Accumulating evidence suggests a crucial role for the unfolded protein response (UPR) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we investigated the relevance of the UPR in a mouse model of chronic MPTP/probenecid (MPTP/P) injection, which causes severe and persistent degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Enhanced activation of the UPR branches, including ATF6α and PERK/eIF2α/ATF4, was observed after MPTP/P injections into mice. Deletion of the ATF6α gene accelerated neuronal degeneration and ubiquitin accumulation relatively early in the MPTP/P injection course. Surprisingly, astroglial activation was strongly suppressed, and production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and anti-oxidative genes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and xCT, in astrocytes were reduced in ATF6α −/− mice after MPTP/P injections. Decreased BDNF expression in ATF6α −/− mice was associated with decreased expression of GRP78, an ATF6α-dependent molecular chaperone in the ER. Decreased HO-1 and xCT levels were associated with decreased expression of the ATF4-dependent pro-apoptotic gene CHOP. Consistent with these results, administration of the UPR-activating reagent tangeretin (5,6,7,8,4′-pentamethoxyflavone; IN19) into mice enhanced the expression of UPR-target genes in both dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes, and promoted neuronal survival after MPTP/P injections. These results suggest that the UPR is activated in a mouse model of chronic MPTP/P injection, and contributes to the survival of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, in part, through activated astrocytes.

Samarium(II)-mediated spirocyclization onto an aromatic ring was achieved by the reaction of methyl 4-(4-oxoalkyl)benzoates with SmI(2) in the presence of i-PrOH and HMPA, yielding methyl 1-alkyl-1-hydroxyspiro[4.5]dec-6-ene-8-carboxylates in moderate to high yields. Utilizing this chemistry, spiro[3.5] and -[5.5] systems, and sterically congested spiro[4.5] systems, were easily synthesized. For the successful conversion, appropriate activation of the aromatic ring has proven to be extremely important: while an ester or amide functionality on the aromatic ring can promote the spirocyclization, a sulfonamide substituent causes ortho cyclization.

Many healthcare workers are concerned about the risk of occupational exposures to hazardous drugs. The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists (JSHP) revised the``Guidelines for the Handling of Antineoplastic Drugs in Hospitals'', however, the precautions and awareness of handling drugs varied in institutions. We assessed the levels of environmental contaminations in our hospital and urinary excretion of cyclophosphamide (CP) and ifosfamide (IF) in pharmacists and nurses. In environmental studies, we obtained samples by wiping the surfaces around two biological safety cabinets (BSCs) on eight days for four months. One BSC was equipped in hospital pharmacy and the other was equipped in an oncology ward, and used for preparing chemotherapeutic drugs for outpatients and for inpatients, respectively. We obtained the urine samples from 6 pharmacists and 2 nurses. We used solid phase extraction (SPE) as a convenient extraction procedure and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the analysis of the samples. CP was detected on the working surfaces inside both BSCs, and detected at low levels on the back surfaces of the BSCs and at the working tables around the BSCs. IF over the LLOQ was not detected in both BSCs. CP and IF were not detected in all urine samples of pharmacists and nurses. Detection frequencies and amounts of these drugs were low levels, compared with previous reports in Japan, and our results showed that improving awareness about handling hazardous drugs could reduce the risk of the occupational exposures.

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. In APAP-induced acute liver failure, hepatocyte death and subsequent liver regeneration determines the prognosis of patients, making it necessary to identify suitable therapeutic targets based on detailed molecular mechanisms. Grb2-associated binder 1 (Gab1) adaptor protein plays a crucial role in transmitting signals from growth factor and cytokine receptors to downstream effectors. In this study, we hypothesized that Gab1 is involved in APAP-induced acute liver failure. Hepatocyte-specific Gab1 conditional knockout (Gab1CKO) and control mice were treated with 250 mg/kg of APAP. After APAP treatment, Gab1CKO mice had significantly higher mortality and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels compared to control mice. Gab1CKO mice had increased hepatocyte death and increased serum levels of high mobility group box 1, a marker of hepatocyte necrosis. In addition, Gab1CKO mice had reduced hepatocyte proliferation. The enhanced hepatotoxicity in Gab1CKO mice was associated with increased activation of stress-related c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and reduced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and AKT. Furthermore, Gab1CKO mice showed enhanced mitochondrial translocation of JNK accompanied by an increase in the release of mitochondrial enzymes into the cytosol, which is indicative of increased mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent nuclear DNA fragmentation. Finally, in vitro experiments showed that Gab1-deficient hepatocytes were more susceptible to APAP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death, suggesting that hepatocyte Gab1 is a direct target of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: Hepatocyte Gab1 plays a critical role in controlling the balance between hepatocyte death and compensatory hepatocyte proliferation during APAP-induced liver injury.