Evaluation of adverse events associated with filgrastim originator and biosimilar using a spontaneous reporting system database.

Biosimilar products of filgrastim have become available for improved sustainability of cancer care; however, the real-world safety profile remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the adverse events associated with filgrastim originator and its biosimilar using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Adverse event reports submitted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency between 2014-2018 were extracted. We calculated the reporting odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for each adverse event. We obtained 584 reports of adverse events associated with filgrastim originator and 102 reports with its biosimilar. Signals were detected for bone marrow failure and febrile neutropenia with both filgrastim originator and its biosimilar; whereas those for drug resistance and hypoxia only involved filgrastim originator, and those for interstitial lung disease only involved its biosimilar. The safety profiles of filgrastim originator and its biosimilar were partly different. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Safety profile of vonoprazan compared with proton pump inhibitors: insight from a pharmacovigilance study.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat acid-related disorders such as peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Recently, vonoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), has been introduced as more effective treatment option. The purpose of this study was to clarify the adverse events associated with vonoprazan compared to PPIs using a spontaneous reporting system database. We performed a retrospective pharmacovigilance disproportionality analysis using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Adverse event reports submitted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency between 2004 and 2017 were analyzed, and the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each adverse event were calculated. The database comprised 11,433 reports associated with PPIs, and 636 reports with vonoprazan. Hepatic and skin disorders were commonly detected in both PPIs and vonoprazan. There was a significant association of interstitial lung disease with PPIs as a class (ROR: 1.61, 95%CI: 1.47-1.77), but not with vonoprazan. Vonoprazan was strongly associated with haemorrhagic enterocolitis (ROR, 86.5; 95%CI, 59.7125). Among the PPIs, the signal score of microscopic colitis was noteworthy in the case of lansoprazole (ROR, 405; 95%CI, 348-472). It is suggested that there is a diversity in the strength of the association between PPIs and vonoprazan with adverse events. Our results may provide useful information for the treatment of acid-related disorders, but further research with more data is needed to finally clarify this.

Activating transcription factor-2 is a positive regulator in CaM kinase IV-induced human insulin gene expression.

Insulin plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose-homeostasis, and its synthesis is regulated by several stimuli. The transcription of the human insulin gene, enhanced by an elevated intracellular concentration of calcium ions, was completely blocked by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. The activity of the transcription factor activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2), which binds to the cAMP responsive elements of the human insulin gene, was enhanced by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV). Mutagenesis studies showed that Thr69, Thr71, and Thr73 of ATF-2 are all required for activation by CaMKIV. CaMKIV-induced ATF-2 transcriptional activity was not altered by activation of cJun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Furthermore, when transfected into rat primary cultured islets, ATF-2 enhanced glucose-induced insulin promoter activity, whereas cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) repressed it. These results suggest a mechanism in which ATF-2 regulates insulin gene expression in pancreatic beta-cells, with the transcriptional activity of ATF-2 being increased by an elevated concentration of calcium ions.

Induction of apoptosis by hinokitiol, a potent iron chelator, in teratocarcinoma F9 cells is mediated through the activation of caspase-3.

Hinokitiol, a potent iron chelator, has been reported to induce differentiation in teratocarcinoma F9 cells with a reduction of viable cells. In this study, we examined the steps leading to eventual cell death by hinokitiol during differentiation. Hinokitiol induced DNA fragmentation of F9 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This effect was also observed in a cell-free system using the nuclei from intact cells and the cytosols from hinokitiol-treated cells. In contrast, hinokitiol methyl ether and hinokitiol-Fe (III) complex, which are deficient in iron-chelating activity, showed no DNA fragmentation activity in both cell culture and cell-free systems. These results suggest that iron deprivation by hinokitiol may be involved in the induction of apoptosis of F9 cells. Caspase-3, one of the key enzymes in the apoptotic cascade, was specifically activated by hinokitiol treatment, but not by the other two derivatives. In addition, its specific inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, strongly blocked hinokitiol-induced DNA fragmentation. These results indicate that iron deprivation by hinokitiol can induce apoptosis of F9 cells through the activation of caspase-3.

Induction of differentiation and apoptosis by dithizone in human myeloid leukemia cell lines.

We investigated the effect of diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone) and its structurally related compounds on the differentiation and apoptosis of two human myeloid leukemia cell lines. Dithizone caused a time- and concentration-dependent induction of differentiation in both the promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 cells and the myeloblastic leukemia cell line ML-1 cells, as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reducing activity. Morphological changes and esterase activities confirmed that this differentiation took place. The induction of differentiation required the addition of dithizone to the culture medium for at least 12 h. The differentiation inducing activity was inhibited by the preincubation of dithizone with various metal ions such as Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+ ions, but not with Fe3+ and Mg2+ ions. In addition, the DNA extracted from dithizone-treated HL-60 cells showed a typical ladder pattern characteristic of apoptosis in agarose gel electrophoresis. A quantitative analysis of DNA fragmentation revealed that this apoptosis was concentration- and time-dependent in both the HL-60 and ML-1 cells. Dithizone-induced apoptosis was also inhibited by preincubation with Mn2+ ions, but not with Mg2+ ions. These results indicate that dithizone induces both differentiation and apoptosis in HL-60 and ML-1 cells through a unique mechanism including metal chelation.

Three putrescine bisamides from the leaves of Aglaia grandis.

Three putrescine (i.e. 1,4-butanediamine) bisamides were isolated from the leaves of Aglaia grandis. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of spectral data.

Antimicrobial alkaloids from Zanthoxylum tetraspermum and caudatum.

Two benzophenanthrene alkaloids, 8-acetonyldihydronitidine and 8-acetonyldihydroavicine were isolated from Zanthoxylum tetraspermum stem bark along with liriodenine, sesamin, lichexanthone and (+)-piperitol-gamma,gamma-dimethylallylether. The species endemic to Sri Lanka, Z. caudatum, contained sesamin, savinin, liriodenine, decarine and 8-O-desmethyl-N-nornitidine. 8-Acetonyldihydronitidine and 8-acetonyldihydroavicine showed significant antibacterial activity while the former along with liriodenine was strongly antifungal. Savinin exhibited potent spermicidal activity. Both savinin and sesamin exhibited significant insecticidal activity.

[The effect of the external biliary diversion on cobalamin functions].

We studied the effect of the external biliary diversion on cobalamin functions clinically and experimentally. Serum cobalamin was rising to 10 ng/ml or more in each patient with obstructive jaundice and the diverted bile contained high concentrations of cobalamin (10-80 ng/ml). A total volume of diverted cobalamin reached to 2-12 micrograms/day after the relief of obstruction and was maintained 2-8 micrograms/day even after 30 days. In experimental dogs, serum cobalamin decreased to 360 +/- 40pg/ml (about 31% decreases) subsequent eight weeks after the relief. The cobalamin concentration of liver decreased to 184 +/- 123ng/g (19% decreases) after four weeks and to 164 +/- 108ng/g (30% decreases) after eight weeks. The concentration of the different cobalamins in the liver showed that the proportion of dimethyl benzimidazolyl cobamide coenzyme (DBCC) decreased and the proportion of methylcobalamin increased. It is concluded that cobalamin (10 micrograms/day at least) should be administered when the diversion continues for a long term.

[Histogenesis of gallbladder cancer with special reference to metaplastic changes and distribution of various mucins and CEA].

In order to study the histogenesis of gallbladder cancer, metaplastic changes and dysplasia in the mucosal epithelium were investigated in 30 cases of gallbladder cancer and 300 cases of chronic cholecystitis. Intestinal metaplasia was observed more frequently in the cases of cancer, both in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, than those of chronic cholecystitis. In addition, CPS III type of mucin, which is preferably demonstrated in the pyloric glands, was observed in the tumor cells of 50% of cancers. Thus, gastric metaplasia as well as intestinal metaplasia seems to be important as a predisposing lesion to gallbladder cancer. By means of reconstruction method carried out on the specimens of cancer, multifocal gradual transition among metaplasia, dysplasia and cancer was observed and dysplasia is an important step in cancer development. As for mucin secretion, the rate of sialomucin-containing cells was notably high in the lesions of dysplasia and cancer, increasing in intensity in this order, accompanied with positive CEA. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that cancer arises from such pre-existing mucosal lesions as metaplasia and dysplasia.

Two new potent inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from leaves of Perilla frutescens Britton var. acuta Kudo.

A known and a new caffeic ester (1 and 2), new inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (XO), were isolated from leaves of Perilla frutescens var. acuta and their structures have been established as (Z,E)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethenyl ester (1) and (Z,E)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethenyl ester (2) of 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid, respectively, based on detailed spectral studies, including 2D COSY, long range COSY, difference NOE, etc. Both caffeic esters strongly inhibited XO in vitro and especially, the inhibition by 1 was as potent as that by allopurinol. The inhibition mode of 1 was also shown to be non-competitive.

Anti-tumor promoting activities of natural products. II. Inhibitory effects of digitoxin on two-stage carcinogenesis of mouse skin tumors and mouse pulmonary tumors.

Two-stage carcinogenesis of mouse skin papillomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and mouse pulmonary tumors induced by 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) and glycerol, were inhibited by digitoxin (1).

Constituents of a fern, Diplazium subsinuatum. III. Four new hopane-triterpene lactone glycosides.

From a whole plant of a fern, Diplazium subsinuatum, three new hopane-triterpene lactone glycosides, diplaziosides V-VII (1-3), were isolated, together with a new monoacetyl derivative (4) of diplazioside VII (3). Compounds 1-3 were defined as the respective 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosides of 3beta,24-dihydroxyhopan-28,22-olide (1), of 3beta,17,24-trihydroxyhopan-28,22-olide (2), and of (22R)-3beta,24,30-trihydroxyhopan-28,22-olide (3), and 4 as the 6"-O-acetate of 3, respectively, on the basis of spectral evidence. 1-3 are new in their glycoside structures but also in their triterpene structures. Furthermore, in compounds 1-4, the coupling between the 24-hydroxy proton and one of the 24-methylene protons showed a very large J-value (11.4 Hz); based on this 1H-NMR evidence, etc., preferred conformations of the 24-hydroxymethylene groups in 1-4 are also inferred. In a similar manner, 1H-NMR coupling patterns of the 24-hydroxymethylene in the monoglucoside (2a) and aglycone (2b), derived from 2, are also reported and discussed here.

Diamide derivatives and cycloartanes from the leaves of Aglaia elliptica.

Chemical examination of the leaves of Aglaia elliptica led to the isolation of two new diamides, 10-O-acetylaglain B (1) and 4-epiaglain A (2), two known diamides, aglain A (3) and odorine (4), and three known cycloartanes (5-7). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by interpretation of the spectral data.

Inhibition of cytochrome P-450-linked monooxygenase systems by naphthoquinones.

Several naphthoquinones, except 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, were found to inhibit microsomal cytochrome P-450-linked monooxygenase activities in rabbit liver and human placenta. In particular, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone inhibited placental estrogen biosynthesis more effectively than it did hepatic drug oxidation reactions. There was little contribution by superoxide radicals to these enzyme inhibitions by naphthoquinones. Spectrophotometric studies revealed that naphthoquinones bind to the cytochrome P-450 component of the monooxygenase complex in both microsomal systems, suggesting that the inhibition is caused by direct interaction of these compounds with the heme.

Studies on thermophile products. IV. Structural elucidation of cytotoxic substance, BS-1, derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

A new cytotoxic substance designated as BS-1 was isolated from the autolysate and culture filtrate of Bacillus stearothermophilus UK563. On the basis of spectral data, the structure of BS-1 was determined as bis(2-hydroxyethyl) trisulfide and confirmed by direct comparison with the synthetic compound. BS-1 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against leukemia P388-D1, leukemia P388, mastocytoma P815, lymphoma EL4 and lymphoma MOLT4.

Constituents of a fern, Diplazium subsinuatum. II. Structure elucidation of five new hopane-triterpene glycosides.

From whole fern, Diplazium subsinuatum (Wall. ex Hook. et Grev.) Tagawa, two new hopane-triterpene glycosides named diplaziosides III and IV were isolated, together with three new hopane glycosides with acetylated sugars. The structures of diplaziosides III and IV were established as (22S)-24-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 --> 2)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20 alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-30-hydroxyhopan-28-oic acid (1) and (22R)-24-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-30-carboxy-17-hydroxy-hopano-28,22-lacto ne (2), respectively, on the basis of spectral evidence. Diplazioside III (1) is novel not only in its glycoside structure, but also in its triterpene structure and moreover, 1 provides the first instance of a naturally occurring bisdesmoside with a hopane aglycone. The structures (3a, 3b, and 4a) of the acetylated glycosides were also elucidated, and this is the first report of naturally occurring acetates of hopane glycosides.

Anti-tumor promoting activities of lantadenes on mouse skin tumors and mouse hepatic tumors.

Two-stage carcinogenesis of mouse skin papillomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, and mouse hepatic tumors induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine and phenobarbital, were inhibited by lantadenes.

(24R)-24,25-Dihydroxycycloartan-3-one.

In the title compound, C(30)H(50)O(3), the three six-membered rings adopt chair, twist and twist-boat conformations. The five-membered ring is in a slightly distorted envelope conformation. The substituent on the five-membered ring is in an extended conformation, with its two hydroxyl O atoms forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond. One of these O atoms also forms an intermolecular hydrogen bond with the oxygen of the carbonyl group in a neighbouring molecule.

Inhibitory effects of lantadenes and related triterpenoids on Epstein-Barr virus activation.

To search for possible antitumor promoters, inhibitory effects of lantadenes and related triterpenoids from Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) on Epstein-Barr virus activation, were tested. The substitutions on the carboxylic acid through an ester bond might play an important role in the activity.