Comparative study of G- and D-cell population in the dog stomach

Since somatostatin is a local hormone controlling gastric acid secretion and gastrin release, quantitative histopological distribution of the G-cells and D-cells in the canine whole stomach was investigated by the specific immunoperoxidase staining technique. The G-cells were identified only in the pyloric antrum and the estimated total number of G-cells was 15.5 X 10(6) cells. Most of the D-cells were also found in the pyloric antrum but a few were found scattered diffusely throughout body and fundus of the stomach. The estimated total number of D-cells was 11 X 10(6) cells in the pyloric antrum and 4 X 10(6) cells in the corpus and fundus. The G-/D-cell ratio in the antrum was 1.4:1. The number of G-cells as well as D-cells per unit mucosal surface area was significantly higher on the greater curvature and the proximal part of the antrum than on other areas of the antrum. Thus, the pattern of distribution in G-cells was similar to that of D-cells and there was a highly significant correlation between G- and D-cells per unit mucosal surface area. It would appear that under normal conditions, the number of G- and D-cells in the antrum are in good balance and may play an important role in the control mechanisms related to gastric secretion.     

A case of Cushing's syndrome caused by an adrenal black adenoma

A black adenoma of the adrenal cortex was surgically removed from an 18-year-old female who had clinical and laboratory findings characteristic of Cushing's syndrome. The electron microscopic study revealed typical features of steroid-producing cells, including a prominent smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. In addition, many of the adenoma cells contained numerous pigmented granules which were lipofuscin. Three months after the surgery, the hormone levels returned to the normal range. The Japanese literature of functional black adenoma is reviewed.     

Effect of S-8666 on Cl- transport in the rabbit connecting tubule perfused in vitro.

S-8666, [6, 7-dichloro-5-(N, N-dimethylsulfamoyl)-2, 3-dihydrobenzofurancarboxylic acid] is a potent diuretic with uricosuric action. Although the major site of action of S-8666 has been proven by the in vitro microperfusion study to be the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, clearance studies in the rat suggested that this drug has an additional thiazide-like action. To provide direct evidence that S-8666 acts also on distal nephron segments, we examined effect of S-8666 on Cl- flux across the rabbit connecting tubule perfused in vitro. The drug suppressed the lumen-to-bath Cl- flux by 96 +/- 41 (S.E.)pmol.mm-1.min-1 (n = 9) without affecting transmural voltage. To demonstrate that S-8666 acts on the connecting tubule cell, the target of thiazide diuretics, we compared effects of S-8666 and trichlormethiazide on the basolateral membrane voltage of the connecting tubule cell. Both drugs added to the lumen caused a small but significant hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane without affecting transmural voltage. We conclude that S-8666 is a unique uricosuric diuretic having actions on both thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and connecting tubule.     

The study of the autopsies of six patients with progressive esophageal cancer to investigate complications caused by esophageal stents]

Endoscopic placement of metal stents are used widely for patients with esophageal obstruction and fistula due to progressive esophageal cancer, but cause high rate of severe complications associated with the immediate causes of death. To determine severe complications caused by stents, we studied clinical data and autopsy of six patients who had been treated with stents for inoperable progressive esophageal cancer. Occording to the clinical records only two patients had severe complications due to stents. But at autopsy, three patients had massive hemorrhage in the stent placement, one patient had mediastinitis, and one patient were in imminent danger of perforation whose stent had been incorporated into the adventitia of the wall. More severe complications were revealed than those expected clinically. Endoscopic placement of metal stents have a great deal for the improvement of quality of life. But we should carefully decide the indication because endoscopic placement of metal stents could cause severe complications associated with the immediate causes of death.     

Pathological and biochemical studies on a case of Pick disease with severe white matter atrophy

We report on a male patient with Pick disease who had shown severe white matter atrophy and dilatation of the lateral ventricle in the frontal lobe from an early stage. Upon admission to our hospital 2 years after disease onset, the patient showed apathy, and MRI revealed severe atrophy of the cortex and white matter of the frontal lobe. He died at age 74, 11 years after disease onset. Autopsy revealed severe atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes, severe loss of white matter in the frontal lobe, dilatation of the lateral ventricles, and cortical thinning. Histopathological examination showed severe loss of myelinated fibers in the frontal white matter and severe neuronal loss with gliosis in the frontal and temporal cortices. Many Pick bodies were seen. Our patient had a rare case of Pick disease predominantly affecting the frontal lobe with severe involvement of the white matter from an early stage. This case suggests that myelinated fibers in the white matter as well as cerebral neurons are primarily affected in Pick disease.