Biomedical subjects

L L Ng

Publications and source records attributed to L L Ng.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Glucose-induced changes in turnover of Na+/H+ exchanger of immortalized lymphoblasts from type I diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Increased cellular Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity has been demonstrated in type I diabetic patients with nephropathy. Such patients also have a previous history of poor glycemic control. The interaction between hyperglycemia and changes in NHE activity remains obscure. Therefore, we examined the effects of media containing 5 and 25 mmol/l glucose on the increased NHE activity and turnover number in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblasts from patients with diabetic nephropathy compared with normoalbuminuric diabetic and nondiabetic control subjects. NHE activity was determined fluorometrically, and NHE isoform 1 (NHE-1) density was measured with specific polyclonal antibodies. In the presence of 5 mmol/l glucose, cells from patients with diabetic nephropathy exhibited higher NHE activity with intracellular pH clamped to 6.0 compared with diabetic and nondiabetic control subjects (P < 0.005 for both), due to a higher turnover number of NHE-1. Incubation in 25 mmol/l glucose for 48 h caused an increase in NHE activity (P < 0.001) and turnover number (P < 0.01) in the diabetic nephropathy group only, with no significant change in the diabetic or nondiabetic control groups. The rate constants for cell proliferation and NHE activity or turnover number were correlated when cells were cultured in 5 mmol/l glucose (r = 0.34 and 0.32, respectively; P < 0.05) or 25 mmol/l glucose media (r = 0.66 and 0.65, respectively; P < 0.001). We conclude that only lymphoblasts from the diabetic nephropathy group show an increase in NHE activity and turnover number under conditions mimicking hyperglycemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Activity and density of the Na+/H+ antiporter in normal and transformed human lymphocytes and fibroblasts.

The turnover number for the sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) has been determined in human lymphocytes and MRC5 fibroblasts and in their virally transformed counterparts. Using fluorometric methods, we have determined the intracellular pH and Na+/H+ antiport activity of these cells. Intracellular pH was elevated in both lines of transformed cells. In contrast, Na+/H+ antiport activity was apparently unchanged in simian virus 40-transformed MRC5 fibroblasts (MRC5 SV1 TV1 28.9 +/- 5.2 mM/min compared with MRC5 fibroblasts 26.5 +/- 5.3 mM/min) but slightly increased in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblasts (16.7 +/- 1.0 mM/min compared with lymphocytes 13.5 +/- 2.3 mM/min, P < 0.05). With the use of specific antisera to NHE-1, viral transformation was associated with a decreased number of NHE-1 molecules per cell in fibroblasts (from 441,504 +/- 53,428 to 64,745 +/- 7,151 sites/cell, P < 0.001) but an increased number in lymphocytes (from 14,066 +/- 3,100 to 22,474 +/- 4,050 sites/cell, P < 0.01). The NHE-1 density per cell yielded very similar turnover numbers for NHE-1 in the untransformed cells (lymphocytes, 3,161 +/- 833 cycles/s; MRC5 fibroblasts, 3,026 +/- 441 cycles/s), which were significantly elevated in the transformed cells (lymphoblasts, 8,471 +/- 1,177 cycles/s; MRC5 SV1 TV1, 10,521 +/- 2,299 cycles/s, P < 0.001 compared with untransformed cells). We conclude that viral transformation has different effects on Na+/H+ antiport activity and NHE-1 density per cell in different cell types, but the turnover number of NHE-1 is significantly increased after viral transformation, which correlates with the increased proliferation rate of these transformed cells.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1994

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibition modulates vasopressin-stimulated Ca2+ responses in rat A10 vascular smooth muscle cells.

Previous evidence has indicated a role for changes in cell membrane cholesterol in the modulation of [Ca2+]i responses and smooth muscle contraction to vascular agonists. However, the actions of plasma cholesterol-lowering agents such as 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin) have not been defined. Such agents may in addition affect isoprenoid intermediates that may play a role in signal transduction pathways involving G proteins. Arginine vasopressin-induced [Ca2+]i responses in A10 rat vascular myocytes were therefore studied in vitro. Vasopressin stimulated an initial peak [Ca2+]i that was independent of extracellular Ca2+ entry and a subsequent plateau that was dependent on Ca2+ influx, mainly through receptor-operated dihydropyridine-insensitive divalent cation channels. Simvastatin-treated A10 cells (5 mg/L for 24 hours) showed a normal initial peak response to vasopressin, but the plateau phase of Ca2+ entry was significantly impaired. By use of Mn2+ quenching of intracellular fura 2 to measure divalent cation entry, the maximal rate of vasopressin-stimulated Mn2+ entry was impaired in simvastatin-treated cells by 52%. Mevalonate (1 mmol/L for 4 hours at 37 degrees C) reversed all the changes in simvastatin-treated cells. There were no associated changes in total cellular cholesterol or fluorescence anisotropy measurements with simvastatin treatment. Measurements of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate mass showed that simvastatin did not impair the initial peak response to vasopressin but significantly reduced the subsequent plateau phase. These changes were also reversed with mevalonate incubation. These findings suggest that simvastatin has additional effects on [Ca2+]i homeostasis that are independent of changes in total cell cholesterol.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Abnormal Na+/H+ antiporter phenotype and turnover of immortalized lymphoblasts from type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Cellular Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity is elevated in type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy and patients with essential hypertension. The characteristics of this NHE phenotype in hypertension (raised Vmax and a lowered Hill coefficient) are preserved in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblasts from hypertensive patients. In this study, we have determined NHE kinetics in cultured lymphoblasts from diabetic patients with and without nephropathy, with nondiabetic controls, using fluorometry with the pH indicator 2,7'-bis-(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein and estimation of NHE isoform 1 (NHE-1) density with specific polyclonal antibodies. The Vmax of NHE was elevated significantly, and the Hill coefficient for internal H+ binding was lowered in cells from patients with diabetic nephropathy compared with both normal controls and normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. NHE-1 density as measured by Western blotting was similar in all groups. The turnover number of NHE-1 was thus elevated in cells from nephropathy patients. This phenotype in cells from diabetic nephropathy patients resembles that in essential hypertension and suggests that such patients may have a predisposition to hypertension. Moreover, as these changes persist in cultured lymphoblasts in vitro, these cells should provide a cell culture model to further define the basic mechanisms leading to NHE activation in diabetic nephropathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Oculogyric spasm in Asian psychiatric in-patients on maintenance medication.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of oculogyric spasm (OGS) in an Asian country. METHOD: All 2035 Asian (88% Chinese, 7% Malays and 5% Indonesians) psychiatric in-patients in the state psychiatric hospital in Singapore were surveyed for occurrence of oculogyric spasm (OGS) over a two-month period. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (1.7%) developed OGS (53% male and 47% female). All the 34 patients had been on maintenance antipsychotic drugs for more than five months. Eighteen patients had recurrent attacks. The mean chlorpromazine equivalent daily dose for those patients with recurrent OGS was 511 mg. This was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the 277 mg daily dose received by those without recurrent OGS. Most (68%) of the attacks occurred between 1400-2000 h suggesting that OGS may have a diurnal variation. CONCLUSIONS: OGS presenting as tardive dystonia may be due to a relative increase in cholinergic activity.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Sodium-hydrogen antiporter protein in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanism of increased Na-H antiport activity in tissues of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) by measuring the amount of sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) in cultured vascular and striated muscle cells, and in ex vivo tissue extracts of membranes from the brain, heart, kidney and skeletal muscle. METHODS: A polyclonal rabbit antibody was raised against a fusion protein consisting of a section of the carboxyl tail of NHE-1 and beta-galactosidase. Cell extracts were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and proteins were transferred to supported nitrocellulose. NHE-1 was detected by Western blotting and quantified by densitometry. RESULTS: Cultured aortic and striated muscle cells from SHR contained similar amounts of NHE-1 on Western blots to those from control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat cells. Ex vivo extracts of crude membranes from SHR tissues also contained quantities of NHE-1 similar to those from WKY rat tissues. CONCLUSION: The increased Na-H antiport activity observed in SHR cells in vitro and in vivo is not due to an increased amount of NHE-1 protein in SHR cells. This suggests that in this model of hypertension the increased transport activity results from an increased turnover number per NHE-1 molecule.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Psychiatry in dementia.

Dementia is a significant cause of psychiatric morbidity in the elderly. The burden of care on families is tremendous and there is an urgent need to develop dementia-related services in Singapore. The role of the psychiatrist in assessment is to diagnose dementia accurately, to exclude treatable causes, and to organise an individualised plan of management, which includes referring the patient to the appropriate agencies in order to minimise the disability and help the family cope. Support and education of the caregivers is of paramount importance and attending support groups provides the opportunity for caregivers to share their experiences and learn from one another.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1993

Relationship between myoinositol influx and lipids in diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is associated with abnormalities in lipid metabolism and has been postulated to be associated with abnormal myoinositol metabolism. Leucocyte myoinositol influx was measured using a triple isotope method in long-standing type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with and without diabetic neuropathy and in a group of matched controls. No differences in fasting lipid, glucose concentrations or glycated haemoglobin were found in the diabetic groups. Myoinositol influx was significantly but negatively correlated with the serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol concentration in patients with and without neuropathy but not in the controls. The VLDL cholesterol concentration also correlated negatively with the transporter Km (Rs = -0.87, P < 0.005, neuropathic group only) and Vmax (Rs = -0.93, P < 0.001, neuropathic group; Rs = -0.59, P < 0.05, non-neuropathic group). Myoinositol influx correlated with the glycated haemoglobin only in the diabetic patients without neuropathy. The lipid relationships in diabetic subjects were independent of glucose control, which suggests that myoinositol influx mechanisms represent another transporter affected by intracellular lipid metabolism. The control of VLDL metabolism by fibrates could offer a method for reducing the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed1993

Intracellular pH regulation in isolated myocytes from adult rat heart in HCO3(-)-containing and HCO3(-)-free media.

1. Using microfluorimetry, intracellular pH, buffering capacity and intracellular pH recovery from intracellular acidosis were determined in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes, in buffers with and without HCO3-. 2. In nominally HCO3(-)-free media, the intracellular pH was higher than in HCO3(-)-containing media. Buffering capacity at resting intracellular pH and at a pH of about 6.3 was also lower in HCO3(-)-free media. 3. In HCO3(-)-free media, recovery from an acid load after an NH4Cl prepulse was almost completely inhibited by the Na+/H+ antiport activity specific inhibitor ethylisopropyl amiloride. However, in the presence of HCO3-, H+ efflux rate was enhanced, and ethylisopropyl amiloride led to only partial inhibition of H+ efflux. Complete inhibition was achieved only with further addition of the anion-transport inhibitor 4,4'-di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate. 4. Thus, in adult rat ventricular myocytes, recovery from intracellular acidosis in the absence of HCO3- was almost wholly due to Na+/H+ antiport activity. In the more physiological situation with HCO3- present, a third of the recovery from an intracellular acid load was attributed to an additional external Na(+)-dependent di-isothiocyanatostilbene-disulphonate-sensitive H+ efflux.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1993

Simvastatin and intracellular pH regulation by the Na+/H+ antiport of SV40-virus-transformed human MRC5 fibroblasts.

1. Inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase by simvastatin leads to inhibition of both cell growth and Na+/H+ antiport activity. The effect of simvastatin on intracellular pH and Na+/H+ antiport activity was therefore studied on an adherent cell line, the SV40-virus-transformed MRC5 human fibroblast. 2. Simvastatin led to a dose-dependent decrease in intracellular pH, attributed to a reduction in Na+/H+ exchange, together with a rounding of cell shape. Mevalonate (1 mmol/l) prevented these effects of simvastatin, and when added after inhibition of the antiport by simvastatin, reversed these changes within 1-2h. 3. The phenomenon of mevalonate reversal of antiport inhibition by simvastatin was not sensitive to cycloheximide, indicating its post-translational nature. This was also consistent with the short period of incubation with mevalonate leading to reversal of antiport inhibition (1-2 h). These changes in intracellular pH regulation were not due to alterations in cell cholesterol content. 4. A variety of inhibitors of post-translational processes, such as N-linked glycosylation (tunicamycin), phosphorylation (staurosporine), isoprenylation (farnesol, limonene), and of pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins or calmodulin (W7), had no effect on the reversal by mevalonate of simvastatin-induced changes in Na+/H+ antiport activity. 5. N-Ethylmaleimide (50 mumol/l for 5 min) prevented mevalonate reversing the effects of simvastatin, suggesting the importance of thiol groups in the phenomenon of reversal of the inhibition of Na+/H+ antiport activity by simvastatin. Furthermore, concurrent incubation of simvastatin-treated cells with dithiothreitol (1 mmol/l) and N-ethylmaleimide restored the ability of mevalonate to reverse the inhibitory effects of simvastatin on Na+H+ antiport activity.

Carrier Proteins↗

PubMed1993

Clinical evaluation and serum concentration of zuclopenthixol acetate in psychotic Asian patients: a single-dose preliminary study.

Nineteen acutely disturbed psychotic Asian patients were treated with a single intramuscular injection of 50 mg of zuclopenthixol acetate in Viscoleo. Patients were assessed clinically before and after treatment using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Serum zuclopenthixol and the inactive geometric isomer trans(E)-clopenthixol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography after intramuscular injection. All patients improved, with the BPRS being significantly reduced (p < 0.001) at 72 h after injection. Adverse effects were generally few. The mean +/- SEM serum zuclopenthixol concentrations at 24, 48, and 72 h were 19.9 +/- 2.8, 31.5 +/- 4.5, and 17.8 +/- 2.9 micrograms/L, respectively. trans(E)-Clopenthixol concentrations ranged from negligible to 39.5 micrograms/L. This study confirms that a single intramuscular injection of 50 mg is adequate for managing severely disturbed psychotic patients for the first 3 days. The serum zuclopenthixol concentrations attained in the Asian patients were higher than those reported in Caucasian psychiatric patients. In some patients, a considerable amount of zuclopenthixol had been transformed to trans(E)-clopenthixol.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Intracellular pH regulation of SV-40 virus transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts and cell membrane cholesterol.

Alterations in membrane cholesterol could affect the activity of various membrane transporters, including the Na(+)-H+ antiport. The effect of cellular cholesterol depletion (with phosphatidylcholine liposomes) and enrichment (with cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine liposomes) on cellular pH regulation was studied in SV-40 virus transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts. Cellular cholesterol depletion led to activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by an increased maximal velocity (Vmax) of the transporter, with no changes in the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) or Hill coefficient for intracellular H+. Cholesterol enrichment had no effect on the activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by intracellular acidosis. However, activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by an osmotic stimulus was enhanced in cholesterol-depleted cells and reduced in cholesterol-enriched cells. Liposomes that had no effect on cellular cholesterol did not alter the activation of Na(+)-H+ antiport activity by intracellular acidosis or an osmotic stimulus. Thus in situ modification of cellular cholesterol altered Na(+)-H+ antiport activity differently depending on the type of activating stimulus.

Carrier Proteins↗

PubMed1992

Intracellular free-magnesium levels in vascular smooth muscle and striated muscle cells of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

In humans with essential hypertension and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), insulin resistance may be present even in lean individuals. As the basis for this abnormality is unknown, we have used a newly developed fluorophore to measure intracellular free-Mg2+ concentrations in cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cells and striated muscle cells from SHR and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Intracellular free-Mg2+ levels were lower in both striated muscle cells (SHR, 0.423 +/- 0.077 mmol.L-1 v WKY, 0.559 +/- 0.068 mmol.L-1; P less than .001) and vascular smooth muscle cells (SHR, 0.406 +/- 0.067 mmol.L-1 v WKY, 0.625 +/- 0.077 mmol.L-1; P less than .001) from hypertensive animals. This widespread, intrinsic defect in the regulation of intracellular Mg2+ may explain the increased vascular resistance and reduced insulin sensitivity present in hypertension.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Lipids and cellular Na+/H+ antiport activity in diabetic nephropathy.

Increased cellular Na+/H+ antiport activity has been documented in various cell types from hypertensive humans and rats. This membrane abnormality may be associated with the thickening of the vascular media of resistance vessels. Such an abnormality has also been demonstrated in cells from type I diabetic patients with nephropathy, and may indicate the predisposition to essential hypertension in such patients. We now demonstrate the importance of the rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol and isoprenoid synthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, in determining cellular Na+/H+ antiport activity. This finding may have application in the future treatment of diabetic patients with proteinuria.

Carrier Proteins↗

PubMed1992

Intracellular pH and Na+/H+ antiport activity of cultured skin fibroblasts from diabetics.

Increased leucocyte Na+/H+ antiport activity has previously been demonstrated in both hypertensive subjects and Type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy and may indicate a predisposition to hypertension in such diabetic patients. We have studied intracellular pH and Na+/H+ antiport activity in cultured skin fibroblasts from diabetic patients with and without nephropathy, together with non-diabetic controls to assess if such differences persisted in cultured cells. Fibroblasts from diabetic patients with nephropathy were significantly more alkaline [median (range): 6.90 (6.82 to 7.07)] compared to both normoalbuminuric diabetic patients [6.81 (6.75 to 6.89)] or normal controls [6.82 (6.77 to 6.93)] (P < 0.001 for both). This was associated with a raised Na+/H+ antiport activity in cells from patients with nephropathy when intracellular pH (pHi) was clamped to pH 6.5, without any differences in the maximal transport capacity of the antiport at pHi 6.2. Using both intracellular pH and Na+/H+ antiport activity at pHi 6.5, patients with nephropathy were separated from uncomplicated subjects with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100%. In conclusion, the raised Na+/H+ antiport activity in cells from patients with diabetic nephropathy persists despite passaging in vitro, thus indicating a heritable component, and results mainly from an increased apparent affinity of the antiport for intracellular H+.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Intracellular free magnesium in lymphocytes from patients with congestive cardiac failure treated with loop diuretics with and without amiloride.

Cellular Mg2+ depletion has been reported in patients on long term diuretic therapy. We therefore measured lymphocyte free Mg2+ concentrations in patients with congestive cardiac failure treated with loop diuretics or a frusemide/amiloride mixture (Frumil) and compared them with control subjects. There was no correlation between lymphocyte free Mg2+ levels and plasma Mg2+ concentrations. Patients treated with loop diuretics did not show lymphocyte intracellular free Mg2+ depletion compared with normal controls, and those on Frumil showed higher intracellular free Mg2+ levels than normal.

Amiloride↗

PubMed1992

Abnormalities in Na+/H+ antiporter activity in diabetic nephropathy.

In hypertensive humans and the spontaneously hypertensive rat, increased cellular Na+/H+ antiport activity has been demonstrated in leukocytes, platelets, skeletal muscle, and vascular smooth muscle cells. This membrane abnormality may be associated with medial thickening of resistance vessels. A similar membrane transport abnormality has also been demonstrated in leukocytes and fibroblasts from type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy. This membrane transport marker of hypertension may indicate a predisposition to essential hypertension in such patients and may lead to diabetic nephropathy, possibly from mesangial expansion.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1992

Abnormal myoinositol influx in human leucocytes in diabetes but not specifically in diabetic neuropathy.

Abnormal myoinositol metabolism has been implicated as a contributor to the development of diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, in vitro glucose inhibits animal and human myoinositol transporters. To investigate whether myoinositol transport is abnormal in diabetic subjects with and without neuropathy, we used a triple-isotope technique to measure [14C]myoinositol uptake in leucocytes from 23 insulin-dependent diabetic subjects and 13 matched nondiabetic subjects. All subjects with diabetes underwent neurophysiological studies, and subjects without neuropathy were compared with those with various degrees of neuropathy. The relationship between glycemia and flux was also studied. Diabetic subjects had similar intracellular and plasma myoinositol concentrations but had higher rates of uptake of myoinositol over the extracellular concentrations of myoinositol studied. Although the derived Km, Vmax, and passive components were not significantly different, the Vmax:Km ratio was significantly higher in diabetic subjects compared with nondiabetic subjects (0.25 [0.17-0.32] vs. 0.16 [0.13-0.19], respectively (P = 0.006). In diabetic subjects, the rate of myoinositol uptake correlated with HbA1c, particularly at 3 microM extracellular myoinositol where active uptake was a high proportion of the total influx (P less than 0.005). No difference in myoinositol uptake was found among diabetic subjects with various degrees of neuropathy. We conclude that although myoinositol transport is abnormal in diabetes, it is not specifically abnormal in diabetic neuropathy. Prolonged hyperglycemia is associated with higher myoinositol flux.

Biological Transport↗