The Effects of Ninjinyoeito on Impaired Spatial Memory and Prefrontal Cortical Synaptic Plasticity through α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-4-isoxazole Propionic Acid Receptor Subunit in a Rat Model with Cerebral Ischemia and β-Amyloid Injection

Ninjinyoeito (NYT), a traditional Japanese medicine, is effective for improving physical strength and treating fatigue and anorexia. Recently, a clinical report revealed that NYT ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, although the mechanisms remain unclear. AD is a neurodegenerative disorder accompanied by a progressive deficit in memory. Current therapeutic agents are largely ineffective in treating cognitive dysfunction in AD patients. In this study, we investigated the effects of NYT on spatial memory impairment in a rat model of dementia. Rats were prepared with transient cerebral ischemia and intraventricular injection of β-amyloid1-42 for 7 days (CI + Aβ). NYT was orally administered for 7 days after cerebral ischemia. We evaluated spatial memory using the Morris water maze and investigated the expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor subunits, the phosphorylation level of glutamate receptor A (GluA)1 at serine sites S831 and S845, and the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of CI + Aβ rats. In the CI + Aβ rats, NYT treatment shortened the extended time to reach the platform. However, NYT did not restore the decrease in the hippocampal GluA1, GluA2, or CaMKII expression but increased prefrontal cortical phosphorylation levels of S845-GluA1 and CaMKII. Therefore, NYT may alleviate spatial memory impairment by promoting glutamatergic transmission involved in the phosphorylation of S845-GluA1 and CaMKII in the prefrontal cortex of CI + Aβ rats. Our results suggest that NYT is a valuable treatment for AD patients.

Ninjinyoeito Prevents Onset of Depression-Like Behavior and Reduces Hippocampal iNOS Expression in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Prone 8 Mice

Late-life depression is a globally prevalent disorder. Ninjinyoeito (NYT), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, attenuates depressive symptoms in older patients. However, the mechanisms underlying the antidepressive effect of NYT are unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the action of NYT using senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, which exhibit accelerated aging. SAMP8 mice were treated with NYT starting at 12 weeks of age. Twelve-week-old SAMP8 mice did not show prolonged immobility time in the tail suspension test compared with age-matched SAMR1 mice (normal aging control). At 34 weeks of age, vehicle-treated SAMP8 mice displayed prolonged immobility time compared with SAMR1 mice. NYT-treated SAMP8 mice showed a shorter immobility time than that of vehicle-treated SAMP8 mice. Notably, NYT decreased hippocampal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in SAMP8 mice. There was no difference in iNOS expression between SAMR1 and vehicle-treated SAMP8 mice. Subchronic (5 days) administration of an iNOS inhibitor, 1400 W, shortened the immobility time in SAMP8 mice. These results suggest that NYT prevents an increase in immobility time of SAMP8 mice by decreasing iNOS levels in the hippocampus. Therefore, the antidepressive effect of NYT in older patients might be mediated, at least in part, by the downregulation of iNOS in the brain. Our data suggest that NYT is useful to prevent the onset of depression with aging.

Kamishoyosan potentiates pentobarbital-induced sleep in socially isolated, ovariectomized mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sleep disorders are among the most common symptoms in both peri- and post-menopausal women. Kamishoyosan (KSS) is a Kampo medicine prescribed for the treatment of sleep disorders in menopausal women in Japan. However, its precise mechanism of action remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the present study, we developed a new animal model of menopausal sleep disorders by inducing social isolation stress in ovariectomized mice. Using pentobarbital-induced sleeping time as an index, we aimed to investigate the effects of KSS and involvement of the benzodiazepine receptors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight-week-old, female ddY mice were ovariectomized or subjected to a sham operation (control) and housed in social isolation or groups for 9 weeks. The animals were divided into four groups, group-housed sham-operated, isolated sham-operated, group-housed ovariectomized, and socially isolated ovariectomized. Pentobarbital (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). Sleeping time was considered the period between the loss of righting reflex and its return (up to 180 min). KSS was administered orally (p.o.) 60 min before the test. Diazepam and flumazenil were administered i.p. 30 and 45 min before the test, respectively. On the day after administration, the mice were euthanized, and their uteri were weighed.

RESULTS

Socially isolated, ovariectomized mice had shorter sleeping times than mice in all other groups. In mice with intact ovaries, diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) considerably prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, but KSS (30-1000 mg/kg, p.o.) did not. However, KSS (100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in socially isolated ovariectomized mice. The prolongation of sleeping time mediated by KSS was reversed by flumazenil (3 mg/kg, i.p.).

CONCLUSIONS

KSS potentiated pentobarbital-induced sleep in socially isolated, ovariectomized mice, and the benzodiazepine receptors are possibly involved in its pharmacological mechanism. These findings suggest that KSS is beneficial for the treatment of menopausal sleep disorders.

Ibudilast suppresses oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia and neurodegeneration in rats

Oxaliplatin is a key drug used in the management of solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer; however, it causes peripheral neuropathy. In this study, we investigated the effect of ibudilast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia and histological changes in rats. Ibudilast (7.5 mg/kg, i.p., 5 times per week) reduced mechanical allodynia and histological changes induced by oxaliplatin (4 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week). In contrast, ibudilast (0.01-10 μM) had no effect on oxaliplatin-induced tumor cytotoxicity in murine colon adenocarcinoma 26 cells. These findings suggest that ibudilast could be useful for preventing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in clinical settings.

Natural contamination of dietary rice straw with zearalenone and urinary zearalenone concentrations in a cattle herd

The present study was conducted to 1) identify the natural source of feed contamination by zearalenone (ZEN), which was suspected to have caused persistently increased urinary ZEN concentrations in one of our experimental cattle herds, and 2) evaluate the effects of intervention against this source of contamination. As an experimental model, a fattening Japanese Black cattle herd showing persistently increased urinary ZEN concentrations was identified. Urinary ZEN concentrations of cows fed with new rice straw (experimental group, n = 6) vs. cows that continued to feed on the old rice straw (control group, n = 4) were measured at the start (d 1) and at 2 wk (d 14) after the onset of feeding with straw. In addition, the ZEN concentration in feed and water samples was measured by using both the ELISA and HPLC methods. Furthermore, isolation and identification of fungi from rice straw and concentrate feed samples were performed. The urinary ZEN concentration [ZEN (pg/mL)/creatinine (mg/mL) = pg/mg of creatinine] of cows fed with new rice straw was significantly (P < 0.05) less (843 pg/mg of creatinine) than that of cows fed with old rice straw (15,951 pg/mg of creatinine). On both d 1 and 14, the ZEN concentrations of old rice straw were greater than those of new rice straw. In addition, fungal colonies were observed in the culture media that was obtained from the old rice straw suspected of ZEN contamination, but not in the culture media from new rice straw or other feed samples. In conclusion, our field trials clearly indicate that the rice straw fed to the cows was naturally contaminated with ZEN, and that the monitoring of urinary ZEN concentrations could prove to be a useful tool for detecting the exposure of cattle to ZEN contamination at the farm level.

Pharmacological effects of urinary products obtained after treatment with saiboku-to, a herbal medicine for bronchial asthma, on type IV allergic reaction

To define the anti-allergic components in Saiboku-To, a herbal medicine for bronchial asthma, we examined the effects of 11 compounds found in post-administrative urine of Saiboku-To on concanavalin A-induced human lymphocyte blastogenesis in vitro and picryl chloride (PC)-induced mouse ear swelling in vivo. The urinary products of Saiboku-To were flavonoids and lignans derived from the constitutional herbs and their hydrogenated metabolites. Medicarpin derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra, magnolol and 8,9-dihydroxydihydromagnolol from Magnolia officinalis, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A from Suctellaria baicalensis inhibited lymphocyte blastogenesis in dose-dependent fashion with IC50 values ranging from 3.0 to 7.7 micrograms/mL, which corresponded to 20-100 times that of prednisolone IC50 (0.08 microgram/mL). Davidigenin, dihydrowogonin and dihydrooroxylin A, which are hydrogenated metabolites of liquiritigenin, wogonin and oroxylin A, respectively, had no or little effects on lymphocyte blastogenesis. Oral administration of Saiboku-To, medicarpin, baicalein, magnolol and baicalin (100 mg/kg), inhibited PC-induced ear swelling significantly by 23.5, 40.1, 30.5, 23.6 and 20.9%, respectively, though the effects were weaker than that of 5 mg/kg of prednisolone (52.9%). The results suggested that flavonoids and lignans tested in the present study were implicated in anti-asthmatic effect of Saiboku-To through suppression of type IV allergic reaction.

Inhibitory effects of lignans and flavonoids in saiboku-to, a herbal medicine for bronchial asthma, on the release of leukotrienes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

To identify the anti-allergic components contained in Saiboku-To, a herbal medicine for the treatment of bronchial asthma, we studied the effects of eight phenolic compounds, which have been identified as the major human metabolites of Saiboku-To, and three triterpenoids contained in Saiboku-To on the release of leukotriene (LT) from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMLs) stimulated with Ca(2+)-ionophore A23,187. All phenolic compounds exhibited dose-dependent suppression on release of both LTB4 and LTC4, while triterpenoids did not show any effects, except for glycyrrhetinic acid, which selectively inhibited LTC4-release. The five phenolic compounds, magnolol, dihydroxydihydromagnolol, baicalein, medicarpine and davidigenin, were found to exert a marked inhibition on LTB4- and LTC4-release with IC50 values of 0.7-15.3 microM. The results suggest that the phenolic compounds contribute to the anti-allergic effects of Saiboku-To through suppression of LT-release from PMLs.

Systematic analysis of post-administrative saiboku-to urine by liquid chromatography to determine pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine

To disclose the mystery of a traditional Chinese medicine and to identify biologically active components, we analysed post-administrative urine for Saiboku-To, an anti-asthmatic Chinese herbal remedy. Systematic analysis of the components appearing in the urine was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with normal- and reversed-phase modes in combination. beta-D-glucuronidase-treated urine was subjected to rapid-flow fractionation (RFF) to achieve fractional extraction of lipophilic components with exhaustive recovery rates. The extracts were analysed by HPLC equipped with a multi-channel UV-detector. In the first stage of HPLC, we conducted a normal-phase mode run to find magnolol derived from Magnolia officinalis, as the most hydrophobic component showing minimum retention time among the urinary products of Saiboku-To. In the next stage, mobile phase solvent composition for reversed-phase HPLC was optimized so as to retain magnolol up to 60 min. Under these conditions, other Saiboku-To urinary products, which were more polar than magnolol, appeared within 60 min. Our HPLC method used marker compounds like magnolol and could indicate the terminal peak position on the reversed-phase chromatography. We found a total of eight components in the post-administrative Saiboku-To urine. Structure identification of the isolated pure materials was achieved using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-, mass (MS)- and UV-spectra, and HPLC retention profiles. They were magnolol and 8,9-dihydroxydihydromagnolol stemming from M. officinalis, medicarpin and liquiritigenin from Glycyrrhiza glabra, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A from Scutellaria baicalensis, and davidigenin of an unknown origin. The pharmacological mystery of Saiboku-To should be disclosed by resolving the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these urinary products independently and synergistically.

Specific hybrid liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine and polyoxyethylenealkyl ether with markedly enhanced inhibitory effects on the growth of tumor cells in vitro

The hybrid liposomes (90mol% DMPC/10mol% C12(EO)8 and 90mol% DMPC/10mol% C12(EO)12) have a highly inhibitory action against the growth of tumor cells. The uniform and stable structure of the hybrid liposomes was revealed on the basis of electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements.

The short- and long-term prognosis for acute myocardial infarction after emergency coronary angioplasty

The short- and long-term prognosis for acute myocardial infarction after reperfusion was examined in 175 patients with successful emergency angioplasty and in 29 failed cases. During hospitalization, more cardiac events occurred in the failed group than in the successful group (58.6% versus 12.6%; p < 0.001), especially cardiac death and coronary bypass surgery (27.6% versus 4.0%, and 41.4% versus 4.6%; p < 0.001, respectively). The only difference found in the incidence of post-discharge cardiac events was a higher frequency of cardiac death in the failed group (9.5% versus 1.2%; p < 0.02). The failed group also had a lower cumulative survival rate at 5 years (69.0% versus 95.3%; p < 0.01). Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that the results of angioplasty, cardiac index, peak creatine kinase level, and the number of diseased vessels were significant independent variables for the prediction of subsequent cardiac death at long-term follow-up. Thus, successful reperfusion by emergency angioplasty improved the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction, even when other important variables were considered.

Efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock still remains a highly lethal complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study reviews our hospital experience in treating AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock to evaluate whether coronary angioplasty improves survival or not. We have treated 523 AMI patients from 1985 to 1990, and among these, 26 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) compose the study group. In 16 patients, PTCA was successful (Groups S) and in 10 patients, unsuccessful (Group F). There were no statistical differences between the Groups with respect to clinical background, intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) or emergency coronary bypass graft surgery. Before PTCA, hemodynamic variables including cardiac index, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and systolic blood pressure were similar in the 2 groups. After PTCA, cardiac index in Group S patients was better than in Group F patients (2.18 +/- 0.61 versus 1.62 +/- 0.65, p less than 0.05). Thirty day and 1 year survivals were also better in Group S than in Group F (30 day survival: Group S 56.2%, Group F 10%, 1 year survival: Group S 31.2%, Group F 0%, p less than 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age under 75 years old, systolic blood pressure over 90 mmHg after PTCA and successful PTCA were independent predictors of 30 day survival (p less than 0.05). It was suggested that PTCA was an effective procedure to reduce mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia with tumor formation characterized by T-cell features--a case report

We report a case of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) associated with pronounced peripheral lymphadenopathy, with the cells having the philadelphia (Phl) chromosome and T-cell features. A 23-year-old man who was diagnosed as having CML and treated with busulfan was admitted to our hospital because of increasing hepatosplenomegaly and pronounced lymphadenopathy. An axillary lymph node biopsy disclosed that the malignant cells formed rosettes with neuraminidase-treated sheep red blood cells (En) (95.0%) and were positive for Leu 1 (91.8%). Of the cytochemical reactions, peroxidase was negative and periodic acid-Shiff, acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase and beta-glucuronidase were all positive. The karyotype of the bone marrow cells was 46 XY Phl positive (22q-), and that of the lymph node cells was 51 XY Phl positive +8, +9, +18, +19, +21, 22q-. He was treated with various anti-leukemic agents and irradiation. Despite such treatments, he died of pneumonia. This is a report of a CML patients with blast crisis and tumor formation characterized by T-cell features.