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Biomedical subjects

K Tasaka

Publications and source records attributed to K Tasaka.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Ca(2+)-induced cortisol secretion from permeabilized bovine adrenocortical cells: the roles of calmodulin, protein kinase C and cyclic AMP.

In order to clarify the role of intracellular second messenger systems in the cortisol secretion from bovine adrenocortical (BAC) cells, the cells were permeabilized with beta-escin and stimulated intracellularly with various compounds. When the permeabilized BAC cells were exposed to submicromolar concentrations of Ca2+, a prompt cortisol secretion was elicited in a concentration-dependent manner. As the cells were stimulated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol, slow but persistent cortisol secretion was elicited, but in the case of 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, no such effect was observed. The Ca(2+)-induced cortisol secretion was inhibited by simultaneous applications of calmodulin and protein kinase C (C kinase) inhibitors, but no significant inhibition was elicited by protein kinase A (A kinase) inhibitor. The results seem to indicate that in the Ca(2+)-induced cortisol secretion calmodulin may stimulate the initial stage, while C kinase may be involved mainly in the late phase of the secretion. In addition, cyclic AMP (cAMP) was also effective in activating cortisol secretion from permeabilized BAC cells. The cAMP-induced cortisol secretion was suppressed by an A kinase inhibitor but not affected by calmodulin or C kinase inhibitor. When Ca2+ and cAMP were added simultaneously at concentrations lower than those required to induce the cortisol secretion separately, a marked cortisol secretion was elicited, suggesting that a synergic action exists between Ca(2+)- and cAMP-activated systems. The Ca(2+)-induced cortisol secretion was suppressed by ruthenium red, an inhibitor of Ca2+ transport in the mitochondria. Although both NADP+ and NADPH elicited only a transient cortisol secretion, simultaneous addition of Ca2+ with NADP+ or NADPH caused a potent and sustained cortisol secretion. The augmentation due to Ca2+ on the NADP+ (or NADPH)-induced cortisol secretion was inhibited by the addition of a calmodulin inhibitor or a C kinase inhibitor, but not such effect was caused by A kinase inhibitor. From the present investigation, it was concluded that the Ca(2+)-dependent intracellular signal transduction may simulate the cortisol synthesis systems in the mitochondria of BAC cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1993

Changes in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels induced by intracerebroventricular injection of histamine and its related compounds in dogs.

Changes in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels induced by intracerebroventricular injection of histamine (H(i)) were studied in dogs. Intracerebroventricular administration of Hi at doses of 5 and 10 micrograms/kg caused a significant increase in plasma ACTH, while more rapid and more marked increase in plasma cortisol was noticed after Hi injection at doses of 2-10 micrograms/kg. Similar results were obtained when 2-methylhistamine was injected; remarkable increases in both plasma ACTH and cortisol levels were observed at doses of 25 and 50 micrograms/kg. However, no such effect was elicited by 4-methylhistamine even at a dose of 50 micrograms/kg. The rate of plasma cortisol increase induced by either Hi or 2-methylhistamine was significantly faster than that of plasma ACTH. Simultaneous application of pyrilamine (intracerebroventricularly) with H(i) resulted in the significant inhibition of H(i)-induced hormone secretions, but in similar administration neither ACTH nor cortisol were affected by cimetidine. In hypophysectomized dogs, a significant increase in plasma cortisol level was also observed after H(i) injection at a dose of 5 micrograms/kg. Intravenous infusion of hexamethonium continued before and after H(i) injection failed to inhibit the increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels induced by H(i). From these findings, it can be concluded that intracerebroventricular injection of H(i) caused an increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels via H1-receptor, and it is suggested that to some extent, the cortisol release elicited by H(i) is certainly produced without participation of ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1993

Cellular and humoral immune responses to vascular components in thromboangiitis obliterans.

Cellular and humoral immune responses to vascular components were studied in 10 patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), including 3 in the mild stage of the disease and 7 in the active or severe stage. In this study the authors used the following vascular components: collagen Types I, III, IV, and V; elastin; and laminin. The cell-mediate reactivity (CMR) to these proteins was measured with an antigen-specific proliferation of peripheral mononuclear cells and evaluated by the stimulation index (SI), which is the ratio of thymidine incorporation in the presence and in the absence of antigen. The humoral immunologic response (HIR) to these vascular components was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and evaluated by the optical density (OD) index, which is the ratio of optical density (OD) in the patients' serum to that in the healthy male controls' serum. The stimulation index of collagen Types I and IV was significantly higher in patients with TAO than in healthy controls (p < 0.02). CMR to collagen Type V, elastin, and laminin was high in patients with active or severe TAO as well. However, similar statistical differences in mild TAO did not exist in the CMR. The OD index in collagen Types I, IV, and V was statistically higher in the patients than in the healthy controls (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effect of histamine on memory retrieval in old rats.

Effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection of histamine (Hi) and its related compounds on prolongation of the response latency ensuing after a long interruption of learning were studied by testing the active avoidance response in old rats. After Hi application at doses of 50 and 100 ng, the response latency became significantly shorter than that determined in the pre-injection periods, suggesting that Hi facilitates memory retrieval in old rats. H1-agonists, 2-methylHi and 2-thiazolylethylamine, effected a dose-related shortening of response latency as seen after Hi application, whereas H2-agonists, 4-methylHi and impromidine, failed to prompt the response latency. Simultaneous i.c.v. injection of pyrilamine, a H1-antagonist and Hi abolished the Hi-induced shortening of response latency. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of histidine at doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg significantly shortened the response latency. Neither (R)-alpha-methylHi nor thioperamide caused a significant effect indicating that H3-receptor may not be involved in Hi-induced facilitation of memory retrieval. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that Hi takes an active part in facilitating memory recall via H1-receptor in old rats.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1993

Inhibitory effects of emedastine difumarate on histamine release.

The inhibitory effects of emedastine difumarate on histamine release were studied in rat peritoneal mast cells. Emedastine significantly inhibited substance P (SP)-induced histamine release at concentrations above 10(-9) M in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and at concentrations above 10(-11) M in its absence. At concentrations of 10(-8) M or higher, emedastine significantly inhibited SP-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca stores and SP-induced 45Ca uptake into mast cells. Emedastine also inhibited passive peritoneal anaphylaxis in rats and guinea pigs. We conclude that the clinical antiallergic effects of emedastine involve the inhibition of histamine release and that this inhibition is mediated by the inhibition of Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca stores and the inhibition of Ca2+ influx into mast cells.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1993

Antiallergic profile of the novel H1-antihistaminic compound levocabastine.

Levocabastine hydrochloride (R50 547, CAS79516-68-0) caused no inhibitory effect on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80, A23187 and concanavalin A. However, the drug inhibited histamine release from passively sensitized mast cells and passive peritoneal anaphylaxis in rats, though higher concentrations or doses were required. Moreover, levocabastine provided a relatively potent inhibitory effect on histamine release from lung pieces of actively sensitized guinea pigs exposed to antigen, and simultaneously the drug prevented a decrease in the cyclic AMP (cAMP) content. Levocabastine potently inhibited histamine-induced cutaneous reactions in rats and the drug also prevented histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum. Levocabastine did not induce any significant changes in platelet aggregation or in the contraction of guinea pig ileum induced by platelet activating factor (PAF). However, the drug inhibited eosinophil migration induced by PAF. The chemotaxis of neutrophils induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (fMLP) was also inhibited by levocabastine in a dose-dependent fashion. Levocabastine has no influence on the order parameter tested with liposomes, suggesting that the drug provides no significant effect on the membrane fluidity of lipid bilayer. These results seem to indicate that the antiallergic effect of levocabastine is mainly dependent on its potent antihistaminic activity.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1993

The Japanese perspective: effects of terfenadine in bronchial asthma: in vitro and in vivo research.

The development of newer, more potent, nonsedating H1-receptor antagonists has led to a reappraisal of the potential of this class of drugs in the treatment of asthma. Studies conducted in Japan have examined the pharmacologic profile and clinical efficacy of one of these newer agents, terfenadine. In vitro, terfenadine inhibited the release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells and guinea pig lung tissue and conjunctiva in response to such stimuli as compound 48/80, concanavalin A, substance P, A-23187, and the partial peptide of eosinophil major basic protein. Ketotifen had similar, though less potent, antiallergic activity in these models. Mechanisms that appear to be involved in the mediation of this inhibitory effect include the prevention of intracellular calcium ion release and calcium uptake, the inhibition of protein kinase C translocation, and the activation of adenylate cyclase and the resulting accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP). A multicenter, double-blind, controlled clinical trial compared the efficacy of ketotifen, 2 mg bid, with that of terfenadine, given at doses of 120 or 240 mg bid (two or four times the US recommended dose, respectively) in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic and mixed-type asthma in adults. Physician assessment of overall improvement and patient evaluation of response were somewhat better with terfenadine, particularly the 120-mg bid dose. As in other comparative studies of these two drugs, terfenadine produced less drowsiness than ketotifen.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Histamine-induced production of interleukin-1 alpha from murine bone marrow stromal cells and its inhibition by H2 blockers.

In this study, the role of histamine in interleukin-1 (IL-1) formation in murine bone marrow stromal cells was investigated in vitro. It was found that histamine and 4-methylhistamine increased the number of granulocyte colony-forming units in murine bone marrow cells. A similar effect was elicited by dibutyryl-cAMP and theophylline. When histamine and H2 agonists, such as 4-methylhistamine and dimaprit, were added to the culture medium containing murine bone marrow stromal cells, thymocyte comitogenic activity detected in the medium increased significantly. However, no such effect was observed in the case of 2-methyl-histamine, an H1 agonist. Histamine-induced production of thymocyte comitogenic activity in bone marrow stromal cells was inhibited by some H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine, but not by the H1 antagonist pyrilamine. Histamine was also effective in inducing the colony-promoting activity in murine bone marrow stromal cells. This was also inhibited by H2 antagonists such as cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine. Histamine elicited an increase in cAMP content in bone marrow stromal cells. From gel filtration analysis, the molecular mass of the active substance produced by bone marrow stromal cells in response to histamine was in the range of 15 to 20 kDa. By means of Western blotting analysis, it was found that production of pro-IL-1 alpha in the bone marrow stromal cells was induced by histamine. The production of pro-IL-1 alpha in bone marrow stromal cells stimulated by histamine was inhibited not only by H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine, but also by the protein kinase A antagonist KT-5720. These results indicate that histamine stimulates the production of IL-1 alpha in bone marrow stromal cells and that this results in the proliferation and differentiation of neutrophil progenitor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Phosphorylation of smg p21B in rat peritoneal mast cells in association with histamine release inhibition by dibutyryl-cAMP.

IP3 formation and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated by compound 48/80 were dose-dependently inhibited by Bt2cAMP. These inhibitions were restored to the control level in the presence of H-8, a protein kinase A inhibitor. The 22 kDa protein in mast cells was revealed as a markedly phosphorylated protein by incubating with Bt2cAMP, and this phosphorylation was also diminished by H-8. The 22 kDa phosphoprotein of rat mast cells comigrated with phosphorylated smg p21B, purified from human platelets and phosphorylated by protein kinase A in cell-free system, in both one- and two-dimensional PAGE analysis. Moreover, 22 kDa protein in mast cells was identified as smg p21B by immunoblot analysis using an antibody against smg p21B. From the present study, it became clear that smg p21B is phosphorylated by means of protein kinase A system in rat peritoneal mast cells, and it was assumed that phosphorylated smg p21B plays some important role in the suppression of IP3 formation and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

de novo synthesis of calmodulin binding protein in substance P-induced steroidogenesis in bovine adrenocortical cells.

In order to clarify the mechanism of substance P (SP)-induced cortisol secretion from bovine adrenocortical (BAC) cells, protein synthesis at the early stage of SP-stimulation in BAC cells was investigated. Both SP and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased [3H]leucine uptake into BAC cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Although the SP-induced [3H]leucine uptake precedes the cortisol secretion, ACTH was slower in inducing [3H]leucine uptake and cortisol secretion. Protein synthesis inhibitors, actinomycin D and cycloheximide, were potent in inhibiting the SP-induced cortisol secretion. SDS-PAGE analysis, revealed that a 240 kDa protein is newly synthesized in BAC cells in response to SP but not ACTH. It was also indicated that the production of this 240 kDa protein was elicited about 30 min after stimulation by SP. Moreover, A23187 and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) also caused a rapid [3H]leucine uptake and production of 240 kDa protein. In contrast, dibutyryl cAMP did not induce the synthesis of this 240 kDa protein. Calmidazolium, a calmodulin inhibitor, effectively inhibited not only [3H]leucine uptake but also 240 kDa protein production due to SP. On the other hand, KT-5720, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, had no effect on [3H]leucine uptake or 240 kDa production. Using the [125I]calmodulin-membrane overlay method, it was found that the 240 kDa protein was a newly synthesized calmodulin binding protein. From the present study, it was concluded that the de novo synthesis of this 240 kDa protein may be intimately related to the cortisol secretion in SP-stimulated BAC cells associated with an activation of the Ca-calmodulin pathway.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1992

Histamine-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells. The role of cAMP and protein kinase A.

When HL-60 cells were stimulated with histamine, a significant differentiation of the cells toward neutrophils was elicited. Histamine increased phagocytic activity, but it reduced myeloperoxidase activity of HL-60 cells. Histamine-induced differentiation in HL-60 cells was inhibited not only by H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine, but also by an inhibitor of protein kinase A (A kinase), KT-5720. Histamine increased the cAMP level and A kinase activity in HL-60 cells; both increases preceded the cell differentiation. Histamine also enhanced phosphorylation of a 160 kD protein in HL-60 cells, while H2 antagonists and KT-5720 inhibited this phosphorylation. The results of the present study indicate that an activation of A kinase via H2 receptor stimulation may cause the phosphorylation of a 160 kD protein and that this phosphorylation is probably involved in the process leading to differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Carbazoles↗
PubMed1992

Activin A increases cytosolic free calcium concentration in rat pituitary somatotropes.

The effect of activin A on the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in normal rat pituitary cells was examined using a calcium sensitive fluorescent dye, indo 1 AM, and a digital imaging fluorescent microscope system. The cells showing an increase in [Ca2+]i in response to activin A were then characterized by comparison with cells responding to growth hormone releasing hormone (GRH), thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in monolayer cultures of normal rat pituitary cells. Activin A increased [Ca2+]i in some cells in a mixed population of normal rat pituitary cells. The cells that responded to activin A also responded to GRH. Most of these cells were not affected by other tropic hormones (CRH, TRH, and GnRH), but a few cells responded to both GRH and TRH. None of the activin A-responding cells responded to CRH or GnRH, and none of the CRH- or GnRH-responding cells responded to activin A. In a preparation of somatotropes purified 80-90% by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, activin A increased [Ca2+]i in 30% of the cells that shows a [Ca2+]i-response to GRH. These findings suggest direct involvement of somatotropes in activin A-induced biological events in the rat pituitary gland.

Activins↗
PubMed1992

Thrombin-stimulated phosphorylation of myosin light chain and its possible involvement in endothelin-1 secretion from porcine aortic endothelial cells.

Thrombin-stimulated secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) from porcine aortic endothelial cells was inhibited in the presence of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8), trifluoperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). 1-(5-Chloronaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine (ML-9) also prevented the thrombin-stimulated secretion of ET-1 but it enhanced the accumulation of ET-1 in the endothelial cells. When the endothelial cells were treated with thrombin, the phosphorylation of a 20-kDa protein which was identified as myosin light chain (MLC) was detected. Phosphorylation was augmented in a time-dependent manner. As in the case of ET-1 secretion, MLC phosphorylation was prevented by TMB-8, trifluoperazine, W-7 and ML-9 at the same concentrations which were effective in inhibiting the ET-1 secretion. The site of phosphorylation of MLC was identified as a serine residue. Parallel to the phosphorylation of MLC, thrombin increased the amounts of the 43- and 200-kDa proteins in the Triton-insoluble fraction; these proteins were identified as actin and myosin heavy chain, respectively. These results suggest that the MLC phosphorylation elicited by MLC kinase may facilitate the formation of filamentous myosin and actin which are probably involved in ET-1 secretion, possibly in the transport of ET-1-containing vesicles in thrombin-stimulated endothelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cortisol secretion induced by substance P from bovine adrenocortical cells and its inhibition by calmodulin inhibitors.

When primary cultured bovine adrenocortical cells were treated with substance P (SP) at concentrations higher than 10 pM, cortisol output increased in a dose-dependent fashion. Although other neurokinins, such as neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), were also effective in secreting cortisol, SP was the most potent among the tested neurokinins, the potency order being SP greater than NKA much greater than NKB. This suggests that the NK-1 type receptor on adrenocortical cells may be the site of action of SP on cortisol secretion. The maximal response in SP-induced cortisol secretion was comparable to that elicited by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). SP-induced cortisol secretion was dependent upon extracellular Ca2+ concentrations, and 45Ca2+ uptake into adrenocortical cells treated with SP was long-lasting. While, in the case of ACTH, 45Ca2+ uptake proceeded transiently, the increase in intracellular cAMP content was much greater compared with that of SP. Although KT-5720, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, inhibited potently ACTH-induced cortisol secretion, SP-induced secretin was not affected by this inhibitor at all. On the other hand, calmodulin inhibitors, such as calmidazolium, trifluoperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, were not more effective in inhibiting SP-induced cortisol secretion than secretion induced by ACTH. The present study indicates that SP may be one of the physiological stimulants of cortisol secretion and that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and the subsequent activation of calmodulin may precede SP-induced cortisol secretion.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of intracellular Mg2+ by superoxide in amnion cells.

Changes of intracellular free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) in human amnion cells induced by superoxide anion were determined using a highly Mg(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye Mg(2+)-fura2 or Mg(2+)-indol. Superoxide anion, produced by addition of xanthine oxidase to hypoxanthine, induced decrease of [Mg2+]i. The decrease was significantly inhibited by an anion channel blocker, 4,4'diisothiocyano-2,2' disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), injected into cells by cell fusion, also inhibited the change of [Mg2+]i, but catalase did not. Superoxide anion induced prompt increase of intracellular pH (pHi) as well as decrease of [Mg2+]i and subsequently activated the increase of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and the release of arachidonate. In contrast to superoxide anion, NH4Cl which induces increase of pHi in amnion cells increased [Mg2+]i. The elevation of basal level of [Mg2+]i by Mg(2+)-ionophore inhibited the change of [Ca2+]i and the release of arachidonate induced by superoxide anion. These results suggest that superoxide anion, transported through anion channels into cells, decreases [Mg2+]i directly, not due to a pH-effect and that the decrease of [Mg2+]i may regulate biological functions of the cells via increase of [Ca2+]i.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
PubMed1992

Ca(2+)-induced translocation of protein kinase C during Ca(2+)-dependent histamine release from beta-escin-permeabilized rat mast cells.

When rat mast cells were cultured for a short period in plastic dishes and adhering cells were permeabilized with beta-escin and exposed to Ca2+ at concentrations higher than 10(-7) mol/l, histamine release was induced dose-dependently. Protein kinase C (PKC) activity in the crude extracts obtained from adhering mast cells was induced in the presence of Ca2+, phospholipid and diacylglycerol. The apparent Km value of PKC for Ca2+ was 0.33 mumol/l, and this Ca2+ concentration was equivalent to that which can elicit half the maximum of the Ca(2+0-induced histamine release. After permeabilization, approximately 80% of the total PKC activity remained in the cytosolic fraction. In the resting state, 95% of the total PKC activity was detected in the soluble fraction, and the rest was detected in the membrane fraction. When permeabilized mast cells were incubated with Ca2+ at micromolar concentrations, which are effective in releasing histamine, the total PKC activity did not change. However, the translocation of PKC took place from the cytosolic fraction to the membrane fraction, corresponding to Ca2+ concentrations in the medium. When the crude PKC extract of mast cells was incubated with phospholipid vesicles and centrifuged, the PKC activity in the supernatant was diminished; the amount of PKC binding to the vesicles was dependent upon Ca2+ concentrations in the medium. Calphostin C, a potent PKC inhibitor, interacts with PKC in a noncompetitive manner, and it does not inhibit Ca(2+)-induced translocation of PKC. It can be concluded that PKC is translocated into the cell membrane along with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and the subsequent activation of PKC may be crucial for the process leading to histamine release.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Histamine-induced depolarization and the cyclic AMP--protein kinase A system in isolated guinea pig adipocytes.

The relationship between histamine (Hi)-induced depolarization and the cyclic AMP system in adipocytes was studied in guinea pigs, which seem to be more sensitive than rats to Hi. Hi caused a dose-dependent depolarization in guinea pig mesenterial and epididymal adipocytes with EC50 values of 1.69 x 10(-7) M and 1.19 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Guinea pig adipocytes were 280-750 times more sensitive than rat adipocytes to Hi. Isoproterenol, forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) also caused a depolarization, and the slopes of the concentration response lines for these drugs were almost the same as that for Hi. Furthermore, pretreatment with these drugs resulted in a potentiation of Hi-induced depolarization at lower concentrations which are not effective when each drug is used alone. In addition, Hi-induced depolarization was inhibited by pretreatment with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and insulin dose-dependently. The content of cyclic AMP in adipocytes was increased by Hi (10(-7) M) in association with a decrease in membrane potential. KT5720, a protein kinase A inhibitor, which provides no significant effect even at a concentration of 10(-6) M, showed an antagonistic effect on Hi-induced depolarization.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗