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K Maruta

Publications and source records attributed to K Maruta.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

The mechanical response of rat myometrium to adenosine triphosphate in Ca-free solution.

The contractile response of the myometrial longitudinal muscle of pregnant and estrogen-treated rats to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was investigated. ATP (10(-5)-4 X 10(-3) M) added to Krebs solution caused a generation of spontaneous activity consisting of phasic contractions and an elevation of muscle tone in a dose-dependent manner. Effects of the "test solution" consisting of isotonic K, 4(mM) ATP, 4 Mg, 1-20 EGTA, 20 tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethan (Tris) maleate (pH 6.8) on the contractile response was then investigated. An initial phasic and a following tonic contraction was evoked by the application of the test solution, when applied after the equilibration of the muscle with Krebs solution. ATP was proved to be an agonist to evoke the Ca-free contraction. The phasic contraction was depressed when the muscle was incubated with Ca-free Krebs solution. The amplitude of the tonic contraction became progressively larger when application of the test solution was repeated. The amplitude was 15-70% as large as the tonic component of the K-contracture induced by 40 mM K. Theophylline (10 mM), 0.1 mM papaverine and 1 microM isoprenaline nearly abolished, and 1 mM cAMP partly depressed the tonic contraction of K-contracture, whereas the tonic contraction induced by the test solution was unaffected. A calmodulin antagonist, W-7 (100 microM) strongly suppressed both the K-contracture and the contraction induced by the test solution, whereas trifluoperazine (10-200 microM) preferentially depressed the K-contracture. The tonic contraction induced by the test solution was strongly depressed when Mg was removed and 20 mM EDTA was applied. From these results, it is discussed that some Ca-independent process is involved in the generation of tonic component of Ca-free contraction developed by the application of the test solution.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1987

The mechanical response of the isolated longitudinal muscle of pregnant rat myometrium to adenosine triphosphate in the Ca-free solution containing various polyvalent cations.

A small tonic contraction could be evoked by 3 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the longitudinal muscle of pregnant rat myometrium which was incubated with the Ca-, Mg-free solution containing 2 mM EGTA (40 mM K). The amplitude of the tonic contraction was decreased by exposure to the solution within a few hours, but was again increased when 1-10 mM Mg was added to the Ca-free solution. The ATP-induced contraction was increased for more than 7 h during exposure to the Ca-free solution containing Mg ions. The ATP-induced contraction in the Ca-free (Mg-free) solution was also produced when the solution contained 1 mM Mn or 1.5 mM La. On the other hand, the tonic contraction evoked by 1 mM Ca or Ba in the presence of 40 mM K was depressed by ATP. The above results led us to propose that the ATP-induced contraction evoked in the Ca-free solution containing Mg was mediated by a process independent of Ca, and possibly mediated by a translocation of Mg in the cell. La and Mn could take the place of Mg in producing a tonic contraction caused by ATP application.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1987

Electrophysiological effects of tetracaine on the longitudinal muscle of rat uterus in various ionic environments.

Electrical activity was recorded intracellularly from the uterine longitudinal muscle of estrogen-treated rat. Membrane potential was -59 mV. Action potential consisted of initial spike and the following plateau potential on which repetitive spike discharge rode. Tetracaine (0.1, 0.2 mM) reduced the maximum rates of rise and fall of initial spike and increased the duration of plateau potential. Sustained depolarization at -33 mV was produced by the application of 0.8 mM tetracaine. The membrane depolarization was accompanied with the increase in membrane resistance. Reduction of initial spike by tetracaine in the maximum rates of rise and fall was prevented by increasing the external Ca concentration and accelerated by decreasing it. In low K (1.2 mM) or isoprenaline (10(-8) M)-containing solution, tetracaine-induced prolongation of plateau potential was inhibited. Plateau potential was reduced in amplitude and was prolonged only slightly by tetracaine in low Na solution (sucrose substitution). Both the initial spike and plateau potentials were blocked completely by 0.2 mM tetracaine in the presence of Mn (0.5 mM) or verapamil (0.5 microM). It is speculated that tetracaine suppresses the K conductances responsible for resting membrane potential and the repolarizations of spike and plateau potentials. Ca influx during the generation of action potential is also supposed to be inhibited by tetracaine.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1986

Comparative effects of Mg, Ca, Sr, and verapamil on the uterine longitudinal muscle of spayed and estrogen-treated rats.

A comparison was made of effects of Mg, Ca, Sr, or verapamil on the mechanical and electrical activities in the uterine longitudinal muscles of spayed and estrogen-treated rats. The muscle strips taken from spayed rat exhibited spontaneous rhythmic activity in the Locke solution which did not contain Mg, whereas spontaneous activity was less frequent in the preparation taken from estrogen-treated rat. The resting potentials were -54 and -61 mV in the spayed and the estrogen-treated preparations, respectively. An initial spike potential followed by plateau potential with abortive spikes on the top was generated in both spayed and estrogen-treated preparations. In the spayed preparation, the frequency of rhythmic contractions was reduced, and the base-line tension was lowered when 0.6 mM Mg was added to the solution. The base-line tension was elevated progressively when the external Ca concentration was raised, and reached a maximal value up to 10 mM. The amplitude of phasic contraction was progressively increased by increasing Ca concentrations in the range from 1.25 to 5 mM, and was reduced by Ca higher than 10 mM. In the estrogen-treated preparation, the amplitude of phasic contraction was increased by increasing Ca concentrations in the range from 1.25 up to 17.5 mM. When the amplitude of phasic contraction was increased, the duration of plateau potential became protracted. Substitution of the external Ca with Sr caused an increase in the spike activity generated on the top of plateau potential. However, the amplitude of phasic contraction was diminished in both the spayed and the estrogen-treated preparations. Verapamil (2 microM) caused a stronger depression of electrical and mechanical activity in the spayed preparation. Results were discussed in relation to the genomic effects of estradiol on the membrane properties so as to change the interaction with divalent cations.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1986

Blockade by cycloheximide of the prepartum changes in membrane activity and adrenergic response of the circular muscle of rat uterus.

A study was made of the effects of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, on the transformations of electrical activity and adrenergic response of the circular muscle of rat uterus during pregnancy and postpartum. Electrical activity proceeded from plateau type on Day 18 of gestation to spike type on Day 22. Excitatory reaction of the contraction to noradrenaline (10(-7), 3 X 10(-7) M) on Day 18 altered to an inhibitory one on Day 22. When pregnant rats were injected intraperitoneally with 50 micrograms cycloheximide daily from Day 18, the changes mentioned above were suppressed and parturition delayed. In the preparations obtained on Day 21, the excitatory effect of 10(-7) M noradrenaline on the contraction changed to an inhibitory one by in vitro incubation for 7 h with Krebs solution. This transformation was prevented by the incubation with 2 micrograms/ml cycloheximide for 7 h. Membrane activity and adrenergic response turned to plateau-dominant action potential with long duration and potentiation of the contraction by noradrenaline (10(-7), 3 X 10(-7) M) 48 h after parturition, respectively. Cycloheximide (50 micrograms/day, i.p., immediately after delivery and on the next day) failed to inhibit these postpartum changes. The results suggest that the process of protein synthesis is involved in the alterations in electrical activity and adrenergic response of the circular muscle of rat uterus during late pregnancy stage.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1986

Suppression of spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes in BB rats by administration of ciamexone.

BB rats spontaneously develop an insulin dependent diabetes which resembles in many features human type I diabetes. We have tested the effect of the immunomodulatory drug Ciamexone, a 2-cyan-aziridine-derivative, on the development of diabetes in BB rats. Ciamexone was given once daily during 6 days per week beginning with the age of 42 or 50 days up to 120 days. For comparison cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg) was applied following the same protocol. At 1 mg/kg ciamexone administration led to complete prevention of diabetes in females but was not beneficial in males. At 10 mg/kg the drug caused significant suppression of diabetes development in males but more pronounced in females. Both, a reduction of the incidence of diabetes and a delay in the onset of hyperglycaemia was observed only in females. After administration of cyclosporin A none of the animals developed diabetes. Ciamexone treatment did not affect granulocyte and lymphocyte counts and subsets in the peripheral blood except for a tendency to suppress eosinophilia. The growth of animals was not retarded. It is concluded that ciamexone seems to influence the autoimmune state of the BB rat resulting in partial suppression of the disease.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

Changes in action potential and beta-adrenergic effects of the circular muscle of postpartum rat uterus.

Spike potential dominated in the circular muscle of postpartum rat uterus during the period between 0 and 15 hr after the delivery of the first newborn. During the postpartum period ranging between 20 and 48 hr, the plateau potential was dominant. Application of 10(-9) M isoprenaline strongly depressed the contraction during early postpartum period (0-15 hr), and the depressant effect was much smaller thereafter. In vivo treatment of postparturient rats with estradiol-17 beta (50 micrograms) or progesterone (50 micrograms) for 2 days did not alter the postpartum change in action potential or the effect of isoprenaline. The postpartum changes in muscle properties mentioned above were prevented in the distended portion of uterus, when several fetuses and placentas were artificially kept inside the uterus for 2 days, while other fetuses were delivered out. The hormonal influences on the circular muscle of postpartum rat uterus were discussed in view of the above experimental findings.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

Effects of polyamines on the mechanical and electrical activities of the isolated circular muscle of rat uterus.

Effects of polyamines (0.05-1.2 mM) on the mechanical and electrical activities in the circular muscles of pre-(day 20 of pregnancy) and post-partum (10-15 h after delivery) rat myometria were studied. In the prepartum preparations, spermine and spermidine, added to the Mg-free Krebs solution, depressed contractions in a dose-dependent manner, whereas cadaverine and putrescine potentiated them. The latter agents depressed contractions when preparations were treated with indomethacin. Plateau potentials were spontaneously generated in the Mg-free solution in the prepartum circular muscle. The duration of the plateau became shorter, and spike potentials supermounted on the plateau potential were depressed when spermine or spermidine was applied. In the postpartum preparations, spike activity was depressed by spermine and spermidine. In both pre- and post-partum preparations, the membrane activity was little affected by cadaverine and putrescine. In view of the above findings, it was hypothesized that polyamines in general took the place of divalent cations in causing membrane stabilization. Cadaverine and putrescine probably caused a potentiation of contraction by stimulating the synthesis of endogenous prostaglandins.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Clinical experience with cefmenoxime (CMX) in complicated urinary tract infections].

Cefmenoxime (CMX) was intravenously administered to 106 patients with complicated urinary tract infection at a daily dose of 2-4 g for 5 days. An excellent response in overall clinical efficacy was seen in 15 cases (18.3%), a moderate response in 46 cases (56.1%) and poor response in 21 cases (25.6%). Pyuria was cleared in 20 cases (24.4%), decreased in 22 cases (26.8%) and unchanged in 40 cases (48.8%). Bacteriuria was eliminated in 41 cases (50.0%), decreased in 17 cases (20.7%), relapsed in 7 cases (8.5%) and unchanged in 17 cases (20.7%). Bacteriologically, 74 (76.8%) of the 95 strains isolated were eradicated by CMX, and 22 (23.2%) persisted. Side effects were observed in 3 (abdominal pain, diarrhea and elevation of trans amylase) of the 106 cases. Judging from the above results, CMX is considered to be a useful drug in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

"Total" acidic metabolites of catecholamines in urine as determined by hydrolysis with hydriodic acid and liquid chromatography: application to patients with neuroblastoma and melanoma.

We describe a method for determining the "total" excretion of acidic metabolites of catecholamines by measuring 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) formed by hydriodic acid hydrolysis of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid (HVA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid (VMA), and their conjugates. The DOPAC in the diluted hydrolysate is measured directly by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Normal values, expressed in relation to excretion of creatinine, vary as a function of age. For healthy subjects, the mean DOPAC value after hydrolysis was 1.15 times that for unconjugated HVA, VMA, and DOPAC combined. Preliminary results for patients with neuroblastoma and melanoma indicate the potential usefulness of the method for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with neural crest tumors that produce dopa or catecholamines.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1985

[A case of focal carcinoma of the stomach found eight years after diagnosis of atypical epithelium].

An 80-year-old man showed depressive change (IIc-like lesion) in the aggregated lesion of hemisphere nodules about eight years after diagnosis of atypical epithelium in the lesser curvature of the stomach. Carcinoma was strongly suspected by the biopsy specimen from the depressive lesion. In the resected specimen, carcinoma was present in the depressive lesion. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish atypical epithelium from carcinoma by endoscopic findings and biopsy specimens. So, in addition to being alert to gross changes of the lesion, it is very important to obtain biopsy specimens with a view to morphological changes of the lesion.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1984

Blood group H(O) antigen in normal, dysplastic and carcinomatous esophageal epithelium.

Variation of the binding Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (Ulex-I), a lectin specific for blood group H(O) substance, was examined in normal, dysplastic and cancerous esophageal epithelium from 43 instances of carcinoma by means of the lectin- antilectin peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The normal epithelium showed strong staining at the cell border, although the basal cells were entirely negative. In mild and moderate dysplasia, staining was negative, while in some cases of severe dysplasia positive staining was found in the basal cells. Most of the basal cells in carcinoma in situ revealed granular or diffuse positive staining in the cytoplasm. The results indicate that the loss of blood group H antigen occurs during carcinogenesis of the esophageal mucosa. Thus, Ulex-I may be a useful marker of cytoplasmic differentiation of the esophagus.

ABO Blood-Group System↗