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Biomedical subjects

D Kobayashi

Publications and source records attributed to D Kobayashi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Endogenous tumor necrosis factor as a predictor of doxorubicin sensitivity in leukemic patients.

We have previously reported that intracellular tumor necrosis factor (enTNF) is responsible for resistance, in established cell lines to doxorubicin (DOX), exogenous TNF, and heat stress by inducing manganous superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), thereby scavenging reactive oxygen free radicals. Leukemic cells from 19 patients (6 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 13 acute myeloid leukemia) were examined for their sensitivity to DOX and TNF in relation to their enTNF expression and MnSOD activity. Sensitivity to DOX and the expression of enTNF or MnSOD activity were inversely correlated. In a case with acquired resistance to chemotherapy which included DOX, enTNF expression and MnSOD activity were increased. Furthermore, in 14 cases treated with a regimen including an anthracycline, 4 cases that failed to respond to chemotherapy showed relatively high amounts of enTNF expression. KG-1 (human acute myelogenous leukemia) cells transfected with a nonsecretory-type TNF expression vector (pTNF delta pro) showed resistance to DOX. A significant increase in MnSOD levels was also noted in the transfectants. TNF antisense cDNA was transfected into isolated leukemic cells from five patients. Sensitivity of the antisense transfectants to DOX was increased, approximately 1.4- to 2.5-fold. These results suggest that enTNF acts as a resistance factor against DOX in leukemia, and that enTNF may be useful as a predictor of DOX sensitivity in leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Induction of heat shock protein 72 synthesis by endogenous tumor necrosis factor via enhancement of the heat shock element-binding activity of heat shock factor 1.

Endogenous tumor necrosis factor (enTNF) acts as a resistance factor against cytotoxicity caused by heat by inducing manganous superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), thereby scavenging reactive oxygen free radicals. On the other hand, it is also well known that heat shock proteins (HSP) which are induced by heat stress behave as cytoprotective factor against this stress. However, the relationship of these two resistance factors is not elucidated yet. In the present study, we therefore proposed the possibility that enTNF enhances HSP72 expression. Heat-sensitive L-M (mouse tumorigenic fibroblast) cells, which normally do not express enTNF, were transfected with a nonsecretory-type human TNF-alpha expression vector to produce enTNF. Stable transfectants showed resistance to heat treatment and an increase of HSP72 expression. Conversely, when HeLa (human uterine cervical cancer) cells, which normally produce an appreciable amount of enTNF, were transfected with an antisense TNF-alpha mRNA expression vector to inhibit enTNF synthesis, their heat sensitivity was enhanced and HSP72 expression was reduced by half. Although enTNF caused no difference in the level of heat shock factor (HSF) 1 in these cells, enTNF expression correlated well with the binding activity of HSF-1 to a 32P-labeled synthetic oligonucleotide containing the human heat shock element (HSE). These results indicate that enTNF participates not only in intrinsic resistance against heat via induction of MnSOD but also via enhancement of the HSE-binding activity of HSF 1 followed by augmentation of HSP72 expression.

Animals↗

New endoscopic treatment for chronic pancreatitis, using contrast media containing ulinastatin and prednisolone.

The preventive effects of contrast media containing ulinastatin (UST) and/or prednisolone (PDN) on potential complications associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were studied in 111 patients. The incidence of abdominal pain and the elevation in the serum amylase level after ERCP were lower in the UST group than in the control group and abdominal pain and the elevated serum amylase level were almost completely suppressed in the PDN and UST/PDN groups. Based on these findings, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of UST and PDN, given via the pancreatic duct, in alleviating pain symptoms in 57 patients with chronic pancreatitis and abdominal pain. The post-ERCP serum amylase level in some patients in the PDN and UST/PDN groups was lower than the pretreatment value. After ERCP, the abdominal pain that had been experienced before ERCP was relieved, and the value of the bentiromide-paraaminobenzoic acid (BT-PABA) test had improved. These results suggest that the use of contrast media containing PDN or UST/PDN in patients with chronic pancreatitis is extremely effective not only for preventing potential complications related to ERCP but also as a new diagnostic treatment method.

Abdominal Pain↗

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on the healing of defects in the canine anterior cruciate ligament.

The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the healing of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lacerations was investigated in 17 adult mongrel canines. The defect was created in the midsubstance of both ACLs using a biopsy punch. In the bFGF group, a bFGF-impregnated pellet was sutured to the infrapatellar fat pad close to the defect. In the control group, the same pellet without bFGF was used. The healing process was evaluated macroscopically and histologically at 1, 3, 6, and 24 weeks postoperatively. In the bFGF group, a pannus-like tissue which contained abundant blood vessels extended into the defect from the adjacent synovial tissue in the early postoperative phase. Histological examination of the tissue which filled the defect revealed initial remodeling processes with a decreased number of cells and better orientation of the collagen fibers at 6-24 weeks. On the other hand, in the control group, poor healing processes were observed at each examination period. This study demonstrated that the application of a bFGF-impregnated pellet may enhance the healing potential of a partially injured ACL. Enhanced neovascularization and the formation of granulation tissue induced by bFGF early in the healing process accounted for the increased healing response.

Animals↗

Osteogenesis by bone marrow stromal cells maintained on type I collagen matrix gels in vivo.

In this study, we demonstrated that bone marrow stromal cells maintained on type I collagen matrix induced bone in vivo. The formed bone contained bone marrow, and the process of bone formation occurred without cartilage formation. Bone marrow stromal cells differentiated into osteoblasts on type I collagen matrix in vitro, but types II, III, and V collagens did not possess this activity. These findings imply that type I collagen matrix offers a suitable environment for the induction of osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and osteogenesis in vivo.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

[Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) producing renal cell carcinoma].

A 88-year-old male patient with G-CSF producing renal cell carcinoma is reported. The patient was admitted to our hospital complaining of macrohematureia. The laboratory examination showed marked leukocytosis of 18,200/microliter (neutrophil 92%) in the peripheral blood and high levels of G-CSF (120 pg/ml) in the serum. An abdominal CT scan revealed a right renal tumor. The neutrophil count rose to 38,700/microliter with increasing of tumor size. Histopathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma (Grade 3) and immunohistochemical staining using Histo anti-G-CSF antibody demonstrated cancer cells produced G-CSF. This is the second case of G-CSF producing renal cell carcinoma diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining in the literature.

Aged↗

Isolation, characterization, and expression of cDNAs encoding the medaka (Oryzias latipes) ovarian follicle cytochrome P-450 aromatase.

Two cDNA clones of cytochrome P-450 aromatase (P-450arom) were isolated from a medaka (Oryzias latipes, a daily spawner) ovarian follicle cDNA library using a medaka P-450arom genomic DNA fragment as a probe. The first, 1,809-bp insert (S81f) contains an 1,554-bp open reading frame encoding a 518-amino-acid polypeptide. The second, 1,852-bp (S52f) insert possesses an open reading frame identical to that of the S81f insert, except for the absence of the heme-binding region as the result of an additional A residue at the position of nucleotide 1,827. Expression of the S81f cDNA, but not of the S52f cDNA, in nonsteroidogenic COS-1 cells leads to production of a steroidogenic enzyme which is capable of converting exogenous testosterone to estrogen. The P-450arom genomic DNA fragment hybridizes to a single mRNA in medaka ovarian follicle RNA. Changes in level of P-450arom transcripts and P-450arom enzyme activity were determined in medaka ovarian follicles collected at 16 stages of development. A close correlation was found between these two profiles, both being high in midvitellogenic follicles and low in postvitellogenic follicles collected during oocyte maturation. These findings, together with those of our previous study showing that actinomycin D prevented gonadotropin-induced aromatase activation by medaka ovarian follicles, suggest that aromatase activity is regulated at the transcriptional level in medaka vitellogenic follicles.

Animals↗

Larvicidal activity of the symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus japonicus from the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema kushidai against Anomala cuprea (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae).

The entomopathogenicity of the symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus japonicus and the nematode Steinernema kushidai was determined. Phase I and II X. japonicus were cultured on an artificial medium and inoculated into the test insect or established into axenic S. kushidai populations. When 100, 1000, or 10,000 bacterial cells of phase I or II were directly injected into the hemocoels of 3rd instar cupreous chafer, Anomala cuprea, both phases in the late log period killed 100% of the larvae by the 2nd day postinoculation. However, both phases in the stationary period were less pathogenic with cupreous chafer mortality < 20 and 80% at 100 and 1000 bacterial cells/ larva, respectively. In vitro studies showed that axenic S. kushidai provided with phase I or II symbionts grew well and produced equal numbers of progeny on a dog food medium, but nematodes with no symbionts did not grow at all. Pig liver extracts added as a dietary supplement to the dog food medium completely restored growth and progeny production of the nematode with no bacterial cells. Studies were conducted with infective juveniles (IJs) harboring phase I or II or no symbionts that were applied against 3rd instar cupreous chafer larvae in compost or injected directly into their hemocoels. In the compost study, IJs harboring phase I killed 100% within 10 days. IJs with phase II or no symbionts caused low mortality of the cupreous chafer larvae at 10 days (< 20%). In the intrahemocoelic injection study, IJs harboring phase I resulted in 60% larval mortality at five nematodes/larva, and as the number of IJs injected increased, significantly higher larval mortality was obtained.

Animals↗

Time-dependent expression of bone sialoprotein fragments in osteogenesis induced by bone morphogenetic protein.

Bone sialoprotein is unique to bone and dentin, but its precise role in these tissues is still unknown, although several hypotheses have been presented. We chose ectopic chondro- and osteogenesis induced by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) as a model system to examine the role of this protein. Partially purified bovine BMP obtained by a three-step chromatographic procedure contained all the active BMPs (natural BMP cocktail). It was combined with insoluble bone matrix and subcutaneously implanted into rats. Expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP) in the implants was followed by using a monoclonal antibody as previously reported. Immunostaining studies showed BSP in the osteoblasts lining the new bone surface at 5 weeks. Western blotting showed 53 and 30 kDa bands, instead of the 57 kDa band normally found in rat femur. These two fragments were metabolically labeled with [3H]proline. The total amount of the fragments rapidly increased after 3 weeks, and at 5 weeks was 3 times as high as that at 2 weeks and still increasing. This time-dependent change was almost parallel to that of osteocalcin. The amount of bone estimated in terms of calcium content increased until 3 weeks and was remained at a plateau thereafter. Alkaline phosphatase activity was prominent only in the first 3 weeks. It was concluded that the 53 and 30 kDa BSP fragments might contribute to maintenance or remodeling in BMP-induced ectopic bone formation.

Aging↗

Endogenous tumor necrosis factor inhibits the cytotoxicity of exogenous tumor necrosis factor and adriamycin in pancreatic carcinoma cells.

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most devastating neoplasms with regard to its resistance to conventional therapy. In a previous report, we found that endogenous tumor necrosis factor (enTNF) exerts an intracellular protective effect against exogenous TNF- and Adriamycin (ADM)-induced cytotoxicity by scavenging oxygen free radicals (OFR) with induced manganous superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). We also know that glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) and glutathione (GSH) also scavenge OFR. It remains unclear to what extent enTNF and MnSOD induced by enTNF regulate the sensitivity to ADM and exogenous TNF among different carcinoma cells. In this study, we examined the relationship between ADM and exogenous TNF sensitivity and en-TNF expression and MnSOD activity in four pancreatic carcinoma lines. We determined whether ADM and exogenous TNF sensitivity could be predicted by measuring enTNF expression and MnSOD activity in the carcinoma cells. The sensitivity to TNF and ADM varied with the cell lines, and TNF sensitivity correlated well with Adriamycin sensitivity. Moreover, enTNF expression and Mn-SOD activity correlated positively with resistance to ADM and exogenous TNF. When MIAPaCa-2 cells, which had the lowest enTNF expression and the highest sensitivity to exogenous TNF and ADM, were transfected with the nonsecretory-type human TNF gene (pTNF delta pro) to increase enTNF synthesis, their intracellular MnSOD activity and exogenous TNF and ADM resistance were increased. These findings suggest that MnSOD plays a critical role in scavenging OFR induced by ADM and exogenous TNF. enTNF is the most important factor that regulates the production of MnSOD. Therefore, it is plausible that inhibition of enTNF expression or MnSOD activity in pancreatic carcinoma would improve the efficacy of therapies for pancreatic carcinoma.

Doxorubicin↗

In vitro/in vivo difference in enhanced skin permeation of nicardipine hydrochloride by the 1-menthol-ethanol system.

The in vitro/in vivo difference in enhanced skin permeation of nicardipine hydrochloride (NC) by simultaneous use of 1-menthol and ethanol (MEW system, 1-menthol:ethanol:water = 5:40:55) was investigated in hairless rats. First, the cutaneous blood flow clearance (clearance from skin to blood flow) of NC per unit area of skin (CLCB/A), which was comparable to the permeability coefficient across skin (PC), was calculated from intracutaneous and intravenous injection data using the deconvolution method; the value was 1.67 microliters/h/cm2. Two formulations containing NC and the MEW system, solution (SOL) and 15% hydroxypropyl cellulose gel (GEL), were used for in vitro and in vivo permeation experiments. The in vitro PC of NC via excised skin from SOL (23.3 microliters/h/cm2) was significantly higher than CLCB/A, and that from GEL (1.48 microliters/h/cm2) was similar to CLCB/A. Consequently, the steady-state concentration of NC in skin during in vivo application of SOL was 6.6 times higher than corresponding in vitro data. In vivo PCs from SOL and GEL were however significantly lower than CLCB/A. These results may be explained by the findings, using a laser Doppler flowmeter, that cutaneous blood flow was decreased by the application of MEW.

Animals↗

Tumor necrosis factor and interferon-gamma augment anticolon antibody- dependent cellular cytotoxicity in ulcerative colitis.

The effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon (IFN)-gamma on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated. ADCC activity was measured by the 51Cr release assay, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy subjects as effector cells and RPMI 4788 cells derived from human colon cancer as target cells. ADCC activity under sera from healty subjects remained low whether or not the effector cells were pretreated with TNF (100 U/ml, 16h). Under sera from UC patients, ADCC activity of 13.9%, compared to 9.6% when pretreatment was deleted. The effect of IFN pretreatment (100 U/ml, 16h) was also examined under sera from UC patients; in that experiment activity rose to 26.8%, in comparison to a 10.7% when IFN-gamma pretreatment was deleted. Finally, when the effector cells were pretreated with both TNF and IFN-gamma (100 U/ml of each, 16h) the ADCC activity under sera from UC patients was higher than when either TNF or IFN-gamma were used alone. These results suggest that TNF and IFN-gamma, by increasing ADCC activity in UC lesions, are involved in cell injury in the colonic epithelium. IFN-gamma appears to increase ADCC activity by increasing the number of high affinity monocyte Fc gamma RI receptors, while TNF increases ADCC activity by a different mechanism.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Negative inotropic action of denbufylline through interfering with the calcium channel independently of its PDE IV inhibitory activity in guinea pig ventricle papillary muscles.

The inotropic actions of xanthine derivatives with long alkyl chains were investigated in guinea pig ventricular papillary muscle. A potent and nonselective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, elicited a positive inotropy and inhibited the negative inotropic effects of calcium channel inhibitors, as did a selective PDE III inhibitor, amrinone, and these effects were canceled by a protein kinase inhibitor, N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89). However, 1,3-di-n-butyl-7-(2'oxopropyl)xanthine (denbufylline) and 1-n-butyl-3-n-propylxanthine (XT-044), which have potent and selective PDE IV-inhibitory activities, showed negative inotropic actions that became more potent in the presence of H-89. Denbufylline abolished the late restoration phase induced by ryanodine. This xanthine derivative attenuated the effects of both the calcium channel acting agents Bay K 8644 and verapamil, without interaction with caffeine and dihydropyridine calcium channel inhibitors, and denbufylline had little direct influence on the specific binding of [(3)H]azidopine and [(3)H]desmethoxyverapamil to cardiac membranes. A nonxanthine PDE IV inhibitor, Ro 20-1724, did not affect the inotropic actions of calcium channel inhibitors. The attenuation by denbufylline or XT-044 of the negative inotropic action of verapamil was not influenced by treatment with H-89. These results suggest that in the ventricular papillary muscle, these xanthine derivatives elicit negative inotropy by acting on a verapamil-sensitive site of the calcium channel without involving their PDE-inhibitory activity.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Effects of aluminum(III) on catechol-stimulated nerve growth factor biosynthesis by cultured mouse brain astroglial cells.

The effects of aluminum and other metal ions on the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) by cultured mouse brain astroglial cells have been investigated. Natural NGF formation was dependent on the AlCl3 concentration of the cell culture medium; it was stimulated at low concentrations but was inhibited at higher concentrations. Catechol-stimulated NGF formation was also inhibited at AlCl3/catechol molar ratios > 0.3, whereas ZnCl2 and CaCl2 had no effect under similar conditions. Ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (EDTA) and citrate blocked the inhibitory effect of Al(III). These observations were explained by the complex formation between Al(III) and catechols.

Aluminum↗

[CD7, HLA-DR, CD38 positive acute undifferentiated leukemia with subcutaneous tumor and thymoma].

A case of acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL), accompanied by subcutaneous tumor and thymoma is reported. The analysis of immunophenotype showed that the leukemic blasts were positive for CD7, HLA-DR, CD38 and CD34 in 17.5% but negative results were obtained for other lymphoid and myeloid antigens. The leukemic blasts had a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene and T cell receptor delta (TCR-delta) chain gene chromosomal abnormality, 47, XY, +8, t(13; 17) (q12; q21), -17, +M was observed. In general, the CR rate is low and prognosis is poor in patients with AUL. In our case, CR was not achieved by the therapy with JALSG-ALL87 protocol, but was achieved by subsequent treatment with high dose ara-C therapy and combination chemotherapy including intermediate-dose ara-C, mitoxantrone, etoposide and prednisolone.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Reversal of tumor necrosis factor resistance in tumor cells by adriamycin via suppression of intracellular resistance factors.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and various chemotherapeutic drugs show synergistic antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, though the mechanism is not clear. Based on our previous finding that endogenous TNF (enTNF) acts as an intracellular resistance factor against exogenous TNF by scavenging oxygen free radicals (OFR) with induced manganous superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), we examined the suppression of these resistance factors by chemotherapeutic drugs and the resulting increase in TNF cytotoxicity. Pretreatment of HeLa cells, which produce an appreciable amount of enTNF and show apparent TNF resistance, with TNF followed by adriamycin (ADM) resulted in an additive effect, whereas pretreatment with ADM followed by TNF resulted in a synergistic effect. After treatment of HeLa cells with ADM, the expression of enTNF was remarkably suppressed and MnSOD activity was decreased by one-half. These results indicate that suppression of the intracellular resistance factors, i.e., enTNF and MnSOD, by ADM plays an important role in the mechanism of the synergistic antitumor effect of TNF in combination with ADM.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Calcitonin gene-related peptide mediated neurogenic vasorelaxation in the isolated canine lingual artery.

The nature of neurogenic relaxation was investigated in ring preparations of canine lingual artery. In all experiments, the preparations were previously treated with guanethidine (5 x 10(-6) M) to block neurogenic constrictor responses. In the presence of norepinephrine (10(-5) M) to induce tone, electrical stimulation (10 V, 4 to 16 Hz, for 45 sec) produced relaxation of the rings in an endothelium-independent fashion. The relaxant response in endothelium-denuded rings was not changed by propranolol (10(-5) M), and atropine (10(-5) M) did not affect the relaxation elicited by electrical stimulation in endothelium-intact rings. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (10(-4) M) or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10(-4) M), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, had no effect on the electrical stimulation-induced relaxation of endothelium-denuded rings. Human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-(8 - 37) (2 x 10(-8) M), a CGRP1-receptor antagonist, inhibited neurogenic relaxation of endothelium-denuded rings; substance P (10(-6) M) failed to mimic the observed effect of electrical stimulation. The demonstrated effect of electrical stimulation was inhibited by glibenclamide (10(-5) M), but not tetraethylammonium (2 x 10(-4) M); glibenclamide abolished the relaxation in response to exogenous CGRP or the ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener cromakalim (10(-6) M) in endothelium-denuded rings. Moreover, tetrodotoxin (3.13 x 10(-6) M) inhibited the relaxation of endothelium-denuded rings induced by electrical stimulation. The relaxation was selectively inhibited when endogenous CGRP had been depleted from perivascular nerves by capsaicin (10(-6) M). These results suggest that CGRP, but not NO, released from non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerves by electrical stimulation produces relaxation of canine lingual artery that is mediated by activation of CGRP1 receptors.

Animals↗