On the role of NADPH and glutathione in the catalytic mechanism of hepatic thyroxine 5'-deiodination

A possible metabolic linkage between hepatic thyroxine (T4) 5'-deiodination and the NADPH-glutathione (GSH) cycle was studied in rat liver. Supplementation of 1 mM NADPH to stocked liver homogenates in vitro produced 4 fold increase in 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T3) formation from T4, whereas the effect of 1 mM FMN, FDN, NAD, NADH, or GSH was relatively small. An exponential dose-response relation was obtained between NADPH and T3 generated. The dose-dependent increase in T3 formation on GSH was eliminated in the presence of 1 mM MADPH, and the additive effect of GSH to NADPH was not apparent in comparison with NADPH alone. Inhibition of T3 generation by graded doses of methylene blue was not affected by the presence of 5 mM GSH. Furthermore, metabolic changes in the hexose-monophosphate shunt were produced in male Wistar rats aged 5 w by treating them with fasting-refeeding (FF group), with the administration of insulin and glucose (IG group), with propylthiouracil (PTU group) and with T4 (T4 group). All these treatments significantly reduced hepatic T4 5'-deiodinase activity (P less than 0.01-0.001 vs control), while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) activities were increased. Between generated T3 and G6PD or GSSG-R activity, an inverse correlation was noted (r = -0.802 and -0.933, P less than 0.001). No consistent relation was found between T4 5'-deiodinase activity and GSH or non-protein SH contents. The addition of 1 mM NADPH and GSH to the homogenates of FF, T4 and the control group stocked for 4 w at -20 degrees C, restored T4 5'-deiodinase activity from a level of 10% to 60% of the initial value, whereas the activity remained depressed in PTU (19%) and the IG group (37%). These results indicate that both GSH and NADPH are important cofactors of the T3 generating system, but NADPH is more rate-limiting and its effect appears to be rather direct, not mediated by GSH formation. It is possible that T4 5'-deiodinase may be one of the NADPH-dependent enzymes.

Androgenic action of glucocorticoids on the granular ducts of mouse submandibular glands

The administration of cortisol acetate and dexamethasone to castrated-adrenalectomized mice increased the submandibular gland weight, the granular duct cell size of the gland and the number of androgen-dependent granules detected with the staining for tryptophan in the duct cell. These changes were not as pronounced as when testosterone propionate was given. Similar effects on the duct cells and an increase in androgen-dependent esteroprotease activity of the submandibular glands were observed in castrated mice, but not in mice with testicular feminization which are genetically deficient in androgen receptors. These results suggest that glucocorticoids exert a certain degree of androgenic action on the granular duct cell through androgen receptors when androgens are absent or deficient.

[Clinical results and pharmacokinetics of 6059-S in the field of pediatrics (author's transl)]

6059-S, a new injectable oxacephem antibiotic, has been investigated to give following results. 1. Clinical results Twenty patients were administrated intravenously 20 approximately 124 mg/kg/day of 6059-S for 2 approximately 14 days. Clinical effect was excellent in 5 cases, good in 7, fair in 3, poor in 1, unknown in 3 and except in 1, and efficacy rate was 75%. Side effect was observed only 1 case of discomfort and chill of hand and foot immediately after intravenous injection and no adverse value in laboratory findings was seen. 2. Pharmacokinetics Blood level and urinary excretion of 6059-S single administration were measured in 4 patients with normal renal function and a patient with renal failure. Half life was 1.27 approximately 1.76 hours in 4 patients with normal function and 4.33 hours in a patient with renal failure. Urinary excretion was 43.4 approximately 50.9% up to 4 hours in 2 patients with normal renal function, and it was delayed to 1.0% up to 12.5 hours in a patient with renal failure.

[Clinical results of cefadroxil in children and pharmacokinetics of the drug (author's transl)]

Cefadroxil was administered orally at a daily dose of 30-40 mg/kg to 8 cases of the infection of upper respiratory tract mainly due to beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, and efficacy was obtained in 7 cases, this rate being considered to be satisfactory, though the cases were too few to reach a conclusion. As to pathogens of bacterial infection of upper respiratory tract, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus were encountered especially frequently, and in view of antibacterial activity against these 2 bacteria, our results could be approved. Further investigations should be performed carefully, however, to determine if cefadroxil may be a drug of first choice in the treatment of severe bacterial pneumonia and pyothorax. No side effects were observed throughout our treatment, though digestive tract disorders, especially diarrhea, are most frequent in literatures. As to pharmacokinetical characteristic of cefadroxil, almost the same results were obtained to other reports, though our data are insufficient as our experience was limited in only 1 case. Serum levels were determined after 35.7 mg/kg of cefadroxil were administered once orally, and a peak of about 38 mcg/ml appeared 2 hours later, and a high level of about 30 mcg/ml was maintained at 5 hours, though an oral dose was high. Efficacy for large area of bacterial infections may be expected from these serum levels. From urine collected simultaneously, about 74% of cefadroxil was recovered within more than 4 hours. This showed that cefadroxil was well absorbed from digestive tract, and a major part was excreted rapidly through kidney. From the results of our experiment, characteristics of cefadroxil may be summarized as follows. Cefadroxil is absorbed well after oral administration, antibacterial action is fully expected from serum level, a major part is excreted through kidney, and clearance is good. Cefadroxil will be recommended especially for bacterial infections of upper respiratory tract due to beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus.

Sperm-immobilizing monoclonal antibody to human seminal plasma antigens

Rat spleen cells immunized to human azoospermic semen (a mixture of seminal plasma components) and mouse myeloma cells (P3/X63 Ag8U1; P3U1) (Marguilies et al., 1976) were successfully fused with polyethylene glycol (PEG 1500) and 19 of 89 fused cell cultures were found to produce sperm-immobilizing antibody. The cells that produced antibody indicating the highest sperm-immobilizing activity were distributed into wells for further recloning and 10 clones producing sperm-immobilizing antibody were established. The clone (1C4) producing the highest antibody titre was found to produce a large amount of IgG in culture supernatants and to contain a mixture of rat and mouse chromosomes. It was proved by immunodiffusion test that the monoclonal antibody was produced to the human seminal plasma antigen No. 7 which is common to human milk protein. Using this hybridoma which produced a large amount of monoclonal sperm-immobilizing antibody, a new method could be developed for purifying human seminal plasma antigen by immunoaffinity chromatography with bound antibody from the hybridoma.

Folding of yeast 5S ribosomal RNA induced by magnesium binding

The magnesium-induced conformational changes of yeast 5S ribosomal RNA have been studied by means of difference absorption spectroscopy and circular dichroism. A hypochromic difference absorption spectrum with a trough at approximately 260 nm was observed together with a slight increase and blue shift of the peak at 265 nm and a significant increase of the absolute magnitude of the trough at 208 nm in the circular dichroism spectrum. The magnesium concentration dependence of the difference absorption gave a Hill coefficient of 2.0 +/- 0.2. All of the equilibrium data indicate that magnesium ions produce a more ordered form of the molecule. Transient kinetic studies using a magnesium concentration-jump were carried out. The kinetic curves were biphasic, each phase being associated with a relatively slow unimolecular conformational change induced by magnesium binding. A simple scheme was able to accommodate all of the equilibrium and kinetic data, and the kinetic parameters were calculated. Activation parameters for the unimolecular steps suggest that the conformational changes of the 5S RNA involved the breaking of several base pairs and tertiary folding.

Induction of androgen-dependent protease and serous-like granules by tri-iodothyronine in the submandibular gland of mice with testicular feminization

Esteroprotease, an androgen-dependent enzyme of the mouse submandibular gland, was increased by injection of tri-iodothyronine (T3) in mice with testicular feminization (Tfm) which are genetically deficient in androgen receptors. Histochemical and electron microscopic studies also demonstrated increases of RNA and serous-like granules in cells of the convoluted tubules of the gland. These findings suggest that the esteroprotease gene in Tfm mice is normal and that T3 can induced both esteroprotease and serous-like granules independently of androgen.

Equilibrium and kinetics of the thermal unfolding of yeast 5S ribosomal RNA

The equilibrium and kinetics of thermal unfolding of yeast 5S ribosomal RNA have been studied by optical methods, in a low ionic strength environment without Mg2+, to follow the disruption of the secondary structure base pairs in the molecule. The equilibrium results demonstrated that all of the helical regions melted simultaneously, and the kinetics of the thermal unfolding were first order. These findings suggest the validity of the two-state approximation for the unfolding reaction under the present conditions. The total number of secondary structure base pairs estimated from our experiment was consistent with that contained in the conformational model based on the Raman spectrum rather than that in the one derived by the enzymic digestion method. Taking our results on the kinetic behavior of the thermal unfolding overall, we propose that the 5S RNA has a partly melted secondary structure under the solvent conditions used.

Sensitivity of group A streptococci to antibiotics. Prevalence of resistance to erythromycin in Japan

More than 60% of all strains of group A streptococci isolated during the period from 1974 to 1975 from children with streptococcal infections in Hokkaido district, Japan, were highly resistant to erythromycin. These strains were found to be multiply resistant to lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline, and were exclusively type 12 by T-protein typing. The clinical symptoms produced by these organisms were rather mild, responded to penicillin well, and were rarely complicated with glomerulonephritis. The high prevalence of resistant group A streptococci was nationwide, which may have been related to recent excessive use of erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics. Erythromycin can no longer be considered the drug of choice in the management of streptococcal infections in Japan. This suggests that a periodic surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity of streptococcal isolates may be necessary in other countries in which macrolide antibiotics are frequently prescribed.

An apparatus for the assembly of a combined single barrel recording electrode and a multibarrelled micropipette

In order to impale cells lying in deeper structures of the brain with 'parallel' multibarrelled electrode, we designed a new apparatus for the assembly of a multibarrelled micropipette and a single barrel recording electrode. This device greatly simplifies the procedure of constructing electrodes with shafts of approximately 15-20 mm in length even if the multibarrelled micropipettes are pulled with a slightly curved shaft and the bend made near the base of the shaft is not exactly to the specified angle. Electrodes of this type greatly improve the size and stability of the extracellularly recorded units from the caudate nucleus.

Pharmacokinetics of tobramycin in the newborn

Following an intramuscular dose of 5.0 mg of tobramycin in eight full-term newborn infants, peak levels averaging 2.69 +/- 0.70 microgram/ml were attained after 30 to 60 minutes. The serum half-life thereafter correlated inversely to postnatal age during the first seven days after birth. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that in newborn infants the elimination rate was markedly declined, but the absorption rate was nearly the same as that in older children. Average urinary recovery within eight hours was as low as 26.8%, which suggested accumulation of this antibiotic in the renal tissue.

Regulation of antibody response in different immunoglobulin classes. V. Establishment of T hybrid cell line secreting IgE class-specific suppressor factor

Establishment of a mouse T hybrid cell line secreting suppressor factor(s) specific for the IgE antibody response is described. Fusion was made with polyethyleneglycol between AKR-derived T lymphoma cells (BW5147) and T cells from mice sensitized with DNP-Mycobacterium. Treatment of spleen cells with nondialyzable factor(s) in the culture supernatants of the T cell hybrid clone, 26-M10, showed a suppressive effect on IgE formation but not on IgG formation in adoptive transfer experiments. The suppressive effect was exerted through inactivation of normal or antigen-primed B cells responsible for IgE formation. It was also shown by direct cytotoxic test that the hybrid cells expressed H-2 and Thy-1 antigens derived from both parental cells on their surface. Karyotype analysis of the hybrid cells revealed that the number of chromosomes was less than the sum of the two parental cells' and the average was 50 (45 to 55). Although the 26-M10 hybrid cells lost the ability to secrete active suppressive factor(s) into culture medium 21 weeks after hybridization when the number of chromosomes in most of the cells was less than 41, recloning of the 26-M10 cells successfully recovered active suppressive clones.

[Clinical evaluation of intravenous administration of ampicillin-oxacillin (Broadcillin 'Banyu') in bacterial infections in children (author's transl)]

Broadcillin 'Banyu', which contains an equal amount of ampicillin and oxacillin was given intravenously to children with acute bacterial infections and the following results were obtained. 1. Patients were 55 children with the following bacterial infections; respiratory tract infections (8 cases), pneumonia (34), sepsis (1), meningitis (1), cutaneous and subcutaneous suppurative inflammation (5), osteomyelitis (1), urinary tract infection (2), enteritis (1), and chemoprophylaxis (2). They ranged in age from newborns to 8 year old, but most of them were infants. In the majority of the patients, broadcillin 'Banyu' was administered 50 approximately 150 mg/day in three to four equally divided doses by one shot-injection or by a continuous drip infusion for a period of 2 approximately 10 days. The overall efficacy rate was 88.7% in 53 cases after two cases of chemoprophylaxis were excluded, i.e., excellent in 28, good in 19 and failure in 6: excellent in 4 and good in 4 in 8 cases of respiratory tract infections; excellent in 20, good in 11 and failure in 3 in 34 cases of pneumonia (an efficacy rate 91.2%); failure in sepsis and meningitis: excellent in 2 and good in 3 in 5 cases of cutaneous and subcutaneous suppurative inflammation; excellent in osteomyelitis; excellent in 1 and good in 1 of 2 cases of urinary tract infection; failure in enteritis. 2. Adverse reactions were noted on 10 occasions in 9 cases (16.4%), including 1 case of skin eruption, 1 case of eosinophilia, 5 cases of slight elevation of GOT, 1 case of slight elevation of GPT and 2 cases of slight elevation of BUN. 3. Based on the above results, it was concluded that clinical effect of broadcillin 'Banyu' by an intravenous administration is comparable to its intramuscular route and that safety of intravenous usage seems to be verified as long as the above described dosage is followed.

Chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy

Two patients with chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy are reported. A 61-year-old woman had symmetrical wasting and weakness of the quadriceps femoris of eight years' duration. A biopsy revealed neuropathic changes, and electromyograms showed neurogenic as well as myopathic patterns in the quadriceps and other muscles. A 29-year-old woman had long-standing wasting limited to the quadriceps and hip muscles. EMG and biopsy were compatible with neurogenic atrophy. She had a brother suffering from a more widespread and severe form of the disease. These cases suggest that chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy is a forme fruste of Kugelberg-Welander disease.

Thermodynamic characterization of partially denatured states in the denaturation process of bovine alpha-lactalbumin by inorganic denaturants

In an attempt to understand the specific effect of inorganic protein denaturants, lithium cation and perchlorate anion, upon the molecular conformation of bovine alpha-lactalbumin and to characterize the denatured states of the protein and the denaturation processes, themodynamic studies on the reversible unfolding of the protein in the presence of lithium chloride, lithium perchlorate and sodium perchlorate were made by means of circular dichroism and ultraviolet absorption measurements. The denaturation reaction caused by lithium chloride was found to take place in a three-state type, while that caused by the two perchlorates in a two-state type. The latter produces the same denatured state as the acid does on the protein, the state where the helical structures remain unchanged. The former produces two kinds of the denatured state, one being a less unfolded state than the acid denatured one and the other a fully unfolded state which is identical with the finally denatured state induced by organic denaturants such as guanidinium chloride, guanidinium thiocyanate and urea.