Yasuo Asada

Cockayne syndrome in two adult siblings

Although survival beyond the second decade is unusual in patients who have Cockayne syndrome, we describe two brothers with the syndrome who are 42 and 55 years of age. Their cultured skin fibroblasts showed extreme UV sensitivity but had almost normal UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis. The patients were classified as genetic complementation group B after study of the recovery of RNA synthesis after UV irradiation of fused cells. Clinical phototesting revealed a reduced threshold for UVB erythema.

Inhibitory Effect of Shofu-san, a Japanese Kampo Medicine, on Neutrophil Functions in vitro

The effect of Shofu-san (TJ-22), an oral Japanese kampo medicine, on several inflammatory parameters of human neutrophils, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, chemotaxis, and calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i in neutrophils was examined in vitro. In addition, ROS generated in a cell-free, xanthine-xanthine oxidase system was also assessed. The species investigated were superoxide radical anion (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radical (OH.). TJ-22 significantly decreased neutrophil-generated O2-, H2O2 and OH. in a dose-dependent manner. The medicine also markedly inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis and [Ca2+]i in neutrophils. In addition, three kinds of ROS generated in the cell-free system was reduced in the presence of TJ-22. Our results indicate that TJ-22 may exert an anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the neutrophil functions and scavenging ROS, leading to a reduction in oxidative tissue injury.

Effects of roxithromycin on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in vitro.

The effects of roxithromycin, a new orally semisynthetic macrolide, were investigated on human neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in vitro. The agent markedly stimulated neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner. These results may indicate that roxith-romycin potentiates the activation of neutrophils in vivo.