田島 剛

The efficacy of orally administered drugs in cattle is thought to be slow because of the anatomical and physiological features of their forestomach. Thus, parenteral routes are mainly preferred to administer drugs. However, the effect of some drugs with unique physicochemical properties was promptly obtained even after oral administration in clinically ill cattle. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate pharmacokinetically the usefulness of the oral route in cattle by comparing the oral pharmacokinetic properties of two sulfonamides with different physicochemical properties. Sulfadiazine (SDZ) and sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) were administered by intravenous and oral route to four female Holstein cows with a 4-weeks washout period. Blood samples were collected over time, and SDZ and SMM concentrations in plasma were analyzed by HPLC. Data obtained from the same animal after intravenous and oral administration were simultaneously analyzed with the one compartment model, and kinetic parameters were calculated. The Tmax (mean ± SD) of SMM (2.75 ± 0.96 hr) was significantly achieved earlier than that of SDZ (5.00 ± 1.15 hr). Further, the mean absorption time of SMM (5.24 ± 0.69 hr) was significantly shorter than that of SDZ (5.92 ± 1.11 hr). Also, the half-life of absorption of SMM (3.91 ± 0.51 hr) was significantly shorter than that of SDZ (4.51 ± 0.82 hr). These data suggest that the absorption rates of highly unionized drugs (such as SMM) from the forestomach of cattle may be markedly higher than less unionized ones (such as SDZ).

The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the distribution of large (≥10 mm) follicle numbers during the estrous cycle and (2) to compare the timing of the estrus expression period after the ovarian examination between cows with one large follicle (1F) and two or more large follicles (2F) with functional corpus luteum (CL) at the ovarian examination in lactating Holstein dairy cows. In experiment 1, we performed 393 ovarian examinations by ultrasonography, addressed the existence of CL (≥20 mm) and large follicle numbers, and classified cows into 1F (n = 229) and 2F (n = 164) groups. The 1F appearance rates were beyond 75% each day during 3 to 12 d after estrus. However, 2F appearance rates were beyond 75% each day during 15 to 24 d after estrus. In experiment 2, we performed 302 ovarian examinations by ultrasonography and classified cows into the 1F (n = 168) and 2F (n = 134) groups. Estrus detection was performed for 24 d after the ovarian examination in each cow. In the 2F group, 75% of estrus occurred within 9 d of the ovarian examination. However, 75% of estrus occurred 10 d after the ovarian examination in 1F. Days from the ovarian examination to estrus were significantly shorter in the 2F (6.0 d; median, 7.2 ± 4.0 d; mean ± SD) than in the 1F (13 d, 12.4 ± 4.3 d) group. In conclusion, focusing on ≥10 mm follicle numbers with CL could be useful for predicting the estrus expression period.

Due to the high incidence of mammary tumors in dogs, it is important to elucidate the pathogenesis of these tumors in veterinary medicine. Radiation therapy is often used to treat mammary tumors that target DNA lesions. RAD51 is a key molecule that repairs DNA damage via homologous recombination. We examined the relationship between RAD51 expression and radiosensitivity in mammary tumor cell lines. CHMp and CHMm from the same individual were selected based on the differences in RAD51 expression. The radiosensitivity of both cell lines was examined using MTT and scratch assays; CHMm, which has high RAD51 expression, showed higher sensitivity to radiation than CHMp. However, the nuclear focus of RAD51 during DNA repair was formed normally in CHMp, but not in most of CHMm. Since irradiation resulted in the suppression of cell cycle progression in CHMp, the expression of p21, a cell cycle regulatory factor, was detected in CHMp after 15 Gy irradiation but not in CHMm. These results indicate that functional expression is more important than the quantitative expression of RAD51 in canine mammary tumor cells in response to DNA damage.

The objectives of this study were to assess the sequential dynamics of the endometrial polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) after calving by endometrial cytology, and clarify the factors that cause prolonged endometrial inflammation in lactating dairy cows. A total of 33 lactating Holstein dairy cows were used from -4 to 8 wk relative to calving (0 wk: the calving week). Endometrial samples were obtained sequentially from 2 to 8 wk. Body condition score and backfat thickness were obtained weekly from -4 to 8 wk. Blood samples collected from -4 to 8 wk were analyzed for indicators of energy status, hepatic function, systemic inflammation, and calcium. Blood amino acids were measured at 2 wk. Daily milk production was determined between 5 and 65 d postpartum. Based on the sequential cytological analysis, the endometrial inflammation threshold was set at ≥5.0% PMN, and the median wk of PMN% lower than 5.0% was 4.5 wk in this study; therefore, we classified the cows into the early group (cows with endometrial inflammation converged within 4 wk: n = 17) and the late group (cows with endometrial inflammation converged at or after 5 wk: n = 16). There were no differences in daily milk production, energy status, hepatic function, blood calcium concentration, and systemic inflammatory response. The late group had lower body condition scores and backfat thickness during the experimental period, and a higher blood concentration of 3-methyl histidine, indicating muscle breakdown, was observed in the late group at 2 wk. Our findings indicated that the lack of body fat reservation during the peripartum period and the increased muscle breakdown after calving were risk factors for prolonged endometrial inflammation.

Feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) infect cats worldwide and cause severe systemic diseases, such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP has a high mortality rate, and drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration have been ineffective for the treatment of FIP. Investigating host factors and the functions required for FCoV replication is necessary to develop effective drugs for the treatment of FIP. FCoV utilizes an endosomal trafficking system for cellular entry after binding between the viral spike (S) protein and its receptor. The cellular enzymes that cleave the S protein of FCoV to release the viral genome into the cytosol require an acidic pH optimized in the endosomes by regulating cellular ion concentrations. Ionophore antibiotics are compounds that form complexes with alkali ions to alter the endosomal pH conditions. This study shows that ionophore antibiotics, including valinomycin, salinomycin, and nigericin, inhibit FCoV proliferation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that ionophore antibiotics should be investigated further as potential broad-spectrum anti-FCoV agents.

The mechanism of imidazole-induced contraction on the bovine tracheal smooth muscle was investigated. Imidazole induced muscle contraction in a concentration-dependent manner on bovine, porcine and guinea-pig tracheas, but not in rat or mouse. In bovine tracheas, imidazole was cumulatively applied and induced muscle tension and increasesd intracellular Ca2+ level in a concentration -dependent manner. Imidazole, even at 300 μM, the concentration at which maximum contractile response occurs, did not significantly increase in cAMP content relative to control. Atropine inhibited imidazole-induced contraction at a concentrationdependent manner and pretreatment of hemicholinium-3 almost abolished imidazole-induced contraction. Conversely, pretreatment of tripelennamine, indomethacin or tetrodotoxin did not affect imidazole-induced contraction. Acetylcholine or eserine induced contraction in bovine, porcine, guinea pig, rat and mice trachea in a concentration-dependent manner. However, there was little difference in the rank order of maximum contraction of these agents. Imidazole-induced contraction was greater in bovine trachea compared to the other species tested. Further, cAMP did not appear to play a role in imidazole-induced contraction, suggesting other mechanisms, such as the release of endogenous acetylcholine.

The present study was designed to clarify phosphodiesterase 9 (PDE9) expression in bovine tracheal smooth muscle tissue, and to elucidate that PDE9 may contribute to the regulation of airway relaxation. PDE9 mRNA expression was detected in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Sodium nitroprusside (an NO donor) and BAY 73–6691 (a selective PDE9 inhibitor) reduced high K+ - and carbachol-induced contraction. BAY 73–6691 relaxed tracheal tissue on the same level with vardenafil (a selective PDE5 inhibitor). These results support our hypothesis that PDE9 plays functional role in the tracheal smooth muscle relaxation. PDE9 inhibitors are expected to be a novel target of the add-on treatment of airway hyperresponsiveness.

Recent studies have shown that phloridzin, an inhibitor of sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT), strongly decreases high K+-induced contraction in phasic muscle, such as tenia coil, but slightly affects tonic muscle, such as trachea. In this study, we examined the inhibitory mechanism of phloridzin on high K+-induced muscle contraction in rat ileum, a phasic muscle. Phloridzin inhibited the high K+-induced contraction in the ileum and the aorta, and the relaxing effect of phloridzin at 1 mM in the ileum was approximately five-fold more potent than that in the aorta. The expression of SGLT1 mRNA in the ileum was higher than that of the aorta. Phloridzin significantly inhibited NADH/NAD ratio and phosphocreatine (PCr) content in the ileum; I however, application of pyruvate recovered the inhibition of contraction and PCr content, but had no effect on ratio of NADH/NAD. High K+ increased 2-(N (7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino)-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) uptake in ileal smooth muscle cells, and phloridzin inhibited the increase in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that phloridzin inhibits high K+-induced contraction because of the inhibition of energy metabolism via the inhibition of SGLT1.

Feline mammary carcinomas are characterized by rapid progression and metastases. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis, proliferation and metastasis. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a single drug therapy of bevacizumab on a xenograft model of feline mammary carcinoma expressing VEGF protein. Bevacizumab treatment suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis and enhancing apoptosis; however, it did not affect the tumor proliferation index. Thus, bevacizumab had anti-tumor effects on a xenograft model, and this may be useful for the treatment of feline mammary carcinoma.

The effects of various selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction in the bovine abomasum were investigated. Various selective PDE inhibitors, vinpocetine (type 1), erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA, type 2), milrinone (type 3), Ro20-1724 (type 4), vardenafil (type 5), BRL-50481 (type 7) and BAY73-6691 (type 9), inhibited CCh-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the PDE inhibitors, Ro20-1724 and vardenafil induced more relaxation than the other inhibitors based on the data for the IC50 or maximum relaxation. In smooth muscle of the bovine abomasum, we showed the expression of PDE4B, 4C, 4D and 5 by RT-PCR analysis. In the presence of CCh, Ro20-1724 increased the cAMP content, but not the cGMP content. By contrast, vardenafil increased the cGMP content, but not the cAMP content. These results suggest that Ro20-1724-induced relaxation was correlated with cAMP and that vardenafil-induced relaxation was correlated with cGMP in the bovine abomasum. In conclusion, PDE4 and PDE5 are the enzymes involved in regulation of the relaxation associated with cAMP and cGMP, respectively, in the bovine abomasum.

Canine hemangiopericytoma (CHP) is characterized by frequent local recurrence and increased invasiveness. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis in tumors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of bevacizumab on a xenograft model of CHP. VEGF protein was secreted from cultured CHP cells and interacted with bevacizumab. Bevacizumab treatment suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, whereas no significant differences were observed in the proliferation index and apoptosis rates of treated and untreated mice. Thus, bevacizumab had antitumor effects in a xenograft model of CHP.

To elucidate the role of glycogen in the contraction of tracheal smooth muscle, we investigated the changes in the glycogen contents of the bovine trachea during contractions induced by high K+ and hypoxia (achieved by bubbling N-2, instead of O-2), either in a glucose-free condition or in the presence of iodoacetic acid (IAA), an inhibitor of glycolysis. Hyperosmotic addition of 65 mM KCl (H-65 K+) induced a sustained contraction. A glucose-free condition did not affect H-65 K+-induced contraction. However, hypoxia slightly inhibited the contraction, and glucose-free PSS with hypoxia or IAA remarkably inhibited the H-65 K+-induced contraction. H-65 K+-induced a sustained increase in reduced pyridine nucleotide (PNred) fluorescence, representing glycolysis activity. Hypoxia alone slightly enhanced PNred fluorescence, and when combined with a glucose-free condition, it remarkably enhanced the H-65 K+-induced PNred fluorescence. IAA inhibited PNred fluorescence. In the presence of H-65 K+ a glucose-free condition, hypoxia and the combination of glucose-free PSS and hypoxia decreased the glycogen contents. However, IAA had no effect on glycogen contents. Although hypoxia or glucose-free PSS did not affect PCr and ATP contents, the combination of hypoxia and glucose-free PSS or IAA induced a gradual decrease of PCr content. In conclusion, we suggest that endogenous glycogen was utilized to increase the activity of glycolysis for maintaining high K+-induced contraction of the bovine trachea in the glucose -free and/or hypoxic condition.

Tajima T, Murata T, Aritake K, Urade Y, Michishita M, Matsuoka T, Narumiya S, Ozaki H, Hori M. EP2 and EP4 receptors on muscularis resident macrophages mediate LPS-induced intestinal dysmotility via iNOS upregulation through cAMP/ERK signals. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 302: G524-G534, 2012. First published December 8, 2011; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00264.2011.-Intestinal resident macrophages play an important role in gastrointestinal dysmotility by producing prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) in inflammatory conditions. The causal correlation between PGs and NO in gastrointestinal inflammation has not been elucidated. In this study, we examined the possible role of PGE(2) in the LPS-inducible inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression in murine distal ileal tissue and macrophages. Treatment of ileal tissue with LPS increased the iNOS and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 gene expression, which lead to intestinal dysmotility. However, LPS did not induce the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in tissue from macrophage colony-stimulating factor-deficient op/op mice, indicating that these genes are expressed in intestinal resident macrophages. iNOS and COX-2 protein were also expressed in dextran-phagocytized macrophages in the muscle layer. CAY10404, a COX-2 inhibitor, diminished LPS-dependent iNOS gene upregulation in wild-type mouse ileal tissue and also in RAW264.7 macrophages, indicating that PGs upregulate iNOS gene expression. EP2 and EP4 agonists upregulated iNOS gene expression in ileal tissue and isolated resident macrophages. iNOS mRNA induction mediated by LPS was decreased in the ileum isolated from EP2 or EP4 knockout mice. In addition, LPS failed to decrease the motility of EP2 and EP4 knockout mice ileum. EP2- or EP4-mediated iNOS expression was attenuated by KT-5720, a PKA inhibitor and PD-98059, an ERK inhibitor. Forskolin or dibutyryl-cAMP mimics upregulation of iNOS gene expression in macrophages. In conclusion, COX-2-derived PGE(2) induces iNOS expression through cAMP/ERK pathways by activating EP2 and EP4 receptors in muscularis macrophages. NO produced in muscularis macrophages induces dysmotility during gastrointestinal inflammation.

This study examined the inhibitory effects of papaverine on twitches directly elicited by electrical stimulation of the mouse diaphragm. Papaverine (3-100 mu m) inhibited twitches in a dose-dependent manner. Papaverine increased the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) but not cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content. IBMX, Db-cAMP and 8-br-cGMP did not affect twitches, whereas verapamil and NaCN inhibited twitches. Increases in extracellular Ca(2+) removed the twitch inhibition caused by verapamil but not that caused by papaverine. Papaverine (30 and 100 mu m) and NaCN (1 mM) decreased creatine phosphate and ATP contents. These results suggest that the relaxing effects of papaverine on mouse diaphragm are mainly due to inhibition of aerobic energy metabolism. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

A high-K+, Na+-deficient (isosmotic 154 mM K+ and 0 mM Na+; 1-154 K+) Solution induced contraction followed by gradual relaxation of the smooth muscles of the porcine trachea, while hyperosmotic addition of 65 mM KCl (H-65 K+) induced a large sustained contraction. The 1-154 K+ Solution also induced a Sustained increase in [Ca2+](i), level. Decreases in muscle tension and increases in cellular water content were both prevented by the addition of sucrose or NaCl in the porcine trachea. An additional application of phloridzin inhibited recoveries of 1-154 K+ solution by addition of NaCl in the porcine trachea. Addition of pyruvate or oxaloacetate recovered the 1-154 K+ solution-induced relaxation in the porcine trachea. Although application of 1-154 K+ Solution did not affect PCr and ATP contents in the bovine trachea, the solution induced a gradual decrease of PCr content in the porcine trachea. Moreover, application of pyruvate or oxaloacetate recovered the 1-154 K+ solution-induced decreases of PCr content in the porcine trachea. Phloridzin inhibited H-65 K+-induced contraction in porcine, but not in bovine trachea. In conclusion, the 1-154 K+ solution-induced relaxation in the porcine trachea is probably due to swelling of cells and inhibition Of glucose utilization. Moreover, the inhibition Of glucose utilization in 1-154 K+ medium in porcine trachea is different from that of bovine trachea.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produces prostaglandins (PGs) concomitant to eliciting macrophage migration. We evaluated the role of PGs in initiating the migration of macrophages, especially focusing on PGD(2) and PGE(2). In RAW264.7 macrophages, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, CAY10404 [3-(4-methylsulphonylphenyl)-4-phenyl- 5-trifluoromethylisoxazole], completely inhibited LPS-mediated migration at 4 h (early phase) but only partially inhibited the migration at 8 h (late phase), suggesting the presence of PG-dependent and -independent pathways. In the early phase, LPS up-regulated mRNA expressions of COX-2, hematopoietic PGD synthase (H-PGDS), and microsomal-PGE synthase 1, increasing PGD(2) and PGE(2) substantially. The chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 lymphocytes (CRTH2) agonist, DK-PGD(2) (13-14-dihydro-15-keto-PGD(2)), and the EP4 agonist, ONO-AE1-329 (16-{3-methoxymethyl} phenyl-omega-tetranor-3,7-dithiaprostaglandin E-1), but not selective agonists of D prostanoid receptor, E prostanoid receptor (EP) 2, or EP3, stimulated random migration (chemokinesis). In peritoneal macrophages from CRTH2-deficient and H-PGDS-deficient mice, LPS-mediated migration was significantly inhibited at either early or late phases of the migration. The H-PGDS inhibitor, HQL-79 [4-(diphenylmethoxy)-1-[3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) propyl-piperidine]], partially inhibited the migration of the RAW264.7 macrophage in both phases. These results suggest the importance of the PGD(2)/CRTH2 pathway in LPS-mediated migration of macrophages. In the late phase of migration, LPS up-regulated monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 mRNA. The CC chemokine receptor (CCR2) antagonist, RS102895 [1'-[2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl]-spiro[4H-3,1-benzoxazine-4,4'-piperidin]-2(1H)-one], inhibited LPS-mediated migration in the late phase without affecting the early phase. ONO-AE1-329, but not DK-PGD(2), up-regulated MCP-1 mRNA. Taken together, LPS stimulation of chemokinesis or chemotaxis, or both, occurs in macrophages via PGD(2) and PGE(2) in tandem arrangement; i.e., 1) LPS stimulates prostaglandin signaling, initiating early migration through the PGD(2)/CRTH2 and PGE(2)/EP4 signaling pathways; and 2) LPS leads induction of MCP-1, which contributes to later phase migration of the macrophages through the PGE(2)/EP4 pathway.

In order to characterize prostanoid receptors present in the non-pregnant porcine uterus. the effects of naturally occurring prostaglandins (D-2, E-2, F-2alpha, I-2) and synthetic prostanoid receptor agonists on contractility of the longitudinal and circular muscles were examined in vitro. The potent contractile actions of prostaglandin F,, and cloprostenol indicate the presence of excitatory FP receptors in the porcine uterus. The longitudinal muscle was more sensitive to FP receptor agonists than was the circular muscle. Prostaglandin D, produced an excitatory response in the longitudinal muscle but completely inhibited the spontaneous contraction of the circular muscle. BW-245C (5-(6-carboxyhexyl)-1-(3-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxypropyl)hydantoin. 1 nM-10 muM, a DP receptor agonist) inhibited the spontaneous contractions of both muscles, but the inhibition was conspicuously stronger in the circular muscle. Prostaglandin 1, caused excitatory and inhibitors responses in the longitudinal and circular muscles, respectively, at relatively high concentrations (10-100 muM). Cicaprost, an IP receptor agonist caused inhibition of the contraction in the circular muscle but contracted the longitudinal muscle. Iloprost, an EP1/IP receptor agonist. caused excitatory responses in both muscles at relative high concentrations. Prostaglandin E-2 caused excitatory responses at 1-100 nM and inhibitory responses at 100 nM-10 muM in both muscle layers. ONO-DI-004 ((17S)-2.5-ethano-6-oxo-17,20-dimethyl prostaglandin E-1, an EP1 receptor agonist) and ONO-AE-248 ((16S)-9-deoxy-9beta-chloro-15-deoxy-16-hyfroxy-17,17-trimethylene-19,20-didehydro prostaglandin E-1, an EP1 receptor agonist) contracted the longitudinal muscle but had little effect on the circular muscle. ONO-AE1-259 (11,15-O-dimethyl prostaglandin E-1, an EP1 receptor agonist) inhibited the spontaneous contractions of both muscle layers to almost the same degree, but ONO-AE1-329 (16-(3-methoxymethyl)phenyl-omega-tetranor-3,7-dithia prostaglandin E-1, an EP4 receptor agonist) did not inhibit the myometrial contraction. The present results indicate that contractile (FP, EP1, EP3) and relaxatory (DP, IP, EP2) prostanoid receptors are present in the non-pregnant porcine uterus. There are marked muscle layer-related differences in the degree of responsiveness of prostanoid receptor agonists, and these differences suggest that there is a heterogeneous distribution of prostanoid receptors in the longitudinal and circular muscles (FP, EP1 and EP3, longitudinal muscle > circular muscle; DP, circular muscle>longitudinal muscle). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.