Physicochemical quality evaluation of natural compounds isolated from crude drugs

Aconite root has high toxicity caused by diester alkaloids, thus it was necessary to define the limiting value of diester alkaloids used in medicine formulation. To give the quality of “Processed Aconite Root” and “Powdered Processed Aconite Root” in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (14th edn, supplement II), we established the official specification and evaluation methods of standard substances. High qualitative grade diester alkaloids, aconitine, hypaconitine, jesaconitine and mesaconitine, which were useful to evaluate the purity of processed aconite root and powdered processed aconite root, were prepared and evaluated for their stability. We studied the physicochemical specification and evaluation methods of these alkaloids. In addition, an “Aconitum diester alkaloids standard solution for purity”, which was used for the purity test, was prepared, and we also studied its physicochemical specification and evaluation methods. In addition, to evaluate the quality of processed aconite root and powdered processed aconite root, a TLC identification test was established. A monoester alkaloid of benzoylmesaconine hydrochloride was used as the reference standard in the latter test, and we also investigated its physicochemical specification and evaluation methods.     

Norepinephrine‐induced diastolic dysfunction with aortic valve opening under calcium‐loading in rats

Heart failure associated with a high plasma level of norepinephrine (NE) has an extremely poor prognosis with NE being the most powerful predictor of all‐cause mortality. An increase in the diastolic intracellular calcium level (Ca²⁺) occurs in left ventricular dysfunction; however, the cause‐and‐effect relationships among Ca²⁺loading, high plasma NE, and an increase in diastolic ventricular pressure is unclear. Here, we examined the relationship between diastolic dysfunction and NE with and without Ca²⁺loading in rats. Animals were studied in four groups: Ca²⁺loading for 45 min (Ca²⁺group), NE alone for 25 min (30 µg/kg/min NE for 25 min; NE group), Ca²⁺loading and NE for 25 min after Ca²⁺loading (Ca²⁺‐NE group), and a vehicle group. Hemodynamics were examined using a micromanometer‐tipped pressure catheter, and diastolic function was studied using Doppler echocardiography. Significantly increased left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and decreased E and Ea waves and deceleration time (DCT) were found in the Ca²⁺‐NE group, compared with the Ca²⁺and NE groups. There were no changes in left ventricular pressure (LVP) and LV ejection fraction (EF) among the four groups. NE‐induced diastolic contracture (NEIDC) with aortic valve opening occurred in the diastole when LVP overshot the aortic pressure after co‐administration of NE and Ca²⁺after Ca²⁺loading, and pulmonary hemorrhage was observed in all animals of the Ca²⁺‐NE group. The results support the suggestion that NE may be an important factor in the development of diastolic dysfunction in ischemic heart disease. Drug Dev. Res. 67:511–518, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

小梁切开术治疗进展期青光眼的长期结果

目的：说明小梁切开术治疗原发性和继发性进展期青光眼的长期结果。 方法：89例进展期青光眼患者的149只眼进行了小梁切除术，对这些患者进行回顾性研究。在随访和最后检查时测定眼压、成功率、视力和视野。     

Spontaneous regression of bone metastasis from renal cell carcinoma; A case report

Background  

Spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma is rarely observed.     

Tuberculous peritonitis defying diagnosis: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Feb. 10, 1999; accepted on Nov. 11, 1999)     

The FANCG Fanconi anemia protein interacts with CYP2E1: possible role in protection against oxidative DNA damage.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder that leads to aplastic anemia and birth defects and predisposes to cancer. FA cells exhibit characteristic hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents such as mitomycin C (MMC), and FANCG is one of six known FA gene products. By immunocytochemical analysis of transfected cells, we discovered that although FANCG localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, there was an increase in cells with predominantly cytoplasmic staining after treatment with MMC. Concurrently, while searching by two-hybrid analysis for proteins that associate with FANCG, we identified a novel interaction between FANCG and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). A member of the P450 superfamily, CYP2E1 is associated with the production of reactive oxygen intermediates and the bioactivation of carcinogens. High constitutive levels of CYP2E1 were found in a FA-G lymphoblast cell line, whereas complementation of the FA-G line with wild-type FANCG was associated with decreased CYP2E1. These findings suggested that the interaction of FANCG with CYP2E1 might alter redox metabolism and increase DNA oxidation. Using a fluorescent assay, we found a dose-dependent increase in the oxidized DNA base, 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), after treatment of mutant FA-G cells with H(2)O(2) or MMC. Conversely, significantly lower levels of 8-oxoG were detected in FANCG-complemented FA-G cells. We conclude that the unknown function of FANCG involves at least transient interaction with cytoplasmic components, possibly including CYP2E1, and propose a role for FANCG in protection against oxidative DNA damage.