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Biomedical subjects

H Ochi

Publications and source records attributed to H Ochi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sulfonylureas stimulate renin secretion from the perfused kidney of the rat.

To elucidate whether sulfonylureas directly influence renin secretion, the effect of tolbutamide, glibenclamide, or chlorpropamide on renin secretion was investigated by using the perfused kidney of the rat. The isolated kidneys of male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were perfused with a medium containing 2 microM tolbutamide, 2 microM glibenclamide, and 2 microM chlorpropamide, respectively. Renin activity significantly increased from a basal value of 11.7 +/- 3.6 to a peak value of 20.6 +/- 5.5 ng/Ang I/ml/h with tolbutamide, from 14.4 +/- 4.6 to 32.7 +/- 6.5 ng/Ang I/ml/h with glibenclamide, and from 15.0 +/- 4.9 to 30.4 +/- 6.1 ng/Ang I/ml/h with chlorpropamide. The cAMP concentration in the effluent was not changed by the addition of the sulfonylureas. In kidneys perfused with a calcium-free medium, glibenclamide produced a significant increase in renin activity from a basal value of 13.4 +/- 2.1 to a peak value of 30.6 +/- 3.4 ng Ang I/ml/h. These results suggest that sulfonylureas stimulate renin secretion from perfused rat kidneys.

Animals

Lysophosphatidylcholine enhances cytokine-induced interferon gamma expression in human T lymphocytes.

Accumulation of substantial numbers of activated T lymphocytes, as well as monocyte/macrophages, in focal areas of arterial intima appears to be a hallmark of atherogenesis. Our previous report demonstrated that lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a polar phospholipid component that is increased in atherogenic lipoproteins and atherosclerotic lesions, can upregulate the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor in cultured human peripheral T lymphocytes. In this study, we show that lyso-PC can also enhance interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion and gene expression in human T lymphocytes. Lyso-PC-induced upregulation of IFN-gamma depended on the presence of IL-2, IL-12, or phytohemagglutinin in culture media and was similarly observed in both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. Actinomycin D chase by Northern blotting showed that lyso-PC significantly prolonged IFN-gamma mRNA half-lives in human T cells. Transient transfection of IFN-gamma promoter-reporter gene construct in the human T-cell line Jurkat cells demonstrated that lyso-PC stimulated the transcription of IFN-gamma promoter-driven luciferase gene. Analyses of serial deletion mutations of IFN-gamma promoter revealed that the lyso-PC-responsive element is located between base pairs - 102 and -78 of the transcription initiation site of the IFN-gamma gene. Enhanced expression of IFN-gamma in T lymphocytes by lyso-PC may play a crucial role in atherogenesis.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes

Tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 induced by lysophosphatidylcholine in cultured endothelial cells.

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a biologically active phospholipid, appears to modulate various endothelial cell functions through tyrosine kinase-dependent signaling pathways. In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), we have found that a 130 kDa protein (p130) was rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated within 2 min and sustained for, at least, 1 hr in response to 10 mumol/L of lyso-PC but not to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Prolonged preexposure to PMA did not affect lyso-PC-induced p130 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that mechanisms independent of protein kinase C may be involved. Fractionation of the cell lysates revealed that p130 was detectable in the membrane fraction but not in the cytosolic fraction. Immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting of lyso-PC-treated BAEC identified p130 as bovine PECAM-1. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 appears to be one of the earliest events elicited by lyso-PC, and may play a role in lyso-PC-induced modulation of endothelial functions.

Animals

Relatively high F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in paranasal sinus aspergillosis: a PET study.

We report a case of maxillary sinus (MS) aspergillosis studied by positron emission tomography (PET) with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and by 67Ga-citrate (Ga) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The FDG uptake existed in the lesion and along the inflammatory edematous mucous membrane of the MS. Ga uptake occurred not only in the lesion and in the mucous membrane but also in the MS. Relative quantification, the standardized uptake value (SUV) of the lesion showed relatively high FDG uptake (3.7). But in other reports, many malignant head and neck tumors had a SUV below 3.7. It was thought to be difficult to differentiate between aspergillosis and malignant head and neck tumors by FDG-PET.

Aged

A case of oophoritis detected by gallium-67-citrate scintigraphy.

A 39-year-old woman with fever of unknown origin was admitted to our hospital. Whole body scintigrams with 67Ga-citrate showed an abnormal accumulation of radioactivity in the pelvic cavity. Cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary was suspected on the basis of findings obtained by abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Left oophorectomy was performed, and oophoritis was diagnosed. We would like to propose that 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy may be useful for the diagnosis of oophoritis as well as gynecologic malignant tumors.

Adult

Longitudinal changes of bone mineral content with age in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

Bone disorders are associated with cirrhosis. Knowledge of the natural course of bone changes in cirrhosis could help in decision-making about medical treatment. We carried out one measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in 184 Japanese patients (98 men and 86 women) with cirrhosis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Differences in BMD values means +/- SD between the 98 cirrhotic men and 283 healthy men of the same age reported in another study were not significant. In the 86 cirrhotic women, BMD tended to show a greater decrease with age than in healthy controls reported elsewhere. Differences in BMD values (means +/- SD) between 622 healthy women reported elsewhere and our patients were not significant for women up to age 60 years, but at 60 years or more, the mean BMD in cirrhotic women (0.692 +/- 0.100) was lower than that in healthy women (0.749 +/- 0.101; P < 0.01). In 61 of the 184 patients (31 men and 30 women), the bone mineral content (BMC) of lumbar vertebrae was measured at least twice, at intervals of 10-72 months. In this longitudinal part of the study, the group mean of estimated annual change for cirrhotic men was -0.4%, close to that of healthy men (-0.2%). This mean in cirrhotic women was -2.8%, significantly different from that of healthy women (-1.1%; P < 0.05). As expected, cirrhotic women were the most likely to lose BMC, and many needed prompt treatment.

Absorptiometry, Photon

Natural course of portal hemodynamics in patients with chronic liver diseases, evaluated by per-rectal portal scintigraphy with Tc-99m pertechnetate.

Portal circulation can be evaluated in a relatively noninvasive way by per-rectal portal scintigraphy. We used this method to evaluate portal hemodynamics in patients with chronic liver diseases and underlying hepatic viral infection; the patients did not need surgery or sclerotherapy, or refused it, so changes in the natural course were identified. A solution of Tc-99m pertechnetate was instilled into the rectum, and serial scintigrams were taken while radioactivity curves for the liver and heart were produced. The per-rectal portal shunt index was calculated from the curves. In a longitudinal study, 70 patients (9 with mild chronic hepatitis, 10 with moderate chronic hepatitis, 7 with severe chronic hepatitis, 22 with cirrhosis but without varices, and 22 with both cirrhosis and varices) were examined at least twice at intervals of 12-102 months (mean, 39 months). The shunt index was higher for more severe disorders, increasing in the order of mild chronic hepatitis, moderate chronic hepatitis, severe chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis without varices, and cirrhosis with varices. The mean annual changes in the mean shunt index were 1.0% in mild chronic hepatitis, 4.4% in moderate chronic hepatitis, 6.1% in severe chronic hepatitis, 10.7% in cirrhosis without varices, and 6.2% in cirrhosis and varices. Cirrhotic patients were arbitrarily divided into two groups of roughly equal size on the basis of the shunt index at the first examination. In those with a shunt index of 30% or more, the mean annual change was 4.7%. The patients with a shunt index of less than 30% had a mean annual change of 11.8%. Changes in the portal hemodynamics were not steady. The shunt index rose gradually as disease advanced from mild to moderate and to severe chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, after which the index rose rapidly when varices developed, slowing later.

Cross-Sectional Studies

Glucose stimulates renin secretion via adrenergic mechanisms in the rat.

To elucidate whether and why glucose directly influences renin secretion, the effect of glucose on renin secretion was investigated in the rat. In an in vivo study, renin activity significantly (p<0.01) increased from the basal value of 7.6 +/- 1.4 to 14.2 +/- 3.2 ng Ang I/ml/hr (mean +/- SD) after intravenous glucose (1.0 g/kg, in 50% glucose solution ) injection. Propranolol (10.5 mg/kg) pretreatment partly abolished the increase in renin activity induced by glucose injection. In an in vitro study, the isolated kidneys of male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were perfused with a basal perfusing medium containing 5.5 mM glucose for 20 min, and then perfused with the medium containing 16.5 mM glucose, 27.5 mM glucose, 5.5 mM glucose + 22 mM mannitol, 27.5 mM glucose + 1 microM phentolamine, or 27.5 mM glucose + 1 microM propranolol for 10 min, respectively. Renin activity was significantly increased from a basal value of 8.1 +/- 4.5 to peak value of 17.9 +/- 3.0 ng Ang I/ml/hr (p<0.01) by 16.5 mM glucose, to 59.0 +/- 10.5 ng Ang I/ml/hr (p<0.005) by 27.5 mM glucose, and to 24.7 +/- 5.8 ng Ang I/ml/hr (p<0.01) by 5.5 mM glucose + 22 mM mannitol. The increase in renin activity in the kidney perfused with 27.5 mM glucose was significantly (p<0.005) higher than that with 16.5 mM glucose or that with 5.5 mM glucose + 22 mM mannitol. The 27.5 mM glucose-stimulated increase in renin activity was not changed by the addition of 1 microM phentolamine, while it was completely abolished by the addition of 1 microM propranolol. These results suggest that glucose has a direct stimulating effect on renin secretion probably through beta-adrenergic mechanisms in the rat.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Hypereosinophilic syndrome in a trisomy 21 fetus.

BACKGROUND: Hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia and multiple organ system involvement. Only one case in a newborn has been reported. CASE: Fetal sonography performed on a 33-year-old woman at 35 weeks' gestation showed pericardial effusion and cardiomegaly. The infant was delivered by cesarean at 35 weeks' gestation because of a worsening of the pericardial effusion. Hematologic studies revealed unexplained hypereosinophilia, and the pericardial fluid contained a large number of eosinophils. Chromosomal analysis revealed trisomy 21. The hypereosinophilia, pericardial effusion, and cardiomegaly all resolved after 8 weeks of steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: Hypereosinophilic syndrome caused pericardial effusion and cardiomegaly in a fetus with trisomy 21.

Adult

New sonographic findings in a fetus with an interstitial deletion in the long arm of chromosome 14.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial deletions of 14q in which band 14q31 is deleted are uncommon. Malformations such as atrial septal defect, horseshoe kidney, and cryptochidism have been reported. CASE: We evaluated sonographically the fetus of a 22-year-old woman between 16 and 20 weeks' gestation. This imaging showed marked dilation of the bladder with mild bilateral hydronephrosis and bilateral dilation of the lateral ventricles. In an amniotic fluid specimen obtained at 17 weeks, chromosomal analysis showed an interstitial deletion of chromosome 14 including band 14q31, designated 46,XY,del(14)(q24.3q32.1). CONCLUSION: This first-reported fetal case of interstitial deletion in chromosome 14 including band 14q31 showed anomalies not seen in the reported postnatal cases.

Adult

Analgesic effect of mofezolac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, against phenylquinone-induced acute pain in mice.

The oral administration of mofezolac, [3,4-di(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-isoxazolyl]acetic acid, resulted in the suppression of writhing induced by the intraperitoneal injection of phenyl-p-benzoquinone (phenylquinone, PQ) in mice. The analgesic activity of mofezolac was almost as potent as that of indomethacin, and more potent than that of sodium diclofenac, zaltoprofen, NS-398, and etodolac when their 50% effective doses were compared. The in vitro inhibitory activity of mofezolac against ovine cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 was also more potent than that of any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) tested, whereas the activity of mofezolac against COX-2 was relatively weak. A Western analysis revealed COX-1 to be constitutively expressed, whereas COX-2 was hardly expressed until 30 min after the PQ-injection in the peritoneal cells. Because the writhing terminated within 30 min after PQ-injection, the prostaglandins involved in the induction of writhing seem to be derived from COX-1. These data thus indicate that potent analgesic activity of mofezolac against the present model to be more closely related to its potent inhibitory activity against COX-1 but not against COX-2.

Analgesics

8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in urine as an index of oxidative damage to DNA in the evaluation of atopic dermatitis.

8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is one of the products which are excreted in urine as a result of oxidative damage to DNA. We investigated the feasibility of using 8-OHdG in urine as an index for oxidative damage to DNA in atopic dermatitis (AD). Seventeen patients with long-standing AD and 17 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The severity of AD was evaluated by SCORAD index. Eosinophils, total IgE and lactate dehydrogenase-5 in peripheral blood were measured as clinical parameters for AD. A newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure urine 8-OHdG. The AD patients showed significantly higher levels (P < 0.0001) of 8-OHdG in their urine than corresponding controls. Urine 8-OHdG levels showed as strong a positive correlation as other haematological parameters did using the SCORAD index. Thus, we conclude that the urine 8-OHdG levels can also serve as a biochemical index of tissue damage and can act as a useful tool in the clinical evaluation of AD.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging of parotid mass lesions.

Using X-ray CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) studies were performed in 28 patients with parotid lesions. All lesions except two showed higher accumulation of FDG than normal parotid gland. High accumulation was found in all of 5 carcinomas, all of 6 Warthin's tumors, and 8 of 12 pleomorphic adenomas, with standardized uptake values (SUVs) over 3.0. The mean SUVs of carcinomas, Warthin's tumors, and pleomorphic adenomas were 5.92 +/- 2.05, 7.03 +/- 2.49, and 4.07 +/- 1.55, respectively. On the other hand, all 5 inflammatory lesions demonstrated low accumulation, with mean SUVs of 1.66 +/- 0.89. It is thus difficult to differentiate malignant from benign parotid lesions by SUV on FDG-PET.

Adult

Usefulness of scintigraphy with Tc-99m phytate for the diagnosis of alcoholic foamy degeneration.

PURPOSE: Alcoholic foamy degeneration (AFD) is a liver disease causing temporary hepatocyte dysfunction. The prognosis is usually good, but liver biopsy is needed for diagnosis. We report the usefulness of liver-spleen scintigraphy with the radiocolloid Tc-99m phytate for the diagnosis of AFD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used liver scintigraphy with Tc-99m phytate to study three patients with AFD diagnosed on the basis of findings from a liver biopsy. RESULTS: Liver-spleen scintigraphy showed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, and bone marrow was visible, but radioisotope uptake by the liver was uniform. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of scintigraphic findings is different from that reported for patients with alcoholic fatty livers or severe alcoholic hepatitis, and seems to be specific for AFD.

Adult

A case of cap polyposis investigated by scintigraphy with human serum albumin labeled with Tc-99m DTPA.

Cap polyposis is a rare intestinal disease that can be difficult to differentiate from inflammatory bowel disease. When cap polyposis is suspected, it is important to confirm protein loss. A 54-year-old woman who had been treated for ulcerative colitis for 7 years had severe hypoproteinemia. Scintigraphy with Tc-99m-labeled DTPA complexed with human serum albumin showed protein loss from the descending colon. Left hemicolectomy and sigmoid colectomy were performed. Cap polyposis was diagnosed on the basis of histologic findings from an operative specimen. The patient's diarrhea resolved after surgery and her hypoproteinemia improved. Scintigraphy with this label gave information helpful in the diagnosis of cap polyposis.

Colitis, Ulcerative