Soft and hard tissue evaluation of guided socket shield implant cases

BACKGROUND

The socket-shield (SS) technique results in long-term functional osseo- and dento-integration, preserving the dimensional stability of hard and soft tissues over time. This study aimed to describe the successful implementation of a surgical technique to facilitate "SS" cases.

METHODS

The cases included males and females aged 32-81 years consecutively treated between 2020 and 2023 (longest follow-up, 3.5 years). For each case, pre- and post-operative cone-beam computed tomography (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine files) and intraoral optical scans (IOS; STL files) were performed. Digital immediate implant placement and simultaneous tooth extraction and SS production were planned using an implant planning software. Implants were planned considering sagittal-ridge and tooth-root angular-configuration. Surgical guides were used to perform the digitally-supported SS technique. All cases were planned and surgically performed by one operator (Pedro M. Trejo). Preoperative digital IOS-models were superimposed to post-operative models to assess soft-tissue changes. Pre and post sagittal views were used to assess the radiographic buccal-plate thickness at various healing times. An investigator not involved with case planning or treatment performed measurements.

RESULTS

Results reflected soft-tissue stability with minimal mean thickness change at 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-mm measurement levels of 0.03, -0.2, 0.14, -0.07, and 0.04 mm, respectively, with a mean gingival-margin change of 0.04 mm. The free gingival-margin change ranged from a 0.58-mm gain in height to a -0.57-mm loss. The mean radiographic buccal-plate thickness post-operatively was 2.04 mm (range, 0.7-2.9 mm).

CONCLUSION

The digitally-supported guided SS technique enables predictable immediate implant-placement positions and stable buccal peri-implant soft and hard tissues over time.

KEY POINTS

Why are these cases new information? The uniqueness of the surgical technique described herein is that it results in favorable positions of immediate, socket-shielded (SSed), implant placements, with soft- and hard-tissue stability as the byproduct. What are the keys to successful management of these cases? Digitally, plan for the best possible implant position within the alveolar housing to satisfy prosthetic requirements, and then adjust this position to accommodate the socket shield dimensions. Digitally, provide a space/gap between the future dentinal shield and the implant. Clinically, allow for time to carve the final position and dimensions of the shield. Plan ahead the extent of the apical third of the SS, and the removal of the apex, if dealing with a long root. What are the primary limitations to success in these cases? Inadequate use of digital technology; case-sensitive technique requires proper execution of each digital and technical clinical step.

Improvement in salt-tolerance of Aspergillus oryzae γ-glutamyl transpeptidase via protein chimerization with Aspergillus sydowii homolog

γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase is one of the key enzymes involved in glutamate production during high-salt fermentation of soy sauce and miso by koji mold, Aspergillus oryzae. However, the activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase from A. oryzae (AOggtA) is markedly reduced in the presence of NaCl, thus classifying it as a non-salt-tolerant enzyme. In contrast, the homologous protein from the xerophilic mold, A. sydowii (ASggtA) maintains its activity under high-salt conditions. Therefore, in this study, a chimeric enzyme, ASAOggtA, was designed and engineered to improve salt-tolerance in AOggtA by swapping the N-terminal region, based on sequence and structure comparisons between salt-tolerant ASggtA and non-salt-tolerant AOggtA. The parental AOggtA and ASggtA and their chimera, ASAOggtA, were heterologously expressed in A. oryzae and purified. The chimeric enzyme inherited the superior activity and stability from each of the two parent enzymes. ASAOggtA showed > 2-fold greater tolerance than AOggtA in the presence of 18% NaCl. In addition, the chimera showed a broader range of pH stability and greater thermostability than ASggtA. AOggtA and ASAOggtA were sy over the range pH 3.0 to pH 10.5. Thermal stability was found to be in the order AOggtA (57.5 °C, t_1/2 = 32.5 min) > ASAOggtA (55 °C, t_1/2 = 20.5 min) > ASggtA (50 °C, t_1/2 = 12.5 min). The catalytic and structural characteristics indicated that non-salt-tolerant AOggtA would not undergo irreversible structural changes in the presence of NaCl, but rather a temporary conformational change, which might result in reducing the substrate binding and catalytic activity, on the basis of kinetic properties. In addition, the chimeric enzyme showed hydrolytic activity toward L-glutamine that was as high as that of AOggtA. The newly-designed chimeric ASAOggtA might have potential applications in high-salt fermentation, such as miso and shoyu, to increase the content of the umami-flavor amino acid, L-glutamate.

Isolation and characterization of a salt-tolerant γ-glutamyl transpeptidase from xerophilic Aspergillus sydowii

Xerophilic Aspergillus molds isolated from halo-alkaliphilic and dry environments are attractive genetic resources for obtaining salt- and osmo-adaptive enzymes. A. sydowii MA0196 secreted the largest amount of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) during solid-state fermentation at a low initial water activity (a w = 0.85). Gel filtration analysis revealed that the molecular mass of the purified native enzyme (MA0196 GGT) was 120 kDa. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that MA0196 GGT consists of two subunits with molecular masses of 56.4 and 33 kDa, indicating production from a proenzyme via autoproteolysis. Deglycosylation of the subunits by N-glycosidase F yielded 40.9 and 19.6 kDa species. MA0196 GGT retained transpeptidase and hydrolysis activities and their catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) under high salt and low water activity. The enzyme displayed broad substrate specificity toward γ-glutamyl acceptors such as amino acids and the imidazole dipeptides, carnosine and anserine. Carnosine and L-glutamine were converted into γ-glutamyl-β-alanyl-L-histidine by MA0196 GGT with a 32.9% yield in the presence of 2% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that MA0196 GGT forms a distinct lineage from A. oryzae and A. sojae GGTs. These excellent properties indicate that MA0196 GGT can be used in salted fermentation and for producing bioactive peptides.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03259-3.

AB0249 SAFETY OF BARICITINIB IN JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): THE 2020 INTERIM REPORT FROM ALL-CASE POST MARKETING SURVEILLANCE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Background:

An all-case post marketing surveillance (PMS) of baricitinib (Bari), that started in Sep 2017, collects safety and effectiveness for the first 24 wks of treatment and continues to collect serious adverse events (SAEs) for 3 yrs.

Objectives:

To evaluate Bari safety in RA patients (pt) in clinical practice.

Methods:

We report pt baseline demographics and adverse events (AEs) up to 24 wks for pts whose case report files for 24-wk data were completed as of Jun 2020.

Results:

Data from 3445 pts were analyzed (females=80%, mean age=64yr, mean RA duration 12yr). Bari dose regimen was as follows: 4mg, 60%, 2mg, 27%, 4mg→2mg, 5%, 2mg→4mg, 5%, and others, 2%. Concomitant use of MTX and glucocorticoid was 65% and 48%, respectively. 74% continued treatment for 24 wks. AE and SAE were recognized in 887 (26%) and 122 pts (4%), respectively. 6 pts died of pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, cerebral infarction/ILD/aspiration pneumonia, adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer. Major AEs were as follows: herpes zoster=3%, liver dysfunction=3%, serious infection=1%, anemia=1%, hyperlipidemia=1%, malignancy=0.3%, interstitial pneumonia=0.2%, MACE=0.1%, and VTE=0.1%.

Conclusion:

Data do not show new safety concerns and encourage guideline-compliant use of Bari.

Disclosure of Interests:

Takao Fujii Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Consultant of: Asahikasei Pharma Corp, Grant/research support from: Asahikasei Pharma Corp; AbbVie Japan GK; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK; AstraZeneca plc.; Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.; Medical & Biological Laboratories Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Alexion Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nami Okamoto Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Asahikasei Pharma Co.; AYUMI Pharmaceutical Co.

Eisai Co. Ltd; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.

Sanofi K.K.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Teijin Pharma Ltd.; Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nobunori Takahashi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; UCB Japan Co. Ltd.; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Naoto Tamura Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Glaxo Smith Kline K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co., Atsuo Nakajima: None declared, Ayako Nakajima Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Actelion Pharmaceuticals Japan Ltd., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd.,Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Glaxo Smith Kline K.K., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Japan Inc., Teijin Pharma Ltd., Grant/research support from: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Hiroaki Matsuno Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Consultant of: Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K, Naoto Tsujimoto Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Atsushi Nishikawa Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Taeko Ishii Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Tsutomu Takeuchi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Gilead Sciences, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Sanofi K.K.; UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma, Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Eisai Co., Ltd.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: AbbVie Japan GK, Asahikasei Pharma Corp., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., DNA Chip Research Inc.; Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma Inc., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.; Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Michiaki Takagi Speakers bureau: Yes, but sponsored lectures without COI in the academic meetings, only.

Enhanced wound healing by topical application of ointment containing a low concentration of povidone-iodine

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a novel topical wound-healing agent, low-concentration povidone-iodine ointment (LPIO) with a hydrophobic white petrolatum-rich base on skin-wound models in rats and rabbits.

METHOD

The therapeutic efficacy of topically applied LPIO was compared to that of standard-concentration povidone-iodine ointment (SPIO) and non-treatment control, using a full-thickness skin-wound model in 24 hairless rats and a full-thickness skin-defect model in rabbit earlobes. The animals were kept under standardised conditions at the Central Research Laboratory of Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Osaka, Japan). Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated based on macroscopic wound-size reduction, as well as histopathological and immuno-histochemical examinations.

RESULTS

LPIO enhanced wound healing in rat full-thickness skin ulcers, reducing wound size and inflammation, when compared with that in SPIO and non-treatment control. LPIO also markedly improved wound healing in rabbit earlobe ulcers by significantly improving re-epithelialisation, compared with that in SPIO.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that LPIO is a useful topical therapy for ulcerative lesions.

Retrospective analysis of the survival benefit of chemotherapy for recurrent or advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma in patients previously treated with paclitaxel plus platinum-based chemotherapy

AIM

The outcomes of treatment for women with recurrent or advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma previously treated with pacli- taxel plus platinum-based chemotherapy were analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed in a total of 65 series of treatments provided for 35 patients with a history of paclitaxel plus platinum-based chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimens used were classified into the following four types for analysis: conventional paclitaxel plus carboplatin therapy (TC arm), pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-containing regimens (PLD arm), CPT-11-containing regimens (CPT-11 arm), and others. Disease-control rates (DCRs) were compared and subjected to univariate analysis. Progression-free survival (PFS) was determined from the date of the first cycle of each chemotherapy with the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons were performed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

DCR was 80%, 71%, and 26% for the TC, PLD, and CPT-l arms, respectively. The median PFS was 286, 372, and 76 days for the TC, PLD, and CPT-11 arms, respectively. There was no discernible difference in PFS between the TC and the PLD arm. In contrast, PFS of the CPT- 11 arm was significantly shorter than that of the TC and PLD arms. In addition, three of seven (42.9%) treatments in the PLD arm maintained a progression-free period for longer than one year, while only one of 25 (4%) treatments in the TC arm maintained a progression-free period for more than one year.

CONCLUSIONS

The PFS of PLD is similar to that of TC. PLD-containing regimens might have a potential benefit with a higher PFS over one year than the TC regimen.

Short interpregnancy interval after B-Lynch uterine compression suture: a case report

PURPOSE

The influence of the B-Lynch suture technique on subsequent fertility and pregnancy outcomes is not clear. In the present report, the authors describe the case of a very short interpregnancy interval following the successful placement of a B-lynch suture and discuss the associated problems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 33-year-old-woman underwent cesarean section after undergoing artificial induction of labor and subsequent atonic postpartum hemorrhage. Placement of a B-Lynch brace suture successfully stopped the bleeding and preserved the uterus. The patient became unexpectedly pregnant only four months later, making the present case the shortest reported interpregnancy interval after a surgery involving the B-Lynch suture.

CONCLUSION

In the present case, fertility was not affected, and obstetric complications (abortion, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, and placenta previa) were not observed. Adhesions between the abdominal wall and the surface of the uterus along the previous B-Lynch suture line were observed and irregular, large blood vessels were observed on the surface of the uterus. Further reports are expected to determine the influence of the B-Lynch brace suture technique on the subsequent pregnancy.

The effects of long-term exposure to ozokerite mainly consisting of an aliphatic series of hydrocarbons using F344 rats

Combined chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of ozokerite (OZK), a natural wax substance used as a food additive for a gum base, were performed in male and female F344 rats. Dietary concentrations of 0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% OZK were applied in a 52-week chronic toxicity study and 0%, 0.1% and 0.2% in a 104-week carcinogenicity study. In the chronic toxicity study, treatment with OZK caused a xenobiotic reaction against absorbed OZK, including formation of histiocytosis and granulomas with crystalline material in many organs in all of the treated males and females. Particularly in the liver, granulomatous inflammation was accompanied by hepatocellular vacuolation and changes in the serum biochemical parameters indicative of hepatic disorder. The number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci were increased in all of the treated groups of both sexes, suggesting the proliferative effect of OZK. In the carcinogenicity study, the incidence of hepatocellular adenoma and the total tumor incidence in the liver of all of the treated males were significantly increased compared with the controls. In conclusion, long-term exposure to OZK caused systemic chronic inflammation due to a foreign body response. OZK was weakly carcinogenic in the liver of male F344 rats.

Liver hypertrophy: a review of adaptive (adverse and non-adverse) changes--conclusions from the 3rd International ESTP Expert Workshop

Preclinical toxicity studies have demonstrated that exposure of laboratory animals to liver enzyme inducers during preclinical safety assessment results in a signature of toxicological changes characterized by an increase in liver weight, hepatocellular hypertrophy, cell proliferation, and, frequently in long-term (life-time) studies, hepatocarcinogenesis. Recent advances over the last decade have revealed that for many xenobiotics, these changes may be induced through a common mechanism of action involving activation of the nuclear hormone receptors CAR, PXR, or PPARα. The generation of genetically engineered mice that express altered versions of these nuclear hormone receptors, together with other avenues of investigation, have now demonstrated that sensitivity to many of these effects is rodent-specific. These data are consistent with the available epidemiological and empirical human evidence and lend support to the scientific opinion that these changes have little relevance to man. The ESTP therefore convened an international panel of experts to debate the evidence in order to more clearly define for toxicologic pathologists what is considered adverse in the context of hepatocellular hypertrophy. The results of this workshop concluded that hepatomegaly as a consequence of hepatocellular hypertrophy without histologic or clinical pathology alterations indicative of liver toxicity was considered an adaptive and a non-adverse reaction. This conclusion should normally be reached by an integrative weight of evidence approach.

Peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus induces T(H)2 immune response in mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Atopic dermatitis patients have an increased number of type 2 helper (T(H)2) cells in their peripheral blood and superficial Staphylococcus aureus colonization. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of peptidoglycan (PEG) from S aureus on the induction of the TH2 immune response in mice.

METHODS

Mice were primed with PEG- and ovalbumin (OVA)-pulsed Langerhans cells (LCs) and given a booster OVA injection 2 days later via the hind footpad. Five days later, the cytokine response in the draining popliteal lymph nodes was investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-12 production from cultured LCs was detected by ELISA and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Administration of PEG- and OVA-pulsed LCs into the hind footpads of the mice induced a T(H)2-prone immune response as represented by the enhanced interleukin (IL) 4 expression in the lymph nodes. We further showed that higher levels of IL-12 p40 production by PEG-stimulated LCs relative to IL-12 p70 (p35/p40) production were associated with the induction of the T(H)2 immune response.The LC-derived IL-12 p40 protein induced by PEG stimulation was detected mainly as monomeric and homodimeric IL-12 p40 subunits; other heterodimers including the L-12 p40 subunit, such as IL-23, were undetected.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that PEG may have the ability to induce the development of T(H)2 cells through insufficient production of IL-12 p70 and excessive production by LCs of homodimeric IL-12 p40, a known antagonist of bioactive IL-12 p70, offering a possible explanation for the role of S aureus colonization in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Percutaneous application of peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus induces infiltration of CCR4+ cells into mouse skin

BACKGROUND

The lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis has an increased number of type 2 helper T (TH2) cells in the dermis and is superficially colonized by Staphylococcus aureus. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of peptidoglycan (PEG) from S aureus on TH2 cell induction in murine skin.

METHODS

Mice were sensitized with house dust mite antigen (MA) by topical application to barrier-disrupted abdominal skin. Seven days after sensitization, PEG was applied to the barrier-disrupted dorsal skin. After a further 3 days, C-C chemokine receptor type 4-positive (CCR4+) cells were counted in the PEG-treated skin.The production of chemokine (C-C) motif ligand 17 (CCL17) (thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine) and CCL22 (macrophage-derived chemokine) in the skin was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistological analysis.

RESULTS

Application of PEG to the dorsal skin of MA-sensitized mice led to a significant increase in the number of cells expressing CCR4 in the dermis. The skin of PEG-treated mice showed an increased level of CCL17 mRNA expression, which coincided with TH2 cytokine mRNA expression. Immunohistological analysis demonstrated that levels of CCL17 transcripts corresponded to those of protein synthesis in the epidermis. CCL17 production was induced mainly by Langerhans cells stimulated with PEG. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of anti-CCL17 antibody abrogated the induction of CCR4+ cells in the skin.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that PEG may induce TH2 cells in the skin through the production of CCL17 by Langerhans cells and would explain the role of colonization by S aureus in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Investigation of carcinogenicity for levamisole administered in the diet to F344 rats

A two year carcinogenicity study of anthelmintic drug levamisole (LV) was performed using 50 male and 50 female F344 rats at dietary drug concentrations of 0, 60, or 300 ppm. The daily intakes of LV were calculated to be 2.6, 12.9 mg/kg b.w./day for males and 2.9, 14.1mg/kg b.w./day for females, respectively. No significant differences in general condition and survival rate (82%, 74%, 80% in males and 84%, 84%, 84% in females, respectively) were observed. In the 300 ppm group, suppression of body weight gain was observed from the onset of treatment and reduction in final body weights was 6% in males and 11% in females. Significant increases in the absolute and/or relative weights of the lungs, heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, and adrenals were observed in males and/or females treated with 300 ppm. Some of high incidences neoplasms were observed, and there were also tendencies to increase for mammary gland fibroma and thoracic/abdominal cavity mesothelioma in males. However, there were no significant inter-group differences in incidences, histopathological types or differences compared with historical control data. Thus, it was concluded that LV was not carcinogenic to male and female F344 rats under the experimental conditions.

Inhibitory effects of Schefflera leucantha extract on production of allergic mediators by Langerhans cells and mast cells

BACKGROUND

Schefflera leucantha Viguier is used as a traditional medicine in Thailand and China to relieve chronic cough and asthma. However, little is known about its anti-allergic effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the effects of S leucantha ethanol extract (SLEE) on chemokine production by epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) stimulated with peptidoglycan (PEG) from Staphylococcus aureus and histamine release from mast cells.

METHODS

LCs were purified from murine epidermal cells using the panning method with anti-IA(d) monoclonal antibody. Chemokine production by LCs was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mast cells for histamine release assay were induced by long-term culture of mouse spleen cells. Histamine release from these mast cells was measured by a competitive ELISA.

RESULTS

Production of the eosinophil chemoattractant CCL5 and the type 2 T helper (TH2)-associated chemokine CCL17 from PEG-stimulated LCs was significantly inhibited by SLEE. Furthermore, SLEE significantly decreased the release of histamine from mast cells by IgE-mediated degranulation.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that S leucantha may offer a new therapeutic approach for the control of atopic dermatitis associated with S aureus colonization through inhibition of the production of allergic mediators.