[Tocopherol Reference Standard (Control 001) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of tocopherol was tested for the preparation of "Tocopherol Reference Standard (Control 991)". Analytical data obtained were: IR spectrum, same as the Tocopherol Reference Standard (Control 941); specific absorbance, E/cm% (292 nm) = 72.9; thin-layer chromatography, no impurities were detected until 50.0 micrograms; high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), trace amounts of five impurities were detected and the total amount was estimated to be less than 1.4%; assay by HPLC, 99.9%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Standard (Control 991).

[Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Reference Standard (Control 001) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material for prednisolone sodium phosphate was examined for the preparation of the "Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Reference Standard (Control 001)". The analytical data obtained were: pH, 7.9; optical rotation, [alpha]D20 = +98.0 degrees; UV spectrum, lambda max of 248 nm and specific absorbance in ethanol at 248 nm = 306.7; IR spectrum, same as that of the Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Reference Standard (Control 892); thin-layer chromatography, five impurities were detected at 200 micrograms; high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total amount of impurities estimated to be less than 3.7%; residual solvent, 0.0% (ethanol) and 0.0% (hexane); loss on drying, 2.7%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Reference Standard (Control 001) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

The process of cardiorespiratory autoresuscitation in intact newborn rats

To examine the process of spontaneous autoresuscitation and the recovery of the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) after prolonged anoxia, we monitored respiratory frequency (f, by body plethysmography) and heart rate (HR, by ECG) in intact newborn rats (n = 12, day 2-4) before, during, and after 100% N2 exposure. The rat before anoxia showed signs of HVR: f changes at acute hypoxia (10% O2) and hyperoxia (100% O2). During anoxia, the spontaneous respiratory movement "gasping" appeared for 21 min (mean). At O2 restoration (with 100% O2), gasping stopped and no respiratory flow was detected for 1 min. One rat failed to autoresuscitate and had heart arrhythmia during the transient apnea, but 11 rats recovered respiration after the HR acceleration. Despite the successful autoresuscitation, the rats did not show HVR at 10 min into the recovery period and the recovery of HVR required more than 30 min. The results indicate that O2 inhalation is useful to trigger autoresuscitation even when the rat has already been in a state of profound hypoxic depression, but the rat becomes transiently insensitive to HVR after autoresuscitation. We estimate that reform of the respiratory control system in newborn rats is not yet firmly established to track HVR early in the recovery phase after prolonged anoxia.

Analysis of gene expression of aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase in rat Schwann cells by competitive RT-PCR method using non-homologous DNA standards

Aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) are the enzymes constituting the polyol pathway, an alternate route of glucose metabolism. A wealth of experimental data has indicated the involvement of the polyol pathway in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. However, there has been surprisingly little research on the relative abundance of SDH to AR in the tissues affected in diabetes. We therefore developed a competitive RT-PCR system to simultaneously determine the mRNA levels of these two enzymes in small amounts of samples, and studied their expression in Schwann cells isolated from adult rat sciatic nerves. Although both AR and SDH mRNA were expressed in the Schwann cells, the levels of SDH cDNA were much lower than those of AR cDNA. The induction of AR mRNA expression in the Schwann cells under hyperosmotic conditions was similarly detected by Northern blot analysis and our competitive RT-PCR method. The RT-PCR system developed in this study may be a useful tool in ascertaining the relative contributions of AR and SDH to the metabolic derangements resulting from the acceleration of polyol pathway activity in the target organ of diabetic complications.

Bisabosquals, novel squalene synthase inhibitors. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activities

In the course of screening for yeast squalene synthase inhibitors, bisabosqual A was isolated from the culture broth of Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260. The related compounds bisabosquals B, C and D were also isolated from Stachybotrys ruwenzoriensis RF-6853. Bisabosquals inhibited squalene synthases. IC50 values of bisabosqual A against the microsomal squalene synthases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, HepG2 cell and rat liver were 0.43, 0.25, 0.95 and 2.5 microg/ml, respectively. Bisabosqual C exhibited inhibitory activities similar to bisabosqual A. Bisabosqual A showed broad spectrum antifungal activity in vitro.

Effects of potassium channel and Na+-Ca2+ exchange blockers on the responses of slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors to hyperinflation in flecainide-treated rats

1. The effects of K(+) channel blockers, such as 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA), and a reverse-mode Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange blocker, 2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxyl) phenyl] ethyl] isothiourea methanesulphonate (KB-R7943), on the responses of slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptor activity to hyperinflation (inflation volume=3 tidal volumes) were investigated in anaesthetized, artificially ventilated, unilaterally vagotomized rats after pretreatment with a Na(+) channel blocker flecainide. The administration of flecainide (9 mg kg(-1)) at a dose greater than that which abolished 50 microg kg(-1) veratridine-induced SAR stimulation also inhibited hyperinflation-induced stimulation of SARs. 2. In flecainide-treated animals, administration of 4-AP (0.7 and 2 mg kg(-1)) stimulated SAR activity during normal inflation and also caused a partial blockade of hyperinflation-induced SAR inhibition. 3. The discharges of SARs during normal inflation in flecainide-treated animals were not significantly altered by administration of either TEA (2 and 7 mg kg(-1)) or KB-R7943 (1 and 3 mg kg(-1)), but both K(+) channel and Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange blockers partially attenuated hyperinflation-induced SAR inhibition. 4. These results suggest that hyperinflation-induced SAR inhibition in the presence of flecainide (9 mg kg(-1)) involves the activation of several K(+) conductance pathways.

Biochemical and morphological changes during development of sugar cataract in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rat

The relationship between the polyol pathway and sugar cataracts has been studied extensively using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and galactose fed rats as animal models for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In these models, sugar cataracts progress quickly, leading to rapid lenticular polyol accumulation in the early stages of cataract formation. In 1992, a new animal model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat, was established. In the present study, we examined both biochemical and morphological changes in the lenses of the OLETF rats to determine whether these changes reflect those associated with diabetic cataract formation and to clarify their relationship with the polyol pathway. For the biochemical analysis, we measured the enzyme activity of aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and the sorbitol levels using 20, 40 and 60 week old OLETF or control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Enzyme activities of AR and SDH, which were lower in 20 week old OLETF rats than in LETO rats, were increased in 60 week old OLETF rats. The lenticular sorbitol level of the OLETF rats was similar to the control level at 20 weeks of age, but it was markedly increased at 40 weeks of age, and slightly decreased at 60 weeks of age compared with rats at 40 weeks but not compared with controls. Slight lens fiber swelling was observed in the anterior and/or posterior subcapsular regions of 40 week old OLETF rats, accompanying elevated sorbitol level and slightly increased SDH activity in the lens. Swelling and liquefaction of lens fibers were observed in the subcapsular and supranuclear region of 60 week old OLETF rats, as well as decreased lenticular sorbitol, and markedly increased SDH activity compared with rats at 40 weeks. AR activity was also increased causing the elevation of sorbitol in lenses of OLETF rats during the early stages of cataract formation. Despite differences in the etiology of diabetes mellitus, the strain of rat and the rate of disease progression in the OLETF rat model compared with other diabetic models, the present results support the theory that the polyol pathway via AR is a factor in the development of sugar cataracts.

Expression of aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase genes in Schwann cells isolated from rat: effects of high glucose and osmotic stress

To investigate the polyol pathway activity in Schwann cells, we determined the mRNA levels of aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in cultured cells under hyperglycemic or hyperosmotic conditions using competitive RT-PCR technique. The expressions of AR and SDH mRNAs in Schwann cells were unaltered by high (30 mM) glucose content in the medium. On the other hand, osmotic stress elicited significant increases in AR mRNA without any effect on SDH mRNA expression. The levels of AR mRNA determined by this RT-PCR system were significantly correlated with AR activity, as well as the levels of sorbitol accumulated in Schwann cells cultured under hyperosmotic conditions. These findings suggest that in contrast to the induction of AR expression by osmotic stress, high glucose per se does not up-regulate expression of the enzymes constituting the polyol pathway in Schwann cells. The RT-PCR system developed in this study may be a useful tool in ascertaining the relative contributions of AR and SDH to the metabolic derangements leading to diabetic complications.

Levels of interleukin-18 and its binding inhibitors in the blood circulation of patients with adult-onset Still's disease

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is involved in immunologically mediated tissue damage, but its bioactivity is regulated in vivo by its soluble decoy receptor, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). This study was undertaken to determine levels of IL-18 and IL-18 binding inhibition in the blood of patients with adult-onset Still's disease (ASD).

METHODS

Serum concentrations of IL-18 in ASD patients were compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with those in patients with other systemic rheumatic diseases and healthy controls. The biologically active mature protein of IL-18 was detected by Western blot analysis with anti-IL-18 antibody and its induction of interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) secretion from IL-18-responding human myelomonocytic KG-1 cells. The inhibitory activity on IL-18 binding to its receptor was determined by 125I-IL-18 binding inhibition assay using the Chinese hamster ovary cell line transfected with a murine IL-18 receptor (CHO-K1/mIL-18R).

RESULTS

Concentrations of serum IL-18 were extremely elevated in patients with active ASD compared with those in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, Sjogren's syndrome, or healthy individuals. Levels of IL-18 were found to correlate with serum ferritin values and disease severity in ASD. Western blot analysis revealed that serum samples from patients with active ASD contained an 18-kd polypeptide of IL-18, corresponding in size to the mature form. Accordingly, the samples were able to induce IFNgamma secretion from KG-1 cells, which was largely abolished by neutralizing anti-IL-18 antibody. However, the level of IL-18 bioactivity was more than 10-fold weaker than the concentration of IL-18 protein measured by ELISA. Serum samples from patients with active ASD showed an inhibitory effect on the binding of 125I-IL-18 to CHO-K1/mIL-18R cells, and this activity was associated with elevation of IL-18.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that systemic overproduction of IL-18 may be closely related to the pathogenesis of ASD, despite the restriction on its inflammatory activity by IL-18 binding inhibitors such as IL-18BP. The disease activity appears to be determined on the basis of the relative levels of IL-18 and its specific inhibitors.

Interleukin 18 induces a synergistic enhancement of interferon gamma production in mixed murine spleen cell-tumor cell cultures: role of endogenous interleukin 12

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) reportedly synergizes with IL-12 and IL-10 for interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) synthesis and natural killer (NK) cell activity, respectively. Here we show that IL-18 alone induces low level IFN-gamma production by unstimulated Balb/c mouse spleen cells, but production is enhanced synergistically in cocultures of spleen cells and allogeneic living or fixed Yac-1 cells. Spleen cells could be primed with IL-18 prior to coculture with Yac-1 cells for IFN-gamma production, which also was observed in cocultures containing either syngeneic or xenogeneic tumor cells. IFN-gamma production in stimulated cocultures was abrogated almost completely by anti-IL-12 antibody and was unrelated to spleen cell lytic activity. IL-10 moderately inhibited IFN-gamma production induced by IL-18. Therefore, in spleen cell and tumor cell cocultures exposed to IL-18, high levels of IFN-gamma are produced by the spleen cells arising from a synergistic interaction between the exogenous IL-18 and endogenous IL-12; however, this activity is unrelated to the spleen cell lytic activity.

Interferon-gamma-inducing activity of interleukin-18 in the joint with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) bioactivity within the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint, and the differential effects of IL-12 and IL-18 on interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) production by T cell infiltrates.

METHODS

Expression of IL-18 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The biologic activity of IL-18 was detected on the basis of IFNgamma secretion from IL-18-responding human myelomonocytic KG-1 cells. To determine the extent of inhibitory activity on binding of IL-18 to its receptor, a [125I]-IL-18 binding inhibition assay was performed, using a Chinese hamster ovary cell line transfected with a murine IL-18 receptor.

RESULTS

The amount of IL-18 protein detected in both the serum and synovial fluid of RA patients was markedly larger than that detected in the serum and synovial fluid ofosteoarthritis (OA) patients, and serum IL-18 levels correlated with the levels of serum C-reactive protein. IFNgamma production by KG-1 cells was more strongly stimulated in synovial fluid samples from RA patients than in samples from OA patients, and this activity was largely diminished in the presence of anti-IL-18 antibody. In contrast, the activity of IL-18 binding inhibition in the serum and synovial fluid of RA patients was not significantly elevated compared with that in OA patients. RA synovial tissues showed increased expression of IL-18 mRNA and increased IL-18 protein synthesis compared with that in OA tissues. Purified CD14+ macrophages, but not activated fibroblast cell lines, from RA synovium were able to release mature IL-18, although both cell types expressed its transcripts. IL-18 alone showed a negligible effect on IFNgamma production by RA synovial tissue cells, in contrast to IL-12, which was directly stimulatory. However, IL-12-induced IFNgamma production was synergistically enhanced by IL-18, and yet was >50% reduced by neutralization of endogenous IL-18 with anti-IL-18 antibody.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that IL-18, produced predominantly by tissue macrophages, primarily potentiates IL-12-induced IFNgamma production by T cell infiltrates in RA synovium. Detection of significant IL-18 bioactivity in the joints, despite the presence of IL-18 binding inhibitors, supports an integral role of this cytokine in perpetuating the IFNgamma-dominant T cell cytokine response in RA.

Modulation of apolipoprotein E-mediated plasma clearance and cell uptake of emulsion particles by cholesteryl ester

Cholesteryl ester, along with triglyceride (TG), is the major core component of plasma lipoproteins. We investigated the effect of core composition on the physical state and metabolic behavior of lipid emulsions, as model particles of lipoproteins. Fluorescence studies using 1,6-diphenylhexatriene analogs showed that although cholesteryl oleate (CO) significantly decreased core mobility, the surface rigidity of phosphatidylcholine (PC) monolayers was independent of core composition. When intravenously injected into rats, the increased amount of core CO tended to retard TG emulsion removal from plasma, and the initial clearance rate was correlated with the amount of apolipoprotein E (apoE) bound from plasma. In addition, PC liposomes with a similar emulsion particle size showed negligible binding of apoE and were cleared at a slower rate compared to all emulsions. Furthermore, the effect of CO on the binding behavior of apoE to the emulsion surface and the emulsion uptake by hepatocytes was assessed in vitro. Replacing core TG with CO was found to decrease the apoE binding capacity to emulsions markedly without changing the binding affinity and thereby to reduce the cell uptake of emulsion particles by HepG2 cells. These results indicate that the physical state of core lipids, which can be modulated by CO content, plays a role in emulsion metabolism through the alteration in apoE binding.

Mantle dynamics and seismic tomography

Three-dimensional imaging of the Earth's interior, called seismic tomography, has achieved breakthrough advances in the last two decades, revealing fundamental geodynamical processes throughout the Earth's mantle and core. Convective circulation of the entire mantle is taking place, with subducted oceanic lithosphere sinking into the lower mantle, overcoming the resistance to penetration provided by the phase boundary near 650-km depth that separates the upper and lower mantle. The boundary layer at the base of the mantle has been revealed to have complex structure, involving local stratification, extensive structural anisotropy, and massive regions of partial melt. The Earth's high Rayleigh number convective regime now is recognized to be much more interesting and complex than suggested by textbook cartoons, and continued advances in seismic tomography, geodynamical modeling, and high-pressure-high-temperature mineral physics will be needed to fully quantify the complex dynamics of our planet's interior.

Serum interferon-gamma-inducing factor/IL-18 levels in primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease of the liver in which T helper 1 cytokines predominate over those of T helper 2 in the pathogenesis. Interleukin- 18 (IL-18), for which the gene was recently cloned, is a novel T helper 1 cytokine, which augments interferon-gamma production. We designed this study to clarify the role of IL-18 in primary biliary cirrhosis and to examine whether serum IL-18 level can be a prognostic indicator for the disease. Serum IL-18 levels were measured using an enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay with mouse monoclonal antibodies. Twenty-two healthy volunteers, 31 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (Scheuer's stage I, 13; II, 10; and IV, 8), 20 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 11 patients with virus-related liver cirrhosis and six patients with obstructive jaundice were enrolled. Significant differences of serum IL-18 levels were observed between patients with Scheuer's stage IV and those with stage I, or II, virus-related liver cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice (P < 0.05). The IL-18 levels in primary biliary cirrhosis increased according to the disease progression, and fell promptly after living-related liver transplantation. Moreover, serum IL-18 levels in primary biliary cirrhosis were correlated with serum bilirubin concentrations and the Risk scores of the Mayo Clinic prognostic model for the disease. The IL-18 levels observed in patients with autoimmune hepatitis were also elevated, and correlated with the activity of the disease. These results indicate that serum interleukin-18 levels reflect the severity of primary biliary cirrhosis, the activity of autoimmune hepatitis, and may be an additive prognostic indicator in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Synthesis of novel heterobranched beta-cyclodextrins from alpha-D-mannosylmaltotriose and beta-cyclodextrin by the reverse action of pullulanase, and isolation and characterization of the products

Alpha-D-mannosyl-maltotriose (Man-G3) were synthesized from methyl alpha-mannoside and maltotriose by the transfer action of alpha-mannosidase. (Man-G3)-betaCD and (Man-G3)2-betaCD were produced in about 20% and 4% yield, respectively when Aerobacter aerogenes pullulanase (160 units per 1 g of Man-G3) was incubated with the mixture of 1.6 M Man-G3 and 0.16 M betaCD at 50 degrees C for 4 days. The reaction products, (Man-G3)-betaCD were separated to three peaks by HPLC analysis on a YMC-PACK A-323-3 column and (Man-G3)2-betaCD were separated to several peaks by HPLC analysis on a Daisopak ODS column. The major product of (Man-G3)-betaCDs was identified as 6-O-alpha-(6(3)-O-alpha-D-mannosylmaltotriosyl)-betaCD by FAB-MS and NMR spectroscopies. The structures of (Man-G3)2-betaCDs were analyzed by TOF-MS and NMR spectroscopies, and confirmed by comparison of elution profiles of their hydrolyzates by alpha-mannosidase and glucoamylase on a graphitized carbon column with those of the authentic di-glucosyl-betaCDs. The structures of three main components of (Man-G3)2-betaCDs were identified as 6(1),6(2)-, 6(1),6(3)- and 6(1),64-di-O-(63-O-alpha-D-mannosyl-maltotriosyl)-betaCD.

Change in mechanical receptive field properties induced by GABA(A) receptor activation in the trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis neurons in rats

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the effect of a local GABAergic inhibitory mechanism on the mechanical receptive field properties of trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis (SpVc) neurons by iontophoretic application of a gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABA(A))-antagonist and -agonist. A total of 24 SpVc neurons that responded to orofacial mechanical stimulation were extracellularly recorded by means of multibarrel microelectrodes in urethane-anesthetized rats. The GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline (30 nA, 5 min) enhanced the activities of SpVc neurons (20/24) induced by both touch/pressure and pinch stimuli and also lowered the mechanical stimulation threshold (touch/pressure). Spontaneous discharges in these neurons (20/24) were significantly increased after bicuculline application. Eighteen out of 24 SpVc neurons showed signs of expansion of the receptive field size after iontophoretic application of bicuculline. These changes showed a current-dependent manner and were reversed in approximately 15-20 min. Iontophoretic application of the GABA(A) agonist muscimol induced a current-related inhibition of neuronal activity elicited by touch/pressure and pinch stimuli as well as a decrease in the size of receptive fields. The facilitation of evoked responses and receptive field expansion of SpVc neuron induced by bicuculline application were blocked by coapplication of muscimol (50 nA, 5 min). These results suggest that a local mechanism acting via GABA(A) receptors normally exerts a tonic inhibition of mechanoreceptive transmission in the trigeminal spinal nucleus neurons and this effect may limit responsiveness and size of receptive fields.

Polygonum tinctorium extract suppresses nitric oxide production by activated macrophages through inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase expression

Despite its beneficial role in host defense mechanisms, excessive nitric oxide (NO) production by activated macrophages has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. To clarify the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activities of Polygonum tinctorium, we evaluated whether extracts of P. tinctorium could modulate the production of NO by activated macrophages. An AcOEt extract of P. tinctorium markedly inhibited NO synthesis by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages and the macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of NO synthesis was achieved by reducing inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression at protein and mRNA levels. However, the AcOEt extract of P. tinctorium failed to inhibit NO synthesis when iNOS was already expressed following stimulation with IFN-gamma and LPS. The AcOEt extract also exhibited inhibitory activity on iNOS expression in human lung epithelial A549 cells stimulated with a combination of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta without affecting the expression of constitutive isoforms of NOS. Furthermore, in vivo injection of the AcOEt extract of P. tinctorium into LPS-treated mice significantly reduced NO synthesis by peritoneal exudate cells under ex vivo conditions. These results suggest that P. tinctorium extract may be a potential therapeutic modulator of NO synthesis in various pathological conditions.

[Lanatoside C Reference Standard (Control 981) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of lanatoside C was examined for preparation of the "Lanatoside C Reference Standard". The analytical data obtained were: melting point, 247.4 degree C; optical rotation, [alpha]20(D) = + 34.0 degree, loss on drying, 6.93%; infrared spectrum, the same as that of the Lanatoside C Reference Standard (Control 784); thin-layer chromatography, two impurities detected; high-performance liquid chromatography, several impurities detected and the total amount estimated to be about 1.26%; assay by spectrophotometry, 103.0%. Based on the above results, the candidate material was authorized as the Lanatoside C Reference Standard (Control 981) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

[Triamcinolone Reference Standard (Control 981) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of triamcinolone was examined for preparation of the "Triamcinolone Reference Standard (Control 981)". The analytical data obtained were: melting point, 246 degrees C (decomposition); UV spectrum, lambda max of 239 nm and specific absorbance in methanol at 289 nm of 394; IR spectrum, specific absorptions at 3462, 1716, 1659, 1615, 1604, 1132 and 1061 cm-1; optical rotation, [alpha]D20 = +69.7 degrees; high-performance liquid chromatography, five impurities detected and amount of each impurity estimated to be less than 0.6% and total amount of impurities less than 1.4%; loss on drying, 0.24%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Triamcinolone Reference Standard (Control 981) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

[Digoxin Reference Standard (Control 991) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of digoxin was examined to prepare a "Digoxin Reference Standard". The analytical data obtained were: optical rotation, [alpha](20)D = + 11.7 degree; loss on drying, 0.008%, infrared spectrum, the same as that of the Digoxin Reference Standard (Control 807); high-performance liquid chromatography, several impurities detected and the total amount estimated to be about 0.31%, assay by spectrophotometry, 100.1%. Based on the above results, the candidate material was authorized as the Digoxin Reference Standard (Control 991) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

[Tocopherol Succinate Reference Standard (Control 981) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of tocopherol succinate was tested for preparation of the "Tocopherol Succinate Reference Standard (Control 981)". The analytical data obtained were: infrared spectrum same as that of the Tocopherol Succinate Reference Standard (Control 8510); specific absorbance, E(1%)1 cm (286 nm) = 40.7; thin-layer chromatography, no impurities detected until 50.0 microgram; high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),three impurities detected and amount of tocopherol succinate estimated to be 98.2%, loss on drying, 0.19%, assay by HPLC, 101.7%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Reference Standard (Control 981).

[Fluocinonide Reference Standard (Control 981) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of fluocinonide was examined for preparation of the "Fluocinonide Reference Standard (Control 981)". The analytical data obtained were: UV spectrum, lambda max of 237.4 nm; IR spectrum, same as that of the Fluocinonide Reference Standard (Control 841); optical rotation, [alpha]20(D) = + 84.4 degree, thin-layer chromatography, one impurity detected; high-performance liquid chromatography, three impurities detected and total amount estimated to be about 0.20%; loss on drying, 0.15%; assay by HPLC, 99.6% Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Fluocinonide Reference Standard (Control 981) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.

[Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 981) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of triamcinolone acetonide was examined for preparation of the "Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 981)". The analytical data obtained were: melting point, 289 degrees C (decomposition); UV spectrum, lambda max of 238 nm; IR spectrum, same as that of the Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 834); optical rotation, [alpha]D20 = +106.8 degrees; thin-layer chromatography, no impurities detected; high-performance liquid chromatography, total amount of impurities less than 0.4%; loss on drying, 1.3%; assay by HPLC, 100.1%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Triamcinolone Acetonide Reference Standard (Control 981) of the National Institute of Health Sciences.