Biochemical comparison between radon effects and thermal effects on humans in radon hot spring therapy

The radioactive and thermal effects of radon hot spring were biochemically compared under a sauna room or hot spring conditions with a similar chemical component, using the parameters that are closely involved in the clinic for radon therapy. The results showed that the radon and thermal therapy enhanced the antioxidation functions, such as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, which inhibit lipid peroxidation and total cholesterol produced in the body. Moreover the therapy enhanced concanavalin A (ConA)-induced mitogen response and increased the percentage of CD4 positive cells, which is the marker of helper T cells, and decreased the percentage of CD8 positive cells, which is the common marker of killer T cells and suppressor T cells, in the white blood cell differentiation antigen (CD8/CD4) assay. Furthermore, the therapy increased the levels of alpha atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha ANP), beta endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), insulin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), and it decreased the vasopression level. The results were on the whole larger in the radon group than in the thermal group. The findings suggest that radon therapy contributes more to the prevention of life-style-related diseases related to peroxidation reactions and immune suppression than to thermal therapy. Moreover, these indicate what may be a part of the mechanism for the alleviation of hypertension, osteoarthritis (pain), and diabetes mellitus brought about more by radon therapy than by thermal therapy.     

Modulation of 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia by imipramine in rats

The effects of imipramine on 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1A)-receptor full agonist, -induced hypothermia was examined in rats. Single administration of imipramine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia. This effect of imipramine was blocked by the 5-HT(2A)-receptor antagonist ketanserin. 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia was not altered 24 h after repeated administration of imipramine (1 - 10 mg/kg per day) for 14 days. However, 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia was significantly enhanced in repeated imipramine (10 mg/kg per day)-treated rats that received 8-OH-DPAT plus imipramine 24 h after the final imipramine administration for 14 days. The 5-HT(2A)-receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane ((+/-)-DOI) attenuated the 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia in drug naive rats. The inhibitory effect of (+/-)-DOI (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.) on 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia was attenuated by repeated administration of imipramine (10 mg/kg per day) for 14 days. These findings suggest that enhancement of the 5-HT(1A) receptors by repeated administration of imipramine may be due to reduction of the inhibitory effects from the 5-HT(2A) receptors to the 5-HT(1A) receptors.     

Dietary factors and development of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in a general Japanese population: the hisayama study

BACKGROUND: There have been few prospective studies on diet and glucose abnormalities as determined by oral glucose tolerance test. METHODS: To investigate the impact of dietary factors on the development of glucose intolerance including diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, we performed a follow-up survey of 1,075 subjects aged 40-74 years of normal glucose tolerance from 1988 through 1993/1994 by repeated 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and dietary survey. Information on habitual food consumption was obtained using a semiquantitative food frequency method. RESULTS: Of the total subjects studied, 119 (11.1%) developed impaired glucose tolerance and 24 (2.2%) developed diabetes during the follow-up. At baseline, the age-adjusted amount of alcohol intake was significantly higher in males who developed glucose intolerance than in those who did not (26.7 g vs. 15.7 g, p < 0.05), while the polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids (P/S) ratio was significantly higher in females with future glucose intolerance (1.42 vs. 1.31, p < 0.05). Among the female subjects who developed glucose intolerance, the intake of animal fat less decreased during the follow-up period compared with normal subjects, resulting in a significant decrease in the P/S ratio (-0.09 vs. 0.05, p < 0.05). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, alcohol intake at baseline for males and decreased P/S ratio during the follow-up for females remained a significant risk factor for glucose intolerance independent of other dietary and non-dietary factors as well. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a high intake of alcohol and a decreased P/S ratio contribute to the risk of glucose intolerance in contemporary Japanese.     

Importance of re-examination for medulloblastoma and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor

Summary ¶Medulloblastoma may can be difficult to distinguish from atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), since they resemble each other histologically. We re-examined whether AT/RT was included among cases who had been diagnosed as medulloblastoma.All of fifteen medulloblastomas (10 males and 5 females) diagnosed at the Kitasato University Hospital were collected and stained immunohistochemically.Two cases originally diagnosed as medulloblastoma were reclassified as AT/RT based on histological re-examination including immunohistochemical studies. While these two cases of AT/RT were found during infancy, only one medulloblastoma was found in infancy.Histologically, small rhabdoid cells and large, pale, bland cells were common but typical rhabdoid cells were not seen in the two AT/RTs. Gland-like structures were also seen. The tumor cells in AT/RT, but not those in medulloblastoma, were immunoreactive for vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen and smooth muscle actin. In conclusion, if a diagnosis of medulloblastoma is made histologically, it should be confirmed immunohistologically, since it is difficult to distinguish AT/RT from medulloblastoma. When appropriate treatment was specifically targeted at AT/RT it may improve the outcome.Published online July 23, 2003     

Influence of age and disease severity on high resolution CT lung densitometry in asthma

BACKGROUND: Low attenuation areas (LAA) on computed tomographic (CT) scans have been shown to represent emphysematous changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the significance of LAA is still controversial in patients with asthma. This study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of lung CT densitometry in the detection of airspace enlargement in association with asthma severity. METHODS: Forty five asthmatic subjects and 15 non-smoking controls were studied to determine the influence of age, pulmonary function, and asthma severity on mean lung density (MLD) and the relative area of the lung showing attenuation values less than -950 HU (RA(950)) on high resolution CT (HRCT) scans. RESULTS: In asthmatic patients both MLD and RA(950) correlated with parameters of airflow limitation (%FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC, %FEF(25-75)) and lung volume (%TLC, %FRC, %RV), but not with lung transfer factor (%TLCO, %TLCO/VA). The results of HRCT lung densitometry also correlated with patient age and severity of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased CT lung density in non-smoking asthmatics is related to airflow limitation, hyperinflation and aging, but not with lung transfer factor.     

5-HT(1A) receptor full agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, exerts antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test in ACTH-treated rats

We examined the effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on the immobilization of rats in the forced swim test after administration of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylamino tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). Imipramine (3-30 mg/kg, i.p.) or 8-OH-DPAT (0.1-1 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly decreased the duration of immobility in normal rats. The immobility-decreasing effect of imipramine was blocked when ACTH was administered for 14 days. On the other hand, the immobility-decreasing effect induced by 8-OH-DPAT was not blocked by chronic administration of ACTH for 14 days. These findings indicate that 8-OH-DPAT can be useful in an animal model of depressive conditions resistant to antidepressant treatment.     

Neutralization of myotoxic activity of Bothrops venoms by antisera to purified myotoxins and to crude venoms

A phospholipase myotoxin (MOO-1) and a non-phospholipase myotoxin (JSU-5) were studied for their antigenic cross-reactivity and neutralization by different antisera. Antisera against JSU-5 and MOO-1 reacted equally with both myotoxins in ELISA assays. The specificity of these antisera was also similar, recognizing the same 14,000–18,000 mol. wt components in the venoms of Bothrops jararacussu, Bothrops moojeni, Bothrops neuwiedi and Bothrops pradoi. Using creatine kinase assays, JSU-5 myotoxicity was completely neutralized by B. jararacussu antivenom or anti-JSU-5 antibodies and partially neutralized by B. moojeni antivenom or anti-MOO-1 antibodies. MOO-1 myotoxicity was completely neutralized by antisera against JSU-5 and MOO-1 and B. jararacussu antivenom, and only partially neutralized by B. moojeni antivenom. B. jararacussu venom induced high titres of antibodies against purified myotoxins. This antiserum completely inhibited the myotoxicity of the homologous venom and significantly reduced the myotoxicity of the remaining myotoxin-containing venoms. It is suggested that B. jararacussu venom is a good immunogen to induce antibodies against myotoxins present in the venoms of the different species of Bothrops.     

Giant cell arteritis associated with rheumatoid arthritis monitored by magnetic resonance angiography.

A 57-year-old Japanese woman with well controlled rheumatoid arthritis visited our hospital with a severe bitemporal headache and marked fatigue. Based on the classification criteria by the American College of Rheumatology, she was diagnosed as having giant cell arteritis. Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography was performed, from which stenotic changes in the bilateral superficial temporal arteries were strongly suspected. Corticosteroid therapy was quickly started. The patient followed an uneventful course with no complications. Therapeutic effect was confirmed by MR angiographic findings obtained 4 weeks after the initiation of therapy.