Non-clinical evaluation of the metabolism, pharmacokinetics and excretion of S-777469, a new cannabinoid receptor 2 selective agonist.

1. The drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics of S-777469 were investigated in in vitro (rat, dog and human) and in in vivo (rats and dogs). 2. S-777469 was rapidly and well absorbed, with bioavailability values ranging from 50 to 70% in rats and dogs, almost all drug radioactivity was excreted into the feces via bile within 48 h. Thus, good pharmacokinetics of S-777469 (e.g. systemic exposure and excretion rate) would be anticipated in humans. 3. In vitro metabolism of S-777469 was qualitatively similar in rat, dog and human hepatocytes. S-777469 acyl glucuronide, S-777469 5-hydroxymethyl and S-777469 4-hydroxycyclohexane were the main metabolites in rats, dogs and humans. In vivo metabolism in rats and dogs showed good qualitative agreement with in vitro metabolism, and no metabolites exceeded 10% of total radioactivity in rat and dog plasma. 4. No unique metabolites were observed in human hepatocytes. Therefore, rats and dogs were thought to be appropriate species for non-clinical toxicity studies. 5. In conclusion, these data should be useful for the characterization of the pharmacokinetic properties of S-777469 and the estimation of its pharmacokinetic fate in humans.

Hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer with naked plasmid DNA ameliorates dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

AIM: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has various biological properties, including antifibrogenic activity. In the present study, we tested the efficacy of HGF gene therapy using naked plasmid DNA in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in a rat model. METHODS: Naked plasmid DNA encoding human HGF was injected once, together with a hypertonic solution, into the hepatic artery after DMN treatment on three consecutive days per week for 3 weeks. Naked plasmid DNA encoding beta-galactosidase was injected similarly in the DMN-treated control rats. DMN treatment was continued once weekly after gene transfer for additional 3 weeks. RESULTS: The human HGF protein expression was detected in livers transfected with human HGF naked plasmid DNA, gradually decreasing by day 21. The expression of the endogenous rat HGF protein was also upregulated after human HGF gene transfer. Phosphorylation of c-Met, a HGF receptor, was detected only in livers transfected with human HGF plasmid DNA. Fibrosis was attenuated significantly in livers transfected with the human HGF plasmid. Attenuation wasaccompanied by decreased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. Increased portal vein pressure after treatment with DMN was suppressed significantly by HGF gene transfer. The upregulated hepatic protein expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in response to DMN was markedly attenuated by HGF gene transfer accompanied by the increased protein expression for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 and -13. CONCLUSION: The hepatic arterial injection of human naked plasmid HGF DNA was effective in suppressing liver fibrosis induced in rats by DMN. The mechanisms by which HGF expression attenuated liver fibrosis may include the suppression of hepatic TGF-beta expression and the induction of MMP expression.

Ameliorating effect of hepatocyte growth factor on inflammatory bowel disease in a murine model.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a multifunctional cytokine, accelerates intestinal epithelial proliferation. We studied the effects of HGF in mice with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis, which shows clinical and molecular resemblance to Crohn's disease. Mice with colitis repeatedly were transfected intramuscularly with human HGF cDNA. Weight, survival, histopathology, proinflammatory cytokine mRNAs, and leukocyte infiltration were assessed. Treatment with HGF cDNA induced tyrosine phosphorylation of intestinal c-Met/HGF receptors, inhibited apoptosis, and promoted mitosis in intestinal epithelial cells, accelerating intestinal epithelial restoration and suppressing inflammation. Transfection with HGF cDNA markedly suppressed intestinal mRNA expression of T-helper 1 cytokines such as interleukin-12 and -1beta, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Numbers of total and CD4-positive T cells, neutrophils, and myloperoxidase activity in intestinal epithelium were diminished by HGF gene transfer, which also prevented weight loss, and improved survival. HGF might prove useful for controlling inflammatory bowel disease.

Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise training after uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the cardiovascular adaptations of an exercise training program and evaluated the role of peripheral vasodilator capacity in contributing to these adaptations after myocardial infarction. DESIGN: A total of 44 consecutive patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction underwent 3 wks of exercise training. Controls (n = 12) with comparable myocardial infarction were selected from our database and were restricted to a program with minimal activity. All patients performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with hemodynamic measurements. Forearm and calf reactive hyperemic flow were measured by venous occlusive plethysmography as indices of peripheral vasodilator capacity. RESULTS: Despite no change in arteriovenous oxygen difference at peak exercise after training, training resulted in significant increases in oxygen consumption, cardiac output, and stroke volume and a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance at peak exercise (overall, P < 0.05). Calf reactive hyperemic flow increased significantly after training (P < 0.001), but forearm reactive hyperemic flow did not. Furthermore, increase in calf reactive hyperemic flow after training had a positive correlation with increases in peak cardiac output, stroke volume, and oxygen consumption after training and an inverse correlation with peak systemic vascular resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training improved exercise tolerance by improving hemodynamic responses to exercise after myocardial infarction. This improved exercise performance was linked to a training-induced increase in calf vasodilator capacity.