ATP- and glutathione-dependent transport of chemotherapeutic drugs by the multidrug resistance protein MRP1. (1/40)

The present study was performed to investigate the ability of the multidrug resistance protein (MRPI) to transport different cationic substrates in comparison with MDR1-P-glycoprotein (MDR1). Transport studies were performed with isolated membrane vesicles from in vitro selected multidrug resistant cell lines overexpressing MDR1 (A2780AD) or MRP1 (GLC4/Adr) and a MRP1-transfected cell line (S1(MRP)). As substrates we used 3H-labelled derivatives of the hydrophilic monoquaternary cation N-(4',4'-azo-in-pentyl)-21-deoxy-ajmalinium (APDA), the basic drug vincristine and the more hydrophobic basic drug daunorubicin. All three are known MDR1-substrates. MRP1 did not mediate transport of these substrates per se. In the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH), there was an ATP-dependent uptake of vincristine and daunorubicin, but not of APDA, into GLC4/Adr and S1(MRP) membrane vesicles which could be inhibited by the MRP1-inhibitor MK571. ATP- and GSH-dependent transport of daunorubicin and vincristine into GLC4/Adr membrane vesicles was inhibited by the MRP1-specific monoclonal antibody QCRL-3. MRP1-mediated daunorubicin transport rates were dependent on the concentration of GSH and were maximal at concentrations > or = 10 mM. The apparent KM value for GSH was 2.7 mM. Transport of daunorubicin in the presence of 10 mM GSH was inhibited by MK571 with an IC50 of 0.4 microM. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that MRP1 transports vincristine and daunorubicin in an ATP- and GSH-dependent manner. APDA is not a substrate for MRP1.  (+info)

Sudden death in patients and relatives with the syndrome of right bundle branch block, ST segment elevation in the precordial leads V(1)to V(3)and sudden death. (2/40)

BACKGROUND: The syndrome with an electrocardiographic pattern of right bundle branch block, ST segment elevation in leads V(1)to V(3)and sudden death is genetically determined and caused by mutations in the cardiac sodium channel. The inheritance of the disease is autosomal dominant. Sudden death may, however, occur from a variety of causes in relatives and patients with this syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five Flemish families with this syndrome with a total of 334 members were studied. Affected members were recognized by means of a typical electrocardiogram either occurring spontaneously or after the intravenous administration of antiarrhythmic drugs. Sudden deaths in these families were classified as related or not to the syndrome by analysis of the data at the time of the event, mode of inheritance of the disease, and data provided by survivors. Results Of the 25 families with the syndrome, 18 were symptomatic (at least one sudden death related to the syndrome) and seven were asymptomatic (no sudden deaths related to the syndrome). In total, there were 42 sudden cardiac deaths (12% incidence). Twenty-four sudden deaths were related to the syndrome and all occurred in symptomatic families. Eighteen sudden deaths (43% of total sudden deaths) were not related to the syndrome (nine cases) or were of unclear cause (nine cases). Three of them occurred in two asymptomatic families and the remaining 15 in five symptomatic families. Twenty-four of the 50 affected members (47%) suffered (aborted) sudden death and 18 of the 284 unaffected members (6%). This difference in the incidence of sudden death was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Patients with (aborted) sudden death caused by the syndrome were younger than patients with sudden death of other or unclear causes (38+/-4 years vs 59+/-3 years respectively, P=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: In families at high risk of sudden death because of genetically determined diseases, the main cause of sudden death remains the disease. However, almost the half of sudden deaths are caused by unrelated diseases or are of unclear cause. Accurate classification of the causes of sudden death is mandatory for appropriate analysis of the causes of death when designing preventive treatments.  (+info)

Body surface potential mapping in patients with Brugada syndrome: right precordial ST segment variations and reverse changes in left precordial leads. (3/40)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to perform quantitative signal analysis of high-resolution body surface potential mapping (BSPM) recordings to assess its usefulness for the electrocardiographic characterization of patients with Brugada syndrome. The diagnostic value of the QRS integral and of the gradient of the ST segment have not been elucidated in Brugada syndrome. METHODS: In 27 subjects (16 with Brugada syndrome and 11 healthy subjects), 120-lead BSPMs were recorded at baseline and after pharmacological provocation with intravenous administration of ajmaline (1 mg/kg). The recordings were analyzed for two regions outside the positions of the standard ECG leads: the right precordial leads (RPL) on the second and third intercostal space (high RPL) and the left precordial leads (LPL) between the fifth and seventh intercostal space (low LPL). RESULTS: At baseline, in high RPL regions, patients with Brugada syndrome showed more positive QRS integrals (-5+/-8 vs. -16+/-8 mV ms) and a steeper negative ST segment gradient (-0.62+/-0.41 vs. -0.29+/-0.40 mV/s) compared to healthy subjects, P<0.001. In contrast, in low LPL regions, reduced QRS integrals and positive ST segment gradients were observed. These ECG signs were even more pronounced after intravenous ajmaline and showed a better discrimination for patients with Brugada syndrome than differences in RPL or LPL during baseline, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the left precordial leads, patients with Brugada syndrome showed ECG changes which were reversed in relation to the ECG changes observed in right precordial leads. BSPM measurement is a useful tool to improve the understanding of the electrocardiographic changes in the Brugada syndrome.  (+info)

Antiarrhythmic effect of aprindine on several types of ventricular arrhythmias. (4/40)

The antiarrhythmic effect of aprindine was compared with those of lidocaine and propranolol on several ventricular arrhythmias-epinephrine arrhythmias in cats, ouabain arrhythmias in cats and guinea pigs, ischemic ventricular arrhythmias in coronary-ligated Beagle dogs. Antiarrhythmic effects of aprindine and lidocaine were observed both in ouagain and ischemic arrhythmias, but not in epinephrine arrhythmias. While propranolol had a strong antiarrhythmic effect against epinephrine and ouabain arrhythmias, it did not increase sinus beats in ischemic arrhythmias. Marked anti-arrhythmic effects of aprindine in ischemic arrhythmias were observed in dogs using either single intravenous administration (4 mg/kg) or intravenous infusion (200 mug/kg/min, 2 mg/kg). Antiarrhythmic activity of aprindine is considered to be about twice as strong as that of lidocaine, but lidocaine is less toxic in experimental animals.  (+info)

The ajmaline challenge in Brugada syndrome: diagnostic impact, safety, and recommended protocol. (5/40)

AIMS: The diagnostic ECG pattern in Brugada syndrome (BS) can transiently normalize and may be unmasked by sodium channel blockers such as ajmaline. Proarrhythmic effects of the drug have been well documented in the literature. A detailed protocol for the ajmaline challenge in Brugada syndrome has not yet been described. Therefore, we prospectively studied the risks of a standardized ajmaline test. METHODS AND RESULTS: During a period of 60 months, 158 patients underwent the ajmaline test in our institution. Ajmaline was given intravenously in fractions (10mg every two minutes) up to a target dose of 1mg/kg. In 37 patients (23%) the typical coved-type ECG pattern of BS was unmasked. During the test, symptomatic VT appeared in 2 patients (1.3%). In all other patients, the drug challenge did not induce VT if the target dose, QRS prolongation >30%, presence/appearance of the typical ECG, or the occurrence of premature ventricular ectopy were considered as end points of the test. A positive response to ajmaline was induced in 2 of 94 patients (2%) with a normal baseline ECG, who underwent evaluation solely for syncope of unknown origin. CONCLUSION: The ajmaline challenge using a protocol with fractionated drug administration is a safe method to diagnose BS. Because of the potential induction of VT, it should be performed under continuous medical surveillance with advanced life-support facilities. Due to the prognostic importance all patients with aborted sudden death or unexplained syncope without demonstrable structural heart disease and family members of affected individuals should presently undergo drug testing for unmasking BS.  (+info)

Unusual response to the ajmaline test in a patient with Brugada syndrome. (6/40)

We present a Brugada syndrome patient who suffered an aborted sudden death. The ajmaline test (1 mg/kg body weight) induced accentuated alternans ST-segment elevation in V1-V2 without ventricular arrhythmias. It could represent silent ischaemia not detected before, failure of myocardial regions to repolarize in alternate beats due to transmural dispersion of conduction and refractoriness in the right ventricular outflow tract or a rate dependent sodium channel block by ajmaline. We need more studies to know whether this electrocardiographic sign is a risk factor for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome patients.  (+info)

Value of electrocardiographic parameters and ajmaline test in the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome caused by SCN5A mutations. (7/40)

BACKGROUND: The Brugada syndrome is an arrhythmogenic disease caused in part by mutations in the cardiac sodium channel gene, SCN5A. The electrocardiographic pattern characteristic of the syndrome is dynamic and is often absent in affected individuals. Sodium channel blockers are effective in unmasking carriers of the disease. However, the value of the test remains controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 147 individuals representing 4 large families with SCN5A mutations. Of these, 104 were determined to be at possible risk for Brugada syndrome and underwent both electrocardiographic and genetic evaluation. Twenty-four individuals displayed an ECG diagnostic of Brugada syndrome at baseline. Of the remaining, 71 received intravenous ajmaline. Of the 35 genetic carriers who received ajmaline, 28 had a positive test and 7 a negative ajmaline test. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the drug challenge were 80% (28:35), 94.4% (34:36), 93.3% (28:30), and 82.9% (34:41), respectively. Penetrance of the disease phenotype increased from 32.7% to 78.6% with the use of sodium channel blockers. In the absence of ST-segment elevation under baseline conditions, a prolonged P-R interval, but not incomplete right bundle-branch block or early repolarization patterns, indicates a high probability of an SCN5A mutation carrier. CONCLUSIONS: In families with Brugada syndrome, the data suggest that ajmaline testing is valuable in the diagnosis of SCN5A carriers. In the absence of ST-segment elevation at baseline, family members with first-degree atrioventricular block should be suspected of carrying the mutation. An ajmaline test is often the key to making the proper diagnosis in these patients.  (+info)

Crystal structure of vinorine synthase, the first representative of the BAHD superfamily. (8/40)

Vinorine synthase is an acetyltransferase that occupies a central role in the biosynthesis of the antiarrhythmic monoterpenoid indole alkaloid ajmaline in the plant Rauvolfia. Vinorine synthase belongs to the benzylalcohol acetyl-, anthocyanin-O-hydroxy-cinnamoyl-, anthranilate-N-hydroxy-cinnamoyl/benzoyl-, deacetylvindoline acetyltransferase (BAHD) enzyme superfamily, members of which are involved in the biosynthesis of several important drugs, such as morphine, Taxol, or vindoline, a precursor of the anti-cancer drugs vincaleucoblastine and vincristine. The x-ray structure of vinorine synthase is described at 2.6-angstrom resolution. Despite low sequence identity, the two-domain structure of vinorine synthase shows surprising similarity with structures of several CoA-dependent acyltransferases such as dihydrolipoyl transacetylase, polyketide-associated protein A5, and carnitine acetyltransferase. All conserved residues typical for the BAHD family are found in domain 1. His160 of the HXXXD motif functions as a general base during catalysis. It is located in the center of the reaction channel at the interface of both domains and is accessible from both sides. The channel runs through the entire molecule, allowing the substrate and co-substrate to bind independently. Asp164 points away from the catalytic site and seems to be of structural rather than catalytic importance. Surprisingly, the DFGWG motif, which is indispensable for the catalyzed reaction and unique to the BAHD family, is located far away from the active site and seems to play only a structural role. Vinorine synthase represents the first solved protein structure of the BAHD superfamily.  (+info)

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