Published papers

Chiral total syntheses of both enantiomers of the anti-MRSA active plymuthipyranone B and all of the both enantiomers of three unnatural and synthetic analogues were performed. These two pairs of four chiral compounds are composed of the same 3-acyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one structure. The starting synthetic step utilized a privileged asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol addition using Ti(OiPr)4/(S)-BINOL or Ti(OiPr)4/(R)-BINOL catalysis to afford the corresponding (R)-and (S)-δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters, respectively, with highly enantiomeric excess (> 98%). Conventional lactone formation and successive EDCI-mediated C-acylation produced the desired products, (R)-and (S)-plymuthipyranones B and three (R)-and (S)-synthetic analogues, with an overall yield of 42–56% with a highly enantiomeric excess (95–99%). A bioassay of the anti-MRSA activity against ATCC 43300 and 33591 revealed that (i) the MICs of the synthetic analogues against ATCC 43300 and ATCC 33591 were between 2 and 16 and 4 and 16 μg/mL, respectively, and those of vancomycin (reference) were 1 μg/mL. (ii) The natural (S)-plymuthipyranone B exhibited significantly higher activity than the unnatural (R)-antipode against both AACCs. (iii) The natural (R)-plymuthipyra-none B and (R)-undecyl synthetic analogue at the C6 position exhibited the highest activity. The present work is the first investigation of the SAR between chiral R and S forms of this chemical class.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is expected to attenuate the progression of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), which is a serious complication after lung transplantation. However, issues in terms of feasible exogenous CO supply, such as continuousness and safety, remain unsolved. Here, we applied nano red blood cells, namely hemoglobin vesicles (Hb-V), as a CO cargo based on the biomimetic concept and investigated the therapeutic potential of CO-loaded Hb-V on OB in orthotopic tracheal transplant model mice. The CO-loaded Hb-V was comprised of negatively charged liposomes encapsulating carbonylhemoglobin with a size of ca. 220 nm. The results of histological evaluation showed that allograft luminal occlusion and fibrosis were significantly ameliorated by treatment with CO-loaded Hb-V compared to treatment with saline, cyclosporine, and Hb-V. The therapeutic effects of CO-loaded Hb-V on OB were due to the suppression of M1 macrophage activation in tracheal allografts, resulting from decreased IL-17A production. Furthermore, the expression of TNF-α and TGF-β in tracheal allografts was decreased by CO-loaded Hb-V treatment but not saline and Hb-V treatment, indicating that CO liberated from CO-loaded Hb-V inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that CO-loaded Hb-V exerts strong therapeutic efficacy against OB via the regulation of macrophage activation by IL-17A and TGF-β-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Purpose: Cefmetazole (CMZ) has received attention as a pharmaceutical intervention for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) infections. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) characteristics of CMZ against ESBL-EC. Methods: The susceptibility and time-killing activity of CMZ against clinically isolated ESBL-EC (EC9 and EC19) were determined in vitro. The optimal PK/PD index and its target value were calculated based on the results of a PK study in healthy mice and PD study in neutropenic murine thigh infection model mice. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CMZ against EC9 and EC19 were 2.0 and 1.0 µg/mL, respectively. Time–kill studies showed that colony-forming units decreased in a time-dependent manner at CMZ concentrations in the range of 4–64 × MIC. In in vivo PK/PD studies, the antibacterial effect of CMZ showed the better correlation with the time that the free drug concentration remaining above the MIC (fT>MIC), with the target values for a static effect and 1 log10 kill reduction calculated as 57.6% and 69.6%, respectively. Conclusion: CMZ possesses time-dependent bactericidal activities against ESBL-EC and is required to achieve “fT>MIC” ≥ 69.6% for the treatment of ESBL-EC infections.

Background: In Japan, Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MAC-LD) is the most common in nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Patients often experience adverse events, resulting in the discontinuation of treatment, which causes treatment failure. The JADER (Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report) database is a database of adverse events that allows us to collect real-world data on adverse events. We can collect large-scale data cost-effectively and detect signals of potential adverse events such as reporting odds ratio (ROR) by using spontaneous reporting systems. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the adverse events of clarithromycin (CAM), ethambutol (EB), and rifampicin (RFP) using the JADER database. Methods: We included cases of MAC-LD between April 2004 and June 2017. We investigated sex, age, and medications that may have caused the adverse events, outcomes, and time of onset. We calculated the safety signal index as the ROR. Time-to-event analysis was performed using the Weibull distribution. Results: The total number of adverse events of CAM, EB, and RFP was 2780, with 806 patients. In the overall adverse events, hematologic and lymphatic disorders were the most common adverse events, with 17.3%, followed by eye disorders (16.6%), and hepatobiliary disorders (14.0%). The outcomes were as follows: recovery, 40.0%; remission, 27.1%; non-recovery, 11.2%; and death, 7.1%. Regarding the most common onset time of CAM, EB, and RFP was within 120 days at 40%, 181–300 days at 43.6%, and within 120 days at 88.5%. For CAM, the RORs of infections and infestations, hepatobiliary system disorders, and immune system disorders were 4.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3–7.44), 2.61 (95% CI, 1.39–4.91), and 2.38 (95% CI, 1.04–5.44). For EB, the ROR of eye disorders was 215.79 (95% CI, 132.62–351.12). For RFP, the RORs of renal and urinary tract disorders and investigations were 7.03 (95% CI, 3.35–14.77) and 6.99 (95% CI, 3.22–15.18). The β value of EB was 2.07 (95% CI, 1.48–2.76), which was classified as a wear-out failure type. Conclusions: For MAC-LD, the adverse event which has the highest ROR is infections and infestations in CAM, eye disorders in EB, renal and urinary tract disorders in RFP. Adverse events of EB occur after 180 days, whereas the adverse events of CAM and RFP occur early in the course of treatment.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves progressive renal fibrosis, which gradually reduces kidney function and often causes various complications in extrarenal tissues. Therefore, we investigated fibrogenesis in extrarenal tissues (heart, liver, and lungs) in different experimental CKD models, such as the 5/6-nephrectomy (5/6 Nx), unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), and a combination (2/3 Nx + UUO). We evaluated the degree of fibrogenesis in kidneys and extrarenal tissues by histological analysis and quantification of fibrosis-related gene and protein expression. To elucidate the fibrosis mechanisms observed in 2/3 Nx + UUO mice, we evaluated the effect of indoxyl sulfate (IS), a typical uremic toxin accumulated in CKD, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a fibrosis-related factor, on fibrosis using human hepatoma (HepG2) and RAW264.7 cells. A significant decline in renal function was observed in the 5/6 Nx and 2/3 Nx + UUO models, whereas a significant increase in renal fibrosis was observed only in the obstructed kidneys. Notable amount of fibrosis was induced in the liver and heart in the 2/3 Nx + UUO model, with the induction of macrophage infiltration and increased tissue IS and TGF-β levels. In agreement with the results of in vivo experiments, co-stimulation with IS, TGF-β, and macrophage-conditioned medium increased the expression of fibrogenic genes in HepG2 cells. We demonstrated that the 2/3 Nx + UUO model induced both loss of renal function and renal fibrosis in the earlier stages, providing a novel CKD model that induces remote organ fibrosis in a shorter time.

Biologic medications have dramatically improved the treatment outcomes of immunological inflammatory diseases, but their immunosuppressive effects put patients at risk for tuberculosis (TB). We investigated the risk factors for developing TB in patients treated for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who also had experience of using biologic medications. At Keio University Hospital, we retrospectively investigated patients treated with anti-mycobacterial drugs before or concurrently with biologic medications from January 2012 to August 2020. Patients in the ‘follow-on cases group’ who had a positive TB screening test after initiating biologic medications and subsequently started LTBI treatment were excluded. We researched and compared the patient characteristics for TB and non-TB patient groups. Of the 146 eligible patients, 5 (3.4%) developed TB. The incidence rate was 600/100000 person-years. There were no significant differences between TB and non-TB patient groups in the history of TB, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), duration of biologic medication therapy, LTBI treatment periods, concomitant use of calcineurin inhibitors or anti-rheumatic drugs. The percentage of patients who received prednisolone at a dose of ≥15 mg for more than 1 month was higher in those who developed TB than in those who did not (40.0 vs. 7.1%, p = 0.054); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Regular monitoring of TB is necessary for long-term concomitant use of high prednisolone doses during and after the administration of biologic medications.

Urticaria is induced by the histamine released from mast cells which develops wheals (edema) as a visual feature. In clinical practice, second-generation histamine H1-receptor blockers are routinely used as the first-line symptomatic treatment for urticaria. Nevertheless, not much research has directly examined the second-generation histamine H1-receptor blockers’ ability to reduce edema. In this study, we directly evaluated the anti-edematous activities of three second-generation histamine H1-receptor blockers available in the market (epinastine hydrochloride, cetirizine hydrochloride, and levocetirizine hydrochloride) using a λ-carrageenan-induced footpad edema model. One hour before the induction of edema with 1% λ-carrageenan injection, all second-generation histamine H1-receptor blockers (5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) were subcutaneously administered to rats. At 0.5 and 3 hours after λ-carrageenan administration, the edema volume was evaluated using a Plethysmometer. Epinastine hydrochloride significantly suppressed the edema growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cetirizine hydrochloride showed a slight anti-edematous effect, while levocetirizine significantly inhibited the development of edema in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, dextrocetirizine did not prevent edema from growing. In summary, second-generation histamine H1-receptor blockers, at least those examined in this study, may be able to reduce the clinical symptoms of urticaria associated with edema. Levocetirizine hydrochloride is also anticipated to have stronger anti-edematous effects than cetirizine hydrochloride because levocetirizine is responsible for cetirizine’s anti-edematous activity.

S-Carboxymethyl-L-cysteine (SCMS) exhibits sputum-regulating and anti-inflammatory actions. Previous studies reported the anti-inflammatory effects of SCMS on chronic inflammatory diseases, but no study has examined these effects on acute inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of SCMS in a rat carrageenan-induced footpad edema model, which is routinely used as an acute inflammation model. Expectorants were administered to rats with footpad edema induced by subcutaneously administering 1% λ-carrageenan to the footpad of the left posterior limb, and the dose dependency of the anti-inflammatory effects was evaluated. As a result, even when the dose of SCMS was increased to 400 mg/kg, there were no inhibitory effects on edema. Furthermore, we examined the inhibitory effects of other expectorants (ambroxol hydrochloride, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-cysteine ethylester hydrochloride, and L-cysteine methylester hydrochloride), which were reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects on chronic inflammation, on edema. However, none of these expectorants inhibited edema.

Objectives: The pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) characteristics of metronidazole (MNZ) in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remain unclear. We aimed to determine the PK/PD characteristics of MNZ using a fecal PK/PD analysis model. Methods: Susceptibility testing, time-kill studies, and post-antibiotic effect (PAE) measurements were performed to evaluate in vitro PD profiles. MNZ was subcutaneously administered to mice infected with C. difficile ATCC® 43255 to evaluate in vivo PK and PD profiles, followed by determining fecal PK/PD indices with target value. Results: MNZ exerted concentration-dependent bactericidal activities with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and PAE being 0.79 µg/mL and 4.8 h, respectively, against C. difficile ATCC® 43255. The reduction in vegetative cells in feces and treatment outcomes were most closely correlated with the ratio of the area under the fecal drug concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 h to the MIC (fecal AUC24/MIC). The target value of fecal AUC24/MIC to achieve a 1 log10 reduction in vegetative cells was 188. Upon meeting the target value, high survival rates (94.5%) and low clinical sickness score grading (5.2) were achieved in the CDI mouse models. Conclusions: The PK/PD index and its target value of MNZ for CDI treatment was fecal AUC24/MIC ≥ 188. These findings may contribute to the effective clinical use of MNZ.

Proper use of antimicrobials in hospital and outpatient settings is critical for minimizing the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Some hospitals have intervened in the inappropriate use of third-generation oral cephalosporins. However, there have been no such studies in community pharmacy settings. This study aimed to investigate how the use of oral third-generation cephalosporins in community pharmacies affects the amount of antimicrobials used. Patients who visited Nakanomaru Pharmacy after being prescribed antimicrobials at target medical institutions between February 2021 and January 2023 were identified. The number of oral antimicrobials used, duration of use, number of prescriptions, patient age and sex, and infectious diseases in the target patients before and after the intervention for the proper use of oral third-generation cephalosporins were retrospectively investigated based on the patients’ medication history and prescription receipts. Through efforts to ensure the proper use of oral third-generation cephalosporins, the amount of oral third-generation cephalosporins used has decreased, and the use of penicillins and oral first-generation cephalosporins has increased. There was no increase in the antimicrobial change or relapse rates associated with treatment failure before and after the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial use. By working toward the proper use of oral third-generation cephalosporins in community pharmacies, we were able to reduce the doses of oral third-generation cephalosporins without compromising their therapeutic efficacy. We believe that recommending the selection of narrow-spectrum antimicrobials based on these guidelines will contribute to their proper use.

健康セミナー参加者247名を対象に、セルフメディケーション税制に対する認知、理解度や関心などの実情に関するアンケートを実施し、本税制を取り巻く国民の実状と本税制の課題を明らかにすることを目的とした。調査の結果、過半数の調査対象者がドラッグストアを1ヵ月間に複数回利用しており、ドラッグストアを頻繁に利用している現状が示された。しかし、1年間のOTC医薬品の合計購入額が1万2千円以上10万円未満の調査対象者は11.8%(29人)と少なく、1年間のOTC医薬品の合計購入額が10万円以上の調査対象者はいなかった。セルフメディケーション税制の認知度について調査したところ、理解度に差はあるものの60%以上の調査対象者が本税制を認知していた。さらに、OTC医薬品の年間合計購入金額別に認知度を集計した。その結果、合計購入金額が1万2千円未満の調査対象者と合計購入金額が1万2千円以上の調査対象者で認知度は変わらなかったものの、合計購入金額が1万2千円以上の調査対象者のほうがセルフメディケーション税制について「知っている」と回答した割合が多かった。しかし、認知度に比べて申告件数は著しく少なかった。セルフメディケーション税制については、約50%(43人)が興味を示すとともに申告要件が揃っていれば控除を受けたいと回答した。

ドラッグストアまたはドラッグストア併設の保険薬局に勤務し、在学中にセルフメディケーション税制(以下、本税制)が施行されていた薬剤師を対象に、本税制に関する認知・見解実態把握調査(アンケート)を実施した。調査対象者は、男性138名(44.5%)、女性172名(55.5%)の合計310名であった。本税制の認知度と理解度について調査したところ、284名(91.6%)の調査対象者が「よく知っている(説明できる)」または「聞いたことはあるが、内容はよく知らない」と回答し、理解度に差はあるものの、ほとんどの調査対象者が本税制について見聞があった。これらの調査対象者は、主に「テレビ」、「雑誌本」、「インターネット」などのメディアを通して本税制に関する情報を得ていた。また、教育現場や職場で本税制について知った調査対象者も多かった。調査対象者の97名(31.3%)が本税制に関する講義を受講したと回答した。本税制の認知度を集計した結果、大学で本税制の講義を受けたことのあると回答した調査対象者において、「よく知っている(説明できる)」と回答した割合が顕著に高かった。今後、薬剤師として働くうえで、多くの調査対象者(86.4%)が本税制の知識が必要だと感じており、半数の調査対象者が本税制に関する情報を収集するうえで携帯アプリを活用したいと回答した。

The self-medication tax system is a new tax policy system that came into effect in 2017. The dissemination of this tax system is expected to promote changes in the people’s behavior toward self-medication and contribute to the optimization of healthcare costs. This study aimed to conduct an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey on the self-medication tax system for 3,000 people, assigned based on vital statistics in an online survey system, and extract the reality of and issues surrounding the tax system. The results showed that approximately 55％ of the survey participants were aware of the self-medication tax system, but only 6％ were aware of all the application requirements for the tax system. This indicated that there was a misunderstanding among those who were familiar with the tax system. In addition, among the conditions for applying the system, the percentage of switch from over the counter drug purchases that met the application requirements was significantly lower than those of the other two requirements. Furthermore, 103 survey participants had received income deductions under the self-medication tax system, indicating that some potential applicants meet all the application requirements. The self-medication tax system was partially revised on January 1, 2022, with the application procedure partially simplified and the target products expanded. It is expected that these revisions will henceforth serve as a driving force to promote self-medication and popularize this tax system.

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to be associated with nosocomial infections around the world. Pazufloxacin, a potent DNA gyrase inhibitor, is known to be an effective drug candidate. However, it has not been clarified whether the pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) of pazufloxacin was effective against P. aeruginosa. Herein, we demonstrated that the PK/PD index of pazufloxacin against P. aeruginosa infection is used to optimize the dosing regiments. We constructed an in vivo infection model by infecting P. aeruginosa into the thigh of a mouse to determine the PD, and we measured the serum concentration of pazufloxacin to construct the PK model using high-performance liquid chromatography. The therapeutic efficacy of pazufloxacin was correlated with the ratio of the area under the free concentration time curve at 24 h to the minimum inhibitory concentration (fAUC24/MIC), and the maximum free concentration to the MIC (fCmax/MIC). Each contribution rate (R2) was 0.72 and 0.65, respectively, whereas the time at which the free drug concentration remained above the MIC (R2 = 0.28). The target value of pazufloxacin fAUC24/MIC for stasis was 46.1, for 1 log10 it was 63.8, and for 2 log10 it was 100.8. Moreover, fCmax/MIC for stasis was 5.5, for 1 log10 it was 7.1, and for 2 log10 it was 10.8. We demonstrated that the in vivo concentration-dependent activity of pazufloxacin was effective against the P. aeruginosa infection, and successfully made the PK/PD model sufficiently bactericidal. The PK/PD model will be beneficial in preventing the spread of nosocomial infections.

We evaluated heparinoid-containing soft ointments and heparinoid-containing creams to develop information useful to select drugs. Spreadability, consistency and the water content of stratum corneum was measured. A selection table focusing on impression of the use was prepared. Spreadability of the semi-original soft ointment and cream were lower than those of all generic drugs. Regarding hardness, one generic soft ointment was softer than the semi-original drug, but the semi-original cream was harder than all generic creams. Regarding the impression of the use, a significant difference was noted in smell in soft ointments, and 6 items in creams. Correlation was found between the spreadability and consistency test results and impression of the use. A significant difference was noted in the water content of stratum corneum in creams. The selection table prepared based on the impression of the use may provide information that helps selection of preparations in clinical practice.

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a chronic catabolic condition, is characterized by muscle wasting and a decreased muscle endurance. Many insights have made into the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy in CKD. A persistent imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation causes a loss of muscle mass. A decrease in insulin/IGF-1-Akt-mTOR signaling and an increased ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) have emerged as inducers of muscle loss. During muscle wasting, abnormal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines are detected in skeletal muscle. These increased ROS and inflammatory cytokine levels induce the expression of myostatin. The binding of myostatin to its receptor ActRIIB stimulates the expression of Foxo-dependent atrogenes. An impaired mitochondrial function also contributes to reduced muscle endurance. Increased glucocorticoid, angiotensin II, parathyroid hormone, and protein-bound uremic toxin levels that are observed in CKD all have a negative effect on muscle mass and endurance. The loss of skeletal muscle mass during the progression of CKD further contributes to the development of renal failure. Some potential therapeutic approaches based on the molecular mechanisms of muscle wasting in CKD are currently in the testing stages using animal models and clinical settings.