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Biomedical subjects

R C Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to R C Gupta.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Susceptibility of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient red cells to primaquine, primaquine enantiomers, and its two putative metabolites. II. Effect on red blood cell membrane, lipid peroxidation, MC-540 staining, and scanning electron microscopic studies.

The effects of primaquine (PQ), its enantiomers [(+)PQ,(-)PQ] and hydroxy metabolites [5-hydroxyprimaquine (5HPQ) and 6-desmethyl-5-hydroxyprimaquine (6D5HPQ)] on cell membranes of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficient red cells were studied in vitro. There was no significant effect of PQ on the malonyldialdehyde (MDA) content of normal and heterozygous red cells, but it caused a significant increase in MDA in G-6-PD deficient red cells (P less than 0.05). There was no noticeable difference between the effects of the two enantiomers on this variable (P greater than 0.05). Compared to PQ, the hydroxy metabolites produced a significantly greater increase in MDA in all the groups studied (P less than 0.001). Of the two hydroxy metabolites, 6D5HPQ was more toxic than 5HPQ. Staining with MC540 showed that exposure to PQ, its enantiomers and two putative metabolites produced significant fluorescence, indicating that the drug produces marked alterations in membrane fluidity. Although the fluorescence was seen both in normal and heterozygous cells, the effect was marked in hemizygous deficient red cells (P less than 0.001). Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies revealed that PQ enantiomers had a stomatocytic effect on red cells of normal, heterozygous and hemizygous G-6-PD deficient red cells, whereas the putative metabolites had an echinocytic effect. The effects were most pronounced in G-6-PD deficient red cells.

Erythrocyte Membrane↗

Cigarette smoke-induced DNA adducts in the respiratory and nonrespiratory tissues of rats.

Formation of DNA adducts is regarded as an essential initial step in the process of chemical carcinogenesis. To determine how chronic exposure to cigarette smoke affects the distribution of DNA adducts in selected respiratory and nonrespiratory tissues, we exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats daily to fresh mainstream smoke from the University of Kentucky reference cigarettes (2R1) in a nose-only exposure system for 32 weeks. Blood carboxyhemoglobin, total particulate matter (TPM) intake, and pulmonary aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase values indicated effective exposure of animals to cigarette smoke. DNA was extracted from three respiratory (larynx, trachea, and lung) and three nonrespiratory (liver, heart, and bladder) tissues and analyzed for DNA adducts by the 32P-postlabeling assay under conditions capable of detecting low levels of diverse aromatic/hydrophobic adducts. Data showed that the total DNA adducts in the lung, heart, trachea, and larynx were increased by 10- to 20-fold in the smoke-exposed group. Five-fold increase was observed in the bladder tissue, but differences were not present in the liver DNA of control and smoke-exposed groups. These data suggest selective formation of DNA adducts in the tissues.

Animals↗

In vivo alterations in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH isoenzymes patterns by acute carbofuran intoxication.

Intoxication with an acute dose of carbofuran (1.5 mg/kg, sc) in male Sprague-Dawley rats evoked severe toxic manifestations characteristic of hypercholinergic preponderance with profound muscle fasciculations and convulsions during 30-60 min, lasting for about 2 h. Lactate dehydrogenase, a "biomarker" cytoplasmic enzyme catalyzing the reversible reaction of lactate-pyruvate, was represented by five electrophoretically distinct isoenzymes in the serum and tissues. The amounts of each isoenzyme in different tissues were widely varied and consequently the patterns were tissue specific. A 24-h time-course following carbofuran administration indicated a two-fold increase in the activity of total LDH in serum and more than 30% in hemidiaphragm and liver. The patterns of LDH isoenzymes in serum revealed a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in all the isoenzymes except LDH-4 (64% decrease). Analysis of each tissue revealed characteristic changes in LDH isoenzyme patterns indicating organ-specific tissue damage. These alterations in LDH and its isoenzymes, in addition to acetylcholinesterase inhibition, may be directly or indirectly related to the mechanism(s) of the toxic action, and also provide insight into the site/organ(s) of toxic injury, thus providing an early prognostic indicator.

Animals↗

Carbofuran-induced alterations (in vivo) in high-energy phosphates, creatine kinase (CK) and CK isoenzymes.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats administered with an acute sublethal dose of carbofuran (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) developed the signs of peak hypercholinergic activity during 30-60 min. At this time, in hemidiaphragm muscle, a significant decrease in ATP (28%) and phosphocreatine (PC) (29%) occurred without concurrent change in AMP and creatine (CR). A significant decrease in the levels of total adenine nucleotides (ATP + ADP + AMP) (20%) and total creatine compounds (PC + CR) (17%) was evident. The decline in the corresponding ratios of ATP/ADP (26%), ATP/AMP (39%), and PC/CR (20%) was therefore suggestive of greater utilization of ATP and PC in response to their increased demand for high-frequency muscle fasciculations. The energy charge = ATP + 1/2 ADP/(ATP + ADP + AMP), an index of high-energy phosphate adequacy in hemidiaphragm, remained unchanged. A significant (p less than 0.01) increase in serum magnesium with no concurrent change in calcium was also evident. The observed higher activity (152%) of total CK (EC 2.7.3.2) in the serum induced by carbofuran was possibly a reflection of more than a twofold increase in CK-BB isoenzyme (CK-1) and 141% increase in CK-MM isoenzyme (CK-3), which also strengthens our findings of enhanced synthesis of ATP and PC. Increased levels of CK-MM isoenzyme in the brain (253%) and hemidiaphragm (195%); and depletion of CK-BB isoenzyme in the hemidiaphragm (0%), heart (42%), and brain (77%), and of CK-MB isoenzyme (CK-2) in the brain (4%) and hemidiaphragm (14%), appeared to be the major contributory factors leading to enhanced serum CK activity.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Comparison of cholinergic and neuromuscular toxicity following acute exposure to sarin and VX in rat.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats injected with a sublethal sc dosage of 110 micrograms/kg of sarin (isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate), or 12 micrograms/kg of VX (S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate), developed severe toxic signs within 5-15 min after sarin and 20-50 min after VX lasting for 5 to 7 hr. Myonecrotic lesions were seen in soleus and diaphragm muscles within 1 hr. A maximum number of lesions had developed after 24 hr, and lesions were also present in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) at this time. Regeneration of muscle fibers was slow since lesions were still evident past 7 days of treatment. Within 1 hr following VX, AChE activity was reduced to 8, 12, and 17% of control activity in soleus, diaphragm, and EDL, respectively, whereas with sarin the enzyme activity was reduced to 23, 48, and 82% of control. A still greater inhibition was seen 24 hr after sarin when AChE activity was reduced to 19, 13, and 43% in these muscles. In skeletal muscles the different molecular forms of AChE, such as 16 S, 12 S, 10 S, and 4 S vary in location and functional importance with the 16 S form highly concentrated at the neuromuscular junction. All forms in a given muscle were equally sensitive to the inhibitors. In EDL, sarin was the least effective in reducing AChE or its molecular forms. In the brain structures (cortex, brain stem, striatum, and hippocampus), AChE activity was reduced to 1-6% of control by sarin and VX with the exception that following VX striatal AChE was reduced to only 41% of control activity. AChE activity in the brain cortex following either of the agents was maximally affected (1%). A slow but significant recovery of brain AChE was evident after 24 hr and more so after Day 7. Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity was less sensitive to inhibition by both inhibitors compared to AChE activity and showed a rapid recovery. Based on the equitoxic doses (toxic signs of similar magnitude), VX was found to be 10 times more toxic than sarin. The mechanisms of this disparity may be due to differences in rate of uptake, circulation, susceptibility to hydrolysis, and reactivity with nonspecific binding sites.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene and persistence of DNA adducts in the brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus).

1. The in vitro metabolism of [3H]benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and [14C]benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol (BP-7,8-diol) by liver of brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) was characterized, as was the formation and persistence of BP-DNA adducts in vivo. 2. Compared to rat liver microsomes, bullhead liver microsomes produced relatively larger amounts of BP-7,8-diol (predominantly the [-] enantiomer) and smaller amounts of of BP-7,8-diol (predominantly the [-] enantiomer) and smaller amounts of BP-4,5-diol. 3. BP phase I metabolites were efficiently converted by freshly isolated bullhead hepatocytes to conjugates, predominantly glucuronides. 4. BP-7,8-diol was metabolized by hepatocytes 4-fold more rapidly than was BP and was converted to approximately equal amounts of glucuronides, glutathione conjugates and sulfates. 5. BP-DNA adducts formed in bullhead liver with a lag time of several days and maximum adduct formation at 25-30 days. The major adduct was anti-BPDE-deoxyguanosine.

Animals↗

DNA adducts in rat lung, liver and peripheral blood lymphocytes produced by i.p. administration of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites and derivatives.

DNA adducts produced in vivo in rat lung, liver and peripheral blood lymphocytes following the i.p. administration of several synthetic benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) metabolites and ring-substituted derivatives have been analyzed by the nuclease P1 version of the 32P-postlabeling assay. These include 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-hydroxy-B[a]P, (+/-)-B[a]P-trans-4,5-dihydrodiol, (+/-)-B[a]P-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol, (+/-)-B[a]P-trans-9,10-dihydrodiol and B[a]P-7,8-dione. Among the monohydroxy derivatives, only 2-, 9- and 12-hydroxy-B[a]P produced detectable adducts. The only disubstituted derivative studied that produced adducts was the trans-7,8-dihydrodiol. The resulting DNA adducts were compared to those produced in each tissue by administration of B[a]P. 9-Hydroxy-B[a]P and B[a]P-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol each lead to the formation of major B[a]P adducts seen in lung and liver respectively. None of the adducts derived from either 2-hydroxy-B[a]P or 12-hydroxy-B[a]P were observed following administration of B[a]P alone.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

Evidence for isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation of phosphatase inhibitor-1 in the intact heart.

The positive inotropic effect of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol is accompanied by inhibition of phosphatase type 1 activity in myocardium. Indirect assays suggest that this effect is due to activation of protein phosphatase inhibitor-1, which inhibits phosphatase activity only when phosphorylated. To test this hypothesis directly, electrically stimulated (3 Hz) guinea pig ventricular preparations were perfused according to the Langendorff method with physiological buffers with or without 5 mCi 32P/heart, and then various concentrations of isoproterenol were applied. Contractility was recorded. Hearts were freeze-clamped and cAMP and inhibitor-1 activities were measured. In 32P-labeled hearts a protein at about 26 kd on autoradiograms of 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate gels was detected. Isoproterenol (1 microM) increased rate of tension development to 238% of the predrug value, cAMP concentrations 1.5-fold, and inhibitor-1 activity threefold. Concomitantly, there was an increase in a 32P-labeled band at about 26 kd from 380 to 540 pmol 32P/mg protein. This protein at about 26 kd, after transfer to nitrocellulose, was recognized by an antiserum prepared against rabbit skeletal muscle inhibitor-1. More radioactive protein of about 26 kd could be immunoprecipitated by the antiserum from isoproterenol-treated than from untreated hearts. It is concluded that a protein, probably identical to phosphatase inhibitor-1, is phosphorylated in vivo in the heart in the presence of isoproterenol. Phosphorylation of inhibitor-1 with consequent modification of type 1 phosphatase activity may contribute to the effects of isoproterenol in the heart.

Animals↗

The role of phospholamban in the regulation of calcium transport by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The calcium transport mechanism of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is (SR) is regulated by a phosphoregulatory mechanism involving the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of an integral membrane component, termed phospholamban. Phospholamban, a 27,000 Da proteolipid, contains phosphorylation sites for three independent protein kinases: 1) cAMP-dependent, 2) Ca2(+)-calmodulin-dependent, and 3) Ca2(+)-phospholipid-dependent. Phosphorylation of phospholamban by any one of these kinases is associated with stimulation of the calcium transport rates in isolated SR vesicles. Dephosphorylation of phosphorylated phospholamban results in the reversal of the stimulatory effects produced by the protein kinases. Studies conducted on perfused hearts have shown that during exposure to beta-adrenergic agents, a good correlation exists between the in situ phosphorylation of phospholamban and the relaxation of the left ventricle. Phosphorylation of phospholamban in situ is associated with stimulation of calcium transport rates by cardiac SR, similar to in vitro findings. Removal of beta-adrenergic agents results in the reversal of the inotropic response and this is associated with dephosphorylation of phospholamban. These findings indicate that a phospho-regulatory mechanism involving phospholamban may provide at least one of the controls for regulation of the contractile properties of the myocardium.

Animals↗

Effects of sulfhydryl agents, trifluoperazine, phosphatase inhibitors and tryptic proteolysis on calcineurin isolated from bovine cerebral cortex.

Calcineurin was discovered as an inhibitor of calmodulin stimulated cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and its ability to act as a calmodulin binding protein largely explains its inhibitory action on calmodulin regulated enzymes. Recent studies establish calcineurin as the enzyme protein phosphatase whose activity is regulated by calmodulin and a variety of divalent metals. In this work, we have investigated the effects of several agents including sulfhydryl agents, trifluoperazine (a calmodulin antagonist), PPi, NaF and orthovanadate and of tryptic proteolysis on the calcineurin inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (called inhibitory activity) and on protein phosphatase activity. Inhibitors for sulfhydryl groups (pHMB, NEM) inhibited phosphatase activity without any effect on the inhibitory activity. Dithioerythritol completely reversed the inhibition by pHMB. Limited proteolysis of calcineurin caused an activation of basal phosphatase activity with a complete loss of inhibitory activity. Phosphatase activity of the proteolyzed calcineurin was not stimulated by calmodulin. The presence of calmodulin along with calcineurin during tryptic digestion appeared to preserve the stimulation of phosphatase by Ca2(+)-calmodulin. [3H]-Trifluoperazine (TFP) was found to be incorporated irreversibly into calcineurin in the presence of ultraviolet light. This incorporation was evident into the A and B subunits of calcineurin. TFP-caused a decrease in the phosphatase activity and an increase in its inhibitory activity. [3H]-TFP incorporation into the A subunit was drastically decreased in the proteolyzed calcineurin. This was also true when the [3H]-TFP incorporated calcineurin was subjected to tryptic proteolysis. The incorporation into the B unit was essentially unaffected in the trypsinized calcineurin. Phosphatase activity was inhibited by orthovanadate, NaF, PPi, and EDTA. Inhibitions by these compounds were more pronounced when the phosphatase was determined in the presence of Ca2(+)-calmodulin than in their absence.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Divalent cation effects on calcineurin phosphatase: differential involvement of hydrophobic and metal binding domains in the regulation of the enzyme activity.

The effects of divalent metals, metal chelators (EDTA, EGTA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate were investigated on the phosphatase activity of isolated bovine brain calcineurin assayed in the absence (called intrinsic) and presence of calmodulin. Intrinsic phosphatase was increased by Mn2+, was unaffected by Mg2+, Ca2+, and Ba2+, and was markedly inhibited by Ni2+, Fe2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+. When assayed in the presence of calmodulin, many divalent metals (Ni2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+), besides Mn2+, increased modestly the phosphatase activity at low concentrations (10-100 microM) and inhibited it markedly at high concentrations. Ca2(+)-calmodulin stimulated phosphatase activity was antagonized by Ni2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, at low concentrations (50 microM), and by Ba2+, Cd2+ at slightly higher concentrations (greater than 100 microM); Mn2+ and Co2+ (50 microM to 1 mM) in fact augmented it. EDTA and EGTA in a concentration and time dependent fashion inhibited the intrinsic phosphatase activity, particularly that of trypsinized calcineurin. SDS in low concentrations (0.005%) augmented the phosphatase activity and inhibited it at high concentrations. Mn2+ (+/- calmodulin) and Ca2+ only with calmodulin present increased the phosphatase activity assayed with low concentrations of SDS. The EDTA dependent inhibition of intrinsic phosphatase was almost abolished in assays containing SDS. Prior exposure of calcineurin to Mn2+ led to a high activity conformation state of calcineurin that was 'long-lived' or 'pseudo-irreversible'. Such Mn2(+)-activated state of calcineurin exhibited no discernible change in the affinity towards myelin basic protein or its inhibition by trifluoperazine. At alkaline pH, Mg2+ supported the intrinsic phosphatase activity, although to a lesser degree than Mn2+. The latter cation, compared to Mg2+ and Ni2+, was also a more powerful stimulator of the calcineurin phosphatase assayed with histone (III-S) and myosin light chain as substrates.

Animals↗

Pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins in the sino-atrial node and right atrium of bovine heart.

Three apparently distinct pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive substrates, with Mrs of 39, 40 and 41 kDa, were identified in membranes prepared from the sino-atrial (SA) node and right atrium of bovine heart. Based on their biochemical characterization, the effects of guanine nucleotides/MgCl2 on their PTX-catalyzed [32P]ADP ribosylation, and the PTX-induced decrease in radiolabelled agonist high-affinity binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors present in these membranes, we tentatively identify these proteins as the alpha-subunits of the G0 and Gi subtypes of G-proteins. These results indicate that PTX alters the G-protein modulation of SA nodal and atrial muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by disrupting at least one of a group of PTX-sensitive G-proteins present in these tissues.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor mediated inhibitory transduction of adenylate cyclase activity in subcellular fractions from rat heart: improved detection in sodium phosphate buffer.

Cholinergic inhibition of myocardial adenylate cyclase activity in cell-free fractions has been known for many years, although the reported degrees of inhibition have been rather modest (20-30%), notably in rat heart fractions. The present study conducted with rat heart subcellular fractions document following major findings: (1) Myocardial adenylate cyclase activity and notably its cholinergic inhibition in cell-free fractions are notoriously labile to storage at 4 degrees C whereas its stimulation by beta adrenergic receptor agonists or forskolin are reasonably well preserved during storage. (2) Among four buffers (Tris, glycylglycine, imidazole and sodium phosphate) examined, sodium phosphate buffer afforded the best preservation of cholinergic inhibitory response of adenylate cyclase. (3) The commonly used biochemical buffers, notably imidazole, exerted deleterious effect on the cholinergic inhibition of myocardial adenylate cyclase such that it was considerably attenuated or barely detectable; this explains, in part, the reported poor inhibition of myocardial enzyme by others. (4) Imidazole buffer, on the other hand, augmented beta adrenergic and forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The likely significance of these findings is discussed from consideration that the observed differential influence of buffers results from differential actions on the interactions between the components (receptor/coupling G proteins/catalyst) comprising autonomic receptor coupled adenylate cyclase system in rat heart.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Formation and persistence of DNA adducts in the liver of brown bullheads exposed to benzo[a]pyrene.

The formation and persistence of benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-DNA adducts in the liver of brown bullheads (Ictalurus nebulosus) treated with the hydrocarbon (20 mg/kg body wt, i.p.) was investigated using the 32P-postlabeling assay. The highest level of covalent binding of BP to liver DNA (188 fmol BP adducts/mg DNA) was observed 25-30 days following treatment. After 70 days, the adduct level in liver DNA had declined to approximately 26% of the maximum adduct level. One major BP-DNA adduct and several minor ones were detected in the liver. The major adduct co-chromatographed with anti-BP-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-deoxyguanosine (anti-BPDE-dGuo) adduct. The data suggest that brown bullheads metabolically activate BP by the same mechanism as the mammalian systems susceptible to carcinogenic effects of the hydrocarbon.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

Purification and characterization of a calcium-calmodulin-dependent phospholamban kinase from canine myocardium.

A Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was purified to apparent homogeneity from the cytosolic fraction of canine myocardium, with phospholamban as substrate. Purification involved sequential chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, calmodulin-agarose, DEAE-Bio-Gel A, and phosphocellulose. This procedure resulted in a 987-fold purification with a 5.4% yield. The purified enzyme migrated as a single band on native polyacrylamide gels, and it exhibited an apparent molecular weight of 550,000 upon gel filtration. Gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions revealed a single protein band with Mr 55,000. The purified kinase could be autophosphorylated in a Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent manner, and under optimal conditions, 6 mol of Pi was incorporated per mole of 55,000-dalton subunit. The activity of the enzyme was dependent on Ca2+, calmodulin, and ATP.Mg2+. Other ions which could partially substitute for Ca2+ in the presence of Mg2+ and saturating calmodulin concentrations were Sr2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Zn2+ greater than Fe2+. The substrate specificity of the purified Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase for cardiac proteins was determined by using phospholamban, troponin I, sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes, myofibrils, highly enriched sarcolemma, and mitochondria. The protein kinase could only phosphorylate phospholamban and troponin I either in their purified forms or in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes and myofibrils, respectively. Exogenous proteins which could also be phosphorylated by the purified protein kinase were skeletal muscle glycogen synthase greater than gizzard myosin light chain greater than brain myelin basic protein greater than casein. However, phospholamban appeared to be phosphorylated with a higher rate as well as affinity than glycogen synthase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Formation of cigarette smoke-induced DNA adducts in the rat lung and nasal mucosa.

The formation of DNA adducts in the nasal, lung, and liver tissues of rats exposed daily to fresh smoke from a University of Kentucky reference cigarette (2R1) for up to 40 weeks was examined. The amount of smoke total particulate matter (TPM) inhaled and the blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) values averaged 5-5.5 mg smoke TPM/day/rat and 5.5%, respectively. The pulmonary AHH activity measured at the termination of each experiment showed an average increase of about two- to threefold in the smoke-exposed groups. These observations suggested that animals effectively inhaled both gaseous and particulate phase constituents of cigarette smoke. DNAs from nasal, lung, and liver tissue were extracted and analyzed by an improved 32P-postlabeling procedure. The results showed that the mainstream cigarette smoke induced a spectrum of at least four new DNA adducts in the nasal mucosa of the exposed rats and the magnitude of these adducts increased with the duration of exposure. In the lung tissue, the smoke exposure induced an accumulation of one DNA adduct, which upon cessation of exposure for 19 weeks was reduced by about 75%. Smoke-related adducts were not detected in the liver, a nontarget tissue. Selective chromatography and butanol extractability suggested that the nasal and lung DNA adducts are aromatic and/or hydrophobic in nature and that the smoke-related lung DNA-adduct may contain polar group(s). These data demonstrate the DNA-damaging potential of long term fresh cigarette smoke exposure and suggest the ability of the tissue to partially recover from such damage following cessation of the exposure.

Aging↗