FR167653, a potent suppressant of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, ameliorates colonic lesions in experimentally induced acute colitis

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are believed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Interleukin-1 and TNF-alpha possess overlapping and synergetic activities inducing the production in cascade of other cytokines, adhesion molecules, arachidonic acid metabolites, as well as activating immune and non-immune cells. FR167653 (C24H18FN5O2-H2SO4-H2O) is a newly synthesized organic compound with a potent inhibitory effect on IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production. We hypothesized that the suppression of IL-1 and TNF-alpha induced by FR167653 could effectively attenuate experimentally induced colonic damage.

METHODS

Colonic lesions were induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) by intrarectal instillation of 4% acetic acid. The effect of FR167653 administration at 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 mg/kg per 6 h subcutaneously on acetic acid-induced colonic damage was assessed. The lesion area, microscopic findings, colonic and serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Treatment with FR167653 at 1.5 and 2.5 mg/kg per 6 h was able to ameliorate the gross macroscopic appearance of colonic lesions significantly, as well as ameliorate the lesion area induced by acetic acid. Colonic mucosal TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels of rats treated with FR167653 showed significant decrease in a dose-dependent fashion compared with the control group. In the same manner, serum TNF-alpha of rats treated with FR167653 was significantly lower than that of respective controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Subcutaneous administration of FR167653 was able to ameliorate the acute changes induced by acetic acid instillation in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first report to evaluate the dual inhibition of the production of IL-1 and TNF-alpha, offered by FR167653, in acute experimental colitis. Further studies are necessary to evaluate FR167653's efficacy and safety on long-term conditions.

Forebrain muscarinic control of micturition reflex in rats

Functional contribution of the cholinergic pathway between the frontal cortex and basal nucleus of Meynert to micturition reflex was investigated. Male Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral lesion of the basal forebrain by ibotenic acid (IA) injection (7.5 microg/rat on each side) (BF rats). Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was injected into control rats (sham operated rats; SO rats). Cystometrograms were obtained from conscious BF and SO rats 7-10 days after IA/PBS injection. Bladder capacity (BC) of BF rats was significantly smaller than that of SO rats (approximately 43.7%) and was accompanied by decrease in choline-acetyltransferase activity in the frontal cortices. Oxotremorine M, a muscarinic receptor agonist, increased BC in BF rats, while pirenzepine, an M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist, counteracted the effect of the oxotremorine M-induced increase in BC. Injection of oxotremorine M into the dorsal pontine tegmentum (DPT) reduced BC in BF and SO rats, while injection of pirenzepine had no effect on cystometrograms. These findings indicate that the M1 muscarinic receptor plays a part in the forebrain inhibitory mechanisms involved in the micturition reflex and that muscarinic receptor in the DPT contributes to excitatory control of micturition reflex.

Reduced expression of focal adhesion kinase in liver metastases compared with matched primary human colorectal adenocarcinomas

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is implicated in integrin-mediated signal transduction pathways used in cell adhesion, cell motility, apoptosis, and anchorage-independent growth. Because cancer invasion and metastasis are thought to be associated with alterations in cellular adhesive and motile properties, we studied the expression of four focal adhesion proteins including FAK in matched samples of human normal colorectal mucosa (N), primary colorectal adenocarcinomas (T) and liver metastases (M) from 10 patients by Western blot analysis. This gave us the advantage of directly comparing levels of focal adhesion protein expression within the same genetic background. Average FAK expression level was significantly higher in T than in N and it was significantly lower in M than in T. Average paxillin expression level was also significantly higher in T than in N, but it was not significantly different between T and M. Similar results were obtained by immunohistochemical analyses of FAK and paxillin expression. Average vinculin and talin expression levels showed no significant differences among these three samples (N, T, and M). These data demonstrate that the FAK expression level increases in primary tumors compared with normal mucosa and decreases in liver metastases to the level of normal mucosa in the majority of human colorectal adenocarcinomas. Up- and down-regulation of FAK protein expression observed in this study may have a profound effect on the signal transduction.

PGl2 analogue mitigates the progression rate of renal dysfunction improving renal blood flow without glomerular hyperfiltration in patients with chronic renal insufficiency

Renal blood flow decreases with the progression of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). This disease induces medullary ischemia and further renal dysfunction in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). Prostacyclin (PGI2), with its vasodilative action, increases renal blood flow (RBF) without increasing glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We therefore examined the possibility that PGI2 would mitigate the progression of renal dysfunction by increasing RBF in patients with CRI. Sixteen patients with progressive renal insufficiency (serum creatinine: 2.14+/-0.89 mg/dl) due to CGN were prospectively chosen for this study. The blood pressure was already under control using calcium channel blockers before and during this study in nine hypertensive patients. In the first 6 months the patients received a low-protein (0.6 g/kg/day) and low-salt (5.0 g/day) diet. In the next 6 months they received 60 microg/day of PGI2 analogue (Beraprost sodium) orally. GFR was determined by 24-hour creatinine clearance, and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) was determined by 99mTc-MAG3 scintigraphy. Glomerular capillary pressure, the resistance ratio of afferent and efferent arterioles (R(A)/R(E)), and the other hemodynamic parameters from Gomez's estimation equation were determined at the start of this study, just before the administration of Beraprost and at the end of the study. The levels of GFR and ERPF were 34.6+/-12.4 and 140.6+/-52.1 ml/min at the start of this study respectively, and decreased to 28.0+/- 12.0 and 115.6+/-45.3 ml/min after the first 6 months without Beraprost. The levels of GFR and ERPF stayed at 28.1+/-15.7 and 119.2+/-57.6 ml/min after the next 6 months with Beraprost in the same patients. R(A)/R(E) increased in the first 6 months from 7.9+/-3.6 to 10.8+/-8.6, but remained constant during 6 months of Beraprost administration, at 10.5+/-8.0. These data indicate that PGI2 analogue diminishes the vascular resistance of glomerular afferent and efferent arterioles regulating the decrease of renal blood flow without glomerular hyperfiltration, thus mitigating the progression rate of renal dysfunction.

[Effective use of electrolized soft acid aqueous solution for treatment of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery]

Mediastinitis following cardiac surgery occurs infrequently, but features both high mortality and morbidity, especially in patients with an artificial graft. A 24-year-old man was admitted with a diagnosis of Williams'syndrome with supraaortic stenosis. After ascending aorta and hemiarch reconstruction, mediastinitis developed, which was treated successfully with mediastinal irrigation using electrolized soft acid aqueous solution at one liter per day for 3 days. This procedure appears to be an effective method for treatment of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery.

Expression of neural plasticity related gene in the pontine tegmental area of rats with overactive bladder after cerebral infarction

PURPOSE

We investigated the expression of the neural plasticity related genes c-fos, zif268, c-jun, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tissue plasminogen activator in the pontine tegmental area in rats with overactive bladder induced by cerebral infarction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cerebral infarction was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Bladder activity was monitored by continuous infusion cystometrography in awake rats. Specimens were obtained from the pontine tegmental area 1, 3, 5, 12 and 24 hours after cerebral infarction or sham operation. The effect of 0.1 mg./kg. intravenously of the N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamatergic receptor antagonist MK-801 on bladder activity, and c-fos and zif268 expression after middle cerebral artery occlusion were studied. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed with the LightCycler system (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) to evaluate cerebral infarction influences on gene expression in the pontine tegmental area.

RESULTS

Bladder capacity in cerebral infarcted rats was significantly reduced 1 to 24 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion compared with that of sham operated rats (p <0.05 to 0.01). One hour after occlusion mean c-fos messenger (m)RNA expression plus or minus standard error had significantly increased to 18.9 +/- 4.0 in terms of its density relative to the outer control in a sample obtained immediately after occlusion compared with that in sham operated rats (p <0.05). It returned to the control level within 3 hours after occlusion. Mean zif268 mRNA expression significantly increased to a relative density of 3.2 +/- 1.4 3 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion (p <0.01) and returned to the control level within 5 hours after occlusion. The expressions of c-jun, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tissue plasminogen activator was not influenced by occlusion. Pretreatment with MK-801 inhibited bladder overactivity and significantly reduced the expression of c-fos and zif268 mRNA in the pontine tegmental area.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the development of bladder overactivity after middle cerebral artery occlusion is mediated by activation of an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and accompanied by an increase in c-fos and zif268 mRNA expression in the pontine tegmental area.

Inhibition of itch-scratch response by fruits of Cnidium monnieri in mice

We previously screened the anti-itching activities of 33 herbal medicines in substance P (SP)-induced itching model mice. One of the most potent antipruritogenic extracts, the methanol extract of fruits of Cnidium monnieri (Cnidii Fructus) was studied further. The chloroform-soluble fraction of the methanol extract markedly inhibited SP-induced scratching. Among 10 subfractions of the chloroform-soluble fraction, the CS-3 fraction had the most potent inhibitory effect on scratching. Each of 3 subfractions of CS-3 showed significant anti-scratching activities. However, inhibitory potencies were not different among the three and weaker than that of CS-3 itself at a same dose. These 3 subfractions of CS-3 mainly contained xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, bergapten, imperatorin and osthol. Single administration of osthol did not inhibit SP-induced scratching, and imperatorin very weakly subsided scratching. These results suggest that the strong antipruritic action was focused on the CS-3 fraction of the C. monnieri methanol extract, and it might result from the combined effects of these coumarin derivatives, or by undetermined minor compounds.

[A case of plasmacytoma involving adrenal gland]

We report a case of extramedullary plasmacytoma involving the right adrenal gland. A 52-year-old male was introduced under diagnosis of right adrenal tumor which was found incidentally by computerized tomography in a health check up. Laboratory data showed the presence of M protein and elevation of monoclonal lambda type IgG. It was a hormonally non-active tumor involving the adrenal area. Extramedullary plasmacytoma was confirmed by histological analysis of the resected specimen after laparoscopic right adrenalectomy. Extramedullary plasmacytoma is an uncommon neoplasm and occurs most frequently in the upper respiratory tract and is fairly rare in the adrenal area.

The use of an osseointegrated implant for orthodontic anchorage to a Class II Div 1 malocclusion

This case report describes the use of an osseointegrated implant to maximize anchorage in a 24-year-old female orthodontic patient with an Angle Class II, Division 1 malocclusion. Preadjusted edgewise appliance therapy was performed by extraction of only the maxillary first premolars. The osseointegrated implant was placed in the median-sagittal region of the hard palate for maximum orthodontic anchorage and connected to maxillary first molar bands via a transpalatal arch. Total treatment time was 2 years and 8 months. Cephalometric superimposition revealed the achievement of maximum molar anchorage in the maxilla, resulting in satisfactory occlusal and facial improvements. Histological analysis of the implant-bone interface demonstrated that the fixture was successfully osseointegrated. In conclusion, the osseointegrated implant placed in the median-sagittal palate was shown to be an effective orthodontic system that can be used clinically as a rigid intraoral anchorage.

Chk2 activation dependence on Nbs1 after DNA damage

The checkpoint kinase Chk2 has a key role in delaying cell cycle progression in response to DNA damage. Upon activation by low-dose ionizing radiation (IR), which occurs in an ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent manner, Chk2 can phosphorylate the mitosis-inducing phosphatase Cdc25C on an inhibitory site, blocking entry into mitosis, and p53 on a regulatory site, causing G(1) arrest. Here we show that the ATM-dependent activation of Chk2 by gamma- radiation requires Nbs1, the gene product involved in the Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), a disorder that shares with AT a variety of phenotypic defects including chromosome fragility, radiosensitivity, and radioresistant DNA synthesis. Thus, whereas in normal cells Chk2 undergoes a time-dependent increased phosphorylation and induction of catalytic activity against Cdc25C, in NBS cells null for Nbs1 protein, Chk2 phosphorylation and activation are both defective. Importantly, these defects in NBS cells can be complemented by reintroduction of wild-type Nbs1, but neither by a carboxy-terminal deletion mutant of Nbs1 at amino acid 590, unable to form a complex with and to transport Mre11 and Rad50 in the nucleus, nor by an Nbs1 mutated at Ser343 (S343A), the ATM phosphorylation site. Chk2 nuclear expression is unaffected in NBS cells, hence excluding a mislocalization as the cause of failed Chk2 activation in Nbs1-null cells. Interestingly, the impaired Chk2 function in NBS cells correlates with the inability, unlike normal cells, to stop entry into mitosis immediately after irradiation, a checkpoint abnormality that can be corrected by introduction of the wild-type but not the S343A mutant form of Nbs1. Altogether, these findings underscore the crucial role of a functional Nbs1 complex in Chk2 activation and suggest that checkpoint defects in NBS cells may result from the inability to activate Chk2.

Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene and matK gene sequences of Panax vietnamensis and five related species

Panax vietnamensis was discovered recently in Vietnam. Its bamboo-like rhizomes, called Vietnamese Ginseng, have attracted considerable attention because of their specific pharmacological activities. In order to define the taxonomic position of this new species and include it in the molecular authentication of Ginseng drugs, the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and matK gene sequences of P. vietnamensis were determined and compared with those of its related taxa, P. japonicus var. major and P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus, besides previously reported P. ginseng, P. japonicus and P. quinquefolius. The 18S rRNA gene sequences were found to be 1809 bps in length. The sequence of P. vietnamensis was identical to that of P. quinquefolius, and presented one base substitution from those of both P. japonicus var. major and P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus. The matK gene sequences of 6 taxa were found to be 1509 bps in length. The sequence of P. vietnamensis differed from those of P. japonicus var. major, P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus, P. ginseng, P. japonicus and P. quinquefolius at 4, 5, 9, 9 and 10 nucleotide positions, respectively. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed by the combined 18S rRNA-matK gene analysis using the maximum parsimony method showed that P. vietnamensis was sympatric with other Panax species and had a close relationship with P. japonicus var. major and P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus.

[Long-term results of Rygg's monocusp ventricular outflow patch for the reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in tetralogy of Fallot]

Thirty surviving patients after corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot with right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) using monocusp ventricular outflow patch (MVOP) were reviewed retrospectively to determine the long-term results. The age at operation ranged from 2 to 55 years with a mean of 19 years, and follow-up extended to 18.2 years (cumulative: 345.4 patient-year). There were 4 late deaths (1.2% per patient-year), and the cumulative survival rate was 85.3% at 18 years after the corrective surgery. Eight patients (2.3% per patient-year) required intracardiac reoperations mostly resulted from problems after RVOTR with MVOP, such as recurrent stenosis of right ventricular outflow tract (3 cases) or pulmonary valvular incompetence (4 cases). In addition, one patient underwent balloon angioplasty for the recurrent stenosis located in the distal end of MVOP. Freedom from surgical or catheter reintervention for the MVOP-related complication was 60.6% at 18 years after the corrective surgery. MVOP caused compression of the pulmonary artery at the distal end of the anastomosis and reoperation in a younger patients quite early after the corrective surgery. Like other transannular patches, tissue failure and degeneration of MVOP were inevitable, and resulted in severe pulmonary valvular incompetence that required the valve replacement in 4 patients (1.3% per patient-year). Freedom from pulmonary valve replacement was 71.2% at 18 years after the corrective surgery. As long-term results, our experiences emphasize the need for an innovative transannular patch that possesses significantly better long-term durability.

Traction-type heart stabilizer for off-pump coronary bypass grafting

We designed a stabilizer to assist us in performing coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart. The stabilizer consists of a U-shaped holed platform, an articulating arm, and a clamp for attachment to an ordinary sternal retractor. The target coronary artery is dissected, then two elastic sutures, 15-20mm apart, are wrapped around it, proximal and distal to the anastomotic site. These sutures for traction are passed through holes in the U-shaped platform and tied. This traction immobilizes the target area of the coronary artery. The stabilizer described herein provides good exposure and steady immobilization to enable anastmosis to be more easily performed in the beating heart.

Molecular cloning and characterization of Bif-1. A novel Src homology 3 domain-containing protein that associates with Bax

Bax is a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family that commits the cell to undergo programmed cell death in response to apoptotic stimuli. To gain further insights into Bax mechanisms, we have identified a novel Bax-binding protein, termed Bif-1, by using a yeast two-hybrid cloning technique. Bif-1 is an evolutionarily conserved cytoplasmic protein that contains a predicted Src homology 3 (SH3) domain located near its C terminus but shares no significant homology with members of the Bcl-2 family. A Northern blot analysis indicates that Bif-1 is expressed in most tissues with abundant expression in heart and skeletal muscle. Bif-1 is capable of interacting with Bax as demonstrated by yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence studies. Induction of apoptosis in murine pre-B hematopoietic cells FL5.12 by interleukin-3 withdrawal results in increased association of Bax with Bif-1, which is accompanied by a conformational change in the Bax protein. Overexpression of Bif-1 promotes Bax conformational change, caspase activation, and apoptotic cell death in FL5.12 cells following interleukin-3 deprivation. Bif-1 thus represents a new type of regulator of Bax-mediated signaling pathways for apoptosis.

[Identification of notoginseng(Panax notoginseng) and its adulterants using DNA sequencing]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the nuclear ribosomal RNA small subunit (18S rRNA) and chloroplast matK gene sequence of notoginseng (Panax notoginseng) in order to provide molecular evidence for its genuine origin identification.

METHODS

To sequence 18S rRNA and matK genes of Panax notoginseng and its four adulterants such as P. japonicus, Curcuma phaeocaulis, C. wenyujin, C. kwangsiensis using PCR direct sequencing and to detect their variation of sequences.

RESULTS

The sequence length of notoginseng and its adulterants is 1809-1811 bp for 18S rRNA gene and 1259-1548 bp for matK gene, respectively. Multiple sequence alignment shows that there are much sequence variation between notoginseng and its adulterants.

CONCLUSION

DNA sequencing is an accurate and reliable method in origin identification of the genuine notoginseng.

Organ Doses from Radiation Therapy in Atomic Bomb Survivors

Previous surveys of radiation therapy among the Life Span Study (LSS) population at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) revealed that 1,670 (1.4%) of the LSS participants received radiation treatments before 1984. The data on therapeutic radiation doses are indispensable for studying the relationship between radiation treatments and subsequent cancer occurrences. In this study, the radiation treatments were reproduced experimentally to determine the scattered radiation doses. The experiments were conducted using a female human phantom and various radiation sources, including a medium-voltage X-ray machine and a (60)Co gamma-ray source. Doses were measured using thermoluminescence dosimetry and ionization chambers. Radiation doses were determined for the salivary glands, thyroid gland, breast, lung, stomach, colon, ovary and active bone marrow. The results have been used for documenting the organ doses received by patients in previous surveys. The contribution of therapeutic irradiation to the occurrence of chromosome aberrations was studied using data on doses to active bone marrow from both radiation treatments and atomic bomb exposures in 26 RERF Adult Health Study participants. The results suggest that radiation treatments contributed to a large part of their frequencies of stable-type chromosome aberrations. The therapeutic radiation doses determined in the present study are available for investigating the effects of therapeutic irradiation on the subsequent primary cancers among atomic bomb survivors who received radiation treatments.

Inhibition of biliary excretion of methotrexate by probenecid in rats: quantitative prediction of interaction from in vitro data

This study was designed to establish a strategy to predict drug interactions involving biliary excretion. The interaction between methotrexate and probenecid was examined as an interaction model since this interaction has already been clinically reported. Coadministration of probenecid reduced the biliary clearance of methotrexate in a dose-dependent manner in rats. This inhibition by probenecid was confirmed in vivo both in the uptake and excretion processes of methotrexate across sinusoidal and canalicular membranes, respectively. That is, both hepatic uptake clearance, assessed in integration plot analysis, and steady-state biliary clearance defined with respect to hepatic unbound methotrexate, were reduced in the presence of probenecid. Probenecid inhibited the active transport of methotrexate both in isolated hepatocytes and canalicular membrane vesicles, confirming the interaction at those two membranes. The degree of inhibition of the uptake and excretion processes found in vivo was comparable with the predicted values using the inhibition constant assessed in isolated hepatocytes and canalicular membranes, respectively. This suggests that the interaction at each membrane transport process can be quantitatively estimated from in vitro data. We have also proposed the method to predict the degree of inhibition of the net excretion from circulating plasma into the bile, the predicted values being also comparable with the inhibition actually found in vivo. The present analysis demonstrates a strategic rationale for predicting drug interactions involving biliary excretion using in vitro systems to avoid any false negative predictions.

Redo composite valve graft replacement

BACKGROUND

Redo composite valve graft replacement remains a challenging problem, that may lead to increased surgical mortality.

METHODS

In our experience from September 1976 through December 1999, eight consecutive patients (seven men and 1 woman) underwent eight redo composite valve graft replacements. The mean age at reoperation was 43.1 years (range 31 to 51 years). Seven patients had stigmata of Marfan's syndrome. Reoperation was indicated for pseudoaneurysm formation in five patients, coronary ostial aneurysms in two patients, and active fungal endocarditis in one patient. Previous root replacement had been performed in all eight patients using a composite mechanical valve. The techniques used at previous procedures were the Bentall technique in seven and Carrel's button technique in one. The mean interval between primary root replacement and redo root replacement was 10 years (range 2 to 18 years). The patient with active fungal endocarditis having a stuck valve was subjected to emergency operation.

RESULTS

The techniques used at the reoperations included Carrel's button technique in five patients, the interposition technique (Phieler) in two patients, and Cabrol's technique in one patient. Aortic arch aneurysm repair was performed in five patients. There were two hospital deaths (2 [25%] of 8). One patient died on postoperative day 1 with low cardiac output and the other suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on postoperative day 14. The mean follow-up was 34.6 months (range 1 to 85 months). There was one late death. The cause of death was multiple organ failure due to recurrence of fungal endocarditis 6 months after redo composite and total arch replacement.

CONCLUSION

Redo composite graft replacement can be accomplished with lower early mortality, and therefore, this operation should not be delayed given the appropriate clinical circumstances. Many causes of failure of composite valve graft replacement can be avoided if the appropriate surgical technique is chosen.

Renal vascular damage in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate renal vascular damage in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) by colour-flow Doppler ultrasonography.

METHODS

The pulsatility index (PI) was measured in renal interlobar and segmental arteries by colour-flow Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS

PI values of interlobar arteries were increased in SSc patients (n=53) with normal renal function compared with healthy persons (n=16), systemic lupus erythematosus patients (n=12) and dermatomyositis patients (n=3). SSc patients with elevated PI levels had digital pitting scar, short sublingual frenulum, contracture of phalanges, pulmonary fibrosis, decreased per cent vital capacity, heart involvement, positivity for anti-topoisomerase I antibody, and elevated C-reactive protein more frequently than those with normal PI levels.

CONCLUSION

Although renal crisis is rare in Japanese SSc patients, our study suggests that latent and subclinical renal damage exists in these patients.