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Biomedical subjects

H Fukumasu

Publications and source records attributed to H Fukumasu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Protective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) against DEN-induced DNA damage on mouse liver.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) is a plant originally from Brazil, which is rich in tannins. Some tannins are known to present protective effects against DNA damage. This study was performed to investigate the anti-genotoxic/cytotoxic properties of guarana in hepatocytes of mice injected with N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN). The protective effect of guarana was evaluated both by comet assay and DNA smear fragmentation technique in two month-old female BALB/c mice. These were treated previously with 2.0 mg/g bw of guarana for 16 days and then injected with DEN (160 microg/g body weight) to induce DNA damage. The DEN-only treated group presented higher comet image length than the guarana plus DEN and untreated groups (116.06+/-5.0 microm, 104.09+/-3.3 microm and 93.28+/-14.4 microm, respectively; p<0.01). Guarana treatment presented a 52.54% reduction in comet image length when animals were exposed to DEN (p<0.05). DNA samples from the guarana plus DEN group clearly showed less EtBr fluorescence intensity when compared to the DEN-only group, reinforcing the comet assay data. These results show, for the first time, that guarana has a protective effect against DEN-induced DNA damage in mouse liver.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed2001

Activation of human neutrophil by cytokine-activated endothelial cells.

Cytokine activation of vascular endothelial cells renders the hyperadhesiveness for neutrophils. During the processes of inflammation and atherosclerosis, the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils contributes to endothelial cell (EC) damage and injury. However, the precise mechanisms for neutrophil activation by ECs remain unknown. Thus, we investigated what kinds of pathophysiological factors synthesized by inflammatory cytokine-activated ECs potentiated the activity of neutrophil functions. The magnitude of O(2)(-) release from neutrophils, which is one of pivotal neutrophil functions, was measured as an indicator potentiated by activated ECs. Neutrophils release massive amounts of O(2)(-) on coculture with activated ECs. Anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibody (Ab) or specific platelet-activating factor (PAF)-receptor antagonist suppressed the O(2)(-) release from neutrophils on coculture with the activated ECs by 50% to 70%. The supernatants from activated ECs also induced O(2)(-) release by neutrophils. This stimulatory effect of activated EC supernatants on O(2)(-) release by neutrophils was abolished by anti-GM-CSF Ab or by PAF-receptor antagonist. As we previously reported, we demonstrated the expression of GM-CSF mRNA by Northern blotting and protein synthesis of GM-CSF by ELISA on tumor necrosis factor as well as interleukin-1-activated ECs. Although phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases was observed in ECs stimulated by tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, treatment of ECs with PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor) in the presence of the cytokine failed to attenuate the stimulatory effect of activated ECs on neutrophil activation. We found that activated ECs regulated neutrophil function on coculture. We show here for the first time, to our knowledge, that the collaboration between GM-CSF and PAF synthesized by activated ECs markedly potentiated neutrophil activation.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1999

Stimulation of fetal granulopoiesis by intrauterine injection of recombinant human granulocyte colony- stimulating factor into rat fetuses.

The small neutrophil reserve and exaggerated release of stored neutrophils are factors which predispose neonates to neutrophil reserve exhaustion during bacterial sepsis. Our objective is to try to improve in utero the myelopoietic function of the fetus before delivery. In the first series, recombinant human (rh) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (rhG-CSF; 100 microg/kg) was injected subcutaneously into rat fetuses at the indicated times to assess drug absorption and fetal response. In the second series, rhG-CSF (100 microg/kg) or saline (control) was injected into the fetuses once every other day to investigate the effect of repeated injections of rhG-CSF on enhancing fetal myelopoiesis preceding birth. Delivery was performed by cesarean section on embryonic day 21. The plasma concentration of G-CSF was determined by ELISA. The effect of rhG-CSF injection on granulopoiesis was assessed by measurement of the neutrophil count in the fetal peripheral blood and by histological examination of the fetal bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Fetally administered rhG-CSF enhanced fetal myelopoiesis preceding birth.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Elevation in plasma alkaline phosphatase level during rhG-CSF administration. Granulocytopenic patients with gynecologic cancers treated with cancer chemotherapy.

Neutropenic patients suffering from gynecologic cancers treated with cancer chemotherapy were evaluated to investigate changes in levels of plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) during recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) administration, and to discern its causes. Plasma ALP, ALP isozymes, neutrophil alkaline phosphatase (NAP) activity, and morphological maturation of neutrophils were measured prior to, during, and after rhG-CSF administration. Plasma ALP values were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) during administration of rhG-CSF. ALP-3, the dominant alkaline phosphatase fraction of NAP, was the dominant isozyme that showed an increase in the plasma. Moreover, the elevation of plasma ALP-3 significantly correlated with the elevation of NAP activity (r = 0.939, p < 0.0001), and neutrophils in which NAP activity was induced were not limited to morphologically mature neutrophils. These results showed that rhG-CSF acts to stimulate neutrophils at all stages of maturation and causes an elevation of plasma ALP(ALP-3) concentrations in plasma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Plasma granulocyte colony stimulating factor concentrations in pregnant women.

We measured the plasma granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations in pregnant women to evaluate the association between G-CSF and increased neutrophil counts that has been observed during pregnancy. We examined 96 pregnant and 10 nonpregnant women. The G-CSF concentrations were assayed using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The G-CSF concentrations in pregnant women were significantly higher at all times than those of nonpregnant women. The G-CSF concentrations were also significantly higher during than before labor. The plasma G-CSF concentrations were positively correlated with the neutrophil counts during the 3rd trimester only. In conclusion, increased G-CSF concentrations may be related to the increases in neutrophil counts in pregnant women, especially during the 3rd trimester.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Significance of fetography in prenatal diagnosis of limb-body wall complex (LBWC).

The diagnosis of limb body wall complex (LBWC) by ultrasonography does not usually present a problem. The major difficulty we found was severe oligohydramnios or a very complex relationship between the herniated viscera and the deformities. We performed fetography in a pregnant woman with fetal anterior abdominal wall defect at the 28th gestational week to show a peculiar structure of intrauterine membranes of LBWC, and we could obtain a successful prenatal diagnosis of LBWC.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1990

Effects of far-infrared radiation on lactation.

Massage and warm compresses to the breast have been commonly used for stimulating and/or increasing blood flow to the breasts, and for enhancing lactation consequently. However, more effective and easier remedies seem to be necessary. The vasodilating and warming effects of ceramics far-infrared radiation were studied. Based on the results obtained, the effect of a ceramic disc on lactation, attached to the breast skin, was evaluated in 27 puerperal women who had had poor lactation previously and in 36 with currently poor lactation monthly until weaning. Approximately 3/4 of these puerperal women enhanced lactation significantly one month after attachment and 1/2 of the women were able to breast-feed until weaning. Thus, we found that ceramics far-infrared radiation may be an effective remedy for enhancing lactation.

Ceramics↗
PubMed1990

Significance of exercise and bed rest in pregnancy--study on the lying postures of gravidas during sleep (2).

For the purpose of determining the most reasonable lying posture for pregnant women, we investigated the lying positions of both 247 non-pregnant women and 302 pregnant women during sleep. As for the rate of each position during the entire period of observation, 33.2% of the non-pregnant women were in the supine position, 41.2% in the lateral position, 18.4% in Sims' position and 7.1% in the prone position. In the pregnant group, the rate of supine position, simple lateral position and Sims' position was 34.2%, 52.2% and 12.7%, respectively, but the rate of the prone position was limited to 0.8%. All of the gravidas assuming the prone position were at less than 16 weeks of gestation. Non-pregnant women could sleep in a variety of positions, but pregnant women could assume the prone position during sleep only in the stage when the abdomen is not yet prominent or distended. Pregnant women were restricted significantly, either consciously or unconsciously, with progress in gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Problems in patients with use of a ventricular assist device].

The purpose of the present study was to review the results obtained in patients with a ventricular assist devices (VAD) in our hospital, and to discuss various problems concerning a VAD use, such as indications, right ventricular failure, and evaluation of cardiac function. Fourteen VADs were applied to 11 patients for left ventricular assist, including two for right ventricular assist and for one as biventricular assist with a VAD in the left and a biopump in the right. The clinical diagnoses of the patients were as follows: 10 ischemic heart disease, two valvular disease, one acute aortic dissection, and one corrected transposition of the great arteries. VADs were indicated in 11 patients because of difficulty in weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and in three patients because of cardiogenic shock after discontinuing CPB. Among the 14 patients, 11 had an effective VAD, six were successfully weaned from a VAD, and two survived. The VAD was ineffective due to uncontrollable bleeding and improper indications for the device, as in applying a one-sided heart assist when a biventricular assist was necessary. In spite of an effective VAD, five patients could not be weaned from VAD because of brain damage, sepsis, and hypoxia. After removing a VAD, four patients died; one due to mediastinitis, two due to respiratory failure, and one due to low output syndrome. All the four patients had renal failure followed by multi-organ failure finally, because of prolonged CPB time. The CPB time was shorter among the long survivors than in others. Cardiac function during assist and the weaning probability from a VAD were evaluated not only by the so-called on-off test, but also by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography. Ventricular wall motion and pulmonary venous flow pattern were analyzed by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography. The pattern of monophasic forward flow in the pulmonary vein was associated with reduced wall motion during deteriorated cardiac function, while the flow pattern became biphasic as cardiac function recovered. From these results, we concluded as follows: 1. Early decisions as to whether VAD is indicated are important. 2. A right VAD should be considered in cases with biventricular failure, during left ventricular assist, if right atrial pressures elevated more than 18 mmHg constantly. 3. The evaluation of cardiac function by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography is useful for making decisions as to wean patients from a VAD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Clinical application of left ventricular assist devices.

In Japan, 32 patients have had application of monoventricular and biventricular assist devices during the past three years. Five of the 32 patients treated by the Fall of 1986 have successfully achieved long-term survival. In this paper we describe our experience with the Tomasu and Pierce VAD in a total of four and two patients, respectively. Four of the six patients could be successfully weaned from the VAD and two of them were long-term survivors. Nonsynchronizing pumping of the VADs was effective, as well as synchronizing pumping. Anticoagulant therapy is highly recommended during the use of the VAD although there was no significant incidence of thromboembolism or thrombus in the devices in this clinical series.

Adult↗