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Effect of PD fluid instillation on the peritonitis-induced influx and bacterial clearing capacity of peritoneal cells.

BACKGROUND: The commonly used peritoneal dialysis fluids contain glucose as the osmotic agent. Heat sterilization leads to the formation of glucose degradation products which contribute, together with glucose, to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs have been shown to be present in the peritoneal cavity. Methods have been developed to minimize the amount of glucose degradation products in peritoneal dialysis fluids. In a rat peritoneal dialysis model, we compare the effect of a commonly used peritoneal dialysis fluid, Gambrosol, with a newly developed peritoneal dialysis fluid, PD-Bio, on the influx and functional capacity of the peritoneal cells after 2 weeks of peritoneal dialysis fluid instillation. METHODS: Three groups of animals were used: rats received daily infusion with 15 ml of either 4% Gambrosol (group 1) or 4% PD-Bio (group 2), and a control group of animals did not receive fluid (group 3). After 2 weeks of PD fluid instillation, all the animals were injected with a 0.5 ml suspension containing 3x10(8) colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. The in vivo bacterial clearing capacity was determined after 15 h. RESULTS: A statistically significant higher leukocyte influx was found in the control group compared with both PD fluid-injected groups. No statistical differences in bacterial clearing were observed among the three groups, although the number of bacteria recovered from the PD-Bio group tended to be lower than that from the Gambrosol group. Moreover, in both PD fluid instillation groups, the bacteria tended to be cleared more slowly compared with the control group. The number of mesothelial cells in the PD fluid groups was significantly greater than in the control group. CONCLUSION: No differences were observed in bacterial clearing capacity, leukocyte influx and mesothelial cell number after a 2 week exposure of the peritoneal cavity to Gambrosol vs PD-Bio.

Animals↗

I-125 versus Pd-103 for low-risk prostate cancer: morbidity outcomes from a prospective randomized multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the shorter half-life of Pd-103 versus I-125 results in a shorter duration of radiation-related symptoms after prostate brachytherapy. METHODS: As of February 2000, 110 of a planned total of 380 patients with 1997 American Joint Commission clinical stage T1c-T2a prostatic carcinoma (Gleason grade 2-6, prostate-specific antigen, 4-10 ng/mL) had been randomly assigned to implantation with I-125 (144 Gy, TG-43) or Pd-103 (125 Gy, NIST-99). Isotope implantation was performed by standard techniques, using a modified peripheral loading pattern. Treatment-related morbidity was monitored by mailed questionnaires, using standard American Urologic Association (AUA) and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Use of alpha-blockers to relieve obstructive symptoms was not controlled for but was noted at each follow-up point. All patients reported here have a minimum 1-year follow-up. Randomization was carried out at a central enrollment office where eligibility criteria were confirmed and the patient assigned by computerized random number generator to one of the two treatment arms. Patients were assigned to 95 blocks of four. Most statistical comparisons shown here are by Student's unpaired t-test at specific follow-up times, as indicated in the figure legends. Additionally, considering the patients' scores change overtime, repeated measures were incorporated in a mixed model assuming an unstructured covariance matrix. RESULTS: Patients in each arm were well matched by preimplant prostate volume, AUA score, and age. The AUA scores peaked at the 1-month point for both isotopes and then gradually declined. The difference was greatest at 6 months, when I-125 patients had a mean AUA score of 16 (+/- 8), compared with 11 (+/- 10) for the Pd-103 patients. By 12 months, mean AUA scores for the Pd-103 patients had decreased to 12 (+/- 9), compared with 13 (+/- 8) for the I-125 patients. At 6 months after implantation, 41% of Pd-103 patients were still taking alpha-blockers, versus 44% of I-125 patients. The differences between isotopes were more marked in patients with a low pretreatment AUA score or smaller preimplant transrectal ultrasonography volume. Results of the mixed model, incorporating repeated measures for each patient, showed that the effect of isotope choice on AUA score depended on time. This effect was further dependent on baseline AUA score, but not on transrectal ultrasonography volume or on age. Urinary and rectal morbidity was generally low, typically grade 1 or 2. There was a trend to greater morbidity with I-125 than with Pd-103, most markedly at the 6-month time point. DISCUSSION: Patients treated with Pd-103 recovered from their radiation-induced prostatitis sooner than I-125 patients. It appears that patients with minimal pretreatment urinary obstructive symptoms are the most likely to experience implant-related exacerbations of their symptoms and are the most likely to benefit from the more rapid half-life of Pd-103 rather than I-125.

Aged↗

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a marker of germinal center-associated T cells and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Programmed death-1 (PD-1), a member of the CD28 costimulatory receptor family, is expressed by germinal center-associated T cells in reactive lymphoid tissue. In a study of a wide range of lymphoproliferative disorders, neoplastic T cells in 23 cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphoma were immunoreactive for PD-1, but other subtypes of T cell and B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as classic Hodgkin lymphoma, did not express PD-1. The pattern of PD-1 immunostaining of neoplastic cells in angioimmunoblastic lymphoma was similar to that reported for CD10, a recently described marker of neoplastic T cells in angioimmunoblastic lymphoma. Tumor-associated follicular dendritic cells in cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphoma were found to express PD-L1, the PD-1 ligand. In addition, PD-1-positive reactive T cells formed rosettes around neoplastic L&H cells in 14 cases of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma studied. These findings, along with data from previous studies, suggest that angioimmunoblastic lymphoma is a neoplasm of germinal center-associated T cells and that there is an association of germinal center-associated T cells and neoplastic cells in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. PD-1 is a useful new marker for angioimmunoblastic lymphoma and lends further support to a model of T-cell lymphomagenesis in which specific subtypes of T cells may undergo neoplastic transformation and result in specific, distinct histologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical subtypes of T-cell neoplasia.

Antigens, CD↗

Identification of a novel splice variant of human PD-L1 mRNA encoding an isoform-lacking Igv-like domain.

AIM: To investigate the expression and regulation of PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). METHODS: The cDNA encoding human PD-L1 precursor was cloned from the total RNA extracted from the resting and phorbol dibutyrate plus ionomycin- or phytohemagglutinin-activated PBMC, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and independent clones were sequenced and analyzed. The expression and subcellular localization were examined in transiently transfected cells. The PD-L1 gene expression in different PBMC was also analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: A novel human PD-L1 splice variant was identified from the activated PBMC. It was generated by splicing out exon? encoding an immunoglobulin variable domain (Igv)-like domain but retaining all other exons without a frame-shift. Consequently, the putative translated protein contained all other domains including the transmembrane region except for the Igv-like domain. Furthermore, the conventional isoform was expressed on the plasma surface whereas the novel isoform showed a pattern of intracellular membrane distribution in transiently transfected K562 cells. In addition, the expression pattern of the PD-L1 splice variant was variable in different individuals and in different cellular status. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 expression may be regulated at the posttranscriptional level through alternative splicing, and modulation of the PD-L1 isoform expression may influence the outcome of specific immune responses in the peripheral tissues.

Adult↗

In vitro activity of PD 127,391, an enhanced-spectrum quinolone.

The in vitro activity of PD 127,391, a dihalogenated quinolone, was compared with those of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, and cefuroxime against 525 recent isolates and well-characterized antimicrobial agent-resistant strains. The MICs of PD 127,391 against 90% of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria sp., and Streptococcus pneumoniae were less than or equal to 0.12 microgram/ml. Some 90% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococci were susceptible to 0.25 micrograms of PD 127,391 per ml. Against most strains, PD 127,391 was 2- to 8-fold more active than ciprofloxacin, but it was 64-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against B. fragilis. Strains of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae which were resistant to nalidixic acid were less susceptible to all of the quinolones tested, including PD 127,391. The MIC and minimum lethal concentration of PD 127,391 against three strains of Chlamydia trachomatis were each 0.06 microgram/ml, and the MIC against 90% of 21 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 1 microgram/ml. PD 127,391 was less active at pH 5, its maximal activity being at pH 7 to 8. The presence of urine at pH 5.9 decreased the bactericidal activity. The protein binding of PD 127,391 was 2 to 7%, and serum had little effect on activity.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

In vitro activities of PD 117,596 and reference antibiotics against 448 clinical bacterial strains.

The in vitro activity of PD 117,596, a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic, was tested against 448 bacterial isolates (15 genera) by agar dilution (inoculum, 10(4) CFU per spot). The activity of PD 117,596 was compared with that of 15 antibiotics against 327 gram-negative strains and with that of 8 other antibiotics against 121 gram-positive strains. PD 117,596 demonstrated the best activity against Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter spp., Serratia marcescens, and Branhamella catarrhalis (MICs for 90% of the isolates [MIC90S], 0.008 to 0.25 microgram/ml). PD 117,596 (MIC90, 0.25 microgram/ml) was at least twofold more active than ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas spp. PD 117,596 and ciprofloxacin were similar in activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Legionella pneumophila, and Campylobacter jejuni (MIC90, 0.002 to 0.125 microgram/ml). PD 117,596 was more active than ciprofloxacin against streptococcal groups A, B, C, and G, S. pneumoniae, and enterococci (MIC90S, 0.06 to 0.125 microgram/ml). Against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant isolates, PD 117,596 (MIC90S, 0.03 to 0.06 microgram/ml) was 4- to 16-fold more active than ciprofloxacin and was most active against Corynebacterium spp. PD 117,596 appears to be the most active fluoroquinolone to date, with excellent activity against gram-positive bacteria and enhanced activity against gram-negative aerobic-facultative bacteria.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

CTLA-4 and PD-1 receptors inhibit T-cell activation by distinct mechanisms.

CTLA-4 and PD-1 are receptors that negatively regulate T-cell activation. Ligation of both CTLA-4 and PD-1 blocked CD3/CD28-mediated upregulation of glucose metabolism and Akt activity, but each accomplished this regulation using separate mechanisms. CTLA-4-mediated inhibition of Akt phosphorylation is sensitive to okadaic acid, providing direct evidence that PP2A plays a prominent role in mediating CTLA-4 suppression of T-cell activation. In contrast, PD-1 signaling inhibits Akt phosphorylation by preventing CD28-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). The ability of PD-1 to suppress PI3K/AKT activation was dependent upon the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motif located in its cytoplasmic tail, adding further importance to this domain in mediating PD-1 signal transduction. Lastly, PD-1 ligation is more effective in suppressing CD3/CD28-induced changes in the T-cell transcriptional profile, suggesting that differential regulation of PI3K activation by PD-1 and CTLA-4 ligation results in distinct cellular phenotypes. Together, these data suggest that CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibit T-cell activation through distinct and potentially synergistic mechanisms.

Antigens, CD↗

Cholecystokinin type B receptor antagonist PD-136,450 is a partial secretory agonist in the stomach and a full agonist in the pancreas of the rat.

Gastrin (cholecystokinin type B (CCK-B)) receptor antagonists may help to elucidate the physiological role of gastrin, have therapeutic potential as acid antisecretory drugs, and may be of use as adjuvant therapy for gastrin sensitive tumours. In binding studies, the gastrin receptor antagonist PD-136,450 had at least 1000 fold greater affinity for gastrin (CCK-B) than CCK-A receptors. In this study the biological activity of PD-136,450 was evaluated in conscious and anaesthetised rats. PD-136,450 antagonised gastrin stimulated acid secretion after subcutaneous (IC50: 0.28 mumol/kg; conscious rats) and intravenous (IC50: 0.17 mumol/kg; anaesthetised rats) administration. In basal secreting fistula animals, the compound stimulated acid output to 30 (5)% of the maximal response to gastrin. Stimulant activity was not caused by gastrin release. As an agonist PD-136,450 was about 350 times less potent than gastrin-17 on a molar basis. In addition, PD-136,450 was a powerful agonist of pancreatic secretion in anaesthetised rats. The specific gastrin antagonist L-365,260 inhibited the (partial) agonist activity of PD-136,450 in the stomach and the specific CCK-A receptor antagonist L-364,718 inhibited the agonist activity of PD-136,450 in the pancreas. It is concluded that the agonist effect of PD-136,450 is mediated via interaction with the gastrin (CCK-B) receptor in the stomach and the CCK-A receptor in the pancreas.

Animals↗

The COMT L allele modifies the association between MAOB polymorphism and PD in Taiwanese.

OBJECTIVE: Reports suggest that catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT(L/L)) (Val(158)/Met) and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) intron 13 genotype polymorphism is associated with PD. To understand the ethnicity-specific effects of genetic polymorphism, we performed a case-control study of the association between PD susceptibility and polymorphism of MAOB and COMT, both separately and in combination, in Taiwanese. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-four patients with PD and 197 controls, matched for age, sex, and birthplace, were recruited. MAOB and COMT polymorphism genotyping was performed by using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. chi(2), OR, and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare differences in allelic frequencies and genotypes. RESULTS: The MAOB G genotype (G in men and G:/G in women) was associated with a 2.07-fold increased relative risk of PD. COMT polymorphism, considered alone, showed no correlation with PD risk; however, a significant synergistic enhancement was found in PD patients harboring both the COMT(L) and MAOB G genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in Taiwanese, PD risk is associated with MAOB G intron 13 polymorphism, and this association is augmented in the presence of the COMT(L) genotype, indicating an interaction of these two dopamine-metabolizing enzymes in the pathogenesis of sporadic PD. However, the relatively low frequencies of these combined genotypes in our study necessitates confirmation with a larger sample size.

Aged↗

Diffusion-weighted MRI differentiates the Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy from PD.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: Routine MRI as well as MR volumetry and MRS have been shown to contribute to the differential diagnosis of the Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) and PD. However, it is currently unknown whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) discriminates these disorders. METHODS: Ten patients with MSA-P (mean age, 64 years) were studied, 11 with PD (mean age, 64 years), and seven healthy volunteers (mean age, 59 years) matched for age and disease duration. Regional apparent diffusion coefficients (rADC) were determined in different brain regions including basal ganglia, gray matter, white matter, substantia nigra, and pons. RESULTS: Patients with MSA-P had higher putaminal rADC (median 0.791 x 10(3)/mm(2)/s) than both patients with PD (median 0.698 x 10(3)/mm(2)/s, p < 0.001) and healthy volunteers (median 0.727 x 10(3)/mm(2)/s, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in putaminal rADC between patients with PD and healthy volunteers. Moreover, none of the putaminal rADC values in the PD and control group surpassed the lowest value in the MSA-P group. There were no significant group differences in the rADC values in other brain regions such as pons, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, thalamus, or gray and white matter. Putaminal rADC values correlated significantly with Unified PD Rating Scale OFF scores in patients with MSA as measured by the Spearman rank test. CONCLUSION: DWI, even if measured in the slice direction only, is able to discriminate MSA-P and both patients with PD and healthy volunteers on the basis of putaminal rADC values. The increased putaminal rADC values in Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy are likely to reflect ongoing striatal degeneration, whereas most neuropathologic studies reveal intact striatum in PD. Diffusion-weighted imaging may represent a useful diagnostic tool that can provide additional support for a diagnosis of Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy.

Aged↗

Bioavailability assessment of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) using pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling in the rat.

A novel method of assessing the extent of oral bioavailability of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) from pharmacological data was presented. After intravascular administration (i.v. bolus or short-term infusion) of AVP to rats, the relationship between blood concentrations and its effect on both mean arterial pressure (hemodynamic effect) and urinary sodium concentration (anti-diuretic effect) was described on the basis of an integrated pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model. A direct model was used for the hemodynamic response, while an indirect response model, rather than a hypothetical link model was used for the anti-diuretic response. A sigmoid Emax model was applied to describe the drug-receptor interaction. Pharmacological responses after intravascular administration of AVP were reasonably described by the PK-PD model. However, PD parameters estimated by the PK-PD analysis suggested that apparent receptor affinity rather than efficacy in i.v. bolus study was significantly higher than that in the short-term infusion study. This fact indicated that PK-PD relationship was influenced by the intravascular input rate of AVP. We then investigated the relationship between plasma concentration and amount of AVP bound to the V2 receptors in the kidney. The result indicated that the amount of AVP bound to the receptors after i.v. bolus injection was always greater than that after short-term infusion. Since the PK-PD relationship after oral administration was almost identical with that after short-term infusion, the PK-PD model obtained in the short-term infusion study was used to assess the extent of oral bioavailability (EBAPp.o.). The EBAp.o. values, estimated from pharmacological effects (hemodynamic effect and anti-diuretic effect) after oral administration of 5 microg/kg of AVP were 0.68% to 0.93% and were almost identical with the actual EBAPp.o. value (0.81%). From these results, we concluded that oral bioavailability of AVP was reasonably predicted by the PK-PD model, provided that appropriate pharmacological effects and appropriate intravascular dosing rate as a reference formulation are available. The method may be an alternative to methods based on plasma concentrations, when drug concentration cannot be measured and when appropriate pharmacological data are available.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of Pd and In on mercury evaporation from amalgams.

The amount of Hg vapor released from "synthesized" gamma 1 with 1% (wt) Pd was reported to be less than 30% of that from gamma 1 with no Pd. This study tested the hypothesis that Hg evaporation from Pd-containing amalgams decreases with Pd concentration and that In also reduces Hg vapor. Specimens (4 mm dia, 8 mm long) were prepared by triturating Ag-Sn(25%)-Cu(12%) alloy powder containing 0.5-9.0% Pd with pure Hg and by triturating 3% Pd alloy powder with Hg containing 1-5% In (all residual Hg approximately equal to 62%). The total amount (ng/mm2) of Hg vapor released at 37 degrees C from freshly prepared amalgams was measured. Pd (3-9%) in the powder significantly (p < 0.05) decreased Hg vapor release from amalgams during setting. Use of In-containing Hg also reduced Hg vapor release (5% In, p < 0.05). The reduction in the Hg vapor pressure by adding Pd and the rapid oxide film formation on the In-containing amalgam appear to work together to reduce Hg vaporization from these amalgams.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Comparative pharmacology of the nonpeptide neuromedin B receptor antagonist PD 168368.

The mammalian peptide neuromedin B (NMB) and its receptor are expressed in a variety of tissues; however, little is definitively established about its physiological actions because of the lack of potent, specific antagonists. Recently, the peptoid PD 168368 was found to be a potent human NMB receptor antagonist. Because it had been shown previously that either synthetic analogs of bombesin (Bn) or other receptor peptoid or receptor antagonists function as an antagonist or agonist depends on animal species and receptor subtype studied, we investigated the pharmacological properties of PD 168368 compared with all currently known Bn receptor subtypes (NMB receptor, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, Bn receptor subtype 3, and Bn receptor subtype 4) from human, mouse, rat, and frog. In binding studies, PD 168368 had similar high affinities (K(i) = 15-45 nM) for NMB receptors from each species examined, 30- to 60-fold lower affinity for gastrin-releasing peptide receptors, and >300-fold lower affinity for Bn receptor subtype 3 or 4. It inhibited NMB binding in a competitive manner. PD 168368 alone did not stimulate increases in either intracellular calcium concentration or [(3)H]inositol phosphates in any of the cells studied but inhibited NMB-induced responses with equivalent potencies in cells containing NMB receptors. PD 168368 was only minimally soluble in water. When hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin rather than dimethyl sulfoxide was used as the vehicle, both the affinity and the antagonist potency of PD 168368 were significantly greater. The results demonstrate that PD 168368 is a potent, competitive, and selective antagonist at NMB receptors, with a similar pharmacology across animal species. PD 168368 should prove useful for delineating the biological role of NMB and selectively blocking NMB signaling in bioassays and as a lead for the development of more selective nonpeptide antagonists for the NMB receptor.

3T3 Cells↗

The biochemistry and pharmacology of PD 116124 (8-amino-2'-nordeoxyguanosine), an inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP).

PD 116124 (8-amino-2'-nordeoxyguanosine; 2,8-diamino-1,9-dihydro-9- ([2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy]methyl)-6H-purin-6-one) is a competitive, reversible inhibitor of human purine nucleoside phosphorylase with an apparent inhibition constant of 0.41 microM. In a cell line system using human MOLT-4 and CEM T lymphoblasts and human MGL-8 and NC-37 B lymphoblasts, PD 116124 failed to inhibit [3H]thymidine uptake at concentrations up to 500 microM. However, in the presence of 10 microM 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo), a noninhibitory dGuo concentration by itself, PD 116124 produced potent inhibition of growth of both T cell lines but not of either B cell line. Significant elevation of intracellular 2'-deoxyguanosine triphosphate was observed in both inhibited T cell lines but not in either B cell line. Greater and more sustained accumulation of 2'-deoxyguanosine triphosphate was observed in T lymphoblasts cultured with PD 116124 plus dGuo than with dGuo only. PD 116124 was only weakly inhibitory in human mixed lymphocyte cultures (IC50 approximately equal to 1420 microM), but in the presence of 10 microM dGuo, the IC50 for PD 116124 was reduced to 108.7 microM. Administration of PD 116124 p.o. to normal male Wistar rats caused dose-dependent elevation of plasma inosine up through 500 mg/kg. Maximal inosine elevation occurred at 30 min after dosing, and elevation was significant even 24 hr after dosing. Guanosine was also elevated, although not in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of PD 116124 i.v. produced marked and statistically significant elevation of both inosine and guanosine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Cloning of the cDNA of human PD-L1 gene and the expression of its extracellular domain in Escherichia coli].

AIM: To clone human PD-L1 cDNA and construct a prokaryotic expression vector for the extracellular domain of PD-L1 gene. METHODS: The human PD-L1 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR from the total RNA of activated human peripheral lymphocytes. The prokaryotic expression vector for the extracellular domain of PD-L1 gene was constructed and protein expression in E.coli strain BL21(DE3) was determined. RESULTS: The full-length gene coding sequence of PD-L1 was cloned and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The prokaryotic expression vector for the extracellular domain of PD-L1 gene fused with His(6) tag at the C-terminus was then constructed. The recombinant protein was expressed in E.coli after IPTG induction and identified by Western blot. The expressed product had a relative molecular mass (M(r)) being 22 000, which was consistent with theoretical value. CONCLUSION: The PD-L1 gene was successfully cloned and the extracellular domain of the protein was expressed in E.coli, which lays the foundation for further study of the function of PD-L1.

Antigens, CD↗

Cardiac angiotensin receptors: effects of selective angiotensin II receptor antagonists, DUP 753 and PD 121981, in rabbit heart.

Angiotensin II (AII) elicits a positive inotropic response in cardiac muscle preparations from several species including humans. The purpose of this study was to characterize the AII binding sites and inotropic responses in rabbit ventricle using the selective AII receptor antagonists/ligands, DuP 753 (AT1) and PD 121981 (AT2). Biphasic displacement of specific 125I-Sar1,Ile8-AII binding was observed with both DuP 753 and PD 121981, suggesting the presence of two AII binding sites. The high affinity site for DuP 753 (29 nM) was a low affinity site for PD 121981 (91 microM), and the high affinity site for PD 121981 (78 nM) was a low affinity site for DuP 753 (81 microM). Of the specific AII binding, 70% was DuP 753 (AT1)-sensitive sites. Positive inotropic responses to AII in isolated papillary muscles from rabbit heart were antagonized competitively by both DuP 753 and PD 121981. The potencies of DuP 753 (pA2 = 7.99) and PD 121981 (pA2 = 4.28) to antagonize AII inotropic responses were similar to their potencies to displace 125I-Sar1,Ile8-AII from AT1 sites. There was no apparent functional consequence of AII interaction with AT2 site. Inotropic responses to isoproterenol were unaffected by DuP 753 and PD 121981. Therefore, there are two binding sites for AII in rabbit ventricle; however, only one site, AT1, participates in the inotropic response to AII. The roles of these receptor subtypes in other cardiac responses to AII have yet to be determined. Also, DuP 753 and PD 121981 are useful tools to study these two AII binding sites in cardiac preparations.

Angiotensin II↗

[Dissimilar glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency in the Afars and the Somalis of Djibouti].

In order to determine the prevalence of deficient activity of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) among the inhabitants of the east African Republic of Djibouti, we analyzed by the methaemoglobin reduction test the blood of 170 Djiboutian males, 81 Afars and 89 Somalis. Eight subjects were found to be G-6-PD deficient, 1 Afar and 7 Somalis (1.2% versus 8%; P = 0.02). We conclude that in Djibouti, health care providers should consider the presence of potential G-6-PD deficiency in their patients, especially in males of the Somali ethnic group. Indeed, many medications are contraindicated in the G-6-PD deficient subjects, and primaquine and pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (FANSIDAR) have to be considered dangerous anti-malarial drugs for Somali males as long as their level of G-6-PD activity has not been determined. Since in Djibouti many acute falciparum cases are presenting with severe icteric anaemia, we hypothesize that some of these haemolytic anaemias might not be caused by the parasitic infection alone, but that some malaria patients might become aggravated through the administration of haemolytic drugs in case they are G-6-PD deficient. Finally, we propose that our study should be expanded to include the systematic determination of the variants of the enzyme in all subjects found G-6-PD deficient, since the clinical manifestations of G-6-PD deficiency are directly related to the type of variant present.

Antimalarials↗

[3H]PD 140376: a novel and highly selective antagonist radioligand for the cholecystokininB/gastrin receptor in guinea pig cerebral cortex and gastric mucosa.

The specific binding characteristics of the novel cholecystokinin (CCK)B/gastrin receptor-selective peptoid antagonist radioligand [3H]PD 140376 were investigated using membrane homogenates prepared from guinea pig cerebral cerebral cortex and gastric fundic mucosa. [3H]PD 140376 (0.01-10 nM) bound to both cerebral cortex and gastric gland homogenates with comparable high affinity (Kd, 0.1-0.2 nM) and to an apparent single population of sites with Bmax values of 119 and 296 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. The level of specific binding, defined as that displaced by unlabeled CCK sulfated octapeptide, was routinely between 60 and 70% in the cortex and between 50 and 60% in the fundic mucosa. Pharmacological characterization of the [3H]PD 140376-labeled binding sites with a series of agonist and antagonist ligands selective for each of the CCK receptor subtypes demonstrated, in both preparations, an affinity profile consistent with that of the CCKB/gastrin receptor. However, Hill slopes for the competition curves for the unlabeled agonist ligands against specific [3H]PD 140376 binding were significantly less than unity, whereas those for the antagonist ligands, including unlabeled PD 140376, were close to unity. The affinity and Hill slope for PD 140376 and the related CCKB/gastrin antagonist CI-988 were unaffected by the presence of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate. In contrast, guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate caused a characteristic decrease in affinity and an increase in the Hill slopes towards unity for the agonist ligands CCK sulfated octapeptide and pentagastrin. The binding characteristics of unlabeled PD 140376 were also unaffected by the presence of the monovalent cation sodium. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that [3H]PD 140376 is the most potent and selective antagonist radioligand yet described for the characterization of CCKB/gastrin receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Animals↗