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1.
J Bone Joint Surg Br ; 85(8): 1151-4, 2003 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14653598

ABSTRACT

We measured the serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) by a high-sensitive method in patients with lumbar disc herniation. There were 48 patients in the study group and 53 normal controls. The level and type of herniation were evaluated. The clinical data including the neurological findings, the angle of straight leg raising and post-operative recovery as measured by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, were recorded. The high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) was measured by an ultrasensitive latex-enhanced immunoassay. The mean hs-CRP concentration was 0.056 +/- 0.076 mg/dl in the patient group and 0.017 +/- 0.021 mg/dl in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.006). There was no other correlation between the hs-CRP concentration and the level and type of herniation, or the pre-operative clinical data. A positive correlation was found between the concentration of hs-CRP before operation and the JOA score after. Those with a higher concentration of hs-CRP before operation showed a poorer recovery after. The significantly high concentration of serum hs-CRP might indicate a systemic inflammatory response to impingement of the nerve root caused by disc herniation and might be a predictor of recovery after operation.


Subject(s)
C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/blood , Lumbar Vertebrae , Adolescent , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Female , Hip Joint/physiopathology , Humans , Immunoassay/methods , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery , Latex , Male , Postoperative Period , Prognosis , Range of Motion, Articular , Treatment Outcome
2.
Cell Mol Life Sci ; 60(8): 1716-24, 2003 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14513837

ABSTRACT

Thrombin, a serine protease generated by the activation of the blood coagulation cascade following vessel injury, induces vascular endothelial growth factor-(VEGF) release. However, the molecular mechanism of thrombin-induced VEGF release is largely unknown. Anagonist of protease-activated receptor-i (PARI), SFLL-RNPNDKYEPF, mimicked thrombin-induced VEGF release in human vascular smooth muscle (HVSM) cells, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and Northern blotting. In contrast, the agonist of PAR3, TFR- GAP, did not affect VEGF release or expression. SFLL-RNPNDKYEPF, but not TFRGAP, up-regulated [Ca2-]i.Moreover, the calcium ionophone A23187 was found to trigger VEGF release in HVSM cells. Thrombin-inducedVEGF release was blocked by anti-thrombin, heparin, a synthetic thrombin receptor inhibitor E5510, the calcium chelator BAPTA, the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C, and the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Thus, our data show that thrombin caused VEGF release via PARI activation in a manner dependent on [Ca2+]i and p44/42 downstream from the receptor activation.


Subject(s)
Endothelial Growth Factors/biosynthesis , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/biosynthesis , Lymphokines/biosynthesis , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Receptors, Thrombin/agonists , Thrombin/pharmacology , Base Sequence , Calcium/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , DNA, Complementary/genetics , Endothelial Growth Factors/genetics , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Lymphokines/genetics , MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/pharmacology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Receptor, PAR-1 , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
3.
Haemostasis ; 31(2): 71-9, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11684862

ABSTRACT

The blood coagulation cascade is activated following vascular-wall injury. The serine protease thrombin is the final protease in this cascade that causes the formation of fibrin from fibrinogen. Thrombin also causes the activation of platelets, which are trapped in a fibrin net followed by hemostasis. Platelets gathered into fibrin clots release several growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor beta. In the present study, we demonstrated that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could be bound to fibrin clots in the plasma, and that incubation of the endothelial cells with these VEGF-bound fibrin clots induced proliferation of endothelial cells. Thus, it suggests that clot-bound VEGF may play a role in wound healing through the proliferation of endothelial cells and vascular smooth-muscle cells. On the other hand, a noticeable migration of monocytes was observed when they were cultured on dishes in the presence of VEGF-bound fibrin clots. Moreover, peripheral blood monocytes incubated in the presence of VEGF-bound fibrin clots strikingly increased the production of IL-6 and IL-8, demonstrating that VEGF trapped in fibrin clots not only induces proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and migration of monocytes but also enhances secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. Thus, our data suggest that fibrin clots that contain several growth factors act as a bioactive reservoir and may play an important role in hemostasis as well as wound healing.


Subject(s)
Blood Coagulation , Endothelial Growth Factors/pharmacology , Fibrin/chemistry , Lymphokines/pharmacology , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Chemotactic Factors/analysis , Chemotactic Factors/metabolism , Chemotactic Factors/pharmacology , Chemotaxis, Leukocyte/drug effects , Endothelial Growth Factors/analysis , Endothelial Growth Factors/metabolism , Endothelium, Vascular/cytology , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Fibrin/metabolism , Fibrin/ultrastructure , Humans , Interleukin-6/biosynthesis , Interleukin-8/biosynthesis , Lymphokines/analysis , Lymphokines/metabolism , Monocytes/drug effects , Monocytes/metabolism , Monocytes/physiology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors , Wound Healing
4.
Arthroscopy ; 17(8): 33, 2001 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11600973

ABSTRACT

Many athletes complain of exercise-induced pain in the lower leg that can be caused by inflammatory diseases, peripheral nervous system disease, fatigue fracture, shin splint, and chronic compartment syndrome (CCS). CCS is the most typical exercise-induced condition and it often requires surgical decompression of the several compartments. There are already many techniques reported in the literature. Recently, an endoscopic technique for CCS was reported with which excellent results were achieved. We have modified it and developed a new technique for treating CCS of the lower leg. We report a case of CCS of the lower leg treated with 1-portal endoscopic fasciotomy. The technique helps to decrease damage to soft tissue and patients will immediately return to normal activities of daily living.


Subject(s)
Anterior Compartment Syndrome/surgery , Arthroscopy , Fasciotomy , Adolescent , Anterior Compartment Syndrome/diagnosis , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Leg
5.
Bone Marrow Transplant ; 27(11): 1173-80, 2001 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11551028

ABSTRACT

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the most serious complications in patients receiving stem cell transplantation (SCT). However, the cause of VOD remained to be elucidated. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to have various physiological effects including neovascularization and acceleration of vasopermeability. Because we postulated that VEGF could be one of the causative factors in VOD after SCT, serum VEGF levels were measured by ELISA in 50 patients receiving SCT. Six of the patients showed typical manifestations of VOD and four of them died due to VOD. The mean maximum serum VEGF level in the six patients with VOD was markedly increased compared to that in the patients without VOD (P < 0.001) and in normal controls (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean maximum serum VEGF level in patients with VOD before conditioning chemoradiotherapy for SCT was also high compared to patients without VOD (P = 0.0012) in the same period. Similarly, serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients whose plasma protein C activities decreased below 40% (P < 0.001). During the clinical course of VOD after SCT, the increase of serum VEGF synchronized fairly well with the development of VOD. Since VEGF causes the expression of tissue factor on circulating monocyte/macrophages and results in hypercoagulability, our observation suggests that in the patients with VOD who showed high serum VEGF it might account for the development of VOD. Furthermore, this observation may indicate a novel therapeutic strategy for prevention of VOD.


Subject(s)
Endothelial Growth Factors/blood , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/blood , Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/etiology , Lymphokines/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Combined Modality Therapy , Cytokines/adverse effects , Cytokines/blood , Endothelial Growth Factors/adverse effects , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Hematologic Diseases/complications , Hematologic Diseases/therapy , Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/diagnosis , Humans , Infant , Lymphokines/adverse effects , Male , Prognosis , Protein C/metabolism , Time Factors , Transplantation Conditioning , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
6.
J Orthop Sci ; 6(2): 119-22, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11484095

ABSTRACT

We examined 17 total hip arthroplasty patients in order to develop a method for the predictive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) after joint arthroplasty. Scintigraphy revealed the presence of PE in 4 patients. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin III (ATIII), and thrombin-AT III complex (TAT) did not show significant differences between patients with and without PE. D-dimer 7 days after surgery showed significant differences between patients with and without PE. Fibrin monomer (FM) increased sharply after surgery, and it was significantly different between the patients with and without PE immediately after surgery and 2 days after surgery. Our findings suggest the importance of FM in the predictive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism after total hip arthroplasty, and 40 microg/ml or higher levels with our measurement method could represent a high-risk condition.


Subject(s)
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip , Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Embolism/etiology , Radionuclide Imaging
7.
Oncogene ; 20(20): 2514-26, 2001 May 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11420661

ABSTRACT

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream target Akt are essential for the fibroblast transformation induced by many viral products. Tax, encoded by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), has been demonstrated to induce the transformation of rat fibroblast Rat-1 cell through NF-kappaB activation. By stable transfection of Rat-1 cells with expressing constructs of Tax and its mutant M47, which is defective in HTLV-I LTR transactivation, we selected their transformed clones, which have characteristics of NF-kappaB activation and colony formation beyond the cell monolayer (a malignant phenotype). However, these two characteristics in the transformed clones of Tax and M47 disappear after these cells have been treated with wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI3K. Further, increased activity of the PI3K/Akt is observed in the transformed clones of Tax and M47 as compared to the clones of empty vector Neo and the M148, which is defective in NF-kappaB activation and cell transformation. Increased activity of PI5K is present in the transformed clones of both Tax and M47 and in the M148 clone as compared to that in the Neo cell. It is known that the efficiency of Tax-induced cell transformation is not high; a minority of Tax-expressing clones show transformation, although the majority of Tax-expressing clones show activated NF-kappaB. A Tax-expressing, nontransformed clone after transfection with an active form of the catalytic subunit of PI3K, p110alpha, becomes transformed. Consistent with these results, a Tax highly-expressing human T-cell line MT2 exhibits both higher polyphosphoinositide turnover and higher activities of PI3K and PI5K than those of Jurkat or MT1 and HTLV-I-negative and a Tax-unexpressing cell line, respectively. These results demonstrate that the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, excepting for the NF-kappaB, is also required for the cell transformation induced by Tax.


Subject(s)
Cell Transformation, Viral/physiology , Gene Products, tax/physiology , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/physiology , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/physiology , Signal Transduction/physiology , Androstadienes/pharmacology , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Transformation, Viral/drug effects , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Enzyme Activation , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Fibroblasts/enzymology , Fibroblasts/pathology , Fibroblasts/physiology , Gene Products, tax/genetics , Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 , Humans , NF-kappa B/antagonists & inhibitors , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates/metabolism , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Rats , Transfection , Wortmannin
8.
Anal Biochem ; 294(1): 73-82, 2001 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11412008

ABSTRACT

Anandamide (ANA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), two endogenous cannabinoids, can be generated by activated macrophages and platelets, respectively, in the context of endotoxic shock, and are proposed to play a crucial role in the induction of the shock-related hypotension. Taking advantage of our recently discovered function of polymyxin B (PMB) binding to ANA and 2-AG, we developed a new method for measuring ANA and 2-AG by applying PMB-immobilized beads to selectively adsorb them in biological fluids, instead of organic solvent extraction. The eluate from beads can be directly fractionated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the fractionations corresponding to authentic ANA and 2-AG are collected and derivatized with fluorogenic reagent and subsequently quantified by HPLC with fluorometric detection. The calibration graphs of ANA and 2-AG were linear over a range of 1 to 500 pmol/ml. The limits of detection for ANA and 2-AG were 20 and 50 fmol, respectively. Intraassay precision was 2.24-4.25 and 3.47-5.44%, and interassay was 4.05-6.14 and 4.92-7.28% for ANA and 2-AG, respectively. Using this method, we first determined a 4-fold and 3-fold higher level of ANA and 2-AG, respectively, in the sera of patients with endotoxic shock than in normal serum. This finding should help in elucidating the role of the endogenous cannabinoids in the hypotension of human endotoxic shock. This method is rapid, sensitive, and reliable for simultaneously quantifying ANA and 2-AG in biological fluids, and has potential for clinical usage.


Subject(s)
Arachidonic Acids/blood , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Glycerides/blood , Polymyxin B/chemistry , Shock, Septic/blood , Adsorption , Animals , Calibration , Cell Line , Endocannabinoids , Humans , Mice , Polyunsaturated Alkamides , Reproducibility of Results , Spectrometry, Fluorescence
9.
Infect Immun ; 69(5): 2788-96, 2001 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11292690

ABSTRACT

Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4) have been found to transduce signals of peptidoglycan (PGN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively, for NF-kappa B activation. However, little is known about the expression and regulation of the TLR2 gene in monocytes/macrophages in response to the two typical bacterial products. We show in the present study that both PGN and a high concentration of LPS increase TLR2 gene expression in macrophage-like cells, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-differentiated human HL60 and mouse RAW264.7 cells, and human monocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Actinomycin D and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibition of gene transcription and NF-kappa B activation, respectively, blocks LPS- and PGN-elevated TLR2 mRNA in monocytic cells. The LPS-induced increase in TLR2 mRNA in monocytic cells is abolished by polymyxin B pretreatment and is observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pigs subjected to endotoxic shock. Further, high concentrations of LPS and synthetic lipid A increase TLR2 mRNA expression in peritoneal macrophages from both TLR4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice and normal C3H/HeN mice, a process that constitutes induction of TLR4-independent TLR2 expression. These findings demonstrate that TLR2 gene expression is upregulated in macrophage responses to PGN and to high concentrations of LPS in vitro and in vivo and correlates with NF-kappa B activation.


Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Macrophages/drug effects , Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics , NF-kappa B/physiology , Peptidoglycan/pharmacology , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Animals , HL-60 Cells , Humans , Lipid A/pharmacology , Macrophages/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C3H , Shock, Septic/blood , Swine , Toll-Like Receptor 2 , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , Toll-Like Receptors , Transcription, Genetic/drug effects , Up-Regulation
10.
J Bone Miner Metab ; 19(2): 119-24, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11281160

ABSTRACT

Leptin has been proposed to be a key molecule involved in energy regulation. Based on the generally acknowledged concept that a heavier person has a higher bone density, leptin is thought to be potentially involved in bone metabolism. Serum leptin, various bone markers, and bone mineral density (BMD) were studied in 51 dialysis patients (26 men and 25 women). The serum concentrations of leptin in dialysis patients ranged from 0.7 to 10.4 ng/ml (mean 3.2 +/- 2.1 ng/ml) for males and from 1.4 to 44.6 ng/ml (mean 11.8 +/- 10.4 ng/ml) for females. There was a good correlation between the body mass index (BMI) and leptin concentration in both male and female patients (P < 0.05). Serum leptin levels also correlated well with the age-adjusted z-score for BMD (P < 0.02) and were inversely correlated with levels of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P < 0.05) in females patients, but not in male patients. In conclusion, these results suggest an actual contribution of serum leptin in maintaining bone density in postmenopausal female dialysis patients.


Subject(s)
Dialysis , Hypoparathyroidism/metabolism , Leptin/physiology , Adult , Biomarkers , Body Mass Index , Bone Density , Female , Humans , Hypoparathyroidism/blood , Hypoparathyroidism/physiopathology , Leptin/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged
11.
J Rheumatol ; 28(2): 330-5, 2001 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11246671

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of adenovirus vector mediated transduction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene to human chondrocyte-like cell (HCS-2/8) against heat stress. METHODS: Two adenovirus vectors that contain wild-type (AxSHEwt) or mutant-type (AxSHEmt) HSP70 gene, and that are regulated by SRalpha promoter, were constructed. The mutant-type lacks the area that expresses stress durability. One of the 2 adenovirus vectors was added to the cultures of human chondrocyte-like cells (HCS-2/8). Heat stress (48 degrees C) was applied to the transduced cells for 2 h, and the efficacy of adenovirus vector mediated transduction of HSP70 gene against heat stress in the chondrocytes was investigated using alamar blue assay and MTT assay. RESULTS: Absorbance levels at 48 degrees C were 300.3 +/- 51.9 and 1.173 +/- 0.011 in the controls, 278.5 + 33.8 and 1.217 +/- 0.018 in the AxSHEmt transduced cells, and 349 +/- 14.7 and 1.371 +/- 0.033 in the AxSHEwt transduced cells. The level in the AxSHEwt transduced cells was significantly higher than in the other 2 groups (p < 0.05). With 37 degrees C treatment, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSION: Chondrocytes to which HSP70 gene was transduced had a significantly higher metabolic activity and viability under heat stress.


Subject(s)
Chondrocytes/metabolism , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Osteoarthritis/therapy , Oxazines , Stress, Physiological/metabolism , Xanthenes , Adenoviridae/genetics , Biological Assay , Cells, Cultured/cytology , Cells, Cultured/metabolism , Chondrocytes/pathology , Coloring Agents , Gene Expression Regulation, Viral/physiology , Genetic Therapy , Genetic Vectors/metabolism , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Osteoarthritis/metabolism , Osteoarthritis/physiopathology , Stress, Physiological/physiopathology , Tetrazolium Salts , Thiazoles , Transduction, Genetic
12.
Biomaterials ; 22(6): 541-6, 2001 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11219717

ABSTRACT

In order to interpret how cells recognize biomaterials, nucleic factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in the attached HeLa S3 cells on various substrates was evaluated. As substrates, materials of hydrophilic nature (cellulose, poly(acrylamide)-grafted poly(ethylene) (PAAm-g-PE), and lipids films) were used. The contemporary assay method for NF-kappaB was modified to fit our system. As a result, NF-kappaB activation varied depending on the substrates. The NF-kappaB outcome was induced significantly in the HeLa S3 cells that had adhered onto the lipid films in a short time. On the other hand, high levels of NF-kappaB induction were observed in the HeLa cells adhered to the celluose and PAAm-g-PE after a 24 h incubation period. The induction of NF-kappaB by cell-material interaction is discussed from the point of view of biocompatibility.


Subject(s)
Cell Adhesion , NF-kappa B/metabolism , HeLa Cells , Humans
13.
Clin Calcium ; 11(5): 582-8, 2001 May.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15775557

ABSTRACT

Osteoporosis and femoral osteonecrosis are important as main bone lesion caused by the treatment with steroid. Steroid directly inhibits osteoblastgenesis through promotion of apoptosis of osteoblasts and decrease of osteoblast actions. The elucidation at the molecular levels such as decrease of Cbfa1 and TGF-beta type I receptor expression by steroid treatment recently advances. Further, we demonstrated that for the femoral osteonecrosis by steroid, bone marrow tissues concerned also lesions in endothelial cell dysfunctions and in apoptotic cell death. The effects of alendronate on bone quality is noticed recently as a treatments of the steroid-induced osteoporosis.

14.
J Orthop Sci ; 6(6): 591-4, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11793184

ABSTRACT

We report three cases of the development of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after atlanto-axial fusion. This fusion should be recognized as a causative factor in the development of OPLL. The pathological mechanism is suggested to be increased mechanical stress.


Subject(s)
Atlanto-Axial Joint/surgery , Joint Instability/surgery , Ligaments, Articular/pathology , Ossification, Heterotopic/etiology , Spinal Fusion/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ossification, Heterotopic/physiopathology , Stress, Mechanical
15.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 279(1): 166-71, 2000 Dec 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11112434

ABSTRACT

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA was constitutively expressed in human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 and in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which often form hypervascular tumors. The sequence 5'-AGGAAG-3' at -137 to -132 bp of IL-8 promoter was shown to be polyomavirus enhancer A binding protein-3 (PEA3) binding site, which can cooperate with activator protein-1 (AP-1). Both PEA3 and AP-1 are essential for constitutive IL-8 expression in HepG2 cells, determined by promoter assays. Moreover, PEA3 and IL-8 proteins coexisted in HCC tissues, but not in uninvolved liver tissues. It is possible PEA3 may have important roles in tumor progression and in angiogenesis in HCC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/physiology , Interleukin-8/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Transcription Factor AP-1/physiology , Transcription Factors/physiology , Base Sequence , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Cell Line , DNA Primers , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Liver Neoplasms/pathology
16.
J Hand Surg Br ; 25(5): 503-4, 2000 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10991823

ABSTRACT

We report a case of ulnar tunnel syndrome caused by an occult ganglion which was diagnosed preoperatively by ultrasonography.


Subject(s)
Synovial Cyst/complications , Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes/diagnostic imaging , Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes/etiology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Synovial Cyst/diagnostic imaging , Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes/surgery , Ultrasonography
17.
J Rheumatol ; 27(9): 2166-71, 2000 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10990229

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We investigated apoptosis, i.e., programmed cell death, in steroid induced osteonecrosis in a rabbit model. METHODS: Forty-four adult Japanese White rabbits were divided into 3 groups: Group A were untreated controls and had a subsequent 8 week no-treatment period; Group B received intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone 4 mg/kg once weekly for 4 weeks; and Group C received the same treatment and had a subsequent 8 week no-treatment period. At the end of each period, all animals were sacrificed and tissue samples were obtained from the femur and humerus for histopathologic examination. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect fragmented DNA known to be associated with apoptotic cell death. RESULTS: Group A rabbits did not develop osteonecrosis-like lesions (ONL) in the femur and humerus, and few TUNEL positive cells were observed in bone marrow cells. In Group B, ONL developed in 11/15 rabbits, and many TUNEL positive cells were found in the area surrounding ONL. In Group C, ONL were found in 6/10 rabbits, but only a few TUNEL positive cells were present around the lesion. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that apoptosis occurs in the early stage of steroid induced osteonecrosis.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Bone and Bones/drug effects , Bone and Bones/pathology , Osteonecrosis/chemically induced , Osteonecrosis/pathology , Steroids/adverse effects , Animals , Apoptosis/physiology , Bone and Bones/ultrastructure , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Osteonecrosis/physiopathology , Rabbits
18.
FEBS Lett ; 477(1-2): 135-40, 2000 Jul 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10899324

ABSTRACT

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy under microgravity, the paraspinal muscles of rats after 14 days spaceflight and those of ground-based controls were examined. In the microgravitational environment, expressions of 42 genes changed, and the expressions of heat shock protein 70 and t complex polypeptide 1 increased. In Northern blotting, myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor 2C (MEF2C) and MEF2C-related genes including aldolase A and muscle ankyrin decreased. After 9 days ground recovery, expression of MEF2C increased and it was located mainly on the satellite cells in the muscle regeneration state. MEF2C could be a key transcriptional factor for skeletal muscle atrophy and regeneration under microgravity.


Subject(s)
Down-Regulation , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Muscular Atrophy/metabolism , Myogenic Regulatory Factors/metabolism , Weightlessness/adverse effects , Animals , DNA/genetics , DNA/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , MEF2 Transcription Factors , Male , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch/metabolism , Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch/pathology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Muscular Atrophy/genetics , Myogenic Regulatory Factors/genetics , Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics , Myosin Heavy Chains/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Regeneration , Space Flight , Time Factors
19.
FEBS Lett ; 472(1): 39-44, 2000 Apr 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10781801

ABSTRACT

Anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand has been suggested to have physiological role in mammalian nervous system. However, little is known about the role of anandamide on neuronal cells. Here, we demonstrate that anandamide causes death of PC-12 cells, showing marked DNA condensation and fragmentation, appearance of cells at sub-G(0)/G(1) and redistribution of phosphatidyl serine, the hallmark features of apoptosis. Anandamide raised intracellular superoxide level and CPP32-like protease activity in PC-12 cells markedly. Furthermore, antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine prevented anandamide-induced superoxide anion formation and cell death, implying that intracellular superoxide is a novel mediator of anandamide-induced apoptosis of PC-12 cells.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Arachidonic Acids/physiology , Caspases/metabolism , Superoxides/metabolism , Acetylcysteine/pharmacology , Animals , Arachidonic Acids/antagonists & inhibitors , Arachidonic Acids/pharmacology , Caspase 3 , Cell Survival , Endocannabinoids , PC12 Cells , Polyunsaturated Alkamides , Rats
20.
FEBS Lett ; 470(2): 151-5, 2000 Mar 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10734225

ABSTRACT

Anandamide (ANA), an endogenous cannabinoid, can be generated by activated macrophages during endotoxin shock and is thought to be a paracrine contributor to hypotension. We discovered that ANA in saline/ethanol solution and in serum was efficiently adsorbed in a polymyxin B (PMB)-immobilized beads column and eluted with ethanol. We confirmed the direct binding of PMB to ANA by using surface plasmon resonance. The adsorption of ANA by PMB may abolish the diverse effects of ANA such as hypotension, immunosuppression, and cytotoxicity, and may suggest a new therapeutic strategy for endotoxin shock.


Subject(s)
Arachidonic Acids/antagonists & inhibitors , Arachidonic Acids/metabolism , Cannabinoids/antagonists & inhibitors , Cannabinoids/toxicity , Polymyxin B/metabolism , Polymyxin B/pharmacology , Adsorption/drug effects , Animals , Arachidonic Acids/chemistry , Arachidonic Acids/toxicity , Blood Proteins/pharmacology , Cannabinoids/chemistry , Cannabinoids/metabolism , Cell Death/drug effects , Chromatography, Affinity , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Endocannabinoids , Humans , Hypotension/chemically induced , Hypotension/drug therapy , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Microspheres , PC12 Cells , Polymyxin B/therapeutic use , Polyunsaturated Alkamides , Protein Binding/drug effects , Rats , Shock, Septic/chemically induced , Shock, Septic/drug therapy , Surface Plasmon Resonance
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