Human placental glutathione transport mechanism

The placental transport mechanism of glutathione (GSH) was investigated using microvillous membrane vesicles prepared from human term placenta. Using (3H-glycine)-labeled-GSH, it was clarified that GSH in the extravesicular compartment of placental microvillous membranes was rapidly degraded by gamma-GTP (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase) and resulting amino acid, and 3H-labeled-glycine was actively transported via a sodium cotransport system. AT-125 treated microvillous membrane vesicles almost entirely lost its gamma-GTP activity, and showed intact GSH transport. Using AT-125 treated microvillous membrane vesicles, it was revealed that GSH was transported across the microvillous membrane as an anion via a membrane potential-dependent mechanism. These results indicated that gamma-GTP which existed in microvillous membrane played a role in GSH metabolism and that intracellular GSH was translocated out of the syncythiotrophoblast cell into the maternal blood space via a specific carrier in microvillous membrane because the GSH concentration was higher in intracellular than extracellular and extracellular membrane potential was positively charged.     

Surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis associated with Graves's disease]

During past 30 years, we experienced 253 patients who underwent surgery for myasthenia gravis. Among these patients, 9 were associated with Graves' disease. No patients had thymoma. Five patients underwent thymectomy after they had become euthyroid by medical treatment, though four patients required subtotal thyroidectomy before thymectomy. One patient developed myasthenic crisis following thyroidectomy and was treated with respirator for 5 days. But thymectomy was performed without myasthenic crisis in these four patients between 25 days and 60 days after thyroidectomy. They have been doing well and no see-saw phenomenon was presented. Thymectomy is safe and effective even in the patients with Graves's disease, and we recommend to perform it after they become euthyroid by medical or surgical treatment.     

Determination of vitamin B6 derivatives in foods and biological materials by reversed-phase HPLC

Through use of a simplified analyzing system, seven vitamin B6 derivatives were determined with a satisfactory sensitivity and precision. This system consisted of a single reversed-phase ODS column with a fluorescence detector employing an isocratic solvent system. Each vitamin B6 derivative in some foods and biological materials was determined, based on the measurement of the integrated peak area. The data obtained by this method were compared with those obtained from a bioassay by Saccharomyces uvarum ATCC 9080, after acid hydrolysis of these materials.     

Experimental study of vagotomy for prevention of stress ulcer after hepatectomy of cirrhotic livers. Its influence on hepatic regeneration

We experimentally studied the influence of vagotomy on hepatic regeneration in rats after hepatectomy of cirrhotic livers. In animals that underwent hepatectomy plus vagotomy the reduction in gastric pH was suppressed, but gastric mucosal blood flow was less than that in control animals that received hepatectomy alone. The suppression of 3H-thymidine uptake percentage and thymidine kinase activity after hepatectomy was more marked in animals treated with hepatectomy plus vagotomy than in controls treated with hepatectomy alone. Hepatic DNA level tended to be lower in animals treated with hepatectomy plus vagotomy than in controls. In animals treated with hepatectomy plus vagotomy, the peak level of the mitotic index was lower and the hepatic regeneration rate was evidently suppressed. These results suggest that it is not appropriate to apply vagotomy, during hepatectomy of cirrhotic livers, for the prevention of postoperative stress ulcer because it causes a marked reduction in gastric mucosal blood flow and suppresses hepatic regeneration.     

Open heart surgery in a paraplegic patient.

We operated on a patient who had been paraplegic since sustaining a spinal cord injury 11 years ago. We made a reversed L-shaped sternum incision and cannulated all tubes for the cardiopulmonary bypass through a wound window. This provided an excellent surgical view without restricting the patient's upper limbs (needed for wheel chair operation), and recovery was good. Just after surgery, however, it was difficult to control blood pressure and the loss of serum albumin. We believe this is the first report of open-heart surgery undertaken in a paraplegic patient and that the reversed L-shaped incision and careful monitoring of hemodynamics each played an important role in the successful outcome. We hope that this report will help in the treatment of other paraplegic patients who need open-heart surgery.