The effects of sesamin, a potent inhibitor of Δ5-desaturase in polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, on the fatty acid compositions of tissue lipids and liver functions were examined in rodents. When a mixture of sesamin and episesamin (51.1:48.2, w/w) was given to rats at a dietary level of 0.5% for 13 days, the proportions of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid significantly increased not only in the liver but also in plasma and hemocytes, suggesting an interference with Δ5-desaturation by these lignans. The sesamin preparation at the dietary level of 1% improved changes in various blood parameters of the mouse, such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities, and the concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride and total bilirubin, caused by continuous inhalation of ethanol. In addition, sesamin showed a significant protective effect against the accumulation of fat droplets and vacuolar degeneration in the mouse liver, as confirmed on histological examination. Sesamin, at the level of 100 mg/kg body weight, also tended to prevent liver lipid accumulation by carbon tetrachloride in mice. These results indicate that sesamin and a related lignan compound have an ability to improve liver function.
Optical near-field interactions exhibit different behavior at different scales, which we term scale-dependent physical hierarchy. Using the intrinsic logical hierarchy of information and a simple digital coding scheme, scale-dependent optical memory accesses are associated with different levels of the information hierarchy. The basic principle is demonstrated by finite-different time-domain simulations and experiments using metal nanoparticles.
A series of 3-(alkoxymethyl)-alpha-(N-substituted aminomethyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohols was synthesized as potential bronchodilators. The ability to prevent effects against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs was studied to determine their bronchodilating activity. Introduction of a methoxymethyl group in place of the m-hydroxyl group of beta-adrenergic catecholamines afforded compounds especially effective in delaying histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. Appropriate N-substitution also enhanced the potency of these catecholamine analogues. 4-Hydroxy-3-(methoxymethyl)-alpha-[N-[4-(methoxymethyl)-alpha-methylphenyl]aminoethyl]benzyl alcohol hemifumarate (3r) was the most potent compound in this series.
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