Effects of Exercise on Functional Recovery in Patients with Bipolar Depression: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Treatment of bipolar disorder is prone to prolongation despite various treatments, including medication. The efficacy of exercise treatment (i.e., interventions involving physical exercise and sports intervention) for major depressive disorders has been reported for depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and sleep disturbances. However, its efficacy for bipolar disorder has yet to be established. We designed a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial that includes 100 patients with bipolar disorder aged 20-65 years. This will be a cluster-randomized, two-group trial that will be conducted in ten psychiatric hospitals. The hospitals will be randomly assigned to an exercise intervention + treatment as usual (exercise) group or a placebo exercise intervention (stretching) + treatment as usual (control) group. Patients will be assessed using an extensive battery of clinical tests, physical parameters, sleep status, biological parameters (cytokines, neurotrophic factors), and genetic parameters (DNA and RNA) at baseline after a 6-week intervention period, at 10-week follow-up, and at 6-month follow-up. This innovative study may provide important evidence for the effectiveness of exercise in the treatment of bipolar depression based on clinical, biological, genetic, and physiological markers.

Repetitive administration of cultured human CD34+ cells improve adenine-induced kidney injury in mice.

BACKGROUND: There is no established treatment to impede the progression or restore kidney function in human chronic kidney disease (CKD). AIM: To examine the efficacy of cultured human CD34+ cells with enhanced proliferating potential in kidney injury in mice. METHODS: Human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived CD34+ cells were incubated for one week in vasculogenic conditioning medium. Vasculogenic culture significantly increased the number of CD34+ cells and their ability to form endothelial progenitor cell colony-forming units. Adenine-induced tubulointerstitial injury of the kidney was induced in immunodeficient non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice, and cultured human UCB-CD34+ cells were administered at a dose of 1 × 106/mouse on days 7, 14, and 21 after the start of adenine diet. RESULTS: Repetitive administration of cultured UCB-CD34+ cells significantly improved the time-course of kidney dysfunction in the cell therapy group compared with that in the control group. Both interstitial fibrosis and tubular damage were significantly reduced in the cell therapy group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01). Microvasculature integrity was significantly preserved (P < 0.01) and macrophage infiltration into kidney tissue was dramatically decreased in the cell therapy group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Early intervention using human cultured CD34+ cells significantly improved the progression of tubulointerstitial kidney injury. Repetitive administration of cultured human UCB-CD34+ cells significantly improved tubulointerstitial damage in adenine-induced kidney injury in mice via vasculoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

Pioglitazone Ameliorates Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation in Cuff-Induced Neointimal Formation by Both Adiponectin-Dependent and -Independent Pathways.

The aim of this study is to elucidate to what degree adiponectin is involved in TZD-mediated amelioration of neointimal formation. We investigated the effect of 3- or 8-weeks' pioglitazone on cuff-induced neointimal formation in adiponectin-deficient (APN-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Pioglitazone for 3 weeks reduced neointimal formation in the WT mice with upregulation of the plasma adiponectin levels, but failed to reduce neointimal formation in the APN-KO mice, suggesting that pioglitazone suppressed neointimal formation by adiponectin-dependent mechanisms. Pioglitazone for 3 weeks suppressed vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and increased AdipoR2 expression in the WT mice. In vitro, globular adiponectin activated AMPK through both AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, resulting in the inhibition of VSMC proliferation. Interestingly, 8-weeks' pioglitazone was reduced neointimal formation in APN-KO mice to degree similar to that seen in the WT mice, suggesting that pioglitazone can also suppress neointimal formation via a mechanism independent of adiponectin. Pioglitazone for 8 weeks completely abrogated the increased VSMC proliferation, along with a reduction of cyclin B1 and cyclin D1 expressions and cardiovascular risk profile in the APN-KO mice. In vitro, pioglitazone suppressed these expressions, leading to inhibition of VSMC proliferation. Pioglitazone suppresses neointimal formation via both adiponectin-dependent and adiponectin-independent mechanisms.

Differential hepatic distribution of insulin receptor substrates causes selective insulin resistance in diabetes and obesity.

Hepatic insulin signalling involves insulin receptor substrates (Irs) 1/2, and is normally associated with the inhibition of gluconeogenesis and activation of lipogenesis. In diabetes and obesity, insulin no longer suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis, while continuing to activate lipogenesis, a state referred to as 'selective insulin resistance'. Here, we show that 'selective insulin resistance' is caused by the differential expression of Irs1 and Irs2 in different zones of the liver. We demonstrate that hepatic Irs2-knockout mice develop 'selective insulin resistance', whereas mice lacking in Irs1, or both Irs1 and Irs2, develop 'total insulin resistance'. In obese diabetic mice, Irs1/2-mediated insulin signalling is impaired in the periportal zone, which is the primary site of gluconeogenesis, but enhanced in the perivenous zone, which is the primary site of lipogenesis. While hyperinsulinaemia reduces Irs2 expression in both the periportal and perivenous zones, Irs1 expression, which is predominantly in the perivenous zone, remains mostly unaffected. These data suggest that 'selective insulin resistance' is induced by the differential distribution, and alterations of hepatic Irs1 and Irs2 expression.

Indolylpiperidine derivatives as potent and selective α1B adrenoceptor antagonists.

A series of novel indolylpiperidine derivatives were synthesized, and their pharmacological profiles were assessed at rat α1A and α1B adrenoceptors through in vitro binding studies. Compound 12 (2-(3-(4-(6-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline) was a potent α1B adrenoceptor antagonist (Ki=0.61 nM) and was about 40-fold more selective for the α1B adrenoceptor than for the α1A adrenoceptor. In addition, useful structure-activity relationship information was acquired for further improving selectivity for the α1B adrenoceptor.

The discovery of potent glycine transporter type-2 inhibitors: design and synthesis of phenoxymethylbenzamide derivatives.

We describe the discovery of phenoxymethylbenzamide derivatives as a novel class of glycine transporter type-2 (GlyT-2) inhibitors. We found hit compound 1 (human GlyT-2, IC50=4040 nM) in our library and converted its 1-(1-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-3-yl group to an 1-(N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)piperidyl group and its tert-butyl group to a trifluoromethyl group to obtain N-(1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)piperidin-4-yl)-4-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)methyl)benzamide (20). Compound 20 showed good inhibitory activity against human GlyT-2 (IC50=15.3 nM) and exhibited anti-allodynia effects in a mouse neuropathic pain model.

HIS-388, a novel orally active and long-acting 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor, ameliorates insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance in diet-induced obesity and nongenetic type 2 diabetic murine models.

11ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1) is considered a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological properties of HIS-388 (N-[(1R,2s,3S,5s,7s)-5-hydroxyadamantan-2-yl]-3-(pyridin-2-yl) isoxazole-4-carboxamide), a newly synthesized 11ß-HSD1 inhibitor, using several mouse models. In cortisone pellet-implanted mice in which hypercortisolism and hyperinsulinemia occur, single administration of HIS-388 exhibited potent and prolonged suppression of plasma cortisol and lowered plasma insulin levels. These effects were more potent than those achieved using the same dose of other 11ß-HSD1 inhibitors (carbenoxolone and compound 544 [3-[(1s,3s)-adamantan-1-yl]-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]azepine]), indicating that HIS-388 potently and continuously suppresses 11ß-HSD1 enzyme activity in vivo. In diet-induced obese mice, HIS-388 significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin concentration, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance score, and ameliorated insulin sensitivity. In addition, HIS-388 significantly reduced body weight and suppressed the elevation of blood glucose during the pyruvate tolerance test. In nongenetic type 2 diabetic mice with disease induced by a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin, HIS-388 also significantly decreased postprandial blood glucose and plasma insulin levels and improved glucose intolerance. The effects of HIS-388 on glucose metabolism were indistinguishable from those of an insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone. Our results suggest that HIS-388 is a potent agent against type 2 diabetes. Moreover, amelioration of diabetic symptoms by HIS-388 was at least in part attributable to an antiobesity effect or improvement of hepatic insulin resistance. Therefore, potent and long-lasting inhibition of 11ß-HSD1 enzyme activity may be an effective approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity-associated disease.

Novel series of 3-amino-N-(4-aryl-1,1-dioxothian-4-yl)butanamides as potent and selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors.

A series of novel 3-amino-N-(4-aryl-1,1-dioxothian-4-yl)butanamides were investigated as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors. Introduction of a 4-phenylthiazol-2-yl group showed highly potent DPP-4 inhibitory activity. Among various derivatives, (3R)-3-amino-N-(4-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-tetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-4-yl)-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanamide 1,1-dioxide (30) reduced blood glucose excursion in an oral glucose tolerance test by oral administration.

Impaired insulin signaling in endothelial cells reduces insulin-induced glucose uptake by skeletal muscle.

In obese patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin delivery to and insulin-dependent glucose uptake by skeletal muscle are delayed and impaired. The mechanisms underlying the delay and impairment are unclear. We demonstrate that impaired insulin signaling in endothelial cells, due to reduced Irs2 expression and insulin-induced eNOS phosphorylation, causes attenuation of insulin-induced capillary recruitment and insulin delivery, which in turn reduces glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Moreover, restoration of insulin-induced eNOS phosphorylation in endothelial cells completely reverses the reduction in capillary recruitment and insulin delivery in tissue-specific knockout mice lacking Irs2 in endothelial cells and fed a high-fat diet. As a result, glucose uptake by skeletal muscle is restored in these mice. Taken together, our results show that insulin signaling in endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in the regulation of glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Furthermore, improving endothelial insulin signaling may serve as a therapeutic strategy for ameliorating skeletal muscle insulin resistance.

(3R)-3-amino-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-N-{4-[6-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzothiazol-2-yl]tetrahydropyran-4-yl}butanamide as a potent dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Novel series of 3-amino-N-(4-aryl-1,1-dioxothian-4-yl)butanamides and 3-amino-N-(4-aryltetrahydropyran-4-yl)butanamides were synthesized and evaluated as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors. Derivatives incorporating the 6-substituted benzothiazole group showed highly potent DPP-IV inhibitory activity. Oral administration of (3R)-3-amino-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-N-{4-[6-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzothiazol-2-yl]tetrahydropyran-4-yl}butanamide (12u) reduced blood glucose excursion in an oral glucose tolerance test.

Dynamic functional relay between insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2 in hepatic insulin signaling during fasting and feeding.

Insulin receptor substrate (Irs) mediates metabolic actions of insulin. Here, we show that hepatic Irs1 and Irs2 function in a distinct manner in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. The PI3K activity associated with Irs2 began to increase during fasting, reached its peak immediately after refeeding, and decreased rapidly thereafter. By contrast, the PI3K activity associated with Irs1 began to increase a few hours after refeeding and reached its peak thereafter. The data indicate that Irs2 mainly functions during fasting and immediately after refeeding, and Irs1 functions primarily after refeeding. In fact, liver-specific Irs1-knockout mice failed to exhibit insulin resistance during fasting, but showed insulin resistance after refeeding; conversely, liver-specific Irs2-knockout mice displayed insulin resistance during fasting but not after refeeding. We propose the concept of the existence of a dynamic relay between Irs1 and Irs2 in hepatic insulin signaling during fasting and feeding.

Adiponectin stimulates AMP-activated protein kinase in the hypothalamus and increases food intake.

Adiponectin has been shown to stimulate fatty acid oxidation and enhance insulin sensitivity through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the peripheral tissues. The effects of adiponectin in the central nervous system, however, are still poorly understood. Here, we show that adiponectin enhances AMPK activity in the arcuate hypothalamus (ARH) via its receptor AdipoR1 to stimulate food intake; this stimulation of food intake by adiponectin was attenuated by dominant-negative AMPK expression in the ARH. Moreover, adiponectin also decreased energy expenditure. Adiponectin-deficient mice showed decreased AMPK phosphorylation in the ARH, decreased food intake, and increased energy expenditure, exhibiting resistance to high-fat-diet-induced obesity. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of adiponectin and expression of AdipoR1 in the ARH were increased during fasting and decreased after refeeding. We conclude that adiponectin stimulates food intake and decreases energy expenditure during fasting through its effects in the central nervous system.

Design and synthesis of selective alpha1B adrenoceptor antagonists.

A series of novel indolylpiperidine derivatives were synthesized and assessed for their pharmacological profiles at alpha1 adrenoceptor subtypes by in vitro binding studies at rat alpha1A and alpha1B receptors. Compound 11 was a potent (Ki=0.63 nM) and selective (approximately 30-fold more selective for the alpha1B receptor than for the alpha1A receptor) alpha1B adrenoceptor antagonist.

Pioglitazone ameliorates insulin resistance and diabetes by both adiponectin-dependent and -independent pathways.

Thiazolidinediones have been shown to up-regulate adiponectin expression in white adipose tissue and plasma adiponectin levels, and these up-regulations have been proposed to be a major mechanism of the thiazolidinedione-induced amelioration of insulin resistance linked to obesity. To test this hypothesis, we generated adiponectin knock-out (adipo-/-) ob/ob mice with a C57B/6 background. After 14 days of 10 mg/kg pioglitazone, the insulin resistance and diabetes of ob/ob mice were significantly improved in association with significant up-regulation of serum adiponectin levels. Amelioration of insulin resistance in ob/ob mice was attributed to decreased glucose production and increased AMP-activated protein kinase in the liver but not to increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. In contrast, insulin resistance and diabetes were not improved in adipo-/-ob/ob mice. After 14 days of 30 mg/kg pioglitazone, insulin resistance and diabetes of ob/ob mice were again significantly ameliorated, which was attributed not only to decreased glucose production in the liver but also to increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Interestingly, adipo-/-ob/ob mice also displayed significant amelioration of insulin resistance and diabetes, which was attributed to increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle but not to decreased glucose production in the liver. The serum-free fatty acid and triglyceride levels as well as adipocyte sizes in ob/ob and adipo-/-ob/ob mice were unchanged after 10 mg/kg pioglitazone but were significantly reduced to a similar degree after 30 mg/kg pioglitazone. Moreover, the expressions of TNFalpha and resistin in adipose tissues of ob/ob and adipo-/-ob/ob mice were unchanged after 10 mg/kg pioglitazone but were decreased after 30 mg/kg pioglitazone. Thus, pioglitazone-induced amelioration of insulin resistance and diabetes may occur adiponectin dependently in the liver and adiponectin independently in skeletal muscle.