MR images of wallerian degeneration--relation between the time and MR findings of wallerian degeneration

On magnetic resonance (MR) images, wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract can be demonstrated as an abnormal intensity showing prolonged T1 and T2 relaxation times corresponding to the corticospinal tract, and/or as shrinkage of the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle and pons. We evaluated 150 cases with supratentorial cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and found the above findings in 35 patients (hematoma 21, infarction 14). The time interval between the ictus of CVA and manifestation of wallerian degeneration on MR images was evaluated. In all 35 cases the foci of CVA located at or extended into the motor cortex, the corona radiata of the pyramidal tract or the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Abnormal signal intensity appeared as early as 5 weeks after ictus and was observed in all 17 cases after 10 weeks. Ipsilateral shrinkage of the cerebral peduncle and the pons has appeared 13 months after ictus. MR appears to be the most useful modality for early detection of waller degeneration.     

Subacute nephrotoxicity of germanium dioxide in the experimental animal

Germanium (Ge; atomic number 32, atomic weight 72.6) belongs to IVb group of the Periodic Table and is found as a trace metal in soil, rocks, plants, and animals. It is widely used in industry because of its semiconductive nature. Some biological activities have been shown in Ge derivatives. Recently, patients with persistent renal damage after chronic ingestion of germanium dioxide (GeO2)-containing compounds have been reported in Japan. This study aimed to investigate subacute nephrotoxicity of GeO2 in Lewis male rats. The rats were treated orally with GeO2 for 13 weeks (GeO2 group) and were compared with those treated with GeO2 for only the first 4 weeks (GeO2-4-week group) and with untreated controls. Renal dysfunction was demonstrated by the increased serum creatinine, BUN, and serum phosphate and decreased creatinine clearance. Liver dysfunction was observed as demonstrated by the increased GOT and GPT, and hypoproteinemia by the decreased total protein and albumin in the GeO2 group. However, daily urinary protein excretion or urinalysis did not differ among the groups. Kidney weight and Ge content of tissues were significantly elevated in the GeO2 group. With the light microscope, vacuoles and the depositions of PAS-stained particles, which correspond to electron-microscopic dense granules in the swollen mitochondria, were predominantly observed in distal tubular epithelium in the GeO2 group. Even in the GeO2-4-week group of rats, serum creatinine was increased and the above-mentioned histological abnormalities were observed, but were less intense.     

Importance of early initiation of dietary protein restriction for the prevention of experimental progressive renal disease

The effect of dietary protein restriction on the progress of renal dysfunction was investigated in rats with adriamycin (ADR)-induced progressive glomerular disease. Dietary protein was reduced from 20% (normal diet) to 5% (low protein) immediately after (ADR-0w), 8 weeks (ADR-8w) or 16 weeks (ADR-16w) after the repeated injection of ADR. In the unrestricted (ADR-UR) group rats were fed 20% of protein throughout the 24-week experiment. Massive urinary protein developed immediately after ADR injection and significantly decreased by reducing dietary protein in all the groups (ADR-0w, ADR-8w, ADR-16w). However, plasma protein and serum albumin were low irrespective of the improvement of urinary protein. BUN and serum creatinine were unchanged in ADR-0w and ADR-8w groups, while they were increased in ADR-16w and ADR-UR groups. Glomerular sclerosis and tubular atrophy were much less severe in ADR-0w and ADR-8w than in ADR-16w and ADR-UR groups. The results indicate that dietary protein restriction checks the further progress of renal dysfunction. The importance of the time when protein intake should be reduced is discussed.     

Effects of acute hypertension on brain metabolism in normotensive, renovascular hypertensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Effects of angiotensin-induced acute hypertension on cerebral metabolism were studied in normotensive (NTR), spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and experimental renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR). Lactate, pyruvate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations in the brain frozen in situ at 18--20 min after angiotensin infusion, which raised mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 28--62% of control, were determined by enzymatic methods. Supratentorial lactate was significantly increased to 135% of control in RHR, its increase being correlated with the degree of hypertension, wherease it remained unchanged in NTR or SHR. Furthermore, RHR showed a tendency toward increase in lactate/pyruvate ratio with a decrease in ATP despite no change of arterial acid-base balance measured simultaneously before and after acute induced hypertension. From the present study, it is postulated that some renal factor seems to contribute ischemic metabolic changes in RHR following acute hypertension. The possible effect of renin on the vascular permeability is discussed as the pathogenesis of hypertensive encephalopathy.     

Comparison of mandibular trabecular structures between normal and diabetic rats: evaluation of spontaneous type 2 diabetes in a rat model

Objectives  

To investigate the effect of diabetes on the trabecular structure of the mandible in an animal model of spontaneous diabetes mellitus.