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G Feuerstein

Publications and source records attributed to G Feuerstein.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Thromboxane and 5-HETE increase after experimental spinal cord injury in rabbits.

Eicosanoids are known mediators of inflammation, vascular permeability, and are involved in microcirculatory blood flow regulation. To study their potential involvement in the pathophysiology of CNS trauma we used a rabbit spinal cord trauma model. Rabbits were subjected to lumbar spinal cord trauma produced by a modification of the Allen weight-drop method. TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGE2, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) release from spinal cord slices incubated ex vivo were measured by radioimmunoassay at 5, 30 min, 24 hrs, and 2 wks after trauma. Five and 30 min after trauma the TXB2/6-keto-PGF1 alpha ratio was elevated and the release of 5-HETE at 5 min after trauma increased in the injured spinal cord whereas release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 remained at base-line levels. In the thoracic spinal cord, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release were increased at 30 min after trauma. Release of 5-HETE from the injured spinal cord was also elevated 24 hrs after trauma. Two wks after trauma, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release were also elevated in the injured spinal cord. Measurements of tissue water content by microgravimetry indicated progressive edema in the injury site while histopathological evaluation indicated progressive damage and tissue destruction. The results of this study suggest that eicosanoids may be involved in the pathophysiology of spinal cord trauma through two potential mechanisms: 1) site specific increase in the TXB2/6-keto-PGF1 alpha ratio immediately following trauma which is due primarily to an increase in TXA2 synthesis; 2) the increase synthesis of 5-HETE which signals the activation of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonate metabolism and production of mediators that are involved in inflammatory mechanisms and may affect local blood flow regulation and blood-spinal cord barrier integrity.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1987

Leukotrienes in health and disease.

The leukotrienes (LTs) are 5-lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. The synthesis and release of LTs have been demonstrated in many cells and organs, and LTs are considered to be normal products of continuous metabolism of arachidonic acid. However, although evidence in favor of a critical role for LTs in regulation of physiological functions is still scarce, a growing body of evidence suggests a role for LTs in mediation of several pathophysiological processes such as generalized or local immune reactions, inflammation, asthma, shock, and trauma. LTs have been shown to have potent actions on many essential organs and systems, including the cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels, microcirculation), the pulmonary system (lung, airways), the central nervous system (neural, glial, and vascular elements), the gastrointestinal tract, and the immune system. In these organs the effects of LTs are mediated by specific LT receptors. Identification of LTs and characterization of their regional and systemic pathological effects, together with characterization of their receptors and elucidation of their structure-activity relationships, are fundamental to developing LT antagonists or synthesis inhibitors that might prevent or reverse LT-dependent reactions. Preliminary reports have already shown that such pharmacological agents ameliorate some aspects of disease processes in experimental animals as well as in humans. In this brief review we intend to highlight the evidence that implicates LTs in normal physiological functions as well as in disease processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and platelet-activating factor in shock.

Three major lines of evidence support a role of eicosanoids and PAF in shock. Formation of each of the cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonate is enhanced at some point during the shock; these metabolites include PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGI2, and TXA2. Enhanced formation of 5-HETE and the cysteinyl-LTs provides evidence for activation of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonate metabolism, and preliminary biochemical evidence suggests that formation of PAF in anaphylactic and endotoxic shock is also enhanced. Second, TXA2, cysteinyl-leukotrienes, and, to an even greater extent, PAF are able to produce shock and death in intact animals. Third, pharmacological studies show that selective antagonists or synthesis inhibitors modify the course of the shock. While any of these lines of evidence may not by itself provide proof for a cause-effect relationship, the data taken together strongly suggest that vasoactive lipids might be involved in fundamental processes in the pathophysiology of shock. However, the role of vasoactive lipids might vary in different shock paradigms, change at various time points during the evolution of the shock, and depend on the species studied. Moreover, while the majority of the reports tend to focus on a specific substance, the metabolism of all of the eicosanoids mentioned, as well as PAF and probably other arachidonate metabolites (e.g. 15-lipoxygenase products such as lipoxins), changes during shock states. This fact probably causes most of the discrepancies in studies using specific antagonists or synthesis inhibitors to modify the state of shock. Thus, while blockade of one mediator might provide some protection, it might not be sufficient to halt or reverse the main course of the pathophysiological process. For example, the increase in vascular permeability, a fundamental phenomenon in trauma, anaphylaxis, or endotoxemia, might be mediated by PAF, LTs, PGs, peptides (e.g. kinins, substance P, CGRP) and amines (e.g. histamine in some species). Attempting to reverse such a complex phenomenon by blocking one specific factor might not be productive unless the specific substance played a key role in generation of the other factors. It seems, however, that while interactions between PGs, LTs, and PAF do occur (31, 32, 70), none of the shock states are crucially dependent on one class of the vasoactive lipids. Therefore, the therapeutic strategy should be based on multiple sites of action, either by drug combinations or multiple actions of a specific drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

mu-Opioid receptors in NTS elicit pressor responses via sympathetic pathways.

We have evaluated the relative contributions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to the increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) elicited by the selective mu-agonist D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5 enkephalin (DAGO) following microinjection (100 nl) into the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS) of anesthetized, artificially ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of anesthesia and central opioid-receptor activation on baroreflex function were also examined. All cardiovascular responses elicited by DAGO were eliminated by complete C1 spinal transection. Pretreatment with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine attenuated the increase in MAP, but not the tachycardia; the beta-blocker propranolol abolished the tachycardia but not the pressor response to DAGO. Adrenalectomy, vagotomy, or pretreatment with atropine methyl nitrate were all without effect. Baroreflexes were attenuated in animals anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, but were present in urethan-anesthetized rats. DAGO attenuated the increases in MAP and HR elicited following carotid occlusion, but not the bradycardia elicited by a phenylephrine-induced pressor response. These data indicate that mu-receptors in the NTS elicit cardiovascular responses that are mediated by increased sympathetic nerve activity, and accompanied by selective attenuation of baroreflex function.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1987

The opioid peptides. A role in hypertension?

This review is an attempt to highlight evidence that may implicate the endogenous opioid system in the pathogenesis of hypertension in humans. The evidence raised includes biochemical, physiological, pharmacological, and behavioral studies conducted in in vitro and in vivo systems, experimental models of hypertension, and humans with essential hypertension. While the compelling biochemical and pharmacological evidence in experimental animals clearly shows the presence of opioid peptides and their receptors in strategic sites of cardiovascular control and potent cardiovascular response to opioid peptides, opioid antagonists show no consistent blockade or reversal of hypertension in experimental animals or humans. One possible explanation for this phenomenon could be the vast redundancy in systems regulating blood pressure (i.e., the blockade of one system still leaves many other systems fully able to rapidly offset the eliminated system). Regarding the opioid system, the situation is much more complex, since some opioid receptors (mu-type) mediate pressor responses, while other receptors (kappa-type) mediate depressor responses. Therefore, nonselective opioid receptor antagonists (e.g., naloxone), which block both types of receptors, can be devoid of any cardiovascular activity, while a selective mu-receptor antagonist or a selective and potent kappa-receptor agonist may produce the desired antihypertensive effect. A combination of both actions (i.e., a drug that is both a mu-antagonist and a kappa-agonist) might be even more advantageous. Until such compounds are developed, this hypothesis will be hard to prove.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The opioid system in cardiac and vascular regulation of normal and hypertensive states.

The endogenous opioid system includes three major families of peptides: dynorphins (derived from pre-proenkephalin B), endorphins (derived from pre-proopiomelanocortin), and enkephalins (derived from pre-proenkephalin A). Multiple species of opioid peptides are derived from these major precursors and many of them possess potent cardiovascular properties. Opioid peptides and opioid receptors, of which multiple forms have been defined, are present in the central nervous system and peripheral neural elements. In the central nervous system, opioid peptides and receptors are found in forebrain and hindbrain nuclei involved in baroregulation, sympathoadrenal activation, and several other vital autonomic functions. In the periphery, opioid peptides are found in autonomic ganglia, adrenal gland, heart, and other organs; multiple opioid receptors are also found in vascular tissue, heart, and kidneys. Although little is known to date on the regulatory mechanisms of the opioid system in normal cardiovascular states, it became clear that cardiovascular stress situations substantially modify the activity of the endogenous opioid system. The purpose of this review is to clarify the sites of interaction of the opioid system with all major components of the cardiovascular system and indicate the potential role of this system in the ontogenesis of cardiac malfunction, vascular diseases, and hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Tachykinin modulation of coronary blood flow.

In pentobarbital anesthetized, open chest pigs, coronary blood flow (CBF), myocardial contractility and systemic hemodynamic variables were monitored during intracoronary injections of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NA) or neurokinin B (NB). SP was most potent in increasing CBF although NA was also active in high doses while NB had absolutely no effect. SP was also more potent than NA in producing systemic hypotension. The data suggests that SP and its receptors might be potentially important modulators of CBF.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of T-2 toxin on regional blood flow and vascular resistance in the conscious rat.

The acute effect of T-2 toxemia on local blood flow and vascular resistance in hindquarter, mesenteric, and renal vascular beds was continuously measured by the directional pulsed Doppler technique in conscious, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intravenous injection of T-2 toxin (1 mg/kg) in the conscious rat reduced blood flow and increased vascular resistance in all blood vessels studied but had no significant effect on mean arterial pressure or heart rate. The blood flow in hindquarters gradually decreased to a minimum of -77 +/- 9% (mean +/- SE) 6 hr after the toxin injection. The hindquarter vascular resistance concomitantly increased to a maximum value of +323 +/- 69% above the resistance before toxin administration. Mesenteric and renal blood flow initially increased (slightly) and then gradually decreased. The maximum drop of blood flow, -90 +/- 13% and -76 +/- 13% for the mesenteric and renal vascular beds, respectively, was achieved 4 hr after T-2 toxin injection and the blood flow values remained low for up to 6 hr. Simultaneously with the impairment of blood flow the mesenteric and renal vascular resistance increased to reach the maximal values of +404 +/- 99% and +556 +/- 15%, respectively. In addition, plasma renin activity was markedly elevated (+653 +/- 160%) at the time of reduced renal blood flow. Intravenous injection of the same value of vehicle (10% ethanol in saline) had no significant effect on any of the cardiovascular variables studied. Two of five rats in the T-2 toxin-treated group died within 5 hr after the T-2 toxin injection and only one animal survived 24 hr while all the control animals survived over 24 hr. The results suggest that strong vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle, mesenteric, and renal vascular beds leads to impairment of local blood flow. The ischemia in vital organs together with the earlier reported decrease in cardiac output by T-2 toxin might then be the cause of rapid death in acute T-2 toxemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

T-2 toxemia and brain prostaglandins.

T-2 toxin is a trichothecene mycotoxin which is a member of a family of closely related sesquiterpenoids. It was recently shown that T-2 toxemia is associated with elevated plasma levels of eicosanoids. To study further the effect of T-2 on the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonate we examined the release of PGE2, TXB2 and 6-keto-FGF1 alpha from brain tissue exposed to T-2 toxin in vivo or in vitro. Administration of T-2 toxin (0.75 or 2 mg/kg) to conscious rats caused a transient increase in the rate of the release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 from brain slices taken from the cortex (C); no effect was found in the hypothalamus (HT) or the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) region of the medulla oblogata. PGE2 showed time and dose related increments (over 5 folds) in both the C and HT but not in the NTS. Incubation of cortical or hypothalamic slices in oxygenated Krebs buffer with a wide range of T-2 toxin concentrations (10(-9)-10(-3) M) demonstrated a complex response: stimulation of PGE2 and TXB2 release from C slices at 10(-7) M (greater than 40%, p less than 0.01 and 20%, p less than 0.05, respectively) and inhibition at high concentrations (greater than 10(-4) M) of all PGs studied. Hypothalamic slices showed decrease in all PGs released by very low (10(-9)-10(-8)) or very high (10(-4) M) concentrations of T-2. These studies are consistent with the possibility that the arachidonate cascade in the central nervous system might have a role in the pathophysiology of trichothecene mycotoxicosis.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1986

Effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone and some of its histidine analogs on the cardiovascular system and prolactin release in the conscious rat.

The cardiovascular and endocrine activity of three analogs of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), 4-nitro-imidazole TRH (4-nitro-TRH), 2-trifluoro-methyl-imidazole TRH (2-TFM-TRH) and 4-trifluoro-methyl-imidazole TRH (4-TFM-TRH), was compared to TRH in conscious rats. Injection of TRH or the three analogs (1 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg) into the arterial line induced increases in mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure and heart rate and raised plasma prolactin (PRL). None of the analogs were more potent than TRH in inducing cardiovascular changes. The 4-TFM-TRH was significantly less potent than the 2-TFM-TRH in increasing blood pressure, while the nitro-TRH was more potent than the 2-TFM-TRH in producing tachycardia. TRH induced a two-fold increase in PRL at the 5 mg/kg dose, while both the fluorinated analogs elicited a 4 to 5 fold increase in PRL at the higher dose. The present results suggest that the receptors for TRH-elicited PRL release differ from TRH-receptors involved in its cardiovascular actions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Thyrotropin releasing hormone in hypovolemia: a hemodynamic evaluation in the rat.

In the present study the effects of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and its stable analogue, CG3703, on cardiac output (thermodilution, Cardiomax) and regional blood flow (BF; directional pulsed Doppler technique) were investigated in hypovolemic hypotension in the rat. In urethan-anesthetized rats TRH (0.5 or 2 mg/kg ia) or CG3703 (0.05 or 0.5 mg/kg ia) reversed the bleeding (27% of the blood volume)-induced decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac index (CI) and increased the heart rate (HR) and total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) in a dose-related manner. In the conscious rat exposed to a 45% hemorrhage, CG3703 (0.5 mg/kg ia) significantly raised MAP, HR, and TPRI with maximum changes of +67 +/- 6 (SE) mmHg, +123 +/- 30 beats/min, and +101 +/- 2%, respectively, CG3703 (0.5 mg/kg ia) also further enhanced the hemorrhage-induced reduction of hindquarter, mesenteric, and renal BF. The changes in BF in saline-treated vs. CG3703-treated rats 2 h after the bleeding were -32 +/- 6 vs. -55 +/- 6% (P less than 0.001) in hindquarter, -9 +/- 8 vs. -61 +/- 11% (P less than 0.001) in mesenteric, and -2 +/- 9 vs. -33 +/- 9% (P less than 0.01) in the renal artery; the changes in vascular resistance +30 +/- 7 vs. +309 +/- 167% (P less than 0.001) in hindquarter, -4 +/- 8 vs. +349 +/- 244% in the mesenteric, and -10 +/- 9 vs. +80 +/- 10% (P less than 0.01) in the renal artery. The survival rate after the 45% hemorrhage was significantly reduced by both TRH and CG3703.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1986

Systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of leukotrienes D4 and E4 in the conscious rat.

The effect of leukotrienes (LTs) D4 and E4 on systemic and regional hemodynamic variables were studied in the conscious rat (n = 5-9). Renal (R), mesenteric (M), and hindquarter (HQ) blood flow (BF) were monitored by directional pulsed Doppler velocimetry, and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate were recorded through a catheter in the femoral artery. In a separate series of experiments, cardiac index (CI) was measured by the thermodilution method. Systemic injection of LTD4 or LTE4 (0.1-10 micrograms/kg) produced dose-dependent pressor responses; BF in the M, HQ, and R vessels declined, due to increased vascular resistance (VR) at the following order: M much greater than HQ greater than R. Low doses of LTD4 or LTE4 produced vasodilation in the HQ area. Infusion of LTD4 (3 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1) for 10 min produced progressive and pronounced vascular constriction in the M and HQ regions along with reduction in BF. The LTD4 infusion also markedly decreased CI with a concomitant rise in total peripheral resistance index (TPRI). Indomethacin (5 mg/kg iv) pretreatment did not modify any of the hemodynamic effects of LTD4 or LTE4. FPL 55712 (10 mg/kg iv) and LY 171883 (30 mg/kg iv), two different LT-receptor antagonists, partially blocked the constriction effects of these LTs. LY 171883, but not FPL 55172, blocked the HQ vasodilation produced by LTE4. LY 171883 alone increased HQ-BF and reduced HQ-VR. These data indicate that LTD4 and LTE4 are potent constrictors of the M vascular bed, but at low doses they also produce dilation of the HQ blood vessels. Furthermore, no escape from the effects of prolonged infusion of the LTs was demonstrated in this species. Finally, the hemodynamic responses to LTD4 and LTE4 in the conscious rat are independent of cyclooxygenase products of LTs and are only partially blocked by FPL 55712 or LY 171883. These studies taken together suggest a differential distribution of multiple LT receptors in the rat vasculature.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed1986

Effect of naloxone and morphine on survival of conscious rats after hemorrhage.

The endogenous opioid system has been reported to depress the cardiovascular system during shock states, since naloxone, a potent opiate antagonist, enhances recovery of hemodynamic variables in various shock states. However, the effect of naloxone on long-term survival of experimental animals exposed to hypovolemic hypotension is not clear. The present studies tested the capacity of various doses of naloxone to protect conscious rats from mortality following various bleeding paradigms. In addition, the effect of morphine on survival of rats exposed to hemorrhage was also examined. In the six different experimental protocols tested, naloxone treatments failed to improve short- or long-term survival; in fact, naloxone treatment reduced short-term survival in two of the experimental protocols. Morphine injection, however, enhanced the mortality of rats exposed to hemorrhage in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that while opiates administered exogenously decrease survival after acute bleeding, naloxone has no protective action in such states and, like morphine, it may decrease survival in some situations.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Methionine and leucine enkephalin in rat neurohypophysis: different responses to osmotic stimuli and T2 toxin.

Specific radioimmunoassays were used to measure the effects of hypertonic saline (salt loading), water deprivation, and trichothecene mycotoxin (T2 toxin) on the content of methionine enkephalin (ME), leucine enkephalin (LE), alpha-neoendorphin, dynorphin A, dynorphin B, vasopressin, and oxytocin in the rat posterior pituitary. Concentrations of vasopressin and oxytocin decreased in response to both osmotic stimuli and treatment with T2 toxin, but the decrease was greater with osmotic stimulations. Similarly, concentrations of LE and dynorphin-related peptides declined after salt loading and water deprivation; LE concentrations also decreased after treatment with T2 toxin. The concentration of ME decreased after water deprivation, did not change after salt loading, and increased after T2 toxin treatment. The differentiating effects of these stimuli on the content of immunoreactive LE and ME are consistent with the hypothesis that LE and ME may be localized in separate populations of nerve endings with different roles in the posterior pituitary.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Opiate binding in rat hearts: modulation of binding after hemorrhagic shock.

[3H] Diprenorphine was used to measure binding in sectioned rat hearts. Saturable binding for concentrations up to about 20 nM was obtained in the right atrium and ventricle. Unlabeled diprenorphine displaced bound [3H] diprenorphine most effectively in the right atrium (up to 55%), as compared to less than 27% in the right ventricle and the remaining parts of the heart. Scatchard analysis of the binding in the right atrium revealed cooperative binding. The delta agonist [D-Ala2,D-Leu3] enkephalin, the kappa agonist ethylketocyclazocine, and levorphanol, but not the mu agonist [D-ala2,MePhe4,Gly-(ol)5] enkephalin or dextrophan competed variably with [3H]diprenorphine for the binding in the right atrium and ventricle. A significant decrease in binding was observed in the right atrium (-66%) and ventricle (-45%) of hearts removed from rats 2 h after hemorrhagic shock; 24 h after shock, recovery of binding was found. This novel observation suggests that the diprenorphine binding sites in the heart may be physiologically active receptors, involved in regulation of peripheral cardiovascular processes.

Animals↗