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Disulfonic stilbene prevents selenite-induced cataract in rat pup lens.

It is known that the subcutaneous injection of a single dose of sodium selenite into suckling rats results in the development of large nuclear opacities. The intracellular transport of selenite in various cells, except lens cells, occurs via the Cl/HCO3 exchanger. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible role of the anion-exchange inhibitor, disulfonic stilbene (SITS), in the selenite-induced catarogenesis in the rat pups. Wistar albino rats (8-10 d old) were separated into three groups: one control and two experimental. The first experimental group was injected subcutaneously with a single dose of 30 nmol sodium selenite/g body weight. The second experimental group was injected with a single dose of 10 nmol SITS/g body weight 15 min before the same dose selenite injection. The control group did not have any injections. The stage of cataract development was examined on d 7 postinjection with slit-lamp photographs. In SITS pretreated group, all eyes remained transparent (considered as stage 0), whereas in the selenite-injected group, the animals did have different stage of nuclear cataract; 8 animals have stage 5, 10 animals have stage 4, and 4 animals have stage 3. A pretreatment of SITS completely prevented cataract formation of the selenite-induced cataract model in rat pups.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo↗

Lymph node localization of non-specific antibody-coated liposomes.

Subcutaneously injected small unilamellar liposomes are drained into the lymphatics and localized in the regional lymph nodes, and thus they can be used for the detection of metastatic spread in breast cancer patients and for delivery of drugs to diseased lymph nodes (1-8). An aqueous phase marker, [125I]-polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a lipid phase marker, [3H]-cholesterol, were used to study the lymph node localization of IgG-coated liposomes injected subcutaneously into mouse and rat footpads. The results show that human immunoglobulin G (IgG) coated liposomes are rapidly removed from the site of injection and are localized in the regional lymph nodes to a greater extent than control liposomes (i.e. liposomes without IgG). Free IgG was found to inhibit the uptake of IgG-coated liposomes by the lymph nodes. The localization of IgG-coated liposomes in the regional lymph nodes is influenced by charge of the liposomes. The results presented here suggest that antibody-coated liposomes may provide a more efficient way of delivering therapeutic agents to the lymph nodes in the treatment of diseases such as breast cancer with lymph node involvement. Similarly, monoclonal antibody-coated liposomes containing lymphoscintigraphic material may improve the detection of lymph node metastases.

Animals↗

Treatment of established tumor is associated with ICAM-1 upregulation and reversed by CD8 depletion in a tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene transfected mouse mammary tumor.

INTRODUCTION: We have performed TNF-alpha gene transfection in a mouse mammary cancer line and found significant antitumor effects. We hypothesize that the antitumor effects observed in this model are mediated by ICAM-1 and by the recruitment of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In vivo (Balb/c mice) tumor growth inhibition, treatment of established tumor and the effects of ICAM-1 and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Gene transfection with highly efficient vectors resulted in secretion of large amounts of TNF-alpha (ELISA). In vivo antitumor effects were tested. The number of cells required to generate palpable tumor 7-10 days after subcutaneous injection was determined (1 x 10(6)). The same number of transfected cells were injected subcutaneously and compared to nontransfected controls. Tumors were measured blindly and size was analyzed on day 30 by the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Mean tumor size after injection of transfected cells is compared to that of controls. Control tumors reached the maximum allowable size by day 30 (4 cm(2)). On day 30 EMT6-TNF-alpha tumors were 0.48 cm(2) (p < 0.05). The effect of repeat injection (challenge was also tested. Animals were injected with transfected cells or wild-type control on day -6 and challenged with the same number of wild-type tumor cells on day 0. Significant immune protection against subsequent challenge was seen after first time injection with EMT6-TNF-alpha but not after first time EMT6 wild-type injection (1.62 vs. 4 cm(2)). Treatment of 6-day-old tumor was also evaluated. On day 30, mean tumor size in animals treated with EMT6-TNF-alpha was 0.9 cm(2) compared to 4 cm(2) for controls. In all experiments, CD8+ T cell depletion and CD4+ T cell depletion caused a reversal of TNF-alpha-induced inhibitory effects. In addition, in vivo antibody blocking of ICAM-1 in tumor growth experiments reversed antitumor effects (control 4 cm(2), TNF-alpha 0.2 cm(2) and ICAM-1 blocking 3.14 cm(2)). Using flow cytometry, MHC class I and II and ICAM-1 adhesion molecule expression of transfected tumor was tested. ICAM-I expression was significantly upregulated. MHC class II antigen expression was also increased. TNF-alpha-transfected human breast cancer was also evaluated. Three cell lines and fresh tumor were transfected to express TNF-alpha. In vitro analysis revealed ICAM-1 upregulation following transfection. Histologic analysis and immunohistochemical staining revealed TNF-alpha and ICAM-1 in transfected tumors and not in wild-type tumors. CONCLUSION: Highly significant in vivo tumor growth inhibition and immune protection after injection with TNF-alpha-transfected tumors appears to be mediated predominantly by CD8+ T cells and ICAM-1 upregulation. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha increases recruitment and adhesion of effector T cells.

Animals↗

Proline induces alterations in nucleotide hydrolysis in rat blood serum.

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vivo (acute and chronic) and in vitro effects of proline on serum nucleotide hydrolysis. For acute administration, 29-day-old rats received one subcutaneous injection of proline (18.2 (micromol/g body weight) or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline solution (control) and were sacrificed 1 h, 3 h or 12 h later. Results showed that acute proline administration provoked a decrease in ATP (42%) and ADP (49%) hydrolysis when rats were sacrificed 1 h after the injection. Furthermore, in rats killed 3 h and 12 h after acute injection, no change in nucleotide hydrolysis were observed. For chronic treatment, buffered proline was injected subcutaneously twice a day at 10 h intervals from the 6(th) to the 28(th) day of age. Rats were sacrificed 3 h or 12 h after the last injection. Chronic administration of proline did not alter the nucleotide hydrolysis when the rats were killed 12 h after the last injection, but decreased ATP (15%) and ADP (32%) hydrolysis when rats were sacrificed 3 h after the last injection. The in vitro effect of proline (3.0 microM - 1.0 mM) on serum nucleotide hydrolysis was also investigated; results showed that 1.0 mM of proline significantly increased ATP (45%), ADP (55%) and AMP (49%) hydrolysis. The data indicate that proline in vivo and in vitro alters nucleotide hydrolysis, which may be involved in the pathogeny of hyperprolinemic patients.

Animals↗

Proline reduces brain cytochrome c oxidase: prevention by antioxidants.

In the present study, we initially investigated the in vivo (acute and chronic) and in vitro effects of proline on cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) activity in rat cerebral cortex to test the hypothesis that proline might alter energy metabolism and that this alteration could be provoked by oxidative stress. The action of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on the effects produced by proline was also evaluated. For acute administration, 29- and 60-day-old rats received one subcutaneous injection of proline (18.2 micromol/g body weight) or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline solution (control) and were sacrificed 1h later. For chronic treatment, proline was injected subcutaneously twice a day at 10h intervals from the 6(th) to the 28(th) day of age. Rats were sacrificed 12h (29(th)) or 31 days (60(th)) after the last injection. Results showed that acute administration of proline significantly diminished the activity of cytochrome c oxidase in the cerebral cortex of 29- and 60-day-old rats. On the other hand, chronic hyperprolinemia reduced this complex activity only on day 29, but not on the 60(th) day of life. In another set of experiments, 22-day-old rats or 53-day-old rats were pretreated for 1 week with daily intraperitoneal administration of alpha-tocopherol (40 mg/kg) and ascorbic acid (100mg/kg) or saline. Twelve hours after the last antioxidant injection, rats received a single injection of proline or saline and were killed 1h later. In parallel to chronic treatment, rats received a daily intraperitoneal injection of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid from the 6(th) to the 28(th) day of life and were killed 12h after the last injection. Results showed that the pretreatment with alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid before acute proline administration or concomitant to chronic proline administration significantly prevented these effects. We also observed that proline (3.0 microM-1.0 mM) when added to the incubation medium (in vitro studies) did not alter cytochrome c oxidase activity. Data suggest that the inhibitory effect of proline on cytochrome c oxidase activity is possibly associated with oxidative stress and that this parameter may be involved in the brain dysfunction observed in hyperprolinemia.

Age Factors↗

[Protecting effects of m-nifedipine on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in rats].

To test whether m-nifedipine (m-Nif) protects heart against myocardial injury induced by a single subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (Iso) 30 mg/kg, male rats were injected subcutaneously twice daily with m-Nif 6 mumols/kg for 4 d. Hemodynamic changes, serum creatine kinase activity and ion contents of myocardial tissue and mitochondria were assessed about 6 h after Iso injection. While it did not notably influence blood pressure, heart rate and left ventricular contracting function of rats, m-Nif markedly attenuated calcium accumulation in myocardial tissue and mitochondria, reduced magnesium and potassium loss in myocardial tissue, depressed the release of creatine kinase and prevented the elevation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure. These beneficial effects of m-Nif were similar to those of nifedipine (Nif). However, m-Nif decreased minute tension-time index more significantly than the same dose of Nif. It is possible that m-Nif protects the rat heart from isoproterenol-induced injury by inhibiting transsarcolemmal calcium influx.

Animals↗

Tachykinin receptor inhibition and c-Fos expression in the rat brain following formalin-induced pain.

Recent pharmacological evidence has implicated substance P and neurokinin A, natural ligands for neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptors, respectively, as neurotransmitters in brain neuronal circuits activated upon noxious stimulation. The expression of the inducible transcription factor, c-Fos, was used to identify areas in the brain activated by a noxious stimulus (the subcutaneous injection of formalin), and to investigate the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of selective, nonpeptide antagonists for neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 tachykinin receptors on the neural activity in these areas and on the behavioural response to formalin-induced pain. Formalin (5%, 50 microl), injected subcutaneously through a chronically implanted catheter in the region of the lower hindlimb, increased c-Fos expression in a number of brain areas related to nociceptive transmission or the integration of stress responses. Grooming behaviour, licking and biting directed to the injected site, was the most frequent behavioural response. Intracerebroventricular pretreatment of rats with either RP 67580 (500 pmol), the active enantiomer of a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, or with SR 48968 (500 pmol), the active enantiomer of a neurokinin-2 receptor antagonist, reduced the formalin-induced c-Fos staining in the prefrontal cortex, dorsomedial and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, the locus coeruleus and the periaqueductal gray. The neurokinin-1, but not the neurokinin-2, receptor antagonist attenuated the formalin-induced activation of c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Simultaneous intracerebroventricular pretreatment with both neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptor antagonists did not produce any additional inhibitory effect on the post-formalin c-Fos expression. None of the tachykinin receptor antagonists had an effect on the formalin-induced c-Fos expression in the septohypothalamic nucleus, medial thalamus, parabrachial nucleus and central amygdaloid nucleus, indicating that neurotransmitters other than neurokinins are most probably responsible for the activation of these areas in response to noxious stimulation. While both tachykinin receptor antagonists reduced the grooming behaviour to formalin, the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist was clearly more effective than the neurokinin-2 receptor antagonist. Intracerebroventricular pretreatment of rats with the inactive enantiomers of the tachykinin receptor antagonists, RP 68651 and SR 48965, was without effect. Our results show that (i) the modified formalin test elicited an intense grooming behaviour and expression of c-Fos in numerous forebrain and brainstem areas, (ii) both tachykinin receptor antagonists were able to attenuate the behavioural response to pain and to reduce the formalin-induced c-Fos expression in some, but not all, brain areas, and (iii) the neurokinin-1 antagonist, RP 67580, was more effective in inhibiting the behavioural response to formalin and the pain-induced activation of c-Fos than the antagonist for neurokinin-2 receptors, SR 48968, indicating that neurokinin-1 receptors are preferentially activated in neurokinin-containing pathways responding to noxious stimuli. Our results demonstrate that blockade of brain tachykinin receptors, especially of the neurokinin-1 receptor, reduces the behavioural response to pain and the pain-induced c-Fos activation in distinct brain areas which are intimately linked with nociceptive neurotransmission and the initiation and integration of central stress responses. Together with the previous findings of the inhibition of hypertensive and tachycardic responses to pain, the present data indicate that tachykinin receptor antagonists can effectively inhibit the generation of an integrated cardiovascular and behavioural response pattern to noxious stimuli.

Analgesics↗

Studies on metabolism and effects of estrogen on pituitary prolactin and LH secretion.

The effect of a subcutaneous injection of estradiol on the secretion of pituitary prolactin in the rat and the relationship between serum estradiol level and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in mare were reviewed. In addition, the effect of estradiol injection on LH secretion and the metabolism of [14C] estradiol in intact and bile duct fistulated pony mares were studied. Low (0.1 mug/day/rat) to moderate dose (5 mug/day/rat) of estradiol benzoate injected subcutaneously to mature or immature rats significantly increased pituitary content of prolactin and serum prolactin level five- to tenfold. On the other hand, high dose of estradiol (10 mug/day/rat or more) was less effective in stimulating prolactin secretion, and it appeared that progesterone injected concurrently with estradiol had some inhibitory action on the stimulatory effect of estradiol. Studies in pony mares showed that the physiologic level of serum estradiol during proestrus was important for the induction of the ovulatory surge of LH. Intramuscular injection of a low dose (2 or 4 mg/mare) of estradiol was stimulatory, whereas a high dose (8 mg/mare) was inhibitory for LH secretion in pony mares. Results of the estradiol metabolism studies indicated a relatively long half-life for estradiol in the mare. The majority of the [14C] estradiol metabolites appeared in the urine within 24 hr following intravenous injection. Enterohepatic circulation appeared to be important for estradiol metabolism in mare.

Animals↗

The action profiles of human NPH insulin preparations.

The complete time-action profiles of four subcutaneously injected human NPH insulin preparations (Protaphane HM/Novo; Insulatard Human/Nordisk; Huminsulin Basal/Eli Lilly; Basal H-Insulin/Hoechst) have been investigated by means of the euglycaemic clamp technique (blood glucose 5.0 mmol l-1). Six normal male subjects were connected to a Biostator on five occasions in randomized order including a control study without insulin injection. A stable basal insulin level of about 10 mU l-1 was established by means of a low dose insulin infusion (0.1 mU kg-1 min-1) which subsequently suppressed C-peptide by 35 +/- 19% (mean +/- SD) to levels of around 0.3 nmol l-1. Twelve units of NPH insulin were injected subcutaneously into the abdominal wall and glucose infusion rates were monitored for 19 h. In the control study, the mean glucose infusion rate was 1.11 +/- 0.60 (range 0.32-1.95) mg kg-1 min-1. Maximal glucose infusion rates, reached 5-7 h after injection, were comparable (4.3-4.9 mg kg-1 min-1) for the four different preparations used. Glucose infusion rates returned to basal rates within the 19 h study period. Mean plasma free insulin levels peaked at 17.5-18.6 mU l-1 3-4.5 h after injection and returned to basal levels within 16 h. The time ranges of greater than 90, greater than 75, greater than 50, and greater than 25% of maximal insulin action (as estimated from glucose infusion rates) revealed no significant differences between the four insulin preparations tested. No significant insulin action was observed beyond 17 h after insulin injection of any preparation.

Adult↗

Reproductive toxicity of muroctasin.

The reproductive toxicity of the anomeric mixture of N2-[(N-acetylmuramoyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl]-N6-stearoyl-L-lysine (MDP-Lys(L18), muroctasin), a new immunomodulator, was investigated in mice and rabbits after subcutaneous injection. Neither the male or female fertility nor the reproductive performance of the mice was affected by doses of up to 1 x 10(4) micrograms/kg. MDP-Lys(L18) elicited no evidence of teratogenicity when injected subcutaneous during the period of organogenesis to pregnant mice at doses of up to 3 x 10(4) micrograms/kg, or to pregnant rabbits at doses of up to 25 micrograms/kg. However, the female mice receiving 3 x 10(4) micrograms/kg showed induration and scabbing of the injection sites. Decrease of maternal body weight and food intake was seen in rabbits at doses of 5 and 25 micrograms/kg. Lacrimation, bloodshot eyes and swelling of eyelid were observed in does at a dose of 25 micrograms/kg. In perinatal and postnatal toxicity study in mice using doses of up to 2 x 10(4) micrograms/kg, a decrease in body weight of dams was seen at a dose of 2 x 10(4) micrograms/kg. Decrease in body weight of pups at birth was observed at a dose of 2 x 10(4) micrograms/kg.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

[Single administration toxicity studies of T-3761 in mice, rats and dogs].

Single dose toxicity studies of T-3761 were carried out in mice, rats and dogs, and the following results were obtained. 1. The approximate lethal dose of T-3761 were more than 5,000 mg/kg for mice and rats, more than 2,000 mg/kg for dogs with oral administration, and more than 5,000 mg/kg for mice and rats with subcutaneous injection. LD50 values with intravenous injection were 783 mg/kg for male mice, 832 mg/kg for female mice, 341 mg/kg for male rats, and 403 mg/kg for female rats. Two dogs given 200 mg/kg did not die but one of the two treated with 400 mg/kg died after intravenous injection. The approximate lethal dose for dog was 400 mg/kg. 2. Neither abnormal symptoms and macroscopic findings nor deaths were observed in mice and rats treated orally. Granuloma around precipitates of T-3761 at the injection site was seen in mice and rats injected subcutaneously. Slight increase of white blood cell count, serum GOT, CPK and urea nitrogen were transiently found in dogs treated orally. Neither abnormal macroscopic findings nor deaths were observed in dogs treated orally. 3. Decreased motor activity and irregular breathing were observed in mice and rats injected intravenously. In dying animals, tonic or clonic convulsions were observed. Vomiting, hyperemia of ophthalmic mucosa, edema of face, decrease of motor activity, salivation and decrease in body temperature were observed in dogs injected intravenously. At higher doses, scream and tachypnea were observed while injecting. Hematological examinations disclosed that increases in red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin were found transiently. In biochemical examinations, increases in serum GOT, GPT, urea nitrogen and creatinine were found transiently. One dog intravenously injected 400 mg/kg, showed tonic convulsion and died.

Animals↗

Antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of somatostatin released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve terminals in a Freund's adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis model in the rat.

OBJECTIVE: We previously demonstrated that somatostatin (SOM) released from the activated peripheral terminals of capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurons inhibits acute inflammation and nociception. This study was undertaken to examine this systemic "sensocrine" function of neuronally derived somatostatin in chronic inflammation in the Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis model. METHODS: Arthritis of the tibiotarsal joint of Lewis rats was evoked by subcutaneous injection of CFA into the left hind paw and the tail root. For 3 weeks, the volume of the paws was measured by plethysmometry, and the mechanonociceptive thresholds were measured by esthesiometry. Plasma concentrations of SOM were determined by radioimmunoassay, and histologic studies of the joints were performed. To impair the function of capsaicin-sensitive afferents, the capsaicin receptor (VR1/TRPV1) agonist resiniferatoxin (RTX) was injected subcutaneously (30, 70, and 100 microg/kg on 3 subsequent days) 7 days before CFA administration. The SOM receptor antagonist cyclosomatostatin (c-SOM; 20 microg/kg) or, in another group, the synthetic heptapeptide agonist TT-232 (2 x 50-400 microg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally every day. RESULTS: RTX pretreatment or c-SOM injection significantly increased edema and mechanical hyperalgesia of both CFA-treated and contralateral paws. The histologic score based on synovial thickening, cell infiltration, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion was also significantly higher both in the RTX- and the c-SOM-injected groups. These parameters were dose-dependently decreased by TT-232. Plasma SOM-like immunoreactivity increased 4-fold on the twenty-first day, and was inhibited by RTX pretreatment, as well as by daily administration of TT-232. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that SOM released into the circulation from capsaicin-sensitive afferents in response to prolonged activation exerts systemic antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. TT-232 can open new perspectives in the treatment of chronic arthritis.

Analgesics↗

Induction of anti-tumor immunity with epidermal cells pulsed with tumor-derived RNA or intradermal administration of RNA.

The skin is well-suited to serve as a substrate for vaccination strategies. In this regard, epidermal cells exposed to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor can, upon subcutaneous injection into naïve mice, present a soluble extract of tumor as a source of tumor-associated antigens for the induction of in vivo anti-tumor immunity. Use of RNA for immunization has a potential advantage over this technique. Because RNA can be amplified, only a small amount of tumor is needed for antigen preparation and, as with a soluble extract, it is not necessary to know the molecular nature of the antigen(s) relevant to immunity. To test the hypothesis that RNA-pulsed epidermal cells can induce anti-tumor immunity, total cellular RNA was isolated from the S1509a spindle cell tumor and used to pulse CAF1 epidermal cells enriched for Langerhans cell content and pre-exposed to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These cells were then injected subcutaneously into naïve CAF1 mice three times at weekly intervals followed by challenge with living S1509a cells. Tumor growth was significantly less than in control animals immunized in an identical fashion but with irrelevant RNA. Digestion of S1509a RNA with RNase prior to pulsing of epidermal cells prevented the development of immunity. In separate experiments, intradermal injection of S1509a RNA into naïve mice three times at weekly intervals also induced immunity to challenge with the tumor. Digestion of S1509a RNA with RNase also prevented development of immunity in this system. Effective anti-tumor immunity can be induced in mice utilizing RNA-pulsed epidermal cells for in vivo immunization or by injecting RNA intradermally into naïve mice.

Animals↗

Neuropsychological performance and mood states following acute interferon-beta-1b administration in healthy males.

Interferon-beta-1b (IFN-beta-1b) has been shown to reduce the relapse rate in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and disease progression in patients with secondary progressive MS. While acute administration of IFN-beta-1b is known to cause flu-like symptoms, chronic medication has been suggested to cause mood alterations and anxiety attacks, and secondary to this neuropsychological deficits that may impair daily life. It is unknown, however, whether the latter symptoms are induced by acute IFN-beta-1b administration. Therefore, we examined the impact of a single subcutaneous injection of IFN-beta-1b in 8 healthy males. In a crossover design, each subject was injected subcutaneously with either 8 million IU IFN-beta-1b or placebo (NaCl) at 8:00 h. Flu-like symptoms (body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure), mood status ['profile of mood states', Befindlichkeitsskala (BFS)] and neuropsychological performance (trail marking test, verbal memory test, d2 attention test) and were assessed at baseline, 4, 8 and 24 h after injection. IFN-beta-1b increased body temperature, heart rate and fatigue. Nevertheless, acute IFN-beta-1b injection did not impair any parameters of neuropsychological performance. Thus, although IFN-beta-1b produces physiological symptoms indicative of sickness behavior, these data suggest that IFN-beta-1b administration does not have an impact on the cognitive capacity following acute administration.

Adult↗

Histologic progression of B16 F10 metastatic melanoma in C57BL/6 mice over a six week time period: distant metastases before local growth.

B16F10 murine metastatic melanoma in the tails of C57BL/6 mice after subcutaneous injection is a well-established model. However, the histologic progression from injected cells to established local growth of melanoma has not been studied systematically. We therefore have investigated the histologic changes and growth of B16F10 melanoma at the injection site over a six-week time period. One million B16F10 melanoma cells were injected subcutaneously into the dorsal aspect of tails of C57/BL6 mice. Mice were sacrificed at zero, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, and at one, two, three, four, five and six weeks. Sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and immunostained with antibodies to S100. Beginning at time zero, melanoma cells were detected between the dermis and the myofascial bundle of the tail. At week four, distant metastases were clinically evident in the inguinal region, though injection site tumors did not become evident until week six. Histological analysis showed melanoma cells at the injection site at all time periods and no injection site tumor until week six. Indeed, the injection site tumors arose two weeks after distant metastases were clinically apparent. A progression of S100 positivity was also observed. S100 immunostaining was negative in all injection site of B16F10 cells until the cells underwent a morphologic change from small and monomorphic at the injection site, to large, pleomorphic cells at week six in the clinically evident injection site tumors. Inguinal metastases were also S100 positive at week four, though injection site cells were still S100 negative. We conclude that in this particular established model for melanoma, local growth at the injection site may occur after the development of regional metastases. This may prove to be a good model for investigation of local growth of tumor cells and their interaction with metastatic lesions.

Animals↗

Therapeutic effect of intravenous interferon gene delivery with naked plasmid DNA in murine metastasis models.

Interferons (IFNs) exhibit pleiotropic biological activities that are considered to play important roles in tumor suppression and rejection. Therefore, IFN genes are promising for in vivo cytokine gene therapy targeted against tumors. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of hydrodynamics-based IFN gene transfer for tumor treatment, in which the naked pDNA encoding IFN-beta or IFN-gamma was administered into the tail vein of mice following portal vein (liver metastasis), tail vein (lung metastasis), or subcutaneous injection (subcutaneous tumor) of mouse colon carcinoma CT-26 cells. A substantial amount of IFN was soon markedly expressed in the liver and a transient increase in IFN activity was detected in the circulation. This procedure caused transgene-specific IFN production with little induction of other proinflammatory cytokines. In the liver metastasis experiment, the mice treated with IFN-expressing pDNA displayed a profound reduction in liver metastasis and a prolonged survival. Administration of the pDNA at an earlier stage of metastasis was more crucial for the antitumor effect. Similar tumor suppression was seen in the lung metastasis experiment. These therapeutic effects were more marked with IFN-beta-expressing pDNA treatment than with IFN-gamma-expressing pDNA treatment. On the other hand, subcutaneous CT-26 tumor growth was hardly affected by pDNA administration. These results suggest that the hydrodynamics-based transfer of naked pDNA is a convenient and efficient method of IFN gene therapy against metastatic tumors.

Animals↗

Evaluation of a guinea pig model to assess interference in the immunogenicity of different components of a combination vaccine comprising diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine and haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.

A guinea pig model to assess the immunogenicity of a combination vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxoid (HibT) was evaluated comparatively with the mouse immunogenicity test to study the effect of combining these antigens on the immunogenicity of various components. The immunogenicity test in mice was performed by subcutaneous injection of groups of 10 animals twice at an interval of four weeks with 1/10 of a single human dose of various formulations of combination vaccines, DTaP or HibT vaccine. The animals were bled at 4 and 6 weeks and IgG or total antibodies to various components were determined by ELISA or RIA. The guinea pig immunogenicity model included groups of animals injected subcutaneously twice at an interval of six weeks with 1.5 times the single human dose of various formulations. The animals were bled at 4, 6 and 8 weeks and serum samples were tested for antibodies to various components by ELISA, RIA and/or neutralization tests. Additionally, potency of tetanus and diphtheria components was assessed as per the US Food and Drug Administration's regulations. Aluminium phosphate (AIPO(4)) adsorbed HibT vaccine or HibT as a combination with AIPO(4)adsorbed DTaP vaccine showed significant increases in IgG antibodies to tetanus toxin in mice as well increased tetanus antitoxin levels in guinea pigs as compared to soluble HibT vaccine. In general, combining DTaP and HibT vaccines did not affect the antibody levels to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids whereas DTaP-HibT combination vaccine elicited significantly lower IgG antibodies to pertussis toxin and filamentous haemagglutinin than DTaP vaccine alone, particularly after first injection. Mice showed similar Hib antibody responses for the combination and HibT alone whereas guinea pigs consistently showed lower anamnestic responses to Hib for combination formulations than for HibT alone. Reducing the amount of HibT and/or tetanus toxoid in the combination formulations reduced this suppression of Hib antibody response in guinea pigs. Suppression of Hib antibody response in combination vaccines has also been reported from recent clinical trials. Based on the results from this study, it appears that the guinea pig model may be able to predict the human response to various components of combination vaccines.

Animals↗

Differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin lispro and aspart in healthy volunteers.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the rapid-acting insulin analogues lispro and aspart were compared in a randomized, double-blind crossover study of 20 fasting healthy men following a single subcutaneous injection. Either insulin lispro or aspart, 0.05 U/kg-body-weight, was injected subcutaneously and followed by determination of 5-h profiles of plasma glucose, serum C-peptide and insulin concentrations. Lowest glucose concentrations were observed after 50 min in the aspart group (3.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/l versus lispro 3.5 +/- 0.1 mmol/l; p = 0.026) and after 60 min in the lispro group (3.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/l). For blood glucose t min was 59.3 +/- 3.4 min in the aspart and 63.5 +/- 5.3 min in the lispro group (ns). After 40 min a lower C-peptide was determined for aspart (225 +/- 21 pmol/l versus lispro 309 +/- 33 pmol/l; p = 0.031), whereas minimal C-peptide concentrations were reached in both groups after 105 min (lispro 117 +/- 21 pmol/l versus aspart 105 +/- 18 pmol/l). The maximal concentration of insulin was detected in both groups after 40 min (lispro 20.8 +/- 1.1 mU/l versus aspart 24.6 +/- 1.3 mU/l; p = 0.032). For insulin t max was 33.0 +/- 2.6 min in the aspart versus 33.3 +/- 2.6 min in the lispro group (ns). The present results indicate a more rapid absorption of insulin aspart in comparison to insulin lispro. Higher insulin concentrations after subcutaneus injection may be advantageous in meal-related treatment of diabetes.

Adult↗