A phase III clinical trial of a mixture agent of plasma-derived factor VIIa and factor X (MC710) in haemophilia patients with inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: MC710, a 1:10 protein weight ratio mixture of plasma-derived activated factor VII (FVIIa) and factor X (FX), is a novel bypassing agent for haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. We evaluated the haemostatic efficacy and safety of one to two administrations of MC710 in 21 joint, muscle, and subcutaneous bleeding episodes in 14 male patients, in a multi-centre, open-label, non-randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Subjects were intravenously administered one or two doses of 60 or 120 µg kg-1 MC710 (as FVIIa) once or twice (to a maximum of 180 µg kg-1 ) over up to five bleeding episodes per subject. The haemostatic efficacy of MC710 was determined for each episode by investigator evaluation, using changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain relief, and/or knee joint or muscle circumference for swelling reduction, and range of motion (ROM) for improvement of joint mobility. RESULTS: In 21 treatments for bleeding episodes, 19 were rated "excellent" or "effective" 8 h after the last treatment. VAS significantly decreased over time, and ROM significantly improved over time compared with the values before treatment. One mild adverse reaction, decreased blood potassium, and two serious adverse events, both knee joint bleeding, were observed within 1 week after first administration, with no significant effect on safety. Furthermore, diagnostic markers did not show any signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). CONCLUSION: These results show that MC710 has sufficient haemostatic efficacy and safety, and can be used as a potential bypassing agent to control bleeding in haemophilia patients with inhibitors.

Paediatric presentation and outcome of congenital protein C deficiency in Japan.

Severe heritable protein C (PC) deficiency is quite rare, although heterozygous PROC mutation is the second leading cause of genetic predisposition to thrombosis in Japanese adults. The aim of the study was to search the optimal management, the paediatric onset and outcomes of PC deficiency were characterized in Japan. The genetic study, postmarketing survey of activated PC(aPC) concentrate (Anact(®)C) and intensive review in Japan for 20 years enabled the analysis of the disease onset, genotype, treatment and prognosis. Symptomatic PC deficiency was determined in 27 Japanese children. All but two patients presented within 16 days after birth (three prenatal and six neonatal onsets). Postnatal-onset cases had normal growth at full-term delivery. Of the 27 patients, 19 suffered intracranial thrombosis or haemorrhage (ICTH) (three foetal hydrocephalies), 16 developed purpura fulminans (PF) and 10 had both at the first presentation. ICTH preceded PF in both affected cases. Low PC activities of 18 mothers and/or 12 fathers indicated 20 inherited PC deficiencies (2 homozygotes, 11 compound heterozygotes and 7 heterozygotes) and seven unidentified causes of PC deficiency. Nine of 11 patients studied had PROC mutations. Four unrelated patients (50%) carried PC nagoya (1362delG). No PC-deficient parents had experienced thromboembolism. Of the 18 patients with aPC therapy, two died and eight evaluable survivors had neurological sequelae. This first comprehensive study of paediatric PC deficiency suggested that perinatal ICTH was the major presentation, occurring earlier than neonatal PF. PC nagoya was prevalent in paediatric, but not adult, patients in Japan. Early maternal screening and optimal PC therapy are required for newborns at risk of PC deficiency.

Results of clot waveform analysis and thrombin generation test for a plasma-derived factor VIIa and X mixture (MC710) in haemophilia patients with inhibitors--phase I trial: 2nd report.

We reported the results of a clinical pharmacological study of MC710 (a mixture of plasma-derived FVIIa and FX) in haemophilia patients with inhibitors during a non-haemorrhagic state. This report provides the results of a clot waveform analysis (CWA) and thrombin generation test (TGT) using blood samples obtained in this study. CWA and TGT were conducted using blood samples obtained from a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study in which MC710 (five dose rates: 20, 40, 80, 100 and 120 µg kg(-1)) was compared with NovoSeven (120 µg kg(-1)) and FEIBA (two dose rates: 50 and 75 U kg(-1)) as control drugs in 11 haemophilia patients with inhibitors without haemorrhagic symptoms. CWA showed that MC710 provided significantly greater improvement than the control drugs in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) at 80 µg kg(-1); maximum clot velocity and maximum clot acceleration were more enhanced by MC710 than by control drugs. TGT revealed that MC710 significantly shortened the initiation time of thrombin generation in comparison to FEIBA and induced greater thrombin generation potency than NovoSeven. It was not clear whether or not MC710 caused significant dose-dependent changes in the two measurements; however, differences between MC710 and the control drugs were clarified. MC710 was confirmed to have superior coagulation activity and thrombin productivity and is expected to have superior bypassing activity.

A Phase II clinical trial of a mixture of plasma-derived factor VIIa and factor X (MC710) in haemophilia patients with inhibitors: haemostatic efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics.

MC710, a mixture of plasma-derived activated factor VII and factor X at a protein weight ratio of 1:10, is a novel bypassing agent for haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. In a Phase II trial, we evaluated the haemostatic efficacy and safety of single doses of MC710, and investigated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters in nine joint bleeding episodes in six male haemophilia patients with inhibitors. This trial was a multi-centre, open-label, non-randomized study of two doses (60 and 120 µg kg(-1) as FVIIa dose), allowing the re-administration of different MC710 dosages to the same subjects. Haemostatic efficacy was assessed by evaluating reduction in pain and swelling, as well as increase in range of motion in a bleeding joint. The results of the study showed that in nine bleeding episodes, seven treatments were rated as 'excellent' or 'effective' according to investigator's rating system of efficacy at 8 h after administration. No serious or severe adverse events were observed after administration; furthermore, measurement of several diagnostic markers revealed no signs or symptoms of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The haemostatic potential of MC710 was confirmed at doses of 60 and 120 µg kg(-1) in this trial. MC710 is thus expected to be a safe and efficacious novel bypassing agent for controlling bleeding in haemophilia patients with inhibitors.

Clinical pharmacological study of a plasma-derived factor VIIa and factor X mixture (MC710) in haemophilia patients with inhibitors--phase I trial.

MC710, a combined product of plasma-derived activated factor VII (FVIIa) and factor X (FX) at a protein weight ratio of 1:10, is a novel bypassing agent for haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. In this study, pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters and safety of single doses of MC710 were investigated in 11 male haemophilia patients with inhibitors in a non-bleeding state. This was a multi-centre, open-labelled, non-randomized, active controlled crossover, dose-escalation study of five doses (20-120 µg kg(-1) of FVIIa) with re-administration of different MC710 dosages to the same subjects. The active controls were NovoSeven (120 µg kg(-1)) and/or FEIBA (50 and 75 U kg(-1)) which were used to compare PD parameters. The area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) of MC710 active ingredients increased dose-dependently within the range of 20 and 120 µg kg(-1). After administration of MC710, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was dose-dependently improved and prothrombin time (PT) was shortened to approximately 6 s at 10 min, and APTT improvement and PT shortening effects were maintained until 12 h after administration of MC710 at all doses. No serious or severe adverse event was observed after administration of MC710; furthermore, several diagnostic marker values and those changes did not indicate any signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These results suggest that MC710 would have haemostatic potential equal to or greater than NovoSeven and FEIBA and was be tolerable when given at doses up to 120 µg kg(-1).

An analysis of factors affecting the incidence of inhibitor formation in patients with congenital haemophilia in Japan.

Studies conducted in European and North American countries have demonstrated that various factors including races affect the frequency of inhibitor formation in haemophilia patients. The present study was undertaken to analyse factors affecting the incidence of inhibitor formation in Japanese haemophilia A and B patients. Analytical data were retrospectively collected from haemophilia A and B patients born after 1988, the year when monoclonal antibody-purified factor VIII products were first marketed in Japan. Various data were collected from 184 patients (153 cases of haemophilia A; 31 cases of haemophilia B). The sample size of haemophilia B cases was too small to reveal any significant differences between the inhibitor formation group and the inhibitor-free group in any of background variables. For patients with haemophilia A, on the other hand, univariate analysis identified the severity of haemophilia and a positive family history of inhibitor development as risk factors for the formation of inhibitors. In analyses of the clotting factor products used, the incidence of inhibitor formation did not differ significantly between the group treated with plasma-derived products (29.7%) and the group treated with recombinant products (25.0%). When background variables were compared, age was higher in the group treated with plasma-derived products but none of the other background variables differed between the two groups. These results suggest that in Japanese haemophilia patients, the type of clotting factor preparations used for therapy has not influenced the incidence of inhibitor formation.

Current situation of regular replacement therapy (prophylaxis) for haemophilia in Japan.

We conducted a questionnaire survey of haemophilia treaters participating in the Fourth Seminar on Regular Replacement Therapy (sponsored by Baxter Bioscience, 4 March 2006) to clarify the current status (up to January 2006) of replacement therapy for haemophilia. The haemophilia treaters including medical doctor, nurse belonged to 48 institutions located in the 23 prefectures of Japan. Topics included age at the initiation of regular replacement therapy (prophylaxis), and expected future situation of patients who are currently receiving prophylaxis. Data were collected from 1267 patients with haemophilia A and 273 patients with haemophilia B who had been treated at the represented institutions. Of these haemophilia A and B patients, 23% and 16% had received a prophylactic treatment regimen respectively. A breakdown of each disease by severity demonstrated that of the patients with severe haemophilia A and B patients, 27% and 18% of patients received a prophylaxis treatment, compared to 17% and 19% of patients with moderate type, and 1% and 3% of patients with mild type respectively. Of those severe haemophilia A and B patients receiving prophylaxis, the percentage of primary prophylaxis, which means prophylaxis begins under 2 years of age, was still small for 24% and 29% respectively. However, approximately half of the patients received prophylaxis during the age of 2-14 years, which suggests that secondary prophylaxis is widely spread in the age group in Japan. Problems in introduction of prophylaxis include difficulty in peripheral venous access, a lack of understanding of the therapy by the caregiver. In addition, the fear of inhibitor development, as well as the psychological anxiety in paediatric patients, was also mentioned as barriers to initiating and continuing prophylaxis.

DNA interaction with antitumor polyamine analogues: a comparison with biogenic polyamines.

Biogenic polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are ubiquitous cellular cations and exert multiple biological functions. Polyamine analogues mimic biogenic polyamines at macromolecular level but are unable to substitute for natural polyamines and maintain cell proliferation, indicating biomedical applications. The mechanistic differences in DNA binding mode between natural and synthetic polyamines have not been explored. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of calf thymus DNA with three polyamine analogues, 1,11-diamino-4,8-diazaundecane (333), 3,7,11,15-tetrazaheptadecane x 4 HCl (BE-333), and 3,7,11,15,19-pentazahenicosane x 5 HCl (BE-3333), using FTIR, UV-visible, and CD spectroscopy. Polyamine analogues bind with guanine and backbone PO2 group as major targets in DNA, whereas biogenic polyamines bind to major and minor grooves as well as to phosphate groups. Weaker interaction with DNA was observed for analogues with respect to biogenic polyamines, with K(333) = 1.90 (+/-0.5) x 10(4) M(-1), K(BE-333) = 6.4 (+/-1.7) x 10(4) M(-1), K(BE-3333) = 4.7 (+/-1.4) x 10(4) M(-1) compared to K(Spm) = 2.3 (+/-1.1) x 10(5) M(-1), K(Spd) = 1.4 (+/-0.6) x 10(5) M(-1), and K(Put) = 1.02 (+/-0.5) x 10(5) M(-1). A partial B- to A-DNA transition was also provoked by analogues. These data suggest distinct differences in the binding of natural and synthetic polyamines with DNA.

Enhancement of intestinal absorption of macromolecules by spermine in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the enhancing effect of polyamines on intestinal absorption of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (MW 4400, FD-4) in the in situ loop study and in vivo oral absorption study. Absorption of FD-4 from the jejunum was significantly enhanced by 5 mM spermine without serious membrane damage in the jejunum. An in vivo oral absorption study was also performed, and plasma FD-4 levels increased significantly after co-administration of 30 mM spermine. In the in vitro transport studies with Caco-2 cells, prolonged incubation with spermine resulted in a gradual decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance. This finding suggests that the absorption-enhancing mechanism of spermine partly includes opening the tight junctions of the epithelium via the paracellular route. These results indicate that excess oral ingestion of polyamines may have widespread health effects via the modulation of the intestinal epithelial barrier function.

Clinical evaluation of recombinant factor VIII preparation (Kogenate) in previously treated patients with hemophilia A: descriptive meta-analysis of post-marketing study data.

The safety and efficacy of Kogenate, a recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) preparation for the treatment of bleeding episodes, were studied in a 123-patient meta-analysis population of previously treated patients (PTPs), including 15 enrolled in the registration Phase III trial (PTP-I group), 93 from the post-marketing special investigation (PTP-II group), and 15 from short-term special investigations in surgery or tooth extraction (SI group). These patients (82 severe, 31 moderate, 9 mild, and 1 unknown), aged 11 months to 72 years, were enrolled in 28 centers in Japan. Blood samples taken at the baseline and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after the introduction of Kogenate were evaluated for FVIII inhibitor antibodies, antibodies formed against trace proteins derived from the rFVIII production process, and for general changes in laboratory test results. Mean exposure to Kogenate was 1103 days in PTP-I, 86 days in PTP-II, 27 days in patients in surgery, and 2 days in patients with tooth extraction. Assessment of FVIII inhibitor activity was conducted in 115 of the 123 patients by means of the Bethesda assay. Twelve patients were found to have a low titer of FVIII inhibitor (0.5-3.0 BU/mL) prior to any administration of Kogenate, and 103 were inhibitor-negative at the baseline. Among this latter group, 3 patients (2.9%) tested inhibitor-positive, with titers ranging from 1.2 to 2.1 BU/mL, with 4 patients below 1.0 BU/mL. One patient in the 11 PTPs investigated (PTP-I) developed antibodies against baby hamster kidney protein and mouse immunoglobulin G, but these findings were transient and asymptomatic. Hemostasis was achieved (markedly effective or effective) in 3666 of the 3855 bleeding episodes (95.1%) observed in 108 patients. Only 1 infusion was necessary in 3790 (98.3%) of these episodes. These data indicate that Kogenate is safe and very effective for the treatment of bleeding in PTPs with hemophilia A.

Inhibition of the growth of various human and mouse tumor cells by 1,15-bis(ethylamino)-4,8,12-triazapentadecane.

Effects of 1,15-bis(ethylamino)-4,8,12-triazapentadecane (BE3333), the least toxic bis(ethyl)pentaamine, on the growth of tumor cells were studied in in vitro systems and with tumor xenografts in mice. BE3333 suppressed ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, induced spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, and thus decreased the amount of polyamines. BE3333 accumulated in cells at a concentration 3-5-fold that of spermine in control cells through the polyamine transport system. The accumulated BE3333 inhibited protein synthesis, especially mitochondrial protein synthesis, and decreased the amount of ATP. The inhibition of protein synthesis was correlated with the subsequent inhibition of cell growth. BE3333 showed inhibitory effects in in vitro systems against the growth of mouse FM3A mammary carcinoma cells, human SW480 and SW620 colon tumor cells, Lu-65A and A549 lung tumor cells, MCF-7 breast tumor cells, and MALME-3M and A375 melanoma cells at a range of 0.5-10 microM. Intravenous (30 mg/kg) or i.p. (50 mg/kg) daily injections of BE3333 for 5 or 7 days greatly suppressed the growth of human colon tumor SW620 xenotransplanted into nude mice. Similar antitumor activity was obtained with continuous infusion of BE3333 into the peritoneal cavity (80 mg/kg), but not with p.o. administration (200 mg/kg). BE3333 also showed inhibitory effects against the growth of lung tumors (Lu-65, Lx-1, Lc-1, and Lu-61), stomach tumors (Sc-6 and St-15), and melanoma (SEKI) xenotransplanted into nude mice. The results indicate that BE3333 is effective against both rapid- and slow-growing tumors, with reasonable short-term host toxicity.

Interaction of a polyamine analogue, 1,19-bis-(ethylamino)-5,10,15- triazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4), with DNA and effect on growth, survival, and polyamine levels in seven human brain tumor cell lines.

Computer graphics modeling and physicochemical studies of spermine-DNA interactions, as well as experiments in cell culture, indicate that a polyamine analogue with strong affinity for nucleic acids but poor ability to condense and aggregate DNA in vitro should act as an antiproliferative agent if it can enter cells. On the basis of our studies of polyamine-DNA interactions, we designed a pentamine, 1,19-bis(ethylamino)-5,10,15- triazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4), that had these characteristics. Measurement of melting temperature and ultraviolet light scattering studies show that the affinity of this analogue for calf-thymus DNA is about 4 times higher than that of spermine, whereas its ability to aggregate DNA is slightly poorer than that of spermine. Studies in U-87 MG, U-251 MG, SF-126, SF-188, SF-763, SF-767, and DAOY human brain tumor cells in tissue culture showed that treatment for more than 96 h with concentrations of 5 microM BE-4-4-4-4 or greater inhibited growth; decreased levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine; and decreased colony-forming ability in all cell lines. The cytotoxicity of the analogue varied among cell lines; DAOY and SF-767 were the most sensitive and the most resistant lines, respectively. In SF-763 cells, growth inhibition by BE-4-4-4-4 could be partially reversed by the addition of putrescine, spermidine, or spermine 1 day after BE-4-4-4-4 addition, but in U-251 MG cells, growth inhibition was reversed only by spermine and not by other polyamines. When any of the naturally occurring polyamines was added simultaneously with BE-4-4-4-4, growth inhibition was completely blocked. The data suggest that a threshold intracellular concentration of BE-4-4-4-4 is needed to manifest the growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic effects. In most cell lines, once that threshold level is reached, the growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic properties of the analogue are manifest irrespective of cellular polyamine levels. Further increases in the BE-4-4-4-4 concentration or incubation time reduce the intracellular polyamine levels but do not significantly increase growth inhibition. In U-87 MG and DAOY cells, however, prolonged incubation with higher concentrations of BE-4-4-4-4 causes additional growth inhibition along with depletion of intracellular polyamines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Regulation of estrogenic and nuclear factor kappa B functions by polyamines and their role in polyamine analog-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells.

The natural polyamines -putrescine, spermidine, and spermine- are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Polyamines are involved in several gene regulatory functions, although their mechanism(s) of action has not been elucidated. We investigated the role of polyamines in the function of NF-kappa B and estrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha), two transcription factors implicated in breast cancer cell proliferation and cell survival, using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We found that spermine facilitated the binding of ER alpha and NF-kappa B to estrogen response element (ERE)- and NF-kappa B response element (NRE), respectively, and enhanced ER alpha-mediated transcriptional activation in transient transfection experiments. We also found that the association of the co-regulatory protein CBP/p300 with ER alpha and NF-kappa B was increased by spermine treatment of MCF-7 cells. Spermine also increased the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B compared to the control. In contrast, treatment of MCF-7 cells with polyamine analogs, BE-3-4-3 and BE-3-3-3, resulted in transcriptional inhibition of both ERE- and NRE-driven reporter plasmids. In addition, polyamine analogs inhibited the association of ER alpha and NF-kappa B with CBP/p300 and were unable to facilitate nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B. APO-BRDU assay demonstrated that polyamine analogs induced apoptosis, with a loss of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. These data show a gene regulatory function of polyamines involving transcriptional activation of ER alpha and NF-kappa B, potentially leading to the up-regulation of genes involved in breast cancer cell proliferation. Our results with BE-3-4-3 and BE-3-3-3 suggest that down-regulation of ER alpha- and NF-kappa B-regulated genes is a possible mechanism for the action of polyamine analogs in inducing apoptosis of breast cancer cells.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 and beta 2 induce down-modulation of thrombomodulin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-betas) on endothelial anticoagulant activity, we assayed thrombomodulin (TM) activity and antigen levels of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) incubated with TGF-betas in vitro. TGF-beta 1 suppressed surface TM activity and surface TM antigen levels maximally 12 h after incubation in dose-dependent manners. TGF-beta 2 was almost equipotent with TGF-beta 1 for the suppression of them. Both TGF-betas suppressed total TM antigen level in HUVECs, and the time course of the suppression was similar to that of the cell surface TM antigen level. The maximal reductions of TM mRNA levels by TGF-betas were observed at several hours ahead of those observed in both surface and total TM antigens levels, suggesting that the TGF-beta-mediated suppression of TM antigen of HUVECs is primarily regulated at the TM mRNA level. Our present work suggests that the down-modulation of TM level induced by TGF-betas in HUVECs contributes in vivo to promoting the thrombogenesis either at the sites of injury of vessel walls, such as atherosclerotic lesions where TGF-beta 1 is released from platelets, smooth muscle cells and monocytes, or at neovascular walls in tumors secreting TGF-beta 2.

Antitumor effects of bis(ethyl)polyamine analogs on mammary tumor development in FVB/NTgN (MMTVneu) transgenic mice.

We studied the therapeutic potential of two polyamine analogs on breast cancer using FVB/NTgN (MMTVneu), a transgenic mouse model with neu/erb-B2 oncogene overexpression. Treatment was initiated at 31 weeks of age with bis(ethyl)norspermine (BE333) and its higher homolog, BE3333 as i.p. injections once weekly. There was a 40% reduction in the average number of tumors per mouse in both treatment groups, by 10 weeks of treatment. BE3333-treated mice had 70-75% lower tumor volume than controls. Spermidine/spermine acetyl transferase activity was significantly higher in tumor tissues and kidneys of treated animals, whereas polyamine levels were lower than controls. Beneficial effects were also evident from the mortality rates in control and treatment groups. Our results suggest a potential use of selected bis(ethyl) polyamine analogs as antitumor agents in breast cancer.

Effects of inhibitors of spermidine synthase and spermine synthase on polyamine synthesis in rat tissues.

Several inhibitors of aminopropyltransferases, developed recently in this laboratory, were tested for their specificity by measuring their effects on six enzyme activities related to polyamine biosynthesis and interconversion. Two of them, trans-4-methylcyclohexylamine (4MCHA) and N-(3-aminopropyl)cyclohexylamine (APCHA), selectively and potently inhibited the activities of spermidine synthase and spermine synthase, respectively. They were subjected to in vivo studies using rats. Oral administration of 4MCHA or APCHA dissolved in drinking water (0.02 and 0.1%) available ad lib. for a period of 10 days or 4 months caused a specific and marked decrease in spermidine or spermine in tissues (such as a 95% decrease) with a compensatory increase of spermine or spermidine, respectively, but without any observable change in the growth of the treated rats. Also, with extreme reduction of spermidine or spermine, when their sum was approximately constant, the activity of S-adenosyl-methionine decarboxylase in these tissues was enhanced significantly with no change in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase. These results suggested a separate role for spermidine or spermine in the in vivo enhancement of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity.

Putrescine or spermidine binding site of aminopropyltransferases and competitive inhibitors.

A model of the active site of aminopropyltransferases was proposed based on the study of a number of monoamino and diamino compounds as potential inhibitors and substrates, respectively, of spermidine synthase purified from pig liver. The active site seems to have a relatively large hydrophobic cavity adjacent to a negatively charged site, to which a protonated amino group of putrescine binds, with another amino group of putrescine being situated in the hydrophobic cavity as a free form to be aminopropylated by decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine. On the basis of the above-mentioned model, another modified one was proposed for spermine synthase, and several compounds mentioned model, another modified one was proposed for spermine synthase, and several compounds designed according to the modified model were found to potently inhibit spermine synthase, purified from rat brain, in competition with spermidine. The newly developed inhibitors were about two orders of magnitude more potent in vitro than a known inhibitor of spermine synthase, dimethyl(5'-adenosyl)sulfonium perchlorate.

Increase in hepatic content of oleic acid induced by dehydroepiandrosterone in the rat.

The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the acyl composition of lipids in rat liver were studied. The content of oleic acid (18:1) in hepatic lipids was increased markedly by feeding rats a diet containing 0.5% (w/w) DHEA for 14 days. Treatment of rats with DHEA caused an increase in the activity of the terminal desaturase of the stearoyl-CoA desaturation system, without changing either the activity of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase or the microsomal content of cytochrome b5. Among the changes observed in hepatic lipids, the increase in 18:1 content in phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) was the most prominent; an approximately 2.5-fold increase in the proportion of 18:1 was induced at position 2, but not at position 1, by DHEA. This selective elevation of 18:1 at position 2 of PtdCho seems to be produced by the concerted actions of the induced 1-acylglycerophosphocholine (1-acyl-GPC) acyltransferase and the induced stearoyl-CoA desaturase. The content of 18:1 in serum lipids was unchanged by DHEA treatment, suggesting that secretion of lipids containing 18:1 into the circulation was not affected by DHEA. These results suggest that the elevation of hepatic content of 18:1 caused by DHEA treatment is mainly due to the induction of stearoyl-CoA desaturase.

Postnatal development of orexin/hypocretin in rats.

We examined developmental changes of orexins/hypocretins and their receptors (OX1R and OX2R) in the rat hypothalamus from postnatal day 0 to 10 weeks, using in situ hybridization histochemistry for the prepro-orexin, OX1R and OX2R mRNAs and immunohistochemistry for orexin-A and orexin-B. The prepro-orexin mRNA was weakly detected in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) from days 0 to 15. Orexin-A- and -B-like immunopositive cells and fibers were not detected from days 0 to 10, but they were observed after day 15. The prepro-orexin mRNA in the LHA markedly increased between days 15 and 20. The OX1R mRNA was detected in the ventromedial hypothalamic area (VMH) at day 0. The OX2R mRNA was not detected in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) at days 0 and 1, but weakly observed on day 5. The OX1R mRNA in the VMH and OX2R mRNA in the PVN gradually increased throughout the postnatal period. Next, we examined the effects of milk deprivation and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of leptin on the hypothalamic prepro-orexin mRNA in pups. Although 24-h milk deprivation did not affect the level of the prepro-orexin mRNA at days 5 and 10, i.p. administration of leptin from days 0 to 3 caused a significant increase in the prepro-orexin mRNA on days 5 and 10. These results suggest that the development of orexins may be associated with developmental changes such as increase of leptin, weaning, feeding and sleep/wakefulness states.

Monospecific antiserum to rat spermidine synthase and its application to rat tissues and several mammals.

Monospecific antiserum to rat spermidine synthase was prepared by immunization of rabbits with purified enzyme protein from rat prostate, and its usefulness for analysis of spermidine synthase protein in not only rat tissues but also several other mammals was demonstrated by Western blotting and immunotitration of the enzyme activity. Application of the antiserum for elucidating the relationship between the enzyme activity and protein in normal rat tissues strongly suggested that marked difference in spermidine synthase activity among rat tissues depends solely on the difference in the amount of enzyme protein. Also, application of the antiserum for analyzing spermidine synthase from liver of mouse, rat, guinea pig, pig, and human, showed that the enzymes had a similar subunit molecular weight of 35,000 and a cross-reactivity with the antiserum, exhibiting almost the same immunoreactivity to mouse enzyme as to rat enzyme. Thus, it was suggested that the antiserum would be useful for further studies of mammalian spermidine synthase from the viewpoints of enzymology and molecular biology.