Effect of mechanical stress imposition on co-culture of hepatic parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells: possibility of stimulating production of regenerating factor.

The effect of mechanical stress generated within a three-dimensional bioreactor on the co-culture of hepatic parenchymal cells (PC) and hepatic nonparenchymal cells (NPC) was assessed to develop a bioartificial liver that can produce factors accelerating liver regeneration. A rotating radial flow bioreactor was used to provide mechanical stress to a co-culture of PC and NPC that were isolated from rats. They were co-cultured in the reactor under static or dynamic conditions. Albumin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured at intervals. Electron microscopy was also performed. LDH was not significantly different between the static and mechanical stress-loaded cultures, while albumin and interleukin-6 levels were higher in the latter at all sampling times. Only the co-cultures loaded with mechanical stress produced HGF in the early stage of culture (hours 3 and 6). Histologically, the cells retained their structure when cultured under dynamic conditions. These results suggested that an appropriate level of mechanical stress enabled co-cultures of PC and NPC to produce IL-6, HGF, and other factors that accelerate liver regeneration.

[Nifekalant hydrochloride as an effective treatment for postoperative ischemic heart disease].

We experienced 2 effective cases of nifekalant hydrochloride. One patient was 76-year-old female who underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of unstable angina pectoris (AP) and ventricular fibrillation (Vf). Her cardiac function had been decreased preoperatively due to old myocardial infarction (OMI). One day after CABG, she revealed sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and Vf. Although administrations of neither lidocaine hydrochloride nor magnesium sulfate were effective, nifekalant hydrochloride finally stopped the life-threatening arrhythmia without hypotension. Another patient was 77-year-old male who underwent CABG and Dor operation. His cardiac function also had been decreased due to OMI. He revealed VT attack at midnight 3 days after operation. VT attack still appeared at next 2 midnight under lidocaine hydrochloride infusion, but finally it has disappeared after starting a drip infusion of nifekalant hydrochloride. Nifekalant hydrochloride is quite useful as a new therapeutic strategy for uncontrollable VT and Vf and for the patient who has a reduced left ventricular function because it has an inotropic effect.

[Observation of the right atrial wall suture line after tricuspid valve supra-annular implantation].

Strength of the right atrial wall suture line after tricuspid valve supra-annular implantation (TVSI) is controversial. We observed the right atrial supra-annular position of a 63-year-old male during his third mitral operation who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) and TVSI 15 years ago. Eight years later, he received the second MVR and removal of the bioprosthetic valve from the tricuspid position due to primary tissue failures. The annular size of the tricuspid valve had decreased enough to be fixed by tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) and re-TVSI was not needed at that time. In this operation, 7 years following bioprosthetic valve removal, the circularly bulging atrial wall still remained and seemed to have enough strength for holding the prosthetic valve. This finding may support the conclusion that the right atrial wall has enouth strength for holding a prosthetic valve in position.

[Pharmacological action of SN-408, a novel long-acting selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist].

The bronchodilating effect and other related pharmacological properties of SN-408 were studied in comparison with those of isoproterenol, salbutamol and procaterol. SN-408 caused concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated guinea pig trachea via the beta 2-adrenoceptor. The order of relaxation potency was: procaterol greater than SN-408 greater than or equal to isoproterenol greater than salbutamol, but the duration of the action of SN-408 was far longer than those of other beta-agonists. Positive chronotropic and inotropic actions of SN-408 in isolated guinea pig right atria and left atria were less potent than those of other beta-agonists. In isolated guinea pig lung tissues, SN-408 increased cyclic AMP contents. Also in vivo, SN-408 showed dose-dependent bronchodilating action by i.v. administration in anesthetized guinea pigs and by inhalation in conscious guinea pigs. Bronchodilating actions of SN-408 were less potent than those of procaterol and isoproterenol, but the duration of action of SN-408 was far longer than those of other beta-agonists. SN-408 showed no evidence of the development of tolerance to the bronchodilating action. SN-408 caused small tachycardia in guinea pigs by i.v. and inhalation. SN-408 given i.v. suppressed vascular permeability in mice. These results indicate that SN-408 is a long-acting and selective beta 2-stimulant bronchodilator.

[Investigation of adsorption, metabolism and excretion of cefuroxime axetil in volunteers of gastrectomized patients].

Adsorption, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of cefuroxime axetil (CXM-AX) 500 mg given orally at 30 minutes after meals to male volunteers who had undergone gastrectomy was compared with that of healthy volunteers. 1. The transition of the drug's serum concentrations was observed as follows: Tmax was somewhat shorter and T 1/2 longer in the gastrectomized volunteer group than in the healthy volunteer group. 2. Total urinary recovery rates of cefuroxime (CXM) were not significantly different between the 2 groups, averaging 53.6% for the gastrectomized volunteer group and averaging 54.5% for the healthy volunteer group. 3. Total urinary recovery rates of CXM-delta 2 were not significantly different between the 2 groups either, averaging 1.7% for the gastrectomized volunteer group and 1.3% for the healthy volunteer group. 4. The above results suggest that ADME of CXM-AX in the gastrectomized volunteers is not fundamentally different from that of the healthy volunteers. The absorption, however, may be reduced when peristalsis of the intestinal tract is accelerated as a result of gastrectomy.

Histamine responses mediated via H1- and H2-receptors in the isolated portal vein of the dog.

The effects of histamine were studied on the isolated circular muscle strip and longitudinal muscle strip of the dog portal vein. Histamine-induced contractions of the circular muscle were inhibited by H1-receptor antagonist pyrilamine but increased by H2-receptor antagonist ranitidine. When the tissues were contracted with PGF2 alpha in the presence of pyrilamine, histamine produced the relaxation of the circular muscle but not longitudinal muscle. The relaxation of the circular muscle was inhibited by ranitidine in a concentration dependent manner, the pA2 value for ranitidine being 6.97 (6.55-7.39). It is concluded that the response of the circular muscle to histamine is the sum of two components, H1-receptor mediated contraction and H2-receptor mediated relaxation.

Ion-exchanger colorimetry-VI Microdetermination of nickel in natural water.

Ion-exchanger colorimetry with 1-(2-pyridylazo)2-naphthol (PAN) has been developed for the determination of nickel at the mug/l. level in natural water. With 1 litre of sample the detection limits are 1.3 x 10(-9)Mi.e., 0.077 mug/l. for fresh water and 5.8 x 10(-9)Mi.e., 0.34 mug/l. for sea-water. The distribution ratio is 5 x 10(4). Copper and zinc, which form coloured species with PAN in the resin phase, can be completely eluted with a masking solution composed of EDTA and thioglycollic acid (pH 7.8). Cobalt can be determined simultaneously by measurement at 628 nm.

Ion-exchanger colorimetry-IV microdetermination of bismuth in water.

Ion-exchanger colorimetry for the microdetermination of bismuth(III) in water samples is described. The yellow bismuth-iodide complexes are specifically sorbed and concentrated on an anion-exchange resin in the sulphate form. The resin-phase absorbances at 492 and 700 nm are measured directly. Bismuth in the ppb-ppm range can be determined without interference, except in presence of a large amount of copper(II), silver(I) and lead(II). The detection limit is 6.4 x 10(-9)M, i.e., 1.3 ppb. The distribution ratio is larger than 10(7). It is, therefore, possible to enhance the sensitivity by increasing the sample volume. The method is useful for the determination of bismuth in natural waters and industrial effluents.