Caspr3-Deficient Mice Exhibit Low Motor Learning during the Early Phase of the Accelerated Rotarod Task.

Caspr3 (Contactin-associated protein-like 3, Cntnap3) is a neural cell adhesion molecule belonging to the Caspr family. We have recently shown that Caspr3 is expressed abundantly between the first and second postnatal weeks in the mouse basal ganglia, including the striatum, external segment of the globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra. However, its physiological role remains largely unknown.

Cell adhesion molecule contactin-associated protein 3 is expressed in the mouse basal ganglia during early postnatal stages.

Cell adhesion molecules play important roles in the development of the nervous system. Among the contactin-associated protein (Caspr; also known as Cntnap) family, which belongs to the neurexin superfamily of proteins, Caspr and Caspr2 are indispensable for the formation and maintenance of myelinated nerves. In contrast, a physiological role for Caspr3 remains to be elucidated.

Evaluation of hypothermia on the in vitro metabolism and binding and in vivo disposition of midazolam in rats.

The effect of hypothermia on the in vivo pharmacokinetics of midazolam was evaluated, with a focus on altered metabolism in the liver and binding to serum proteins. Rat primary hepatocytes were incubated with midazolam (which is metabolized mainly by CYP3A2) at 37, 32 or 28 °C. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of midazolam were estimated using the Michaelis-Menten equation.

Novel diagnostic method of peritoneal injury using dual macromolecular markers.

Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) frequently produces morphological and functional changes of the peritoneum, which makes continuation of PD difficult. Moreover, the progression of peritoneal injury causes complications and poor prognosis. Since therapeutic treatments for peritoneal injury during PD have yet to be established, it is important to diagnose peritoneal injury as early as possible.

Evaluation for effect of hypothermia on the disposition of 4-nitrophenol in rats by in-vitro metabolism study and rat liver perfusion system.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hypothermia on the in-vivo pharmacokinetics of 4-nitrophenol (4NP) using rat liver homogenate and rat liver perfusion system.

Methods: Rat liver homogenate was incubated with 4NP, which is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 2E1, at 37, 34, 32 or 28°C. The Michaelis constant (Km ) and maximum elimination velocity (Vmax ) of 4NP were calculated by a Hanes-Woolf plot.

Effect of viscous additives on the absorption and hepatic disposition of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) after application to liver surface in rats.

Objectives  The aim was to study the effect of viscous additives on the absorption and hepatic disposition of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) after application to the liver surface in rats. Methods  5-FU solution with or without viscous additives was applied to the rat liver surface with a cylindrical diffusion cell. Then, blood and the remaining solution in the diffusion cell were collected at selected times, followed by excision of the liver.

Evaluation of changes in hepatic disposition of phenolsulfonphthalein, indocyanine green and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran at low temperatures using a rat liver perfusion system.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the factor changing the hepatic disposition of a drug during hypothermia using a rat liver perfusion system.

Methods: The livers of male Wistar rats were perfused at 37, 32 or 28°C in the single-pass mode. Venous outflow dilution patterns and biliary excretion rate patterns of phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP), indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FD-4, MW 4400) after the injection of a bolus into the perfused rat liver were analysed based on statistical moment theory.