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Biomedical subjects

R Kikkawa

Publications and source records attributed to R Kikkawa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Association of the DD genotype and development of Japanese type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

We determined the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-coverting enzyme (ACE) gene in a multicenter trial of ethnically homogeneous Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. All patients (n = 748) were divided into 5 groups as follows: group I (normoalbuminuric patients), group II (microalbuminuric patients), group III (overt albuminuric patients with serum creatinine (s-Cr) levels of less than 1.2 mg/dl), group IV (overt albuminuric patients with s-Cr levels of more than 1.3 mg/dl but excluding hemodialysis patients), and group V (hemodialysis patients). We selected patients with a diabetic duration of more than 15 years in the mild stage (groups I and II), but placed no limits on those in the advanced and end-stages (groups III, IV and V). The frequency of the DD genotype was slightly higher in the advanced and end stages. The frequency of the DD genotype in the mild stage differed from that in the end stage (II/ID/DD 47.8%/41.0%/11.2% vs. 37.0 %/43.3%/19.7% p = 0.07, II + ID/DD 88.8%/11.2% vs. 80.3%/19.7%, p < 0.05). D allele frequency in the mild stage also differed from that in the end stage (I/D 68.3%/31.7% vs. 58.7%/41.3%, p < 0.02). The presence of the DD genotype increased the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) more than that of the other genotypes (odds ratio ID/II = 1.37, 95% CI 0.82-2.27; DD/II = 2.27, 95% CI 1.12-4.61). It appears that the DD genotype is associated with progression of Japanese type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Aged↗

Peptide and protein library screening defines optimal substrate motifs for AKT/PKB.

AKT was originally identified as a proto-oncogene with a pleckstrin homology and Ser/Thr protein kinase domains. Recent studies revealed that AKT regulates a variety of cellular functions including cell survival, cell growth, cell differentiation, cell cycle progression, transcription, translation, and cellular metabolism. To clarify the substrate specificity of AKT, we have used an oriented peptide library approach to determine optimal amino acids at positions N-terminal and C-terminal to the site of phosphorylation. The predicted optimal peptide substrate (Arg-Lys-Arg-Xaa-Arg-Thr-Tyr-Ser*-Phe-Gly where Ser* is the phosphorylation site) has similarities to but is distinct from optimal substrates that we previously defined for related basophilic protein kinases such as protein kinase A, Ser/Arg-rich kinases, and protein kinase C family members. The positions most important for high V(max)/K(m) ratio were Arg-3>Arg-5>Arg-7. The substrate specificity of AKT was further investigated by screening a lambdaGEX phage HeLa cell cDNA expression library. All of the substrates identified by this procedure contained Arg-Xaa-Arg-Xaa-Xaa-(Ser/Thr) motifs and were in close agreement with the motif identified by peptide library screening. The results of this study should help in prediction of likely AKT substrates from primary sequences.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Oral administration of tetrahydrobiopterin prevents endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress in the aortas of insulin-resistant rats.

We have reported that a deficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)), an active cofactor of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), contributes to the endothelial dysfunction through reduced eNOS activity and increased superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) generation in the insulin-resistant state. To further confirm this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of dietary treatment with BH(4) on endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation and vascular oxidative stress in the aortas of insulin-resistant rats. Oral supplementation of BH(4) (10 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)) for 8 weeks significantly increased the BH(4) content in cardiovascular tissues of rats fed high levels of fructose (fructose-fed rats). Impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation in the aortic strips of the fructose-fed rats was reversed with BH(4) treatment. The BH(4) treatment was associated with a 2-fold increase in eNOS activity as well as a 70% reduction in endothelial O(2)(-) production compared with those in fructose-fed rats. The BH(4) treatment also partially improved the insulin sensitivity and blood pressure, as well as the serum triglyceride concentration, in the fructose-fed rats. Moreover, BH(4) treatment of the fructose-fed rats markedly reduced the lipid peroxide content of both aortic and cardiac tissues and inhibited the activation of 2 redox-sensitive transcription factors, nuclear factor-kappaB and activating protein-1, which were increased in fructose-fed rats. The BH(4) treatment of control rats did not have any significant effects on these parameters. These results indicate that BH(4) augmentation is essential for the restoration of eNOS function and the reduction of vascular oxidative stress in insulin-resistant rats.

Administration, Oral↗

Increases in K+ conductance and Ca2+ influx under high glucose with suppressed Na+/K+-pump activity in rat myelinated nerve fibers.

To test the combined effect of high glucose and decreased Na+/K+-pump activity, a condition which closely mimics the diabetic state, on nerve ionic currents, changes in action potential and membrane current induced by high glucose in the presence of ouabain were investigated using voltage clamp analysis in rat single myelinated nerve fibers. In the presence of 0.1 mM ouabain, 30 mM glucose caused a progressive increase in the delayed K+ current as well as persistent decreases in action potential and Na+ current, suggesting that Na+/K+ pump plays an important role in preventing the increase in the K+ current. The latter increase was suppressed by a blocker of Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Two types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blockers (L and N-type) as well as a Na+/Ca2+-exchange blocker diminished the ouabain-induced increase in K+ conductance. These results suggest that high glucose with suppressed Na+/K+ pump activity might induce an increase of Ca2+ influx through either Ca2+ channels or reverse Na+/Ca2+-exchange, possibly leading to the elevation of Ca2+-activated voltage-dependent K+ channels. Both a decrease in inward Na+ current and an increase in K+ conductance may result in decreased nerve conduction. In addition, a possible increase of axoplasmic Ca2+ concentration may lead to axonal degeneration. These results provide a clue for understanding the pathophysiologic mechanism of diabetic neuropathy.

Action Potentials↗

Evaluation of endothelial free radical release by vascular tension responses in insulin-resistant rat aorta.

Mechanical responses to superoxide anion scavengers and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors in aortic endothelial cells were compared in normal chow-fed rats and those made insulin-resistant by feeding of fructose. Cu(2+), Zn(2+)-superoxide dismutase-induced vascular relaxation and superoxide production, measured by the lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence method, were greater in aortas from fructose-fed rats than in those from normal chow-fed rats. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-induced contractions due to suppression of NO synthase activity were smaller in aortas from fructose-fed rats. Vascular mechanical responses may reflect the generation of superoxide and NO by the endothelium. Thus, isometric tension studies may be a useful tool for evaluating the production of these radicals in blood vessels.

Animals↗

Apoptosis and impaired axonal regeneration of sensory neurons after nerve crush in diabetic rats.

We investigated the possible induction of apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the defect of nerve regeneration after crush injury with reference to the JNK/c-jun and cAMP pathway in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. In addition, the effects of a PGE1 analogue were tested in diabetic rats. At day 0 (before axonal injury), no TUNEL-positive DRG neurons were observed in any group. From day 1 to 7 after axonal injury, TUNEL-positive DRG neurons were seen in diabetic rats, but not in non-diabetic or PGE1-treated diabetic rats. The regeneration distance at day 7 after crush injury was shorter in diabetic rats than in the other groups of rats. The time course of JNK/c-jun phosphorylation did not parallel apoptosis. At day 7, the cAMP content of DRG was higher than that at day 0 in non-diabetic and PGE1-treated rats, whereas it was not increased after 7 days in diabetic rats. These results indicate that in diabetic rats apoptosis of DRG neurons is induced by axonal injury independently of the JNK/c-jun and cAMP pathway and that PGE1 rescues DRG neurons from apoptosis and improves axonal regeneration in diabetic rats.

Afferent Pathways↗

Evaluation of diabetic neuropathy through the quantitation of cutaneous nerves.

The significance and usefulness of immunohistochemically quantitated cutaneous nerves in the evaluation of diabetic neuropathy was examined in biopsied skins of the calf from healthy subjects (n=12) and non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (n=32) with diabetic sensory neuropathy. Skin samples were immunostained with antibodies against protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, a pan-axonal marker. A quantitative analysis to determine nerve fiber (NF) number and nerve lengths (NLs) was performed on nerve fibers of the epidermis and the dermis and on nerves surrounding sweat glands. Nerve function tests were performed on the biopsied sites and erythrocyte aldose reductase level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Numbers of epidermal NFs, NLs of epidermis and dermis and NL around sweat glands were significantly decreased in diabetic patients compared with control subjects (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively). NL of epidermis showed a significant correlation with NL of dermis (P<0.01). Sural nerve conduction velocity was significantly correlated with NL of dermis (P10.8 (average in 555 diabetic patients) ng/mgHb) possessed a shorter NL of dermis NFs than those with lower AR level (<10.8) (P<0.05). These findings suggest that the quantitation of cutaneous nerves in biopsied skin samples provides important information about diabetic neuropathy and may improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of sensory nerve terminals in diabetic neuropathy.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

1H- and 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging as a new diagnostic tool to evaluate neuropathic foot ulcers in Type II diabetic patients.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We studied 36 Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients without occlusive arterial diseases in the lower extremities and 12 age-matched and sex-matched non-diabetic subjects to clarify the association between diabetic polyneuropathy and foot ulcers using 1H- and 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. METHODS: The 36 diabetic patients consisted of 12 patients with superficial foot ulcers and 24 patients free from this disease. We measured fat to water and phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate (PCr:Pi) ratios and calculated the intracellular pH of resting plantar muscles by depth-resolved surface-coil spectroscopy using an 1H-31P double tuned coil. Furthermore, foot vasculature, fat and PCr contents of plantar muscles were visualised by phase-contrast angiography, T1-weighted spin-echo imaging and 31P-chemical shift imaging. RESULTS: The 12 foot ulcer patients showed a reduced PCr to Pi ratio (p < 0.001) and peripheral nerve functions (p < 0.01-0.001) but an increased fat to water ratio (p < 0.001) and intracellular pH (p < 0.001) compared with the 24 patients without ulcers. From stepwise multiple regression analyses, motor nerve function as well as severity of nephropathy was associated with both fat to water and PCr to Pi ratios. When these patients were categorised into three groups based on their level of motor nerve function, the frequency of foot ulcers of the lowest group was higher than that of the highest group. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Our findings indicated that motor nerve dysfunction in diabetic patients was closely associated with impaired energy metabolism, fatty infiltration and increased intracellular pH of plantar muscles and high frequency of foot ulcers. These new techniques could contribute to help clarify the predisposing factors for foot ulcers.

Aged↗

Usefulness of waveform analysis of popliteal artery in type II diabetic patients using gated magnetic resonance 2D-cine-PC imaging and 31P spectroscopy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We studied 76 patients with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and 16 age-matched non-diabetic subjects (control group) to clarify qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of waveform and flow volume of the popliteal artery. METHODS: The 76 diabetic patients comprised 16 patients with occlusive arterial disease in the lower extremities [arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) group] and 60 patients free from this disease (non-ASO group). We flow analysed the popliteal artery and measured the phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio of resting plantar muscles to identify risk factors for foot lesions using gated magnetic resonance two-dimensional cine-mode phase-contrast imaging and 31P spectroscopy. RESULTS: The control and non-ASO groups had a triphasic waveform with systolic, early and late diastolic components. All ASO patients had an abnormal monophasic waveform and a lower ankle brachial index than that of the control and non-ASO groups. To clarify the mechanism of reduced flow volume of lower extremities, we assigned the 60 patients of the non-ASO group to the three subgroups based on their levels of total flow volume of the popliteal artery. The lowest group showed an abnormal triphasic waveform with lower amplitudes of systolic and late diastolic components and flow velocities in foot arteries than those of the highest group although ABI was similar. From stepwise multiple regression analysis, late diastolic flow volume was identified as an independent determinant for the phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio (r2 = 0.484, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Waveform analysis of popliteal artery provides a powerful tool for identifying impaired peripheral circulation caused by either occlusive arterial disease or increased arterial resistance in diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical characterization of glomerular PDGF B-chain and PDGF beta-receptor expression in diabetic rats.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was found to contribute to the pathophysiological process in the development and progression of glomerulosclerosis characterized by mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix. To examine the role of PDGF in the development of diabetic nephropathy, we conducted immunohistochemical analysis for PDGF B-chain (PDGF-B) and PDGF beta-receptor (PDGFR-beta) in the glomeruli of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. At 2, 4, and 12 weeks after the onset of diabetes, the expression of PDGF-B in glomeruli of diabetic rats was increased significantly as compared to control or diabetic rats treated with insulin. Similar changes were observed on PDGFR-beta immunostaining. The immunostaining of mirror sections revealed the existence of PDGF-B or PDGFR-beta not only in mesangial cells but also in visceral epithelial cells. Glomerular volume was significantly increased in diabetes. This early glomerular abnormality was prevented by an inhibition of PDGF system with trapidil as well as by the treatment of insulin. Our results suggest that the activation of the PDGF system in glomerular cells might play an important role in the development of early glomerular lesion in diabetes.

Animals↗

IDL can stimulate atherogenic gene expression in cultured human vascular endothelial cells.

Previously, we have reported that the lipoprotein fraction containing intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from diabetics stimulates an atherogenic cytokine in cultured endothelial cells. To study which lipoprotein fraction isolated from diabetics can modulate the gene expression in endothelial cells, we isolated IDL and LDL fractions from 14 type 2 diabetics and seven age- and BMI- adjusted non-diabetics. We measured the effects of the lipoproteins on mRNA expression of atherogenic molecules in cultured endothelial cells. We found that the IDL fraction stimulated monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression in endothelial cells as time- and dose-dependent fashions, while the LDL fraction was not effective. IDL isolated from diabetics also increased not only platelet-derived growth factor B-chain, but also intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA contents. Furthermore, the HbA(1c) levels in diabetics were significantly correlated with their abilities of IDL to increase MCP-1 mRNA content in the cells and the increment coincided with the increase in MCP-1 protein release into culture media. These results indicate that qualitative as well as quantitative changes in IDL fraction in diabetes are atherogenic through stimulating gene expression of atherogenic molecules in endothelial cells.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases as downstream effectors of transforming growth factor-beta in mesangial cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and production of extracellular matrix proteins in various types of cells including mesangial cells. Although TGF-beta has been also known as an important player in the pathogenesis of various fibrotic diseases including glomerulosclerosis, signal-transduction cascades of TGF-beta have remained to be clarified. However, emerging evidence indicates that TGF-beta can activate various signal transduction cascades such as Smad proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in many types of cells. Here, we examine the role of MAPKs in TGF-beta-induced gene expression of extracellular matrix proteins in mesangial cells. TGF-beta increases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, one of the MAPKs, and the expression of fibronectin mRNA and protein in rat mesangial cells. Furthermore, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK), can inhibit this TGF-beta-induced fibronectin expression. These data suggest that MAPKs play an important role in TGF-beta-mediated extracellular matrix production in mesangial cells.

Animals↗

Chronic complications in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases among adult population in Japan. The persistent hyperglycemia is responsible for the appearance of various organ and tissue damage in diabetic subjects. Eyes, kidneys and peripheral nerves are frequently damaged due to diabetes-specific alteration in microvessels. Furthermore, large vessels are also damaged causing severe diseases such as myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction and gangrene. The pathogenesis of these alterations in small and large vessels has been extensively studied and various metabolic abnormalities induced by hyperglycemia are proposed to play a major role in the development of these diabetic vascular complications. Among those metabolic abnormalities, the activation of the diacyl glycerol-protein kinase C pathway has been proposed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of not only microvascular complications but also macrovascular complications. The beneficial effect of a protein kinase C inhibitor on renal, retinal and atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic animal models may support this notion. The results of several large-scale clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of glycemic control as well as blood pressure control in the management of diabetic complications. It is a prerequisite, therefore, to obtain near-normal glycemic and blood pressure control in order to prevent the appearance of diabetic complications and also suppress their progression. In this aspect nutritional consideration may be an important way to improve the quality of these managements.

Adult↗

Amelioration of accelerated diabetic mesangial expansion by treatment with a PKC beta inhibitor in diabetic db/db mice, a rodent model for type 2 diabetes.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is implicated as an important mechanism by which diabetes causes vascular complications. We have recently shown that a PKC beta inhibitor ameliorates not only early diabetes-induced glomerular dysfunction such as glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria, but also overexpression of glomerular mRNA for transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, a model for type 1 diabetes. In this study, we examined the long-term effects of a PKC beta inhibitor on glomerular histology as well as on biochemical and functional abnormalities in glomeruli of db/db mice, a model for type 2 diabetes. Administration of a PKC beta inhibitor reduced urinary albumin excretion rates and inhibited glomerular PKC activation in diabetic db/db mice. Administration of a PKC beta inhibitor also prevented the mesangial expansion observed in diabetic db/db mice, possibly through attenuation of glomerular expression of TGF-beta and ECM proteins such as fibronectin and type IV collagen. These findings provide the first in vivo evidence that the long-term inhibition of PKC activation in the renal glomeruli can ameliorate glomerular pathologies in diabetic state, and thus suggest that a PKC beta inhibitor might be an useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Albuminuria↗

Persistent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase causes insulin resistance due to accelerated insulin-induced insulin receptor substrate-1 degradation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Recently, we have reported that the overexpression of a membrane-targeted phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (p110CAAX) stimulated p70S6 kinase, Akt, glucose transport, and Ras activation in the absence of insulin but inhibited insulin-stimulated glycogen synthase activation and MAP kinase phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To investigate the mechanism of p110CAAX-induced cellular insulin resistance, we have now studied the effect of p110CAAX on insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein. Overexpression of p110CAAX alone decreased IRS-1 protein levels to 63+/-10% of control values. Insulin treatment led to an IRS-1 gel mobility shift (most likely caused by serine/threonine phosphorylation), with subsequent IRS-1 degradation. Moreover, insulin-induced IRS-1 degradation was enhanced by expression of p110CAAX (61+/-16% vs. 13+/-15% at 20 min, and 80+/-8% vs. 41+/-12% at 60 min, after insulin stimulation with or without p110CAAX expression, respectively). In accordance with the decreased IRS-1 protein, the insulin-stimulated association between IRS-1 and the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase was also decreased in the p110CAAX-expressing cells, and IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity was decreased despite the fact that total PI 3-kinase activity was increased. Five hours of wortmannin pretreatment inhibited both serine/threonine phosphorylation and degradation of IRS-1 protein. These results indicate that insulin treatment leads to serine/threonine phosphorylation of IRS-1, with subsequent IRS-1 degradation, through a PI 3-kinase-sensitive mechanism. Consistent with this, activated PI 3-kinase phosphorylates IRS-1 on serine/threonine residues, leading to IRS- 1 degradation. The similar finding was observed in IRS-2 as well as IRS-1. These results may also explain the cellular insulin-resistant state induced by chronic p110CAAX expression.

3T3 Cells↗

Blood pressure control in Japanese hypertensives with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension are thought to be at high risk for cardiovascular diseases. Recent guidelines for treatment of hypertension such as the JNC VI and WHO/ISH guidelines, recommend that antihypertensive agents be strated at as low as at 130/85 mmHg and that blood pressure be lowered to less than 130/85 mmHg. Our study was designed to clarify how well and to what extent blood pressure (BP) was controlled in Japanese hypertensive patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. We interviewed two hundred physicians, randomly sellected from among the members of the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH) (n=98) and the Japanese Diabetes Society (JDS) (n=102) and obtained information regarding five most recent cases of hypertension with (n=954 in total) and their 2 most recent cases of hypertension without diabetes (n=371 in total). The achieved BP was below 140/90 mmHg in 40.5% of non-diabetic and 38.3% of diabetic hypertensives. The percentage of patients whose BP was less than 130/85 mmHg was 10.8% in nondiabetics and 11.4% in diabetics. The average number of hypotensive agents used was 1.46 in nondiabetics and 1.52 in diabetics. Physicians prescribed more ACE inhibitors and alpha-blockers in diabetics than in nondiabetics, although Ca-antagonists were administered in more than 70% of patients irrespective of whether or not they had diabetes. In contrast, fewer beta-blockers and diuretics were administered to diabetics. These results suggest that although Japanese physicians are considering the effects of hypotensive agents on metabolism and renal function when they treat diabetic hypertensives, the achieved blood pressure in both hypertensives with and those without diabetes is insufficient, with only one of ten patients having a blood pressure less than 130/85 mmHg even among diabetics. Improved blood pressure control will therefore be needed to treat high risk groups such as patients with diabetes mellitus.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗