Normal ddY Mice Research Articles

Radiobrominated probe targeting activated p38α in inflammatory diseases.

p38α, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, is activated by external stimuli, followed by nuclear translocation for the regulation of inflammatory responses at the transcriptional and translational levels in inflammatory diseases. Thus, activated p38α would be an appropriate target molecule for in vivo noninvasive imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. For this purpose, we designed a radiobrominated compound, 6-(4-[77Br]bromo-2-fluorophenoxy)-8-methyl-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylamino)-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one ([77Br]4-BR), based on a potent p38α selective inhibitor, R1487, for use with single-photon emission computed tomography. We synthesized [77Br]4-BR and evaluated its effectiveness as an activated p38α imaging probe compared with our previous radioiodinated probe (6-(2-fluoro-4-[125I]iodophenoxy)-8-methyl-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylamino)-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-one ([125I]4-IR)) in a mouse inflammatory model. We designed [77Br]4-BR by replacing the radioiodine of [125I]4-IR or the fluorine of R1487 with radiobromine at the 4-position of the phenoxy ring. We synthesized 4-BR via a four-step process. The inhibitory potency of 4-BR was measured using an ADP-Glo™ kinase assay system. Radiosynthesis of [77Br]4-BR was performed via an organotin-radiobromine exchange reaction using the corresponding tributyltin precursor. Radioactivity biodistribution was evaluated in normal ddY mice and turpentine oil-induced inflammation model mice for 120min after intravenous administration of [77Br]4-BR. The temporal changes in radioactivity in blood fractions were compared between [77Br]4-BR and [125I]4-IR. 4-BR was synthesized at a total yield of 9.1% and showed a p38α inhibitory potency similar to that of 4-IR. [77Br]4-BR was successfully obtained from a tributyltin precursor with high radiochemical yield (89.9%), purity (95.9%), and molar activity (2.0 TBq/µmol). [77Br]4-BR showed accumulation of high radioactivity in the inflamed tissue (3.4% ± 0.9% ID/g, peaking at 15min), rapid delivery throughout the body, and rapid blood clearance with approximately half of the blood radioactivity existing as an intact form at 60min. Although the maximum radioactivity accumulation in inflamed tissue after [77Br]4-BR administration was approximately half that of [125I]4-IR because of its faster blood clearance and lower free fraction in the input function, the inflamed tissue-to-blood ratio was comparable between [77Br]4-BR and [125I]4-IR. [77Br]4-BR would be a promising imaging agent for detecting activated p38α in inflammatory diseases.

Development of novel radioiodinated exendin-4 derivatives targeting GLP-1 receptor for detection of β-cell mass

In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), pancreatic β-cell mass decreases; however, it is unknown to what extent this decrease contributes to the pathophysiology of T2DM. Therefore, the development of a method for noninvasive detection of β-cell mass is underway. We previously reported that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a promising target molecule for β-cell imaging. In this study, we attempted to develop a probe targeting GLP-1R for β-cell imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). For this purpose, we selected exendin-4 as the lead compound and radiolabeled lysine at residue 12 in exendin-4 or additional lysine at the C-terminus using [123I]iodobenzoylation. To evaluate in vitro receptor specificity, binding assay was performed using dispersed mouse islet cells. Biodistribution study was performed in normal ddY mice. Ex vivo autoradiography was performed in transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under control of the mouse insulin I gene promoter. Additionally, SPECT imaging was performed in normal ddY mice. The affinity of novel synthesized derivatives toward pancreatic β-cells was not affected by iodobenzoylation. The derivatives accumulated in the pancreas after intravenous administration specifically via GLP-1R expressed on the pancreatic β-cells. Extremely high signal-to-noise ratio was observed during evaluation of biodistribution of [123I]IB12-Ex4. SPECT images using normal mice showed that [123I]IB12-Ex4 accumulated in the pancreas with high contrast between the pancreas and background. These results indicate that [123I]IB12-Ex4 for SPECT is useful for clinical applications because of its preferable kinetics in vivo.

Development of radioiodinated pyrimidinopyridone derivatives as targeted imaging probes of activated p38α for single photon emission computed tomography.

p38α, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, is ubiquitously expressed in a variety of mammalian cells. Activated p38α induces inflammatory responses to external stimuli, suggesting that non-invasive detection of activated p38α would be valuable for diagnosing inflammatory diseases. For this purpose, we designed radiolabeled compounds [123I]2-IR and [123I]4-IR based on a potent p38α selective inhibitor R1487 for use with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In this study, we used 125I instead of 123I due to its more usable radiochemical properties, synthesized [125I]2-IR and [125I]4-IR, and evaluated their effectiveness as activated p38α imaging probes. [123I]2-IR and [123I]4-IR were designed by introduction of a 123I atom at the 2- or 4-ositions of the phenoxy ring, preserving the pyrimidinopyridone structure of R1487. We synthesized 2-IR and 4-IR via a 7-step process. The inhibitory potencies of 2-IR, 4-IR, and p38α inhibitors were measured using an ADP-Glo™ kinase assay system. Radioiodination of 2-IR and 4-IR was performed via an organotin-radioiodine exchange reaction using the corresponding tributyltin precursors. Biodistributions were evaluated by determining radioactivity in tissues of interest after intravenous administration of [125I]2-IR and [125I]4-IR in normal ddY mice and turpentine oil-induced inflammation model mice. In vivo inhibition study was also performed in inflammation model mice after intravenous administration of [125I]4-IR with pretreatment of p38α inhibitors. We synthesized 2-IR and 4-IR at total yields of 17.5% and 19.2%, respectively. 4-IR had higher p38α inhibitory potency than 2-IR; both compounds were significantly less potent than R1487. [125I]2-IR and [125I]4-IR were successfully obtained from tributyltin precursors with high radiochemical yield (> 65%), purity (> 97%), and molar activity (~ 81GBq/µmol). [125I]4-IR showed high radioactivity accumulation in the inflamed tissue (7.0 ± 1.2%D/g), rapid delivery throughout the body, and rapid blood clearance, resulting in a high inflammation-to-blood ratio (6.2 ± 0.4) and a high inflammation-to-muscle ratio (5.2 ± 1.3) at 30min, while [125I]2-IR showed low radioactivity accumulation in inflamed tissue over the experimental period. Further, radioactivity accumulation in inflamed tissue after [125I]4-IR administration was significantly decreased by pretreatment with selective inhibitors. [123I]4-IR would be a promising imaging agent for detection of activated p38α.

Theanine, Antistress Amino Acid in Tea Leaves, Causes Hippocampal Metabolic Changes and Antidepressant Effects in Stress-Loaded Mice.

By comprehensively measuring changes in metabolites in the hippocampus of stress-loaded mice, we investigated the reasons for stress vulnerability and the effect of theanine, i.e., an abundant amino acid in tea leaves, on the metabolism. Stress sensitivity was higher in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 10 (SAMP10) mice than in normal ddY mice when these mice were loaded with stress on the basis of territorial consciousness in males. Group housing was used as the low-stress condition reference. Among the statistically altered metabolites, depression-related kynurenine and excitability-related histamine were significantly higher in SAMP10 mice than in ddY mice. In contrast, carnosine, which has antidepressant-like activity, and ornithine, which has antistress effects, were significantly lower in SAMP10 mice than in ddY mice. The ingestion of theanine, an excellent antistress amino acid, modulated the levels of kynurenine, histamine, and carnosine only in the stress-loaded SAMP10 mice and not in the group-housing mice. Depression-like behavior was suppressed in mice that had ingested theanine only under stress loading. Taken together, changes in these metabolites, such as kynurenine, histamine, carnosine, and ornithine, were suggested to be associated with the stress vulnerability and depression-like behavior of stressed SAMP10 mice. It was also shown that theanine action appears in the metabolism of mice only under stress loading.

Effective nose-to-brain delivery of exendin-4 via coadministration with cell-penetrating peptides for improving progressive cognitive dysfunction

In a recent study, we demonstrated the potential of a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) penetratin to deliver the peptide drug insulin to the brain via nasal administration, and its pharmacological effect on the mild cognitive dysfunction in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8). However, the therapeutic potential of intranasal insulin administration was attenuated when applied to the aged SAMP8 with severe cognitive dysfunction. The present study, therefore, aimed to overcome the difficulty in treating severe cognitive dysfunction using insulin by investigating potential alternatives, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as exendin-4. Examination using normal ddY mice demonstrated that the distribution of exendin-4 throughout the brain was dramatically increased by intranasal coadministration with the L-form of penetratin. The activation of hippocampal insulin signaling after the simultaneous nose-to-brain delivery of exendin-4 and an adequate level of insulin were confirmed by analyzing the phosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, spatial learning ability, evaluated in the Morris water maze test after daily administration of exendin-4 with L-penetratin and supplemental insulin for 4 weeks, suggested therapeutic efficacy against severe cognitive dysfunction. The present study suggests that nose-to-brain delivery of exendin-4 with supplemental insulin, mediated by CPP coadministration, shows promise for the treatment of progressive cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8.

Dietary salmon milt extracts attenuate hepatosteatosis and liver dysfunction in diet-induced fatty liver model.

Dietary nucleotides have several reported beneficial effects. Here, we report on a proteomic analysis of the effect of dietary nucleotides-rich salmon milt extract (SME) on the liver in a diet-induced fatty liver model. Young male normal ddY mice were fed a normal chow diet, high carbohydrate diet (HCD), HCD containing 1% SME, or HCD containing 10% SME for 5 days following by a 2-day fast. Increased serum alanine transferase and aspartate transferase activities were observed in the HCD group and were significantly attenuated in the SME groups (P < 0.05). Hepatic steatosis was observed in all the HCD groups. Hepatic expression of Tnfα was significantly suppressed in the 10% SME group (P < 0.05). Comprehensive proteomic analysis of the liver in the SME groups revealed an increase in the levels of major proteins involved in mitochondrial bioenergetics, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha, mitochondrial thioredoxin, cardiolipin synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. Dietary SME improved liver function in the diet-induced fatty liver model. Activation of mitochondrial biogenetic function might be involved in this process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of radioiodinated lipophilic cationic compounds for myocardial imaging

IntroductionTc-99m compounds are mainly used in myocardial blood flow studies. These compounds, however, are produced by a generator and alternate single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiopharmaceuticals are therefore required to avoid the risks posed by generator failure. Three radiolabeled compounds, including [125I]p-iodobenzyl triphenylphosphonium ([125I]ITPP), [125I]p-Iodobenzyl dipropylphenylphosphonium ([125I]IDPP) and [125I]p-iodobenzyl methyldiphenylphosphonium ([125I]IMPP), have been synthesized in the current study. All three of these compounds contain a lipophilic cation, which enhances their cell permeability properties and allows them to accumulate in the myocardium as SPECT probes. Methods4-(2-Tributylstannyl) benzyl alcohol was mixed with [125I]NaI in the presence of aqueous hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid to allow for the synthesis of 4-[125I]iodobenzyl alcohol. Bromination of the alcohol under standard conditions gave 4-[125I]iodo benzyl bromide, which was treated with triphenylphosphine, dipropylphenylphosphine or methyldiphenylphosphine to give [125I]ITPP, [125I]IDPP and [125I]IMPP, respectively. These compounds were evaluated in biodistribution and SPECT studies in normal ddY mice. ResultsAll three of the radiolabeled compounds were synthesized in approximately 60% yield with radiochemical purities greater than 99%. The specific activity of each compound was 74 GBq/μmol. The results of the biodistribution and SPECT studies showed that all compounds accumulated preferentially in the heart in vivo, especially [125I]IDPP. Conclusion[123I] IDPP could be used in clinical practice as a novel myocardial imaging agent.

Colonic delivery of docosahexaenoic acid improves impaired glucose tolerance via GLP-1 secretion and suppresses pancreatic islet hyperplasia in diabetic KK-Ay mice

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that regulates the insulin secretion depending on blood glucose level. Recent studies show that the unsaturated fatty acids can promote GLP-1 secretion from intestinal L-cells. We have shown previously that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) administered into a mouse closed intestinal loop, especially into the colonic segment, stimulate GLP-1 and insulin secretion and have a hypoglycemic effect, suggesting that DHA and EPA have potential as antidiabetic agents. The present study examined the antidiabetic effect of DHA following long-term in vivo delivery to the colon using normal ddY and diabetic KK-A(y) mice. The plasma GLP-1 concentration of KK-A(y) mice increased after long-term DHA administration, and this had a significant hypoglycemic effect. In contrast, although GLP-1 secretion in ddY mice tended to increase after DHA administration, blood glucose concentration did not differ between vehicle- and DHA-treated ddY mice. Immunostaining of the pancreas after long-term DHA administration showed that continuous DHA treatment stimulated β-cell apoptosis and accordingly suppressed islet cell growth in KK-A(y) mice. Colon targeting of DHA may provide a new strategy for improving impaired glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes mellitus by stimulating GLP-1 secretion, which may subsequently suppress the compensatory hyperplasia of pancreatic islets.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect of anti-diabetic metal ions and their complexes

We found alpha-glucosidase inhibitory (α-GI) effect of metal ions and their complexes which showed the high blood glucose lowering effect in diabetic model animals. The Cu(II) ion and its complexes showed strong α-GI activity greater than clinically used acarbose in in vitro studies. Furthermore, in in vivo experiments, α-GI action was newly discovered in normal ddy mice. These results suggested that one of action mechanisms of the anti-diabetic metal ions and complexes is related to the α-GI effects.

UJI AKTIVITAS PENGHAMBATAN ENZIM A-GLUKOSIDASE DAUN KALANCHOE PINNATA PERS.

The study of inhibitory activity against the a-glucosidase enzyme of Kalanchoe pinnata Pers. leaves has been carried out. In vitro, the methanol extract, n-hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and methanol-water (1:1) fraction inhibited a-glucosidase enzyme activities with IC50 value 72.8, 982.6, 194.6 and 293.8 ug/mL, respectively. In vivo, the study was conducted in normal ddY mice by using oral glucose tolerance test. The administration of methanol extract dose 0.5, 1.0 g/kg of body weight and ethyl acetate fraction dose 1.0 g/kg of body weight can suppress the blood glucose level at 30 min significantly (pl0.05) if compared with control after oral administration of sucrose (3 g/kg of body weight), and their activity were similar with acarbose 0.01 g/kg of body weight (pg0.05).

Transdermal Delivery of CaCO3-Nanoparticles Containing Insulin

This study evaluates the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of a transdermally delivered insulin using novel CaCO(3)-nanoparticles in normal mice and those with diabetes. CaCO3-nanoparticles encapsulating insulin (nanoinsulin) were transdermally applied to the back skin of normal ddY mice and dB/dB and kkAy mice with diabetes after fasting for 1 h. Serum insulin levels of ddY mice were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay, and blood glucose of normal mice and those with diabetes was monitored. Maximum serum insulin was 67.1 +/- 25.9 microIU/mL at 4 h with 200 microg of transdermal nanoinsulin in ddY mice, whereas that after subcutaneous injection of 3 microg of monomer insulin was 462 +/- 20.9 microIU/mL at 20 min. Transdermal nanoinsulin decreased glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. A maximum decrease in blood glucose of 48.3 +/- 3.9% (ddY), 32.5 +/- 9.8% (dB/dB), and 26.2 +/- 7.6% (kkAy) after 6 h was observed with 200 microg of transdermal nanoinsulin, compared with 64.1+/-1.0% (ddY), 57.9 +/-3.4% (dB/dB), and 24.1 +/- 6.7% (kkAy) after 1 h with 3 microg of subcutaneous monomer insulin. Insulin bioavailability until 6 h with transdermal nanoinsulin in ddY mice was 0.9% based on serum insulin level and 2.0% on pharmacodynamic blood glucose-lowering effects. This CaCO(3)-nanoparticle system successfully delivered insulin transdermally, as evidenced by a significant sustained decrease in blood glucose in normal mice and those with diabetes. These results support the feasibility of developing transdermal nanoinsulin for human applications.

Effect of green tea on blood glucose levels and serum proteomic patterns in diabetic (db/db) mice and on glucose metabolism in healthy humans

BackgroundGreen tea is widely consumed in Asian countries and is becoming increasingly popular in Western countries. Epidemiologically, it has been suggested that green tea consumption prevents type 2 diabetes. The present study was aimed at providing evidence of improvement in glucose metabolism in diabetic mice and healthy humans upon green tea consumption.ResultsGreen tea promoted glucose metabolism in healthy human volunteers at 1.5 g/body in oral glucose tolerance tests. Green tea also lowered blood glucose levels in diabetic db+/db+ mice and streptozotocin-diabetic mice 2–6 h after administration at 300 mg/kg without affecting serum insulin level, whereas no effect was observed in control mice (+m/+m and normal ddY mice). The serum protein profiles of db+/db+ and +m/+m mice were analyzed for the first time by SELDI (surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization)-TOF (time-of-flight)-MS (mass spectrometry), and then compared to investigate any effects of oral green tea administration on serum proteins. The protein profiles in db+/db+ mice showed that the spectral peak intensities at the mass/charge ratios (m/z) of 4119, 4203, 4206, 4211, 4579, 9311 and 18691 were >3 times lower, and those of 13075, 17406, 17407, 17418, 17622, 18431 and 26100 were >3 times higher than respective peak intensities in +m/+m mice. When green tea was administered to db+/db+ mice, the peak intensities were markedly decreased at m/z 11651 and 11863, and slightly decreased at m/z 4212. The peak intensities at 7495, 7595, 7808, 14983, 15614, 31204 were markedly increased after the administration.ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that green tea has an antidiabetic effect. Although we could not find simple reversed effect of green tea on the diabetes-induced modifications of the levels of several serum proteins, we found that the 4211 (4212) Da protein level that was decreased in the diabetic state was further decreased after green tea administration. This is the first report demonstrating that a certain serum protein may be involved in the antihyperglycemic effect of green tea. The contribution of this protein should be further studied.

Impaired Bone Resorption to Prostaglandin E2 in Prostaglandin E Receptor EP4-knockout Mice

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) acts as a potent stimulator of bone resorption. In this study, we first clarified in normal ddy mice the involvement of protein kinase A and induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in PGE(2)-induced bone resorption, and then identified PGE receptor subtype(s) mediating this PGE(2) action using mice lacking each subtype (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) of PGE receptor. In calvarial culture obtained from normal ddy mice, both PGE(2) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt(2)cAMP) stimulated bone resorption and induced MMPs including MMP-2 and MMP-13. Addition of an inhibitor of protein kinase A, H89, or an inhibitor of MMPs, BB94, significantly suppressed bone-resorbing activity induced by PGE(2.) In calvarial culture from EP1-, EP2-, and EP3-knockout mice, PGE(2) stimulated bone resorption to an extent similar to that found in calvaria from the wild-type mice. On the other hand, a marked reduction in bone resorption to PGE(2) was found in the calvarial culture from EP4-knockout mice. The impaired bone resorption to PGE(2) was also detected in long bone cultures from EP4-knockout mice. Bt(2)cAMP greatly stimulated bone resorption similarly in both wild-type and EP4-knockout mice. Induction of MMP-2 and MMP-13 by PGE(2) was greatly impaired in calvarial culture from EP4-knockout mice, but Bt(2)cAMP stimulated MMPs induction similarly in the wild-type and EP4-knockout mice. These findings suggest that PGE(2) stimulates bone resorption by a cAMP-dependent mechanism via the EP4 receptor.

Radioautographic studies on radiosulfate incorporation in the digestive organs of mice.

The sulfate uptake and accumulation in mouse digestive organs were studied by light microscopic radioautography. Two litters of normal ddY mice 30 days after birth, each consisting of 3 animals, were studied. One litter of animals were sacrificed 30 min after the intraperitoneal injections with phosphate buffered Na2(35)SO4, and the other litter animals were sacrificed 12 hr after the injections. Then several digestive organs, the parotid gland, the submandibular gland, the sublingual gland, antrum and fundus of the stomach, the duodenum, the jejunum, the ileum, the caecum, the ascending colon and the descending colon were taken out. The tissues were fixed, dehydrated, embedded in epoxy resin, sectioned, picked up onto glass slides, coated with radioautographic emulsion by a dipping method. AFter the exposure, they were developed, stained with toluidine blue and analyzed by light microscopy. As the results, many silver grains were observed on serous cells of the salivary glands, mucosa and submucosa of the stomach, villous cells and crypt cells of the small intestines and whole mucosa of the large intestines at 30 min after the injection. Then at 12 hr after the injection silver grains were observed on mucous cells of the salivary glands, some of the stomach glands, and mucigen granules of goblet cells in the small intestines and the large intestines. The numbers of silver grains observed in respective organs at 30 min were less than those at 12 hr. From these results, it is concluded that glycoprotein synthesis was demonstrated in several digestive organs by radiosulfate incorporation. In the salivary glands the silver grains were more observed in serous cells at 30 min, while in mucous cells more at 12 hr than 30 min after the injection. In other organs the silver grains were more at 30 min than at 12 hr. These results show the time difference of glycoprotein synthesis in respective organs.

Experimental Helicobacter pylori infection in association with other bacteria.

We performed surgical treatment on normal ddY mice before Helicobacter pylori inoculation. The treatment was expected to obstruct bacterial flow out of the stomach and increase the chance of bacterial attachment to the gastric epithelium in mice. The bacterial challenge induced inflammation in the stomach. H. pylori was recovered from the stomach throughout the observation period. Lactobacilli and streptococci tended to relate to the increase in number of H. pylori recovered. Pretreatment with atropine was considered to confuse the gastric flora and affect the number of H. pylori recovered. These results suggested that a certain amount of time is necessary for H. pylori to contact with the gastric epithelium and that the composition of flora is important for the establishment of H. pylori infection.

Hypertension in epileptic mice: a phenomenon related to reduction of Ca 2+-dependent catecholamine synthesis in the brain

The possible complication of hypertension and epilepsy was investigated through the response in epileptic El mice. The systolic blood pressure in El mice (male, 8 weeks of age) and that in normal ddY mice (the parent strain of El mice) were compared by a tail-cuff method, using a programmed sphygmomanometer. The systolic blood pressure in El mice (120.5 ± 5.6 mm Hg) was 28% ( P < 0.01) higher than that in ddY mice (93.9 ± 5.3 mm Hg). The higher systolic blood pressure in El mice was lowered by the acute intracerebroventricular administration of CaCl 2 (10 μmol/kg, 30 min before measurement) or dopamine (30 nmol/mouse, 15 min before measurement), and was also improved by the chronic oral supplementation with 1.2% calcium (Ca 2+) solution. Combining these results with those in our previous reports, where it is stated that lowering of Ca 2+-calmodulin-dependent catecholamine synthesis increases the susceptibility to epileptic convulsions, we suggest that the increase in susceptibility to epileptic convulsion and occurrence of hypertension in El mice may be linked and that the two diseases may be associated.

Suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis in long-term troglitazone treated diabetic KK and [formula omitted] mice

The orally effective antidiabetic agent Troglitazone (CS-045) exerts hypoglycemic effects in various insulin-resistant obese and/or diabetic animals. Since increased hepatic gluconeogenesis is a major cause of hyperglycemia in these diabetic animals, we evaluated the effect of long-term Troglitazone treatment on hepatic gluconeogenesis. Troglitazone was administered for 7 days to normal ddY mice, diabetic KK mice, diabetic C57BL KsJ-db db mice, and its heterozygote, db/+ mice, as a 0.1% or 0.2% food admixture. Troglitazone significantly decreased plasma glucose in diabetic KK and db db mice, but not in normal ddY and db/+ mice. 14C incorporation into blgod glucose from NaH 14CO 3 was measured to assess hepatic gluconeogenesis in diabetic KK and normal ddY mice. Hepatic gluconeogenesis was significantly increased in diabetic KK mice ( P < .01) as compared with normal mice, and was significantly suppressed ( P < .05) after 7 days of Troglitazone treatment (∼200 mg/kg/d). Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) were significantly decreased but fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) was not significantly increased in the liver of diabetic db db mice treated with Troglitazone for 7 days (∼80 mg/kg/d) as compared with control db db mice. These changes in G6P, F6P, and FBP corresponded with the activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-1,6P 2ase) and 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (6-PF-1K), which determined the content of F6P and FBP. Namely, Fru-1,6P 2ase was significantly decreased in Troglitazone-treated db db mice as compared with control mice, whereas 6-PF-1K activity was not affected by Troglitazone treatment. Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6P 2), an allosteric modulator of Fru-1,6P 2ase and 6-PF-1K, was not altered by 7 days of Troglitazone treatment in db db mice. In contrast, in the liver of nondiabetic db/+ mice, in which Troglitazone did not decrease plasma glucose, G6P, F6P, and FBP were not significantly changed by Troglitazone treatment. These results suggest that long-term Troglitazone treatment suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis at the regulatory step between FBP and F6P by decreasing Fru-1,6P 2ase activity in these diabetic mice.

Glutathione Cycle Dependency of Ferric Nitrilotriacetate-Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Mouse Proximal Renal Tubules

Parenteral administration of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), a known carcinogen in mouse and rat kidneys, enhances iron-dependent lipid peroxidation (LP) and causes acute renal tubular necrosis. We assume that filtered Fe-NTA in vivo is rapidly reduced by cysteine, a component of glutathione which is hydrolyzed by γ-GTP and dipeptidase, and that this reduced iron initiates lipid peroxidation in the lumen. In addition, the fatty acid composition of phospholipids between the cortex and the medulla may differ, because only the proximal tubules (which are located mainly in the cortex) are known to be vulnerable to LP. We tested these assumptions in the present study. Gas chromatographic determination of fatty acid composition in five male and five female 6-week-old normal ddY mice showed the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids plus C18:1, a single double-bond fatty acid, to be 0.98 ± 0.08 (av ± SD) in the male cortex and 1.00 ± 0.08 in the female cortex. In the male and female medulla, however, it was 0.78 ± 0.09 (P > 0.05, vs cortex) and 0.68 ± 0.04 (P > 0.01, vs cortex), respectively. Pretreatment of the animals with buthionine sulfoximine, a glutathione synthetase inhibitor, and a procedure that reduces total glutathione content in the kidneys, suppressed LP. Reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were also observed in animals treated with AT-125, a γ-GTP inhibitor, and in animals with immature γ-GTP activity. These results are consistent with our assumptions.

Ca2+-Induced Increase in Oxidative Metabolism of Dissociated Mammalian Brain Neurons: Effect of Extract of Ginkgo Biloba Leaves

Acetylcholine (ACh) release from the motor nerve terminal in the streptozocin-induced diabetic state was studied in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparations. Electrically evoked release of 3H-ACh from the preparation preloaded with 3H-choline was measured during two consecutive periods of stimulation (S1 and S2). In diabetic mice, the amount of 3H-ACh release during S2 was decreased, and the evoked ACh release declined more steeply with successive stimulation periods than in normal ddY mice. The decrease in release was restored when the presynaptic autoreceptors were stimulated by accumulating ACh under the irreversible inhibition of junctional cholinesterase by methanesulfonyl fluoride. This effect was abolished by the administration of (+)-tubocurarine (5 microM). In diabetic mice, the biphasic (acceleration and suppression) effect by succinylcholine on evoked ACh release was caused at 3- to 10-fold lower concentrations than in normal mice. The degree of enhancement of resting 3H-overflow by succinylcholine (10 and 30 microM) was greater in the diabetic state. These results indicated that in the diabetic state, the decrease in evoked ACh release interferes with its presynaptic action on inducing further release (positive feedback modulation) via the presynaptic nicotinic ACh receptor (n-AChR). The presynaptic hypersensitivity to succinylcholine may be due to the augmentation of presynaptic n-AChR sensitivity caused by the reduction of evoked ACh release in the diabetic state.

Decreased benzodiazepine receptor binding in epileptic El mice: A quantitative autoradiographic study

Benzodiazepine receptors and subtypes were examined in El mice and normal ddY mice with a quantitative autoradiographic technique. Specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding in stimulated El mice, which had experienced repeated convulsions, was significantly lower in the cortex and hippocampus than in ddY mice and unstimulated El mice. In the amygdala, specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding in stimulated El mice was lower than in ddY mice. There was a tendency for the [3H]flunitrazepam binding in these regions in unstimulated El mice to be intermediate between that in stimulated El mice and that in ddY mice, but there was no significant difference between unstimulated El mice and ddY mice. [3H]Flunitrazepam binding displaced by CL218,872 was significantly lower in the cortex of stimulated El mice than in that of the other two groups, and in the hippocampus of stimulated than of unstimulated El mice. These data suggest that the decrease in [3H]flunitrazepam binding in stimulated El mice may be due mainly to that of type 1 receptor and may be the result of repeated convulsions.