Influence of antioxidant depletion on nitrergic relaxation in the pig gastric fundus.
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1. The hypothesis that endogenous tissue antioxidants might explain the inability of the superoxide generators 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583) and hydroquinone (HQ) and of the NO-scavengers hydroxocobalamin (HC) and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO) to affect nitrergic neurotransmission in the porcine gastric fundus was tested by selective pharmacological depletion of respectively Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in circular smooth muscle preparations. 2. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA; 3x10(-3) M), which almost completely abolished tissue Cu/Zn SOD activity, had no effect per se on nitrergic relaxations induced by either electrical field stimulation (EFS; 4 Hz, 10 s) or exogenous nitric oxide (NO; 10(-5) M). In these DETCA-treated tissues however, electrically-induced nitrergic relaxations became sensitive to inhibition by LY83583 (10(-5) M) or HC (10(-4) M), but not by HQ (10(-4) M) or c-PTIO (10(-4) M); only for the combination of DETCA plus LY83583, this inhibition was partially reversed by exogenous Cu/Zn SOD (1000 u ml(-1)). 3. Immunohistochemical analysis of porcine gastric fundus revealed a 100% colocalization of Cu/Zn SOD and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the intrinsic neurons of the myenteric plexus. 4. Buthionine sulphoximine (BSO; 10(-3) M) in the absence or presence of LY83583 (10(-5) M) or HC (10(-4) M) did not alter nitrergic relaxations, although it reduced per se the tissue GSH content to 62% of control. 5. Pharmacological depletion studies, corroborated by immunohistochemical data, thus suggest a role for Cu/Zn SOD but not for GSH in nitrergic neurotransmission in the porcine gastric fundus. (+info)
Antimicrobial peptides initiate IL-1 beta posttranslational processing: a novel role beyond innate immunity.
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Human monocytes stimulated with LPS produce large quantities of prointerleukin-1beta, but little of this cytokine product is released extracellularly as the mature biologically active species. To demonstrate efficient proteolytic cleavage and export, cytokine-producing cells require a secondary effector stimulus. In an attempt to identify agents that may serve as initiators of IL-1beta posttranslational processing in vivo, LPS-activated human monocytes were treated with several individual antimicrobial peptides. Two peptides derived from porcine neutrophils, protegrin (PTG)-1 and PTG-3, promoted rapid and efficient release of mature IL-1beta. The PTG-mediated response engaged a mechanism similar to that initiated by extracellular ATP acting via the P2X(7) receptor. Thus, both processes were disrupted by a caspase inhibitor, both were sensitive to ethacrynic acid and CP-424,174, two pharmacological agents that suppress posttranslational processing, and both were negated by elevation of extracellular potassium. Moreover, the PTGs, like ATP, promoted a dramatic change in monocyte morphology and a loss of membrane latency. The PTG response was concentration dependent and was influenced profoundly by components within the culture medium. In contrast, porcine neutrophil antimicrobial peptides PR-26 and PR-39 did not initiate IL-1beta posttranslational processing. The human defensin HNP-1 and the frog peptide magainin 1 elicited export of 17-kDa IL-1beta, but these agents were less efficient than PTGs. As a result of this ability to promote release of potent proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, select antimicrobial peptides may possess important immunomodulatory functions that extend beyond innate immunity. (+info)
A Mg2+- and Ca2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase at the outer surface of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.
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A Mg2+- and Ca2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) at the outer surface of intact Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is described. A surface-bound adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-splitting activity at a lower rate was also demonstrated in the absence of Ca2+ but with Mg2+, Na+, and K+ present in the isotonic medium. Hence, when part of the Mg2+ was exchanged for Ca2+, a marked increase of the ATP-splitting activity was observed. The stimulatory effect of Ca2+ was seen only if both Na+ and K+ were present in the isotonic incubation medium. Thus, the enzyme activity was Mg2+- and Ca2+-dependent. Ca2+, together with the monovalent cations was inhibitory compared with Mg2+ under similar conditions. The apparent Km for ATP for the Mg2+-stimulated ATPase is 0.05 mM, while that of the Mg2+- and Ca2+-stimulated enzyme is 0.10 mM. The Vmax of the former is 0.8 mu-mole per 100 mg Schneider protein per 30 sec compared with 1.92 mu-moles per 100 mg Schneider protein per 30 sec for the latter. The calculated Km for the Mg2+- and Ca2+-stimulated ATPase after subtraction of the Mg2+-stimulated part is 0.22 mM. Ethacrynic acid and N-ethylmaleimide both inhibited the Mg2+- and Ca2+-stimulated ATPase by about 10 percent, while the ouabain inhibition was 15 percent. Cytochalasin B did not influence the enzyme activity, whereas La3+ had a slight stimulatory effect. (+info)
The effects of ouabain and ethacrynic acid on the intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations in renal medullary slices incubated in cold potassium-free ringer solution and re-incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of external potassium.
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1. The cells in slices cut from the renal outer medulla of normally hydrated adult rats were loaded with Na and depleted of K by incubation for up to 100 min in cold iso-osmolal K-free Ringer containing 180 mM-Na. There was a continuous net cellular water loss during this time; an inverse linear relationship existed between water content and intracellular Na concentration. 2. The original intracellular Na and K concentration were restored following 60 min re-incubation in warm Ringer (37 degrees C) containing 5-9 mM-K. Restoration of cellular water content was incomplete after re-incubation for up to 120 min. 3. During incubation in cold K-free Ringer the presence of 1 mM ouabain did not affect cellular Na uptake or K and water loss. Ethacrynic acid, 1 mM, completely blocked cellular Na uptake and water loss, without affecting the intracellular K concentration at 100 min. When ouabain and ethacrynic acid were present together water loss was also prevented but intracellular Na concentration rose slightly by 100 min. 4. During re-incubation in warm K-containing Ringer 1 mM ouabain inhibited Na extrusion completely for up to 60 min while only partially preventing K uptake and further depressing the level of cellular hydration. Ouabain in the presence of 1 mM ethacrynic acid had similar effects on intracellular Na and K concentrations, but raised the level of intracellular water above that of cells in control slices. 5. Ethacrynic acid alone, 1 mM, did not interfere with Na extrusion or K uptake, but also raised intracellular water above control values. 6. The results obtained are discussed in relation to (a) the nature of the preparation used, (b) the possible membrane transport processes occurring and their known or suggested sensitivity to ouabain and ethacrynic acid, (c) the mechanisms which may be responsible for cell volume maintenance in the medulla. (+info)
Mode of stimulation by aldosterone of the sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibres: effects of ouabain, ethacrynic acid, diphenylhydantoin, (ATPMg)(2-), adenine translocase inhibitors, pyruvate and oxythiamine.
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1. A study has been made of the nature of the delayed stimulation caused by external aldosterone in barnacle fibres pre-exposed to aldosterone. 2. (i) Microinjection of 0-5 M-ATPMg2- caused only a small but prompt rise in the Na efflux. (ii) Microinjection of 0-5 M-ATPMg2- followed by external application of 10(-5)M aldosterone greatly augmented the magnitude of the delayed stimulation. The response was dose-dependent, as well as dependent on the concentration of external K+ and H+, but not Na+, Ca2+ or Mg2+. (iii) External application of 10(-5) M aldosterone for 30 min followed by its withdrawal from the bathing medium failed to bring about delayed stimulation. By contrast, fibres into which ATP had been injected showed delayed stimulation under these conditions. 3. Microinjection of actinomycin-D or spironolactone SC-14266 into fibres into which ATP had been injected followed by external application of aldosterone resulted in complete abolition of the delayed stimulation. 4. Delayed stimulation was reduced whether ATP had been injected or not by prior external application of 10(-4)M ouabain or internal application of 8 x 10(-2)M ethacrynic acid. It was completely abolished by prior application of ouabain externally and ethacrynic acid internally, or only 10(-4)M diphenylhydantoin externally. 5. (i) Microinjection of atractyloside or bongkrekic acid caused a substantial fall in the resting Na efflux. Bonkrekic acid proved more powerful than atractyloside. Microinjection of 0-05 M-ATPMg2- into fibres poisoned with 2-0 x 10(-2)M bongkrekic acid completely restored the Na efflux. (+info)
Effect of diuretics on ion transport of kidney cortex mitochondria. III. Species difference in calcium accumulation and in ethacrynic acid effect.
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Effect of inorganic phosphate (4 X 10(-3) M) on Ca++-accumulation was examined in kidney cortex mitochondria. Ca++-accumulation of rat kidney cortex mitochondria was slightly influenced by inorganic phosphate. On the other hand, dog kidney cortex mitochondria did not accumulate calcium from the incubation medium until the inorganic phosphate had been added. Ca++-accumulation of rabbit kidney cortex mitochondria was markedly stimulated by inorganic phosphate. When ethacrynic acid was added to the reaction medium in the absence of inorganic phosphate, Ca++-accumulation of rat kidney cortex mitochondria was depressed and the decrease in calcium content of rabbit and dog kidney cortex mitochondria was enhanced. In the presence of inorganic phosphate, the inhibition of Ca++-accumulation by ethacrynic acid was observed only on dog kidney cortex mitochondria. Subsequently, the effect of inorganic phosphate (4 X 10(-4) M) and ethacrynic acid (1 X 10(-4) M on Ca++-ATPase was examined in kidney cortex mitochondria. The low concentration of inorganic phosphate (4 X 10(-4) M) activated Ca++-ATPase of kidney cortex mitochondria in all animal species. The greatest activation of Ca++-ATPase occurred in rabbits, but the activity of the enzyme was lower than that in rats and dogs. Inhibition of Ca++-ATPase by ethacrynic acid was depressed by the addition of inorganic phosphate in kidney cortex mitochondria of experimental animals. Ca++-accumulation may be regulated through the stimulating effect of inorganic phosphate and the inhibitory effect of ethacrynic acid on Ca++-ATPase in kidney cortex mitochondria. Species difference in ethacrynic acid effect on Ca++-accumulation in kidney cortex mitochondria of rats, rabbits and dogs is discussed. (+info)
Studies on the nature of a prostaglandin receptor in canine and rabbit vascular smooth muscle.
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The contractile response of rabbit renal arteries and canine tibial arteries to prostaglandins A2, B2, F2alpha, E1, E2, D2, and B1 was associated with a reduction in total sulfhydryl group content of smooth muscle. The total sulfhydryl content of rabbit renal and canine tibial arteries and was not affected by norepinephrine or potassium chloride. Reduction of disulfide groups with dithiothreitol (DTT) selectively inhibited contractile responses to angiotensin and prostaglandins; 5,5'-Dithiobisnitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), a sulfhydryl group-oxidizing agent, reversed the inhibitory effect of DTT on the contractile responses to prostaglandins. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups with ethacrynic acid did not affect the contractile response of isolated canine tibial or rabbit renal arteries to any agonist studied. Ethacrynic acid added to muscle strips exposed to DTT resulted in alkylation of sulfhydryl groups produced by reduction of disulfide bonds and irreversibly prevented DTNB-induced reversal of DTT inhibition of contractile responses to prostaglandins. However, addition of ethacrynic acid to muscle strips contracted by prostaglandins did not inhibit subsequent responses to these acidic lipids. These findings support the hypothesis that contractile responses of rabbit renal and canine tibial arteries to prostaglandins are dependent on interactions between prostaglandins and disulfide groups located in or on the vascular smooth muscle cell, and the concept that membrane disulfide groups may be integral components of vascular smooth muscle receptors for prostaglandins. (+info)
A study of ethacrynic acid as a potential modifier of melphalan and cisplatin sensitivity in human lung cancer parental and drug-resistant cell lines.
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We have studied alterations in glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in a series of in vitro derived multidrug resistant and cisplatin resistant sublines of the human lung cancer lines NCI-H69 (small cell), COR-L23 (large cell) and MOR (adenocarcinoma). We have also investigated the effects of ethacrynic acid, a putative inhibitor of GSTs, on levels of GSH and GST activity and on cellular sensitivity to melphalan and to cisplatin. Neither GSH content nor GST activity were significantly greater in the resistant sublines compared with their respective parental lines. The only effects of treating with ethacrynic acid at doses of 1 microgram ml-1 and 3 micrograms ml-1 for 2 h were a reduction in GSH content in the cisplatin resistant subline H69/CPR at the 3 micrograms ml-1 dose, and an increase to over 140% of control at 1 microgram ml-1 and 3 micrograms ml-1 in the MOR parental line (MOR/P) and at 1 microgram ml-1 in the multidrug resistant subline MOR/R. Exposure of parental line COR-L23/P to 3 micrograms ml-1 and 6 micrograms ml-1 of ethacrynic acid for 24 h, however, increased the GSH content to over 300% and 500% of control respectively. Variable effects of ethacrynic acid on GST activity were seen in these cell lines. Doses of 1 microgram ml-1 and 3 micrograms ml-1 reduced activity to 59% and 48% of control respectively in multidrug resistant subline H69/LX4. On the other hand, activity was increased in the cisplatin resistant subline H69/CPR (to 146% and 218% of control) and in MOR/P (to 117% and 137% of control) by 1 microgram ml-1 and 3 micrograms ml-1 respectively of ethacrynic acid. Addition of ethacrynic acid (3 micrograms ml-1) to treatment of the cell lines with melphalan or with cisplatin did not alter the dose-response curves to these agents. (+info)