Folia Pharmacologica Japonica 

About: Folia Pharmacologica Japonica is an academic journal published by Japanese Pharmacological Society. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Receptor. It has an ISSN identifier of 0015-5691. Over the lifetime, 4045 publications have been published receiving 14975 citations. The journal is also known as: Famakorojika & Folia pharmacologica Japonica.

[5-Hydroxytryptamine receptors].

Abstract: The existence of two different functional receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was first proposed by Gaddum and Picarelli Aided by the development of radioligand binding techniques, the heterogeneity of 5-HT receptors has become more apparent in the past ten years There are three main types of 5-HT receptors: 5-HT1, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 Moreover, 5-HT1 is heterogenous and can be divided into 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C and 5-HT1D subtypes 5-HT1B is probably related to the 5-HT autoreceptor controlling 5-HT release Multiple 5-HT receptors are differentially distributed throughout the brain, and the agonist-receptor interaction is altered by physical parameters and chemicals, suggesting that the receptors may be physiologically relevant Three 5-HT receptor subtypes, 5-HT1A, 5-HT1C and 5-HT2, have been cloned All three receptors contain approximately 450 amino acids arrayed as seven transmembrane domains 5-HT1 and 5-HT1A are coupled to adenylate cyclase positively and negatively, respectively, while 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 are coupled positively to phospholipase C 5-HT1A is also coupled to the opening of K+ channels in hippocampal pyramidal cells A number of 5-HT-induced physiological responses have been shown to correlate with the 5-HT receptor subtypes Based on a number of pharmacological studies, it seems likely that the mode of action of certain psychotropic drugs is closely related to the activity of central 5-HT receptors

[Draft ICH guideline S7B: guideline on safety pharmacology studies for assessing the potential for delayed ventricular repolarization (QT interval prolongation) by human pharmaceuticals].

Abstract: Nonclinical assessment of potential of QT interval prolongation caused by non-antiarrhythmic drugs has been an issue for drug development because QT interval prolongation increases the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, including torsade de pointes when combined with other risk factors. However, there is no scientific consensus on approaches and no international consensus on regulatory recommendations. This guideline is being developed to provide the general nonclinical testing strategy for evaluating the potential risk of QT prolongation and presents some major principles for in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology studies. The basis of this guideline is the integrated risk assessment that provides overall evaluations based on nonclinical study results and chemical/pharmacological class information to predict the potential of a test substance to prolong QT interval in humans (i.e., evidence of risk) and that contributes clinical study design and interpretation of clinical results. Safety margins are also components of integrated risk assessment. Since this guideline addresses a field of research that is in a state of rapid evolution, the proposed concept for evidence of risk and safety margins needs to be further refined based on the data being collected by international initiatives. In this article, the draft S7B guideline is outlined.

Regulators of angiogenesis

Abstract: Endothelial cells lining the lumen of vessels are maintained in the quiescent state and play important physiological roles. Yet, they can be de-differentiated and become one of the most rapidly proliferating of all cell types when stimulated. Angiogenesis or neovascularization is defined as the formation of new capillary vessels from existent microvessels, which plays a major role in the evolvement of a vascular supply in tissue during development or remodeling and disease. Angiogenesis is believed to be regulated by the balance between inducers and inhibitors. In this review article, I will summarize the molecules that regulate the process of angiogenesis.

Culturing hippocampal neurons

Abstract: The procedure for making a low density culture of hippocampal neurons has been elaborated by Goslin and Banker. The viability of hippocampal neurons, which are sparsely disseminated on the glass surface, is maintained by a separately cultured glial monolayer; the glial feeder layer is grown on the bottom surface of the dish, while those neurons, placed face down, are attached on the coverslips. This method is originaLly designed for the observation of the maturation, polarity and axogenesis of a single neuron. In addition, this method can be applied for a variety of other purposes: (1) to observe synaptogenesis, (2) to analyze synaptic function electrophysiologically, (3) to analyze receptor functions and signaling cascades pharmacologically, (4) to visualize a molecular dynamics by time-lapse analyses of GFP-tagged molecules, and (5) to observe ultrastructure by an electron microscope. Furthermore, these neurons are useful even in biochemical experiments because they are relatively uniform without glial contamination and highly enriched in synaptic components.

Antitumor effects of royal jelly (RJ)

Abstract: ローヤルゼリー(RJ)の抗腫瘍効果を，L1210，P388，およびEhrlich，sarcoma-180腹水または固型腫瘍を用いたマウスの腫瘍移植系を用いて検討した．RJの投与は，予防・治療的(腫瘍移植30日前より移植30日後までの60日間，毎日1回)または治療的(移植後30日間，毎日1回)経口投与とし，腫瘍細胞は腹腔内(腹水腫瘍)または皮下投与(固型腫瘍)とした．RJの投与量は，0(対照)，10，100，1000mg/kgとし，以下の結果を得た．1)生存期間の短い(8～9日)L1210，P388を用いた実験では，RJによる抗腫瘍効果は認められなかった．2)生存期間が16日のSarcoma-180腹水腫瘍を用いた治療実験では，9.3～19.3%の生存期間の延長を認めた．生存期間が22．1日のEhrlich腹水腫瘍を用いた治療実験では，RJ10mg/kgで20.4%，1000mg/kgで17．6%の生存期間の延長を認めたが，100mg/kgでは抗腫瘍効果は認められなかった．3)Ehrlich腹水腫瘍を用いた固型腫瘍の治療実験では，RJにより25.3～54.8%の腫瘍抑制率が認められ，また，予防・治療効果の実験では38.3～47.5%の抑制効果が認められた．sarcoma-180腫瘍細胞を用いた固型腫瘍の治療実験では，RJにより45・1～59・7%の腫瘍抑制効果が認められ，また，予防・治療実験では49.1～56.1%の抑制効果が認められた．これらの結果により，RJは急性の腫瘍に対しては効果が発現しにくいが，増殖速度の遅い腫瘍には抗腫瘍効果を発現することが推測された．