Effects of curcumin supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in humans.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in humans. 10 male participants, ages 26.8±2.0 years (mean±SE), completed 3 trials in a random order: (1) placebo (control), (2) single (only before exercise) and (3) double (before and immediately after exercise) curcumin supplementation trials. Each participant received oral administration of 90 mg of curcumin or the placebo 2h before exercise and immediately after exercise. Each participant walked or ran at 65% of V˙2max on a treadmill for 60min. Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, immediately after exercise and 2h after exercise. The concentrations of serum derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites measured immediately after exercise were significantly higher than pre-exercise values in the placebo trial (308.8±12.9 U. CARR, P<0.05), but not in the single (259.9±17.1 U. CARR) or double (273.6±19.7 U. CARR) curcumin supplementation trials. Serum biological antioxidant potential concentrations measured immediately after exercise were significantly elevated in the single and double curcumin supplementation trials compared with pre-exercise values (P<0.05). These findings indicate that curcumin supplementation can attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress by increasing blood antioxidant capacity.

Low Amino Acid Score of Breakfast is Associated with the Incidence of Cognitive Impairment in Older Japanese Adults: A Community-Based Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: The protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) represents the degree of utilizable dietary protein, namely the protein quality. The PDCAAS of a diet is required to be evaluated on a meal-by-meal basis, as food digestion and absorption occur with each meal intake. Although a positive association between protein intake and cognitive function has been reported, no study has investigated the association between PDCAAS of a diet and cognitive function. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between PDCAAS of a diet and cognitive impairment in older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal epidemiological study. SETTING: Community-based setting. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed 541 community-dwellers who participated in both baseline and follow-up survey. They were 60-83 years of age without cognitive impairment at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≤27. Individual PDCAASs were calculated for each of three regular meals from the 3-day dietary records at baseline. Participants were classified into two groups according to the sex-specific tertiles (T1-T3) of the PDCAAS for each meal (i.e., T1 as the low score group and T2-T3 as the medium and high score group). The dependent variable was cognitive impairment observed after 4 years, and the explanatory variables were the PDCAAS groups for each meal (the medium and high group as the reference) and covariates (sex, age, body mass index, education, depressive symptoms, medical history, protein intake at each meal, and the MMSE score at baseline). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the low PDCAAS group for cognitive impairment after 4 years. RESULTS: A significant association was observed only between a low PDCAAS of breakfast and the incidence of cognitive impairment (the adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] of low PDCAAS for cognitive impairment for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were 1.58 [1.00-2.50], 0.85 [0.54-1.34], and 1.08 [0.71-1.65], respectively). CONCLUSION: A lower PDCAAS of breakfast, i.e., a diet with poor quality of protein, was associated with the incidence of cognitive impairment in older adults of the community.

The Association between Dietary Amino Acid Intake and Cognitive Decline 8 Years Later in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported a relationship between low protein intake and cognitive decline and have suggested that this association may be related to specific amino acid intake. However, the effects of amino acid intake on the maintenance of cognitive function have yet to be clarified. We examined the longitudinal association between dietary amino acid intake and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal epidemiological study. SETTING: Community-based setting. PARTICIPANTS: This study comprised 427 study participants aged 60-82 years with no cognitive decline, defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of >27 at baseline, who also participated in a follow-up. The average and standard deviation of the follow-up period was 8.2 ± 0.3 years. MEASUREMENTS: Dietary intake was assessed using three-day dietary records at baseline. Participants were classified into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on the intake of 19 amino acids for males and females. Next, we classified participants into Q1 and Q2-Q4 groups. Cognitive function was assessed using the MMSE both at baseline and at follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between the Q1 group and cognitive decline (MMSE ≤27), using the Q2-Q4 group as a reference group. Covariates were age, sex, body mass index, years of education, severity of depressive symptoms, history of lifestyle diseases (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and ischemic heart disease), energy intake (kcal/d), protein intake (g/d), and MMSE score at baseline. RESULTS: Cognitive decline was present in 133 (31.1%) participants. After adjustment for covariates, including total protein intake, the ORs (95% CIs) for cognitive decline were 2.40 (1.21-4.75) for lysine, 2.05 (1.02-4.09) for phenylalanine, 2.18 (1.09-4.34) for threonine, and 2.10 (1.06-4.15) for alanine. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, and alanine intake is important for the maintenance of cognitive function in older people, independent of total protein intake.

Differentiation between superficial and deep lobe parotid tumors by magnetic resonance imaging: usefulness of the parotid duct criterion.

BACKGROUND: The location of a parotid tumor affects the choice of surgery, and there is a risk of damaging the facial nerve during surgery. Thus, differentiation between superficial and deep lobe parotid tumors is important for appropriate surgical planning. PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of using the parotid duct, in addition to the retromandibular vein, for differentiating between superficial and deep lobe parotid tumors on MR images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of 42 parotid tumors in 40 patients were reviewed to determine whether the tumor was located in the superficial or deep lobe. In each case, the retromandibular vein and the parotid duct were used to locate the tumor. The parotid duct was only used in cases where the tumor and the duct were visualized on the same image. RESULTS: Using the retromandibular vein criterion, 71% of deep lobe and 86% of superficial lobe tumors were correctly diagnosed, providing an accuracy of 81%. However, the accuracy achieved when using the parotid duct criterion was 100%, although it could be applied to only 28 of the 42 cases. Based on these results, we defined the following diagnostic method: the parotid duct criterion is first applied, and for cases in which it cannot be applied, the retromandibular vein criterion is used. The accuracy of this method was 88%, which was better than that achieved using the retromandibular vein criterion alone. CONCLUSION: The parotid duct criterion is useful for determining the location of parotid tumors. Combining the parotid duct criterion with the retromandibular vein criterion might improve the diagnostic accuracy of parotid tumor location compared to using the latter criterion alone.

A potential pitfall of MR imaging for assessing mandibular invasion of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether MR imaging is superior to CT in evaluating the presence and extent of mandibular invasion by squamous cell carcinoma remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging and that of CT. METHODS: MR and CT images in 51 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were evaluated for the presence and extent of mandibular invasion. The results were correlated with histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 51 patients had histopathologic evidence of mandibular cortical invasion. The tumor involved both the cortex and the bone marrow in all 25 patients and involved the inferior alveolar canal in 5 patients. The sensitivity and specificity for mandibular cortical invasion were 96% and 54% for MR imaging and 100% and 88% for CT, respectively. Those for inferior alveolar canal involvement were 100% and 70% for MR imaging and 100% and 96% for CT, respectively. In both evaluations, the specificity of MR imaging was significantly lower than that of CT (McNemar test, P = .004 in the former and P = .002 in the latter). Chemical shift artifact by bone marrow fat was postulated to be the source of most false-positive cases on MR imaging findings for mandibular cortical invasion. Those for inferior alveolar canal involvement were due to MR imaging visualization of the tumor and surrounding inflammation with similar signal intensity. CONCLUSION: In assessing the presence and extent of mandibular invasion by squamous cell carcinoma, the specificity of MR imaging was significantly lower than that of CT.

Differentiating benign and malignant salivary gland tumours: diagnostic criteria and the accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with high temporal resolution.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal diagnostic criterion of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) for predicting salivary gland malignancy using a dynamic sequence with high temporal resolution, as well as the accuracy of this technique. METHODS: The DCE-MRI findings of 98 salivary gland tumours (74 benign and 24 malignant) were reviewed. MR images were sequentially obtained at 5-s intervals for 370 s. Two parameters, peak time and washout ratio (WR) were determined from the time-signal intensity curve. The optimal thresholds of these parameters for differentiating benign and malignant tumours were determined, along with the diagnostic accuracy of the criterion using these thresholds. RESULTS: A peak time of 150 s and a WR of 30% were identified as optimal thresholds. As the criterion for malignancy, the combination of peak time <150 s and WR <30% provided a sensitivity of 79% (19/24), specificity of 95% (70/74) and an overall accuracy of 91% (89/98). Three of the five false-negative cases were malignant lymphomas of the parotid gland. CONCLUSION: Peak time <150 s with WR <30% comprised the optimal diagnostic criterion in predicting salivary gland malignancy, providing a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 95%. The use of high temporal resolution might improve the accuracy of DCE-MRI. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Although several studies have reported the usefulness of DCE-MRI in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumours, the specific diagnostic criteria employed have differed widely. We determined the optimal criterion and its accuracy using a dynamic sequence with high temporal resolution.

Regulation of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 gene transcription by beta2-adrenoceptor in the rat astrocytes.

The present study was designed to clarify the role of beta2-adrenoceptors in modulating the level of TNF and IL-6 gene transcription and their respective mRNA accumulations. Astrocytes were transfected with the 5'-flanking region of the TNF and IL-6 genes linked to a luciferase coding sequence as a reporter. The addition of isoproterenol had an inhibitory effect on the TNF and IL-6 promoter activity induced by LPS. The inhibitory effect was blocked in the presence of a beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist but not in the presence of a beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist. TNF and IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in the astrocytes were depressed by beta2-adrenoceptor activation which corresponded to changes in TNF and IL-6 promoter activity. These studies demonstrated that isoproterenol, via beta2-adrenoceptors, suppressed LPS-induced TNF and IL-6 promoter activities, mRNA accumulations, and protein levels in the astrocytes. Beta2-adrenoceptor activation may be an important mechanism for regulating TNF and IL-6 expression in brain diseases.

Pharmacological differentiation by pertussis toxin of the in vivo acute responses to fMLP and PAF in guinea-pig lungs.

1. The effects of pertussis toxin on the N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced variations in pulmonary capillary albumin exchanges, blood volume, leucocyte or platelet sequestration were studied in the guinea-pig, by use of radioactive tracers. The effects of pertussis toxin on pulmonary insufflation pressure were studied in parallel. 2. The i.v. administration of fMLP and PAF to the guinea-pig was followed by bronchoconstriction, increased lung capillary albumin exchanges (vasopermeability) sequestration of leucocytes, leucopenia and reduction of blood volume (vasoconstriction). PAF also induced platelet sequestration in lungs and thrombocytopenia. 3. Pertussis toxin (10 micrograms kg-1, i.v., 72 h before the experiment) prevented all the studied fMLP-induced effects, but failed to modify PAF-induced bronchoconstriction, lung vasoconstriction, platelet sequestration, thrombocytopenia and the increased capillary vasopermeability. In the same conditions the lung leucocyte sequestration was not significantly affected when leucopenia was partially reduced. 4. It is suggested that the effects of fMLP, but not those of PAF, involve a Gi-like protein.

Guinea-pig treatment with pertussis toxin suppresses macrophage-dependent bronchoconstriction by fMLP and fails to inhibit the effects of PAF.

1. Bronchoconstriction and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) release following the intra-tracheal administration of the secretagogue N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) to lungs from pertussis toxin-treated guinea-pigs in vivo and in vitro were inhibited as compared to saline-treated animals, under conditions where the responses to PAF were modified less effectively. 2. The cell target accounting for bronchoconstriction by fMLP and for inhibition by pertussis toxin is located in the airways and is probably the alveolar macrophage. Indeed (a) fMLP-induced superoxide anions and TxB2 formation by alveolar macrophages were inhibited by pertussis toxin given in vivo; (b) Gi proteins of membranes from alveolar macrophages were ADP-ribosylated in vivo by pertussis toxin and (c) bronchoconstriction and TxB2 release in response to the intra-tracheal administration of fMLP to lungs from pertussis toxin-treated animals were restored when alveolar macrophages from control guinea-pigs were transferred into the airways of pertussis toxin-treated animals before lung isolation. 3. Pertussis toxin administered to guinea-pigs in vivo, reduced the subsequent TxB2 formation and superoxide anion release by alveolar macrophages stimulated with PAF, but failed to inhibit PAF-induced bronchoconstriction. 4. Formation of TxB2 by alveolar macrophages following the intra-tracheal administration of fMLP accounts for bronchoconstriction and requires pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi proteins. PAF operates via a different mechanism, which is independent of Gi-like protein and involves mediators other than TxB2 and superoxide anions.

Inhibition by recombinant SLPI and half-SLPI (Asn55-Ala107) of elastase and cathepsin G activities: consequence for neutrophil-platelet cooperation.

1. The capacity of recombinant human secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) to inhibit human leukocyte elastase (HLE) and cathepsin G (Cat G) was investigated and compared with a recombinant truncated form (carboxyl-terminal domain, Asn55-Ala107) called 1/2 SLPI. 2. Both compounds were efficient when tested against enzymatic activities of purified HLE and Cat G indicating that the HLE- and Cat G-inhibitory sites were preserved in the truncated form. SLPI and 1/2 SLPI also affected platelet activation induced by 0.2 microM Cat G (IC50 = 112 +/- 13 nM for SLPI and 280 +/- 12 nM for 1/2 SLPI). 3. The effects of SLPI and 1/2 SLPI were then tested against polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-mediated platelet activation, a cell-to-cell interaction mediated by HLE and Cat G released from PMN. In this experimental system, addition of SLPI or 1/2 SLPI before N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) led to the inhibition of the resulting platelet activation. As was the case for Cat G enzymatic activity and Cat G-induced platelet activation, SLPI was more efficient than 1/2 SLPI (IC50 = 676 +/- 69 nM vs 1121 +/- 150 nM). 4. The ratio of the IC50 against PMN-mediated platelet activation compared to purified Cat G-mediated platelet activation was 6.03 for SLPI and 4.32 for 1/2 SLPI. This difference may be due to the smaller size of the truncated form which could allow this molecule to diffuse more easily between PMN and platelets. 5. In conclusion, 1/2 SLPI could be a promising candidate in the treatment of pathological states linked to inflammation in which participation of HLE and Cat G has been evoked.

Pharmacological activity of the C-terminal and N-terminal domains of secretory leukoprotease inhibitor in vitro.

1. In order to characterize the physiological functions of the domain structure of secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), the biological capacities of half-length SLPIs, (Ser1-Pro54)SLPI and (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI, were investigated and compared with those of full-length SLPI. 2. The activities of these inhibitors against several serine proteases were determined using synthetic chromogenic substrates. The inhibitory capacity of the C-terminal domain, (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI, was as strong as that of full-length SLPI against human neutrophil elastase (NE), cathepsin G and chymotrypsin. It possessed less trypsin inhibitory activity than intact SLPI. For the N-terminal domain of SLPI, (Ser1-Pro54)SLPI, no inhibitory activity could be detected against the serine proteases tested in this study. 3. The inhibitory activity of (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI against the proteolysis of the natural substrates elastin and collagen by NE was comparable with that of full-SLPI (elastin, IC50 = 907 +/- 31 nM for SLPI, 767 +/- 33 nM for (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI; collagen, IC50 = 862 +/- 36 nM for SLPI, 727 +/- 47 nM for (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI). 4. The binding affinities of full- and half-length SLPIs for heparin were measured by affinity column chromatography. Full-length SLPI showed high affinity for heparin while the binding capacities of both half-length SLPIs were lower. (Concentration of NaCl for elution, 0.45 M for SLPI, 0.24 M for (Ser1-Pro54)SLPI, 0.27 M for (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI). 5. The effects of full-SLPI and (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI on blood coagulation were measured using the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Full-length SLPI prolonged clotting time dose dependently(1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 microM), whereas (Asn55-AlalO7)SLPI had no effect even at the highest concentration.6. In conclusion, the C-terminal domain of SLPI is a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in which participation of neutrophil proteases has been suggested.

Specific cleavage of secretory leukoprotease inhibitor by neutrophil elastase and saliva.

In an attempt to explore the process of naturally occurring secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) fragmentation, the cleavage profile of SLPI, which had been prepared by recombinant techniques, was investigated biochemically. Restricted fragments of SLPI were detected using SDS-PAGE after treatment with human neutrophil elastase (NE) or normal saliva and sequenced at their cleavage sites. Among these restricted fragments, two species of nearly half-length SLPIs that contained the C-terminal domain, (Arg58-Ala107)SLPI and (Arg59-Ala107)SLPI, were detected. They were both as active at inhibiting NE as the parent SLPI. These results suggest that functional SLPI derivatives may be generated physiologically in the respiratory tract under inflammatory and healthy conditions.

Monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody induced hematopoiesis in vivo.

The intravenous injection of a monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 alloantibody (IgM class) induced a rapid increase in the number, and the ratio, of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (CFU-S) in S-phase. The onset of hematopoiesis was thymus-independent. Reconstitution of lethally-irradiated mice with bone marrow cells from mice injected with antibody augmented the T-cell responsiveness to mitogens. No activation was observed in granulocyte/macrophage progenitors. The monoclonal antibody did not directly stimulate CFU-S in vitro, although hematopoietic activity could be found in the sera of antibody-injected mice. Immediately after injection, the antibody was found bound on Thy-1+ cells in spleen. No decrease in the number of peripheral T cells was seen. These results seem to indicate that Thy-1.2-positive cells bound with anti-Thy-1.2 alloantibody may secrete a factor which induces the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Pertussis toxin induces bronchopulmonary hyperresponsiveness in guinea-pigs while antagonizing the effects of formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine.

Pertussis toxin injected i.v. at 0.8-20 micrograms/kg markedly enhanced bronchoconstriction induced by the i.v. administration of histamine or serotonin (5-HT) (0.5-16 micrograms/kg) to propranolol-treated guinea-pigs, under conditions where propranolol or pertussis toxin alone were poorly effective. In contrast, bronchoconstriction and the accompanying leukopenia induced by the i.v. administration of the secretagogue formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) were suppressed by pertussis toxin. Bronchoconstriction induced by histamine or 5-HT was not enhanced when perfused lungs from pertussis toxin-treated guinea-pigs were studied in vitro, under conditions where bronchoconstriction and thromboxane A2 release evoked by fMLP were suppressed. Pertussis toxin negatively modifies signal transduction in cells involved in the lung responses to fMLP both in vivo and in vitro, but positively and only in vivo it modifies signal transduction in cells involved in the lung responses to the direct constricting agents histamine and 5-HT. As hyperresponsiveness to histamine and 5-HT were exclusively found in vivo, the target for pertussis toxin is probably not the adrenergic nor the cholinergic systems, since neither hexamethonium, isoprenaline, atropine nor vagotomy were effective. In addition, since dexamethasone and nedocromil sodium were inactive and enrichment of bronchoalveolar lavage with inflammatory cells was not noted, despite lung invasion by neutrophils and lymphocytes, acute inflammation does not account for pertussis toxin-induced hyperresponsiveness.

Dynamic viscoelastic properties in torsion of four commercially available resins for crown and bridge.

In order to clarify the viscoelastic properties of four commercial resins for crown and bridge, the dynamic shear modulus (G'), Knoop hardness (KHN), filler content, quantity of unreacted substance and thermal expansion were measured. The results were as follows. The G' (37 degrees C) of each material ranged from 2.61-11.1 GPa, and gradually decreased with increasing temperature. KHN (23 degrees C) ranged from 29.4 to 120, and the most significant correlation (0.999) was found between G' and KHN. Of the relationship among G', filler content and unreacted substance, there was a highly significant correlation (0.980) between G' and filler content. The coefficient of linear-thermal expansion (alpha) also ranged from 17.9-65.0 x 10(-6)/degree C (25-60 degrees C), and the correlation (-0.961) between G' and alpha was meaningful. It can be presumed that the temperature dependence of G' is closely connected with the specific volume of each material, together with an increase in temperature.

The effect of solar irradiation on the fading of nylon and polyester fabrics dyed with selected disperse dyestuffs on radiant energy basis.

Solar total, UVA and UVB irradiances were measured separately using three kinds of wavelength band detectors in Tokyo, Japan in November 1999. Characteristics of diurnal variations were examined: Total irradiance reached a maximum value of about 600 W m(-2) at around noon. The variation pattern of UVA irradiance was observed to be similar to the total irradiance. The energy level was about 4.65% of total irradiance. Diurnal variation of UVB was in the form of a steeper bell curve due to the absorption in the air mass. UVB energy to solar total irradiance was about 0.07%. Photodegradation characteristics of two disperse dyestuffs were investigated on the basis of solar radiant energy. A UVA fluorescent lamp was applied to examine the fading characteristics to find the wavelength dependency. As a result, nylon dyeings were less lightfast by a factor of about 6 and 13 for C I Disperse Blue 27 and C I Disperse Blue 165, respectively, compared with polyester on the radiant energy basis. Visible light, as well as UVA, radiation contribute to fading of C I Disperse Blue 165 whereas UVA mostly cause the fading of C I Disperse Blue 27.

Characterization and clinical study on the acellular pertussis vaccine produced by a combination of column purified pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin.

Bordetella Pertussis Tohama phase I was cultured in a 300-liter fermentor using a medium containing 0.1% heptakis (2,5-0-dimethyl) beta-cyclodextrin (MeCD). Pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hamagglutinin (FHA) were purified using affinity and ion exchange gel column chromatographies. Endotoxin contents of these antigens (10 micrograms PN/ml) were less than 10 ngLPS/ml. PT and FHA were independently treated with formalin in the presence of amino acid and were mixed at a protein concentration ratio of 1:4, the same ratio of our commercialized acellular pertussis vaccine. PDT vaccine containing 2 micrograms PN of PT and 8 micrograms PN of FHA per milliliter was prepared. This PDT vaccine satisfied all the items of the Japanese Minimum Requirements including potency and toxicity tests. Even after this vaccine was incubated for 4 weeks at 37 degrees C, no deaths of the inoculated mice were observed after challenge with 4 mg of histamine on the 4th and 12th day of the inoculation. Compared with the conventional vaccine, this new vaccine caused less swelling in the mouse footpad test. A field trial of our two vaccines, one manufactured by the conventional method (lot No. 21A) and the other produced by the new method (lot No. KC8702), revealed that children receiving KC8702 showed almost the same anti-PT and anti-FHA antibody levels as those given 21A. Those who received KC8702 suffered from less local side effects such as redness, swelling or induration than those given 21A. Our new method for the production of acellular pertussis vaccine permits us the economical manufacturing of the vaccine with uniform quality in a closed system.

[Synergistic action of lentinan (LNT) with endocrine therapy of breast cancer in rats and humans].

With the aim of clarifying the nature of the synergistic action of LNT with endocrine therapy for mammary tumor, the effect of LNT post-treatment was investigated in rats with DMBA-induced mammary tumors and also in patients with recurrent breast cancer. LNT injection following surgical therapy (Ax + Ox) resulted in a much greater regression of tumor growth than that obtained by surgery alone, but not after medical therapy (Tamoxifen). Image analysis using an immunohistochemical technique revealed that LNT-surgical therapy resulted in marked atrophy of tumors and as well as intense infiltration of T cells, B cells and macrophages into the stroma around the tumor. Blood prolactin level was greatly reduced by LNT injection. A clinical randomized controlled study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of LNT post-treatment with surgical therapy in 33 patients with recurrent breast cancer. The mode of the synergistic action of LNT in combination with endocrine therapy on hormone-dependent tumors was discussed.

[Cumulative effects of lentinan and endocrine therapy on the growth of DMBA-induced mammary tumor in rats].

The cumulative effects of Lentinan and endocrine therapy on the growth of DMBA (7, 12-dimethyl benzanthracene)-induced mammary tumors of rats were studied. Multiple injection of Lentinan alone resulted in a slight degree of regression of the tumor growth, when administered to rats bearing mammary tumors of about 1 cm in size. Ovariectomy-adrenalectomy, ovariectomy, and adrenalectomy, which are performed as surgical endocrine therapy, resulted in a more marked regression of the tumor than that produced by Lentinan treatment alone. Furthermore, multiple injection of Lentinan performed on these mammary tumor-bearing rats which had received surgical endocrine therapy 2 weeks previously evoked a marked regression of tumor growth. However, no changes in growth curves and survival rates, compared with those of saline controls were observed, indicating that Lentinan might be a useful agent when combined with surgical endocrine therapy. Concurrent injection of Lentinan resulted in a slight augmentation, although the histamine sensitivity of tumor bearing rats which had previously received surgical endocrine therapy elevated greatly, compared with that of controls. By contrast administration of Tamoxifen, which is used for medical endocrine therapy, resulted in a lesser degree of regression than that observed following surgical endocrine therapy, and was also not greatly affected by Lentinan injection.

Effects of compression force on elasticity index and elasticity ratio in ultrasound elastography.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between compression force and hardness values in ultrasound elastography. METHODS: Ultrasound elastography was performed using an elastography phantom, comprising inclusions with different elasticities and echogenicities. The compression force was set to approximately 100 gw (light force) and approximately 500 gw (heavy force). The elasticity index (EI) of the inclusion was measured. The EI was a relative hardness value of a structure within an elastographic image. Similarly, the EI of the background was measured as a reference. The elasticity ratio (ER) was calculated as the EI of the inclusion divided by the EI of the reference. RESULTS: The hardness of the phantom could be discerned with both the EI and ER, regardless of the compression force. The EI and ER with heavy force tended to be higher than those with light force, but the difference was not significant. A strong correlation was observed between the EI and ER of soft structures, whereas the correlation between the EI and ER of hard structures was weak, and the ER values varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: The EI offers potential as a good indicator for assessing the hardness.