Cathepsin K inhibitor causes changes in crystallinity and crystal structure of newly-formed mandibular bone in rats.

Cathepsin K inhibitors are new drugs with the potential for the treatment of osteoporosis because they sustain bony remodelling better than bone resorption inhibitors such as bisphosphonates. The treatment of osteoporosis with inhibitors of bony resorption is associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw, as the deterioration in bony quality that they induce is thought to be one of its causes. The quality of bone is delineated by structural and material characteristics (which include the degree and quality of mineralisation, and depends on the content of proteoglycan and the structural integrity of the bony collagen).1,2 Animal and clinical studies have shown that cathepsin K inhibitors improve the mineral density and structural characteristics of bone, but their effect on the rest remains unknown. We therefore hypothesised that these inhibitors will affect the material characteristics of newly-formed mandibular bone. To verify our hypothesis, we used Raman microspectroscopy to examine such bone in rats that were given a cathepsin K inhibitor, and found unusual crystallinity and an increased substitution of carbonate (CO32-) in its crystal structure.

Molecular alterations of newly formed mandibular bone caused by zoledronate.

Bone quality is defined by structural and material characteristics. Most studies on the mandible have focused on the analysis of structural characteristics, with insufficient investigation of material characteristics. This study tested whether zoledronate affects the material characteristics of newly formed mandibular bone. Thirty-six female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: sham-ovariectomized rats (SHAM, n=12), ovariectomized rats (OVX, n=12), and ovariectomized rats treated with zoledronate (ZOL, n=12). The left side of the mandibular ramus of all rats was drilled bicortically. Twenty-eight days after surgery, all surviving rats were euthanized and all mandibles were removed. Raman microspectroscopy was performed, and five spectra per specimen of newly formed mandibular bone were analysed. Compared with OVX rats, the mineral/matrix ratio in ZOL rats was significantly increased (5.43±1.88 vs. 7.86±2.05), while crystallinity (0.055±0.002 vs. 0.050±0.002), relative proteoglycan content (0.43±0.10 vs. 0.31±0.05), and collagen structural integrity (1.16±0.21 vs. 0.72±0.06) were significantly decreased. These changes in material characteristics may explain why rats that received zoledronate exhibited peculiar biological phenomena such as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

An atomic seesaw switch formed by tilted asymmetric Sn-Ge dimers on a Ge (001) surface.

When tin (Sn) atoms are deposited on a clean germanium (Ge) (001) surface at room temperature, buckled dimers originating from the Sn atoms are formed at the Ge-dimer position. We identified the dimer as a heterogeneous Sn-Ge dimer by reversing its buckling orientation with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) at 80 kelvin. An atomic seesaw switch was formed for one-dimensional electronic conduction in the Ge dimer-row direction by using the STM to reversibly flip the buckling orientation of the Sn-Ge dimer and to set up standing-wave states.

Geographical characterization of the triatomine infestations in north-central Guatemala.

In an entomological study in 2002, the degree of domestic and peridomestic infestation with triatomine bugs and the geographical distribution of such infestations were investigated in north-central Guatemala. The survey team searched for triatomines in houses constructed with mud walls or thatched roofs, in villages suspected of being infested. The level of infestation observed was lower than that seen in the same area and in eastern Guatemala, in a preliminary survey, 3 years earlier. Most of the infestations detected were of Triatoma dimidiata but even this species was found in <7% of the houses investigated. Infestations with Rhodnius prolixus or other potential vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi were much rarer. The generally low levels of infestation make the elimination of R. prolixus and the reduction of the domestic population of Tri. dimidiata feasible in the study area. The southern part of the study area had higher levels of domestic infestation and colonization than the north, and peridomestic infestation was highest in the south-west. Given such geographical variation in the pattern of infestation, it would seem wise to stratify the study region into areas of high, moderate and low-risk of human-triatomine contact, so that appropriate vector-control strategies can be targeted at the worst-affected areas. Regular entomological surveillance, ideally with community participation, is recommended. Analysis of the relationship between the geographical patterns of infestation and factors such as vegetation, altitude and vector migration would be useful.

Effects of 5-HT(4) receptor agonists, cisapride and mosapride citrate on electrocardiogram in anaesthetized rats and guinea-pigs and conscious cats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the arrhythmogenic potential of 5-HT4 receptor agonists, cisapride and mosapride citrate (mosapride) in vivo. In anaesthetized rats, cisapride at intravenous infusion of 10 and 30 mg/kg/hr for 1 hr prolonged the electrocardiographic RR and QT intervals, whereas at 3 mg/kg/hr, it prolonged the RR interval without affecting the QT interval. Mosapride at 30 mg/kg/hr for 1 hr slightly, but not significantly, prolonged the QT interval. In anaesthetized guinea-pigs, cisapride at intravenous infusion of 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg over 15 min. prolonged the RR interval (18-44%), QT interval (18-42%) and the corrected QT interval (QTc; 8-19%). Mosapride at 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg over 15 min. little affected the QTc although at 30 mg/kg, it slightly prolonged the RR and QT intervals. With repeated oral administrations of 30 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days, cisapride prolonged the QT interval (11-35%) and QTc (11-32%) at the 3rd and 7th days in conscious cats. In addition, cisapride depressed the ST segment in two out of five cats. Mosapride at 60 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days did not affect the QT interval or QTc in cats. The maximal plasma concentrations of mosapride and its main metabolite (a des-4-fluorobenzyl-mosapride) at the 7th day in cats were 9.4+/-2.8 microM and 2.5+/-0.3 microM , respectively, being 100 and 30-60 times higher than those in man given therapeutic doses (Sakashita et al. 1993a&b). These results indicate that mosapride has little arrhythmogenic potential.

Preventive effect of a new calcium antagonist, monatepil, on drug-induced ischaemic electrocardiographic changes in rats.

1. The preventive effects of monatepil, a new calcium antagonist with alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity, on ischaemic electrocardiographic changes in rat models of vasospastic angina were evaluated and compared with those of the existing calcium antagonists (diltiazem, verapamil, nicardipine and nifedipine). 2. In order to assess the contribution of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking action of monatepil to its anti-vasospastic action, the anti-ST depression effect of prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, was also examined. 3. Monatepil given orally (3-30 mg/kg) inhibited vasopressin (0.2 IU/kg, i.v.)-induced ST depression which is considered to indicate ischaemic electrocardiographic changes in a vasospastic angina. This effect of monatepil was more potent and long-lasting than that of diltiazem, and was similar to that of verapamil and nicardipine. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, monatepil produced a significant inhibition, even at 7 h after administration. 4. Monatepil given intravenously (0.3 mg/kg) exerted a significant inhibitory effect on methacholine (16 micrograms/kg, intracoronary arterial administration; i.c.a.)-induced ST elevation which seems to be caused by coronary vasospasm. This effect was more potent or equipotent to those of the existing calcium antagonists. 5. These results indicate that monatepil produces the preventive effect on the drug-induced ischaemic electrocardiographic changes in rats and suggest that monatepil may have potential for the treatment of vasospastic angina.

General pharmacology of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor. 1st communication: effects on cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal and blood functions.

The effects of recombinant human Tumor Necrosis Factor (rHu-TNF, PT-050), an antitumor agent, on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal and blood functions were examined in experimental animals. 1. PT-050 at 10(5) U/kg i.v. did not affect blood pressure and blood flow in anesthetized dogs. However, these were decreased 2-3 h after i.v. injection of 10(6) U/kg. A sustained decrease in blood pressure was seen in conscious dogs. PT-050 decreased systolic blood pressure and increased heart rate with a peak at 5-7 h after administration of 10 micrograms/kg (2.55 x 10(4) U/kg) i.v. and 10(5) U/kg s.c. PT-050 was without effect on perfusion volume in rabbit ear vessel preparations. 2. PT-050 enhanced gastric emptying in rats and intestinal charcoal meal propulsion in mice at 10(6) and 10(7) U/kg s.c., respectively. It decreased gastric juice volume and acid content with an increase of gastric juice pH in pyrolus ligated rats at 10(6) U/kg s.c. 3. PT-050 caused diarrhea at 10(5) U/kg i.v. in mice, while at 10(7) U/kg s.c., it did not exert the effect. 4. PT-050 increased urine volume and Na+ excretion at 3 x 10(3) U/kg i.v. and 10(5) U/kg s.c. in saline-loaded rats. 5. PT-050 decreased platelet counts at 10(5) U/kg i.v., depressed platelet aggregation responses to collagen and ADP at 10(6) U/kg i.v., and prolonged APTT and PT at 3 x 10(5) U/kg i.v. in rats, although it neither affected platelet aggregation nor blood coagulation in vitro. PT-050 neither affected platelet counts at 10(5) U/kg s.c., nor platelet aggregation at 10(7) U/kg s.c.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

General pharmacology of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor. 2nd communication: effects on central nervous system functions.

Effects of recombinant human Tumor Necrosis Factor (rHu-TNF, PT-050) administered s.c. and i.v. on the central nervous system were investigated behaviorally and physiologically in different animal species. With i.v. administration at doses of 10(4) U/kg and less, PT-050 produced no significant changes in most of behavioral and physiological tests, except that a transient increase in rectal temperature in dogs occurred with 0.765 x 10(4) U/kg and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome in mice was inhibited with 10(4) U/kg. Locomotor activity in mice was inhibited after 3 x 10(4) U/kg. With 10(5) U/kg and more, in addition to the above effects, diverse effects were observed as follows: various symptoms were induced in general behavior in mice such as piloerection, catalepsy, lowering of body position, ptosis and pupil dilatation; rectal temperature was increased in rats and decreased in mice; cortical EEG was synchronized in hippocampal theta waves were disturbed in gallamine-immobilized cats. On the other hand, with s.c. administration, the effect on rectal temperature was seen at 10(4) U/kg in dogs and at 10(5) U/kg in rats. Cortical EEG in conscious rabbits was affected with 10(6) U/kg. At higher dose of 10(7) U/kg. PT-050 (s.c.) further influenced locomotor activity, rectal temperature and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome in mice. However, even with 10(7) U/kg (s.c.), no effect was found in general behavior, rotarod performance and hexobarbital narcosis in mice. Thus, it is concluded that PT-050 has weaker effects on the central nervous system by s.c. route than by i.v. route. From the present findings and the efficacy of PT-050 as TNF, it is suggested that PT-050, when administered intratumorally, may be useful for cancer therapy without severe side effects.

General pharmacology of the novel antiepileptic compound zonisamide. 2nd communication: effects on cardiovascular, visceral, renal and blood functions.

The effects of 1,2-benzisoxazole-3-methanesulfonamide (zonisamide, AD-810, CI-912), an antiepileptic compound, on the cardiovascular, visceral, renal and blood functions were compared with those of carbamazepine and, in part, acetazolamide in experimental animals. 1. Zonisamide (30 mg/kg i.v.) transiently lowered the blood pressure and decreased the blood flows in the carotid and femoral arteries in anesthetized dogs. The effects were 3 times less potent than those of carbamazepine, Zonisamide, when orally administered, did not affect the blood pressure even at 300 mg/kg in conscious rats. 2. Zonisamide little affected the autonomic nervous system even at high doses. In anesthetized cats, contractions of the nictating membrane by electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic nerve, pressor responses to norepinephrine, and depressor responses to acetylcholine, all were not modified with zonisamide (100 mg/kg i.v.). In isolated guinea-pig ileum, contractions induced by acetylcholine, histamine and bradykinin were not affected by zonisamide up to a concentration of 10(-3) g/ml zonisamide, although those by serotonin and nicotine were depressed with high concentrations over 10(-5) g/ml. 3. With 100 mg/kg p.o., zonisamide decreased the gastric juice volume and pH in pylorus ligated rats, and depressed gastric emptying in rats, but did not inhibit the intestinal transit of charcoal meal in mice. These effects were less potent than those of carbamazepine. 4. Zonisamide increased the urine volume, pH, and Na+ and K+ concentrations in rats and anesthetized dogs. The renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were little changed with the high doses of zonisamide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of the novel orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor alacepril on cardiovascular system in experimental animals.

Effects of 1-[(S)-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropanoyl]-L-prolyl-L-phenylalanine (alacepril, DU-1219) a new orally active angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on cardiovascular system in experimental animals were examined. In conscious renal hypertensive dogs, alacepril (3 mg/kg p.o.) caused a marked reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR), but did not change significantly heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), cardiac work (CW) and electrocardiogram (ECG). Captopril (3 mg/kg, p.o.) showed similar changes in cardiovascular parameters as alacepril. In anesthetized open-chest normotensive dogs, alacepril (3-100 micrograms/kg/min for 10 min, i.v. infusion) tended to decrease DBP and TPR, but did not change significantly CO, stroke work (SW), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), dp/dt and HR. Captopril also showed similar effects but these changes were greater in extent than those of alacepril. In conscious renal hypertensive rats, alacepril did not affect the regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal cortex and the dorsal hippocampus after single (3 and 10 mg/kg) and successive (3 mg/kg/d for 7 days) oral administration. Captopril (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased blood flow in the frontal cortex after single oral administration. In conscious normotensive dogs, alacepril (3 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) increased renal plasma flow (RPF), urine volume (UV), urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) and urinary Na+/k+ ratio, but did not change glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary potassium excretion (UKV). Captopril (3 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) also showed similar changes as alacepril. These effects of alacepril on cardiovascular system resemble those of captopril and might be considered as a favourable profile for the antihypertensive agent.

Pharmacological evaluation of OP 1206, a prostaglandin E1 derivative, as an antianginal agent.

Effects of OP 1206 were studied on the cardiovascular system and platelet functions to assess OP 1206 as an antianginal agent. OP 1206 given orally at more than 100 micrograms/kg relieved vasopressin-induced ST depression of rat electrocardiogram (ECG), an animal model of angina pectoris, concomitant with slight hypotension. Intra-coronary injection of OP 1206 (1-100 ng/kg) in dogs resulted in a remarkable increase of coronary blood flow without any influence on heart rate, blood pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption and redox potential. Resistance in both large and small vessels of dog coronary artery was decreased by intravenous injection of OP 1206 (1-3 micrograms/kg). Platelet aggregation, adhesiveness, bleeding time, and thrombocytopenia induced by ADP and collagen infusion in guinea-pigs were inhibited by oral administration of OP 1206 at the same doses or doses less than those relieving vasopressin-induced ST depression of ECG. These results suggest that OP 1206 contributes to the improvement of cardiac imbalance between oxygen demand and supply, and suppression of thrombus formation in atherosclerotic heart.