Abortion experience among obstetric patients at Korle-Bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
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Abortion, Induced↗
Biomedical subjects
J B Smith
Publications and source records attributed to J B Smith.
Lysosomotropic agents selectively potentiate thrombin-induced acid hydrolase secretion from platelets.
Thrombin induces partial secretion (up to 60%) of beta-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) from untreated platelets. Preincubation of platelets with 10 mM NH4Cl for up to 2 hr resulted in a time-dependent and marked stimulation of thrombin-induced secretion of both this enzyme and other acid glycosidases from platelets. The enhancement of the thrombin-induced secretion was not due to cell lysis, and NH4Cl alone did not cause leakage of lysosomal enzymes into the medium. The effect could be reversed by reincubating the platelets in NH4Cl-free medium. Stimulation of thrombin-induced secretion also was produced by a series of aliphatic primary amines from methylamine to butylamine, and by micromolar concentrations of chloroquine. The effect of weak bases on platelets appeared to be quite specific for enhancing lysosomal enzyme secretion. Thrombin-induced secretion of adenine nucleotides from dense granules and of beta-thromboglobulin from alpha granules was slightly enhanced by NH4Cl but was slightly inhibited by methylamine. The only direct effect of the weak bases on platelets was the displacement of serotonin from dense granules. Accumulation of weak bases in acidic pools in the platelets (e.g., lysosomes) might, therefore, be responsible for the enhanced secretion of lysosomal enzymes. By using controlled digitonin-induced platelet lysis, it was found that preincubation of platelets with NH4Cl lowered the digitonin concentration required for enzyme solubilization. We suggest that loading of lysosomes with weak bases dissociates already bound enzyme inside the lysosomes, resulting in a more effective discharge upon stimulation by thrombin.
Acid Phosphatase↗
Bleeding disorder associated with albumin-dependent partial deficiency in platelet thromboxane production. Effect of albumin on arachidonate metabolism in platelets.
The authors describe a patient with a longstanding bleeding disorder associated with impaired platelet aggregation and secretion despite normal granule contents. Thrombin-induced platelet thromboxane A2 production, measured using a radioimmunoassay for thromboxane B2, was markedly decreased or undetectable in platelet-rich plasma and whole blood serum. However, significant amounts of thromboxane B2 were detected on thrombin stimulation of platelets suspended in albumin-free salt medium. Malondialdehyde and 14C-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid production was undetectable in the patient's platelets. Liberation of free 14C-arachidonic acid from phospholipids during stimulation of prelabeled platelets was normal, indicating normal phospholipase activity. These observations indicate an albumin-dependent partial deficiency in thromboxane production resulting from a defect either in cyclooxygenase or thromboxane synthetase. Further, the authors studied the effect of albumin on arachidonic acid metabolism in normal platelets. These studies indicate that albumin enhances liberation of arachidonic acid from phospholipids but has an overall inhibitory effect on thromboxane synthesis.
Adult↗
In vivo interaction of prostacyclin with an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, HL 725.
Prostacyclin (PGI2) inactivates platelets by stimulation of adenylate cyclase, and its effect can be potentiated in vitro by simultaneous inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The interaction of synthetic PGI2 and the potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor HL 725 was studied in a model of systemic platelet activation by intravenous injection of collagen. Platelet aggregate formation was evaluated by continuous on-line measurement of the circulating platelet count. Collagen injection in rabbits receiving vehicle caused a 30 +/- 3% decrease in the circulating platelet count. Infusion of PGI2 (0.05, 0.1 and 0.75 micrograms kg-1 min-1) dose-dependently inhibited this decrease. HL 725 (0.5, 1 and 3 micrograms kg-1 min-1) caused a slight but significant effect. Combinations of PGI2 and HL 725, respectively, at 0.25 + 1.0 and 0.1 + 0.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1 inhibited platelet aggregate formation to a greater extent than when either substance was used alone and produced a comparable inhibition to PGI2 at 0.75 micrograms kg-1 min-1. Collagen induced an acute fall in the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) which also was inhibited by PGI2, HL 725 and their combinations. The infusion of a combination of PGI2 and HL 725 before collagen produced a decrease in the MABP which was greater than when either compound was used on its own. Thus, PGI2 and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor HL 725 interact in vivo to inhibit platelet aggregation and lower MABP.
2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗
Levels of public health.
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Health Policy↗
The relationship of lithium-potassium cotransport and the passive lithium leak to hypertension in Utah subjects.
Rate constants for lithium-potassium cotransport (kLPC) and the lithium efflux into MgCl2 with furosemide (passive lithium leak) along with sodium-lithium countertransport (SLC) were measured in erythrocytes from 351 normotensive adults age 18 and over, 220 youth under age 18 and in 27 hypertensives. The kLPC was significantly higher in the hypertensives than the adult normotensives with means and standard deviations of 13.9 +/- 9.2 vs. 8.7 +/- 5.9 10(-3)/hr (p less than 0.01). Adjusting for the significant weight (p = 0.014) and sex (p = 0.066, normotensive males higher than females) associations with kLPC in an analysis of covariance, increased the significant difference between the hypertensives and normotensives (p = 0.0004). The passive lithium leak rate constant was also higher in hypertensives than normotensives (20.2 +/- 7.6 vs. 15.5 +/- 5.3 10(-3)/hr, p less than 0.01). Weight (p=0.0003), but not sex, was related to the leak but did not account for the difference between hypertensives and normotensives (p = 0.0009). Mean blood pressure was positively associated with the lithium leak but not the kLPC or SLC values in a multivariate regression.
Adolescent↗
Thromboxanes as mediators of cardiovascular disease states.
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Cardiovascular Diseases↗
Beneficial effects of a new potent and specific thromboxane receptor antagonist (SQ-29,548) in vitro and in vivo.
SQ-29,548, a newly synthetized thromboxane receptor antagonist, was investigated for its effects on platelet and vascular thromboxane receptors in vivo and in vitro. Arachidonic acid (AA)-induced sudden death in rabbits was dose-dependently inhibited by SQ-29,548 at doses ranging from 0.2 to 2 mg/kg. Sudden death was accompanied by a 46 +/- 6% decrease in continuously measured circulating platelet count, which was also dose-dependently inhibited by SQ-29,548. The AA-induced increase in continuously recorded whole blood ATP content was 1.2 +/- 0.4 microM and was significantly diminished by all SQ-29,548 doses used. Platelet aggregation induced by AA, the endoperoxide analog U-46,619 or collagen in platelet-rich plasma was dose-dependently inhibited by SQ-29,548 which exerted an IC50 of 0.8, 0.3 or 2.9 microM, respectively. In contrast, ADP and platelet-activating factor acether-induced platelet aggregation were unaffected at concentrations of SQ-29,548 up to 260 microM. Thromboxane B2 formation was not significantly altered by SQ-29,548 (1-100 microM) in platelet-rich plasma stimulated with AA or in spontaneously clotting whole blood. Thromboxane synthetase, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase product formation were unaffected by SQ-29,548 when washed rabbit platelets were stimulated with radiolabeled AA and the products were measured after separation by thin-layer chromatography. U-46,619 (500 nM), carbocyclic thromboxane A2 (15 nM) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (3 microM)-induced contractions of rabbit pulmonary artery were antagonized by SQ-29,548 exerting a IC50 value between 120 and 40 nM, whereas norepinephrine-induced contractions were unaltered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adenosine Diphosphate↗
Differences in the mode of action of 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol and phorbol ester in platelet activation.
The ADP-hydrolyzing enzyme apyrase inhibited platelet aggregation and phosphorylation of a 40,000 dalton platelet protein (P40) induced by 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl glycerol (OAG), indicating a dependence on secreted ADP. Apyrase also enhanced OAG-induced potentiation of forskolin or prostaglandin I2 activation of cyclic AMP formation in platelets. Cyclic AMP formation induced by OAG alone could be demonstrated in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Elevation of cyclic AMP level inhibits platelet aggregation so that secreted ADP may be required to inhibit OAG-activated adenylate cyclase for aggregation to proceed. In contrast, apyrase only partially affected phosphorylation of P40 and aggregation induced by the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). TPA caused marked inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. TPA inhibition of cyclic AMP formation was largely reversed by apyrase, indicating that it was mainly due to release of ADP.
Adenylyl Cyclases↗
Functional consequences of perceived interleukin deficiencies? Analysis employing NZB x C58 recombinant inbred mice.
NZB mice have previously been shown to be deficient in the production of interleukins 1 and 2 (IL-1, IL-2) during the development of autoimmune disease. One or both of these defects have been inherited in certain of the NZB X C58 recombinant inbred strains (N X 8 RI). Certain of these strains have been selected to examine further the effect of decreased production of IL-1 and/or IL-2. The interleukin deficiencies found in vitro were not due to the presence of an inhibitor/suppressor nor was any activity found intracellularly upon water lysis of stimulated cells. Despite profound IL-1 and/or IL-2 deficiencies measured in vitro, all of the N X 8 RI lines examined were found to be capable of producing IL-1 in vivo as shown by their serum amyloid A response to endotoxin injection. We conclude from these studies that defects in IL-1 production measured in vitro do not reflect inability to produce this lymphokine in vivo. Young, IL-1 deficient NZB mice generated CTL to TNP-self but old, IL-2 deficient NZB mice did not. Since all other strains were found to generate cytotoxic T cells to TNP-self regardless of interleukin defects, we also conclude that the cytotoxic T cell defect in NZB mice is due to some presently unknown factor in addition to IL-2 deficiency. The relationship of decreased production of interleukins to the development of autoimmunity remains undefined.
Animals↗
Effects of single and repeated daily injections of morphine, clonidine and l-nantradol on responding of squirrel monkeys under escape titration.
Lever pressing of monkeys was maintained under a titration schedule in which responses decreased shock intensity which otherwise was increased at a fixed rate. The opioid morphine, the antihypertensive clonidine and the cannabinoid l-nantradol each resulted in a dose-related increase in shock intensity, although l-nantradol and clonidine were 10 to 30 times more potent than morphine. Morphine and l-nantradol resulted in markedly higher shock intensities only at doses that severely disrupted responding, whereas clonidine resulted in higher shock intensities over a broader dose range without disrupting responding. Marked tolerance developed for the shock-increasing effects of morphine (3.0 mg/kg) and l-nantradol (0.3 mg/kg) within 10 to 15 sessions, but only partial tolerance developed for shock-increasing effects of clonidine (0.3 mg/kg) after up to 35 sessions. The shock-increasing effects of chronically administered clonidine were antagonized by the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine but not by the alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. When effects of acute injections were redetermined after 1 month without drug, the effects of clonidine, but not morphine or l-nantradol, were the same as before chronically administered drug. The influence of behavioral processes on the long-lasting effects of drugs seemed greater for morphine and l-nantradol than for clonidine.
Analgesics↗
Inositol lipids, phosphatidate and diacylglycerol share stearoylarachidonoylglycerol as a common backbone in thrombin-stimulated human platelets.
Gel-filtered human platelets were stimulated with 5i.u. of thrombin/ml for times up to 1 min. The fatty acid composition of inositol-containing phospholipids, phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol was determined by g.l.c. in control and thrombin-stimulated platelet suspensions. Inositol phospholipids were found to have similar proportions of stearic and arachidonic acids, the sum of these representing 86.6% of the total fatty acids in phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), 76.9% in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) and 85.4% in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2]. However, arachidonic and stearic acids were less abundant in phosphatidic acid (PtdA) and diacylglycerols in non-stimulated platelets. A transient decrease in the mass of PtdIns(4,5)P2 was observed after 5-10s of thrombin stimulation, followed by an increase after 30s. The amounts of PtdIns4P and PtdIns decreased throughout the experiment. A transient accumulation of stearoylarachidonoylglycerol was observed at 5s, whereas stearoylarachidonoylglycerol 3-phosphate (PtdA) was produced in increasing amounts throughout the experiment. The decrease in inositol-containing phospholipids was not fully compensated for by the production of diacylglycerol or PtdA [or PtdIns(4,5)P2] at 1 min. All the changes in inositol phospholipids, as well as those observed in diacylglycerols and PtdA, were due to a parallel reduction or increase in the contents of stearic and arachidonic acids, with a stoichiometry equal to 1. Taken together, this suggests an interconversion of all these lipids with the utilization of a common backbone, stearoylarachidonoylglycerol. The deacylation of this diacylglycerol could account for up to 4-5nmol of arachidonate/10(9) platelets after 1 min stimulation by thrombin.
Blood Platelets↗
Differential effects of trifluoperazine on arachidonate liberation, secretion and myosin phosphorylation in intact platelets.
Gel-filtered platelets prelabeled with [3H]-arachidonate and [14C]-adenine or [32P]-orthophosphate were stimulated with thrombin in the presence of various concentrations of trifluoperazine (TFP). Based on the presence of [14C]- or [32P]-labeled extracellular adenine nucleotides, TFP, above 50 microM, caused platelet lysis which reached 30-40% at 100 microM. In the non-lytic range (0-50 microM) TFP caused marked inhibition of [3H]-arachidonic acid liberation and [3H]-phosphatidylcholine breakdown which was complete at 25 microM. Breakdown of [3H]-phosphatidylinositol was partially (about 50%) inhibited at 25 microM TFP and little further inhibition occurred above this concentration. These results show that thrombin-induced liberation of [3H]-arachidonic acid occurs entirely by a TFP-sensitive mechanism, and suggest that the major portion of the arachidonate is liberated from phosphatidylcholine with a possible contribution from phosphatidylinositol. Dense granule secretion and acid hydrolase secretion were progressively inhibited by TFP, while the thiazine had only a small effect on phosphorylation of myosin. These results indicate that the inhibition of the secretory processes by TFP is not caused by action of TFP on myosin light chain kinase. It is suggested that the profound effect of TFP on arachidonic acid liberation but not myosin phosphorylation is due to different subcellular localization of these calmodulin-requiring enzymes: phospholipase A2 and myosin light chain kinase. The lipophilic TFP dissolves preferentially in the membranes where it has access to phospholipase A2 but not to myosin light chain kinase.
Adenosine Diphosphate↗
Hemodialysis does not affect erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport.
Sodium-lithium countertransport measurements on erythrocytes are currently of interest because some hypertensive subjects and their relatives have abnormally high values. Woods et al [1] reported that red cells taken from dialysis patients after hemodialysis had significantly lower sodium-lithium countertransport than before dialysis. They suggested that sodium-lithium countertransport is influenced by 'a dialyzable plasma factor'. We conducted experiments to further evaluate their observations relating to the 'dialyzable plasma factor'. However, we have been unable to confirm their findings. Neither an effect of hemodialysis on sodium-lithium countertransport in erythrocytes from maintenance dialysis patients nor any effect of dialysis on normal erythrocytes in vitro was evident. Our results do not support the existence of a dialyzable plasma factor affecting sodium-lithium countertransport.
Adult↗
An improved non-radioisotopic method for measuring ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux from erythrocytes.
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Erythrocytes↗
Rapid calcium mobilization by vasopressin and prostaglandin F2 alpha is independent of sodium influx in quiescent 3T3 cells.
Vasopressin (VP) rapidly increased 45Ca2+ efflux. A VP antagonist prevented VP from mobilizing Ca2+ and stimulating DNA synthesis. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) also stimulated rapid 45Ca2+ release. The effectiveness of different prostaglandins corresponded to their effectiveness as mitogens. The removal of external Na+ or Ca2+ had no effect on VP-or PGF2 alpha-induced 45Ca2+ release. The present results indicate that the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ by these hormones is independent of Na+ or Ca2+ influx and that Ca2+ mobilization is important for growth stimulation.
Angiotensin II↗
A simplified method for simultaneously determining countertransport and cotransport in human erythrocytes.
Both sodium countertransport and sodium-potassium cotransport are altered in erythrocytes from some hypertensive subjects and their relatives. Lithium can substitute for sodium in both of these transport mechanisms; they can then be monitored as sodium-lithium countertransport and lithium-potassium cotransport. Using erythrocytes loaded with lithium, we can determine both transport systems simultaneously by monitoring the rate of lithium efflux into three media: (1) NaCl, (2) MgCl2 and (3) MgCl2 with furosemide. The difference between the effluxes into NaCl and MgCl2 is the sodium-lithium countertransport; the difference between the effluxes into MgCl2 with and without the cotransport inhibitor furosemide is the lithium-potassium cotransport. At the intracellular Li concentrations used in these experiments, lithium-potassium cotransport is a linear function of the Li+ concentration and can be expressed by the equation for a first order reaction. The rate constant can be calculated by dividing the lithium-potassium cotransport by the intracellular lithium concentration and correlates well (r = 0.80, n = 30) with sodium-potassium cotransport measured by Dagher and Garay's method. The simultaneous measurement of countertransport and cotransport requires much less time, effort and material than measuring the two transports separately.
Biological Transport↗