• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 1998

In this study, the effect of verapamil (VER) on cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in uninephrectomized rats. Male Wistar rats were administered CsA (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or VER (0.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) with CsA (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 20 days. The urinary N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity along with BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (CLcr), body weight, and 24 hr-urine output were measured and histopathologic changes of kidney were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. The results obtained from this study can be summarized as follows: While NAG activity, BUN and serum creatinine was progressively increased and CLcr significantly decreased in CsA group, VER almost signifi-cantly (p<0.05) suppressed and normalized CsA-induced changes in VER+CSA group. While urine output increased until 12th days and thereafter progressively decreased in CsA group, it gradually increased in control and VER+CSA group. While body weight progressively made a gain in control and VER+CSA groups, it significantly (p<0.05) lost in CsA group. On light microscopy, the glomerular hyperemia and proximal convoluted tubular (PCT) dilatation, focal tubular cell vacuolation and necrosis were clearly evident in CsA group, but, were not seen in other groups. Ultrastructural studies revealed thickened glomerular endothelium and basal lamina of capillary, irregular shaped pedicels of podocytes, indistinct slit pores and narrowed bowman's space. The large oval vacuoles with dense debris and phagosome were distributed in apical zone and deformed microvilli and mitochondria were seen in the PCT cell of CsA group. But, glomeruli and PCT cell were relatively preserved in normal apperance in other groups. In conclusion, it is suggested that verapamil has a protective effect on cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in uninephrectomized rats.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2005

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS) has been detected in approximately 10% of cases of Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children, and exhibits a poor response to initial steroid therapy, as well as a higher rate of progression to chronic renal failure and relapse after kidney transplantation. We describe a case of an eleven year-old boy with steroid-resistant FSGS who exhibited a response to a second trial of cyclosporin h(CsA) therapy. At the age of 26 months, this patient was diagnosed with steroid-resistant FSGS. For 9 years, he had undergone a gauntlet of therapies to induce remission; oral steroids, cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone(mehyIPd) pulse therapy, CsA, and ibuprofen therapy. Although these therapies failed to induce remission, the patient's renal function remained In the normal range during the nine years of treatment. At the age of ten years, the patient's proteinuria decreased, and complete remission was attained with a second administration of CsA, coupled with a low dose of oral steroids. This patient continues to receive CsA without relapse. Therefore, our major concern involves the possibility of relapse after the discontinuation of CsA therapy Our findings in this case suggest that, in cases of refractory FSGS, if renal insufficiency does not emerge, aggressive therapy for the amelioration of proteinuria should be continuously pursued.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2008

Pneumatosis intestinalis or spontaneous pneumomediastinum are rarely associated with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). However, the development of both conditions in the same patient simultaneously has not been reported previously. A 56-year-old man with NSIP developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis after the treatment with intravenous high dose steroid. The development of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis in this patient was possibly due to the factors such as NSIP, high dose steroid therapy and subclinical dermatomyositis. Treatment with corticosteroid and cyclosporin gradually improved his exacerbated NSIP and pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumatosis intestinalis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.1055-1060
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• 2001

Experimental data for the on-line estimation of cell concentration and growth rate are presented. For this purpose, we utilized the on-line calculation of the oxygen uptake rate (OUR), which was derived from a liquid phase dynamic mass balance for the oxygen during the active growth phase in cyclosporin A (CyA) fermentation. The cell yield coefficient, based on the oxygen $(Y_{x/o})$for both suspended and immobilized cells of Tolypocladium inflatum, was estimated as $1.9 gDCW/gO_2$ from a very good linear correlation between the cell mass produced and the total oxygen consumed. The calculated yield showed a good agreement with the value of $(Y_{x/o})$ generated from the correlation between the cell growth rate and the oxygen uptake rate. In addition, further experimental data are given, which were also applied to determine the specific oxygen uptake rate of T. inflatum cells during the exponential phase of CyA fermentation. A theoretical basis for the analysis of these fermentation parameters is also provided.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2009

The pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin A (CsA) after single and multiple oral dosing of new CsA self-micro-emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) in dogs were estimated. A single dose study was performed following a two-way crossover design against six dogs with reference SMEDDS. For a multiple dose study, three dogs were allocated for each drug, and 100 mg of drug was administered daily for 6 days. Whole blood concentration of CsA was analyzed by radio-immunoassay. Both drug showed identical blood concentration profiles in both studies, and no statistical difference was detected in pharmacokinetic parameters. The relative bioavailabilities of test SMEDDS were 91.4% and 89.1%, respectively, in the single dose study and the last day of multiple dose study. Especially, multiple dose study proved the good relationship between C-0/C-2 and AUC for reference SMEDDS, which is an indispensable part of therapeutic drug monitoring. These results suggest newly formulated CsA SMEDDS possibly shows identical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic behaviors in clinical trials.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.717-725
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• 1996

We have developed an efficient immobilized cell separator for continuous operation of immobilized fungal cell cultures, and applied this separator to actual fermentation process for the production of cyclosporin A (CyA), a powerful immunosuppressant. In the experiments employing highly viscous polymer (carboxymethyl cellulose) solution, the decantor showed good separating performances at high solution viscosites and fast dilution rates. Air duct and cylindrical separator installed inside the decantor turned out to play key roles for the efficient separation of the immobilized cells. By installing the decantor in an immobilized perfusion reactor system (IPRS), continuous immobilized culture was stably carried out even at high dilution rate for a long period, leading to high productivities of free cells and CyA. Almost no immobilized biomass existed in effuluent stream of the IPRS, demonstrating the effectiveness of the decan- tor system for a long-term continuous fermentation. It was noteworthy that we could obtain these results despite of the unfavorable fermentation conditions, i.e., reduced density of the biosupports caused by overgrowth of cells inside the bead particles and existence of high density of suspended fungal cells (10g/l) in the fermentation broth.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1086-1091
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• 2010

This study explored the use of gellan gum as an immobilization matrix for the production of cyclosporin A (CyA) by immobilized spores and mycelia of Tolypocladium inflatum MTCC 557. Different carriers, such as gellan gum, sodium alginate, celite beads, and silica, were tested as immobilization carriers, along with the role of the carrier concentration, biomass weight, number of spore-inoculated beads, and repeated utilization of the immobilized fungus. The maximum CyA production was 274 mg/l when using gellan gum [1% (w/v)], and a mycelial weight of 7.5% (w/v) supported the maximum production of CyA. Additionally, the addition of a combination of $_L$-valine (6 g/l) and $_L$-leucine (5 g/l) after 48 h of fermentation produced 1,338 mg/l of CyA when using gellan gum. The immobilized mycelia beads were found to remain stable for four repetitive cycles, indicating their potential for semicontinuous CyA production.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.317-332
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of Poria extract on rat's nephrotoxicity induced by CsA. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups and treated as follows; Nothing was given to Sample A, Sample B was given normal saline after IV injection of CsA and Sample C was given Poria extract after CsA injection. After precription of medicine, serum BUN, creatinine, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride ions were measured. 1. Changes in serum level. ALT, BUN, chloride ion were significantly reduced in experimental group as compaired to control group, and total protein showed significant elevation in experimental group. AST was reduced, but not significant and creatine level was below the normal range. K level showed mild elevation initially and later showed mild decrease, but no significance is noted. There were no significant differance in the sodium level. 2. Changes in Urine level. Urinary specific gravity showed significant increase in experimental group compaired to control group. Urinary creatinine level initially increased, and later decreased but showed no significance. To conclude, it can be inferred that Poria may improve nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rat induced by Cyclosporin A.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2015

The mechanism of melanogenesis induced by cyclosporin A (CsA) was investigated in B16 melanoma cells. CsA stimulated the production of melanin in a dose-dependent manner in the cells. In addition, CsA increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in a dose-related fashion. Treatment with BAPTA/AM, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator significantly inhibited the CsA-induced intracellular melanin synthesis. CsA profoundly induced $Cl^-$ efflux, which was significantly blocked by niflumic acid (NFA) and flufenamic acid (FFA), specific and nonspecific inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^-$ channels (CaCCs), respectively. Furthermore, these inhibitors of CaCCs significantly inhibited the CsA-induced stimulation of melanin synthesis. Taken together, these results suggest that the activation of CaCCs may play an important role in the CsA-induced stimulation of melanin synthesis in B16 cells. These results further suggest that CaCCs may be a good target for the management of hyperpigmentation of the skin reported in the patients treated with CsA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1385-1392
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• 2009

This work evaluates the effect of different amino acids on production of Cyclosporin (CyA) production in solid-state fermentation that was previously optimized for different fermentation parameters by one factor at-a-time for the maximum production of CyA by Tolypocladium inflatum MTCC557. Based on the Plackett-Burman design, glycerol, ammonium sulfate, $FeCl_3$, and inoculum size were selected for further optimization by response surface methodology (RSM). After identifying effective nutrients, RSM was used to develop mathematical model equations, study responses, and establish the optimum concentrations of the key nutrients for higher CyA production. It was observed that supplementation of medium containing (% w/w) glycerol, 1.53; ammonium sulfate, 0.95; $FeCl_3$, 0.18; and inoculum size 6.4 ml/5g yielded a maximum of 7,106 mg/kg as compared with 6,480 mg CyA/kg substrate using one factor at-a-time. In the second step, the effect of amino acids on the production of CyA was studied. Addition of $_L$-valine and $_L$-leucine in combination after 20 h of fermentation resulted in maximum production of 8,166 mg/kg.