[Effect of cigarette smoking and/or N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) on the development of lung and pleural tumors in rats induced by administration of asbestos]

Occupationally induced lung cancer and mesothelioma have long been attributed to asbestos and moreover, several epidemiological studies have indicated a co-carcinogenic effect of cigarette smoking on the incidence of lung cancer in asbestos workers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the co-carcinogenic effects of asbestos and other carcinogens with emphasis placed on determining the effects of cigarette smoking on the incidence of asbestos induced carcinomas. Doses of 15 mg of chrysotile asbestos were administered intratracheally to Wistar rats alone and in conjunction with N-bis(hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) and/or cigarette smoking. DHPN at dose of 1 g/kg/B.W. was injected three times intraperitoneally, and the subject animals were exposed to smoke from 10 cigarettes per day, six days a week, for their entire life span. As a result, lung carcinomas were induced in one out of the 31 rats receiving only asbestos. Lung tumors were induced at a much higher incidence in the groups receiving DHPN alone and in conjunction with asbestos: of the 37 rats treated with DHPN alone 19 (51.4%) developed lung tumors, whereas those receiving asbestos as well showed an incidence of 68.4% (23/38) of carcinomas. The development of lung carcinomas (including adenocarcinomas, epidermoid carcinomas, anaplastic carcinomas, and combined carcinomas) was seen in 8 (21.6%) out of the 37 rats receiving DHPN alone and in 23 (60.5%) out of the 38 rats receiving asbestos as well. The incidence of lung carcinoma was significantly increased in combined treatment with asbestos than DHPN alone. In the group receiving asbestos in combination with cigarette smoke, 4 (13.8%) out of the 29 rats developed lung carcinomas, but these carcinomas were more common than in the group receiving only asbestos. Moreover, in the group administered asbestos, DHPN and smoking combined, lung tumors developed in 18 (62.1%) out of the 29, 15 (51.7%) of which proved to be malignant. Mesothelioma (pleura) was induced in three groups in the following combinations: DHPN plus asbestos, 8/38 (21.1%); smoking plus asbestos, 2/29 (6.9%); and smoking, DHPN and asbestos, 4/29 (13.8%). These tumors were extensively located, that is, on the parietal pleura, visceral pleura, epicardium and diaphragm surface. However, mesothelioma was not induced by asbestos alone nor by DHPN alone. Carcinogenicity of asbestos for pleural tumors was significantly promoted by combined treatment with DHPN to an extent greater than DHPN alone. It should be noted that asbestos plus smoking resulted in a higher incidence of mesothelioma than asbestos alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Site-selective oxidation of strychnine by phenobarbital inducible cytochrome P-450

The metabolism of strychnine was studied using liver microsomes of rats treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). The phenobarbital-treatment resulted in 7.9-fold and 4.8-fold increases in 2-hydroxylation and N-oxidation of strychnine, respectively. The formation of 16-hydroxystrychnine, strychnine 21,22-epoxide and 22-hydroxystrychnine was induced about 2-fold. MC-treatment resulted in only 1.4-fold induction of each oxidation activity. In addition, strychnine 2-hydroxylation activity was markedly induced in liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs (2.5-10.5-fold). Induction of N-oxidation activity was also higher than that of the three other oxidation activities. A reconstituted system of strychnine metabolism using cytochrome P-450 isozymes, P-450I (P450IIB1) and P-450II (P450IIB2), purified from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats showed significantly high and selective activities towards 2-hydroxylation and N-oxidation of strychnine. This characteristic metabolism of strychnine appears to occur in common with interspecies P450IIB gene subfamily. The pH Optima of 2-hydroxylation and N-oxidation of strychnine were between 8.4 and 8.6 in the microsomes of phenobarbital-treated rats, while that of N-demethylation of benzphetamine, a typical substrate of phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450, was between 7.4 and 7.6. In a reconstituted system with P-450I, strychnine oxidation was little affected by pH change, while benzphetamine N-demethylation activity was decreased in the alkaline side. Among several oxidations tested, only ethylmorphine N-demethylation underwent the same pH effect as did strychnine oxidation with the microsomes and reconstituted system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oxygenation mechanism in conversion of aldehyde to carboxylic acid catalyzed by a cytochrome P-450 isozyme

The oxygenation of an aldehyde, 11-oxo-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol to a carboxylic acid, delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid was catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 MUT-2 purified from hepatic microsomes of male ddN mice. The oxygenation mechanism was confirmed by the incorporation of oxygen-18 from molecular oxygen into the carboxylic acid formed. An aldehyde form but not a hydrated form of 11-oxo-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol may be a substrate for the cytochrome P-450. The oxygenation of aldehyde catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 might be a common metabolic reaction in biological systems, and should be considered as an additional role of cytochrome P-450 in biotransformation of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics.

[Legionnaires' disease with mediastinal lymph nodes swelling, diagnosed by open lung biopsy--a case report]

Legionnaires' disease in a 37-year-old male who had had silicosis was reported. He was admitted because of dyspnea. The chest X-ray film and CT scan showed infiltrative shadow and swelling of mediastinal lymph nodes. Open lung biopsy was done and Legionella pneumohila was detected. REP and EM were started and infiltrative shadow of X-ray was disappeared. Pleuro-pneumonectomy and thoracoplasty were performed because of hemoptysis and postoperative empyema. The patient is now well.

Bactericidal effect of 15-deoxyspergualin on Staphylococcus aureus

15-Deoxyspergualin (DSG), an immunosuppressive agent used in organ transplantation, exerts metabolic and antiproliferative effects on methicillin- and gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria (e.g. Sarcina lutea, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi and Citrobacter freundii). DSG, at the concentration of 20 mg/l, depleted intracellular putrescine and spermidine in S. aureus to 43 and 40% of the controls, respectively. In these polyamine-depleted S. aureus cells, the synthesis of protein, DNA and RNA was decreased to 20, 85, 78% of the controls. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of DSG for growth of S. aureus, S. lutea, B. subtilis, S. sonnei, S. typhi and C. freundii were 17, 13, 7, 15, 4, and 29 mg/l, respectively.

Residues of doxycycline and oxytetracycline in eggs after medication via drinking water to laying hens

Doxycycline (DOTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) were dissolved in drinking water (0.5 g/l) and supplied to laying hens for 7 consecutive days. Eggs laid were collected daily during and after medication, and the antibiotic concentrations in the yolk and albumin were determined by the cup-plate method with Bacillus cereus var. mycoides ATCC 11778. The concentrations of both antibiotics were increased in yolk day by day with the advance in medication, reached peaks 2 days after withdrawal and then declined gradually. Mean peak concentrations in the yolk were 6.70 micrograms/g for DOTC and 1.42 micrograms/g for OTC. Peak concentrations in the albumin occurred in the middle stage of medication, where the mean values were 12.24 micrograms/g for DOTC and 1.03 micrograms/g for OTC. DOTC was detected in albumin until 24 days after withdrawal and for 2 days more in yolk than in albumin. OTC was detected in yolk until 9 days after withdrawal. The depletion period of OTC was shorter for the albumin, where the residue disappeared in all eggs 6 days after withdrawal. In spite of similarities between DOTC and OTC in structure, DOTC was deposited in higher concentrations and lasted for a longer period in eggs. This characteristic was considered due to its greater lipophilicity, closely correlated with oral absorption and tissue penetration.

[Ultrastructural study of the blood-testis barrier in rat by the lanthanum method]

Ultrastructural changes of the testes in 35-week-old WBN/Kob rats were investigated using the lanthanum-tracer method. Tissues were cut and fixed with a solution containing 1% lanthanum and 2% glutaraldehyde in a 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer at pH 7.8 and with a solution of 2% osmium and 1% lanthanum in a 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer. Ultrathin sections of epoxy resin-embedded specimens were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed into a JEM-100CXS JEOL transmission electron microscope. The remnants of each testis were fixed in Bouin's fixative, and observed light-microscopically, where almost all seminiferous tubules in all of the six testes were found to be severely atrophied. Electron microscopically, lanthanum pigments were limited in the Sertoli cell tight junctions of the seminiferous tubules even in the severely atrophied tubules. In conclusion, it is unlikely that the testicular atrophy in WBN/Kob rats is attributable to dysfunction of the blood-testis barrier.

Mouse hepatic microsomal enzyme that catalyzes oxidation of 11-oxo-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol to delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid

Mouse hepatic microsomes oxidized 11-oxo-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-oxo-delta 8-THC, aldehyde) to delta 8-THC-11-oic-acid (carboxylic acid). The reaction required NADPH and molecular oxygen and showed an optimal pH around 7.5. The activity of NADPH-dependent carboxylic acid formation was mainly localized in microsomes. The reaction was inhibited by various inhibitors of cytochrome P-450-dependent oxidation such as SKF 525-A, alpha-naphthoflavone, and metyrapone. Disulfiram and menadione also inhibited the microsomal oxidation of the aldehyde to the carboxylic acid, but pyrazole did not inhibit the reaction. The pretreatment of mice with phenobarbital significantly increased the oxidation activity on the basis of microsomal protein, but did not affect it on the basis of cytochrome P-450 content. The mechanism for the oxidation of the aldehyde to the carboxylic acid was confirmed to be oxygenation, since oxygen-18 was incorporated into delta 8-THC-11-oic acid from molecular oxygen during the hepatic microsomal oxidation of 11-oxo-delta 8-THC.

[The effect of prostaglandin I2 on the postischemic recovery of the transplanted heart under deep hypothermia]

The effect of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) on the postischemic recovery of the heart orthotopically transplanted under deep hypothermia was evaluated using puppies. Twenty-four pairs of dogs were divided into 4 groups according to the usage of PGI2 and preservation of the donor heart (in Euro-Collins' solution at 4 degrees C for 4 hours), namely Group I (non PGI2, no preservation), Group II (PGI2-treated, no preservation), Group III (non PGI2, 4 hours preservation), Group IV (PGI2-treated, 4 hours preservation). PGI2 was added into the donor's cardioplegic solution (500 ng/ml) and also was given intravenously to the recipient during cooling and rewarming periods (1 microgram/kg/min), and left ventricular pressure, max dp/dt, cardiac output were continuously monitored, and postmortem studies on myocardium were performed. Results were as follows: PGI2 yielded significantly better recovery of cardiac output and left ventricular pressure after transplanted of the heart, [Group I vs Group II (p less than 0.05), Group III vs Group IV (p less than 0.01)]. This effect was especially remarkable in the preserved heart groups. Microscopically, the contraction band formation in the myocardium was more prominent in Group III than in Group IV. It is concluded that PGI2 is of great use for the postischemic recovery of the transplanted heart not only by ameliorating the myocardial ischemic recovery of the transplanted heart, but also by reducing the afterload of the recipient during the recovery period from deep hypothermia.

Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in Duchenne's cardiomyopathy

Myocardial dysfunction in 14 patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) was evaluated by Tc-99m HSA multigated radionuclide ventriculography (MGRV). Follow-up studies were performed on eight patients for 5 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction and standard deviation of the phase angle were abnormal in all patients older than 15 years. Hypokinetic changes and phase delay were recognizable in most patients older than 17 years. Peak filling rate decreased in patients older than 17 years. MGRV was considered an effective method for evaluating serial changes in cardiomyopathy of patients with DMD.

[Carcinogenicity of anticancer agents]

Chemotherapeutic treatment for cancer has been successful in prolonging survival but it has also been demonstrated that survivors of cancer patients who had received chemotherapy with alkylating agents have an increased risk of second malignancies, mostly acute non-lymphatic leukemia. The purpose of this paper is to show practical problems pertaining to the development and clinical use of anticancer agents in terms of prevention of second cancers.

[Serial changes of the myocardium in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy followed by cardiac nuclear imaging. 5 years' observation]

In order to evaluate the natural course of Duchenne's cardiomyopathy (DMD), 201T1-SPECT and RI cardioangiography with 99mTc-albumin were performed in 14 patients. They were examined once a year for five years except for 6 patients. Hypo-perfusion were observed in both posterior-inferior and anterior wall at 12 years of age and extended to the lateral wall and septum with aging. The degree of cardiac involvement was different in each case. Systolic parameters (LVEF, 1/3 EF, 1/3 ER-mean) tended to decrease with aging from 15 years of age. Diastolic parameters (%EFV, 1/3 FF, 1/3 FR mean) decreased gradually after 16 years of age. Hypokinetic changes of regional wall motion were observed at 15 years of age and they became severely with aging. Although phase delay appeared visually at 16 years of age, standard deviation of phase angle increased from 15 years of age. Follow up studies by 201T1 myocardial SPECT and gated pool scintigraphy revealed well the progression of cardiac involvement in patients with DMD.

Angioplasty of stenoses adjacent to aneurysmal coronary artery disease

We examined the effectiveness and safety of performing angioplasty on stenoses adjacent to aneurysmal coronary artery disease. Out of 386 consecutive lesions (270 patients) on which we performed angioplasty, 13 lesions (13 patients) were within one balloon length of aneurysmal disease (group A) and 373 lesions (257 patients) were not (group NA). Angioplasty had previously been performed on 10 lesions (77%) in group A but only on 112 lesions (30%) in group NA (p less than 0.01). In group A the angioplasty success rate was 100% (13/13). The maximum inflation pressure was 6.5 +/- 1.1 atm, the frequency of inflation was 6.1 +/- 2.8, the average inflation duration was 60 +/- 0 sec, and the balloon/artery ratio was 1.20 +/- 0.11. There were no major complications. Restenosis occurred in only one lesion. There were no significant differences in the angioplasty results, procedures, complications and the incidence of restenosis between both groups. The ratio of the diameter of the aneurysmal disease to the mean diameter of the normal adjacent segments remained unchanged throughout the follow-up period. These data suggest that angioplasty may be an effective and safe treatment for those stenoses that are adjacent to aneurysmal coronary artery disease.

Cytochrome P-450 isozymes in metabolic activation of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol by rat liver microsomes

delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was incubated with a reconstituted system consisting of dilauroylphosphatidylcholine, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome b5, and cytochrome P-450 (P-450) isozyme UT-2, UT-4, or UT-5, which was purified from liver microsomes of adult male rats. It was biotransformed by UT-2 to 11-OH-delta 9-THC and 3'-OH-delta 9-THC, and by UT-4 to 8 beta-OH-delta 9-THC and 11-OH-delta 9-THC. UT-5, however, showed only a little activity for 11-OH-delta 9-THC formation. Activity of the isozyme UT-2 for 11-OH-delta 9-THC formation from delta 9-THC was calculated to be 4.07 nmol/min/nmol P-450 while those of UT-2 for the formations of 16 alpha-OH-testosterone (16 alpha-OH-T), 2 alpha-OH-T, and androstenedione from testosterone were 14.7, 6.6, and 2.2 nmol/min/nmol P-450, respectively. Anti-P-450 UT-2 IgG fraction obtained from rabbit serum dose-dependently suppressed formations of 16 alpha-OH-T, 2 alpha-OH-T, and androstenedione from testosterone with liver microsomes of adult male rats. The antibody, in the amount that inhibited above 90% of 16 alpha-OH-T and 2 alpha-OH-T formations from testosterone, also reduced 80% of the microsomal formations of 11-OH-delta 9-THC and 3'-OH-delta 9-THC from delta 9-THC, as compared with control experiments using preimmune IgG fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Teratological assessment of the antiprotozoal, diminazene diaceturate, in rats

Diminazene diaceturate was dissolved in deionized water and administered to pregnant rats by oral gavage once daily on days 8-15 of pregnancy at dose levels of 0, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. On day 21 of pregnancy, the dams were killed and the number of implants, resorptions and live fetuses counted. All fetuses were examined by routine teratological method. A significant increase in fetal resorptions and decrease in fetal body weights were found at the 1000 mg/kg dose. No significant increase in the incidence of anomalous fetuses was observed in external, skeletal and internal examinations even at the maternally toxic dose of 1000 mg/kg. Thus, these data indicate that diminazene diaceturate is not teratogenic in rats.

Species difference in codeine uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase activity of liver microsomes

Species difference in codeine uridine diphosphate-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activity was studied in liver microsomes of mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Codeine UDPGT activity was the highest in guinea pigs, followed by that in rabbits, and the lowest in mice and rats among these four animal species. The specific activities of codeine UDPGT in liver microsomes were not correlated well with those toward morphine, 4-nitrophenol, and 4-hydroxybiphenyl in liver microsomes of each of the species. Inducibility of liver microsomal codeine UDPGT activity in rats was examined by pretreatment with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene and compared with those of other UDPGT activities. The activity was inducible by phenobarbital pretreatment as the activity toward morphine and 4-hydroxybiphenyl. The inducibility of codeine UDPGT activity by phenobarbital pretreatment was not as high as that of morphine UDPGT activity.

Purification of a cytochrome P450 isozyme belonging to a subfamily of P450 IIB from liver microsomes of guinea pigs

An isozyme of cytochrome P450 was purified from liver microsomes of guinea pigs by HPLC with anion-exchange and hydroxylapatite columns. The isozyme showed a single band of 52 kdalton on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Oxidation activities of the final preparation towards p-nitroanisole, aniline and d-benzphetamine were 1.3 to 15.4-fold comparing with those of microsomal fraction. This isozyme was also concerned with oxidation of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to 8 alpha-hydroxy- (8 alpha-OH-), 2'-OH- and 3'-OH-delta 9-THCs. The N-terminal region of the isozyme was considerably hydrophobic, and 13 of the first 20 amino acid residues was leucine. Since this first 20 amino acid sequence is 80% homologous with that of cytochrome P450 LM2 purified from rabbit liver microsomes, this isozyme can be categorized to a subfamily of P450 IIB.

Expandable metallic biliary endoprostheses: preliminary clinical evaluation

A biliary endoprosthesis constructed of self-expanding metallic "Z" stents was placed in 23 patients with obstructive jaundice. The biliary obstruction was due to a malignant neoplasm in 21 patients and a postoperative biliary stricture in two patients. The lesions affected the intrahepatic biliary ducts in 13 patients. Twelve patients had undergone radiation therapy before stent placement. The endoprostheses consisted of 196 expandable metallic biliary stents placed singly (n = 10) or in tandem (n = 186). As many as 18 stents were used to relieve an obstruction in one patient. A transhepatic approach was employed in all patients except one in whom stents were placed through a T-tube tract. Within 1 week after placement, all stents expanded to at least 90% of their original diameter. Three misplaced, two deformed, and two dislodged stents caused no obvious clinical problems. At follow-up, which ranged from 2 to 59 weeks, five patients experienced recurrent jaundice. Two patients with recurrent jaundice due to obstruction of the bile duct containing the stent were treated with external catheter drainage. The expandable biliary endoprosthesis is suggested as an effective treatment for benign and malignant biliary obstruction.

[Fundamental studies on efficacy of intraoperative radiotherapy on pancreatic carcinomas transplanted into the pancreas of hamsters]

Efficacy of intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOER) on N-nitrosobis (2-hydroxypropyl) amine (BHP) induced pancreatic carcinomas transplanted into the pancreas of the Syrian golden hamsters were studied and the following results were obtained. 1. Selective electron beam application to the carcinoma transplanted into the pancreas of hamsters was accomplished using an electron beam collimator. 2. Intra-pancreatic transplantability of BHP-induced serially transplantable subcutaneous pancreatic carcinomas was 100%. 3. Intra-pancreatic transplanted pancreatic carcinomas disappeared in 2 out of 19 hamsters (11%) by 10 Gy irradiation and 7 out of 15 (47%) by 20 Gy irradiation given 2 weeks after intra-pancreatic transplantation. 4. In contrast to the linear growth of tumor size in the non-irradiated group, the tumor size showed an electron dose-dependent reduction in the irradiated group. 5. Histologically, marked necrosis was noted in the irradiated group, and the intensity of necrosis differed between the 10 Gy and 20 Gy groups. 6. Direct invasion of tumor to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver and abdominal wall was noted. Its incidence tended to decrease as the electron dose increased (5/19 or 26% for the control group, 4/19 or 21% for the 10 Gy group, and 1/17 or 6% for the 20 Gy group), although the difference was not statistically significant. 7. The incidences of liver and lymph node metastasis were not different between the non-irradiated and the irradiated groups. These results suggest that selective IOER on BHP-induced pancreatic carcinomas has an effectiveness to kill cancer cells in hamsters.

Pharmacokinetic data of bromofenofos in calves

Bromofenofos (BF) was administered orally to six calves at a dose of 12 mg/kg and the concentrations of BF and its metabolite dephosphate bromofenofos (DBF) in plasma were determined using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method. DBF reached maximum concentration of 45.9 +/- 16.3 micrograms/ml, which occurred at 1.3 +/- 0.4 days. The elimination half life was calculated to be 1.8 +/- 0.3 days and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve was 185.1 +/- 49.4 micrograms.day/ml. The ultrafiltrate of plasma samples revealed no free metabolite, indicating a binding of greater than 99% to plasma protein. DBF disappeared from plasma in all calves 21 days after administration. No BF was detected in plasma at any time.