Time-restricted feeding of rapidly digested starches causes stronger entrainment of the liver clock in PER2::LUCIFERASE knock-in mice.

Restricting feeding to daytime can entrain circadian clocks in peripheral organs of rodents, and nutrients that rapidly increase the blood glucose level are suitable for inducing entrainment. However, dietetic issues, for example, whether or not the diet comprises heated food, have not been fully explored. We therefore hypothesized that rapidly digested starch causes stronger entrainment than slowly digested starch. The entrainment ability of the liver clock in PER2::LUCIFERASE knock-in mice, blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and acute changes in liver clock gene expression were compared between a ß-starch (native)-substituted AIN-93M standard diet and an α-starch (gelatinized)-substituted diet. ß-Corn and ß-rice starch induced larger phase delays of the liver clock, larger blood glucose increases, and higher Per2 gene expression in the liver compared with ß-potato starch. Starch granule size, as examined by electron microscopy, was larger for ß-potato starch than for ß-corn or ß-rice starch. After heating, we obtained gelatinized α-potato, α-corn, and α-rice starch, which showed destruction of the crystal structure and a high level of gelatinization. No difference in the increase of blood glucose or insulin levels was observed between ß-corn and α-corn starch, or between ß-rice and α-rice starch. In contrast, α-potato starch caused higher levels of glucose and insulin compared with ß-potato starch. An α-potato starch-substituted diet induced larger phase delays of the liver clock than did ß-potato starch. Therefore, rapidly digested starch is appropriate for peripheral clock entrainment. Dietetic issues (heated vs unheated) are important when applying basic mouse data to humans.

Meal frequency patterns determine the phase of mouse peripheral circadian clocks.

Peripheral circadian clocks in mammals are strongly entrained by light-dark and eating cycles. Their physiological functions are maintained by the synchronization of the phase of organs via clock gene expression patterns. However, little is known about the adaptation of peripheral clocks to the timing of multiple daily meals. Here, we investigated the effect of irregular eating patterns, in terms of timing and volume, on their peripheral clocks in vivo. We found that the phase of the peripheral clocks was altered by the amount of food and the interval between feeding time points but was unaffected by the frequency of feeding, as long as the interval remained fixed. Moreover, our results suggest that a late dinner should be separated into 2 half-dinners in order to alleviate the effect of irregular phases of peripheral clocks.

Differential roles of breakfast only (one meal per day) and a bigger breakfast with a small dinner (two meals per day) in mice fed a high-fat diet with regard to induced obesity and lipid metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies on humans and rodents have suggested that the timing of food intake plays an important role in circadian regulation and metabolic health. Consumption of high-fat foods during the inactive period or at the end of the awake period results in weight gain and metabolic syndrome in rodents. However, the distinct effects of breakfast size and the breakfast/dinner size ratio on metabolic health have not yet been fully examined in mice. METHODS: We examined whether the parameters of metabolic syndrome were differentially affected in mice that consumed a large meal at the beginning of the awake period (breakfast; one meal group) and a relatively smaller meal at end of the awake period (dinner; two meals group). The mice of each group were provided equal food volume per day. RESULTS: Mice on one meal exhibited an increase in body weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and a decrease of gene expression associated with ß-oxidation in adipose tissue and liver compared with those on two meals. The circadian expression pattern of the Clock gene in mice on one meal was disturbed compared with those on two meals. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a bigger breakfast with a smaller dinner (two meals per day) but not breakfast only (one meal per day) helps control body weight and fat accumulation in mice on a high-fat meals schedule. The findings of this study suggest that dietary recommendations for weight reduction and/or maintenance should include information on the timing and quantity of dietary intake.

In vivo monitoring of peripheral circadian clocks in the mouse.

The mammalian circadian system is comprised of a central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and a network of peripheral oscillators located in all of the major organ systems. The SCN is traditionally thought to be positioned at the top of the hierarchy, with SCN lesions resulting in an arrhythmic organism. However, recent work has demonstrated that the SCN and peripheral tissues generate independent circadian oscillations in Per1 clock gene expression in vitro. In the present study, we sought to clarify the role of the SCN in the intact system by recording rhythms in clock gene expression in vivo. A practical imaging protocol was developed that enables us to measure circadian rhythms easily, noninvasively, and longitudinally in individual mice. Circadian oscillations were detected in the kidney, liver, and submandibular gland studied in about half of the SCN-lesioned, behaviorally arrhythmic mice. However, their amplitude was decreased in these organs. Free-running periods of peripheral clocks were identical to those of activity rhythms recorded before the SCN lesion. Thus, we can report for the first time that many of the fundamental properties of circadian oscillations in peripheral clocks in vivo are maintained in the absence of SCN control.

2,2,2-Tribromoethanol phase-shifts the circadian rhythm of the liver clock in Per2::Luciferase knockin mice: lack of dependence on anesthetic activity.

Comprehensive gene expression profiling in mice in response to the inhalation of sevoflurane has revealed that circadian clock gene expression is affected strongly in the liver, heart, lung, and kidney, in this order, but moderately in the spleen and slightly in the brain. Therefore, we examined whether the administration of general anesthetics at different times of the day induces phase shifts of the liver clock in Per2::Luciferase knockin mice. One to 4 days of intraperitoneal injection of 2,2,2-tribromoethanol (240 mg/kg, anesthetic time 60 min) or 2,2,2-trichloroethanol (240 mg/kg, 60 min), common anesthetics in veterinary surgery, caused phase delays when injected during the daytime and phase advances when injected during the nighttime. Inhalation administration of isoflurane for 30 or 60 min during the daytime did not induce a phase delay. Injection of propofol (300 mg/kg, 17 min) during the daytime induced an insignificant phase delay of the Per2 bioluminescence rhythm. Injection of 2,2,2-tribromoethanol did not induce a phase shift in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the main oscillator, or in behavioral locomotor rhythms, suggesting that 2,2,2-tribromoethanol induced phase shifts of the liver clock independent of the main suprachiasmatic clock. The expression of clock genes, such as Bmal1 and Clock, in mouse liver was decreased strongly 1 and 4 h after a single injection of 2,2,2-tribromoethanol. These results demonstrate that 2,2,2-tribromoethanol or 2,2,2-trichloroethanol produce phase shifts of the peripheral clock, independent of anesthetic activity. These anesthetics may cause circadian rhythm disorders in peripheral organs when administered as general anesthetics several times during the day.

Synthesis of a new [6]-gingerol analogue and its protective effect with respect to the development of metabolic syndrome in mice fed a high-fat diet.

To determine the effects of a [6]-gingerol analogue (6G), a major chemical component of the ginger rhizome, and its stable analogue after digestion in simulated gastric fluid, aza-[6]-gingerol (A6G), on diet-induced body fat accumulation, we synthesized 6G and A6G. Mice were fed either a control regular rodent chow, a high-fat diet (HFD), or a HFD supplemented with 6G and A6G. Magnetic resonance imaging adiposity parameters of the 6G- and A6G-treated mice were compared with those of control mice. Supplementation with 6G and A6G significantly reduced body weight gain, fat accumulation, and circulating levels of insulin and leptin. The mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 in the liver were significantly lower in mice fed A6G than in HFD control mice. Our findings indicate that A6G, rather than 6G, enhances energy metabolism and reduces the extent of lipogenesis by downregulating SREBP-1c and its related molecules, which leads to the suppression of body fat accumulation.

Refeeding after fasting elicits insulin-dependent regulation of Per2 and Rev-erbα with shifts in the liver clock.

The mammalian circadian clock is known to be entrained by both a daily light-dark cycle and daily feeding cycle. However, the mechanisms of feeding-induced entrainment are not as fully understood as those of light entrainment. To elucidate the first step of entrainment of the liver clock, we identified the circadian clock gene(s) that show both phase advance and acute change of gene expression during the early term of the daytime refeeding schedule in mice. The expressions of liver Per2 and Rev-erbα genes were phase-advanced within 1 day of refeeding. Additionally, the upregulation of Per2 mRNA and down-regulation of Rev-erbα mRNA were induced within 2 hours, not only by food intake but also by insulin injection in intact mice. These expression changes by food intake were not revealed in streptozotocin-treated insulin-deficient mice, but insulin injection was able to recover the impairment of Per2 and Rev-erbα gene expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated using an ex vivo luciferase monitoring system that insulin injection during the daytime causes a phase advance of liver Per2 expression rhythm in Per2::luciferase knock-in mice. In embryonic fibroblasts from Per2::luciferase knock-in mice, insulin infusion caused an acute increase of Per2 gene expression and a similar phase advance of Per2 expression rhythm. Our results indicate that an acute change of Per2 and Rev-erbα gene expression mediated by refeeding-induced insulin secretion is a critical step mediating the early phase of feeding-induced entrainment of the liver clock.

Combination of starvation interval and food volume determines the phase of liver circadian rhythm in Per2::Luc knock-in mice under two meals per day feeding.

Although the circadian liver clock is entrained by the feeding cycle, factors such as food volume and starvation interval are poorly understood. Per2::Luc knock-in mice were given two meals per day with different food volume sizes and/or with different intervals of starvation between two mealtimes with the total food volume per day fixed at 3.6 g (80 food pellets, ∼75% of free feeding) per mouse. The bioluminescence rhythm in the liver produced a unimodal peak but not bimodal peak under the regimen of two meals per day over 14-15 days. Peak Per2 expression occurred concurrently with the mealtime of the larger food volume, when the first and second meal were given as different food volume ratios under a 12 h feeding interval. When an equal volume of food was given under different starvation interval (8 h:16 h), the peak of the Per2 rhythm was close to peak by mealtime after long starvation (16 h). When food volumes for each mealtime were changed under 8 h:16 h, the peak rhythm was influenced by combined factors of food volume and starvation interval. Food intake after the 16-h starvation caused a significant increase in liver Per2, Dec1, and Bmal1 gene expression compared with food intake after the 8-h starvation with 8 h:16 h feeding intervals. In conclusion, the present results clearly demonstrate that food-induced entrainment of the liver clock is dependent on both food volume and the starvation interval between two meals. Therefore, normal feeding habits may help to maintain normal clock function in the liver organ.

The adjustment and manipulation of biological rhythms by light, nutrition, and abused drugs.

Daily restricted feeding entrains the circadian rhythm of mouse clock gene expression in the central nervous system, excluding the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), as well as in the peripheral tissues such as the liver, lung, and heart. In addition to entrainment of the clock genes, daily restricted feeding induces a locomotor activity increase 2-3h before the restricted feeding time initiates. The increase in activity is called the food-anticipatory activity (FAA). In addition to FAA, daily restricted feeding can also entrain peripheral circadian clocks in other organs such as liver, lung, and heart. This type of oscillator is called the food-entrainable peripheral oscillator (FEPO). At present, the mechanisms for restricted feeding-induced entrainment of locomotor activity (FAA) and/or peripheral clock (FEPO) are still unknown. In this review, we describe the role of the central nervous system and peripheral tissues in FAA performance and also in the entrainment of clock gene expression. In addition, the mechanism for entrainment of circadian oscillators by the abuse of drugs, such as methamphetamine, is discussed.

Effects of medial hypothalamic lesions on feeding-induced entrainment of locomotor activity and liver Per2 expression in Per2::luc mice.

Restricted feeding induces anticipatory activity rhythm and also entrains the peripheral circadian clocks, although the underlying brain mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) has been implicated in the regulation of restricted feeding-induced anticipatory activity rhythms (FAA), but the role of the DMH in restricted feeding- induced entrainment of peripheral circadian clocks is still unknown. In the present study, the role of the DMH in entrainment of the peripheral circadian clock was examined using Per2::luciferase knock-in mice. The results indicate that lesions that destroy the large mediobasal hypothalamic (MBH) lesions destroying the DMH, ventrolateral hypothalamus (VMH), and arcuate nucleus (ARC) significantly reduce daily locomotor activity rhythms and FAA formation. In addition, these lesions phase advanced the peak of liver Per2 expression by 2 h when compared to sham-operated mice. Following the administration of MBH lesions, the animals run less and start later in the restricted feeding- induced FAA rhythm but do not have any alterations in the restricted feeding- induced phase shift of the liver Per2 rhythm. These results demonstrate that the hypothalamus, including the MBH, is an important brain area for maintaining the locomotor rhythm and FAA formation. However, it is not necessary for restricted feeding-induced entrainment of the liver clock.

A balanced diet is necessary for proper entrainment signals of the mouse liver clock.

BACKGROUND: The peripheral circadian clock in mice is entrained not only by light-dark cycles but also by daily restricted feeding schedules. Behavioral and cell culture experiments suggest an increase in glucose level as a factor in such feeding-induced entrainment. For application of feeding-induced entrainment in humans, nutrient content and dietary variations should be considered. PRINCIPAL FINDING: To elucidate the food composition necessary for dietary entrainment, we examined whether complete or partial substitution of dietary nutrients affected phase shifts in liver clocks of mice. Compared with fasting mice or ad libitum fed mice, the liver bioluminescence rhythm advanced by 3-4 h on the middle day in Per2::luciferase knock-in mice that were administered a standard mouse diet, i.e. AIN-93M formula [0.6-0.85 g/10 g mouse BW] (composition: 14% casein, 47% cornstarch, 15% gelatinized cornstarch, 10% sugar, 4% soybean oil, and 10% other [fiber, vitamins, minerals, etc.]), for 2 days. When each nutrient was tested alone (100% nutrient), an insignificant weak phase advance was found to be induced by cornstarch and soybean oil, but almost no phase advance was induced by gelatinized cornstarch, high-amylose cornstarch, glucose, sucrose, or casein. A combination of glucose and casein without oil, vitamin, or fiber caused a significant phase advance. When cornstarch in AIN-93M was substituted with glucose, sucrose, fructose, polydextrose, high-amylose cornstarch, or gelatinized cornstarch, the amplitude of phase advance paralleled the increase in blood glucose concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly suggest the following: (1) balanced diets containing carbohydrates/sugars and proteins are good for restricted feeding-induced entrainment of the peripheral circadian clock and (2) a balanced diet that increases blood glucose, but not by sugar alone, is suitable for entrainment. These findings may assist in the development of dietary recommendations for on-board meals served to air travelers and shift workers to reduce jet lag-like symptoms.

Discovery of 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole: integrated drug-design and structure-activity relationships for orally potent, metabolically stable and potential-risk reduced novel non-peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonist as antianxiety drug.

Anxiety disorders, caused by continuous or acute stress or fear, have been highly prevailing psychiatric disorders. For the acute treatment of the disorders, benzodiazepines have been widely used despite having liabilities that limit their utility. Alternatively, endogenous nociceptin/orphanin FQ and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (or opioid-receptor-like-1 receptor) have important roles in the integration of emotional components, e.g. anxiolytic activity is the key behavioral action of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in brain. In our preceding study, various structurally novel 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives were designed and synthesized as highly potent nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor selective full agonists in vitro with high or moderate nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor occupancy in the mice brain per os based on appropriate physicochemical properties for the oral brain activity [Hayashi et al. (2009) J Med Chem;52:610-625]. In the present study, drug design and structure-activity relationships for Vogel anticonflict activities in mice per os, metabolic stabilities in human liver microsome, CYP2D6 inhibitions, serum protein bindings, and human ether-a-go-go related gene binding affinities of novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor agonists were investigated. Through the series of coherent drug discovery studies, the strongest nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor agonist, 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole was designed and identified as a new-class orally potent anxiolytic with little side-effects, as significant findings.

Novel non-peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonist, 1-[1-(1-Methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole: design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship of oral receptor occupancy in the brain for orally potent antianxiety drug.

An endogenous heptadecapeptide, nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), and a G-protein-coupled receptor, N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor [or opioid-receptor-like-1 (ORL1) receptor], have been described in terms of its structure, distribution, and pharmacology. Thus, the N/OFQ and NOP receptor are located in the central nervous systems in humans, primates, and rodents, and are involved in the integration of the emotional components in the brain; e.g., N/OFQ displays anxiolytic activity in the brain. For identifying orally potent anxiolytic, drug-design studies were performed with a series of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives, which resulted in the identification of various chemotypes of highly potent NOP selective full agonists in vitro with high or moderate NOP receptor occupancy in the mice brain per os such as 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole 1 (MCOPPB), the most potent novel non-peptide NOP full agonist in vitro and an orally potent anxiolytic in the mice.

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N,2-dimethyl-8-{[(4R)-5-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]amino}imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-6-carboxamide (PF-03716556), a novel, potent, and selective acid pump antagonist for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Inhibition of H(+),K(+)-ATPase is accepted as the most effective way of controlling gastric acid secretion. However, current acid suppressant therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease, using histamine H(2) receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, does not fully meet the needs of all patients because of their mechanism of action. This study sought to characterize the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of a novel acid pump antagonist, N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-N,2-dimethyl-8-{[(4R)-5-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]amino}imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-6-carboxamide (PF-03716556), and to compare it with other acid suppressants. Porcine, canine, and human recombinant gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase activities were measured by ion-leaky and ion-tight assay. The affinities for a range of receptors, ion channels, and enzymes were determined to analyze selectivity profile. Acid secretion in Ghosh-Schild rats and Heidenhain pouch dogs were measured by titrating perfusate and gastric juice samples. PF-03716556 demonstrated 3-fold greater inhibitory activity than 5,6-dimethyl-2-(4-fluorophenylamino)-4-(1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-2-yl)pyrimidine (revaprazan), the only acid pump antagonist that has been available on the market, in ion-tight assay. The compound did not display any species differences, exhibiting highly selective profile including the canine kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. Kinetics experiments revealed that PF-03716556 has a competitive and reversible mode of action. More rapid onset of action than 5-methoxy-2-{[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-sulfinyl}-benzimidazole (omeprazole) and 3-fold greater potency than revaprazan were observed in Ghosh-Schild rats and Heidenhain pouch dogs. PF-03716556, a novel acid pump antagonist, could improve upon or even replace current pharmacological treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

[A questionnaire survey targeting pharmacists and health care professionals involved in home care].

Patients who need home care are often old, of delicate health, and take many different medications. In order to take these medicines properly, not only the patient him/herself but also their family, the helper, and the visiting nurse must have the correct information about them. Since home care is typically carried out by several medical professionals from different fields, we sent out questionnaires to pharmacists and nurse care professionals. From the results, we found that there was a discrepancy in level of interest in medications between the health care professionals who treat the patients daily and pharmacists who hardly visit the patient's home. As for dispensing, from a risk management point of view, standardization of the colors used to sort the medicine which is packed into one medicine package is required. And for pharmacists, the needs for more cooperation with physicians were pointed out.

Cyclooxygenase-dependent vasoconstricting factor(s) in remodelled rat femoral arteries.

AIMS: Denudation and regeneration of the vascular endothelium are important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to clarify the mechanisms of functional alterations in remodelled arteries following endothelial injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: Non-mechanical endothelial injury was induced by 540-nm light irradiation of rose Bengal in femoral arteries of Wistar rats. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was assessed by the response to acetylcholine (ACh) 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the injury. In control arteries, ACh-induced relaxation was mainly nitric oxide-dependent at all study time points. In injured arteries, this response was completely restored at 1 week, but was more dependent on KCl-sensitive endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor production during the first 2 weeks. Cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms 1 and 2 were detected in the endothelium of injured arteries, and inhibition of prostanoids production with the non-specific COX inhibitor indomethacin substantially enhanced the ACh-induced vasorelaxation response in injured arteries, but did not affect control arteries. Similar effects were observed with the COX-1 inhibitor SC-560, the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, the thromboxane (TX) A2/prostaglandin (PG) H2 receptor antagonist SQ29548 and the PGF2alpha receptor antagonist AL-8810. However, the TX synthetase inhibitor OKY-046 had no effect on ACh-induced relaxation in injured arteries. CONCLUSION: In remodelled arteries following photochemical endothelial injury, the vasoconstrictive prostanoids PGH2 and PGF2alpha, but not TXA2, contribute to changes in endothelium-dependent vascular response via COX-1- and 2-dependent pathways.

Pharmacological characterization of the newly synthesized nociceptin/orphanin FQ-receptor agonist 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole as an anxiolytic agent.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP)-receptor agonists have been shown to produce anxiolytic-like effects in rodents subjected to various behavioral assays. Recently, we developed a new nonpeptide agonist of the NOP receptor, 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (MCOPPB), as an anxiolytic agent. MCOPPB has a high affinity for the human NOP receptor (pKi = 10.07 +/- 0.01) and selectivity for the NOP receptor over other members of the opioid receptor family: 12-, 270- and >1000-fold more selective for the NOP receptor than for the micro-, kappa-, and delta-receptor, respectively. In an ex vivo binding study, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited signaling through the NOP receptor in the mouse brain, suggesting that it penetrated into the brain after it was orally administered. In the mouse Vogel conflict test, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (3 mg/kg, p.o.) elicited anxiolytic-like effects, although MCOPPB produced a bell-shaped response curve. In addition, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was still effective as an anxiolytic agent even after repeated administration for 5 days. MCOPPB at an oral dose of 10 mg/kg did not affect locomotor activity or memory, nor did it contribute to ethanol-induced hypnosis. On the other hand, the benzodiazepine-type anxiolytic agent diazepam caused memory deficits and enhanced ethanol-induced hypnosis. These findings suggest that MCOPPB - a compound with few adverse effects on the central nervous system - is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of anxiety.

Pharmacological properties of a novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonist, 2-(3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)piperidin-4-yl]-1H-benzimidazole, with anxiolytic potential.

We have characterized the pharmacological properties of the novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (NOP receptor) agonist, 2-(3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)piperidin-4-yl]-1H-benzimidazole (PCPB). PCPB bound to the NOP receptor in mouse brain membranes (Ki=0.12 nM) and to recombinant human NOP receptor (Ki=2.1 nM). PCPB showed full agonism for the NOP receptor in isolated mouse vas deferens with a maximal effect and high potency that were similar to the pharmacological profile observed for nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) (pD(2): 6.9+/-0.2; 95+/-2% activity). Orally administered PCPB (30 mg/kg) penetrated well into the brains of the mice. PCPB exhibited an anxiolytic activity in mice subjected to the Vogel conflict test that was comparable to the maximal response induced by diazepam, a representative anxiolytic agent. The anxiolytic effect of PCPB was dose-dependently blocked by the NOP receptor antagonist, J-113397, demonstrating that this effect was mediated by the NOP receptor agonist activity. Behavioral studies in mice also showed that PCPB prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time but did not cause muscle relaxation at the oral anxiolytic dose of 30 mg/kg. Unlike diazepam, however, these central effects of PCPB were weak. Our results indicate that PCPB is a potent anxiolytic agent with agonistic activities for the NOP receptor.

Somite development without influence of the surface ectoderm in the chick embryo: the compartments of a somite responsible for distal rib development.

In the development of the somite, signals from neighboring tissues have been suggested to play critical roles. We have found that when interaction between the ectoderm and the somite is blocked by inserting a piece of polyethylene terephatalate film between them in 2-day-chicken embryo, one of the derivatives of somite, the distal rib, did not form. We examined somite development after the operation, to know the correlation between somite development and distal rib formation. In the operated embryo, the dermomyotome was medio-laterally shorter than in the normal embryo, and Pax3 and Sim1 expressions that are seen in the lateral part of normal dermomyotomes were not found, suggesting that the lateral part of the dermomyotome was missing. Although the sclerotome appeared to be normal in its histology and Pax1 expression pattern in the operated embryo, we could not detect the expression of either Scleraxis nor gamma-FBP that are expressed in the cells around the boundaries between the adjacent dermomyotomes in normal embryos. Thus, under the influence of surface ectoderm, the lateral part of dermomyotome and/or the mesenchyme around rostral and caudal edges of dermomyotomes are suggested to play an important role in the distal rib development.