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Biomedical subjects

T Fukami

Publications and source records attributed to T Fukami.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

L-152,804: orally active and selective neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor antagonist.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) elicits food intake through the action of hypothalamic G-protein-coupled receptors. Previous publications indicate that the Y5 receptor may represent one of these postulated hypothalamic "feeding" receptors. Using a potent and orally available Y5 antagonist L-152,804, we evaluated the involvement of the Y5 receptor in feeding regulation. L-152,804 displaced [125I]peptide YY (PYY) binding to human and rat Y5 receptors with Ki values of 26 and 31 nM, respectively, and inhibited NPY (100 nM)-induced increase in intracellular calcium levels via human Y5 receptors (IC50 = 210 nM). L-152,804 did not show significant affinity for human Y1, Y2, and Y4 receptors at a dose of 10 microM. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) (30 microg) or oral (10 mg/kg) administration of L-152,804 significantly inhibited food intake evoked by i.c.v.-injected bovine pancreatic peptide (bPP, 5 microg; a moderately selective Y4, Y5 agonist) in satiated SD rats. However L-152,804 did not significantly inhibit i.c.v. NPY (5 microg; a Y1, Y2, Y5 agonist)-induced food intake. These findings suggest that L-152,804 is a selective and potent non-peptide Y5 antagonist with oral bioavailability and brain penetrability. In addition, the anorexigenic effects of L-152,804 on bPP-induced feeding revealed participation of the Y5 receptor in feeding regulation, while i.c.v. administration of NPY does not appear to significantly contribute to Y5 stimulated food intake. We conclude that the potent and orally active Y5 antagonist, L-152,804, represents a useful tool to address the physiological role of the Y5 receptor.

Administration, Oral↗

Role of the Y1 receptor in the regulation of neuropeptide Y-mediated feeding: comparison of wild-type, Y1 receptor-deficient, and Y5 receptor-deficient mice.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases food intake through the action of hypothalamic NPY receptors. At least six subtypes of NPY, peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) receptors have been identified in mice. Although the involvement of Y1 and Y5 receptors in feeding regulation has been suggested, the relative importance of each of these NPY receptors and the participation of a novel feeding receptor are still unclear. To address this issue, we generated a Y1 receptor-deficient (Y1-/-) and a Y5 receptor-deficient (Y5-/-) mouse line in which we directly compared the orexigenic effects of NPY and its analogs after intracerebroventricular (icv) administration. The icv NPY-induced food intake was remarkably reduced in Y1-/- mice, but was not significantly altered by inactivation of the Y5 receptor. The Y1 receptor therefore plays a dominant role in NPY-induced feeding. Stimulation of feeding by moderately selective Y5 agonists [PYY-(3-36), human PP, and bovine PP] was reduced in Y5-/- mice, although food intake did not decrease to vehicle control levels. These results indicate that the Y5 receptor functions as one of the feeding receptors. In addition, the finding that Y5-preferring agonists still induce food intake in Y5-/- mice suggests a role for another NPY receptor(s), including the possibility of novel NPY receptors. Surprisingly, despite the limited efficacy of PYY-(3-36) and PPs at the Y1 receptor, food consumption induced by these agonists was significantly diminished in Y1-/- mice compared with that in wild-type controls. These observations suggest that the feeding stimulation induced by NPY and its analogs may be directly or indirectly modulated by the action of the Y1 receptor. We conclude that multiple NPY receptors, possibly including the novel feeding receptor, are involved in the feeding response evoked by NPY and its analogs. Among them, the Y1 receptor plays a key role in NPY-induced feeding in mice.

Animals↗

A case of sarcoidosis presenting as multiple pulmonary nodules, nasopharyngeal and cerebellopontine tumors.

A 64-year-old woman presented with multiple pulmonary nodules, and after spontaneous regression of the pulmonary lesions in six months, nasopharyngeal and right cerebellopontine tumors developed. Noncaseous epithelioid cell granulomas were demonstrated histologically in both resected pulmonary and nasopharyngeal tumors. She complained of hearing loss and tinnitus probably due to the cerebellopontine tumors. Corticosteroid therapy resulted in the improvement of these symptoms and the gradual decrease of tumor size. Although histological probe of the cerebellopontine tumors was not diagnostic, this patient was finally diagnosed as having sarcoidosis, based on the clinicopathological features, including systemic granulomatous lesions, MRI findings, and good response to corticosteroid therapy. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is sometimes difficult when its clinical manifestations are uncommon.

Cerebellar Diseases↗

[Pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma associated with recurrent pneumothorax: report of a case].

A 25-years-old male, current smoker, was referred to our department for treatment of the right pneumothorax due to pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma. He underwent thoracoscopic partial resection of the right lung. Immunostaining of the specimen revealed a lot of Langerhans cells positive for S 100 protein, suggesting active lesion. After cessation of smoking, no recurrence of pneumothorax or progression of disease have been observed for 13 months.

Adult↗

The novel neuropeptide Y Y(1) receptor antagonist J-104870: a potent feeding suppressant with oral bioavailability.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is known to induce robust feeding through the action of NPY receptors in the hypothalamus. Among the subtypes of NPY receptors, Y(1) receptors may play a key role in feeding regulation. In the present study, we demonstrated that a novel Y(1) antagonist, J-104870, shows high selectivity and potency for the Y(1) receptor with an anorexigenic effect on NPY-mediated feeding. J-104870 displaced [(125)I]peptide YY (PYY) binding to cloned human and rat Y(1) receptors with K(i) values of 0.29 and 0.54 nM, respectively, and inhibited the NPY (10 nM)-induced increase in intracellular calcium levels (IC(50) = 3.2 nM) in cells expressing human Y(1) receptors. In contrast, J-104870 showed low affinities for human Y(2) (K(i) > 10 microM), Y(4) (K(i) > 10 microM), and Y(5) receptors (K(i) = 6 microM). In rat hypothalamic membranes, J-104870 also completely displaced the binding of [(125)I]1229U91, which is known to bind to the typical Y(1) receptor, with a high affinity (K(i) = 2.0 nM). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of J-104870 (200 microg) significantly suppressed NPY (5 microg)-induced feeding in satiated Sprague-Dawley rats by 74%. Furthermore, ICV and oral administration of J-104870 (200 microg and 100 mg/kg, respectively) significantly suppressed spontaneous food intake in Zucker fatty rats. These findings suggested that J-104870 is a selective and potent nonpeptide Y(1) antagonist with oral bioavailability and brain penetrability. In addition, the anorexigenic effect of J-104870 clearly revealed the participation of the Y(1) receptor in NPY-mediated feeding regulation. The potent and orally active Y(1) antagonist J-104970 is a useful tool for elucidating the physiological roles of NPY in obesity.

Administration, Oral↗

Interleukin-4-producing cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-4 stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblasts in vitro. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of interleukin-4 in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODOLOGY: We compared interleukin-4 expressing cells in tissues from 11 patients with pathologically confirmed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with early stage inflammatory lesions versus advanced lesions. We also performed double staining in order to elucidate which inflammatory cells produce interleukin-4 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. RESULTS: Greater numbers of interleukin-4 positive cells were observed in the advanced lesions than in the early lesions. We also found that early stage lesions showed a predominance of CD3/interleukin-4 double positive cells whereas, the advanced stage lesions had higher percentages of the EG2/interleukin-4 double positive cells and the tryptase/interleukin-4 double positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that interleukin-4 may be involved in progression of interstitial fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, in which we confirmed a significant contribution of eosinophils and mast cells to interleukin-4 production.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT), an automated culture system for detection of mycobacteria from clinical specimens].

We compared the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube 960 (MGIT 960) and Ogawa medium (OM) for the detection of mycobacteria (acid fast bacteria: AFB) using 882 sputum specimens. Overall, 120 strains of AFB were isolated by the MGIT 960 system and 99 strains of AFB were isolated by using OM. As far as Mycobacterium tuberculosis is concerned, 88 and 71 isolates were achieved by the MGIT 960 and OM respectively. A total of 28 isolates (18 isolates of M. tuberculosis and 10 isolates of nontuberculous mycobacteria: NTM) were detected by the MGIT 960 only whereas only 2 isolates (1 M. tuberculosis and 1 NTM) were detected by OM only. Of these sputum specimens, 72 were smear positive for AFB. The rates of smear negative but culture positive specimens were 8.0% (65 out of 809) for the MGIT 960 system and 6.2% (50 out of 809) for OM. The contamination rate for MGIT 960 was only 1.2%. The average time required for detection of M. tuberculosis was 14.1 days by the MGIT 960 system and 24.6 days by OM. For the NTM, the average detection time were 8.3 days for the MGIT 960 system and 22.8 days for OM. These results indicate that the MGIT 960 system allows detection of mycobacteria significantly faster than OM.

Automation↗

NPY-induced feeding involves the action of a Y1-like receptor in rodents.

We have reported that the potent peptidic Y1 antagonist, 1229U91, significantly suppressed NPY-induced and spontaneous feeding [32,33]. However, information on the precise selectivity of 1229U91 for NPY receptors is lacking. The Y5 receptor has been considered a key receptor for feeding regulation. In the present study we showed that 1229U91 has high affinities for the human and rat Y1 receptors (Ki = 0.041 nM and 0.16 nM, respectively) and also a high affinity for the human Y4 receptor (Ki = 0.33 nM), whereas it shows moderate affinities for the human Y2, Y5 and rat Y5 receptors (K values of 20-170 nM). Moreover, 1229U91 potently inhibits NPY-induced [Ca2+]i increases in cells expressing human Y1 receptors. In contrast, 1229U91 is an agonist at other NPY receptors like the Y2, Y4 and Y5 receptors. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.)-injected 1229U91 (30 microg/head) significantly suppressed human NPY-induced feeding in SD rats, while 1229U91 only moderately inhibited bovine pancreatic polypeptide (bPP; an in vivo Y5 agonist)-induced feeding. These results indicate that the food intake evoked by NPY might be mediated by the Y1 receptor, rather than the Y5 receptor. Thus, the Y1 receptor or possibly a novel Y1-like receptor sensitive to 1229U91 may play a key role in the regulation of NPY-induced feeding.

Animals↗

Detection rate of the cervical gland area during pregnancy by transvaginal sonography in the assessment of cervical maturation.

OBJECTIVES: To detect the cervical gland area during normal pregnancy, and to determine its detection rate and relationship with cervical maturation. DESIGN: This was a mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional sonographic study involving a total of 514 transvaginal scans performed for detection of cervical gland area and measurement of cervical length in 260 normal singleton pregnancies at 16-41 weeks of gestation. The conventional cervical maturation index was measured simultaneously by digital examination. RESULTS: The detection rate of cervical gland area remained practically constant until the 31st week of pregnancy, but significantly decreased thereafter. Highly significant correlations were noted between the detection rate of cervical gland area and cervical length, cervical gland area and cervical maturation index, and cervical length and cervical maturation index. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed for the first time that cervical gland area can be detected sonographically and that its absence might be a predictor of preterm labor.

Adolescent↗

A potent neuropeptide Y antagonist, 1229U91, suppressed spontaneous food intake in Zucker fatty rats.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most potent orexigenic substances known. 1229U91 was found to be a potent and selective NPY antagonist. To elucidate a physiological role of NPY in hyperphagia in obese animals, we studied the effect of 1229U91 on spontaneous food intake in obese and lean Zucker rats. The food intake of Zucker rats was suppressed by intracerebroventricular administration of 1229U91 more potently in obese than in lean animals without abnormal behavior (31.7 and 67.3% inhibition at doses of 10 and 30 micrograms, respectively, in Zucker fatty rats and 22.2% inhibition at 30 micrograms in lean rats). This compound markedly suppressed NPY-induced food intake at 30 micrograms but did not affect galanin-induced food intake, suggesting that the feeding suppression seen in Zucker fatty and lean rats is pharmacologically and behaviorally specific. These results suggest that NPY is involved in feeding behavior in Zucker fatty rats and that NPY contributes to feeding to a greater degree in Zucker fatty than in lean rats. The hyperphagia in Zucker fatty rats may be due to the abnormal overactivation of the NPYergic system.

Animals↗

Ultramicro-analysis by use of light-scanning photoacoustic densitometry for electrophoresed protein in human hair.

A technique was developed for the ultramicro-analysis of proteins electrophoresed by Laemmli's method using a light-scanning photoacoustic densitometer. After electrophoresis, the proteins were blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane filter and colored by the avidin-biotin complex method. This filter was then measured using a photoacoustic densitometer. The optimal blotting time was 150 min. The relative standard deviation of four measurements was 3.89% for 200 ng bovine serum albumin (BSA). The limits of detection were 2.3, 0.69, 4.4, and 2.9 ng (S/N = 3) for BSA, ovalbumin, carbonic anhydrase, and alpha-Lactoalbum respectively. Proteins eluted from hair by various harmful agents, such as a surfactant and UV irradiation, were analyzed by the present method. Using 2-mercaptoethanol, the molecular weights of proteins in hair were in the range of 14,000-64,000. Maximal elution of protein was obtained at pH 8. More protein was eluted under alkaline conditions than under acidic conditions. A protein of Mr 68,000 was eluted from hair by oxidative treatment with either UV irradiation or sodium bromate.

Acoustics↗

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2-substituted D-tryptophan-containing peptidic endothelin receptor antagonists: importance of the C-2 substituent of the D-tryptophan residue for endothelin A and B receptor subtype selectivity.

Continuing studies on modifications of potent cyclic pentapeptide endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists, represented by BQ-123, and potent linear tripeptide derivative ET receptor antagonists, represented by BQ-788, are described herein. The introduction of D-tryptophan analogues with C-2 substituents in these peptidic ET antagonists resulted in potent ET receptor antagonists with various ETA/ETB subtype selectivity. Combined ETA/ETB receptor antagonists were found in both cyclic pentapeptide and linear tripeptide series with 2-halo- and 2-methyl-D-tryptophans. In contrast, compounds with 2-cyano-D-tryptophan were ETB receptor-selective antagonists. The C-2 substituent of the D-tryptophanyl residue appeared to be very important for the discrimination of ETA/ETB subtype selectivity of the antagonists. The potent ET receptor antagonists with various ETA/ETB subtype selectivity synthesized in this study may be useful tools for elucidating the physiological and pathophysiological roles of ET and ET receptors.

Animals↗

Cyclic pentapeptide endothelin A receptor antagonists with attenuated in vivo clearance.

A series of analogues of BQ-123 (1), a potent cyclic pentapeptide endothelin A receptor antagonist, with amino acids linked to the side-chain of the Pro residue via an ester linkage was synthesized. All analogues synthesized exhibited potent endothelin A receptor binding affinity similar to that of 1. Of the synthesized analogues, the Lys, Arg and N alpha,N epsilon-dimethyllysine analogues, 9d-f, exhibited about a three-fold attenuation of in vivo clearance compared with 1. In rats, these analogues exhibited a 3-fold-higher plasma concentration and a longer retention time in plasma as compared with those of 1. The attenuated in vivo clearance was thought to be a consequence of decreased extraction of the compounds from the blood via the hepatic anion transport system, which efficiently extracts 1 from the blood.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A rare case of severe acute pancreatitis complicated with pancreatic pseudocysts, obstructive jaundice and intraperitoneal hemorrhage.

A 58-year-old man visited our hospital because of back pain. Blood examinations revealed the presence of acute inflammation and an increase of pancreatic enzymes. Abdominal computed tomography indicated pseudocysts in the pancreas. The patient was diagnosed as having acute pancreatitis with pseudocysts formation. During the course of the disease, a newly formed pseudocyst in the pancreatic head compressed the common bile duct, leading to the obstructive jaundice. In addition, the rupture of a pseudocyst in the pancreatic tail caused intraperitoneal hemorrhage. This is an interesting case of acute pancreatitis with pseudocysts in which two rare complications developed.

Acute Disease↗

[Central retinal vein occlusion after embolization for spontaneous carotid cavernous sinus fistula].

A patient with spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, who developed central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) after interventional surgery, was reported. A 78-year-old woman was admitted with symptoms of right abducens palsy and conjunctival injection. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed bilateral carotid cavernous sinus fistulas supplied by dural branches of the carotid arteries. After embolization of the feeding arteries and the right cavernous sinus using PVA and platinum coils respectively, her symptom improved gradually. Six months after the embolization, she was readmitted because of blurred vision and abducens palsy on the left side. Engorgements of the cavernous sinuses and draining veins, and the shunt flow of the fistula were much less on DSA than those seen previously, but ophthalmologic studies showed an impending central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in her left eye. Prognosis of CRVO is generally poor. We discussed the mechanism of CRVO occurring after interventional surgery for CCF and the tactics for preventing it, and early detection of its development.

Aged↗

Carrier-mediated active transport of BQ-123, a peptidic endothelin antagonist, into rat hepatocytes.

The hepatic uptake mechanisms and pharmacokinetics of BQ-123, an anionic cyclopentapeptidic endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonist, were studied in rats. Elimination of BQ-123 from plasma after intravenous injection of the compound was very rapid as evidenced by high total body clearance (CLtot, 50 ml/min/kg), which is comparable with hepatic blood flow rate. Within 1 hr after injection, 86% of the dose was excreted as its intact form in the bile. BQ-123 was taken up extensively by isolated rat hepatocytes both Na(+)-dependently and Na(+)-independently. The Na(+)-dependent system transported BQ-123 with higher affinity than did the Na(+)-independent system (Km; 6 and 12 microM, respectively), but its capacity was lower (Vmax; 140 and 390 pmol/min/10(6) cells, respectively). Both uptake systems were found to be active transport systems because of explicit inhibition by metabolic inhibitors. BQ-485, an anionic linear tripeptide, strongly inhibited BQ-123 uptake with Ki values of 1.6 and 2.5 microM for Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent systems, respectively, whereas BQ-587, a cationic cyclopentapeptide, inhibited BQ-123 uptake only slightly. Considering this in vitro finding and the low in vivo CLtot of BQ-587 together, the carrier systems for BQ-123 seem to recognize negatively charged substances selectively. Both Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent uptake of BQ-123 were competitively inhibited by a bile acid (taurocholate) and an organic anion (dibromosulfophthalein). The Ki values were comparable with the Km values of taurocholate and dibromosulfophthalein transport, which suggests that the Na(+)-dependent system corresponds to the bile acid transporter and that the Na(+)-independent system corresponds to the organic anion transporter.

Animals↗

Structure-activity relationships of cyclic pentapeptide endothelin A receptor antagonists.

Analogues of the natural product endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonists cyclo(-D-Trp1-D-Glu2-Ala3-D-Val4-Leu5-) (1) and cyclo(-D-Trp1-D-Glu2-Ala3-D-alloIle4-Leu5-) (2) were prepared and tested for inhibitory activity against [125I]endothelin (ET-1) binding to protein ETA receptors. The DDLDL chirality sequence of the natural products appeared to be critical for inhibitory activity because conversion of either D-Trp or D-Glu (or both) in 1 to the corresponding L-isomer(s) abolished this property. Systematic modifications at each position of the natural products clarified the structure-activity relationships and led to highly potent and selective ETA receptor antagonists. Most replacements of D-Trp1 and Leu5 with other amino acids caused a significant loss of inhibitory activity. In contrast, replacement of D-Glu2 with D-Asp2 enhanced the activity. With regard to the Ala3 position, all analogues with imino acids, independent of being cyclic or acyclic, showed higher affinities than did the amino acid analogues. In addition, most replacements with amino acids, which had various functional groups in their side chains, did not significantly modify ETA binding affinity. The D-Val4/D-alloIle4 position was very important for inhibitory activity, and a beta-position branched D-amino acid or a D-heteroarylglycine was preferable at this position. Among synthesized cyclic pentapeptides, compound 36 (BQ-518) was the most potent ETA receptor antagonist, with a pA2 of 8.1 against ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in isolated porcine coronary arteries. This compound also showed the greatest selectivity between ETA and ETB receptors (IC50 for human ETA = 1.2 nM, IC50 for human ETB = 55 microM). In contrast, compound 8 (BQ-123) is a highly soluble, potent, and selective ETA receptor antagonist (pA2 = 7.4, IC50 for human ETA = 8.3 nM, IC50 for human ETB = 61 microM). The sodium salt of 8 is practically freely soluble in saline. These compounds are useful tools for not only in vitro but also in vivo pharmacological studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗