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Biomedical subjects

S Himeno

Publications and source records attributed to S Himeno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection of myeloid precursors (granulocyte/macrophage colony forming units) in the bone marrow adjacent to rheumatoid arthritis joints.

Various cytokines were recently found to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and particularly, cytokines with hematopoietic activity have been detected in synovial tissues. We counted the number of myeloid precursors in terms of granulocyte/macrophage colony forming units (CFU-GM) and the number of stromal cell progenitors in terms of fibroblast colony forming units (CFU-F) in the tibial bone marrow adjacent to the joints affected by RA (n = 21), osteoarthritis (OA) (n = 10), and trauma (n = 2) using the colony formation unit assay. We also quantitated the amounts of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, and granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the culture supernatant of synovial tissue explants of these patients by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean number (+/- SEM) of CFU-GM in patients with RA (7.4 +/- 4.9) was greater than that in patients with OA (0.5 +/- 0.2), while CFU-GM was not detected in trauma patients. The number of CFU-GM in the tibial bone marrow of patients with RA correlated well with the amount of IL-1 beta (r = 0.64, p < 0.01), but not with GM-CSF or with IL-6 from synovial tissues. These findings suggest that active bone marrow is present adjacent to the affected joints in patients with RA and that hematopoietic activity is influenced by IL-1 beta produced in nearby synovial tissues.

Aged

Marginal zinc deficiency and changes in behavioral salt taste threshold and salt preference in mice.

An animal model of marginal zinc deficiency was tested in mice, and salt taste threshold and salt preference were investigated in the state of marginal zinc deficiency. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, four-week-old male ICR mice were fed diets of three different levels of zinc content (3.17, 9.27, or 48.13 micrograms Zn/g) for 60 days. Food intake, growth, zinc levels in tissues, hepatic metallothionein (MT) content, and activities of selected enzymes (hepatic and RBC delta-amino-levulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP] did not differ among the groups throughout the experiment, and no overt signs of zinc deficiency were manifested in any group. In Experiment 2, four-week-old male ICR mice were fed a zinc-deficient diet (1.98 micrograms Zn/g) or a zinc-adequate diet (49.14 micrograms Zn/g) for 56 days. Food intake and growth did not differ between the two groups, and no overt signs of zinc deficiency were observed throughout the experiment. Zinc levels in the plasma and femur--but not those in the brain, kidneys, liver, and red blood cell (RBC)--and plasma ALP activities were significantly lower on Day 42 and Day 56 of the experiment in the mice fed the zinc-deficient diet (ZnD group) than in those fed the zinc-adequate diet (ZnA group). Hepatic MT contents were lower in the ZnD group than in the ZnA group on Day 56 only. Salt taste threshold was 0.05% in the ZnA group, while it was 0.1% in the ZnD group, between Day 30 and Day 38, and between Day 44 and Day 52 of the experiment. Preference for 0.9% NaCl solution was no different in the two groups when tested between Day 38 and Day 40 or between Day 52 and Day 54, but that for 1.6% NaCl solution was significantly higher in the ZnD group than in the ZnA group between Day 40 and Day 42, and between Day 54 and Day 56.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Clinical and histologic study of endoscopic duodenitis.

Duodenitis was investigated by endoscopy in 93 cases from among 1242 subjects. Endoscopic duodenitis was classified into three types endoscopically--reddening type, erosive type and nodular type. There was a relatively high correlation between the endoscopic and the histological diagnosis of duodenitis. Severely inflamed cases were found histologically more frequently in erosive- or nodular-type duodenitis than in reddening-type duodenitis. During the follow-up period, changes in endoscopic findings were observed more frequently, from the erosive type to the reddening type, and from the reddening type to normal. There were no cases which subsequently developed duodenal ulcers. We found a significantly high incidence of "endoscopic duodenitis" in uremic patients who had been given regular dialysis, and not in hepatic cirrhosis patients.

Adolescent

Regulation of glutathione peroxidase mRNA level by dietary selenium manipulation.

Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) contains selenium at its active site as a selenocysteine moiety. We have shown that feeding mice a selenium-deficient diet for a long period caused a large decrease in the GSH-Px mRNA level as well as in GSH-Px activity both in the liver and kidneys (Toyoda, H., Himeno, S. and Imura, N. (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1008, 301-308). In the present study, the transcription rate of the GSH-Px gene was determined by a nuclear run-on assay using liver nuclei of mice fed a selenium-deficient or selenium-adequate diet. The results clearly demonstrate that the transcription rate of the GSH-Px gene was not changed by dietary selenium manipulation, indicating that dietary selenium regulates the level of GSH-Px mRNA in the post-transcriptional step.

Actins

NH2-terminal big gastrin immunoreactivity in human urine.

The concentrations and molecular forms of urinary and plasma gastrin from normal subjects were studied by radioimmunoassays using two region-specific antisera. Urinary concentration of NH2-terminal big gastrin (G-34) immunoreactivity was several hundred times as great as that of COOH-terminal gastrin immunoreactivity. Fractionation of urine extract showed a broad giant peak of NH2-terminal G-34 immunoreactivity (gastrin fragments "U") eluting in a later position than G-34(1-17) by Sephadex G-50 column chromatography. HPLC revealed that urinary NH2-terminal G-34 immunoreactivity was composed of four fragments including G-34(1-8), G-34(1-9), and G-34(1-10). Sephadex G-50 column chromatography of plasma extract revealed two or three peaks of NH2-terminal G-34 immunoreactivity, and a major peak eluted in the same position as urinary gastrin fragments "U". These results and data on renal clearances suggest that most of all gastrin fragments "U" in plasma are excreted in urine without renal reabsorption, whereas almost all of plasma COOH-terminal gastrin peptides including G-34 and little gastrin (G-17) are removed and metabolized in the kidney.

Adult

Absorption of methylmercury compounds from rat intestine.

Intestinal absorption of methylmercury complexed with non-protein sulfhydryl compounds (NPSHs) as occurs in bile was studied by means of direct injection of mercury compounds into ligated intestinal segments of rats. The extent of absorption of methylmercury-cysteinylglycine (MM-CysGly) was similar to that of methylmercury-cysteine (MM-Cys) and 1.5 times larger than that of methylmercury-glutathione (MM-GSH). This results suggested that MM-CysGly, which is recognized as a major component of methylmercury in rat bile, can be easily reabsorbed from the intestine. These results indicate that not only MM-GSH and MM-Cys but also MM-CysGly may play important roles in the intestinal reabsorption of methylmercury during its enterohepatic circulation. When the ligated intestine was pretreated with probenecid and acivicin, the intestinal absorption of MM-GSH was depressed much more than in the case of treatment with acivicin alone. This indicates the possibility that there are at least two systems for intestinal transport of MM-GSH, i.e. gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-dependent and -independent systems.

Animals

Temporal profiles of urinary excretion of NH2-terminal big gastrin immunoreactivity in humans.

We studied the temporal profile of urinary NH2-terminal big gastrin immunoreactivity (NT G-34-IR) excretion in order to evaluate the dynamics of gastrin secretion. The temporal profile of urinary NT G-34-IR excretion in normal subjects represented three peaks corresponding to each meal. In contrast, the profile in antrectomized patients and patients under total parenteral nutrition (TPN) represented a flat pattern. Urinary NT G-34-IR excretions during fasting 2-h periods in antrectomized patients and TPN patients were about one-sixth and one-third, respectively, of basal NT G-34-IR excretion in normal subjects (53.1 +/- 13.9 pmol/h). Total urinary NT G-34-IR excretion during 24 h both in antrectomized patients (220 +/- 35 pmol/24 h) and TPN patients (390 +/- 68 pmol/24 h) was also significantly lower than in normal subjects (1985 +/- 403 pmol/24 h). The present study showed that the main source of urinary NT G-34-IR is the gastric antrum, that the main factor fluctuating its excretion is food intake, and that long-term TPN reduces basal gastrin secretion. Urinary NT G-34-IR would be a useful indicator for total gastrin secretion.

Adult

A possible indicator of urinary NH2-terminal big gastrin immunoreactivity for gastrin secretion.

Urinary and plasma gastrin immunoreactivities in normal subjects were studied by radioimmunoassays using three region-specific antisera. Urinary excretion of NH2-terminal big gastrin immunoreactivity (NT G-34-IR) in the fasting state (0.79 +/- 0.17 pmol/kg/h, mean +/- SE) was several hundred times as much as that of either COOH-terminal gastrin or gastrin/cholecystokinin immunoreactivity. Urinary NT G-34-IR increased significantly after feeding, and correlated closely with integrated plasma NT G-34-IR. Renal clearance of NT G-34-IR was 62.4 +/- 7.9 ml/min and about one hundred times greater than that of any other gastrin immunoreactivities, indicating that there exist different catabolic pathways of gastrin peptides in the kidney. Gel filtration of urine extract revealed that a single giant peak of NT G-34-IR eluted in a later position than NH2-terminal heptadecapeptide of big gastrin. These results suggest that most of plasma NT G-34-IR is excreted in urine, and urinary excretion of NT G-34-IR reflects well-integrated plasma NT G-34-IR. Therefore, urinary NT G-34-IR may serve as a feasible indicator for gastrin secretion.

Adult

Normal axial alignment of the lower extremity and load-bearing distribution at the knee.

Based on a series of 120 normal subjects of different gender and age, the geometry of the knee joint was analyzed using a full-length weight-bearing roentgenogram of the lower extremity. A special computer program based on the theory of a rigid body spring model was applied to calculate the important anatomic and biomechanical factors of the knee joint. The tibiofemoral mechanical angle was 1.2 degrees varus. Hence, it is difficult to rationalize the 3 degree varus placement of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty suggested by some authors. The distal femoral anatomic valgus (measured from the lower one-half of the femur) was 4.2 degrees in reference to its mechanical axis. This angle became 4.9 degrees when the full-length femoral anatomic axis was used. When simulating a one-legged weight-bearing stance by shifting the upper-body gravity closer to the knee joint, 75% of the knee joint load passed through the medial tibial plateau. The knee joint-line obliquity was more varus in male subjects. The female subjects had a higher peak joint pressure and a greater patello-tibial Q angle. Age had little effect on the factors relating to axial alignment of the lower extremity and load transmission through the knee joint.

Adult

The regulation of glutathione peroxidase gene expression relevant to species difference and the effects of dietary selenium manipulation.

Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) contains selenium (Se) as selenocysteine in the active site of the enzyme. GSH-Px activities in the cytosol of all guinea-pig tissues examined were extremely low compared with those in mice and rats, while Se concentrations in tissues were almost the same among three animal species. In addition, no GSH-Px mRNA was detectable in any tissues of guinea-pigs, although the guinea-pig had the same copy number (probably a single copy) of the GSH-Px gene in its genomic DNA as that of the mouse and rat, suggesting that the species difference of GSH-Px activity observed in rodents might be due to incapability of gene transcription. On the other hand, feeding of mice with Se-deficient diet for 6 weeks resulted in a remarkable decrease in GSH-Px mRNA as well as GSH-Px activity both in the liver and kidneys. The detailed time-course experiment revealed that the drop in GSH-Px activity preceded the decrease in the mRNA level in Se-depleted mice and the mRNA level recovered rapidly in contrast to the slow rate of increase in the enzyme activity in Se-repleted mice. These results suggested that the alteration in GSH-Px activity in mice subjected to dietary Se manipulation is attributable not only to transcriptional but also to post-transcriptional regulation.

Animals

Purification and structural determination of urinary NH2-terminal big gastrin fragments.

We previously demonstrated that there existed extremely abundant NH2-terminal big gastrin immunoreactivity (NT G-34-IR) in human urine. This report describes the purification and sequence of NT G-34-IR from the urine of an achlorhydric patient. The purification was carried out by a combination of Sep-Pak C18 cartridges, Sephadex G-25, and HPLC steps using a radioimmunoassay specific for NH2-terminus of G-34 and ultraviolet absorption at 214 nm as monitors. Three peptides were isolated. The amino acid analysis, mass spectrometry, and sequence analysis confirmed the structures of urinary NT G-34 fragments being less than Glu-Leu-Gly-Pro-Gln-Gly-Pro-Pro, less than Glu-Leu-Gly-Pro-Gln-Gly- Pro-Pro-His, and less than Glu- Leu-Gly-Pro-Gln-Gly-Pro-Pro-His-Leu. NH2-terminal octapeptide of G-34 was the main component of urinary NT G-34-IR.

Achlorhydria

Splenomegaly in Papua New Guineans and in Japanese living in Papua New Guinea: report of research and exchange program of Osaka University with the South Pacific region.

Sizes of spleen and liver were studied by measuring spleen index calculated by multiplying the maximal length by the maximal width of the spleen and liver length at right mid-clavicular line below the costal margin using ultrasonography in 26 Papua New Guineans and in 25 Japaneses living in Papua New Guinea. In Papua New Guinean, spleen index and liver length were 77.4 +/- 9.9 cm2 and 5.4 +/- 0.7 cm, respectively. Their spleen index correlated inversely (p < 0.05) with hemoglobin level. In Japanese, spleen index and liver length were 24.5 +/- 2.1 cm2 and 0.8 +/- 0.3 cm, respectively and spleen index correlated positively with the duration of stay in Papua New Guinea (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the clinical and subclinical infections acquired in P.N.G. may play some role on the development of splenomegaly. Malaria is the prime suspect for the high prevalence of observed splenomegaly in both studied groups.

Adult

Changes in plasma active renin and prorenin after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.

Plasma active renin, total renin (active renin plus prorenin) and immunoreactive trypsin were measured simultaneously before and after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) in 9 subjects suspected of having pancreatic or biliary disease. After ERP, their plasma immunoreactive trypsin level increased significantly (p less than 0.02) from 12.4 +/- 1.5 to 163 +/- 57 ng/ml (means +/- SEM), while their plasma renin activity, total renin activity and ratio of active renin to total renin did not change. Individual values for the ratio of active renin to total renin correlated significantly (p less than 0.01) with those for immunoreactive trypsin in the basal condition (before ERP), but not after ERP. These results suggest that plasma trypsin is involved in activation of prorenin to active renin in the basal condition, and that ERP-induced increase in plasma trypsin has no effect on activation of prorenin.

Blood Pressure

Marked secretion of pyruvate in human duodenal juice stimulated with pancreozymin or secretin.

Pyruvate and lactate in duodenal aspirates were investigated to determine whether they are excreted from human pancreas as substrates for alkaline secretion as is bicarbonate. Secretion of these acids was compared with that of another organic acid, citrate, which is thought to be excreted in close relationship to digestive enzymes. All acids were assayed in the fluid obtained from 11 subjects without pancreatic diseases, before and after sequential intravenous injections of 1 unit/kg pancreozymin and 1 unit/kg secretin. Pyruvate concentrations were markedly increased by each stimulation, especially by secretin, and the cumulative excretions of pyruvate and bicarbonate after secretin stimulation were significantly correlated among the subjects. In contrast, lactate concentrations, although high just after administration of pancreozymin, declined to a considerable extent following each injection, rather similar to those of protein or citrate. These data suggest that pyruvate may be secreted from human pancreatic duct cells similar to bicarbonate secretion through mechanisms related to alkaline secretion.

Adult