Shinichi Kanamori

Age-associated decreases in prostaglandin contents in human gastric mucosa

This study was designed to clarify effects of ageing on human gastric mucosal prostaglandin (PG) contents. Forty examinees were divided into 5 age groups of 8 persons each, as follows: age under 40, age 40-49, age 50-59, age 60-69, and age over 70. PG contents in human gastric mucosa were measured by microcolumn high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with helium/cadmium laser induced fluorescence detection using biopsy samples obtained by endoscopy. The contents of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGE2, and PGD2 in the under 40 group were 638 +/- 39, 97 +/- 16, 468 +/- 68, 497 +/- 86 (pg/mg tissue), respectively. No significant differences in PG contents among groups aged under 70 were observed. In contrast, significantly low PG contents in the over 70 group were observed, i.e., the contents of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGE2, and PGD2 were 311 +/- 58, 36 +/- 8, 196 +/- 48, 171 +/- 40, respectively, and their contents were significantly lower than those in other age groups. In conclusion, gastric mucosal PG contents decrease significantly in over 70 years-old and this might be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers in elderly people.

New Endoscopic Approach to Diagnosing Pancreatic Diseases Using an Intraductal Ultrasound System

Abstract: We found that pancreatic diseases can be accurately visualized and diagnosed from the main pancreatic duct via the major papilla using an intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) catheter at a frequency of 30 MHz to create a 360 real‐time image. Herein we present the problems and potential future development of the IDUS system in visualizing pancreatic diseases. The clinical application of the IDUS was evaluated in 16 patients with pancreatic diseases (3 with pancreatic cancer, 6 with a mucin‐producing tumor and 7 with chronic pancreatitis). Insertion was successful in all 4 patients (100%) with a wide‐open orifice and in 9 out of 12 patients (75%) with a normal orifice.

Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori and regression of gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Abstract: A 57-year-old woman presented to our clinic with low-grade gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (stage IE) and Helicobacter pylori infection. She received a 2-week course of omeprazole and clarithromycin, resulting in eradication of H. pylori and histological disappearance of the lymphoma. However, 9 months later (May 1996), multiple mass lesions were found around the pancreas and hepato-duodenal ligament on abdominal computed tomography. Inguinal lymph node biopsy revealed aggressive nodal type B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma, diffuse large cell type. She received chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisolone, but failed to achieve remission and died in December 1996. There was no evidence of recurrent gastric lymphoma. This case emphasizes the importance of performing follow-up examinations to detect other neoplasms in patients with gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.