Pharmacokinetic properties of E3810, a new proton pump inhibitor, in healthy male volunteers

E3810 is a new H+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor with a substituted benzimidazole, which is under clinical investigation for peptic ulcer treatment in Japan and the USA. Three separate studies were conducted to evaluate the safety and to establish the pharmacokinetic profile of E3810 after oral administration to healthy male subjects. E3810 was administered as: single oral doses (1, 3, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg) in fasting conditions, a single oral dose (20 mg) after a meal and repeated oral doses (20 and 40 mg) once daily for 7 days. The concentrations of E3810 and its metabolites in plasma and urine were determined by HPLC methods with UV detection. E3810 was generally well tolerated by all subjects. In the single-dose study, Cmax and AUC increased with increasing doses in the dose range examined. The mean plasma half-life was about 1.0 hour and was dose-independent. The apparent oral clearance of E3810 ranged from 4.37 to 8.40 ml/min/kg. No significant deviation from linear pharmacokinetics was observed. Approximately, 30% of a dose was excreted into the urine as thioether carboxylic acid-E3810 and its glucuronide. The mean serum protein binding was 96.3%. No effect of food intake on the Cmax and AUC was observed while tmax after a meal was 1.7 hours longer than that in the fasting conditions. No appreciable change in drug pharmacokinetics was observed during repeated oral dosing of E3810.

Ethylene production by strains of the plant-pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae depends upon the presence of indigenous plasmids carrying homologous genes for the ethylene-forming enzyme

The molecular characteristics of the ethylene-forming enzymes of strains of Pseudomonas syringae were tested. The ethylene-producing activities of the nine strains as measured in vivo and in vitro were similar, except for that of P. syringae pv. mori M5. A polyclonal antibody and a DNA probe for the ethylene-forming enzyme from P. syringae pv. phaseolicola PK2 were prepared to investigate homologies among the proteins and genes for the ethylene-forming enzymes. With the exception of P. syringae pv. mori M5, eight strains tested expressed the same antigen as the ethylene-forming enzyme from P. syringae pv. phaseolicola PK2 and were homologous to DNA sequences on indigenous plasmids. Molecular masses of antigenic proteins from all ethylene-producing strains were 40 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified ethylene-forming enzyme from P. syringae pv. glycinea KN130 was identical to that of the enzyme from P. syringae pv. phaseolicola PK2. These results show that the ethylene-forming enzymes encoded by the indigenous plasmid(s) in the pathogenic bacteria examined were similar.

A chimeric Rec-A protein that implicates non-Watson-Crick interactions in homologous pairing

The helical filament formed by RecA protein on single-stranded DNA plays an important role in homologous recombination and pairs with a complementary single strand or homologous duplex DNA. The RecA nucleoprotein filament also recognizes an identical single strand. The chimeric protein, RecAc38, forms a nucleoprotein filament that recognizes a complementary strand but is defective in recognition of duplex DNA, and is associated with phenotypic defects in repair and recombination. As described here, RecAc38 nucleoprotein filament is also defective in recognition of an identical strand, either when the filament has within it a single strand or duplex DNA. A model that postulates three DNA binding sites rationalizes these observations and suggests that the third binding site mediates non-Watson-Crick interactions that are instrumental in recognition of homology in duplex DNA.

Safety evaluation of lipase G from Penicillium camembertii

Lipase G, a partial glycerides eliminating enzyme produced by Penicillium camembertii, was subjected to safety evaluation studies to establish its safety when used as a processing aid in the food industry. The toxicological studies on the enzyme included a 90-day gavage study with rats, a mutagenicity study using bacteria, and a pathogenicity study using mice. The no-adverse-effect level from the 90-day gavage toxicity study was 2000 mg/kg body weight/day for rats. There was no evidence of mutagenic potential. The micro-organism was evaluated for pathogenicity using mice and classified as a non-pathogen. Results indicate that the production and use of lipase G may be regarded as safe for the enzyme production worker and the consumer.

Thyroid hormone autoantibodies in patients with Graves' disease: effect of anti-thyroid drug treatment

We examined the effects of anti-thyroid drug treatment on serum autoantibodies against thyroid hormones (thyroid hormone autoantibodies, THAA), thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in patients with Graves' disease by measuring each autoantibody level before and after treatment. Six patients among 40 untreated patients with Graves' disease had anti-thyroxine (T4) antibodies. One patient had both anti-T4 and anti-triiodothyronine (T3) antibodies. Thus the prevalence of THAA in untreated Graves' disease was 7 out of 40 (17.5%). Changes in T4-Ab levels after treatment varied. In five cases (cases 3-7) levels decreased 4-7 months after treatment. However, in the other two cases levels fluctuated 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. None of the previously THAA-negative patients became positive after treatment. Anti-Tg antibody (Tg-Ab) was positive in 34 out of 40 (85%) untreated cases and its level decreased in both THAA positive and negative patients after treatment. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) was positive in 32 of the 40 (80%) untreated Graves' patients and its level significantly decreased after treatment. Our findings suggest that treatment with anti-thyroid drugs does not produce THAA in Graves' disease.

Results of subtotal gastrectomy with complete dissection of the N2 lymph nodes preserving the spleen and pancreas in surgery for gastric cancer

In radical resection for gastric cancer, dissection of the N2 lymph nodes is recommended, and total gastrectomy with splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy is sometimes necessary, even if the cancer is located in the middle part of the stomach. However, splenectomy affects the immunological status, and distal pancreatectomy induces diabetes mellitus. In 22 patients with macroscopic Stage II gastric cancer located in the middle part of the corpus, we performed a complete N2 lymph node dissection without splenectomy or pancreatectomy and preserving the short and splenic vessels. Of the 22 cases, 6 had early gastric cancer and 16 advanced cancer. Twenty cases underwent subtotal gastrectomy and 2 cases total gastrectomy. The average number of lymph nodes dissected was 39 (13-82), and 8 patients (36%) showed positive lymph node metastasis (N1(+) 2 cases, N2(+) 6 cases). Postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (18%), one of whom died of an intraabdominal abscess; the others are alive with no recurrence. This operation is safe and rational, and is recommended mainly in patients with mid-stage gastric cancer located in the middle part of the corpus.

Determination of structural elements of the L2/HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope required for its function

The L2/HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope has been shown to carry an unusual 3'-sulfoglucuronic acid linked O-glycosidically through a neolactosyl-type backbone to a ceramide residue. Using monoclonal antibodies, the same or a closely related epitope has also been detected N-glycosidically linked to glycoproteins, amongst them several neural cell adhesion molecules. We used synthetic glycolipids carrying sulfated or non-sulfated glucuronic acid attached to ceramide through glycans of different length to show that not only the sulfated glucuronic acid but also the neolactosyl-type backbone is essential for the recognition of the L2/HNK-1 carbohydrate by a monoclonal antibody, its binding to laminin and its role in neural cell migration and outgrowth of processes from neurons and astrocytes.

Accumulation of L-[2-(F-18)]fluorophenylalanine in peri-infarct area in a patient with acute cerebral infarction

We studied the brain uptake of amino acid in a patient with acute cerebral infarction with L-[2-(F-18)]fluorophenylalanine and positron emission tomography. The increased accumulation of the ligand was specifically found in the peri-infarct area where oxygen metabolism was still maintained but decreased later in the 72-day follow-up period. The kinetic analysis revealed that increased accumulation was not due to increased transport from the blood to the brain but delayed washout from the brain to the blood. Although the mechanism is still unknown, abnormally high accumulation of L-[F-18]fluorophenylalanine may predict delayed neuronal changes after ischemic insults of the brain.

[Clinical effects of imipenem/cilastatin sodium on gynecological infections]

We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) in gynecological infections at gynecological departments at multiple institutions in Yamagata Prefecture. The subjects consisted of 64 patients with gynecological infections, 9 with urinary tract infections, and 21 with other infections. IPM/CS was intravenously drip infused at a dose of 1-2 g/day. The overall response rate was 97.9% (92/94); 96.9% (62/64) for gynecological infections, 100% (9/9) for urinary tract infections, and 100% (21/21) for other infections. Bacteriologically the response rate was 97.3% (36/37), and the eradication rate was 97% (32/33). As for subjective and objective side effects, only diarrhea was observed in 1 patient. Clinical laboratory examinations showed no abnormal values. These results suggest the usefulness of IPM/CS for gynecological infections.

Polymorphisms of Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom gland phospholipase A2 isozyme genes

Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom gland phospholipase A2 (PLA2) genes pgPLA 1a and pgPLA 2a encode Asp-49-PLA2 and genes pgPLA 1b and pgPLA 2b encode an isozyme of Asp-49-PLA2. Polymorphisms were found in pairs of pgPLA 1a and pgPLA 2a and of pgPLA 1b and pgPLA 2b for individuals of T. flavoviridis. The occurrence of both homozygotes and heterozygotes was demonstrated.

A cDNA encoding a new member of the rat placental lactogen family, PL-I mosaic (PL-Im)

We have isolated a cDNA encoding a novel placental lactogen (PL), PL-I mosaic (PL-Im), by screening the cDNA library in lambda ZAP of the mid-pregnant (day 12) rat placenta. The cDNA comprised an open reading frame of 687 bp encoding 229 amino acids, in which there were two putative N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis showed that PL-Im mRNA was expressed specifically during mid-pregnancy (days 10 and 12) in the rat placenta. The cDNA was highly homologous with those of other rat PL family members; in particular, the homology among PL-Im, PL-I (mid-pregnancy-specific) and PL-Iv (late-pregnancy-specific) was over 90%. Interestingly, the nucleotide sequence of PL-Im cDNA was a mosaic of PL-I and PL-Iv and it did not possess its own particular sequence. As the genomic pattern determined using Southern blot analysis of PL-Im was distinct from that of PL-I and PL-Iv, the encoded area of PL-Im appears to be independent of those of PL-I and PL-Iv on the gene. In the dendrogram of the rat PL family constructed on the basis of the nucleotide sequence homologies, PL-Im was located between PL-Iv and PL-I in the process of molecular evolution. Therefore, PL-Im has a unique cDNA structure and may be a principal factor in the molecular evolution of PLs.

Lack of influence of low blood cholesterol levels on pancreatic carcinogenesis after initiation with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine in Syrian golden hamsters

The effects of a cholesterol-free diet, a cholesterol-free diet supplemented with sesamin, and a diet supplemented with sesamin on pancreatic carcinogenesis of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) were investigated in 140 female Syrian golden hamsters. BOP (70 and 20 mg/kg body wt) was injected s.c. twice at an interval of 2 weeks at the beginning of the experiment. Starting 3 weeks thereafter, the animals were maintained on basal diet, cholesterol-free diet, basal diet plus sesamin, or cholesterol-free diet plus sesamin for a further 15 weeks. All surviving hamsters were killed at week 18, and the pancreatic tissues examined histologically. The incidences of pancreatic neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions in each group did not show any statistically significant variation. The cholesterol-free diet significantly decreased the cholesterol contents of the serum, pancreas and liver, and sesamin supplement significantly decreased the cholesterol contents of the serum and liver. Both the cholesterol-free diet and sesamin decreased the serum lipoperoxide levels. The results thus indicated that low cholesterol per se and sesamin exert no significant influence on BOP-initiated pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters, at least within the 4 month period after carcinogen treatment.

Hemagglutinating and chemotactic properties of synthetic peptide segments of fimbrial protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 fimbriae, their synthetic peptide segments, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined for hemagglutinating and migration-stimulating activities. P. gingivalis 381 fimbriae clearly caused hemagglutination, and several oligopeptide segments such as FP381(61-80), FP381(171-185), and FP381(302-321), corresponding to the amino acid residue numbers based on the amino acid sequence of fimbrillin proposed by Dickinson et al. (D. P. Dickinson, M. A. Kubiniec, F. Yoshimura, and R. J. Genco, J. Bacteriol. 170:1658-1665, 1988), were also demonstrated to agglutinate erythrocytes although less effectively than the native fimbriae. Furthermore, P. gingivalis 381 LPS but not Escherichia coli O55:B5 LPS definitely exhibited hemagglutination. P. gingivalis fimbriae as well as their synthetic peptides possessing hemagglutinating activity enhanced the chemotaxically induced migration of human peripheral blood monocytes. The results of the analyses using synthetic peptide FP381(61-80), its related compounds, and an analog suggested that the amino acid sequence XLTXXLTXXNXX within fimbrial protein molecules may play an important role structurally in the attachment of the protein to host cells such as erythrocytes and monocytes.

Comparative analysis on the physique and batting records of the players in the National Summer High School Baseball Tournaments before and after the adoption of metal bats

To clarify the influence of the introduction of metal bats on the physique and batting records of the players in the National Summer High School Baseball Tournaments, a comparative analysis was conducted between height, body weight, body-weight ratio (body weight/height), batting average and home run average of the best four teams' players (n = 493) and those of the other teams' players (n = 4,590) in three periods: the period of the use of wooden bats, that of the use of both wooden and metal bats and that of the use of metal bats. In the period of metal bat use, the mean values of physique of the best four teams' players were significantly larger (P < 0.05) and their average number of home runs was significantly higher than those of the other teams' players (P < 0.01). The only significant differences between the two groups in those indices for each time period were for height in the wood and metal/wood periods. This study demonstrated that the differences between the home run average and physique, including height, body weight and body-weight ratio of the best four teams and the rest of the teams were the greatest after the use of metal bats. These findings suggest that the importance of the home run average increased and was associated with large-size of physique after the use of metal bats in the National Summer High School Baseball Tournaments.

[Evaluation of changes in IL-6 in gynecological infections]

We administered imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) to patients with gynecological infections as initial treatment and evaluated changes in blood interleukin 6 (IL-6) as an infection marker. 1. The subjects consisted of 7 patients with chorioamnionitis, 4 with intrauterine infections, and 1 with subcutaneous abscess. IPM/CS (1-2 g/day) was intravenously drip infused. This therapy was markedly effective in 1 patient and effective in 11; the response rate was 100%. 2. IL-6 generally began to decrease earlier than CRP. Before drug administration, correlations were observed between IL-6 and CRP (r = 0.946) between IL-6 and elastase (r = 0.355), and between elastase and CRP (r = 0.579). During the entire course, correlations were observed between IL-6 and CRP (r = 0.581), between IL-6 and elastase (r = 0.303), and between elastase and CRP (r = 0.776). These results suggest that blood IL-6 reflects early the pathologic state and treatment effects, and is a useful infection marker in gynecological infections.

Intravenous immunoglobulins suppress immunoglobulin productions by suppressing Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction through Fc gamma receptors in B lymphocytes

A high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is used in the treatment of a wide range of autoimmune disorders. However, the mechanisms of the action of IVIGs remain poorly understood. To analyse the mechanisms of effects of IVIGs on immunoglobulin (Ig) production of B cells, the effects of IVIGs on B lymphoblastoid cell lines transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (LCLs) were investigated. The productions of IgG or IgM of LCLs were dose-dependently suppressed by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-treated IVIG or pH 4-treated IVIG though the productions were not or only slightly suppressed by pepsin-treated IVIG. The suppression by IVIGs was blocked by anti-human IgG Fc or anti-Fc gamma RII. C mu gene expression and mu s C terminal gene expression of LCLs were suppressed by PEG-treated IVIG, whereas neither C mu gene expression nor mu s C terminal gene expression of LCLs were suppressed by pepsin-treated IVIG. Although the increase in intracellular calcium concentration in LCLs was not suppressed by pepsin-treated IVIG, the increase was suppressed by PEG-treated IVIG. This suppressing effect of PEG-treated IVIG on intracellular calcium concentration of LCLs was blocked by anti-human IgG Fc or anti- Fc gamma RII. Our results suggest that IVIGs suppressed the Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction through Fc gamma R on B-cell membrane, consequently, the transcription of C mu mRNA, especially secreted mu mRNA was suppressed in the B cells.

Chitosan polymer sizes effective in inducing phytoalexin accumulation and fungal suppression are verified with synthesized oligomers

Biologically derived chitosan has been reported to induce pisatin and disease resistance response proteins in pea tissue and also to inhibit the germination and growth of some fungal pathogens. Stereo-controlled synthesis of chitosan tetramer, hexamer, and octamer allowed the precise verification of oligomer size required for biological activity. The octameric oligomer optimally induced pisatin accumulation and inhibited fungal growth, verifying previous results obtained with column-purified oligomers derived from crab shells.

[A case of resected gastric cancer in which cancer had apparently disappeared by preoperative administration of tegafur]

This paper reports a case of gastric carcinoma in which cancerous tissue was not found in the resected specimen, apparently due to preoperative tegafur administration. The patient was a 56-year-old woman who was diagnosed by initial endoscopic examination including endoscopic biopsy as having an advanced gastric cancer of Borrmann type 2. During the waiting period for operation, she was placed on oral administration of tegafur (Futrafur capsule) 600 mg 3 times a day for 31 days. The second endoscopic examination 14 days later showed reduction of both marginal elevation and central excavation of the lesion, and biopsy at this time was negative for carcinoma. Because of the initial definite diagnosis of cancer, a gastric resection was performed 31 days later, but no cancerous tissue was found in the resected specimen. This case was considered to be a carcinoma especially sensitive to tegafur.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the genes encoding the immunoreactive major cell-surface proteins of Porphyromonas gingivalis

A 72-kDa major cell-surface protein (72K-CSP) was purified from the wash fluid of Porphyromonas gingivalis OMZ409. Using the synthetic oligonucleotide probes corresponding to the determined amino-terminal amino acid sequence of 72K-CSP, recombinant plasmid clones carrying approx. 3.4-kb KpnI-XhoI fragments in XL1-Blue libraries of P. gingivalis OMZ409 and 381 were obtained. The premature form proteins of 558 and 563 amino acids led by putative signal sequences were thought to be processed to form the mature proteins of a predicted size of 55,655 Da for strain OMZ409 and of 55,654 for strain 381. Both proteins had unusual proline-rich regions in their carboxyl-terminal regions. No homologous sequences could be found in protein databases. Examination of antigen-specific antibody responses in the serum of patients with adult periodontitis by ELISA revealed that 72K-CSP had a different immunoreactivity from that of P. gingivalis 381 fimbriae.

[Phylogenetic relationships of mastomys to mouse and rat deduced from satellite DNA sequences]

Mastomys is a rodent with a intermediate size between mouse and rat, and classify as a subgenus of Praomys coucha. Our study determined the phylogenetic evolutional relationships of mastomys to mouse and rat deduced from satellite DNA sequences. Genomic DNA was extracted from each liver and digested by restriction enzymes (EcoRI and BglII). After separation and purification, we obtained these EcoRI/BglII-0.5 Kbp repeated elements and determined the nucleotide sequences. The similarities and speed of evolution were 86.06% and 0.1578 between mastomys and mouse, 85.56% and 0.1671 between mastomys and rat, and 83.91% and 0.1863 between rat and mouse, indicating that mastomys was evolutionary classified between mouse and rat, and closely related with mouse.

Cerebral infarction within six hours of onset: prediction of completed infarction with technetium-99m-HMPAO SPECT

Technetium-99m-HMPAO can be used to evaluate abnormal brain perfusion in the hyperacute stage of stroke.

METHODS

We investigated cerebral blood flow using 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT in 31 patients within 6 hr after the onset of cerebral infarction and analyzed the relationship between abnormal perfusion and morphological changes on follow-up CT scans. Patients were classified into an infarct group and a noninfarct group, and the lesions on SPECT images were divided into infarct and peri-infarct regions.

RESULTS

Among a total of 30 infarct regions, three lesions studied at 1.5, 2.5 and 5 hr after the ictus showed local hyperperfusion suggestive of early postischemic hyperemia, while the other 27 lesions demonstrated local hypoperfusion. All of the peri-infarct regions showed moderate hypoperfusion. The noninfarct group consisted of five patients, four of whom showed no perfusion abnormalities. The lesion-to-contralateral radioactivity ratios for the infarct and peri-infarct regions were respectively 0.48 +/- 0.14 and 0.75 +/- 0.10 in the patients with hypoperfusion, while the right-to-left ratio in the noninfarct group was 0.97 +/- 0.10.

CONCLUSION

This SPECT study of cerebral blood flow demonstrates that local hyperperfusion occurs in some infarcts even within 6 hr of onset and that infarcted and morphological viable brain can be distinguished by a lesion-to-contralateral radioactivity ratio of 0.6 within this time range.

Comparative study of staphylococcal flora on the skin surface of atopic dermatitis patients and healthy subjects

Bacterial samples were obtained from the facial and forearm skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy subjects in humid summer weather. Staphylococcus (Staph) species bacteria were selectively sampled by a plate-contact technique using mannitol salt medium-coated film. Staph species were isolated from the film after the number of colonies was counted, and the species were determined by the API-Staph system and coagulase test. Large numbers of S. aureus were isolated in the samples from the facial skin of patients with severe dermatitis, as previously reported. The number of S. aureus colonies in the samples from the forearm skin of the patients was significantly greater than from the healthy subjects; the mean and standard deviation of colony forming units per 10 cm2, expressed as log10 value, were 1.64 +/- 0.96 for patients and 0.02 +/- 0.07 for healthy subjects (p < 0.01). One hundred and seventeen strains were isolated, and their sensitivities to ten antibiotics were tested. Ten of the strains were resistant to some antibiotics; all of these were isolated from patients. Penicillin type antibiotics had weak effects, but cephem type had strong effects. The number of S. aureus colonies isolated in this study was compared with the number isolated during the winter, in our previous study, in order to identify seasonal variations. The only significant seasonal difference was on the forearm skin of the AD patients, which had significantly more S. aureus colonies (p < 0.01) in this study. There were no significant seasonal differences in S. aureus numbers on the facial skin of patients or healthy subjects.