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using a specific monoclonal antibody. In responders, there was a tendency, but not a significant one, towards either an increase in serum MMP 1 levels or a decrease in serum TIMP 1 levels. In contrast, in nonresponders, both a significant decrease in MMP 1 and MMP 3 and a significant increase in TIMP 1 were observed. The number of cases of either increase in serum MMP levels or decreased in serum TIMP levels was significantly larger in responders than in nonresponders. Furthermore, the ratio of MMP 1 to TIMP 1 significantly increased in responders, suggesting that the balance between matrix formation and degradation in hepatic fibrosis tended to move toward degradation. These data indicate that interferon may exert a beneficial effect on hepatic fibrosis in parallel with improvement of aminotransferase activity.

[Alteration of drinking pattern after the entrance of university]

Three hundred fifty-nine freshmen and freshwomen of Tokai University and Tamagawa University were examined for alcohol habituelle using questionnaires on life style and club activity as well as the established questionnaires of the Adolescent Alcohol Involvement scale (AAIS). The scores of AAIS of the male and female students were 30.6 and 27.7, respectively. About 10% of the subjects were revealed to be alcohol misusers. In both sexes, the drinking patterns remarkably changed after the entrance of university. Even in females, the drinking pattern markedly changed. The grade of club activity is one of factors influencing the drinking pattern of students. Especially big changes were observed in the students of cultural clubs.

Anal atresia: effect of smoking and drinking habits during pregnancy

Using data compiled from 216,707 births from the population-based Kanagawa Birth Defects Monitoring Program (KAMP), we conducted a case-control study to evaluate the effect of maternal smoking and/or drinking during pregnancy on the risk of infants' anal atresia in 1989-1994. The frequency of maternal smoking (including passive smoking) and/or maternal drinking during pregnancy among 84 infants with anal atresia was compared with 174 matched controls. The 84 anal atresias include 49 cases of isolated anal atresia and 35 cases of syndromal anal atresia. Our findings suggest that maternal drinking during early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of isolated anal atresia (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 19.1, p < 0.05). A slightly increased trend was also observed in the association of maternal smoking during pregnancy with both in the pooled groups of anal atresia (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.5 to 3.6).

Acute hepatitis in an adult with acquired rubella infection

We report a case of acute hepatitis in a 28-year-old male with acquired rubella infection. Serological tests revealed acute rubella virus infection and ruled out infection by other common viruses, including type A and type B hepatitis viruses. The patient showed not only marked increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, with only slight liver dysfunction, but also platelet and kidney injury, suggesting systemic rubella virus infection. Because the liver dysfunction was slight, liver biopsy was not performed. When a patient has mild, transient hepatitis accompanied by high LDH activity in comparison with both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, we should take a common viral infection such as rubella into consideration when making a diagnosis.

Wound healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats and the effects of cimetidine and calcitonin, with special reference to prolylhydroxylase and collagenase enzyme activity

The healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats and the effects of cimetidine and calcitonin were investigated with reference to the enzyme activity of both prolylhydroxylase and collagenase as related to histological findings. The rats were observed by endoscopy on the 3rd day after the subserosal injection of acetic acid; rats with ulcers were divided into three groups: non-treated, and cimetidine- and calcitonin-treated. The latter two groups were treated for 7 days. Prolylhydroxylase activity in active ulcers in the non-treated group was slightly higher on the 3rd day and significantly higher on the 10th day than the activity in control rats that had received subserosal injections of physiological saline solution on the respective days. In non-treated rats, the healed ulcer on the 10th day showed lower prolylhydroxylase activity than that in the active ulcer on the same day. Cimetidine did not affect prolylhydroxylase activity, but, with calcitonin, there was higher prolylhydroxylase activity in the healed than in the active ulcer, although the difference was not significant. Interstitial collagenase showed the highest activity on the 3rd day and decreased on the 10th day in non-treated rats. Collagenase activity was higher in the cimetidine-treated group, than that in the non-treated group, and numerous peroxidase-positive granulocytes were seen in the mucosa and submucosa. Calcitonin did not affect collagenase activity. The participation of both enzymes is indispensable in the healing process and the effects of anti-ulcer agents on these enzymes must be considered.

cAMP-independent effects of cholera toxin on B cell activation. III. Cholera toxin A subunit-mediated ADP-ribosylation acts synergistically with ionomycin or IL-4 to induce B cell proliferation

To investigate whether ADP-ribosylation of proteins by cholera toxin could influence B cell activation, B cells were incubated with the A subunit of cholera toxin. Ionomycin acted synergistically to induce B cell proliferation with the A subunit of cholera toxin but not with cAMP-enhancing agents or with the B subunit of cholera toxin, suggesting that the synergistic effect of the A subunit was mediated via ADP-ribosylation and not via cAMP elevations or ganglioside GM1 binding. Indeed, inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation blocked the synergistic effect. Unlike anti-Ig, B cell proliferation stimulated by LPS or by the combination of the A subunit and ionomycin was observed in protein kinase C (PKC)-depleted B cells. However, neither the A subunit nor ionomycin enhanced B cell proliferation stimulated by low dose LPS, suggesting that the A subunit plus ionomycin stimulated an activation pathway distinct from the LPS-stimulated pathway. Additionally, unlike LPS, the A subunit plus ionomycin did not stimulate B cells in vitro to secrete Ig. IL-4 acted synergistically with the A subunit to induce B cell proliferation to the same extent as it did with anti-Ig; unlike the anti-Ig plus IL-4 synergy, however, the A subunit plus IL-4-mediated synergy persisted in PKC-depleted B cells. Taken together, our data suggest that cholera toxin A subunit-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation modifies a non-Gs protein involved in the activation of B cells, either through a novel pathway or at a point distal to the activation of PKC along the anti-Ig-stimulated pathway.

cAMP-independent effects of cholera toxin on B cell activation. III. Cholera toxin A subunit-mediated ADP-ribosylation acts synergistically with ionomycin or IL-4 to induce B cell proliferation

To investigate whether ADP-ribosylation of proteins by cholera toxin could influence B cell activation, B cells were incubated with the A subunit of cholera toxin. Ionomycin acted synergistically to induce B cell proliferation with the A subunit of cholera toxin but not with cAMP-enhancing agents or with the B subunit of cholera toxin, suggesting that the synergistic effect of the A subunit was mediated via ADP-ribosylation and not via cAMP elevations or ganglioside GM1 binding. Indeed, inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation blocked the synergistic effect. Unlike anti-Ig, B cell proliferation stimulated by LPS or by the combination of the A subunit and ionomycin was observed in protein kinase C (PKC)-depleted B cells. However, neither the A subunit nor ionomycin enhanced B cell proliferation stimulated by low dose LPS, suggesting that the A subunit plus ionomycin stimulated an activation pathway distinct from the LPS-stimulated pathway. Additionally, unlike LPS, the A subunit plus ionomycin did not stimulate B cells in vitro to secrete Ig. IL-4 acted synergistically with the A subunit to induce B cell proliferation to the same extent as it did with anti-Ig; unlike the anti-Ig plus IL-4 synergy, however, the A subunit plus IL-4-mediated synergy persisted in PKC-depleted B cells. Taken together, our data suggest that cholera toxin A subunit-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation modifies a non-Gs protein involved in the activation of B cells, either through a novel pathway or at a point distal to the activation of PKC along the anti-Ig-stimulated pathway.

Urinary concentrations of heavy metals in healthy Japanese under 20 years of age: a comparison between concentrations expressed in terms of creatinine and of selenium

Voided urine samples from 575 young Japanese under 20 years of age (297 males and 278 females including infants) and from 380 subjects (20-29 years old, 193 males and 187 females) were analyzed for levels of creatinine, selenium, zinc, cadmium and mercury. This investigation presents data regarding the normal urinary levels of these substances in age groups of 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, and 20-29 years. Urinary levels of creatinine and cadmium showed remarkable increases with the age of the subjects, whereas that of selenium was constant at all ages under 20. Urinary concentrations of heavy metals were represented by creatinine and selenium ratios. Comparisons between these ratios revealed that selenium is an excellent index for representing the levels of the substances contained in a voided urine sample. Creatinine was not useful as an index for younger subjects, because the urinary concentration of this compound increased almost threefold as the subjects became older, up to 15 years of age.

[The study of the relation between the working conditions and the prevalences of obesity, liver disorder and hyperlipidemia: evaluation of physiological examination data during the terms of car manufacturing work and car sales work]

To evaluate the relation between the working conditions and the workers' health, particularly the prevalences of obesity, liver disorder and hyperlipidemia, we analyzed physiological examination data and the questionnaire survey about life behaviors and working conditions during the terms of car manufacturing work and car sales work among 61 male subjects. In the physiological examination data, compared with the term of car manufacturing work, the values of body weight, body mass index (BMI), GOT, GPT, gamma-GTP, TG and T-CHO elevated and the prevalences of obesity and liver disorder increased during the term of car sales work. During the term of car sales work, the prevalences of alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers increased and the changes of food intake behaviors were noted. It was estimated that the changes of food intake behaviors associated with the differences of working conditions contributed increasing number of obesity and liver disorder that was based on fatty liver caused by hyperlipidemia. These results of this study suggested that working conditions associated with the prevalences of obesity, liver disorder and hyperlipidemia were important to conduct the effective health education in the present occupational health administration.

Serum concentrations of basement membrane proteins in NIDDM as a prognostic marker for nephropathy

Metabolic changes of basement membrane proteins, collagenous and non-collagenous, will be followed by morphological changes and develop into diabetic microangiopathy. In this study, serum concentrations of laminin and type IV collagen were measured in 87 cases o f non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and examined with the development of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Serum type IV collagen was measured by two methods, assays of the 7S portion (7S-RIA) and of both the 7S and central triple helical domain (IV-EIA). IV-EIA showed more significant elevation with development of diabetic microangiopathy than 7S-RIA and laminin. After measurement of basement membrane proteins, 66 cases were followed clinically for 3 or 4 years. In 45 cases without worsening of diabetic nephropathy, IV-EIA and laminin concentrations in serum were significantly lower than those in 21 cases who showed worsening of diabetic nephropathy in the same period, Multivariate analysis revealed a good model including three dependent variables of serum values of laminin, IV-EIA and mean blood pressure for discriminating between the worsened group and the non-worsened group. High values of IV-EIA and laminin in serum may be useful in predicting the worsening of diabetic nephropathy.

Determination of the interactions between lectins and glycoproteins by surface plasmon resonance

A simple and rapid analytical method for detecting interactions between oligosaccharides of glycoproteins and different lectins was studied by surface plasmon resonance using a biosensor (BIAcore). The interactions of three lectins, Sambucus sieboldiana agglutinin (SSA), Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA I) and Concanavalin A (Con A) for fetuin and digested fetuins with glycosidases, asialo-, agalacto-, and aglucosamino-fetuin, were investigated as a model system. These fetuins were immobilized to the matrix of of the sensor chip and the lectins were injected into the sensor chip cartridge. The association and dissociation reactions could be monitored as resonance signals in real time. The interactions with lectins significantly changed as the oligosaccharides of fetuin were trimmed. The interactions between fetuin and SSA, asialofetuin and RCA I, and aglucosaminofetuin and Con A show the highest affinity properties, respectively. The association constants of these lectins were estimated to be 1.4 x 10(7), 1.9 x 10(8) and 5.3 x 10(7) (M-1), respectively. These results suggested that the interactions between lectins and glycoproteins could be well defined in real time and kinetically, and that the partial structure of oligosaccharides of glycoproteins can be estimated by determination of the interactions with various lectins after glycosidase digestions using the biosensor.

[Effects of aging on urinary secretion of 3-hydroxyproline and its importance for cancer screening in the elderly with ROC analysis]

OBJECTIVE

to observe the influence of aging on urinary secretion of 3-hydroxyproline (3-Hyp) in normal subjects and in cancer patients and study the effects of aging on the accuracy of urinary 3-Hyp as a general-purpose cancer screening test.

DESIGN

We reanalyzed, from the aspect of gerontology, the amounts of 3-Hyp in the urine samples of the 211 healthy persons and 94 patients with cancer reported earlier. The two groups were divided in 3 age subgroups: adult, 30 to 44 years, middle-aged, 45 to 64 years, and aged, 65 years and older. The cancer stage was separated into 3 categories: stage 1, the early stage without any invasion, stage 2, locally invasive with no distant metastasis, and stage 3, advanced cancer. The correlation of age and urinary 3-Hyp was analyzed in normal subjects and cancer patients. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for different cutoff points in the diverse groups to construct the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

MAIN RESULTS

We observed that aging decreases the urinary secretion of 3-Hyp in normal subjects, with a correlation coefficient of -0.250 (p < 0.001). The mean levels of urinary 3-Hyp in patients with cancer were significantly higher than in the normal subjects, p = 0.005. The correlation coefficient of urinary 3-Hyp and age was not significant (0.100) in cancer patients. The cutoff points of 0.800 mg/g creatinine of urinary 3-Hyp for persons under 65 years of age and 0.600 mg/g creatinine for persons 65 years or older were the best thresholds for cancer screening. In the ROC analyses, we observed that 3-Hyp has higher accuracy for cancer screening in the aged group for all stages together and in the aged and middle-aged for early stages of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The urinary 3-Hyp test was more effective for cancer screening in old persons (65 years or older), where cancer is more frequent and more difficult to discover. The authors stress the necessity and importance of verifying the effectiveness of urinary 3-Hyp for general cancer screening in a larger population and in a community set.

[Maternal drinking and smoking and the risk of birth defects]

Maternal drinking or smoking and the risk of birth defects was studied in a case-control study, performed on 1,789 babies, born between 1990 and 1992 in the Tokai University hospital, and their mothers. The findings were as follows: The proportion of maternal drinking before or during pregnancy was higher in the mothers of children with birth defects (odds ratio 2.2; 95% confidence intervals 0.5-8.9). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Maternal smoking, defined as 11 or more cigarettes per day before pregnancy, was 13.5% in the mothers of children with birth defects, compared to 6.7% in the mothers of controls (odds ratio 2.2; 95% CI 0.6-7.4). This difference was not statistically significant. A total of 78 classified deformities were reported in the 52 children with birth defects, of which 24.4% were associated with maternal drinking and 16.7% were associated with maternal smoking, respectively. A significant association was found between premature birth and mothers who reported drinking during pregnancy (odds ratio 3.3 95% CI 1.1-10.9). The frequency of spontaneous abortion was higher among mothers who reported both drinking and smoking during pregnancy. In addition the frequency of complications during pregnancy was higher. Analysis of factors related to birth defects showed that the risk for birth defective infants was higher for mothers above 35 years of age than for those under 35 (p < 0.05). This study supports an association between maternal drinking during pregnancy and infant birth defects, but does not implicate maternal smoking because the number of mothers who smoked during pregnancy was too small to be of significance.

Gene expression of interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 1) in gastrointestinal tract cancers

Collagenolytic proteinases play an important pathological role in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. However, little is known about the role of interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1; MMP-1) in this process. To investigate the expression of the MMP-1 gene in cancer tissues, an in situ hybridization study was carried out in gastrointestinal tract cancers (one esophageal cancer, five gastric cancers, and four colorectal cancers), using a 35S-labeled MMP-1 cDNA probe. The MMP-1 gene was expressed in the stromal cells of fibrous tissue around cancer nests, especially at the margin of invasion and/or within the cancer nest; however, no definite expression within cancer cells was observed. Expression of the MMP-1 gene in the stromal cells was more common in well differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma than in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. These findings indicate that expression of the MMP-1 gene is greater in stromal cells that are closely associated with cancer cells, suggesting a pathophysiological role of MMP-1 in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells.

[Gene expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the process of hepatic fibrosis]

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene family includes MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase), MMP-2 (72 kD type IV collagenase/gelatinase), MMP-3 (stromelysin/transin), MMP-7 (putative MMP; pump-1), MMP-8 (granulocyte collagenase) and MMP-9 (92 kD type IV collagenase/gelatinase). This gene family has the common characteristics in the gene structure as follows: All of MMPs have the active site metal ion-binding domain. All six enzymes are activated with the concomitant removal of N-terminal segment of the latent enzyme. The removed segment contains an unpaired cystein residue within the conserved amino acid sequence PRCGVPDV, located immediately adjacent to the proenzyme cleavage site. The authors showed the gene expression of MMP-1 in the process of hepatic fibrosis. The remarkable expression was noted on fibroblasts and macrophages within the newly-formed fibrous bands with lots of infiltrated lymphocytes. Liver cirrhosis did not showed the positive dots of MMP-1 mRNA. On the other hands, the expression of TIMP reported by Takahara et al., revealed the high level of expression in the advanced fibrosis.

[An epidemiological study of allergic conjunctivitis]

An epidemiological study focusing on the home environment and lifestyle was conducted in order to analyze the differences between a group of patients with allergic conjunctivitis only and a group with other allergic diseases associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Subjects were five hundred and sixty-four patients who visited the Ophthalmologic Clinic of Tokai University Hospital during 1990, and for controls 200 households were randomly selected from an elementary school list in Yokohama city. RAST score was measured in 102 patients. A mailed questionnaire was sent to 240 patients chosen at random and to 200 controls. Sixty patients and 139 controls responded to the questionnaire. RAST score showed no statistical difference between patients with allergic conjunctivitis only and patients with other allergic diseases associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Analysis of associations between RAST score and seasonal symptoms, showed very strong positive reactions to pollens in patients with seasonal symptoms. On the other hand, in patients with constant symptoms during the year, reaction was very strong to house dust and mite. Epidemiological factors causally associated with allergic conjunctivitis were compared among the controls, patients with allergic conjunctivitis only (Group I), patients with other allergic diseases (Group II) and all patients (Group III). Compared to controls, Groups II and III had significantly higher prevalence of past history of skin itching and inflammatory symptoms (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Group II subjects showed more frequent use of carpets, when compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The use of Japanese mattress (futon) was more frequent in Group II and III than controls (p < 0.05 for both comparisons).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endogenous urinary 3-hydroxyproline has 96% specificity and 44% sensitivity for cancer screening

A method for determining the endogenous urinary excretion levels of both 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxyproline that may be useful for cancer screening of the general population and at the workplace is evaluated in this report. The excretion levels of 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxproline were estimated in 97 patients with cancer and in 99 patients with various nonmalignant diseases and were compared with those of 211 healthy persons. Measurable 3-hydroxyproline peaks (by amino acid autoanalyzer) were absent from 93 samples from 211 healthy persons (44%), 50 of 99 patients with nonmalignant disease (50%), and 10 of 96 patients with cancer (10%). The levels of both 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxyproline in cancer patients were significantly higher than those in healthy persons (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) and those in patients with nonmalignant diseases (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Cancer patients were classified into three groups according to grade of cancer growth and invasion. The sensitivity of 3-hydroxyproline was 44% and higher than that of 4-hydroxyproline for the detection of stage II cancers (no distant metastasis); the sensitivities of both hydroxyprolines for the detection of stage I (very early cancer) were low. The specificity of these assays for healthy persons and patients with nonmalignant disease was 96% and 92% for 3-hydroxyproline, and 97% and 79% for 4-hydroxyproline, respectively. Urinary 3-hydroxyproline level should be further investigated as a cancer screening method for healthy persons in the community or the workplace, but appears unlikely to detect many cancers in the earliest stages.

Purification and characterization of an 85 kDa sialoglycoprotein in rat liver lysosomal membranes

Sialoglycoprotein with a molecular mass of 85 kDa (LGP85) was purified from rat liver lysosomal membranes with a 0.9% recovery to apparent homogeneity, as determined from the pattern on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and in the absence of SDS. The purification procedures included: preparation of lysosomal membranes, elimination of LGP107 and LGP96 with immunoaffinity columns, WGA-Sepharose affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. LGP85 contains about 22.8% carbohydrate and the carbohydrate moiety is composed of mannose, galactose, fucose, glucosamine, galactosamine, and neuraminic acid, in a molar ratio of 40:20:2:23:3:13. Susceptibility to neuraminidase and immunoreactivity of the protein in intact tritosomes were examined to study the topology of the protein in tritosomal membranes. Neuraminidase susceptibility and immunoreactivity of the protein were not observed in intact tritosomes until the tritosomes had been disrupted by osmotic shock. These observations suggest that both oligosaccharide chains and the main protein portion of the protein are located on the interior surface of the tritosomal membranes. Subcellular localization of LGP85 was determined using enzyme immunoassay. The lysosomes seem to be the major location. LGP85 in the lysosomes was divided into the membrane bound form (90%) and the soluble form (10%). Immunoelectron microscopy clearly confirmed that the localization of LGP85 is mainly confined to lysosomes.

[Measurement of serum type III procollagen aminopeptide with RIA-gnost PIIIP coated tube: changes in patients with various alcoholic liver diseases after abstinence]

In 55 patients with various alcoholic liver diseases, serum type III procollagen aminopeptide (PIIIP) was measured on admission, on biopsy (2-4 weeks after admission) and on discharge from hospital (3 months after admission) using RIA-gnost PIIIP Coated Tube, an assay kit recently launched by Hoechst Japan Limited. Serum PIIIP on admission showed a good correlation with the degree of hepatic fibrosis and was significantly higher in any disease group than in healthy controls, suggesting its usefulness as an indicator of hepatic fibrosis. After abstinence, however, serum PIIIP level exhibited an increasing tendency in all the disease groups except alcoholic hepatitis, and the number of laboratory tests showing a significant correlation with PIIIP decreased as compared with that on admission. The mechanism of serum PIIIP elevations seen after abstinence is yet to be elucidated in detail, considering their possible association with factors other than collagen synthesis in the liver.

Elevation of laminin and beta-subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the sera of human subjects with Schistosomiasis mansoni

Serum levels of several markers for liver fibrosis were measured utilizing three groups of human subjects related with schistosomiasis mansoni in northeast Brazil; (1) 20 Schistosoma mansoni egg-positives, who have never been administered with anti-schistosomal drugs, (2) 29 egg-negative inhabitants in the endemic area of schistosomiasis, and (3) 23 egg-negative Japanese immigrants in the non-endemic area. None of these sera were positive for antibody to the surface antigen of human hepatitis B (HBs) and circulating HBs antigen. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of N-terminal peptide of procollagen type-III between the egg-positive subjects and either of the egg-negative Brazilian or Japanese immigrants, whereas the mean value of serum laminin significantly increased in the egg-positive subjects. A significantly higher concentration of serum immunoreactive beta-subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (IR beta PH) was also observed in the egg-positive subjects only in comparison with that of the egg-negative Brazilian. Serum laminin and IR beta PH concentrations of the egg-positive subjects did not correlate with the absorbance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which utilized crude antigens isolated from schistosome adults or eggs. No significant difference in these two parameters was observed between two subgroups of the egg-negative Brazilian or Japanese immigrants divided according to the serological data by ELISA. These findings suggest that serum laminin and IR beta PH levels are worth further evaluation for their usefulness as the marker for liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis.