Antitumor effects of oral administration of an interferon-inducing pyrimidinone, Bropirimine, on murine renal-cell carcinoma

Bropirimine [2-amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4-(3H)-pyrimidinone] is a low-molecular-weight compound that acts as an inducer of interferon in several animal species. Experiments were designed to explore the possibility of using this drug for the treatment of renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). Euthymic BALB/c mice were inoculated with murine RCC (Renca) cells and given graded doses of Bropirimine p.o. for 5 consecutive days beginning on day 1 following tumor inoculation. These mice were killed and tumors were excised on day 21. Bropirimine significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited the tumor growth at a daily dose of 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg. No adverse effect or toxicity was noted at 1,000 mg/kg, and at 2,000 mg/kg there was only a marginal body-weight reduction without any other appreciable side effect. In addition to the inhibition of tumor growth, there was a small yet significant (P < 0.05) increase in the duration of survival (in days) in the Bropirimine-treated animals. When the treatment was delayed to begin on day 6 following tumor inoculation, Bropirimine did not suppress tumor growth in euthymic mice, pointing to the importance of the timing of the treatment. In athymic nude BALB/c mice lacking T-cells or T-cell function, Bropirimine also inhibited tumor growth (P < 0.01). The antitumor effect of this drug was abolished by pretreatment with anti-asialo GM1 serum, which eliminated natural killer (NK) activity in euthymic mice. In vivo treatment with Bropirimine augmented the cytotoxicity of lymphocytes isolated from the spleens or lungs of the tumor-bearing mice, which were active against Renca and YAC-1 cells in vitro. This activity was NK-cell-dependent as judged on the basis of the results of the in vitro complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay. Since Bropirimine induced interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta production, significantly (P < 0.05) elevating its serum concentration, and since this drug mimics the effects of IFN-alpha/beta, it seemed likely that the Bropirimine-induced NK cell augmentation we found was mediated by IFN-alpha/beta. These results suggest that Bropirimine, a booster of NK activity, may have potential as an adjunct to other therapeutic modalities in the treatment of human RCC.

Physical status and dementia risk: a three-year prospective study in urban Japan

A three-year prospective study of 3,180 non-dementia persons in Sendai City, Japan was conducted to examine the effects of physical status and diseases diagnosed on dementia incidence. This cohort had been made at the initial survey in 1988 and the evaluation for incident dementia was performed on 2,461 respondents (77.4%) in a follow-up survey in 1991. Regarding physical status, the logistic regression including sex, age, health status, ambulatory activity and activities of daily living indicated that the poor health status and the limitation of ambulatory activity were significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia. The significant positive association with dementia was observed on stroke, respiratory disease and depression. This study identified the high risk population for dementia in the aspect of physical status.

Well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma: clinicopathological features and results of hepatic resection

OBJECTIVES

To clarify clinicopathological features and surgical results in patients with well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (wd-HCC) corresponding to Edmondson's cell grading I/I-II.

METHODS

The clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, and results of surgery were studied in 14 wd-HCC patients who underwent limited hepatic resection.

RESULTS

All patients had liver cirrhosis and solitary tumors. The tumor sizes ranged from 10 to 25 mm. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were normal in 13 patients. The detection rates of sonography, computed tomography (CT), angiography, CT during arterial portography, 1-wk lipiodol CT, and 3-wk lipiodol CT were 100%, 43%, 36%, 69%, 57%, and 0%, respectively. High echoic pattern on sonography and disappearance of lipiodol 3 wk after injection were characteristic findings. There was no operative death. Although seven patients developed intrahepatic tumor recurrence, early treatment including ethanol injection therapy and arterial embolization/infusion therapy controlled the recurrences in five patients. Eleven patients are surviving 25-83 mo after surgery (mean, 44 mo); the remaining three died of pneumonia or hepatic insufficiency 44-62 mo after surgery. Eight patients received successful direct interruption surgery for concurrent esophagocardia varices. Pathological features of wd-HCCs included lack of tumor invasiveness or capsule, nuclear crowding, microacinar formation, fat deposition, presence of portal tracts, and surrounding adenomatous hyperplasia.

CONCLUSION

Wd-HCCs present atypical findings in various imagings and histology because of the earlier developmental stage of HCCs. Hepatic resection for wd-HCCs provides excellent patient survival.

Different effects of removing extracellular Ca2+ on cytosolic Ca2+ response to anoxia of sensory neurons and carotid chemoreceptor cells from newborn rabbits

To study the mechanism of the increases in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) induced by anoxia, the author examined the effect of removing extracellular Ca2+ on the [Ca2+]i response in cultured nodose ganglion neurons (control) and carotid body glomus cells prepared from newborn rabbits using a fura-2 microfluorimetry. The sensory neurons showed a small increase in [Ca2+]i during anoxia which was not affected by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ or D600. On the other hand, in the chemoreceptor glomus cells, Ca2+ removal eliminated the anoxia-induced large [Ca2+]i increase in 85% of the tested cells (n = 67), and depressed it in the rest. Interestingly, recovery from exposure to an anoxic Ca(2+)-free solution reversibly produced a large and transient rise in [Ca2+]i. The magnitude of this post-anoxic/Ca(2+)-free [Ca2+]i transient correlated with the intensity of the suppression of the [Ca2+]i response to anoxia in Ca(2+)-free solution. Also the [Ca2+]i transient was mostly inhibited by L-type Ca2+ channel blockers (nifedipine and D600), but was not affected by tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that the anoxia-induced large increase in [Ca2+]i were, in most glomus cells, coming from extracellular sources and, in a few cells, from both extracellular sources and from intracellular pools, whereas the slight increase in [Ca2+]i in sensory neurons was probably produced by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores. The post-anoxic/Ca(2+)-free [Ca2+]i transient, seen in the chemoreceptor cells alone, may have resulted from modification of the anoxic [Ca2+]i response by Ca2+ removal and involves mostly L-type Ca2+ channels and a few other Ca2+ entry pathways.

ATP-hydrolyzing excitation state of the reconstituted alpha 3 beta 3 complex of ATP synthase from the thermophilic bacterium PS3: structural characteristics shown by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering with synchrotron radiation

The ATP-hydrolyzing excitation state of the alpha 3 beta 3 complex of the ATP synthase from the thermophilic bacterium PS3 was investigated using time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering with synchrotron radiation. The results showed the presence of the alpha 3 beta 3 complex at a steady state during ATP hydrolysis when the alpha 3 beta 3 hexamer reacted with Mg-ATP. The radius of gyration of the complex in the steady state was significantly larger than that of the Mg-AMP-PNP-hexamer complex, indicating a conformational change to an expanded structure during catalysis. This alpha 3 beta 3 complex dissociated into alpha 1 beta 1 heterodimers with apparent first-order reaction kinetics after all the ATPs were converted to ADPs. In contrast, when the alpha 3 beta 3 complex reacted with Mg-ADP, the complex dissociated into dimers with apparent first-order reaction kinetics without showing the steady state of the complex. The dimers, however, re-associated into the hexamer when Mg-ATP was added. The results were well-explained by a computer simulation based on non-linear chemical dynamics, in which a reaction mechanism that incorporates the dynamic structure of the hexamer in the steady state was considered.

Studies on antiulcer agents. I. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of ethyl 2-[(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)sulfinylmethyl]-4-dimethylamino-5- pyrimidinecarboxylate, a new H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor possessing mucosal protective activity

Ethyl 2-[1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)sulfinylmethyl]-4-dimethylamino-5- pyrimidinecarboxylate (2) has been synthesized and evaluated for antiulcer properties. Compound 2 is a H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor that affords mucosal protection against absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats after oral and parenteral administrations. On the other hand, omeprazole, a representative H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, showed mucosal protective action only after oral administration, indicating that it required gastric acid secretion to generate activity. The antiulcer activity of 2 in animal models, such as water-immersion stress-induced gastric ulcer in rats and acidified aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rats, was three times higher than that of cimetidine.

Factor(s) present in sera from patients on long-term hemodialysis increase(s) mRNAs for collagenase and stromelysin in synovial cells

Rheumatic disorders are common complications in patients on long-term hemodialysis (HD), and abnormalities of collagen metabolism in the musculoskeletal system have been suggested in these patients. Since collagenase, which catalyzes the initial step in the proteolytic degradation of collagen, plays an important role in the metabolism of collagen, the present study investigated whether factor(s) present in the sera from patients on long-term HD stimulates collagenase gene expression in synovial cells. The addition of sera from 8 patients on long-term HD resulted in 1.5- to 4.0-fold increases in the collagenase mRNA level in human synovial cells as compared with that of sera from normal subjects. The collagenase-inducing factor(s) in uremic sera is more than 3,000 D in molecular mass and shows no binding to heparin. Uremic sera also increased stromelysin mRNA, but failed to exert any effect on mRNAs for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and pro alpha 1(I)collagen. Our findings suggest that there exists a factor(s) to enhance degradation of synovial collagen in sera from long-term HD patients.

A case of allergic aspergillus sinusitis with acute onset

Reports of allergic aspergillus sinusitis have increased in recent years and diagnostic criteria have also come to be established, yet this disease remains a rare disorder. The disorder is generally reported to follow a chronic course. Here we report a case of allergic aspergillus sinusitis with a short morbid term of 3 weeks.

[Intimal hyperplasia growth after stenting of modified gianturco Z stent in an experimental study]

Three types of modified Gianturco Z stents, which included some solder at the bend portion in group 1, a little solder in group 2 and no solder in group 3, were placed in the jugular vein in order to evaluate the degree of intimal hyperplasia growth in five dogs. Four weeks later, venography and histological examination after venectomy were performed. Stenosis was 32.7 +/- 6.9% at the bend portion in group 1, 27.0 +/- 6.0% in group 2 and 14.0 +/- 6.5% in group 3. The results indicate that stents without solder are preferable for the venous system.

Isolation of a DEAD-family protein gene that encodes a murine homolog of Drosophila vasa and its specific expression in germ cell lineage

In an effort to study the molecular basis of the determination processes of the mammalian germ cell lineage, we have tried to isolate a mouse gene homolog to vasa, which plays an essential role as a maternal determining factor for the formation of Drosophila germ cell precursors. By reverse transcriptase PCRs of mouse primordial germ cell cDNAs using family-specific primers, we obtained a gene (Mvh) encoding a DEAD-family protein that showed a much higher degree of similarity with the product of the Drosophila vasa gene (vas) than previously reported mouse genes. In adult tissues, Mvh transcripts were exclusively detected in testicular germ cells, in which Mvh protein was found to be localized in cytoplasm of spermatocytes and round spermatids including a perinuclear granule. The protein was also expressed in germ cells colonized in embryonic gonads but was not detected in pluripotential embryonic cells such as stem cells and germ cells. These results suggest the possibility that the Mvh protein may play an important role in the determination events of mouse germ cells as in the case of Drosophila vasa.

[Inhibitory effects of exogenous eicosapentaenoic acid on generation of leukotriene C4 and leukotriene B4 by human leukocytes stimulated with calcium ionophore]

Effects of exogenous eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachiodonic acid (AA) on generation of leukotriences C4, C5, B4 and B5 were assessed in human leukocytes stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187. Human leukocytes were obtained from healthy volunteers using the dextran sedimentation of peripheral blood and stimulated with 1 microgram/ml calcium ionophore A23187 in the absence or presence of EPA (1-30 micrograms/ml) and/or AA (1-30 micrograms/ml). Leukotriences from leukocytes samples were separated and quantitated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Mean generation of LTC4 in the absence of fatty acid was 78.2 +/- 25.4 ng/10(7) cells (Mean +/- SD, n = 6). In the presence of EPA, the generation of LTC4 increased a little but significant (p < 0.05) to 85.3 +/- 24.2 ng/10(7) cells at low dose (1 microgram/ml) of EPA, and then decreased to 39.7 +/- 23.4 ng/10(7) cells at high dose (30 micrograms/ml) of EPA (p < 0.05). LTB4 generation was 213.2 +/- 38.0 ng/10(7) cells without fatty acids, and decreased to 174.0 +/- 48.0 ng/10(7) cells at 30 micrograms/ml EPA (p < 0.05). LTC5 and LTB5 production were detectable at 1 microgram/ml EPA and reached to maximum at 10 micrograms/ml EPA with 21.9 +/- 15.6 ng/10(7) cells and 21.8 +/- 7.1 ng/10(7) cells, respectively. Total LTC (LTC4 + LTC5) generation with high dose of EPA (57.2 +/- 28.0 ng/10(7) cells) decreased significantly compared with that in the absence of fatty acids (78.2 +/- 25.4 ng/10(7) cells). At 10 micrograms/ml of AA, both LTC4 and LTB4 generation significantly increased to 114.2 +/- 5.3% and 129.0 +/- 9.5% of control, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Localization of copper to afferent terminals in rat locus ceruleus, in contrast to mitochondrial copper in cerebellum

We examined copper localization in the locus ceruleus and cerebellum of rat brain by Timm's sulfide-silver staining, as modified by Danscher. Dense silver particles revealing copper localization were observed in sections of the locus ceruleus and cerebellum after pre-treatment with trichloroacetic acid. In the locus ceruleus, copper appeared to be distributed to neuropil rather than glial or neuronal cell bodies, and at the ultrastructural level copper was mainly localized on synaptic membranes of afferent terminals in contact with somatic spines or dendrites of locus ceruleus neurons, whereas copper was distributed to mitochondria in the granular layers of cerebellum and fine, sparse silver particles were observed throughout ependymal cells and epithelial cells of blood vessels. The specific localization of copper to afferent terminals in the locus ceruleus was confirmed by X-ray microanalysis, which showed a significant level of copper, but not zinc, in synaptic membranes. These results suggest a distinct role of copper depending on its regional distribution. Copper or copper protein may be involved in neurotransmission in the locus ceruleus but in mitochondrial activity in the cerebellum.

[Effect of mesalazine, an agent for the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, on reactive oxygen metabolites and LTB4 formation]

Mesalazine microgranules (Pentasa) were developed as a drug for idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In this study, we examined the effect of mesalazine on radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and the formation of LTB4. Mesalazine reduced the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl with an IC50 value of 9.5 microM. It scavenged hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorite (IC50: 0.7 microM and 37.0 microM, respectively), but had no effect on superoxide. Lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes was inhibited by mesalazine (IC50: 12.6 microM). Mesalazine significantly inhibited (P < 0.01) gastric mucosal lipid peroxidation induced by ischemia and reperfusion in rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg, p.o. Mesalazine also inhibited the formation of LTB4 in rat peritoneal neutrophils (IC50: 44.9 microM). N-Acetyl-mesalazine, the metabolite of mesalazine, had no effect on radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation. Only a high concentration (1 mM) of the metabolite inhibited the formation of LTB4. These studies suggest that mesalazine inhibits cell injury in the inflamed mucosa by scavenging reactive oxygen metabolites and prevents the invasion of neutrophils by inhibition of LTB4 formation.

Simple quantitative reverse transcribed-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method involving recombinant RNA generated by a false-priming PCR product

A simple and efficient method for preparing rcRNA through competitive RT-PCR has been developed. The basis of this method is the use of a false-priming PCR product including the same primers as a specific product. A 290 bp fragment obtained by two-step PCR was subcloned into a plasmid vector and then the cloned DNA was transcribed into rcRNA. After competitive RT-PCR using sample RNA and rcRNA had been carried out, Southern blot hybridization was performed. The method was applied to determine the amounts of PIMT mRNAs in the rat pituitary. The quantitative analysis indicated that an at least 2-fold difference in PIMT mRNA level can be accurately determined with our method.

[A case of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis of adult onset]

A 69-year-old woman suddenly suffered massive hemoptysis and was admitted to the hospital. The test of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies was negative. Chest radiograph showed diffuse infiltrative shadows similar to those of lung edema in the both lung fields. The patient's condition worsened gradually during the next 3 weeks, with repeated massive hemoptysis. Steroid pulse therapy had limited effects on the progressive respiratory failure, and the patient died. Autopsy showed alveolar hemorrhage and macrophages containing haemosiderin. Immunofluoresence microscopy showed no deposits of immunoglobulin in the kidney. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis of adult onset with acute respiratory failure is rare in Japan.

Processing of E1 and E2 glycoproteins of hepatitis C virus expressed in mammalian and insect cells

Processing of the envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was investigated by using cDNA clones covering the structural and part of the nonstructural (NS) protein regions. The cDNA clones expressed in mammalian and insect cells were immunoprecipitated by serum of a hepatitis C patient and by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against the recombinant proteins expressed in insect cells or Escherichia coli. The E2 protein expressed in both insect and mammalian cells was a glycoprotein of 60 kDa (gp60) and removal of the sugar residues by N-glycanase yielded 38- and 40-kDa proteins. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that efficient expression and processing of the envelope proteins required coexpression with the flanking core and NS2 proteins. Not only E1 and E2 proteins but also NS2 and NS3 proteins were coprecipitated by anti-E1 or anti-E2 monoclonal antibody in the cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus expressing structural and NS proteins (NS2 and NS3), while only the NS3 protein was precipitated by anti-NS3 antibody. The association of E1 and E2 proteins was not influenced by the presence of a reducing agent and was still observed in the cells coinfected with the deletion mutants lacking both internal and C-terminal hydrophobic regions of each protein. Furthermore, the truncated forms of the E1 and E2 proteins were secreted into the culture supernatant and some of them were still associated with each other.

Effects of prolonged administration of perfluorooctanoic acid on hepatic activities of enzymes which detoxify peroxide and xenobiotic in the rat

Male and female rats were fed a diet containing 0.01% (w/w) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) for 2 or 26 weeks, and the effects on enzymes that participate in the metabolism of peroxides and xenobiotics in liver were studied. Elevated activity of peroxisomal beta-oxidation persisted throughout the treatment of male rats with PFOA for 26 weeks. The activity of glutathione (GSH) peroxidase towards hydrogen peroxide was depressed significantly by the prolonged administration. The long-term treatment of male rats with PFOA decreased the activity of GSH peroxidase towards cumene hydroperoxide and increased the activity of microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. The activities of GSH reductase and hepatic content of GSH remained unchanged. There was no difference in the content of conjugated dienes in microsomal lipid between male rats exposed to PFOA for 26 weeks and age-matched control. The activities of GSH S-transferase towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene were depressed by the short-term administration of PFOA to male rats, and this inhibition became pronounced during the prolonged treatment. Microsomal cytochrome P450 was induced by the short-term treatment of male rats with PFOA, and elevated levels persisted throughout the treatment for 26 weeks. Upon the administration of PFOA to male rats for 2 weeks, the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase was increased markedly, whereas the activities of either aniline p-hydroxylase or aminopyrine N-demethylase were unchanged. Although an age-dependent decrease was observed in the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, the activity in male rats treated with PFOA for 26 weeks was higher than that of age-matched control, to the same extent as was observed with the short-term treatment. The prolonged administration of PFOA to male rats caused a significant increase in the activity of both aniline p-hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase. Little changes were found in the same parameters tested in female rats even after the prolonged administration of PFOA.

Use of the sandwich method with an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene prosthesis and Marlex mesh in sternal reconstruction: report of a case

A 52-year-old Japanese man with a slow-growing chondroma originating from the sternal bone was referred to our hospital. A subtotal resection of the sternum was performed, hereafter termed the "sandwich method," and an originally designed prosthesis made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and Marlex mesh was used for reconstruction. The postoperative course was uneventful without any symptoms due to paradoxical movement of the chest or regional abscess, and no disturbance in the movement of the upper limbs, such as a surgical sequelae, was observed.

Raloxifene preserves bone strength and bone mass in ovariectomized rats

We investigated the effects of raloxifene, a nonsteroidal benzothiophene, on bone strength in ovariectomized rats and compared them with estrogen treatment. Sixty ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups for treatment with orally dosed raloxifene (3 mg/kg), ethynyl estradiol (EE, 0.1 mg/kg), or vehicle. A fourth group of 20 rats that underwent sham ovariectomies and received vehicle was used for comparison. Treatments began 3 days after ovariectomy and continued for 6 months. Raloxifene treatment resulted in greater bone strength in the lumbar vertebrae (P < 0.05) and femoral neck (P < 0.01) and greater bone mineral density at the proximal tibia (P < 0.001) and lumbar vertebrae (P < 0.001) when compared with vehicle-treated ovariectomized animals. The positive effects on bone biomechanical properties from raloxifene treatment were not different than those associated with EE treatment. Raloxifene did not cause a significant increase in uterine weight, whereas EE treatment resulted in uterine weight increased 4-fold over vehicle-treated ovariectomized controls. Therefore, in rats, raloxifene has beneficial effects on bone biomechanics that are equivalent to those of EE treatment without substantial effects on the uterus.

Retinal complications with elevated circulating plasma C5a associated with interferon-alpha therapy for chronic active hepatitis C

Retinal hemorrhage is a complication of interferon therapy of unknown pathogenesis. We report two chronic active hepatitis C patients who developed retinal hemorrhage and/or cotton wool patches during interferon-alpha therapy 4 and 12 wk after beginning treatment. At the time of the hemorrhage, plasma-activated complement 5, a known potent intravascular aggregator of granulocytes, increased to 54 ng/ml in one patient and to 29 ng/ml in the other patient. When the hemorrhage resolved, it decreased to under 5 ng/ml. Our cases suggest that complement activation occurs in patients treated with interferon-alpha and that activation of complement 5 can lead to retinal capillary infarction and retinal hemorrhage. High levels of activated complement 5 may predict retinal artery infarction or perhaps microvascular emboli in the other organs.