Gastrointestinal and hematologic diseases in Japan and China

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1. Blood flow in the gastric and mesenteric regions influences digestive function and movement of the digestive organs, and its increase is regarded as one of the protective factors against digestive ulcers by increasing mucous secretion. Tribulus terrestis L saponin (TTLS), an extract of a Chinese herb, is considered to be a coronary vasodilator and is clinically used for treatment of ischemic heart disease in China. If TTLS also acts on the arteries supplying blood to the digestive organs, it may be useful for treatment of peptic ulcers and impaired digestion.In collaboration with Dr.N.Toda, Dr.S.Zhao examined the effects of TTLS on the blood vessels isolated from the digestive organs and analyzed the mechanism of its vascular action.Subjects and Methods : Responses to TTLS of isolated dog and monkey coronary and mesenteric arteries were isometrically recorded. In some experiments, effects of TTLS on the beta agonist-induced relaxation were examined.Results : TTLS relaxd coronary and … More mesenteric arteries to a similar extent in concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manners, the magnitude of the relaxation being greater in the monkey than in the dog. Greater responses to TTLS were obserbed in the arteries precontracted with KCl than in those with PGF2a. The TTLS-induced relaxations were not affected by treatment with timolol, indomethacin or N^G-nitro-L-arginine. TTLS did not influence the isoproterenol-induced relaxations, but attenuated the contraction caused by sympathetic nerve stimulation.Conclusions : TTLS relaxs primate mesenteric arteries possibly by acting directly on smooth muscle. The mechanism of vasorelaxation of TTLS is still uncertain but differs from that of beta-blockers. The substance may have a calcium-entry blocking acticvity. Further study is required to prove that TTLS is useful for digestive tract disorders.2. Hepatitis Cvirus (HCV) is the main cause of parenteral non A non B hepatitis. There are many patients with HCV hepatitis not only in Japan but in China. They may be suffering from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which has been becoming a social problem.HCV infection is diagnosed by the assay which detects circulating antibobies to HCV antigens. Quantitative study of HCV can be tested for the virus itself by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method (RT-PCR). Although RT-PCR is sensitive, it is not used in routine clinical measurement because of its complication, contanination error and high cost. Recently the branched DNA probe (bDNA probe) assay for HCV has been developed.In collaboration with Drs.T.Bamba and Y.Fujiyama, Dr.M.Yang quantified HCV-RNA in serum and liver tissue with chronic hepatits patients using bDNA probe assay. 20 sera and liver tissues with chronic active hepatitis patients diagnosed by histopathological examination were obtained for this study. HCV-RNA was eluated by AGPC method.Result : [Serum and tissue HCV-RNA levels by bDNA probe assay] serum. 7.93+15.4 Meq/ml, tissue. 5.05+7.73Meq/ml[Serum and tissue HCV-RNA levels by RT-PCR method] serum. 10 4.68+1.73 copy/ul, tissue 10 3.92+1.86 copy/ul. There is a significant correlation between bDNA probe assay and RT-PCR method, but no correlation between serum and tissue HCV levels.Conclusion : We think bDNA probe assay is more suitable for routine clinical measurement as compaired with RT-PCR method because of correlaton between two methods. Less