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Earlier studies showed that the expressions of the agonists of the cannabinoid receptors are reduced in the vitreous humor of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the cannabinoid type 2 receptor is present in the retinas of rats and monkeys. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cannabinoid type 2 receptor is involved in the light-induced death of cultured 661W cells, an immortalized murine retinal cell line, and in the light-induced retinal degeneration in mice. Time-dependent changes in the expression and location of retinal cannabinoid type 2 receptor were determined by Western blot and immunostaining. The cannabinoid type 2 receptor was down-regulated in murine retinae and cone cells. In the in vitro studies, HU-308, a cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist, had a protective effect on the light-induced death of 661W cells, and this effect was attenuated by SR144528, a cannabinoid type 2 receptor antagonist. Because the cannabinoid type 2 receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor and is coupled with Gi/o protein, we investigated the effects of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). HU-308 and H89, a PKA inhibitor, deactivated PKA in retinal cone cells, and H89 also suppressed light-induced cell death. For the in vivo studies, a cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist, HU-308, or an antagonist, SR144528, was injected intravitreally into mouse eyes before the light exposure. Electroretinography was used to determine the physiological status of the retinas. Injection of HU-308 improved the a- and b-waves of the ERGs and also the thickness of the outer nuclear layer of the murine retina after light exposure. These findings indicate that the cannabinoid type 2 receptor is involved in the light-induced retinal damage through PKA signaling. Thus, activation of cannabinoid type 2 receptor may be a therapeutic approach for light-associated retinal diseases.

The endocannabinoid system is involved in some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. An endogenous constellation of proteins related to cannabinoid1 receptor signaling, including free fatty acids, diacylglycerol lipase, and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase, are localized in the murine retina. Moreover, the expression levels of endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors are changed in the vitreous fluid. However, the role of the endocannabinoid system in the retina, particularly in the light-induced photoreceptor degeneration, remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated involvement of the cannabinoid1 receptor in light-induced retinal degeneration using in vitro and in vivo models. To evaluate the effect of cannabinoid1 receptors in light irradiation-induced cell death, the mouse retinal cone-cell line (661W) was treated with a cannabinoid1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant. Time-dependent changes of expression and localization of retinal cannabinoid1 receptors were measured using Western blot and immunostaining. Retinal damage was induced in mice by exposure to light, followed by intravitreal injection of rimonabant. Electroretinograms and histologic analyses were performed. Rimonabant suppressed light-induced photoreceptor cell death. Cannabinoid1 receptor expression was upregulated by light exposure. Treatment with rimonabant improved both a- and b-wave amplitudes and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer. These results suggest that the cannabinoid1 receptor is involved in light-induced retinal degeneration and it may represent a therapeutic target in the light-induced photoreceptor degeneration related diseases.

Yokukansankachimpihange (YKSCH) is a Chinese formula proven in Japan to be an effective treatment for pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis or chronic urticaria and dry eczema with psychoneurotic symptoms, such as insomnia. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) may cause skin irritation in both humans and animals. Adverse effects, such as skin dryness, barrier destruction, dermatitis, and pruritus, developed following the repeated application of 10% SDS to a local site. Therefore, the present study investigated the antipruritic effects of YKSCH on skin irritation induced by a repeated SDS stimulation in mice and attempted to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action. ICR mice were stimulated with 10% SDS and co-treated with oral YKSCH extract for four days. Only oral YKSCH extract was administered on the fifth day. Scratching behavior was observed 24 h after the last application of SDS. Intraepidermal nerve growth was investigated by an immunofluorescence analysis. NGF concentrations in the epidermis were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of amphiregulin (Areg) and semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. The oral administration of YKSCH (200-400 mg/kg) dose-dependently suppressed pruritus, significantly reduced intraepidermal nerve growth, and down-regulated epidermal Areg mRNA expression in SDS-treated mice. These results suggest that YKSCH exerts antipruritic effects against SDS-induced pruritus in mice. The mechanism of action of YKSCH may involve reductions in intraepidermal nerve density due to the down-regulated expression of Areg.

The combination of timolol and latanoprost, which are ocular hypotensive agents, has a greater ocular hypotensive effect than each as monotherapy. However, the protective effect of the combination is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether latanoprost/timolol in combination has an additive or synergistic cytoprotective effect on neuro retinal cells (RGC-5). To investigate the protective effects of timolol/latanoprost in combination, cultured RGC-5 were treated with various concentrations of these two agents, singly or together, after which the cells were exposed to oxidative stress, serum deprivation, or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in vitro. Cells were also treated with an Akt inhibitor, LY294002, to examine the mechanism of the protective effect. Latanoprost, timolol, and the two in combination reduced cell death induced by oxidative stress, serum deprivation, or ER stress. The latanoprost/timolol combination reduced cell death to a greater extent than monotherapy with latanoprost or timolol on serum deprivation only, and LY294002 inhibited the protective effect of their combination. These findings suggest that timolol/latanoprost in combination have a protective effect against serum deprivation only by activation of Akt signaling. Furthermore, this combination has not only an ocular hypotensive effect but also a neuroprotective effect.

Iron accumulation is a potential pathogenic event often seen in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. In this study, we focused on the relationship between AMD pathology and concentrations of ferrous ion, which is a highly reactive oxygen generator in biological systems. Murine cone-cells-derived 661 W cells were exposed to white fluorescence light at 2500 lx for 1, 3, 6, or 12 h. Levels of ferrous ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and hydroxyl radicals were detected by RhoNox-1, a novel fluorescent probe for the selective detection of ferrous ion, 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester (CM-H2DCFDA), and 3'-p-(aminophenyl) fluorescein, respectively. Reduced glutathione, total iron levels and photoreceptor cell death were also measured. Two genes related to iron metabolism, transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and H ferritin (HFt), were quantified by RT-PCR. The effects of ferrous ion on cell death and hydroxyl radical production were determined by treatment with a ferrous ion chelating agent, 2,2'-bipyridyl. We found that the ferrous ion level decreased with light exposure in the short time frame, whereas it was upregulated during a 6-h light exposure. Total iron, ROS, cell death rate, and expression of TfR and HFt genes were significantly increased in a time-dependent manner in 661 W cells exposed to light. Chelation with 2,2'-bipyridyl reduced the level of hydroxyl radicals and protected against light-induced cell death. These results suggest that light exposure decreases ferrous ion levels and enhances iron uptake in photoreceptor cells. Ferrous ion may be involved in light-induced photoreceptor cell death through production of hydroxyl radicals.

Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and the death of retinal ganglion cells. Previously, we reported that roscovitine, a cell cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, strongly induced relaxation of porcine trabecular meshwork cells, implicating an interaction with lowered IOP. In addition, the activity of CDKs is known to increase in response to high IOP, which is linked to retinal ganglion cell damage. However, the effects of roscovitine on IOP and retinal damage have not been investigated. Roscovitine has racemic isomers that differ in their inhibition of CDKs. Therefore, we investigated the effects of both the R-isomer and the S-isomer on the IOP of rabbits and on the death of cultured retinal ganglion cells. In the in vivo rabbit experiment, instillation of both isomers significantly lowered the IOP. In the in vitro cell experiment, the R-isomer amplified the effects of tunicamycin, an endoplasmic reticulum stress inducer, and increased oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced cell death, whereas S-isomer significantly inhibited this cell death. Therefore, both isomers of roscovitine can lower the IOP, but from the perspective of neuroprotective effects, the S-isomer was superior to the R-isomer. The S-isomer of roscovitine may be useful as an agent for lowering IOP and its neuroprotective effects.

Background: This study investigated the safety (cytotoxicity in vitro) and pharmacological effects (ocular hypotensive effects and aqueous humor concentrations in normotensive monkeys in vivo) of latanoprost formulations with benzalkonium chloride (latanoprost with BAK) and without BAK (NP). Methods: A bioequivalence study of latanoprost with BAK and NP was also conducted on human healthy volunteers. Cytotoxicity and the protective effect against H2O2 stress in vitro were evaluated using human corneal epithelial cells. The ocular hypotensive effects in normotensive monkeys were measured by pneumatonometer and the aqueous humor concentrations of latanoprost free acid were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrum (LC/MS) methods. The bioequivalence study of latanoprost with BAK and NP was carried out as a single eye drop, two-sequence, crossover randomized study. Results: Cytotoxicity tests in vitro revealed that NP was less toxic than latanoprost with BAK and significantly inhibited H2O2 induced cell damage while latanoprost with BAK did not. The hypotensive efficacy and the latanoprost free acid concentrations in aqueous humor of each formulation were not significantly different in monkeys. In the bioequivalence study, NP was bioequivalent to latanoprost with BAK. NP was safer than latanoprost with BAK with respect the results obtained in the in vitro cytotoxicity test. There was no difference observed between latanoprost with BAK and NP in the IOP lowering effect in monkeys and healthy volunteers. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that NP is as effective as latanoprost with BAK, and is more likely to maintain ocular surface health than latanoprost with BAK.

The endocannabinoid system is involved in some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. An endogenous constellation of proteins related to cannabinoid

This report is of a 60-year-old woman with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the palate. A moderate dose of radiotherapy and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody chemotherapy were administered after tumour resection. There was no sign of recurrence 14 months after treatment.

This report is of a 55-year-old woman presenting with Frey's syndrome 6 months after surgical fixation of a fracture of the mandibular condyle. Treatment consisted of a fascia lata graft placed under the involved skin. No recurrence of gustatory sweating was observed.

Dental examinations and a questionnaire survey were carried out simultaneously in senior high schools to investigate influence of tooth misalignment and malocclusion on mental and physical health-consciousness of the students.The questionnaire survey concerning health-consciousness was collected after the dental examination. The students were divided into three groups by their findings: "within a normal range"; "mild-", and "severe- misalignment and malocclusion". The relationship between the severity of dental abnormality and mental and physical status in health by the questionnaire survey was studied.The severity of misalignment and malocclusion correlated with (1) degree of consciousness of irregular teeth, and (2) degree of negative evaluation of themselves for their health-consciousness.There is possibility that the severity of misalignment and malocclusion corresponds to a negative self evaluation and causes mental stress. It is suggested that it is very important to identify young people with such problems at an early stage, and then to consult and promote correct dental alignment and occlusion, providing not only sufficient mastication but also unhampered mental development.

To study morphological changes in the nervous tissue blocked by alcohol, the infraorbital nerves of rats were blocked. One month after alcohol blocking, the occurring of striated muscle cells was confirmed in the rats' infraorbital nerves. These striated muscle cells looked like skeletal muscle cells. Our speculation is that the occurrence was due to the differentiation of the satellite cells or myoblasts that migrated to the blocked region. However, the possibility cannot totally be ruled out that other cells of neuroectodermal origin or fibroblasts in the infraorbital nerve differentiated into muscle cells under the stimulus of alcohol blocking.

The localization of 169Yb, 67Ga and 111In in tumor tissues was determined macroautoradiographically. 169Yb-citrate and 111In-citrate were injected intravenously to the rats subcutaneously transplanted Yoshida sarcoma and were injected intraperitoneally to the mice subcutaneously transplanted Ehrlich tumor. These animals were sacrificed 3, 24 and 48 hours after injection. These tumor tissues were frozen in n-hexane (-70 degrees C) cooled with dry ice-acetone. After this, these frozen tumor tissues were cut into serial thin sections (10 micron) in the cryostat (-20 degrees C). One of the slice of these sections was then placed on X-ray film and this film was developed after exposure of several days. On the other hand, next slice of these sections were then stained using the hematoxylin and eosin. From the observations of these autoradiogram and H-E stained slice, the following results were obtained. Concentration of 169Yb, 67Ga and 111In was predominant in viable tumor tissue rather than in necrotic tumor tissue, regardless of time after the administration. 67Ga and 111In were distributed uniformly in viable tumor tissue, but deposition of 169Yb was observed more avidly in viabl tumor tissue neighboring to necrotic tumor.