Masao Nakamura

Yamanashi University, Kōfu-shi, Yamanashi-ken, Japan

Are you Masao Nakamura?

Claim your profile

Publications (16)42.84 Total impact

  • Article: The earliest stage of cognitive impairment in transition from normal aging to Alzheimer disease is marked by prominent RNA oxidation in vulnerable neurons.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Although neuronal RNA oxidation is a prominent and established feature in age-associated neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD), oxidative damage to neuronal RNA in aging and in the transitional stages from normal elderly to the onset of AD has not been fully examined. In this study, we used an in situ approachto identify an oxidized RNA nucleoside 8-hydroxyguanosine (8OHG) in the cerebral cortex of 65 individuals without dementia ranging in age from 0.3 to 86 years. We also examined brain samples from 20 elderly who were evaluated for their premortem clinicaldementia rating score and postmortem brain pathologic diagnoses to investigate preclinical AD and mild cognitive impairment. Relative density measurements of 8OHG-immunoreactivity revealed a statistically significant increase in neuronal RNA oxidation during aging in the hippocampus and the temporal neocortex. In subjects with mild cognitive impairment but not preclinical AD, neurons of the temporal cortex showed a higher burden of oxidized RNA compared to age-matched controls. These results indicate that, although neuronal RNA oxidation fundamentally occurs as an age-associated phenomenon, more prominent RNA damage than in normal aging correlates with the onset of cognitive impairment in the prodromal stage of AD.
    Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 03/2012; 71(3):233-41. · 4.26 Impact Factor
  • Article: Iron facilitator LS081 reduces hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein and functions as anticancer agent in hepatocellular carcinoma.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) has a central role in cellular oxygen-sensing, and its overexpression in many types of cancer is considered important in tumor progression. Thus, targeting HIF-1α production and activity has been of great therapeutic interest. In normoxic conditions, HIF-1α is hydroxylated by oxygen-dependent prolyl-hydroxylases, which require ferrous iron for its activity. The tumor suppressor protein von Hippel Lindau binds to the hydroxylated HIF-1α, which is then ubiquitinated and degraded by proteasomes. We focused on the physiological degradation machinery of HIF-1α mediated by prolyl hydroxylases. Previously, we identified a small molecule, LS081, that is capable of stimulating iron uptake into cells. In the present study, we aimed to inhibit the expression of HIF-1α protein and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by using the iron-facilitating activity of LS081. In the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines Hep3B and HepG2, a combination of LS081 and ferric ammonium citrate (LS081/FeAC) inhibited HIF-1α protein expression but did not inhibit HIF-1α mRNA expression. A mutated HIF-1α protein, which has proline residues that were replaced with alanine and transfected into HEK293 cells, was not affected by the combination of LS081 and FeAC. Furthermore, the iron-facilitating activity of LS081 resulted in Hep3B and HepG2 growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that the iron-facilitating activity of LS081 inhibits HIF-1α expression through prolyl-hydroxylation of HIF-1α and might have a therapeutic effect in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
    Cancer Science 12/2011; 103(4):767-74. · 3.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: Specific reaction of Met 35 in amyloid beta peptide with hypochlorous acid.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The reaction of the amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) with hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radicals was analysed by spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry. N-acetylmethionine, Abeta25-35 and Abeta1-42 reacted rapidly with hypochlorous acid. The relative reaction rates of N-acetylmethionine and Abeta with hypochlorous acid was in the order N-acetylmethionine > Abeta25-35 > Abeta1-42. While the reaction of Abeta25-35 in the presence of a slight excess of hypochlorous acid resulted in complete conversion of Met35 to Met35 sulphoxide, Abeta1-42 required more than a 4-fold excess of hypochlorous acid for complete conversion of Met35. Identical products were obtained when Abeta25-35 and Abeta1-42 were treated with a hypochlorous acid generating system. Conversion of Met35 to Met35 sulphoxide in Abeta abolished the aggregation of Abeta25-35. Reaction of Abeta with hydroxyl radicals resulted in limited conversion of Met35 to Met35 sulphoxide. The specific reaction of Met35 in Abeta with hypochlorous acid to form Met35 sulphoxide has been analysed.
    Free radical research 04/2010; 44(7):734-41. · 2.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Intraneuronal amyloid beta accumulation and oxidative damage to nucleic acids in Alzheimer disease.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: In an analysis of amyloid pathology in Alzheimer disease, we used an in situ approach to identify amyloid-beta (Abeta) accumulation and oxidative damage to nucleic acids in postmortem brain tissue of the hippocampal formation from subjects with Alzheimer disease. When carboxyl-terminal-specific antibodies directed against Abeta40 and Abeta42 were used for immunocytochemical analyses, Abeta42 was especially apparent within the neuronal cytoplasm, at sites not detected by the antibody specific to Abeta-oligomer. In comparison to the Abeta42-positive neurons, neurons bearing oxidative damage to nucleic acids were more widely distributed in the hippocampus. Comparative density measurements of the immunoreactivity revealed that levels of intraneuronal Abeta42 were inversely correlated with levels of intraneuronal 8-hydroxyguanosine, an oxidized nucleoside (r=- 0.61, p<0.02). Together with recent evidence that the Abeta peptide can act as an antioxidant, these results suggest that intraneuronal accumulation of non-oligomeric Abeta may be a compensatory response in neurons to oxidative stress in Alzheimer disease.
    Neurobiology of Disease 03/2010; 37(3):731-7. · 5.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased iron and free radical generation in preclinical Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: It is now established that oxidative stress is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, change that occurs in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consistent with this, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the clinical precursor of AD, is also characterized by elevations in oxidative stress. Since such stress does not operate in vacuo, in this study we sought to determine whether redox-active iron, a potent source of free radicals, was elevated in MCI and preclinical AD as compared to cognitively-intact age-matched control patients. Increased iron was found at the highest levels both in the cortex and cerebellum from the pre-clinical AD/MCI cases. Interestingly, glial accumulations of redox-active iron in the cerebellum were also evident in preclinical AD patients and tended to increase as patients became progressively cognitively impaired. Our findings suggests that an imbalance in iron homeostasis is a precursor to the neurodegenerative processes leading to AD and that iron imbalance is not necessarily unique to affected regions. In fact, an understanding of iron deposition in other regions of the brain may provide insights into neuroprotective strategies. Iron deposition at the preclinical stage of AD may be useful as a diagnostic tool, using iron imaging methods, as well as a potential therapeutic target, through metal ion chelators.
    Journal of Alzheimer's disease: JAD 01/2010; 19(1):363-72. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased Iron and Free Radical Generation in Preclinical Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: It is now established that oxidative stress is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, change that occurs in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consistent with this, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the clinical precursor of AD, is also characterized by elevations in oxidative stress. Since such stress does not operate in vacuo, in this study we sought to determine whether redox-active iron, a potent source of free radicals, was elevated in MCI and preclinical AD as compared to cognitively-intact age-matched control patients. Increased iron was found at the highest levels both in the cortex and cerebellum from the pre-clinical AD/MCI cases. Interestingly, glial accumulations of redox-active iron in the cerebellum were also evident in preclinical AD patients and tend to increase as patients became progressively cognitively impaired. Our findings suggests that an imbalance in iron homeostasis is a precursor to the neurodegenerative processes leading to AD and that iron imbalance is not necessarily unique to affected regions. In fact, an understanding of iron deposition in other regions of the brain may provide insights into neuroprotective strategies. Iron deposition at the preclinical stage of AD may be useful as a diagnostic tool, using iron imaging methods, as well as a potential therapeutic target, through metal ion chelators.
    Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. 10/2009;
  • Article: Reexamining Alzheimer's disease: evidence for a protective role for amyloid-beta protein precursor and amyloid-beta.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized clinically by cognitive decline and pathologically by the accumulation of amyloid-beta-containing senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. A great deal of attention has focused, focused on amyloid-beta as the major pathogenic mechanism with the ultimate goal of using amyloid-beta lowering therapies as an avenue of treatment. Unfortunately, nearly a quarter century later, no tangible progress has been offered, whereas spectacular failure tends to be the most compelling. We have long contended, as has substantial literature, that proteinaceous accumulations are simply downstream and, often, endstage manifestations of disease. Their overall poor correlation with the level of dementia, and their presence in the cognitively intact is evidence that is often ignored as an inconvenient truth. Current research examining amyloid oligomers, therefore, will add copious details to what is, in essence, a reductionist distraction from upstream pleiotrophic processes such as oxidative stress, cell cycle dysfunction, and inflammation. It is now long overdue that the neuroscientists avoid the pitfall of perseverating on "proteinopathies'' and recognize that the continued targeting of end stage lesions in the face of repeated failure, or worse, is a losing proposition.
    Journal of Alzheimer's disease: JAD 08/2009; 18(2):447-52. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Nucleic acid oxidation in Alzheimer disease.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress is intimately associated with Alzheimer disease pathophysiology. Nucleic acids (nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and RNA) are one of the several cellular macromolecules damaged by reactive oxygen species, particularly the hydroxyl radical. Because neurons are irreplaceable and survive as long as the organism does, they need elaborate defense mechanisms to ensure their longevity. In Alzheimer disease, however, an accumulation of nucleic acid oxidation is observed, indicating an increased level of oxidative stress and/or a decreased capacity to repair the nucleic acid damage. In this review, we present data supporting the notion that mitochondrial and metal abnormalities are key sources of oxidative stress in Alzheimer disease. Furthermore, we outline the mechanisms of nucleic acid oxidation and repair. Finally, evidence showing the occurrence of nucleic acid oxidation in Alzheimer disease will be discussed.
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine 05/2008; 44(8):1493-505. · 5.42 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Lipid peroxidation and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal formation by copper ion bound to amyloid-beta peptide.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is proposed to be a toxic factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. The primary products of lipid peroxidation are phospholipid hydroperoxides, and degraded reactive aldehydes, such as HNE, are considered secondary peroxidation products. In this study, we investigated the role of amyloid-beta peptide (A beta) in the formation of phospholipid hydroperoxides and HNE by copper ion bound to A beta. The A beta1-42-Cu2+ (1:1 molar ratio) complex showed an activity to form phospholipid hydroperoxides from a phospholipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl phosphatidylcholine, through Cu2+ reduction in the presence of ascorbic acid. The phospholipid hydroperoxides were considered to be a racemic mixture of 9-hydroperoxide and 13-hydroperoxide of the linoleoyl residue. When Cu2+ was bound to 2 molar equivalents of A beta(1-42) (2 A beta1-42-Cu2+), lipid peroxidation was inhibited. HNE was generated from one of the phospholipid hydroperoxides, 1-palmitoyl-2-(13-hydroperoxy-cis-9, trans-11-octadecadienoyl) phosphatidylcholine (PLPC-OOH), by free Cu2+ in the presence of ascorbic acid through Cu2+ reduction and degradation of PLPC-OOH. HNE generation was markedly inhibited by equimolar concentrations of A beta(1-40) (92%) and A beta(1-42) (92%). However, A beta(1-42) binding 2 or 3 molar equivalents of Cu2+ (A beta1-42-2Cu2+, A beta1-42-3Cu2+) acted as a pro-oxidant to form HNE from PLPC-OOH. These findings suggest that, at moderate concentrations of copper, A beta acts primarily as an antioxidant to prevent Cu2+-catalyzed oxidation of biomolecules, but that, in the presence of excess copper, pro-oxidant complexes of A beta with Cu2+ are formed.
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine 01/2008; 43(11):1552-9. · 5.42 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Reactions of 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole with hypochlorous acid and superoxide.
    Masao Nakamura, Naomi Shishido, Hiroaki Akutsu
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Reactions of thioureylene antithyroid drugs (1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole and carbimazole) with hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and superoxide were followed optically and products were analyzed by mass spectrometry. 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (MMI) and carbimazole reacted rapidly with HOCl with a rate constant of 1 x 10(7) and 7 x 10(6) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. The characteristic spectrum assigned to MMI disulfide appeared immediately after addition of HOCl, followed by a slow conversion to a final spectrum. The conversion was dependent upon the ratio of HOCl to MMI and both antithyroid drugs uptake 3 moles HOCl for complete conversion. A similar sequence of spectral changes was also observed when the HOCl was replaced by myeloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2/Cl- system. The final oxidation product of MMI and carbimazole with HOCl and superoxide was 1-methylimidazole.
    Japanese journal of infectious diseases 11/2004; 57(5):S34-5. · 1.49 Impact Factor
  • Article: Porphyrin-induced photooxidation of conjugated bilirubin.
    Naomi Shishido, Kenji Nakayama, Masao Nakamura
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Visible light irradiation of 18 microM bilirubin ditaurate (BR-DT) at pH 7.0 for 30 min showed a 10% decrease in absorbance at 445 nm. When the reaction was carried out in the presence of a trace amount of uroporphyrin (UP), the spectrum of BR-DT disappeared without a concomitant formation of biliverdin. Photooxidation products were confirmed to be dipyrrole-containing compounds. Photo-bleaching of BR-DT was accelerated by the increasing concentration of UP and was inhibited, when UP was replaced by Cu2+UP. Formation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl through the irradiation of UP was diminished by sodium azide, a potent scavenger of singlet oxygen. The efficiency of singlet oxygen formation through visible light irradiation was in the order UP, coproporphyrin > Cu2+UP. Both bilirubin and BR-DT bound to human serum albumin (HSA) were photooxidized effectively in the presence of UP. The results indicate that irradiation of UP produces singlet oxygen with high efficiency which then rapidly oxidizes free and conjugated bilirubin.
    Free Radical Research 10/2003; 37(10):1061-7. · 2.88 Impact Factor
  • Article: Inhibitory effects of bucillamine on increased blood-retinal barrier permeability in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To investigate the effect of bucillamine for prevention of increasing blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The groups included control and STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with or without bucillamine. Six months after intervention, the concentrations of reduced and oxidative glutathione (GSH and GSSG) in the retina were measured biochemically. In addition, vitreous fluorescein, which leaks from the vessels after intravenous injection of fluorescein sodium, was measured to evaluate BRB permeability. To evaluate the scavenging ability against the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro, the second-order rate constant for the reaction of bucillamine with ROS was estimated from the kinetics based on the rate constant for the reaction of ROS. The BRB permeability was significantly higher (p = 0.01) in diabetic rats not treated with bucillamine, and bucillamine inhibited the BRB permeability. The GSH concentration and the GSH/GSSG ratio in the retinas decreased in diabetic rats not treated with bucillamine; bucillamine inhibited the decrease of the GSH concentrations. The ROS scavenging activity of bucillamine was similar with that of GSH. In diabetic retinas, oxidative stress might increase, which may be one of the causes of BRB breakdown. The antioxidant effects of bucillamine might take part in inhibition of increased permeability of the BRB in diabetes.
    Current Eye Research 08/2002; 25(1):1-7. · 1.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Paraquat- and diquat-induced oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation in rat brain microsomes.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: NADPH-menadione reductase activity by rat brain microsomes (Ms) was decreased 40-50% by 10 microM dicumarol, a potent inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, whereas no change in NADPH-paraquat (PQ) and -diquat (DQ) reductase activity was observed. NADPH-DQ reductase activity in brain Ms was 2.5-fold higher than NADPH-PQ reductase activity. The formation of PQ and DQ radicals was verified optically and observed directly by ESR spectroscopy in the NADPH-PQ and -DQ reductase reactions by brain Ms under anaerobic conditions. PQ- and DQ-induced superoxide formation was confirmed by the detection of DMPO-OOH ESR signals and followed by chemiluminescence (CL) of a Cypridina luciferin analogue (CLA). The kinetics and intensity of the CL were consistent with the observations that the reduction in DQ is faster than that in PQ. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and phospholipid hydroperoxides in brain Ms increased in the presence of NADPH and Fe3+. The generation of both lipid peroxidation products derived from brain Ms decreased with increasing concentrations of PQ and DQ. The inhibitory effect of DQ is more pronounced than that of PQ. The formation of PQ- and DQ-induced reactive oxygen species was not associated with lipid peroxidation in rat brain Ms.
    Journal of Biochemistry 05/2002; 131(4):565-70. · 2.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: Inhibitory effect of bucillamine on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in rats.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: We investigated the inhibitory effects of bucillamine on formation of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a rat model. Bucillamine administration (approximately 150 mg/kg/day) was started 1 week before photocoagulation and continued to the end of the study. Control groups received drinking water. Two weeks after photocoagulation, choroidal neovascularization development was evaluated using simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and the maximal thickness of the lesions was measured histologically. The incidence of CNV formation was 99.5 +/- 0.2% [mean +/- standard deviation (SD)] in control rats and 64.3 +/- 15.1% with bucillamine (P < 0.01). Histological study showed that the thickness of the CNV lesions was 23.4 +/- 6.5 microm (mean +/- SD) in the bucillamine-treated rats, which was significantly decreased compared to that in controls (60.8 +/- 9.2 microm) (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that bucillamine may inhibit the development of laser-induced CNV in rats.
    Current Eye Research 01/2002; 24(1):1-5. · 1.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of CP-060S, a novel Ca2+ channel blocker, on oxidative stress in cultured cardiac myocytes
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The effect of (−)-(S)-2-[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-3-[3-[N-methyl-N-[2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]propyl]-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one hydrogen fumarate (CP-060S), a novel Ca2+ channel blocker, on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity was studied in cultured rat cardiac myocytes. The CP-060S effect was compared with that of CP-060R, an optical isomer of CP-060S with a less potent Ca2+ channel blocking action than CP-060S. H2O2 increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase from cardiac myocytes and decreased the formation of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) formazan in cardiac myocytes (i.e., cytotoxic action). Both CP-060S (1 μM) and CP-060R (1 μM) attenuated to a similar extent the foregoing alterations induced by H2O2. On the otherhand, 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (10 mM), a scavenger of both H2O2 and hydroxyl radical, also attenuated the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity whereas diltiazem (10 μM) did not. In an experiment using electron spin resonance (ESR) with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), a spin-trapping agent, both CP-060S and CP-060R decreased the intensity of DMPO-hydroxyl radical signal concentration dependently. These results suggest that CP-060S protects cardiac myocytes from oxidative stress through its radical scavenging action.
    European Journal of Pharmacology.
  • Source
    Article: Lipid peroxidation and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal formation by copper ion bound to amyloid-β peptide
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is proposed to be a toxic factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. The primary products of lipid peroxidation are phospholipid hydroperoxides, and degraded reactive aldehydes, such as HNE, are considered secondary peroxidation products. In this study, we investigated the role of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the formation of phospholipid hydroperoxides and HNE by copper ion bound to Aβ. The Aβ1–42–Cu2+ (1:1 molar ratio) complex showed an activity to form phospholipid hydroperoxides from a phospholipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl phosphatidylcholine, through Cu2+ reduction in the presence of ascorbic acid. The phospholipid hydroperoxides were considered to be a racemic mixture of 9-hydroperoxide and 13-hydroperoxide of the linoleoyl residue. When Cu2+ was bound to 2 molar equivalents of Aβ1–42 (2 Aβ1–42–Cu2+), lipid peroxidation was inhibited. HNE was generated from one of the phospholipid hydroperoxides, 1-palmitoyl-2-(13-hydroperoxy-cis-9, trans-11-octadecadienoyl) phosphatidylcholine (PLPC-OOH), by free Cu2+ in the presence of ascorbic acid through Cu2+ reduction and degradation of PLPC-OOH. HNE generation was markedly inhibited by equimolar concentrations of Aβ1–40 (92%) and Aβ1–42 (92%). However, Aβ1–42 binding 2 or 3 molar equivalents of Cu2+ (Aβ1–42–2Cu2+, Aβ1–42–3Cu2+) acted as a pro-oxidant to form HNE from PLPC-OOH. These findings suggest that, at moderate concentrations of copper, Aβ acts primarily as an antioxidant to prevent Cu2+-catalyzed oxidation of biomolecules, but that, in the presence of excess copper, pro-oxidant complexes of Aβ with Cu2+ are formed.
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

Institutions

  • 2010
    • Yamanashi University
      • Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering
      Kōfu-shi, Yamanashi-ken, Japan
  • 2009–2010
    • Case Western Reserve University
      • Department of Pathology (University Hospitals Case Medical Center)
      Cleveland, OH, USA
  • 2004–2010
    • Asahikawa Medical University
      • Department of Chemistry
      Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
  • 2008
    • Hokkaido Institute of Public Health
      Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan
    • University of Coimbra
      • Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular (CNC)
      Coimbra, Distrito de Coimbra, Portugal
  • 2002
    • Hokkaido University
      • Laboratory of Biophysics
      Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan