The present experiments were designed to investigate the ability to produce nitric oxide, concentrations of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and asymmetric N(G), N(G)-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) in endothelial cells, endothelin-1 within the vessel wall, and the degree of intimal hyperplasia (intima/media ratio) in perimenopausal human uterine arteries. According to the tentative classification based on basal cyclic GMP levels, 16 arteries could be grouped into groups I and II consisting of eight each. Net production of the nucleotide was significantly higher in group I than that in group II. Concentration of L-NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 content were significantly higher in group II. All specimens from group I were histologically normal, whereas mild to severe intimal hyperplasia was observed in group II specimens. Although considerable individual variations were detectable in the intima/media ratio, L-NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 (n = 35 each), there were significant and positive correlations between three parameters, indicating that intimal hyperplasia became greater as L-NMMA plus ADMA and endothelin-1 were increased. These results suggest that endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors in endothelial cells and endothelin-1 within the vessel wall are important markers of intimal hyperplasia.
Objective To contribute to reforming the medical education system in Japan, we visited overseas medical schools and observed the methods utilized in medical education.
Materials and Methods
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