Testosterone administration promotes regeneration of chemically impaired spermatogenesis in rats

AIM: It has been proposed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog administered after testicular damage stimulates the recovery of spermatogenesis. However, GnRH analogs suppress the function of sex accessory organs. In this study, we investigated whether testosterone also stimulates the regeneration of rat spermatogenesis after exposure to busulfan. METHODS: Male Fisher rats were divided into three groups of five each and all rats were treated with busulfan, 25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally at week 0. Group A served as the control. The other two groups received testosterone enanthate, 8 mg/kg, subcutaneous injections at 3 week intervals two times before (group B) or three times after (group C) busulfan. States of spermatogenesis were evaluated by histology and by the number of spermatid nuclei per testis at week 25. RESULTS: The mean percentage of 'recovered' seminiferous tubules plus or minus standard deviation was 10.3 +/- 7.8% in group A and 2.1 +/- 1.2% in group B. In both groups, more than 80% of the tubules remained degenerated. However, testes of group C rats showed an improvement of up to 37.1 +/- 20.5% (P < 0.05). The significant recovery of spermatogenesis was also demonstrated in group C by counting the number of spermatid nuclei per testis ([78.8 +/- 57.5] x 106). However, the count was only (7.6 +/- 13.5) x 106 and (0.52 +/- 1.0) x 106 in group A and B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone administration after severe testicular damage enhanced the regeneration of spermatogenesis in rats. We assumed that supplementary doses of testosterone would be more practical for clinical application than GnRH analogs, because exogenous testosterone maintains androgenicity.     

The effect of methamphetamine on histamine release in the rat hypothalamus

Abstract In the present study, the effect of methamphetamine (MAP) on histamine (HA) release measured by in vivo brain microdialysis in the rat hypothalamus was investigated. Administration of MAP (3 mg/kg) significantly increase HA release from 40 to 160 min after the injection. This finding suggests that a moderate dose of MAP activates the hypothalamic HA neuron system, which may be related to effects of MAP on intrinsic biological rhythms.     

Accidental transmission of HCV and treatment with interferon

Accidental transmission of contagious pathogens, especially hepatitis C virus (HCV), by needlestick or other means as an occupational hazard for medical staff is of concern. We retrospectively analysed cases of work-related accidental injury with pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, syphilis and human immunode?ciency virus (HIV) reported to the centres for disease control at 15 hospitals (total 5776 beds) in the Gunma prefecture, Japan, from December 1990 to August 1993 (24.7 months). There were 416 such cases (16.8 cases/month), with an incidence of 0.2–3.5 accidents per month per hospital. Such accidents occurred in 297 (71.2%) nurses, 98 (23.5%) medical doctors, 13 (3%) laboratory technicians, four (1.0%) hospital maintenance workers, one (0.2%) assistant nurse, one secretary and two others. There were 323 (77.6%) injuries caused by needlestick, 42 (10.1%) from suture needles or surgical knife cuts, 17 (4.1%) from blood splatters from patients into the eyes or mouth, 10 (2.4%) from contact with injured skin and 24 (5.8%) simple skin contacts. Of the pathogens, 60.3% were HCV, 22.6% HBV, 5.8% syphilis, 0.7% HIV and 10.6% were of unknown origin. Four cases (1.6%) of HCV infection were found and treated with one or two courses of interferon therapy, and HCV was subsequently cleared. All four patients were cured with interferon therapy. None of the HBV-injured cases resulted in infection, possibly because of prophylaxis with HB immunoglobulin and HB vaccine. No HIV or syphilis infection was contracted. In summary, chronic HCV infection acquired as an occupational hazard can be cured by appropriate treatment, such as with interferon, after early detection of the infection.     

Case of Spontaneous Gastrojejunal Fistula Due to Gastric Cancer

A rare case of gastrojejunul fistula secondary to gastric cancer is presented. Fluoroscopic examination visualized the passage of contrast medium from the stomach to the small intestine. Gastric fiberscopy revealed cancer on the greater curvature of the corpus perforation into the jejunum. The scope could be inserted readily into jejunum through this perforation. Laparotomy showed that the cancer infiltrated and perforated from the stomach to the jejunum at about 10 cm. from the ligament of Treitz. Distal gastrectomy and resection of 10 cm. of the perforated jejunum were performed. The resected specimen revealed a Borrmann III gastric cancer of the greater curvature perforating the jejunum.     

The gene frequency of SB alleles in the Japanese population

The gene frequency (+/- SD) of SB alleles was estimated in the Japanese population as follows: SB1 0.00, SB2 0.195 +/- 0.027, SB3 0.070 +/- 0.017, SB4 0.091 +/- 0.019, SB5 0.335 +/- 0.034 and SB blank 0.308 +/- 0.035. The absence of SB1 allele, decrease of SB4 allele and increase of SB5 allele are characteristic features of the SB system in the Japanese population as compared with Caucasians.     

Higher cerebral dysfunction in a case with atypical multiple sclerosis with concentric lesions

Abstract A patient with atypical multiple sclerosis (MS) with clear concentric structure was studied using high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This case was considered to be Balo's concentric sclerosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse multiple concentric demyelinating lesions in the bilateral centrum semiovales, which finally regressed with the necrotic lesions remaining when the patient was discharged. During his clinical course, he showed some higher cerebral dysfunctions, such as memory disturbance, constructual apraxia and acalculia. He was treated with glycerin, prednisone and rehabilitation; all of which were effective in his recovery. Over a 4 month period, the patient recoveredclinically, but some intellectual impairment remained.     

Perinephric angiomyolipoma: A unique development pattern surrounding the kidney

We report a case of a 31-year-old man with extrarenal angiomyolipoma of the perinephric space. He presented with asymptomatic macrohematuria. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large perinephric mass which was separated from the right kidney and its unique growth appeared to have surrounded the kidney. Extrarenal angiomyolipomas of the perinephric fat are rare and they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a retroperitoneal mass where asymptomatic macrohematuria was presented at the onset.     

Analysis of the circumstances of death of 56 children suffering from cancer: Proposal for the development of terminal medicine in Japan

In Japan terminal medicine for children dying from cancer has not yet been developed nor has a support system for home terminal care and bereaved families been established. We have analyzed our own experiences in these areas and researched the possibilities of establishing support systems. In the 16 years from 1978 to 1993, 56 children with cancer have been treated and have died at Hamamatsu University Hospital. We analyzed the circumstances of their deaths. We interviewed 25 sets of parents about their acceptance of their child's death. Three children (5%) died unexpectedly during treatment, 27 children (48%) died from the side-effects of intensive treatment, and 26 children (47%) died during terminal care. More children with leukemia and lymphoma died from side-effects than children with solid tumors (P < 0.05). Six out of the 25 families had not yet accepted the loss of their child due to regrets associated with the missed opportunity for terminal care. From our experiences with the five children who received terminal care at home, we recognize the need for a support system run by the hospital and conclude the time is ripe for initiating home-based terminal care in Japan.