Biomedical subjects

H Tojo

Publications and source records attributed to H Tojo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Expression and localization of matrix metalloproteinases (MT1-MMP, MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) during synepitheliochorial placentation of goats (Capra hircus).

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play key roles during the placentation of highly invasive haemochorial type. Our knowledge is yet scanty, however, regarding the roles played by MMPs and TIMPs in the placentation of non-invasive synepitheliochorial type. In the present study, expression patterns of MT1-MMP, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNAs as well as the encoded proteins in the endometrium and the placenta were examined on Days 35, 75, and 100 of pregnancy, representing roughly the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of caprine gestation, by means of quantitative RT-PCR analysis, in situ hybridization, immunoblotting, gelatin zymography and immunohistochemistry. In the endometrium and the intercotyledonal trophoblast, the expression levels of the 3 genes remained relatively uniform throughout the period of gestation examined. Curiously, however, in the placentomes, the relative expression levels of MT1-MMP mRNA increased linearly from Day 35 to Day 100, while those of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were clearly down-regulated in Day 100 placentae. The expression levels of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 proteins in placentomes were well correlated with those of the respective mRNAs. In the case of MMP-2, the total amount of MMP-2 protein (the combined values of the latent, the intermediate and the active forms) decreased slightly, while the levels of the active form increased markedly from Day 35 to Day 100. Immunohistochemical analysis of the placentome revealed that MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 proteins were co-localized in the binucleate trophoblast cells; expression of these 2 proteins was not detected in the uninuclear principal trophoblast cells. MMP-2 expression was detected both in the binucleate and in the uninuclear principal cells of the trophoblast and in the endometrial stromal cells of the uterine septum, regardless of the stages of gestation examined. The co-localization of MT1-MMP, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in binucleate trophoblast cells, the cotyledonal trophoblast cells and the subsyncytial stromal cells is likely to reflect the functional coordination of the 3 proteins in these cells during trophoblastic invasion and the placental tissue remodeling in the placentome.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Activation of ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) during porcine oocyte maturation.

The normal kinetics of ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) during the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes were examined. The phosphorylation states of RSK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), major mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in maturating porcine oocytes, were detected by Western blotting analysis. The S6 protein kinase activity was assayed using a specific substrate peptide which contained the major phosphorylation sites of S6 kinase. Full phosphorylation of RSK was correlated with ERK phosphorylation and was observed before germinal vesicle breakdown. S6 kinase activity was low in both freshly isolated and 20 h cultured oocytes. S6 kinase activity was significantly elevated in matured oocytes to a level about 6 times higher than that in freshly isolated oocytes. Furthermore, full phosphorylation of RSK was inhibited when oocytes were treated with U0126, a specific MAP kinase kinase inhibitor, in dose-dependent manner, indicating that RSK is one of the substrates of MAP kinase. These results suggest that the activation of RSK is involved in the regulation of meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The trophinin gene encodes a novel group of MAGE proteins, magphinins, and regulates cell proliferation during gametogenesis in the mouse.

Trophinin is a membrane protein that mediates apical cell adhesion between trophoblastic cells and luminal epithelial cells of the endometrium and is implicated in the initial attachment during the process of human embryo implantation. The present study identified novel trophinin gene transcripts, which encode proteins structurally distinct from trophinin protein in the mouse. We designated these proteins "magphinins," because they share consensus amino acid sequences with MAGE (melanoma-associated antigen) superfamily proteins. Among many MAGE proteins, magphinins are closely related to NRAGE, which mediates p75 neurotrophin receptor-dependent apoptosis, and necdin, which is a strong suppressor of cell proliferation in post-mitotic neurons. There are three major forms of magphinins, i.e. magphinin-alpha, -beta, and -gamma, in the mouse, which are formed due to alternative usage of different exons. Northern blot analysis revealed that magphinins are expressed in brain, ovary, testis, and epididymis. In addition, Western blot analysis and in vitro translation experiments showed that magphinins expressed in the mouse ovary and testis are translation products utilizing the second initiation AUG codon and contain an active nuclear localization signal. Ectopic expression of magphinins in mammalian cells resulted in nuclear localization of magphinin and suppressed cell proliferation. Immunohistochemistry of the mouse ovary and testis showed that magphinin proteins are distributed in the cytoplasm of the male and female germ cells, whereas these proteins are translocated to the nucleus at a specific stage of gametogenesis. These results strongly suggest that magphinins regulate cell proliferation during gametogenesis in the mouse.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2001

Characterization of mesonephric cells that migrate into the XY gonad during testis differentiation.

In mouse fetal gonads, sex differentiation begins at 10.5-11.5 days postcoitum (dpc). With XY gonads of 12.5 dpc, cord-like structures are visible and stromal cells migrate from adjacent mesonephros, unlike in XX gonads. However, the migrated mesonephric cells, except for the endothelial cells, have not been specifically identified because they have not expressed differentiation markers over the course of organ coculture in previous experiments. In this study, we have for the first time succeeded in isolating only the mesonephric cells that migrate into the XY gonad from the mesonephros with alive and then cultured these cells in vitro through the use of an organ coculture system using EGFP-transgenic mice and a FACS Vantage. The migrated and isolated cells were used for morphological and molecular characterization. The migrated mesonephric cells contained three cell forms; a sharp cell form, a round cell form, and a cluster-forming cell. The sharp cells have the characters of peritubular myoid cells. The round cells and cluster-forming cells have the potential to differentiate into Leydig cells, as some of them are 3beta-HSD-positive. In in vitro culture of migrated mesonephric cells, the cluster-forming cells proliferated well and then differentiated into round cells, suggesting that the cluster-forming cells may be stem or precursor cells for the round cells. Thus, our findings provide important information related to the migration and differentiation of migrated mesonephric cells in the XY gonad.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed2001

Identification of essential residues for catalysis of rat intestinal phospholipase B/lipase.

Intestinal brush border membrane-associated phospholipase B/lipase (PLB/LIP) consists of four tandem homologous domains (repeats 1 through 4) and a COOH-terminal membrane binding domain, and repeat 2 is the catalytic domain that catalyzes phospholipase A2, lysophospholipase, and lipase activities. We examined the structural basis of the catalysis of PLB/LIP with this unique substrate specificity by site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant repeat 2 enzyme. Ser414 and Ser459 within the active serine-containing consensus sequence G-X-S-X-G in the best-established lipase family were dispensable for activity. In contrast, substitution of Ala for Ser404 almost completely inactivated the three lipolytic activities of PLB/LIP, even though the gross conformation was not altered as determined by CD spectroscopy. Notably, this Ser is located within the conserved G-D-S-L sequence on the NH2-terminal side in lipolytic enzymes of another group proposed recently. Furthermore, mutagenesis and CD spectroscopic analyses suggested that Asp518 and His659, lying within conserved short stretches in the latter group of lipolytic enzymes, were essential for activity. These three essential residues are conserved in the known PLB/LIP enzymes, suggesting that they form the catalytic triad in the active site. These results indicate that PLB/LIP represents a distinct class of the lipase family. PLB/LIP is the first mammalian member of that family. Repeat 2 is equipped with the triad, but not the other repeats, accounting for why only repeat 2 is the catalytic domain. Replacing Thr406 with Gly, matching the enzyme's sequence to the lipase consensus sequence exactly, led to a great decrease in secretion and accumulation of inactive enzyme in the cells, suggesting a role of Thr406 in the structural stability.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2001

Kainic acid-induced dorsal and ventral hippocampal seizures in rats.

Despite reports of differing regional seizure susceptibility in the hippocampus, hippocampal initiation of limbic seizures has not been precisely localized. We compared seizures induced by kainic acid microinjection into the left dorsal and ventral hippocampus of rats. Discharges following ventral injections rapidly propagated to the left amygdala and sensorimotor cortex unlike seizures following dorsal injections. The ventral group showed various ictal behaviors including motor manifestations, while dorsally injected rats showed only immobilization.

Amygdala↗

PubMed2001

Hippocampal transection attenuates kainic acid-induced amygdalar seizures in rats.

Since the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in the rat may act differently from one another in limbic seizures, we studied effects of orthogonal transection between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus upon kainic acid-induced amygdalar seizures. A total of 26 rats were divided into three groups. Ten rats underwent transection using a modified wire knife (transection group); 16 others were untransection group (n=10) and controls (n=6). All the rats then underwent stereotactic implantation of electrodes in the left amygdala (LA), left dorsal hippocampus (LdH), left ventral hippocampus (LvH), and the left sensorimotor cortex (LCx). A stainless steel cannula also was introduced into the LA. Rats except controls later received 1.0 microg of kainic acid (KA) via the cannula. Controls received phosphate buffer solution alone. In the untransection group, multiple spike discharges in the LA immediately propagated concurrently to the LvH and LdH. Propagation involved the LCx to become status epilepticus 1 to 2 h after KA injection. Seizures, characterized by mastication, salivation, facial twitching, forelimb clonus, and sometimes rearing and falling, lasted 1 to 2 days. Microscopic examination revealed severe neuronal cell damage in the LA, LvH, and LdH. In the transection group, multiple spike discharges initiated from the LA and were propagated to LvH, but LdH as well as LCx involvement was slight. Status epilepticus involved only the LA and LvH 1 to 2 h following KA injection. Seizures subsided within 24 h, showing no ictal manifestations except for aggressiveness. Overall, seizures were weak and transient compared with those in controls. Histologically, hippocampal neuronal damage was slight, but damage to amygdalar neurons was similar to that in untransection group. No electroclinical and histological changes were seen in controls. These results indicated that connections between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus are important for full development of KA-induced amygdalar seizures.

Amygdala↗

PubMed2001

Germinal vesicle materials are not required for the activation of MAP kinase in porcine oocyte maturation.

The requirement of the germinal vesicle (GV) for the normal kinetics of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity during porcine oocyte maturation was investigated. Porcine follicular oocytes were enucleated, and the locations of their extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), major MAP kinases in maturating porcine oocytes, were detected by indirect immunofluorescent microscopy. The MAP kinase activity was assayed as myelin basic protein (MBP) kinase activity, and the phosphorylation states of ERK1/2 were detected by immunoblotting analyses. Translocation of MAP kinase into the GV and association with the spindle were observed in intact oocytes, while MAP kinase in enucleated oocytes was distributed almost uniformly in cytoplasm throughout the culturing period. The phosphorylation and the activation of MAP kinase were induced, and the activity was comparable with that of control denuded oocytes. The high level of activity was maintained through maturation, even in the absence of spindle formation. These results indicate that the presence of nuclear material and translocation into the GV are dispensable for the activation of MAP kinase and that associating with the spindle is not required for maintenance of its activity though porcine oocyte maturation.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Immunocytochemical demonstration of the secretory dynamics of zymogenic contents in rat gastric gland processed by high-pressure freezing/freeze substitution, with special references to phospholipase A(2) and phospholipase Cgamma1.

High-pressure freezing/freeze substitution followed by Lowicryl K4M embedding provided an excellent morphology and antigenicity of the gastric glands, as well as the intraluminal fluid contents. Taking advantage of this, we histochemically investigated the secretory dynamics of the zymogenic contents in rat gastric gland, with special references to phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1). The combination of immunogold labeling and KMnO4-uranyl acetate-lead citrate staining for zymogenic contents clearly demonstrated the rapid diffusion of PLA(2) molecules from the exocytosed zymogenic contents into the mucinous contents in gastric glandular lumens. In contrast, the exocytosed PLCgamma1 molecules remained within the zymogenic contents in the glandular lumens. These findings indicated the distinction between the exocytosed PLA(2) and PLCgamma1 in their diffusion rate. In addition, the mucinous contents surrounding the exocytosed zymogenic contents were intensely labeled with Griffonia simplicifolia II lectin which specifically recognizes the mucin of mucous neck cells. Interestingly, some of the PLA(2) immunolabeling on the mucinous contents was associated with the apical membranes of gastric epithelial cells, especially that of parietal cells. The secretory dynamics of the zymogenic contents in rat gastric glands, including their interaction with the mucinous contents are discussed.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed2001

A device for stereotactic transection of fiber bundles in rats.

We have designed a device for stereotactic transection of fiber bundles in experiments using rats. Here, we present our assessment of its features relative to those of conventional methods. The instrument consists of a stainless steel cannula and a thin inner wire with a hook at one end and a hilt at the other. The hook can be extended or withdrawn freely by pushing or pulling the hilt. Lesions were evaluated in 12 male Wistar rats, after two targets, the anterior commissure (n=6) and the caudate-putamen (n=6), were transected. After the cannula was introduced into the target, the inner hook was extended in an anterior direction orthogonally to the transverse plane. Next, the entire device was pulled back along the insertion path to transect the neuronal fibers. Then the inner hook was withdrawn into the cannula and the entire device was removed. Seven days later, brains were removed for histologic processing. Microscopic examination demonstrated a slit like gap produced by transection at the target; the lesions were infiltrated by microglia and surrounded by gliosis. Adjacent regions were minimally damaged. The path of the cannula demonstrated only minimal gliosis. Unlike conventional methods, this device permits precise transection of deep fiber bundles with minimal damage to surrounding brain tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Regional accumulation of 14C-zonisamide in rat brain during kainic acid-induced limbic seizures.

BACKGROUND: Zonisamide (ZNS) is an antiepileptic drug developed in Japan. Various experimental studies have investigated the effects of ZNS. However, the mechanism of action of ZNS against limbic seizures and secondary generalization is not well-known. We studied ictal regional accumulation of ZNS in the rat brain during kainic acid (KA)-induced limbic status epilepticus. METHODS: Fourteen male Wistar rats underwent a stereotactic operation. For recording the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrodes were placed in the left amygdala (LA), left dorsal hippocampus, and over the left sensorimotor cortex. For microinjection, a stainless steel cannula was also inserted into the LA. Seven days after surgery, rats were anesthetized and a catheter was inserted into the femoral vein. The animals were immobilized and allowed to recover from anesthesia for at least two hours. In eight rats, 1.0 microL (1.0 microg) of KA was injected into the LA, and 1.0 microL of phosphate buffer solution was injected into the LA in six control rats. Sixty minutes after injection, 14C-ZNS was administered intravenously, and an autoradiographic study was done. RESULTS: During limbic status epilepticus, only seizures in the sensorimotor cortex were markedly attenuated a few minutes after 14C-ZNS administration. Additionally, high uptake of 14C-ZNS was noted ipsilaterally in the sensorimotor cortex, parietal cortex and thalamus (lateral portion). In control rats, no EEG change was seen, and distribution of 14C-ZNS was rather homogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ZNS suppresses secondary generalization of limbic seizures by a direct effect on the cerebral cortex.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Identification of the rat adrenal zona fasciculata/reticularis specific protein, inner zone antigen (IZAg), as the putative membrane progesterone receptor.

Using immunological methods, a protein specific to the inner zones of the rat adrenal cortex, and called inner zone antigen (IZAg), was previously shown to have two interrelated forms of 26 kDa (IZAg1) and 55-60 kDa (IZAg2), and to have an action on steroid hydroxylation. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and immunoaffinity column purification, N-terminal amino-acid analysis showed that the first 12 amino acids were identical to those of a recently described putative membrane located progesterone receptor (PPMR). RT-PCR was then used to generate the cDNA of this protein, using RNA extracted from rat adrenals. A glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fusion construct was expressed in Escherichia coli, and shown to generate an immunoreactive product of molecular mass consistent with its identification as IZAg1. More detailed examination of the distribution of this protein, not only in the zona fasciculata/reticularis of the adrenal cortex, but also in the Leydig cell, kidney and liver, suggest it may have a role in steroid hormone synthesis and/or metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Possible role for the c-ski gene in the proliferation of myogenic cells in regenerating skeletal muscles of rats.

Skeletal muscle regeneration after injury involves various processes, such as infiltration by inflammatory cells, the proliferation of satellite cells and fusion to myotubes. The c-ski nuclear protein has been implicated in the control of cell proliferation and/or terminal differentiation in the growth of skeletal muscle. However, there have been no reports concerning the involution of c-ski in the regeneration of injured skeletal muscle in mammals. A possible role for c-ski in the proliferation of myogenic cells in rat skeletal muscle during regeneration has been investigated with the assistance of in vitro experiments with L6 skeletal muscle cells. The expression levels of c-ski mRNA in regenerating tissues increased to approximately threefold that of intact tissues at 2 days after injury and decreased to normal levels at 2 weeks after injury. Many mononuclear cells among the Ski-positive cells expressed desmin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, indicating that Ski-producing cells include the proliferating myogenic cells. The proliferation of L6 cells was significantly retarded by expression of the antisense ski gene. The results of the present study reveal that the c-ski gene plays an important role in the proliferation of myogenic cells in the regeneration of injured skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Differential gene expression of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases I, II and V during mouse brain development.

Since most brain glycoproteins from beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GalT) I knockout mice were galactosylated without apparent reduction the gene expression of novel beta-1,4-GalTs II and V which are involved in N-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis in addition to beta-1,4-GalT I was studied during mouse brain development. Isolation and characterization of beta-1,4-GalT II and V cDNAs from mouse brains indicates that they are also functioning in the brain. Northern blot analysis revealed that the beta-1,4-GalT I gene is expressed mainly in mid-embryonic stages, while the expression level of beta-1,4-GalT II transcript remains constant and of beta-1,4-GalT V transcript increases during mouse brain development after birth. In situ hybridization revealed that beta-1,4-GalT II and V signals are present in most neural cells, with a marked difference between them in the hippocampus of adult mouse brain tissue. The differential gene expression of beta-1,4-GalTs I, II and V during mouse brain development could affect the differential galactosylation of brain glycoproteins, as revealed by lectin blot analysis.

Aging↗

PubMed2001

Effects of cavotricuspid isthmus catheter ablation on paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

It has been demonstrated that successful cavotricuspid isthmus ablation of typical atrial flutter combined with atrial fibrillation (AF) sometimes influences the preablation history of paroxysmal AF. However, the effectiveness of only isthmus ablation on AF itself is unclear. Endocardial catheter mapping during induced AF was performed around the tricuspid annulus using duodecapolar clectrode catheters in 39 patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF. Isthmus ablation was performed in 16 patients (41%) in whom catheter mapping during AF showed an organized activation pattern around the tricuspid annulus. During a mean follow-up of 12.3 months, isthmus ablation was successful in preventing AF in 12 (75%) patients, 8 without medication and 4 with a previously ineffective drug. This success group had a significantly higher F wave amplitude in lead V1 (0.29+/-0.10 vs 0. 15+/-0.04 mV, p < 0.01), a higher left ventricular ejection fraction (74+/-9 vs 58+/-2%, p < 0.05), and a smaller left atrial dimension (35+/-6 vs 43+/-4 mm, p < 0.05) than the failure group. Isthmus ablation may be effective in preventing paroxysmal AF with an organized activation pattern around the tricuspid annulus. F wave amplitude, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial dimension were significant predictors of success.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

A transgenic mouse model for investigating the response of the upstream region of whey acidic protein (WAP) gene to various steroid hormones.

The limitations of studies of clarification of response elements of whey acidic protein (WAP) gene to hormones using mammary cell lines has been shown. We studied the response of the upstream region (2.6 kb) of WAP to various steroid hormones using gonadectomized mWAP/hGH transgenic mice. Ovariectomy or castration for transgenic mice was performed at 10 days or 30 days post partum. Various steroid hormones were administered daily for 10 days to the gonadectomized transgenic mice after they reached 2 months of age. Prior to the hormonal administration and 24 hr after the final administration, blood was collected and the hGH levels in the plasma was measured by RIA. Daily doses of estradiol-17 beta were significantly more effective at increasing hGH levels in transgenic females ovariectomized at 10 days post partum than progesterone of an equal dose. A combined dose of progesterone and of estradiol-17 beta significantly amplified the increase of hGH levels accompanied by the great development of mammary glands, compared to a dose of progesterone alone. Corticosterone induced only a slight increase of hGH, while testosterone had no effect. The doses of gonadal steroid hormones did not induce an increase in hGH levels and development of mammary glands in the castrated transgenic males. The results showed that the response of 5' region of WAP requires at least some extended development of the mammary gland and that the 2.6 kb upstream region of the exogenous WAP gene contained the element responsive to ovarian hormones.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Expression of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) mRNA in trophoblast and endometrial epithelial cell populations of the synepitheliochorial placenta of goats (Capra hircus).

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), a membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase, plays crucial roles in cellular migration through the matrix during embryogenesis, wound healing, and the invasion of host tissues by cancer cells. Mammalian trophoblast cells exhibit different degrees of invasiveness towards the endometrium in different species during gestation. The highly invasive trophoblast cells of primates and rodents which form hemochorial placentae have often been compared to metastatic cancer cells, and are known to express MT1-MMP at their invasive edge. So far, however, little is known about MT1-MMP expression in the placenta of non-invasive type including the synepitheliochorial placenta of bovidae. As an approach to assess the role played by MT1-MMP in the non-invasive synepitheliochorial placentation, we determined the open reading frame (ORF) base sequence of caprine MT1-MMP (DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank database: AB010921); this sequence is the first registered MT1-MMP ORF sequence of artyodactyls which develop placentae of the non-invasive type. The deduced amino acid sequence of caprine MT1-MMP exhibited 92, 87 and 89% identity with its human, mouse and rat counterparts, respectively. Availability of the cloned caprine MT1-MMP cDNA allowed us to carry out Northern blot analysis which revealed that in the placentome, the expression levels of MT1-MMP mRNA were very low on Day 35 of gestation (peri-implantation stage), while the levels gradually increased from Day 75 to Day 100. In the interplacentome regions of the placenta and the uterus, the signal levels were higher than those in the placentome, and increased from Day 35 onward, peaking on Day 75. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that the binucleate trophoblast cells reacted with the MT1-MMP cRNA probe throughout the period examined while the uninuclear principal trophoblast cells did so only on Day 100. Of particular interest is the expression of MT1-MMP transcripts in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the gestational endometrium, since epithelial cells in general have been noted to lack MMP expression, including MT-MMPs. The high levels of MT1-MMP expression in the endometrial epithelial cell populations might reflect extensive remodeling during gestation.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Anesthesia for a patient with alcoholic heart disease and transient complete heart block].

A 70-year-old man who had been drinking a bottle of whisky each day was scheduled for laser resection of a tongue tumor. His electrocardiogram showed sinus bradycardia (heart rate was 35-40 bpm), and transient complete heart block was observed. Echocardiography showed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. After a temporary transvenous pacemaker had been inserted, anesthesia was induced with thiopental and vecuronium bromide, and maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl. Heart rate was 45.min-1 before the induction of anesthesia, and after the induction increased to 70-80.min-1. Analysis of heart rate variability suggested that the increase in heart rate was due to augmentation of sympathetic nervous activity after intubation and operation stress. After the operation his bradycardia improved gradually, and after 3 months heart rate settled at about 55.min-1. Cadiomyopathy is known to be one of the complications of alcoholism. It was reported that alcoholic heart disease was improved promptly by abstinence from alcohol. During his long hospitalization, abstinence might have improved his severe bradycardia. Thiopental is useful for induction of anesthesia in a patient with severe bradycardia from alcoholic cadiomyopathy.

Aged↗