[Cisplatin/5-fluorouracil intraperitoneal administration superior to intravenous administration for liver metastases of colonic carcinoma]

A 28-year-old female underwent sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer with peritoneal seeding. One month later, a solitary metastasis was found in S3 of the liver. After CDDP/5-FU intravenous chemotherapy, another metastasis appeared in S7. Intravenous administration showed PD. But the metastatic tumors shrank and became inobservable by CT after the 1st round of CDDP/5-FU intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and S7 tumor could not be identified after the 2nd round. Many previous reports demonstrated the concentration of cytotoxic drug in intraperitoneal administration was much higher than in intravenous administration. Theoretically, intraperitoneal chemotherapy is superior to intravenous chemotherapy for the prevention and treatment of liver metastases. This case demonstrated this hypothesis was right. We think adjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be re-considered for the prevention of the liver metastases of gastrointestinal cancers.

Amphistin, a new melanogenesis inhibitor, produced by an actinomycete

A new melanogenesis inhibitor, named amphistin, was isolated from the fermentation broth of an actinomycete strain KP-3052. Amphistin was purified from the culture filtrate by the combination of cation exchange, gel filtration, and aminosilyl silica gel chromatographic methods. The structure of amphistin was elucidated as gamma-(beta-histidinoalanino)homoalanine by NMR experiments including 1H-15N HMBC experiment and other spectroscopic analyses. Amphistin inhibited the melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells at concentration of 6.8 microM.

Subcutaneously implanted enteral nutrition port

BACKGROUND

Patients who have undergone esophagectomy with extensive lymph node dissection under thoracolapalotomy for advanced esophageal carcinomas frequently need long-term nutrition support because of their inadequate oral intake. We have used tube enterostomy feeding for these patients not only immediately after the operations but also at home to prevent the development of malnutrition. Patients who receive long-term tube enterostomy feeding often suffer from skin problems around the enteral nutrition catheters. Once the catheter is removed, the patient with anticipated malnutrition is subsequently unable to receive beneficial enteral nutrition. We have developed a new enteral access system that is placed subcutaneously. This subcutaneously implanted enteral nutrition port makes possible intermittent and long-term enteral nutrition support not only for the postoperative period but also for home care.

METHODS

This system consists of the port (Infuse-a-Port, SMAP15 Snaplock Macro-Port Venous Access System; Strato Medical Co) and the enteral nutrition tube (Enteral Tube 8F, 75 cm; Zeon Co). This system was applied to seven patients who had undergone esophagectomy. The port was placed on the lower chest subcutaneously, and the catheter was placed through the gastric tube and duodenum up to the jejunum. After the operation, a 20-gauge port needle was placed, and enteral nutrition formula (Enterued; Termo Co) was started with the enteral nutrition pump.

RESULTS

No complications (eg, infection of skin, obstruction of tube) were observed from the postoperative period through the home care stage. The observation period for this implanted system ranged from 2 to 12 months. The patients were able to avoid the malnutrition anticipated after the extensive operations and continued to receive nutrition support safely and effectively at home.

CONCLUSION

This new nutrition support system is safe and efficient for patients who anticipate long-term enteral nutrition support. A subcutaneously implanted enteral nutrition port makes possible intermittent and long-term nutrition support without patient discomfort and inconvenience.

Noninvasive determination of liver collagen content in chronic hepatitis. Multivariate regression modeling with blood chemical parameters as variables

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of blood biochemical parameters in assessing degree of hepatic fibrosis, serum levels of aminoterminal type III procollagen peptide (P III P), type IV collagen (IV-collagen), 7S domain of type IV collagen (7S-collagen), and hyaluronan (HA) were measured in 54 patients with chronic viral liver disease. Liver collagen content was quantified by a computer-assisted image analysis method. Significant correlations were found between the amount of collagen in the liver and serum levels of P III P (r = 0.482; P < 0.02), IV-collagen (r = 0.705; P < 0.001), 7S-collagen (r = 0.771; P < 0.001), and HA (r = 0.595; P < 0.001). To optimize diagnostic efficacy, we applied multivariate regression analysis to the combined results obtained for these blood biochemical parameters and some additional laboratory tests. The correlation coefficient obtained from the application of this model was 0.809. To measure the predictive value of the proposed model, we used it to estimate collagen content in an additional 16 patients with chronic liver disease and compared the estimated to the actual amount of collagen determined by direct measurement. The correlation coefficient was 0.937. These results suggest that application of the model would be useful for the assessment of collagen content of fibrotic liver.

Pyridindolols K1 and K2, new alkaloids from Streptomyces sp. K93-0711

Two new alkaloids with the beta-carboline skeleton, pyridindolols K1 (C18H18N2O5) and K2 (C16H16N2O4), were isolated from the culture both of Streptomyces sp. K93-0711. The structure of pyridindolols were established by spectroscopic investigations and chemical transformations. Pyridindolol K2 inhibited the adhesion of HL-60 cells to LPS-activated HUVEC monolayer (IC50 = 75 micrograms/ml).

Deficiency of plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase: roles of blood cells

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent mediator of inflammation and circulatory shock, is inactivated by the enzyme PAF acetylhydrolase. Plasma PAF acetylhydrolase deficiency occurs even in healthy subjects. We hypothesized that erythrocyte PAF acetylhydrolase could play a supplementary role in this plasma acetylhydrolase deficiency. We examined 1,030 subjects who participated in mass checkups, and assayed plasma and erythrocyte PAF acetylhydrolase. We also investigated the degradation of exogenous PAF by erythrocytes or other blood cells obtained from subjects who exhibited the plasma enzyme deficiency. The incidence of the plasma enzyme deficiency in this general Japanese population was 4.7% (48/1,030). None of the subjects with the deficiency had a history of allergy, circulatory shock, or chronic inflammatory diseases. The mean values for erythrocyte cytosolic PAF acetylhydrolase activity in the normal and deficient subjects were 0.51 +/- 0.15 (SD) and 0.71 +/- 0.28 nkat (nmol/s)/g protein, respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test). The half-life of 10 nmol/l [3H]PAF in plasma from normal subjects was about 5 min, and the half-life in whole blood or erythrocyte suspension in autologous plasma was almost the same as that in plasma. In plasma from deficient subjects, unchanged PAF virtually remained and the degradation in whole blood or erythrocyte suspension was a little faster than in plasma. We conclude that erythrocytes contribute only little to PAF metabolism in normal blood but they account for almost all of the slow PAF degradation in blood from subjects deficient in plasma PAF acetylhydrolase.

Madindoline, a novel inhibitor of IL-6 activity from Streptomyces sp. K93-0711. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activities

Selective growth inhibition against IL-6-dependent cells was detected in fermentation extracts of a microbial strain, K93-0711, which was characterized as Streptomyces species. Active metabolite, termed madindoline A and B, were isolated, and the structure was determined to be 3a-hydroxy-indoline with diketocyclopentene at the N position. Madindoline A and B displayed dose-dependent inhibition of MH60 cells, an IL-6-dependent cell line, in presence of 0.1 U/ml IL-6. The IC50 for madindoline A and B against this cell line was 8 microM and 30 microM, respectively. These compounds did not inhibit the growth of cell lines which are not IL-6 dependent and the growth inhibition of the MH60 cell line was reversed by addition of excess, 0.4 U/ml, of IL-6 to the culture media. These compounds did not show any antimicrobial activity at a concentration of 1,000 micrograms/ml.

Surface coverage of vascular grafts with cultured human endothelial cells from subcutaneous fat tissue obtained with a biopsy needle

Surface coverage with autogeneous endothelial cells is effective in reducing thrombogenicity of an artificial vascular graft, but procedure for obtaining the cells is invasive for patients. The purpose of this study was to establish cultures of human endothelial cells separated from a small piece of subcutaneous fat tissue. A piece of tissue weighing about 10 mg was obtained from subcutaneous fat using a biopsy needle, and treated with collagenase and dispase. Microvascular endothelial cells were selected and other types of cells contaminating the cultures were eliminated by scraping with a needle under a microscope. The yield of the cells was 8362 +/- 4264/10 mg of subcutaneous fat (n = 7). The cultures reached confluence in about 2 weeks. The cells were positive for von Willebrand factor, P-selectin, and uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein. The cells produced 15.9 +/- 3.3 ng/mg cell protein/h of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (n = 5) when stimulated with thrombin. Thrombin also stimulated the production of platelet-activating factor: 7653 +/- 4297 dpm/10(6) cells (n = 5). Endothelin-1 accumulation in the medium of unstimulated endothelial cells was 0.54 +/- 0.16 ng/mg cell protein/10 h (n = 8). As a preliminary experiment for graft seeding, the cells were also cultured on pieces of a gelatin-coated Dacron graft, and scanning electron microscopy revealed the surface coverage of the graft. We herein described about successful culture of human microvascular endothelial cells from subcutaneous fat tissue obtained using a biopsy needle. The cultured cells may be applicable to a seeded vascular graft.

Chlovalicin, a new cytocidal antibiotic produced by Sporothrix sp. FO-4649. II. Physicochemical properties and structural elucidation

A new growth inhibitor of IL-6 responsive MH60 cells, chlovalicin (MW; 332, C16H25O5Cl), was found in cultures of Sporothrix sp. FO-4649, together with a known sesquiterpene, ovalicin. The structure of chlovalicin was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Chlovalicin possesses a chlorinated methylene moiety at the C-1 position, and it corresponds to halogenated products derived from the epoxide ring attached to the C-1 position of ovalicin. The absolute configuration of chlovalicin was clarified as 1S, 2R, 3S, 1'S, 2'R by chemical transformation from ovalicin.

Chlovalicin, a new cytocidal antibiotic produced by Sporothrix sp. FO-4649. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activities

Selective growth inhibition against IL-6 dependent cells was detected in fermentation extracts of a fungal strain FO-4649 which was characterized as Sporothrix species. An active metabolite (1) termed chlovalicin was isolated together with ovalicin and two other ovalicin derivatives (compounds 3 and 4). Chlovalicin, a ovalicin derivative with a chlorinated methylene moiety at the C-1 position of the cyclohexane ring, dose-dependently inhibited the growth of IL-6 dependent MH60 cells (IC50, 7.5 microM) in the presence of 0.2 U/ml IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, the growth of B16 melanoma cells (IC50, 38 microM). Among the other three compounds, only ovalicin showed inhibitory activity (IC50, 27 microM) against MH60 cells. These four compounds did not show any antimicrobial activity at a concentration of 1000 micrograms/ml.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase deficiency. A missense mutation near the active site of an anti-inflammatory phospholipase

Deficiency of plasma platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase is an autosomal recessive syndrome that has been associated with severe asthma in Japanese children. Acquired deficiency has been described in several human diseases usually associated with severe inflammation. PAF acetylhydrolase catalyzes the degradation of PAF and related phospholipids, which have proinflammatory, allergic, and prothrombotic properties. Thus, a deficiency in the degradation of these lipids should increase the susceptibility to inflammatory and allergic disorders. Miwa et al. reported that PAF acetylhydrolase activity is absent in 4% of the Japanese population, which suggests that it could be a common factor in such disorders, but the molecular basis of the defect is unknown. We show that inherited deficiency of PAF acetylhydrolase is the result of a point mutation in exon 9 and that this mutation completely abolishes enzymatic activity. This mutation is the cause of the lack of enzymatic activity as expression in E. coli of a construct harboring the mutation results in an inactive protein. This mutation as a heterozygous trait is present in 27% in the Japanese population. This finding will allow rapid identification of subjects predisposed to severe asthma and other PAF-mediated disorders.

Mismatch DNA recognition protein from an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8

The mutS gene, implicated in DNA mismatch repair, was cloned from an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8. Its nucleotide sequence encoded a 819-amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 91.4 kDa. Its predicted amino acid sequence showed 56 and 39% homology with Escherichia coli MutS and human hMsh2 proteins, respectively. The T.thermophilus mutS gene complemented the hypermutability of the E.coli mutS mutant, suggesting that T.thermophilus MutS protein was active in E.coli and could interact with E.coli MutL and/or MutH proteins. The T.thermophilus mutS gene product was overproduced in E.coli and then purified to homogeneity. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 91 kDa by SDS-PAGE but approx. 330 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography, suggesting that T.thermophilus MutS protein was a tetramer in its native state. Circular dichroic measurements indicated that this protein had an alpha-helical content of approx. 50%, and that it was stable between pH 1.5 and 12 at 25 degree C and was stable up to 80 degree C at neutral pH. Thermus thermophilus MutS protein hydrolyzed ATP to ADP and Pi, and its activity was maximal at 80 degrees C. The kinetic parameters of the ATPase activity at 65 degrees C were Km = 130 microM and Kcat = 0.11 s(-1). Thermus thermophilus MutS protein bound specifically with G-T mismatched DNA even at 60 degrees C.

Modulation of endotoxin-induced histamine synthesis by cytokines in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages

The aim of this study was to examine the roles of various cytokines in histamine synthesis by macrophages in bone marrow. Pure (&gt; 99% nonspecific esterase-, CD14-, and Mac-1-positive) macrophage populations were obtained after long term culture of bone marrow cells (bone marrow-derived macrophages). Culture of the cells in the presence of Escherichia coli LPS caused a slight, but dose-dependent, increase in histidine decarboxylase-associated histamine synthesis with a concomitant increase in the expression of CD14, a LPS receptor, as well as the Mac-1 Ag on their surface. Granulocyte/macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) or IL-3 strongly enhanced LPS-induced histamine formation and expression of CD14 on bone marrow-derived macrophages, without affecting the expression of Mac-1 Ag. GM-CSF and IL-3 also caused a marked accumulation of both histidine decarboxylase and IL-6 mRNAs in the cells. Macrophage CSF and IL-1-alpha also potentiated LPS-dependent histamine formation when it was stimulated with GM-CSF or IL-3. In contrast to these cytokines, IFN-gamma suppressed LPS-induced histamine production regardless of whether it was stimulated by GM-CSF or IL-3, and inhibited CD14 expression. Neither IL-6 nor granulocyte CSF had any appreciable effect on LPS-induced histamine production even in combination with GM-CSF or IL-3. These results suggest that GM-CSF and IL-3 enhance LPS-induced histamine production in bone marrow-derived macrophages and that macrophage CSF and IL-1 alpha augment the actions of GM-CSF and IL-3. Possible implication of CD14 molecule in the reactions is discussed.

Modulation of endotoxin-induced histamine synthesis by cytokines in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages

The aim of this study was to examine the roles of various cytokines in histamine synthesis by macrophages in bone marrow. Pure (> 99% nonspecific esterase-, CD14-, and Mac-1-positive) macrophage populations were obtained after long term culture of bone marrow cells (bone marrow-derived macrophages). Culture of the cells in the presence of Escherichia coli LPS caused a slight, but dose-dependent, increase in histidine decarboxylase-associated histamine synthesis with a concomitant increase in the expression of CD14, a LPS receptor, as well as the Mac-1 Ag on their surface. Granulocyte/macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) or IL-3 strongly enhanced LPS-induced histamine formation and expression of CD14 on bone marrow-derived macrophages, without affecting the expression of Mac-1 Ag. GM-CSF and IL-3 also caused a marked accumulation of both histidine decarboxylase and IL-6 mRNAs in the cells. Macrophage CSF and IL-1-alpha also potentiated LPS-dependent histamine formation when it was stimulated with GM-CSF or IL-3. In contrast to these cytokines, IFN-gamma suppressed LPS-induced histamine production regardless of whether it was stimulated by GM-CSF or IL-3, and inhibited CD14 expression. Neither IL-6 nor granulocyte CSF had any appreciable effect on LPS-induced histamine production even in combination with GM-CSF or IL-3. These results suggest that GM-CSF and IL-3 enhance LPS-induced histamine production in bone marrow-derived macrophages and that macrophage CSF and IL-1 alpha augment the actions of GM-CSF and IL-3. Possible implication of CD14 molecule in the reactions is discussed.

Macrosphelide, a novel inhibitor of cell-cell adhesion molecule. II. Physiochemical properties and structural elucidation

New anticell-adherence compounds, macrosphelides A and B, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Microsphaeropis sp. FO-5050, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations. Macrosphelides A (M.W. 342, C16H22O8) and B (M.W. 340, C16H20O8) with three esters in their molecules were classified as 16-membered macrocyclic compounds. Macrosphelide B was found to be a corresponding oxidative product of macrosphelide A at the C-14 position.

Macrosphelide, a novel inhibitor of cell-cell adhesion molecule. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activities

Potent anti-adherent activity was detected in fermentation extracts of microbial strain FO-5050. Active compounds designated macrosphelide A and B were isolated and the structure was determined to be 16-membered macrolide antibiotics possessing three ester bonds in the ring structure. Macrosphelide A dose-dependently inhibited the adhesion of HL-60 cells to LPS-activated HUVEC monolayer (IC50, 3.5 microM); macrophelide B also inhibited HL-60 adhesion but to a lesser extent (IL50, 36 microM). Macrosphelide A did not show any antimicrobial and cytocidal activities at the concentration of 1000 micrograms/ml and 100 micrograms/ml, respectively.

Production of platelet-activating factor by porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells in culture

Endothelial cells produce platelet-activating factor (PAF), which is the key process in the interactions between the vascular wall and blood cells. To examine the production of PAF in brain microvasculature we have cultured brain endothelial cells and performed a comparative study with aortic endothelial cells. Fresh porcine brain was homogenized, and microvascular endothelial cells were separated by enzyme digestion. The cells were cultured in medium containing epidermal growth factor and bovine brain extract. Endothelial cells from the aorta of the same animal were cultured in a similar manner. Production of PAF was assessed by [3H]acetate incorporation into phospholipids or by radioimmunoassay. Prostacyclin was measured by radioimmunoassay of 6-ketoprostaglandin F 1 alpha. The cells produced 1760 +/- 403 and 2892 +/- 347 dpm/10(6) cells (n = 4) of PAF when stimulated with bradykinin and calcium ionophore A23187, each at 1 microM, respectively. Aortic endothelial cells produced 3911 +/- 2006 and 8052 +/- 2270 dpm/10(6) cells (n = 4), respectively, and these values were significantly higher than those in brain endothelial cells (p < 0.01, U-test). Prostacyclin production was also higher in aortic cells as compared to brain microvascular endothelial cells. In aortic endothelial cells both Ca ionophore A23187 and bradykinin significantly stimulated PMN adherence whereas in brain microvascular cells only Ca ionophore enhanced the adherence. Brain microvascular endothelial cells produce smaller amount of PAF and prostacyclin as compared to aortic endothelial cells, and this fact may imply that the functional integrity of the brain microvascular endothelium is maintained at a low level.

Role of histamine produced by macrophages in mouse bone marrow

Promyelocytic HL-60 cells differentiated into mature cells when they were cultured in the presence of dimaprit (10(-4) M), a histamine H2 agonist. An injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide increased the activity of histidine decarboxylase in bone marrow cells in C3H/HeN mice to a much greater extent than in C3H/HeJ mice, which are resistant to various effects of lipopolysaccharide. Histamine production increased concomitantly. In WBB6/F1 (W/W(v)) mice, which are genetically deficient in mast cells, histidine decarboxylase activity increased more than in C3H/HeN mice. Pure (>99% nonspecific esterase, CD14 and Mac-1 positive) macrophage populations were obtained from long-term culture of the bone marrow cells (bone marrow-derived macrophages, BMDM). Culture of the cells in the presence of lipopolysaccharide caused a slight, but dose-dependent increase in histidine decarboxylase-associated histamine synthesis. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF) or interleukin 3 (rmIL-3) potently increased lipopolysaccharide-induced histamine formation.

Louisianins A, B, C and D: non-steroidal growth inhibitors of testosterone-responsive SC 115 cells. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological characteristics

In the course of screening for non-steroidal growth inhibitors of testosterone-responsive Shionogi carcinoma 115 cells, louisianins A, B, C and D, were isolated from fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. WK-4028. Louisianin A remarkably inhibited the growth of SC 115 cells in the presence of 10(-7) M testosterone at an IC50 value of 0.6 microgram/ml, whereas, no inhibition was observed on the other cell lines. Furthermore, inhibitory activity of testosterone 5 alpha-reductase and antimicrobial activity have not been observed at a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml and 1,000 micrograms/ml, respectively.

Louisianins A, B, C and D: non-steroidal growth inhibitors of testosterone-responsive SC 115 cells. II. Physico-chemical properties and structural elucidation

New non-steroidal growth inhibitors of testosterone-responsive SC 115 cells, louisianins A (MW: 189; C11H11NO2), B (MW: 191; C11H13NO2), C (MW: 173; C11H11NO) and D (MW: 173; C11H11NO) were isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. WK-4028. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. The structure of louisianin A in particular was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The four compounds commonly possess a unique pyrindine skeleton in the molecule.