Synthesis and biological evaluation of analogs of the marine toxin polycavernoside A

Second generation analogs of polycavemoside A (2) possessing a side chain at C-15 different from that of the natural toxin have been synthesized. The in vivo toxicities of these new compounds (expressed as the minimal lethal dose) have been evaluated in mice (ip) and compared to 2, its aglycone (8), and polycavemoside B (9). The bioactivity profile of enynene 5 is particularly notable.

Inverted T graft: novel technique using composite radial and internal thoracic arteries

BACKGROUND

Multiple arterial revascularization is feasible because of the excellent long-term patency of the arterial grafts compared with venous grafts. We present a new operative technique for multiple arterial revascularization using composite radial and internal thoracic arterial grafts.

METHODS

Between January and September 1997, 12 patients had coronary artery bypass grafting with inverted T graft. The indications for inverted T graft were aortic calcification in 4 patients, repeat coronary artery bypass grafting in 1 patient, and total arterial revascularization in 7 young patients. The inverted T graft was constructed by interconnecting the coronary arteries and radial artery with end-to-side and side-to-side anastomoses, and by anastomosing the internal thoracic artery to the side of radial artery.

RESULTS

Overall, 38 distal anastomoses (average number per patient, 3.2) were made with an inverted T graft. There were no deaths or perioperative myocardial infarctions. Postoperative angiography disclosed that all of the anastomoses were patent.

CONCLUSION

This technique allows multiple arterial revascularizations without technical difficulty. It is useful in patients with aortic calcification, repeat coronary artery bypass grafting patients, and young patients who are candidates for total arterial revascularization.

Thrombomodulin levels in patients with coronary artery disease

We investigated the association between the serum level of thrombomodulin and known coronary risk factors in 119 men who underwent coronary angiography. Total cholesterol level was significantly higher in patients with coronary atherosclerosis than in those without. Significantly higher frequency of hypertension was noted in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. Uric acid level and frequency of smoking tended to be higher in patients with coronary atherosclerosis but the differences were short short of the significant level. The serum level of thrombomodulin between patients with coronary atherosclerosis and those without was not statistically significant. Age, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were positively correlated and creatinine clearance was inversely correlated with the serum level of thrombomodulin. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid, and fasting blood sugar, plasma level of fibrinogen, and body mass index were not related to the serum level of thrombomodulin. There was no significant correlation between the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension, alcohol use, or smoking and the serum level of thrombomodulin. Restenosis was present in 8 of 16 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and had a follow-up angiogram at 6.0 +/- 3.0 months. Univariate analysis revealed no significant difference in the thrombomodulin level with and without restenosis. The present findings suggest that elevated thrombomodulin levels in patients with coronary artery disease may reflect retention of thrombomodulin due to decrease in thrombomodulin clearance in the kidney.

Vasoconstriction induced by zooxanthellatoxin-B, a polyoxygenated long-chain product from a marine alga

We found that zooxanthellatoxin-B from a symbiotic marine alga, Symbiodinium sp., caused a concentration-dependent contraction of the rabbit isolated aorta at concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-5) M. Verapamil (10(-6) M) and mefenamic acid (10(-5) M) significantly attenuated the contractile response to zooxanthellatoxin-B at lower concentrations (10(-7)-10(-6) M) but not at higher concentrations (3 X 10(-6)-10(-5) M). The response to zooxanthellatoxin-B was partly inhibited by phentolamine (10(-6) M), whereas it was potentiated by ouabain (10(-5) M). Tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M), methysergide (10(-6) M), chlorpheniramine (10(-6) M) or indomethacin (3 X 10(-6) M), however, did not affect it. The zooxanthellatoxin-B-induced contraction was abolished by incubation in Ca2+-free solution. The contractile response increased in a concentration-dependent fashion with Ca2+ (0.03 and 10 mM) or Sr2 + (0.10 and 10 mM). After treatment with verapamil (10(-6) or 5 X 10(-6) M), the concentration-contractile response curves for Ca2+ and Sr2+ in the presence of zooxanthellatoxin-B were shifted to the right in parallel. MgCl2 (10 mM) shifted the concentration-response curve for Ca2+ more markedly than did verapamil. Zooxanthellatoxin-B increased tissue Na+ and reduced tissue K+ contents in the aorta, suggesting that zooxanthellatoxin-B increases Na+ and K+ permeability across the plasma membrane. These results suggest that the zooxanthellatoxin-B-induced contraction of the aorta is caused mainly by a direct action on smooth muscle, i.e., an increase in Ca2+ permeability that occurs at least partly through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels as well as through nonselective cation channels in the cell membrane of smooth muscle.

Evaluation of five imidazopyrazinone-type chemiluminescent superoxide probes and their application to the measurement of superoxide anion generated by Listeria monocytogenes

Superoxide-triggered chemiluminescence of five new imidazopyrazinone derivatives was investigated using the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system as the source of superoxide anion. The results showed that they are highly sensitive and have favorable properties in measuring superoxide anion. With those new probes, the generation of superoxide anion from the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes was examined. The results confirmed the previous report that L. monocytogenes is an unusual organism that extracellularly and continuously generates a high level of superoxide anion in the presence of acetaldehyde. The data indicated that two of the probes, 3,7-dihydro-2-methyl-6-phenylethynylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3- one (4) and its methoxy derivative (5), are highly sensitive and useful in the measurements of superoxide anion and are clearly superior to 3,7-dihydro-2-methyl-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-on e (MCLA), which-has been generally considered the most sensitive superoxide probe in the past. When tested at a probe concentration of 3.3 microM, the luminescence response and the signal-background ratio of compound 4 were 1.5 and 2.5 times those of MCLA, respectively, and the signal-background ratio of compound 5 was almost 15 times that of MCLA, though the luminescence response of this compound was slightly lower than that of MCLA. The low probe concentration used enhances the usefulness of probes in the measurements of superoxide in functioning biological systems.

Involvement of phospholipase C-gamma2 in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phospholipase A2 by zooxanthellatoxin-A in rabbit platelets

Zooxanthellatoxin-A (ZT-A), a polyhydroxypolyene isolated from a symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium sp., caused thromboxane A2-(TXA2) dependent and genistein-sensitive aggregation in rabbit platelets. Our study was performed to clarify the mechanism of the action of ZT-A. ZT-A caused an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of 42-kDa protein, which is defined as p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by immunoprecipitation. Although indomethacin (10 microM) completely inhibited ZT-A-induced TXB2 release, it partially inhibited the MAPK activation. The remained MAPK activation was completely inhibited by genistein (50 microM). Genistein (50 microM), by itself, abolished TXB2 release induced by ZT-A. ZT-A (2 microM) stimulated liberation of arachidonic acid and the subsequent metabolites such as TXB2 and 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid. However, ZT-A-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis which was due to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-(PLC)gamma2. The phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 and the phosphoinositide hydrolysis were also partially inhibited by indomethacin (10 microM), and were abolished by a combined treatment of indomethacin (10 microM) and genistein (50 microM). ZT-A- (2 microM) induced MAPK activation in the presence of indomethacin (10 microM) was concentration-dependently inhibited by staurosporine and calphostin C, protein kinase C inhibitors. PD98059 (50 microM), a MAPK kinase inhibitor, also inhibited ZT-A-induced TXB2 release. Depletion of external Ca++ abolished ZT-A- (2 microM) induced MAPK activation, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, arachidonic acid liberation and TXB2 release. These results suggest that ZT-A stimulates a protein tyrosine kinase in the presence of external Ca++, resulting in the activation of MAPK probably via PLC-gamma2 and protein kinase C. The MAPK stimulated a liberation of arachidonic acid that is rapidly converted to TXA2. The released TXA2 causes aggregation accompanied with second stimulation of MAPK cascade.

Tyrphostin 23 blocks phosphorylation of p42 but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by zooxanthellatoxin-A

Zooxanthellatoxin-A isolated from a symbiotic dinoflagellate, caused aggregation in rabbit platelets that was inhibited by genistein (50 microM) and tyrphostin 23 (500 microM). Zooxanthellatoxin-A increased tyrosine phosphorylation of 42-kDa proteins which were identified as p42 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by immunoprecipitation. Tyrphostin 23 inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of p42 MAPK but not p38 MAPK. In contrast, genistein abolished zooxanthellatoxin-A-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of both p42 and p38 MAPK. The results suggest that tyrphostin 23 selectively inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of p42 MAPK. The p38 MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation is not involved in zooxanthellatoxin-A-induced platelet aggregation.

[A study about the mechanism of hepatocyte injury induced by endotoxin--interaction of Kupffer cells and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs)]

Focusing our attention on the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) produced by Kupffer cells (KCs). The role of KCs and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in endotoxin (LPS)-induced hepatocellular injury was investigated. This study used the culture fluid supernatant of KCs which had been stimulated with LPS as the "LPS stimulation supernatant", and evaluated hepatocellular injury as ornithine carbamyl transferase percent leakage. There was no difference between groups I (HCs: hepatocytes) and II (HCs + PMNs), but there were differences between groups I and III (HCs + LPS stimulation supernatant, groups II and IV (HCs + LPS stimulation supernatant + PMNs), and III and IV. There was no significant difference between III and V (III + anti-TNF antibody), but a difference was found between IV and VI (IV + anti-TNF antibody). These findings suggest that PMNs activated by KCs-generated TNF as well as KCs-derived humoral factors other than TNF play a role in the development of LPS-induced hepatocellular injury.

Prostaglandin E2 derivative, enprostil, reduces hepatic triacylglycerol content in Japanese quail

This study investigated the effect of prostaglandin E2 derivative, enprostil, on the hepatic lipid metabolism of Japanese quail. In experiment 1, the birds received 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 micrograms enprostil/kg body weight intraperitoneally, and they were killed after 10, 30, 60 and 120 min. After 60 min, hepatic triacylglycerol content was reduced most effectively by 10 micrograms enprostil/kg body weight. In experiment 2, effect of enprostil (10 micrograms/kg body weight) on liver enzyme activities associated with lipid metabolism and plasma lipid concentrations was examined. There were no significant differences in malic enzyme and carnitine palmitoyltransferase activities. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation in birds which received enprostil was significantly lower than that in birds receiving the vehicle. Enprostil caused a significant decrease in plasma triacylglycerol and non-esterified fatty acid concentration. We conclude that the administration of enprostil reduces hepatic triacylglycerol content through the decreased influx of non-esterified fatty acid.

Aspirin promotes hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation in essential fatty acid-deficient Japanese quail

This study was conducted to investigate whether the effect of a high dose of aspirin on hepatic triacylglycerol content is altered by dietary essential fatty acids (EFA) in Japanese quail. The birds were given an EFA-free or EFA-adequate [containing 2% (w/w) linoleic acid] diet ad libitum from 7 to 24 days of age. On the final experimental day, the birds received vehicle or 800 mg aspirin/kg body weight intraperitoneally and were killed 4 h subsequently. In birds fed the EFA-free diet, hepatic triacylglycerol content was more than 2 times higher after aspirin compared with vehicle treatment; in contrast, aspirin had no affect in birds fed the EFA-adequate diet. Liver malic enzyme and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities, which are related to lipid synthesis, were not affected by dietary EFA or aspirin treatment. Liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity in the birds fed the EFA-free diet was significantly lower than that in the birds fed the EFA-adequate diet, but aspirin did not affect this activity. In groups given the EFA-free diet, peroxisomal beta-oxidation was increased by the aspirin treatment. We conclude that acute administration of aspirin to Japanese quail on an EFA-free diet induces hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation, and that changes in lipid synthesis and degradation do not contribute to this phenomenon.

Involvement of (n-6) essential fatty acids and prostaglandins in liver lipid accumulation in Japanese quail

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the involvement of (n-6) essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid [18:2(n-6)] or gamma-linolenic acid [18:3(n-6)], and of prostaglandins on liver lipid accumulation in Japanese quail.

DESIGN

Effects of graded amounts of aspirin, which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, on liver weight were determined in experiment 1. Experiment 2 was designed to clarify the effect of dietary essential fatty acid sources and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis on the liver fat and fatty acid profile.

ANIMALS

Female Japanese quail.

PROCEDURE

In experiment 1, from 1 to 3 weeks of age, birds were fed ad libitum the essential fatty acids-free or linoleic acid-adequate (2%) diets with graded amounts of aspirin (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4%). In experiment 2, from 1 to 4 weeks of age, birds were fed the same amount of essential fatty acids-free, linoleic acid-adequate, or gamma-linolenic acid (0.4%) diets with (0.2%) or without aspirin.

RESULTS

In experiment 1, in groups given the essential fatty acids-free diet, liver weight increased with an increase in dietary aspirin concentration. In experiment 2, gamma-linolenic acid completely prevented liver triacylglycerol and cholesterol accumulation induced by the essential fatty acids-free diet. Aspirin treatment significantly lowered plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha concentration, but did not affect liver lipid concentrations. In groups fed the essential fatty acids-free diets, however, aspirin treatment increased liver weight and liver triacylglycerol concentration by 20 and 40%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

gamma-Linolenic acid or its metabolites, but not linoleic acid itself, are important factors in reducing fatty liver in Japanese quail with the essential fatty acids-deficient condition.

Role of dietary gamma-linolenic acid in liver lipid metabolism in Japanese quail

1. The importance of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) itself and of dietary gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6) as essential fatty acids (EFA) in Japanese quail were investigated with regard to liver lipid metabolism. Experimental diets were made by adding of 0, 2 or 4 g gamma-linolenic acid/kg, or 20 g linoleic acid/kg to an n-6 EFA-free diet. From 3 to 6 weeks of age, birds were fed equal amounts of experimental diets. 2. Liver weight and lipid content in birds fed the 2 and 4 g gamma-linolenic acid/kg diet were significantly lower than those in birds fed the gamma-linolenic acid-free diet. However, no significant difference was observed between the gamma-linolenic acid- and linoleic acid-supplemented diets. 3. In birds fed the 4 g gamma-linolenic acid/kg diet, the proportion of arachidonic acid in the liver lipid was similar to that in quail fed the 20 g linoleic acid/kg diet, implying a conversion rate from linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid of approximately 20% of whole body content. 4. It is concluded that linoleic acid itself is not essential for Japanese quail and that at least 2 g/kg of gamma-linolenic acid in the diet completely prevents liver enlargement accompanied by lipid accumulation.

The sugar composition and partial structure of the self-induced endogenous elicitor from potato

The self-induced endogenous elicitor isolated from potato having molecular weight 9200 was degraded with trifluoroacetic acid to determine the sugar composition. The requisite composition of the elicitor was estimated to be a 2:3:4:7 mixture of galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid. Furthermore, the structure of oligogalacturonic acid moiety was found to consist mainly of alpha-1,4-pentagalacturonic acid by use of high pH anion exchange chromatography-pulsed amperometric detection.

Cholestyramine alters the lipid and energy metabolism of chicks fed dietary medium- or long-chain triacylglycerol

The effects of cholestyramine, a bile acid binding polymer, on the lipid and energy metabolism of chicks given dietary medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) or long-chain triacylglycerol (LCT) were investigated. Chicks (from 8 to 17 days of age) were fed diets containing MCT or LCT at 200 g oil/kg diet with or without 2% cholestyramine under equalized feeding conditions. An adjusted LCT diet was formulated in order to supply another group with daily nutrients and dietary metabolizable energy (ME) equal to MCT groups, except for corn starch. ME intakes of chicks given MCT or LCT diets were reduced by cholestyramine; consequently, fat and energy retention was reduced, though the reduction was more drastic in chicks fed LCT. This was caused by a change in amounts of the fecal excretion of fat and bile acids. Cholestyramine enhanced the excretion of octanoic acid (8:0) in the feces, which suggests that bile acids are needed for 8:0 absorption. Cholestyramine affects the utilization of dietary MCT and LCT by lowering fat and energy retention in chicks. However, the effect of cholestyramine on MCT utilization was smaller than its effect on utilization of LCT.

Activation of rabbit platelets by Ca2+ influx and thromboxane A2 release in an external Ca(2+)-dependent manner by zooxanthellatoxin-A, a novel polyol

1. Zooxanthellatoxin-A (ZT-A), a novel polyhydroxylated long chain compound, isolated from a symbiotic marine alga Simbiodinium sp., caused aggregation in rabbit washed platelets in a concentration-dependent manner (1-4 microM), accompanied by an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). 2. ZT-A did not cause platelet aggregation or increase [Ca2+]i in a Ca(2+)-free solution, and Cd2+ (0.1-1 mM), Co2+ (1-10 mM) and Mn2+ (1-10 mM) inhibited ZT-A-induced aggregation. SK&F96365 (1-100 microM), a receptor operated Ca2+ channel antagonist, and mefenamic acid (0.1-10 microM), a non-specific divalent cation channel antagonist, inhibited platelet aggregation and the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ZT-A. 3. Indomethacin (0.1-10 microM), a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, and SQ-29548 (0.1-10 microM), a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist, inhibited platelet aggregation and the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ZT-A. 4. Methysergide (0.01-1 microM), a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, inhibited ZT-A-induced platelet aggregation but did not affect the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ZT-A. 5. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM), a Na+ channel blocker and chlorpheniramine (1 microM), a H1-histamine receptor antagonist, neither affected ZT-A-induced platelet aggregation nor the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ZT-A. 6. Genistein (1-100 microM), a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and staurosporine (0.01-1 microM), a protein kinase C inhibitor, also inhibited ZT-A-induced platelet aggregation. 7. The present results suggest that ZT-A elicits Ca(2+)-influx from platelet plasma membranes. The resulting increase in [Ca2+]i subsequently stimulates the secondary release of TXA2 from platelets. Furthermore, the response to ZT-A may be associated with tyrosine phosphorylation.

Aspirin toxicity in chicks given diets deficient in linoleic acid

The toxicity of dietary aspirin on growth rate and lipid metabolism was investigated under linoleic acid (LA; 18: 2n-6) deficient conditions. One-week-old chicks were given diets containing 0 or 2% LA with or without 0.4% aspirin, until 4 weeks of age. Growth was severely depressed by dietary aspirin when chicks were given the LA-free diet. The liver was enlarged by both the aspirin and LA deficiency. The aspirin treatment induced a significant increase of 18:0 and arachidonic acid (20: 4n-6) and a decrease of 18: 1n-9 in the liver. In chicks fed LA-free diets, the ratio of 20:3n-9/20: 4n-6, which was used as an indicator of LA deficiency, was suppressed by aspirin treatment. In conclusion, the present results suggest that aspirin toxicity is altered by dietary LA concentrations.

Interactions between medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols in lipid and energy metabolism in growing chicks

The combined effects of dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) and long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) on lipid and energy utilization in chicks were investigated. Corn oil was used as the LCT source, and trioctanoin (8:0) was used as the MCT source. The efficiency of dietary energy utilization (such as metabolizable energy values and fat and energy retention) decreased linearly as the level of MCT increased, but the efficiency of dietary protein utilization (protein retained per protein consumed) was not affected in a consistent manner. Fecal saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid composition was dependent on the dietary fatty acid composition, whereas fecal linoleic acid content was not. It is concluded that dietary MCT and LCT influence each other to some degree, with respect to protein and lipid metabolism in chicks. Moreover, in most cases, the nutritional characteristics of each triacylglycerol, including food efficiency and fat and energy retention, are independent of each other in growing chicks.

[The significance of repeated users of geriatric health care facility]

Our geriatric health care facility was established 3 years ago. The real number of users since April 1989 to March 1991 amounts to 519, of which 62 have been admitted 3 times or more (defined as repeated here). At the same time, this facility has a day care activity 6 times a week. The utilization rate of day care activity was 14.8% for total users, while it was 59.7% for repeaters. These results indicate that repeaters actively utilize day care activity as well as geriatric health care facility. In other words, repeaters usually reside at home and their home cares are greatly supported by both repeated admissions to the facility and daily utilization of day care activity which are effective in improving ADL of the disabled elderly. It is concluded that geriatric health care facility plays an important part in supporting home care of the disabled elderly as well as transitional step from hospital to their own home.

Isolation of zooxanthellatoxins, novel vasoconstrictive substances from the zooxanthella Symbiodinium sp

Isolation of zooxanthellatoxins, novel vasoconstrictive substances from the zooxanthella Symbiodinium sp. Toxicon 31, 371-376, 1993. New polyhydroxypolyenes with potent vasoconstrictive activity, zooxanthellatoxin-A and -B, were isolated from a symbiotic marine alga Symbiodinium sp. These compounds caused sustained contractions of isolated rabbit aorta at concentrations above 7 x 10(-7) M; this effect was abolished in Ca(2+)-free solution or in the presence of verapamil. Both compounds were relatively large molecules (mol. wt about 2900), containing a large number of oxygen atoms and olefinic carbons, thus differing from two other vasoconstrictive marine toxins, palytoxin and maitotoxin, in containing more olefins than palytoxin, and fewer ethereal rings than maitotoxin.

[Present status of elderly patients at geriatric outpatient clinics in terms of number of clinics consulted and number of drugs taken]

It has been said that elderly patients generally have many diseases (polypathology) for which they consult multiple doctors and are given a wide variety of drugs by their attending doctors (polypharmacy). There is a tendency for elderly patients to buy various kinds of drugs from drug stores without medical prescriptions. However, little is known about the actual status of the numbers and kinds of drugs they take. To answer these questions, we studied 192 elderly patients who were regularly consulting the outpatient clinic of geriatric medicine at Kyoto University Hospital. Seventy nine patients (41%) were consulting other clinics of the same hospital in parallel with ours. Of these patients 81% were given some drugs at other clinics. Forty of 192 patients took a variety of OTC drugs, concerning which they did not inform their attending doctors. Among these, 24 patients took some kinds of traditional Chinese medicine. Thus, a considerable percentage of elderly patients were consulting more than one clinic and in most of these patients were given some drugs. Some of them also take, without permission, drugs other than those prescribed by attending doctors. These results led us to conclude that elderly patients should be under the strict control of a single attending doctor to avoid unexpected adverse effects.