High Levels of Oxidative Stress Exist in the Brain than Serum or Kidneys in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats at Ten Weeks of Age

10週齢の正常血圧WKYラットと脳卒中易発性高血圧自然発症ラット(SHRSP)の脳、血清および腎における酸化ストレスを測定した。WKYと比べてSHRSPの血清では酸化ストレスの指標である後期蛋白酸化産物(AOPP)、酸化アルブミンおよび酸化蛋白質の濃度が低かった。免疫ブロット法で定量される酸化蛋白質はSHRSPの脳で増加していたが、腎では増加していなかった。リアルタイムPCRで定量されるSODのmRNAおよび免疫ブロット法で定量されるカタラーゼ蛋白質はSHRSPの脳で増加していた。10週齢SHRSPでは血清や腎よりも脳で酸化ストレスが高いが、その原因はSODおよびカタラーゼの低下ではない。10週齢の正常血圧WKYラットと脳卒中易発性高血圧自然発症ラット(SHRSP)の脳、血清および腎における酸化ストレスを測定した。WKYと比べてSHRSPの血清では酸化ストレスの指標である後期蛋白酸化産物(AOPP)、酸化アルブミンおよび酸化蛋白質の濃度が低かった。免疫ブロット法で定量される酸化蛋白質はSHRSPの脳で増加していたが、腎では増加していなかった。リアルタイムPCRで定量されるSODのmRNAおよび免疫ブロット法で定量されるカタラーゼ蛋白質はSHRSPの脳で増加していた。10週齢SHRSPでは血清や腎よりも脳で酸化ストレスが高いが、その原因はSODおよびカタラーゼの低下ではない

Polysaccharides as potential antioxidative compounds for extended-release matrix tablets.

The objective of this study was to identify polysaccharides with antioxidant properties for use as potential antioxidative compounds for extended-release matrix tablets. The antioxidant properties of five different polysaccharides, high molecular weight alginate (H-ALG), low molecular weight alginate (L-ALG), high molecular weight chitosan (H-chitosan), low molecular weight chitosan (L-chitosan), and pectic acid (PA) were examined using N-centered radicals from 1,1\u27-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2\u27-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing power, based on their ability to reduce Cu(2+). L-chitosan and PA had acceptable scavenging abilities and were good radical scavengers, with good reducing power, but the H-chitosan and alginate derivatives were much less effective. The results suggest that L-chitosan and PA could be useful in combating oxidative stress. A PA and L-chitosan interpolymer complex (IPC) tablet was prepared and evaluated as an extended-release tablet matrix using theophylline (TPH) as a model drug. The release of TPH from the matrix tablet (TPH/PA/L-chitosan=200 mg:150 mg:50 mg) was slower than that from PA only (TPH/PA/chitosans=200 mg:200 mg:0 mg) or L-chitosan only (TPH/PA/L-chitosan=200 mg:0 mg:200 mg) tablet. Turbidity measurements also indicated the optimum complexation ratio for IPC between PA/L-chitosan to be 1/3, indicating an acceptable relationship between the turbidity of the complex and the release ratio of TPH. These results suggest that an L-chitosan/PA complex would be potentially useful in an extended-release IPC tablet with high antioxidant activity.The objective of this study was to identify polysaccharides with antioxidant properties for use as potential antioxidative compounds for extended-release matrix tablets. The antioxidant properties of five different polysaccharides, high molecular weight alginate (H-ALG), low molecular weight alginate (L-ALG), high molecular weight chitosan (H-chitosan), low molecular weight chitosan (L-chitosan), and pectic acid (PA) were examined using N-centered radicals from 1,1\u27-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2\u27-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing power, based on their ability to reduce Cu(2+). L-chitosan and PA had acceptable scavenging abilities and were good radical scavengers, with good reducing power, but the H-chitosan and alginate derivatives were much less effective. The results suggest that L-chitosan and PA could be useful in combating oxidative stress. A PA and L-chitosan interpolymer complex (IPC) tablet was prepared and evaluated as an extended-release tablet matrix using theophylline (TPH) as a model drug. The release of TPH from the matrix tablet (TPH/PA/L-chitosan=200 mg:150 mg:50 mg) was slower than that from PA only (TPH/PA/chitosans=200 mg:200 mg:0 mg) or L-chitosan only (TPH/PA/L-chitosan=200 mg:0 mg:200 mg) tablet. Turbidity measurements also indicated the optimum complexation ratio for IPC between PA/L-chitosan to be 1/3, indicating an acceptable relationship between the turbidity of the complex and the release ratio of TPH. These results suggest that an L-chitosan/PA complex would be potentially useful in an extended-release IPC tablet with high antioxidant activity

Useful Extend-release Chitosan Tablets with High Antioxidant Activity.

The antioxidant properties of different low molecular weight (LMW) chitosans (CS1; 22 kDa, CS2; 38 kDa, CS3; 52 kDa, CS4; 81 kDa) were examined for possible use in extended-release tablets. The criteria used were the ability of the chitosans to reduce Cu2+, and hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and N-centered radicals derived from 1,1\u27-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, via the use of ESR spectrometry. CS2 showed the highest scavenging activity. CS1 and CS3, however, were much less effective and CS4 was not a viable antioxidant. The results suggest that CS2 could be useful in combating the development of oxidative stress. A series of chitosan tablets were prepared using a spray drying method and evaluated as an extended-release matrix tablet using theophylline (TPH) as a model drug. The release of TPH from the different MW chitosan tablets increased with increasing MW of the chitosan used. CS2, CS3 and CS4 showed a reasonable release activity, but CS1 showed the shortest release activity. Moreover, the CS2-TPH tablet showed the highest scavenging activity of the three chitosan tablets (CS2-CS4) using 2,2\u27-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals. These results suggest that a CS2-TPH tablet could be potentially useful in an extended-release matrix tablet with a high antioxidant activity.The antioxidant properties of different low molecular weight (LMW) chitosans (CS1; 22 kDa, CS2; 38 kDa, CS3; 52 kDa, CS4; 81 kDa) were examined for possible use in extended-release tablets. The criteria used were the ability of the chitosans to reduce Cu2+, and hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and N-centered radicals derived from 1,1\u27-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, via the use of ESR spectrometry. CS2 showed the highest scavenging activity. CS1 and CS3, however, were much less effective and CS4 was not a viable antioxidant. The results suggest that CS2 could be useful in combating the development of oxidative stress. A series of chitosan tablets were prepared using a spray drying method and evaluated as an extended-release matrix tablet using theophylline (TPH) as a model drug. The release of TPH from the different MW chitosan tablets increased with increasing MW of the chitosan used. CS2, CS3 and CS4 showed a reasonable release activity, but CS1 showed the shortest release activity. Moreover, the CS2-TPH tablet showed the highest scavenging activity of the three chitosan tablets (CS2-CS4) using 2,2\u27-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals. These results suggest that a CS2-TPH tablet could be potentially useful in an extended-release matrix tablet with a high antioxidant activity

Flexibility of the coordination geometry around the cupric ions in Cu(II)-rat dipeptidyl peptidase III is important for the expression of enzyme activity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP III), the zinc peptidase, has a unique helix portion in the metal-binding motif (HELLGH). The enzyme activity of the cupric derivative of rat DPP III (Cu(II)-rat DPP III) for Lys-Ala-β-NA is about 30% of that of the wild-type enzyme. On the other hand, the enzyme activity of Cu(II)-rat del-DPP III, in which Leu453 is deleted from the metal-binding motif, possesses only 1-2% of the enzyme activity of rat del-DPP III. The EPR spectra of Cu(II)-rat DPP III in the presence of various concentrations of the substrate, Lys-Ala-β-NA, changed dramatically, showing formation of the enzyme-metal-substrate complex. The EPR spectra of Cu(II)-rat del-DPP III did not change in the presence of excess Lys-Ala-β-NA. The deletion of Leu453 from the HELLGH motif of rat DPP III leads to a complete loss of flexibility in the ligand geometry around the cupric ions. Under the formation of the enzyme-metal-substrate complex, Glu451 of Cu(II)-rat DPP III is sufficiently able to approach the water molecule via a very different orientation from that of the resting state; however, Glu451 of Cu(II)-rat del-DPP III is not able to access the water molecule.Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP III), the zinc peptidase, has a unique helix portion in the metal-binding motif (HELLGH). The enzyme activity of the cupric derivative of rat DPP III (Cu(II)-rat DPP III) for Lys-Ala-β-NA is about 30% of that of the wild-type enzyme. On the other hand, the enzyme activity of Cu(II)-rat del-DPP III, in which Leu453 is deleted from the metal-binding motif, possesses only 1-2% of the enzyme activity of rat del-DPP III. The EPR spectra of Cu(II)-rat DPP III in the presence of various concentrations of the substrate, Lys-Ala-β-NA, changed dramatically, showing formation of the enzyme-metal-substrate complex. The EPR spectra of Cu(II)-rat del-DPP III did not change in the presence of excess Lys-Ala-β-NA. The deletion of Leu453 from the HELLGH motif of rat DPP III leads to a complete loss of flexibility in the ligand geometry around the cupric ions. Under the formation of the enzyme-metal-substrate complex, Glu451 of Cu(II)-rat DPP III is sufficiently able to approach the water molecule via a very different orientation from that of the resting state; however, Glu451 of Cu(II)-rat del-DPP III is not able to access the water molecule

Antioxidant and renoprotective activity of chitosan in nephrectomized rats.

The effect of chitosan on oxidative stress and chronic renal failure was investigated using 5/6 nephrectomized rats. The ingestion of chitosan over a 4-week period resulted in a significant decrease in total body weight, glucose, serum creatinine and indoxyl sulfate levels (P=0.0011, P=0.0006, P=0.0012, and P=0.0005, respectively), compared with the non-treated nephrectomized group. The ingestion of chitosan also resulted in a lowered ratio of oxidized to reduced albumin (P=0.003) and an increase in biological antioxidant potential (P=0.023). Interestingly, the oxidized albumin ratio was correlated with serum indoxyl sulfate levels in vivo. These results suggest that the ingestion of chitosan results in a significant reduction in the levels of pro-oxidants, such as uremic toxins, in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby inhibiting the subsequent development of oxidative stress in the systemic circulation.The effect of chitosan on oxidative stress and chronic renal failure was investigated using 5/6 nephrectomized rats. The ingestion of chitosan over a 4-week period resulted in a significant decrease in total body weight, glucose, serum creatinine and indoxyl sulfate levels (P=0.0011, P=0.0006, P=0.0012, and P=0.0005, respectively), compared with the non-treated nephrectomized group. The ingestion of chitosan also resulted in a lowered ratio of oxidized to reduced albumin (P=0.003) and an increase in biological antioxidant potential (P=0.023). Interestingly, the oxidized albumin ratio was correlated with serum indoxyl sulfate levels in vivo. These results suggest that the ingestion of chitosan results in a significant reduction in the levels of pro-oxidants, such as uremic toxins, in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby inhibiting the subsequent development of oxidative stress in the systemic circulation

Identification of targetable kinases in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background Tyrosine kinase activation plays an important role in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we analyzed the expression of 612 kinase-coding and cancer-related genes using next-generation sequencing to identify potential therapeutic targets for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods Thirteen samples from five patients with IPF (Cases 1-5) and eight samples from four patients without IPF (control) were included in this study. Six of the thirteen samples were obtained from different lung segments of a single patient who underwent bilateral pneumonectomy. Gene expression analysis of IPF lung tissue samples (n = 13) and control samples (n = 8) was performed using SureSelect RNA Human Kinome Kit. The expression of the selected genes was further confirmed at the protein level by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results Gene expression analysis revealed a correlation between the gene expression signatures and the degree of fibrosis, as assessed by Ashcroft score. In addition, the expression analysis indicated a stronger heterogeneity among the IPF lung samples than among the control lung samples. In the integrated analysis of the 21 samples, DCLK1 and STK33 were found to be upregulated in IPF lung samples compared to control lung samples. However, the top most upregulated genes were distinct in individual cases. DCLK1, PDK4, and ERBB4 were upregulated in IPF case 1, whereas STK33, PIM2, and SYK were upregulated in IPF case 2. IHC revealed that these proteins were expressed in the epithelial layer of the fibrotic lesions. Conclusions We performed a comprehensive kinase expression analysis to explore the potential therapeutic targets for IPF. We found that DCLK1 and STK33 may serve as potential candidate targets for molecular targeted therapy of IPF. In addition, PDK4, ERBB4, PIM2, and SYK might also serve as personalized therapeutic targets of IPF. Additional large-scale studies are warranted to develop personalized therapies for patients with IPF

Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in exhaled breath condensate using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction

The detection of certain oncogenic driver mutations, including those of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is essential for determining treatment strategies for advanced non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current study assessed the feasibility of testing exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for EGFR mutations by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Samples were collected from 12 patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations that were admitted to Okayama University Hospital between June 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017. A total of 21 EBC samples were collected using the RTube™ method and EGFR mutations (L858R, exon 19 deletions or T790M) were assessed through ddPCR analysis (EBC‑ddPCR). A total of 3 healthy volunteer samples were also tested to determine a threshold value for each mutation. Various patient characteristics were determined, including sex (3 males and 9 females), age (range 54‑81 years; median, 66 years), smoking history (10 had never smoked; 2 were former smokers), histology (12 patients exhibited adenocarcinoma), clinical stage (9 patients were stage IV; 3 exhibited post‑operative recurrence) and EGFR mutation type (4 had L858R; 8 had exon 19 deletions; 8 had T790M). EBC‑ddPCR demonstrated positive droplets in 8 of the 12 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of each mutation was as follows: 27.3 and 80.0% for EGFR L858R, 30.0 and 90.9% for EGFR Ex19del, and 22.2 and 100% for EGFR T790M. EBC‑ddPCR analysis of EGFR mutations exhibited modest sensitivity and acceptable specificity. EBC‑ddPCR is a minimally invasive and replicable procedure and may be a complementary method for EGFR testing in patients where blood or tissue sampling proves difficult

Rapid Acquisition of Alectinib Resistance in ALK-Positive Lung Cancer With High Tumor Mutation Burden

Introduction The highly selective ALK receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK) inhibitor alectinib is standard therapy for ALK-positive lung cancers; however, some tumors quickly develop resistance. Here, we investigated the mechanism associated with rapid acquisition of resistance using clinical samples. Methods Autopsied samples were obtained from lung, liver, and renal tumors from a 51-year-old male patient with advanced ALK-positive lung cancer who had acquired resistance to alectinib in only 3 months. We established an alectinib-resistant cell line (ABC-14) from pleural effusion and an alectinib/crizotinib-resistant cell line (ABC-17) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model from liver tumors. Additionally, we performed next-generation sequencing, direct DNA sequencing, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results ABC-14 cells harbored no ALK mutations and were sensitive to crizotinib while also exhibiting MNNG HOS transforming gene (MET) gene amplification and amphiregulin overexpression. Additionally, combined treatment with crizotinib/erlotinib inhibited cell growth. ABC-17 and PDX tumors harbored ALK G1202R, and PDX tumors metastasized to multiple organs in vivo, whereas the third-generation ALK-inhibitor, lorlatinib, diminished tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Next-generation sequencing indicated high tumor mutation burden and heterogeneous tumor evolution. The autopsied lung tumors harbored ALK G1202R (c. 3604 G>A) and the right renal metastasis harbored ALK G1202R (c. 3604 G>C); the mutation thus comprised different codon changes. Conclusions High tumor mutation burden and heterogeneous tumor evolution might be responsible for rapid acquisition of alectinib resistance. Timely lorlatinib administration or combined therapy with an ALK inhibitor and other receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitors might constitute a potent strategy