Search

Chemical investigation of the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia koellikeri resulted in the isolation of two new cembrane diterpenoids (1 and 2) and one new dollabelane diterpenoid, 3. Their structures were determined on the basis of the results of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 3 were examined for in vitro growth-inhibition effects toward tumor cells.

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of filtration leucocytapheresis (LCP) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods. LCP was carried out three times, with 1 week separating each session, in 25 drug-resistant RA patients.
Results. During each session, 96, 98, 61, 84 and 8% of the granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, platelets and erythrocytes, respectively, that entered the LCP filter were removed. The number of granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood significantly decreased during each session of LCP. However, there was no significant decrease in the number of circulating blood cells during the study period. On average, 110 × 10⁸ granulocytes, 5.23 × 10⁸ monocytes, and 20.5 × 10⁸ lymphocytes were removed during LCP therapy. Assessment of RA before and after LCP showed a substantial and rapid improvement in the tender joints counts, swollen joint counts, and patient's and physician's assessments. No adverse reactions or complications were noted. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased following LCP, although the change in the latter parameter was statistically insignificant. The concentrations of serum albumin, γ-globulin, IgG, IgM, CH50 and rheumatoid factor titres did not change during or after LCP. Careful analysis indicated that 16 of 25 patients with RA showed ≥20% improvement following LCP therapy.
Conclusions. Our results suggest that filtration LCP to remove leucocytes from the peripheral blood exerts an immunomodulatory effect in patients with RA.

Phytochemical study of the leaves and stems of Jasminum nudiflorum has led to the isolation of three secoiridoid glucosides, jasnudiflosides A−C (1−3). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

Copper-containing monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) from Escherichia coliis a periplasmic enzyme containing topa quinone in addition to divalent copper as a cofactor. The amino acid sequence of E. colimonoamine oxidase was compared to several cloned amine oxidase genes and five well-conserved histidine residues were found. Site-directed mutagenesis studies were performed to determine which histidine residue serves as the binding Ligand to the copper. Enzyme activity, absorption spectrum, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry of the mutant enzymes indicated that histidines 470, 554, and 556 are the copper binding ligands. The absorption spectra of phenylhydrazine derivatives suggested that copper is necessary for topa quinone formation.

Reinvestigation of the dried flowers of Jasminum polyanthum has led to the isolation of four new secoiridoid glucosides, namely, jaspofoliamosides A (1) and B (2), jaspolinaloside (3), and neopolyanoside (4). The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.