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I Fujiwara

Publications and source records attributed to I Fujiwara.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by xenogeneic cytotoxicity.

In order to clarify the role of natural killer (NK) cells in delayed xenograft rejection (DXR) of discordant xenotransplantation, we used in vitro xenogeneic combination of human NK cells and pig kidney target cells (PK15), and investigated the mechanism of xenogeneic cytotoxicity caused by human NK cells. In the presence of decomplemented human serum or human IgG, freshly isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) caused both membrane (51Cr release) and DNA (3H release) damage on PK15. In contrast, only membrane damage was detected in the presence of normal human serum. To clarify the participation of perforin/granzymescell mediated cytotoxicity (P/G-CMC), when EGTA or concanamycin B (CMB) was added to the cytotoxicity assays, both cytotoxicities were completely inhibited by these drugs in a dose-dependent manner. In terms of the involvement of Fas/FasL-based cytotoxicity (F-CMC), while the cytotoxicity assays were performed in the presence of antagonistic anti-human FasL mAb, this antibody was not able to block the cytotoxicity. From these results, it is concluded that xenogeneic cytotoxicity is due to NK cell dependent ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity), and their effector mechanism can cause apoptosis on target cells via P/G-CMC.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetic interactions related to the chemical structures of fluoroquinolones.

Fluoroquinolone derivatives interact with methylxanthines (theophylline, caffeine) and metallic ion-containing drugs to different degrees. The rat appears to be a suitable model for predicting such interactions in man. It has been possible to determine the relationship between the chemical structure of the fluoroquinolone and the magnitude of the interaction. Fluoroquinolones with a bulky substituent at the position 8, such as sparfloxacin, lomefloxacin and fieroxacin, are less prone to interact with theophylline than those without an 8-substituent, such as enoxacin. This substituent determines the planarity of the whole fluoroquinolone molecule and the interaction tends to be more significant for planar fluoroquinolones. Furthermore, a 4'-nitrogen atom in the 7-piperazinyl group is essential for the interaction to occur. The nitrogen atom is possibly the site that binds cytochrome P-450, which catalyses theophylline metabolism. The reduction in bioavailability of fluoroquinolones by concurrent administration of aluminium hydroxide is more striking for derivatives with fewer substituents on the essential structure and on the piperazinyl group, such as norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enoxacin. Substitution at the 5-position diminishes the interaction, which suggests that the 5-substituent may affect the formation and/or stability of unabsorbable chelate complex which is the probable cause of the interaction. These findings are potentially useful in designing fluoroquinolones less prone to drug interactions.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗

Structure-related inhibitory effect of antimicrobial enoxacin and derivatives on theophylline metabolism by rat liver microsomes.

Enoxacin, an antimicrobial fluoroquinolone with a 7-piperazinyl-1, 8-naphthyridine skeleton, is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P-450-mediated theophylline metabolism. The present study was designed to clarify, using seven enoxacin derivatives, the molecular characteristics of the fluoroquinolone responsible for the inhibition. Three derivatives with methyl-substituted 7-piperazine rings inhibited rat liver microsomal theophylline metabolism to 1,3-dimethyluric acid to an extent similar to that of enoxacin (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s] = 0.39 to 0.48 mM). 7-Piperazinyl-quinoline derivatives, 8-hydroenoxacin (8-Hy) and 1-cyclopropyl-8-fluoroenoxacin (8-F1), which have a hydrogen and a fluorine at position 8, respectively, more weakly inhibited metabolite formation (IC50s = 0.88 and 1.29 mM, respectively). Little inhibition (IC50 > 2 mM) was observed in those with 3'-carbonyl and 4'-N-acetyl groups on the piperazine rings. The substrate-induced difference spectra demonstrated that the affinities of enoxacin, 8-Hy, and 8-F1 to cytochrome P-450 were parallel with their inhibitory activities. The substituent at position 8 was found to determine the molecular conformations of the fluoroquinolones, and the planarity in molecular shape decreased in the same order as the inhibitory activity (enoxacin > 8-Hy > 8-F1). Moreover, the 3'-carbonyl and 4'-N-acetyl groups decreased the basicity of their vicinal 4'-nitrogen atoms when judged from their electrostatic potentials, which showed a remarkably broadened negative charge around the nitrogens. As a result, the planarity of the whole molecule and the basicity of the 4'-nitrogen atom of enoxacin are likely to be dominant factors in the inhibition of theophylline metabolism by cytochrome P-450.

Animals↗

A comparison of pituitary-adrenal responses to corticotropin-releasing hormone, hypoglycaemia and metyrapone in children with brain tumours and growth hormone deficiency.

UNLABELLED: To assess hypothalamic-pituitary function, a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test was performed in nine children following treatment for brain tumours and in 27 growth hormone deficient (GHD) children whose pituitary adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion was normal. In both groups, CRH tests were compared with ACTH and cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and with ACTH response to metyrapone stimulation. In the patients with brain tumours (five craniopharyngiomas, two suprasellar germinomas, one cerebellar medulloblastoma and one cerebellar ependymoma), ACTH responses to CRH varied greatly with absent or blunted, normal, and exaggerated reactions. Cortisol and ACTH responses were not always correlated. In GHD children but not in children with brain tumours the responses to CRH, insulin tolerance test and metyrapone test were correlated. The marked variability of the CRH test was possibly caused by compounding factors such as preceding corticosteroid therapy, concomitant desmopressin therapy and spontaneous regeneration of damaged brain structures CONCLUSION: Interpretation of the CRH test to assess hypothalamic-pituitary function in patients with brain tumours is difficult due to compounding factors. Many patients require prolonged follow up with repeated endocrinological evaluation.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of Na+ transport across the cell membranes of the ascending thin limb of Henle's loop.

In the ascending thin limb of Henle's loop (ATL), intracellular Na+ is extruded by Na+/K+ ATPase in the basolateral membrane. To further characterize Na+ transport across the cell membranes of the ATL, the intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) was monitored using a sodium-sensitive fluorescent probe, SBFI, in the in vitro microperfused hamster ATL. Basal [Na+]i was 19.0 +/- 1.2 mM (N = 24). Removal and replacement of luminal Na+ did not change [Na+]i in the presence of Na+ in the bathing fluid. In contrast, luminal Na+ removal reduced [Na+]i from 11.6 +/- 0.9 to 6.3 +/- 0.8 mM in the absence of peritubular Na+ (P < 0.0005, N = 21). Replacement of luminal Na+ increased [Na+]i to 12.6 +/- 0.9 mM. In the absence of Na+ in the bath, the addition of 1 microM benzamil, 0.1 mM 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA), 0.1 mM furosemide, or 0.1 mM trichlormethiazide to the lumen did not change [Na+]i or the rate of change in [Na+]i/dt) after removal and replacement of luminal Na+. Decreases in luminal pH in a Hepes-buffered solution and luminal HCO3- did not affect [Na+]i. In the absence of peritubular Na+, DMA in the bathing fluid decreased [Na+]i from 11.4 +/- 1.3 to 6.4 +/- 1.2 mM (P < 0.01, N = 5) and completely inhibited the changes in [Na+]i after removal and replacement of luminal Na+. Removal of peritubular Na+ reduced [Na+]i from 18.8 +/- 1.2 to 11.3 +/- 0.7 mM (P < 0.0001, N = 23). Addition of DMA in the bathing fluid reduced [Na+]i and inhibited the changes in [Na+]i after removal and replacement of peritubular Na+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amiloride↗

Amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiporter in basolateral membrane of hamster ascending thin limb of Henle's loop.

The mechanisms of intracellular pH (pHi) regulation were investigated in the in vitro microperfused hamster ascending thin limb (ATL) of Henle's loop with the fluorescent pH indicator, 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. pHi of ATL cells was 7.05 +/- 0.02 (n = 30) when microperfused with a CO2/HCO(3-)-buffered solution. In HEPES-buffered solution, pHi was 7.10 +/- 0.02 (n = 16), which was significantly higher than the value in CO2/HCO(3-)-buffered solution (P < 0.05, n = 16). In HEPES-buffered solution, elimination of Na+ and addition of 1 mM amiloride to basolateral solution decreased the pHi by 0.12 +/- 0.03 (n = 6) and 0.11 +/- 0.02 (n = 5) at 1 min, respectively. The same manipulations in the luminal solution had no effect on pHi. One millimolar of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) added to either side of ATL caused no significant change in pHi. Elimination of K+ on either side of ATL did not alter pHi. After adding 20 mM NH4Cl to basolateral solution, pHi instantaneously increased from 7.17 +/- 0.01 to 7.51 +/- 0.03 (n = 3), and then returned to steady-state level of 7.21 +/- 0.05 (n = 15) in 3 min. Removal of NH4Cl from basolateral solution then caused a rapid fall in pHi to 6.31 +/- 0.05 (n = 15), followed by spontaneous recovery at a rate of 0.43 +/- 0.06 unit/min (n = 15).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amiloride↗

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-ethoxybenzamides with six- and seven-membered heteroalicycles as potential gastroprokinetic agents.

A new series of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-ethoxybenzamides 3b--f and 5--8 bearing six- and seven-membered heteroalicycles was prepared and evaluated for gastroprokinetic activity. Compounds 3b--e, derived by replacement of the morpholine oxygen of 4-amino-N-[(4-benzyl-2-morpholinyl)methyl]-5- chloro-2-ethoxybenzamide (3a) with other atoms (sulfur, nitrogen and carbon), generally exhibited a potent gastric emptying activity. N-(4-Benzyl-3-morpholinyl)methylbenzamide (5a) and its analogues 5b--e had weaker activity. However, N-(4-benzyl-3-morpholinyl)ethylbenzamide 8 was as potent as 3a. Benzamides 6a--e, having seven-membered heteroalicycles, showed fairly potent activity. Molecular superimpositions of 5a, 6a and 8 upon 3a using computer graphics suggested that the direction of the N-benzyl group greatly influences the gastric emptying activity, whereas the location of the alicyclic nitrogen is less critical.

Animals↗

Development of potent serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. II. Structrue-activity relationships of N-(1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4- diazepin-6-yl)carboxamides.

Our studies on 4-amino-5-chloro-2-ethoxybenzamides led to the discovery that the N-(1,4-dimethylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-6-yl)benzamide 9 and the 1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepine analogue 10 are potent serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on the influence of the aromatic nucleus of 9 and 10 upon inhibition of the von Bezold-Jarisch reflex in rats are described. Heteroaromatic rings such as pyrrole, thiophene, furan, pyridine, pyridazine, 1,2-benzisoxazole, indole, quinoline, and isoquinoline rings showed weak 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity. Within this series, use of the 1H-indazole ring as an aromatic moiety led to a substantial increase of the activity; the 1H-indazolylcarboxamides 54, 57, 97, and 102 showed potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity. The optimal compound identified via extensive SAR studies was N-(1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-6-yl)-1H-indaz ole-3- carboxamide (54), whose effect was superior to that of the corresponding benzamide 10 and essentially equipotent to those of ondanbsetron (1) and granisetron (4).

Animals↗

Changes in hepatic enzyme activities related to ethanol metabolism in mice following chronic ethanol administration.

Male mice of three strains, C57BL, DBA and C3H/He, were fed on commercial food with 10% (v/v) ethanol solution as drinking liquid ad libitum for eighty days, and the changes in the activities of enzymes in the metabolic pathway of ethanol in the liver were examined. C57BL and C3H/He mice showed a preference for drinking the 10% (v/v) ethanol solution, while DBA mice did not. The ethanol intake g/g of body weight of C3H/He mice showed the highest value among all three strains and that of C57BL mice tended to show higher value than that of DBA mice. The liver weights of C57BL and C3H/He mice increased significantly following chronic ethanol administration, but that of DBA did not. The cytosolic enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) showed no changes in any of the strains following chronic ethanol administration. The microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS) of C57BL mice exhibited approximately 2-fold higher activity compared to that of DBA and C3H/He mice but did not increase in any strain following chronic ethanol administration. However, the microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity in the liver increased significantly in C57BL and C3H/He mice following chronic administration of ethanol. The microsomal cytochrome P-450 content also tended to slightly increase in the same strains of mice. It seemed that cytochrome P-450IIE1 was induced in the liver microsomes of these strains. Total aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities together with high-Km ALDH activity increased markedly in the microsomes of C57BL mice and tended to increase in C3H/He mice, while it did not change in DBA mice following chronic ethanol administration. In the mitochondria of C57BL, total ALDH activities increased slightly and high-Km ALDH activities tended to increase. These mitochondrial ALDH activities of C3H/He and DBA mice tended to increase following chronic ethanol administration. The cytosolic ALDH activity showed no changes in any strain of mice following chronic ethanol administration. It seemed that in the microsomes, the activities of enzymes related to oxidation of ethanol increased in C57BL and C3H/He mice, which tended to consume a large amount of ethanol, and did not in DBA mice which tended to consume a small amount of it. It seemed that the increases in activities of enzymes related to oxidation of acetaldehyde in the microsomes and in the mitochondria were responsible for the strain difference.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Siderophore-mediated utilization of iron bound to transferrin by Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus produces a structurally novel type of siderophore, termed vibrioferrin, in response to iron-limitation. This study was performed to examine whether vibrioferrin can assimilate iron from human iron-binding proteins for growth. Comparison of the growth rates between V. parahaemolyticus AQ 3354 and its spontaneously arising, vibrioferrin-deficient mutant revealed that vibrioferrin was able to sequester iron from 30% iron-saturated human transferrin for growth, but not from human lactoferrin even if fully saturated with iron. In both strains, iron limitation induced two high-molecular-weight outer membrane proteins with apparent molecular masses of approximately 78 and 83 kDa. Since only the outer membrane fraction including these proteins showed a binding capacity to ferric vibrioferrin complex, either of them may function as its cell surface receptor. These results suggested that the organism might utilize such a source of host iron through the action of vibrioferrin during in vivo survival and proliferation, although its importance in pathogenesis is unknown.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Electrophysiological analysis of effect of propranolol in rabbit S2 proximal straight tubule.

The effect of dl-propranolol on the basolateral membrane potential (Vb) of in vitro microperfused S2 proximal straight tubules of the rabbit kidney was examined using conventional microelectrode techniques. In the steady-state condition, the average of 23 measurements of Vb was -44.8 +/- 2.0 mV. Addition of 10(-4) mol/l of dl-propranolol to the basolateral solution rapidly depolarized Vb by 12.1 +/- 1.3 mV in 20 sec (n = 15). The same dose of d-isomer of propranolol, which has no beta-blocking effect, also depolarized Vb to a similar extent. The non-selective beta-blocker nadolol, which possesses no membrane stabilising activity, had no effect on Vb. Depolarization of Vb by dl-propranolol in 20 seconds (propranolol-induced delta Vb) occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of 1 mmol/l Ba++ in basolateral solution, propranolol-induced delta Vb was strongly inhibited. The stilbene derivative DIDS at 1 mmol/l did not change propranolol-induced delta Vb, whereas the elimination of Cl- from the ambient conditions increased propranolol-induced delta Vb. The minimization of the luminal Na(+)-coupled organic solute transporter by collapsing of the lumen did not inhibit propranolol-induced delta Vb, indicating the lack of effect of propranolol on luminal Na(+)-coupled transporters. Ouabain at 10(-3) mmol/l in the bath did not eliminate propranolol-induced delta Vb, indicating the presence of a target transporter other than Na+/K+ ATPase for propranolol. These results suggest the following; 1) propranolol has a depolarizing effect on Vb in proximal tubule; 2) the effect of propranolol is independent of Cl- transport or Na(+)-coupled transporters in the luminal membrane; 3) propranolol depolarizes Vb by inhibiting the K+ channel in the basolateral membrane of S2 proximal tubule.

Animals↗