Biomedical subjects

S Uhlig

Publications and source records attributed to S Uhlig.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

ICE-protease inhibitors block murine liver injury and apoptosis caused by CD95 or by TNF-alpha.

The two apoptosis receptors of mammalian cells, i.e. the 55 kDa TNF receptor (TNF-R1) and CD95 (Fas/APO1) are activated independently of each other, however, their signaling involves a variety of ICE-related proteases [I]. We used a cell-permeable inhibitor of ICE-like protease activity to examine in vivo whether post-receptor signaling of TNF and CD95 are fully independent processes. Mice pretreated with the inhibitor, Z-VAD-fluoromethylketone (FMK) were dose-dependently protected from liver injury caused by CD95 activation as determined by plasma alanine aminotransferase and also from hepatocyte apoptosis assessed by DNA fragmentation (ID50 = 0.1 mg/kg). A dose of 10 mg/kg protected mice also from liver injury induced by TNF-alpha. Similar results were found when apoptosis was initiated via TNF-alpha or via CD95 in primary murine hepatocytes (IC50 = 1.5 nM) or in various human cell lines. In addition to prevention, an arrest of cell death by Z-VAD-FMK was demonstrated in vivo and in vitro after stimulation of apoptosis receptors. These findings show in vitro and in vivo in mammals that CD95 and the TNF-alpha receptor share a distal proteolytic apoptosis signal.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1997

Determination of vascular compliance, interstitial compliance, and capillary filtration coefficient in rat isolated perfused lungs.

Gravimetric methods are useful for investigating mechanisms of edema formation. In isolated lungs perfused under isogravimetric conditions, important information may be gained by analyzing the weight changes induced by a sudden change in capillary pressure. In the present study, we investigated the possibility to analyze this weight change by a biexponential equation and use the coefficients obtained to derive vascular compliance (Cv), interstitial compliance (Ci) and the capillary filtration coefficient (Kf,c). Fitting the data of the weight gain to a biexponential curve explained the data significantly better than fitting it to a monoexponential curve, suggesting that two phases can be separated. The first phase is thought to represent vascular filling and was completed for 95% after 0.57 +/- 0.21 min (n = 30). In contrast, 95% completion of phase 2, which relates to interstitial filling, took 18.4 +/- 13.9 min (n = 30). The values obtained for Cv, Ci and Kf,c were 0.064 +/- 0.018 ml/cm H2O, 0.067 +/- 0.030 ml/cm H2O, and 0.588 +/- 0.206 ml/min/cm H2O/100 g lung wet weight, respectively. Treatment of the lungs with platelet activating factor caused no changes in Cv or Ci, but increased Kf,c suggesting increased endothelial permeability. We conclude that analysis of weight changes by a biexponential equation offers a quick and reliable way to analyze factors related to edema formation.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Attenuation by phosphodiesterase inhibitors of lipopolysaccharide-induced thromboxane release and bronchoconstriction in rat lungs.

Exposure of perfused rat lungs to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) causes induction of cyclooxygenase-2 followed by thromboxane (TX)-mediated bronchoconstriction (BC). Recently, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors have received much interest because they not only are bronchodilators but also can suppress release of proinflammatory mediators. In the present study, we investigated the effect of three different PDE inhibitors on TX release and BC in LPS-exposed perfused rat lungs. The PDE inhibitors used were motapizone (PDE III specific), rolipram (PDE IV specific), and zardaverine (mixed PDE III and IV specific). At 5 microM, a concentration at which all three compounds selectively block their respective PDE isoenzyme, rolipram (IC50 = 0.04 microM) and zardaverine (IC50 = 1.8 microM) largely attenuated the LPS-induced BC, whereas motapizone was almost ineffective (IC50 = 40 microM). In contrast to LPS, BC induced by the TX-mimetic U46619 was prevented with comparable strength by motapizone and rolipram. In LPS-treated lungs, the TX release was reduced to 50% of controls by rolipram and zardaverine but was unaltered in the presence of 5 microM motapizone. Increasing intracellular cAMP through perfusion of db-cAMP or forskolin (activates adenylate cyclase) also reduced TX release and BC. We conclude that PDE inhibitors act via elevation of intracellular cAMP. Although both PDE III and PDE IV inhibitors can relax airway smooth muscle, in the model of LPS-induced BC, PDE IV inhibitors are more effective because (in contrast to PDE III inhibitors) they also attenuate TX release.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of urodilatin on platelet-activating factor-induced bronchoconstriction, vasoconstriction and edema formation in isolated rat lung.

In the isolated perfused rat lung, perfusion with platelet-activating factor causes bronchoconstriction, vasoconstriction and edema formation. The bronchoconstriction and vasoconstriction are largely mediated by thromboxane, whereas the edema formation is due to enhanced vascular permeability unrelated to eicosanoids. Since natriuretic peptides are known to relax smooth muscle and were suggested to attenuate enhanced vascular permeability, we investigated the effect of urodilatin on the PAF-induced alterations in lung function. Pretreatment with urodilatin (0.25 microM or 0.75 microM) reduced the PAF-induced increase in airway and vascular resistance by approximately 50%. Urodilatin pretreatment, however, was completely ineffective against the PAF-induced increase in weight gain and in vascular permeability, as assessed by the vascular filtration coefficient. Furthermore, urodilatin failed to affect the release of thromboxane into the perfusate in PAF-exposed lungs. Thus, urodilatin relaxes airway and vascular smooth muscle, but fails to reduce edema formation in PAF-perfused rat lungs.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

Isolation of rat primary lung cells: characterization of an improved method.

Lungs from female Wistar rats were enzymatically digested by stepwise recirculating perfusion through the pulmonary artery with various enzymes. Lung tissue was micro-dissected, resuspended and the cells obtained were washed by centrifugation. The results showed that our primary rat lung cell culture exceeded the quality of other isolation methods with regard to cell yield and viability and that these lung cultures might be representative of the cell mixture found in the organ.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Videomicroscopy of methacholine-induced contraction of individual airways in precision-cut lung slices.

Contraction of airways of different size can be studied in viable lung slices by videomicroscopy. However, at present, application of this technique is limited by the heterogeneous responses obtained. We investigated the use of precision-cut lung slices to examine contraction of individual airways. Lung slices of 250 +/- 20 microns were prepared from Wistar rats and cultured in a roller incubator in serum-free minimum essential medium (MEM). Under these conditions, the slices were viable for at least 70 h, as indicated by leakage of lactate dehydrogenase into the supernatant, thymidine incorporation and ciliary beating. The slices were placed in a newly developed incubation chamber and mounted by a nylon thread that was fixed to a platinum wire. The whole chamber was positioned on a microscope stage, and contraction of single airways was followed under a microscope that was coupled to a CCD-camera. Reduction in airway area was taken as an index of bronchoconstriction and was determined by a computer program. Addition of methacholine resulted in a concentration-dependent (concentration producing half the maximal effect (EC50) = 0.64 +/- 0.08 (mean +/- SD) microM; n = 64) contraction of single airways. In the presence of hydrocortisone, the EC50 was about six times greater, i.e. 3.7 +/- 0.9 microM (n = 7), and the effect of the steroid was largely abolished by propanolol (EC50 = 1.1 +/- 0.1 microM; n = 7). Airways with an area smaller than 35,000 microns2 were nearly nine times more sensitive to methacholine (EC50 = 0.1 +/- 0.03 microM; n = 20) than larger ones (EC50 = 87 +/- 0.27 microM; n = 22). We conclude that cultured precision-cut lung slices are a useful model for routine study of contraction of individual airways of various sizes. The measurements were precise and reproducible and showed that smaller airways are more sensitive to methacholine than larger ones.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Cyclooxygenase-2-dependent bronchoconstriction in perfused rat lungs exposed to endotoxin.

BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), widely used to study the mechanisms of gram-negative sepsis, increase airway resistance by constriction of terminal bronchioles. The role of the cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes and their prostanoid metabolites in this process was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulmonary resistance, the release of thromboxane (TX) and the expression of COX-2 mRNA were measured in isolated blood-free perfused rat lungs exposed to LPS. RESULTS: LPS induced the release of TX and caused increased airway resistance after about 30 min. Both TX formation and LPS-induced bronchoconstriction were prevented by treatment with the unspecific COX inhibitor acetyl salicylic acid, the specific COX-2 inhibitor CGP-28238, dexamethasone, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide. LPS-induced bronchoconstriction was also inhibited by the TX receptor antagonist BM-13177. The TX-mimetic compound, U-46619, increased airway resistance predominantly by constricting terminal bronchioles. COX-2-specific mRNA in lung tissue was elevated after LPS exposure, and this increase was attenuated by addition of dexamethasone or of actinomycin D. In contrast to LPS, platelet-activating factor (PAF) induced immediate TX release and bronchoconstriction that was prevented by acetyl salicylic acid, but not by CGP-28238. CONCLUSIONS: LPS elicits the following biochemical and functional changes in rat lungs: (i) induction of COX-2; (ii) formation of prostaglandins and TX; (iii) activation of the TX receptor on airway smooth muscle cells; (iv) constriction of terminal bronchioles; and (v) increased airway resistance. In contrast to LPS, the PAF-induced TX release is likely to depend on COX-1.

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

PubMed1995

Quinine inhibits release of tumor necrosis factor, apoptosis, necrosis and mortality in a murine model of septic liver failure.

We investigated the effect of quinine on liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice sensitized with D-galactosamine. This model is characterized by high systemic release of tumor necrosis factor, which mediates hepatic apoptosis and necrosis. Pretreatment with quinine, a K+ channel blocker, prevented formation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as well as the subsequent hepatic DNA fragmentation and liver enzyme leakage. Thus, inhibition of K+ channels may be a novel therapeutic approach in cytokine-related organ damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Isolation and characterization of rat primary lung cells.

Lung cell culture may be useful as an in vitro alternative to study the susceptibility of the lung to various toxic agents. Lungs from female Wistar rats were enzymatically digested by recirculating perfusion through the pulmonary artery with a sequence of solutions containing deoxyribonuclease, chymopapain, pronase, collagenase, and elastase. Lung tissue was microdissected and resuspended and the cells obtained were washed by centrifugation. By this isolation method, 2 x 10(8) cells per rat lung were obtained with an average viability of 97%. Lung cells cultured in medium containing antibiotics and serum maintained a viability of > 70% for 5 d. Rat primary lung cells were exposed to various toxic agents and their viability was assessed by formazan production capacity after 18 h of incubation. Compared to rat and mouse hepatocyte cultures (EC50 = 5.8 mM), rat primary lung cells were much more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide (EC50 = 0.6 mM). All cell types were equally sensitive to the more potent toxicant tert-butylhydroperoxide (EC50 = 0.1 mM). Paraquat was more toxic to lung cells (EC50 = 0.03 mM) than to rat (EC50 = 2.8 mM) and mouse (EC50 = 0.2 mM) hepatocytes. In contrast, rat lung cells were less sensitive to sodium nitroprusside (EC50 = 2.6 mM) compared to rat (EC50 = 0.2 mM) and mouse (EC50 = 0.03 mM) hepatocytes. Nitrofurantoin and menadione (at EC50 = 0.04 mM and 0.006 mM, respectively) were more toxic to rat lung and liver cells than to murine hepatocytes (EC50 = 0.2 mM and 0.04 mM, respectively). Our findings demonstrate the applicability of this rat primary lung cell culture for studying the effects of lung toxicants.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Tolerance against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice: the role of nitric oxide.

D-Galactosamine-sensitized mice challenged with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) developed severe apoptotic and secondary necrotic liver injury as assessed by histology, measurement of cytosolic DNA fragments and determination of liver-specific enzymes in plasma. Pretreatment of mice with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) resulted in elevated levels of nitrite/nitrate in serum and rendered mice insensitive towards TNF toxicity. Pharmacological doses of the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) also conferred complete protection against TNF toxicity, suggesting a possible link between IL-1- and NO-induced protection. However, NO-synthesis inhibition by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine failed to abrogate IL-1-induced tolerance against TNF toxicity. We conclude that IL-1 and NO protect against TNF-induced liver injury through distinct pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Measuring the weight of the isolated perfused rat lung during negative pressure ventilation.

Weight measurement represents a means of quantitating edema formation in isolated lungs and following its time course. During ventilation by negative pressure measurements with commonly used weight transducers are impossible because the pressure changes inside the artificial thoracic chamber affect the weight reading. Therefore, we have developed a weight transducer that can be used during negative pressure ventilation. Its design and applicability for assessing weight gain induced by various agents in the negative-pressure-ventilated isolated perfused rat lung is presented here.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Pharmacologic characterization of endothelin receptor responses in the isolated perfused rat lung.

Endothelin receptor subtypes were characterized in isolated perfused rat lungs using the peptide ETA-receptor antagonists BQ 610 and BQ 123, the nonpeptide mixed ETA-/ETB-receptor antagonist bosentan, and the ETB-receptor agonist IRL 1620. Intra-arterial injection of 1 nmol IRL 1620 caused an enhanced reduction in pulmonary conductance compared with 1 nmol endothelin (ET-1) or 0.33 nmol IRL 1620. Pretreatment of lungs with BQ 610, BQ 123, or bosentan aggravated the bronchoconstriction induced by 1 nmol ET-1 so that it was comparable to that induced by 1 nmol IRL 1620. Although perfusion with 1 nmol IRL 1620 had only minor effects on vascular conductance, 1 nmol ET-1 caused a marked decrease in this parameter. This vasonconstriction was prevented by BQ 610, BQ 123, or bosentan. High concentrations of the stable prostacyclin metabolite, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, were found in the perfusate of lungs treated with 1 nmol IRL 1620 or 1 nmol ET-1. The ET-1-induced release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was blocked by bosentan, but not by BQ 610. ET-1, but not IRL 1620, provoked the release of thromboxane B2. The main effect of ETA-receptor stimulation is vasoconstriction, whereas ETB-receptor stimulation causes bronchoconstriction. Both actions, however, are attenuated by the other receptor, i.e., the ETA-induced vasoconstriction is attenuated by ETB-receptor-induced release of vasodilators such as prostacyclin, whereas the ETB-receptor-induced bronchoconstriction is attenuated by an unknown ETA-receptor-dependent bronchodilatory mechanism.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1995

Interleukin-1 and nitric oxide protect against tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced liver injury through distinct pathways.

Mice sensitized with D-galactosamine (GalN) and challenged with recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) developed severe apoptotic and secondary necrotic liver injury as assessed by histology, measurement of cytosolic DNA fragments, and determination of liver specific enzymes in plasma. Pretreatment with recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) rendered mice insensitive to this TNF alpha toxicity. Coadministration of the liver-specific transcriptional inhibitor GalN with IL-1 prevented the development of tolerance, implicating de novo synthesis of liver specific proteins in the induction of tolerance. Pretreatment of mice with IL-1 resulted in elevated levels of nitrite/nitrate in serum and in enhanced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in liver cells isolated from these animals. In addition, pharmacological doses of the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside conferred complete protection against TNF alpha-induced liver injury in galactosamine-sensitized mice, suggesting a possible link between IL-1- and NO-induced protection. However, prevention of NO-synthesis by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) did not abolish IL-1-induced tolerance to TNF alpha in vivo. Cytotoxicity of TNF alpha to isolated hepatocytes sensitized with actinomycin D (ActD) was not significantly altered by inhibition of endogenous nitrite release. Also, enhanced NO production elicited in vitro by glycerol trinitrate or ex vivo by pretreatment with IL-1 had no significant effect in this system. We conclude that IL-1- and NO-induced protection of mice against TNF alpha-mediated liver damage follow distinct pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Functional and fine structural changes in isolated rat lungs challenged with endotoxin ex vivo and in vitro.

The aim of this study was to relate changes in rat lung functions caused by the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to alterations in structure. The following four experimental groups were used: 1), control in vitro, perfusion for 150 minutes; 2), LPS in vitro, perfusion for 150 minutes and infusion of 5 mg of LPS after 40 minutes; 3), control ex vivo, perfusion for 10 minutes; and 4), LPS ex vivo, lungs perfused for 10 minutes from rats treated for 110 minutes with 20 mg/kg LPS intraperitoneally. Histologically, blood-derived leukocytes were detectable only in lungs from group 4, where neutrophils were found in capillaries, interstitium, and endothelial pouches. LPS treatment increased pulmonary resistance and decreased pulmonary compliance in group 4 (ex vivo), and, to a greater extent, in group 2 (in vitro). In these two groups, formation of giant lamellar bodies in the type II pneumocytes was observed. By histological examination, the bronchoconstriction induced by LPS in vitro was localized to the terminal bronchioles. At 2 hours after LPS treatment, no edema and no change in precapillary and postcapillary resistance, capillary pressure, vascular compliance, capillary permeability, and the wet/dry ratio was observed. Thus, our major findings are that LPS induced constriction of the terminal bronchioles in vitro, formation of giant lamellar bodies in type II pneumocytes ex vivo and in vitro, and trapping of neutrophils in endothelial pouches in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Endothelin-induced bronchoconstriction in perfused rat lungs is partly mediated by thromboxane.

In isolated rat lungs, perfusion with either endothelin-1 (ET-1) or the ETB receptor agonist IRL 1620 caused a slowly developing and long-lasting bronchoconstriction. This bronchoconstriction was partly attenuated by the thromboxane receptor antagonist BM 13177. Our data suggest that thromboxane partly mediates this process, together with further unknown mechanisms responsible for ET-induced bronchoconstriction.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

An improved setup for the isolated perfused rat lung.

This article will describe a method for perfusing and ventilating rat lungs which allows assessment of lung mechanics, segmental vascular resistance, gas exchange, and vascular permeability. Isolated perfused rat lungs (IPL) were ventilated by negative pressure ventilation and were perfused at constant pressure with recirculating, albumin-containing Krebs-Henseleit buffer. A newly constructed respirator pump facilitated well-defined ventilation of the lungs and permitted switching between negative and positive pressure ventilation. Using this setup lungs were ventilated with positive pressure during both surgery and measurement of lung weight. Once the lungs were prepared, electronic control circuits ensured stability of the perfusate pH and perfusate pressure. Such preparations were stable for at least 3 hr. Breathing mechanics, for example, tidal volume, pulmonary compliance, and pulmonary resistance, perfusate characteristics, such as pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary pre- and postcapillary resistance, perfusate pH, PO2, and PCO2, and the capillary filtration coefficient were determined. All measured parameters were within normal physiological range, and the lungs were biochemically active, and responded to various stimuli.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Contributions of thromboxane and leukotrienes to PAF-induced impairment of lung function in the rat.

This study was carried out to further clarify the role of eicosanoids in platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction, bronchoconstriction, and edema formation in the isolated perfused rat lung. Infusion of PAF into the isolated perfused rat lung caused vasoconstriction [mean effective concn (EC50) = 0.88 nmol], caused bronchoconstriction (EC50 = 0.71 nmol), and increased the capillary filtration coefficient (EC50 = 1.4 nmol). Two minutes after injection of 50 nmol PAF, a high thromboxane concentration (3,000 pg/ml) and a low peptidoleukotriene concentration (150 pg/ml) were found in the effluent perfusate. PAF-induced vaso- and bronchoconstriction were unaffected by the non-redox 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor ZM-230,487 but were markedly attenuated by inhibition of cyclooxygenase with acetylsalicylic acid or thromboxane-receptor antagonism with BM-13177. Dual inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase had the most pronounced inhibitory effect on PAF-induced vaso- and bronchoconstriction. None of the inhibitors tested prevented the increase in vascular permeability. We conclude that thromboxane is the major vasoconstrictor and bronchoconstrictor induced by PAF, whereas leukotrienes contribute a significant but minor part in this system. PAF-induced microvascular permeability was not inhibited by blockade of arachidonate metabolism and therefore seems to be mediated by a mechanism independent of eicosanoids.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Potentiation by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor of lipopolysaccharide toxicity in mice.

GM-CSF is known to prime leukocytes for inflammatory stimuli in vitro. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of GM-CSF in vivo in a systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome. The results demonstrate a potentiation of LPS toxicity by GM-CSF in a mortality model as well as in a septic liver failure model in mice. Pretreatment of animals with 50 micrograms/kg GM-CSF induced lethality within 24 h in mice challenged with a subtoxic dose of LPS while controls survived > 72 h. A monoclonal anti-GM-CSF antibody significantly protected against a lethal LPS dose. Serum GM-CSF was inducible by LPS and peaked at 2 h. GM-CSF pretreatment dramatically potentiated systemic TNF release and hepatotoxicity induced by a subtoxic dose of LPS in galactosamine-sensitized mice. Potentiation of LPS hepatotoxicity was possible until 30 min after LPS challenge. Polyclonal anti-GM-CSF IgG protected against septic liver failure in this model and attenuated serum TNF concentrations. In vitro an ex vivo experiments revealed that after GM-CSF pretreatment LPS-induced IL-1 release from bone marrow or spleen cells was also enhanced. These findings suggest that GM-CSF represents an endogenous enhancer of LPS-induced organ injury, possibly by potentiating the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF and IL-1.

Animals↗