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Persistence of the effect of insulin on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in rat white and brown adipose tissue during the preparation and subsequent incubation of mitochondria.

Increases in the amount of the active non-phosphorylated form of pyruvate dehydrogenase in rat epididymal adipose tissue, as a result of incubation with insulin, persist not only during the preparation of mitochondria but also during subsequent incubation of coupled mitochondria in the presence of respiratory substrates. No effect on insulin was found if the hormone was added directly to mitochondria in the presence or absence of added plasma membranes. Concentrations of several possible regulators of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (ATP, ADP, NADH, NAD+, acetyl-CoA, CoA and potassium) were measured in rat epididymal-adipose-tissue mitochondria incubated under conditions where differences in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity persist as a result of insulin action. No alterations were found, and it is suggested that inhibition of the kinase is not the principal means by which insulin activates pyruvate dehydrogenase. The intramitochondrial concentration of magnesium was also unaffected. Differences in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in interscapular brown adipose tissue associated with manipulation of plasma insulin concentrations of cold-adapted rats were also shown to persist during the preparation and subsequent incubation of mitochondria in the presence or absence of GDP. It is pointed out that the persistence of the effect of insulin on pyruvate dehydrogenase in incubated mitochondria will facilitate the recognition of the mechanism of this action of the hormone. Evidence that the short-term action of insulin involves an increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate phosphatase activity rather than inhibition of that of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase is discussed.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Modification of the cardiac action potential by intracellular injection of adenosine triphosphate and related substances in guinea pig single ventricular cells.

Effects of varying the intracellular adenosine triphosphate level on both the action potential and the membrane current were studied in single ventricular cells isolated from the guinea pig heart, using collagenase. Intracellular injection of adenosine triphosphate elevated the plateau potential level and prolonged the action potential duration. Similar results were obtained by injecting adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, or creatine phosphate, i.e., substances considered to increase the intracellular concentration of adenosine triphosphate. In contrast, the action potential was depressed by procedures which could reduce the intracellular adenosine triphosphate level, such as an injection of creatine, superfusion of glucose-free Tyrode's solution containing 5.4 mM cyanide ion, or an injection of adenosine monophosphate into the cyanide-superfused cell. When the membrane current was recorded under the voltage clamp, it was found that the injection of adenosine triphosphate increased the amplitude of the slow inward current, whereas the superfusion of cyanide ion did not significantly decrease the slow inward current, although the action potential became considerably shorter. It was also found that the adenosine monophosphate injection decreased the amplitude of the net outward membrane current at the plateau level and increased it at around -40 mV, and thus intensified the N-shape of the isochronal 0.3-second current-voltage curve. The cyanide ion superfusion produced the opposite effect; in response to depolarizing clamp pulses more positive to the plateau level, the membrane current increased significantly with cyanide ion, but increased only slightly with adenosine triphosphate. These results suggest that intracellular adenosine triphosphate modifies the membrane currents at the plateau potential range, thus altering the action potential duration.

Action Potentials↗

Neuronal glucosensing: what do we know after 50 years?

Glucosensing neurons are specialized cells that use glucose as a signaling molecule to alter their action potential frequency in response to variations in ambient glucose levels. Glucokinase (GK) appears to be the primary regulator of most neuronal glucosensing, but other regulators almost certainly exist. Glucose-excited neurons increase their activity when glucose levels rise, and most use GK and an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel as the ultimate effector of glucose-induced signaling. Glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons increase their activity at low glucose levels. Although many use GK, it is unclear what the final pathway of GI neuronal glucosensing is. Glucosensing neurons are located in brain sites and respond to and integrate a variety of hormonal, metabolic, transmitter, and peptide signals involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis and other biological functions. Although it is still uncertain whether daily fluctuations in blood glucose play a specific regulatory role in these physiological functions, it is clear that large decreases in glucose availability stimulate food intake and counterregulatory responses that restore glucose levels to sustain cerebral function. Finally, glucosensing is altered in obesity and after recurrent bouts of hypoglycemia, and this altered sensing may contribute to the adverse outcomes of these conditions. Thus, although much is known, much remains to be learned about the physiological function of brain glucosensing neurons.

Action Potentials↗

Manipulation of cellular excitability by cell fusion: effects of rapid introduction of transient outward K+ current on the guinea pig action potential.

To investigate the still-undetermined role of the Ca2+-independent transient outward current (Ito1) on repolarization of the cardiac action potential, we used cell fusion to introduce Ito1 into guinea pig cardiomyocytes, which normally lack this current. This technique enables the rapid delivery of premade functional ion channels to cardiomyocytes within hours of isolation, thus eliminating the action potential alterations that complicate prolonged cell culture. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing Kv4.3 (CHO-Kv4. 3) were loaded with a fluorescent dye and fused to guinea pig cardiomyocytes using polyethylene glycol. As controls, nontransfected CHO cells were fused using the same protocol. Myocytes fused with CHO-Kv4.3 cells exhibited a robust Ito1 (16. 5+/-2.6 pA/pF at +40 mV; 37 degrees C; n=19), whereas controls had none. Ito1 accelerated the early repolarization velocity (r=-0.68; 3 ms after the overshoot) and progressively suppressed the voltage of the plateau phase (r=-0.90) with increasing Ito1 density. Reduction of the action potential duration to 50% repolarization (r=-0.76) and to 90% repolarization (r=-0.65) also correlated well with Ito1 density. Thus, Ito1 exerted a significant effect on the early repolarization phase and abbreviated action potential duration. Cell fusion is a valuable and generalizable technique to introduce preformed membrane proteins into native cells.

Action Potentials↗

Calcium mobilization and protease-activated receptor cleavage after thrombin stimulation in motor neurons.

Thrombin, the ultimate enzyme in the blood coagulation cascade, has prominent actions on various cells, including neurons. As in platelets, thrombin increases [Ca2+]i mobilization in neurons, and also retracts neurites. Both these effects are mediated through a G protein-coupled, proteolytically activated receptor for thrombin (PAR-1). Prolonged exposure to thrombin kills neurons via apoptosis, that may also involve PAR-1 activation. Increased [Ca2+]i has been a unifying mechanism proposed for cell death in several neurodegenerative diseases. Thrombin-elevated calcium levels may activate intracellular cascades in neurons leading to cell death. Since thrombin mediates its diverse effects on cells through both heterotrimeric and monomeric G proteins, we also explored what effect altering differential G protein coupling would have on the neuronal response to thrombin. We studied calcium mobilization by thrombin in a model motor neuronal cell line, NSC19, using fluorescence image analysis. Confirming effects in other neuronal types, thrombin caused dramatic increases in [Ca2+]i levels, both transiently and after prolonged exposure, which involved activation and cleavage of the PAR-1 receptor. Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot-blot analysis, we found that the N-terminal fragment of PAR-1 was released into the medium after exposure to thrombin. We confirmed that PAR-1 protein and mRNA expression occurred in motor neurons. We found that cholera toxin inhibited thrombin-mediated Ca2+ influx, pertussis toxin did not significantly alter thrombin action, and lovastatin, a small 21-kDa Ras GTPase (Rho) modulator, showed a tendency to reduce the thrombin effect. These data indicate that thrombin-increased [Ca2+]i, sufficient to trigger cell death in motor neurons, might be approached in vivo by modulating thrombin signaling through PAR-1.

Animals↗

The action of thiamine and its di- and triphosphates on the slow exponential decline of the ionic currents in the node of Ranvier.

Sodium and potassium currents in the node of Ranvier decrease exponentially with time during long lasting voltage clamp experiments. This decline is strongly dependent on temperature (Q10 approximately 3). Thiamine and, particularly, its diand triphosphoric acid esters are shown to prevent this exponential decline of the ionic currents. Thiamine acts from the outside and from the inside of the nodal membrane, but more potently from the inside. Thiamine diphosphate prevents the exponential decline of the ionic currents only when applied internally. Thiamine triphosphate, the most effective thiamine derivative was tested form the inside only. Bacterial thiaminases applied externally were not effective, presumably because they do not permeate the nodal membrane. Tetrodotoxin, that has been shown by other investigators to induce a release of thiamine from nerve membranes, does not alter the action of thiamine on the exponential decline of current and vice versa. It is concluded that: (1) thiamine diphosphate or thiamine triphosphate are the active thiamine compounds in nerve membranes; (2) the site of action is located at the internal suface of the membrane; (3) the reduction of the thiamine concentration in the membrane or in the axoplasm could cause the exponetial decline of currents; (4) the release of thiamine from nerve membranes induced by tetrodotoxin is interpreted as a side effect not even related to the mechanism by which tetrodotoxin blocks the sodium channels; (5) thiamine polyphosphates appear to stabilise the intrinsic electric field strength of the nodal membrane in the resing state. Threfore, as a working hypothesis, it is suggested that the thiamine derivatives control the number of functioning ionic channels by stabilising the density of negative surface charges at the inner side of the nerve membrane.

Animals↗

Relationship of urotensin I induced vasodilatory action in rat thoracic aorta to Ca2+ regulation.

The relaxant effects of the synthetic fish neuropeptide urotensin I were examined in helical strips of rat aorta. In K+-depolarized aorta strips, urotensin I and verapamil competitively inhibited Ca2+-induced contractions. Urotensin I relaxed, in a concentration-dependent manner, the contraction produced by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, whereas verapamil had no effect on this contraction, even at a concentration of 10(-5) M. In the absence and presence of extracellular Ca2+, urotensin I inhibited both components of the contractions elicited by norepinephrine or urotensin II, another fish neuropeptide. Verapamil reduced only the norepinephrine or urotensin II induced contraction in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, with little or no change in the contraction in Ca2+-free buffer. The urotensin I induced relaxation response in aortic strips contracted by 40 mM KCl was enhanced by pretreatment with papaverine or forskolin. Pretreatment with dibutyryl cAMP did not significantly alter the action of urotensin I. The presence or absence of endothelial cells did not change the response to urotensin I. These results suggest that urotensin I antagonizes the action and (or) mobilization of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+.

Animals↗

Fluconazole upregulates sconC expression and inhibits sulphur metabolism in Microsporum canis.

Azole derivatives such as fluconazole are the mainstay of therapeutic agents for the treatment of fungal infections. Their mode of action involving alteration in the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol is well established. Here we report the effect of fluconazole on the sulphur metabolism negative regulator gene (sconC) in Microsporum canis. Characterization of the M. canis sconC gene revealed that its ORF is comprised of 495bp interrupted by four introns of 47-70bp. Exposure of M. canis in suspension to fluconazole upregulates sconC mRNA level and protein expression as determined by Northern and Western blot analysis, respectively. Upregulation of sconC was accompanied by inhibition of sulphur metabolism of the fungus resulting in a greatly reduced incorporation of radioactive labelled sulphuric acid into fungal proteins. These data establish that in addition to its action on ergosterol synthesis, fluconazole acts on other biological pathways in fungal cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cardiac electrophysiologic action of carteolol hydrochloride (OPC-1085), a new beta-adrenergic blocking agent.

Cardiac electrophysiologic action of a new beta-adrenergic blocking agent carteolol hydrochloride, or OPC-1085, was studied in either isolated, perfused rabbit hearts or in atrial, ventricular or Purkinje fibers of dogs and rabbits superfused in the tissue bath. Transmembrane potentials were recorded with intracellular microelectrodes and atrioventricular conduction was studied by recording a His bundle electrogram. OPC-1085 at a concentration of 0.1 mg/L shortened the sinus node recovery time, while propranolol at a comparable concentration prolonged it. Isoproterenol-enhanced canine Purkinje automaticity was more markedly depressed by OPC-1085 than by propranolol. In rabbit atrial and ventricular muscle, OPC-1085 up to the concentration of 2 mg/L did not alter the action potential characteristics but tended to shorten the conduction time. At 20 mg/L, OPC-1085 significantly decreased the maximal rate of depolarization and maximal following frequency, and prolonged the action potential duration and conduction time in non-reserpinized as well as reserpinized preparations. On atrioventricular conduction, 0.1 mg/l to 5mg/L of this drug prolonged the St-A and H-V intervals but tended to shorten the A-H interval. All these intervals were prolonged at 20 mg/L. The action potential duration of canine Purkinje-ventricular block developed at higher frequencies of stimulation. In view of the clinical dosage levels, it is sugg ested that the antiarrhythmic effects of OPC-1085 depend predominantly on its beta blocking action. At higher concentrations, OPC-1085 may exert some beta stimulating action, whereas still higher and possibly toxic concentrations could depress conduction through a direct membrane effect.

Action Potentials↗

Chronic exposure to beta-hydroxybutyrate impairs insulin action in primary cultures of adult cardiomyocytes.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients often show elevated plasma ketone body concentrations. Because ketone bodies compete with other energetic substrates and reduce their utilization, they could participate in the development of insulin resistance in the heart. We have examined the effect of elevated levels of ketone bodies on insulin action in primary cultures of adult cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes were cultured with the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) for 4 or 16 h, and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was evaluated. Although short-term exposure to ketone bodies was not associated with any change in insulin action, our data demonstrated that preincubation with beta-OHB for 16 h markedly reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in cardiomyocytes. This effect is concentration dependent and persists for at least 6 h after the removal of beta-OHB from the media. Ketone bodies also decreased the stimulatory effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and pervanadate on glucose uptake. This diminution could not be explained by a change in either GLUT-1 or GLUT-4 protein content in cardiomyocytes. Chronic exposure to beta-OHB was associated with impaired protein kinase B activation in response to insulin and pervanadate. These results indicate that prolonged exposure to ketone bodies altered insulin action in cardiomyocytes and suggest that this substrate could play a role in the development of insulin resistance in the heart.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Modulation of glucagon actions by phorbol myristate acetate in isolated hepatocytes. Effect of hypothyroidism.

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) inhibits glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and shifts to the right the dose-response curve to glucagon for ureagenesis. In cells from hypothyroid rats the effect of PMA on glucagon-stimulated ureagenesis was much more pronounced, but its effect on cyclic AMP accumulation was similar to that observed in the control cells. The stimulations of ureagenesis by the glucagon analogue THG and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (But2-cAMP) were also diminished by PMA, to a greater extent in cells from hypothyroid rats than in those from euthyroid rats. PMA inhibited the increases in cytoplasmic [Ca2+] induced by glucagon. THG or But2-cAMP; the effect of PMA was much more marked in cells from hypothyroid rats than in the controls. Treatment of the cells with glucagon or THG increased the production of citrulline by subsequently isolated mitochondria, whereas PMA diminished their effects. The results suggest that PMA alters glucagon actions at least at two levels; (i) cyclic AMP production and (ii) elevation of cytosol calcium. The increased sensitivity to PMA of some glucagon effects in hypothyroid rats seems to be related to the latter action.

Animals↗

Acute barbiturate administration increases benzodiazepine receptor binding in vivo.

Barbiturates have been reported to augment benzodiazepine receptor affinity in vitro, but their effects in vivo are uncertain. We determined benzodiazepine receptor binding in vivo by specific uptake of [3H]Ro15-1788 after barbiturate administration. Pentobarbital (30 mg/kg) increased receptor binding in cerebral cortex and cerebellum at 30 min after injection, with a peak effect occurring at 1 h after dosage, and a return to control levels at 2 h. Specific binding was increased at 1 h after pentobarbital administration in a dose-dependent fashion (7.5-90 mg/kg). Pentobarbital at doses up to 30 mg/kg failed to alter nonspecific binding, but at doses of 60 mg/kg increases in nonspecific binding were observed. The increases in specific binding observed after barbiturate administration were most likely due to a change in apparent receptor affinity, as determined by administration of varying doses of clonazepam to pentobarbital-treated (30 mg/kg) animals. The order of potency of a series of barbiturates in augmenting benzodiazepine receptor binding in cerebral cortex and cerebellum in vivo was: secobarbital greater than pentobarbital greater than amobarbital greater than phenobarbital greater than barbital. The same relative rank order of potency exists for the anesthetic/hypnotic activity of these barbiturates. These data suggest that barbiturates increase the apparent affinity of benzodiazepine receptors in vivo; unlike their in vitro actions, these alterations can be detected with a receptor antagonist.

Animals↗

Effects of sulfhydryl-containing compounds on nitroglycerin-induced coronary dilatation in isolated working rat hearts.

The effects of various compounds on the time course of the coronary dilating response to nitrovasodilators were studied in working rat hearts. Continuous administration of 100 microM glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) to the perfusate induced a rapid increase in coronary flow. The flow decreased to about 40% of the initial flow rise within 20 min and remained constant during the following 40 min. The flow increase induced by 100 microM SIN 1 (3-morpholino-sydnonimine), however, remained constant throughout the 60-min perfusion period. The decay of the GTN action was reduced in the presence of the thiol-containing agents L-homocysteine, L- and D-cysteine and to a lesser extent, reduced glutathione, while the initial response to GTN was only slightly enhanced. However, N-acetyl-L-cysteine caused a significant increase of the maximum response to GTN whereas the subsequent loss of GTN action was not greatly altered, suggesting that this agent exerts a potentiating action without altering tolerance. Dithiothreitol elicited a slight increase in the maximum effect of GTN, followed by a complete attenuation of the effect. These data suggest that SH group donors could exert different effects on the action of GTN while GTN tolerance is only influenced by L- and D-cysteine, L-homocysteine and reduced glutathione.

Amino Acids↗

Protection against lung damage in reduced-size liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of ischemic preconditioning on pulmonary damage associated with reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT) and attempted to identify the underlying protective mechanisms. DESIGN: Randomized and controlled animals study. SETTING: Experimental laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS: Lung damage was evaluated in ROLT with or without preconditioning. Nitric oxide and interleukin (IL)-1 actions were altered pharmacologically. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: IL-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR), and inflammatory response in lung were measured after ROLT. Our results indicate the involvement of IL-1 in the lung damage following ROLT. Ischemic preconditioning, mediated by nitric oxide, reduced IL-1 release and protected against lung damage. Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition in the preconditioned group led to increased IL-1 levels and increased lung damage following ROLT, whereas the addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist protected against the injurious effects of nitric oxide inhibition. In addition, nitric oxide pretreatment gave similar results in terms of IL-1alpha and lung protection to those found in preconditioning. The benefits to the lung attributable to IL-1 inhibition might be linked to the effect of this cytokine on sTNFR, an endogenous mechanism that modulates systemic TNF actions. In fact, strategies aimed at inhibiting IL-1 action, including IL-1 receptor antagonist, ischemic preconditioning, and nitric oxide donor, increased systemic sTNFR2 and decreased free TNF, following ROLT. Similarly, nitric oxide synthesis inhibition in the preconditioned group, which increased IL-1alpha and lung damage, reduced systemic sTNFR2 and increased free TNF levels. These injurious effects were avoided when IL-1 action was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic preconditioning and pharmacologic strategies that simulate its benefits protected against lung damage in an experimental model of ROLT. Our results also suggest a potential relationship between nitric oxide, IL-1, and TNF/sTNF in the benefits of preconditioning on the lung damage associated with ROLT.

Animals↗

Vasoactive intestinal peptide increases acetylcholine synthesis by rat hippocampal slices.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) might have a presynaptic modulatory effect at cholinergic terminals in the rat hippocampal formation. The exposure of rat hippocampal slices to VIP increased [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) synthesis from the precursor [3H]choline when tissue was incubated in normal or in high K+ medium; the maximal effect was apparent at 10(-8) M VIP and 10(-7) M VIP, respectively. Also, 10(-7) M VIP increased the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in a hippocampal homogenate system. The increased synthesis by hippocampal slices was not the result of a VIP-induced alteration in either the basal release of ACh or the uptake of choline via the high-affinity uptake system. The increase in ACh synthesis induced by VIP in hippocampal slices was not associated with either adenylate cyclase or protein kinase C second messenger systems. There was no correlation between the effect of VIP on cyclic AMP production with that on ACh synthesis; also, forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase that increased cyclic AMP production 3.5-fold, did not mimic the effect of VIP on ACh synthesis. Similarly, there was no effect of the protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristate acetate, on ACh synthesis in hippocampal slices. However, the effect of VIP to increase ACh synthesis was not evident in the absence of extracellular calcium, suggesting that the effect of VIP is mediated by a calcium-requiring mechanism. The results suggest that, in the rat hippocampus, VIP has a presynaptic action at cholinergic terminals that results in enhanced synthesis of ACh, possibly by an action that alters ChAT activity.

Acetylcholine↗

Somatostatin is an agonist and noncompetitive antagonist of gastrin in oxyntic cell function.

Somatostatin inhibits gastric acid secretion in vivo by effects on oxyntic cells which may be indirect. Using quantitative cytochemistry, we have investigated the actions of somatostatin on guinea pig oxyntic cell carbonic anhydrase activity, an index of acid secretion. Cyclic tetradecapeptide somatostatin, in the range of 2.9 X 10(-15) to 2.9 X 10(-10) M, stimulated oxyntic cell carbonic anhydrase activity in sections of guinea pig gastric fundus with a linear dose-response between 2.9 X 10(-14) and 2.9 x 10(-11) M. The maximal response to somatostatin was 50% of that to gastrin. Gastrin stimulated oxyntic cell carbonic anhydrase in the dose range of 2.3 X 10(-15) to 2.3 X 10(-11) M. The addition of 2.9 x 10(-13) M somatostatin caused an inhibition of 38-75% of the carbonic anhydrase activity stimulated by various concentrations of gastrin. The addition of 2.3 X 10(-13) M gastrin (which caused 79% of maximal carbonic anhydrase activation), to each dose of somatostatin from 2.9 X 10(-15) to 2.9 X 10(-10) M did not alter the action of somatostatin, and the action of gastrin was reduced to that observed with somatostatin alone. The data indicate noncompetitive inhibition between somatostatin and gastrin. Thus, somatostatin is an intrinsic, albeit weak, stimulator of gastric oxyntic cell carbonic anhydrase activity, and despite this, is a noncompetitive antagonist of the action of gastrin. Gastrin is an agonist and noncompetitive antagonist of the action of somatostatin.

Animals↗

Phenylarsine oxide and hydrogen peroxide stimulate glucose transport via different pathways in isolated cardiac myocytes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the stimulating effects of sulfhydryl reagents on glucose transport in isolated rat heart muscle cells and to compare them with the action of insulin. Low concentrations of the sulfhydryl oxidants hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and diamide (5-100 microM), but also of phenylarsine oxide (PAO) (0.5-3 microM), that is known to specifically react with vicinal SH-groups, stimulated the rate of 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake by a factor of 4 to 8 in these cells, while higher concentrations were inhibitory. The stimulating effects of H2O2 or diamide, and, to a significantly lesser extent, those of PAO or insulin, were depressed in cells pretreated with the sulfhydryl-alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (56-100 microM). H2O2 raised the Vmax and lowered the Km of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose uptake, while PAO or insulin solely increased Vmax. The increase in glucose transport caused by H2O2 was antagonized by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (1 microM) or by a membrane-permeant cyclic AMP analog, whereas the effects of PAO or insulin were not altered. The action of H2O2 was additive with the stimulation induced by the protein phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid (1 microM) or vanadate (6 mM), whereas the responses to PAO or insulin were reduced in the presence of these agents. Finally, H2O2 and PAO, but not insulin, acted additively with the protein kinase C ligand phorbol myristate acetate (0.8 microM) and with phospholipase C (0.03 units/ml). We conclude that, in cardiac myocytes, H2O2, on the one hand, and PAO (and possibly insulin), on the other hand, stimulate glucose transport via at least two distinct, SH-dependent pathways. These pathways, in turn, differ from a protein kinase C- and from a phospholipase C-mediated mechanism.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Monensin-induced cation movements in bovine erythrocytes.

Monensin is a carboxylic ionophore that has been observed to increase cation permeability across the membrane of several cell types. Additionally, it is used commercially as an anticoccidial agent and has been found to increase feed efficiency in cattle. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the ability of monensin to stimulate cation (Na and K) transport across the bovine erythrocyte membrane and determine the effects of anion substitution on the action of the compound. Erythrocyte cation analyses revealed that all of the animals used in this study were low potassium (LK). Red cells were incubated in an artificial medium in the presence or absence of monensin, and cell sodium, potassium and water were determined at several time periods. It was observed that monensin stimulated the movement of sodium and potassium down their respective concentration gradients. Cell water content ("D") was observed to increase in response to an elevation in cell cation content. In synthetic media containing acetate, sulfate, citrate, thiocynate and gluconate substituted for chloride as the anion specie in the presence of monensin, there were measureable differences in intracellular sodium and water during the incubation period. The addition of DIDS to the control media containing chloride was observed to inhibit from 60 to 80 percent of the monensin-stimulated sodium movements. The results of this study show that monensin stimulates cation movements in bovine erythrocytes and anion substitutes may alter the action of this ionophore. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the action of monensin can be modified by inhibition of Band 3.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗