Abstract: Parkinson's disease is neuropathologically characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, whose major component is alpha-synuclein. We had previously generated transgenic mice that expressed human alpha-synuclein carrying an Ala53Thr point mutation (halpha-syn140m) under the control of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase promoter and found that halpha-syn140m was localized not only in the cytoplasm but also in the nuclei of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. In the present study, we carried out immunohistochemical analysis of the brain of Tg mice using anti-PSer129, an antibody that specifically recognizes alpha-synuclein phosphorylated at Ser129. The antibody detected only phosphorylated halpha-syn140m, whereas phosphorylation of endogenous alpha-synuclein, if any, was below the detection limit of the method employed. The analysis showed that approximately one-third of the halpha-syn140m-positive neurons in the midbrain of heterozygous Tg mice were concomitantly reactive to anti-PSer129. The ratio almost doubled in homozygotes, indicating that the phosphorylation level depends directly on the amount of substrate. In addition, the ratio did not change at least up to 48 weeks of age. These data strongly suggest that halpha-syn140m underwent constitutive phosphorylation and that the phosphorylation level was maintained to a certain level until the aged stages. Remarkably, halpha-syn140m localized in the nuclei seemed to be preferentially phosphorylated compared with that in the cytoplasm. Among kinases that have been reported to be involved in the phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein, the beta subunit of casein kinase-2 was detected in the nuclei by immunohistochemistry. These data imply that at least casein kinase-2 is involved in the phosphorylation of halpha-syn140m in the Tg mice.

Abstract: c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) contributes to metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression and joint destruction in inflammatory arthritis. It is phosphorylated by at least two upstream kinases, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK) MKK4 and MKK7, which are, in turn, phosphorylated by MEK kinases (MEKKs). However, the MEKKs that are most relevant to JNK activation in synoviocytes have not been determined. These studies were designed to assess the hierarchy of upstream MEKKs, MEKK1, MEKK2, MEKK3, and transforming growth factor-β activated kinase (TAK)1, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using either small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown or knockout fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), MEKK1, MEKK2, or MEKK3 deficiency (either alone or in combination) had no effect on IL-1β-stimulated phospho-JNK (P-JNK) induction or MMP expression. However, TAK1 deficiency significantly decreased P-JNK, P-MKK4 and P-MKK7 induction compared with scrambled control. TAK1 knockdown did not affect p38 activation. Kinase assays showed that TAK1 siRNA significantly suppressed JNK kinase function. In addition, MKK4 and MKK7 kinase activity were significantly decreased in TAK1 deficient FLSs. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated a significant decrease in IL-1β induced AP-1 activation due to TAK1 knockdown. Quantitative PCR showed that TAK1 deficiency significantly decreased IL-1β-induced MMP3 gene expression and IL-6 protein expression. These results show that TAK1 is a critical pathway for IL-1β-induced activation of JNK and JNK-regulated gene expression in FLSs. In contrast to other cell lineages, MEKK1, MEKK2, and MEKK3 did not contribute to JNK phosphorylation in FLSs. The data identify TAK1 as a pivotal upstream kinase and potential therapeutic target to modulate synoviocyte activation in RA.

Abstract: Summary Background Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important substance in the skin, where it modulates nerve maintenance and repair. However, the direct link between NGF and pruritic diseases such as atopic dermatitis is not yet fully understood. Our previous study showed that NGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. NGF mediates its effects by binding to two classes of transmembrane receptors, a high-affinity receptor (tropomyosin-related kinase A, TrkA) and a low-affinity receptor (p75). Objectives To determine the significance of NGF receptors in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, the effects of TrkA inhibitors AG879 and K252a on the symptoms of NC/Nga mice were evaluated. Methods Male NC/Nga mice with severe skin lesions were used. AG879 or K252a was applied to the rostral part of the back of mice five times a week. The dermatitis score for the rostral back was assessed once a week. The scratching behaviour was measured using an apparatus, MicroAct (Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan). Immunofluorescence examinations were made in the rostral back skin for nerve fibres, NGF and TrkA receptor. Results Repeated applications of AG879 or K252a significantly improved the established dermatitis and scratching behaviour, and decreased nerve fibres in the epidermis. NGF was observed more weakly in keratinocytes, and a lower expression of TrkA was observed in stratum germinativum of the epidermis of mice treated with AG879 or K252a compared with those treated with vehicle. Conclusions We suggest that NGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions via the high-affinity NGF receptor. These findings provide a new potential therapeutic approach for the amelioration of symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: Provided is a novel C-phenyl glycitol compound that may serve as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diabetes by inhibiting both SGLT1 activity and SGLT2 activity, thereby exhibiting a glucose absorption suppression action and a urine glucose excretion action. A C-phenyl glycitol compound represented by Formula (I) below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group or a halogen atom, R3 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group or a halogen atom, Y is a C1-6 alkylene group, -O-(CH2)n- (n is an integer of 1 to 4) or a C2-6 alkenylene group, provided that when Z is NHC(= NH)NH2 or -NHCON(RB)RC, n is not 1, Z is -CONHRA, -NHC(=NH)NH2 or -NHCON(RB)RC, Formula (A) or Formula (B).

Abstract: Derived from proopiomelanocortin by proteolytic processing, melanocortins have been implicated in a wide range of physiological processes. Melanocortins exert their physiological effects by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cell membranes. To date, five subtypes of melanocortin receptors (MC1-MC5) have been identified, all of which are G-protein coupled receptor whose activation leads to increase in intracellular cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate formation. Of these, the MC4 receptor is expressed predominantly throughout the central nervous system, particularly, in areas related to stress responses and emotional states. Expression of the MC4 receptor is regulated by stress exposure. Reports also indicate that stimulation of the MC4 receptor activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and that the MC4 receptor mediates stress-related behaviors and anxiety in rodents. Recently developed selective MC4 receptor antagonists have demonstrated antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in several animal models of depression and anxiety. MC4 receptor antagonists are effective, particularly under conditions of high stress, which may be consistent with the etiology of depression and anxiety. This review describes the involvement of the MC4 receptor in stress response and discusses the potential value of MC4 receptor antagonists for the treatment of stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Abstract: In the present study, to determine the validity of considering clusterin as a possible biomarker of nephrotoxicity, the expression and distribution of clusterin in the rat UUO kidney were investigated. Real-time RT-PCR revealed an immediate increase in the clusterin mRNA level in the kidney, within 6 hours after UUO, and also maintenance of the mRNA expression level from day-1 to day-3 was 60-fold higher in the UUO kidney than in the sham kidney. ISH analysis revealed clusterin mRNA signals in the UUO renal tubular epithelium, whereas no signal was observed in the sham kidney. Detection of clusterin-α and -β was conducted using the subtype-specific antibodies, by both of western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Although clusterin-α was predominant in the UUO urine, only faint signals were noted at the brush border of the tubular epithelium or intraductal. On the other hand, strong signals of clusterin-β were detected in the UUO kidney homogenate, and the molecule was localized in the renal tubular epith...

Abstract: Olfactory bulbectomized (OB) rats have been considered to serve as a useful animal model of depression in terms of behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroendocrine alterations, which reflect symptoms of patients with major depression. These behavioral and neurochemical changes in OB rats are normalized by the chronic administration of antidepressants. Recently, it has been reported that the compounds acting on stress-related peptide receptors such as an arginine vasopressin 1b (V(1b)) receptor antagonist and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) 1 receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in several animal models. Here, the effects of acute and chronic (14 days) treatment with a V(1b) receptor antagonist (SSR149415) and a CRF1 receptor antagonist (CP-154,526) were examined in olfactory bulbectomy-induced hyperemotionality. Oral acute treatment with SSR149415 or CP-154,526 did not affect olfactory bulbectomy-induced hyperemotionality. In contrast, oral chronic treatment with SSR149415 (10 and 30 mg/kg) or CP-154,526 (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced hyperemotionality. The present results suggest that stress-related peptides such as arginine vasopressin and CRF might be implicated in olfactory bulbectomy-induced hyperemotionality. Furthermore, blockade of the V(1b) receptor or the CRF1 receptor may be useful in treating subjects suffering from chronic stressful conditions.

Abstract: To prepare powdered medicines without bitter taste, film coating is required to cover the surface of core particles. In this study, effect of formulation and operating conditions of agitation fluidized bed on the core particle properties was investigated. In order to prevent breakage of the core particles during coating process, which sometimes causes variation of drug dissolution rate, addition of maltose syrup powder during the formulation process of the core particles was investigated. Also, a method for friability test in which the core particles were subjected to strong impact was proposed to evaluate strength of the core particles. The friability of the core particles determined by this test method correlated well with the actual friability of the particles during the coating process. Based on this result, we confirmed this novel friability test method could predict the core particle endurance during the coating process.

Abstract: To identify genes involved in prostate carcinogenesis, we used laser-capture microdissection-micro serial analysis of gene expression to construct libraries of paired cancer and normal cells from human tissue samples. After computational comparison of the two libraries, we identified dicarbonyl/l-xylulose reductase (DCXR), an enzyme that catalyzes α-dicarbonyl and l-xylulose, as being significantly up-regulated in prostate cancer cells. The specificity of DCXR up-regulation for prostate cancer tissues was confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR, virtual Northern blot, and Western blot analyses. Furthermore, DCXR expression at the protein level was assessed using fresh-frozen tissues and a tissue microarray consisting of 46 cases of organ-confined early-stage prostate cancer and 29 cases of chemohormonally treated prostate cancer. In most normal prostate epithelial cells, DCXR was expressed at low levels and was localized predominantly in the cytoplasmic membrane. In contrast, in virtually all grades of early-stage prostate cancer and in all chemohormonally treated cases, DCXR was strikingly overexpressed and was localized predominantly in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In all samples, the stromal cells were completely devoid of DCXR expression. Based on these findings, we suggest that DCXR overexpression has the potential to be an additional useful biomarker for prostate cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2615–22)

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of performing nose-to-brain delivery of TS-002, which is an analog compound of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and thus would be a natural sleep inducer. The absolute bioavailability (BA) and sleep-inducing effect (SIE) following intranasal (IN) administration of TS-002 dry powder to cynomolgus monkeys were evaluated in comparison with intravenous (IV) administration. The SIE was evaluated as the accumulated time of sleeping-posture for 3 h. The brain distribution of TS-002 following IN administration of the dry powder was examined in rats. The absolute bioavailability (BA) in monkeys following IN administration of the dry powder (0.4–1.2 mg/body) was comparatively high (43.4–78.0%). The SIE following IN administration (0.05–0.4 mg/body) showed dose-dependency and its effect at 0.4 mg/body was twice as strong as that for IV administration (P < 0.05). The brain concentrations in rats following IN administration (0.1 mg/kg) were obviously higher than that for ...

Abstract: NC/Nga mice are known to develop scratching dermatitis akin to atopic dermatitis, under conventional (Conv), but not under the specific-pathogen-free (SPF) condition. In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical-scratching on the spontaneous scratching counts (sign of itching), in relation to the cutaneous prostaglandin D 2 (PGD 2 ) levels in NC/Nga or BALB/c mice. Mechanical-scratching increased the cutaneous barrier damage and PGD 2 levels in both strain mice under the SPF condition. By 4 weeks of cohabitation with the skin-lesioned NC/ Nga mice, both the increase in the spontaneous scratching and development of dermatitis score were higher in the Conv-NC/Nga than in the Conv-BALB/c mice. At this time-point, the cutaneous PGD 2 level induced by mechanical-scratching was significantly lower in the Conv-NC/Nga when compared with that in the SPF-NC/Nga mice, and that in the Conv-BALB/c was almost equal to that in the SPF-BALB/c mice. With mechanical scratches, the cohabitation-induced scratching was suppressed in the Conv-BALB/c, but not in the Conv-NC/Nga mice. These results suggest that the scratch-induced cutaneous PGD 2 inhibits scratching and the subsequent development of dermatitis in BALB/c, while the impaired scratch-induced cutaneous PGD 2 production in the NC/Nga mice resulted in no suppression of scratching, and aggravated the dermatitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound represented by the general formula: [wherein R1 represents an aryl or heterocyclic group which may be substituted or the like; X1 represents a C2-C4 alkylene group or the like; X2, X3 and X5 independently represent NH, a bond or the like; X4 represents a lower alkylene group, a bond or the like; Y1 represents a bivalent alicyclic hydrocarbon residue which may be substituted or a bivalent alicyclic amine residue which may be substituted; and Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z6 independently represent a nitrogen atom, a group represented by the formula: CH, or the like, provided that at least one of Z3, Z4, Z5 and Z6 represents a nitrogen atom] or a salt thereof, which is useful as an antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A C-phenyl 1-thioglucitol compound represented by the formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a hydrate of the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt. (I) wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group; Y represents a C1-6 alkylene group or ~O-(CH2)n- (n represents an integer ranging from 1 to 5); and Z represents ~CONHRA or ~NHCONHRB (provided that, when Z represents ~NHCONHRB, n is not 1), where RA represents a C1-6 alkyl group substituted by 1 to 3 groups independently selected from a hydroxyl group and ~CONH2; and RB represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group substituted by 1 to 3 groups independently selected from a hydroxyl group and ~CONH2. The compound, the salt or the solvate can inhibit the SGLT1 activity to prevent the absorption of glucose or the like, or can inhibit both the SGLT1 activity and the SGLT2 activity to prevent the absorption of glucose or the like and excrete a urine sugar, and is therefore useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diabetes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 1-phenyl 1-thio-D-glucitol compound having the formula (I) or the like, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a hydrate of the compound or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a pharmaceutical agent comprising the compound, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or the hydrate as an active ingredient, which can inhibit both the activities of SGLT1 and SGLT2 and has both of an effect of inhibiting the absorption of glucose through a digestive tract and an urinary glucose excretion effect, and therefore is useful as a new type of prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diabetes, a diabetes-related disease or a diabetic complication.

Abstract: The present invention uses an RPN2 gene expression inhibitor as a cancer cell growth inhibitor, which further includes a drug showing an anti-cancer action if desired, and is administered in combination with atelocollagen if desired. In addition, the present invention is an anti-cancer agent including such cancer cell growth inhibitor.