Effect of Luobuma leaves against oxidation of low-density lipoprotein : a cell culture assay

In a previous study, we observed an improvement in the atherosclerosis index, together with a decrease in blood cholesterol, in rats given Luobuma extract orally and fed a high-cholesterol diet. The present study was designed to examine the function of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in atherosclerotic lesions, using cultured cells. When endothelial cells were cultured with LDL in the presence of Cu^, the release of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) -reactive substance and lactic dehydrogenase into the culture medium was increased, with a decrease in cell viability. However, when Luobuma extract was also present in the culture medium, changes in these parameters were more favorable. In another in vitro system using macrophages, the levels of TBA-reactive substance, total cholesterol and esterified cholesterol were all significantly lower in the presence of Luobuma extract than in its absence. There was also morphological evidence that foam cell formation through incorporation of oxidized LDL was suppressed. These findings indicate that Luobuma suppresses the progression of atherosclerosis, in which oxidized LDL is involved. 先に,高コレステロール食投与ラットに羅布麻エキスを経口投与した場合,高コレステロール血症の低下とともに動脈硬化指数の改善作用が認められたので,今回,粥状動脈硬化病変への酸化LDLの機能を細胞を用い検寸寸した。まず内皮細胞にLDLとCu^を添加して培養した場合,培地中へのチオバルビツール酸反応物質,総LDHの放出が増加して,細胞生存率の低下が観察された。しかし羅布麻エキス添加群ではこれらパラメータがいずれも改善し,またマクロファージを用いた系でもチオバルビツール酸反応物質,コレステロールエステル,コレステロールエステル/遊離コレステロール比がいずれも無添加群より有意に低下し,形態学的な変化も酸化LDLのとり込みに伴う泡沫化の形成を抑制する知見が得られた。このことから,羅布麻は酸化LDLが関与する動脈硬化の進展過程を抑制することが明らかとなった

Methylmercury promotes prostacyclin release from cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells via induction of cyclooxygenase-2 through activation of the EGFR-p38 MAPK pathway by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activity

Methylmercury is an environmental pollutant that exhibits neurotoxicity when ingested, primarily in the form of neuropathological lesions that localize along deep sulci and fissures, in addition to edematous and inflammatory changes in patient cerebrums. These conditions been known to give rise to a variety of ailments that have come to be collectively termed Minamata disease. Since prostaglandins I2 and E2 (PGI2 and PGE2) increase vascular permeability and contribute to the progression of inflammatory changes, we hypothesize that methylmercury induces the synthesis of these prostaglandins in brain microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes. To test this theory, human brain microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes were cultured and treated with methylmercury, after which the PGI2 and PGE2 released from endothelial cells and/or pericytes were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while protein and mRNA expressions in endothelial cells were analyzed by western blot analysis and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Experimental results indicate that methylmercury inhibits the activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, which in turn activates the epidermal growth factor receptor–p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway that induces cyclooxygenase-2 expression. It was also found that the cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate pathway, which can be activated by PGI2 and PGE2, is involved in methylmercury-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Since it appears that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B serves as a sensor protein for methylmercury in these mechanisms, it is our belief that the results of the present study may provide additional insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for edematous and inflammatory changes in the cerebrum of patients with Minamata disease

Sonographic size of newborn testis

Purpose : It is essential to determine normative data of testicular size and penile length in newborn infants in order to assess the development during the fetal period. In this study, we evaluated testicular volumes using ultrasonography and also measured penile lengths in Japanese newborn infants. We also examined the associations of the development of these organs with factors including placental weight and anthropometric data. Methods : One hundred and fifteen full-term male newborn infants were recruited for this study. Testicular size was measured by ultrasonography. Results : Mean testicular volumes were 187.4 mm3 in the right testis and 185.4 mm3 in the left testis, and there was no significant difference between the right and left testicular volumes. Right and left testicular volumes showed positive and significant correlations with body lengths and weights. Testicular volumes in the right and left sides were not significantly associated with penile lengths. In 4 groups according to gestational weeks, testicular volume increased significantly with advance of gestational weeks in the left testis. Conclusion : We determined testicular volumes using ultrasonography in Japanese newborn infants. We believe that the results for newborn infants provide important information for assessment of the development of fetal testicular volume

Vitamin D during pregnancy in Japanese

We aimed to demonstrate that the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level in maternal and umbilical cord blood has a seasonal variation in Japanese women. The study cohort comprised 256 healthy Japanese women with a singleton pregnancy who delivered after 36 gestational weeks between 2012 and 2015. The season at delivery was categorized for 3 months and recorded as “spring”, “summer”, “autumn” and “winter”. Subjects were divided into four groups according to season. A sample of peripheral venous blood at 35-36 gestational weeks and blood from the umbilical vein at delivery were taken. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration (ng/mL) in maternal blood for each season (spring, summer, autumn and winter) was 18.0 (±6.7), 17.1 (±5.1), 21.6 (±8.0) and 16.0 (±5.1), whereas that for umbilical cord blood was 8.8 (±3.6), 8.6 (±2.6), 10.7 (±3.5) and 8.6 (±2.1), respectively. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration of maternal and umbilical cord blood in autumn was higher than that for the other three seasons. In pregnant Japanese women, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration in maternal and umbilical cord blood was affected by the season of delivery, with both being highest in autumn. Regardless of the season, the maternal serum concentration of 25(OH)D was low in Japan

Ultrasonographic changes in quadriceps femoris thickness in women with normal pregnancy and women on bed rest for threatened preterm labor

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during the pregnancy and postpartum periods and to elucidate the effect of bed rest for threatened preterm labor on muscle thickness. In 26 women with normal pregnancy, quadriceps femoris thickness was measured at 11–13, 26, 30, and 35 weeks’ gestation, and at 3–5 days and 1 month postpartum using ultrasonography. In 15 pregnant women treated with bed rest for threatened premature labor, quadriceps femoris thickness was measured at 30 and 35 weeks’ gestation and postpartum. In women with normal pregnancy, quadriceps femoris thickness increased, peaking at 35 weeks’ gestation, followed by a postpartum decrease. In women on bed rest, quadriceps femoris thickness showed no significant change during the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and the muscle was significantly thinner at 35 weeks’ gestation than that in women with normal pregnancy. In conclusion, a significant increase in quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during normal pregnancy was found using ultrasonography. Meanwhile, in pregnant women on bed rest treatment, the quadriceps femoris was significantly thinner in the late third trimester than that in normal pregnant women. Prolonged bed rest can affect normal changes in the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during the pregnancy and postpartum periods

Intramucosal adenocarcinoma of the ileum originated 40 years after ileosigmoidostomy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Small bowel adenocarcinomas (SBAs) are rare carcinomas. They are asymptomatic and usually neither endoscopy nor contrast studies are performed for screening</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 72-year-old Japanese male had a positive fecal occult blood test at a regular check-up in 2006. He suffered appendicitis and received an ileosigmoidostomy in 1966. A colonoscopy revealed an irregular mucosal lesion with an unclear margin at the ileum side of the anastomosis. A mucosal biopsy specimen showed adenocarcinoma histopathologically. Excision of the anastomosis was performed for this patient. The resected specimen showed a flat mucosal lesion with a slight depression at the ileum adjacent to the anastomosis. Histological examination revealed a well differentiated intramucosal adenocarcinoma (adenocarcinoma in situ). Immunohistological staining demonstrated the overexpression of p53 protein in the adenocarcinoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Adenocarcinoma of the ileum at such an early stage is a very rare event. In this case, there is a possibility that the ileosigmoidostomy resulted in a back flow of colonic stool to the ileum that caused the carcinogenesis of the small intestine.</p