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SMTP-7, a fungal metabolite, is reported to have a high degree of availability for the ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) model. Cisplatin, a widely used anticancer drug, has serious side effects, such as AKI. Hence, we aimed to examine the effect of SMTP-7 on cisplatin-induced AKI in this study. Significant increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were observed at 72 h after the intravenous infusion of cisplatin (20 mg/kg). Histologically, necrosis and dilatation (hyaline casts) as well as regeneration were observed in proximal tubules. SMTP-7 inhibited the elevation on BUN and Scr caused by cisplatin dose dependently. The efficacy of SMTP-7 was notable when the drug was administered on the day after cisplatin treatment, whereas the repeated administration of the drug did not result in an enhanced efficacy. Moreover, 10 mg/kg of SMTP-7 considerably ameliorated tubular necrosis and dilatation. The cisplatin treatment also caused an up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression prior to the elevation of the levels of BUN and Scr. Administration of SMTP-7 (10 mg/kg) at 24 h after the cisplatin infusion alleviated the up-regulation of TNF-α mRNA expression. These findings suggest that SMTP-7 exhibits a renoprotective effect against cisplatin infusion based on the inhibition of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and may be expected a new effective drug for the treatment of cisplatin-induced AKI.

We established a novel mouse model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) using acetic acid and compared it with the 5/6-nephrectomized mouse model. In our novel model, significant increases were observed in blood biochemical values and urinary parameters. Moreover, a decrease in creatinine clearance (Ccr) was observed. This model also demonstrated a higher survival rate than the 5/6-nephrectomized model. Observed histological changes in our model included cell infiltration in the renal interstitium, tubular dilation, regenerated tubules, and glomerulosclerosis. Inflammation of the renal interstitium was particularly remarkable. TNF-α, IL-1β, and ICAM-1 mRNA expression were up-regulated prior to elevation of mean blood pressure and prior to changes in blood biochemical values and urinary parameters. Up-regulation of TGF-β mRNA and down-regulation of nephrin mRNA were also observed at 12 weeks after acetic acid treatment. However, no correlation between the progression of CKD and the decrease in renal blood flow was observed. Finally, repeated losartan administration attenuated the effects of acetic acid-induced renal injury. Our findings suggest that chronic kidney conditions associated with this model may be triggered by interstitial inflammation. Moreover, we suggest that this model is useful for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of CKD, and for evaluating the effects of therapeutic agents.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), complicates existing CKD, and can lead to the end-stage renal disease. However, there are no approved effective therapeutics for AKI. Recent studies have suggested that inflammation and oxidative stress are the primary causes of AKI. We previously reported the potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of SMTP-7 in AKI model mice. AKI was induced in mice by ischemia of the left renal artery and vein for 45 min followed by reperfusion, 2 weeks after the removal of right kidney. The efficacy of SMTP-7 was determined by measuring the renal function using urine and serum samples and morphological assessment. For deciphering the mechanism of action of SMTP-7, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in kidney were detected. SMTP-7 (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently improved the renal function. In addition, it improved the damage to renal tubules and exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in the kidney of AKI mice. These results indicate the potential of SMTP-7 as a medicinal compound for the treatment of AKI.

Background:Thromboembolic ischemic stroke, which is mainly caused by hypertension, as well as plasma dyslipidemia, arterial fibrillation and diabetes, is a leading cause of death in the US and other countries. Numerous clinical trials for thrombolytic drugs, which aimed to pharmacologically dissolve thrombi, were conducted in the 1950s, when the first thrombolytic therapy was performed.Methods:In this study, we summarize the pathophysiologic features of ischemic stroke, and the history of thrombolytic therapy, and discuss the recent progress that has been made in the ongoing development of thrombolytic drugs.Conclusion:Thrombolytic therapy is sometimes accompanied by harmful hemorrhagic insults; accordingly, a window of time wherein therapy can safely be performed has been established for this approach. Several basic and clinical studies are ongoing to develop next-generation thrombolytic drugs to expand the time window

We reported previously that Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7) showed potential thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects that account for its excellent pharmacological activity such as having a wider therapeutic time window than tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and a significant protection against hemorrhage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effect of a new series of SMTPs in the acetic acid-induced embolic cerebral infarct mouse model. Thrombotic occlusion was produced in mice by inducing the transfer of acetic acid-induced thrombi from the right common carotid artery into the brain. SMTPs were evaluated by their effect on reducing infarct area, neurological score and edema. Furthermore, plasmin formation, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities were assessed by fibrin zymography, measuring pro-inflammatory gene expression, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, respectively. Treatment with either SMTP-22 or SMTP-43 (10 mg/kg), which have similar plasmin formation, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities to SMTP-7, resulted in reduced infarct area, neurological score and edema. Coexistence of all these three activities appears to be important for the treatment of embolic infarction because SMTP-6, SMTP-25, and SMTP-44D (10 mg/kg), which are each missing at least one of the three functions, were not as effective. Therefore, these results indicate that SMTP-22 and SMTP-43 have potential as medicinal compounds for the treatment of embolic cerebral infarction.

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-secreted protein and is a multifunctional adipocytokine. However, the association of adiponectin with bladder contraction has not been investigated. In this study, the adiponectin-sense transgenic mouse (Adip-Sen mouse; age, 16-24 weeks; male) and age-matched controls (C57Bl mouse) were studied. The Adip-Sen mouse showed a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels (56.2%; P < 0.01), compared with those in the C57Bl mouse, without affecting other lipid parameters. Isometric force development in bladder smooth muscle tissues were detected using an organ-bath system. Although carbachol (CCh)-induced (0.1-100 µM) time- and dose-dependent contractions in Adip-Sen mouse bladder were slightly enhanced, compared with those in the C57Bl mouse during a low range (0.3-1.0 µM) of CCh, differences could not be detected with other CCh concentrations. However, the reduction in contraction under Ca(2+)-replaced conditions was significantly different between Adip-Sen and C57Bl mice (94.1 and 66.3% of normal contraction, respectively; n = 5). A parameter of Ca(2+) sensitivity, the relation between intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and contraction, was increased in the Adip-Sen mouse, compared with that in the C57B1 mouse. This Ca(2+) dependency in the Adip-Sen mouse was reduced by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, but not by a Rho kinase inhibitor. Expression of the calcium-dependent isoform of PKC, PKCα, was increased in the Adip-Sen mouse bladder, and CCh-induced phosphorylation of PKCα was also enhanced, compared with those in the C57Bl mouse. In conclusion, adiponectin is associated with bladder smooth muscle contraction, which involves an increase in Ca(2+) dependency of contraction mediated by PKCα expression.

The spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular calcium within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) isolated from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) were investigated using real-time confocal laser microscopy. At 3 months of age (prestroke), rhythmical changes in the [Ca2+]i during the tonic phase were found to precede vasomotion following application of 5-HT, but not other stimuli. These responses were not observed at 1 month of age; moreover, the MCA lost both responses post-stroke (5 months of age). When [Ca2+]i was analysed in arteriolar smooth muscle cells, rhythmical changes in [Ca2+]i occurred during the same cycle. Thus, these processes were synchronized. The synchronized rhythmical changes in [Ca2+]i were abolished following application of 100 nm ketanserin and 10 μm nicardipine. Treatment with 60 nm charybdotoxin and 10 μm cyclopiazonic acid also significantly reduced rhythmical elevations in [Ca2+]i. In addition, rhythmical changes in [Ca2+]i became unsynchronized following treatment with 100 μm carbenoxolone, a gap junction blocker. Connexin 45 mRNA and protein expression were both elevated in the MCA of SHR-SP. Taken together, these findings suggest that rhythmical changes in [Ca2+]i of the MCA are dependent upon the 5-HT2 receptor-mediated release of calcium from intracellular stores which, in turn, activates voltage-dependent calcium channels to enable an influx of calcium into smooth muscle cells. Subsequently, charybdotoxin-sensitive potassium channels are activated and provide a negative feedback pathway to regulate [Ca2+]i. Moreover, the co-ordinated synchronization of rhythmical changes in [Ca2+]i across smooth muscle cells was found to be dependent upon gap junctions.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation has been found to induce the brain damage following stroke-like events. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7) on the generation of ROS in ischemia-induced cerebral infarction model and in vitro lipid peroxidation. We used immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse-transcription PCR for ex vivo evaluation and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance reagent assay for in vitro evaluation. We demonstrated that SMTP-7 did not induce enhancement of 4-hydroxynonenal or neutrophil cytosolic factor 2 like t-PA administration at 3 h after ischemia ex vivo and reduce lipid peroxidation in vitro. This compound is the first low molecular weight compound with triplet activities of thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. We theorized that SMTP-7 is among the pharmacological agents that reduce ROS formation and have been found to limit the extent of brain damage following stroke-like events.

Background and Purpose— Thrombolysis therapy using tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is occasionally accompanied by harmful outcomes, including intracerebral hemorrhage. We have reported that Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7), a candidate thrombolytic drug, has excellent therapeutic effect on cerebral infarction in embolic stroke model in mice; however, little is known regarding whether this agent influences cerebrovascular inflammation following thrombolytic reperfusion. The current study aimed to compare the effects of recombinant t-PA (rt-PA) and SMTP-7 on cerebrovascular inflammation. Methods— The impact of rt-PA- and SMTP-7-induced thrombolytic reperfusion on leukocyte dynamics was investigated in a photochemically induced thrombotic middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) model in mice. Results— Both rt-PA and SMTP-7 administration in tMCAo mice (each 10 mg/kg) resulted in thrombolytic reperfusion. The SMTP-7-administered mice showed relatively mild rolling and attachment of leukocytes to the vascular wall in the middle cerebral vein, with weak peroxynitrite reactions and proinflammatory gene expression (IL-1β, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1); thus, a small infarct volume compared with rt-PA-administered mice. In vitro study suggested that rt-PA at 20 μg/mL, but not SMTP-7 at a similar concentration, promotes cytokine-induced reactive oxygen species generation in cultured endothelial cells; moreover, SMTP-7 suppressed cytokine-induced VCAM-1 induction in the cells and leukocyte/ endothelial cell adhesions. Conclusions— Relatively mild cerebrovascular inflammation and cerebral infarction in the SMTP-7 mice, compared with in rt-PA mice, is thought to be caused at least in part by direct antioxidative actions of SMTP-7 in ECs.

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) has a short therapeutic time window for administration (3 h) and carries a risk of promoting intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of the present study was to investigate a therapeutic time window and frequency of hemorrhagic region by treatment with Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7). Thrombotic occlusion was induced by transfer of acetic acid-induced thrombus at the right common carotid artery into the brain of mice. Infarction area, neurological score, edema percentage, and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) were determined as the index of the efficacy of SMTP-7. In order to evaluate the mechanism of SMTP-7, plasmin activities and the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-6 mRNA were examined. SMTP-7 (0.1, 1, 10 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced infarction area, neurological score, and edema percentage. Additionally, its therapeutic time window was longer than that of t-PA, a high-molecular-weight compound. In addition, little hemorrhagic region was induced by treatment with SMTP-7. SMTP-7 showed plasmin activity in vivo and caused a decreased CBF to recover. Furthermore, the expressions of inflammatory cytokine mRNA (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6) were increased by t-PA treatment 3 h after ischemia but were not induced by SMTP-7 treatment. These results indicate that SMTP-7 shows potential thrombolytic and anti-inflammatory effects as well as a wide therapeutic time window and little hemorrhagic region compared with that of t-PA. Therefore, this novel low-molecular-weight compound may represent a novel approach for the treatment of cerebral infarction.

The aim of the present study was to establish a novel embolic model of cerebral infarction and to evaluate the effect of Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7), a novel fungal triprenyl phenol metabolite. Thrombotic occlusion was induced by transfer of acetic acid–induced embolus into the brain. The regional cerebral blood flow was measured by a laser Doppler flowmeter to check the ischemic condition. Infarction area was assessed by 2% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Neurological scores were determined by a modified version of the method described by Longa et al. Emboli were accumulated at the temporal or parietal region of the middle cerebral artery. Additionally, we found that this model showed decreased cerebral blood flow and increased infarction area and neurological scores. Treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) reduced infarction area and the neurological scores in a dose-dependent manner; moreover, the decreased cerebral blood flow recovered. SMTP-7 also reduced these values. The therapeutic time window of SMTP-7 was longer than that of t-PA. These results indicate that this model may be useful for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral infarction and evaluating the effects of therapeutic agents. Additionally, SMTP-7 is a promising approach to extend the therapeutic time window. Therefore, this novel compound may represent a novel approach for the treatment of cerebral infarction. Keywords:: acetic acid, cerebral infarction, embolus, Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7)

The objective of this study was to compare intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and contractile responses in isolated rat middle cerebral artery (MCA) with those in basilar artery (BA) employing real-time confocal laser microscopy. KCl elicited transient [Ca2+]i elevation and sustained contraction in both arteries; moreover, nearly equal responses were evident in both arteries. Application of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasopressin (VP), and α,β-methylene adenosine 5’-triphosphate (α,β-me ATP) also induced elevation of [Ca2+]i and contraction in both arteries. The maximum response of 5-HT and VP necessary to increase [Ca2+]i and to constrict the MCA was less in comparison to the BA; however, a linear relationship emerged between the maximum response of [Ca2+]i and that of contraction. Additionally, the slope of the correlation regression line of MCA was nearly identical to that of BA. On the other hand, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-induced Ca2+ release from store sites following contraction of MCA was distinct from that of BA. In MCA, velocity of [Ca2+]i elevation in smooth muscle cells and Ca2+-wave propagation along smooth muscle cells induced by 5-HT were slower than those in BA. These observations revealed that different regions of arteries along the same cerebral tissue may display distinct [Ca2+]i response; moreover, this difference may be one reason for the distinct contractile response. Keywords:: confocal microscopy, intracellular calcium, basilar artery, middle cerebral artery

Background and purpose: The renal artery (RA) has been extensively investigated for the assessment of renal vascular function/dysfunction; however, few studies have focused on the intrarenal vasculature. Experimental approach: We devised a microvascular force measurement system, which allowed us to measure contractions of interlobar arteries (ILA), isolated from within the mouse kidney and prepared without endothelium. Key results: KCl (50 mM) induced similar force development in the aorta and RA but responses in the ILA were about 50% lower. Treatment of RA with 10 μM phenylephrine (PE), 10 nM U46619 (thromboxane A2 analogue) or 10 μM prostaglandin F2α elicited a response greater than 150% of that induced by KCl. In ILA, 10 nM U46619 elicited a response that was 130% of the KCl-induced response; however, other agonists induced levels similar to that induced by KCl. High glucose conditions (22.2 mM glucose) significantly enhanced responses in RA and ILA to PE or U46619 stimulation. This enhancement was suppressed by rottlerin, a calcium-independent PKC inhibitor, indicating that glucose-dependent, enhanced small vessel contractility in the kidney was linked to the activation of calcium-independent PKC. Conclusion and implications: Extra- and intrarenal arteries exhibit different profiles of agonist-induced contractions. In ILA, only U46619 enhanced small vessel contractility in the kidney, which might lead to renal dysfunction and nephropathy through reduced intrarenal blood flow rate. A model has been established, which will allow the assessment of contractile responses of intrarenal arteries from murine models of renal disease, including type 2 diabetes. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155, 1204–1213; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.365; published online 22 September 2008

Alteration of bladder contractility was examined in the spontaneously hypertensive and hyperlipidemic rat (SHHR; age, 9 months; systolic blood pressure, >150 mm Hg; plasma cholesterol, >150 mg/dl). Carbachol (CCh) induced time- and dose-dependent contractions in Sprague-Dawley (age-matched control) rats and SHHR; however, maximal levels differed significantly (13.3 +/- 2.2 and 5.4 +/- 1.9 microN/mm(2) following 10 microM CCh treatment, respectively; n = 5). This difference, which was maintained in calcium-replaced physiological salt solution (PSS), was suppressed by pretreatment with rho kinase inhibitor, 1 microM Y27632 [(R)-(+)-trans-N-(4-pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxamide]; moreover, total activity of rho kinase was also reduced in SHHR bladder. Pretreatment of bladders under high-glucose (HG) conditions (22.2 mM glucose-contained PSS for 30 min) led to enhancement of CCh-induced contraction solely in control animals. Under HG conditions, both protein kinase C (PKC) activity and production of diacylglycerol (DG) derived from incorporated glucose declined in SHHR bladder; however, sustained elevation of plasma glucose level was not detected in SHHR. These results suggested that bladder contractility dysfunction in SHHR is attributable to alteration of rho kinase activity and the DG-PKC pathway. This dysfunction may occur prior to chronic hyperglycemia onset in progressive hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

Introduction Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) modifications in endothelial and smooth muscle cells represent a key element in the pathogenesis of cerebral artery vasospasm. Therefore, the present study documented potential application of confocal laser microscopy in the determination of contractile and [Ca 2+ ] i responses in basilar artery. Methods Experiments were performed on the rat isolated basilar artery. Changes in [Ca 2+ ] i were determined by ratiometry involving Fluo-4/AM and Fura Red/AM. Contractile function was calculated from the change in fluorescent area by Fluo-4/AM. Results KCl (50 mM) elicited an increase in [Ca 2+ ] i and contraction in basilar artery; moreover, nearly well maintained responses were evident for at least 120 min following the first application. 10 μM 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 10 μM α,β-methyleneadenosine 5′-triphosphate (α,β-meATP) and 10 nM vasopressin (VP) also induced increases in [Ca 2+ ] i and contraction dose-dependently. Additionally, 10 μM acetylcholine elicited a transient [Ca 2+ ] i decrease and sustained relaxation. In individual cells, rhythmical changes in [Ca 2+ ] i were observed after 10 μM 5-HT. VP (10 nM) evoked modest Ca 2+ oscillation in individual cells; however, Ca 2+ oscillation was not detectable with 10 μM α,β-meATP. Discussion These results indicate that this method offers reproducibility and quantifiable effects. Imaging technology may therefore be applied to the estimation of [Ca 2+ ] i responses at the tissue level as well as at the level of the individual cell. Thus, confocal laser microscopy is a suitable tool for estimation of small artery function.

Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents against various types of cancers; however, it is also associated with nephrotoxicity. Recently, it was reported that inflammatory mechanisms play a key role in the development of nephrotoxicity. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have an anti-inflammatory effect and are metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH: encoded by EPHX2 gene). Here, we determined the change in sEH activity and EPHX2 expression in renal tissue associated with the development of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin administration decreased hydrolase activity accompanied by down-regulation of sEH and EPHX2 expression. The down-regulation occurred prior to the elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression or at treatment with low dose cisplatin. In addition, a negative correlation was found between EPHX2 expression and renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and edaravone, a radical scavenger, administration did not down-regulate expression of this gene. The results of this study suggest that cisplatin decreased sEH activity through the down-regulation of sEH and EPHX2 expression, and this down-regulation was involved in a negative feedback loop to protect renal tissue from further damage. Thus, sEH is a potential therapeutic target of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the simplest of the water-soluble phospholipids, can evoke various biological responses. The present study examined the activity of LPA to induce plasma exudation and histamine release in mice. Plasma exudation was assessed by extravasation of Evans blue. Subcutaneous administration of LPA (1 – 100 µg/site) led to increased plasma exudation in the skin. The LPA-induced plasma exudation was inhibited by ketotifen, a histamine H1-receptor antagonist, and diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), a LPA1/LPA3-receptor antagonist. Moreover, pretreatment with pertussis toxin and DGPP inhibited the histamine release from peritoneal mast cells induced by LPA. These findings indicate that plasma exudation induced by LPA is mediated by histamine release from mast cells via LPA receptor(s), presumably LPA1 and/or LPA3, coupled to Gi/o proteins. Moreover, these findings point to a role of LPA in the pathomechanisms of various allergic disorders. Keywords:: lysophosphatidic acid, plasma exudation, histamine release, diacylglycerol pyrophosphate

The present investigation was conducted in order to determine whether lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces itch-scratch responses (ISRs) in mice. Intradermal administration of LPA induces ISRs; furthermore, the time course for LPA-induced ISRs was similar to that for histamine-induced responses. Comparative study of the pruritogenic activity revealed that histamine possessed a potent effect characterized by a dose-response relationship; however, prostaglandin D2 failed to induce this response. Pretreatment with ketotifen, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist, and capsaicin inhibited LPA-induced ISRs. Additionally, LPA-induced ISRs were abolished by Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). These findings suggest that LPA-induced ISRs are attributable to histamine- and substance-P-mediated pathways. Moreover, the Rho/ROCK-mediated pathway may be involved.

The effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on experimental allergic conjunctivitis, induced by ocular challenge with antigen in actively sensitized guinea pigs, were investigated. NSAIDs reduced the increase in prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and E2 (PGE2) in the ocular lavage fluid. The inhibition of NSAIDs to these increases was approximately 90%-95%. NSAIDs also lowered itch-scratch response (ISR) to approximately one-third to one-half of the vehicle-treated group. However, these drugs scarcely affected plasma exudation in the conjunctiva. Ketotifen, an H1 histamine receptor antagonist, inhibited both pathophysiological changes (inhibition: 70%-80%). However, this drug was less efficacious than NSAIDs in reducing PGD2 and PGE2 levels. Moreover, topical administration of histamine induced ISR and plasma exudation; in contrast, PGD2 induced ISR exclusively. These results suggest that a part of antigen-induced ISR may be attributable to PGs. However, PGs may not play a key role in plasma exudation; other mediators such as histamine may be involved.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has been shown to be a chemoattractant in in vitro studies. The present study was carried out to determine whether LPA enhances infiltration of inflammatory cells in in vivo studies with guinea pigs. LPA (1 – 10 μg/ml), when by guinea pigs for 5 min, substantially increased the numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavege fluid (BALF), which was recovered at over 4 h after the inhalation of LPA. Infiltration in BALF was significantly inhibited by inhalation of Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). LPA also increased superoxide production of eosinophils and neutrophils. In contrast, Y-27632 inhibited superoxide production. These findings suggest that LPA may contribute to infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells in bronchial asthma; furthermore, the Rho/ROCK-mediated pathway may be involved.

Contractile responses in small intrarenal arteries are associated with diabetic nephropathy. However, the mechanisms that induce and maintain altered small vessel contraction are not clearly understood. To further understand intrarenal artery dysfunction in diabetes, phenylephrine (PE)-induced force development was assessed in the intrarenal artery [interlobar artery (ILA)] in control (lean) and type II diabetic (ob/ob) mice. PE-induced dose-dependent force development in the ILA was significantly greater in ob/ob mice than in lean mice (592.8 ± 5.2 and 770.1 ± 12.1 µ/mm tissue, respectively, following administration of 30 µM PE, n = 5). Under high-glucose conditions (twice the normal concentration of glucose), PE-induced force development in the ILA was only enhanced in ob/ob mice (946.0 ± 18.2 µN/mm tissue; n = 5). ILA dysfunction reduces blood flow to the glomerulus and may induce diabetic nephropathy. Basal overcontraction of the ILA in ob/ob mice under normal-glucose conditions was reduced by pretreatment with rottlerin, a calcium-independent protein kinase C (PKCδ) inhibitor. Total PKC activity was also reduced by rottlerin. Under high-glucose conditions, the enhanced ILA contraction in diabetic mice was suppressed by rho A and rho kinase inhibitors. Our results indicate two types of ILA dysfunction in diabetes, as follows: 1) a basal increase in PE-induced contraction under normal-glucose conditions, and 2) extracellular glucose-dependent enhancement of PE-induced contraction. We believe that these dysfunctions are mediated by the activation of the PKCδ and rho A-rho kinase pathways, respectively.

The present study compares gene expression and infarct area in a mouse model of embolic stroke after thrombolysis with t-PA and SMTP-7. Embolic occlusion was induced by transfer of acetic acid–induced embolus into the brain. t-PA or SMTP-7 was administered 3 h after embolization. Changes in gene expression were evaluated using microarray and RT-PCR analysis. To determine the involvement of reactive oxygen species in the response to t-PA, the free radical scavenger edaravone was infused immediately before t-PA administration. The expressions of 459 genes involved in the inflammatory response, cell-to-cell signaling, cell movement, and inflammatory disease were altered by embolic occlusion. Twenty-two of those genes were upregulated after t-PA but not SMTP-7 administration. Differences between the t-PA– and SMTP-7–treated groups in the expression of genes including the proinflammatory genes Il6, Stat3, S100a8, and Mmp9 were confirmed with RT-PCR. Edaravone ameliorated the overexpression of these genes. Our data demonstrate differences in gene expression following treatment with SMTP-7 or t-PA that likely explain the difference in therapeutic time windows of the two drugs. ROS are involved in the overexpression of proinflammatory genes. The wide therapeutic time window may be achieved through an anti-oxidative effect and inhibition of proinflammatory gene overexpression. Keywords:: SMTP-7, t-PA, ischemia/reperfusion injury, gene expression, inflammation

Inhalation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1-100 microg/ml) for 2 min enhanced the airway response induced by intravenous injection of ACh in guinea pigs. At 30 min after inhalation of LPA, the airway response to ACh was two fold higher than that before inhalation. This enhancement of airway response to ACh was partially inhibited by capsaicin desensitization or bilateral vagotomy. These results suggested that the enhancement of airway response to ACh induced by LPA may be due to the activation of capsaicin-sensitive fibers. It can be also contribute to bronchial asthma or other types of pulmonary disease such as cough variant asthma and atopic cough.

WP-934 is a newly developed reversible thermo-setting in situ gelling ophthalmic solution containing timolol. We investigated the effects of WP-934 on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in guinea pigs and compared them with those of the conventional ophthalmic solution of timolol. At 30 min after instillation of timolol 0.5%, the airway responsiveness to histamine was 4 times higher, and that to acetylcholine was 2.5 times higher, than that before instillation. At 30 min after instillation of WP-934 0.5%, in contrast, the increase in responsiveness to each drug was about half that seen with the conventional solution. Topical instillation of timolol 0.5% weakened the effects of salbutamol and aminophylline on bronchodilatation, while that of WP-934 0.5% had no effect on aminophylline-induced bronchodilatation and a weaker effect on salbutamol-induced bronchodilatation. Topical instillation of timolol 0.5% and WP-934 0.5% failed to show a significant effect on blood pressure but caused a 10 to 20% decrease in heart rate for at least 120 min after instillation. WP-934 appears to have less respiratory adverse effects than timolol, mainly due to its longer retention on the ocular surface and a consequent decrease in systemic absorption.

Diabetic complications are associated with small artery dysfunctions. The objective of this study was to identify differences in endothelial cell-denuded mesenteric artery second branch (mesenteric artery-2) contraction, as a typical small artery, between diabetic and non-diabetic mice. Contractile responses in mesenteric artery-2 were assessed in male type 2 diabetic ob/ob mice aged 16-22 weeks and in age-matched control (Lean) mice. Phenylephrine induced dose-dependent contractions in Lean mice (1126.8 ± 28.6 mN/mm tissue at 10 μM phenylephrine; n=5), which were significantly reduced in ob/ob mice (716.8 ± 40.8 mN/mm at 10 μM phenylephrine; n=5). Exposure to high glucose (HG; twice the normal glucose [NG] concentration) enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction in Lean (1341.4 ± 15.5 mN/mm; n=5) but not in ob/ob mice. These dysfunctions did not involve α(1)-receptor sensitization or protein kinase activity, although the calcium sensitivity of contraction was decreased in ob/ob mice. The Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 suppressed the difference between Lean and ob/ob mice under NG conditions, which was accompanied by Rho A inactivation. Under HG conditions, glucose-dependent Rho A activation persisted in ob/ob mice whereas Rho kinase expression was reduced. These data suggest that inactivation of Rho A reduced contractibility under NG conditions, and the lack of glucose dependency is associated with reduced Rho kinase expression.

The spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular calcium within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) isolated from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) were investigated using real-time confocal laser microscopy. At 3 months of age (prestroke), rhythmical changes in the [Ca(2+)](i) during the tonic phase were found to precede vasomotion following application of 5-HT, but not other stimuli. These responses were not observed at 1 month of age; moreover, the MCA lost both responses post-stroke (5 months of age). When [Ca(2+)](i) was analysed in arteriolar smooth muscle cells, rhythmical changes in [Ca(2+)](i) occurred during the same cycle. Thus, these processes were synchronized. The synchronized rhythmical changes in [Ca(2+)](i) were abolished following application of 100 nM ketanserin and 10 μM nicardipine. Treatment with 60 nM charybdotoxin and 10 μM cyclopiazonic acid also significantly reduced rhythmical elevations in [Ca(2+)](i). In addition, rhythmical changes in [Ca(2+)](i) became unsynchronized following treatment with 100 μM carbenoxolone, a gap junction blocker. Connexin 45 mRNA and protein expression were both elevated in the MCA of SHR-SP. Taken together, these findings suggest that rhythmical changes in [Ca(2+)](i) of the MCA are dependent upon the 5-HT(2) receptor-mediated release of calcium from intracellular stores which, in turn, activates voltage-dependent calcium channels to enable an influx of calcium into smooth muscle cells. Subsequently, charybdotoxin-sensitive potassium channels are activated and provide a negative feedback pathway to regulate [Ca(2+)](i). Moreover, the co-ordinated synchronization of rhythmical changes in [Ca(2+)](i) across smooth muscle cells was found to be dependent upon gap junctions.

Urinary bladder dysfunction, which is one of the most common diabetic complications, is associated with alteration of bladder smooth muscle contraction. However, details regarding the responses under high-glucose (HG) conditions in diabetes are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to identify a relationship between extracellular glucose level and bladder smooth muscle contraction in diabetes. Bladder smooth muscle tissues were isolated from spontaneously type II diabetic (ob/ob mouse; 16-20 weeks of age, male) and age-matched control (C57BL mouse) mice. Carbachol (CCh) induced time- and dose-dependent contractions in ob/ob and C57BL mice; however, maximal responses differed significantly (14.34 +/- 0.32 and 12.69 +/- 0.22 mN/mm(2) after 30 microM CCh treatment, respectively; n = 5-8). Pretreatment of bladders under HG conditions (22.2 mM glucose; concentration is twice that of normal glucose for 30 min) led to enhancement of CCh-induced contraction solely in diabetic mice (15.9 +/- 0.26 mN/mm(2); n = 5). Basal extracellular glucose-dependent enhancement of bladder contraction in diabetes was documented initially in this study. The correlation between intracellular calcium concentration and contraction was enhanced only in the ob/ob mouse. This enhancement of contraction and total protein kinase C (PKC) activity were inhibited by pretreatment with not only a PKC inhibitor (rottlerin) but also with a rho kinase inhibitor, fasudil [1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)homopiperazine HCl]. These reagents also suppressed the differences between ob/ob and C57BL mouse bladder contractions under HG conditions. The data indicated that glucose-dependent enhancement of contraction in diabetic bladder is involved in the activation of the rho kinase and calcium-independent PKC pathways. This dysfunction may contribute to bladder complications such as detrusor overactivity and reduced bladder capacity in diabetes.

WP-833 is an orally active new antiallergic drug. The effects of WP-833 metabolites on experimental allergic reactions were investigated in various animal models. MTCC [3'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) oxanilic acid], the main metabolite of WP-833, dose-dependently inhibited 48-hr homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and 8-day PCA in guinea pigs after intravenous administration. The inhibitory effect of MTCC on PCA was nearly equal to that of WP-833. MTCC also inhibited 48hr PCA in rats after the peroral administration, although its inhibitory effect was about 6 times weaker than that of WP-833. MTCC also showed a dose-dependent inhibition on the release of histamine or slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from passively sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells and guinea pig lung fragments in vitro with a similar potency to WP-833. MTA [3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) aniline] and MTAA [3'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) acetanilide], other metabolites of WP-833, inhibited PCA and anaphylactic histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells at considerably higher doses than WP-833, and they showed no effects on the release of histamine and SRS-A from guinea pig lung fragments. Moreover, only small amounts of MTA and MTAA were detected in the blood after the oral administration of WP-833. From these results, it was suggested that MTCC may be the main active metabolite of WP-833.

The present study examined whether lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces histamine release and the role of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) in histamine release utilizing Y-27632, an inhibitor of ROCK. Rat peritoneal mast cells and mouse skin fragments were challenged with LPA; subsequently, histamine contents were measured by spectrofluorometric assay. LPA-induced histamine release from mast cells and skin fragments occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner Pretreatment with Y-27632 inhibited LPA-induced histamine release in a dose-dependent fashion. LPA-induced histamine release was not influenced by calcium-free conditions; however, A23187-induced histamine release decreased significantly. TMB-8, an intracellular calcium antagonist, dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release under these conditions. Additionally, Y-27632 scarcely affected A23187-induced histamine release. These findings suggest that LPA-induced histamine release may be attributable to calcium release from intracellular stores. Moreover, ROCK participates in the extracellular calcium-independent process of LPA-induced histamine release.

Inhalation of oleoyl lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh). In contrast, palmitoyl and stearoyl LPA exerted minimal effects. Airway hyperresponsiveness was inhibited by inhalation of Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). Mepyramine, an H1 histamine receptor antagonist and ketotifen, an inhibitor of histamine release and H1 histamine receptor antagonist, also inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness induced by LPA; however, aspirin failed to attenuate this response. The incubation of lung fragments with LPA gave rise to releases in histamine. On the other hand, LPA produced no significant changes on the smooth muscle contraction evoked by ACh. These findings suggest that LPA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness is attributable to activation of the Rho/ROCK-mediated pathway via endothelial cell differentiation gene (EDG) receptors, probably EDG 7. Moreover, histamine release may be involved.

During the past decade, the thrombolytic enzyme tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)-based treatment has been the standard therapy for acute ischemic stroke. However, due to its hemorrhagic risk and narrow therapeutic time window (TTW), only limited patients benefit from t-PA-based therapy, and the development of an alternative therapeutic agent is urgently needed. Reducing inflammation within the infarction area to rescue penumbra is particularly important. SMTP-7 is a small molecule that enhances plasminogen activation by modulating plasminogen conformation. SMTP-7 promotes plasmin formation and clot clearance in vivo and it is effective in treating thrombotic and embolic strokes in experimental models in rodents and a nonhuman primate. Unexpectedly, SMTP-7 reduces hemorrhagic transformation and has extended TTW as compared with t-PA. The distinct effects of SMTP-7 are partly explained by suppression of inflammatory responses following thrombolytic reperfusion, unlike t-PA. Experiments with animal inflammatory disease models (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and Guillain-Barré syndrome models) suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of SMTP-7 is independent of thrombolytic activity, as a thrombolytically inactive congener, SMTP-44D, exhibits anti-inflammatory action in those models. In this study, we searched for anti-inflammatory target of SMTP and found soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) as a possible candidate. We searched for a target protein using an SMTP-conjugated affinity matrix, which was synthesized by coupling SMTP-50, a congener with a primary amino group on the side chain, with gel beads. Mouse liver homogenates were subjected to affinity chromatography on this matrix, and specifically bound proteins were analyzed by peptide mass fingerprint. As a result, 4 major bound proteins were assigned to full length or fragments of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a hybrid enzyme with epoxide hydrolase activity in the C-terminal domain and lipid phosphatase activity in the N-terminal domain. The sEH hydrolase converts epoxy fatty acids, such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) which are endogenous anti-inflammatory lipid mediators, to less-active diol forms, such as dihydroeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). The sEH phosphatase is implicated in lipid metabolism and hydrolysis of lysophospatidic acid, whereas its precise biological role is still unclear. SMTP-7 and SMTP-44D inhibited both hydrolase (IC50 20 and 27 µM, respectively) and phosphatase (IC50 6 and 25 µM, respectively) activities of sEH. The simplest congener SMTP-0 (IC50 28 µM for hydrolase and 29 µM for phosphatase), which consists of only the core structure common with all the SMTP congeners, was used to analyze the kinetic mechanism of sEH inhibition. The inhibition of hydrolase by SMTP-0 was competitive with respect to 14,15-EET, and the inhibition of phosphatase is uncompetitive with respect to the synthetic substrate Attophos. The inhibition of phosphatase was unchanged in the presence of a potent competitive inhibitor of hydrolase, 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid. Thus, SMTP-0 may bind to two distinct sites in sEH: one is the active site in the hydrolase domain, and the other is an allosteric site that affects the phosphatase domain. Inhibition of sEH hydrolase was also observed in cells in culture. The conversion of 14,15-EET to 14,15-DHET in HepG2 cells was inhibited by SMTP-7, SMTP-44D, and SMTP-0 with IC50 at 4.5, 8.8, and 1.3 mM, respectively. To confirm sEH inhibition in vivo, we traced the fate of intravenously injected EET in the liver. Treatment of wild-type mice with SMTP-7 significantly reduced the 14, 15-DHET level (∼41% reduction, P Our present study provides evidence that SMTP-7 targets sEH for anti-inflammatory action. The inhibition of sEH and the profibrinolytic action due to plasminogen modulator activity may synergistically contribute to treatment of ischemic stroke. SMTP-7 is thus a promising alternative therapy for ischemic stroke. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The radioimmunoassay (RIA) as a high sensitive detection method for rat lysozyme (LZM) was established and applied to determine LZM excretion in urine from rats treated with tubulotoxic chemicals in order to establish a sensitive method of detecting minor renal damage. Rat LZM which showed a single protein band on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The assay sensitivity of the established RIA using the purified rat LZM was 4-256 ng/ml rat LZM and was about 20 times the turbidity method. The concentration of LZM in normal rat urine was 76.2 +/- 6.0 ng/ml (mean +/- SE, n = 50) using the RIA. In urine containing more than 100 ng/ml LZM, a high correlation between the values determined by the RIA and those by the turbidity method was observed. However, egg white LZM, human urinary LZM and guinea pig urinary LZM were not detectable by the RIA. Using the RIA, it was ascertained that urinary LZM excretion began to increase on day 5 in rats treated with gentamicin (15 or 30 mg/kg/day sc for 17 days), during the 6-9 h period in the rats treated with mercuric chloride (1 mg/kg sc), and during the 0-3 h period in the rats treated with p-aminophenol (1 mmol/kg sc). These significant increases in LZM excretion were not detectable by the turbidity method; therefore, it was concluded that this RIA for rat LZM was very useful for detection of minor renal damage.