Stereoselective metabolism of pentoxifylline in vitro and in vivo in humans

Pentoxifylline increases erythrocyte flexibility, reduces blood viscosity, and inhibits platelet aggregation and is thus used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. It is transformed into at least seven phase I metabolites, of which two, M1 and M5, are active. The reduction of the keto group of pentoxifylline to a secondary alcohol in M1 takes place chiefly in erythrocytes, is rapidly reversible, and creates a chiral center. The aims of this study were: to develop HPLC methods to separate the enantiomers of M1, to investigate the kinetics of the reversible biotransformation of pentoxifylline to (R)- and (S)-M1 in hemolysed erythrocyte suspension, and to quantify the formation of the enantiomers of M1 (as well as M4 and M5) after intravenous and oral administration of pentoxifylline to human volunteers. (R)- and (S)-M1 could be separated preparatively on a cellobiohydrolase column, while determination in blood or plasma was by HPLC after chiral derivatization with diacetyl-L-tartaric acid anhydride. The metabolism of pentoxifylline to (R)-M1 in suspensions of hemolysed erythrocytes followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K(m) = 11 mM), while that to (S)-M1 was best described by a two-enzyme model (K(m) = 1.1 and 132 mM). Studies with inhibitors indicated that the enzymes were of the carbonyl reductase type. At a therapeutic blood concentration of pentoxifylline, the calculated rate of formation of (S)-M1 is 15 times higher than that of the (R)-enantiomer. Back-conversion of M1 to pentoxifylline was 3-4 times faster for the (S)- than for the (R)-enantiomer. In vivo, the R:S plasma concentration ratio of M1 ranged from 0.010-0.025 after intravenous infusion of 300 or 600 mg of pentoxifylline, and from 0.019-0.037 after oral administration of 600 mg. The biotransformation of pentoxifylline to M1 was thus highly stereoselective in favor of the (S)-enantiomer both in vitro and in vivo.     

正阳县2007年麻疹流行情况分析

分析正阳县2007年麻疹的流行病学特点,为有效的控制麻疹发病提供依据。按卫生部《全国麻疹检测方案(试行)》规定的诊断标准进行诊断,并采用描述流行病学方法进行研究。2007年1月份发现麻疹病人51例,2月份302例,3月份20例,4月份1例,5月份7例,6月份3例,分别占总病例的13.25%、78.44%、5.19%、0.26%、1.82%、0.78%。0-7月龄婴儿发病人数为52人,占所有发病人数的13.51%;大于20岁的人群中共发病59例,其中男30例,女29例,发病人数较多。提示搞好基础免疫提高人群免疫力仍是当前的主要任务,特别是对育龄妇女的疫苗接种,一方面可以降低成人感染麻疹的机会,另一方面也可以降低0-7月龄婴儿的发病率。     

Studies of in vivo mutations in rpsL transgene in UVB-irradiated epidermis of XPA-deficient mice

We have established xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA) gene-knockout mice with nucleotide excision repair (NER) deficiency, which rapidly developed skin tumors when exposed to a low dose of chronic UV like XP-A patients, confirming that the NER process plays an important role in preventing UVB-induced skin cancer. To examine the in vivo mutation in the UVB-irradiated epidermis, we established XPA (−/−), (+/−) and (+/+) mice carrying the Escherichia coli rpsL transgene with which the mutation frequencies and spectra in the UVB-irradiated epidermal tissue can be examined conveniently. The XPA (−/−) mice showed a higher frequency of UVB-induced mutation in the rpsL transgene with a low dose (150 J/m²) of UVB-irradiation than the XPA (+/−) and (+/+) mice, while, at a high dose (900 J/m²) they showed almost the same frequency of mutation as the XPA (+/−) and (+/+) mice, probably because of cell death in the epidermis of the XPA (−/−) mice. However, CC→TT tandem transition, a hallmark of UV-induced mutation, was detected at higher frequency in the XPA (−/−) mice than the XPA (+/−) and (+/+) mice at both doses of UVB. This rpsL/XPA mouse system will be useful for further analyzing the role of NER in the mutagenesis and carcinogenesis induced by various carcinogens.     

Transition of cancer in populations in India

Background & objectivesAn assessment of transition of cancer in India during the past 30 years, according to changes in demographic and epidemiologic risk factors was undertaken.Materials & methodsCancer registry data (http://www.ncdirindia.org), (population coverage <10%), was compared with transition in life-expectancy and prevalence on smoking, alcohol and obesity. We fitted linear regression to the natural logarithm of the estimated incidence rates of various cancer registries in India.ResultsBurden of cancer in India increased from 0.6 million in 1991 to 1.4 million in 2015. Among males, common cancers are lung (12.0%), mouth (11.4%), prostate (7.0%), and tongue (7.0%) and among females, they are breast (21.0%), cervix-uteri (12.1%), ovary (6.9%), and lung (4.9%) in 2012. Increased life-expectancy and population growth as well as increased use of alcohol and increased prevalence of overweight/obesity reflected an increase in all cancers in both genders except a reduction in infection-related cancers such as cervix-uteri and tobacco-related cancers such as pharynx (excludes nasopharynx) and oesophagus.Interpretation & conclusionTransition in demographics and epidemiologic risk factors, reflected an increase in all cancers in both genders except a reduction in a few cancers. The increasing incidence of cancer and its associated factors demands a planned approach to reduce its burden. The burden assessment needs to be strengthened by increasing the population coverage of cancer registries. Continued effort for tobacco prevention and public health efforts for reducing obesity and alcohol consumption are needed to reduce the cancer burden.     

表皮生长因子和降钙素基因相关肽在高频电磁场 治疗急性胃损伤中作用研究

目的：探讨高频电磁场（high-frequency electromagnetic fields,HEMFs）曝露治疗急性胃损伤的作用机制。方法：选用健康SD大鼠,以Indomethacin灌胃法复制胃粘膜急性损伤模型,观察40．68MHz HEMFs（波长为7．3m）曝露（微热量,30—50mA,15min,1／d）治疗1或6次后,大鼠胃粘膜损伤程度（胃损伤指数和病理损伤积分）、胃粘膜血流量、血浆表皮生长因子（epidermal growth factor,EGF）和降钙素基因相关肽（calcitonin gene—related peptide,CGRP）水平。结果：HEMFs曝露1次后,胃粘膜血流量较对照组明显升高（P〈0．05）,大鼠胃粘膜损伤程度、血浆EGF和CGRP水平较对照组均无显著性差异（P均〉0．05）;HEMFs曝露6次后,胃粘膜损伤程度较对照组明显改善（P均〈0．05）,胃粘膜血流量显著升高（P〈0．05）,血浆EGF和CGRP水平较对照组无显著性差异（P均〉0.05）。结论：HEMFs曝露治疗大鼠胃粘膜急性损伤可能与其增加胃粘膜血流量有关,与血EGF和CGRP无关。     

Involvement of prostaglandin E2 in production of amyloid-beta peptides both in vitro and in vivo

Amyloid-beta peptides (Abeta), generated by proteolysis of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta- and gamma-secretases, play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Inflammation is also believed to be integral to the pathogenesis of AD. Here we show that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), a strong inducer of inflammation, stimulates the production of Abeta in cultured human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 or human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, both of which express a mutant type of APP. We have demonstrated using subtype-specific agonists that, of the four main subtypes of PGE(2) receptors (EP(1-4)), EP(4) receptors alone or EP(2) and EP(4) receptors together are responsible for this PGE(2)-stimulated production of Abeta in HEK293 or SH-SY5Y cells, respectively. An EP(4) receptor antagonist suppressed the PGE(2)-stimulated production of Abeta in HEK293 cells. This stimulation was accompanied by an increase in cellular cAMP levels, and an analogue of cAMP stimulated the production of Abeta, demonstrating that increases in the cellular level of cAMP are responsible for the PGE(2)-stimulated production of Abeta. Immunoblotting experiments and direct measurement of gamma-secretase activity suggested that PGE(2)-stimulated production of Abeta is mediated by activation ofgamma-secretase but not of beta-secretase. Transgenic mice expressing the mutant type of APP showed lower levels of Abeta in the brain, when they were crossed with mice lacking either EP(2) or EP(4) receptors, suggesting that PGE(2)-mediated activation of EP(2) and EP(4) receptors is involved in the production of Abeta in vivo and in the pathogenesis of AD.     

中缝背核5-羟色胺能神经元在睡眠调节中的作用研究

目的：研究中缝背核(DRN)5-羟色胺(5-HT)能神经元在睡眠中的调节作用。方法：运用脑立体定位、核团微量注射和多导睡眠描记(PSG),观察DRN 5-HT能神经元对大鼠睡眠的影响。结果：DRN微量注射谷氨酸钠(L-Glu),大鼠睡眠减少,特别是深慢波睡眠(SWS2)明显减少,觉醒(W)增加;DRN微量注射海人酸(KA)和对氯苯丙氨酸(PCPA),大鼠SWS2和异相睡眠(PS)增加,W减少。结论：DRN 5-HT能神经元参与睡眠的调节,兴奋DRN 5-HT能神经元睡眠时间减少,抑制DRN 5-HT能神经元则具有促进睡眠的作用。     

2013年新疆17家三级医院细菌耐药性监测分析

目的:了解新疆地区17家三级医院2013年临床分离细菌的分布特征及对抗生素的耐药性。方法:采用最小抑菌浓度法(MIC)和纸片扩散法(K-B)对细菌进行药物敏感试验。结果:临床共分离出细菌44022株,其中革兰阳性菌占30.2%,革兰阴性菌占69.8%。1大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和奇异变形杆菌产ESBLs菌株检出率分别为66.2%、48.0%和52.0%。2鲍曼不动杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌对亚胺培南和美洛培南的耐药率分别为51.8%、30.4%和37.6%、22.9%。3耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)和耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRSCN)的检出率分别为27.7%和79.8%。414岁以下儿童肺炎链球菌对青霉素的耐药率(4.2%)高于成人(2.1%)。泛耐药菌株(XDR)中,鲍曼不动杆菌381株(9.6%),铜绿假单胞菌57株(1.7%),大肠埃希菌6株(0.1%),肺炎克雷伯菌16株(0.3%)。结论:通过对细菌耐药数据分析情况来看,细菌耐药情况普遍存在,对于耐药克隆株的传播,应加以关注;此外,应加强细菌耐药监测,合理使用抗生素。     

Involvement of gonadotropins in induction of luteolysis in pigs

In our previous study we have demonstrated that treatment of endometrial explants with LH increased 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGFM) accumulation in pigs. This was particularly visible on Days 14-16 of the estrous cycle. Action of gonadotropin in porcine endometrium appears to be mediated by LH/hCG receptors whose number is dependent on the day of the estrous cycle. In the current study i.v. infusion (1 hour) of hCG (200 IU) performed on Days 10 (n=4) and 12-14 (n=4) of the porcine estrous cycle did not affect plasma PGFM (ng/ml+/-SEM) concentrations. In contrast, administration of hCG on Days 15-17 produced, depending on plasma PGFM level before the infusion period, three different types of response: I. plasma PGFM surge of amplitude 0.62+/-0.15 was observed when the mean basal pre-infusion PGFM plasma level was 0.23+/-0.05 (n=6 gilts); II. the delayed PGFM surge of amplitude 0.62+/-0.15 was determined when basal pre-infusion PGFM level was 0.80+/-0.20 (n=6); and III. lack of PGFM response to hCG was found when basal pre-infusion PGFM level was 1.09+/-0.61 (n=6). Concentrations of plasma PGFM before and after saline infusion did not differ on Days 12-14 and 16 of the estrous cycle. In the next experiment blood samples were collected every 1 hour on Days 12-19 of the estrous cycle to determine concentrations of LH, PGFM and progesterone in four gilts. In particular gilts, plasma peaks of LH closely preceded surges of PGFM in 72.7, 84.6, 75.0 and 66.6 percent, respectively. The highest PGFM surges followed a decline in plasma progesterone concentration. We conclude that the increased PGF(2alpha) metabolite production after hCG infusion during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle as well as the relationship between plasma LH and PGFM peaks suggest the LH involvement in the elevation of endometrial PGF(2alpha) secretion in pigs, and, in consequence, induction of luteolysis.     

Time-related changes in size of nuclei of pinealocytes in rats

Summary In a study of 96 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, da-and time-related changes of the mean nuclear volume of pinealocytes were determined with the aim of testing the reproducibility of the karyometric findings described by Quay and Renzoni (1966). It is shown (i) that statistically significant differences exist between the central and peripheral mean volumes of pinealocyte nuclei/group of animals and time point (p<0.001), (ii) that the day and time related differences are statistically different in both regions (p<0.001), (iii) that in the center and periphery of the pineal body different diurnal patterns exist, and (iv) that the diurnal patterns are not parallel in the two regions.The question discussed is (i) whether or not probable superimposed infradian rhythms may account for the different diurnal patterns, and (ii) whether these patterns in the two regions indicate functional differences between the cortex and the medulla of the rat pineal body.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant Vo 135/4) within the Schwerpunkt-programm NeuroendokrinologieThis paper is an abridged version of a thesis submitted for obtaining the degree of Dr. med., Fachbereich Medizin, University of Mainz     

Down-regulation of mitofusin-2 expression in cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo

Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) suppresses smooth muscle cell proliferation through inhibition of the Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) pathway. Since the ERK1/2 pathway is implicated in mediating hypertrophic signaling, we studied the changes in Mfn2 in cardiac hypertrophy using in vitro and in vivo models. Phenylephrine was used to induce hypertrophy in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). In vivo hypertrophy models included spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), pressure-overload hypertrophy by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), hypertrophy of non-infarcted myocardium following myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiomyopathy due to cardiac-restricted overexpression of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)-TG). We determined hypertrophic parameters and analysed expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and Mfn2 by real-time PCR. Phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (phospho-ERK) was measured by Western blot. Mfn2 was downregulated in phenylephrine treated NRCMs (by approximately 40%), hypertrophied hearts from SHR (by approximately 80%), mice with TAC (at 1 and 3 weeks, by approximately 50%), and beta(2)-TG mice (by approximately 20%). However, Mfn2 was not downregulated in hypertrophied hearts with 15 weeks of TAC, nor in hypertrophied non-infarcted myocardium following MI. phospho-ERK1/2 was increased in hypertrophied myocardium at 1 week post-TAC, but not in non-infarcted myocardium after MI, indicating that downregulated Mfn2 may be accompanied by an increase of phospho-ERK1/2. This study shows, for the first time, downregulated Mfn2 expression in hypertrophied hearts, which depends on the etiology and time course of hypertrophy. Further study is required to examine the causal relationship between Mfn2 and cardiac hypertrophy.     

Role of EETs in regulation of endothelial permeability in rat lung

This study tested the hypothesis that epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) derived from arachidonic acid via P-450 epoxygenases are soluble factors linking depletion of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores and store-dependent regulation of endothelial cell (EC) permeability in rat lung. EC permeability was measured via the capillary filtration coefficient (K(f,c)) in isolated, perfused rat lungs. 14,15-EET and 5,6-EET increased EC permeability, a response that was significantly different from that of 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET, and vehicle control. The permeability response to 14,15-EET was not significantly attenuated by the nonspecific Ca(2+) channel blocker Gd(3+) (P = 0.068). In lungs perfused with low [Ca(2+)], 14,15-EET tended to increase EC permeability, although a significant increase in K(f,c) was observed only following Ca(2+) add-back. As positive control, we showed that the 3.7-fold increase in K(f,c) evoked by thapsigargin (TG), a known activator of store depletion-induced Ca(2+) entry, was blocked by both Gd(3+) and low [Ca(2+)] buffer. Nonetheless, the permeability response to TG could not be blocked by the phospholipase A(2) inhibitors mepacrine or methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate or the P-450 epoxygenase inhibitors 17-octadecynoic acid or propargyloxyphenyl hexanoic acid. Similarly, combined pretreatment with ibuprofen and dicyclohexylurea to block EET metabolism had no effect on the permeability response to TG. We conclude that EETs have a heterogeneous impact on EC permeability. Despite a requirement for Ca(2+) entry with both TG and 14,15-EET, our data suggest that distinct signaling pathways or heterogeneity in EC responsiveness is responsible for the observed EC injury evoked by EETs and store depletion in the isolated rat lung.     

Effect of NADPH-oxidase inhibitors in the experimental model of zymosan-induced shock in mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NADPH-oxidase inhibitors, in a mouse model of zymosan. Zymosan-induced shock was induced in mice by administration of zymosan (500 mg/kg, i.p.). The pharmacological treatment was the administration of apocynin (5 mg/kg 10% DMSO i.p.) and diphenylene iodonium chloride (DPI) (1 mg/kg i.v.) 1 h and 6 h after zymosan administration. MOF and systemic inflammation in mice was assessed 18 h after administration of zymosan. NADPH-oxidase inhibitors caused a significant reduction of the (1) peritoneal exudate formation, (2) neutrophil infiltration, (3) multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, (4) nitrotyrosine, (5) poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR), (6) cytokine formation, (7) adhesion molecule expression, (8) nuclear factor (NF-κB) expression and (9) apoptosis induced by zymosan. Moreover, NADPH-oxidase inhibitors treatment significantly reduced the systemic toxicity, the loss in body weight and the mortality caused by zymosan. This study has shown that NADPH-oxidase inhibitors attenuate the degree of zymosan-induced non-septic shock in mice.     

中国6个植物原白中排印错误之更正

对我国紫草科（Boraginaceae）的密花齿缘草（Eritrichium confetiflorum W. T. Wang）、锚刺果（Glochisocaryum kansuense W. T. Wang）和大花长叶微孔草（Microula trichocarpa（Maxim.） Johnst. var. macrantha W. T. Wang）,唇形科（Lamiaceae）的宽叶香茶菜（Rabdosia latifolia C. Y. Wu & H. W. Li）,苦苣苔科（Gesneriaceae）的矮直瓣苣苔（Ancylostemon humilis W. T. Wang）以及葫芦科（Cucurbitaceae）的黑子赤瓟（Thladiantha villosula Cogn. var. nigrita A. M. Lu & Z. Y. Zhang）原白中主模式标本引证的排印错误做了更正。密花齿缘草原白中错误地将主模式标本引证为杨昌友700422,实际应为杨昌友700442。锚刺果原白中用中文错误地将主模式标本引证为傅坤俊1989,实际应为傅坤俊1489,前者属于百合科（Liliaceae）的Asparagus sichuanicus S. C. Chen & D. Q. Liu。大花长叶微孔草原白中主模式标本引证为李馨70287,实际应为李馨72087,前者属于杜鹃花科（Ericaceae）的Rhododendron edgarianum Rehder & Wilson。宽叶香茶菜原白中主模式标本引证为曲桂龄2049,实际应为曲桂龄2046,前者属于蔷薇科（Rosaceae）的Rosa caudata Baker。矮直瓣苣苔原白中主模式标本引证为杨光辉59063,实际应为杨光辉59043,前者属于桦木科（Betulaceae）的Betula fargesii Franch.。黑子赤瓟原白中主模式标本引证为冯国楣3439,实际应为冯国楣3429,前者属于伞形科（Apiaceae）的Bupleurum rockii H. Wolff。     

新疆伊犁地区夏季浮游动物群落结构特征

2006年6-7月在新疆伊犁地区对伊犁河干流、三大支流(特克斯河、巩乃斯河和喀什河)、恰甫其海水库、吉林台水库、间歇性水体和小水塘中的浮游动物进行了调查.共鉴定浮游动物134属217种,其中原生动物95属153种, 占浮游动物物种数的71%;轮虫27属51种, 占23%;枝角类7属8种,占4%;桡足类5属5种,占2%.伊犁河干流、小水塘和间歇性水体浮游动物种类数较多,分别达132、114和92种,吉林台水库种类数最少,仅7种.浮游动物密度和生物量均以恰甫其海水库最高, 分别为11 391 ind·L-1和2.79 mg·L-1,特克斯河密度最低,为578 ind·L-1,喀什河生物量最低,为0.03 mg·L-1.相关分析和一元线性回归分析表明,浮游动物种类数与水体的流速呈显著负相关.采用种类数、密度和生物量对伊犁河干流、三大支流及两个水库的水质状况进行评价表明,伊犁河、特克斯河、喀什河、巩乃斯河为寡营养水体,恰甫其海水库和吉林台水库为中营养水体.     

Prevalence of clonorchiasis in southern endemic areas of Korea in 2006

This study was performed to investigate prevalence of clonorchiasis among the inhabitants living in villages along the 4 major rivers, Nakdong-gang (=river), Seomjin-gang, Youngsan-gang, and Guem-gang in southern Korea. From January to December 2006, a total of 24,075 stool samples (1 sample per an inhabitant) were collected in 23 localities and examined by the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Of the inhabitants examined, 3,441 (14.3%) were found to harbor various types of intestinal parasite eggs, cysts or larvae. Numbers of infected people were 2,661 (11.1%) for Clonorchis sinensis, 431 (1.8%) for heterophyids, 226 (0.9%) for Entamoeba spp., 57 (0.2%) for Giardia lamblia, 30 (0.1%) for Trichuris trichiura, and 18 (0.07%) for echinostomes. Prevalence rates of clonorchiasis according to the river basin were 17.1% in Nakdong-gang, 11.2% in Seomjin-gang, 5.5% in Youngsan-gang and 4.6% in Guem-gang. Of the 2,661 C. sinensis egg-positive cases, 57.7% was male. The present findings suggest that clonorchiasis is still highly prevalent among inhabitants in the riverside areas of southern Korea, and it is necessary to implement a systematic control program in the endemic areas.     

大鼠肾组织PETN表达下调在糖尿病肾病发展中的作用

转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)激活磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶(phosphoinositide-3-kinase,PI3K)-蛋白激酶B(protein kinase B,PKB/Akt)通路与糖尿病肾病(diabetic nephropathy,DN)的发生发展密切相关,而第10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶和张力蛋白同源基因(phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten,PTEN)可以负调节PI3K-PKB/Akt通路。本研究旨在观察糖尿病大鼠肾组织PTEN的表达变化及其在DN发生发展中的可能作用。16只Sprague-Dawley大鼠分成正常对照组和糖尿病组(n=8)。尾静脉注射链脲菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)复制糖尿病大鼠模型;12周处死大鼠,检测相应生化指标并计算肾脏指数;HE染色观察肾组织病理学改变;免疫组化和Western blotting检测PTEN、TGF-β1、PI3Kp110α、Akt1、p-Akt1(Ser473)、纤维连接蛋白(fibronectin,...     

Role of high-density lipoprotein in transport of circulating bilirubin in rats

The analbuminemic rat strain established by Nagase et al. (Nagase, S., Shimamune, K., and Shumiya, S. (1979) Science 205, 590-591) exhibits hereditary deficiency in albumin biosynthesis. Serum bilirubin concentration is rather lower in homozygous (aa) rats (0.009 +/- 0.002 mg/dl) as compared with heterozygous (Aa) rats (0.047 +/- 0.009 mg/dl) or wild-type Sprague-Dawley (AA) rats (0.034 +/- 0.006 mg/dl) as evidenced by high pressure liquid chromatography analysis of bilirubin. After intravenous administration of various amounts of [heme-3H]hemoglobin in rats, [3H]bilirubin derived from [3H]heme of hemoglobin in vivo is more efficiently excreted into bile in aa rats than in Aa or AA rats. [3H]Bilirubin is exclusively bound with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in aa rats, and a significant amount of [3H]bilirubin is shown to bind with HDL in Aa or AA rats in vivo. Scatchard plots revealed that [3H]bilirubin is bound with HDL in three binding modes depending on the molar ratio of [3H]bilirubin to HDL: Kd = 0.8 X 10(-7) M (molar ratio, 0.02-0.06), Kd = 1.6 X 10(-6) M (molar ratio, 0.06-0.41), and Kd = 1.2 X 10(-4) M (molar ratio, 0.79-9.02). Even under extreme conditions of excess hemoglobin administration, the molar ratio remains under 0.041; and thus, expected the Kd value would remain around 0.8 X 10(-7) M. Binding of [3H]bilirubin to rat serum albumin revealed two distinct binding modes depending on the molar ratio of [3H]bilirubin to rat serum albumin: Kd = 3.6 X 10(-7) M (molar ratio, 0.03-0.21), and Kd = 5.0 X 10(-6) M (molar ratio, 0.21-2.46). Under physiological conditions in Aa or AA rats, the former mode would be more reliable than the latter. Thus, HDL could bind with approximately 4.5 times higher affinity than rat serum albumin in Aa or AA rats under physiological conditions in vivo.     

Role of catenins in the development of gap junctions in rat cardiomyocytes

Gap junctions are intercellular communicating channels responsible for the synchronized activity of cardiomyocytes. Recent studies have shown that the membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) can bind to catenins in epithelial cells and act as an adapter for the transport of the connexin isotype, Cx43 during gap junction formation. The significance of catenins in the development of gap junctions and whether complexes between catenins and ZO-1 are formed in cardiomyocytes are not clear. In this study, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy showed sequential redistribution of alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, ZO-1, and Cx43 to the plasma membrane when rat cardiomyocytes were cultured in low Ca(2+) (<5 microM) medium, then shifted to 1.8 mM Ca(2+) medium (Ca(2+) switch). Diffuse cytoplasmic staining of alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, ZO-1, and Cx43 was seen in the cytoplasm when cardiomyocytes were cultured in low Ca(2+) medium. Staining of alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and ZO-1 was detected at the plasma membrane of cell-cell contact sites 10 min after Ca(2+) switch, whereas Cx43 staining was first detected, colocalized with ZO-1 at the plasma membrane, 30 min after Ca(2+) switch. Distinct junctional and extensive cytoplasmic staining of alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, ZO-1, and Cx43 was seen 2 h after Ca(2+) switch. Immunoprecipitation of Triton X-100 cardiomyocyte extracts using anti-beta-catenin antibodies showed that beta-catenin was associated with alpha-catenin, ZO-1, and Cx43 at 2 h after Ca(2+) switch. Intracellular application of antisera against alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, or ZO-1 by electroporation of cardiomyocytes cultured in low Ca(2+) medium inhibited the redistribution of Cx43 to the plasma membrane following Ca(2+) switch. These results suggest the formation of a catenin-ZO-1-Cx43 complex in rat cardiomyocytes and that binding of catenins to ZO-1 is required for Cx43 transport to the plasma membrane during the assembly of gap junctions.     

Involvement of peripheral type of benzodiazepine receptor in social isolation stress-induced decrease in pentobarbital sleep in mice

Our previous studies have shown that central-type benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors (CBR) and neurosteroids capable of modulating GABA(A) receptor function are involved in the decrease of pentobarbital (PB)-induced sleep caused by social isolation stress in mice. In this study, to further clarify the mechanism underlying this decrease, we investigated the possible involvement of peripheral-type BZD receptors (PBR) which play an important role in neurosteroidogenesis in PB sleep in socially isolated mice. Socially isolated mice showed significantly shorter duration of PB-induced sleep than group-housed animals. When injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), FGIN-1-27 (FGIN, 25-100 nmol), a selective PBR agonist, and PK11195 (PK, 14-28 nmol), a PBR antagonist, and pregnenolone (PREG, 15-30 nmol), a neurosteroid precursor, dose-dependently normalized the PB sleep in isolated mice without having an effect on the group-housed animals. In contrast, pregnenolone sulfate (PS, 24 nmol), an endogenous neurosteroidal negative allosteric modulator of the GABA(A) receptor, reduced PB sleep in group-housed but not isolated mice. PS, at the same dose, significantly attenuated the effects of FGIN (100 nmol), PK (28 nmol) and PREG (30 nmol) in isolated mice, while FGIN (100 nmol), PK (28 nmol) and pregnenolone (30 nmol) significantly blocked the effect of PS (24 nmol) in group-housed mice. These results suggest that the PBR-mediated decrease in the genesis of neurosteroid(s) possessing a GABA(A) receptor agonistic profile is also partly involved in the down regulation of the GABA(A) receptor following long-term social isolation and contributes to the decrease of PB-induced sleep in isolation stressed mice.