Junichi Misumi

Effects of cefbuperazone on the chemiluminescence of human neutrophils.

To investigate the in vivo effect of antimicrobial agent on neutrophil chemiluminescence and serum opsonic activity, cefbuperazone sodium (CBPZ) was administered to healthy male volunteers via an intravenous drip. A peripheral blood sample (10 ml) was collected 7 times: prior to injection, then 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h after injection. Neutrophil chemiluminescence and serum opsonic activity was measured by the simultaneous multiple measurement system based on luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and indicated by peak height and peak time. Neutrophils were activated at hour 1 from the point of view of peak height and statistical significance was observed. The fluctuation of serum opsonic activity was small and statistical significance was not observed. CBPZ has an in vivo effect on neutrophils which was not supposed from in vitro study.

Effects of vitamin B12 and B6 on 2,5-hexanedione-induced neuropathy

The therapeutic effect of Vitamin B12 or Vitamin B6 on 2,5-hexanedione induced-neuropathy in animals was examined by using our electrodiagnostic technique in order to investigate the mechanism of the development of the neuropathy.Pyridoxal phosphate and two forms of Vitamin B12 were administered to rats intoxicated by the neurotoxin for a period of 18 weeks, and the sensory and motor fiber conduction velocity and the motor distal latency of the tail nerve were periodically determined. None of the groups treated with the therapeutic drugs exhibited a definite improvement in the nerve fiber conduction velocity and motor distal latency of the rat tail nerve, as compared with those of the 2,5-hexane-dione-treated controls.

Comparison of unitages for total free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (total EP) in anemia screening

The presence of free protoporphyrin in erythrocytes was previously reported by Hymans van den Bergh and Hyman [l]. In addition, increased free erythrocyte protoporphyrin is often observed in some diseases [2]. In iron-deficiency anemia, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin also increases, because heme synthesis cannot be completed and a relative excess of the unused ‘free’ protoporphyrin accumulates in the erythrocytes [3]. Lamola and Yamane, however, reported that the fluorescent porphyrin in the erythrocytes of patients with lead intoxication or with iron-deficiency anemia is zinc protoporphyrin that easily dissociates into free protoporphyrin and zinc ions in acidic solvents [4]. In another report, Piomelli [5] developed a micromethod for free erythrocyte protoporphyrin determination in which protoporphyrin in erythrocytes is extracted with an acidic solvent then determined as a free type of protoporphyrin, therefore the method determines free and zinc protoporphyrin, the so-called total erythrocyte protoporphyrin (total EP). Since then, the measurement of total EP has been recognized as a sensitive indicator for lead intoxication in children and is a simple procedure for any clinical laboratory. The total EP can be determined and calculated as four different units: pg/dl-blood, pg/dl-packed cell volume (pcv), pg/g-heme and pg/g-hemoglobin (Hb). The aim of the present study is to detect which unit is the most useful to evaluate or screen for the presence anemia.