Fluorophotometric determination of histone with 3,4,5,6-tetrafluoro-2-carboxyphenylfluorone-manganese(II) complex and its characterization.

A simple fluorophotometric method for the determination of histone has been developed. This method involves a fluorescence quenching reaction that results in the formation of a complex of manganese(II), 3,4,5,6-tetrafluoro-2-carboxyphenylfluorone (TFCPF), and histone in a non-ionic surfactant micellar medium. The calibration curve was found to be linear in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 µg/mL. The binding parameters (n, number of binding sites; K, binding constant) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG(0), change in Gibbs free energy; ΔH(0), change in enthalpy; ΔS(0), change in entropy) were investigated spectrophotometrically for the elucidation of the reaction mechanism. The resulting binding parameters (n=4.08 and K=3.16×10(4) m(-1) at 25°C) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG=-25.83 kJ/mol, ΔH=-9.83 kJ/mol, and ΔS=53.68 J/(mol K)) suggest that the colored complex in this reaction system is an ion-association complex between manganese(II)-TFCPF and histone.

[Clinical evaluation of calculating carboplatin dosage using Japanese equation for estimating GFR for gynecologic cancer].

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important factor when considering carboplatin dosage adjustment. The Japanese equation for estimating GFR (eGFR) was recommended as a guideline for evaluating GFR in 2009 by The Japanese Society of Nephrology. However, benefits in the field of cancer chemotherapy with the use of eGFR have not yet been shown. To clarify the clinical benefits of eGFR, we investigated the renal function of 100 patients with gynecologic cancer who were treated with carboplatin from 2003 through 2009, and the carboplatin dosage was calculated by the Calvert formula in which eGFR was substituted for GFR. To predict the clinical benefit on the basis of carboplatin dosage using eGFR, we retrospectively divided the patients into two groups so that carboplatin dosage was within dosage in using eGFR and one was not. We compared response rates and adverse effects of the two groups. Renal function using eGFR was lower than renal function calculated by using the other formulae. Carboplatin dosage using eGFR was significantly lower than the dosage calculated with the other formulae (p<0.01). Moreover, the patients group actually, administered the dosage calculated by eGFR showed less side effects than the group of patients not treated this way, but the efficacy did not change. Thus, using eGFR in planning carboplatin dosage suggested clinical application to patients with Japanese gynecologic cancer.

Blockade of the Ras/MEK/ERK and Ras/PI3K/Akt pathways by statins reduces the expression of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-ß as angiogenic factors in mouse osteosarcoma.

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in modulating malignant behavior and can dramatically influence cancer treatment strategies. We investigated whether statins inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) mRNA in the mouse osteosarcoma cell line LM8. We found that statins significantly inhibited mRNA expressions of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-ß, and bFGF, HGF, and TGF-ß secretions at concentrations that did not have antiproliferative effects on LM8 cells, but had no effect on the mRNA expression and secretion of VEGF. The inhibition of bFGF, HGF, and TGF-ß mRNA expression, and bFGF, HGF, TGF-ß secretions was reversed when geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway, was used in combination with statins. Furthermore, statins reduced the membrane localization of K-Ras, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and phosphorylated Akt. Our research indicates that statins inhibit GGPP biosynthesis in the mevalonate pathway, and then inhibit signal transduction in the Ras/ERK and Ras/Akt pathways, thereby inhibiting bFGF, HGF, TGF-ß expression in LM8 cells. These results suggest that statins are potentially useful as anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

High-dose dexamethasone plus antihistamine prevents colorectal cancer patients treated with modified FOLFOX6 from hypersensitivity reactions induced by oxaliplatin.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum compound and a key agent for the management of colorectal cancer. Patients treated with oxaliplatin are at risk for hypersensitivity reactions. We designed a modified premedication regimen to prevent oxaliplatin-related hypersensitivity reactions and assessed if this approach is effective. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced colorectal cancer who received modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) was performed. Patients received routine premedication with dexamethasone 8 mg and granisetron 3 mg for the first five cycles of mFOLFOX6. From the sixth cycle onward, cohort 1 received the same premedication, and cohort 2 received modified premedication (diphenhydramine 50 mg orally, followed by dexamethasone 20 mg, granisetron 3 mg, and famotidine 20 mg). We compared the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions, duration of treatment, and reasons for treatment withdrawal between the two cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were studied (cohort 1, 81; cohort 2, 100). Hypersensitivity reactions developed in 16 patients (20%) in cohort 1 and 7 (7.0%) in cohort 2 (P = 0.0153). The median number of cycles increased from 9 in cohort 1 to 12 in cohort 2. Apart from progressive disease, neurotoxicity was the reason for discontinuing treatment in 20% of the patients in cohort 1, as compared with 53% in cohort 2. CONCLUSION: Increased doses of dexamethasone and antihistamine significantly reduced oxaliplatin-related hypersensitivity reactions. This effective approach should be considered for all patients who receive FOLFOX, allowing treatment to be completed as planned.

[Historical study on traditional Chinese formulations and crude drugs used for gouty arthritis].

Rates of gouty arthritis with hyperuricemia have increased recently as it has become a lifestyle-related disease. We reviewed historical treatments for pain due to gouty arthritis in traditional Chinese medical books, with special interest in pathological causes, including dietary and drinking habits, as well as the frequency of crude drugs used in historical prescriptions. From the present historical survey, we showed that six traditional terms may be equivalent to modern gouty arthritis and that the "Manbyokaishun," a formulary edited in the 16th century in China, included medical information for gouty arthritis. Furthermore, the 46 prescriptions, including Sokeikakketsuto, mentioned in the "Manbyokaishun," were selected as likely treatments for gouty arthritis. The most common crude drugs in the 46 prescriptions were aconite root, angelica root, cinnamon bark, peony root and saposhnikovia root. The inhibitory activity of these crude drugs extracts against xanthine oxidase was investigated. Angelica root and saposhnikovia root showed more potent inhibitory activity (20% at 250 microg/mL) than aconite root (16%), notopterygium rhizome (15%) and cinnamon bark (12%).

[Simple screening method for judging the complex formation between drug and aluminum (III)].

We examined a simple screening method for judging the complex formation between a drug and aluminum(III) on a spot plate. As few drug had color reaction by basing on the binary complex formation of drug-aluminum(III), the ternary complex formation of drug-aluminum(III)-dye was studied this time using 50 kinds of drugs. The dyes used were Chromazurol S and Erythrosin. As a result, in the drug that the complex formation with aluminum(III) was assumed, a remarkable coloration difference was recognized in comparison with the blank prepared under the same conditions. The proposed simple screening method should be very useful for judging instantly the complex formation between a drug and aluminum(III).

Hydroxychavicol: a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor obtained from the leaves of betel, Piper betle.

The screening of Piperaceous plants for xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity revealed that the extract of the leaves of Piper betle possesses potent activity. Activity-guided purification led us to obtain hydroxychavicol as an active principle. Hydroxychavicol is a more potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor than allopurinol, which is clinically used for the treatment of hyperuricemia.

[Fluvastatin induces apoptosis on human tongue carcinoma cell line HSC-3].

Statins, which are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. However, the effects of statins in head and neck carcinoma have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which fluvastatin induces apoptosis in HSC-3 cells. An increase in caspase-3 activity was observed. The apoptosis induced by fluvastatin was inhibited by the addition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) to the cell culture. When we examined the survival signals at the time of apoptotic induction, we also found that fluvastatin had caused a remarkable decrease in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Moreover, we also found that U0126, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, induces apoptosis in HSC-3 cells. These results suggested that fluvastatin induces apoptosis by inhibiting GGPP biosynthesis and consequently decreasing the level of phosphorylated ERK1/2. The results of this study also indicate that fluvastatin may be used as an anticancer agent for tongue carcinoma.

Spectrophotometric determination of spermine and related compounds using o-hydroxyhydroquinonephthalein and manganese(II).

A simple and highly sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of spermine (Spm) was established based on the ternary complex formation reaction of Spm with o-hydroxyhydroquinonephthalein (QP) as a xanthene dye and manganese(II) as a metal ion in the presence of a dispersion agent. The apparent molar absorptivity at 555 nm and the relative standard deviation of the proposed method were 1.4 x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1) and 0.50% (n = 10), respectively. In the method for flow-injection analysis (FIA), which employs a single-channel flow manifold system, a good linear relationship was observed over the 2 - 20 pg microl(-1) range of Spm by direct injection.

Studies on the variation in clinical laboratory data and safety evaluation of pharmaceuticals.

The safety of pharmaceuticals has become increasingly important not only in daily medical treatment but also in clinical trials. Although clinical laboratory data are more objective than clinical symptoms, the determination as to whether they indicate abnormal variations depends largely upon the clinical judgment of physicians. The process of determination has not been sufficiently objectified. The present study investigated the indices of criteria for variations in clinical laboratory data obtained in clinical trials. Then, detection rates of abnormal variations were compared between our determination method that employs the reference change value (RCV) expressing the width of biological variation for each test component and conventional determination methods. The study also demonstrated that by combining standard values and the RCV for determination, abnormal variations were found at a rate greater than 50%. The method we propose was applied to the safety evaluation of pharmaceuticals. In clinical trials on the antiviral drug ribavirin administered alone, components of laboratory tests were selected that should be noted in studies on its effects. Expect for decreases in red blood cell counts and hemoglobin values, which are closely associated with anemic symptoms and well known to hepatologists, the increasing trend in platelet counts and decreasing trend in albumin were found to be laboratory test components that should be paid attention to, even though they may not be obvious.