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Biomedical subjects

P Ho

Publications and source records attributed to P Ho.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Encephalopathy and memory disorders during treatments with mefloquine].

Benign psychiatric side effects have been frequently associated with mefloquine therapy. On the other hand, severe psychiatric disorders due to mefloquine are rare but must be detected by physicians. Two such cases are reported. In the first case, excessive curative mefloquine therapy caused an acute psychotic state which ultimately regress without treatment. The second report concerns a transient memory failure following prophylactic mefloquine treatment. The causative role of this compound is being discussed and the importance of a differential diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders from toxic or parasitic origin is underlined. Circumstances aggravating such neuropsychiatric side effects and actual recommendations concerning the prescription of mefloquine are recalled.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Anaphylactic reaction with coronary spasm following coronarography].

The authors report a case of anaphylactic shock following the injection of iodinated contrast medium for coronary angiography and complicated by two spasms affecting segments II and III of the right coronary. Vasospasm was relieved by the injection of linsidomine, revealing an angiographically healthy segment III. Such complications associated with various substances, notably iodinated contrast media, are rare. They should nevertheless always be borne in mind when evaluating anaphylactic type reactions. Vasoactive mediators (histamine, serotonin, arachidonic acid metabolites) released by the allergic reaction appear to play a major role. Treatment based upon pathogenesis can be proposed.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1992

Proximal tubular dopamine production regulates basolateral Na-K-ATPase.

Regulation of proximal tubular Na-K-adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase), brush-border membrane Na(+)-H+ antiporter and Na(+)-Pi symporter activity by endogenously produced dopamine was examined in Wistar rats. Na-K-ATPase was measured in basolateral membrane (BLM) fractions permeabilized with alamethicin or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Carbidopa (5 mg/kg) injected 18 h before removal of kidneys increased maximal activity (Vmax) noncompetitively in cortical BLM but not in other membrane fractions or outer medullary BLM (-2 +/- 4%). Chronic renal denervation did not alter the response. Carbidopa stimulated Na-K-ATPase in cortical BLM from rats eating a normal salt diet with and without 1% saline to drink (+18 +/- 4% and +22 +/- 4%, respectively; P greater than 0.001). Carbidopa did not increase Vmax of BLM Na-K-ATPase from rats eating a low-salt diet (+1.5 +/- 4%); however, when the low-salt diet was supplemented with 1 mM dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) to drink for 1 day carbidopa, increased Vmax by 18 +/- 3% (P = 0.018). Carbidopa did not alter the Michaelis constant (Km) for Na or K or inhibitory constant (Ki) for ouabain. Injection of the DA1 antagonist Sch 23390 (2 mg/kg) also increased Na-K-ATPase (18 +/- 4%; P = 0.014). Western blots using a monoclonal alpha-subunit antibody revealed a 22 +/- 8% increase following carbidopa treatment (P = 0.033; n = 19 pairs). Carbidopa had no effect on Na(+)-H+ antiporter activity (22Na uptake) or on Na(+)-32Pi cotransport in brush-border membrane vesicles. These results indicate that dopamine produced in proximal tubules tonically reduces Na-K-ATPase Vmax by decreasing the number of alpha-subunits associated with the BLM.

Alamethicin↗
PubMed1991

Involvement of tyrosine kinases in the activation of human peripheral blood neutrophils by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the involvement of human neutrophil tyrosine kinase(s) in the signal transduction mechanism of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Stimulation of neutrophils with GM-CSF resulted in a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of several proteins having estimated molecular weights of approximately 40, 55, 74, 97, 118, and 155 Kd, detected by immunoblot using a monoclonal antibody directed against phosphotyrosine. GM-CSF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited in a dose- and time-dependent manner by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin. Using this inhibitor, we were able to correlate tyrosine phosphorylation with several functional effects of GM-CSF on human neutrophils. Pretreatment of neutrophils with erbstatin before incubation with GM-CSF completely inhibited the GM-CSF-induced intracellular alkalinization, downregulation of the leukotriene B4 receptor, enhancement of fMet-Leu-Phe-induced intracellular calcium mobilization, as well as the accumulation of mRNA for the proto-oncogene c-fos. Taken together, these data suggest that tyrosine kinase activation in human neutrophils plays a critical regulatory role in both the stimulation and priming of neutrophil function by GM-CSF.

Calcium↗
PubMed1991

Parathyroid hormone-related protein: elevated levels in both humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy and hypercalcemia complicating metastatic breast cancer.

A RIA for PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is described, using a polyclonal goat antiserum against synthetic PTHrP-(1-40) and recombinant PTHrP-(1-84) as standard. The detection limit is 2 pmol/L, and intra- and interassay coefficients of variation are 4.8% and 13.6%, respectively. This assay does not detect PTH even at concentrations of up to 2000 pmol/L. Cross-reactivity studies using various synthetic PTHrP peptides localize the antibody-binding epitope between residues 20 and 29. Hypercalcemic patients with a range of solid tumors and no evidence of bone metastases on radionuclide scanning (n = 27) all had detectable PTHrP levels (range, 2.8-51.2 pmol/L). Of 17 patients with solid tumors (other than breast) and bone metastases, 11 (64%) also had detectable PTHrP levels (range, 4.9-47.5 pmol/L). Twenty samples from breast cancer patients with hypercalcemia, 19 with evidence of bone metastases, and 1 with a negative bone scan were assayed, and detectable PTHrP levels were found in 13 (65%; range, 3.8-61.6 pmol/L). Patients with squamous cell carcinomata and normal serum calcium levels (n = 11) had no detectable PTHrP or levels close to the detection limit of the assay (range, less than 2 to 3.7 pmol/L). Plasma levels in normal volunteers were below the detection limit of the assay in all but 1 of 38 normal subjects. Patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (n = 18) and patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (n = 14) all had undetectable PTHrP in this assay. This assay allows positive identification of patients with PTHrP-mediated hypercalcemia and, therefore, should be useful in the clinical investigation of the hypercalcemic patient. Furthermore, it has allowed detection of circulating PTHrP in hypercalcemic breast cancer patients with bone metastases, indicating a significant role for PTHrP in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Activation of MAP-2 kinase activity by the CD2 receptor in Jurkat T cells can be reversed by CD45 phosphatase.

We have recently characterized a serine kinase in T lymphocytes which phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) in vitro. This kinase is activated in a rapidly reversible fashion during ligation of CD3/Ti by a process which involves tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme itself. We show that the stimulatory anti-CD2 mAb combination, anti-(T11(2) + T11(3), stimulates MAP-2K activity in Jurkat cells with kinetics that are more prolonged than during anti-CD3 treatment. The principal difference is not in the rate of response induction, but in the decline of the response beyond the peak, to which end anti-CD2 stimulation resembles the sustained phytohaemagglutin (PHA) response. Parallel immunoblotting, utilizing anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, also revealed differences in the rate at which tyrosine phosphorylation of pp43 (MAP-2K) disappears after induction. In spite of these differences, CD2 was absolutely dependent on the presence of CD3 for inducing a MAP-2K response in Jurkat cells. These results indicate that, even though CD2 and CD3 are using a common signalling pathway in Jurkat cells, additional differences such as the involvement of a tyrosine phosphatase may have to be considered in response generation. We also demonstrate that the common CD45 isoform, when cross-linked to CD2 by mAb, could inhibit the MAP-2K response during both induction as well as the disappearing phase of the response.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Diacylglycerol and protein kinase mediated noradrenergic responses in perfused rat kidneys.

The role of protein kinases in renal noradrenergic stimulation was examined using sphingosine, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperizine (H7), using sphingosine, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperizine (H7), or staurosporine to inhibit the responses to norepinephrine (NE, 60 nM) in isolated perfused rat kidneys. Sphingosine (20 mumol/L) increased the noradrenergic vasoconstrictor response. H7 (10 mumol/L) partially blocked the immediate vasoconstrictor response and completely inhibited it after 2 min without altering the antinatriuretic and antilithuretic responses. H7 also blocked the increase in free water produced by NE, which is consistent with the inhibition of protein kinase A linked to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Staurosporine (10 nmol/L) partially inhibited noradrenergic vasoconstriction and antinatriuresis, and it completely blocked the depression of gluconeogenic responses to NE in pyruvate-perfused kidneys. To examine the role of diacylglycerol and protein kinase C in the renal responses to NE, we used oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol (OAG, 50-100 microM) or phorbol-12-myristyl-13-acetate (TPA, 5-50 nM). TPA slowly vasoconstricted the kidney and reduced GFR and fractional Na+, Li+, and free water excretion. Amiloride (1 mM) prevented the TPA responses. OAG mimicked the effects of TPA except that vasoconstriction occurred more rapidly and was brief. Both TPA and OAG acted like alpha 1-adrenergic agonists. These results indicate that diaclyglycerol and protein kinase are involved in the prolonged effects of NE on vasoconstriction. GFR, and proximal tubular reabsorption.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1990

Role of diacylglycerol in adrenergic-stimulated 86Rb uptake by proximal tubules.

We used rat proximal tubule fragments purified by Percoll centrifugation to examine the role of diacylglycerol (DAG) in noradrenergic-stimulated Na+ reabsorption. Tubular DAG concentration and ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb uptake increased within 30 s after adding norepinephrine (NE) and remained elevated for at least 5 min. NE (1 microM) increased DAG content 17% and ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb uptake 23%. Cirazoline-stimulated 86Rb uptake was not inhibited by BaCl, quinidine, or bumetanide (1-10 microM) or by the omission of HCO3- or Cl- from the medium, but it was completely inhibited by ouabain and furosemide. Oleoyl-acetyl glycerol, L-alpha-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol, and L-alpha-1,2-dioleoylglycerol (DOG) increased total 86Rb uptake 8-11%. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (5 nM) increased uptake by only 4%. Staurosporine at 5 nM inhibited DOG stimulation completely, whereas 50 nM staurosporine was required to inhibit NE stimulation completely. Sphingosine inhibited DOG stimulation by 66% but did not inhibit NE stimulation. Amiloride (1 mM) completely blocked DOG stimulation. Monensin increased 86Rb uptake 31% and completely blocked the DOG effect but reduced the NE effect by only 26% (P = 0.08). In tubules from salt-loaded rats, NE did not increase DAG concentration, but NE-stimulated 86Rb uptake was reduced by only 23% (P = 0.15). Thus DAG released by NE may stimulate Na+ entry through Na(+)-H+ exchange. NE predominantly stimulates Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) by activating a protein kinase that is insensitive to DAG and TPA and is inhibited by staurosporine but not by sphingosine. NE may also stimulate K+ efflux through a BaCl-insensitive K+ channel that is inhibited by millimolar furosemide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1990

Mechanisms of perfused kidney cytoprotection by alanine and glycine.

We examined the cytoprotective action of individual amino acids in isolated perfused kidneys during perfusion with either 10 mM lactate or 5 mM glucose. In the absence of amino acids inulin clearance fell rapidly, whereas fractional excretion of phosphate, lactate, or glucose increased to more than 30%; lactate dehydrogenase was released into perfusate and alkaline phosphatase into the urine. Functional deterioration was less in kidneys from rats rendered chronically water diuretic by drinking 5% glucose. Adding 5 mM glycine, L-alanine, beta-alanine, or D-alanine to the perfusate also prevented functional deterioration and release of enzymes. Glycine perfusion increased total phospholipid per microgram DNA by 6%. Aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, taurine, isoleucine, leucine, and valine were not protective. Serine, proline, and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid had small protective effects. Micropuncture measurements of proximal tubular free- and stop-flow pressures showed no effect of L-alanine on glomerular hemodynamics. L-Alanine increased oxygen consumption by both glucose- and lactate-perfused kidneys and increased gluconeogenesis by lactate-perfused kidneys but did not alter renal ATP content or energy charge. L-Alanine was not consumed during 70 min of perfusion and its protective action was not inhibited by blocking transamination with 0.5 mM amino-oxyacetate. The protective action of glycine was not inhibited by blocking glycine metabolism with 0.1 mM cysteamine. Thus the beneficial effects of L-alanine and glycine do not require their metabolism. These observations suggest that small neutral amino acids prevent tubular disruption through their physicochemical effects, which can stabilize membrane protein tertiary structure.

Alanine↗
PubMed1990

Eight-month longitudinal study of urinary excretion of albumin and tubular proteins in diabetic subjects.

To evaluate the importance of tubular proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy, we studied the serial changes of micro-albuminuria, microproteinuria and protein patterns by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in 38 diabetic patients over 8 months. There was a significant correlation between the amount of micro-albuminuria measured by radio-immunoassay and the amount of microproteinuria quantitated by the Coomassie brilliant blue dye binding method (r = 0.976; p less than 0.0001). Micro-albuminuria of 50 mg/day was equivalent to microproteinuria of 190 mg/day. Among the 38 diabetic patients, 26 had micro-albuminuria above 50 mg/day, while 12 had micro-albuminuria below this level. There was a significant correlation between the amount of microproteinuria and haemoglobin A1, showing that the quantity of microproteinuria was affected by metabolic control. Diabetic patients with micro-albuminuria of above 50 mg/day have a significantly higher diastolic blood pressure than those below this level. Among the diabetic patients with micro-albuminuria of less than 50 mg/day, the amount of micro-albuminuria and microproteinuria remained constant, whereas progressive increases in micro-albuminuria and microproteinuria were observed among the 12 diabetic subjects with micro-albuminuria above 50 mg/day. These support the prognostic importance of this quantity of micro-albuminuria. The protein patterns as revealed by SDS-PAGE with Coomassie blue staining show a significant loss of low-molecular-weight proteins in 7 patients, which may therefore suggest tubular damage. The loss of tubular proteins persisted over a period of 8 months in all 7 subjects, and the amount gradually increased over this period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Gas chromatographic determination of gallopamil and norgallopamil in human plasma.

A highly sensitive gas chromatographic assay is described for the simultaneous determination of gallopamil, a calcium channel blocking agent, and its major metabolite, norgallopamil. A multi-step extraction procedure is employed followed by on-column capillary gas chromatographic analysis using nitrogen-selective detection. Acetylation of norgallopamil is performed to enable accurate quantification of the metabolite. Linearity was achieved over the range 1-50 ng/ml for both analytes. Assay specificity, precision and accuracy were investigated.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1989

A Canadian multicenter study with Zaditen (ketotifen) in the treatment of bronchial asthma in children aged 5 to 17 years.

One hundred thirty-eight children with chronic asthma, requiring daily treatment with bronchodilators, took part in a 7-month, double-blind, multicenter clinical study. Patients were randomized into two groups, and after a 1-month baseline, were administered Zaditen (ketotifen), 1.0 mg twice daily, or an identical placebo for a period of 6 months. After 10 weeks of receiving the study medication, bronchodilator use was reduced or stopped. In the Zaditen-treated group, 60% of the children taking theophylline were able to stop its use completely, compared to 34% of the patients taking placebo (p less than 0.05). Of the patients who were unable to stop taking theophylline, the Zaditen-and placebo-treated groups recorded average dosage reductions of 62% and 26%, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Thus, a high percentage of patients in the placebo-treated group maintained asthma symptom control with theophylline, whereas most of the Zaditen-treated patients could stop using this medication. Although pulmonary function readings improved in both groups, those patients taking Zaditen demonstrated earlier improvement and greater changes from baseline. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) in favor of Zaditen were found for reduction of concomitant medications, patient's global evaluation, physician's clinical evaluations, incidence of emergency room visits for asthma, and upper respiratory tract infections. No unexpected side effects were observed. It is concluded that Zaditen is an effective medication for long-term control of asthma in children.

Adolescent↗