Effects of obstructive jaundice on neutrophil production and acquisition of chemotactic activity in the bone marrow

Background and Aims:  Increased numbers and enhanced functions of peripheral neutrophils have been observed in obstructive jaundice. However, the effects of obstructive jaundice on the bone marrow, that is neutrophil production and acquisition of neutrophil chemotactic activity, have been poorly understood. In the present study, differentials of bone marrow cells and chemotactic activity of bone marrow neutrophils were evaluated in bile duct-obstructed rats.
Methods:  Male Wistar rats underwent either bile duct obstruction for 10 days or bile duct obstruction for 4 days followed by 6 days' internal biliary drainage. Differentials of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells were sequentially determined. Chemotactic activity of peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils was evaluated with a modified Boyden method using interleukin-8 (recombinant rat Gro-β) as a chemoattractant.
Results:  Numbers of peripheral neutrophils significantly increased after bile duct obstruction. Significant increases in the myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio of bone marrow cells were observed after bile duct obstruction. The neutrophil proliferative pool (promyelocytes and myelocytes) increased initially, followed by an increased neutrophil storage pool (metamyelocytes, bands, and segmented neutrophils). The M/E ratio as well as the neutrophil proliferative and storage pools normalized after internal biliary drainage. Chemotactic activity was enhanced in both peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils after bile duct obstruction, and enhanced chemotaxis was alleviated with internal biliary drainage.
Conclusion:  The present results strongly suggest the principal role of the bone marrow in increasing the number of neutrophils and their chemotactic activity during obstructive jaundice.     

Sucrose permeability as a meas of detecting diseases of the upper digestive tract

The healthy gastric epithelium will not allow easy permeation of a disaccharide-sized molecule such as sucrose. However, during gastric damage, intact sucrose can pass the gastric epithelium and ultimately appear in the urine. We examined the relationship between total urinary sucrose excretion and various diseases. We used 149 patients (105 had upper gastrointestinal disease, 12 had gastric cancer and 32 were normal). Subjects were given a solution containing 100g sucrose in 450 c.c. water. All urine was collected for 7.5 h. The urinary sucrose concentration was determined by anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. Total urinary sucrose excretion was significantly higher in patients with gastric ulcer and those with gastric cancer than in endoscopically normal controls. In the 34 patients with gastric ulcer, the total sucrose excretion was closely correlated with ulcer size. Ulcer location did not affect urinary sucrose excretion. A strong correlation was also observed between sucrose excretion and lesion size in the 12 patients with gastric cancer. The sucrose permeability test may be a relatively sensitive method to detect gastric disease.     

Retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty: Using reconstructive methods based on intraoperative findings

AIM: Reconstructive laparoscopic procedures have been recognized as a less invasive treatment than conventional open procedures. However, although the laparoscopic pyeloplasty has also been accepted as useful, few findings have been reported relevant to the retroperitoneal approach. To elucidate its effectiveness and safety, laparoscopic surgery via the retroperitoneal approach was examined in our institution. Furthermore, the importance of laparoscopic observation for ureteropelvic junction and urine passage ureteropelvic junction without indwelling ureteral stent. METHODS: Between July 1998 and December 2004, 13 men and 15 women underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal surgery for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The mean patient age was 33.6 years (range: 13-70 years). Methods of repair were determined by intraoperative findings for the relationship between the ureteropelvic junction and surrounding vessels. An indwelling ureteral stent was removed before initiating laparoscopic operation to observe the relationship between ureteropelvic junction and aberrant vessels more precisely. RESULTS: An aberrant renal vessel was found in 13 patients (46%). Dismembered pyeloplasty was carried out in 21 patients, Y-V plasty in five patients and Hellstrom technique in two patients. Ureteral transposition was not required in dismembered pyeloplasty cases. All patients achieved retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty without open conversion. The mean operative time was 272 min (range: 155-490 min). The mean estimated blood loss was 44 mL (range: 10-200 mL). No major complications were observed during the intraoperative period, but urinary tract infection occurred in two patients in the postoperative period. In all patients except one, obstruction was improved or resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal surgery is not only able to repair ureteropelvic junction obstruction, but can also be done safety and less invasively. We believe that laparoscopic observation without indwelling stent will contribute to a more appropriate choice of pyeloplasty.     

MMP-2及MMP-9表达在侵袭性垂体腺瘤中的生物学意义

目的本研究的目的是探讨基质金属蛋白酶-2(matrix metalloproteinase 2, MMP-2)及基质金属蛋白酶-9(matrix metalloproteinase 9, MMP-9)的表达与侵袭性垂体腺瘤相关性研究.以寻找垂体腺瘤侵袭性可能的发病机理.方法用免疫组化方法对54例垂体瘤患者的组织标本进行研究.并对其中16例患者采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)的方法对MMP-2及MMP-9 mRNA的表达进行分析.结果 54例垂体瘤患者中,有32例女性,22例男性.平均年龄为49.9岁(从18～76岁).其中,12例为侵袭性垂体腺瘤,42例为非侵袭性垂体腺瘤.免疫组化显示,侵袭性垂体腺瘤的MMP-2及MMP-9的表达明显高于非侵袭性垂体腺瘤(3.9±0.5; 2.3±0.2;P<0.01)和(4.1±0.4; 2.6±0.2; P<0.01).MMP-2及MMP-9的表达与MIB-1的表达无明显相关性(r=–0.05; P>0.05).侵袭性垂体腺瘤MMP-2及MMP-9 mRNA的表达,明显高于非侵袭性垂体腺瘤[(59.7±12.5)%; (33.3±5.4)%, P<0.05] 及[(68.2±15.3)%; (21.8±8.2)%; P<0.05] .结论 MMP-2及MMP-9的高表达与肿瘤的侵袭性密切相关.但与肿瘤的大小及分泌功能无明显关系.MMP-2及MMP-9可以作为肿瘤侵袭性一项有效的指标.肿瘤的侵袭性和增殖之间可能存在不同的生物学机制.     

鬼针草有效成分的研究(Ⅱ)

目的 研究鬼针草Bidens bipinnata的地上部分的化学成分。方法 采用硅胶、ODS柱色谱分离并结合Sephadex LH-20和HPLC分离纯化，通过理化鉴定和波谱分析鉴定其化学结构。结果 从鬼针草的正丁醇部位得到6-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基-6，7，3′，4′-四羟基噢哢(海生菊苷)(Ⅰ)、6-O-(6″-乙酰基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基)-6，7，3′，4′-四羟基噢哢(Ⅱ)、槲皮素3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅲ)、槲皮素3-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷(Ⅳ)、异奥卡宁-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅴ)、七叶苷(Ⅵ)、(E)2-己烯基-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅶ)、正己烷基O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅷ)、异戊基O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅸ)、正丁基O-α-D-呋喃果糖苷(Ⅹ)、正丁基O-β-D-呋喃果糖苷(Ⅺ)、正丁基O-β-D-吡喃果糖苷(Ⅻ)。结论 以上12个化合物中除海生菊苷和异奥卡宁-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷外，其他10个化合物均为首次从鬼针草中分离得到。     

A Novel Method for the Preclinical Assessment of Rectal Irritation

The purpose of this study concerns a novel method for preclinical assessment of rectal irritation caused by suppositories introduced into the rectum. Rectal irritation was assessed by the balloon method in fasting conscious rats. This method is based on measuring rectal contractions due to possible irritation caused by the presence of drugs and adjuvants in the suppository. In control experiments (vehicle only), significant rectal contractions were not observed in a range of pH 1.5–11.0 and osmotic pressure 70–2000 mOsm kg^?1 H₂O, respectively. On the other hand, strong contractions were observed after rectal administration of an aqueous solution of 50% glycerin, 100 mm sodium caprate or 25 mm sodium cholate. The intensity of contraction after rectal administration of sodium caprate or sodium cholate was dependent on the concentration in the dosing solution. In addition, the effect of sodium caprate and sodium cholate on rat rectal mucosa was investigated by optical light microscopy. Although slight or moderate alteration such as the presence of mucinous substance in lumen and congestion, oedema and haemorrhage of the rectal membrane 20 min after rectal administration, there was no major damage to the rectal mucosa. There was a correlation between the median score for mucinous substance in lumen and mean intensity of rectal contraction. For comparative purposes, defecating sensations, pain, itch, burning sensations, and awareness of the presence of a foreign body after administration of suppositories containing 0, 1, 2 and 4% sodium caprate were examined in eight healthy volunteers. The defecating sensation in the human subjects correlated with the intensity of rectal contraction in rats. The results suggest that rectal contraction in conscious rats could be a useful index for prediction of a defecating sensation in man.     

Renal aminopyrine demethylation in several species determined by a sensitive radiometric method

Renal microsomal aminopyrine demethylation activities of several species were measured by a sensitive radiometric method using [dimethylamino-¹⁴C-]aminopyrine as a substrate and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine as a trapping agent for the formaldehyde formed. The activity was highest in hamsters (0·75 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein) and that in rabbits, rats, mice, and guinea-pigs was 19·7, 7·0, 4·5 and 3·7%, respectively, of the hamster values. These species differences did not correlate with species differences in cytochrome P-450 content or in NADPH cytochrome c reductase activity. Aminopyrine demethylation activities in sliced renal tissues of several species were also compared. This activity was also found highest in hamsters (0·54 nmol min⁻¹ g⁻¹ wet tissue) and the activities in rabbits, rats, and guinea-pigs were 9·2, 1·8 and 2·5%, respectively, of the hamster values.     

鬼针草有效成分的研究(Ⅱ)

目的 研究鬼针草Bidens bipinnata的地上部分的化学成分。方法 采用硅胶、ODS柱色谱分离并结合Sephadex LH-20和HPLC分离纯化，通过理化鉴定和波谱分析鉴定其化学结构。结果 从鬼针草的正丁醇部位得到6-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基-6，7，3′，4′-四羟基噢哢(海生菊苷)(Ⅰ)、6-O-(6″-乙酰基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基)-6，7，3′，4′-四羟基噢哢(Ⅱ)、槲皮素3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅲ)、槲皮素3-O-α-L-鼠李糖苷(Ⅳ)、异奥卡宁-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅴ)、七叶苷(Ⅵ)、(E)2-己烯基-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅶ)、正己烷基O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅷ)、异戊基O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(Ⅸ)、正丁基O-α-D-呋喃果糖苷(Ⅹ)、正丁基O-β-D-呋喃果糖苷(Ⅺ)、正丁基O-β-D-吡喃果糖苷(Ⅻ)。结论 以上12个化合物中除海生菊苷和异奥卡宁-7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷外，其他10个化合物均为首次从鬼针草中分离得到。     

Screening for growth hormone deficiency using urinary growth hormone measurement

The diagnostic approach in growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is complicated. Two or more provocative tests are essential for definitive diagnosis of GHD. However, such testing cannot be carried out routinely on all subjects with short stature because of the need for hospitalization and blood sampling. A simple screening method for GHD would be of great value. Human growth hormone (hGH) levels were measured in the early morning urine of 192 children aged 7–15 years with height 2.0 s.d. below the mean for their ages. Sixty-eight subjects were selected because they showed a urinary hGH level < 10 ng/g creatinine. They were further examined in terms of bone age and plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) levels. In 30 subjects, the ratio of bone age: chronological age was < 0.8 and/or plasma IGF-I level was < 0.7 U/mL. Finally 24 of these subjects were examined with provocative tests and other endocrinological tests. Eleven subjects proved to have poor growth hormone secretion and one subject was diagnosed as having Turner syndrome. In conclusion, 11 patients with GHD were diagnosed from 192 children with short stature using urinary hGH measurement as the first screening method. These findings suggests that urinary hGH measurement could be a useful and simple method for detecting GHD.