Development and comparative evaluation of radioimmunoassay and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric procedures for determination of leukotriene B4.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F A Fitzpatrick.
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Leukotriene B4 contracts guinea pig lung parenchymal strips by an indirect mechanism dependent upon formation of myotropic cyclooxygenase metabolites. In contrast to the prevailing notion, our data indicate that thromboxane A2 is not necessarily the sole or essential mediator involved. Several points support this conclusion. First, the quantitative and temporal aspects of thromboxane B2 release and the myotropic response to leukotriene B4 were weakly correlated (r = 0.73). Second, the dose-response curve for thromboxane A2, based on the amount of thromboxane B2 generated by lung strips contracted with leukotriene B4, was inconsistent with dose-response curves for lung strips contracted with a stable thromboxane A2 mimetic, U-46619 or with synthetic thromboxane A2 itself. Third, thromboxane synthetase inhibitors, typified by OKY-1581 and UK-37248, did not inhibit the myotropic activity of leukotriene B4 under conditions in which thromboxane B2 formation was reduced by 80 to 90%. A thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, BM 13.177, did not inhibit the myotropic activity of leukotriene B4 under conditions in which it antagonized the effects of U-46619. Cyclooxygenase metabolites other than thromboxane A2 must contribute to the mechanism of action of leukotriene B4 or leukotriene B4 effects may be mediated directly on certain cells or receptors.
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Human monocyte-derived interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulated the selective extracellular release of cytoplasmic granule-associated elastase from human neutrophils. Although extracellular calcium (Ca2+) enhances but is not required for the expression of granule exocytosis, IL-1 did induce the mobilization of previously sequestered intracellular Ca2+ as measured with the highly selective fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, Quin 2. Further, IL-1 stimulated the mobilization of cell membrane-associated Ca2+ as monitored by a decrease in fluorescence of chlorotetracycline (CTC)-loaded neutrophils. W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, and TMB-8[8(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-(3,4,5-trimethoxy)benzoate hydrochloride], an intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, inhibited the Quin 2 fluorescent response by neutrophils to IL-1. TPCK (N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethylketone), a serine protease inhibitor, suppressed IL-1-induced Quin 2 and CTC fluorescence. Exposure of neutrophils to IL-1 resulted in a concentration-dependent production of the 5-lipoxygenase product, LTB4 [5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid] which was enhanced in the presence of arachidonic acid (AA). LTB4 production by IL-1-activated neutrophils was suppressed by the lipoxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and piriprost potassium [6,9,deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)-delta 6,8-prostaglandin l1], and a cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), whereas a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen, was inactive. These data indicate that cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and a metabolite(s) of AA lipoxygenation mediate granule exocytosis elicited with IL-1.
Exposure of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to human monocyte derived neutrophil activating factor(s) (NAF) resulted in a concentration-dependent extracellular release of granule constituents. NAF also induced the generation of 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid [Leukotriene B4 (LTB4)] by PMNs which was enhanced in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA). In contrast to its enhancing effect on LTB4 production, AA inhibited NAF-stimulated PMN degranulation. 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a product of the 15-lipoxy-genation of AA in PMNS, caused a concentration-dependent suppression of degranulation and LTB4 generation by PMNs in contact with NAF. 15-HETE also inhibited the rise in cytosolic-free calcium [( Ca2+]i) observed in NAF activated PMNs. These data suggest that AA and a 15-lipoxygenase product modulate the NAF-associated activation pathway in human PMNs.
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Certain epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) that were not cyclooxygenase substrates were effective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Both (+/-)-14,15-cis-EET and (+/-)-8,9-cis-EET inhibited purified enzyme at concentrations from 1 to 50 microM; (+/-)-11,12-cis-EET was ineffective at concentrations below 100 microM. For the case of 14,15-cis-EET, only the (14R,15S)-stereoisomer was active. Other isomers including (14S,15R)-cis-EET, (14R,15R)-trans-EET, (14S,15S)-trans-EET, and the erythro and threo vicinal 14,15-diols were inactive. In addition to their effects on isolated enzyme preparations, cyclooxygenase activity in platelet suspensions, reflected by thromboxane B2 formation, was also inhibited by (14R,15S)-cis-EET and (+/-)-8,9-cis-EET but not by the other isomers. Thus potency and stereospecificity requirements were maintained for cyclooxygenase within intact platelets. Unlike the stereospecific inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid was inhibited by all EET isomers at concentrations from 1 to 10 microM with no evident stereospecificity. Inhibition of aggregation was not uniformly associated with inhibition of thromboxane B2 formation; ordinarily, these two parameters correlate closely. This dissociation was not maintained for another biochemical process involved in platelet activation. For instance, there was a uniform correlation between inhibition of phosphorylation of a 40-kDa platelet protein and inhibition of aggregation. Our results suggest that effects of EET may originate from either stereospecific or nonspecific mechanisms. Definition of such mechanisms may be important to appreciate any physiological relevance of these substances.
We evaluated the effect of a prototype 5-lipoxygenase enzyme inhibitor, Piriprost [6,9-deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino-)delta 6,8-prostaglandin I1], on the leukocyte accumulation induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate in rats. Piriprost, at 40 mg/kg, i.p., inhibited leukocyte accumulation by 34 +/- 12% (mean +/- S.D., n = 9). With experimental groups containing small numbers of rats (6 to 9) inhibition was statistically significant in 7 of 9 cases. Piriprost shared this property with dexamethasone; however, dexamethasone at 5 mg/kg, p.o., inhibited leukocyte accumulation to a greater extent, 61 +/- 6% (mean +/- S.D., n = 5) and the inhibition was statistically significant in 5 of 5 cases. Conventional non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents including aspirin and phenylbutazone were ineffective in our model. Our results suggest that certain compounds that inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme, without inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme, can reduce the leukocyte accumulation associated with acute inflammation.
Arbaprostil [(15R)-15-methylprostaglandin E2] is an antiulcer prodrug being evaluated for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers in humans. It epimerizes in acidic gastric fluid to produce the biologically active form, (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2, which acts directly on the gastric mucosa and possesses both gastric acid antisecretory and cytoprotective properties. Because of its local mode of action, plasma levels of the two epimers may have greater relevance to drug safety than to therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, plasma concentrations of both 15-methyl-PGE2 epimers resulting from a gastric acid antisecretory dose of arbaprostil oral solution (50 micrograms) were measured in eight male volunteers having sufficient gastric acidity for prodrug activation (pH less than 3). Arbaprostil was determined with a newly developed RIA having a sensitivity of 10 pg X mL-1. The accuracy of the RIA was confirmed by parallel analysis of plasma samples by HPLC. (15S)-15-Methyl-PGE2 was also determined by HPLC. Arbaprostil was both rapidly absorbed and eliminated (tmax of 15-30 min and plasma t1/2 of 20 min), but there was large intersubject variability in its observed maximum plasma concentration (38 to 348 pg X mL-1). The concentration of (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2 did not exceed 25 pg X mL-1 In six subjects and 50 pg X mL-1 in the remaining two subjects. The significance of these results is discussed.
Studies on the mechanism of leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in suspensions composed of neutrophils plus erythrocytes indicate that human erythrocytes convert neutrophil-derived leukotriene A4 into leukotriene B4. Leukotriene B4 formation by neutrophils in the presence of erythrocytes exceeded that from corresponding suspensions of neutrophils alone. The increase was proportional to the erythrocyte content of the suspension. The erythrocyte-dependent increase in leukotriene B4 biosynthesis did not equal the arithmetic sum of calcium ionophore-dependent biosynthesis by neutrophils plus calcium ionophore-dependent biosynthesis by erythrocytes, since erythrocytes produced no leukotriene B4 upon incubation with ionophore A23187. Erythrocytes did not stimulate 5-lipoxygenase activity within neutrophils, since the erythrocyte effect was confined to enzymatic hydration: leukotriene B4 increased coincident with decreased formation of 5,12-dihydroxyicosatetraenoic acids derived from nonenzymatic hydration. Biosynthesis of leukotriene B4 within the erythrocyte, from neutrophil-derived leukotriene A4, was established by comparing the effect of normal erythrocytes with erythrocytes containing a leukotriene A4 hydrolase that was inactivated by the substrate. In the latter case, leukotriene B4 formation increased by only 30-40%; in the former case, it increased by 100-200%. Transcellular biosynthesis of leukotriene B4 from erythrocyte-neutrophil interactions explains the paradoxical presence of leukotriene A4 hydrolase within erythrocytes, a cell incapable of synthesizing leukotriene A4; affords a mechanism to overcome rate limitations or "suicide inactivation" of leukotriene A4 hydrolase in neutrophils; exploits a cryptic capacity within erythrocytes, provisionally dormant cells in terms of icosanoid biosynthesis; indicates that the biosynthetic capacity of cell combinations is not necessarily equivalent to the sum of their separate capacities.
2-Amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone (ABPP) was given to 59 patients in a Phase I study. The agent was selected because it is an interferon inducer and an immunotherapeutic agent in animal tumor models. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the drug was administered as a single oral dose of 25-2,000 mg/m2. In the second part, the highest tolerated dose reached during part one was used as the initial dose in a multiple-dose scheme of treatment. Patients were treated weekly. The dose was escalated each week, starting with a dose of 2 g/m2 and escalating to 3, 4, and 5 g/m2. No cardiac, hematologic, hepatic, or renal toxicity was observed. The most common toxicity was nausea and vomiting, which occurred in 18% of the patients; others were headache (8%), abdominal pain (8%), and diarrhea (6%). No consistent induction of interferon and no major modification of host defense parameters occurred. One patient with malignant melanoma showed evidence of tumor regression. Pharmacologic studies demonstrated a significant decrease in the bioavailability of the drug as it was administered in this study. Further studies of ABPP with a preparation that has good availability are indicated to determine the potential antitumor activity of this agent or this class of agents in humans.
Guinea pig and human liver homogenates transformed leukotriene A4 into leukotriene B4. In both species, the enzymatic activity was recovered in the 105000 X g supernatant, and it was found to be susceptible to heat treatment (56 degrees C, 1 h). Digestion with a proteolytic enzyme also resulted in loss of enzymatic activity. The formation of leukotriene B4 was pH-dependent, with an optimum between pH 7 and pH 8.5. In addition, two other organs from the guinea-pig, lungs and kidneys, contained leukotriene A4-hydrolase activity. The identity of leukotriene B4 was ascertained by high-performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and bioassay. We have recently demonstrated the presence of leukotriene A4-hydrolase activity in mammalian plasma (Fitzpatrick et al. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80, 5425-5429). The results of the present study suggest several possible origins of this plasma leukotriene A4 hydrolase.
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Addition of leukotrienes (LTs)C4 and D4 to guinea-pig isolated lung parenchymal strips stimulated the production of thromboxane A2(TxA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) as determined by radioimmunoassay of their respective degradation products, thromboxane B2(TxB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha) in the bathing medium. However, contraction of the lung strips in response to LTD4 preceded the increases in the levels of these products in the organ bath. Pretreatment of the lung strips with aspirin, indomethacin or BW 755C abolished the formation of TxA2 and PGI2 but had no significant effect (10-25% inhibition) on LT-induced contraction. By contrast, a similar concentration of indomethacin significantly inhibited LTD4-induced contractions when the agonist was administered as a bolus to superfused lung strips. It is concluded that the production of metabolites of arachidonic acid in response to the leukotrienes is not a major mechanism mediating their contractile action in peripheral lung tissues at equilibrium, but its contribution to the contractile response may vary with experimental technique.
A model system was developed to (a) reflect the chemical attributes of the microenvironment involved in albumin-eicosanoid interactions and (b) determine the effects of other ligands on these interactions. Albumin-dependent modulation of prostaglandin stability was chosen as the basis for this system. 15-Ketoprostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was evaluated as a model ligand because under special conditions it decomposes with formation of a visible chromophore. Human serum albumin, in a concentration-dependent fashion, catalyzed the dehydration of 15-keto-PGE2 with the concurrent generation of this chromophore (lambda max = 505 nm, epsilon = 35,000). Since chromophore production from 15-keto-PGE2 in albumin-free solution occurs only at pH greater than 10, the results suggest that albumin-eicosanoid interactions involve a microenvironment with alkaline attributes. The effect of other ligands on albumin-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 interactions was determined by monitoring their ability to inhibit the spectral component of these interactions. Inhibition correlated with an affinity for specific binding sites on albumin. At mole ratios of ligand/albumin below 1, only phenylbutazone, its analogs, and warfarin inhibited chromophore development. Other ligands including fatty acids, steroids, tryptophan, and drugs with an affinity for other binding sites were ineffective inhibitors.
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