The effect of Coicis semen and Rhizopus oligosporus-fermented Coicis semen (tempeh) on serum cholesterol in the rat

はとむぎ(Coicis semen)をテンペ菌(Rhizopus oligosporus)で発酵したはとむぎテンペ(テンペ)の血清コレステロール代謝に対する作用を検討した｡生後12週齢のSprague-Dawley系雄ラットに市販固形飼料(コントロール群),はとむぎ混合飼料(はとむぎ群),テンペ混合飼料(テンペ群)を投与し,2,6,18週間後に高速液体クロマトグラフィー法で血清コレステロールを測定した｡体重増加,総コレステロールはいずれの時点でも3群間に差がなかったが,テンペ群では投与前と比較して2,6,18週間後にLDLコレステロールが有意に低下し,LDLコレステロール/HDLコレステロール比も2,18週間後に有意に低下した｡テンペ群はコントロール群と比較してもLDLコレステロールとLDLコレステロール/HDLコレステロール比が低く,はとむぎ群でも低い傾向がみられたが,有意差はなかった｡以上から,テンペがコレステロール代謝改善作用をもつことが示唆された｡The effect of Coicis semen and Rhizopus oligosporus-fermented Coicis semen (tempeh) on serum cholesterol fractions was examined in the rat. Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were received commercial MF meal (control group), Coicis semen-containing MF meal (Coicis semen group), or tempeh-containing MF meal (tempeh group). Cholesterol fractions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography at the start of experiment, and 2, 6, 18 weeks later. No difference was found in body weight nor total cholesterol among the three groups. LDL cholesterol was significantly lowered in the tempeh group at 2, 6, 18 weeks. LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio also decreased at 2 and 18 weeks. In the both Coicis semen- and tempeh-fooded groups, LDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio were lower than the control group although they were not statistically significant. No difference was found in HDL cholesterol among the three groups. The results suggest that tempeh may have a favorable effect on cholesterol metabolism

Somatosensory and Visual Deprivation Each Decrease the Density of Parvalbumin Neurons and Their Synapse Terminals in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Mice

In the phenomenon known as cross-modal plasticity, the loss of one sensory system is followed by improved functioning of other intact sensory systems. MRI and functional MRI studies suggested a role of the prefrontal cortex and the temporal lobe in cross-modal plasticity. We used a mouse model to examine the effects of sensory deprivation achieved by whisker trimming and visual deprivation achieved by dark rearing in neonatal mice on the appearance of parvalbumin (PV) neurons and the formation of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67)-positive puncta around pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Whisker trimming, but not dark rearing, decreased the density of PV neurons in the hippocampus at postnatal day 28 (P28). In the prefrontal cortex, whisker trimming and dark rearing decreased the density of PV neurons in layer 5/6 (L5/6) at P28 and in L2/3 at P56, respectively, whereas dark rearing increased the density of PV neurons in L5/6 at P56. Whisker trimming decreased the density of GAD67-positive puncta in CA1 of the hippocampus at both P28 and P56 and in L5/6 of the prefrontal cortex at P28. Dark rearing decreased the density of GAD67-positive puncta in CA1 of the hippocampus and in both L2/3 and L5/6 of the prefrontal cortex at P28, and in L2/3 of the prefrontal cortex at P56. These results demonstrate that somatosensory or visual deprivation causes changes in the PV-interneuronal network in the mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The results also suggest that the alteration of the PV-interneuronal network, especially in the prefrontal cortex, may contribute to cross-modal plasticity

Attenuated Sensory Deprivation-induced Changes of Parvalbumin Neuron Density in the Barrel Cortex of FcγRllB-deficient Mice

Recent studies have demonstrated the important role of immune molecules in the development of neuronal circuitry and synaptic plasticity. We have detected the presence of FcγRllB protein in parvalbumin- containing inhibitory interneurons (PV neurons). In the present study, we examined the appearance of PV neurons in the barrel cortex and the effect of sensory deprivation in FcγRllB-deficient mice (FcγRllB-/-) and wild-type mice. There was no substantial difference in the appearance of PV neurons in the developing barrel cortex between FcγRllB-/- and wild-type mice. Sensory deprivation from immediately after birth (P0) or P7 to P12-P14 induced an increase in PV neurons. In contrast, sensory deprivation from P7 or P14 to P28, but not from P21 to P28, decreased PV neurons in wild-type mice. However, sensory deprivation from P0 or P7 to P12-P14 did not increase PV neurons and sensory deprivation from P7 or P14 to P28 did not decrease or only modestly decreased PV neurons in FcγRllB-/- mice. The results indicate that expression of PV is regulated by sensory experience and the second and third postnatal weeks are a sensitive period for sensory deprivation, and suggest that FcγRllB contributes to sensory experience-regulated expression of PV

Association of elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. Methods: Patients (n=97) were classified into chronic AF (CAF; n=14), paroxysmal AF (PAF; n=18) and normal sinus rhythm (NSR; n=65) groups. The plasma BNP values were analyzed with logarithmic transformation. Results: The PAF group showed significantly higher plasma BNP levels than the NSR group [mean (range; -1 SD and +1 SD); 248.3 (143.5, 429.5) vs. 78.2 (27.9, 218.8 ng/L), p Conclusions: The present study indicated that plasma BNP level is clinically useful for identification of nonobstructive HCM patients who have a risk of PAF.</p

Association of increased plasma adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein with coronary artery disease in non-elderly men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) has been reported to play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether an increased in plasma A-FABP level can be independently associated with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred eleven consecutive male patients (mean age: 66 years, range: 33-87 years) were enrolled from inpatients who underwent coronary angiography. Age-matched male subjects (n = 211) having no evidence of CAD served as controls. Plasma A-FABP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasma A-FABP levels in CAD patients were significantly higher than in control subjects (median [IQR], 20.6 [15.7-27.8] ng/mL vs. 15.1 [11.7-19.9] ng/mL, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an increased plasma A-FABP level was independently associated with the presence of CAD in all subjects (adjusted odds ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 2.70, p = 0.01). Furthermore, sub-analysis based on age showed that this association remained significant in subjects aged < 65 years (adjusted odds ratio: 3.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.34 to 6.98, p < 0.01), but not in subjects aged ≥65 years.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increased plasma A-FABP in non-elderly men had a significant association with the presence of CAD, independent of established CAD risk factors.</p

Rare Histological Type of Adenoma of the Nonpigmented Ciliary Epithelium

We report the rare case of an adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE). A 67-year-old healthy man presented with a regularly shaped and nonpigmented mass at the iris root of his right eye. His best-corrected visual acuity was 1.5 with normal intraocular pressure. During observation, the size of the tumor remained stable for 1.5 years but then rapidly grew, extending through the iris, and gradually enlarged to the point of compressing the iris. Ultimately, an iridocyclectomy with scleral resection under a lamellar scleral flap was performed. The histopathologic features of the resected tissue were consistent with adenoma of the NPCE. Histopathological analysis showed that the tumor consisted of both tubular and solid components. There were solid lesions inside of the ciliary epithelium and tubular lesions outside. We observed positive immunoreactivity to vimentin and cytokeratin CK (AE1/AE3) and negative reactivity to S-100 and CD68, both rarely associated with adenoma of NPCE. During 1 year of follow-up after the iridocyclectomy, no signs of tumor recurrence were observed

The Macrophage Is a Key Factor in Renal Injuries Caused by Glomerular Hyperfiltration

Glomerular hyperfiltration is a common pathway leading to glomerulosclerosis in various kinds of kidney diseases. The 5/6 renal ablation is an established experimental animal model for glomerular hyperfiltration. On the other hand, low-grade inflammation is also a common mechanism for the progression of kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis. Here we analyzed the gene expression profile in the remnant kidney tissues of 5/6 nephrectomized mice using a DNA microarray system and compared it with that of sham-operated control mice. The 5/6 nephrectomized mice showed glomerular hypertrophy and an increase in the extracellular matrix in the glomeruli. DNA microarray analysis indicated the up-regulated expression of various kinds of genes related to the inflammatory process in remnant kidneys. We confirmed the up-regulated expression of platelet factor-4, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, 2, and 5 in remnant kidneys by RT-PCR. The current results suggest that the inflammatory process is involved in the progression of glomerulosclerosis and is a common pathway of the pathogenesis of kidney disease

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RENAL TUBULAR TRANSPORT OF ZONAMPANEL, A NOVEL ␣-AMINO-3-HYDROXY-5-METHYLISOXAZOLE-4-PROPIONIC ACID RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, BY HUMAN ORGANIC ANION TRANSPORTERS

ABSTRACT: Zonampanel monohydrate (YM872; [2,3-dioxo-7-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-quinoxalinyl]acetic acid monohydrate) is a novel ␣-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist. The major elimination route for zonampanel has been reported to be by urine via the kidneys. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the renal excretion of zonampanel using cells stably expressing human organic anion transporters (hOAT) 1, hOAT2, hOAT3, and hOAT4, as well as human organic cation transporters The excessive synaptic release of glutamate and activation of postsynaptic glutamate receptors are considered to mediate ischemiainduced neuronal damage in stroke victims. In a wide variety of cerebral ischemia animal models, receptor antagonists against ␣-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA), a glutamate receptor subtype, have been shown to be neuroprotective It has been found that the major elimination route for zonampanel monohydrate in humans and animals is by renal excretion. Zonampanel monohydrate in the body was excreted into urine mainly as the unchanged form within 2 h after completion of intravenous infusion in humans, and fecal excretion was very low (unpublished observation). In addition, renal clearance of zonampanel monohydrate was much higher than the product of the fraction unbound in plasma and the glomerular filtration rate. Therefore, it is considered that renal tubular secretion plays an important role in the renal excretion of this compound. Renal tubular secretion is accomplished through two steps of membrane transport: the uptake from blood through the basolateral mem-ABBREVIATIONS: AMPA, ␣-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid; OAT, organic anion transporter; OCT, organic cation transporter; hOAT, human OAT; hOCT, human OCT; PAH, para-aminohippurate; ES, estrone sulfate; D-PBS, Dulbecco&apos;s modified phosphate-buffered saline; TEA, tetraethylammonium; PG, prostaglandin, S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 , the first, second, and third segment of the proximal tubule; YM872, zonampanel monohydrate ([2,3-dioxo-7-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-quinoxalinyl]acetic acid monohydrate); YM90K, 6-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-7-nitro-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione monohydrochloride

Elevated serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein concentrations are independently associated with renal dysfunction in patients with stable angina pectoris

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with cardiovascular events. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) plays an important role in atherosclerosis. We investigated whether plasma A-FABP is involved in renal function in patients with stable angina pectoris.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 221 patients with significant coronary artery stenosis were enrolled after coronary angiography. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m². The severity of coronary stenosis was assessed using a modified Gensini score and coronary angiography. Serum A-FABP levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum A-FABP levels were significantly correlated with both eGFR (r = -0.41, p < 0.01) and the severity of coronary artery stenosis (r = 0.16, p = 0.02), and these relationships remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. The prevalence of CKD and multi-vessel disease was significantly higher among patients with serum A-FABP levels above the median value of 20.3 ng/ml than among patients with serum A-FABP levels below the median value (57% vs. 27%, p < 0.01 and 64% vs. 48%, p = 0.02, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of three-vessel disease in comparison with single-vessel disease was independently associated with the higher A-FABP (per doubling) (odds ratio; 2.26, 95% confidential interval; 1.28-3.98, p < 0.01) and tended to be associated with the lower eGFR (p = 0.06).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Serum A-FABP may have a significant role in the interplay between renal dysfunction and coronary atherosclerosis.</p