Action of Sosiho-Tang on systemic and local anaphylaxis by anal administration

The herbal formulation Soshiho-Tang (SS-Tang) has been used against allergic disease for generations, and still occupies an important place in traditional medicine in Korea. Previously, we reported that SS-Tang potently inhibited mast cell- mediated anaphylaxis when orally administered. In this study, we investigated the effect of SS-Tang by anal administration in anaphylaxis responses. SS-Tang dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis with doses of 10(-4) to 1 g/kg 1 h before anally administered. Of special note, SS-Tang inhibited systemic anaphylaxis completely with a dose of 1 g/kg. SS-Tang reduced plasma histamine levels induced by compound 48/80 significantly. However, the mortality was 100% when SS-Tang was administered after compound 48/80 treatment. SS-Tang (10(-1) g/kg) also inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibody by 30.9%. These results provide evidence that anal therapy of SS-Tang may be beneficial in the treatment of systemic and local anaphylaxis.

Pyrithione, a zinc ionophore, inhibits NF-kappaB activation

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) suppresses NF-kappaB activity and exhibits cytotoxic effects in bovine cerebral endothelial cells (BCECs), and we have previously reported that these PDTC effects were accompanied by an increase in intracellular zinc levels. To further explore the role of zinc in the modulation of NF-kappaB activation, we studied the effect of pyrithione, a zinc ionophore, on NF-kappaB activation in BCECs. Pyrithione inhibited NF-kappaB activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Ca-EDTA, but not Zn-EDTA, prevented pyrithione inhibition of NF-kappaB activity. Pyrithione increased the intracellular zinc level within 15 min. This effect was also abolished by Ca-EDTA, but not by Zn-EDTA. The potency of pyrithione on NF-kappaB inhibition and zinc influx was approximately one order of magnitude more potent than PDTC. These findings establish the regulatory role of intracellular zinc levels on NF-kappaB activity in BCECs.

Analysis of induced sputum to examine the effects of inhaled corticosteroid on airway inflammation in children with asthma

BACKGROUND

Analysis of induced sputum can be performed safely in children with asthma and is useful for both cellular and biochemical markers of inflammation. Glucocorticosteroid inhalation has become the first line therapy for chronic asthma by suppressing airway inflammation, which produces the decrease of bronchial hyperreactivity and reduces the number of eosinophil in bronchial submucosa.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the characteristics of the inflammatory cells and their markers in sputum and to examine the pharmacokinetic effects of glucocorticoid within 3 hours after inhalation therapy on FEV1 and sputum inflammatory indices in children with clinically defined chronic asthma.

METHODS

Thirty subjects with asthma included 14 current symptomatic asthmatics and 14 normal controls inhaled 4.5% hypertonic saline for 10 minutes by nebulizer. The expectorated sputum were collected from all asthmatics before and 3 hours after corticosteroid inhalation for children with asthma and were reduced by dithiotreitol. Total cell counts and differentials were determined. ECP was measured by CAP system. Interleukin-5, GM-CSF and albumin were measured by double sandwich ELISA.

RESULTS

The mean eosinophil percentage and ECP in induced sputum of asthmatics were significantly higher than that of controls. The induced sputum samples obtained after glucocorticoid inhalation showed a significant reduction in mean eosinophil percentage, but FEV1, IL-5, GM-CSF, albumin, and ECP values were not significantly decreased.

CONCLUSION

The present results in induced sputum may be interpreted to reflect direct steroid action on airways and lack of effect on bone marrow effectors at 3 hours after glucocorticoid inhalation.

Monoacetyldiglycerides as new Ca2+ mobilizing agents in rat pancreatic acinar cells

Several monoacetyldiglycerides were synthesized from glycerol in search for new Ca2+ mobilizing agent in vitro. All monoacetyldiglycerides except linolenoyl and phenlycyclopropylcarbonyl derivatives showed activity toward Ca2+ release in pancreatic acinar cells. Linoleoyl and docosahexaenoyl derivatives were chosen for further test and exhibited unique activity.

Octanol blocks fluid secretion by inhibition of capacitative calcium entry in rat mandibular salivary acinar cells

The aliphatic alcohol octanol is thought to modulate enzyme secretion from the exocrine pancreas by the inhibition of gap junction permeability. We have now investigated the effects of octanol on salivary secretion and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured in isolated perfused rat mandibular glands and in isolated mandibular acinar cells respectively. Stimulation of perfused glands with 10 microM carbachol (CCh) evoked a rapid increase in fluid secretion followed by a decrease to a sustained elevated level. Application of 1 mM octanol during CCh stimulation inhibited fluid secretion reversibly. In isolated acini, the CCh-induced [Ca2+]i increase was reversibly inhibited by the same concentration of octanol. However, octanol also inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i in single acinar cells where gap junctions were no longer functional, indicating that octanol directly affected the intracellular Ca2+ signalling pathway. The initial increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 0.5-10 microM CCh, which is due to Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores, was not affected by pretreatment with octanol. In contrast, CCh-, phenylephrine- or thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry was almost completely and reversibly inhibited by octanol. Octanol also blocked agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry in pancreatic acinar cells, and thapsigargin-evoked Ca2+ entry in fibroblasts. These data strongly suggest that octanol blocks salivary secretion from mandibular gland by the inhibition of capacitative Ca2+ entry, and raise the possibility that octanol may be a useful tool for inhibiting agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry pathways.

Inhibitory effect of anaphylactic reaction of Sosiho-Tang

Mast cells synthesize and secrete chemical mediators which play an central role in anaphylactic reactions. Compound 48/80 is a condensation product of formaldehyde with paramethoxyphenylethylamine that reliably induces the release of chemical mediators in the mast cell granules. Aggregation of the high-affinity Fc receptor also stimulates the mast cells. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of Sosiho-Tang (SS-Tang) on mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reaction. SS-Tang completely inhibited systemic anaphylaxis induced by compound 48/80 in mice. SS-Tang inhibited local anaphylaxis induced by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. In addition SS-Tang concentration-dependently inhibited histamine release in mast cells induced by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. These results indicate that SS-Tang may contain compounds with actions that inhibit mast cell degranulation.

Functional molecules based on polyazometals. (1). Artificial metalloproteinases prepared by conjugation of polyazometals with poly(allylamine)

Polyazometals (PAMs) conjugated with poly(allylamine) manifested high catalytic activity in the hydrolytic cleavage of bovine serum albumin. Based on cleavage sites, the mechanism for the PAM-catalyzed peptide hydrolysis is suggested.

Dietary iodine intake and urinary iodine excretion in normal Korean adults

Korea is a region abundant in foods containing iodine such as seaweed and fish. An adequate amount of iodine consumption is extremely important as both a deficiency and excess of iodine can result in health problems. This study was undertaken to assess the iodine nutritional status of normal Korean adults who consume seaweed and fish, and to determine the relationship between the dietary iodine intake and the urinary excretion of iodine. The dietary assessment of iodine using a food frequency questionnaire and a urinary iodine excretion examination were carried out in 278 healthy adults. The iodide selective electrode (ISE) method was used to determine urinary iodine excretion. The average usual iodine intake of Korean adults was 479 micrograms per day (ranging from 61 micrograms to 4086 micrograms). There was no significant difference in sex or age. The major food sources of dietary iodine included seaweed (66%), milk and dairy products (11%), and fish (9%). The contribution of seaweed to the total iodine intake tended to increase with age while the contribution of milk decreased. The average urinary excretion of iodine was 674 micrograms/g creatinine and there was no significant difference in sex or age. The dietary iodine intake was positively correlated with the urinary excretion of iodine (gamma = 0.60, p < 0.01). The study data indicated that the iodine intake and excretion of Koreans depends mostly on the amount of seaweed consumption like sea tangle and sea mustard. As well, the current iodine intake and urinary iodine excretion by Koreans seems to be higher than in other countries.

Phase Transformation Behavior at Low Temperature in Hydrothermal Treatment of Stable and Unstable Titania Sol

Nanosize titania sol was prepared from titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) and conditions for the formation of stable sol were identified. As the H+/TTIP mole ratio decreased and H2O/TTIP mole ratio increased, stable sol was likely to be formed. The size and crystallinity remained unchanged after hydrothermal treatment of the stable sol at between 160 and 240&deg;C. However, hydrothermal treatment of unstable sol produced rod-like particles and crystallinity of particles was changed from anatase to rutile. This difference in phase transformation at low hydrothermal treatment temperature was likely to be caused by the fact that stable sol remained to be stable even after hydrothermal treatment, while unstable sol had a tendency to be aggregated.

Effects of oviductal fluid on sperm penetration and cortical granule exocytosis during fertilization of pig oocytes in vitro

The effects of oviductal fluid on sperm penetration and cortical granule exocytosis in pigs were examined. Cortical granule exocytosis in oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro was observed by staining with fluorescent-labelled lectin and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Exocytosis of matured oocytes was classified into three categories after in vitro fertilization: complete cortical granule exocytosis and even distribution of exudate in the entire perivitelline space (type I); complete exocytosis and partial distribution of exudate (type II) and incomplete cortical granule exocytosis (type III). The incidence of oocytes with type I exocytosis was higher in oocytes matured in vivo than in those matured in vitro. The addition of oviductal fluid at a concentration of 1% or 10% to the fertilization medium decreased sperm penetration and the mean number of spermatozoa present in penetrated eggs. The distribution of cortical granule exudate was not different in the presence of 1% oviductal fluid after sperm penetration from that of control groups. When oocytes were cultured for 1.5 h in medium containing 10% or 30% oviductal fluid before insemination, the incidence of monospermy increased without a decrease in sperm penetration. Preculture of oocytes in medium containing 30% oviductal fluid increased type I cortical granule reaction and increased resistance of the zona pellucida to dissolution by 0.1% (w/v) pronase at the time of sperm penetration. These results suggest that a factor(s) from the oviductal secretion is required for the complete cortical granule reaction and in the modification of the zona pellucida.

Cytoskeletal alteration in aged porcine oocytes and parthenogenesis

The objective of this study was to examine the changes in microtubule and microfilament assembly in aged porcine oocytes and to determine their developmental pattern after parthenogenetic activation. Porcine oocytes were cultured in Whitten's medium containing 10% follicular fluid with hormonal supplements (eCG and hCG) for 22 hr and 40 hr additional culture without hormonal supplements. At 40, 50, and 60 hr of culture, the oocytes were fixed for immunocytochemistry or activated by electrical pulse. In metaphase II stage oocytes, microtubules were detected only in the meiotic spindle. Two microfilament domains existed in the egg cortex, a thick and a thin microfilament domain. In aged oocytes (50 and 60 hr of culture), the incidence of metaphase II plates observed outside of the thick microfilament domain was higher (P < 0.05) than in young oocytes (40 hr of culture). After activation, a polar body was usually emitted from the chromatin at the microfilament rich domain or two pronuclei were formed outside of the microfilament rich domain. The percentage of activated oocytes with one female pronucleus was higher (P < 0.05) in oocytes at 40 hr of maturation than at 50 and 60 hr of culture. At 24 and 30 hr after stimulation the incidence of cleavage to the 3- to 4-cell stage was higher (P < 0.05) in aged oocytes (50 and 60 hr of maturation) than that in oocytes at 40 hr of culture. These results suggested that a role of microfilaments is to retain the chromatin at the proper position in the oocyte cortex, and that aging results in a disruption of the microfilaments such that atypical development results after parthenogenetic activation.

Metabolic fate of ingested [14C]-maltitol in man

Six healthy male subjects were given a single oral dose of 0.4 g of maltitol per kg body weight containing [U-14C]-maltitol (50 microCi) and their breath, urine, feces and blood were collected at appropriate intervals for 48 h to measure the recovery of administered radioactivity. Further, to measure breath hydrogen, 15 healthy male subjects ingested 30 g of maltitol and samples of their breath were collected for a 10-h period. The expired 14CO2 showed a wide peak about 3 h after ingestion and 56% of the administered radioactivity was recovered in 48 h. An additional 0.2% of administered radioactivity was recovered as expired 14CH4, 2.6% in urine and 14.3% in feces, respectively. The obvious increase of breath hydrogen was detected at 1 h after maltitol ingestion and then a big peak at 3.5 h, whereas maltose ingestion did not increase breath hydrogen. Both excretion profiles of breath 14CO2 and hydrogen coincided well. These results demonstrate that a greater part of ingested maltitol is fermented by intestinal microbes than is hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes. Although maltitol is catabolized to carbon dioxide via intestinal microbes, the available energy is much lower than that of digestible sugars such as sucrose.

Hepatitis B vaccination of newborn infants: clinical study of new vaccine formulation and dose regimen

To investigate the efficacy in anti-HBsAg response with half the recommended adult dose in a standard vaccination schedule or with a full dose in reduced number of vaccination schedule, 201 healthy newborn infants were randomized to receive either 2.5 micrograms Hevac B vaccine at birth [1, 2 and 14 months in Group I (101)] or 5 micrograms at birth [2 and 14 months in Group II (100)]. Anti-HBsAg responses in the two groups were compared. Passively acquired anti-HBsAg positivity rates at birth were 51.5 and 45.0% in Groups I and II, respectively. Cumulative anti-HBsAg seroconversion rates in Group I were 12.2, 76.6, 82.6 and 86.4% at 2, 4, 14 and 16 months, while the rates in Group II were 2.5, 62.5, 73.7 and 91.0%, showing no significant difference (p greater than 0.05). Significant difference in seroconversion rates at the 2-month follow-up stage between passively acquired anti-HBsAg-negative and -positive groups was observed (11.9 vs. 2.6%). Significant rise in anti-HBsAg titer at 16 months following the booster at 14 months was noted: 36.4 mIU per ml before, 546.4 mIU per ml after in Group I and 25.3 mIU per ml before, 782.6 mIU per ml after in Group II. The booster, 12 months after the primary vaccination series, is therefore considered imperative for maximum effectiveness of hepatitis B active immunization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)