Although more study is necessary, our results suggest the clinical efficacy of our covered Nitinol Strecker stent in the management of obstructive jaundice caused by malignant diseases.

Type L hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity was increased approx. 35% above control in cardiac myocytes incubated for 15 min with 5 nM-adrenaline. Concomitantly. adrenaline-stimulated myocytes had a lower triacylglycerol content, released more non-esterified fatty acid and had a higher intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP than did myocytes incubated without hormone. The lipase activity measured in adrenaline-stimulated and non-stimulated myocytes was stable in acetone/diethyl ether, stimulated by serum and inhibited by NaCl. These properties are consistent with the type L designation of this HSL. The finding that type L HSL is stimulated by adrenaline indicates that the enzyme that is being activated is found in the cell and not associated with an extracellular compartment of the myocardium.

Background: It has been thought that ischemic colitis is caused by vascular and intestinal factors. Although elderly patients with arteriosclerosis are more susceptible to ischemic colitis, many young patients suffering ischemic colitis are also reported. The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between arteriosclerosis and ischemic colitis, and to evaluate various risk factors for ischemic colitis. Methods: We compared the clinical features of patients with ischemic colitis (54 cases) and control patients without ischemic colitis (86 cases), all diagnosed by colonoscopy. Subjects were classified into a young group (60 cases) under 60 years of age, and an elderly group (80 cases) of over 60 years. The degree of arteriosclerosis was measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) level, and the effects of vascular and intestinal factors in the development of ischemic colitis were evaluated using multivariate analytical models. Results: In the elderly group, the PWV level was significantly higher in ischemic colitis patients than in the controls. By analyzing with multivariate analytical models, a high level of PWV and underlying diseases related to arteriosclerosis were thought to be risk factors for ischemic colitis in the elderly group. In the young group, intestinal factors such as irregular bowel movement, which is often seen in irritable bowel syndrome, habitual constipation, and prior history of an abdominal operation, were thought to be contributors to ischemic colitis. Conclusion: These findings suggest that intestinal factors in younger patients and vascular factors in more elderly patients are the primary contributors in the development of ischemic colitis.

Adrenaline, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (MIX) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2 cyclic AMP) stimulated type-L hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity when measurements were made on defatted rat heart powders. These lipolytic agents stimulated the activity of this enzyme in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This activation was reversible, because removal of adrenaline from the perfusate was accompanied by the return of type-L HSL activity to control levels. We have reported [Palmer, Caruso & Oscai (1981) Biochem. J. 198, 159-166] that perfusion with low levels of adrenaline, MIX or Bt2 cyclic AMP reduced type-L HSL activity below control levels when measurements were made in aqueous homogenates. However, in the present study, when activities were measured in acetone/diethyl ether heart powders, all concentrations of these agents studied stimulated enzyme activity, and at no concentration was there enzyme inhibition. These data suggest that acetone/diethyl ether treatment may remove a factor that plays a role in type-L HSL regulation. Type-L HSL activity measured in acetone/diethyl ether powders of control and stimulated rat heart exhibited properties that include alkaline pH optimum, serum requirement, activation by heparin and inhibition by high salt and protamine sulphate. These characteristics, in addition to the stability of the enzyme to treatment with organic solvents, fulfil the requirements for the type-L HSL classification.