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Biomedical subjects

J Tremblay

Publications and source records attributed to J Tremblay.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Cyclic GMP as mediator and biological marker of atrial natriuretic factor.

Both our previous and the present studies established that increases in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) reflect the activity of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The ANF message is transmitted by particulate guanylate cyclase, which appears to be in intimate contact with the ANF receptor since stimulation of particulate guanylate cyclase is observed even after dispersion of the membranes. The stimulation of smooth muscle and endothelial cells in culture leads to egression of cGMP to extracellular medium where it accumulates for over 2 h. The signal of the extracellular cGMP is magnified and prolonged compared to the intracellular signal. The stimulation of cGMP production by ANF in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells appears to be relatively irreversible and the responsiveness is down-regulated by prior exposure to low doses of ANF. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate can also serve as a marker for ANF action. Atrial natriuretic factor fragments of different potencies exert a biological activity that correlates with ANF-induced cGMP increases. In hypertensive rats and monkeys, where acute infusion of ANF leads to an exaggerated diuresis and natriuresis, urinary cGMP does not appear to be different. Overall, cGMP appears to be a mediator and a marker of ANF biological activity and may serve as a useful tool in the study of pathogenesis of hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cardiac and renal hyperplasia in newborn genetically hypertensive rats.

Newborn spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), compared with Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls, usually show cardiac and renal hyperplasia. To determine whether these anomalies are common to genetically hypertensive rats, we examined newborn rats from models of essential hypertension (Kyoto, Montreal, Dunedin and Lyon strains of hypertensive rats), renal hypertension (Milan strain of hypertensive rats) and experimental hypertension [deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive Wistar rats]. The hearts, kidneys and livers of these newborns were collected on site at various centres and sent to Montreal for protein and DNA determinations. The results showed that protein and DNA, corrected for body weight in models of essential hypertension, were increased in the heart and kidney, and normal or decreased in the liver at birth. This pattern differed in offspring of the Milan strain (renal hypertension) and of DOCA-salt hypertensive animals (experimental hypertension). Since cardiac and renal hyperplasia associated with the hypertensive trait in four different genetic models of spontaneous hypertension was distinct from that observed in renal and experimental hypertension, it is conceivable that a specific cardiovascular growth pattern is a reflection not of a simple linkage or consequence, but of a causal association with spontaneous hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Selecting a treatment for primary varicose veins.

The treatment of varicose veins includes injection/compression sclerotherapy and surgical stripping or ligation or both. Surgery appears to be favoured when the saphenous system is involved or when the patient is 35 to 64 years old or presents with ankle edema or flare. On the other hand, sclerotherapy has been found to be more effective in patients with dilated superficial veins or incompetent perforating veins in the lower legs and to be more acceptable and less expensive than surgical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The increase of cGMP by atrial natriuretic factor correlates with the distribution of particulate guanylate cyclase.

We have demonstrated previously that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) augments urinary, plasma and kidney cGMP levels but has no significant effect upon cAMP. Using cGMP as a marker, we searched for specific target sites involved in the action of ANF in the dog kidney, and observed no change of cGMP in the proximal tubules, a 2-fold increase over basal levels in the thick loop of Henle and a 3-fold elevation in the collecting duct. The most striking action on cGMP occurred in the glomeruli with a rise of up to 50-fold being evident at 1-2 min. after the addition of ANF. The results obtained in the absence or presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor support the notion that the effects of ANF were exerted at the level of guanylate cyclase stimulation rather than cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibition. The action of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a direct stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase, differed from that of ANF. The ability of the factor to enhance cGMP levels was correlated with the distribution of particulate guanylate cyclase. This study identifies the glomeruli and the distal part of the nephron as specific targets of ANF and implicates particulate guanylate cyclase as the enzyme targetted for the expression of its action.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of natural and synthetic atrial natriuretic factor on arterial blood pressure, natriuresis and cyclic GMP excretion in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The differential effects of extracted and synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on arterial blood pressure, natriuresis, and cyclic GMP excretion were studied in normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR and SHRSP) rats. Atrial extracts or synthetic (101-126)-ANF decreased arterial blood pressure in all tested animals, but the blood pressure-lowering effect was more pronounced in hypertensive than in normotensive rats. ANF-induced diuresis and natriuresis were two- to three-fold higher in the hypertensive groups. However, a several-fold increase in total urinary cyclic GMP level after the infusion of ANF was essentially equal in the three groups. Our data suggest that acute infusion of ANF reveals a defect of sodium and water handling in SHR. It is possible that this defect is located at the distal nephron, and is made apparent by the action of ANF on glomeruli via a cyclic GMP-induced vascular effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Primary versus secondary events in hypertension.

Functional modifications, such as a reduction in hormonal response, which occur in the cardiovascular system in hypertension, are reflected at the cellular level by anomalies in cyclic nucleotide and other messenger systems. To distinguish between primary and adaptive abnormalities, we pursued three research strategies. (i) Investigations on various models of hypertension. To be considered a primary defect, an abnormality should also be present in other genetically hypertensive models. Indeed, we have confirmed the occurrence of cellular hyperplasia in the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as well as in spontaneously hypertensive mice (SHM). An increase of calmodulin levels in the heart and kidney is also observed in both the SHR and SHM. (ii) Studies on the evolution of hypertension with age. In humans, a decrease of cAMP levels in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation in older patients is contrasted with an excess in younger subjects. In the SHR, protein kinase activity of the heart is lower in the prehypertensive stages, whereas this defect appears much later in the aorta. (iii) Experiments on anomalies in newborns and cultured cells. The heart and kidney in the SHR exhibit significant hyperplasia at birth, and an abnormal growth continues in tissue culture. We hope that these strategies will eventually help to provide biochemical and functional markers for genetic analysis of factors which may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

Rapid increase in plasma and urinary cyclic GMP after bolus injection of atrial natriuretic factor in man.

We studied the effects of a bolus injection of 50/micrograms synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels in plasma and urine of eight normal men. Administration of the hormone increased basal immunoreactive (IR-) ANF levels in plasma 2.8-fold to 110 pM three minutes after injection. Thereafter, IR-ANF levels rapidly declined to basal levels. Plasma cyclic GMP levels increased 2.6-fold to 16.6 nM within 6 minutes after ANF and decreased to near basal values within 30 minutes. Urinary cyclic GMP excretion increased 2.8-fold, whereas urinary volume and sodium excretion increased less than two-fold in the 30 minutes after ANF. Plasma cyclic AMP levels did not change. The data indicate that changes in plasma IR-ANF levels are followed by changes in plasma cyclic GMP and in urinary cyclic GMP excretion and suggest that cyclic GMP is a biological marker for circulating ANF in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Activation of cyclic GMP-binding and cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterases of rat platelets by a mechanism involving cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation.

We have previously reported that the cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase activity in washed rat platelets is increased by a short exposure of platelet suspension to PGE1 and 1-methyl-3-isobutyl-xanthine (MIX). We report here that the incubation of washed platelets with forskolin resulted in an increase in the binding of cGMP and the activity of cGMP-phosphodiesterase as well as that of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase. As for PGE1, MIX potentiated the stimulatory effect of forskolin. The maximal activation of phosphodiesterases by forskolin and MIX occurred after 30 sec of incubation of platelets (with a slow decline thereafter). The activation of phosphodiesterases in intact platelets by forskolin occurred in parallel with the dissociation of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Prior incubation of a platelet supernatant with Mg-ATP and cAMP had only a slight effect on cAMP- or cGMP-phosphodiesterase activities, but the presence of MIX during the prior incubation, followed by appropriate dilution, greatly enhanced the activity of the two phosphodiesterases. The phosphodiesterase activation in vitro was inhibited by a non-hydrolysable analogue of ATP, AMP-PNP. Since the cGMP-binding phosphodiesterase activity is enhanced by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the presence of MIX and absence of cAMP, the effect of MIX cannot be explained in terms of the protection of cAMP from hydrolysis. It is possible that the xanthine increases the susceptibility of the cAMP-specific and cGMP-binding phosphodiesterases to phosphorylation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1984

Effect of native and synthetic atrial natriuretic factor on cyclic GMP.

Mammalian atrial cardiocyte granules contain a potent natriuretic and diuretic peptide. Since cGMP appears to be involved in the modulation of cholinergic and toxin-induced sodium transport, we examined the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on this nucleotide. Atrial but not ventricular extracts elicited approximately a 28-fold increase of urinary cGMP excretion parallel to the natriuresis and diuresis. The atrial extracts also elevated cGMP levels in kidney slices and primary cultures of renal tubular cells. The effect of ANF on cGMP appeared to be specific since antibodies which were capable of inhibiting the ANF-induced diuresis also suppressed cGMP excretion. Furthermore, during the course of ANF purification, the ANF-induced increase of cGMP production by kidney cells paralleled the heightened specific natriuretic activity of the atrial factor. A synthetic peptide (8-33)-ANF similarly increased urinary plasma and kidney tubular cGMP levels. The exact mechanism of action of ANF on cGMP remains to be elucidated, but indirect inhibition of cGMP phosphodiesterase appears to participate in its effect.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1984

Calcium-dependent proteolytic stimulation of adenylate cyclase in platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abnormalities of platelet aggregation and cyclic nucleotide metabolism are present in hypertension. We observed a greater increase in the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) after prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) stimulation and a lack of decrease of this cyclic nucleotide by epinephrine in platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as compared to normotensive rats. The difference in cyclic AMP production between SHR and control rats in response to PGE1 is dependent upon platelet exposure to calcium. Since calcium and cyclic AMP are closely related and are both abnormally regulated in hypertension, we have studied the effect of calcium on adenylate cyclase activity. We show here that two forms of endogenous calcium-dependent proteases (membrane-bound and soluble) stimulate the basal activity and the hormonal responsiveness of adenylate cyclase. The sensitivity of calcium-dependent proteolytic control of adenylate cyclase to very-low concentrations of calcium indicates that the regulation may be physiologically important. Furthermore, calcium exerts a greater influence on platelet adenylate cyclase from SHR than on that from normotensive rats. The adenylate cyclase defect seems to be located in the membrane fraction and may, therefore, result from an increase in the activity of the membrane-bound calcium-protease or may be intrinsic to adenylate cyclase itself. The exact site that is sensitive to proteolysis remains to be established.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1984

[The group worker, a tool of power or Shh! Don't wake James Dean.].

To aid an individual or a group to express agressivity and to re-channel it < > runs the risk of being a repressive and de-mobilizing intervention. All behaviour has political and social causes which those in power have an interest in evading. To say that one is apolitical and non-directive when one has a role of authority, is to protect the social status quo. To refuse to integrate the notion of power into one's intervention, is to work to the profit of those in power and to the detriment of the dominated. We, as intervention agents, have the power to define the rules of individual or social change. To hide this renders this power unchallengeable. In the face of the potential for repression inherent in all values of the dominant, I propose tolerance of confusion, the destabilization of leadership, and the learning of power mobility.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1983

AIDS in Haitian immigrants and in a Caucasian woman closely associated with Haitians.

In Montreal the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was seen in eight Haitian immigrants and one Caucasian woman who had lived with Haitian immigrants for 3 years before the onset of her illness. AIDS was characterized by opportunistic infections alone in seven patients, by opportunistic infection and Kaposi's sarcoma in one patient and by chronic generalized lymphadenopathy in one patient. Five of the patients had presented with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections 1 to 12 months before the onset of opportunistic infections. All nine patients were found to have recall anergy by skin testing for delayed hypersensitivity. Enumeration of the lymphocyte subpopulations in three patients showed a marked inversion of the ratio of helper to suppressor T lymphocytes. Six of the patients died as a result of the opportunistic infections; autopsies showed no recognizable causes of immunodeficiency. Thus, there is in Montreal a third clustering of AIDS cases in North America related to Haitian immigrants.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

Rapid activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase in rat platelets.

Incubation of intact platelets with prostaglandins (PGE1 and PGI2) and phosphodiesterase inhibitors (1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, indomethacin, dipyridamol) lead to activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase. The activation was rapid (maximal within 30 s) and stable after removal of agents and homogenization of platelets. The activation remained after DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The effect of the two types of agents on phosphodiesterase activity was more than additive and activation did not alter the nonlinear kinetic behavior of phosphodiesterase. The mechanism of the ex vivo stimulation is unknown at the present time, however, it does not seem to be due to cellular redistribution of the enzyme. The results suggest that activation of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase is an intermediate step. The ex vivo stimulation is regulated by a calcium-dependent process, since addition of Ca2+ ions and ionophore A23187 to Ca2+ depleted platelets abolished the ex vivo stimulation by PGE1 and MIX.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗