Biomedical subjects

Masami Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to Masami Kojima.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Mutant huntingtin impairs the post-Golgi trafficking of brain-derived neurotrophic factor but not its Val66Met polymorphism.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism is associated with the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease. In view of these data and the involvement of huntingtin in intracellular trafficking, we examined the intracellular transport and release of Val66Val BDNF (Val-BDNF) and Val66Met BDNF (Met-BDNF) in transfected striatal knock-in cells expressing wild-type or mutant full-length huntingtin. Colocalization studies with specific markers for endoplasmic reticulum showed no differences between the Val-BDNF and Met-BDNF and were not modified by mutant huntingtin. However, post-Golgi trafficking was altered by mutant huntingtin dependent on the BDNF form. Thus, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and inverse FRAP analysis showed retention of Met-BDNF in the Golgi apparatus with respect to Val-BDNF in wild-type cells. Strikingly, mutant huntingtin diminished post-Golgi trafficking of Val-BDNF, whereas Met-BDNF was not modified. Accordingly, a reduction in the number of transport vesicles was only observed in mutant huntingtin cells transfected with Val-BDNF but not Met-BDNF. Moreover, mutant huntingtin severely affected the KCl-evoked release of Val-BDNF, although it had little effect on Met-BDNF regulated release. The constitutive release of Val-BDNF or Met-BDNF in mutant cells was only slightly reduced. Interestingly, mutant huntingtin only perturbed post-Golgi trafficking of proteins that follow the regulated secretory pathway (epidermal growth factor receptor or atrial natriuretic factor), whereas it did not change those that follow the constitutive pathway (p75(NTR)). We conclude that mutant huntingtin differently affects intracellular transport and release of Val-BDNF and Met-BDNF. In addition, our findings reveal a new role for huntingtin in the regulation of the post-Golgi trafficking of the regulated secretory pathway.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2006

Differential analysis of D-beta-Asp-containing proteins found in normal and infrared irradiated rabbit lens.

Although proteins are generally composed of l-alpha-amino acids, d-beta-aspartic acid (Asp)-containing proteins have been reported in various elderly tissues. Our previous study detected several d-beta-Asp-containing proteins in a rabbit lens derived from epithelial cell line by Western blot analysis of a 2D-gel using a polyclonal antibody that is highly specific for d-beta-Asp-containing proteins. The identity of each spot was subsequently determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the Ms-Fit online database searching algorithm. In this study, we discovered novel d-beta-Asp-containing proteins from rabbit lens. The results indicate that beta-crystallin A3, beta-crystallin A4, beta-crystallin B1, beta-crystallin B2, beta-crystallin B3, gamma-crystallin C, gamma-crystallin D, and lambda-crystallin in rabbit lens contain d-beta-Asp residues. Furthermore, the occurrence of d-beta-Asp residues increases with infrared ray (IR) irradiation. Additionally, some d-beta-Asp-containing proteins only appear after IR irradiation. One such protein is the alpha-enolase, which shows homology to tau-crystallin.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of mitiglinide and sulfonylureas in isolated canine coronary arteries and perfused rat hearts.

Our aim was to compare the cardiovascular effects of mitiglinide ((+)-monocalcium bis[(2S,3a,7a-cis)-alpha-benzylhexahydro-gamma-oxo-2-isoindolinebutyrate] dehydrate), a novel hypoglycemic drug, with those of glibenclamide and glimepiride, two sulfonylurea drugs. In isolated canine coronary arteries (organ-bath method), mitiglinide, glibenclamide, and glimepiride competitively antagonized the cromakalim-induced relaxation (pA2 values, 5.29, 7.36, and 7.49, respectively). In isolated perfused rat hearts (Langendorff method) subjected to a 12-min global ischemia followed by a 30-min reperfusion, mitiglinide (3 x 10(-6) mol/l) altered neither the change in coronary perfusion flow nor the alterations in cardiac functions associated with reperfusion. In contrast, both glibenclamide (3 x 10(-8) mol/l) and glimepiride (1 x 10(-7) mol/l) significantly reduced coronary perfusion flow after reperfusion. Moreover, at 30 min of reperfusion: (1) glibenclamide induced a significant increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and significant decreases in left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular developed pressure, and the maximum first derivative of left ventricular pressure, while (2) glimepiride induced significant decreases in left ventricular developed pressure and the maximum first derivative of left ventricular pressure. Thus, the cardiovascular effects of mitiglinide (at least, in these rat and dog preparations) may be weaker than those of glibenclamide and glimepiride.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Computational verification of anesthesia effect on temperature variations in rabbit eyes exposed to 2.45 GHz microwave energy.

This paper computationally verifies the effect of anesthesia on temperature variations in the rabbit eye due to microwave energy. The main reason for this investigation is that our previous paper suggested a reduction in blood flow due to the administration of anesthesia, resulting in an overestimated temperature increase. However, no quantitative investigation has yet been conducted. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used for calculating power absorption and temperature variation in rabbits. For this purpose, we used a computational rabbit phantom, which is comprised of 12 tissues (including 6 eye tissues) with a resolution of 1 mm. Thermal constants of the rabbit were derived by comparing measured and calculated temperatures. For intense microwave exposure to the rabbit eye, time courses of calculated and measured temperatures were in good agreement for cases both with and without the administration of anesthesia. The point to be stressed is that under anesthesia the thermoregulatory response was inactivated and blood flow and basal metabolism was reduced.

Absorption↗

PubMed2006

Cardiovascular effects of KUR-1246, a new tetrahydronaphthalen derivative beta2-adrenoceptor agonist and a selective uterine relaxant.

The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular effects of KUR-1246 (CAS 194785-31-4, (-)-bis(2-{[(2S)-2-({(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl) phenyl] ethyl}amino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-7-yl]oxy}-N,N-dimethylacetamide)monosulfate), a new beta2-adrenoceptor agonist tocolytic agent. In conscious dogs, the intravenous administration of KUR-1246 at 0.1 and 1 microg/kg had no effects on blood pressure, heart rate or femoral artery blood flow. KUR-1246 at 10 and 100 microg/kg significantly decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate. In the electrocardiograms, KUR-1246 did not affect QT intervals or QTc. In addition, the cardiac effects of KUR-1246 were evaluated in in vitro electrophysiological studies. KUR-1246 at 10 micromol/L did not affect action potential parameters (the maximal upstroke velocity, resting membrane potential, action potential amplitude and action potential durations) in isolated papillary muscles of guinea pigs or in the human ether-a-go-go related gene (HERG) tail current recorded from stably transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. On the basis of these results, the effects of KUR-1246 in conscious dogs on the cardiovascular system appear to be limited to changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, KUR-1246 is unlikely to provoke ventricular arrhythmias by delaying the ventricular repolarization.

Acetamides↗

PubMed2006

Effects of KUR-1246, a selective uterine relaxant, on transplacental passage and transmigration to milk.

AIM: To evaluate the safety of KUR-1246 as a tocolytic agent, we determined the effects of its constant infusion on efficacy, transplacental passage, and transmigration to milk in pregnant or puerperal animals and compared them to the effects of ritodrine hydrochloride. METHODS: A balloon method was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of KUR-1246 constant infusion on spontaneous uterine motility in pregnant rats. We also measured transplacental passage and transmigration to milk of KUR-1246 in pregnant and/or puerperal animals. KUR-1246 and ritodrine hydrochloride concentrations were quantified using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: Constant infusion of KUR-1246 and ritodrine hydrochloride clearly inhibited spontaneous uterine motility in vivo. The ED50 value for KUR-1246 was 1.1 mg/kg/min, a potency which was approximately 40-fold greater than that of ritodrine hydrochloride. Transplacental passage (proportions of fetal plasma/maternal plasma) of KUR-1246 in pregnant rats and/or guinea pigs were approximately one-half to one-third of that of ritodrine hydrochloride. Transmigration of KUR-1246 to milk in puerperal rats disappeared by 48 h after injection. CONCLUSIONS: KUR-1246 is a promising drug for the treatment of preterm labor in obstetric practice because it is as efficacious as currently used agents yet less likely to produce direct effects on the fetus.

Acetamides↗

PubMed2005

Expression of cystatin C prevents oxidative stress-induced death in PC12 cells.

Cystatin C, an inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, is suggested to be involved in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of cultured CNS neurons and various neuronal diseases in vivo; however, little is known about its mechanism of action. To address the role cystatin C plays in oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death, we established PC12 cell lines that stably expressed rat cystatin C. These cystatin C-expressing PC12 cells showed remarkable resistance to high (50%) oxygen atmosphere. This resistance correlate with expression levels of cystatin C, demonstrating that cystatin C has a protective effect on high oxygen-induced cell death. In contrast, in a normal (20%) oxygen atmosphere neither control nor cystatin C-expressing PC12 cells showed a significant change in the number of living cells, indicating that cystatin C does not play an important role in the regulation of cellular proliferation. Furthermore, the cystatin C-expressing cell line also resisted other oxidative stresses, including glutamate- and 13-L-hydroperoxylinoleic acid (LOOH)-induced cell death. These results demonstrate that cystatin C has protective effects against various oxidative stresses that induce cell death.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The potency of KUL-7211, a selective ureteral relaxant, in isolated canine ureter: comparison with various spasmolytics.

We compared the potency of a selective ureteral relaxant KUL-7211 (beta(2)/beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist; (-)-2-[4-(2-{[(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]amino}ethyl)phenyloxy]acetic acid) with those of various spasmolytics on contractions in isolated canine ureteral preparations. Drug effects were evaluated on the tonic contraction induced by KCl (80 mM) and on spontaneous, 1x10(-5) M phenylephrine-, and 1x10(-6) M PGF(2alpha)-induced rhythmic contractions in isolated canine ureteral preparations using a functional experimental technique. The potencies (pD(2) value) of the following drugs were compared: KUL-7211, tamsulosin (an alpha(1A/1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist), prazosin (an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), verapamil (a Ca(2+)-channel blocker), butylscopolamine (a nonselective muscarinic antagonist), and papaverine (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor). The rank order of relaxing potencies against KCl-induced tonic contraction was KUL-7211 (6.60)>tamsulosin(5.90)>verapamil(5.70)>papaverine(4.88)>prazosin (4.54). The rank order of potencies for reductions in spontaneous rhythmic contractions was KUL-7211 (6.80)>verapamil(6.12)>papaverine(5.05). Conversely, high concentrations of the two alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists (tamsulosin and prazosin) and of butylscopolamine enhanced the spontaneous contractions, although at low concentrations (up to 1x10(-6) M) they had no significant effects. For suppression of spasmogen-induced rhythmic contractions, the rank order of potencies was, against phenylephrine-induced contractions: KUL-7211 (6.95)>tamsulosin(6.26)>prazosin(5.68)>verapamil(5.64)>papaverine (5.03), and against PGF(2alpha)-induced contractions: KUL-7211 (7.05)>verapamil(6.70)>papaverine (5.27). Our results suggest that in dogs, the beta(2)/beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist KUL-7211 is the most efficacious ureteral relaxant among the spasmolytics tested against various contractions. Possibly, KUL-7211 might be useful for promoting stone passage and relieving ureteral colic in urolithiasis patients.

Acetates↗

PubMed2005

Temperature rises in the crystalline lens from focal irradiation.

Many types of ophthalmic instruments produce a concentrated focal irradiance in the lens. Instruments that illuminate large areas of the retina-known as "Maxwellian-view," are but one example, and there are concerns about the potential hazards associated with this optical system. The transfer of the heat generated in the human eye in Maxwellian-view illumination or similar focal-beam situations was simulated using a mathematical model to determine the temperature elevations induced in the human eye. The maximum temperature rise in the lens region was examined to quantitatively assess the potential thermal hazard to the lens. It was shown that Maxwellian-view illumination or similar focal-beam situations can cause thermal injury to the lens under certain conditions, and that this hazard is greater for incident wavelengths of about 320-420 nm than for longer wavelengths. The risk of thermal injury increases as exposure duration increases, and the risk tends to increase as the beam waist diameter or Maxwellian-view angle decreases.

Body Temperature↗

PubMed2004

Rat model of the hypercalcaemia induced by parathyroid hormone-related protein: characteristics of three bisphosphonates.

In our preliminary experiment, we found that a constant infusion of a high dose of parathyroid hormone-related protein induced both hyperphosphataemia and hypocalcaemia, secondary to renal dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we developed two types of parathyroid hormone-related protein-induced hypercalcaemia models. One is the hypercalcaemia model, which did not show renal-dysfunction-induced hypocalcaemia. This model might be suitable for estimating hypocalcaemic activities of drugs, especially of those that act on bone resorption. The other is the model for estimating histological changes, which is associated with renal dysfunction. We then used these models to investigate the effects of three different bisphosphonates. Since the hypercalcaemic effect of parathyroid hormone-related protein infusion plateaued at 20 pmol/h, and higher doses of parathyroid hormone-related protein caused an elevation of blood urea nitrogen, the parathyroid hormone-related protein infusion rate was fixed at 20 pmol/h to avoid renal dysfunction and at 40 pmol/h to elicit renal dysfunction. The hypocalcaemic efficiencies of clodronate and etidronate were almost the same but pamidronate was 17.9 times more potent than clodronate. Additionally, both clodronate and pamidronate decreased the plasma concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and the Ca2+ times inorganic P product, whereas etidronate lacked these effects. Clodronate suppressed renal calcification and tubular dilatation in the renal-dysfunction model. These data indicated that clodronate and pamidronate not only decrease the plasma Ca2+ concentration but also improve the renal dysfunction induced by hypercalcaemia.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

BDNF-induced recruitment of TrkB receptor into neuronal lipid rafts: roles in synaptic modulation.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity but the underlying signaling mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we show that BDNF rapidly recruits full-length TrkB (TrkB-FL) receptor into cholesterol-rich lipid rafts from nonraft regions of neuronal plasma membranes. Translocation of TrkB-FL was blocked by Trk inhibitors, suggesting a role of TrkB tyrosine kinase in the translocation. Disruption of lipid rafts by depleting cholesterol from cell surface blocked the ligand-induced translocation. Moreover, disruption of lipid rafts prevented potentiating effects of BDNF on transmitter release in cultured neurons and synaptic response to tetanus in hippocampal slices. In contrast, lipid rafts are not required for BDNF regulation of neuronal survival. Thus, ligand-induced TrkB translocation into lipid rafts may represent a signaling mechanism selective for synaptic modulation by BDNF in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Lipid rafts mediate chemotropic guidance of nerve growth cones.

Axon guidance requires signal transduction of extracellular cues through the plasma membrane for directional motility. Here we present evidence that cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) mediate specific guidance responses of nerve growth cones. Disruption of lipid rafts by various approaches targeting cholesterol or gangliosides selectively abolished growth cone attraction and repulsion in BDNF and netrin-1 gradients, respectively, without affecting glutamate-induced attraction. Interestingly, local raft disruption on one side of the growth cone in bath BDNF or netrin-1 produced opposite turning responses to that induced by the gradients. Raft manipulation also blocked Semaphorin 3A-induced growth cone repulsion, inhibition, and collapse. Finally, guidance responses appeared to involve raft-dependent activation of p42/p44 MAPK and ligand-induced receptor recruitment to lipid rafts. Together with the observation of asymmetric receptor-raft associations at the growth cone in guidance gradients, our findings indicate that localized signaling through membrane rafts plays a role in mediating guidance actions of extracellular cues on developing axons.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

TMX, a human transmembrane oxidoreductase of the thioredoxin family: the possible role in disulfide-linked protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Various proteins sharing thioredoxin (Trx)-like active site sequences (Cys-Xxx-Xxx-Cys) have been found and classified in the Trx superfamily. Among them, transmembrane Trx-related protein (TMX) was recently identified as a novel protein possessing an atypical active site sequence, Cys-Pro-Ala-Cys. In the present study, we describe the properties of this membranous Trx-related molecule. Endogenous TMX was detected as a protein of approximately 30 kDa with a cleavable signal peptide. TMX was enriched in membrane fractions and exhibited a similar subcellular distribution with calnexin localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The examination of membrane topology of TMX suggested that the N-terminal region containing the Trx-like domain was present in the ER lumen, where protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was found to assist protein folding. Recombinant TMX showed PDI-like activity to refold scrambled RNase. These results indicate the possibility that TMX can modify certain molecules with its oxidoreductase activity and be involved in the redox regulation in the ER.

Calnexin↗

PubMed2004

Influence of anesthesia on ocular effects and temperature in rabbit eyes exposed to microwaves.

To investigate the effect of systemic anesthesia on ocular effects and temperature in rabbit eyes exposed to microwaves, one eye each of 43 male pigmented rabbits (Dutch, 1.8-2.2 kg) was exposed at 2.45 GHz for 60-20 min (300 mW/cm2; 108 W/kg), either under anesthesia (ketamine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg) + xylazine (0.23 mg/kg)) or without anesthesia. Changes in the anterior segment were evaluated by image analysis utilizing a Scheimpflug camera, specular microscopy, and a laser flare cell meter. Temperatures within the eye were measured during microwave exposure by a Fluoroptic thermometer. The exposed eyes showed miosis, conjunctival congestion, corneal edema, and an increase in the light scattering of the anterior shallow cortex in the pupillary area of the lens. The group under systemic anesthesia showed much stronger symptoms than those treated without anesthesia. All of the anterior ocular changes disappeared within a week. The highest temperature during exposure was in the vitreous, followed by the anterior chamber, and the retrobulbar cavity of the orbit. The ocular temperatures of the rabbits under systemic anesthesia were 2-9 degrees C higher than those without anesthesia. Body temperature showed an increase of 1 degrees C during the exposure. Acute high intensity microwave exposure temporarily induced anterior segments inflammation and lens changes. The more pronounced ocular effects in the anesthetized rabbits were associated with the significantly higher ocular temperatures in the anesthetized animals. The influence of systemic anesthesia on ocular changes should be considered.

Anesthetics↗

PubMed2004

Effects of clodronate and alendronate on local and systemic changes in bone metabolism in rats with adjuvant arthritis.

We compared the effects of nonaminobisphosphonate (nonamino-BP; clodronate) and amino-BP (alendronate) on the changes in local and systemic bone metabolism associated with chronic inflammation in adjuvant-arthritis rats. A given rat received one of the BPs orally each day for 28 days from the day of adjuvant inoculation. Hindpaw swelling was observed from day 10 after adjuvant inoculation up to day 28 (peak, day 21). Clodronate slightly decreased the hindpaw swelling at doses of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg, p.o./day; however, alendronate (0.125-0.5 mg/kg) did not. Radiological examination of the distal limb joints revealed that only clodronate decreased bone deformation. Urinary deoxypyridinoline increased as arthritis developed, and it was decreased by clodronate. On day 29, pQCT analysis of the 5th lumbar vertebra revealed trabecular bone loss and cortical bone thinning in the arthritis control group, leading to compressive strength being reduced. Both BPs prevented this bone loss and strength reduction. These data suggest that only clodronate decreases inflammation and local bone deformation, while both BPs inhibit the arthritis-related decreases in systemic bone mass and bone strength. Clodronate would be useful in the treatment of inflammation-induced bone deformation and osteopenia.

Alendronate↗

PubMed2004

Effects of cholinergic drugs on ureteral function in anesthetized dogs.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of the nonselective muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol (CCh) and its antagonist atropine on ureteral function in anesthetized dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Drug effects were evaluated on elevated pressure in a completely obstructed ureter and peristalsis in its partially obstructed fellow ureters as well as on intravesical isovolumetric pressure. RESULTS: CCh (0.1 to 1.0 microg/kg intravenously) dose dependently decreased elevated pressure and peristalsis in completely and partially obstructed ureters, respectively, and increased intravesical isovolumetric pressure. On the other hand, atropine (0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg intravenously) had no significant effects on these 3 variables. Prior administration of atropine (1.0 mg/kg intravenously) completely inhibited the described CCh induced effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that in anesthetized dogs cholinergic receptor stimulation has a suppressive effect on ureteral pressure and peristalsis in obstructed ureters, in contrast to its activation of bladder smooth muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Pharmacological characterization of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating relaxation in porcine isolated ureteral smooth muscle.

PURPOSE: We pharmacologically characterized the functional beta-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating porcine ureteral smooth muscle relaxation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of various beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on KCl induced tonic contractions in isolated porcine ureteral preparations were evaluated using a functional experimental technique. RESULTS: The rank order of potency for the catecholamines tested was isoprenaline > adrenaline > noradrenaline. All beta2-adrenoceptor agonists tested (salbutamol, procaterol and terbutaline) attenuated the KCl induced contraction. The 2 beta3-adrenoceptor agonists CL-316243 ((R, R)-5-[2-[[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethylamino]propyl]-1,3-benzodioxole-2,2-dicarboxylate], Kissei, Nagano, Japan) and CGP-12177A ((+/-)[4-[3[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-1,3-dihydro-2 H-benzimidazol-2-one hydrochloride], Funakoshi, Tokyo, Japan) also relaxed the ureter. The beta1-adrenoceptor agonist dobutamine had a relaxing effect on the ureter only at high concentrations (over 1 x 10 M). Isoprenaline induced relaxation was antagonized by the beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI-118,551 ((+/-)-1-[(2,3-dihydro-7-methyl-1 H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]-2-butanol hydrochloride, Sigma, St. Louis, Missouri) but not by the beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist CGP 20712A ((+/-)-2-hydroxy-5-[2-[[2-hydroxy-3-[4-[1-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1 H-imidazol-2-yl]phenoxy]propyl]amino]ethoxy]-benzamide methanesulphonate, Funakoshi). In the presence of 1x 10 M CGP 20712A plus 1 x 10 M ICI-118,551 the beta3-adrenoceptor antagonist SR 58894A (3-(2-allylphenoxy)-1-[(1 S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-1-ylamino]-(2 S)-2-propanol hydrochloride, Kissei) antagonized isoprenaline induced relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that porcine ureteral smooth muscle is relaxed by beta2 and beta3-adrenergic stimulation, as in humans.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed2004

[Pharmacological and clinical profile of mitiglinide calcium hydrate (Glufast), a new insulinotropic agent with rapid onset].

Mitiglinide calcium hydrate (mitiglinide, Glufast) is a new insulinotropic agent of the glinide class with rapid onset. Mitiglinide is thought to stimulate insulin secretion by closing the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels in pancreatic beta-cells, and its early insulin release and short duration of action would be effective in improving postprandial hyperglycemia. In studies of various cloned K(ATP) channels, mitiglinide shows a higher selectivity for the beta-cell type of SUR1/Kir6.2 than the cardiac and smooth muscle types of K(ATP) channels in comparison with glibenclamide and glimepiride. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the insulinotropic effect of mitiglinide is more potent than that of nateglinide, and mitiglinide surpassed in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia in normal and diabetic animals. In clinical trials, treatment with mitiglinide provided lasting improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetic patients and decreased the fasting plasma glucose levels and HbA(1C) values. The incidence of adverse events related to mitiglinide were nearly equivalent to placebo; in particular there was no difference with the frequency of hypoglycemia. The results from these studies indicated that mitiglinide could be expected to possess good therapeutic features of being effective in reducing postprandial glucose excursions in the early stage of Type 2 diabetes and less incidence of events suggestive of hypoglycemia.

Animals↗