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Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and lethal lung disease characterized by accumulation of ECM and loss of pulmonary function. However, no cure exists for this disease, and current treatments often fail to slow its progression or relieve its symptoms. We have previously reported that the anti-fibrotic agent SMP-534 has beneficial effects on renal fibrosis in animal model of nephropathy. In this study, we examined whether SMP-534 has beneficial effects on pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin-treated hamsters. Treatment with SMP-534 [low dose (70 mg/kg) or high dose (110 mg/kg)] counteracted inhibition of body weight increase induced by bleomycin. In addition, SMP-534 significantly inhibited bleomycin-induced increase in lung hydroxyproline level, an index of collagen formation. Moreover, SMP-534 significantly ameliorated histological pulmonary fibrotic changes induced by bleomycin. The results of this study indicate that the anti-fibrotic agent SMP-534 may offer a new therapeutic option for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has continuously grown worldwide. Treatment with antihypertensive agents reduces the rate of progression of CKD, however, there is still a large unmet need to develop strategies for the treatment of CKD. Although we have previously reported that the antifibrotic agent, SMP-534 inhibits the progression of CKD, it is unknown whether combination therapy with SMP-534 and antihypertensive agent shows additive effects on CKD. In present study, we examined whether combination therapy with SMP-534 and the antihypertensive agent, lisinopril is more effective than single therapy with SMP-534 or lisinopril on five-sixths nephrectomized (5/6Nx) rat model. Combination therapy with SMP-534 (50 mg/kg) and lisinopril (5 mg/kg) significantly decreased urinary albumin excretion, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine and increased creatinine clearance in 5/6Nx rats. On the other hands, single treatment with SMP-534 or lisinopril did not improve renal function at this dose. In addition, combination therapy with SMP-534 and lisinopril significantly decreased extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in renal glomeruli and tubulointerstitial injury. These data suggest that combination therapy with an antifibrotic agent and an antihypertensive agent may offer a new therapeutic option for suppressing the progression of CKD.

Background/Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. Previously we have demonstrated that SMP-534 (an antifibrotic agent) prevents the development of diabetic nephropathy in db/db mouse and that combined treatment with SMP-534 and losartan (antihypertensive agents) markedly prevents the development of diabetic nephropathy compared with single treatment. SMP-534 or losartan was prophylactically administered to db/db mice before the onset of diabetic nephropathy. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of combined treatment when administration was started after the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Methods:db/db mice were raised untreated until 17 weeks of age, by which time increase of urinary albumin was noted, and then treated with SMP-534 and/or losartan for another 8 weeks. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed at 25 weeks of age. Results: Combined treatment with SMP-534 and losartan markedly prevented the increase ofurinary albumin and ameliorated the progression of mesangial matrix expansion, even when administration was started long after the increase of urinary albumin. Conclusion: The study results indicate that a combination of SMP-534 and losartan might be a valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy even when administration is started after the onset of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is currently the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. Diabetic nephropathy patients, whether insulin dependent or not, develop fibrotic changes in glomeruli that manifest as overt nephropathy. Previously, we demonstrated that 5-chloro-2-{(1E)-3-[2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]prop-1-en-1-yl}- N-(methylsulfonyl)benzamide (SMP-534) reduces extracellular matrix (ECM) production induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in vitro and prevents the accumulation of ECM in glomeruli in rat Thy-1 nephritis models. In this study, we examined the long-term effects of SMP-534 on renal insufficiency and glomerulosclerosis in db/db mice, which are models of type 2 diabetes. A diet containing SMP-534 was given to the mice from the age of 9 to 25 wk, and blood and urine analysis were performed at 8, 17, and 25 wk. At the end of study, kidney tissues were analyzed histologically. Treatment with SMP-534 dose dependently suppressed the increase of urinary albumin and type IV collagen excretion in db/db mice. The renal histological analysis showed that SMP-534 dose dependently suppressed the increase of mesangial expansion in the kidney. In the immunohistological analysis, fibronectin and type IV collagen expression were lower in SMP-534-treated db/db mice compared with vehicle-treated db/db mice. This study suggested that SMP-534 ameliorated the increase of ECM production in kidney of db/db mice, possibly through the inhibition of TGF-β action. Hence, antifibrotic agents such as SMP-534 might be a new therapeutic option for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Background/Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is now the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. It is also clear that the current therapy, angiotensin II blockage, cannot prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy. We had previously demonstrated that an antifibrotic agent, SMP-534, reduced extracellular matrix production induced by transforming growth factor-β in vitro, and that SMP-534 prevented renal fibrosis and urinary albumin in diabetic db/db mice via a nonantihypertensive mechanism. We expected that combined use of SMP-534 and losartan would produce a more highly renoprotective action. Methods: We examined the effects of combined treatment with SMP-534 and losartan on urinary albumin and glomerular fibrosis in db/db mice. Diet containing these agents was provided from age 9 to 25 weeks. Blood and urine analyses were performed at 8, 17, and 25 weeks. At the end of the study, kidney tissues were histologically analyzed. Results: SMP-534 significantly suppressed an increase in urinary albumin excretion and ameliorated the progression of glomerular fibrosis in db/db mice, whereas losartan did not. Combined treatment with SMP-534 and losartan markedly prevented the increase of urinary albumin excretion compared with treatment with either SMP-534 or losartan alone. In contrast, renal histological analysis revealed that combined treatment did not significantly prevent an increase of mesangial expansion in the kidney compared with treatment with SMP-534 alone. Conclusion: A combination of the two agents, SMP-534 and losartan, might be a valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent fibrotic factor responsible for the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) and is implicated as the major determinant in pathogenesis of chronic fibroses, including kidney. The novel small compound SMP-534 reduced ECM production induced by TGF-β in fibroblast cells. SMP-534 inhibited TGF-β-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) activation but did not inhibit epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activation. We also found that oral administration of SMP-534 dose dependently lowered hydroxyproline contents in the cortical region of the kidney in rat anti-Thy-1 nephritis models. In periodic acid-Schiff staining of kidney sections, ECM accumulation was reduced by SMP-534 treatment. These data indicate that SMP-534 has potential in therapy for fibrotic diseases, including nephropathy.

We had construct a railway tunnel at the site where the occurance of landslides was feared and in addition there were some private houses. We concerned ourself about bad influences on landslide behaviors and the houses due to shocks caused by blastings used for the construction. The maximum blasting shock occurs during a center cut explosion, which is the first explosion in a borehole among many ones filled with dynamite. First, we designed a criterion to evaluate the risk of landslides on the basis of vibration velocities of the blasting shocks. Next, by the survey of blasting-induced vibrations before and during the construction. we examinedthe permissible volume of center cut dynamite in comparison with the criterion. As a result, the tunnel was successfully excavated with no influence on the houses and landsliding due to blast shock. This report describes the method of investigation and analysis, and the results of observation of landslides during the actual construction.

A series of benzoylpyrrole-based carboxylic acids are designed and synthesized as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activators.

Starting with a subtle blood glucose-lowering effect of a TGF-β inhibitor, we designed and synthesized a series of benzoylpyrrole-based carboxylic acids as PPARs activators. Among these compounds, 10sNa exhibited favorable blood glucose-lowering effect without body weight gain. We assume that the beneficial effect of 10sNa is attributed to not only its compound PPARα agonistic activity but also its PPARγ partial agonistic activity.

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon films have splendid wear characteristics as protective coatings. In the present work we have studied the relation between wear durability and microstructure of the amorphous hydrogenated carbon films prepared with radio‐frequency plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Wear rates of pin‐on‐disk sliding tests for the films deposited at various conditions have been compared with the results of spectroscopic analysis. Wear durability of the films has been found to be described with a combination of two factors, one is the shoulder‐to‐main peak ratio of Raman spectra and the other is content of chemically bonded hydrogen atom. The former factor stands for the amount of ‘‘graphitelike’’ regions and the latter stands for the amount of ‘‘organic’’ regions in the carbon films.

Background/Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the common cause of end-stage renal disease. Antihypertensive agents are clinically used to inhibit the progression of CKD. However, these agents cannot completely prevent progression to renal failure. We have previously reported that 5-chloro-2-{(1E)-3-[2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-4-methyl-1H- pyrrol-1-yl]prop-1en-1-yl}-N-(methylsulfonyl)benzamide (SMP-534) improves renal disease and prevents the production of extracellular matrix in vitro. Additionally, SMP-534 inhibits glomerular fibrosis and provides renoprotection in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the effect of SMP-534 on renal dysfunction in a 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6Nx) rat model. Method: Five groups of rats were studied: sham operated, 5/6Nx + vehicle, 5/6Nx + SMP-534 30 mg/kg, 5/6Nx + SMP-534 60 mg/kg and 5/6Nx + SMP-534 90 mg/kg. Treatment with SMP-534 began 13 weeks after surgery, when hypertension and renal insufficiency had developed. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen levels, creatinine clearance and urinary albumin were measured at specific time points. Results: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly reduced in SMP-534-treated groups. In addition, SMP-534 dose-dependently suppressed the increase in urinary albumin excretion observed in 5/6Nx rats. Moreover, survival rates were improved in SMP-534-treated groups. Conclusion: We have shown in this study that chronic oral administration of SMP-534 improves renal dysfunction in 5/6Nx rats. These findings indicate that SMP-534 may be a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of CKD.

Diabetic nephropathy is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. Previously we have demonstrated that SMP-534 (an antifibrotic agent) prevents the development of diabetic nephropathy in db/db mouse and that combined treatment with SMP-534 and losartan (antihypertensive agents) markedly prevents the development of diabetic nephropathy compared with single treatment. SMP-534 or losartan was prophylactically administered to db/db mice before the onset of diabetic nephropathy. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of combined treatment when administration was started after the onset of diabetic nephropathy.db/db mice were raised untreated until 17 weeks of age, by which time increase of urinary albumin was noted, and then treated with SMP-534 and/or losartan for another 8 weeks. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed at 25 weeks of age.Combined treatment with SMP-534 and losartan markedly prevented the increase of urinary albumin and ameliorated the progression of mesangial matrix expansion, even when administration was started long after the increase of urinary albumin.The study results indicate that a combination of SMP-534 and losartan might be a valuable therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy even when administration is started after the onset of diabetic nephropathy.

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon films were prepared by reactive direct current magnetron sputtering in argon plasma containing methane as the reactant gas. The films were characterized using various spectroscopic measurements such as Raman scattering, optical absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet–visible region, and infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy. The spectral analyses indicated that changes in Raman spectroscopy intensity occurring with increasing methane gas content were determined to be caused by changes in optically resonant components in the films. Furthermore, a significant correlation was seen between the relative intensity of IR peaks and wear durability.

Wear rate of diamond-like carbon (DLC) protective layer deposited by a radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method has been evaluated by continuous sliding tests using spherical sapphire pins. The influence of each property such as microstructure and microhardness on wear durability of the film is discussed. It has been found that the wear durability of the DLC film is several times superior to that of conventional sputtered carbon film. >

‘‘Diamondlike’’ carbon films have potential applications because of their high wear resistances. We have investigated the influence of exposure to an atmosphere of high relative humidity (RH) on tribological properties of carbon films prepared with a radio‐frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Wear characteristics were measured using a pin‐on‐disk wear tester. A friction coefficient of a carbon film as deposited was as low as 0.2. However, the value increased up to 0.3–0.4 after exposure to an atmosphere of 60 °C 90% RH for seven days. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy analysis suggested that a very thin (