Studies on swelling-shrinkage and oxidative phosphorylation of liver mitochondria of rat fed on 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene

The swelling-shrinkage and oxidative phosphorylation of rat liver mitochondria affected by 3'-methy1-DAB feeding were observed in correlation with function by the method mentioned, and the following results were obtained: 1. By feeding 3'-methy1-DAB the swelling-shrinkage ability of rat liver mitochondria showed a remarkable alteration reducing in the amplitude. It reduced gradually during the days of feeding, reached the minimum value on 30th day and restored gradually thereafter (in Case 1). 2. ADP/O ratio also decreased by feeding the carcinogen reached the minimum point on 30th day and increased on 38th day showing the similar tendency in the decrease of the swelling-shrinkage amplitude (in Case 1). 3. The mitochondria from the hepatoma, which was induced by 3'-methy1DAB feeding, showed a lower amplitude in swelling-shrinkage with the dropped ADP/O ratio compared with those of mitochondria from liver tissue neighbouring the tumor. 4. The mechanism in the reduction of swelling-shrinkage ability has been discussed in the relation with fatty acid composition of mitochondria which is reported elsewhere. 5. From the above results it is deduced that lowered ability for swellingshrinkage with the reduced oxidative phosphorylation will be somehow related to the mechanism of cancer induction.</p

Guest Artist Recital: Daniel Grosgurin, Cello; Keiko Utsumi, Piano; March 30, 1973

Centennial East Recital HallFriday EveningMarch 30, 19738:15 p.m

Changes in 12-Year First-Line Eradication Rate of Helicobacter pylori Based on Triple Therapy with Proton Pump Inhibitor, Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin

A triple therapy based on a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin (AMPC), and clarithromycin (CAM) is recommended as a first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and is widely used in Japan. However, a decline in eradication rate associated with an increase in prevalence of CAM resistance is viewed as a problem. We investigated CAM resistance and eradication rates over time retrospectively in 750 patients who had undergone the triple therapy as first-line eradication therapy at Nagoya City University Hospital from 1995 to 2008, divided into four terms (Term 1: 1997–2000, Term 2: 2001–2003, Term 3: 2004–2006, Term 4: 2007–2008). Primary resistance to CAM rose significantly over time from 8.7% to 23.5%, 26.7% and 34.5% while the eradication rate decreased significantly from 90.6% to 80.2%, 76.0% and 74.8%. Based on the PPI type, significant declines in eradication rates were observed with omeprazole or lansoprazole, but not with rabeprazole. A decrease in the H. pylori eradication rate after triple therapy using a PPI + AMPC + CAM has been acknowledged, and an increase in CAM resistance is considered to be a factor. From now on, a first-line eradication regimen that results in a higher eradication rate ought to be investigated

Acetyl-L-carnitine suppresses thyroid hormone-induced and spontaneous anuran tadpole tail shortening

Mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT) plays a crucial role in apoptotic tail shortening during anuran metamor phosis. L-carnitine is known to shuttle free fatty acids (FFAs) from the cytosol into mitochondria matrix for -oxidation and energy production, and in a previous study we found that treatment with L-carnitine suppresses 3, 3', 5-triiodothyronine (T3) and FFA-induced MPT by reducing the level of FFAs. In the present study we focus on acetyl-L-carnitine, which is also involved in fatty acid oxidation, to determine its effect on T3-induced tail regression in Rana rugosa tadpoles and spontaneous tail regression in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. The ladder-like DNA profile and increases in caspase-3 and caspase-9 indicative of apoptosis in the tails of T3-treated tadpoles were found to be suppressed by the addition of acetyl-L-carnitine. Likewise, acetyl-L-carnitine was found to inhibit thyroid hormone regulated spontaneous metamorphosis in X. laevis tadpoles, accompanied by decreases in caspase and phospholipase A2 activity, as well as non-ladder-like DNA profiles. These findings support our previous conclusion that elevated levels of FFAs initiate MPT and activate the signaling pathway controlling apoptotic cell death in tadpole tails during anuran metamorphosis