Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) is a conjugation enzyme in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous lipophilic compounds for their excretion and detoxification. Acidic isozyme of GST, GST-Pi, has been recognized as a preneoplastic marker in the experimental hyperplastic nodules of liver in rats, and GST-Pi is abundant in the squamous cells of the skin, also. This histochemical study was carried out to evaluate the distribution and the relationship between the differentiation status of squamous cells in dysplastic or neoplastic epithelium in various organs. The human placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GST-Pi) were stained immunohistochemically with specific anti GST-Pi rabbit antibody in 23 cases of human squamous cell carcinomas. The patients consisted of 14 cases from the uterine cervix, 3 cases from the esopahgus, 3 cases from the lung and 3 cases from the larynx. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Basal cells in normal mucosa were stained negative for GST-Pi while superficial keratinocytes were stained moderately positive. Basal dysplastic cells were stained negatively or weakly positive. Carcinoma cells especially large cells either keratinizing or nonkeratinizing were stained moderately to strongly. Carcinoma cells surrounding keratin pearl were strongly reacted with GST-Pi than other carcinoma cells. 2. Differentiated cells of squamous cell carcinoma showed moderate to strong positive reaction to GST-Pi staining irrespective of its site of origin. 3. Therefore, Immunohistochemical staining pattern of GST-Pi in various squamous carcinoma cells showed similar immunohistochemical reaction to the GST-pi, which is closely correlated to the degree of differentiation, keratinigation and also suggested that squamous carcinoma cells had abundant GST-Pi related detoxifying system.
Humans ; Rabbits ; Animals

No abstract available.
Humans

No abstract available.

GH concentration in plasma decline with age. GH and GH response to GHRH are influenced by sex hormones, thereby changing around the menopause. In several aspects, features of aging resemble those of a state of GH deficiency. It has been argued the declining GH function, along with other factors, might be a causal factor in osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate that postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat could be prevented by rhGH. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats(weight 140-200g) were devided 3 groups. Group 1(n=18) was sham operation; Group 2(n=18) was ovariectomized and received subcutaneous injection with 0.05 cc normal saline; Group 3(n=18) was ovariectomized and received subcutaneous injection with 0.2 IU rhGH. Group 2 and 3 were injected daily, 6 day per week. Each group was devided three subgroups(n=6) and were sacrificed at 6 week, 10 week, 14 week, respectively. Group 2 showed a significant increase in body weight, femur length, serum IGF-1 level, serum PICP and ICTP level at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and a significant decrease in ash weight of tibia, width of bony spicules, at 14 weeks than Group 1. Group 3 demonstrated a significant increase in body weight, femur length, serum IGF-1, serum PICP and ITCP levels and a insignificant decrease in ash weight of tibia and width of bony spicules, at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks than Group 1. At 14 weeks, Group 3 showed a significant increase in serum IGF-1, Serum PTH, Serum PICP. From these data, we conclude that although rhGH administration leads to an activation of bone turnover and more stimulation of bone formation, it does not prevent a bone loss in ovariectomized rat.
Aging ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Femur ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Menopause ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis* ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Ovariectomy ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

The aim of this study was to compare widely used quantitative sensory tests to evaluate the diabetic neuropathy(DN). We tested plantar sensation of 40 patients with diabetes mellitus(Group I: 20 with neuropathic symtom, Group II: 20 without symptom) using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament(touch sensation), Biothesiometer(vibration sensation) and EMG. This result was also compared with that of the control group. Eighty percent of Group I and thirty percent of Group II had abnormal EMG findings. Group I had decreased vibration and touch sensation. Comparison of vibration perception threshold(Biothesiometer) with touch pressure sensation(Semmes-Weinstein monofilament) showed that the test with Biothesiometer was relatively accurate, however it was complicated, time consuming and that the test with monofilament was simple and easily performed in the field even though it was relatively crude. 5.07 monofilament could be very effective in the eearly detection of diabetic neumpathy. In conclusion, we recommend 5.07 monofilament as a screening method of diabetic neuropathy and biothesiometer as its follow-up method.
Diabetic Neuropathies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Sensation ; Vibration

Growing evidence indicates that enhanced generation or actions of nitric oxide (NO) are implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats and diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. We investigated whether inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in STZ-induced diabetic rats is responsible for the alterations of vascular reactivity. Diabetic state was confirmed 28 days after injection of STZ (i.p) in rats by measuring blood glucose. In order to evaluate whether short term (4 weeks) diabetic state is related with altered vascular reactivity caused by iNOS expression, isometric tension experiments were performed. In addition, plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels and expression of iNOS in the lung and aorta of control and STZ-treated rats were compared by using Griess reagent and Western analysis, respectively. Results indicated that STZ-treated rats increased the maximal contractile response of the aorta to phenylephrine (PE), and high K+, while the sensitivity remained unaltered. Endothelium-dependent relaxation, but not SNP-mediated relaxation, was reduced in STZ-treated rats. Plasma nitrite/nitrates are significantly increased in STZ-treated rats compared to controls. The malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of liver, serum, and aorta of diabetic rats were also significantly increased. Furthermore, nitrotyrosine, a specific foot print of peroxynitrite, was significantly increased in endothelial cells and smooth muscle layers in STZ-induced diabetic aorta. Taken together, the present findings indicate that enhanced release of NO by iNOS along with increased lipid peroxidation in diabetic conditions may be responsible, at least in part, for the augmented contractility, possibly through the modification of endothelial integrity or ecNOS activity of endothelium in STZ-diabetic rat aorta.
Animals ; Aorta ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Foot ; Hypertension ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Lung ; Malondialdehyde ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Phenylephrine ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Relaxation ; Streptozocin

Magnesium is the second most common intracellular divalent cation. Magnesium balance in the body is controlled by a dynamic interplay among intestinal absorption, exchange with bone, and renal excretion. Intestinal magnesium absorption proceeds in both a passive paracellular and an active transcellular manner. Regulation of serum magnesium concentrations is achieved mainly by control of renal magnesium reabsorption. Only 20% of filtered magnesium is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule, whereas 60% is reclaimed in the cortical thick ascending limb (TAL) and another 5-10% in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT). The passive paracellular transport of magnesium in the TAL is closely related with the mutations in claudin-16/paracellin-1 and is responsible for familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. The active transcellular transport of magnesium in the DCT was similarly enhanced by the realization that defects in transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6) cause hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia. This channel regulates the apical entry of magnesium into epithelia and alters whole-body magnesium homeostasis by controlling urinary excretion. TRPM6 is regulated at the transcriptional level by acid-base status, 17beta-estradiol, and both FK506 and cyclosporine. The molecular identity of the protein responsible for the basolateral exit of magnesium from the epithelial cell remains unidentified.
Absorption ; Cyclosporine ; Epithelial Cells ; Extremities ; Homeostasis ; Hypercalciuria ; Hypocalcemia ; Intestinal Absorption ; Magnesium ; Nephrocalcinosis ; Renal Tubular Transport, Inborn Errors ; Tacrolimus ; Transcytosis ; Transient Receptor Potential Channels

Rapid correction of hyponatremia is frequently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is important to estimate the proper volume and type of infusate required to increase the serum sodium concentration predictably. The major common management errors during the treatment of hyponatremia are inadequate investigation, treatment with fluid restriction for diuretic-induced hyponatremia and treatment with fluid restriction plus intravenous isotonic saline simultaneously. We present two cases of management errors. One is about the problem of rapid correction of hyponatremia in a patient with sepsis and acute renal failure during continuous renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit. The other is the case of hypothyroidism in which hyponatremia was aggravated by intravenous infusion of dextrose water and isotonic saline infusion was erroneously used to increase serum sodium concentration.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Hypothyroidism ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Intensive Care Units ; Mortality ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Sepsis ; Sodium ; Water

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by isocyanate at one petrochemical industry complex in Yeochon, Korea. METHOD: Questionnaires, allergic skin prick test, toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-specific IgE, and non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were studied in 73 exposed workers and 27 control subjects. Methacholine challenge tests were done and bronc hial responsiveness (BR index) was defined as log (% fall of FEV1)/ log (last concentration of methacholine +10). RESULTS: Twenty-three workers (31.5% ) had respiratory symptoms, 21 had nasal symptoms, and eight had skin symptoms. Exposed workers with respiratory symptoms (n=22) had significantly higher BR index than those without them (0.82+/-0.06 vs 0.60+/-0.02, p<0.05). Exposed workers tended to have higher BR index than controls (0.67+/-0.03 vs 0.62+/-0.02). Three exposed workers had PC20 methacholine <2.0 mg/ml. There were no significant differences in atopy score between exposed workers and controls (p>0.05). Specific IgE antibodies were found in 19.7% of exposed workers. FEV, showed a significant negative correlation with BR index (r =-0.25, p<0.05). Poor correlation was noted between BR index and atopy, smoking status, or exposure duration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that workers exposed to isocyanates are at higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness.
Antibodies ; Immunoglobulin E ; Isocyanates* ; Korea ; Methacholine Chloride ; Plants* ; Prevalence ; Skin ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To evaluate the findings of carotid ultrasonography performed on patients with retinal vascular disease and to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease and association of retinal vascular disease and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: From December 2009 to May 2012, patients diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO, n = 18), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO, n = 23), and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO, n = 68) underwent carotid ultrasonography. We evaluated the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the internal carotid artery (ICA), stenosis and the number of plaques, and then compared these results with those of a healthy control group (n = 221). RESULTS: The mean CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT were significantly higher in the CRAO and BRVO groups compared with the control group. On the contralateral side, CCA-IMT was increased in the CRAO, BRVO, and CRVO groups and ICA-IMT was increased in the CRAO and BRVO groups compared with the control group. Contralateral CCA stenosis was higher in the CRVO group (9.1%) and ipsilateral ICA stenosis in CRAO group (21.7%) was significantly higher than that of the control group. Plaque was observed better in all groups compared with the control group. The proportion of patients risk for cardiovascular disease, i.e. those who had IMT thickenesses more than 1.0 mm, was higher in the CRAO and BRVO groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The carotid ultrasound findings of patients with retinal vascular diseases showed increased IMT and plaque. The group of patient at risk for cardiovascular disease, which was defined with carotid artery IMT, was higher in patients with retinal vascular disease. Therefore, in patients with retinal vascular disease, carotid artery ultrasonography and the overall management and treatment of cardiovascular disease are necessary.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Ultrasonography ; Humans ; Retinal Artery Occlusion ; Retinal Vein ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Retinaldehyde* ; Ultrasonography* ; Vascular Diseases*