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Biomedical subjects

J C Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to J C Thompson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Structural requirements of peptide YY for biological activity at enteric sites.

Peptide YY (PYY) is a colonic hormone consisting of 36 amino acids that is a potent inhibitor of pancreatic exocrine, gastric acid, and insulin secretion. The objective of the present experiments was to characterize the structural requirements of PYY for inhibition of pancreatic exocrine, gastric acid, and insulin secretion, using conscious dogs prepared with gastric and pancreatic fistulas. Intravenous administration of PYY-(1-36), PYY-(3-36), or PYY-(4-36) (400 pmol.kg-1 x h-1) inhibited cholecystokinin-8-stimulated (25 pmol.kg-1 x h-1) pancreatic exocrine secretion (P < 0.05); however, PYY-(1-10), PYY-(1-20), PYY-(6-36), PYY-(10-36), PYY-(13-36), PYY-(24-36), and PYY-(27-36) did not inhibit pancreatic exocrine secretion. Intravenous administration of PYY-(1-36), PYY-(3-36), or PYY-(4-36) (200, 400, 800 pmol.kg-1 x h-1) inhibited pentagastrin (0.5 microgram.kg-1 x h-1)-stimulated gastric acid secretion (P < 0.05), as well as 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated insulin release (75 mg/kg) in a dose-related manner. PYY-(6-36), PYY-(13-36), and [Leu31, Pro34] neuropeptide Y did not inhibit either gastric acid secretion or insulin release. In the gastric acid and insulin secretion bioassays, PYY-(1-36) was significantly more potent than PYY-(3-36) and PYY-(4-36); however, in the pancreatic exocrine secretion bioassay, the inhibitory effects of PYY-(3-36) and PYY-(1-36) did not differ significantly. PYY-(4-36) was less potent than PYY-(1-36) on pancreatic exocrine secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Diabetic rat glomerular mesangial cells display normal inositol trisphosphate and calcium release.

Since diabetes may cause cellular myo-inositol depletion, we investigated whether the observed in vitro hypocontractile response of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rat glomeruli to angiotensin II (ANG II) is associated with an alteration in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. Contraction of diabetic isolated glomeruli induced by ANG II (5 microM), measured in vitro by changes in the planar area, was reduced by 60%, compared with normal up to 60 min (P < 0.05). In cells of isolated glomeruli, preloaded with myo-[3H]inositol, production of [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]IPs) and [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]IP3) was analyzed by Dowex chromatography. ANG II (1 microM) evoked an immediate peak (5-10 s) in total [3H]IPs of 60.5 +/- 18.8% (mean +/- SE) above basal (nonstimulated state) in normal glomeruli, and 88.4 +/- 19.4% in diabetic condition [not significant (NS), n = 8]. At 60 s, the normal and diabetic total [3H]IPs responses were not significantly different from each other. The immediate (10 s) [3H]IP3 response from normal glomeruli, 8.1 +/- 7.9% above basal, was not significantly different from that of diabetic glomeruli, 15.7 +/- 7.4%. ANG II receptor-mediated rise in cytosolic Ca2+ in the cells of normal and diabetic isolated glomeruli was compared by measuring the efflux of 45Ca2+. Isolated glomeruli were preloaded with 45Ca2+. Following ANG II stimulation, peak 45Ca2+ efflux values at 1 min were 141.7 +/- 15.9% (normal) vs. 143.7 +/- 7.8% (diabetic) of baseline (100%), respectively (NS, n = 4). Thapsigargin, 2 microM, specifically prevented ANG II-stimulated and IP3-mediated 45Ca2+ efflux (73% inhibition, P < 0.001) from cells of whole glomeruli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗

Release of peptide-YY from the dog pancreas.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the distribution of immunoreactive peptide-YY (PYY) in the dog pancreas and to examine whether vagal stimulation can release PYY from the pancreas. Levels of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were also measured. PYY levels in extracts of the right lobe (0.43 +/- 0.03 ng/mg tissue) and head (0.35 +/- 0.12 ng/mg tissue) of the pancreas were approximately 10- to 20-fold higher than those in extracts of the stomach (0.03 +/- 0.01 ng/mg tissue; P less than 0.05) and left lobe of the pancreas (0.02 +/- 0.01 ng/mg tissue). However, PYY levels in extracts of the pancreas and stomach were significantly lower than PYY levels in extracts of the colonic mucosa (7.63 +/- 0.71 ng/mg tissue). PP levels were significantly (300-fold) higher in pancreatic extracts than in stomach and colonic extracts. Immunoreactive PYY and PP in pancreatic and colonic mucosal extracts coeluted with synthetic PYY and PP standards on HPLC. Electrical vagal stimulation of dogs resulted in a significant (P less than 0.05) release of PYY and PP, which was abolished by atropine treatment (2 mg/kg, iv). PYY levels in the pancreatic veins increased more quickly than in the peripheral veins. The integrated levels of PYY in the pancreatic veins [1.63 +/- 0.30 ng (0-30 min)/ml] were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than those in peripheral veins [0.86 +/- 0.16 ng (0-30 min)/ml], but lower than those in colonic veins [3.14 +/- 0.22 ng (0-30 min)/ml]. Our results indicate that PYY is primarily produced in the colon; however, the pancreas contains a measurable amount of PYY, which is mainly distributed in the right lobe and head of the pancreas. In addition, PYY can be released from the pancreas in response to vagal stimulation. These data suggest that pancreatic PYY may participate in the regulation of pancreatic and gastrointestinal functions through endocrine and paracrine actions.

Animals↗

Effect of colostomy on the circadian rhythm in DNA synthesis in the rat colon.

Synthesis of DNA and mitosis in gut epithelium are not constant or random events but rather are characterized by circadian rhythmicity, which we reported persists even in fasted rats. Others suggest that rhythms persist because rats anticipate food, causing nerve impulses to propagate caudally in the gut at usual meal times, or that digestive products from previous feedings cause rhythms in the lower tract. We studied colonic DNA synthesis in rats that had been given colostomies. In one study, the distal colon was isolated neurally from proximal gut by means of an end colostomy. In a second study, rats were subjected to loop colostomy; some intrinsic innervation of the gut wall remained intact. Sprague-Dawley male rats, 8 weeks old, were acclimated to a 12:12 light-dark cycle. Colostomies were performed after a 48-h fast. The rats were fed ad libitum for 4 weeks after surgery. Operated rats and an equal number (n = 30) of control rats (unoperated) were divided into four subgroups that were killed at 07:00, 13:00, 19:00, and 01:00 h. Each rat was injected with tritiated thymidine 30 min before it was killed. Proximal and distal colon were analyzed for incorporation of radioactivity (DNA synthesis). Results are reported as counts per minute per microgram of DNA and were analyzed using analysis of variance and the t test. Significant daily variation was found in proximal colon, both from control and operated rats. Rhythms were still present in colon distal to loop colostomy but were lost in the distal stump in rats that received an end colostomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Role of extracellular magnesium in insulin secretion from rat insulinoma cells.

Magnesium (Mg2+) is an abundant intracellular cation that participates in the regulation of the intracellular concentration of ATP. In this study, we examined the relationship between insulin secretion and intracellular free Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) in a rat-insulinoma cell line (RIN m5F), using a fluorescent dye (Mag-fura-2). KCI, forskolin, and D-glyceraldehyde increased [Mg2+]i and insulin secretion from RIN m5F cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Verapamil, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker, inhibited the increase of [Mg2+]i that was evoked by KCI, forskolin, and D-glyceraldehyde. In a Mg(2+)-free buffer, these agents failed to cause an elevation in [Mg2+]i; however, the insulin response to KCI and forskolin was enhanced, compared with that in the presence of Mg2+ (1.25 mM). Our findings suggest that [Mg2+]i is dependent upon extracellular Mg2+, and the influx through the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. Mg2+ may competitively inhibit the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel, which is known to play a role in insulin secretion. An absence of Mg2+ in the extracellular space may result in enhanced insulin secretion. [Mg2+]i may play a role in insulin secretion from RIN m5F cells.

Animals↗

Amplification of the HER-2/neu protooncogene in human endocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND: Amplification of HER-2/neu, a protooncogene related to the epidermal growth factor receptor, has prognostic significance in patients with breast cancer. Alterations in protooncogenes have not been determined for endocrine tumors in which prognosis is difficult to predict. We have addressed the question of whether amplification of HER-2/neu or epidermal growth factor receptor occurs in DNA from human endocrine tumor lines and have sought to characterize the HER-2/neu gene and its products in carcinoid tumors of the gut. METHODS: The differential polymerase chain reaction procedure was used to detect genomic amplification in DNA samples from human endocrine tumor cell lines (BON, SIM, STAN) and from paraffin-embedded samples of carcinoid tumors. Sequencing techniques were used to determine whether mutations of the transmembrane domain of HER-2/neu existed. We then further characterized the gene products (RNA and protein) in carcinoid tumors. RESULTS: Amplification of HER-2/neu was identified in all three endocrine tumor cell lines. HER-2/neu amplification was found in four of 10 carcinoid tumors of the gut; three of these four tumors were invasive or metastatic. In addition, HER-2/neu mRNA and protein were expressed in carcinoid tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Amplification of the HER-2/neu protooncogene occurs in endocrine tumors of the gut; quantitation of the actual copy number may be an important prognostic determinant. The unique human endocrine cell lines, established in our laboratory, will be useful models to further examine the significance of alterations of the HER-2/neu gene in endocrine tumors.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

Cholelithiasis associated with medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy in men.

Five out of forty-five adult men, 50 years of age or less, who had received, for at least six months, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, Depo Provera) IM, 200-400 mg/week, for prevention of sex-offending or genital-mutilating behavior developed symptomatic cholelithiasis. Thirty of these men were studied with gallbladder ultrasound prospectively off MPA and at six-month intervals while taking the medication and then six months off MPA. Gallstones recovered from two patients were found to have very high cholesterol content, suggesting they were formed in cholesterol supersaturated bile. These findings are consistent with the increased incidence of gallbladder disease related to high-progesterone states and suggest that MPA may be a causative agent in cholelithiasis. The physiologic studies on gallbladder contraction and cholecystokinin release in a subset of the patients failed to provide information on a mechanism for the possible increased incidence of gallbladder disease.

Adult↗

Bombesin stimulates growth of human gastrinoma.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported the first establishment and characterization of a functioning human gastrinoma (PT) xenograft. Bombesin, the equivalent of the mammalian gastrin-releasing peptide, has trophic effects on normal and neoplastic tissues of the gastrointestinal tract; the effects of gut hormones on the growth of gastrinoma are not known. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the presence of various gut peptides in PT and (2) to determine the effect of bombesin on the growth of PT xenografts. METHODS: PT tumors were examined for expression (mRNA and protein) of various gut peptides by Northern hybridization and immunohistochemistry. In addition, PT xenografts were implanted as 3 mm2 pieces bilaterally subcutaneously in athymic nude mice. Mice were divided into two groups to receive either bombesin (5 micrograms/kg) or saline administered as intraperitoneal injections every 8 hours. Tumor area was measured twice weekly until mice were sacrificed (day 28), when tumor and normal pancreas were removed, weighed, and assayed for DNA and protein content. RESULTS: Both mRNAs and peptides of gastrin and chromogranin A were present in PT tumors. Bombesin significantly stimulated growth of PT tumors from day 18 until mice were sacrificed (day 28). As expected, bombesin stimulated pancreatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated for the first time that bombesin is a trophic hormone for gastrinoma. The unique cell line PT contains gastrin and chromogranin A and will be a useful model to define the biologic mechanisms controlling the growth of human gastrinomas.

Animals↗

Cytokine regulation of gut ornithine decarboxylase gene expression and enzyme activity.

BACKGROUND: The enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in polyamine biosynthesis and is important for gut mucosal repair after systemic injury (e.g., burns); however, the mechanisms responsible for the injury-mediated induction of ODC are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which are released immediately after injury, regulates gut mucosal ODC enzyme activity and gene expression. METHODS: In vivo: In experiment 1, 64 male BALB/c mice received either recombinant IL-1 beta (2 x 10(4) units/kg administered intraperitoneally) or saline solution. In experiment 2, 64 mice received either recombinant TNF-alpha (100 micrograms/kg administered intraperitoneally) or saline solution. We determined ODC enzyme activity and ODC mRNA levels in small intestine and kidneys at 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after injection. In vitro: We also determined the ODC enzyme activity in intestinal epithelial crypt cells after either IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha treatment. RESULTS: IL-1, but not TNF, increased small intestinal ODC enzyme activity. In addition, IL-1 increased ODC enzyme activity in intestinal epithelial crypt cells at 5 and 6 hours after treatment. Both IL-1 and TNF increased small intestinal ODC mRNA levels. Neither agent affected ODC enzyme activity or ODC mRNA levels in the kidney. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the cytokine-mediated induction of ODC in the small intestine is tissue specific, that the induction occurs at multiple cellular levels, and that ODC may play a vital role in the restoration of gut mucosa that occurs after injury.

Animals↗

Expression of cholecystokinin forms by medullary thyroid cancer.

We have studied the production and release of cholecystokinin (CCK) forms by rat medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in vivo. MTC cells were inoculated s.c. into 8 Wag-Rij rats. One month later, after i.v. injection of calcium plasma levels of CCK, calcitonin and tissue contents of gastrin and calcitonin were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunocytochemistry, and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The tumors were passed 4 times to 8 rats in 1-month intervals fasting levels of CCK in control rats were unaffected by calcium stimulation, and in tumor-bearing rats, plasma CCK was elevated in 3 out of 4 passages, falling to normal levels at the end of passage 4. Hypercalcemia had no effect on plasma levels of CCK in tumor-bearing rats, but did stimulate the release of calcitonin in both control and some tumor-bearing rats in later passages. CCK-8 sulfate was found in all 4 tumor passages but not CCK-33/39. We conclude that rat MTC synthesizes and releases CCK-8, but unlike calcitonin, release of CCK appears unresponsive to calcium stimulation.

Animals↗

Systemic alterations in ornithine decarboxylase activity caused by colon cancer in mice.

Tumors are known to cause profound changes in host biology, but the mechanisms responsible for these changes remain unclear. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of polyamines. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of MC-26 tumor burden on ODC activity in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and liver of mice. Forty-four Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups and the test group was pair-fed (to control). Group 1 was the tumor-free control. Group 2 was inoculated subcutaneously with 5 x 10(5) MC-26 cells. The ODC activity in the kidney and liver of tumor-bearing mice was significantly lower compared to tumor-free controls at sacrifice. ODC activity in the colon increased almost 4-fold. These results suggest that the presence of MC-26 tumor causes systemic effects that alter ODC activity. The tumor may elaborate a substance that suppresses ODC activity in some normal tissues while stimulating ODC activity in the tissue from which the tumor was derived.

Animals↗

Effects of pancreastatin and chromogranin A on insulin release stimulated by various insulinotropic agents.

The effects of porcine pancreastatin on insulin release stimulated by insulinotropic agents, glucagon, cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and L-arginine, were compared to those of bovine chromogranin A (CGA) using the isolated perfused rat pancreas. Pancreastatin significantly potentiated glucagon-stimulated insulin release (first phase: 12.5 +/- 0.9 ng/8 min; second phase: 34.5 +/- 1.6 ng/25 min in controls; 16.5 +/- 1.1 ng/8 min and 44.0 +/- 2.2 ng/25 min in pancreastatin group), whereas CGA was ineffective. The first phase of L-arginine-stimulated insulin release was also potentiated by pancreastatin (6.9 +/- 0.5 ng/5 min in controls, 8.4 +/- 0.6 ng/5 min in pancreastatin group), but not by CGA. Pancreastatin did not affect CCK-8 or GIP-stimulated insulin release. Similarly, CGA did not affect insulin release stimulated by CCK-8 or GIP. These findings suggest that pancreastatin stimulates insulin release in the presence of glucagon. Because pancreastatin can have multiple effects on insulin release, which are dependent upon the local concentration of insulin effectors, pancreastatin may participate in the fine tuning of insulin release from B cells.

Animals↗

Enzyme-amplified rate conductimetric immunoassay.

A new immunoassay technique based on measurement of conductance changes in solutions is described. The assay employs an immobilized monoclonal antibody to capture a protein analyte along with a second antibody to the same analyte, conjugated to an enzyme capable of producing ions which are measured conductimetrically. Urease was selected as the enzyme, because it produces, from urea, four ions for each catalytic event. The analyte studied was human chorionic gonadotropin in serum. Higher concentrations of analyte during incubation with immobilized antibody and antibody-urease conjugate led to increased binding of the latter. After removal of unbound conjugate, urea solution was added and the rate of conductance change measured in the bulk substrate solution. Experiments, performed in polystyrene microtiter wells using a specially designed electrode, demonstrated the ability to measure 30 picomolar concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin with a 30-s rate measurement. Urease proved to be an excellent labeling enzyme, retaining its activity under the nonionic conditions necessary to maintain low background conductance. Good agreement was obtained between observed rates and those expected from conductimetric theory and known physical parameters. The potential utility of the conductimetric immunoassay lies in the fabrication of biosensor devices for simplification and cost reduction of immunochemical-based instrumentation. Further improvements to the technique are proposed to achieve lower detection limits.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

Differential sensitivity of various human tumors to inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis in vivo.

Polyamines are essential for normal and neoplastic growth. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of ODC, and a known anti-neoplastic agent. The purpose of this study was to examine the susceptibility of various human cancers to inhibition by DFMO in vivo. We have studied three human pancreatic adenocarcinomas, designated CAV, SKI, and PGER, two human colon adenocarcinomas (LS-180 and WIDR), and three metastatic cell lines of a human gastric adenocarcinoma (BHM, BMM, BLM) that were growing in congenitally athymic (nude) Balb/c mice. Mice bearing each tumor were divided into two groups; one group served as controls and the other group received DFMO 3% in drinking water. Tumor growth and weight, and content of DNA, RNA, protein and polyamines were determined and correlated. DFMO significantly inhibited the growth of three of the three gastric tumors, two of the three pancreatic tumors and neither of the two colon tumors. The tumor content of DNA, RNA and protein exhibited a pattern that was parallel to tumor growth. The tumor polyamine concentration did not correlate with sensitivity to DFMO. These findings provide clear evidence for important differences in the sensitivity of various human cancers to growth inhibition by DFMO and indicate that endogenous polyamine levels alone do not predict the sensitivity of the tumors to DFMO.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Differential effects of sodium butyrate and hexamethylene bisacetamide on growth and secretion of cultured human endocrine tumor cells.

Advanced gastrointestinal endocrine tumors respond poorly to conventional chemotherapy. In this study we examined the effects of two agents that promote cellular differentiation, sodium butyrate and hexamethylene bisacetamide, on the in vitro growth and secretory responses of a human pancreatic carcinoid (BON) and human gastrinoma (PT-2 and PT-SM) cell lines that have been established in our laboratory. We found that both sodium butyrate and hexamethylene bisacetamide strongly inhibited growth of BON, PT-2, and PT-SM cells. With continuous exposure of BON cells to sodium butyrate (2 mmol/L), the doubling time was prolonged, from 60 hours in controls to 156 hours, and saturation density was reduced to 28% that of controls. Hexamethylene bisacetamide (4 mmol/L) reduced saturation density to 37% that of controls in BON cells and prolonged the doubling time, from 60 hours to 103 hours. Antiproliferative effects of similar magnitudes were observed in the gastrinoma cell lines. In contrast, differential effects were produced on amine biosynthesis in BON cells; sodium butyrate stimulated levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the cells, whereas hexamethylene bisacetamide caused a profound dose-dependent inhibition of amine biosynthesis. The significant antiproliferative activity of sodium butyrate and hexamethylene bisacetamide and the inhibitory effects of hexamethylene bisacetamide on amine biosynthesis warrant evaluation of these agents or analogues for treatment of metastatic carcinoid and gastrinoma.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Intracolonic fat inhibits gastric acid secretion independent of gastrin release in the dog.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perfusion of the colon with a fatty acid (oleic acid) on peptone-stimulated gastric acid secretion and release of gastrin in conscious dogs. Gastric acid secretion was monitored by continuous intragastric titration. Perfusion of the colon with sodium oleate (24 mmol/hr) inhibited gastric acid secretion (14.2 +/- 2.6 meq/hr) stimulated by a peptone meal (1%) significantly (P less than 0.05) when compared to perfusion of the colon with saline alone (20.1 +/- 1.6 meq/hr). The serum elevation in gastrin in response to intragastric instillation of the peptone meal was not affected by the colonic perfusion of oleic acid. Plasma concentrations of peptide YY (PYY) increased significantly in response to perfusion of the colon with saline or sodium oleate, and the integrated release of PYY in response to sodium oleate [6.9 +/- 2.8 ng (60-120) min/ml] was significantly greater than the response to saline [3.1 +/- 0.7 ng (60-120) min/ml]. The results of this study indicate that inhibition of gastric acid secretion by perfusion of the colon with fat is not due to an inhibition of gastrin release. In addition, because PYY is an inhibitor of gastric acid secretion, it is possible that PYY participates as an inhibitor of gastric acid secretion by the colon.

Animals↗

Characterization of secretin release in response to food and intraduodenal administration of fat and hydrochloric acid.

The development and validation of a radioimmunoassay that detects release of secretin in plasma in response to low doses of secretagogues [intraduodenal HCl (0.033 meq/min); intraduodenal sodium oleate (0.04 mmol/min)] or an oral mixed meal in conscious dogs is described. Plasma secretin levels increased significantly (P less than 0.05) in response to an oral mixed meal in conscious dogs from a basal level of 4.0 to a peak level of 12.3 pg/ml at 15 min. Infusion of graded doses of HCl (2, 4, 8, 16, meq/hr for 30 min) intraduodenally in six dogs resulted in significant elevation of plasma secretin levels in a dose-dependent manner. The pancreatic bicarbonate and volume outputs correlated with the dosage of HCl administered and with the elevations in plasma secretin concentrations. Intraduodenal infusion of increasing doses of sodium oleate (2.4, 4.8, 9.6, and 19.2 mmol in 15-min periods) resulted in a significant (P less than 0.05) elevation of plasma levels of secretin.

Animals↗