Cancer chemopreventive activity of 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone from the peel of citrus plants

Nobiletin and 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (HPT), isolated from the peel of Citrus plants, were examined for the anti-tumor-initiating activity on two-stage carcinogenesis of mouse skin tumors induced by a nitric oxide donor, (+/-)-(E)-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexenamide, as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate as a promoter. HPT exhibited the remarkable anti-tumor-initiating effect on mouse skin and it suggested the possibility of HPT being a chemopreventive agent against nitric oxide (NO) carcinogenesis.

Involvement of erythropoietin-induced cytosolic free calcium mobilization in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) induces cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) mobilization, an activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and DNA synthesis in several tissues. We explored the mechanism of rHuEPO-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization and its role in the activation of MAP kinase and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

METHODS

[Ca2+]i concentrations were measured by fura-2. MAP kinase activation was analyzed using an immunocomplex kinase assay and Western blotting. DNA synthesis was measured as an incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine.

RESULTS

Although addition of rHuEPO significantly increased [Ca2+]i, either in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, the peak level and sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i were significantly reduced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Pretreatment with genistein completely blocked the elevation of [Ca2+]i in both conditions. Calphostin C and staurosporine did not completely block the elevation of [Ca2+]i. Staurosporine reduced its peak level in a dose-dependent manner, whereas calphostin C reduced its peak level at concentrations over 1 nmol/l in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Similar results to those with staurosporine were observed with nifedipine. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, their dose-dependent effects disappeared even though rHuEPO increased [Ca2+]i. rHuEPO activated MAP kinase and DNA synthesis, both of which were significantly suppressed by the chelation of intracellular Ca2+.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that rHuEPO increases [Ca2+]i by both Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Tyrosine phosphorylation is critical in the regulation of [Ca2+]i, but protein kinase C activation is important only in the regulation of Ca2+ influx. Dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels seem to be involved in rHuEPO-induced Ca2+ influx. In addition, increase of [Ca2+]i by rHuEPO stimulates MAP kinase activation and DNA synthesis in VSMC.

Cancer chemopreventive agents. New depsidones from Garcinia plants

In a search for cancer chemopreventive agents from natural sources, chemical constituents of two kinds of Garcinia plants, Garcinia neglecta and Garcinia puat, collected in New Caledonia, were examined. Five new depsidones, garcinisidone-B (2), -C (3), -D (4), -E (5), and -F (6), were isolated, and their structures were determined by spectrometric analyses. Inhibitory effects of these depsidones on EBV-EA activation induced by TPA in Raji cells were also demonstrated.

Effects of 5-HT(4) receptor agonist prokinetic agents on the action potential parameters of isolated rabbit myocardium

The effects of TS-951, a novel gastrointestinal prokinetic agent with 5-HT(4) receptor agonistic action, on the action potential parameters of isolated rabbit Purkinje fiber, ventricular muscle and sinoatrial node, and on the spontaneously beating rates of isolated rabbit right atria were compared with those of cisapride. TS-951 had no effect on the action potential parameters in both rabbit Purkinje fiber and ventricular muscle preparations. However, cisapride significantly prolonged action potential duration (APD) in both preparations. Both TS-951 and cisapride produced a negative chronotropic effect in rabbit right atria; TS-951 and cisapride at 3 x 10(-5) mol/l reduced the beating rate by about 20 and 40%, respectively. In the sinoatrial node preparations, TS-951 (3 x 10(-5) mol/l) as well as cisapride (10(-6) mol/l) prolonged cycle length and APD and reduced the diastolic depolarization rate. These results indicate that TS-951 does not appear to possess electrophysiological features leading to cardiotoxicity such as QT prolongation and, thus, torsades de pointes in common with cisapride.

Variants of neurogenin 3 gene are not associated with Type II diabetes in Japanese subjects

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Neurogenin 3 (ngn3) is a transcription factor expressed in the endocrine precursor cells of the pancreas. It has recently been reported that ngn3-deficient mice show absence of pancreatic endocrine cells and die of postnatal diabetes. The purpose of this investigation was to screen for polymorphisms of the ngn3 gene and to test whether these polymorphisms are associated with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the Japanese subjects.

METHODS

We screened ngn3 gene and upstream region by direct sequencing and estimated the prevalence of polymorphisms in 197 patients with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and 216 control subjects.

RESULTS

We identified four novel polymorphisms, Ser199Phe (596C/T), -43insCA, -983C/T and -1822G/A. In an association study the allelic frequencies of the major allele of these four polymorphisms were 0.721, 0.914, 0.912 and 0.530 in diabetic patients, respectively, and 0.694, 0.905, 0.917 and 0.537 in control subjects, respectively.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

Mutations and polymorphisms of ngn3 gene are not significantly associated with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the Japanese subjects.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel 2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamide derivatives as potent and selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonists

A series of 8'-substituted N-(endo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamides were synthesized. The 5-HT4 receptor agonistic activity was evaluated using the isolated guinea pig ileum preparation. Of the compounds synthesized, N-(endo-8-(3-hydroxypropyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamide (15a, TS-951) exhibited the most potent serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonistic activity. This compound had a high affinity for the serotonin 5-HT4 receptor although it had no affinities for other broad spectrum receptors. Furthermore, it remarkably enhanced gastrointestinal motility in conscious fed dogs without unfavorable effects that non-selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist has. TS-951 may be useful in improving gastrointestinal dysfunction.

The role of PPARgamma as a thrifty gene both in mice and humans

The biological role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) was investigated by gene targeting and case-control study of the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 polymorphism. Homozygous PPARgamma-deficient embryos died at 10.5-11.5 days post conception (dpc) due to placental dysfunction. Heterozygous PPARgamma-deficient mice were protected from the development of insulin resistance due to adipocyte hypertrophy under a high-fat diet, whose phenotypes were abrogated by PPARgamma agonist treatment. Heterozygous PPARgamma-deficient mice showed overexpression and hypersecretion of leptin despite the smaller size of adipocytes and decreased fat mass, which may explain these phenotypes at least in part. This study reveals a hitherto unpredicted role for PPARgamma in high-fat diet-induced obesity due to adipocyte hypertrophy and insulin resistance, which requires both alleles of PPARgamma. A Pro12Ala polymorphism has been detected in the human PPARgamma2 gene. Since this amino acid substitution may cause a reduction in the transcriptional activity of PPARgamma, this polymorphism may be associated with decreased insulin resistance and decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a case-control study of the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 polymorphism. In an obese group, subjects with Ala12 were more insulin sensitive than those without. The frequency of Ala12 was significantly lower in the diabetic group, suggesting that this polymorphism protects against type 2 diabetes. These results revealed that in both mice and humans, PPARgamma is a thrifty gene mediating type 2 diabetes.

Correlation among fasting plasma glucose, two-hour plasma glucose levels in OGTT and HbA1c

A study was made on the association among 2-h plasma glucose (PG) in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) using correlation and regression equation. Subjects were 13174 OGTT examinees tested between 1980 and 1998. Blood glucose was determined by the glucose oxidase method and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by the HPLC method. As for correlation between 2-h PG and FPG, regression equation of the <60 year group was y=57.1+0.336x (r=0.866, P<0.0001) and that of the >==60 year group was y=61.5+0.286x (r=0.814, P<0. 0001). FPG was calculated at 124.3 in the <60 year group and 118.7 mg/dl in the >==60 year group for 2-h PG of 200 mg/dl, 2-h PG were calculated at 199.5 and 210.7 mg/dl for FPG of 126 mg/dl, respectively. In the <60 year group, FPG were calculated at 121.7 and 124.4 mg/dl and 2-h PG at 193.2 and 199.3 mg/dl for HbA1c of 6.0 and 6.1%, respectively. As for associations between HbA1c and FPG or 2-h PG being high correlation, it is possible to estimate a prevalence of DM in a group using HbA1c>==6.1%. High correlations were demonstrated among all the three measures; FPG, 2-h PG, HbA1c. If 2-h PG is used in diagnosing diabetes mellitus, an FPG of 126 mg/dl proposed by ADA and World Health Organization (WHO) as a diagnostic level of FPG is an acceptable value for the Japanese.

Constituents and cytotoxicity of Zanthoxylum rhesta stem bark

3,5-Dimethoxy-4-geranyloxycinnamyl alcohol (1), 8-methoxy-N-methylflindersine (2), xanthyletin and sesamin have been isolated from petroleum ether extract of the stem bark of Zanthoxylum rhesta. The petroleum ether extract and 8-methoxy-N-methylflindersine showed cytotoxicity on brine shrimp nauplii.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel 2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamide derivatives as serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonists

A series of N-azabicycloalkyl-1-alkyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamides were synthesized and tested for serotonin 5-HT4 receptor-stimulating effects in the regulation of electrically-evoked contraction in guinea pig muscle. Among them, N-azabicycloalkyl-1-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamide (8c, 9c, 10c, 11c, 12c) exhibited potent serotonin 5-HT4 receptor-stimulating activity. The most potent compound, N-(endo-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1 oct-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxamide (8c, ED50 = 36.3 nMi), was seven times as active as cisapride, while 8c had no affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, D2, muscarinic M2 or muscarinic M3 receptors even at 10 microM. Compound 8c stimulated digestive tract motility in conscious fed dogs (1.0 mg/kg p.o.).

Constituents of Boronia pinnata

A novel quinolone, pinolinone (1); seven new phenylpropanoids, boropinols A (2), B (3), C (4), boropinals A (5), B (6), C (7), and boropinic acid (8); and a new lignan, boropinan (9), were isolated from the roots of Boronia pinnata, and their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. In a search for novel cancer chemopreventive agents (antitumor-promoters), we screened 10 compounds isolated from the plant for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. Boropinic acid (8) and 4'-hydroxy-3'-prenylcinnamaldehyde were observed to significantly inhibit the EBV-EA activation.

Quantitative study of flavonoids in leaves of citrus plants

Leaf flavonoids were quantitatively determined in 68 representative or economically important Citrus species, cultivars, and near-Citrus relatives. Contents of 23 flavonoids including 6 polymethoxylated flavones were analyzed by means of reversed phase HPLC analysis. Principal component analysis revealed that the 7 associations according to Tanaka's classification were observed, but some do overlap each other. Group VII species could be divided into two different subgroups, namely, the first-10-species class and the last-19-species class according to Tanaka's classification numbers.

Chemical constituents of Clausena excavata: isolation and structure elucidation of novel furanone-coumarins with inhibitory effects for tumor-promotion

A study of the chemical constituents of the leaves of Clausena excavata cultivated in a greenhouse led to the isolation and identification of 10 new furanone-coumarins named clauslactones A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), E (5), F (6), G (7), H (8), I (9), and J (10), together with a known carbazole, clauszoline M, and a coumarin, umbelliferone. The new coumarins contain a C(10) terpenoid side chain with a furanone (gamma-lactone) moiety. Further, in clauslactones A-D (1-4), the terpenoid side chain was shown to be linked to the 7,8-dioxygenated coumarin skeleton through a 1, 4-dioxane ring system. This is the first example of coumarins with these structural characteristics in nature. These furanone-coumarins were found to exhibit inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation in Raji cells.

Prevalence of diabetes estimated by plasma glucose criteria combined with standardized measurement of HbA1c among health checkup participants on Miyako Island, Japan

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of diabetes in participants of an annual health checkup in the district of the Miyako Public Health Center (Okinawa, Japan) by using the revised criteria of the Japan Diabetes Society (JDS).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The subjects studied here were all Japanese and 45-75 years of age at the time of the health examination in 1998. Diagnosis of diabetes was based on the following: 1) fasting plasma glucose > or =7.0 mmol/l, 2) casual plasma glucose > or =11.1 mmol/l, 3) HbA(1c) > or =6.1%, and 4) self-report on a special questionnaire given at the examination. The HbA(1c) value was standardized by the measurement of 2 standard samples provided by the JDS.

RESULTS

Among the 2,621 subjects, 59.7% had their fasting blood glucose levels measured. Of the subjects diagnosed as having diabetes, 154 (12.6%) were men and 115 (8.6%) women. Among the subjects newly diagnosed with diabetes from their fasting blood glucose levels. 27.5% of the men and 21.9% of the women had diagnoses based on HbA(1c) alone. Overall, 34.9% of the subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes were identified by plasma glucose (PG) alone and 33.0% were diagnosed by HbA(1c) alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of PG and HbA(1c) resulted in a considerable increase in newly diagnosed diabetes as compared with the use of only one of these parameters. Considering the convenience and correlation with vascular complications, use of the 2 tests may be beneficial in epidemiological studies of the Japanese population to identify high-risk groups for micro- and macrovascular diseases.

Importance of OGTT for diagnosing diabetes mellitus based on prevalence and incidence of retinopathy

Study was made on the necessity and importance of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for diagnosing diabetes mellitus based on prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy. Subjects were 12208 persons undergoing OGTT between 1965 and 1997. The prevalence of retinopathy was significantly elevated with FPG>/=126 and 2-h PG>/=198 mg/dl. The incidence of retinopathy was 15-30/10000 person-years (PY) with FPG<125, but with FPG of 126-139 it was significantly higher (69/10000 PY) and at 140-199 mg/dl it was elevated to 139/10000 PY. Subjects were classified at initial test into FPG<110, 110-125, 126-139, and >/=140 and further into 2-h PG<200 and >/=200 mg/dl for comparison with the incidence of retinopathy. Even with the same FPG, the incidence was two- to threefold higher with 2-h PG>/=200 mg/dl, indicating that 2-h PG was highly associated with the incidence of retinopathy. As for IFG, the prevalence of diabetes as defined by 2-h PG>/=200 in the OGTT increased with elevated FPG, and 33.7% of IFG cases showed 2-h PG>/=200 mg/dl. Based on the prevalence and incidence of retinopathy, we conclude that 126 mg/dl FPG is an appropriate cut-off level, and the OGTT is important for diagnosing mild diabetes mellitus.

[Comparison of plasma exchange (PEX) vs. double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) with or without steroid administration in a case of MPO-ANCA-positive immune complex type crescentic glomerulonephritis]

The effect of plasmapheresis(PP) monotherapy and PP with corticosteroid administration were evaluated in a male with crescentic glomerulonephritis(CrGN). On the first admission, since he was positive for both anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic myeloperoxydase autoantibody(MPO-ANCA) and circulating immune complex(IC), the treatment was started with PP alone to reduce these autoantibodies immediately. During two months, three series of PP were performed: three sessions of plasma exchange (PEX) with fresh frozen plasma(FFP), two sessions of double filtration plasmapheresis(DFPP), and then, another two sessions of PEX, respectively. ANCA remained suppressed for 4 weeks after the first series of PEX, and increased thereafter. Subsequent DFPP caused a rebound of ANCA titer while the second PEX suppressed ANCA, at least, for 1 week. Though creatinine clearance(Ccr) improved after the first PEX and this level was maintained, ANCA increased again after the second PEX. Therefore the patient was treated with methyl-prednisolone(m-PSL) semipulse therapy followed by mild cocktail therapy including prednisolone(PSL) at 20 mg/day and mizoribine at 100 mg/day. In two weeks, ANCA and IC became negative and Ccr improved further. When PSL was tapered off, the ANCA became positive again. Since ANCA was not suppressed and Ccr declined gradually even after re-administration of oral PSL at 30-40 mg/day, PP was superimposed on steroid therapy with 3 sessions of DFPP and PEX, respectively. Ccr was improved, but ANCA was not sufficiently decreased by DFPP. Subsequent PEX was more efficient than DFPP in reducing the ANCA level. However, m-PSL semipulse was eventually required for complete suppression of ANCA. Thus PP was partially effective, but not sufficient as monotherapy. However it was considered advantageous as an adjunct therapy to reduce the dose of immunosuppressive drugs in CrGN. As to the mode of PP, PEX with FFP appeared to be more effective than DFPP in reducing the plasma ANCA level.

Antitumor agents. 203. Carbazole alkaloid murrayaquinone A and related synthetic carbazolequinones as cytotoxic agents

Murrayaquinone A (1) and murrayafoline A (3), isolated from the root bark of Murraya euchrestifolia, were identified as cytotoxic compounds. Murrayaquinone A (1) demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-5 and Colo-205 cells, with ED(50) values of 2.58 and 3.85 microg/mL, respectively. In contrast, murrayafoline A (3) exhibited marginal or weak cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-5, Colo-205, HCT-8, KB, and A-549 tumor cell lines, with ED(50) values ranging from 5.31 to 7.52 microg/mL. In total, 20 carbazole alkaloids (1-20), isolated previously by Furukawa et al. from various plant sources were also evaluated for their cytotoxic profiles in the NCI's human disease-oriented, 60-cell line, in vitro antitumor screening protocol. Compounds 3 and 15 showed potent cell-line selective cytotoxicity against MOLT-4 cells, with log GI(50) values of -8.60 and -8.49 M, respectively, while 12 demonstrated better selectivity against the colon cancer subpanel. Moreover, synthetic 2-methyl- or 3-methyl-carbazolequinone derivatives with various substituents in the A-ring were evaluated against KB, SK-MEL-5, Colo-205, and HCT-8 tumor cells. 6-Methoxy- (21), 6-methyl- (22), and 6-chloro- (24) 3-methyl-carbazolequinones demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-5 cells, with ED(50) values of 0.55, 0.66, and 0.83 microg/mL, respectively. Compounds 21 and 22 were also significantly cytotoxic toward KB cells, with ED(50) values of 0.76 and 0.92 microg/mL, respectively, and 21 displayed a similar level of toxicity against Colo-205 cells (ED(50) 0.87 microg/mL).

Erythropoietin regulates vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis by a phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-dependent pathway

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that several cytokines could induce apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via the induction of nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, we explored whether human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has a modulatory effect of apoptosis on interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced apoptosis in rat cultured VSMCs.

METHODS

The quantitation of apoptosis among VSMCs was assessed by nuclear morphological analysis with fluorescent DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33258. Apoptotic changes were also confirmed by the detection of DNA fragmentation. The expression of EPO receptor (EpoR), cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation, including EpoR and Janus kinase (JAK) 2, and the association of p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3-kinase) to tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, including EpoR, were explored by using Western blotting analysis combined in part with immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

rHuEPO inhibited the apoptosis induced by IL-1beta or SNP in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The anti-apoptotic effects of rHuEPO were diminished in the presence of a tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor genistein or anti-EpoR antibody. After stimulation with rHuEPO, EpoR and JAK 2 were tyrosine phosphorylated, and p85 subunits were associated with EpoR. Also, rHuEPO induced phosphorylation of Akt through a PI3-kinase-dependent pathway. The phosphorylation of Akt and the anti-apoptotic effects of rHuEPO were diminished in the presence of a PI3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin.

CONCLUSION

Our present study demonstrates that rHuEPO inhibites IL-1beta or SNP-induced VSMC apoptosis. The TK-dependent pathway, particularly the PI3-kinase-dependent pathway, seems to be critical to the countervailing effect of rHuEPO on IL-1beta and SNP-induced VSMC apoptosis.

The role of brain histamine in acute and chronic stresses

As a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator, brain histamine has a variety of physiological roles in brain functions. Acute stress increases the histamine turnovers in the diencephalon, nucleus accumbens and striatum. Histamine regulates anterior pituitary hormones. Anxiolytic drugs also decrease brain histamine turnover. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists and H3 receptor agonists decrease the anxiety state. These findings show that acute stresses increase brain histamine turnover, especially in the diencephalon, which would be partly related to the pathology of anxiety. Moreover, chronic restraint stress continued to increase the histamine turnovers in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, not in the diencephalon. Chronic administration of psychostimulants also increase the striatal histamine release. Histamine agonists prevent psychostimulant-induced behavior and the development of behavioral sensitization. These results indicate that chronic stress continues to increase the histamine turnovers in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, which would have a role of preventing stress vulnerability. Moreover, histamine H3 receptor antagonists have antidepressive effects. Therefore, no increase of histamine turnover in the diencephalon is related to the pathology of depressive state.

Inhibitory effect of flavonoids from citrus plants on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage carcinogenesis of skin tumors

To search for possible anti-tumor promoters, thirteen flavones (1-13) obtained from the peel of Citrus plants were examined for their inhibitory effects on the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation by a short-term in vitro assay. Of these flavones, 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (HPT) (13) exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the EBV-EA activation induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Further, compound 13 exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on mouse skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test.

Anti-tumor-promoting effects of isoflavonoids on Epstein-Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis

As a part of screening studies for anti-tumor promoters, fifteen isoflavonoids isolated from plants of the genus Millettia (Leguminosae) were evaluated by examining their possible inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Raji cells. All of the compounds tested in this study showed inhibitory activity against EBV, without showing any cytotoxicity. Auriculasin (11) and millepurone (13), which is an oxidized isoflavone analogue, both having one or more prenyl side-chains and a 3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl group in the molecule, showed more potent activity than any of the other compounds tested. Furthermore, millepurone (13) exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on mouse skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test. The results of the present investigation indicate that some of these isoflavonoids might be valuable anti-tumor promoters.

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1998)]

The bacteria isolated from the patients with lower respiratory tract infections were collected by institutions located throughout Japan, since 1981. Ikemoto et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of these isolates to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and analyzed some characteristics of the patients and isolates from them each year. Results obtained from these investigations are discussed. In these 18 institutions around the entire Japan, 532 strains of presumably etiological bacteria were isolated mainly from the sputa of 438 patients with lower respiratory tract infections during the period from October in 1998 to September in 1999. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 85 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 100 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 96 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 75 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains), 6 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid strains), 38 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 26 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the susceptibilities of 517 strains were assessed except for those strains that died during transportation. S. aureus strains for which MICs of oxacillin (MPIPC) were higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus: MRSA) accounted for 60.0%. Vancomycin (VCM) and arbekacin (ABK) showed the most potent activities against MRSA. But one of MRSA showed resistance to ABK with the MIC of 64 micrograms/ml. The sensitive strains of MRSA to VCM have decreased. The frequency of penicillin (PC)-intermediate S. pneumoniae (PISP) + PC-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) have increased in 46.0% for 1998 comparatively from 30.9% of 1997's. But PRSP decreased, and PISP increased into 39.0% of 1998 years from 19.8% of 1997's. Panipenem (PAPM), imipenem (IPM) and faropenem (FRPM) showed the most potent activities against S. pneumoniae with MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. Against H. influenzae and M. (B.) catarrhalis, almost all the drugs showed good activities. The sensitive strains of them against ceftazidime (CAZ) decreased in 1997, but those have increased in 1998. Inversely, the susceptibility of them against cefotiam (CTM) had been higher in 1997, but those have been lower in 1998. Tobramycin (TOB) showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and nonmucoid strains). All drugs except ampicillin (ABPC) were active against K. pneumoniae. A quite few of K. pneumoniae showed low susceptibilities. Also, we investigated year to year changes in the characteristics of patients, their respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiology. The examination of age distribution indicated that the proportion of patients with ages over 70 years was 48.6% of all the patients showing a slight increase in every year. About the proportion of diagnosed diseases as follows: Bacterial pneumonia was the most frequent with 40.2%. The ratio of it has increased slightly, and the increased rate was 10% in patients with ages over 70 years compared with the results in 1997. Chronic bronchitis have decreased slightly with 27.6% in 1998. Number of strains isolated from patients before administration of antibiotics were more than those after administration of them in chronic bronchitis, but these were almost same number in bacterial pneumonia. Administration of antibiotics has changed the results of the frequency of isolation of bacterial species. Bacterial isolations before administration of antibiotics were as follows: S. pneumoniae 26.7%, H. influenzae 23.8%, S. aureus 13.3% and M. (B.) catarrhalis 10.8%. The frequencies of S. aureus decreased after antibiotics administration over 15 days, but the frequencies of P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and non-mucoid) was not affected. The frequencies of P. aeruginosa was 45.5% after administration over 15 days. The frequencies of S. pneumoniae decreased upon administration of antibiotics, these were only 4.5% over 15 days. The frequencies of H. (

The Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma2 may confer resistance to type 2 diabetes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) has been implicated in adipocyte differentiation. Recently it was reported that heterozygous deficiency of PPARgamma led to the protection from high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in an animal model. A Pro12Ala polymorphism has been detected in the human PPARgamma2 gene. Since this amino acid substitution may cause a reduction in the transcriptional activity of PPARgamma, this polymorphism may be associated with decreased insulin resistance and decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a case-control study of the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 polymorphism in Japanese diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. The frequency of Ala12 was significantly lower in the diabetic group. In an overweight or obese group, subjects with Ala12 were more insulin sensitive than those without. These results suggest that the PPARgamma is a thrifty gene and that the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 polymorphism protects against type 2 diabetes in the Japanese.

Four new furanone-coumarins from Clausena excavata

Four new furanone-coumarins, clauslactones-N (4), -O (5), -P (6) and -Q (7) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Clausena excavata BURM. f. (Rutaceae) collected in Indonesia and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis.

Xanthone and dihydroisocoumarin from Montrouziera sphaeroidea

A xanthone, montrouxanthone and a dihydroisocoumarin, montroumarin were isolated from the stem bark of Montrouziera sphaeroidea Pancher Ex Planchon et Triana [Guttiferae], along with two known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. This is the first report of the analysis of chemical constituents of Montrouziera species.