Sequential changes in CGRP-like immunoreactivity in NIDDM model Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat pancreatic islets

We describe the changes in B cells and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity in the pancreatic islets of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, an animal model of human non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In the OLETF rat pancreatic islets, CGRP immunoreactivity was seen in the nerve fibers with multiple varicosities and in endocrine cells that were identical to somatostatin-containing cells, but some somatostatin-immunoreactive cells lacked CGRP immunoreactivity. In the OLETF rats, plasma insulin levels were significantly higher than in the control rats (Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka; LETO) only at 7 weeks of age. From 7 through 32 weeks of age, OLETF rats had a greater B-cell area than LETO rats. The length of CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers per area and the numbers of CGRP-immunoreactive cells per area did not differ between the groups at 7 weeks of age. After 16 weeks of age, both of these CGRP parameters in the OLETF rats became increasingly higher than in the LETO rats. These results suggest that CGRP is a B-cell growth factor and probably an inhibitory factor for insulin secretion.

Serum levels of total and free testosterone in men undergoing hemodialysis

Serum concentrations of total and free testosterone were measured in 102 hemodialysis male patients and 45 healthy men. In hemodialysis patients, serum levels of total and free testosterone were significantly reduced compared to the controls (p < .001). Neither serum total nor free testosterone correlated with age in the controls. In contrast, both total and free testosterone in serum negatively correlated with age in hemodialysis patients (p < .05-.001). It would appear that testicular dysfunction becomes more severe with increasing age in hemodialysis patients.

Increased epinephrine-induced cAMP response in severely diabetic BB/W rat liver

The effect of prolonged diabetes on epinephrine-induced adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) response in the liver was examined in diabetes-prone BB/W rats. Basal and 1 microM epinephrine-induced cAMP release from isolated perfused liver was similar in non-diabetic and diabetic BB/W rats with preserved adipose tissue. In adipose tissue-absent diabetic rats losing intra- and retro-peritoneal adipose tissue completely, both basal and 1 microM epinephrine-induced cAMP release from the liver were enhanced (P<0.01, each case). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were similar in non-diabetic, adipose tissue-preserved and -absent diabetic BB/W rats. The plasma free thyroxine level was similar in non-diabetic and adipose tissue-preserved diabetic BB/W rats, but was lower in adipose tissue-absent diabetic BB/W rats than in non-diabetic rats (P<0.01), but the frequency of lymphocytic thyroiditis was similar in these three groups, although plasma corticosterone was lower in adipose tissue-preserved diabetic BB/W rats (P<0.05) and the lowest in adipose tissue-absent diabetic BB/W rats (P<0.01). Lymphocytic infiltration was not observed in the adrenal or pituitary glands in any group. Plasma total protein and albumin were low in adipose tissue-absent diabetic BB/W rats (P<0.01, each case). In adipose tissue-absent diabetic BB/W rats, liver dysfunction and hepatomegaly, but no apparent histological change in the liver, were observed. Plasma glucose was higher (P<0.01) and plasma insulin lower (P<0.05) in adipose tissue-absent diabetic BB/W rats than in adipose tissue-preserved diabetic BB/W rats. In conclusion, epinephrine-induced cAMP response in the liver was enhanced only in adipose tissue-absent diabetic BB/W rats. Denervation supersensitivity was not likely to be responsible for the enhanced beta-adrenergic response. The observed reductions in plasma thyroxine and corticosterone seemed to result from severe diabetes. Although the severity of diabetes can vary continuously, severe diabetes with loss of adipose tissue appeared to cause significant changes in the metabolism and enhanced beta-adrenergic response in the liver.

[Improvement of a filter and the effect on the TECHNEGAS leakage]

We previously reported about the room air contamination during ventilation study using the TECHNEGAS system. Main cause of the contamination with radioactive gas were leakage through the filter and expiration of the patient after the inhalation. Then, a new type filter was developed to reduce the radioactive leakage. The efficacy and usefulness of the new type filter was examined. The radioactive leakage through the new filter was markedly reduced to 1/6 compared with the old type. But the air resistance of passage was increased over two times of the old type. This resistance is not able to disregard on respiratory physiology. Improvement to reduce the resistance is desirable.

[Contamination levels to room air arising from the use of 99mTc-gas and prevention from the contamination]

99mTc-gas (TECHNEGAS) is a 99mTc-labeled micro-aerosol which is considered to have different behavior from 133Xe or 81mKr gas. In order to estimate contamination levels to room air arising from the use of 99mTc-gas, filtered expired air during administration and 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 min after the administration were collected in each polyethylene bag. Radioactivities of the polyethylene bags, used filter and the lung were measured with 3-head scintillation camera. The activity of the expired air diminished within 6-10 min and about 5% of whole discharged 99mTc-gas was released to room air. The activity of the used filter was two times of the lung. According to these results, it is recommended that the 99mTc-gas may be administrated in a exclusive room. The administrated patient and used filter must be remain in the exclusive room.

[Immunochemiluminometric assay (Automated Chemiluminescence System ACS: 180) for CEA]

We examined Automated Chemiluminescence System ACS: 180 for CEA assay, especially about confidence of the functional sensitivity. Serum CEA levels of normal subjects and patients were measured not only with ACS: 180 but also with immunoradiometric assay (CEA kit [Daiichi] II). Using ACS: 180 assay for CEA, intra-assay coefficients of variation (C.V.s) were 4.06% at 1.97 ng/ml, 1.62% at 17.3 ng/ml, and 2.28% at 81.3 ng/ml. Interassay C.V.s were 4.02% at 1.99 ng/ml, 1.21% at 16.5 ng/ml, and 3.44% at 79.4 ng/ml. The detection limit (functional sensitivity) of ACS: 180 assay for CEA was 0.4 ng/ml by the precision profile. The coefficient of correlation of 164 sera, which CEA values were among 0.4-100 ng/ml (working range of ACS: 180), between with ACS: 180 and with CEA kit [Daiichi] II was R = 0.942, y = 1.07 x +0.09 (p < 0.05). Seven (13.2%) normal subjects (n = 53) and 45 (34.1%) patients with malignant diseases (n = 132) had higher serum CEA levels than the cut off value (2.5 ng/ml). The sera of 82 malignant patients who had both pre- and post-operation sample were determined. Sixty-five patients of them were decrease after operation. These results of ACS: 180 resembled to that of CEA kit [Daiichi] II. We conclude that ACS: 180 for CEA assay was precise enough to measure below the cut off value, and had good performance of its speed (short incubation) and convenience.

[Automatic system design of radioimmunoassay (RIA) laboratory in Yamagata University Hospital]

An originally designed full automatic system for radioimmunoassay (RIA) examination was developed. The system was constructed with mini computer (DOMAIN 3500, Appolo), touch panel controlled personal computer (PC-9801 VM, NEC), printout device (LASER SHOT, Canon) and well-type gamma counter (COBRA, PACKARD). The mini computer was connected with hospital host computer system (FACOM M-760, Fujitsu) to get some patient's information (name, sex, date of birth, department and out-or inpatient). This on-line connection made it possible to simplify the sample registration. Then only the patient's ID-code and examination item were required for sample registration. Sample label, worksheet, report, statistics and register file were able to be printed full automatically. Our new developed system was very useful in search of some patient's previous result.

Mechanism of noncholinergic excitation of canine ileal circular muscle by motilin

In the isolated perfused canine ileal segment, exogenous motilin infused for 9 min, at concentrations from 10(-10) M and 10(-8) M, increased circular muscle motility concomitant with inhibiting tonic VIP release, maximum at 10(-8) M. Both effects increased with increasing motilin concentrations. Atropine 10(-7) M pretreatment did not alter these responses. Naloxone 10(-7) M pretreatment eliminated both the increase in motor activity and the inhibition of VIP levels. Thus the nonmuscarinic neural pathway responsible for motor activation by motilin probably involves the stimulation of release of opiates, which in turn inhibit the release of VIP. Reduction of tonic inhibition of the muscle by continuous VIP release may in part account for increases in motor activity induced by motilin.

Stimulation of circular muscle motility of the isolated perfused canine ileum: relationship to VIP output

Perfusion of ileal segments with tetrodotoxin; opioids, Met-enkephalin and dynorphin; and alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonist, BHT920, increased motility concomitant with the decreased VIP output into the venous effluent reported previously. This suggested that increased motility resulted from release of the muscle from tonic inhibition when VIP output was reduced sufficiently. However, blockade of nicotinic receptors also reduced VIP output but did not induce motility. Thus release of myogenic activity from inhibition is not a sufficient explanation for increased motility and a further excitatory mediator is required. Field stimulation of nerves increased VIP output and delayed distal contractions, suggesting that VIP does participate in the canine ileal distal inhibition reflex.

Release of VIP and substance P from isolated perfused canine ileum

Basal release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was 100-fold higher than substance P (SP) release from the vascularly perfused, neurally isolated canine small intestine. High-frequency field stimulation increased SP release but decreased VIP release. VIP release was markedly reduced by tetrodotoxin, perfusion with Ca-free medium, or by hexamethonium but not by atropine. Acetylcholine increased VIP output by an atropine-sensitive mechanism. Methionine-enkephalin or dynorphin (at 10-fold higher concentrations) markedly reduced VIP output; the actions of both these were abolished by naloxone. BHT-920, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, reduced VIP output markedly by a rauwolscine-sensitive mechanism. Isoproterenol and phenylephrine were without effect. Motilin produced persistent inhibition of VIP output. Thus VIP neurons of isolated canine small intestine were continuously active, driven by intrinsic cholinergic nerves, and subject to presynaptic inhibition by opioid agonists, alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, and motilin. This intrinsic neural system may provide tonic inhibitory control to the small intestinal circular muscle and provide a mechanism by which agents may modulate intestinal motor function.

Classification of tachykinin receptors in muscularis mucosae of opossum oesophagus

1. Muscularis mucosae of the distal oesophagus of the opossum contracts in response to substance P and to a variety of tachykinins. To delineate the nature of the receptors present in this tissue, we evaluated contractile responses to substance P, neurokinin A, neurokinin B, eledoisin and analogues believed to be highly selective for NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors. In addition, the effects of prolonged exposure to each of these agents (10(-6) M or 10(-5) M) on contractile responses to substance P and to itself were evaluated. Similarly effects of prolonged exposure to the various tachykinins and their analogues on the field-stimulated responses of this muscle were studied. 2. All naturally occurring tachykinins were full agonists and differed in potency (comparing ED50 values) by less than ten fold. In nearly all cases there was cross tachyphylaxis between substance P and the other tachykinins and each reduced tonic responses to field stimulation, a response previously shown to be mediated by a substance P like agent. Eledoisin failed to cause tachyphylaxis under the conditions of these experiments. 3. When highly selective tachykinin analogues were used, only that believed to activate NK-1 receptors was a full agonist. [beta-Ala4,Sar9,MetO2(11)]SP(4-11) was also only slightly less potent than substance P. In contrast, an agonist selective for NK-2 (NK-A) receptors, [Nle10]NKA(4-10), and one selective for NK-3 (NK-B) receptors, [beta-Asp4, MePhe7]NKB(4-10) were unable to produce a response equal to 50% of the maximum even at 10(-5) M. However, all three selective tachykinin analogues reduced responses to substance P but not to carbachol. They usually reduced both phasic and tonic responses to field stimulation. 4. We conclude, based on this and earlier study, that the tachykinin receptors of opossum oesophagus muscularis mucosae recognize all naturally occurring tachykinins but may represent only NK-1 receptors. The ability of analogues selective for other types of tachykinin receptors to reduce responses to substance P raises the possibility that their selectivity depends in part on diminished efficacy rather than totally on diminished affinity at some classes of receptor.

Biochemical studies on opioid and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in canine submucosal neurons

Biochemical information about receptors for adrenergic and opioid neurotransmission in submucosal plexus (SMP) is unavailable. We have purified a fraction P2 enriched in synaptosomes and neuronal membranes (high [3H]saxitoxin binding and high vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity, low activity of 5'-nucleotidase) from the canine small intestine SMP. The synaptosomal fraction (fraction P2) also contained a high density of opioid diprenorphine binding sites of high affinity. [3H]rauwolscine binding was enriched both in fraction P2 and in a microsomal fraction. Competition experiments using several adrenergic and opioid receptor ligands revealed that opioid receptors were approximately 64% mu-, 24% delta-, and 12% kappa-subtypes and that adrenoceptors on fraction P2 were alpha 2-subtype but that there was a heterogeneous population of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. These studies show that a fraction enriched in synaptosomes and neural membranes from the canine intestine SMP contains opioid as well as alpha 2-adrenoceptors, that all three subtypes of opioid receptors seem to be present with mu-receptors predominant, and that subtypes of alpha 2-adrenoceptors appear to be present.

[3H]saxitoxin as a marker for canine deep muscular plexus neurons

The objectives of this study are 1) to examine the potential of [3H]saxitoxin binding as a marker for the neuronal membranes in canine small intestinal muscle membrane preparations, 2) to develop a synaptosomal preparation from deep muscular plexus, and 3) to partially characterize [3H]saxitoxin binding to this fraction. A purified synaptosomal fraction, relatively low in the smooth muscle plasma membrane marker enzyme 5'-nucleotidase but enriched in [3H]saxitoxin binding (2,592 fmol/mg), was obtained on sucrose density gradient. Vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactivity was also highest (51.82 pmol/mg protein) in this fraction. The binding was rapid at 20 degrees C with quick and complete dissociation after the addition of excess unlabeled tetrodotoxin (TTX). Scatchard analysis of the saturation binding data revealed a single population of binding sites (Bmax = 5,705 fmol/mg protein). The affinity constants calculated from the kinetic and saturation data were in close agreement (Kd = 0.26 and 0.69 nM, respectively). TTX competed for the binding (Ki = 2.1 nM), whereas veratridine and guanidinium hydrochloride did not. Monovalent and divalent cations had differential effects on the binding.

Effects of acupuncture needle application upon cutaneous microcirculation of rabbit ear lobe

Microcirculatory effects of the application of an acupuncture needle (32-gauge, silver) to the back, corresponding to Geshu (B17) in human beings, were studied in vivo by microscope, using a transparent ear chamber in conscious rabbits. Although no striking findings were obtained during the needle application for a period of 30 minutes, it was clearly observed that the microvascular blood flow increases gradually in parallel with augmenting spontaneous rhythmic fluctuation of the vessel diameter, namely vasomotion, throughout a continuous observation period longer than 2 hours following release from the needle application. Diameters of arterioles and venules at the full-dilating phases of vasomotion reached levels higher than 200% and 250% of the initial values just before application of the needle, respectively. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture was suggested to be explained at least in part by the increased rhythmic microvascular blood flow in parallel with vasomotion, from the physiological point of view based on the previous investigations.

Oriental diagnosis in stomach cancer patients

A new method of performing Oriental diagnosis using Meridian Imbalance Diagram which, consisting of 23 different ratios, has a highly discriminatory significance. Using this method, Oriental and Western diagnosis in the same patients were compared. To do this we compared the Meridian Imbalance Diagrams of 22 patients entering our hospital for surgical operations with those 19 in a healthy control group. Four significantly different ratios became evident. The postoperative reports showed that 10 of the patients were suffering from stomach cancer. The Oriental diagnosis data of this new group were then compared to the data of the control group. This time, 10 ratios were found to be significantly different. This shows the existence of a pattern of Oriental diagnosis corresponding to a specific Western diagnosis.

On certain electrical phenomena for the interpretation of ch'i in Chinese acupuncture

The author describes a series of experiments on the "microelectric phenomenon" and tires to give new scientific interpretations of acupuncture. Thus, the concept of "2-M-C" was developed, which may generate new hypotheses concerning the modus operandi of needle treatment.