Biomedical subjects

K Nagata

Publications and source records attributed to K Nagata.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Alterations in the colorectal carcinoma gene and protein in a novel human myeloid leukemia cell line with trisomy 18 established from overt leukemia after myelodysplastic syndrome.

A new human myeloid leukemia cell line (OIH-1), with alterations in chromosome 18 and the deleted in the colorectal carcinoma (DCC) gene and its product, was established from the peripheral blood (PB) of a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) after myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Serial cytogenetics showed the presence of two clones, one with i(18)(q11) and another with trisomy 18. Southern blot analysis of OIH-1 cells with i(18)(q11) showed an extremely reduced intensity of 20- and 14-kb EcoRI fragments, suggesting the allelic loss of the DCC gene. Immunoprecipitation (IP) analysis by the murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) AF5, specific for the DCC extracellular domain, failed to detect normal 180-kDa DCC protein, however extra 85-kDa protein was detected. However, Southern blot analysis of the latter clone of OIH-1 with trisomy 18 showed normal structure of the DCC gene. IP analysis with AF5 or G92-13 (specific for the extracellular domain) did not detect the DCC protein, but a 150-kDa protein other than the DCC-specific 180-kDa protein was detected with G97-449, specific for the cytoplasmic domain of the DCC protein. RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of the DCC mRNA in OIH-1 cells carrying each type of chromosome 18 abnormalities. These alterations in the DCC gene and protein may contribute to progression of malignancy for OIH-1 cells. The OIH-1 cell line may be useful for studying the role of the DCC gene in leukemogenesis of MDS or AML.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Response-oriented individualized induction therapy with six drugs followed by four courses of intensive consolidation, 1 year maintenance and intensification therapy: the ALL90 study of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group.

Adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated according to the ALL90 study, the second prospective study for ALL of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG). Its characteristics included response-oriented individualized induction therapy with six drugs (doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, vincristine, prednisolone, [corrected] cyclophosphamide and L-asparaginase), and a prospective comparison between allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) and chemotherapy alone in patients below 45 years of age. The protocol consisted of one or two courses of induction, four courses of consolidation, and three courses of intensification including 12 month maintenance and six times of central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis. Of 180 evaluable patients (median age, 43), 125 (69%) achieved complete remission (CR). Predicted overall survival (OAS), event-free survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were 15, 10 and 14%, respectively at the median follow-up period of 62 months. No specific toxicities were observed. Leukocytes < 30,000/microliter, normal karyotype, and blasts < 10% in bone marrow at day 15 of induction therapy were significantly favorable prognostic factors for the achievement of CR, DFS and OAS by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed leukocytes < 30,000/microliter and blasts < 10% on day 15 was a significant factor for the achievement of CR, DFS and OAS. Ph-chromosome was found in 28% (36/130) of patients examined and was one of the worst prognostic factors. All Ph positive patients were predicted to die within 600 days. Allo-BMT was not significantly superior to chemotherapy with respect to DFS (P = 0.226). The overall results were inferior to those of the former ALL87 protocol. As reasons, the older median age of 43 years old (vs. 38 years old) and lower dose intensity, especially of l-asparaginase, etc. were suggested. However, patients with good prognostic factors (leukocyte < 30,000/microliter and age < 30 years old) showed better survival than others (P < 0.0001), and the result was similar to that of older children, the high risk group of childhood ALL, suggesting that ALL could be a disease of single entity, showing higher resistance to chemotherapy as patients become older.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Expression and function of heat shock protein 47: a collagen-specific molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Heat shock protein (HSP) 47 is a collagen-binding stress protein localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition to stress-inducibility through heat shock element-heat shock factor interaction, the expression of HSP47 under normal conditions always correlates with that of collagens in various cell types and tissues. Both HSP47 and types I and III collagens are also dramatically induced under pathophysiological conditions such as liver fibrosis. HSP47 transiently associates with procollagen in the ER and dissociates from it in the cis-Golgi compartment. Possible functions of HSP47 as a molecular chaperone specific for procollagen are discussed: prevention of nascent procollagen chains from forming aggregates, effect on the modification of procollagen, inhibition of intracellular degradation of procollagen, quality control mechanisms under stress conditions, and effect on the secretion from the ER to the Golgi compartment.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

The use of BRM-activated killer cells in adoptive immunotherapy: a pilot study with nine advanced cancer patients.

Adoptive immunotherapy using MHC-nonrestricted-lymphocytes, peripheral blood gammadelta T cells and NK cells was devised. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (3 x 10(7)) were selected by immobilization to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody for 4 days and cultured for 2 weeks in the presence of IL-2. Thereafter they were reactivated by 500 U/ml of IFN-alpha and 1000 U/ml of IL-2 for 1 hour. Enhancement of NK and LAK activities was confirmed. Peripheral blood gammadelta T cells proliferated in response to immobilized anti-CD3 antibody (3% to 30%). Approximately 6 x 10(9) BRM-activated killer (BAK) cells composed of CD56+ gammadelta T cells and CD56+ NK cells, were dispensed to cancer patients via intravenous drip infusion. Nine patients were treated with BAK cells every 2 weeks or every month on an outpatient basis. During the course of adoptive immunotherapy, the crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis (CAIE) pattern of serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) was analysed. Both the production and glycosylation pattern of IAP is changed in response to tumor enlargement and may therefore act as a marker of the disease progression. During the course of BAK therapy, the glycosylation IAP pattern of 6 patients changed from tumor (T) to normal (N). In addition, the performance status of all patients was maintained at 90-100% of the Karnofsky scale and any side effects including fever were not observed during treatments with BAK cells. Moreover, the overall quality of life (QOL) of the patients, scored at the Face scale was favorable. In addition, blood levels of activated gammadelta T cells producing IFN-gamma were assayed as an indication marker of BAK therapy. The normal range of IFN-gamma producing gammadelta T cells comprised 6.9 +/- 0.9% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), according to a single cell FACScan analyses of PBMCs derived from normal individuals. IFN-gamma producing gammadelta T cells of Patients No. 8 and 9, who received extensive chemotherapy before initiation of BAK therapy, comprised only 0.2% and 2% of PBMC, respectively. These patients died 3 and 6 months after beginning BAK therapy. Peripheral blood gammadelta T cells of Patients Nos. 1-7 proliferated in response to immobilized anti-CD3 antibody and the frequency of IFN-gamma producing gammadelta T cells in PBMC preparation of these patients were over 3% before initiation of BAK therapy. Since our data show a positive correlation between survival time and initial gammadelta T cell counts, a low frequency of these cells may contraindicate BAK therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Establishment of a novel human myeloid leukaemia cell line (FKH-1) with t(6;9)(p23;q34) and the expression of dek-can chimaeric transcript.

Translocation t(6:9)(p23;q34), resulting in a dek-can gene fusion, is a recurrent chromosomal abnormality mainly associated with specific subtypes of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients with this type of chromosomal change are usually young and their prognosis is poor. The role of fusion protein generated from dek-can chimaeric transcript on the leukaemogenesis oft(6;9) AML or MDS is as yet unknown. We have established the first permanent cell line (FKH-1) with t(6;9). derived from the peripheral blood of a patient with t(6:9) AML transformed from Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-negative chronic myelocytic leukaemia (CML). The FKH-1 expressed myelomonocytic markers and dek-can chimaeric transcript. In the presence of 10 ng/ml recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), the cells doubled every 54 h and showed multilineage myeloid differentiation, resulting in heterogenous morphologies such as macrophages, basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils. Thus, this cell line may be derived from a pluripotent myeloid stem cell and should be a useful tool for biomolecular studies on the pathogenesis of t(6;9) myeloid malignancies which have rarely been investigated because of the lack of continuously proliferating cells.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1998

Expression of heat shock protein 47 is increased in remnant kidney and correlates with disease progression.

Glomerulosclerosis is characterized by accumulation of the mesangial extracellular matrix, including type I and V collagen. The processing for the collagens in the glomeruli may play a critical role for development of glomerulosclerosis. We examined the expression of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), a collagen-binding molecular chaperone in the progressive glomerulosclerosis model. Subtotally nephrectomized rats, unlike sham-operated rats, developed focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. Immunological staining demonstrated an increased expression of HSP47 which paralleled the expression of type I and IV collagen in the glomeruli of the nephrectomized rats as the glomerulosclerosis developed. The mRNA levels encoding type I and type IV collagen and HSP47 were increased 3.4 fold, 3.6 fold and 2.8 fold, respectively, at week 7 after nephrectomy. By in situ hybridization, the expression of HSP47 mRNA was determined to be localized to the glomeruli with segmental sclerosis. These results suggest that HSP47 may play a central role in the process of extracellular matrix accumulation during the development of glomerulosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Up-regulation of HSP47 in the mouse kidneys with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a well established experimental model of renal injury leading to interstitial fibrosis. The molecular and cellular mechanism(s) of interstitial fibrosis in UUO are beginning to be elucidated. In the progression of interstitial fibrosis in UUO, up-regulation of collagen synthesis is commonly observed. HSP47 is a collagen-binding stress protein and is thought to be a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, which plays a pivotal role during the biosynthesis and secretion of collagen molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum. The synthesis of HSP47 has been demonstrated to always parallel that of collagen in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. It is well recognized that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is enhanced in the setting of UUO and that enhanced RAS has been implicated in the pathogenesis of interstitial fibrosis in the obstructed kidneys. METHODS: To investigate the role of HSP47 in the progression of interstitial fibrosis in mouse UUO, the expression of HSP47 was examined by Northern blotting, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in the obstructed kidneys. To test the possible involvement of enhanced RAS on the HSP47 expression, we examined the effects of lisinopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, on interstitial fibrosis. HSP47 and type I collagen mRNA expression. RESULTS: By Northern blot analysis, HSP47 mRNA was significantly up-regulated at 12 hours (about twice that of sham operated kidneys) after the onset of ureteral obstruction, further increased and stayed at the increased level until seven days (about 8 times that of sham operated kidneys). HSP47 mRNA and protein expression were observed in the periglomerular and peritubular interstitial regions of the obstructed kidneys. Distribution of smooth muscle alpha actin and type I collagen immunoreactivity were similar to the HSP47 distribution pattern, suggesting that HSP47 was up-regulated in the myofibroblasts. Lisinopril ameliorated the expansion of cortical interstitium in the obstructed kidneys at four and seven days after ureteral obstruction. HSP47 mRNA expression was suppressed at four and seven days, whereas type I collagen mRNA was suppressed only at seven days after the onset of ureteral obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the early and persistent up-regulation of HSP47 during the progression of interstitial fibrosis in mouse UUO kidneys, and further suggest the potential role of HSP47 in the pathogenesis of interstitial fibrosis in the obstructed kidneys. Partial suppression of HSP47 mRNA expression by lisinopril at day 4 and day 7 after ureteral obstruction suggests that there are other immediate trigger(s) that induce the HSP47 mRNA expression. Identification of the molecular mechanism of HSP47 induction during UUO may give an insight into the novel aspects of the molecular pathophysiology of interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Relevance of a new impedance matching, or subtrap, method for the reduction of pain during hyperthermia.

Capacitive heating is widely used in hyperthermic treatment of human malignancies. However, the pain on the body surface or thermoesthesia in the subcutaneous fatty layer may prevent an elevation of temperature in the tumors. Impedance matching is improved by a subtrap method entailing the application of two copper plates (10 x 850 x 0.06 mm) as a subtrap circuit to each of two capacitive electrodes. In a clinical trial the Tmax, Tave, Tmin for the subtrap method were all higher in comparison with those for the conventional technique (42.5 +/- 0.7 degrees C, 41.9 +/- 1.0 degrees C, 41.3 +/- 1.1 degrees C vs. 41.1 +/- 1.5 degrees C, 40.6 +/- 1.3 degrees C, 40.0 +/- 1.3 degrees C). Although the maximal radiofrequency (RF) power applied to patients was higher with the subtrap method (875 +/- 189 W vs. 763 +/- 200 W), the incidence of surface pain was reduced dramatically. It is concluded that the subtrap method substantially improves the RF capacitive heating of deep-seated tumors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To examine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell specific growth factor, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), serum concentration of VEGF was examined in patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SS) and control subjects. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count and rheumatoid factor titer were also determined in patients with RA. The serum concentration of VEGF was significantly higher in patients with RA than in controls (p < 0.01), and patients with OA (p < 0.05), SLE (p < 0.05), and SS (p < 0.05). The serum concentration of VEGF correlated with serum levels of CRP (r = 0.698, p < 0.0001). The serum concentration of VEGF before treatment was significantly higher than that after treatment in patients with RA who experienced clinical remission (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that VEGF is involved in the pathogenesis of RA and that measurement of serum concentration of VEGF is a noninvasive, useful method for monitoring the disease activity of RA.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Expression of GTP-binding proteins and protein kinase C isozymes in platelet-like particles derived from megakaryoblastic leukemia cells (MEG-01).

The expression of the various GTP-binding proteins and protein kinase C (PKC) in the platelet-like particles produced by MEG-01 cells was analyzed by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. We selected 14 human low Mr GTPbinding proteins (LMW-GPs) and nine PKCs expressed in platelets and/or megakaryocytes, and designed specific primer pairs for the proteins. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the particles express the mRNAs of many LMW-GPs such as rap 1A, rap 1B, rap 2B, ral A, rho A, rac 1, rac 2, Cdc 42, rab 1, rab 3B, rab 6, ram/rab 27 and ran . By immunoblotting analysis, Rap1, RhoA, Rac, Cdc42, Rab6 and Rab8 were identified in the particles. As for PKCs, the particles were observed to express the mRNAs of PKC-alpha,-beta I, -beta-II, -delta, epsilon, eta and theta, but not-gamma and zeta. Using immunoblot analysis, PKC-beta I, -beta II and zeta were shown to exist in the particles, although the contents were lower than those in platelets. Furthermore, the presence of Gi2-alpha, a heterotrimeric G protein that is the major pertussis toxin substrate in human platelets, and beta subunits was observed in the particles. Taken together, the particles possess some similarity to human platelets based on the expression profiles of GTP-binding proteins and PKCs.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Molecular characterization of ST1C1-related human sulfotransferase.

Carcinogenic arylamines such as N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF) are metabolically activated by mammalian sulfotransferases to form N-hydroxyarylamine O-sulfates. We previously showed that rat ST1C1 efficiently mediate these activations. These reactions occur in liver cytosols of humans as well as rats. However, the enzyme responsible for N-OH-AAF activation has not been identified in humans. In the present study, a human cDNA (ST1C2) encoding a sulfotransferase showing a high similarity with ST1C1, has been isolated from a human fetal liver cDNA library and expressed using a bacterial expression system. A clear difference was observed in the pH optima for p-nitrophenol sulfation between ST1C2 and ST1C1 expressed in Escherichia coli. In addition, ST1C2 did not mediate 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate-dependent DNA binding of N-OH-AAF. These results suggest that human ST1C2 has a clear different substrate specificity, in spite of the structural similarity, with rat ST1C1.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Splenic irradiation for prolymphocytic leukemia: is it preferable as an initial treatment or not?

We describe a case of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) successfully treated with splenic irradiation (SI). A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of massive splenomegaly and leukocytosis. Peripheral blood showed hemoglobin (Hb) 7.4 g/dl, platelets 48 x 10(9)/l and white blood cells (WBC) 50.3 x 10(9)/l with 90% prolymphocytes. Bone marrow was hypercellular with 60% prolymphocytes. Surface marker analysis revealed that prolymphocytes were positive for CD20, CD22, FMC7, HLA-DR and surface immunoglobulin (mu, delta and lambda), but negative for CD5 and mouse erythrocyte rosette. A diagnosis of B-cell PLL was made. SI (1.5 Gy x 4/week, total dose 19.5 Gy) was chosen for the treatment and a remarkable response was achieved immediately after the first irradiation. Finally, a single course of SI induced complete remission without any significant side effect. One year after the SI, she showed no splenomegaly and almost normal peripheral blood cell count (Hb 11.2 g/dl, platelets 100 x 10(9)/l, WBC 3.6 x 10(9)/l with 71% neutrophils and no prolymphocyte). She has been well for more than 24 months. This case showed that SI may remain valuable for an initial course of PLL treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Molecular cloning and expression of an amine sulfotransferase cDNA: a new gene family of cytosolic sulfotransferases in mammals.

A cDNA of amine sulfotransferase-RB1 (AST-RB1), which efficiently catalyzes 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (PTHP) sulfation, has been isolated by immunoscreening of a rabbit liver cDNA library. The cDNA consisted of 1,117 base pairs and encoded a protein of 301 amino acids with a molecular weight of 35,876. The deduced amino acid sequence matched at six positions those of peptide fragments obtained from purified AST-RB1 protein. The sequence had less than 38% identity at the amino acid level with cytosolic sulfotransferases in mammals, although high degrees of similarity were observed with regions conserved throughout mammalian sulfotransferases. These results indicate that AST-RB1, arbitrarily named sulfotransferase 3A1 (ST3A1), constitutes a new and third gene family of cytosolic sulfotransferases in mammals. ST3A1 expressed in Escherichia coli as a fused protein catalyzed sulfation of amines such as PTHP, aniline, 4-chloroaniline, 2-naphthylamine, and desipramine, but barely O-sulfation of typical aryl and hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase substrates. These data unequivocally demonstrate the existence of a cytosolic sulfotransferase showing a high selectivity for amine substrates, and indicate that multiple forms of sulfotransferase mediate sulfation of xenobiotics in mammalian livers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Molecular cloning, expression, and enzymatic characterization of rabbit hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase AST-RB2.

Cytosolic sulfotransferases, which consist of at least three gene families, play a major role in activation and detoxification of both endogenous and exogenous chemicals. We recently purified a rabbit sulfotransferase, AST-RB2, showing high activities to both hydroxysteroids and amines. To characterize this enzyme, a rabbit cDNA library was screened using anti-AST-RB2 antibodies. The isolated cDNA was judged to encode AST-RB2 (ST2A8) based on the amino acid sequences of peptide fragments obtained from purified AST-RB2. The cDNA showed high similarity to other mammalian hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases (ST2) at the amino acid level (58-68%), but low similarity to aryl sulfotransferases (ST1) (less than 37%). The protein expressed in Escherichia coli catalyzed sulfation of typical ST2 substrates. Therefore, ST2A8 was judged to belong to the ST2 family from both its primary structure and substrate specificity. The ST2A8 protein expressed in E. coli clearly differed from rat ST2A1 and ST2A2 on its localization (cytosol/insoluble fraction ratio). ST2A8 had no activity to lithocholate, but showed the highest catalysis on dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone among the four forms (ST2A1, ST2A2, ST2A3, and ST2A8), indicating a clear difference between ST2A forms in substrate specificity to endogenous chemicals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

HSP47, a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, delays the secretion of type III procollagen transfected in human embryonic kidney cell line 293: a possible role for HSP47 in collagen modification.

HSP47 is a stress protein (heat shock protein) which resides in the endoplasmic reticulum, and is postulated to function as a collagen-specific molecular chaperone. To elucidate the role of HSP47 in procollagen biosynthesis, we have established human embryonic kidney 293 cell lines, which were stably transfected with alpha1(III) procollagen chains with or without HSP47. 293 cells do not produce any extracellular matrix proteins including collagens, and the level of HSP47 expression is almost undetectable in this cell line. Recombinant type III procollagens in 293 cells form trypsin-resistant homotrimers, which are secreted into the medium as trimers in the presence or absence of recombinant mouse HSP47. The secretion of procollagen III was delayed in 293 cells stably transfected with proalpha1(III) collagen chains [293+proalpha1(III) cells] in comparison with human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD, which normally produces type III procollagens. In this study, we examined the rate of type III procollagen secretion in detail. In cells cotransfected with mouse HSP47 [293+proalpha1(III)+HSP47 cells], the rate of type III procollagen secretion was slower than in 293+proalpha1(III) cells. The binding of HSP47 with proalpha1(III) collagen chains was confirmed by immunoprecipitation using the chemical cross-linker, DSP. The electrophoretic mobility of proalpha1(III) collagen chains in 293+proalpha1(III) cells was slightly slower than that in RD cells, whereas the recombinant proalpha1(III) chains of 293+proalpha1(III)+HSP47 cells showed almost the same electrophoretic mobility as those of RD cells. The melting temperature (Tm) of type III procollagen in 293+proalpha1(III)+HSP47 cells was almost the same as that in RD cells, and the Tm in 293+proalpha1(III) cells was slightly higher than that in RD cells. These data suggest that the recombinant proalpha1(III) collagen chain is overmodified in 293+proalpha1(III) cells, but not in 293+proalpha1(III)+HSP47 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Interferon-gamma-producing cells and inducible nitric oxide synthase-producing cells in periapical granulomas.

Periapical granulomas contain a large number of T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages and a small number of B lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Sections from eight periapical granulomas were stained by a variety of immunohistochemical methods. The vascular endothelial cells stained positively for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Helper T cells were identified by immunostaining for CD4 and stained positively for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). However, CD4-positive T cells did not stain for interleukin-4 (IL-4). Monocytes/macrophages were identified by immunostaining for CD68 and stained positively for IL-1alpha or inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). IL-1beta could not be detected in the same samples. No cytokine expression was observed in B cells identified by immunostaining for CD20. IFN-gamma- and iNOS-positive cells could not be detected in clinically healthy periodontal ligament being used as a negative control. These results suggest that the IFN-gamma-producing T cells and iNOS-positive cells may modulate the progress of disease in local inflammation sites such as in periapical granulomas.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Antimicrobial activity of novel furanonaphthoquinone analogs.

Analogs of furanonaphthoquinone (FNQ) from Tecoma ipe Mart had MICs ranging from 1.56 to 25 microg/ml against gram-positive bacteria. FNQ showed significantly lower MICs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus than against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. FNQ inhibited Helicobacter pylori with an MIC of 0.1 microg/ml. Fungi, including pathogenic species, were sensitive to FNQ with MICs similar to those of amphotericin B.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed1998

Inhibition of ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter by S-8921 reduces serum cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis in rabbits.

The ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter (IBAT) plays an important role in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. We investigated the effects of IBAT inhibition on the maintenance of serum cholesterol level by using a novel IBAT inhibitor, S-8921, in rabbits. Administration of S-8921 by its incorporation into the diet (0.01% to 0.1%) for 1 to 2 weeks in heterozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits decreased serum cholesterol by 29% to 37% and increased fecal excretion of measured bile acids by 60% to 180% compared with control rabbits. Liver microsomal cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activities were increased by 75% to 84% and 84% to 89%, respectively, with S-8921 treatment. S-8921 administration (0.1% in the diet) to normal New Zealand White rabbits for 2 weeks resulted in increased hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor expression, which was assessed by Northern blot analysis. In cholesterol-fed New Zealand White rabbits, S-8921 treatment (0.003% to 0.1% in the diet) for 10 weeks dose-dependently inhibited the development of hypercholesterolemia. It also inhibited the accumulation of cholesterol in the aortic arch and reduced the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. These results indicate that IBAT inhibition by S-8921 affects serum cholesterol, liver enzymes, low density lipoprotein receptor activity, and atherosclerosis in the same manner as bile acid sequestrants. We suggest that an IBAT inhibitor such as S-8921 could be useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Animals↗