Regional differences of PCB and PCQ concentrations in the blood and subcutaneous fat tissue of residents of Nagasaki

In this study, we analyzed PCB and PCQ concentrations in the subcutaneous fat tissue of residents of Nagasaki Prefecture, and compared these levels between the blood and subcutaneous fat tissue of people living in various parts of the prefecture. Seventy-one inhabitants were examined. In the blood, PCB concentrations in Tamanoura and Fukue were significantly higher than those in Nagasaki City. The CB% ratio in Tamanoura was significantly higher than that in Nagasaki and Isahaya. PCQ concentrations were below detection level except in one case. PCB concentrations in fishery areas showed higher levels than urban or agricultural areas. PCB concentration in the subcutaneous fat tissue was 100 times higher than that in the blood. PCQs could be detected in almost all of the subcutaneous tissues, but there was no regional difference in the PCQ concentration.     

A comparative study on the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated quaterphenyls (PCQs) in the blood and hair of "Yusho" patients and inhabitants of Nagasaki Prefecture

The relationship between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polychlorinated quaterphenyl (PCQ) concentrations in the blood and hair was investigated. The materials in this study consisted of 49 blood samples and hair obtained from 27 patients with PCB poisoning (Yusho) and 22 normal controls. The alkaline decomposition method described in the official standard analytical methods for the isolation of PCB and PCQ fractions was used. In the blood of the control group, the mean concentration of PCBs was 2.25 ppb, while the concentration of PCQs was too low to be detected by our analytical method. On the other hand, the mean concentration of PCBs in the Yusho group was about 2.8 times higher than that in the control group. The mean concentration of PCQs in the blood was 0.61 ppb in the Yusho group, but PCQs were not detectable in the control group. In the hair, the mean concentration of PCBs was 25.85 ppb and 9.41 ppb in the Yusho group and control group respectively. The mean concentration of PCQs in the hair of Yusho patients was 0.44 ppb, but PCQs were not detected in the control group. The PCB level in the hair was higher than that in the blood, but the PCQ level in the hair was lower than that in the blood. These results suggest a difference of excretory system among polyhalogenated compounds such as PCBs or PCQs. We consider that PCBs display a greater affinity than PCQs for the pilosebaceous system of the human skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of yusho patients and normal controls

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are well known to be the toxic chemicals in both animal experiments and human studies. It is, therefore, important to determine the level of PCDFs still retained in patients for understanding relationship between the concentration of PCDFs and present symptoms of the disease. In this study, the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of 18 yusho patients and those of 11 normal controls who were all of volunteers were collected, and their levels were determined by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry. Results obtained were as follows: The principal compounds detected in the adipose tissue of yusho patients were 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF), 1,2,3,4,7,8- and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF). The concentration of the compounds in 7 patients, wearing typical symptoms, from 160 to 3,000 ppt for 2,3,4,7,8-PenCDF, from 51 to 1,000 ppt for 1,2,3,4,7,8-HCDF, and from 16 to 220 ppt for 1,2,3,6,7,8-HCDF. In normal controls, 2,3,4,7,8-PenCDF was detected only in five samples at the low level of from 16 to 38 ppt. On an average, PCDF levels in in the typical 7 yusho patients and 11 normal controls were 1,900 ppt and 16 ppt, respectively. On the basis of the results, the concentrations of PCDF congeners in the adipose tissues of the typical 7 patients was 100 times higher than that of the normal controls. Hence, we consider that the present levels of PCDFs in the patients probably play an important role for the symptoms of the yusho.     

Local and central sympathetic reflex control of blood flow in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue in normal man

The effect of age and sex on relative changes in blood flow and vascular resistance in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue during postural changes and during local increase in transmural pressure was studied in 33 healthy subjects. The intra-individual variation was studied in five subjects. Blood flow was measured by the local 133Xenon wash-out method. No relation to age or sex was seen in the centrally elicited sympathetic vasoconstrictor responses in subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscle and in the locally elicited vasoconstriction in subcutaneous tissue. A small, but statistically significant, correlation to sex and age was found in the local sympathetic vasoconstrictor response in skeletal muscle. The age correlation was caused only by an attenuated response in the young subjects below 40 years of age and may be fortuitous. The intra-individual variation was acceptably small. Based on the present results, a reduction in blood flow in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue during centrally or locally elicited sympathetic vasoconstriction of 10% or less should be considered abnormal. The local 133Xenon wash-out method is of value in examining patients suspected of dysfunction in the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system.     

Coplanar PCBs, PCDFs and PCDDs in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of Yusho patients and normal controls

3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (T4CB), 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (P5CB) and 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (H6CB) [Co-PCBs] in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of seven Yusho patients and eight normal controls were determined to assess the contribution in the risk caused by the Yusho causual agents (PCBs, PCDFs, PCDDs and Co-PCBs) by using high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. 3,4,3',4'-T4CB, 3,4,5,3',4'-P5CB and 3,4,5,3',4',5'-H6CB were detected in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the Yusho patients at the levels, of 6 to 29 ppt, of 32 to 130 ppt and of 160 to 1,140 ppt, respectively. The TCDD-Eq (Equivalents) value calculated by TCDD-TEfs (Toxic Equivalent factors) was from 8 to 30 ppt. On the other hand, 3,4,3',4'-T4CB, 3,4,5,3',4'-P5CB and 3,4,5,3',4',5'-H6CB were detected in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of normal controls at the levels, of 3 to 9 ppt, of 41 to 280 ppt and of 47 to 200 ppt, respectively. The TCDD-Eq value calculated by TCDD-TEfs was from 9 to 57 ppt. In the Yusho patients, the average TCDD-Eq value calculated by TCDD-TEfs of the residual Co-PCBs, PCDFs and PCDDs was 17, 491 and 24 ppt, respectively. Therefore, we concluded that the typical symptoms for the Yusho patients are caused mostly by PCDFs.     

Significance of anti-HBc in patients with hepatic disease. A comparative immunohistochemical study of blood and hepatic tissue.

Use of the immunofluorescent technic to examine liver sections disclosed different staining patterns for HBsAg and anti-HBc. In reverse, anti-HBc in serum can be detected by immunofluorescence using HBc-positive liver sections as substrate. In 57 of 89 sera tested, anti-HBc could be observed using immunofluorescence. Of these 57 sera, 31 contained HBsAg (54.5%), 15 contained anti-HBs (26.3%), and one contained both HBsAg and anti-HBs (1.7%). Ten patients (17.5%) had anti-HBc without HBsAg or anti-HBs; nine of these patients had disturbed hepatic functions. In eight cases biopsies of liver tissue showed lesions varying from steatosis to cirrhosis. In 32 anti-HBc-negative sera no HBsAg was found; transient anti-HBs was found in one case and persistent anti-HBs was also seen in one case. Biopsies of the livers of 27 anti-HBc-positive patients disclosed the whole spectrum of histologic lesions. There appear to be correlations between HBsAg in blood and in liver, and also between nuclear IgG, the HBsAg pattern in hepatic tissue, and active hepatic disease.     

Treatment of acute attacks of bronchial asthma. A comparative study of epinephrine (subcutaneous) and fenoterol (inhalation)

Two treatment schedules for the initial treatment of acute asthma were evaluated in 150 children. The treatments were randomized so that 75 patients received the beta-2-agonist fenoterol nebulized by facial mask and 75 patients received epinephrine by subcutaneous injection. No significant differences in cardiovascular side effects occurred among the four groups at any time after the initial treatment. We conclude that inhaled fenoterol and subcutaneous epinephrine are equally effective. We recommend the use of inhaled fenoterol for the treatment of acute asthma to avoid the discomfort of injections.     

L-selectin in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID): a comparative study with normal individuals

L-selectin is one of the key members of the selectin family of adhesion molecules and initiates leucocyte attachment to specialized high endothelial venules. The shed form, which retains functional activity, can be detected in biological fluids and is increased in diseases of many kinds. In the present study, we investigated L-selectin expression on leucocytes and measured the soluble form in the plasma of healthy individuals and patients with CVID. A significant loss of L-selectin expression is found on CVID B cells, which is marked by the presence of a substantial population of L-selectin-negative B cells in the peripheral blood of some CVID patients. On CD4⁺ T cells, the loss in L-selectin expression affects mostly the CD45RO⁺ population. Peripheral blood leucocytes other than lymphocytes express L-selectin molecule normally. Moreover, soluble L-selectin was detected in significantly increased levels in CVID plasma compared with healthy controls. Our data suggest that the loss of L-selectin expressed by lymphocytes may be due to increased or aberrant lymphocyte activation in CVID patients who remain immunodeficient, and down-regulation of L-selectin from these lymphocytes may significantly contribute to the elevated levels of soluble L-selectin in the plasma, which may in turn affect further lymphocyte trafficking.     

A comparative study of blood gas tensions, oxygen affinity and red cell 2,3 DPG concentrations in foetal and maternal blood in the mare, cow and sow

1. Blood gas tensions, pH, PCV, O(2) affinity and red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) levels have been measured in uterine and umbilical blood in conscious cows and mares with indwelling vascular catheters and in sows under sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia.2. Large P(O2) gradients (20-24 mmHg) were observed between the uterine and umbilical venous blood in the cow and pig, while in the mare the corresponding P(O2) difference was only 2.7 +/- 1.7 mmHg. Alterations in maternal arterial P(O2) did not affect the large vein-to-vein P(O2) difference in either ruminant or pig.3. In the cow the presence of different haemoglobin types in the adult (A, AB or B) did not appear to affect the O(2) affinity. In six animals the mean P(50) of the foetal blood (24.8 mmHg) was considerably lower than that of the mother (35.5 mmHg); no changes in P(50) were observed during the last month of gestation. Red cell 2,3-DPG levels were higher in the calf foetus than in the mother, but in the ruminant 2,3-DPG has no effect on the affinity of haemoglobin for O(2) and the differences in P(50) between foetus and mother could be ascribed to the presence of a foetal haemoglobin.4. In the sow large differences in O(2) affinity between foetal and maternal blood were observed, which were related to red cell 2,3-DPG concentration. A rise in foetal blood P(50) during the last half of gestation was associated with increased foetal weight and a rise in red cell 2,3-DPG.5. In the mare the P(50) of the foetal blood was 2-5 mmHg below that of the mother. This difference appeared to be due to the lower 2,3-DPG concentration in the foetal red cells as in the sow; in both species the haemoglobin of the foetus is similar to that of the mother.6. The differences in foetal and maternal O(2) affinity found in the various species and the changes which may occur during gestation or in the perinatal period are discussed in relation to the observed transplacental P(O) (2) gradients and the O(2) requirements of the foetus and neonate.     

A quantitative study of blood capillary formation (angiogenesis) concomitant with parenchymal tissue differentiation.

Examination of the rat corpus luteum (CL) provided quantitative data supporting adaptation of the developing vasculature to maximise efficient acceptance of steroids secreted from the luteal cells. Numbers of endothelial cells (ECs) significantly increased during the initial formation of the CL, followed by a further significant proliferation from day 10 to day 16 when there was maximal growth of the CL. As a consequence, there was significant growth of the vascular compartment during this time interval. The final phase of expanding endothelium (days 10 to 16) was a result of increased ECs volume with elongation of the EC in the direction of growth. Continued increase in capillary surface area and a corresponding marked reduction in diffusion distance between LC and ECs evidenced adaptation of the developing microvasculature to enable efficient endocrine function by day 16, when steroid secretion is maximal. Furthermore, from day 1 to day 3 there was close apposition of pericytes to the endothelium, suggesting the important role of pericytes in the initiation of angiogenesis. However, this degree of association was reduced from day 10 to day 16 and was a consequence of expansion of the EC cytoplasm to provide a greater surface area for transport of steroids.     

A comparative study of eicosanoid concentrations in sputum and urine in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have assumed that the overproduction of cysteinyl- leukotrienes (cys-LTs) and an imbalance of arachidonic acid metabolism may be plausible causes for the pathogenesis of aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA), there has been little experimental evidence to substantiate this notion in lower airways of patients with AIA. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the eicosanoid concentrations in sputum and urine from patients with AIA. METHODS: The concentrations of sputum cys-LTs, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGF2alpha, PGD2 and thromboxane B2 were measured to assess local concentrations of eicosanoids in patients with AIA and in those with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA). The concentrations of two urinary metabolites, leukotriene E4 (LTE4) and 9alpha11betaPGF2, were also measured to corroborate the relationship between the eicosanoid biosynthesis in the whole body and that in lower airways. RESULTS: The concentration of PGD2 in sputum was significantly higher in patients with AIA than in those with ATA (median, 5.3 pg/mL vs. 3.1 pg/mL, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the concentration of the corresponding metabolite, 9alpha11betaPGF2, between the two groups. No differences were noted in the concentrations of other prostanoids in sputum between the two groups. The sputum cys-LT concentrations showed no differences between the two groups, in spite of the observation that the concentration of urinary LTE4 was significantly higher in patients with AIA than in those with ATA (median, 195.2 pg/mg-cre vs. 122.1 pg/mg-cre, P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation among the concentration of cys-LTs, the number of eosinophils and the concentration of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) in sputum. CONCLUSION: The urinary concentration of LTE4 does not necessary reflect cys-LT biosynthesis in lower airways. A significantly higher concentration of PGD2 in sputum from patients with AIA suggests the possible ongoing mast cell activation in lower airways.