Antitumor effect of electrochemotherapy on colorectal carcinoma in an orthotopic mouse model

Electropermeabilization was shown to markedly increase the sensitivity of murine colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells to bleomycin (BLM), resulting in more than 2,500-fold higher susceptibility to BLM. Subsequent in vivo electrochemotherapy with BLM revealed profound antitumor effects on subcutaneous CRC tumors. Furthermore, when electrochemotherapy with BLM was employed for the treatment of orthotopic CRC tumors in mice, significantly prolonged survival priods were observed. These results indicate the feasibility of electrochemotherapy with BLM for the treatment of CRC and demonstrate that electrochemotherapy can be translated from the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors to the treatment of internal cancers including CRC.

Effects of Tyr-MIF-1 on stress-induced analgesia and the blockade of development of morphine tolerance by stress in mice

The role of Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2) in biological responses to stress exposure was examined in mice. Intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular administration of Tyr-MIF-1 attenuated not only footshock (FS)- and forced swimming (SW)-stress-induced analgesia (SIA) but also socio-psychological (PSY)-SIA that, when using the communication box, is produced without any direct physical nociceptions. Tyr-MIF-1 also disrupted the suppressive effect of concurrent exposure to FS- and PSY-stress on the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance. In elevated-plus-maze tests, mice treated with Tyr-MIF-1 tended to spend more time in the open arms compared with the control group, suggesting the anxiolytic properties of the peptide. Thus, the finding that Tyr-MIF-1 modulates these stress responses suggests that the peptide regulates an endogenous biological alert system responding to stress exposure, perhaps, counteracting the excessive response of the system. Furthermore, Tyr-MIF-1, in the case of PSY-stress, through the attenuation of emotional factors such as fear and anxiety, may suppress PSY-SIA and inhibition by PSY-stress of the development of morphine tolerance.

Structure-related inhibitory activity of oleanolic acid glycosides on gastric emptying in mice

We examined the effects of various oleanolic acid oligoglycosides obtained from traditional herbs on gastric emptying in non-nutrient meal- or nutrient meal-loaded mice. Test samples were given orally to fasted mice 0.5 h before loading of test meals. Oleanolic acid 3-O-monodesmosides [oleanolic acid 3-O-glucuronide (3, 12.5-50 mg/kg), momordin Ic (4, 25 and 50 mg/kg), momordin I (6, 12.5-50 mg/kg), and 28-O-deglucosyl-chikusetsusaponins IV (8, 12.5-50 mg/kg) and V (10, 50 mg/kg)] were found to show inhibitory effects on gastric emptying in 1.5% CMC-Na test meal-loaded mice. 4, 6, and 8 also inhibited gastric emptying in mice given 40% glucose test meal, milk test meal, and 60% ethanol test meal. 3 inhibited gastric emptying in mice given milk test meal or 60% ethanol test meal, but lacked significant inhibition in 40% glucose test meal-loaded mice. 10 (50 mg/kg) also slightly inhibited gastric emptying in milk test meal-loaded mice, but lacked the significant inhibition in mice given 40% glucose or 60% ethanol test meal. Whereas oleanolic acid 3,28-0-bisdesmosides [momordin IIc (5), chikusetsusaponins IV (7) and V (9)], oleanolic acid 28-O-monodesmoside [compound O (2)], and their common aglycon [oleanolic acid (1)] showed no such effects at dose of 50 mg/kg. 28-O-Deglucosyl-chikusetsusaponin V (10) showed a little inhibition in these experiments. These results indicate that both the 3-O-monodesmoside structure and 28-carboxyl group were confirmed to be essential for such activity, and the 28-ester glucoside moiety and 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside moiety reduce the activity.

Body composition analysis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and exercise performance in underweight patients with COPD

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of body composition on maximal exercise performance in patients with COPD.

METHODS

The study was carried out on 27 patients with COPD and was confirmed by pulmonary function testing. Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Exercise performance was conducted on a cycle ergometer and was measured as maximal work rate (WRmax) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LEAN), and fat mass (FAT) were assessed by DXA and were expressed as a percentage of ideal body weight, BMC, LEAN, and FAT.

RESULTS

LEAN% correlated significantly with VO2max (r = 0.66, p = 0.0002) and WRmax (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001). No significant correlation was found between FAT% and exercise performance. By stepwise regression analysis, variables significantly contributing to WRmax and VO2max were LEAN% and the maximal voluntary ventilation. Total variance explained in these models was 81% for WRmax aid 82% for VO2max.

CONCLUSION

Lean mass was an important determinant of maximal exercise performance in patients with COPD.

Small hepatocellular carcinoma: relationship of signal intensity to histopathologic findings and metal content of the tumor and surrounding hepatic parenchyma

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between the metal content of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the signal intensity pattern on magnetic resonance images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The signal intensity patterns of 59 HCCs 3 cm in diameter or smaller were correlated with histologic findings and metal content.

RESULTS

HCCs with high signal intensity on T1-weighted images demonstrated more steatosis (P = .035) and higher copper content (P = .008) than did surrounding hepatic parenchyma. HCCs with high signal intensity on T2-weighted images demonstrated more clear cells (P = .001) than did surrounding hepatic parenchyma. The higher signal intensities on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images were related to a higher and a lower degree of histologic differentiation, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the contrast-to-noise ratio between the HCC and surrounding hepatic parenchyma was affected by intratumoral copper content (P = .0338), zinc content of surrounding hepatic parenchyma (P = .0379), and the degree of histologic differentiation on T1-weighted (P = .0031) and T2-weighted (P = .0062) images.

CONCLUSION

The signal intensity of HCC on T1-weighted images is related to the degree of histologic differentiation, intratumoral copper content, and zinc content of surrounding hepatic parenchyma, whereas the signal intensity on T2-weighted images is related to the degree of histologic differentiation.

[Bioactive saponins and glycosides. XIII. Horse chestnut. (3): Quantitative analysis of escins Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb by means of high performance liquid chromatography]

As a part of our studies on the characterization of bioactive saponin constituents of horse chestnut trees, a quantitative method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed for four principle saponin constituents, such as escins Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb, isolated from the seeds of European horse chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Hippocastanaceae). As an application of this HPLC method, we examined the contents and compositions of these escins in the seeds of Japanese horse chestnut trees (A. turbinata BLUME) and in several commercial materials named as "beta-escin". Additionally, the distribution of escins in the Japanese horse chestnut trees was examined, and escins were found to be contained only in the seeds.

[A study of air pollution in the smoking hall]

We investigated the air pollution in the student smoking hall from February 1st in the winter season, and during 8 days in the middle of April in the spring season. The student smoking hall was in an open, draught location. Moreover, the concentration of pollutants were measured in three time periods: break, lecture and lunch times. The pollutants measured were nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The concentrations of pollutants measured during the break times were of a relatively higher level than those during the lecture and lunch times. However, the concentration of pollutants were not influenced by ventilation operation in the smoking hall, which is not a closed place. SPM and CO2 concentrations during the break time were instantaneously investigated above Building Sanitation Standards Management, Japan (SPM: 0.15 mg/m3, CO2: 1,000 ppm). Especially, the SPM concentration was recognized to be strongly influenced by tobacco smoke.

Enzymatic release of neocasomorphin and beta-casomorphin from bovine beta-casein

Conditions for the release of beta-casomorphin-7 from bovine beta-casein by gastrointestinal proteases in vitro were investigated. beta-Casomorphin-7 was released only from a genetic variant of beta-casein containing a His residue at the 67th position of the peptide chain. Elastase cleaved the peptide bond between Ile66 and His67, releasing the carboxyl terminus of beta-casomorphin-7. Pepsin and leucine aminopeptidase were required to release the amino terminus of this peptide. beta-Casomorphin-9, -13, and -21 also were isolated, and their opioid activities were measured. In this study, we also isolated a novel opioid peptide neocasomorphin-6 (Tyr-Pro-Val-Glu-Pro-Phe), which was released by action of trypsin or pepsin and chymotrypsin.

Acute hepatic failure due to hepatosplenic B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient infected with hepatitis C virus

We report a 75-year-old Japanese man infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who died of acute hepatic failure due to the hepatic infiltration of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cells. He suddenly developed jaundice, fatigue, fever, and hepatosplenomegaly during the course of chronic infection with HCV. Postmortem liver necropsy revealed extensive infiltration of lymphoma cells into the liver. Although the association between HCV infection and NHL has recently become a matter of concern, we believe this to be the first reported case of acute hepatic failure caused by hepatic involvement of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in an HCV-infected patient.

Studies on Alismatis Rhizoma. II. Anti-complementary activities of methanol extract and terpene components from Alismatis Rhizoma (dried rhizome of Alisma orientale)

A methanol extract (TMe-ext) from the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale was screened for anti-complementary activity in experimental models. In the animal models, it was found that TMe-ext inhibits zymosan-induced hind paw edema in rats and zymosan-activated rat serum (ZAS)-induced vascular permeability in mice. TMe-ext showed an inhibitory effect on complement-induced hemolysis through both the classical pathway and the alternative pathway. And TMe-ext inhibited hypotonic shock-induced hemolysis, but this effect was weak compared with the anti-complementary activities of TMe-ext. Four triterpenes (alisol A, alisol A monoacetate, alisol B and alisol B monoacetate) isolated from the rhizome also inhibited the complement-induced hemolysis through the classical pathway, but two sesquiterpenes (alismol and alismoxide) were ineffective. These results indicate that Alismatis Rhizoma shows anti-complementary activity, and its anti-complementary components are partially attributable to the terpene components mentioned above.

Structures of new acylated oleanene-type triterpene oligoglycosides, theasaponins E1 and E2, from the seeds of tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze

Two new acylated oleanene-type triterpene oligoglycosides, theasaponins E1 and E2, were isolated from the seeds of tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]. The structures of theasaponins E1 and E2 were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence to be expressed as 21-O-angeloyl-22-O-acetyltheasapogenol E 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2])[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L - arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid and 21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetyltheasapogenol E 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid, respectively. Theasaponin E1 was found to show antisweet activity.

[Diagnosis of mycobacterial disease by biochemical and immunological parameters]

A definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis requires the recovery of M. tuberculosis organisms from a patient's secretions, body fluids, or tissues. However, the detection rate of M. tuberculosis is not high in tuberculous pleural effusions. Several studies demonstrated that adenosine deaminase (ADA) level in pleural effusion above 50 IU/L was strongly associated with tuberculosis. ADA has been found to be elevated in serum and several body fluids that are infected by M. tuberculosis. Recently, the simultaneous skin tests of PPDs (M. tuberculosis), PPD-B (M. intracellulare), PPD-Y (M. kansasii) and PPD-F (M. fortuitum), have been reported to be useful in diagnosing mycobacteriosis in the early stage of the disease. Although serodiagnosis of tuberculosis has long been the subject of investigation, no serodiagnostic approach is currently of widespread and clinical utility. At the present time, several serodiagnostic test using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of IgG antibody to some protein (38-kDa, 30-kDa, 16-kDa and so on) and nonprotein (lipoarabinomannan and cord factor) antigens. Despite an explosion in the techniques of rapid identification of mycobacteria by molecular genetic means, the relative simplicity and low cost of serodiagnosis remain attractive.

Protective effects of oleanolic acid oligoglycosides on ethanol- or indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats

We examined the effects of various oleanolic acid oligoglycosides obtained from traditional herbs on ethanol- or indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats and on gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. Test samples were given orally to fasted rats 1 h before absolute ethanol (1.5 ml/rat, p.o.) or indomethacin (30 mg/kg, s.c.) treatment, or ligation of the pylorus. Oleanolic acid 3-O-monodesmosides [oleanolic acid 3-O-glucuronide (1, 20-50 mg/kg), momordin Ic (2, 5-50 mg/kg), and 28-O-deglucosyl-chikusetsusaponins IV (5, 10-50 mg/kg) and V (7, 10-50 mg/kg)] were found to show protective effects on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, whereas oleanolic acid 3,28-O-bisdesmosides [momordin IIc (3), chikusetsusaponins IV (4) and V (6)], oleanolic acid 28-O-monodesmoside [compound O (8)], and their common aglycon [oleanolic acid (9)] showed no such effects. Oleanolic acid 3-O-monodesmosides (1, 2, and 5) also showed protective effects on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions. 28-O-Deglucosyl-chikusetsusaponin V (7) did not inhibit the indomethacin-induced lesions, while chikusetsusaponins V (6, 50 mg/kg) had the gastroprotective effect. These active saponins (1, 2, 4-7, 10-50 mg/kg) did not decrease the gastric secretion by oral administration in pylorus-ligated rats.

Hepatoprotective, superoxide scavenging, and antioxidative activities of aromatic constituents from the bark of Betula platyphylla var. japonica

The 50% aqueous methanolic extract from the bark of Betula platyphylla SUKATCHEV var. japonica (MIQ). HARA was found to show potent inhibitory activity on the liver-injury induced by CCl4 or D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide as well as O2- scavenging and antioxidative activities. From the 50% aqueous methanolic extract, two new diarylheptanoids named betulaplatosides Ia (1) and Ib (2) and a new arylbutanoid named betulaplatoside II (3) were isolated together with seventeen known aromatic constituents. 1, 2, and two known diarylheptanoids [(5S)-5-hydroxy-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-heptanone 5-O-beta-D-apiofurano-syl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6) and aceroside VIII (7)] showed protective activity against D-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, several aromatic constituents exhibited potent O2- scavenging and antioxidative activities.

Antiproliferative effect of calcitriol on human prostatic cancer cell lines: unrelated to the expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)

BACKGROUND

In addition to its role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; 1,25-D3) demonstrates multiple effects on cell proliferation/differentiation by expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). It has recently been reported that 1,25-D3 inhibits the growth of prostatic cancer (PCa) cells. In this study we examined the effect of 1,25-D3 on both the growth and expression of HLA-ABC, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 antigens in PCa cells.

METHODS

Four human PCa cell lines (PC-3, PPC-1, ALVA-41 and ALVA-101) were examined. The cell numbers were enumerated, and the effects of interferon-y (IFN-gamma) and 1,25-D3 on the expression of HLA-ABC, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 were quantitated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

A dose-dependent antiproliferative effect of 1,25-D3 was found in all PCa cells lines except ALVA-41.1,25-D3 was approximately 10 times as potent as its analogue 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in inhibiting the growth of PC-3 cells. Also, the relative inhibitory ability of these compounds paralleled the strength of their binding affinities for the 1,25-D3 receptor, indicating that the antiproliferative effect may require a receptor-ligand interaction. HLA-ABC was expressed in PC-3, ALVA-41 and ALVA-101, but not in PPC-1 cells, while HLA-DR was not expressed on any of the tested cells. IFN-gammacould enhance or induce HLA-ABC but not HLA-DR expression in the tested cells. ICAM-1 was expressed in all cells and slightly upregulated by IFN-gamma.

CONCLUSION

In this study 1,25-D3 had an antiproliferative effect on 3 of the 4 examined PCa cell lines.

Bioactive saponins and glycosides. XII. Horse chestnut. (2): Structures of escins IIIb, IV, V, and VI and isoescins Ia, Ib, and V, acylated polyhydroxyoleanene triterpene oligoglycosides, from the seeds of horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Hippocastanaceae)

New acylated polyhydroxyoleanene triterpene oligoglycosides, escins IIIb, IV, V, and VI and isoescins Ia, Ib, and V, were isolated from the seeds of horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum L.). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.

Usefulness of the hydrogen--deuterium exchange method in the study of drug metabolism using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The usefulness of the hydrogen-deuterium (H-D) exchange method in the study of drug metabolism was investigated. Metabolite samples of denopamine and promethazine prepared in vitro were introduced to a triple stage quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer via a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system using a deuterated mobile phase. Mass spectra by various ionization modes and collisionally induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra were obtained. A metabolite of denopamine was observed to have a shift of 7 mass units by the H-D exchange method, and this shift proved to be a glucuronidated metabolite. Discrimination between N- or S-oxide formation and hydroxylation observed in the metabolism of promethazine was also easily accomplished by this method. In this manner, the structures of the metabolites were elucidated unequivocally by determining the number of labile hydrogen atoms by the use of the H-D exchange method, since various reactions in drug metabolism are accompanied by an increase or a decrease in the number of labile hydrogen atoms. Additional information on the structures was obtained by analysis of the CID spectra of the molecular ion species. Thus, the combination of the H-D exchange method and tandem mass spectrometry was found to be very useful for the study of drug metabolism.

Studies on Kochiae Fructus. V. Antipruritic effects of oleanolic acid glycosides and the structure-requirement

We examined the antipruritic effects of various oleanolic acid glycosides from natural medicines such as Kochiae Fructus (the fruit of Kochia scoparia SCHRAD.) and Momordicae Radix (the roots of Momordica cochinchinensis SPRENG.) using a compound 48/80-induced pruritic model in mice. Oleanolic acid 3-O-monodesmosides showed an antipruritic effect, while oleanolic acid 3,28-O-bisdesmosides and their common sapogenol oleanolic acid lacked the activity. This evidence indicated that the 3-O-glycoside moiety and the 28-carboxyl group in oleanolic acid glycosides were essential for exhibiting the antipruritic effect. Furthermore, it was found that the 3-O-glucuronides showed more potent activity than the corresponding 3-O-glucosides.

Gene expression of alpha1-6 fucosyltransferase in human hepatoma tissues: a possible implication for increased fucosylation of alpha-fetoprotein

The 1-6 fucosylated -fetoprotein (AFP) present in serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been employed for the differential clinical diagnosis of HCC from chronic liver diseases. The molecular mechanism by which this alteration occurs, however, remains largely unknown. To address this issue, we purified GDP-L-Fuc:N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide 1-6 fucosyltransferase (1-6 FucT), an enzyme involved in the 1-6 fucosylation of N-glycans from porcine brain, as well as from a human gastric cancer cell line, and cloned their genes. In this study, levels of 1-6 FucT mRNA expression and the activity of this enzyme for 12 human HCC tissues were examined and compared with that in surrounding tissues and normal livers. The mean +/- SD for 1-6 FucT activity was 78 +/- 41 pmol/h/mg in normal control liver, 202 +/- 127 pmol/h/mg in adjacent uninvolved liver tissues (chronic hepatitis: 181 +/- 106 pmol/h/mg; liver cirrhosis: 233 +/- 164 pmol/h/mg), and 195 +/- 72 pmol/h/mg in HCC tissues. The mRNA expression of 1-6 FucT was also enhanced in proportion to enzymatic activity except for a few cases, suggesting that 1-6 FucT expression is increased in chronic liver diseases, especially liver cirrhosis. Transfection of 1-6 FucT gene into cultured rat hepatocytes markedly increased 1-6 FucT activity and led to an increase in lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) binding proteins in both cell lysates and condition media. When the 1-6 FucT gene was transfected into a human HCC cell line, Hep3B, which originally showed low levels of 1-6 FucT expression, 1-6-fucosylated AFP was dramatically increased in the condition media. Collectively, these results suggest that the enhancement of 1-6 FucT expression increased the fucosylation of several proteins, including AFP, and that the level of 1-6-fucosylated AFP in patients with HCC was in part caused by up-regulation of the 1-6 FucT gene expression.