Quasiparticle Nodal Plane in the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov State of FeSe.

The Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state, characterized by Cooper pairs condensed at finite momentum, has been a long-sought state that remains unresolved in many classes of fermionic systems, including superconductors and ultracold atoms. A fascinating aspect of the FFLO state is the emergence of periodic nodal planes in real space, but its observation is still lacking. Here we investigate the superconducting order parameter at high magnetic fields H applied perpendicular to the ab plane in a high-purity single crystal of FeSe. The heat capacity and magnetic torque provide thermodynamic evidence for a distinct superconducting phase at the low-temperature/high-field corner of the phase diagram. Despite the bulk superconductivity, spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy performed on the same crystal demonstrates that the order parameter vanishes at the surface upon entering the high-field phase. These results provide the first demonstration of a pinned planar node perpendicular to H, which is consistent with a putative FFLO state.

Isolation of human monoclonal antibodies that bind to two different antigens and are encoded by germline VH and VL genes.

This paper reports isolation of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to both a membrane protein and a cytoplasmic protein. Most Abs established as markers for autoimmune disease bind to cytoplasmic or nuclear substances. However, it remains unknown how these Abs are produced. On the other hand, there were examples where clones originally isolated as Abs that bind to membrane proteins also showed binding activity to cytoplasmic or nuclear substances. Based on these results, the following hypothesis has been proposed. The Abs that had been originally produced against a membrane protein showed cross-reactivity against cytoplasmic or nuclear substances. In the present study we reported isolation of Abs that bound to both a membrane protein, CADM1, and a cytoplasmic protein, α-actinin-4. The method adopted in the present study could be generally applicable to isolation of Abs showing such dual specificity. Firstly, we constructed a huge human Ab library using various organs including naïve B-cell-rich organs such as bone marrow and umbilical cords. Then, we developed a comprehensive screening method for isolation of Abs that bound to cell surface antigens. Through extensive screenings with many kinds of cell we newly obtained a library composed of around 4000 independent clones that bind to membrane proteins. We screened this library with α-actinin-4 and succeeded in isolating two Abs. They bound to α-actinin-4 and a membrane protein CADM1. Furthermore, they are encoded by naïve heavy and light chain variable genes (VH & VL). These results suggested that cross-reactive Abs to both a membrane protein and a cytoplasmic protein could be present in germline repertoire of Ab in humans. This methodology adopted in the present study could be applied to isolation of cross-reactive Abs possibly involved in autoimmune diseases.

Palate and alveolar ridge development in predental infants: a longitudinal study.

AIM: To investigate the developmental process of palate morphology, including the alveolar ridge, in healthy infants for the predental period of 7 months from immediately after birth. METHODS: The subjects were 32 healthy infants. Four or more dental casts were taken of each subject from immediately after birth until 7 months, for a total of 144 dental casts. Twelve characteristics were then measured in order to morphologically study the subjects' palate development. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to investigate morphological changes in the palatal vault. RESULTS: The 12 characteristics were classified into either the alveolar ridge characteristics group, which determined the size of the alveolar ridge, or the palate characteristics group, which determined palate morphology, with each group showing different growth patterns. The characteristics of width and length increased with age in the alveolar ridge characteristics group; this correlation was maintained throughout the predental period. Meanwhile, in the palate characteristics group, the characteristics showed major developmental changes in the first 2 to 3 months after birth, but the changes were subsequently fewer from 3 to 7 months. The PCA of the palatal vault showed that the first principal component increased until 3 months but subsequently ceased to change. CONCLUSIONS: In predental infants, growth patterns of palate morphology differed according to their characteristics. There were major developmental changes in the palate during the first 3 months after birth. The study findings suggest that palate growth in the first half of the predental period may affect subsequent palate growth.

Clinical significance of CADM1/TSLC1/IgSF4 expression in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1/TSLC1) was recently identified as a novel cell surface marker for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). In this study, we developed various antibodies as diagnostic tools to identify CADM1-positive ATLL leukemia cells. In flow cytometric analysis, the percentages of CD4(+)CADM1(+) double-positive cells correlated well with both the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells and with abnormal lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with various types of ATLL. Moreover, the degree of CD4(+)CADM1(+) cells over 1% significantly correlated with the copy number of the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) provirus in the peripheral blood of HTLV-1 carriers and ATLL patients. We also identified a soluble form of CADM1 in the peripheral blood of ATLL patients, and the expression levels of this form were correlated with the levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor alpha. Moreover, lymphomas derived from ATLL were strongly and specifically stained with a CADM1 antibody. Thus, detection of CD4(+)CADM1(+) cells in the peripheral blood, measurement of serum levels of soluble CADM1 and immunohistochemical detection of CADM1 in lymphomas would be a useful set of markers for disease progression in ATLL and may aid in both the early diagnosis and measurement of treatment efficacy for ATLL.

Quantitative trait loci for phyllochron and tillering in rice.

Morphogenetic processes in sequentially growing leaves and tiller buds are highly synchronized in rice ( Oryza sativa L.). Consequently, the appearance of successive leaves in the main tiller acts as the "pacemaker" for the whole shoot system development. The time interval between the appearance of successive leaves (days/leaf) in the main tiller is called the 'phyllochron'. The objectives of the investigation reported here were: (1) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control rice phyllochron and (2) to understand the roles of phyllochron QTLs as an underlying developmental factor for rice tillering. For this purpose we developed a set of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between IR36 ( indica) and Genjah Wangkal (tropical japonica). Composite interval mapping detected three phyllochron QTLs located on chromosomes 4, 10 and 11, where the presence of a Genjah Wangkal allele increased phyllochron. The largest QTL (on chromosome 4) was located on the genomic region syntenic to the vicinity of the maize Teopod 2 mutation, while the QTL on chromosome 10 was close to the rice plastochron 1 mutation. These three phyllochron QTLs failed to coincide with major tiller number QTLs. However, one tiller number QTL was associated with small LOD peaks for phyllochron and tiller-bud dormancy that were linked in coupling phase, suggesting that linked small effects of phyllochron and tiller-bud dormancy might result in a multiplicative effect on tiller number.

Inheritance of early elongation ability in floating rice revealed by diallel and QTL analyses.

In floating rice, stem elongation begins much earlier than in non-floating rice, which is the major survival mechanism for flooding. Inheritance of this early elongation ability was studied using diallel and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses. The diallel analysis was undertaken using a set of 6x6 half-diallel crosses involving four floating ("Goai", "Habiganj Aman VIII", "Badal 106", and Oryza rufipogon strain W120) and two non-floating ("Latisail" and "Patnai 23") parents. The additive gene effects were higher than the dominant effects. The dominant alleles were concentrated in the cultivated floating parents (("Goai", "Habiganj Aman VIII", "Badal 106"), whereas the recessive alleles were in the wild floating parent (W120). A QTL analysis using a "Patnai 23" x "Goai" F(2) population detected two putative QTLs. Of these QTLs, the one on chromosome 12 behaved as a partially dominant major gene that explained more than half of the total genetic variation.

A novel pyrrole derivative, NS-8, suppresses the rat micturition reflex by inhibiting afferent pelvic nerve activity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the suppressive effect of a newly synthesized compound, 2-amino-3-cyano-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-methylpyrrole (NS-8), on micturition, and its mode and sites of action in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female rats were anaesthetized with urethane, and isovolumetric bladder contractions and cystometrograms recorded. The pelvic afferent discharges from the bladder were also monitored. RESULTS: In the cystometric study, NS-8 increased the bladder capacity without affecting the maximum bladder contraction pressure, an effect unlike that of currently used anticholinergic drugs for the overactive bladder, which commonly decrease the maximum bladder contraction pressure. Intravesical and intravenous injection of NS-8 inhibited isovolumetric bladder contractions in a dose-dependent manner without affecting their amplitude, whereas intracerebroventricular injection with NS-8 had no such effect. During the urine storage phase of the cystometrogram, NS-8 decreased the discharge rate of the afferent pelvic nerve from the bladder, in association with a decrease in the increase in intravesical pressure. CONCLUSION: NS-8 suppressed the micturition reflex by decreasing afferent pelvic nerve activity. Activation of calcium-sensitive potassium channel of the bladder may be responsible for such an effect. This agent has the potential to treat patients with urinary frequency and incontinence.

A new enzymic method for the isolation and culture of human bladder body smooth muscle cells.

Cultured cells of the human urinary bladder smooth muscle are useful for investigating bladder function, but methods for culturing them are not well developed. We have now established a novel enzymic technique. The smooth muscle layer was separated out and incubated with 0.2% trypsin for 30 min at 37 degrees C. The samples were then minced and incubated with 0.1% collagenase for 30 min and centrifuged at 900 g. The pellets were resuspended in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and centrifuged at 250 g. The smooth muscle cells from the supernatant were cultured in RPMI-1640 containing 10% FCS. The cells grew to confluence after 7-10 days, forming the "hills and valleys" growth pattern characteristic of smooth muscle cells. Immunostaining with anti-alpha-actin, anti-myosin, and anti-caldesmon antibodies demonstrated that 99% of the cells were smooth muscle cells. To investigate the pharmacological properties of the cultured cells, we determined the inhibitory effect of muscarinic receptor antagonists on the binding of [3H]N-methylscopolamine to membranes from cultured cells. The pKi values obtained for six antagonists agreed with the corresponding values for transfected cells expressing the human muscarinic M2 subtype. Furthermore, carbachol produced an increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ an action that was blocked by 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, an M3 selective antagonist. This result suggests that these cells express functional M3 muscarinic receptors, in addition to M2 receptors. The subcultured cells therefore appear to be unaffected by our new isolation method.

Antibody fusions with fluorescent proteins: a versatile reagent for profiling protein expression.

We developed a system by which antibodies, fused to fluorescent proteins with different wavelengths, can be prepared within a month against various antigens. An antibody library composed of a large number of single-chain Fv-CL fragment was constructed by means of a phage-display system. The constructs were designed to facilitate changing of the protein forms by simple enzyme manipulation. In the present study, we adopted a molecular form of antibody in which a single-chain Fv-CL fragment is fused with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) or red fluorescent protein (RFP). In addition, a His-tag was inserted between CL and GFP (or RFP). We describe the utility of this system using Caenorhabditis elegans embryo as a model.

Reversal by NS-7, a neuroprotective compound, of the decrease in transcription factor CREB mRNA expression in rat brain after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.

The effect of a neuroprotective agent NS-7 on changes in mRNA expressions for cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and several neurotrophins was examined in the rat cerebral cortex after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Significant reduction in mRNA expressions for CREB was observed at 24h after MCAO. NS-7 (0.5mg/kg), when injected at 6h after MCAO, significantly reversed the decreased expression for CREB mRNA. In addition, the mRNA expression for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was also significantly enhanced by NS-7 in MCA-occluded but not in sham-operated rats. On the other hand, the mRNAs for interluekin-6 and inducible-type nitric oxide synthase were markedly induced in the cerebral cortex of MCA-occluded rats, which was not significantly reversed by NS-7. Therefore, it is suggested that the reversal of decrease in CREB mRNA and concomitant increase in mRNA expression for bFGF may contribute to the neuroprotective action of NS-7.

Detection of closely linked multiple quantitative trait loci using a genetic algorithm.

The existence of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) is usually tested using the likelihood of the quantitative trait on the basis of phenotypic character data plus the recombination fraction between QTL and flanking markers. When doing this, the likelihood is calculated for all possible locations on the linkage map. When multiple QTL are suspected close by, it is impractical to calculate the likelihood for all possible combinations of numbers and locations of QTL. Here, we propose a genetic algorithm (GA) for the heuristic solution of this problem. GA can globally search the optimum by improving the "genotype" with alterations called "recombination" and "mutation." The "genotype" of our GA is the number and location of QTL. The "fitness" is a function based on the likelihood plus Akaike's information criterion (AIC), which helps avoid false-positive QTL. A simulation study comparing the new method with existing QTL mapping packages shows the advantage of the new GA. The GA reliably distinguishes multiple QTL located in a single marker interval.

Release of endothelial nitric oxide in coronary arteries by celiprolol, a beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist: possible clinical relevance.

Mechanisms underlying celiprolol-induced vasodilatation were analyzed in isolated porcine coronary arteries. Celiprolol induced dose-related relaxation of the artery rings with endothelium, an effect which was suppressed by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, guanylate cyclase inhibitor, endothelium denudation, and removal of Ca(2+). L-NAME contracted, and superoxide dismutase relaxed, the arteries only when the endothelium was preserved. Neither superoxide dismutase nor beta-adrenoceptor antagonists changed celiprolol-induced relaxations. Celiprolol increased the cyclic GMP content in the tissue. The release of NO from endothelium, estimated by the extracellular production of cyclic GMP in arteries incubated in medium containing guanylate cyclase and GTP, was augmented by celiprolol, and L-NAME abolished this action of celiprolol. It is concluded that celiprolol elicits relaxation by acting on sites other than beta-adrenoceptors in the endothelium and by releasing NO, which activates soluble guanylate cyclase in smooth muscle and produces cyclic GMP. Scavenging of superoxide anions from the endothelium does not seem to account for the induced relaxation.

Cerebroprotective action of a Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7. I. Effect on the cerebral infarction and edema at the acute stage of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

The effect of a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride] on the cerebral infarction, edema and brain energy metabolism was investigated in rats after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The infarction and brain water content were evaluated at 48 h and 24 h after MCAO, respectively. A single bolus injection of NS-7 (0.03125-0.25 mg/kg) immediately after MCAO produced a dose-dependent reduction in the infarct volume as well as edema both in the cerebral cortex and striatum. Glycerol (4 g/kg) also decreased water content both in the occluded and non-occluded brain, but it did not reduce the size of cerebral infarction. Unlike glycerol, NS-7 did not change the water content in non-occluded brain. Moreover, a significant protective action was still observed even when NS-7 was injected once at 12 h after occlusion. In addition, NS-7 significantly reversed the decrease in tissue ATP content observed at 3 h but not at 0.5 h after MCAO. These findings suggest that a Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7 protects cerebral tissues against ischemic insults by improving the disturbance of cerebral energy metabolism and suppressing the cerebral edema.

Cerebroprotective action of a Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7. II. Effect on the cerebral infarction, behavioral and cognitive impairments at the chronic stage of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

We have previously shown that NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride] reduces the size of cerebral infarction measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining at 48 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. To determine whether NS-7 improves the pathological and behavioral changes at the chronic stage of MCAO, the effect of this compound on the cerebral infarction as well as the neurological and cognitive impairments was investigated 7 days after MCAO. Single or five daily injections of NS-7 (0.125-0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced the infarct volume and improved the neuronal dysfunction including the hind leg paralysis, walking disability and motor incoordination, and the deficit of passive avoidance task, although the neuroprotective efficacy was not different among these dosing regimens. On the other hand, the effects of single versus repeated injections of NS-7 at 0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg on the neurological symptoms were compared at 4 weeks after MCAO. At a lower dose, repeated but not single injection of NS-7 significantly improved the neurological symptoms, although the single injection was effective at a higher dose. From these findings, it is suggested that NS-7 reverses the behavioral and cognitive dysfunction observed at the chronic stage of cerebral ischemia by suppressing the cerebral infarction.

Effective plasma concentration of a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7 for its cerebroprotective actions in rats with a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

The effect of a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride] on the cerebral infarction, edema, and mortality was examined in rats with a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and the effective plasma concentration of this compound for producing the cerebroprotective action was subsequently determined. MCA was occluded by inserting a thread through internal carotid artery for 2 h, and then recirculated for 6 h. NS-7 (0.125-1 mg/kg), when injected i.v. immediately after recirculation, significantly reduced the infarct volume as well as the cerebral edema. Delayed treatment with NS-7 at 1 h after recirculation produced an equivalent inhibition of the infarction, and was still effective, although to a lesser extent, when injected at 2 h but not 3 h after recirculation. Glycerol (4 g/kg) suppressed the cerebral edema but did not reduce the size of cerebral infarction in the cerebral cortex or striatum. Therefore, it is likely that the suppression of brain edema does not always lead to the reduction of the infarct size. NS-7 treated in combination with glycerol further decreased the water content in the occluded brain. Moreover, NS-7 significantly lowered the mortality observed up to 10 days after a transient MCAO. From these data, it is suggested that the presence of NS-7 in plasma during 1 to 3 h after recirculation is important for producing the neuroprotective action. To determine the pharmacologically effective plasma concentration of NS-7, the effect of continuous infusion of this compound on the cerebral infarction was examined. Infusion of NS-7 at 0.3 mg/kg over 2 h, starting immediately after recirculation, significantly reduced the infarct size. Its plasma concentration during 1 to 3 h was 14.5 to 28.5 ng/ml (36.9-72.3 nM). From these finding it is suggested that NS-7 has a potent anti-infarct action in addition to antiedema action in the rat transient MCAO model. Moreover, its effective plasma concentration was assumed to be 36.9 to 72.3 nM.

Determination and bioimaging method for nitric oxide in biological specimens by diaminofluorescein fluorometry.

A simple and sensitive assay and a cellular bioimaging method for nitric oxide (NO) were developed using a novel diaminofluorescein DAF-FM and its diacetate. DAF-FM is converted via an NO-specific mechanism to an intensely fluorescent triazole derivative. For the measurement of NO, the triazole derivative of DAF-FM was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. In the presence of 1 microM DAF-FM, the concentrations of NOR-1, an NO donor, in the range of 2-200 nM were linearly related to the fluorescence intensity. This sensitive NO assay enabled us to detect the spontaneous and substance P-induced NO release from isolated porcine coronary arteries, both of which were dependent entirely on the NO synthase activity in vascular endothelial cells. We also obtained fluorescence images of cultured smooth muscle cells of the rat urinary bladder after loading with DAF-FM diacetate. In the cells pretreated with cytokines, the fluorescence intensity increased with time after DAF-FM loading. This increase in the fluorescence intensity was blocked by prior treatment of the muscle cells with an NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Therefore, the present novel diaminofluorescein fluorometry should be useful not only for sensitive NO assay, but also for NO imaging in a variety of biological specimens.

Involvement of Na+ and Ca2+ channel activation and resultant nitric oxide synthesis in glutamate-mediated hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices.

The role of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in glutamate-mediated hypoxic injury was investigated in slices of the rat cerebral cortex. Hypoxic injury was determined by mitochondrial reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide after exposure of brain slices to 30-min of hypoxia/glucose deprivation followed by 3-h of reoxygenation. Endogenous glutamate release was markedly elevated during hypoxia/glucose deprivation, but it returned almost to basal level during reoxygenation. Hypoxic injury was prevented by MK-801 or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. Combined treatment with omega-conotoxin GVIA, omega-agatoxin IVA, and tetrodotoxin reversed the hypoxic injury, although none of these agents alone or nifedipine was effective. Moreover, a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride] significantly inhibited the hypoxic injury. Several inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase also blocked the hypoxic injury. Consistently, nitric oxide synthesis, as estimated from cyclic GMP formation in the extracellular fluids, was enhanced during hypoxia/glucose deprivation. NS-7 and other Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockers suppressed the enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis, although these compounds alone, or in combination, did not reduce hypoxic glutamate release. These findings suggest that hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices is triggered by glutamate and subsequent enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis through activation of both Na+ and Ca2+ channels. Thus, the simultaneous blockade of both Na+ channel as well as N-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels is required to sufficiently reverse the hypoxic injury.

Preferential inhibition by a novel Na(+)/Ca(2+) channel blocker NS-7 of severe to mild hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices: A possible involvement of a highly voltage-dependent blockade of Ca(2+) channel.

The hypoxic injury was induced in rat cerebrocortical slices by the exposure to hypoxia for 45 min in the absence or presence of 3 mM glucose, followed by reoxygenation for 5 h. The injury was more pronounced in the absence of glucose (severe hypoxic injury) than in the presence of glucose (mild hypoxic injury). A novel Na(+)/Ca(2+) channel blocker, NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride], at 3 to 30 microM inhibited preferentially the severe hypoxic injury, whereas MK-801, omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CTX), and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester suppressed preferentially the mild hypoxic injury. The extracellular cyclic GMP formation, a marker of nitric oxide synthesis, was enhanced during hypoxia, although the extent was greater in the absence of glucose. As observed in the hypoxic injury, NS-7 preferentially inhibited the cyclic GMP formation induced by severe hypoxic insults, whereas MK-801 or omega-CTX reduced it under mild hypoxic condition. When 30 to 50 mM KCl was applied to normoxic slices, a concentration-dependent increase in the extracellular cyclic GMP formation was observed. NS-7 blocked the cyclic GMP formation induced by 50 mM KCl but not by 30 to 40 mM KCl, whereas omega-CTX suppressed only the 30 mM KCl-evoked response. In primary neuronal culture, NS-7 reversed KCl-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) in which the inhibition was marked when the KCl concentration was increased. These findings suggest that NS-7, unlike other neuroprotective compounds used in this study, is more effective in severe hypoxic injury. The highly voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel blockade may contribute to the mode of neuroprotective action of NS-7.

Involvement of peroxynitrite and hydroxyradical generated from nitric oxide in hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in rat cerebrocortical slices.

The changes in nitric oxide (NO) formation during hypoxia and reoxygenation were measured in slices of rat cerebral cortex, and the possible involvement of NO and its decomposition products, including peroxynitrite and hydroxyradical, in the hypoxia/reoxygenation injury was subsequently investigated. NO formation estimated from cGMP accumulation in the extracellular fluids was enhanced during hypoxia and to a lesser extent in the reoxygenation period. The mRNA for inducible NO synthase (NOS) was detected 3-5 h after reoxygenation, although neuronal NOS mRNA decreased after reoxygenation. Several NOS inhibitors such as N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine blocked not only the NO formation but also the hypoxia/reoxygenation injury as determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. The hypoxia/reoxygenation injury was prevented by peroxynitrite scavengers including deferoxamine and uric acid, or several hydroxyradical scavengers such as dimethylthiourea, 2-mercaptopropionylglycine and D(-) mannitol. In addition, the hypoxia/reoxygenation injury was attenuated by poly(ADP-ribose)synthetase inhibitors such as banzamide, 3-aminobenzamide and 1,5-isoquinolinediol. On the other hand, both N-morpholinosidnonimine, a peroxynitrite generator, and hydroxyradical-liberating solution containing FeCl(3)-ADP and dihydroxyfumarate caused a marked LDH leakage in normoxic slices. These findings suggest that the enhanced formation of NO causes hypoxia/reoxygenation injury after degradation to peroxynitrite and hydroxyradical and the resultant activation of poly(ADP-ribose)synthetase.