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Biomedical subjects

K Yasunari

Publications and source records attributed to K Yasunari.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Endothelin modulates the mitogenic effect of PDGF on glomerular mesangial cells.

We showed that two isoforms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), AB and BB, stimulate the secretion of endothelin (ET)-1 from cultured rat mesangial cells. Then, we examined whether PDGF AB and BB stimulate mesangial cell proliferation through the modulation of the endogenous production of ET-1 in these cells. Mitogenesis experiments were assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA under highest concentrations (10 ng/ml) of PDGF AB and BB in the presence and absence of anti-ET-1 antiserum or a selective A-type endothelin receptor (ETA receptor) antagonist, BQ-123. PDGF AB and BB potently stimulate thymidine incorporation. This stimulation was significantly attenuated in the presence of either anti-ET-1 antiserum or BQ-123 (10(-7)-10(-5)M). Results suggest that PDGF AB and BB stimulate ET-1 secretion in rat mesangial cells through PDGF beta-receptors, and endogenously produced ET-1 serves to modulate the mitogenic effect of PDGF AB and BB, probably via ETA receptors in these cells.

Animals↗

Relationship between the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and the changes in circadian blood pressure after long-term treatment with enalapril in hypertensive patients.

The ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was recorded for 24 hours in 28 untreated hypertensive patients, and mean values of systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured over 24 hours, during the day-time (6:00 to 19:30), and during the night-time (20:00 to 5:30). M-mode echocardiography was performed and several parameters of left ventricular size were calculated. In addition, 13 men of 18 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) received long-term treatment with enalapril, and ambulatory BP monitoring and echocardiographic measurement were performed in 10 of these patients 6 months after active treatment ended. In all 28 patients, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was significantly related to 24-hour, day-time and night-time SBP. Other parameters of hypertrophy were correlated with 24-hour and/or night-time BP, but not with day-time BP. In patients with LVH, night-time DBP was significantly higher and the night-time decline in DBP was significantly less than in those without LVH. The 6-month treatment with enalapril clearly decreased casual and ambulatory BP and reduced LVMI. The reduction of LVMI was strongly correlated with the decrease in night-time SBP and DBP compared with the decrease in day-time BP. These observations indicate that LVH is related to 24-hour BP (especially night-time BP) and that the regression of this condition may be related to a decline in night-time BP.

Adult↗

Serial changes in atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with early coronary angioplasty.

To examine the role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we measured the plasma concentration of immunoreactive (ir) BNP together with that of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) over the 4-week course of AMI in 16 patients treated with early coronary angioplasty. Both the plasma ir-ANP and ir-BNP levels were increased on the first day of the infarction compared with the values in normal subjects. During the clinical course of the infarction, the plasma ir-ANP concentration soon decreased, while the plasma ir-BNP level remained elevated at 2 weeks after the infarction, also exhibiting a high level at 4 weeks. Plasma ir-BNP levels on day 1 or days 14 and 28 were inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction obtained by left ventriculography at the acute or chronic phase, respectively. Plasma ir-BNP concentrations on days 14 and 28 were positively correlated with the maximal myosin light chain I level, an indicator of infarct size. These observations suggest that the plasma ir-BNP level increased to compensate for the ventricular dysfunction associated with the size of the infarct in AMI. BNP may act as a cardiac hormone in AMI, differing somewhat from ANP in its synthetic, secretory, or clearance behavior.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Stimulation of endothelin-1 release by low density and very low density lipoproteins in cultured human endothelial cells.

To examine the effects of lipoproteins on the secretion of endothelin-1 from endothelial cells, we measured immunoreactive (ir) endothelin-1 release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in the presence or absence of various concentrations of native low density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized LDL, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Cultured endothelial cells secreted ir-endothelin-1 into serum-free medium in a time-dependent manner, and the secretion was clearly stimulated following a 15-24-h incubation with 10 micrograms/ml oxidized LDL. The secretion of ir-endothelin-1 increased in a dose-dependent manner after a 24-h incubation with oxidized LDL, while only a high dose of native LDL and VLDL significantly increased ir-endothelin-1 secretion. The release of ir-endothelin-1 stimulated by 20 micrograms/ml oxidized LDL was reproduced by the same concentration of acetylated LDL but not native LDL. These observations indicate that the release of ir-endothelin-1 from endothelial cells is stimulated by lipoproteins, in particular by oxidized LDL, probably through the endothelial scavenger receptor. This increase in ir-endothelin-1 release induced by oxidized LDL may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

Cells, Cultured↗

Effect of endothelin receptor antagonist, BQ-123, on Ca2+ signaling in cultured rat mesangial cells.

Endothelin (ET)-1 causes mesangial cell contraction and proliferation. The present study was designed to evaluate the functional ET receptor subtype in cultured rat mesangial cells by measuring intracellular Ca2+ signaling with the use of a newly synthesized ET receptor type A selective antagonist-BQ123. The ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3 increased intracellular Ca2+ level in a dose-dependent manner. BQ-123 suppressed intracellular Ca2+ elevation in response to ET-1 in a dose-dependent manner with its half maximal inhibition value of 28 nM. BQ-123 (10(-6) M) did not affect ET-3 (10(-7) M)-induced Ca2+ response. The peak Ca2+ levels after addition of ET-3 without BQ-123 were similar to those in response to ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3 in the presence of BQ-123. Northern blot analysis showed that cultured mesangial cells expressed both ETA and ETB receptor mRNA. These results suggest that cultured mesangial cells have, at least, two types of functional receptors, one of which is an ETA receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stimulation of brain natriuretic peptide release from the heart by thyroid hormone.

This study was designed to examine the involvement of thyroid hormone in the release of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) from the heart. We measured plasma immunoreactive BNP (ir-BNP) concentrations in patients with untreated hyperthyroidism. We also measured BNP values in experimental rats with hyperthyroidism induced by thyroxine (T4) and in rats with hypothyroidism induced by propylthiouracil (PTU). The in vitro effects of triiodothyronine (T3) and T4 on the release of BNP were examined in newborn rat atrial and ventricular myocytes in primary culture. Plasma BNP levels were increased in hyperthyroid patients compared with normal control subjects. Plasma BNP levels were increased in hyperthyroid rats and decreased in hypothyroid rats compared with euthyroid rats. Plasma BNP level was correlated with serum T4 level in hyperthyroid patients and hyperthyroid rats. A major component of ir-BNP in plasma from hyperthyroid patients was human BNP-32 and that in plasma from hyperthyroid rats was rat BNP-45. T4 and T3 stimulated release of ir-BNP from both cultured atrial and ventricular myocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma BNP concentration is frequently increased in hyperthyroidism, and thyroid hormone may regulate BNP release from both atrial and ventricular myocytes.

Adult↗

Effect of heparin on endothelin-1 production by cultured human endothelial cells.

Heparin shows a blood pressure-lowering effect in various hypertensive rat models. This study was designed to examine the effect of heparin on vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) production by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ET-1 and cyclic GMP levels in the medium were determined by radioimmunoassay. ET-1 mRNA was quantified by densitometric Northern blot analysis. ET-1 was released into the medium in a time-dependent manner, and its release was augmented by thrombin (10 U/ml). Heparin suppressed both basal and thrombin-stimulated ET-1 secretion and its mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Heparin suppressed ET-1 mRNA expression in a time-dependent fashion. Heparin did not suppress both basal and thrombin-stimulated ET-1 production in the presence of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (10(-5) M). The production of cGMP stimulated by thrombin was significantly enhanced by heparin, but not in the presence of L-NMMA (10(-5) M). Heparin may suppress vasoconstrictor ET-1 production mediated by the enhancement of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in HUVECs.

Blotting, Northern↗

Interaction of PDGF and natriuretic peptides on mesangial cell proliferation and endothelin secretion.

The present study examined the possible interaction of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and atrial or brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP, respectively) on cellular proliferation and secretion of endothelin-1 in cultured rat mesangial cells. PDGF increased cellular proliferation and endothelin-1 secretion. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, staurosporine, and PKC inhibitor peptide, inhibited such stimulation. Rat ANP-(1-28) and rat BNP-45 exhibited clearly dose-related inhibition of PDGF-stimulated cellular proliferation and endothelin-1 secretion. This inhibition by ANP and BNP was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Results indicate that PDGF stimulates cellular proliferation and endothelin-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells by a mechanism probably involving activation of PKC and that ANP and BNP inhibit such stimulation through a cGMP-dependent process.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Interaction between a phorbol ester and dopamine DA1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle.

The interaction between dopamine DA1 receptors and a phorbol ester was studied to elucidate the role of protein kinase C in the response of this receptor. The in vitro binding of [3H]Sch 23390 to DA1 receptor sites on vascular smooth muscle cells was saturable. The extent of [3H]Sch 23390 binding to phorbol ester-treated cells was increased without any change in the dissociation constant. The production of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in response to DA1 receptor stimulation was enhanced by preincubation of vascular smooth muscle cells with the phorbol ester for 4 h. However, no enhancement was observed when the medium used for preincubation was supplemented with a protein kinase C inhibitor. Direct stimulation of stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein with 5-guanylylimidodiphosphate and direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin produced no significant differences in cyclase levels between phorbol ester-treated and untreated cells. These results suggest that activation of protein kinase C triggers an increase in the membrane expression of DA1 receptors, thereby enhancing receptor-coupled cAMP generation.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Natriuretic peptides inhibit mesangial cell production of endothelin induced by arginine vasopressin.

The present study examined the effects of atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP, respectively) on endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion after stimulation with arginine vasopressin (AVP), using cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. AVP stimulated immunoreactive (ir) ET-1 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner via a receptor-mediated process. Rat ANP-(1-28) and rat BNP-45 potently inhibited this stimulated secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition by ANP and BNP of AVP-stimulated ET-1 secretion was paralleled by an increase in the medium level of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). The addition of a cGMP analogue, 8-bromo-cGMP, reduced the stimulated ET-1 secretion. CNP was much less effective than rat ANP-(1-28) or rat BNP-45 with respect to inhibiting irET-1 secretion and increasing cGMP levels. High-performance liquid chromatography indicated that the major component of irET-1 in the culture medium corresponds to ET-1-(1-21). These findings indicate that AVP stimulates ET-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells and that rat ANP and BNP inhibit this stimulated secretion, probably through a cGMP-dependent process.

Animals↗

Brain natriuretic peptide as a cardiac hormone in essential hypertension.

PURPOSE: A natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), has been isolated from porcine hearts. We performed this study to determine if BNP is secreted from the heart and to identify changes, if any, in the plasma BNP concentration in essential hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured the immunoreactive (ir) BNP concentration at intracardiac sites including the coronary sinus of five patients with heart disease during cardiac catheterization. We examined plasma ir-BNP in 48 hypertensive patients, 15 borderline hypertensive patients, and 25 normotensive subjects. RESULTS: Plasma ir-BNP in the coronary sinus was greater than at other cardiac sites. The concentration was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects than in borderline hypertensive or normotensive subjects. Hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) established by echocardiography had higher plasma ir-BNP levels than those without LVH. In the hypertensive group, plasma ir-BNP was closely correlated with the LV mass index. In these patients, BNP levels were correlated with mean arterial pressure and inversely correlated with the LV ejection fraction, although these correlations were weak. Reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography showed that the major component of circulating ir-BNP in the hypertensive and normotensive subjects corresponded to authentic human BNP-32. CONCLUSIONS: Human BNP-32 was secreted through the coronary sinus from the heart and may act as a cardiac hormone. Plasma BNP was increased in many of the hypertensive subjects with LVH. The increase in BNP seemed to be related to LVH or the cardiac overload associated with LVH.

Adult↗

Angiotensin II stimulates endothelin-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells.

The present study was designed to test two hypotheses: (1) that angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates endothelin-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells and (2) that atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) inhibit the above-mentioned secretion in these cells. Ang II stimulated immunoreactive (ir) endothelin-1 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner between 10(-8) M and 10(-7) M. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors from two chemical classes, H7 and staurosporine, inhibited secretion following such stimulation. The stimulatory effect of Ang II was also abolished in the PKC-depleted cells. Rat ANP(1-28) and rat BNP-45, which are the respective major circulating forms of ANP and BNP in rats, potently inhibited Ang II-stimulated endothelin-1 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition by ANP and BNP of Ang II-stimulated endothelin-1 secretion was paralleled by an increase in the cellular level of cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP). The addition of a cyclic GMP analogue, 8-bromo cyclic GMP, reduced the stimulated endothelin-1 secretion. Rat ANP(5-25) was less effective that rat ANP(1-28) with respect to inhibiting ir-endothelin-1 secretion and increasing cellular cyclic GMP. These findings indicate that Ang II stimulates endothelin-1 secretion in cultured rat mesangial cells by a mechanism probably involving activation of PKC, and that rat ANP and BNP inhibit this stimulated secretion through a cyclic GMP-dependent process.

Angiotensin II↗

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides: secretion during exercise in patients with essential hypertension and modulation by acute angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.

1. This study examined whether brain and atrial natriuretic peptides (BNP, ANP) are secreted together through the coronary sinus from the heart, and whether plasma concentrations of BNP and ANP were affected by ergometric exercise in patients with essential hypertension. The effects of temocapril, a potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on plasma concentrations of these peptides was also examined. 2. The plasma concentrations of immunoreactive (ir) BNP and ir-ANP in the coronary sinus in seven patients with ischaemic heart disease during cardiac catheterization were far greater than values with plasma obtained at the same time from the femoral artery. 3. The plasma concentrations of ir-BNP and ir-ANP increased with exercise and were correlated with each other. Temocapril reduced the blood pressure and slightly (but significantly) decreased the levels of both peptides at rest and during exercise. 4. The results suggest that BNP and ANP were secreted together through the coronary sinus from the heart. The secretion was increased by exercise and suppressed by acute ACE inhibition. The increase in these peptides during exercise may reflect a compensatory mechanism against further elevation of blood pressure.

Aged↗

Heparin suppresses endothelin-1 action and production in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Previous studies have shown that chronic subcutaneous administration of heparin significantly reduces blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The intracellular mechanisms of how heparin prevents smooth muscle cell proliferation remain unclear. This study was designed to examine whether heparin affects endothelin-1 action and production, to further elucidate the mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of heparin. Four-week treatment with heparin (300 U/day sc) significantly decreased blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; 199 +/- 8 vs. 164 +/- 9 mmHg; P < 0.001) and completely blunted pressor response to endothelin-1 in SHR. Heparin treatment did not decrease blood pressure response nor did it attenuate blood pressure responses to endothelin-1 in Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Heparin significantly suppressed endothelin-1-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate level in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells in a dose-dependent manner and endothelin-1 release from cultured endothelial cells. These inhibitions were significantly more pronounced in SHR than in WKY. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the antihypertensive effect of heparin is mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of endothelin-1 action on vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelin-1 production from endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Phorbol ester and atrial natriuretic peptide receptor response on vascular smooth muscle.

At least two types of receptors for natriuretic peptides have been reported: biologically active receptors coupled with guanylate cyclase (atrial natriuretic peptide [ANP]-B receptors) and clearance receptors (ANP-C receptors). To elucidate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of ANP-B receptors, vascular smooth muscle cells in culture were treated with phorbol ester. Incubation with receptor agonists and phorbol ester led to the desensitization of receptor-mediated cyclic guanosine monophosphate (ANP-B receptor response) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Although a PKC inhibitor and downregulation of PKC by long-term incubation of cells with phorbol esters blocked the phorbol ester-induced desensitization of the ANP-B receptor response, they did not block the ANP-induced desensitization of the ANP-B receptor response. In addition, when desensitization by phorbol esters was observed, ANP was still capable of desensitization. These observations suggest that the mechanism for regulating ANP-B receptor sensitivity may be both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent and mediated by phorbol esters and ANP, respectively.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides inhibit the endothelin-1 secretory response to angiotensin II in porcine aorta.

We have recently shown that the porcine aorta releases immunoreactive endothelin-1 in a time-dependent way. Here, we examined the inhibition by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) of endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with angiotensin II (Ang II) by using porcine aorta. Ang II dose-dependently stimulated immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion. Porcine ANP-(1-28) and porcine BNP-26 both inhibited such secretion in a dose-dependent way. The addition of a cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) analogue, 8-bromo-cGMP, reduced the immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with Ang II. In cultured porcine endothelial cells the inhibition by porcine ANP-(1-28) and porcine BNP-26 of immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with Ang II was paralleled by an increase in the cellular cGMP level. Rat ANP-(5-25) was weaker than porcine ANP-(1-28) in inhibiting immunoreactive endothelin-1 secretion and increasing cGMP in cultured cells. There was negative correlation between the percent decrease in immunoreactive endothelin-1 and the percent increase in cGMP. Neither porcine ANP-(1-28) nor BNP-26 affected the number or sensitivity of Ang II binding sites in cultured porcine endothelial cells. These results suggest that ANP and BNP inhibit endothelin-1 secretion after stimulation with Ang II, probably through a cGMP-dependent process.

Angiotensin II↗