Elevated pentraxin 3 level at the early stage of exercise training is associated with reduction of arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults.

Regular exercise improves aging-induced deterioration of arterial stiffness, and is associated with elevated production of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and anti-inflammatory as well as anti-atherosclerotic effects. However, the time-dependent effect of exercise training on arterial stiffness and PTX3 production remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of the association between the effects of training on the circulating PTX3 level and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults. Thirty-two healthy Japanese subjects (66.2±1.3 year) were randomly divided into two groups: training (exercise intervention) and sedentary controls. Subjects in the training group completed 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training (60-70% peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for 45 min, 3 days per week); during the training period, we evaluated plasma PTX3 concentration and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) every 2 wk. cfPWV gradually declined over the 8-week training period, and was significantly reduced after 6 and 8 week of exercise intervention (P<0.05). Plasma PTX3 level was significantly increased after 4 weeks of the intervention (P<0.05). In addition, the exercise training-induced reduction in cfPWV was negatively correlated with the percent change in plasma PTX3 level after 6 week (r=-0.54, P<0.05) and 8 weeks (r=-0.51, P<0.05) of the intervention, but not correlated at 4 weeks. Plasma PTX3 level was elevated at the early stage of the exercise training intervention, and was subsequently associated with training-induced alteration of arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults.

Effects of habitual aerobic exercise on the relationship between intramyocellular or extramyocellular lipid content and arterial stiffness.

The accumulation of intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) and extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) is associated with arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults. Habitual aerobic exercise induces the improvement of arterial stiffness with reduction in fat accumulation. However, the relationship between aerobic exercise-induced changes in muscular lipids and arterial stiffness remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether habitual aerobic exercise-induced changes in IMCL and EMCL content would lead to an improvement of arterial stiffness. First, in a cross-sectional study, we investigated whether cardiorespiratory fitness level affects the association between IMCL or EMCL content and arterial stiffness in 60 middle-aged and older subjects (61.0±1.3 years). Second, in an intervention study, we examined whether aerobic exercise training-induced changes in IMCL and EMCL content are associated with a reduction in arterial stiffness in 18 middle-aged and older subjects (67.0±1.7 years). In the cross-sectional study, IMCL content was negatively correlated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) (r=-0.47, P<0.05), whereas EMCL content was positively correlated with baPWV (r=0.48, P<0.05) in the low-fitness group, but was not correlated in the high-fitness group. Furthermore, 8-week aerobic exercise training in older adults increased IMCL content and reduced EMCL content. The training-induced change in baPWV was negatively correlated with training-induced changes in IMCL but was positively correlated with training-induced changes in EMCL. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise training-induced changes in IMCL and EMCL content may be related to a reduction in arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults.

Effects on EMG activities of elbow joint muscles by rapid head rotation movement in horizontal plane in man.

Effects of voluntary rapid head rotation movement in horizontal plane on EMG activities of tonically contracting elbow extensor and flexor muscles were studied in five healthy subjects. Arm EMGs were averaged in relation to the EMG onset of the prime mover. M. sterno-cleidomastoideus (SCM). EMG variations could occur before SCM-EMG onset. Facilitatory and inhibitory effects were observed. They were not necessarily organized in reciprocal fashion but varied in every subject. We interpret the present findings as resulted from an incorporated part of the central motor program for head rotation which was specific to each subject.

Morphological transformation, sister chromatid exchange and mutagenesis assay of betel constituents.

Betel quid, a masticatory widely used in Sri Lanka, consists of Jaffna tobacco, the nuts and leaves of betel plants and calcium hydroxide. An ethyl acetate extract of Jaffna tobacco induced morphological transformation of hamster embryo cells. The extract also induced sister chromatid exchanges inn virally transformed and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human lymphocytes. The induction of sister chromatid exchanges was potentiated by addition of rat liver homogenate. The extract did not induce ouabain-resistant mutation of V79 cells. Extracts of betel nuts and leaves gave negative results in assay of morphological transformation, sister chromatid exchange and mutagenesis.

Carcinoid crisis 24 hours after bland embolization: A case report.

Within 24 h of bland embolization of carcinoid liver metastasis, patient developed flushing and severe hypotension consistent with carcinoid crisis. Octreotide pre- and post-procedure remains the mainstay for prevention and treatment of carcinoid crisis.

Growth stimulation of hamster embryonic fibroblasts by phorbol esters.

The growth on hamster embryonic fibroblasts was highly dependent on the serum concentration in the medium. A tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), enhanced the growth of hamster embryonic fibroblasts in the medium containing low concentrations of serum. Among phorbol derivatives, phorbol-12,13-didecanoate and 4-O-methyl-12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate also showed growth stimulation, but 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, phorbol-12,13-diacetate and phorbol did not. TPA increased the accumulation of 2-deoxyglucose into the cells at low serum concentrations. Thus, hamster embryonic fibroblasts were sensitive to phorbol esters as growth stimulators, and TPA reduced the serum requirement of the cells.

SRS-A antagonist pyranoquinolone alkaloids from east African Fagara plants and their synthesis.

Three pyranoquinolone alkaloids isolated from two East African Fagara plants have been found to exhibit SRS-A antagonist action. Their synthesis has been accomplished, using a modified Coppola's method or a thermal cyclization followed by an electrocyclic ring closure.