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Biomedical subjects

F Vargas

Publications and source records attributed to F Vargas.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

3'-Phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate biosynthesis and the sulfation of cholecystokinin by the tyrosylprotein-sulfotransferase in rat brain tissue.

This article resumes the work we have accomplished in the past few years. Cholecystokinin sulfation is an important post-translational modification necessary for the biological activity of this peptide hormone. The tyrosyl protein sulfotransferase (TPST) activity from rat cerebral cortex was characterized. TPST activity is most probably responsible for the endogenous sulfation of CCK. TPST reaction kinetic properties were studied using radiolabeled 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) and the non-sulfated peptide acceptor terbutyloxycarbonyl-cholecystokinin octapeptide (BocCCK-8(ns)) as substrates, and brain microsomes as the enzyme source. The BocCCK-8 sulfating reaction data is consistent with the idea that TPST forward reaction follows an ordered Bi Bi mechanism. PAPS biosynthesis and availability was studied in slices from rat cerebral cortex incubated in the presence of [35S]sulfate. There is a rapid and dynamic turnover of the steady-state level of PAPS in brain cells which is decreased by depolarizing agents such as potassium, veratridine and glutamate. Furthermore, the presence of a membrane-bound PAPS biosynthesis inhibitor was observed. These results are discussed in view of the biological importance that the cell sulfating pathways might play in nerve cell activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Role of nitric oxide in the systemic circulation of conscious hyper- and hypothyroid rats.

1. N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO biosynthesis, which blocks basal NO production, caused a similar increase of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in control hyper- and hypothyroid rats at the lowest dose, however, smaller pressor effects were observed with increasing doses in hyper- and hypothyroid rats. An additional dose of L-NAME (30 mg/kg), which produced no further increase in pressure, killed 90% of the hyperthyroid rats, whereas hypothyroid and control rats survived this additional dose. 2. The systemic responses to acetylcholine (ACh), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator that stimulates NO production/release, were significantly increased in hypothyroid rats, while hyperthyroid rats showed no significant differences when compared with controls. However, 10(-8) M ACh killed hyperthyroid rats, whereas control and hypothyroid rats survived this dose. 3. The maximal hypotensive response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an agonist that generates NO, was similar in intact controls, hyper- and hypothyroid rats. 4. These data indicate that hyper- and hypothyroidism show a reduction in basal NO synthesis/release, this reduced systemic NO tone being essential for life in hyperthyroid rats; whereas the response to ACh is not reduced and the hypotensive response to SNP did not differ between groups, indicating that the responsiveness of the systemic circulation to NO is not altered in either thyroid disorder.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Pressure-diuresis-natriuresis response in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats.

1. Renal responses to changes in renal perfusion pressure were studied in anaesthetized hyperthyroid (thyroxine, 300 micrograms day-1 kg-1) and hypothyroid (methimazole, 0.03% via drinking water) rats to determine whether an abnormality in the pressure-diuresis-natriuresis phenomenon is involved in the resetting of kidney function in these disorders. 2. There were no significant differences between control and hypothyroid rats with respect to the relationships between renal perfusion pressure and absolute or fractional water and sodium excretion. However, in hyperthyroid rats the pressure-diuresis-natriuresis mechanism was impaired. 3. Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were well autoregulated and there were no differences between control and hypothyroid rats at every level of renal perfusion pressure. A significantly lower glomerular filtration rate was observed in hyperthyroid rats when data were expressed per gram kidney weight, but glomerular filtration rate was similar to that of control rats when normalized by body weight. 4. The shift in the pressure-diuresis-natriuresis response of hyperthyroid rats is mainly due to an increase in tubular reabsorption. Blunting of the renal pressure-diuresis-natriuresis mechanism in hyperthyroid rats may represent the functional resetting of the kidney necessary for sustained hypertension. However, a normal pressure-natriuresis response was observed in hypothyroid rats, in which blood pressure was markedly reduced.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of Nw-nitro L-arginine methyl ester on the response to NaCl load in hyper- and hypothyroid rats.

We assessed the effects of the inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on water and sodium handling after NaCl load containing the inhibitor at 0, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg in conscious control, hyper- and hypothyroid rats. L-NAME at 0.5 mg/kg caused a similar decrease in diuresis and natriuresis in control and hypothyroid rats, whereas no changes were seen in the hyperthyroid group. The saline load with 5 mg/kg of L-NAME produced no significant changes with respect to the 0 dose in any variable in control and hypothyroid rats, but increased natriuresis in the hyperthyroid group. The highest dose of L-NAME (50 mg/kg) increased the diuretic and natriuretic response in control and hyperthyroid groups, whereas in the hypothyroid group no urinary variable was significantly modified with respect to the 0 dose. These results indicate that the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects of L-NAME at low doses are suppressed in hyperthyroid rats, whereas the diuretic and natriuretic effects at high doses are absent in hypothyroid rats. Our findings suggest that the modulatory role of NO on sodium and water excretion is affected in both thyroid disorders. In addition, the highest dose of L-NAME killed hyperthyroid rats, indicating that NO plays an essential role for life in hyperthyroidism.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Contribution of endothelium derived relaxing factors to acetylcholine induced vasodilatation in the rat kidney.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF) to the endothelium dependent, acetylcholine induced vasodilatation in isolated perfused rat kidney. METHODS: The renal response to acetylcholine was compared in phenylephrine preconstricted renal vasculature under basal conditions and after the infusion of N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthesis, and tetraethylammonium, a non-specific blocker of potassium channels that inhibits acetylcholine induced hyperpolarisation. These inhibitors were given alone and together. In another experiment, the renal response to acetylcholine was compared when the vasculature was preconstricted with phenylephrine or with 40 and 80 mM KCl under basal conditions and after the infusion of L-NAME. All experiments were done in the presence of indomethacin. RESULTS: Inhibition of NO generation with L-NAME reduced the vasodilator responses to acetylcholine by approximately 50%, and enhanced the response to sodium nitroprusside in the isolated perfused kidney preconstricted with phenylephrine. Infusion of tetraethylammonium also decreased the response to acetylcholine by approximately 50% and increased vasodilatation responses to sodium nitroprusside. The simultaneous administration of both inhibitors (L-NAME and tetraethylammonium) had a summational effect which almost completely suppressed acetylcholine induced vasodilatation. Increasing concentrations of extracellular potassium produced a dose related decrease in acetylcholine induced vasodilatation. These attenuated responses were almost abolished after the infusion of L-NAME. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the vasodilator response to acetylcholine in isolated perfused rat kidneys is subserved by EDHF and nitric oxide, both endothelium derived mediators participating to a similar extent.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression in thyroid follicular cells: induction by cytokines and over-expression in autoimmune glands.

NCAM (CD56) is a cell surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on neuroendocrine and natural killer (NK) cells which has considerable molecular heterogeneity due to differential splicing and post-translational modifications. NCAM has been detected in the thyroid follicular cells (thyrocytes) immunohistologically. We report here the molecular form, the modulation by cytokines and the levels of expression in thyroid pathology. By using a panel of MoAbs to NCAM on Western blots from thyrocyte extract we have determined that these cells express the 140- and 180-kD forms of NCAM. Exposure of primary cultures of thyrocytes to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and even more, to the combination of IFN-gamma plus tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induced a clear increase in the expression of NCAM as assessed by FACS analysis. NCAM expression in thyrocytes was assessed by immunofluorescence in 59 surgical specimens of thyroid glands, and was found increased in 11/17 (64%) of Graves', in 5/25 (20%) of multinodular goitre (MNG) and in occasional adenoma glands. No correlation was found with the expression of HLA class I, class II or the degree of lymphocytic infiltration scored in adjacent sections, but it was often seen in areas infiltrated by macrophages. In conclusion, NCAM is an adhesion molecule whose expression is clearly increased in thyrocytes in autoimmune glands, probably as a consequence of exposure to cytokines locally released. Since one of the forms of NCAM expressed by thyrocytes has the capability to generate intracellular signal it may play a role in normal thyroid function. In addition, NCAM may facilitate the recognition of thyrocytes by lymphocytes, particularly by NK CD56+ lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1994

Photosensitization by fenofibrate. II. In vitro phototoxicity of the major metabolites.

Fenofibric acid, the major metabolite of fenofibrate, was found to be photolabile. Its irradiation in aqueous solution gave rise to two photoproducts, whose formation involves photodecarboxylation of the dissociated acid to an aryloxy-substituted carbanion, which is directly protonated or, alternatively, undergoes a Wittig rearrangement. A comparative in vitro phototoxicity study has been carried out on the anti-hyperlipoproteinemic drug fenofibrate, its metabolites and the photoproducts of fenofibric acid. Fenofibrate, fenofibric acid and its two photoproducts were found to be active when examined by the photohemolysis test and were able to photosensitize peroxidation of linoleic acid, as evidenced by the UV monitoring of dienic hydroperoxides. In summary, the major metabolite of fenofibrate (fenofibric acid), as well as its photoproducts, are phototoxic in vitro. This behavior can be attributed to the fact that the four compounds retain the benzophenone chromophore present in fenofibrate and is indicative of free radical-mediated photosensitization. In agreement with this rationalization, the metabolites with a reduced ketone functionality exhibit no detectable in vitro phototoxicity.

Fenofibrate↗
PubMed1994

Increased endothelium-dependent renal vasodilation in cirrhotic rats.

We have evaluated the renal blood flow (RBF) response of cirrhotic rats to endothelium-dependent [acetylcholine (ACh)] and -independent [sodium nitroprusside (NP)] vasodilators. In anesthetized rats, ACh dose dependently increased RBF, but the response of the cirrhotic rats (n = 6) was significantly higher than that of the controls (n = 6). NP also increased RBF in a dose-dependent manner, but there were no differences between both groups. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg i.v.) significantly reduced the responses to ACh in both groups, but those of the cirrhotic rats were still higher than those of the controls. In experiments performed in isolated perfused kidneys, preconstricted with phenylephrine, dose-response curves for ACh and NP were obtained in the presence of indomethacin. Both ACh and NP decreased renal perfusion pressure dose dependently, but only the response of the cirrhotic rats (n = 5) to ACh was significantly higher than that of the controls (n = 5). L-NAME (100 microM) significantly reduced the responses to ACh and increased those of NP and abolished the differences between groups, except at the high dose of ACh. These results demonstrate an elevated endothelium-dependent vasodilator response in the cirrhotic kidney, which is eliminated by combined prostaglandin and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition and suggest that increased intrarenal activity of NO may be contributing to the renal alterations of liver cirrhosis.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors in aorta and renal vasculature of hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats.

Vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors in relation to altered thyroid function was studied in two preparations: aortic strips and the isolated perfused kidney. To assess whether the possible alterations in vascular reactivity were restricted to a specific agonist or whether they involved the contractile system, receptor-mediated and nonspecific smooth muscle stimulants were used. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Aortic strips from hypothyroid rats were less sensitive to phenylephrine and KCl when the data were expressed in absolute values or as percentages of the maximum responses. Sensitivity and reactivity in strips from hyperthyroid rats were similar to those observed in control strips. Renal vasculature obtained from hypothyroid rats also showed a markedly reduced sensitivity to phenylephrine, with normal maximal responses. The response to vasopressin at 3-10(-11) mol/l was also decreased, as was the reactivity to barium chloride. In contrast, renal vasculature of hyperthyroid rats showed markedly enhanced reactivity to all agonists: the concentration-response curves were characterized by a similar threshold and a greater maximal response. These results demonstrate that hypothyroidism is accompanied by a marked decrease in sensitivity to vasoconstrictors in large arteries as well as in resistance vessels. This decrease may be secondary to a generalized alteration in the contractile system of vascular smooth muscle cells and may play a role in the decreased blood pressure in these animals. In contrast, isolated perfused kidneys of hyperthyroid rats showed increased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors, which may play a role in the maintenance of elevated blood pressure in these animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Photodegradation of benzydamine: phototoxicity of an isolated photoproduct on erythrocytes.

Benzydamine hydrochloride (Tantum, 1) is a photoallergic and phototoxic anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. This drug is photolabile under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Irradiation of a methanol solution of benzydamine under oxygen or argon at 300 nm affords 5-hydroxybenzydamine (2) and 2-beta-dimethylaminopropyl-1-benzylindalolin-3-one (3) as the main isolated and spectroscopically identified photoproducts. A radical intermediate was evidenced by thiobarbituric acid that was used as a radical sonde, as well as by the dimerization of cysteine. Erythrocyte lysis photosensitized by 1, 2, and 3 was investigated.

Benzydamine↗
PubMed1993

Formation of a perbenzoic acid derivative in the photodegradation of fenofibrate: phototoxicity studies on erythrocytes.

The phototoxic antihyperlipoproteinemic drug fenofibrate (1) is photolabile under aerobic conditions. Irradiation of a methanol solution of 1 produces, under oxygen, photoproducts 2, 3, and 4. A peroxidic photoproduct 2 was isolated and identified. The biologically active antioxidants glutathione and cysteine efficiently reduce 2 to its acid. This photoproduct was also capable of efficiently oxidizing tetramethyl phenylendiamine (TMP) through an electron transfer mechanism, detecting a TMP+ species by UV-visible spectrometry. Fenofibrate was screened in vitro at different concentrations for UV-visible-induced phototoxic effects in a photohemolysis test, under oxygen as well as argon. The photohemolysis rate was low under anaerobic conditions. No hemolysis occurred without irradiation. The isolated photoproduct 2 induced hemolysis without irradiation.

Chlorobenzoates↗
PubMed1993

Subcellular and developmental studies of the tyrosyl protein sulfotransferase in rat brain.

1. Tyrosyl protein sulfotransferase (TPS) activity in the newborn and mature rat brain was studied using the cholecystokinin derivative terbutyloxycarbonyl-Asp-Tyr-Met-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-PheNH2, BocCCK-8(ns), as the peptide substrate. 2. TPS activity was enriched 4 times in the microsomal and synaptic vesicular enriched fractions of rat cerebral cortex. 3. CCK-8 content, in the subcellular fractions and the peptide sulfation activity distribution was in accord with the hypothesis that tyrosyl protein sulfotransferase plays a key role in the maturation process of bioactive CCK. 4. TPS activity measured in membranes from newborn brain was 2.5 times higher than the activity observed in the mature brain membranes with a Vmax = 0.83 +/- 0.05 and 0.31 +/- 0.02 respectively. The apparent KM for the sulfate donor, 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS), was similar, 94 +/- 4 nM and 90 +/- 6 nM and the KM for the peptide substrate, BocCCK-8(ns), was 234 +/- 16 microM and 160 +/- 12 microM in the newborn and adult brain membranes respectively. 5. TPS activity reached normal mature values within 20 days of age. 6. These data support the idea that tyrosyl protein sulfation is an important process in the secretion mechanism and in the CCK maturation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of the nipecotic binding to rat brain membranes.

1. The specific binding of [3H]Nip and [3H]GABA to rat brain membranes has been reexamined. 2. Specific binding of [3H]Nip and [3H]GABA was exclusively dependent on sodium ions in a cooperative manner (Hill coefficient 2.2 +/- 0.2 and 2.4 +/- 0.3 for [3H]Nip and [3H]GABA binding, respectively). Potassium, lithium or choline chloride salts were ineffective for replacing NaCl. 3. Maximal binding was observed at 2 degrees C. The association constants were K+1 = 0.033 min-1 microM-1 for [3H]GABA. The dissociation constants obtained by the addition of 1 mM of non-labeled GABA were 0.087 +/- 0.01 min-1 and 0.139 +/- 0.025 min-1 for [3H]Nip and [3H]GABA, respectively. Scatchard curves were in agreement with these constants, KD = 1.6 microM for [3H]GABA and 2.6 microM for [3H]Nip with equal Bmax = 138 pmol per mg protein. 4. The dissociation constants for [3H]Nip bound increased from 0 to 0.035, 0.18 and 0.58 min-1 at 2, 16, 26 and 37 degrees C, respectively, contrary to the hydrophobic derivate of nipecotic acid, NO 328. 5. Pharmacological characterization and regional brain distribution of [3H]Nip and [3H]GABA binding and uptake, suggest that [3H]Nip specifically labels the neuronal GABA uptake system, absent in peripheral tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of the calcium and chloride [3H]glutamate binding site in crude synaptic membranes from human brain tissue.

1. The specific binding properties of [3H]glutamate to crude synaptic membranes (CSM) from postmortem human brain were studied. 2. Equilibrium binding analysis of [3H]glutamate binding to CSM from human brain cortex revealed a KD = 110 +/- 12 nM and a Bmax = 27 +/- 4 pmol/mg protein). 3. Calcium increased the number of binding sites, Bmax = 44 +/- 6 pmol/mg protein, without a significant change in the affinity constant, KD = 95 +/- 10 nM. 4. The dissociation constant of the [3H]glutamate bound to human CSM was 4.0 +/- 0.4 min-1 (n = 3). 5. The relative potencies of glutamate analogs and 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) to compete for the glutamate binding sites, in human CSM, were glutamate > quisqualate = ibotenic acid > APB >> alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxozolepropionate acid. 6. The glutamate specific binding in CSM from postmortem human brain was particularly rich in the gyrus hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, thalamus and frontal cortex. 7. This glutamate binding protein is related, probably, to a presynaptic neurosecretory pathway.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

In vitro phototoxicity of clofibrate. Photochemical and photohemolytic studies on its metabolite clofibric acid.

Aqueous or methanolic solutions of clofibrate and clofibric acid are photolabile towards UVB light under aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions. Nine photoproducts have been identified; their formation involves primary cleavage of the carbon-halogen bond or of the aryloxy-carbon bond, followed by hydrogen abstraction and/or radical recombination. Clofibric acid is phototoxic in vitro as indicated by the photohemolysis test, under both oxygen and argon atmospheres, although the photohemolysis rate is markedly higher under aerobic conditions. Partial inhibition of this process on addition of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), reduced glutathione (GSH), sodium azide (NaN3) or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) suggests the involvement of type I as well as type II mechanisms.

Clofibrate↗
PubMed1993

Photoproducts of benzydamine and azapropazone: demonstration of their phototoxicity in vitro.

Red blood cell lysis, photosensitized by the products of the aerobic photolysis of benzydamine (1) and azapropazone (4), was investigated. Irradiation of a methanol solution of 1 and 4 under oxygen produces the photoproducts 3-hydroxy-benzydamine, (2), 2-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-benzylindazolin-3-one (3) and 3-dimethylamino-7-methyl-1,2,4-benzotriazine (5). The mechanism of the photodegradation of 1 was examined. Photoproducts 3 and 5 produce singlet oxygen as demonstrated by trapping with 2,5-dimethylfuran. The photohemolysis rate for the photoproducts 3 and 5 was enhanced by deuterium oxide and oxygen. No change was observed in the presence of reduced glutathione. The photohemolysis rate was low under anaerobic conditions.

Apazone↗