Uptake and release of budesonide from mucoadhesive, pH-sensitive copolymers and their application to nasal delivery

Microparticles of novel, bioadhesive graft copolymers of polymethacrylic acid and polyethylene glycol (P(MAA-g-EG)) were prepared. The aims of this study were to investigate the uptake and release kinetics of budesonide from P(MAA-g-EG) in vitro as well as the pharmacokinetics following nasal administration of the polymer contained budesonide. The loading of budesonide into the pH-sensitive polymers was examined using various ethanol solutions. Ethanol was required for drug solubilization but hindered hydrogel swelling at pH 7.2. Maximum loading of the drug in the polymer was obtained using 25% ethanol solutions. The release of budesonide from the polymer swollen in 25% ethanol solutions obeyed classical Fickian release behavior after an initial rapid drug burst. For nasal administration of budesonide-containing P(MAA-g-EG) the plasma concentration of budesonide was kept constant following a peak concentration of the drug approximately 45 min after administration.

Tetanus after a resection for a gangrenous perforated small intestine: report of a case

We report herein the case of a 75-year-old man who developed severe tetanus 24 h after the resection of a gangrenous perforated small intestine. It seemed that the tetanus was caused by a spillage of the intestinal contents harboring Clostridium tetani; however, this was not identified by a culture. The diagnosis of tetanus was made only when opisthotonus in this patient became evident and normal tetanus treatment proved to be successful.

Distribution characteristics of entrapped recombinant human erythropoietin in liposomes and its intestinal absorption in rats

Recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) is frequently administered by intravenous (i.v.) injection for the clinical treatment of renal anemia. Oral (per os; p.o.) administration is desired as an alternative route to i.v. administration, and liposomes have been chosen as a drug carrier. We found previously that after a p.o. administration to rats of Epo entrapped in liposomes before gel filtration, the Epo was absorbed, but variability in the number of days of appearance and in the levels of pharmacological effects, i.e. , the peak of circulating reticulocyte counts (RTC), was observed. The purpose of the present study was to examine the distribution characteristics of Epo in liposomes and intestinal absorption of liposomal Epo in rats by using purified Epo entrapped in liposomes after gel filtration (Epo/liposomes). The distribution characteristics of Epo/liposomes were determined by measuring the Epo in liposomes by a radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography and zeta potential measurements. We observed that the protein part of Epo was mostly entrapped in liposomes, and was not adsorbed by the liposomal membrane at middle and high Epo p.o. doses, but the zeta potential of the Epo/liposomes increased negatively with the increase in the Epo p.o. doses. These results suggest that the sialic acid part of Epo entrapped in liposomes may project out from liposomes, depending on the entrapped Epo concentration. Little Epo was adsorbed or penetrated into liposomes when it was added to empty liposomes. After the p. o. administration of Epo/liposomes, the peak of RTC appeared at a 2-day delay on day 6, without variation and without dose dependency in comparison with that after i.v. administration. These results suggest that one of the reasons for the variability may be because the non-entrapped Epo and/or Epo/liposomes itself affected the intestinal absorption of Epo/liposomes. In conclusion, Epo/liposomes without nonentrapped Epo may be clinically useful for the oral administration of Epo.

Frequent expression of p53 protein without mutation in the atypical epithelium of human bronchus

We investigated the correlation between p53 protein levels and mutations in the p53 gene of atypical bronchial epithelium (ABE). Protein levels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, whereas mutations were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and direct sequencing. A total of 78 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded bronchial biopsy specimens that had been diagnosed to be ABE were retrieved from the archives and examined. p53 protein was expressed in 44 of the 78 (56%) specimens overall. However, when pathologically classified, 38% of hyperplasias, 58% of metaplasias, and 73% of dysplasias were positive, indicating that an increased frequency of p53 expression correlated with the severity of ABE (P = 0.042). Among the 44 specimens that expressed p53 protein, 40 (91%) did not reveal mutations by PCR-SSCP. In the four specimens with abnormal PCR-SSCP bands, p53 gene mutation was identified by direct sequencing and revealed the same point mutation at codon 248 (CGG-to-CTG transversion) of exon 7 in all four specimens. These four specimens were dysplasias derived from patients with lung cancer. p53 protein expression in ABE was associated with the wild-type gene in most cases; therefore, wild-type p53 protein expressed in ABE might have a protective function from lung carcinogenesis, and mutation of p53 gene may be a late event in the sequential steps of lung carcinogenesis.

Second-line chemotherapy with weekly cisplatin and irinotecan in patients with refractory lung cancer

Cisplatin and irinotecan are reported to act synergistically. The authors have conducted a phase II trial combining cisplatin and irinotecan in patients with refractory lung cancer to evaluate the activity and safety of the regimen. Twenty-one patients, who had not responded to prior platinum-based chemotherapy, were entered into the study. Both cisplatin (30 mg/m2) and irinotecan (60 mg/m2) were administrated on days 1, 8, and 15, and the regimen was repeated every 28 days. There were six partial responses, and the response rate was 29% (95% confidence interval, 11.3%-52.2%). The median survival time of all patients was 32 weeks, and 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 43% and 11%, respectively. Major toxicities were hematologic; leukopenia of grades 3 and 4 developed in 43% patients, anemia developed in 38%, and thrombocytopenia developed in 19%. One notable nonhematologic toxicity was diarrhea; which was grade 3 in 38%. The weekly chemotherapy combining cisplatin and irinotecan was active against lung cancer, which is refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy. However, skips of drug administration or dose reduction were necessary in 76% patients during two courses of planned administration, though the ratio of actual dose to scheduled dose was 81%. Dose modification would be necessary to yield better results by this weekly chemotherapy.

Absorption of insulin from pluronic F-127 gels following subcutaneous administration in rats

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the use of Pluronic (PF127) gels, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles and their combination for parenteral delivery of peptides and proteins having short half-lives using insulin as a model drug. The in vitro insulin release profiles of various PF127 formulations were evaluated at 37 degrees C using a membraneless in vitro model. In vivo evaluation of the serum glucose and insulin levels was performed following subcutaneous administration of various insulin formulations in normal rats. The in vitro results demonstrated that the higher the concentration of PF127 in the gel, the slower the release of insulin from the matrices, independent of the vehicle used. The acute hypoglycemic peak resulting from administration of an insulin solution between 0.5 and 2.0 h after administration (peak at 1 h) is replaced after administration of insulin-PLGA nanoparticles by an almost constant hypoglycemic effect with a slower recovery of the serum glucose levels at about 2 h after administration. By loading insulin into PF127 gels, a slower and more prolonged hypoglycemic effect of insulin was obtained in inverse proportion to the polymer concentration. PF127 gel formulations containing insulin-PLGA nanoparticles had the most long-lasting hypoglycemic effects of all formulations. From the current in vitro and in vivo study, we concluded that PF127 gel formulations containing either drug or drug-nanoparticles could be useful for the preparation of a controlled delivery system for peptides and proteins having short half-lives.

New cembranes from the soft coral sarcophyton species

Three new cembranes, including one with a 13-membered carbocyclic ring, have been isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton sp.

Liquid jets, accelerated thrombolysis: a study for revascularization of cerebral embolism

A prior study has reported that a rapid recanalization therapy of cerebral embolism, using liquid jet impacts generated by the interaction of gas bubbles with shock waves, can potentially penetrate through thrombi in as little as a few microseconds with very efficient ablation (Kodama et al. 1997). The present study was undertaken to examine the liquid jet impact effect on fibrinolysis in a tube model of an internal carotid artery. First, the conditions for generating the maximum penetration depth of liquid jets in the tube were investigated. Gelatin was used to mimic thrombi. The shock wave was generated by detonating a silver azide pellet weighing about a few micrograms located in a balloon catheter. The collapse of the inserted gas bubbles and the subsequent liquid jet formation were recorded with high-speed photography. Second, thrombi were formed using fresh human blood from healthy volunteers. The fibrinolysis induced by the liquid jet impact with urokinase was explored. This was conducted under selected conditions based on the experiment using the gelatin. Fibrinolysis was calculated as the percentage of the weight loss of the thrombus. Fibrinolysis with urokinase alone and with a single liquid jet impact with urokinase was 1.9 +/- 3.7% (n = 16) and 20.0 +/- 9.0% (n = 35), respectively, for an incubation time of 60 min. Statistical differences were obtained between all groups (ANOVA). These results suggest that liquid jet impact thrombolysis has the potential to be a rapid and effective therapeutic modality in recanalization therapy for patients with cerebral embolism and other clinical conditions of intra-arterial thrombosis.

Enhanced rectal absorption of insulin-loaded Pluronic F-127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids

The objective of this study was to prepare and to evaluate Pluronic F-127 (PF127) gel containing unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (18:1), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) as a potential formulation for rectal delivery of insulin. The hypoglycemic effect of insulin was examined following rectal administration of the various formulations in normal rats. Rectal insulin absorption was markedly enhanced, and marked hypoglycemia was induced by all PF127 gels (insulin dose, 5 U/kg) containing different unsaturated fatty acids. PF127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids presented low tmax mean values indicating that the absorption of insulin occurred very rapidly in the rectum. The relative hypoglycemic efficacy of PF127 gel formulations containing fatty acids such as oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) were 28.4+/-8.1, 26.8+/-14.3 and 23.1+/-5.7%, respectively. The finding demonstrated that 20% PF127 gels containing unsaturated fatty acids are potential formulations for rectal delivery of insulin.

Estrogen production in endometriosis and use of aromatase inhibitors to treat endometriosis

Estrogen is the most important known factor that stimulates the growth of endometriosis. Estrogen delivery to endometriotic implants was classically viewed to be only via the circulating blood in an endocrine fashion. We recently uncovered an autocrine positive feedback mechanism, which favored the continuous production of estrogen and prostaglandin (PG)E2 in the endometriotic stromal cells. The enzyme, aromatase, is aberrantly expressed in endometriotic stromal cells and catalyzes the conversion of C19 steroids to estrogens, which then stimulate cyclooxygenase-2 to increase the levels of PGE2. PGE2, in turn, is a potent inducer of aromatase activity in endometriotic stromal cells. Aromatase is not expressed in the eutopic endometrium. Aromatase expression in endometriosis and its inhibition in eutopic endometrium are controlled by the competitive binding of a stimulatory transcription factor, steroidogenic factor-1, and an inhibitory factor, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor to a regulatory element in the aromatase P450 gene promoter. In addition, we find that endometriotic tissue is deficient in 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which is normally expressed in eutopic endometrial glandular cells and inactivates estradiol-17beta to estrone. This deficiency is another aberration that favors higher levels of estradiol-17beta in endometriotic tissues in comparison with the eutopic endometrium. The clinical relevance of local aromatase expression in endometriosis was exemplified by the successful treatment of an unusually aggressive form of recurrent endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman using an aromatase inhibitor.

[Effect of PCBs on mouse lung tumorigenesis induced by 1-nitropyrene: a preliminary report]

We have analyzed the effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB, Kanechlor-400) on 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) induced lung tumor. Male A/J mice (6 weeks old) were used for the experiment. A total of 2.5 mg/kg PCB was administered intraperitoneally (PCB group), a total of 0.38 mmol/kg 1-NP was administered intraperitoneally for 17 times (1-NP group), PCB was administered followed by i.p. injection of 1-NP (PCB + 1-NP group), and only vehicle was administered (control group). The lung lesions induced were examined 18 weeks after the final treatment with 1-NP or vehicle. In control group, no neoplastic lesion in the lung was induced. In PCB group, only one lesion with adenoma was induced. In 1-NP group, various kinds of lung neoplastic lesions including hyperplasia, adenoma and adenocarcinoma were induced. In PCB + 1-NP group, both the number and size of tumors induced were significantly more than those in 1-NP group. In addition, the number of adenocarcinoma formed was more in PCB + 1-NP group than in 1-NP group. Each lesion was microdissected to collect and analyze DNA of the targeted tissue. K-ras gene mutation was detected in part of adenoma lesions and all the carcinoma lesions. The mutation was found in either 1-NP or PCB + 1-NP group, but not in control and PCB group. The pattern of K-ras mutation was CAA to CGA in codon 61 or GGT to GAT in codon 12. There was no difference in the pattern of K-ras mutation despite of the pretreatment with PCB. Although the present data are from small sample size, it was suggested that PCB may promote (but not initiate) 1-NP induced lung tumorigenesis, and may not induce K-ras mutation directly in the experimental system.

Encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs in PLGA nanoparticles by the nanoprecipitation method

The purpose of this study was to assess the relative advantages and drawbacks of the nanoprecipitation-solvent displacement method for a range of drugs with respect to the particle size and drug encapsulation in polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. The particle size analysis indicated a unimodal particle size distribution in all systems, with a mean diameter of 160-170 nm, except for insulin nanoparticles, which showed a smaller particle size. The results of the encapsulation efficiency analysis demonstrated that more lipophilic drugs, such as cyclosporin and indomethacin, do not suffer from the problems of drug leakage to the external medium, resulting in improved drug content in the nanoparticles. In spite of the fact that valproic acid is a liquid that is very sparingly soluble in water, very low encapsulation efficiency was obtained. Ketoprofen, a drug sparingly soluble in water, demonstrated intermediate values of encapsulation that were well correlated with its intermediate lipophilicity. More hydrophilic drugs, such as vancomycin and phenobarbital, were poorly encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles. Insulin was preferentially surface bound on the PLGA nanoparticles. However, a strong hypoglycemic effect of the insulin was observed after administration of the suspension of PLGA nanoparticles with surface-bound insulin to the ileum loop of male Wistar rats.

Remote loading of diclofenac, insulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled insulin into liposomes by pH and acetate gradient methods

Remote loading of the model drugs diclofenac, insulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled insulin (FITC-insulin) into liposomes by formation of transmembrane gradients were examined. A trapping efficiency of almost 100% was obtained for liposomal diclofenac, by the calcium acetate gradient method, whereas liposomes prepared by the conventional reverse-phase evaporation vesicle method had 1-8% trapping efficiencies. Soybean-derived sterol was a better stabilizer of the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane than cholesterol, as shown from trapping efficiencies and drug release. The pH gradient method resulted in a 5-50% of FITC-insulin liposomal trapping efficiency, while insulin could not be loaded by this method. Liposomes released calcein in response to insulin, showing insulin interacts with the liposomal membrane in the presence of a transmembrane gradient. The present work has demonstrated a remote loading method for weak acids such as diclofenac into liposomes by the acetate gradient method. From the result of remote loading of FITC-insulin into liposomes by the pH gradient method, this method may be available for the preparation of liposomal peptides.

[Preventive effect of prostaglandin E1 on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity]

In order to prevent the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin (CDDP), prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was administered intravenously after anticancer chemotherapy to six patients with lung cancer. All patients underwent two courses of multi-drug chemotherapy with the same regimen including a single administration of 80 mg/m2 CDDP. From the 7th day of the 2nd course of chemotherapy, 120 micrograms PGE1 had been administered for five days. During the two courses of chemotherapy, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance (Ccr), 24-h excretions of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in urine were measured every week in all patients. The mean value of Ccr was higher in the 2nd course than in the control course (65 ml/min vs. 74 ml/min). The 24-h excretions of beta 2-MG and NAG were also reduced in the 2nd course. Out of six patients, only one was complicated by mild phlebitis at the PGE1 infusion site. From these results it was suggested that PGE1 was effective for prevention of CDDP nephrotoxicity.

[Effect of temperature on drug release and drug absorption in mixed type diclofenac sodium suppositories]

New types of diclofenac sodium suppositories known to control a drug release function for hospital preparations were developed based on a concept of the drug delivery system. Hard fat (Witepsol) used as a base of the suppository consists of a mixture of triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides, and each Witepsol is characterized by its physicochemical properties. Authors disclosed that the amount of drug release measured in the commercially available diclofenac sodium suppositories decreased at a low temperature (36 degrees C). Mixed types of diclofenac sodium suppositories consisting of Witepsol W35 and Witepsol E85 as a base were also prepared and their drug release functions investigated in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro drug release properties changed with the mixing ratios of the two bases and with the temperature of the fluid tested. The amount of released diclofenac sodium increased with increases of both the ratio of Witepsol W35 in the suppository and the temperature of the test fluid. Moreover, several processes causing these phenomena were evidenced by the image analysis. The in vivo absorption of diclofenac sodium was found to be also influenced by these factors. Consequently, it is predicted that such factors as the ratio of Witepsol W35 in the suppository and the temperature will influence the drug absorption and the pharmacological effect of diclofenac sodium suppositories.

[A case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with small cell lung cancer]

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a clinical syndrome and known to be occasionally associated with small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC). PCD usually affects patients before the cancer is evident. The disorder evolves subacutely, and causes severe pancerebellar dysfunction. In this paper, we report a case of PCD associated with SCLC. A 65-year-old man presenting with 2 weeks of progressive vertigo, gait ataxia, and speech disturbance, was readmitted to our hospital. He had earlier been given a diagnosis of SCLC, oat cell carcinoma, and had undergone high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation during his first admission. Following that treatment regimen, the tumor disappeared completely and the patient had been in remission. Based on neurological findings and the presence of anti-neuronal antibodies a diagnosis of PCD was made. Although cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2) was administered, the patient experienced no relief of his cerebellar ataxia. Six months afer readmission, he died of cardiac tamponade due to malignant pericarditis. A histological examination at autopsy found few Purkinje cells and a proliferation of Bergmann's astrocytes in the cerebellar cortex. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of PCD.

Stimulation of aromatase P450 promoter (II) activity in endometriosis and its inhibition in endometrium are regulated by competitive binding of steroidogenic factor-1 and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor to the same cis-acting element

In stromal cells of endometriosis, marked levels of aromatase P450 (P450arom) mRNA and activity are present and can be vigorously stimulated by (Bu)2cAMP or PGE2 to give rise to physiologically significant estrogen biosynthesis. Since eutopic endometrial tissue or stromal cells lack P450arom expression, we studied the molecular basis for differential P450arom expression in endometriosis and eutopic endometrium. First, we demonstrated by rapid amplification of cDNA 5'-ends that P450arom expression in pelvic endometriotic lesions is regulated almost exclusively via the alternative promoter II. Then, luciferase reporter plasmids containing deletion mutations of the 5'-flanking region of promoter II were transfected into endometriotic stromal cells. We identified two critical regulatory regions for cAMP induction of promoter II activity: 1) a-214/-100 bp proximal region responsible for a 3.7-fold induction, and 2) a -517/ -214 distal region responsible for potentiation of cAMP response up to 13-fold. In the -214/-100 region, we studied eutopic endometrial and endometriotic nuclear protein binding to a nuclear receptor half-site (NRHS, AGGTCA) and an imperfect cAMP response element (TGCACGTCA). Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay, cAMP response element-binding activity in nuclear proteins from both endometriotic and eutopic endometrial cells gave rise to formation of identical DNA-protein complexes. The NRHS probe, on the other hand, formed a distinct complex with nuclear proteins from endometriotic cells, which migrated at a much faster rate compared with the complex formed with nuclear proteins from eutopic endometrial cells. Employing recombinant proteins and antibodies against steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF), we demonstrated that COUP-TF but not SF-1 bound to NRHS in eutopic endometrial cells, whereas SF-1 was the primary NRHS-binding protein in endometriotic cells. In fact, COUP-TF transcripts were present in both eutopic endometrial (n = 12) and endometriotic tissues (n = 8), whereas SF-1 transcripts were detected in all endometriotic tissues (n = 12), but in only 3 of 15 eutopic endometrial tissues. Moreover, we demonstrated a dose-dependent direct competition between SF-1 and COUP-TF for occupancy of the NRHS, to which SF-1 bound with a higher affinity. Finally, overexpression of SF-1 in eutopic endometrial and endometriotic cells strikingly potentiated baseline and cAMP-induced activities of -517 promoter II construct, whereas overexpression of COUP-TF almost completely abolished these activities. In conclusion, COUP-TF might be one of the factors responsible for the inhibition of P450arom expression in eutopic endometrial stromal cells, which lack SF-1 expression in the majority (80%) of the samples; in contrast, aberrant SF-1 expression in endometriotic stromal cells can override this inhibition by competing for the same DNA-binding site, which is likely to account for high levels of baseline and cAMP-induced aromatase activity.

Permeation of several drugs through keratinized epithelial-free membrane of hamster cheek pouch

The hamster cheek pouch mucosa was selected as a substitute for the human buccal mucosa in an in vitro permeation study. Considering that a keratinized layer is not present in the human buccal mucosa, keratinized epithelial-free hamster cheek pouch (KEF-membrane) was prepared by chemical splitting. To confirm the usefulness of the KEF-membrane, a permeation study was conducted using several drugs with different lipophilicities. The permeability coefficient of hydrophilic drugs through the KEF-membrane (Pkef) was significantly greater than that through a viable KEF-membrane (Pkef-viable), which was estimated by using the permeability coefficient of the viable full-thickness membrane and that of the keratinized layer. On the other hand, the Pkef values of lipophilic drugs were comparable with the Pkef-viable values. Furthermore, the ratio of these P values (Pkef/Pkef-viable) decreased with increasing lipophilicity of drugs. These findings indicate that the KEF-membrane may be useful for buccal permeation studies of lipophilic drugs.

Thiomenthol derivatives as novel percutaneous absorption enhancers

Thiomenthol derivatives were synthesized and their promoting activity on the percutaneous absorption of ketoprofen from hydrogels was evaluated in rats. The apparent penetration rate (Rp) of ketoprofen absorbed from the hydrogel was estimated by the pharmacokinetic model derived under the assumption of a constant penetration rate through the skin after a lag time. As an index of promoting activity of thiomenthol derivatives, an enhancement factor (Ef) was defined as the ratio of the Rp value with enhancer to the value obtained with the control not containing enhancer. Skin irritancy evoked by these derivatives was investigated microscopically by using a cross-section of the excised skin onto which ketoprofen hydrogel was applied. Total irritation score (TIS) was estimated by summation of each irritation score in several parts of the skin. The physicochemical parameters of thiomenthol derivatives such as a partition coefficient (log P) and a steric energy were calculated and the quantitative relationships between these parameters and the Ef values or TIS values were investigated on the basis of multiple regression analysis. As a result, a parabolic relationship between log P and Ef was noted. A similar relationship was also observed in the case of TIS.

Granulocyte, granulocyte-macrophage, and macrophage colony-stimulating factors can stimulate the invasive capacity of human lung cancer cells

We and other researchers have previously found that colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), which generally include granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), promote invasion by lung cancer cells. In the present study, we studied the effects of these CSFs on gelatinase production, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) production and their activity in human lung cancer cells. Gelatin zymographs of conditioned media derived from human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines revealed two major bands of gelatinase activity at 68 and 92 kDa, which were characterized as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 respectively. Treatment with CSFs increased the 68- and 92-kDa activity and converted some of a 92-kDa proenzyme to an 82-kDa enzyme that was consistent with an active form of the MMP-9. Plasminogen activator zymographs of the conditioned media from the cancer cells showed that CSF treatment resulted in an increase in a 48-55 kDa plasminogen-dependent gelatinolytic activity that was characterized as human uPA. The conditioned medium from the cancer cells treated with CSFs stimulated the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, providing a direct demonstration of the ability of enhanced uPA to increase plasmin-dependent proteolysis. The enhanced invasive behaviour of the cancer cells stimulated by CSFs was well correlated with the increase in MMPs and uPA activities. These data suggest that the enhanced production of extracellular matrix-degrading proteinases by the cancer cells in response to CSF treatment may represent a biochemical mechanism which promotes the invasive behaviour of the cancer cells.

Artificial neural network as a novel method to optimize pharmaceutical formulations

One of the difficulties in the quantitative approach to designing pharmaceutical formulations is the difficulty in understanding the relationship between causal factors and individual pharmaceutical responses. Another difficulty is desirable formulation for one property is not always desirable for the other characteristics. This is called a multi-objective simultaneous optimization problem. A response surface method (RSM) has proven to be a useful approach for selecting pharmaceutical formulations. However, prediction of pharmaceutical responses based on the second-order polynomial equation commonly used in RSM, is often limited to low levels, resulting in poor estimations of optimal formulations. The aim of this review is to describe the basic concept of the multi-objective simultaneous optimization technique in which an artificial neural network (ANN) is incorporated. ANNs are being increasingly used in pharmaceutical research to predict the non-linear relationship between causal factors and response variables. The usefulness and reliability of this ANN approach is demonstrated by the optimization for ketoprofen hydrogel ointment as a typical numerical example, in comparison with the results obtained with a classical RSM approach.

[Effect of shikonin and alkannin on hydroxyl radical generation system concerned with iron ion]

The effects of shikonnin (SK) and its optical isomer alkannin (AK) on the hydroxyl radical (HO.) generation system including iron ions were evaluated using the spin trap method by ESR spectroscopy. 5,5-Dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) was used as a spin trap agent and HO. was generated by a reaction between an iron ion and hydrogen peroxide, which is called Fenton reaction system. SK inhibited the HO. spin adduct (DMPO-OH) yielded in a dose-dependent manner. In this effect no difference was observed between SK and AK. When different concentrations of DMPO were used for the confirmation of its competitive reaction, no difference was also observed in the concentration of SK required to reduce the amount of the DMPO-OH by 50% (ID50). These findings suggested that the inhibitory effect of SK against the thus yielded DMPO-OH was not generated by the scavenging for HO., but by the inhibition on the Fenton reaction system. The mechanism of the inhibition on this system may be based on the formation of a complex between SK and the iron ion. The molar ratio of SK to the iron ion in the complex was considered 2 to 1 (2:1), because the concentrations of the observed ID50 and the used iron ion exhibited the same value. In addition, the same result was also obtained from the study using spectroscopic analysis.

Transdermal absorption of L-dopa from hydrogel in rats

To improve compliance in administration of l-dopa, transdermal absorption of the agent was investigated in rats in vitro employing two-chamber diffusion cells in which the excised rat abdominal skin was mounted, and in vivo using an alcoholic hydrogel containing l-menthol. The in vitro study revealed that in presence of l-menthol (2%, W/W), ethanol (20 and 40%, V/V) accelerated transdermal penetration of l-dopa with an increase of its percentages. The in vivo study showed that when the l-dopa-hydrogel containing 2% l-menthol and 40% ethanol was attached on the skin, plasma levels of l-dopa and norepinephrine increased with the time elapsed; the level of dopamine increased and reached a plateau thereafter; and the level of epinephrine was unchanged. These in vitro and in vivo findings indicated that the hydrogel formulation of l-dopa provides new direction in treating Parkinson's disease.

Deficient 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression in endometriosis: failure to metabolize 17beta-estradiol

Aberrant aromatase expression in stromal cells of endometriosis gives rise to conversion of circulating androstenedione to estrone in this tissue, whereas aromatase expression is absent in the eutopic endometrium. In this study, we initially demonstrated by Northern blotting transcripts of the reductive 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSD) type 1, which catalyzes the conversion of estrone to 17beta-estradiol, in both eutopic endometrium and endometriosis. Thus, it follows that the product of the aromatase reaction, namely estrone, that is weakly estrogenic can be converted to the potent estrogen, 17beta-estradiol, in endometriotic tissues. It was previously demonstrated that progesterone stimulates the inactivation of 17beta-estradiol through conversion to estrone in eutopic endometrial epithelial cells. Subsequently, 17betaHSD type 2 was shown to catalyze this reaction, and its transcripts were detected in the epithelial cell component of the eutopic endometrium in secretory phase. Because 17beta-estradiol plays a critical role in the development and growth of endometriosis, we studied 17betaHSD-2 expression in endometriotic tissues and eutopic endometrium. We demonstrated, by Northern blotting, 17betaHSD-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) in all RNA samples of secretory eutopic endometrium (n=12) but not in secretory samples of endometriotic lesions (n=10), including paired samples of endometrium and endometriosis obtained simultaneously from eight patients. This messenger RNA was not detectable in any samples of proliferative eutopic endometrium or endometriosis (n=4) as expected. Next, we confirmed these findings by demonstration of immunoreactive 17betaHSD-2 in epithelial cells of secretory eutopic endometrium in 11 of 13 samples employing a monoclonal antibody against 17betaHSD-2, whereas 17betaHSD-2 was absent in paired secretory endometriotic tissues (n=4). Proliferative eutopic endometrial (n=8) and endometriotic (n=4) tissues were both negative for immunoreactive 17betaHSD-2, except for barely detectable levels in 1 eutopic endometrial sample. Finally, we sought to determine whether deficient 17betaHSD-2 expression in endometriotic tissues is due to impaired progesterone action in endometriosis. We determined by immunohistochemistry the expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors in these paired samples of secretory (n=4) and proliferative (n=4) eutopic endometrium and endometriosis, and no differences could be demonstrated. In conclusion, inactivation of 17beta-estradiol is impaired in endometriotic tissues due to deficient expression of 17betaHSD-2, which is normally expressed in eutopic endometrium in response to progesterone. The lack of 17betaHSD-2 expression in endometriosis is not due to alterations in the levels of immunoreactive progesterone or estrogen receptors in this tissue and may be related to an inhibitory aberration in the signaling pathway that regulates 17betaHSD-2 expression.

Efficacy of Palmaz Stent Deployment for Subclavian Artery Stenosis

Percutaneous angioplasty is a useful method for improvement of posterior circulation of the brain in subclavian artery stenosis and occlusion. Recently, the Palmaz stent was introduced for peripheral vessels stenosis. We evaluated the efficacy and care point of Palmaz stent deployment for subclavian artery stenosis in seven cases (5 stenosis and 2 occlusion) with symptoms and a mean age of 65.1 years. The stents could be deployed exactly at the stenotic region in all cases.

The pressure gradient disappeared in all cases, and the clots were fixed between vessel wall and stent. Antegrade circulation and significant clinical symptoms improvement were obtained in all cases. In angioplasty of subclavian artery stenosis, as compared with balloon angioplasty alone, Palmaz stent is a very useful device with fewer complications including distal thrombosis of the vertebrobasilar circulation.