Naloxone selectively inhibits vasoconstriction caused by phenylephrine but not endogenous noradrenaline in the rat mesenteric vasculature.

Although naloxone is an antagonist of the opioid µ receptor, its effect on the peripheral sympathetic nerve function in the blood vessels has not yet been definitively elucidated. Therefore, we examined the effects of naloxone on vasoconstriction of the vascular smooth muscle of rats. Isolated rat mesenteric vascular-intestinal loop preparations were treated with either endogenous or exogenous α adrenoceptor agonists followed by prazosin, a selective antagonist of the α adrenoceptor, or naloxone, and noradrenaline overflow was measured.

Possible roles of intestinal P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 3A on the limited oral absorption of irinotecan.

Objectives: Irinotecan is a widely intravenously used drug for the treatment of certain types of solid tumours. The oral administration of irinotecan has recently been recognized as being a more effective method for the treatment than intravenous administration. However, the limited oral bioavailability of irinotecan poses a problem for its oral delivery.

Effects of M-1, a Major Metabolite of Sarpogrelate, on 5-HT-Induced Constriction of Isolated Human Internal Thoracic Artery.

Sarpogrelate, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor antagonist, inhibits 5-HT-induced platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. It improves ischemic symptoms in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. M-1 is a major metabolite of sarpogrelate, and has been reported to show a higher affinity for the 5-HT receptor on platelets than sarpogrelate.

Caffeine Has a Synergistic Anticancer Effect with Cisplatin via Inhibiting Fanconi Anemia Group D2 Protein Monoubiquitination in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Cisplatin is an anticancer agent and induces DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs). ICLs activate various signaling processes and induce DNA repair pathways, including the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway. FA complementation group D2 (FANCD2) is monoubiquitinated in response to DNA damage, leading to activation of the DNA double-strand-break repair protein, RAD51.

Activation of Cellular Immunity in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Mice by the Oral Administration of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves.

Moringa oleifera Lam. is used as a nutritive vegetable and spice. Its ethanol extract has been previously shown to be significantly effective in alleviating herpetic skin lesions in mice.

Effect of brazilian propolis on exacerbation of respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice exposed to tetrabromobisphenol a, a brominated flame retardant.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a brominated flame retardant, has been found to exacerbate pneumonia in respiratory syncytial virus- (RSV-) infected mice. We examined the effect of Brazilian propolis (AF-08) on the exacerbation of RSV infection by TBBPA exposure in mice. Mice were fed a powdered diet mixed with 1% TBBPA alone, 0.

Effects of oral administration of probiotics from Mongolian dairy products on the Th1 immune response in mice.

We investigated 10 lactic acid bacteria strains with probiotic potential prepared from Mongolian dairy products for their ability to induce T helper type-1 (Th1) cytokine production in mouse immune cells in vitro and in vivo. Among these strains, the Lactobacillus plantarum 06CC2 strain was effective in elevating the level of interleukin (IL)-12p40 in co-culture with J774.1 cells and the levels of IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ in co-culture with mouse spleen cells in vitro.

Hyuganatsu orange (Citrus tamurana Hort. Ex Tanaka) contains a water soluble substance that suppresses bone loss in ovariectomized rats.

We investigated whether Hyuganatsu orange (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka) contains water and acetic-acid soluble substances that increase bone mineral density (BMD) in ovariectomized rats. In in vivo study, femoral BMD can significantly increased.

Effect of acute hepatic failure on the hepatic first-pass effect of 5-fluorouracil in rats.

Objectives: In cancer chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, 5-fluorouracil is widely used and has typically been given by intrahepatic arterial (i.a.) infusion to increase treatment efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity.

Safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of S-1 in a hemodialysis patient with advanced gastric cancer.

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of S-1 in hemodialysis patients have not been established. We evaluated the safety and efficacy and pharmacokinetics of S-1 in a hemodialysis patient with advanced gastric cancer.

Patient: A 66-year-old Japanese man with chronic renal failure, who had undergone hemodialysis three times a week for 3 years.

[Medical emergency education using emergency care simulators in the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences].

Clinical pharmacy training III (bedside training) in the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare is intended to train pharmacists who can also cope with medical emergencies. Therefore we produced original scenarios that provide experience of various medical emergencies using emergency care simulators. As a result, these simulators enabled students to experience dealing with various medical emergencies such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillation (AED), adrenalin administration, and oxygen inhalation.

Analysis of CYP3A inhibitory components of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

In this study, we analyzed the CYP3A inhibitory components of star fruit Averrhoa carambola L., using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The stereoisomer of procyanidin B1 and B2 and/or the trimer consisting of catechin and/or epicatechin were suggested to be potent inhibitory components.

Effect of acute hepatic failure on epirubicin pharmacokinetics after intrahepatic arterial injection in rats.

In the case of cancer chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, anthracycline anticancer agents such as epirubicin are widely used, and have typically been given by intrahepatic arterial (i.a.) infusion to increase treatment efficacy and to reduce systemic toxicity.

Inhibitory effects of fruit juices on cytochrome P450 2C9 activity in vitro.

There is limited information on the effect of fruits on human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 activity. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fruit juice on CYP2C9-mediated drug metabolism. Nine citrus fruits and eight tropical fruits were chosen.

Inhibition of carrier-mediated uptake of epirubicin reduces cytotoxicity in primary culture of rat hepatocytes.

Epirubicin, an antineoplastic drug, is considered to be taken up by tumor cells via a common carrier by facilitated diffusion and is then pumped out in an energy-dependent manner because epirubicin is a substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp). However, this study investigated the details of the influx mechanism of epirubicin and demonstrated that epirubicin uptake was mediated by active carrier systems in addition to facilitated diffusion in the primary culture of rat hepatocytes. The uptake of epirubicin gradually increased in a saturated manner when the concentrations were between 1 x 10(-7) M and 1 x 10(-6) M.

Effects of pomegranate juice on human cytochrome P450 2C9 and tolbutamide pharmacokinetics in rats.

In this study, we investigated whether pomegranate juice could inhibit CYP2C9 activity. The ability of pomegranate juice to inhibit the diclofenac 4'-hydroxylase activity of human CYP2C9 was examined using human liver microsomes. Pomegranate juice was shown to be a potent inhibitor of human CYP2C9.

Isolation of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors from Hyuganatsu, Citrus tamurana Hort.

The present study was conducted to identify cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitory components of Hyuganatsu, Citrus tamurana Hort., by investigating the effects on midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activity of human liver microsomes. As a consequence, limonin and nomilin were identified as CYP3A inhibitors from the endocarp of Hyuganatsu.

Adsorption of irinotecan onto oral adsorbent AST-120 (Kremezin) for preventing delayed diarrhea.

Purpose: One of the significant dose-limiting toxicities of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) is severe diarrhea due to impairment of the intestinal membrane induced by the excreted CPT-11 and its metabolites. AST-120 (Kremezin) is a prominent oral adsorbent that consists of porous spherical carbonic particles. To evaluate whether Kremezin can prevent the diarrhea induced by CPT-11, we investigated the adsorption characteristics of CPT-11 and its metabolites onto Kremezin in vitro and in vivo.

Transient inhibition of cyp3a in rats by star fruit juice.

Star fruit juice is a potent in vitro inhibitor of CYP3A; however, few reports are available on the inhibition of CYP3A activities by star fruit juice in vivo. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the CYP3A-mediated star fruit-drug interaction in vivo. The effect of star fruit juice on carbamazepine pharmacokinetics was examined in rats.

Inhibitory effects of amino-acid fluids on drug binding to site II of human serum albumin in vitro.

The effects of amino-acid fluids on ligand binding to human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated by fluorescence and ultrafiltration techniques. Warfarin and dansylsarcosine were used as the site marker fluorescence probes for site I and site II of HSA, respectively. Amino-acid fluids specifically decreased the fluorescence intensity induced by dansylsarcosine-HSA binding without any effects on that induced by warfarin-HSA binding.

Effects of pomegranate juice on human cytochrome p450 3A (CYP3A) and carbamazepine pharmacokinetics in rats.

In this study, we investigated whether components of pomegranate could inhibit CYP3A-mediated drug metabolism. The ability of pomegranate to inhibit the carbamazepine 10,11-epoxidase activity of CYP3A was examined using human liver microsomes, and pomegranate juice was shown to be a potent inhibitor of human CYP3A. Addition of 25 microl (5.

Potent inhibition by star fruit of human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity.

There has been very limited information on the capacities of tropical fruits to inhibit human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity. Thus, the inhibitory effects of tropical fruits on midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activity of CYP3A in human liver microsomes were evaluated. Eight tropical fruits such as common papaw, dragon fruit, kiwi fruit, mango, passion fruit, pomegranate, rambutan, and star fruit were tested.

Inhibitory effects of citrus fruits on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity in humans.

The capacities of citrus fruits to inhibit midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activity of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) expressed in human liver microsomes were evaluated. Eight citrus fruits such as ama-natsu, banpeiyu, Dekopon, hassaku, hyuga-natsu, completely matured kinkan (Tamatama), takaoka-buntan and unshu-mikan were tested. We also examined the inhibition of CYP3A activity by grapefruit (white) and grapefruit juice (white, Tropicana-Kirin).

Effect of P-glycoprotein modulator, cyclosporin A, on the gastrointestinal excretion of irinotecan and its metabolite SN-38 in rats.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to investigate the role of the hepatic and intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter/multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (cMOAT/MRP2) on both biliary excretion and intestinal exsorption of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) and its metabolite, SN-38, in the lactone and carboxylate forms. Cyclosporin A (CsA) was used to modulate P-gp and cMOAT/MRP2.

Methods: The transcellular transport of CPT-11 and SN-38 was examined by using LLC-PK1 derivative cell lines transfected with murine mdrla both in the absence or in the presence of CsA.