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Biomedical subjects

S Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to S Sakai.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

Inhibitory effects of spices on growth and toxin production of toxigenic fungi.

The inhibitory effects of 29 commercial powdered spices on the growth and toxin production of three species of toxigenic Aspergillus were observed by introducing these materials into culture media for mycotoxin production. Of the 29 samples tested, cloves, star anise seeds, and allspice completely inhibited the fungal growth, whereas most of the others inhibited only the toxin production. Eugenol extracted from cloves and thymol from thyme caused complete inhibition of the growth of both Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus versicolor at 0.4 mg/ml or less. At a concentration of 2 mg/ml, anethol extracted from star anise seeds inhibited the growth of all the strains.

Aflatoxins↗

Plasma levels of vitamin D metabolites in renal diseases.

Plasma levels of 25-OH-D, 1,25-(OH)2-D and 24,25-(OH)2-D in acute renal failure, chronic glomerulonephritis and chronic renal failure were determined by competitive protein binding assay and evaluated for the correlation with the degree of renal impairment and the influence of dialysis, renal transplantation and the administration of vitamin D and 1-alpha-OH-D3. In this study it is revealed that 25-OH-D deficiency could be normalized by the administration of vitamin D2. Plasma levels of 1,25-(OH)2-D are decreased in proportion to the degree of renal impairment and it is clearly depressed in patients, with a Ccr of 30 ml/min or less. Although biosynthesis of 24,25-(OH)2-D is not remarkably depressed, it is necessary to resolve various questions including the methods of measurement in this respect. It is also disclosed in the present study that 1-alpha-OH-D3 is faster in action than vitamin D2 when used to correct 1,25-(OH)2-D3 deficiency.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Vascular responsiveness and body fluid status in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

The vascular responsiveness and the body fluid distribution were studied in 5 hypotensive and 11 normotensive patients on long-term hemodialysis. A diminished vascular responsiveness to intravenously infused norepinephrine or angiotensin II was found in uremic patients, especially in the hypotensive group. A slightly larger, but non-significant circulating blood volume (CBV) and a less extracellular fluid volume (ECF) was found in the hypotensive group as compared with those of the normotensive group. These results suggest that with autonomic nervous dysfunction, such a diminution of vascular responsiveness may be an another factor responsible for the development of hypotension.

Adult↗

Inhibitory effects of condiments and herbal drugs on the growth and toxin production of toxigenic fungi.

The effects of thirteen kinds of powdered herbal drugs and seven kinds of commercial dry condiments on the growth and toxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, and A. versicolor were observed by introducing these substances into culture media for mycotoxin production. Of the twenty samples tested, cinnamon bark completely inhibited the fungal growth, while the others only inhibited the toxin production. The inhibitors were easily extracted from the samples with solvents such as hot water, chloroform, or ethanol. The extracts from coptis, philodendron bark, mustard, green tea leaves, and zanthoxylum completely inhibited the aflatoxin production of A. parasiticus, however, they had little or no inhibitory effect against A. flavus.

Aspergillus↗

Glucocorticoid modulation of prolactin receptors on mammary cells of lactating mice.

Prolactin receptors were monitored by measuring 125I-labeled prolactin binding to collagenase-dissociated mammary epithelial cells of lactating BALB/c mice. Specific receptors for iodine-labeled prolactin with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.99 . 10(-9) M were present on the dissociated mammary cells. The binding was inhibited by ovine prolactin, human growth hormone and human placental lactogen but not by follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, bovine growth hormone or insulin. Adrenal ablation of nursing mothers caused a reduction of the number of prolactin receptors and this effect was preventable by hydrocortisone therapy. Hydrocortisone injections to mothers 3 days after adrenalectomy also induced a replenishment of the prolactin receptors on the mammary cells. Injections of progesterone failed to sustain the high level of mammary cell prolactin receptors in adrenalectomized animals. Stimultaneous injections of hydrocortisone and progesterone to animals 3 days after adrenalectomy caused a partial suppression of the stimulatory action of hydrocortisone alone. The results suggest that hydrocortisone can exert a modulatory influence on mammary cell prolactin receptors in non-hypophysectomized post-partum mice without altering the dissociation constant (Kd) of the receptors.

Adrenal Glands↗

Glucocorticoid regulation of prolactin receptors on mammary cells in culture.

Mouse mammary epithelial cultures were examined for the ability to specifically bind [125I]PRL after cultivation on floating collagen gels. Corticosterone, particularly hydrocortisone, were effective in increasing the ability of mouse mammary cells to bind [125I]PRL. The absence of a glucocorticoid in the medium resulted in a loss of PRL binding during the 3 days in culture. 17 beta-Estradiol, progesterone, and aldosterone at equal molar concentration had no or only a small effect in increasing [125I]PRL binding.

Aldosterone↗

Interaction between aspirin and prostaglandins in the isolated guinea-pig tracheal muscle.

The effects of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha on the tonus of isolated guinea-pig tracheal chain were investigated and compared with those of histamine and acetylcholine. PGE2 reduced tonus in normal resting state, but elevated tracheal tonus reduced by aspirin. Such PGE2-induced contractions did not exceed the initial resting tonus, and the magnitude and duration of the contractions progressively diminished with increase of PGE2 concentrations. Aspirin produced neither relaxation nor contraction in the presence of a low dose of PGE2. Unlike PGE2, PGF2 alpha produced a dose-related contraction in the normal tracheal chain, and the contractile response to PGF2 alpha was markedly potentiated by aspirin. In the presence of PGF2 alpha, aspirin no longer produced tracheal relaxation but produced a dose-related contraction. The contractile effect of histamine but not of acetylcholine was also potentiated by aspirin, but there was a slight difference between PGF2 alpha and histamine in that the potentiation of action of PGF2 alpha by aspirin was more easily diminished by PGE2. These results suggest that PGE2 plays an important role in the maintenance of the resting tonus of the isolated guinea-pig tracheal chain, and in large doses it also acts as a tracheal relaxant and attenuates the tracheal responses to PGF2 alpha and histamine.

Acetylcholine↗

Effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in rats with experimental renal osteodystrophy.

A model of experimental renal osteodystrophy was established in the rats with chronic renal failure induced by partial nephrectomy and therapeutic effects of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-D3) were studied. Male Wistar rats weighing 180 g were 5/6 nephrectomized and fed a normal diet (Ca and P : 1%) for 6 months. After the surgery, serum creatinine levels increased 60% and thereafter continued to rise gradually with their growth for 4 to 5 months, followed by rapid increase. The serum phosphorus levels were also elevated concomitantly and the serum calcium concentrations were normal. Marked bone resorption accompanied with hypertrophy of parathyroid glands was observed by histological examinations (Tetrachrome-Fuchsin stain, contact microradiography and H-E stain). The bone resorption seemed to be due to secondary hyperparathyroidism. Treatment with 0.25 micrograms/kg/day p.o. of 1 alpha-OH-D3 for 10 days in the uremic state resulted in remarkable new bone formation which was confirmed by histological examinations. These results clearly demonstrated that the reduction of nephron mass play a critical clue of renal osteodystrophy and 1 alpha-OH-D3 appears to have a good potential for clinical use in patients with renal failure and metabolic bone diseases.

Animals↗

[Clinical investigation on a new penicillin derivative, bacampicillin (author's transl)].

A clinical investigation was carried out on a new penicillin derivative, bacampicillin with the following results. (1) Clinical effect--Bacampicillin was administered orally to 18 patients with acute simple cystitis, acute simple pyelonephritis, chronic prostatitis and acute gonorrhoic urethritis. Daily doses ranged from 750 mg to 1,000 mg. The administration continued for 4 to 14 days. Clinical effect was excellent in 10 patients and good in 5 patients. (2) Side effect--Side effects were noticed in 4 patients, one was allergic eruption and other 3 were gastralgia. In a patient the drug was discontinued to administer.

Adult↗