Efficacy of KPR-5714, a selective transient receptor potential melastatin 8 antagonist, on chronic psychological stress-induced bladder overactivity in male rats

AIMS

Chronic psychological stress aggravates lower urinary tract symptoms. Among others, water avoidance stress is a chronic psychological stressor that plays a causal role in the exacerbation and development of bladder dysfunction in rats. In this report, the effects of KPR-5714, which is a selective transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) antagonist, on bladder overactivity induced by water avoidance stress were examined.

METHODS

Male rats were subjected to water avoidance stress for 2 h per day for 10 consecutive days. The effects of water avoidance stress on voiding behavior using metabolic cages and histological bladder changes were investigated in rats. The involvement of bladder C-fiber afferent on voiding frequency in rats exposed to water avoidance stress was assessed using capsaicin. The effects of KPR-5714 on storage dysfunction in rats subjected to water avoidance stress were examined.

RESULTS

In voiding behavior measurements, water avoidance stress-induced storage dysfunction, causing a decrease in the mean voided volume and increasing voiding frequency. A comparison of bladders from normal rats and rats exposed to water avoidance stress showed no histological differences. Water avoidance stress-induced bladder overactivity was completely inhibited by pretreatment with capsaicin. KPR-5714 showed a tendency to increase the mean voided volume and significantly decreased the voiding frequency without affecting the total voided volume in these rats.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that KPR-5714 is a promising option for treating chronic psychological stress-induced bladder overactivity.

KPR-5714, a selective transient receptor potential melastatin 8 antagonist, improves voiding dysfunction in rats with bladder overactivity but does not affect voiding behavior in normal rats

AIMS

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) has a role in the abnormal sensory transduction of the bladder and is involved in the pathophysiology of hyperactivity bladder disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of KPR-5714, a novel and selective TRPM8 antagonist, on voiding dysfunction induced by bladder afferent hyperactivity via mechanosensitive C-fibers in rats.

METHODS

The effects of intragastric administration of KPR-5714 on bladder overactivity induced by intravesical instillation of 10 mM ATP were investigated using cystometry in conscious female rats. We examined the effects of oral administration of KPR-5714 on voiding behavior using a metabolic cage in normal male rats and rats with an intratesticular injection of 3% acetic acid.

RESULTS

In cystometry measurements, the intercontraction interval was decreased by intravesical ATP instillation. KPR-5714 (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg) dose-dependently prolonged the shortened intercontraction interval provoked by ATP. In voiding behavior measurements, intratesticular injection of acetic acid decreased the mean voided volume and increased voiding frequency. KPR-5714 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased the mean voided volume and decreased voiding frequency without affecting the total voided volume in these rats. However, KPR-5714 (1 and 10 mg/kg) did not influence the voiding behavior in normal rats.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that KPR-5714 improves voiding dysfunction by inhibiting the enhanced activity of mechanosensitive bladder C-fibers in rats with bladder overactivity and shows no significant change in voiding behavior in normal rats.

Efficacy of the combination of KPR-5714, a novel transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) antagonist, and β3-adrenoceptor agonist or anticholinergic agent on bladder dysfunction in rats with bladder overactivity

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels may contribute to the pathophysiological bladder afferent hyperactivity, thus a TRPM8 antagonist would be a promising therapeutic target for the bladder hypersensitive disorders including urinary urgency in overactive bladder (OAB). We aimed to investigate a pharmacological effect of KPR-5714, a novel selective TRPM8 antagonist, on TRPM8 channels, M3 receptors and β3-adrenoceptors using the transfected cells of each gene at first. Then, combination effects of KPR-5714 and mirabegron, a β3-adrenoceptor agonist, or tolterodine tartrate, an anticholinergic agent, were studied on rhythmic bladder contractions (RBCs) in normal rats and bladder function in frequent-voiding rats. In vitro measurements showed that KPR-5714 acts on neither β3-adrenoceptor nor M3 receptor. In normal rats, KPR-5714 and mirabegron significantly reduced the frequency of RBCs, and a combined administration showed an additive effect. In rats with cerebral infarction, KPR-5714 and mirabegron significantly reduced the voiding frequency, and a combined administration showed an additive effect. In rats exposed to cold temperature, KPR-5714 and tolterodine tartrate significantly reduced the voiding frequency accompanied by the increased mean voided volume, and a combined administration showed additive effects. The present study demonstrated that the combined administration of KPR-5714 and mirabegron or tolterodine tartrate showed the additive effects on bladder dysfunction in different animal models, suggesting that the combination therapy of TRPM8 antagonist and β3-adrenoceptor agonist or anticholinergic agent can be the potential treatment option for obtaining additive effects in comparison with monotherapy for OAB.

Identification of N-acyl-N-indanyl-α-phenylglycinamides as selective TRPM8 antagonists designed to mitigate the risk of adverse effects

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a temperature-sensitive ion channel responsible for detecting cold, is an attractive molecular target for the treatment of pain and other disorders. We have previously discovered a selective TRPM8 antagonist, KPR-2579, which inhibited bladder afferent hyperactivity induced by acetic acid instillation into the bladder. However, additional studies have revealed potential adverse effects with KPR-2579, such as the formation of a reactive metabolite, CYP3A4 induction, and convulsions. In this report, we describe the optimization of α-phenylglycinamide derivatives to mitigate the risk of these adverse effects. The optimal compound 13x exhibited potent inhibition against icilin-induced wet-dog shakes and cold-induced frequent voiding in rats, with a wide safety margin against the potential side effects.

A bolus of saline injection leads to increase in coronary flow based on the viscosity reduction effect: the mechanism of saline induced Pd/Pa ratio

Background

In conjunction with fractional flow reserve (FFR), our previous study has shown the accuracy and utility of saline induced Pd/Pa ratio (SPR) for the assessment of myocardial ischemia. However, the potential mechanism how saline injection leads to increase in coronary flow remains speculative.

Purpose

This study aimed to clarify the underlying mechanism of SPR by using swine models.

Methods

The study was conducted in four swine models, and bolus of 25°C saline, 40°C saline, and 25°C dextran was injected at rates of 40mL/5sec through a catheter inserted into the superior mesenteric artery. Its peripheral arterioles were observed and recorded by a digital microscope, and transit time of each fluid and a luminal diameter of arterioles before and after injection were measured.

Results

The result from arterioles diameters of pre- and post-injection (0.049±0.016mm vs. 0.050±0.016mm; P=0.636) indicated that luminal diameters remained unchanged regardless of fluid administration. The transit time of 25°C saline was significantly shorter than 25°C dextran (3.19±0.68sec vs. 6.15±1.19sec; P<0.0001). Although the result showed no significance, the transit time of 40°C saline with lower viscosity was shorten compared to 25°C saline (3.1±0.43sec vs. 3.65±0.46sec; P=0.088).

Conclusions

Compared to 25°C dextran (viscosity of 4.991mPa·s) having the same viscosity as 37°C whole blood, 25°C saline (viscosity of 1.012mPa·s) caused increasing to double the intravascular flow volume without dilating arterioles. The results strongly suggested that the potential mechanism of SPR was viscosity reduction effect. Combined with FFR which is based on vasodilation-mediated hyperemia, these findings may contribute to clarifying the pathophysiology and especially the microcirculation in coronary artery diseases.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The developing mechanism of atherosclerotic lesion in coronary side branch on the ventricular free wall differs by the location of lesion

Background

The effective treating method of coronary side branch lesions such as ostial stenosis or thin arteries has not been established. On the other hand, tortuous side branch rarely has stenotic lesions.

Purpose

We focused on coronary side branches on the ventricular free wall, and examined coronary risk factors and bending and stretching motion of branch which can contribute to the development of atherosclerotic lesion.

Methods

In elective and first-time coronary angiograms, we included side branches on the ventricular free wall (>2mm in diameter) and excluded previously treated ones. Study A; we divided arteries into proximal, middle, and distal segment, and examined the presence of tortuosity and stenotic lesions exceeding 50% diameter stenosis (DS) for each segment. A score of 1 was assigned to tortuous segment, and 0 to non-tortuous one. Study B; we included stenotic lesion (>50% DS) in side branch ostium and excluded those extended across main coronary arteries. Relation between lesions and patients' characteristics was examined.

Results

Study A; in 1,828 side branches from 472 patients, middle and distal segments had significantly higher tortuosity score than proximal (0.68, 0.78 vs. 0.34; p<0.0001). On the contrary, proximal segments had more stenotic lesions except ostial stenosis (230 vs. 69, 5; p<0.0001). Study B; in 1,740 side branches from 465 patients, 122 ostial stenotic lesions were found (7.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed diabetes mellitus and age as independent contributors to development of ostial stenosis (Table).

Conclusions

Side branch stenosis developed less frequently in middle and distal segments, where stronger ventricular wall motion reinforces bending and stretching motion and tortuosity of arteries. This fact indicates that those characteristics may prevent developing atherosclerosis through increasing shear stress. On the other hand, diabetes mellitus strongly contributes to the development of ostial stenosis. Thus, the developing mechanism of atherosclerotic lesion in side branch on the ventricular free wall differs by the location of lesion.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Pathotyping of Escherichia coli isolated from community toilet wastewater and stored drinking water in a slum in Bangladesh

This study investigated the occurrence of Escherichia coli pathotypes in sanitary wastewater and drinking water in a Bangladeshi urban slum and the potential associations between these sources. We examined 621 E. coli isolates from sanitary wastewater and stored drinking water by multiplex PCR and dual-index sequencing, classifying them into eight pathotypes based on 14 virulence genes and additionally evaluating the possession of the human-specific E. coli genetic biomarker H8. The proportions of pathogenic E. coli were significantly different (P < 0·001) between wastewater (18·6%) and drinking water (1·7%). StIb-positive enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were predominant in wastewater, indicating that people in the site carried ETEC. In contrast, no ETEC was present in drinking water and the proportion of H8-positive isolates was significantly smaller (7·8%) than that in wastewater (16·3%) (P = 0·001). Our findings indicate that sanitary wastewater from the slum was heavily contaminated with pathogenic E. coli, posing a great health risk. Furthermore, E. coli contamination of drinking water could be derived from not only human but also other sources.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Sanitary wastewater from an urban slum was heavily contaminated with pathogenic Escherichia coli. It is worth noting a great health risk of accidental exposure to pathogenically contaminated wastewater improperly discharged in and around urban slums. The distinct difference in pathotypes between wastewater and drinking water and the significantly smaller positive proportion of the human-specific E. coli genetic biomarker (H8) in drinking water indicate that drinking water contamination could be derived from not only human but also other sources. This highlights that pathotyping in association with the H8 marker provides an indication of pathogen contamination sources of environmental transmission media.

Model systems in heterogeneous catalysis: towards the design and understanding of structure and electronic properties

We discuss in this paper two case studies related to nano-particle catalyst systems: one concerns a model system for the Cr/SiO₂ Phillips catalyst for ethylene polymerization and the other provides additional information on Au nano-particles supported on ultrathin MgO(100)/Ag(100) films.

Normally Off ECG SoC With Non-Volatile MCU and Noise Tolerant Heartbeat Detector

This paper describes an electrocardiograph (ECG) monitoring SoC using a non-volatile MCU (NVMCU) and a noise-tolerant instantaneous heartbeat detector. The novelty of this work is the combination of the non-volatile MCU for normally off computing and a noise-tolerant-QRS (heartbeat) detector to achieve both low-power and noise tolerance. To minimize the stand-by current of MCU, a non-volatile flip-flop and a 6T-4C NVRAM are used. Proposed plate-line charge-share and bit-line non-precharge techniques also contribute to mitigate the active power overhead of 6T-4C NVRAM. The proposed accurate heartbeat detector uses coarse-fine autocorrelation and a template matching technique. Accurate heartbeat detection also contributes system-level power reduction because the active ratio of ADC and digital block can be reduced using heartbeat prediction. Measurement results show that the fully integrated ECG-SoC consumes 6.14 μ A including 1.28- μA non-volatile MCU and 0.7- μA heartbeat detector.

A Wearable Healthcare System With a 13.7 μA Noise Tolerant ECG Processor

To prevent lifestyle diseases, wearable bio-signal monitoring systems for daily life monitoring have attracted attention. Wearable systems have strict size and weight constraints, which impose significant limitations of the battery capacity and the signal-to-noise ratio of bio-signals. This report describes an electrocardiograph (ECG) processor for use with a wearable healthcare system. It comprises an analog front end, a 12-bit ADC, a robust Instantaneous Heart Rate (IHR) monitor, a 32-bit Cortex-M0 core, and 64 Kbyte Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FeRAM). The IHR monitor uses a short-term autocorrelation (STAC) algorithm to improve the heart-rate detection accuracy despite its use in noisy conditions. The ECG processor chip consumes 13.7 μA for heart rate logging application.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome after Bone Marrow Transplantation Caused by Aspergillosis: A Case Report

Aspergillosis is known for the variety of unusual presentations in immuno-suppressed patients. We report a patient in whom aspergillosis caused the superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. A 37-year-old woman became febrile soon after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Chest radiography demonstrated a 5-cm mass extending from the right lung apex to the right supraclavicular fossa beside her Hickman catheter. She then developed SVC syndrome, which progressed despite treatment. Despite recovery of the white blood cell count, the patient continued to deteriorate, became comatose, suffered a cardiac arrest and died 31 days after BMT. Autopsy revealed Aspergillus infection at the apex of the right lung associated with innominate artery thrombosis.

Pharmacological retention of oral mucosa progenitor/stem cells

Oral mucosa progenitor/stem cells reside as a small-sized cell population that eventually differentiates concurrently with an increase in cell size. Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) leads to an increase in cell size. We hypothesized that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR, will maintain primary human oral keratinocytes as a small-sized, undifferentiated cell population capable of retaining their proliferative capacity. Primary, rapamycin-treated (2 nM, 20 nM) oral keratinocytes showed a diminished cell size that correlated with a higher clonogenicity, a longer-term proliferative potential, and a slower cycling cell population concurrent with decreased expression of a differentiation marker when compared with untreated cells. Only the 2-nM rapamycin-treated oral keratinocytes maintained their ability to regenerate oral mucosa in vitro after 15 weeks of culture. Rapamycin, a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, may have applicability for use in creating a highly proliferative cell population for use in regenerative medicine.

Remogliflozin etabonate, in a novel category of selective low-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) inhibitors, exhibits antidiabetic efficacy in rodent models

The low-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) plays an important role in renal glucose reabsorption and is a remarkable transporter as a molecular target for the treatment of diabetes. We have discovered remogliflozin etabonate, which is a novel category of selective SGLT2 inhibitors. Remogliflozin etabonate is a prodrug based on benzylpyrazole glucoside and is metabolized to its active form, remogliflozin, in the body. We identified remogliflozin to be a potent and highly selective SGLT2 inhibitor by examining COS-7 cells transiently expressing either high-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) or SGLT2. Orally administered remogliflozin etabonate increased urinary glucose excretion in a dose-dependent manner in both mice and rats. By increasing urinary glucose excretion, remogliflozin etabonate inhibited the increase in plasma glucose after glucose loading without stimulating insulin secretion in normal rats. Remogliflozin etabonate also showed antihyperglycemic effects in both streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in oral glucose tolerance and in db/db mice in the fed condition. Chronic treatment with remogliflozin etabonate reduced the levels of fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin, and it ameliorated glucosuria in db/db mice. In high-fat diet-fed Goto-Kakizaki rats, remogliflozin etabonate improved hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and insulin resistance. This study demonstrates that treatment with remogliflozin etabonate exhibits antidiabetic efficacy in several rodent models and suggests that remogliflozin etabonate may be a new and useful drug for the treatment of diabetes.

Skewed X chromosome inactivation in fraternal female twins results in moderately severe and mild haemophilia B

Female carriers of haemophilia B are usually asymptomatic; however, the disease resulting from different pathophysiological mechanisms has rarely been documented in females. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms responsible for haemophilia B in fraternal female twins. We sequenced the factor IX gene (F9) of the propositus, her father, a severe haemophilia B patient and the other family members. X chromosome inactivation was assessed by the methylation-sensitive HpaII-PCR assay using X-linked polymorphisms in human phosphoglycerate kinase 1 gene (PGK1) and glutamate receptor ionotropic AMPA 3 gene (GRIA3). The twins were found to be heterozygotes with a nonsense mutation (p.Arg384X) inherited from their father. The propositus, more severely affected twin, exhibited a significantly higher percentage of inactivation in the maternally derived X chromosome carrying a normal F9. The other twin also showed a skewed maternal X inactivation, resulting in a patient with mild haemophilia B. Thus, the degree of skewing of maternal X inactivation is closely correlated with the coagulation parameters and the clinical phenotypes of the twins. Furthermore, we identified a crossing-over in the Xq25-26 region of the maternal X chromosome of the more severely affected twin. This crossing-over was absent in the other twin, consistent with their fraternal state. Differently skewed X inactivation in the fraternal female twins might cause moderately severe and mild haemophilia B phenotypes, respectively.

L1503R is a member of group I mutation and has dominant-negative effect on secretion of full-length VWF multimers: an analysis of two patients with type 2A von Willebrand disease

Type 2A von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by decreased platelet-dependent function of von Willebrand factor (VWF); this in turn is associated with an absence of high-molecular-weight multimers. Sequence analysis of the VWF gene from two unrelated type 2A VWD patients showed an identical, novel, heterozygous T-->G transversion at nucleotide 4508, resulting in the substitution of L1503R in the VWF A2 domain. This substitution, which was not found in 60 unrelated normal individuals, was introduced into a full-length VWF cDNA and subsequently expressed in 293T cells. Only trace amount of the mutant VWF protein was secreted but most of the same was retained in 293T cells. Co-transfection experiment of both wild-type and mutant plasmids indicated the dominant-negative mechanism of disease development; as more of mutant DNA was transfected, VWF secretion was impaired in the media, whereas more of VWF was stored in the cell lysates. Molecular dynamic simulations of structural changes induced by L1503R indicated that the mean value of all-atom root-mean-squared-deviation was shifted from those with wild type or another mutation L1503Q that has been reported to be a group II mutation, which is susceptible to ADAMTS13 proteolysis. Protein instability of L1503R may be responsible for its intracellular retention and perhaps the larger VWF multimers, containing more mutant VWF subunits, are likely to be mal-processed and retained within the cell.

Sergliflozin, a novel selective inhibitor of low-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT2), validates the critical role of SGLT2 in renal glucose reabsorption and modulates plasma glucose level

The low-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT2), which is expressed specifically in the kidney, plays a major role in renal glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule. We have discovered sergliflozin, a prodrug of a novel selective SGLT2 inhibitor, based on benzylphenol glucoside. In structure, it belongs to a new category of SGLT2 inhibitors and its skeleton differs from that of phlorizin, a nonselective SGLT inhibitor. We investigated its pharmacological properties and potencies in vitro and in vivo. By examining a Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cell line stably expressing either human SGLT2 or human high-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT1), we found sergliflozin-A (active form) to be a highly selective and potent inhibitor of human SGLT2. At pharmacological doses, sergliflozin, sergliflozin-A, and its aglycon had no effects on facilitative glucose transporter 1 activity, which was inhibited by phloretin (the aglycon of phlorizin). The transport maximum for glucose in the kidney was reduced by sergliflozin-A in normal rats. As a result of this effect, orally administered sergliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion in mice, rats, and dogs in a dose-dependent manner. In an oral glucose tolerance test in diabetic rats, sergliflozin exhibited glucose-lowering effects independently of insulin secretion. Any glucose excretion induced by sergliflozin did not affect normoglycemia or electrolyte balance. These data indicate that selective inhibition of SGLT2 increases urinary glucose excretion by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption. As a representative of a new category of antidiabetic drugs, sergliflozin may provide a new and unique approach to the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Effects of mitiglinide on glucose-induced insulin release into the portal vein and fat-induced triglyceride elevation in prediabetic and diabetic OLETF rats

OBJECTIVE

The effect of single-dose mitiglinide on glucose and lipid metabolism was examined in OLETF rats with spontaneous type 2 diabetes in which the early insulin response following glucose challenge is known to diminish over time and become lost with aging.

METHODS

(1) With catheters inserted into the portal veins, 12-wk-old prediabetic OLETF rats were given an OGTT of 1 g/kg after 17 h of fasting. Eight rats each were orally given mitiglinide 1 mg/kg, nateglinide 50 mg/kg, or glibenclamide 1 mg/kg, vs 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as control, and were given an OGTT immediately afterward. Following oral administration of mitiglinide, nateglinide, glibenclamide, or 0.5% CMC, the 24-wk-old overt-diabetic OLETF rats were immediately given an OGTT of 1g/kg. (2) After 17 h of fasting, 24-wk-old OLETF rats were subjected to a fat-loading test. Eight rats each were given mitiglinide 3 mg/kg, glibenclamide 1 mg/kg, or glimepiride 1 mg/kg, vs 0.5% CMC, and were given soy oil 2 g/kg immediately afterward. They were also given mitiglinide orally and examined for LPL mRNA expression in their adipose tissue.

RESULTS

(1) After OGTT, mitiglinide produced a significant increase in portal insulin levels 15 min after its administration, as well as a significant decrease in peripheral glucose levels 15-120 min after its administration in the OLETF rats. Likewise, nateglinide produced an increase in portal insulin levels and a decrease in peripheral glucose levels shortly after its administration in these rats. Glibenclamide increased portal insulin levels for an extended time after its administration, and significantly decreased peripheral glucose levels in the rats 120-300 min after its administration in the rats. In contrast, as in the 12-wk-old rats, a precipitous rise in insulin secretion was seen in the portal vein of 24-wk-old rats given mitiglinide, which peaked 15 min after mitiglinide administration, but the insulin levels continued to increase for 120 min or longer in the 24-wk-old rats given glibenclamide. In addition, as in the 12-wk-old rats, a significant decrease in glucose levels in peripheral blood was noted 30 and 60 min after mitiglinide administration and 300 min after glibenclamide administration in the 24-wk-old rats. (2) Mitiglinide increased LPL mRNA expression 120 min after its administration, and significantly decreased peripheral TG and chylomicron- TG levels after fat challenge in the 24-wk-old OLETF rats.

CONCLUSION

Mitiglinide exhibited fast-onset and short-acting insulin-secretagogic effects, inhibiting post-glucose challenge increases in glucose levels and post-fat challenge increases in TG levels.

Prognostic value of cyclic GMP in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation after conditioning with total body irradiation

This study was performed to investigate whether measurement of cyclic GMP (cGMP), a marker for nitric oxide production, before and after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with total body irradiation (TBI) conditioning was of prognostic value. cGMP levels were monitored in 23 consecutive patients who received TBI as conditioning for BMT, and were compared with the outcome. cGMP became positive during the aplastic phase after BMT in 12 patients. In nine of these 12 patients, cGMP level decreased during the recovery phase. Eight of the nine patients survived, one dying after relapse. In three other patients, the cGMP level continued to increase even during the recovery phase and they died of severe complications. cGMP became positive on day 0 of BMT and during the leukocyte recovery phase after BMT in two and seven of the 23 patients, respectively. Subsequently, all patients died of severe complications. The two patients who were negative for cGMP both before and after BMT survived without complications. These results suggest that monitoring cGMP from early after BMT may be useful for predicting outcome and that it may be a useful prognostic marker.

Endothelial damage caused by cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus-6

Infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) or human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) may have a role in vascular endothelial damage after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). In total, 41 patients who underwent BMT were classified into four groups (12, 10, 7, and 12 patients who were infected with both CMV and HHV-6, CMV alone, HHV-6, and neither virus, respectively). Levels of thrombomodulin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and cyclic GMP were 7.5+/-1.7 FU/ml, 76.4+/-24.1 ng/ml, and 9.51+/-1.1 pmol/ml, respectively, in the patients with both viruses, while the respective values were 2.9+/-0.67 FU/ml, 33.8+/-8.09 ng/ml, and 2.90+/-1.4 pmol/ml in patients infected with CMV alone, 4.8+/-0.96 FU/ml, 47.7+/-9.21 ng/ml, and 5.48+/-0.55 pmol/ml in patients with HHV-6 alone, and 1.6+/-0.39, 17.5+/-7.88 ng/ml, and 0.45+/-0.3 in those with neither virus. All three markers were significantly higher in the three groups with at least one virus than in the uninfected patients (P<0.05), and were also higher in patients with HHV-6 alone than in those with CMV alone (P<0.05). These results suggest that infection by CMV or HHV-6 causes vascular endothelial injury, with HHV-6 having a stronger effect than CMV, and combined infection having a stronger effect than either virus alone. Such viral infection may be a cause of thrombotic microangiopathy after BMT.

Influence of Helicobacter pylori on platelets after bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors

This study was performed to clarify the influence of Helicobacter pylori on the platelet count in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from unrelated donors. Of 23 consecutive patients undergoing BMT from unrelated donors, the H. pylori antibody test did not change from before conditioning until recovery of the platelet count in 15 patients. These patients were classified into H. pylori antibody-positive (n=8) and -negative (n=7) groups. In the H. pylori antibody-positive group, the platelet count exceeded 20 x 10(9)/l significantly faster after BMT, than in the H. pylori antibody-negative group. When myelosuppression was most severe, the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was significantly higher in the positive group than in the negative group (67.0+/-10.6 vs 9.9+/-2.4 pg/ml, P<0.05). In addition, the thrombopoietin level was significantly lower in the positive group than in the negative (510.1+/-313.9 vs 3209.1+/-2006.7 pg/ml, P<0.01). These data suggest that H. pylori infection accelerates recovery of the platelet count after BMT from unrelated donors, possibly by stimulating IL-6 production.

Similarity between eruptions induced by sulfhydryl drugs and acute cutaneous graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation

Cutaneous GVHD is histologically similar to eruptions induced by drugs containing a sulfhydryl group. The levels of interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor were determined in a group of patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) without graft-versus-host disease or any other complications and in a group with cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) alone. In patients who only developed cutaneous GVHD, both interleukin-2 and inter-leukin-2 receptor levels were elevated when the disease was evident. As the elevation of these parameters became more marked, the grade of cutaneous graft versus-host disease also increased. In some patients, only one of the two parameters was elevated and the grade of graft-versus-host disease was low or no skin manifestations were seen. These findings suggest that interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor act together in the development of cutaneous GVHD. This study also showed that the mechanism of cutaneous GVHD resembles that involved in the induction of eruptions by sulfhydryl-containing drugs.

Treatment of intestinal graft-versus-host disease using betamethasone enemas

Intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can readily easily induce generalized metabolic disturbance that influences morbidity and mortality after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Although adding a new drug or increasing the doses of immunosuppressive agents will probably be effective for controlling intestinal GVHD, the systemic side effects of such therapy cannot be ignored. In this study, we used betamethasone retention enemas as a local treatment for eight patients with refractory and/or severe intestinal GVHD. Six of the eight patients showed improvement of diarrhea and/or abdominal pain, with a reduction in the stage of GVHD. When treatment with betamethasone enemas was continued for 10 to 27 days in the 6 responding patients, no severe toxicity was observed. One patient failed to respond to treatment and another could not tolerate the enemas. Despite some uncertainty regarding the indications and duration of treatment, betamethasone enemas seem to be a potential alternative method for the management of intestinal GVHD.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

This study focuses on a possible role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in interstitial pulmonary diseases. We determined a soluble form of ICAM-1 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using ELISA in patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), bronchiolitis obliterance organizing pneumonia (BOOP), or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). In addition, we investigated the expression of ICAM-1 in the lung tissues of these patients by means of immunohistochemical staining. Serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 were significantly higher in patients with UIP or NSIP than in healthy subjects, and were also high in patients with BOOP. The soluble ICAM-1 in BALF tended to be higher in patients with UIP, BOOP, or NSIP than in normal subjects. A significant correlation was seen between soluble levels of ICAM-1 in serum and BALF. In the immunostaining of ICAM-1 of the lung tissues, ICAM-1 expression was more pronounced in patients with UIP than in those with BOOP or NSIP. The increased expression of ICAM-1 was seen in type II alveolar epithelium and vascular endothelium in patients with interstitial pneumonia. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of ICAM-1 expression in the lung tissues and the BALF levels of soluble ICAM-1. The expression of ICAM-1 in type II alveolar epithelium suggests that ICAM-1 plays a specific role in the fibrotic process of the lung, and that the measurement of soluble ICAM-1 in sera and BALF could be a useful marker for evaluating the progression of fibrosis.

Increased hepatocyte growth factor in serum in acute graft-versus-host disease

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was reported to be effective in preventing acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a murine model. We examined serum HGF concentrations in 38 patients receiving allogeneic bone marrow transplants, and investigated the relationship of serum HGF concentrations to severity of acute GVHD. More HGF was present in sera from patients with than without acute GVHD. Serum HGF correlated significantly with grade of acute GVHD. Furthermore, serum HGF correlated with serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GTP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Serum concentrations of HGF in transplanted patients without GVHD were consistently low, while those in patients with acute GVHD increased with exacerbation. We conclude that HGF was produced during induction of the GVH reaction, and probably increased as a physiological response.

Fas ligand-induced caspase-1-dependent accumulation of interleukin-18 in mice with acute graft-versus-host disease

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), the fatal side effects of bone marrow transplantation, was shown to be accompanied by elevation of serum levels of interleukin 18 (IL-18). In this study, the mechanism underlying the accumulation of IL-18 in aGVHD in mice was investigated. Lethally irradiated recipients having transplantation with H-2 disparate donor splenocytes demonstrated aGVHD and contained markedly elevated serum levels of IL-18. In contrast, recipients having transplantation with gld/gld spleen cells, which lack functional Fas ligand (FasL), contained only normal ranges of IL-18, indicating FasL-mediated IL-18 release in aGVHD. The wild-type hosts engrafted with caspase-1-deficient cells revealed marked increases of IL-18 similar to those engrafted with wild-type cells, whereas caspase-1-deficient recipients engrafted with wild-type cells showed only a slight elevation of serum IL-18, indicating that IL-18 elevation is derived from host cells in a caspase-1-dependent manner. These results suggest FasL-mediated caspase-1-dependent IL-18 secretion in aGVHD in mice.

Increased expression of Fas (APO-1, CD95) on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes during total body irradiation

Fas/APO-1 (CD95) is a cell surface molecule that can transduce apoptotic signals into cells. We examined the expression of Fas antigen on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of patients who received total body irradiation (TBI) as a preparative regimen for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes were significantly reduced after TBI. Cytofluorometric analysis revealed a significantly higher expression of Fas on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after TBI. Serum soluble Fas concentrations were significantly elevated after TBI. Changes in the Fas system were therefore accompanied by TBI-induced lymphocytopenia, suggesting that Fas plays a role in irradiation-induced apoptosis in vivo.

Inhibition by nifedipine of adherence- and activated macrophage-induced death of human gingival fibroblasts

The effects of nifedipine on the death and proliferation of gingival fibroblasts were investigated to elucidate the mechanism of gingival overgrowth that is associated with chronic administration of Ca2+ channel blockers. The number of adhered viable and dead fibroblasts obtained from healthy human gingiva increased after confluence, whereas cell death was inhibited by nifedipine in a concentration-dependent manner. A similar inhibition was also observed in the presence of other calcium channel blockers, such as nicardipine, diltiazem, and verapamil. When gingival fibroblasts were co-cultured with RAW264 (macrophage-like) cells, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused the concentration-dependent death of fibroblasts. Nifedipine significantly inhibited the LPS-induced cell death. Although neither LPS nor N-ethyl-2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxy-2-nitroso-hydrazino)-ethanamine, a nitric oxide donor, directly caused fibroblast death, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite donor, induced fibroblast death, regardless of the presence of RAW cells. The cell death induced by SIN-1 was not affected by nifedipine treatment. LPS stimulation caused an increase in the immunoreactivity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and in the nitrite concentration in the incubation medium of RAW cells. The induction of iNOS was completely prevented by the incubation with nifedipine. The inhibition by nifedipine of nitrite production in RAW cells was also observed after treatment with nicardipine, but not with either diltiazem or verapamil. Therefore, the inhibition by nifedipine of both adherence- and LPS-stimulated macrophage-induced death of fibroblasts may be the mechanism of gingival overgrowth seen during chronic treatment with Ca(2+) channel blockers.

Long-term administration of oral low-dose topoisomerase II inhibitors, MST-16 and VP-16, for refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

It is known that the topoisomerase II inhibitors, MST-16 (sobuzoxane) and VP-16 (etoposide), are effective for the treatment of lymphoma. Five patients with refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated with a combination of oral MST-16 and VP-16 over a long period. Two patients had severely refractory NHL. The remaining 3 patients could not be treated with intensive chemotherapy because of severe organ dysfunction or a poor hematopoietic reserve. All 5 are alive and well after MST-16 and VP-16 treatment. MST-16 and VP-16 are effective for NHL when intensive chemotherapy is ineffective or contraindicated.

Physical and transcriptional map of a 311-kb segment of chromosome 18q21, a candidate lung tumor suppressor locus

Here, we report the complete genomic sequence and the characterization of the 311-kb region of 18q21, a candidate tumor suppressor locus containing a region of homozygous deletion in a lung cancer cell line, Ma29. This region contained two known genes, SMAD4 and ME2 (mitochondrial malate oxydoreductase), and two novel genes, D29 (deleted in Ma29 HGMW-approved symbol ELAC1), encoding an evolutionarily conserved protein, and B29 (beside the Ma29 deletion HGMW-approved symbol C18orf3), with no significant homology to any known genes. The deleted DNA segment in Ma29, which was estimated to be 195 kb in size, included all the coding exons of ME2 and D29, but not the coding exons of SMAD4 and B29. The deleted region also included exon 0, a 5'-noncoding exon, of SMAD4, and the expression of SMAD4 was greatly reduced in Ma29 cells. Mutations of SMAD4 and D29 were detected in 1 of 45 lung cancer cell lines examined, while those of ME2 and B29 were not detected, indicating that these four genes are not major targets for 18q21 deletions. The physical and transcriptional map constructed in this study will provide basic information for the identification of a tumor suppressor gene(s) at 18q21 involved in lung carcinogenesis.

New imaging findings in a patient with central nervous system dysfunction after bone marrow transplantation

Central nervous system disorders are an important complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We have recently performed cerebral angiography to examine central nervous system dysfunction in a 22-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who had undergone BMT. Angiography demonstrated multiple stenoses and occlusions in the peripheral branches of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries, a pattern similar to that seen in vasculitis. She was thought to most likely have cytomegalovirus (CMV) vasculitis, but other forms of vasculitis, such as angiitis-like-syndrome-associated graft-versus-host disease could not be excluded. This case suggests that CMV vasculitis may cause central nervous system dysfunction after BMT and that imaging studies may provide useful information about central nervous system disorders in these patients.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia with marrow fibrosis at initial presentation: possible involvement of transforming growth factor-beta(1)

Although the occurrence of marrow fibrosis in acute myeloid leukemia has been described, there have been no reports of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) associated with marrow fibrosis. Here we describe an APL patient with severe marrow fibrosis at initial presentation. He had the typical manifestations of APL, except for marrow fibrosis. Complete remission was achieved by treatment with all-trans retinoic acid plus chemotherapy, and his marrow fibrosis gradually improved concomitantly with the decrease in leukemic cells. To clarify the mechanism of marrow fibrosis in this patient, we investigated the expression of genes for several cytokines promoting fibrosis by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction methods. An overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) was noted in his leukemic cells at initial presentation, whereas no increase in expression was observed at the time of relapse when he no longer had marrow fibrosis. These findings suggest that overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) was involved in the development of marrow fibrosis in this APL patient.

Urinary trypsin inhibitor concentration can predict the immunological insult of chemotherapy and complications after bone marrow transplantation

Urinary trypsin inhibitor has attracted attention as an index of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In this study, the urine concentration of trypsin inhibitor was measured to compare the immunological insult of conventional chemotherapy and conditioning chemotherapy for bone marrow transplantation. We also investigated whether urinary trypsin inhibitor was a useful index of the complications and outcome of bone marrow transplantation. Urinary trypsin inhibitor concentration was determined before chemotherapy, on the day after finishing chemotherapy (day 0 of transplantation), and during recovery of the white cell count, in 17 patients (seven receiving conventional chemotherapy and 10 receiving conditioning for bone marrow transplantation). Urinary trypsin inhibitor concentrations were significantly higher after conditioning for bone marrow transplantation than after conventional chemotherapy (P < 0.001), indicating that conditioning was more invasive. After bone marrow transplantation, the incidence of severe complications and the mortality rate were higher in patients whose urinary trypsin inhibitor concentrations rose during recovery of the white cell count. Comparison of urinary trypsin inhibitor concentrations suggested that conditioning for bone marrow transplantation was more invasive than conventional chemotherapy. This study also suggested that the urine concentration of trypsin inhibitor could be useful for predicting the risk of complications and outcome of bone marrow transplantation.

Herpesvirus Infection in Patients Following Bone Marrow Transplantation: Influence of Viral Reactivation on Prognosis

Viral infections are an important cause of death following bone marrow transplantation. We investigated the clinical significance of herpesvirus infection. The nine subjects consisted of five patients with CML, two with ALL, and one each with AML and the myelodysplastic syndrome. Viral markers were investigated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood lymphocytes before and 35 days after bone marrow transplantation, as well as in peripheral blood lymphocytes at 100 days afterwards. Cytomegalovirus DNA became positive in four patients after bone marrow transplantation. Human herpesvirus-6 DNA became positive in two patients and human herpesvirus 7 DNA became negative in the same two patients. Two of the nine patients died of disease recurrence. Two other patients died of complications, and both of them became positive human herpesvirus-6 after the procedure. These results suggested the possibility that infection with not only cytomegalovirus but also other human herpesvirus can influence the prognosis and complications of bone marrow tansplantation.

Predicting the severity of intestinal graft-versus-host disease from leukotriene B4 levels after bone marrow transplantation

Intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) produces clinical manifestations and histological changes resembling those of ulcerative colitis and has been treated with drugs which are used for ulcerative colitis. These two conditions also resemble each other with respect to changes of cytokines. Accordingly, we investigated whether the level of leukotriene B4, a risk factor for ulcerative colitis, was also a risk factor or prognostic indicator for intestinal GVHD. The pre-conditioning leukotriene B4 level was significantly related to the grade of intestinal GVHD in 42 patients (P < 0.01). Compared with patients who did not develop severe intestinal GVHD after bone marrow transplantation, those who did had significantly higher interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma levels during the aplastic phase (P <0.01), followed by higher tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels during the recovery phase (P < 0.0001), with significant elevation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma occurring in association with exacerbations of intestinal GVHD (P < 0.001). These findings suggest a similarity between the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and intestinal GVHD and raise the possibility that leukotriene B4 may be a useful prognostic indicator for intestinal GVHD.

Early detection of relapse and evaluation of treatment for mixed chimerism using fluorescence in situ hybridization following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for hematological malignancies

In order to detect chimerism, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and cytogenetic analyses were performed on bone marrow cells from 47 patients with hematological malignancies following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). The dual-color XY, major Bcr-Abl (M-Bcr-Abl), and specific alpha-satellite probes were used for sex-mismatched HCT, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cases with karyotypic abnormalities before HCT, respectively. Donor cells were found using FISH analysis in all 32 cases examined within 2 months following HCT, confirming engraftment. In six cases, however, cytogenetic analysis failed to detect donor cells due to lack of metaphases. Relapse occurred in four of the six cases in which mixed chimerism was detected using FISH analysis after 6 months of HCT. In contrast, after 12 months of HCT, no relapse was found in 24 patients without host cells. For two patients with mixed chimerism, gradual reduction of immunosuppressants or donor lymphocyte infusion resulted in the disappearance of host cells as analyzed using FISH analysis. In three extramedullary relapse cases, however, cytogenetic relapse preceded morphological and FISH relapse. These findings suggest that FISH analysis is more useful for detecting residual host cells after HCT, and the combination of FISH and cytogenetic analyses provide a more detailed evaluation for HCT patients. The results also indicate that monitoring of mixed chimerism using FISH analysis after 6 months of HCT is important for allowing the early detection of hematological relapse.

Anti-muscarinic actions of mitoxantrone in isolated heart muscles of guinea pigs

A hypotheses that mitoxantrone is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic cholinergic receptors was examined in guinea-pig hearts. In isolated left atrial muscle preparations, electrically paced at 2 Hz, the muscarinic agonist, carbachol, caused a concentration-dependent decrease in developed tension. Mitoxantrone caused a parallel right-ward shift of the concentration-response curve for carbachol. Schild plots for the effect of mitoxantrone on the carbachol concentration-response relationship were linear with a slope of 0.88 which was not significantly different from the unity. The right-ward shift of the carbachol concentration-response relationship by mitoxantrone significantly reversed after an additional incubation with a mitoxantrone-free solution, although the reversal was incomplete after a 2-h incubation in the mitoxantrone-free solution. Mitoxantrone caused a concentration-dependent displacement of specific [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to membrane preparations obtained from ventricular muscles of guinea-pig hearts. These results indicate that mitoxantrone acts as a competitive antagonist for the muscarinic receptors.

Perlecan (heparan sulfate proteoglycan) gene expression reflected in the characteristic histological architecture of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma

In order to determine the role of the basement membrane-type heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), known as perlecan, in the formation of the characteristic cribriform 'structures of salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas, the mode of expression of mRNA for the core protein of HSPG was investigated by using in situ hybridization (ISH) both in surgical specimens and in a cell system (ACC3) of adenoid cystic carcinomas. In the surgical specimens, the mRNA for the HSPG core was more intensely expressed in solid tumor cell nests, especially in smaller ones. Within the nests, the signals were detected almost exclusively in cuboidal cells forming small pseudocysts. In contrast, signals were absent in flat cells forming large pseudocysts or in carcinoma cell nests attaching to the peripheral nerves or blood vessels. In normal salivary gland tissues, myoepithelial cells expressed the mRNA at a high level, but acinar and duct epithelial cells did not. In the time-course experiment of ACC3 cells, signals for HSPG core increased with time and reached the maximum on day 4, decreasing thereafter in a culture condition in which cells reached confluence in a week. The results indicate that HSPG is biosynthesized by adenoid cystic carcinoma cells which are in the proliferation phase, and that tumor cells producing HSPG tend to form initial structures of stromal pseudocysts.

Complications after bone marrow transplantation are manifestations of systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Bone marrow transplantation has been established as a useful treatment for various hematological disorders and is now performed widely, but the mortality rate is still high due to various complications. A clear therapeutic policy for such complications has not yet been established because of their complex nature. We investigated whether the major complications occurring after bone marrow transplantation could be classified as aspects of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Subjects were 10 patients who developed severe complications after bone marrow transplantation (graft-versus-host disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, respiratory disorders, and cytomegalovirus interstitial pneumonitis) and 16 patients without complications. Their symptoms, serum cytokines, and factors related to vascular endothelial damage were compared before and after transplantation. Whereas all 10 patients who developed complications had fever in the aplastic phase after transplantation, 15 of the 16 patients without complications remained afebrile (P < 0.001, t-test). When compared with the patients who did not develop complications, the patients with complications also showed significantly higher cytokine levels during the recovery phase after transplantation (P < 0.0001, t-test). Thus, the patients with complications developed fever in the aplastic phase and showed an increase of cytokines during the recovery phase, which triggered the occurrence of vascular endothelial damage shown by factors such as the thrombomodulin and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. This sequence of events corresponds with that occurring during systemic inflammatory response syndrome, so many of the complications of bone marrow transplantation can be considered as manifestations of this syndrome.