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Biomedical subjects

S Moncada

Publications and source records attributed to S Moncada.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Protective effect of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine in endotoxin-induced acute intestinal damage in the rat.

Macroscopic jejunal damage and plasma leakage induced within 15 min by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS 50 mg kg-1 i.v.) in the rat was enhanced by the inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) formation, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA 50 mg kg-1 i.v.). The nitro-vasodilator, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP; 10 micrograms kg-1 min-1 i.v.), which generates NO, attenuated both LPS-induced intestinal damage and the enhancement of such damage and plasma leakage produced by L-NMMA. Endogenous NO may thus have a protective role in the intestinal vasculature that can be mimicked by generators of NO.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Modulation of autonomic neuroeffector transmission by nitric oxide in guinea pig ileum.

NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, markedly enhanced tonic ("hump") responses to transmural stimulation in guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle. The enhancement of the hump responses was probably due to a prejunctional effect on substance P-like neurotransmission, since the action of L-NMMA was exerted also in the presence of atropine, and since responses to substance P, a mimic of nerve stimulation, were unaffected by L-NMMA as were cholinergic twitch responses and the overflow of [3H]choline. Further in support, the hump responses were blocked by the substance P antagonist Spantide. All effects of L-NMMA were stereospecifically reversed by L-arginine. Endogenous nitric oxide thus selectively modulates peptidergic neurotransmission in the gut.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids inhibit the induction by endotoxin of nitric oxide synthase in the lung, liver and aorta of the rat.

The induction by endotoxin of Ca2(+)-independent nitric oxide (NO) synthase in the lung and liver of the rat was prevented by the glucocorticoids dexamethasone and cortisol but not by progesterone. The activity of the constitutive Ca2(+)-dependent NO synthase in the brain and the aorta was not affected by treatment with either endotoxin or glucocorticoids. In the aorta a Ca2(+)-independent NO synthase was also found following endotoxin treatment of rats, and this induction was likewise prevented by dexamethasone. The Ca2(+)-dependent NO synthase in the aorta was located in the vascular endothelium, whereas the Ca2(+)-independent enzyme was predominantly located in the vascular smooth muscle layer. Inhibition of induction of the Ca2(+)-independent NO synthase in vivo may underlie some of the physiological and pharmacological effects of the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1990

Glucocorticoids inhibit the induction of nitric oxide synthase in macrophages.

The effect of glucocorticoids on the production of NO2- and NO by the macrophage cell line J774 was investigated. Stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in a time-dependent accumulation of NO2- in the medium, reaching a plateau after 48h. Concomitant incubation of the cells for 24h with dexamethasone (0.001-1.0 microM) or hydrocortisone (0.01-10.0 microM) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of NO2- formation. The cytosol of J774 cells stimulated with LPS and IFN-gamma produced a time-dependent increase in the release of NO. This was blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by dexamethasone and hydrocortisone, but not progesterone, administered concomitantly with the immunological stimulus. None of these compounds had any effect on the release of NO once the enzyme had been induced. The inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone on NO formation was blocked by cortexolone. These data suggest that part of the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions of glucocorticoids is due to their inhibition of the induction of the NO synthase.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1990

Low basal and stimulated release of nitric oxide in atherosclerotic epicardial coronary arteries.

Endothelium-dependent relaxations in response to substance P and bradykinin were lower in atherosclerotic than in normal human coronary arteries. The relaxation induced by substance P was inhibited by L-NG-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA), which shows that release of nitric oxide is involved in the mediation of endothelium-dependent relaxation in these arteries. L-NMMA also inhibited a basal component of endothelium-dependent relaxation. The basal secretion of nitric oxide was significantly lower in diseased than in normal arteries. These findings suggest that atherosclerotic human coronary arteries lack an important protective mechanism that normally guards against vasospasm and thrombosis.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1990

Differential induction of brain, lung and liver nitric oxide synthase by endotoxin in the rat.

Nitric oxide (NO) synthase in rat brain was found to be constitutive and Ca2(+)-dependent. The enzyme in rat lung or liver (predominantly in parenchymal cells) was not constitutive, but was induced by endotoxin treatment and was Ca2(+)-independent. The NO synthases in rat brain and liver or lung are therefore distinct both in their properties and in their regulation.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1990

Kinetic characteristics of nitric oxide synthase from rat brain.

The relationship between the rate of synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and guanylate cyclase stimulation was used to characterize the kinetics of the NO synthase from rat forebrain and of some inhibitors of this enzyme. The NO synthase had an absolute requirement for L-arginine and NADPH and did not require any other cofactors. The enzyme had a Vmax. of 42 pmol of NO formed.min-1.mg of protein-1 and a Km for L-arginine of 8.4 microM. Three analogues of L-arginine, namely NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, NG-nitro-L-arginine and NG-iminoethyl-L-ornithine inhibited the brain NO synthase. All three compounds were competitive inhibitors of the enzyme with Ki values of 0.7, 0.4 and 1.2 microM respectively.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1990

Macrophage killing of Leishmania parasite in vivo is mediated by nitric oxide from L-arginine.

Peritoneal macrophages from CBA mice incubated with rIFN-gamma are effective in killing the protozoal parasite Leishmania major in vitro. This leishmanicidal activity can be completely inhibited by L-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of the L-arginine:nitric oxide (NO) pathway. The culture supernatants of macrophage activated by IFN-gamma contain increased levels of NO2-, the production of which is inhibited by L-NMMA, but not by its D-enantiomer. L. major promastigotes are killed when incubated at room temperature in PBS containing NO. These data demonstrate that NO is an effector mechanism in macrophage killing of intracellular protozoa. The importance of NO in vivo is demonstrated by the finding that CBA mice infected with L. major developed exacerbated disease when L-NMMA was injected into the lesions, resulting in 10(4)-fold increases in the number of parasites extractable from the lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The role of nitric oxide in mediating endothelium dependent relaxations in the human epicardial coronary artery.

We have examined the ability of the endothelium of human epicardial coronary arteries to secrete vasorelaxant substances in response to pharmacological stimulation and under basal conditions. In addition, we have attempted to characterise the chemical identity and biochemical pathway for the synthesis of endothelial derived relaxing factor. Human epicardial coronary arteries were removed from patients who were undergoing heart transplantation for reasons other than ischaemic heart disease. Arteries were cut into segments and suspended in 5 ml organ baths containing a modified Tyrodes solution at 37 degrees C, and gassed with a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. Substance P (10(-10) - 10(-7) M) elicited a dose-dependent relaxation of the coronary segments but this action of substance P was dependent upon an intact endothelium. The maximum response of substance P was equivalent to 89 +/- 8.5% of the maximum effect induced by 1 microgram/ml glyceryl trinitrate. This vasorelaxant effect of substance P was unaffected by the presence of 10(-6) M indomethacin. L-NG-monomethyl-arginine (10(-4) M), a specific inhibitor of formation of nitric oxide from L-arginine, antagonised the relaxations induced by substance P, decreasing the maximum response of substance P to 34 +/- 10.5% of the response to glyceryl trinitrate. Upon application, L-NG-monomethyl-arginine caused a further 23.1 +/- 3.0 increase in tension on preconstricted vessels. This increase in tension was reversed with the addition of L-arginine, but was unaffected by D-arginine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Glomeruli synthesize nitrite in experimental nephrotoxic nephritis.

Activated macrophages synthesize nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine. In culture, the major stable end product is nitrite (NO2). Activated macrophages accumulate in glomeruli and are responsible for injury in experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis. We examined NO2- production by isolated glomeruli and urinary NO2- in accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis in the rat. Normal glomeruli did not produce NO2- spontaneously or when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 microgram/ml) or A23187 (2 microgram/ml). Cultured mesangial cells at first or seventh passage did not produce NO2- spontaneously or when stimulated. Nephritic glomeruli spontaneously produced NO2 at all times studied; this production was maximal at 24 hours after induction of glomerulonephritis (158.4 +/- 8.4 nmol/48 hr/ml, N = 3). The production of NO2- was inhibited 75 to 100% by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and this inhibition was reversed by L-arginine, indicating NO2- production from L-arginine via NO. The production of NO2- was increased by LPS (1 microgram/ml) at 2, 7 and 21 days. NO2- was undetectable in normal rat urine; however, it was present in urine of rats with glomerulonephritis (Day 0 to 1:8161 +/- 2605 nmol/24 hr. N = 12). The production of NO in nephritic glomeruli may have implications for both the mechanism of glomerular injury and glomerular hemodynamics.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

An L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway present in human platelets regulates aggregation.

Aggregation of human washed platelets with collagen is accompanied by a concentration-dependent increase in cyclic GMP but not cyclic AMP. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine (L-MeArg), a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis from L-arginine, reduces this increase and enhances aggregation. L-Arginine, which has no effect on the basal levels of cyclic GMP, augments the increase in this nucleotide induced by collagen and also inhibits aggregation. Both of these effects of L-arginine are attenuated by L-MeArg. The anti-aggregatory action of L-arginine is potentiated by prostacyclin and by M&B22948, a selective inhibitor of the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, but not by HL725, a selective inhibitor of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. L-Arginine also inhibits platelet aggregation in whole blood in a similar manner, although the concentrations required are considerably higher. L-Arginine stimulates the soluble guanylate cyclase and increases cyclic GMP in platelet cytosol. This stimulation is dependent on NADPH and Ca2+ and is associated with the formation of NO. Both the formation of NO and the stimulation of the soluble guanylate cyclase induced by L-arginine are enantiomer specific and abolished by L-MeArg. Thus, human platelets contain an NO synthase which is activated when platelets are stimulated. The consequent generation of NO modulates platelet reactivity by increasing cyclic GMP. Changes in the activity of this pathway in platelets may have physiological, pathophysiological, and therapeutic significance.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1990

Glucocorticoids inhibit the expression of an inducible, but not the constitutive, nitric oxide synthase in vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelial cells contain a constitutive nitric oxide (NO) synthase that is Ca2(+)-dependent. In addition, we have found that these cells express, after activation with interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide, an inducible Ca2(+)-independent NO synthase that is distinct from the constitutive enzyme. The generation of NO by this enzyme was detectable after a lag period of 2 hr, reached a maximum between 6 and 12 hr, and was maintained for the duration of the experiment (48 hr). The expression of the inducible NO synthase was inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, a compound that had no direct effect on the activity of either of the two enzymes. Furthermore, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, but not progesterone, inhibited the expression of the inducible enzyme, without directly affecting the activity of either enzyme, without directly affecting the activity of either enzyme. The effect of these steroids was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by cortexolone, a partial agonist of glucocorticoid receptors. Thus, the inhibition of the induction of an NO synthase by glucocorticoids is a receptor-mediated event involving the inhibition of the synthesis of mRNA for de novo synthesis of this enzyme. The induction of this NO synthase may contribute to the pathophysiology of immunologically based conditions. Furthermore, the inhibition of this induction by anti-inflammatory steroids may explain some of the therapeutic and adverse effects of these compounds.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1990

Arterial wall hypoxia following hyperfusion through the vasa vasorum is an initial lesion in atherosclerosis.

Pressure on the outside of arteries can cause physical and biochemical changes in the vessel wall of rabbits which are characteristic of atherosclerosis. It is hypothesized that occlusion of the vasa vasorum causes ischaemia of the arterial media which results in smooth muscle cell proliferation and cellular accumulation of cholesteryl esters. Hypoxia increases mRNA for platelet-derived growth factor in arterial wall cells and increases the activity of acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Such a mechanism may explain many of the anatomical, actuarial and environmental risk factors for atherosclerosis. Hyperfusion of the vasa vasorum may follow thrombosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Regional haemodynamic changes during oral ingestion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in conscious Brattleboro rats.

Homozygous Brattleboro (i.e. vasopressin-deficient) rats were chronically instrumented with pulsed Doppler probes and intravascular catheters to permit continuous monitoring of regional haemodynamics. Over a 9 h period, rats drinking water showed no systematic changes in heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure although renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vascular conductances fell. These changes showed diurnal rhythms, probably related to the nocturnal habits of rats. In separate groups of animals spontaneous oral ingestion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 1 mg ml-1) or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 0.1 mg ml-1) caused marked hypertension but no significant bradycardia. Compared to control animals, rats drinking L-NMMA for 9 h showed significantly greater mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstrictions, and rats drinking L-NAME showed greater vasoconstrictions in all 3 vascular beds.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Stimulation of cyclic GMP production in cultured endothelial cells of the pig by bradykinin, adenosine diphosphate, calcium ionophore A23187 and nitric oxide.

1. The effects of bradykinin, adenosine diphosphate, calcium ionophore A23187 and nitric oxide on the production of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) were investigated in cultured aortic endothelial cells of the pig. 2. Bradykinin (10(-7) M), adenosine diphosphate (3 x 10(-5) M), nitric oxide (2 x 10(-6) M) and A23187 (10(-6) M) stimulated the production of cyclic GMP. This stimulation reached a maximum within 1 min and declined rapidly with the first three agonists whereas that induced by A23187 was long-lasting. 3. These concentrations of bradykinin, A23187 and nitric oxide had no effect on cyclic AMP production. However, adenosine diphosphate (3 x 10(-5) M) slightly but significantly enhanced its production by about 1.7 fold. 4. The basal content of cyclic GMP in endothelial cells was significantly reduced by haemoglobin (10(-5) M, a scavenger of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s] and methylene blue (10(-5) M, an inhibitor of the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase) and was significantly enhanced by superoxide dismutase (500 u ml-1, a scavenger of superoxide anions). The basal content of cyclic GMP was not affected by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (10(-5) M, a specific inhibitor of the formation of nitric oxide from L-arginine) and was slightly but significantly increased by its D-enantiomer, NG-monomethyl-D-arginine. 5. The production of cyclic GMP stimulated by bradykinin, adenosine diphosphate, A23187 and nitric oxide was inhibited by haemoglobin (10 5M) and methylene blue (10- M) but was unaffected by superoxide dismutase (500 u ml 1)- 6. The production of cyclic GMP stimulated by bradykinin, adenosine diphosphate or A23187, but not that stimulated by nitric oxide, was significantly reduced by N0-monomethyl-L-arginine (10-M). The production of cyclic GMP evoked by nitric oxide, but not that induced by the other three agents, was enhanced significantly by N0-monomethyl-D-arginine by about 1.5 fold. 7. These data indicate that the endothelium-dependent vasodilators bradykinin, adenosine diphosphate and A23187 activate the production of cyclic GMP in endothelial cells via the synthesis of nitric oxide, which in turn stimulates the soluble guanylate cyclase.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗