[Immunopharmacological actions of 6-amidino-2-naphthyl-4-guanidinobenzoate (FUT-175). 1. Effect of FUT-175 on immune response and host defense in mice]

FUT-175 is a new synthetic protease inhibitor which strongly inhibits complement-mediated hemolysis via the classical and alternative pathways. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of FUT-175 on antibody formation and host defense in mice since the complement system participates in both immunological responses and host defense against bacterial infection. FUT-175 did not suppress the primary IgM and IgG antibody responses to sheep red blood cells, although FUT-175 was given at 10 to 100 mg/kg/day p.o. for 3 days before or after immunization. On the other hand, the primary anti-DNP IgE antibody response to DNP-conjugated ovalbumin was slightly suppressed only by post-administration of FUT-175 in a dose of 100 mg/kg/day p.o. for 5 days. However, the results of the adoptive transfer experiments indicate that FUT-175 did not affect either T cells or B cells participating in the secondary anti-DNP IgE antibody formation. FUT-175 in a dose of 10(-4)M but not at 10(-6) to 10(-5)M significantly decreased the proliferation of spleen cells caused by concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharide or the one-way mixed lymphocytes culture reaction using 1000 R-irradiated spleen cells from BDF1 mice as stimulator cells and those from C57BL/6 mice as responder cells. FUT-175 had an inhibitory rather than an enhancing effect on host defense to infection with Escherichia coli when administered at 10 to 100 mg/kg/day p.o. for 3 days before or after infection. These results strongly suggest that FUT-175 does not affect antibody formation and host defense in mice.

[Immunopharmacological actions of 6-amidino-2-naphthyl-4-guanidinobenzoate (FUT-175). 2. Effect of FUT-175 on immunological reactions in man]

FUT-175 is a new anti-complemental drug which strongly inhibits complement-mediated allergic reactions in animals. It was reported that FUT-175 does not affect both antibody formation and host defense to bacterial infection in mice. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of FUT-175 on various immunological reactions in humans. FUT-175 dose-dependently decreased the antigen-induced anaphylactic histamine release from leukocytes of atopic patients. However, i.d. treatment of FUT-175 neither inhibited antigen- or compound 48/80-induced immediate type skin reactions in atopic patients nor antigen-induced early, late or delayed type skin reactions in Candida-sensitive patients. FUT-175 also did not inhibit the PPD-mediated delayed type skin reaction in healthy subjects. FUT-175 at a dose of 10(-4)M but not at 10(-8) to 10(-5)M significantly decreased the proliferation of human atopic peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) caused by mite antigen, concanavalin A or pokeweed mitogen. 51Cr release from human PBL was slightly enhanced by FUT-175 at a dose range of 10(-6) to 10(-4)M. FUT-175 did not change the number of SIg receptors or C3 receptors on human B cells. FUT-175 hardly affected the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test and Escherichia coli-mediated chemotaxis in human neutrophils. These results strongly suggest that FUT-175 does not affect immunological functions and host defense in humans.

Raman diagnosis of nucleic acid structure: sugar-puckering and glycosidic conformation in the guanosine moiety

Observations of Raman spectra of various nucleic acids indicate that the guanine ring breathing frequency is sensitive to the internal rotation angle around the glycosidic bond and to the conformation of the five-membered ring of the ribose residue that is directly connected with the guanine residue in question. It is found that 682 cm-1 for C2'-endo-anti, at 665 cm-1 for C3'-endo-anti, and at 625 cm-1 for C3'-endo-syn. A DNA octamer d(GpGpApApTpTpCpC) shows, in its aqueous solution, a broad Raman band at 680 cm-1 with a tail at 670 cm-1. This fact suggests that the guanosine residues in this oligomer take primarily C2'-endo-anti conformation but an appreciable amount of fluctuation of the ribose ring structure towards C3'-endo is involved.

Changes of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors guinea pig lung sensitized with ovalbumin

The effect of immunization of guinea pigs with ovalbumin on the number and affinity of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors was studied in lung membranes by direct binding techniques using 3H-prazosin, 1-3H-dihydroalprenolol and 1-3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate. After immunization by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin to guinea pigs, the number and affinity of each receptor in sensitized animals were not significantly different from those of control animals. Sensitization of guinea pigs by an aerosol exposure with the antigen resulted in a decreased number of beta-adrenergic receptor (458 +/- 29 vs. 687 +/- 56 fmol/mg protein; p less than 0.01), and an increased number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (36 +/- 2 vs. 25 +/- 2 fmol/mg protein; p less than 0.01), but no change was observed in the number of muscarinic receptors, as compared with control animals. On the other hand, following a prolonged sensitization of guinea pigs with a low dose of the aerosolized antigen, the number of muscarinic receptors was significantly increased in the lung of sensitized animals (50 +/- 2 vs. 42 +/- 2 fmol/mg protein; p less than 0.01); however, we found no significant differences between sensitized and normal animals in the number of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors. There were no different changes in the affinity of these receptors in all experiments.

Experimental studies on the hemodynamics of the small intestine following increased intraluminal pressure

Experimentally, we produced obstruction of the intestine in dogs, and the intraluminal pressure of the small intestine was measured without inducing anesthesia and with the abdominal wall closed. The maximum active intraluminal pressure reached 44.1 +/- 3.3 milligrams of mercury three days after the obstruction was produced. The pressure rose further to 95 millimeters of mercury, or higher, after an intravenous injection of physostigmine or during vomiting. When the intraluminal pressure is artificially increased and the vascular structure is observed by the resin-casting method, impairment of the villous circulation of the mucosa is already seen when the pressure reaches 20 millimeters of mercury. When the pressure was further increased, the circulation impairment spread toward the outer layer of the intestine. Mesenteric blood flow, peripheral vascular resistance and submucosal blood flow did not show significantly lower values than did the control group, unless the intraluminal pressure was 100 millimeters of mercury, or higher, but the oxygen consumption of the intestinal tissues was significantly lower than that for the control group when the intraluminal pressure was 40 millimeters of mercury, or higher. The resin-casting method showed that, at this pressure, a finding believed to indicate an arteriovenous shunt was already present at the mucosal villous base. The aforementioned results indicate that selective mucosal ischemia may occur when the intraluminal pressure increases to a range that is clinically possible when obstruction of the intestine occurs.

Changes of beta-adrenergic receptor number and catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in guinea pig lung after inhalation of histamine aerosol

After guinea pigs were exposed to histamine or acetylcholine aerosol for 1 week, alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors on the lung membranes were measured by direct binding techniques using 3H-prazosin, l-3H-dihydroalprenolol, and l-3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate, respectively, and adenylate cyclase responses to l-isoproterenol (10(-5) to 10(-8) M) and NaF (20 mM) were also examined on the membranes. After the inhalation, the number of beta-adrenergic receptors was decreased by about 25% without a significant change in binding affinity for l-3H-dihydroalprenolol, while the number and the affinity of alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors on the membranes were not significantly different from those in the control animals. When compared with the control animals, the lung membranes showed a reduced adenylate cyclase response to l-isoproterenol, and the response to 10(-5) M of l-isoproterenol was significantly decreased by 11% in the lung membranes. The histamine inhalation showed no significant effect on basal adenylate cyclase activity and adenylate cyclase response to NaF.

Isolation and partial characterization of the major allergen from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen

A purified allergen, antigen SBP, was obtained from the pollen of the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, Sugi in Japanese) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl and carboxymethyl cellulose, and gel chromatography on Sephadex G-150. Antigen SBP was a heat-sensitive basic glycoprotein of approximately 40,000 molecular weight. By preparative isoelectric focusing and gel chromatography on Sephadex G-100, antigen SBP could be further separated into four subfractions, differing in both isoelectric point and molecular weight. By immunodiffusion analysis, direct skin testing, and radioallergosorbent test inhibition, it was shown that antigen SBP was the major allergen of Japanese cedar pollen, and the four subfractions were seen to be antigenically and allergenically identical.

Pulmonary varices associated with mitral valve disease: a case report and survey of the literature

A case of pulmonary varices in a 24-year-old man with mitral regurgitation is reported. A brief summary of the literature on pulmonary varices associated with mitral valve disease is presented, with special reference to its etiology and surgical treatment. It is strongly suggested that production of varicosities of the pulmonary vein requires not only increased pulmonary venous pressure but also other local factors. If the patient has symptoms due to mitral regurgitation, operation for mitral valve disease is indicated. Direct operative intervention for the varices should not be performed.

Synthesis and properties of CpG analogues containing an 8-bromoguanosine residue. Evidence for Z-RNA duplex formation

Three dinucleoside monophosphates containing 8-bromoguanosine (br8G), (2'-5')C-br8G, (3'-5')C-br8G, and dC-br8G, were synthesized and characterized by UV absorption, CD, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The 1H NMR data show that all the br8G residues in these dimers take a syn glycosidic conformation. At low dimer strand concentration (5 X 10(-5) M), the UV hypochromicity data suggest that the degree of base stacking decreases in the following order, (2'-5')C-br8G greater than C-G approximately equal to dC-br8G greater than (3'-5')C-br8G. The CD data also suggest little stacking in (3'-5')C-br8G. At high dimer strand concentration (5 X 10(-3) M), only (3'-5')C-br8G shows duplex formation in 0.1 M NaCl. The duplex is assumed to take a left-handed helical structure similar to that of Z-DNA. The Tm of this duplex is surprisingly high for a dimer (about 35 and 45 degrees C at 5 X 10(-3) and 10(-2) M dimer strand concentration, respectively). The above results and the similarity between the CD spectra of (3'-5')C-br8G and poly(G-C) suggest the possible existence of Z-form structure in ribooligo- and ribopolynucleotides with alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences.

The effect of local blood flow on the healing of experimental intestinal anastomoses

Using dogs, we experimentally produced devascularized areas in the small intestine and colon and took quantitative measurements of the submucosal local blood flow using the hydrogen clearance method.. In the area slightly toward the ischemic side of the devascularized margin, local blood flow is less on the mesenteric side in both the ileum and the colon, and microcirculation is better maintained in the colon that in the ileum. When the anastomosis was performed in the area in which the local blood flow on the mesenteric side was 60 per cent of the control value in the ileum or 70 per cent in the colon, recovery of the control value was achieved by the seventh postoperative day. When anastomosis was performed in the area in which the local blood flow on the mesenteric side was 15 per cent of the control value in the ileum and 22 per cent of the control value in the colon, the flow on the mesenteric side did not recover to the level of the control value by the seventh postoperative day, and anastomotic leakage occurred in some dogs. All anastomotic leakage occurred on the mesenteric side. The local blood flow rate at the point at which the last signal was detected by Doppler ultrasound flowmeter after moving Doppler probe from the devascularized margin toward the ischemic side was 57 per cent of the control value in the ileum and 54 per cent of that in the colon. Such levels of blood flow are considered sufficient for successful healing of tissue after an anastomosis.

Isolation and chemical properties of a haptenic substance from buckwheat dialysate

A haptenic substance was isolated from the dialysate of the aqueous extract of buckwheat. This substance, BWD II 22-3, which was composed of Asp(1), Thr(1), Ser(1), Gly(1), Gly(4), Ala(1), Val(1), Leu(1), Orn(2), Lys(1), Arg(1), Cys(1) and glucose was demonstrated to be homogeneous by gel filtration and paper electrophoretic analyses. The molecular weight was estimated to be 1600 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. The haptenic substance apparently has-SH group determinant caused about 50% inhibition at a concentration of 100 micrograms/disc in the RAST procedure using human serum sensitive to buckwheat. An active component, BWD II 22-3, might prove effective in the hyposensitization therapy of buckwheat-sensitive patients.

Effect of Bordetella pertussis on alpha 1 and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors in guinea pig lung membranes

After intraperitoneal injection of Bordetella pertussis vaccine to guinea pigs, the alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and cholinergic muscarinic receptors of the whole lung were measured by binding assays with the radioisotope-labeled antagonists, 3H-prazosin, 1-(3)H-dihydroalprenolol and 1-(3)H-quinuclidinyl benzilate, respectively. Injection of guinea pigs with pertussis vaccine resulted in an increase in the maximum binding (Bmax) of 3H-prazosin, while there was about a 30% reduction in 1-(3)H-dihydroalprenolol binding to beta-adrenergic receptors. No difference was observed in the dissociation constant (KD) for binding of each ligand to alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors. 1-(3)H-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding indicated that the Bmax and KD for cholinergic muscarinic receptor in pertussis-sensitized guinea pigs were not significantly different from those normal control animals.

[Immunopharmacological actions of neurotropin (3): Anti-allergic actions of neurotropin (author's transl)]

Neurotropin (NSP) is an extract isolated from vaccinia virus-inoculated and inflamed skin of rabbits. The anti-allergic actions of NSP were studied in the present paper. Death from anaphylactic shock in BALB/c mice mediated by active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) or heterologous passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA) was completely prevented in one of five cases by NSP given 5000 micrograms/animal i.v.. However in mice, NSP at a dose of 10 to 1000 micrograms/animal i.v. did not have any preventive effect on death from anaphylactic shock induced by ASA, homologous PSA, or heterologous PSA. NSP slightly inhibited histamine release from rat mast cells mediated by mouse IgE antibody, calcium ionophore A23187, or compound 48/80, but this inhibition was not in a dose-dependent fashion. NSP did not behave synergistically with isoproterenol- or theophylline- induced inhibition of mouse IgE antibody-mediated histamine release from rat mast cells. NSP did not inhibit D2O-enhanced histamine release from sensitized rat mast cells. NSP clearly inhibited antigen-induced histamine release from leukocytes of mite-sensitive patients with or without asthmatic attack. Potent inhibition was observed when leukocytes taken from patients with asthmatic attack were used. These results suggest that the anti-allergic action of NSP is not responsible for elevation of cyclic AMP levels or disruption of microtubules in target cells.

[Immunopharmacological actions of neurotropin. (2). Effect of neurotropin on graft-versus-host reaction (author's transl)]

It was reported that Neurotropin (NSP) is a new immunostimulating agent which reverses the decrease of proliferation of irradiated spleen cells from mice caused by concanavalin A or specific antigen. The present study was undertaken to examine the possibility that NSP prevents graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) through host-versus-graft reaction (HVGR) in mice. Allogeneic (C3H/He) spleen cells were performed intravenously into 900 R-irradiated recipient mice (BALB/c). Systemic GVHR was clearly prevented by NSP as well as by cyclophosphamide or prednisolone administered intraperitoneally into irradiated recipient mice. In recipient mice irradiated with 1000 R, a more remarkably systemic GVHR was induced as compared to recipients irradiated at 250 to 500 R. NSP suppressed the proliferation of donor cells at the induction phase of GVHR, whereas NSP did not inhibit both systemic and local GVHRs induced by cell transfer at the effector phase. A decrease in hematopoietic function following irradiation or dosing with immunosuppressive drugs was also reversed by NSP. However, NSP had no effect on increases in hematopoietic function mediated by syngeneic bone marrow transplantation into 900 R-irradiated mice. These results strongly suggest that the inhibition of allogeneic GVHR by NSP is responsible for the suppression of donor cell proliferation by adequately restoring immunologic function in irradiated recipient mice, namely HVGR.

[Immunopharmacological actions of neurotropin. (1). Immunostimulating actions of neurotropin (author's transl)]

Neurotropin (NSP) is an extract isolated from vaccinia virus-inoculated and inflamed skin of rabbits. The present study was undertaken to examine the immunostimulating actions of NSP. NSP alone did not induce a proliferation of spleen cells from mice or human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). However, NSP clearly enhanced concanavalin A (Con A)-induced proliferation of both spleen cells and human PBL, but slightly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation of spleen cells. NSP reversed the decreases of Con A-induced proliferation of spleen cells pretreated with mitomycin C (MMC) in a dose of 5 microgram/ml or irradiated at 100 to 500 R, while NSP did not reverse the decreases of LPS-induced proliferation of spleen cells pretreated with MMC, in a dose of 5 to 50 microgram/ml, or irradiated at 100 to 1000 R. NSP enhanced in a dose-dependent fashion one-way mixed lymphocytes culture (MLC) reaction using MMC-treated spleen cells from BDF1 mice as stimulator cells and those from C57BL/6 mice as responder cells, respectively. NSP reversed the considerable decrease of MLC-mediated proliferation of responder cells pretreated with MMC, in a dose of 5 to 10 microgram/ml, or irradiated at 100 to 250 R. These results indicate that NSP activates T cell function participating in cell-mediated immunity.