Micronutrient status effects on glucose tolerance in rats

Decrease in bioavailability ofmicronutrients including retinol occurred frequently in patients with diabetes mellitus. We supposed that iron status might relate to glucose metabolism, because vitamin A utilization is inhibited in iron deficiency. To clarify the mechanism of these relationships, following experiment was carried out. Rats were divided into four groups: male wistar-strain rats, which fed the normal diet （N）, the iron-deficient diet （ID）, the retinol-deficient diet （RD）, and Goto-Kakizaki rat （diabetic model rats, GK） fed the normal diet. Every rat was trained to daily meal feeding （9:00-18:00） to measure serum glucose. After 4 weeks of these dietary regiments, serum glucose was higher in iron-deficient rats than the N-group and the RD-group. Hepatic retinol was higher in the ID-group than the GK-group and the N-group. Serum retinol was lower in the ID-group than the GK-group and the N-group. These results suggested that iron deficiency induced glucose intolerance in rats. In conclusion, micronutrients status effect on a diabetic conditio

Diagnostic Value of Serum Amylase Levels Indicating Computed Tomography-Defined Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Objective:Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis involves persistent serum amylase levels of 3 times or more the standard upper limit. However, these criteria were mostly based on retrospective studies and not necessarily supported by diagnostic imaging. Our prospective study aimed to investigate cutoff serum amylase levels suggesting post-ERCP pancreatitis using computed tomography as the criterion standard.Methods:We prospectively followed 2078 cases. Computed tomography was performed in patients whose serum amylase levels exceeded the institutional upper limit 12 to 24 hours after ERCP. Two expert radiologists blindly assessed the images and judged the presence or absence of pancreatitis. Correlations between serum amylase levels with pancreatitis were investigated using receiver operating characteristic analysis.Results:Amylase levels increased in 416 (23.2%) of 1789 cases included, and 350 cases were analyzed using computed tomography. Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis was diagnosed in 12.0% (214/1789). The cutoff amylase levels for judging pancreatitis after 12 to 24 hours was 2.75 times higher than the institutional upper limit, with an area under the curve of 0.77.Conclusions:The appropriate cutoff serum amylase level for judging post-ERCP pancreatitis at 12 to 24 hours after ERCP was 2.75 times higher than the institutional upper limit. These results may clarify the definition of post-ERCP pancreatitis

Spring peaks of major and trace elements in snow at Asuka Station, East Antarctica

In the austral spring of 1991,drifting snow samples were collected at Asuka Station (71°32\u27S, 24°08\u27E, 930m above sea level) in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica. A total of 36 elements including Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Al, Li, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Pb, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Th in snow were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Major soluble ions (Cl, NO_3 and SO_4^) of the snow were also determined by ion chromatography. Based on data available for comparison, the concentration ranges of the elements in Antarctic snow are one to four orders of magnitude smaller than those of Arctic snow. Pronounced peak concentrations of most of the elements and non sea salt sulfate were observed in late September to early October at Asuka Station. Before the peak concentration, enrichment factor analysis indicates that Na, Mg, Ca, K and Sr are of sea salt origins and Al, Fe, Mn, Rb, Cr, Ni, Ga, V and all the rare earth elements are of crustal origin. After the peak concentration, sea salt and crustal enrichment factors showed several fold increase. Chloride ion shows a strong correlation with Na. The precipitation of anomalously enriched elements with non sea salt sulfates could be derived from anthropogenic matter and volcanism, possibly from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption (June 1991) or the Mt. Hudson eruption (August 1991)

前立腺肥大症に対する5α還元酵素阻害剤フィナステリド(MK906)の長期投与効果

前立腺肥大症患者61例を対象に5α還元酵素阻害剤であるフィナステリド(MK906)の1mg/dayを48週間, そのうち33例には引き続き5mg/dayを24週間投与し, 前立腺体積, 尿流動態, 自覚症状などについて定期的に検討した.フィナステリドの投与により投与開始後16週で前立腺は著明に縮小し, 自覚症状も改善した.また最大尿流率も有意に増加し, 残尿も減少した.フィナステリド投与量を5mg/dayへ増加してもさらなる効果は認められず, 1mg/day投与時と同様な効果であった.副作用は4例に出現したが, 重篤なものは認められなかったWe evaluated the effect of long-term administration of finasteride (MK-906), a potent inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The effect of an increase in dose was also assessed. Finasteride was administered to 61 patients with BPH at the dose of 1 mg/day for 48 weeks. Thirty three of these patients subsequently received finasteride at the dose of 5 mg/day for further 24 weeks in an open extension study. Urinary symptoms, urinary flow rate, residual urinary volume, prostatic volume and serum concentrations of dihydrotestosterone and prostate-specific antigen were examined periodically during the treatment. The size of the prostate and total urinary symptom scores decreased progressively during the first 16 weeks of treatment. The patients who received finasteride had a significant increase in the maximal urinary flow rate and a significant decrease in residual urinary volume. After 72 weeks of treatment, finasteride at an increased dose of 5 mg did not provide additional benefit to patients, although the effects of the drug at a dose of 1 mg were well maintained. Treatment with finasteride was well tolerated at both doses. In conclusion, the treatment of BPH with 1 mg of finasteride per day for 48 weeks results in a significant increase in maximal urinary flow rate, and a decrease in prostatic volume, symptoms of obstruction and residual urinary volume, with minimal toxicity