The effect of HLA alleles on response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: To compare HLA alleles in the patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) between patients with response to IFN treatment and nonresponse.

Method: Sixty-seven Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with daily intramuscular administration of IFN-alpha (6 million units) for 2 weeks followed by three times per week for 22 weeks. Viral loads of hepatitis virus C (HCV), HCV genotypes and HLA antigens were determined just before IFN-alpha treatment.

Abnormalities in obese Zuckers: defective control of histaminergic functions.

Histaminergic functions in the hypothalamus of Zucker obese rats were investigated. Blockade of postsynaptic H1-receptor after infusion of chlorpheniramine into the third cerebroventricle (ICV) failed to affect feeding in obese Zuckers, although feeding was potently elicited in Wistar King A control rats. Presynaptic increase in histamine by an H3-receptor antagonist, thioperamide, suppressed feeding in Wistar controls, but not in obese Zuckers.

Effect of intravenous administration of apolipoprotein A-IV on patterns of feeding, drinking and ambulatory activity of rats.

To characterize the anorectic effect of apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV), we examined the effect of apo A-IV on the patterns of feeding, drinking and ambulation of rats fed ad libitum. A single dose of 200, 135 or 60 micrograms was infused intravenously through a chronically indwelling right atrial catheter just before the dark period. Apo A-IV suppressed food intake by decreasing meal size, but did not affect the interval between meals, the speed of eating, or the latency to eat the first meal after infusion.

Zucker obese rats: defect in brain histamine control of feeding.

Manipulation of hypothalamic histamine produced different effects on feeding between the Zucker obese (fa/fa) and their lean littermate rats (Fa/-). Infusion of a histamine H1-receptor antagonist into the third cerebroventricle elicited feeding in the lean and Wistar King A rats, but it did not affect feeding in the obese rats. To enhance hypothalamic neuronal histamine, thioperamide, and H3-receptor antagonist, was similarly infused.

Acceleration of tail pinch-induced feeding in rats by analgesic effect of neurotropin.

Mechanisms of tail pinch-induced feeding and effects of neurotropin (NSP), an extract from the inflamed skin of rabbit inoculated with vaccinia virus, on behavioral responses were investigated in rats. Treatment of a 5-min tail pinch (tail pinch I) induced feeding response. An intensified 15-min tail pinch (tail pinch II) provoked emotional reactions besides feeding behavior.

2,5-Anhydro-D-mannitol: its unique central action on food intake and blood glucose in rats.

Peripheral administration of D-fructose has been reported to decrease food intake, and its 2-deoxy analogue, 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol (2,5-AM), increased food intake and decreased blood glucose in rats. In the present study, 2,5-AM was selected for comparison with well-known 2-deoxy analogues of glucose. Infusion of 2,5-AM into the rat third cerebroventricle at 11.

[Liver abscesses successfully treated by intraportal administration of amphotericin B in a case of acute myeloblastic leukemia (M2)].

A 46-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of relapse of acute myeloblastic leukemia (M2). Remission was successfully reinduced after reinduction chemotherapy consisting of daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside, etoposide and vincristine, but was complicated by neutropenia. After the therapy, the patient had persistent fever of about 38 degrees C despite broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy and the patient developed pain in the right quadrant of the abdomen.

Attenuation of anorexia induced by heat or surgery during sustained administration of ginsenoside Rg1 into rat third ventricle.

Effects of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), a major component of panax ginseng, on modulation of ingestive behavior were investigated. No direct effect was observed on food intake after 10 microliters infusion of 1.0, 2.