Studies on age pigments evolving into a new theory of biological aging

A variety of age pigment-like fluorophores have been recognized, identified and investigated during the past three decades. They are mainly the end-products of various side-reactions of essential biological processes. Among these, the lipid peroxidation-related fluorophores formed via aldehyde-protein crosslinking are of general importance. Fluorescent advanced glycation end-products formed during glycation/Maillard reactions, are oxygen independent, carbohydrate-associated age pigment-like substances. Age pigments, particularly those identified in retinal pigment epithelium, represent another type of age pigment that originates from polyenic biomolecules, including retinoids and carotenoids. Various alpha beta-unsaturated aldehydes can also react with the amino groups of nucleotides to induce biological alteration. Although age pigments can be produced from different types of biological materials, the crosslinking of carbonyl and amino compounds is a common toxiferous process during biological life. In the context of various aging phenomena and degenerative diseases, this process may constitute an essential mechanism of aging--the carbonyl toxification process of biological aging.

[Application of T-subgroup cells assay in the immunology of oral-maxillofacial cancer]

We report on T-subgroup cells in 70 cases of oral-maxillofacial cancer determined by T-monoclone antibody-OKT system. The results are as follows: CD3, CD4/CD8 value of cancer patients was decreased significantly, compared with that of health or oral benign tumor patients. CD8 was significantly increased (P < 0.001); however, CD8 was decreased and CD4/CD8 ratio was increased after operation. 20 cases underwent the dynamic testing, determined in 1 week, 1 and 3 month. The results are as follows: CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 values were increased gradually and CD8 was decreased gradually in 17 cases of curative patients, but CD4, CD4/CD8, values were decreased and CD8 was increased significantly in 3 cases of metastased patients. Our conclusion is that determination of T-subgroup cells is of reference value for monitoring and treating cancer patients.

bcl-2 gene enables rescue from in vitro myelosuppression (bone marrow cell death) induced by chemotherapy

Recent studies have shown that the use of cytokines such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression may enhance the viability of tumour cells with functional receptors for these cytokines. In this study, therefore, we used murine bone marrow (BM) cells in an in vitro model in an attempt to determine whether topoisomerase inhibitors (camptothecin, etoposide and doxorubicin) induce myelosuppression (BM cell death) and whether novel treatments other than the administration of G-CSF can be used for rescue from myelosuppression. DNA fragmentation assay, ultrastructural analysis and cell cycle analysis demonstrated that these chemotherapeutic agents induced apoptosis in BM cells. We demonstrated in addition that enforced expression of the bcl-2 gene in BM cells by MPZenNeo (bcl-2) retroviral gene transfer increased resistance to the apoptosis induced by these agents. These findings suggest the possibility that enforced expression of the bcl-2 gene in BM cells using gene transfer techniques may enable rescue from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

Chiral resolution of 1,3-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperidine derivatives using high-performance liquid chromatography with a chiral stationary phase

A number of racemic 1,3-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperidines which serve as intermediates in the synthesis of opioid analgesics have been resolved on two commercially available high-performance liquid chromatography columns containing cellulose-based chiral stationary phases: Chiralcel OD and Chiralcel OJ. The resolution results were complementary between the two columns. Also, the polarity of substituents appears to play an important role on the ability of the Chiralcel OD column to resolve pairs of enantiomers.

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 11-hydroxy-3-(1',1'-dimethylheptyl)hexahydrocannabinol: a high-affinity cannabinoid agonist

11-Hydroxy-3-(1',1'-dimethylheptyl)hexahydrocannabinol (1) was synthesized from the known cannabimimetic analog (+/-)-nabilone. Racemic 1 was resolved by HPLC on a semipreparative CHIRALCEL OD column (Daicel, Inc.), and pharmacological activities of the individual enantiomers were evaluated in the mouse model. The (-)-enantiomer was found to be much more potent than the (+)-enantiomer in all the four measures with the potency ratios in the production of catalepsy (RI), hypoactivity (SA), hypothermia (RT), and antinociception (TF) being 93, 143, 186, and 322, respectively. The racemic 11 alpha-OH diastereomer (2), a reaction side product, was also evaluated in the mouse model. Only small differences in the pharmacological activity of racemic 1 and 2 were found in the above four measures.

bcl-2 gene prevents apoptosis of basic fibroblast growth factor-deprived murine aortic endothelial cells

Growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have been found to promote the survival and proliferation of endothelial cells. However, the mechanism by which growth factors control the regeneration and degeneration of the endothelial cells remained poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that apoptosis of murine aortic endothelial (MAE) cells was induced by deprivation of bFGF but required new RNA and protein synthesis. Furthermore, enforced expression of bcl-2 gene in MAE cells using gene transfer techniques decreased apoptosis induced by deprivation of bFGF. These findings suggest that bcl-2 interferes with a pathway for endothelial cell death that is induced by deprivation of bFGF.

Interferon-gamma induces a decrease in the susceptibility of human glioma cells to lysis by lymphokine-activated killer cells

We studied the effect that treating two types of glioblastoma cell lines, U-87 MG and U-251 MG, with interferon (IFN)-gamma had on their susceptibility to lysis by lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. We also examined the participation of cell-adhesion molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II antigens present on the target cells in lysis by LAK cells. Treatment with IFN-gamma (1000 U/ml) for 48 hours resulted in the increased expression of both intercellular-adhesion molecule 1 and MHC class I antigens on tumor cells. In addition, untreated tumor cells expressed neural-cell-adhesion molecules and MHC class II antigens highly, but their expression was not affected by IFN-gamma treatment. These changes in expression were accompanied by a decreased susceptibility to lysis by LAK cells. Treatment with antisense-intercellular-adhesion molecule-1 oligonucleotide further inhibited LAK lysis of target cells, following treatment with IFN-gamma. In contrast, acid treatment of tumor cells after treatment with IFN-gamma increased their susceptibility to lysis by LAK cells. These findings suggest that treatment of glioblastoma cells with IFN-gamma decreased their susceptibility to lysis by LAK cells, and that this decrease in susceptibility is attributable principally to the increased expression of MHC class I antigen on target cells.

Transfection with a bcl-2 expression vector protects transplanted bone marrow from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression

The use of cytokines such as granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression may not only stimulate the recovery of normal hematopoietic cells but may also enhance the proliferation of the tumor cells with functional receptors for these cytokines. In this study, we show that administration of recombinant human (rh) G-CSF decreased the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin or etoposide on L1210 murine leukemic cells with receptors for rhG-CSF. Transplantation of bone marrow cells expressing high levels of bcl-2 from a retroviral construct [MPZenNeo(bcl-2)] (bcl-2-BMT) did not decrease the in vivo cytotoxic effect of etoposide on L1210 cells, but enabled recovery of myelopoiesis following etoposide-induced myelosuppression to almost the same extent as did the administration of rhG-CSF. These findings suggest the possibility that bcl-2 transfection could be used to protect transplanted bone marrow from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression on behalf of administration of rhG-CSF, in case of treatment of tumors with functional receptors for rhG-CSF.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha induces an increase in susceptibility of human glioblastoma U87-MG cells to natural killer cell-mediated lysis

The mechanism by which tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increases the susceptibility of U87-MG human glioblastoma cells to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells was studied. Treatment with TNF-alpha (100 units ml-1) for 48 h enhanced the susceptibility of tumour cells to lysis by NK cells. Increased susceptibility to lysis was associated with enhanced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and HLA class I antigen. Antisense ICAM-1 oligonucleotide inhibited lysis by NK cells of TNF-alpha-treated tumour cells. In contrast, acid treatment following TNF-alpha treatment increased lysis by NK cells. These findings indicate that TNF-alpha treatment of glioblastoma cells increased their susceptibility to lysis by NK cells, since ICAM-1 up-regulation would have more profound effects on NK susceptibility than would HLA class I antigen up-regulation.

Induction of apoptosis in murine ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma cells by bromocriptine

Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, is now an accepted primary therapeutic agent for patients with prolactinomas and other pituitary adenomas. In this study, we demonstrated that bromocriptine inhibited the proliferation of murine ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (AtT-20) cells. In addition, the antitumor activity of bromocriptine was inhibited both by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting that it was dependent on new RNA and protein synthesis. Interestingly, the results of DNA fragmentation assays and cell cycle analysis clearly demonstrated that bromocriptine induced apoptosis in AtT-20 cells.

Bcl-2 gene prevents apoptosis in murine acth-secreting adenoma cells induced by bromocriptine

Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, is now an accepted primary therapeutic agent for patients with prolactinomas and other pituitary adenomas. However, the mechanism by which bromocriptine decreases elevated serum levels of prolactin or growth hormone and shrinks tumors by diminishing tumor cell size is not clear. Recently, we obtained bromocriptine induced apoptosis in murine ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (AtT-20) cells, based on DNA fragmentation assay and cell cycle analysis (unpublished data). In this study, we demonstrate that enforced expression of bcl-2 gene in AtT-20 cells by the MPZenNeo(bcl-2) retroviral gene transfer increased resistance to apoptosis induced by bromocriptine.

Comparison of MR angiography with X-ray angiography in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases

MRI angiography and x-ray conventional angiography was performed in 10 patients with ischemic cerebral diseases. In 3 patients, MRI angiography showed narrowing or occlusion of main intracranial arterial trunks, but x-ray angiography confirmed these findings only in one patient. In two other patients, narrowing or occlusion was not observed. Also, no narrowing or occlusion was observed on x-ray angiography, when MRI angiography showed normal findings. It was concluded that MRI angiography was sensitive investigation, when intracerebral occlusive disease was suspected.

Fenton reagents may not initiate lipid peroxidation in an emulsified linoleic acid model system

This study includes two parts. First, the Fe2+ autooxidation and chelation processes in the presence of the chelators ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) were studied by measuring UV light absorbance alterations. Competition for Fe3+ between chelators and water or phosphate buffer (PB) ions was confirmed. The addition of EDTA or DTPA to Fe3+ in water or PB only slowly turned the water/PB-Fe3+ complexes to EDTA-Fe3+ or DTPA-Fe3+ complexes. In the second part of this study, the initiation mechanisms of Tween 20 emulsified linoleic acid peroxidation under stimulation by chelator-Fe-O2 complexes were studied by measuring changes in UV light absorbance following diene conjugation. Fe3+ in the presence of EDTA or DTPA did not stimulate diene conjugation. Fe2+ (0.10 mM) and EDTA (0.11 mM) stimulated diene conjugation of the linoleic acid emulsion, but only after apparent Fe2+ autooxidation. Fe2+ and DTPA, as well as premixed DTPA-Fe2+ complex, resulted in very fast diene conjugation in a wide range of concentrations. A nonlinear, mainly square root relation between Fe2+ concentration and peroxidation rate was noted. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and mannitol did not prevent the lipid peroxidation. H2O2 substantially decreased the DTPA-Fe2+ stimulated, otherwise rapid, diene conjugation but slightly enhanced the slower one stimulated by EDTA-Fe2+. Without ambient oxygen, Fenton reagents did not result in .H abstraction-related diene conjugation. The findings suggest that .OH resulting from Fenton reagents may not be the main cause for the initiation of peroxidation in this model system. Furthermore, a study with different combinations of Fe2+ and Fe3+ did not support the Fe2+/Fe3+ (1:1) optimum ratio hypothesis. We therefore conclude that perferryl ions or chelator-Fe-O2 complexes may be responsible for the first-chain initiation of lipid peroxidation, at least in this model system.

Lipofuscinogenesis in a model system of cultured cardiac myocytes

Lipofuscin, or age pigment, is a yellowish-brown, autofluorescent, protein, and lipid containing pigment that accumulates in the lysosomal vacuome of a variety of post-mitotic cells in man and animals during aging. Lipofuscin seems to be an end product of peroxidation, fragmentation and polymerization of proteins and lipids. Protein and lipid containing materials are regularly sequestered to the lysosomal system by means of endocytosis and autophagocytosis. Lysosomes and acidified endosomes constitute cellular compartments where iron for short periods of time may exist in reactive form allowing for peroxidative processes. The importance was demonstrated in model systems of cultured cells subjected to oxidative stress and augmented amounts of FeCl3 in the culture medium. This combination was considered to result in increased intracellular, mainly mitochondrial, production of hydrogen peroxide as well as increased intralysosomal concentration of iron. One of the results of this situation was dramatically increased lipofuscinogenesis.

The effect of phage T7 lysozyme on the production of biologically active porcine somatotropin in Escherichia coli from a gene transcribed by T7 RNA polymerase

We have analyzed the inducible synthesis of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rPST) from the phage T7 gene 10 promotor on the vector pET3a [Rosenberg et al., Gene 56 (1987) 125-135]. Low-level synthesis of phage T7 lysozyme is crucial for high-level synthesis (40%) of rPST, which is greatly reduced if T7 lysozyme synthesis is absent or too high. The synthesis of rPST mRNA is optimized in those constructs coding for low levels of T7 lysozyme, with a reduction in mRNA levels in constructs coding for higher levels of T7 lysozyme or no lysozyme. The rPST can be readily purified following a single chromatographic step and is biologically active as determined by the tibia test following administration to hypophysectomized rats.

[Argon replacing helium in measurement of pulmonary carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, its normal value and clinical application]

Measuring DL COSB of 120 normal subjects by using a gas mixture, in which helium was replaced by argon, we determined the DL COSB mean value, standard deviation and the predicted value formula for both sexes. The lower limit value of DL COSB for normal subjects was defined and the positive diagnostic value investigated. A ratio of actual value to predicted value below 80% was defined as abnormal. With this diagnostic criterion 43 cases of silicosis and diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were investigated, the positive rate of the cases being 90.70%, with a false positive rate of below 10% for normal subjects, which indicates that this gas mixture and the criterion are applicable for clinical practice.