Energy metabolism of the heart and the liver in brain-dead dogs as assessed by 31P NMR spectroscopy

The energy metabolism of the heart and the liver was assessed in brain-dead dogs by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The mean blood pressure and pulse rate changed respectively from 136.1 +/- 9.3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) and 126.7 +/- 4.4/min in the control period, to 212.9 +/- 15.8 mm Hg and 146.7 +/- 13.3/min during Cushing phenomenon (CU period), and to 60.0 +/- 6.4 mm Hg and 60.0 +/- 2.9/min after completion of brain death (BD period). The ratio of creatine phosphate to inorganic phosphate (PCr/Pi) of the heart decreased from 5.00 +/- 1.08 to 3.24 +/- 0.80 in the CU period and increased to the levels of the control values in the early BD period. The intracellular pH of the heart decreased from 7.20 +/- 0.07 to 6.91 +/- 0.02 in the CU period and increased to 7.12 +/- 0.01 in the BD period. The positive relationship between the Pi/PCr and the rate-pressure product (BP x PR) indicates that the regulation of the oxidative metabolism by free ADP was well maintained except at some points in the CU period (Pi/PCr = 8.77 x 10(-6) BP x PR + 0.164, r = 0.704). This suggested that the remarkable hypotension and bradycardia in the BD period is not associated with cardiac energy failure. Although the energy states of both the heart and the liver in brain-dead dogs were adequately maintained in the BD period, the changes were different.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) receptors decrease with luteal age in rat ovarian luteal cells: colocalization of bFGF receptors and bFGF in luteal cells

Ovarian growth factors have been implicated in the development and differentiation of corpus luteum. We have characterized both high and low affinity receptors for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in luteal cells and tissue throughout the life span of corpus luteum using gonadotropin-treated rat luteinized ovaries. Additionally, we determined bFGF location in luteal tissue. High affinity (Kd, approximately 0.2 nM) and low capacity (approximately 500-6000 sites/cell, depending on luteal ages) [125I] bFGF-binding sites (mol wt, 140 kilodaltons, determined by affinity labeling) were found on luteal cells. [125I]bFGF binding to luteal cells and corpus luteum membranes progressively decreased in binding capacity without affecting binding affinity as the age of corpus luteum advanced. bFGF receptor (flg) mRNA in luteinized ovaries decreased with the luteal age similar to the [125I]bFGF binding. In contrast, low affinity binding sites, identified as heparan sulfate proteoglycans, which were immunohistochemically visualized around luteal cells, did not appear to change with luteal age. The signals for heparan sulfate proteoglycans that were found only in granulosa, but not theca-interstitial, cells of follicles became intense during folliculogenesis. The functionality of the bFGF receptors was shown by tyrosine phosphorylation of 16.5- and 18-kilodalton proteins in luteal cells with the antiphosphotyrosine antibody. Immunohistochemistry localized bFGF to steroidogenic luteal cells, and immunoblotting displayed larger molecular forms of bFGF in luteal cells. These results suggest that the bFGF receptors may be associated with the development and differentiation of corpus luteum in an autocrine manner.

Microbial glycosidation of some anthracycline antibiotics by an antibiotic-negative mutant of aclarubicin producer

Microbial conversion of anthracyclinone monosaccharides using aclarubicin-negative mutant of Streptomyces galilaeus was found to produce anthracyclinone disaccharides which had either rhodinose or 2-deoxyfucose as an additional sugar. By this conversion we obtained twelve new anthracyclines from seven anthracyclines which had rhodosamine, N-monomethyldaunosamine or daunosamine at C-7 as a glycosidic sugar. All products had a reduced cytotoxic activity in comparison with those of parent compounds. However, some of them showed a therapeutically improved antitumor effects against L1210 leukemia in vivo.

[Neutrophilic myelofibrosis; a case report]

A 53-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed marked splenomegaly. The white blood cell count increased to 5.8 x 10(4)/microliters. Bone marrow biopsy showed hypercellularity with a moderate increase in reticulin fiber. Chromosomal analysis showed 47, XY, +9q-, -9q- without Ph1 chromosome and bcr-abl rearrangement. MCNU therapy was successful in reducing the white blood cell count and splenomegaly. It is likely that the diagnosis of our patient is compatible with the neutrophilic myelofibrosis described by Stewart, et al.

Effects of triiodothyronine on canine hepatic ischemia caused by Pringle's maneuver

BACKGROUND

A significant reduction in the serum concentration of triiodothyronine is frequently observed in surgical stress and may influence the severity and prognosis of the underlying disease.

METHODS

Alterations of thyroid hormone levels and effects of triiodothyronine were evaluated in the shock state after Pringle's maneuver for 60 minutes in dogs. Triiodothyronine (1 micrograms/kg/hr) was infused intravenously for 3 hours after declamping in the triiodothyronine-treated group. The effect of triiodothyronine on hepatic mitochondrial function was investigated by measuring the arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR).

RESULTS

In the control group (n = 6) the low triiodothyronine syndrome was observed and progressive deterioration of AKBR and standard liver functions represented by aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were noted after declamping. All dogs went into shock and died within 24 hours. By contrast, in the triiodothyronine-treated group (n = 6), hemodynamics were stabilized and standard liver functions were maintained favorably (p < 0.01). AKBR was fully restored to the preischemic liver within 30 minutes after declamping, with a decrease in serum lactate levels (p < 0.05). All dogs survived at least 7 days after operation (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that triiodothyronine has beneficial effects on cytoprotection, hemodynamics, and hepatic energy metabolism in the ischemic liver injury. Furthermore, it improves survival in the shock state after Pringle's maneuver.

Effect of beta-endorphin on cAMP and progesterone accumulation in rat luteal cells

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of beta-endorphin on cAMP and progesterone accumulation in rat luteal cells. Luteal cells of 4-day-old corpora lutea were cultured for 3 h in the absence or presence of 0.001 or 0.01 IU/ml hCG, and cAMP, progesterone and beta-endorphin levels in the medium were measured by RIA. hCG stimulated the production of cAMP, progesterone and beta-endorphin. In the presence of hCG, treatment with islet-activating protein (IAP) led to overall augmentation of cAMP and progesterone accumulation in comparison with untreated controls. In the absence or presence of low doses of hCG (0.001 IU/ml), beta-endorphin did not affect progesterone production, but inhibited cAMP accumulation. This inhibitory effect was abolished by pre-treatment with IAP. In the presence of high doses of hCG (0.01 IU/ml), however, beta-endorphin stimulated progesterone production without a corresponding increase in cAMP. This stimulatory effect was also abolished by IAP-treatment. These results suggest that luteal cells produce and release beta-endorphin that affects cAMP and progesterone production via IAP-sensitive mechanisms.

[A comparative study of VEPA and ACOMEP-BD regimen for the patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Between 1981 and 1990, ACOMEP-BD regimen (adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, etoposide, prednisolone, bleomycin, dacarbazine) was compared with VEPA regimen (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, adriamycin) in 66 newly diagnosed patients younger than 65 of age, with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The median age of the patients was 47.5 years (range 22-64 years), 43 males and 23 females. One patients were in stage I, 6 were in II, 27 were in III, 32 were in IV. Twenty-seven patients received VEPA and 39 received ACOMEP-BD. The therapeutic results of 66 patients with ACOMEP-BD or VEPA were as follows: complete remission (CR) rate of 54% and 48%; relapse rate of 29% and 77%; CR duration of 2-34 months (mean: 22 months) and 2-74 months (16 months); freedom-from-relapse survival (at 3 years) of 71% and 38%; and overall survival (at 4 years) of 62% and 26%, respectively. In these results, only relapse rate was significant and the others were not. Prognostic factors were performance status (PS) and lactate dehydrogenase level for ACOMEP-BD, and PS and marrow involvement for VEPA. Received dose intensity was 0.85 in ACOMP-BD and 0.41 in VEPA. It was expected that outcome of patients with NHL can be improved by increasing dose intensity.

Mer-WF3010, a new member of the papulacandin family. I. Fermentation, isolation and characterization

Mer-WF3010, a new member of the papulacandin family, was isolated from the mycelia of Phialophora cyclaminis Mer-WF3010 (FERM P-11475). The molecular formula of Mer-WF3010 was determined as C45H60O16.

Anthracycline metabolites from baumycin-producing Streptomyces sp. D788. II. New anthracycline metabolites produced by a blocked mutant strain RPM-5

A daunorubicin-blocked mutant strain RPM-5 derived from a new baumycin-producing Streptomyces sp. D788 accumulated a major precursor metabolite D788-1 (10-carboxyl-13-deoxocarminomycin) and nine minor metabolites in the culture broth. Five among them were new with a substituent at C-10 or the altered side chains at C-9. Isolation, purification and identification of all anthracycline metabolites produced by strain RPM-5 are described with their antitumor activities against L1210 cells.

Enzymatic dimerization of penicillin X

Penicillin X methyl ester was transformed into three types of dimer by laccase from Coriolus versicolor. The dimers are considered to be formed by free-radical addition of phenoxy radicals produced by laccase. The enzyme reaction with the ester as substrate was more suitable for forming dimers than that with the sodium salt as substrate. Penicillin X pivaloyloxymethyl ester was also transformed into a dimer, which had antibacterial activity in the presence of esterase.

Production of new anthracycline antibiotics by microbial 4-O-methylation using a specific daunorubicin-negative mutant

Microbial 4-O-methylation using a specific daunorubicin-blocked, nonproducing mutant provided the new anthracycline antibiotics 4-O-methylbetaclamycin T, 4-O-methylyellamycin A and 4-O-methyl-13-hydroxyoxaunomycin, from which 4-O-methyloxaunomycin and 4-O-methyl-6-deoxyoxaunomycin were then prepared by further photochemical N-demethylation. Antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo against L1210 cells were compared with those of their 4-O-demethyl derivatives. It was found that all the 4-O-methyl derivatives had a markedly reduced cytotoxicity in vitro as compared with the 4-O-demethyl compounds. However, some of them were endowed with a significantly improved antitumor activity in vivo.

Photochemically obtained N-demethyl derivatives of anthracyclines

New N-monodemethyl and N-didemethyl derivatives were obtained from seven N-dimethylamino sugar (rhodosamine)-containing anthracyclines by photochemical reaction and their in vitro bioactivities against L1210 cell culture were compared with those of their N-dimethyl parent compounds. N-Demethyl derivatives obtained from betaclamycin T (7-O-rhodosaminyl-beta-rhodomycinone) were much more cytotoxic while those from the other six antibiotics were rather less active as compared with their parent compounds. The N-demethylation also gave a considerably greater decrease in the inhibitory activity on RNA synthesis as compared to DNA synthesis, so that the N-demethyl derivatives showed smaller IC50 ratios on DNA/RNA than their parent compounds.

Antigonadotropic activity of hop extract

Biological activity of water soluble fractions F-1 and F-2, which were extracted from hop, was studied and its action mechanism was speculated using the immature female SD rats. Administration of the substance significantly inhibited the effects of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on 22-day-old female rats. Thus, PMSG-induced increases in ovarian weight, estrogen secretion, number of ovulated egg, progesterone production, uterine thymidine kinase activity, and plasma LH level were suppressed significantly. Furthermore, addition of the substance to incubated ovarian cells of the second day after PMSG injection resulted in suppression of FSH-induced estradiol secretion in vitro, probably via cAMP-dependent mechanism. But addition of the substance to incubated pituitary cells from ovariectomized rats did not change in LH secretion.

A novel steroidogenic role of suramin-blocked luteal cell growth factors

Growth factors synthesized in the ovarian corpus luteum (CL) have been implicated in the development of the CL. One of these growth factors is basic fibroblast growth factor which acts on luteal cells in an autocrine manner (Tamura et al. 1991; Asakai et al. 1992). To elucidate effects of these growth factors in the development of the CL, we cultured immature luteal cells with defined medium for a week in the presence or absence of a growth factor inhibitor, and measured progesterone in the medium as an indicator of cell differentiation. Culture of luteal cells showed an increased amount of progesterone for three days and continued to synthesize progesterone for at least another four days without serum and pituitary hormones. The addition of suramin, previously reported to inhibit autocrine growth stimulation, accelerate the daily progesterone production of luteal cells apparently by switching on the early onset of differentiation. Suramin also induced apoptosis of the cells after the 3rd day of culture. These data suggest that an autostimulation mechanism by growth factors plays a physiological role on normal cell differentiation, and it is not limited to neoplastic transformation.

Production of new anthracycline antibiotics 1-hydroxy-oxaunomycin and 6-deoxyoxaunomycin by limited biosynthetic conversion using a daunorubicin-negative mutant

A limited biosynthetic conversion of some known anthracyclinones using a specific daunorubicin-nonproducing mutant provided four new anthracycline antibiotics: 1-Hydroxy-10-methoxycarbonyl-13-deoxocarminomycin; 1-hydroxy-13-deoxocarminomycin; 1-hydroxyoxaunomycin and 6-deoxyoxaunomycin. Their isolation and purification from bioconversion broth, structural determination and antitumor activities against leukemic L1210 cells are described.

Thymidine kinase activity in familial adenomatous polyposis

Thymidine kinase (TK) activity of polyp tissue from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) was measured and compared with that of normal colon, sporadic polyp and colorectal carcinoma tissues. Total TK activity in colonic carcinoma was 3-fold that of normal; this increase seems attributable mainly to increased activity of cytosolic TK isozyme activity; the colorectal TK isozymes were separated into two types, i.e., fetal type and adult type isozymes predominantly in, respectively, cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions, by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. However, FAP polyp samples from 15 patients showed an average elevation of only 1.8-fold over normal. Examined individually, only 5 of the 15 FAP samples showed significant elevations in total TK activity. Furthermore, TK isozyme analysis revealed variable patterns of the cytosolic isozyme activity being elevated in some cases (8 of 15) and remaining low in others. Thus FAP polyps seem to be a heterogenous population with respect to DNA replicative activity, and cytosolic TK isozyme activity may constitute a biochemical marker for the subsequent development of colorectal carcinoma in FAP.

Anthracycline metabolites from baumycin-producing Streptomyces sp. D788. I. Isolation of antibiotic-blocked mutants and their characterization

Biosynthetically blocked mutants were obtained from a baumycin-producing Streptomyces sp. D788 newly isolated from soil. The first mutant isolated was a baumycin-negative but daunorubicin-accumulating mutant with a loss of 4'-substitution activity, from which all other blocked mutants were successively derived. These included a known 11-deoxydaunorubicin-producing mutant and several new types of mutants which produced mainly 10-carboxy-13-deoxocarminomycin, 10-methoxycarbonyl-13-deoxocarminomycin, their 11-deoxy derivatives or a precursor aglycone, respectively. In this paper, all the anthracycline components produced by the parent strain and its two known blocked mutants, a daunorubicin producer and a 11-deoxydaunorubicin producer, are also determined by HPLC and five new components are isolated. Cytotoxicities in vitro of all the components against L1210 cell culture are also described.

Effect of beta-endorphin on cAMP accumulation in rat luteal cells

The effect of beta-endorphin on cAMP levels in 4-day-old rat luteal cells was investigated. In both the presence and absence of low doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 0.001 IU/ml), beta-endorphin inhibited cAMP accumulation, whereas in the presence of high doses of hCG (0.01 IU/ml) it did not. This inhibitory effect was abolished by pre-treatment with islet-activating protein (IAP). Moreover, treatment with IAP resulted in an overall enhancement of hCG-stimulated cAMP accumulation when compared with untreated controls. These results suggest that beta-endorphin suppresses adenylate cyclase activity via Gi, which may be coupled to the LH receptor.

Comparative in-vitro activity of RP 59500 against clinical bacterial isolates

The activity of RP 59500 against Gram-positive cocci was determined by an agar dilution method and compared with that of erythromycin, cefotaxime and ampicillin. Of the 344 clinical isolates tested, none was resistant to RP 59500; this compound was active both against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and against macrolide-resistant Gram-positive cocci. The bactericidal activity of RP 59500 was confirmed by killing curve determinations.

Beneficial effect of combined 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and vasopressin administration of hepatic energy status and systemic hemodynamics after brain death

The influence of combined replenishment of L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone [ADH]) on both hepatic metabolism and systemic hemodynamics was assessed in brain-dead dogs. Arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) was measured as a parameter of hepatic metabolism, which reflects the redox state (free nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) of liver mitochondria. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was significantly decreased from 110.4 +/- 3.8 to 44.4 +/- 1.7 mmHg, at 1 hr after completion of brain death (P less than 0.01). In the control group AKBR was maintained thereafter at near control value of 1.0 with a significant decrease in serum lactate concentration in spite of marked hypotension. T3 infusion at a rate of 1 microgram/kg/hr elevated the AKBR but did not elevate MAP. Vasopressin infusion at a rate of 0.1 U/kg/hr sustained AKBR and elevated MAP significantly at 1 hr after administration but tended to decrease thereafter. Combined administration of T3 and ADH elevated the AKBR to about 2.0, and MAP was restored to near-normal level. Other parameters such as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase, reflecting liver cell injury and serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen as renal function, were maintained within normal range. These results indicate that combined T3 and vasopressin administration has a beneficial synergistic effect on both hepatic energy metabolism and systemic hemodynamics without any detrimental influence to other conventional parameters. Therefore, it is suggested that this combined administration may contribute to the management of potential multiorgan donors.

Acquisition of a sucrose utilization system in Escherichia coli K-12 derivatives and its application to industry

An Escherichia coli strain, B-62, that was isolated from a clinical source and was epidemiologically unrelated to E. coli K-12 was the source of chromosomal DNA for a sucrose utilization system (Scr+) in the construction of a plasmid, pST621. The cloned insert of a gene encoding Scr+ in pST621 conferred a sucrose-positive phenotype onto transformed cells of E. coli K-12 derivatives. Sucrase activity of the transformants was as high as that which would correspond to a "gene dosage effect" of a vector plasmid pBR322, whereas the transformants' sucrose uptake activity was always lower than that of E. coli B-62. A region within an XhoI-SacI fragment (3.2 kb) of pBR322-glyA was replaced in the construction of another plasmid, pST5R7, by a fragment (about 2.6 kb) of pST622 containing the gene encoding Scr+. A genetically stable Scr+ derivative of E. coli K-12 was obtained by introducing the gene encoding Scr+ onto E. coli chromosome via homologous recombination between pST5R7 and the chromosome and subsequent plasmid segregation. The use of low-copy-number plasmid RP4 as a cloning vector was also effective for enhancing the stability of Scr+. Tryptophan producers E. coli SGIII1032S, in which the gene encoding Scr+ was cloned onto the chromosome, and E. coli SGIII1032, which carried Scr+ plasmid RP4.5R7, produced from 6% sucrose in shake flasks (33 degrees C, 96 h) 2.3 and 5.7 g of tryptophan per liter, respectively.