Biomedical subjects

T Imazawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Imazawa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Dose-dependent promotion effects of potassium chloride on glandular stomach carcinogenesis in rats after initiation with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and the synergistic influence with sodium chloride.

The modifying effects of potassium chloride (KCl) ingestion on glandular stomach carcinogenesis were investigated in male Wistar rats induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and were compared with those of sodium chloride (NaCl). A total of 120 male 6-week-old Wistar rats were divided into six groups, each consisting of 20 animals. After initiation of treatment with a MNNG solution (100 parts/million) as their drinking water for 10 weeks, rats were fed a diet supplemented with 5% NaCl, 2.5% NaCl, 2.5% NaCl plus 2.5% KCl, 5% KCl, 2.5% KCl, or a basal diet alone for the following 62 weeks. Under this experimental condition, there were no statistical differences in the final body weights between groups. The incidences of adenocarcinomas in the glandular stomachs were significantly higher in the 5% NaCl and combined 2.5% NaCl-plus-2.5% KCl groups (P < 0.05 and 0.01) than in the MNNG alone (control) group. The incidences of atypical or precancerous hyperplasias in the glandular stomachs were increased significantly by the 5% NaCl, 2.5% NaCl-plus-2.5% KCl, and 5% KCl treatments (P < 0.05 or 0.01). The multiplicities of adenocarcinomas were significantly greater in the 5% NaCl, 2.5% NaCl, and combined NaCl-plus-KCl groups (P < 0.05 or 0.01) compared with the control value. The multiplicity data for atypical hyperplasias were most striking; namely, their multiplicities were increased significantly by the treatments of NaCl or KCl (P , 0.01) in a clear dose-dependent manner and enhanced synergistically by the combined treatment of NaCl and KCl. Because the concentrations of KCl used in this study were about 1.3 times lower than those of NaCl on a molar basis, although the doses of each chemical were exactly the same on a weight-percent basis, it is suggested that the enhancing effects of KCl might not be much different from those of NaCl. The results in the present study thus indicate that, similarly to NaCl, KCl ingestion exerts dose-dependent promoting effects and a synergistic influence with NaCl when given during the postinitiation phase of two-stage glandular stomach carcinogenesis in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Not Ca2+ but CAMP is the second messenger for morphological changes in rat megakaryocyte.

ATP and thrombin both induced Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular Ca2+ store site of megakaryocyte, the progenitor cell of platelet (Uneyama C., Uneyama H. and Akaike N. (1993) J. Physiol. (Lond.), 470, 73-749). Since in platelet, thrombin is known as a strong agonist and ADP is known as a weak agonist, we further investigated the effect of these agonists on megakaryocyte. Thrombin induced Ca2+ mobilization, 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) release and aggregatory morphological changes in megakaryocyte, but ATP induced only Ca2+ mobilization. Thrombin-induced 5-HT release was inhibited by adenylate cyclase-activating drugs, and the morphological changes could be induced by H-8, an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These results suggest that the Ca2+ mobilization is not sufficient to induce morphological changes, and the signal to cause morphological changes in megakaryocyte may be cAMP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1995

Nucleolar segregation as an early marker for DNA damage; an experimental study in rats treated with 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide.

Male 6-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were given a single intravenous injection of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (4HAQO) at a dose of 20 mg/kg in order to produce ultrastructural changes as possible morphological biomarkers for toxicity. Immunohistochemically demonstrated formation of 4HAQO-DNA adduct was correlated with the changes found. Nucleolar alteration, demonstrable by electron microscopy as segregation of nucleolar components into granular and fibrillar compartments, was evident in cells of the target organs, exocrine pancreas and adrenocortex, but not of the non-target liver parenchyma. Sequential observation clarified that such alteration was highest in frequency 6 h and 4 h after 4HAQO administration in pancreatic acinar cells and adrenocortical cells respectively. Electron microscopically, apoptotic changes of acinar cells were evident 2 h after injection of 4HAQO. DNA adduct formation was consistently demonstrated in the same target organs showing nucleolar segregation, the highest frequency being noted 4 h after 4HAQO treatment in both pancreatic acinar cells and adrenocortical cells. Our results thus indicate an identity of the target cells for nucleolar segregation and 4HAQO-DNA adduct formation which correlates with 4HAQO-toxicity. We suggest that nucleolar segregation occurs subsequent to the generation of DNA damage.

4-Hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide↗

PubMed1995

Effects of caffeine on glandular stomach carcinogenesis induced in rats by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and sodium chloride.

The modifying effects of caffeine ingestion on glandular stomach carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and sodium chloride (NaCl) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Animals were given a MNNG solution (100 ppm) as their drinking water and simultaneously fed a diet supplemented with 5% NaCl for 8 wk. They then received 0.25% caffeine solution (groups 1 and 3) or tap water (groups 2 and 4) as the drinking water, and were fed the NaCl diet (groups 1 and 2) or basal diet (groups 3 and 4) for the following 32 wk. Both caffeine and NaCl treatments exerted growth retardation effects, the suppression being stronger with caffeine than NaCl, and animals in group 1 (NaCl plus caffeine) showing the lowest body weight. The incidence of adenocarcinomas in the pylorus was significantly decreased in group 1 compared with the group 2 (NaCl) value (P < 0.05). The incidence of atypical hyperplasias in the fundus was also lower in group 1 than in group 2, although in both cases significantly higher (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) than in group 4 (no treatment). These results were in good agreement with short-term assay findings whereby lipid peroxidation in the glandular stomach mucosa induced by 4% NaCl ingestion was inhibited by caffeine treatment. In group 3 (caffeine), caffeine intake by itself did not modulate glandular stomach tumour development. The results thus suggest that caffeine inhibits the gastric tumour promotion activity of NaCl in rats.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Cell proliferation in lung fibrosis-associated hyperplastic lesions.

1. Cell proliferative activity of atypical bronchioalveolar epithelia in lung fibrosis cases treated with bleomycin (BLM) or radiation was investigated by studying the histochemistry of the argyrophil nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). 2. Five and 14 autopsy cases of individuals who died of pulmonary fibrosis, caused by BLM treatment and irradiation respectively, were compared with (i) six control subjects who proved to have no apparent fibrosis of the lung at autopsy and (ii) four lung squamous cell carcinoma cases. 3. Histopathologically, both the BLM-treated and irradiated cases showed extensive collapse of the lung caused by severe fibrosis, although proliferative epithelial lesions such as atypical bronchioloalveolar hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia were more prominent in the former. 4. The mean AgNOR numbers in both atypical hyperplasias and metaplasias, of either BLM or irradiation cases, were significantly higher than in control bronchioalveolar epithelial areas, whereas they were lower than in the lung cancers. Data for PCNA-labelling indices were in time with those for AgNORs. 5. The results indicate that atypical hyperplastic lesions in the bronchioloalveoli arising during the fibrosing process as induced by BLM, and by irradiation, are highly proliferative.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of josamycin in F344 rats].

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of josamycin was performed in male and female F344 rats to determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) for subsequent investigation of the carcinogenicity. As animals refused to take diet containing 5.0% josamycin in our preliminary study, dose levels in the present study were determined as 0, 0.16, 0.32, 0.63, 125 and 2.5% in diet. Rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups, each consisting of 10 males and 10 females. No animal died during the administration period and no group showed significant changes in body weight gain. Definite toxicity of josamycin was not noted in hematological and serum biochemical examinations. Histopathological examinations revealed no particular findings related to josamycin administration except cecal enlargement in the 1.25 and 2.5% groups. based on the results of the present study, it was concluded that the MTD of josamycin in 2.5% in diet, because the dietary dose level of 2.5% proved to exert no significant toxicological signs.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1995

Serum concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor in breast cancer patients.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was first identified as a potent stimulator of hepatocyte growth and DNA synthesis. Later, it was shown that HGF can promote cell motility and cell proliferation in various types of cells, including tumor cells and endothelial cells. We have examined serum concentrations of HGF in breast cancer patients using an ELISA. Of 134 primary breast cancer patients, 49 (36.6%) showed a significant increase in the circulating level of HGF as compared to healthy controls. The increase in the HGF level was significantly associated with axillary lymph node metastases and histological evidence of venous invasion. No significant correlation between serum HGF concentrations and intratumoral HGF concentrations was found; however, the removal of the primary tumor clearly decreased the serum HGF level, suggesting that the elevation of HGF in the serum was tumor related. Twenty-nine (82.9%) of 35 patients with recurrent breast cancer had an increase in the serum HGF level. The HGF level was significantly higher in patients with liver metastases compared to those with other sites of metastases. Postoperative sequential examinations confirmed that the increase in the serum HGF level was associated with the appearance of relapse. In conclusion, the serum HGF level was significantly increased in breast cancer patients. Circulating HGF might play important roles in tumor progression in this malignancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Effects of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) on N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-initiated carcinogenesis in hamsters.

The effects of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) administration during the post-initiation phase of carcinogenesis were investigated in hamsters treated with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP). Female Syrian golden hamsters were given a single s.c. injection of BOP at a dose of 10 mg/kg and then administered 3 ppm (H) or 1 ppm (L) NNK in their drinking water for the following 87 weeks. Additional groups of animals received the BOP injection alone, or only the 3 or 1 ppm NNK treatments as BOP-negative controls. At week 88 of the experiment, all surviving animals were sacrificed and development of proliferative lesions was assessed histopathologically. The results showed no statistically significant influence on pancreatic adenocarcinomas or dysplastic lesions, although the incidence and the number of atypical hyperplasias in the pancreas head in the BOP/NNK (L) group was significantly increased as compared to BOP alone group values (P < 0.05). Similarly, the NNK treatments did not affect the incidences or multiplicities of neoplastic or hyperplastic lesions in the endocrine pancreas, lung, liver or kidney. Thus, the present experiment demonstrates that the tobacco-specific carcinogen NNK does not enhance BOP-induced hamster tumorigenesis when given in the promotion phase.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Analysis of proliferative activity in renal lesions induced by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) in male Syrian golden hamsters.

Binding of a specific antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and staining of argyrophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were investigated in proliferative lesions induced by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) in the hamster kidney. Thirty male Syrian golden hamsters were given three weekly s.c. injections of BOP (10 mg/kg body wt.) and sacrificed for characterization of proliferative changes 30 weeks after the first BOP treatment. Morphologically, lesions of the tubular epithelia were classified either as tubular adenoma or dysplasia, the latter being further classified into small cluster, acidophilic cell, clear cell and cystic types. Immunohistochemistry for PCNA revealed significant increases of cell proliferation activity in adenomas and acidophilic cell types of dysplasia, along with significantly elevated mean numbers of AgNORs per nucleus. The results thus indicate that the acidophilic cell type of dysplasia may be of prime significance as the preneoplastic renal lesion induced by BOP.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1994

Evidence for an origin of ethyl-nitrosourea-induced rat central nervous system tumors from pluripotent germinal neuroepithelium.

Brain tumors induced by transplacental application of ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU) in F344 rats were immunohistochemically demonstrated to consist of undifferentiated cells, astriocyte-like cells, oligodendroglia-like cells, and two distinct types of vimentin-expressing cell groupings termed as perivascular small cell nests (PSCNs) and large cell nests (LCNs). Co-distribution of vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was sparsely observed in the astrocyte-like cells, which suggested an immature glial phenotype. PCSNs contained cells expressing GFAP, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), beta-tubulin isotype III, and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptors (LNGFRs). LCNs contained cells showing a neuronal phenotype with expression of low- and middle-molecular mass neurofilament proteins (NF-L and -M) as well as NSE, beta-tubulin isotype III and LNGFR. Double-labelling immunohistochemistry revealed the NF-L-expression in LNGFR-positive LCN-forming cells. Oligodendroglia-like cells and their intercellular neuropil-like structures expressed beta-tubulin isotype III, synaptophysin and NSE, in addition to the expressions of vimentin and GFAP. Electron microscopically, synapse-like structures were formed between these oligodendroglia-like cells and their dendritic processes. Topographically, bidirectional cell transitions from PSCNs to astrocytes and LCNs were indicated. The present study strongly suggests that so-called ENU-induced "gliomas" originate from pluripotent germinal neuroepithelium. Furthermore, LNGFR expression may be responsible for acquisition of neuronal phenotype in these tumors.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Promoting effects of ethinyl estradiol on development of renal proliferative lesions induced by N-nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl)amine in female Syrian golden hamsters.

The modulating effects of female sex hormones, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, on the development of renal proliferative lesions after initiation with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) were investigated. Three groups of female Syrian golden hamsters, each comprising 30 animals, were given four weekly s.c. injections of BOP (10 mg/kg body weight) and then fed diet containing 1 ppm ethinylestradiol (group 1: BOP/EE), diet containing 10 ppm levonorgestrel (group 2) or basal diet (group 3) for the next 27 weeks. As hormone controls, two groups of 20 female hamsters each received diet containing 1 ppm ethynylestradiol (group 4) and 10 ppm levonorgestrel (group 5) from week 3 for 27 weeks without the prior initiation treatment. The severity of diffuse anisokarya, characterized by varied nuclear size and the incidence of dysplasias of the proximal tubular epithelia induced by BOP, were significantly increased in the BOP/EE group, indicating the promoting effects of the hormone. In the renal dysplastic lesions (small-cluster, cystic, clear-cell and acidophilic cell types), adenomas and nephroblastomas, increases in the numbers of argyrophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) in the nucleus, suggesting a high proliferative activity, were seen in dysplasia of acidophilic cell types and adenomas. In addition, the number of bizarre NOR per nucleus was significantly higher in adenomas than in dysplasias and highest in nephroblastomas. This morphological change in NOR should therefore be a useful parameter for the diagnosis of malignancy of renal tumors.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1994

Peroxisome proliferation of hepatocytes in rats by a microbial degradation product of cholic acid, 4-(decahydro-6-methyl-3-oxocyclopenta(f)quinoline-7-yl)valeric acid.

Three-week oral administration of 4-(decahydro-6-methyl-3-oxo-cyclopenta(f)quinoline-7-yl)valeric acid (32-1328) in the diet supplemented at concentrations of 0.1% or 0.3% was associated with hepatomegaly and hypotriglyceridemia in male F344 rats. Electron microscopic examination of the liver revealed a remarkable increase of peroxisomes in hepatocytes both in number and size. Biochemically, there were increased activities of peroxisomal marker enzymes including the heat-labile enoyl-CoA hydratase and catalase while the mitochondrial enoyl-CoA hydratase activity was unchanged after feeding of 32-1328. These findings indicate that 32-1328 can exert peroxisome-proliferating activity to rat liver in a manner similar to typical peroxisome proliferators such as clofibrate or di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Experimental induction of pulmonary fibrosis in Syrian golden hamsters by N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane.

A range finding study for experimental induction of pulmonary fibrosis in which female Syrian golden hamsters received five subcutaneous injections of 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2 or 0 mg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane (MNUR) once a week or once per two weeks revealed most of the animals of the 0.8 mg group to die of acute pulmonary injury due to MNUR while typical interstitial pneumonia was induced in the 0.6 mg group. Based on these results hamsters were given five subcutaneous injections of 0.6 mg/animal of MNUR once per two weeks and then reared without any treatment for 12 weeks. Marked interstitial edema and intraalveolar infiltration of macrophages due to alveolar capillary damage were seen in treated animals at week 1, and secondary diffuse fibrotic thickening of the alveolar septa, as evidenced by increased type III collagen demonstrated immunohistochemically, was marked thereafter. The content of hydroxyproline in the lung was significantly increased from week 4. The present study indicates that lung injuries attributable to primary damage of alveolar capillaries progress to diffuse alveolar fibrosis in hamsters treated with MNUR, suggesting that this animal model might be of advantage for pathogenetic analysis of the relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer development.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Blocking effects of synthetic trypsin inhibitor (camostat) on pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters initiated with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine.

The effects of concomitant administration of a synthetic trypsin inhibitor (camostat) on pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters treated with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) were investigated. Thirty-two female Syrian golden hamsters were given weekly 10 mg/kg s.c. injections of BOP for 5 weeks while simultaneously receiving a 500 ppm camostat diet (BOP + camostat group). Additional groups of 30 animals received either the s.c. injections of BOP (BOP group), or the 500 ppm camostat diet (camostat group) during the same 5-week period. Thirty weeks after the first BOP administration, the incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinomas in the BOP + camostat group was significantly lower than in the group administered BOP only (p < 0.05). Similarly, the total numbers of pancreatic adenocarcinomas or dysplastic lesions were significantly decreased in the BOP + camostat group as compared with the BOP group (p < 0.01). None of the animals receiving camostat alone developed any adenocarcinomas or dysplastic lesions of the pancreas. The results of the present experiments clearly show that camostat can inhibit induction of hamster pancreatic ductal neoplasms when administered simultaneously with BOP.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1994

Correlation between nucleolar organizer regions and cell proliferation in pancreatic acinar cell proliferative lesions in rats.

The numbers of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) stained by the one-step silver (Ag) colloid method were measured in rat pancreatic basophilic foci, eosinophilic foci, and acinar cell adenomas induced by 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (HAQO) followed by crude soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) treatments and compared with values for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-incorporating cells and nuclear DNA contents. Both numbers of AgNORs and BrdU-labeling indices showed stepwise increases from normal pancreatic acinar cells through eosinophilic foci to adenomas, and a good correlation was found between cell proliferation and mean numbers of AgNORs. Microspectrometry of nuclear DNA contents revealed a wide range of values in basophilic and eosinophilic foci and acinar cell adenomas as compared with normal acinar cells, but there was no significant difference in the profile of DNA content among these three proliferative lesions. The present results suggest that mean numbers of AgNORs may reflect cellular kinetics in rat pancreatic acinar cell lesions.

4-Hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide↗

PubMed1994

Effects of cigarette smoke on N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine-induced pancreatic and respiratory tumorigenesis in hamsters.

Influences of cigarette smoke on N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-induced pancreatic duct and respiratory tract tumorigenesis were investigated using a hamster two-stage carcinogenesis model. Male 5-week-old hamsters were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was s.c. injected with BOP at a dose of 10 mg/kg once a week for 3 weeks as an initiation treatment together with cigarette smoke exposure over the same 4-week period. Group 2 was exposed to cigarette smoke for 26 weeks after the BOP-initiation. Groups 3 and 4 were respectively given the BOP-initiation alone and the 26-week cigarette smoke exposure without initiation. Group 5 served as a sham-smoked negative control. The experiment was terminated 30 weeks after the first BOP injection. The incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinomas was significantly decreased in Group 1 as compared to the Group 3 value (P < 0.01) while the Group 2 value did not show any change. In contrast, the incidence of laryngeal and tracheal proliferative lesions (hyperplasias and papillomas) was significantly increased in Group 2 over Group 3 (P < 0.01). The incidence of pulmonary hyperplasias was also increased in Group 2 over Group 3 (P < 0.05), although that of pulmonary adenomas or adenocarcinomas was decreased in Group 2 as compared to the Group 3 value (P < 0.01). Cigarette smoke exposure in the BOP-initiation phase (Group 1) did not affect the development of respiratory proliferative lesions. No animals in Groups 4 and 5 developed any tumors in the pancreas or respiratory tract. Our results thus indicate that cigarette smoke exposure inhibits pancreatic carcinogenesis when given in the initiation phase, whereas it modulates (enhances or suppresses) the development of proliferative lesions in the respiratory tract if applied during the promotion stage to hamsters pretreated with BOP.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Significance of overexpression of p53 protein in human breast cancer].

Overexpression of p53 protein was examined by immunohistochemical assay. In 143 primary breast cancer patients, consisting of 18 patients with family history of breast cancer or past history of breast cancer and 125 patients with no such histories. In the later 125 patients, overexpression of p53 was shown in 42 patients (33.6%), however in the former 18 patients, p53 overexpression was found in 15 (83.3%). It was suggested that p53 protein is frequently overexpressed in patients with high risks like history of breast cancer and family history of breast. On the other hand, regarding the value of p53 overexpression as a prognostic indicator, an univariate analysis demonstrated that the relapse free survival of patients with over 50% p53 positive all rate was significantly worse compared to that of patients with less than 50% p53 positive all rate (p < 0.05). However multivariate analysis did not demonstrate the significant value (p < 0.1), suggesting that overexpression of p53 is marginal as a prognostic indicator.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1994

[13-week subchronic toxicity study of L-histidine monohydrochloride in F344 rats].

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of L-histidine monohydrochloride was performed in male and female F344 rats at dose levels of 0, 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0% in the diet, to determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) for subsequent investigation of carcinogenicity. Rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups, each consisting of 10 males and 10 females. No animals died during the administration period. Suppression of body weight gain and decrease in food consumption were observed in males of the 5.0% group along with hematological examination as revealed by increases in hemoglobin volume and hematocrit. Serum biochemical examination demonstrated increased levels of BUN and creatinine in females of the 5.0% group, and increased level of BUN in females of the 1.25% group. Histopathologically, sperm granulomas in the epididymis were found in half of the 5.0% group males. Based on the results of the present study, it was concluded that the MTD of L-histidine monohydrochloride is 2.5% in diet, because the dietary dose level of 5.0% proved to exert significant toxicity reflected in suppression of body weight gain and formation of sperm granulomas.

Animals↗