Protective effects of minaprine in infarction produced by occluding middle cerebral artery in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. We examined the effects of minaprine on cerebral infarction produced by occluding of unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) above the rhinal fissure in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. Oral administration of minaprine (60 mg/kg/day) and vehicle were started 30 min after the occlusion of MCA, and continued for 6 days. 3. The brain was dissected out and 36 coronal multiple sections of the whole brain were histologically prepared to determine the location and extension of infarction. 4. The infarcted area produced by the occlusion of MCA was limited to the cerebral cortex. 5. Body weight of the minaprine-treated rats gradually decreased within 4 days after the occlusion of MCA and thereafter increased, whereas in the vehicle-treated rats, there was a gradual decrease during the experimental period. 6. Size of the infarcted area was serially measured, in each section, using a microcomputer imaging device. In all animals with an occluded MCA, there was a typical pattern of ischemic damage. 7. Post-treatment of MCA occluded SHRSP with minaprine resulted in reduction in infarct size, as compared to findings in the vehicle-treated controls. 8. The pharmacological and histopathological effects of minaprine on the progress of cerebral infarction produced by the occlusion of MCA in SHRSP are discussed.

Multi-drug combination therapy with vincristine-melphalan-cyclophosphamide-prednisolone was more effective than cyclophosphamide-prednisolone in stage III myeloma. The Nagoya Myeloma Cooperative Study Group

A cooperative randomized clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of multi-drug combination chemotherapy (VMCP), vincristine-melphalan-cyclophosphamide-prednisolone) with CP (cyclophosphamide-prednisolone) for the treatment of multiple myeloma was performed. When the whole group of patients was evaluated, the choice of chemotherapy (VMCP or CP) was not a significant prognostic factor associated with response or survival by uni- or multivariate analysis, and the difference between the survival curves of the treatment groups was only marginally significant. However, when the analysis was confined to stage III patients, the choice of chemotherapy became a significant prognostic factor associated with both response rate and survival, and the statistical difference between survival curves was significant. Taking the disease characteristics of multiple myeloma into consideration, the better result obtained with multi-drug combination chemotherapy in the treatment of stage III patients is consistent with other studies supporting the superiority of multi-drug combination chemotherapy for patients with overt systemic disease.

Enhanced expression of DNA topoisomerase II by recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in human leukemia cells

The effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) expression was studied in two human acute myelogenous leukemia cell lines, NKM-1 and NOMO-1, which express G-CSF receptor and proliferate in response to exogenous G-CSF. Northern blot analysis revealed that the level of topo II mRNA in 16-h stimulated cells in serum-free medium with G-CSF (10 ng/ml) was approximately 2-fold higher than that in cells without G-CSF. Enhanced topo II mRNA expression was detectable within 3 h after the addition of G-CSF. Topo II activity in crude nuclear extracts from 16-h G-CSF-stimulated cells was also found to be approximately 2-fold greater than that from unstimulated cells. According to in vitro cytotoxic assay, the sensitivity of G-CSF-stimulated cells to intercalating (daunorubicin) and nonintercalating (etoposide) topo II-targeting drugs increased significantly, whereas no enhancement of sensitivity was observed with an alkylating agent (4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide). The augmented drug sensitivity observed was not due to the increased level of drug transport, as suggested by the similar extent of [3H]etoposide uptake between G-CSF-stimulated and unstimulated cells. By measuring the topo II mRNA and the cytotoxicity of the above mentioned drugs, we obtained essentially the same results in G-CSF-responsive leukemia cells isolated from three acute myeloblastic leukemia patients, as observed in the cultured cell lines. These findings strongly suggest that the sensitivity to "topo II-targeting drugs" could be augmented by exogenous G-CSF through elevated topo II activity in G-CSF-responsive leukemia cells.

Synthesis and release of acetylcholine by cultured bovine arterial endothelial cells

Using cultured endothelial cells prepared from bovine carotid artery, and a specific radioimmunoassay for acetylcholine (ACh), the synthesis and release of ACh by vascular endothelial cells were investigated directly. ACh content in the culture medium after 24 h of incubation in the presence of isoflurophate, a nonspecific cholinesterase inhibitor, was about 16 times higher than that in endothelial cells, indicating that ACh synthesized inside the cells was released rapidly. The presence of ACh in the culture medium was further confirmed qualitatively using high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrocapture detection. These results represent the first direct evidence that endothelial cells can synthesize and release ACh, suggesting the possibility that ACh acts not only as a neurotransmitter but also as an autacoid under certain conditions.

Sphingolipids and glycerolipids. I. Chemical structures and ionophoretic activities of soya-cerebrosides I and II from soybean

Two glycosphingolipids named soya-cerebrosides I and II were isolated from soybean, the seeds of Glycine max Merrill (Leguminosae), and their chemical structures have been elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence and several chemical degradation reactions. By using a newly constructed liquid membrane-type apparatus (W-08) for measurement of ion-transport and ion-binding activities and by employing a method using human erythrocyte membranes for measurement of ion-permeability, it has been found that soya-cerebroside II exhibits ionophoretic activity for Ca2+ ion.

Effects of co-dergocrine mesylate (Hydergine) in multi-infarct dementia as evaluated by positron emission tomography

Three female patients aged from 74 to 79 with multi-infarct dementia were studied using positron emission tomography (PET) to assess the effect of co-dergocrine mesylate (Hydergine) on cerebral glucose metabolism. The cerebral glucose utilization (CMRGlc) of each patient was evaluated by PET scan using 2-deoxy-[18F]-2-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG). Following the first PET study, 0.04 mg/kg of co-dergocrine mesylate was injected intravenously with 250 ml saline solution, and then the second PET study was performed. The CMRGlc was determined from the images of the PET scan and the radioactivity of 18F in the plasma. After the administration of co-dergocrine mesylate, the value of CMRGlc increased significantly in the cerebral cortex (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05) and basal ganglia (p less than 0.05) compared with values before the administration, but no significant increase was found in the centrum semiovale. These results suggest that co-dergocrine mesylate stimulates glucose metabolism of neurons in the human brain.

A new class of rat glutathione S-transferase Yrs-Yrs inactivating reactive sulfate esters as metabolites of carcinogenic arylmethanols

A glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST), catalyzing the inactivation of reactive sulfate esters as metabolites of carcinogenic arylmethanols, was isolated from the male Sprague-Dawley rat liver cytosol and purified to homogeneity in 12% yield with a purification factor of 901-fold. The purified GST was a homo-dimeric enzyme protein with subunit Mr 26,000 and pI 7.9 and designated as Yrs-Yrs because of its enzyme activity toward "reactive sulfate esters." GST Yrs-Yrs could neither be retained on the S-hexylglutathione gel column nor showed any activity toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 4-nitrobenzyl chloride, and 1,2-epoxy-3-(4'-nitrophenoxy)propane. 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitro-benzene was a very poor substrate for this GST. 1-Menaphthyl sulfate was the best substrate for GST Yrs-Yrs among the examined mutagenic arylmethyl sulfates. The enzyme had higher activities toward ethacrynic acid and cumene hydroperoxide. N-terminal amino acid sequence of subunit Yrs, analyzed up to the 25th amino acid, had no homology with any of the known class alpha, mu, and pi enzymes of the Sprague-Dawley rat. Anti-Yrs-IgG raised against GST Yrs-Yrs showed no cross-reactivity with any of subunits Ya, Yc, Yb1, Yb2, and Yp. Anti-IgGs raised against Ya, Yc, Yb1, Yb2, and Yp also showed no cross-reactivity with GST Yrs-Yrs. The purified enzyme proved to differ evidently from the 12 known cytosolic GSTs in various tissues of the rat in all respects. Immunoblot analysis of various tissue cytosols of the male rat indicated that apparent concentrations of the GST Yrs-Yrs protein were in order of liver greater than testis greater than adrenal greater than kidney greater than lung greater than brain greater than skeletal muscle congruent to heart congruent to small intestine congruent to spleen congruent to skin congruent to 0.

Effects of minaprine and sulpiride injected into the amygdaloid nucleus on the duration of immobility in rats forced to swim

We examined the effects of minaprine and sulpiride injected into the medial amygdaloid nucleus on the duration of immobility in rats forced to swim. Minaprine (50 micrograms/microliter) significantly reduced the duration of immobility, while sulpiride (50 micrograms/microliters) remarkedly enhanced it. These results suggest that the medial amygdaloid nucleus might be involved in the suppressive effect of minaprine on the duration of immobility, as was seen with the tricyclic antidepressants. The pattern of behavior seen with sulpiride administrations differs considerably from that seen with the tricyclic antidepressants.

Intestinal transport of sulfanilic acid in rats immunized with protein-sulfanilic acid conjugate

Intestinal transport of sulfanilic acid was examined by means of an in vitro everted sac technique in rats immunized with a bovine gamma-globulin-sulfanilic acid conjugate. At a low concentration of sulfanilic acid, the intestinal transport of sulfanilic acid was decreased in rats immunized with bovine gamma-globulin-sulfanilic acid conjugate. This phenomenon was dose dependent and antigen specific, since there was no difference in the transport of sulfanilic acid at a high concentration and of an unrelated hapten. These results suggested that parenteral immunization impaired not only the intestinal transport of macromolecular antigens, as previously shown, but also the transport of the low molecular weight hapten, sulfanilic acid.

[A study of the androgenic activity of anti-androgen]

To investigate the androgenic activity of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-androgens, the effect of several compounds on some parameters as an androgenic activity was measured in the ventral prostate (VP) and seminal vesicle gland (SV) of castrated male rats. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, arginase activity, androgen receptor (AR) in cytosol and nucleus, histological examination and weight of accessory sex organs were used as parameters for androgenic activity. The ventral prostate weight was increased by the administration of not only steroidal anti-androgen, medroxyprogesterone (MPA), chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and cyproterone acetate (CPA), but also estradiol-17 beta(E2) and nonsteroidal anti-androgen, AA 560. However flutamide (Flu) failed to increase VP weight. In SV, the tendency to increase weight by the administration of these compounds was also observed. However, it was not obvious as in VP. It was proven by the measurement of the parameters that all tested compounds except Flu had an androgenic activity. It seems that the androgenic activity was caused by a different mechanism because the parameter response to the administrated compounds was not identical.

Dosimetry of 70 MeV proton beams from the NIRS cyclotron

Dosimetry of 70 MeV proton beams for radiotherapy was carried out using various ionization chambers. The beam irradiation conditions, dose estimation with an ionization chamber, measurement of dose distributions, and calculation of isodose curves for the proton beams will be discussed.

Contrasting effects of water-soluble and water-insoluble dietary fibers on bile acid conjugation and taurine metabolism in the rat

The effect of the type of dietary fiber on the bile acid and taurine metabolism was examined in rats. Diets containing 10% of various water-soluble fibers (citrus pectin, konjak mannan, guar gum) as compared to a fiber-free diet increased biliary excretion of total bile acids. In contrast, water-insoluble dietary fibers (cellulose, corn bran, chitin; 10% in the diets) as well as cholestyramine (5% in the diet) considerably decreased bile acid excretion. Water-soluble dietary fiber-mediated increases in bile acid excretion were totally attributable to increases in glycine-conjugates. Thus, these fibers greatly increased the bile acid glycine-to-taurine ratio (G/T). Excretion of glycine conjugates decreased more than that of taurine conjugates in rats fed various water-insoluble dietary fibers. As a result, G/T in rats fed water-insoluble fibers was significantly lowered as compared to G/T in animals fed a fiber-free diet. Cholestyramine did not affect the G/T ratio of bile acids. Fecal bile acid excretion and the activities of hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.17) in rats fed various water-soluble dietary fibers approximately doubled as compared to the respective values for rats fed a fiber-free diet. Whereas cholestyramine greatly increased these parameters, water-insoluble fibers did not significantly affect them. Various water-soluble fibers decreased hepatic concentration and urinary excretion of taurine as well as the activity of hepatic cysteine dioxygenase (EC 1.13.11.20). In contrast, water-insoluble fibers considerably increased hepatic taurine concentrations and enzyme activities. The parameters for taurine metabolism were unaffected by cholestyramine. It was suggested that the types of dietary fiber affected hepatic taurine synthesis and thus modified bile acid glycine/taurine ratios.

Surface ultrastructure of newly excysted metacercariae of Paragonimus heterotremus

The newly excysted metacercariae of P. heterotremus were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Large dome-shaped papillae, small ones with a pit, and small ones with a smooth surface were observed around the suckers. The number of the small dome-shaped papillae with a pit was about 30 around the oral sucker and that of the small ones with a smooth surface varied from 9 to 13 around the ventral sucker. The present report is the first record of excysted metacercariae of P. heterotremus examined by SEM.

[Melatonin secretion in intracranial tumor]

The secretion of melatonin (MLT) was examined in 6 ICT patients, 2 men and 4 women, who showed marked midline shift of CT scan findings with intracranial hypertension signs (headache, nausea, vomiting). Their ages ranged from 22 to 40 years. The controls, 6 healthy men and 4 healthy women (follicular stage) were aged from 18 to 35. With the subject recumbent, blood was drawn at 14, 20, 02 and 08 hour (Lights out, 9 pm; sunrise, 6 am). After separation of plasma by centrifugation, MLT was extracted by SEP-PAK C18 cartridge and determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). (

METHOD

The extracted MLT, the antiserum and the 3H-MLT were incubated overnight at 4 degrees C, the antibody-combined and free 3H-MLT were separated using ammonium sulfate, and the radioactivity of the precipitate containing combined 3H-MLT was measured by liquid scintillation.) Plasma MLT concentrations of controls were 42.5 +/- 7.0 (Mean +/- SEM) pg/ml at 14 hr, 50.9 +/- 8.2 pg/ml at 20 hr, 165.1 +/- 22.7 pg/ml at 02 hr, and 49.1 +/- 5.4 pg/ml at 08 hr. The value of 14 hr. significantly differed from 02 hr, (P less than 0.01) showing a diurnal rhythm. The patients' MLT levels (pg/ml) were 19.8 +/- 6.2 at 14 hr, 15.9 +/- 5.2 at 20 hr, 52.0 +/- 17.2 at 02 hr, and 20.3 +/- 3.5 at 08 hr. These values were significantly lower than in controls (P less than 0.01) except at 14 hr. (P less than 0.05), showing no diurnal rhythm except 2 cases. In conclusion, in ICT with midline shift of CT scan melatonin secretion was inhibited and diurnal rhythm disappeared in four cases (67%).

[Randomized study of initial treatment with radiation.MCNU or radiation.MCNU.interferon-beta for malignant glioma. Hiroshima Brain Tumor Study Group]

The efficacy of radiation.MCNU (MR group) or radiation.MCNU.interferon-beta (IMR group) for malignant glioma was studied by a randomized trial at numerous medical facilities. MR group was irradiated with 50-60 Gy and intravenously injected with 2 mg/kg of MCNU on the initial day of irradiation and 6 weeks later. IMR group was also given intravenous administration of interferon-beta at the dose of 2 x 10(6) IU/m2 for 5 serial-days every eight weeks. There was no difference in background between the two groups. The response rate in MR group and IMR group was 44.4% (4/9) and 30.0% (3/10), respectively, showing no significant difference. The resected tumor volume before the start of these regimens seemed to correlate the response to the treatment in both groups. The major toxicity was myelosuppression, especially using MCNU with interferon-beta. These results indicated that this combined therapy is effective for malignant glioma, and should be executed further trials and follow up study.

[Clinical study of urinary cytology in bladder tumors--analysis of factors related with positivity of urinary cytology]

To clarify the clinical and pathological determinants affecting the sensitivity of urinary cytology, we reviewed cytological findings from 119 patients with bladder cancer who were initially treated between January 1982 and March 1988. Cytological specimens obtained from voided urine were stained by the Giemsa and Papanicolaou techniques, and were classified into three categories of malignant cells: positive, suspicious, and negative. Of 311 specimens examined, 114 (37%) were positive, 81 (26%) were suspicious, and the remaining 116 (37%) were negative. The overall positive rate, or sensitivity, was 50% (60 out of 119 patients). The sensitivities were 7% for patients with grade 1 tumors, 42% for grade 2 tumors, and 97% for grade 3 tumors. Univariate analysis by logistic regression analysis revealed that grade, stage, histological pattern of growth, size and number of tumors, and patient age were significantly related with the positivity of voided urinary cytology. The logistic regression model, as a multivariate analysis, demonstrated that grade was the most important determinant affecting the positive cytologic finding, followed by number of tumors with statistical significance. We conclude that the lower sensitivity in conventional urinary cytology for low-grade tumors necessitates new adjuncts, including immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry, to lower the false-negative rate.

Induction of high-grade anti-tumor immunity by use of a recombinant H-2Kb/avian erythroblastosis virus erbB gene transfectant

The recombinant H-2Kb-erbB gene, encoding for a part of the H-2 class I antigen and the kinase domain of the V-erbB peptide, was successfully introduced into murine mastocytoma P815 variant P1.HTR cells, which resulted in low but significant cell-surface expression of the hybrid gene product. When the chimeric gene transfectant was inoculated into the CDF1 mice, it soon grew but regressed thereafter. The tumorigenicity of this transfectant was lower than the H-2Kb gene transfectant that expressed the H-2Kb antigen at a comparable level. These CDF1 mice that had received the chimeric gene transfectant obtained a high-grade anti-tumor immunity against the challenge of a high dose of parental tumor. Corresponding to these observations, anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which lyse parental P1.HTR cells but not syngeneic L1210 or NS-1 tumor cells, were developed in the peritoneal cavity of mice that had been inoculated with the transfectant and parental tumor. Definite antibody activity binding to parental P1.HTR tumor cells was also demonstrated in the sera of these mice, precipitating 40-kDa, 74-kDa and 98-kDa molecules from the surface of the radiolabeled P1-HTR tumor cells. The results suggested that the chimeric H-2-erB gene transfectant efficiently triggers both cellular and humoral anti-tumor immune responses.

Structure and hypotensive activity relationships of tetrandrine derivatives in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. Structure and hypotensive activity relationships of tetrandrine (TD), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herb Radix stephaniae tetrandrae and its derivatives were investigated in conscious stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. Derivatives substituted at the 7-O position with various types of alkyl group produced varying degrees of hypotensive effect. 3. While the demethylated derivative, fangchinoline (FC), and its acetylated compound had no effect on blood pressure, 7-O-methyl FC (TD), and 7-O-ethyl and 7-O-isopropyl FC at oral doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg produced a gradual and sustained hypotensive effect without any significant effects on heart rate and plasma renin concentration. 4. Substitution at the 7-O position with longer side chains such as n-propyl, n-butyl and n-pentyl groups reduced both the degree and duration of hypotensive activity. 5. Substitution of N-methyl groups at the 2 and 2' positions with quaternary ammonium or N-oxide attenuated the hypotensive activity. 6. The results of this study suggest a possibility that 7-O-ethyl and 7-O-isopropyl derivatives as well as TD can be considered as potential antihypertensive drugs because of the gradual onset and long duration of their hypotensive action in SHRSP.

Synthesis of omega-[18F]fluoroalkyl analogs of YM-09151-2 for the measurement of D2-dopamine receptors with PET

Two [18F]fluoroalkyl analogs of a neuroleptic YM-09151-2 were synthesized via nucleophilic [18F]fluorination of methanesulfonyloxy- or p-toluenesulfonyloxyalkyl derivatives using no-carrier-added [18F]fluoride. Although 3-[18F]fluoropropylaminobenzamide was obtained in good yield, the yield of 2-[18F]fluoroethyl derivative was severalfold lower. The product, N-[(2RS,3RS)-1-benzyl-2-methylpyrrolidin-3-yl]-5- chloro-2-methoxy-4-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)-aminobenzamide, was shown to have a striatum-to-cerebellum ratio comparable to that of 11C labeled YM-09151-2 and thus to be a good candidate for measuring D2-receptors in vivo.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognition of the H-2-erbB hybrid gene product lacking the complete H-2 domain structure

The chimeric mouse MHC class I gene derived from a recombinant H-2Kb gene, in which the coding region for a large part of alpha 1 and alpha 2 extracellular domains was replaced with a partial avian erythroblastosis virus erbB gene segment encoding the kinase domain, was successfully introduced into a mouse mastocytoma line P1.HTR (H-2d) and transcribed to mRNA. The transfectant cells expressed the chimeric gene product, which was reactive to a phosphotyrosine-specific antibody. When the chimeric gene transfectant was inoculated into CDF1(H-2d) or BDF1(H-2d/b) mice, it grew at an early time but regressed thereafter. Transfectant-specific as well as parental P1.HTR-specific antibody activities were demonstrated in the sera of these mice. Transfectant-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated in the antigen-sensitized culture of spleen cells from the transfectant-immune mice. The CTL-mediated lysis of target chimeric gene transfectant cells was poorly inhibited by anti-H-2d antiserum, which blocked the lysis of parental P1.HTR cells by anti-tumor CTL developed in parallel. The former was, however, inhibited by either anti-transfectant antiserum or anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, which was ineffective for blocking the latter. Target cell lysis by either anti-transfectant or anti-tumor CTL was blocked by anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody but not by anti-CD4 antibody. It was suggested from these results that the H-2K-erbB hybrid gene product, which lacks complete three-domain class I structure, was recognized by CTL in a manner that was endogenous H-2 class I-independent but CD8-dependent.

Pharmacological differentiation of presynaptic M1 muscarinic receptors modulating acetylcholine release from postsynaptic muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig ileum

1. Effects of three muscarinic antagonists on electrically evoked ACh release and contractile response were investigated in longitudinal muscle strips of guinea-pig ileum suspended in an organ-bath and superfused with Krebs solution. ACh release was determined by a specific radioimmunoassay. 2. Telenzepine, a selective M1 muscarinic antagonist, increased the ACh release at a concentration of 100-fold less than that inhibiting the contractile response (10 vs 1000 nM). 3. AF-DX 116, a cardioselective M2 muscarinic antagonist, inhibited the contractile response at 10 microM, but did not affect the ACh release at this concentration. 4. (-)N-Methylscopolamine (NMS) did not affect the ACh release, but inhibited the contractile response at all concentrations tested (1-1000 nM), indicating (-)NMS can be used as an ileal specific postsynaptic muscarinic antagonist. 5. These data demonstrate that presynaptic muscarinic receptors modulating ACh release are distinct from postsynaptic ones involved in the contractile response and can be classified as M1 subtype.