[Effects of ipriflavone (TC-80, an anti-osteoporotic drug) on acute and chronic pain]

The effects of TC-80 on acute and chronic pain in rats and mice were examined. Single oral administration of TC-80 at 50-300 mg/kg was not analgesic in the phenylquinone writhing, acetic acid writhing, and hot plate tests in mice or the tail flick test in rats. Three-weeks administration of TC-80 in a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, p.o., to rats had no analgesic action in the acetic acid writhing and tail flick tests. When TC-80 was given orally in a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks to rats with adjuvant arthritic chronic pain, analgesic effects were observed 2 weeks after the start of administration in males and in ovariectomized estrone-supplemented females; the effect seen in the females was statistically significant. Changes in the bones of the hind paws were examined radiologically, and synovitis, periosteal new bone formation and bone destruction were examined histopathologically in the females. These variables were improved by treatment with TC-80 for 3 weeks. It is concluded that TC-80 has no analgesic effect, but may inhibit chronic pain by anti-osteoporotic action on bone disease.

Spizofurone, a new anti-ulcer agent, increases alkaline secretion in isolated bullfrog duodenal mucosa

The effect of spizofurone, a new anti-ulcer agent, on alkaline secretion was studied in an isolated sheet of bullfrog (10(-4)-10(-3) M) as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 10(-8)-10(-5) M) added to the nutrient solution increased alkaline secretion, transmucosal potential difference (PD) and short-circuit current (Isc), in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximum increases in alkaline secretion stimulated by spizofurone and PGE2 were much the same. Spizofurone also showed this effect when added to the secretory solution while PGE2 did not. Treatment with indomethacin partly but significantly inhibited the effect of spizofurone, but did not affect that of PGE2. These results indicate that the increase in alkaline secretion in bullfrog duodenal mucosa seen in the presence of spizofurone is mediated, at least in part, by stimulation of endogenous PGs synthesis.

Quantitative histology of peritumoural low density area associated with glioma on CT; image analyzing study of peritumoural low density area after steroid-osmotherapy

In this study, an invasive site of the tumour cells was quantitatively investigated in the low density area (LDA) on computerized tomography (CT) after steroid and osmotic drug therapy (SOT) by using a texture image analyzing computer system (TAS). Twenty six patients with gliomas (10 benign, 16 malignant) were applied in this study. According to the effect to reduce the volume of LDA, patients were classified into three groups as follows; good, poor, and failed. The reduction effect of the low density volume was not significantly different between the benign and malignant gliomas. Cells including those with a large nucleus with 6.8-9.1 microns in diameter were not observed in the control group, but they were observed in the adjacent and distant parts from the centre of the enhanced tumour element in the peritumoural LDA with 0.87-0.99 percent of all cells in both the poor and failed groups. But in the good group they were significantly rarely observed in the peritumoural LDA after SOT (p less than 0.05). Furthermore, they were significantly frequently observed in the adjacent part from the centre of the enhanced tumour element in the peritumoural LDA with 0.9 percent of all cells after SOT in the malignant gliomas in comparison with the benign gliomas (p less than 0.05). Conclusively it was suggested that the treatment of glioma with peritumoural LDA on CT must be extended to the adjacent and distant part from the centre of the enhanced tumour element in the peritumoural LDA as well as the treatment of the enhanced tumour mass on CT in the poor and failed groups.

[Spinal epidural arteriovenous malformation fed by bilateral internal iliac arteries]

A rare case of a spinal epidural AVM fed by bilateral internal iliac arteries is reported. The patient was a 50 years old female with symptoms of slowly progressive paraparesis and sensory disturbance below L-2 associated with sphincter disorders. Myelography disclosed a serpiginous filling defect at the lumbar region. Selective internal iliac arteriograms disclosed an AVM fed by bilateral lateral sacral arteries. The nidus was excised totally, then a gradual improvement of those symptoms followed. Reviewing the literature, only 9 cases of spinal AVM of this type have been reported. In the majority of these cases, symptoms progressed slowly from the lower sacral level up to a level close to the end of the drainer. These symptoms were considered to be caused by steal phenomenon as well as by venous congestion due to arterialized intradural draining veins.

[Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with the use of oral contraceptives]

The entity of cerebrovascular diseases associated with the use of oral contraceptives is well known but quite rare in Japan in contrast to Western countries. We recently encountered a 38 years old female with cerebral venous thrombosis considered to be caused by oral contraception. This patient took oral contraceptives for 17 days following therapeutic abortion, and was transferred to our hospital because of disturbed consciousness. CT scans disclosed a right temporo-occipital subcortical hemorrhagic infarction and bilateral thalamic infarction. Cerebral angiograms showed non-filling of cortical veins in the same area. The internal cerebral vein, vein of Galen and right transverse sinus were not visualized either. The hematoma and necrotic tissue were removed to avoid farther neurological deterioration. The brain was swollen and hyperemic, and thrombosed cortical veins were clearly recognized at operation. Twelve cases, including ours, of cerebrovascular diseases associated with oral contraception were reported up to now in Japan, and only 3 of them were diagnosed objectively as venous or sinus thrombosis. The average age of these 12 cases was 34 years old and many of them experienced abortion or therapeutic abortion. There was no relationship between the dose of estrogen and the onset of cerebrovascular diseases. We believe that the onset of this pathological state is based on gynecological hypercoagulable state, and the oral contraception may play a role of a trigger. Oral contraception should be contraindicated in patients with gynecological hypercoagulable state, hypertension and/or smoking habit.

Role of leukotrienes in rat reversed passive Arthus pleurisy and the effect of AA-861, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor

In studies of the role of leukotrienes in inflammatory reactions, the induction of rat reversed passive Arthus pleurisy (a type III allergic reaction) was employed. Increases of exudate volume, vascular permeability, and migration of inflammatory cells in the pleural cavity were observed. The vascular permeability was enhanced biphasically during 0-30 min (early response) and during 3-6 h (late response) after induction of the pleurisy. The infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes, into the cavity increased and reached a maximum 6 h after the pleurisy was induced. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), 5-monohydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), and slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), consisting of LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, were detected in the exudate by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography during the early response. The contents of LTC4 reached a maximum 10 min after the challenge, followed by a rapid decrease within 1 h. The rise and decay of LTC4 correlated with the increase in vascular permeability during the early phase. AA-861, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, given intrapleurally inhibited the increase in vascular permeability, cell migration, and generation of leukotrienes during the early phase of the pleurisy. These results indicate that products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, such as LTC4 and LTB4, may play an important role as chemical mediators in the inflammatory reaction.

Electroencephalography in minor head injury in children

EEG and CT scans of 280 cases of minor head injury in children under 15 years of age were studied. Abnormality on initial EEG was shown in 42.5%. Those who lost consciousness had a higher incidence of abnormality than those who did not, and it was higher between 4 and 13 years of age. The sleep state has much influence on the finding. The patients should be awake or in a light sleep stage. The most frequent abnormality was slow waves, seen predominantly in the occipital regions, and which tended to disappear more easily than the paroxysmal ones. The EEGs became or remained normal in 95%, excluding incompletely followed-up cases. There was no case of post-traumatic epilepsy in our series, but 4 cases of post-traumatic early convulsions, in which the EEGs were variable. CT scan disclosed abnormality in 6%.

The antiallergic agent amoxanox suppresses SRS-A generation by inhibiting lipoxygenase

Amoxanox has potent antiallergic activity because it inhibits the release of chemical mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes. We studied the in vitro effect of amoxanox on arachidonic acid metabolism, including the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways. Amoxanox inhibited calcium ionophore A23187-induced formation of 5-HETE, LTB4, SRS-A (LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4), and 12-HETE in rat peritoneal resident monocytes. These results indicate that amoxanox inhibits 5- and 12-lipoxygenases. The compound, however, did not affect the formation of TXB2 or 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in guinea pig lung fragments and PGE2 or PGF2 alpha in bovine seminal vesicles, suggesting that it did not inhibit cyclooxygenase. These results show that the antiallergic action of amoxanox is associated, at least in part, with the reduction of leukotrienes due to the inhibition of lipoxygenases.

Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after ventriculoperitoneal shunt

A serious intracerebral hemorrhage occurred as a result of a measurement for grip power performed on the 7th postoperative day of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This type of delayed intracerebral hemorrhage after the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt has not been described in the literature. The increased intracranial venous pressure produced by Valsalva's effect induced this complication, which is also considered to be the same mechanism as traumatic delayed intracerebral hemorrhage.

Intracerebellar hemorrhage due to cerebellar hemangioblastoma

A rare case of a bleeding from a cerebellar hemangioblastoma is described. The tumor was diagnosed preoperatively with a computed tomography scan and a vertebral angiogram. The characteristic computed tomography scan findings and probable mechanism of bleeding are discussed.

Avian retrovirus S13: properties of the genome and of the transformation-specific protein

The avian retrovirus S13 codes for an env-linked transformation-specific glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 155,000 (gp155). Treatment of gp155 with endoglycosidase H or growth of S13-infected cells in the presence of tunicamycin reduces the molecular weight of gp155 to about 140K, but these gp155-related molecules may still contain sugar residues. The gp155 protein is not incorporated into virions; it is phosphorylated, but in immunoprecipitates does not show protein kinase activity. The genome of S13 is an 8.5-kilobase (kb) RNA; the helper virus genome is 7.5 kb in size. The putative onc sequences of S13 do not hybridize to DNA probes representing src, erb A, erb B, myc, myb, fps, fms, H-ras, B-lym, abl, rel, and ets.

Gastric mucosal protection by spizofurone

The protective effect of spizofurone (AG-629) on the rat gastric mucosa was studied in the presence of various stimuli. Spizofurone given orally markedly inhibited gastric lesions induced by ethanol (ED50 = 6.5 mg/kg). Spizofurone inhibited ethanol-induced gastric lesions even when administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), but the onset of action after oral administration was shorter. Spizofurone given orally or i.p. in a dose range of 25-200 mg/kg inhibited indomethacin-induced gastric antral ulcers in re-fed rats. Furthermore, spizofurone potentiated the inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E2 on indomethacin-induced gastric antral ulcers. Spizofurone given i.p. prevented a decrease in potential difference and the formation of gastric lesions induced by intragastric instillation of 30 mM aspirin in 0.1 N HCl. Spizofurone given i.p. inhibited the increase in net fluxes of H+ and Na+ caused by intragastric instillation of 15% ethanol in 0.1 N HCl. These findings indicate that spizofurone, like prostaglandin E2, exerts gastric mucosal protection and even potentiates the anti-ulcer effect of prostaglandin E2. The gastric mucosal protection by spizofurone is ascribed in part to preservation of the mucosal barrier.

Studies on antianaphylactic agents. 7. Synthesis of antiallergic 5-oxo-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridines

5-Oxo-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acids 23 and their tetrazole analogues 24 were synthesized from 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carbonitriles 3 or 2-amino-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehydes 4. When administered intravenously, they exhibited antiallergic activity in a reaginic PCA test in rats. In the carboxylic acid series, the activity was influenced by the substituents at the 2-position and increased substantially in the following order: Me, OMe less than NH2 less than OH, H less than NHOMe. On the other hand, in the tetrazole series, 2-unsubstituted derivatives showed the highest activity. Regardless of the kinds of substituents at positions 2 and 3, compounds bearing an alkyl group, especially an isopropyl group at the 7-position, were superior in activity to the corresponding unsubstituted compounds. Among these alkyl derivatives, 3-carboxylic acid derivatives, i.e., 23c (7-ethyl), 23g (2-amino-7-isopropyl), 23r [2-(methoxyamino)-7-isopropyl], and a 3-tetrazole derivative 24c (7-isopropyl), were 41-184 times as potent as disodium cromoglycate. They also exhibited remarkable activity when administered orally; clinical studies on 23g (AA-673) are in progress.

Spizofurone (AG-629) increases gastric mucosal blood flow in dogs: a possible mechanism of its anti-ulcer effect

The effect of spizofurone (AG-629), a new anti-ulcer agent, on gastric mucosal blood flow was investigated in anesthetized dogs and the effects were compared with those of prostaglandin E2. Intravenous administration of spizofurone in doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg caused a dose-related increase in gastric mucosal blood flow. Spizofurone (1-10 mg/ml) given intragastrically for 15 min produced a sustained increase in gastric mucosal blood flow in a concentration-dependent manner; with 3 mg/ml there was about a 50% increase in gastric mucosal blood flow at the peak and a 2 h duration of action. The mode of action of spizofurone was similar to that of prostaglandin E2. The reduction in the gastric mucosal blood flow as induced by indomethacin was markedly improved by spizofurone. The topical action of spizofurone was confirmed in an in situ experiment using a stomach flap fixed to a lucite chamber. These results indicate that spizofurone increases gastric mucosal blood flow after systemic and topical administration, and this increase in gastric mucosal blood flow would account for the anti-ulcer effects of this drug.

Inhibition by amoxanox (AA-673) of the immunologically, leukotriene D4- or platelet-activating factor-stimulated bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and rats

We studied the effects of amoxanox (AA-673) on allergic asthma and spasmogen-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and rats. Amoxanox given orally or parenterally inhibited allergic asthma mediated by IgE, IgG1, or heterologous IgG in guinea pigs and by IgE in rats. This compound also reduced leukotriene D4- and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs, strongly suggesting an antagonistic activity against slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A). Histamine- or acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction was not significantly affected by amoxanox. These antiasthmatic effects of amoxanox seem to be associated with an inhibition of the release of chemical mediators such as histamine and SRS-A and with an antagonism against SRS-A.

Mechanism of the action of amoxanox (AA-673), an orally active antiallergic agent

Amoxanox inhibited immunologically stimulated and LTD4-induced bronchoconstriction in laboratory animals. Amoxanox, like DSCG, inhibited rat IgE-mediated PCA and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, and suppressed immunologically stimulated or calcium ionophore A23187-induced SRS-A generation in rat peritoneal cavity and guinea pig lung fragments. This compound also reduced the contractile response of guinea pig lung parenchymal and ileal strips to LTD4, but did not significantly affect the response of the ileum to either histamine or acetylcholine. Therefore, the antiallergic action of amoxanox seems to be associated with inhibition of chemical mediator release and antagonistic activity on SRS-A.

DNA replication of simian virus 40 chromatin in digitonin-treated and saponin-treated permeable cells

Permeable cell systems have been developed by treatment of simian virus 40 (SV40)-infected cells with digitonin or saponin for studying in vitro DNA replication of chromatin. SV40 DNA replicated efficiently in these systems in the presence of the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, ATP, Mg2+, and the proper ionic environment. Analysis of the time course of the replicated SV40 DNA I, II and replicating intermediates by gel electrophoresis and autoradiography indicated that SV40 DNA replicated completely in the form of nucleoprotein complexes (SV40 chromatin).