Role of cholecystokinin in mediating GRP-stimulated gastric, biliary and pancreatic functions in man

To explore the mechanisms of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-induced gut functions in man, we investigated the effect on gallbladder contraction, exocrine pancreatic secretion and gastric acid secretion of a recently developed CCK receptor antagonist, loxiglumide, on GRP-stimulated effects in six healthy human subjects. Intravenous infusion of graded doses of synthetic human GRP (1-27 pmol/kg per h) caused significant and dose-dependent increases in pancreatic enzyme and gastric acid secretions and in gallbladder contraction. Intravenous administration of loxiglumide (10 mg/kg per h) abolished GRP-stimulated gallbladder contraction, augmented gastric acid secretion, but did not affect exocrine pancreatic secretion. The results suggest that endogenously released CCK is (1) responsible for GRP-stimulated gallbladder contraction, and (2) involved in regulating gastric acid secretion. The results further suggest that GRP-stimulated pancreatic secretion is not mediated by CCK, but has a direct response of GRP on the exocrine pancreas.

[Relation between the occurrence of malignant arrhythmia during acute myocardial ischemia and the weight of ischemic myocardium in goats]

The coronary collateral circulation of goat is very spare, so myocardiac ischemia model of goat can simulate the patient previously with normal coronary circulation and suddenly developing complete occlusion of coronary arteries. In this study 80 Chengdu goats were used, and the branches of their left coronary artery were ligated. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) developed in 23 goats and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in 39 goats. VT and VF both occurred in the early phase of acute myocardial ischemia, and both had 6 min as the median time of onset. In 71 cases data on the weight of myocardiac ischemic area were collected, in which the weight percentage of ischemic area relating to the ventricles of 34 goats with VF was significantly higher than that of 37 goats without VF (35.4 +/- 2.4% vs 19.5 +/- 1.9%). After coronary ligation, 9 cases directly precipitated into VF which could not be defibrillated. In the remaining 62 cases, the weight percentage of ischemic area of 21 cases with VT was higher than that of 41 cases without VT (32.9 +/- 2.8% vs 20.9 +/- 2.1%). The relationships between the incidence of VT or VF and the weight percentage of ischemic area were fitted with logistic curve. The likelihood of occurrence of VT or VF is increased as the weight percentage of ischemia area goes up.

[Circadian rhythm of blood pressure in renovascular hypertensive goats treated with captopril]

Blood pressure (BP) was recorded directly and automatically by a microcomputer aid system for 48 h in normotensive and Goldblatt hypertensive goats. By population-mean cosinor fitting, significant circadian rhythms were found for SBP and DBP in both groups of goats. The BP during nighttime was higher than that during daytime in our goats. An angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, was given to hypertensive goats with usual schedule of drug administration (25mg, t.i.d) or form of chronotherapy (62.5 mg, given before the acrophase of BP, q.n). BP significantly decreased throughout the whole day in both treated groups. But there was no statistical difference of cosinor parameters between the effects of BP in these two groups. BP could be decreased by the method of chronotherapy with less amount of drug and less frequency of drug administration.

Inhibition of in vitro immunoglobulin production by rapamycin

Like FK506, rapamycin, a structural analog of FK506, is a strong immunosuppressant. The immunosuppressive effect of Rapa in in vitro IgG, IgM, and IgA production by human lymphocytes was examined in this study. To inhibit spontaneous or pokeweed mitogen-stimulated production of Ig by human peripheral blood lymphocytes, about one thousandfold lower concentrations of Rapa (IC50 = 0.3 nM-2 nM) were required than of cyclosporine (IC50 = 0.3 microM-2 microM). T cells were the direct targets of Rapa, because preincubation of T cells with Rapa abolished the T cells helper effect to T-dependent Ig production. Rapa also had direct suppressive effect on B cells, since Rapa suppressed IgG production by pure B cells stimulated with IL2 and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. Kinetic studies measuring IgG production and cell proliferation revealed that Rapa acted at the activation stage of T and B cells. Exogenous IL2 substantially reversed the inhibitory effect of CsA but not that of Rapa in Ig production. This study is the first report on the strong suppressive effect of Rapa on human humoral immune response with a quantitative comparison with that of CsA. The underlying mechanisms are also explored. The results indicate the potential usefulness of this drug in treatment of presensitized transplantation patients, with whom cytotoxic Ab is a major obstacle to a successful transplantation.

[Effects of tian-ma injection on myocardial ischemia and lipid peroxidation in rabbits]

Lipid peroxidation initiated by oxygen free radicals played an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of Tian-Ma (Gastrodia elata Bl.) injection on myocardial infarct size and lipid peroxidation by observing serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Twenty-six New Zealand rabbits were divided into control group (n = 6), ischemic group (n = 10), and Tian-Ma treated group (n = 10). Left ventricular branch (LVB) of coronary artery was ligated at its middle third in ischemic and treated groups. LVB was not ligated in control group. Tian-Ma injection was given intravenously (1 mg/kg) every 8 hours after ligation in treated group for 48 hours. Precordial 12-lead ECG mapping was recorded before operation and at 3, 24 and 48 hours after occlusion. Hemodynamic changes (HR, LVP) were monitored before and 0.5, 3 and 48 hours after ligation. Serum MDA levels were determined by thiobarbituric acid spectrophotometry before operation, and 0.5, 3, 9, 24, and 48 hours after ligation. Dual staining technique was used 48 hours after ligation to determine the area at risk and infarct size. The results showed that Tian-Ma injection did not decrease sigma ST elevation (P greater than 0.05), but NQ was significantly lower during ischemia in treated group (P less than 0.01), Tian-Ma injection reduced the area at risk by 23.5% (P less than 0.05) and infarct size by 34.5% (P less than 0.01). Tian-Ma injection significantly decreased the levels of serum MDA 24 and 48 hours after occlusion (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Participation of protein kinase C in desensitization to bradykinin and to carbachol in MDCK cells

To explore the possibility that protein kinase C (PKC) participates in desensitization to Ca(2+)-mobilizing hormones in MDCK cells, we measured intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) using fura-2 and video microscopy. We first examined the response of MDCK cells grown on plastic dishes. Exposure of cells to bradykinin (BK) or to carbachol, followed by reexposure after washing off the hormone, revealed two features of hormone desensitization. First, the initial hormone-induced peak response of [Ca2+]i was transitory; [Ca2+]i returned to control levels despite continued presence of hormone. Second, cells remained refractory to hormone rechallenge for 5 min after washing off hormone; [Ca2+]i response on re-exposure was reduced 70% compared with initial hormone-stimulated peak. Subsequent experiments demonstrated involvement of PKC in both desensitization processes. Pretreatment with the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, significantly blunted initial response to BK and to carbachol by 70 and 86%, respectively. When hormone-stimulated C kinase activity was enhanced with the diglyceride lipase inhibitor, RG 80267, BK- and carbachol-induced increases in [Ca2+]i were blunted 50%. Pretreatment with sphingosine, an inhibitor of PKC, resulted in an amplification of initial hormone-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i and restored the response to rechallenge. To examine the possible interaction between BK and carbachol,both of which use PKC to induce desensitization, we measured [Ca2+]i in cells grown as monolayers on permeable, collagen-coated supports. Both carbachol and BK induced desensitization to the other hormone (heterologous desensitization)provided that the two hormones were applied to the same side of the polarized monolayer (apical).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Central cardiovascular and renal effects of atrial natriuretic peptide]

In 54 anesthetized rats, the changes in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and/or urine volume, urinary sodium excretion were observed following intracarotid, intrathecal and intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The effects of ANP on the central actions of angiotensin II (AG II) were also examined. The results were as follows: (1) In the cross-circulation preparation of rat head, MAP of the recipient was unchanged and that of the donor was decreased in response to the administration of alpha-hANP (15 micrograms/kg) into the carotid artery of the recipient. (2) By injecting AP III (5 micrograms/kg) intrathecally, MAP, HR and urine volume (V) of the rats (n = 7) showed no change. (3) The ICV injection of AP III (20 micrograms/kg) did not result in changes in MAP, HR, and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV), but there was a transient and significant increase in V. (4) ICV injection of AG II (1 microgram/kg) resulted in an increase of MAP by 1.3 +/- 0.17 kPa (10 +/- 1.3 mmHg, n = 10, P less than 0.001), V by 106% (n = 6, P less than 0.01) and UNaV by 642% (P less than 0.01). (5) ICV injection of AP III 2 min prior to the injection of AG II by the same route, the central hypertensive effect induced by AG II was not affected, while the increments in V and UNaV were decreased significantly (P less than 0.05). The results indicate that (1) ANP is incapable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier owing to its large molecular size and therefore, the central mechanism is not involved in the hypotensive effect induced by intravenous injection of ANF and (2) the central diuretic and natriuretic actions of AG II may be markedly inhibited by ICV injection of ANP, thus indicating the existence of some central antagonistic interactions between AG II and ANP.

N(+)-glucuronidation of aliphatic tertiary amines, a general phenomenon in the metabolism of H1-antihistamines in humans

1. Representative drugs of the various structural classes of H1 antihistamines were chosen for study. The drugs chosen (class name in parentheses) were chlorpheniramine maleate and pheniramine maleate (alkylamines), diphenhydramine hydrochloride and doxylamine succinate (ethanolamines), pyrilamine maleate and tripelennamine hydrochloride (ethylenediamines), promethazine hydrochloride (phenothiazine), cyclizine lactate (piperazine) and terfenadine (miscellaneous). In each case oral dose(s) were administered over no more than 6 h to two healthy volunteers and the total urine collected for 36 h. 2. Metabolites from urine were separated by h.p.l.c. and individually collected prior to mass spectrometric analysis in the fast atom bombardment mode. The structure of each metabolite identified as a quaternary ammonium-linked glucuronide metabolite was confirmed by direct comparison of its mass spectrum and chromatographic behaviour with that of a synthetic authentic compound. 3. For eight of the nine drugs studied, metabolism by the N(+)-glucuronidation pathway was observed in each of the volunteers. Terfenadine was the exception. 4. The amount of each N(+)-glucuronide in the urine was estimated by h.p.l.c. analysis. The mean proportion of dose excreted as the metabolite was 14.3%, 6.5% and 4.0% for cyclizine, tripelennamine and diphenhydramine, respectively. Promethazine was the only case where the N(+)-glucuronide accounted for less than 1.0% of the administered dose in both volunteers examined.

Inhibition of binding of [3H]metolazone to rat kidney membrane by stilbene disulfonates

Thiazide diuretics inhibit an electroneutral chloride and sodium reabsorptive transport pathway in the renal distal convoluted tubule. [3H]Metolazone binds with high affinity to the drug recognition site on the thiazide-sensitive ion transporter. The molecular nature of this transporter is currently unknown. This report examines whether stilbene disulfonates [4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS)], agents that have been used to identify other anion-transporting proteins, could be useful in the identification of the thiazide receptor. We found that high concentrations of DIDS or SITS were required to inhibit binding of [3H]metolazone to rat kidney membranes, with apparent IC50 values of 380 and 940 microM, respectively. The inhibition was due to a decrease in the number of binding sites without alteration in the affinity of the binding. The inhibition was not reversible, as judged by the inability of the inhibition to be reversed by removal of the DIDS or SITS from the membranes prior to equilibration with [3H]metolazone. Addition of 100 mM NaCl to the incubation medium did not protect the [3H]metolazone binding site from inhibition by DIDS. We infer that DIDS and SITS irreversibly inhibit binding of [3H]metolazone by reaction with the thiazide receptor at a site other than the anion-transporting site.

Solubilization of thiazide diuretic receptors from rat kidney membranes

Thiazide-type diuretics act at receptors to inhibit NaCl transport in the renal distal tubule. We solubilized high-affinity [3H]metolazone binding sites from rat kidney membranes with Triton X-100, which was more effective than several other detergents. Phosphatidylcholine and a mixture of proteinase inhibitors were needed to stabilize binding so that 57% of solubilized binding remained after 72 h at 4 degrees C. The affinities of solubilized (Kd = 11.4 +/- 0.5 nM) and membrane-bound receptors (Kd = 12.0 +/- 1.7 nM) were similar. The maximal number of binding sites/mg protein of solubilized receptors was 46 +/- 3% (n = 5) of membrane-bound receptors. Diuretics with a wide range of affinities had similar affinities for the solubilized and membrane-bound sites. Chloride inhibited and sodium stimulated the binding of [3H]metolazone to solubilized receptors, as they do with membrane-bound receptors. These studies demonstrate that, as judged by ligand binding, thiazide receptors can be solubilized in an active conformation and provide the basis for future purification and reconstitution.

[Left ventricle diastolic function in hypertensive patients and responses to captopril]

The LV diastolic function of 37 cases with primary hypertension were studied by measuring the diastolic filling blood stream at mitral orifice using pulsed Doppler echocardiography. 30/37 (81%) patients were found to have impaired LV diastolic function as compared with 30 normals of a group at similar age. After 4 weeks of oral captopril treatment in 20/37 patients, BP dropped in 19/20; LV diastolic function improved in 75-80%; left ventricular mass also regressed in 16/20 captopril treated patients (210 +/- 62 vs 171 +/- 46 g, P less than 0.01). It showed that captopril is not only effective in lowering blood pressure but also in improving the impaired LV diastolic function.

[Preparation of inside-out vesicles from red blood cell membranes and measurement for its Ca2+ uptake]

Sealed, inside-out red cell membrane vesicles (IOV) from rats were prepared by a modified method of Steck (1974). The preparation contained 70% of IOV. In the presence of ATP and Mg2+, these vesicles actively took up Ca2+ with a high efficiency and reproducibility. The intraassay coefficient of variance (C.V.) was 3.6% and the interassay C.V. was 13.58%. The active Ca2+ transport reached the maximal level in 10 minutes of incubation, and linearly correlated with the IOV concentration. The Ca2+ uptake rate in Wistar rats was 9.39 +/- 1.28 nmol/mg IOV protein/min. IOV rapidly lost Ca2+ when A23187 was added. The active transport was stimulated by calmodulin, and inhibited by trifluoperazine.

IgE synthesis by chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

The present results indicate that B cells isolated from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) from 11 of 14 patients are capable of specifically producing IgE upon costimulation with IL-4 and hydrocortisone (HC). IgE is detected by intracytoplasmic fluorescence staining and by RIA. Clinical, hematological, and immunological parameters (including Rai stage, WBC, Lc, sIg kappa/lambda, CD5, and CD23 expression) cannot distinguish the IgE responder from the nonresponder patients. IL-4 alone is a potent inducer of human IgE synthesis by normal PBMC and we show here that its effect is strikingly enhanced by HC. The IgE produced by B-CLLs are monoclonal since they display the same L chain type as the freshly isolated CD5+ B-CLLs. We, therefore, conclude that the combination of IL-4 and HC can abrogate the maturation arrest of CD5+ B-CLLs by inducing their differentiation into IgE-producing cells. The present data provide a unique model to study the isotype switching to IgE and the regulation of human IgE synthesis by monoclonal human B cells.

Crystal structure and the equation of state of thorium monophosphide for pressures up to 50 GPa

High-pressure X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on ThP using synchrotron radiation and a diamond-anvil cell. The bulk modulus B 0 and its pressure derivative B′0 have been determined (B 0 = 137 GPa; B′0 = 5.1). A phase transition from the NaCl structure to the CsCl structure was observed at about 30 GPa.