Possible pharmacotherapy for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth: 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits human gingival fibroblast growth.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This investigation aimed to establish the basis of a pharmacotherapy for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. Gingival overgrowth has been attributed to the enhanced growth of gingival fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated the effects of 18-α-glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA) on growth, the cell cycle, and apoptosis and on the regulators of these processes in gingival fibroblasts isolated from patients who presented with nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Gingival fibroblasts were cultured in medium containing 1% FBS with/without 10 µM 18α-GA for 24 or 48 h, and the cell number, cell cycle phase distribution, relative DNA content, apoptotic cell number and morphological characteristics of the cells undergoing apoptosis were measured together with the levels of proteins that regulate these processes and the level of caspase activity. KEY RESULTS: 18α-GA significantly decreased cell numbers and significantly increased the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 and G0 /G1 phases of the cell cycle and the number of apoptotic cells. Nuclear condensation and fragmentation of cells into small apoptotic bodies appeared in the fibroblasts treated with 18α-GA. In addition, 18α-GA significantly decreased the protein levels of cyclins A and D1, CDKs 2 and 6, phosphorylated Rb (ser(780) and ser(807/811)), Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 and increased the protein levels of p27, cytosolic cytochrome c, pro-caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 and the activities of caspases 3 and 9. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: 18α-GA inhibited gingival fibroblast growth by suppressing the G1 /S phase transition and inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, 18α-GA may be used as a pharmacotherapy for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth.

Oral triacylglycerols regulate plasma glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36) and insulin levels in normal and especially in obese rats.

In a previous study of glucose tolerance, plasma insulin levels were greatly elevated in genetically obese Wistar fatty rats but not lean rats fed a diet containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, triacylglycerol-regulation of levels of circulating insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) (GLP-1) has been investigated in these rats. In the glucose tolerance test, the two plasma insulin peaks appeared in obese and lean rats intubated with glucose + corn oil, at 15- 30 min and 4 h, whereas only the first peak appeared in rats intubated with glucose alone, although the glucose response did not differ. After intubation of corn oil only, the insulin peak at 15 min was not detected but the peak at 4h was large. The two plasma GLP-1 peaks appeared 15 min and 4 h after intubation of glucose + corn oil similarly to the insulin responses, although the first peak was small and the second peak was very large. A small peak at 15 min was not significant in rats intubated glucose alone and no peak was seen at 4 h. The GLP-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the following order: portal vein > inferior vena cava > tail vein. The plasma GLP-1 increment in response to oral triacylglycerols was significantly higher in obese rats than in lean rats as was the insulin increment. Thus, oral triacylglycerols (possibly polyunsaturated) appeared to act at the gut lumen to stimulate GLP-1 secretion, which may be responsible for the second (4 h) insulin peak.

The effects of high-fat diet feeding over generations on body fat accumulation associated with lipoprotein lipase and leptin in rat adipose tissues.

The effects of high-fat diet feeding over generations on body fat accumulation were studied in rats. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet or a low-fat (LF) diet were mated in the same diet group at age 13 weeks, and the male pups (1st generation) obtained were used in this experiment. The 1st generation rats were nurtured by their own mothers (Experiment 1) or F344 foster mother rats (chow-fed) during pregnancy (Experiment 3) and the suckling period (Experiments 2 and 3). After weaning, rats with HF and LF dietary histories were fed a purified diet for 12-17 weeks. Body weights and abdominal adipose tissue weights were greater in rats with HF dietary histories than in those with LF dietary histories, even controlling for environmental backgrounds related to the mother rats during pregnancy and suckling periods. The levels of lipoprotein lipase and leptin mRNA in the perirenal adipose tissue were higher in rats with HF dietary histories. These results suggest that the effects on body fat accumulation of HF diet feeding over generations are not only associated with environmental factors but also with genetic factors. The obesogenous effects of HF diet feeding over generations may be associated with lipoprotein lipase and leptin gene expression on rat adipose tissues.

Novel, highly potent aldose reductase inhibitors: (R)-(-)-2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine -4-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine-1,2',3,5'-tetrone (AS-3201) and its congeners.

A series of novel tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) on the basis of their abilities to inhibit porcine lens aldose reductase (AR) in vitro and to inhibit sorbitol accumulation in the sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in vivo. Of these compounds, spirosuccinimide-fused tetrahydropyrrolo[1, 2-a]pyrazine-1,3-dione derivatives showed significantly potent AR inhibitory activity. In the in vivo activity of these derivatives, 2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1, 2-a]pyrazine-4-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine-1,2',3,5'-tetrone (23t) (SX-3030) showed the best oral activity. The enantiomers of 23t were synthesized, and the biological activities were evaluated. It was found that AR inhibitory activity resides in the (-)-enantiomer 43 (AS-3201), which was 10 times more potent in inhibition of the AR (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-8) M) and 500 times more potent in the in vivo activity (ED50 = 0.18 mg/kg/day for 5 days) than the corresponding (+)-enantiomer 44 (SX-3202). From these results, AS-3201 was selected as the candidate for clinical development. The absolute configuration of AS-3201 was also established to be (R)-form by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In this article we report the preparation and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of tetrahydropyrrolopyrazine derivatives including a novel ARI, AS-3201.

Lipogenic enzyme gene expression is quickly suppressed in rats by a small amount of exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids.

An examination was conducted of the time courses of incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into lipids of plasma, liver and its nuclei, and the time courses of hepatic lipogenic enzyme gene expression after oral administration of perilla oil by a stomach tube to rats fed a fat-free diet. Linolenic acid, 18:3(n-3), and eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5(n-3), were considered indices of exogenous fatty acids. In total lipids of liver and its nuclei, linolenic acid was detected 1 h after the intubation, continued to increase during the first 4 h, then decreased and almost disappeared by 48 h. Eicosapentaenoic acid also increased within only 1 h of intubation, reached a maximum after 8 h and then gradually decreased. In contrast with the increase of exogenous PUFA, the mRNA concentrations of hepatic lipogenic enzymes began to decrease 2 h after the perilla oil intubation, were at a minimum at 8 h, and then increased. In another experiment to examine the effects of dietary perilla oil concentration on PUFA incorporation and gene expression, rats were given diets containing 0-10% perilla oil (supplemented with hydrogenated fat to 10% fat) for 3 d. Only 1% perilla oil elevated the exogenous PUFA concentrations in liver and its nuclei in comparison with concentrations in rats fed a hydrogenated fat diet. Perilla oil at 2% of the diet was sufficient to suppress lipogenic enzyme gene expressions, which were suppressed to the minimum level by 5% perilla oil in the diet. Thus, lipogenic enzyme gene expression was quickly suppressed by a small amount of exogenous PUFA, in contrast with the increase of PUFA incorporation into liver and its nuclei. Newly incorporated exogenous PUFA appear to be involved in suppression of lipogenic enzyme gene expression.

Gnathostomiasis in frog-eating snakes from Japan.

Gnathostoma doloresi parasitizes the gastric wall of wild (boars) and domestic (pigs) swine (Sus scrofa). Its larvae cause cutaneous larva migrans in humans. Amphibians, reptiles and a freshwater fish are infected with the advanced 3rd stage larvae. Prevalence of G. doloresi larvae were surveyed in several snakes, especially in a common frog-eating snake (Rhabdophis tigrinus). All species of snakes examined were infected with G. doloresi larvae suggesting that snakes are important reservoir hosts. Prevalence of G. doloresi larvae in frog-eating snakes was lower than that found in mammal-eating snakes. Thus, as a source of infection to snakes, small mammals may be more important than frogs in the natural life cycle of G. doloresi in Japan.

Dietary soybean protein increases insulin receptor gene expression in Wistar fatty rats when dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid level is low.

To investigate the effects of different dietary fatty acids and proteins on glucose tolerance and insulin receptor gene expression, Wistar fatty rats (genetically obese, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) and their lean littermates (8 wk old) were fed a casein or soybean protein diet containing 9% partially saturated beef tallow (plus 1% corn oil), 10% corn oil or 10% fish oil for 3 wk. In glucose tolerance tests, plasma insulin concentrations were significantly higher in obese rats fed corn oil or fish oil than in those fed partially saturated beef tallow, particularly in the soybean protein groups. However, plasma glucose concentrations were not significantly affected by dietary protein or fat. The insulin receptor mRNA concentrations in livers and adipose tissues were higher in rats fed soybean protein/partially saturated beef tallow than in those fed any other protein/fat combination. Dietary soybean protein may help to reduce the insulin resistance, but only when a diet low in polyunsaturated fatty acids is consumed. On the other hand, the insulin receptor mRNA concentrations in adipose tissue were generally lower in the obese rats of all dietary groups than in the lean rats, suggesting that insulin resistance may be due to a defect of insulin receptor gene expression.

Proteolysis of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by endo- and exopeptidases: process of proteolysis and formation of active fragments.

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was digested with endopeptidases under mild conditions. Incubation of the TNF (155-amino-acid TNF) with trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease or chymotrypsin initially released small peptides derived from the amino (N)-terminal region of TNF, but did not release peptides from the carboxyl (C)-terminal region. The TNF was resistant to carboxypeptidases A and Y under a non-denaturing condition, but in the presence of urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate the C-terminal amino acid was released quantitatively by these peptidases. These results indicate that the N-terminal region of the TNF molecule is accessible to protease, while the C-terminal region is not susceptible to degradation. When the TNF was incubated with seven kinds of endopeptidases, its activity rapidly disappeared. At an early stage of the degradation, one active fragment was detected among the fragments produced with trypsin or pronase P, but no active fragments were detected on the degradation with the other peptidases. The active fragment was a fragment lacking the four N-terminal amino acid residues of the TNF. These results suggest that TNF is initially degraded at the N-terminal region by an endopeptidase and loses its activity as the degradation proceeds.

Antigenicities of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, lysozyme, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin on macrophages of genitourinary malacoplakia.

Seven cases of genito-urinary malacoplakia were analyzed histologically, ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically in a comparison with two cases of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Immunohistochemically, von Hansemann cells and Michaelis-Guttmann bodies, both hallmarks for the diagnosis of malacoplakia, showed a common antigenicity for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli as cytoplasmic granules of varying sizes. These microscopic manifestations corresponded ultrastructurally to a series of phagolysosomal degradations of coliform bacilli. Serogroups against E. coli OK antigens, which were positive for malacoplakic cells, were not confined to a particular group. Macrophages of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis did not show the E. coli antigenicity. Antigenicity of lysozyme and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin on the von Hansemann cells was equivocal, but these enzymes were strongly positive on macrophages of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. The macrophages of both malacoplakia and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis were positive for antihuman macrophage antibody. These results indicate that malacoplakia depends mainly on infection by a non-specific strain of enteropathogenic E. coli and may arise from defective digestive enzyme activity of infiltrating macrophages. Immunohistochemical analysis using antisera against E. coli OK antigens, lysozyme and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was useful in identifying the prediagnostic stage of malacoplakia and in differentiating the lesion from xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis.

Cephalexin concentrations in radicular granuloma following a single oral administration of 250- or 500-mg cephalexin.

1. Cephalexin concentrations in radicular granuloma and serum following a single oral administration of 250- or 500-mg cephalexin were measured by a paper disk method. 2. The highest concentration of cephalexin in radicular granuloma following administration of 250-mg cephalexin to nonfasting patients was observed at 2 hr, and was 1.62 micrograms/g. The mean cephalexin concentration ratio of radicular granuloma/serum at 2 hr was 0.35. 3. The highest concentrations of cephalexin in radicular granuloma following administration of 500-mg cephalexin to nonfasting and fasting patients occurred at 2 and 1.5 hr, and was 3.35 and 3.42 micrograms/g, respectively. Mean cephalexin concentration ratios of radicular granuloma/serum at 2 and 1.5 hr were 0.32 and 0.30, respectively. 4. All mean cephalexin concentrations in radicular granuloma following administration of 500-mg cephalexin to both fasting and nonfasting patients exceeded MIC for 90% (2 micrograms/ml) of clinically isolated strains of alpha-hemolytic streptococci. However, those concentrations obtained by 250-mg cephalexin did not exceed it.

Cefadroxil concentrations in human serum, gingiva, and mandibular bone following a single oral administration.

Cefadroxil concentrations in human serum, gingiva, and mandibular bone were measured by a paper disk method following a single 500-mg oral dose. The mean peak concentrations in serum, gingiva, and mandibular bone occurred at the identical time, 3 hours, and were 12.92 micrograms/mL, 6.50 micrograms/g, and 2.67 micrograms/g, respectively. Mean cefadroxil concentration ratios of gingiva/serum and mandibular bone/serum at the peak time were 0.54 and 0.21, respectively. Mean concentrations in gingiva and mandibular bone at the peak time exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentrations for 90% of clinically isolated strains of a alpha-hemolytic streptococci.

Amoxicillin concentration in pus from abscess caused by odontogenic infection.

1. Amoxicillin concentration in pus from odontogenic infection was assayed and the concentrations were compared with MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of alpha-hemolytic streptococci isolated from odontogenic infection. 2. Measurable amoxicillin concentrations in serum and pus were found in all instances (n = 16). 3. The mean peak concentrations in serum and pus were found at identical times, 1.5 hr after administration, which were 5.92 and 0.90 micrograms/ml, respectively. 4. The mean concentration ratio of pus/serum at the peak time was 0.15. 5. All amoxicillin concentrations in pus at the peak time exceeded the MIC for 90% of alpha-hemolytic streptococci (0.25 micrograms/ml).

Concentrations of lomefloxacin in radicular cyst and oral tissues following single or multiple oral administration.

Concentrations of lomefloxacin in serum, the wall and fluid of radicular cyst, gingiva, and jawbone following single or multiple oral administration were measured. The highest concentrations of lomefloxacin in serum, cyst wall, cyst fluid, gingiva, and jawbone occurred at 3 h after multiple administration, and were 2.31 micrograms/ml, 4.06 micrograms/g, 1.54 micrograms/ml, 4.72 micrograms/g and 2.79 micrograms/g, respectively. The mean concentration ratios of wall/serum, fluid/serum, fluid/wall, gingiva/serum, and jawbone/serum at the highest concentrations were 1.74, 0.73, 0.47, 2.52 and 1.20, respectively. Although most lomefloxacin concentrations in cyst and oral tissues following single oral administration did not exceed the MICs for 80% of clinically isolated strains of alpha-hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Niesseria spp., most of those obtained after multiple oral administration exceeded the MICs except in the case of fluid.

Pharmacologic properties of a novel Ca2+ entry blocker, AJ-2615, in vitro.

We studied the in vitro vascular relaxant properties of AJ-2615, (+/-)-N-[6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]-thiepin-11-yl]-4-[4- fluorophenyl]-1-piperazinebutanamide monomaleate, a novel compound with long-lasting antihypertensive activity. AJ-2615 inhibited the high K(+)-induced contractile response in rat aorta with an IC50 of 2.08 x 10(-8) M. It was 13 times less potent than nifedipine and 3, 10, and 15 times more potent than verapamil, diltiazem, and fluanarizine, respectively. AJ-2615 also inhibited the high K(+)-induced 45Ca influx in rat aorta at almost the same concentration as that for inhibition of the contractile response. The inhibition of 45Ca influx was reversed by Bay k 8644, a Ca2+ channel agonist. The effects of AJ-2615 on the contractile response and Ca2+ influx persisted for at least 120 min after AJ-2615 was removed from the medium. These results indicate that AJ-2615 acts directly on the potential-dependent Ca2+ channel in a long-lasting manner. AJ-2615 inhibited [3H]prazosin binding to dog aortic membranes (IC50 = 1.25 x 10(-8) M) and phenylephrine-induced contractile response in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) of rabbits (IC50 = 3.87 x 10(-8) M), indicating that AJ-2615 has potent alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity. AJ-2615 at 10(-6) M did not inhibit the caffeine-induced contractile response in rabbit SMA in Ca(2+)-free medium, nor did it inhibit calmodulin (CAM) activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An ultrathin frozen section is suitable for demonstrating cytochrome c oxidase activity at electron microscopic level.

Cytochrome c oxidase activity in rat liver was demonstrated in 40 microns sections and ultrathin frozen sections (100-200 nm in thickness), using the diaminobenzidine method. Electron microscopic observations showed strong activity in 81.9 +/- 13.1% of mitochondria along the edge, and 29.9 +/- 21.2% in the center of 40 microns sections. On the other hand, all mitochondria possessed strong activity in ultrathin frozen sections under the same experimental condition. In the ultrathin frozen section, the mitochondrial membranes, as well as the plasma membrane, were broken. The present study indicates that the ultrathin frozen section is suitable for demonstrating cytochrome c oxidase activity at electron microscopic level.

Rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 responsible for reductive metabolism of zonisamide.

The reductive metabolism of 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanesulfonamide (zonisamide) to 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol (SMAP) was observed in liver microsomes from female rats, as well as male rats, but the SMAP-producing activity in female rats was 4-fold lower than that found in male rats. In addition, the reductive metabolism of zonisamide in liver microsomes was induced by the treatment of male rats with phenobarbital. However, the SMAP-producing activity did not correlate positively with the amounts of P-450 2B1 and P-450 2C11 immunochemically determined. In contrast, the reductive metabolism of zonisamide was also found to be induced by the pretreatment of male rats with pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile, triacetyloleandomycin, and dexamethasone. Furthermore, the SMAP-producing activity correlated highly with the amount of P-450 cross-reactive with antihuman P-450 3A4 antibody, suggesting that P-450 3A1/2 may function in the reductive metabolism of zonisamide. In addition, the P-450 PCNa (3A2) exhibited the SMAP-producing activity in a reconstituted system. The antihuman P-450 3A4 antibody inhibited markedly the formation of SMAP from zonisamide in male rat liver microsomes. These results indicate that cytochrome(s) P-450 belonging to P-450 3A subfamily may be predominantly responsible for the reductive metabolism of zonisamide in rat liver microsomes.

Ampicillin concentrations in radicular cysts following a single oral administration of bacampicillin.

1. Ampicillin concentrations in cyst wall (wall) and cyst fluid (fluid) of radicular cyst and serum following a single oral administration of bacampicillin (equivalent to 500 mg of ampicillin) were measured by a paper disk method. 2. The mean peak concentrations of ampicillin in wall, fluid, and serum occurred at identical times, 1.5 hr, and were 2.39 micrograms/g, 0.77, and 10.24 micrograms/ml, respectively. 3. Mean ampicillin concentration ratios of wall/serum, fluid/serum, and fluid/wall at the peak time were 0.23, 0.07, and 0.40, respectively. 4. Mean ampicillin concentrations in wall and fluid at the peak time exceeded MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) for 90% (0.5 microgram/ml) for clinically isolated strains of alpha-hemolytic Streptococci.

Characterization of human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 involved in the reductive metabolism of zonisamide.

Zonisamide (1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanesulfonamide) was metabolized to 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol (SMAP) in human liver microsomes under anaerobic conditions. The formation of SMAP was remarkably inhibited by cimetidine, n-octylamine, ketoconazole, and carbon monoxide, indicating that a cytochrome P450 is involved in the metabolism of zonisamide to SMAP in human liver microsomes. The SMAP-producing activity did not correlate with the spectrally determined amount of cytochrome P450. In contrast, the SMAP-producing activity from zonisamide correlated closely with the activity of testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase (r2 = 0.96) and correlated slightly but significantly with the activity of imipramine 2-hydroxylase (r2 = 0.28), but not with those of aniline hydroxylase (r2 = 0.09) or benzphetamine N-demethylase (r2 = 0.20). In addition, immunoquantitation of cytochrome P450 enzymes in 21 human liver microsomal samples revealed that SMAP formation correlated closely with the amount of P450 3A enzyme and correlated moderately well with that of P450 2D6 but not with that of P450 2C enzyme in human liver microsomes. P450 3A4 exhibited SMAP-producing activity in a reconstituted monooxygenase system. The metabolism of zonisamide to SMAP was almost completely inhibited by anti-P450 3A4 antibody but not by anti-P450 2C9 or anti-P450 2D6 antibodies, suggesting that the amount of P450 3A enzyme may be a major factor influencing the level of metabolism of zonisamide to SMAP in human liver microsomes.

Formation of reductive metabolite, 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol, from zonisamide in rat liver microsomes.

Zonisamide (1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanesulfonamide) was metabolized to its reductive product, 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol, in rat liver microsomes under anaerobic conditions. The rate of NADPH-dependent reaction was much more rapid than that of NADH-dependent reaction. Furthermore, synergistic effect of NADH on NADPH-dependent reaction was not observed. The optimal formation of 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol from zonisamide in the presence of NADPH was observed around pH 7.0. Cimetidine showed an inhibitory effect on the formation of 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol in a dose-dependent manner. The reductive metabolism of zonisamide was almost completely inhibited by carbon monoxide, and was increased by pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital and pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile but not by pretreatment with ethanol, 3-methylcholanthrene and imidazole. These results suggest that phenobarbital- and pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile-inducible form(s) of cytochrome P-450 is responsible for the reductive metabolism of zonisamide to 2-sulfamoylacetylphenol in rat liver microsomes.

Cefaclor concentrations in human serum, gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle following a single oral administration.

1. Cefaclor concentrations in human serum (n = 59), gingiva (n = 46), mandibular bone (n = 39), and dental follicle (n = 42) following a single oral administration of cefaclor (500 mg) were measured by the paper disk method. 2. The peak times of serum, gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle were 1.5, 2, 2, and 1.5 hr, respectively. 3. The mean peak concentrations of serum, gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle were 7.58 micrograms/ml, 3.71, 1.59 and 2.42 micrograms/g, respectively. 4. The concentration ratios of gingiva/serum, mandibular bone/serum, and dental follicle/serum at peak times of the tissues were 0.49, 0.18, and 0.32, respectively. 5. Mean cefaclor concentrations in gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle at peak times exceeded MIC for 90% for clinically isolated strains of alpha-hemolytic Streptococci.