Atypical Epstein-Barr virus infection during and after intermittent FK506 therapy

Atypical Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection developed in a patient under intermittent administration of FK506 (one dose in 10 days) after living-related liver transplantation. The clinical course was similar to severe chronic active EBV infection syndrome (SCAEBV), which is characterized by extremely high titers of antibody to EBV antigens. The clinical symptoms improved without graft rejection even after the cessation of FK506; however, the titers of antibody to EBV antigens remained at high levels. It was considered that: (i) even intermittent use of FK506 could influence the immune response, which then induced atypical EBV infection similar to SCAEBV; and (ii) the impaired immune response, especially to EBV antigens, remained after complete cessation of FK506.     

Reversibility of organic anion-induced cholestasis: Association with compensatory hypersecretion of biliary phospholipid and protein in the dog

Abstract The effect of a concomitant infusion of organic anions, structurally related phthaleins, on bile flow was studied in anaesthetized dogs. A combination of rose bengal and sulfobromophthalein was found to uniquely and synergistically produce an acute, reversible form of intrahepatic cholestasis (< 10% of control level). This phenomenon was not observed with the administration of those individual organic anions at concentrations previously associated with the induction of intrahepatic cholestasis. The infusion of either a micelle forming bile salt, sodium taurocholate, or a non-micelle forming bile salt, sodium dehydrocholate, rapidly reversed the intrahepatic cholestasis (within 20 min after bile salt infusion). During the choleretic phase immediately following the bile salt infusion, a transient but marked hypersecretion, a disproportionately increased output in relation to that of bile acids, of biliary phospholipid (176% of control level by taurocholate and 138% of control level by dehydrocholate), and an even more striking amount of biliary protein hypersecretion were observed (392% of control level by taurocholate and 357% of control leverl by dehydrocholate). Although the significance of these new post-cholestatic observations requires clarification, it is suggested that the intrahepatic cholestasis induced by organic anions reflects a reversible defect in the mechanism(s) involved in transcellular transport.     

ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DUODENAL SOMATOSTATINOMAS

Ultrastructural findings of granules and vesicles appearing in tumor cells of somatostatinoma are reported. Except for D granules, one granule and four kinds of vesicles were discerned. Some tumor cells had granules of the exocrine type which were similar to those of the chief cells of the stomach. Very small clear vesicles (YO and KO) had accumulated mainly in the apical region of the somatostatinoma cells. Both vesicles were round, unit–membrane bounded and clear in the center, each measuring about 90 and 30 nm in diameter. The cored vesicles normally seen in the sympathetic system were revealed. Doughnut vesicles characterized by double contour membranes were detected together with the cored vesicles.
A mixutre of exocrine cells of the chief cell–type in the paraneuroma has not been previously reported. And we have as yet very little information as to the doughnut vesicle. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 33: 359–366, 1983.     

URINARYN EXCRETION OF TETRAHYDRO-{beta}-CARBOLINES RELATING TO INGESTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Tetrahydro-ß-carbohnes. formed from aldehydes andtryptaminc. have been suggested as potential biochemical markersfor alcoholism. The excretion of 1-methyl-1.2.3.4-tctrahydro-ß-carbolinc(MTBC) and 1.2.3.4 [EC] -tetrahydro-ß-carbohne (TBC) inhuman urine was studied to assess their possible origin. Inurine collected after a drinking party. MTBC and TBC were excretedin significantly higher concentrations compared with sobriety.MTBC and TBC were contained in beer and wine at ng/ml levels,but not in distillate alcoholic beverages such as whisky, brandy,gin. etc The urinary excretion of MTBC and TBC was elevatedafter drinking beer, whereas no change was observed after drinkingwhisky. When a human subject was orally administered with dcuteratedL-tryptophan together with drinking whisky, deuterated tryptaminewas increasingly excreted in urine. However, no increase wasfound in urinary deuterated MTBC. These results indicate thatthe urinary excretion of MTBC and TBC associated with alcoholingestion does not imply promotion of their in vivo formation,but the exogenous supply of MTBC and TBC by drinking alcoholicbeverages containing them.