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Activation of endogenous nitric oxide synthase coupled with methacholine-induced exocytosis in rat parotid acinar cells.

Methacholine (MCh) interacted with M(3) muscarinic receptors in rat parotid tissue slices and induced amylase secretion. MCh- and calcimycin-induced exocytosis was completely inhibited by N-[2-(N-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-N-methylaminomethyl)phenyl]-N-[2-hydroxyethyl]-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), 1H-(1,2,4)-oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one, and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, suggesting that activations of calmodulin (CaM) kinase II, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) were coupled with the exocytosis. These suggestions were supported by the results that exposure of the slices to MCh induced a rapid increase in these enzyme activities. Western blot analysis showed that neuronal NOS (nNOS) was expressed in isolated parotid acinar cells of rats. To measure nitric oxide (NO) production in response to the stimulation with MCh in real time, the isolated parotid acinar cells had been preloaded with 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate and incubated with the agonist. MCh (1 microM) induced a fast increase in 4,5-diaminofluorescein fluorescence, corresponding to an increase in the NO synthesis in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) but not in the absence of it. When the isolated parotid acinar cells preloaded with L-NAME or 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethylester) were treated simultaneously with MCh, the increase in the fluorescence also was not observed. The MCh-induced increase in the fluorescence was not observed in the cells incubated in the absence of extracellular calcium, showing the importance of Ca(2+) entry from extracellular sites for MCh-induced NOS activation. These results indicate that nNOS is endogenously present in rat parotid acinar cells and that the rapid activation of this enzyme together with those of CaM kinase II and PKG contributes to MCh-induced amylase secretion.

Amylases↗

Nongenomic regulation of the kinetics of exocytosis by estrogens.

The role of nongenomic action of estrogens on elicited catecholamine secretion and exocytosis kinetics was studied in perfused rat adrenals and in cultured bovine chromaffin cells. 17beta-Estradiol as well as the estrogen receptor modulators raloxifene and LY117018, but not 17alpha-estradiol, inhibited at the micromolar range the catecholamine output elicited by acetylcholine or high potassium. However, these agents failed to modify the secretion elicited by high Ca(2+) in glands treated with the ionophore A-23187 (calcimycin), suggesting that estrogens did not directly act on the secretory machinery. At the single cell level, estrogens modified the kinetics of exocytosis at nanomolar range. All of the drugs tested except 17alpha-estradiol produced a profound slowing down of the exocytosis as measured by amperometry. LY117018 also reduced the granule content of catecholamines. 17beta-Estradiol reduced the intracellular free Ca(2+) but only at micromolar concentrations, whereas nanomolar concentrations increased the cAMP levels. These effects were reproduced with the nonpermeable drug 17beta-estradiol-horseradish peroxidase and antagonized with nanomolar concentrations of the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (fulvestrant). Our data suggest the presence of membrane sites that regulate both the exocytotic phenomenon and the total catecholamine release with high and low affinity, respectively.

Adrenal Glands↗

Effects of prolonged exposure to oxygen-derived free radicals in canine pulmonary arteries.

Experiments were designed to evaluate endothelium-dependent responses of pulmonary arteries following prolonged exposure to oxygen-derived free radicals. Rings of canine pulmonary arteries with and without endothelium were suspended for measurement of isometric force in organ chambers and incubated with xanthine (10(-4)M) plus xanthine oxidase (0.015 U/ml) for 1 h in the absence and presence of either superoxide dismutase (SOD, 150 U/ml), catalase (1,200 U/ml), deferoxamine (10(-3)M), or a combination of all three scavengers. Xanthine plus xanthine oxidase caused significantly greater contractions of rings without compared with those with endothelium. In rings with endothelium, contractions were reduced by SOD or catalase but not by deferoxamine. Following 1 h of exposure to xanthine plus xanthine oxidase, endothelium-dependent relaxations to ADP were reduced but not those to bradykinin or the calcium ionophore A-23187 (calcimycin). Relaxations to ADP were not corrected by incubation with the antioxidants used singly or in combination during the exposure to xanthine plus xanthine oxidase. These results suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals generated from exogenously applied xanthine plus xanthine oxidase cause contractions of canine pulmonary arteries. In addition, even when contractions of rings with endothelium were prevented by SOD and catalase, subsequent expression of some but not all endothelium-dependent relaxations were reduced. Therefore, scavenging of oxygen-derived free radicals may prevent some but not all of the vascular injury caused by oxygen-derived free radicals.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Dissociation of TNF-alpha from endotoxin-induced nitric oxide and acute-phase hypotension.

We tested the concept that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or platelet-activating factor (PAF) mediated Escherichia coli endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of nitric oxide (NO) and acute-phase hypotension (APH) in the rat. LPS (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) given to rats treated with saline or nonimmune goat-derived gamma-globulin (immunoglobulin G, 22 mg/kg i.m.) produced APH and increased plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha and nitrate and nitrite anions (reactive nitrogen intermediates; RNI) and NO in ex vivo incubates of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA in PMN. Pretreatment of rats with a polyclonal TNF-alpha antibody (TNF-Ab, 22 mg/kg i.m.) abolished LPS-mediated increases in plasma TNF-alpha but failed to inhibit APH or the NO system. TNF-alpha (8.2 micrograms/kg i.v.) produced transient hypertension and sustained tachycardia and increased plasma TNF-alpha and PMN iNOS mRNA but not RNI. LPS and TNF-alpha decreased spontaneous and calcimycin (Ca2+ ionophore, 1 microM)- and PAF (1 microM)-mediated increases in head-space NO production by rings of mesenteric artery incubated ex vivo. TNF-Ab abolished all effects of TNF-alpha. PAF (25, 50, and 100 ng/kg) produced APH without increasing plasma TNF-alpha, RNI, or PMN iNOS mRNA. The PAF receptor antagonist BN-50730 (80 micrograms/kg i.v.) abolished PAF-induced APH and attenuated LPS-induced increases in RNI. We conclude that 1) LPS produces parallel but unrelated changes in TNF-alpha and RNI in plasma and PMN during the APH of endotoxemia; and 2) endogenous TNF-alpha is not required for LPS-mediated induction of iNOS mRNA, and PAF mediates LPS-induced APH.

Animals↗

Amino acids as modulators of endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

To examine the mechanisms whereby amino acids modulate nitric oxide (NO) production and blood flow in the renal vasculature, chemiluminescence techniques were used to quantify NO in the renal venous effluent of the isolated, perfused rat kidney as different amino acids were added to the perfusate. The addition of 10(-4) or 10(-3) M cationic amino acids (l-ornithine, l-lysine, or l-homoarginine) or neutral amino acids (l-glutamine, l-leucine, or l-serine) to the perfusate decreased NO and increased renal vascular resistance. Perfusion with anionic amino acids (l-glutamate or l-aspartate) had no effect on either parameter. The effects of the cationic and neutral amino acids were reversed with 10(-3) M l-arginine and prevented by deendothelialization or NO synthase inhibition. The effects of the neutral amino acids but not the cationic amino acids were dependent on extracellular sodium. Cationic and neutral amino acids also decreased calcimycin-induced NO, as assessed by DAF-FM-T fluorescence, in cultured EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Inhibition of system y(+) or y(+)L by siRNA for the cationic amino acid transporter 1 or the CD98/4F2 heavy chain diminished the NO-depleting effects of these amino acids. Finally, transport studies in cultured cells demonstrated that cationic or neutral amino acids in the extracellular space stimulate efflux of l-arginine out of the cell. Thus the present experiments demonstrate that cationic and neutral amino acids can modulate NO production in endothelial cells by altering cellular l-arginine transport through y(+) and y(+)L transport mechanisms.

Amino Acids↗

Myosin light chain kinase is not a regulator of synaptic vesicle trafficking during repetitive exocytosis in cultured hippocampal neurons.

The mechanism by which synaptic vesicles (SVs) are recruited to the release site is poorly understood. One candidate mechanism for trafficking of SVs is the myosin-actin motor system. Myosin activity is modulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), which in turn is activated by calmodulin. Ca(2+) signaling in presynaptic terminals, therefore, may serve to regulate SV mobility along actin filaments via MLCK. Previous studies in different types of synapses have supported such a hypothesis. Here, we further investigated the role of MLCK in neurotransmitter release at glutamatergic synapses in cultured hippocampal neurons by examining the effects of two MLCK inhibitors, 1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine.HCl (ML-7) and wortmannin. Bath application of ML-7 enhanced short-term depression of EPSCs to repetitive stimulation, whereas it reduced presynaptic release probability. However, ML-7 also inhibited action potential amplitude and voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel currents. These effects were not mimicked by wortmannin, suggesting that ML-7 was not specific to MLCK in hippocampal neurons. When SV exocytosis was directly triggered by a Ca(2+) ionophore, calcimycin, to bypass voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, ML-7 had no effect on neurotransmitter release. Furthermore, when SV exocytosis elicited by electrical field stimulation was monitored by styryl dye, FM1-43 [N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino)styryl)pyridinium dibromide], the unloading kinetics of the dye was not altered in the presence of wortmannin. These data indicate that MLCK is not a major regulator of presynaptic SV trafficking during repetitive exocytosis at hippocampal synapses.

Action Potentials↗

Effect of anabolic agents on calpastatin promoters in porcine skeletal muscle and their responsiveness to cyclic adenosine monophosphate- and calcium-related stimuli.

The calpain proteinases and their specific inhibitor calpastatin have been proposed to influence both the rates of myofibrillar protein turnover in vivo and meat tenderization postmortem. Elevated calpastatin concentrations in particular are associated with certain forms of hypertrophic growth and meat toughness. In the 5'region of the porcine calpastatin gene, there are 3 calpastatin promoters upstream of exons 1xa, 1xb, and 1u, respectively, each of which contain transcription factor-binding motifs, suggesting sensitivity to a variety of growth-promoting stimuli. This study examined the effect of the beta-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol and porcine ST (pST) treatment on calpastatin promoter usage in porcine LM in vivo using real-time PCR and also the responsiveness of transfected calpastatin promoter sequences to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium (Ca2+)-related stimuli in reporter gene systems in cell studies. The effect of clenbuterol and pST on potential signaling pathways in vivo was also assessed by monitoring protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin), NFATc3, calpain 3, IkappaB alpha, and NFkappaB by quantitative immunoblotting. Total calpastatin mRNA was increased by 52% (P < 0.05) after treatment with clenbuterol for 1 d and reduced by 35% (P < 0.01) after pST treatment for 7 d. Whereas clenbuterol had no significant differential effects on individual mRNA transcripts (types 1 to 3) derived from the 3 upstream promoters, pST significantly reduced all of these by 51, 39, and 40% (P < 0.001, 0.05, and 0.05), respectively. Promoter activity was increased in rat L6G8 cells transfected with a construct derived from exon 1u after treatment with dibutyryl cAMP (68%, P < 0.05) or forskolin (43%, P < 0.05), whereas 1xa activity was reduced by both of these agents (47 and 33%, respectively, P < 0.05). Treatment of cells with the calcium ionophore calcimycin reduced the activity of the 1u promoter by 40% (P < 0.01), with no effect on the other promoter constructs. Cyclosporin A had no effect on any promoter construct. The only signaling pathway component to be significantly altered by the in vivo treatments was calcineurin, which was decreased by 24% (P < 0.05) in clenbuterol-treated animals. In conclusion, 2 types of growth promoter in pigs had contrasting effects on calpastatin expression in LM. Transfected calpastatin promoters were differentially sensitive to cAMP- and Ca2+-related stimuli, in agreement with the proposed mode of action of the 2 growth promoters.

Anabolic Agents↗

Effects of calcium ions and substances affecting Ca2+ -related mechanisms on histamine-evoked stimulation of cyclic AMP formation in chick pineal gland.

In avian central nervous system (CNS), and particularly in the pineal gland, histamine (HA) potently stimulates synthesis of cyclic AMP in intact tissue, and only weakly affects adenylyl cyclase activity in membrane preparation. In this work, we focussed on calcium (Ca2+) as a possible link in the mechanism through which HA affects cyclic AMP generation in the chick pineal. The problem was studied in two sets of experiments where the action of HA on the pineal cyclic AMP was tested: (1) in the incubation medium containing various compounds influencing Ca2+ influx and/or Ca2+ intracellular concentration/action (Ca2+ -ionophore calcimycin, Ca2+ -channel agonist Bay-K 8644, Ca2+ -channels blockers: diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine and omega-conotoxin-GVIA, CaCl2, EGTA in the absence of CaCl2 in the incubation medium, as well as calmodulin inhibitors: calmidazolium and W-7), and (2) in a CaCl2-free incubation medium yet containing different concentrations of BaCl2, CdCl2, CoCl2, MgCl2, and NiSO4. The results of the first series were mostly negative; an exception was the inhibiton of the HA-evoked cyclic AMP formation observed in the presence of 5.2 and 10.4 mM CaCl2 In the second series of experiments, divalent cations (however with the exception of Mg2+, which was inactive at concentrations up to 15.6 mM) inhibited the HA-evoked cyclic AMP production, with the following rank order of potency: Cd2+ >> Co2+ >> Ni2+ > Ba2+. The inhibitory effect of CdCl2 was prevented by nifedipine. Taken together, the present data suggest that intracellular Ca2+ -related mechanisms are not of major importance in the HA action on cyclic AMP synthesis in the chick pineal. It could be suspected that the inhibition of the HA-driven cyclic AMP formation by high concentrations of Ca2+, and other divalent cations, probably resulted from their direct inhibitory interaction with the catalytic site of the pineal adenylyl cyclase.

Animals↗

Matrine inhibits production and actions of fibrogenic cytokines released by mouse peritoneal macrophages.

AIM: To study the effects of matrine (Mat) on production and actions of fibrogenic cytokines from mouse peritoneal macrophages. METHODS: Mouse peritoneal macrophages were primed with calcimycin 1 micromol/L for 8 h then elicited by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) 100 microg/L for 6 h to induce fibrogenic cytokines. Proliferative and collagen stimulating activity in the macrophage culture supernatants was determined by crystal violet staining assay and [3H]-proline incorporation assay using rat hepatic stellate HSC-T6 cell or mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cell. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) activity was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay using Mv-1-Lu mink lung epithelial cell. RESULTS: Mat (0.5-2 mmol/L) was shown to significantly inhibit LPS-induced collagen stimulating activities and TGFbeta production (P < 0.01) whereas did not inhibit proliferative activities induced by macrophages. Macrophage conditioned medium (MCM)-driven proliferation and collagen synthesis of HSC-T6 cells as well as NIH3T3 cells were attenuated by Mat (0.5-2 mmol/L) in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Antifibrotic effects of Mat on hepatic stellate cells may be related to reduction of fibrogenic cytokine production and blockade of their actions.

Alkaloids↗

Imrecoxib: a novel and selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory effect.

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of imrecoxib, a synthetic compound of completely new structure, on cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2) and its anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. METHODS: The inhibitory effects of imrecoxib on cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 were studied using whole cell assay with murine peritoneal macrophages induced by calcimycin and LPS. The inhibitory effects of imrecoxib on mRNA level of COX-1 and COX-2 in human macrophage cell line U937 were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Effects of imrecoxib on acute and chronic inflammation were evaluated in rat carrageenan induced edema model and rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model, respectively. RESULTS: Imrecoxib was found to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 with IC50 value of 115+/-28 nmol/L and 18+/-4 nmol/L, respectively. Imrecoxib was shown to selectively and dose-dependently inhibit COX-2 mRNA level. Imrecoxib effectively inhibited carrageenan-induced acute inflammation at the doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg i.g. and adjuvant-induced chronic inflammation at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/d i.g. CONCLUSION: Imrecoxib is a novel and moderately selective COX-2 inhibitor that possesses anti-inflammatory effect by inhibition of COX-2 mRNA expression.

Animals↗

Characterization of putrescine uptake in hamster amelanocytic melanoma AMEL-3 cells.

The uptake of putrescine, spermidine and spermine by Fortner's hamster amelanocytic melanoma AMEL-3 cells was observed in this study to be time-dependent, temperature-sensitive, pH-dependent and saturable. Metabolic poisons nullified polyamine uptake, an indication that this is an energy-requiring mechanism. The presence of Na+ ions was found to be requisite to full activity. Valinomycin, gramicidin, monensin and the calcium ionophore calcimycin were also observed to inhibit the process substantially. The transporter active site would seem to contain sulfhydryl groups. Other diamines and polyamine analogues, as well as cationic diamidines, suppressed putrescine uptake. The presence of the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor DFMO in the culture medium induced putrescine inflows. Putrescine, in turn, induced the negative expression of the carrier, thus suggesting that this influx mechanism is governed by up/down regulation. The cationic diamidine CGP 40215A and its analogue CGP039937A competitively inhibited putrescine transport, with Ki values of 1.9 and 15 microM, respectively. The role of polyamine uptake in these cultures is discussed.

Amidines↗

PGD2 and its mimetic ZK 110.841 are potent inhibitors of receptor-mediated activation of human neutrophils.

The action of PGD2 and its mimetic ZK 110.841 ((5Z,13E)-(9R,11R,15S)-9-chloro-15-cyclohexyl-11,15- dihydroxy-16,17,18,19, 20-pentanor-5,13-prostadienoic acid) was compared to PGE1 in vitro on superoxide anion generation, degranulation, leukotriene (LT) B4 release and Ca++ fluxes in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). All compounds were potent inhibitors of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)- and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced superoxide anion generation, beta-glucuronidase release and Ca++ influx. The PAF-induced release of LTB4 in the presence of 10 mumoles/l arachidonic acid was significantly attenuated by these prostaglandins. This inhibition of PMN function was paralleled by an increase in cellular cAMP levels. The molar potency of the prostaglandins used was comparable, although the D-type compounds appeared slightly more potent in some PMN function tests. None of the substances affected PMN activation induced by the calcium inophore calcimycin (A23187). The data demonstrate an effective inhibition of receptor-mediated (FMLP, PAF) PMN activation by PGD2 and its mimetic ZK 110.841, suggesting either an inhibitory PGD2 receptor on human PMN or action of PGD2 at the PGE receptor. PGD2 is a labile compound in vivo and is rapidly metabolized into a number of products with different biological properties. Since ZK 110.841 lacks this instability, this compound may serve as an important tool to classify PGD2-mediated reactions.

Alprostadil↗

Effects of dilazep on cytoplasmic calcium ion concentrations and arachidonic acid metabolism in activated human platelets.

The effects of dilazep (tetrahydro-1H-1,4-diazepine-1,4(5H)-dipropanol bis(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate)-di-hydrochloride monohydrate, Comelian), a coronary and cerebral vasodilator and an antiplatelet drug, on the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in activated human platelets were investigated. [Ca2+]i (free calcium ion concentration) of aequorin-loaded platelets was estimated by using the platelet ionized calcium aggregometer. AA metabolism was studied by the determination of AA metabolites, hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. When platelets were preincubated with dilazep (0-0.5 mmol/l), the drug inhibited both platelet aggregation and [Ca2+]i elevation induced by thrombin, AA and collagen in a concentration dependent manner, while only aggregation was inhibited after stimulation with the Ca ionophore A23187 (calcimycin). Both influx and release of Ca2+ into platelet cytoplasm induced by thrombin or AA were inhibited by dilazep, while neither of them was affected when induced by A23187. Oral ingestion of dilazep as a 100-mg capsule significantly depressed the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by thrombin, AA and collagen after 3 h. Dilazep inhibited endogenous AA metabolism by platelets induced by thrombin, although it enhanced exogenous one. Thus, dilazep inhibited platelet aggregation induced by any agonists including A23187, while [Ca2+]i elevation was inhibited by the drug only when the receptor-mediated agonist was used. Furthermore, it is suggested that dilazep inhibited AA liberation from platelet membrane phospholipids, leading to reduced production of all endogenous AA metabolites after platelet activation although metabolites of exogenous AA could be increased.

Adult↗

[Inhibitory effect of silybin on the activity of 5-lipoxygenase of the porcine cerebral basilar artery].

The chopped porcine cerebral basilar arteries (PCBA) were incubated in the modified Tyrode solution with calcium ionophore calcimycin (A-23187, Cal) 10 mumol/L in the presence of arachidonic acid 30.6 mumol/L and indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor 2.8 mumol/L. The culture was extracted and purified with a SEP-PAK column (SEP-PAK C18 Cartridge, Waters). The bioassay of the extract was then made on the isolated guinea pig ileum with the standard leukotriene D4 (LTD4) 200 pg/ml as a reference. The acetylcholine, histamine and 5-HT released by the ileum was preblocked by atropine 1 mumol/L, diphenhydramine 1 mumol/L and cyproheptadine 3 nmol/L. The contraction produced by the extract on the ileum showed the same characteristic as LTD4, and was blocked by the specific LTs antagonist FPL 55712 100 ng/ml. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated the presence of peaks co-chromatographing with standard LTB4, C4 and D4. The retention times of LTB4, C4 and D4 in our system were 2.2, 3.2, 5.5 min respectively. The eluates of peaks co-chromatographing with LTB4, C4 and D4 were collected and tested for contractile activity on the guinea pig ileum. Only the substances which had the similar LTC4 and LTD4 retention times exhibited contractile activities. Hence we concluded that the substances of LTs which had biological activities were mainly LTC4 and D4. The amount of LTs released from PCBA was 70 +/- 15 pg/100 mg tissue. When PCBA was preincubated with silybin 100 and 500 mumol/L, the amounts of LTs released were 27 +/- 12 and 14 +/- 6 pg/100 mg tissue, respectively (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[In vitro study of ionophore antibiotics and various derivatives. I. Action on fermentation products in the rumen].

An in vitro study was conducted to test the action of different ionophore antibiotics and some of their derivatives on the end-products of rumen fermentation. Nigericin and narasin, like monensin and lasalocid, increased the molar proportion of propionate in the V.F.A. mixture and decreased the proportion of acetate and especially that of butyrate. They had no action on total V.F.A. production. The effect observed with derivatives (lasalocid O-acetyl or nigericin-O-acetyl) was generally less. Gas production, chiefly methane, decreased with the addition of antibiotics. This result agrees with the stoichiometric reactions of carbohydrate fermentation in the rumen. The amount of ammonia nitrogen fixed by bacteria was generally lowered by the addition of five antibiotics (nigericin, narasin, monensin, grisorixin and lasalocid) or two derivatives (lasalocid O-acetyl and nigericin O-acetyl), indicating a decrease in bacterial synthesis. In contrast, calcimycin improved the butyrate production at the expense of propionate, and had no effect on gas composition or bacterial synthesis; X 14547 A and alborixin had only a small effect on rumen fermentations. These results, however, must be interpreted with care since the inocula used came from non-adapted sheep.

Animals↗

Synthesis and inhibitory activities on platelet aggregation of some flavonoid analogues.

A series of 26 benzodioxan and benzodioxol derivatives of flavone have been prepared. The activity of the compounds on washed human platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 5 mumol/l), collagen (10 micrograms/ml) and calcimycin (20 mumol/l) was evaluated. The alkoxycarbonyl side chain derivatives inhibited all three types of aggregation inducers. Among the tested compounds Ia is the most potent inhibitor of collagen-induced aggregation but possesses a weak activity against the other two used inducers. The esters IIIb and in particular, IIIc are active against all the three used inducers. These results suggest that ethoxycarbonyl group is a potent substituent to provide the antiplatelet action in this series of flavonoids.

Flavonoids↗

Effect of esculentoside H on release of tumor necrosis factor from mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Effect of esculentoside H (EH) on release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from murine peritoneal macrophage (Mphi) in vitro was studied. The results showed that EH (12.5-200 micrograms.ml-1) induced the thioglycolate-broth elicited peritoneal Mphi to release TNF into supernatants in a dose-dependent manner, and higher levels of TNF activity were detected in the supernatants from EH-stimulated calcimycin-primed Mø culture. EH-induced TNF release had a different type of kinetics compared with that of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). LPS-induced release of TNF increased rapidly until 6 h after LPS stimulation, then declined gradually, while EH-induced TNF release increased gradually after EH stimulation and reached its peak at approximately 24 h later. These results suggested that the anti-tumor mechanisms of Phytolaccaceae may be related to the capacity of EH for TNF release.

Animals↗

Angiotensin II stimulates the synthesis of angiotensinogen in hepatocytes by inhibiting adenylylcyclase activity and stabilizing angiotensinogen mRNA.

Angiotensin II stimulates the hepatic synthesis and secretion of angiotensinogen, the substrate of renin. In the present study performed on freshly isolated rat hepatocytes we demonstrate that this effect of angiotensin II is mainly related to a transient inhibition of adenylylcyclase. Agents known to decrease intracellular cAMP (angiotensin II, vasopressin, guanfacine) or the cAMP-antagonist Rp-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic phosphothioate stimulated, whereas cAMP-stimulating agents (isoproterenol, forskolin, glucagon) or the cAMP-agonist Sp-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic phosphothioate inhibited angiotensinogen synthesis. In contrast, all agents known to affect intracellular concentrations of calcium, as confirmed in Fura-2-loaded hepatocytes (Bay K 8644, calcimycin, calmidazolium, ionomycin, or methoxamine) failed to influence the synthesis of angiotensinogen. The inhibitory effect of angiotensin II as well as the stimulatory effect of glucagon on cAMP were inversely related to angiotensinogen mRNA and angiotensinogen secretion over a wide concentration range of both peptides. Both the angiotensin II-dependent inhibition of cAMP and the angiotensin II-induced increase in angiotensinogen mRNA were abolished by a pertussis toxin pretreatment. In hepatocyte membranes, pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylated a single protein (approximately 41 kDa) probably representing the alpha-subunit of the Gi-protein, coupling inhibitory receptors to adenylylcyclase. We further show that the increase of angiotensinogen mRNA and secretion mainly represents the result of mRNA stabilization, since in a nuclear run-on assay, angiotensin II pretreatment of hepatocytes does not significantly alter the rate of [32P]UTP incorporation into angiotensinogen mRNA, whereas angiotensin II prolonged the half-life of angiotensinogen mRNA in transcription-arrested as well as in [3H]uridine pulse-labeled hepatocytes about 2.5-fold from 80 to 190 min. It is concluded that angiotensin II induces an increase in angiotensinogen synthesis in hepatocytes by stabilizing of angiotensinogen mRNA and that this effect is mediated through inhibition of adenylylcyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗