Effects of quercetin and/or restraint stress on formation of aberrant crypt foci induced by azoxymethane in rat colons

The present study examines the effect of dietary quercetin and/or restraint stress on the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by azoxymethane (AOM) in the colon. Female F344 rats were divided into four groups. All animals were given intraperitoneal injections of AOM. The animals were fed a basal diet (group A, C), or a 2% quercetin-supplemented diet (group B, D). The animals were put individually to narrow wire cages for 1 h every day throughout the study to expose them to mild restraint stress (group C, D). At week 5, all the rats were killed and analyzed for ACF in the colon. The number of ACF increased significantly in the animals subjected to stress (p < 0.05). On the other hand, dietary quercetin significantly reduced the number of ACF in both the nonstress (p < 0.001) and stress groups (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that quercetin might have a potential as a chemopreventive drug for colon cancer despite stress.

Pharmacokinetics of prulifloxacin. 2nd communication: pharmacokinetics and effect on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities after repeated administration and transfer into fetus and milk after a single administration in rats

Prulifloxacin ((+/-)-6-fluoro-1-methyl-7-[4-(5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl) methyl-1-piperazinyl]-4-oxo-4H-[1,3]thiazeto[3,2-a]quinoline-3-car boxylic acid, CAS 123447-62-1, NM441) is a prodrug of a new quinolone carboxylic acid antibacterial agent, NM394 (CAS 112984-60-8). The pharmacokinetics of radioactivity after repeated oral administration of 14C-NM441, the effects of NM441 on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities after repeated oral administration of NM441, and the transfer of radioactivity into the fetus and milk after a single oral administration of 14C-NM441 were investigated in rats. 1. The plasma concentration of radioactivity 6 h after each oral dose of 14C-NM441 (20 mg/kg) to male rats once a day for 21 days was almost constant. There was no marked difference in the plasma concentration-time curves for radioactivity after the single, 7th, 14th or 21st administration. The averaged cumulative urinary and fecal excretion of radioactivity during repeated administration did not differ from the corresponding values after a single administration. The concentration of radioactivity 8 h after each dose had reached a plateau in most tissues by the 14th administration. After the 21st dose, the radioactivity concentration in most tissues decreased along with the plasma concentration, whereas a slower elimination was observed in the skin and bone. 2. Repeated oral administration of 20 or 200 mg/kg of NM441 to male rats did not affect hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities. 3. In pregnant rats, the maximum concentration of radioactivity in the fetus was lower than that in the maternal plasma. Furthermore, the total amount of radioactivity in the fetus was only 0.01% of the dose at 0.5 h. 4. In lactating rats, the concentration of radioactivity in the milk was substantially higher than in the plasma. 5. In conclusion, repeated administration of NM441 did not alter its pharmacokinetics, and no evidence was found that it accumulated in the body. Furthermore, there was little placental transfer. These characteristics add to the suitability of NM441 as an effective prodrug of NM394.

Pharmacokinetics of prulifloxacin. 3rd communication: metabolism in rats, dogs and monkeys

The metabolism of the new quinolone antibacterial prodrug prulifloxacin ((+/-)-6-fluoro-1-methyl-7-[4-(5-methyl-2-oxo-1, 3-dioxolen-4-yl)methyl-1-piperazinyl]-4-oxo-4H-[1,3]thiazeto [3,2-a]quinoline-3-carboxylic acid. CAS 123447-62-1, NM441) in rats, dogs and monkeys was investigated after oral administration of 14C-NM441 or unlabeled NM441. 1. NM394 (which is the active metabolite of NM441), the NM394 acyl glucuronide, the ethylenediamino form, the diol form and the amino form were found in the urine of all three species, and the oxo form was detected in monkey urine only. 2. NM394 was the main metabolite in the urine of dogs and monkeys. 3. NM394 was the main metabolite in the plasma, urine and feces in rats and NM394 and its acyl glucuronide were the main biliary metabolites. 4. These results indicate that NM441 was transformed into a variety of metabolites, but that most of the drug administered was metabolized to NM394 by hydrolytic cleavage of the dioxelene ring.

Pharmacokinetics of prulifloxacin. 1st communication: absorption, distribution and excretion in rats, dogs and monkeys after a single administration

The pharmacokinetics of prulifloxacin ((+/-)-6-fluoro-1-methyl-7-[4-(5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl) methyl-1-piperazinyl]-4-oxo-4H-[1,3]thiazeto[3,2-a]quinoline-3-car boxylic acid. CAS 123447-62-1, NM441), a quinolone antibacterial prodrug, was investigated after i.v. (14C-NM394, CAS 112984-60-8) or oral (14C-NM441) administration to rats, dogs and monkeys. 1. 14C-NM441 was absorbed mainly from the upper small intestine and then metabolized to NM394 partly in the intestinal membrane but mainly in the portal blood and liver. Thus NM441 was not detected in the systemic circulation. 2. After i.v. administration of 14C-NM394 (5 mg/kg), the plasma concentration of radioactivity decreased biexponentially, and the elimination half-life in rats, dogs and monkeys was 4.2, 5.8 and 7.0 h, respectively. After oral administration of 14C-NM441 (20 mg/kg), the plasma concentration of radioactivity reached a maximum at 0.7-3.3 h, and thereafter decreased as observed after i.v. administration of 14C-NM394. An effect of food on the absorption of NM441 was found. No clear sex-related differences were observed in the plasma concentration profiles of rats. 3. The concentration of radioactivity in most tissues of rats reached a maximum within 1 h after oral administration of 14C-NM441 and thereafter decreased along with the plasma concentration. At 0.5 h, the radioactivity concentrations were highest in the liver and kidney, moderately high in the spleen, pancreas, lung and mandibular gland and extremely low in the cerebrum and cerebellum. 4. The radioactivity in the excreta collected over a 96-h period was 96-98% of the oral dose (urine, 22-32%; feces, 64-75%) in rats, dogs and monkeys, 35% of the radioactivity administered was excreted in the bile of rats during a 48-h period after oral administration, and only a small portion of the biliary radioactivity was reabsorbed. 5. The proportion of 14C-NM394 that bound to serum proteins in vitro in rats, dogs, monkeys and humans was 41-59% in a concentration range of 0.1-10 micrograms/ml.

Human BST-1 expressed on myeloid cells functions as a receptor molecule

We have previously identified and cloned BST-1 as a molecule which is overexpressed on the bone marrow stromal cell lines derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and which has the ability to support the pre-B cell growth. BST-1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored ectoenzyme having ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cyclic ADP-ribose hydrolase activities. In this report, we demonstrate that human BST-1 was expressed on monocytes, granulocytes in the peripheral blood of healthy donors, and macrophages matured in vitro. Cross-linking of BST-1 with a polyclonal anti-BST-1 antibody induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 130-kDa protein (p130) in the human myeloid cell lines U937 and THP-1. Cross-linking of BST-1 overexpressed on a transfectant induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p130, dephosphorylation of the 100-kDa protein, and growth inhibition. These results suggest that BST-1 can deliver signals into cells and function as a receptor.

ATF site of human RB gene promoter is a responsive element of myogenic differentiation

RB mRNA increases during terminal differentiation of C2 myoblasts. We demonstrate that RB promoter activity increases about 4-fold during differentiation. The increase of RB promoter activity was reduced when a point mutation was designed in the ATF site. In a gel shift assay of the ATF site, two specific bands were observed. One of them, with the lower mobility, disappeared during differentiation. This band reacted with an antibody against ATF-1. We cotransfected an RB promoter-luciferase plasmid with the TREB36/ATF-1 plasmid. ATF-l suppressed the activity of the wild-type RB promoter but not of that with a point mutation at the ATF site. These results suggest that the ATF site of the RB promoter is a responsive element during myogenic differentiation of C2 cells. We hypothesize that RB promoter activity is stimulated partially due to the dissociation of ATF-1, which suppresses the promoter activity through the ATF site in C2 myoblasts.

Tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease) with bilateral pleural effusion

We report a case of tuberculous spondylitis (Pott's disease) with bilateral pleural effusion in a 25-year-old male patient. Left-pleural effusion was observed on admission. The initial diagnosis was tuberculous pleuritis. However, during anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, back pain and right-pleural effusion appeared. by further examination, we diagnosed an active tuberculous spondylitis of the 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae possibly by the dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis through blood circulation or lymphatic circulation. In cases in which anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is not so effective, the possibility of the rarely-appearing extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculous spondylitis must be considered.

Stage-specific expression of mouse BST-1/BP-3 on the early B and T cell progenitors prior to gene rearrangement of antigen receptor

Human bone marrow stromal cell antigen 1 (BST-1) was identified as a glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol-anchored ectoenzyme expressed on bone marrow stromal or synovial cell lines and having the ability to facilitate pre-B cell line growth. The analysis of the expression of mouse BST-1/BP-3 on the surface of lymphoid cells in the bone marrow and thymus revealed that it was very transiently expressed on both B and T cell progenitors undergoing gene rearrangement of the antigen receptor. Among CD45R+ CD43+ B cell progenitors in the bone marrow, BST-1 expression appeared on the CD24 (heat stable antigen)+, CD19+ or CD117 (c-kit)+ population. In the thymus, BST-1 was expressed on CD4-CD8-CD3- [triple negative (TN)] CD90 (Thy-1)+ cells. In TN thymocytes, the majority of CD25+ cells and CD44(10)/- cells expressed BST-1. In fetuses, BST-1+ cells appeared in the thymus and liver at day 14 and 16 of gestation respectively. The expression level of BST-1 by fetal thymus was maximal and > 60% of thymocytes were positive for BST-1 at day 15 or 16 and the proportion then gradually decreased during development. Among day 15 fetal thymocytes, BST-1 was negative on the CD44+ CD25- fraction, very slightly positive on the CD44+ CD25+ fraction, and strongly positive on the CD44(10)/- CD25+ and CD44-CD25- fractions. These results showed that murine BST-1 is a useful marker for lymphoid progenitor cells initiating gene rearrangement of their antigen receptors.

[Hepatic metabolism and transport of bilirubin and other organic anions]

Most of bilirubin, bile acids and other organic anions are preferentially taken up by the liver and excreted into bile. Recently many transporters on the sinusoidal and canalicular membranes of the hepatocytes have been reported for each ligand. complementary DNA was cloned for human Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) which mediates sodium dependent secondary active hepatic uptake of bile acids. For the hepatic uptake of non-bile acid-organic anions such as bilirubin, at least 4 transporters are postulated, i.e., bilirubin/BSP binding protein (BBBP), organic anion binding protein (OABP), bilitranslocase, and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP). In the hepatocytes, bilirubin is glucuronidated in the endoplasmic reticulum. The gene for UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1 family has been elucidated and differential splicing from several exons 1 (A to J) results in forming isozymes of UGT 1 including bilirubin UGT. At the canalicular membranes, two main ATP-dependent organic anion transporters have been reported, i.e., canalicular bile salt transporter (cBST) for bile acids and canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT) for non-bile acid organic anions. Recently multidrug resistance protein (MRP) is reported closely related to or identical to cMOAT. These canalicular ATP-dependent transporters are called ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters.

Pravastatin transport across the hepatocyte canalicular membrane requires both ATP and a transmembrane pH gradient

Hepatic excretion of non-bile acid organic anions is reported to be ATP-dependent and a defect of this transport has been reported in congenitally jaundiced rats, animal models of human Dubin-Johnson syndrome. To investigate the effect of the transmembrane pH gradient on hepatocyte canalicular membrane transport of ATP-dependent organic anions, uptake of pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase-inhibiting organic anion, by hepatocyte canalicular membrane vesicles was observed in the presence or absence of transmembrane pH gradients. Uptake was assessed by a rapid filtration technique. ATP-dependent pravastatin uptake was stimulated in the presence of a transmembrane pH gradient (in > out) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Uptake was dependent on both pravastatin and ATP concentrations and showed saturation kinetics. After intravenous injection of [14C]-pravastatin (0.3 mumol), 81% of the dose was excreted in the bile within 35 min in SD rats, whereas only 20% was excreted in the bile in Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rats. ATP and the pH gradient also co-stimulated the uptake of pravastatin in Eisai hyperbilirubinuria rats, although the K(m) was much higher and Vmax was much lower than corresponding values in SD rats. This coincided well with the marked reduction in vivo biliary excretion of pravastatin in jaundiced rats.

Pancreatic islet cells express BST-1, a CD38-like surface molecule having ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a well-known stimulator of ca(2+) release from the intracellular Ca(2+) pool, has recently emerged as a potential regulator of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. As recently described, BST-1 is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface molecule that exhibits homology with CD38 and Aplysia ADP-ribosyl cyclase. Like CD38, BST-1 has both ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities. As a step toward elucidating the physiological role of cADPR in insulin secretion we examined whether BST-1 is expressed in pancreatic islet cells. Sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected almost as abundant expression of BST-1 mRNA in pancreatic islets as CD38 mRNA. Immunohistochemical analyses utilizing mirror image sections revealed that BST-1 protein is expressed in a majority of the cells in pancreatic islets and that at least beta cells and, to an even greater extent, alpha cells express BST-1. These observations suggest the involvement of multiple enzymes in the regulation of cADPR concentrations in pancreatic islet cells.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome in Hodgkin's disease with increased granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

We report a patient with eosinophilia accompanied by Hodgkin's disease who showed remarkable increase in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in plasma but no increase in interleukin-5 (IL-5). The plasma GM-CSF level normalized as eosinophilia and lymphadenopathy disappeared after chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical study with immunoperoxidase staining technique showed a positive stain in lymph node cells by monoclonal anti-GM-CSF antibody. Eosinophilia is often accompanied by Hodgkin's disease, and several cases have been reported to show high levels of plasma IL-5. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show a high level of plasma GM-CSF in Hodgkin's disease with eosinophilia.

Ligand-induced polyubiquitination of receptor tyrosine kinases

The platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor undergoes polyubiquitination as a consequence of ligand binding. In the present study, we have examined the ligand-induced receptor ubiquitination also in the other receptor tyrosine kinase (structurally different) subfamilies by immunoblotting with anti-ubiquitin antiserum. In addition to the platelet-derived growth factor alpha- and beta-receptors, all the monomeric receptor tyrosine kinases examined, such as the receptors for epidermal growth factor (subfamily I), colony stimulating factor-1 (subfamily III), and fibroblast growth factor (subfamily IV), were found to be ubiquitinated after ligand stimulation. However, the insulin receptor (subfamily II), which is a tetrameric molecule, was not. These data suggest that the ligand-induced polyubiquitination of the receptor is a general phenomenon observed in most of the monomeric receptor tyrosine kinases.

Activation of Fes tyrosine kinase by gp130, an interleukin-6 family cytokine signal transducer, and their association

gp130 is a signal-transducing subunit of receptors for the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-related cytokine subfamily including IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor, oncostatin M, IL-11, and ciliary neurotrophic factor, indicating that gp130-mediated signals are involved in the immune response, hematopoiesis, inflammation, and endocrine and nervous system activity. We previously showed that gp130 stimulation rapidly activates Jak, Btk, and Tec tyrosine kinases, all of which constitutively associate with gp130. To further elucidate intracellular signal transduction through gp130, we examined the possible involvement of another nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, p92c-fes (Fes). We showed that gp130 stimulation rapidly induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Fes and actually activated its kinase activity in hematopoietic lineage cells. Furthermore, Fes associated with gp130 independently of ligand stimulation like Jak, Btk, and Tec tyrosine kinases. These results indicate that multiple nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are involved in the gp130-mediated signal transduction pathway. Because both gp130 and Fes are expressed not only in hematopoietic lineage cells but also in heart and nerve cells, Fes may play a role in signal transduction through gp130 in these tissues.

Diversity of DNA sequences among Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal detected by PCR-based DNA fingerprinting

Vibrio cholerae O139, a causative agent of a large epidemic of cholera-like illness, has suddenly emerged and spread widely over several months. To investigate the characteristics unique to O139, traditional typing techniques for V. cholerae, such as biochemical characteristics, antibiotic susceptibility and detection of toxin production, were performed, with the result that 145 O139 strains, except for two O139 strains isolated from Argentina and Germany, were indistinguishable from O1 strains. Thus, in order to clarify the genetical relatedness among O139 strains, and between O139 and O1 strains, the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) DNA fingerprinting method was undertaken. Although the RAPD arrays in five O139 isolates from Vellore with one arbitrary primer were slightly different from the other O139 strains, the RAPD patterns of the 145 forty-five O139 strains except for two O139 strains from Argentina and Germany were quite similar to each other, but were different from those of O1 strains, indicating that those O139 epidemic strains are closely related to each other regardless of their place of isolation. Furthermore, the RAPD patterns of the O139 strains resembled those of E1 Tor strains rather than classical strain, and a small change in the RAPD pattern of O139 strains occurred during subculture for 200 generations. These results taken together suggested that O139 V. cholerae have emerged from a common origin associated with the E1 Tor strain.

[The survey of prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in forestry workers in Saitama prefecture]

Forestry workers in Saitama Prefecture are in high occupational risk to Lyme borreliosis transmitted by ticks. We surveyed the incidence of tick bites and the prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in 80 forestry workers. ELISA with the antigen from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto B31 as well as Borrelia garinii HP3 and Borrelia japonica HO14 isolated in Japan was used for the detection of antibodies. Antibody-positive cases against B31, HP3 and HO14 was 3.8, 23.8 and 13.8%, respectively. Antibody-positive cases by ELISA were subjected to Western blotting with the antigens from three borrelias. Finally, 20.0% of the workers were antibody-positive by specific antibodies, anti-OspA antibody. The correlation between ELISA and Western blotting was better when HP3 was used as an antigen. One out of 30 normal control individuals was positive in ELISA with HP3 antigen, but negative in Western blotting. Thirty percent of the workers had a history of tick bites, and these cases had no characteristic symptoms of Lyme borreliosis. However, the rate of tick bites in antibody-positive cases was significantly higher than that in antibody-negative cases. These results suggested that the forestry workers in Saitama are very likely to be infected with Lyme borreliosis transmitted by ticks.

Association and activation of Btk and Tec tyrosine kinases by gp130, a signal transducer of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor, oncostatin M, IL-11, and ciliary neurotrophic factor constitute the IL-6 family of cytokines and play important roles in hematopoiesis, immune response, and nervous system. The receptors for the IL-6 family of cytokines share gp130 through which signals are generated, although the cytoplasmic region of gp130 does not contain any catalytic domain. In this study we show that in addition to Jak family tyrosine kinase, the stimulation of gp130 by IL-6 plus soluble IL-6 receptor alpha induced the activation of Btk and Tec tyrosine kinases, whereas IL-3 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor activated Tec but not Btk in a pro-B cell line. Furthermore, both Btk and Tec kinases were associated with gp130 without the ligand stimulation. Because Btk is a critical tyrosine kinase for B lymphopoiesis and Tec is considered to be involved in hematopoiesis, the results suggest the involvement of gp130-Btk-Tec signal pathway in early lymphohematopoiesis.

[Biological characters of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli isolates from diarrhea patients in Saitama (1990-1992)]

A total of 16 strains of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) isolated from diarrea patients in Saitama from 1990 to 1992 were tested for their serotype, verotoxin production, biochemical characteristics, antibiotics sensitivity and plasmid profiles. By serotype analysis, 14 strains from two outbreaks and 12 sporadic cases were classified as type O157:H7, one as O111:H-(not motility) and one as O128:H2. Typing of verotoxin by gene analysis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) showed that 9 of O157:H7 strains including two cases from outbreaks and O128:H2 have VT1 and VT2 genes, other O157:H7 have the VT2 gene and O111:H-has only the VT1 gene. Biochemical characteristic analysis indicated two strains of O157:H7 type from outbreaks were biotype II and the rest of O157:H7 were biotype I. One of the O157:H7 strain from a sporadic case showed positive for urease production. According to sensitivity tests against antibiotics, out of the O157:H7 group, one strain was resistant against ABPC, one against SM and two strains resistant to SM-TC. For plasmid profiles, all strains had 94 Kb plasmids and several smaller sizes of plasmids. But 5 strains of O157:H7 had 94 Kb plasmid only.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of NM441, a new quinolone, in healthy male volunteers

The safety and pharmacokinetics of NM441, a prodrug of a new thiazeto-quinoline carboxylic acid derivative, NM394, were evaluated in healthy male volunteers given the drug orally in single doses of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg, and multiple doses of 300 mg twice daily for 6.5 days. No remarkable abnormalities were observed in symptoms, physical tests, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), or equilibrium test. The mean plasma concentrations of active metabolite NM394 peaked between 0.5 and 1.0 hours, and the maximum concentrations were 0.68, 1.09, and 1.88 micrograms/mL at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg, respectively. The mean half-lives were 7.7 to 8.9 hours and were not affected by dose. The mean urinary excretion rates of NM394 were 46.0, 38.3, and 30.6% of the doses within 48 hours, respectively, and other metabolites were excreted in urine by 7% of the doses. The mean salivary concentrations of NM394 were approximately 20% of the plasma concentrations. The mean fecal excretion rates of NM394 and NM441 were 52.9 and 4.2%, respectively within 72 hours after dosing of 400 mg. The Cmax, AUC, and urinary excretion rates were not altered by food intake, whereas the Tmax was prolonged slightly. In the multiple-dose study, the steady state of plasma concentration of NM394 was achieved on day 3 or 4, and further accumulation did not occur thereafter. The mean urinary excretion rate of NM394 was 49.0% during and 48 hours after the multiple administration. The acceptable safety and tolerance and defined pharmacokinetic characteristics of NM441 support further testing.

[Hypoplastic leukemia successfully treated by oral administration with cytarabine ocfosfate]

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with pancytopenia in December, 1992. The data of his peripheral blood were as follows: WBC 1,100/microliters (stab 9.0, seg 11.5, eosin 3.5, mono 1.0, lymph 75.0), RBC 176 x 10(4)/microliters, Hb 6.6 g/dl, platelet 4.6 x 10(4)/microliters. Bone Marrow was hypocellular (cell count 1.4 x 10(4)/microliters) and consisted of 30% blasts (peroxidase positive). He was diagnosed as having hypoplastic leukemia. Oral administration of cytarabine ocfosfate (50 mg/day) was begun from the 5th of January, 1993. The dose of cytarabine ocfosfate was increased to 100 mg/day since the 13th of January, 1993, and he was discharged from the hospital on the 23rd of January, 1993. Since then, he has been treated with cytarabine ocfosfate alone in the outpatient clinic. Pancytopenia began to improve in one month, and the data on the 7th of May, 1993 were as follows: WBC 3,500/microliters (stab 2.0, seg 37.5, eosin 1.5, baso 1.0, mono 16.5, lymph 41.5), RBC 249 x 10(4)/microliters, Hb 10.4 g/dl, platelet 15.4 x 10(4)/microliters. Bone marrow became normocellular (cell count 22.0 x 10(4)/microliters) and blasts decreased to 3.0%, and complete remission was confirmed. There were no adverse effects.

A randomized, controlled trial of human lymphoblastoid interferon in patients with compensated type C cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of human lymphoblastoid interferon (L-IFN) in the treatment of compensated type C cirrhosis, 30 patients were assigned randomly to three groups, consisting of 10 patients each, who were treated as follows.

METHODS

The 1- and 3-megaunit (MU) groups received 1 or 3 MU of L-IFN, respectively, daily for 2 wk, and three times weekly for 24 wk thereafter. The control group received no treatment. All of the patients had positive C100-3 hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) titers.

RESULTS

The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased 26 wk after L-IFN treatment was began, in both treatment groups. In the 3-MU group, the ALT levels became normal [complete response (CR)] in 40%, improved to less than twice the upper limit of the normal value [partial response (PR)] in 10%, and remained unchanged [no change (NC)] in 50%. In the 1-MU group, a PR occurred in 30%. There was NC in 70%, and NC occurred in the control group. Twenty-four weeks after stopping L-IFN, the CR and NC rates in the 3-MU group were 10% and 90%, respectively, and NC was observed in all of the 1-MU and control patients. 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase activities increased in both treatment groups (p < 0.05), but not in the control group. The anti-HCV titers decreased in the 3-MU group (p < 0.05), but not in the 1-MU and control groups. Higher doses of L-IFN were more effective. No serious side effects occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that IFN administration can be effective and safe in patients with compensated type C cirrhosis, and that it would be worthwhile to evaluate IFN therapy for cirrhotic patients further.

[Isolation of Group B streptococci from urine in healthy persons. Streptococcal Diseases Study Group]

It is known that the neonatal group B streptococcal disease in most cases is acquired by contamination during passage through the birth canal at the time of delivery. Therefore, to investigate the influence of colonization of group B streptococci in the female genital tract by age, we carried out the isolation of group B streptococci from the urine of healthy children of school age group, and those age groups were as follow: kindergarten primary school students, junior high school students, high school students and women over twenty years of age. The isolation rates of group B streptococci from the urine of the healthy persons by each group were as follow: 12.5-18.2% in 93 females and 0-0.3% in 90 males in kindergarten aged 3-5 years, 6.4-25.3% in 285 females and 0.3-3.2% males in primary school aged 6-11 years, 11.8-19.1% in 183 females and 0-7.1% in 233 males in junior high school aged 12-14 years, 16.4-23.7% in 416 females and 2.6-7.1% in 114 males in high school aged 15-17 years, and 35.0-50.0% in adult females aged 20-60 years. Isolation rates according to sex were 2.2% in 756 males to 17.5% in 977 females of aged 3-17 years, and there was a clearly highly significant difference between males and females (p < 0.01). Group B streptococci isolated from urine of 1,818 persons were 220 strains (12.1%), and the 146 (66.4%) in all strains could be typed by the serological test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)