It is well known that polyol related sugar cataract formation is preventable with aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) and newly developed different kinds of ARIs have been extensively studied for potential clinical use. The potency of AD-5467 ARI (Takeda) on hyperglycemic lenses was evaluated by measuring of phosphate metabolites in phosphorus-31, (31P) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Moreover, the effects of antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and cysteine protease inhibitor E64 on hyperglycemic lenses were evaluated for comparative study, since some studies showed that these agents also possess the delay or preventive effects in sugar cataractogenesis.
The lenses were dissected out from bovine eyes and incubated in Dulbeco's modified Eagles (DME) media containing 5.6mM and 40mM glucose with or without the ARI, BHT, E64 for 24 hours. These were assessed by MNR spectrometer operating at 109.25 MHz for 31P. The morphologic changes of the lenses were revealed by histologic and ultrastructural examinations. The lenses incubated in high glucose medium showed significant decreased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), associated with increased inorganic phosphates and sugar phosphates levels. The lenses treated with ARI or E64 showed 70% to 80% protection of ATP levels and those with BHT showed 100% protection of ATP levels. These results indicated that sugar catractogenesis is multifactorial process in which the other mechanisms are also involved besides the polyol pathway mechanism.

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Bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae (L_2-4BMD) in involutional osteoporosis was measured by dual photon absorptiometry to investigate its relationship with the incidence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine. In addition to monitor L_2-4BMD, the author also examined the progress of vertebral fractures during drug treatments by means of radiographs.
L_2-4BMD at the antero-posterior projection was measured in 287 female subjects with involutional osteoporosis ranging from 45 to 91 years of age. Fracture of the vertebrae was determined from lateral radiographs. Low BMD is the most important risk factor in vertebral fractures. There was a significant difference in L_2-4BMD with and without fractures of the vertebrae. L_2-4BMD for threshold was 0.633g/cm² for 90th percentile with vertebral fractures, and that for breakpoint was 0.532g/cm2 for 65th percentile with vertebral fractures. The incidence of vertebral fractures with BMD above the threshold was 17.5%, however that between the threshold and the breakpoint was 30.6%. Furthermore that below the breakpoint was 48.9%. Although the incidence of vertebral fractures was affected to some extent by age, height, and weight, the number of vertebral fractures increased with the decrease of L_2-4BMD.
The progress of vertebral fractures under drug treatments with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, ipriflavone, and calcitonin was affected by pre-existing vertebral fractures and L_2-4BMD at the first visit. Estimation of L_2-4BMD and the existence of vertebral fractures is important in predicting new vertebral fractures and the further collapse of pre-existing vertebral fractures.

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To elucidate the effect of arachidonic acid metabolite inhibitors on liver injury in endotoxin shock with special reference to the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), we pretreated rats with three kinds of arachidonic acid metabolite inhibitors (hydrocortisone, Hy; AA-861, AA; indomethacin, In) in our rat model of endotoxin shock.
We examined plasma GOT and GLDH levels, O₂^- production by PMNs, the phagocytic activity of PMNs, the cytotoxity of PMNs to liver cells, the histological changes in the liver, and so on, and compared the three groups Hy, AA and In with the ET (endotoxin) group, which was only infused with endotoxin.
1) Plasma GOT and GLDH levels were significantly lower in the Hy and AA groups than in the ET group, but there was no significant change in the In group in comparison with the ET group.
2) The amount of O₂^- production by PMNs was significantly lower in the Hy group than in the ET group when there was no stimulation. When PMNs were stimulated by PMA, O₂^- production was significantly lower in the other three groups than in the ET group.
3) The phagocytic activity of PMNs was significantly lower in the other three groups than in the ET group.
4) The cytotoxic activity of PMNs to liver cells, which was seen in the ET group, was completely inhibited in the Hy and AA groups, but was only slightly prevented in the In group.
5) Concerning histological changes in the liver, there were remarkable improvements in the Hy and AA groups as compared with the ET group, but the findings in the In group were similar to those in the ET group.
These experimental results suggest that arachidonic acid metabolites released from the membrane of PMNs may contribute to the occurrence of liver injury in endotoxin shock. Phospholipase Az inhibitors and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors especially seem to suppress liver injury in endotoxin shock by improving the disturbance of the microcirculation and preventing the extra-activation of PMNs.

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The cardiotoxic effects of Daunomycin (DM) ad Adriamycin (ADR), Anthracyclines (ATC), were studied mainly by echocardiography to evaluate their chronic cumulative cardiotoxicity and acute cardiotoxicity during consolidation therapy.
Electrocardiographic findings were less sensitive and therefore less reliable for evaluation of the chronic cumulative cardiotoxicity and acute cardiotoxicity induced by ATCs during consolidation therapy.
With echocardiography ESS/ESVI, the index of the left ventricular contraction, had the highest sensitivity among indices for cardiotoxicity. SF was useful for easy measurement and calculation of cardiotoxicity.
Evaluation of the chronic cumulative cardiotoxicity of ATC drugs indicated that cumulative doses of 300mg/m² or more resulted in abnormally low ESS/ESVI levels suggesting cardiotoxicity in many cases, and doses of 500mg/m² or more caused abnormally low levels in all cases.
Evaluation of acute cardiotoxicity showed that post-consolidation therapy ESS/ESVI levels were significantly lower than pre-consolidation therapy levels in the group treated with doses of 500mg/m² or more, but the condition was reversible except in those patients with heart failure.
As for the relation between cumulative doses and cardiotoxity, the indices studied showed no differences between DM and ADR.
These results indicate that careful follow-up mainly by echocardiography is required after doses reaching 300mg/m² or more of ATC drugs.

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In order to clarify the relationship between thyroid function and left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 52 patients (63.3±11.0 years old) admitted to the coronary care unit within 24 hours after the onset were studied.
Both FT3 and FT4 levels measured at 48-72 h after the onset (1.66±0.59 pg/m1, 1.02±0.37 ng/dl) were significantly lower than those on admission (2.99±0.76 pg/ml; p<0.01, 1.14±0.25 ng/dl; p<0.05) and controls (3.27±0.66 pg/ml; p<0.01, 1.22±0.23 ng/dl; p<0.05). The decline of these thyroid hormone levels correlated well with the severity of AMI (Killip's classification), hemodynamic deterioration and liver function (low levels of albumin and cholinesterase). Low thyroid hormone levels were also associated with the elevation of catecholamine and a-hANP levels on admission. Low cortisol and impaired renal function were recoginized as factors which might prolong the condition of low thyroid hormones.
Non-survivors showed significantly lower levels of FT3 and FT4 48 hours after onset, and a lower level of FT4 in aged patients was consistent with a poor prognosis.
In conclusion, the measurement of thyroid hormones in AMI is important in evaluating the severity of the condition and waking a prognosis.

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Sixty-one Japanese white rabbits underwent total thymectomies. Eight of the animals died of intraoperative hemorrhage or respiratory failure, and twelve died of postoperative hypovolemia, dehydration, malnutrition or wound infections. Forty-one rabbits survived and were used as a total thymectomy model.
The whole procedure-of our technique is described in detail so that even those with no experience of performing thymectomies can follow it. Some tactics especially how to deal with the thymic vessels and the pleurae, are key points.
Our technique permits safe and perfect total thymectomies to be carried out on rabbits.

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