Inhibition of lipid hydroperoxidation of low density lipoprotein by the Ca(2+)-channel and alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist monatepil maleate.

The antioxidative effect of monatepil maleate (CAS 103379-03-9, AJ-2615), a new antihypertensive agent, was investigated by measuring its ability to inhibit copper-induced lipid hydroperoxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and was compared with those of diltiazem (Ca(2+)-channel antagonist), prazosin (alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist), and probucol. The concentration of AJ-2615 required to inhibit copper-induced lipid hydroperoxidation of LDL by 50% (IC50) was 28 mumol/l. The IC50 values for diltiazem, prazosin, and probucol were > 1 mmol/l, > 1 mmol/l, and 17 mumol/l, respectively. These results indicate that AJ-2615 has the same potent antioxidative effect as probucol and suggest that a previously reported ability of AJ-2615 to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis may be due to this antioxidative property. In addition, the dihydrodibenzothiepine ring of AJ-2615 may have an antioxidative functions.

Glycosylated human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha, neo interleukin-1 alpha, with D-mannose dimer exhibits selective activities in vivo.

To investigate the effect of carbohydrate-introduction on IL-1 activity, especially in vivo, and to develop IL-1 with less deleterious effects, recombinant human IL-1 alpha was coupled with mannose dimer, alpha-D-Man-1-6-D-Man [Man2 alpha(1-6)] by an acyl azide method. Previous studies demonstrated that the glycosylated IL-1 exhibited reduced activities compared with original IL-1 in all the experiments performed in vitro. In this study, we investigated the in vivo activities of Man2 alpha(1-6)-conjugated IL-1 alpha. The glycosylated IL-1 alpha exhibited very low pyrogenic activity and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein induction compared with untreated IL-1 alpha. Untreated IL-1 alpha increased the serum level of IL-6, but the glycosylated IL-1 alpha did not. However, the glycosylated IL-1 alpha possessed the same potency as untreated IL-1 alpha in reduction of serum levels of glucose and triglyceride and in recovery of peripheral white blood cells in 5-fluorouracil-treated mice. Therefore, glycosylation of IL-1 appeared to be useful for the development of neoIL-1 with selective activity in vivo.

Effect of a prostaglandin E1 derivative (OP-1206) and acetylsalicylic acid on electrically induced thrombosis in guinea-pig mesenteric artery and its modification by an inhibitor of prostaglandin I2 synthetase, tranylcypromine.

The antithrombotic effect of a prostaglandin E1 derivative, OP-1206 (17S-20-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1) X alpha-cyclodextrin clathrate (OP-1206 X alpha-CD), was compared with that of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a electrically induced thrombosis model of guinea-pig mesenteric arteries using intact animals and animals subjected to the superfusion of tranylcypromine (TC, 15 mM) over their mesentery. The drug-effect was assessed by the change of the threshold voltage for the thrombus formation. 1) TC (1.5-15 mM) lowered the threshold voltage, and the effect was comparable to its inhibitory effect on PGI2 formation in vitro, suggesting that PGI2 generated in mesenteric arteries acts to prevent thrombus formation. 2) In intact animals, OP-1206 X alpha-CD at doses of 0.01-0.3 mg/kg, p.o. (as OP-1206), significantly and dose-dependently elevated the threshold voltage. ASA (30-1000 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly elevated the threshold voltage, but the effect reached to its maximum at 100 mg/kg and lessened with further increase of ASA. 3) In TC-treated animals, OP-1206 X alpha-CD elevated the threshold voltage dose-dependently, but the elevation of threshold voltage by ASA reached to its plateau level which was significantly lower than that obtained with OP-1206 X alpha-CD at 0.3 mg/kg, indicating that the antithrombotic effect of ASA is incomplete in this model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Drug interactions of gliclazide and other sulfonylureas in protein binding in vitro and in hypoglycemic effect in rats.

Possible drug interaction in clinical use of a hypoglycemic sulfonylurea, gliclazide, was examined by two measures: its binding to protein in vitro and its hypoglycemic effect in vitro in the presence of other therapeutic agents. Binding of radiolabeled sulfonylureas to human serum albumin at its physiological concentration was determined by ultrafiltration in the presence of other agents. The concentrations of all agents examined were at their therapeutic (i.e., clinically observable) levels in the blood. Protein binding of [3H]gliclazide and [14C]tolbutamide was modified by salicylic acid and phenylbutazone but not by tolmetin, warfarin and propranolol. Binding of [3H]glibenclamide was not influenced by these agents under conditions employed. Blood glucose lowering effect of sulfonylureas was studied in rats to which other agents were given. The hypoglycemic effect of gliclazide and chlorpropamide was enhanced by concomitant administration of acetylsalicylic acid and phenylbutazone but not by dicumarol and warfarin. The enhancement of hypoglycemic effect is likely to result from the interaction of protein binding between the drugs.

Relationship between cerebral energy failure and free fatty acid accumulation following prolonged brain ischemia.

Prolonged ischemia by bilateral carotid artery ligation in rats resulted in cerebral edema with a reduced energy state. Mitochondria isolated from the ischemic brain showed an impairment of oxidative phosphorylation. The ischemic brain was also characterized by remarkable accumulation of free fatty acids known to have properties as an uncoupling factor. The major components of increased free fatty acids were palmitic, stearic, oleic and arachidonic acids. The analysis of saponified myelin and mitochondrial lipids from the ischemic brain showed a decrease in fatty acid contents. The main components of decreased fatty acids in these subcellular fractions corresponded to those of free fatty acids accumulating in the ischemic brain. These results indicate that cerebral energy failure in the ischemic brain is related to the accumulation of free fatty acids, which are derived from endogenous brain lipids.

Biochemical changes in unilateral brain injury in the rat: A possible role of free fatty acid accumulation.

Cerebral energy metabolism was investigated in rats with the unilateral brain injury produced by the combination of left carotid artery ligation and systemic exposure to hypoxia. ATP and phosphocreatine levels in the left hemisphere were progressively reduced after the hypoxic-ischemic insult. The reduction of high-energy phosphate levels was accompained by an increase in sodium content and a decrease in potassium content. Mitochondria isolated from the damaged hemisphere showed a defect in ATP formation and oxygen uptake with a reduced ATP/O ratio. A large amount of free fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic and arachidonic acids) accumulated in the injured hemisphere. The addition of unsaturated fatty acids (including oleic and arachidonic acids) to mitochondrial preparations caused an impairment of oxidative phosphorylation similar to that observed in mitochodria isolated from the damaged hemisphere.

Pharmacological studies of 3-[bis(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-amino]-propan-1-ol hydrochloride, (PF-244), a new cerebral vasodilator.

Pharmacological effects of 3-[bis(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-amino]-propan-1-ol-hydrochloride (PF-244) mainly on cerebral and cardiovascular systems, were studied. PF-244 indicated a potent cerebral vasodilation effect and a marked increase in oxygen supply to cerebral tissue with only weak inotropic action and depressor effect. This cerebral vasodilation was more potent and specific than that of papaverine hydrochloride in regional cerebral flow. PF-244 also indicated an antibarium action, although it did not show the properties related to the cholinergic and/or adrenergic mechanism. PF-244 appears to be one of the potent cerebral vascular dilators, and the nature of its mechanism was discussed.