Organ specific ESR features in mouse main organs and ESR application to the model of pancreatic disorders

Nine main organs in the mouse were studied by ESR spectroscopy at 77K. Manganese ions were readily detected in the pancreas, small intestine, stomach and kidney. In particular, the pancreas gave strong ESR signals for the transition metal, suggesting that Mn(II) plays an important role in pancreatic function. All organs reveal different ESR spectra indicating organ specificity. C-centered radical, R-OO radical and C0Q10 or ascorbate radical are stable in the tissue. In the brain, heart and pancreas, N-centered radical heme-NO adduct was detected at 6 and 24 h after excision since common process is involved in tissue degeneration and ESR is sensitive to proteolysis and necrosis of tissues. In endotoxemia and/or CDE-diet-induced pancreatic lesions, R-OO radical and Mn(II) ion were detected in the signal at 77K. By the spin-trapping method (DMPO) at 25 degrees C, DMPO-OH adduct and 3-Line and 6-Line were detected in CDE diet-induced acute pancreatitis. These results suggest that damaged pancreatic tissues are in a highly oxidative environment that probably contains oxygen radicals, and that free radicals are considered to play an important role in the development of pancreatic lesions.     

A case of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing compression of the cauda equina]

A case of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing compression of the cauda equina is reported here. The patient, a 76 year-old woman, who had fallen down by accident 1 month before, was admitted to our hospital presenting lumbar pain radiating into her right thigh, monoplegia of the right leg and urinary incontinence. Myelography and metrizamide CT demonstrated a filling defect mimicking intradural extramedullary tumor at the level of L1 and L2. Magnetic resonance imagings (MRI) revealed a subacute or chronic hematoma compressing the conus medullaris and the cauda equina. Operation was performed and an old hematoma, which occupied most of the spinal subarachnoid space and compressed the conus and cauda equina from right to left, was removed. No definite bleeding point was detected and no traumatic change was seen on the cord. Neither tumor nor abnormal vessel was detected. After surgery, the symptoms improved partially. On a review of the literature, we found only 4 cases of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma, all of which occupied the cervical or thoracic portion of the spine. Our case is the first report, except for the cases following lumbar spinal tap, of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing compression of the cauda equina. Though usually blood in CSF diffuses immediately, a clot may be formed when a large amount of bleeding obstructs the spinal canal. In our case, furthermore, deformity and narrowing of the spinal canal had preceded for many years, following lumbar vertebral compressed fracture related with osteoporosis. This might have promoted the process of canal obstruction and clot formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pulmonary dirofilariasis found unexpectedly during thymectomy

A 56-year-old woman in Kitakyushu City was operated on after diagnosis of mediastinal tumor with myasthenia gravis. Besides the thymoma, a small nodule was palpated in the lower lobe of the left lung and biopsied. A segmented worm was found in sections of this granulomatous nodule. A cross section of the degenerated worm (400 X 310 micron) showed a 3-layered tegument and internal cuticular ridges with high lateral chords. The muscle layer consisted of high and polymyarian muscles. Based on these characteristics, this worm was identified as an immature dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis. The recent sharp increase of dirofilariasis cases reported in Japan is discussed.