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O Popescu

Publications and source records attributed to O Popescu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects on water diffusion of inhibitors affecting various transport processes in human red blood cells.

The water permeability of human red blood cells has been monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) following exposure to inhibitors of various transport processes across their membranes. No significant inhibition of water diffusion could be detected after the treatment of red blood cells with the anion exchange transport inhibitor dihydro-4,4'-diisothiocyano-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (H2DIDS) or the glucose transport inhibitors diallyl-diethyl-stilbestrol (DADES), cytochalasin B, or 30 mM iodoacetamide. It is for the first time that the effects of glucose transport inhibitors has been studied in detail by the NMR approach. A special case proved to be phloretin, an inhibitor of anion, nonelectrolyte and glucose permeability. A small but statistically significant inhibition of water permeability (around 12% at 20 degrees C) was induced by exposure to 2 mM phloretin (for 60 min at 37 degrees C); after a pretreatment of cells with 12 mM N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), for 60 min at 37 degrees C, the degree of inhibition induced by phloretin increased (becoming 17% at 20 degrees C). None of the inhibitors prevented or potentiated the strong inhibitory effect on water diffusion of a mercurial, p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS). No increase in the activation energy of water diffusion occurred by treatment with the reagents used (exception the effect of PCMBS). The present results clarify some conflicting reports concerning the effects on water permeability of inhibitors of various transport processes in red blood cells and indicate that in addition to the drastic inhibition induced by mercurials other reagents may also have inhibitory effects.

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

Water transport in human red cells: effects of 'non-inhibitory' sulfhydryl reagents.

The water diffusional permeability of human red blood cells following exposure to various sulfhydryl group (SH) reagents have been studied using a nuclear magnetic resonance technique. Exposure of red blood cells up to 12 mM N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or 10 mM 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNE) alone does not affect water diffusion. In contrast, when DTNB treatment follows a preincubation of the cells with NEM, a small (18% at 37 degrees C) but significant inhibition of water permeability occurs. The NEM and DTNB treatment of the cells caused no change of the cell shape and volume or of the cell water volume. Consequently, the inhibition observed after NEM and DTNB treatment has a real significance.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

The basal permeability to water of human red blood cells evaluated by a nuclear magnetic resonance technique.

The characteristics of water diffusional permeability (P) of human red blood cells were studied on isolated erythrocytes by a doping nuclear magnetic resonance technique. In order to estimate the basal permeability the maximal inhibition of water diffusion was induced by exposure of red blood cells to p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) under various conditions (concentration, duration, temperature). The lowest values of P were around 0.7 X 10(-3) cm s-1 at 10 degrees C, 1.2 X 10(-3) cm s-1 at 15 degrees C, 1.4 X 10(-3) cm s-1 at 20 degrees C, 1.8 X 10(-3) cm s-1 at 25 degrees C, 2.1 X 10(-3) cm s-1 at 30 degrees C and 3.5 X 10(-3) cm s-1 at 37 degrees C. The mean value of the activation energy of water diffusion (Ea,d) was 25 kJ/mol for control and 43.7 kJ/mol for PCMBS--inhibited erythrocytes. The values of P and Ea,d obtained after induction of maximal inhibition of water diffusion by PCMBS can be taken as references for the basal permeability to water of the human red blood cell membrane.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

Studies of water permeability and proteins of erythrocyte membranes in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The characteristics of water permeability of erythrocytes from 54 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and age-matched controls have been determined by a pulse nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. A decreased permeability of erythrocyte membrane in DMD was definitely found at all temperatures between 15 and 42 degrees C, with normal values for the activation energy of water diffusion. No differences between DMD and control subjects in the pattern of erythrocyte membrane polypeptides separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis could be detected. The findings are discussed in relation to the molecular mechanisms of water diffusion across erythrocyte membrane and the problem of erythrocyte membrane abnormalities in DMD. A new interpretation of erythrocyte membrane alterations is proposed based on the recent findings regarding the molecular pathology of DMD.

Adolescent↗

Water exchange through erythrocyte membranes: biochemical and nuclear magnetic resonance studies re-evaluating the effects of sulfhydryl reagents and of proteolytic enzymes on human membranes.

The water permeability of human red blood cell (RBC) membrane has been monitored by a doping nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique on intact cells and resealed ghosts following exposure to various sulfhydryl-reacting (SH) reagents and proteolytic enzymes. The main conclusions are the following: (i) When appropriate conditions for exposure of erythrocytes or ghosts to mercury-containing SH reagents (concentration, temperature and duration of incubation) were found, the maximal inhibition of water diffusion could be obtained with all mercurials (including HgCl2 and mersalyl that failed to show their inhibitory action on RBC water permeability in some investigations). While previous studies claimed that long incubation times are required for the development of maximal inhibition of water diffusion by mercurials, the present results show that it can be induced in a much shorter time (5-15 min at 37 degrees C) if relatively high concentrations of PCMBS (2-4 mM) are used and no washings of the inhibitor are performed after incubation. Higher than optimal concentrations of mercurials and/or longer incubation times result in lower values of inhibition, sometimes a loss of inhibition, or can even lead to higher values of permeability compared to control RBCs. (ii) The conditions for inhibition by mercurials are drastically changed by preincubation of erythrocytes with noninhibitory SH reagents (such as NEM or IAM) or by exposure to proteolytic enzymes. If the cells are digested with papain, the duration of incubation with PCMBS should be decreased in order for inhibition to occur. This explains the lack of inhibition reported previously, when a relatively long duration of incubation with PCMBS was used subsequent to papain digestion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Effects of temperature on water diffusion in human erythrocytes and ghosts--nuclear magnetic resonance studies.

The temperature-dependence of water diffusion across human erythrocyte membrane was studied on isolated erythrocytes and resealed ghosts by a doping nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The conclusions are the following: (1) The storage of suspended erythrocytes at 2 degrees C up to 24 h or at 37 degrees C for 30 min did not change the water exchange time significantly, even if Mn2+ was present in the medium. This indicates that no significant penetration of Mn2+ is taking place under such conditions. (2) In case of cells previously incubated at 37 degrees C for longer than 30 min with concentrations of p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) greater than 0.5 mM, the water-exchange time gradually decreased if the cells were stored in the presence of Mn2+ for more than 10 min at 37 degrees C. (3) When the Arrhenius plot of the water-exchange time was calculated on the basis of measurements performed in such a way as to avoid a prolonged exposure of erythrocytes to Mn2+ no discontinuity occurred, regardless of the treatment with PCMBS. (4) No significant differences between erythrocytes and resealed ghosts regarding their permeability and the activation energy of water diffusion (Ea,d) were noticed. The mean value of Ea,d obtained on erythrocytes from 35 donors was 24.5 kJ/mol. (5) The value of Ea,d increased after treatment with PCMBS, in parallel with the percentage inhibition of water diffusion. A mean value of 41.3 kJ/mol was obtained for Ea,d of erythrocytes incubated with 1 mM PCMBS for 60 min at 37 degrees C and 28.3 kJ/mol for ghosts incubated with 0.1 mM PCMBS for 15 min, the values of inhibition being 46% and 21% respectively.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

[Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Late complication in chronic lymphatic leukemia].

In a 44 year old patient with chronic lymphatic leukemia and secondary antibody deficiency syndrome, a disorder of articulation and a left hemiparesis developed during a thrombocytopenic phase. Computer tomography of the cranium, CSF diagnostics and the electroencephalogram did not provide any indication for the cause of the rapidly progressive cerebral symptoms. In the NMR tomogram, a diffusedly increasing intensity in the T2-weighted tomograms were shown around the central region in the right brain. The patient died of a Pseudomonas septicemia. At autopsy, a typical finding of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was found in the areas altered in the NMR tomography. Papova-like virions could be demonstrated in glial cells by electron microscopy.

Adult↗

Invasive bronchopulmonary aspergillosis leading to rapidly progressive respiratory failure in a patient with severe aplastic anemia.

A 22-year-old man with severe aplastic anemia was treated with antilymphocyte globulin, prednisone, and oxymetholone. Fourteen days after initiation of treatment he developed a fulminant mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema leading to respiratory failure refractory to mechanical ventilation. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed nodular lesions typical of aspergillus. Cultures of bronchial mucus revealed Aspergillus fumigatus as the responsible pathogen.

Adult↗

p-(Chloromercuri)benzenesulfonate binding by membrane proteins and the inhibition of water transport in human erythrocytes.

The binding of [203Hg]-p-(chloromercuri)benzenesulfonate to the membrane proteins of human erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghosts was examined under conditions where binding to the bulk of membrane sulfhydryl groups was blocked by N-ethylmaleimide. Binding was essentially complete within 90 min when approximately 40 nmol was bound per milligram of membrane protein. This binding was correlated with the inhibition of water transport measured by an NMR technique. Maximal inhibition was observed with the binding of approximately 10 nmol of p-(chloromercuri)benzenesulfonate/mg of membrane protein. Under these conditions, both band 3 and band 4.5 bound 1 mol of inhibitor/mol of protein. In contrast to previous experiments, these results indicate that band 4.5 proteins as well as band 3 have to be considered as playing a role in water transport.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

Water exchange through erythrocyte membranes: nuclear magnetic resonance studies on resealed ghosts compared to human erythrocytes.

The water diffusion across human erythrocyte membrane has been studied on intact cells and resealed ghosts by a doping NMR technique. Although the water exchange time of ghosts was longer than that of erythrocytes, no significant differences in their diffusional permeability were noticed for temperatures in the range 2-43 degrees C. Contrary to what was previously noticed in erythrocytes, no significant increase in the water exchange time of ghosts in the acid range of pH occurred.

Adult↗

Water permeability in human erythrocytes: identification of membrane proteins involved in water transport.

The water permeability of human erythrocytes has been monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) before and after treatment of the cells with various sulfhydryl reagents. Preincubation of the cells with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a non-inhibitory sulfhydryl reagent, results in a faster and more sensitive inhibition of water exchange by mercurials. The inhibition of water exchange by p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) was maximal at a binding of approximately 10 nmol PCMBS per mg protein when non-specific sulfhydryl groups are blocked by NEM. Inhibition by PCMBS has been correlated with the binding of 203Hg to erythrocyte membrane proteins. A significant binding of label to band 3 and the polypeptides in band 4.5 occurs, with approximately 1 mol of mercurial bound per mol of protein. Inhibition of water transport by sulfhydryl reagents does not induce major morphological changes in the cells as assessed by freeze-fracture and scanning electron microscopy.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

Comparison of liposome entrapment parameters by optical and atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Methods for the complete characterization of liposomes prepared by ether-injection are described in detail. The validity of atomic absorption spectrophotometry for measuring markers of trapped volume was checked by comparative determinations of markers with established optical spectrophotometrical methods. The favorable results using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to quantitate the marker Mn2+ are of particular relevance as manganese ion is also the paramagnetic probe in n.m.r. measurements of water permeability of liposomes; our results indicate that in such measurements no other marker need be incorporated.

Liposomes↗

Water exchange through erythrocyte membranes: p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate inhibition of water diffusion in ghosts studied by a nuclear magnetic resonance technique.

A comparison of water diffusion in human erythrocytes and ghosts revealed a longer relaxation time in ghosts, corresponding to a decreased exchange rate. However, the diffusional permeability of ghosts was not significantly different from that of erythrocytes. The changes in water diffusion following exposure to p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) have been studied on ghosts suspended in isotonic solutions. It was found that a significant inhibitory effect of PCMBS on water diffusion occurred only after several minutes of incubation at 37 degrees C. No inhibition was noticed after short incubation at 0 degree C, as previously used in some labelling experiments. This indicates the location in the membrane interior of the SH groups involved in water diffusion across human erythrocyte membranes. The nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) method appears as a useful tool for studying changes in water diffusion in erythrocyte ghosts with the aim of locating the water channel.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

The effect of the saturation and isomerization of dietary fatty acids on the osmotic fragility and water diffusional permeability of rat erythrocytes.

Weanling rats were fed semi-purified diets containing 15% by weight of either corn oil, a high oleic acid safflower oil, lard or hydrogenated soybean oil. Significant changes in the fatty acid composition of erythrocytes were induced by these dietary fats. The compositional changes did not effect water diffusional permeability, but did affect their osmotic fragility. An increased fragility appeared to be associated with an increased octadecenoate content of the membranes.

Animals↗

Water exchange through erythrocyte membranes: nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the effects of inhibitors and of chemical modifications of human membranes.

The changes in water diffusion across human erythrocyte membranes following exposure to various inhibitors and proteolytic enzymes have been studied on isolated erythrocytes suspended in isotonic buffered solutions. An important issue was to investigate whether the sulfhydryl reacting reagents that have been applied in osmotic experiments showed similar effects on diffusional permeability. It was found that mercurials, including mersalyl, were the only sulfhydryl reacting reagents that were efficient inhibitors. Under optimal conditions a similar degree of inhibition (around 45%) was found with all mercury-containing sulfhydryl reagents. Other reagents, including the sulfhydryl reagent DTNB, phloretin, or H2DIDS, the specific inhibitor of the anion transport system in erythrocyte membrane, did not appear to inhibit significantly the diffusional permeability. No changes in water diffusion were noticed after exposure to erythrocytes to trypsin and chymotrypsin. A new kind of experiments was that in which the effects of exposure of erythrocytes to two or more agents were studied. It was found that none of the chemical manipulations of membranes that did not affect water diffusion hampered the inhibitory action of mercurials. These findings show that the SH groups involved in water diffusion across erythrocyte membrane do not react with any of the other SH reagents aside from mercurials and that the molecular mechanism of water transport is not affected by chymotryptic cleavage of band 3 protein into the 60 and 35 kD fragments. The NMR method appears as a useful tool for studying changes in water diffusion in erythrocyte membranes following various chemical manipulations of the membranes with the aim of locating the water channel.

Adult↗

Water exchange through erythrocyte membranes. V. Incubation with papain prevents the P-chloromercuri-benzensulfonate inhibition of water diffusion studied by a nuclear magnetic resonance technique.

The changes in water diffusion across human erythrocyte membrane following exposure to proteolytic enzymes and to p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS) have been studied on isolated erythrocytes suspended in isotonic solutions. Trypsin digested glycophorin without significantly changing the pattern of other polypeptides in erythrocyte membrane. On the contrary, with chymotrypsin or papain an extensive digestion of band 3 protein occurred. No changes in water diffusion were noticed after exposure of erythrocytes to trypsin, chymotrypsin or papain. Neither trypsin nor chymotrypsin treatment prevented the inhibition of water diffusion induced by PCMBS. In contrast, exposure of erythrocytes to papain did hamper the inhibitory effect of subsequent incubation with PCMBS. Taking into account the degradation of band 3 protein by papain it appears that the binding site for PCMBS playing a role in the inhibition of water diffusion is located in this protein.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗