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1.
J Neurooncol ; 162(2): 425-433, 2023 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37052748

PURPOSE: Pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (PPTIDs), which were recognized in the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) classification, are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all central nervous system tumors. This rarity and novelty complicate the diagnosis and treatments of PPTID. We therefore aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of this tumor. METHODS: At 11 institutions participating in the Kyushu Neuro-Oncology Study Group, data for patients diagnosed with PPTID were collected. Central pathology review and KBTBD4 mutation analysis were applied to attain the diagnostically accurate cohort. RESULTS: PPTID was officially diagnosed in 28 patients: 11 (39%) with WHO grade 2 and 17 (61%) with WHO grade 3 tumors. Median age was 49 years, and the male:female ratio was 1:2.1. Surgery was attempted in all 28 patients, and gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 46% (13/28). Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered to, respectively, 82% (23/28) and 46% (13/28). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates were 64.9% and 70.4% respectively. Female sex (p = 0.018) and GTR (p < 0.01) were found to be independent prognostic factors for PFS and female sex (p = 0.019) was that for OS. Initial and second recurrences were most often leptomeningeal (67% and 100% respectively). 80% (20/25) of patients harbored a KBTBD4 mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex and GTR were independent prognostic factors in our patients with PPTID. Leptomeningeal recurrence was observed to be particularly characteristic of this tumor. The rate of KBTBD4 mutation observed in our cohort was acceptable and this could prove the accuracy of our PPTID cohort.


Brain Neoplasms , Pineal Gland , Pinealoma , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Pinealoma/genetics , Pinealoma/therapy , Pinealoma/diagnosis , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , Cohort Studies , Progression-Free Survival , Pineal Gland/pathology , Retrospective Studies
2.
Neuro Oncol ; 25(1): 108-122, 2023 01 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35762568

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is an important treatment option for central nervous system malignancies. However, cranial radiation induces hippocampal dysfunction and white matter injury; this leads to cognitive dysfunction, and results in a reduced quality of life in patients. Excitatory glutamate signaling through N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) plays a central role both in hippocampal neurogenesis and in the myelination of oligodendrocytes in the cerebrum. METHODS: We provide a method for quantifying neurogenesis in human subjects in live brain during cancer therapy. Neuroimaging using originally created behavioral tasks was employed to examine human hippocampal memory pathway in patients with brain disorders. RESULTS: Treatment with memantine, a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist, reversed impairment in hippocampal pattern separation networks as detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Hyperbaric preconditioning of the patients just before radiotherapy with memantine mostly reversed white matter injury as detected by whole brain analysis with Tract-Based Spatial Statics. Neuromodulation combined with the administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and memantine during radiotherapy facilitated the restoration of hippocampal function and white matter integrity, and improved higher cognitive function in patients receiving cranial radiation. CONCLUSIONS: The method described herein, for diagnosis of hippocampal dysfunction, and therapeutic intervention can be utilized to restore some of the cognitive decline experienced by patients who have received cranial radiation. The underlying mechanism of restoration is the production of new neurons, which enhances functionality in pattern separation networks in the hippocampi, resulting in an increase in cognitive score, and restoration of microstructural integrity of white matter tracts revealed by Tract-Based Spatial Statics Analysis.


Hyperbaric Oxygenation , Memantine , Humans , Memantine/therapeutic use , Memantine/pharmacology , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism , Quality of Life , Brain
3.
Mol Neurobiol ; 59(8): 4902-4925, 2022 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35657456

Evidence has accumulated that higher consumption of high-fat diets (HFDs) during the juvenile/adolescent period induces altered hippocampal function and morphology; however, the mechanism behind this phenomenon remains elusive. Using high-resolution structural imaging combined with molecular and functional interrogation, a murine model of obesity treated with HFDs for 12 weeks after weaning mice was shown to change in the glutamate-mediated intracellular calcium signaling and activity, including further selective reduction of gray matter volume in the hippocampus associated with memory recall disturbance. Dysregulation of intracellular calcium concentrations was restored by a non-competitive α-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) antagonist, followed by normalization of hippocampal volume and memory recall ability, indicating that AMPARs may serve as an attractive therapeutic target for obesity-associated cognitive decline.


Receptors, AMPA , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Hippocampus/metabolism , Mice , Obesity , Permeability , Receptors, AMPA/metabolism , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism
4.
Radiol Case Rep ; 17(3): 485-488, 2022 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34950279

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly malignant central nervous system embryonal tumor, which typically affects the posterior fossa of young children. Primary diffuse leptomeningeal AT/RT, affecting the leptomeninges without any intraparenchymal mass in the brain and spinal cord, is an extremely rare form of AT/RT. Only 5 such cases have been reported previously, none of which underwent Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET). We herein report a case of primary leptomeningeal AT/RT in an adolescent patient who underwent computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and FDG-PET. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated diffusely thickened leptomeninges without any intraparenchymal masses in the head and spine. Furthermore, there were multiple nodules on the thickened leptomeninges. On FDG-PET, the thickened leptomeninges and nodules demonstrated a lower standardized uptake value than that of the normal cerebral cortex. Biopsy and histopathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of AT/RT. Despite its rare occurrence, it is important to recognize primary diffuse leptomeningeal AT/RT for correct diagnosis and management of patients.

5.
Brain Behav ; 10(12): e01878, 2020 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33094927

INTRODUCTION: Hippocampal dentate gyrus related to pattern separation has attracted attention as an area for neurogenesis. However, the associations between the pattern separation and the volumes of hippocampal subfields in humans remain unknown. METHODS: 58 young adults were examined the memory task (pattern separation, pattern completion) and the hippocampal volumes. Subjects were asked to determine whether the visual image is a new stimulus, or a similar but different stimulus (pattern separation), or the same stimulus (pattern completion), compared to preceding stimuli, and response time and correct response were measured. The volumes of the whole brain, hippocampus 6 subfields and perihippocampus 5 subfields, were measured using FreeSurfer 6.0. RESULTS: Negative associations between the pattern separation task and the volumes of whole brain areas were found in bilateral cerebellar cortex, fourth ventricle, left hippocampus, left thalamus, left ventral diencephalon, and brainstem. Simple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association with the left hippocampal-amygdaloid transition area only, while no significant associations were found in any of the subfield volumes when adjusted with covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The principle "bigger is better"-an idea that the larger the volume the better the function-could not be applied to the relation between the pattern separation ability and the dentate gyrus.


Hippocampus , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Hippocampus/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Memory , Young Adult
6.
Brain Tumor Pathol ; 36(3): 103-111, 2019 Jul.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30972500

We report four cases of high-grade astrocytoma with a BRAF V600E mutation, ATRX inactivation, and CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion. Children to young adults aged 3-46 presented with a well demarcated contrast-enhancing mass in the supratentorial area. Pathological examination revealed packed growth of short spindle to round polygonal cells including some pleomorphic cells. The tumors had less ability to infiltrate into the adjacent brain parenchyma and presented a circumscribed growth pattern. Mitosis was readily found, accompanied by focal necrosis and/or microvascular proliferation. Tumors were histologically similar in part to pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) or anaplastic PXA, but did not fit criteria for either neoplasm. A BRAF V600E mutation and homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/B were observed, which is similar to the genetic features of PXA or epithelioid glioblastoma, but the additional loss of ATRX nuclear immunoreactivity and absence of TERT promoter mutation were unusual findings, indicating a novel genetic profile. Despite their malignant histological features, all patients had a favorable clinical course and remained alive for 6 months to 28 years under standard medical treatment for malignant glioma. In summary, high grade astrocytomas with BRAF V600E, ATRX, and CDKN2A/B alternations had unique clinicopathological features and may be a novel subset of high grade glioma.


Astrocytoma/genetics , Astrocytoma/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Astrocytoma/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/genetics , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/metabolism , Female , Glioblastoma/genetics , Glioblastoma/metabolism , Glioblastoma/pathology , Glioma/pathology , Humans , Male , Mutation , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/metabolism , Telomerase/genetics , X-linked Nuclear Protein/genetics , X-linked Nuclear Protein/metabolism
7.
Surg Neurol Int ; 9: 90, 2018.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29770250

BACKGROUND: Cerebral hemangioblastomas are benign tumors with abundant blood flow that occur mainly in the posterior fossa. Tumor removal en bloc is important in surgical treatment because of the risk of bleeding; however, it is actually rather difficult in practice. Therefore, we propose a surgical strategy for visualizing hypervascular tumors of the posterior fossa utilizing indocyanine green (ICG). CASE DESCRIPTION: Case 1 involved a 48-year-old male with a history of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a solid tumor measuring 3.0 cm in diameter in the right cerebellopontine angle. We performed surgery because the tumor was pressing against the brainstem. Surgery was performed via the posterior subtemporal transtentorial approach in order to visualize the feeding artery and draining vein intraoperatively. The vessels were confirmed by ICG and the tumor was removed en bloc. Case 2 involved a 30-year-old woman. Signs of increased intracranial pressure were noted, and an MRI revealed a solid tumor 3.5 cm in diameter in the left cerebellar hemisphere. Surgery was performed via the midline suboccipital approach. Similarly, we confirmed the vessels using ICG and the tumor was removed en bloc. CONCLUSIONS: For hypervascular tumors of the posterior fossa, preoperative image assessment is important. Furthermore, the use of ICG during surgery is advantageous for surgical strategies where the feeding arteries and draining veins exist superficially in the operative field and are therefore easier to remove en bloc.

8.
Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) ; 58(1): 39-48, 2018 Jan 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29199246

The factors that lead to the improvement of gait function in patients with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) who use a hybrid assistive limb (HAL) are not yet fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to analyze these factors to determine the prognosis of the patients' gait function. Patients whose CNS disease was within 180 days since onset were designated as the subacute-phase patients, and patients whose disease onset had occurred more than 180 days previously were designated as chronic-phase patients. Fifteen subacute-phase patients and 15 chronic-phase patients were given HAL training. The study analyzed how post-training walking independence in these patients was affected by the following factors: age, disease, lesion area, lower limb function, balance, period until the start of training, number of training sessions, additional rehabilitation, higher-order cognitive dysfunction, HAL model, and the use of a non-weight-bearing walking-aid. In subacute-phase patients, walking independence was related to lower limb function (rs = 0.35). In chronic-phase patients, there was a statistically significant correlation between post-training walking independence and balance (rs = 0.78). In addition, in patients with a severe motor dysfunction that was accompanied by inattention and global cognitive dysfunction, little improvement occurred, even with double-leg model training, because they had difficulty wearing the device. The results demonstrated that the factors that improved walking independence post HAL training differed between patients with subacute- and chronic-stage CNS diseases. The findings may serve as valuable information for future HAL training of patients with CNS diseases.


Central Nervous System Diseases/complications , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/rehabilitation , Lower Extremity , Neurological Rehabilitation/instrumentation , Robotics , Self-Help Devices , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Central Nervous System Diseases/rehabilitation , Chronic Disease , Female , Gait/physiology , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/etiology , Hemiplegia/etiology , Hemiplegia/physiopathology , Hemiplegia/rehabilitation , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Paraplegia/etiology , Paraplegia/physiopathology , Paraplegia/rehabilitation , Recovery of Function , Time Factors , Young Adult
9.
Neuropathology ; 37(4): 351-357, 2017 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28185325

Pediatric high-grade gliomas are rare and occasionally hard to classify. These tumors often feature a well-demarcated histology and are expected to have a better outcome than ordinary diffuse high-grade gliomas in adults. We herein report a case of circumscribed high-grade glioma that showed a distinct molecular profile and followed an excellent course for 26 years. The patient, a 3-year-old boy at onset, presented with a contrast-enhancing mass in the right temporal lobe and underwent resection. Histologically, the tumor mainly consisted of compact bundles of GFAP-positive spindle cells. With its malignant features including brisk mitotic activity and pseudopallisading necrosis, a diagnosis of high-grade astrocytoma was made and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was administered. After a disease-free period of two decades, the tumor recurred locally. The resected tumor was histologically identical to the primary tumor and additionally contained pleomorphic cells, but lacked eosinophilic granular bodies and reticulin networks. The primary and recurrent tumors both harbored the BRAF V600E mutation, and the recurrent tumor was immunonegative for ATRX. Combined BRAF and ATRX mutations are rare in gliomas, with only a pediatric case of glioblastoma being reported in the literature. However, our case cannot be regarded as glioblastoma because of its well-demarcated histology and excellent course. The distinction of either a diffuse or localized nature in gliomas is important, particularly in children, for predicting prognoses and selecting adjuvant therapies that consequently affect life-long health care. The present case provides novel insights into pediatric high-grade astrocytomas.


Astrocytoma/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics , X-linked Nuclear Protein/genetics , Adult , Astrocytoma/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Child, Preschool , Humans , Male , Mutation , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology
10.
Cerebellum ; 15(6): 645-662, 2016 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26439485

The cerebellum is a crucial structure for cognitive function as well as motor control. Benign brain tumors such as schwannomas, meningiomas, and epidermoids tend to occur in the cerebellopontine angle cisterns and may cause compression of the posterior lateral cerebellum near the superior posterior fissure, where the eloquent area for cognitive function was recently identified. The present study examined cognitive impairment in patients with benign cerebellar tumors before and after surgical intervention in order to clarify the functional implications of this region in humans. Patients with cerebellar tumors showed deficits in psychomotor speed and working memory compared with healthy controls. Moreover, these impairments were more pronounced in patients with right cerebellar tumors. Functional magnetic resonance imaging during performance of a lure task also demonstrated that cerebellar tumors affected pattern separation or the ability to distinguish similar experiences of episodic memory or events with discrete, non-overlapping representations, which is one of the important cognitive functions related to the hippocampus. The present findings indicate that compression of the human posterior lateral cerebellum affects hippocampal memory function.


Cerebellar Neoplasms/physiopathology , Cerebellum/physiopathology , Cognition Disorders/physiopathology , Hippocampus/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Brain Mapping , Cerebellar Neoplasms/complications , Cerebellar Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Cerebellar Neoplasms/surgery , Cerebellum/diagnostic imaging , Cerebellum/surgery , Cognition Disorders/diagnostic imaging , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/surgery , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Functional Laterality , Hippocampus/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Neural Pathways/diagnostic imaging , Neural Pathways/physiopathology , Neural Pathways/surgery , Neuropsychological Tests , Pattern Recognition, Visual/physiology , Postoperative Period , Preoperative Period , Reaction Time/physiology , Rest , Young Adult
11.
J Clin Neurosci ; 23: 73-75, 2016 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26260115

We investigated the fused protein of solute carrier family 44 choline transporter member 1 (SLC44A1) and protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA) in three patients with papillary glioneuronal tumors (PGNT). PGNT and rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors (RGNT) are recently identified, unusual glioneuronal tumor variants which were categorized as novel tumor entities in the 2007 World Health Organization classification system. The molecular background of these tumors remains poorly understood due to the paucity of studies. The SLC44A1-PRKCA fusion was recently detected in three cases of PGNT. We invesitgated for the SLC44A1-PRKCA fusion protein in the three PGNT patients and a further two with RGNT using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Two out of the three PGNT patients had a fused signal (paired red-green signal) representing a rearrangement on chromosomes 9 and 17. A normal signal pattern was observed in the third PGNT patient. Neither of the two RGNT patients demonstrated a fused signal. This suggests that the SLC44A1-PRKCA fusion is a characteristic alteration in PGNT but not RGNT. Therefore, it is a potential biomarker of PGNT. The paired red-green signal that was observed in the PGNT patients implies the presence of a different breakpoint than that previously reported in the 9q31 and 17q24 genes.


Antigens, CD/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial/metabolism , Organic Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism , Protein Kinase C-alpha/metabolism , Rosette Formation , Antigens, CD/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Female , Humans , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Male , Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial/diagnosis , Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial/genetics , Organic Cation Transport Proteins/genetics , Protein Kinase C-alpha/genetics
13.
Br J Pharmacol ; 172(18): 4519-4534, 2015 Sep.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26140534

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: γ-Oryzanol, derived from unrefined rice, attenuated the preference for dietary fat in mice, by decreasing hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, no peripheral mechanisms, whereby γ-oryzanol could ameliorate glucose dyshomeostasis were explored. Dopamine D2 receptor signalling locally attenuates insulin secretion in pancreatic islets, presumably via decreased levels of intracellular cAMP. We therefore hypothesized that γ-oryzanol would improve high-fat diet (HFD)-induced dysfunction of islets through the suppression of local D2 receptor signalling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Glucose metabolism and regulation of molecules involved in D2 receptor signalling in pancreatic islets were investigated in male C57BL/6J mice, fed HFD and treated with γ-oryzanol . In isolated murine islets and the beta cell line, MIN6 , the effects of γ-oryzanol on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was analysed using siRNA for D2 receptors and a variety of compounds which alter D2 receptor signalling. KEY RESULTS: In islets, γ-oryzanol enhanced GSIS via the activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway. Expression of molecules involved in D2 receptor signalling was increased in islets from HFD-fed mice, which were reciprocally decreased by γ-oryzanol. Experiments with siRNA for D2 receptors and D2 receptor ligands in vitro suggest that γ-oryzanol suppressed D2 receptor signalling and augmented GSIS. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: γ-Oryzanol exhibited unique anti-diabetic properties. The unexpected effects of γ-oryzanol on D2 receptor signalling in islets may provide a novel; natural food-based, approach to anti-diabetic therapy.

14.
J Pharmacol Sci ; 127(2): 217-22, 2015 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25727960

Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that coffee drinking is associated with reduced mortality of cardiovascular disease. However, its precise mechanisms remain to be clarified. In this study, we examined whether single ingestion of caffeine contained in a cup of coffee improves microvascular function in healthy subjects. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed in 27 healthy volunteers. A cup of either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee was drunk by the subjects, and reactive hyperemia of finger blood flow was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. In an interval of more than 2 days, the same experimental protocol was repeated with another coffee in a crossover manner. Caffeinated coffee intake slightly but significantly elevated blood pressure and decreased finger blood flow as compared with decaffeinated coffee intake. There was no significant difference in heart rate between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee intake. Importantly, caffeinated coffee intake significantly enhanced post-occlusive reactive hyperemia of finger blood flow, an index of microvascular endothelial function, compared with decaffeinated coffee intake. These results provide the first evidence that caffeine contained in a cup of coffee enhances microvascular function in healthy individuals.


Caffeine/pharmacology , Coffee , Microcirculation/drug effects , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Coffee/chemistry , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Endothelium, Vascular/physiology , Female , Fingers/blood supply , Healthy Volunteers , Humans , Laser-Doppler Flowmetry , Male , Placebo Effect , Regional Blood Flow/drug effects , Young Adult
15.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 457(2): 206-12, 2015 Feb 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25562654

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) as a novel biomedical delivery system have been highly anticipated, since they can translocate across biological membranes and are capable of transporting their cargo inside live cells with minimal invasiveness. However, non-selective internalization in various cell types remains a challenge in the clinical application of CPPs, especially in cancer treatment. In this study, we attempted to identify novel cancer-homing CPPs to target glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is often refractory and resistant to treatment. We screened for CPPs showing affinity for the human GBM cell line, U87MG, from an mRNA display random peptide library. One of the candidate peptides which amino-acid sequence was obtained from the screening showed selective cell-penetrating activity in U87MG cells. Conjugation of the p16(INK4a) functional peptide to the GBM-selective CPP induced cellular apoptosis and reduced phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein levels. This indicates that the CPP was capable of delivering a therapeutic molecule into U87MG cells inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that the novel CPP identified in this study permeates with high affinity into GBM cells, revealing it to be a promising imaging and therapeutic tool in the treatment of glioblastoma.


Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell-Penetrating Peptides/pharmacology , Glioblastoma/metabolism , Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell-Penetrating Peptides/chemistry , Cell-Penetrating Peptides/therapeutic use , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data
16.
Endocrinology ; 156(4): 1242-50, 2015 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25594697

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is profoundly involved in dysfunction of ß-cells under high-fat diet and hyperglycemia. Our recent study in mice showed that γ-oryzanol, a unique component of brown rice, acts as a chemical chaperone in the hypothalamus and improves feeding behavior and diet-induced dysmetabolism. However, the entire mechanism whereby γ-oryzanol improves glucose metabolism throughout the body still remains unclear. In this context, we tested whether γ-oryzanol reduces ER stress and improves function and survival of pancreatic ß-cells using murine ß-cell line MIN6. In MIN6 cells with augmented ER stress by tunicamycin, γ-oryzanol decreased exaggerated expression of ER stress-related genes and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α, resulting in restoration of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and prevention of apoptosis. In islets from high-fat diet-fed diabetic mice, oral administration of γ-oryzanol improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion on following reduction of exaggerated ER stress and apoptosis. Furthermore, we examined the impact of γ-oryzanol on low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, where exaggerated ER stress and resultant apoptosis in ß-cells were observed. Also in this model, γ-oryzanol attenuated mRNA level of genes involved in ER stress and apoptotic signaling in islets, leading to amelioration of glucose dysmetabolism. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that γ-oryzanol directly ameliorates ER stress-induced ß-cell dysfunction and subsequent apoptosis, highlighting usefulness of γ-oryzanol for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.


Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects , Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects , Phenylpropionates/pharmacology , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line , Cell Survival/drug effects , Diet, High-Fat , Insulin/metabolism , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Male , Mice
17.
J Mol Cell Cardiol ; 77: 29-41, 2014 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25265498

We investigated the effect of subtotal nephrectomy on the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in mice deficient in all three nitric oxide synthases (NOSs). Two-thirds nephrectomy (NX) was performed on male triple NOSs(-/-) mice. The 2/3NX caused sudden cardiac death due to AMI in the triple NOSs(-/-) mice as early as 4months after the surgery. The 2/3NX triple NOSs(-/-) mice exhibited electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation, reduced heart rate variability, echocardiographic regional wall motion abnormality, and accelerated coronary arteriosclerotic lesion formation. Cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia), an increased number of circulating bone marrow-derived vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) progenitor cells (a pro-arteriosclerotic factor), and cardiac up-regulation of stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α (a chemotactic factor of the progenitor cells) were noted in the 2/3NX triple NOSs(-/-) mice and were associated with significant increases in plasma angiotensin II levels (a marker of renin-angiotensin system activation) and urinary 8-isoprostane levels (a marker of oxidative stress). Importantly, combined treatment with a clinical dosage of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, irbesartan, and a calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine, markedly prevented coronary arteriosclerotic lesion formation and the incidence of AMI and improved the prognosis of those mice, along with ameliorating all those pro-arteriosclerotic parameters. The 2/3NX triple NOSs(-/-) mouse is a new experimentally useful model of AMI. Renin-angiotensin system activation, oxidative stress, cardiovascular risk factors, and SDF-1α-induced recruitment of bone marrow-derived VSMC progenitor cells appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of AMI in this model.


Myocardial Infarction/enzymology , Nitric Oxide Synthase/genetics , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Male , Mice, Knockout , Myocardial Infarction/genetics , Nephrectomy , Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism , Oxidative Stress
18.
Clin Imaging ; 38(6): 802-7, 2014.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25082174

Meningioma consistency is an important factor for surgical treatment. Tumor cellularity and fibrous tissue contribute to the consistency of tumors, and it is proposed that the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value is significantly correlated with meningioma consistency. Twenty-seven consecutive patients with 28 meningiomas were retrospectively enrolled. Minimum ADC values in meningiomas with a hard consistency were significantly lower than those with a soft consistency. The minimum ADC value might have clinical use as a predictor of meningioma consistency.


Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Meningeal Neoplasms/pathology , Meningioma/pathology , Adult , Aged , Brain/pathology , Brain/surgery , Brain Mapping/methods , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Male , Meningeal Neoplasms/surgery , Meningioma/surgery , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies
19.
J Neurosurg ; 120(6): 1298-308, 2014 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24678780

OBJECT: Glioblastoma is the most aggressive malignant brain tumor, and overall patient survival has not been prolonged even by conventional therapies. Previously, the authors found that chemically synthesized glycans could be anticancer agents against growth of a series of cancer cells. In this study, the authors examined the effects of glycans on the growth of glioblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The authors investigated not only the occurrence of changes in the cell signaling molecules and expression levels of various proteins related to cell death, but also a mouse model involving the injection of glioblastoma cells following the administration of synthetic glycans. RESULTS: Synthetic glycans inhibited the growth of glioblastoma cells, induced the apoptosis of the cells with cleaved poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression and DNA fragmentation, and also caused autophagy, as shown by the detection of autophagosome proteins and monodansylcadaverine staining. Furthermore, tumor growth in the in vivo mouse model was significantly inhibited. A dramatic induction of programmed cell death was found in glioblastoma cells after treatment with synthetic glycans. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that synthetic glycans could be a promising novel anticancer agent for performing chemotherapy against glioblastoma.


Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism , Apoptosis/drug effects , Autophagy/drug effects , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Glioblastoma/metabolism , Glioblastoma/pathology , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cholestanols/pharmacology , Cholestanols/therapeutic use , DNA Fragmentation/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Glioblastoma/drug therapy , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Mice , Mice, Nude , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism , Polysaccharides/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
20.
Surg Neurol Int ; 5(Suppl 16): S575-9, 2014.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25593781

BACKGROUND: The etiology and appropriate management strategy of chronic encapsulated expanding hematoma during pregnancy after gamma knife radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) remain unclear. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 34-year-old female developed chronic encapsulated expanding hematoma during late pregnancy, after angiographic disappearance of cerebellar AVM following two courses of gamma knife radiosurgery. The present case implicates pregnancy as a potential promoter of growth and enlargement of chronic encapsulated expanding hematoma, which may become life-threatening and require surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Immediate surgical management after delivery may be associated with a favorable outcome, so close follow-up management and patient education are very important in women planning pregnancy.

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