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PubMed1998

Protein tyrosine kinase is downstream of protein kinase C for ischemic preconditioning's anti-infarct effect in the rabbit heart.

The present study tested the hypothesis that one or more tyrosine kinase(s) are downstream of protein kinase C (PKC) in the signal transduction pathway responsible for the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning (PC). Isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by triphenyltetrazolium staining and expressed as a percentage of the area at risk. Infarction in control hearts was 32.9+/-1.8%. Ischemic PC with 5-min ischemia/10-min reperfusion reduced infarct size to 11.5+/-1.5% (P<0.05). Infusion of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein (50 microM) or lavendustin A (0.5 microM), alone did not affect the level of infarction. When infused around the 5-min PC ischemia genistein failed to block protection (13.7+/-1.0%). However, when present at the onset of the 30-min ischemia both genistein and lavendustin A completely aborted protection (31.4+/-2.0 and 28.1+/-1.5%, respectively). Activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 0.05 nmol) was as protective is ischemic PC (14.9+/-3.0%; P<0. 05). Similar to PC, PMA-induced protection was completely prevented by both genistein and lavendustin A. Conversely, anisomycin (50 ng/ml), an activator of MAP kinase kinases (dual tyrosine and threonine kinases), was very protective (7.5+/-1.6%; P<0.05) and this protection was still present when PKC was inhibited by 5 microM chelerythrine (12.1+/-1.6%; P<0.05). In conclusion, activation of a tyrosine kinase during the long ischemia appears to be required for cardioprotection in the rabbit heart. Furthermore, the ability of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to block PMA-induced protection in conjunction with the failure of PKC inhibition to prevent anisomycin-induced protection suggests that the tyrosine kinase is downstream of PKC and that the tyrosine kinase may be a MAP kinase kinase.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1998

Angiotensin II modulates ANP-R2/ANP-C receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in vascular smooth muscle cells: role of protein kinase C.

In the present studies, we have investigated the modulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor of R2 subtype (ANP-R2/ANP-C) coupled to adenylyl cyclase/cAMP signal transduction system by angiotensin II (angII). C-ANF4-23 [des(Gln18, Ser19, Gln20, Leu21, Gly22)ANF4-23-NH2] and AngII inhibited adenylyl cyclase activity in a concentration-dependent manner in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSmc A-10). The maximal inhibitions observed were about 40 and 30%, respectively, with an apparent Ki of about 1 and 10 nm. Pretreatment of the cells with AngII resulted in the attenuation of both C-ANF4-23 and AngII-mediated inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase, without altering [125I]-ANF binding. The levels of Gialpha-2 and Gialpha-3 proteins as determined by immunoblotting were also augmented by AngII treatment. In addition, AngII treatment stimulated the phosphorylation of Gialpha2 but not of Gialpha3 or ANP-C receptor, as revealed by immunoprecipitation of the proteins using specific antibodies after prelabelling the cells with [32P]orthophosphate. Staurosporine and chelerythrine, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors at 1 and 100 nm, respectively, prevented the AngII-mediated desensitization of C-ANF 4-23-sensitive adenylyl cyclase. In addition, the AngII-mediated phosphorylation of Gialpha2 protein was also inhibited partially by about 35% by staurosporine treatment. These results suggest that the attenuation of C-ANF4-23-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity by AngII may not be attributed to the downregulation of receptors or to the decreased levels of G-proteins, and may involve PKC-dependent mechanisms.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1998

FGF-2-induced negative inotropism and cardioprotection are inhibited by chelerythrine: involvement of sarcolemmal calcium-independent protein kinase C.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), administered to the isolated rat heart by perfusion and under constant pressure, is protective against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R). Here we have investigated whether FGF-2 cardioprotection: (a) is dependent on flow modulation; (b) is linked to effects on contractility; (c) is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC); and (d) is linked to PKC and/or mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) associated with the sarcolemma. The isolated rat heart was used as a model. Under conditions of constant flow FGF-2 induced significant improvement in recovery of contractile function during I-R. Under constant perfusion pressure, FGF-2 induced a negative inotropic effect (15% decrease in developed pressure). Chelerythrine, a specific PKC inhibitor, prevented both the FGF-2-induced negative inotropic effect before ischemia, and cardioprotection during I-R. FGF-2 induced a chelerythrine-preventable, five-fold increase in sarcolemmal calcium-independent PKC activity. It also increased the association of PKC subtypes -epsilon and -delta with sarcolemmal membranes, detected by Western blotting, as well as, for PKC delta, by immunolocalization. FGF-2 increased the association of PKC epsilon with the membrane fraction of adult cardiomyocyte in culture, confirming that it can affect PKC signaling in cardiomyocytes directly and in a manner similar to its effects in situ. Finally, FGF-2 induced increased active MAPK at sarcolemmal as well as cytosolic sites. Active sarcolemmal MAPK remained elevated when the FGF-2-induced protection was prevented by chelerythrine. In conclusion, we have provided evidence that cardioprotection by FGF-2 is independent of flow modulation. PKC activation mediates both the FGF-2-induced negative inotropic effect before ischemia and the cardioprotective effect assessed during reperfusion, suggesting a cause and effect relationship. Furthermore, FGF-2 cardioprotection is linked to targeting of sarcolemmal sites by calcium-independent PKC.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2000

The role of endothelin, protein kinase C and free radicals in the mechanism of the post-ischemic endothelial dysfunction in guinea-pig hearts.

Transient ischemia has been shown to impair endothelium-dependent, but not endothelium-independent, coronary vasodilation, indicating selective endothelial dysfunction. Here a hypothesis was tested that agonist mediated activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and the related overproduction of the oxidative species contribute to the mechanism of the endothelial dysfunction. Perfused guinea-pig hearts were subjected either to 30 min global ischemia/30 min reperfusion or to 30 min aerobic perfusion with a PKC activator, phorbol ester (1 n M, PMA). Coronary flow responses to a bolus of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were used as measures of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vascular function, respectively. Salicylate hydroxylation was used as the assay for the myocardial hydroxyl radical (.OH) formation. Both ischemia/reperfusion and PMA impaired the ACh response and augmented the myocardial.OH production. The effect of ischemia/reperfusion on the ACh response: (i) was fully prevented by a PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine (2microM) and a mixed endothelin blocker, bosentan (20microM); (ii) was partially prevented by an endothelin converting-enzyme inhibitor, phosphoramidon (40microM), and superoxide dismutase (150-500 U/ml, SOD) and (iii) was affected neither by catalase (600 U/ml) nor by losartan (20microM) and captopril (250microM), nor by prazosin (10microM). SOD, but not bosentan, partially prevented the effect of PMA on the ACh response. None of the interventions studied affected the SNP response. The reperfusion-induced.OH release was attenuated by chelerythrine and bosentan, was not affected by prazosin and was increased by SOD. These results implicate the following sequence of events in the mechanism of the post-ischemic endothelial dysfunction: ischemia/reperfusion, endothelin-induced PKC activation, increased production of superoxide and/or some of its toxic metabolite, damage to the endothelium and endothelial dysfunction. The results argue against the contribution of angiotensin II, adrenergicalpha(1)-receptors and kinins in the mechanism of the post-ischemic endothelial dysfunction in guinea-pig hearts.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2000

Endothelin-1 stimulates cardiac fibroblast proliferation through activation of protein kinase C.

After myocardial ischemia, circulating levels of the mitogen endothelin-1 (ET-1) increase. The effects of ET-1 on cardiac fibroblasts are poorly characterized. Therefore we examined the influence of ET-1 on cardiac fibroblast proliferation with a view to elucidating the signal transduction mechanisms underlying this effect. ET-1 (10 n m) stimulated [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and cell proliferation in cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts, consistent with its activity as a mitogen. We examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) on this function. Inhibition of PKC activation with either chelerythrine (1 microm) or staurosporine (1 n m) attenuated ET-1-induced increases in DNA synthesis and cell number. Downregulation of PKC by chronic pretreatment with 10 n m phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also prevented ET-1-induced mitogenesis. In contrast to previous reports that cardiac fibroblast proliferation stimulated by angiotensin II acts independently of PKC, the ET-1 mediated mitogenic effect requires activation of PKC in these cells. Findings in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts were identical. In addition, we noted that concurrent treatment with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta which, like ET-1, is released after myocardial ischemia, attenuated the ET-1-induced increases in DNA synthesis and cell number. This effect was not mediated through a nitric oxide synthase pathway.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

Src and multiple MAP kinase activation in cardiac hypertrophy and congestive heart failure under chronic pressure-overload: comparison with acute mechanical stretch.

Activation of members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family and their downstream effectors has been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of cell survival, ischaemic preconditioning, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. This study investigated the responses of Src kinase and multiple MAP kinases during the transition from compensated pressure-overload hypertrophy to decompensated congestive heart failure. Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38, and Src were activated by chronic pressure-overload and their activity was sustained for 8 weeks after aortic banding. In contrast, while p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (90RSK) and big MAP kinase 1 (BMK1) were activated in compensated hypertrophy, their activities were significantly decreased in hearts with heart failure. No changes were found in C-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) activity after aortic banding. These data suggest that differential activation of MAP kinase family members may contribute to the transition from compensated to decompensated hypertrophy. We also examined acute effects of mechanical stretch on the activation of these kinases in normal and hypertrophied hearts. In the isolated coronary-perfused heart, a balloon in the left ventricle was inflated to achieve minimum end-diastolic pressure of 25 mmHg for 10-20 min. In normal guinea pig hearts, stretch activated ERK1/2, p90RSK, p38, Src, and BMK1 but not JNK. However in hypertrophied hearts, further activation of these kinases was not observed by acute mechanical stretch. Mechanical stretch-induced activation of ERK1/2 and p38 kinase in normal hearts was attenuated significantly by a protein kinase C inhibitor, chelerythrine. We demonstrate that ERK1/2, p90RSK, p38, Src, and BMK1 are activated by chronic pressure-overload and by acute mechanical stretch. These data suggest that Src, BMK1 and p90RSK play a role as novel signal transduction pathways leading to cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, the differential inhibition of p90RSK and BMK1 in hearts with congestive heart failure suggests the specific role of these two kinases to maintain cardiac function under chronic pressure-overload.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

The lysophospholipids sphingosine-1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid enhance survival during hypoxia in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

The lysophospholipids sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulate cellular proliferation and affect numerous cellular functions by signaling through G protein-coupled endothelial differentiation gene-encoded (Edg) receptors. S1P and LPA also act as survival factors in many cell types, but have not previously been studied in cardiac myocytes. We incubated neonatal rat cardiac myocytes either in room air/1% CO2 (normoxia) or in an atmosphere of 99% N2/1%CO2 (hypoxia) at 37 degrees C for 18-20 h in the absence of glucose. Cell viability was measured using a calcein ester green fluorescence assay. Under normoxic conditions 88.7+/-1.0% of the cells were viable after 18-20 h. Severe hypoxia reduced viability to 61.3+/-4.3% (n=6, P<0.05). In myocytes preincubated with either 10 microM S1P or 1 microM LPA for 2 h, the effects of severe hypoxia on cell viability were prevented resulting in survival equivalent to normoxia. Neither the protein kinase C inhibitor chelethyrine (1 microM) nor the mitochondrial K(ATP) channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoic acid, (5-HD, 100 microM) had any effect on myocyte survival during severe hypoxia, but both agents completely abolished the ability of S1P to rescue cardiac myocytes from hypoxic cell death. We also tested the effects of dimethylsphingosine (DMS), which inhibits sphingosine kinase synthesis of S1P. Incubation of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes with 10 microM DMS for 2 h in the presence of serum resulted in 25-30% cell death during 18-20 h of normoxia. DMS-induced cell death was prevented by concurrent preincubation with either S1P or GM-1, a ganglioside that activates sphingosine kinase to increase intracellular levels of S1P. We conclude that both S1P and LPA are cardioprotective for hypoxic neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. S1P acts through cellular membrane receptors by signaling mechanisms involving protein kinase C and mitochondrial K(ATP) channels. Both endogenous and exogenously applied S1P are effective in preventing cell death induced by inhibition of sphingosine kinase.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

Chelerythrine rapidly induces apoptosis through generation of reactive oxygen species in cardiac myocytes.

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition in cardiac myocyte apoptosis has not been well understood. We investigated the mechanism, by which chelerythrine, a commonly used PKC inhibitor, induces potent myocyte death. Chelerythrine (6-30 microm) rapidly induced pyknosis, shrinkage and subsequent cell death in cardiac myocytes. Chelerythrine-induced myocyte death was accompanied by nuclear fragmentation and activation of caspase-3 and -9, while it was prevented by XIAP, suggesting that the cell death is due to apoptosis. Higher concentrations of chelerythrine caused necrotic cell death where neither cell shrinkage nor caspase activation was observed. Intravenous injection of chelerythrine (5 mg/kg) also increased apoptosis in adult rat hearts in vivo. Downregulation of the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-sensitive PKC failed to affect chelerythrine-induced apoptosis, while anti-oxidants, including N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and glutathione, inhibited it, suggesting that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) rather than inhibition of PMA-sensitive PKC mediates chelerythrine-induced cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Chelerythrine caused cytochrome c release from mitochondria, which was significantly inhibited in the presence of NAC, suggesting that ROS mediates chelerythrine-induced cytochrome c release. Partial inhibition of cytochrome c release by Bcl-X(L) significantly reduced chelerythrine-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that chelerythrine rapidly induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis and that production of ROS, possibly H(2)O(2), and subsequent cytochrome c release from mitochondria play an important role in mediating chelerythrine-induced rapid cardiac myocyte apoptosis.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2001

Dual signaling via protein kinase C and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/Akt contributes to bradykinin B2 receptor-induced cardioprotection in guinea pig hearts.

We investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3;-kinase (PI3-K) in the signaling mechanism of cardioprotection afforded by bradykinin (BK). Coronary-perfused guinea pig ventricular muscles were subjected to 20-min no-flow ischemia and 60-min reperfusion. Pretreatment for 5 min with BK (1 microm) significantly improved the recovery of developed tension measured after 60 min of reperfusion (86.8+/-2.6%v 34.8+/-4.1% in control). Prior treatment with B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140 completely abolished the protective effect of BK (37.0+/-7.6%). The protection was reduced by either PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (CH, 58.9+/-2.2%) or PI3-K inhibitor wortmannin (WM, 59.4+/-2.5%); however, the recovery of contractility was intermediate between the BK and control groups. Nevertheless, pretreatment with CH and WM together completely eliminated the protective effect of BK (38.9+/-4.2%). The mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (mitoK(ATP)) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD) significantly but partially inhibited the effect of BK (59.0+/-2.2%). Pretreatment with 5HD and CH together could not generate further inhibition (61.1+/-3.3%), while pretreatment with 5HD and WM together totally eliminated the protection (34.9+/-2.9%). We conclude that BK B2 receptors can precondition guinea pig hearts via the dual activation of PKC and PI3-K. The mitoK(ATP) channels act as downstream targets of PKC, whereas PI3-K is not associated with mitoK(ATP) channels.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

Acute alcohol-induced protection against infarction in rabbit hearts: differences from and similarities to ischemic preconditioning.

Recent studies reveal that brief ethanol exposure induces cardioprotection against simulated ischemia in cardiomyocytes by the activation of protein kinase C- epsilon. The present study tests the ability of ethanol to induce protection in rabbit hearts in which infarct size was the end-point and explores the signal transduction pathways involved. In isolated rabbit hearts, 50 m m ethanol infused for 5 min with 10 min of washout prior to 30 min of regional ischemia reduced infarct size (triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining) by 49%. Neither adenosine receptor blockade with 8-(p -sulfophenyl) theophylline nor the free radical scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine inhibited the protection triggered by ethanol. In contrast, protein kinase C inhibition with chelerythrine, protein tyrosine kinase inhibition with genistein, and blockade of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) with either 5-hydroxydecanoate or glibenclamide did abolish protection. Thus, transient ethanol exposure followed by washout prior to ischemia elicits a preconditioning-like effect involving protein kinase C, at least one protein tyrosine kinase, and K(ATP)channels, but neither adenosine nor free radicals.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Upregulation of myocardial Na+/H+ exchanger induced by chronic treatment with a selective inhibitor.

Rats exposed to prolonged administration of the NHE-1 inhibitor cariporide showed enhanced activity of the exchanger in cardiac tissue, as assessed by the rise in the steady-state pHi value in the absence of bicarbonate (7.15+/-0.01 in control vs 7.49+/-0.06 and 7.41+/-0.05 in cariporide-treated for 1 or 2 months, respectively, P<0.05). In the presence of bicarbonate, the change in pHi was blunted due to a compensatory activation of acid loading pHi regulatory mechanisms. The enhancement of NHE activity disappeared after 1 week of the inhibitor withdrawal. The kinetic analysis of H+ fluxes after an acid load revealed an increased net H+ efflux (JH+) at any given pHi value and an alkaline shift of the apparent "set-point" of the exchanger (from 7.11+/-0.02 to 7.38+/-0.04,P <0.05) in treated rats. In the presence of the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, the "set-point" of the exchanger was normalized in the cariporide-treated rats while JH+ at acidic pHi values persisted elevated. Cardiac NHE-1 mRNA levels and protein expression were increased in cariporide-treated rats. In addition to the increased protein expression after the treatment, the normalization of the augmented "set-point" by chelerythrine suggests an increased turnover rate of the units through a PKC dependent pathway. These data demonstrate that long-term treatment with the NHE-1 inhibitor cariporide enhances the antiporter activity in cardiac tissue through an increase of the number and turnover of functional units. This finding deserves further experimental and clinical evaluations to consider whether it would be advisable a gradual withdrawal of prolonged NHE inhibition to avoid an enhanced response when the exchanger is stimulated.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1996

Alpha-adrenergic preservation of myocardial pH during ischemia is PKC isoform dependent.

alpha-adrenergic stimulation of patients with ischemic heart disease should intuitively impose a destructive stress. However, therapeutic alpha1-adrenergic receptor mediated cardioadaptation prior to myocardial ischemia protects ventricular mechanical function, promotes electrophysiologic stability, and preserves myocyte viability. Prior to an anticipated cardiac ischemic insult, alpha1-adrenergic preconditioning attenuates ischemic myocardial acidosis by a protein kinase C-(PKC) dependent mechanism. The alpha1-adrenoceptor can directly stimulate calcium-independent nPKC isoforms via diacylglycerol (DAG) or indirectly stimulate calcium-dependent cPKC isoforms through the release of intracellular calcium via inositol triphosphate, (IP3). We hypothesized that alpha1-adrenergic limitation of ischemic acidosis is mediated by the family of calcium-dependent PKC isoforms. [31P]NMR spectra were obtained in isolated, buffer perfused rat hearts treated with alpha1-adrenergic stimulation [phenylephrine (PE) 50 microM, 2 min]; PKC blockade [chelerythrine chloride, (Chel) 20 microM]; or stearoyl-arachidonoyl glycerol (SAG, a DAG analogue, 100 microM, 2 min) administered 10 min prior to ischemia. Control hearts were perfused under normoxic conditions for 20 min. All hearts were then subjected to global ischemia (20 min, 37.5 degrees C). Developed pressure (DP) and heart rate were recorded continuously. pHi was obtained from chemical shift of inorganic phosphate. Immunohistochemical staining was utilized to delineate the translocation and activation profiles of specific PKC profiles established with each stimulus. Pre-ischemic alpha1-adrenergic stimulation did attenuate the myocellular hydrogen ion accumulation during sustained normothermic ischemia (6.90 +/- 0.13 vs control 6.54 +/- 0.10; P < 0.05). General PKC inhibition abrogated this effect (end-ischemic pH 6.17 +/- 0.10; P < 0.05 vs control and PE). Ischemic acidosis was not attenuated following selective nPKC stimulation (SAG, 6.48 +/- 0.08; NS vs control). Myocellular immunohistochemical staining revealed translocation of the calcium-independent PKC-epsilon isoform in the calcium-dependent PKC (SAG) group, but not in response to alpha1-adrenergic stimulation. The results suggest that (1) alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation limits ischemic acidosis, (2) alpha1-adrenergic stimulated attenuation of ischemic acidosis is PKC dependent, (3) direct nPKC stimulation with SAG does not limit ischemic acidosis, and (4) SAG stimulates nPKC-epsilon isoform activation where alpha1-adrenergic stimulation does not. We conclude that alpha1-adrenergic stimulation limits ischemic acidosis by a cPKC-dependent mechanism and that the mobilization of the IP3 arm by receptor stimuli suppresses PKC-epsilon thus permitting the limitation of ischemic acidosis.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1996

Role of protein kinase C in attachment, spreading, and migration of human endothelial cells.

Attachment, spreading, and migration of vascular endothelial cells (EC) are necessary for angiogenesis, reendothelialization of an injured artery, or seeding of a prosthetic graft. However, little is known about the signaling pathways that mediate these effects. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a ubiquitous intracellular messenger which we have previously shown to be necessary for EC proliferation (Kent et al., 1995, Circ. Res. 77, 231-238). In this study, we investigate whether activation of PKC is necessary for EC attachment, spreading, and migration. Using human umbilical vein EC, we found that direct activation of PKC with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate enhanced all three processes. Inhibition of PKC by the selective agent, chelerythrine, markedly diminished the ability of EC to attach, spread, and migrate. Depletion of intracellular PKC by downregulation (prolonged exposure of EC to phorbol ester) reduced EC attachment and migration; however, downregulation had no effect on endothelial spreading. PKC is a family of isotypes, each of which may control specific cellular functions. By Western blotting, we identified PKC alpha, beta, delta, epsilon, eta, theta, and zeta isotypes in human EC. Downregulation led to a significant reduction in the quantity of PKC alpha and epsilon. These data demonstrate that activation of PKC is both necessary and sufficient for attachment, spreading, and migration of human EC. An isotype of PKC that is susceptible to downregulation (either alpha and/or epsilon) is at least partially responsible for attachment and migration. Pharmacological activation of PKC may be used as a method to enhance reendothelialization.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2001

Protein kinase C inhibition abrogates hepatic ischemic preconditioning responses.

INTRODUCTION: A transient period of warm ischemia prior to a longer ischemic episode (ischemic preconditioning) protects the hepatic graft from cold ischemia. The mechanism for this protection is unknown, as is the role of protein kinase C in ischemic preconditioning responses. METHODS: Livers from 40 kg Yorkshire pigs were harvested and subjected to 2 h of cold ischemia (n = 6) (control). Another group of harvested livers was pretreated with a 15-min ischemic period followed by 15 min of in situ perfusion with (n = 5) or without (n = 5) a protein kinase C inhibitor, chelerythrine. Following cold ischemia, all grafts were reperfused on a perfusion circuit and the following variables evaluated: (1) hepatic graft function, (2) graft circulatory impairment, (3) hepatocellular damage, and (4) endothelial cell damage. Protein kinase C levels were also evaluated by Western blot in the cytoplasm of all grafts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Ischemic preconditioned grafts demonstrate improved graft function, reduced graft circulatory impairment, and reduced endothelial cell damage as compared to cold ischemia controls. When preconditioned grafts were pretreated with chelerythrine, graft function, graft circulatory impairment, and endothelial cell damage were no different than cold ischemia controls. Ischemic preconditioned grafts demonstrated decreased levels of protein kinase C prior to cold ischemia. There was no change in protein kinase C levels in cold ischemia controls or chelerythrine-pretreated grafts prior to cold ischemia. These data indicate that modulation of protein kinase C is essential for ischemic preconditioning responses in the cold preserved hepatic graft.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1997

Anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities of protopine.

The effects of protopine on human platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism via cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOP) enzymes were examined. Platelet aggregation induced by various platelet agonists (AA, ADP, collagen and PAF) was strongly inhibited by protopine in a concentration-related manner. The IC50 values (microM) of protopine (mean +/- SEM) against: AA; 12 +/- 2: ADP; 9 +/- 2: collagen; 16 +/- 2 and PAF; 11 +/- 1, were much less than those observed for aspirin. In addition, protopine selectively inhibited the synthesis of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) via COX pathway and had no effect on the LOP pathway in platelets. In vivo, pretreatment with protopine (50-100 mg kg-1) protected rabbits from the lethal effects of AA (2 mg kg-1) or PAF (11 micrograms kg-1) in dose-dependent fashion. Protopine (50-100 mg kg-1) also inhibited carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema with a potency of three-fold as compared to aspirin. These results are suggestive that protopine acts as a potent inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis and PAF with anti-inflammatory properties.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1998

An assessment of the potential of protopine to inhibit microsomal drug metabolising enzymes and prevent chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents.

The potential of protopine to inhibit microsomal drug metabolising enzymes (MDM E) and prevent paracetamol- and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was studied in rats. Paracetamol at the dose of 640 mg kg-1 produced hepatic damage in rats as manifested by the rise in serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) to 972+/-186 and 624+/-131 IU (mean+/-sem; n=10), respectively, compared to respective control values of 101+/-29 and 64+/-18 IU. Pretreatment of rats with protopine (11 mg kg-1, orally twice daily for 2 days) lowered significantly the respective serum AST and ALT levels (P<0.05) to 289+/-52 and 178+/-43 IU. The hepatotoxic dose of CCl4 (1.5 ml kg-1; orally) raised serum AST and ALT levels to 543+/-89 and 387+/-69 IU (mean+/-sem; n=10), respectively, compared to respective control values of 98+/-28 and 56+/-17 IU. The same dose of protopine (11 mg kg-1) was able to prevent significantly (P<0.05), the CCl4-induced rise in serum enzymes and the estimated values of AST and ALT were 168+/-36 and 93+/-28 IU, respectively. Protopine caused prolongation (P<0.05) in pentobarbital (55 mg kg-1)-induced sleep as well as potentiated strychnine-induced toxicity in rats, suggestive of an inhibitory effect on MDME. These results indicate that protopine exhibits anti-hepatotoxic action which may be mediated through inhibition of MDME.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1999

Viadent usage and oral leukoplakia: a spurious association.

Oral rinse and toothpaste products (Viadent) containing Sanguinaria extract have been shown through extensive clinical trials to be effective against plaque build-up and gingivitis. To establish safety, a comprehensive research program was conducted, including a series of clinical studies and a number of animal studies to evaluate acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity, and the potential for irritation of mucosal tissues. In 1990 and 1993, an Expert Panel reported on reviews of these data and concluded that Viadent products are safe for their intended use. Despite the large database of information to support the safety of Viadent products, Damm et al. (1999) recently raised the possibility that their usage may be causally associated with development of oral leukoplakia. However, a critique of this recent report shows that it does not fulfil criteria for establishing causation. In particular, the study does not show that exposure to Viadent preceded the onset of leukoplakia, it does not demonstrate dose-response or biological plausibility, and it suffers from selection and information bias and from potential confounding. Furthermore, upon critical evaluation, the Damm et al. (1999) report on a case-series is inconsistent with the weight of available clinical evidence showing that Sanguinaria extract-containing oral health care products cause no cytotoxic or significant irritant effects in the oral mucosa in human studies of up to 6 months duration. The animal data similarly do not support a causal association between Viadent usage and oral leukoplakia in humans. These data demonstrate that Sanguinaria extract and whole Viadent formulations are without significant irritation potential and have no effects on the oral mucosa, even in studies with life-long dietary exposure to Sanguinaria extract. The mutagenicity and genotoxicity data do not indicate that Sanguinaria extract or its components are genotoxic in vivo. The results of 2 GLP-compliant rat oncogenicity studies provide no evidence of any carcinogenic effect of Sanguinaria extract. In conclusion, the available clinical and animal data provide no support for and in fact argue strongly against the hypothesis that the use of Viadent toothpaste and/or oral rinse products may be causally associated with the development of leukoplakia in humans.

Alkaloids↗