The antioxidant drug dipyridamole spares the vitamin E and thiols in red blood cells after oxidative stress. (49/980)

OBJECTIVE: To test the antioxidant effect of therapeutic doses of dipyridamole on cellular membranes, human erythrocytes were chosen as an appropriate model to study oxidative stress induced by cumene hydroperoxide because of their high content in heme-Fe(2+). METHODS: The oxidative stress was induced by incubation with 160 micromoll(-1) cumene hydroperoxide and expressed by three main factors: lipid peroxidation by means of kinetics of decrease in fluorescence emission of the probe incorporated in the cell membranes, vitamin E oxidation and intracellular thiol content. The concentrations of dipyridamole tested (2-20 micromoll(-1)) did not exceed pharmacological doses. RESULTS: After 7 min of incubation at 25 degrees C with the oxidant and 20 micromoll(-1) dipyridamole thiol content was 50.1%+/-2.6 compared with 31.5%+/-2.4 in the absence of the drug. After 12 min vitamin E content was 88.3%+/-2.3 compared with 64.7%+/-3.4 of untreated cells in the absence of dipyridamole. Dipyridamole added 5 min after the oxidation reaction suppressed the fluorescence decrease for a time proportional to the drug concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, at clinically realistic doses dipyridamole shows a concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. It protects membranes from oxidation and spares the antioxidant power of erythrocytes.  (+info)

Coronary vasodilator capacity and epicardial vessel remodeling in physiological and hypertensive hypertrophy. (50/980)

The aim of this study was to compare resting coronary flow velocity, determinants of myocardial oxygen demand, and coronary vasodilator capacity in subjects with physiological, exercise-induced, and hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy. Sixteen healthy sedentary men, 16 endurance athletes, and 16 hypertensive subjects (mean+/-SEM for left ventricular mass index: 94.9+/-5.5, 184.6+/-8.4, 154.4+/-9.5 g/m(2), respectively) were studied by transesophageal and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Coronary flow velocity in left anterior descending artery and cross-sectional area of left main artery were assessed at rest and during dipyridamole-induced vasodilation. Myocardial oxygen demand was estimated through rate-pressure product, left ventricular wall stress, and inotropic function. Coronary flow reserve and minimum coronary resistance were comparable to those of sedentary men in athletes (mean+/-SEM: 3. 23+/-0.16 versus 3.60+/-0.18 and 0.96+/-0.06 versus 1.04+/-0.04 mm Hg. s. cm(-1)), while in hypertensive subjects they were decreased and increased, respectively (mean+/-SEM: 2.31+/-0.08 and 1.21+/-0.10 mm Hg. s. cm(-1); P:<0.05 for both). Resting flow velocity was directly related to rate-pressure product in sedentary men and athletes and also to wall stress in athletes, while these correlations were absent in hypertensives. Dilation of left main artery after dipyridamole was significantly higher in athletes than in sedentary men and hypertensive subjects (mean+/-SEM for area change: 32.9+/-3.7% versus 12.8+/-2.5% and 6.4+/-3.3%; P:<0.05 and 0.01). These data indicate that vasodilator capacity of coronary microcirculation is not impaired in athletes with physiological hypertrophy, in contrast to hypertensive patients. The relationship between resting flow velocity and determinants of oxygen demand is preserved in physiological hypertrophy but missing in hypertensive hypertrophy. Furthermore, the vasodilator capacity of coronary macrocirculation is also enhanced in exercise-trained subjects.  (+info)

Selective transport of adenosine into porcine coronary smooth muscle. (51/980)

Adenosine (ADO), an endogenous regulator of coronary vascular tone, enhances vasorelaxation in the presence of nucleoside transport inhibitors such as dipyridamole. We tested the hypothesis that coronary smooth muscle (CSM) contains a high-affinity transporter for ADO. ADO-mediated relaxation of isolated large and small porcine coronary artery rings was enhanced 12-fold and 3.4-fold, respectively, by the transport inhibitor, S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI). Enhanced relaxation was independent of endothelium and was selective for ADO over synthetic analogs. Uptake of [(3)H]ADO into freshly dissociated CSM cells or endothelium-denuded rings was linear and concentration dependent. Kinetic analysis yielded a maximum uptake (V(max)) of 67 +/- 7.0 pmol. mg protein(-1). min(-1) and a Michaelis constant (K(m)) of 10. 5 +/- 5.8 microM in isolated cells and a V(max) of 5.1 +/- 0.5 pmol. min(-1). mg wet wt(-1) and a K(m) of 17.6 +/- 2.6 microM in intact rings. NBTI inhibited transport into small arteries (IC(50) = 42 nM) and cells. Analyses of extracellular space and diffusion kinetics using [(3)H]sucrose indicate the V(max) and K(m) for ADO transport are sufficient to clear a significant amount of extracellular adenosine. These data indicate CSM possess a high-affinity nucleoside transporter and that the activity of this transporter is sufficient to modulate ADO sensitivity of large and small coronary arteries.  (+info)

Dipyridamole dilates large cerebral arteries concomitant to headache induction in healthy subjects. (52/980)

Dipyridamole is used for secondary prophylaxis in ischemic stroke and as a vasodilator agent in myocardial scintigraphy. An important side effect to administering dipyridamole is headache. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of dipyridamole on cerebral blood flow, large artery diameter, and headache induction. Twelve healthy subjects were included in this single-blind placebo-controlled study in which placebo (0.9% NaCl) and dipyridamole 0.142 mg/kg x min were administered intravenously over 4 minutes 1 hour apart. Blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (Vmax) was recorded by transcranial Doppler and regional cerebral blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (rCBFmca) was measured using single photon emission computed tomography and 133Xenon-inhalation. Blood pressure, heart rate, and pCO2 were measured repeatedly. Headache response was scored every 10 minutes on a verbal scale from 0 to 10 (10 = worst). Dipyridamole caused a decrease in pCO2 (P < 0.001). pCO2 corrected rCBFmca was 41.7 +/- 6.9 mL/100 g x min after placebo versus 41.2 +/- 6.9 after dipyridamole (P > or = 0.05). pCO2 corrected Vmca decreased 8.4% +/- 11.7 (P < 0.001) after dipyridamole, indicating a mean 5.6% +/- 6.7 (P = 0.005) relative increase of the arterial diameter. After dipyridamole the median peak headache score was 2 (range 0 to 7) compared with 0 (range 0 to 3) after placebo (P = 0.02). Dilatation of the middle cerebral artery outlasted the headache response. In conclusion, dipyridamole causes a modest pCO2 independent dilatation of the MCA, which is time-linked to the onset, but not to the cessation, of headache.  (+info)

Molecular identification and characterization of novel human and mouse concentrative Na+-nucleoside cotransporter proteins (hCNT3 and mCNT3) broadly selective for purine and pyrimidine nucleosides (system cib). (53/980)

The human concentrative (Na(+)-linked) plasma membrane transport proteins hCNT1 and hCNT2 are selective for pyrimidine nucleosides (system cit) and purine nucleosides (system cif), respectively. Both have homologs in other mammalian species and belong to a gene family (CNT) that also includes hfCNT, a newly identified broad specificity pyrimidine and purine Na(+)-nucleoside symporter (system cib) from the ancient marine vertebrate, the Pacific hagfish (Eptatretus stouti). We now report the cDNA cloning and characterization of cib homologs of hfCNT from human mammary gland, differentiated human myeloid HL-60 cells, and mouse liver. The 691- and 703-residue human and mouse proteins, designated hCNT3 and mCNT3, respectively, were 79% identical in amino acid sequence and contained 13 putative transmembrane helices. hCNT3 was 48, 47, and 57% identical to hCNT1, hCNT2, and hfCNT, respectively. When produced in Xenopus oocytes, both proteins exhibited Na(+)-dependent cib-type functional activities. hCNT3 was electrogenic, and a sigmoidal dependence of uridine influx on Na(+) concentration indicated a Na(+):uridine coupling ratio of at least 2:1 for both hCNT3 and mCNT3 (cf 1:1 for hCNT1/2). Phorbol myristate acetate-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells led to the parallel appearance of cib-type activity and hCNT3 mRNA. Tissues containing hCNT3 transcripts included pancreas, bone marrow, trachea, mammary gland, liver, prostate, and regions of intestine, brain, and heart. The hCNT3 gene mapped to chromosome 9q22.2 and included an upstream phorbol myristate acetate response element.  (+info)

Adenosine- and adenine-nucleotide-mediated inhibition of normal and transformed keratinocyte proliferation is dependent upon dipyridamole-sensitive adenosine transport. (54/980)

Extracellular adenosine and its related nucleotides have been referred to as retaliatory metabolites that can be released into the extracellular environment during inflammation, wounding, and other pathologic states. We have previously reported that these compounds reversibly inhibit the proliferation of normal keratinocyte cultures and we now demonstrate that these compounds also arrest the proliferation of transformed keratinocytes. Although our study shows that keratinocytes express mRNA corresponding to the A2B purinoreceptors and that adenosine or AMP treatment elevates intracellular cAMP in these cells, our study also demonstrates that dipyridamole-inhibitable transport of adenosine into the keratinocyte is central to the mechanism by which adenosine and adenine nucleotides arrest proliferation in these cells. In support of this mechanism, our results demonstrate that human keratinocytes express mRNA corresponding to the recently cloned dipyridamole-sensitive human equilibrative nucleoside transporter. Interestingly, coincubation with adenosine deaminase reverses the antiproliferative action of adenosine and exerts no effect on the antiproliferative activity of the adenine nucleotides, thus supporting a model in which adenine nucleotides are enzymatically converted to adenosine and transported into the keratinocyte in a tightly coupled and adenosine-deaminase-resistant manner. Analysis of adenosine- and adenosine-monophosphate-treated keratinocytes demonstrated that quiescence is induced within 12-24 h, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis suggests that treatment with these compounds may result in the inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation at both G1 and S phases of the cell cycle. In addition to their documented antiproliferative action on other cell types, adenosine, adenine nucleotides, and related analogs may also represent a potential new class of pharmacologic regulators of keratinocyte proliferation in vivo.  (+info)

Experimental arterial thromboembolism in baboons. Mechanism, quantitation, and pharmacologic prevention. (55/980)

A quantitative primate model of arterial thromboembolism has been characterized with respect to mechanism and usefulness in evaluating modifying variables. The model involved the kinetic measurements of (51)Cr-platelets and (125)I-fibrinogen consumption by femoral arteriovenous cannulae in chaired baboons. Cannula platelet consumption correlated directly with exposed cannular area for irradiated Silastic and polyurethane (correlation coefficients of 0.940 and 0.901, respectively; P < 0.001) and remained steady state for months. Nonirradiated Silastic was only minimally reactive with platelets. Despite increased rates of platelet consumption circulating fibrinogen was not measurably destroyed by any of the cannulae tested. Cannula platelet consumption was independent of cannula flow rate, platelet count, heparin anti-coagulation, and ancrod defibrinogenation.(111)In-platelet imaging of irradiated Silastic cannulae demonstrated luminal accumulation and subsequent embolization of irregular platelet masses. When irradiated Silastic cannulae were inserted as extension segments in the renal arteries of four animals the glomerular vessels became progressively occluded with nonfibrin-containing platelet thromboemboli. Nonirradiated Silastic cannulae in control arteries produced no significant vascular occlusion. Because the survival of platelets from animals with consumptive cannulae was not shortened in normal recipient animals we concluded that platelets were either irreversibly removed through thromboembolic consumption or unaffected in their viability. Oral administration of dipyridamole and sulfinpyrazone decreased cannula platelet consumption in a dose-dependent manner with complete interruption at 20 and 250 mumol/kg body wt per d (in three divided doses), respectively, whereas oral acetylsalicylic acid (10-330 mumol/kg per d) had no measurable effect on cannula platelet consumption. We conclude that this primate model simulates arterial thrombotic processes in man and that this model is suitable for the in vivo evaluation of biomaterials and of drugs that modify platelet behavior.  (+info)

Relation between regional function and coronary blood flow reserve in multivessel coronary artery stenosis. (56/980)

In the setting of chronic coronary stenoses, percent wall thickening (%WT) both at rest and during catecholamine stimulation can be abnormal despite normal resting myocardial blood flow (MBF). We hypothesized that this phenomenon is related to abnormal MBF reserve. Accordingly, 15 dogs were studied between 7 and 10 days after placement of Ameroid constrictors around the proximal coronary arteries and their major branches, at a time when collateral development had not yet occurred. %WT and MBF were measured at rest, after 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole, and at incremental doses of dobutamine (5-40 microgram. kg(-1). min(-1)). Resting %WT and MBF were normal in all four sham dogs. Resting transmural MBF was normal in all segments in the 11 study dogs, despite reduced (-2 SD of normal) %WT (<30%) in 40 of 82 segments. MBF reserve was reduced (<3) in segments with reduced %WT, and a close coupling was noted between resting %WT and MBF reserve. All segments showed an increase in %WT with dobutamine up to a dose of 20 microgram. kg(-1). min(-1), above which those with abnormal endocardial MBF reserve showed a "biphasic" response. It is concluded that, in the presence of chronic coronary stenoses, abnormalities in resting %WT as well as inducible reduction in %WT during pharmacological stress are related to the degree of abnormal MBF reserve.  (+info)