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Biomedical subjects

Z H Li

Publications and source records attributed to Z H Li.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Pharmacokinetics of cidofovir in monkeys. Evidence for a prolonged elimination phase representing phosphorylated drug.

After intravenous administration of [14C]cidofovir to African green monkeys (43 mg/kg, 29.5 microCi/kg), the drug distributed rapidly into extracellular fluid. Concentrations of radioactivity in plasma were described by a three-compartment model with alpha, beta, and gamma half-lives of 0.67, 3.02, and 36.0 hr, respectively (N = 3). These phases are believed to represent renal elimination, efflux of free cidofovir from cells, and efflux from cells of cidofovir produced from dephosphorylation of metabolites, respectively. Less than 5% of the dose was phosphorylated, based on the proportion of total AUC in the gamma-phase. The clearance of cidofovir (211 +/- 16.6 ml/hr/kg) was dependent on dose and exceeded the theoretical glomerular filtration rate. Concentrations of cidofovir in kidney declined with a half-life of 23 hr and were > 1,000-fold higher than plasma levels by 120 hr. Clearance of cidofovir after multiple intravenous doses of 4.9 mg/kg/day (18.5 microCi/kg/day) decreased significantly by day 10, consistent with the observed nephrotoxicity. Oral and subcutaneous bioavailabilities of cidofovir were 21.8 +/- 9.44 and 98.5 +/- 15.8%, respectively. After intravenous administration of [14C]cidofovir to cynomolgus monkeys (10 mg/kg, 100 microCi/kg) alone or 1 hr after oral probenecid (30 mg/kg), mean +/- SD (N = 3) urinary recoveries of total radioactive dose were 91.4 +/- 11.3% and 94.4 +/- 29.8%, respectively, at 7 days postdose. The mean +/- SD half-lives of the terminal elimination phases were 33.3 +/- 10.6 and 24.4 +/- 5.0 hr, respectively. Cidofovir accounted for 98% of the radioactivity recovered in urine; the remainder was attributed to cidofovir phosphocholine. The prolonged elimination phase observed in monkeys is consistent with the long intracellular half-life of phosphorylated cidofovir in vitro and supports infrequent dosing of the drug for antiviral therapy.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1996

Effect of probenecid on the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of cidofovir in rabbits.

The effect of concomitant probenecid on the tissue distribution, metabolism, and urinary excretion of cidofovir was examined in New Zealand white rabbits. Two groups of six male rabbits received intravenous [3H]cidofovir (5 mg/kg, 20 mu Ci/kg) alone or with concomitant intravenous probenecid (90 mg/kg). Radioactivity in kidney at 15 min postdose was decreased 70% by probenecid; plasma levels at 15 min postdose were increased 65% by probenecid. These effects were diminished at later time points. The estimated elimination half-life of cidofovir from the kidney was 16 hr in the presence of probenecid and 11 hr without probenecid. Two additional groups of six rabbits received intravenous [14C]cidofovir (15 mg/kg, 100 mu Ci/kg) alone or 1 hr after oral administration of probenecid (90 mg/kg). Radioactivity was highest in the kidney (approximately 700 mu g-eq/g at 30 min postdose). Probenecid did not affect the gross distribution of radioactivity. However, autoradiography of left kidneys revealed localization of the drug in the renal cortex; radioactivity in the cortex at 30 min postdose was decreased 50% by probenecid. These data are consistent with inhibition of tubular secretion of cidofovir by probenecid. More than 73% of the cidofovir dose was recovered in the urine in 24 hr. Urine contained unchanged cidofovir (>97%) and a metabolite coeluting with authentic cidofovir phosphocholine (2%). This metabolite also accounted for approximately 1-4% of the radioactivity in rabbit kidney.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

[The absolute configurations and biological activities of alpha- and beta-anordrins].

The molecular structures and absolute configurations of alpha- and beta-anordrins are reported. Animal experiments showed that pure alpha-epimer possessed high anti-implantation and anti-early pregnancy effects, but the pure beta-epimer exhibited very low effects at the same dose. MNDO program was applied for the optimization of the configurations of epimers to establish the isolated molecular configurations and calculate the quantum chemical indexes. The results showed that the configurations and the differences of action field in three-dimensions of alpha- and beta-epimer are probably the factors that the alpha-epimer exhibited biological activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Myeloid progenitor cell regulatory effects of vascular endothelial cell growth factor.

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) is a ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor Flk-1/KDR and Flt1 and is considered to be an endothelial cell specific mitogen that plays an important role in angiogenesis. Since Flk-1 mRNA has been detected in primitive and more mature hematopoietic cells, recombinant human VEGF was evaluated for its influence on hematopoiesis, which was assayed as in vitro colony formation by myeloid progenitor cells from human bone marrow. VEGF enhanced colony formation by mature subsets of granulocyte-macrophage and erythroid progenitor cells that had been stimulated with a colony stimulating factor. In contrast, VEGF inhibited colony formation by more immature subsets of granulocyte-macrophage, erythroid and multipotential progenitor cells synergistically stimulated to proliferate with a colony stimulating factor and either steel factor or the ligand for the Flt-3 receptor tyrosine kinase. VEGF produced effects similar to those given above on purified CD34 progenitor cells from bone marrow and VEGF effects were neutralized by VEGF antibodies. However, when assessed for effects on single sorted CD34 cells, VEGF only enhanced or suppressed colony formation by granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells and the amplitude of the response was less than that observed when populations of these cells were tested. In the single cell assays, VEGF had no effect on colony formation by erythroid or multipotential progenitors. These results suggest that the effects of VEGF, which were not species specific, are mediated by both direct and indirect actions on the progenitors and thereby identify new activities for this important factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cryopreserved cord blood myeloid progenitor cells can serve as targets for retroviral-mediated gene transduction and gene-transduced progenitors can be cryopreserved and recovered.

To determine future possibilities for gene transfer, we evaluated whether myeloid progenitor cells from human umbilical cord blood (CB) could be frozen, thawed in viable form and transduced with a Neomycin resistance (NeoR) gene using retroviral vectors, and if fresh progenitor cells transduced with a Neo gene could be cryopreserved and recovered. Fresh and thawed cryopreserved nonadherent low-density T-lymphocyte depleted (NALT-) CB cells were assayed before and after gene transduction for colony formation in the presence of multiple growth factors in the absence and presence of G418. The results demonstrate that the NeoR gene could be introduced into thawed cryopreserved myeloid progenitor cells at an efficiency similar to that of fresh cells and that fresh cells transduced with the NeoR gene could be frozen in a cryopreserved state and recovered after thawing. Proviral integration, as assessed by PCR/Southern Analysis, confirmed the G418R colony data. Proviral integration was detected not only in primary G418R-colonies, but also in replated colonies in secondary dishes derived from G418R-multipotential progenitor cells (CFU-GEMM) suggesting stable integration of the transduced gene into early subsets of replatable progenitors. This information may be of use clinically.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Flt3 ligand stimulates/costimulates the growth of myeloid stem/progenitor cells.

The present studies evaluated effects of recombinant human (rhu) and murine (rmu) flt3 ligand (flt3-L) on colony formation by subsets of myeloid stem and progenitor cells present in low-density (LD) and cell-sorted CD34 hu cord blood (CB) and bone marrow (BM) cells and unseparated mu BM cells. By itself, flt3-L had weak colony-stimulating activity. It stimulated small dispersed CFU-GM-type colonies, but not BFU-E, CFU-GEMM, or HPP-CFC colonies, from LD and CD34 huCB and BM. However, flt3-L had additive to greater-than-additive effects on colony number and size by CFU-GM stimulated with GM-CSF or IL-3, with or without Steel factor (SLF); by CFU-G stimulated by G-CSF with or without SLF; by CFU-M stimulated by CSF-1; and by BFU-E, CFU-GEMM, and HPP-CFC stimulated by Epo with or without IL-3 or SLF. Flt3-L enhanced the effects of SLF, alone and in combination with other CSFs. Similar effects were apparent on LD and sorted CD34 cells and also at the level of single sorted and isolated CD34 cells/well. Flt3-L enhanced expansion of immature subsets of huCD34(+)-column separated CB CFU-GM stimulated by the potent combination of SLF and PIXY321 (a GM-CSF/IL-3 fusion protein). While flt3-L did not enhance the replating capacity of CFU-GEMM plated in the presence of Epo and SLF, it enhanced numbers of these CFU-GEMM colonies with the capacity to be replated. Flt3-L effects were not species-specific; rhu and rmu forms were active on huCB/BM and muBM. These results demonstrate the potent direct-acting stimulating/costimulating activities of flt3-L in vitro on myeloid stem/progenitor cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[A study on effect of qingwen granule in regulating immunological function in infantile respiratory viral infection].

To evaluate the effect of Qing-wen Granule (QWG) on immunological function, T lymphocyte subsets and interferon gamma(INF-gamma) expression cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lymphocyte transformation rate and the level of salivary secretory IgA (sIgA) were determined by alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique or 3H-TdR incorporation with lymphocyte stimulation index(SI) or agar single immunodiffusion in infantile respiratory viral infection. The results showed that the percentage of CD3, CD4, and CD4/CD8 ratio of patients treated with QWG for 3 days were not significantly different in comparing with the control group untreated with QWG (P > 0.05), but the values of IFN-gamma expression cell, SI and the level of sIgA were more markedly increased than that of control (P < 0.05). It suggested that the QWG could improve and regulate immune function in infantile respiratory viral infection.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1995

Influence in vitro of IL-3/Epo fusion proteins compared with the combination of IL-3 plus Epo in enhancing the proliferation of single isolated erythroid and multipotential progenitor cells from human umbilical cord blood and adult bone marrow.

Human interleukin-3/erythropoietin (IL-3/Epo) fusion protein have been constructed, expressed, and tested for biological activity. These fusion proteins were previously shown to be active on erythroid progenitors (BFU-E) from unseparated human bone marrow. We evaluated if these fusion proteins could stimulate erythroid and multipotential progenitor cells directly at the single-cell level. Two IL-3/Epo fusion proteins containing short (SL-3E, two amino acids) and long (LL-3E, 23 amino acids) linker sequences as well as a short linker Epo/IL-3 sequence (SL-E3, three amino acids) were tested. Highly enriched CD34 or BFU-E enriched CD34 CD33- cells from human umbilical cord blood or CD34 HLA-DR+CD33- cells from normal adult bone marrow were sorted as single cells into single wells. The combination of Epo plus IL-3 synergized to enhance the proliferation of BFU-E and multipotential progenitors (CFU-GEMM) in comparison to the individual effects of these cytokines. The three fusion proteins also enhanced proliferation of BFU-E and CFU-GEMM at the single-cell level and were at least as active as the combination of Epo and IL-3, demonstrating that IL-3/Epo fusion proteins directly stimulate proliferation of BFU-E and CFU-GEMM and that biological activity of IL-3 and Epo in vitro can be maintained when these proteins are fused. The activity of the combination of Epo and IL-3 or the fusion proteins was partially neutralized by preincubation with monoclonal antibodies to either Epo or IL-3 and was neutralized by greater than 90% by the combination of both antibodies, suggesting that the Epo and IL-3 components of the fusion proteins were both involved in the enhancing activity of these proteins. Additionally, use of monoclonal antibody to the human Epo receptor completely blocked the stimulating/enhancing activity of Epo alone, Epo plus IL-3, or the fusion proteins for stimulation of colony formation by BFU-E and CFU-GEMM but not for granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM), suggesting that the enhancing effects of the fusion proteins are most likely mediated, at least in part, by the Epo receptor.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMed1995

[Synthesis and antifertility activity of a-nor-5 alpha-androstane derivatives].

In order to study the relationship between the structure of A-nor-5 alpha-androstane derivatives and their antifertility activity, we designed and synthesized 16 A-nor-5 alpha-androstane compounds through several reaction steps with dehydroepiandrosterone acetate as a starting material. Their structures were confirmed by IR, 1HNMR, MS, elemental analyses, etc. Preliminary pharmacological tests showed that compounds 8, 9, 10 and 16 possess antiimplantation activity to some extent (2.5 mg.kg-1, administered po, gave 67-75% antiimplantation rate). Other compounds showed low activity. The possible relationship between compound structures and their activities is analysed briefly.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Catecholamine-sensitive lipolysis in the rat: different loci for effect of age on the lipolytic cascade in epididymal vs perirenal fat cells.

The biochemical locus of the decrease of lipolytic responsiveness to catecholamines in the aging rat has not heretofore been completely identified. Although increased sensitivity to the inhibitory action of adenosine is the likely explanation for the decrease during maturation, the nature of the age effect during senescence has been unclear. In order to determine whether the proximal or distal portion of the lipolytic pathway is involved, we have studied the lipolytic effect of the distally acting cyclic AMP analogue, 8-(4-chlorophenylthioadenosine)3'5'-monophosphate (cyclic) (Cl-cAMP) on rat fat cells from both the epididymal and perirenal fat pads of mature (6 mo) and senescent (24 mo) Fischer 344 rats. Using an adenosine (N6-1-2-phenylisopropyl-adenosine; PIA) regulated system, the lipolytic response to epinephrine (glycerol release) was measured simultaneously with that to Cl-cAMP. The effects of age on lipolysis are greatly influenced by the anatomic site of origin of the fat cells. The epididymal cells of the old rats showed no decreased responsiveness to either epinephrine or Cl-cAMP. However, the perirenal cells of the old rats showed a grossly impaired maximal response to both epinephrine (60% decrease relative to young; p < .005) and Cl-cAMP (42% and 58% decrease in 2 sets of experiments; p < .05 and .04, respectively). Although decreased lipolytic response to epinephrine in epididymal cells was not seen in these studies, this has been clearly shown in earlier work, suggesting that diminished response to epinephrine is demonstrable only when the system is not already maximally inhibited by PIA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1994

1-[((S)-2-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,4,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl] cytosine, an intracellular prodrug for (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine with improved therapeutic index in vivo.

1-[((S)-2-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,4,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl]cytosi ne (cyclic [cHPMPC]) was evaluated as a novel antiviral agent in comparison with (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine (HPMPC). Evaluation for in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 in MA-104 and MRC-5 cells showed that both cHPMPC and HPMPC have comparable activities and cytotoxicities. cHPMPC was found to be stable on incubation in human plasma and human liver homogenates. Intracellular metabolism studies revealed that cHPMPC was converted inside of the cells to HPMPC and then to the monophosphate, the diphosphate, and the monophosphate choline metabolites. In a mouse herpes simplex virus type 2 encephalitis model, both cHPMPC and HPMPC exhibited similar potencies in vivo. Nephrotoxicity, which is the dose-limiting toxicity of HPMPC, was assessed in a 14-day repeated-dose toxicity study in rats; cHPMPC has an improved safety margin of > or = 13-fold over that of HPMPC.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Stable integration of retrovirally transduced genes into human umbilical cord blood high-proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFC) as assessed after multiple HPP-CFC colony replatings in vitro.

We previously demonstrated stable integration of a transduced thymidine kinase (TK)-neo gene into immature and replatable stem and progenitor cells, as assessed by the presence of the gene in second-generation colonies. To evaluate whether this integration was still present in third- and fourth-generation colonies, nonadherent low-density T-lymphocyte-depleted (NALT-) cells from human umbilical cord blood were prestimulated with recombinant human (rhu) erythropoietin (Epo), steel factor (SLF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating factor (CSF), and granulocyte (G)-CSF. Prestimulated NALT- cells were incubated with retroviral-containing supernatant obtained from TK-neo vector-producing cells, washed, and assayed for colony formation in the presence of Epo, SLF, IL-3, GM-CSF, and G-CSF -/+ G418. The results confirmed that the TK-neo gene could be efficiently introduced into hematopoietic progenitor cells without stromal cells as a source of virus. As previously reported, proviral integration was detected in primary G418R-colonies, and in second-generation replated colonies derived from G418R granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte colony-forming units and high-proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFCs). Moreover, we now document that proviral integration was apparent in cells from colonies derived from third- and fourth-generation replated HPP-CFC, suggesting a high degree of stable integration of the transduced gene.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1994

Discovery of extracellular multiple form of Chlamydia trachomatis in the tissue culture.

A strain of Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from a patient with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU). Alternate passages between chick embryo and McCoy cell culture were examined. From the Giemsa stained coverslips taken from the cell culture 96 hours after inoculation, we found, to our surprise, that elementary bodies (EBs) distributed over a large area, and several intact cells embedded in them. These pure EB particles are round, fairly uniform in size and often appeared in pair. According to their morphology, distribution, arrangement and relationship with host cells, they are not the remains after cell lysis or directly released from host cells. We considered that they consisted of EBs which continued to divide by binary fission after their release. The name "Extracellular Multiply Form" was designated and their formation mechanism was proposed. This discovery gives a great challenge to primary theory, i.e. Chlamydias are obligate intracellular prokaryotic parasites. If we can further reveal the law of their formation, it will be of great significance both theoretically and practically.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Correlation between bronchoalveolar lavage fluid angiotensin converting enzyme levels and T cell subsets in patients with sarcoidosis].

BALF ACE levels were assayed in patients with sarcoidosis, and their correlation with lymphocyte percentage and TH/Ts ratio in BALF were analysed. The results showed a positive correlation (r = 0.4453, P < 0.05; r = 0.7085, P < 0.01). BALF ACE level was decreased as patients with active sarcoidosis improved clinically, indicating that BALF ACE level may be a sensitive biological parameter in the diagnosis and disease activity assessment of sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Trans-corneal trabeculectomy].

One of the main causes in failure of fistulizing operations for glaucoma is related to conjunctival and subconjunctival cicatrization. Trans-corneal trabeculectomy is different from conventional fistulizing operations and the conjunctival incision is avoided. Passing through the cornea, partial thickness sclera and trabecula are removed. The conjunctiva is least violated during the procedures. Trans-corneal trabeculectomy was completed in 15 eyes with glaucoma. Most of filtering blebs revealed diffuse. The conjunctival inflammatory reaction was minimal with only mild hyperemia even at the first postoperative day. Intraocular pressure of 14 eyes was normal without any medication postoperatively.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Relation of effects of matrine on rat vasa deferens to activation of calcium channels].

Effective mechanisms of matrine (Mat) in contraction were observed in isolated rat vasa deferens. Mat caused a strong concentration-dependent contraction of vasa deferens, and this contraction was competitively inhibited by prazosin (Pra, 10 mumol.L-1) and nifedipine (Nif, 50 nmol.L-1), with depression of maximal responses. Their pA2 value was 5.1 and 9.29, respectively. The contraction was also inhibited by verapamil (Ver, 1 mumol.L-1) with depression of maximal responses; but this antagonism was noncompetitive. Its pD2 value was 6.07. Mat promoted CaCl2-induced contraction of vas deferens. The effect of Mat was enhanced in proportion to increase in concentrations of CaCl2. Mat markedly strengthened KCl-induced contraction of vas deferens. The results suggest that one of the mechanisms of the contractive effects of Mat within a certain range of concentrations was related to the activation of the calcium channel.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1994

Patterns of p53 mutations in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Acquisition at a relatively early age.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) of the lung is thought to arise after the accumulation of multiple mutations, including p53. To better characterize when p53 mutations are acquired, 37 SQCC of the lung were examined by polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Somatic p53 mutations were detected in nine tumors (24.3%). There were no significant differences in the stage, sex, or race between patients with or without p53 mutations. However, the patients with SQCC and p53 mutations were significantly (P = 0.0006) younger (mean age, 54.3 years) compared with patients without p53 mutations (mean age, 65). The topographical tissue distributions of the p53 mutations were examined by selective ultraviolet radiation fractionation. In all nine cases, the specific p53 mutant alleles were homogeneously present throughout the primary tumors, in all three examples with in situ carcinoma, and in all four cases with metastases. In one case, squamous metaplasia contiguous with the primary tumor also contained the same p53 mutation. Normal or hyperplastic and metaplastic or dysplastic epithelium not contiguous with the primary tumors lacked the specific p53 mutations. These findings suggest that p53 mutations are commonly acquired at a relatively early age, before the bulk of clonal expansion, and usually persist throughout the progression of SQCC of the lung.

Aged↗