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Biomedical subjects

J H Lin

Publications and source records attributed to J H Lin.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Dose-dependent toxicokinetics of L-689,502, a potent human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor, in rats and dogs.

L-689,502, N-[2(R)-hydroxy-1(S)-indanyl]-5(S)-(1,1-dimethylethoxy- carbonylamino)-4(S)-hydroxy-6-phenyl-2(R)-(4-[2-(4- morpholinyl)ethoxy]phenyl)methyl hexanamide, is a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease. The effect of dose on the elimination kinetics of L-689,502 was studied in rats and dogs. After i.v. administration, total plasma clearance of L-689,502 in rats decreased with increasing dose; the clearance decreased from 181 ml/min/kg at 1 mg/kg to 86 ml/min/kg at 20 mg/kg. Similar results were observed in dogs; clearance fell from 29 ml/min/kg at 0.5 mg/kg to 17 ml/min/kg at 10 mg/kg. Bile flow in rats was retarded in a dose-dependent manner after a single i.v. injection of L-689,502. The cholestatic effect was reversible and maximal at 5 mg/kg i.v. Consistent with the cholestatic effect, L-689,502 caused an increase in serum levels of aminotransferase. After i.v. administration of L-689,502 (10 mg/kg), alanine aminotransferase increased from 50 to 370 IU/liter and aspartate aminotransferase from 120 to 700 IU/liter. Moreover, pretreatment of rats with L-689,502 resulted in a significant decrease in the elimination kinetics of antipyrine and diflunisal, as well as of L-689,502 itself. Collectively, these results suggest that the dose-dependent kinetics of L-689,502 in rats and dogs are more likely due to hepatotoxicity caused by the drug than to capacity-limited metabolism.

Acetaminophen↗

Splenic rupture as an infectious mononucleosis complication.

Splenic rupture is a rare yet serious complication associated with an infectious mononucleosis, especially in those patients with atypical clinical manifestations or those whose presentations are nonspecific or even completely asymptomatic. Since the death in these occasions is mostly attributed to acute massive hemorrhages, an early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. This report illustrates that in infectious mononucleosis, one should be aware of the possibility of an unusual clinical presentation and the enlarged spleen may rupture spontaneously or by a causal traumatic force. White blood cell counts and their differentials at this catastrophic event may not be helpful in diagnosing infectious mononucleosis.

Adolescent↗

Acupuncture for reproductive disorders.

The use of acupuncture to treat reproductive disorders can produce excellent results. Two proposed physiologic mechanisms for its effects on the reproductive system include an endorphin-mediated mechanism affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal endocrine axis and a direct effect on gonadal paracrine and autocrine control of steroidogenesis. This chapter discusses reproductive disorders from both western and traditional Chinese perspectives, and details the use of acupuncture for the treatment of eight specific categories of reproductive dysfunction.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

DNA topoisomerase II from mammalian mitochondria is inhibited by the antitumor drugs, m-AMSA and VM-26.

A type II DNA topoisomerase has been partially purified from calf thymus mitochondria by a combination of differential centrifugation and column chromatography. The mitochondrial enzyme was inhibited by amsacrine (m-AMSA) slightly at 0.5 microM, significantly at 5.0 microM, and completely at 50 microM. A similar profile was obtained with teniposide (VM-26) although the latter drug was not quite as potent an inhibitor as the former. P4 unknotting assays of the purified nuclear type II topoisomerase in the presence of m-AMSA and VM-26 indicated that the mitochondrial and nuclear enzymes behaved similarly, although the mitochondrial enzyme appeared to be inhibited more strongly.

Amsacrine↗

Regulated expression of cytochrome P-450scc (cholesterol-side-chain cleavage enzyme) in cultured cell lines detected by antibody against bacterially expressed human protein.

The first step in the synthesis of steroids is catalysed by cytochrome P-450ssc (cholesterol-side-chain cleavage enzyme). We have investigated the synthesis of this enzyme in three cultured cell lines at the protein and hormone secretion levels. Hormone levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody against progesterone. The protein level was detected using polyclonal antibodies directed against a P-450scc fusion protein overproduced in Escherichia coli. Utilizing a bacteriophage T7 promoter expression system, a large amount of human P-450scc fusion protein was produced and easily purified. P-450scc was synthesized in the mouse adrenal tumour cell line Y1 and human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3, but not in monkey kidney cell line COS-1. The production of P-450scc in Y1 and JEG-3 cells was stimulated by 8-bromo cyclic AMP, the effect of which was not observed until 6 h after induction and was more pronounced at 24 h. Y1 and JEG-3 cells exhibited a difference in progesterone secretion after induction.

Animals↗

Co-regulation of heme oxygenase and erythropoietin genes.

The mechanism responsible for the accumulation of heme oxygenase and erythropoietin (epo) transcripts due to cobalt chloride (CoCl2) administration was investigated in rat kidney using a rat heme oxygenase and mouse epo probes. We found an increase of heme oxygenase transcripts in kidney in response to CoCl2. Quantitative evaluation of the heme oxygenase mRNA changes, by scanning densitometry, indicated that the levels of mRNA encoding heme oxygenase were increased by about fiftyfold in rat kidney after administration of CoCl2. That the increase in heme oxygenase mRNA levels resulted from enhanced transcription of the heme oxygenase gene was confirmed by nuclear runoff using isolated rat kidney nuclei after CoCl2 administration. Transcription of the heme oxygenase gene is greatly increased in rat kidney within 1 hr of administration of CoCl2 as evidenced from the levels of 32P-UTP incorporation into the specific transcript. Time course studies showed that stimulation of transcription was increased about fortyfold 3 hr after CoCl2 administration. This stimulation is the most rapid transcriptional response to heavy metals yet described. In addition, Northern blot analysis demonstrated that epo mRNA was first detected 4 hr following CoCl2 administration and reached a maximum at 5 hr. On the other hand, PCR analysis indicated that epo mRNA was increased as early as 1 hr following CoCl2 administration. The fact that CoCl2 caused increased transcription of both the epo and heme oxygenase genes suggests that a common mechanism may be involved in the regulation of these two genes by the heavy metal ion.

Animals↗

Dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of MK-417, a potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, in experimental polycythemic and anemic rats.

MK-417 is a potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor currently under clinical investigation as a topical ocular hypotensive agent. While present in most of the tissues, carbonic anhydrase predominates in red blood cells. Earlier studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that carbonic anhydrase plays an important role in the elimination kinetics of MK-417 and that the enzyme can be saturated when MK-417 exceeds the stoichiometric concentration of the enzyme. Since carbonic anhydrase is an intracellular enzyme in erythrocytes, conditions which may change the hematocrit can alter the load of MK-417 needed to saturate carbonic anhydrase. It is, therefore, important to determine the effects of anemic and polycythemic states on the pharmacokinetics of MK-417. The anemic state in rats was obtained by replacing whole blood with donor plasma (12-15 ml), while polycythemia was induced by infusion of 12 to 15 ml of whole blood. At low doses (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg), the pharmacokinetic parameters for MK-417 remained unchanged and there were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters among the anemic, polycythemic, and normal rats. The total blood clearance and apparent volume of distribution were increased markedly when the dose exceeded 0.2 mg/kg in anemic rats and 0.5 and 1 mg/kg in normal and polycythemic rats, respectively. Clearly, the dose of MK-417 required to saturate the enzyme was different among the three groups of animals. However, the terminal half-life was dose independent and not influenced by hematocrit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anemia↗

Treatment of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome in dogs with electroacupuncture stimulation of stomach 36.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) on the recovery of adrenocortical function from Iatrogenic Cushings Syndrome (ICS) in dogs. Experiment I: Selection of the most effective Acupuncture point to treat ICS--Six healthy adult female dogs were treated bilaterally with EA for 15 minutes at loci BL22 + BL23 + BL24, ST36, or a non-locus control point on M. brachialis. Each dog was tested at all three sites in rotation. Blood samples were collected before and 0, 15 and 60 minutes after EA, and the serum cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The data showed that EA at ST36 resulted in the highest response of serum cortisol levels among the three treatments. Experiment II: Evaluation of the effectiveness of EA ST36 in the treatment of ICS in dogs--Eight healthy adult female dogs were given prednisolone acetate 2mg/kg/day IM for 3 weeks. They were then randomly divided into ST36 and control groups of 4 dogs each. In the ST36 group, ST36 was treated bilaterally with EA for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, for 3 consecutive weeks. For the control, a non-locus point on M. brachialis was treated bilaterally with the same protocol. After the first week of EA, the serum cortisol levels of the ST36 and control groups were 0.9 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 micrograms/dl (P less than 0.005) baseline and 2.5 +/- 0.2 and 1.4 +/- 0.4 micrograms/dl (p less than 0.05) and after ACTH stimulation test, respectively. After the third week of EA treatment, the results were 1.0 +/- 0.1 and 0.6 +/- 0.2 micrograms/dl (p less than 0.05) baseline and 4.0 +/- 0.5 and 1.7 +/- 0.5 micrograms/dl (p less than 0.001) after ACTH stimulation respectively. These data indicated that EA at ST36 could restore the adrenocortical hypofunction resulting from ICS in dogs.

Acupuncture Points↗

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of histamine H2-receptor antagonists. Relationship between intrinsic potency and effective plasma concentrations.

Histamine H2-receptor antagonists are a unique class of compounds. Pharmacologically they are characterised as a family by their ability to inhibit the secretion of gastric acid, and kinetically they are classified as a family by their similarity in absorption, distribution and elimination. All the H2-receptor antagonists exhibit classical competitive drug-receptor interactions, with Schild slope parameters not significantly different from unity. Comparison of the values of the negative logarithm of the molar concentration of antagonist in the presence of which the potency of the agonist is reduced 2-fold (PA2) indicates that famotidine is about 20 to 50 times more potent than cimetidine and 6 to 10 times more potent than ranitidine. To date, famotidine is the most potent among marketed H2-receptor antagonists. Oral absorption of all the H2-receptor antagonists under clinical investigation is fairly rapid. Peak plasma concentrations are usually attained within 1 to 3h after the dose, but a second peak after oral administration has been observed with cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, ramixotidine and etintidine. The mean oral bioavailability for the H2-antagonists ranges from 50 to 70%. Reports on the plasma profiles after intravenous administration are available only for cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and nizatidine: plasma concentrations of all 4 decline in a biexponential manner. All of the H2-antagonists are eliminated quite rapidly, with a terminal half-life of 1 to 3h and a total body clearance of 24 to 48 L/h. Elimination is mainly attributable to renal excretion, with renal clearances ranging from 13.8 to 30 L/h. As the values for renal clearance greatly exceed the glomerular filtration rate (6 to 7.2 L/h), it is apparent that renal tubular secretion plays an important role. There is a simple, direct correlation between plasma concentrations of H2-receptor antagonists and the inhibition of gastric acid secretion. This implies a rapid equilibration between drug concentration in plasma and at the site of action, and a reversible drug-receptor interaction. Success in correlating the plasma concentration of H2-receptor antagonists and their pharmacological effects stems from reliable and precise measurement of both items. Despite the heterogeneous nature of data sources, 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, nizatidine, etintidine and roxatidine obtained in vitro appear to be in good agreement with those determined in vivo. These results suggest that at an early stage of development of an H2-receptor antagonist, IC50 determined from in vitro studies may be useful as a first approximation to predict the clinically effective concentration of the new agent.

Aging↗

Quantitation of human erythroid-specific porphobilinogen deaminase mRNA by the polymerase chain reaction.

Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG-D), the third enzyme in the heme synthetic pathway, possesses two isoforms encoded by distinct mRNAs that are the result of transcription of a single gene from two promoters through differential splicing. During erythroid differentiation, only the expression of the erythroid-specific isoform (E-PBGD) was increased. A system was developed to evaluate genetic expression of E-PBGD in samples limited in cell number and/or mRNA copy. Total RNA from human cells was reverse-transcribed and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction in the same tube with an internal standard that is an in vitro transcript of a cDNA differing from its sample counterpart by a few restriction sites and 24 bp (10%) in the target region. The primers spanned through regions where sample and standard templates were identical in sequence. Amplified templates were resolved by restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis and quantified by densitometer tracing of corresponding bands on autoradiograms. When an appropriate amount of internal standard is present in the reaction mixture, the ratio of amplified sample versus standard template is proportional to the amount of sample RNA and it is therefore possible to calculate the number of specific mRNA molecules in the original sample.

Animals↗

Functional studies of hepatitis delta antigen and delta virus RNA.

We have sequenced an HDV RNA from an acute delta hepatitis patient from the Nauru Islands. By comparison with other HDV sequences previously reported, we have identified three conserved regions: the first one is the sequence around the catalytic cleavage site for genomic-sense RNA; the second is the corresponding site for the antigenomic sense RNA; and the third is the sequence encoding the middle domain of the hepatitis delta antigen. We have shown that the middle domain of the delta antigen can bind specifically to the HDV RNA. This binding was demonstrated both in vitro and in the purified virion. It was suggested that this RNA-protein interaction is important for HDV RNA replication. We also suggest that the conserved sequences provide ideal primers for use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in clinical diagnosis of HDV infections. We recommend the use of nucleotides 870-900 and 690-720 (Makino et al., 1987a) as primers for routine screening.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of cilastatin and its major metabolite N-acetylcilastatin in rat plasma, urine and bile.

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with solid-phase (C8) sample extraction has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of cilastatin and its major metabolite N-acetylcilastatin in rat plasma, urine and bile. The method is linear, reproducible and reliable with a detection limit of 1 microgram/ml in all three fluids. Plasma concentrations of cilastatin and N-acetylcilastatin at selected time intervals and biliary and urinary recoveries of cilastatin and N-acetylcilastatin following an intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg cilastatin are presented.

Animals↗

Regulation of heme oxygenase gene expression by cobalt in rat liver and kidney.

The effect of heavy metals such as cobalt chloride and the corresponding metalloporphyrin on the transcription of the heme oxygenase gene in tissues was examined using cDNA for rat heme oxygenase as the probe. An increase in heme oxygenase mRNA level was observed in response to cobalt chloride and cobalt protoporphyrin treatment in both liver and kidney. Quantitative evaluation of the heme oxygenase transcript was obtained by determining the intensity of mRNA bands by scanning densitometry, and indicated that cobalt chloride increased heme oxygenase mRNA by 40-60-fold after 2 h of metal exposure. Accumulation of heme oxygenase mRNA after cobalt chloride administration was prevented by co-administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide. These results indicate that the increased expression of heme oxygenase by cobalt chloride required de novo protein synthesis and was regulated at the transcriptional level. The time course of heme oxygenase transcript accumulation following administration of cobalt protoporphyrin was different from that of cobalt chloride. There was a sharp increase in heme oxygenase mRNA after cobalt chloride administration at 2 h and cobalt protoporphyrin at 10 h. Heme, to which cobalt protoporphyrin is structurally analogous, acted as a potent inducer of heme oxygenase transcripts in both liver and kidney. Variation in heme oxygenase mRNA levels resulting from enhanced transcription of the heme oxygenase gene was evaluated by nuclear runoff assay using isolated rat liver nuclei after cobalt chloride administration. Quantification of specific nuclear RNAs labeled during the in vitro transcription revealed active heme oxygenase gene transcription in liver nuclei from cobalt-chloride-treated rats. Transcription of heme oxygenase is greatly increased within 1 h of administration of cobalt chloride in rat liver, as evidenced by the level of [alpha-32P]UTP incorporation into nuclear RNA. The transcription was increased by 40-fold after 3 h of cobalt chloride administration. The activation of the heme oxygenase gene by metal ions is the most rapid transcriptional response to heavy metals yet described and highlights the regulatory role of heme oxygenase in heme degradation during deviating environmental conditions. On the other hand, cobalt protoporphyrin and heme arginate increase transcription of the heme oxygenase gene in a similar pattern but at a slower rate than that of the heavy metal, suggesting that the heme oxygenase promotor region may contain additional elements conferring the inducing effect of these two agents.

Animals↗

Characterization of hepatitis delta antigen: specific binding to hepatitis delta virus RNA.

It has previously been shown that human hepatitis virus delta antigen has an RNA-binding activity (Chang et al., J. Virol. 62:2403-2410, 1988). In the present study, the specificity of such an RNA-protein interaction was demonstrated by expressing various domains of the delta antigen in Escherichia coli as TrpE fusion proteins and testing their RNA-binding activities in a Northwestern protein-RNA immunoblot assay and RNA gel mobility shift assay. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA bound specifically to the delta antigen in the presence of an excess amount of unrelated RNAs and a relatively high salt concentration. Both genome- and antigenome-sense HDV RNAs and at least two different regions of HDV genomic RNA bound to the delta antigen. Surprisingly, these two different regions of HDV genomic RNA could compete with each other for delta antigen binding, although they do not have common nucleotide sequences. In contrast, this binding could not be competed with by other viral or cellular RNA. Since both the genomic and antigenomic HDV RNAs had strong intramolecular complementary sequences, these results suggest that the binding of delta antigen is probably specific for a secondary structure unique to the HDV RNA. By expressing different subdomains of the delta antigen, we found that the middle one-third of delta antigen was responsible for binding HDV RNA. Neither the N-terminal nor the C-terminal domain bound HDV RNA. Binding between the delta antigen and HDV RNA was also demonstrated within the HDV particles isolated from the plasma of a human delta hepatitis patient. This in vivo binding resisted treatment with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.5% Nonidet P-40. In addition, we showed that the antiserum from a human patient with delta hepatitis reacted with all three subdomains of the delta antigen, indicating that all of the domains are immunogenic in vivo. These studies demonstrated the specific interaction between delta antigen and HDV RNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of protein binding and experimental disease states on brain uptake of benzodiazepines in rats.

The brain uptake of a number of benzodiazepines with different lipophilic and protein binding characteristics was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats using the rapid intracarotid artery injection technique. When the compounds were administered as a solution in Ringer's buffer, pH 7.4, the uptake was in the order of [14C]diazepam greater than [14C]L-663,581 (anxiolytic agent) greater than [3H]L-364,718 (morphine analgesia potentiator) greater than [14C]L-365,260 (anxiolytic agent) and their extraction ratio values were 71.0 +/- 6.8, 65.0 +/- 12.0, 42.0 +/- 5.0 and 6.0 +/- 2.0%, respectively. The respective permeability-surface product values were 0.755 +/- 0.152, 0.647 +/- 0.180, 0.329 +/- 0.05 and 0.035 +/- 0.011 ml/min/g. The rank order of brain extraction did not correlate well with the drugs' lipophilicity determined by octanol-buffer partition coefficient. For example, L-365,260 had the highest octanol/buffer partition coefficient, but the lowest brain extraction. Plasma protein binding significantly decreased the uptake by the brain but to a lesser extent than that predicted from the unbound drug fraction in vitro, suggesting that drug binding to plasma protein did not limit the transport of drug through the blood-brain barrier. For one compound, L-364,718, the extraction ratio and permeability-surface product values were increased markedly in CC1(4)-induced hepatic injury. Other disease states, uranyl nitrate-induced renal failure and streptozotocin-induced diabetes, had no apparent effect on the uptake of the compounds tested. The effect of disease state on the brain uptake of drug appeared to be dependent on the type of disease and the type of drug studied.

Animals↗

[Application and evaluation of the VICON system in gait analysis].

By employing the VICON system, segment angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of the lower limbs were achieved from an Above-Knee (A/K) Amputee using a constant friction prosthesis during the swing phase of the gait cycle. By applying computer for data analysis and inputing anthropometric data of the (A/K) Amputee, kinematic trajectory and a stick diagram of lower limbs were obtained. The data were then compared with those obtained from normal subjects. The results showed that the VICON system can provide quantitative analysis of several important parameters in the gait cycle and that it is very helpful in the evaluation and rehabilitation training of abnormal gait.

Adult↗

Expression of rat liver heme oxygenase gene during development.

We studied the genetic expression during fetal development of heme oxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the oxidation of heme to bilirubin. The transcription of the heme oxygenase gene in livers of fetal and neonatal rats (9 days before birth to 28 days after birth) was examined. Hybridization analyses of total RNA from livers of these animals using cDNA for rat heme oxygenase as the probe revealed a single mRNA species of approximately 18 S in every sample examined. The mRNA level was above the adult level throughout the course of study and reached a maximum 24 h after birth. The high level of heme oxygenase mRNA in fetuses was unaffected when Sn-protoporphyrin, a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase, was administered to their mothers. On the other hand, the mRNA levels in the mothers treated with this heme analog were substantially increased, possibly by the same mechanism as for the induction by heme. Sn-protoporphyrin potentiates induction of heme oxygenase mRNA in cobalt chloride-pretreated rats, and also acts as a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase enzyme activities. Our results also indicate that high heme oxygenase levels during fetal maturation are due to an increase in transcription of the gene. Thus, Sn-protoporphyrin which crosses the placenta controls fetal hyperbilirubinemia by direct enzyme inhibition.

Age Factors↗

Two rapid and simple enzyme immunoassays for human antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica.

Two rapid and simple enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for antibodies to E. histolytica the protozoa causing ambiasis, are described. In the rapid dot EIA, a qualitative procedure, antigens were dried as a small dot (3 mm in diameter) on a thin white opaque polystyrene strip and serum samples were assayed undiluted. The assay required 3 incubation periods, 1 to 3 minutes each, and was completed in 9 minutes, with a positive reaction revealed as a blue color (precipitate) on the antigen dot and negative as colorless. The developed color is stable for permanent record. In the Microwell EIA, a quantitative procedure, antigens were dried in the Microwells. The assay also consisted 3 incubation periods of 15 minutes each, and was completed in 50 minutes. The results in absorbance values were normalized to EIA units (EU). Both tests had good reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity; and highly correlated with 3 other serologic tests. Their reagents can be stored for more than a year. Both tests could be suitable for small and physicians' office laboratories, especially in developing countries.

Animals↗