Evidence from a nine-year birth cohort study in Japan of transmission pathways of Helicobacter pylori infection

We examined the longitudinal changes of Helicobacter pylori infection within 46 families with children and 48 couples without children living in Japan. The study cohort was monitored from 1986 to 1994. H. pylori status was assessed by the presence of anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies. At study entry, H. pylori prevalence in children with positive mothers was 23% versus 5% in children with negative mothers (odds ratio = 5.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.6 to 42.8). Seroconversion (rate of 1.5%/year) was evident only among children living with positive mothers and did not differ among adults living with or without children. These data strongly support the cluster phenomenon of H. pylori infection among families, the key role of the infected mothers in the transmission within families, and the importance of adult-child transmission and not vice versa.

Cyclopentenone prostaglandins as potential inducers of phase II detoxification enzymes. 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin j2-induced expression of glutathione S-transferases

Exposure of cells to a wide variety of chemoprotective compounds confers resistance to a broad set of carcinogens. For a subset of the chemoprotective compounds, protection is generated by an increase in the abundance of protective enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). In the present study, we developed a cell culture system that potently responds to phenolic antioxidants and found that antitumor prostaglandins (PGs) are potential inducers of GSTs. We screened primary hepatocytes and multiple cell lines for inducing GST activity upon incubation with the phenolic antioxidant (tert-butylhydroquinone) and found that rat liver epithelial RL34 cells most potently responded. Based on an extensive screening of diverse chemical agents on the induction of GST activity in RL34 cells, the J2 series of PGs, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ2) in particular, were found to be potential inducers of GST. Enhanced gene expression of Class pi GST isozyme (GSTP1) by 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ2 was evident as a drastic elevation of the mRNA level. Hence, we examined the molecular mechanism underlying the 15-deoxy-Delta(12, 14)-PGJ2-induced GSTP1 gene expression. From functional analysis of various deletion mutant genes, we found that the 15-deoxy-Delta(12, 14)-PGJ2 reponse element was localized in a region containing a GSTP1 enhancer I (GPEI) that consists of two imperfect phorbol 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response elements. When the GPEI was combined with the minimum GSTP1 promoter, the element indeed showed an enhancer activity in response to 15-deoxy-Delta(12, 14)-PGJ2. Point mutations of either of the two imperfect 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response elements in GPEI completely abolished the enhancer activity. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ2 specifically stimulated the binding of nuclear proteins including the transcription factor c-Jun, but not Nrf2, to GPEI. These results suggest that 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ2 induces the expression of the rat GSTP1 gene through binding of proteins, including c-Jun, to a specific GPEI.

Cytotoxic activity and cytokine gene induction of Asp-hemolysin to murine macrophages

We examined the effects of Asp-hemolysin from Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius-Muramatsu strain on the viability and cytokine gene expression of mouse peritoneal macrophages. The cytotoxic activity of Asp-hemolysin to macrophages cultured in FCS-RPMI medium was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of Asp-hemolysin with N-ethylmaleimide or sulfo-N-hydroxy-sulfosuccinimide-acetate caused a remarkable loss of the cytotoxic activity, however, the cytotoxic activity of Asp-hemolysin to macrophages cultured in serum-free medium was significantly increased as compared with that in FCS-RPMI medium. As other biological activities of Asp-hemolysin, tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-alfa), interleukin-1 beta(IL-l beta) and interleukin-1 alfa (IL-l alfa) mRNA expression were observed in macrophages cultured with 1 micro g/ml of Asp-hemolysin.

[Plasma cell leukemia presenting with circulating villous lymphocytes and an indolent clinical course]

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in July 1996 because of lymphoctyosis and lumbago. Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly and anemia. Hematologic examination showed a hemoglobin concentration of 9.6 g/dl and a leukocyte count of 32,700/microliter with 74% abnormal mononuclear cells. In Wright-Giemsa stained blood films, these cells had short villi arising from 1 or 2 poles. Immunophenotyping of peripheral mononuclear cells showed moderate to strong expression of CD10, CD24, CD38, and sIg lambda, but not of CD19, CD20, or CD25. Southern blot analysis of the peripheral mononuclear cells demonstrated rearranged monoclonal bands in the C lambda. Urine immunoelectrophoresis detected a monoclonal band identifiable as lambda-type Bence Jones protein. In addition, bone X-ray studies disclosed multiple osteolytic lesions. A diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia was made, and the patient was placed on chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. No notable improvement in laboratory findings was seen but the patient experienced an indolent clinical course. He died of pneumonia in January 1998. The morphological and clinical findings were unusual for a case of plasma cell leukemia. This case study suggested that signs of lymphocytosis require immunophenotypic and electron microscopic studies for the differential diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia.

Gelatin-containing diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine causes sensitization to gelatin in the recipients

Gelatin-specific T cell response was performed to determine whether a series of vaccinations with gelatin-containing DTP is a primary sensitization process in gelatin allergy. Thirty-seven recipients with gelatin-containing DTP who developed adverse reactions after vaccination and eight recipients of DTP without gelatin who also developed adverse reactions were studied. In addition, 10 subjects receiving gelatin-containing vaccine and 10 subjects inoculated with non-gelatin vaccine who did not show any adverse reactions were also investigated. All subjects inoculated with gelatin-containing DTP vaccine showed positive T cell responses against gelatin, however, occurrence of adverse reactions did not correlate with T cell responses. We conclude that DTP vaccine containing gelatin induces sensitization to gelatin in the recipients, but the mechanism of local reactions remains unknown.

Implications of p53 protein expression in experimental spinal cord injury

In order to clarify the role of p53, known as a tumor suppressor protein and also as a key molecule of apoptotic cell death, we have studied p53 expression in relation to localization, time course, cell type, and TUNEL reaction in a rat model of transectional spinal cord injury. Other apoptosis related molecules, p21, Bcl-2 and Bax, that are in the cascade of p53 pathway, were also examined. p53 was expressed in cells residing in the vicinity of transection as early as 30 min. For the next 2 days, the positive cells spread in distribution, increased in number, and thereafter decreased. p53 immunoreactivity was localized primarily to the nucleus but not to cytoplasm. Double-staining with glial cell markers revealed that p53 immunoreactivity was often co-localized in microglia, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, but not in neurons. In view of the results of the double-staining of p53 and Bcl-2, Bax or TUNEL, a variety of apoptosis-related molecules are expressed with p53, all within the first three days of injury. Further, the process of apoptosis via the p53, pathway appears complex even in this simple model of CNS injury. Our study suggests that the manipulation of these apoptosis-related molecules may prove useful in modifying the cell and tissue damage in traumatic CNS injury.

The 1.5 A crystal structure of a bleomycin resistance determinant from bleomycin-producing Streptomyces verticillus

Bleomycin (Bm)-binding protein, designated BLMA, which is a Bm resistance determinant from Bm-producing Streptomyces verticillus, was crystallized in a form suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis. The diffraction intensity data were collected up to a resolution of 1.5 A with a merging R-value of 0.054 at a completeness of 94 %. The BLMA structure, determined by the single isomorphous replacement method including the anomalous scattering effect (SIR-AS) at a resolution of 2.0 A, was refined at 1.5 A resolution. The final R-factor was 19.0 % and R(free) was 22.1 % including 91 water molecules. The crystal packing showed a dimer form, which was generated by arm exchange. The 1.5 A high-resolution experiment allowed an analysis of the side-chain disorder of BLMA. The structural comparison of BLMA with a homologous protein from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus, designated Shble protein, showed that a Ser100-Gly103 loop was farther from the groove, which is a Bm-binding site, in BLMA than in the Shble protein. Furthermore the hydrophobicity of the groove in BLMA is much lower than that in the Shble protein. The structural differences between these proteins may be responsible for the observation that a half-saturating concentration (K(1/2)) of Bm is higher for BLMA than for the Shble protein.

Age-related changes in myelopoietic response to lipopolysaccharide in senescence-accelerated (SAM) mice

The effects of in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration on myelopoiesis were examined in senescence-accelerated (SAM) mice. Young mice injected with LPS exhibited: (a) increased femoral proliferative pool size; (b) transient reduction in femoral non-proliferative pool size and number of femoral colony forming unit-granulocyte macrophages (CFU-GMs); (c) marked increase in splenic CFU-GMs; and (d) transient increase in S-phase of femoral CFU-GMs. The responses of old mice after LPS administration differed from those of young mice in the following points: (a) no recovery of the femoral non-proliferative pool or femoral CFU-GMs, (b) less significant augmentation of the femoral proliferative pool and splenic CFU-GMs, and (c) prolonged reduction in S-phase of femoral CFU-GM. Injection of LPS into mice resulted in a hyperproduction of colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in bone followed by production of colony-inhibitory activity (CIA) in young mice and in contrast, an excessive CIA secretion from bone without an increase in CSA levels in old mice. These imbalances in the regulatory factors derived from non-hemopoietic cells in the bones may lead to an inappropriate response of myelopoiesis in aged SAM mice after LPS administration, which may play a key role in infections.

Screening for Drosophila proteins with distinct expression patterns during development by use of monoclonal antibodies

Kc 167 is a cell line established from Drosophila embryonic hemocytes and has been shown to express many extracellular matrix (ECM) and other proteins important during development. We have screened monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against heparin affinity purified proteins from conditioned medium of Kc 167 cells to identify novel proteins with important roles for development. One mAb recognized a protein expressed with temporary and tissue specific patterns during Drosophila embryogenesis and larval development. This approach is an alternative to screening of Expression Sequence Tag (EST) clones by in situ hybridization to initiate reverse genetics. In addition, a number of mAbs recognizing ECM proteins were also identified. These mAbs will be useful for biochemical and cell biological analyses of Drosophila ECM proteins.

Difficulty in writing Japanese semantic characters in a 9-year-old boy with Williams syndrome

A 9-year-old boy diagnosed as having Williams syndrome was evaluated using psychological test batteries in order to clarify his ability in language and visual cognition. The subject had difficulty in writing some of the Japanese semantic characters (called Kanji) which he could otherwise read and understand. Although he could write the small components of which the Kanji characters were composed, he could not locate these correctly. This phenomenon is considered to be very similar to the difficulty in copying a figure observed clinically. The Kaufmann Assessment Batteries for Children clearly revealed that the boy had difficulty with the sub-test of spatial memory compared to his average score for simultaneous processing. This result is considered to be closely related to the difficulty in copying figures or writing Kanji characters. On the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, the present authors found that the subject's vocabulary was relatively good, although semantic and pragmatic problems remained. Clarifying the strong and weak points of the abilities of such patients will help to determine the most appropriate mode of education for them.

Differences in the sensitivity to UVB radiation of two cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) based on observation of long-lived radicals

Free radicals with a long lifetime were observed in the leaves of two rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.), Sasanishiki (UVB resistant) and Norin-1 (UVB sensitive), by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The leaves of both cultivars grown with visible light show very similar ESR spectra composed of radical 1 (R1) and radical 2 (R2), which may be attributable to P700 cation radicals in the reaction center of photosystem I, and tyrosine cation radicals in the reaction center of photosystem II, respectively. The ESR spectrum composed of R1 and R2 radicals in the leaves of Sasanishiki grown under visible light with supplemental UVB was similar to that in the plant grown without supplemental UVB. On the other hand, the amount of R2 radicals in the leaves of Norin-1 grown under visible light with supplemental UVB was significantly smaller than that in the plant grown without supplemental UVB. It is suggested that the loss of R2 radicals in Norin-1 upon UVB irradiation is related to the instability of the plant.

A selective dopamine D4 receptor antagonist, NRA0160: a preclinical neuropharmacological profile

NRA0160, 5 - [2- ( 4- ( 3 - fluorobenzylidene) piperidin-1-yl) ethyl] - 4 -(4-fluorophenyl) thiazole-2-carboxamide, has a high affinity for human cloned dopamine D4.2, D4.4 and D4.7 receptors, with Ki values of 0.5, 0.9 and 2.7 nM, respectively. NRA0160 is over 20,000fold more potent at the dopamine D4.2 receptor compared with the human cloned dopamine D2L receptor. NRA0160 has negligible affinity for the human cloned dopamine D3 receptor (Ki=39 nM), rat serotonin (5-HT)2A receptors (Ki=180 nM) and rat alpha1 adrenoceptor (Ki=237 nM). NRA0160 and clozapine antagonized locomotor hyperactivity induced by methamphetamine (MAP) in mice. NRA0160 and clozapine antagonized MAP-induced stereotyped behavior in mice, although their effects did not exceed 50% inhibition, even at the highest dose given. NRA0160 and clozapine significantly induced catalepsy in rats, although their effects did not exceed 50% induction even at the highest dose given. NRA0160 and clozapine significantly reversed the disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) in rats produced by apomorphine. NRA0160 and clozapine significantly shortened the phencyclidine (PCP)-induced prolonged swimming latency in rats in a water maze task. These findings suggest that NRA0160 may have unique antipsychotic activities without the liability of motor side effects typical of classical antipsychotics.

Novel mutations and genotype-phenotype relationships in 107 families with Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD)

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders in the Japanese population, is characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy in combination with cortical dysgenesis (micropolygyria). Recently, we identified, on chromosome 9q31, the gene responsible for FCMD, which encodes a novel 461 amino acid protein which we have termed fukutin. Most FCMD-bearing chromosomes examined to date (87%) have been derived from a single ancestral founder, whose mutation consisted of a 3 kb retrotransposal insertion in the 3' non-coding region of the fukutin gene. FCMD is the first human disease known to be caused primarily by an ancient retrotransposal integration. We under-took a systematic analysis of the FCMD gene in 107 unrelated patients, and identified four novel non-founder mutations in five of them: one missense, one nonsense, one L1 insertion and a 1 bp insertion. The frequency of severe phenotypes, including Walker-Walberg syndrome-like manifestations such as hydrocephalus and microphthalmia, was significantly higher among probands who were compound heterozygotes carrying a point mutation on one allele and the founder mutation on the other, than it was among probands who were homozygous for the 3 kb retrotransposon. Remarkably, we detected no FCMD patients with non-founder (point) mutations on both alleles of the gene, and suggest that such cases might be embryonic-lethal. This could explain why few FCMD cases are reported in non-Japanese populations. Our results provided strong evidence that loss of function of fukutin is the major cause of FCMD, and appeared to shed some light on the mechanism responsible for the broad clinical spectrum seen in this disease.

Therapy-related megakaryoblastic leukemia with pituitary involvement following treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

A case of a 66-year-old Japanese man developed therapy-related megakaryoblastic leukemia with pituitary involvement after chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Alkylating agents had been administered for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 6 years later, megakaryoblastic leukemia with myelofibrosis and myelodysplasia developed. The blast cells expressed CD41, and immature antigens also. These findings were compatible with therapy-related megakaryoblastic leukemia. An autopsy revealed blast-cell infiltration into multiple organs including the posterior pituitary lobe. Therapy-related megakaryoblastic leukemia is very rare, and pituitary involvement may be associated with immaturity of blast cells.

[Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation]

A 34-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after receiving high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation. She experienced progressively dry cough 51 days after BMT, and chest X-ray films showed patchy infiltrations in the lower fields of both lungs on the 66th day after BMT. The symptoms of cough, fever, and hypoxemia worsened. The patchy infiltrations continued to spread and fuse. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) was diagnosed on the basis of high-resolution CT and bronchoalveolar lavage findings. Treatment with high-dose methyl prednisolone pulse therapy, antibiotics, and haptoglobin resolved the patient's DAH symptoms. DAH was thought to be secondary to thrombotic microangiopathy. The majority of patients who experience DAH after BMT eventually die. The remission observed in our case was rare, and illustrated that steroid therapy can be effective for DAH after BMT.

A mammalian vector carrying the bleomycin N-acetyltransferase gene from bleomycin-producing Streptomyces verticillus as a selective marker

A gene, blmB, encodes a bleomycin (Bm) N-acetyltransferase, designated BAT, from Bm-producing Streptomyces verticillus and confers resistance to Bm in Streptomyces and Escherichia coli. COS-1 cells transfected with a plasmid designated pEF-BOS/blmB, in which blmB is under the control of a strong promoter from the human polypeptide chain elongation factor 1alpha, transiently produced BAT. Immuno-cytochemical analysis using an anti-BAT monoclonal antibody revealed that BAT was localized in the nucleus of the blmB-carrying COS-1 cells. NIH/3T3 cells, transfected with pEF-BOS/blmB, stably expressed BAT at least for one month. The stable transformants of blmB showed specific resistance to the Bm family of antibiotics, suggesting that blmB has potential as a selective marker in gene transfer studies with mammalian cells.

Apoptotic cells associated with Wallerian degeneration after experimental spinal cord injury: a possible mechanism of oligodendroglial death

We have investigated the temporal and spatial profiles of apoptotic cells in an experimental transection spinal cord injury by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotin-16-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Twenty-four hours postinjury, a numerous TUNEL-positive cells appeared both rostrally and caudally to the transection site. Those positive cells, however, gradually diminished in number by several days postinjury. In contrast, other TUNEL-positive cells were found scattered within the white matter remote from the lesion by the third day postinjury. These cells were typically embedded in or among vacuolated fibers, where they were identified in close proximity to the vacuolated space enclosed by myelin basic protein (MBP)-positive structures confirmed by TUNEL-MBP double staining. Because of their linear arrangement, these TUNEL-positive cells were considered interfascicular oligodendrocytes, a fact that was confirmed by the finding that some TUNEL-positive cells were also stained with CCI, a cell marker for oligodendrocyte. Electron microscopic studies revealed that the cells expressing apoptotic morphology were invariably encased in a space formed by myelin splitting. Although the biological significance of apoptotic interfascicular oligodendrocytes in the process of wallerian degeneration is yet to be determined, the finding of such profiles localized within degenerating myelin structures suggests that; oligodendrocytes may be "trapped" within rapidly swollen and disintegrating myelin lamellae, which isolates and perhaps predisposes them to death.

Application of the Cre recombinase/loxP system further enhances antitumor effects in cell type-specific gene therapy against carcinoembryonic antigen-producing cancer

A considerable number of studies of cancer have shown that the cell type-specific promoter is an effective tool for selective expression of foreign genes in tumor cells. However, few reports have demonstrated significant in vivo antitumor effects using this strategy thus far, possibly because the low activity of such a promoter results in insufficient expression of genes in cancer cells as well as in insignificant antitumor effects, even when the cells are infected by highly efficient gene transfer methods. To overcome this problem, we used the Cre/loxP system for the cell type-specific gene therapy against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing cancer. We constructed a pair of recombinant Ads. One expresses the Cre recombinase (Cre) gene under the control of the CEA promoter (Ad.CEA-Cre). The other contains the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene separated from the strong CAG promoter by insertion of the neomycin resistance (neo) gene (Ad.lox-TK). The HSV-TK gene of the latter Ad is designed to be activated through excisional deletion of the neo gene by Cre enzyme released from the former one only when CEA-producing cells are infected simultaneously with these Ads. Coinfection by these Ads rendered a human CEA-producing cancer cell line 8.4-fold more sensitive to ganciclovir (GCV) compared with infection by Ad.CEA-TK alone, the HSV-TK gene of which is directly regulated by the CEA promoter. On the other hand, coinfection with these Ads did not significantly change the GCV sensitivity of non-CEA-producing cells. Intratumoral injection of Ad.CEA-Cre combined with Ad.lox-TK followed by GCV treatment almost completely eradicated CEA-producing tumors established in the subcutis of athymic mice, whereas intratumoral injection of Ad.CEA-TK with GCV administration at most retarded the growth of inoculated tumors. These results suggest distinct advantages of the Cre/loxP system applied in the conventional cell type-specific gene therapy against cancer.

Synthesis and SAR of 1-alkyl-2-phenylethylamine derivatives designed from N,N-dipropyl-4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenylethylamine to discover sigma(1) ligands

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of 1-alkyl-2-phenylethylamine derivatives 5-8 designed from N, N-dipropyl-2-[4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenyl]ethylamine hydrochloride (1, NE-100) are presented. The SAR between compound 1 and 1-alkyl-2-phenylethylamine derivatives suggested that the alkyl group on the 1-position carbon of 2-[4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethyl)phenyl]ethylamine derivatives played the role of one of the propyl groups on the aminic nitrogen of compound 1. (-)-N-Propyl-1-butyl-2-[4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenyl]ethylam ine hydrochloride ((-)-6d, NE-537) and (-)-N-propyl-1-(3-methybutyl)-2-[4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy )phenyl]e thylamine hydrochloride ((-)-6i, NE-535), typical compounds in this series, have potent and selective sigma(1) affinity.

Localization of mouse type 2 Alu sequence in schistosomes

Localization of the type 2 Alu sequence (B2), a highly repetitive DNA sequence in the mouse genome, was examined by in situ polymerase chain reaction (in situ PCR) in schistosomes. The signals to the B2 sequence were detected in the cytoplasm of the tegumental membrane and in the nuclei of the mesenchymal, testicular, ovarian and vitelline cells of 8-week Schistosoma japonicum. In contrast, it was difficult to detect any signals of this sequence in 8-week S. mansoni, whereas in 24-week male S. mansoni the signals were observed in the cytoplasm of the tegumental tubercles and in the nuclei of the mesenchymal and testicular cells. On the other hand, in 24-week female S. mansoni the signals were found in the nuclei of the mesenchymal, ovarian and vitelline cells but not found in the tegument. On the contrary, no hybridization band of the B2 sequence was detected in the amplified DNA of 3-week schistosomula of either species. These observations proved that the host DNA sequences existed in restricted schistosome cells and were accumulated in the schistosome body during their development.

Varicella-zoster virus-specific cellular immunity in subjects given acyclovir after household chickenpox exposure

The time course of primary cell-mediated immune responses to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) among persons receiving acyclovir prophylaxis after exposure to chickenpox has not been well defined. Fifteen children who had household exposure to varicella received prophylactic acyclovir (40 mg/kg/day for 7-14 days after exposure) and were studied for development of both antibody and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to VZV. Twelve developed antibodies and/or CMI; 10 had no symptoms and 2 manifested mild varicella. Two were already immune to varicella and had booster immune responses. One was not infected and subsequently developed full-blown varicella. Although acyclovir given after exposure to VZV is highly effective and does not appear to attenuate the immune response, it remains necessary to confirm whether, in the absence of clinical varicella, persons acquire specific immunity.

Comparison of erythropoietic response to androgen in young and old senescence accelerated mice

In this study, to clarify whether the functional capacity of hemopoietic progenitor cells and the micro-environment of aged mice are identical with those of the young, we investigated the changes in the number of hemopoietic progenitor cells and the production of regulatory cytokines from splenic cells as well as changes in the serum levels of cytokine in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) after administration of 19-nandrolone decanoate (19-ND), a synthetic androgenic anabolic steroid. 19-ND induced an increase in erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E), erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E), and granulocytic-macrophage committed progenitor cells (CFU-GM) in bone marrow and spleen; especially remarkable increases were observed in the splenic CFU-E in both young and old mice. Antigen expression analysis of hemopoietic organs revealed that total TER-119+ cells per spleen of young and old mice with androgen treatment rose 2.6- and 3.2-fold over their respective control values. The responsiveness of hemopoietic progenitor cells to androgen did not change with age. Injection of 19-ND into young and old mice markedly enhanced the erythropoietin levels but not IL3 and GM-CSF levels in the serum of both groups. Cytokine production assessed by pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen condition medium showed an age-related decline. Androgen treatment could not influence IL-3 and GM-CSF production of spleen. These findings suggest that the spleen of both old and young mice served as the major site of regenerative repopulation of hemopoietic progenitors, especially the late erythroid progenitors in 19-ND-treated mice. The proliferative reserve of erythropoiesis with androgen treatment in aged mice was not reduced more than that in treated-young mice.

Arg506Gln mutation of the coagulation factor V gene not detected in Japanese pulmonary thromboembolism

The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is lower in Japanese than in Caucasians. The basis for the different incidence has not been clarified. A poor anticoagulant response to activated protein C based on a single point mutation of the factor V gene (Arg506Gln) was found to be a pathogenetic factor for venous thrombosis and PTE in North America and Europe. We investigated whether the Arg506Gln mutation of factor V is responsible for the occurrence of PTE among Japanese. We analyzed genomic DNA prepared from fresh peripheral blood of 25 patients with PTE of unknown etiology (12 of acute type and 13 of chronic type) and that of 110 controls without respiratory or circulatory disorders. To detect the Arg506Gln mutation, 267 bp DNA fragments of the factor V gene including the Arg506Gln region were amplified by PCR, digested by MnlI and electrophoresed. After digestion of PCR products with MnlI, DNA fragments of 163 bp length, but not DNA fragments of 200 bp length, were identified in all samples, indicating the absence of the Arg506Gln mutation in the patients with PTE and control subjects. These results suggest that the Arg506Gln mutation is absent or very rare and not an important pathogenetic factor for PTE in Japanese.

Effects of low doses of endothelin-1 on basal vascular tone and autoregulatory vasodilation in canine coronary microcirculation in vivo

The plasma level of endothelin-1 (ET-1) increases in several cardiovascular disorders. The present study examined whether threshold doses of ET-1 affect vascular tone and autoregulatory vasodilation during a reduction in perfusion pressure in the coronary microcirculation in vivo. In anesthetized open-chest dogs, arterial microvessels in the epimyocardium were observed through a microscope equipped with a floating objective. In 6 dogs, ET-1 (10(-13) to 10(-8)mol/L) was superfused onto the epimyocardium in a cumulative fashion. In another set of dogs (n= 16), the perfusion pressure of the observed vascular bed was reduced to 60 mmHg (mild stenosis) and to 40 mmHg (severe stenosis) by a hydraulic occluder, and the microvascular responses were observed in the presence (n=9) or absence (n=7) of ET-1 (10(-12) or 10(-11) mol/L). ET-1 > or =10(-11) mol/L constricted coronary arterioles (< or =100 microm in diameter) and small arteries (>100 microm in diameter) in a dose-dependent fashion. ET-1 of 10(-12) mol/L affected neither the basal diameters nor the dilation of vessels during the pressure reduction. ET-1 of 10(-11) mol/L decreased the diameters of arterioles and small arteries before and during the mild and severe stenosis. However, ET-1 did not attenuate the percentage dilation of arterioles from the baseline in response to the mild and severe stenosis. The data indicates the following: (1) ET-1 at doses > or =10(-11) mol/L similarly constricts coronary arterioles and small arteries; (2) ET-1 at 10(-11) mol/L, which is slightly higher than the pathophysiological plasma level, increases the basal vascular tone, but does not attenuate the autoregulatory vasodilation of the coronary microcirculation.

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of pyrazolopyrrolopyrimidine derivatives having vasorelaxing activity

A new series of 5-substituted and 5-nonsubstituted pyrazolopyrrolopyrimidine derivatives were synthesized, and their vasorelaxing and hypotensive activities were evaluated. The syntheses were efficiently accomplished through the use of three key intermediates (7, 16, and 24), as shown in Schemes I-III. The desired pharmacological activities were confirmed on the basis of vasorelaxing activity in rat aorta (in vitro) and hypotensive activity in rats (in vivo). Specifically, compound 25 exhibited the strongest activity and appears to be a promising clinical lead for the development of a new antihypertensive agent.