1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and all-trans-retinoic acid inhibit the growth of a lung cancer cell line

The secosteroid 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) and retinoic acid are the major biologically active metabolites of vitamins D and A, respectively. Their antitumor activity has been observed in several cancer cells in vitro apart from lung cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effects of the agents on lung cancer cell lines. The responses of five lung cancer cell lines to calcitriol or all-transretinoic acid (RA) were assessed by a colorimetric MTT assay. Calcitriol inhibited growth in one of the tested cell lines, i.e. EBC-1 squamous cell carcinoma, dose dependently. RA also exhibited the same effect in EBC-1 cells. However neither agent affected the growth of other lung cancer cell lines. Subsequently we examined the mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and retinoic acid receptor (RAR alpha) in these lung cancer cells by quantitative RT-PCR. EBC-1 cells expressed high levels of mRNA for both VDR and RAR alpha, while other cell lines expressed much lower mRNA levels for the receptors. These data suggest that the growth inhibitory effects of the vitamins are associated with mRNA expression for VDR and RAR alpha.

[Five cases of myelodysplastic syndrome treated with cytarabine ocfosfate]

Five cases of myelodysplastic syndrome were treated with cytarabine ocfosfate. Ocfosfate (100-200 mg) was orally administered for 14 days with 14 days' interval. Etoposide was combined in one case, and nartograstim was added in two cases. Two of the five cases achieved remission, one case having complete remission, and another case showing a good response. Their remission durations were 141 and 112 days, respectively. Further improvement of therapy is needed to achieve a higher remission rate and a longer remission duration.

[A case of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to long term exposure to toluene diisocyanate]

A 55-year-old paint sprayer, who had been working with paint containing toluence diisocyanate since age 20, was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of exertional dyspnea. Physical examination revealed clubbed fingers, and fine crackles were audible in both lower lung fields. The thoracic CT film showed diffuse linear and ringed shadows in both lung fields. Open lung biopsy disclosed alveolitis and fibrosis as well as infiltration of mononuclear cells, but no Masson bodies or granulomas. Toluene diisocyanate-specific antibody was positive. Based on these results, we diagnosed chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to the chemical. To our knowledge, there has been no previously reported case of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to isocyanate.

Stimulatory effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on mouse alveolar macrophage tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in vitro: involvement of protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase

1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, calcitriol] has been shown to modulate the immune function of peripheral monocytes and peritoneal macrophages. However, its effect on alveolar macrophage (AM) cytokine secretion has not been reported. We therefore investigated the influence of calcitriol on tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) production by murine AMs and attempted to elucidate changes in the signal transduction system involved in such effects. Calcitriol significantly enhanced TNF-alpha secretion by AM stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 micrograms/ml; p < 0.005) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 100 ng/ml; p < 0.05) at low doses (between 10(-11) and 10(-9) M). However the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, H7 (10 microM), and the Ca2+/calmodulin inhibitor, W7 (25 microM), reversed such calcitriol effects. Calcitriol increased the total PKC activity of AMs. These findings indicate that calcitriol enhances both LPS- and PMA-stimulated TNF-alpha secretion through PKC- or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent pathways.

[Influence of age on mouse pulmonary alveolar macrophage clonal growth]

Although monocyte influx has been suggested as the primary source of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (AM), increasing evidence from recent studies has indicated that AM may be sustained through a self-renewal mechanism. We evaluated the age-related changes of the clonal growth (colony formation) of AM in mice (C57BL/6N mice and senescence accelerated mice). The colony forming unit (CFU) of AM of 24 month old C57BL/6N mice was lower than that of AM of 4-month-old mice (p < 0.05). In SAMP6 (senescence accelerated mice), CFU of AM was decreased with aging (p < 0.05). In SAMR1 (controls for SAMP6), CFU of AM was decreased with aging (p < 0.001). In SAMR1, CFU of bone marrow (BM) adherent cells of 12-month-old mice was similar to that of 4-month-old mice. In SAMP6, CFU of BM adherent cells of 12-month-old mice was larger than that of 4-month-old mice (P < 0.005). It was concluded that the CFU of AM declined with aging, but the CFU of the BM adherent cells did not. The decline of the AM CFU may be partly responsible for the defect of the immune response of the alveolar space in the elderly.

Effect of aging on plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels in humans and rats

Since normal reference values change with age in some clinical parameters, we measured the plasma levels of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (AG), a new marker of glycemic control in diabetes mellitus, in healthy subjects and in rats. Our results showed a significantly negative correlation of the marker with age in humans and that the plasma AG levels of older rats were markedly lower than those of younger counterparts. This remarkable reduction of AG in the older rat group can be partially explained by our finding that aged animals excreted AG more rapidly in the urine than younger ones, besides a decrease in food intake. We therefore suggest that normal clinical reference values for plasma AG levels should be modified according to age.

Effect of ageing on erythrocyte aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity

We measured erythrocyte aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in erythrocytes in healthy individuals aged from 16 to 91 years to determine the mechanism of age-dependent sorbitol accumulation. Erythrocyte aldose reductase activity increased significantly with age but ageing had no effect on sorbitol dehydrogenase activity. Age and the aldose reductase/sorbitol dehydrogenase ratio were positively correlated. These findings suggest that an increase in the ratio of aldose reductase to sorbitol dehydrogenase may contribute to the tissue accumulation of sorbitol in the elderly and may be a mechanism of a disease that is common in elderly individuals.

Effect of chronic tobacco smoke exposure on the function of alveolar macrophages in mice

We evaluated the effect of chronic tobacco smoke exposure on the function of the alveolar macrophage (AM) in mice. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha production of the AM triggered by lipopolysaccharides was smaller in smoke-exposed mice as compared to control mice but did not reach statistical significance (27.3 +/- 4.0 vs. 34.8 +/- 4.9 U/ml). The percentage of AM which did not phagocytize latex particles in the smoke-exposed mice was significantly larger than that in control mice (33.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 20.8 +/- 2.1%; p < 0.05). Ia antigen expression of the AM was significantly larger in smoke-exposed mice (cytotoxicity index: 0.180 +/- 0.033 vs. 0.038 +/- 0.0118; p < 0.01). The asialo-GM1 antigen expression was similar in both groups (0.949 +/- 0.007 vs. 0.961 +/- 0.011). Although the precise mechanisms of these functional changes of the AM by tobacco smoke exposure are not clear, they may have some immunological effects on the alveolar space.

Pharmacokinetic re-evaluation and phase I study of high dose epirubicin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

We performed a phase I trial to evaluate the toxicity and the maximum tolerated dose of high dose epirubicin on a three-consecutive-day schedule on Japanese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Fourteen patients were entered in the study. At least three patients were assigned to each different dose level. Epirubicin was given intravenously daily for three day by bolus injection. The dose was started at 60 mg/m2/course and escalated by 30 mg/m2/course. Granulocytopenia was found to be the dose limiting toxicity with a maximum tolerated dose of 150 mg/m2/course. Thrombocytopenia and non-hematological toxicities were mild and well tolerated. The maximum tolerated dose was lower than that in Europe and Canada. Partial responses were observed in two out of five patients on 150 mg/m2/course. The recommended phase II dose for high dose epirubicin was demonstrated to be 120 mg/m2/course. A further dose-escalating study of epirubicin in conjunction with the administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor is scheduled for the determination of its antitumor activity in non-small cell lung cancer.

[Effects of aerosol oxitropium bromide and fenoterol on maximal exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their correlation with air flow during exercise and with parameters of maximal exercise]

To examine the effects of bronchodilators on maximal exercise capacity and their correlation with airflow during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we conducted a double-blind, randomized comparison between inhaled fenoterol (beta 2-agonist) and oxitropium bromide (anticholinergic agent) in 8 patients with stable COPD (mean age 73 years, mean FEV1 1.1 L, mean FEV1% 50%). Only oxitropium bromide resulted in statistically significant improvement in FEV1 40 min after inhalation. On maximal exercise, fenoterol did not affect oxygen uptake (VO2 max), minute ventilation (VEmax), respiratory frequency (Rfmax), ventilatory efficacy (VEmax/VO2 max), peak expiratory flow during exercise (PEFmax), heart rate (HRmax) and dyspnea (Borg Scale Slope). After oxitropium bromide, dyspnea during exercise and HRmax decreased significantly, but PEFmax and other parameters did not change significantly compared with control. There was no correlation between changes in dyspnea during exercise and changes in FEV1 and PEFmax after oxitropium bromide inhalation. We conclude that inhaled oxitropium bromide, an anticholinergic agent, reduces dyspnea during exercise in patients with COPD. This favorable effect was not due to change of airflow limitation during exercise, and other factors can thus influence reduction of dyspnea during exercise in these patients.

[A case of pulmonary embolism probably induced by long term use of oral contraceptive]

We present a 53-year-old female with pulmonary embolism (PE), who had been taking oral contraceptive for 13 years. She was admitted to our hospital with upper abdominal pain and was found to be in shock. The diagnosis of PE was made from chest X-ray examination, electrocardiogram and pulmonary angiography. Pulmonary hypertension was observed on right heart catheterization, and an anticoagulant was administered. Multiple defects of the right pulmonary artery were detected on lung perfusion scan, and there were no significant findings on leg phlebogram. Home oxygen therapy was effective for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and chronic hypoxemia which still persisted after her recovery from the acute stage. We are concerned that wide spread use of oral contraceptives will increase the incidence of PE in the near future in this country. We conclude that contraceptive users should be warned of their higher risk of PE, and that they should visit a clinic for examination.

[A case of Wegener's granulomatosis complicated by hypopituitarism]

A 71-year-old male complaining of chest pain was admitted to our hospital. A single cavitary mass shadow was observed on chest X-ray films. Urinalysis revealed microscopic hematuria. CT examination demonstrated a tumorous shadow in the maxillary sinus. The diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was histologically established by biopsy specimens from the nasal mucosa which showed necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma with fibrinoid degeneration. He was treated with combination therapy of prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. The abnormal shadows on chest X-ray and in the maxillary sinus on CT improved rapidly, but the patient developed progressive weight loss and complained of cold intolerance, weakness and dysphagia. Serum T3, T4 and TSH were found to be reduced. Anterior pituitary function tests showed reduction of TSH, GH and ACTH responses, which was probably due to irreversible vasculitis.

Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia

A previously healthy young man presented with acute respiratory distress, high fever and bilateral ground-glass appearance on chest radiograph. Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis demonstrated significant eosinophilia (72%) with no evidence of infection. The transbronchial lung biopsy showed that the walls of bronchioli and alveolar septa were markedly infiltrated with eosinophils. The patient rapidly improved with corticosteroid therapy. This case exemplifies the recently described idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Similar cases published in the Japanese literature were reviewed and discussed.

[A case of primary intrapulmonary benign schwannoma]

A case of primary intrapulmonary schwannoma was described. A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of dry cough. A chest radiograph showed partial atelectasis of the middle lobe, but computed tomogram of the chest revealed no tumor shadow. Bronchoscopy disclosed a pale-yellow uneven endobronchial wall of the right middle lobe bronchus. Transbronchial biopsy revealed benign schwannoma. Primary intrapulmonary schwannoma has been rarely reported.

[Degradation of the parathyroid hormone in the kidney and liver (author's transl)]

The cleavage of the parathyroid hormone has been reported to take place in various peripheral tissues, especially in the kidney and liver. In order to claify the mechanism of such a degradation, bovine PTH (bPTH 1--84) and its synthetic N-terminal peptide (bPTH 1--34) labelled with 125I by the chroramine-T method (125I-bPTH 1--84) and (125I-bPTH 1--34) or labelled with horseradish peroxidase Pox-125I-bPTH 1--84 and Pox 125I-bPTH 1 34) were used to study the disappearance from the blood stream and degradation and retension in the kidney and liver after intravenous injections in male Wiastar rats, weighing approximately 200g. Degradation of PTH was also studied in vitro, using isolated cells and a homogenate of the kidney and liver. PTH labeled with 125I and Pox was more readily degraded by the kidney than PTH labelled with 125I alone, but the opposite was found in the degradation by the liver. Isolated intact kidney cells degraded PTH less efficiently than the homogenate, but the isolated intact liver cells degraded PTH more efficiently than the homogenate, indicating the prominence of an intracellular mechanism of degradation in the kidney and an extracellular mechanism in the liver.