Effects of phthalazinol (EG 626) on arterial lipolytic enzyme activities in the rat.

Phthalazinol (EG 626), a thromboxane A2 antagonist and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been shown to prevent the atherosclerosis induced in cholesterol fed rabbits. In an attempt to clarify the antiatherosclerotic mechanism, the effects of this compound on the lipolytic enzyme activities (cholesterol esterase and lipoprotein lipase) of rat aorta were examined in vivo. Administration of EG 626 (100-200 mg/kg, per os, daily, 1-2 weeks) affected neither the aortic lysosomal cholesterol esterase nor the acid phosphatase activity, whereas the lipoprotein lipase activity was signficantly decreased by the treatment.

Microassay of cyclic nucleotides in vessel wall. IV. Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity.

Following our microassay for cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (1978, Microvascular Res. 15:229), a new microassay for cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (c-GMPPDE) activity was devised, combining the quantitative histochemical method of O.H.

HL-A antigens in Takayasu's disease.

Takayasu's disease is characterized by a "pulseless" condition which most often occurs in young females from Asian or South American areas. The cause of this disease remains obscure. Recently, we encountered monozygotic, Japanese, identical twin sisters, both of whom were diagnosed as having Takayasu's disease.

HLA-Bw52 in Takayasu disease.

Takayasu disease is characterized by a pulseless condition which most often occurs in young females from Asian or South American areas. The cause of this disease remains obscure. Recently we encountered monozygotic, Japanese identical twin sisters, both of whom were diagnosed as having Takayasu disease.

Takayasu's disease in twin sisters. Possible genetic factors.

Takayasu's disease is well-known for its characteristic clinical features and its elusive etiology. Recently, we encountered twin Japanese sisters, both of whom were diagnosed as having Takayasu's disease. The parents, two sisters, and one brother are healthy.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: their comparative effectiveness in vitro in various organs.

The inhibitor constants of several inhibitors for cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase from various organs are compared. The inhibitors were classical theophyline, papaverine, and some of newly developed inhibitors: an imidazolidinone compound, RO20-1724, and two phthalazinol compounds, EG 467 and EG 626. Among the inhibitors tested, papaverine and EG 626 were found to be the most potent.

Treatment of senile dementia and cerebellar disorders with phthalazinol. Cyclic AMP-increasing agent, phthalazinol, in therapeutic trials in hitherto incurable morbid conditions (I).

Three patients suffering from presenile dementia and two patients suffering from senile dementia were treated with phthalazinol. A limited but definite improvement in attentiveness, vocabulary reception and psychologic attainment and also a limited but definite improvement in range of motion, gait and endurance were noted shortly after the treatment with phthalazinol and the progression of their dementia seemed to be temporarily retarded by phthalazinol. Seven patients suffering from parenchymatous cerebellar degeneration (late cortico-cerebellar atrophy) and four patients suffering from olivopontocerebellar atrophy were treated with phthalazinol.

Hyperreactive arterial endothelial cells: a clue for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Arterial endothelial cells, which are capable of phagocytizing carbon particles of the same size as beta- and pre-beta-lipoprotein, were found only in endothelial cells of arterial segments susceptible to atheromatous changes in susceptible animal species, and the distribution closely corresponded to the susceptibility. The distribution of such endothelial cells is dense in large arteries, in the openings to their branches, especially in downstream portions, of rabbits, hens, and cocks; however, the distribution is relatively scanty in arteries of rhesus monkeys and is very scanty in dogs. Carbon particles were also rare in the suckling rabbit and tended to increase with age.