Coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone improves postprandial endothelial dysfunction in patients with borderline and stage 1 hypertension

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute effects of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and different hydroxyhydroquinone contents on postprandial endothelial dysfunction.

Methods

This was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover-within-subject clinical trial. A total of 37 patients with borderline or stage 1 hypertension were randomized to two study groups. The participants consumed a test meal with a single intake of the test coffee. Subjects in the Study 1 group were randomized to single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone or coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and a high content of hydroxyhydroquinone with crossover. Subjects in the Study 2 group were randomized to single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone or placebo coffee with crossover. Endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and plasma concentration of 8-isoprostanes were measured at baseline and at 1 and 2 h after coffee intake.

Results

Compared with baseline values, single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone, but not coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and high content of hydroxyhydroquinone or placebo coffee, significantly improved postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation and decreased circulating 8-isoprostane levels.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that a single intake of coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone is effective for improving postprandial endothelial dysfunction.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL for Clinical Trial: https://upload.umin.ac.jp; Registration Number for Clinical Trial: UMIN000013283.

Tea catechin and caffeine activate brown adipose tissue and increase cold-induced thermogenic capacity in humans

Background: The thermogenic effects of green tea catechin have been repeatedly reported, but their mechanisms are poorly understood.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute and chronic effects of catechin on brown adipose tissue (BAT), a site specialized for nonshivering thermogenesis, in humans.Design: Fifteen healthy male volunteers underwent fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography to assess BAT activity. To examine the acute catechin effect, whole-body energy expenditure (EE) after a single oral ingestion of a beverage containing 615 mg catechin and 77 mg caffeine (catechin beverage) was measured. Next, to investigate the chronic catechin effects, 10 men with low BAT activity were enrolled. Before and after ingestion of the catechin beverage 2 times/d for 5 wk, cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) after 2 h of cold exposure at 19°C, which is proportional to BAT activity, was examined. Both the acute and chronic trials were single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, season-matched crossover studies.Results: A single ingestion of the catechin beverage increased EE in 9 subjects who had metabolically active BAT (mean ± SEM: +15.24 ± 1.48 kcal, P < 0.01) but not in 6 subjects who had negligible activities (mean ± SEM: +3.42 ± 2.68 kcal). The ingestion of a placebo beverage containing 82 mg caffeine produced a smaller and comparative EE response in the 2 subject groups. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between BAT and catechin on EE (β = 0.496, P = 0.003). Daily ingestion of the catechin beverage elevated mean ± SEM CIT (from 92.0 ± 26.5 to 197.9 ± 27.7 kcal/d; P = 0.009), whereas the placebo beverage did not change it.Conclusion: Orally ingested tea catechin with caffeine acutely increases EE associated with increased BAT activity and chronically elevates nonshivering CIT, probably because of the recruitment of BAT, in humans. These trials were registered at www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ as UMIN000016361.

Embryoid Body-Explant Outgrowth Cultivation from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in an Automated Closed Platform

Automation of cell culture would facilitate stable cell expansion with consistent quality. In the present study, feasibility of an automated closed-cell culture system "P 4C S" for an embryoid body- (EB-) explant outgrowth culture was investigated as a model case for explant culture. After placing the induced pluripotent stem cell- (iPSC-) derived EBs into the system, the EBs successfully adhered to the culture surface and the cell outgrowth was clearly observed surrounding the adherent EBs. After confirming the outgrowth, we carried out subculture manipulation, in which the detached cells were simply dispersed by shaking the culture flask, leading to uniform cell distribution. This enabled continuous stable cell expansion, resulting in a cell yield of 3.1 × 10(7). There was no evidence of bacterial contamination throughout the cell culture experiments. We herewith developed the automated cultivation platform for EB-explant outgrowth cells.

Triangulation method for determining capillary blood flow and physical characteristics of the skin

A method capable of measuring blood flow at precise depths within the skin is described. The method determines the static and the dynamic properties of light that is backscattered to small areas on the surface of the skin at several contiguous locations along the expected trajectory of laser-light propagation. From observations the method has been shown to be capable of determining physical characteristics that are unique to the different layers of the skin.

Antitumor effects of pirarubicin and epirubicin in combination with doxifluridine and cisplatin against mouse P388 leukemia

In vivo antitumor activity of pirarubicin (THP) and epirubucin (EPI) in combination with doxifluridine (5'-DFUR) and cisplatin (CDDP) were examined using mouse P388 leukemia. THP (1.25-7.5 mg/kg) or EPI (1.25-15 mg/kg) was given intravenously on day 1, and then 5'-DFUR (125 or 250 mg/kg/day) and CDDP (4 mg/kg) were given orally on days 1-4 and intravenously on day 5 after tumor inoculation, respectively. Both THP and EPI enhanced the antitumor of a combination of 5'-DFUR and CDDP. The enhancement by THP was additive or synergistic, while that by EPI was additive. Cured animals were observed in the combination of THP with the two drugs, but not in that of EPI. Thus, in combination with 5'-DFUR and CDDP, THP was more effective against P388 leukemia than was EPI. The combination therapy using THP, 5'-DFUR and CDDP may be a novel chemotherapeutic approach to a variable type of tumors in clinical trials.

Induction of unresponsiveness of antigen-specific T lymphocytes by oral administration of cedar pollen extract in mice

T lymphocyte unresponsiveness, induced in mice by a single gastric intubation of 0.2 ml cedar pollen extract (CPE, containing 4 micrograms protein/ml)/mouse daily for 3 to 28 consecutive days, was evaluated by the absence of a proliferative response of popliteal lymph node (PLN) T lymphocytes to CPE in vitro. T lymphocyte unresponsiveness increased with the period of gastric intubation of CPE and reached more than 80% of the control on day 28. The unresponsiveness to CPE was antigen-specific and T lymphocyte-mediated. In vitro CPE-specific T lymphocyte proliferation was significantly suppressed by intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and hepatic mononuclear cells (MNCs), but not by spleen cells or PLN T lymphocytes from mice fed CPE for 28 days. The effector activity of IELs and MNCs was obviously antigen-specific. These results suggest that lymphocytes in the intestine and liver of mice fed CPE would be involved in the induction and maintenance of CPE-specific T lymphocyte unresponsiveness.

Effects of pirarubicin in comparison with epirubicin and doxorubicin on the contractile function in rat isolated cardiac muscles

1. We have examined the effects of pirarubicin (THP), compared with epirubicin (EPI) and doxorubicin (DXR), on the contractile function in papillary muscles isolated from rats. 2. In in vivo experiments, in which the rat was treated once a week for 4 weeks with DXR (total dose 10 mg/kg) and thereafter once a week for 4 weeks with THP, EPI or DXR (total dose 10 mg/kg), a positive instead of negative force-frequency relationship was observed in the muscles treated with EPI and DXR, but not with THP, and an increase in contractile response to extracellular Ca2+ was observed more markedly in the muscles treated with DXR than in those treated with EPI and THP. 3. In in vitro experiments, in which the muscle preparations were incubated with the drugs at 100 or 200 microM for 2 hr, EPI and DXR caused a negative inotropic effect and a prolongation of tension duration, while THP caused a slight positive inotropic effect and a slight prolongation of tension duration. 4. Furthermore, a decrease in the potentiated postrest contraction was observed more markedly in the muscles incubated with EPI and DXR at 200 microM than in those with THP. 5. These results suggest that both EPI and DXR show a cardiotoxicity by impairing the function of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, and that the switching of the treatment from DXR to THP produces less impairing effects.

Characterization of Pseudomonas paucimobilis FP2001 which forms flagella depending upon the presence of rhamnose in liquid medium

A bacterial strain FP2001 isolated from the exudate of land reclaimed for municipal waste was identified as Pseudomonas paucimobilis. Cells of strain FP2001 were mobile by means of polar monotrichous flagellum, only when rhamnose was added as a carbon source in the liquid medium. The replacement of rhamnose by arabinose, galactose, glucose or xylose did not lead to the formation of flagella.

[Vasodilating effects of NY-008 in ring preparation of rat aorta]

Vasodilating effects of NY-008 were compared to those of verapamil in isolated rat aorta. NY-008 at the dose of 3 x 10(-5) M relaxed 10-70 mM potassium chloride (KCl)-induced contraction. NY-008 relaxed preparations precontracted with 60 mM KCl concentration-dependently with an IC50 of (6.17 +/- 1.75) x 10(-6) M, and those precontracted with norepinephrine (NE) (10(-6) M) concentration-dependently, maximally by 90.0 +/- 2.86%, with an IC50 of (2.06 +/- 0.38) x 10(-5) M. At 10(-8)-3 x 10(-6) M, verapamil relaxed preparations precontracted with NE (10(-6) M) concentration-dependently, maximally by 55.9 +/- 5.56%. At 3 x 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M, NY-008 relaxed (10(-6) M)-induced phasic contractions in a Ca(2+)-free 1 mM EGTA-containing buffer, by 22.4 +/- 3.69% and 35.4 +/- 5.74%, respectively. In contrast, 3 x 10(-7) M verapamil did not. NY-008 concentration-dependently decreased the maximal responses to calcium chloride (CaCl2) in 60 mM KCl-depolarized preparations, and it shifted the ED50 values of CaCl2 to the right, whereas verapamil shifted the ED50 values of CaCl2 to the right without decreasing the maximal responses to CaCl2. At 10(-5)-3 x 10(-4) M, NY-008 concentration-dependently relaxed preparations precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (10(-5) M) in a Ca(2+)-free, 0.5 mM EGTA-containing buffer, whereas 10(-7)-10(-5) M verapamil did not. These results suggest that NY-008 antagonized Ca2+ and decreased the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of contractile elements or inhibited contractile proteins in rat aorta.

Mer-A2026A and B, novel piericidins with vasodilating effect. II. Physico-chemical properties and chemical structures

The structure of vasodilating active substances, Mer-A2026A and B, produced by Streptomyces pactum Me2108 were determined on the basis of their spectral and chemical properties.

Mer-A2026A and B, novel piericidins with vasodilating effect. I. Producing organism, fermentation, isolation and biological properties

A strain of Streptomyces was found to produce new piericidins. The compounds were purified and separated into two substances named Mer-A2026A and B. These new piericidins exhibited vasodilating and depressor activities.

Studies on thermophile products. X. Further biological properties of isofatty acid-containing phosphatidylglycerol that enhances the induction of suppressor T cells

Isofatty acid-containing phosphatidylglycerol (Fr. 7-C), isolated from Bacillus stearothermophilus UBT8038, enhances the induction of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated suppressor T (Ts) cells in a dose dependent manner (0.01-1 microgram/ml). Its further biological properties on mouse mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) has been demonstrated. Fr. 7-C (0.01-1 microgram/ml) suppressed the MLR at 4 d in a dose-dependent manner when added at the start of splenocyte cultivation. Moreover, Fr. 7-C was effective in preventing the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes after the MLR. On the other hand, this fraction significantly enhanced the induction of Ts cells in the MLR carried out in any of the antigen-specific, antigen-nonspecific and major histocompatibility complex antigen-nonrestricted fashions. Fr. 7-C increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release approximately 2-fold in the culture supernatant of Con A-activated splenocytes, and PGE2 release decreased dose-dependently when cultured with indomethacin. The inhibitory effect by Fr. 7-C on the MLR was abrogated by the addition of indomethacin. The enhancement by Fr. 7-C on Ts cell induction was blocked by indomethacin in a dose dependent manner. These results strongly suggest that Fr. 7-C suppresses the MLR via the enhancement of antigen-nonspecific Ts cell induction mediated at least partly by PGE2.

Synthesis of doxorubicin-cyclodextrin conjugates

Doxorubicin-gamma-cyclodextrin conjugates have been synthesized by the coupling of 14-bromodaunomycin with mono half-ester compounds linked to a 6-hydroxyl group of gamma-cyclodextrin. Release of drug from the conjugates in saline phosphate buffer solution and in vitro antitumor activity against L1210 leukemia cells were also investigated.

Experimental combination chemotherapy of pirarubicin with various antitumor drugs against P388 murine leukemia

We have examined the therapeutic effects of combination therapy of pirarubicin ((2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, THP) with various antitumor agents against P388 murine leukemia. THP showed a high antitumor activity in combination with various antitumor drugs, especially with cyclophosphamide (CPM), cisplatin (CDDP), mitomycin C (MMC), enocitabine (BHAC), vindesine (VDS) or methotrexate (MTX). The effects of combination therapy depended on the order of administration of THP and combined drugs. THP-preceding treatment gave more synergistic effects in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or MTX. THP-preceding or simultaneous treatment with etoposide (ETP) indicated the higher synergistic activity than ETP-preceding one. Moreover, THP showed much higher synergistic effects in any order of the combination with CPM, CDDP, MMC, BHAC, VDS or MTX. These results suggest that THP possesses a therapeutic usefulness clinically in combination with various antitumor drugs, if the selection of drugs combined with THP and the order of administration are suitable.

Studies on thermophile products. IX. Isofatty acid-containing phosphatidylglycerol that enhances the induction of concanavalin A-activated suppressor T cells

A new enhancer of the induction of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated suppressor T (Ts) cells has been demonstrated in the ethanolysate of Bacillus stearothermophilus UBT8038. It was purified by successive silica gel column chromatographies and identified as phosphatidylglycerol with C14:0-C18:0 isofatty acids (Fr. 7-C). Mouse splenocytes activated with Con A and Fr. 7-C (0.01-1 microgram/ml) in vitro significantly suppressed the proliferative response of syngenic splenocytes by mitogen stimulation in a dose-dependent manner, compared to those stimulated by Con A alone. The immunosuppressive response enhanced by Fr. 7-C disappeared when the cell populations of Thy-1.2 or CD8 positive lymphocytes were depleted. The result strongly suggests that Fr. 7-C is an immunosuppressive substance which enhances the induction of Con A-activated CD8 positive Ts cells.

Studies on thermophile products. VII. Effect of 1,3-di-14-methylpentadecanoyl glycerol and its related isofatty acids on T cell proliferation in vitro

It has been found that Bacillus stearothermophilus UK563-derived immunosuppressant fraction (Fr. 5-B) consists of 1,3-diacylglycerols with saturated iso- and anteiso-type fatty acids (C14:0-C18:0) as major components. The compound, 1,3-di-14-methylpentadecanoyl glycerol (1,3-diiso C16:0 G), was synthesized and its effect on T cell proliferation was investigated together with its related isofatty acids. While 1,3-diiso C16:0 G, iso C16:0, iso C17:0, iso C17:0 methyl ester (OMe) and anteiso C17:0 OMe suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of C57BL/6 against BALB/c mice, iso C15:0, 1,3-acylglycerols with normal C16:0, C16:1 and C18:0 did not, suggesting that the presence of isofatty acids with a certain length may be essential for the suppression of MLR. 1,3-Diiso C16:0 G and iso C16:0 strongly inhibited the autologous MLR of mesenteric lymph node cells against self-antigen presenting cells in MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice, but had no effect on concavalin A-induced T cell proliferation.

Cloning and nucleotide sequences of two genes involved in the 4''-O-acylation of macrolide antibiotics from Streptomyces thermotolerans

A DNA fragment responsible for the 4''-O-acylation of macrolide antibiotics was cloned from a mutant strain of the carbomycin producer Streptomyces thermotolerans. The gene encoding the macrolide 4''-O-acyltransferase was within a 2.7-kb region of the cloned fragment (15-kb). Streptomyces lividans carrying the region converted exogenously added tylosin to 4''-O-acyltylosins. Nucleotide sequencing of the region showed two open reading frames (ORFs). Expression assay using deleted plasmids showed that both ORFs were essential for optimal expression of the acyltransferase activity. One of them (acyB1) was identical with carE reported previously as a gene encoding 4''-mycarosyl isovaleryl-CoA transferase. The other (acyB2) was assumed to encode a novel regulatory protein that could active acyB1 expression. acyB1 and acyB2 were highly conserved among streptomycetes with macrolide 4''-O-acyl transferase activity.

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.

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.

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.

A possible mechanism of endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by pirarubicin and carbachol in rat isolated aorta

The mechanism of endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by pirarubicin, (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, THP, or carbachol was investigated in the rat isolated aorta. The relaxant effect of THP (1.5 x 10(-6)-4.5 x 10(-5) M) or carbachol (10(-8)-10(-4) M) on the aorta with endothelium was decreased by lowering Ca2+ in the medium. The relaxation induced by THP was not inhibited by pretreatment with verapamil (10(-6)-10(-5) M), and that induced by carbachol was only partially inhibited. However, on replacement of all but 20 mM Na+ with either Li+ or choline, the THP- or carbachol-induced relaxation was inhibited. Furthermore, the relaxing effect of THP or carbachol was inhibited by pretreatment with amiloride (10(-4)-3 x 10(-4) M), with ouabain (10(-4)-10(-3) M), or with K(+)-depletion. These results suggest that the THP- or carbachol-induced relaxation depending on endothelium was affected by modifying the calcium ion concentration, and that a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange process is involved.

Pirarubicin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat isolated aorta

The mechanism of relaxation produced by pirarubicin [(2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, THP] has been studied in rat isolated aorta. THP (1.5 x 10(-6)-4.5 x 10(-5) M) markedly relaxed contractions induced by noradrenaline (10(-7) M) in the aorta with endothelium, but not in that without endothelium. The relaxation induced by 1.5 x 10(-5) M THP was inhibited by methylene blue (5 x 10(-6) M), hydroquinone (10(-4) M), phenidone (5 x 10(-5) M), haemoglobin (10(-6) M) and p-bromophenacyl bromide (5 x 10(-5) M), but not by indomethacin (2.5 x 10(-5) M). The relaxation induced by THP (1.5 x 10(-7) -4.5 x 10(-5) M) was inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) M), but enhanced by superoxide dismutase (10 units mL-1) or by L-arginine (10(-2) M). However, the THP-induced relaxation was not inhibited by various receptor antagonists such as atropine (10(-6) M), cimetidine (10(-5) M), diphenhydramine (3 x 10(-6) M) and [D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9,10]-substance P(4-11) (1.5 x 10(-6) M). In fifteen anthracycline analogues, THP and 13-dihydropirarubicin (both with a tetrahydropyranyl group) produced endothelium-dependent relaxations. These results suggest that the THP-induced relaxation which is probably mediated by endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) was not produced by an activation of muscarine, histamine H1 or H2, or substance P receptor, and further that the tetrahydropyranyl group must play an important role in the THP-induced relaxation.

Kinetic analysis of dehydropeptidase-I and comparative in vitro and in vivo stabilities of PS-5 derivatives modified at the C-3 side chain

With partially purified kidney dehydropeptidase-I (DHP-I) preparations, the hydrolysis kinetics of glycyldehydrophenylalanine (Gly-dPh) by DHP-I were found to be completely non-Michaelian, whereas those of PS-5 and imipenem were composed of at least two-phase reactions which were also observed using Bacillus cereus type II beta-lactamase. Thus the DHP-I stabilities of 34 PS-5 carbapenem derivatives which were synthesized by chemical modification at the C-3 side chain of PS-5 were examined in vitro using fresh mouse, dog and human DHP-I preparations, and are tentatively expressed in reference to the DHP-I stabilities of PS-5. The in vitro DHP-I stability of PS-5 was significantly improved by introduction of basic side chains and cysteines at C-3. More particularly, the D-cysteinyl side chain was more stable relative to DHP-I than the L-cysteinyl. In vivo, however, the degree of improvement of the DHP-I-stability by chemical modification at C-3 was not sufficient enough to establish therapeutically effective levels of serum concentrations and urinary recoveries of the carbapenem derivatives after parenteral administration.

Sequencing and high expression of aminopeptidase P gene from Escherichia coli HB101

A plasmid pAPP1 with a 4 kbp insert at the PstI site of pBR322, encoding aminopeptidase P gene of Escherichia coli HB101 (Yoshimoto et al. (1988) J. Biochem. 104, 730-734), was subcloned into pUC18 and pUC19. The transformant of E. coli JM83 harboring pAPP4 with a 1.9 kbp fragment showed more than 50-fold higher enzyme activity than that of the host, after cultivation at 37 degrees C for 40 h in LB-medium containing ampicillin. When the gene DNA was inserted reversely in pAPP4, the enzyme productivity decreased markedly. The whole nucleotide sequence of the inserted fragment of plasmid pAPP4 was clarified by the dideoxy chain-terminating method. Within this sequence, the mature enzyme protein-encoding sequence was found to start just after an ATG codon, as judged by comparison with amino-terminal protein sequencing. Eleven bases upstream from the proposed initiation codon was an AGGAGA sequence which seemed to be a ribosome binding site. Thirty-four bases upstream from the proposed start codon was the 6-base sequence TACAAA, the so-called -10 region or Pribnow box. Further, the 6-base sequence TTTACT around 77 bases upstream from the start codon was deduced to be a putative -35 region consensus sequence. The inverted repeat at 1334 was tentatively assumed to be a terminator. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 49,650 from the nucleotide sequence. The purified enzyme contained 0.2 gram atom of zinc per subunit. The enzyme activity was inhibited by EDTA and activated 5-fold by Mn2+.

Cloning and expression of aminopeptidase P gene from Escherichia coli HB101 and characterization of expressed enzyme

The aminopeptidase P gene in Escherichia coli HB101 was cloned into the plasmid pBR322. Introduction of the hybrid plasmid, pAPP01, into the E. coli DH1 resulted in an 8-fold increase of aminopeptidase P activity as compared with that of the host. The enzyme was purified by series of chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex, QAE-Sephadex, and hydroxyapatite. The purified enzyme was homogeneous as judged by disc-gel and SDS-gel electrophoreses. the enzyme was inhibited strongly by EDTA and slightly by p-chloromercuribenzoate, but was not affected by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate, E-64, or iodoacetic acid. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 8.5. The enzyme was stable at pH 8 to 9. After incubation for 30 min at pH 8.0, 50% remaining activity was observed at 50 degrees C. The enzyme was activated 3-fold by the addition of 5 microM Mn2+. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 50,000 and 200,000 by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, respectively. The amino terminal amino acid was identified to be serine by Edman degradation, indicating that the enzyme is composed of a homo-tetramer. The enzyme hydrolyzed X-Pro bonds (X = amino acid) of peptides. These characteristics suggest that cloned aminopeptidase P is identical to APP-II reported by Yoshimoto et al. (Agric. Biol. Chem. 52(8), in press (1988].

Cloning and expression of subtilisin amylosacchariticus gene

The gene encoding subtilisin Amylosacchariticus from Bacillus subtilis var. amylosacchariticus was isolated and the entire nucleotide sequence of the coding sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed an N-terminal signal peptide and pro-peptide of 106 residues followed by the mature protein comprising 275 residues. There were discrepancies in 10 amino acids between the sequence elucidated from the nucleotide sequence and the published protein sequence (Kurihara et al. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 5619-5631). The nucleotide sequence was highly homologous to that of subtilisin E gene from B. subtilis 168, with discrepancies at 12 nucleotides out of 1,426 nucleotides we sequenced. Ten of them were found in mature subtilisin coding sequence, which resulted in two amino acid changes and another one was in the putative promoter region between two genes. The productivity of subtilisin in culture broth of B. subtilis var. amylosacchariticus was much higher than that of B. subtilis 168. The enzyme gene was inserted in a shuttle vector pHY300PLK, with which B. subtilis ISW1214 was transformed. The proteolytic activity found in the culture broth of the transformed bacterium was 20- and 4-fold higher than those of the host strain and B. subtilis var. amylosacchariticus, respectively. Subtilisin Amylosacchariticus was easily purified to a crystalline form from culture filtrate of cloned B. subtilis, after a single step of chromatography on CM-cellulose.

Pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin, (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin and aclarubicin

The following paragraphs summarize the properties of ADR, THP and ACR in terms of their pharmacokinetics. The blood level of anthracyclines shows a three-phase function of decline: alpha, beta and gamma phases. Compared with other classes of anticancer agents, the anthracyclines are characterized by an extremely short T1/2(alpha) and an extremely long T1/2(gamma). These characteristics reflect the facts that anthracyclines are rapidly transferred to the tissues and that they are retained for a long time in the body. In comparison with ADR, the T1/2(alpha) of THP is relatively short and T1/2(alpha, beta and gamma) of ACR are also short. Anthracyclines show large values for K12 and K13, transfer rate constants of the drug from the blood to the tissues, and small values for K21 and K31 transfer rate constants of the drug from the tissues to the blood. This means that these drugs are rapidly transferred to the tissues, from which they are then slowly released. The order of magnitude of K12 and K13 was THP greater than ACR greater than ADR. The order for K21 and K31 was ACR greater than THP greater than ADR. Anthracyclines are also characterized by small distribution volumes (V1) in the blood circulation, and very large distribution volumes (V2 and V3) in the tissue compartments. The order of magnitude for V2 and V3 was THP greater than ADR greater than ACR. Anthracyclines achieved high concentrations in such thoracic and abdominal organs such as lung, heart, thymus, liver, kidney, spleen and digestive tract. ADR showed the highest levels in liver and kidney, while THP and ACR showed their highest concentrations in lung and spleen. A decrease in the drug concentration in various organs is slow in the case of ADR, while rapid in the cases of THP and ACR. Most of the distributed drug is the unchanged form with ADR, whereas metabolites are common with ACR. THP is partially converted to ADR in liver. Anthracyclines were usually excreted over a long period of time at a high rate in the bile and at a low rate in the urine. Orally-administered ACR showed considerably good absorption from the digestive tract. The metabolism of anthracyclines was carried out in vivo and resulted in the formation of bioactive glycoside metabolites and inactive aglycone metabolites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetic studies of THP-ADM (tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin)]

THP-ADM is a new antitumor agent which belongs to the anthracycline family. This agent has shown a high therapeutic index compared with the mother compound, Adriamycin, in preclinical and clinical studies. This time, a pharmacokinetic study of THP-ADM was performed and the following characteristics of this agent were clarified. Short t1/2 was noted compared with that of Adriamycin in a 3-compartment open model. Leukocyte concentration of THP-ADM was much higher than that of plasma or red blood cells. Renal excretion over 48 hours was 9% and biliary excretion over the same period was 20%. Tissue concentration revealed high THP-ADM and low Adriamycin in all tissues excluding the liver. In liver tissue, a high concentration of Adriamycin and a low concentration of THP-ADM was observed. A small amount of Adriamycin was noted in the plasma following THP-ADM administration. The Adriamycin was most likely related to the small amount of existing Adriamycin in THP-ADM or conversion of THP-ADM to Adriamycin in the liver tissue or both. Poor penetration of THP-ADM was noted into the third space.

Acute local irritative effect of (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic

(2"R)-4'-O-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin hydrochloride (THP), a new antitumor antibiotic, was administered to rabbits at a concentration from 0.02 to 0.5% by instillation, or by intracutaneous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection to study its local irritative effect. The irritative effect of THP increased with concentration. At a concentration of 0.5%, THP was irritant to the eye, skin and muscle but at a concentration of 0.1% practically no effect was observed. The effect was equal to or lower than that of doxorubicin. An instillation of 0.5% THP caused reversible irritation effect on the eye. Slight conjunctival responses (redness and chemoisis) were observed. Rinsing reduced the irritative effect. Intracutaneous injection of 0.1 ml of 0.5% THP caused well defined, moderate erythema, surface ulceration and dermal necrosis. Cutaneous muscle necrosis also occurred. At a concentration of 0.02%, dermal necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. Erythema, as well as muscle necrosis and calcification with giant cell reaction and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed by an intramuscular injection at a concentration of 0.5%. Subcutaneous injection of 0.5% THP showed no irritative effect.

[Effect of (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic, on the bone marrow function of rabbits. (1) Intravenous administration by a single bolus injection]

New Zealand White rabbits were treated with (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin-HCl (THP), a new antitumor antibiotic, by an intravenous bolus injection at a dose of 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg. The peripheral leucocyte counts decreased markedly at doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg 1 to 7 days after injection, and the lymphocytes and neutrophils were affected. The nucleated cell count decreased in the bone marrow. Especially 3 days after injection, remarkable reductions of erythroids and immatured myelocytes were observed, with a subsequent rise of the matured myelocytes ratio in bone marrow cell constituents. These changes resulted in a marked increase of M/E ratio. Doxorubicin also showed an inhibitory effect on the bone marrow function of rabbits but the effect was slightly lower than THP. These changes of bone marrow cells reverted 7 days after injection and the recovery of the reduced peripheral leucocyte was also observed 14 days after injection. Therefore, it can be concluded that THP showed suppressive but reversible effects on the bone marrow function of rabbits.

[Pharmacokinetics and disposition of a new anticancer antibiotic (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin in rats. Distribution and excretion after a single administration]

Blood levels, tissue distribution and excretion of (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) were studied in rats received 14C-THP or unlabeled THP at a dose of 5 mg/kg, respectively. The THP disappeared rapidly from the blood and transferred to tissues immediately after an administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the plasma level of THP by the simulation according to a three-compartment open model provided large values of apparent volume of distribution in the tissue compartment. The plasma half-lives of THP in alpha, beta and gamma-phases were 0.25 minute, 0.241 hour and 5.11 hours, respectively. The THP was distributed to the lung and spleen at a level about 100 times as high as the plasma level after an intravenous administration. A high level of THP was also found in the lymph node and gland tissues. Concentrations of THP in many tissues decreased to 1 microgram/g or less 24 or 72 hours after an injection of the drug, while the drug remained at higher levels in the thymus, spleen and tumor for a long time. After an injection of THP into the carotid artery, its distribution to the brain was apparent, but the level was lower after an injection to the tail vein. The amount of the drug transferred to a fetus was less than 0.2% of the dose. The major route for the excretion of THP after an intravenous administration was the fecal excretion via bile. Ratios of excretion of the radioactivity in the feces, urine and expired air were 80.3, 5.6 and 9.7% of the dose, respectively, 168 hours after an injection of 14C-THP. About 65% of the radioactivity was excreted in the bile up to 24 hours after injection but THP itself accounted for only 1/6 of the total radioactivity. About 80% of the excreted THP in the bile was in a conjugated form. Enterohepatic circulation of THP was observed mostly as metabolites or decomposed products of THP.

Toxicological studies on (2"R)-4'-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic. Chronic toxicity study in rats

(2"R)-4'-O-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin X HCl (THP), a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats (each group 20 rats) intraperitoneally at dosages of 0.001, 0.008, 0.06 and 0.3 mg/kg/day for 53 weeks. Piloerection, loose feces or perianal staining and thin or emaciated build were observed from week 12 in rats receiving 0.06 or 0.3 mg/kg/day. All rats receiving 0.3 mg/kg/day and 3 males and 1 female receiving 0.06 mg/kg/day died or were prematurely sacrificed in the period from weeks 13 to 44. The overall food consumption and body weight gain of both sexes receiving 0.06 or 0.3 mg/kg/day were lower than those of the controls. Hematological examination showed low leucocyte counts, disturbance in neutrophil and lymphocyte number and low erythrocytic characteristics in animals receiving 0.06 or 0.3 mg/kg/day. At necropsy, macroscopic changes were found at the injection site, throughout the gastrointestinal tract and in the male reproductive system in rats receiving 0.06 or 0.3 mg/kg/day. Microscopic examination revealed decrease in the small lymphocyte population in the hematopoietic and lymphoid system in rats receiving 0.008 to 0.3 mg/kg/day. Degeneration of the germinal epithelium of the subcapsular tubules of the testes, gastric ulceration, epithelial adnexal atrophy of the skin and chronic cellulitis and necrosis at the injection sites were also observed. No rats receiving 0.001 mg/kg/day were affected in these respects.

[General pharmacology of (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic]

General pharmacology of (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin hydrochloride (THP) was studied in experimental animals. Intravenous administration of THP showed no significant effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, such as blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and respiration in anesthetized rabbits and dogs. But in rats and cats, THP produced a transient decrease in blood pressure resulted from vasodilation. The hypotension was not inhibited by antihistaminics. Contraction of isolated guinea-pig atria was stimulated by THP at high concentrations (10(-4) g/ml). THP inhibited the spontaneous movement of isolated rabbit ileum and rat uterus (virgin and pregnant) at high concentrations (10(-4) g/ml). In some isolated guinea-pig ileum preparations, THP partially (6 approximately 36%) antagonized the contraction inducing by acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin and barium chloride. Urine volume and urinary excretion of electrolytes were increased by intravenous injection of 5.0 mg/kg THP. Vascular permeability was progressed when administered intracutaneously. Hemolytic effect was shown at high concentrations (10(-4) g/ml) but no effect on the coagulation was found. No significant effect of THP was observed on the general behavior and central nervous system, autonomic nervous and peripheral nervous systems. Also, THP had no significant effect on gastrointestinal propulsion in mice, the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum of rats, or gastric acid and bile secretion in rats.

Toxicological studies on (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic. Subacute toxicity study in rats

(2"R)-4'-O-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin X HCl (THP), a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats intraperitoneally for 13 weeks. In rats receiving 0.4 mg/kg/day, piloerection, emaciation, loose feces and thickening of the injection site were evident, and 7 males and 2 females died after week 12. Inferior body weight gain was observed in both sexes starting week 4 approximately 6. The food consumption also decreased. Hematological examination revealed lower counts of total leucocyte and lymphocyte. At termination there were lower spleen, thymus and testes weights, thickening of the walls of the intestine and stomach, gastric ulceration, presence of ascitic fluid, and congestion and thickening at the injection site. Decreases in the lymphocyte populations of the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes were observed microscopically. A decrease in the number of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow and a degeneration of the germinal epithelium in the testes were also seen, as were gastrointestinal disturbances. These treatment-related effects were mainly confined to rats receiving 0.4 mg/kg/day and to a lesser extent, to rats receiving 0.1 mg/kg/day. The effects on rats receiving 0.025 mg/kg/day were only at the microscopic level. No rats receiving 0.006 mg/kg/day were toxicologically affected.

[Effect of (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic, on the cardiac function of hamsters]

Cardiovascular effects of (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropylanyladriamycin X HCl (THP) and doxorubicin (adriamycin, ADM) were studied in hamsters. In experiments to observe acute effects, THP was administered intravenously at a dose of 12.5, 25.0 or 50.0 mg/kg, and ADM at 1.56, 3.13 or 6.25 mg/kg was given to different subjects. The THP caused slight ECG alterations at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg. At a dose of 25.0 mg/kg or 50.0 mg/kg, THP caused moderate to remarkable alterations in ECG like a widening of PR and PRc interval, A-V block, ST segment depression and T wave flattening. The ADM caused moderate to remarkable alterations in ECG at a dose of 3.13 mg/kg or 6.25 mg/kg, including arrhythmia, bradycardia, A-V block, ST segment changes and T wave flattening. These changes caused by THP and ADM recovered within 5 approximately 10 minutes after injection. Alterations in the ultrastructure of the myocardium caused by THP at a dose of 50.0 mg/kg included some cells with slight changes like swelling of mitochondria, focal intracellular edema, and enlargement of myofibrils. The ADM, at a dose of 3.13 mg/kg, induced severer swelling of mitochondria than THP, dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, intracellular edema, and disorganization of myofilaments. At a dose of 6.25 mg/kg of ADM, these changes became more pronounced. In experiments to observe subacute effects, hamsters were treated with THP or ADM by daily intraperitoneal injections for 15 consecutive days, and then allowed to be recovered for 15 days. Dose levels of THP or ADM were 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg. General toxicity, ECG, hematological and blood biochemical analysis, and electron microscopic examination were studied. In the ECG study, THP-treated hamsters showed a reversible elevation of R wave amplitude at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Widening of PR and PRc interval, elevation of R and S wave amplitude, and reduction of T wave amplitude were observed at a daily dose of 1.0 mg/kg of THP. Hamsters treated with ADM showed increase of heart rate, reduction of T wave amplitude, and shortening of PR and PRc interval at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Severe changes were observed at a daily dose of 1.0 mg/kg of ADM including an increase of heart rate, elevation of R wave amplitude, reduction of S and T wave amplitude, and shortening of QT interval. The electron microscopic examination revealed that THP-treated hamsters showed separation of intercalated discs, formation of myelin structure, and dilatation of T-tubules at a daily dose of 1.0 mg/kg. Similar changes were caused by ADM at a daily dose of 0.25 to 1.0 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetics and disposition of a new antitumor antibiotic (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin in rats. Distribution and excretion after multiple administration]

The accumulation of (2''R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) was studied in rats received intravenous administration of 14C-THP at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 14 consecutive days by determining blood and tissue levels and the excretion of the radioactivity. The radioactivity levels in plasma and blood cells after the multiple administration were higher than those after single administration. The half-life of the radioactivity after the multiple administration was longer in the blood cells but not in the plasma than the half-life after a single administration. Tissue levels of the radioactivity after the multiple injection were 2 to 4 times as high as the levels after a single injection except for the brain and testes in which a large accumulation of the radioactivity was observed. However, little accumulation of unlabeled THP was found in most tissues when determined by HPLC. The accumulation of radioactivity in tissues, therefore, was due to metabolites of THP. The disposition of 14C-THP was also examined in rats which had previously received unlabeled THP (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 13 days. The pretreatment did not affect the disposition of 14C-THP seriously, although the pretreatment raised tissue levels slightly and a rebound of plasma level of 14C-THP, and lowered the fecal excretion ratio. No induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes was observed in rats after repeated administrations of THP for consecutive 14 days.