Flavonoids exert diverse inhibitory effects on the activation of NF-kappaB.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
R Izumi
Publications and source records attributed to R Izumi.
Space environment, electromagnetic fields, and circadian rhythm.
Human space activity began in 1961. About 400 persons have gone to space since then, and about 70 of them have stayed more than 1 month. Circadian rhythm and sleep in space have been investigated several times, though the effect of longer stays in space has not been adequately clarified. Electromagnetic fields are different in the space environment, especially in deeper space missions, such as the Moon or Mars, but their effects on human health have rarely been studied. In this article, we summarize the current status of the International Space Station project, study circadian rhythm and sleep in space, investigate electromagnetic fields, and state the necessity for investigating this research field.
Circadian Rhythm↗
Cell body size and succinate dehydrogenase activity of spinal motoneurons innervating the soleus muscle in mice, rats, and cats.
The cell body sizes and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities of motoneurons in the retrodorsolateral region of the ventral horn in the spinal cord innervating the soleus muscle in mice, rats, and cats were compared using quantitative enzyme histochemistry. There was an inverse relationship between cell body size and SDH activity of motoneurons in the three species. The mean cell body sizes of both gamma and alpha motoneuron pools were in the rank order of mice < rats < cats, while the mean SDH activities of both gamma and alpha motoneuron pools were in the rank order of mice > rats > cats. It is concluded that smaller motoneurons innervating the soleus muscle have higher SDH activities than larger motoneurons, irrespective of the species, and that motoneuron pools innervating the soleus muscle in smaller animals have smaller mean cell body sizes and higher mean SDH activities than those in larger animals.
Animals↗
Space shuttle flight (STS-90) enhances degradation of rat myosin heavy chain in association with activation of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.
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Animals↗
[Evaluation of postoperative pain relief by infiltration of bupivacaine or epidural block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy].
We compared the analgesic effect of bupivacaine infiltration into surgical wounds with that of epidural block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Forty-five patients (ASA physical status I-II) for LC were randomized into three groups (n = 15 in each group). Patients received only general anesthesia (Group C), received infiltration of 0.5% bupivacaine into the surgical wound before surgery combined with general anesthesia (Group L), or received epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia (Group E). Postoperative pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (scale: 0-10) at 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours after the operation, the need for additional supplemental analgesics, and the cost of anesthesia. Visual analogue scale in Group C at 1, 2, or 6 hours was significantly greater than that of Group L and E. The number of patients who needed supplemental analgesics was 9 in Group C, 5 in Group L, and 2 in Group E. The cost of pharmaceutical and anesthetic practice of Group E was more expensive than Group L and C. In conclusion, infiltration of bupivacaine combined with general anesthesia is an effective and economical method of postoperative pain relief.
Anesthesia, Epidural↗
Assessment of the otolith-autonomic response using spectral analysis of the R-R interval and blood pressure.
The effects of otolith stimulation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and R-R interval fluctuations were investigated in 12 healthy subjects and 5 patients with loss of labyrinthine function. The vestibular otolith organs were stimulated by centrifugal forces, the constant rotation of a chair fixed outside of the rotation axis on the horizontal plane. The chair was fixed along the direction of centrifugal force (eccentric rotation [ECR]) or along the tangent line (eccentric lateral rotation [ECLR]). The ECR stimulates both the utricular and saccular maculae, whereas the ECLR stimulates only the utricular maculae. Spectral analysis showed that in the healthy subjects, low-frequency SBP increased significantly during ECR but not during ECLR. There was no significant increase in low-frequency SBP in patients with labyrinthine loss. In the R-R interval analysis, however, the low- and high-frequency components did not change significantly in the healthy subjects during ECR. Our findings indicate that stimulation of the otolith maculae, especially the saccular organs, predominantly produces augmentation of the alpha-sympathetic activities rather than cardiac sympathovagal outflow to the heart.
Adult↗
Histochemical responses of human soleus muscle fibers to long-term bedrest with or without countermeasures.
Effects of 2- or 4-month bedrest in -6 degrees head-down tilt position with or without countermeasures on the histochemical properties of fiber phenotype and cross-sectional area (CSA) were studied in human soleus. The CSAs in slow fibers decreased approximately 32% during 4-month bedrest. This reduction was normalized after 1-month recovery. Although the reduction of percent slow fibers was not significant statistically, the percent intermediate fibers was significantly elevated 4 months after bedrest. Such shift in fiber type was not normalized following 1-month recovery. Effects of wearing an anti-g Penguin suit which has a modest, but continuous resistance at the knee and ankle (Penguin-1) or with knee resistance without loading on the ankle (Penguin-2) for 10 consecutive hours daily were also investigated during approximately 2 months of bedrest. The subjects performed knee extension and flexion for the last 15 min of each hour while in a supine position in bed. Bedrest-induced fiber atrophy was prevented in the Penguin-1 group but not the Penguin-2 group. Transformation of fiber type was not prevented in either Penguin suit group. It is suggested that long-term bedrest causes an atrophy and a shift of fiber phenotype toward fast-twitch type in human soleus. Data also indicated that loading on the muscle is an effective countermeasure for prevention of fiber atrophy but not fiber-type transformation.
Adult↗
STS-95 space experiment for plant growth and development, and auxin polar transport.
The principal objective of the space experiment, BRIC-AUX on STS-95, was the integrated analysis of the growth and development of etiolated pea and maize seedlings in space, and the effect of microgravity conditions in space on auxin polar transport in the segments. Microgravity conditions in space strongly affected the growth and development of etiolated pea and maize seedlings. Etiolated pea and maize seedlings were leaned and curved during space flight, respectively. Finally the growth inhibition of these seedlings was also observed. Roots of some pea seedlings grew toward the aerial space of Plant Growth Chamber. Extensibilities of cell walls of the third internode of etiolated pea epicotyls and the top region of etiolated maize coleoptiles which were germinated and grown under microgravity conditions in space were significantly low. Activities of auxin polar transport in the second internode segments of etiolated pea seedlings and coleoptile segments of etiolated maize seedlings were significantly inhibited and extremely promoted, respectively, under microgravity conditions in space. These results strongly suggest that auxin polar transport as well as the growth and development of plants is controlled under gravity on the earth.
Biological Transport↗
Growth regulation mechanisms in higher plants under microgravity conditions - changes in cell wall metabolism.
During Space Shuttle STS-95 mission, we cultivated seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Koshihikari and cv. Tan-ginbozu) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L. cv. Columbia and cv. etr1-1) for 68.5, 91.5, and 136 hr on board, and then analyzed changes in the nature of their cell walls, growth, and morphogenesis under microgravity conditions. In space, elongation growth of both rice coleoptiles and Arabidopsis hypocotyls was stimulated. Also, the increase in the cell wall extensibility, especially that in the irreversible extensibility, was observed for such materials. The analyses of the amounts, the structure, and the physicochemical properties of the cell wall constituents indicated that the decreases in levels and molecular masses of cell wall polysaccharides were induced under microgravity conditions, which appeared to contribute to the increase in the wall extensibility. The activity of certain wall enzymes responsible for the metabolic turnover of the wall polysaccharides was increased in space. By the space flight, we also confirmed the occurrence of automorphogenesis of both seedlings under microgravity conditions; rice coleoptiles showed an adaxial bending, whereas Arabidopsis hypocotyls elongated in random directions. Furthermore, it was shown that spontaneous curvatures of rice coleoptiles in space were brought about uneven modifications of cell wall properties between the convex and the concave sides.
Arabidopsis↗
[A case of advanced esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with chemoradiation therapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil].
We have experienced a case of advanced esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with chemoradiation therapy together with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, having only minor toxicity. A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. Cervical esophageal carcinoma was found to have invaded the larynx through endoscopy, and invasion to thyroid gland and trachea was suspected from a cervical CT. We diagnosed the condition as advanced esophageal carcinoma (A2N(-)M0Pl0 Stage III). We then treated the patient by chemoradiation therapy. After the treatment, the carcinoma could not be detected by CT and endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy revealed there were no active carcinoma cells. The side effects of the therapy were very mild, therefore the patient could be discharged after a short time. No evidence of a tumor relapse was found 5 months after the therapy. We treated 4 patients with esophageal carcinoma using the same regimen, and the results of the therapy were 2 CR, 1 PR, and 1 PD, with an overall response rate of 75%.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
Cholinergic and glutamatergic transmission in medial vestibular nucleus neurons responding to lateral roll tilt in rats.
The responses of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons to lateral tilt and the neurotransmitters mediating otolith information to MVN neurons were investigated using rats. A computer-operated goniometer was tilted 20 degrees clockwise and counterclockwise at an angular speed of 5 degrees /s and paused in the inclined positions for 10 s to record neuronal responses in the static phase. The 185 MVN neurons recorded were classified into eight types according to their responses to tilt (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta and theta). A majority showed increased firing in response to ipsilateral tilting and decreased firing in response to contralateral tilting (alpha type: 31.4%) or exhibited the reverse pattern (beta type: 36.8%). Further, other groups of neurons increased (gamma type) or decreased (delta type) firing rates to either side tilting and increased (epsilon and zeta type) or decreased (eta and theta type) firing only on one side. Atropine or L-glutamic acid diethyl ester hydrochloride (GDEE) applied microiontophoretically antagonized tilt-induced firing of alpha type neurons in 58.8% or 60.0%, respectively, and of beta type neurons in 66.7% or 58.3%, respectively. When the effects of atropine and GDEE were examined in the same neurons, antagonizing effects of both drugs on tilt-induced firing were obtained in 28.6% and 40.0% of alpha and beta type neurons, respectively. These results suggest that both acetylcholine and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the transmission of otolith information to most MVN neurons.
Animals↗
Cervical adenocarcinoma, a novel combination chemotherapy with mitomycin C, etoposide, and cisplatin for advanced or recurrent disease.
We review the cases of 31 patients with stage IVb or recurrent cervical adenocarcinoma who were treated with combination chemotherapy utilizing mitomycin C, etoposide, and cisplatin (MEP). The total response rate was 16.1% (95% confidence intervals (CIs), 5. 5 to 33.7%) with 4 patients having a complete response (CR) and 1 having a partial response. In patients with no prior chemotherapy, the response rate was 26.7% (95% CIs, 7.8 to 55.1%) with 2 of these CR patients surviving over 3 years, 1 a disease-free survival. A marked response was found in distant recurrent lesions. The major toxicity was myelosuppression. Forty-five percent of patients had leukocytopenia above grade 3; thrombocytopenia and anemia were not common. In patients with cervical adenocarcinoma and no prior chemotherapy, there was a moderate response to MEP therapy.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Morphology of single afferents of the saccular macula in cats.
The morphology of single saccular afferents was studied by the intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. Four neurons were sufficiently stained to allow reconstruction of their axonal arborizations. The main axon of these neurons bifurcated into an ascending and a descending branch at the level of the lateral nucleus. The ascending branches of two axons gave off collaterals with boutons in the caudal part of the superior nucleus, while the other two ascending branches lacked such terminations. By contrast, characteristics of the descending axonal arborization patterns of all the four neurons were substantially the same. The descending branches coursed caudally through the lateral part of the descending nucleus, and gave off up to 14 collaterals with boutons that extended throughout this nucleus. These collaterals also reached the ventral part of the lateral nucleus, the lateral border of the medial nucleus, and group f. A few axon collaterals ramified even outside the border of the vestibular nuclei into the spinal trigeminal nucleus and the reticular formation surrounding it. Axon collaterals from the stem axon also terminated in the interstitial nucleus of the vestibular nerve. There was a noticeable absence of any projection to the y group.
Action Potentials↗
Advanced cervical cancer complicated by previous LeFort operation.
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Aged↗
Enhancement of GABA-mediated inhibition of rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons by the neurosteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone.
In vivo electrophysiological and patch-clamp studies were performed to determine whether 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), a neurosteroid, influenced neuronal activities of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) using chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats and dissociated MVN neurons, respectively. Single neuronal activities of MVN were extracellularly recorded with a glass-insulated silver wire microelectrode attached along a seven-barreled micropipette. Each micropipette was filled with 20-HE, glutamate, bicuculline or 2 M NaCl. These chemicals were applied microiontophoretically to the immediate vicinity of the target neurons. Microiontophoretically applied 20-HE (20-80 nA) dose-dependently decreased rotation-induced firings of both type I and II neurons, which were identified according to their responses to horizontal sinusoidal rotations. Microiontophoretically applied bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, inhibited 20-HE-induced decreases in neuronal firing of MVN. These findings suggest that 20-HE potentiates the action of GABA, probably by acting directly on the GABAA receptor of MVN neurons. In addition, microiontophoretically applied 20-HE decreased firings induced by glutamate in both type I and II neurons. This decrease by 20-HE was also antagonized with bicuculline. Furthermore, the effects of 20-HE on GABA-induced currents in acutely dissociated MVN neurons were investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Under voltage-clamp conditions, GABA (10 microM)-induced currents were potentiated in the presence of 20-HE (100 microM). These findings suggest that 20-HE inhibits MVN neurons by acting on the modulatory site on GABA receptor-ion channel complexes to potentiate GABA inhibition.
Animals↗
Case report: intrahepatic portal-hepatic venous shunts associated with a huge pelvic leiomyoma.
We present a case of portal-systemic encephalopathy due to intrahepatic multiple portal-hepatic venous shunts. A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of recurrent episodes of disturbed consciousness. She showed no clinical signs of portal hypertension. Liver function was normal, except for an indocyanine green retention rate of 34% at 15 min and blood ammonia level of 282 microg/dL. Portal venography revealed dilatation of the portal vein and multiple portal-hepatic venous shunts, and a liver biopsy specimen revealed almost normal liver. Further clinical examination revealed a huge pelvic tumour. At laparotomy, two dilated veins were seen to arise from the pelvic tumour with blood flow into the mesentery. The tumour was resected successfully and a histological diagnosis of leiomyoma was made. The blood ammonia concentration decreased to the normal range postoperatively. A follow-up portal venogram demonstrated decreased portal vein dilatation and minor portal-hepatic venous shunts, considered to be congenital in origin. It is concluded that hepatic encephalopathy was produced in this patient due to an excess portal blood flow from the huge pelvic leiomyoma via the mesentery, with portosystemic shunting through pre-existent (probably congenital) intrahepatic anastomoses.
Aged↗
TNF-alpha increases expression of IL-6 and ICAM-1 genes through activation of NF-kappaB in osteoblast-like ROS17/2.8 cells.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and in postmenopausal osteoporosis. In various tissues, TNF-alpha action is mediated by a transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). However, little is known about how TNF-alpha exerts its action in osteoblasts. We thus examined the effect of TNF-alpha on the activation of NF-kappaB in rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells (ROS17/2.8). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that the activation of the p50-p65 heterodimer NF-kappaB was induced by TNF-alpha as early as 15 minutes followed by a persistent activation for 48 h. When the binding activity of NF-kappaB in cytosol was examined using detergents that dissociate NF-kappaB from an inhibitory protein IkappaB, it decreased during the initial 30 minutes and then increased to the unstimulated level. Northern blot analysis revealed a marked increase in the mRNA levels of p105, a precursor of p50, 6 h after TNF-alpha and a gradual increase in p65 mRNA levels during the initial 1 h. Significant increase in both mRNA levels continued until 24 h after TNF-alpha. These results suggest that the rapid activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha is mainly due to the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB pre-existing in cytosol, and that the subsequent increase in the expression of p50 and p65 may result in the persistent activation of NF-kappaB during TNF-alpha stimulation. TNF-alpha also increased the mRNA levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). An antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, significantly attenuated the TNF-alpha-dependent increase in these mRNAs, and simultaneously reduced the activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha, indicating that NF-kappaB mediates the TNF-alpha-dependent expression of IL-6 and ICAM-1 in ROS17/2.8 cells. These results suggest that the activation of NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha may play an important role in the production of cytokines and cell adhesion molecules from osteoblasts, leading to the promotion of bone resorption and inflammation.
Acetylcysteine↗