In vivo-stable bis-iminobiotin for targeted radionuclide delivery with the mutant streptavidin.

Targeted delivery of radionuclides to tumors is significant in theranostics applications for precision medicine. Pre-targeting, in which a tumor-targeting vehicle and a radionuclide-loaded effector small molecule are administered separately, holds promise since it can reduce unnecessary internal radiation exposure of healthy cells and can minimize radiation decay. The success of the pre-targeting delivery requires an in vivo-stable tumor-targeting vehicle selectively binding to tumor antigens and an in vivo-stable small molecule effector selectively binding to the vehicle accumulated on the tumor. We previously reported a drug delivery system composed of a low-immunogenic streptavidin with weakened affinity to endogenous biotin and a bis-iminobiotin with high affinity to the engineered streptavidin. It was, however, unknown whether the bis-iminobiotin is stable in vivo when administered alone for the pre-targeting applications. Here we report a new in vivo-stable bis-iminobiotin derivative. The keys to success were the identification of the degradation site of the original bis-iminobiotin treated with mouse plasma and the structural modification of the degradation site. We disclosed the successful pre-targeting delivery of astatine-211 (211At), α-particle emitter, to the CEACAM5-positive tumor in xenograft mouse models.

Preliminary Evaluation of Astatine-211-Labeled Bombesin Derivatives for Targeted Alpha Therapy.

There are various diagnostic and therapeutic agents for prostate cancer using bombesin (BBN) derivatives, but astatine-211 (211At)-labeled BBN derivatives have yet to be studied. This study presented a preliminary evaluation of 211At-labeled BBN derivative. Several nonradioactive iodine-introduced BBN derivatives (IB-BBNs) with different linkers were synthesized and their binding affinities measured. Because IB-3 exhibited a comparable affinity to native BBN, [211At]AB-3 was synthesized and the radiochemical yields of [211At]AB-3 was 28.2 ± 2.4%, with a radiochemical purity of >90%. The stability studies and cell internalization/externalization experiments were performed. [211At]AB-3 was taken up by cells and internalized; however, radioactivity effluxed from cells over time. In addition, the biodistribution of [211At]AB-3, with and without excess amounts of BBN, were evaluated in PC-3 tumor-bearing mice. Despite poor stability in murine plasma, [211At]AB-3 accumulated in tumor tissue (4.05 ± 0.73%ID/g) in PC-3 tumor-bearing mice, which was inhibited by excess native BBN (2.56 ± 0.24%ID/g). Accumulated radioactivity in various organs is probably due to free 211At. Peptide degradation in murine plasma and radioactivity efflux from cells are areas of improvement. The development of 211At-labeled BBN derivatives requires modifying the BBN sequence and preventing deastatination.

Characterization of the role of sphingomyelin synthase 2 in glucose metabolism in whole-body and peripheral tissues in mice.

Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2) is a proposed potential therapeutic target for obesity and insulin resistance. However, the contributions of SMS2 to glucose metabolism in tissues and its possible therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, to determine whole-body glucose utilization and the contributions of each insulin-targeted tissue to glucose uptake, we performed a glucose kinetics study, using the radiolabeled glucose analog (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG), in wild-type (WT) and SMS2 knockout (KO) mice. Insulin signaling was enhanced in the liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of SMS2 KO mice compared with those of WT mice. In addition, compared with in WT mice, blood clearance of (18)F-FDG was accelerated in SMS2 KO mice when they were fed either a normal or a high fat diet. (18)F-FDG uptake was also increased in insulin-targeted tissues such as skeletal muscle in the SMS2 KO mice. Whereas skeletal muscle sphingolipid content was not clearly affected, plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA)-containing ceramides were markedly increased in SMS2 KO mice, compared with in WT mice. We also generated liver-conditional SMS2 KO mice and performed glucose and insulin tolerance tests on mice with a high fat diet. However, no significant effect was observed. Thus, our study provided evidence that genetic inhibition of SMS2 elevated glucose clearance through activation of glucose uptake into insulin-targeted tissues such as skeletal muscle by a mechanism independent of hepatic SMS2. Our findings further indicate that this occurs, at least in part, via indirect mechanisms such as elevation of VLCFA-containing ceramides.

Combined Plasma and Tissue Proteomic Study of Atherogenic Model Mouse: Approach To Elucidate Molecular Determinants in Atherosclerosis Development.

Atherogenic cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality. Prevention and prediction of incidents is important; however, biomarkers that directly reflect the disease progression remain poorly investigated. To elucidate molecular determinants of atherogenesis, proteomic approaches are advantageous by using model animals for comparing changes occurring systematically (bloodstream) and locally (lesion) in accordance with the disease progression stages. We conducted differential mass spectrometric analysis between apolipoprotein E deficient (apoED) and wild-type (wt) mice using the plasma and arterial tissue of both types of mice obtained at four pathognomonic time points of the disease. A total of 100 proteins in the plasma and 390 in the arterial tissues were continuously detected throughout the four time points; 29 were identified in common. Of those, 13 proteins in the plasma and 36 in the arterial tissues showed significant difference in abundance between the apoED and wt mice at certain time points. Importantly, we found that quantitative variation patterns regarding the pathognomonic time points did not always correspond between the plasma and arterial tissues, resulting in gaining insight into atherosclerotic plaque progression. These characteristic proteins were found to be components of inflammation, thrombus formation, and vascular remodeling, suggesting drastic and integrative alteration in accordance with atherosclerosis development.

Irbesartan attenuates atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits: noninvasive imaging of inflammation by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) in evaluating the antiatherogenic effects of irbesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker. Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits were divided into the irbesartan-treated group (75 mg/kg/d; n  =  14) and the control group (n  =  14). After a 9-month treatment, rabbits underwent 18F-FDG PET. Using the aortic lesions, autoradiography and histologic examinations were performed. PET imaging clearly visualized the thoracic lesions of control rabbits and showed a significant decrease in the 18F-FDG uptake level of irbesartan-treated rabbits (78.8% of controls; p < .05). Irbesartan treatment significantly reduced the plaque size (43.1% of controls) and intraplaque macrophage infiltration level (48.1% of controls). The 18F-FDG uptake level in plaques positively correlated with the plaque size (r  =  .65, p < .05) and macrophage infiltration level (r  =  .57, p < .05). Noninvasive imaging by 18F-FDG PET is useful for evaluating the therapeutic effects of irbesartan and reflects inflammation, a key factor involved in the therapeutic effects.

Radiolabeled BMIPP for imaging hepatic fatty acid metabolism: evaluation of hepatic distribution and metabolism in mice at various metabolic statuses induced by fasting in comparison with palmitic acid.

Abnormalities in hepatic fatty acid metabolism are involved in various diseases. In order to clarify the use of 123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid ([123I]BMIPP) for imaging hepatic fatty acid metabolism, we determined the hepatic distribution/metabolism of [125I]BMIPP in mice at various metabolic statuses induced by fasting, and compared the results with those of [1-(14)C]palmitic acid ([1-(14)C]PA). Fed or fasted (6, 12, and 24 hour-fasted) mice were intravenously injected with [125I]BMIPP or [1-(14)C]PA. Hepatic radioactivity was measured at 1 to 120 minutes after the injection (n  =  5 to 15/time points), and radioactive lipid metabolites were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (n  =  3/time points). The areas under the curves (AUCs) were calculated. In mice given [125I]BMIPP, the hepatic radioactivity was increased with the fasting time (AUC: 35.1, 45.5, 57.6, and 59.0 [% injected dose (ID)/g/kg]▪min for fed, 6, 12, and 24 hour-fasted). Similar characteristic changes were observed in mice given [1-(14)C]PA (100.6, 101.0, 116.5, and 121.5 [%ID/g/kg]▪min). Metabolite analysis showed that the triglyceride-fraction was increased by fasting in both groups (5.7, 12.8, 32.0, and 37.9 [%ID/g/kg]▪min for [125I]BMIPP groups; 20.6, 39.2, 66.0, and 67.9 [%ID/g/kg]▪min for [1-(14)C]PA groups). Thus, [125I]BMIPP demonstrated the changes in hepatic fatty acid metabolism induced by fasting, indicating the potential of [123I]BMIPP for imaging hepatic fatty acid metabolism.

Dual tracer evaluation of dynamic changes in intratumoral hypoxic and proliferative states after radiotherapy of human head and neck cancer xenografts using radiolabeled FMISO and FLT.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is an important treatment strategy for head and neck cancers. Tumor hypoxia and repopulation adversely affect the radiotherapy outcome. Accordingly, fractionated radiotherapy with dose escalation or altered fractionation schedule is used to prevent hypoxia and repopulation. 18F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) and 18F-fluorothymidine (FLT) are noninvasive markers for assessing tumor hypoxia and proliferation, respectively. Thus, we evaluated the dynamic changes in intratumoral hypoxic and proliferative states following radiotherapy using the dual tracers of 18F-FMISO and 3H-FLT, and further verified the results by immunohistochemical staining of pimonidazole (a hypoxia marker) and Ki-67 (a proliferation marker) in human head and neck cancer xenografts (FaDu). METHODS: FaDu xenografts were established in nude mice and assigned to the non-radiation-treated control and two radiation-treated groups (10- and 20-Gy). Tumor volume was measured daily. Mice were sacrificed 6, 24, and 48 hrs and 7 days after radiotherapy. 18F-FMISO, and 3H-FLT and pimonidazole were injected intravenously 4 and 2 hrs before sacrifice, respectively. Intratumoral 18F-FMISO and 3H-FLT levels were assessed by autoradiography. Pimonidazole and Ki-67 immunohistochemistries were performed. RESULTS: In radiation-treated mice, tumor growth was significantly suppressed compared with the control group, but the tumor volume in these mice gradually increased with time. Visual inspection showed that intratumoral 18F-FMISO and 3H-FLT distribution patterns were markedly different. Intratumoral 18F-FMISO level did not show significant changes after radiotherapy among the non-radiation-treated control and radiation-treated groups, whereas 3H-FLT level markedly decreased to 59 and 45% of the non-radiation-treated control at 6 hrs (p<0.0001) and then gradually increased with time in the 10- and 20-Gy-radiation-treated groups. The pimonidazole-positive hypoxic areas were visually similar in both the non-radiation-treated control and radiation-treated groups. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of pimonidazole-positive cells and Ki-67 index. CONCLUSION: Intratumoral 18F-FMISO level did not change until 7 days, whereas 3H-FLT level markedly decreased at 6 hrs and then gradually increased with time after a single dose of radiotherapy. The concomitant monitoring of dynamic changes in tumor hypoxia and proliferation may provide important information for a better understanding of tumor biology after radiotherapy and for radiotherapy planning, including dose escalation and altered fractionation schedules.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of negatively charged ¹¹¹In-DTPA-octreotide derivatives.

Our previous studies indicated that (111)In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ((111)In-DTPA)-octreotide derivatives with an additional negative charge by replacing N-terminal d-phenylalanine (d-Phe) with an acidic amino acid such as l-aspartic acid (Asp) or its derivative exhibited low renal radioactivity levels when compared with (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide. On the basis of the findings, we designed, synthesized and evaluated two Asp-modified (111)In-DTPA-conjugated octreotide derivatives, (111)In-DTPA-Asp(1)-octreotide and (111)In-DTPA-Asp(0)-D-Phe(1)-octreotide. While (111)In-DTPA-Asp(1)-octreotide showed negligible AR42J cell uptake, (111)In-DTPA-Asp(0)-D-Phe(1)-octreotide exhibited AR42J cell uptake similar to that of (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide. When administered to AR42J tumor-bearing mice, (111)In-DTPA-Asp(0)-D-Phe(1)-octreotide exhibited renal radioactivity levels significantly lower than did (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide at 1 and 3 h post-injection. No significant differences were observed in tumor accumulation between (111)In-DTPA-Asp(0)-D-Phe(1)-octreotide and (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide after 1 and 3h injection. The findings in this study suggested that an interposition of an Asp at an appropriate position in (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide would constitute a useful strategy to develop (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide derivatives of low renal radioactivity levels while preserving tumor accumulation.

Hernandezine promotes cancer cell apoptosis and disrupts the lysosomal acidic environment and cathepsin D maturation.

Hernandezine (Her), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Thalictrum flavum, is recognized for its range of biological activities inherent to this herbal medicine. Despite its notable properties, the anti-cancer effects of Her have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we elucidated that Her significantly induced cytotoxicity in cancer cells through the activation of apoptosis and necroptosis mechanisms. Furthermore, Her triggered autophagosome formation by activating the AMPK and ATG5 conjugation systems, leading to LC3 lipidation. Our findings revealed that Her caused damage to the mitochondrial membrane, with the damaged mitochondria undergoing mitophagy, as evidenced by the elevated expression of mitophagy markers. Conversely, Her disrupted autophagic flux, demonstrated by the upregulation of p62 and accumulation of autolysosomes, as observed in the RFP-GFP-LC3 reporter assay. Initially, we determined that Her did not prevent the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. However, it inhibited the maturation of cathepsin D and increased lysosomal pH, indicating an impairment of lysosomal function. The use of the early-stage autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), did not suppress LC3II, suggesting that Her also induces noncanonical autophagy in autophagosome formation. The application of Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of noncanonical autophagy, diminished the recruitment of ATG16L1 and the accumulation of LC3II by Her, thereby augmenting Her-induced cell death. These observations imply that while autophagy initially plays a protective role, the disruption of the autophagic process by Her promotes programmed cell death. This study provides the first evidence of Her's dual role in inducing apoptosis and necroptosis while also initiating and subsequently impairing autophagy to promote apoptotic cell death. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying programmed cell death, offering potential avenues for enhancing cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies.

123I-iomazenil single photon emission computed tomography visualizes recovery of neuronal integrity by bone marrow stromal cell therapy in rat infarct brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was aimed to assess whether (123)I-iomazenil (IMZ) single photon emission computed tomography can serially monitor the effects of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation on neuronal integrity in infarct brain of rats. METHODS: The BMSCs were harvested from green fluorescent protein-transgenic rats and were cultured. The rats were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Their motor function was serially quantified throughout the experiments. The BMSCs or vehicle was stereotactically transplanted into the ipsilateral striatum at 7 days after the insult. Using small-animal single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography apparatus, the (123)I-IMZ uptake was serially measured at 6 and 35 days after the insult. Finally, fluorescence immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the distribution of engrafted cells and their phenotypes. RESULTS: The distribution of (123)I-IMZ was markedly decreased in the ipsilateral neocortex at 6 days postischemia. The vehicle-transplanted animals did not show a significant change at 35 days postischemia. However, BMSC transplantation significantly improved the distribution of (123)I-IMZ in the peri-infarct neocortex as well as motor function. The engrafted BMSCs were densely distributed around cerebral infarct, and some of them expressed neuronal nuclear antigen and γ-aminobutyric acid type-A receptor. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings strongly suggest that the BMSCs may enhance functional recovery by improving the neuronal integrity in the peri-infarct area, when directly transplanted into the infarct brain at clinically relevant timing. (123)I-IMZ single photon emission computed tomography may be a promising modality to scientifically prove the beneficial effects of BMSC transplantation on the host brain in clinical situation.

Attenuation of apoptosis by telmisartan in atherosclerotic plaques of apolipoprotein E-/- mice: evaluation using technetium 99m-annexin A5.

Technetium 99m (99mTc)-annexin A5, a marker of ongoing apoptosis, is supposed to be useful in the detection of metabolically active atheroma. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of 99mTc-annexin A5 for evaluating the therapeutic effects of an angiotensin II receptor type 1 blocker (ARB) (telmisartan) on atherosclerosis. Male apolipoprotein E-/- mice were divided into telmisartan-treated (3 mg/kg/d, n  =  10) and control (n  =  10) groups. After 16 to 21 weeks of treatment, 99mTc-annexin A5 was injected and cryostat sections of aortic tissues (n  =  10-12/aorta) were prepared. The 99mTc-annexin A5 accumulation level in the plaques was evaluated by autoradiography. Serial sections of the plaques were histologically examined to identify the lesion phenotypes (normal vessels, early lesions, atheromatous lesions, and fibrotic lesions), plaque size, macrophage infiltration levels, and lipid deposition levels. Telmisartan treatment significantly decreased the plaque size (0.05 ± 0.05 vs 0.11 ± 0.08, mm2), macrophage infiltration level (0.02 ± 0.02 vs 0.03 ± 0.02, mm2), lipid deposition level (0.01 ± 0.01 vs 0.02 ± 0.02, mm2), and 99mTc-annexin A5 accumulation level (1.30 ± 1.09 vs 2.15 ± 1.91, × 10-6/g). 99mTc-annexin A5 accumulation levels in the plaques positively correlated with macrophage infiltration (r  =  .69, p < .05) and lipid deposition (r  =  .66, p < .05) levels. Apoptosis imaging with 99mTc-annexin A5 may be useful for evaluating the therapeutic effects of ARBs on atherosclerosis.

Radiation-induced nitric oxide mitigates tumor hypoxia and radioresistance in a murine SCCVII tumor model.

Tumor hypoxia, which occurs mainly as a result of inadequate tissue perfusion in solid tumors, is a well-known challenge for successful radiotherapy. Recent evidence suggests that ionizing radiation (IR) upregulates nitric oxide (NO) production and that IR-induced NO has the potential to increase intratumoral circulation. However, the kinetics of NO production and the responsible isoforms for NO synthase in tumors exposed to IR remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which IR stimulates NO production in tumors and the effect of IR-induced NO on tumor radiosensitivity. Hoechst33342 perfusion assay and electron spin resonance oxymetry showed that IR increased tissue perfusion and pO2 in tumor tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis using two different hypoxic probes showed that IR decreased hypoxic regions in tumors; treatment with a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME, abrogated the effects of IR. Moreover, IR increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) activity without affecting its mRNA or protein expression levels in SCCVII-transplanted tumors. Tumor growth delay assay showed that L-NAME decreased the anti-tumor effect of fractionated radiation (10Gy×2). These results suggested that IR increased eNOS activity and subsequent tissue perfusion in tumors. Increases in intratumoral circulation simultaneously decreased tumor hypoxia. As a result, IR-induced NO increased tumor radiosensitivity. Our study provides a new insight into the NO-dependent mechanism for efficient fractionated radiotherapy.

Assessment of early changes in 3H-fluorothymidine uptake after treatment with gefitinib in human tumor xenograft in comparison with Ki-67 and phospho-EGFR expression.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether early changes in 3'-deoxy-3'-3H-fluorothymidine (3H-FLT) uptake can reflect the antiproliferative effect of gefitinib in a human tumor xenograft, in comparison with the histopathological markers, Ki-67 and phosphorylated EGFR (phospho-EGFR). METHODS: An EGFR-dependent human tumor xenograft model (A431) was established in female BALB/c athymic mice, which were divided into three groups: one control group and two treatment groups. Mice in the treatment groups were orally administered a partial regression dose (100 mg/kg/day) or the maximum tolerated dose of gefitinib (200 mg/kg/day), once daily for 2 days. Mice in the control group were administered the vehicle (0.1% Tween 80). Tumor size was measured before and 3 days after the start of treatment. Biodistribution of 3H-FLT and 18F-FDG (%ID/g/kg) was examined 3 days after the start of the treatment. Tumor cell proliferative activity with Ki-67 was determined. Immunohistochemical staining of EGFR and measurement of phospho-EGFR were also performed. RESULTS: High expression levels of EGFR and Ki-67 were observed in the A431 tumor. After the treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg gefitinib, the uptake levels of 3H-FLT in the tumor were significantly reduced to 67% and 61% of the control value, respectively (0.39 ± 0.09, 0.36 ± 0.06, 0.59 ± 0.11%ID/g/kg for 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and control groups, respectively; p<0.01 vs. control), but those of 18F-FDG were not. After the treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg gefitinib, the expression levels of Ki-67 in the tumor were markedly decreased (4.6 ± 2.4%, 6.2 ± 1.8%, and 10.4 ± 5.7% for 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and control groups, respectively, p<0.01 vs. control). The expression levels of the phospho-EGFR protein also significantly decreased (29% and 21% of the control value for 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively p<0.01 vs. control). There was no statistically significant difference in tumor size between pre- and post-treatments in each group. CONCLUSION: In our animal model, 3H-FLT uptake levels significantly decreased after the treatment with two different doses of gefitinib before a significant change in tumor size was observed. These results were confirmed by the immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 and phospho-EGFR protein immunoassay. Thus, it was indicated that early changes in 3H-FLT uptake may reflect the antiproliferative effect of gefitinib in a mouse model of a human epidermoid cancer.

Arterial (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake reflects balloon catheter-induced thrombus formation and tissue factor expression via nuclear factor-κB in rabbit atherosclerotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Imaging modalities to assess atherosclerotic plaque thrombogenicity have not been established, so in this study the relationship between [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake and thrombus formation was investigated in rabbit atherosclerotic arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atherosclerotic plaque was induced in the iliacofemoral artery by balloon injury and a 0.5% cholesterol diet. At 3 weeks after the first balloon injury, the arteries were visualized by (18)F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) imaging 2h after an (18)F-FDG infusion, and then arterial thrombus was induced by a second balloon injury of both iliacofemoral arteries. Imaging with (18)F-FDG-PET revealed significantly more radioactivity along the injured (0.63 ± 0.12 SUVmax), than the contralateral non-injured artery (0.34 ± 0.08 SUV max, n=17, P<0.0001). Arterial radioactivity measured by autoradiography positively correlated with macrophage area, the number of nuclei that were immunopositive for nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB), and tissue factor (TF) expression. The immunopositive areas for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and fibrin in thrombi were significantly larger in the atherosclerotic than in the contralateral arteries, and significantly correlated with radioactivity in PET (r=0.92, P<0.001, n=10) and autoradiography (r=0.73, P<0.0001, n=50) in the arteries. Inhibition of NF-κB significantly reduced TF expression in cultured atherosclerotic plaque. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial (18)F-FDG uptake reflects the thrombogenicity of atherosclerotic plaque following balloon injury.

Dose Dependent Effect of Sulfamethoxazole on Inhibiting KATP Channel of Mouse Pancreatic ß Cell.

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is widely used as an antibiotic in the clinical application with side effects of hypoglycemia. This is because SMX contains the sulfonamide structure, which closes ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and induces insulin secretion. However, there are no detail reports that measure the effective dose that can close KATP channels and induce insulin secretion. In this study, whole-cell patch clamp recording was utilized to measure the effect of SMX on KATP channel activity on pancreatic ß cells. Also, the static incubation assay with mice islets was assessed to measure the insulin secretion capacity of SMX. SMX was shown to inhibit the KATP channel in pancreatic ß cell membrane and induce insulin secretion in relatively high concentration. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for KATP channel activity of SMX was .46 ± .08 mM. It was also shown that a near IC50 concentration of SMX (.5 mM) was able to nearly fully block the KATP channel when simultaneously applied with low concentration sulfonylurea, tolbutamide (.01 mM). Our present data provide important information for the clinical use of SMX to treat infection in diabetic patients using sulfonylureas.

A novel murine model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis developed by combination of a high-fat diet and oxidized low-density lipoprotein.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome that is characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and may progress to cirrhosis and carcinoma. To investigate its pathogenic processes, we established a novel murine model for NASH by combination of a high-fat diet (HFD) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Mice that received HFD for 23 weeks showed hepatic steatosis, slight fibrosis, and a high level of lipid peroxidation compared with a regular diet (RD)-fed mice. Hepatic injury and elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression were also detected in these mice. Moreover, oxLDL administration to HFD-fed mice during weeks 21-23 not only aggravated hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and lipid metabolism, but also resulted in intense inflammation, including severe hepatic injury and inflammatory cell infiltration, which are the typical histological features of NASH. Inflammation was accompanied by increased gene expression of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6. Additionally, the livers of RD-fed animals treated with oxLDL during weeks 21-23 were characterized by foamy macrophages and inflammatory cell infiltration along with an elevated IL-6 mRNA level. These results suggest that an increased oxidative state, including HFD-induced intracellular lipid peroxidation and its extracellular source from oxLDL, is the actual trigger for hepatic inflammation in which liver injury is mediated by TNF-α and inflammatory cell accumulation is dependent on IL-6. HFD and oxLDL also induced insulin resistance in mice; additionally, oxLDL downregulated insulin secretion. In this model, CD36 overexpression was observed in the hepatocytes of HFD-fed mice and those treated with HFD and oxLDL, and in the hepatic macrophages of RD-fed mice immediately after oxLDL treatment. In vitro experiments indicated a rapid and transient elevation of CD36 on macrophage plasma membrane in response to oxLDL. Our findings demonstrate that CD36 expressed on hepatocytes and hepatic macrophages mediates the pathophysiology of NASH.

Ferrous ferric chloride downregulates the inflammatory response to Rhodococcus aurantiacus infection in mice.

The healthy drink Pairogen is mainly composed of ferrous ferric chloride water that reportedly changes the status of intracellular water from oxidative to antioxidative. Here, we investigated whether Pairogen affects host immune function in a murine model of granulomatous inflammation in response to Rhodococcus aurantiacus (R. aurantiacus) infection. Longitudinal ingestion of Pairogen markedly improved the survival of infected mice in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared to mice received water, mice that ingested 10-fold-diluted Pairogen displayed rapid bacterial elimination, decreased production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, and high levels of IL-10 in organs during the initial phase of infection. Moreover, histological studies showed significant reduction in the number and size of granulomas as well as amelioration of oxidative stress in the livers of mice ingested 10-fold-diluted Pairogen at 14 d post-infection. These characteristics were further pronounced in first-generation (F1) mice that also ingested 10-fold-diluted Pairogen. Following stimulation with heat-killed R. aurantiacus, the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by macrophages from F1 mice was similar to that detected in vivo, while their gene expression levels in these cells were significantly lower than the levels in macrophages from mice received water. Heat-killed R. aurantiacus also induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA in the cells from F1 mice. Taken together, these results indicate that Pairogen contributes to the negative regulation of the immuno-inflammatory response to R. aurantiacus infection in mice by modulating the cellular redox state. Longitudinal ingestion of Pairogen further enhances the defense function in mouse progeny.

Performance characterization of the Inveon preclinical small-animal PET/SPECT/CT system for multimodality imaging.

PURPOSE: We investigated the performance of the Inveon small-animal PET/SPECT/CT system and compared the imaging capabilities of the SPECT and PET components. METHODS: For SPECT, the energy resolution, tomographic spatial resolution and system sensitivity were evaluated with a (99m)Tc solution using a single pinhole collimator. For PET, the spatial resolution, absolute sensitivity, scatter fraction and peak noise equivalent count were evaluated. Phantoms and a normal rat were scanned to compare the imaging capabilities of SPECT and PET. RESULTS: The SPECT spatial resolution was 0.84 mm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) at a radius of rotation of 25 mm using a 0.5-mm pinhole aperture collimator, while the PET spatial resolution was 1.63 mm FWHM at the centre. The SPECT system sensitivity at a radius of rotation of 25 mm was 35.3 cps/MBq (4 × 10(-3)%) using the 0.5-mm pinhole aperture, while the PET absolute sensitivity was 3.2% for 350-650 keV and 3.432 ns. Accordingly, the volume sensitivity of PET was three orders of magnitude higher than that of SPECT. CONCLUSION: This integrated PET/SPECT/CT system showed high performance with excellent spatial resolution for SPECT and sensitivity for PET. Based on the tracer availability and system performance, SPECT and PET have complementary roles in multimodality small-animal imaging.

Dynamic 11C-methionine PET analysis has an additional value for differentiating malignant tumors from granulomas: an experimental study using small animal PET.

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether the dynamic profile of L-(11)C-methionine (11C-MET) may have an additional value in differentiating malignant tumors from granulomas in experimental rat models by small animal positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS: Rhodococcus aurantiacus and allogenic rat C6 glioma cells were inoculated, respectively, into the right and left calf muscles to generate a rat model bearing both granulomas and tumors (n=6). Ten days after the inoculations, dynamic 11C-MET PET was performed by small animal PET up to 120 min after injection of 11C-MET. The next day, after overnight fasting, the rats were injected with 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG), and dynamic 18F-FDG PET was performed up to 180 min. The time-activity curves, static images, and mean standardized uptake value (SUV) in the lesions were calculated. RESULTS: 11C-MET uptake in the granuloma showed a slow exponential clearance after an initial distribution, while the uptake in the tumor gradually increased with time. The dynamic pattern of 11C-MET uptake in the granuloma was significantly different from that in the tumor (p<0.001). In the static analysis of 11C-MET, visual assessment and SUV analysis could not differentiate the tumor from the granuloma in all cases, although the mean SUV in the granuloma (1.48±0.09) was significantly lower than that in the tumor (1.72±0.18, p<0.01). The dynamic patterns, static images, and mean SUVs of 18F-FDG in the granuloma were similar to those in the tumor (p=NS). CONCLUSION: Dynamic 11C-MET PET has an additional value for differentiating malignant tumors from granulomatous lesions, which deserves further elucidation in clinical settings.

Responses of Immune Organs after Cerebral Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Recently, secondary damage to the brain has been hypothesized as a key aggravating element in the ischemic cascade. However, the interaction between cerebral infarction and immune organs is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated changes in rat brain, spleen, thymus, mesenteric lymph node, and liver at 3, 7, and 13 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) by immunohistochemistry. METHODS: Rat models of stroke were made by tMCAO. Functional assessment was performed at 3 h and 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 days after MCAO. Rat organs were harvested for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The number of CD8α+ T cells decreased in spleen, thymus, mesenteric lymph node, and liver and increased in brain. Numbers of Iba1+ and CD68+ macrophages decreased in spleen, thymus, and mesenteric lymph node and increased in brain and liver. Ki67+ cells exhibited the same characteristics as macrophages, and increased numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) -positive apoptotic cells were present in spleen, mesenteric lymph node, liver, and brain. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that stroke is a systemic disease that, in addition to affecting the brain, also induces responses in immune organs. These results suggest that systemic treatment might be a good strategy for clinical stroke care.