No abstract available.
Animals ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Evans Blue* ; Female ; Humans* ; Methylene Blue* ; Mice* ; Pregnancy ; Sperm Motility* ; Spermatozoa*

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of the increased intrahepatic vascular resistance found in chronic liver diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the K+ and Ca2+ currents in cultured HSCs from rat liver, through the patch-clamp technique. Most cells were positive for desmin immunostain after isolation and in alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostain after 10 - 14 days of culturing. Outward and inward rectifying K+ currents were confirmed. Two different types of K+ currents were distinguished: one with the inward rectifying current and the other without. The outward K+ currents consisted of at least four components: tetraethylammonium (TEA) -sensitive current, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) -sensitive current, pimozide-sensitive current and three blocker-resistant current. The peaks of the outward K+ currents evoked by a depolarizing pulse were decreased to 32.0 +/- 3.0, 62.8 +/- 3.7 and 32.8 +/- 3.5% by 5 mM TEA, 2 mM 4-AP and 15microM pimozide, respectively. Moreover, the combined application of three blockers caused 86.6 +/- 4.8% suppression. The inward currents evoked hyperpolarizing pulses were inwardly rectifying and almost blocked by Ba2+. Elevation of external K+ increased the inward current amplitude and positively shifted its reversal potential. Voltage- dependent Ca2+ currents which were completely abolished by Cd2+ and nimodipine were detected in 14 day cultured HSCs. In this study, the cultured HSCs were found to express outward K+ currents composed of multiple pharmacological components, Ba2+-sensitive inward rectifying K+ current and L-type Ca2+ current.
Animals ; Calcium/*metabolism ; Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/*physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocytes/cytology/*physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Membrane Potentials/drug effects/physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium/*metabolism ; Potassium Channel Blockers/pharmacology ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated/*physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: Although actinic keratoses is the most common precancerous cutaneous lesion, there has been no clinical and histopathological study about actinic keratoses in Korea. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to carry out a clinical and histopathological study about actinic keratoses in Korea. METHODS: 158 patients, diagnosed with actinic keratoses from 1987 to 1995 in Korea, were analyzed clinically and histopathologically. RESULTS: 1. The ratio of males to females was 1:2.4 and the most frequent age groups were the 6th(29.1%) and 7th decade(33.5%). 2. The duration of the lesions was more than 1 year in most cases. 3. The most commonly involved sites were the face, in which the cheek, nose and forehead were the most common sites. 4. Clinically, the size of the lesions was less than 1cm in many cases(66.8%). The color was erythematous in 57.9%, brownish in 26.7%, and dark brownish in 15.3%. Crust and scale were noted in 28.7% and 25.2%, respectively. In 4% of patients, cutaneous horn also was noted. 5. Squamous cell carcinoma was associated with actinic keratoses in 5.7%, basal cell carcinoma in 3.2%, and keratoacanthoma in 1.3%. 6. Histopathologically, hypertrophic types of actinic keratoses were noted in 25.0%, atrophic types in 21.3%, hypertrophic and atrophic types in 18.1%, bowenoid types in 17.6%, acantholytic types in 13.3%, and pigmented types in 4.7%. 7. The most commonly used methods of treatment for actinic keratoses were cryotherapy, surgical excision, 5 FU ointment, and electrodesiccation with good effect. CONCLUSION: Actinic keratoses in Koreans was present on the face most commonly over 50 years of age. It showed a more frequent incidence in females than males. The clinical course of the lesions was chronic and the association with other cutaneous malignancies was noted to be less than 6%. The various histopathological types were noted, including hypertrophic, atrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic, bowenoid, acantholytic, and pigmented. The most commonly used methods of treatment. for actinic keratoses were cryotherapy, surgical excision, 5-FU ointment, and electrodesiccation.
Actins* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Cryotherapy ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; Forehead ; Horns ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratoacanthoma ; Keratosis, Actinic* ; Korea* ; Male ; Nose