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Biomedical subjects

K Otsubo

Publications and source records attributed to K Otsubo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Integration test project of CEEF--a test bed for Closed Ecological Life Support Systems.

CEEF (Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities) were installed at Rokkasho village in northern Japan, for the purpose of clarifying life-support mechanisms in a completely closed space, such as a Lunar or Mars base. An integration test using the Closed Plantation Experiment Facility and Closed Animal Breeding & Habitation Experiment Facility is needed before conducting an entire closed experiment including plants, animals and humans. These integration tests are planned to be conducted step by step from fiscal 2001 to 2008.

Air Conditioning↗

Catalytic activity of three variants (Ile, Leu, and Thr) at amino acid residue 359 in human CYP2C9 gene and simultaneous detection using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis.

This study evaluated the catalytic activity of three variants (Ile, Leu, and Thr) at codon 359 of CYP2C9 enzymes expressed in a yeast cDNA expression system, and then established single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis for simultaneous detection as a screening method. Diclofenac was used for the in vitro experiment, and its hydroxy metabolite (4'-hydroxydiclofenac) was measured by HPLC. To discuss the in vivo effect of the Thr359 variant on the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin, a case report is presented. The efficiency of the SSCP method was evaluated by analyzing DNA samples from a homozygote for Ile359 and a heterozygote for Leu359 or Thr359. To evaluate the interaction between the P450 level and reductase activity, two batches of the Thr359 variant with a different P450:reductase activity ratio (1:4.0 and 1:1.4) were used. The in vitro study revealed that recombinant Ile359, Leu359, and Thr359 (2 batches) possessed a mean Km of 2.0, 16.5 and (3.8 and 2.9) micromol and Vmax of 12.4, 17.9 and (4.4 and 5.1) nmol/min/nmol P450, respectively. Although the magnitude of the change in catalytic efficiency for the Thr359 variant was close to that of the Leu359 variant, the effect of the two variants on diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation appears to be different because Leu359 variant was associated with a high Km, and Thr359 with a low Vmax. No significant differences in the kinetic data were observed between the two Thr359 enzymes, suggesting that low reductase activity in the Thr359 enzyme was not a major determinant in the present in vitro experiment. Estimated pharmacokinetic parameters of phenytoin obtained by the Bayesian method in an epileptic patient who was a heterozygote carrier for Thr359 variant were: Km = 6.45 microg/mL, Vmax = 5.77 mg/kg/d, and Vmax/Km = 0.89 L/kg/day. The Vmax/Km value in this patient was similar to the population mean value (0.90 L/kg/day) in Japanese heterozygotes for the Leu359 variant. Results for PCR-SSCP were in complete agreement with those obtained using established methods. Thus, the PCR-SSCP approach is useful for identifying these three variants of the CYP2C9 gene.

Adult↗

[Studies on the efficient syntheses of the drug metabolites].

This review summarizes our recent findings in the syntheses of drug metabolites. The metabolites of Grepafloxacin (1) and OPC-14117 (10) were prepared from the common intermediates (5) and (21), respectively. Moreover, treatment of 10 with a model P450 system led to a benzyl alcohol derivative (11) in one step. OPC-31260 (22) was efficiently N-dealkylated using several metalloporphyrins with oxidants to afford three metabolites (23-25). In addition, I succeeded in obtaining the metabolite (23) in high yield from N-oxide (26) not only as an oxygen donor but also as a substrate, there after, in the model P450 system. Optically active metabolites of OPC-29030 (27) were prepared by enzyme-catalyzed enantioselective transesterification of racemic sulfinyl metabolites. On the other hand, a chiral 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol derivative (38a) was found to be an efficient asymmetric acylating agent for a secondary alcohol (36) which is a valuable intermediate for preparing optically active metabolites of 22. Furthermore, metabolites (45) and (47) of OPC-21268 (44) were prepared using SmI2-induced cyclization and oxidative decarboxylation with Pb(OAc)4 as key steps, respectively.

Animals↗

Susceptibility to neuroleptic malignant syndrome in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine susceptibility to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in patients with PD in relation to central monoamine metabolism. METHODS: CSF levels of homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenyletilene glycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) were assayed in 98 PD patients (mean age, 77.2 years), including 11 patients with a prior NMS-like episode, by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. RESULTS: Patients with a previous NMS-like episode had worse parkinsonian disability as measured by Hoehn & Yahr scale (3.7 +/- 0.8 versus 3.0 +/- 1.1; p = 0.038) and lower CSF HVA levels (20.9 +/- 17.3 versus 44.7 +/- 22.2 ng/mL; p = 0.001) compared to those without, despite similar age, disease duration, and daily dosages of antiparkinsonian drugs between groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that the CSF HVA level (p = 0.008), but not 5-HIAA level (p = 0.621), was significantly and independently related to NMS, and that the MHPG level (p = 0.070) was tendentially associated with the disorder. Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) corresponding to 10 ng/mL increment in CSF HVA, MHPG, and 5-HIAA levels were 0.30 (0.13 to 0.73), 4.03 (0.89 to 18.2) and 1.29 (0.47 to 3.58), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Central dopaminergic and possible noradrenergic activity contributes to NMS development in an elderly population of PD patients. Measuring CSF levels of monoamine metabolites may provide a means for identifying NMS susceptibility in PD patients.

Aged↗

Reliability of the omeprazole hydroxylation index for CYP2C19 phenotyping: possible effect of age, liver disease and length of therapy.

AIMS: To evaluate the reliability of the omeprazole hydroxylation index as a marker for polymorphic CYP2C19 activity in a Japanese population of healthy young subjects (n = 78) and patients with peptic ulcer (n = 72). METHODS: Healthy subjects were administered a single dose of omeprazole (20 mg), whereas patients received 20 mg daily for at least 1 week. The ratio of the serum concentration of omeprazole to hydroxyomeprazole at 3 h postdose was determined and used as a measure of CYP2C19 activity. The CYP2C19 wild type (wt) gene and four mutant alleles associated with the poor metaboliser phenotype of (S)-mephenytoin, CYP2C19*2 in exon 5, CYP2C19*3 in exon 4, CYP2C19m4 in exon 9, and CYP2C19m3 in the initial codon were analysed. RESULTS: In the healthy volunteer study there was complete concordance between genotype and phenotype. However, eight of the patients who had the EM genotype had a high value for their hydroxylation index, and were classified as phenotypic PMs. No CYP2C19m4 and CYP2C19m3 mutations were detected in the eight mismatched patients. They were all genotypic heterozygous EMs, elderly (> or = 65 years) and/or had hepatic disease. Therefore, impaired CYP2C19 activity combined with partial saturation of omeprazole metabolism during multiple dosing may have contributed to the discrepancy between CYP2C19 genotyping and phenotyping. CONCLUSION: Although omeprazole has been used instead of mephenytoin as a probe for polymorphic CYP2C19, it does not appear to be reliable enough for clinical application in Japanese patients.

Adult↗

The effects of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 on phenytoin metabolism in Japanese adult patients with epilepsy: studies in stereoselective hydroxylation and population pharmacokinetics.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 and 2C19 on the metabolism of phenytoin (PHT). In addition, a population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. METHODS: The genotype of CYP2C9 (Arg144/Cys, Ile359/Leu) and CYP2C19(*1, *2 or *3) in 134 Japanese adult patients with epilepsy treated with PHT were determined, and their serum concentrations of 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (p-HPPH) enantiomers, being major metabolites of PHT, were measured. A population pharmacokinetic analysis (NONMEM analysis) was performed to evaluate whether genetic polymorphism of CYP2C9/19 affects the clinical use of PHT by using the 336 dose-serum concentration data. RESULTS: The mean maximal elimination rate (Vmax) was 42% lower in the heterozygote for Leu359 allele in CYP2C9, and the mean Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) in the heterozygous extensive metabolizers and the poor metabolizers of CYP2C19 were 22 and 54%, respectively, higher than those without the mutations in CYP2C9/19 genes. (R)- and (S)-p-HPPH/PHT ratios were lower in patients with mutations in CYP2C9 or CYP2C19 gene than those in patients without mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the hydroxylation capacity of PHT was impaired with mutations of CYP2C9/19, the impairment was greater for CYP2C9. In view of the clinical use of PHT, two important conclusions were derived from this population study. First, the serum PHT concentration in patients with the Leu359 allele in CYP2C9 would increase dramatically even at lower daily doses. Second, the patients with CYP2C19 mutations should be treated carefully at higher daily doses of PHT.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

Electrolyzed-reduced water scavenges active oxygen species and protects DNA from oxidative damage.

Active oxygen species or free radicals are considered to cause extensive oxidative damage to biological macromolecules, which brings about a variety of diseases as well as aging. The ideal scavenger for active oxygen should be 'active hydrogen'. 'Active hydrogen' can be produced in reduced water near the cathode during electrolysis of water. Reduced water exhibits high pH, low dissolved oxygen (DO), extremely high dissolved molecular hydrogen (DH), and extremely negative redox potential (RP) values. Strongly electrolyzed-reduced water, as well as ascorbic acid, (+)-catechin and tannic acid, completely scavenged O.-2 produced by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XOD) system in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of reduced water is stable at 4 degrees C for over a month and was not lost even after neutralization, repeated freezing and melting, deflation with sonication, vigorous mixing, boiling, repeated filtration, or closed autoclaving, but was lost by opened autoclaving or by closed autoclaving in the presence of tungsten trioxide which efficiently adsorbs active atomic hydrogen. Water bubbled with hydrogen gas exhibited low DO, extremely high DH and extremely low RP values, as does reduced water, but it has no SOD-like activity. These results suggest that the SOD-like activity of reduced water is not due to the dissolved molecular hydrogen but due to the dissolved atomic hydrogen (active hydrogen). Although SOD accumulated H2O2 when added to the HX-XOD system, reduced water decreased the amount of H2O2 produced by XOD. Reduced water, as well as catalase and ascorbic acid, could directly scavenge H2O2. Reduce water suppresses single-strand breakage of DNA b active oxygen species produced by the Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that reduced water can scavenge not only O2.- and H2O2, but also 1O2 and .OH.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Controlled Ecological Life Support System-related activities in Japan.

This article provides an overview of current CELSS-related activities in Japan. The status and future plan of the Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF), the so-called, "Biosphere-J," are introduced. The Institute for Environment Sciences (ICE) has completed its first construction plan of the Closed Plant Experiment Facility (CPEF) and is now constructing the Closed Geo-Hydrosphere Experiment Facility (CGEF). Next, as one of the most prospective applications of CELSS technologies, introduced is the space-related CELSS research activity in the Space Environment Utilization Frontiers Joint Research Program, which was promoted by Science and Technology Agency (STA) and National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of the Japanese government to encourage the Space Station utilization activities.

Agriculture↗

Toxohormones responsible for cancer cachexia syndrome in nude mice bearing human cancer cell lines.

Toxohormones are tumor-derived factors that induce cancer cachexia syndrome in tumor-bearing animals. Nude mice bearing tumors induced by eight human cancer cell lines with this activity were studied for cytokine production and expression of a newly identified gene, ob, which has the ability to control body weight. A melanoma cell line, SEKI, and a neuroepithelioma cell line, NAGAI, produced a large amount of the cytokine, leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF). A uterine carcinoma cell line, Yumoto, produced a large amount of interleukin 6 (IL-6), and an oral cavity carcinoma cell line, OCC-1C, concomitantly produced LIF, IL-6, and IL-11. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction studies revealed that ob gene mRNA was not expressed in any of these cell lines, suggesting that the gene does not have a role as a tumor product responsible for cancer cachexia in this model. These findings suggest that in four of eight animal models in which cancer cachexia syndrome developed, LIF, IL-6, or possibly IL-11 produced by cancer cells may be toxohormones, but in the remaining four cancer cell lines the mechanism responsible for cachexia syndrome remains unknown.

Animals↗

Measurements of trace contaminants in closed-type plant cultivation chambers.

Trace contaminants generated in closed facilities can cause abnormal plant growth. We present measurement data of trace contaminants released from soils, plants, and construction materials. We mainly used two closed chambers, a Closed-type Plant and Mushroom Cultivation Chamber (PMCC) and Closed-type Plant Cultivation Equipment (CPCE). Although trace gas budgets from soils obtained in this experiment are only one example, the results indicate that the budgets of trace gases, as well as CO2 and O2, change greatly with the degree of soil maturation and are dependent on the kind of substances in the soil. Both in the PMCC and in the CPCE, trace gases such as dioctyl phthalate (DOP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and xylene were detected. These gases seemed to be released from various materials used in the construction of these chambers. The degree of increase in these trace gas levels was dependent on the relationship between chamber capacity and plant quantity. Results of trace gas measurement in the PMCC, in which lettuce and shiitake mushroom were cultivated, showed that ethylene was released both from lettuce and from the mushroom culture bed. The release rates were about 90 ng bed-1 h-1 for the shiitake mushroom culture bed (volume is 1700 cm3) and 4.1 approximately 17.3 ng dm-2 h-1 (leaf area basis) for lettuce. Higher ethylene release rates per plant and per unit leaf area were observed in mature plants than in young plants.

Air↗

In-line filter occlusion during intravenous delivery of injectable menatetrenone (vitamin K2).

Filter occlusion during intravenous infusion of injectable menatetrenone in an electrolyte fluid was examined. The menatetrenone concentration and its emulsion droplet size were not changed by in-line filtration. However, particle counts in the admixed solution and examination of scanning electron micrographs of the surface of the filter membrane indicated that particle formation occurred immediately after the admixture of menatetrenone injection with Hicaliq No. 2, but not with 5% glucose injection. This may be due to the interaction of excess lecithin in the emulsion with the electrolyte. Filter occlusion also occurred with the admixture of menatetrenone-free emulsion and Hicaliq No. 2, but not with 5% glucose injection. These findings indicate that injectable menatetrenone should not be admixed with electrolyte fluids.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗

Circulating parathyroid hormone-related protein (109-141) in malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.

For differential diagnosis between hypercalcemia-induced bone metastasis and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), serum parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) concentrations were measured in normal subjects and patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia according to the presence or absence of bone metastasis, using a new sensitive PTHrP(109-141) radioimmunoassay system. The serum PTHrP(109-141) levels in all of 14 patients without bone metastasis were significantly higher than those in normal subjects. However, in four patients with hypercalcemia associated with bone metastasis the levels were nearly the same as those in normal subjects. The time course in two hypercalcemic patients with esophageal carcinoma revealed that serum PTHrP(109-141) levels were elevated before hypercalcemia developed and that changes in PTHrP(109-141) and corrected serum calcium levels were significantly correlated. These findings suggest that determination of serum PTHrP(109-141) may be clinically important not only for differential diagnosis of HHM but also as a useful predictive marker of hypercalcemia.

Adolescent↗

Triple paraneoplastic syndrome of hypercalcemia, leukocytosis and cachexia in two human tumor xenografts in nude mice.

Nude mice bearing the human oral cavity carcinoma cell line OCC-1, and the lung cancer cell line LC-1, developed a triple paraneoplastic syndrome consisting of hypercalcemia, cachexia and leukocytosis. All of these abnormalities disappeared rapidly after surgical resection of the tumors, suggesting their ectopic humoral nature. Search for the factors responsible for the respective abnormalities revealed that the production of parathyroid hormone-related protein and colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), mainly granulocyte-CSF, by the tumors could explain the hypercalcemia and leukocytosis, respectively. With regard to the severe cachexia, the production of two cachexia-associated cytokines, interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor, was able to explain the syndrome in OCC-1 bearing nude mice; however, the factor responsible in LC-1 bearing nude mice could not be identified. The triple paraneoplastic syndrome that developed in these two animal models could be explained partly by concomitant production of the peptide hormone and cytokines by cancer cells. These animal models may be very useful for the evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for humoral abnormalities.

Animals↗

Instability of standard calibrators may be involved in overestimating vancomycin concentrations determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay.

Fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) is widely used to determine serum vancomycin concentrations, and it has been shown to over-estimate vancomycin concentrations in sera from renally impaired patients. This phenomenon has generally been thought to result from interference by vancomycin crystalline degradation products (CDP-1). In this study, we confirmed that serum vancomycin concentrations in various patients determined by FPIA were higher than those determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or enzyme multiplied immunoassay (EMIT). However, the quantitative differences in the serum vancomycin concentrations determined by FPIA versus HPLC were higher than the CDP-1 concentrations, even when the cross-reactivity of FPIA to CDP-1 is assumed to be 100%. When the vancomycin calibrators for FPIA were stored at 4 degrees C for 30 days, their concentrations determined by FPIA and HPLC decreased by 14 and 20%, respectively, and CDP-1 corresponding to 20% of primary vancomycin was formed. When stored at 25 degrees C, the degradation of vancomycin was more marked. We concluded that not only the cross-reactivity of FPIA to CDP-1 but also the instability of calibrators may cause the overestimation of serum vancomycin concentrations determined by FPIA.

Aged↗

Production of R-(-)-Ketoprofen from an Amide Compound by Comamonas acidovorans KPO-2771-4.

R-(-)-2-(3(prm1)-Benzoylphenyl)propionic acid [R-(-)-ketoprofen] was produced from racemic 2-(3(prm1)-benzoylphenyl)propionamide (keto-amide) by the isolated bacterial strain Comamonas acidovorans KPO-2771-4. Sodium fumarate as the carbon source and 2-azacyclononanone or isobutyronitrile as the enhancer in the culture medium were effective for bacterial growth and the enhancement of R-(-)-ketoprofen-producing activity. R-(-)-Ketoprofen produced from the keto-amide by resting cells was present in 99% enantiomeric exess. C. acidovorans KPO-2771-4 has an R-enantioselective amidase for keto-amide because the purified amidase from the bacterium hydrolyzed keto-amide, producing optically pure R-ketoprofen and ammonia.

Journal Article↗

[Monoamine imbalance of the central nervous system in a case of Shy-Drager syndrome with recurrent attacks of a neuroleptic malignant syndrome].

A 79-year-old male suffering from Shy-Drager syndrome was treated with a daily dosage of 300 mg of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS). He developed a neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) like state 1 month after teh initiation of L-DOPS therapy. And recurrent attacks of NMS occurred subsequently despite discontinuation of L-DOPS administration. We measured homovanillic acid (HVA), 3 methoxy 4 hydroxyphenylethylenglycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in this corrected brospinal fluid (CSF), both during his 2 attacks of NMS and after recovery. The HVA and 5 HIAA levels after recovery were low compared with those in age-matched normal controls. However, his levels in the active phase were not different from those after recovery. In contrast, MHPG levels were elevated and his HVA/MHPG ratios decreased in the active phase compared with those in the recovery phase. The results indicate that his symptoms of NMS are attributed to the imbalance between dopamine and noradrenalin rather than the dopamine receptor blockade in the central nervous system. We suggest further evaluations of CSF monoamine metabolites in similar cases to determine the pathogenesis of NMS.

Aged↗