The effect of various amines on TRH contents in rat brain (author's transl)]

To study the effect of vatious amines on TRH contents in rat brain, various amines or inhibitor of synthesis of amines were injected into rat through i.v. or i.p.. Rats were decapitated and brain was frozen in dry ice and aceton. TRH contents in hypothalamus(H), cerebrum(C) and cerebellum and brain stem (C and S) were measured by TRH radioimmunoassay. TRH contents in normal rats were 3.9+/-0.5ng in H, 2.6+/-0.5NG IN C and 1.6+/-0.3ng in C and S. TRH contents in all parts of brain were increased in L-DOPA treated group and did not change in T3 or T4 treated group. TRH contents in all parts of brain were decreased in alpha-methyl-DOPA, alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine, fusaric acid and 5-HTP treated groups. In D,L-p-chlorophenylalanine treated group TRH contents in brain were increased only in hypothalamus. In L-DOPA or 5-HTP treated group with T4 or T3 preadministration, TRH contents in all parts of brain were same levels of L-DOPA or 5-HTP treated group. The above data suggested the TRH contents in rat brain were increased with increase of dopamine level in rat brain and decreased with increase of serotonine level or decrease of noradrenaline level in rat brain and inhibitory effect of T4 or T3 on TRH release might be mediated through dopaminergic and serotonergic mechanism.     

Daily variation of blood pressure in patients with Cushing's syndrome

The circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP) was compared between patients with Cushing's syndrome and those with essential hypertension. In patients with essential hypertension, clear nocturnal falls in systolic and diastolic BP and heart rate (HR) were observed, and there was a positive correlation between HR and systolic or diastolic BP. On the other hand, in patients with Cushing's syndrome, there was no nocturnal fall in BP and instead a rise in some cases. In all cases with Cushing's syndrome there was a nocturnal fall in HR, and consequently no significant correlation between HR and BP in these patients. The present results imply that the normal circadian rhythm of blood pressure may be regulated at least in part by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system.     

Benign histiocytosis X of stomach. Previously undescribed lesion

Histiocytosis X of the stomach of a 47-year-old Japanese woman, who underwent subtotal gastrectomy following a clinical diagnosis of scirrhous carcinoma, was studied by light and electron microscopy as well as by immunohistochemistry. The histiocytoid cells proliferated monotonously in the lamina propria mucosae of the atrophied mucosa covering the body and fornix. They were arranged in a sheet- or pavement stone-pattern and included some giant cells. The histiocytoid cells had a reniform to irregularly indented nucleus and conspicuous cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, they were characterized by interdigitating cytoplasmic extensions and abundant tubulovesicular structures including Langerhans granules. S-100 protein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin were immunohistochemically identified in the cytoplasm. Endoscopic biopsies of the extragastric digestive tract, a biopsy of the lymph node, and bone marrow aspiration excluded a systemic disorder. The case is regarded as benign localized histiocytosis X of the stomach, a previously undescribed gastric lesion.