Biomedical subjects

K Kusaka

Publications and source records attributed to K Kusaka.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Congestive heart failure induced by the combination of atrial fibrillation and tricuspid regurgitation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may induce congestive heart failure (CHD). Using electrocardiography and echocardiography, we examined the clinical characteristics and haemodynamic findings in 100 patients with AF + TR + CHF, AF + TR, AF or TR. The fractional shortening in all groups with AF was significantly decreased compared with the TR group. The ejection fraction in patients with AF + TR + CHF was significantly lower than in the TR group. Twenty-four of the 72 patients with AF and TR (with or without CHF) were treated, and 13 were monitored for heart rate and severity of TR. Eight months after start of treatment the heart rate and typical symptoms and signs of heart failure had improved significantly in nine patients, but the severity of TR did not change. TR worsened in the remaining four patients but they did not develop CHF. Our results suggest that increased heart rate due to the combination of AF and TR could be responsible for CHF.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Upregulation of cardiac ghrelin mRNA in leptin-deficient and leptin receptor-deficient mice with viral myocarditis.

Expression of cardiac and gastric ghrelin messenger (m) RNA, together with heart and body weights, were measured in leptin-deficient (ob) and leptin receptor-deficient (db) mice with heart failure induced by viral myocarditis. Significant elevations in cardiac ghrelin mRNA levels and heart weight were observed in ob and db mice 10 days after viral inoculation compared with baseline values. Expression of gastric ghrelin mRNA was not upregulated in ob and db mice on day 10. The elevated expression of cardiac ghrelin mRNA seems to compensate for the lack of upregulation in gastric ghrelin mRNA.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Panic attack symptoms in a patient with left temporal lobe epilepsy.

We describe a 56-year-old woman with left temporal lobe epilepsy who developed symptoms of a panic attack. Owing to normal electroencephalography and brain magnetic resonance imaging results, she was initially diagnosed as suffering from panic attacks and treated for anxiety neurosis. The symptoms persisted and she was re-examined in our department. An interictal electroencephalogram showed paroxysmal spike waves in the left mesial temporal lobe region and this was the basis for a diagnosis of left temporal lobe epilepsy. This report suggests that left temporal lobe epilepsy should be considered as the differential diagnosis when patients frequently complain of fear or anxiety.

Electroencephalography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of the serotonin blocker sarpogrelate on circulating interleukin-18 levels in patients with diabetes and arteriosclerosis obliterans.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of treatment with sarpogrelate, a serotonin 2A receptor antagonist, on circulating interleukin (IL)-18 levels in patients with diabetes and arteriosclerosis obliterans. Patients received sarpogrelate (100 mg 3 times daily) for 2 months. We evaluated the degree of cryaesthesia (a feeling of cold in the foot and toes) as the clinical outcome, and measured circulating IL-18, IL-6 and lipid protein concentrations. An improvement in clinical outcome occurred after initiation of sarpogrelate therapy; a significant decrease in IL-18 levels was observed after 2 months of therapy. Levels of IL-6 and lipid proteins, including triglyceride, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were not significantly altered by treatment. Our data suggest that by reducing circulating IL-18 levels, sarpogrelate treatment may contribute to the inhibition of arteriosclerosis obliterans progression in patients with diabetes.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Selective binding of sucralfate to endoscopic mucosal resection-induced gastric ulcer: evaluation of aluminium adherence.

We evaluated the effect of sucralfate in patients with early gastric cancer in endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)-induced gastric ulcers, and in rats with acetic acid-induced ulcers, by measuring concentrations of aluminium adhering to mucosal lesions. Twenty-two patients who underwent EMR received sucralfate with or without ranitidine and were examined endoscopically after 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks. Gastric juice pH and concentration of aluminium in samples of ulcerated and normal mucosa were measured at various time-points. Good ulcer healing was observed in all patients. Significantly higher concentrations of aluminium were found in ulcerated tissue compared with normal mucosa. This selective binding of sucralfate was even found 12 h after drug administration and was confirmed in acetic acid-induced ulcers in 40 rats. Neutral rather than acid gastric juice was observed up to 12 h after the administration of sucralfate alone. These results suggest that sucralfate with or without ranitidine may contribute to the healing of EMR-induced ulcers by selectively binding to lesions.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chronotropic effect of the antithrombotic agent cilostazol in a patient with sick sinus syndrome and syncope.

In this case report we describe an 80-year-old man with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) who developed syncope attacks. The diagnosis of SSS was based on electrocardiographic evidence of markedly prolonged sinus arrests associated with syncope attacks while in hospital. The patient was given cilostazol, an antithrombotic agent that selectively inhibits cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase type 3, at a dose of 100 mg twice daily. The syncope attacks ceased, and an electrocardiogram obtained 1 week after the start of cilostazol administration showed no evidence of sinus arrest. The outcome of this case suggests that cilostazol may be useful in patients with syncope attacks due to SSS, although the long-term chronotropic effects of cilostazol need to be evaluated.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma adiponectin levels in post-menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between plasma adiponectin levels and plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in post-menopausal women (PMW) receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Various clinical and biochemical parameters, including plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and adiponectin levels, were measured in 54 healthy PMW before and after 3 and 6 months of HRT. Control groups consisted of women aged < 40 years (n = 20) or > 60 years (n = 17). PMW had significantly lower baseline adiponectin levels compared with the younger or older control groups, but adiponectin concentrations were not significantly altered after 3 or 6 months of HRT. Adiponectin levels in PMW were positively correlated with plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and were negatively correlated with body mass index and triglyceride levels. Our data suggest that circulating adiponectin may contribute to lipid homeostasis in PMW. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of HRT and oestrogen on adiponectin levels.

Adiponectin↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Traditional Chinese medicine and Kampo: a review from the distant past for the future.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complete system of healing that developed in China about 3000 years ago, and includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage, etc. In recent decades the use of TCM has become more popular in China and throughout the world. Traditional Japanese medicine has been used for 1500 years and includes Kampo-yaku (herbal medicine), acupuncture and acupressure. Kampo is now widely practised in Japan and is fully integrated into the modern health-care system. Kampo is based on TCM but has been adapted to Japanese culture. In this paper we review the history and characteristics of TCM and traditional Japanese medicine, i.e. the selection of traditional Chinese herbal medicine treatments based on differential diagnosis, and treatment formulations specific for the 'Sho' (the patient's symptoms at a given moment) of Japanese Kampo--and look at the prospects for these forms of medicine.

China↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver in KKAy obese mice with type 2 diabetes.

We examined the effects of the angiotensin-II receptor antagonist candesartan on non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and circulating adiponectin concentrations in KKAy obese mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The KKAy mice were randomly assigned to receive either candesartan at a once-daily dose of 10 mg/kg (n = 5) or placebo (n = 5). The differences in liver weight, histological evaluation of hepatic lipid infiltration, serum adiponectin concentration and hepatic adiponectin mRNA levels between the two groups were determined on day 7 after treatment was initiated. Candesartan-treated mice demonstrated significantly lower liver weights and reduced lipid droplets in hepatic cells compared with control mice. The circulating adiponectin levels and hepatic expression of adiponectin mRNA were significantly higher in candesartan-treated mice than control mice. These results suggest that candesartan might alleviate NAFL through elevation of circulating adiponectin levels in KKAy obese mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adiponectin↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Advanced oesophageal carcinoma in an 84-year-old treated with chemoradiotherapy.

We present a case of advanced oesophageal cancer with cardiac invasion in an 84-year-old male presenting with dysphagia and general malaise. Histological analysis of an endoscopic biopsy specimen revealed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography indicated a thickened oesophageal wall that was compressing the left atrium, suggesting invasion of the heart, and oesophagography revealed a polypoid lesion 9 cm in length. No distant metastases were seen on computed tomography. The patient was given chemotherapy with 10 mg/m2 cisplatin on days 1 and 4 every week for 5 weeks and concurrent radiotherapy at a dose of 2 Gy five times per week (total dose 52 Gy). After 4 weeks, the mass was no longer visible on oesophagography or endoscopic examination. The patient was free of recurrence and metastases for 4.5 years. In conclusion, chemoradiotherapy may be curative in elderly patients with unresectable oesophageal carcinoma.

Aged, 80 and over↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Septic cholangitis occurring 11 years after inadvertent ligation of the right hepatic duct during cholecystectomy: a case report.

We report a case of acute cholangitis caused by the inadvertent ligation of the right hepatic duct during a cholecystectomy performed 11 years before. When the condition of the right hepatic duct or accessory bile duct ligation persists for more than several years, resulting in atrophy of the relevant part of the liver, bile duct ligation will rarely cause severe clinical problems. However, acute cholangitis may occur, as in our patient, so long-term follow-up of the patient is warranted.

Acute Disease↗