Gastrointestinal and hematologic diseases in Japan and China

1.胃和肠系膜的血流影响消化功能和消化器官的运动，其增加被认为是通过增加粘液分泌来预防消化性溃疡的保护因素之一。刺藜L皂苷(TTLS)是一种从中草药中提取出来的具有扩张冠状动脉作用的药物，在中国的临床上被用于治疗缺血性心脏病。如果TTLS也作用于向消化器官供血的动脉，则可能有助于治疗消化性溃疡和消化功能受损。赵三山博士与N·Toda博士合作，研究了TTLS对消化器官分离血管的影响，并分析了其血管作用机制。在一些实验中，考察了TTLS对β激动剂诱导的松弛的影响。结果：TTLS对冠状动脉和…具有松弛作用在浓度依赖和内皮不依赖的方式中，肠系膜动脉的松弛程度相似，猴子的松弛幅度大于狗。用KCl预收缩的动脉对TTLS的反应大于用PGF2a收缩的动脉。噻吗洛尔、吲哚美辛或N^G-硝基-L-精氨酸均不影响TTLS引起的松弛。TTLS对异丙肾上腺素所致的松弛无影响，但可减弱交感神经刺激引起的收缩。结论：TTLS对灵长类肠系膜动脉的松弛作用可能是通过直接作用于平滑肌而实现的。TTLS的血管松弛机制尚不清楚，但与β-受体阻滞剂的机制不同。该物质可能具有钙内流阻断活性。还需要进一步的研究来证明TTLS对消化道疾病是有用的。丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)是肠外非甲非乙型肝炎的主要病因。不仅在日本，在中国也有很多丙型肝炎患者。他们可能患有肝硬变和肝细胞癌，这已经成为一个社会问题。丙型肝炎病毒感染是通过检测循环中的丙型肝炎病毒抗原抗体来诊断的。丙型肝炎病毒的定量研究可以通过逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)来检测病毒本身。逆转录-聚合酶链式反应虽然灵敏，但因其操作复杂、检测误差大、成本高而不能用于临床常规检测。近年来，分支DNA探针(BDNA探针)检测丙型肝炎病毒的方法已经发展起来。杨明博博士与T.Bamba博士和Y.Fujiyama博士合作，利用BDNA探针检测慢性肝炎患者血清和肝组织中的丙型肝炎病毒RNA。本文收集了20例经肝组织病理学检查确诊的慢性活动性肝炎患者的血清和肝组织。用琼脂糖凝胶电泳法对丙型肝炎病毒RNA进行洗脱。结果：血清[用BDNA探针法测定血清和组织中丙型肝炎病毒RNA水平]。7.93±15.4meq/ml，组织。5.05±7.73Meq/ml[RT-PCR法检测血清和组织中的丙型肝炎病毒核糖核酸水平]。104.68±1.73拷贝/ul，组织103.92±1.86拷贝/ul。BDNA探针法与RT-PCR法检测结果有显著相关性，而血清和组织中的丙型肝炎病毒水平无相关性。结论：由于BDNA探针法与RT-PCR法的相关性，我们认为BDNA探针法更适合于临床常规检测。较少

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