Horizontal and vertical pigment spread into surrounding piebald epidermis and hair follicles after suction blister epidermal grafting

Following the earlier description of Carnot and Deflandre in 1896, pigment spread phenomenon in mammals was investigated using immunogenetically marked melanocytes (Billingham and Silver, Quart. Rev. Biol. 1960 35: 1-40; Billingham and Silver, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1963 100: 348-363). In spite of a number of similar studies on vitiligo lesions, detailed evaluation of pigment spread in piebald lesions has not been reported. To gain further insight into the pigment spread phenomenon in human skin, five piebald patients were studied, on whom suction blister epidermal grafting therapy onto piebald patches was performed. In the present study, pigmentation of all epidermal grafts from normally pigmented areas spread horizontally. It was also found that pre-existing white hairs in recipient sites became pigmented within 1 year after epidermal grafting. Immunofluorescence studies using melanocyte-specific antibody NKI/beteb revealed the newly induced presence of melanocytes in the newly pigmented hair follicles. Further, to study the possible mechanisms inhibiting melanocyte migration from normal skin into piebald lesions, epidermis was grafted from border zones (containing both normal and piebald skin) into the center of hypopigmented lesions. Melanocytes clearly migrated through the border zone of grafted epidermis into surrounding recipient hypopigmented sites.

Genetic background determines the nature of immune responses and experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC)

PURPOSE

Experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC) was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3]. To investigate the affect of genetic factors on the susceptibility of EC, we tested different strains of rats for the development of EC.

METHODS

Lewis and Brown Norway (BN) rats were immunized once with 100 microg of OVA in CFA or Al(OH)3. Three weeks later they were challenged with OVA in eye drops; 24 hours after the challenge they were sacrificed and their eyes, blood, and lymph nodes were harvested for histological studies, measurement of OVA-specific antibodies (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgE), and proliferation or cytokine assay, respectively. ELISA was used to detect OVA-specific IgG; passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was used for detecting IgE.

RESULTS

EC, OVA-specific IgG, and cellular immunity were induced in Lewis rats by using either adjuvant, whereas IgE was not produced by either adjuvant. In contrast, IgE was produced in BN rats using either adjuvant, whereas cellular immunity was evoked only when CFA was used. Less cellular infiltration as well as cellular proliferation was detected in BN rats immunized with Al(OH)3. In both strains, Al(OH)3 induced a higher IgG1/IgG2a ratio than did CFA. More interferon-gamma by stimulation with OVA was noted in Lewis rats compared to BN rats, whereas interleukin-4 was detected only in BN rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of EC evaluated by cellular infiltration was dependent on OVA-specific cellular immunity. Genetic background is more important than adjuvants in determining the nature of EC and immunity.

Comparison of genetic susceptibility to experimental allergic/immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis between Lewis and Fischer rats

BACKGROUND

Fischer rats were less susceptible to experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) than Lewis rats, although both strains have the same MHC molecules. The purpose of this study was to compare the susceptibility of experimental allergic/immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EAC) between these two strains.

METHODS

Male Lewis and Fischer rats were immunized with either ovalbumin (OVA) or OVA peptide (OVA323-339) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Three weeks later, they were challenged with OVA by eye drops. Twenty-four hours later, after clinical evaluation, they were killed and eyes, blood and lymph nodes were harvested for histology, antibody titer and proliferation assay, cytokine production or flow cytometric analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Fischer rats developed mild EAC compared with Lewis rats. Cellular proliferative responses, IFN-gamma production of culture supernatant and serum IgG specific for OVA were basically the same between the two strains. The same OVA peptides were selected as immunodominant. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the same cellular profile of lymph node cells in the two strains.

CONCLUSION

EAC in Fischer rats was milder than that in Lewis rats, although no apparent differences in immunological parameters between these two strains were detected. These data suggest that factors unrelated to immunological parameters may depend on the susceptibility of EAC.

[Radiological evidence of involvement of dust exposure in pathogenesis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis]

A 52-year-old man was admitted because of increasing dyspnea on exersion and presence of pulmonary infiltrates. The patient had pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 31, which resulted in volume loss and calcified foci in the upper lobe of his left lung. As a construction worker for more than 20 years, he had been exposed to inorganic dusts. Chest radiographs showed a symmetrical consolidation of infiltrates in both lungs with the exception of the left upper lobe, where no apparent infiltrates were shown. A computed tomographic scan of the chest revealed widely panlobular consolidation with the exception of the left upper lobe. A diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) was established by analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Although the patient underwent segmental bronchoalveolar lavage four times under general anesthesia, he suffered frequent pulmonary infection and died two years after the onset his symptoms. Interestingly, the patient had a markedly narrowed orifice in the left upper lobe, as demonstrated by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Chest radiographs of this lung field revealed no infiltrative shadows. These results suggest that some inhalative agent was involved in the pathogenesis of PAP in this case. In addition, significantly increased levels of KL-6 detected in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were attributable to overproduction of KL-6 by Type II pneumocytes that had been stimulated or damaged by PAP.

Analysis of effects of stimulation in vitro of ovalbumin primed lymph node cells on adoptive transfer of experimental immune mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in Lewis rats

AIM

To analyse the role of stimulation in vitro of lymphocytes on the augmentation of experimental immune mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC, formerly EAC) in Lewis rats induced by adoptive transfer.

METHODS

Two weeks after immunisation with ovalbumin (OVA), rat draining lymph nodes were collected and 50 x 10(6) cells were injected into naive syngeneic recipients either directly or after culture in vitro with OVA, concanavalin A (Con A), or purified protein derivative (PPD) for 3 days. Four days after injection the rats were topically challenged with OVA. 24 hours later, they were sacrificed and eyes and spleens were harvested for histology and proliferation assay. In some experiments, naive recipient rats were irradiated with 7 Gy gamma ray before transfer. The expression of adhesion molecules and cytokine profile of OVA primed lymph node cells were also investigated.

RESULTS

Both infiltrated cell number and splenocyte proliferation in the recipients of stimulated cells were higher than those of unstimulated cells. In vitro stimulation with OVA or Con A induced a severe cellular infiltration, while stimulation with PPD did not. Irradiation markedly diminished cellular infiltration. Stimulation in vitro upregulated the CD4/CD8 ratio by four times and augmented expression of CD25, I-A, ICAM-1 molecules on OVA primed lymph node cells by about five times. IFN-gamma was detected in OVA primed cells by stimulation in vitro, while IL-4 mRNA was extinguished by stimulation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Augmentation of EC by stimulation in vitro of transferred lymphocytes might depend on the upregulation of expression of cell surface molecules and cytokine shift as well as augmented antigen specificity.

Characterization of the immunopathogenic responses to ovalbumin peptide 323-339 in experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis in Lewis rats

PURPOSE

We recently reported the essential role of cellular immunity on the induction of experimental immune-mediated blepharoconjunctivitis (EC, formerly EAC) by using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen in Lewis rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible induction of EC by immunization with an OVA peptide (OVA 323-339).

METHODS

Lewis rats were immunized with various doses of OVA or OVA 323-339 in complete Freund's adjuvant. Three weeks later they were challenged with OVA or OVA 323-339 by eye drops; 24 h after challenge, eyes including lids, lymph nodes and blood were harvested after clinical evaluation. An OVA 323-339-specific cell line (S816) was established by periodical stimulation with this peptide. Pathogenicity of S816 was tested by adoptive transfer of S816 into syngeneic recipient rats after challenge with OVA or OVA 323-339.

RESULTS

All rats immunized with OVA 323-339 developed EC after challenge with OVA or OVA 323-339. Rats immunized with OVA 323-339 at doses as low as 0.01 microg had severe clinical scores. OVA-primed rats also developed EC after challenge with OVA 323-339. OVA-primed lymph node cells responded to OVA but not to OVA 323-339. OVA 323-339-primed lymph node cells responded to OVA 323-339 but not to OVA and produced IFN-gamma by stimulation with either OVA or OVA 323-339 (three- to fourfold more than with OVA-primed lymph node cells). Recipient rats of S816 developed severe EC after challenge with either OVA or OVA 323-339.

CONCLUSION

OVA 323-339 was identified as a potent pathogenic peptide in EC.

Oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis induced by metabolites of butylated hydroxytoluene

DNA damage by metabolites of a food additive, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), was investigated as a potential mechanism of carcinogenicity. The mechanism of DNA damage by 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (BHT-quinone), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroperoxyl-4-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone (BHT-OOH), and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (BHT-CHO) in the presence of metal ions was investigated by using 32P-labeled DNA fragments obtained from the c-Ha-ras-1 proto-oncogene and the p53 tumor suppressor gene. BHT-OOH caused DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II), whereas BHT-quinone and BHT-CHO did not. However, BHT-quinone did induce DNA damage in the presence of NADH and Cu(II). Bathocuproine inhibited Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage, indicating the participation of Cu(I) in the process. Catalase also inhibited DNA damage induced by BHT-quinone, but not that induced by BHT-OOH. The DNA cleavage pattern observed with BHT-quinone plus NADH was different from that seen with BHT-OOH. With BHT-quinone plus NADH, piperidine-labile sites could be generated at nucleotides other than adenine residue. BHT-OOH caused cleavage specifically at guanine residues. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed that BHT-OOH and BHT-quinone induced DNA strand breaks in cultured cells, whereas BHT-CHO did not. Both BHT-quinone and BHT-OOH induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, which is the characteristic of apoptosis. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis revealed an increase of peroxides in cultured cells treated with BHT-OOH or BHT-quinone. These results suggest that BHT-OOH participates in oxidative DNA damage directly, whereas BHT-quinone causes DNA damage through H2O2 generation, which leads to internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.

[Pleural malignant mesothelioma with osseous cartilaginous and rhabdomyogenic differentiation]

A 63-year-old man, who was formerly an asbestos factory worker who had been followed due to asbestosis, and was admitted to our hospital with left chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. A chest X-ray and chest computed tomogram (CT) on admission revealed a large tumor in the left lung field. Percutaneous needle biopsy determined that the tumor was a sarcoma. No clinical response was obtained by systemic chemotherapy. The autopsy revealed diffuse malignant mesothelioma of sarcomatous type with osseous, cartilaginous and rhabdomyogenic differentiation. Osseous and cartilaginous differentiation in a malignant mesothelioma is rare, and the presence of a malignant rhabdomyogenic component is the first to be described in the Japanese literature.

Imaging soft X-ray microscope at Rits Synchrotron Radiation Center

An imaging soft X-ray microscope with zone plates has been installed at Rits SR Center (Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan). With this microscope, specimens were set in air, which made it possible to investigate the specimens without breaking the vacuum of the microscope. The specimens can be prefocused with an optical microscope. Dry and wet biospecimens in air were observed. A new optical system was designed to improve the resolution.

[Clinical significance of serum neuron-specific enolase in non-small cell lung cancer]

The present study was a retrospective analysis of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) assayed in 302 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before treatment. Serum NSE ranged from 0.6 to 183.0 ng/ml, with a mean value of 12.2 ng/ml, and exceeded 10 ng/ml in 145 patients (48.0%). The mean levels and rate of NSE positivity in 177 patients whose tumors were categorized as small, medium and large (from the product of the maximum and perpendicular axis of the tumor on chest X-ray), were highest in the large group. There was no significant relationship between serum NSE and the response rate to anticancer chemotherapy. The survival period of the patients with elevated serum NSE (median, 5.7 months) was significantly shorter, than those with normal serum NSE levels (median, 12.1 months). Serum NSE is of prognostic significance in a multivariate analysis (p < 0.01), but not predictive of response to chemotherapy in NSCLC.

[Clinical evaluation of a reagent for detection of DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex using the ligase chain reaction (LCR) method]

We evaluated the clinical efficacy of LCR MTB, a reagent developed by Abbott in the USA, in the full automatic ligase chain reaction (LCR) for detection of DNA of M. tuberculosis complex using a thermostable ligase. Using 458 samples isolated from patients with tuberculosis, LCR was compared with a smear method and with a culture method, and was also compared with two other methods of gene amplification, MTD and Amplicor, using 340 and 200 of the 458 samples, respectively. The LCR method detected M. tuberculosis in 49.8% (228/458) of the samples, and was superior to the smear method (31.9%, 146/458) and the culture method (39.1%, 179/458) in sensitivity. The LCR method was also superior to the MTD and Amplicor methods; sensitivity were 37.9% (129/340) for MTD vs. 47.6% (162/340) for LCR, and 56.5% (113/200) for Amplicor vs. 59.5% (119/200) for LCR. These favorable results and the convenience of the LCR method, which enables rapid detection of target genes with a high degree of sensitivity, strongly suggest that LCR MTB is useful as a reagent for detection of M. tuberculosis using nucleic acid amplification.

[Antibiotic resistance of clinical isolates Streptococcus pneumoniae]

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogenic organism of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia as well as otitis media and bacterial meningitis. Recently penicillin- or multiply resistant pneumococci have been isolated worldwide. In this study we examined the susceptibility tests of 11 antibiotics with the total of 63 clinically isolated pneumococci, using a broth microdilution method. Most of pneumococci were isolated from respiratory specimens. According to NCCLS standard, all these pneumococci were classified as follows: PCG-susceptible S. pneumoniae (PSSP, MIC < or = 0.06 micrograms/ml), PCG-intermediately resistant S. pneumoniae (PISP, 0.12 < or = MIC < or = 1.0 micrograms/ml), and PCG-highly resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP, MIC > or = 2.0 micrograms/ml) were 45 (71.4%), 14 (22.2%) and 4 isolates (6.4%), respectively. Forty-four percent of isolates from children under 10 years and 29% from outpatients were PISP or PRSP. Resistance to erythromycin (EM) clindamycin (CLDM) or minocycline (MINO) was significantly recognized, but not correlated with that to PCG. On the other hand, the resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics were correlated with that to PCG. Seventeen isolates (27%) were resistant to two or more antibiotics among PCG, EM, MINO, ofloxacin (OFLX), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (ST). In pneumococcal infection, we always have to pay a careful attention to susceptibility test before we choose antibiotics.

Weight reduction regresses left ventricular mass regardless of blood pressure level in obese subjects

The effects of weight reduction on left ventricular mass in obese normotensive and hypertensive subjects were investigated. Previous studies have shown that weight reduction in hypertensive (HT) obese patients is associated with decreased left ventricular mass (LVM) and decreased blood pressure (BP). This study was performed to examine whether weight reduction would also regress LVM in normotensive (NT) obese subjects and to clarify the mechanisms of these effects if they occurred. A weight-reduction program consisted of mild exercise and mild hypocaloric intake. M-mode echocardiography was performed to estimate the LVM. After the 12-week intervention, the mean reductions in body weight (BW) in the NT (n = 11) and HT (n = 11) groups were 4.9 kg (p < 0.005) and 4.6 kg (p < 0.0005), respectively. Systolic, diastolic, and mean BP were significantly reduced by 13, 9, and 11 mm Hg, respectively, in the HT group. By contrast, no significant changes in systolic, diastolic, or mean BP were observed in the NT group. LVM was significantly reduced from 176 +/- 26 gm to 159 +/- 26 gm (p < 0.05) in the HT group and from 167 +/- 33 gm to 145 +/- 34 gm (p < 0.02) in the NT group. These results suggest that weight reduction in obese subjects by mild exercise and mild hypocaloric intake can lead to a reduction in LVM, regardless of whether the subjects have normal or high blood pressure.

Effects of bilateral orbital decompression by an endoscopic endonasal approach in dysthyroid orbitopathy

AIMS

The efficacy of endoscopic endonasal orbital decompression in dysthyroid orbitopathy was analysed.

METHODS

In 21 consecutive cases of bilateral operation short term (10 (SD 6) days after operation) and long term (156 (12) days after operation) results were recorded.

RESULTS

Short term results showed that vision of the more affected eye improved from a mean of 0.35 to 0.59; vision improved in all but one eye which remained unchanged. In the fellow eyes mean visual acuity improved from 0.6 to 0.7; three of these eyes showed a decrease. Mean proptosis returned from 23.0 mm to 20.0 mm. As to motility the mean abductive capacity decreased from 5.5 mm to 4.0 mm of monocular excursion, whereas adduction increased from 7.5 mm to 8.5 mm. Upgaze and downgaze did not show any major change. The mean angle of horizontal squint shifted from 7.5 degrees of convergence to 15.5 degrees while no significant vertical or cyclorotational deviation was induced. These immediate postoperative results proved to be stable for the period of long term follow up with only slight changes. No significant bleeding or specific otorhinolaryngological complication without resolve occurred intraoperatively or perioperatively.

CONCLUSION

This method is believed to be superior to non-endoscopic techniques because it avoids external scars and antral pain. With regard to the relief of intraorbital pressure, the technique gives good results for visual acuity improvement, but in proptosis reduction the method is not as efficient as external or combined procedures. There seems to be no difference when compared with other approaches in induction of horizontal squint. The method has a protective long term effect against the recurrence of compressive optic neuropathy.

Rapid transcriptional activation and early mRNA turnover of brain natriuretic peptide in cardiocyte hypertrophy. Evidence for brain natriuretic peptide as an "emergency" cardiac hormone against ventricular overload

We previously demonstrated that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone mainly produced in the ventricle, while the major production site of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is the atrium. To assess the pathophysiological role of BNP in ventricular overload, we have examined the gene expression of BNP, In comparison with that of ANP, in a model of cardiac hypertrophy using cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiocytes. During cardiocyte hypertrophy evoked by endothelin-1, Phenylephrine, or PMA, the steady state level of BNP mRNA increased as rapidly as the "immediate-early" induction of the c-fos gene expression, and reached a maximal level within 1 h. Actinomycin D, a transcriptional inhibitor, completely diminished the response, while the translational blocked with cycloheximide did not inhibit it. In contrast, ANP mRNA began to increase 3 h after the stimulation, and accumulated during cardiocyte hypertrophy. The BNP secretion from ventricular cardiocytes was also stimulated, more rapidly than the ANP secretion. Furthermore, the turnover of BNP mRNA was significantly faster than that of ANP mRNA, being consistent with the existence of AUUUA motif in the 3'-untranslated region of BNP mRNA. These results demonstrate that the gene expression of BNP is distinctly regulated from that of ANP at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, and indicate that the characteristics of the BNP gene expression are suitable for its possible role as an " emergency" cardiac hormone against ventricular overload.

Metal-mediated oxidative damage to cellular and isolated DNA by certain tryptophan metabolites

The tryptophan metabolites 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HKyn) are carcinogens. DNA damage by 3-HAA and 3-HKyn in the presence of metal ions was investigated as a potential mechanism of their carcinogenicity. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed that in the presence of Mn(II), 3-HAA and 3-HKyn induced DNA double-strand breaks in cultured human cells. DNA single-strand breaks were observed with alkali treatment. The enhancing effect of catalase inhibitor and the inhibitory effect of o-phenanthroline on the strand breakage indicated the involvement of H2O2 and endogenous transition metal ion. Damage to DNA fragments obtained from c-Ha-rds-1 protooncogene was investigated by a DNA sequencing technique. 3-HAA and 3-HKyn induced piperidine-labile sites frequently at thymine and guanine residues in the presence of Cu(II). The inhibitory effects of bathocuproine and catalase on Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage suggest that Cu(I) and H2O2 have important roles in the production of active species causing DNA damage. The Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage was enhanced by preincubation of 3-HAA with Mn(II). UV-visible spectroscopy showed that Mn(II) and Cu(II) enhanced the rate of autoxidation of 3-HAA in different ways. These results suggest that in the presence of Mn(II) or Cu(II), these tryptophan metabolites produce H2O2, which is activated by transition metal ion to cause damage to DNA both in the case of isolated DNA and cultured cells.

[A case of cutaneous malignant melanoma metastatic to the choroid]

A case of metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma to the choroid was reported. The patient, a 61-year-old man, had undergone an amputation of his right first finger 3 years ago due to cutaneous malignant melanoma. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed a whitish yellow elevated choroidal lesion and serous retinal detachment in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated multiple pinpoint leaks in the early phase and progressive pooling of dye into the subretinal space in the late phase. In magnetic resonance imaging, the tumor showed a hyperintense image in both T1 and T2-weighted images. Autopsy was performed and histopathological examination of the eye showed that the tumor cells were polygonal in shape, and had round or oval nuclei, but the cytoplasms had little melanin pigment. Immunohistochemistry for S-100 and HMB-45 antibody showed positive staining in choroidal tumor and other metastatic lesions, indicating that they were metastatic tumors from cutaneous malignant melanoma (amelanotic melanoma cells).

Hydroxyl radical generation in skeletal muscle atrophied by immobilization

Male Wistar rats (15 weeks old), the ankle joints of one hindlimb of which were immobilized in the extended position for 12 days, were injected with salicylate as a trapping agent for hydroxyl radicals before sacrifice. Atrophied and contralateral soleus, typical slow red muscles were collected and their levels of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHB), one of the main reaction products formed by the attack of hydroxyl radical on salicylate, were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector. There was a significant increase in 2,3-DHB in the atrophied muscle. This result strongly suggests the enhanced generation in vivo of hydroxyl radicals in atrophied muscle.

Analysis of cytoplasmic and surface antigens in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemias: clinical relevance of cytoplasmic TCR beta chain expression

Expression of surface and cytoplasmic antigens on the blasts from 42 cases of childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) were analysed. All with childhood T-ALL, except for one case expressing cytoplasmic TCR delta chain, were classified on the basis of differential expression of cytoplasmic CD3 (cCD3), TCR beta chain (cTCR beta) and surface CD3 (sCD3) into the following three groups: group I (cCD3+, cTCR beta-, sCD3-), eight cases (19.5%); group II (cCD3+, cTCR beta +, sCD3-), 23 cases (56.1%); group III (cCD3+, cTCR beta +/-, sCD3+), 10 cases (24.4%). Each group defines the stepwise maturational stage of the CD3/TCR complex along the intrathymic T-cell differentiation. Group I had the lowest initial WBC count among the three groups (P < 0.05) and showed significantly (P < 0.05) a higher event-free survival (0.75) than those of group II (0.33). There was no significant difference in both the initial WBC count and the event-free survival between groups II and III. Thus, the absence of cTCR beta in sCD3-negative T-ALL appears to be a good prognostic factor, suggesting that this classification provides a useful tool to predict the prognosis of childhood T-ALL. This is the first report, to our knowledge, studying the relationship between the expression of cytoplasmic CD3/TCR antigens and the clinical features in T-ALL.

Amino acid sequence of an inhibitor from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) hemolymph against fungal protease

A novel protein protease inhibitor (FPI-F) which is highly specific for fungal proteases and subtilisin was isolated from the silkworm hemolymph, and its amino acid sequence was determined by conventional methods. The inhibitor consisted of 55 amino acid residues and had a molecular weight of 6,100. The inhibitor included eight cysteine residues and relatively large amounts of acidic amino acids, but neither alanine, methionine nor tryptophan. The amino acid sequence of FPI-F was not homologous with those of other known protease inhibitors of microbe, plant or animal origin.

Case report: progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with prominent medullary veins on angiogram

A case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus is presented. Angiography revealed early filling of prominent medullary veins in the region of the lesion, suggesting active demyelination.

Effects of the new histamine H2-receptor antagonist N-ethyl-N'-[3-[3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy]propyl] urea with potent gastric mucosal protective activity on acute gastric lesions and duodenal ulcers in rats

The effects of KU-1257 (N-ethyl-N'-[3-[3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy]propyl]urea, CAS 120958-90-9) on gastric lesions and duodenal ulcers in rats were compared with those of various antiulcer drugs. KU-1257 prevented the formation of gastric lesions induced by necrotizing agents. The ID50 values against 0.6 N HCl-induced gastric lesions were 18.6 mg/kg, p.o. and 6.0 mg/kg, i.p. The ID50 values against absolute ethanol- and 1% NH3-induced gastric lesions were 12.4 and 9.2 mg/kg, p.o., respectively. Roxatidine acetate, troxipide and teprenone at doses of 100-200 mg/kg p.o. also significantly prevented the formation of gastric lesions by these necrotizing agents. Cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine had no protective effect against these gastric lesions even at a dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. KU-1257, roxatidine acetate and famotidine inhibited acetylsalicylic acid- and water-immersion stress-induced gastric lesions. KU-1257, roxatidine acetate and famotidine inhibited mepirizole-induced duodenal ulcers, but not troxipide and teprenone. These results suggest that KU-1257 is more potent in the mucosal protective action than troxipide, teprenone, roxatidine acetate and other histamine H2-receptor antagonists.

Healing-promoting action of the new histamine H2-receptor antagonist N-ethyl-N'-[3-[3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy]propyl]urea with dual action on chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats

Healing-promoting actions of KU-1257 (N-ethyl-N'-[3-[3-(piperidinomethyl)phenoxy]propyl]urea, CAS 120958-90-9) were investigated in chronic gastric and duodenal ulcer models induced by acetic acid in rats and the effects were compared with those of famotidine and roxatidine acetate by gross or histological evaluation. KU-1257 markedly promoted the well-balanced healing of gastric ulcer at oral doses of 10-50 mg/kg x 2/day, as evidenced by the reduction of ulcer, regeneration of mucosa and proliferation of connective tissue. KU-1257 caused an increase in gastric mucus secretion in the regenerated mucosa around the gastric ulcers. Famotidine and roxatidine acetate failed to promote the healing of gastric ulcers even at 100 mg/kg x 2/day p.o. KU-1257 also significantly accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced duodenal ulcers as well as famotidine and roxatidine acetate. These results indicate that KU-1257 is characterized by a potent promoting action on the healing of chronic ulcers, suggesting that the increase in gastric mucus secretion might be associated with the antiulcer actions of KU-1257 in part.

Effect of ibudilast, a novel antiasthmatic agent, on anaphylactic bronchoconstriction: predominant involvement of endogenous slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis

The effect of ibudilast on anaphylactic bronchoconstriction was studied in guinea pigs sensitized actively with ovalbumin (OA). Animals were treated with indomethacin, tripelennamine and propranolol prior to the antigen challenge. Anaphylactic bronchoconstriction was prevented by ibudilast (1-4 mg/kg i.v. and 5-20 mg/kg p.o.) dose-dependently. FPL55712 and phenidone were also effective. Even when administered at the maximum development of bronchoconstriction, ibudilast (0.5 and 2 mg/kg i.v.) and FPL 55712 caused significant reduction of the increased airway tone, while phenidone did not. Ibudilast (1-4 mg/kg i.v.) and FPL55712 inhibited leukotriene D4-induced airway responses in nonsensitized guinea pigs pretreated with indomethacin and propranolol. Ibudilast (1.6 and 4 mg/kg i.v.) inhibited platelet-activating-factor (PAF)-induced airway responses in nonsensitized guinea pigs pretreated with indomethacin and propranolol, however, FPL 55712 inhibited PAF-induced airway responses only at a high dose such as 10 mg/kg i.v. Ibudilast (4 mg/kg i.v.) did not inhibit acetylcholine-induced airway response. Ibudilast showed inhibition of the release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from guinea pig chopped lung sensitized with OA, which was significantly diminished by indomethacin. The drug little affected the activity of phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These results indicate that ibudilast inhibits anaphylactic bronchoconstriction which is considered to be largely mediated by endogenously released SRS-A. The inhibitory effect of ibudilast on anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in the presence of indomethacin is considered to be exerted through its antagonism to SRS-A.