We determined the amino acid sequence responsible for the calmodulin (CaM)-binding ability of mouse type 1 Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor (IP3R1). We expressed various parts of IP3R1 from deleted cDNA and examined their CaM-binding ability. It was shown that the sequence stretching from Lys-1564 to Arg-1585 is necessary for the binding. The full-length IP3R1 with replacement of Trp-1576 by Ala lost its CaM-binding ability. Antibody against residues 1564-1585 of IP3R1 inhibited cerebellar IP3R1 from binding CaM. The fluorescence spectrum of the peptide that corresponds to residues 1564-1585 shifted when Ca(2+)-CaM was added. From the change in the fluorescence spectrum, we estimated the dissociation constant (KD) between the peptide and CaM to be 0.7 microM. The submicromolar value of KD suggests an actual interaction between CaM and IP3R1 within cells. The CaM-binding ability of other types of IP3Rs was also examined. A part of the type 2IP3R, including the region showing sequence identity with the CaM-binding domain of IP3R1, also bound CaM, while the expressed full-length type 3 IP3R did not.

Although drug-induced gingival hyperplasia has been extensively studied, the pathogenesis of this disorder has not been clarified to date. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have been shown to be implicated in diverse fibrotic and hyperplastic diseases. Heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG), which is composed of heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycan (HSGAG), has also been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of tissue overgrowth by enhancing the functions of bFGF. However, the possible implication of these growth factors in gingival hyperplasia has not been studied. Immunohistochemical localization of TGF beta, bFGF, their receptors and HSGAG was studied in 4 nifedipine-induced and 5 phenytoin-induced hyperplastic gingival tissues, and 5 non-hyperplastic control gingival tissues to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease. Significant immunostaining against TGF beta, bFGF, the receptors of these two growth factors and HSGAG was observed in the lamina propria of hyperplastic gingival tissues while less immunostaining was observed in the controls. The mean numbers of immunostained cells against TGF beta, bFGF, their receptors in a square unit (0.1 x 0.1 mm) of the lamina propria, which were counted to 10 units of each hyperplastic gingival tissue, were significantly higher than those of the controls. The results suggest that the increased synthesis of TGF beta, bFGF, their receptors and HSGAG may be related to the pathogenesis of drug-induced gingival hyperplasia.

In this study we investigated intracellular and extracellular oxygen radical production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) during the phagocytosis of periodontopathic bacteria. In in vitro assays, bacteria of the species Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum were phagocytosed at 37 degrees C for 4 h by purified peripheral human PMNs from healthy subjects (n = 6). Superoxide production during phagocytosis was determined by flow cytometry and with a fluorescence/luminescence microplate reader. After phagocytosis, oxidative stress was determined by flow cytometry. Both the intracellular and extracellular oxygen radical production by PMNs phagocytosing F. nucleatum was significantly greater than that of PMNs phagocytosing P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans ( P < 0.01 by the Mann-Whitney test). Moreover, after 4 h of incubation, the oxidative stress of PMNs phagocytosing F. nucleatum was significantly greater than that of PMNs phagocytosing P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. We conclude that a high level of superoxide production by PMNs may damage not only periodontopathic bacteria but also PMNs themselves, and may be correlated with the destruction of periodontal tissue.

Temporin-SHa and temporin-SHc are 13 residue long antimicrobial peptides from frog skin that have similar sequences but differ markedly in their membrane-damaging properties. Temporin-SHa contains a single basic lysine residue and has a unique antimicrobial spectrum of action among temporins, being very potent against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and protozoa. Temporin-SHc, which contains a single basic histidine residue, is inactive against Gram-negative bacteria, has a reduced efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, but is still active against yeasts and fungi. Temporin-SHb, with no basic residue, has no antimicrobial activity. The three-dimensional structures of the peptides bound to SDS micelles were analyzed by CD and NMR spectroscopy combined with restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The peptides adopt well-defined amphipathic alpha-helical structures extending from residue 3 to residue 12, when bound to SDS micelles. The structures are stabilized by extensive interactions between aliphatic and aromatic side chains on the nonpolar face. Relaxation enhancements caused by paramagnetic probes showed that the peptides adopt nearly parallel orientations to the micelle surface and do not deeply penetrate into the micelle. The interaction of the peptides with model membranes was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry on anionic and zwitterionic multilamellar vesicles and membrane-permeabilization assays on calcein-loaded large unilamellar vesicles. Calorimetric data indicated that both temporin-SHa and -SHc reside at the hydrocarbon core-water interface of the anionic lipid bilayer but interact with anionic bilayers in a very different manner. This suggests that the charge-induced activity of temporins-SH for bacterial cells is due to changes in the membrane-disturbing mechanism of the bound peptides.

To confirm the usefulness of Dai-kenchu-to for intestinal obstruction, investigation of the effects of Dai-kenchu-to on postoperative intestinal adhesion was conducted.

We studied the effects of Dai-kenchu-to on the spontaneous contraction in isolated rabbit jejunum. Dai-kenchu-to (10-3g/ml) increased jejunal contraction, such as phasicchu-to and Zanthoxyli Fructus reversed the decrease of contraction produced by atropine.However, phasic-like contraction induced in the absence of atropine was antagonized by atropine. Dai-kenchu-to and Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma further decreased spontaneous contraction in the presence of tetrodotoxin.It was clarified that Dai-kenchu-to possesses gastroprokinetic effect, and ZanthoxyliFructus mainly contributed to this effect. It was suggested that the cholinergic and noncholinergic nervous systems were involved in increasing intestinal motility. It was also suggested that Dai-kenchu-to acted on multiple points of the intestine, and actions at these points might intensify to improve ileus.

We surveyed the prevalence of obesity in the general population in Jamaica, and examined the relationship between it and lifestyle. The survey population consisted of 1,935 inhabitants in Jamaica, whose body weight, height, marital status, educational history, employment status and other obesity-associated lifestyle factors were surveyed. Six major findings emerged. The first finding is that the proportion of obesity in women was very high, and there was a big gender difference. Secondly, a lower prevalence towards obesity was associated with cohabitation of the subjects in both genders, and higher educational levels in female subjects. Thirdly, the proportion of the subjects who considered their weight to be quite acceptable was higher in the obese/overweight groups in both genders. Fourthly, exercise frequency showed a negative correlation with the body mass index (BMI) in men, and the frequency of exercising was apparently lower in women than in men. Fifthly, as for dietary factors, in both genders vegetables showed a negative correlation with the BMI. Sixthly, nonsmokers were also associated with a lower obesity prevalence in men. In conclusions, these findings suggest that social and lifestyle factors such as the educational level, marital status and dietary habits of the general population influence Jamaican obesity. obesity; body mass index; social factors; lifestyle; Jamaica © 2005 Tohoku University Medical Press M. Ichinohe et al. 22 The state of being overweight tends to lead to obesity-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia etc., and is one of the major concerns of the present-day medicine in developed Western countries (Kannel et al. 1967;Rabkin et al. 1977;Hubert et al. 1983; National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement 1985;Manson et al. 1990). Recently, obesity has gradually become a very serious problem in other geographic zones such as the Pacific Ocean, Africa, Asia, South/Middle America and so on as shown in Table 1 (Section of Nutrition, Bureau of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare 1948-2000;Jooste et al. 1988;Steyn et al. 1990;Tanphaichitr et al. 1991;Direchon de la Statistique 1992; Kuskowska-Wolk and Bergstrom 1993a, b;Bennett and Magnus 1994;Hoffmeister et al. 1994;Shetty and James 1994;Al-lsa 1995;Ismail et al. 1995;Monteiro et al. 1995;Seidell et al. 1995;Al-Nuaim et al. 1996;Gofin et al. 1996; Hodge et al. 1996a, b;Pietinen et al. 1996;Pagano et al. 1997;Flegal et al. 1998;Offer 1998;Popkin et al. 1998;Solon 1998;Sanchez-Castillo et al. 2001). At present, it is possible to state that this problem exists world wide, with the sole exception of famine-struck countries. Measures against obesity are therefore one of the important themes for human health in the 21st century.One reason for this is the very large influence Western culture has exerted worldwide on non-Western countries. In particular, the Westernization of dietary style is a major factor, as exemplified by fast-rising s...

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