Macronutrient signals for adaptive modulation of intestinal digestive enzymes in two omnivorous Galliformes.

According to the adaptive modulation hypothesis, digestive enzyme activities are matched to their respective dietary substrate level so that ingested nutrients are not wasted in excreta due to insufficient digestive capacity, and so membrane space or expenditures building/maintaining the intestinal hydrolytic machinery are not wasted when substrate levels are low. We tested predictions in juvenile northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and juvenile and adult domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) by feeding them on diets varying in starch, protein, and lipid composition for 7-9 d (bobwhites) or 15 d (chickens). Birds were euthanized, intestinal tissue harvested, and enzyme activities measured in tissue homogenates from proximal, medial and distal small intestine. We found that (1) α-glucosidase (AG; maltase and sucrase) activities were induced by dietary starch in both juvenile and adult chickens but not in northern bobwhites; (2) aminopeptidase-N (APN) activities were induced by dietary protein in both bobwhites and juvenile but not adult chickens; (3) AG activities were suppressed by an increase in dietary lipid in both bobwhites and juvenile but not adult chickens; and (4) APN activities were not suppressed by high dietary lipid in any birds. We review findings from 35 analogous trials in 16 avian species. 100% of avian omnivores modulate at least one enzyme in response to change in dietary substrate level. AG induction by dietary carbohydrate occurs in more members of Galloanserae than in Neoaves, and all omnivorous members of Neoaves tested so far increase APN activity on high dietary protein, whereas fewer of the Galloanserae do.

A homozygous 1-base pair deletion in the arrestin gene is a frequent cause of Oguchi disease in Japanese.

Oguchi disease is a rare autosomal recessive form of congenital stationary night blindness with all other visual functions, including visual acuity, visual field, and colour vision being usually normal. A typical clinical feature of the disorder is a golden or gray-white discolouration of the fundus which disappears in the dark-adapted state and reappears shortly after the onset of light ('Mizuo phenomenon'; Fig. 1). The course of dark adaptation of rod photoreceptors is extremely retarded in Oguchi disease while that of cones appears to proceed normally. The locus for Oguchi disease was recently mapped between D2S172 and D2S345 on distal chromosome 2q by linkage analysis. Interestingly, the gene for arrestin, an intrinsic rod photoreceptor protein implicated in the recovery phase of light transduction, also maps to this region of chromosome 2q (refs 6, 7). Here we report that in five out of six unrelated Japanese patients with Oguchi disease, we have identified a homozygous deletion of nucleotide 1147 (1147delA) in codon 309 of the arrestin gene, predicting a shift in the reading frame and a premature termination of translation which may result in 'functional null alleles.'

The involvement of transforming growth factor beta in the impaired antitumor T-cell response at the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).

We studied the antitumor immune response in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), which is the tolerance-inducing site for numerous dietary antigens. The mice inoculated with colon 26 carcinoma (C-26) into the subserosal space of the cecum (i.c.) showed a more rapid tumor growth than did the mice inoculated s.c. with C-26 into the flank. In addition, the serum of the i.c. C-26-inoculated mice showed a more potent suppressive activity, and their plasma contained a higher level of transforming growth factor than the s.c. C-26-inoculated mice. We also evaluated the tumor-specific T-cell response in the GALT by utilizing B7-transfected P815 mastocytoma (B7/P815). The rejection of i.c. inoculated B7/P815 was delayed compared to that of the s.c. inoculated B7/P815. The draining axillary lymph node (LN) cells of the s.c. B7/P815-inoculated mice exhibited a CD4+ T-cell-dependent proliferative response to in vitro restimulation, whereas the draining mesenteric LN cells of the i.c. B7/P815-inoculated mice exhibited no apparent response even with the addition of interleukin 2. However, such draining mesenteric LN cells did produce higher levels of interleukin 2 and transforming growth factor beta than the draining axillary LN without any stimulation, and their production of such cytokines depend on the CD4+ and CD8+ cells, respectively. Collectively, our results suggest the possibility that the impaired antitumor T-cell response in the GALT may be attributed to "bystander suppression" by TGF-beta-producing CD8+ T cells.

Novel mutations in the myocilin gene in Japanese glaucoma patients.

Myocilin is a gene responsible for juvenile onset primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) mapped as the GLC1A locus and, many mutations have been reported worldwide. Some mutations were found not only in patients with juvenile onset POAG, but also in patients with late onset POAG and in patients with normal tension glaucoma. To investigate the mutation prevalence in Japan, we performed a mutation analysis in 140 unrelated Japanese patients. We have identified the 10 sequence variants, of which four were highly probable for disease-causing mutations (Arg46ter, Arg158Gln, Ile360Asn, and Ala363Thr), and six polymorphisms (Gln19His, Arg76Lys, Asp208Glu, Val439Val, Arg470His, and Ala488Ala). Thus, myocilin mutations were found at the rate of 4/140 (2.9%) probands, similar to previous reports with other ethnic populations.

Antimetastatic effects of PSK (Krestin), a protein-bound polysaccharide obtained from basidiomycetes: an overview.

PSK, a protein-bound polysaccharide obtained from cultured mycelia of Coriolus versicolor in basidiomycetes, is a biological response modifier, diverse operations of which include an antitumor action. We have previously reviewed recent research which had demonstrated that in animals, PSK has a preventive effect on chemical carcinogen-induced, radiation-induced, and spontaneously developed carcinogenesis (Kobayashi et al., Cancer Epidemiol., Biomarkers & Prev., 2: 271-276, 1993). We now focus on the effects of PSK once the progression of carcinogenesis has begun, and review what is now known of the preventive action of PSK on cancer metastasis. Recent research reports that PSK suppresses pulmonary metastasis of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas, human prostate cancer DU145M, and lymphatic metastasis of mouse leukemia P388, and that it has prolonged the survival period in spontaneous metastasis models. PSK also suppresses the metastasis of rat hepatoma AH60C, mouse colon cancer colon 26, and mouse leukemia RL male 1 in artificial metastasis models. PSK influences the steps of cancer metastasis in a number of ways: (a) by suppression of intravasation through the inhibition of tumor invasion, adhesion and production of cell matrix-degrading enzymes; (b) by suppression of tumor cell attachment to endothelial cells through the inhibition of tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation; (c) by suppression of tumor cell migration after extravasation through the inhibition of tumor cell motility; and (d) by suppression of tumor growth after extravasation through the inhibition of angiogenesis, the modulation of cytokine production, and the augmentation of effector cell functions. In addition, PSK has suppressed the malignant progression of mouse tumor cells through superoxide trapping.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Suppression of nuclear factor kappa B and CD18-mediated leukocyte adhesion to the corneal endothelium by dexamethasone.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that leukocyte adhesion to cultured corneal endothelial cells is mediated by the CD18 antigen, and to determine whether dexamethasone directly suppresses adhesion by inhibiting activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB). METHODS: Cultured bovine corneal endothelium was stimulated for 6 hours by 40 micron/ml tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). Dexamethasone was added 1 hour before TNFalpha stimulation in the dexamethasone group. After stimulation, neutrophils separated from a healthy human volunteer were added with or without anti-CD18 antibody. The culture plate was settled for 15 minutes at 37 degrees C, and then neutrophils were activated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine for 5 minutes. Nonadherent neutrophils were removed by sealing and inverting the culture well. The intracellular localization of NFkappaB after TNFalpha simulation was determined by confocal immunocytochemistry using an anti-p65 antibody. RESULTS: Neutrophil adhesion to cultured corneal endothelial cells increased significantly on exposure to TNFalpha (451.4+/-45.4 cells/mm2, n = 16) compared to control (156.7+/-27.3 cells/mm2, n = 16, P < 0.01). This increased adhesion was suppressed by the addition of anti-CD18 antibody (157.6+/-25.1 cells/mm2, n = 8, P < 0.01) and by pretreatment with 10(-7) M dexamethasone (207.9+/-31.5 cells/mm2, n = 10, P < 0.01). Immunocytochemistry 60 minutes after stimulation revealed that NFkappaB was located in the cytoplasm in unstimulated cells; however, the addition of TNFalpha caused NFkappaB to translocate into the nucleus. Pretreatment with dexamethasone tapered NFkappaB translocation into the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: Leukocyte adhesion to the corneal endothelium was shown to be mediated by CD18 expressed on activated leukocytes. Pretreatment of the endothelium with dexamethasone inhibited leukocyte adhesion; this may be due in part to the suppression of NFkappaB entry into the nucleus.

Oxiradical-dependent photoemission induced by a phacoemulsification probe.

Oxygen free radical formation by conventional phacoemulsification devices has been postulated as a possible mechanism of corneal endothelial damage during surgery. To test this hypothesis, phacoemulsification probe-induced free radical production was visualized using a single photon-counting camera and an O(2-)-sensitive luciferin derivative, 2-methyl-6-[p-methoxyphenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazo [1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (MCLA), which allows the visualization of spatial and temporal alterations in free radical production. Within 1 min after starting ultrasound emission, MCLA-dependent chemiluminescence was increased significantly, the intensity of which was maximal at the tip of the probe and tapered along a gradient toward distal portions. The chemiluminescence was suppressed significantly by adding either superoxide dismutase (300 U/ml) or sodium azide (20 mmol/l). By adding deuterium to the medium, MCLA-dependent chemiluminescence significantly increased, suggesting the involvement of singlet oxygen in the reaction.

Quantitative determination of heteroplasmy in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy by single-strand conformation polymorphism.

PURPOSE: The maternal inheritance of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is caused by defects in the genes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The most prevalent mtDNA mutation, present in 40% to 90% of families with this disease, is a G to A substitution at nucleotide position 11778. The rapid and accurate quantification of heteroplasmy of this mutation will help determine the relative risk for disease expression. METHODS: The authors conducted screening tests for heteroplasmy in 44 visually affected patients with the 11778 mutation and 34 unaffected members of 36 Japanese families with LHON using the single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. This method can detect even a single base difference between the sequences of wild type and mutant DNA strands. The percentage of mutant mtDNA was calculated using an image analyzer. RESULTS: Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis allowed the detection of heteroplasmy ranging from 5% to 95%. Five (14%) of the 36 families showed heteroplasmy, and 14 (18%) of the 78 persons tested had heteroplasmy ranging from 10% to 94%. Seven patients with heteroplasmy with visual loss had mutant mtDNA ranging from 62% to 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis is rapid, efficient, and accurate for detecting point mutations and quantifying heteroplasmy in mtDNA. Individuals with heteroplasmy with less than 60% of mutant mtDNA in circulating leukocytes are probably at lesser risk for developing optic atrophy.

Coexpression of VEGF receptors VEGF-R2 and neuropilin-1 in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To elucidate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated pathogenesis of fibrovascular proliferation in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Fibrovascular tissues were obtained at vitrectomy from 22 cases with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The half-divided tissues were processed for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis to examine the expression of VEGF isoforms and their receptors. Paraffin sections of the other half were used for immunohistochemistry for CD34, glial fibrillary acidic protein and VEGF, and in situ hybridization for VEGF. RESULTS: RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of VEGF receptors VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2, and neuropilin-1 in 12, 14, and 14 of 22 cases, respectively. Notably, VEGF-R2 and neuropilin-1 were simultaneously expressed in the identical 14 tissues. The isoform VEGF121 was constitutively expressed in all the tissues examined, whereas the expression of VEGF165 was confined to the 7 tissues that also expressed VEGF-R2 and neuropilin-1. The vascular density of fibrovascular tissues evaluated by immunohistochemistry for CD34 was significantly higher in the cases with the expression of VEGF-R2 and neuropilin-1 than in those without their expression (P < 0.01), whereas VEGF-R1 expression had no such relationship with the vascular density. The fibrovascular tissues that expressed VEGF165 together with VEGF-R2 and neuropilin-1 were found in significantly younger patients (P < 0.01). In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that glial cells in the fibrovascular tissues express and produce VEGF. CONCLUSIONS: Coexpression of VEGF-R2 and neuropilin-1 is suggested to facilitate fibrovascular proliferation in diabetic retinopathy.

A significant role of stromal fibroblasts in rapidly progressive dry eye in patients with chronic GVHD.

PURPOSE: To elucidate histopathologic features of the lacrimal gland in chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: Lacrimal gland specimens from five patients who had dry eye as part of the symptoms of chronic GVHD were examined by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. Lacrimal gland specimens from five patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) were used as control samples. RESULTS: Lymphocytes, predominantly T cells, were found primarily in the periductal areas of the lacrimal gland from patients with chronic GVHD, whereas B cells were the dominant infiltrating cells in the acinar areas of the lacrimal gland from patients with SS. Notable findings in the lacrimal gland from patients with chronic GVHD were marked fibrosis of the glandular interstitium and an increase in the number of CD34(+) stromal fibroblasts. These findings were more prominent in patients with severe dry eye than in those with mild dry eye. Electron microscopic observations of the lacrimal gland from patients with chronic GVHD revealed that stromal fibroblasts were attached to various inflammatory cells, especially T cells, through primitive or rudimentary contacts. In addition, the presence of a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum in the fibroblasts and newly synthesized collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix indicated an active production of extracellular matrix components. Electron micrographs revealed multilayered and thickened basal laminae of blood vessels, ducts, and lobules in the lacrimal gland of patients with chronic GVHD; however, these observations were infrequently observed in the lacrimal glands of patients with SS. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest substantial differences in the lacrimal gland histopathology of patients with chronic GVHD and SS. In addition, it is likely that stromal fibroblasts are actively involved in the pathogenic process of chronic GVHD in the lacrimal gland by producing excessive extracellular matrix components.

Time-dependent effects of stressor application on metastasis of tumor cells in the lung and its regulation by an immunomodulator in mice.

The effects of the timing of stressor application on transplanted tumor cells and its possible regulation by an immunomodulator was investigated. Male C57 BL/6N mice were subjected to rotational stressor for 7 days relative to tumor cell inoculation: stressor after inoculation of Lewis lung cancer cells, stressor during inoculation and stressor before inoculation. Stressor application and tumor cell inoculation induced transient decreases in body weight, particularly in mice stressed after inoculation. The mice exposed to the stressor during inoculation or before inoculation showed significant increases in the number of metastatic foci relative to control mice. Early administration of an immunomodulator, PSK, significantly attenuated the increase of metastatic foci in stressed mice. The weights of thymus gland and spleen at 14 days after inoculation were similar in the three stressor groups and the control group. Application of the stressor reduced NK cell activity of the normal mice as well as tumor bearing mice. The lowest pre-inoculation NK cell activity was observed in mice stressed for 7 days beginning on the day of inoculation. The NK cell activity decreased in the tumor bearing mice which were stressed at the time of tumor inoculation. Decreased NK cell activity was reversed at day 14 after tumor inoculation. The mice exposed to the stressor after inoculation showed lowest level of NK cell activity relative to mice exposed to the stressor before or during inoculation. The treatment of mice with PSK reduced these changes significantly. The present results suggest that the rotational stress reduces splenic NK cell activity, which may influence the magnitude of tumor metastasis, depending on the time of tumor cell injection. Further, administration of an immunomodulator may counteract the reduction of the NK cell activity.

Autologous serum eye drops for the treatment of severe dry eye in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease.

We investigated the efficacy and safety of autologous serum eye drops for the treatment of severe dry eye after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). A total of 14 patients (four males and 10 females; median age, 31.0 years) with severe dry eye associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) were enrolled in this study. All patients were refractory to treatment with conventional artificial tears. Autologous serum eye drops, a solution made of 20% autologous serum in sterile saline, were applied 10 times per eye per day. The patients were evaluated every 4 weeks according to visual acuity, corneal sensitivity, vital staining of the ocular surface, tear dynamics, and subjective assessments of symptoms (complaints scores). The median follow-up period was 19.4 months (range: 4-41 months). After 4 weeks of treatment, significant improvement was observed in both complaint scores (from 33.7+/-12.3 to 23.6+/-10.6 points; P<0.01) and fluorescein scores (from 5.8+/-2.0 to 2.4+/-0.9 points; P<0.005). Significant improvements were observed also in rose-bengal staining and tear break-up time. In seven of the 14 patients, the responses were maintained for 6-41 months (median:19.4+/-8.3 months), while six of the other seven patients required treatment with punctal plugs in addition to autologous serum eye drops. One of these other seven patients developed eczema around the eyelids, after which the treatment was discontinued. No serious adverse events were observed. We conclude that autologous serum eye drops are safe and effective for treating severe dry eye associated with cGVHD and that more efficient control of dry eye may be achieved by the combined use of autologous serum eye drops with punctal plugs.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the intraorbital optic nerve and subarachnoid space in patients with papilledema and optic atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the orbital portion of the optic nerve and the subarachnoid space using fast spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging in normal subjects and in patients with papilledema or optic atrophy. DESIGN: Measurements of the optic nerve complex on coronal images were made using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging with fast spin-echo sequences. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients, including 5 patients with papilledema due to congenital hydrocephalus, intracranial tumors, or meningitis, as well as 16 patients with optic atrophy, were studied. Sixteen healthy volunteers served as controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The longitudinal diameter of the optic nerve, the longitudinal outer diameter of the subarachnoid space, the diameter ratio, and the area of the subarachnoid space were determined. RESULTS: In normal subjects, the ring-shaped area of high signal intensity that represented the subarachnoid space was widest behind the globe, then narrowed toward the orbital apex. In patients with papilledema, the area of the subarachnoid space was markedly dilated, the optic nerve was compressed, and the nerve sheath was widened, resulting in a small diameter ratio compared with that of controls. Patients with pallor of the temporal aspect of the optic disc appeared to exhibit dilation of the subarachnoid space; the size of the optic nerve was decreased more than that of the nerve sheath, resulting in a small diameter ratio compared with controls. Patients with complete pallor of the disc, however, exhibited hyperintense optic nerve complexes without a ring-shaped appearance toward the orbital apex. CONCLUSION: Fast spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging appears useful for objectively evaluating the optic nerve and surrounding subarachnoid space in patients with papilledema and optic atrophy.

Surgical treatment of congenital dilatation of bile duct (choledochal cyst) with technical considerations.

Since the concept of an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system was introduced, there has been rapid progress in the study of the pathophysiology and the surgical treatment of choledochal cyst, or congenital dilatation of the bile duct. Because of its various disadvantages, cystoenterostomy as a routine procedure for treatment of this condition has been superseded by hepaticoenterostomy after removal of the devastated bile ducts with blocking of communication with the pancreatic ducts. This article describes the technical details of the surgical correction of choledochal cyst.

Histopathologic studies of congenital dilatation of the bile duct as related to an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system: clinical and experimental studies.

Clinical and experimental studies of congenital dilatation of the bile duct as related to an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system were performed. Epithelial hyperplasia accompanied by round cell infiltration and increased thickness of the wall with fibrosis was observed histologically in the resected bile ducts of all 40 patients. Twenty-two of 26 patients (86.4%) who had bouts of abdominal pain showed that epithelial hyperplasia with round cell infiltration is dominant (glandular type), and 11 of 15 cases (73.7%) with persistent jaundice showed that thickness of the wall with fibrosis is dominant (fibrotic type). Amylase activities in bile of glandular-type cases obtained from the common bile duct intraoperatively were significantly greater than those of fibrotic-type cases (p less than 0.01). The common bile ducts of the canine model, in which whole pancreatic juice passed in the bile duct, dilated cylindrically 3.28 +/- 2.48 times in diameter after 24 to 41 days and histologically showed epithelial hyperplasia with round cell infiltration of the glandular type. These findings suggest that an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system and the reflux of pancreatic juice into the bile duct affect not only clinical manifestations but also pathologic changes, especially of the glandular type, in patients with congenital dilatation of the bile duct.

Common channel syndrome--diagnosis with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgical management.

Six patients with intermittent bouts of vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice beginning in infancy or early childhood were all demonstrated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to have an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system with the formation of a characteristic long common channel. A varying degree of dilatation of the bile duct also was noted. Resection of choledochus followed by hepaticoduodenostomy was performed with satisfactory results invariably in all cases. The existence of a pathologic entity that might reasonably be designated "common channel syndrome" is discussed with some comments on its relationship with dilatation of the bile duct (choledochal cyst) as well as on the recommendable method of surgical treatment.

Inhibition of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase and amylase release from canine pancreas.

There are two tissue-fixed cholinesterases in dog pancreas: acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. In the present experiments, an organophosphate that only inhibits butyrylcholinesterase (isopropylpyrophosphoramide, or iso-OMPA) was compared with echothiophate and a nonorganophosphate compound, physostigmine. The latter two agents inhibit both cholinesterases. Fresh canine pancreas from anesthetized dogs was minced into fragments and suspended in Eagle's solution gassed with 100% O2. Amylase release was measured by the Phadebas method. In 2-h dose-response studies, there was a fivefold increase in sensitivity to acetylcholine when fragments were preincubated 1 h with iso-OMPA. There was a 1,000-fold increase in sensitivity when fragments were preincubated for 1 h in echothiophate. Basal amylase release in incubates with echothiophate were also increased. In dose-response studies with CCK-8, iso-OMPA was without effect, but echothiophate treatment resulted in a greater total response to CCK-8. There was a corresponding increase in basal output with echothiophate alone. Physostigmine also potentiates the response to CCK-8. Cumulative responses up to 3 h with half-maximal acetylcholine or half-maximal CCK-8 doses showed enhanced total output in fragments preincubated with echothiophate (p less than 0.05). The enhancement effect was atropine-sensitive to hexamethonium ganglionic blockade. In calcium-free medium, the enhancement with echothiophate was greatly reduced but still present. Inhibitors of both cholinesterases in the pancreas cause a greater total amylase release to sub-maximal doses of acetylcholine and CCK-8 than agents that only inhibit butyrylcholinesterase. Though our data do not provide direct proof, the results could be explained by a greater accumulation of endogenous acetylcholine when both cholinesterases are inhibited.

Increased canine pancreatic acinar cell damage after organophosphate and acetylcholine or cholecystokinin.

Sublethal doses of organophosphate anticholinesterases cause acute pancreatitis in dogs within 2 h. In vitro studies using canine pancreatic fragments have also demonstrated that the peak of amylase release in response to acetylcholine is shifted far to the left after incubation with the organophosphates echothiophate (10(-4) M) or tetraisopropyl pyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA) (10(-3) M), indicating an increased sensitivity of response. The present in vitro study examined whether there was also an increased susceptibility to acinar cell damage at the electron microscopic level after acetylcholine or cholecystokinin. Minced pieces of whole fresh canine pancreas 2-3 mm in size were placed in buffered Eagle's solution and gassed with 100% O2. After pretreatment 1 h with echothiophate or iso-OMPA, they were then incubated with acetylcholine (10(-5) M). Other tissues preincubated with echothiophate were stimulated with cholecystokinin (10(-9) M). These are submaximal doses for untreated canine pancreatic fragments. After acetylcholine and echothiophate or acetylcholine and iso-OMPA, there was extensive acinar damage with the appearance of large vacuoles and lakes, and interstitial edema. There was evidence of intense supramaximal stimulation and lateral exocytosis. Similar destructive changes were seen after echothiophate and cholecystokinin. In control sections from tissues stimulated with acetylcholine (10(-5) M) or cholecystokinin (10(-9) M, there were lumenal exocytotic patterns typical of submaximal stimulation. Other controls, organophosphate alone and unstimulated basal conditions, showed only minor changes. It is concluded that the increased sensitivity to acetylcholine after organophosphate incubation correlates with an increased susceptibility to acinar ultrastructural damage from acetylcholine and cholecystokinin.

Effect of the organophosphate iso-OMPA on amylase release by pancreatic lobules of dog, guinea pig, and cat.

Organophosphates (OPs) cause irreversible inhibition of cholinesterases (ChEs) and profound cholinergic stimulation. There are major differences in the response of the dog and cat pancreas to the in vivo administration of Diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidyl phosphothioate), a butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitor. Acute edematous pancreatitis is found in the dog but not in the cat. The present experiments were designed to see what effect OP had in vitro on pancreatic exocrine function of dog, cat, and guinea pig, and whether the effects were consistent with an anti-ChE activity. A water-soluble OP agent, tetraisopropyl pyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA) at 10(-3) M, which like Diazinon inhibits BuChE, was used. Minced pieces of fresh whole pancreata 3 mm in size were taken from 3 dogs, 4 guinea pigs, and 2 cats. The tissues were placed in flasks containing Eagle's solution and gassed with 100% O2. Cumulative amylase release was measured by Phadebas method up to 3 h. At half-maximal acetylcholine (ACH) concentration (10(-5) M), the canine pancreas pretreated with iso-OMPA (10(-3) M) showed a 42-87% greater release of amylase than tissues receiving ACH alone (p less than 0.001). The same potentiated response to ACH was seen in guinea pig pancreas pretreated with iso-OMPA (p less than 0.001), but iso-OMPA pretreatment did not augment the ACH response in the cat. Atropine pretreatment effectively blocked all ACH responses, and there was no effect seen with iso-OMPA alone. In the dog, iso-OMPA in combination with half-maximal carbachol (10(-6) M), or in combination with half-maximal cholecystokinin (CCK-8) stimulation (10(-9) M), provided no potentiated amylase release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Risk of false-positive molecular genetic diagnosis of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE/METHODS: The most common pathogenic mitochondrial mutation at nucleotide 11778 in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy is usually detected by the loss of an SfaNI restriction site. To evaluate a false-positive diagnostic error in this molecular genetic assay, we investigated SfaNI polymorphism in 120 patients with bilateral optic atrophy. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of false-positive to true-positive results was 1:36. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism at nucleotide 11779 reflects a false-positive genetic error.