The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jan 2011
Edaravone, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, ameliorates the severity of pulmonary hypertension in a porcine model of neonatal sepsis.
Systemic infection in the newborn (neonatal sepsis) is the most common cause of neonatal mortality. Neonatal sepsis is complicated by pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we analyzed the effect of edaravone, a free radical scavenger that is known to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), on pulmonary hypertension. ⋯ TNFα in the edaravone and sham groups were lower at 1 and 3 h compared to that in the CLP group. In all animals, mPAP/mABP at 6 h correlated with serum levels of TNFα at 1, 3, and 6 h. These findings suggest that edaravone ameliorates the severity of pulmonary hypertension in a neonatal sepsis model by reducing serum TNFα levels.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jan 2011
Exercise improves recovery after ischemic brain injury by inducing the expression of angiopoietin-1 and Tie-2 in rats.
Post-ischemia angiogenesis plays a critical part in the recovery of neural networks. Angiopoietin (Ang) has received much attention recently due to its key role in neurovascular remodeling. Exercise is proved to contribute to angiogenesis in normal or injured human skeletal muscle. ⋯ Ang-1 (p < 0.05) and Tie-2 (p < 0.05) and their mRNA expression (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) were increased in SE animals at 2 weeks, whereas Ang-2 expression remained unchanged. In conclusion, enhanced expression of Ang-1 and Tie-2 by exercise improves recovery of brain function in MCAO rats. Our results suggest the importance of angiogenesis in rehabilitation for post-ischemia brain injury and help to explain the underlying mechanism.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Oct 2010
Elevated plasma and alveolar levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts are associated with severity of lung dysfunction in ARDS patients.
Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) are severe forms of bilateral lung inflammation with poor clinical outcomes. However, the pathophysiology of ALI/ARDS remains largely obscure. Soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) plays a key regulatory role during the acute phase of inflammation, and baseline plasma levels of sRAGE were recently found to be associated with severity of ALI/ARDS. ⋯ Moreover, the presence of lung infection yielded higher alveolar sRAGE levels. In conclusion, we show that the plasma and alveolar levels of sRAGE in ALI/ARDS patients are correlated to lung injury severity and to lung infection. Our findings may, in time, lead to the development of more effective therapies against ALI/ARDS.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Sep 2010
Case ReportsSunitinib-induced thyrotoxicosis followed by persistent hypothyroidism with shrinkage of thyroid volume.
Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of cancers, such as advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). On the other hand, sunitinib treatment is known to induce thyroid dysfunction in a substantial proportion of patients treated for advanced RCC; in fact, hypothyroidism is a frequent complication. However, little is known about sunitinib-induced thyrotoxicosis and destructive thyroiditis. ⋯ In conclusion, the present report suggests that sunitinib-induced persistent hypothyroidism may be a consequence of preceding destructive thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis. The decreased volume of the thyroid during the hypothyroid phase indicates irreversible organ damage in the present patient, thereby resulting in persistent hypothyroidism. Thus, periodic surveillance of thyroid function is mandatory during sunitinib therapy.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Sep 2010
ReviewPrevalence, classification, and etiology of pain in Parkinson's disease: association between Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by resting tremor, slow and decreased movement (hypokinesia and akinesia), rigidity, postural instability, problems with gait, and coordination. The prevalence of PD is between 0.1% and 0.3% in the general population and between 1% and 2% in persons 65 years of age or older. Patients with PD are more likely to suffer from pain. ⋯ When pain in PD is discussed, FM and CWP should be considered because their prevalence is high. Patients with PD may be likely to suffer from FM and CWP; however, the prevalence of FM and CWP in patients with PD has not been reported. Here, we discuss the relationship between PD and FM or CWP.