Expression of interleukin-18 and its receptor in mouse ovary.

PROBLEM: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) strongly induces interferon-gamma production and is produced not only by types of immune cells but also by types of non-immune cells. Ovulation is thought to be an inflammation-like reaction in which many pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved. We investigated whether IL-18 is involved in the functions of ovary. METHOD OF STUDY: The 4-week-old immature female mice were examined for IL-18 and IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) expression on their ovaries under stimulation with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting and reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction. The IL-18R was blocked by the injection of anti-IL-18R monoclonal antibody to immature mice during PMSG-hCG stimulation, and the number of ovulated ova was counted. RESULTS: The expression of both proteins and mRNA of IL-18 and IL-18R were very low in immature ovaries before stimulation, but after PMSG injection both IL-18 and IL-18R increased dramatically in theca cells and reached a maximum level at the peri-ovulatory phase then slightly lowered, but still kept a high level during the luteal phase in the corpus luteum. The treatment of IL-18R monoclonal antibody to the mice during ovarian stimulation reduced the number of ovulated ova and inhibited the expansion of cumulus cells surrounding the ovum. CONCLUSION: IL-18 and IL-18R play roles in various kinds of function of ovary.

[Pharmaceutical investigation of vancomycin hydrochloride eye drops and their topical application to MRSA eye infection].

Two formulations of 0.5% vancomycin hydrochloride (VM) eye drops (VM-B and VM-C eye drops) were prepared by dissolving commercial VM powder for injection with preserved water B (PWB) containing phosphate buffer and preserved water C (PWC) containing only antimicrobial preservative, respectively. The VM-B eye drops have neutral pH (about 6.3), and the VM-C eye drops acidic pH of about 3.5. The pharmaceutical examination of these eye drops was performed regarding its clinical application to MRSA eye infection. In an irritability test using a rabbit's eye, the average number of winks after instillation of one drop of VM-B eye drops was 0.8 times/min and significantly smaller than that of VM-C eye drops (2.0 times/min). In dark storage at 4 degrees C, no change of VM concentration in both eye drops was observed for 25 weeks after preparation and the mean residual concentrations as determined by the HPLC-UV (240 nm) method were constant over 90% for 8 weeks, of the initial concentration. However, the residual VM concentration of VM-B eye drops under a room condition declined to 58% after 4 weeks and 20% after 8 weeks, and VM in light storage at 40 degrees C was not detectable after 8 weeks. The drug concentration of VM-C eye drops declined to 83% after 4 weeks and 74% after 8 weeks under a room condition, and to 46% after 4 weeks and 20% after 8 weeks under light storage at 40 degrees C. Under these storage conditions, the precipitation of VM related crystals was observed in both the eye drops when the residual percentage of VM was lower than 80%. Judging from HPLC chromatograms of a solution of the precipitated crystals, it was suggested that this crystal was degradation products of VM. The VM-B eye drops was applied to a patient with MRSA eye infection, because other medication was not effective. After continuous instillation of a drop per times every hour to both eyes, MRSA in corneal culture turned out negative after one week, and the clinical condition was remarkably improved. On the basis of the result of eye-irritability, VM-B eye drops with neutral pH was suggested to be superior to acidic VM-C eye drops from a safety point of view. It was also indicated that VM-B eye drops can be effectively used for 8 weeks under dark storage at 4 degrees C for MRSA eye infection, which is a useful piece information for the proper usage of the VM eye drops.