Highly selective aluminium-catalysed intramolecular Prins reaction for l-menthol synthesis

The perfect production of l-menthol.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and angioedema: a class effect?

BACKGROUND

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have been reported to be generally well tolerated. However, angioedema has been reported as one of the rare adverse events of these drugs.

CASE REPORT

We report a case in which angioedema induced by vildagliptin disappeared after changing to another DPP-4 inhibitor, alogliptin.

DISCUSSION

Our case suggests that there is a difference in the risk of angioedema among DPP-4 inhibitors. To clarify this possibility, further investigation on the risk of angioedema among DPP-4 inhibitors is warranted.

Collective excitation of an electric dipole on a molecular dimer in an organic dimer-Mott insulator

The terahertz response in 10-100 cm(-1) was investigated in an organic dimer-Mott (DM) insulator κ-(ET)(2)Cu(2)(CN)(3) that exhibits a relaxorlike dielectric anomaly. An ~30 cm(-1) band in the optical conductivity was attributable to collective excitation of the fluctuating intradimer electric dipoles that are formed by an electron correlation. We succeeded in observing photoinduced enhancement of this ~30 cm(-1) band, reflecting the growth of the electric dipole cluster in the DM phase. Such optical responses in κ-(ET)(2)Cu(2)(CN)(3) reflect an instability near the boundary between the DM-ferroelectric charge ordered phases.

Switching to an L/N-type calcium channel blocker shows renoprotective effects in patients with chronic kidney disease: the Kyoto Cilnidipine Study

OBJECTIVE

This open-label, randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of cilnidipine, an L/N-type calcium channel blocker (CCB), in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

Sixty patients with CKD and well-controlled hypertension being treated with a renin- angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor and an L-type CCB (L-CCB) were randomly assigned either to switch from the L-CCB to cilnidipine after a 4-week observation period or to continue with L-CCB treatment. Blood pressure, heart rate and renal function were monitored for 12 months. Data were available for analysis from 50 patients: 24 from the cilnidipine group and 26 from the L-CCB group.

RESULTS

Blood pressure was well controlled in both groups. After 12 months, proteinuria and heart rate were significantly decreased in the cilnidipine group, but proteinuria increased and heart rate remained unchanged in the L-CCB group. There was a significant positive correlation between the percentage changes in proteinuria and heart rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Cilnidipine has antihypertensive effects equivalent to those of L-CCBs. In patients with CKD, proteinuria can be decreased by switching from an L-CCB to cilnidipine, thereby improving renal function.

The role of serum adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

The aim of this study was to measure serum adiponectin concentrations in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to assess possible correlations between adiponectin and the hormonal or metabolic parameters of this syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum adiponectin levels were evaluated in 20 women with PCOS and 22 women without PCOS whose age and body mass index (BMI) matched the patients. The levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, gonadotropin, and sex steroid hormones were evaluated in both groups. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score was also calculated. The serum adiponectin levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese women than in normal-weight women, and they were also significantly lower in PCOS patients with HOMA scores greater than 1.7 compared with those with HOMA scores lower than 1.7. When the subjects were divided in two groups based on serum adiponectin levels (> 40 microg/ml, < 40 microg/ml), 65% of patients with PCOS were included in the lower adiponectin group (p < 0.05). In addition, gonadotropin levels were increased, dependent on the adiponectin levels in women with PCOS.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin is regarded as a possible link between adiposity and insulin resistance (IR). From this data, the secretions of gonadotropin are implicated in the levels of adiponectin in women with PCOS. It is suggested that adiponectin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Regional quantification of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and β-adrenoceptors in human airways

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) and β-adrenoceptors in the airways and lungs are clinically important in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. However, the quantitative and qualitative estimation of these receptors by radioligand binding approaches in human airways has not yet been reported because of tissue limitations. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The regional distribution and relative proportion of mAChR and β-adrenoceptor subtypes were evaluated in human bronchus and lung parenchyma by a tissue segment binding method with [(3)H]-N-methylscopolamine ([(3)H]-NMS) for mAChRs and [(3)H]-CGP-12,177 for β-adrenoceptors. Functional responses to carbachol and isoprenaline were also analysed in the bronchus. KEY RESULTS The M(3) subtype predominantly occurred in the bronchus, but the density decreased from the segmental to subsegmental bronchus, and was absent in lung parenchyma. On the other hand, the M(1) subtype occurred in the lung only, and the M(2) subtype was distributed ubiquitously in the bronchus and lungs. β(2)-adrenoceptors were increased along the airways, and their densities in the subsegmental bronchus and lung parenchyma were approximately twofold higher than those of mAChRs in the same region. β(1)-adrenoceptors were also detected in lung parenchyma but not in the bronchus. The muscarinic contractions and adrenoceptor relaxations in both bronchial regions were mediated through M(3)-mAChRs and β(2)-adrenoceptors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS From the present radioligand binding approach with intact tissue segments, we constructed a distribution map of mAChRs and β-adrenoceptors in human bronchus and lung parenchyma for the first time, providing important evidence for future pharmacotherapy and new drug development for respiratory disorders.

Effect of pilocarpine on substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide releases correlate with salivary secretion in human saliva and plasma

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Pilocarpine, a muscarinic receptor agonist, has been used for the treatment of dry mouth. Salivary glands are supplied with nerve fibres that contain neuropeptides, such as substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), which are important modulators of salivation. It is known that measurement of salivary and plasma levels of neuropeptides is useful for assessing the dose-pharmacological effect relationship of drugs. The relationship between the action of pilocarpine and neuropeptides in humans has not been studied. Moreover, studies evaluate the usefulness of drug salivary levels in the pharmacological evaluation of drugs are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of pilocarpine on the levels of substance P-, CGRP- and VIP-like immunoreactive substances (IS) in saliva and plasma taken in healthy humans.

METHODS

Five healthy male subjects participated in this study. Pilocarpine tablet (10 mg) or placebo tablet was orally administered with 100 mL of water. Each subject was administered placebo and drug with an interval of 4 weeks in between. Saliva was sampled before and at 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after administration of the test substances. Venous blood samples (10 mL) were also taken from a forearm vein at each time interval. The samples were then enzyme immunoassayed using a highly sensitive system for substance P-, CGRP- and VIP-IS. The amount of saliva was measured by the Saxon test.

RESULTS

A single oral administration of pilocarpine increased the release of salivary substance P-IS (the area under the concentration-time curve: AUC(0→240 min)) compared with the placebo. Pilocarpine also significantly increased the release of salivary CGRP-IS (AUC(0→240 min)). Pilocarpine significantly increased the release of plasma CGRP-IS. The salivary volume correlated with the salivary level of substance P and CGRP-IS (r = 0·84, P < 0·05 and r = 0·59, P < 0·05, respectively). AUC(0→240 min) for substance P-IS in saliva correlated with that for plasma (r = 0·78, P < 0·05).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Pilocarpine increases the release of salivary substance P and CGRP-IS. This suggests that one mechanism by which pilocarpine improves dry mouth is by local stimulation of neuropeptidergic nerves. Moreover, saliva levels of substance P showed good correlation with the plasma levels. The substance P levels in saliva and plasma may be good indicators of the effects of drugs used in dry mouth/xerostomic patients.

E-cadherin and c-met expression as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer

E-cadherin has an important role in the cell-cell adhesion and is known as an invasion suppressor gene. The c-met, which is a receptor of hepatocyte growth factor receptor, is involved in the proliferative and motile activity in cancer cells. The invasive and metastatic capacities of gastric cancer were studied from the immunohistochemically examined expression of MET and E-cadherin. Among 127 primary gastric cancers, 47 (34%) tumors were found to have preserved E-cadherin expression and the other 84 tumors showed reduced E-cadherin expression. MET expression was found in 55 (43%) tumors. A strong correlation was found between reduced E-cadherin expression and a larger tumor, positive serosal invasion, lymph node metastases or poor prognosis. Tumors with MET expression have the tendencies to invade deeply, to metastasize in more remote lymph nodes or peritoneum and to run a poor prognosis. MET over-expression and reduced E-cadherin expression were strongly associated with lymph node metastasis, peritoneal dissemination and poor prognosis. This group of patients with simultaneously abnormal expressions of these genes had a sixfold relative risk of death, as compared with patients with tumors showing MET negative or preserved E-cadherin expression. These results indicate that immunohistochemical combined analyses of MET and E-cadherin expression may be a powerful tool for the evaluation of invasive capacity and the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Acceleration of diabetes development in CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3)-deficient NOD mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to understand the role of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3), a T-helper 1(Th1) type chemokine receptor, in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

We observed the incidence of diabetes in Cxcr3 homozygous knockout mice. We compared the expression pattern of various cytokines and chemokines and the frequency of FOXP3(+) cells in the pancreas and pancreatic lymph nodes from Cxcr3 ( -/- ) NOD mice and wild-type NOD mice. In addition, we observed the migration ability of CXCR3(+)CD4(+) cells to pancreatic islets upon adoptive transfer. Finally, we examined whether Cxcr3 (+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) actually suppressed the onset of diabetes in vivo.

RESULTS

Cxcr3 ( -/- ) NOD mice developed spontaneous diabetes earlier than did wild-type NOD mice. In Cxcr3 ( -/- ) NOD mice, Tregs were more frequent in pancreatic lymph nodes and less frequent in pancreatic islets than in wild-type NOD mice. While transferred CXCR3(-)CD4(+) cells from wild-type NOD mice did not infiltrate pancreatic islets of NOD-severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, CXCR3(+)CD4(+) cells from the same mice migrated into the recipient islets and contained Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) upon adoptive transfer. Moreover, CD4(+)CD25(+) cells from wild-type NOD mice suppressed and delayed the onset of diabetes compared with those from Cxcr3 ( -/- ) NOD mice in a cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes model system.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The mechanism of accelerated diabetes onset in Cxcr3 ( -/- ) NOD mice was considered to be due to the lack of hybrid Tregs (CXCR3(+)FOXP3(+)CD4(+) cells), which could effectively migrate into and regulate Th1 inflammation in local lesions under Cxcr3 knockout conditions.

Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis treatment

OBJECTIVE

Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were reported to be high in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) treatment. One of the atherogenic causes of hypertriglyceridemia is the increase in TG-rich lipoprotein remnants, which are equivalent to remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C). Here, we compared the plasma levels of TG, a representative indicator of TG-rich lipoproteins and RLP-C, as well as the TG/RLP-C ratio between CKD patients undergoing HD and controls, in an effort to elucidate the atherogenicity of TG-rich lipoproteins in CKD patients on HD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasma lipid and apo(lipo)protein levels and the TG/RLP-C ratio were compared between 49 CKD patients undergoing HD and 627 controls. Blood sampling for lipid and apoprotein analysis was performed in a 12-h fasting state. Controls were divided into four subgroups according to TG level (from highest to lowest). RLP-C and apo(lipo)proteins were measured using the immunoprecipitation method and turbidimetric immunoassay, respectively. In addition, a comparison between HD patients and age-, gender-, and plasma TG level-matched controls was performed.

RESULTS

Plasma TG levels were 107 ± 70 (mean ± SD) mg/dl in HD patients and 115 ± 72 mg/dl in controls. Plasma RLP-C levels were 6.7 ± 4.5 mg/dl in HD patients and 4.6 ± 3.5 mg/dl in the controls (p < 0.0001). RLP-C levels decreased in descending order from the highest to the lowest TG group in controls. RLP-C levels were higher in HD patients than in controls with plasma TG levels of < 150 mg/dl (p < 0.0001). TG/RLP-C ratios were 19.0 ± 12.0 in HD patients and 25.9 ± 9.5 in controls (p < 0.0001). This ratio was significantly lower in HD patients than in all four TG subgroups. The comparison between HD patients and age-, gender-, plasma TG-matched controls revealed identical results.

CONCLUSION

Plasma RLP-C levels were high, and the TG/RLP-C ratio was low in CKD patients undergoing HD treatment. These findings indicate that total plasma TG-rich lipoprotein levels were not increased, but the distribution of plasma TG-rich lipoproteins were skewed towards remnant fractions in CKD patients undergoing HD treatment; these plasma TG-rich lipoproteins appear to be more atherogenic than those in controls.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following pediatric cardiac surgery: development and outcomes from a single-center experience

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an effective mechanical support following cardiac surgery with respiratory and cardiac failure. However, there are no clear indications for ECMO use after pediatric cardiac surgery. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 76 pediatric patients [mean age, 10.8 months (0–86); mean weight, 5.16 kg (1.16–16.5)] with congenital heart disease who received ECMO following cardiac surgery between January 1997 and October 2010. Forty-five patients were treated with an aggressive ECMO approach (aggressive ECMO group, April 2005–October 2010) and 31 with a delayed ECMO approach (delayed ECMO group, January 1997–March 2005). Demographics, diagnosis, operative variables, ECMO indication, and duration of survivors and non-survivors were compared. Thirty-four patients (75.5%) were successfully weaned from ECMO in the aggressive ECMO group and 26 (57.7%) were discharged. Conversely, eight patients (25.8%) were successfully weaned from ECMO in the delayed ECMO group and two (6.5%) were discharged. Forty-five patients with shunted single ventricle physiology (aggressive: 29 patients, delayed: 16 patients) received ECMO, but only 15 (33.3%) survived and were discharged. The survival rate of the aggressive ECMO group was significantly better when compared with the delayed ECMO group (p<0.01). Also, ECMO duration was significantly shorter among the aggressive ECMO group survivors (96.5 ± 62.9 h, p<0.01). Thus, the aggressive ECMO approach is a superior strategy compared to the delayed ECMO approach in pediatric cardiac patients. The aggressive ECMO approach improved our outcomes of neonatal and pediatric ECMO.

Transient ligation of umbilical vessels elevates placental tissue oxygen index (TOI) values measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in clawn miniature pig animal model

We recently found a significant elevation in placental tissue oxygen index (TOI) values in cases of fetal growth restriction using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), indicating high oxygenation in the placental tissue. We hypothesized that insufficient fetoumbilical blood flow is causatively associated with high oxygenation levels in placental tissue. We transiently (for 15 sec) ligated the whole umbilicus, umbilical arteries, or veins of pregnant Clawn miniature pigs (102-113 days of gestation) and assessed the changes in TOI values of the placenta and fetus. The ligation significantly increased placental TOI values (p<0.01, respectively), but concomitantly decreased fetal TOI values (p<0.01, respectively), suggesting a decline in oxygen inflow from the maternal to fetal circulation in the placental tissue to be causative of the elevated placental TOI values. These observations suggest the promising clinical use of placental TOI values measured noninvasively by the transabdominal application of NIRS to assess the fetoplacental circulation.