Koh-ichi Seki

Usefulness of 11C-Methionine for Differentiating Tumors from Granulomas in Experimental Rat Models: A Comparison with 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT

Many clinical PET studies have shown that increased 18F-FDG uptake is not specific to malignant tumors. 18F-FDG is also taken up in inflammatory lesions, particularly in granulomatous lesions such as sarcoidosis or active inflammatory processes after chemoradiotherapy, making it difficult to differentiate malignant tumors from benign lesions, and is the main source of false-positive 18F-FDG PET findings in oncology. These problems may be overcome by multitracer studies using 3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) or l-11C-methionine. However, 18F-FLT or 11C-methionine uptake in granulomatous lesions remains unclarified. In this study, the potentials of 18F-FLT and 11C-methionine in differentiating malignant tumors from granulomas were compared with 18F-FDG using experimental rat models. Methods: Dual-tracer tissue distribution studies using 18F-FDG and 3H-FLT (groups I and III) or 18F-FDG and 14C-methionine (groups II and IV) were performed on rats bearing both granulomas (Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin [BCG]–induced) and hepatomas (KDH-8–induced) (groups I and II) or on rats bearing both turpentine oil–induced inflammation and hepatomas (groups III and IV). One hour after the injection of a mixture of 18F-FDG and 3H-FLT or of 18F-FDG and 14C-methionine, tissues were excised to determine the radioactivities of 18F-FDG, 3H-FLT, and 14C-methionine (differential uptake ratio). Results: Mature epithelioid cell granuloma formation and massive lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the granuloma tissue induced by BCG, histologically similar to sarcoidosis. The granulomas showed high 18F-FDG uptake comparable to that in the hepatomas (group I, 8.18 ± 2.40 vs. 9.13 ± 1.52, P = NS; group II, 8.43 ± 1.45 vs. 8.91 ± 2.32, P = NS). 14C-Methionine uptake in the granuloma was significantly lower than that in the hepatoma (1.31 ± 0.22 vs. 2.47 ± 0.60, P < 0.01), whereas 3H-FLT uptake in the granuloma was comparable to that in the hepatoma (1.98 ± 0.70 vs. 2.30 ± 0.67, P = NS). Mean uptake of 18F-FDG, 3H-FLT, and 14C-methionine was markedly lower in the turpentine oil–induced inflammation than in the tumor. Conclusion: 14C-Methionine uptake was significantly lower in the granuloma than in the tumor, whereas 18F-FDG and 3H-FLT were not able to differentiate granulomas from tumors. These results suggest that 14C-methionine has the potential to accurately differentiate malignant tumors from benign lesions, particularly granulomatous lesions, providing a biologic basis for clinical PET studies.

Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities of two types of diesel exhaust particles

In an earlier study using a recombinant yeast screen we found that a suspension of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and some extracts of DEP are not estrogenic but possess anti-estrogenic activity. In the present study, estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities of two types of DEP, type-1 (old type) and type-2 (new type) were compared. Whole DEP of both types were found to possess estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities. The DEP were serially extracted with organic solvents and then with 1 M ammonia and 1 M HCl. In type-2 DEP, the ratio of dry weight of a hexane extract was higher than those of methanol and ammonia extracts, which were lower than those in type-1 DEP. In the hexane extract, estrogenic activity was found in both types of DEP. In the benzene and dichloromethane extracts, estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities were found in both types of DEP. In the methanol extract, estrogenic activity was found in type-2 DEP, and extracts of both types decreased the activity of estrogen. Anti-estrogenic activity was found in extracts of ammonia and HCl from both types of DEP. It was found that both type-1 and type-2 DEP possess estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities.

A simplified and improved synthesis of [11C]phosgene with iron and iron (III) oxide.

[11C]Phosgene ([11C]COCl2), a useful precursor for labeling several radiopharmaceuticals, is generally produced by catalytic oxidation of [11C]carbon tetrachloride over Fe granules, although in low yields or with poor reproducibility. In order to develop am improved synthesis of [11C]phosgene, two oxidizing agents, Fe2O3 and CuO, were examined. The yield of [11C]phosgene was significantly increased using Fe2O3 powder mixed with Fe granules, while the use of CuO alone, or CuO powder mixed with Fe granules resulted in an insignificant yield. The yield and specific activity of S- (-) [11C]CGP-12177 synthesized using Fe2O3 powder mixed with Fe granules were markedly higher than those synthesized by the previous methods using Fe granules alone or Fe granules mixed with Fe powder. Thus, in the present study, we developed a simple and practical method for the synthesis of [11C]phosgene, which provided an improved yield of S- (-) [11C]CGP-12177.

Identification of stable cytotoxic factors in the gas phase extract of cigarette smoke and pharmacological characterization of their cytotoxicity.

Smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular diseases, but the mechanism for its genesis is unknown. We have recently shown that the gas phase of cigarette smoke (nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract; CSE) likely to reach the systemic circulation contains stable substances which cause cytotoxicity like plasma membrane damage and cell death in cultured cells, and also that the plasma membrane damage is caused through sequential activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) and the resulting generation of reactive oxygen species (PKC/NOX-dependent mechanism), whereas cell death is caused through PKC/NOX-dependent and -independent mechanisms. To identify these stable substances, the CSE was prepared by passing the main-stream smoke of 10 cigarettes through a Cambridge glass fiber filter, trapping of the smoke in a vessel cooled at -80°C, and subsequent dissolution in 10ml of water. The CSE was fractionated into nine fractions using reversed-phase HPLC, and each fraction was screened for cytotoxicity in cultured cells, using propidium iodide uptake assay for cell membrane damage and MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] reduction assay for cell viability. The cytotoxicity was positive in two of the nine fractions (Fr2 and Fr5). After extraction of the active fractions into dichloromethane, GC/MS analysis identified 2-cyclopenten-1-one (CPO) in Fr5 but none in Fr2. After derivatization of the active fractions with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine hydrochloride, GC/MS analysis identified acrolein, acetone and propionaldehyde in Fr2, and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) in Fr5. After 4-h incubation, authentic acrolein and MVK induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity with EC50 values of 75.9±8.2 and 47.0±8.0μM (mean±SEM; n=3), respectively, whereas acetone, propionaldehyde and CPO were without effect. However, after 24-h incubation, CPO induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity with an EC50 value of 264.0±16.9μM (n=3). The concentrations of acrolein, MVK and CPO in the CSE were 3368±334, 2429±123 and 392.9±31.8μM (n=4), respectively, which were higher than the cytotoxic concentrations. The cytotoxicity of acrolein and MVK consisted of plasma membrane damage and decreased cell viability: the plasma membrane damage was totally prevented by treatment with an inhibitor of PKC or NOX, whereas the decreased cell viability was only partially prevented by these inhibitors. The cytotoxicity of CPO consisted only of decreased cell viability, which was totally resistant to these inhibitors. These results show that acrolein and MVK are responsible for the acute cytotoxicity of the CSE through PKC/NOX-dependent and -independent mechanisms, whereas CPO is responsible for the delayed cytotoxicity of the CSE through a PKC/NOX-independent mechanism.

Separation and Identification of Taxifolin 3- O -Glucoside Isomers from Chamaecyparis Obtusa (Cupressaceae)

Taxifolin 3- O -glucoside isomers, [(2R, 3R)-, (2R, 3S)-, (2S, 3R)- and (2S, 3S)-] were isolated from leaves of Chamaecyparis obtuse (Cupressaceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of UV, MS, CD, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR spectral data, including 2D shift correlation. It was found that the compounds could be distinguished by the use of 1 H- and 13 C-NMR spectral data.

Stereoselective synthesis of 4a-fluoro-5,10-ethenobenzo[f]quinazolines via photo-Diels–Alder reaction of 5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyluracil with naphthalenes

UV-irradiation of a solution of 5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyluracil (5-FDMU) in aprotic media effected a stereoselective 1,4-cycloaddition reaction to give a barrelene derivative in high yield. In direct contrast, irradiation of a solution of 5-FDMU and naphthalene in a protic medium afforded 5-(1-naphthyl)uracil as the major product.

Increased [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) yield with recycled target [18O]water: factors affecting the [18F]FDG yield

The reuse of [18O] water after being purified by distillation has been reported to give lower [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) yields, probably due to the presence of organic impurities. In our routine production of [18F]FDG, however, we observed increased [18F]FDG yields with recycled [18O]water. Thus, factors affecting [18F]FDG yield were examined using as-purchased (virgin) and recycled (by photochemical combustion and distillation) [18O]water. [18F]FDG was synthesized by nucleophilic 18F-fluorination on a quaternary 4-aminopyridinium resin. The recycled [18O]water gave an [18F]FDG yield significantly higher than did the virgin water, without any significant difference in the [18F]fluoride yield. Levels of several ionic impurities including Cl- and Ca2+ were significantly higher in the virgin [18O]water than in the recycled water, while significantly larger amounts of organic impurities were detected in the former. Hence, trace amounts of organic impurities were not responsible for the lower [18F]FDG yield. Chloride anion in the [18O]water may compete with [18F]fluoride to lower the [18F]FDG yield.

An experimental approach to study the biosynthesis of brominated metabolites by the red algal genus Laurencia

The production of labeled brominated metabolites with radioactive (82)Br in Laurencia species was investigated as part of a study of the biosynthesis of halogenated metabolites from species belonging to the red algal genus Laurencia (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales). Radiobromide [(82)Br], thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and TLC-autoradioluminography (ARLG) were used. When cultured in artificial seawater medium (ASP(12)NTA including Na(82)Br) under 16:8 h light:dark (LD) illumination cycles for 24 h, each of the strains of Laurencia, Laurencia japonensis Abe et Masuda, Laurencia nipponica Yamada (laurencin-producing race and laureatin-producing race), and Laurencia okamurae Yamada, produced species- (or race-) specific (82)Br-containing metabolites. In the case of the laurencin-producing race of L. nipponica, laurencin and deacetyllaurencin were found to be produced in approximately 1:1 ratio, though laurencin is the major metabolite in the wild sample. Furthermore, when cultured in the dark, the production rates of brominated metabolites in Laurencia spp. were found to be diminished. The present study strongly indicates that the use of radiobromine [(82)Br] in combination with the TLC-ARLG method is an effective approach for investigating the biosynthesis of brominated metabolites in Laurencia.

The pyridyl cation as a reactive intermediate in the photoreaction of iodopyridines with benzenes

Abstract The electrophilic behavior of the reactive entity in the phtosubstitution of benzenes with 2-iodopyridine was found to be ascribable to the intermediary 2-pyridyl cation, rather than to the electrophilic 2-pyridyl radical.

Acid-catalyzed phororeaction of 6-chloro-1,3-dimethyluracil in benzene ; synthesis of cyclooctapyrimidine-2,4-dione

The photolysis of 6-chloro-1,3-dimethyluracil in benzene afforded 1,3-dimethyl-6-phenyluracil, while the photoreaction in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid afforded 1,3-dimethylcyclooctapyrimidine-2,4-dione as a major product