PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Usami

Publications and source records attributed to E Usami.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Comparative effects of vitamin K2 and estradiol on experimental arteriosclerosis with diabetes mellitus.

In order to further investigate the radical scavenging and anti-arteriosclerotic activities of vitamin K2 and estradiol, the comparative effects of vitamin K2 and estradiol on aortic calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphorus (P) levels in the aorta and the elastin fraction (fr.) were investigated in male rats after experimental arteriosclerosis with diabetes mellitus was induced by vitamin D2 and radical producing substance, streptozotocin (STZ). Pharmacological dose of vitamin K2 (100 mg/kg b.w.) and medical dose of estradiol (83 micrograms/kg b.w.) suppressed the increased serum glucose, and vitamin K2 and estradiol increased the decrease in serum insulin. Moreover, vitamin K2 and estradiol inhibited the increase of Ca and P in the aorta and the elastin fr. Vitamin K2 and estradiol decreased the increase in serum lipid peroxide (LPO). It is suggested that both the pharmacological dose of vitamin K2 and medical dose of estradiol suppressed the development of arteriosclerosis associated with diabetes mellitus, owing to radical scavenging activity of vitamin K2 and estradiol.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Comparative effects of vitamin K2 and vitamin E on experimental arteriosclerosis.

The comparative effects of vitamin K2 and vitamin E on aortic calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphorus (P) levels in the aorta and the elastin fraction (fr.) were investigated in male rats after experimental arteriosclerosis was induced by vitamin D2 with atherogenic diet. Both vitamin K2 (100 mg/kg b.w.) and vitamin E (40 mg/kg b.w.) inhibited the increase of Ca and P in the aorta and the elastin fr. from the arteriosclerotic rats. Vitamin K2 (50 mg/kg b.w.) also suppressed the deposition of Ca and P in the aorta, but there was no change due to vitamin K3 or geranylgeraniol (side chain of vitamin K2) administration. Both vitamin K2 and vitamin E showed lipid radical scavenging activity in the in vitro experiment. However, neither vitamin K3 nor geranylgeraniol exhibited anti-arteriosclerotic or radical scavenging activity under the above experimental conditions. It is suggested that vitamin K2 and vitamin E promoted an antiarteriosclerotic effect by radical scavenging activity. These actions of vitamin K2 are required in the structure of 2-methylnaphtoquinone and its side chain (geranylgeraniol).

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Characteristic change of urinary elastin peptides and desmosine in the aortic aneurysm.

To estimate elastin metabolism in aneurysm, urinary levels of desmosine and elastin peptide in patients (n=23, range 54 to 85 years old) with aneurysm were measured by ELISA and compared between two control groups divided by age (<10 years old and >20 years old). The amounts of urinary desmosine and elastin peptide in the aneurysm group were significantly increased compared with those in the older control group (>20 years old). There was a correlation between urinary desmosine and elastin peptide in the young group. On the other hand, no such correlation was observed in the aneurysm group and the older control group. The distribution of the ratio (desmosine/elastin peptide) in the aneurysm group was different from that of the young control group. We conclude that assay of elastin peptide and desmosine in urine are useful in characterizing elastin degradation in a patient with aneurysm.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Modulation of Th1- and Th2-like cytokine production from mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

1. Effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on the production of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were investigated. In addition, we investigated the effects of dibutyrylcyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and a beta-adrenoceptor agonist on production of these cytokines. 2. Type IV, type III and nonselective PDE inhibitors were effective at inhibiting the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 production in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-5 production was inhibited by only the highest concentration of type IV inhibitor, and other agents had no effect on the production. 3. Similarly, dbcAMP inhibited the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 more potently than IL-4 and IL-5. 4. The addition of a beta-adrenoceptor agonist increased the inhibitory effect of PDE inhibitors tested on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2. 5. These results indicate that PDE inhibitors or cAMP-elevating agents modulate Th1 cytokine more effectively than Th2 cytokine production.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1997

Effects of cAMP-phosphodiesterase isozyme inhibitor on cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

1. The effects of cAMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozyme inhibitors on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukins 1 beta 8 (IL-1 beta and IL-8) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated. In addition, we investigated the effects of dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist on the production of these cytokines. 2. Type IV PDE inhibitors were more effective at inhibiting the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta by LPS-stimulated PBMC than a nonselective, type III or type III/IV inhibitor. In contrast, these agents had no effect on IL-8 production. 3. Increasing concentrations of dbcAMP progressively reduced the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta but not IL-8. 4. The addition of beta-agonist increased the inhibitory effect of PDE inhibitors tested on the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. 5. Type IV PDE inhibitors could be potent pharmacological agents for the treatment of diseases in which TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta are important etiological factors.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1997

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1-beta production by beta-adrenoceptor agonists from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists) on the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were investigated. The beta-agonists, procaterol, clenbuterol, fenoterol and terbutaline, inhibited TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta production in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas they had no effect on IL-8 production. TNF-alpha production was inhibited more potently than IL-1 beta. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) also inhibited the production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta, but not IL-8. TNF-alpha production was almost completely inhibited by dbcAMP, whereas IL-1 beta production appeared to be partially refractory even at the highest concentration examined. Both procaterol and theophylline elevated cAMP levels in LPS-stimulated PBMCs, but the effect of procaterol was limited. The inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta production by procaterol was additively potentiated with theophylline. dl-Propranolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, abrogated the inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta production by procaterol. These results indicate that beta-agonists inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta, by elevating intracellular cAMP levels. These properties of beta-agonists might be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammation.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Effect of theophylline on the production of interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-8 by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Theophylline is a mild bronchodilator and has significant extrapulmonary effects, but it may also have some anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the immunological effects of theophylline on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), by examining the production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) when PBMC were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or recombinant human IL-1 beta (rhIL-1 beta). At concentrations > or = 50 micrograms/ml, theophylline suppressed the proliferative activity of PBMC stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (p < 0.05). IL-1 beta production showed 23% suppression by 10 micrograms/ml theophylline (p < 0.05), while the suppression was 26% at 25 micrograms/ml (p < 0.05), 30% at 50 micrograms/ml (p < 0.05), and 33% at 100 micrograms/ml (p < 0.05). TNF-alpha production was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by theophylline, being decreased by 24% at 10 micrograms/ml (p < 0.05), by 29% at 25 micrograms/ml (p < 0.05), by 41% at 50 micrograms/ml (p < 0.01), and by 54% at 100 micrograms/ml (p < 0.01). IL-8 production, in contrast, was not affected by theophylline. rhIL-1 beta induced IL-8 production in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 1-100 units/ml, and theophylline (particularly at concentrations of 50 and 100 micrograms/ml), increased IL-8 production in the presence of rhIL-1 beta. Suppression of the production of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha by therapeutic levels of theophylline suggested that this drug might have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1981

Body temperature, oviposition, and food intake in the hen during continuous light.

Deep-body temperature of the laying hen was measured with an implantable radio transmitter. Food and water intake and oviposition time were recorded, remotely, based on electric signals from microswitches attached to the individual cages. Body temperature and feeding activity of the laying hen under continuous light displayed a circadian rhythm. The length of the body-temperature cycle was 25.2 h, and the feeding cycle was 25.3 h. These values appear to be associated with the animal's laying cycle which was 25.3 h. The laying cycle of the hen can play an important role in the maintenance of circadian rhythms of body temperature and feeding activity. Both the marked temperature rise found at the time of oviposition and the prelaying (or nesting) behavior may be controlled by a preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone.

Animals↗