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C J Bailey

Publications and source records attributed to C J Bailey.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities in spontaneous obesity-diabetes.

The effect of non-insulin-dependent diabetes on the hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidase system and on cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity was determined using the spontaneously obese-diabetic (ob/ob) mouse model. The activities of the xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 proteins were monitored by the use of chemical probes. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes did not influence the hepatic metabolism of substrates associated with the P450 I, IIB, IIE, III and IV families of cytochromes. In contrast, cytosolic glutathione S-transferase activity was markedly reduced and glutathione levels were significantly lowered. These findings raise the possibility that patients suffering from this disease may be more susceptible to chemicals that rely on glutathione conjugation for their deactivation.

Animals↗

Recombinant epidermolytic (exfoliative) toxin A of Staphylococcus aureus is not a superantigen.

The epidermolytic (exfoliative) toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus cause epidermolysis and skin blistering. In addition, they have been implicated to belong to the group of T lymphocyte stimulating molecules known as "superantigens". Here we show that recombinant epidermolytic toxin A produced in S. aureus is not mitogenic for human and murine T lymphocytes. We discuss the possibility that minute contaminations of highly mitogenic exoproteins may cause the mitogenicity in several proteins that are reported to be superantigens.

Animals↗

Beta-endorphin and corticotropin immunoreactivity and specific binding in the neuromuscular system of obese-diabetic mice.

Immunoreactivity for two derivatives of pro-opiomelanocortin, beta-endorphin and alpha-melanocortin (or corticotropin), was demonstrated, using a conventional immunoperoxidase method, in some of the intramuscular nerves in muscle sections from obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice and homozygous lean (+/+) mice. The endplate regions were visualized in the sections by staining for acetylcholinesterase reaction product. The proportion of muscle endplates with beta-endorphin-immunoreactive motor nerves was approximately 2.5-fold higher in soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles and approximately 1.5-fold higher in the diaphragm of the obese (ob/ob) mice compared to the normal lean mice. The proportion of muscle endplates with alpha-melanotropin-immunoreactive motor nerves was between 30 and 53% lower, depending on the muscle type, in the ob/ob mice compared to the lean mice. The muscles of ob/ob and lean mice were investigated for the presence of specific binding sites for [125I]beta-endorphin and for [125I]corticotropin, using autoradiography. Some muscle fibres in soleus, extensor digitorum longus and diaphragm in both the ob/ob and the lean mice exhibited specific binding sites for the radioactive ligands. The binding sites were distributed over the entire surface in these muscle fibres. In the ob/ob mice the number of muscle fibres with specific [125I]beta-endorphin binding sites was six-fold higher in soleus and approximately 10-fold higher in extensor digitorum longus and diaphragm, than in the corresponding muscles of the lean mice. In contrast, the number of muscle fibres with specific [125I]corticotropin binding sites was similar in obese (ob/ob) and lean mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Effect of metformin on glucose metabolism in the splanchnic bed.

1. Use of the antihyperglycaemic agent, metformin, is often associated with a small rise in circulating lactate. This study investigates the source of the lactate and examines the effect of metformin on glucose metabolism by the intestine and liver of rats. 2. Changes in plasma glucose and lactate were measured in the inferior vena cava (IVC), hepatic portal vein (HPV), hepatic vein (HV) and aorta (A) after intrajejunal administration of metformin (50 and 250 mg kg-1) without and with glucose (2 g kg-1). 3. Metformin 250 mg kg-1 reduced the hyperglycaemic response to a glucose challenge, associated with a greater reduction of glucose concentrations in the HPV (average decrease of 33% at 60 and 120 min) than at other sites. 4. Both doses of metformin increased lactate concentrations in the glucose-loaded state: the highest concentration (2.5 fold increase) was recorded in the HPV 60 min after administration of 250 mg kg-1 metformin, with a high lactate concentration persisting in the HV at 120 min. Metformin 250 mg kg-1 also increased lactate concentrations in the basal state, with highest concentrations (2 fold increase) in the HPV. 5. Two hours after intrajejunal administration of metformin, 50 mg kg-1, rings of tissue from the small intestine showed an average 22% decrease in glucose oxidation ([14C]-glucose conversion to 14CO2) and a 10% increase in lactate production. Since glucose metabolism in the gut is predominantly anaerobic, metformin caused an overall 9.5% increase of intestinal glucose utilization.6. Metformin, 10-6 and I0- mol 1', did not significantly alter glucose oxidation or lactate production by isolated hepatocytes, but a very high concentration of metformin (102 mol 1') increased lactate production by 60%.7. The results support the view that metformin increased intestinal glucose utilization and lactate production by the intestine. Under basal conditions there was net extraction of lactate by the liver but not after an enteral glucose load.

Animals↗

Biguanides and NIDDM.

The main biguanides, metformin and phenformin, were introduced in 1957 as oral glucose-lowering agents to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Phenformin was withdrawn in many countries because of an association with lactic acidosis, but metformin does not have the same risk if appropriately prescribed. Metformin is now widely used as a monotherapy and in combination with a sulfonylurea. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin is not bound to plasma proteins, is not metabolized, and is eliminated rapidly by the kidney. The glucose-lowering effect occurs without stimulation of insulin secretion and results mainly from increased glucose utilization. The presence of insulin is required, and enhancement of insulin action at the postreceptor level occurs in peripheral tissues such as muscle. In peripheral tissues metformin increases insulin-mediated glucose uptake and oxidative metabolism. Metformin also increases glucose utilization by the intestine, primarily via nonoxidative metabolism. The extra lactate produced is largely extracted by the liver and serves as a substrate to sustain gluconeogenesis. This limits the extent to which metformin reduces hepatic glucose production but provides a safeguard against excessive glucose lowering. Because metformin does not cause clinical hypoglycemia, it is actually an antihyperglycemic drug. It does not cause weight gain, it helps combat hypertriglyceridemia, and it has been ascribed some vasoprotective properties. Metformin offers a useful treatment for insulin-resistant overweight NIDDM patients.

Adipose Tissue↗

The role of the serine protease active site in the mode of action of epidermolytic toxin of Staphylococcus aureus.

The sequences of the epidermolytic toxins and V8 serine proteinase share about 25% identity, including the catalytic triad at the proteinase active centre. Here we have altered the putative ETA active-site serine-195 to glycine by site-directed mutagenesis. No epidermolytic activity was detected when up to 100-fold greater amounts of the homogeneous mutant ETA were injected subcutaneously into neonatal mice showing that serine-195 is required for toxicogenesis.

Animals↗

Substance P, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide during development of the rat gastrointestinal tract.

Substance P, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were determined in the stomach and small intestine of rats during late foetal development and up to 35 days postnatal life. Concentrations of substance P in stomach and intestine increased from 14 gestational days to 3 days postpartum, and declined thereafter. Concentrations of neurokinin A in stomach declined from 14 days gestation over the period 3-35 postnatal days. In the intestine, concentrations of neurokinin A increased steadily from 14 days gestation to 21-35 postnatal days. Concentrations of CGRP in stomach and intestine declined from 14 days gestation to 7 postnatal days. Thereafter, concentrations of CGRP increased in both stomach and intestine. Total contents of each of the three peptides increased progressively with gestational and postnatal age in parallel with increasing stomach and intestinal weights. The results demonstrate different patterns of change in the concentrations of substance P, neurokinin A and CGRP during the dynamic phases of growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract in the foetal and postnatal rat.

Animals↗

Immunological studies on the rat peripheral-type benzodiazepine acceptor.

Photoaffinity labelling of rat adrenal mitochondrial preparations with [3H]PK 14105 resulted in a single 3H-labelled band on SDS/PAGE gels with an apparent-molecular-mass peak of 18 kDa. This represents a polypeptide associated with the peripheral-type benzodiazepine-binding site. Solubilization of photoaffinity-labelled membranes with 6 M-guanidine hydrochloride, followed by gel filtration and reversed-phase h.p.l.c. of the solubilized material, resulted in the purification to homogeneity of the [3H]PK 14105-labelled polypeptide. This purified polypeptide was used to raise a rabbit polyclonal antiserum which recognized the immunogen in pure form and exclusively recognized it in a crude preparation of rat adrenal mitochondria as judged by immunoblotting. By the same analysis the antiserum identified the corresponding polypeptide from rat kidney and salivary gland, demonstrating its cross-reactivity. Subsequent immunocytochemical studies localized the polypeptide to the cortex of the adrenal gland, the distal tubules of kidney, the interstitial cells of testis, the biliary epithelium of liver and the choroid plexus and ependyma cells within the brain. This selective localization within organs may provide an insight into the physiological role of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine acceptor.

Adrenal Glands↗

A proton-magnetic-resonance study of hydrogen-exchange reactions of yeast tryptophan synthase.

1H n.m.r. was used to observe tryptophan formation from indole and L-serine, proton exchange at C-2 of L-tryptophan, and proton exchange at C-2 of L-serine, catalysed by yeast tryptophan synthase in the presence of 2H2O. Tryptophan synthesis took place with compulsory replacement of C-2 hydrogen by solvent hydrogen. The exponential decay rate (kobs) of the serine exchange reaction was insensitive to serine concentration in the range 2-20mM and was used to calculate kcat./Km values. However, kobs. was very sensitive to pH* values in the range 6.5-8.5 and the data require that the free enzyme is active in the base form resulting from two inseparable ionizations of pKa 7.3, and inactive after a third ionization controlled by a pKa of 7.5. Initial rates measured by u.v. absorbance and colorimetric procedures were used to calculate kinetic parameters of the tryptophan synthesis reaction. From pH 6.5 to 7, kcat./Km values for L-serine in the tryptophan synthesis and hydrogen exchange reactions were indistinguishable and increased rapidly under the control of two acid-base groups of pKa 6.7 and 7.2. Above pH 7, this equivalence breaks down because the exchange reaction alone is responsive to the third pKa value of the free enzyme. The pH dependence of the catalytic constant for tryptophan synthesis was qualitatively similar to that of the kobs. for serine exchange. A mechanism to explain the results is contrasted with recent proposals for the Escherichia coli system.

Hydrogen↗

Immunofluorescence localization of the epidermolytic toxin target in mouse epidermal cells and tissue.

An epidermolytic toxin target was observed in keratohyalin granules of sectioned epidermis by a 'direct' fluorescence procedure using FTC-toxin, but not by an 'indirect' procedure using sequential reaction with toxin, anti-toxin and FTC-secondary antibody. The investigation of the two procedures was extended to keratinocytes. A dispase digestion procedure yielded three fractions which corresponded to basal, spinous and granular cells according to biochemical and morphological criteria. It was shown that the 'direct' and 'indirect' procedures both detected the toxin target in the keratohyalin granules of granular cells, but that the 'indirect' procedure was very insensitive. In control experiments, the profilaggrin of keratohyalin granules was detected readily in cells by a 'direct' procedure using FTC-antiprofilaggrin but only weakly by an 'indirect' double antibody procedure. Insensitivity to 'indirect' procedures thus appears to be a particular property of the keratohyalin granule site. It was shown that the toxin target was readily accessible in permeable (trypsin-isolated) granular cells but inaccessible in impermeable (dispase-isolated) cells.

Animals↗

Reduced hypothalamic neurotensin concentrations in the genetically obese diabetic (ob/ob) mouse: possible relationship to obesity.

Hypothalamic tissue levels of nine regulatory peptides (bombesin, calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP], galanin, neuromedin B, neuropeptide Y [NPY], neurotensin, somatostatin, substance P, and vasoactive intestinal peptide [VIP]) were compared in Aston obese diabetic (ob/ob) and lean (+/?) mice aged 4, 16, and 28 weeks. Neurotensin concentrations were significantly lower in ob/ob mice than in lean mice, with a 20% reduction (P = .03) in the whole hypothalamus at 4 weeks of age, a 24% reduction (P = .009) in the lateral hypothalamus at 16 weeks, and a 50% reduction (P = .0007) in the central hypothalamus at 28 weeks of age. Apart from a 42% increase in vasoactive intestinal peptide concentrations in the central hypothalamus of ob/ob mice at 28 weeks (P = .02), levels of the other eight peptides examined did not differ significantly between obese and lean groups. Neurotensin is known to cause anorexia and increased energy expenditure when injected into the central hypothalamus. Reduced hypothalamic neurotensin concentrations may reflect reduced neurotensinergic activity, which might contribute to hyperphagia and decreased energy expenditure, two major defects that contribute to obesity and diabetes in the ob/ob syndrome.

Analysis of Variance↗

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide and insulin responses to orally administered amino acids in genetically obese hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice.

The effects of oral administration of eight L-amino acids (alanine, arginine, cysteine, glycine, histidine, hydroxyproline, lysine and threonine) individually or as an amino acid mixture on plasma gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), insulin and glucose concentrations were examined in 18-h fasted obese hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice. At a dose of 5.4 mmol/kg body weight, arginine, cysteine, histidine and the amino acid mixture were equipotent in terms of increasing plasma GIP and insulin concentrations. Alanine, hydroxyproline and lysine also increased plasma GIP, but insulin concentrations were unchanged. In contrast, threonine failed to affect either GIP or insulin concentrations. There was no correlation between either the incremental or integrated GIP and insulin responses, and none of the amino acids administered affected circulating glucose concentrations. The results indicate that a range of essential and nonessential neutral and basic amino acids stimulate the release of GIP in ob/ob mice. However, GIP made only a modest contribution to the stimulation of insulin secretion following administration of amino acids in the presence of basal glycemia.

Administration, Oral↗

Somatostatin, gastrin-releasing peptide and gastrin in the stomach of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and insulinoma.

Somatostatin, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and gastrin were measured in the stomach of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, insulinoma-bearing rats and their respective controls. Rats injected with streptozotocin exhibited hyperphagia, insulinopenia and severe hyperglycemia. Stomach weights, and the concentrations and total amounts of GRP and gastrin in the stomach, were similar to nondiabetic control rats. The concentration of somatostatin in the stomach of diabetic rats was 25% greater, but the total stomach content of somatostatin was similar to that of control rats. Insulinoma-bearing rats exhibited hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia. Concentrations of GRP and gastrin in the stomach were 72% and 19% lower, respectively, than in control rats. Despite 45% greater stomach weight, the total stomach content of GRP was 61% lower. Stomach concentrations of somatostatin, and total stomach contents of somatostatin and gastrin, were similar in insulinoma-bearing and control rats. The results demonstrate abnormalities in the stomach concentrations of regulatory peptides in rats with diabetes and insulinoma. These abnormalities are not attributable to changes in food intake alone, suggesting specific effects of these metabolic diseases on gastric regulatory peptides and gastric function.

Animals↗

Subcellular distribution of metformin in rat liver.

The subcellular localization of metformin was studied in livers of 18 h fasted rats treated orally with [14C]metformin 20 microCi kg-1, 50 mg kg-1. Sequential determination of 14C radioactivity showed that maximum concentrations of metformin in plasma (about 15 mumol L-1) and liver (about 50 mumol kg-1) were achieved at 30-60 min and approximately half-maximal concentration were achieved at 4 h. At 30 min and 4 h after administration of [14C]metformin, livers were removed and homogenized. Nuclear, mitochondrial and lysosomal, mixed membrane, and cytosolic fractions were separated by ultra-centrifugation. Distribution of 14C was similar at both time points, being greatest in the cytosolic fraction (78% of total radioactivity, and 60-69% of relative specific activity). Small amounts of 14C were associated with the other fractions. The total radioactivity and relative specific activity were respectively 2-3% and 7-8% in the nuclear fraction, 9-10% and 7-10% in the mitochondrial and lysosomal fraction, and 8-9% and 13-14% in the mixed membrane fraction. The higher concentration of metformin in liver compared with plasma suggests that metformin enters hepatocytes via a specific mechanism, and is distributed mainly within the cytosol.

Animals↗