Cyclic adenosine monophosphate promotes the proliferation of chicken granulosa cells in culture.

The aim of this study was to determine if cAMP regulates the proliferation of chicken granulosa cells and if there is a difference in the effects of cAMP on the granulosa cell proliferation between the largest follicle (F1) and the smaller follicles. Granulosa cells collected from F1 and the third largest follicle (F3) were cultured in medium M199 containing 1% calf serum with or without dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP). Proliferation of granulosa cells of F1 was promoted by dbcAMP in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective concentration of dbcAMP to promote the granulosa cell proliferation was 2 mM. In the culture without dbcAMP, the number of the granulosa cells was not changed significantly for 6 days, whereas, in the presence of 2 mM dbcAMP, the number of the granulosa cells was markedly increased during 2 to 6 days. The proliferation of the granulosa cells of F3 was stimulated by dbcAMP in the same manner as that of F1. Morphologically, the granulosa cells of F1 and F3 cultured for 2 days had a sheet-like appearance in control culture, whereas they were contracted, leaving finger-like cytoplasmic processes attached to the adjacent cells and substratum in the presence of 2 mM dbcAMP. After 6 days culture, approximately 90% of the cells of F1 stained positive for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in 2 mM dbcAMP-containing culture, whereas only about 20% of the cells were positive in control culture. These results suggest that cAMP promotes the proliferation of the granulosa cells during the follicular growth and this response of granulosa cells to cAMP is similar for F1 and F3.     

POTASSIUM ACCELERATES URINARY SODIUM EXCRETION DURING SALT LOADING WITHOUT STIMULATING ATRIAL NATRIURETIC POLYPEPTIDE SECRETION

1. Effects of potassium (K) supplementation (100 mEq/day) on urinary sodium (Na) excretion and on the secretion of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) during salt loading (350 mEq/day) were studied in 12 healthy salt-resistant normotensives under strictly controlled metabolic ward conditions. 2. Urinary volume and Na excretion on the first day of the high salt period (HSP) were significantly greater in the K-supplemented group (KG) than in the control group (CG). 3. There was a significant gain in bodyweight after salt loading in both groups, with a significantly greater gain in CG on the second day of HSP. Haematocrit decreased significantly during salt loading in both groups, the degree of which was significantly greater in CG. 4. Plasma norepinephrine decreased significantly during salt loading in both groups, the degree of which was significantly less in KG than in CG. A significant increase in plasma ANP was observed in CG on and after the second day of HSP, while a significant increase in plasma ANP was observed on the fifth day of HSP in KG. 5. These findings indicate that K supplementation accelerates diuresis and natriuresis, resulting in moderate suppression of volume expansion induced by salt loading and that this accelerated diuresis and natriuresis is not a result of the action of ANP.     

Investigation of association of mycobacteria with inflammatory bowel disease by nucleic acid hybridization.

We used DNA-DNA hybridization to characterize a mycobacterial isolate, strain Linda, that was obtained from a patient with Crohn's disease and that has been reported to cause ileitis in experimental animals. We also investigated the association of this mycobacterium with Crohn's disease. Our results identified Mycobacterium strain Linda as a strain of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the etiologic agent of Johne's disease, a disease of ruminants that has some superficial resemblance to Crohn's disease. Sequences that hybridized with strain Linda DNA probes were detected in DNA extracted from human intestinal tissues from patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and noninflammatory bowel disease. These hybridizing DNA sequences were more prevalent in the muscle layers than in the intestinal mucosa, making it unlikely that they represented DNA from bacterial contaminants in the intestinal lumen. Measurement of the melting temperatures of the DNA-DNA hybrids formed between strain Linda probes and tissue DNAs indicated that the related sequences detected were of mycobacterial origin but were not identical to each other or to strain Linda DNA. These results do not support the proposed specific relationship between Mycobacterium strain Linda and Crohn's disease. The possible etiologic role of mycobacteria in Crohn's disease is discussed.     

Contraction of urinary bladder by central norepinephrine originating in the locus coeruleus

Studies were performed to elucidate the role of the locus coeruleus, which is rich in norepinephrine-containing cell bodies, in vesical function using alpha-chloralose anesthetized cats. Stimulation of the locus coeruleus caused contraction of the urinary bladder, which was not affected by transection of the bilateral hypogastric nerves, but blocked by intravenous administration of hexamethonium, a ganglion blocking agent. In animals with transected hypogastric nerves, the locus coeruleus-induced contraction was inhibited by intrathecal administration of phentolamine (alpha-blocker) and prazosin (alpha 1-blocker), but not affected by intrathecal sotalol (beta-blocker) or yohimbine (alpha 2-blocker). In animals treated with reserpine, the locus coeruleus-induced contraction was enhanced by intravenous application of L-dopa, a precursor of norepinephrine. These results suggest that norepinephrine derived from the locus coeruleus activated preganglionic neurons in the sacral intermediolateral nuclei via alpha 1-receptors, thereby producing urinary bladder contraction.     

Photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) Induced by Afloqualone

We reported a case of photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) type drug eruption due to afloqualone (Arofuto®). The patient was given afloqualone and imipramine hydrochloride (Chrytemin®) for cervical spondylosis from November of 1990. Edematous erythema with slight itching appeared on the sun-exposed areas in December of 1990. As drug eruption was suspected, drugs were ceased, and the cutaneous lesions almost disappeared but pigmentations and depigmentations developed in spots in sun-exposed areas in March of 1991. Photopatch and oral challenge tests were positive.     

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Presenting as a Varicelliform Eruption over the Entire Skin

A boy with skin eruptions resembling varicella and specific for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is reported. At his initial visit when he was four months old, vesiculopustular lesions were present over the entire body; these had first appeared on the third day post partus. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopical examination confirmed the Langerhans cell phenotype and Birbeck granules in the responsible cells. He also had hydronephrosis, recurrent fever, and cutaneous bacterial infections. His parents refused further medical treatment and he died of diarrhea with cachexia about two years later. LCH may present diagnostic difficulties by manifesting as a skin eruption which resembles varicella.