Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “RP”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Use of the cyclic AMP antagonist, Rp-cAMPS, to distinguish between cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent contractile responses in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Conventional inhibitors of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase lack membrane-permeability or selectivity, or both. The Rp diastereomer of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphorothioate, Rp-cAMPS, is a novel membrane-permeable antagonist of cyclic AMP. We have assessed the ability of this compound to distinguish between cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent contractile responses elicited in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from the hearts of adult rats. Cardiomyocytes were stimulated to contract at 0.5 Hz in the presence of calcium ion (2 mM) and adenosine deaminase (5 units/ml). Contractile shortening was expressed as maximum shortening relative to prestimulus cell length (delta L%). In the presence of a maximally-effective concentration of isoprenaline (100 nM), which acts by a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism, Rp-cAMPS inhibited the contractile response in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. Following preincubation for 30 min with Rp-cAMPS (100 microM), the contractile response to isoprenaline (100 nM) was 14% of that elicited in the absence of this inhibitor. An incubation time of 30 min was chosen for all subsequent studies. Rp-cAMPS (< or = 200 microM) inhibited the contractile response to isoprenaline (100 nM) significantly and in a concentration-dependent manner, but failed to inhibit the contractile responses elicited by phenylephrine (2 microM) and calcium ion (7 mM) which act by cyclic AMP-independent mechanisms. In the presence of Rp-cAMPs (200 microM), the contractile response to isoprenaline (100 nM) was 24% of that in the absence of inhibitor. Rp-cAMPS was used subsequently to investigate the contractile-coupling mechanisms associated with some novel inotropic agents. Rp-cAMPS (< or = 200 microM) also inhibited the contractile responses to secretin (20 nM) and VIP (20 nM) significantly. In the presence of Rp-cAMPS (200 microM), the contractile response elicited by secretin (20 nM) was 19% of that in the absence of inhibitor, while that elicited by VIP (20 nM) was abolished completely. Rp-cAMPS (< or = 200 microM) failed to inhibit the contractile response elicited by CGRP (1 nM). In summary, Rp-cAMPS is a membrane-permeable, selective antagonist of cyclic AMP in ventricular cardiomyocytes and can be used, in conjunction with the bioassay of the intracellular accumulation of cyclic AMP, to distinguish between cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent contractile coupling mechanisms in these cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Expression of carbonic anhydrase-related protein CA-RP VIII in non-small cell lung cancer.

Carbonic anhydrase-related protein (CA-RP VIII) lacks a Zn-binding motif which is essential for carbonic anhydrase activity. Therefore, CA-RP VIII is believed to have a no catalytic activity and a new biological property. In the present study, CA-RP VIII expression in non-tumorous lung and non-small cell lung carcinomas was investigated. Little or no expression of CA-RP VIII was observed in human lungs by Northern-blot analysis. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated CA-RP VIII mRNA in developing human lungs and, to a lesser extent, in normal lungs. Subsequent immunohistochemical staining revealed that CA-RP VIII was expressed in the pulmonary epithelium in developing lungs; however, CA-RP VIII expression was restricted in bronchial ciliated cells in adult lungs. Neither bronchial gland nor squamous metaplasia of interstitial pneumonia expressed CA-RP VIII. In contrast, CA-RP VIII was strongly expressed in almost all archival lung cancer specimens, which included 24 squamous cell carcinomas, 25 adenocarcinomas, and 6 adenosquamous cell carcinomas. Cancer cells at the front of tumor progression expressed CA-RP VIII in particular abundance. The present findings suggest that CA-RP VIII may play a role in non-small lung cell carcinomas.

Animals↗

Pharmacological characterization of RP 62203, a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT2 receptor antagonist.

1. RP 62203 (2-[3-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazinyl)propyl]naphto[1,8- ca]isothiazole-1,1-dioxide) is a novel naphtosultam derivative which shows very high affinity for 5-HT2 receptors in the rat cerebral cortex (Ki = 50.0 pM). 2. RP 62203 is relatively selective for this sub-type of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor, having lower affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor and very low affinity for the 5-HT, receptor. RP 62203 displayed low to moderate affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors, dopamine D2 receptors and histamine H1 receptors. 3. In vivo binding experiments demonstrated that oral administration of low doses of RP 62203 led to a long-lasting (greater than 6 h) occupation of cortical 5-HT2 receptors (ID50 = 0.39 mgkg-1). 4. In cortical slices from the neonatal rat, RP 62203 potently inhibited inositol phosphate formation evoked by 5-HT, with an IC50 of 7.76 nM. 5. The activity of neurones in the raphé and their responses to microiontophoretically applied 5-HT were studied with extracellular recording electrodes in the anaesthetized rat. RP 62203 potently and dose-dependently blocked excitations evoked by 5-HT when administered at doses of 0.5-4.0 mg kg-1, i.p. In contrast, neither 5-HT-evoked depressions nor glutamate-evoked excitations of raphé neuronal firing were blocked by RP 62203 at doses as high as 8.0 mg kg-1, i.p. 6. Head twitches induced by 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) could be abolished by low doses of RP 62203 in mice (ED50 = 0.44 mg kg-1, p.o.) and in rats (ED50 = 1.54 p.o.). Similar results were obtained with mescaline and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). 7. The potency of RP 62203 was compared with that of three other 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, ritanserin, ICI 169,369 and ICI 170,809. In all models, RP 62203 showed similar activity to ritanserin, whilst either ICI 169,369 or ICI 170,809 was several fold less active. 8. It is concluded that RP 62203 is a potent and selective antagonist at 5-HT2 receptors in the rodent central nervous system.

Action Potentials↗

Mechanism of lipolytic action of a new alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist of the piperazinopyrimidine family: RP 55462.

The in vivo lipid mobilizing effect of alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist has been demonstrated previously. This has attracted attention to the putative interest of such compounds in a lipid-mobilizing strategy. RP 55462 [6-chloro-4-(isopropylamino)-5-(methyl)-2 piperazinopyrimidine], a piperazinopyrimidine derivative, has already been shown to exert alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist actions on fat cell function in vitro. Moreover, RP 55462 exhibits a direct in vitro lipolytic action which is independent of its alpha-2-blocking potency. When administered i.v. RP 55462 is also able to induce an increment in plasma nonesterified levels in dogs. The mechanism of action of RP 55462 was studied and the nature of its lipomobilizing effect was explored. RP 55642-dependent lipolysis was not affected by beta adrenergic blockers on rat fat cells and RP 55462 had no direct effect on adenylylcyclase activity on fat cell membranes. Moreover, RP 55462 did not compete with [3H]phenyl isopropyl adenosine binding (A1-adenosine receptor agonist) on fat cell membranes. In fact, RP 55462 inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in rat adipose tissue. Several derivatives with the piperazinopyrimidine structure also inhibited cAMP-dependent PDE activity and exerted lipolytic effects. A short structure-activity study was performed with various derivatives. In dogs, by contrast with yohimbine, the in vivo lipid mobilizing effect of RP 55462 was not abolished by pretreatment with propranolol, and lasted longer. It is concluded that the in vivo lipolytic activity of RP 55462 is connected with its ability to inhibit cAMP-dependent PDE activity; a property of several piperazinopyrimidine derivatives. The lipid mobilizing effect induced in vivo by RP 55462 results from a combination of its alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist properties and its direct lipolytic action mediated by cAMP-dependent PDE inhibiting effects.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Antitumor activity of intoplicine (RP 60475, NSC 645008), a new benzo-pyrido-indole: evaluation against solid tumors and leukemias in mice.

Intoplicine (RP 60475, NSC 645008) is a new 7H-benzo[e]pyrido [4,3-b] indole derivative which interacts with DNA and inhibits both topoisomerases I and II. In vitro it was found cytotoxic against various cell types with greater cytotoxicity towards solid tumor cells. We report here the anticancer activity of RP 60475 against a variety of transplantable tumors of mice, and also its cross-resistance profile in leukemias. The end points used were % T/C (median tumor weight of the Treated over the Control x 100) and logCK (log10 cell kill total). RP 60475 administered i.v. was found schedule-independent with a peak plasma level problem. It had a good therapeutic index and host recovery usually occurred 7.5 days post last treatment. RP 60475 was found to be highly active against early stage colon 38 (T/C = 0%, 2.9 logCK) and could induce 5/5 complete regressions of advanced stage tumor. It was found active against colon adenocarcinoma 51 (T/C = 3.6%, 1.9 logCK) and colon carcinoma 26 (T/C = 11.7%, 1.2 logCK). Most of the mammary adenocarcinomas were found very responsive, MA16/C (T/C = 0%, 2.8 logCK), MA14/A (T/C = 0%, 1.4 logCK), MA13/C (T/C = 0%, 3.1 log CK) and MA44 (T/C = 34%). Excellent activity was also observed against early stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma 03 (T/C = 0%) and RP 60475 could achieve 5/5 complete regressions of upstaged tumor. Activity was also obtained on Glasgow osteogenic sarcoma (T/C = 0%, 3.3 logCK), on B16 melanoma (T/C = 14%, 1.3 logCK) and to a lesser extent on Lewis lung carcinoma (T/C = 33.2%). Evaluation of RP 60475 against leukemia sublines with acquired resistance, revealed that L1210/cisplatin and L1210/BCNU were not cross-resistant to RP 60475 whereas P388/vincristine was partially cross-resistant to RP 60475 and P388/doxorubicin was cross-resistant to RP 60475. Based on RP 60475 broad activity against transplantable tumors of mice, its effectiveness against some resistant sublines, its original mechanism of action and its acceptable toxicological profile, this compound was selected for clinical trials.

Animals↗

Hypolipidaemic properties of a potent and bioavailable alkylsulphinyl-diphenylimidazole ACAT inhibitor (RP 73163) in animals fed diets low in cholesterol.

RP 73163 ((S)-2-[5-(3,5-dimethyl-l-pyrazolyl)pent-l-yl)-sulphinyl]-5, 6-diphenylimidazole) has been shown to be a potent and specific inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.26; ACAT) in vitro using the tissues of experimental animals as sources of the enzyme. The concentrations of RP 73163 required to produce 50% inhibition of ACAT activity (IC50 values) in microsomal preparations ranged from 86 nM for rat liver to 370 nM for rabbit intestine. In whole cell assays using human hepatic (HepG2), intestinal (Caco2), and monocytic (THP-1) cell lines, RP 73163 inhibited ACAT activity with IC50 values of 266, 158, and 314 nM, respectively. The addition of RP 73163 (0.03-1.0 microM) to the medium of cultured HepG2 cells produced a concentration-dependent decrease in apolipoprotein B (apoB) secretion. The compound has high systemic bioavailability. Using a bioassay, a concentration of active inhibitor equivalent to 29 microM of parent compound was present in plasma 1 hr after oral administration of RP 73163 (50 mg.kg-1). In rats that had been fed a basal diet ad libitum or starved for 18 hr prior to blood sampling, the administration of RP 73163 (50 mg.kg-1 b.i.d. for 7 days) reduced plasma triglyceride levels by 50% without affecting the concentration of cholesterol. This hypotriglyceridaemic effect was associated with reductions in plasma very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) levels. RP 73163 decreased the rate of VLDL secretion by 24% in Triton WR-1339-treated rats that had been fasted overnight but did not affect the secretion rate in animals fed ad libitum, indicating that ACAT was only important in regulating VLDL secretion under certain nutritional conditions. RP 73163 reduced the accumulation of intraperitoneally administered [3H]leucine into the plasma VLDL-apoB pool in both fed and fasted states. The results suggest that, in fed animals at least, an increase in the clearance of VLDL from the bloodstream may contribute to the hypolipidaemic activity of the compound. In rabbits with casein-induced endogenous hypercholesterolaemia, RP 73163 specifically reduced the levels of cholesterol carried by LDL. In conclusion, the hypolipidaemic actions of RP 73163, a potent and systemically bioavailable ACAT inhibitor, are consistent with a reduction in the secretion of apoB containing lipoproteins by hepatic tissue and possibly with an increase in the clearance of these particles.

Animals↗

Inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis by the Rp-diastereomer of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphorothioate.

The specific intracellular cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase antagonist, the Rp-diastereomer of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS), inhibited both basal and cyclic AMP-agonist-induced rates of gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes isolated from fasted rats. Incubation of the cells in the presence of pyruvate and lactate and either the Sp-diastereomer of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphorothioate (Sp-cAMPS) or glucagon produced a concentration-dependent increase in the rate of gluconeogenic glucose production which was shifted to higher concentrations of Sp-cAMPS or glucagon in the presence of Rp-cAMPS. Incubation of the cells with Rp-cAMPS in the absence of agonist produced no increase in the rate of glucose production and, in most cases, 100 microM-Rp-cAMPS resulted in 14-20% decrease in the substrate-stimulated rate of glucose production. Sp-cAMPS-induced gluconeogenesis was inhibited half-maximally at 1 microM-Rp-cAMPS and glucagon-induced gluconeogenesis was inhibited half-maximally at 12 microM-Rp-cAMPS. Approx. 10-15% of the inhibition of gluconeogenesis observed in the presence of Rp-cAMPS was due to conversion of glucose 6-phosphate to liver glycogen, consistent with Rp-cAMPS-induced reactivation of glycogen synthase. The remaining 85-90% inhibition of gluconeogenic glucose production resulted from the action of Rp-cAMPS on the cyclic AMP-sensitive enzymes controlling the rate of gluconeogenesis.

Animals↗

Cloning of mouse RP-8 cDNA and its expression during apoptosis of lymphoid and myeloid cells.

A partial-length cDNA encoding a cell death-associated gene designated RP-8 was cloned from rat thymocytes by Owens and co-workers (Mol. Cell. Biol. 11, 4177-4188, 1991). They reported that transcription of RP-8 was induced when rat thymocytes were caused to undergo apoptosis triggered by either radiation or treatment with dexamethasone. To study the role of RP-8 in cell death in the mouse, we have cloned a full-length mouse RP-8 cDNA from a mouse thymus cDNA library. The mouse RP-8 gene encodes of protein of 343 amino acids with 92% amino acid identity to the rat RP-8 protein. Expression of mouse RP-8 was not altered in a factor-dependent myeloid line induced to undergo apoptosis by growth factor withdrawal, or when a lymphoid cell line was triggered to undergo apoptosis by irradiation. Although these data do not prove that RP-8 is not a cell death gene, they show that RP-8 expression is not sufficient for apoptosis, and that transcriptional up regulation of RP-8 is not universally associated with apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In-vitro and in-vivo synergic activity and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of the components of a semisynthetic streptogramin, RP 59500.

RP 59500 is a new semisynthetic injectable streptogramin antibiotic composed of two compounds which interact synergically, RP 57669 and RP 54476, derived from pristinamycin IA and pristinamycin IIB, respectively. The bacteristatic and bactericidal activities of RP 57669 and RP 54476 alone or combined in various proportions were tested by the chequerboard dilution technique. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was determined for 14 Staphylococcus aureus isolates (including methicillin- and macrolide-resistant strains) and one culture collection strain. The FIC index was found to be much lower than 0.5, indicating the presence of synergy for all strains tested, whatever their resistance pattern. The ED50 of RP 57669 and RP 54476 in various combinations were also determined in three experimental murine models of septicaemia, caused by either S. aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, and a thigh abscess model caused by S. aureus. The combinations which performed best in the model of septicaemia were those in which the RP 57669: RP 54476 ratio ranged from 16:84 to 92:8, while those active against the thigh abscess model had ratios ranging from 8:92 to 84:16. That the drugs were active over a wide range of ratios suggests that synergy will be maintained even if one drug is cleared more rapidly than the other. The combination of 30:70, referred to as RP 59500, was selected for further studies, both in vitro and in various experimental models of infections.

Abscess↗

The effect of cytokines on parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) production in human amnion cells.

In the present study, the effects of various cytokines on parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) production and PTH-rP mRNA expression in human amnion cells were studied. Immunoreactive (ir) PTH-rP was measured by immunoradiometric assay and the expression of PTH-rP mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. The addition of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta, 10 ng/ml) and IL-6 (10 ng/ml) in culture medium for 24 hours resulted in a significant increase in ir-PTH-rP levels by 1.5 and 1.6 fold, respectively. The effects of these agents were dose dependent. In contrast, IL-2 (10 ng/ml) and IL-8 (10 ng/ml) showed no effect on the production of ir-PTH-rP from amnion cells. Treatment with IL-1beta or IL-6 for 6 hours increased the expression of PTH-rP mRNA in amnion cells. The stimulatory effect of IL-1beta was reduced by IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in a dose dependent manner. Both tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), and forskolin increased PTH-rP mRNA levels and the PTH-rP production in amnion cells, and the effect of TPA was much greater than that of forskolin. The findings of the present study suggest of the participation of inflammatory cytokines for the regulation of PTH-rP production in human amnion cells.

Amnion↗

[The value of the parathyrin-related protein (PTH-RP) in the diagnosis of cancer-associated hypercalcemia].

BACKGROUND: The parathyrine related protein (PTH-RP) is very similar, both in structure and in function, to the PTH and is considered as a mediator in humoral hypercalcemia in cancer. The aim of this study was to know the clinical value of PTH-RP measurement. METHODS: Serum PTH-RP concentrations were studied in 22 healthy subjects, 13 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, 9 patients with solid neoplasms and normocalcemia, 26 patients with solid neoplasms and hypercalcemia and 4 patients with hematologic neoplasms and hypercalcemia. The PTH-RP was quantified by a competitive radioimmunoassay technique using a specific antibody of the PTH-RP 1-40 fragment. Intact parathyrine (i-PTH) was quantified by an IRMA method using 2 polyclonal antibodies (INCSTAR). RESULTS: Fifteen (68%) of the healthy controls presented undetectable serum PTH-RP concentrations. The serum PTH-RP concentration was normal in all those patients with hyperparathyroidism. Elevated serum PTH-RP values were not found in patients with solid neoplasms and normocalcemia or in those with hematologic neoplasms and hypercalcemia. High values of PTH-RP were observed in 8 out of 9 (88%) of the patients with solid neoplasms and hypercalcemia with bone metastasis and in 7 out of 11 (63%) of the patients with bone involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Serum parathyrine-related protein was found to be high in a large proportion of patients with solid neoplasms and hypercalcemia. Serum PTH-RP determination is useful in the clinical investigation of patients with hypercalcemia. Even in patients with bone metastasis, hypercalcemia may have a humoral background.

Adult↗

Human liver CYP2B6-catalyzed hydroxylation of RP 73401.

RP 73401 is a potent inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase type IV. RP 73401 is metabolized by human liver microsomes almost exclusively by transhydroxylation of the cyclopentyl group to RPR 113406. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis of plasma from patients given RP 73401 also revealed a molecular ion and fragmentation consistent with RPR 113406. Thus, the objective was to determine the oxidative enzyme(s) responsible for RP 73401 hydroxylation. Kinetic constants of RP 113406 formation ranged from 8 to 26 MM and 0.83 to 5.99 nmol/min/mg protein for K(m) and V(max), respectively (n = 3). Enzyme activity varied 23-fold among 15 human liver microsome samples and correlated with CYP2A6-catalyzed coumarin hydroxylase (r2 = 0.85, P < .01) and CYP2B6-catalyzed 7-ethoxytrifluoromethylcoumarin O-deethylase (r2 = 0.82, P < .01) activities. Chemical inhibition studies showed a 63% decrease in RP 73401 hydroxylation by 500 microM orphenadrine. Coumarin (10 microM), however, did not inhibit RP 73401 hydroxylation. Also, anti-CYP2B1 IgG produced 85% inhibition of RP 73401 hydroxylation, but only a negligible decline in coumarin hydroxylase activity. Of the 10 expressed P450 forms studied, only CYP2B6 catalyzed RP 73401 hydroxylation. Finally, expressed CYP2B6 showed a high affinity (K(m) = 22.5 microM) for RP 73401 hydroxylation, similar to the human liver microsome studies.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

PTH and PTH-rP elicit dissimilar retractile responses in murine MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide (PTH-rP) bind to a common receptor and initiate second-messenger cascades that stimulate bone turnover and hypercalcemia. However, PTH is more potent than PTH-rP in inducing bone resorption and coupled bone metabolism in intact tissue, suggesting that these proteins elicit dissimilar postreceptor responses. We compared the effects of PTH and PTH-rP on osteoblastic retraction, an early event that must occur before the osteoclast can achieve access to the underlying bone mineral and begin resorption. MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblasts were incubated in vehicle or 4.8 nM PTH or PTH-rP with or without 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP). Morphologic changes were observed from 0 to 120 min. PTH caused marked retraction within minutes, which was not enhanced by Bt2cAMP. PTH-rP or Bt2cAMP induced slower, more modest retraction than PTH. The combined effect of PTH-rP plus Bt2cAMP was greater than that of PTH-rP, but less than that of PTH. PTH-rP and PTH had similar effects on cAMP generation. Thus, compared to PTH, PTH-rP induces less osteoblastic retractile response, exposing less bone surface to osteoclastic resorption. This may account for its lower hypercalcemic potency in vivo and contribute to its relative inability to stimulate coupled bone resorption and formation.

Animals↗

Aspects of the antituberculous activity of 27753-RP, a new semisynthetic derivative of griselimycine.

The antituberculous activity of 27753-RP (RP), a new semisynthetic derivative of griselimycine, was determined both in vitro and in vivo, and its activity against atypical mycobacteria was also studied in vitro. 1) The minimal inhibitory concentration of RP against H37Rv and its mutants resistant to streptomycin, isoniazide, kanamycin, rifampicin and enviomycin was 0.5 microgram/ml in liquid media, showing no cross-resistance. However, loss of potency occurred in Ogawa's egg media, and 50 micrograms/ml of RP were required for inhibition of growth. 2) In the therapeutic study of experimental tuberculosis in mice, RP was shown to have a remarkable effect. In particular, when treatment was started immediately after infection, RP showed a therapeutic efficacy comparable to that of rifampicin, although a double dose of the drug was required. When treatment was started 3 weeks after infection, RP was inferior to rifampicin in therapeutic efficacy. 3) RP also showed excellent antituberculous activity against experimental tuberculosis in guinea-pigs. Twice-a-week treatment had a therapeutic efficacy comparable to that obtained by daily treatment, but with an increased dosage. 4) Among atypical mycobacteria, RP showed some degree of activity against Mycobacterium kansasii in vitro, while its activity against M. intracellulare appeared to be extremely low.

Animals↗

RP 58802B, a long-acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist: assessment of antiasthma activity in the guinea-pig in vivo.

We have examined the protective actions of RP 58802B, a novel beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, administered by the inhaled and oral routes in the anaesthetized and conscious guinea-pig against bronchospasm induced by histamine or antigen (ovalbumin). We have also examined the effects of RP 58802B on airway reactivity and inflammatory cell infiltration in platelet-activating factor (PAF) (aerosol)-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and on PAF (tracheal instillation)-induced microvascular leakage in the guinea-pig. Nebulized RP 58802B produced a rapid onset and long lasting inhibition of histamine-induced bronchospasm in the anaesthetized guinea-pig (EC50 = 3.2 +/- 0.9 micrograms/ml; duration greater than 90 min). Given orally, RP 58802B (5 mg/kg, 60 min before challenge) produced a greater than three-fold shift to the right of the dose-response curve and depressed the maximum response to histamine by 39 +/- 11%. Increasing the concentration to 25 mg/kg had no futher effect. Similar protection was still seen 4 h after oral dosing. In conscious guinea-pigs, RP 58802B (5 or 25 mg/kg, p.o. 60 min before challenge) significantly attenuated antigen-induced dyspnoea with the time to severe dyspnoea increasing from 170 +/- 32 to 325 +/- 32 s at the higher dose of drug. RP 58802B (10 or 25 mg/kg, p.o. 60 min before exposure to PAF) prevented the development of bronchial hyperreactivity. Although PAF-induced bronchial hyperreactivity was not accompanied by an increase in the number of pulmonary eosinophils, RP 58802B (25 mg/kg p.o.) reduced the numbers of eosinophils recovered by lavage. RP 58802B (10 mg/kg p.o.) significantly inhibited PAF-induced microvascular leakage into guinea-pig lung. These data suggest that RP 58802B, in addition to being a potent and long acting bronchodilator, may have a prophylactic role in preventing bronchial hyperreactivity and in reducing plasma exudation into the lungs.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Analysis of the PKC-gamma-related immunocrossreactive region of a novel leukocyte protein gamma-rp.

The newly discovered gamma-PKC-related-protein of human leukocytes (gamma-rp) crossreacts with a polyclonal antibody preparation originally designed to be specific for PKC-gamma (gammaMb-Ab). As this antibody is currently the only suitable probe for gamma-rp, we sought to characterize the binding of the two proteins. We determined that the gamma Mg-Ab does not recognize the native form of gamma-rp. However, with denaturing immunoblots of gamma-rp, we found that 1) the crossreactive gamma-rp epitope differs somewhat from that of classic rat brain PKC-gamma, but probably only to the degree of the rat/human PKC species difference; 2) the previously reported doublet bands of gamma-rp represent a single protein with cell-stimulus inducible modifications; 3) antibodies present in the gammaMg-Ab pool bind to two separate sites within the gamma-rp epitope; 4) access to one binding site is conformationally restricted, even after protein denaturation; 5) agonist-induced modification of gamma-rp does not significantly affect the total amount of gamma Mg-Ab that it can bind, but 6) does significantly affect the rate of antibody binding to one site. This investigation defines the appropriate experimental use of our antibody, and the significance of these findings for the future study and cloning of gamma-rp is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunomodulatory and cytoprotective role of RP-1 in gamma-irradiated mice.

RP-1 has been reported to provide protection against lethal gamma-irradiation in mice. The present study was undertaken to understand its mechanism of action, especially with respect to modulation of radiation-induced changes in immune cell function, plasma antioxidant potential, cell cycle perturbations, apoptosis in mouse bone marrow cells, and micronuclei frequency in mice reticulocytes. 2 Gy reduced mitogenic response of splenic lymphocytes significantly at 48 h. Pre-irradiation RP-1 treatment significantly countered the radiation-induced loss of splenocyte proliferation. RP-1 treatment, with or without radiation, suppressed macrophage activation as compared to control. Irradiation decreased plasma antioxidant status significantly (p < 0.05) at 1 and 2 h (4.8 +/- 0.224 and 4.9 +/- 0.057 mM Fe2+) as compared to control (6.29 +/- 0.733 mM Fe2+) that was countered by RP-1 pre-treatment significantly (p < 0.05). RP-1 and irradiation individually caused G2 delay in bone marrow cells. RP-1 pre-treatment augmented radiation-induced G2 delay and elicited significant (p < 0.05) recovery in S-phase fraction at 48 h in comparison to irradiated group. Radiation-induced apoptosis (3%) was significantly higher than the control. RP-1 pre-treatment further enhanced apoptosis frequency (7.2%) in bone marrow cells. RP-1 pre-treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced (1.23%) the radiation-induced MN frequency (2.9%) observed at 48 h post-irradiation interval. Since the radioprotective manifestation of RP-1 is mediated through multiple mechanisms, needs further investigation.

Animals↗

Novel (Rp)-cAMPS analogs as tools for inhibition of cAMP-kinase in cell culture. Basal cAMP-kinase activity modulates interleukin-1 beta action.

Novel (Rp)-cAMPS analogs differed widely in ability to antagonize cAMP activation of pure cAMP-dependent protein kinase I and II and to antagonize actions of cAMP on gene expression, shape change, apoptosis, DNA replication, and protein phosphorylation in intact cells. These differences were related to different abilities of the analogs to stabilize the holoenzyme form relative to the dissociated form of cAMP kinase type I and II. (Rp)-8-Br-cAMPS and (Rp)-8-Cl-cAMPS were the most potent cAMP antagonists for isolated type I kinase and for cells expressing mostly type I kinase, like IPC-81 leukemia cells, fibroblasts transfected with type I regulatory subunit (RI), and primary hepatocytes. It is proposed that (Rp)-8-Br-cAMPS or (Rp)-8-Cl-cAMPS should replace (Rp)-cAMPS as the first line cAMP antagonist, particularly for studies in cells expressing predominantly type I kinase. The phosphorylation of endogenous hepatocyte proteins was affected oppositely by (Rp)-8-Br-cAMPS and increased cAMP, indicating that (Rp)-8-Br-cAMPS inhibited basal cAMP-kinase activity. The inhibition of basal kinase activity was accompanied by enhanced DNA replication, an effect which could be reproduced by microinjected mutant cAMP-subresponsive RI. It is concluded that the basal cAMP-kinase activity exerts a tonic inhibition of hepatocyte replication. (Rp)-8-Br-cAMPS and microinjected RI also desensitized hepatocytes toward inhibition of DNA synthesis by interleukin-1 beta. This indicates that basal cAMP-kinase activity can have a permissive role for the action of another (interleukin-1 beta) signaling pathway.

3T3 Cells↗