Action Recognition From a Single Coded Image

The unprecedented success of deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) on the task of video-based human action recognition assumes the availability of good resolution videos and resources to develop and deploy complex models. Unfortunately, certain budgetary and environmental constraints on the camera system and the recognition model may not be able to accommodate these assumptions and require reducing their complexity. To alleviate these issues, we introduce a deep sensing solution to directly recognize human actions from coded exposure images. Our deep sensing solution consists of a binary CNN-based encoder network that emulates the capturing of a coded exposure image of a dynamic scene using a coded exposure camera, followed by a 2D CNN for recognizing human action in the captured coded exposure image. Furthermore, we propose a novel knowledge distillation framework to jointly train the encoder and the action recognition model and show that the proposed training approach improves the action recognition accuracy by an absolute margin of 6.2%, 2.9%, and 7.9% on Something ²-v2, Kinetics-400, and UCF-101 datasets, respectively, in comparison to our previous approach. Finally, we built a prototype coded exposure camera using LCoS to validate the feasibility of our deep sensing solution. Our evaluation of the prototype camera show results that are consistent with the simulation results.

Abstract 4808: Identification of a novel compound, MO2455, that induces poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) accumulation and inhibits the growth of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Poly (ADP-ribose) chain (PAR) formed by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is catabolized mainly by poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). PARG is emerging as a therapeutic target for cancer, because its inhibition leads to cell death in some kinds of cancer cell lines.

In order to obtain small molecules that effectively inhibit PARG protein, an in-house collection of ∼10,000 small molecules were screened for their ability to accumulate the PAR in A549 cells at 5 μM. We identified ∼100 hit compounds. Among them, MO2282 and MO2455 induced the most significant accumulation of PAR. MO2455 is an analogue of MO2282 with improved water-solubility. MO2282 and MO2455 were evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit the catalytic activity of PARG. MO2282 and MO2455 showed modest inhibition activities against recombinant rat PARG. They also inhibited the growth of various kinds of cancel cell lines in vitro at an IC50 value of 0.05 - 3.0 μM and showed different spectrum of antitumor activity from conventional anticancer drugs, CDDP, ADM, PTX, and CPT-11. Next, we investigated the growth-inhibitory effect of MO2455 on A549 cells in a xenotransplanted model. A significant anti-tumor activity was observed in mice when treated with MO2455 at doses of 25 mg/kg every two days. Although treatment-related body weight loss was observed in mice treated with MO2455, body weight recovered by day 8.

In conclusion, the present data suggest that MO2455 has potential as a cancer drug with different mechanisms of action from conventional anti-cancer drugs.

Citation Format: Tatsu Shimoyama, Takeshi Sawada, Mari Akimoto, Yuka Sasaki, Hiroaki Fujimori, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, Tadashi Okawara, Tetsumi Irie, Takeji Takamura, Kenji Matsuno, Kengo Inoue, Mitsuko Masutani, Fumiaki Koizumi. Identification of a novel compound, MO2455, that induces poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) accumulation and inhibits the growth of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4808.

Abstract P2-09-11: Identification of a novel inhibitor of triple-negative breast cancer cell growth by screening of a small molecule library

Background: Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are defined as not having amplification of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or epidermal growth factor receptor 2. At present, recovery in patients is severely limited following diagnosis of metastatic TNBC, with less than 30% of patients surviving more than 5 years.. The most effective therapy to date is chemotherapy, which has been unsuccessful due to the lack of therapeutic targets for these aggressive cancers. To identify new molecular targets for TNBC, we have developed a novel method for drug discovery using active compounds for identification of pharmacodynamic biomarkers.

Methods: We used chemical informatics to design a small molecule library that has structural diversity. This library was used to screen for compounds that selectively inhibit the proliferation in TNBC cell lines. The differences in gene expression profiles in cell lines before and after the addition of selected compounds were analyzed and compared with control cells.

Results: We identified (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-benzofuran-2(3H)-one (DBBF) that exhibited specific inhibition of the proliferation in a TNBC cell line, MDA-MB-468 with IC50 of 2.4 μM. Microarray analysis identified several signaling pathways, including the irinotecan pathway, which changed specifically in the TNBC cell lines by the addition of DBBF.

Conclusion: We have developed a novel research strategy that involves screening of selective inhibitors of TNBC cell line proliferation that can be used for identification of pharmacodynamic biomarkers for TNBC. The discovery of new pathways by this technique should lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets for this aggressive cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-09-11.

Identification of a novel inhibitor of triple-negative breast cancer cell growth by screening of a small-molecule library

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are defined as not having amplification of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Recovery of patients is, currently, severely limited after diagnosis of metastatic TNBC, with fewer than 30 % of patients surviving more than 5 years. The most effective therapy to date is chemotherapy, which has been unsuccessful because of lack of therapeutic targets for these aggressive cancers. To identify new molecular targets for TNBC, we have developed a novel method for drug discovery using active compounds for identification of pharmacodynamic biomarkers.

METHODS

We used chemical informatics to design a small-molecule library with structural diversity. This library was used to screen for compounds that selectively inhibit proliferation of TNBC cell lines. Different gene-expression profiles in cell lines before and after the addition of selected compounds were analyzed and compared with those of control cells.

RESULTS

We identified (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2(3H)-one (DBBF) which specifically inhibited proliferation of a TNBC cell line, MDA-MB-468, with an IC50 of 2.4 μM. Microarray analysis identified several signaling pathways, including the irinotecan pathway, which changed specifically in the TNBC cell lines on addition of DBBF.

CONCLUSION

We have developed a novel research strategy that involves screening of selective inhibitors of TNBC cell line proliferation that can be used for identification of pharmacodynamic biomarkers for TNBC. The discovery of new pathways by this technique should lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets for this aggressive cancer.

Abstract 4741: Development of a novel therapeutic agent for breast cancer based on a new pathway analysis of triple-negative breast cancer

We developed a novel method for drug discovery using active compounds as pharmacodynamic biomarkers in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. [Materials and Methods] Compounds that selectively inhibit proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer were screened in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB231, MDA-MB468 and HCC-38) and control MCF7 and HeLa cell lines. A small molecule library was designed to seek structural diversity by chemical informatics and a total of 30,000 synthetic compounds were assessed considering drug similarities. The differences in gene expression profiles in the cell lines between before and after the addition of the selected compounds were analyzed and compared with the control cells. [Results] Seven compounds that exhibited inhibitory effects on the triple-negative breast cancer cell lines were found in the compound library. These compounds exhibited inhibitory activity with IC50-values ranging from 1.2 to 10.8 μM. The results of the microarray analysis indicated several pathways including the irinotecan pathway that changed specifically in the triple-negative breast cancer cell lines by the addition of the compounds.[Conclusion] A research strategy to screen a compound library with structural diversity and develop a drug discovery system using active compounds as pharmacodynamic biomarkers can be widely applied as a new approach for developing innovative personalized medicine.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4741. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4741

Abstract 1099: Aza-derivatives of resveratrol are potent inhibitors of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)

Resveratrol (3, 4’, 5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a natural phytoalexin found in grapes and wine, has an anti-proliferative activity in human-derived cancer cells. In our study, we used a conventional condensation reaction between aldehydes and amines to provide a number of aza-resveratrol (3, 4’, 5-trihydroxy-trans- aza-stilbene) derivatives in an attempt to screen for compounds with resveratrol's action but with increased potency. Aza-resveratrol and its hydroxylated derivative (3, 4, 4’, 5-tetrahydroxy-trans- aza-stilbene) showed a more enhanced anti-proliferative effect than resveratrol in an MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line. To identify the cellular targets of the aza derivatives of resveratrol, we conjugated the latter aza-stilbene compound with epoxy-activated agarose and performed an affinity purification. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a proinflammatory cytokine, was identified as a major target protein in MCF-7 cell lysates using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS). The aza-resveratrol and its hydroxylated derivative, but not resveratrol, were also found to be potent inhibitors of MIF tautomerase activity, which may be associated with their inhibitory effects on MIF bioactivity for cell growth. Such inhibitors may lead to the development of drugs for the treatment of cancer and, possibly, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1099. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1099

Antitumor activity of a novel small molecule STAT3 inhibitor against a human lymphoma cell line with high STAT3 activation

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3, a member of a family of DNA-binding molecules mediating numerous physiological and oncogenic signaling pathways, is a novel target in cancer cells which show high phosphorylation of STAT3. Recently, we identified a novel small-molecule inhibitor of STAT3 dimerization, STX-0119, as a cancer therapeutic. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo through numerous biochemical and biological assays. Specifically, the effects of STX-0119 on target genes (c-myc, cyclin D1, survivin) and apoptosis induction were analyzed in tumors treated with STX-0119 in vivo. STX-0119 showed strong growth-inhibitory activity against a broad range of hematological cancer cell lines, particularly lymphomas. STX-0119 suppressed the growth of SCC3 cells, a human lymphoma cell line with highly activated STAT3, through apoptosis and down-regulation of STAT3 targets such as c-myc, cyclin D1, survivin and Bcl-xL. Notably, Tyr-705-phosphorylated STAT3 up-regulation was not significantly suppressed by STX-0119, as opposed to other STAT3 inhibitors. STX-0119 demonstrated potent antitumor effects in vivo in SCC3-bearing nude mice by way of the down-regulation of STAT3 target genes and induction of apoptosis in the tumors. Thus, STX-0119 may be a new type of STAT3 inhibitor exhibiting strong antitumor activity.

Identification of a New Series of STAT3 Inhibitors by Virtual Screening

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is considered to be an attractive therapeutic target for oncology drug development. We identified a N-[2-(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl)]-4-quinolinecarboxamide derivative, STX-0119, as a novel STAT3 dimerization inhibitor by a virtual screen using a customized version of the DOCK4 program with the crystal structure of STAT3. In addition, we used in vitro cell-based assays such as the luciferase reporter gene assay and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based STAT3 dimerization assay. STX-0119 selectively abrogated the DNA binding activity of STAT3 and suppressed the expression of STAT3-regulated oncoproteins such as c-myc and survivin in cancer cells. In contrast, a truncated inactive analogue, STX-0872, did not exhibit those activities. Oral administration of STX-0119 effectively abrogated the growth of human lymphoma cells in a SCC-3 subcutaneous xenograft model without visible toxicity. Structure-activity relationships of STX-0119 derivatives were investigated using the docking model of the STAT3-SH2 domain/STX-0119.

Antiviral activities against herpes simplex virus type 1 by HPH derivatives and their structure-activity relationships

The compound named Histidine-pyridine-histidine (HPH) is an oxygen-activating ligand derived from the structure of bleomycin. We synthesized HPH derivatives, namely HPH-1 to -8, and investigated their antiviral activities against herpes simplex virus type 1. HPH-8 showed potent antiviral activity with an EC50 of 15 microM, and relatively high cytotoxicity with a CC50 of 37 microM. In contrast, HPH-4 indicated a weaker antiviral activity with an EC50 of 79 microM, but exhibited a far more less cytotoxicity (CC50 500 microM). Other HPH derivatives showed no effects against antiviral activities and cytotoxicities.

Comparative Studies of Anthraquinone- and Anthracene-Tetraamines as Blockers ofN-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors

Anthraquinone spermine [N1-(anthraquinone-2-carbonyl)spermine; AQ343], anthraquinone homospermine [N1-(anthraquinone-2-carbonyl; AQ444], anthracene spermine [N1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)spermine; Ant343], and anthracene homospermine [N1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)homospermine; Ant444] were found to be potent antagonists of recombinant N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NRs). The effects of both anthraquinone (AQ)- and anthracene (Ant)-tetraamines were reversible and voltage-dependent. Results of experiments using mutant NR1 and NR2B subunits of NMDA receptor identified residues that influence block by AQ- and Ant-tetraamines. The results indicate that the polyamine tail is crucial for block by AQ- and Ant-tetraamines. Residues in the outer vestibule of the NR1 subunit were more strongly involved in block by AQ-and Ant-tetraamines than residues in the corresponding region of NR2B. Several amino acid residues in the inner vestibule, below the level of the selectivity filter of NR1 and NR2B, affected block by AQ444, Ant343, and Ant444, but they did not affect block by AQ343. AQ-tetraamines could permeate the channel at very negative membrane potentials when the narrowest constriction of the channel was expanded by replacing the Asn residue at Asn616 of NR1 and NR2B with Gly, whereas Ant-tetraamines did not easily pass through the channel, apparently because of differences in the relative position of the head groups on AQ- and Ant-polyamines.

Protection from spontaneous hepatocellular damage by N-benzyl-d-glucamine dithiocarbamate in Long-Evans Cinnamon rats, an animal model of Wilson's disease

The Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat is a mutant strain that accumulates excessive tissue copper (Cu) and models the clinical symptoms and biological features of Wilson's disease in humans. We compared the effects of three metal chelating agents, N-benzyl-d-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD), d-penicillamine (D-PEN), and triethylenetetramine (TETA), on the biliary and urinary excretions of Cu using LEC rats. The animals were treated ip with each chelating agent (1 mmol/kg body weight) and then the bile and urine samples were collected for 3 h. Because single treatment with BGD markedly stimulated biliary excretion of Cu, the protective effect of repeated BGD injection on spontaneous hepatocellular damage was further examined. Separate groups received two weekly injections of BGD starting at 11 weeks of age and were compared to saline-injected controls. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and bilirubin level were significantly increased in control LEC rats by 19 weeks of age and histopathological analysis demonstrated extensive hepatic damage in these rats. However, repeated BGD injections prevented the increases in serum ALT and bilirubin and blocked the histopathological changes in the liver. Furthermore, although Cu rapidly accumulated in the liver, kidney, spleen, and serum of control LEC rats during the test period, repeated BGD injection largely prevented these increases. These results indicate that BGD treatment is effective in blocking excessive Cu accumulation in LEC rats that, in turn, provides protection from spontaneous liver damage.

Inhibitory effects of flavonoids on the reduction of progesterone to 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in rat liver

The first aim of this study is to characterize the reduction of progesterone in rat liver. Progesterone was mainly reduced to 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in the cytosolic fraction of rat liver. The amount of 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone formed from progesterone in the cytosolic fraction was significantly larger in the males than in the females and this enzyme reaction proceeded not only in the presence of NADPH, but also in the presence of NADH. Furthermore, we attempted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of 15 flavonoids on the NADPH-dependent reduction of progesterone to 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in liver cytosol of male rats. The order of the inhibitory potencies was luteolin>apigenin>quercetin>myricetin=fisetin=kaempferol. Other flavonoids exhibited lower inhibitory potencies. Energy-minimized molecular models demonstrated that a planar benzopyrone ring (A and C rings) with a coplanar phenyl ring (B ring) is a structural characteristic determining the inhibitory effects of flavonoids other than isoflavones.

Inhibitory activities against topoisomerase I & II by polyhydroxybenzoyl amide derivatives and their structure–activity relationship

o-, m-, p-Phenylenediamines having 2,3,4-trihydroxy, 3,4 dihydroxy, and 4-hydroxybenzoyl moieties were prepared and their inhibitory activities were measured against topoisomerase I and II. More hydroxy groups on two aromatic rings increased the activities. Bis(trihydroxybenzoyl)-o-phenylenediamide showed IC(50)=0.90 and 0.09 microM against topoisomerase I and II, respectively. Compounds with hydroxy groups protected by acetyl moiety still had the activities. Less hydroxy groups decreased their activities. Benzothiazole derivatives also indicated the activities.

Anthraquinone Polyamines: Novel Channel Blockers to StudyN-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors

The effects of various anthraquinone polyamines (AQP) were studied at recombinant N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The AQP derivatives had different numbers of methylene groups between the NH(2) (or NH) groups in their spermidine-like tail. Thus, we termed these derivatives AQ33, AQ34, etc. All AQP derivatives inhibited responses of NR1/NR2 receptors in oocytes voltage-clamped at -70 mV, with IC(50) values between 4 and 22 microM. The block was strongly voltage-dependent. AQ34 and AQ33b inhibited responses of NR1/NR2 receptors but did not inhibit responses of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors expressed from GluR1 or GluR2(Q), indicating that AQ34 and AQ33b are preferential NMDA antagonists. Results of experiments using mutant NR1 and NR2 subunits identified residues that influence block by AQ34 and AQ33b. These residues are located in the outer vestibule at the selectivity filter/narrowest constriction of the channel and in the inner vestibule below the level of the selectivity filter. The results with mutant NR1 and NR2 subunits are consistent with the idea that NR1(Asn616) and NR2B(Asn616), but not NR2B(Asn615), make the narrowest constriction of NMDA channel.

A novel methylthio metabolite of s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, a lead compound for the development of antianxiety drugs, in rats

When s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine (Tri-P) was orally administered in rats, a more lipophilic metabolite M-1 than the parent compound was isolated from the urine. The metabolite M-1 was identified as 7-methylthio Tri-P by means of high resolution MS and two-dimensional NMR spectrometry. Furthermore, the 7-methylthio conjugate was generated from the parent compound Tri-P in isolated rat hepatocytes. Although the contribution of the intestinal microflora to the formation of methylthio metabolite has been pointed out so far, the limited data in this study lead us to conclude that the liver plays a role in all metabolic reactions of Tri-P to its 7-methylthio conjugate in rats.

Antiuveitis and inhibition of fibroblast-like corneal and conjunctival cell cultures by interleukin-1 blockers, CK 125, CK 126 and CK 128

Three new interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers, CK 125, CK 126 and CK 128, were studied for their effects on IL-1-induced uveitis in rat eyes. They were more potent (at 3-10 mg/kg t.i.d.) than prednisolone (20 mg/kg t.i.d.) in effectively inhibiting posterior uveitis. They were also found to inhibit fibroblast-like corneal cells at 10-300 micrograms/ml concentrations and conjunctival cells at 1-30 micrograms/ml levels. The incorporation of leucine into corneal and conjunctival cells was either stimulated or unaffected by CK 126, indicating that the inhibition of cell growth has nothing to do with the protein synthesis. However, the incorporation of uridine into corneal and conjunctival cells was markedly inhibited by CK 126 at 3-30 micrograms/ml concentrations whereas the incorporation of thymidine into the cells was inhibited at a lesser extent than that of uridine. These results indicate that cell inhibition by CK 126 could be related mainly to the synthesis of mRNA and, to a lesser extent, to DNA synthesis.

Inhibition of interleukin-1-induced uveitis and corneal fibroblast proliferation by interleukin-1 blockers

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is known to trigger induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to persistently mass produce nitric oxide (NO) to induce various diseases such as cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease and eye diseases, including uveitis, retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and myopia. Therefore, IL-1 blockers could become an important class of drugs to fight numerous diseases. Among the many compounds studied so far, 1-methyl hydrazino analogs are among the most promising agents to be developed. A minor structural change of 1-methyl hydrazino group into 1-methyl thiosemicarbazido group enhanced their anti-inflammatory activity but reduced their antiproliferation activity on corneal fibroblast cell growth.

[Recent endoscopic treatment in gastroenterology]

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment became to be necessary in gastroenterology for last two decades. Indication of endoscopic treatment is amazingly expanding because of developing new techniques and easy-to-use devices. Nowadays, the indication for endoscopic treatment includes the removal of foreign bodies in alimentary tract, the dilatation of stricture lesions by balloon or expandable metallic stent, the resection of polypoid and superficial tumors by polypectomy and EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection) techniques, the injection sclerotherapy and ligation method for gastroesophageal varices, the hemostasis of gastrointestinal hemorrhages by injection method or heat-burn method. In biliary and pancreatic area, there are some endoscopic treatments that are removal and destruction of stones in common bile duct, biliary and pancreatic drainage by tubing method. Our results of endoscopic resection for esophageal and gastric tumors are shown in this papers. In conclusion, complete resection that means histologically tumor negative of lateral and vertical margin of resected specimen is important to prevent recurrence of tumors after resection.

Inhibitory effects of flavonoids on rabbit heart carbonyl reductase

The inhibitory effects of flavonoids (galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, morin, and taxifolin) on rabbit heart carbonyl reductase (RHCR) were investigated using 4-benzoylpyridine (4BP) as the substrate. The stereochemical characteristics of the flavonoids were found to be a factor determining their inhibitory potencies toward RHCR. Furthermore, the lipophilicity, and the scavenging or antioxidative effects of the flavonoids were likely to complicate the structure-activity relationship of their inhibitory effects on RHCR. Quercetin inhibited RHCR uncompetitively with respect to NADPH and competitively with respect to 4BP, suggesting that it competes with 4BP at the substrate-binding site of RHCR. RHCR efficiently reduced benzoquinones (1,4-benzoquinone and 2-methyl-1, 4-benzoquinone) and naphthoquinones (1,4-naphthoquinone and menadione). Galangin was a potent inhibitor of RHCR when menadione was used as the substrate, and prevented the formation of the superoxide anion radical in the presence of RHCR, NADPH, and menadione. Flavonoids may be useful compounds for suppressing the cardiotoxicity of quinones by inhibiting RHCR.

Effects of interleukin-1 blockers on corneal fibroblast proliferation in vitro and ocular inflammation in vivo

The success of keratorefractive surgical procedures is limited by the wound healing process in the corneal stroma. The proliferation and matrix synthesis of corneal stromal fibroblasts is the central element of the wound healing process that is triggered by an initial inflammation. In order to develop new therapeutic strategies to reduce wound healing intensity, we investigated the effect of newly synthesized interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers on the proliferation of cultured rabbit corneal fibroblasts and the ocular inflammation induced by IL-1. It was found that the addition of IL-1 blockers, such as CK-135 to CK-145, led to a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation after 24, 48 and 72 hr of incubation. The isotope incorporation study showed that the syntheses ofDNA and mRNA were suppressed whereas that of protein was enhanced or unaffected. These compounds also demonstrated a potent anti-inflammation action in the rat uveitis model. Our results indicate that CK (Chiou-Kumamoto) compounds may be valuable therapeutic agents for the prevention of postoperative complications after corneal keratorefractive surgical procedures.

Suppression of interleukin-1alpha-induced uveitis and inhibition of fibroblast-like cell proliferation by synthetic interleukin-1 blockers

To treat uveitis and prolong the functional life of filtration surgery on glaucomatous eyes, some interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers were used to inhibit IL-1-induced uveitis in rat eyes and to suppress proliferation of fibroblast-like corneal and conjunctival cells in the cell cultures, respectively. It was found in this research that the blood-aqueous barrier can be broken by IL-1alpha to allow fluorescein to enter the eyeballs and to be detected by fluorotron. The uveitis was effectively blocked by the IL-1 blockers studied in this research. It was also noted that the proliferation of fibroblast-like corneal and conjunctival cells was effectively inhibited by IL-1 blockers. The inhibition of cell growth seems to be caused primarily by the inhibition of RNA synthesis. There was a significant difference in the potency of IL-1 blockers to inhibit corneal vs. conjunctival cells. It was noted that conjunctival cells were more easily inhibited by IL-1 blockers than corneal cells. These results indicate that IL-1 blockers can suppress the proliferation of conjunctival cells at dose levels which do not affect the normal cell growth of corneal cells.

Anti-inflammation and antifibroblastic actions of interleukin-1 blockers

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers, CK 127 and CK 129, were found to inhibit IL-1-induced posterior uveitis very effectively at 3-10 mg/kg i.p. and were more potent than prednisolone which required at least 20 mg/kg i.p. to achieve the same level of anti-uveitis action. CK 127 and CK 129 were also found to be effective in inhibiting fibroblast-like corneal cells at 30-300 micrograms/ml and conjunctival cells at 0.3-10 micrograms/ml. These results indicate that IL-1 blockers are more potent in inhibiting the cell growth of conjunctival cells than that of corneal cells. From in vitro cell culture experiments, it was found that inhibition of cell growth could be due primarily to the inhibition of DNA. Although the inhibition of cell growth was due mainly to the inhibition of DNA synthesis, mRNA synthesis was also markedly inhibited. In both cells, the protein synthesis was unaffected in a few cases and markedly stimulated in most cases.

Effective treatment of experimental uveitis with interleukin-1 blockers, CK 123 and CK 124

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers are known to inhibit IL-1-induced uveitis. CK 123 and CK 124 are new IL-1 blockers which showed potent anti-uveitis actions that are more potent than the classic corticosteroid, prednisolone. In addition to anti-inflammation, CK 123 and CK 124 were also found to inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like corneal and conjunctival cells, indicating that these compounds could be used not only as anti-uveitis agents but also as useful agents to prolong the functional period of aqueous humor outflow after trabeculectomy. It was also found that DNA and mRNA synthesis were markedly inhibited by CK 123 and CK 124, yet the protein synthesis was either untouched or enhanced.

Antagonism of interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced uveitis with synthetic IL-1 blockers

Because of the discovery of potent interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocking effects by CK-103A (4,6-dihydropyridazino[4,5-c]pyridazin-5 (1H)-ones) on rat uveitis induced by IL-1, numerous derivatives of CK-103A have been synthesized and their efficacies on the same animal model studied. The uveitis was induced by injection of 1 ng IL-1/10 microliters intravitreally. The inflammation reached peak at 12 hr after the injection of IL-1. The prevention/blockade of IL-1-induced uveitis was measured at this peak inflammation time point. It was found that 8 out of 12 CK-analogs studied produced an effective blockade of IL-1-induced uveitis. Most of them were at least equipotent or even more potent than prednisolone in blocking IL-1-induced uveitis. It is concluded that most dihydropyridazinopyridazin derivatives are effective anti-uveitis compounds. Some could be found to be safe and useful for the treatment of this dreadful disease.

Preparation and Stereochemistry of Dioxatetraazaperhydroanthracenes and -perylenes from the Reaction of 2-Hydrazinoethanols with Aldehydes and Glutaraldehyde

Hydrazinoethanols 1 were reacted with aldehydes 2 and 6 and glutaraldehyde (14) in aqueous solution to give dioxatetraazaperhydroanthracenes 3, 7, 12, and 13 and -perylenes 15 in yields of 19-88 and 42-72%, respectively. Compounds 3, 7, 12, and 15 were deduced by (13)C-NMR spectra to have two C(2) symmetry axes, while compound 12 was shown to have a symmetry axis by X-ray crystallography. The most favorable stereoisomers were consistent with predictions obtained by the semiempirical molecular orbital method AM1. The structure of compound 15 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Effect of some phytogenic agents and synthetic compounds on complement cascade-mediated hemolysis

A variety of anti-inflammatory compounds obtained from various medicinal plants (phytogenic) as well as some synthetic compounds were tested on the complement cascade in vitro. Bovine erythrocytes were treated with rabbit antibovine red blood cell antibody. Rabbit plasma was diluted with veronal buffer and mixed with erythrocytes in the presence or absence of drugs and incubated. Erythrocytes were pelleted and the absorbance of the supernatant at 412 nm determined. Drugs could be grouped into three categories; (a) those with no effect whatsoever; (b) those which produced definite enhancement of the release of hemoglobin by the complement cascade, and (c) prednisolone, which inhibited the release of hemoglobin by the complement cascade. We suggest that prednisolone and the drugs which had no effect on the complement cascade are safer to use as anti-inflammatory agents, while drugs enhancing the complement cascade may have potential adverse properties.

Prevention and treatment of ocular inflammation with a new class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents

New non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs) were tested on lens protein-, endotoxin- and interleukin-1-induced ocular inflammation. It was found that most NSAIAs, including REV 5901, mefenamic acid, indomethacin, CK-17 and CK-102, inhibited lens protein-induced inflammation. Endotoxin induced inflammation indirectly through the release of IL-1 which was inhibited by fewer agents, including CK-17, CK-102 and prednisolone. However, the direct effect of IL-1 can only be suppressed by CK-17 and prednisolone. Therefore, CK-17 could become an important NSAIA which acts similarly to corticosteroids yet produces no steroidal side effects. CK-17 was different from most NSAIAs as it affected little, if any, arachidonate metabolism. Most importantly, CK-17 was found to be 2-fold more potent than prednisolone in inhibiting IL-1-induced uveitis, while no side effects were noted at doses tested to date.

Prevention of ocular inflammation induced by lens protein, endotoxin, and interleukin-1 with synthetic interleukin-1 blockers

It is well known that corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory agents, yet they produce serious side effects. Although arachidonate metabolite blockers have been developed for the treatment of inflammation, they are much less potent than corticosteroids. Furthermore, they still process serious side effects. In search of potent and safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIA), interleukin-1 (IL-1) blockers have been developed. Among 121 CK-analogs studied, CK-17, CK-101A and CK103A have been identified as promising anti-inflammatory agents as potent as prednisolone in inhibiting lens proteins-induced inflammation and twice as potent as prednisolone in inhibiting endotoxin-and IL-1-induced uveitis. No serious side effects could be noticed with the doses of these compounds tested to date. These results indicate that the development of potent NSAIAs is feasible. Moreover, these compounds are not related to arachidonate metabolites.