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SummaryBy breeding and feeding salt to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) contin uously over a long period (until 60 wk old), rats with systolic blood pressures (SBP) of over 270 mmHg were prepared. It was studied whether or not supplying large amounts of vita min C (200 mg/rat/d) over this period might bring any beneficial effect to blood pressure. Moreover, physico-chemical studies were performed to measure the components and enzymes in the blood and urine at 53 and 60 wk-old, and biochemical studies on vitamin C were also carried out in this experiment. Male (14 rats: 7 wk-old, 100-105g) and female (15 rats: 7 wk-old, 95-100g) SHR were divided into three groups and bred continuously for 53 wk. The A group rats were given salt (2.5g/100g of diet), the B group rats were given salt and vitamin C (500mg/100mL of drinking water), and the C group rats were controls. The results showed almost the same tendencies between male and female rats. The body weights of the SHR in groups A and B were slightly lower than group C. The amount of food intake in groups A and B was almost the same as group C. The amount of water intake was, in the order from highest to lowest, group A, B and C. The SBP of group A rats exhibited the highest value among the three groups. The SBP of group B rats given vitamin C simulta neously with the salt resulted in a low blood pressure level close to that of the controls (group C). Furthermore, the DBP (diastolic blood pressure) also reflected the antihyperten sive effect of vitamin C as well. The heartbeat of the rats was highest in group A, and was comparable to the value in the rats receiving vitamin C simultaneously with salt. For the tests on occult blood and protein in the urine, group A rats showed strong positive reactions, whereas the group B and C rats had decreased results for both tests. The organ weights of the liver, stomach, spleen, adrenal gland and kidneys per 100 g rat body weight were not dif ferent among the three groups. The values for the bilirubin content, and the enzyme activi ties of ALT and AST in the blood showed to be the highest in the male rats of group A. The values from the group B rats decreased near to the normal value like the control group. Vitamin C was found to decrease the blood pressure in SHR, and also to work effectively to protect liver and kidney functions even under the condition of very high blood pressure, as high as 250 mmHg. Key Words vitamin C, ascorbic acid, salt, blood pressure, spontaneously hypertensive ratThe three main causes of death in Japan are malig nant tumors, heart disease and cerebrovascular dis ease. The latter two result directly from disorders related to blood circulation. The European lifestyle, which has a high lipid intake, has an increased inci dence of arteriosclerosis and increased rate of death due to heart and cerebral diseases. Hypertension is brought about by arteriosclerosis, and conversely hypertension

Spontaneous splenic rupture is a life-threatening disease and an important differential diagnosis of acute abdomen. Early clinical diagnosis and rapid intervention is required to ensure patient survival. Spontaneous splenic rupture may be induced by hematological, inflammatory or infiltrative diseases affecting the spleen. Splenomegaly may also significantly increase the risk of rupture. Other contributory factors include male, adulthood, rapid growth of the spleen and splenic abscess. Here, we present the case of a 69-year-old man who was undergoing chemotherapy for B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia. He was admitted to our hospital after he suddenly developed persistent upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography and ultrasonography revealed accumulation of free fluid in and around the spleen. He was diagnosed as having spontaneous splenic rupture and an emergency operation was performed. During the operation, we found a massively enlarged spleen with several capsular tears, and performed a splenectomy. The patient made a good recovery. Pathological examination revealed that the spleen was infiltrated by CD20-, CD5- and CD23-positive lymphoid blasts. We encountered a case of spontaneous splenic rupture in a patient receiving chemotherapy for exacerbating B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia. In a case of abdominal pain of acute onset in patients with hematological disease, spontaneous splenic rupture should be suspected.