Shigeru Okuya

Angiotensin II sensitive neurons in the supraoptic nucleus, subfornical organ and anteroventral third ventricle of rats in vitro

The angiotensin II (AII) sensitivity of neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), subfornical organ (SFO) and the region near the anteroventral part of the third ventricle (AV3V) was investigated using extracellular recording in the rat brain slice preparation by adding AII (10(-10)-10(-6) M) to the perfusion medium. Forty seven (44%) of 106 SON neurons, 62 (66%) of 94 SFO neurons and 28 (33%) of 86 AV3V neurons were excited by AII. One cell was inhibited by AII in the SON and one in the SFO. The threshold concentration to evoke responses in the SON neurons was approximately 10(-9) M, but neurons in the SFO and AV3V showed clear excitatory responses to AII at 10(-10) M. In the SON, 18 (40%) of 45 phasic firing neurons (putative vasopressin neurons) and 29 (48%) of 61 nonphasic firing neurons (including putative oxytocin neurons) were excited by AII. The excitatory effect of AII was reversibly antagonized by a specific antagonist saralasin and persisted after synaptic blockade in medium with low [Ca2+] and high [Mg2+]. We conclude that AII can stimulate both vasopressin and oxytocin release, acting directly upon SON neurons and also that both the SFO and AV3V are important receptive sites for AII (although the SFO is relatively more sensitive) which contributes SON input and modulates release of these hormones.

Oxytocin predominantly excites putative oxytocin neurons in the rat supraoptic nucleus in vitro

To determine the oxytocin (OXT) sensitivity of neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), extracellular recordings were made from the rat hypothalamic slice preparation. OXT added to the bathing medium (3 X 10(-7) M) excited 13 (93%) of 14 cells which fired continuously (average 4.9 +/- 0.7 spikes/s) and 26 (81%) of 32 cells which fired slowly and irregularly (average 1.4 +/- 0.4 spikes/s). By contrast, only 2 (8%) of 26 phasically firing neurons were excited and none of the SON cells tested were inhibited. The excitation was reversibly antagonized by a synthetic OXT analogue, 1-deamino-[2-(O-methyltyrosine), 4-valine, 8-D-arginine]vasopressin. The results suggest that OXT exerts predominantly excitatory effects in the SON and that putative OXT cells are more likely to be affected than putative vasopressin cells.

Electrophysiological properties of neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in rats

Extracellular recordings were made from neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla in urethane-chloralose-anesthetized rats. Stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the hypothalamus evoked antidromic action potentials in 71 neurons. On the basis of antidromic spike latencies, these neurons could be divided into fast- (24 neurons) and slow-conducting cell groups (47 neurons). Slow-conducting cells showed irregular and slow spontaneous discharges, while a majority of the fast-conducting cells did not show spontaneous discharges. The spontaneous activity of slow-conducting cells was suppressed by i.v. clonidine administration. The effects of clonidine could be consistently reversed by administration of the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine. The responses by clonidine and yohimbine remained unimpaired in baroreceptor-denervated rats. Vagus nerve stimulation produced an excitation in 80% of slow-conducting cells tested. Baroreceptor activation induced by i.v. administration of phenylephrine inhibited about half of slow-conducting cells tested. Similar elevation of blood pressure in baroreceptor-denervated rats did not show any effect. These physiological and pharmacological properties of slow-conducting cells were similar to those previously reported for catecholaminergic cells in other parts of the brain. The results show the existence of two different populations among neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla which project directly to the PVN, and suggest that the presumed A1 catecholaminergic cells are involved in the afferent pathway from cardiovascular baroreceptors and the vagus nerve to the PVN.

Myosin motor Myo1c and its receptor NEMO/IKK-γ promote TNF-α–induced serine307 phosphorylation of IRS-1

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signaling through the IκB kinase (IKK) complex attenuates insulin action via the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) at Ser307. However, the precise molecular mechanism by which the IKK complex phosphorylates IRS-1 is unknown. In this study, we report nuclear factor κB essential modulator (NEMO)/IKK-γ subunit accumulation in membrane ruffles followed by an interaction with IRS-1. This intracellular trafficking of NEMO requires insulin, an intact actin cytoskeletal network, and the motor protein Myo1c. Increased Myo1c expression enhanced the NEMO–IRS-1 interaction, which is essential for TNF-α– induced phosphorylation of Ser307–IRS-1. In contrast, dominant inhibitory Myo1c cargo domain expression diminished this interaction and inhibited IRS-1 phosphorylation. NEMO expression also enhanced TNF-α–induced Ser307–IRS-1 phosphorylation and inhibited glucose uptake. In contrast, a deletion mutant of NEMO lacking the IKK-β–binding domain or silencing NEMO blocked the TNF-α signal. Thus, motor protein Myo1c and its receptor protein NEMO act cooperatively to form the IKK–IRS-1 complex and function in TNF-α–induced insulin resistance.

Circadian cycles in VIP content and VIP stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in the rat pineal gland

VIP content in the rat pineal gland and cyclic AMP accumulation in response to VIP in the daily light and dark cycle were examined. VIP content in the pineal varied significantly during the day and night; the content decreased during exposure to light and was lowest at the onset of darkness, 6 p.m. (mean +/- SE, 23 +/- 5 pg/pineal), and increased during the night and was highest at the onset of light, 6 a.m. (72 +/- 12 pg/pineal). Response of cyclic AMP accumulation to VIP varied with a periodicity inversely related to the daily light and dark cycle of VIP content; cyclic AMP accumulation in response to 10(-7) M VIP increased in proportion to periods of exposure to light and peaked at 6 p.m., and decreased with the onset of darkness.

Myelofibrosis and Systemic Lupus erythematosus: Reversal of Fibrosis with High-Dose Corticosteroid Therapy

A case of myelofibrosis in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported. Acute thrombocytopenia and a bleeding tendency developed in a 24-year-old woman with SLE. Bone marrow aspiration was unsuccessful due to myelofibrosis. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone reversed both thrombocytopenia and myelofibrosis. A review of the literature revealed that the coexistence of SLE and myelofibrosis is a rare occurrence. Only 7 cases, to our knowledge, have ever been reported in detail. The present case is the 3rd in which myelofibrosis was reversed by corticosteroids.

Wolfram Syndrome in the Japanese Population; Molecular Analysis of WFS1 Gene and Characterization of Clinical Features

Background Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is a recessive neurologic and endocrinologic degenerative disorder, and is also known as DIDMOAD (Diabetes Insipidus, early-onset Diabetes Mellitus, progressive Optic Atrophy and Deafness) syndrome. Most affected individuals carry recessive mutations in the Wolfram syndrome 1 gene (WFS1). However, the phenotypic pleiomorphism, rarity and molecular complexity of this disease complicate our efforts to understand WFS. To address this limitation, we aimed to describe complications and to elucidate the contributions of WFS1 mutations to clinical manifestations in Japanese patients with WFS. Methodology The minimal ascertainment criterion for diagnosing WFS was having both early onset diabetes mellitus and bilateral optic atrophy. Genetic analysis for WFS1 was performed by direct sequencing. Principal Findings Sixty-seven patients were identified nationally for a prevalence of one per 710,000, with 33 patients (49%) having all 4 components of DIDMOAD. In 40 subjects who agreed to participate in this investigation from 30 unrelated families, the earliest manifestation was DM at a median age of 8.7 years, followed by OA at a median age of 15.8 years. However, either OA or DI was the first diagnosed feature in 6 subjects. In 10, features other than DM predated OA. Twenty-seven patients (67.5%) had a broad spectrum of recessive mutations in WFS1. Two patients had mutations in only one allele. Eleven patients (27.5%) had intact WFS1 alleles. Ages at onset of both DM and OA in patients with recessive WFS1 mutations were indistinguishable from those in patients without WFS1 mutations. In the patients with predicted complete loss-of-function mutations, ages at the onsets of both DM and OA were significantly earlier than those in patients with predicted partial-loss-of function mutations. Conclusion/Significance This study emphasizes the clinical and genetic heterogeneity in patients with WFS. Genotype-phenotype correlations may exist in patients with WFS1 mutations, as demonstrated by the disease onset.

Plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor are associated with peripheral oedema in patients treated with thiazolidinedione

To the Editor Thiazolidinediones are widely used in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition to lowering plasma glucose, this class of drugs may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes. Despite the beneficial effect of thiazolidinediones, their use is sometimes associated with peripheral oedema. This is the most frequent adverse effect leading to discontinued treatment with thiazolidinediones in Japan. However, the mechanism by which thiazolidinediones induce oedema remains to be established. Recently, Guan et al. reported that, in a mouse model, thiazolidinediones caused fluid retention through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ stimulation of renal salt absorption mediated by epithelial Na channel (ENaC) [1]. The authors speculated that an increase in plasma volume causes thiazolidinedione-induced peripheral oedema. We, however, doubt that this is the sole cause of oedema in humans. ENaC is a sodium channel located in collecting tubules. This channel is also the site of action of the hormone aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid that increases sodium reabsorption. Primary aldosteronism is a disease caused by hypersecretion of this hormone. Due to excess sodium reabsorption, the circulating blood volume increases. The resulting headache and hypertension are well documented. However, peripheral oedema does not usually develop [2]. This is a well-known outcome of this disease. Oedema, moreover, also does not develop as a result of the increased plasma volume in the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone [3]. Antidiuretic horomone is a pituitary hormone that activates the water channel aquaporin 2 in collecting tubules, thereby increasing water reabsorption. These observations in relation to endocrine diseases suggest that blood volume expansion is not sufficient for peripheral oedema to develop. We would like to highlight another important factor that might also be involved in the process. Previously, we reported that thiazolidinediones increase the plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [4]. Since VEGF is a potent vascular permeability factor, an increase in VEGF levels may contribute to thiazolidinedioneinduced oedema. However, because of the difficulty of quantifying the severity of oedema, no one has demonstrated a clear correlation between peripheral oedema and plasma VEGF levels. Assessing the presence of peripheral oedema by body weight can be misleading, because thiazolidinediones increase body fat mass [5] and circulating blood volume [1]. In our previous report, for example, a weak correlation between body weight and plasma VEGF concentration was observed only in female patients, but not in male patients or groups comprising both sexes [4]. Here, we demonstrate a strong correlation between clinically apparent peripheral oedema and plasma VEGF concentration. Oedema is defined as a clinically apparent increase in the interstitial fluid volume. Thus, we judged the existence of peripheral oedema by the presence of pitting after pressure was applied to the bilateral lower extremities. We re-evaluated the clinical data collected for our previous study [4]. Briefly, a total of 30 patients with type 2 diabetes Diabetologia (2006) 49:2217–2218 DOI 10.1007/s00125-006-0313-5

Identification of Glypican3 as a novel GLUT4-binding protein

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake in fat and muscle primarily by stimulating the translocation of vesicles containing facilitative glucose transporters, GLUT4, from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane. Although cell surface externalization of GLUT4 is critical for glucose transport, the mechanism regulating cell surface GLUT4 remains unknown. Using a yeast two-hybrid screening system, we have screened GLUT4-binding proteins, and identified a novel glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-linked proteoglycan, Glypican3 (GPC3). We confirmed their interaction using immunoprecipitation and a GST pull-down assay. We also revealed that GPC3 and GLUT4 to co-localized at the plasma membrane, using immunofluorescent microscopy. Furthermore, we observed that glucose uptake in GPC3-overexpressing adipocytes was increased by 30% as compared to control cells. These findings suggest that GPC3 may play roles in glucose transport through GLUT4.

Ultrasound analysis of gray‐scale median value of carotid plaques is a useful reference index for cerebro‐cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes

Measurements of plaque echogenicity, the gray‐scale median (GSM), were shown to correlate inversely with risk factors for cerebro‐cardiovascular disease (CVD). The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio is a potential predictor of CVD risk. In the present study, we assessed the usefulness of carotid plaque GSM values and EPA/AA ratios in atherosclerotic diabetics.