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Biomedical subjects

M Kohsaka

Publications and source records attributed to M Kohsaka.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

WF11899A, B and C, novel antifungal lipopeptides. II. Biological properties.

WF11899A, B and C, novel water-soluble lipopeptides related to the echinocandins, possess potent anti-Candida activities. The IC50s of the compounds against four clinical isolates of Candida albicans ranged from 0.004 to 0.03 microgram/ml by microbroth dilution assay. These compounds mildly suppressed the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger. WF11899A, B and C showed a potent in vivo anti-Candida activity. Particularly, WF11899A was superior to cilofungin, and equal to fluconazole. 1,3-beta-glucan synthase was inhibited by these compounds at the IC50s of 0.7, 0.7 and 1.8 micrograms/ml for WF11899A, B and C, respectively. However, they hemolysed mouse red blood cells in vitro at the concentration of 62 micrograms/ml.

Animals↗

Vasorelaxant mechanism of the new vasodilator, FK409.

To define the vasorelaxation mechanism of FK409, we examined the effect of the compound on vascular tension and cyclic nucleotide levels in isolated rat thoracic aorta contracted with norepinephrine, and on activities of guanylate cyclase and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase prepared from rat or rabbit thoracic aorta. FK409 (1 x 10(-9) to 1 x 10(-6) M), like nitroglycerin (1 x 10(-9) to 1 x 10(-6) M), produced a potent vasorelaxant effect associated with an increase in cyclic GMP content of the tissue. There was no change in cyclic AMP levels. The vasorelaxant effect of FK409 was independent of the integrity of the endothelium, and was unaffected by L-NG-monomethylarginine (0.1 mM) or oxyhemoglobin (1 microM). On the other hand, FK409 (3.2 x 10(-7) M) activated soluble guanylate cyclase, and the activating effect was completely inhibited by oxyhemoglobin (10 nM). Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was unaffected by FK409 (1 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-5) M). Furthermore, in rat aortic soluble fraction FK409 (3 mM) was found to liberate nitric oxide (NO) which was evaluated spectrophotometrically after diazotization of sulfanilic acid and coupling with N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine. The liberation occurred even in the absence of L-cysteine (5 mM), in contrast to the case with nitroglycerin (3 mM). These results suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of FK409 is associated with an increase in intracellular cyclic GMP, and that the cyclic GMP accumulation is due to activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. The enzyme activation is probably due to NO released from the compound molecule in the vascular smooth muscle cells.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Purification and molecular cloning of mouse renal dipeptidase.

Mouse renal dipeptidase (mouseRDP, EC 3.4.13.11) was purified from the membrane fraction of kidney. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 115 kDa by size-exclusion HPLC and SDS-PAGE under non-reduced conditions and 58 kDa by SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions. The mouseRDP cDNA fragment was amplified from mouse kidney total RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase ŏffin reaction (RT-PCR). The mouseRDP cDNA was isolated from a kidney cDNA library using the probe. The primary structure of mouseRDP deduced from the cDNA showed a high homology with renal dipeptidase from various mammals, except for the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal domains. Recombinant mouseRDP obtained from transfected mouse L929 cells containing the expression plasmids has the same Km value and molecular mass as native mouse renal dipeptidase. From Northern blotting analysis, expression of the mouseRDP gene was recognized in both kidney and liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and structural analysis of genomic DNA for human renal dipeptidase.

A genomic DNA for human renal dipeptidase was isolated from a human genomic library using probes for human renal dipeptidase cDNA. The human renal dipeptidase gene, containing ten exons and nine introns, had a total length of approx. 6 kbp. The DNA sequence of these exons was slightly different from that of the human renal dipeptidase cDNA reported by Adachi et al. [1]. From the results of a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of each exon with various mammalian renal dipeptidases, the fourth exon was found to be highly conserved (90%).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of FK409, a novel nitric oxide donor, on acute experimental myocardial ischemia.

The anti-ischemic heart effect of (+/-)-(E)-4-ethyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]- 5-nitro-3-hexenamide (FK409), a novel nitric oxide donor, was studied in dog and rat preparations in vivo and in vitro. In anesthetized dogs with partially occluded coronary artery that were subjected to atrial pacing at a constant blood pressure, FK409 (1-100 micrograms/kg, i.v.) suppressed the ST-segment elevation on epicardial electrocardiograms. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN; 10, 32 micrograms/kg) or dipyridamole (1000 micrograms/kg) failed to suppress the ST-segment elevation, although continuous i.v. infusion of GTN (32, 100 micrograms/kg/min) was effective. FK409 also suppressed the ST-segment elevation induced by methacholine in anesthetized rats by both i.v. (10, 100 micrograms/kg) and intraduodenal (i.d., 100, 1000 micrograms/kg) injections, while GTN (100 micrograms/kg, i.v.; 1000 micrograms/kg, i.d.) was effective only by the i.v. route. FK409 (0.32 microgram/kg/min, i.v.) and GTN (10 micrograms/kg/min) increased the blood flows of the endomyocardium (ENDO) and the epicardium (EPI) and the flow ratio of ENDO/EPI in the ischemic zone in anesthetized dogs with occluded coronary artery. Furthermore, in isolated dog vascular preparations, FK409 (4.6 x 10(-10)-4.6 x 10(-7) M) had a greater vasorelaxing effect on the large coronary artery [2.0-2.5-mm outer diameter (od)] than on the small coronary artery (0.3-0.5-mm od) or the saphenous artery. The results suggest that FK409 protects against acute experimental myocardial ischemia through relaxation of the large conductive coronary artery, and may be a useful oral drug for the treatment of angina pectoris.

Animals↗

Multiple mediators and mechanisms are involved in the adaptive cytoprotection provided by certain mild irritants.

We investigated the participation of prostaglandins (PG) and nitric oxide (NO) in adaptive cytoprotection using 0.6 N HCl-induced gastric lesions in the rat stomach. Indomethacin reversed the protective effect of 0.2 N HCl more strongly than that of 0.35 N HCl, both of which markedly inhibited HCl ulcer. NG-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) did not affect the protective effect afforded by either 0.2 N HCl or 0.35 N HCl. Combined pretreatment with indomethacin and L-NNA did not diminish the protective action induced by 0.35 N HCl, but almost completely abolished the indomethacin-resistant protection afforded by 0.1 N NaOH. Acid mild irritant increased the gastric fluid volume concentration-dependently, whereas alkaline mild irritant had little or no effect on the volume. These results suggest that: 1) The mediators involved in adaptive cytoprotection afforded by 0.1 N NaOH may be fully ascribed to PG and NO; 2) PG is a major mediator in the protection induced by 0.2 N HCl; 3) In the case of 0.35 N HCl, the mediators remain to be determined since increased gastric fluid volume could contribute to the protection through dilution. These findings thus may indicate that multiple mediators and mechanisms are implicated in adaptive cytoprotection.

Animals↗

The estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of droloxifene in human breast cancers.

The effects of a new antiestrogen, droloxifene (DROL, (E)-alpha-[p-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]-phenyl]-alpha'-ethyl-3- stilbenol), on human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo were studied. Since phenol red has a binding affinity to the estrogen receptor (ER), we studied the activities of drugs in medium with or without this indicator. Estradiol-17 beta (E2) stimulated the growth of ER-positive breast cancer cells, MCF-7, ZR-75-1 and T-47D, in medium without phenol red, but not in medium containing this indicator. In medium without phenol red, DROL had no marked effects on the growth of MCF-7 and ZR-75-1, but slightly stimulated the growth of T-47D. Tamoxifen (TAM) stimulated the growth of these 3 cells. DROL dose-dependently inhibited the E2-induced stimulation of growth of these cells in medium without phenol red, but TAM inhibited the growth only at high concentrations. The growth of ER-negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, was not influenced by E2, DROL or TAM. DROL was more effective than TAM against ER-positive Br-10 breast carcinoma in nude mice, but neither drug had effects on ER-negative MX-1 breast carcinoma. These results suggest that DROL shows an antitumor effect on ER-positive breast cancers, being less estrogenic and more antiestrogenic than TAM.

Animals↗

Effects of quinotolast, a new orally active antiallergic drug, on experimental allergic models.

The effects of a new antiallergic drug, quinotolast [sodium 5-(4-oxo-1-phenoxy-4H-quinolizine-3-carboxamido)tetrazolate monohydrate], were studied and compared with those of tranilast, amlexanox, pemirolast, repirinast and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) in experimental allergic models. Quinotolast potently inhibited such type I allergic reactions as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in rats by both intravenous and oral dosing. All of these effects were stronger than those of the reference drugs tested. Quinotolast inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal cells, but it had no antagonistic effect on histamine-, serotonin-, platelet activating factor- or bradykinin-induced cutaneous reactions in rats. Moreover, it was clearly demonstrated that quinotolast and DSCG had a cross tachyphylaxis to inhibit PCA in rats, suggesting that these drugs, at least in part, share the same mechanism of action. Furthermore, quinotolast potently inhibited PCA in guinea pigs in which DSCG and other reference drugs showed poor inhibitory activity. Quinotolast also showed stronger inhibitory effects on histamine and peptide leukotrienes release from guinea pig lung fragments or mouse cultured mast cells than the other drugs tested. Thus, the effect of quinotolast on type I allergic reaction would seem to be based on an inhibition of mediator release from inflammatory cells including mast cells. The results suggest that quinotolast will be beneficial in the treatment of type I allergy-related diseases.

Administration, Oral↗

R1128 substances, novel non-steroidal estrogen-receptor antagonists produced by a Streptomyces. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological properties.

New non-steroidal estrogen-receptor antagonists, R1128 A, B, C and D, were isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. No. 1128 by solvent extraction, silica gel chromatography, reverse phase chromatography and preparative HPLC. These compounds inhibited estrogen binding to its receptor. The IC50 values of R1128 A, B, C and D for partially purified rat uterine cytosol receptor were 1.1 x 10(-7) M, 1.2 x 10(-7) M, 2.6 x 10(-7) M and 2.7 x 10(-7) M, respectively.

Animals↗

R1128 substances, novel non-steroidal estrogen-receptor antagonists produced by a Streptomyces. III. Pharmacological properties and antitumor activities.

R1128 B (1,3,6-trihydroxy-8-n-butylanthraquinone), a new antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. No. 1128, inhibited estrogen binding to its receptor. The IC50 value of R1128 B for partially purified rat uterine cytosol receptor was 1.2 x 10(-7) M. However, the IC50 value of R1128 B against androgen-receptor binding was about 50-fold greater than that against estrogen-receptor binding. R1128 B was a competitive inhibitor against estrogen-receptor binding. R1128 B inhibited the growth of estrogen-responsive human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells in soft agar. This inhibition, however, was reversed when estradiol was added to the culture medium. R1128 B showed antitumor activities against MCF-7 both xenografted to nude mice and implanted in subrenal capsule of mice (SRC assay). The potency of R1128 B was about 8-fold lower than that of tamoxifen both in vitro and in vivo.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists↗

WB2838 [3-chloro-4-(2-amino-3-chlorophenyl)-pyrrole]: non-steroidal androgen-receptor antagonist produced by a Pseudomonas.

In the course of our search for non-steroidal androgen-receptor antagonists of microbial origin, Pseudomonas sp. No. 2838 was found to produce an inhibitor of androgen binding to its receptor. This compound, named WB2838, was isolated and identified as 3-chloro-4-(2-amino-3-chlorophenyl)-pyrrole. The IC50 value of WB2838 for partially purified rat prostate cytosol receptor was 8.0 x 10(-7) M. However, the IC50 value of WB2838 against estrogen-receptor binding was about 90-fold greater than that against androgen-receptor binding. WB2838 inhibited the growth of androgen-responsive mouse mammary carcinoma SC-3 cells in the presence of 10(-8) M testosterone at IC50 value of 4.1 x 10(-7) M. This inhibition was reversed by adding 10(-5) M testosterone to the culture medium. WB2838 also showed the inhibitory activity against the growth of the ventral prostate induced by testosterone propionate in castrated immature rats. Therefore, it was concluded that WB2838 was a non-steroidal androgen-receptor antagonist.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists↗

[Changes in epileptiform activities during sleep and sleep structures in temporal lobe epilepsy].

We investigated the distribution of epileptiform activities (EA) and ictal discharges, and sleep characteristics in 23 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using polysomnography (PSG) for two consecutive nights. The cassette EEG system devised by our group was employed throughout the study to minimize th untoward effects of overnight recording. The patients consisted of nine men and fourteen women, aged from 17 to 60. Fourteen of them had been taking antiepileptic drugs for long periods of time. The remaining 9 were the untreated patients and examined before and after the commencement of drug therapy. Sleep characteristics of patients were compared to those of age and sex matched healty subjects. The following findings were obtained: 1) EA were found more often during NREM sleep than REM sleep in both treated and untreated patients. The frequency of EA increased in stage 3 + 4 compared to stage 1 or 2. 2) Changes of EA numbers during the consecutive sleep cycles were investigated. Twelve of 14 patients in the treated group showed curves which had decreasing tendency throughout the night. 3) Ictal discharges were observed exclusively in the stage REM or within 10 minutes before and after the REM stage. These phenomena were recognized in both treated and untreated groups. 4) Sleep characteristics of both treated and untreated patients indicated significantly decreased sleep efficiency and increase of % awakening. Moreover, % stage 4 significantly increased in untreated patients compared to healthy subjects. These findings were discussed in terms of the clinical characteristics with TLE and antiepileptic drugs on epileptic activities during sleep as well as sleep structures.

Adolescent↗