L-arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) that may be involved in neuronal activity in the gastrointestinal tract. It is known that NO is formed from L-arginine by NO synthase which is localized in neurons in the enteric nervous system. The present study demonstrated that significant L-arginine immunoreactivity was present in the enteric ganglia. Ultrastructural examination showed that L-arginine immunoreactivity was present in the ganglionic glial cells but not in neurons. These findings suggest that enteric glial cells may represent the main reservoir of L-arginine, which may possibly be transferred to neurons when used.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Mode of prevention by phototherapy of cerebellar hypoplasia in a new Sprague-Dawley strain of jaundiced Gunn rats.

Postnatal changes in cerebellar wet weight and the effect of phototherapy were studied using a new strain of Gunn rats with a genetic background of the Sprague-Dawley strain (SDGR). The cerebellar wet weight of homozygous rats reached a maximum at postnatal day 10 and then it gradually decreased up to day 20, suggesting that the cerebellar hypoplasia of the rats was a consequence both of cellular underdevelopment and degeneration. Histological examinations of the 10 cerebellar lobules showed that lobules I-VIII of homozygotes were severely damaged while lobules IX and X were less affected, coinciding with previous reports of Wistar strain Gunn rats. Photoirradiation with blue light of homozygous rats from day 1 through 15 markedly improved their cerebellar development, and the cerebellar wet weight of these rats was almost comparable to that of heterozygous rats as examined at day 30. Photoirradiation from day 1 to 5 protected, though not fully, lobules I-V and VIII against damage, but not lobules VI and VII at all. Photoirradiation from day 6 to 10 prevented all the lobules from hypoplasia. Irradiation from day 11 to 15 was effective only at the tips of lobules VI and VII. These results indicate that the cerebellar hypoplasia of jaundiced Gunn rats can be effectively prevented by a series of photoirradiation during a particular period after birth and also that the most effective period is different among the lobules.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture on murine collagen arthritis and its possible mechanisms.

The influence of electroacupuncture (EA), a traditional Chinese medical treatment, on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/IJ mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at a 3-week interval with bovine type II collagen (C II). EA stimulation, begun on day 21 simultaneously with the second immunization, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV4 three times a week for 3 weeks. The results showed that EA delayed the onset, attenuated the severity of arthritis, and reduced the anti-collagen antibody level. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of EA on the productions of endogenous interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the levels of IL-1 beta mRNA in splenocytes and synovial tissues from C II immunized mice on day 45 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages of normal mice by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EA stimulation significantly inhibited the concentrations of splenic endogenous IL-1 beta and serum PGE2. The expression of IL-1 beta mRNA in spleen cells was obviously down-regulated and that in synovial tissues was modestly affected by EA. COX-2 mRNA was highly expressed in cultured peritoneal macrophages when stimulated with LPS. Previous treatment with EA also reduced LPS-stimulated induction of COX-2 mRNA. These data suggest that EA has an inhibitory effect on murine CIA, and the partial mechanism of its therapeutic result may be attributed to inhibiting the productions of IL-1 beta and PGE2 by suppressing the IL-beta and COX-2 gene activations.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical treatment of ventricular septal defect associated with aortic insufficiency.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of surgical risk in preoperative biliary drainage patients by blood chemistry laboratory data--with special reference to rate of reduction of serum bilirubin levels.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In Japan, it is generally accepted that biliary decompression should be performed before surgical operations on patients with obstructive jaundice. However, even when adequate decompression and effective reduction of serum bilirubin levels are achieved before surgical operations, it is not uncommon for unforeseen postoperative complications to occur. In this study, we analyzed the effectiveness of biliary drainage prior to pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with malignant obstruction of the papilla of Vater clinically manifested by obstructive jaundice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined the serial blood chemistry laboratory data of 44 patients with periampullary carcinoma who had preoperative obstructive jaundice and underwent pancreatoduodenectomy during the last 10 years. We divided the cases into three groups according to the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin levels, "b": group I, b <-0.09; group II, -0.09<b<-0.05; and group III, -0.05<b. There were no significant differences between the three groups in regard to sex, location of tumor and method of biliary decompression, however, there was significantly higher morbidity rate in group III. RESULTS: The level of biliary enzymes (gamma-GTP, ALP) tended to be higher in group I and lower in group III. Although TB and DB decreased to below 5 mg/dl before pancreatoduodenectomy in all three groups, transaminase levels instead rose in group III just before pancreatoduodenectomy. CONCLUSION: This suggested that liver damage continued to progress after biliary decompression when the reduction rate was low, and thus we should carefully monitor such patients for postoperative complications.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of moxibustion on collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

The influence of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medical treatment; on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/1J mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at 3-week intervals with bovine type II collagen (C II). The main incidence of arthritis started around day 30 and lasted to day 60 after the first immunization. Moxibustion, using three different regimens, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV4 every other day. Moxibustion, from day 0 to day 30 after the first immunization, suppressed the onset and development of arthritis, as well as anti-collagen antibody level. Treatment with moxibustion, from the day 31 to day 60, also resulted in a significant inhibition of progression of arthritis and production of anti-C II antibody. Furtherfore we examined the influence of moxibustion on the established arthritis. Moxibustion given from day 61 to day 120, mildly but significantly decreased the anti-C II antibody level in diseased mice, while the bone erosion and joint destruction were not affected. These results indicate that moxibustion could prevent the incidence and attenuates the development of murine CIA.

Animals↗