Chloranil-photosensitized monomerization of dimethylthymine cyclobutane dimers and effect of magnesium perchlorate

The photosensitized monomerization of the cyclobutane dimers of 1,3-dimethylthymine by p-chloranil was investigated by means of steady-state irradiation and laser-flash photolysis. Quantum yields for the monomerization are 0.34 for the cis,syn dimer, 0.39 for the trans,syn dimer, and much less than 10(-2) for the cis,anti isomer. Formation of the chloranil anion radical associated with quenching of triplet chloranil by the dimers demonstrates that electron transfer from dimers to triplet chloranil occurs to initiate the monomerization. Kinetic analysis suggested that the syn-dimer cation radicals undergo the ring cleavage at greater than or equal to 10(9) s-1 before escaping from the solvent cage, while the reactivity of the anti-dimer cation radical is very low. The different reactivities of the syn and anti dimer cation radicals are discussed in terms of through-bond coupling between the n orbitals of N(1) and N(1') involving the cyclobutane-ring sigma orbitals. In the cases of the syn-dimers, the sensitizer-dimer ion-radical pairs undergo the rapid geminate recombination that works as a major energy dissipating channel responsible for the lower-than-unity quantum yields. It has been found that the presence of Mg(ClO4)2 at 0.1 M enhances approximately 1.5 times either the monomerization of the syn dimers or the formation of the chloranil anion radical. A laser-flash photolysis study shows that Mg2+ forms a complex with either the triplet or the anion radical of chloranil. The net salt effects are attributed to the retardation of the rapid geminate recombination by the participation of Mg2+ in the sensitizer-dimer ion-radical pairs.

[The normal response process of the dynamic topography of pattern visual evoked potentials]

The dynamic topography of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) were studied in 20 normal subjects. PVEPs, recorded from 16 electrodes referenced to balanced non-cephalic electrode (BNE), were elicited by a binocular checkerboard pattern (15 min) that alternated at 1 Hz rate on a 14 x 8.5 degree TV monitor 1m distant from the eyes. N70, P100, N100, N150 and P200 components were recorded each time. In 65% of subjects the P100 components appeared in the lateral region in 120-150 msec. In flash VEP, the P100 component did not appear in the lateral region. Recorded on lateral electrodes, N100 components first appeared in the deep frontal region and gradually distributed throughout the frontal region while the P100 component was localized at the occipital pole. In the focused state, the peak latency of the N100 component was the same as that of the P100 component, but in the moderately defocused state, the peak latency of the N100 component was delayed compared with that of the P100 component. This study suggested that the appearance of the P100 component in the lateral region is related to form recognition, and that the N100 component is not the inverse dipole of the P100 component.

The role of the left ventricle in atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in acute mitral regurgitation

To examine the role of the ventricle in ANP secretion, the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in the plasma, left atrial tissue and left ventricular tissue were observed in a canine during the course of experimental reversible mitral regurgitation (MR). For reversible MR, a basket catheter was inserted into the left atrium via the pulmonary vein and fixed at the mitral valve. The regurgitation arose when the tip basket wire was extended and disappeared immediately when it was closed. Left atrial pressure (LAP), right atrial pressure (RAP) and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) increased significantly during MR, and decreased to the normal level after recovery from MR. Plasma ANP concentration showed a reversible change in correlation with LAP and RAP in each canine studied. The ANP level in the atrial and ventricular tissue decreased during MR, and the low levels were maintained after recovery from MR. Both the left arterial and left ventricular tissue ANP levels showed the same changes in acute MR. Therefore, it was suggested that normal ventricles might play a role in ANP secretion in acute MR.

Pharmacological differentiation of epithelium-derived relaxing factor from nitric oxide

We examined the possibility that nitric oxide is one of the epithelium-derived relaxing factors in guinea pig airways. First we studied whether nitric oxide could relax isolated tracheal strips, and then we examined the effects of known inhibitors of endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in the vascular system [hemoglobin, methylene blue, and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)] on epithelium-dependent relaxation (EpDR) induced by hyperosmotic stimuli in perfused whole tracheal preparations. Mannitol (160 mM in Krebs-Henseleit solution) applied to the epithelial surface was used as an osmotic stimulus to induce EpDR after carbachol-induced contraction (2 microM, serosal side). Nitric oxide produced concentration-dependent and complete relaxation of epithelium-denuded tracheal strips. Preincubation of the whole trachea with hemoglobin significantly inhibited osmotic-induced EpDR (P less than 0.05), but preincubation with methylene blue and L-NMMA did not. Hemoglobin introduced into the epithelial side after EpDR induced by hyperosmotic stimuli reversed relaxation, but methylene blue and L-NMMA did not. These results suggest that, although EpDR and vascular EDR have some pharmacological similarities and nitric oxide can relax airway smooth muscle, nitric oxide is not responsible for osmotic-induced EpDR.

Importance of attitude evaluation in diabetes patient education

Attitudes were evaluated according to the 'Personal Responsibility Attitude Assessment System' (PRAS), which allows grading of patients' attitudes into five levels of perception of responsibility toward their disease. In 59 diabetics evaluated in this study, no sex difference was observed in attitude level, but more of those aged less than 40 years showed lower attitude levels (levels 1-4) than those aged 40 years or over (P less than 0.01). Of those aged 40 or over, more patients with a high attitude level (level 5) had had diabetes for 10 years or longer than those with low attitude levels (levels 1-4) (P less than 0.05). Among those not treated with insulin, patients with a low attitude level showed higher hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) levels (P less than 0.01) and more frequently had retinopathy (P less than 0.05) than patients with high attitude levels. As for women, low attitude level patients consumed less fruit, meat or fish, and vegetables (P less than 0.05) but more fat and sweetening agents (P less than 0.05) than high attitude level patients. These results suggest an association between the attitude level of diabetic patients evaluated by PRAS and the degree of their self-care. Evaluation of patients' attitudes is important in predicting the response to educational intervention in diabetes.

Subacute toxicity of (-)15-deoxyspergualin in BALB/c mice. II. Histopathological study

Following the preceding report on hematological aspects in subacute toxicity of (-)15-deoxyspergualin (DSP), the present report dealt with the histopathological changes produced by DSP, 0.5-5.0 mg/kg, given to BALB/c mice for three months. At sacrifice, various internal organs such as heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys, were taken, and their wet weights immediately measured. HE- or PAS-stained sections were histopathologically studied under light microscope. Additionally, frozen sections of the spleen were prepared to evaluate the effect of DSP on the lymphocyte surface markers like thy 1 and B220 by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) technique. Although the mean weights of lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys in the 0.5 mg- and 2.5 mg-DSP groups were not significantly different from those in the control animals, the weights of the heart, lungs, liver and spleen in the 5 mg-DSP group were significantly lower. Histopathological studies by light microscopy revealed no abnormalities in the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys taken from the mice given 0.5-5.0 mg/kg DSP. In contrast, significant changes were observed in the spleen and bone marrow of the 5.0 mg group of mice. Likewise, in the intestine of the 0.5-5.0 mg groups dose-dependent lesions, such as degeneration or disappearance of the mucosal epithelium, infiltration by inflammatory cells, and pseudo-membrane formation, was observed. By ABC technique, preferential decrease of B cells was seen in the splenic corpuscles of the DSP-treated mice. Histopathological changes due to DSP predominantly seen in the lymphoid and/or hematopoietic organs may be directly related to the immunosuppressive potency inherent to this drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinofibrate therapy raises high-density lipoprotein levels and lowers atherogenic index in diabetes mellitus patients

The effects of clinofibrate on serum lipoprotein concentrations, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity and atherogenic index were studied in 10 diabetes mellitus patients. The patients comprised five with well-controlled non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and five with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes; six non-insulin-dependent diabetics acted as placebo controls. No adverse side-effects were reported and there were no significant changes in total cholesterol, triglyceride or high-density lipoprotein 3-cholesterol concentrations following 600 mg/kg clinofibrate treatment for 4 weeks in either insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetics. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by clinofibrate treatment in insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetics and high-density lipoprotein 2-cholesterol concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by clinofibrate in insulin-dependent diabetics. The atherogenic index was significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced in non-insulin-dependent diabetics. It is suggested that the enhanced plasma lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity following clinofibrate therapy is the result of increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein 2-cholesterol concentrations and may play a central role in the efficacy of clinofibrate.

Subacute toxicity of (-)15-deoxyspergualin in BALB/c mice. I. Hematological study

(-)15-Deoxyspergualin (DSP), a bacterial metabolite obtained from Bacillus laterosporus, was shown to effectively suppress autoantibody production in mice and alloimmune reaction in mice and rats. Its potential toxicity and safety margin in BALB/c mice were studied by administering the drug, 0.5-5.0 mg/kg body weight, s.c., 6 days/week for 3 months. The animals were weighted every two weeks, and their blood was drawn for hematological and liver function studies. Control animals showed a gradual increase in body weight from 17.8 +/- 1.1 g (SD) to 20.2 +/- 3.2 g during the 3 months of treatment. The body weight of 0.5 mg- and 2.5 mg-DSP group was not significantly different from that of the control group. In contrast, 5.0 mg-DSP group of animals showed significant decrease in their weight compared with the control after 5 weeks of treatment (P less than 0.01). They were then sacrificed. WBC in 0.5 mg-, 2.5 mg- and 5.0 mg-DSP groups were significantly lower compared with the control after 3 months of treatment. On the other hand, only 5.0 mg-DSP group showed significantly lower level in their RBC, Hb and Hct values (P less than 0.05). In contrast, platelet counts in 2.5 mg- and 5.0 mg-DSP group significantly increased. No manifest effect due to DSP on differential count of leukocytes was observed, although on day 92, a significant difference was shown in the stab cells of the 0.5 mg-DSP group and in the eosinophils in the 2.5 mg-DSP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of starvation on nutrition and insulin secretion in pregnant rats and their fetuses

Pregnancy is thought to create a metabolic condition of accelerated starvation. To clarify this idea, the effect of fasting on pregnant rats (day 21 of gestation) and their fetuses was examined. Although pregnancy significantly increased plasma insulin, plasma ketone body concentrations in fed pregnant rats were higher than those of age-matched fed virgin rats. After 48 hr fasting (i.e., fasting during days 19-21 of gestation), plasma insulin was markedly decreased in virgin rats compared with term pregnant rats, while ketone bodies were significantly higher in pregnant rats than in virgin rats. Body weight was lower in fetuses from fasted mothers than those from fed mothers. Starvation also markedly diminished the insulin response to glucose in isolated, perfused pancreases in both virgin and pregnant rats. The amount of insulin released during glucose stimulation was greater in pregnancy, and the inhibitory effect of 48 hr fasting on insulin release was greater in virgin rats than in pregnant rats. It is possible, therefore, that in term pregnant rats a decrease in insulin release caused by fasting may cause more profound catabolism than in nongravid rats.

The presence of atrial natriuretic peptide in canine cerebrospinal fluid and its possible origin in the brain

The presence of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was clearly demonstrated and an attempt was made to determine its origin as either the brain or the atrium. The concentration of ANP in canine CSF was 0.78 +/- 0.37 pmol/l (n = 31) and showed no evident correlation with that in plasma (r = 0.12). Physiological doses of human alpha-ANP (alpha-hANP) were continuously infused intravenously into nine dogs, and ANP concentrations in CSF and plasma were examined six to eight times within a 120-min period following this. The ANP level in CSF was not influenced by the systemic administration of alpha-hANP up to 180 min. Only one low molecular weight peak corresponding to alpha-hANP could be obtained from the CSF samples, while both low and high molecular weight peaks were observed for plasma ANP by gel permeation chromatography. In the atrial and hypothalamic tissue extracts the same kinds of peaks were also evident. These results prove the presence of ANP in canine CSF and that it does not come from blood that has seeped across the blood-CSF barriers, but suggest that it may originate from the brain.

Lupus nephropathy in New Zealand F1 hybrid mice treated by (-)15-deoxyspergualin

The effect of (-)15-deoxyspergualin (15-dsp), a new immunosuppressant which was originally separated from the culture filtrate of a strain of Bacillus laterosporus, was evaluated in this study. Various doses of 15-dsp were subcutaneously administered to New Zealand black/white F1 hybrid mice (B/WF1) four times a week starting at 14 weeks of age, just prior to the onset of nephropathy. The life span of the treated animals, studied at 0.6 to 6.0 mg/kg body weights, compared with the control mice was significantly prolonged by 15-dsp treatment (percent survival of the treated mice at 50 to 70 weeks of age was significantly higher than that of the control mice, except that of the 0.6 mg group at 60 wks of age, P less than 0.05 by Fisher's exact test). In the 6.0 mg group of mice, complete suppression of spontaneously progressive splenomegaly with decreased total spleen cells was observed at 24 through 36 weeks of age compared with the same-aged control group of mice (P less than 0.01). Absolute numbers of L3T4+ splenocytes determined by flow cytometry, as well as L3T4+/Lyt2+ ratio, were decreased, while in vitro interleukin 2 production by splenocytes induced with staphylococcal enterotoxin A was significantly enhanced. Serum IgG anti-ds DNA antibody levels, measured by radioimmunoassay in the treated mice, were significantly lower at 24 through 36 weeks of age than those in the control mice (P less than 0.01), and the incidence of significant proteinuria (greater than or equal to 100 mg/dl) in the 15-dsp group was lower at both 32 and 36 weeks of age (P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Serum C3 and C4 levels and complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxic activity of islet cell surface antibody in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children

The role of complement in the pathogenesis of diabetes was studied in 31 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic children by assaying serum islet cell surface antibody, C3, C4 and serum complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity. Nine of 21 islet cell surface antibody-positive children were within 5 months of disease onset and showed significantly lower serum C3 and C4 levels than either 1 year later or the remainder of the islet cell surface antibody-positive children at 6-12 months after disease onset. The overall trend of all islet cell surface antibody-positive diabetic children within 1 year of disease onset was toward increased serum C3 and C4 levels as the disease progressed. Serum C4 concentration and complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity which showed an initial negative correlation were uncorrelated 1 year later. Four children who were initially strongly islet cell surface antibody-positive but negative 1 year later also exhibited significantly higher (p less than 0.05) mean serum C4 levels after 1 year. There was a significant decrease in complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity when sera from the diabetic children were treated with either ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid or ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid. These data strongly suggest that complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity induced by the classical complement pathway involving an islet cell surface antibody may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes.

Rat fetal islets as a useful model for the study of insulin release failure

To study the mechanism of imparied insulin secretion from rat fetal islets, the insulin responsiveness of islets from fetuses (day 21.5 of gestation) to a variety of secretagogues was compared with that of adult rat islets. Forskolin (30 microM)-induced insulin release from fetal and adult islets was 2.7-and 2.5-fold higher, respectively, than that from islets treated with 5.6 mM glucose alone. The effects of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (200 nM) were also similar in fetal and adult islets. Thus, the responsiveness to forskolin and TPA showed no significant difference in adult and fetal islets. A synergistic effect of combinations of various insulin secretagogues was observed in adult islets; however, a weak synergistic effect was present with gliclazide plus TPA only in fetal islets. After islets were cultured in RPMI 1640 (containing 11.1 mM glucose), gliclazide-, forskolin-, and TPA-induced insulin release reached the levels obtained in adult islets. However, the synergistic effect of gliclazide and TPA disappeared after culture of the islets. These results suggest that the poor insulin secretion from fetal islets is not due to a defect in the activating system of either cAMP or C-kinase, but to the immaturity of the interaction of those messenger systems.

Effect of clonidine on insulin secretion: a case report

We have recently seen a case of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with hypertension in which chronic treatment with oral clonidine gave rise to elevation of blood glucose and decreased insulin secretion. When the response of insulin secretion to glucose administration during clonidine therapy was compared with that after 12 days of wash-out for clonidine in this patient (who was then receiving phentolamine mesylate), there was a marked suppression of insulin secretion to stimulation by intravenous glucose during oral clonidine therapy. This result indicates that the decreased insulin secretion associated with oral clonidine therapy is very unlikely to be due to any direct action of clonidine on beta cells of the pancreatic islets and may be due to suppression of catecholamine release via central alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation.

Relation of hydrolytic enzymes in spleen to immunological dysregulation in mice

In order to know the role of hydrolytic enzymes in various immunological disturbances, we compared the enzymatic changes in the spleens of nude mice and NZB/W mice relative to their respective controls. In spite of the different immunological features of these models, multivariate analysis demonstrated that there is some commonness in enzymatic changes between the two models. The enzymes related to such commonness included glycosidases, alkaline phosphatase, fMet-AP, and esterase. These enzymes may play some important roles in immunologic dysregulation , especially in relation to B-cell dominance in these disease models.

[Sensitivity of esophageal cancer to anticancer agents and supplementary chemotherapy combined with surgical treatment]

The authors examined the sensitivities of esophageal cancer to Bleomycin (BLM), Peplomycin (PEP), Cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-FU by the INAS method using 3H-thymidine or 14C-formate as labeled precursors, and determined the concentrations of anticancer agents in cancer lesions by the Band Culture method. On the other hand, the authors investigated the superiority or inferiority of various methods of BLM administration by observing the prevention effect of BLM on the development of experimental esophageal cancer in rats. Forty-three cases out of 76, 57%, showed a sensitivity to BLM, 60% to PEP, 38% to CDDP and 56% to 5-FU. As to the types of roentgenological findings, the superficial and tumorous types showed a high sensitivity rate. As to the types of macroscopical findings, the protruded and superficial types showed a high sensitivity rate. As to the types of histological findings, well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma showed a high sensitivity rate. Sensitivity was higher in metastatic lymph nodes than in main cancer lesions. Tumor tissues which had undergone previous hyperthermic management (at 42 degrees C) showed a higher sensitivity than those which had not. PEP at a half dose brought about the same grade of anticancer effect as BLM. The sensitivities of esophageal cancer to various anticancer agents showed individual differences among clinical cases. Therefore, combination chemotherapy for esophageal cancer was thought to be an effective administration method. The divided administration of small doses of BLM was thought to be more superior than the one-shot administration of a large dose for esophageal cancer. The results of the INAS sensitivity test were perfectly coincident with the effects of chemotherapy in clinical cases of esophageal cancer.

Suppressive effect of mizoribine on humoral antibody production in DBA/2 mice

The mode of action of mizoribine (MZR) as a B cell inhibitor was studied using DBA/2 mice. Its in vitro administration significantly delayed the primary response in hemagglutinin production against sheep erythrocytes by suppressing the IgM antibody formation. In vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) response against both T-dependent and T-independent antigens, such as TNP-SRBC and TNP-Brucella abortus, was dose-dependently suppressed by MZR. Since PFC formation by the T-depleted fraction of splenocytes was likewise suppressed, MZR may inhibit humoral antibody response by directly affecting the B cells (and/or macrophages) as well as by modulating the regulatory T cells. MZR may only act on a certain stage of the cell cycle of B lymphocytes following antigenic stimulation. It may not interfere with the initial antigen recognition or with mature B cells.

Abnormality of the post-proline-cleaving enzyme activity in mice with systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome

Previous studies indicated the importance of hydrolytic enzymes in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we examined the activities of such enzymes in various organs of the hybrids of the New Zealand Black and New Zealand White mouse (NZB/W mouse) as a laboratory model of human systemic lupus erythematosus. Of the 18 enzymatic activities tested, the activities of the post-proline-cleaving enzyme showed a particular behavior in the spleen of NZB/W mouse. The enzymatic activity progressively increased with age in contrast to the reverse tendency in the control. This phenomenon was not found in any organs other than the spleen. The activity of this enzyme showed a high level of correlation to that of proline-iminopeptidase in most organs tested from control animals. However, these correlations were almost completely absent in the spleen of NZB/W mice. This may suggest an important pathogenetic role for the post-proline-cleaving enzyme in immunological disturbances in this model animal.

[Long-term toxicological studies with mizoribine (Bredinin) in beagle dogs (the first report). Blood chemistries, pharmacokinetics of mizoribine and fertility studies of the male dogs]

For long-term toxicological studies, mizoribine at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to two male and two female Beagle dogs for 36 consecutive months, once a day, 6 days a week, with a day-off on the 7th of each week. As a control group, 2 male and 2 female dogs were kept under the same conditions as the treated group. The above experiment resulted in no abnormal general symptoms being found in either group. In addition, body weight gain instead of weight loss was observed in both groups. Moreover, hematological and biological parameters were in the normal range, and no statistical difference was obtained between the two groups. An additional 10 mg/kg of mizoribine was administered once to both groups at the months of 6, 12, 18, 24, or 36 after the onset of this toxicological study so as to determine the pharmacokinetic behavior of serum mizoribine. This resulted in no significant difference being observed between the two groups. Therefore, it can be inferred that accumulation of mizoribine is not induced by its long-term repeated administration. In fertility study, the analysis of the sperm and the mating ability of a male dog with an appropriate healthy female dog revealed that mizoribine at this dose did not provoke any abnormalities in male gonadal functions.

Effect of mizoribine on lupus nephropathy of New Zealand black/white F1 hybrid mice

Therapeutic trials with mizoribine (MZR), an imidazole nucleoside immunosuppressant, on experimental lupus nephropathy of NZB/W F1 mice resulted in the following. The MZR treatment, 20 mg per kilogram of body weight every other day, starting at 14 weeks of age, caused a significantly prolonged survival time of mice with a mean life span of 54.3 +/- 4.2 weeks, compared with the untreated controls, who had a mean survival time of 38.1 +/- 2.9 weeks (P less than 0.01). In addition, MZR suppressed the elevation of serum anti-DNA antibody titers, the spontaneous development of splenomegaly, and the histological development and progression of glomerulonephritis observed in untreated animals. Although no definite explanation is available at present to explain how MZR caused decreased anti-DNA antibody production and delay in the development of glomerulonephritis in these animals, it is suggested that it acts by directly suppressing the hyperfunctioning B cells of lupus mice. MZR may prove to be a promising immunosuppressant for the treatment of human lupus, in view of its lesser side effects such as bone marrow suppression or hepatotoxicity.

Modification of crescentic Masugi nephritis in the rabbit by Bredinin, a new immunosuppressant

Experiments were undertaken to ascertain whether progression of crescentic Masugi nephritis in rabbits could be prevented by the administration of Bredinin (BR). Crescentic glomerulonephritis can be induced with high reproducibility by intramuscular preimmunization on day 1, followed by intravenous injections on days 3 and 5 of nephrotoxic duck gamma-globulin (NTD gamma-gl). 30 rabbits were divided into 3 groups including controls (group 1). Two groups of 10 nephritic rabbits were each treated with 10 mg/kg of BR either after or before the development of proteinuria (groups 2 and 3). In group 3, the onset of proteinuria showed a significant delay and duration of survival was significantly prolonged, compared with controls. Serum antibody titers after day 8 and creatinine levels after day 10, as well as the initial amounts of proteinuria, were also significantly lower during treatment in group 3 than in controls. Histologically, the prominent diffuse intra- and extra-capillary proliferation with monocyte accumulations observed in the control group were markedly diminished in group 3. These results suggest that early treatment in crescentic glomerulonephritis with BR will suppress the production of humoral antibody and prevent progression of the glomerular lesions.

Immunosuppressive effect of bredinin on cell-mediated and humoral immune reactions in experimental animals

Bredinin (BR), an imidazole nucleoside isolated from Eupenicillium brefeldianum was previously reported to prolong kidney allograft survival in dogs. The immunosuppressive effect of BR was studied in experimental animals. In beagles, in vitro responses of lymphocytes stimulated by mitogens or allogeneic cells were suppressed by in vitro BR treatment. BR, given in vivo, also showed an inhibitory action against development of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to tubercle bacilli in guinea pigs or against hemagglutinin production following booster SRBC injection in rabbits. Of note may be the fact that BR was found to have an immunosuppressive potency comparable to that of azathioprine and, in addition, to show a decreased hepatotoxicity compared with the latter.

The amino acid sequences of proteinase inhibitors I-A and I-A' from adzuki beans

Several proteins which strongly inhibit trypsin have been found in adzuki bean seeds. Two of them, designated as adzuki proteinase inhibitors (API) I-A and I-A', were analyzed for their amino acid sequences by conventional methods. Inhibitors I-A and I-A' exhibited strong homology with other Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitors from leguminous seeds in spite of belonging to different genera. Inhibitors I-A and I-A' consisted of 78 and 72 amino acid residues and their molecular weights were 9,100 and 8,300, respectively. Inhibitor I-A' lacked the six amino acid residues of the amino terminus of inhibitor I-A and had an asparagine residue in place of the aspartic acid residue at position 40 of inhibitor I-A. The results showed the occurrence of some genetic variants of proteinase inhibitors in adzuki bean seeds. Inhibitor I-A was a double-headed one, and the reactive sites for trypsin were Lys-Ser and Arg-Ser bonds. Therefore, inhibitor I-A' was also assumed to be a double-headed one having Lys-Ser and Arg-Ser bonds as the reactive sites for the enzyme.

Effect of methylprednisolone on progressive Masugi nephritis in the rabbit. I. Suppression of antibody production and crescent formation

Experiments were undertaken to clarify whether a large dose of methylprednisolone (MPSL) could have any suppressive effect on progressive Masugi nephritis in the rabbit. Progressive crescentic Masugi nephritis could be induced with high reproducibility by preimmunization with a small amount of nephrotoxic duck gamma-globulin incorporated with complete Freund's adjuvant, followed by an intravenous injection 4 days later. Two groups of rabbits treated with 80 mg/kg of MPSL either before or after the development of proteinuria, showed a significant decrease in both antibody titers and serum creatinine levels during treatment. Histologically, the prominent diffuse intracapillary proliferation and crescent formation observed in controls, were markedly diminished. Accumulations of monocytes in the intra- and extracapillary space were also decreased. These results suggest that suppression of antibody production by a large dose of MPSL is one of its most fundamental actions, and can prevent the processes leading to crescentic glomerular lesions.

Effectiveness of a new drug, bredinin, on canine kidney allotransplant survival

BR has remarkable effectiveness on canine kidney allograft survival. Its effectiveness in suppression of the immune responses is dependent on the dosage. Atrophy of the spleen and the mesenteric lymph nodes is prominent in treated dogs. Septic complications are slight, with no reduction in the number of peripheral white blood cells. Erosive changes of the mucosa in the entire bowel are the major side effects of the drug treatment. Liver functional abnormality has not been observed.

Synthesis of mono- and bifunctional alpha-methylene lactone systems as potential tumor inhibitors

Synthetic nono- and bifunctional alpha-methylene lactone derivatives including deoxyvernolepin and kihydrodeoxyvernolepin were tested as inhibitors of the growth of CCRF-CEM human lymphoblastic leukemia cells in culture. The range of ID-50 values for compounds 1-7 (ca. 10(-5)-10(-6)M) was roughly comparable to the doses observed earlier in the CCRF-CEM cell system with synthetic alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones. Of significance is that dihydrodeoxyvernolepin and deoxyvernolepin were at least an order of magnitude more active than natural vernolepin.