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Biomedical subjects

L Levine

Publications and source records attributed to L Levine.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Serotonin receptor-mediated stimulation of bovine smooth muscle cell prostacyclin synthesis and its modulation by platelet-derived growth factor.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 0.5 microM and above) stimulated the synthesis of prostacyclin (as measured by radioimmunoassay of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha) by bovine aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. This effect was structurally specific; a similar response was not elicited by the other indoles (tryptophan, n-acetylserotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan, melatonin, or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) or by the amines phenylephrine, isoproterenol, dopamine, or histamine). The response was reversible and was saturable at serotonin concentrations of 10 microM or higher. An increase in prostacyclin synthesis was elicited by the addition of a serotonin agonist, quipazine (1 microM and above), and antagonized by the serotonin receptor blockers cyproheptadine, methysergide, or methiothepin but not by other aminergic receptor-blocking drugs (e.g., phentolamine or propranolol). This effect was selective for cell type because serotonin or quipazine (100 microM) did not increase prostacyclin synthesis by bovine aortic endothelial cells. The addition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to cultures of smooth muscle cells dramatically enhanced prostacyclin synthesis in response to the coadministration of serotonin. PDGF greatly increased the maximum response to serotonin without altering the half-maximal effective concentration for serotonin. This synergistic interaction was blocked by the addition of a serotonin-receptor blocking agent. Taken together, these data suggest that serotonin stimulates smooth muscle prostacyclin synthesis through a specific receptor-mediated mechanism that can be modulated by PDGF.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Radioimmunoassay of the leukotrienes of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis.

A rabbit immunized with a conjugate of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and bovine albumin via the icosanoid carboxyl produced antibodies with comparable affinities for leukotrienes C4, D4, and E4 (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4) and their 11-trans stereoisomers. The antibodies bound 3H-labeled 11-trans-LTC4 and 11-trans-LTC4 with the same average association constant (Ka) of 2.8 x 10(9) M-1 at 37 degrees C and were present at a concentration of 0.32 microgram/ml of the immune rabbit plasma. When 9.5 microliter of anti-LTD4 and 108 pmol of 11-trans-[3H]LTC4 (40 Ci/mmol) were incubated in a volume of 300 microliter with LTC4, LTD4, LTE4, or their 11-trans stereoisomers, 50% inhibition of 11-trans-[3H]LTC4 binding was achieved at levels varying between 0.3 and 0.7 ng. As assessed with synthetic analogs of the natural leukotrienes, the antibodies recognized neither those changes within the 6-sulfidopeptide unit of LTD4 produced by deamination or modest peptide lengthening nor the specific stereochemistry of the delta 14-cis double bond. However, the antibodies did recognize the triene lipid domain and the position and spatial orientation of the glutathione or cysteinylglycine function. Binding of 11-trans-[3H]LTC4 by anti-LTD4 was not inhibited by glutathione, cystinylbisglycine, arachidonic acid, or 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-icosatetraenoic acid, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was about 1/1000th as active as LTC4, LTD4, or LTE4. Mouse lymphoma (WEHI-5) and rat basophil leukemia (RBL-1) cells, when stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187, each produced immunoreactive leukotrienes; and LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 from RBL-1 cells were individually quantitated by radioimmunoassay after resolution by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Prostacyclin production by isolated adipocytes.

Isolated rat adipocytes produce prostacyclin (PGI2) in relatively large quantities during norepinephrine (NE)-induced lipolysis. The endogenous NE-induced production rate of PGI2, calculated from the NE-induced production rate of PGI2 observed in our studies (2.2 ng/10(6) cells/2 h) and from the number of fat cells in the normal organism, is 1.46 ng/kg/min for rats, 4.46 ng/kg/min for men, and 11.86 ng/kg/min for women. These rates are comparable to the exogenous PGI2 infusion rate that alters platelet aggregation and blood pressure in rats and humans. Exogenous PGI2 failed to modify the rate of NE-induced lipolysis. Inhibition of endogenous PGI2 production by indomethacin had no effect on the rate of NE-induced lipolysis when either a maximal or submaximal lipolytic concentration of NE was used. PGI2 [rather than prostaglandin (PG) E2] may be the substance that accounts for the functional vasodilatation that accompanies hormone-induced lipolysis. PGI2 is produced in large quantities than PGE2 during NE-induced lipolysis and is a more potent vasodilator than PGE2. Its instability can account for the inability of previous investigators to detect a vasodilator substance in the venous effluent of adipose tissue. The production of PGI2 by adipocytes may be an important modulator of the regulation of vascular tone and platelet aggregation by catecholamines in the vascular bed of adipose tissue and perhaps other tissues. PGI2 produced by adipocytes, by virtue of its ability to cause vasodilatation and inhibit platelet aggregation, may contribute to the maintenance of luminal patency in the vascular bed of adipose tissue and possibly other tissue as well.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1981

The primary serological response to a single dose of adsorbed tetanus toxoid, high concentration type.

Single-dose immunization against tetanus was studied in 511 previously non-immunized residents of rural villages in Upper Volta. Males and females were equally represented and a wide age range was covered. A single dose of adsorbed tetanus toxoid containing 17.5 Lf units of toxoid and 3.86 mg of aluminium phosphate per 0.5 ml dose was used. Blood samples were taken 7 days, 2 months, and 12 months after immunization, and serum antitoxin titres were determined by neutralization titrations in mice. Adverse reactions were negligible. Only 2 participants gave evidence of prior immunization by developing detectable antitoxin titres after 7 days; they were eliminated from the study. After 12 months, 59% of the participants had antitoxin titres of >/=0.01 IU/ml, a titre usually considered protective. The mean titre and the proportion of those protected decreased substantially with increasing age; overall, females gave somewhat greater serological responses than males. Mean titre increased by 25% between 2 months and 1 year after immunization; the increase was greater in females than in males. In children under 6 years of age, 100% of females and 82% of males had protective titres after 1 year.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

The Schick test. A useful tool for screening for antibody deficiency.

The evaluation of suspected humoral immunodeficiency includes quantitative immunoglobulin levels and specific antibody assays. The Schick test is a simple procedure for measurement of specific diphtheria antibodies that has been overlooked because the availability of Schick test materials has been limited in recent years. We assessed the efficacy of the Schick test in screening for antibody deficiency states in 23 children. Five had positive Schick test reactions. All five had clinical and immunologic findings consistent with a primary immunodeficiency disorder. Each of these patients had at least one other abnormality of antibody formation detected. The Schick test is a simple screening device helpful in the assessment of immunocompetence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Platelet-dependent stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis by platelet-derived growth factor.

Prostacyclin (PGI2), an unstable metabolite of arachidonic acid synthesized by vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, is a potent vasodilator and endogenous inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Regulation of PGI synthesis by the vessel wall is not well understood. We have investigated the possibility that a product released from platelet granules during degranulation might modify vessel wall PGI2 biosynthesis. We report here that a non-dialysable, platelet-dependent factor in serum dramatically stimulates PGI2 synthesis by cultured bovine aortic endothelium aortic smooth muscle, and adrenal capillary endothelium. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a releasable peptide contained within platelet alpha granules, stimulates PGI2 synthesis by the above cell types as much as 100-fold. The concentrations of PDGF required to produce these effects are below the level reported in normal human serum. We postulate that in vivo released PDGF may increase vessel wall PGI2 production as part of a negative feedback mechanism controlling platelet aggregation.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism by mouse bone in organ culture.

The products of endogenous and exogenous arachidonic acid metabolism via the cyclooxygenase pathway in mouse bone in organ culture were identified and quantitated by the use of high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Production of prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, and I2 from endogenous substrate was stimulated by incubation of bone with epidermal growth factor and the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. Addition of arachidonic acid to the culture medium not only resulted in the accumulation of prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, and I2 but also thromboxane. Bone metabolized prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha to their respective 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-derivatives. Prostaglandin I2, measured as 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha was synthesized by bone, and metabolic products of prostaglandin I2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, either 6,15-diketo-prostaglandin F1 alpha or 13,14-dihydro-6,15-diketo-prostaglandin F1 alpha, were also detected in the culture media. Formation of cyclooxygenase products of endogenous and exogenous arachidonic acid metabolism (both basal and stimulated) and bone resorption were inhibited by indomethacin. Bone as a tissue responded biochemically not only to exogenous prostaglandins and agents that enhance endogenous prostaglandin production but also to exogenous arachidonic acid by biosynthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane. Furthermore, bone metabolized these cyclooxygenase products to their more stable metabolites.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Antibodies to 5,6-dihydroprostaglandin I2 trap endogenously produced prostaglandin I2 in the rat circulation.

Rabbit immunoglobulins raised against 5,6-dihydroprostaglandin I2 which crossreact with prostaglandin I2 were infused intravenously into Inactin-anaesthetised male adult rats. Clearance of intravenously administered [3H]prostaglandin I2 from the blood, which is normally rapid (t 1/2 approx. 45 s), was delayed strikingly in the presence of antibody (t 1/2 approx. 60 min). The antibodies also sequestered the endogeneously synthesized prostaglandin I2 and inhibited its metabolism. The rate of appearance of endogenous prostaglandin I2 in the circulation of the rat was measured in the following way: arterial blood samples (0.5 ml) were withdrawn before, during and at various time intervals (up to 180 min) after infusion of antibodies had terminated; the prostaglandins were extracted from the blood with ethanol, and the extracts were assayed by radioimmunoassay (before and after separation by high-pressure liquid chromatography) for the following prostaglandins: 6-keto-F1 alpha, E2, F2 alpha and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-metabolites of E2 and F2 alpha. Rapid and specific time-related increments of prostaglandin I2 (detected serologically as 6-keto-F1 alpha) were observed. At 180 min these increases ranged from 1500- to 2500-fold over preinfusion levels. No significant increases were observed in the other prostaglandins measured; nor were there increases in 6-keto-F1 alpha when saline or immunoglobulins from non-immune plasma were infused into rats. When measured by these procedures, no appreciable differences in 6-keto-F1 alpha production were found between Japanese normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

alpha-Tocopherol inhibits 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-stimulated deacylation of cellular lipids, prostaglandin production, and changes in cell morphology of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Incubation of the tumor-promoting phorbol diester, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate with Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) stimulated deacylation of phospholipids, prostaglandin production and altered cell morphology. alpha-Tocopherol, if present during the incubation, inhibited these effects. For inhibition, alpha-tocopherol had to be present during incubation of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate and cells; pretreatment or posttreatment of the cells with alpha-tocopherol was not effective. Inhibition of the 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate effects was specific for the tumor promoter extracted from the Croton tiglium L. plant of the family Euphorbiaceae. Stimulated prostaglandin production by another tumor promotor (phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate), a semisynthetic product of that plant, was also inhibited by alpha-tocopherol. But that of structurally related diterpenoid esters isolated from plants of the family Thymelaeaceae, such as mezerein, gnidimacrin, gnilatimacrin, and gnilatimacrin-20-palmitate, were not. Stimulation of prostaglandin production in MDCK cells by compounds such as benzo(a)pyrene, adriamycin and 17 beta-estradiol or even the basal synthetic activity of MDCK cells was not affected by alpha-tocopherol.

Animals↗