Use of an intravenous branched chain amino acid enriched diet in the tumor-bearing rat

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a branched chain amino acids (BCAA) enriched intravenous feeding would have an effect on nitrogen retention in the host tissue, without stimulating tumor growth in the malignant tumor bearing animal. NEDH/c rats with an implanted fibrosarcoma were put on one of two total parenteral nutrition regimens, one of an amino acid formula containing 25 per cent BCAA, by weight and the other containing 50 per cent BCAA. Nitrogen retention in the two tumor-bearing groups was similar, although it was 47 per cent greater than observed in the non-tumor bearing animals (po0.05). Skeletal protein synthesis was significantly reduced by the presence of the tumor in rats on the 25 per cent BCAA formula (from 10.1 per cent/day to 6.1 per cent/day) but was increased to 7.9 per cent/day by the 50 per cent BCAA formula. The BCAA enriched intravenous feeding does not enhance tumor growth and supports skeletal protein synthesis, at least in this experimental model.     

Leukemoid reaction in BALB/c mice bearing primary tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene

During the growth of five of ten primary tumors that were induced by 3-methylcholanthrene in BALB/cMk and BALB/cMk X C57BL/6F1 mice, leukemoid reactions, characterized by increase in number of granulocytes in peripheral blood, and splenomegaly were observed. However, no such reactions occurred in five C57BL/6 mice bearing primary tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. The results of leukemoid reactions in mice bearing 3-methylcholanthrene-induced primary tumors are compared with the reactions found in mice bearing transplanted tumors.     

A case of renal leiomyoma with extensive cystic degeneration

An extremely rare case of renal leiomyoma presenting as a cystic mass, involving the upper pole of the right kidney in a 59-year-old woman, complaining of right flank pain is reported. Some discussion regarding pathogenesis of leiomyoma with cystic change, diagnostic feature, malignant potential of leiomyoma and others was done. Since 1948, 19 cases including our own case of renal leiomyoma have been reported in the Japanese literature.     

Stable prostacyclin analogue preventing microcirculatory derangement in experimental cerebral ischemia in cats

We evaluated the effect of a stable synthetic prostacyclin analogue, TRK-100, on the microcirculatory derangement occurring in feline pial vessels with endothelial damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Fifteen adult cats were divided into an untreated group (Group 1, n = 8) and a treated group (Group 2, n = 7). Thirty minutes after 10 minutes of ultraviolet irradiation, which selectively damaged endothelium in the pial vessels, the middle cerebral artery was occluded in both groups and maintained for 30 minutes. In Group 2, 50 ng/kg/min TRK-100 was continuously infused intravenously following ultraviolet irradiation. In both the pial arteries and veins, platelet aggregate adhesion to the endothelium with subsequent thrombus formation was significantly (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively) inhibited during middle cerebral artery occlusion in Group 2 compared with Group 1. Similarly, blood flow stasis in the pial veins was effectively prevented in Group 2 during occlusion. Furthermore, the pial artery diameter returned to the control level during the late period of occlusion, whereas in Group 1 the pial artery remained constricted. Our data suggest that TRK-100 can prevent microcirculatory derangement in the acute stage of ischemic stroke.     

Hemodynamic effects of prostaglandin E1 during cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and children

Effects of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) and phenoxybenzamine (POB) on the hemodynamics during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were studied in 30 infants and children. Patients were grouped into three; PGE₁ was given to ten patients, POB to another ten, and the other ten patients served as the control. Vasodilative drugs were witheld. PGE₁ was infused at 0.01 to 0.02 μg/kg/min during CPB, and POB at 1.0 mg/kg within the initial 10 minutes of bypass. There was a significant drop in arterial and venous pressure at the time of initiation of bypass in both the PGE₁ and POB groups. In the PGE₁ group in particular, such a stable hemodynamic condition of over 60 mm Hg in mean arterial pressure, 7.5 to 12.5 cmH₂O in central venous pressure, 1300 to 1700 dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵ in systemic vascular resistance was maintained throughout CPB, as compared with the other two groups. PGE₁ contributed to an adequate diuresis and the preservation of platelets. Our findings indicate that PGE₁ has potential clinical advantages for application during CPB.