Cytochromes of the P450 2C subfamily are the major enzymes involved in the O-demethylation of verapamil in humans

The calcium channel blocker verapamil [2,8-bis-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-isopropyl-6-azaoctanitrile] undergoes extensive biotransformation in man. We have previously demonstrated cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and 1A2 to be the enzymes responsible for verapamil N-dealkylation (formation of D-617 [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methylamino-2-isopropylvaleronitrile]), and verapamil N-demethylation (formation of norverapamil [2,8-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-isopropyl-6-azaoctanitrile]), while there was no involvement of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 in the third initial metabolic step of verapamil, which is verapamil O-demethylation. This pathway yields formation of D-703 [2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-isopropyl-6-azaoctanitrile] and D-702 [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-8-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)6-methyl-2-isopropyl-6-azaoctanitrile]. The enzymes catalyzing verapamil O-demethylation have not been characterized so far. We have therefore identified and characterized the enzymes involved in verapamil O-demethylation in humans by using the following in vitro approaches: (I) characterization of O-demethylation kinetics in the presence of the microsomal fraction of human liver, (II) inhibition of verapamil O-demethylation by specific antibodies and selective inhibitors and (111) investigation of metabolite formation in microsomes obtained from yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae W(R), that was genetically engineered for stable expression of human CYP2C8, 2C9 and 2C18.In human liver microsomes (n=4), the intrinsic clearance (CL_int), as derived from the ratio of V _max/K_m, was significantly higher for O-demethylation to D-703 compared to formation of D-702 following incubation with racemic verapamil (13.9±1.0 vs 2.4±0.6 ml^*min^{-1 *}g^-1 mean±SD; p<0.05), S-Verapamil (16.8±3.3 vs 2.2±1.2 ml^* mini^*g^-1, p<0.05) and R-verapamil (12.1±2.9 vs 3.6 ±1.3 ml^*min^{-1 *} g^-1; p<0.05), thus indicating regioselectivity of verapamil O-demethylation process. The CL_int of D-703 formation in human liver microsomes showed a modest but significant degree of stereo selectivity (p<0.05) with a S/R-ratio of 1.41±0.17. Anti-LKM2 (anti-liver/kidney microsome) autoantibodies (which inhibit CYP2C9 and 2C19) and sulfaphenazole (a specific CYP2C9 inhibitor) reduced the maximum rate of formation of D-703 by 81.5±4.5% and 45%, that of D-702 by 52.7±7.5% and 72.5%, respectively. Both D-703 and D-702 were formed by stably expressed CYP2C9 and CYP2C18, whereas incubation with CYP2C8 selectively yielded D-703.In conclusion, our results show that enzymes of the CYP2C subfamily are mainly involved in verapamil O-demethylation. Verapamil therefore has the potential to interact with other drugs which inhibit or induce these enzymes.     

Quantification of naturally occurring benzodiazepine-like substances in human breast milk

The possible occurrence of benzodiazepine-like substances in human breast milk was investigated in 35 healthy, newly delivered women who were known not to be taking benzodiazepines. Maternal blood samples and a sample of breast milk were obtained on the fifth post partum day. A radioreceptor technique (lower limit of detection 1.5 ng/ml; difference between duplicates at various concentrations <7%) was used for measuring benzodiazepine-like substances in blood and breast milk (with and without prior extraction). No benzodiazepine-like substances could be demonstrated in any of the blood samples taken from the 35 women. Measurable concentrations of benzodiazepine-like substances were demonstrated in all but 1 of the 35 breast milk samples. The mean concentration of benzodiazepine-like substances for all 35 women was 4.3±2.3 ng/ml (range 0–9.3 ng/ml) expressed as lorazepam. The corresponding value for extracted breast milk was 2.6±1.5 ng/ml (range 0–7.0 ng/ml). There was no association between concentrations of benzodiazepine-like substances in breast milk and maternal age, weight, height and body mass or parity, or the sex of the infant and infant birth weight. We suggest that non-detectable amounts of benzodiazepine-like substances in serum are concentrated in the mammillary glands and excreted in a higher concentration in breast milk. It is less likely that the relevant benzodiazepines are produced in the mammillary glands.     

Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus-1-positive Cell Line Established from a Patient with Small Cell Lung Cancer

A stable cell line, KHM-3S, was established from a patient with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), who had a high serum level of soluble interleukin 2 receptors (sIL2-R) and was seropositive for human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-l. KHM-3S cells were positive for IL2-R (Tac) and NKH-1, but negative for other lymphocytic markers such as OKT 11, OKT 4, OKT 8, T cell receptor (WT 31), B 1, and B 4. Moreover, the KHM-3S cells were negative for leukocyte common antigen and strongly positive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Secretion of sIL2-R and NSE by the KHM-3S line was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rearrangement of the T cell receptor gene and monoclonal HTLV-1 integration were found by Southern blot analysis of KHM-3S DNA. However, Northern blot analysis showed no T cell receptor mRNA. KHM-3S may be useful for studies on the role of HTLV-1 in carcinogenesis and IL2-R expression in SCLC.     

人胚脑与脊髓神经干细胞体外生物学特性的差异

目的:探讨人胚脑源性神经干细胞和脊髓源性神经干细胞的体外培养和分化的差异。方法:从人胚脑组织和脊髓组织中分离培养神经干细胞,分为EGF组、bFGF组、EGF±bFGF组,在连续传代过程中观察并比较神经干细胞体外培养特性的差异:用血清诱导神经干细胞分化,观察其分化状况的不同。结果:从人胚脑组织分离的细胞在bFGF 单独存在时无法形成神经球,在EGF或EGF±bFGF存在时形成大量具有连续增殖能力的神经球;从人胚脊髓组织分离的细胞在EGF单独存在时无法形成神经球,在bFGF单独存在时只形成少量神经球,在EGF±bFGF存在时形成大量具有连续增殖能力的神经球。同样在EGF±bFGF存在的情况下,脑源性于细胞的增殖速度较快。经血清诱导后,脑组织来源的干细胞分化为NSE阳性细胞数明显多于脊髓组织来源的干细胞,二者之间的差异具有显著性(P<0．05)。结论:脑源性和脊髓源性神经干细胞在生长和分化方面有明显差别:脑源性神经干细胞可在bFGF或EGF士bFGF存在的情况下长期传代,而脊髓源性神经干细胞只能在EGF±bFGF存在的情况下长期传代,脑源性干细胞的增殖能力明显高于脊髓源性干细胞;脑源性干细胞较脊髓源性干细胞更易分化为神经元。     

亚甲蓝与BCNU抗大鼠C6胶质细胞瘤协同作用的研究

目的:研究亚甲蓝(MB)对大鼠脑胶质瘤C6的增殖抑制及与化疗药物1,3-双(2-氯乙基)-1-亚硝基脲(BCNU)的协同抗肿瘤作用.方法:用MTT比色法测定MB对C6细胞的抑制作用,观察MB和BCNU对Wistar大鼠C6胶质瘤模型的治疗效果.结果:MB对C6细胞的增殖具有明显的浓度依赖性抑制作用;MB、BCNU联合应用与BCNU的单独应用对C6大鼠肿瘤模型的作用有明显差别(P＜0.01).结论:MB对C6细胞的增殖具有抑制作用,与BCNU具有协同的抗胶质细胞瘤作用.     

地塞米松对内毒素作用下人脐静脉内皮细胞表达组织因子、凝血酶调节蛋白和蛋白S的影响

目的观察地塞米松(DEX)对内毒素(LPS)作用于人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)后表达组织因子(TF)、凝血酶调节蛋白(TM)和蛋白S(PS)的影响.方法24孔板培养的第1～5代HUVEC,在含不同浓度LPS和DEX的无血清培养基中培养一定时间后裂解细胞,应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定裂解液中的TF、TM和PS含量.结果在LPS刺激下,HUVEC表达TF的量呈剂量依赖性升高,在LPS0.1μg/ml下TF的表达量为对照组的4倍(P＜0.01),同时加入0.5 μg/ml和1.0 μg/ml DEX则可使TF的表达量由128.3±25.7 pg/105细胞分别降至94.9±19.4 pg/105细胞和98.8±7.8 pg/105细胞(P＜0.05);LPS(0.01～10μg/ml)可抑制HUVEC表达TM,在LPS 10 μg/ml下,TM表达量降至对照组的60%(P＜0.05).DEX可拮抗LPS抑制HUVEC表达TM的效应,0.1 μg/ml、0.5 μg/ml和1.0 μg/ml DEX可使LPS(10 μg/ml)作用下TM的表达量由0.282±0.014 ng/105细胞分别增至0.409±0.009、0.462±0.017和0.362±0.019 ng/105细胞(P＜0.05);LPS(0～10 μg/ml)可抑制HUVEC表达PS,在LPS浓度1.0 μg/ml及10 μg/ml时,PS的表达量分别为对照组的43%和38%(P＜0.01).DEX则拮抗LPS抑制HUVEC表达PS的效应,0.5 μg/ml DEX可使LPS刺激下PS的表达量由13.1±4.8%/2×105细胞增至48.5±10.2%/2×105细胞(P＜0.01).结论LPS促进HUVEC表达TF,抑制HUVEC表达TM和PS.DEX能部分拮抗上述作用,提示DEX可能纠正内毒素血症时的高凝状态.     

fMRI技术在脑胶质瘤的应用体会

目的:利用血氧水平依赖法(BOL D)成像对患者脑胶质瘤并可能累及脑皮层功能区的患者进行功能磁共振成像(f MRI)检查,有助于外科治疗方案的制定,以提高手术的成功率和治愈率,避免重要脑功能中枢受到损伤。方法:对12例患有脑胶质瘤的患者用双手对指刺激的方法实行动态MR脑功能成像,共计5 0个动态,每次10个动态,18个层面,扫描时间为15 9s,分别间隔以等时间的静息期,检测感兴趣区正相关系数。结果:12例患者的图像采集满意,激活区均激活边缘系统,丘脑区,激活的脑功能区包括初级和次级躯体感觉区,尤以脑胶质瘤对侧激活最为显著(8例) ,同侧也有部分激活(4例)。结论:左右手对指激活特定的脑功能区,表明患者今后的恢复功能可能是对侧功能的代偿。这对外科制定手术方案,恢复的评估以及避免脑神经功能区的损伤有一定的指导意义。     

Cross talk in surface electromyograms of human hamstring muscles.

Signals generated from muscles other than the muscle(s) of interest (cross talk) can confound the interpretation of surface electromyograms (EMGs). In this study, the amount of cross talk in surface EMGs of human hamstring muscles was estimated using a protocol in which the quadriceps femoris was electrically stimulated via the femoral nerve. EMGs were recorded from the vastus lateralis and the medial and lateral hamstring muscle groups. The amplitude of the EMG response of the vastus lateralis to electrical stimulation was adjusted to match that of its maximum voluntary effort (MVE) under isometric conditions. Subsequent power density spectrum analysis showed that the median frequencies of the signals generated by electrical stimulation and MVE were not significantly different. In conventional bipolar recordings, cross talk in lateral hamstring EMGs averaged 17.1% MVE and in medial hamstring EMGs 11.3% MVE (average-rectified values). The double differential technique significantly reduced cross talk to 7.6% MVE for the lateral hamstrings, and to 4.2% MVE for the medial hamstrings. The double differential technique appears to be more selective than the bipolar technique when recording EMGs from muscles with highly active neighbors and thus should be used in such situations. Software simulations of the double differential technique also appear to be more selective than the bipolar technique and may be used when the number of amplifiers available is limited.     

Indium-111 labelled pooled human immunoglobulin imaging to monitor the efficacy of specific therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Functional imaging is ideally suited to monitoring the effect of specific therapy on disease processes. In this pilot study five patients with AIDS and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) were imaged with Indium-111 labelled pooled human immunoglobulin (111In-HIG) during infection and after therapy for PCP. The lung activity of t t tln-HIG, measured as a lung/heart ratio, was calculated in a study performed during infection with PCP and after therapy. In all five patients the lung/heart ratio of t t 1ln-HIG was reduced after treatment. The mean reduction in heart/lung ratio was 27% (range 12%-53%). If these results are confirmed by a larger study, ¹¹In-HIG will be useful in monitoring the response of PCP to therapy in patients with AIDS.