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E Baldi

Publications and source records attributed to E Baldi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Stimulation of platelet-activating factor synthesis by progesterone and A23187 in human spermatozoa.

The presence of platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been demonstrated recently in mammalian spermatozoa, together with evidence for a role of this phospholipid in enhancing sperm motility and fertilizing ability. To investigate whether PAF synthesis and release occurs in human spermatozoa following incubation with stimuli that induce acrosome reaction, spermatozoa were incubated with progesterone and A23187, two known inducers of the exocytotic event. PAF synthesis (remodelling pathway) was assessed by [3H]acetate incorporation into PAF. Treatment of spermatozoa with progesterone and A23187 resulted in an increase of [3H]acetate incorporation into PAF. Most of the newly synthesized [3H]PAF formed in response to acrosome reaction was found in the supernatant, suggesting a release of the phospholipid from spermatozoa. PAF-like material extracted from human spermatozoa was able to induce aggregation of rabbit platelets and showed identical retention time and the same ion m/e values as authentic PAF when analysed with g.c.-m.s. Lyso-PAF:acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) activity in human spermatozoa was also studied and showed similar kinetic parameters to those described for other cell systems. Stimulation of spermatozoa with progesterone and A23187 induced an increase of [3H]arachidonic acid release, suggesting an activation of phospholipase A. In conclusion, our results demonstrated increased production and release of PAF in human sperm following stimulation with progesterone and A23187 and suggest a role for this phospholipid in the activation of spermatozoa.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1993

Impaired superoxide anion, platelet-activating factor, and leukotriene B4 synthesis by neutrophils in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Several alterations of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function were found in alcoholic cirrhotics that may contribute to augmented susceptibility to infections. We evaluated function and synthesis of lipid mediators in PMN obtained from nonalcoholic cirrhotics. METHODS: We evaluated the phagocytic and chemotactic response together with superoxide anion (O2-), leukotriene B4, (LTB4) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) production in response to different stimuli in PMN from nonalcoholic cirrhotics as compared with controls. RESULTS: PMN from cirrhotics showed, after stimulation with opsonized zymosan (STZ) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, a reduced capacity to produce O2- when compared with controls. [3H]acetate incorporation into PAF was significantly higher in PMN obtained from controls in respect to cirrhotics. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis confirmed a reduced PAF synthesis by PMN obtained from cirrhotics. LTB4 production from PMN, after stimulation with calcium ionophore (A23187) and STZ, was significantly reduced in cirrhotics. [3H]arachidonic acid release from prelabeled PMN, measured upon stimulation with A23187 and STZ, was higher in controls than in cirrhotics. CONCLUSIONS: An altered synthesis of LTB4 and PAF is associated with an impaired O2- production by PMN in nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Reduced synthesis of lipid mediators may be related to an altered phospholipase A, activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Forced extinction as a means to evaluate consolidation gradient of a passive avoidance response in the rat.

Passive avoidance response (PAR) consolidation gradient, and US (footshock) intensity/engram strength relationship were investigated by means of specific forced extinction procedure (30 min detention in the shock box without receiving punishment) in Wistar rats trained in the light-dark box apparatus. Different groups of rats (punished either with 0.8 or 1.2 mA footshock intensity) underwent detention at different postacquisition time delays: immediately or 1, 2, 4 days after acquisition training. By means of this purely behavioral paradigm, designed to investigate a specific PAR memory trace, previous results obtained by using diverse and sometimes unspecific memory-disrupting agents were fully confirmed: PAR strength and consolidation gradient are positively related to US intensity. The influence of differential generalization effects on extinction is discussed. An unexpected finding was that from engrams that are experimentally shown to be of unequal resistance to disruption, equal conditioned responses are obtained.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Minaprine facilitates acquisition and retrieval of an active avoidance response in the rat.

The nootropic activity of 3-(2-morpholino-ethylamino)-4-methyl-6-phenyl-pyridazine dihydrochloride (minaprine) has been investigated in intact male, adult Long Evans rats by means of an active avoidance paradigm. In the light-dark box apparatus, the rat had to learn the active avoidance response of going out of the normally preferred dark chamber to avoid electric foot-shocks. These were administered during one trial per day for 3 consecutive days (acquisition period). After a 72-h interval, rats underwent, for 3 consecutive days, one trial per day in which punishments were omitted (retrieval period). In the first experiment, rats were injected IP with minaprine (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg b.w.) 30 min before each trial of both periods. Rats injected with the two lower dosages showed better responding during the retrieval period than controls (saline). On the contrary, the highest dosage impaired active avoidance during both periods. In Experiment 2, minaprine (10 mg/kg b.w.) was administered either only during the acquisition or only during the retrieval period. In both instances, active avoidance was equally enhanced, if compared to controls (saline), only during the retrieval period. The results are discussed on the basis of the known facilitating activity on cholinergic systems of this compound. It is concluded that minaprine acts positively both on acquisition and retrieval of mnemonic traces.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Physical and optical shelter characteristics influence rat's preferences in a multiple Y-maze.

Rat's preference for covered or uncovered sections of a multiple Y-maze, measured as time spent under cover, was investigated. Surface area of covered and uncovered sections was the same. There were no light-intensity differences between uncovered and covered sections. Coverings were of two types: transparent or sanded plexiglas, affording respectively only physical or physical and optical protection. Both types of covering were placed either over discontinuous sections of the maze or continuously over one entire half of it. Male adult Wistar rats were employed. Rats exhibited maximal preference for the continuous sanded covering. They also exhibited a very similar significant preference for the continuous transparent covering and the discontinuous sanded one. Equal permanence time was measured in uncovered sections and under discontinuous transparent coverings. The results show that rats can recognize and choose shelter even when there is no light diminution under it. In fact they can very well discriminate between the several types of shelter, as shown by their significant longer permanence under the most protective and most continuous one. Finally, results are taken as basis for discussing whether the accepted "dark preference" of rats may be due solely to photophobia or also to the fact that normally darkness indicates a shelter.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Serum malondialdehyde and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity as markers of chronic alcohol intake and alcoholic liver disease.

Since lipid peroxidation is a well-know mechanism of alcohol-related liver damage, the aim of the present study was to assess the role of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), a secondary product of lipoperoxidation, in the detection of alcoholism and different stages of alcoholic liver disease and to correlate serum levels of malondialdehyde with other markers. Sixty-five patients with a mean alcohol intake of 151 gr/day, were divided into three groups: alcoholics with normal liver function (ANLF, 7 pts), non-cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease (NCALD, 26 pts) and alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC, 32 pts). The control group consisted of 15 healthy subjects. Serum MDA was measured by the thiobarbituric acid reaction test, and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAST) with immunochemical assay. MDA had a higher sensitivity (70% vs 37.5%) and specificity (100% vs 93%) than mAST in detecting alcohol abuse, irrespective of the presence of liver disease. Serum MDA levels were significantly higher in all three groups than in controls (2.3 +/- 0.1 nmol/ml), the highest value being found in NCALD (4.6 +/- 0.4). Serum MDA levels were correlated with prothrombin time (p < 0.005) and blood alcohol levels (p < 0.05). mAST serum activity was also significantly higher in all three groups than in controls. A significant correlation was found between serum MDA and mAST only when the whole group was considered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Endothelin stimulates phosphatidic acid formation in cultured rat mesangial cells: role of a protein kinase C-regulated phospholipase D.

We have previously reported that endothelin-1 stimulates phospholipase C-induced hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. Other signal transduction pathways that hydrolyze alternative phospholipids through phospholipase D may also mediate endothelin-stimulated cellular responses. We initially evaluated endothelin-dependent generation of 32P-phosphatidic acid as an indirect indication of phospholipase D activity in rat mesangial cells. Endothelin (10(-7) M) induced an elevation of phosphatidic acid that was maximal at 15 min and persisted upward of 60 min. Pretreatment with the diacylglycerol-kinase inhibitor, R59022, did not reduce formation of endothelin-stimulated 32P-phosphatidic acid, demonstrating that the sequential actions of phospholipase C/diacylglycerol kinase do not contribute to endothelin-stimulated phosphatidic acid formation. We next conclusively identified a role for phospholipase D in the generation of phosphatidic acid by assessing the formation of 3H-phosphatidylethanol from 3H-alkyl lyso glycerophosphocholine and exogenous ethanol. Endothelin stimulated 3H-alkyl phosphatidylethanol formation in the presence but not the absence of 0.5% ethanol. Also, endothelin induced a concomitant elevation of 3H-alkyl-phosphatidic acid that was significantly reduced when the cells were exposed to exogenous ethanol, reflecting the formation of phosphatidylethanol. In addition, endothelin stimulated the release of 3H-choline and 3H-ethanolamine, demonstrating that additional phospholipids may serve as substrates for phospholipase D. Phorbol esters and synthetic diglycerides mimicked the effects of endothelin to stimulate phospholipase D and inhibitors of protein kinase C significantly reduced endothelin-stimulated phospholipase D. In addition, endothelin did not stimulate phosphatidylethanol formation in protein kinase C down-regulated cells. The calcium ionophore, ionomycin, did not stimulate phospholipase D and mesangial cells pretreated with BAPTA to chelate cytosolic calcium did not show a diminished endothelin-stimulated phospholipase D. Thus these data demonstrate that mesangial cells possess a protein kinase C-regulated phospholipase D activity that can be stimulated with endothelin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Minaprine cancels scopolamine effects on the rat's acquisition of passive avoidance responses in two multitrial paradigms.

The antiamnesic activity of minaprine has been studied in male Wistar rats. Two multitrial paradigms were employed: the light-dark box test (aversive stimulus: 0.6-mA foot-shocks) and the tail-handling test (aversive stimulus: manual tail-handling). In both paradigms, intraperitoneal scopolamine administration 30 min before testing significantly impaired the acquisition of the passive avoidance conditioned response. There were no significant differences in either paradigm between control rats and those to whom scopolamine and minaprine were simultaneously administered. These results show that minaprine fully protects the acquisition process of conditioned responses against scopolamine impairment not only in one-trial tests but also in multitrial paradigms. The effects of minaprine in reversing memory deficits are discussed in relation to its stimulating activity on central cholinergic systems.

Amnesia↗
PubMed1992

Fat-storing cells as liver-specific pericytes. Spatial dynamics of agonist-stimulated intracellular calcium transients.

Liver perisinusoidal fat-storing cells (FSC) show morphological and ultrastructural characteristics similar to pericytes regulating local blood flow in other organs. In the present study we have analyzed whether FSC respond to local vasoconstrictors such as thrombin, angiotensin-II, and endothelin-1 with an increase in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) coupled with effective cell contraction. All agonists tested induced a rapid and dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a sustained phase lasting several minutes in confluent monolayers of Fura-2-loaded human FSC. Pharmacological studies performed using different Ca2+ channel blockers indicated that, at least for thrombin and angiotensin-II, the sustained phase is due to the opening of voltage-sensitive membrane Ca2+ channels. To analyze the temporal and spatial dynamics of Ca2+ release in response to these agonists, we performed experiments on individual Fura-2-loaded human FSC using a dual wavelength, radiometric video imaging system. The rise in [Ca2+]i was exclusively localized to the cytoplasm, particularly in the branching processes. Increases in [Ca2+]i more than four-fold were associated with a simultaneous and transient reduction of cell area indicating reversible cell contraction. Our results indicate that the Ca(2+)-dependent contraction of human FSC in vitro may reflect a potential role in regulating sinusoidal blood flow in vivo.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1991

Respiratory syncytial virus infection of human mononuclear phagocytes stimulates synthesis of platelet-activating factor.

Production of platelet-activating factor 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (PAF), a potent mediator of inflammation, by mononuclear phagocytes varies with their stage of cellular differentiation and the nature of the eliciting stimulus. The human monocytic cell line U937 can be induced to differentiate to a macrophage-like cell following phorbol myristate acetate exposure, and after differentiation, these cells efficiently support replication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). U937 cells induced to differentiate with phorbol myristate acetate demonstrated a time-dependent decrease in PAF synthesis. RSV infection of these differentiated U937 cells caused a sustained stimulation of PAF synthesis that paralleled viral replication and was dependent on infectious virus. Virus increased the activity of lyso-PAF:acetyl-CoA acetyl-transferase (PAF acetyltransferase) in cell lysates, thus enhancing the anabolic pathway of PAF synthesis without altering the activity of PAF acetylhydrolase, which regulates PAF catabolism. RSV infection of human monocytes also caused a marked increase in [3H] monocytes also caused to uninfected monocytes. Thus, virus infection serves as a novel stimulus to induce PAF synthesis in human mononuclear phagocytes and suggests that increased PAF production may have a critical role in the inflammatory response to RSV.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1991

Effects of nucleus basolateralis amygdalae neurotoxic lesions on some spontaneous activities in the rat.

Drinking, feeding, locomotion and exploratory activity of male Wistar rats were assessed after bilateral stereotaxic administration of ibotenic acid in the nucleus basolateralis amygdalae. Feeding, drinking and locomotion were measured in an activity cage, while exploratory activity was determined in a multiple Y-maze. In the 24-hour cycle, lesioned animals exhibited unvaried feeding, decreased drinking and increased locomotion. Exploration was also increased. The results show that this nucleus is not involved in quantitative feeding control, while it does exert a significant facilitatory influence on drinking. It also exerts an inhibitory influence on exploration and on locomotion.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1991

Endothelin receptors and coupled GTP-binding proteins in glomerular mesangial cells.

Endothelins (ETs) are a family of vasoactive peptides with profound biological actions in diverse cell systems. Among its varied actions, ET stimulates phospholipase C (PLC) in cultured mesangial cells. We investigated the presence of specific ET receptors in rat mesangial cells in culture, and studied the role of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) in coupling PLC to the endothelin receptor. [125I]ET binding was time- and temperature-dependent, and Scatchard analysis of saturation data showed a single class of high-affinity binding sites. Heterologous displacement with two related peptides, ET-3 and sarafotoxin (SFTX), revealed the presence of two binding sites for these isopeptides. Preincubation of cells with ET-1 reduced the receptor number without affecting Kd, and this effect was not prevented by protein kinase C inhibition or downregulation. We confirmed the presence of a 41- to 43-kDa pertussis toxin substrate in rat mesangial cell membranes in an ADP ribosylation assay. ET-1 inhibits and GDP beta S enhances toxin-catalyzed transfer of ADP-ribose to this substrate. ET-1 potentiated GTP gamma S-induced phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, pertussis toxin partially inhibited ET-stimulated PI hydrolysis in intact mesangial cells. Pertussis toxin also reduced the magnitude of ET-stimulated intracellular free calcium [( Ca2+ )i]. Thus, ET-1 binds to specific receptors on rat mesangial cells and activates PLC, in part, through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1991

Effects of endothelin on cultured human and rat glomerular mesangial cells.

Figure 5 summarizes our results and the data in the literature with regard to both short-term signalling and long-term signalling induced by endothelin. Short-term signalling, which induces vasoconstriction, is undoubtedly mediated by multiple signals including increments of cytosolic calcium, stimulation of protein kinase C and alkalinization of the cytosol. Endothelin also activates negative feedback pathways including arachidonate release with the synthesis of vasorelaxant prostaglandins and potentiation, in a prostaglandin-dependent manner, of beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylate cyclase. Long-term signalling is less well understood and may depend not only on phospholipase activation with subsequent changes of calcium and protein kinase C but also stimulation of other protein kinases which phosphorylate key intermediates. Endothelin stimulates the transient appearance of protooncogenes that might play a role in the induction of cellular proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Endothelin binding and receptor down regulation in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

Endothelin (ET) exerts various biological actions in mesangial cells, including stimulation of proliferation, contraction and phospholipase C activation. We investigated the presence of specific ET receptors on cultured rat mesangial cells, incubating the cells in the presence of [125I]ET-1 both at 22 and 4 degrees C. ET binding was time- and temperature-dependent and achieved equilibrium at 2 hr at 22 degrees C and at 5 hr at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analyses of equilibrium saturation curves with [125I]ET-1 and homologous competition curves revealed the presence of a single class of high-affinity binding sites (Kd = 31.4 +/- 7.08 pM). Heterologous competition experiments with ET-3 and sarafotoxin, however, indicated the presence of two binding sites for ET-related peptides in mesangial cells with a Kd for ET-3 of 41.5 +/- 19.2 and of 374 +/- 38.5 nM. Nifedipine and arginine-vasopressin failed to compete for ET binding sites. Preincubation of the cells with 1 nM ET-1 caused a dramatic decrease in ET binding capacity (from 0.5-0.02 fmol/100,000 cells) without affecting the Kd for the receptors (38 pM). ET receptor down regulation was not prevented by protein kinase C inhibition with H-7 and sangiovamycin, or after down regulation of protein kinase C induced by 24-hr preincubation with phorbol myristate acetate. ET receptor down regulation also exerts functional effects, as we found a decrease in intracellular-free calcium response to ET-1 after long-term preincubation with the same agonist. Our results are consistent with the presence of two binding sites for ET in rat mesangial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Rhinomyiasis. Considerations on a clinical case].

A case of rhinomyiasis in a young woman returning from Greece is reported. The Authors emphasize that rhinomyiasis is very unusual in a healthy subject and that symptoms are the same as in allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The need is stressed for correct and thorough information concerning the risks attendant upon sojourn in countries with poor socio-economic level.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Platelet activating factor receptor blockade ameliorates murine systemic lupus erythematosus.

Untreated 16-week-old MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (lpr) mice, when compared to congenic MRL/MpJ-+/+ (+/+) mice, are characterized by a systemic lupus erythematosus syndrome, including severe glomerulonephritis, proteinuria and reduction of renal function. We hypothesized that platelet activating factor (PAF), a potent chemotactic and proinflammatory phospholipid mediator synthesized and released by circulating cells, glomerular mesangial and renal medullary interstitial cells, may play a role in the development of renal injury in lupus mice. We assessed renal PAF synthesis in lpr as well as +/+ mice and the effect of treatment with a PAF receptor blocking agent. Treatment with the PAF receptor antagonist L659,989 for four weeks, starting at 12 weeks of age, significantly reduced acute glomerular infiltration and proliferation, and prevented chronic glomerular histological changes; proteinuria and serum creatinine levels were also significantly reduced in treated mice. Renal PAF production was increased in lpr when compared to +/+ mice, and treatment with L659,989 restored renal PAF synthesis to the control levels. Our results support the hypothesis that PAF can be one of the mediators of glomerular injury characteristic of murine lupus nephritis, and indicate the possible therapeutic utility of PAF receptor antagonists in immunologic renal diseases.

Animals↗