Hiromi Iwagaki

Okayama University, Okayama-shi, Okayama-ken, Japan

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Publications (86)198.87 Total impact

  • Article: Generalized peritonitis due to spontaneously perforated pyometra presenting as pneumoperitoneum: Report of a case
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    ABSTRACT: We report a rare case of generalized peritonitis due to a ruptured pyometra in an 86-year-old woman, and also conduct a review of the previous Japanese literature. The patient presented with muscle guarding and rebound tenderness. Computed tomography (CT) disclosed a cystic mass in the peritoneal cavity, in which an air-fluid level was noted. Pneumoperitoneum around the uterus due to gas production of anaerobic bacteria was noted on a CT. At laparotomy, the uterus was markedly enlarged with a necrotic area on the uterine fundus, which was found to be perforated. A supravaginal hysterectomy and drainage were performed. We found only eight cases of a ruptured pyometra presenting as pneumoperitoneum in the Japanese literature between 1977 and 1999. The most common cause of pneumoperitoneum is a perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. However, other possible causes, as seen in our patient, should also be taken into consideration. Although it is rare, a perforated pyometra should therefore also be considered when elderly women present with acute abdominal pain. Key Wordsdiffuse peritonitis–pyometra–rupture of uterus–elderly women
    Surgery Today 04/2012; 30(5):454-457. · 1.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gastric perforation caused by a bulimic attack in an anorexia nervosa patient: Report of a case
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    ABSTRACT: We report a rare case of gastric perforation due to a bulimic attack in a 17-year-old girl suffering from anorexia nervosa. She was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of abdominal pain following bulimia. Initially, her symptoms were reduced after drainage using a nasogastric tube. Eight hours later, however, she fell into a state of preshock. Abdominal radiography revealed subphrenic free air. We diagnosed the patient as having diffuse peritonitis. At laparotomy, the stomach was dilated and necrotic with perforation. Almost the entire stomach was resected. Postoperatively, the patient recovered uneventfully. We should therefore be aware of this condition when treating patients with anorexia nervosa who complain of abdominal pain. Key Wordsgastric perforation–bulimic attack–anorexia nervosa
    Surgery Today 04/2012; 30(5):435-437. · 1.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Immunohistochemical staining of liver grafts with a monoclonal antibody against HCV-Envelope 2 for recurrent hepatitis C after living donor liver transplantation.
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluated the expression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen on liver grafts by immunohistochemical staining (IHS) using IG222 monoclonal antibody (mAb) against HCV-envelope 2 (E2). The study material was 84 liver biopsy specimens obtained from 28 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCV infection. The biopsy samples were examined histopathologically, and by IHS using IG222 mAb against HCV-E2. Serum HCV-RNA level was measured in all patients. The IHS grades were compared among the three groups classified according to the time elapsed from LDLT (at 1-30, 31-179 and > or =180 days post-LDLT) and among four post-transplant conditions, including acute cellular rejection (ACR). Immunoreactivity to IG222 was detected in 78.6% of the specimens obtained during the first month after LDLT, and there were no significant differences on the IHS grades between the three groups classified according to the time elapsed from LDLT. The IHS grades were significantly stronger in definite recurrent HCV (n = 12) and probable recurrent HCV (n = 7) than in definite ACR (n = 7) and other complications (n = 8). There were no significant differences in serum HCV-RNA levels among the four post-transplant conditions. There was no significant correlation between the IHS grades using IG222 mAb and serum HCV-RNA levels when data of 84 liver biopsy specimens were analyzed. Constant HCV-E2 expression was observed in liver biopsy specimens obtained 1 month or longer. The strong HCV-E2 expression on liver grafts were associated with recurrent hepatitis C after LDLT, but the serum HCV-RNA levels were not.
    Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 04/2009; 24(4):574-80. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Specific Removal of Monocytes from Peripheral Blood of Septic Patients by Polymyxin B-immobilized Filter Column.
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    ABSTRACT: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the major causes of septic shock. The polymyxin B-immobilized filter column (PMX) was developed for the adsorption of endotoxin by direct hemoperfusion and has been used for the treatment of LPS-induced septic shock. In this study, we demonstrated that PMX also specifically bound monocytes from the peripheral blood leukocytes of septic patients by mean of an analysis of bound cells using immunocytochemical and electron microscopic techniques. The specific removal of monocytes from septic patients may produce beneficial effects by reducing the interaction between monocytes and functionally associated cells including vascular endothelial cells.
    Acta medica Okayama 03/2009; 63(1):65-9. · 0.84 Impact Factor
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    Article: Preoperative oral administration of pentoxifylline ameliorates respiratory index after cardiopulmonary bypass through decreased production of IL-6.
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    ABSTRACT: Activation of inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may lead to considerable post-operative mortality. Recently, pentoxifylline (PTX), a methylxanthine derivative, has been reported to be effective in inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production. This study aimed to determine whether or not PTX prevented CPB-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Thirty adult patients were randomly separated into 2 experimental groups and 1 control group of 10 patients each. The experimental group received peroral PTX administration (Group 1: 600 mg/day, Group 2: 900 mg/day), while the control group did not. In Group 1 and Group 2, PTX administration was started on preoperative day 5 and continued for 5 days. Serum levels of PTX and IL-6 were measured just before and at 4 h after CPB using HPLC and ELISA, respectively. Respiratory index (RI) before and at 4 h after CPB was calculated, and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen on postoperative day 1 were also determined. There were no significant differences in age, body weight, sex, surgical procedures, CPB time, haemodynamics or risk factors among the 3 groups. Serum IL-6 level and RI index after CPB in Group 2 were significantly decreased compared with those in Group 1 and the control group. These results, therefore, suggested that preoperative daily administration of 900 mg/day PTX contributed to the attenuation of CPB-induced SIRS and had a beneficial effect on the postoperative course after cardiovascular surgery.
    Acta medica Okayama 05/2008; 62(2):69-74. · 0.84 Impact Factor
  • Article: Stimulation of adenosine A2A receptor inhibits LPS-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and production of TNF-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
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    ABSTRACT: LPS stimulates CD14/Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, leading to induce TNF-alpha production. Cell-to-cell interaction through the engagement between intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 1 on monocytes and its ligand on T cells has been suggested to play a role in the TNF-alpha production by LPS-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Adenosine is reported to inhibit LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. However, little is known about the mechanism of the inhibitory effects induced by adenosine on the LPS-induced immune responses. We found that adenosine inhibited the expression of ICAM-1 and the production of TNF-alpha by human PBMC via adenosine A2A receptor in the presence of LPS. However, the stimulation of A1R or A3R enhanced the actions of adenosine. Adenosine had no effect on the expression of CD14 and TLR-4, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of adenosine on the LPS actions might be independent of the expression of CD14 and TLR-4. Thus, adenosine differentially regulates the expression of ICAM-1 and the production of TNF-alpha through plural subtypes of receptors.
    Shock 03/2008; 29(2):154-9. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Mechanism of impaired regeneration of fatty liver in mouse partial hepatectomy model.
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    ABSTRACT: The mechanism of injury in steatotic liver under pathological conditions been extensively examined. However, the mechanism of an impaired regeneration is still not well understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the mechanism of impaired regeneration of steatotic liver after partial hepatectomy (PH). db/db fatty mice and lean littermates were used for the experiments. Following 70% PH, the survival rate and recovery of liver mass were examined. Liver tissue was histologically examined and analyzed by western blotting and RT-PCR. Of 35 db/db mice, 25 died within 48 h of PH, while all of the control mice survived. Liver regeneration of surviving db/db mice was largely impaired. In db/db mice, mitosis of hepatocytes after PH was disturbed, even though proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression (G1 to S phase marker) in hepatocytes was equally observed in both mice groups. Interestingly, phosphorylation of Cdc2 in db/db mice was suppressed by reduced expression of Wee1 and Myt1, which phosphorylate Cdc2 in S to G2 phase. In steatotic liver, cell-cycle-related proliferative disorders occurred at mid-S phase after PCNA expression. Reduced expression of Wee1 and Myt1 kinases may therefore maintain Cdc2 in an unphosphorylated state and block cell cycle progression in mid-S phase. These kinases may be critical factors involved in the impaired liver regeneration in fatty liver.
    Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 01/2008; 22(12):2173-80. · 2.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Preoperative proximal splenic artery embolization: a safe and efficacious portal decompression technique that improves the outcome of live donor liver transplantation.
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    ABSTRACT: Terminal liver cirrhosis is associated with marked severe portal hypertension, which increases the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage and graft hyper-perfusion, especially, in small-for-size graft. In cases with developed collateral vessels, we often face difficulties in perihepatic dissection with blood stanching against bleeding during recipient hepatectomy. For aseptic preoperative portal decompression, we established the proximal splenic artery embolization (PSAE) technique. Sixty adult living donor liver transplantation recipients with viral/alcoholic hepatic failure were divided into two groups; PSAE group (n = 30) and non-PSAE (n = 30). In the PSAE group, the splenic artery was embolized proximal to the splenic hilum 12-18 h before surgery. PSAE enabled shortening of operating time, reduced blood loss, led to less need for transfusion, and significantly reduced the post-transplant portal venous velocity and ascites. PSAE was not associated with complications, e.g., splenic infarction, abscess, or portal thrombosis. Six of the non-PSAE patients required additional surgical intervention to resolve postoperative hemorrhage and three patients required secondary PSAE for arterial-steal-syndrome. The hospital mortality rate of PSAE patients (3.3%) was significantly better than that of the PSAE group (13.3%, P < 0.05). Preoperative noninvasive PSAE makes more efficient use of portal decompression; thus, it can potentially contribute to improvement of outcome.
    Transplant International 12/2007; 20(11):947-55. · 2.92 Impact Factor
  • Article: Action profiles of statins and calcineurin inhibitors during human mixed lymphocyte reaction.
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    ABSTRACT: The cell-to-cell interaction through binding intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and CD40 on monocytes and their ligands such as lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) on T-cells plays roles in cytokine production and T-cell proliferation. Interleukin (IL)-18, which is elevated in the plasma during acute rejection after organ transplantation, induces the expression of ICAM-1 and CD40 on monocytes, the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-12 and the proliferation of T-cells during the human mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). In addition to the cholesterol lowering effect, statins improve patient survival and decrease rejection episodes in transplant recipients. In the present study, we investigated the difference of effect of statins and calcineurin inhibitors during MLR. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, fluvastatin and pravastatin and statin-derived LFA-1 inhibitors, LFA703 and LFA878, which did not inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, suppressed the production of IFN-gamma and IL-12 and the lymphocyte proliferation as well as the expression of ICAM-1 and CD40 on monocytes regardless of the presence of IL-18. However, the calcineurin inhibitors, tacrolimus and cyclosporine A (CsA), inhibited the IL-18-enhanced cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation without any effect on the adhesion molecule expression. Thus, the action mechanism of stain is different from that of calcineurin inhibitors.
    Clinical Immunology 07/2007; 123(3):324-32. · 4.05 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of adenosine receptor subtypes stimulation on mixed lymphocyte reaction.
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    ABSTRACT: The cell-to-cell interaction through binding of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on monocytes to their ligands lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 on T-cells plays important roles in cytokine production and T-cell proliferation. Interleukin (IL)-18, which plasma levels are elevated in patients during acute rejection following organ transplantation, induces the expression of ICAM-1 on monocytes, production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-12 and lymphocyte proliferation during human mixed lymphocyte reaction. Activation of the adenosine A(2A) receptor on during reperfusion of various tissues has been found to markedly reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study, we examined the effect of adenosine at increasing concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 microM on the IL-18-enhanced expression of ICAM-1, production of IFN-gamma and IL-12 and lymphocyte proliferation during human mixed lymphocyte reaction. Adenosine inhibited the IL-18-initiated immune responses. The IC(50) values of adenosine for inhibition of the IL-18-enhanced ICAM-1 expression, IFN-gamma production and lymphocyte proliferation were 20 microM, respectively. The actions of adenosine depended on the stimulation of adenosine A(2A) receptor. An inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA) at 100 microM inhibited the actions of adenosine, suggesting that PKA might be involved in the actions of adenosine. On the other hand, the stimulation of adenosine A(1) and A(3) receptor blocked the actions of adenosine A(2A) receptor stimulation. These results suggest that adenosine inhibits the immune responses during mixed lymphocyte reaction via adenosine A(2A) receptor.
    European Journal of Pharmacology 07/2007; 564(1-3):204-10. · 2.52 Impact Factor
  • Article: The immunosuppressive effects of nicotine during human mixed lymphocyte reaction.
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    ABSTRACT: Cell-to-cell interaction through binding intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, B7.1, B7.2 and CD40 on monocytes and their ligands on T-cells plays roles in cytokine production and T-cell proliferation. Interleukin (IL)-18, which is elevated in the plasma during acute rejection after organ transplantation, induces the expression of ICAM-1, B7.1, B7.2 and CD40, production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-12 and proliferation of lymphocytes during human mixed lymphocyte reaction. Nicotine is known to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines from macrophages through the stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit. In the present study, we examined the effect of increasing concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 microM of nicotine on the expression of ICAM-1, B7.1, B7.2 and CD40, production of IFN-gamma and IL-12 and proliferation of lymphocytes during mixed lymphocyte reaction treated with IL-18 at 100 ng/ml for 48 h. Nicotine inhibited the expression of adhesion molecules, cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation. The IC50 values of nicotine for inhibition of the IL-18-enhanced ICAM-1 expression, IFN-gamma production and proliferation were 1, 1 and 2 microM, respectively. A non-selective and a selective antagonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit, mecamylamine and alpha-bungarotoxin abolished the effects of nicotine. The actions of nicotine might depend on stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit. Nicotine induced prostaglandin E(2) production during mixed lymphocyte reaction. The inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and protein kinase A (PKA) at 100 microM inhibited the actions of nicotine, suggesting that the endogenous prostaglandin E(2) might be, at least, partially involved the actions of nicotine.
    European Journal of Pharmacology 04/2007; 559(1):69-74. · 2.52 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of nicotine on IL-18-initiated immune response in human monocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: Nicotine is thought to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages through an anti-inflammatory pathway that is dependent on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit (alpha7-nAChR). IL-18, an important proinflammatory cytokine, is reported to induce the expression of adhesion molecules on monocytes, thus enhancing cell-to-cell interactions with T-cells and contributing to IL-18-initiated cytokine production. Accordingly, inhibition of IL-18 suppresses systemic inflammatory responses. In the present study, we found that nicotine inhibited the IL-18-enhanced expression of ICAM-1, B7.2, and CD40 on monocytes, and the production of IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha by PBMC. A nonselective and a selective alpha7-nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine, and alpha-bungarotoxin abolished the effects of nicotine, suggesting that this depends on alpha7-nAChR stimulation. It is reported that nicotine induces prostaglandinE2 (PGE(2)) production in PBMC through the up-regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. PGE(2) is known to activate the EP2/EP4-receptor, leading to an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Consistent with this, we found that COX-2 and PKA inhibitors prevented the effects of nicotine on adhesion molecule expression and cytokine production, indicating that the mechanism of action of nicotine may be via endogenous PGE(2) production.
    Journal of Leukocyte Biology 01/2007; 80(6):1388-94. · 4.99 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protective effects of nafamostat mesilate on liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats: possible involvement of CD14 and TLR-4 downregulation on Kupffer cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Nafamostat mesilate (NM) is a synthetic protease inhibitor with various biological effects. To determine its effect on liver injury related to sepsis, we investigated the effects of NM on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. Wistar rats were allocated into two groups; the NM group underwent intraperitoneal NM administration 30 min before LPS administration, and the control group underwent PBS administration. Serum AST and ALT levels were significantly decreased in NM-treated rats. Reduced levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma were observed after LPS administration in NM-treated rats. No significant differences were observed in IL-6 levels between the NM and the control group. In contrast, HGF levels were significantly increased only in control rats. NM treatment decreased protein and mRNA levels of TLR-4 and CD14. Our data suggest that NM treatment has protective effects against LPS-induced hepatotoxicity through downregulation of TLR4 and CD14 in liver, which decreased TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gammaproduction in liver.
    Digestive Diseases and Sciences 12/2006; 51(11):2007-12. · 2.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Stimulation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor inhibits CD14 and the toll-like receptor 4 expression in human monocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-receptor complex, CD14/toll-like receptor 4, is known to play a role in the immune responses during sepsis. Excessive inflammation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha synthesis have been reported to cause morbidity and mortality in endotoxemia and sepsis. Cell-to-cell interaction through the engagement between intercellular adhesion molecule 1, B7.1, and CD40 on monocytes and their ligands on T cells has been suggested to play a role in the inflammatory response such as TNF-alpha and interleukin 10 production. Nicotine, with the stimulation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit (alpha7-nAChR), has now become the focus of attention because of its anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the mechanism of the inhibitory effects induced by nicotine on the LPS-induced immune responses. In the present study, we found that nicotine suppressed the expression of CD14, toll-like receptor 4, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, B7.1, and CD40 on monocytes and the production of TNF-alpha, but not interleukin 10, in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of LPS. The actions of nicotine were reversed by a nonselective and a selective alpha7-nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine and alpha-bungarotoxin, respectively. Therefore, nicotine might inhibit the LPS receptor complex expression via alpha7-nAChR, thus leading to a decrease in the adhesion molecule expression and TNF-alpha production. Moreover, we demonstrated that a nuclear factor-kappaB and a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor mimicked the actions of nicotine in the presence of LPS. These results suggested that the nuclear factor-kappaB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase might be involved in the actions of nicotine.
    Shock 11/2006; 26(4):358-64. · 2.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: alpha7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-18 and -12 production in monocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: Nicotine inhibited interleukin (IL)-18 and -12 production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes, and the action of nicotine was antagonized by a non-selective and a selective alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7-nAChR) antagonist, suggesting that the stimulation of alpha7-nAChR may be involved in the action of nicotine. Nicotine is reported to induce prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in monocytes through the up-regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. PGE(2) is known to increase cAMP levels and to activate protein kinase A (PKA). COX-2 and PKA inhibitors prevented the action of nicotine, indicating that the mechanism of action of nicotine may be via endogenous PGE(2) production.
    Journal of Pharmacological Sciences 10/2006; 102(1):143-6. · 2.08 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cimetidine induces interleukin-18 production through H2-agonist activity in monocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: The present study demonstrates a possible mechanism for the improvement of gastrointestinal cancer patients' prognosis by the histamine receptor type 2 (H2R) antagonist cimetidine. This agent, but not the H2R antagonists ranitidine and famotidine, induced the production of an antitumor cytokine, interleukin (IL)-18, by human monocytes and dendritic cells (DC). In fact, ranitidine and famotidine antagonized cimetidine-induced IL-18 production. Cimetidine induced the activation of caspase-1, which is reported to modify immature IL-18 to mature/active IL-18, and the elevation of intracellular cAMP, leading to the activation of protein kinase A (PKA). The PKA inhibitor H89 abolished the IL-18 production induced by cimetidine. Moreover, the effects of cimetidine on IL-18 production were reproduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from wild-type mice, but not in those from H2R knockout mice. In conclusion, cimetidine, a partial agonist for H2R, has a pharmacological profile different from ranitidine and famotidine, possibly contributing to its antitumor activity on gastrointestinal cancers.
    Molecular Pharmacology 09/2006; 70(2):450-3. · 4.88 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hypothesis: the antitumor activities of statins may be mediated by IL-18.
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    ABSTRACT: Statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are thought to reduce the risk of cancer through the inhibition of Ras farnesylation and serum lipid level. A pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-18 (IL-18), is reported to exhibit significant antitumor activities through the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells and the inhibition of angiogenesis. Previously, we found that pravastatin, fluvastatin, and simvastatin induced the production of IL-18 in human monocytes. The addition of mevalonate abolished the IL-18 production induced by pravastatin, fluvastatin, and simvastatin, indicating that the IL-18 production might be a result of the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. We present a new hypothesis that the production of IL-18 might play roles in the action of statins on cancer.
    Journal of Leukocyte Biology 09/2006; 80(2):215-6. · 4.99 Impact Factor
  • Article: Ex vivo adenoviral gene transfer of constitutively activated STAT3 reduces post-transplant liver injury and promotes regeneration in a 20% rat partial liver transplant model.
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    ABSTRACT: Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) is one of the most important transcription factors for liver regeneration. This study was designed to examine the effects of constitutively activated STAT3 (STAT3-C) on post-transplant liver injury and regeneration in a rat 20% partial liver transplant (PLTx) model by ex vivo adenoviral gene transfer. Adenovirus encoding the STAT3-C gene was introduced intraportally into liver grafts and clamped for 30 min during cold preservation. After orthotopic PLTx, liver graft/body weights and serum biochemistry were monitored, and both a histological study and DNA binding assay were performed. STAT3-C protein expression and its binding to DNA in the liver graft were confirmed by Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. This treatment modality promoted post-Tx liver regeneration effectively and rapidly. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (AST/ALT) and bilirubin decreased in rats with STAT3-C. However, albumin (a marker of liver function) did not. Ex vivo gene transfer of STAT3-C to liver grafts reduced post-Tx injury and promoted liver regeneration. Thus, the activation of STAT3 in the liver graft may be a potentially effective clinical strategy for improving the outcome of small-for-size liver transplantation.
    Transplant International 06/2006; 19(5):415-23. · 2.92 Impact Factor
  • Article: The immunosuppressive effects of ciprofloxacin during human mixed lymphocyte reaction.
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    ABSTRACT: Interleukin (IL)-18, which is elevated in the plasma during acute rejection after organ transplantation, is known to induce the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, B7.1, B7.2, CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) on monocytes, the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-12 and the proliferation of lymphocytes during the human mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Ciprofloxacin (CIP), which is useful for the clinical treatment of infections due to its antibacterial properties after transplantation, was shown to suppress the IFN-gamma and IL-12 production, the lymphocyte proliferation and the ICAM-1, B7.1, B7.2 and CD40 expression on monocytes during MLR in the presence of IL-18. CIP also induced the production of prostaglandin (PG) E2. In order to determine whether the effects of CIP on the expression of the activation markers were due to CIP-dependent production of PGE2, we examined the effect of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors on the actions of CIP. Thereby, the inhibitors were found to abolish the actions of CIP. These results therefore suggest that CIP might exert its immune modulatory effects via the production of PGE2.
    Clinical Immunology 05/2006; 119(1):110-9. · 4.05 Impact Factor
  • Article: The effect of ciprofloxacin on CD14 and toll-like receptor-4 expression on human monocytes.
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    ABSTRACT: CD14/toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 complex on monocytes/macrophages can bind lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transduce the signals intracellularly. An antibacterial drug, ciprofloxacin (CIP), has been reported to modulate the inflammatory and immune responses. In the present study, we examined the effects of CIP on the LPS-induced activation of monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). CIP suppressed the expression of CD14, TLR-4, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, B7.1, B7.2, and CD40 and the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha induced by LPS in monocytes. CIP induced the production of prostaglandin (PG)E2 and increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors, NS398 and indomethacin, reversed the effects of CIP on TNF-alpha production and reduced the levels of different surface antigens, whereas a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89, did not. Therefore, CIP might regulate the TNF-alpha production induced by LPS by inhibiting the expression of LPS receptor complex, which seems to be mediated by COX-2 but not the cAMP/PKA pathway.
    Shock 04/2006; 25(3):247-53. · 2.85 Impact Factor