5-HT2A promoter polymorphism is not associated with anorexia nervosa in Japanese patients

Genetic factors have been implicated in playing a significant role in susceptibility to anorexia nervosa (AN). Among many candidate genes for AN, an association with the A allele of the -1438G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the 5-HT2A receptor has been reported. However, these findings are controversial and all patients studied to date have been Caucasian. This study was designed to determine whether this association is reproducible in Japanese subjects. This case-control study of a cohort of 75 female Japanese AN sufferers and 127 normal female control subjects revealed no significant association between the 5-HT2A promoter polymorphism and AN. Thus, at least for Japanese subjects, the A-allele of the -1438G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the 5-HT2A receptor gene does not contribute to a predisposition to AN.

Analysis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter polymorphisms in anorexia nervosa

Elevated plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) levels and enhanced spontaneous TNFalpha release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been reported. TNFalpha activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and reduces food intake, which is characteristic of eating disorders. Recently, three novel polymorphisms in the 5'-flanking region of the TNFalpha gene were reported at positions -1031 (T --> C substitution), -863 (C --> A) and -857 (C --> T). Differences in these alleles are reportedly related to altered TNFalpha-transcriptional promoter activity. Therefore, we performed a case-control association analysis to determine whether any of those three polymorphisms in the TNFalpha promoter region were involved in a predisposition to AN. The results of our analysis of a cohort of 79 female Japanese AN sufferers and 127 normal female control subjects provide no support for the hypothesis that -1031T/C, -863 C/A and -857C/T polymorphisms in the TNFalpha gene promoter region influence the susceptibility to AN.

Morphology, fluorescence properties, and their photothermal changes of poly(substituted thiophene) films revealed by near-field fluorescence microspectroscopy

The morphology and fluorescence spectrum of poly(3-[2-(N-dodecylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl]thiophene-2,5-diyl) film were examined with spatial resolution of 100 nm using near-field fluorescence microspectroscopy. Fluorescence spectra observed at protruding domains were blue-shifted compared with flat areas, and further blue-shift was observed there more appreciably by long-time irradiation via a near-field scanning optical microscope probe. It is considered that the polymer chains at the protruding domains take disordered conformations, in which conjugated lengths are shorter and further disordering can be induced more easily by irradiation compared with those in the flat areas.

Protective effect of melatonin on methylmercury-Induced mortality in mice

Effect of melatonin on the mortality in methylmercury chloride (MMC)-intoxicated mice was evaluated. Mice were given MMC in the diet (40 mg Hg/g) with or without melatonin in drinking water (20 mg/ml) for 5 weeks. In the control group, given MMC alone, 4 of 10 mice began to show neurological signs (e.g., abnormal righting reflex, staggering gaitfallen and posture on its side) concomitant with loss of body weight 4-7 days before death. This group also showed 60% of survival rate on the 35th day. However, the treated group, concomitantly given melatonin, showed a 100% of survival rate on the 35th day, although 1 of 10 mice began to show the neurological signs on the 33rd day. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the brain, as an indication of oxidative damage, showed a significant decrease in the treated group compared with the control group. Thus, the 100% survival rate in the treated group may be partly due to antioxidative effect of melatonin on the MMC induced neurotoxicity.

Comparative study on germ cell mutation induced by urethane (ethyl carbamate) gas and X-rays in Drosophila melanogaster

Although its mutagenicity has not been confirmed in mouse germ cells, urethane (ethyl carbamate) gas induces a significant increase of X-linked recessive lethal mutations in the germ cells of Drosophila melanogaster. The mutation frequency increased as the exposure time was changed from 3.5 to 5.5 h. Mutations were also induced by X-rays (20 to 40 Gy) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (0.06 to 0.10%). However, no significant increase of chromosomal changes (partial loss of the Y chromosome, total loss of X or Y, and translocations) was produced by urethane, although these were readily induced by X-rays. There were large and significant increase in chromosomal changes caused by X-rays (20 Gy) compared to urethane (5.5 h) or MNU (0.06%). In contrast, there were no substantial differences among these three treatments as regards recessive lethal mutations. Urethane-induced DNA lesions detected as recessive lethals appear to be intragenic mutations. Complementation analysis with 15 reference single-site loci (cistrons) in the zeste-white region of the X chromosome revealed that 29 of 723 urethane-induced recessive lethals were located in the zeste-white region and all were restricted to a single locus. However, among 28 of 890 X-ray-induced lethals, 2 were non-complementary to 2 or 3 adjacent loci, indicating deletions encompassing 2 or 3 loci. In addition, 3 of these lethal chromosomes included mutations outside the zeste-white region. Another difference between urethane and X-rays was in the distribution of mutation sites. Urethane-induced mutations were strikingly non-random with two hot spots at zw-1 and zw-2, whereas the distribution of X-ray-induced mutations was more nearly random.

Consecutive maintenance of human solitary and hereditary colorectal polyps in SCID mice

Recently, the sequential changes from adenoma to adenocarcinoma have been well studied in human colorectal carcinogenesis. To study the precise clonal changes from colorectal polyps to cancer, we have established an experimental system to maintain human colorectal polyps in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice that have been improved by the selective inbreeding of C.B17-scid/scid homozygous male and female showing undetectable serum IgG and IgM (< 1 microgram/ml). Two of two solitary polyps from two nonhereditary colon polyp patients, four of five colon polyps from two Peutz-Jeghers' syndrome patients and one polypoid lesion from a familial polyposis coli (FAP) patient grew very slowly but steadily, at approximately one-tenth the rate of their malignant form, (i.e., adenocarcinoma), in the improved SCID mice and were maintained for a long period (more than 2 years), over several mouse generations. However, two polyps from FAP and Peutz-Jeghers' syndrome patients could not be transplanted further because of microinfection at the transplanted site due to incomplete sterilization of original human tumors prior to surgical operation (endoscopic polypectomy). Transplanted colon polyps had a semitransparent, soft and sticky appearance, with cells containing large amounts of mucin. Malignant transformation of human colon polyp to adenocarcinoma has not been observed during the maintenance period (about 2 years) in SCID mice. In the consecutively maintained human colon polyps, however, K-ras mutations were detected at codon 12, while these mutations were not found in their original polyps in the patients.

Cytogenotoxicities of sublimed urethane gas to the mouse embryo

Urethane (ethyl carbamate) which has long been used for commonly used drugs and has proven to be useful in the formation of products in every-day use, is volatile, and small amounts sublime spontaneously. Pregnant ICR mice were maintained in the vinyl chamber (45 liter) which was ventilated 4 times per hour. To inhale urethane gas, air was passed first through a glass bottle containing 500 g of crystalline urethane and then into the vinyl chamber. Concentration of the sublimed urethane gas in the chamber was 1.28 +/- 0.08 mg/l, and sublimed urethane gas produced significantly high incidence of chromosomal aberrations in the cells of whole embryo, when mice inhaled it for 48 h from day 9 to day 11 of pregnancy. High and significant incidence of chromosomal aberrations (36.0%) was detected in the embryo 3 h after urethane gas inhalation, but decreased to 5.3% at 24 h after exposure and showed no significant differences from controls after 48 h, while the incidence in bone marrow cells from the adult (pregnant) mice was lower (21.5%) at 3 h after exposure but a significant increase remained until 72 h after exposure. A majority of chromosomal aberrations was chromatid types. As a consequence of cellular damages by urethane gas inhalation during pregnancy, significantly high incidence of fetal deaths and congenital malformations (cleft palate, polydactyly, tail anomaly etc.) was induced in the offspring. Thus, we must be aware of the risk of volatile chemicals, because it is difficult to perceive and avoid hazardous exposure via respiration.

In-vivo distribution and erythrocyte binding characteristics of cyclosporin in renal transplant patients

The pharmacokinetic parameters of cyclosporin, a potent immunosuppressive agent, show large intra- and inter-individual variability, possibly because of the different analytical methods used. A recently developed cyclosporin-specific radioimmunoassay has been used to study the in-vivo distribution and binding characteristics of cyclosporin in whole blood, plasma and erythrocytes of fifteen renal transplant patients. The profiles of cyclosporin concentration-time curves after an oral dose of cyclosporin had either one peak (ten patients, group A) or two (five patients, group B). Essentially no difference was observed between the two groups in the relationship between equilibrium cyclosporin concentrations in erythrocyte and plasma as a function of whole-blood concentration. The equilibrium in-vivo cyclosporin concentrations in erythrocyte and plasma were, however, markedly lower than those previously observed under in-vitro conditions. The ratio of cyclosporin concentration in erythrocytes (CE) to that in plasma (CP) changed with time, in inverse proportion to the change in cyclosporin concentration in blood, over the range 0.63-2.80 in individual patients with an average of 1.36 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- s.e.m.) for group A and 1.42 +/- 0.23 for group B. The apparent cyclosporin binding affinity (Kd) to erythrocytes under in-vivo conditions averaged 452.2 +/- 47.6 nM (543.5 +/- 57.2 ng mL-1) for group A and 419.4 +/- 41.2 nM (504.1 +/- 49.5 ng mL-1) for group B, whereas apparent cyclosporin binding capacity (Bmax) of the blood cell averaged 0.83 +/- 0.07 nmol mL-1 for group A and 0.78 +/- 0.07 nmol mL-1 for group B. Significantly reduced average Kd (262.7 +/- 40.2 nM or 315.8 +/- 48.9 ng mL-1, P < 0.01) and Bmax (0.56 +/- 0.08 nmol mL-1, P < 0.05) values were observed during the period after Tmax (4-12 h after the drug ingestion) in group A patients. Apparent Kd and Bmax, determined by a nonlinear regression technique, were 131.6 +/- 29.4 and 1088.0 +/- 114.7 nM (158.2 +/- 35.4 and 1307.8 +/- 137.9 ng mL-1) and 0.178 +/- 0.024 and 0.814 +/- 0.078 nmol mL-1, respectively, during the 4-12 h period in group A patients. These findings reveal distinct differences in in-vivo distribution of cyclosporin and the binding characteristics of the compound to erythrocytes from those previously observed under in-vitro conditions. The significantly lower Kd of cyclosporin binding to erythrocytes during the elimination phase suggests a potential effect of cyclosporin-containing erythrocytes or of cyclosporin contained in erythrocytes during cyclosporin treatment.

Cell death induced by baicalein in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

We examined the action of baicalein, a flavonoid contained in the herbal medicine sho-saiko-to (TJ-9), on three cell lines of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment with baicalein strongly inhibited the activity of topoisomerase II and suppressed the proliferation of all three HCC cell lines. But the mode of cell death induced by baicalein differed according to the cell line. Baicalein induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner in only one cell line, and an increased concentration of baicalein produced cell death via necrosis in the other two lines. These results suggest that the inhibition of topoisomerase II is not by itself sufficient for induction of apoptosis, and that there is a more important mechanism which can account for the difference in susceptibility of cells to apoptosis induced by baicalein.

Mapping of cyclosporin A binding sites in cyclophilin A by using synthetic peptides

In order to map cyclosporin A (CsA) binding sites of cyclophilin (CyP), we synthesized the complete set of overlapping 157 octapeptides corresponding to human CyP A using the multi-pin peptide synthesis system. The pin-coupled synthetic octapeptides were examined in terms of binding ability to CsA by a modification of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significant binding of CsA was detected with 35 synthetic N alpha-acetylated octapeptides possessing the N-terminal amino acids corresponding to the residues in positions 24-26, 42-44, 69-73, 75, 76, 89-91, 102, 116, 124-131, 144-151 and 152 in human CyP A, respectively. Other eight octapeptides showed moderate CsA binding activity. The distinct binding of octapeptides covering the C-terminal region of the CyP A was particularly significant. These data are to be compared with the information provided by X-ray and NMR studies on the CsA binding sites and furnish thus a test of the reported method. The present study also gave added insight into the CsA interaction sites of CyP.

Gel chromatographic analysis of cyclosporin and its metabolites in human blood compartments

Gel chromatography combined with specific and non-specific cyclosporin radioimmunoassays was adopted for quantitative analysis of cyclosporin and metabolites in free and protein-bound forms in blood compartments of kidney transplant patients. The analytical method was proved to be useful for the purpose, although plasma protein-bound forms of neither cyclosporin nor metabolites could be quantitated in the system. The present study also provided, by gel chromatographic analysis, additional examples to prove that concentrations of cyclosporin metabolites in blood compartments may not be deduced or inferred simply from those of cyclosporin.

Melatonin secretion in normal pressure hydrocephalus after cerebral aneurysm rupture--investigation before and after ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Melatonin (MLT) secretion was examined in six normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patients before and after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery. Ten healthy subjects were used as controls. Venous blood samples were taken daily at 2 p.m., 8 p.m., 2 a.m., and 8 a.m. Radioimmunoassay of MLT used a new specific antiserum and separation method achieving low cross-reactivity and high-efficiency MLT separation. Plasma levels in the control group at 2 p.m. and 2 a.m. were significantly different, showing diurnal rhythm (DR). The patients' MLT levels before VP shunt were significantly lower than control levels and the DR was absent. Postoperatively, the values were significantly different from preoperative values only at 2 a.m., but the DR reappeared. Thus, in NPH, VP shunt surgery improved the melatonin DR, probably through normalization of the dilated third ventricle.

Carcinogenicity of sublimed urethane in mice through the respiratory tract

The carcinogenicity of sublimed urethane (ethyl carbamate) in air was examined with mice. JCL:ICR mice were nursed in a plastic cage inside a vinyl chamber which was ventilated 4 times per hour. The mice were exposed to urethane gas for various periods by passing air which contained a high concentration of sublimed urethane (1.29 micrograms/ml) into the vinyl chamber, or by placing a vessel containing crystalline urethane inside the vinyl chamber so that it was filled with spontaneously-sublimed urethane gas at a low concentration (0.25 microgram/ml). When female mice were killed 5 months after exposure, lung tumor frequency increased almost linearly with the number of days of exposure in the low concentration experiment, but increased in a non-linear manner in the high concentration experiment. In terms of nearly the same total dose, i.e., (concentration of urethane gas in air) X (days of inhalation), one day of exposure to urethane gas at the low concentration induced lung tumors at a significantly higher frequency than 1/4 day of exposure to urethane gas at the high concentration. When male mice were killed at 12 months after exposure to examine the progressive change of induced tumors, malignant, invasive and metastatic tumors were found to have been induced more frequently in the lung after exposure to urethane gas at the low concentration (0.25 microgram/ml for 10 days) than at the high concentration (1.29 microgram/ml for 4 days), although the total dose in the former group was about half of that in the latter. Continuous exposure to urethane gas for a longer period at the low concentration seems to be more efficient for the induction, promotion and/or progression of lung tumors than the exposure for a shorter period at the high concentration.

[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%).

Demonstration of two distinct insulin-binding components in solubilized human placental membranes by radioimmunoassay using synthetic peptide and anti-synthetic peptide antibody

A peptide corresponding to the 957-980 sequence of human placental insulin receptor precursor (HIRP) was synthesized and antisera were produced against the synthetic peptide. Anti-synthetic HIRP(957-980) serum HIR-27 was proved to cross-react with HIRP-related proteins in solubilized human placental membranes. A radioimmunoassay developed with the antiserum and synthetic peptide HIRP(957-980) enabled us to separate, in combination with gel filtration, two insulin-binding components in solubilized human placental membranes which conceivably correspond to the alpha 2 beta 2 and alpha beta structures of the placental insulin receptor. The two components were shown to be distinct in insulin-binding behavior depending on conditions of pH and ionic strength in the binding assay.

Change in solubility of insulin in therapeutic mixtures of insulin preparations: HPLC analysis

We systematically and quantitatively observed the changes in solubility when short- and intermediate-acting insulin preparations were mixed together, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and centrifugation. We tested 30 combinations of 16 kinds of commercial insulin preparations, including six short-acting and eight intermediate-acting preparations. The soluble insulin component in the short-acting preparations examined was in all cases insolubilized to various extents after mixing. Particularly remarkable was the complete precipitation of the insulin from Actrapid Human when it was mixed with Monotard Human (1:1). This sort of drastic change in insulin solubility after mixture was reflected in the changes in blood glucose level after the subcutaneous injection of the mixture to rabbits. The information provided by pharmaceutical companies on absorption kinetics and action profiles of short-acting insulin preparations may no longer be valid when mixtures with longer-acting preparations are used.

Effects of compounds related to beta-hydroxyglutamic acid (BHGA) on identifiable giant neurones of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac)

The present study aimed to further elucidate the pharmacological features, with respect to sensitivity to L-BHGA agonists, of the receptors sensitive to beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (L-BHGA) in five Achatina giant neurones: PON (periodically oscillating neurone), d-RPLN (dorsal-right parietal large neurone), VIN (visceral intermittently firing neurone), RAPN (right anterior pallial neurone) and v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neurone). Of these neurones, d-RPLN and RAPN were depolarized by L-BHGA, while PON, VIN and v-RCDN were inhibited. Threo-beta-hydroxy-DL-aspartic acid markedly depolarized d-RPLN and RAPN (effective potency quotient (EPQ) in relation to the more effective L-BHGA isomer: 1 for d-RPLN and 0.3 for RAPN). This compound produced only slight inhibitory effects on PON, VIN and v-RCDN with EPQs calculated to be less than 0.03, less than 0.03 and 0.03, respectively. On the other hand, erythro-beta-hydroxy-DL-aspartic acid at 10(-3) M was almost ineffective, except on v-RCDN where it elicited some slight inhibitory effects (EPQ: 0.01). L-Aspartic and D-aspartic acid at 10(-3) M, also had almost no effect except for slight effects of D-aspartic acid on d-RPLN (EPQ: 0.1). N-Methyl-L- and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid were slightly effective only on v-RCDN (EPQ: less than 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). The other compounds, including beta-hydroxypyrroglutamic acid (cyclic BHGA) and proline derivatives, were almost ineffective at 10(-3) M; very weak effects were occasionally observed on some neurones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Induction of lymphorecticular neoplasia and malformations by prenatal treatment with 1,3-di(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-triazene in mice

1,3-Di(4- sulfamoylphenyl )-triazene ( DSPT ), synthesized from two equivalents of sulfanylamide and one equivalent of sodium nitrite, induced specific types of tumors (lymphoreticular neoplasias) in the offspring, when it was given orally to pregnant mice on Days 13-18. Tumor incidences were 6.1, 20.0, and 21.7%, when DSPT was given at 1, 4 and 10% concentration in the diet, respectively, while the control value was 0.8%. DSPT did not induce lung tumors, which are commonly induced by mutagenic carcinogens. DSPT also produced malformations (cleft palate, exencephalus , etc.), when given intraperitoneally on Days 9, 10 and 11. Incidence increased with increasing doses of DSPT , that is, 15.8, 21.1 and 36.7% at doses of 22, 36 and 44 micrograms/g, respectively, while the incidence was 0.3% in the untreated controls. DSPT was found to be non-mutagenic but weakly clastogenic in Drosophila melanogaster.

Enhancement effects of barbital on the teratogenicity of aminopyrine

Aminopyrine and its compound with barbital have been used in humans as analgesics and antipyretics. A compound, pyrabital (2 molecules of aminopyrine and 1 molecule of barbital) given daily on Days 9, 10 and 11 of gestation produced significant yields of fetal deaths and malformations in ICR/Jcl mice. Most malformations induced were ruptured omphaloceles (eventration of the abdominal viscera), which were associated with malrotation of the intestine, cleft palates, and tail anomalies, finger and toe anomalies. Aminopyrine also induced significant yields of fetal deaths and malformations. However, the incidence of fetal deaths and malformations induced by a dose of pyrabital was significantly higher than that by an equivalent dose of aminopyrine which was contained in pyrabital. When aminopyrine (0.21 mg/g) and barbital (0.09 mg/g) were given in 2 separate injections to pregnant mice, teratogenicity was approximately equal to that by the equivalent dose of pyrabital (0.3 mg/g). Consequently, potent teratogenicity of pyrabital is not caused by the compound, but only by the coexistence of barbital and aminopyrine. Such enhancement effects of barbital may be due to the induction of enzymes responsible for transforming aminopyrine to teratogenic forms, because pretreatment with barbital and phenobarbital similarly enhanced embryotoxicity of aminopyrine.