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Biomedical subjects

E Ishimura

Publications and source records attributed to E Ishimura.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in nondialyzed patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism are known to be present, and several factors could contribute to the abnormalities. METHODS: We measured serum levels of three vitamin D metabolites, 1,25(OH)2D, 24, 25(OH)2D and 25(OH)D, and analyzed factors affecting their levels in 76 nondialyzed patients with CRF (serum creatinine> 1.6 and < 9.0 mg/dl), 37 of whom had diabetes mellitus (DM-CRF) and 39 of whom were nondiabetic (nonDM-CRF). RESULTS: Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were positively correlated with estimated creatinine clearance (CCr; r = 0.429; P < 0.0001), and levels of 24,25(OH)2D were weakly correlated with CCr (r = 0.252, P < 0.05); no correlation was noted for 25(OH)D. Serum levels of all three vitamin D metabolites were significantly and positively correlated with serum albumin. Although there were no significant differences in age, sex, estimated CCr, calcium and phosphate between DM-CRF and nonDM-CRF, all three vitamin D metabolites were significantly lower in DM-CRF than in nonDM-CRF. To analyze factors influencing vitamin D metabolite levels, we performed multiple regression analyses. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly and independently associated with serum albumin, presence of DM and serum phosphate (R2 = 0.599; P < 0.0001). 24,25(OH)2D levels were significantly and strongly associated with 25(OH)D (beta = 0.772; R2 = 0.446; P < 0.0001). Serum 1,25(OH)2D levels were significantly associated only with estimated CCr (R2 = 0. 409; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hypoalbuminemia and the presence of DM independently affect serum 25(OH)D levels, probably via diabetic nephropathy and poor nutritional status associated with diabetes, and that 25(OH)D is actively catalyzed to 24,25(OH)2D in CRF, probably largely via extrarenal 24-hydroxylase. Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were significantly affected by the degree of renal failure. Thus, this study indicates that patients with CRF, particularly those with DM, should receive supplements containing the active form of vitamin D prior to dialysis.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

Alphav integrin regulates TNF-alpha-induced nitric oxide synthesis in rat mesangial cells--possible role of osteopontin.

BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in rat mesangial cells (MCs). We previously demonstrated that osteopontin (OP), a matrix protein that mainly interacts with the alphav integrin family, increased time-dependently by TNF-alpha stimulation at gene and protein levels. The regulation of NO synthesis by integrins or matrix proteins is unclear. METHODS: We examined whether integrin, especially alphav integrin, regulates NO synthesis in rat MCs and whether OP, an alphav integrin ligand, has an effect on TNF-alpha-induced NO synthesis. Furthermore, OP and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression was examined by Northern blotting. RESULTS: TNF-alpha increased NO synthesis in MCs in a time-dependent manner. Synthetic GRGDSP peptide, which is known to inhibit various integrins that interact with RGD-containing extracellular matrices, increased TNF-alpha-induced NO levels in a dose-dependent manner. Cyclical RGD peptide, the specific inhibitor of alphav integrin, also exhibited a dose-dependent effect of increasing NO levels, while GRGESP peptide, which has very low affinity to integrins, had no effect. In addition, NO synthesis was found to be significantly reduced when MCs were plated on OP-coated dishes compared to type I or IV collagen-coated dishes. Furthermore, anti-OP antibody increased NO synthesis in MCs. iNOS mRNA levels were increased by TNF-alpha, and were abruptly diminished after OP mRNA was significantly induced. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the involvement of alphav integrin in TNF-alpha-induced NO synthesis in rat MCs, and the possible role of OP was suggested in the mechanism. TNF-alpha and extracellular matrices can co-operate to regulate the behaviour of MCs at least partly through NO synthesis, which may participate in the course of glomerular diseases.

Animals↗

Impaired endothelium-dependent vascular responses of retinal and intrarenal arteries in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathies such as retinopathy and nephropathy as well as macrovascular diseases. The aim of the current study was to determine whether endothelial function in the retinal and renal arteries is impaired in type 2 diabetes mellitus. We examined the effects of an intravenous infusion of L-arginine and a sublingual administration of nitroglycerin on the brachial, retinal, and interlobar arterial hemodynamics in 20 type 2 diabetic patients (10 with normoalbuminuria and 10 with microalbuminuria) and 10 aged-matched control subjects. Despite no difference in the nitroglycerin-induced vascular response of the brachial or retinal artery among the 3 groups, the L-arginine-induced vascular response of each artery was significantly lower in both the normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric patients than in the control subjects and the microalbuminuric patients showed the lowest value among the 3 groups (P<0.01, each artery, respectively). The L-arginine-induced vascular response of each artery was significantly correlated with HbA1c levels (brachial artery, r=0.617, P=0.0003; retinal artery, r=0.599, P=0.0005; interlobar artery, r=0.636, P=0.0002). In addition, stepwise multiple regression analysis of all subjects showed that HbA1c level was an independent determinant for the L-arginine-induced vascular response of each artery. The results showed that the endothelium-dependent vascular responses of the retinal and intrarenal arteries as well as the brachial artery were impaired in diabetic patients before the clinical manifestation of diabetic nephropathy, and suggest that endothelial dysfunction in these arteries is associated with hyperglycemia in these patients.

Adult↗

Remission of insulin autoimmune syndrome in a patient with Grave's disease by treatment with methimazole.

The patient, a 24-year-old man, had suffered from hunger, sweating, tachycardia and palpitation for three years. He was diagnosed as having Graves' disease (GD) and treated with methimazole (MMI) for 3 months. He noted that palpitation and perspiration seemed to particularly occur when he was hungry, and thus he was examined to determine whether these symptoms were caused by hypoglycemia. As a markedly elevated immunoreactive insulin level and the presence of insulin antibody in serum were found, he was diagnosed as having insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS). HLA typing revealed the patient to be positive for group Bw62/Cw4/DR4, which is reportedly a specific HLA type in MMI-treated euthyoroid GD patients with IAS. In spite of the continuation of MMI treatment, the % binding of IRI decreased and the hypoglycemic episode disappeared. In contrast to the previously reported MMI induced IAS in GD cases, MMI is unlikely to have exacerbated IAS in the present case, although his HLA combination is identical to that of the previous cases.

Adult↗

Decrease in glomerular filtration rate in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes is linked to atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effects of atherosclerosis on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes and who had micro- or normoalbuminuria. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 61 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from inpatients of Osaka City University Hospital. They ranged in age from 40 to 69 years (28 men and 33 women). Each subject collected a 24-h urine sample for quantitative analysis of albumin. Absence of albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin excretion level of <30 mg/24 h (n = 36) and microalbuminuria as a level of 30-300 mg/24 h. The GFR was estimated using 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic renogram method. As indexes of atherosclerosis, we measured the intimal-medial thickness (IMT) and distensibility of the carotid artery using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonagraphy and an echo-tracking system. We measured the resistance index (RI) of the renal interlobar arteries by pulsed Doppler sonography. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria did not differ except for duration of diabetes, which was longer in the patients with microalbuminuria. GFR also did not differ between the patients with and without microalbuminuria. GFR was significantly correlated with the patient's age (r = -0.256, P < 0.05), carotid IMT (r = -0.326, P < 0.05), carotid stiffness beta (r = -0.449, P < 0.001), and renal arterial RI (r = -0.365, P < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, independent factors associated with GFR were carotid IMT (R2 = 0.108, P = 0.0102), carotid stiffness beta (R2 = 0.208, P = 0.0003), and renal artery RI (R2 = 0.130, P = 0.0043). CONCLUSIONS: The decline in GFR in type 2 diabetic patients in the early stages of nephropathy may be due in part to atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

Stiffness indexes beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries are associated with insulin resistance in NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between arterial wall stiffness indexes beta of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the femoral artery (FA) and insulin resistance in NIDDM subjects in a cross-sectional study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated the arterial stiffness indexes beta of CCA and FA using an ultrasonic phase-locked echo-tracking system in 60 NIDDM subjects attending the diabetes center in Osaka City University Hospital, compared with 120 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Insulin sensitivity indexes were evaluated using a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. RESULTS: Stiffness indexes beta of both CCA and FA were significantly higher in NIDDM subjects than in control subjects (CCA 18.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 11.7 +/- 0.3, respectively, P < 0.001; FA 35.7 +/- 2.3 vs. 23.7 +/- 0.8, respectively, P < 0.001). The mean insulin sensitivity index in NIDDM subjects was 4.69 +/- 0.29 mg.kg-1.min-1.mU-1.l. The stiffness indexes beta of both CCA and FA were inversely correlated with insulin sensitivity indexes (CCA r = -0.393, P = 0.002; FA r = -0.329, P = 0.010), as well as with age, duration of diabetes, and mean blood pressure. In stepwise multiple regression analyses, insulin sensitivity index and duration of diabetes were identified as significant independent variables for stiffness indexes beta in both CCA and FA (CCA R2 = 0.249, P = 0.0003; FA R2 = 0.336, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness indexes beta of CCA and FA were associated with insulin resistance in NIDDM subjects.

Adult↗

Sympathetic function test of vasoconstrictor changes in foot arteries in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between vasoconstrictor changes in foot arteries (pedal, metatarsal, and digital arteries) and autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients to estimate the degrees of sympathetic dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients and nineteen age-matched control subjects were studied. The resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured as vascular hemodynamic parameters using Doppler sonography, and the increases in these hemodynamic parameters (%RI and %PI) from rest to a deep breath were measured as indexes of the degrees of sympathetic vasoconstrictor function. Cardiovascular autonomic function tests (AFTs) were performed and the score was compared to %RI and %PI values obtained. RESULTS: Of the 62 diabetic patients, 51 had various degrees of autonomic neuropathy. Both %RI and %PI in the diabetic patients were significantly less than those in the control subjects for all foot arteries tested (all P < 0.001). There were strongly inverse correlations between the %RI and %PI of foot arteries and the AFT score (r = -0.556 to -0.846, P < 0.0001). The %RI of the digital artery was the most strongly correlated with AFT score (r = -0.846, P < 0.0001) among foot arteries tested. The abnormality of sympathetic vasoconstriction was detectable in the majority of the diabetic patients with the early phase of autonomic neuropathy (%RI: 89.5%; %PI: 94.5%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the %RI of the digital artery is a useful and reliable sympathetic function test of early phase in diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Osteopontin gene expression and protein synthesis in cultured rat mesangial cells.

It is controversial whether osteopontin (OP) is expressed in glomeruli and involved in glomerular diseases. We examined whether the OP expression is present at gene and protein levels in cultured rat mesangial cells (MCs). Northern blotting revealed a 1.7 kb OP-mRNA expression in MCs. Fetal calf serum (FCS) and TNF-alpha increased OP gene expression in serum-starved MCs by 2.7- and 1.8-fold over 24- and 12-hour periods, respectively. PDGF, IL-1beta, and TGF-beta had little effect on OP gene expression. Western blotting detected the OP protein expression (69 kDa). FCS and TNF-alpha increased OP protein expression in serum-starved MCs over 48- and 24-hour periods, respectively. The present study clearly demonstrated the expression of OP gene and protein in cultured rat MCs. Increased OP production under serum or TNF-alpha stimulation suggests that intraglomerular OP may contribute to the development of glomerular diseases.

Animals↗

Insulin resistance in non-obese, non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy.

To investigate the association between insulin resistance and diabetic nephropathy, peripheral insulin sensitivity indices (M/I values) were evaluated via euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in 45 non-obese, non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) subjects. The patients were divided into four groups: 18 with normoalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion rate [AER] < 30 mg/24 h, stage I), 10 with microalbuminuria (30 < or = AER < or = 300 mg/24 h, stage II), seven with overt proteinuria (AER > 300 mg/24 h, stage III), and 10 with uremia (serum creatinine levels > 2.0 mg/dL, stage IV). There were no significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among the four groups. No significant difference in M/I values was seen between stage I and stage II (6.30 +/- 0.73 and 5.95 +/- 0.85 mg/kg/(min per microU/mL) x 100, respectively). M/I values in the stage I and stage II groups were strongly correlated with BMI (r = -.790, P = .0001 and r = -.785, P = .007, respectively). M/I values in the stage III group (4.53 +/- 0.51) were lower than in the stage I group, although not significantly so. M/I values in the stage IV group (3.16 +/- 0.37) were significantly lower than in the stage I group (P = .025). In multiple regression analysis with a model in which age, sex, BMI, HbA1c, and creatinine clearance (Ccr) were included as independent variables, BMI and Ccr were demonstrated to be significant and independent contributors to insulin sensitivity indices as the dependent variable (beta = -0.716 and beta = 0.272, respectively, R2 = .564, P < .0001). In conclusion, the present cross-sectional study demonstrated in non-obese NIDDM patients with nephropathy that microalbuminuria did not affect peripheral insulin resistance, but uremia did, as in nondiabetic patients, and that the peripheral insulin resistance was significantly contributed to by the degree of obesity and uremia.

Adult↗

Intrarenal hemodynamic abnormalities in diabetic nephropathy measured by duplex Doppler sonography.

Intrarenal hemodynamics were studied by duplex Doppler sonography in 112 inpatients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM; 65 males, 47 females, 58 +/- 13 years old). The resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the interlobar arteries were calculated. The patients were divided into four groups: group I consisted of patients with urinary albumin excretion (UAE) < 20 micrograms/min (N = 42), group II with 20 < or = UAE < 200 (N = 28), group III with UAE > or = 200 (N = 25), and group IV with serum creatinine > or = 1.5 mg/dl (N = 17). Both RI and PI values in groups II, III, and IV were significantly higher than those in the controls (age- and sex-matched healthy persons, N = 37; P < 0.001), and those in group IV were significantly higher than those in groups I, II, and III (P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that RI values in DM patients were significantly affected by creatinine clearance, age, and duration of diabetes (R2 = 0.554, P < 0.0001). When intima-medial thickness (IMT) of the femoral and carotid arteries were measured by B-mode ultrasonography, RI values were significantly correlated with both the femoral and carotid arterial IMT. These results demonstrate that intrarenal hemodynamic abnormalities are present in type II DM patients with nephropathy, and that intrarenal hemodynamics are affected by decreased glomerular function and also probably by advanced arteriosclerosis.

Aged↗

History of vitamin D treatment of renal osteodystrophy.

Vitamin D treatment was tried when renal osteodystrophy was first recognized in the early 20th century, using vitamin D2, D3, or dihydrotachysterol. Large doses of vitamin D2 or D3 (150,000-500,000 IU) were prescribed by monitoring serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase. After the discovery of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, this compound or 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol was applied to the treatment of renal osteodystrophy. In a preclinical study, especially of 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol, nephritogenoside nephritis was the most responsive condition. These active vitamin D preparations are now widely used in patients with chronic renal failure under hemodialysis. Other active vitamin D compounds, such as hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 22-oxacalcitriol, are also under investigation.

Animals↗

Relationship between gastric emptying and an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor effect on postprandial hyperglycemia in NIDDM patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between gastric emptying and the efficacy of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in NIDDM patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixteen NIDDM patients (4 patients treated with diet therapy alone and 12 receiving a sulfonylurea) were given 0.6 mg of voglibose daily for 4 weeks. The efficacy of voglibose was assessed by measurement of HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and 45- and 120-min postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) and serum insulin concentrations before and after the 4 weeks of voglibose therapy. Gastric emptying was evaluated using the proportional cumulative area under the absorption curve (% AUC) of plasma acetaminophen concentration at 60 min after ingestion of a liquid test meal containing 20 mg/kg of acetaminophen. These measurements were also taken before and after the therapy. RESULTS: The change in the 45-min PPG levels from the fasting state correlated significantly with the % AUC of the plasma acetaminophen concentrations (r = 0.625, P = 0.0096) before the voglibose administrations. The mean 45-min and 2-h PPG levels were reduced significantly after 4 weeks of voglibose (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Two-hour postprandial serum insulin concentrations were also significantly reduced at the end of the treatment period (P < 0.05). The changes in the PPG levels between pre- and posttreatment periods correlated significantly with the % AUC of the plasma acetaminophen concentrations before the treatment period (r = 0.499, P = 0.0490; r = 0.713, P = 0.0019, respectively). There was no significant difference in the plasma acetaminophen concentrations between pre- and posttreatment periods. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of gastric emptying affects the efficacy of voglibose therapy in NIDDM patients. Voglibose did not however alter the rate of gastric emptying.

Acetaminophen↗

Gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with diabetes. Role of glucose control and autonomic nerve function.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric myoelectrical activity was studied in diabetic patients using electrogastrography (EGG) to elucidate the relationship between glucose control, diabetic autonomic neuropathy (AN), and gastrointestinal motility. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cutaneous EGG was recorded during 1 h of fasting and 1 h after the ingestion of a standard meal in 57 diabetic patients and 10 healthy subjects. EGG was measured in 12 diabetic patients after glycemic control for 4 weeks. Diabetic patients were also studied with respect to the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and AN. RESULTS: The percentage of dominant electrical frequency (DF) in normal range (the percentage ratio between the power at 2.4-3.6 cycles/min [cpm] and at 1-10 cpm) was significantly lower in patients with AN than in either the control subjects or the patients without AN (P < 0.01). The dominant frequency instability coefficient (DFIC) was significantly higher in patients with and without AN than in the control subjects (P < 0.01). The postprandial-to-fasting power ratio (PR) was the lowest in patients with AN (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that HbA1c levels were independently associated with the DFIC (R2 = 0.099, P = 0.0170) and that AN and HbA1c levels were independently associated with the PR (R2 = 0.378, P < 0.0001) in diabetic patients. The percentage of normal DF increased and the DFIC decreased significantly after glycemic control in 12 diabetic patients (P = 0.0409; P = 0.0096, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be an association between improvement in gastric myoelectrical activity and autonomic nerve function. Abnormalities of gastric myoelectrical activity may be partly ameliorated via the improvement of autonomic nerve function, which accompanies glycemic control.

Adult↗

A case of membranous glomerulonephritis associated with gastric cancer.

We describe a patient with gastric cancer and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN). The patient, a 61-year-old male, was admitted to our Hospital in May, 1996, because of proteinuria and hyperlipidemia persisting for a year. Laboratory examination filled the criteria of nephrotic syndrome and renal biopsy revealed MGN of stage II. Prednisolone therapy (40 mg/day p.o.) was started, followed by a gradual decrease in proteinuria from 4.5 g/day to 0.1 g/day. Endoscopic examination was performed because of stomach-ache revealed advanced gastric cancer of Borrmann 4. Desiring for a conservative therapy, he was discharged and moved to a hospice. In literature review, MGN is the most frequent lesion among various glomerular diseases associated with malignancy, such as the lung, stomach, and colon, particularly at an elderly ages, and sometimes antedates the detection of malignancy, as in the present case. In several cases with MGN, immune-complexes composed of tumor antigens, such as carcino-embryonic antigen, and antibodies have been reported to deposit in basement membrane of glomeruli, causing MGN. In the renal and gastric cancer tissues of the present case, the presence of three novel tumor-associated antigens, Span-1, Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T antigen) and F1 alpha antigen, was examined, using a immuno-peroxidase method. Although none of these three antigens were immuno-stained in the renal tissue, clinical course and literature review suggest that MGN in this patient seems to be associated with gastric cancer, which may have produced MGN-causing tumor antigens other than the three antigens. It should be emphasized that malignancy should be carefully and routinely examined in patients with MGN, particularly at elderly ages.

Glomerulonephritis, Membranous↗

Idiopathic portal hypertension associated with high serum titer of autoantibodies and liver dysfunction.

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is a condition marked by unexplained portal hypertension. Although a number of immunological abnormalities occur in patients with IPH, liver function is usually normal. We experienced an unusual case of IPH in a 49-year-old woman, who had pronounced splenomegaly. Laboratory data revealed pancytopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and liver dysfunction. Antinuclear antibodies were positive, with high titer at 1280 dilutions of sera. LE cell phenomena were also positive. Histological examination of biopsied liver showed only mild changes, but portal venous pressure was markedly elevated, at 38 cm H2O. This case was thus characterized by both a high serum titer of autoantibodies and liver dysfunction.

Autoantibodies↗

Serum type III, IV collagens and TIMP in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

We investigated serum levels of type III procollagen aminopeptide (CIII), 7S type IV collagen (CIV), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) in 33 patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) without uremia (serum creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dl). The patients were divided into three groups based on measurement of the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) index obtained during two morning outpatient clinic visits: non-proteinuric patients (n = 11), UAE index less than 2.26 mg/mmol Cr; patients with microalbuminuria (n = 15), UAE index of 2.26 - 22.6 mg/mmol Cr; and patients with proteinuria (n = 7), UAE index more than 22.6 mg/mmol Cr. Serum levels of CIV and TIMP in patients with microalbuminuria and proteinuria were significantly higher than non-proteinuric patients (ANOVA, p <0.05). Serum levels of CIII in patients with proteinuria were significantly higher than those in non-proteinuric patients (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between CIV and TIMP (r = 0.502, p < 0.003), but no correlation was observed between CIII and TIMP. These results demonstrated that serum CIII and CIV increases as diabetic nephropathy progresses in terms of increasing proteinuria in type II DM patients, suggesting feasibility and usefulness of measuring serum CIV and CIII in assessing diabetic nephropathy. The increase in TIMP may be, at least in part, a possible cause for the increase in serum CIV in type II DM patients.

Adult↗