Uptake of pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid in idiopathic synovial chondromatosis

We reported two Tc-99m(V) DMSA scintigrams in patients with idiopathic synovial chondromatosis which affected the metacarpo-phalangeal joint and shoulder joint. Tc-99m(V) DMS A accumulated markedly and diffusely in the tumor. Tc-99m(V) DMSA scintigraphy would be valuable for deciding the optimal site for biopsy.     

The effects of allyl sulfides on the induction of phase II detoxification enzymes and liver injury by carbon tetrachloride.

Allyl sulfides, e.g., diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), and diallyl trisulfide (DATS), are principal constituents of garlic oil. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo effect of these sulfides on the phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, and elucidated their structure-function relationship. A highly purified form of each sulfide (more than 99% purity) was administered i.p. as a bolus to rats at a concentration of 10 or 100 micromol/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. As to the phase I enzymes, DAS (100 micromol/kg) slightly but significantly increased cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1 activity (1.6-fold vs. control), whereas DADS and DATS did not affect it or the hepatic total CYP level or CYP1A1/2 activity. With respect to the phase II enzymes, DATS (10 micromol/kg) and DADS at a 10-fold higher dose (100 micromol/kg) significantly increased the activities of glutathione S-transferase, quinone reductase, and antioxidative enzyme glutathione peroxidase; whereas DAS did not. In the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury model of rats, either DATS (10 micromol/kg) or DADS (100 micromol/kg) significantly reduced the injury caused by the induction of phase II enzymes with CCl4. In conclusion, the sulfides affected both phase I and phase II enzymes, the former being stimulated by the monosulfide only and the latter, strongly by the trisulfide and weakly by the disulfide. Therefore, the polysulfide DATS may be one of the important factors in garlic oil that protects our body against the injury caused by radical molecules encountered in daily life.     

Comparative studies on immunological property of thyroglobulins obtained from the thyroid tumor and the adjacent tissue

The immunological properties of thyroglobulins (Tg) of individual patients, obtained from a thyroid tumor and its adjacent tissue were compared, using conventional or monoclonal antibodies against human Tg. The thyroid tumors studied were non-functioning thyroid carcinomas and functioning thyroid adenomas. In contrast to non-functioning tumors, Tg from the functioning tumors was generally iodinated at a level close to that of normal tissue, and Tg from the tissue adjacent to the tumors had a very low iodine content. The conventional antiserum and monoclonal antibodies, B2F, seemed to recognize the conformation of Tg, while C6G showed a high affinity to Tg even when unfolded or denatured. In most cases, Tg isolated from the tissue adjacent to a tumor showed a higher affinity to antibodies than Tgs of the tumor tissue, as determined by the inhibitional effect of these Tgs against the binding of standard Tg and antibody. Furthermore, the Tg of the adjacent tissue was immunologically different in nature from the standard Tg obtained from a normal thyroid gland. From these results, Tgs of tumor and the adjacent tissue in individual patients were heterogeneous in immunological property, regardless of iodine content.     

Growth of endometrial cancer and hormone

Proliferation and differentiation of the normal endometrium are orderly regulated by female sex steroid hormones. In this connection, development and growth of endometrial cancer have also thought to be controlled in part by sex steroid hormones. Furthermore, some of the sex steroid hormones, progesterone, for example, are used as therapeutic agents in the management of endometrial cancer. The role of estrogen as a promotion factor of endometrial cancer is understood by unopposed estrogen hypothesis, and relative excess of estrogen unopposed by gestagen is regarded as an important factor for the development of endometrial cancer. High dose administration of gestagen has been used as a therapeutic agent of endometrial cancer over these three decades, and now the oral administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is mainstay, with response rate of approximately 30%. However, recently some cases with serious side effect, mainly thrombosis, have been reported. These cases should be regarded as a grave warning to easy usage of MPA. Therefore, the search for more effective and safe way for clinical application have to be requested; for example, clarification of the precise mechanism of anti-tumor effect of MPA on endometrial cancer or development of new hormonal therapeutic agents. Moreover, basic research in the field of cancer and hormone may create a new era in cancer therapy in the future.     

Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in cord blood with reference to birth weight

To clarify the hemocoagulative and fibrinolytic dynamics of the perinatal period and also to seek the cause of SGA (small for gestational age) baby birth, the coagulation and fibrinolysis of the cord blood were examined, and moreover a comparison with the maternal blood, discussion on the difference in birth weight, and an examination of the difference due to the sex of babies were made in 68 cases with full-term, vaginal, spontaneous delivery, and the following conclusions were reached. In comparison with maternal blood, cord blood significantly showed any of the following: Prolongations of the prothrombin time, and the activated partial thromboplastin time, a decrease in fibrinogen, and a decrease in the platelet aggregation, antithrombin III, and plasminogen. In addition, high values for thromboxane B2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha were observed. In the SGA group, significant decreases were observed in the platelet count, antithrombin III, plasminogen, and alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor as compared with the AGA (appropriate for gestational age) and LGA (large for gestational age) baby groups. No sex difference was observed in the hemocoagulative and fibrinolytic capacities of the cord blood. These hemocoagulative and fibrinolytic capacities, particularly changes in the fibrinolytic system observed in the SGA group, seem to be attributable to chronic DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) and mild acidosis due to various stresses during pregnancy and at parturition, in turn due to immaturity of the liver in babies.     

Pharmacological studies on MCNU: a new antitumor agent

The pharmacological properties of MCNU, methyl 6-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-6-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, were investigated in laboratory animals. MCNU had no effects on the central nervous, respiratory or the cardiovascular systems, but dilation of isolated auricular vessel was seen. No local anesthetic activity was demonstrated. Treatment with MCNU had practically no influence on the contraction of the isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm, ileum, vas deferens or uterus. Furthermore, no effects on the passage of charcoal meal, size of the pupil and the contraction of nictitating membrane were observed. MCNU caused a reduction of leucocyte counts, suppression of immune responses, local irritation, suppression of blood coagulating activity and slight inhibition of gastric secretion. No definite effects were observed on blood glucose level or renal and liver functions. MCNU had no antiinflammatory and diuretic activities and did not cause hemolysis. Vomiting and diarrhea were observed by the administration of MCNU. In conclusion, the major pharmacological effects of MCNU are reduction of leukocyte counts, local irritation and immuno-suppression. The reduction of leukocyte counts induced by MCNU was more significant than that by chlorozotocin, but less than that by CCNU. Other effects may be considered somewhat weak or almost the same extent compared with these agents.     

Antibacterial potency of cefotiam based on the clinical effect, MIC and decrement of organisms in the sputum

To evaluate the antibacterial potency of cefotiam (CTM) clinical and laboratory studies were carried out and the results were as follows. Clinical evaluation and adverse reaction CTM was given to total of 23 patients, 10 with bronchopneumonia, 10 with bronchitis and one each with cystitis, enteritis and suspected sepsis. Overall efficacy rate was 78.3% (18/23) (excellent 9, good 9, fair 3, poor 2). Only 1 case showed a side effect of slightly elevated GOT and GPT. Antibacterial activities MIC of CTM against isolates from sputum was investigated on those patients mentioned above and was compared with MIC of CEZ and CMZ. CTM showed superior antibacterial activity against almost all strains. Especially on Haemophilus and Klebsiella antibacterial activity of CTM was impressive. Organisms in sputum Four out of 8 causative bacteria disappeared and 1 out of 8 decreased after administration of CTM. Thus CTM is considered to be the useful drug for the treatment of respiratory infection.