Effect of tauro-α-muricholate and tauro-β-muricholate on oestradiol-17β-glucuronide-induced cholestasis in rats

The effect of tauro-β-muricholate (βMC-tau) and tauro-α-muricholate (αMC-tau) on oestradiol-17β-glucuronide (E₂17G)-induced cholestasis was compared with that of taurourso-deoxycholate (UDC-tau) in rats. Like UDC-tau, αMC-tau and βMC-tau infused at the rate of 0.2 μmol/min per 100 g bodyweight (BW) completely inhibited the cholestasis induced by E₂17G infused at the rate of 0.06 μmol/min per 100 g BW for 20 min. These findings indicate that βMC-tau and αMC-tau are useful in protecting against various types of experimental cholestasis, as well as against bile acid-induced cholestasis.     

Incidence of hypocomplementemia in elementary and junior high school children with urinary abnormalities

Abnormalities were detected in 2669 of 326 257 elementary and junior high school children (169 856 males and 156 401 females) who were screened at school for urinary abnormalities. Serum complement (C3) level was measured in all 2669 children having urinary abnormalities (811 males, 1856 females). Three had a serum C3 level that was more than three standard deviations below the mean value. Type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was diagnosed on histological examination in one of these three children, while the other two did not undergo renal biopsy because they had serum C3 levels of 40 and 44 mg/dL, respectively, and because their urinary abnormalities were transient. It was considered that there is not much significance in testing the serum complement in the urine screening done at school and the cost/benefit ratio is low. The results appeared to reflect the frequency of persistent hypocomplementemic MPGN in Japan in recent years.     

Relationship between solvent inhalation and antisocial behavior: Special emphasis on two types of violence seen in solvent abusers

Abstract Organic solvent inhalation is a serious problem among youths in Japan. It induces physical and mental disorders, and is related closely to crime and delinquency. The relationship between solvent inhalation and antisocial behavior was investigated in 75 youths. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the level of violent behavior and the time of appearance: a non-violent group, a late-onset group (violence occurred after the start of inhalation) and an early-onset group (violence had occurred before the start of inhalation). Various parameters were compared among the groups. The late-onset group showed the following characteristics: (i) the frequency of inhalation was high, and many subjects experienced hallucinations and mood changes caused by inhalation; (ii) the family environment was characterized by conflict; and (iii) the subjects had strong psychological conflicts and showed dissociative coping with frustration. The violence, psychological conflict and dissociation in this group were found to be related to the inhalation, with familial conflict as a background. The violence in the early-onset group was considered to be the manifestation of a violent personality as the frequency of inhalation and the incidence of mental symptoms were both low. The subjects in this group showed weak psychological conflict and tended to be demanding of others when attempting to cope with frustration. Two types of violent behaviors in the teenagers who inhaled solvents were identified. The violence of solvent inhalers should be managed according to the type.     

Evaluation of hepatic transport function by hepatobiliary scintigraphy

The transport kinetics of [99mTc]-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan were studied by three-compartment model analysis for hepatobiliary scintigraphy in 45 patients with chronic viral liver diseases. Three-compartment model analysis was studied using the time-activity curves of the regions of the heart, liver, and biliary tract and intestine (excretory compartment). The k12 (hepatic uptake rate constant), k21 (hepatic efflux rate constant), and ke1 (hepatic excretion rate constant) were calculated by the nonlinear least-squares method. Among the three parameters obtained by model analysis, k12 values more prominently differed among diseases and correlated well with blood tests such as total bilirubin, total bile acids, or 15 min retention of ICG. In conclusion, three-compartment model analysis of the hepatic handling of [99mTc]-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan is useful in evaluating hepatic transport function. k12 is the most sensitive parameter for this.     

Studies on Erythropoietic Action of Angiotensin II

The effects of synthetic Angiotensin II on erythropoiesis were investigated.

1. Two daily intravenous injections of Angiotensin II, 100 µg./Kg. of bodyweight, revealed no acceleration of Fe⁵⁹ incorporation into erythrocytes ofeither normal rabbits or hypophysectomized rats.

2. When given by intravenous drip, 100 µg./Kg. of Angiotensin II significantly accelerated the radioiron incorporation.

3. The renal blood flow was markedly reduced throughout the period ofthe dropwise injection; the same effect was transitory after single intravenousinjection. The elevation of plasma erythropoietin activity was observed inhypertransfused polycythemic rabbits following the dropwise injection ofAngiotensin II.

From these results, it is concluded that erythropoietic activity of AngiotensinII results from an increased erythropoietin production. The increased production may have been induced by a renal ischemia through administration ofAngiotensin II.

Submitted on February 23, 1966 Accepted on January 13, 1967