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Biomedical subjects

T Costa

Publications and source records attributed to T Costa.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

The molecular size of multiple opiate receptors.

The functional size of different types of opiate receptors was determined in situ by the radiation inactivation technique. The Mr of opiate binding sites was estimated to be about 90,000 daltons; the data revealed no significant differences between the molecular sizes of either mu-, delta- or kappa-sites in rat brain membranes. An identical molecular size was found also for the delta-sites in the neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cell clone, NG 108-15.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Pertussis toxin decreases opiate receptor binding and adenylate inhibition in a neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell line.

Neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells NG108-15 were treated with a toxin derived from Bordetella pertussis. As compared to control cells grown in the absence of toxin, the inhibitory effects of opioid agonists upon cAMP formation were dose-dependently impaired by a non-competitive mechanism. Radioligand binding studies revealed that opioid agonist binding was dramatically reduced in toxin-treated membranes when tested in the presence of Na+/Mg++/GMP-PNP. Further, the potencies of guanine nucleotides to decrease opioid agonist binding were differentially modulated. These studies may facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for acute and chronic opiate effects.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1983

Uncoupling of receptors is essential for opiate-induced desensitization (tolerance) in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells NG 108-15.

Neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells NG 108-15 were chronically treated with opioid agonists and tested for their development of "tolerance" as evaluated by the loss of inhibitory activity of opioids upon cAMP-accumulation. Desensitization was dose-dependent and non-competitive and highly selective, since the activity of other, non-opioid inhibitory compounds, such as noradrenaline and carbachol, was not altered. Moreover, naloxone-induced "withdrawal signs" (revealed in the lack of change in cAMP) were lacking in preparations completely desensitized ("tolerant") towards opiate effects. These results reject the assumption of a common biochemical mechanism underlying both opiate tolerance and dependence and rather support the significance of an uncoupling of receptors from subsequent effector systems upon chronic opiate action.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Synthesis and biological activity of delta Phe4-enkephalins.

The delta Phe4-enkephalins have been synthesized and examined in an in vitro receptor binding assay and an in vivo tail flick analgesia test. The delta Phe4 residue was derived from Boc-Gly-Phe(beta-OH)-OH by spontaneous dehydration and azlactonization. The dipeptide azlactone was coupled directly with H-Leu-OBzl to yield a tripeptide which was converted into the pentapeptides after stepwise coupling with two amino acids using the water soluble EDC-HOBt method. Dehydroenkephalins were liberated with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of anisole. In the radioligand binding assay which did not contain an enzyme inhibitor [D-Ala2, delta Phe4, Leu5] enkephalin was almost twice as active as saturated [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin. The delta Phe4-enkephalins exhibited a considerably diminished activity as compared with the saturated peptide in the in vivo analgesic assay. These results are discussed with regard to the enzyme stability and receptor preference of dehydroenkephalins.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1982

Dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin: a novel probe of delta opiate receptors.

A dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin (DPE2) consisting of two molecules of [D-Ala 2, Leu 5] enkephalin linked at C-terminal leucine with ethylenediamine, (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH-Ch2)2 is a bivalent ligand for the delta enkephalin receptors of rat brain and neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells. This new enkephalin analog shows dramatically increased affinity in radioligand assays using whole brain membranes when delta but not mu specific radioligands are employed. When membranes from NG108-15 cells are used, the dimer shows greatly increased activity irrespective of the mu or delta specificity of the tracer. The dimer DPE2 shows a four-fold, "sodium shift" in its IC50 for competition with [3H]naloxone, suggestive of agonist behavior. Agonist activity was confirmed by demonstrating that DPE2 inhibits cyclic AMP production in prostaglandin E1 stimulated NG108-15 cells, and by demonstrating very high potency in the mouse vas deferens bioassay. DPE2 binds to the same delta sites as the delta-selective monomer [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin, since the two ligands show complete crossdisplacement. Radiolabeled 3H-DPE2 shows a five-fold higher affinity constant, a 2.5-fold higher association rate constant, and a two-fold lower dissociation rate than the monomer. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin can bridge two delta receptors. This enkephalin dimer provides a valuable new probe of opiate receptors and their organization in cell membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Autosomal hypophosphataemic bone disease responds to 1,25-(OH)2D3.

We diagnosed non X-linked hypophosphataemic bone disease in a 38-month-old girl. Findings included: genu varum, shortened stature, fasting hypophosphataemia (2.3-2.5 mg/100 ml; 0.74-0.81 mmol/l), diminished theoretical renal threshold for phosphate (TmP/GFR), and osteomalacia without rickets. One patient (the father) had fasting hypophosphataemia (2.3-2.7 mg/100 ml; 0.74-0.87 mmol/l) and low TmP/GFR without osteomalacia or shortened stature. Treatment of the girl with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (1 microgram a day) raised the level of serum phosphorus, improved tubular reabsorption of phosphate, and healed the bone deformity; this combination of responses is not present in X-linked hypophosphataemia. There was no correction of hypophosphataemia or TmP/GFR with 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment (1-3 micrograms a day) in the father.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

X-linked hypophosphatemia: effect of calcitriol on renal handling of phosphate, serum phosphate, and bone mineralization.

Eleven patients with the Mendelian phenotype of x-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) were treated with calcitriol [1,25-(OH)2D3] and phosphate. Ten patients had received prior treatment with ergocalciferol and phosphate. Five subjects were prepubertal and six were postpubertal. Response to calcitriol was measured under nonfasting and overnight fasting protocols. Bone biopsies were obtained before and after treatment. Calcitriol (mean dose, 30 ng/kg. day) 1) raised serum phosphorus uniformly in prepubertal patients but in only two of six postpubertal subjects; 2) did not change the theoretical renal phosphate threshold in the total patient group and thus had no effect on the primary transport defect in XLH; 3) improved trabecular bone mineralization in the total patient group, as determined by bone histomorphometry. The beneficial effect on extracellular phosphorus homeostasis was attributed to improved intestinal absorption of phosphorus; improvement in bone mineralization may reflect an additional effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on bone itself in XLH. Mild transient hypercalcemia occurred during 0.6% of 3545 treatment days and was readily controlled by adjusting the dosage of 1,25-(OH)2D3.

Adolescent↗