[Selection of surgical strategy for abdominal aortic aneurysm coexisting with coronary artery disease; one-stage versus two-stage, and off-pump versus on-pump]

BACKGROUND

In patients having a combination of severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), one-stage operation of simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and AAA repair has been recommended.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 96 patients (94 men, average 65 year) with AAA and CAD, 21 patients underwent one-stage operation of simultaneous CABG and AAA repair (Group A-1: off-pump CABG in 10 and on-pump in 11), and 75 underwent two-stage operation of CABG followed by AAA with an interval of less than 6 months in 23 patients (Group A-2) and more than 6 months in 52 patients (Group B). Baseline characteristics were similar between the one-stage and two-stage groups, and off-pump and on-pump subgroups, except the proportion of single vessel disease. Mean number of distal anastomoses was significantly lower in the off-pump subgroup than in the on-pump subgroup (p = 0.011) and the two-stage group (p = 0.0057). There was 1 hospital death among on-pump patients but none among off-pump patients. Mortality rate was 4.8% in the one-stage group. Two patients (8.7 &) in the two-stage group, who had AAA was 7.0 cm and 7.5 cm diameter, died of AAA rupture prior to repair. The 10-year all death free rates were 44% in Group A (A-1 and A-2), and 86% in Group B (p = 0.0004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that one-stage operation with off-pump CABG is an attractive option in selected patients with a large AAA (> 7 cm).

[Off-pump versus standard on-pump reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting]

BACKGROUND

Using standard on-pump procedures, repeat coronary artery bypass grafting (re-CABGs) are associated with a higher morbidity and mortality than first-time CABGs. This retrospective study assessed the clinical outcomes of off-pump re-CABG versus on-pump re-CABG.

METHODS

From 1983, 2nd CABG and 3rd CABGs were performed in 162 patients at our institute. The early and late results of 142 patients who received standard on-pump re-CABGs and 20 patients who received off-pump re-CABGs were evaluated. The 2 groups were similar in age, sex, preoperative ejection fraction (EF) and number of coronary lesions. However, mean number of distal anastomoses per patient was significantly higher in on-pump (2.0 +/- 0.8) than in off-pump re-CABG (1.4 +/- 0.6) [p = 0.0009].

RESULTS

Hospital mortality tended to be higher in the on-pump group (5.6%) than in the off-pump group (0%) [p = 0.6]. Morbidity in term of total postoperative complications tended to be higher for on-pump (14.1%) than in off-pump (0%) [p = 0.14]. The 5-year survival rate tended to be higher in the off-pump group (100%) than in the on-pump group (80.8 +/- 3.5%) [p = 0.096].

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients, off-pump re-CABG can be a reliable and safe option. The mid-term survival and event-free survival rates achievable with the off-pump option are encouraging.

Excitation and decay of the isovector giant monopole resonances via the 208Pb(3He,t p) reaction at 410 MeV

The excitation and subsequent proton decay of the isovector spin-flip giant monopole resonance (IVSGMR) is studied via the 208Pb(3He,t) reaction at 410 MeV. In the inclusive spectrum (60+/-5)% of the non-energy-weighted sum-rule strength for this 2 variant Planck's over 2h omega resonance was found in the region 29<Ex(208Bi)<51 MeV. The central excitation energy and width of the IVSGMR are 37+/-1 MeV and 14+/-3 MeV, respectively. It is found that the branching ratio for proton decay is (52+/-12)% and that the deep neutron-hole states in 207Pb are strongly fed.

Neurons but not glial cells show reciprocal imprinting of sense and antisense transcripts of Ube3a

The human UBE3A gene shows brain-specific partial imprinting, and lack of a maternally inherited allele causes Angelman syndrome (AS), which is characterized by neurobehavioral anomalies. In several AS model mice, imprinted Ube3a expression is detected predominantly in the hippocampus, cerebellar Purkinje cells and the olfactory bulb. Therefore, imprinting of mouse Ube3a is thought to be region-specific with different levels of silencing of the paternal Ube3a allele in different brain regions. To determine cell types of imprinted Ube3a expression, we analyzed its imprinting status in embryonic brain cells by using primary cortical cell cultures. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence were performed to determine the allelic expression of the gene. The Ube3a gene encodes two RNA transcripts in the brain, sense and antisense. The sense transcript was expressed maternally in neurons but biallelically in glial cells in the embryonic brain, whereas the antisense transcript was expressed only in neurons and only from the paternal allele. Our data present evidence of brain cell type-specific imprinting, i.e. neuron-specific imprinting of Ube3a in primary brain cell cultures. Reciprocal imprinting of sense and antisense transcripts present only in neurons suggests that the neuron-specific imprinting mechanism is related to the lineage determination of neural stem cells.

Inhibition of NFkappaB activation using cis-element 'decoy' of NFkappaB binding site reduces neointimal formation in porcine balloon-injured coronary artery model

Application of DNA technology to regulate the transcription of disease-related genes has important therapeutic potential. The transcription factor NFkappaB plays a pivotal role in the transactivation of inflammatory and adhesion molecule genes, leading to vascular lesion formation. Double-stranded DNA with high affinity for NFkappaB may be introduced as 'decoy' cis elements to bind NFkappaB and block the activation of genes mediating inflammation, resulting in effective drugs for treating intimal hyperplasia. In this study, we tested the feasibility of NFkappaB decoy therapy to treat neointimal formation in a porcine coronary artery balloon injury model as a pre-clinical study. An angioplasty catheter was introduced into the left anterior descending coronary artery of the pig to cause vascular injury. First, we tested the feasibility of transfection of FITC-labeled NFkappaB decoy ODN using a hydrogel balloon catheter. Fluorescence due to NFkappaB decoy ODN could be detected throughout the medial layer. Therefore, we transfected NFkappaB decoy ODN into the balloon-injured LAD using a hydrogel catheter. Histological evaluation demonstrated that the neointimal area in the balloon-injured artery was significantly reduced by NFkappaB decoy ODN as compared to scrambled decoy ODN at 1 week after single transfection, accompanied by a significant reduction in PCNA-positive stained cells (P < 0.01). Interestingly, the reduction of ICAM-positive staining was observed, accompanied by the inhibition of migration of macrophages. Of importance, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) confirmed that neointimal area in the balloon-injured artery was significantly reduced by NFkappaB decoy ODN at 4 weeks after transfection (P < 0.01). Interestingly, the inhibition of neointimal area was only limited to the lesion transfected with NFkappaB decoy ODN, while other lesions without NFkappaB decoy ODN demonstrated a marked increase in neointimal formation. Here, we report the successful in vivo transfer of NFkappaB decoy ODN using a hydrogel catheter to inhibit vascular lesion formation in balloon-injured porcine coronary artery.

Impaired endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus rats was restored by oral administration of prostaglandin I2 analogue

We have previously reported that a decrease in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which has many protective functions against endothelial damage by high d-glucose, might be a trigger of endothelial injury. However, the regulation of vascular HGF in diabetes mellitus (DM) has not been clarified in vivo, although vascular disease is frequently observed in DM patients. In addition, our previous report revealed that a prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) analogue prevented endothelial cell death through the induction of vascular HGF production in cultured human epithelial cells. Thus, in this study, we examined the effects of a PGI(2) analogue in the regulation of the local HGF system using DM rats. A PGI(2) analogue (beraprost sodium; 300 and 600 micro g/kg per day) or vehicle was administered to 16-week-old DM rats induced by administration of streptozotocin for 28 days. Endothelial function was evaluated by the vasodilator response to acetylcholine, and the expression of vascular HGF mRNA was measured by Northern blotting. Of importance, expression of HGF mRNA was significantly decreased in the blood vessels of DM rats as compared with non-DM (P<0.01). In addition, the in vitro vasodilator response of the abdominal aorta to acetylcholine was markedly impaired in DM rats. Importantly, the vasodilator response was restored by PGI(2) treatment in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01), whereas N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester inhibited the restoration of endothelial function. Of particular interest, vascular HGF mRNA and protein were significantly increased in the blood vessels of DM rats treated with PGI(2) as compared with vehicle. Similarly, an increase in HGF protein was also confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, the specific HGF receptor, c-met, was also increased by PGI(2) treatment. Overall, this study demonstrated that treatment with a PGI(2) analogue restored endothelial dysfunction in DM rats, accompanied by the induction of vascular HGF and c-met expression. Increased local vascular HGF production by a PGI(2) analogue may prevent endothelial injury, potentially resulting in the improvement of endothelial dysfunction.

Effect of pinealectomy, adrenalectomy, pinealectomy plus adrenalectomy upon the quantification of spermatogenic cells of adult rats

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of pinealectomy, adrenalectomy and pinealectomy-adrenalectomy upon the quantification of spermatogenic cells of rats. As such, 32 adult Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 331.7± 15.5g were assigned into one of the following treatments: (a) a sham-operated control group, consisting of nine animals; (b) ten pinealectomized animals; (c) seven adrenalectomized animals and (d) six pinealectomized plus adrenalectomized animals. No significant differences were observed between groups for the following parameters: body, testes, prostate and seminal vesicle weights, seminiferous tubular diameter, number of cells per seminiferous tubular cross sections (primary spermatocytes at pachytene, round spermatids, Sertoli cells) and numbers of germ cells per Sertoli cell (primary spermatocytes at pachytene and round spermatids ). Although no increase in testicular weight was observed following pinealectomy, a significant (P<0.05) increase of approximately 11.5% in the number of round spermatids per Sertoli cell (Sertoli cell ratio) occurred thus suggesting that short-term pinealectomy abolishes the antigonadal effect of the pineal gland upon adult Wistar rat testes.

Molecular strategy using cis-element 'decoy' of E2F binding site inhibits neointimal formation in porcine balloon-injured coronary artery model

Transcription factor E2F plays a pivotal role in the transactivation of cell cycle regulatory genes, leading to vascular lesion formation. Double-stranded DNA with high affinity for E2F as 'decoy' cis elements may block the activation of genes mediating the cell cycle, resulting in an effective therapeutic agent for treating intimal hyperplasia. In this study, we tested the feasibility of E2F decoy therapy to treat neointimal formation in a porcine coronary artery balloon injury model. An angioplasty catheter was inserted in the left anterior descending coronary artery of pigs to cause vascular injury. Initially, we tested the feasibility of transfection of FITC-labeled E2F decoy ODN using a hydrogel balloon catheter. Fluorescence due to E2F decoy ODN could be detected throughout the medial layer. Therefore, we transfected E2F decoy ODN into the balloon-injured artery using hydrogel catheter. Of importance, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histological evaluation demonstrated that plaque area in the balloon-injured artery was significantly reduced by E2F decoy ODN compared with mismatched decoy ODN at 1 month after a single transfection (P < 0.01). In contrast, luminal and total vessel areas were significantly increased in vessels treated with E2F decoy ODN as compared with mismatched decoy. Endothelial function after angioplasty was not affected by E2F decoy transfection. Finally, we tested the acute toxicity of E2F decoy ODN in monkeys, and no apparent side-effects were detected. Here, we report the successful in vivo transfer of E2F decoy ODN using a hydrogel catheter to inhibit vascular lesion formation in balloon-injured porcine coronary artery without any apparent side-effects.

History of allergic disorders in common neurologic diseases in Japanese patients

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the association between past and present history of allergic disorders and neurologic diseases.

METHODS

The past and present history of common allergic disorders together with family history was prospectively studied in all out-patients at the Department of Neurology at Kyushu University Hospital from March 1998 to February 2000.

RESULTS

Among 3113 out-patients, 2152 (69.1%) completed a questionnaire. Myelitis showed a statistically significant increase of concomitant atopic dermatitis (P=0.006) and concomitant and past atopic dermatitis (P=0.014), as compared with neurologically healthy controls. Moreover, patients with lower motoneuron disease (LMND) had a statistically significant increase of past and concomitant asthma (P=0.007). None of the other common neurologic diseases showed any increase of allergic disorders when compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study supports the significant association between allergic disorders and such spinal cord diseases as myelitis and LMND in Japanese patients.

Monoterpene glucosides from Origanum syriacum

From the aerial parts of Origanum syriacum, three new monoterpene glucosides thymoquinol 2,5-O-beta-diglucopyranoside (3), carvacrol 2-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside (4) and p-menth-1-ene-3,4-diol 4-O-beta-glucopyranoside (5) together with two known monoterpene glucosides thymoquinol 2-O-beta-glucopyranoside (1), thymoquinol 5-O-beta-glucopyranoside (2) have been isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analyses.

In vitro and in vivo properties of recombinant human serum albumin from Pichia pastoris purified by a method of short processing time

PURPOSE

Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA), secreted by a Pichia pastoris expression system, was purified by a fast and efficient method, the essential feature of which is strong but reversible binding of the protein to Blue Sepharose. The structural characteristics, stability, and ligand-binding properties of the resulting protein were examined, and pre-clinical studies were performed.

METHODS

Protein structure was investigated by amino acid sequencing, sodium polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, CD spectroscopy and chromatography. Stability was examined by denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride and by calorimetry, and ligand binding was studied by ultrafiltration. Rat experiments were performed with 125I-labeled albumin.

RESULTS

Far-ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet CD spectra of rHSA were identical to those of human serum albumin isolated from serum (HSA). Mercaptalbumin and non-mercaptalbumin were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography using an N-methylpyridinium polymer-based column. 60% of rHSA existed as mercaptalbumin, a content that is higher than that of a commercial preparation of HSA. Fatty acids, N-acetyl-L-tryptophan and pasteurization had similar effects on the conformational stability of rHSA and HSA. Stereoselective ligand-binding properties (warfarin, phenprocoumon, pranoprofen and ibuprofen) of rHSA were the same as those of HSA. The effect of the neutral to base transition on warfarin (site I-ligand) and dansylsarcosine (site II-ligand) binding to rHSA was also similar to HSA. In vivo studies showed comparable half-lives, excretion and tissue distributions of the two albumin preparations.

CONCLUSION

The present yeast expression system and purification procedure result in rHSA with structural and functional properties very similar to those of HSA.

Therapeutic angiogenesis induced by human hepatocyte growth factor gene in rat diabetic hind limb ischemia model: molecular mechanisms of delayed angiogenesis in diabetes

BACKGROUND

Because no study has documented the angiogenic properties of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in a diabetes model, we examined the feasibility of gene therapy using HGF to treat peripheral arterial disease in diabetes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Because intramuscular injection of luciferase plasmid by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome method had much higher efficiency than injection of naked plasmid, we used the HVJ-liposome method to transfect the human HGF gene into the rat diabetic hindlimb model. As expected, transfection of human HGF vector resulted in a significant increase in blood flow as assessed by laser Doppler imaging and capillary density, even in the diabetes model, accompanied by the detection of human HGF protein. Interestingly, the degree of natural recovery of blood flow was significantly greater in nondiabetic rats than in diabetic rats. Thus, in an in vitro culture system, we further studied the molecular mechanisms of how diabetes delayed angiogenesis. Importantly, high-D-glucose treatment of endothelial cells resulted in a significant decrease in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 protein and ets-1 expression in human aortic endothelial cells. Similarly, high D-glucose significantly decreased mRNA and protein of HGF in endothelial cells. Downregulation of MMP-1 and ets-1 by high D-glucose might be due to a significant decrease in HGF, because HGF stimulated MMP-1 production and activated ets-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, intramuscular injection of human HGF plasmid induced therapeutic angiogenesis in a rat diabetic ischemic hindlimb model as a potential therapy for peripheral arterial disease. The delay of angiogenesis in diabetes might be due to downregulation of MMP-1 and ets-1 through a decrease in HGF by high D-glucose.

Changes in the weights of the accessory sex organs in male CD/IGS rats (Rattus norvegicus) after castration

This study was designed to detect time-course changes in the weights of accessory sex organs after castration. Crj:CD(SD) IGS rats (Rattus norvegicus) were castrated at age of 6-weeks and sacrificed within 14 days of the procedure. The ventral prostate, vesicular gland, bulbospongiosus/levator ani muscle, glans penis and bulbourethral glands were then weighed. The ventral prostate and vesicular gland had significantly decreased in weight 8 and 6 days after castration, respectively. The other organs did not decrease in weight significantly between time periods though there was an overall decrease in weight.

Effects of hostility and lifestyle on coronary heart disease among middle-aged urban Japanese

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between multi-dimensional aspects of hostility and coronary heart disease among middle-aged urban Japanese.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a case-control study. Cases were consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to a hospital in Japan. Fifty-three patients (45 men and 8 women) aged 35 to 65 were enrolled. For each case, two sex and age (+/-2 years) matched controls were recruited from among participants in a health check-up program at a health promotion center located in the same area as the hospital. Two questionnaires, both with four components, were used to measure hostility and coping with anger: the one was for anger, hostility, physical aggression and verbal aggression, and the other for aggression, social inhibition, guilt, and controlled affect.

RESULTS

The scores of all components from two questionnaires were higher for cases than controls, but the differences were not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that anger, fat intake, alcohol consumption and house size were significantly associated with the etiology of acute coronary syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Anger, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status play important roles for the etiology of coronary heart disease in middle-aged urban Japanese.

Megastigmane, aliphatic alcohol and benzoxazinoid glycosides from Acanthus ebracteatus

From the aerial part of Acanthus ebracteatus, a megastigmane glycoside (ebracteatoside A), three aliphatic alcohol glycosides (ebracteatosides B-D), as well as 7-chloro-(2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (7-Cl-DIBOA-Glc) were isolated together with 22 known compounds. Structural elucidations were based on analyses of spectroscopic data.

Dilazep dihydrochloride prolongs the infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning in rabbits

Recent studies have indicated the key role of adenosine receptor activation as a trigger for ischemic preconditioning (PC). Hence, the augmentation of endogenous adenosine may potentiate the cardioprotective effects of PC. In this study. we aimed to test the hypothesis that dilazep dihydrochloride, an adenosine transport inhibitor, potentiates the PC effect. Protocol 1: Infarcts were produced in open-chest anesthetized rabbits by 30-min occlusion of a coronary artery and 2 days' reperfusion. PC was elicited by a preceding 5-min occlusion and either 5, 40, or 120 min of reperfusion. PC with the 5-min reperfusion markedly limited the infarct size after the 30-min ischemia (infarct size to area at risk (IS): 10%+/-3% vs 41%+/-3%, P < 0.05). PC was not protective when the reperfusion periods were 40 or 120 min (IS: 47%+/-5% and 44%+/-3%. P = not significant (NS) vs control, respectively). However, concomitant treatment with dilazep (0.2mg/kg) preserved the PC effect in the 40-min reperfusion group (18%+/-5%, P < 0.05 vs control) but not in the 120-min reperfusion group (43%+/-4%, P = NS vs control). Protocol 2: Infarct was produced in a similar rabbit model by either a 45- or 50-min occlusion of a coronary artery and 2 days of reperfusion. PC was elicited by a preceding 5-min occlusion and a 5-min reperfusion. PC was protective in the 45-min occlusion group (30%+/-7% vs 67%+/-3%, P < 0.05) but not in the 50-min occlusion group (74%+/-4% vs 79%+/-5%, P = NS). Treatment with dilazep (0.2mg/kg) failed to retrieve protection in this preconditioned group (77%+/-6%, P = NS vs 50-min occlusion group without PC). Thus, dilazep prolonged the infarct size-limiting effect of PC, but failed to retrieve protection in the group with a longer sustained ischemia.

Differentiated keratinocytes are responsible for TNF-alpha regulated production of macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha/CCL20, a potent chemokine for Langerhans cells

The recruitment of immature dendritic cells into the epidermis is a key step in the development of cutaneous immunity, although the mechanism remains to be clarified. Recently, it was reported that both macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha (MIP-3alpha)/CCL20 produced by keratinocytes and TNF-alpha are important in recruiting Langerhans cells (LC) to the epidermis. In this study, we examined the production of MIP-3alpha by human keratinocytes stimulated with TNF-alpha. Cultured keratinocytes showed enhanced expression of MIP-3alpha mRNA and protein when stimulated with TNF-alpha. In addition, conditioned medium from TNF-alpha-stimulated keratinocyte cultures induced the migration of L1.2 cells expressing CCR6. We next examined the production of MIP-3alpha in stratified keratinocytes and found that, in contrast to non-stratified keratinocytes, stimulation with TNF-alpha increased the expression of MIP-3alpha mRNA and protein. Moreover, skin samples grown in organ culture and treated with TNF-alpha showed MIP-3alpha in the keratinocytes of the spinous layer, but not in the basal layer, by immunofluorescence staining. Based on these results, we postulate that MIP-3alpha produced by keratinocytes in the spinous layer in response to TNF-alpha stimulation is a key chemokine responsible for the epidermal recruitment of Langerhans cells.

Cardiac glycosides from Cryptostegia grandiflora

From the leaves of Cryptostegia grandiflora, four new cardiac glycosides oleandrigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-digitoxopyranoside, cryptostigmin I, oleandrigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside, cryptostigmin II, 16-propionylgitoxigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-rhamnopyranoside, cryptostigmin III and oleandrigenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-digitoxopyranoside, cryptostigmin IV have been isolated together with two known cardenolides subalpinosid and 16-O-acetyl-digitalinum verum. The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analyses.

Benzoxazinoid glucosides from Acanthus ilicifolius

From the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius, two benzoxazinoid glucosides, 7-chloro-(2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one and (2R)-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one have been isolated, together with six known compounds. The structural elucidations were based on the analyses of spectroscopic data.

Organization of cytoplasmic domains of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in E(1)P and E(1)ATP states: a limited proteolysis study

In order to characterize the domain organization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in different physiological states, limited proteolysis using three proteases (proteinase K (prtK), V8 and trypsin) was conducted systematically and quantitatively. The differences between E(2) and E(2)P were examined in our previous study and E(2)P was characterized by the complete resistance to all three proteases (except for trypsin attack at the very top of the molecule (T1 site)). The same strategies were employed in this study for E(1)ATP, E(1)PADP and E(1)P states. Because of the transient nature of these states, they were either stabilized by non-hydrolyzable analogues or made predominant by adjusting buffer conditions. Aluminum fluoride (without ADP) was found to stabilize E(1)P. All these states were characterized by strong (E(1)ATP) to complete (E(1)PADP and E(1)P) resistance to prtK and to V8 but only weak resistance to trypsin at the T2 site. Because prtK and V8 primarily attack the loops connecting the A domain to the transmembrane helices whereas the trypsin T2 site (Arg(198)) is located on the outermost loop in the A domain, these results lead us to propose that the A domain undergoes a large amount of rotation between E(1)P and E(2)P. Combined with previous results, we demonstrated that four states can be clearly distinguished by the susceptibility to three proteases, which will be very useful for establishing the conditions for structural studies.

Acetylated triterpene saponins from the Thai medicinal plant, Sapindus emarginatus

From the pericarps of Sapindus emarginatus (Sapindaceae), three new acetylated triterpene saponins were isolated together with hederagenin and five known triterpene saponins, as well as one known sweet acyclic sesquiterpene glycoside, mukurozioside IIb. The structures of new compounds were elucidated as hederagenin 3-O-(2-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, 23-O-acetyl-hederagenin 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside and oleanolic acid 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside by chemical and spectroscopic data.