The synovial expression and serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-11, leukemia inhibitory factor, and oncostatin M in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M (OSM) and their major cellular sources in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as well as the correlation of circulating levels of these IL-6-type cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels for IL-6, IL-11, LIF, and OSM were determined by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

Results: Cells isolated from the synovium of RA patients expressed mRNA for IL-6, IL-11, LIF, and OSM at higher levels than did synovial cells from osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and spontaneously released greater quantities of these proteins in culture.

Comparative analysis of CD45RA- and CD45RO-positive CD4+T cells in peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

To determine whether the predominant infiltration with memory CD4+T cells in joints is specific to the local immune and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the proportions of CD45RA+ or CD45RO+ cells in the CD4+T cell populations in three different compartments (i.e., peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue) from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA) were compared by two-color flow-cytometric analysis.

Gene expression of PDGF and PDGF receptor in various forms of glomerulonephritis.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is an important mitogenic factor for various cells. In order to elucidate the role of PDGF in the development of human glomerulonephritis, we examined the gene and protein expression of the PDGF-B chain (PDGF-B) and PDGF-beta receptor (PDGFR-beta) in renal biopsy specimens from patients with various forms of glomerulonephritis using a nonradioactive in situ hybridization and an immunohistochemical technique. The mRNA expression of PDGF-B and PDGFR-beta was significantly increased in the glomeruli of patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (IgA nephropathy, Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, and lupus nephritis) compared with those in normal glomeruli.

Reactive oxygen species induce apoptosis in cultured human mesangial cells.

Apoptosis is a distinct form of cell death that is observed under various physiologic and pathologic conditions, and it is thought to be important in regulating the number of glomerular cells. This study investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species in the induction of apoptosis in cultured human mesangial cells. Fragmented nuclei with condensed chromatin, a morphologic characteristic of apoptosis, were observed by electron microscopy in mesangial cells exposed to 0.

Manifestation of subclinical diabetes insipidus due to pituitary tumor during pregnancy.

We describe a case of diabetes insipidus (DI) due to a pituitary tumor in a 33-year-old pregnant woman who developed a sudden onset of polyuria (over 8 l/day) and polydipsia at 30 weeks of gestation. Her plasma concentration of vasopressin (AVP) was low compared with high serum osmolality (298 mOsm/kg), and her urine output was well controlled by treatment with desmopressin acetate (DDAVP). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a 1.

A case of Schmidt syndrome accompanied by a pituitary adenoma.

Schmidt syndrome consists of adrenal insufficiency and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which are probably caused by an autoimmune process. We encountered a patient who manifested severe generalized fatigue due to Schmidt syndrome recurrently. The endocrinological examination tests on the patient showed that the increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and ACTH concentrations were not remarkable, despite hypo-function of the peripheral glands.

Antisense oligonucleotides to proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 inhibit human mesangial cell proliferation.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 are cell cycle-associated nuclear proteins and are used as markers for proliferating cells. This study attempted to inhibit glomerular mesangial cell (MC) proliferation, which is the hallmark of many forms of glomerular disease, by inhibiting these nuclear proteins with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. The antisense and sense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to PCNA and Ki-67 mRNA, including the initiation codon, were synthesized.

The effect of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and insulin on glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Studies were carried out to assess various ways of improving glycaemic control and lipid profiles of patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in whom glucose metabolism was poor. Part or all of the dose of the sulphonylurea that had been used to treat patients in Group 1 (n = 8) was replaced by an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. Symptoms related to hypoglycaemia disappeared and the postprandial blood glucose level was significantly increased (P < 0.

The effect of a very low dose of tolbutamide combined with an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The effect of adding a very low dose of a sulphonylurea (tolbutamide) to the treatment of 10 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was investigated. Patients took 0.1 mg tds of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor orally for 8 weeks, and 50 mg tds of the sulphonylurea, tolbutamide, for the last 4 weeks of this period.

Glomerular expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with various forms of glomerulonephritis.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are major mediators for the differentiation, proliferation, and activation of the macrophage. Recently, M-CSF was documented to play a pivotal role in the development of nephritis via macrophage activation in MRL-lpr mice. The macrophage is also considered to be an important component in the development of human glomerulonephritis.

Takayasu's arteritis associated with ulcerative colitis; genetic factors in this association.

Both ulcerative colitis and Takayasu's arteritis are though to be organ-specific immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. We present the rare case of a 23-year-old woman with a 4-year history of ulcerative colitis who developed Takayasu's arteritis one month after giving birth. She was found to carry the human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-B52 and DR2, which were previously noted to be associated with these inflammatory conditions in the Japanese population.

Ultrastructural change of the glomerular basement membrane in rats with Heymann nephritis revealed by ultrahigh resolution scanning electron microscopy.

To assess the relationship between the glomerular injury induced by immune complex deposition and proteinuria, ultrastructural changes of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were investigated in Heymann nephritis. Active Heymann nephritis was induced in rats by injecting them with tubular brush border antigen, known as Fx1A, emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Measurement of urinary protein excretion and histological examinations were carried out for up to 15 weeks after immunization.

Effect of renin-angiotensin inhibition on glomerular injuries in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

To determine whether growth factors in the glomerulus are induced in the renin suppressed hypertensive model, we examined the mRNA expressions of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors in the glomeruli of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-treated hypertensive rats (DOCA-treated rats). We also examined the effects of treatment with cilazapril, an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), and L-158,809, an AT1 receptor antagonist, on these expressions in DOCA-treated rats. We administered oral 10 mg/kg of cilazapril (CILAZA group) and 1 mg/kg of L-158,809 (L158 group) to DOCA-treated rats daily.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibody.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a pathologic entity characterized by the formation of fibrous tissue plugs within terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts. Although BOOP has been associated with several connective tissue disorders, there are rare reports of BOOP in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present a patient with SLE accompanying antiphospholipid antibody who developed recurrent respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities.

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone following intra-thoracic cisplatin.

A case of malignant thymoma with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) complicated by syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) following intrathoracic cisdichlorodiammine platinum (CDDP) administration is reported. A 59-year-old Japanese woman who presented with severe general fatigue was diagnosed with PRCA associated with a thymoma, based on the findings of a bone marrow biopsy, computed tomography of the chest, and the existence of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. She underwent a thymectomy after frequent blood transfusions.

Phenotypic modulation of the mesangium reflected by contractile proteins in diabetes.

The phenotypic change of the mesangial cell is considered to play a pivotal role in the accumulation of extracellular matrix in diabetic nephropathy. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the expression of the various isoforms of contractile proteins in the streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat kidney and in renal biopsy specimens from patients with diabetic nephropathy. Specific antibodies to myosin heavy chain isoforms (SM1, SM2, SMemb), caldesmon, and alpha-smooth muscle actin and cDNAs for SMemb were used.

Factors related to the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study was intended to clarify the factors associated with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes. A total of 107 patients with Type 2 diabetes underwent fundoscopic examination by an ophthalmologist, and the factors that might be associated with the severity of retinopathy were investigated. Analysis of variance and the chi 2 test were performed to determine whether 22 separate factors were associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy.

A patient with sarcoidosis associated with recurrent urolithiasis and tubular injury caused by calcium deposition.

A 38-year-old woman was hospitalized in January 1994 with renal dysfunction and hypercalcemia. Before admission, she was diagnosed as having urolithiasis, and had been treated twice with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Ophthalmologically, she exhibited iritis and secondary glaucoma.

Myocardial troponin T levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

We investigated myocardial troponin T (TnT) level as a marker for myocardial injury at various stages of diabetic nephropathy, including end-stage renal failure. One hundred and four diabetic patients were included in this study. These patients were divided into 5 groups as follows: Group I, composed of 41 patients without nephropathy who served as controls; Group II, composed of 15 patients with micro-albuminuria; Group III, composed of 15 patients with macroalbuminuria; Group IV, composed of 8 patients with renal failure who were not receiving hemodialysis; and Group V, composed of 25 patients who were receiving hemodialysis for renal failure.