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Biomedical subjects

R R Ruffolo

Publications and source records attributed to R R Ruffolo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Carvedilol, a new vasodilating beta-adrenoceptor blocker, inhibits oxidation of low-density lipoproteins by vascular smooth muscle cells and prevents leukocyte adhesion to smooth muscle cells.

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of carvedilol, a new vasodilating beta-adrenoceptor blocker with antioxidant activity, on the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). LDL oxidation was assessed as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation and increase in electrophoretic mobility. Oxidized (ox) LDL-induced cytotoxicity was assessed as lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) from cells and ox-LDL-enhanced adhesiveness of the RASMC for leukocytes was also determined. Carvedilol inhibited TBARS formation and LDH release from RASMC with IC50 values of 1.74 and 1.62 microM, respectively. Under the same conditions, the IC50 values of probucol and nicardipine were 2.33 and 5.60 microM, respectively, for inhibition of TBARS and 5.16 and 12.10 microM, respectively, for inhibition of LDH release; propranolol, atenolol, pindolol and labetalol, at concentrations up to 100 microM, had virtually no effect on either variable. RASMC-dependent ox-LDL stimulated the adhesive properties of RASMC for both monocytes and neutrophils in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, which were prevented when the RASMC were treated with carvedilol (IC50 2.07 microM for monocytes and 1.12 microM for neutrophils), whereas other beta blockers, at concentrations up to 30 microM, had only mild effects. The monoclonal antirat intercellular adhesion molecule-1 antibody partially inhibited ox-LDL-induced adhesion of RASMC for monocytes and neutrophils. Northern analysis demonstrated that ox-LDL induced intracellular adhesion molecule-1 messenger RNA expression on RASMC, which was inhibited by carvedilol and probucol via inhibition of LDL oxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1994

Carvedilol, a new antihypertensive drug with unique antioxidant activity: potential role in cerebroprotection.

The antioxidant activities of carvedilol have been demonstrated in a wide variety of test systems, including (i) physicochemical (EPR studies), (ii) biochemical (measurement of lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidant depletion), (iii) cellular, and (iv) in vivo. The antioxidant activity of carvedilol clearly emanates from the carbazole moiety which is unique to carvedilol. The antioxidant activity resides equally in both of the enantiomers of carvedilol, as well as in some of its metabolites which are devoid of either the alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity or beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity. This novel antioxidant property of carvedilol may account, at least in part, for its cerebroprotection. The data discussed in this article suggest that carvedilol may not only provide effective and safe antihypertensive therapy and therefore reduce a major risk factor for stroke, but will also be better able to provide additional benefits to patients by protecting against oxygen free radicals generated during cerebral ischemia and stroke.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

SB 211475, a metabolite of carvedilol, a novel antihypertensive agent, is a potent antioxidant.

The antioxidant effects of SB 211475, a metabolite of carvedilol, a novel antihypertensive agent, were studied and compared with carvedilol and other antioxidants such as U78517F, U74500A and probucol. SB 211475 inhibited Fe(2+)-vitamin C-initiated lipid peroxidation, assessed as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, in brain-homogenate with an IC50 of 0.28 microM. Under the same conditions, the IC50s of probucol, carvedilol, U74500A and U78517F were 50, 8.1, 0.71 and 0.16 microM, respectively. SB 211475 inhibited oxidation of human low density lipoprotein by mouse macrophages with an IC50 of 0.043 microM. In the same model, the IC50s of carvedilol, U78517F and probucol were 3.8, 0.15, and 0.80 microM, respectively. SB 211475 protected cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells against hydroxyl radical-initiated lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 0.15 microM) and cell damage (lactate dehydrogenase release, IC50 = 0.16 microM), and promoted cell survival with an EC50 of 0.13 microM. SB 211475 also protected endothelial cells against xanthine/xanthine oxidase-initiated cytotoxicity and protected rat cerebellar neurons from hydroxyl radical-mediated cell death (EC50 = 0.19 microM). Moreover, SB 211475 inhibited superoxide (O2-) release from human neutrophils stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate. These observations indicate that SB 211475 is a potent antioxidant and may potentially contribute to the therapeutic effects of carvedilol in vivo.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1994

Effects of catechol ring fluorination on cardiovascular and renal activities of fenoldopam enantiomers.

SK&F 87516 is a potent DA1 receptor agonist with demonstrated renal vasodilator activity. SK&F 87516 is the 6-fluoro analog of another DA1 agonist/renal vasodilator agent, fenoldopam. SK&F 87516 is a racemic mixture of two enantiomers, SK&F(R)-87516 and SK&F(S)-87516, and like fenoldopam, the (R)-enantiomer is responsible for the biological activities of the racemate. SK&F(R)-87516 is diuretic in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in dogs, whereas its enantiomer, SK&F(S)-87516 is inactive. SK&F(R)-87516 increases glomerular filtration rate, an effect which may account, in part, for its diuretic activity. Unlike fenoldopam, SK&F(R)-87516 is not associated with acute hypotensive activity, tachycardia, or stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The activity differences between SK&F(R)-87516 and fenoldopam are not related to differences in DA1 agonist potency. The activity differences may be due to the differing effects of fluorine and chlorine on the electron distribution in the catechol ring, resulting in an enhanced effect of SK&F(R)-87516 at alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
PubMed1994

Alpha-adrenoceptors.

Major advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular structure and function of the alpha-adrenoceptors. Many new subtypes of the alpha-adrenoceptor have been identified recently through biochemical and pharmacological techniques and several of these receptors have been cloned and expressed in a variety of vector systems. Currently, at least seven subtypes of the alpha-adrenoceptor have been identified and the molecular structure and biochemical functions of these subtypes are beginning to be understood. The alpha-adrenoceptors belong to the super family of receptors that are coupled to guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G-proteins). A variety of G-proteins are involved in the coupling of the various alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes to intracellular second messenger systems, which ultimately produce the end-organ response. The mechanisms by which the alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes recognize different G-proteins, as well as the molecular interactions between receptors and G-proteins, are the topics of current research. Furthermore, the physiological and pathophysiological role that alpha-adrenoceptors play in homeostasis and in a variety of disease states is also being elucidated. These major advances made in alpha-adrenoceptor classification, molecular structure, physiologic function, second messenger systems and therapeutic relevance are the subject of this review.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1994

The beta-adrenoceptor selectivity profile of BRL 37344 in the pithed rat.

1. Rats were pithed in order to disrupt baroreflex pathways. Heart rate was used as a measure of beta 1-adrenoceptor activity, blood pressure as a measure of beta 2-adrenoceptor activity and oxygen consumption and brown adipose tissue temperature as measures of beta 3-adrenoceptor activity. 2. The effects of the selective beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist BRL 37344 were compared with those of isoprenaline, a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, and denopamine and salbutamol, which are respectively beta 1 and beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists. 3. Denopamine was 10-fold more potent on heart rate than blood pressure, whilst salbutamol was 18-fold more potent on blood pressure than heart rate. These findings confirm that in this preparation increases in heart rate are predominantly beta 1 adrenoceptor-mediated, whilst blood pressure is beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated. Further confirmation is provided by the blockade with atenolol, of the chronotropic effect, but not the blood pressure effect, of isoprenaline. 4. BRL 37344 was the most potent beta-adrenoceptor agonist on both oxygen consumption and brown adipose tissue temperature, revealing the beta 3-nature of these responses. Dose-response curves for oxygen consumption and brown adipose tissue temperature were identical, whichever of the beta-adrenoceptor agonists was used. Both systems may be considered equally effective as indicators of beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist activity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Nonpeptide endothelin receptor antagonists. I. Effects on binding and signal transduction on human endothelinA and endothelinB receptors.

The effect of a series of endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists, including the novel nonpeptide receptor antagonist, SB 209670, on [125I]ET-1 binding to human ET receptors (ETA and ETB) cloned and stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was studied. SB 209670 was found to compete for [125I]ET-1 binding with apparent Ki values of 0.43 +/- 0.09 and 14.7 +/- 3.0 nM for ETA and ETB receptors, respectively. This inhibition was competitive because addition of SB 209670 in saturation binding experiments resulted in decreased affinity, with no change in maximum binding. In addition, SB 209670 inhibited ET-1-mediated accumulation of inositol phosphates and intracellular calcium release in a concentration-dependent manner. The racemic mixtures, (+/-)-SB 209670 and (-)-SB 209670, were approximately 1.5 and at least 200-fold less potent than SB 209670. The binding affinity of (+/-)-SB 209670 therefore resides in (+)-antipode. The peptide antagonists, BQ123 (ETA-selective) and RES 701 (ETB-selective), were 40- and 6-fold less potent than SB 209670 in inhibition of [125I] ET-1 binding to ETA and ETB receptors, respectively. The nonselective peptide antagonist, PD 142893, was 75- and 10-fold less potent than SB 209670, whereas the nonpeptide antagonist, bosentan, was approximately 80- and approximately 30-fold less potent than SB 209670 in inhibition of [125I]ET-1 binding to ETA and ETB receptors, respectively. Thus, the present studies indicate clearly that SB 209670 is the most potent nonpeptide ET receptor antagonist yet described.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Nonpeptide endothelin receptor antagonists. II. Pharmacological characterization of SB 209670.

The pharmacological characterization of SB 209670, a highly potent nonpeptide endothelin ETA/ETB receptor antagonist was performed. SB 209670 produced concentration-dependent, parallel rightward shifts in the ET-1 concentration-response curves in the isolated rat aorta (ETA receptor-mediated vascular contraction). The Kb for inhibition of ETA receptor-mediated contraction by SB 209670 was 0.4 +/- 0.04 nM. Inhibition by SB 209670 was stereoselective as the (+)-antipode of SB 209670 was approximately 575-fold more potent than the (-)-antipode. Relative to other ET receptor antagonists, the potency of SB 209670 for inhibiting ETA receptor-mediated vascular contraction was 45-, 180- and 775-fold more potent than the ETA selective antagonist BQ-123, or the mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonists bosentan or PD142893, respectively. The pharmacological antagonism produced by SB 209670 was specific for ET-1. SB 209670 inhibited ETB receptors in the isolated rabbit pulmonary artery as demonstrated by concentration-dependent, parallel rightward shifts in either the ET-1 or sarafotoxin S6c (S6c) concentration-response curves. The Kb values for inhibition were 200 +/- 9 and 52 +/- 14 nM for ET-1 and S6c, respectively. In contrast, neither the ETB selective antagonist RES-701 (10 microM) nor BQ-123 (10 microM) inhibited S6c-mediated vasoconstriction. However, PD 142893 (10 microM) and bosentan (10 microM) produced a small rightward shift in the S6c concentration-response curve, each with Kb values of 1.5 to 3.7 microM. In isolated human circumflex coronary arteries, (+/-)-SB 209670 inhibited ET-1 mediated contraction with a Kb value of 7 +/- 3 nM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Nonpeptide endothelin receptor antagonists. III. Effect of SB 209670 and BQ123 on acute renal failure in anesthetized dogs.

Endothelin (ET) is a potent vasoconstrictor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure (ARF). In order to investigate the potential role of ET in ARF in the dog, the effect of a mixed ETA and ETB receptor antagonist, (+/-)-SB 209670, [(1RS-2SR,3RS)-3-(2-carboxymethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5- (prop-1-yloxy) indane-2-carboxylic acid], and a selective ETA antagonist, BQ123, were evaluated in anesthetized uninephrectomized dogs undergoing 60 min of renal occlusion. (+/-)-SB 209670 (1 microgram/kg/min) and BQ123 (10 micrograms/kg/min) were infused directly into the renal artery (intrarenal) for 30 min before renal occlusion, during occlusion and for 60 min after reperfusion at doses that inhibited the renal vasoconstrictor effects of intrarenal renal artery infusions of ET-1. Renal occlusion resulted in a significant reduction in inulin clearance (from 26.2 +/- 1.8 to 3.2 +/- 1.1 ml/min). This response was significantly (P < .05) attenuated by (+/-)-SB 209670 (from 23.5 +/- 2.2 to 7.6 +/- 2.0 ml/min) but not by BQ123 (from 23.5 +/- 1.7 to 4.9 +/- 1.2 ml/min). Endogenous creatinine clearance showed the same pattern. After renal artery occlusion, fractional sodium and fractional potassium excretions were increased significantly. (+/-)-SB 209670, but not BQ123, resulted in a significant reduction in fractional sodium; however, neither compound altered fractional potassium excretion. The data suggest that ET receptor antagonists, possibly by altering tubular sodium reabsorption, may be beneficial in ischemia-induced ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1994

The essential role of integrative biomedical sciences in protecting and contributing to the health and well-being of our nation.

The biomedical sciences in the United States are currently experiencing the effects of an increased emphasis on in vitro models of biological and disease processes. Advances in cellular and subcellular biology have been a driving force in the funding of new research, the training of new scientists, and new drug discovery and development. The importance of new findings at the cellular and subcellular levels is not disputed. However, the corresponding decline in funding and training opportunities for biologically relevant investigations at the level of the intact animal (including humans; hereafter designated as integrative biology) is a serious threat to continued biomedical advances. The lack of resources for integrative biology has far-reaching negative consequences in 1) the development and utilization of whole animal models of disease and dysfunction; 2) assessing the relevancy of in vitro studies to physiological mechanisms; 3) the evaluation of the scientific merit of whole animal investigations and their relevancy to the nation's scientific imperatives; 4) the instruction of young scientists in the technology and especially in the methods of integrative biology, including how to develop appropriate experimental hypotheses; 5) the instruction of graduate, medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing students in drug and disease processes in the intact human; and 6) the ability of the pharmaceutical manufacturers, the FDA, the EPA and academia to hire scientists who can develop drugs and evaluate the effects of exogenous agents on the intact animal. These negative consequences can be alleviated in a variety of ways. These include 1) increasing the availability of funding for research in integrative biology, 2) increasing the opportunities for training in integrative biology, and 3) instituting grant reviews of integrative biomedical research by peers in integrative biomedical sciences. These measures can revitalize integrative biomedical research, help ensure the continued advancement of biomedical understanding, and consequently contribute to the alleviation of human suffering.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Carvedilol, a cardiovascular drug, prevents vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and neointimal formation following vascular injury.

Carvedilol is a cardiovascular drug currently used for the treatment of hypertension. Clinical studies have recently demonstrated efficacy in angina and congestive heart failure. Recently, carvedilol has been shown to attenuate oxygen free radical-initiated lipid peroxidation and to inhibit vascular smooth muscle mitogenesis induced by a wide variety of growth factors. These findings are of interest since smooth muscle proliferation and abnormal lipid metabolism are proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaque formation and in development of stenotic lesions following vascular injury by balloon angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting. On the basis of these observations, the antiproliferative actions of carvedilol have been explored in detail. In human cultured pulmonary artery vascular smooth muscle cells, carvedilol (0.1-10 microM) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the mitogenesis stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, thrombin, and serum, with IC50 values ranging from 0.3 to 2.0 microM. Carvedilol also produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor, with an IC50 value of 3 microM. The extensive neointimal formation that occurs following balloon angioplasty of rat carotid arteries was markedly attenuated by carvedilol (1 mg/kg, i.p.; twice daily starting 3 days before angioplasty and continuing until 14 days after angioplasty). Quantitative image analysis demonstrated that carvedilol reduced the neointimal growth following angioplasty by 84% without altering either medial or adventitial cross-sectional areas. These observations indicate that carvedilol may also be effective in the treatment of pathological disorders principally associated with abnormal vascular smooth muscle growth, such as atherosclerosis and acute vascular wall injury induced by angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1993

Comparison between carvedilol and captopril in rats with partial ablation-induced chronic renal failure.

1. The effect of the novel beta-adrenoceptor antagonist and vasodilator, carvedilol (SK&F 105517, approximately 70 mg kg-1 daily in the food), and captopril (approximately 38 mg kg-1 daily in the drinking fluid) on the progression of chronic renal failure in rats was studied. 2. Six weeks following partial renal ablation, the urinary protein excretion of the carvediol- (60 +/- 21 mg day-1) and captopril-treated (35 +/- 9 mg day-1) animals was less than 50% that of control rats (133 +/- 27 mg d-1). 3. Serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (SUN) concentrations of the carvedilol-(Scr, 0.63 +/- 0.09 mg dl-1; SUN, 11.3 +/- 1.2 mg dl-1) and captopril-treated (Scr, 0.82 +/- 0.05 mg dl-1; SUN, 14.1 +/- 1.5 mg dl-1) animals were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that observed in control animals (Scr, 1.4 +/- 0.3 mg dl-1; SUN, 19.2 +/- 3.9 mg dl-1), indicating that glomerular filtration rate was improved by both drugs. Plasma renin activity was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in captopril-treated rats (24.7 +/- 4.6 ng angiotensin I ml-1 h-1) than in either carvedilol-treated (7.9 +/- 1.4 ng angiotensin I ml-1 h-1) or control animals (7.4 +/- 1.0 ng angiotensin I ml-1 h-1). 4. Histological examination of the kidneys demonstrated a significantly reduced glomerular hypertrophy and glomerulosclerosis in those animals receiving carvedilol or captopril compared to controls. 5. Serum carvedilol concentration measured every 6 h for 24 h was variable and ranged on average from 57 +/- 13 ng ml-1 at 16 h 00 min to 121 +/- 31 ng ml-1 at 03 h 00 min. These data indicate that the rats probably had 24 h systemic exposure to carvedilol.6. The present study indicates that carvedilol is effective in attenuating the progression of chronic renal failure in rats.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1993

Cardioprotective potential of carvedilol.

Carvedilol is a multiple-action cardiovascular agent that is a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist and a vasodilator. beta-Adrenoceptor antagonists reduce myocardial work, secondary to reductions in heart rate and contractility, both in animals and in humans. For these reasons, carvedilol may improve survival of acutely ischemic myocardium. The additional vasodilating activity of carvedilol, further reducing myocardial work by decreasing afterload and ventricular wall tension, may provide additional salvage over that afforded by beta-adrenoceptor blockade alone. The comparative ability of carvedilol and propranolol to reduce infarct size in experimental models of acute myocardial infarction in the rat, pig and dog has been investigated utilizing a variety of experimental techniques. In the pig, the calcium channel antagonist, diltiazem, was also included as a second comparator agent. Infarct size was examined on stained tissue sections using quantitative image analysis. In the rat, carvedilol (1 mg/kg) reduced infarct size by 47% (p < 0.01, n = 11), and in the pig, carvedilol, at doses of 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, reduced infarct size by 46% (p < 0.05, n = 6) and 89% (p < 0.001, n = 6), respectively. In dogs subjected to ischemia and reperfusion, carvedilol (1 mg/kg) reduced infarct size by 78% (p < 0.02, n = 6), and in dogs subjected to permanent left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, carvedilol, at doses of 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, reduced infarct size by 46 and 63%, respectively (p < 0.02, n = 12-16). In all studies, the extent of myocardial survival on carvedilol exceeded that on propranolol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1993

Carvedilol, a new antihypertensive agent, prevents lipid peroxidation and oxidative injury to endothelial cells.

The protective effects of carvedilol, a new beta-adrenergic receptor blocker and vasodilating antihypertensive agent, against oxygen free radical-mediated injury were studied in cultured bovine endothelial cells and compared with five other beta-blockers. Carvedilol dose-dependently inhibited oxygen radical-induced lipid peroxidation (50% inhibition at 2.6 mumol/L) and glutathione depletion (50% inhibition at 1.8 mumol/L) in the cells. Under the same conditions, other beta-blockers--propranolol, labetalol, pindolol, atenolol, and celiprolol--had only mild or no effect. Moreover, carvedilol protected against oxygen radical--mediated cell damage, as assessed by cellular lactate dehydrogenase release, with a 50% inhibition at 4.1 mumol/L and increased the cell survival in a dose-dependent manner, whereas other beta-blockers had mild or no effects. Pretreatment of the cells with carvedilol for 7 days significantly enhanced the protective effects of carvedilol. Using 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane as a trapping agent, the spin adduct in cell lipids was monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance. Carvedilol dose-dependently decreased the intensity of the free radical signals, indicating its free radical-scavenging ability. The prevention of oxidative injury to endothelial cells might potentially contribute to the clinical beneficial effects of carvedilol as an antihypertensive agent.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗