Stimulation of chalcone synthase activity by yeast extract in cultured Glycyrrhiza echinata cells and 5-deoxyflavanone formation by isolated protoplasts

Chalcone synthase activity catalyzing the formation of naringenin (5-hydroxyflavanone) was detected in cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza echinata. This activity rapidly increased by treatment of the cells with yeast extract, while non-treated cells showed a constant low activity. Isolated G. echinata protoplasts accumulated retrochalcone (echinatin) and its biosynthetic intermediate (licodione) during 24 h of culture. When the protoplasts were incubated with [(14)C(U)]phenylalanine, liquiritigenin (5-deoxyflavanone) was transiently labeled, indicating the induction of 6'-deoxychalcone synthase. The formation of liquiritigenin, in addition to naringenin, was observed when the crude extracts from the protoplasts were assaved for CHS activity.

Saponin production by cultures of Panax ginseng transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Hairy root culture of Ginseng (Panax ginseng) was established after roots were induced on callus following infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The transformed cultures of ginseng could be subcultured as an axenic root culture in the absence of phytohormones, and grew with extensive lateral branches more rapidly than the ordinary cultured roots induced by hormonal control from ginseng callus. The hairy roots synthesized the same saponins, ginsenosides, as those of the native root, up to about 2.4 times in the quantity, and up to about 2 times in comparison with that of the ordinary cultured roots, on dry weight basis.

Okilactomycin, a novel antibiotic produced by a Streptomyces species. II. Structure determination

Structure of a novel antibiotic, okilactomycin, was determined by a combination of spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic studies. Okilactomycin has a unique structure containing 13-membered ring cyclized by carbon-carbon bond.

Selective C1q deficiency in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with selective C1q deficiency. C1q deficiency had been presumed to be a non-hereditary disorder; however, the 10 reported cases in the world literature, and our case, suggest that C1q deficiency could also be an inherited disease.

Regulation of retrochalcone biosynthesis: Activity changes of O-methyltransferases in the yeast extract-induced Glycyrrhiza echinata cells

Three O-methyltransferases which catalyze S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent O-methylation of licodione (LMT), flavone/flavonol (FMT), and caffeic acid (CMT) were separated from the callus culture of Glycyrrhiza echinata, and characteristic differences between their pH optima and Mg(2+) requirement for activity were demonstrated. The activity of LMT, which is involved in retrochalcone (echinatin) biosynthesis, but not of FMT or CMT, was found to be stimulated when suspension-cultured G. echinata cells were treated with yeast extract (YE), which causes rapid production of echinatin in the cells. Cycloheximide suppressed both the YE-induced echinatin formation and LMT enhancement. The results indicate a selective induction of retrochalcone pathway in Glycyrrhiza cells in response to stress.

Stereoselectivity of a potent calcium antagonist, 1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinyl methyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate

Four enantiomers (3a-d) of the title compound, YM-09730 (3), were synthesized by the reaction of (-)- or (+)-5-(methoxycarbonyl)-2, 6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylic acid (1a or 1b) with (S)- or (R)-1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinol (2a or 2b). [3H]Nitrendipine binding affinity and coronary vasodilating activity of these compounds were evaluated. The absolute configuration of the most potent enantiomer (3a) with the longest duration was unequivocally determined to be (S)-1,4-dihydropyridine-C4 and (S)-pyrrolidine-C3 (S,S) by X-ray crystallographic study on 3a X HBr as well as 3a X HCl. The configuration of 1a corresponds to R, and the other enantiomers of 3 were respectively determined by chemical correlation. The potency order of the four enantiomers was (S,S)-3a greater than (S,R)-3b greater than (R,R)-3d greater than (R,S)-3c. Latent chiral characters of nifedipine derivatives with the identical ester groups were assigned by comparison of their puckering modes of 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) rings with those found in 3a X HCl or 3a X HBr. On the basis of the assignment, it has been revealed that the (S)-DHP nifedipine derivatives possess the synperiplanar carbonyl group at C5. The conformational restriction may be a factor causing stereoselectivity of antagonism.

Short-term toxicity study of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in marmosets

The marmoset, a small non-human primate, has rarely been used in toxicological studies. A short-term toxicity study was performed on common marmosets (BW = 330 +/- 32 g). Fifteen male marmosets received oral administration of DAB at a dose level of 56 mg/kg/day and 4 control animals received corn oil alone for a period of 15 days. Hematological, biochemical, histopathological and bone marrow examinations were carried out on the 5th, 10th and 15th day of treatment. Body weight decreased continuously and two animals died on day 10. Decreases in RBC, Hb and Ht and increases in MCV and WBC were observed. Uric acid and glucose were increased and AlP and LAP were decreased. Aldolase, GOT and GPT were increased by day 10, and thereafter recovery of aldolase to the control level and decreases of GOT and GPT were observed. Relative organ weights of the liver, kidney, spleen and adrenal were increased. Histologically, C-cell hyperplasia of the thyroid and slight changes of the liver were noted. Marrow total cell counts were not changed, but the G/E ratio was reduced. Thus, macrocytic anemia, an increase of marrow erythroblasts due to anemia and changes of biochemical parameters indicating liver injury were observed in marmosets; these findings were similar to those in rats in the previous experiments.

[A case of ulcerative colitis relapsing at the defunctionalized colon after subtotal colectomy]

A 25-year-old female with left sided ulcerative colitis underwent subtotal colectomy, and colo-anal anastomosis with diverting ileostomy by combined abdomino-sacral approach on February 14, 1985. Immediately after the operation, bleeding from the anus occurred, and one month after the operation, endoscopic examination revealed the relapse of the ulcerative colitis in the remaining colon. It was recognized, that relapse had occurred postoperatively at the nonfunctioning colon, which had been free from the disease so long as eight years since the onset of the disease. Then the relapsed colon was removed, and ileoanal anastomosis with diverting ileostomy was performed, again by combined abdomino-sacral approach. The sacral approach offered an excellent operative field and ensured the anastomosis between the small intestine and the anus.

Six-month toxicity study of butylated hydroxyanisole in beagle dogs

Groups of three or four male and female beagle dogs were maintained for 6 months on diets containing BHA at concentrations of 0 (control group), 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w). The average daily intake of BHA was about 60 mg/kg body weight in the 0.25% group, 110 mg/kg in the 0.5% group and 220 mg/kg in the 1.0% group. All animals survived the entire experimental period without showing signs of toxicity other than a dose-related retardation of growth. Serum biochemical examinations conducted at 1, 3 and 6 months revealed a slight decrease in albumin concentration and an elevation of alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activity in the higher dose groups. Histopathological and histometrical examination showed no evidence of mucosal alteration in the stomach, oesophagus or duodenum attributable to the administration of BHA. The mitotic index in the squamous epithelium of the distal oesophagus was comparable in the control and BHA-treated groups. Liver weights were increased in BHA-treated groups, but there were no related histopathological changes. From these data it is concluded that feeding of BHA-supplemented diets at palatable concentrations for 6 months has no pathological effects on the stomach, oesophagus, duodenum or liver of beagle dogs.

Induction of stress metabolites in immobilized Glycyrrhiza echinata cultured cells

Transfer into a fresh medium or immobilization by entrapment in calcium alginate gels of cultured Glycyrrhiza echinata cells caused a rapid and transient accumulation of a retrochalcone, echinatin, in both the cells and the medium. The higher level and longer duration of echinatin production was observed in the immobilized cells than in freely suspended cells. Transfer of the cells into the medium containing either sodium alginate or calcium chloride, and the addition of sodium alginate into the suspension culture, caused the same effect as observed in cell immobilization. A novel metabolite was also detected in the induced cells. Activities of the enzymes involved in echinatin biosynthesis were shown to rapidly increase by immobilization of the cells.

Acid beta-galactosidase from human fibroblasts. A microscale purification method monitored by a highly sensitive enzyme assay

A highly sensitive microassay method and a microscale purification system were developed to isolate the residual acid beta-galactosidase in GM1-gangliosidosis fibroblasts. The sensitivity of the microassay system, composed of a 96-well microplate and a microplate fluorometer, was 100-fold higher than that of the conventional system and the response was linear in the pmole range. Acid beta-galactosidase was characterized as a thiol enzyme which was inactivated by a mercuric compound. This enzyme was completely adsorbed on an Hg-agarose column and was easily eluted from the column by 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. The microscale purification system using Con A-Sepharose, PAT-Sepharose, and Hg-agarose column chromatography achieved 565- and 7,970-fold purifications of acid beta-galactosidase with an overall yields of 44% and 45% from normal and GM1-gangliosidosis fibroblasts, respectively. The purified enzyme fractions did not contain any other lysosomal enzyme activities except for a small amount of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity.

[Local irritation of isotonic acetic acid solutions of the rabbit M. vastus lateralis and confirmation of the injected sites]

One ml of 0.106%, 0.425% or 1.7% acetic acid (AA) solution, isotonic to physiological saline solution, was injected into the M. vastus lateralis of male Japanese white rabbits. Two, 7, 14 and 21 days after the injections, the rabbits were autopsied, and the removed muscles were observed macroscopically. After fixation with 10% neutral formalin, they were examined histologically. Hemorrhage and white degeneration of the muscles were grossly observed in 0.106%, 0.425% and 1.7% AA at 2 days. These lesions disappeared at 7 days and thereafter in 0.106% AA, and at 14 days and thereafter, except for one animal, in 0.425% AA. In 1.7% AA, these lesions were observed until 21 days, but gross hemorrhage began to recover at 21 days. The size of the lesion, which was expressed as a product of the major axis (mm) and minor axis (mm) of the lesion, showed reduction over time, especially in 1.7% AA. Histologically, swelling, necrosis and calcification of the muscle fibers and cell infiltration, hemorrhage and dilatation in the interstitium were observed after the injections of 0.106%, 0.425%, and 1.7% AA. At 7, 14 and 21 days, regeneration of the muscle fiber and fibrosis in the interstitium were observed. The injected sites were examined by injecting a chip of test-tube brush as a marker. In 20 (83%) of 24 cases, it was ascertained that the markers were injected into the M. vastus lateralis. The markers were found in the M. vastus intermedius in 3 out of 4 other cases and in the intermuscular tissue between the M. vastus lateralis and M. tensor fasciae latae in one case.

Genotoxicity of a variety of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the hepatocyte primary culture-DNA repair test using rat, mouse, and hamster hepatocytes

Seventeen pyrrolizidine alkaloids were studied with the hepatocyte primary culture-DNA repair test using rat hepatocytes. DNA repair synthesis was elicited by 15 alkaloids, including 11 of unknown carcinogenicity, i.e., senecionine, seneciphylline, jacobine, epoxyseneciphylline, senecicannabine, acetylfukinotoxin, syneilesine, dihydroclivorine, ligularidine, neoligularidine, and ligularizine. The positive results with these alkaloids of unknown carcinogenicity suggest that they are possibly genotoxic carcinogens. The two pyrrolizidine alkaloids that did not elicit DNA repair were retronecine which lacks a necic acid component and ligularinine which lacks the unsaturated double bond at the 1,2-position of the pyrrolizidine ring. Five pyrrolizidine alkaloids, retronecine, monocrotaline, seneciphylline, senkirkine, and clivorine, were also tested in the DNA repair test with hamster or mouse hepatocytes. These alkaloids, except retronecine, showed a positive response in the test with hamster hepatocytes, but in the test with mouse hepatocytes clivorine in addition to retronecine was also negative. The results indicate a species difference in liver bioactivation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, implying that there could be species differences in their carcinogenic activities.

In vitro establishment of human fibroblasts of lysosomal diseases, GM1-gangliosidosis and Sandhoff disease, by transformation with origin-minus SV40 DNA

The permanent human cell lines preserving defects of lysosomal enzymes, GM1-1019-SV and SA-1077-SV, were established from the respective fibroblasts from patients with GM1-gangliosidosis and Sandhoff disease by transfection with replication origin-minus simian virus 40 DNA. These cells grow rapidly without entering senescence during more than 120 population doublings. The activity of beta-galactosidase in GM1-1019-SV and of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase in SA-1077-SV was respectively 40- and 180-fold lower than that of normal fibroblasts.

A case of sclerodermatomyositis with cutaneous amyloidosis

A case of sclerodermatomyositis with secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis is reported. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this complication.

Effect of mitomycin C on bone marrow cells in mice

The total and differential cell counts of femoral bone marrow and peripheral reticulocyte counts were determined in male ddY mice up to day 11 after an intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg/kg of mitomycin C. Total marrow cell counts showed a minimum value on day 2 after the injection, and then recovered to the control level on day 7. In the differential cell counts, the minimum values were observed on day 1 for proerythroblasts and basophilic erythroblasts, on day 2 for polychromatic erythroblasts, and on day 4 for mature neutrophils. Recovery was seen from the 4th to 7th days after injection. Marrow lymphocytes showed a maximum value when the total counts were minimum. The peripheral reticulocytes almost disappeared 4 days after the injection, and recovered to the pretreatment level on day 11.

[Application of an automatic blood cell counter, MICROX, to experimental animals. II. Leukocyte differential count in rabbits, rats, and mice]

Automatic blood cell analyzer "MICROX" was examined for possible applicability to the differential count of white blood cell in the rabbit, rat and mouse. Spun blood smear slides prepared from 37 rabbits were treated with Wright-Giemsa stain, and those from 49 rats and 46 mice were stained with Wright's dye. Totals of 4272 white blood cells of rabbit, 5484 cells of rat and 5329 cells of mouse were counted, respectively. The identification rate of MICROX was checked by the cell-by-cell counting method. Analysis of the data was made to examine correlation between the results with a MICROX and those of visual counting by optical microscopy on the same slides. 1) Corrected identification rates were 98.0%, 98.2% and 97.8% respectively in rabbits, rats and mice. 2) A high degree of correlation was observed between the results by MICROX and by optical microscopy in respect of segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes. 3) There were an average of 13.2 cells counted as unknown cells in rabbit blood, 10.5 in rat blood and 13.6 in mouse blood per 100 cells, respectively. Of the unknown cells about 30 to 40% were closely disposed leukocytes within the same counting squares. Almost all of atypical lymphocytes and erythroblasts were also counted as unknown cells on the analyzer. The data support the feasibility of the use of MICROX for the differential count of white blood cells of normal rabbits, rats and mice as well as monkeys and dogs.

Saponin production in cell suspension cultures of Panax ginseng

Two high saponin-producing cell lines were selected from the original callus induced in 1967 and maintained in good state. For saponin production and growth in two cell lines, the comparison of static and suspension cultures, static cultures in the dark or in the light and rotary or reciprocal shaking cultures were made in detail. It was shown that the growth in rotary shaking cultures were 1.8 times higher than in reciprocal cultures, while the saponin production was almost the same, and the most effective hormonal condition was the combination of indole-3-butyric acid with kinetin. The saponin content per fresh weight was almost the same as that of the crude drug, whereas that per dry weight was 4 times higher.

Regulation of saponin production in callus cultures of Panax ginseng [1]

It was shown that Panax ginseng callus produces the same kinds of saponins in considerable amounts as in intact plants, and the saponin content is significantly lower in habituated callus than in normal callus. Furthermore, it was found that semicarbazide and particularly thiosemicarbazide inhibit the production of phytosterols and promote the biosynthesis of saponins in the presence of mevalonic acid, also the biosyntheses of saponins and phytosterols are inhibited by the individual end products.

Effects of auxins on growth and saponin production in callus cultures of Panax ginseng

A callus was induced from the petiole of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer by treatment with 2,4-D. The callus has been maintained on the synthetic media containing 2,4-D as growth factor. Habituated ginseng callus which required no auxin for its growth was induced from a 2,4-D callus by successive treatments with a low concentration of 2,4-D. The fact that the process of habituation is reversible suggests that its mechanism is based upon adaptation rather than rare mutation followed by selection. It was also shown that the capacity of saponin production is significantly lower in habituated callus than in normal callus. Habituated callus which was maintained on 2,4-D media gradually recovered its capacity for saponin production and the degree of this capacity seemed to parallel the degree of its requirement for auxin.

Dissociation of estrous cycle and activity rhythm in rats

When rats were kept in continuous light there was a time-lag between the onset of activity arrhythmia and that of persistent estrus. When animals showing both arrhythmias in continuous light were kept under a LD 21:3 photoperiod, the activity rhythm returned to normal but the estrous cycle did not.

Clearance of materials from breakdown of uterine collagen in mice during postpartum involution

The collagen content of the mouse uterus increases during pregnancy and rapidly decreases to the level of nulliparous mice within a few days post partum. Most of the hydroxyproline in the uterine collagen had disappeared by day 3 post partum. During postpartum involution the hydroxyproline concentration in both the serum and blood clot was not higher than in nulliparous mice. The total hydroxyproline content in the liver, spleen and thymus was significantly increased during postpartum involution. These results indicate that materials derived from the breakdown of uterine collagen are rapidly removed from the blood stream by reticuloendothelial clearance.

Influence of pinealectomy on circadian patterns of plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the male rat

The effect of pinealectomy on the circadian periodicity in plasma gonadotropins (LH and FSH), testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was investigated in adult male rats maintained under conditions of 12 h light/12 h dark (light on 06:00-18:00 h). Animals were killed at 3 hour intervals over 24 hours by decapitation. Plasma concentrations of LH, T and DTH (but not FSH) were found to exhibit significant circadian variations as determined by analysis of variance. No distinct LH or T nadir was recorded but peaks were observed at 09:00 h. Peak DHT values were recorded near the middle of the dark period. Pinealectomy resulted in an altered daily LH and T rhythmicity, and also in an abolished DHT rhythmicity. The fact that there was no significant increase in mean gonadotropin levels at 50 days after pinealectomy suggests that the pineal regulates the timing of gonadotropin secretion rather than the quantity. Since pinealectomy was found to abolish the circadian rhythm of DHT but not of T, we deduced that the pineal may also be responsible for the rhythmic conversion of T to DHT.

Direct effect of melatonin on the accessory sexual organs in pinealectomized male rats kept in constant darkness

Pinealectomized and sham-pinealectomized male rats were subcutaneously implanted with 2 cm silicone elastomer capsules filled with testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and placed in constant darkness (DD) for 50 days. The data revealed that the sham-pinealectomized group treated with testosterone differed from the pinealectomized group, having lower weights of accessory sexual organs and levator ani muscle. Pinealectomy had no effect on organ and muscle weights of DHT-treated animals. Exposure of male rats to DD resulted in a marked decrease in weights of ventral prostate, seminal vesicle, coagulating gland and levator ani muscle and a decrease in plasma DHT levels. However there was no significant reduction in plasma LH, FSH or testosterone. Pinealectomy of the rats exposed to DD resulted in restoration of both DHT levels and accessory sex organ weights. Melatonin implants in pinealectomized males led to an increase in both testosterone and DHT levels, accompanied by a decrease in sexual organ weights. The data indicate that the anti-gonadal effect of the pineal gland cannot be completely mediated by melatonin and that melatonin and some unknown factors can act at the tissue level to reduce the size and function of the affected sexual organs.

[Application of an automatic blood cell analyzer "MICROX" to the blood of experimental animals. I. Differential counts of white blood cells in monkeys and dogs]

Automatic blood cell analyzer "MICROX" was examined for possible applicability to the differential count of white blood cell in the monkey and in the dog. Spun blood smear slides prepared from 42 monkeys and 60 dogs were stained with Wright's dye and totals of 4971 white blood cells of the monkey and 7189 cells of the dog were counted, respectively. The identification rate of MICROX was checked by the cell by cell counting method on a monitor TV of the instrument. Analysis of the data was made to examine correlationship between the results of MICROX and of optical microscopy on the same slides. 1) Identification rates and misclassification rates were 97.0% and 3.0% respectively in monkeys and 96.4% and 3.6% in dogs. 2) A high degree of correlation was observed between the results by MICROX and by optical microscopy in respect of segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes. 3) There were an average of 15.5 cells counted as unknown cells in monkey blood and 16.5 in dog blood per 100 cells, respectively. Of the unknown cells about 40 to 50% were closely disposed leukocytes within the same counting squares and almost all of atypical lymphocytes and erythroblasts were also counted as unknown cells on the analyzer. The data support the feasibility of the use of MICROX for the differential count of white blood cells of normal monkeys and dogs.