Kokyu to junkan. Respiration & circulation
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The presence of myocardial involvement is rare in benign Duchenne type of progressive muscular dystrophy (Becker's muscular dystrophy). We describe two brothers suffering from Becker's muscular dystrophy, both of whom presented with dilated cardiomyopathy. The first case is a 39-year-old male who had suffered from gait disturbance from the age of 17. ⋯ He came to our hospital with the chief complaint of discomfort of the anterior chest. Pseudohypertrophy of the calves was present. Chest radiography, electrocardiogram, ultrasonogram indicated dilated cardiomyopathy.
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We investigated alterations in myocardial beta- and beta 1-adrenergic receptor (BAR and B1AR) number during hyperdynamic state induced by endotoxin or cytokines. [METHODS] Twenty-nine Japanese White rabbits were divided into 2 groups. Hearts were removed 18 h after intraperitoneal administration of sterile saline (SAL) or E. coli endotoxin (LPS; 50 micrograms/kg) (Group E, n = 12), or 3 h after intravenous injection of SAL or cytokines (interleukin 1-beta; 5 micrograms/kg followed by 25 ng/kg/min for 2 h, or tumor necrosis factor; 5 micrograms/kg) (Group C, n = 17). BAR and B1AR numbers were determined in myocardial membranes from rabbit left ventricles with techniques of radioactive ligand binding study. ⋯ Maximum binding (Bmax) of 3H-DHA to BARs was significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased by 18% in myocardial membranes from E-LPS compared to E-SAL (E-LPS; 48.2 +/- 4.3 fmol/mg protein, E-SAL; 58.9 +/- 2.9 fmol/mg protein, mean +/- SEM). Similarly, Bmax of 3H-DHA to B1ARs was decreased by 18% in E-LPS, although no statistical significance was detected. In Group C, both BAR and B1 AR number was slightly, but not significantly decreased 3 h after administration of cytokines. [CONCLUSION] These data suggest that down regulation of cardiac BARs may occur during hyperdynamic stage of endotoxic shock.