Biomedical subjects

W Hanke

Publications and source records attributed to W Hanke.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Localization of binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor and angiotensin II in the central nervous system of the clawed toad Xenopus laevis.

The distribution of binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and angiotensin II (A II) was investigated in the central nervous system (CNS) of the clawed toad Xenopus laevis by means of in vitro autoradiography using [125I]-rat ANF(99-126) or [125I] [Val5] A II and [125I]human A II as labeled ligands. The highest densities of specific ANF-binding were detected in the nucleus habenularis, thalamic regions, hypophyseal pars nervosa and nucleus interpeduncularis. Moderate ANF-binding was found in the bulbus olfactorius, pallium, septum, striatum, lateral forebrain bundle, nucleus infundibularis, hypophyseal pars distalis and tectum. The highest levels of specific A II binding sites were observed in the nucleus praeopticus, nucleus habenularis, hypophyseal pars nervosa and pars distalis, whereas the amygdala contained moderate A II binding. The existence of specific binding sites for ANF and A II in the CNS of Xenopus laevis suggests that both peptides act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators in the amphibian CNS. The co-localization of dense binding sites for both peptides in the nucleus habenularis, hypophyseal pars nervosa and pars distalis supports the view that ANF and A II have opposite regulatory functions in these regions.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1992

Effects of atrial natriuretic factor on corticosteroid and catecholamine secretion by the adrenals of Xenopus laevis.

The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the adreno-corticosteroid and catecholamine secretion of Xenopus laevis were studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the effects of rANF(99-126), from 0.1 to 50 nM, on corticosteroid secretion was investigated using a perifusion system. The basal secretion of aldosterone but not corticosterone was dose dependently decreased. A prolonged perifusion with 1 nM rANF(99-126) alternated ACTH(1-28) stimulation of secretion of both corticosteroids. Only ANF analogues with intact disulfide bridges (rANF(99-126), hANF(99-126), Atriopeptin II, frogANF(21)), and an extract of Xenopus laevis hearts significantly inhibited aldosterone release; the N-terminal (99-109) and the C-terminal ANF(116-126) fragments had no effects. In vitro norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were released but dopamine (D) was not detected. rANF(99-126) at concentrations up to 1 microM affected neither basal nor acetylcholine stimulated catecholamine secretion. In vivo, a single injection of 3 nmol rANF(99-126) per 100 g body weight was given and the serum concentrations of corticosterone, aldosterone, D, NE, and E were determined 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr later. Both steroids decreased after 12 hr, whereas the catecholamine concentrations were not significantly changed. ANF is concluded to act on steroidogenic but not chromaffin cells in Xenopus laevis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1992

Localization and quantification of angiotensin II (A II) binding sites in the kidney of Xenopus laevis--lack of A II receptors in the adrenal tissue.

The distribution and properties of angiotensin binding sites in the kidney of the clawed toad Xenopus laevis were studied using quantitative in vitro autoradiography. Specific binding sites for [125I]-[Val5]-angiotensin II (A II) were located in the glomeruli of the kidney but not in the adrenal tissue. [125I]-[Val5]-A II binding was equilibrated after 45 min. Scatchard and Hill analyses of saturation experiments showed that [125I]-[Val5]-A II binds to a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 1.884 +/- 0.535 nM and a maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 0.484 +/- 0.144 fmol/mm2 (n = 8). Various angiotensin analogues displaced [125I]-[Val5]-A II in the rank order [Sar1, Ile5]-A II greater than human A II greater than [125I]-[Val5]-A II = [Val5]-A II = human A III much greater than human A I. Unrelated peptides did not alter the binding of [125I]-[Val5]-A II. Acclimation to 1.5% seawater increased [125I]-[Val5]-A II binding in glomeruli after 12 hr but returned to control levels after 7 days. Steroidogenic and catecholaminergic actions of [Val5]-A II on the adrenal tissue were examined in vitro and in vivo. Compared with known interrenal stimulators [human ACTH(1-39) and AVT] minimal effects were obtained only in vitro with high doses of [Val5]-A II while catecholamine release was unaffected. In vivo a single injection of 3 nmol [Val5]-A II per 100 g body wt did not change serum levels of corticosterone, aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1992

Localization and quantification of atrial natriuretic factor binding sites in the kidney of Xenopus laevis.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) binding sites in the skin, the bladder, and the kidney of the anuran amphibian Xenopus laevis were localized and quantified using quantitative in vitro autoradiography. Specific binding of 125I-rANF occurred only in the glomeruli and in the adrenal tissue of the kidney. The association of 125I-rANF binding was much higher than the dissociation and there was no steady state between the ligand and the binding sites. Scatchard and Hill's analyses of saturation experiments showed 125I-rANF to bind to heterogeneous sites with positive cooperativity. The effective concentrations, where 50% of maximal binding occurs (EC50), in glomeruli and in adrenal tissue were 75.7 +/- 8.5 and 74.7 +/- 12.1 pM (n = 8), respectively. The corresponding maximum binding capacities (Bmax) were 0.847 +/- 0.131 fM/mm2 in glomeruli and 1.161 +/- 0.179 fM/mm2 in adrenal tissue. Displacement studies have demonstrated the same affinity of these 125I-rANF binding sites to unlabeled rANF, hANF, and rAtriopeptin II, while 125I-labeled rANF had a much higher affinity. The N-terminal ANF fragment (99-109) and the C-terminal rANF fragment (116-126) had only weak displacing effects, whereas unrelated peptides did not alter the binding of 125I-rANF. The osmotic stress of acclimation to 1.5% salt water increased renal but not adrenal ANF binding.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1992

Localization and quantification of nonapeptide binding sites in the kidney of Xenopus laevis: evidence for the existence of two different nonapeptide receptors.

The distribution and properties of nonapeptide binding sites in the kidney of the anuran Xenopus laevis were investigated using quantitative in vitro autoradiography. The binding studies were performed with [3H]arginine vasopressin (AVP) as ligand because [125I]arginine vasotocin (AVT) lacks biological activity. Specific binding sites for [3H]AVP are located in the glomeruli of the kidney. [3H]AVP binding results in a steady state of association and dissociation between ligand and binding sites. Scatchard and Hill analyses of saturation experiments showed that [3H]AVP binds to a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 430 +/- 109 pM and a maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 5.306 +/- 1.379 fmol/mm2 (n = 8). Displacement studies demonstrated the same affinity of these [3H]AVP binding sites to [3H]AVP, unlabeled AVP, and AVT, whereas mesotocin possesses only weak affinity. Further nonapeptides like oxytocin and isotocin or the mammalian-specific V1 receptor antagonist [1-beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)-2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine)-AVP or the V2 receptor agonist (1-deamino-8-D-arginine)-vasopressin or unrelated peptides did not alter the binding of [3H]AVP. The localization of nonapeptide binding sites in the glomeruli with the same affinity to AVP as to AVT agrees with the finding that AVT causes antidiuresis in Xenopus laevis. An earlier study demonstrated Xenopus laevis interrenal tissue to possess a higher sensitivity for AVT than AVP which points to a nonapeptide receptor with a higher affinity for AVT than AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

A functional alpha-bungarotoxin receptor is present in chick cerebellum: purification and characterization.

It has recently been demonstrated that alpha-bungarotoxin receptors, which behave as functional nicotinic receptors, are present in chick CNS. In this paper, we report the purification and characterization of a functional alpha-bungarotoxin receptor from chick cerebellum, a nervous tissue in which a clear inhibition of induced nicotine effects has been reported in vivo. This receptor contains at least three subunits of apparent mol. wt 52,000, 57,000 and 67,000. The use of monoclonal antibodies specific for the alpha 7 subunit demonstrated that 75% of the molecules present in our purified preparation belong to the alpha 7 subtype and that this antibody labels the 57,000 band in western blot, thus indicating that this is the toxin binding subunit. Reconstruction experiments in planar lipid bilayers show that this alpha-bungarotoxin receptor forms a cation selective channel whose opening is blocked by d-tubocurarine. Binding experiments on immobilized receptors over an alpha-bungarotoxin-Sepharose affinity column show that the ligand binding subunit is present in vivo in two copies per receptor. Immunological, pharmacological and functional experiments show that this purified receptor is very similar, but not identical, to the previously characterized chick optic lobe receptor, thus indicating the heterogeneity of these alpha-bungarotoxin receptors in the CNS.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Morbidity among workers exposed to lead--review of epidemiological studies].

The paper presents a review of morality studies for workers occupationally exposed to lead. The authors highlighted the limitations which most of the reviewed analyses suffer from and which are due mainly to incomplete characteristics of the exposure in question. As follows from the results of morality studies carried out so far, lead-exposed workers are subject to an increased risk of death from stomach and lung cancer, though the epidemiologic evidence for the latter is not quite explicit. The single reports on the risk of cerebrovascular diseases probably concerns only the high-level exposure. Relatively best documented is the death risk due to nephritis. The authors believe that further research is necessary in order to evaluate delayed health effects of chronic exposure to lead.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of an alpha-bungarotoxin receptor that forms a functional nicotinic channel.

Neither the structure nor the function of alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha Bgtx) binding molecules in the nervous system have yet been completely defined, although it is known that some of these molecules are related to cation channels and some are not. Using an improved method of affinity chromatography, we have isolated a toxin binding molecule from chicken optic lobe that contains at least three subunits with apparent Mr values of 52,000, 57,000, and 67,000. The Mr 57,000 subunit binds alpha Bgtx and seems to be present in two copies per receptor. The receptor is recognized by antibodies raised against the alpha Bgtx receptors of human neuroblastoma cells, fetal calf muscle, and chicken optic lobe but not by antibodies raised against Torpedo acetylcholine receptor, the serum of myasthenic patients, or monoclonal antibody, 35. 125I-labeled alpha Bgtx binding to the isolated receptor is blocked, with the same potency, by nicotinic agonists and antagonists, such as nicotine, neuronal bungarotoxin and, d-tubocurarine. When reconstituted in a planar lipid bilayer, the purified alpha Bgtx receptor forms cationic channels with a conductance of 50 pS. These channels are activated in a dose-dependent manner by carbamylcholine and blocked by d-tubocurarine.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

The effect of large doses of vitamin C and magnesium on stress responses in common carp, Cyprinus carpio.

1. Plasma magnesium, cortisol, lactate and ascorbic acid were examined in common carp subjected to various dietary treatments and following handling stress. 2. Under conditions of satisfied dietary magnesium and ascorbate requirements, plasma cortisol concentration after stress increased less pronouncedly than in fish fed large doses of ascorbate and/or magnesium. 3. Plasma lactate increased significantly in all groups after stress, although the increase seemed to be more severe (detrimental) in fish on large doses of ascorbate, either as ascorbic acid (AA) or ascorbic monophosphate Mg salt (AP). 4. Large doses of dietary ascorbate, both AA and AP, resulted in a significant increase of total ascorbate concentration in kidney and hepatopancreas of carp in comparison to pre-experimental level. 5. Kidney total ascorbate concentration decreased by 10-23% in all groups but one in which fish fed diet supplemented with AA displayed a significant increase (30%) of tissue ascorbate. The opposite trend was found in hepatopancreas of AA group with 21.5% ascorbate depletion. 6. The present results suggest that plasma cortisol and kidney (steroidogenesis site) and hepatopancreas ascorbate concentration responses to stress may not be related. Our results also do not support the hypothesis of the primary role of the high concentration of ascorbate in the kidney inhibiting steroidogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Factors influencing the death risk from cardiovascular diseases of men of working age in Poland. I. Plan and methods of the study.

The objective of this work was to present the plan and methods of an epidemiological study of the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases in males and females of working age exposed to risk factors related to this group of diseases. The survey covered random samples of the general population, 20-64 years of age, living in areas of two regions (voivodeships) as well as families of all the decreased from cardiovascular diseases, coming from the same areas. Data on risk factors characteristic for this group of diseases in the general population and in the decreased were obtained. The method of assessment of death risk in persons exposed to given factors is presented. In the method, a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was used. Organization of the study and its results will be discussed in Section II of this work.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

N-acetylation and oxidative capacity in aged volunteers determined with sulfamethazine and antipyrine.

The elimination of antipyrine (AP 15 mg/kg) and sulfamethazine (SM 500 mg) was measured in healthy volunteers of rapid and slow acetylator phenotype. Nineteen males were 20-32 years of age, 11 males and 6 females between 62-86 years of age. Apparent volume of distribution of AP was reduced in advanced age independent of the acetylator status of the individuals. Total body clearance was significantly lower and half-time and mean residence time were higher only in slow but not in rapid acetylators. In the elderly of both phenotypes, the acetylation ratios of SM were significantly enhanced. Renal and metabolic clearance were decreased and AUC-values of SM and its acetylated metabolite were increased in slow but unchanged in rapid acetylators. Physiological peculiarities of distribution and renal excretion of SM and its acetylated metabolite in advanced age may have caused the contradictory results.

Acetylation↗

PubMed1991

The risk of death from cardiovascular diseases in the male population of working age in Poland. II. Epidemiological observations and basic results.

The objective of this work is to present the methodology and basic results of epidemiological studies, which facilitate the evaluation of risk of death from cardiovascular diseases in males of working age, exposed to risk factors related to this group of diseases, in comparison with females. The results revealed that in Poland, social and stressogenic factors determining strong negative life-styles play a significant part in shaping male mortality. These factors, acting in combination with high rates of hazards such as smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity and diabetes, significantly increase mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Mortality analysis of the working age population in Poland. Part II. Percentage of main causes of death in the growing mortality rate of men and women].

This work presents an analysis of mortality rates among men and women aged 20-64, by the main causes of death and the places of habitation during the years 1951-1985. Over the investigated period, the percentage of deaths from cardiovascular system diseases, neoplasms, traumas and poisonings among the persons belonging to the professionally active age group increased to ca 80%. The growing trend of deaths in that group was much higher among men than women. This was especially true about the cardiovascular system diseases and malignant neoplasms. Evaluation of mortality rates during the last 20 years by death causes (allowing for age and place of habitation) indicates that the greatest increase of deaths occurred in the group of men aged 40-59 living in the rural environment.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Functional renaturation of receptor polypeptides eluted from SDS polyacrylamide gels.

In order to gain further support for the concept that a homo-oligomeric protein-complex may be sufficient to form a functional ligand-activated ion channel and to explore additional possibilities for the reconstitution of channel activity, a single polypeptide band of the purified neuronal AChR from insects has been electroeluted from SDS-polyacrylamide gels, the SDS removed and the polypeptides incorporated into liposomes. Liposomes were fused into planar lipid bilayers which were subsequently analysed for channel activity. Fluctuations of cation-channels were detected after addition of agonists (carbamylcholine); channel activity was blocked by antagonists (d-tubocurarine). The channels formed by electroeluted polypeptides gave conductance values, as well as kinetic data, quite similar to channels formed by the native receptor protein. Sedimentation experiments using sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed that a considerable portion of the electroeluted polypeptides assembled during the reconstitution process to form oligomeric complexes with a sedimentation coefficient of about 10 S; thus resembling the native receptor complex.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Identification of a cationic channel in synaptosomal membranes.

Synaptosomal membranes were fused with liposomes using the 'hydration technique' to produce giant proteoliposomes amenable to patch clamp recordings. Single channel currents of a cationic channel with particular properties were detected. In a solution of 150 mM NaCl, the channel displayed a unit conductance of 136 pS and a mean open state lifetime of 1.1 ms. The gating of the channel was shown to be voltage as well as calcium dependent. Pharmacological studies revealed that the channel was insensitive to a variety of channel blockers, but was inactivated by ruthenium red. Presumably, this channel may play a role in regulating the evoked release of neurotransmitters.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Neuronal acetylcholine receptor channels from insects: a comparative electrophysiological study.

The channel properties of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in the nervous system of insects (Locusta migratoria) have been characterized. Single channel measurements were performed using patch-clamp techniques as well as planar lipid bilayer reconstitution approaches. In reconstitution experiments using receptor-preparations isolated from neuronal membranes by alpha-toxin affinity chromatography, a ligand-gated channel type was found, which showed a high conductance and a short mean lifetime. Patch-clamp experiments on synapse-free somata of isolated nerve cells revealed an acetylcholine-gated channel type with a lower conductance but a longer lifetime. The two different agonist-activated channel types are supposed to represent synaptic and extrasynaptic acetylcholine receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Neurohypophysial hormones and steroidogenesis in the interrenals of Xenopus laevis.

The influence of arginine vasotocin (AVT) on the interrenal secretion of the clawed toad (Xenopus laevis) was studied combining in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vivo: A single injection of 3 nmol AVT per 100 g body weight was given, and the concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone in the serum were measured after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr. The serum levels of both steroids remained elevated over 6 hr and declined to normal levels within 12 hr. The increase of the aldosterone concentration was relatively stronger than that of corticosterone. In vitro: A perifusion system was used to study the influence of AVT concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 50 nM on the secretion rates of corticosterone and aldosterone. The response of the interrenals was dose dependent; corresponding to the in vivo results, the elevation rate was higher for aldosterone than for corticosterone. The effects of several nonapeptides were compared. AVT was most effective, followed by mesotocin and arginine vasopressin (AVP). Isotocin and oxytocin had less effect. The selective agonist of the mammalian V2 receptor (1-deamino-8-D-arginine)-vasopressin (DDAVP) did not stimulate the interrenals, while the V1 receptor-selective antagonist ((1-beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)-2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine)-AVP could not diminish the stimulation by AVT. Thus, the AVT receptor of the amphibian interrenal must be a special one and is different from the V1 and V2 types of mammals. In a comparison of the effects of AVT with other stimulators such as ACTH(1-28) or urotensin II, it was found that the sensitivity of the interrenals to AVT was similar to that of these peptides. The results indicate that AVT plays an important role in the osmomineral regulation of Xenopus laevis by acting on the corticosteroid secretion of the interrenals.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1990

N-acetylation and debrisoquine type oxidation polymorphism in Caucasians--with reference to age and sex.

Phenotypes of the N-acetylation and debrisoquine type oxidation polymorphism were determined with sulfamethazine and debrisoquine in 145 healthy volunteers (31-80 years, 64 males, 81 females) of a North-East German area. Seventeen (11.7%) were poor metabolizers of debrisoquine and 81 (55.9%) slow acetylators of sulfamethazine. No significant correlations between the frequencies of oxidation and acetylation phenotypes, age, and sex were found. Only a tendency of rapid acetylators to accumulate among individuals above 60 years was noticed. Parameters of phenotyping were not influenced by sex. With age, metabolic ratios of N-acetylation but not of oxidation phenotyping increased. The urinary excretion (0-8 hours) of debrisoquine, sulfamethazine and their metabolites was strikingly reduced in the elderly. Misclassifications of acetylation phenotyping cannot be excluded because of the age dependent kinetics of the test drug.

Acetylation↗