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Sea urchin sperm peroxidase is competitively inhibited by benzohydroxamic acid and phenylhydrazine.

Sea urchin sperm contain a phenylhydrazine-sensitive peroxidase that is believed to use hydrogen peroxide produced by the fertilized egg to reduce sperm fertility and thereby assist in the prevention of polyspermy. Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sperm were treated initially with hypotonic phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) to remove catalase and then extracted with 0.5% Triton X-100 in 0.5 M acetate buffer (pH 5.0). Peroxidase activity in this detergent extract was assayed using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) as oxidizable substrate. Kinetic studies showed that the Km for TMB is 250 microM. Benzohydroxamic acid and phenylhydrazine are known to be competitive inhibitors of a variety of plant and animal peroxidases. These substances were found to competitively inhibit the sea urchin sperm peroxidase: for benzohydroxamic acid, Ki = 51.2 microM, mean inhibitory dose (ID50) = 146.7 microM; for phenylhydrazine, Ki = 201 nM, ID50 = 303 nM. These findings indicate that the biochemical properties of the sea urchin sperm peroxidase resembles those of peroxidases found in somatic tissues where oxygen radicals are produced by phagocytes to kill bacteria and support our hypothesis that the sperm peroxidase has a functional role in the prevention of polyspermy during fertilization.

Animals↗

Angiotensin II-dependent proximal tubule sodium transport is mediated by cAMP modulation of phospholipase C.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulates proximal tubule sodium transport by decreasing adenylyl cyclase activity. The role of ANG II-dependent phospholipase C is less certain. To determine the contribution of phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase to apical (AP) ANG II-dependent sodium transport, unidirectional (AP to basolateral) 22Na flux was measured in rat proximal tubule cells cultured on permeable supports. AP ANG II (100 nM)-dependent sodium flux was prevented by preincubation with concentrations of the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 (1 microM) that blocked ANG II-dependent inositol phosphate formation. AP ANG II-dependent sodium flux was also abolished by preincubation with the intracellular calcium mobilization inhibitor 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8), further suggesting that ANG II-dependent sodium transport was mediated by inositol phosphates. Neither U-73122 nor TMB-8 prevented ANG II-dependent adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) decreases. Incubation with dibutyryl cAMP (10 microM) or forskolin (10 microM) prevented ANG II-dependent sodium flux as well as ANG II-dependent inositol phosphate formation. In conclusion, ANG II-dependent proximal tubule sodium transport in cultured cells was transduced by phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase. The adenylyl cyclase effect on ANG II-dependent sodium transport was mediated by phospholipase C.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Hypoxia/aglycemia increases endothelial permeability: role of second messengers and cytoskeleton.

The effects of hypoxia/aglycemia on microvascular endothelial permeability were evaluated, and the second messenger systems and the cytoskeletal-junctional protein alterations in this response were also examined. Monolayers of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells on microcarrier beads were exposed to either thioglycolic acid (5 mM, an O(2) chelator), glucose-free medium, or both stresses together. Permeability measurements were performed over a 90-min time course. Although neither hypoxia alone nor aglycemia alone increased endothelial permeability significantly, the combination of both increased significantly as early as 15 min. Intracellular Ca(2+) measurements with fura 2-AM showed that hypoxia/aglycemia treatment increased Ca(2+) influx. To determine the second messengers involved in increased permeability, monolayers were incubated for 30 min with the cytosolic Ca(2+) scavenger 3,4, 5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8, 0.1 mM), a classical protein kinase C (PKC) blocker, Gö-6976 (10 nM), a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) antagonist, KT-5823 (0.5 microM), or the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor PD-98059 (20 microM). Hypoxia/aglycemia-mediated permeability changes were blocked by chelating cell Ca(2+), PKC blockade, PKG blockade, and by inhibiting p38 MAP kinase-1. Finally, changes in the binding of junctional proteins to the cytoskeleton under the same conditions were assessed. The concentrations of occludin and pan-reactive cadherin binding to the cytoskeleton were significantly decreased by only both stresses together. However, these effects were also blocked by pretreatment with TMB-8, Gö-6976, KT-5823 (not in occludin), and PD-98059. These data suggest that hypoxia/aglycemia-mediated endothelial permeability may occur through PKC, PKG, MAP kinase, and Ca(2+) related to dissociation of cadherin-actin and occludin-actin junctional bonds.

Alkaloids↗

Importance of calcium in renal renin release.

The sequence of intracellular events that lead to renin release is incompletely defined. Accordingly, we examined the interrelationship of two important factors in the process: renin release coupled to cAMP and renin release related to a decrease in intracellular calcium activity (Cai). Rat renal cortical slices were used to study these relationships in vitro. In the initial studies, cAMP-coupled renin release was established for isoproterenol (10(-5) M), prostacyclin (PGI2; 10(-6) M), and forskolin (10(-5) M). Each agent caused an increase in renin release and tissue cAMP levels, which were inhibited by the addition of the adenyl cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA, 10(-5) M) to the media. Diltiazem (10(-4) M) and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8; 0.6 X 10(-4) M) are believed to decrease Cai by different mechanisms; each of these agents caused a significant increase in renin release. Renin release stimulated by diltiazem, and TMB-8 was not inhibited by either DDA or indomethacin. The calcium ionophore A23187 (17 X 10(-6) M) and vanadate (10(-3) M) were next added to produce an increase in Cai. Both of these agents blunted renin release produced by isoproterenol, PGI2, and forskolin. These results provide strong indirect support for an inverse relationship between Cai and renin release in the juxtaglomerular cell. The results also imply that changes in Cai occupy a step that is distal to cAMP-coupled events in the sequence of intracellular events which culminate in renin release.

Animals↗

Inhibitory effect of endothelin on renin release in vitro.

We previously reported that endothelin inhibits renin release in a dynamic superfusion system of collagenase-dispersed rat renal cortical cells. In the present report we investigated cellular mechanisms by which endothelin inhibits renin release from juxtaglomerular (JG) cells. In a superfusion system of dispersed rat renal cortical cells, 10(-10) M endothelin inhibited renin release stimulated by 5 x 10(-8) M isoproterenol or 5 x 10(-5) M 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8, a putative intracellular Ca antagonist). Endothelin showed a slight but significant inhibitory effect on renin release stimulated by isoproterenol or TMB-8 even in the absence of extracellular Ca. Endothelin also inhibited renin release in the presence of 10(-4) M nicardipine. In a superfusion system of renal cortical slices, both 10(-8) M endothelin and a high concentration (60 mM) of K inhibited renin release, and 10(-6) M nicardipine attenuated the inhibition of renin release by high K but did not affect the inhibition by endothelin. These results suggest that endothelin inhibits renin release from JG cells not only by the promotion of Ca influx into the cells through dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca channels but also by other mechanism(s) independent of extracellular Ca.

Animals↗

Cation channel mechanisms in ET-3-induced vasopressin secretion by rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial explants.

Endothelins modulate not only vasoregulation but also neurotransmission and hormone secretion, specifically vasopressin (AVP) secretion. The present studies were designed to ascertain the site of action and the participation of membrane cation channels mediating endothelin-3-induced AVP release. Experiments were performed using standard and compartmentalized hypothalamo-neurohypophysial explants. The stimulatory action of endothelin-3 on AVP release occurred at the neural lobe, consistent with the failure of sodium channel blockade to decrease AVP secretion. Calcium channel antagonism or chelation of extracellular calcium inhibited neurohormone release, but blockade of calcium mobilization from intracellular stores with 8-(diethyl-amino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8) did not. Inhibition of the calcium-activated potassium channel with charybdotoxin increased AVP levels dose dependently. Potassium ionophore abolished this response, as did TMB-8, but inhibition of calcium entry failed to do so. A subthreshold dose of charybdotoxin potentiated AVP secretion to submaximal stimulation with endothelin-3 that was prevented only by concomitant blockade of calcium influx and intracellular mobilization. The data support interaction between calcium and potassium channels at the secretory terminal. Collectively, these data are consistent with endothelin-3 receptor activation at the secretory terminal initiating calcium entry, thereby leading to depolarization independent of sodium conductances. This mechanism is opposed by hyperpolarizing forces linked to calcium accumulation, namely, the charybdotoxin-sensitive calcium-activate potassium channel. Interaction of the depolarizing and repolarizing systems enables grade AVP secretion from the neural lobe. These findings do not preclude the participation of other systems as well.

Animals↗

Role of PKC and calcium in modulation of effects of angiotensin II on sodium transport in proximal tubule.

It has been well documented that low concentrations of ANG II (10(-11) to 10(-10) M) stimulate, whereas high concentrations of ANG II (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) inhibit Na(+) transport in proximal tubules of rat and rabbit kidneys. Measured ANG II concentration in proximal tubular fluid is in the nanomolar range. In the present study, we investigated the role of PKC, intracellular Ca(2+), and cAMP in modulating the effects of luminal ANG II on Na(+) absorption by microperfusion techniques in rabbit superficial segment of proximal tubules in vitro. We confirmed that ANG II (10(-9) M) had no change on fluid absorption (J(v)); however, fluid absorption increased significantly when 10(-9) M ANG II and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid-8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8), a blocker of intracellular calcium mobilization, were added together. In contrast, ANG II significantly decreased J(v) when PKC was inhibited. When 10(-9) M ANG II was present together with 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-mehtylpiperazine and TMB-8, no significant change of J(v) occurred. Inhibition of endogenous cAMP activity by a PKA inhibitor did not change either basal or ANG II-stimulated fluid absorption. Our results indicate that ANG II regulates Na(+) absorption by a cAMP-independent mechanism and that PKC and intracellular calcium both play a critical role in modulating the effects of physiological concentration of ANG II on proximal tubule transport. Balance between these two cytosolic messengers modulates the effects of ANG II on fluid absorption in the proximal tubule.

Angiotensin II↗

Bradykinin increases cytosolic free [Ca2+] in proximal tubule cells.

The role of bradykinin (BK) as a calcium-mobilizing agonist in cells of renal proximal tubule origin was examined. Experiments were performed on confluent cultures of rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture and changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Cai2+], were monitored by use of the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2. Under steady-state conditions, [Cai2+] was 210 +/- 7 nM in a Ca2+-replete medium vs. 135 +/- 5 nM in a medium devoid of Ca2+. Acute challenge with BK resulted in a transient increment in [Cai2+], which peaked at 150% the resting value within 10 s and was independent of medium [Ca2+]. The K0.5 for the process was 2.5 X 10(-10) M. The BK receptor displayed properties of the beta 2-variety. In a Ca2+-free medium 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) blocked the BK-elicited Ca2+ transient in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast to TMB-8, the Ca2+-channel inhibitor, verapamil, was without effect. Prior exposure of cells to ionomycin completely obviated the BK-induced Ca2+ transient. Cells challenged with BK were nonresponsive to subsequent challenge by a second Ca2+-mobilizing agonist, angiotensin II (ANG II). In summary, these data suggest that BK is an extremely sensitive activator of the phosphoinositol transduction pathway in rabbit proximal tubule cells. Furthermore, the heterologous desensitization between BK and ANG II, in terms of elevating [Cai2+], suggests that these two agonists release Ca2+ from a common intracellular store.

Animals↗

Intracellular Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx during regulatory volume decrease in IMCD cells.

Volume changes and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells under hypotonic stress were monitored by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy and fura 2 fluorescence, respectively. Reduction of extracellular osmolality from 600 to 300 mosmol/kgH2O by omission of sucrose led to an increase in cell volume within 1 min to 135 +/- 3% (n = 9), followed by a partial regulatory volume decrease (RVD) to 109 +/- 2% (n = 9) within the ensuring 5 min. In parallel, [Ca2+]i rose from 145 +/- 9 to 433 +/- 16 nmol/l (n = 9) and thereafter reached a lower steady state of 259 +/- 9 nmol/l. Under low-Ca2+ conditions (10 nmol/l) RVD was not impeded and reduction of osmolality evoked only a transient increase of [Ca2+]i by 182 +/- 22 nmol/l (n = 6). Preincubation with 100 mumol/l 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8) or 20 mmol/l caffeine, both effective inhibitors of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, in low Ca2+ as well as in high Ca2+, inhibited the Ca2+ response and abolished RVD. The temporal relationship between Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and Ca2+ entry was analyzed by determining fura 2 quenching, using Mn2+ as a substitute for external Ca2+. Intracellular Ca2+ release preceded Mn2+ influx by 17 +/- 3 s (n = 10). Mn2+ influx persisted during the whole period of exposure to hypotonicity, indicating that there is no time-dependent Ca2+ channel inactivation. Preincubation with TMB-8 or caffeine reduced Mn2+ influx to the control level, indicating that activation of Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane occurs via intracellular Ca2+ release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Leukotriene D4 inhibits Na+ uptake through cAMP and PLC pathways in primary cultured renal proximal tubular cells.

Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) is one of the slow-reacting substances of anaphylaxis and is reported to have a diverse response including the mediation of glomerular nephritis. However, little is known about the functions of LTD4 and its mechanisms of action in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubular cells (PTCs). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of LTD4 on Na+ uptake and its related signal transduction pathways in PTCs. LTD4 (>10(-9) M) significantly inhibited the Na+ uptake after 15 min (in nmol/mg protein: controls 431.7+/-11.4 vs. LTD4 (10(-9) M) 355.0+/-23.6; p<0. 05); and its effect was blocked by MK-571 (10(-6) M), a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in PTCs. Preincubation with cilastatin, a renal dipeptidase inhibitor, and polyclonal antibody against renal dipeptidase potentiated the inhibitory effect of LTD4 on Na+ uptake. SQ 22536 (10(-6) M), an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, and the myristoylated protein kinase A inhibitor amide 14-22 (PKI; 10(-5) M) blocked the effect of LTD4 on Na+ uptake (in nmol/mg protein: LTD4 349.9+/-18.5 vs. SQ 22536+LTD4 476.5+/-22.0 and PKI+LTD4 440.3+/-19. 3; p<0.05), and LTD4 induced an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), suggesting the involvement of cAMP in the inhibition of Na+ uptake. In addition, U 73122 (10(-6) M) and neomycin (10(-4) M), phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors, W-7 (10(-4) M), a calmodulin antagonist, and bisindolylmaleimide I, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, blocked the LTD4-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake, strongly suggesting involvement of the PLC-PKC signal pathways in the effect of LTD4. LTD4 significantly increased [Ca2]i by 49+/-7% as compared with baseline. TMB-8 (10(-5) M) and BAPTA/AM (10(-5) M), intracellular calcium mobilization blockers, completely blocked the LTD4-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake (in nmol/mg protein: LTD4 347.6+/-19.0 vs. TMB-8+LTD4 436.4+/-22.3 and BAPTA/AM+LTD4 419.9+/-14.3; p<0.05); however, EGTA (1 mM), a calcium chelator, partially blocked the LTD4-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake. In conclusion, LTD4-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake may be involved in both cAMP and PLC-PKC signal pathways in PTCs. In addition, Ca2+, which comes from the intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, is primarily responsible for the LTD4-induced inhibition of Na+ uptake.

Animals↗

Muscarinic regulation of basal versus thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced prolactin secretion in rat anterior pituitary cells. differential roles of nitric oxide and intracellular calcium mobilization.

Acetylcholine (ACh), synthesized in the pituitary, can act locally to modulate pituitary function. We used rat primary anterior pituitary (AP) cells to investigate how ACh affects pituitary prolactin (PRL) secretion in the presence or absence of known PRL regulators: thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)). Cultured AP cells were prepared from ovariectomized rats and pretreated with diluent, 0.6 nM E(2), 10 nM T(3), or E(2) plus T(3) for 5 days, then challenged with various doses of ACh or muscarinic receptor agonists (oxotremorine or carbachol) and TRH (100 nM) for 20 min. Significant ACh (10(-5) M) suppression of both basal and TRH-induced PRL secretion was not evident in diluent-, E(2)- or T(3)-pretreated cells, but observed only in cells pretreated with both E(2) and T(3). Moreover, in E(2) plus T(3)-pretreated cells, oxotremorine and carbachol, like ACh (10(-7)-10(-5) M), suppressed both responses in a dose- related manner. Pertussis toxin (PTX; 100 ng/ml) as well as atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist; 1 mM) blocked these effects of cholinomimetics. ACh also inhibited both PRL responses elicited by drugs elevating intracellular cAMP (10 microM forskolin) or Ca(2+) (1 microM Bay K-8644) in a PTX-sensitive manner. ACh inhibition of basal PRL secretion was unaltered by intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization blockers, TMB-8 (100 microM) and thapsigargin (1 microM), but abrogated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (300 microM L-NAME). ACh inhibition of TRH-induced PRL secretion was accentuated by TMB-8 and alleviated by thapsigargin or L-NAME. In summary, muscarinic inhibition of either basal or TRH-induced PRL secretion was augmented by E(2) and T(3), and involved the PTX-sensitive cAMP/Ca(2+) pathways. Furthermore, nitric oxide mediated the basal rather than TRH-induced PRL response to ACh, whereas the intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization concerned the TRH-induced rather than the basal PRL response to ACh. Thus, ACh synthesized in the AP appears to inhibit basal vs. TRH-induced PRL secretion via different mechanisms.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Episodic gonadotropin-releasing hormone release from the rat isolated median eminence in vitro.

Several studies have demonstrated that the rat isolated mediobasohypothalamus can release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a pulsatile manner in vitro. We have now used an in vitro perfusion system to characterize GnRH release from the adult male Sprague-Dawley rat isolated median eminence (ME) alone. After 1 h stabilization periods, eight MEs released GnRH in an episodic pattern during 4-hour experiments (samples collected every 4 min, RIA in triplicate) with mean (+/- SE) release rates of 2.2 +/- 0.2 pg GnRH/4 min and peak amplitudes of 1.3 +/- 0.2 pg/4 min. The intervals between significant peaks were variable, although 70% were in the range of 12-24 min, i.e. similar to the non-gonadal steroid-modulated frequency of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in gonadectomized rats in vivo. During nine additional experiments, MEs were perifused with control medium (containing 2.5 mM calcium) through the first hour of sample collection, then either calcium-free medium containing 0.5 mM of the calcium chelator EGTA and 100 microM of the intracellular calcium antagonist TMB-8 or calcium-free medium containing just 100 microM TMB-8 for 2 h, followed by a final hour with control medium. Removal of calcium activity decreased the frequency of GnRH peaks from 3.2 +/- 0.3 to 1.3 +/- 0.2/h, which then increased to 2.3 +/- 0.3/h with subsequent replacement of control medium. Removal of available calcium also decreased mean GnRH release by 51 +/- 11%, which returned to basal levels with subsequent calcium replacement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of extra- and intracellular calcium blockers on histamine and antigen-induced bronchospasms in guinea pigs and rats.

The extracellular calcium antagonists, nifedipine and verapamil, the mixed extra/intracellular calcium antagonist diazoxide and the intracellular calcium antagonist TMB-8 were studied for their effects on histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs and on antigen-induced bronchospasms in guinea pigs and rats when administered directly to the tracheobronchial tree. Nifedipine and verapamil inhibited histamine and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs, and verapamil was effective in preventing antigen-induced bronchospasms in rats. However, using doses of the extracellular blockers which produce these pulmonary effects, significant reduction of blood pressure occurred in both guinea pigs and rats. Diazoxide was inactive against histamine and antigen-induced bronchoconstrictions in guinea pigs. TMB-8 was inactive against histamine and antigen-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs and rats. These studies demonstrate the antibronchoconstrictor activity of extracellular Ca2+ antagonists in guinea pigs and rats, but indicate that intracellular Ca2+ antagonists are not antibronchospastic agents in these species in vivo.

Albuterol↗

Characterisation of Ca2+ membrane permeability of renal A6 cells upon different osmotic conditions.

The nature of the calcium-transporting mechanisms involved in A6 cell calcium homeostasis under iso- and hypo-osmotic conditions was investigated using fura-2 (AM) as a cell calcium indicator. Under steady-state conditions, intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) was increased by Bay K8644 or by gramicidin, an ionophore which depolarises A6 cell membranes. The Ca2+i increase following calcium addition (to calcium-depleted cells) or membrane depolarisation was blocked by nifedipine but not by verapamil or omega-conotoxin, indicating that the membrane calcium permeability may be mediated by voltage-dependent and dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. Ca2+i could also be increased by a hypo-osmotic shock having a linear relationship with the osmolarity change. This osmotically induced Ca2+i increase had an extracellular origin since it was absent when cells were suspended in a calcium-free medium and it was not affected by thapsigargin or TMB-8 application. In addition, it was inhibited by the calcium channel inhibitor, nifedipine. Furthermore, under hypo-osmotic conditions, an additional Ca2+i increase, sensitive to nifedipine, was measured when cells were depolarised by gramicidin or K-gluconate addition. It is proposed that the hypo-osmotically induced cell calcium increase implies the activation of voltage-dependent and nifedipine-sensitive calcium channels, presenting the same pharmacological characteristics as those involved in cell calcium homeostasis under iso-osmotic conditions. The initial Ca2+i increase was transient and stabilised to a value nevertheless higher than the iso-osmotic level; this secondary and incomplete regulatory phase did not occur in the presence of thapsigargin or TMB-8, thus providing evidence of intracellular calcium storage.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Direct contractile effect of endothelin-1 on isolated circular smooth muscle cells of guinea pig caecum.

Smooth muscle cells isolated from the circular muscle layers of the guinea pig caecum were used to determine whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) can cause contraction by exerting a direct action on smooth muscle cells. In addition, the inhibitory effects of 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), an inhibitor of intracellular Ca2+ release, verapamil, a Ca2+ channel blocker, and removal of extracellular Ca2+ on the ET-1-induced muscle contraction were examined. ET-1 elicited a contractile response of isolated smooth muscle cells in a dose-dependent manner (ED50: 2 nM). TMB-8, verapamil, and removal of extracellular Ca2+ significantly inhibited the contraction produced by ET-1. These results strongly suggest that ET-1 has a direct contractile effect on circular smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig caecum, and that this contraction depends on both intracellular and extracellular Ca2+.

Animals↗

Calcium and histamine release from mast cells.

The role of calcium in the process of histamine release from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells and in the pathophysiology of immediate hypersensitivity reactions has been further studied using the intracellular calcium antagonist, TMB-8. Inhibition by TMB-8 of histamine release from mast cells induced by allergic stimuli was found but higher concentrations were needed for reducing release induced by ionophores and activators of calcium gates. This suggests that there are different calcium channels involved in the different release processes.

Animals↗

Enhanced ultrastructural visualization of the horseradish peroxidase-tetramethylbenzidine reaction product.

Ultrastructural visualization of the horseradish peroxidase-tetramethylbenzidine (HRP-TMB) reaction product within trigeminal ganglion cells and brain stem axons and terminals following HRP injections into the pulpal chambers of cat teeth is enhanced by utilization of a modified osmication procedure that converts the reaction product to a markedly stable and electron-dense form. The results following the use of the modified osmication procedure (pH 5.0 phosphate buffer at 20 degrees C for 12 hours) are compared to results obtained by following Carson's osmication protocol (Carson KA, Mesulam M-M: J Histochem Cytochem 30:425, 1982; Carson KA, Mesulam M-M: In Tracing Neural Connections with Horseradish Peroxidase. Edited by M-M Mesulam. J Wiley, Chichester, England, 1982, p 153-184) (pH 6.0 phosphate buffer at 45 degrees C for 45 min). The results suggest that the conversion of the HRP-TMB reaction product to an electron-dense form during osmication is intimately associated with the pH of the phosphate buffer and the total time of osmication.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural visualization of anterogradely transported horseradish peroxidase in developing corticospinal tract of rat.

Until now a satisfactory method for electron microscopic (EM) detection of anterogradely transported horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in developing neural tissue, using sensitive chromogen tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), has not been described. Use of the stabilizing agent ammoniumheptamolybdate (AHM), in combination with a modified prolonged osmication [4 hr at pH 5.0 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (PB)] made possible visualization of HRP-TMB-(AHM) reaction product at the ultrastructural level in outgrowing corticospinal tract (CST) fibers of young postnatal rat. This reaction product appeared to be very distinctive and clearly detectable, making ultrastructural identification of HRP-labeled outgrowing CST fibers in rat spinal cord rather easy. In addition, the procedure described in this report preserves the ultrastructural details of the developing neural tissue.

Animals↗