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Biomedical subjects

T Wakamatsu

Publications and source records attributed to T Wakamatsu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with impaired glucose metabolism in Japanese adults.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its association with impaired glucose metabolism in Japanese subjects. METHODS: One thousand, nine hundred and fifty subjects enrolled in a general health examination programme from September 2002 to February 2003 were recruited. NAFLD was diagnosed if a person showed 'fatty liver' on ultrasonography, and his/her alcohol consumption, estimated by questionnaire, was < 40 gram/week. A general linear model was used for the comparison of estimated means of metabolic variables adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI) between subjects with NAFLD and those without fatty liver. Multivariate regression with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as the dependent variable was performed in 1547 non-diabetic individuals after adjusting for age, gender, BMI and NAFLD. RESULTS: NAFLD was found in 566 of the 1950 health-check examinees (29%). Its prevalence increased with increasing FPG levels: 27% in the subgroup with normal fasting glucose, 43% in impaired fasting glucose and 62% in newly diagnosed diabetes. Adjusted means of FPG, HbA1c, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, AST and ALT were all significantly higher, while adjusted means of HDL cholesterol and AST/ALT ratio were significantly lower in subjects with NAFLD than those without fatty liver. Multivariate regression analysis showed that NAFLD was independently associated with increasing FPG in non-diabetic individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD was 29% in apparently healthy middle-aged Japanese adults and NAFLD was independently associated with impaired glucose metabolism.

Blood Glucose↗

[Cost-effectiveness of the treatment of reflux esophagitis: proton pump inhibitor versus histamine-2-receptor antagonist].

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) is a common condition and acid-suppressing agents are the mainstays of treatment. A clinical decision analysis comparing a proton pump inhibitor(PPI), lansoprazole and a histamine H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA), ranitidine for the treatment of reflux esophagitis in Japan was performed using a Markov chain approach. The PPI was consistently superior to the H2RA with regard to both clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Prescription of PPIs for a one-month period would further enhance the cost-effectiveness of PPI treatment. The PPI first strategy is the preferred therapeutic approach for medical treatment of reflux esophagitis. We also recommend that prescription of PPIs for a one-month period be approved by the Japanese health insurance scheme.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Allergenic activity of heated and ovomucoid-depleted egg white.

BACKGROUND: No egg white products have been clearly proven to be hypoallergenic. The role of egg white proteins in allergic reactions to eggs is still debatable. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the importance of ovomucoid, an egg white protein, in the development of allergies to egg white. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge in subjects with high levels of IgE antibodies for egg white to compare the allergenicities of heated and ovomucoid-depleted egg white, freeze-dried egg white, and heated egg white. Levels of IgE antibodies for egg white, ovomucoid, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, and lysozyme were measured in serum by RAST. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 38 subjects with positive challenge responses to freeze-dried egg white had negative challenge responses to heated egg white, whereas 16 of 17 subjects (94.1%) with positive responses to heated egg white did not respond to the heated and ovomucoid-depleted egg white challenge. The subjects with positive challenge responses to freeze-dried egg white tended to have higher IgE antibody values to ovomucoid than those with negative responses. IgE antibody levels to ovomucoid were significantly higher in subjects with positive responses to a challenge with heated egg white than in those with no response. There were no significant differences in the levels of IgE antibodies to the other proteins, except ovomucoid, in the negative-response and positive-response groups in challenge tests with freeze-dried and heated egg white. CONCLUSION: The heated and ovomucoid-depleted egg white preparation was less allergenic than heated or freeze-dried preparations. Ovomucoid has a more important role in the pathogenesis of allergic reactions to egg white than other proteins in egg white.

Allergens↗

[Assessment of allergenic activity of heated and ovomucoid-depleted egg white].

We investigated allergenic activity of heated and ovomucoid (OM)-depleted egg white by RAST inhibition tests, skin tests and and oral challenge tests. Freeze-dried egg white, OM and ovalbumin (OA) were coupled with CNBr-activated paper discs. Freeze-dried, heated, and heated and OM-depleted egg white antigens were used as inhibitors in RAST inhibition tests. Freeze-dried egg white significantly inhibited the IgE-binding to freeze-dried egg-white-, OM- and OA-discs. Heated egg white showed a significant inhibition against only OM-disc, but heated and OM-depleted egg white didn't effectively suppress IgE-binding to all discs. Fifty-six patients were subjected for skin tests and 27 patients for oral challenge tests with freeze-dried egg white, heated egg white and heated and OM-depleted egg white. Eighteen of 25 subjects with positive prick tests results to freeze-dried egg white showed negative results to heated egg white. Four of 7 cases with positive prick test results to heated egg white gave negative results to heated and OM-depleted egg white. 20-minutes patch tests showed almost similar results to prick tests. Four of 8 subjects showing positive oral challenge tests with freeze-dried egg white were negative to heated egg white. All of 4 with positive oral challenge tests by heated egg white were negative results to heated and OM-depleted egg white. These evidence indicated that heated and OM-depleted egg white was more hypoallergenic than heated egg white.

Allergens↗

Overexpression of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase stimulated by hepatocarcinogenesis results in autoantibody production in rats.

We developed a novel and efficient cDNA subtraction method to isolate rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related genes. cDNAs from Solt-Farber procedure-driven HCCs were synthesized on Latex beads. The subtraction was accomplished by a simple centrifugation, PCR amplification, and dot blot screening. Among 2000 clones from the subtracted cDNA library, one clone with a full-length HCC-related cDNA was eventually obtained. Sequence analysis of this clone showed it to exhibit 90 and 60% similarity with the rat cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD) and mammalian glutamic acid decarboxylases (GAD), respectively. Differences between our sequence data on CSAD and those reported previously were observed at two positions, which arose from a single amino acid substitution and frame shift mutation. The CSAD expression was restricted to the liver and kidney of rats. During hepatocarcinogenesis, expression of the CSAD mRNA and its protein was stimulated in the precancerous liver and maintained its high expression afterward. Interestingly, a high level of anti-CSAD autoantibody was detected in the HCC-bearing rats. The titer of anti-CSAD autoantibodies in these rats was 30-200 times higher than that in normal rats. The anti-CSAD autoantibody appeared in the precancerous state and was maintained afterward, and its pattern of appearance was similar to that of CSAD mRNAs and proteins. Thus, we propose that the high-titer CSAD autoantibody resulted from increased CSAD gene expression in the liver due to stimulation by the HCC. These results remind us of human autoimmune diseases including insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and stiff-man syndrome, which are caused by autoantibodies against GAD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

HTF: A b-ZIP transcription factor that is closely related to the human XBP/TREB5 and is activated by hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

We screened for rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related genes by a novel cDNA subtraction method and obtained one gene. This gene was transcribed as 2.0- and 2.5-kb mRNAs, and its transcription was specifically enhanced in HCC. These cDNAs had the same open reading frame, but the 2.5 kb transcript had an extra 495 bases of 5'-UTR at the 5'-terminus. The deduced aa sequence revealed a basic-leucine zipper (b-ZIP) and proline/glutamine-rich structures, both of which are characteristic motifs for transcription factors. We designated the translation product of this gene HTF (Hepatocarcinogenesis-related Transcription Factor). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated the DNA-binding ability of the recombinant HTF. It is most interesting that HTF had a considerable homology with human XBP/TREB5, which has been reported to be a binding factor for the X-box of the MHC class II gene and for the 21-bp enhancer of the HTLV-1 LTR. Genomic Southern analysis suggested that the 2.0- and 2.5-kb mRNAs are transcribed by a dual promoter of a single gene. Our results may suggest that HTF is a b-ZIP-type transcription factor involved in rat hepatocellular carcinoma.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure determination of biliary metabolites of schizandrin in rat and dog.

After oral administration of schizandrin (1) to rat, the bile was collected and treated with beta-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase. Eleven metabolites, SZ-M0 (3), SZ-M1 (4), SZ-M2 (5), SZ-M3 (6), SZ-M4 (7), SZ-M5 (8), SZ-M6 (9), SZ-M7 (10), SZ-M8 (11), SZ-M9 (12) and SZ-M10 (13) were isolated from the bile treated with the enzymes. The bile after oral administration of 1 to dog was collected and treated with enzymes in the same way, and eight metabolites, 3-8, 10 and SZ-MD2 (14) were isolated from the bile treated with enzymes. The structures of these metabolites were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral studies. The major metabolite in the bile of rat was 7 and the major metabolites in the bile of dog were 7 and 14.

Animals↗

Extensive arterial calcification of unknown etiology in a 29-year-old male.

A 29-year-old male with generalized arterial calcification is presented. The roentgenogram showed extensive calcification bilaterally in the facial, brachial, renal, external iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries. There was also calcification around the joints of the fingers, toes, elbows, and shoulders. The uniformity of arterial calcification in the radiograph differentiated this lesion from Mönckeberg's arteriosclerosis. The serum concentration levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and calcium regulatory hormones were normal. The patient did not have diabetes mellitus, renal disease, or connective tissue disease, thus the etiology of the calcification was not identified. However, a bone scintigram showed that the uptake of 99 mTc-methylene diphosphate was significantly increased in the calcified arteries. Therefore, increased metabolic activity was associated with the derangement leading to arterial calcification.

Adult↗

[Effects of local anesthetics on healing process of extraction wound in rats with reference to effects of epinephrine].

Effects of local anesthetics on the healing processes of the extraction wound were investigated in the rats. The study was performed on 5 experimental groups: control group (GA), 2% lidocaine without a vasoconstrictor (LEO) and 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1/20,000 (LE2), 1/80,000 (LE8) and 1/200,000 (LE20). Under general anesthesia (GA) the mandibular 2nd molars were extracted after the injection of each local anesthetic. The control group (GA) had the teeth extracted without a local anesthetic. The wounds were examined histopathologically at timed sequence from 1 day to 14 days after the operation. Postextraction wounds of all the groups healed uncomplicatedly and these 5 groups could be classified into 2 types of healing process: epinephrine-free group (GA and LEO) and epinephrine group (LE2, LE8 and LE20). The 14-day postextraction sockets of the epinephrine-free group were filled with callus, whereas those of the epinephrine group had progressed to the final stage of bony healing unexpectedly. There was no difference in the healing process of each wound in the same group. These results suggest that a local anesthetic without a vasoconstrictor do not modify the postextraction wound healing process, and epinephrine does not prolong but will promote the wound healing.

Animals↗

[99mTC-HSA lymphoscintigraphy and leg edema after arterial reconstruction].

To investigate the etiology of lower limb edema after arterial reconstruction, 12 patients (16 limbs) who underwent arterial reconstruction due to atherosclerosis obliterans were observed. There was no relationship between the severity of limb edema and serum factors (serum total protein, albumin, BUN and creatinine), ankle/brachial arterial pressure ratio, peripheral venous pressure or RI lymphoscintigraphy in the supine position. The lymphatic flow in RI lymphoscintigraphy at 3-4 weeks after operation increased with statistically significant difference compared to the preoperative flow whether the patient was in the supine or upright position. Though there was no significant relationship between the severity of leg edema and postoperative lymphatic flow in the supine position, postoperative lymphatic flow in the upright position decreased as the severity of leg edema increased. Increased lymphatic flow in the follow-up period was associated with increased severity of leg edema in the upright position. It is concluded that postoperative leg edema is due to the damage to the lymphatic vessels during operation, and then the lymphatic channels cannot adapt to the increased lymphatic flow after the arterial reconstruction.

Aged↗

Eicosapentanoic acid suppresses intimal hyperplasia after expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafting in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet.

The effect of purified eicosapentanoic acid on intimal fibrous hyperplasia in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts was examined in 18 rabbits undergoing infrarenal aorta reconstruction. Six rabbits received commercial rabbit chow (control group), six a regular diet supplemented with 1% cholesterol (cholesterol group), and six the cholesterol diet with 91.1% pure eicosapentanoic acid 500 mg/day (eicosapentanoic acid group). Grafts were harvested 3 months after surgery for histologic examination. The platelet count and serum beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 concentrations were not significantly different between groups. Serum arachidonic acid level in the cholesterol group was significantly higher than in the control group, and serum eicosapentanoic acid levels in the eicosapentanoic acid group were significantly higher than in the remaining two groups. Intergroup differences in serum 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 concentrations were not significant. Intimal thickness at midgraft was 5.2 +/- 6.2 microns in the control group, 67.6 +/- 46.9 microns in the cholesterol group, and 19.2 +/- 18.4 microns in the eicosapntanoic acid group. intimal thickness in the cholesterol group was greater than in either the control or licosapentanoic acid group (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). These data suggest that eicosapentanoic acid reduces intimal fibrous proliferation in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafting as a result of hypercholesterolemia and that this effect is independent of the platelet count, activated platelet factors, and the prostacyclin/thromboxane A2 ratio.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

[The fate of patients with intermittent claudication--comparison of surgical and non-surgical treatment].

The purpose of this study was to determine the operative indication for patients with intermittent claudication because of arteriosclerosis obliterans, and to compare the late result of the surgical treatment group (130 cases, 175 limbs) with that of the non-surgical treatment group (27 cases, 31 limbs). There were 3 operative deaths and 21 late deaths in the surgical group, and 11 late deaths in the non-surgical group. The number one cause of death was heart failure, including ischemic heart disease, in both groups. The 5-year cumulative patency rate was 92.5% in the aorto-iliac, 70.6% in the femoro-distal and 82.0% in the aorto-femoro-distal arterial reconstructions. Long term symptom free rates of the surgical group and the non-surgical group, except fatal cases, were 87.2% and 25.0% in the aorto-iliac, 57.7% and 25.0% in the femoro-distal, 86.7% and 0% in the aorto-femoro-distal arterial regions, respectively. Late result of intermittent claudication in the surgical group was better than that in the non-surgical group. We conclude that intermittent claudication should be considered to be the indication for surgery, except for the cases with high risk diseases or malignant diseases.

Female↗