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Biomedical subjects

R Saperstein

Publications and source records attributed to R Saperstein.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Serum half-life and biological activity of mutants of human insulin-like growth factor I which do not bind to serum binding proteins.

We have characterized the biological properties of two mutants of human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) which, as we have shown previously, have normal affinity for the type I IGF receptor, but drastically reduced affinity for the acid-stable components of human serum binding proteins. [Phe-1,Val1,Asn2,Gln3,His4,Ser8,His9,Glu12 ,Tyr15,Leu16]IGF I (B-chain mutant) and [Gln3,Ala4,Tyr15,Leu16]IGF I have 1000 and 500 times lower affinity than IGF-I for the native 150K binding protein in adult rat serum. Like IGF-I, these two peptides migrate as monomers during size exclusion chromatography on TSK 125. [125I]IGF-I, [125I]B-chain mutant, and [125I] [Gln3,Ala4,Tyr15,Leu16]IGF-I have in vivo serum half-lives of 100, 27.5, and 26.9 min, respectively, after iv injection. These data suggest that serum binding protein-bound peptide is cleared from the serum more slowly than free peptide. The tissue distributions of [125I]IGF-I and [125I]B-chain mutant are similar 10 min after dosing, with more than 80% of the tissue-sequestered intact radioactive peptides in the kidney. Despite decreased serum half-lives, the B-chain mutant and [Gln3,Ala4,Tyr15,Leu16]IGF-I are, respectively, 4 times and twice as active as IGF-I in stimulating the incorporation of [14C]glucose into glycogen in rat diaphragm in vivo. This effect of IGF-I is thought to be mediated by the type 1 IGF receptor in muscle, since the same doses of peptide that stimulated glycogen synthesis more than 30-fold did not stimulate the incorporation of [14C]glucose into total lipid in adipose tissue, an effect known to be mediated by the insulin receptor. These data support the hypothesis that serum- or tissue-derived binding proteins impair the ability of IGF-I to exert its effects through the type 1 IGF receptor in vivo.

Adipose Tissue↗

Insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity is unaltered in ob/ob and db/db mouse skeletal muscle membranes.

Insulin binding and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity were examined in two rodent models with genetic insulin resistance using partially-purified skeletal muscle membrane preparations. Insulin binding activity was decreased about 50% in both 12-week (219 +/- 184 vs 1255 +/- 158 fmoles/mg, p less than 0.01) and 24-week old (2120 +/- 60 vs 1081 +/- 60 fmoles/mg, p less than 0.01) ob/ob mice. In contrast, insulin binding to membrane derived from 24-week old db/db mice was not significantly different from lean controls (1371 +/- 212 vs 1253 +/- 247 fmoles/mg). Insulin-associated tyrosine kinase activity of membranes from ob/ob skeletal muscle was decreased, compared to its normal lean littermate, when compared on a per mg of protein basis in both 12-week (37 +/- 3 vs 21 +/- 3 pmoles/min/mg, p less than 0.05) and 24-week old (71 +/- 5 vs 37 +/- 6 pmoles/min/mg, p less than 0.01) mice. However, no significant differences in kinase activities were observed when the data were normalized and compared on a per fmole of insulin-binding activity basis for the 12-week (12 +/- 1 vs 11 +/- 2) and 24-week (27 +/- 2 vs 20 +/- 3) age groups. Insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity of db/db skeletal muscle membranes was not different than its normal lean littermate whether expressed on a protein (34 +/- 7 vs 30 +/- 3) or fmole of insulin-binding activity (21 +/- 4 vs 18 +/- 4) basis. These data suggest that insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is not associated with the insulin resistance observed in ob/ob and db/db mice and demonstrate differences in receptor regulation between both animal models.

Aging↗

Glucagon releasing activity of a cyclic peptide related to somatostatin.

A possible benefit of creating smaller and more rigid active analogs of somatostatin is the discovery of compounds which selectively inhibit the secretion of insulin, glucagon or growth hormone. A series of cyclic tetrapeptide analogs related to somatostatin was synthesized, and one member of this series was found to cause an unexpected stimulation of glucagon secretion while having little if any effect on either insulin or growth hormone secretion. A sustained increase in plasma glucose levels was also observed. Two possible modes of action are proposed.

Animals↗

Somatostatin analogs with improved oral bioavailability.

Cyclic hexapeptide analogs of somatostatin with insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone (GH) release inhibitory potencies of 50-200 times those of somatostatin have been synthesized. Replacement of the Phe-7 residue with histidine has resulted in increased oral bioavailability and duration of action. Metabolic degradation of L-Trp containing analogs upon oral administration has also been overcome by incorporation of histidine. The all L-amino acid containing analog cyclo(NMePhe-His-Trp-Lys-Val-Ala) shows oral bioavailability comparable to D-Trp containing analogs.

Administration, Oral↗

The effects of somatostatin and selected analogs on lipid absorption in animals.

Based upon the clinical finding that a Merck somatostatin-14 (S-14) analog induced steatorrhea in man, we sought to develop animal models to study the effects of S-14 and a series of synthetic analogs on absorption. Rats were trained to eat a diet (preweighed) containing 15% fat. Following the feeding period, the remaining diet was removed and the amount consumed recorded. This food conditioning of the rats was continued until the rats consumed approximately 15 g of the diet per day. Feces were collected and weighed prior to feeding periods. On test days, S-14 or analogs were administered sc to rats immediately prior to feeding. For each compound tested, fat absorption decreased in dose-dependent fashion. For example, S-14 at 0.5 mg/kg did not increase % of dietary fat in feces (% DFF). At 1.0 mg/kg, S-14 increased % DFF from 7.9 to 10.2 (p less than 0.01, pretest day vs test day), and at 10 mg/kg S-14, % DFF increased from 9.1 to 12.8 (p less than 0.001). For each analog, the subcutaneous dose required to decrease fat absorption in rats was several orders of magnitude higher than the intravenous dose required to inhibit insulin and glucagon. Moreover, the threshold for production of statistically significant increases in fecal fat differed among analogs when compared to their endocrine potencies. One analog administered in the model for 14 days was shown to produce consistent fat malabsorption throughout the entire test period; however, this lipid malabsorption was substantially more pronounced on the first three days of the treatment period. When the compound was not administered on day 15, the % DFF significantly decreased. In an attempt to develop a system more suitable for rapid screening, pancreatic secretagogues such as secretin or cholecystokinin, were administered intravenously to anesthetized rats whose duodena had been cannulated and perfused to enable collection of pancreatic secretions. Total amylase, lipase, and protein were determined in single animals in response to a secretagogue, both before and after iv pretreatment by S-14 or an analog. Pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to sequential secretagogue-stimulation was found to be reproducible for up to three injections and behaved in a dose-dependent fashion. In general, secretagogue-induced increases in amylase, lipase, and total protein were comparable. Pretreatment with the S-14 analogs substantially inhibited secretagogue-induced pancreatic exocrine secretion and was dose-dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

A super active cyclic hexapeptide analog of somatostatin.

The cyclic hexapeptide, cyclo (Pro-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe), I, has been shown to have the biological properties of somatostatin. We now report structure-activity studies which optimize the potency of this cyclic hexapeptide series with the synthesis of cyclo (N-Me-Ala-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Phe), II, which is 50-100 times more potent than somatostatin for the inhibition of insulin, glucagon and growth hormone release. The hydroxyl group of tyrosine is seen to lend a 10-fold enhancement to the potency. Potency also is found to be correlated with hydrophobicity. II is found to improve the control of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic animals when given in combination with insulin. The analog is found to be quite stable in the blood and in the gastrointestinal tract, but the bioavailability after oral administration is only 1-3%. The biological properties and long duration of II should allow clinical evaluation of the inhibition of glucagon release as an adjunct to insulin in the treatment of patients with diabetes.

Animals↗

Conformational modifications of cyclic hexapeptide somatostatin analogs.

A model for the bioactive conformation of the highly active cyclic hexapeptide somatostatin analog cyclo-(Pro-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe) has been proposed. As a test of this model, several compounds containing lactam and N-Me amino acid conformational modifications in the Thr-Phe-Pro-Phe beta turn were synthesized. The N-Me alanine and sarcosine substitutions for proline gave highly active analogs, while lactam dipeptides in place of Phe-Pro decreased potency. 1H n.m.r. and CD spectra of these analogs illustrate the conformational effects in solution of these modifications. The results provide additional support for the proposed conformational model.

Animals↗

Synthesis and conformational study of a cyclic hexapeptide analog of somatostatin containing dehydrophenylalanine.

A cyclic hexapeptide analog of somatostatin, cyclo-(Pro-delta z-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe) (II) has been synthesized by a combination of solid phase and solution methodology. It shows a potency for inhibition of growth hormone release in vitro about one-tenth that of the corresponding saturated analog, cyclo-(Pro-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe) (I). N.m.r. studies indicate comparable backbone conformations for analogs I and II. However, the sum of our findings from biological evaluation and solution physical data suggest that on the receptor the position-7 phenyl ring of I is adopting a conformation which differs from that of one of the major solution conformers defined previously by n.m.r. studies.

Animals↗

Inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone-induced secretion of LH in rat anterior pituitary cell culture by testosterone without conversion to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone.

The role of 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone in the inhibition of LH secretion was investigated in rat anterior pituitary cell cultures. Pituitary cells were preincubated with testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one) for 17 h and then with LHRH for an additional 4 h. Dihydrotestosterone was 6-fold more potent than testosterone in the inhibition of LHRH-induced LH release. Basal LH secretion was not affected by either androgen. The inhibition curves of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were not shifted by the presence of the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors 17 beta-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one (4-MA) and 17 beta-N,N-diisopropylcarbamoyl-4-aza-androstan-3-one (DIPA). Neither 4-MA nor DIPA alone had an effect on either basal or LHRH-induced LH release. When pituitary cells were incubated with [3H]testosterone for 17 h, the radioactivities were found to be unmetabolized testosterone (66.9 +/- 2.4%), dihydrotestosterone (13.3 +/- 0.5%), androstenedione (15.9 +/- 1.3%), 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione (2.8 +/- 0.3%), and 3 alpha (beta), 17 beta-androstanediol (less than 1%). In the presence of 4-MA or DIPA, 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone was completely inhibited; androstenedione was the only metabolite. Androstenedione was only 12% as potent as testosterone in the inhibition of LHRH stimulation of LH release, and conversion of [3H]androstenedione to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone did occur in these cells. When [3H]dihydrotestosterone was incubated with pituitary cells, the radioactivities were dihydrotestosterone (64.4 +/- 0%), 5 alpha-androstanedione (19.3 +/- 1%), 3 alpha (beta), 17 beta-androstanediol (7.7 +/- 1.7%), and unknown polar metabolites. 4-MA and DIPA had no effect on the metabolism of dihydrotestosterone. These results indicate that both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone inhibit LHRH-induced LH release and that this activity of testosterone does not depend on its 5 alpha-reduction.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Somatostatin analogs which define the role of the lysine-9 amino group.

Structure-activity studies of the lysine residue in the highly active cyclic hexapeptide somatostatin analog cyclo(Pro-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe) confirm the importance of the lysine amino group for biological activity through the loss of activity seen on replacement of lysine by ornithine, arginine, histidine and p-amino phenylalanine. Three analogs containing thialysine, gamma- and delta-fluorolysine were equipotent to the parent as inhibitors of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone release. The pKa's of the amino groups in these equiactive peptides ranged from 8.23-9.4. The lack of a correlation between the basicity of the amino groups and the biological activities suggests that deprotonation is not required for biological activity.

Biological Assay↗

Bioactive conformation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: evidence from a conformationally constrained analog.

An analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone containing a gamma-lactam as a conformational constraint has been prepared with the use of a novel cyclization of a methionine sulfonium salt. The analog is more active as a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist that the parent hormone, and provides evidence for a bioactive conformation containing a beta-turn.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformationally restricted bicyclic analogs of somatostatin.

A model for a biologically active conformation of somatostatin is proposed. This model is based primarily on the biological results obtained with novel bicyclic somatostatin analogs having a covalent bridge replacing the side chains of residues 5 and 10, 6 and 11, and 5 and 12, respectively, rather than on physical measurements on the hormone in solution. The high activity of an analog in which Phe6 and Phe11 are replaced by cystine provides evidence that these phenylalanines stabilize the biologically active conformer through "hydrophobic bonding" but do not directly interact with the receptor. The synthesis of the novel bicyclic analogs of somatostatin and the effects of these on the inhibition of secretion of insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, and gastric acid are described.

Animals↗

Subcutaneous administration of somatostatin analogs as a major factor in the enhancement of the duration of action.

Somatostatin and Des(Ala1Gly2)desaminol[Cys3]descarboxy-]Cys14[-]D-Trp8[dicarba3,14-somatostatin (Ia) are more potent inhibitors of glucagon, insulin and growth hormone release than the L-Trp8 analog (Ib). However when infused intravenously, these three compounds are equipotent but short-acting inhibitors of pentagastrin evoked gastric secretion in the dog. The duration of inhibition of equieffective antisecretory doses is significantly increased following subcutaneous administration 30 min prior to a food stimulus. The longest duration of antisecretory action is seen with the D-Trp8 analog (Ia) after subcutaneous administration.

Animals↗

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in pineal and hypothalamus of the frog: effect of season and illumination.

The influence of photo-illumination and season on the pineal and hypothalamic content of TRH in the leopard frog (Rana pipiens) was studied. Animals (4-6 in each group) were exposed to constant light or darkness for 72 h and then sacrificed. The pineal and hypothalamus from each frog were extracted for TRH measurement by radioimmunoassay. The experiment was performed in spring, autumn, early winter and mid-winter. In early winter, mid-winter and spring the pineal content of TRH ranged from 0.14-0.70 ng. Significant differences between groups due to season and illumination were recorded. In autumn, mean levels of TRH were 12.95 ng (dark exposed) and 4.19 ng (light exposed)-values 10-20 times higher than at other times of the year (P less than 0.001). The hypothalamic content of TRH ranged from 11.4 ng in spring to 19.5 ng in autumn. Seasonal differences were present, but no effect of light or darkness was found. There was no definite relation between the TRH levels in hypothalamus and pineal. The alteration in pineal and hypothalamic TRH produced by season, and the effect of illumination on pineal TRH content, support the view that TRH has a neuronal function in vertebrates, possibly as a neurotransmitter.

Animals↗