Effect of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide on anterior pituitary function in men

In order to examine the effects of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) on the basal plasma concentrations of GH, TSH, LH, FSH and PRL in humans, synthetic alpha-hANP was infused into 10 normotensive, euvolemic, healthy volunteers. There were observed marked hypotensive, diuretic and natriuretic effects during the alpha-hANP infusion. The basal plasma concentrations of GH, TSH, LH and FSH, showed no significant change following the alpha-hANP infusion. However, significant suppression of the plasma PRL concentration was observed with the alpha-hANP administration. The mean plasma PRL concentration tended to be decreased during 20 min of alpha-hANP infusion, however, there the differences were not statistically significant. A significant reduction in the mean plasma PRL concentration (-20%, P less than 0.5) was observed 10 min after the end of infusion, following the reversion to the preinfusion level at 70 min after the end of infusion. Such a significant and delayed suppression was not seen in the case of placebo infusion. The data suggest that the circulating hANP may reduce the release of PRL.     

Evidence for age-related change in plasma 19-hydroxyandrostenedione

The steroid, 19-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione (19-hydroxyandrostene-dione, 19-OH-A-dione) has been known to enhance the mineralocorticoid action of aldosterone. To investigate the age-related change in the plasma 19-OH-A-dione concentration, plasma 19-OH-A-dione, androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione (A-dione), aldosterone and cortisol of 38 non-hypertensive healthy subjects (18 young men and 20 aged men) measured by specific radioimmunoassays. The basal plasma 19-OH-A-dione and A-dione concentration in aged men was significantly lower than in young men (P less than 0.01). Moreover, there was found to be a positive correlation between plasma 19-OH-A-dione and A-dione (P less than 0.01). On the other hand, plasma aldosterone and cortisol in aged men showed a tendency to decrease, but no statistical significance compared to young men was observed. This study demonstrated that there was an apparent age-related decrease not only in plasma A-dione, but also in plasma 19-OH-A-dione, an amplifier or aldosterone action.     

Microfibrils: a constitutive component of reticular fibers in the mouse lymph node

Summary Fibrous components other than collagen fibrils in the reticular fiber of mouse lymph node were studied by electron microscopy. Bundles of microfibrils not associated by elastin and single microfibrils dispersed among collagen fibrils were present. The diameter of the microfibrils was 13.29±2.43 nm (n=100). Elastin-associated microfibrils occurred at the periphery of the reticular fiber. Elastin was enclosed by microfibrils, thus forming the elastic fiber, which was clearly demonstrated by tannic acid-uranyl acetate staining. In the reticular fiber of lymph nodes, the elastic fiber consisted of many more microfibrils and a small amount of elastin. These microfibrils, together with the collagen fibrils, may contribut to the various functions of the reticular fibers.     

Regional excitatory and inhibitory amino acid levels in epileptic El mouse brain

Inbred mutant El mice are highly susceptible to convulsive seizures upon tossing stimulation. The levels of excitatory (e.g. glutamate and aspartate) and inhibitory amino acids [e.g. -aminobutyrate (GABA)] were examined in discrete regions of stimulated El mice [El(+)] non-stimulated El mice [El(-)] and ddY mice, which do not have convulsive disposition. In comparison with ddY, a general increased levels of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, and taurine were detected in brain regions of El(-). The levels of GABA and glycine were almost the same in ddY and El(-). Compared to El(+), the levels of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, and GABA in El(-) were either the same or higher. In the case of taurine and glycine, the levels in El(-) were either the same or lower than El(+). Alanine is special in that El(-) have a higher level than El(+) in hippocampus but lower in cerebellum. Furthermore, while marked changes were registered in several brain regions, none of the amino acids investigated showed any significant differences in the hypothalamus of three different groups of mice.     

Cytotoxic effect of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion on human melanoma cell lines, HMV-II and SK-MEL-44, is dependent on the melanin contents and caused by inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport

MPP+, an oxidative metabolite of a neurotoxin, MPTP, was found to be cytotoxic to human melanoma cell lines, HMV-II and SK-MEL-44. After 3 days of culture in the presence of MPP+, a larger amount of MPP+ was accumulated in HMV-II cells than in SK-MEL-44 cells, which correlated well with the melanin contents; HMV-II cells contain larger amounts of melanin than SK-MEL-44 cells. After 6 days of culture in the presence of MPP+, the cytotoxicity of MPP+ on these cell types was evaluated by counting cell numbers with the dye exclusion test and double-layer soft agar clonogenic assay. It was found that exposure to MPP+ reduced the survival of HMV-II cells more significantly than that of SK-MEL-44 cells. In HMV-II cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to elucidate the mechanism of MPP+ lethality. The formazan formation was reduced markedly by the presence of MPP+ at concentrations much lower than those required for cell death. These results suggest that cytotoxicity of MPP+ may be ascribed to its accumulation due to high affinity for melanin, and to inhibition of the enzymes utilizing ubiquinone in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.     

Host-mediated antiviral activity of Lactobacillus casei against cytomegalovirus infection in mice

The protective effect of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei (LC) against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection was examined. ICR mice treated once with LC 1 day or 2 days before challenge survived lethal infection, but untreated or Lactobacillus fermentum (LF)-treated mice did not. The protective effect was evidenced by an increase in plaque-forming units (PFU) per 50% lethal dose (LD50) and a decrease in titers of infectious viruses replicated in the target organs. This was further confirmed by severity of histopathological damage to the target organs, especially the liver. LC neither inactivated MCMV nor inhibited its replication in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). The spleen cells from LC-treated mice inhibited its replication in MEF on co-cultivation. Augmentation by LC of splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity correlated with survival of mice from otherwise lethal MCMV infection. Cytotoxic activity of peritoneal cells and level of serum interferon (IFN) were elevated after MCMV infection, but they were not associated with survival of mice nor with treatment of LC. The protective effect of LC was not clear in NK-deficient beige mutant (bgJ/bgJ) mice, when compared with that in their littermate (bgJ/+) mice. Poor protection of bgJ/bgJ mice by LC treatment correlated with failure to induce NK cell activity by LC treatment in the mutant mice. Thus, it is likely that LC protects mice from MCMV infection by augmentation of NK cell activity.     

Chronopharmacology of trichlormethiazide in rats; (II). Examination in aged rats

We have previously demonstrated a time-dependent variability in the diuretic effects of trichlormethiazide, a thiazide diuretic agent, in young rats. The study suggested that the time-dependent variations in urinary trichlormethiazide and susceptibility of renal tissues to the agent might be involved in this phenomenon. The present study was undertaken to test a hypothesis that such a daily variation in the effects of trichlormethiazide is blunted by age. Trichlormethiazide (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) was given orally at 1200 hrs (day trial) or at 2400 hrs (night trial) in young (10-11 week old) and aged (23-24 month old) Wistar rats. Urine was collected for 8 hours after the agent and urinary excretions of sodium, chloride and trichlormethiazide were determined. Urine volume and urinary excretions of sodium, chloride and trichlormethiazide following the agent were significantly greater at 1200 hrs than at 2400 hrs in the young rats. However these administration time-dependent changes in the effects of trichlormethiazide and its urinary amount diminished in the aged rats. In the day and night trials, there were significant correlations between urinary trichlormethiazide and its effects (urine volume, urinary sodium and chloride) in both groups of rats. The regression lines in each parameter of two trials differed in the young, but not in the aged group of rats. These data indicate that the mode of the time-dependent changes in the effects of trichlormethiazide is altered in aged Wistar rats. Dampening of the time-dependent variations in urinary trichlormethiazide and susceptibility to the agent might be involved in these chronopharmacological alterations in aged rats.     

Chronopharmacological study of furosemide; (VIII) influence of feeding restriction

We have previously reported that a time-dependent variation is observed in the diuretic effect of furosemide and the light-dark cycle is a potent zeitgeber for this chronopharmacological phenomenon of the agent in rats. The present study was undertaken to examine whether a time of food intake is another zeitgeber for this event. In study I, rats were maintained with free access to food for 3 weeks. Furosemide (30 mg/kg) was given orally at 12 am or 12 pm. Urine was collected for 8 hours after the agent and urinary excretion of sodium and furosemide were determined. Thereafter, these rats were maintained under a daytime-restricted feeding schedule (9 am-11 am) for 3 weeks (study II) and a night-time-restricted feeding schedule (9 pm-11 pm) for 3 weeks (study III). The identical protocol of study I was repeated at the end of study II and III. Diuretic effect of furosemide and its urinary excretion were significantly greater at 12 am than at 12 pm in study I and III. However such an administration time-dependent change in the effect of furosemide and its urinary amount disappeared in study II. These data indicate that a time of food intake is another potent zeitgeber for the time-dependent variation in the diuretic effect of furosemide.     

Human atrial natriuretic polypeptide in plasma of patients with anorexia nervosa

To examine the effects of chronic dehydration and starvation on plasma levels of human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (hANP) in human subjects, the basal level and saline-induced rise of plasma hANP in 7 patients with anorexia nervosa were compared with those in age-matched healthy subjects. The unstimulated level of plasma hANP was markedly high in the patients with anorexia nervosa (patients vs. control; 55.4 +/- 9.0 pg/ml vs. 11.4 +/- 6.1 pg/ml, P less than 0.01). However, no significant increase of plasma hANP in the anorectic patients was observed in response to saline-infusion, while a 3-fold increase over the basal level of plasma hANP was noted in the saline-infused normal young subjects. These results show that hANP may be secreted to an inadequate extent, hence the release would be resistant to volume-loading. The pathophysiological meaning of such a high plasma concentrations of hANP in anorexia nervosa is the subject of ongoing studies.