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Formation of sulfate in rat liver mitochondria was studied. About 0.1 mumol of sulfate was formed in mitochondria from 1 g of liver in 60 min when 10 mM L-cysteine was used as the substrate. Addition of either 10 mM 2-oxoglutarate or 10 mM glutathione to this system increased sulfate formation 3 to 4 times. The addition of both 2-oxoglutarate and glutathione resulted in a 20-fold increase in sulfate formation. Sulfate formation in the presence of 5 mM L-cysteine was 58% of that with 10 mM L-cysteine. L-Cysteine-glutathione mixed disulfide was not a good substrate, indicating that this mixed disulfide was not an intermediate of sulfate formation in the present system. Incubation of 3-mercaptopyruvate with rat liver mitochondria also resulted in sulfate formation, and the addition of glutathione accelerated it. Formation of sulfite and thiosulfate was also detected. These results indicate that sulfate is produced in mitochondria, at least in part, from L-cysteine through the transamination pathway (3-mercaptopyruvate pathway).

A new method for staining sialoglycoproteins in polyacrylamide gel after disc electrophoresis is described. The method utilizes the reaction of sialic acids with an acidic ninhydrin reagent which yields a stable color with an absorption maximum at 470 nm. After electrophoresis, the polyacrylamide gel is placed in a test tube and heated with 5 ml of the acidic ninhydrin reagent for 10 min in a boiling water bath. Sialoglycoproteins are detected as brown bands. No additional procedure such as destaining is necessary. When 20 micrograms fetuin, a sialoglycoprotein, per gel is applied, the band remains visible for at least 2 h. Stained gel can be scanned with a gel scanner at 470 nm. When the stained gel was dried on a sheet of polypropylene filter, the color was stable for at least one month. The present method is superior to the method using Stains-all (3,3'-diethyl-9-methyl-4,5,4',5'-dibenzothiacarbocyanine) in specificity and simplicity for the detection of sialoglycoproteins.

We demonstrated the ultrastructure of rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM) by ultra-high resolution scanning electron microscopy. GBM prepared by sonication methods and conductive-staining could be observed without metal coating at magnifications as high as 400,000 times. The GBM showed an irregular meshwork structure composed of various strands and pores. The width of the strands ranged from 6 to 15 nm, and the diameter of pores ranged from 6 to 50 nm. The present study confirmed our molecular sieve theory of the basement membrane.

The cytotoxic effects of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) have been considered to be caused by free radicals produced by the drug. The present study was carried out to determine whether or not cytotoxic effects of Fe-NTA on cell growth and lipoperoxide formation of Chinese hamster cells were reduced by antioxidants. Using a spin trapping technique, we found that hydroxyl radical formation in the cells increased in the presence of Fe-NTA. Antioxidants, with the exception of superoxide dismutase, slightly inhibited production of the hydroxyl radical. Mannitol significantly reduced lipoperoxide formation, but other antioxidants did not. However, the growth inhibitory effects of Fe-NTA were not attenuated by these antioxidants. These results indicated that the cytotoxic effects of Fe-NTA may be mostly due to unknown factors other than oxygen free radicals.

In this study, we established the surgical procedure and postoperative care of multivisceral transplantation (MVTX) in pigs, and examined the functional changes and rejection pattern of transplanted organs in MVTX. Twenty-two MVTXs were performed without immunosuppression, and nine cases (41%) that survived for 5 days or more after MVTX were used for evaluation. Rejection in grafts including the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract were assessed histopathologically. On day 5 after transplantation, the duodenum and small bowel already showed signs of mild rejection. On the other hand, in the liver, pancreas and stomach, rejection occurred later and was still mild on day 16. Hepatic rejection in MVTX appeared to occur later than in simple liver transplantation (LTX). These results showed that the susceptibility to rejection of individual visceral organs varies.

The antitumor effects of indomethacin and interleukin 2 (IL-2) were studied in C3H/HeJ mice inoculated with MH134 hepatoma cells. Combined treatment with indomethacin and IL-2 augmented natural killer (NK) cells in mice with MH134-induced peritoneal carcinomatosis, and the survival of the treated mice was significantly longer than the non-treated mice. In animals with subcutaneous MH134 tumors, the combined therapy with indomethacin and IL-2 significantly suppressed tumor growth and induced complete regression of the tumor in three out of five mice. These results suggest that indomethacin and IL-2 therapy could be effective on human gastrointestinal cancer cells as well.

The reduced hepatic blood flow calculated from hepatic scintigram with 198Au colloid was elucidated as the primary responsible factor for postoperative hepatic insufficiency. However 198Au colloid is no longer in use because of the high levels of radiation. Although 99mTc-phytate behaves similarly to 198Au on imaging, there were discrepancies between the hepatic blood flow index (KL) value and the severity of cirrhosis determined by laboratory data or by histology. In the measurement of hepatic blood flow using a radioactive colloid, factors like organ distribution, stability and uniformity of the colloid particles influence the values. In the present study, a 111In colloid was prepared and administered to rats to investigate the usefulness: as much as 95.4 (0.8) [Mean (+/- SD)]% of the colloid accumulated in the liver at pH 6.8. The distribution of particle diameter was within a relatively narrow range with the peak at 0.2 to 0.4 microns. Moreover, the KL values were not affected by condition of the reticuloendothelial system. The values showed a significant correlation with the measurements of the hepatic tissue blood flow obtained by the hydrogen gas clearance method (gamma = 0.83, P < 0.001). Thus, the 111In colloid can be clinically used as a substitute for 198Au colloid in the preoperative examination for estimation of the limit of resection.

A study of 1,254 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at 17 hospitals affiliated with the Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas Research Group of the First Department of Surgery at Okayama University was undertaken to assess the current status and safety of this procedure. The data for 336 patients, comprising the initial 20 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at each institution, were compared with the data from the remaining 918 patients. Comparison of the two groups revealed the following: 1. the rates of intraoperative conversion to open cholecystectomy were 11.3% and 5.1% (P < 0.05), 2. the complication rates were 5.7% and 3.4%, and 3. the rates of bile duct injury were 2.4% and 1.1%, respectively. Compared with the first group, the bile duct injuries resulting from a lack of experience decreased in the second group, however, the incidence of these injuries occurring during avulsion of the gallbladder in difficult cases increased. These results suggest that the experience acquired during the initial 20 laparoscopic cholecystectomies led to a reduction in the rate of intraoperative conversion to open cholecystectomy, but it did not reduce the rate of complications, and that the risk of bile duct injury was always present.

Fas antigen (ag) is a cell surface protein known to trigger apoptosis in a variety of cells upon specific antibody binding. On the other hand, Bcl-2 protein, an oncogene product located at the mitochondrial inner surface, prolongs cell survival by blocking apoptosis. In this study we examined the expression of Fas ag and bcl-2 protein in 17 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to determine their role on HCC. By flow cytometric analysis, mean (SD) value of the expression of Fas ag on hepatocytes derived from normal liver, diseased liver (chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis) and HCC was 5.8 (4.7)%, 10.3 (6.9)%, and 24.0 (18.2)%, respectively. Fas ag expression on hepatoma cells was significantly greater than normal and diseased liver cells. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in normal liver, diseased liver and HCC was 4.3 (8.5)%, 0.8 (2.5)% and 2.1 (3.4)%, respectively, and the difference was not significant. These results suggest that induction of apoptosis may be a possible therapy against HCC.

We recently reported that stimulation of the arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1-receptor enhanced the pressor response in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, we investigated acute changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) after intravenous injections of AVP, OPC-21268 (a V1-receptor antagonist), and OPC-31260 (a V2-receptor antagonist), in anesthetized DOCA-salt hypertensive rats (DOCA) and age-matched sham-operated Wistar rats (control) to determine whether the pressor effect is specific to SHR or is present in other hypertensive animal models. SBP increased significantly in DOCA rats 9 min after injection of AVP 5 ng/kg without a concomitant increase in HR. Neither OPC-21268 3mg/kg nor OPC-31260 3mg/kg caused significant changes in SBP or HR. SBP tended to increase when AVP was administered after injection of OPC-31260. HR increased significantly 15 min after the combined treatment with OPC-31260 and AVP in DOCA rats compared with control rats. SBP did not change significantly when AVP was administered after injection of OPC-21268 in DOCA or control rats, but HR decreased significantly from 1 to 4 min after injection of AVP in DOCA rats. Our results suggest that V1-receptor stimulation does not enhance the pressor response in the DOCA rat, which is a model of volume-dependent hypertension, suggesting that the AVP system, especially V1-receptor, is not as important in the development or maintenance of hypertension in DOCA rats as in SHR.

The results of rotationplasty for patients with osteosarcoma around the knee joint are presented. After an average observation period of 13.3 months, there has been no local recurrence or metastasis. The ankle joints (the new knee joints) of the patients were able to support their body weight with an average range of motion of 75 degrees. All patients could walk well without crutches and without risk of the giving way phenomenon. The average rate of the functional evaluation according to the re-modified system by Enneking was 84.5% (range, 80.0-86.7%). No patient had psychological trouble in accepting the shortened and rotated extremity. The results show that rotationplasty is a useful reconstructive method for the treatment of osteosarcoma around the knee joint.

The effect of coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) was examined on the survival time and lipid peroxidation of adriamycin (ADM)-treated ICR mice. Co Q10 showed a protective effect against a subacute toxicity in mice induced by two intraperitoneal administrations of ADM (15 mg/kg). The group treated orally with 10 mg/kg of Co Q10 showed the longest survival time of all the groups studied (16.81 +/- 10.29 days, mean +/- S.D.) and a significantly longer survival time (p less than 0.001) than the ADM-alone group (7.48 +/- 1.99 days). The inhibitory effect of Co Q10 on the plasma and tissue lipid peroxidation levels did not correlate with the effect of prolonging the survival time of mice. Co Q10 tended to inhibit rises in plasma and liver lipid peroxidation levels induced by ADM administration, but there was no statistically significant difference between treatments. There was a statistically significant different inhibitory effect in the kidney lipid peroxidation levels, but was not in those of the heart.

Rat Kupffer cells were observed and counted under a scanning electron microscope after a single dose of zymosan. The cell number increased after 24 h and reached 2 times the control after 72 h. The percentage of cells presenting numerous microvilli increased from 24% to 86% over the same period. Carbon clearance, a measure of phagocytic activity, decreased temporarily, regained control values after 12 h, and attained a 4-fold elevation at 72 h. Phagocytic activity paralleled Kupffer cell number, but increased more relatively. This result probably reflected activation of resident Kupffer cells as noted by numerous thick microvilli.

The dispase perfusion technique was used to isolate liver cells from adult rats. The optimum conditions for obtaining many isolated liver cells with high viability were an enzyme concentration of 2000 U/ml, a pH of 7.5 and a perfusion time of 20 min. The population of isolated liver cells prepared with dispase consisted of 43.6% cells with diameters less than 20 micron and 56.4% cells with diameters above 20 micron. The isolated liver cells were cultured in basal culture medium either supplemented with or without dexamethasone (1 X 10(-5)M) and insulin (10 micrograms/ml). The addition of hormones to the culture medium improved the attachment efficiency of the isolated liver cells and delayed the disappearance of mature hepatocytes. Epithelial-like clear cells proliferated early in primary culture even in the presence of hormones. Therefore, functioning mature hepatocytes and proliferating epithelial-like clear cells coexisted well in the hormone-containing medium. Furthermore, the number of cultured cells reached a maximal level earlier in the presence of hormones than in the absence of hormones. The level of TAT activity in primary cultured cells was higher up to 3 days after inoculation in the presence of hormones than in their absence. No difference between G6Pase activity in primary cultured cells in the presence of hormones and that in the absence of hormones was found.

Cancer patients who have many tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) tend to have better prognoses. A relationship between prognosis and TIL or regional lymph node response is present in several malignant diseases. TIL are mainly T lymphocytes, as ascertained by immunological methods. Results of studies on T-lymphocyte subsets comprising TIL using monoclonal antibodies (OKT series and Leu series) are summarized in this review.

OKY-1581, a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor, was administered to cats with normal and constricted basilar arteries. At a dose of 60mg/kg (i.v.), both normal and constricted vessels dilated, and the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) fell from 55 to 75 mmHg. If MABP remained constant, vessel diameter did not change. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was simulated by intracisternal injection of autologous arterial blood. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was assessed by the heat clearance and H2 clearance methods. The two methods presented similar response profiles. rCBF responses to intravenous OKY-1581 fell into 3 categories: A) no change in rCBF, B) decrease in rCBF related to MABP and C) increase in rCBF in the presence of hypotension. Types A and B were observed in 3 out of 10 control cats and 4 out of 14 SAH-induced cats, with Type C responses in the remainder. There was no significant difference between the groups. While the results do not support a major role for TXA2 in cerebral vasospasm pathogenesis, OKY-1581 may still be useful in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, as it improves distal and deep circulation and inhibits platelet aggregation.

In vivo in mammalian cells, ultraviolet-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis was less sensitive to aphidicolin than was replicative DNA synthesis. Replicative DNA synthesis in HeLa, HEp-2, WI-38 VA-13 and CV-1 cells was inhibited more than 97% by aphidicolin at 10 micrograms/ml, whereas aphidicolin inhibition of DNA synthesis in ultraviolet-irradiated cells varied between 30% and 90% depending on cell types and assay conditions. Aphidicolin inhibition of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in HeLa cells increased gradually with increasing aphidicolin concentration and reached approximately 90% at 100 micrograms/ml aphidicolin. A significant fraction of UDS in ultraviolet-irradiated HEp-2 cells was resistant to aphidicolin even at 300 micrograms/ml. Considered along with related information reported previously, the present results suggest that both aphidicolin-sensitive and insensitive DNA polymerases, DNA polymerase alpha and a non-alpha DNA polymerase (possibly DNA polymerase beta), are involved in in situ UDS in these ultraviolet-irradiated cells. Comparison of staphylococcal nuclease sensitivity between DNAs repaired in the presence and in the absence of aphidicolin in HEp-2 cells suggested that the involvement of DNA polymerase alpha in UDS favored DNA synthesis in the intranucleosomal region.

Leucine decarboxylation in rat brain was investigated during acute hepatic failure, induced by partial hepatectomy after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) pretreatment of rats. These rats presented metabolic alkalosis, and had significantly higher levels of arterial blood and brain ammonia than control and CCl4-treated rats. Brain leucine decarboxylation was elevated in rats with hepatic failure. This alteration correlated with arterial blood ammonia concentrations, and probably with elevated brain ammonia levels, as brain ammonia levels were directly related to arterial blood ammonia.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity was potentiated by pretreatment with beta-phenethyl alcohol, abundantly present in sake. The injury was determined by serum GPT levels and histological examination. Similar results were observed in ethanol- and phenobarbital-pretreated rats. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity was not accentuated by beta-phenethyl alcohol or ethanol pretreatment. The activities of liver microsomal enzymes, such as cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5 reductase, aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine demethylase, were not altered in beta-phenethyl alcohol-pretreated rats. Thus, CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity potentiation by beta-phenethyl alcohol administration is postulated to be due to a mechanism other than increased free radical generation.

<p>Murine sarcoma virus, CS-Moloney substrain, was inoculated intracranially into 2 litters of newborn Syrian hamsters within 24 h of birth. Seven of 12 hamsters which survived more than 30 days developed brain tumors in the cerebral cortex 104 to 153 days, 139 days on the average, after the virus inoculation. The tumors consisted of spindle-shaped, round or polygonal astrocytes which showed a positive reaction for glial fibrillary acidic protein by the immunoperoxidase method.</p>