Octreotide inhibits the enterochromaffin-like cell but not peroxisome proliferator-induced hypergastrinemia. (17/224)

The peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate induces hypergastrinemia and as a consequence, enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell hyperplasia. The mechanism for the gastrin cell stimulation is unknown. The somatostatin analog octreotide LAR (long-acting release) was used to see if the stimulating effects of ciprofibrate could be attenuated. Female Fischer rats were dosed with ciprofibrate (50 mg/kg body weight per day) alone or combined with octreotide LAR (10 mg/30 days) for 60 days. Plasma gastrin and histamine, gastric endocrine cell densities and mRNA abundances were measured. Ciprofibrate increased gastrin mRNA abundance (P<0.05), gastrin cell number (P<0. 001) and cell area (P<0.01), and induced hypergastrinemia (P<0.001). These rats had profound ECL cell hyperplasia, confirmed by an increase in chromogranin A (CgA) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA, density of neuroendocrine and ECL cells and plasma histamine levels (all P<0.001). Octreotide LAR did not affect ciprofibrate stimulation of gastrin cells, but all parameters of ECL cell hyperplasia were reduced (P<0.001). Octreotide LAR also significantly inhibited basal ECL cell function and growth. Ciprofibrate stimulates gastrin cell activity by a mechanism unaffected by octreotide, but octreotide does inhibit basal and gastrin-stimulated ECL cell function and growth.  (+info)

Pharmacological characterization of chloride channels belonging to the ClC family by the use of chiral clofibric acid derivatives. (18/224)

The enantiomers of 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid (CPP) and of its analogs with substitutions on the asymmetric carbon atom were tested on human ClC-1 channel, the skeletal muscle chloride channel, after heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes, to gain insight in the mechanism of action of these stereoselective modulators of macroscopic chloride conductance (gCl) of rat striated fibers. By means of two microelectrode voltage clamp recordings, we found that S(-)-CPP shifted the activation curve of the ClC-1 currents toward more positive potentials and decreased the residual conductance at negative membrane potential; both effects probably account for the decrease of gCl at resting potential of native muscle fibers. Experiments on expressed Torpedo marmorata ClC-0 channels and a mutant lacking the slow gate suggest that S(-)-CPP could act on the fast gate of the single protochannels constituting the double-barreled structure of ClC-0 and ClC-1. The effect of S(-)-CPP on ClC-1 was markedly increased at low external pH (pH = 6), possibly for enhanced diffusion through the membrane (i.e., because the compound was effective only when applied to the cytoplasmic side during patch clamp recordings). The R(+)-isomer had little effect at concentrations as high as 1 mM. The CPP analogs with an ethyl, a phenyl, or an n-propyl group in place of the methyl group on the asymmetric center showed a scale of potency and a stereoselective behavior on ClC-1 similar to that observed for blocking gCl in native muscle fibers. The tested compounds were selective toward the ClC-1 channel. In fact, they were almost ineffective on an N-terminal deletion mutant of ClC-2 that is volume- and pH-independent while they blocked wild-type ClC-2 currents only at high concentrations and independently of pH and drug configuration, suggesting a different mechanism of action compared with ClC-1. No effects were observed on ClC-5 that shows less than 30% homology with ClC-1. Thus, CPP-like compounds may be useful both to gain insight into biophysical properties of ClC-1 and for searching tissue-specific therapeutic agents.  (+info)

Hepatic disposition of the acyl glucuronide 1-O-gemfibrozil-beta-D-glucuronide: effects of clofibric acid, acetaminophen, and acetaminophen glucuronide. (19/224)

Glucuronidation of carboxylic acid compounds results in the formation of electrophilic acyl glucuronides. Because of their polarity, carrier-mediated hepatic transport systems play an important role in determining both intra- and extrahepatic exposure to these reactive conjugates. We have previously shown that the hepatic membrane transport of 1-O-gemfibrozil-beta-D-glucuronide (GG) is carrier-mediated and inhibited by the organic anion dibromosulfophthalein. In this study, we examined the influence of 200 microM acetaminophen, acetaminophen glucuronide, and clofibric acid on the disposition of GG (3 microM) in the recirculating isolated perfused rat liver preparation. GG was taken up by the liver, excreted into bile, and hydrolyzed within the liver to gemfibrozil, which appeared in perfusate but not in bile. Mean +/- S. D. hepatic clearance, apparent intrinsic clearance, hepatic extraction ratio, and biliary excretion half-life of GG were 10.4 +/- 1.4 ml/min, 94.1 +/- 17.9 ml/min, 0.346 +/- 0.046, and 30.9 +/- 4.9 min, respectively, and approximately 73% of GG was excreted into bile. At the termination of the experiment (t = 90 min), the ratio of GG concentrations in perfusate, liver, and bile was 1:35:3136. Acetaminophen and acetaminophen glucuronide had no effect on the hepatic disposition of GG, suggesting relatively low affinities of acetaminophen conjugates for hepatic transport systems or the involvement of multiple transport systems for glucuronide conjugates. In contrast, clofibric acid increased the hepatic clearance, extraction ratio, and apparent intrinsic clearance of GG (P <.05) while decreasing its biliary excretion half-life (P <.05), suggesting an interaction between GG and hepatically generated clofibric acid glucuronide at the level of hepatic transport. However, the transporter protein(s) involved remains to be identified.  (+info)

Fibrate-induced increase in blood urea and creatinine: is gemfibrozil the only innocuous agent? (20/224)

BACKGROUND: Some reports indicate that fibrates can induce renal dysfunction. However, the clinical characteristics of these episodes, and the respective nephrotoxicity of the four main fibrates used-namely, fenofibrate, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, and gemfibrozil-remain ill defined. METHODS: To better characterize this side-effect, we first reviewed the charts of 27 patients from our institution who developed an impairment of renal function during fibrate therapy. We next analysed the articles (n=24) that contained data on renal function in patients taking fibrates (n=2676). RESULTS: Among our 27 patients, 25 were on fenofibrate therapy, one was taking bezafibrate, and one ciprofibrate. Nineteen were recipients of solid-organ transplants (kidney recipients, n=15; heart or heart-lung recipients, n=4), and eight were non-transplanted patients with some impairment of renal function. Baseline plasma creatinine ranged from 0.9 to 2.9 mg/dl. It increased by a mean of 40% after the start of fibrate therapy. There was a concomitant increase of blood urea values (mean 36%) in most of the patients. Renal function returned to baseline in 18/24 patients after fibrate discontinuation. However, six patients, all transplant recipients, experienced a permanent increase in plasma creatinine. The incidence of fibrate-induced renal dysfunction among our series of kidney transplant recipients was 60%, as it occurred in 15 of the 25 patients who had ever taken fibrates. An increase of mean creatinine values during therapy was described in all papers on fenofibrate (n=7) and bezafibrate (n=8) (range 8-18% and 8-40% respectively), and in three of four papers dealing with ciprofibrate (range 6-16%). No significant renal impairment was described in any of the eight articles reporting data on gemfibrozil therapy. CONCLUSION: Therapy with fenofibrate, bezafibrate, and ciprofibrate may induce renal dysfunction. Gemfibrozil appears to be devoid of this side-effect.  (+info)

Etofibrate but not controlled-release niacin decreases LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) in type IIb dyslipidemic subjects. (21/224)

Etofibrate is a hybrid drug which combines niacin with clofibrate. After contact with plasma hydrolases, both constituents are gradually released in a controlled-release manner. In this study, we compared the effects of etofibrate and controlled-release niacin on lipid profile and plasma lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels of patients with triglyceride levels of 200 to 400 mg/dl, total cholesterol above 240 mg/dl and Lp(a) above 40 mg/dl. These patients were randomly assigned to a double-blind 16-week treatment period with etofibrate (500 mg twice daily, N = 14) or niacin (500 mg twice daily, N = 11). In both treatment groups total cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides were equally reduced and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased. Etofibrate, but not niacin, reduced Lp(a) by 26% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 23%. The hybrid compound etofibrate produced a more effective reduction in plasma LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) levels than controlled-release niacin in type IIb dyslipidemic subjects.  (+info)

Homocysteine elevation with fibrates: is it a class effect? (22/224)

BACKGROUND: Case-control and prospective studies indicate that an elevated plasma homocysteine level is a powerful risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Certain medications can induce hyperhomocystinemia, such as methotrexate, trimethoprim and anti-epileptic drugs. There are few reports indicating an interaction between lipid-lowering drugs (cholestyramine and niacin) and homocysteine. Recently, an interaction was shown between fenofibrate and benzafibrates (a fibric acid derivative) and homocysteine plasma levels. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of different fibrates on plasma homocysteine levels and to measure the reversibility of this effect. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the effects of ciprofibrate and bezafibrate on homocysteine levels in patients with type IV hyperlipidemia and/or low high density lipoprotein levels. While a 57% increase in homocysteine was detected in the ciprofibrate-treated group (n = 26), a 17% reduction in homocysteine was detected in the group treated with bezafibrate (n = 12). The increase in homocysteine in the ciprofibrate-treated group was sustained for the 12 weeks of treatment and was partially reversible after 6 weeks of discontinuing the ciprofibrate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an increase in plasma homocysteine levels following administration of fibrates is not a class effect, at least in its magnitude. Moreover, it is reversible upon discontinuation of the treatment.  (+info)

Mechanism of block of single protopores of the Torpedo chloride channel ClC-0 by 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (CPB). (23/224)

We investigated in detail the mechanism of inhibition by the S(-) enantiomer of 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (CPB) of the Torpedo Cl(-)channel, ClC-0. The substance has been previously shown to inhibit the homologous skeletal muscle channel, CLC-1. ClC-0 is a homodimer with probably two independently gated protopores that are conductive only if an additional common gate is open. As a simplification, we used a mutant of ClC-0 (C212S) that has the common gate "locked open" (Lin, Y.W., C.W. Lin, and T.Y. Chen. 1999. J. Gen. Physiol. 114:1-12). CPB inhibits C212S currents only when applied to the cytoplasmic side, and single-channel recordings at voltages (V) between -120 and -80 mV demonstrate that it acts independently on individual protopores by introducing a long-lived nonconductive state with no effect on the conductance and little effect on the lifetime of the open state. Steady-state macroscopic currents at -140 mV are half-inhibited by approximately 0.5 mM CPB, but the inhibition decreases with V and vanishes for V > or = 40 mV. Relaxations of CPB inhibition after voltage steps are seen in the current responses as an additional exponential component that is much slower than the gating of drug-free protopores. For V = 60 mV) with an IC50 of approximately 30-40 mM. Altogether, these findings support a model for the mechanism of CPB inhibition in which the drug competes with Cl(-) for binding to a site of the pore where it blocks permeation. CPB binds preferentially to closed channels, and thereby also strongly alters the gating of the single protopore. Since the affinity of CPB for open WT pores is extremely low, we cannot decide in this case if it acts also as an open pore blocker. However, the experiments with the mutant K519E strongly support this interpretation. CPB block may become a useful tool to study the pore of ClC channels. As a first application, our results provide additional evidence for a double-barreled structure of ClC-0 and ClC-1.  (+info)

Drastic reduction of the slow gate of human muscle chloride channel (ClC-1) by mutation C277S. (24/224)

1. Single channel measurements suggest that the human muscle chloride channel ClC-1 presumably has a double barrelled structure, with a fast single protopore gate and a slow common pore gate similar to that of ClC-0, the chloride channel from Torpedo. The single point mutation C212S has been shown to abolish the slow gating of ClC-0 locking the slow gate in the open state. In order to test the hypothesis that the slow gating process found in ClC-1 corresponds to the well characterised slow gate found in ClC-0 we investigated the gating effects in ClC-1 of the homologous mutation corresponding to C212S, C277S. 2. We found that the mutation C277S strongly reduced the slow component of macroscopic gating relaxations at negative and at positive voltages. 3. Time constants of the fast gating relaxations were not affected by the mutation but the minimal open probability of the fast gate at negative voltages was slightly reduced to 0.08 compared with the WT value of 0.22. 4. Additionally, we characterised the block of WT ClC-1 and mutant C277S by the S(-) enantiomer of CPB (2-(p-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid), and found that the block is practically unaffected by the mutation suggesting that CPB does not interact with the slow gate of ClC-1. 5. We conclude that the slow and fast gating processes of ClC-1, respectively, reflect the slow common pore gate and the single protopore gate of the double-barrelled ClC-1 channel.  (+info)