The effects of potassium concentration in reperfusion solution upon myocardial protection]

The effects of potassium in reperfusion solution (RS) and the influence of sodium on this effect were studied. Experimental time course was as followed: 20 min working perfusion, 3 min cardioplegic infusion with St. Thomas Cardioplegic Solution followed by global ischemia for 33 or 35 min at 37.5 degrees C, 15 min early Langendorff reperfusion with several different potassium concentration modified with Krebs Henseleit Bicarbonate Buffer (KHBB) containing 145 mM and 110 mM sodium and 5 min late reperfusion with KHBB, followed by 20 min working perfusion. Potassium in RS possessed bell shaped dose response nature with optimal concentration of 10 mM in the condition of 145 mM sodium but 6 m in the condition of 110 mM in terms of percent recovery of aortic flow. Although higher potassium reperfusion produced less Creatine Kinase leakage.     

Inhibitory action of tranilast, an anti-allergic drug, on the release of cytokines and PGE2 from human monocytes-macrophages.

Tranilast, an anti-allergic drug that inhibits the release of substances such as histamine and prostaglandins from mast cells, has been reported to improve keloids and hypertrophic scars which originate from the abnormal proliferation and excessive collagen accumulation of fibroblasts. It has been considered that various chemical mediators produced by inflammatory cells play important roles in the development of keloids and hypertrophic scars. We therefore studied the effect of tranilast on the release of chemical mediators including transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and prostaglandin (PG) E2 which are produced by the human monocytes-macrophages, and estimated whether these mediators induce collagen synthesis and cell proliferation of normal skin fibroblasts. Tranilast inhibited the release of TGF-beta 1, IL-1 beta and PGE2 from the human monocytes-macrophages. TGF-beta 1 (25-200 pM) enhanced the collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. IL-1 (0.1-1 U/ml) increased the proliferation and conversely decreased the collagen synthesis. PGE2 (2 micrograms/ml) enhanced the collagen synthesis. These results suggest that tranilast suppresses collagen synthesis by fibroblasts through inhibiting TGF-beta 1 and PGE2 production and cell proliferation by fibroblasts through inhibiting IL-1 production by inflammatory cells such as macrophages.     

Clinical statistics on inpatients admitted to the Department of Urology, Hyogo Prefectural Hospital Nishinomiya during 20 years from 1972 to 1991]

A statistic analysis was carried out on the 4,956 inpatients admitted to our Department of Urology from April 1972 to December 1991. The patients included 3,399 males and 1,557 females. A total of 4,105 operations including 255 renal allotransplantations were performed on 3,590 patients. Open surgery for upper urinary tract stones has been replaced by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the last three years.     

Calorie restriction increases serum parathyroid hormone and decreases serum calcitonin levels in patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus

Calorie restriction is important in managing patients with maturity onset diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The effect of such restriction on calcium metabolism is not known. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients on calorie restricted diets would show any modification of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CTN). The serum levels of PTH and CTN were measured by radioimmunoassays in 269 patients with NIDDM. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the intake of calorie, and PTH and CTN were monitored for 2 years. Plasma levels of vitamin D were measured by competitive protein binding assays before and after each program. The level of PTH (520.8±266.0 pg/ml) (mean±S.D.) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in 109 diabetic patients whose calorie intake was restricted for 2 years (diet (D) group) as compared with that (256.6±103.8 pg/ml) of 160 diabetic patients whose calorie intake was not restricted (non-diet (ND) group). The daily oral calcium intake of the two groups did not differ significantly. We found no significant difference in the serum PTH level in the ND groupVS. normal control subjects (248.8±98.4, N=78). The serum calcium concentration and the amount of calcium excreted in urine were slightly but significantly (P<0.01) lower in the D than in the ND group. The rate of tubular reabsorption of phosphate (% TRP) was significantly lower in the D group than that in the ND group (P<0.01). The serum CTN level was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the D group (33.9±11.3 pg/ml) than in the ND group (64.9±21.2 pg/ml) 2 years after each treatment. The plasma 1,25-(OH)₂-vitamin D level was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the D group (22.2±6.6 pg/ml) than in the ND group (50.6±4.2 pg/ml). When the restriction of calorie intake in the D group was canceled, their PTH levels decreased, which was accompanied by increase in the 1,25-(OH)₂-vitamin D levels, whereas their CTN levels were unchanged. These observations suggested that a restricted calorie intake is a risk factor for secondary hyperparathyroidism as well as for a low serum level of CTN in patients with NIDDM.     

Pharmacologic preconditioning effects: Prostaglandin E1 induces heat-shock proteins immediately after ischemia/reperfusion of the mouse liver

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has several potential therapeutic effects, including cytoprotection, vasodilation, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. This study investigates the protective action of PGE1 against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo using a complementary DNA microarray. PGE1 or saline was continuously administered intravenously to mice in which the left lobe of the liver was made ischemic for 30 minutes and then reperfused. Livers were harvested 0, 10, and 30 minutes postreperfusion. Messenger RNA was extracted, and the samples were labeled with two different fluorescent dyes and hybridized to the RIKEN set of 18,816 full-length enriched mouse complementary DNA microarrays. Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels at 180 minutes postreperfusion were significantly lower in the PGE1-treated group than in the saline-treated group. The cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the genes encoding heat-shock protein (HSP) 70, glucose-regulated protein 78, HSP86, and glutathione S-transferase were upregulated at the end of the ischemic period (0 minutes postreperfusion) in the PGE1 group. Our results suggested that PGE1 induces HSPs immediately after ischemia reperfusion. HSPs might therefore play an important role in the protective effects of PGE1 against ischemia/reperfusion injury of the liver.     

A nonspecific colonic ulcer occurring after hepatectomy: Report of a Case

We herein report the case of a 53-year-old man with a nonspecific acute colonic ulcer whose liver function deteriorated after he had undergone hepatectomy. He was referred to our hospital for a hepatoma caused by hepatitis B virus and a right hemihepatectomy was performed. His liver function was poor after the operation, and minor complications such as pleural effusion and biliary fistula developed. A large amount of melena was seen 29 days after the hepatectomy and he developed hemorrhagic shock. Superior mesenteric arteriography revealed pooling of blood in both the hepatic flexure of the ascending colon and the cecum. An emergency right hemicolectomy was performed. There was a 5 x 1-mm ulcer 18 cm distal to the ileocecal valve. Numerous erosions were observed to be scattered throughout the colonic mucosa. The patient recovered slowly and was discharged 6 months after the hepatectomy. This is the first report of an acute colonic ulcer that could have been caused by liver dysfunction.     

HLA typing using IL-2 activated T lymphocytes: usefulness in pediatric candidates for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Following a preliminary study in healthy blood donors, we have performed serological HLA-A, B, C, DR and DQ typing using recombinant IL-2 activated T lymphocytes (IL-2.aTLs) in pediatric candidates for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. In such patients, it is often difficult to obtain the quantity of lymphocytes required for HLA typing, particularly for class II typing using B lymphocytes, considering the timing of sampling and the volume of blood to be collected. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were activated and expanded with IL-2 until a sufficient number of IL-2.aTLs of good viability were available for the typing. In the first 10 cases, analyses of surface markers (CD2, CD20, CD25, CD36, HLA-DR and HLA-DQ, CD2/HLA-DR: two color) of IL-2.aTLs were done using flow cytometry at the time of HLA typing and indicated that IL-2.aTLs expressed HLA-DR and DQ antigens sufficient for evaluation. A small number (less than 10(6] of fresh or cryopreserved PBMCs, even those containing leukemic blast cells, were sufficient to induce and expand IL-2.aTLs for HLA typing. To date we have been able to successfully HLA-A, B, C, DR and DQ type 20/20 pediatric candidates. The HLA antigens identified on the patients' IL-2.aTLs were confirmed by a family study.