The metabolic profile of sodium o-phenylphenate after subchronic oral administration to rats

We examined the metabolites of o-phenylphenol (OPP) in the urine of male and female rats dosed with 2% sodium o-phenylphenate (OPP-Na) in food from the age of 5 wk for 136 days. The urinary metabolites of OPP-Na produced during the 24 hr after OPP-Na feeding accounted for 55% of the dose in male rats and 40% in females. The main metabolites were OPP-glucuronide and 2,5-dihydroxybiphenyl (2,5-DHBP)-glucuronide. OPP metabolites in the free form accounted for only 1% of the total phenolic metabolites excreted. 2,5-DHBP was rapidly converted to the corresponding quinone in aqueous solvents but not in organic solvents. There was a clear sex difference in the proportions of urinary metabolites; the amount of 2,5-DHBP excreted by male rats in 24-hr urine was more than seven times that excreted by females. This result may be related to the finding that bladder tumours occur in male but not female rats fed OPP-Na in the diet.

[Antitumor activity of human interferons: their direct cytotoxic activity and clinical effects]

It was found that both interferon-beta and interferon-alpha had a direct cytotoxic action against a few sensitive cultured cell lines. The action was not concentration dependent, but time dependent. Interferons expressed their maximum effect when they were given daily for long time to nude mice bearing transplantable ascitic human cancer cell lines, indicating that interferons had schedule dependency. In preliminary phase II study of interferons (3-9 X 10(6) U daily im, iv or local use) to 40 patients with various malignancies, only one patient with B-cell lymphoma responded to systemic use of both interferons and two out of five patients with pleural malignant effusion of breast cancer also responded to intrapleural use of interferons. Side effects were usually mild, but included fever, weakness, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, liver and kidney function disturbances.

[Current status and problems of cancer treatment with interferon]

Within the Special Research Group of Department of Health and Welfare, seven research subgroups which are testing different types of interferon supplied from each seven companies are organized at the time of October 1982. Out of these subgroups, two groups, Toray company group (IFN-beta) and Sumitomo company group (HLBI-alpha), have made clinical trials on 123 cases and 120 cases respectively. Other groups are still under preparation. 6 cases with complete response and 23 cases with partial response by IFN-beta, and 0 cases with complete response and 13 cases with partial response by HLBI-alpha are observed. Over all responded disease are such as glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, melanoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with local injection, and hypernephroma, bladder carcinoma, medulloblastoma, multiple myeloma, and adult T-cell leucaemia with systemic administration.

Vitreous fluorophotometry in congenital stationary nightblindness

Vitreous fluorophotometry was performed on eyes with three kinds of congenital stationary nightblindness: Oguchi's disease (two cases), X-linked congenital stationary nightblindness (two cases), and fundus albipunctatus (one case). The results were compared with the electroretinogram (ERG) and the electro-oculogram (EOG). In spite of the variable degree of abnormality of the ERG and EOG, all eyes showed normal values on vitreous fluorophotometry. These results strongly suggest that the blood-retinal barrier in congenital stationary nightblindness is intact and that the electrophysiological results and the functioning of the blood-retinal barrier do not correlate in these diseases.

Precision in the first stage of the gastric carcinoma mass survey

A new method of estimating false-negative rate (FNR) in gastric carcinoma mass surveys is reported. It is called the "ADC method", since estimation of FNR is based on "Accidentally Detected Carcinoma". ADC is a carcinoma detected by chance upon close examination because of abnormalities falsely pointed out in the first stage of the mass survey (mass screening) in a region other than the one in which carcinoma is located. This method was tested in the gastric carcinoma mass survey program conducted by the Hokkaido Anti-cancer Association. Overall FNR was estimated at 28.3%. The FNRs estimated by the ADC method appear more reasonable and reliable indicators of precision of the mass survey program. The ADC method is discussed in comparison with the previously used "follow-up study" and several advantages of this new method are presented.

Current status of predictive animal models for drug photoallergy and their correlation with drug photoallergy in humans

The number of adverse responses considered to be drug photosensitivity reactions account for only an exceedingly small percentage of the total undesirable effects from environmental chemicals. However, the rising incidence of and severe disability resulting from drug photosensitivity, especially when the photosensitivity is of the persistent light reactor type, indicate that increased photobiologic research and development efforts are required. Predictive tests are an obvious approach to minimize or eliminate those chemicals showing a risk-benefit ratio that is undesirable to society in general or to an unknowing individual in particular. Animal models with predictive value for determining the risk of photoallergic contact dermatitis in humans have undergone considerable modification during the past decade. This study reports an improved experimental guinea pig model for inducing photoallergic contact dermatitis to musk ambrette. In contrast to previously described models that used Freund's adjuvant, this model does not require nuchal stripping with cellophane tape. Control studies for primary irritancy, phototoxicity, allergic contact dermatitis, and "angry back" syndrome were included in the experimental design. Only photoallergic contact dermatitis was observed. Although the technique used to demonstrate this phenomenon is conducive to standardization, additional studies are required to ascertain whether or not other chemicals known to be photoallergic in humans can also be demonstrated with this animal model.

A modified technique of guinea pig testing to identify delayed hypersensitivity allergens

A modified guinea pig testing technique was developed for the detection of weak allergens and allergenicity of materials unsuitable for testing by intradermal injection. This test involved the use of Freund's complete adjuvant to stimulate the immune system of the animal, and external application instead of intradermal injection of the test compound in the induction stage. The allergenicity of Sudan III, Brilliant Lake Red R and Sudan I was tested by this procedure. In the dose-effect study of Sudan I, the dose dependency of a positive reaction of the induction and challenge concentrations was recognized. The test was compared with three other guinea pig sensitization tests. The results obtained with this test correlated well with those obtained with the guinea pig maximization test.