Biomedical subjects

Cho Azuma

Publications and source records attributed to Cho Azuma.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Comparison of mineral contents between the arteries in upper and lower limbs of Japanese monkeys.

To examine whether the calcium accumulation in aged arteries is related to the way of walking, the mineral contents were determined in the arteries of Japanese monkeys of quadrupedal walk by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Sixteen Japanese monkeys consisting of 7 males and 9 females ranging in age from 2 to 33 yr were studied. The accumulation of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium occurred progressively in most, but not all, of the arteries with aging. It was found that independent of the upper and lower limbs, a higher accumulation of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium occurred in the arteries of the proximal regions with aging, compared with the arteries of the distal regions. In a comparison between the arteries of anatomically corresponding regions of the upper and lower limbs, the accumulation of calcium and magnesium was 20-60% higher in the external iliac and femoral arteries of the lower limb than in the axillary and brachial arteries of the upper limb. Regarding phosphorus, the accumulation was 20-120% higher in the external iliac and femoral arteries than in the axillary and brachial arteries. It was known that in humans, the accumulation of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium was three to seven times higher in the arteries of the lower limb than in the arteries of the upper limb. It is clear that there is a very significant difference in the accumulation of calcium and magnesium in the arteries of the lower limbs between Japanese monkeys and humans. The present study suggests that the accumulation of calcium and magnesium in the arteries of the lower limb with aging is affected by the way of walking.

Aging↗

PubMed2003

Different accumulation of elements in the rami of the coronary arteries of Thai.

To analyze the accumulation of elements in the rami of the coronary arteries, the authors determined element contents in both the coronary arteries and their rami of the Thai by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of 13 men and 6 women, ranging in age from 34 to 83 yr. It was found that a higher accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred in the proximal sites of coronary arteries such as the anterior descending, right coronary, left coronary, and circumflex arteries than the distal sites such as the diagonal, lateral, conus, acute marginal, and posterior descending arteries. The accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the anterior descending and right coronary arteries of the Thai increased remarkably in the fifties, thereafter decreased, and increased again in the eighties. It should be noted that a very high accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the coronary arteries occurred in the fifties. In regard to relationships among the average contents of elements in the coronary arteries and their rami, it was found that there were very significant direct correlations between calcium and phosphorus contents, between calcium and magnesium contents, and between phosphorus and magnesium contents. These results suggested that as calcium and phosphorus increased in the coronary arteries and their rami, magnesium increased simultaneously in all of the coronary arteries and their rami.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A special comment on trace metals in the viscera of turbo marmoratus, a toxic snail, on Ryukyu Island.

Trace metals in the viscera of Turbo marmoratus, a huge conical spire, in the coral reef of Ryukyu Island were analyzed. The highest amount of Zn and Fe was detectable in the midgut gland known to be polluted by saxitoxin. This intestine maintained a considerable amount of Si (higher than Ca) which fluctuated in parallel with the taurine amount. These data suggest that the viscera of the alimentary tract accumulate some metals, especially Zn and Fe.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Accumulation of elements in the arteries and cardiac valves of Thai with aging.

To elucidate whether the extent of element accumulation in the arteries and cardiac valves with aging was different between different races, the authors investigated the accumulation of elements in the arteries and cardiac valves of the Thai with aging and the relationships among elements in the cardiac valves. After ordinary dissection at Chiang Mai University was finished, 16 arteries and 4 cardiac valves were resected and element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. In the 16 arteries, the average content of calcium was the highest in the site of the abdominal aorta ramifying into the common iliac arteries, and it decreased in the order internal iliac, coronary, abdominal aorta, common iliac, external iliac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, thoracic aorta, brachial, radial, common carotid, subclavian, ulnar, axillary, renal, and internal thoracic arteries. The average contents of phosphorus and magnesium in respective arteries were parallel with the average contents of calcium, except for the coronary artery. In comparison with the arteries of the Japanese, the trend of calcium accumulation in the arteries of the Thai was almost similar to that in the arteries of the Japanese, except for the coronary artery and thoracic aorta. The calcium accumulation in the coronary artery was much higher in the Thai than in the Japanese, whereas that in the thoracic aorta was lower in the Thai than in the Japanese. Regarding elements in the cardiac valves, the calcium content increased remarkably in the seventies in the aortic valve and in the nineties in the pulmonary valve, but it hardly increased in both the mitral and tricuspid valves with aging. The average content of calcium was the highest in the aortic valve, and it decreased in the order pulmonary, tricuspid, and mitral valves. Regarding the relationship among elements in the aortic valves, it was found that there were extremely significant direct correlations among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, whereas there were significant direct correlations between zinc and either calcium or phosphorus contents. Although significant correlations were found between sulfur and the other element contents in the aortic valves fo the Japanese, no significant correlations were found between them in the aortic valves of the Thai. In the mitral valves, extremely or very significant direct correlations were found among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sulfur, with some exceptions that there were no significant correlations between phosphorus and either magnesium or sulfur contents. in addition, no significant correlation was found in the calcium content between the aortic valve and coronary artery in the same individuals.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Age-related changes of elements in human thoracic ducts and azygos veins and relationships among elements.

To elucidate compositional changes of the thoracic duct with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the thoracic ducts in comparison with the azygos veins. The subjects consisted of 22 men and 1 woman, ranging in age from 65 to 95 yr. After ordinary dissection, the thoracic ducts and azygos veins were resected from the subjects and element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that calcium appeared to increase in the thoracic duct with aging, but the other elements, such as phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, iron, zinc, and sodium, did not change significantly with aging. In the azygos vein, both calcium and sulfur increased significantly with aging. Regarding the relationship among elements, extremely significant direct correlations were found among calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, and magnesium in the thoracic ducts, except for phosphorus and magnesium contents with a very significant direct correlation. In the azygos veins, significant direct correlations were found between calcium and sulfur contents and between sulfur and magnesium contents. However, no significant correlations were found among calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in the azygos veins. These results revealed that with regard to the relationship among calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, the thoracic duct was similar to the arteries, but not to the azygos vein.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Persistent left hepatic venous connection with the right atrium and the ductus venosus.

An anomalous left hepatic vein opening independently of the coronary sinus into the right atrium was found in the cadaver of an 88-year-old Japanese man. This vein originated from the left lobe of the liver, perforated the diaphragm at the left side of the vena caval foramen and opened into the right atrium. The left hepatic vein anastomosed mutually with the middle hepatic vein at the level of venule. The ligamentum venosum originated from the left branch of the portal vein and was connected directly to the left hepatic vein. The development of the central systemic venous system and a possible explanation for the morphogenesis of this anomaly were reviewed. As a result, the occurrence of this anomalous vein was explained as being due to the persistence of the left vitelline connection with the left sinus horn and the ductus venosus.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Elements of calcified sites in human thoracic aorta.

To elucidate the manner of element accumulation in the arteries with aging, the authors investigated the element contents in the calcified and surrounding sites of the thoracic aortas by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of three men and five women, ranging in age from 45 to 99 yr. The calcified, calcification-surrounding, and control (which appeared normal) sites were removed from the thoracic aortas and the element contents were determined. It was found that the contents of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and aluminum were higher in the calcified site than in the control site, whereas the contents of sulfur, iron, and lead were lower in the calcified site than in the control site. The contents of the elements in the surrounding site were intermediate between those of the calcified and control sites, except for the magnesium and lead contents, which were the lowest. The mass ratios of magnesium to calcium and phosphorus were lower in the calcified site compared with the surrounding and control sites, and as calcium and phosphorus increased in the aorta, the mass ratios lowered gradually in the aorta.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Differences in calcium accumulation between human plantar and palmar aponeuroses.

To elucidate the characteristics of calcium accumulation of human plantar and palmar aponeuroses, the authors determined the calcium content of human plantar and palmar aponeuroses by atomic absorption flame emission spectrophotometry. The subjects consisted of 9 men and 14 women, ranging in age from 61 to 93 yr. In the plantar aponeurosis, the calcium content was significantly higher in the anterior and posterior parts than in the middle part. It is known that pressure distribution under the sole of a foot is higher in the anterior and posterior parts than in the middle part. The present study suggests that the accumulation of calcium in the plantar aponeurosis is related with the pressure distribution under the sole of a foot. The calcium content increased progressively with aging in the anterior part of the plantar aponeurosis, but not in the middle and posterior parts. Regarding the palmar aponeurosis, the calcium content was significantly higher in the anterior and posterior parts in comparison with the middle part. It was found that the calcium content increased progressively with aging in the posterior part of the palmar aponeurosis, whereas it did not increase significantly with aging in the anterior and middle parts. Regarding the relationship between the calcium content of the aponeuroses and the bone mineral density, a significant correlation was found between the calcium content in the anterior part of the palmar aponeurosis and the bone mineral density of the scaphoid bone.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

High accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the coronary artery of the Thai in comparison with the Japanese.

To examine whether there were differences between races in regard to age-related changes of mineral contents and the relationships among element contents in the arteries, the authors investigated the coronary arteries of Thai and Japanese. The Thai subjects consisted of 13 men and 3 women, ranging in age from 39 to 84 yr, whereas the Japanese subjects consisted of 17 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 55 to 92 yr. After the ordinary dissections at Chiang Mai University and Nara Medical University were finished, the coronary arteries were resected and the element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. In the Thai, an accumulation of calcium and phosphorus began to occur in the forties and increased markedly in the fifties, whereas in the Japanese, an accumulation of calcium and phosphorus began to occur in the seventies and increased markedly in the nineties. The result revealed that an accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred earlier in the Thai than in the Japanese. Regarding the relationships among element contents, extremely significant correlations were found between calcium and phosphorus contents, between calcium and magnesium contents, and between phosphorus and magnesium contents in both the coronary arteries of the Thai and the Japanese. As far as the coronary arteries with a very high accumulation of calcium and phosphorus, the mass ratios of magnesium to calcium and phosphorus were lower in the coronary arteries of the Thai in comparison with the Japanese.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Compositional changes of the aortic valve similar to the artery with aging.

To elucidate compositional changes of the cardiac valves with aging, the authors investigated the relationships among element contents in the aortic valves, in which the accumulation of calcium and phosphorus was the highest. The subjects consisted of 10 men and 14 women, ranging in age from 65 to 102 yr. Extremely significant direct correlations were found among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and zinc in the aortic valves. In contrast, significant inverse correlations were found between the contents of sulfur and the other elements, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium. It should be noted that these correlations present in the aortic valves were very similar to those in the arteries, especially those in the thoracic aortas. The changes of the mass ratios of Mg/Ca and Mg/P in the aortic valves were similar to those in the thoracic aortas. As calcium and phosphorus increased in the aortic valve, the mass ratios Mg/Ca and Mg/P decreased reversely in the aortic valve. These results suggest that the compositional change of the aortic valve is very similar to that of the thoracic aorta.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Compositional changes of human mitral valves with aging.

To elucidate compositional changes of the mitral valve with aging, the authors investigated the relationships among element contents in the mitral valves. The subjects consisted of 10 men and 15 women, ranging in age from 65 to 102 yr. After the ordinary dissection, mitral valves, lower parts of the interventricular septa, and terminal crests containing the sinoatrial nodes were resected and the element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The interventricular septa and sinoatrial nodes were used to compare with the mitral valves. With regard to the mitral valve, it was found that extremely significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, and Na, but no significant correlations were found between the contents of S and elements such as Ca, P, or Mg. Regarding the interventricular septum, it was found that an extremely significant correlation was found between P and S contents; very significant correlations were found between Ca and Mg contents and between Mg and S contents; and a significant correlation was found between P and Mg contents. However, no significant correlation was found between Ca and P contents in the interventricular septa. In the terminal crest containing the sinoatrial node, significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, and S. The present study revealed that with regard to the relationships among element contents, the compositional change of the mitral valve was intermediate between those of the thoracic aorta and the interventricular septum.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

Relationships among element contents in the medial meniscus.

To elucidate compositional changes of elements in the meniscus with aging, the authors investigated the relationships among elements in the medial meniscus by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of 16 men and 7 women, ranging in age from 65 to 93 yr. In the left medial meniscus, extremely significant correlations were found both between calcium and phosphorus contents and between sulfur and magnesium contents, whereas significant correlations were found between calcium and either iron or zinc contents, between phosphorus and either iron or zinc contents, and between iron and zinc contents. On the other hand, in the right medial meniscus, there were only an extremely significant correlation between calcium and phosphorus contents and a significant correlation between sulfur and magnesium contents. The common finding between the left and right medial menisci was an extremely significant correlation between calcium and phosphorus contents and a significant correlation between sulfur and magnesium contents.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

Relationships among element contents in the internal jugular vein similar to the arteries.

To elucidate compositional changes of the veins with aging, the authors investigated the relationships among element contents in the internal jugular veins, in which a higher accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred with aging. The subjects consisted of 15 men and 10 women, ranging in age from 40 to 98 yr. The element contents of the internal jugular veins were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that there were extremely significant direct correlations among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium in the internal jugular vein. In addition, very significant direct correlations were also found both between zinc and either iron or silicon contents and between sulfur and iron contents in the vein. As calcium and phosphorus increased in the internal jugular vein, the mass ratios of Mg/Ca and Mg/P decreased gradually in the vein, whereas the mass ratio of Ca/P hardly decreased. These results indicated that with regard to both the relationships among the contents of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium and the changes of the mass ratios of Mg/Ca and Mg/P, the internal jugular vein was very similar to the arteries.

Adult↗