Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Sahai

Publications and source records attributed to A Sahai.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Renal D1 receptors, and not D2, are upregulated after aortic constriction and may be involved in cardiac hypertrophy.

1. The characteristics of dopamine (D) receptors were studied in kidney using the radiolabelled receptor assay of [3H]-SCH-23390 for D1 and [3H]-sulpiride for D2 receptors during cardiac hypertrophy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (175-200 g) underwent abdominal aortic constriction above the renal arteries and were studied 28 days thereafter. Sham operated animals without aortic constriction were used as control. 2. Membranes obtained from kidney cortex showed an increase in the number of binding sites (Bmax) of D1 receptors in the aortic banded group. The apparent affinity for the ligand (Kd) was unchanged with D1 receptors, as compared to sham control. Both Bmax and Kd were unchanged for D2 receptors in the aortic banded group. 3. Autoradiographic data further reinforced the findings, showing an increased number of D1 receptors in the kidney at 28 days after abdominal aortic constriction. These changes were associated with an increase in plasma renin activity in the aortic banded group. Further, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase as measured by fmol of 32Pi released from [gamma-32P]-ATP, was decreased in the kidney cortex of banded animals. 4. Reversal of hypertrophic parameters was observed in the aortic banded group treated for 14 days with SCH 23390 hydrochloride (0.1 mg kg-1 i.p.), a known D1 receptor antagonist. 5. The present study shows an upregulation of renal D1 receptors following abdominal aortic constriction and it is suggested that upregulation of D receptors may be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Observations on atrial natriuretic peptide, sympathetic activity and renal Ca2+ pump in diabetic and hypertensive rats.

The relationship between atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and peripheral sympathetic nervous system function was studied in diabetic and hypertensive rats. Animals were studied in diabetic and hypertensive rats. Animals were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, hypertensive and diabetic plus hypertensive. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) injection and hypertension by abdominal aortic constriction. Studies were performed at 1 and 6 weeks. Plasma ANP was increased at 1 week in all groups except controls. Noradrenaline turnover, an index of sympathetic activity in kidney, was attenuated in all pathological groups unlike controls. These changes were associated with increased activity of Ca2++Mg2+ ATPase, which is known to serve as a Ca2+ pump in kidney cortex basolateral membrane. In contrast, at 6 weeks, Ca2++Mg2+ ATPase was significantly decreased only in the diabetic plus hypertensive group which also showed signs of congestive heart failure, increased sympathetic activity and decreased plasma ANP levels. Intracerebral microdialysis of the extracellular space around the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus showed a decreased concentration of ANP in the diabetic plus hypertensive group. Infusion of ANP and pentolinium, a ganglionic blocker in diabetic plus hypertensive Ca2+ restored pump activity towards control values; ANP alone had no effect. Our results indicate decreased plasma ANP levels, increased sympathetic drive and a depressed kidney Ca2+ pump in diabetic plus hypertensive rats with heart failure. The relationships between these factors, and the potential modulating role of ANP is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Renal Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase in congestive heart failure due to diabetes.

The authors have previously shown that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mediates its cellular effects in part by changes in Ca2+ homeostasis in kidney cortex and that Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase is linked to ANP receptors, being reciprocally modulated by the guanylate cyclase system. The present study was designed to examine the status of this coupling in diabetes-induced congestive heart failure and the effect of its alterations on the functional integrity of the renal cell. Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase and guanylate cyclase were tested in hypertensive-diabetic rats (D + H), which develop congestive heart failure (CHF) at ten weeks following streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) injection and abdominal aortic constriction. The ATPase activity was measured by the release of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP in the medium. While the guanylate cyclase activity was decreased very rapidly in the hypertensive-diabetic group, the sensitivity of the Ca2+ pump to ANP was increased at an early stage (three weeks) and decreased at a late stage (ten weeks) of CHF. The authors conclude that a defect in coupling between the Ca2+ pump and the ANP-receptor system as observed in the D + H group may contribute to the development of nephropathy and CHF.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Community experience for medical students.

This article outlines the features of community postings for medical students in their second clinical year at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, in Pondicherry, India. Their exposure to the realities of preventive and social medicine in the field clearly helps them to cope with what would otherwise be only theoretical knowledge.

Clinical Clerkship↗
PubMed1992

Hypoxia-mediated impaired differentiation by LLC-PK1 cells: evidence based on the protein kinase C profile.

We recently reported that mild hypoxia in LLC-PK1 cells, grown in standard fashion under a still layer of overlying medium at 5% CO2/18% O2 environment, result in decreased oxidative metabolism and impaired differentiated functions in comparison to adequately oxygenated cultures maintained either under a higher oxygen (36% O2) environment or conditions of continuous rocking of the media fluid. In the present study, subcellular distribution of a regulatory enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) was examined between hypoxic still and normoxic rocked LLC-PK1 cells. Subconfluent cultures of hypoxic LLC-PK1 cells exhibited significantly lower and predominantly membrane-bound PKC activity in comparison to mostly cytosolic localization of this enzyme in normoxic rocked cells. One hour of exposure of adequately oxygenated-rocked LLC-PK1 cells with the phorbol ester TPA, a dedifferentiating agent that did not effect the cell ATP content, resulted in significant inhibition of dome formation and sodium-dependent glucose transport activity, a partial loss of pH-responsive ammoniagenesis, and almost complete translocation of protein kinase C activity from cytosol to the membrane pool; all of which resembles the behavior of hypoxic still cultured cells. In addition, acute re-oxygenation of hypoxic still cultures by rocking the media fluid for one hour resulted in an increase in cell ATP content to the cellular levels of ATP observed in normoxic rocked cells. However, all the parameters of differentiation were unaffected by re-oxygenation. These studies support the notion that hypoxia can act in some primary fashion, independent of its effects on energy metabolism, to impair cellular differentiation in LLC-PK1 cells. They also raise the possibility that activation of protein kinase C may act as an important mediator in this process.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1992

Signal transduction events whereby PGF2 alpha inhibits the ammoniagenic response to acute acidosis.

Subconfluent cultures of LLC-PK1 cells were incubated for 1 h in Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB) of pH 7.4 or 6.8 to investigate the signal transduction events associated with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) inhibition of ammonia metabolism. Exposure of these cultures to PGF2 alpha (0.1 ng/ml) inhibited the acute low pH stimulation of ammonia production and to a lesser degree alanine formation in a manner analogous to the response exhibited with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Pretreatment with an inhibitor of protein kinase C [1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, i.e., H-7] or utilization of cultures with downregulated protein kinase C activity abolished the inhibitory response to PGF2 alpha. Exposure to PGF2 alpha for 10 min in KHB of pH 6.8 resulted in an activation of protein kinase C, as demonstrated by a significant increase in membrane-bound enzyme activity. Incubation of the cells with PGF2 alpha in KHB of pH 6.8 also resulted in a significant increase in inositol trisphosphate formation. Treatment of the cultures with verapamil in calcium-containing medium or removal of calcium from the incubating medium resulted in a significant loss of the PGF2 alpha inhibitory response on both ammonia and alanine production. Furthermore, under conditions of calcium-free incubation, PGF2 alpha had no significant effect on protein kinase C activity. Because both PGF2 alpha- and TPA-induced inhibition of ammoniagenic response to acute acidosis was prevented by amiloride, the underlying mechanism may involve protein kinase C-mediated changes in intracellular pH. These results indicate that the activation of protein kinase C plays a key role in mediating PGF2 alpha inhibition of ammoniagenesis.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1992

Parathyroid hormone activates protein kinase C of pancreatic islets.

Pancreatic islets are targets for PTH. The acute exposure of the islets to PTH results in a rise in their cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i). It also stimulates insulin secretion in a manner similar to that produced by phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that the hormone may stimulate the activity of this enzyme. The present study examined the effect of PTH (1-34) on both cytosolic and membrane bound PKC activity of pancreatic islets and compared it with that of glucose and TPA. In the basal state, PKC activity is predominantly found in the cytosol. Both PTH or high glucose concentration caused a significant increase in membrane-bound and total PKC activity, whereas cytosolic enzyme activity remained unchanged. The effects of these two agonists peaked at 5 min and declined thereafter. The effect of PTH on PKC activity was abolished by the PTH antagonist ([Tyr-34] bovine PTH (7-34) NH2). In contrast, TPA induced a rise in membrane-bound PKC activity with simultaneous decrease in cytosolic pool of PKC without a change in total PKC activity. Removal of calcium from the incubation media resulted in partial and significant loss of PTH-induced rise in membrane-bound PKC activity. The data demonstrated that 1) PTH stimulate PKC activity of pancreatic islets in a manner similar to that of glucose, 2) both of the agonists increases total PKC activity of islets and translocation of the enzyme activity to the membranes of the islets, and 3) the effect of PTH is mediated, in part, by its ability to augment calcium entry into the islets and is most likely receptor mediated.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Atrial natriuretic peptide: pathophysiological considerations.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone with potent diuretic and natriuretic properties. This hormone mediates a finely tuned control mechanism for the maintenance of blood pressure and volume. The altered pressure and volume in many important cardiovascular diseases suggest that understanding the functional role of ANP is integral to these conditions. ANP levels are increased in a wide variety of cardiac disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction and valvular heart diseases. Several studies have indicated a positive correlation between the severity of cardiac disorders and plasma ANP levels highlighting its importance as a prognostic factor in cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, its compensatory role in these situations has prompted a world-wide investigation on the use of ANP as a drug in cardiac diseases and it is not surprising that there has been a wealth of scientific papers on this subject. This review attempts to summarize the present knowledge concerning the physiology of ANP and evaluates some of the latest experimental findings and opinions on the involvement of ANP in cardiovascular diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

(Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase activity in kidney basolateral membrane in diabetes: role of atrial natriuretic peptide.

The (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase which serves as a Ca2+ pump in the kidney basolateral membranes is essential to the maintenance of an intracellular Ca2+ concentration optimal for kidney function. Since atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is known to participate in the Ca2+ homeostasis mechanism, altered levels of ANP in diabetes may vary the pump activity and consequently the kidney function. In order to examine the modulatory role of ANP on (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase in short- (6 weeks) and long-term (6 months) diabetes, rats were injected with streptozotocin (65 mg/kg body wt, i.v.). At 6 weeks, the plasma ANP was decreased whereas, ANP-receptor binding in the kidney basolateral membrane was increased. In contrast, there was an increased plasma ANP and decreased ANP receptor binding at 6 months. Insulin treatment to diabetic animals normalized these parameters. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase activity was unchanged both at 6 weeks and 6 months. Our results demonstrate that the unchanged Ca2+ pump activity in short-term and long-term diabetes serves to maintain the Ca2+ homeostasis in the kidney cells and thus may maintain the hyperfiltration state in diabetes. Unaltered (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase is achieved by the initial up-regulation and subsequent down-regulation of the ANP receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Traumatic aneurysm of superficial temporal artery. CT demonstration.

A case of traumatic pseudo-aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery documented on Computed tomography (CT) and angiography is described in a 55-years-old female, who was treated by surgical excision. Computed tomographic appearance of this lesion is illustrated. This represents, to our knowledge, the first CT demonstration of traumatic aneurysm of superficial temporal artery within a large subgaleal haematoma.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

Modulation of sympathetic activity by brain neuropeptide Y in cardiac hypertrophy.

Several observations now support the view that the sympathetic system actively participates in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Since norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons involved in cardiovascular regulation in the brain are known to coexist with neuropeptide Y (NPY), it is possible that a functional interaction between NPY and NE exists centrally. In an effort to clarify whether or not central catecholamine systems are modulated by NPY soon after imposing an increased pressure overload on the heart, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent aortic constriction and were examined 14 days later. Rats were anesthetized and subjected to microdialysis sampling by stereotaxically implanting a probe into the caudal ventrolateral medulla (A1). Perfusate was collected after a 1-hour stabilization period, purified, and analyzed for interstitial concentrations of NE and other catecholamines using high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector. Extracellular NE concentrations in the A1 area were found to be decreased. These results were associated with increased rate of change in the specific activity of NE (NE turnover) in heart, indicating increased sympathetic activity and an increased left ventricular weight. Also, infusion of NPY (10(-9) mol/L) by microdialysis in the A1 area resulted in the reduction of NE concentration; epinephrine and dopamine levels were also decreased. In contrast, methionine-enkephalin, another neuropeptide, had no effect on the extracellular catecholamine concentrations in the A1 area. Since neurons of the A1 group project almost exclusively to forebrain structures inhibiting sympathetic activity, it is concluded that decreases of NE and other catecholamines in afferent pathways regulating the caudal ventrolateral medulla may lead to an enhanced sympathetic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Congestive heart failure in diabetes with hypertension may be due to uncoupling of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor-effector system in the kidney basolateral membrane.

Hypertension is known to potentiate the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF) in diabetic individuals. Receptor-effector systems for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), which is known to regulate intracellular calcium (Ca2+), were studied in the kidney during hypertensive-diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats. Animals were divided into four groups: control, diabetic (D), hypertensive (H), and diabetic plus hypertensive (D + H). Diabetes was induced by a streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) injection and hypertension was induced by abdominal aortic constriction; studies were done at 1 and 6 weeks. Plasma ANP was increased at 1 week in the D, H, and D + H groups. There was a significant increase in the activity of Ca2+ + magnesium (Mg2+) adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), which acts as a Ca2+ pump, in the kidney basolateral membrane from D, H, and D + H group at the 1 week study. Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase, on the other hand, was significantly decreased in the D + H group only at 6 weeks. This was associated with a decrease in plasma ANP, an increase in the kidney ANP receptor number, and a decrease in guanylate cyclase activity. The response of the Ca2+ pump to ANP was also attenuated. Since ANP is known to mediate its cellular effects in part by increasing Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase, the observed changes in the D + H group may contribute to the development of nephropathy and CHF.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Pathways of acute pH regulation of ammoniagenesis in LLC-PK1 cells: study with [15N]glutamine.

The present study utilized [15N]glutamine labeled at amide (5-N) and amino (2-N) groups to analyze the metabolic fate of glutamine nitrogen in basal and in acute pH regulation of ammoniagenesis. One-hour incubation of LLC-PK1 cultures in a media of pH 7.4, 7.0, or 7.6 containing either [5-15N]glutamine or [2-15N]glutamine resulted in parallel alterations in glutamine consumption in response to acute acid-base maneuvers. Incubation with [5-15N]glutamine resulted in substantial enrichment and production of ammonia at pH 7.4, which was unaffected by the changes in media pH, and in no significant enrichment of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate. In contrast, significant enrichment and production of 15N-labeled ammonia, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate were detected from cultures incubated with [2-15N]glutamine. Ammonia formation, from incubation with [2-15N]glutamine, was stimulated significantly by a low pH and inhibited by high pH. Alanine production was altered in a fashion similar to ammonia formation, whereas aspartate production was unaltered and glutamate formation significantly decreased by a low pH. Furthermore, a low pH significantly increased the production of alpha-ketoglutaramate in a fashion qualitatively similar to alanine production. In contrast to our prior conclusions based on total metabolite production, these studies indicate that although ammonia formation at pH 7.4 is predominantly generated from the mitochondrial phosphate-dependent glutaminase pathway, the increased ammonia formation in acute acidosis is a result of increased flux through glutamate dehydrogenase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine↗
PubMed1990

Lack of response of (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase to atrial natriuretic peptide in basolateral membranes from kidney cortex of chronic diabetic rats.

Incubation of basolateral membranes obtained from control rat kidney cortex in the presence of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Such response was absent in membranes obtained from animals made diabetic by streptozotocin injection (65 mg/kg, iv). The differential responses in the ATPase activity were not due to changes in the affinity for Ca2+ and insulin treatment in the diabetic animals completely reversed the situation. Our data suggest that ANP may mediate its cellular effects in part by changes in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis in kidney cortex and the lack of response of (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase to ANP in chronic diabetes may contribute to the development of intracellular Ca2+ overload and nephropathy.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Relationship between intracellular pH and ammonia metabolism in LLC-PK1 cells.

Previous studies from our laboratory have confirmed that cultures of LLC-PK1 cells exhibit pH-responsive alterations in ammonia metabolism produced by changes in media bicarbonate concentration. To further elucidate the mechanism of ammonia regulation, studies were carried out using parallel cultures of still and rocked LLC-PK1 cells subjected to acute alterations in media pH by either metabolic or respiratory acid-base manipulations. When media pH was altered by modifying PCO2 levels, the response of ammonia and alanine production by rocked culture was identical to the changes observed with metabolic acid-base maneuvers. Furthermore, both metabolic and respiratory acute acidosis resulted in a fall of intracellular alpha-ketoglutarate concentrations in these cells. In contrast, standard still cultures subjected to acute acidosis/alkalosis by metabolic and respiratory manipulations did not exert any significant change in ammonia and alanine production or in intracellular alpha-ketoglutarate concentration. Measurements of intracellular pH (pHi) by the 5,5-[2-14C]dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione method in rocked cells demonstrated changes in pHi parallel to media pH changes induced by both metabolic and respiratory acid-base maneuvers. Despite the absence of pH-responsive ammonia-genesis in still cultured cells the pHi values were altered in a fashion similar to their rocked counterparts, indicating the lack of an effect of the pHi signal on ammonia metabolism.

Acidosis↗