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Effects of sulfhydryl agents on the activation of tryptophan-5-monooxygenase from bovine pineal glands.

Partially purified tryptophan-5-monooxygenase (L-tryptophan, tetrahydropteridine: oxygen oxidoreductase (5-hydroxylating) EC 1.14.16.4)from bovine pineal gland was activated by preincubation with sulfhydryl agents such as dithiothreitol, L-cysteine, cysteamine, L-cysteine ethylester, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol and reduced glutathione, at alkaline pH (optimum pH equals 8.5). Dithiothreitol was the most effective of these, leading to approximately 50-fold activation of the enzyme after preincubation. Fe-2+ or other reducing agents such as borohydride, dithionite and ascorbate facilitated the velocity of the activation in the presence of sulfhydryl agents. In the absence of sulfhydryl agents, no activation was observed even in the presence of Fe-2+ or other reducing agents, suggesting an obligatory role or sulhydryl agents during the activation. The relative velocity and full extent of the activation were dependent on the concentrations of both the sulfhydryl agent and the enzyme in the activation mixture. The kinetic analysis of the activation indicated that the sulfhydryl agent reacts with more than 2 sites in the enzyme; one type of site is reduced by sulfhydryl agents, Fe-2+ or other reducing agents and the other specifically modified by a sulfhydryl agent. The activated enzyme did not require any exogenous Fe-2+ for its catalytic activity, but some roles of iron maybe exist in its catalytic reaction. The optimum pH for catalytic reaction of the activated enzyme was approximately 6.5. The apparent Km for L-tryptophan and pteridine cofactor, tetrahydro-pteridine (2-amino-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin), of the activated enzyme were 30 and 35 muM respectively.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗

Apolipoprotein E-1Harrisburg: a new variant of apolipoprotein E dominantly associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is important in the modulation of the catabolism of chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) remnants. ApoE has three major genetically determined isoproteins in plasma, designated apoE-2, apoE-3 and apoE-4, with homozygosity for the allele coding for apoE-2 being associated with dysbetalipoproteinemia or type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). We describe a new variant of apoE, apoE-1Harrisburg, which is, in contrast to apoE-2, dominantly associated with type III HLP. Five of twelve members of the affected kindred are heterozygous for the mutant form of apoE, and four of the five have type III HLP, while the fifth member has dysbetalipoproteinemia on diet therapy. Neuraminidase digestion, which removes charged sialic acid residues, did not alter the electrophoretic position of the apoE-1Harrisburg isoprotein, indicating that the altered charge of apoE-1Harrisburg was not due to sialic acid addition to the apolipoprotein. Cysteamine modification, which adds a positively charged group to cysteine, resulted in a shift of apoE-1Harrisburg from the E-1 to the E-2 isoform position, indicating that there is one cysteine in apoE-1Harrisburg as is the case for apoE-3. These results are consistent with apoE-1Harrisburg originating in the allele for apoE-3 with the mutation leading to a negative two-unit charge shift. The definitive identification of a kindred with an apoE variant, apoE-1Harrisburg, dominantly associated with dysbetalipoproteinemia and type III HLP provides a unique opportunity to gain important insights into the structure-function requirements of the E apolipoprotein as well as the mechanisms by which apoE modulates lipoprotein metabolism.

Adolescent↗

Protective role of endogenous pulmonary glutathione and other sulfhydryl compounds against lung damage by alkylating agents. Investigations with 4-ipomeanol in the rat.

Because endogenous glutathione is known to participate in the detoxification of highly reactive, hepatotoxic drug metabolites, we studied the role of this substance in the pulmonary toxicity of 4-ipomeanol [1-(3-furyl)-4-hydroxypentanone] in rats. 4-Ipomeanol was an appropriate model for these studies since previous investigations have indicated that an alkylating metabolite, formed in situ, is responsible for selective lung damage by 4-ipomeanol. Toxic doses of 4-ipomeanol preferentially depleted rat lung glutathione. Pretreatment of animals with piperonyl butoxide, an inhibitor of the metabolic activation of 4-ipomeanol, prevented both the depletion of lung glutathione and the pulmonary toxicity of 4-ipomeanol. Prior depletion of lung glutathione by diethylmaleate increased both the pulmonary covalent binding and the toxicity of 4-ipomeanol, whereas administration of cysteine and cysteamine decreased both the covalent binding and the toxicity. These in vivo studies, in conjunction with previous in vitro studies which showed inhibitory effects of sulfhydryl compounds on the covalent binding of 4-ipomeanol, are consistent with the view that pulmonary glutathione plays a protective role against pulmonary alkylation and lung toxicity by 4-ipomeanol, probably by reacting with the toxic metabolite(s) to form nontoxic conjugate(s). Pulmonary glutathione may similarly provide protection against other electrophilic drugs or metabolites that can damage the lungs.

Animals↗

DNA clastogenic activity of diethylstilbestrol.

Incubation of human leukocytes with the synthetic estrogen and known human carcinogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES), for 40 min caused extensive DNA strand breakage (clastogenesis), as measured by a fluorometric assay. The level of DNA clastogenesis was dose dependent above an apparent threshold of 10 microM. Clastogenesis was increased by addition of cysteamine, a reducing agent and hydroxyl radical scavenger, and was blocked by low concentrations of plasma. DES epoxide, a weakly estrogenic derivative, was about one-tenth as potent as a DNA clastogen. Unexpected and paradoxical findings were observed when cells were treated with DES in the presence of a hydrogen peroxide-generating system plus a peroxidase. At the subthreshold concentration of 10 microM DES, the oxidizing system increased DNA clastogenicity, yet at 30 microM DES the oxidizing system decreased clastogenicity. The addition of superoxide dismutase to the oxidizing system increased clastogenicity at both concentrations of DES. DNA damage was largely blocked by arsenite, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide and bromophenacyl bromide. These experiments provide further indication of the complex nature of reactions involving DES which can lead to DNA damage and which may be relevant to DES-induced carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

Diurnal fluctuation and pharmacological alteration of mouse organ glutathione content.

Mouse liver glutathione content showed a diurnal variation with a maximum GSH + 2 GSSG content at 6 to 10 a.m. of 62 +/- 8 nmole per mg protein and a minimum of 42 +/- 7 at 6 p.m. Starvation for more than 24 hr decreased the hepatic glutathione content to 22 +/- 3 nmole/mg protein and abolished the diurnal rhythm. Artificial reversal of the feeding habit of the animals reversed the diurnal rhythm. Kidney, spleen and lung glutathione contents showed no such rhythm. The organ glutathione content decreased by 50% or more upon starvation. The increase of the liver glutathione content by injection of either free or liposomally entrapped GSH to starved animals was not dependent on the time of administration. The physiological maximum level could not be exceeded by this treatment. It was not possible to influence the glutathione content of kidney, lung or intestine by glutathione injections in either form. Intravenous injections of equimolar doses of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid, N-2-mercaptopropionylglycine, D-penicillamine, or cysteamine did not lead to any significant change in liver, kidney, spleen or lung glutathione contents 2 hr after administration. Intravenously given N-acetylcysteine, methionine, GSH or GSSG restored liver glutathione levels of starved animals to the contents observed in the fed state. The diurnal hepatic variation of GSH caused by the food intake habit of the animals may limit the capacity of the intracellular detoxication system.

Animals↗

Involvement of cellular sulfhydryl compounds in the inhibition of RNA synthesis by selenite.

Selenite has been shown previously to inhibit cellular RNA synthesis. Based upon our previous observation that selenite inhibits purified RNA polymerase only in the presence of a sulfhydryl compound (Frenkel et al., Mol Pharmacol 31: 112-116, 1987), we hypothesized that the inhibition of cellular RNA synthesis by selenite involves endogenous sulfhydryl compounds. We found that depletion of cells of endogenous sulfhydryl compounds, by exposure to diethylmaleate (DEM), virtually eliminated the inhibitory effect of a 1-hr exposure of cells to selenite. This inhibition was restored to normal or higher levels when the selenite was reacted with glutathione or cysteamine prior to addition to the DEM-treated cells. RNA synthesis in DEM-treated cells was inhibited after a 4-hr exposure to higher concentrations of selenite. In contrast to the effect of DEM, specific depletion of the cells of glutathione, by exposure to buthionine sulfoximine, had no effect on the inhibition of RNA synthesis by selenite. These results demonstrate the involvement of endogenous cellular sulfhydryl compounds in the inhibition of RNA synthesis by selenite, but indicate that glutathione, in particular, is not involved in this inhibition.

HeLa Cells↗

Metabolism of fluperlapine by cytochrome P450-dependent and flavin-dependent monooxygenases in continuous cultures of rat and human cells.

The metabolism of fluperlapine, a neuroleptic dibenzazepine derivative with a N-methyl-piperazinyl substituent, was investigated in continuous cultures of rat and human cells which express various cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase activities. The differentiated rat hepatoma cells H4IIEC3/G- and their variants 2sFou and FGC-5 metabolized fluperlapine predominantly by N-oxygenation and only to a minor degree by N-demethylation or glucuronidation of primary phenolic products. Total fluperlapine metabolism in dedifferentiated rat hepatoma cells H5 and partially differentiated human hepatoma cells HepG2 was much smaller than in the differentiated rat hepatoma lines. This was primarily attributable to their low capacity for N-oxygenation. Human lung adenocarcinoma lines NCI-H322 and NCI-H358 formed only trace amounts of fluperlapine N-oxide. Pretreatment of 2sFou cells with benz(a)anthracene, phenobarbital or dexamethasone markedly increased the formation of N-demethylated and glucuronidated products but did not affect the rate of N-oxide formation. Guanethidine and cysteamine, inhibitors of flavin-dependent monooxygenase activity, reduced fluperlapine N-oxidation more strongly than aldrin epoxidation, a marker for cytochrome P450 activity. In contrast, n-octylamine inhibited aldrin epoxidation but was without effect on fluperlapine N-oxygenation. The results suggest that certain cells in continuous culture are capable of expressing flavin-dependent monooxygenase(s) in addition to cytochrome P450-containing monooxygenases. Such cells may offer useful systems for studying the oxidative metabolism of a broad spectrum of xenobiotics and analysing the importance of the two oxygenation reactions for the biological effects of their substrates.

Animals↗

Regulatory role of cysteine dioxygenase in cerebral biosynthesis of taurine. Analysis using cerebellum from 3-acetylpyridine-treated rat.

The effect of 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) administration on the biosynthesis of taurine in the rat brain has been studied. Treatment with 3-AP induced a significant decrease in the cerebellar contents of taurine and its metabolic precursors, cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA) and cysteic acid (CA), as well as a selective degeneration of climbing fibers in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. It was found that the activity of cerebral cysteine dioxygenase, the enzyme catalyzing the formation of CSA from cysteine, consisted of two systems with low and high Km values. The 3-AP-induced attenuation of cysteine dioxygenase activity with a low Km value was noted only in the cerebellum, while that with a high Km value was detected not only in the cerebellum but also in other brain areas such as the medulla oblongata, striatum and cerebral cortex. In contrast, no alteration in the activity of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSD) was observed in any brain areas examined following the administration of 3-AP. Furthermore, it was found that essentially no cystamine as well as a very low activity of cysteamine dioxygenase is present in the brain. The present results suggest that taurine in the brain is synthesized from cysteine, mainly by the CSA and CA pathways, and the observed decline of cerebellar taurine in 3-AP-treated rats may be due to an attenuation of the biosynthesis, possibly at the step of cysteine dioxygenase. A possible regulatory role of cysteine dioxygenase with a low Km value in the biosynthesis of cerebral taurine is also suggested.

Animals↗

Spinally-mediated behavioural responses evoked by intrathecal high-dose morphine: possible involvement of substance P in the mouse spinal cord.

Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of morphine in the spinal subarachnoid space of mice produced a severe hindlimb scratching followed by biting and licking. The onset of the scratching behaviour was observed 60-70 s after i.t. injection of morphine (60 and 90 nmol), and had a duration of 3-4 min. The morphine-induced behaviour was increased additively by i.t. co-administration of substance P (SP). This characteristic behavioural response was inhibited dose-dependently by i.t. co-administration of the tachykinin NK-1 receptor antagonists, sendide and CP-96,345. Significant antagonistic effects of SP (1-7), a putative antagonist for NK-1 receptors and [D-Phe7, D-His9]SP (6-11), a selective antagonist for SP receptors, were observed against the morphine-induced behaviour. Pretreatment with i.t. SP antiserum and i.t. capsaicin resulted in reduction of the response to morphine. I.t. administration of somatostatin (SOM) antiserum, cysteamine, a relatively selective depletor of SOM and cyclo-SOM, a SOM receptor antagonist, produced no inhibitory effect on the morphine-induced behaviour. These results demonstrate that a spinal system of neurones containing SP may be involved in elicitation of the behavioural episode following i.t. injection of morphine in mice.

Animals↗

Inactivation of bacteriophage phi X174 by mitomycin C in the presence of sodium hydrosulfite and cupric ions.

Bacteriophage phi X174 was inactivated by mitomycin C reduced with sodium hydrosulfite in the presence of cupric ions (Cu2+). 99% of the phage particles lost their plaque-forming abilities when incubated with 1.5 . 10(-4) M mitomycin C, 5.7 . 10(-4) M sodium hydrosulfite and 1.0 . 10(-4) M CuCl2 for 120 min at 37 degrees C in 0.05 M Tris--HCl buffer (pH 8.1). Sodium borohydride and thiol-reducing agents such as L-cysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol could not serve as a substitute for sodium hydrosulfite and other transition metal ions such as Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ were of no effect. Inactivated phage sedimented at 114S just as intact phage, but phage DNA was degraded. Strand-scission was observed when phi X174 single-stranded DNA was directly reacted with mitomycin C reduced with sodium hydrosulfite in the presence of CuCl2. Phage inactivation was inhibited bycatalase, EDTA and several scavengers such as cysteamine, 2-aminoethylisothiuronium bromide HBr (AET), 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzene-disulfonic acid (Tiron), or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO). These results suggest that free oxygen radicals and mitomycin C semiquinone radical generated during autoxidation of reduced mitomycin C in the presence of cupric ions cause the degradation of phy X174 DNA.

Bacteriophage phi X 174↗

Characterization of the purified microsomal FAD-containing monooxygenase from mouse and pig liver.

The FAD-containing monooxygenase (FMO) has been purified from both mouse and pig liver microsomes by similar purification procedures. Characterization of the enzyme from these two sources has revealed significant differences in catalytic and immunological properties. The pH optimum of mouse FMO is slightly higher than that of pig FMO (9.2 vs. 8.7) and, while pig FMO is activated 2-fold by n-octylamine, mouse FMO is activated less than 20%. Compounds, including primary, secondary and tertiary amines, sulfides, sulfoxides, thiols, thioureas and mercaptoimidazoles were tested as substrates for both the mouse and pig liver FMO. Km- and Vmax-values were determined for substrates representative of each of these groups. In general, the mouse FMO had higher Km-values for all of the amines and disulfides tested. Mouse FMO had Km-values similar to those of pig FMO for sulfides, mercaptoimidazoles, thioureas, thiobenzamide and cysteamine. Vmax-values for mouse FMO with most substrates was approximately equal, indicating that as with pig FMO, breakdown of the hydroxyflavin is the rate limiting step in the reaction mechanism. Either NADPH or NADH will serve as an electron donor for FMO, however, NADPH is the preferred donor. Pig and mouse FMOs have similar affinity for NADPH (Km = 0.97 and 1.1 microM, respectively) and for NADH (Km = 48 and 73 microM, respectively). An antibody, prepared by immunizing rabbits with purified pig liver FMO, reacts with purified pig liver FMO but not with mouse liver FMO, indicating structural differences between these two enzymes. This antibody inhibited pig FMO activity up to 60%.

Animals↗

Metabolism and hepatotoxicity of the naturally occurring benzo[b]pyran precocene I.

The in vitro metabolism of precocene I by liver microsomes from control and treated rats and the effects of precocene I on the function and histology of the rat liver were examined. The major metabolites (80-90% of total metabolites) from all microsomal preparations were the cis and trans 3,4-diols of precocene I produced with a cis/trans isomer ratio of 1:2. These diols appear to arise mainly by spontaneous hydrolysis of precocene I 3,4-oxide. (+)-(3R,4R)-cis- and (-)-(3R,4S)-trans-precocene I 3,4-diols were the predominant enantiomers of the 3,4-diol formed. The enantiomeric excess of these diols (2-50%) is dependent on the microsomal preparation, with microsomes from control rats exhibiting the highest stereoselectivity and microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats the least. 6-Hydroxyprecocene I was the next major metabolite and was formed to the extent of 5% (control), 10% and 17% (phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, respectively) of total metabolites. Treatment of rats with a single i.p. dose of precocene I (300 mg/kg) resulted in extensive hepatic damage as evidenced by a marked increase of plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels and histologic observation in liver sections of severe centrolobular necrosis. Although phenobarbital treatment of rats increased the rate of liver microsomal metabolism of precocene I by approximately 50% (nmol products/nmol cytochrome P-450/min) compared to liver microsomes from control rats, hepatic damage caused by precocene I was not significantly affected. Depletion of glutathione levels in the rats with diethyl maleate prior to precocene I treatment dramatically increased the severity of hepatic insult, whereas treatment of the rats with the mixed function oxidase inhibitor piperonyl butoxide prior to treatment with precocene I blocked hepatic damage. Treatment of rats with cysteamine prior to treatment with precocene I protected the animals against the toxic effects. Neither cis nor trans precocene I 3,4-diol nor 3,4-dihydroprecocene I elicited impaired liver function or cellular damage. The above results are consistent with the view that precocene I 3,4-oxide is the metabolite responsible for the hepatotoxic effects observed when precocene I is injected into rats.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Reduction of the metallochromic indicators murexide and tetramethylmurexide to their free radical metabolites by cytoplasmic enzymes and reducing agents.

Murexide underwent reduction by rat liver cytosolic fraction or a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system to produce a free radical metabolite. Reduction of murexide by the freshly prepared cytosolic fraction depended upon the presence of ascorbic acid. N1-Methylnicotinamide, xanthine or hypoxanthine, in that order, could also serve as a source of reducing equivalents for the production of that free radical by the cytosolic fraction. Several thiol compounds (GSH, cysteine, and cysteamine), pyridine nucleotides (NADH, NADPH) and ascorbic acid were also effective in generating the murexide-derived free radical. Tetramethyl murexide was also reduced to its free radical derivative by a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system.

Animals↗

Reactivity of thiols towards derivatives of 2- and 6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone bioreductive alkylating agents.

The stoichiometry and kinetics of the anaerobic reactions between some thiols and derivatives of 2- and 6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinones in water were measured using stopped flow spectrophotometry. The stoichiometry of the reaction with representative compounds was 1:2 thiol:quinone, a finding consistent with the formation of a hydroquinone as well as a thioether in the reaction. The first-order dependence of rate on thiol concentration, and the pH-dependent rate constants indicated that the thiolate anion was involved in the rate-limiting step, with rate constants at pH 7.6 generally increasing in the order glutathione (GSH) less than cysteamine less than dithiothreitol (DTT) less than cysteine. Despite the lower reactivity of GSH, the half-lives of the uncatalyzed conjugation reaction of these quinones at typical biological concentrations of GSH (e.g. 2 mM) ranged from about 2.0 to 20 s at pH 7.6 and 25 degrees C. The implications of these reactions in the use of naphthoquinones as potential bioreductive alkylating agents and as hypoxic cell radiosensitizers are discussed.

Alkylating Agents↗

Phototoxic potential of afloqualone, a quinazolinone derivative, as determined by photosensitized inactivation of bacteriophage.

Effect of UV-A irradiation on bacteriophage lambda in the presence of afloqualone (AQ) was examined to obtain in vitro evidence for phototoxic potential of AQ, a centrally acting muscle relaxant. Neither AQ itself nor the long-lived photoproducts affected viability of the phage, but the phage was inactivated when it was irradiated in the presence of the drug. Photosensitized inactivation was efficiently repressed by the presence of radical scavengers such as hydroquinone, cysteamine and cystein but not by D-mannitol, benzoate, formate and dimethyl sulfoxide (.OH scavengers). Methionine also inhibited inactivation as well. Sodium azide and tryptophan followed them, but 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octaine (DABCO) did not reduce the inactivation rate. Deuterium effect was not observed. AQ-sensitized photoinactivation occurred even under anoxic conditions although the rate was lower than under aerobic conditions. In view of these results, Type I process is more suitable for explanation of AQ-sensitized photoinactivation than Type II process.

Amino Acids↗

Inhibition by thiols of copper(II)-induced oxidation of oxyhemoglobin.

The ability of thiols, 2-imidazolethiones and uric acid to protect bovine oxyhemoglobin from copper(II)-induced oxidation to methemoglobin was investigated. The oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by Cu(II) proceeded in two phases: (1) an initial rapid reaction (less than 30 s) followed by (2) a slower reaction that carried it to completion. Thiols, including N-acetyl-L-cysteine, DL-dithiothreitol, reduced glutathione, DL-homocysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol and 2- and 3-mercaptopropionic acid, whose sulfhydryl groups were slowly oxidized by Cu(II) (with the exception of 2-mercaptopropionic acid), protected oxyhemoglobin in both phases of the reaction. Other thiols, including L-cysteine, cysteamine, and D-penicillamine, whose sulfhydryl groups were readily oxidized by Cu(II), protected hemoglobin initially, but within 2-4 min, the rate of methemoglobin formation was the same as Cu(II)-treated oxyhemoglobin. 2-Mercaptoimidazole and 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole, which complex Cu(II) and inhibit Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid, also protected hemoglobin in the initial phase, but not in the second phase. Uric acid, L-ergothioneine, and thiourea did not protect oxyhemoglobin in either the fast or slow phase. Cu(II) may have a coordination site involved in the oxidation of hemoglobin that is not blocked by the 2-imidazolethiones, uric acid, or the oxidized thiols. It is concluded that certain thiols that complex Cu(II) and are not rapidly oxidized will protect oxyhemoglobin from Cu(II)-induced oxidation, but the thiols are no longer effective once they are oxidized.

Animals↗

Reactivity of the one-electron reduction product from nifedipine with relevant biological targets.

The reactivity of the electrochemically generated nitro radical anion from nifedipine, a nitro aryl 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, with relevant endobiotics and thiol-containing xenobiotics, was quantitatively assessed by cyclic voltammetry. The method was based on the decrease in the return-to-forward peak current ratio after the addition of compounds. A quantitative procedure to calculate the respective interaction constants between the radicals and the xeno/endobiotics is also provided. In the optimal selected conditions, i.e. mixed media (0.015 M aqueous citrate/DMF: 40/60, 0.3 M KCl, 0.1 TBAI) at pH 9.0 the following order of reactivity was obtained: glutathione > uracil > adenine and cysteamine > N-acetylcysteine > captopril > penicillamine. In all cases, the interaction rate constants for these derivatives were greater than the natural decay constant of the radical. Studies on the reactivity at pH 7.4 were also conducted. Results from these experiments indicate a significant reactivity between the radical and the endo/xenobiotics. The increase in the stability of the radical anion by increasing the pH of the mixed media resulted in a decreased reaction with the endo/xenobiotics tested. Computerized simulation with DIGISIM 2.0 of the proposed mechanisms fitted very well with the experimental results for both the natural decay of the radical and its reaction with the tested compounds.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Gastric mucosal protection by YM638, a novel leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist, in rats.

YM638 ([[5-[[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propyl] thio]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]thio] acetic acid) is a novel leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist. We investigated the involvement of the leukotriene D4 receptor blocking activity of YM638 in the gastric mucosal protection of this drug in rats. YM638 significantly prevented gastric lesion formation induced by water-immersion restraint stress, indomethacin, absolute ethanol, 0.7 N HCl and the combination of 0.2 N HCl and hemorrhagic shock, with ED50 values of 26.4, 4.1, 4.7, 35.4 and 8.0 mg/kg p.o., respectively. Cetraxate and sofalcone showed inhibitory effects on most of these gastric lesions, but the inhibitory effects of these compounds were much weaker than those of YM638. In contrast, YM638 had no effect on gastric acid secretion and gastric lesion formation in pylorus-ligated rats, or on duodenal lesion formation in cysteamine-administered rats. YM638 competitively antagonized leukotriene D4-induced contraction of the isolated stomach, with a pA2 value of 7.63 +/- 0.18. In anesthetized rats, intravenous YM638 inhibited leukotriene D4-induced aggravation of gastric lesions caused by HCl, and leukotriene D4 and HCl-induced reduction of the potential difference. In addition, oral YM638 significantly increased gastric mucosal blood flow and prevented ethanol-induced increase in gastric vascular permeability. Endogenous prostaglandins, sulfhydryls and nitric oxides were not involved in this inhibitory effect on absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesion. YM638 did not react with the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl in vitro, indicating that YM638 does not have potential as free radical scavenger. These results suggest that the preventive effect of YM638 on gastric lesions is attributable not only to its leukotriene D4 receptor blocking activity but also to the activation of gastric mucosal defensive mechanisms such as mucosal blood flow and vascular permeability.

Animals↗