Review: Exploration of placentation from human beings to ocean-living species

This review covers four topics. 1) Placental pathology in Himalayan mountain people. To determine morphological changes of the placenta at high altitude, pathological examination was made of 1000 Himalayan placentas obtained in Nepal and Tibet and the results compared with Japanese placentas delivered at sea level. Characteristic findings in the placental villi of the Himalayan group included high incidences of villous chorangiosis and chorangioma. These processes were clarified by ultrastructural observation. 2) Placentation in Sirenians. The giant Takikawa sea cow, which lived 5 million years ago, was discovered on Hokkaido, Japan. It was an ancestor of the dugong as well as the manatees. Sirenia, the sea cow group, shares a common ancestor with Proboscidea, the elephants, even though they now inhabit quite different environments. A comparison was made of their zonary endothelial type of placentation. 3) Placentation in sharks and rays. The remarkable placentation of hammerhead sharks and manta rays is described. 4) Placentation in the Antarctic minke whale. Placental tissue samples of this whale were obtained from the Japan Institute of Cetacean Research. In an ultrastructural study of the utero-placental junction, microfilamental processes of the allantochorionic zone and crypt formation were visualized.

Effects of oral administration of ciclosporin A on skin carcinogenesis: a study using the two-stage carcinogenesis protocol in mice

BACKGROUND

Development of malignant skin neoplasms in patients receiving cyclosporin A (CsA) has been reported. The relationship between the pathogenesis of skin carcinogenesis and the dose of CsA is still unclear.

AIM

To clarify the effect of oral administration of CsA, especially its dose, on skin carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Hr-1 hairless mice were assigned to the following four groups: (i) control group (n = 8), given vehicle intragastrically six times/week and acetone applied to the skin of the back; (ii) chemical-alone (n = 11), given vehicle intragastrically + application of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) once week and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) twice week to the back; (iii) CsA-alone group (n = 8), given CsA intragastrically (10 mg/kg) six times/week and vehicle applied to the back twice week; and (iv) CsA + chemical group (n = 8), given 10 mg/kg CsA intragastrically + topical DMBA and TPA. The number of papules > 3 mm in diameter that had developed on the back after 15 weeks was counted. The mean epidermal thickness and number of dermal infiltrates were determined. The same experiments were performed using CsA at doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg.

RESULTS

Oral administration of either 10 or 20 mg/kg CsA significantly enhanced the formation of papillomas by DMBA and TPA, but no enhancement was observed when 5 mg/kg CsA was administered. The mean epidermal thickness and number of dermal infiltrates were significantly greater in the CsA + chemical group than in the chemical-alone group.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that oral administration of CsA in excess of a certain dose can accelerate tumour development in mice.

Self-reversal phenomena of toroidal current by reversing the external toroidal field in helicity-driven toroidal plasmas

In order to understand self-organization in helicity-driven systems, we have investigated the dynamics of low-aspect-ratio toroidal plasmas by decreasing the external toroidal field and reversing its sign in time. Consequently, we have discovered that the helicity-driven toroidal plasma relaxes towards the flipped state. Surprisingly, it has been observed that not only toroidal flux but also poloidal flux reverses sign spontaneously during the relaxation process. The self-reversal of the magnetic fields is attributed to the nonlinear growth of the n=1 kink instability of the central open flux.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway of the histamine 2 (H2)-receptor antagonist roxatidine acetate by human liver microsomes

Roxatidine acetate hydrochloride (ROX, 2-acetoxy-N-[3-[m-(1-piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy]propyl]acetamide hydrochloride, CAS 78273-80-0), a histamine 2 (H2)-receptor antagonist, has been clinically applied for the treatment of gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers. There is no report on the identification of the metabolic enzyme of M-1 (2-hydroxy-N-[3-[m-(1-piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy]propyl]acetamide), the pharmacologically active metabolite, in humans. In this study, the Cytochrome P450 (CYP or P450) enzymes which participate in the metabolism of ROX were identified using human liver microsomes and S9 fractions. M-1 was converted to M-4 (3-[m-(1-piperidinyl-methyl)phenoxy]propylamine) by the enzyme reaction with the S9 but not with microsomes. M-4 was further metabolized to M-5 (3-[m-(1-piperidinylmethyl)phenoxy]propanol) by microsomes. The metabolism was inhibited by coumarin and anti-CYP2A1 serum. (3-[m-(1-piperidinylmethyl)-phenoxy]propionic acid) and M-3 (m-(1-piperidinylmethyl) phenol) formation from M-5 were inhibited by quinidine and anti-CYP2D6 serum. Moreover, M-5 was converted to M-2 and M-3 by cDNA-expressed CYP2D6. In conclusion, this study shows that microsomal enzymes do not participate in the clearance of the active metabolite M-1, CYP2A6 primarily catalyzes M-5 formation from M-4, and CYP2D6 primarily catalyzes M-2 and M-3 formation from M-5 in humans.

Effect of ultraviolet A on ornithine decarboxylase and metallothionein gene expression in mouse skin

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet A (UVA) is known to induce the expression of many stress responsive genes due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, UVA's role in inducing metallothionein (MT) gene expression has not been studied. Furthermore, our group demonstrated that UVA enhanced 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in mouse skin (1).

METHODS

We examined the interaction of UVA, TPA and antioxidants on the induction of MT and ODC mRNA in mouse skin. Female CD-1 mice were exposed to UVA (19 J/cm2) and total RNA was isolated from the skin. Northern blot analysis for MT and ODC mRNAs was performed. ODC activity in mouse epidermis was also determined in some experiments.

RESULTS

UVA induced MT mRNA in mouse skin; however, it did not increase ODC mRNA. 1,4-Diazabicylo-[2,2,2]-octane (DABCO), a singlet oxygen scavenger, reduced UVA-mediated induction of MT mRNA by 40%. The data suggest that ROS produced by UVA exposure may contribute to its ability to induce MT mRNA. UVA slightly enhanced TPA-mediated ODC mRNA induction, while it enhanced ODC enzyme activity 70%. UVA additively intensified TPA-mediated MT mRNA induction. alpha-Tocopherol pretreatment inhibited the induction of ODC enzyme activity by TPA treatment combined with UVA exposure (TPA + UVA); however, alpha-tocopherol had less of an inhibitory effect on ODC mRNA induction by TPA + UVA. Curcumin, a plant pigment, dramatically inhibited both TPA- and TPA + UVA-induced expression of ODC and MT genes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that UVA can induce MT gene expression and enhance TPA-induced ODC and MT gene expression. The data further suggest that these effects are partially mediated by ROS.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke like episodes (MELAS) with prominent degeneration of the intestinal wall and cactus-like cerebellar pathology

A 67-year-old woman had frequent subacute ileus, hearing difficulty, muscle atrophy and stroke-like episodes. Computed tomography revealed multiple low-density areas, which did not correlate with the vascular supply, in the cerebral cortex. She had metabolic disturbance comprising lactic acidosis and elevated pyruvate level. Her skeletal muscle biopsy specimen showed ragged-red fibers, and mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed a point mutation at position 3243, findings consistent with MELAS. Examination of her small intestine revealed a necrotic zone and numerous abnormal large mitochondria in the smooth muscle cells, vascular media and endothelium, and intestinal ganglion cells. The cerebral cortex showed multiple microcystic necrotic foci in cerebral cortex. Cactus-like pathology resembling the changes associated with Menkes' kinky hair disease and torpedoes were observed in the cerebellar Purkinje cells. The intestinal dysmotility due to MELAS and cerebellar changes were presumed to be associated with a disturbance of copper metabolism.

Adhesion molecule detection in a case of early cerebral malaria: immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings

A case of early cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum was studied. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PL1) was detected along the inner surface of the infected red blood cells (IRBCs), which ordinarily are not positive for PL1 immunohistochemically, suggesting PL1 being the product of parasite. The electron microscopic finding showed granular deposits in the corresponding lesion, consistent with PL1 deposition, in the IRBCs firmly attached to the endothelium of small cerebral vessels. Most of the IRBCs were round shaped as though they lost their capacity to change shape. The therapeutic strategy was expected against adhesion molecules such as PL1 and for maintaining or restoring the metamorphic capacity of IRBCs.

Identification of Gaucher cells in the chorionic villi associated with recurrent hydrops fetalis

Recurrent non-immune hydrops fetalis has rarely been reported. In order to detect the risk of recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy, one should carefully consider the possibility of an inborn error of metabolism. In such cases, placental examination may be useful in detecting such metabolic storage disorders in the fetus, which usually present as vacuolization of placental cells. We describe a rare case of recurrent hydrops that was detected by placental examination. Through light microscopy, electron microscope (EM) studies and beta-glucocerebrosidase activity the disease was identified as Gaucher's disease.

Establishment and characterization of a human rectal neuroendocrine carcinoma xenograft into nude mice

BACKGROUND

Carcinoid tumor has been recognized as having a much wider spectrum than was previously thought. Now the term 'neuroendocrine carcinoma' (NEC) has been suggested to describe malignant epithelial tumors of neuroendocrine differentiation. Its biological behavior has not been well characterized because of the lack of in vivo models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A metastatic inguinal lymph node from rectal NEC was used for heterotransplantation into nude mice. Histochemical and immunohistochemical stainings were performed in addition to ultrastructural investigations. Hormonal peptides were measured in both xenograft tumor tissue and serum.

RESULTS

We succeeded in heterotransplantation of human rectal NEC into nude mice. To date tumorigenicity has been retained for approximately 38 months. The xenograft tumor was a histopathologically identical tumor. The immunohistochemical expression of the various hormonal peptides in the xenograft was essentially the same as that of the primary rectal tumor. Tissue and serum hormonal peptides in the xenografted tumor were measured. Serum glucagon and serotonin were significantly higher than in control mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of various hormonal peptides in NEC may vary depending on the surrounding environment. The establishment of NEC in xenografts provides a model for further study of the biological behavior of NEC, as well as the in vivo effects of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor growth and the release of hormonal peptides.

The expression of heme oxygenase-1 gene responded to oxidative stress produced by phorone, a glutathione depletor, in the rat liver; the relevance to activation of c-jun n-terminal kinase

Phorone, a glutathione (GSH) depletor, induces the expression of mRNAs of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and c-jun by mediating the activation of activated protein-1 (AP-1) in rat livers. We have shown that phorone activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), thus leading to c-Jun phosphorylation, and transactivation of AP-1 and HO-1 gene expression in the rat liver in response to oxidative stress. The in-gel kinase assay showed that phorone activated JNK1 predominantly in the rat liver nuclear extract. The JNK activation by phorone was slightly observed at 1 hr after administration and gradually increased with time. Ser73-phosphorylation of c-Jun catalyzed by JNK was significantly altered by changing hepatic GSH levels based on the results observed by the combined injection of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or GSH isopropyl ester (GIP) with phorone. Namely, BSO, an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, enhanced phorone-mediated c-Jun phosphorylation as well as AP-1 binding activity. However, GSH isopropyl ester prevented GSH depletion and abolished both c-Jun phosphorylation and the activation of AP-1 binding evoked by phorone. GSH isopropyl ester also suppressed phorone-produced HO-1 and c-jun gene expressions to 25 and 30% of the induced level. Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) reduced GSH S-transferase activity, prevented phorone-mediated GSH depletion and abolished either HO-1 or c-jun mRNA induction by phorone. These results indicated that oxidative stress under GSH depletion produced by phorone could activate preferentially JNK and lead to the transcriptional activation of AP-1 and consequently to HO-1 gene expression. This study suggests that JNK activation could be one of the major signaling pathways to transmit intracellular events to the nuclei during oxidative stress via GSH depletion by phorone in rat livers.

Inhibitory effect of oleanolic acid on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced gene expression in mouse skin

Oleanolic acid (OA) has been shown to inhibit mouse skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). This study was designed to examine the effect of OA on the TPA-induced expression of the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene as well as other genes. OA inhibited the induction of ODC activity and mRNA level produced by TPA in the skin of female CD-1 mice. Preapplication of OA (10 mumol) to the mouse dorsal skin produced an approximately 50% decrease in TPA (8 nmol)-induced epidermal ODC activity, as well as ODC gene expression. These results suggest that OA inhibits TPA-induced ODC mainly at the transcriptional level. In addition to ODC, TPA also stimulated metallothionein (MT) gene expression in mouse skin. A dose of 2.5 mumol of OA diminished the TPA-induced MT mRNA 50%. Treatment with OA (10 mumol) after TPA (8 nmol) application also inhibited ODC and MT gene expression which suggests that OA does not compete with TPA for its receptor. OA pretreatment also prevented c-fos gene expression. All of these findings suggest that OA diminishes some signal transduction pathways of TPA to suppress target gene expression in mouse skin. This study suggests that OA might be a general inhibitor against TPA-stimulated gene expression in mouse skin.

Cooperative induction of c-fos and heme oxygenase gene products under oxidative stress in human fibroblastic cells

Heme oxygenase-1 is a stress responsive enzyme and implicated in a protective function of cellular damage. We investigated cellular events leading to the heme oxygenase-1 gene expression induced by sublethal concentrations of glutathione depletors, phorone and diethyl maleate, in human fibroblastic cells. Accumulation of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA by glutathione depletors was canceled by simultaneous treatment with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis; however, the inhibitory effect decreased when the inhibitor was added 30 min later. Among the inducible early response genes, the c-fos expression was significantly elevated with a peak at 30 min after the agents. Accumulation of heme oxygenase-1 and c-fos transcripts was abrogated in cells pretreated with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, an oxygen-free radical quencher. Decrease in glutathione levels preferentially activated extracellular-signal regulated kinases rather than other stress-activated protein kinases such as c-Jun N-terminal kinases and p38 MAP kinase. Pretreatment of cells with PD 98059, an inhibitor of the extracellular-signal regulated kinase cascade, or the c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibited the heme oxygenase-1 induction elicited by glutathione depletion. These observations indicated that c-Fos protein plays a role in heme oxygenase-1 gene expression induced by glutathione depletion-mediated oxidative stress in human fibroblasts.

Induction of hepatic heme oxygenase and changes in cytochrome P-450s in response to oxidative stress produced by stilbenes and stilbene oxides in rats

Both trans- and cis-stilbene oxide (TSO and CSO) markedly induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) at the transcriptional level in rat liver. HO-1 induction by TSO and CSO was preceded by glutathione (GSH) depletion in the liver. Pretreatment of rats with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, enhanced GSH depletion evoked by either TSO or CSO and augmented the increase in HO-1 mRNA. In contrast, pretreatment with perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), which reduced hepatic GSH S-transferase activity, prevented TSO- and CSO-mediated GSH depletion and abolished HO-1 induction. In addition, TSO and CSO enhanced c-jun but not c-fos mRNA, which is in parallel with the HO-1 mRNA change. These findings indicate that the oxidative stress evoked by GSH depletion after the treatment of rats with stilbene oxides could stimulate both HO-1 and c-jun gene expression. Pretreatment with either BSO or PFDA also affected the induction of CYP2B1/2 mRNA and apoprotein by TSO or CSO, suggesting that not only the change of heme pool size but also some other unknown factor or factors may be involved in the regulation of the CYP2B1/2 and HO-1 gene expression. cis-Stilbene (CS), a parent compound of CSO, also induced HO-1 mRNA, together with hepatic GSH depletion, but trans-stilbene (TS) failed to elevate HO-1 mRNA under the experimental conditions. In addition, CS increased CYP2B1/2 mRNA, whereas TS did not. These results suggest that CS could be rapidly oxidized by cytochrome P-450 (P-450) to CSO, leading to GSH depletion in the liver. Such differences in the hepatic metabolic pathways of CS and TS are attributable to the differential effects on HO and P-450 induction by these compounds. Like other phenobarbital-type P-450 inducers, TSO and CSO also induced CYP2C6 and 3A2 apoproteins in rat liver. Stilbene oxide reduced CYP2E1 mRNA and apoproteins for CYP2E1 and 2C11. All of these findings indicate that stilbene compounds have unique effects on hepatic HO-1 and P-450 regulation in rats.

Suppressed expression of phenobarbital-inducible hepatic cytochrome P-450s in Eisai-hyperbilirubinuria rats (EHBR/Eis)

The differential induction of hepatic cytochrome P-450 (P450) was studied in Eisai-hyperbilirubinuria rats (EHBR/Eis). This rat is a mutant that has as high a concentration of bilirubin in the urine as in the plasma. A single administration of trans-stilbene oxide (TSO, 2 mmol/kg), a phenobarbital (PB)-type P450 inducer, did not increase total P450, the CYP2B1/2 or the CYP2C6 in EHBR/Eis liver. TSO was able to induce delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase and heme oxygenase, rate-limiting enzymes in heme biosynthesis and degradation, respectively, in both EHBR/Eis and Sprague-Dawley rat (SDR), the strain from which EHBR/Eis is derived. TSO also produced similar effects on glutathione depletion and on the activities of other drug-metabolizing enzymes in both strains. A 23-fold increase in CYP2B1/2 mRNA in the SDR liver was observed 24 hr after TSO treatment. In the EHBR/Eis strain, however, TSO increased CYP2B1/2 mRNA only 2-fold. In addition, repeated injection of TSO failed to induce P450 isozymes, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C6 or CYP3A2 in EHBR/Eis. On the other hand, there was essentially no difference in the induced levels of CYP1A1/2 apoprotein and mRNA between twins of SDR and EHBR/Eis livers treated with 3-methylcholanthrene or 1-benzylimidazole. The increased levels of both CYP2B1/2 apoprotein and mRNA from EHBR/Eis liver treated with TSO and 1-benzylimidazole were much smaller (2.5- and 5-fold increases, respectively) than from the SDR liver (17.5- and 15-fold increases, respectively). Although PB expressed CYP2B1/2 apoprotein and mRNA to a similar extent in both homozygous and heterozygous EHBR/Eis livers, CYP3A2 and CYP2C6 were less responsive to PB in homozygous EHBR/Eis. Repeated treatment with TSO induced these isozymes in heterozygote but not in homozygote. These findings suggest that the suppressed expression of PB-inducible P450 isozyme genes in the EHBR/Eis liver may be a general phenomenon associated with PB-type inducers. Therefore, EHBR/Eis may be experimentally useful for studying the mechanism of P450 induction by PB and PB-type inducers.

Heme oxygenase-1 gene expression by a glutathione depletor, phorone, mediated through AP-1 activation in rats

This study shows that induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression by a glutathione (GSH) depletor, phorone, is inhibited by cycloheximide pretreatment and involves changes in c-jun, not c-fos, mRNA. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) enhanced markedly both c-jun and HO-1 gene expression evoked by phorone. Phorone dramatically increased AP-1 binding activity, which was blocked by unlabeled AP-1 oligonucleotide and abolished by anit-Jun antibodies, but not anti-Fos antibodies. In addition, pretreatment with dexamethasone, an inhibitor of AP-1 DNA binding, inhibited phorone-mediated HO-1 mRNA induction. These findings suggest that HO-1 induction by phorone is likely to involve in the activation of AP-1 (Jun/Jun) binding, which could be associating with GSH depletion.

Metallothionein synthesis induced by interferon alpha/beta in mice of various zinc status

We studied the ability of interferon alpha/beta (IFN) to induce metallothionein (MT) synthesis in mice. Male mice were injected intraperitoneally with mouse IFN (5 x 10(5) IU/mouse). Plasma Zn levels were reduced at 4 hr after injection, reached a minimum value at 6 hr, and then returned to the control level at 8 hr. Hepatic MT concentrations began to increase at 4 hr and reached maximum values at 6 hr. Induction of MT gene expression and protein synthesis was confirmed by Northern blot analysis and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The induction of MT synthesis in the liver by IFN was dose-dependent. The data suggest that induction of MT-mRNA and the protein in the liver by IFN occurs rapidly but is rather transient. Furthermore, MT synthesis was not induced by IFN in the liver of mice given a Zn-deficient diet, whereas IFN induced increases in the activity of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in the spleen were unaffected by Zn status. Thus, induction of hepatic MT synthesis by IFN is influenced by Zn status.

Molybdate impairs glycosaminoglycan sulfation in rat cartilage

The mechanism by which molybdate produces joint and bone deformities is not known. However, we recently reported that molybdate decreases the sulfation of acetaminophen in rat liver. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of molybdate on the sulfation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) and whether manganese-induced joint and bone deformities might be due to this mechanism. Molybdate (15 mmol/kg, po) did not alter total GAG content in patella and articular cartilage of rats assayed 24 hr after administration. Nevertheless, [35S]sulfate uptake into both patella and articular cartilage was decreased dramatically (70 and 50%, respectively) by molybdate. Molybdate did not affect GAG chain elongation, as there was no effect of molybdate on [3H]glucosamine uptake into patella cartilage. These results indicate that molybdate impairs sulfation of GAGs. In an attempt to determine the mechanism of the molybdate-induced decrease in GAG sulfation, the effect of molybdate and sulfate on the incorporation of sulfate into GAGs was examined in vitro using monolayer chondrocyte cultures. Molybdate reduced the sulfation of GAGs in chondrocytes in vitro, but only at concentrations higher than the blood concentration of molybdate given in vivo that decreased GAG sulfation. Molybdate given in vivo decreases plasma sulfate to levels, which when used in vitro, decreases GAG sulfation. Therefore, molybdate treatment decreases sulfate availability and the sulfation of glycosaminoglycans.

Enhancing effect of ultraviolet A on ornithine decarboxylase induction and dermatitis evoked by 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and its inhibition by curcumin in mouse skin

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated appreciable tumor induction in mouse skin by daily irradiation with high-power long-wavelength ultraviolet A (UVA).

OBJECT

The aim of the present study was to examine the enhancing effects of UVA on changes in mouse skin mediated by the tumor promoter 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) by measurement of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and morphometric analysis. In addition, we examined the inhibitory effects of curcumin, a component of turmeric, on these changes.

METHOD

ODC activity in the epidermis of CD-1 mice was determined by the method of Russell and Snyder. Epidermal and dermal thickness, and the number of dermal infiltrating inflammatory cells were quantified using a computer-assisted image analyzer.

RESULTS

A combination of topical TPA application and UVA irradiation produced a greater increment of ODC activity at 4 h than TPA alone (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, TPA plus UVA tended to increase the dermal infiltrating inflammatory cells in contrast to TPA alone. Pretreatment of mice with curcumin significantly abrogated the TPA-induced changes in ODC activity and the dermal infiltrating inflammatory cells as well as the TPA plus UVA-mediated enhancement of these changes.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that UVA irradiation (18.72 J/cm2) significantly enhances ODC induction at an early stage (4-6 h) after topical application of TPA, and aggravates the dermatitis elicited by TPA. Pretreatment with curcumin significantly inhibits these enhancing effects.

Induction of metallothionein synthesis by glutathione depletion after trans- and cis-stilbene oxide administration in rats

To investigate the relationship between glutathione (GSH) depletion and metallothionein (MT) synthesis, the effects of substrates and an inhibitor of GSH S-transferases on concentrations of hepatic GSH, zinc (Zn) and MT were studied in rats. Trans-stilbene oxide (TSO) is an inducer of drug metabolizing enzymes and also a substrate of GSH S-transferase, whereby it covalently reacts with and depletes GSH. The hepatic GSH level was decreased to 25% of the control 2 h after injection of TSO, and returned to the control level by 24 h. TSO significantly increased hepatic concentrations of Zn and MT in a dose-dependent manner. Two isoforms of MT (MT-I and MT-II) were increased by TSO; MT-II was the dominant form. Pretreatment with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, enhanced MT synthesis itself as well as that induced by TSO and cis-stilbene oxide (CSO). On the contrary, infection into rats of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), an inhibitor of GSH S-transferase, resulted in a decrease in basal levels of Zn, and prevented the increase in MT synthesis by TSO and CSO. These results suggest that the decrease of GSH concentration in the liver which causes oxidative stress conditions may be related to MT induction.

Molybdate depletes hepatic 3-phosphoadenosine 5-phosphosulfate and impairs the sulfation of acetaminophen in rats

Molybdate (15 mmol/kg p.o.) decreased serum sulfate concentrations of rats 70% within 6 hr after administration. Parallel to this depletion, there was a dramatic decrease in hepatic sulfate and 3-phosphoadenosine 5-phosphosulfate (PAPS) concentrations (about 40 and 65%, respectively). However, renal PAPS concentrations did not change significantly. Molybdate reduced serum, hepatic and renal sulfate as well as hepatic PAPS concentration in a dose-dependent manner up to the dose of 10 mmol/kg. However, renal PAPS did not change. The results indicate that molybdate reduced not only sulfate concentrations in serum and tissue, but also PAPS concentrations in liver. The effect of molybdate on the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen (AA, 150 mg/kg i.v.) was also investigated in order to determine whether molybdate-induced depletion of PAPS might be a useful tool for examining the importance of sulfation in the detoxication and toxication of xenobiotics. AA-sulfate concentration in blood decreased 40 and 80% after administration of molybdate at doses of 2.5 and 15 mmol/kg, respectively. Molybdate also decreased the excretion of AA-sulfate into bile and urine by about 60 and 80%, respectively. However, molybdate did not alter the excretion of AA-glucuronide and AA-glutathione/cysteine. The excretion of the parent AA increased 2-fold after molybdate administration (15 mmol/kg). In conclusion, molybdate effectively lowers inorganic sulfate in serum and tissues, and PAPS in the liver. Reduction of hepatic PAPS markedly decreases the sulfation of AA, suggesting that molybdate treatment could be used to study the importance of sulfation in pharmacology and toxicology.

Nutritionally and chemically induced impairment of sulfate activation and sulfation of xenobiotics in vivo

Sulfation requires 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as the sulfate donor. In the search for methods to inhibit sulfation reactions via impairment of PAPS synthesis, two experimental conditions have been tested in rats. A low-sulfur diet, which does not deplete hepatic glutathione, reduced inorganic sulfate but not PAPS levels in the liver and moderately decreased sulfation of acetaminophen. Administration of molybdate, which is an alternative substrate for intestinal and renal sulfate transport as well as for ATP-sulfurylase, depleted both sulfate and PAPS in liver and markedly inhibited sulfation of acetaminophen. Therefore, administration of molybdate may be used as an experimental tool to study the role of sulfation in the fate and effect of xenobiotics.

Effects of the reduction of cytoplasm of mouse 2-cell embryos on blastocele formation timing and developmental ability in vitro and in vivo

Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the nucleo/cytoplasmic ratio of mouse embryos determines the time of blastocele formation. Half the volume of 2-cell stage embryos was removed from each blastomere by micropipette to alter the nucleo/cytoplasmic ratio. Reduced embryos whose nucleo/cytoplasmic ratio increased and non-treated control embryos were cultured in vitro to compare the timing of division to the 4-cell stage and blastocele formation. Reduced 2-cell embryos formed blastoceles significantly earlier than the controls (49.0 +/-2.9 vs 52.2 +/-6 h) and with fewer cells, although division into the 4-cell stage was significantly delayed (11.4 +/-4.4 vs 9.0+/-2.4 h). The cell number of blastocysts 70 h after treatment and developmental ability of blastocysts after transfer to pseudopregnant recipients were the same for the reduced and control groups. The present study indicates that the nucleo/cytoplasmic ratio of embryos may possibly be an important factor that determines the time of blastocele formation.

Effect of exogenous hydrogen peroxide on myocardial function and structure in isolated rat heart

A time- and dose-dependent effect of exogenous hydrogen peroxide was determined on myocardial function, structure, high energy phosphate and lipid peroxidation in the isolated perfused rat heart. Hydrogen peroxide induced a dose-dependent decrease in cardiac function whereas 200 microM hydrogen peroxide reduced +dP/dt to 50% of control value after 10 mins. The effect of 300 microM hydrogen peroxide was more severe after 15 mins; changes observed with this dose were reversible within 10 mins of perfusion, becoming irreversible after 15 mins. Lipid peroxidation and severe morphological damage were observed after 10 mins of perfusion with 300 microM hydrogen peroxide. When 16 mEq potassium ions were added in the perfusion buffer during hydrogen peroxide perfusion, the degree of tissue damage and loss of ATP were attenuated. However, lipid peroxidation was not inhibited by high potassium ions. When 0.25 microM N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, a potent antioxidant, was added to the perfusate, lipid peroxidation was totally inhibited and the degree of tissue damage was decreased. However, depletion of tissue ATP and functional deterioration were not influenced. These results suggest that hydrogen peroxide-mediated ATP loss was independent of lipid peroxidation.

Silver staining of nucleolar organizer regions in prostatic lesions

Variations in the number of silver-stained nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins (AgNORs) were studied in paraffin sections of 42 benign prostatic lesions, comprising four cases of granulomatous prostatitis, five of squamous or transitional metaplasia, eight of atypical and 25 of regular hyperplasia, and 37 of prostatic adenocarcinoma, with their metastases. There was a significant difference between the mean AgNOR counts of the benign and malignant prostatic lesions (1.58 +/- 0.26 v. 4.34 +/- 1.53; P less than 0.01). The mean AgNOR counts significantly increased with increasing Gleason's grade (P less than 0.01) and clinical stage (P less than 0.05) of the tumours. AgNOR counting may contribute to the conventional diagnostic and prognostic indices of cancer of the prostate.

Immunocytochemical localization of xanthine oxidase in rat myocardium

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb's) to xanthine oxidase (XO) (from bovine milk) were produced by hybridoma technique. Culture supernatants were initially screened using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). Forty four positive clones were subcloned and further characterized by ELISA and immunoblot analysis. Out of fifteen clones, which were positive in immunoblot analysis, one clone N2-26 was also positive in immunocytochemical studies. Indirect immunoperoxidase and enzyme histochemistry staining showed that XO activity is present in endothelial cells of capillaries, small blood vessels and also in interstitial cells. Electron microscopy revealed that diaminobenzidine reaction product was distributed in the cytoplasm of interstitial cells and endothelial cells of capillaries and small blood vessels. This is the first report of the presence of XO in interstitial cells and endothelial cells of small blood vessels. Allopurinol, which inhibits the xanthine oxidase activity, did not have any effect on the immunocytochemical staining. Our results in normal rat heart suggest that XO activity is confined to interstitial cells, endothelial cells of capillaries and small blood vessels.

Comparative studies of the effects of stilbene compounds on hepatic ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase induction in rats

Trans-Stilbene oxide (TSO, 2 mmol/kg, ip.) induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) to 60-fold and 5-fold of the controls, respectively, in the liver of rats. Parallel to ODC induction, there was a marked increase in putrescine content to 50-fold of the control levels. Cis-Stilbene oxide (CSO), a stereoisomer of TSO, also produced the induction of ODC and SAMDC and the increase in putrescine content. There was no difference in the ability to induce ODC and SAMDC between TSO and CSO with respect to the extents of induction and the time needed to reach maximal levels. Trans-Stilbene (TS), a mother compound of TSO, did not show such an effect on ODC, while cis-stilbene (CS) induced both ODC and SAMDC. Treatment with glutathione inhibited TSO- and CSO-mediated induction of ODC and SAMDC. These findings add new information concerning the abilities of TSO, CSO and CS on hepatic polyamine metabolism.

Possible role of glutathione depletion in the induction of rate-limiting enzymes involved in heme degradation and polyamine biosynthesis in the liver of rats

Ten compounds with a wide variety of structures, which decreased hepatic glutachione (GSH) content at an early time period after their administration, simultaneously increased hepatic heme oxygenase, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities in rats. The compounds examined were four alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, two prototype substrates for GSH transferase(s), one epoxide, two isothiocyanates, and an indicator of hepatic function test. Time course studies with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), which are prototype substrates for GSH transferases, showed that there was an inverse relationship between the early depletion of hepatic GSH content and induction of heme oxygenase, ODC and SAMDC together with a decrease in cytochrome P-450 content and an increase in putrescine content. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, also increased heme oxygenase and SAMDC activities, but not ODC, and it tended to enhance the induction of the enzymes evoked by diethyl maleate (DEM), phorone and CDNB with the sustained depletion of GSH content. In contrast, GSH treatment inhibited DEM-, phorone-, and CDNB-mediated induction of these enzymes and the early depletion of GSH content. N-Acetylcysteine failed to inhibit DEM- and phorone-mediated induction of these enzymes and the early depletion of GSH content, while it inhibited somewhat these changes produced by CDNB. The findings suggest that the early depletion of hepatic GSH content is prerequisite for and plays a role in the induction of heme oxygenase, ODC and SAMDC.

[Identification and susceptibility of clinically isolated yeast-like fungi]

We studied the identification and susceptibility of clinically isolated yeast-like fungi at Showa University Hospital from April 1988 to March 1989. Clinically significant of yeast-like fungi were observed in 7.1% of specimens from outpatients, 13.0% of inpatients. In both outpatients and inpatients, yeast-like fungi were isolated mainly from sputum and urine. But, one third of them were considered as non-pathogenic and not identified. The species of isolates were, Candida albicans 57%, Candida tropicalis 14% and Candida glabrata 8% in both inpatients and outpatients, and these species shared most part. The isolation frequency of Candida parapsilosis was higher in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen than the others. The susceptibility test by agar dilution method indicated most of the isolates were susceptible to Amphotericin B and Miconazole (MIC less than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml). There was no difference in MIC between predominantly isolated fungi and commonly isolated fungi. Notably, isolates from blood and CSF showed a significant high tolerance against Amphotericin B and Miconazole than from the other specimens. The MICs of Fluconazole were shown to be very high (greater than 100 micrograms/ml) in normal Sabouraud agar, were decreased dose-dependently by human sera in the medium. These findings indicated the component(s) of sera enhanced the anti-fungal activity of Fluconazole.

Combined immunohistochemical study of tissue polypeptide antigen and cancer antigen 125 in human ovarian tumours

An indirect immunoperoxidase method was used to study the expression of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) in 47 benign and malignant ovarian tumours. Tissue polypeptide antigen and CA 125 antigen were expressed respectively in 22 (73%) and 16 (53%) of the 30 adenocarcinomas and in five (29%) and four (23%) of the 17 benign tumours. Co-expression of TPA and CA 125 antigen occurred in 12 (40%) malignant and four (23%) benign tumours. Ultrastructurally, TPA and CA 125 antigens were located at the cell surface and microvillous surfaces. Evaluation of combined TPA and CA 125 antigen results revealed a remarkable improvement in the positivity rate and a significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in the negativity rate of ovarian carcinomas as compared with the result of each one separately. These findings provide complementary evidence for the previous results on the plasma levels of TPA and CA 125 antigen and suggest that specific combinations of tumour markers may be more effective for the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian carcinomas, than the use of any single marker.

[Development of the computed electroradiography. Trial manufacture of digital imaging system]

The fundamental element of a latent image on a selenium plate of Electroradiography is a electrical charge. Therefore, the spatial resolution which can be expected from Electroradiography is extremely high. Here, the author developed the Pulse Electron Beam Scanner (PEBS) as the technique to obtain digital pictorial information from the latent image and obtained following results; 1. We succeeded in converting the latent image into digital signal with high accuracy by using secondary emitted electron through the apparatus that features pulsed electron beam, summing function for secondary emitted electron and plurally arranged detectors and extraction field applied grid. 2. The spatial resolution which we can enjoy to obtain through this apparatus is greater than 500 Lp/mm and the dynamic range at the time when we obtained 500 Lp/mm in terms of the voltage applied to the electrode was +60V to +110V. 3. We succeed in obtaining the digital X ray picture of the bone trabecular structure of human spongy bone with 50 power magnification without using any enlargement picture taking method. The above results indicate that converting the latent image on the selenium plate into digital signal with very high spatial resolution by using PEBS system was achieved. Therefore, we can conclude that we succeeded in obtaining the high spatial resolution digital image from the electroradiographic latent image which has the spatial resolution as high as electrical charge distribution.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural localization of T antigen in ovarian tumors

Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen, the immediate precursor antigen of the human blood group MN system, has been found in many carcinomas, but it is suppressed in normal tissues and nonmalignant diseases. Using a monoclonal antibody specific for the T epitope and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique at light and electron microscopic levels, the authors studied the expression of T antigen and its potential diagnostic value in ovarian tumors. Among 30 serous and mucinous ovarian cystadenocarcinomas, 20 (67%) were positive and 10 (33%) were negative for T antigen. In carcinomas, positive rates increased in parallel with the tumor grade and were 37%, 75% and 80% for grade 1, 2, and 3 tumors, respectively. Of the nine patients with metastasis, seven (78%) had positive and two had negative reactions in their primary and metastatic tumors. T antigen staining was observed at the intraluminal cell surfaces and peripheral cell membranes. The ultrastructural localization of T antigen revealed electron-dense reaction products at the cell surface and microvillous surfaces. Of the ten benign ovarian tumors, three (30%) were weakly positive and seven (70%) were negative for T antigen. These findings indicate a positive correlation between the presence of immunoreactive T antigen and conventional unfavorable prognostic indicators in ovarian carcinoma. The surface location of T antigen suggests that it may have a functional role at the cell membrane and the membrane may be involved in secretion (shedding) of T antigen. Detection of T antigen may be a useful marker of prognosis in ovarian carcinoma.

Tissue polypeptide antigen expression in human prostate tumors

Thirty-seven specimens of benign and malignant prostatic tumors were studied for the localization of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique. In addition, 23 metastases of prostatic carcinoma in other organs and 12 nonepithelial tumors of prostate also were studied. All benign and malignant tumors of epithelial origin, including their metastasis, stained positively. Nonepithelial tumors were uniformly negative. In the metastatic lesions, small foci of tumor cells and even single tumor cells could be identified by TPA staining. Immunohistochemical localization of TPA appeared to be a useful tool for assessing the micrometastases of prostatic carcinoma in other organs, especially lymph nodes, or elucidating the epithelial origin of an otherwise undifferentiated prostatic cancer.

Synergistic induction of rat hepatic ornithine decarboxylase by multiple doses of cobalt chloride

The level of rat hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) induced by repetitive administration of Co2+ was determined by affinity labeling with [3H]difluoromethylornithine. Such a treatment with Co2+ ion induced ODC level to a 10-fold greater extent than single dose of the metal ion or well-known inducers of the enzyme, such as thioacetamide or carbon tetrachloride. The half life of ODC activity induced by repetitive treatment with Co2+ (95 min) was substantially increased to about 10-fold over the value obtained from the enzyme induced by single treatment with the metal ion (10 min). ODC activity induced by repetitive treatment with Co2+ was separated into two peaks by DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography. The two independently collected fractions of ODC peaks exhibited different affinity for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in vitro and sensitivity to cycloheximide in vivo.

Comparative studies on the inducing effects of cobalt chloride and co-protoporphyrin on hepatic ornithine decarboxylase and heme oxygenase in rats

Co-protoporphyrin, like Co2+, produced a significant and persistent induction of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) as well as its known inducing effect on heme oxygenase and the decreasing effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes. The induction of ODC and heme oxygenase by Co-protoporphyrin occurred dose-dependently with the lowest effective dose of 6.25 mumol/kg. Although Co-protoporphyrin produced similar effects on ODC and heme oxygenase to Co2+, there were differences in the mode of ODC induction. In particular, pretreatment with diethyl maleate failed to augment the induction of ODC by Co-protoporphyrin. Moreover, multiple administrations of Co2+, but not Co-protoporphyrin, caused super-additive induction of ODC to about 1000-fold over the controls. This super-additive induction of ODC by Co2+ was dependent on the doses and time intervals between two administrations. In parallel with a large induction of ODC evoked by two administrations of Co2+, hepatic putrescine content was increased markedly, while spermine content was decreased as compared to the control levels. Pretreatment with Co2+ led to super-additive induction of ODC by subsequent administration of the metal ion itself or diethyl maleate, but not by other ODC inducers, such as Co-protoporphyrin and thioacetamide, and not by subsequent partial hepatectomy. Under these experimental conditions, the magnitudes of heme oxygenase induction were similar. ODC induced by two doses of Co2+ was insensitive to exogenous putrescine, but sensitive to alpha-difluoromethylornithine and 1,3-diaminopropane. These findings add new insight into the effects of Co2+ and Co-protoporphyrin on hepatic polyamine metabolism; and the results suggest that the metal ion could cause extensive derangement of the ODC regulatory system in a manner different from the metalloporphyrin.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by sulfobromophthalein in rats

The administration of sulfobromophthalein (BSP, 0.5 mmol/kg, ip.) increased ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities to 30-fold and 5-fold, respectively, of the controls at 12 hr in the liver of rats. Parallel to the increase in ODC, there was an increase in hepatic putrescine content. However, spermine content tended to decrease. BSP increased ODC and SAMDC activities and putrescine content, but decreased spermine content, in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of rats with actinomycin D and cycloheximide almost completely blocked the BSP-mediated increase of ODC and SAMDC activities. Pretreatment with glutathione (GSH) failed to inhibit BSP-mediated increase of ODC and SAMDC activities. In addition, the administration of BSP-GSH conjugate (0.5 mmol/kg, iv.) did not produce the increase of ODC and SAMDC activities. Pretreatment with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene did not inhibit BSP-mediated increase of ODC and SAMDC. The results indicate that BSP could cause changes in hepatic polyamine content due to the induction of ODC and SAMDC.

Bone trabecular pattern analysis in Down's syndrome with the use of computed panoramic tomography with a laser scan system. Quantitative analysis with the power spectrum method

A quantitative analysis of the mandibular bone trabeculae of 44 patients with Down's syndrome and 68 normal persons by means of panoramic tomography was performed with a laser scan system. The results showed that the normal persons exhibited a correlation between the trabecular pattern and aging, whereas the patients with Down's syndrome showed no such correlation. These findings were consistent with geromorphism, which is one of the systemic features of Down's syndrome.

Effect of diethyl maleate on hepatic ornithine decarboxylase

Diethyl maleate (DEM), a well-known glutathione (GSH) depletor, causes a dose-dependent increase in hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity as well as heme oxygenase activity in rats. Considering the important role ODC has in polyamine biosynthesis in response to endogenous and exogenous stimuli, further extensive studies on the effect of DEM on ODC in relation to its GSH-depleting effect were carried out. Specifically, concomitant with the profound decrease in GSH content, the higher dose of DEM (1284 mg/kg) caused a marked increase in ODC activity (about 1000 times that of the control) at 12 hr after its administration. DEM at this dose also caused a marked increase in heme oxygenase activity, but the effects on cytochrome P-450 content and aminopyrine demethylase activity were less extensive. The increases in ODC and heme oxygenase activities evoked by DEM were almost completely blocked by pretreatment of rats with either actinomycin D or cycloheximide. Parallel to the increase in ODC activity, DEM caused a profound increase in putrescine content in the liver, while the agent reduced spermine content. The administrations of alpha-difluoromethylornithine and 1,3-diaminopropane resulted in the inhibition of DEM-mediated induction of ODC, but not heme oxygenase. In contrast, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) inhibited the induction of both ODC and heme oxygenase evoked by DEM. The DEM-induced ODC exhibited two phases of decay with the prolonged half-lives of 26 and 223 min. Additionally, the elution profile from DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography of cytoplasmic fraction from DEM-treated rat liver exhibited two peaks of ODC activity. These findings add new insight into the biochemical effect of DEM on hepatic polyamine metabolism in addition to its GSH-depleting effect.

Ornithine decarboxylase induction and polyamine biosynthesis by phorone (diisopropylidene acetone), a glutathione depletor, in rats

The administration of Phorone (diisopropylidene acetone, 250 mg/kg, ip.), a glutathione (GSH) depletor, markedly induced (400-fold of the control at 12 hr) ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the liver of rats. Parallel to ODC induction there was a marked increase in hepatic putrescine content. Phorone also produced an increase in spermidine content and a decrease in spermine content. The effects of phorone on ODC and putrescine content occurred dose-dependently with more than a 1000-fold increase in ODC activity over the controls at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Pretreatment of rats with buthionine sulfoximine, a GSH depletor by inhibition of biosynthesis, failed to inhibit phorone-mediated induction of ODC. In contrast, pretreatment with GSH, but not post-treatment, blocked the induction of ODC by phorone.

Hepatic and extrahepatic metabolism of deprenyl, a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) B inhibitor, of amphetamines in rats: sex and strain differences

1. Deprenyl is metabolized by rat liver microsomes into methamphetamine (MAP), amphetamine (AP) and nor-deprenyl, and by lung and kidney microsomes into MAP. 2. Treatment of rats with phenobarbital (PB), but not 3-methyl-cholanthrene (3-MC), resulted in significant increases in hepatic metabolism of deprenyl to MAP and AP, and in a slight increase in the pulmonary metabolism of the drug to MAP. Neither treatment showed any effect on the renal metabolism of deprenyl. 3. The inhibitory effect of deprenyl on monoamine oxidase (MAO) B activity of liver was decreased and increased by pretreatment of rats with PB and SKF 525-A, respectively. However, inhibition by deprenyl of MAO-B activity of extrahepatic tissues was not affected by such treatments, except the lung where PB decreased the potency of the drug. 4. Sex differences in the hepatic metabolism of deprenyl to amphetamines were seen in all three strains of rats, Sprague-Dawley, Wistar and Donryu. However, no sex differences observed in the extrahepatic metabolism of deprenyl. 5. Strain differences were also seen in the metabolism of deprenyl, depending on the tissues and metabolites examined.

[Long-term survival in an elderly patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia]

A 79-year-old patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia (M2 type in FAB), who has survived more than 5 years, is reported. She was admitted because of fever and anemia. Her white blood cell count was 6200/mm3 with 58% blasts. Bone marrow aspiration showed a nucleated cell count of 26 X 10(4)/mm with 84% blasts, Complete remission was achieved within one month by DCMP two-step method therapy. She relapsed in the third and fifth years after initial therapy. Because leukemic change is atypical, she was treated with a low dose of Ara-C therapy, resulting in complete remission. In cases of acute myelobastic leukemia in elderly patients, long-term survival is rare. However in this case, follow-up has succeeded for 5 years. This patient is the oldest case of acute myeloblastic leukemia ever reported in Japan.

Effects of phorone (diisopropylidene acetone), a glutathione (GSH) depletor, on hepatic enzymes involved in drug and heme metabolism in rats: evidence that phorone is a potent inducer of heme oxygenase

Concomitant with the depletion of glutathione content, phorone (250 mg/kg, ip.) produced a marked increase in heme oxygenase activity, biphasic effect on delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity, and slight decreases in cytochrome P-450 content and aminopyrine demethylase activity in the liver of rats. The increase in heme oxygenase activity evoked by phorone was almost completely blocked by pretreatment of rats with actinomycin D and cycloheximide. Phorone was able to produce the changes in these parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Buthionine sulfoximine, a GSH depletor by inhibition of biosynthesis, failed to affect these hepatic parameters.

Immunohistochemical localization of CA 125 antigen in formalin-fixed paraffin sections of ovarian tumors with the use of Pronase

The OC 125 monoclonal antibody was used to localize CA 125 antigen in routine paraffin sections of ovarian tumors with the use of a modified avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technic. Pretreatment of the paraffin sections with Pronase allowed subsequent detection of CA 125 antigen. OC 125 stained 4 (80%) of 5 benign and borderline serous ovarian tumors, 12 (86%) of 14 serous adenocarcinomas, and 3 (23%) of 13 benign and malignant mucinous ovarian tumors. The pattern of distribution of CA 125 antigen was mostly at the intraluminal and peripheral cell surfaces, while intracytoplasmic staining also was seen. Overall, CA 125 antigen detectability rate in paraffin sections was found to be compatible with those reported in frozen sections. The method allows retrospective immunohistochemical examination of a large number of cases with ovarian tumors.

Early membrane damage during ischemia in rat heart

Effects of ischemia on cell membrane of rat heart were investigated. The endothelial surface revealed the existence of ruthenium red-positive glycocalyx at the anionic site. Membrane bound enzyme as Na-K ATPase was mostly located in the inner side and pinocytotic vesicles of endothelial cell. The clumping and dispersion in glycocalyx of endothelial cells was observed in an ischemic heart and it may prove the functional disturbance of plasma membrane. A potential and functional defect with reduced activity of Na-K ATPase occurred within 1 hr of vascular ligation. The membrane dysfunction due to these molecular changes has been proved by the membrane permeability alteration as well as the intracytoplasmic localization of horseradish peroxidase as tracer.