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Ethanol (EtOH) effectively inactivates enveloped viruses in vitro, including influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Inhaled EtOH vapor may inhibit viral infection in mammalian respiratory tracts, but this has not yet been demonstrated. Here we report that unexpectedly low EtOH concentrations in solution, approximately 20% (vol/vol), rapidly inactivate influenza A virus (IAV) at mammalian body temperature and are not toxic to lung epithelial cells on apical exposure. Furthermore, brief exposure to 20% (vol/vol) EtOH decreases progeny virus production in IAV-infected cells. Using an EtOH vapor exposure system that is expected to expose murine respiratory tracts to 20% (vol/vol) EtOH solution by gas-liquid equilibrium, we demonstrate that brief EtOH vapor inhalation twice a day protects mice from lethal IAV respiratory infection by reducing viruses in the lungs without harmful side effects. Our data suggest that EtOH vapor inhalation may provide a versatile therapy against various respiratory viral infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most physiological changes follow a daily cycle in animals because their circadian rhythm is adjusted to and synchronized with sunlight. In particular, the circadian rhythm affects liver functions, including pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The influence of circadian rhythm has not been included in hepatotoxicity assays used in drug discovery and development. In this study, the contribution of circadian rhythm was investigated in acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice and primary cultured hepatocytes. Hepatotoxicity was induced via the intraperitoneal administration of acetaminophen to a greater extent at night than during the day in mice. The sensitivity of acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity was consistent with the expression levels of acetaminophen‐metabolizing enzyme and circadian genes. The host‐derived circadian rhythm was still evident in the primary cultured hepatocytes within a day after their isolation from the liver. Primary cultured hepatocytes isolated at night were significantly more sensitive to acetaminophen than those isolated during the day. The sensitivity toward acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity depended on the circadian rhythm of the expression of acetaminophen‐metabolizing genes and intracellular glutathione levels in primary cultured hepatocytes. These results obtained from cultured cells correspond to those in mice, suggesting that the timing of hepatocyte isolation is important when investigating drug metabolism and toxicity tests in culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since ancient times, Corbicula extract has been believed in Japan to have hepatoprotective effects, but it remains unclear whether these claims are true, and if so, which component is responsible for hepatoprotection. In this study, we showed that Corbicula extract exerted a protective effect against liver damage. Recent work identified acorbine (β-alanyl-ornithyl-ornithine), a novel tripeptide containing non-proteinogenic amino acids, in the extract of Corbicula japonica. Synthesized acorbine cured alcohol-induced liver damage in mice. In addition, acorbine purified from Corbicula extract exerted a protective effect against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in a culture liver model derived from mouse ES/iPS cells. Thus, acorbine is one of the components of Corbicula extract that protects hepatocytes against ethanol-induced death. Image 1 • Corbicula extract has hepatoprotective effect in ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. • Acorbine, isolated from Corbicula extract, has hepatoprotective effect in mice. • Synthesized acorbine has hepatoprotective effect in a murine ES/iPS cell-derived liver tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, resembling embryonic stem (ES) cells in many phenomena, including differentiation potential, colony morphology, and the expression of specific representative markers, were generated from differentiated somatic cells by exogenous expression of several transcriptional factors. In recent, the mitochondria of iPS cells were also reported to be rejuvenated to that of ES cells, however it is not known if the mitochondria have same potential for differentiation as ES cells. We have established the murine ES cell-derived in vitro hepatic organogenesis model, consisting of not only hepatocytes but also endothelial networks together with cardiac mesoderm differentiation, previously. By measuring oxygen concentration and pH in the culture medium, respectively corresponding to the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), we compared the metabolic patterns and bio-energetic profiles of both iPS and ES cells during the hepatic differentiation. The bio-energetic profiles of the in vitro hepatic organogenesis from iPS cells accorded with each differentiation steps, from proliferation stage as the initiation, spontaneously beating cardiac differentiation in the next, and finally liver tissue-formation, as well as that from ES cells. Both iPS and ES cells were differentiated into liver-like tissue with similar mitochondrial development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The optical resolution or chiral separation of one specific enantiomer from others is in demand for the production of pharmaceuticals because many pharmaceuticals exist as stereoisomers, with each enantiomer having different biological activity. There is considerable demand for separation techniques appropriate for the large-scale resolution of chiral molecules. Chiral separation of racemic mixtures of pharmaceuticals through chiral or achiral polymeric membranes with or without a chiral selector represents a promising system for future commercial application. This article reviews several polymeric materials for the chiral separation of pharmaceuticals. Several chiral separation membranes were prepared from chiral polymers where enantioselectivity was generated from chiral carbons in the main chain. However, it is rather difficult to generate excellent chiral separation membranes from chiral polymers alone, because racemic penetrants mainly encounter the flexible side chains of the membrane polymers. Therefore, chiral separation membranes were also prepared using polymers with a chiral branch. Furthermore, several molecules have been used for specific interactions between the molecules and specific pharmaceuticals or drugs in chiral separation membranes. Cyclodextrins, crown ether derivatives, albumin, and DNA are commonly used as stereoselective ligands in chiral separation membranes. Finally, this article discusses future trends in polymeric materials for chiral separation membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hepatic stem/progenitor cells are one of several cell sources that show promise for restoration of liver mass and function. Although hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), including oval cells, are induced by administration of certain hepatotoxins in experimental animals, such a strategy would be inappropriate in a clinical setting. Here, we investigated the possibility of isolating HPCs in a portal branch-ligated liver model without administration of any chemical agents. A non-parenchymal cell fraction was prepared from the portal branch-ligated or non-ligated lobe, and seeded onto plates coated with laminin. Most of the cells died, but a small number were able to proliferate. These proliferating cells were cloned as portal branch ligation-stimulated hepatic cells (PBLHCs) by the limiting dilution method. The PBLHCs expressed cytokeratin19, albumin, and Hmga2. The PBLHCs exhibited metabolic functions such as detoxification of ammonium ions and synthesis of urea on Matrigel-coated plates in the presence of oncostatin M. In Matrigel mixed with type I collagen, the PBLHCs became rearranged into cystic and tubular structures. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the presence of Hmga2-positive cells around the interlobular bile ducts in the portal branch-ligated liver lobes. In conclusion, successful isolation of bipotent hepatic progenitor cell clones, PBLHCs, from the portal branch-ligated liver lobes of mice provides the possibility of future clinical application of portal vein ligation to induce hepatic progenitor cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]