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Biomedical subjects

A Bobik

Publications and source records attributed to A Bobik.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Multiple growth abnormalities in vascular smooth muscle from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1. In tissue culture the growth characteristics of aortic smooth muscle cells isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were compared with those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. 2. Aortic smooth muscle cells from SHR exhibit enhanced proliferation when grown in the presence of low (1%) and moderate (5%) concentrations of fetal calf serum. 3. Cell quiescence in cultures of smooth muscle from SHR becomes apparent at cell densities approximately 20% higher than in cultures from WKY rats. 4. These different growth characteristics of smooth muscle between the two strains of rats may contribute to the early pre-hypertensive development of vascular hypertrophy in the SHR.

Animals↗

Ethylisopropylamiloride-sensitive pH control mechanisms modulate vascular smooth muscle cell growth.

The reported effects of alterations in Na-H exchange activity on mitogenesis are variable and appear dependent on the cell type examined. We examined the effects of reductions in ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA)-sensitive pH-regulating mechanisms including Na-H exchange and alterations in intracellular pH (pHi) on the growth characteristics of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASM) cultured in serum-containing bicarbonate-buffered medium. Exposure of RASM replicating in bicarbonate-containing medium to the Na-H exchange inhibitors EIPA, dimethylamiloride (DMA), or amiloride (A) attenuated their replication rate. The order of potency of the inhibitors (EIPA greater than DMA much greater than A) was similar to their documented effects on Na-H exchange activity and to their order of potency for inhibiting recovery from CO2-induced acidosis in these cells. Reductions in pHi induced by lowering extracellular pH also attenuated the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA, while increases in pHi were associated with an acceleration in the rate of incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. The effects of the Na-H exchange inhibitors on RASM replication were due to a reduction in the ability of the smooth muscle cells to enter the S phase of the mitotic cell cycle. This appeared predominantly the consequence of effects late within the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Concentrations of EIPA that markedly reduced the ability of RASM to enter S phase and to replicate also attenuated the increase in protein synthesis occurring 6-8 h after exposure to serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amiloride↗

Angiotensin II and noradrenaline increase PDGF-BB receptors and potentiate PDGF-BB stimulated DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle.

The effects of angiotensin II and noradrenaline were examined on PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB induced mitogenesis in primary cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle. Incubation of the smooth muscle with either angiotensin II or noradrenaline potentiated the submaximal but not maximal mitogenic effects of PDGF-BB but not PDGF-AB. These effects on PDGF-BB stimulated mitogenesis correlated with an increase in receptor number specific for this homodimer when the smooth muscle was incubated with either angiotensin II or noradrenaline. Mitogenic concentrations of PDGF-AB did not interact with this PDGF receptor subtype. These results indicate that the mitogenic effects of PDGF-AB and -BB are elicited via different PDGF receptor subtypes. Angiotensin II and noradrenaline potentiate the mitogenic effects of PDGF-BB by increasing the steady state concentrations of membrane receptors for this homodimer.

Angiotensin II↗

Sodium-dependent, ethylisopropylamiloride-sensitive mechanisms regulate intracellular pH in human vascular smooth muscle.

1. The pH-sensitive dye 2,7-biscarboxy-ethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was used to examine the contribution of Na(+)-H+ exchange and bicarbonate-dependent processes to intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in cultured human vascular smooth muscle. 2. The recovery of pHi following an NH4Cl-induced acidosis was Na(+)-dependent and could be inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride (200 mumols/L). Recovery was unaffected by the anion exchange inhibitor 4-acetamido-4'-isothio-cyano-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (200 mumols/L). 3. Recovery from intracellular acidosis was more rapid when bicarbonate ions were present in the extracellular medium. 4. The results suggest that Na(+)-H+ exchange as well as an Na(+)-dependent bicarbonate process, which can be inhibited by ethylisopropylamiloride, can influence the ability of smooth muscle to recover from intracellular acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Growth factor activity of endothelin on vascular smooth muscle.

Endothelin is a novel peptide secreted by endothelial cells, the vasoconstrictor effects of which appear dependent on the activation of phospholipase C. We examined in tissue culture its potential as a growth factor for vascular smooth muscle. In quiescent cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle cells, endothelin rapidly elevated levels of c-fos and c-myc mRNA. Peak effects on c-fos mRNA occurred between 15 and 30 min and were completely gone after 2 h. The elevation in c-fos mRNA was, in part, dependent on protein kinase C, since phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) also elevated c-fos mRNA and further increased c-fos mRNA expression by endothelin, but the effects were not additive. Furthermore, the endothelin-induced elevation in c-fos mRNA was attenuated but not abolished in protein kinase C-depleted cells. Maximum levels of c-myc mRNA occurred between 15 and 30 min after exposing the cells to endothelin and persisted for at least 6 h. The effects of simultaneous addition of endothelin and PMA on c-myc mRNA levels were essentially similar to those observed with c-fos mRNA. [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA occurred 8 h after exposing the cells to endothelin. The mitogenic effect of endothelin was smaller than that observed with either fetal calf serum or epidermal growth factor and was dependent on both pertussis toxin-insensitive and -sensitive pathways. Sensitivity to the latter pathway did not appear dependent on attenuation of phospholipase C activity, since neither peak intracellular calcium concentrations nor c-fos mRNA levels were reduced in pertussis toxin-treated cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Enalapril can prevent vascular amplifier development in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Three groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were given enalapril (25 mg/kg/day) from 4 to 9 weeks, 4 to 14 weeks, and 14 to 20 weeks of age. The drug was stopped and observations continued for another 16-21 weeks. At selected times, we measured blood pressure, in vitro hindquarter vascular resistance properties, left ventricular weight/body weight ratio, and skeletal muscle vessel norepinephrine kinetics in treated and untreated SHR and in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. At the end of each treatment period, all cardiovascular variables were close to values of WKY rats and well below those of untreated SHR, and the norepinephrine or fractional rate constant was about 25% below those levels. After enalapril was stopped, blood pressure and left ventricular weight/body weight ratio increased in parallel to levels ranging from 30% to 50% of the normal difference between untreated SHR and WKY rats. However, in SHR treated from 4 to 9 weeks and from 4 to 14 weeks of age, hindquarter resistance properties remained close to WKY rat levels for the entire observation period of 16-21 weeks after treatment, suggesting suppression of the enhanced resistance responses of SHR (amplifier properties). In SHR treated from 14 to 20 weeks of age, suppression of amplifier properties was more transient, and they redeveloped partially 5-6 weeks after cessation of therapy. When enalapril was given up to 14 weeks of age, the long-term suppression of amplifier properties was probably mainly through prevention of smooth muscle hypertrophy in resistance vessels and possibly through other mechanisms (e.g., "rarefaction").(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Intracellular pH in human arterial smooth muscle. Regulation by Na+/H+ exchange and a novel 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride-sensitive Na(+)- and HCO3(-)-dependent mechanism.

We investigated in a physiological salt solution (PSS) containing HCO3- the intracellular pH (pHi) regulating mechanisms in smooth muscle cells cultured from human internal mammary arteries, using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) and 22Na+ influx rates. The recovery of pHi from an equivalent intracellular acidosis was more rapid when the cells were incubated in CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered PSS than in HEPES-buffered PSS. Recovery of pHi was dependent on extracellular Na+ (Km, 13.1 mM); however, it was not attenuated by 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), indicating the absence of SITS-sensitive HCO3(-)-dependent mechanisms. Recovery instead appeared mostly dependent on processes sensitive to 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA), indicating the involvement of Na+/H+ exchange and a previously undescribed EIPA-sensitive Na(+)- and HCO3(-)-dependent mechanism. Differentiation between this HCO3(-)-dependent mechanism and Na+/H+ exchange was achieved after depletion of cellular ATP. Under these conditions, the NH4Cl-induced 22Na+ influx rate stimulated by intracellular acidosis was markedly attenuated in HEPES-buffered PSS but not in CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered PSS. EIPA also appeared to inhibit the two mechanisms differentially. In HEPES-buffered PSS containing 20 mM Na+, the EIPA inhibition curve for the intracellular acidosis-induced 22Na+ influx was monophasic (IC50, 39 nM), whereas in an identical CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered PSS, the inhibition curve exhibited biphasic characteristics (IC50, 37.3 nM and 312 microM). Taken together, the results indicate that Na+/H+ exchange and a previously undescribed EIPA-sensitive Na(+)- and HCO3(-)-dependent mechanism play an important role in regulating the pHi of human vascular smooth muscle. The involvement of the latter mechanism depends on the severity of the intracellular acidosis, varying from approximately 25% in severe intracellular acidosis up to 50% at lesser, more physiological, levels of induced acidosis.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo↗

alpha-Methyldopa metabolism in central serotonergic nerve terminals: effects on serotonin levels, synthesis and release.

The direct effects of in vivo methyldopa administration on serotonin (5-HT) neurochemistry was investigated. Specifically the ability of methyldopa to alter nerve terminal-associated 5-HT synthesis, storage and release and the possibility that 5-HT nerve terminals accumulate methyldopamine (the product of decarboxylation of methyldopa) was investigated. Synaptosomes isolated from rats given 200 mg/kg of methyldopa (calculated as the free amino acid) 2 h prior to killing exhibited a 25% reduction in intrasynaptosomal 5-HT and a 15% reduction in 5-HT synthesis when compared to synaptosomes from saline-treated animals. In addition a 15% reduction in synaptosomal tryptophan levels was observed. Despite these changes there was no apparent decrease in basal or depolarization-induced 5-HT release from synaptosomes of methyldopa-treated rats. The presence of methyldopamine within 5-HT-containing synaptosomes was confirmed by demonstrating that p-chloroamphetamine, a selective 5-HT releasing agent, could release both methyldopamine and 5-HT from synaptosomes and that this release could be selectively antagonised by fluoxetine, a selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor. The significance of these data with respect to the involvement of 5-HT neurons in the hypotensive action of methyldopa is discussed.

Animals↗

Differential forskolin activation of rat heart and lung adenylate cyclase. Dependence on membrane-protein interactions.

We have investigated whether the greater ability of forskolin to activate adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) from rat heart compared with rat lung is due to interactions between G-proteins and catalytic units, isoforms of catalytic units or membrane-protein interactions. Interactions between Gs and catalytic units were found to be similar in both tissues with 10 microM Gpp(NH)p increasing activity up to 5-fold. While MnCl2 increased the response of the lung enzyme to forskolin, it reduced the response of the cardiac enzyme and uncoupled Gs from the cardiac catalytic units indicating that Gs interactions potentiate the response to forskolin. After enzyme solubilisation with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, the response to forskolin was identical in heart and lung whether assayed with magnesium or manganese chloride, and not significantly different from the heart membrane enzyme. Overall, the results show that the relatively poor response of lung adenylate cyclase to forskolin is due to specific inhibitory interactions between the enzyme and lung membrane constituents.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Effect of enalapril on aortic smooth muscle cell polyploidy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril was used to examine the effects of inhibition, regression and redevelopment of hypertension on the ploidy of aortic smooth muscle cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The incidence of polyploidy cells, as determined by flow cytometric DNA analysis, directly paralleled changes in systolic blood pressure. When the development of hypertension was inhibited by treatment with enalapril, the incidence of polyploid cells remained low compared with untreated age-matched SHR. Likewise, when the blood pressure of hypertensive animals was lowered by enalapril treatment, the incidence of polyploid cells decreased. Addition of enalapril to primary cultures of smooth muscle had no direct effect on proliferation or the incidence of polyploidy. These results suggest that angiotensin II may be involved in the development of vascular smooth muscle polyploidy in vivo, either by a direct effect on the cells or indirectly by elevating blood pressure or by potentiation of sympathetic discharge.

Angiotensin II↗

Spontaneous oscillations in cytoplasmic calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle.

Fluorescence measurement of fura-2 and quin2 signals from confluent primary cultures of serum-deprived rat aortic smooth muscle cells have revealed spontaneous oscillations in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). The transients consist of a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i that averages 60 nM and lasts approximately 30 s. They are caused by intracellular calcium release and an influx of extracellular calcium. Exposure of cells to the calcium-channel antagonists verapamil and diltiazem or incubation in nominally calcium-free medium reduced both the duration and amplitude of the transients; in contrast, the calcium-channel agonist (-)BAY K 8644 increased their duration. The transients were abolished by caffeine and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, agents that interfere with calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. These findings demonstrate that the sarcoplasmic reticulum is a primary source for the spontaneous oscillations in cytoplasmic calcium and is closely associated with the influx of extracellular calcium. Although the function of these transients is unclear, they may be involved in the spontaneous contractions observed in some vessels and in the regulation of vascular resistance.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Differential development of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy in genetic hypertension. Relation to sympathetic function.

We compared blood pressure, hindquarter vascular resistance properties, left ventricular weight, and norepinephrine kinetics, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and weight-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats at 4, 9, 14, 20, 30, and 50 weeks of age. At 4 weeks, systolic and mean blood pressure measurements were the same in both strains, but the vascular resistance of the fully dilated hindquarter bed was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY rats, with a much larger difference during maximum constriction. Plots of resistance at maximum dilatation and at maximum constriction against body weight suggest that a component of the increase in vascular muscle mass in SHR occurred in the neonatal period preceding hypertension followed by a later component related to the rise in blood pressure. By contrast, left ventricular hypertrophy was minimal at 4 weeks and most of its development paralleled the rise in blood pressure. Sympathetic activity, assessed by norepinephrine fractional rate constant, was higher in SHR than in WKY rats in the left ventricle and kidney through most of the period between 4 and 50 weeks, but was similar in both strains in the muscle bed. This pattern of sympathetic activity will accentuate hypertension once cardiac and vascular hypertrophy are fully established. In all regions, norepinephrine tissue concentration was higher in young SHR and could potentiate the trophic effects of growth factors in early vascular hypertrophy. We suggest that the initial (primary) component of vascular hypertrophy precedes the rise in blood pressure and may be critical in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Possible reasons for the short delay in the rise in blood pressure in young SHR, once the vascular "amplifier" has been established, include high vascularity, immaturity of smooth muscle, and delay in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Age Factors↗

The pH of spontaneously beating cultured rat heart cells is regulated by an ATP-calmodulin-dependent Na+/H+ antiport.

We investigated the mechanisms by which spontaneously beating cultured rat ventricular cells regulate intracellular pH (pHi). Specifically, the relative contributions of the Na+/H+ antiport, Cl-/HCO3- exchange, ATP, and calmodulin-dependent processes in regulating the pHi of cells loaded with the intracellular fluorescent pH indicator BCECF were investigated. The pHi of ventricular cells bathed in HEPES-buffered medium averaged 7.30 +/- 0.02. Subsequent exposure of the cells to CO2-HCO3- -buffered medium resulted in intracellular acidification followed by recovery to pHi levels approximately 0.1 pH units lower than in controls. Recovery was inhibited by the Na+/H+ antiport inhibitor 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA). The recovery from intracellular acidification, induced by a 15-mM ammonium chloride prepulse, was also dependent solely upon activation of the Na+/H+ antiport. Recovery was dependent upon extracellular sodium, was completely inhibited by EIPA, and could be modulated by changes in extracellular pH (pHo). At low pHo values (6.3) the recovery of pHi was greatly attenuated, while at high pHo (8.0) the recovery process was accelerated. The final pHi to which the cells recovered was also dependent upon pHo. Preincubation of the cells with 2-deoxy-D-glucose to deplete cellular ATP levels reduced pHi by approximately 0.2 pH units and greatly impaired the cells' ability to recover from 15-mM ammonium chloride-induced acid load. Similarly, preincubation of cells with the calmodulin inhibitors W-7 and trifluoperazine also impaired their ability to recover from the acid load. The Cl- -HCO3- exchange played no role in the cells' ability to recover from intracellular acidosis. However, the presence of HCO3- significantly increased the resistance of myocardial cells to changes in pHi by approximately doubling their buffer capacity. These results demonstrated that a Na+/H+ antiport is the major pHi-regulating system in spontaneously beating rat ventricular cells. The ability of the Na+/H+ antiport to regulate myocardial pHi is dependent upon the cells' ability to maintain adequate levels of ATP. The antiport's dependency on ATP, in conjunction with its dependency on calmodulin, suggests that activation of the antiport in ventricular cells involves phosphorylation processes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Resistance control in hypertension.

In hypertension the small arteries undergo structural changes that increase vascular resistance, both in vivo and in vitro. The hallmark of a physiological vascular amplifier is that enhanced resistance responses must occur about the resting value. For this to happen, the average radius of the resistance vessels must be narrower than normal; increased wall thickness without narrowing does not result in this type of amplification. In primary hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the structural changes in the resistance vessels precede the elevation in blood pressure. This is consistent with the hypothesis that these changes cause hypertension. The role of the sympathetic nervous system in early vascular development is unclear, in view of the absence of regression of amplifier properties in the hindlimb vessels after extensive immunosympathectomy. However, short periods of enalapril treatment in young animals attenuate the development of hypertension and normalize hindlimb resistance properties, suggesting that the renin-angiotensin system may have a role in early vascular growth. Studies in tissue culture suggest that both systems could play a role in smooth muscle growth, in conjunction with growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-like peptides and endothelin. The early structural change that occurs in hypertension is probably a variant of normal development of the resistance vasculature, with greater secretion of 'normal' growth factors and/or enhanced responsiveness of the vascular smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Dependence of Na+/H+ antiport activation in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle on calmodulin, calcium, and ATP. Evidence for the involvement of calmodulin-dependent kinases.

The role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent processes in the activation of the Na+/H+ antiport of primary cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle was studied using 22Na+ uptake and measurement of intracellular pH (pHi) with the fluorescent pH dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and 6)-carboxyfluorescein. Antiport activation following exposure to serum and by the induction of an intracellular acidosis could be markedly attenuated by calmodulin antagonists. Ionomycin also transiently elevated pHi and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx, effects consistent with activation of the antiport; these effects were abolished in cells exposed to calmodulin antagonists or [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid. Activation of the antiport following intracellular acidosis was markedly affected by cellular ATP depletion. A comparison of the abilities of control and 2-deoxy-D-glucose-treated cells to increase 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx in response to graded acidifications indicated that attenuation of Na+/H+ antiport activity was due to both a shift of its pHi dependence and to a reduction in maximal activity. The results suggest that the Na+/H+ antiport of rat aortic smooth muscle is dependent on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent processes, presumably phosphorylation, which influences its activity by modulating (i) an intracellular proton dependent regulatory mechanism (allosteric site) and (ii) the maximum activity of the antiport.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Circulating digoxin-like immunoreactivity in renal hypertensive rabbits: lack of modulation by alterations in dietary sodium intake.

We have re-examined digoxin-like immunoreactivity, commonly detected in plasma with antibodies, in order to determine whether it could represent the putative natriuretic factor originally proposed by de Wardener and Clarkson. Experiments were conducted in adult rabbits with two-kidney, two wrapped hypertension and in sham-operated controls. Six weeks after the bilateral renal cellophane wrapping or sham operation, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was approximately 40 mmHg higher in the wrapped group. At this time the rabbits started a low-, normal- or high-salt diet (1.6, 25.6 and 40.8 mmol Na+/100 g) which continued for 2 weeks. During the final 3 days urinary volume and total sodium content measured in 24-h collections was significantly lowered in the rabbits on the low-salt diet and increased by the high-salt diet (P less than 0.01 for both). This pattern was identical for the normotensive and renal hypertensive rabbits. Digoxin-like immunoreactivity was measured at the beginning and at the end of the 2-week period of the salt study. Immediately before commencing the various salt diets the digoxin-like immunoreactivity, measured as ng digoxin equivalents/ml, was only marginally elevated in the renal hypertensive compared to the normotensive animals (it averaged 94.7 +/- 7.7 and 80.9 +/- 5.9 ng digoxin equivalents/ml, respectively). Neither the low- nor the high-sodium diet affected plasma digoxin-like immunoreactivity in either the normotensive or the renal hypertensive animals (P greater than 0.10). These results indicate that digoxin-like immunoreactivity is present in the plasma of normotensive and renal hypertensive rabbits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗