Shikonin inhibits IgE-mediated histamine release by human basophils and Syk kinase activity.

OBJECTIVE: Shikonin, a component of the herbal medicine "Shikon", is known to suppress inflammatory reactions, but its molecular targets are not identified. This study examines the effect of shikonin on human basophil degranulation response and aims to identify its targets. MATERIALS: Human basophils in isolated leukocytes from healthy volunteers' peripheral blood; recombinant human Syk and Lyn tyrosine kinases. METHODS: Histamine release from basophils stimulated with anti-IgE antibody was analyzed fluorimetrically. Syk and Lyn kinase activities were tested in Vitro with recombinant proteins and analyzed by off-chip mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Shikonin dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from basophils induced by anti-IgE antibody (IC50 = 2.6 +/- 1.0 microM; mean +/- SEM). A search for the target(s) of shikonin in the signal cascade of IgE-mediated activation showed that it strongly inhibits Syk (IC50 = 7.8 microM, in the recombinant kinase assay), which plays a pivotal role in the degranulation response. A less significant inhibition was found for Lyn, which phosphorylates FcepsilonRI-betagamma subunits and also Syk. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the inhibition of Syk-dependent phosphorylation events might underlie the blocked histamine release from human basophils, thus contributing to the anti-inflammatory effects of shikonin.

The role of nitric oxide in the gastric acid secretion induced by ischemia-reperfusion in the pylorus-ligated rat.

In a rat model of the ischemia-reperfusion with pylorus ligation, gastric ulcer was formed, although gastric acid secretion was reduced. When the polymorphonuclear leukocytes were inactivated in advance, gastric ulcer was not formed, but acid secretion was increased, indicating that gastric acid is not a cause of the ulcer formation in this model. The mechanism of gastric acid suppression accompanied by ischemia-reperfusion was examined in relation to the role of oxygen-free radicals in this rat model. Prior administration of superoxide dismutase did not modulate acid secretion, but N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) increased acid secretion. The action of L-NAME was antagonized specifically by L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine did not inhibit basal acid secretion but antagonized the action of L-NAME. Aminoguanidine increased significantly the gastric acid output that was suppressed by ischemia-reperfusion. When polymorphonuclear leukocytes were inactivated by treatment with their antibody, the gastric acid output recovered to the level in the pylorus-ligated rat without ischemia-reperfusion. These results suggested that nitric oxide (NO) produced by the infiltrated polymorphonuclear leukocytes plays an important role in the suppression of acid secretion induced by ischemia-reperfusion.

Mechanism of superoxide generation system in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

We studied the mechanism of the superoxide generation system in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury. First, 10 mM indomethacin had no direct effect on xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity. Next, we found that NADPH oxidase activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) of peripheral blood was significantly increased 6 h after administration of indomethacin. This phenomenon was inhibited by the injection of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium chloride (DIC). Activation of NADPH oxidase caused the component, p47phox to be translocated to the plasma membrane. Since indomethacin did not directly activate NADPH oxidase, we sought another route of activation of PMN. As IL-1 and TNF alpha play in the inflammation, we examined these cytokines in this study. TNF alpha was not detected but IL-1 was increased significantly 30 min after administration of indomethacin.

Tiludronate inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in osteoclasts.

Signaling pathways mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation have been reported to be involved in the regulation of cytoskeletal organization in osteoclasts, the principal cells responsible for bone resorption. We examined the effects of tiludronate [(4-chlorophenyl)thiomethylene bisphosphonate] on the cytoskeleton and the balance of phosphotyrosine levels in osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) formed in cocultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. When OCLs were placed on plastic dishes in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum, they formed a ringed structure of F-actin dots (actin ring) within 2 h. Tiludronate did not inhibit the process of actin ring formation, but it disrupted preformed actin rings in a time- and a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis using an antiphosphotyrosine antibody revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation of certain proteins in OCLs was stimulated by tiludronate added to the purified OCLs. Tyrosine kinase activity of the p60c-src immunoprecipitated from cell lysates of the purified OCLs was not affected by tiludronate directly added to the kinase assay. OCL lysates stimulated dephosphorylation of tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates such as phosphoneuroprotein 14 and epidermal growth factor receptors. Like sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, tiludronate dose-dependently inhibited tyrosine dephosphorylation of those substrates induced by OCL lysates. These findings suggest that tiludronate disrupts the preformed actin rings and suppresses bone-resorbing activity by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatases in osteoclasts.

Lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosal lesions induced by indomethacin in rat.

The peroxidation of lipids and changes in the activities of related enzymes in the gastric mucosa were studied in a rat model of gastric mucosal injury induced by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. The area of gastric erosion and the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in gastric mucosa were significantly increased beginning 4h after administration of indomethacin. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in the gastric mucosa also increased immediately after administration of the drug. Although XOD activity was significantly suppressed by allopurinol treatment, the induction of gastric mucosal injury and the increase of TBARS in the gastric mucosa were not. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a marker enzyme of leukocytes, was unaffected by indomethacin administration. But the depletion of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) counts induced by an injection of anti-rat PMN antibody inhibited both the injury and the increase in TBARS. Indomethacin activated PMN in peripheral blood at 30mg/kg per as and enhanced release of oxygen radicals from PMN in peripheral blood. As compared with the XOD system, the generation of oxygen free radicals may derived mainly from activated PMN. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were reduced by the administration of indomethacin. Decreases in SOD and GSH-px activity in gastric mucosa may aggravate mucosal injury by free radicals and lipid peroxidation.

Myosin-actin interaction plays an important role in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 release from host cells.

We examined the potential role of myosin and actin in the release of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) from infected cells. Wortmannin (100 nM to 5 microM), an effective inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, blocked the release of HIV-1 from infected T-lymphoblastoid and monocytoid cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Cytochalasin D, a reagent that disrupts the equilibrium between monomeric and polymeric actin, also partially inhibited the release of HIV-1 from the infected cells. At the budding stage, myosin and HIV-1 protein were detected in the same areas on the plasma membrane by using dual-label immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. In the presence of 5 microM wortmannin, viral components were observed on the plasma membrane by using immunofluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy, implying that wortmannin did not disturb the transport of viral proteins to the plasma membrane but rather inhibited budding.

Myosin II is involved in transmitter release at synapses formed between rat sympathetic neurons in culture.

The presynaptic function of myosin II was studied at cholinergic synapses formed between rat superior cervical ganglion neurons in culture. Immunofluorescent staining showed that myosin II was colocalized with synaptophysin at the presynaptic nerve terminals. Antimyosin II antibody introduced into presynaptic neurons inhibited synaptic transmission. Transmission was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by two inhibitors of myosin light chain kinase: a peptide, SM-1, and an organic inhibitor, wortmannin. The inhibition produced by these agents was dependent on presynaptic activity. Extracellularly applied wortmannin also blocked synaptic transmission, but its effects were slower in onset. Wortmannin also decreased postsynaptic potentials and post-tetanic potentiation in intact superior cervical ganglia. These results suggest a model in which myosin light chain kinase phosphorylates myosin, and the resultant change in actin-myosin interactions is involved in neurotransmitter release.

[Treatment of cancer pain with the percutaneous electrocoagulation of spinal nerves].

To our knowledge, this is the first report of high-frequency thermocoagulation applied to the spinal root. We treated 34 patients suffering from cancer pain with this technique. Among these patients, cancer pain occurred due to intrapelvic metastasis in 11 patients, and 13 complained of chest pain due to cancer. Every patient was considered to have good or excellent response when his or her pain score was reduced to 6 points or less from the score before thermocoagulation; 10 points. Based on this criterion, 54.5% and 30.8% of the above-mentioned patients showed good and excellent responses respectively one month after treatment. This technique, therefore, was considered to be effective with less side effects compared with other nerve blocking techniques.

Role of lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosal lesions induced by ischemia-reperfusion in the pylorus-ligated rat.

The peroxidation of lipids and changes in the activities of related enzymes, such as xanthine-xanthine oxidase (XOD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in the gastric mucosa were studied in rat model of ischemia-reperfusion with pylorus ligation. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a marker enzyme of leucocytes, was also studied. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA RS) in gastric mucosa were significantly increased by clamping the celiac artery for 30 min and reperfusion for 60 min after 3 h of pylorus ligation. XOD activity in gastric mucosa increased with the development of gastric mucosal injury. Allopurinol significantly suppressed XOD activity but did not inhibit mucosal injury or the increase in TBA RS. MPO activity in the gastric mucosa was significantly increased by gastric mucosal injury. Famotidine significantly inhibited the increase in MPO activity in gastric mucosa, while allopurinol did not. SOD and GSH-px activities in the gastric mucosa were decreased significantly by gastric mucosal injury. SOD activity was normal following treatment with famotidine and allopurinol. Moreover, GSH-px activity recovered to the normal level with famotidine and allopurinol treatment. These findings suggest that oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation can cause gastric mucosal injury by ischemia-reperfusion in the pylorus-ligated rat. The generation of oxygen free radicals may be derived mainly from activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), and the decrease in SOD and GSH-px activity in gastric mucosa seems to aggravate mucosal injury by free radicals and lipid peroxidation.

[The effect of stellate ganglion block therapy on tonsillitis].

We examined a 35-year-old male patient with recurrent tonsillitis who did not respond to operation and drug therapy and we treated him by stellate ganglion block (SGB) alone. The clinical symptoms improved by the SGB. There was no subsequent recurrence. The result suggests that SGB therapy is effective for recurrent tonsillitis.

[A 5-year-old patient with allergic diseases responsive to stellate ganglion block].

We examined a 5-year-old boy with allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, atopic dermatitis, and tendency to suffer common cold, who responded to stellate ganglion block (SGB). SGB therapy was extremely effective for this patient. The result suggests that SGB therapy should be performed on patients with allergic diseases resistant to drug and diet therapy. Furthermore, the indication for nerve block therapy, such as SGB, may be extended even to pediatric patients.

[Thoracic and lumbar sympathetic ganglion block for post herpetic neuralgia].

Of 2,667 patients with herpes zoster who visited our hospital between January 1972 and March 1989, 136 patients whose treatments were started after more than 6 months following the onset were subjects of the present study. Thus we performed a retrospective study of the therapeutic effects of sympathetic ganglion block (using alcohol) on postherpetic neuralgia left untreated for more than 6 months after the onset. After more than 1 year following the onset, the disease was nearly or completely cured in 9 of 37 patients (24%) treated with sympathetic ganglion block with alcohol and in 6 of 34 (17.6%) without the treatment. Thus the patients who underwent sympathetic ganglion block with alcohol tended to show better results. The above findings suggest that, in patients with postherpetic neuralgia in whom the initiation of treatment was delayed, treatment mainly consisting of thoracic or lumbar sympathetic ganglion block using alcohol in combination with antidepressants and antianxiety drugs can greatly improve patients' activities of daily life and that, at present, this method is most effective in relieving postherpetic neuralgia.

Inhibitory effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on superoxide generation.

Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID: amfenac sodium, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and ketoprofen) on the generation of superoxide anion (O2-) by isolated rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were studied spectrophotometrically using cytochrome c. The effects of these drugs were also studied on O2- production by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-NADPH oxidase systems. Amfenac sodium, at 0.1 mM, inhibited significantly O2- generation in rat PMN induced by opsonized zymosan. At 0.5 mM, diclofenac sodium and indomethacin inhibited the O2- generation in rat PMN. All of the above drugs slightly inhibited O2- production by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. On the other hand, O2- production by the NADPH-NADPH oxidase system was significantly inhibited by the addition of amfenac sodium, ketoprofen or indomethacin. These results suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not work as an O2- scavenger and block O2- production by the NADPH-NADPH oxidase system of rat PMN. It is concluded that amfenac sodium and the other drugs are able to inhibit granulocyte O2- production by blocking the activation of NADPH-oxidase.

Participation of lipid peroxidation in rat pertussis vaccine pleurisy. III. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactant and lysosomal enzyme.

Activity of lysosomal enzymes, such as N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), was assayed in exudate on a rat model of Bordetella pertussis vaccine pleurisy. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substances (TBA.R) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were then monitored in the exudate on the acute phase response in this inflammatory model. Retention of the exudate in the pleural space increased rapidly after the challenge, and the exudate volume at 24 h reached about three times the volume at 6 h. The activity of SOD at 6 h was shown to be higher than that at 24 h after the challenge, thus showing negative correlations with TBA-R levels and exudate volume. The levels of TBA.R rapidly increased and reached maximum values at 24 h. It was concluded that the above three parameters correlated to the acute phase response in this inflammatory model.

Histo-chemical studies on the anti-ulcer effect of bamboo grass in rats.

Oral administration of a hot-water extract (Folin) of bamboo grass (Sasa albomarginata Makino & Shibata) significantly reduced the incidence of water-immersion and restraint stress-, ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Histological examination of the Folin-treated gastric mucosa showed that microscopic blood clots overlaid the superficial epithelium, maintaining the cellular integrity of gastric mucosa, especially against stress ulcer. In addition, Folin suppressed the incidence of hyperaemia and a decline of acid mucopolysaccharides in the ethanol-induced ulcer. Folin suppressed a release of histamine from rat mast cells, and stabilized erythrocytes and accelerated their agglutination under acid conditions. These results suggest that a microscopic haemostatic effect of Folin reinforced by a membrane-stabilizing effect might be responsible for the prevention of the gastric lesions.

[The administration of continuous epidural block under prone position with fluoroscopic guidance].

Continuous epidural block is often used for the treatment of pain. But there have been unsuccessful cases by the routine blind method. We devised a modified method of administering continuous epidural block under prone position with fluoroscopic guidance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of our modified method. There were 18 cases with pain of lumbar region and 28 cases of thoracocervical region in whom it was not possible to obtain successful control of pain by routine method. By our method, 14 cases (77.8%) with pain of lumbar region and 24 cases (85.7%) of thoracocervical region had effective epidural catheterization. There was no complication. As unsuccessful cases were accompanied with epidural adhesion or psychological disease, they might have no indication for continuous epidural block.