Chemotactic response of fibroblasts to root surface components in wound healing following flap surgery

The purpose of this study was two-fold; first to investigate the chemotactic response of periodontal cells to root surface components during wound healing following flap surgery; second, to investigate the chemoattractive effect of the root components on cell migration. Cells were obtained by culturing cells from monkey periodontal tissues and rat calvarial cells. Root surface components were obtained from teeth extracted at 4, 7, 10 and 14 days after flap surgery. The chemotactic response of the isolated cells to root surface components was quantitated by an in vitro assay using a 48 well microchemotaxis chamber. The effect of root components or other growth factors on the cell migration was evaluated using a three-dimensional gel system. Cemental components produced a strong chemotactic response for gingival fibroblasts, alveolar bone cells and rat calvarial cells. Kinetics of the chemotactic potential of cementum was characterized by an initial increase (up to 7 days after surgery), a transient decline (at 10 days after surgery) and a second increase (at 14 days after surgery). Cemental components obtained 7 days after surgery most profoundly facilitated invasion of gingival fibroblasts with comparable effects induced by PDGF and TGF-beta. These results suggest that cemental components influence the chemotactic migration of gingival fibroblasts at the initial stage of wound healing, and therefore, cementum plays an important role in periodontal regeneration.

Selective induction of alpha 1 isoform of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I in cultured rat astrocytes

Treatment of cultured rat astrocytes with insulin increased (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity expressed per protein or DNA by 1.6- to 2.1-fold, but did not affect Mg(2+)-ATPase and adenylate cyclase activities. Insulin treatment increased protein and DNA contents under the conditions, while it did not cause morphological differentiation as determined by a microscopic inspection. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) had a similar effect on the enzyme activity in astrocytes: the effect of insulin was observed at supraphysiological concentrations, while that of IGF-I was observed at physiological concentrations. Insulin and IGF-I both stimulated DNA synthesis at the concentrations that caused an increase in enzyme activity. The effect was blocked by tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as genistein and herbimycin A and by cycloheximide. Western blot analysis showed that alpha 1 and alpha 2 isoforms of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were present in cultured astrocytes and that insulin and IGF-I increased the content of the alpha 1 isoform but did not that of the alpha 2 isoform. Two components of ouabain inhibition were observed in the enzyme purified partially from cultured astrocytes, and treatment of the cells with IGF-I increased the ratio of the low-affinity component of the inhibition, indicating a selective increase in the activity of the alpha 1 isoform. These results indicate that insulin increases (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity through an activation of IGF-I receptors and the increase is due to the selective induction of the alpha 1 isoform in cultured astrocytes.

A new antibiotic, cypemycin. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological characteristics

A new peptide antibiotic, cypemycin, with a molecular weight of 2,097 (M+H), was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-4156. The antibiotic possesses cytocidal activity against P388 leukemia cells in vitro at a concentration of 1.3 microgram/ml (IC50 values), and the antibiotic showed antimicrobial activities against Micrococcus luteus (MIC, 0.2 microgram/ml).

Isoproterenol stimulates Cl- current by a Gs protein-mediated process in beta-intercalated cells isolated from rabbit kidney

To examine the effect of isoproterenol on Cl- current and its signal transduction pathway in beta-intercalated cells (beta-IC cell), peanut agglutinin (PNA) positive cells in culture were studied by the whole-cell clamp technique. We identified these cells as beta-IC cells by PNA-binding, cell alkalinization induced by Cl- free in the superfusate, and an increase in intracellular cAMP concentration by isoproterenol, but not by vasopressin. Application of isoproterenol in the voltage-clamp mode induced an activation of Cl- current in a dose-dependent fashion and its threshold concentration was in the order of 0.01 microM and ED50 was about 0.1 microM. This effect of isoproterenol was inhibited by atenolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker. Either extracellular application of forskolin or intracellular application of cAMP mimicked the action of isoproterenol. In the presence of forskolin or cAMP, isoproterenol caused little further activation of Cl- current. A synthetic inhibitor of protein kinase A (5-24 amide) inhibited the Cl- -channel activation by isoproterenol. Isoproterenol failed to activate the current in the presence of intracellular GDP beta S. By contrast, intracellular application of GTP gamma S rendered irreversible the Cl- -channel activation by brief exposure to isoproterenol. The present studies provide direct evidence that in the PNA-binding cell, probably the beta-IC cell, the stimulation of beta-adrenoceptor activates Cl- current through the signal transduction system involving G-protein, adenylate cyclase, cAMP, and protein kinase A.

[Pharmacological studies on human urinary kallidinogenase (SK-827): cerebral protective effects]

We investigated the cerebral protective effects of human urinary kallidinogenase (SK-827) in rabbits. The following results were obtained: 1) At a dose of 5.0 x 10(-3) to 1.25 x 10(-2) PNA U/kg, SK-827 significantly inhibited the decrease of focal cerebral blood flow and the impairment of electrocorticogram (ECoG) activity in infarcted rabbits. 2) SK-827 at a dose of 2.5 x 10(-3) PNA U/kg inhibited the development of infarction area induced by internal carotid arterial injection of glass beads. 3) SK-827 at a dose of 2.5 x 10(-3) to 5.0 x 10(-3) PNA U/kg inhibited the decrease of cerebral cortical pO2 induced by 5% oxygen inhalation. 4) On subacute phase 7 days after the destruction of internal capsule, SK-827 at a dose of 1.25 x 10(-2) PNA U/kg improved the abnormality of spontaneous ECoG. These findings suggest that SK-827 minimizes the reduction of cerebral function induced by ischemia.

[Pharmacological studies on human urinary kallidinogenase (SK-827): effects on cerebral metabolism]

We investigated the effects of human urinary kallidinogenase (SK-827) on cerebral metabolism in normal and infarcted rabbits. SK-827 did not influence cerebral glucose and oxygen uptake in normal rabbits. In infarcted rabbits, cerebral glucose and oxygen uptake significantly decreased. SK-827 tended to inhibit the decrease of cerebral blood flow, and significantly inhibited the decrease of cerebral glucose and oxygen uptake in infarcted rabbits. Thus, SK-827 improved cerebral glucose metabolism in infarcted rabbits.

General pharmacology of the non-sulfhydryl angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor N-[8-amino-1(S)-carboxyoctyl]-L-alanyl-L-proline

The effects of N-[8-amino-1(S)-carboxyoctyl]-L-alanyl-L-proline (AB-47, CAS 120008-53-9), an orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, on the central nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular, autonomic systems, isolated smooth muscles and other functions were investigated in various experimental animals. AB-47 had no effect on central nervous, autonomic systems and isolated smooth muscles. AB-47 (10 and 30 micrograms/kg i.v.) significantly lowered femoral blood pressure without affecting respiration and heart rate in anesthetized rats. However, AB-47 had no effect on the contractile tension of mammalian isolated atrium and aorta. AB-47 had no effect on gastrointestinal transit in mice. Very slight injury of gastric mucosa was observed 4 h after the oral administration of AB-47 in rats but AB-47 did not damage the small intestinal mucosa. AB-47 had no effect on the contraction of rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation induced by electrical stimulation. AB-47 did not affect the incidence of acetic acid-induces writhings. AB-47 potentiated carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. The potentiation of edema may be due to an accumulation of bradykinin induced by the inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), because ACE is the identical enzyme with kinase II. The pretreatment of AB-47 for 7 days (1, 3, 10 mg/kg/d p.o.) inhibited the cardiac hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol (isoprenaline). This result suggests that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system directly or indirectly participates in the cardiac hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of in vivo and in vitro alkali treatment on intracellular pH regulation of OMCDis cells

To examine functional changes of the transporters in the inner stripe of the outer medullary collecting ducts (OMCDis) by the peritubular acid-base status, in vitro microperfusion using the acetoxymethyl ester of 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein was performed. Cell alkalinization systems were assessed by the recovery rate (dpHi/dt) of intracellular pH (pHi) after intracellular acid loading by NH(4+)-NH3 prepulse with bath amiloride. In alkali-loaded rabbits (0.15 M NaHCO3 drinking for 14 days), dpHi/dt showed a significant decrease (1.80 +/- 0.29 pH units/s x 10(3)) compared with either control (3.30 +/- 0.59) or acid-loaded rabbits (0.15 M NH4Cl drinking for 14 days, 3.05 +/- 0.46). The difference of dpHi/dt between control and alkali-loaded rabbits was eliminated by lumen N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), suggesting that H+ pump activity was decreased. The effect of in vitro alkali treatment (50 mM HCO3-, pH 7.7) for 3-4 h was also examined. This incubation significantly decreased the dpHi/dt (1.83 +/- 0.35) compared with the time control experiments (3.18 +/- 0.28), whereas no significant difference was seen in the presence of lumen NEM. Anion exchanger activity, as determined from the pHi changes after Cl- addition to the bath, showed no significant change with in vivo or in vitro alkali treatment. The results indicate that cell function of the OMCDis is regulated in response to the peritubular acid-base environment via changes in the H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase.

A novel pathway for formation of thiol metabolites and cysteine conjugates from cysteine conjugate sulphoxides

p-Bromothiophenol and S-(p-bromophenyl)-L-cysteine were formed enzymatically from S-(p-bromophenyl)-L-cysteine sulphoxide in the in vitro systems with isolated rat hepatocytes or purified cysteine conjugate beta-lyases. Isotope dilution study with non-radiolabelled carrier of each product suggested the initial liberation of the thiol and subsequent formation of the cysteine conjugate. C-S bond cleavage pathway to liberate sulphenic acid and thiol are postulated to play an important role in in vivo generation of toxic intermediates and products from cysteine conjugates.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor inhibits class II major histocompatibility complex expression and antigen presentation by microglia

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) modulates various functions of monocytes/macrophages including antigen-presenting capacity. Recently it was found that astrocytes produce GM-CSF in the central nervous system (CNS) and that GM-CSF can induce proliferation and morphological changes of microglia. Here we show that GM-CSF can down regulate the interferon-gamma-mediated induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens in microglia, but not in astrocytes. GM-CSF pretreatment completely prevents myelin basic protein-specific T cell proliferation induced by microglia not astrocytes. GM-CSF did not affect the cell surface expression on microglia of either MHC class I or cell adhesion molecules. The inhibition of microglial MHC class II expression and antigen-presenting function is specific for GM-CSF, as treatment with a different CSF (interleukin-3) did not modulate microglial phenotype or functional capacity. These data suggest that GM-CSF might be involved in the regulation of immune responses within the central nervous system.

New inhibitors of melanogenesis, OH-3984 K1 and K2. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological characteristics

Melanogenesis inhibitors, OH-3984 K1 and K2 were isolated from fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-3984. OH-3984 K1 and K2 inhibited the melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells at concentrations of 7.5 and 3.8 micrograms/ml, respectively, whereas inhibition of tyrosinase activity has not been observed. The microbial metabolites showed no antimicrobiological activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi or yeast at a concentration of 1,000 micrograms/ml.

Evidence of docosahexaenoic acid synthesis and predominant existence of arachidonic acid in livers of fetal and neonatal crab-eating monkeys: comparisons with adults

The microsomal synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from radiolabeled eicosapentaenoic acid was tested in vitro using the livers of crab-eating monkeys. The test animals included 1 fetus (embryonic day 120), 2 neonates (full-term, embryonic day 165), and 2 adults. DHA was formed equally in the liver microsomes of each animal. Neonatal livers were found to contain higher percent of arachidonic acid than adult livers in both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. DHA contents remained constant in the liver phospholipids of all test animals.

Stroke and meningitis in a case of SLE with anti-phospholipid antibodies

Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) are concerned with many central nervous system diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, no report has described the relationship between aseptic meningitis and aPL in SLE. We report a case of SLE with aPL, presenting cerebral infarction and aseptic meningitis. A 14 year old female with SLE with aPL experienced cerebral infarction and recurrent aseptic meningitis. Combination therapy with steroids and aspirin improved the condition and prevented relapses. The aPL are associated with cerebral infarction, even in young patients with SLE. In addition, aPL may induce aseptic meningitis in SLE.

New inhibitors of melanogenesis, OH-3984 K1 and K2. II. Physico-chemical properties and structural elucidation

New melanin synthesis inhibitors, OH-3984 K1 and K2, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-3984, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by chemical transformations. OH-3984 K1 (M.W.: 306; C18H26O4) and K2 (M.W.: 308; C18H28O4) have unique gamma-lactone rings, both of which correspond to oxidative products derived from C1-O14 cleavage of the 14-membered lactone group.

Physarum vitronectin-like protein has extensive homology to dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase

Physarum vitronectin-like protein with a molecular mass of 70 kDa cross-reacts with anti-bovine vitronectin and promotes cell-spreading (Miyazaki, K. et al. 1992. Exp. Cell Res., 199: 106-110.). The amino-terminal sequence of Physarum vitronectin-like protein is, however, distinct from those of animal vitronectins but shows significant sequence homology with dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, a component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. We have investigated the structural relationships between Physarum vitronectin-like protein and dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase by using both antibody and protein-chemical methods. The vitronectin-like protein reacted with both anti-bovine vitronectin IgG and anti-rat pyruvate dehydrogenase complex IgG, indicating that it shares common antigenic determinant(s) with rat pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Furthermore, sequencing studies of peptides obtained by lysylendopeptidase digestion indicated that internal sequences of Physarum vitronectin-like protein show significant homology with dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, but do not show any homology with the primary structures of authentic vitronectins. Immunocytochemistry revealed that the protein is widely localized in cytoplasm and nuclei of Physarum polycephalum, but is not present in the central area of vacuoles. Our results indicate that Physarum vitronectin-like protein is a molecule structurally and immunologically related to dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase but functionally similar to animal vitronectin, although its localization is unique.

Absorption of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) from rat nasal mucosa

Nasal absorption of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was examined in the rat. The relative bioavailability of rhG-CSF for subcutaneous administration was approximately 2%, as evaluated from the immunologically active rhG-CSF concentration in rat plasma and the area under the curve (AUC) of the plasma rhG-CSF concentration versus time for 8 hr. Pharmacological availability relative to subcutaneous administration was determined from the increase in total blood leukocyte numbers. The pharmacological availability was 5-10%, determined from the AUC for the increased ratio of total leukocyte numbers versus time for 48 hr; it was slightly dependent on the pH and the osmotic pressure of the dosing solution. Accordingly, the plasma concentration of rhG-CSF did not always reflect its pharmacological effects. Relative bioavailability and pharmacological availability were increased about 23 times and 3 times, respectively, by polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether (Laureth-9), but no increase in availability occurred with sodium glycocholate. The increase in total leukocyte numbers was maintained during multiple rhG-CSF dosing, and the addition of Laureth-9 further increased the pharmacological effects of this agent. This study indicates that nasal administration of rhG-CSF is an effective parenteral administration route.

Inhibitory effect of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity

The protective effect of the reduced form of neopterin, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin (NPH4), against the cardiotoxicity of adriamycin (ADR) was evaluated in mice by assay of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and heart lipid peroxide (i.e., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS). The activity of CPK was drastically elevated at around 3 days after a single s.c. injection of ADR and had returned to normal at 6 days. There were no marked changes in the TBARS content of the heart by 6 days, but a significant increase was apparent at about 8 days after ADR treatment. The effect of NPH4 was evaluated in terms of the serum CPK activity at the 4th day and in terms of TBARS content at the 8th day after ADR treatment. The elevation of CPK activity induced by ADR was significantly suppressed by two treatments with NPH4 every day for 4 days, i.e., from day 0 to day 3 after injection of ADR, at doses of 3 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg. The increase of TBARS content in the heart at 8 days after ADR treatment was also suppressed at both doses of NPH4. The effect of the timing of NPH4 treatment on the suppression of elevated CPK was examined. The suppressive potency of NPH4 could not be elicited by any treatment schedule that terminated at or before 2 days after injection of ADR. Consecutive treatments from day 0 to day 3 after injection of ADR were effective, as was a simple schedule of only two treatments with NPH4 on day 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of S-carboxymethylcysteine on ciliary activity in chronic sinusitis

This study was designed to investigate the possible pharmacological effect of S-carboxy-methylcysteine (S-CMC) on the ciliary activity, using an in vitro experimental system after removing mucus. Ciliary activity from healthy rabbit maxillary sinus and from healthy human nasal mucosa demonstrated no significant change in RPMI 1640 containing S-CMC. On the other hand, the effect of S-CMC on the reduced ciliary activity from patients with chronic sinusitis was quite varied among the cases examined. S-CMC demonstrated no stimulatory effect on the beating activity of cilia that have a baseline activity of less than 400 beats/min. However, S-CMC was able to enhance the beating activity of cilia that demonstrated a baseline activity of more than 400 beats/min. S-CMC at 0.5% induced a larger ciliostimulatory effect than 0.05% S-CMC. In conclusion, our study has clearly demonstrated that S-CMC could directly enhance ciliary activity of chronic sinusitis in the absence of significant organic change of ciliated cells.