Effect of RANTES on intracellular expression of EG2 antigen in eosinophils

RANTES, which is released from thrombin-stimulated platelets, is a member of the 8-kDa cytokine family that has been shown to possess chemotactic activity for eosinophils. The effect of RANTES on the intracellular expression of EG2 antigen in eosinophils was examined in this study. RANTES augmented the intracellular expression of EG2 antigen in eosinophils. These findings suggest that RANTES not only modulates the chemotactic activity of eosinophils but also intensifies the function of eosinophil activation.

[A late phase-II trial comparing KW-2307 with vindesine in non-small cell lung cancer (1). Lung cancer section in KW-2307 Study Group]

A multicenter cooperative study was performed to compare KW-2307 (KW), a novel vinca alkaloid (VA) derivative, and vindesine (VDS), with respect to tumor response and toxicity in patients (pts) with non-small cell lung cancer. In the former part of the trial, pts received monotherapy with KW 25 mg/m2 or VDS 3 mg/m2. Pts refractory to treatment with KW or VDS were crossed over to treatment with VDS (3 mg/m2/W x 3) or KW (20 mg/m2/W x 3), respectively, in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) 80 mg/m2. Both drugs were administered in 4 courses or more once weekly by intravenous bolus injection in monotherapy. In the subsequent combination therapy, non-responders were treated with CDDP on day 1 and KW or VDS on day 1, 8 and 15 with a course of 28 days, and treatment was given in 2 courses or more in principle. According to the method of O'Brien/Fleming, comparison of tumor response between the 2 treatment groups in the 2nd stage was performed in 154 cases. The response rate of KW group (29.4%, 22/75) was significantly better than that of VDS group (9.3%, 7/75). The main adverse effect in both groups was leukopenia (neutropenia), and no significant difference was observed between the incidence in each group. Among other adverse effects, increased GOT, fever and phlebitis were slightly more often found in KW group, and alopecia and paresthesia a little more in the VDS group. In the later part of combination therapy with CD DP, the KW group achieved PR in 10 of 34 pts (29.4%), and no response was observed in the VDS group (28 pts).

A comparative study of eosinophil isolation by different procedures of CD16-negative depletion

Eosinophils were isolated by the three methods of CD16-negative depletion: 1) magnetic beads, 2) fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), and 3) complement reaction. Their purity, yield, and viability were compared. The second procedure produced well purity and viability (94.65 +/- 1.51% and 94.98 +/- 1.40%, respectively) but low yield of eosinophils (65.47 +/- 2.47%). The viability of cells obtained by the third procedure was not efficient (80.83 +/- 2.85%), while the purity and the yield were efficient (96.23 +/- 1.09% and 90.75 +/- 1.72%, respectively). In conclusion, the magnetic beads method (purity: 98.02 +/- 0.45%, yield: 91.05 +/- 2.43%, viability: 97.57 +/- 0.37%) was the most advantageous of these three procedures. Moreover, in the functional assay, radical oxygen products from eosinophils isolated by the procedure with complement reaction were less than with the magnetic beads or FACS procedures.

Cyanoamidines. II. Synthesis and pharmacological activity of N-arylalkyl-N'-cyano-3-pyridinecarboxamidines

A new series of cyanoamidines, N-arylalkyl-N'-cyano-3-pyridinecarboxamidines was synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory effects on 40 mM KCl-induced contraction and norepinephrine (NE)-induced contraction of rat aorta strips. The N-phenethyl cyanoamidine 4c showed potent vasodilatory action. Further in vitro screening program using 4c as a lead compound resulted in the discovery of highly potent N-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-N'-cyano-3-pyridinecarboxamidine (5j). Compound 5j induced the greatest increase in 86Rb+ efflux among cyanoamidine series. Subsequent modification of the pyridine ring of 5j was performed with evaluation for intravenous and oral antihypertensive activities. Introduction of an amino group at the 5-position of the pyridine ring furnished the new potassium channel opener, 5-amino-N-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-N'-cyano-3-pyridinecarboxamidine+ ++ (9e; KRN4884), which showed highly potent antihypertensive activity and a long duration of antihypertensive action after oral administration. KRN4884 is under further development as an antihypertensive agent.

Use of immobilized histidine in assay for endotoxin in patients with liver disease

The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test has the disadvantage of being influenced by various inhibitors and activators. We have developed a method for the LAL reaction that involves the specific adsorption and isolation of endotoxin using a membrane filter unit and immobilized histidine; in this present study we used the method to measure endotoxin in the plasma of patients with acute or chronic liver disease. The adsorbed endotoxins are separated from LAL-inhibitors or -activators by the membrane filter unit, and their activity is directly assayed with the LAL reagent in a filter cup without any inhibition or activation. The study population consisted of 23 subjects, 3 with fulminant hepatitis and 20 with cirrhosis (9 with esophageal varices and 11 without). All 3 (100%) of the samples of plasma from patients with fulminant hepatitis were positive for endotoxin, as were the samples of 7 (78%) of the 9 patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices, and 2 (18%) of the 11 patients with cirrhosis but without such varices. The results suggested that this method appears to be useful for assaying the concentration of endotoxin in patients with fulminant hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.

[Effect of inhaled steroid on bone metabolism in the treatment of bronchial asthma]

In order to clarify the effects of longterm inhaled steroid therapy on bone metabolism, we examined 72 patients with bronchial asthma treated mainly with BDP (beclomethasone dipropionate). Multiple scanning X-ray photodensitometry was used to evaluate the degree of bone mineral loss. Osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (total and type III) was measured as a marker of bone synthesis and urinary pyridinoline, and deoxy-pyridinoline was measured as a marker of bone resorption. There was age related bone mineral loss. Urinary pyridinoline increased with aging. Treatment related bone mineral loss was not observed either in cases treated with BDP or in cases treated with continual oral steroids. Urinary pyridinoline and deoxy-pyridinoline decreased in patients treated with larger doses of for longer periods with BDP. Serum osteocalcin levels were lower in patients on continual oral corticosteroids. We conclude that inhaled steroid do not deteriorate bone metabolism in patients with bronchial asthma, when used appropriately.

The effect of TYB-2285 on dual phase bronchoconstriction and airway hypersensitivity in guinea-pigs actively sensitized with ovalbumin

The effect of a new anti-asthmatic drug, TYB-2285 (3,5-bis(acetoxyacetylamino)-4-chlorobenzonitrile), was investigated in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs. When guinea-pigs were pretreated with TYB-2285 (300 mg kg-1, p.o., single dose or consecutively for 7 days), the immediate asthmatic response was inhibited as demonstrated by diminished cyanosis, but not the bronchoconstriction. TYB-2285, given singly or consecutively, inhibited the appearance of late asthmatic response and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils, into the airway. Additionally, airway hyper-responsiveness was also reversed by the single administration of TYB-2285. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of airway-infiltrated cells stimulated with A23187 was inhibited by TYB-2285 in a dose-dependent manner. The present study suggests that TYB-2285 inhibits late asthmatic response and airway hyperresponsiveness by inhibiting the accumulation of eosinophils and other inflammatory cells into the airway, and also by inhibiting the production of oxygen radicals from airway-infiltrated cells.

[Usefulness of newly developed 99mTc-labeled STA-R12 for tumor imaging]

We synthesized four new tumor imaging agents, 99mTc-labeled metalloporphyrins (99mTc-STA-R12, -STA-R21, -STA-RN101 and -ATN-12) for the tumor imaging. We compared the differences of tumor imaging potency among these agents in CDF1 mice implanted with colon 26 tumor. Tumor images with these agents were obtained by using digital gamma-camera (RC135-E, Hitachi, Tokyo) and the biodistributions were analyzed by computerized medical radionuclide imageanalyser (RP-200, Hitachi, Tokyo). The highest tumor organ ratio and the excellent tumor image were obtained by 99mTc-STA-R12 (13,17-Bispropanyl aspartic acid-3-ethenyl-8-[N,N',N",N"-tetrakis (carboxylmethyl-2,7,12,18-tetramethyl-porphyrinato]-manga nes e(III). The maximum concentration of 99mTc-STA-R12 in tumor tissue was observed at around 120 minutes after i.v. injection. On the contrary, the uptake rates of other organs and tissues such as liver, brain, muscle, lung, bone and blood continuously decreased. The rapid accumulation of STA-R12 in cancer tissue and the clearance from other tissue suggested a potential usefulness of this compound for tumor imaging agent.

Effect of pulmonary blood flow on microvascular pressure profile determined by micropuncture in perfused cat lungs

To clarify the role of the pulmonary microvasculature in adjusting to increased pulmonary blood flow, we measured arteriolar and venular pressure by the servo-null micropuncture method while changing the pulmonary blood flow in isolated perfused cat lungs. We divided the lung vasculature into three longitudinal segments: 1) arterial (pulmonary artery to 30- to 50-microns arteriole), 2) microvascular (between 30- to 50-microns arteriole and venule), and 3) venous (30- to 50-microns venule to left atrium). The vascular resistance was calculated by dividing the pressure gradient by the flow. The pressure gradient of the microvascular segment did not increase, whereas the pressure gradient of the arterial and venous segments increased simultaneously with flow rate. Total and microvascular resistance decreased with increase of flow rate. Resistances of the arterial and venous segments did not change with increase in flow. We conclude that the microvasculature plays a crucial role in preventing pulmonary hypertension with increases in flow by decreasing microvascular resistance.

The role of arachidonic acid metabolism in somatostatin and substance P effects on inward rectifier K conductance in rat brain neurons

Somatostatin enhances an inward rectifier K conductance in cultured locus coeruleus neurons, while substance P reduces an inward rectifier K conductance in cultured nucleus basalis and locus coeruleus neurons. The role of arachidonic acid metabolites in these responses was studied. The somatostatin-induced response was reduced by phospholipase A2 inhibitors, non-specific lipoxygenase inhibitors and specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor and a 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor had no effect. 5(S)-HPETE occasionally increased the K conductance, but failed to occlude the somatostatin response. The substance P response was suppressed by a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor but not by a 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor. These results suggest that the 5-lipoxygenase pathway is not a specific messenger of either one of these responses, but that it plays a more general role in maintaining or enhancing the effectiveness of both somatostatin and substance P responses.

Osteopenia in primary biliary cirrhosis and cirrhosis of the liver in women, evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

To study bone involvement in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), we used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese women with PBC and with cirrhosis of the liver. In both groups, in each decade up to 60 years of age, the mean BMD of the lumbar spine was not significantly different from that in healthy Japanese women; however, in patients aged 60 years or more, the level was significantly lower both in the patients with PBC (P < 0.001) and in those with cirrhosis of the liver (P < 0.01). Patients with PBC were also examined by single-photon absorptiometry. The BMD of the radius in the patients with PBC was less changed than that of the lumbar vertebrae; thus, the bone changes in PBC seem to be greater in spongy than in cortical bone.

Selective differences in vascular endothelial- vs. airway epithelial-T cell adhesion mechanisms

The basis for T cell adhesion to airway epithelial and vascular endothelial cells was studied using a quantitative flow cytometry-based assay that avoids extensive leukocyte purification and labeling. Compared with standard cell-labeling methods, the flow cytometry-based assay yielded a lower level of constitutive T cell adhesion, despite a similar level of stimulated adhesion (after T cell activation with phorbol dibutyrate) using endothelial or epithelial cell monolayers. Endothelial T cell adhesion was further increased by monolayer treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (less so with interleukin-1 beta and least with interferon-gamma), whereas epithelial T cell adhesion was most sensitive to interferon-gamma. Cytokine stimulation of adhesion was invariably concentration dependent and closely matched to the cellular levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Accordingly, stimulated T cell adhesion was markedly inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 or anti-beta 2-integrin antibody (95-97% inhibition for epithelial cells and 57-67% inhibition for endothelial cells) directed against ICAM-1 interaction with lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; alpha L beta 2-integrin). Residual endothelial T cell adhesion that correlated with endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels was blocked by an anti-alpha 4-integrin antibody directed against VCAM-1 interaction with very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4; alpha 4 beta 1-integrin). The results suggest that 1) peripheral blood T cells without exogenous activation exhibit little LFA-1- or VLA-4-dependent adherence except to endothelial or epithelial cells expressing high levels of ICAM-1 and/or VCAM-1; and 2) differences in endothelial vs. epithelial cell mechanisms to bind activated and unactivated T cells (e.g., dependence on a mixed- vs. a single-ligand system and distinct cytokine-responsiveness of ligand levels) may help to coordinate T cell traffic to epithelial barriers.

[Anaphylactic reaction to aprotinin following topical use of biological tissue sealant]

Biological tissue sealant is used for facilitation of intra-operative hemostasis. It is composed of cryoprecipitated fibrinogen, bovine-thrombin and bovine-aprotinin. In this report, we describe a 38-yr-old woman in whom severe anaphylactic shock occurred immediately after the topical use of biological tissue sealant on the completion of modified radical mastectomy. The patient's past history and pre-operative laboratory values were unremarkable except for mild nasal allergy. Postoperative prick tests for bovine-serum, bovine-thrombin and bovine-aprotinin were positive. Total IgE level was normal. By the radioallergosolbent tests (RAST), specific IgE antibodies for aprotinin were elevated to the class 2 level. Drug induced lymphocyte stimulation tests (DLST) were negative. These indicated that the case was an aprotinin-induced anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia. The level of CH50, C4, C1q and C5 decreased in the serum sample immediately after the shock, but C3 was unchanged. It was considered to be a direct degradation of the complement by the proteolytic enzymes. Biological tissue sealant should be used cautiously bearing in mind the possibility of anaphylactic complication.

Inhibition of growth of human tumor cells in nude mice by a metalloproteinase inhibitor

The effects of a new metalloproteinase inhibitor, BE16627B [L-N-(N-hydroxy-2-isobutylsuccinynamoyl)-seryl-L-valine, MW: 375.2] isolated from microbial cultures, on human tumor cell growth in nude mice were investigated. BE16627B inhibited metalloproteinases in enzyme assays, as well as gelatinolysis and collagenolysis in cell cultures. BE16627B at 100 micrograms/ml showed no apparent cytotoxicity to human tumor cells in culture and its LD50 in mice was more than 1,000 mg/kg (i.p.). The effects of BE16627B on the in vivo growth of 2 human tumor cell lines were examined: HT1080 fibrosarcoma, which overproduces metalloproteinases, and HCT116 colon carcinoma, which barely secretes metalloproteinases. When BE16627B was administered to mice at 2 mg/mouse/day by an osmotic pump implanted s.c. for 3 weeks from 1 week after i.v. inoculation of HT1080 cells, the number and size of nodules of HT1080 cells on the lung surface were reduced to 24.3 and 46.4%, respectively, of those of controls, and the increase in lung weight due to tumor-cell growth was inhibited 85.5% without body-weight loss. Moreover, BE16627B inhibited 71.2% of the growth of HT1080 cells inoculated s.c. into mice under the same conditions, but did not significantly inhibit the s.c. growth of HCT116 human colon-carcinoma cells. Thus, BE16627B inhibited metalloproteinase-dependent human tumor-cell growth as well as lung colonization without showing cytotoxicity in nude mice.

[Late phase II clinical study of KW-2307 in previously untreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer. KW-2307 Study Group (Lung Cancer Group)]

A late Phase II clinical study of KW-2307, a new vinca alkaloid derivative, in previously untreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer was jointly carried out in 26 medical institutions. Of 80 enrolled cases, 75 cases were eligible, and PR was attained in 23 cases (30.7%). The main adverse effect of this drug, leukopenia (neutropenia), was observed in 62.7% (83.3%) of Grade 3 and 4 cases, but they recovered rapidly. In addition to decreased hemoglobin in 67% (Grade 3 in 5.7%) of the cases, adverse effects included slight disorder of hepatic function, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fever, general fatigue, phlebitis, paresthesia and interstitial pneumonia. Peripheral neuropathy such as paresthesia occurred rarely and was slight, if any.

Induction of beta 2 integrin expression on an eosinophilic cell line (EoL-1) by the supernatant of mononuclear cells stimulated with specific allergen from asthmatic patients

Adhesion molecules recently have been considered to play an important role in inflammatory processes in bronchial asthma. Our previous study revealed high expression of beta 2-integrin family (CR3, LFA-1 alpha, CD18) on hypodense eosinophils. Thus, from the point of view of cell-to-cell interaction between mononuclear cells and eosinophils, we examined whether the supernatant of mononuclear cells obtained from mite-allergic asthmatic patients cultured with specific allergen mite-allergen is involved in adhesion molecule expression using an eosinophilic cell line (EoL-1). These characteristics of beta 2-integrin family expression (high expression of beta 2 integrin) were induced by the supernatant of mononuclear cells from mite-allergic asthmatic patients stimulated with mite-allergen as well as with a combination of the recombinant eosinophilopoietic growth cytokines (IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5). Thus, we could conclude that some cytokines produced by specific allergen stimulated mononuclear cells in asthmatics might be involved in allergic inflammation through the induction of adhesion molecule expression on eosinophils in asthma or allergic disorders.

Reinfection with influenza B virus in children: analysis of the reinfection influenza B viruses

Influenza B virus reinfection in Japanese children was studied epidemiologically during 1979-91 and virologically during 1985-91. During this investigation, there were four epidemics caused by influenza B viruses, each of which accompanied antigenic drift. Between the epidemics in 1987/88 and 1989/90, the viruses changed drastically, both genetically and antigenically. The minimum rate of reinfection with influenza B virus during the whole period was 3-25% depending on the influenza seasons. The antigens of primary and reinfection strains of influenza B virus isolated from 18 children during 1985-90, which covered three epidemic periods, were studied by haemagglutination inhibition tests. The results showed that the viruses isolated in the 1984/85 and 1987/88 influenza seasons, which belonged to the same lineage, were antigenically close, and reinfection occurred with these viruses. The results of amino-acid analysis of the HA1 polypeptide of these viruses corresponded with those of antigenic analysis. There were no specific amino-acid changes shared by the primary infection and reinfection influenza B viruses; the patients were infected with the viruses epidemic at that time.

[Renal tubular dysfunction in open pediatric heart surgery--preventive effect of haptoglobin]

Preventive effect of haptoglobin (Hb) for renal tubular dysfunction was studied in 16 pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation (ECC). The patients were divided into two groups; Hp(+) group consisting of 7 patients administered haptoglobin (100 U/kg) in priming of ECC, and Hp(-) group of 9 patients not administered haptoglobin. As parameters of renal tubular function, urinary alpha 1-microglobulin-index (U-alpha 1m.I), urinary beta 2-microglobulin-index (U-beta 2m.I), urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase-index (U-NAG.I), fractional clearance of alpha 1m (Fc-alpha 1m) and beta 2m (Fc-beta 2m), as well as Free-Hb, were measured just before start of ECC and then at periodical time after ECC to the 7th day. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Maximum Free-Hb in Hp(+) group was significantly less (p < 0.05) than that in Hp(-) group. (2) Every parameter of renal tubular function were shown a peak at the end of ECC. Maximum values of U-alpha 1m.I, U-NAG.I and Fc-alpha 1m in Hp(+) group were significantly less (p < 0.05) than those in Hp(-) group. Maximum U-beta 2m.I and Fc-beta 2m in Hp(+) group were less than those in Hp(-) group, although there was no significant difference. These results indicate that administration of haptoglobin suppresses the increase of Free-Hb and is useful for prevention of renal tubular dysfunction during ECC.

Paramyotonia congenita without cold paralysis: a case report

A 27-year-old-woman with paramyotonia congenita was reported. She began to suffer from myotonia since infancy. Myotonia was aggravated by cold, but with intense cooling myotonia did not change to flaccid paralysis. Four generations of her family showed the same symptoms that suggested autosomal dominant inheritance. Neurological examinations revealed no impairments of mental function, cranial nerves and sensory system. Muscular atrophy or hypertrophy was not observed. Percussion myotonia of the tongue and thenar muscles could be elicited at room temperature. Myotonia was aggravated by cold. An oral intake of potassium chloride (7 grammes) did not provoke any muscle weakness or flaccid paralysis. Routine laboratory data and findings of head CT scan, cerebrospinal fluid and electroencephalogram were normal. The nosological distinction between paramyotonia congenita and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis has been debated since 1956. Paralysis induced by cold is thought to be a feature of paramyotonia congenita, thus raising a possible relationships to hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. In our case cold paralysis never occurred spontaneously and could not be provoked by immersion in ice water or by potassium loading. This finding confirms the existence of paramyotonia congenita without cold paralysis and may provide a nosological distinction between paramyotonia congenita and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.

Modification of energy metabolism by the presence of the gut microflora in the chicken

Whether the association with gut microflora modifies the energy metabolism of chickens was investigated by varying the metabolizable energy consumption level from zero to above the maintenance requirement in the germ-free and conventional states. Single comb White Leghorn chicks were either fasted for 3 d (Expt 1), or fed for 6 d at a fixed daily meal intake of 2, 5 or 8 g/d (Expt 2), or 5, 10 or 15 g/d (Expt 3). Changes in carcass energy deposition and heat production indicated that when no dietary energy was available the presence of the gut microflora could benefit the birds by reducing energy losses, whereas when dietary energy was supplied the efficiency of energy utilization was reduced by the presence of the gut microflora. It was concluded, therefore, that the heavy burden of the gut microflora modifies energy metabolism by exerting a buffering or a counter-productive action on the energy utilization of the chicken.