The high content of monoene fatty acids in the lipids of some midwater fishes: family Myctophidae

The total lipids of eleven species of Myctophids caught at depths between 20 and 700 m in the northern Pacific Ocean were analyzed using silicic acid column chromatography (lipid classes) and capillary gas chromatography (fatty acid and fatty alcohol composition). The major components in the lipid classes were triacylglycerols or wax esters; triacylglycerols were the dominant acyl neutral lipids (68.1-96.1%) in eight species, and wax esters were found as the dominant lipid (85.5-87.9%) in three species. The major fatty acids and alcohols contained in the wax esters of the three fishes were 18:1n-9, 20:1n-9, 20:1n-11, and 22:1n-11 for fatty acids, and 16:0, 18:1, 20:1 and 22:1 for fatty alcohols. Fatty acids in the triacylglycerols ranging from C14 to C22 were predominantly of even chain length. The major components were 16:0, 16:1n-7, 18:1n-9, 20:1n-11, 22:1n-11, 20:5n-3 (icosapentaenoic acid), and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid). In both the triacylglycerols and the wax esters, the major fatty components were monoenoic acids and alcohols. It is suggested from the lipid chemistry of the Myctophids that they may prey on the same organisms as the certain pelagic fishes such as saury and herring, because the large quantities of monoenoic fatty acids are similar to those of saury, herring, and sprats whose lipids originate from their prey organisms such as zooplanktons which are rich in monoenoic wax esters.

[Clinical study of prulifloxacin on infectious enteritis. Japan Research Committee of Prulifloxacin, Research Group on Infectious Enteritis]

Prulifloxacin (PUFX), a new quinolone antimicrobial agent, was administered to a total of 122 patients and carriers to investigate its clinical efficacy, safety and usefulness in infectious enteritis (bacillary dysentery, enteritis caused by Salmonella spp. and enteropathogenic E. coli, cholera and so on). In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of UFX (active compound) was determined against each clinical isolate, and compared with that of ciprofloxacin (CPFX), ofloxacin (OFLX), tosufloxacin (TFLX) and nalidixic acid (NA). The correlation between the concentration of UFX in feces and the change of the fecal microflora were also investigated when PUFX was administered to the patients with acute infectious enteritis. A daily dose of 400 mg of PUFX was administered orally in two divided doses (morning and evening) for 5 days, with the exception of 7 days administration against salmonella enteritis and 3 days administration against cholera. 84 cases were adapted for evaluating the usefulness. The clinical efficacy was 100% in all the enteritis except salmonella enteritis, in which it was 88.9% (8/9 cases). On the bacteriological efficacy, the elimination rate was 100% in all isolates except Salmonella spp., in which it was 75.0% (12/16 cases). As for the adverse effect, uriticaria in moderate degree was observed in 1 (0.9%) of 109 cases. Abnormal changes in laboratory findings were seen in 3 (3.0%) of 100 cases, consisting of 1 with eosinophilia and 2 with elevated S-GPT, although they were all slight in degree. The usefulness rate was 65.5% (55/84 cases) for "very useful" and 95.2% (80/84 cases) for "very useful" and "useful". MIC90 of UFX against Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., E. coli and V. cholerae, was 0.025, 0.05, 0.025 and 0.05 microgram/ml, respectively. These values were the same as those of CPFX and TFLX, and superior to OFLX and NA. UFX concentrations in feces followed by administration of PUFX in 3 cases with acute infectious enteritis were higher than that of MIC90 of UFX against Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., E. coli and V. cholerae. The changes of the fecal microflora, which influence the efficacy and safety of PUFX, were not observed.

[An evaluation of the incidence of hyperparathyroidism after 131I treatment for Basedow disease (Part I)]

It is known that external radiation can act as a developing factor in hyperparathyroidism (HPT). To clarify whether or not 131I acts as a factor of developing HPT or not, levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone in the blood were studied in 2,954 cases of patients treated with 131I (RI group) and 530 cases treated with antithyroid drugs (ATD group). The calcium level was measured in all cases treated with 131I and/or antithyroid drugs. PTH-M (parathyroid hormone) was measured in 262 cases of the RI group and 29 cases of the ATD group which showed levels over 10 mg/dl of calcium. Fifty-eight cases (2.50%) in the RI group and three cases (1.19%) in the ATD group showed over 560 pg/ml PTH-M, which is the highest normal value. The increase in incidence of cases with over 560 pg/ml PTH-M in the RI group versus that of the ATD group is statistically significant. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the annual incidence when the follow-up period is taken into account, because the follow-up period differed between the two groups. The incidence of cases with 560 pg/ml of PTH-M was higher in the older patients than in the younger patients. These results suggest that 131I treatment for Basedow disease affects increase in the development of HPT after treatment and that the age factor is also important in the above fact.

[An evaluation of the incidence of hyperparathyroidism after 131I treatment for Basedow disease (Part II)]

The authors reported in a previous paper that 131I treatment for Basedow disease tends to increase in development of hyperparathyroidism (HPT) after therapy, from results showing that the measurement of levels of parathyroid hormone and calcium in the blood showed higher levels in the 131I-treated (RI) group than in the anti-thyroid drugs (ATD) group after therapy for Basedow disease. In the present work, the incidence of HPT was studied in patients with HPT that developed after treatment with 131I and/or ATD for Basedow disease at Ito Hospital. Fifteen of nineteen HPT patients had been treated with 131I and the other four had been treated with ATD. Basedow patients of the same age and sex with HPT and treated in the same year at Ito Hospital were selected as the control population for this study. The populations were 223 cases treated with 131I and 199 cases with ATD. The incidence of HPT in the RI and ATD groups was 6.7 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively. The incidence in the RI group was apparently higher than that in the ATD group. The average latent periods in the RI group and in the ATD group were 13.5 years and 4.1 years respectively. In the RI group 11 cases underwent follow-up periods of more than 10 years and 4 cases were followed up for less than 10 years. For the ATD group 3 of 4 HPT cases were followed up for less than 3 years. In the population the average follow-up periods for the RI group and the ATD group were 5.9 years and 5.3 years respectively. A relationship between radiation dose and development of HPT was demonstrated in these 15 cases of HPT. These findings suggest that 131I treatments for Basedow disease may result in development of hyperparathyroidism but the length of the follow-up period may also be an important factor in the incidence.

Schistosoma mansoni infestation: an imported case of a Japanese patient

A 25-year-old male Japanese who had resided in Ethiopia, presented to our department with eosinophilia, which had been present for about 1 year. Stool examination revealed eggs of Schistosoma mansoni containing miracidia with flame cell activity, and he was diagnosed as having an infestation with this organism. He was treated with praziquantel, and a good parasitological therapeutic result was obtained. Although schistosomiasis mansoni is unfamiliar to Japanese doctors because the infecting organisms are not indigenous to Japan, doctors should be aware of this disease when they encounter patients with eosinophilia who have visited or resided in tropical developing countries.

Significance of the therapeutic range of serum theophylline concentration in the treatment of an attack of bronchial asthma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the recommended theophylline therapeutic range in the treatment of acute airway obstruction. Twenty seven patients (20 to 64 years) with acute asthma attack were given aminophylline intravenously to obtain a theophylline concentration between 10 and 20 micrograms/ml. Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) and serum theophylline concentrations were measured before and after aminophylline injection. When a marked improvement was not seen after aminophylline injection, the treatment was followed by inhalation of a beta-agonist and intravenously administered hydrocortisone. In order to clarify the relationship between theophylline efficacy at a therapeutic level and PEFR, as measured before aminophylline administration, the patients were classified into four groups. Group A (n = 7): asthma attack persisted regardless of treatment with aminophylline, beta-agonist and hydrocortisone, group B (n = 7): asthma attack improved by aminophylline, beta-agonist and hydrocortisone, group C (n = 6): asthma attack improved by both aminophylline and beta-agonist, group D (n = 7): asthma attack improved by intravenous aminophylline alone. The means (+/- S.E.) PEFR before aminophylline administration were 94.3 +/- 11.31/min in group A, 114.3 +/- 10.01/min in group B, 196.7 +/- 22.21/min in group C, and 220.0 +/- 12.51/min in group D, respectively. There were significant differences in PEFR between the A and C, A and D, B and C, and B and D groups. These findings suggest that theophylline efficacy is not expected in patients with low PEFR (less than 2001/min) at the time of treatment of an attack, even if a therapeutic theophylline concentration was obtained.

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for lauroylated isoform of bovine transducin alpha-subunit: immunohistochemical analysis of bovine retinas

The photoreceptor G protein transducin [alpha- and beta gamma-subunits (T alpha/T beta gamma)] plays a central role in the visual transduction process. The amino-terminus of bovine T alpha is modified by one of four distinct fatty acids-laurate (C12:0), myristate (C14:0), C14:1 (5-cis), and C14:2 (5-cis, 8-cis)-but the biological significance and the localization of the four isoforms of T alpha are poorly understood. To investigate the cellular distribution of each isoform, we prepared monoclonal antibodies against a synthetic C12:0-, C14:0-, C14:1-, or C14:2-nonapeptide corresponding to the N-terminal region of T alpha. Among several types of antibodies isolated, only one type, represented by LA4, reacted specifically with the C12:0-peptide as well as purified T alpha but not with the other proteins in bovine retinal homogenate, including recoverin, indicating that the epitope comprises both C12:0 and the N-terminal amino acids of T alpha. Immunohistochemical analyses of bovine retinal sections by LA4 showed the uniform distribution of C12:0-T alpha in almost all the rod outer segments. Hence, it seemed unlikely that each isoform of T alpha was localized in specific cells. This observation, together with evidence for a possible functional diversity among the isoforms, suggests that the four isoforms of T alpha in a single rod cell may contribute simultaneously to a fine tuning of the photon-signal transduction process.

Cyclic AMP augments cytokine-stimulated nitric oxide synthesis in rat cardiac myocytes

We investigated the effect of adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Incubation of cardiac myocytes for 24 h with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) caused a significant increase in the production of nitrite, a stable metabolite of nitric oxide. Dibutyl cAMP (db-cAMP) significantly augmented nitrite production by IL-1 beta-stimulated, but not by unstimulated cells, in a dose-dependent manner. db-cAMP also dose dependently increased nitrite production by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha)-stimulated cells. Simultaneous incubation with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine completely inhibited the effect of db-cAMP on nitrite production. cAMP-induced nitrite production by cytokine-stimulated cells was accompanied by increased iNOS mRNA accumulation. The synergistic effect of cAMP on IL-1 beta-induced nitrite accumulation was mimicked by cAMP-generating agonists forskolin and isoproterenol. These results indicate that cAMP upregulates cytokine-induced iNOS expression in cardiac myocytes.

Establishment and characterization of transgenic mice expressing human platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha

The platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX/V is a hetero-oligomeric receptor complex for von Willebrand factor (vWF) and mediates platelet adhesion and aggregation under high shear stress conditions. It is composed of alpha and beta chain of GP Ib, GP IX, AND and GP V. To establish transgenic mice carrying human GP Ib alpha, we injected into mouse zygotes a 6 kb DNA fragment containing human GP Ib alpha gene that included entire coding sequence and putative promoter region. One hundred and thirteen offsprings were screened, and only one was found to express human GP Ib alpha protein and has passed the human GP Ib alpha gene as well as the expression of the gene to next generation. The expression of human GP Ib alpha in transgenic mice was limited to platelets and megakaryocytes. Glycocalicin, a proteolytic fragment of human GP Ib alpha found in normal human plasma, was not detected in transgenic mouse plasma. Human vWF in the presence of ristocetin supported agglutination of transgenic mouse platelets, but not of control mouse platelets.

Hemodynamic forces modulate the effects of cytokines on fibrinolytic activity of endothelial cells

We investigated the effects of hemodynamic force on fibrinolytic activity of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated by cytokines, using a modified cone-plate viscometer in which well-controlled and -defined shear forces were generated. Treatment of the cells with interleukin (IL)-beta or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) under static conditions had no effect on tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) secretion, while release of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) increased. When cells were exposed to increasing shear stress up to 24 dynes/cm2, levels of t-PA and t-PA/PAI-1 complex significantly increased relative to shear stress, while total PAI-1 and active PAI-1 secretion decreased gradually. In the presence of IL-1beta or TNFalpha, the increase in production of t-PA and the t-PA/PAI-1 complex was further augmented. Dot blot hybridization analysis of cultured cells in similar experimental conditions using t-PA and PAI-1 cDNA probes revealed no t-PA mRNA in 3 microg total RNA from static endothelial cells under resting or cytokine-stimulated conditions, but abundant t-PA mRNA was detected in cells subjected to a shear force of 18 dynes/cm2, and the increase was further augmented by addition of cytokines. In contrast, PAI-1 mRNA was detected in resting and cytokine-stimulated, nonsheared endothelial cells, but levels decreased after exposure to shear stress, even in the presence of cytokines. These results indicate a role for hemodynamic forces in regulating fibrinolytic activity with or without cytokine stimulation.

Stimulation of the activities of hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes by dietary fat rich in alpha-linolenic acid in rats

The activities of hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes in rats fed perilla oil rich in alpha-linolenic acid (alpha-18:3) were compared with those fed saturated fats or safflower oil (the mixture of safflower oil and olive oil, 94:8, w/w) containing the same amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids with perilla oil exclusively as linoleic acid (18:2). When the rats were fed the diets containing 15% coconut, safflower, and perilla oils for 1 week, the rate of mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA (16:0-CoA) in the liver homogenates was the highest in rats fed perilla oil. Among the rats fed the diets containing 15% palm, safflower, and perilla oils for 2 weeks, the rates of mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidations of 16:0-, 18:2-, and alpha-18:3-CoAs were the highest in rats fed perilla oil, and the rate of oxidation of alpha-18:3-CoA by both pathways was higher than those of other acyl-CoAs in all groups. Dietary perilla oil relative to palm and safflower oils significantly increased the activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, acyl-CoA oxidase, and 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase. The substrate specificity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase appeared to be responsible for differential rates of the mitochondrial oxidation of acyl-CoAs. The substrate specificity of acyl-CoA oxidase did not account for the preferential peroxisomal oxidation of alpha-18:3 relative to 18:2. The preferential mitochondrial and peroxisomal beta-oxidation of alpha-18:3-CoA relative to 16:0- and 18:2-CoAs was also confirmed in rats fed laboratory chow irrespective of the substrate/albumin ratios in the assay mixture. It was suggested that both substrate specificities and alterations in the activities of the enzymes in beta-oxidation pathway play a significant role in the regulation of the serum lipid concentrations in rats fed a diet rich in alpha-18:3.

Electrophysiological characterization of RACTK1 K+ channel in stable cell line

RACTK1 is a pH-sensitive K+ channel cloned from rabbit renal collecting tubule cells. To characterize the function of this K+ channel in more detail, RACTK1 was transfected to an established cell line and the patch-clamp study was performed. cDNA of RACTK1 was inserted in the pMAM vector and transfected to Chinese hamster ovary cells. In one of 36 cell lines, the channel protein as expressed by the dexamethasone-induced mRNA and was detected by the specific antibody. The RACTK1 K+ channel with 80 pS was consistently observed. In inside-out patch, Ca2+ at concentrations higher than 500 nM activated the channel. Open probability was decreased by protein kinase A (from 45 to 4.2%, n+6) but not by protein kinase C. Whole cell currents of the transformed cells represented K+ conductance that was not blocked by an addition of charybdotoxin but by apamin. RACTK1 K+ channel has similar, though not identical, characteristics to the Ca2+ -activated K+ channel. RACTK1 might therefore encode a subunit of the intermediate conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ channel observed in the apical membrane of the rabbit renal collecting duct.

Age-related decrease in responsiveness to L-DOPA is not due to changes in dopamine receptor mRNAs or G protein mRNAs

To clarify the cause of the age-related decrease in the responsiveness to L-DOPA seen in parkinsonian patients, we studied age-related changes in the mRNA levels of dopamine receptors (D1, D2) and of G proteins (Gs, Gi, Go) in 22 control human brains aged 50-105 years. Neither the mRNA levels of dopamine receptors or of the G proteins changed with age. Another factor in the receptor-G protein cascade, such as guanine nucleotide binding, may cause the age-related decrease in responsiveness.

Molecular characterization of RAPD and SCAR markers linked to the Tm-1 locus in tomato

We have cloned and sequenced six RAPD fragments tightly linked to the Tm-1 gene which confers tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) resistance in tomato. The terminal ten bases in each of these clones exactly matched the sequence of the primer for amplifying the corresponding RAPD marker, except for one in which the 5'-endmost two nucleotides were different from those of the primer. These RAPD clones did not cross-hybridize with each other, suggesting that they were derived from different loci. From Southern-hybridization experiments, five out of the six RAPD clones were estimated to be derived from middle- or high-repetitive sequences, but not from any parts of the ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA), which are known to be tightly linked with the Tm-1 locus. The remaining clone appeared to be derived from a DNA family consisting of a few copies. These six RAPD fragments were converted to sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers, each of which was detectable using a pair of primers having the same sequence as that at either end of the corresponding RAPD clone. All pairs of SCAR primers amplified distinct single bands whose sizes were the same as those of the RAPD clones. In four cases, the SCAR markers were present in the line with Tm-1 but absent in the line without it, as were the corresponding RAPD markers. In the two other cases, the products of the same size were amplified in both lines. When these SCAR products were digested with different restriction endonucleases which recognize 4-bp sequences, however, polymorphisms in fragment length were found between the two lines. These co-dominant markers are useful for differentiating heterozygotes from both types of homozygote.

Malaria--eight years of experience in a Tokyo metropolitan hospital

Malaria patients who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh General Hospital during the past 8 years are reviewed. Cases included 17 patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum (14 Japanese), 13 patients infected with P. vivax (9 Japanese), 3 patients infected with P. ovale (2 Japanese) and 1 Chinese patient with a mixed infection of P. falciparum and P. vivax. About 70% of Japanese patients infected with P. falciparum contracted the disease in Africa, about 90% P. vivax-infected Japanese patients contracted the disease in Asia and all P. ovale-infected patients contracted the disease in Africa. Only 13% of all (17% of Japanese) patients infected with P. falciparum who initially contracted doctors of other Japanese hospitals were correctly diagnosed, but 78% of all (67% of Japanese) patients infected with P. vivax who initially contacted doctors of other Japanese hospitals were correctly diagnosed. At present, malaria is not a rare disease in Tokyo among travelers to or from Africa or Asia.

Analysis of a germ line polymorphism of the p53 gene in lung cancer patients; discrete results with smoking history

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is often mutated in various human cancers and a common polymorphism is known at codon 72 of exon 4, with two alleles encoding either arginine (CGC) or proline (CCC). Association of this polymorphism with any human cancer susceptibility has yet to be clarified. We have conducted a case-control study in Japan on the distribution of the three genotypes with 191 lung cancer patients, 152 control patients with non-cancerous pulmonary diseases and 115 colorectal cancer patients. The genotypes were examined by PCR using DNA samples from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Frequency distributions of the three genotypes were quite comparable with each other among groups, with allelic frequencies of approximately 60% for arginine and 40% for proline. The genotypic frequencies in lung cancer patients, however, were largely different between smokers and non-smokers (chi 2 = 13.5, df = 2, P < 0.001). Compared with the control and colorectal cancer patients a significant difference in genotypic frequency was observed only in non-smoker lung cancers (chi 2 = 10.9, df = 2, P < 0.01), with an excess of Arg/Arg homozygotes and a deficit of Arg/Pro heterozygotes. Our present data suggest that the p53 polymorphism affects the risk of lung cancer unrelated to smoking.

A nested case-control study on alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and cancer

A nested case-control study was conducted to investigate the effect of alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking on cancers of various sites. The study population was based on 887 cases and 1774 controls, selected from a cohort of 17,200 male participants of a gastric mass survey in 1984, who were followed up for 9 years by the Chiba Cancer Registry, Japan. The odds ratio (OR) of colon cancer was significantly elevated in alcohol drinkers of one cup of sake-equivalent (27 ml ethanol) per day (OR = 3.5), and three cups of sake-equivalents per day (OR = 3.2) compared with nondrinkers, but its dose-response was not clear since two cups of sake-equivalents per day had an OR of 1.9, which was nonsignificant. Cancer risk elevation was especially predominant in the proximal colon, again showing no dose-response: OR = 30.7 for one cup of sake-equivalent per day, OR = 12.4 for two or more cups per day. Lung cancer showed a dose-response relationship with alcohol consumption, independent of tobacco smoking. A synergistic effect of alcohol intake and tobacco smoking was observed for upper aerodigestive tract and bladder cancer. Both alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking were found not to be associated with stomach cancer.

Effects of cisplatin on cell cycle kinetics, morphological change, and cleavage pattern of DNA in two human ovarian carcinoma cell lines

We evaluated the effects of cisplatin on the cell kinetics, cytomorphological changes, and cleavage patterns of DNA in two lines of human ovarian carcinoma cells. KF-1 cells displayed a cell cycle arrest in the G2M phase, while HMG cells displayed a transient cell accumulation in the S phase, without obvious G2M arrest. Morphological changes characterized by condensation and fragmentation of chromatin, and DNA cleavage by oligonucleosome-sized DNA fragments were observed in the HMG cells but not in the KF-1 cells. The pattern of cell death in HMG cells was considered to be apoptosis, but that of KF-1 cells necrosis. These findings showed the different mechanisms of anti-tumor effect of cisplatin on human ovarian carcinoma cell lines, including cell kinetics and pattern of cell death.

Molecular characterization of heterochromatic regions around the Tm-2 locus in chromosome 9 of tomato

The gene Tm-2 (tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) resistant), which is tightly linked to a morphological marker gene nv (netted virescent), resides in a heterochromatic region near the centromere of chromosome 9 in tomato. Tm-2 and Tm-2a are known to be allelic, and exhibit similar phenotypes to each other, but can be differentiated by their response to different ToMV strains. An inoculation experiment demonstrated that Tm-2 helped a mutant strain of ToMV to infect a heterozygous tomato (Tm-2/Tm-2a). Aiming at investigating the structures of DNA around these active genes and their influence on gene activities, we attempted to identify and characterize random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to these genes using nearly isogenic lines (NILs) of tomato. Genetic analysis using 13 RAPD markers linked to the Tm-2 locus and cytological analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated that the lines resistant to ToMV had a large block derived from a chromosome of Lycopersicon peruvianum. Among these markers, we estimated that two, OPE16(900) and OPN31(1000), are nearest to the Tm-2 locus. Out of the 13 markers six, distributed within about 0.7 centi-Morgan (cM), were cloned and sequenced to be converted to sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. Of these, four were successfully converted to SCAR markers. The six clones were also used as probes for Southern hybridization of genomic DNA from NILs to characterize structures around the Tm-2 locus. One clone was estimated to be derived from a sequence that was present in one copy. The other five clones appeared to be derived from different kinds of moderately or highly repetitive sequences.

Chronic levodopa therapy enhances dopa absorption: contribution to wearing-off

Effects of the chronic administration of levodopa on its peripheral pharmacokinetics and the contribution of the pharmacokinetics to the pathogenesis of the wearing-off phenomenon are re-evaluated. The concentration of plasma levodopa and clinical symptoms were determined 4 hours after oral levodopa (levodopa 100 mg + benserazide 25 mg) administration on 55 parkinsonian patients. Long-term levodopa therapy markedly increased the peak levodopa concentration (Cmax) and the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC); whereas, it decreased time to the peak concentration (Tmax) and the elimination half-life (T1/2). These results suggest that long-term levodopa therapy accelerates the absorption of levodopa. The wearing-off group (n = 23), however, had a markedly higher Cmax and AUC, and a shorter Tmax and T1/2 than the stable group (n = 32). We speculate that the clinical expression of "stable" or "wearing-off" depends on the absorption of levodopa as well as the presynaptic terminal and post synaptic receptors.

[Basic and clinical studies of pazufloxacin on infectious enteritis research group of T-3761 on infectious enteritis]

A clinical study was carried out on pazufloxacin (PZFX) in 137 patients including shigellosis, Salmonella enteritis, enteropathogenic Esherichia coli enteritis and cholera, and carriers of these pathogens. Antibacterial activity of PZFX against clinical isolates, fecal concentration of PZFX and effects of PZFX on fecal microflora were also investigated. The overall clinical efficacy rate was 97.2%. The bacteriological efficacy rates were 98.2% against Shigella spp., 81.8% against Salmonella spp., 50% against Vibrio cholerae O1, and 100% against E. coli, V. parahaemolyticus, Aeronomas spp., Plesionomas shigelloides and V. cholerae non-O1, respectively. Side effect (epigastralgia) was observed in 1 of 130 cases (0.8%). The rate of abnormal laboratory findings was 11.2% (11/98). These were mainly elevation of GOT and/or GPT and increased eosinophils. The clinical usefulness rate was 95.2%. The MIC90 values of PZFX against Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli were 0.025, 0.025 and 0.025 micrograms/ml, respectively. The results of fecal drug concentration and the effects on fecal microflora in one patient were compatible with those obtained in healthy volunteers.

VIP17/MAL, a proteolipid in apical transport vesicles

VIP17 is a proteolipid enriched in the CHAPS-insoluble complexes from MDCK cells, and a candidate component of the molecular machinery responsible for the sorting and targeting of proteins to the apical surface. Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding the protein revealed that it is the canine homolog of the human and rat MAL proteins. Analysis by immunofluorescence microscopy of epitope-tagged VIP17/MAL expressed transiently in BHK cells and stably in MDCK cells revealed a perinuclear, vesicular, and plasmalemmal staining. In MDCK cells the distribution was mainly in vesicular structures in the apical cytoplasm. These and other results suggest that VIP17/MAL is an important component in vesicular trafficking cycling between the Golgi complex and the apical plasma membrane.

VIP21/caveolin is a cholesterol-binding protein

VIP21/caveolin is localized to both caveolae and apical transport vesicles and presumably cycles between the cell surface and the Golgi complex. We have studied the lipid interactions of this protein by reconstituting Escherichia coli-expressed VIP21/caveolin into liposomes. Surprisingly, the protein reconstituted only with cholesterol-containing lipid mixtures. We demonstrated that the protein binds at least 1 mol of cholesterol per mole of protein and that this binding promotes formation of protein oligomers. These findings suggest that VIP21/caveolin, through its cholesterol-binding properties, serves a specific function in microdomain formation during membrane trafficking.