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N Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to N Nishimura.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Vitamin K (menaquinone-4) metabolism in liver disease.

We measured menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and MK-4 epoxide concentrations in plasma and liver tissue after intravenous injection of 200 micrograms/kg MK-4 in 42 patients who underwent hepatectomy. They were classified into normal (N; n = 10), chronic hepatitis (CH; n = 12), and liver cirrhosis (LC; n = 20) groups, on the basis of the diagnosis given by the pathologist after examining resected liver specimens. The plasma MK-4 epoxide concentration reached maximum level (Cmax) 60 min after MK-4 injection. The Cmax in groups LC and CH were 85.9 and 126.3 nmol/l, respectively, which is significantly reduced compared with that of group N (184.4 nmol/l) (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). The MK-4 concentrations in liver tissues of 24 patients 60 min after MK-4 injection were 2.77 in group N, 3.79 in group CH, and 3.83 nmol/g in group LC, and the MK-4 epoxide concentrations were 4.01, 3.09, and 2.62 nmol/g in the respective groups. Consequently, the ratio of MK-4 epoxide to total MK-4 (MK-4 + MK-4 epoxide) in groups CH and LC was significantly lower than in group N (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that the Cmax of MK-4 epoxide after MK-4 injection may serve as an indicator of liver function and that the low ratio of MK-4 epoxide to total MK-4 in the liver shows impairment in vitamin K metabolism.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed1989

Prostaglandin E1 modifies porcine cerebral arterial tone through cyclooxygenase related eicosanoid(s) release.

The effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on porcine cerebral arteries were studied in the absence and presence of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, 5 x 10(-6) M indomethacin or 10(-4) M aspirin. In preparations placed at a resting tension, 3 x 10(-9) to 10(-6) M PGE1 caused dose-dependent contractions. In prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha)- contracted preparations, low concentrations of 10(-9) and 3 x 10(-9) M PGE1 did not modify arterial tone and higher concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-6) M PGE1 further increased the arterial tone in all preparations tested. In contrast, in the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitors, low concentration of 10(-9) and 3 x 10(-9) M PGE1 markedly decreased the arterial tone induced by PGF2 alpha and higher dose of 10(-8) to 10(-6) M PGE1 increased the arterial tone in 15 of 18 preparations (83%). These findings suggest that PGE1 modifies porcine cerebral vascular tone at least partly through cyclooxygenase-related eicosanoid(s) production.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Measurement of vitamin K in human liver by gradient elution high-performance liquid chromatography using platinum-black catalyst reduction and fluorimetric detection.

A sensitive and precise method for measuring endogenous phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinone (MK-n) in human liver was developed, based on gradient elution high-performance liquid chromatography using platinum-black catalyst reduction and fluorimetric detection. Subnanogram levels of vitamin K compounds in 1 g of liver specimen were detectable. We measured vitamin K concentrations in 38 human resected livers. K1 and MK-4 to MK-13 were detected. The concentrations of MK-10 to MK-12 in livers with chronic hepatitis (n = 10) and cirrhosis (n = 22) were significantly lower than in normal livers (n = 6). It is suggested that the decreased concentrations indicate functional damage of the hepatocytes.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1989

Correlation between mammary tumor and blood glucose, serum insulin, and free fatty acids in mice.

The blood glucose level and serum levels of insulin, glucagon, and free fatty acids were examined in 7- to 8-mo-old female SHN mice with or without spontaneous mammary tumors (MT). Blood glucose levels in the females with MT were significantly higher than in those without MT, rising in proportion to the increase in size of MT up to 30 mm in diameter. In 4-mo-old male SHN and 11-mo-old female C57BL mice bearing mammary tumor grafts (MTg), the blood glucose level was significantly higher than in mice without MTg. Serum insulin and free fatty acids in female SHN mice with MT rose to higher levels than in mice without MT, whereas serum glucagon levels were unaltered. In 50% of mice with MT, pancreatic islets contained a large number of pyknotic cells. Livers of mice with MT or MTg were significantly heavier than those of mice without MT or MTg. In both female SHN mice with spontaneous MT and male SHN and female C57BL mice with MTg, the total number of hepatocytes and the total amount of liver DNA increased significantly compared with values from corresponding controls without MT or MTg. These findings suggest that MT or MTg induce a hyperglycemic state and an enhanced production of free fatty acids and insulin, which may in turn stimulate the growth of mammary tumors and the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative immunohistochemistry of metallothionein in rat placenta.

The presence of metallothionein (MT) was demonstrated in placentae from cadmium-exposed and control rats by an immunohistochemical technique, using peroxidase as label and the diaminobenzidine procedure for the staining reaction. The protein was found in different regions of the placenta, i.e. in trophoblastic labyrinth, in spongiotrophoblast and in visceral yolk sac. Cytophotometric analysis of the final reaction product revealed that the amount of MT was increased in the placental labyrinth of cadmium-exposed rats. Increases were found in both nuclei and cytoplasm of trophoblast cells in the labyrinth region. Possible roles of MT in the transport of zinc and in the carbohydrate metabolism are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Changes in serum bile acid composition in relation to histological findings after liver transplantation in piglets.

Changes in the composition of serum bile acids were investigated after orthotopic liver transplantation in piglets. Serum levels of all bile acid components rapidly increased during the anhepatic phase and then quickly decreased, returning to the preoperative state within 6 h of revascularization of the allograft. In the animals in which extrahepatic biliary stenosis was a complication, serum total bile acids (TBA) increased remarkably. A marked increase of hyocholic acid and marked decrease of hyodeoxycholic acid were noted; as percentages of TBA, the average levels per day were 91.3 +/- 1.3 and 5.0 +/- 1.3%, respectively. No change in chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was observed. In the animals suffering acute rejection without extrahepatic biliary stenosis, serum TBA increased slightly and the percentage of CDCA rose, the average level being 29.6 +/- 1.5%. These results suggest that the measurement of the composition of serum bile acids may serve as a useful means of assessing allograft function after liver transplantation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Localization of metallothionein in female reproductive organs of rat and guinea pig.

We demonstrated the localization of metallothionein (MT) in rat uterus and ovaries and in guinea pig mammary glands. During the cyclic changes from one estrous period to the next, strong MT immunostaining was found in the glandular epithelium of the endometrium and weak immunostaining was observed in the simple columnar epithelium. Interestingly, during estrus, the intensity of MT immunostaining decreased in the cytoplasm, whereas during metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus the intensity of strong and similar immunostaining was observed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. During proestrus and estrus, the number of vaginal epithelial cells containing MT increased on the luminal side of the epithelium and inside the lumen. In rat ovary, strong immunostaining was observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of granulosa-lutein cells of the corpus luteum and in the cytoplasm of the ovum. In mammary gland of non-pregnant guinea pig, very strong but scattered MT immunostaining was demonstrated in both cytoplasm and nucleus of some epithelial cells of the lactiferous ducts. The mammary tissue of the pregnant guinea pig showed an increase in MT staining in alveolar cells that had proliferated due to pregnancy. The presence of MT in the female reproductive organs, the tissues of which actively grow under the control of female sex hormones, indicates some as yet unknown association of MT with cell proliferation and differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Immunohistochemical localization of metallothionein in developing rat tissues.

Metallothionein (MT) is a cysteine-rich, low molecular weight protein inducible by heavy metal ions and various endogenous factors. Using an indirect immunofluorescent technique, we studied the localization of MT in developing rat tissues (kidney, small intestine, and liver). In kidney of the neonate and fetus, MT was found in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of renal tubular epithelia. Localization of MT changed with shift of zonation in the renal cortex during development. Metallothionein was found mainly in the inner zone of the cortex but not in tubules of the neogenic zone on Day 4. Until Day 18, tubular cells containing MT were observed in a part of the cortex adjacent to the medulla, followed by a significant decrease in immunostaining by Day 27. In small intestine of the neonate, MT was localized predominantly in Paneth and goblet cells which play secretory roles. The number of goblet cells with strong immunostaining for MT was maximal on Day 27. In liver of 20-day fetuses and of 4-day-old neonates, both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of hepatocytes exhibited strong immunofluorescence. The intensity of MT staining diminished with development, and by 18-27 days after birth no immunofluorescence was observed in the nucleus. We further studied a possible association of MT with development by localizing MT in livers obtained from partially hepatectomized and laparotomized rats. Hepatectomy led to the appearance of MT not only in the nucleus and cytoplasm of hepatocytes but also in sinusoids and bile canaliculi. After laparotomy, MT immunofluorescence was observed only in the cytoplasm. The present results suggest a possible involvement of MT in cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as in transport and secretion of this metal-binding protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of protein binding on high performance liquid chromatography analysis of drugs with an internal-surface reversed-phase silica column.

The effect of protein binding on the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) elution profile of drugs injected directly onto an internal-surface reversed-phase (ISRP) silica column was investigated. When a relatively large volume (greater than or equal to 100 microliters) of the sample solution containing warfarin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was applied directly onto the ISRP column and elution was carried out with the mobile phase containing an organic modifier, two distinct peaks, both due to warfarin, appeared separated from the protein peak. The peak splitting was not observed in the case of antipyrine-BSA mixed solution, where the protein binding is weak. It was found that the drug bound at the strong-binding site on the BSA molecule was released slowly during the process of chromatography and was eluted as the first peak with a shorter retention time, while the drug bound at the weak-binding site was released quickly, and was eluted as the second peak together with the free drug. The warfarin-BSA interaction at the strong-binding site was evaluated, under minimum influence from the other binding site, from the warfarin concentration obtained from the first peak and the free warfarin concentration determined by the ultrafiltration method.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Determination of free drug in protein binding equilibrium by high-performance frontal analysis using internal-surface reversed-phase silica support.

An internal-surface reversed-phase silica column was employed in the frontal analysis method to determine free drug concentration in warfarin (Wf)-bovine serum albumin (BSA) mixed solution and in indomethacin(Im)-BSA mixed solution. When a 4-ml portion of aqueous solution containing 2-30 microM Im and 28 microM BSA and a 10-ml portion of aqueous solution containing 0.5-175 microM Wf and 28 microM BSA were applied, the elution curves reached a plateau level corresponding to both free drug and drug-BSA complex (beta-plateau), followed by another plateau due to free drug alone (gamma-plateau). The drug concentration at the gamma-plateau agreed well with the free drug concentration determined after ultrafiltration of the same solution. The gamma-plateau was observed even when the applied volume was reduced to a level which was insufficient to produce the beta-plateau. The injection of a 400-microliters portion of the 0.5-100 microM Im and 28 microM BSA mixed solution and a 90-microliters portion of 50 microM Im and 550 microM BSA mixed solution onto the ISRP silica column gave a clear gamma-plateau. Compared to the conventional frontal analysis, the present method can determine a wide range of drug levels with much smaller injection volume. This method is applicable to plasma. By a single frontal analysis, both free and total concentrations of carbamazepine in plasma were determined simultaneously.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[A case report of emergency Bentall re-operation].

A 51-year-old male of Marfan syndrome with annuloarotic ectasia underwent the Bentall operation. One and a half months later, he suddenly fell into the left ventricular failure associated with lung edema. Echocardiogram revealed total occlusion of the graft and aortic valve detachment was suspected. An emergency operation was performed. The aortic valve was completely detached due to infectious endocarditis. As anastomosed portions of the proximal coronary arteries and distal aorta were intact, these rims of the old graft were reserved. A new composite graft was anastomosed distally to the above reserved graft rims and sutured proximally to the trimmed aortic valvular ring. The patient survived the re-operation despite many post-operative complications such as mediastinitis, colon bleeding, renal failure and severe hepatic dysfunction.

Aorta↗