Influence of rabbit notochordal cells on symptomatic intervertebral disc degeneration: anti-angiogenic capacity on human endothelial cell proliferation under hypoxia.

OBJECTIVES: Symptomatic degenerative disc disease (DDD) is associated with neovascularization and nerve ingrowth into intervertebral discs (IVDs). Notochordal cells (NCs) are key cells that may lead to regeneration of IVDs. However, their activities under conditions of hypoxia, the real environment of IVD, are not well known. We hypothesized that NCs may inhibit neovascularization by interacting with endothelial cells (ECs) under hypoxia. DESIGN: Human IVDs were isolated and cultured to produce nucleus pulposus (NP) cell conditioned medium (NPCM). Immortalized human microvascular ECs were cultured in NPCM with notochordal cell-rich rabbit nucleus pulposus cells (rNC) under hypoxia. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were analyzed by ELISA. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), filamentous actin (F-actin), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were evaluated to investigate EC activity. Wound-healing migration assays were performed to examine EC migration. RESULTS: The VEGF level of EC cells cultured in NPCM was significantly higher under hypoxia compared to normoxia. VEGF expression was significantly decreased, and FAK, F-actin, PDGF expression were inhibited when ECs were cocultured with rNCs under hypoxia. ECs cocultured with rNC in NPCM showed significantly decreased migratory activity compared to those without rNC under hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: The angiogenic capacity of ECs was significantly inhibited by NCs under hypoxia via a VEGF-related pathway. Our results suggest that NCs may play a key role in the development of IVDs by inhibiting vascular growth within the disc, and this may be a promising novel therapeutic strategy for targeting vascular ingrowth in symptomatic DDD.

Eckols reduce dental pulp inflammation through the ERK1/2 pathway independent of COX-2 inhibition.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of 6-6 bieckol (EB1) and pholorofucofuroeckol-A (EB5) from brown seaweed marine algae (Eisenia bicyclis) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). METHODS: The cytotoxicity of EB1 and EB5 was examined by MTT assay on LPS-induced human dental pulp cells. Their role on expression of inflammatory, odontogenic, and osteogenic molecules was determined by Western blot analysis. The dentin mineralization was checked by alkaline phosphatase activity. RESULTS: The five compounds from E. bicyclis have different structure with non-cytotoxic in HDPCs. EB1 and EB5 showed anti-inflammatory properties and inhibited phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-c-jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK) without any cytotoxicity. In particular, EB1 inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and p-ERK1/2 signaling, and EB5 inhibited only p-ERK1/2 signaling but not COX-2. Both compounds inhibited nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) translocation. Furthermore, EB1 and EB5 increased dentinogenic and osteogenic molecules, and dentin mineralized via alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in LPS-induced HDPCs. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates that EB1 and EB5 have different types of anti-inflammatory property and help in dentin formation. Therefore, these compounds derived from marine algae of E. bicyclis may be used as selective therapeutic strategies for pulpitis and oral diseases.

Rapid cell corpse clearance by stabilin-2, a membrane phosphatidylserine receptor.

Rapid phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells is crucial for the prevention of both inflammation and autoimmune responses. Phosphatidylserine (PS) at the external surface of the plasma membrane has been proposed to function as a general 'eat me' signal for apoptotic cells. Although several soluble bridging molecules have been suggested for the recognition of PS, the PS-specific membrane receptor that binds directly to the exposed PS and provides a tickling signal has yet to be definitively identified. In this study, we provide evidence that stabilin-2 is a novel PS receptor, which performs a key function in the rapid clearance of cell corpses. It recognizes PS on aged red blood cells and apoptotic cells, and mediates their engulfment. The downregulation of stabilin-2 expression in macrophages significantly inhibits phagocytosis, and anti-stabilin-2 monoclonal antibody provokes the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, transforming growth factor-beta. Furthermore, the results of time-lapse video analyses indicate that stabilin-2 performs a crucial function in the rapid clearance of aged and apoptotic cells. These data indicate that stabilin-2 is the first of the membrane PS receptors to provide tethering and tickling signals, and may also be involved in the resolution of inflammation and the prevention of autoimmunity.

Effect of cornea material stiffness on measured intraocular pressure.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) in the human eye as measured by a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) is known to be affected by individual differences in central corneal thickness (CCT). However, data from clinical studies also show considerable scatter in the correlation between measured IOP and CCT. One possible implication of the large observed scatter is that the true IOP (IOPT) also depends significantly on individual variations in the material stiffness properties of the cornea. This hypothesis is explored and evaluated herein using computational simulation of applanation tonometry. A simplified 2D finite element model of the eye, which employs a calibrated nonlinear transversely isotropic material model for the cornea, is developed, and a series of GAT simulations is carried out to study the effect of geometry and material properties of the cornea on the IOP readings obtained via GAT. The results of this parametric study provide a simple correction equation, which quantifies the effect on measured IOP of variations in CCT and corneal material stiffness. In addition, several previously proposed IOP correction equations are compared with the one proposed here.

The renal thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter as mediator of the aldosterone-escape phenomenon.

The kidneys "escape" from the Na-retaining effects of aldosterone when circulating levels of aldosterone are inappropriately elevated in the setting of normal or expanded extracellular fluid volume, e.g., in primary aldosteronism. Using a targeted proteomics approach, we screened renal protein extracts with rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed to each of the major Na transporters expressed along the nephron to determine whether escape from aldosterone-mediated Na retention is associated with decreased abundance of one or more of renal Na transporters. The analysis revealed that the renal abundance of the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) was profoundly and selectively decreased. None of the other apical solute-coupled Na transporters displayed decreases in abundance, nor were the total abundances of the three ENaC subunits significantly altered. Immunocytochemistry showed a strong decrease in NCC labeling in distal convoluted tubules of aldosterone-escape rats with no change in the cellular distribution of NCC. Ribonuclease protection assays (RPAs) revealed that the decrease in NCC protein abundance was not associated with altered NCC mRNA abundance. Thus, the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter of the distal convoluted tubule appears to be the chief molecular target for regulatory processes responsible for mineralocorticoid escape, decreasing in abundance via a posttranscriptional mechanism.

Urinary transforming growth factor-beta-induced gene-h3 (betaig-h3) as a sensitive predictor in chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity (CyAN). Since the expression of TGF-beta induced gene h3 (betaig-h3) is up-regulated by TGF-beta, we evaluated the potential role of betaig-h3 as a sensitive urinary marker to monitor the progression/regression of chronic CyAN. Urinary betaig-h3 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in nine patients with chronic CyAN and 13 patients with stable graft function. We scored the extent of tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) and using immunoperoxidase labeling, determined betaig-h3 expression in renal tissues of patients with chronic CyAN. Urinary betaig-h3 excretion was higher in chronic CyAN compared to control subjects (173.4+/-26.0 vs 62.6+/-5.0 ng/mg creatinine, P<.01). In chronic CyAN, the degree of TIF correlated with increased urinary betaig-h3 levels (r=.785, P<.05). In kidneys with chronic CyAN, betaig-h3 labeling was more prominent at the basement membranes (BM) of the tubules where inflammatory cells had infiltrated the surrounding interstitium. Moreover, the BM of the atrophied tubules and their surrounding interstitium were strongly labeled. Urinary betaig-h3 levels decreased from 173.4+/-26.0 to 64.9+/-14.4 ng/mg creatinine at 1 month after discontinuation of CyA or reduction in CyA dosage (P<.01) despite unchanged serum creatinine levels. Urinary betaig-h3 levels increased in patients with chronic CyAN and decreased after discontinuation or reduction of CyA dosage. Our results suggested that urinary betaig-h3 levels could be used as a sensitive urinary marker to monitor the progression or regression of chronic CyAN.

Peroxiredoxin II promotes hepatic tumorigenesis through cooperation with Ras/Forkhead box M1 signaling pathway.

The current study was carried out to define the involvement of Peroxiredoxin (Prx) II in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying molecular mechanism(s). Expression and function of Prx II in HCC was determined using H-ras(G12V)-transformed HCC cells (H-ras(G12V)-HCC cells) and the tumor livers from H-ras(G12V)-transgenic (Tg) mice and HCC patients. Prx II was upregulated in H-ras(G12V)-HCC cells and H-ras(G12V)-Tg mouse tumor livers, the expression pattern of which highly similar to that of forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1). Moreover, either knockdown of FoxM1 or site-directed mutagenesis of FoxM1-binding site of Prx II promoter significantly reduced Prx II levels in H-ras(G12V)-HCC cells, indicating FoxM1 as a direct transcription factor of Prx II in HCC. Interestingly, the null mutation of Prx II markedly decreased the number and size of tumors in H-ras(G12V)-Tg livers. Consistent with this, knockdown of Prx II in H-ras(G12V)-HCC cells reduced the expression of cyclin D1, cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and tumor formation in athymic nude mice, whereas overexpression of Prx II increased or aggravated the tumor phenotypes. Importantly, the expression of Prx II was correlated with that of FoxM1 in HCC patients. The activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway and the expression of FoxM1 and cyclin D1 were highly dependent on Prx II in H-ras(G12V)-HCC cells and H-ras(G12V)-Tg livers. Prx II is FoxM1-dependently-expressed antioxidant in HCC and function as an enhancer of Ras(G12V) oncogenic potential in hepatic tumorigenesis through activation of ERK/FoxM1/cyclin D1 cascade.

Peripheral nerve injury induces aquaporin-4 expression and astrocytic enlargement in spinal cord.

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a water channel protein, is expressed mainly in the perivascular end-feet of astrocytes in the brain and spinal cord. Dysregulation of AQP4 is critically associated with abnormal water transport in the astrocytes. We aimed to examine whether peripheral nerve injury (PNI) could induce the changes of AQP4 expression and astrocytic morphology in the spinal cord. Two different PNI models [partial sciatic nerve transection (PST) and chronic constriction injury (CCI)] were established on the left sciatic nerve in Sprague-Dawley rats, which decreased the pain withdrawal threshold in the ipsilateral hind paws. Both PNI models were associated with a persistent up-regulation of AQP4 in the ipsilateral dorsal horn at the lower lumbar region over 3 weeks, despite an absence of direct injury to the spinal cord. Three-dimensional reconstruction of astrocytes was made and morphometric analysis was done. Up-regulation of AQP4 was accompanied by a significant increase in the length and volume of astrocytic processes and the number of branch points. The most prominent changes were present in the distal processes of the astrocytes and the changes were maintained throughout the whole experimental period. Extravasation of systemically administered tracers Evans Blue and sodium fluorescein was not seen in both models. Taken together, PNI was associated with a long-lasting AQP4 up-regulation and enlargement of astrocytic processes in the spinal cord in rats, both of which were not related to the disruption of blood-spinal cord barrier. The findings could provide novel insights on the understanding of pathophysiology of spinal cords after PNI.

The pro-phenoloxidase of coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor, larvae was activated during cell clump/cell adhesion of insect cellular defense reactions.

To characterize the proteins involved in cell clump/cell adhesion of insect cellular defense reactions, we induced the cell clump/cell adhesion reaction in vitro with the hemolymph of larvae of the coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor. The 72 kDa protein was specifically enriched in the residues of cell clump/cell adhesion and was purified to homogeneity. A cDNA clone for the 72 kDa protein was isolated. We found that the 72 kDa protein was an activated phenoloxidase from Tenebrio pro-phenoloxidase. We suggest that activated phenoloxidase is involved in the cell clump/cell adhesion reaction as well as in the synthesis of melanin.

An 86 kDa diapause protein 1-like protein is a component of early-staged encapsulation-relating proteins in coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor larvae.

Recently, we reported two novel early-staged encapsulation-relating proteins (56 kDa and 48 kDa ERPs) isolated from the hemolymph of coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor larvae [Cho et al. (1999) Eur. J. Biochem. (in press)]. Here, a cDNA clone for another early-staged encapsulation-relating protein (86 kDa) was isolated. We found that the 86 kDa protein shows high homology with insect diapause protein 1. The 86 kDa protein was localized in the fat body and hemolymph, but not hemocyte lysate. A significant level of 86 kDa protein was detected in pre-pupae stage, but it decreased rapidly at late larvae and pupae, and no protein was found in embryo, early larvae and adult stages. This diapause protein 1-like protein is likely to be a component of early-staged encapsulation-relating proteins in the insect cellular defense reaction.

Physiology and pathophysiology of renal aquaporins.

The discovery of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) by Agre and associates answered the longstanding biophysical question of how water specifically crosses biological membranes. In the kidney at least 7 aquaporins are expressed at distinct sites. AQP1 is extremely abundant in the proximal tubule and descending thin limb and is essential for urinary concentration. AQP2 is exclusively expressed in the principal cells of the connecting tubule and collecting duct and is the predominant vasopressin-regulated water channel. AQP3 and AQP4 are both present in the basolateral plasma membrane of collecting duct principal cells and represent exit pathways for water reabsorbed apically via AQP2. Studies in patients and transgenic mice have shown that both AQP2 and AQP3 are essential for urinary concentration. Three additional aquaporins are present in the kidney. AQP6 is present in intracellular vesicles in collecting duct intercalated cells and AQP8 are present intracellularly at low abundance in proximal tubules and collecting duct principal cells but the physiological function of these 2 channels remain undefined. AQP7 is abundant in the brush border of proximal tubule cells and is likely to be involved in proximal tubule water reabsorption. A series of studies have underscored crucial roles of aquaporins for regulation of renal water metabolism and hence body water balance. Moreover it has become clear that dysregulation of aquaporins, and especially AQP2 is critically involved in many water balance disorders. Lack of functional AQP2 is seen in primary forms of diabetes insipidus, and reduced expression and targeting is seen in several diseases associated with urinary concentrating defects such as acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, postobstructive polyuria, as well as acute and chronic renal failure. In contrast, in conditions with water retention such as severe congestive heart failure, pregnancy and SIADH both AQP2 expression levels and apical plasma membrane targetting is increased suggesting a role for AQP2 in the development of water retention. Continued analysis of the aquaporins is providing detailed molecular insight into the fundamental physiology and pathophysiology of water balance and water balance disorders.

Purification and characterization of prophenoloxidase from the hemolymph of coleopteran insect, Holotrichia diomphalia larvae.

Prophenoloxidase (pro-PO), a precursor of phenol oxidase (PO), was purified from the hemolymph of coleopteran Holotrichia diomphalia larvae. The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity, in six steps of chromatography, using Sephadex G-100, CM-52, Dextran-sulfate Sepharose CL-6B, Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B, Sephacryl S-200, and a Mono-Q column. The preparation exhibited a single band on SDS-PAGE. The proenzyme had a molecular weight of 158 kDa, as estimated by gel filtration. On SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, it gave a 79 kDa band, indicating that it forms a dimer of the 79 kDa protein. On the other hand, the purified pro-PO gave two well-separated peaks, named pro-PO-1 and pro-PO-2, on reverse-phase HPLC. Amino acid compositions of both proteins were indistinguishable, thereby suggesting the presence of an allelic variant or an isoprotein. On dextran-sulfate Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, a fraction containing prophenoloxidase activating enzyme(s) (PPAE fraction), free from pro-PO, was also separated. In reconstitution experiments, the activation of purified pro-PO by PPAE fraction, was observed in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+, with a specific limited proteolysis. The NH2-terminal sequence of generated PO was determined to be NH2-Phe-Gly-Glu-Asp-Asp-. The activated PO oxidized o-diphenols but did not oxidize mono-phenol and p-diphenol substrates. The purified pro-PO was not activated by trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and SDS.

Establishment of a transgenic tobacco cell suspension culture system for producing murine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor.

We tested if murine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (mGM-CSF) is produced as a biologically active form through plant cell culture. The mGM-CSF gene was cloned into the plant expression vector, pBI121, and Ti-plasmid mediated transformation of tobacco leaves was conducted using Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring the recombinant mGM-CSF (rmGM-CSF) gene. Cell suspension culture was established from the leaf-derived calli of transgenic tobacco plants. Northern blot analysis indicated the expression of the introduced mGM-CSF gene in both transgenic plant and cell suspension cultures. In addition, the biological activity of rmGM-CSF from plant cell culture was confirmed by measuring the proliferation of GM-CSF dependent FDC-P1 cells.

Cloning and analysis of the Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein 350 genes.

Membrane glycoprotein 350 (gp350) of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is considered as a major target for vaccine development, since the gp350 has been identified as the virus' mediator for receptor interaction and as an inducer of specific in vitro virus-neutralizing antibodies. In an initial attempt to develop an effective DNA vaccine against an EBV infection, gp350 genes were isolated from SNU-20 and SNU-1103 which are the EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines established in Korea. In addition, the nucleotide sequences of the gp350 genes were determined and compared with those of other EBV strains such as B95-8, P3HR-1/AG876 and M81. Sequence analysis showed that similar high degrees of homology between 2 EBV strains derived from African Burkitt's lymphoma, P3HR-1 and AG876, was shown between the gp350 genes isolated from 2 EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines established in Korea. Furthermore, these 2 Korean and 2 African strains displayed nearly identical patterns of sequence variations from B95-8. In addition, the sequence of the isolated gp350 genes, which have been reported to be associated with the biology of EBV infection, is analyzed.

Expression of glucose oxidase by using recombinant yeast.

The glucose oxidase gene (GO) of Aspergillus niger was cloned into the yeast shuttle vector YEp352 with combinations of various promoters and terminators, and then used to transform Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expressed GO was successfully secreted into culture medium due to the presence of the intrinsic signal peptide of GO. Four different promoters fused to GO were tested: bidirectional galactose dehydrogenase 1 and 10 (GAL1, GAL10) promoters, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter and an yeast hybrid ADH2-GPD promoter consisting of alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH2) and GPD promoter. The intrinsic terminator of GO as well as the GAL7 terminator were also compared for better production of GO. Deletion of most of the terminating region from GO yielded only a slight amount of GO while the presence of either terminator greatly increased GO production. The GAL10 promoter produced the least amount of GO, GAL1 and GPD promoters were moderate, and the ADH2-GPD hybrid promoter was the best among all tested. However, the hybrid promoter was tightly regulated by the presence of an excess amount of either glucose or ethanol, and it appeared that 2% glucose and 1. 5% ethanol supplement was the best concentration for GO production. It was possible to produce 260 IU ml(-1) of GO, an equivalent of 5 g l(-1), under the presence of 2% glucose and 1.5% ethanol. UV mutagenesis of a recombinant S. cerevisiae was also applied and it further increased the yield of GO to 460 IU ml(-1) under the presence of 2% glucose and 1.5% ethanol without any changes in cell growth. Corn steep liquor which is commonly used in bioindustry is a good alternative substrate for high priced glucose for the hybrid promoter and suggests a cost effective means for commercial mass production of GO using recombinant yeast.

Immunolocalization of NBC3 and NHE3 in the rat epididymis: colocalization of NBC3 and the vacuolar H+-ATPase.

In the male reproductive tract, the epididymis plays an important role in mediating transepithelial bicarbonate transport and luminal acidification. In the proximal vas deferens, a significant component of luminal acidification is Na+-independent, and mediated by specific cells that possess apical vacuolar proton pumps. In contrast, luminal acidification in the cauda epididymidis is an Na+-dependent process. The specific apical Na+-dependent H+/base transport process(es) responsible for luminal acidification have not been identified. A potential clue as to the identity of these apical Na+-dependent H+/base transporter(s) is provided by similarities between the transport properties of the epididymis and the mammalian nephron. Specifically, the H+/base transport properties of caput epididymidis resemble the mammalian renal proximal tubule, whereas the distal epididymis and vas deferens have characteristics in common with renal collecting duct intercalated cells. Given the known expression of the Na+/H+ antiporter, NHE3, in the proximal tubule, and of the electroneutral sodium bicarbonate cotransporter, NBC3, in renal intercalated cells, we determined the localization of NHE3 and NBC3 in various regions of rat epididymis. NBC3 was highly expressed on the apical membrane of apical (narrow) cells in caput epididymidis, and light (clear) cells in corpus and cauda epididymidis. The number of cells expressing apical NBC3 was highest in cauda epididymidis. The localization of NBC3 in the epididymis was identical to the vacuolar H+-ATPase. The results indicate that colocalization of NBC3 and the vacuolar H+-ATPase is not restricted to kidney intercalated cells. Moreover, the close association of the two transporters appears to be a more generalized phenomenon in cells that express high levels of vacuolar H+-ATPase. Unlike NBC3, NHE3 was most highly expressed on the apical membrane of all epithelial cells in caput epididymidis, with less expression in the corpus, and no expression in the cauda. These results suggest that apical NBC3 and NHE3 potentially play an important role in mediating luminal H+/base transport in epididymis.

Accumulation of intraventricular fat in an intracranial epidermoid tumor: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: A fat component within the ventricles or subarachnoid space in fat-containing tumors such as an epidermoid or a dermoid has been observed in rare instances. However, there have been no reports regarding an increase in the size of such a fat component. We describe the case of an epidermoid tumor with intraventricular fat that showed an increase in size and amount. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old woman was admitted with headache and diplopia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a fat-containing suprasellar tumor and widespread fat globules in adjacent sulci and cisterns and within the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a pterional craniotomy. Removal of the suprasellar tumor was nearly total. Histopathological examination revealed an epidermoid tumor. Sequential magnetic resonance imaging throughout the ensuing 65-month period revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence; however, the intraventricular fat remained and increased in size. The patient underwent surgery via the transcallosal approach at 69 months after the initial operation, and the presence of free-floating oily fat globules was confirmed. CONCLUSION: In the case of a fat-containing tumor with free fat in the cerebrospinal fluid spaces, careful serial examination is necessary, with particular attention to the possibility of changes in size.

Chronic subdural hematoma: evaluation of the clinical significance of postoperative drainage volume.

OBJECT: A wide variation in postoperative drainage volumes is observed during treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) with twist-drill or burr-hole craniostomy and closed-system drainage. In this study the authors investigate the causes of the variation, the clinical significance thereof, and its influence on treatment outcome. METHODS: A total of 175 cases were investigated between January 1991 and December 1997. Of these, 145 patients had surgery for CSDH, of whom 30 had bilateral lesions. The cases of CSDH were divided into five subtypes (low-density, isodense, high-density, mixed-density, and layering types) on the basis of the brain computerized tomography (CT) findings. Burr-hole craniostomies with closed-system drainage were performed in all patients and the drainage was maintained for 5 days, during which daily amounts of fluid were measured. The mean drainage volume over 5 days was 320 ml, with the largest volume (413 ml) seen in the low-density type and the smallest (151 ml) in the mixed-density type of CSDH. There were recurrences in six patients (seven instances, 4%). The mixed-density type had the highest recurrence rate (8.6%), whereas there was no recurrence for the low-density type. There were no recurrences in 81 patients in whom the total drainage volumes for 5 days were more than 200 ml, but there were recurrences in six (seven instances) of 94 patients in whom the total drainage volume was less than 200 ml. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative drainage volumes varied greatly because of differences in the outer membrane permeability of CSDH, and such variation seems to be related to the findings on the CT scans obtained preoperatively. Patients with CSDH in whom there is less postoperative drainage than expected should be carefully observed, with special attention paid to the possibility of recurrence.

Role of the hepatic xanthine oxidase in thyroid dysfunction: effect of thyroid hormones in oxidative stress in rat liver.

The effect of thyroid hormones on the hepatic xanthine oxidase activity was studied in rats after the intraperitoneal injections of comthyroid (triiodotyronine:thyroxine = 1:4) at 0.3 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days. The aim of this study was to understand the precise mechanism of hyperthyroidism induced by oxidative stress. The concentration of lipid peroxides determined indirectly by the measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactants was increased in comthyroid treated rats. The hepatic glutathione content was decreased in comthyroid injected rat compared to the euthyroid state. It was also observed that the increment of xanthine oxidase activity has a profound role in oxygen radicals generation system in comthyroid treated rat. These findings suggest that the enhanced xanthine oxidase activity and depleting glutathione content in comthyroid treated rats result in pathophysiological oxidative stress including an increment of hepatic lipid peroxidation.

Therapeutic effect of rebamipide on ammonia-induced gastric mucosal hemorrhagic lesion in rats.

Rebamipide, 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinone-4-yl]-propionic acid, a novel antipeptic ulcer agent, has been reported to prevent various acute experimental gastric mucosal lesions and to accelerate the healing of chronic ulcers. Therapeutic effect of rebamipide was investigated with regard to the inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity and type conversion of the enzyme which play a profound role in oxygen radicals generation system. Intraperitoneal administration of rebamipide at 60 mg/kg body weight reduced the xanthine oxidase activity, lipid peroxide content in ammonia induced hemorrhagic lesion. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of rebamipide on gastric mucosal lesion may be in part due to the inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase and type conversion rate of the enzyme.