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Biomedical subjects

T F Huang

Publications and source records attributed to T F Huang.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Antiplatelet actions of panaxynol and ginsenosides isolated from ginseng.

The antiplatelet effect of panaxynol isolated from the diethyl ether layer was compared with those of ginsenosides from the butanol layer of Panax ginseng. Panaxynol (0.1 mg/ml) inhibited markedly the aggregation of washed platelets induced by collagen, arachidonic acid, ADP, ionophore A23187, PAF and thrombin while ginsenosides had no significant effect on the aggregation but ginsenoside Ro (1 mg/ml) inhibited the ATP release of platelets. Less inhibitory effect of panaxynol was observed in the aggregation of platelet-rich plasma. Thromboxane B2 formation of platelets was inhibited by panaxynol but not by ginsenosides. The antiplatelet effect of panaxynol was dependent on the incubation time and the aggregability of platelets inhibited by panaxynol could not easily be recovered after washing the platelets. In human platelet-rich plasma, panaxynol prevented secondary aggregation and completely blocked ATP release from platelets induced by epinephrine and ADP. Both panaxynol and ginsenoside Rg2 inhibited the rise of intracellular calcium caused by collagen. It is concluded that panaxynol is the most potent antiplatelet agent in ginseng and its mechanism of action is chiefly due to the inhibition of thromboxane formation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Trigramin: primary structure and its inhibition of von Willebrand factor binding to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex on human platelets.

Trigramin, a naturally occurring peptide purified from Trimeresurus gramineus (T. stejnegeri formosensis) snake venom, inhibits platelet aggregation and the binding of 125I-fibrinogen to ADP-stimulated platelets (Ki = 2 X 10(-8) M) without affecting the platelet-release reaction. 125I-trigramin binds to ADP-stimulated and to chymotrypsin-treated normal platelets but not to thrombasthenic platelets. 125I-trigramin binding to platelets is blocked by monoclonal antibodies directed against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and by Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) [Huang et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 161]. We determined the primary structure of trigramin, which is composed of a single polypeptide chain of 72 amino acid residues and six disulfide bridges. The molecular weight of trigramin calculated on the basis of amino acid sequence was 7500, and the average pI was 5.61. An RGD sequence appeared in the carboxy-terminal domain of trigramin. An amino-terminal fragment (7-33) of trigramin showed 39% homology with a region (1555-1581) of von Willebrand factor (vWF). Trigramin also showed 36% identity in a 42 amino acid overlap and 53% identity in a 15 amino acid overlap when compared with two adhesive proteins, collagen alpha 1 (I) and laminin B1, respectively. Trigramin blocked binding of human vWF to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex in thrombin-activated platelets in a dose-dependent manner. Reduction of trigramin resulted in a marked decrease in its ability to block vWF binding to human platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of venom proteases on peptide chromogenic substrates and bovine prothrombin.

Eighteen proteases were isolated from six hemorrhagic venoms of snakes belonging to the families of Crotalidae and Viperidae. According to their actions, they are classified as thrombin-like enzymes, alpha-fibrinogenases, beta-fibrinogenases, Factor X activator, prothrombin activator, hemorrhagins and esterases. Thrombin-like enzymes, beta-fibrinogenases, hemorrhagins and esterase hydrolyzed Phe-Pip-Arg-pNA (S-2238, substrate for thrombin) more strongly than CBZ-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-pNA (S-2222, substrate for Factor Xa), CBZ-Phe-Val-Arg-pNA (B-7632) or CBZ-Pro-Phe-Arg-pNA (B-2133). Thrombin-like enzymes, beta-fibrinogenase and esterase hydrolyzed tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester and benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester. S-2238 is the most susceptible chromogenic substrate for most venom proteases. Thrombin-like enzymes degraded prothrombin molecule progressively down to prethrombin 2 while alpha- and beta-fibrinogenases degraded it only to prethrombin 1. Factor X activator of Vipera russelli venom and esterase of T. mucrosquamatus venom did not have any effect on prothrombin. Thus, the effects of venom proteases on prothrombin are not parallel to their amidolytic or esterolytic effects.

Animals↗

Inhibition of platelet hemostatic plug formation by trigramin, a novel RGD-peptide.

Trigramin, a cysteine rich, RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-containing peptide from Trimeresurus gramineus snake venom (Mr 7,500) has been previously reported to inhibit fibrinogen binding to ADP-activated platelets and platelet aggregation (disassociation constant 10(-8) M). The present study demonstrates that the infusion of trigramin (17-212 micrograms/100 g body wt) significantly prolonged the bleeding time of severed mesenteric arteries in hamsters (anesthetized with 65 mg/kg pentobarbital), whereas the infusion of RGDS (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, 0.45-1.0 mg/100 g body wt) failed to increase the bleeding time in this model. The bleeding time immediately returned to normal after cessation of trigramin infusion. The pattern of the disappearance of 125I-labeled trigramin from the circulation fit a two-compartment model with the half-life for the fast component between 0.7 and 2.0 min and with the half-life for the slow component between 31 and 105 min. It appeared that the kidney and liver are major routes of elimination of trigramin from the circulation. The ability of trigramin to prolong bleeding time, as well as its rapid disappearance from the circulation, indicates that this peptide may be a useful compound to transiently prevent the ability of platelets to form thromboemboli without impairing their long-term hemostatic function.

Animals↗

Cardiovascular responses of rats to electrical stimulation of the fastigial nucleus and local microinjection of amino acids.

The cardiovascular response to electrical stimulation of the fastigial nucleus (FN) and microinjection of L-glutamate, kainic acid, glycine and GABA into the FN of anesthetized rats were studied. Electrical stimulation of FN produced pressor or depressor responses with a decrease or no change in heart rate depending upon the intensity or site of the stimulation. Microinjection of L-glutamate or kainic acid into the FN elicited pressor or depressor response with bradycardia, while that of glycine or GABA did not affect blood pressure or heart rate. L-glutamate or kainic acid microinjected into the FN did not affect epinephrine-induced pressor response, but attenuated the bradycardic response. These results indicate that L-glutamate in the FN may play a role in modulation of the cardiovascular regulation.

Amino Acids↗

Two antiplatelet agents from Magnolia officinalis.

Magnolol and honokiol are two position isomers isolated from the bark of Magnolia officinalis. Both inhibited the aggregation and ATP release of rabbit platelet-rich plasma induced by collagen and arachidonic acid without affecting that induced by ADP, PAF or thrombin. Aggregation of washed platelets was more markedly inhibited than that of platelet-rich plasma, while the aggregation of whole blood was least affected by both inhibitors. Thromboxane B2 formation caused by collagen, arachidonic acid or thrombin was in each case inhibited by magnolol and honokiol. The rise of intracellular calcium caused by arachidonic acid or collagen was also suppressed by both agents. Collagen-induced intracellular calcium increase in the presence of indomethacin was suppressed by magnolol. It is concluded that the antiplatelet effect of magnolol and honokiol is due to an inhibitory effect on thromboxane formation and also an inhibition of intracellular calcium mobilization.

Animals↗

Trigramin, an RGD-containing peptide from snake venom, inhibits cell-substratum adhesion of human melanoma cells.

Trigramin, a cysteine-rich, RGD-containing peptide isolated from the venom of the Trimeresurus gramineus snake, inhibited the adhesion of human melanoma cells to fibronectin and fibrinogen. Compared on a molar basis to GRGDSP, trigramin was approximately 500 times more potent than the hexapeptide at inhibiting cell adhesion to fibronectin. The activity of trigramin was abolished by chemical reduction of the molecule, indicating that the secondary structure is important to the biological activity. Trigramin presents an example of an effective inhibitor of cell adhesion that has developed in nature and may prove to be a useful probe in studying the cell surface receptors involved in cell adhesion.

Cell Adhesion↗

Trigramin. A low molecular weight peptide inhibiting fibrinogen interaction with platelet receptors expressed on glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex.

Trigramin, a highly specific inhibitor of fibrinogen binding to platelet receptors, was purified to homogeneity from Trimeresurus gramineus snake venom. Trigramin is a single chain (approximately 9 kDa) cysteine-rich peptide with the Glu-Ala-Gly-Glu-Asp-Cys-Asp-Cys-Gly-Ser-Pro-Ala NH2-terminal sequence. Chymotryptic fragmentation showed the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence in trigramin. Trigramin inhibited fibrinogen-induced aggregation of platelets stimulated by ADP (IC50 = 1.3 X 10(-7)M) and aggregation of chymotrypsin-treated platelets. It did not affect the platelet secretion. Trigramin was a competitive inhibitor of the 125I-fibrinogen binding to ADP-stimulated platelets (Ki = 2 X 10(-8) M). 125I-Trigramin bound to resting platelets (Kd = 1.7 X 10(-7) M; n = 16,500), to ADP-stimulated platelets (Kd = 2.1 X 10(-8) M; n = 17,600), and to chymotrypsin-treated platelets (Kd = 8.8 X 10(-8) M; n = 13,800) in a saturable manner. The number of 125I-trigramin binding sites on thrombasthenic platelets amounted to 2.7-5.4% of control values obtained for normal platelets and correlated with the reduced number of GPIIb-GPIIIa molecules on the platelet surface. EDTA, monoclonal antibodies directed against the GPIIb-GPIIIa complex, and synthetic peptides (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser and Tyr-Gly-Gln-Gln-His-His-Leu-Gly-Gly-Ala-Lys-Gln-Ala-Gly-Asp-Val) blocked both 125I-fibrinogen binding and 125I-trigramin binding to platelets. Fibrinogen binding was more readily inhibited by these compounds than was trigramin binding. Monoclonal antibodies directed either against GPIIb or GPIIIa molecules did not block the interaction of either ligand with platelets. Reduced, S-pyridylethyl, trigramin did not inhibit platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding to platelets and it did not bind to platelets, suggesting that the secondary structure of this molecule is critical for expression of its biological activity.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Characterization of a potent platelet aggregation inhibitor from Agkistrodon rhodostoma snake venom.

By means of CM-Sephadex C-50 column chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and G-50 columns, a potent platelet aggregation inhibitor was purified and characterized. It was a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 31,000. It was devoid of phospholipase A, ADPase, esterase and fibrino(geno)lytic activities. It inhibited dose-dependently the aggregation of washed platelets induced by collagen, thrombin, sodium arachidonate, platelet activating factor and ionophore A23187 with a similar IC50 (5-10 micrograms/ml). It was also active in platelet-rich plasma, with an IC50 of 10-15 micrograms/ml. The venom inhibitor reduced the elasticity of whole blood clot and inhibited the thrombin-induced clot retraction of platelet-rich plasma. These activities were related to its inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation rather than blood coagulation. The venom inhibitor had various effects on [14C]serotonin release stimulated by aggregation agonists. It had no effect on thromboxane B2 formation of platelets stimulated by sodium arachidonate, collagen and ionophore A23187. The presence of this venom inhibitor prior to the initiation of aggregation was a prerequisite for the maintenance of its maximal activity. It showed a similar inhibitory effect on collagen or thrombin-induced aggregation even when it was added after the platelets had undergone the shape change. High fibrinogen levels partially antagonized its activity. The venom inhibitor completely inhibited the fibrinogen-induced aggregation of alpha-chymotrypsin-treated platelets. It is concluded that this venom inhibitor interferes with the interaction of fibrinogen with fibrinogen receptors, leading to inhibition of aggregation.

Animals↗

Effects of cerebral and myocardial ischemia on diving bradycardia in rats.

The simulated diving in awake rats was performed before, during and after cerebral or myocardial ischemia. Diving bradycardia was attenuated at 1 hr and 3 days, but recovered 7 days after cerebral ischemia. EEG became flat promptly after cerebral ischemia and maintained low amplitude at 1 day, but recovered at 7 days. Diving bradycardia did not change at 1 hr, but was attenuated at 3 and 7 days after myocardial ischemia. A combination of cerebral and myocardial ischemia attenuated diving bradycardia through 1 hr, 3 days and 7 days. The results indicate that either cerebral or myocardial ischemia attenuated diving bradycardia.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of a platelet aggregation inducer from Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) snake venom.

A potent platelet aggregation inducer was purified from Calloselasma rhodostoma snake venom by Sephadex G-75, CM-Sephadex C-50 and Sephacryl S-300 column chromatography. It was homogeneous as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with a molecular weight estimated to be 28,160 +/- 1280. It was devoid of phospholipase A2, fibrino(geno)lytic and thrombin-like activities. The venom inducer elicited platelet aggregation and the serotonin release reaction in rabbit platelet-rich plasma and platelet suspension. Exogenous calcium was required for its platelet activation. Creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase and indomethacin did not inhibit the venom inducer-induced aggregation and release reaction. Mepacrine and verapamil preferentially inhibited aggregation, while PGE1 completely blocked both aggregation and release reaction. It is concluded that the venom inducer activates platelets through the activation of endogenous phospholipase A2 or C, leading to intracellular calcium mobilization, but independent of the ADP release reaction or thromboxane A2 formation.

Animals↗

Platelet aggregation inhibitors from Agkistrodon acutus snake venom.

Among all the purified components from A. acutus venom, including ADPase, 5'-nucleotidase, phospholipase A2 and fibrinogenases, only the venom ADPase (50-100 micrograms/ml) shows marked inhibitory action on ADP (10 microM)-, collagen (10 micrograms/ml)- and sodium arachidonate (100 microM)-induced platelet aggregations of rabbit platelet-rich plasma. The venom 5'-nucleotidase (100 micrograms/ml) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation by 31 +/- 4% (n = 4, P less than 0.05). Fibrinogenolytic enzymes (fractions I and IX, 100 micrograms/ml) did not significantly inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP (10 microM), collagen (10 micrograms/ml) or sodium arachidonate (100 microM). However, when the fibrinogenase (fraction IX, 100 micrograms/ml) was preincubated with platelet-rich plasma for 30 min it inhibited collagen (20 micrograms/ml)- and ADP (10 microM)-induced platelet aggregations by 34 +/- 9% (n = 4, P less than 0.05) and 35 +/- 6% (n = 4, P less than 0.05), respectively. The phospholipase A2 (100 micrograms/ml) did not affect platelet aggregation. The venom ADPase is a single chain polypeptide with a molecular weight of 94,000. The specific ADPase activity is estimated to be 4.3 mu moles Pi/min/mg of protein. It also possesses phosphodiesterase and weak 5'-nucleotidase activities.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Effects of vagotomy and drugs on the ventricular fibrillation threshold of normal and ischemic hearts in the anesthetized rat.

The ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was determined by the electrical stimulation of the normal and the coronary artery-ligated myocardium in situ in anesthetized rats. A bilateral vagotomy lowered the VFT of the normal myocardium. After the coronary artery ligation in the vagotomized rats, VFT fell to a greater extent. Bretylium 20-40 mg/kg i.v. produced an elevation of VFT, hypotension and a decrease of the heart rate of rats with the normal or the ischemic myocardium. Lidocaine 10 mg/kg i.v. insignificantly affected the VFT of the normal and the ischemic myocardium. Nitroprusside 4 mg/kg i.v. elevated the VFT of the normal myocardium, and prevented a fall in the VFT of the ischemic myocardium. Adenosine 10 mg/kg or aspirin 20 mg/kg i.v. had no remarkable effect on the VFT of the normal myocardium, but prevented a fall in the VFT of the ischemic myocardium.

Adenosine↗

Action mechanism of the potent platelet aggregation inhibitor from Trimeresurus gramineus snake venom.

The platelet aggregation inhibitor (PAI) purified from T. gramineus snake venom inhibited platelet aggregation even when it was added after platelet shape change had occurred. It inhibited the initial platelet aggregation phase in rabbit platelet-rich plasma (PRP), but not the second lytic phase induced by thimerosal (0.5 mM), a -SH reagent. In human platelet-rich plasma, the venom inhibitor also inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, epinephrine or ristocetin. The epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation was more susceptible to the venom inhibitor. The venom inhibitor (10 micrograms/ml) as well as N-ethylmaleimide (1.2 mM), a -SH reagent, completely inhibited the thrombin-induced clot retraction of PRP. It is concluded that PAI acts on a common step of platelet aggregation. It acts on membrane -SH containing macromolecule which directly mediates the platelet aggregation subsequent to platelet shape change.

Animals↗

Mechanism of action of the platelet aggregation inhibitor purified from Agkistrodon halys (mamushi) snake venom.

The platelet aggregation inhibitor purified from Agkistrodon halys snake venom inhibited rabbit platelet aggregations induced by thrombin, sodium arachidonate, collagen or ionophore A-23187. The IC50 was about 11 micrograms/ml in platelet aggregation regardless of which aggregation inducer was used. beta-Mercaptoethanol abolished both the phospholipase A enzymatic and platelet aggregation inhibitory activities of this venom inhibitor. p-Bromophenacyl bromide-treated venom inhibitor lost almost completely its phosphilipase A enzymatic activity, but retained its platelet aggregation inhibitory effect. In the presence of EGTA, the venom inhibitor still showed the same inhibitory activity on thrombin-, sodium arachidonate-, collagen- or ionophore A23187-induced platelet aggregations triggered by successive addition of Ca2+. The activation of platelet phospholipase A and the serotonin release reaction triggered by Ca2+ influx were unaffected by this venom inhibitor. It also inhibited the clot retraction of platelet-rich plasma. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of the venom inhibitor on platelet aggregation is independent of its phospholipase A enzymatic activity. Its mode of action is different from those of other known platelet inhibitory drugs. This venom inhibitor possibly acts on a common step subsequent to platelet shape change, leading to inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Animals↗

Characterization of hemorrhagic principles from Trimeresurus gramineus snake venom.

In addition to alpha-fibrinogenase (hemorrhagin I, HR1), a potent hemorrhagic principle (hemorrhagin II, HR2) was purified from Trimeresurus gramineus venom. It was homogeneous as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. HR2 was a single peptide chain containing 10% carbohydrate with a molecular weight of 81,500. It possessed 669 amino acid residues per molecule, while HR1 contained only 203 amino acid residues per molecule with a molecular weight of 23,500. Both hemorrhagins possessed proteolytic activities toward fibrinogen, casein and azocoll. However, the proteolytic activities of HR1 were much more potent than those of HR2. They were devoid of TAME-esterase and phospholipase A2 activities which were found in crude venom. beta-Mercaptoethanol and antivenin completely inhibited the hemorrhagic activities of HR1 and HR2, while epsilon-aminocaproic acid, trasylol, p-bromophenacyl bromide, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and soybean trypsin inhibitor did not. EDTA completely inhibited the hemorrhagic, fibrinogenolytic and caseinolytic activities of HR1. EDTA also completely inhibited the caseinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities of HR2, but only partially inhibited its hemorrhagic activity. Subsequent addition of Zn2+ (5 mM) reversed the EDTA-induced inhibitory effect on the hemorrhagic activity of HR1. However, ZN2+ did not reverse the EDTA-induced inhibitory effect on the HR2-induced hemorrhagic activity. These hemorrhagins were found to be ZN2+-containing metalloproteinases. Therefore, the hemorrhagic activity of HR1 seems to be related to its proteolytic activity while that of HR2 seems to be unrelated to its proteolytic activity.

Animals↗