Effect of a novel rice fermented extract on gastric ulcers in horses.

Gastric ulcers cause appetite loss, poor body condition, and colic in horses. This study investigated the protective effect of a rice fermented extract on the gastric mucosa in 17 healthy Thoroughbreds. For one month, horses in the rice fermented extract (nine horses) and control (eight horses) groups were orally administered a rice fermented extract (100%; 0.2 ml/kg, SID) and tap water (0.2 ml/kg), respectively. Gastric endoscopic images were obtained before and one month after rice fermented extract administration. The gastric ulcer score was lower after administration (median, 1; maximum, 2; minimum, 1) than before administration (median, 4; maximum, 4; minimum, 3) in the rice fermented extract group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the administration of a rice fermented extract for one month improves gastric mucosal lesions in Thoroughbreds with gastric ulcers.

Spin-orbit induced electronic spin separation in semiconductor nanostructures.

The demonstration of quantized spin splitting by Stern and Gerlach is one of the most important experiments in modern physics. Their discovery was the precursor of recent developments in spin-based technologies. Although electrical spin separation of charged particles is fundamental in spintronics, in non-uniform magnetic fields it has been difficult to separate the spin states of charged particles due to the Lorentz force, as well as to the insufficient and uncontrollable field gradients. Here we demonstrate electronic spin separation in a semiconductor nanostructure. To avoid the Lorentz force, which is inevitably induced when an external magnetic field is applied, we utilized the effective non-uniform magnetic field which originates from the Rashba spin-orbit interaction in an InGaAs-based heterostructure. Using a Stern-Gerlach-inspired mechanism, together with a quantum point contact, we obtained field gradients of 10(8) T m(-1) resulting in a highly polarized spin current.

Continuous release of interleukin-2 from liposomal IL-2 (mixture of interleukin-2 and liposomes) after subcutaneous administration to mice.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) was strongly and almost completely adsorbed onto small and hydrophobic liposomes by simple mixing under optimal conditions (liposome: DSPC-DSPG; molar ratio, 10:1; 30-50 nm in size, ratio of IL-2 to liposome: 4.0 JRU/nmol lipid). This liposomal IL-2 displayed better distribution after intravenous administration in mice and improved therapeutic effect against experimental M5076 metastases, as reported previously. In this study, the elimination of IL-2 from the dosing area was investigated when the liposomal IL-2 was administered to mice subcutaneously. The results suggest that the release of IL-2 from this liposome was continuous and almost complete. The mean residence time (MRT) of IL-2 in the dosing area was 11.0 +/- 1.65 hr. This resulted in the 8-fold times enhancement of MRT in the systemic circulation by the presence of liposomes, and IL-2 was detected in the serum for 2 days. Using this liposomal IL-2 is expected to have the potential to decrease the number of injections and enhance the efficacy of IL-2 in immunotherapies and therapies against tumor.

A significant enhancement of therapeutic effect against hepatic metastases of M5076 in mice by a liposomal interleukin-2 (mixture).

Recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) was strongly and almost completely adsorbed onto small hydrophobic liposomes under optimal conditions (liposome: DSPC-DSPG; molar ratio, 10:1; 30-50 nm in size, ratio of IL-2 to liposome: 4.0 JRU/nmol lipid). This liposomal IL-2 improved the distribution of IL-2 after intravenous administration as reported, previously. Liposomal IL-2 (300-10000 JRU/mouse per day) was significantly more effective than free IL-2 alone for inhibiting against the experimental metastases of M5076 in mice. The inhibitory effect of liposomal IL-2 was greatest in the liver. The ED(50) of liposomal IL-2 and that of free IL-2 in the liver were 1640 and 12500 JRU/mouse per day, respectively. This simple preparation (mixture) using IL-2 and liposome suspension is expected to have potential for increasing therapeutic efficacy against hepatic metastases.

Microemulsion formulation for enhanced absorption of poorly soluble drugs. I. Prescription design.

Microemulsion formulations, which can be used to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, were designed using only pharmaceutical excipients. Several types of oils and surfactants were tested and it was found that propyleneglycol monoalkyl ester and glycerol monoalkyl ester were solubilized easily in an aqueous medium by various types of surfactants. Although propyleneglycol dialkyl ester was difficult to be solubilized, the solubility was significantly enhanced by mixing it with glycerol monoalkyl ester at the ratio of 1:1. The most suitable surfactants for preparing microemulsion formulations were HCO-40, HCO-60, Tween 80, BL-9EX and Pluronic P84. The use of additional surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium deoxycholate significantly improved the solubilization capacity of the oils, although formulations free of these surfactants were also available. These microemulsion formulations can be administered as a form of water-in-oil microemulsion or surfactant-oil mixture, and are expected to convert to oil-in-water microemulsion in the small intestine.

Microemulsion formulation for enhanced absorption of poorly soluble drugs. II. In vivo study.

Oral administration study of microemulsion formulations, which are known to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, was performed using rats. Nitrendipine was used as a poorly soluble model drug, and its absorption was enhanced significantly by employing the microemulsion formulations compared to a suspension or an oil solution. The effect of the fed state on the oral absorption of nitrendipine became insignificant with the microemulsion formulations, although it affected the absorption from the suspension formulation significantly. The absorption behavior also varied with the type of surfactant. The absorption from Tween 80-based formulation was very rapid, while HCO-60-based formulation showed prolonged plasma concentration profile. However, the absorption from BL-9EX (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether)-based formulation was hardly observed. Damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, which seems to be a serious problem of surfactant-based formulations, also differed with the type of surfactant employed. HCO-60 and Tween 80-based formulations were mild to the organs, while BL-9EX-based formulation caused serious damage. The behavior and absorption mechanism of the microemulsion formulations are discussed.