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Biomedical subjects

M Nakano

Publications and source records attributed to M Nakano.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Novel dithiocarbamate carbapenems with anti-MRSA activity.

A new series of 1beta-methyl carbapenems, in which a disubstituted-aminothiocarbonylthio moiety was attached to the C-2 position of the carbapenem nucleus, were prepared and evaluated for anti-MRSA activity. These derivatives showed good in vitro antibacterial activity against high-level MRSA, and the finding of good affinity for PBP-2' supported these results. Some of the compounds having favorable protein-binding affinity showed excellent in vivo anti-MRSA activity.

Animals↗

Development of novel chitosan derivatives as micellar carriers of taxol.

PURPOSE: To develop an intravenous injectable carrier composed of chitosan derivatives for taxol. METHODS: A chitosan with lauryl groups attached to amino groups to provide the hydrophobic moieties and, carboxymethyl groups attached to hydroxy groups to provide the hydrophilic moieties (N-lauryl-carboxymethyl-chitosan = LCC), was newly synthesized. The solubility of taxol in LCC micelles in aqueous solution was examined. The hemolysis test of LCC and the growth inhibition experiment of taxol-loading micelle using KB cells were also performed as in vitro assay. RESULTS: It was found that LCC solubilized taxol by forming micelles with particle sizes less than 100nm. This particle size was considered effective for passive targeting for tumors. The concentration of taxol in the micellar solution was very high, with a maximum of 2.37mg/mL. This maximum was 1000 times above that in a saturated solution of taxol at pH 7.4. Hemolysis testing as an in vitro assay indicated that LCC was safer than Polysorbate 80 (TO-10M) as intravenous surfactant in terms of induction of membrane damage. As judged by cytostatic activity against KB cells, taxol retained activity even when included in LCC micelles. LCC-entrapped taxol was more effective in cytostatic activity than free taxol in low concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of solubilization capacity examination, hemolysis testing, and cytostatic activity suggest that LCC may be useful as a carrier of taxol.

Animals↗

Drug exsorption from blood into the gastrointestinal tract.

Drugs are exsorbed from the blood across the gastrointestinal membranes by passive or active processes. In the case of a passive transport mechanism, the exsorption of drugs depends on the concentration gradients between the serosal and mucosal sides. The extent of secretion (exsorption) is determined by numerous factors such as extent of binding to serum proteins, distribution volume, lipophilicity, pKa and molecular size of drugs, and the blood flow rate in the gut. Specific transport systems such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), organic cation and organic anion transporters are found to be involved in active intestinal secretion of drugs. Intestinal secretory transport systems reduce the extent of drug absorption sometimes resulting in low oral bioavailability. It is, therefore, important to know whether poor drug absorption is due to the involvement of specialized secretory transport systems. Modulation of intestinal secretory transport can be a means to enhance absorption of drugs with low oral bioavailability if exsorption of drugs is based on active secretion pathways that are open for control from the "outside".

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Detection of active oxygen species in biological systems.

1. Cypridina luciferin analogues, 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,7- dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (MCLD) and 2-methyl-6-phenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one(CLA ), react with O2- or 1O2 to emit light in visible region. Such chemiluminescences were used for the detection of O2- or 1O2 in activated leukocyte systems and myeloperoxidase (granulocyte-extract) + Br- + H2O2 systems in vitro. 2. The mechanisms of MCLA (CLA)-dependent luminescence is described in detail. Superoxide generated from sinusoidal cells in acute ethanol intoxication of rats was detected by MCLA-dependent luminescence from the surface of perfused rat liver (organ luminescence). 3. Furthermore, with alive animals, O2- generated in the lung of rats with necrotized pancreatitis and that in the stomach of rats after ischemia/reperfusion were detected by their organ luminescences.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

Construction of YAC-based mammalian artificial chromosomes.

To construct a mammalian artificial chromosome (MAC), telomere repeats and selectable markers were introduced into a 100 kb yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing human centromeric DNA. This YAC, which has a regular repeat structure of alpha-satellite DNA and centromere protein B (CENP-B) boxes, efficiently formed MACs that segregated accurately and bound CENP-B, CENP-C, and CENP-E. The MACs appear to be about 1-5 Mb in size and contain YAC multimers. Structural analyses suggest that the MACs have not acquired host sequences and were formed by a de novo mechanism. The accurate segregation of the MACs suggests they have potential as vectors for introducing genes into mammals.

Animals↗

The effect of light premature occlusal contact on tooth pain threshold in humans.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of an experimentally induced light premature occlusal contact on tooth sensation. This assessment involved monitoring the electric tooth pain threshold (TPT) at multiple times before and after altering the occlusal contact. This alteration was produced by placing high inlays, which were measured with a custom made measuring device in maximum intercuspation. Data were collected on 10 teeth in 5 subjects, all whom were male and between the ages of 24 and 30 years. The contact area of the high inlays varied from 75 microm to 193 microm. The TPT changes in these teeth ranged from -43 to +21% of their baseline level. Seven of these teeth showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the TPT, one showed an increase and two did not show a significant change. Two of the teeth with a decreased TPT had cold water triggered occlusal pain, and 2 teeth had only occlusal pain. After several inlay adjustments to eliminate interference in maximum intercuspation, all tested teeth returned to their TPT baseline level and all symptoms disappeared. These results suggested that a light premature occlusal contact may change tooth sensation.

Adult↗

Structural determination of metabolites of S-1153, a new, potent, non-nucleoside, anti-HIV agent in rat liver microsomes.

1. S-1153, a non-nucleoside agent that is under development in the USA as a new anti-HIV agent, has potent antiviral activity based on the inhibition of reverse transcriptase. 2. S-1153 was incubated with rat liver microsomes and NADPH, and seven metabolites were formed. The main metabolites were identified as the S-oxide, N-oxide and sulphone of S-1153. 3. Two other minor metabolites were assumed to be S-1153 hydroxylated on the isopropyl moiety. 4. Our findings confirmed the existence of at least three oxidative metabolic pathways of S-1153.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of a novel benzodiazepine partial inverse agonist in the F344 rat, SD rat and B6C3F1 mouse.

1. The pharmacokinetics of a novel benzodiazepine partial inverse agonist (S-8510) were studied in the Fischer 344 (F344) rat and B6C3F1 mouse to obtain information for the planning of carcinogenicity studies. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were also included for comparison. 2. Clear non-linear elimination of S-8510 was observed after single oral administration of S-8510 in all animals tested (F344 rat, 1-50 mg/kg; SD rat and B6C3F1 mouse, 1-150 mg/kg). 3. Exposure of S-8510 after single oral administration was in the order F344 rat > B6C3F1 mouse > SD rat. 4. Multiple oral administration to F344 rat and B6C3F1 mouse decreased the exposure to S-8510. 5. These results indicate that it is very important to evaluate pharmacological and toxicological studies based on exposure and to be careful in selecting the species and strains of animal used in toxicology studies.

Administration, Oral↗

Oral administration of (-)catechin protects against ischemia-reperfusion-induced neuronal death in the gerbil.

The effect of ad libitum oral-administration of (-)catechin solution on ischemia-reperfusion-induced cell death of hippocampal CA1 in the gerbil was histologically examined. When (-)catechin solution instead of drinking water was orally administered ad libitum for 2 weeks, dose-dependent protection against neuronal death following by transient ischemia and reperfusion was observed. To evaluate the involvement of reduction of reactive-oxygen-species (ROIs) by the antioxidant activity of (-)catechin in this protection, the superoxide scavenging activity of the brain in catechin-treated gerbils was measured by ESR and spin-trapping using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). The superoxide scavenging activities of the brains obtained from catechin-treated gerbils were significantly higher than those of catechin-untreated animals. From these results, it was suggested that orally administered (-)catechin was absorbed, passed through the blood-brain barrier and that delayed neuronal death of hippocampal CA1 after ischemia-reperfusion was prevented due to its antioxidant activities.

Administration, Oral↗

Transition protein 1 from boar late spermatid nuclei having DNA-melting activity is a dimeric protein.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic behavior of boar transition protein 1, TP1, under dissociating and non-dissociating buffer conditions, and titration of fluorescently labeled TP1 with increasing amounts of TP1 showed that TP1 formed a dimer without intermolecular disulfide bond. TP1 dimer with intermolecular disulfide bond had similar DNA-melting activity to TP1, but was not detected in extracts from boar late spermatid nuclei. These results suggest that TP1 dimer without intermolecular disulfide bond induces local destabilization of DNA in the late spermatid nuclei.

Animals↗

Analysis of glucuronolactone and glucuronic acid in drug formulations by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Glucuronolactone and glucuronic acid in drug formulations and beverages are determined as 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) derivatives using high-performance liquid chromatography. Intra-ester linkage (i.e., the lactone of glucuronolactone) is spontaneously hydrolyzed to free-acid form and is analyzed as the PMP derivative of glucuronic acid. By omitting three evaporation steps in the original derivatization procedure, the total analysis time is shortened to approximately 40 min. Reproducibility of determination is within 4.0% for all drug formulations. The present method satisfies the requirements for routine analysis in the quality control of drug formulations containing glucuronolactone or glucuronic acid.

Antipyrine↗

Changes in hemodynamics in jejunal flaps of rabbits due to ischemia, venous congestion, and reperfusion as measured by means of colored microspheres.

The effect on the jejunal hemodynamics of restoration of blood flow of the jejunal artery or vein in the free jejunal flap has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, a model of ischemia and reperfusion in the jejunal flap of rabbits, and that of venous congestion and reperfusion, were prepared. Jejunal blood flow was measured by means of colored microspheres, and changes in jejunal blood flow were analyzed. Three segmental jejunal flaps were designed on each rabbit (n = 16), with one artery and one vein kept intact. Arterial clamp and venous clamp groups were prepared with a control group in which there was no clamping. After clamping for 5 minutes (n = 7), the jejunal blood flow of the arterial clamp group decreased to 1.6 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0002), and that of the venous clamp group decreased to 31.2 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0041). At 5 minutes after release of clamping, the jejunal blood flow of the arterial clamp group recovered to only 74.1 percent of that of the control group, with no consistent tendency; that of the venous clamp group recovered to 45.9 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0194), with an increase of only 14.7 percent over that of the clamped jejunal blood flow group. Thus, injury of the jejunal hemodynamics in the venous clamp group had already begun in response to clamping for 5 minutes. After clamping for 30 minutes (n = 9), the jejunal blood flow of the arterial clamp group decreased to 4.3 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0060), and that of venous clamp group decreased to 12.5 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0106). At 5 minutes after release of clamping, jejunal blood flow of the arterial clamp group recovered to 171.0 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0295), and that of venous clamp group recovered to 41.7 percent of that of the control group (p = 0.0276). Jejunal blood flow of the arterial clamp group recovered to 409.7 percent of that of the venous clamp group (p < 0.0001). When measurement of jejunal blood flow was repeated twice after changing the color of microspheres, jejunal blood flow of the second measurement was approximately 24 percent greater in mean value than that of the first measurement. The histologic results of the jejunum of the arterial clamp group clamped for 30 minutes showed no injury, which was similar to the results of the control group. The jejunum of the venous clamp group clamped for 5 minutes showed injury with severe hemorrhage in the lamina propria, and irreversible injury 30 minutes thereafter, with massive hemorrhage in all layers of the jejunal wall. In conclusion, as microcirculatory hemodynamics and histologic results of the jejunum demonstrated evidence of injury even by venous congestion for 5 minutes, restoration of blood flow of the free jejunal flap must be started from the jejunal vein.

Animals↗

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by osteoclasts (OCL) in murine bone marrow cell culture.

Osteoclasts (OCL) resorb bone. They are essential for the development of normal bones and the repair of impaired bones. The function of OCL is presumed to be supported by cytokines and other biological mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nitric oxide (NO). Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inducer of TNF-alpha and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which is the specific enzyme for synthesizing NO from L-arginine. To obtain direct evidence on LPS-induced TNF-alpha production and iNOS expression by OCL, OCL-enriched cultures were prepared by 7-day cocultures of bone marrow cells of adult BALB/c mice and osteoblastic cells (OBs) derived from calvaria of newborn BALB/c mice, and the generation of TNF-alpha and iNOS in OCL stimulated with LPS was examined immunocytochemically. When the cultured cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of LPS, OCL clearly showed TNF-alpha and iNOS expression. Without LPS-stimulation, no expression was observed. TNF activity in the culture supernatants of the OCL-enriched cultures in the presence of LPS was also detected by cytotoxic assay that used TNF-sensitive L929 cells. The dentin resorption activity of OCL was estimated by area and number of pits formed on dentin slices, which were covered by the OCL fraction and cultured in the presence or absence of LPS, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; a NO generating compound), N(G)-monomethyl L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA; a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS)), or LPS plus L-NMMA. Pit formation was obviously inhibited in the presence of SNP and slightly inhibited in the presence of L-NMMA, but it was not affected in the presence of LPS or LPS plus L-NMMA. These findings indicate that OCL produces TNF and expresses iNOS in response to LPS, but the LPS-activation of OCL scarcely affects pit formation by them.

Animals↗

Analysis of genetic relationships and antimicrobial susceptibility of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan in 1996.

A total of 19 Escherichia coli O157 isolates were obtained in Nagasaki Prefecture, in the south-western part of Japan, between 1990 and 1996. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and computer-assisted analysis were applied to determine genetic relationships among these strains. Fragment patterns of the isolates in Nagasaki, as determined by PFGE, were compared with those of isolates in other areas where large outbreaks and sporadic cases of E. coli O157 infection occurred. Similarity values of all the strains isolated in Nagasaki Prefecture were over 0.65 except for E. coli O26. Some strains were identical to the strains isolated from the areas where large outbreaks occurred. All strains were susceptible to ampicillin, fosfomycin, minocycline, amikacin, ofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Epidemiologic typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in neonate intensive care units using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

To elucidate the mode of dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in neonate intensive care units (NICUs), a total of 223 isolates from 3 separate hospitals were investigated between 1994 and 1996 by a DNA fingerprinting technique with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Exoprotein profiles of some strains were also examined using SDS-polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the assessment of enzyme/toxin production such as coagulase, enterotoxin and TSST-1. Judging from the strain typing data from PFGE results and the epidemiological data, 2 different types of PFGE patterns (A and B) and their subtypes (A', A'' and B') were identified. The A type including A' and A'' (comprising approximately 95% of the isolates) was markedly dominant. Only 5% of the isolates belonged to type B and subtype B'. On the other hand, MRSA isolated from adult patients admitted to the same hospital showed many different PFGE patterns. The results strongly suggested that some strain(s) with specific PFGE pattern(s) is prevalent in NICUs. Furthermore, isolates which expressed the same PFGE pattern did not always express the same SDS-PAGE pattern. There were some isolates with different abilities to produce coagulase, enterotoxin C and toxic-shock syndrome toxin (TSST)-1, and the abilities had no relation with a particular type of PFGE pattern. Therefore, a combination of PFGE analysis and biochemical analyses of coagulase, enterotoxin C and TSST-1 may provide us with more detailed information for the epidemiological study of MRSA in NICUs.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetic differences between lansoprazole enantiomers in rats.

Because limited information is available about potential differences between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the enantiomers of lansoprazole, the enantioselective pharmacokinetics of the compound have been investigated in rats. There was a noticeable difference between the serum levels of the enantiomers of lansoprazole and of their metabolites, 5-hydroxylansoprazole enantiomers, after oral administration of the racemate (50 mg kg(-1)) to rats. Cmax (maximum serum concentration) and AUC (area under the serum concentration-time curve) for (+)-lansoprazole were 5-6 times greater than those for (-)-lansoprazole, whereas for (+)-5-hydroxylansoprazole both values were significantly smaller than those for the (-) enantiomer. CLtot/F values (where CLtot is total clearance and F is the fraction of the dose absorbed) for (+)-lansoprazole were significantly smaller than those for the (-) enantiomer. There was no significant difference between the absorption rate constants of the lansoprazole enantiomers in the in-situ absorption study. The in-vitro protein-binding study showed that binding of (+)-lansoprazole to rat serum proteins was significantly greater than for the (-) enantiomer. The in-vitro metabolic study showed that the mean metabolic ratio (45.9%) for (-)-lansoprazole was significantly greater than that (19.8%) for the (+) enantiomer in rat liver microsomes at 5.6 microM lansoprazole. These results show that the enantioselective disposition of lansoprazole could be a consequence of the enantioselectivity of plasma-protein binding and the hepatic metabolism of the enantiomers.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Effects of aluminum hydroxide and famotidine on bioavailability of tosufloxacin in healthy volunteers.

This study was designed to determine the influence of aluminum hydroxide and famotidine on the bioavailability of tosufloxacin. Coadministration of aluminum hydroxide reduced the bioavailability of tosufloxacin by 31.6% (P < 0.05). Famotidine did not alter tosufloxacin absorption. To avoid potential treatment failures, the concurrent use of tosufloxacin and aluminum hydroxide should be avoided altogether.

Adult↗

Biological characterization of endotoxins released from antibiotic-treated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

The supernatants taken from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli cultures in human sera or chemically defined M9 medium in the presence of ceftazidime (CAZ) contained high levels of endotoxin, while those taken from the same cultures in the presence of imipenem (IPM) yielded a very low level of endotoxin. The biological activities of endotoxin in the supernatants were compared with those of phenol water-extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The endotoxin released from the organisms as a result of CAZ treatment (CAZ-released endotoxin) contained a large amount of protein. The protein, however, lacked endotoxic activity, since the endotoxin did not show any in vivo toxic effects in LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice sensitized with D-(+)-galactosamine (GalN) or any activation of C3H/HeJ mouse macrophages in vitro. The activities of CAZ- and IPM-released endotoxin (as assessed by a chromogenic Limulus test) were fundamentally the same as those of P. aeruginosa LPS, since their regression lines were parallel. The CAZ-released endotoxin was similar to purified LPS with respect to the following biological activities in LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice and LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice: lethal toxicity in GalN-sensitized mice, in vitro induction of tumor necrosis factor- and NO production by macrophages, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in macrophages. The macrophage activation by CAZ-released endotoxin as well as LPS was mainly dependent on the presence of serum factor and CD14 antigen. Polymyxin B blocked the activity. These findings indicate that the endotoxic activity of CAZ-released endotoxin is due primarily to LPS (lipid A).

Animals↗