Increase in incorporation into lymphocytes in vitro of esterified anti-inflammatory corticosteroids

Corticosteroids esterified at C-17 and C-21 such as hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate (HBP) and prednisolone 17-valerate 21-acetate (PVA) inhibited PHA-induced blastogenesis of human blood lymphocytes more intensively than hydrocortisone (HC) and prednisolone (PSL), the parent corticosteroids. When lymphocytes were incubated with HBP or HC, the total amount of HBP incorporated into lymphocytes was much larger than that of HC. The amount of HBP bound specifically to the receptors was also increased, which may be due to the increased concentration of corticosteroid in lymphocytes. These results suggest that the increased incorporation of the esterified corticosteroids into cells would be most important to produce an intensive biological activity.

Biological active macrocyclic diterpenoids from chinese drug "Fáng Féng Cáo"; II. Derivatives of ovatodiolids and their cytotoxity

Isolated macrocyclic diterpenoids, ovatodiolide ( 1), 4, 5-epoxyovatodiolide ( 2), anisomelic acid ( 3), 4, 7-oxycycloanisomelic acid ( 4), and 4-methylene-5-oxoanisomelic acid ( 6), from the Chinese crude drug "Fáng Féng Cáordquo;, and the derivatives of the isolated compounds were tested for their growth inhibiting activities in culture of KB cell line. Besides, the effects of 1 on Ehrlich carcinoma in mice are reported.

Enhancement of affinity to receptors in the esterified glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate (HBP), in the rat liver

To investigate the affinity of glucocorticoid (GC) to its receptor, the binding of [3H]hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate ([3H]HBP) and [3H]dexamethasone ([3H]DEX) in rat liver was analyzed kinetically. Scatchard analysis of [3H]hydrocortisone ([3H]HC) binding yielded a curvilinear plot with upward concavity with high and low affinities. The dissociation constant (Kd) value of high affinity was 1.9 nM and of low affinity 68.7 nM. A Scatchard plot of [3H]HBP binding showed a straight line with high affinity. The Kd value was 9.8 nM. The Kd values for the low affinity site of HC were in good agreement with the Ki values obtained from displacement experiments of [3H]DEX and [3H]HBP binding. The Ki values of HC for [3H]DEX and [3H]HBP were 51.9 and 42.3 nM respectively. The association rate constant for HBP to the GC receptor was 2.9 times lower than that for HC. The dissociation rate constant for HBP was 6.1 to 8.3 times lower than that for HC. The Kd values for [3H]HBP (9.5 nM) and [3H]HC (30.0 nM) obtained from the above two rate constants were approximately the same as the Ki and Kd values (in the case of HC, the value of the low affinity site). These results suggest that esterification of the hydroxyl group(s) in the side chain of GC by butyrate and propionate increased the affinity to the GC receptor, and that a decrease in the dissociation rate from the receptor caused the increase in the affinity to the GC receptor.

Affinity purification of kallikrein and elastase from hog pancrease powder

The present report describes a method that is efficient for simultaneous isolation of kallikrein and elastase from hog pancrease powder. Both enzymes were separated by successive column chromatography on CM-cellulofine and p-aminobenzamidine-Sepharose 4B. Kallikrein was further purified by column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and elastase was purified by repeated gel chromatography on Sephadex G-75. The kallikrein obtained was composed of two components, which were separable by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the elastase had one component. The activity yields of kallikrein and elastase were 49 and 38%, respectively.

Visualization of moving fluid: quantitative analysis of blood flow velocity using MR imaging

A new method for the measurement of blood flow using magnetic resonance imaging has been developed. The flow velocities are calculated from the distances that the fluid has moved. The distances are directly visualized by a new pulse sequence. In a phantom study, the measured flow rates showed very good correlation with actual flow rates of up to 20 l/min (3 m/sec). In a volunteer study, pulsatile flow velocities of a large artery were measured with electrocardiographic gating. The flow pattern of a cardiac cycle at the abdominal aorta is similar to that revealed by other methods of measurement, such as Doppler ultrasound. This method allows reasonably accurate quantitative analysis of blood flow in the large arteries.

Effect of neuraminidase on diltiazem-mediated alteration of nitrendipine binding in the hog coronary artery

The dissociation constant (Kd) and the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 3H-nitrendipine (3H-NTD) were not altered by neuraminidase (NUase) treatment. The Kd and Bmax values were approximately 0.2 nM and 70 fmoles/mg protein, respectively. The influences of diltiazem on 3H-NTD bindings differed between NUase treated and untreated preparations. Diltiazem increased 3H-NTD (100 pM) binding dose-dependently with a 40% increase at about 10(-6) M in the untreated preparation. After treatment with NUase, a low dose of diltiazem decreased 3H-NTD (100 pM) binding, and the greatest effect was observed at 10(-9) M with a 50% decrease, while at a high dose of diltiazem (10(-6) M), 80% increase of the binding was observed. Scatchard plot analysis indicated that a high dose of diltiazem (10(-6) M) increased only the affinity of 3H-NTD to the binding site in both the NUase-treated and untreated preparations. In the untreated preparation, a low dose of diltiazem (10(-9) M) had no effect on 3H-NTD binding, but in the NUase-treated preparation, diltiazem (10(-9) M) showed opposing effects, namely, an increase and decrease of the binding at low and high concentrations of 3H-NTD, respectively. No straight line was obtained when a hill plot analysis of the effect of diltiazem on 3H-NTD binding was made. These results suggested that diltiazem allosterically regulates dihydropyridine derivative binding, and in this regulation, the concentration ratios between diltiazem and the dihydropyridine derivative is the most important factor. Furthermore, it is suggested that the sialic acid of the proteoglycan is involved in these interactions, especially in the effect of diltiazem on dihydropyridine binding.

Plant Anticancer Agents XXXV. Further Constituents of Simaba multiflora1,2

An antileukemic quassinoid simalikalactone D ( 17) and two anticancer phenolic compounds, emodin and tricin, were isolated from the wood of SIMABA MULTIFLORA (Simaroubaceae) as well as 8-hydroxycanthin-6-one ( 18) and coumarin. The constituents of the genus SIMABA are reviewed.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the parotid gland: report of a case and review of the literature

A case of primary extramedullary plasmacytoma (PEMP) with local amyloid deposition arising in the left parotid gland of a 78-year-old woman is described. The present case was studied with immunologic techniques with results confirming that the neoplastic cells were of monoclonal nature, producing lambda-light chains alone. PEMPs of the salivary glands are rare, with only 8 cases reported in the literature. The salient features of these 9 cases are summarized. Problems connected with the clinical, pathological and therapeutic aspects of PEMP with regard to the rare parotid location are discussed.

Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by a new anti-inflammatory drug, TA-60

Effect of a new anti-inflammatory drug which has a little ulcer inducing property on gastrointestinal tract, TA-60 (2-[4-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) phenyl] propionic acid), on the prostaglandin (PG) metabolism was investigated. TA-60 inhibited the PGE2 biosynthesis of the bovine seminal vesicle microsome dose-dependently. The inhibition constant (Ki) of TA-60 was approximately 8 microM. The potency of TA-60 was approximately the same and two times that of ibuprofen (IP) and phenylbutazone (PBZ), respectively. TA-60 did not show the time dependent inhibition of the PGE2 biosynthesis unlikely to indomethacin (IM). The decrease in the PGE2 contents in the stomach of the rats by TA-60 reached a plateau and the content was not decreased to less than a certain level. The PGE2 content of the intestine was not changed by TA-60. TA-60 did not inhibit the activity of the PG degradating enzyme, 15-hydroxy PG dehydrogenase (15-OH-PG-DH) of the gastric mucosa like the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): IP, PBZ and IM. These results suggest that the slight ulcerating effect of TA-60 on the gastrointestinal tract might be resulted from the small decreasing effect of TA-60 on the gastrointestinal level of PGE2.

Temporal bone pathology in congenital anomalies of the oval window and the facial nerve

Temporal bones of six infants with congenital ear anomalies were examined for abnormalities of the oval window and facial nerve. These temporal bones were classified into two groups according to the degree of malformation: group A, those with atresia or absence of the oval window; and, group B, those with hypoplasia of the stapes and annular ligament. Group A, consisting of five ears, were associated with severe middle ear anomalies such as the abnormal course of the facial nerve and absence of the stapes. In group B, consisting of seven ears, the stapes were present and the facial nerve presented minor anomalies such as obtuse angulation at the first genu, central migration of the geniculate ganglion cells, ectopic muscles and a wide bony dehiscence of the facial canal around the oval window. Probable origin of the anomalies in group A could mainly be due to maldevelopment of the facial nerve during an earlier embryonal period while that of group B could have developed after the ninth week of the fetal period and are mostly localized along the second branchial arch.

Heterogeneity of binding sites for glucocorticoid and the glucocorticoid-receptor complex in rat livers

Glucocorticoid binding to cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions and glucocorticoid-receptor complex binding to the nuclear fraction were investigated using rat liver. The glucocorticoid-receptor complex binding to the nuclear fraction was temperature-dependent, saturable, small in amount and of high affinity. The affinity and number of the glucocorticoid-receptor complex binding to the nuclear fraction were altered according to the glucocorticoid. Both the Bmax of nuclear glucocorticoid-receptor complex binding and the affinity of glucocorticoid to the cytoplasmic fraction were correlated with the relative anti-inflammatory potencies of glucocorticoids reported by Hynes and Murad (1980) and Fried et al. (1958). These results suggest that the number of nuclear binding sites of the glucocorticoid-receptor complex depends on the ligand steroid which is bound to the receptor of the cytoplasmic fraction and may be involved in physiological and pharmacological potencies of the glucocorticoid in addition to the affinity of the glucocorticoid to the receptor.

Effect of 2'-carboxymethoxy-4,4'-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)chalcone (SU-88) on prostaglandin metabolism in hog gastric mucosa

SU-88 [2'-carboxymethoxy-4,4'-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)chalcone] inhibited the activity of the prostaglandin (PG)-metabolizing enzyme, 15-hydroxy-PG-dehydrogenase (15-OH-PG-DH), in a cytoplasmic fraction of gastric mucosa. This compound had no effect on the PG synthetase of bovine seminal vesicle microsomes and lactate dehydrogenase in rat liver. The 15-OH-PG-DH activity of gastric mucosa was not influenced by a specific inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, 4-methylpyrazole. Carbenoxolone (CBX) also inhibited 15-OH-PG-DH activity. The IC50 values for SU-88 and CBX were approximately 20 and 40 microM respectively. SU-88 inhibited 15-OH-PG-DH activity uncompetitively or competitively according to whether PGE1 or NAD was used as substrate. CBX inhibited competitively the activity of this enzyme for both substrates. After the addition of SU-88 or CBX to the incubation medium of gastric mucosa, the PGE2 level of the medium was increased significantly while that of the tissue remained unchanged. These results indicate that SU-88 specifically inhibited 15-OH-PG-DH activity and suggest that 15-OH-PG-DH activity regulates the level of PGs in gastric mucosa and may have an anti-ulcer influence.

[Pharmacological studies of a new sleep-inducer, 1H-1,2,4-triazolyl benzophenone derivatives (450191-S) (I). Behavioral analysis]

The behavioral effects of 450191-S and its metabolites were investigated in mice, rats, cats and rhesus monkeys, and they were compared with those of related benzodiazepines (BDZ) such as diazepam and nitrazepam. Oral administration of 450191-S consistently caused sedation without excitability in mice and rats, and it was only 1/2 to 1/266 as potent as the BDZ in producing motor incoordination as assessed by traction, rotarod performance and inclined screen tests in mice, induced much less ataxia in cats and monkeys, and inhibited respiration in anesthetized cats. The locomotor activities of mice and rats measured by Animex and the open field test were not affected by 450191-S, but rearing and preening decreased with 450191-S as with the BDZ. 450191-S was equipotent with nitrazepam and 2 to 6 times more potent than diazepam and estazolam in potentiating chlorprothixene-induced hypnosis and thiopental-Na-induced anesthesia. These effects were not different with successive 14-day administration of 450191-S. Anti-pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin and bicuculline convulsions of 450191-S had the same potency as nitrazepam, but caused much less anti-electroshock convulsion than the BDZ. 450191-S had potent antianxiety activity as observed by anti-aggressive and anti-conflict activities and had almost the same effect as diazepam on operant behavior. The metabolites M-1, M-2, M-A and M-3 showed approximately the same potency as 450191-S in inducing anesthetic potentiation and antianxiety activity, but they were much more potent in causing disturbance of the somatic functions. These results indicate that 450191-S possesses inhibitory effects on the central nervous system, including a potent sleep-inducing effect, and is characterized by markedly weak muscle relaxant activity and motor incoordination.

Time-dependent inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs; time-dependent alteration of inhibitory effect and characteristics of its active site

The characteristics of the time-dependency of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their active sites in inhibiting cyclooxygenase activity were investigated using bovine seminal vesicle microsomal fraction. The Hill's coefficients of the inhibition curve of most NSAIDs were approximately 1.0, except for some drugs which had Hill's coefficients that were obviously more than 1.0. The values for indomethacin, diclofenac and flurbiprofen were approximately 1.5, 1.7 and 2.0, respectively. A time-dependent cyclooxygenase inhibiting effect was observed only with the NSAIDs in the group which had Hill's coefficients that were significantly more than 1.0. A time-dependent increase in inhibiting activity of these drugs was observed by the change in the inhibition curve. Time-dependently, the Hill's coefficient of the curve of the NSAIDs approached 1.0 from more than 1.0. With this change, the shift of the curve to the left was also observed time-dependently. These changes in the curve were no longer seen when the Hill's coefficient dropped to 1.0. These time-dependent effects were protected by salicylic acid, which did not have any effect on cyclooxygenase activity in vitro, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that the two classes of NSAIDs, time-dependent and non-time-dependent, are clearly differentiated by the slope of the inhibition curve of NSAIDs. Furthermore, the present results indicate that the degree of time-dependence of the NSAIDs depends on the Hill's coefficient of the inhibition curve, and the value is important for the potency of the cyclooxygenase inhibition, in addition to the affinity for the catalytic site of the enzyme.

GENAS: a database system for nucleic acid sequence analysis

A database system, named GENAS (GENe Analyzing System), for computer analysis of sequence was constructed using Adbis which is a relational database management system (1). GENAS enables us to retrieve any sequence data from EMBL nucleotide sequence data library (2) and readily to analyze them (if necessary, together with private data) by various application programs in a interactive manner. Analysis of structure of replication origin of replicons was demonstrated using this system.

The aetiological relationship between congenital torticollis and obstetrical paralysis

A statistical study was done to determine the incidence of congenital torticollis. The aetiological relationship between torticollis and obstetrical paralysis was analysed in an attempt to clarify the possible cause of torticollis. There were forty-three cases of torticollis in the 2,160 babies delivered at the Otsu Red Cross Hospital from 1978 to 1981. The overall incidence of torticollis was 1.9%; 1.2% in cephalic presentations, 6.5% in double breech presentations, 4.2% in footling presentations and 34.0% in single (frank) breech presentations. In addition, forty-three cases of obstetrical paralysis treated in Kyoto University Hospital from 1961 to 1981 were reviewed. Torticollis was found in 26% of the cephalic presentations (6 out of 23) and in 80% of the breech presentations (16 out of 20) respectively. These findings suggest that a foetal posture with both the knees and the cervical spine extended seems to be closely related to the development of torticollis, which indicates that a direct cause may be stretching of the sternocleidomastoid muscle during delivery.

ECG-gated NMR-CT for cardiovascular disease

We have developed an ECG-gated NMR-CT, and used it with 16 patients. The saturation recovery images are not able to separate heart muscle from the blood pool, but in inversion recovery images, heart muscle can be differentiated from the ventricles. The region of myocardial infarction is revealed as wall thinning and/or wall motion abnormality. From the two-gated inversion recovery images (the end-diastole and end-systole images) we obtained, we evaluated a wall motion abnormality in the left ventricle, and calculated the ejection fraction of the left ventricle. This information was then compared with the findings of a nuclear medicine study carried out one week interval and which included 10 of the 16 patients tested with the ECG-gated NMR-CT. The wall motions in both methods are well correlated, with the exception of the inferior wall. The values of the ejection fraction in the NMR image were moderately low, but two modalities showed a satisfactory correlation (r = 0.85).

Different mode of action between norepinephrine and phenylephrine on prostaglandin synthesis by dog renal inner medullary slices

The dog renal inner medullary slices synthesized and released prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha, PGI2 (measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and thromboxane (TX) A2 (measured as TXB2). When incubated in the presence of norepinephrine, the synthesis of these arachidonic acid metabolites were stimulated about 2-fold. The norepinephrine effect could be antagonized by the addition of an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent, phenoxybenzamine, but not by a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug, propranolol. Phenoxybenzamine at concentrations that block norepinephrine stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis did not suppress the increase in prostaglandins synthesized by exogenous arachidonic acid. By contrast, phenylephrine caused only PGI2 production without producing other prostaglandins and thromboxane. This phenylephrine effect could not be antagonized by either alpha- or beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents, but it was abolished by the specific PGI2 synthetase inhibitors 15-hydroperoxy arachidonic acid and tranylcypromine. These results suggest that norepinephrine-induced prostaglandin synthesis is mediated via an alpha-adrenergic receptor mechanism, whereas phenylephrine stimulation is primarily occurring at the step which follows the cyclooxygenase reaction in the metabolism of arachidonic acid.

Comparison of inhibitory effects of substituted benzamides and classical neuroleptics on operant behavior in rats and squirrel monkeys

The operant behavioral effects of the substituted benzamides metoclopramide, sultopride and sulpiride were compared with those of chlorpromazine and haloperidol using lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation of the brain in rats and Sidman avoidance responding in rats and squirrel monkeys. All the drugs inhibited both phenomena dose-dependently in rats. The order of potency was: haloperidol greater than chlorpromazine greater than metoclopramide greater than sultopride greater than sulpiride. Sulpiride only produced moderate inhibition even at 128 mg/kg s.c. All drugs also suppressed Sidman avoidance in squirrel monkeys, which were far more sensitive than rats to the inhibitory effects of all three benzamides. In monkeys, sulpiride 8 mg/kg i.m. apparently suppressed Sidman avoidance with a delayed onset and a prolonged duration, which contrasted with the rapid onset and short duration of metoclopramide action. Thus, long-term observation of the behavioral effects of benzamides in squirrel monkeys may provide more precise information on the clinical antipsychotic efficacy of substituted benzamides.

Temporal bone histopathology of atresia auris congenita with chromosome aberration

Temporal bone findings in two infants demonstrating congenital aural atresia with microtia were presented focusing mainly on the external and middle ears. These two cases were proved to have chromosome aberration that is, 13-15 trisomy and extra chromosome in group G individually. Temporal bones showed the multiple anomalies through the external, middle and internal ears. The external canals were filled with connective tissue in one case and with bony plate in the other to form aural atresia. There were no development of the tubotympanic recess in a case of 13-15 trisomy. The oval window area in both cases was poorly developed resulting in a connective tissue fissure in the lateral wall of the vestibule except for one ear, while the round windows were normally formed in all ears. The facial nerves showed an abnormal running course without forming the geniculate ganglion and the horizontal segment. These findings indicate that the structures derived from the second branchial arch might be more deeply involved than the first one in the congenital aural atresia.

Anomalies of the auditory organ in Potter's syndrome. Histopathological findings in the temporal bone

Histopathological findings in the temporal bone are described in a newborn infant, diagnosed as having Potter's syndrome. The infant has severely malformed low-set ears bilaterally and a small lower jaw; autopsy findings showed bilateral renal agenesis and pulmonary hypoplasia. The temporal bone indicated the deformities of the inner ear, classified as Mondini-type, complicated by extensive deformities to the external ear and middle ear, including absence of auditory ossicles, atresia of the oval window, abnormal course of the facial nerve, and hypoplastic external auditory canal. The cochlear membranous labyrinth showed nearly normal form in the upper turn, but severe hypoplasia in the basal turn, which was an unusual cochlear anomaly.

Collagenolytic enzyme in solid Tawa sarcoma

In order to demonstrate a collagenolytic enzyme in a tumor, solid Tawa sarcoma was subjected to a tissue culture technique. Salt- and acid-soluble collagen used as substrate was extracted from the rat skin and tail tendon. The tumor mass used was obtained on the 5th, 8th, and 11th days after subcutaneous transplantation of ascites Tawa sarcoma cells. Each tissue fragment in the inner and outer layers of the tumor mass was incubated on collagen gel at 37 degrees for 4 days, and collagenolytic activity was determined by comparing the relative content of hydroxyproline in the attacked collagen which was separated by means of centrifugation. All fragments were found to possess collagenolytic activity with some variation. Higher activity was observed in the outer layer than in the inner layer. Tumor fragments were cultured, and the collagenolytic enzyme was isolated from the culture medium and concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and acrylamide disc electrophoresis. Collagenolytic enzyme activity was examined for its mode of attack on native collagen.