Structure-activity relationship of [1,5]azastibocines in cytotoxicity to vascular endothelial cells.

It has been well established that organic-inorganic hybrid molecules can exhibit biological activities that are different from those of either their intramolecular metals in inorganic forms or their organic structures. We have previously reported that organoantimony compound Sb-phenyl-N-methyl-5,
6,7,12-tetrahydrodibenz[c,f][1,5]azastibocine (PMTAS) is nontoxic, but that the compound exhibits cytotoxicity in vascular endothelial cells when the antimony atom is replaced with a bismuth atom. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity and intracellular accumulation of PMTAS and its analogs and found that the cytotoxicity of PMTAS analogs also decrease depending on the electron-withdrawing property of the substituent bound to the intramolecular antimony atom.

Impaired gallbladder mucosal function in aged gallstone patients suppresses gallstone recurrence after successful extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

Background: Absorption of water, as well as emptying of bile, are important functions of the gallbladder. We studied the changes of gallbladder function with age in gallstone patients and their influence on the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Methods: (i) A total of 123 consecutive patients with complete stone clearance by ESWL were examined.