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D Regoli

Publications and source records attributed to D Regoli.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Effect of thiorphan on tachykinin-induced potentiation of nerve-mediated contractions of the rat isolated vas deferens.

We have assessed the ability of thiorphan, an inhibitor of enkephalinase, to influence the potentiation of the nerve-mediated contractions of the rat isolated vas deferens (pars prostatica) by mammalian tachykinins [substance P, (SP); neurokinin A (NKA); and neurokinin B (NKB)] and selective tachykinin agonists. In the absence of thiorphan, the rank order of potency of mammalian tachykinins was NKA greater than NKB much greater than SP. The maximal response to SP did not exceed 40% of that to NKA or NKB. Thiorphan (10 microM) had no effect on twitches per se, but increased the potency and maximum effect of mammalian tachykinins. [Pro9]-SP sulfone, a selective NK-1 receptor agonist had no effect, either in the absence or presence of thiorphan. [MePhe7]-NKB had some potentiating effect, but only at micromolar concentrations. [Nle10]-NKA (4-10) and [beta-Ala8]-NKA (4-10), two selective NK-2 agonists displayed good activity. [Nle10]-NKA (4-10) was potentiated by thiorphan. On the other hand, the action of [beta Ala8]-NKA (4-10) was completely thiorphan-resistant. These findings indicate that estimate of activity of tachykinins and tachykinin related peptides in this bioassay is influenced markedly by peptide degradation via a thiorphan-sensitive mechanism. NK-2 receptors are the main if not the sole mediators of the response to tachykinins in this bioassay organ.

Animals↗

Specific receptors for bradykinin-induced cardiac sympathetic chemoreflex in the dog.

Bradykinin (BK, 0.03-1 microgram), capsaicin (1 microgram) or potassium chloride (KCl, 13 mumol) applied to the epicardium of the left ventricle of anaesthetized, open-chest dogs, caused reflex tachycardia and pressor effects, whereas des-Arg9-BK (1-100 micrograms), a selective bradykinin B1-receptor agonist, failed to produce any cardiovascular response. Superfusion of the epicardium with a selective B1-receptor antagonist, des-Arg9-[Leu8]BK (50-100 micrograms/min) had no effect on reflex responses to epicardial BK (0.03-0.1 microgram). However, the selective B2-receptor antagonist, D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]BK (10-25 micrograms/min) abolished the reflex effects of 0.03 and 0.1 microgram BK and reduced by 50 to 70% the responses to 1 microgram BK. Another B2-receptor antagonist [Thi6,9,D-Phe8]kallidin (10-50 micrograms/min) also reduced (30-70%) responses to 1 microgram BK. The antagonism was reversible and specific for BK since reflex responses to epicardial application of either capsaicin or KCl were not affected. The results indicate that BK interacts with B2-receptors, probably located on terminals and/or axons of sympathetic afferents supplying the dog heart, to activate a cardiac sympathetic chemoreflex.

Afferent Pathways↗

Bradykinin antagonism: differentiation between peptide antagonists and antiinflammatory agents.

Three non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents were tested for their ability to antagonize bradykinin in the rabbit jugular vein, the dog carotid artery and the guinea pig trachea. The new agents were compared with indomethacin, as well as with [Thi5,8,D-Phe7] bradykinin and [Thi6,9,D-Phe8] kallidin, two B2 receptor antagonists. The antiinflammatory agents did not alter the effects of bradykinin in the two isolated vessels while they completely blocked (like indomethacin) the relaxation induced by bradykinin in guinea pig tracheae contracted with histamine or neurokinin A. The two bradykinin antagonists significantly reduced the contractions of the rabbit jugular vein and the relaxation of the dog carotid artery (with endothelium) in response to bradykinin: these antagonists were however inactive against bradykinin in the guinea pig trachea. The data now reported suggest that B2 receptors are involved in the opposite (stimulant or inhibitor) effects of the kinins in the two isolated vessels while the relaxation of the guinea pig trachea is a prostaglandin-dependent phenomenon which does not involve the activation of B1 or B2 receptors.

Animals↗

NK-1 receptors mediate the tachykinin stimulation of salivary secretion: selective agonists provide further evidence.

The relative contribution of NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors to the sialogogic response to i.v. tachykinins was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. [Pro9,Met(O2)11]substance P (SP), a selective NK-1 receptor agonist, was about 10 times more potent than SP itself and its action was unaffected by atropine pretreatment. On the other hand [Nle10]neurokinin A (NKA)-(4-10) and [MePhe7]neurokinin B (NKB), two selective agonists for NK-2 and NK-3 receptors, respectively, were ineffective.

Animals↗

Histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by kinin antagonists.

Kinins are known to be potent releasers of histamine. In the present study, the B2 antagonist analogues of bradykinin (BK) and kallidin (KD): [( Thi6,9,D-Phe8]KD, [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]BK) were also found to be potent releasers of histamine from rat mast cells and not to exert any antagonistic effect. Similarly, two B1 receptor antagonists, des-Arg10-[Leu9]KD and des-Arg9-[Leu8]BK, were shown to promote histamine release and acted only as agonists. The order of potency of these analogues was the following: [Thi6,9,D-Phe8]KD greater than [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]BK greater than des-Arg10- [Leu9]KD greater than des-Arg9-[Leu8]BK. The high activity of some of these compounds suggests that (1) the potency of kinins for histamine release from rat mast cells not only increases in parallel with the number of positively charged amino acids (Lys, Arg) but also, because of others factors such as peptide conformation, receptor binding affinity or receptor accessibility, (2) the histamine release by kinins is either a non-specific effect not mediated by receptors or, if receptors are involved, these sites may be different from other kinin receptors (i.e. B1 or B2).

Animals↗

Angiotensin II increases Isi and blocks IK in single aortic cell of rabbit.

The whole-cell voltage clamp technique was used in order to study the effects of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on the slow inward current and the K+ outward current in single aortic cells of the rabbit. Angiotensin II (10(-8) M) increased the slow inward Ba ++ current, and the addition of an antagonist of Ang II, [( Leu8] Ang II, 10(-8)M) rapidly reversed the effect of Ang II on IBa. Angiotensin II (5 x 10(-8)M) greatly decreased K+ current and the Ang II antagonist reversed this effect. Thus, it is quite possible that the decrease of IK and the increase of Isi in aortic single cells by Ang II may explain a part of the vasoconstrictor effect of this hormone in vascular smooth muscle.

Angiotensin II↗

Kinin receptors.

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Animals↗

Effects of D-amino acid substitution on antagonist activities of angiotensin II analogues.

The synthesis and biological activities of angiotensin II (AII) analogues are described and compared to the literature. D-Amino acid substitution was employed to search for novel AII antagonists that would also display reduced partial agonist activity. Substitution of D-amino acids into the interior positions 2-7 of [Sar1,Ile8]-AII gave rise to inactive compounds or weak antagonists. Substitution of D-amino acids into position 8 gave rise to potent antagonists in vivo including [Sar1,D-Phe8]-AII 8, [Sar1,D-(alpha Me)Phe8]-AII (35), [Sar1,D-Trp8]-AII (32), [Sar1,D-Phg8]-AII (29), [Sar1,D-Peg8]-AII (30), and [Sar1,D-Phe8]-AII-NH2 (31). The structural requirements for D-AA8 analogues (antagonists) showed similarities with those of L-AA8 analogues (agonists). The latter three analogues, 29-31, were considerably more potent in vivo than their in vitro affinities would indicate, suggesting that these analogues may resist carboxypeptidase-like degradation. While partial agonist activity was not removed by D-AA8 substitution, [Sar1,D-Phe8]-AII-NH2 (31) displays lower partial agonist activity than [Sar1,Ile8]-AII. A receptor model is presented that highlights the difference between [L-AA8]-AII analogue agonist activity and [D-AA8]-AII analogue antagonist activity.

Amino Acids↗

The importance of residues 2 (arginine) and 6 (histidine) in high-affinity angiotensin II antagonists.

The structure-antagonist activity relationship is described for analogues of [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II substituted in position 2 (arginine) and position 6 (histidine). An extreme sensitivity of potency to alterations in these positions was observed, suggesting that both residues are important for binding. Evidence is presented suggesting that the position 6 histidine side chain in angiotensin II (AII) is not involved in receptor stimulation. The structure-activity relationship is also explored for both [des-Asp1] AII (AIII) and [des-Asp1,Ile8]AII analogues substituted in position 2 (arginine). The substitution of D-N-methylalanine, D-(NMe)Ala, into position 2 of both [des-Asp1]AII and [des-Asp1,Ile8]AII gives analogues 39 and 40 that appear to be more potent than the native [Arg2]peptides and that are the most potent AIII agonists and antagonists described to date.

Angiotensin II↗

Role of extracellular calcium in the effects of substance P and neurokinin A on guinea pig trachea and human bronchus.

Whether the influx of calcium through voltage-operated channels is involved in the stimulatory effects of substance P and neurokinin A in airways smooth muscle is not yet firmly established. This question was addressed in the present study using guinea pig trachea and human bronchi suspended in normal or calcium-free Krebs solution and tested with inhibitors of calcium channels. In calcium-free Krebs solution, the myotropic effects of substance P (10(-7) M), neurokinin A (3.10(-8) M), acetylcholine (2.10(-5) M), and histamine (2.10(-5) M) were reduced by 27-57%, while those of potassium chloride and tetraethylammonium were practically abolished. Calcium antagonists such as verapamil or nicardipine, when applied at concentrations of 10(-8)-10(-6) M, inhibited the contractions produced by potassium chloride and tetraethylammonium, whereas higher concentrations (10(-5)-10(-4) M) of both inhibitors were needed to reduce the effects of substance P, neurokinin A, acetylcholine, and histamine. In neither preparation did the calcium agonist Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) modify the effects of neurokinin A, substance P, acetylcholine, or histamine, but it potentiated potassium chloride's effect on human bronchi. We conclude that transmembrane calcium influx through voltage-operated channels plays a minor role in the stimulatory effects of neurokinins in airways smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effects of epithelium removal and of an enkephalinase inhibitor on the neurokinin-induced contractions of guinea-pig isolated trachea.

1. The influence of epithelium removal and/or thiorphan on the effects of neurokinins (substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB)) and related peptides on airway contractility was investigated on the guinea-pig isolated trachea. 2. Removing the tracheal epithelium significantly enhanced the sensitivity but not the maximum contractile responses to the peptides. 3. After removal of the epithelial layer, the shifts to the left of the log concentration response curves were greater for SP and SP-OMe (1.62 and 1.94 log units, respectively) than for two SP analogues substituted in position 9 namely [Pro9]SP sulfone and [beta-Ala4, Sar9]SP(4-11) sulfone (0.66 and 0.68 log units, respectively). The leftward shifts for compounds related to NKA or NKB lay between 0.58 and 0.73 log units. 4. The leftward shifts of the log concentration-response curves for SP, SP-OMe, [Pro9]SP sulfone, [beta-Ala4, Sar9]SP(4-11) sulfone and NKA were of similar magnitude after removal of the epithelium or after pretreatment with thiorphan (10(-5) M), an enkephalinase inhibitor, in the presence of epithelium. No significant additional shift of the curves to the left was observed with thiorphan plus epithelium removal. 5. The results obtained with the selective agonists for each of the three classes of neurokinin receptor (i.e NK1, NK2, NK3) suggest that the guinea-pig trachea contains receptors for SP and NKA but few if any for NKB. 6. It was concluded that neurokinins and related peptides (especially SP and analogues not substituted in position 9) are degraded by enkephalinase mainly located in the tracheal epithelium and that the addition of thiorphan or epithelium removal results in an inhibition or loss of enkephalinase activity, thereby increasing similarly the potencies of these peptides. It was, therefore, suggested that the supersensitivity to neurokinins produced by epithelium removal was due neither to the elimination of a permeability barrier nor to reduced production of a relaxant factor, but mainly to reduced peptide degradation.

Airway Resistance↗

Neurokinin receptors in the rat lower urinary tract.

The effects of neurokinins (NKs), tachykinins and some NK-related peptides (selective agonists for the NK-1, NK-2 or NK-3 receptors) have been investigated in the various sections of the rat lower urinary tract. In the isolated bladder, all peptides were substantially equipotent with the exception of senktide, an NK-3 agonist, which was distinctly less potent than the other compounds. Similar results were obtained in the isolated urethra. In these tissues, the maximal response to NK-1 agonists was distinctly less intense than that to the other peptides. In the bladder, exposure to phenoxybenzamine (30 microM for 90 min) reduced the response to NK-A but not that to substance P, KCl or field stimulation. In the isolated ureter, peptides active at both the NK-2 and the NK-3 sites [including senktide and [MePhe7]-NKB(4-10)] activated, at nanomolar concentrations a series of rhythmic contractions, whereas peptides active at the NK-1 site, were active only at micromolar concentrations. These findings provide further evidence that multiple NK receptors are present in the rat lower urinary tract. In the bladder, NK-2 and NK-1 sites mediate the direct response to NKs, in accordance with binding and autoradiographic data. In the ureter, both NK-2 and NK-3 sites may activate the direct contractile response to these substances.

Animals↗

Characterization of neurokinin receptors in various isolated organs by the use of selective agonists.

The three mammalian neurokinins, substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B, as well as some agonists selective for their respective receptors, NK-P, NK-A and NK-B, were tested in a variety of pharmacological preparations in order to evaluate if the biological responses of the various tissues were mediated by single or multiple receptor types. Previous observations that the dog carotid artery, the rabbit pulmonary artery and the rat portal vein are selective preparations respectively for SP, NKA and NKB were confirmed in the present study by showing that only the respective selective agonists were active on these tissues. Multiple functional sites were demonstrated in intestinal tissues (guinea pig ileum, rat duodenum), which apparently contain the three neurokinin receptors. A large number of NK-P, together with some NK-A receptor sites were found in the guinea pig and rat urinary bladder. Similarly, the guinea pig trachea and the rabbit mesenteric vein contain NK-A and NK-P functional sites. Rat and rabbit vas deferens stimulated electrically respond as typical NK-A preparations, since they are almost insensitive to SP or NKB selective agonists. A mixture of NK-A and NK-B receptor sites has been shown to be present in the hamster urinary bladder: dog and human urinary bladder definitely contain NK-A receptors and the dog bladder also some NK-P functional sites.

Animals↗