Inhibition of nitric oxide formation by guanidines

Aminoguanidine, N,N'-diaminoguanidine, methylguanidine, and 1,1-dimethylguanidine were compared to NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) for their ability to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) formation by cytokine-inducible and vascular constitutive isoforms of NO synthase. These comparisons were performed by assessing (1) cytokine-induced production of nitrite by RINm5F cells, (2) vasoconstrictor responses of isolated rat mesenteric arteries, and (3) in vivo blood pressure responses following intravenous bolus injection into anesthetized rats. Aminoguanidine and L-NMMA were the most potent inhibitors of cytokine-induced NO formation in RINm5F cells, while the other guanidine compounds were 10 (1,1-dimethylguanidine) to 100 (methylguanidine) times less potent. L-NMMA and 1,1-dimethylguanidine were the most potent inhibitors of the vascular constitutive isoform of NO synthase in both assay systems, while aminoguanidine and N,N'-diaminoguanidine were the least potent. These results (1) confirm the selective inhibition of the inducible isoform of NO synthase by aminoguanidine, (2) indicate that N,N'-diaminoguanidine, while approximately 30 times less potent than aminoguanidine in inhibiting inducible NO synthase, has very little effect on constitutive NO synthase activity, and (3) 1,1-dimethylguanidine, like L-NMMA, is a relatively potent inhibitor of both isoforms of NO synthase.

Inhibition of nitric oxide formation does not protect murine cortical cell cultures from N-methyl-D-aspartate neurotoxicity

We examined the role of nitric oxide in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated neurotoxicity in rat and mouse primary cortical cell cultures. In rat and mouse cultures, the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-Nitro-L-arginine, blocked cGMP formation but not neuronal cell death following a 5-10 min exposure to 300-500 microM NMDA. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine was also unable to prevent neuronal death. In contrast, the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, dextrorphan, prevented both cGMP formation and cell death. While other data suggest that the synthesis of nitric oxide can mediate NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity, present results suggest that such synthesis is not necessarily required.

Nitric oxide production in islets from nonobese diabetic mice: aminoguanidine-sensitive and -resistant stages in the immunological diabetic process

The role of nitric oxide (NO.) in the development of immunologically induced diabetes was examined. Transfer of spleen cells obtained from diabetic female nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice to nondiabetic irradiated males induced diabetes 11-13 days after transfer. Islets isolated from recipient male mice produced NO. in a time-dependent fashion. The production of nitrite was initially detected at day 6 after transfer, with increasing levels by days 9 and 13. Under similar conditions glucose-induced insulin secretion by isolated NOD mouse islets was irreversibly reduced by approximately 40% at days 6, 9, and 13 after transfer of spleen cells. The number of islets harvested per pancreas by the 9th and 13th day after transfer was decreased by 20-25% as compared to controls. Treatment of male NOD mice with aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of the inducible form of NO. synthase, reduced the production of NO. in islets and delayed the development of diabetes by 3-8 days. The temporary inhibition by aminoguanidine was dependent on both inhibitor concentration and number of spleen cells transferred. These results indicate that NO. is produced in NOD islets as a result of an immunological diabetogenic process and suggests a role of this compound in the immunological diabetic process.

Characterization of NADPH diaphorase activity in rat sympathetic autonomic ganglia--effect of diabetes and aging

NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry, which identifies neural sites of nitric oxide production, demonstrated intensely stained nerve terminals surrounding the cell bodies of a subpopulation of neurons in rat prevertebral celiac and superior mesenteric sympathetic ganglia but failed to comparably label terminals in paravertebral superior cervical ganglia or perikarya in any sympathetic ganglion. The superior mesenteric ganglia of aged and diabetic rats, in which synaptic dysplasia (neuroaxonal dystrophy) is prominent, failed to show involvement of diaphorase containing nerve terminals.

Glucose-induced insulin secretion from purified beta-cells. A role for modulation of Ca2+ influx by cAMP- and protein kinase C-dependent signal transduction pathways

The effects of activation of cAMP- and protein kinase C-dependent signal transduction pathways were investigated on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), cAMP content and insulin secretion from beta-cells purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting from normal rat islets. The secretion of insulin from suspensions of purified beta-cells was dependent on glucose concentration and hormonal signals, including cAMP and activators of protein kinase C. Microfluorimetric measurement of [Ca2+]i with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2 indicated that beta-cells differed immensely in their individual responsiveness to glucose stimulation. An increase in [Ca2+]i occurred in approximately 70% of beta-cells, whereas approximately 30% of beta-cells were nonresponsive to a glucose stimulus. Elevation of cAMP levels by theophylline or glucagon transformed nonresponsive beta-cells into cells which displayed marked increases in [Ca2+]i, and beta-cells which exhibited glucose-induced changes in [Ca2+]i showed further increases in [Ca2+]i and in the amplitude of Ca2+ oscillations. Carbachol and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, activators of protein kinase C, did not induce any alterations in intracellular cAMP levels; nonetheless, these agents increased both the number of beta-cells which exhibited glucose-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and the amplitude of oscillations. The ability of cAMP or activators of protein kinase C to increase [Ca2+]i in single beta-cells was directly correlated with the ability of beta-cell suspensions to secrete insulin in response to a glucose stimulus. These results suggest that both cAMP- and protein kinase C-dependent pathways may regulate Ca2+ entry into beta-cells, possibly via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Thus, this may represent a common mechanism whereby these different signal transduction pathways potentiate glucose-induced insulin secretion from beta-cells.

Selective inhibition of the inducible nitric oxide synthase by aminoguanidine

Overproduction of the free radical nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory and immunologically mediated diseases as well as complications of diabetes. In the present study we have demonstrated that aminoguanidine selectively inhibits the cytokine-inducible isoform of NO synthase which appears to be responsible for the excess production of NO linked to these disease states. By using organ, cell, and enzyme-based measurements we have shown that aminoguanidine is equipotent to NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMA) as an inhibitor of the cytokine-induced isoform of NO synthase but is 10 to 100-fold less potent as an inhibitor of the constitutive isoform. Thus, aminoguanidine may be useful as a selective inhibitor of the inducible NO synthase in the treatment of disease states characterized by the pathological overproduction of NO.

Nitric oxide mediates cytokine-induced inhibition of insulin secretion by human islets of Langerhans

Cytokines have been implicated as immunological effector molecules that mediate beta cell destruction associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In this report we demonstrate that the cytokine combination of human recombinant interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the formation of nitric oxide by human islets. This combination of cytokines stimulates both the formation of the nitric oxide derivative, nitrite, and the accumulation of cGMP by human islets. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine prevents formation of both cGMP and nitrite. IL-1 beta and IFN-gamma are sufficient to induce nitric oxide formation by human islets, whereas TNF-alpha potentiates nitrite production. This combination of cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma) also influences insulin secretion by human islets. Pretreatment of human islets with low concentrations of this cytokine combination (IL-1 beta at 15 units/ml, 0.7 nM TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma at 150 units/ml) appears to slightly stimulate insulin secretion. Higher concentrations (IL-1 beta at 75 units/ml, 3.5 nM TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma at 750 units/ml) inhibit insulin secretion from human islets, and the inhibitory effect is prevented by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. This higher concentration of cytokines also induces the formation of an electron paramagnetic resonance-detectable g = 2.04 axial feature by human islets that is characteristic of the formation of an iron-dithio-dinitrosyl complex. The formation of this complex is prevented by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, thus confirming that this cytokine combination induces the formation of nitric oxide by human islets. These results indicate that nitric oxide mediates the inhibitory effects of cytokines on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by human islets and suggest that nitric oxide may participate in beta-cell dysfunction associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Release of nitric oxide during the T cell-independent pathway of macrophage activation. Its role in resistance to Listeria monocytogenes

Immunodeficient mice are remarkably resistant to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. We examined the role that nitric oxide (NO.) plays in the CB-17/lcr SCID (SCID) response to LM. SCID spleen cells produced large quantities of NO. (as measured by nitrite formation) when incubated in the presence of heat-killed LM. NO. production was dependent on the release of IFN-gamma by the SCID NK cells. When tested directly, macrophages produced large quantities of nitrite in response to LM, but only in the presence of IFN-gamma. The production of NO. induced by LM was not affected by neutralizing antibodies to TNF or IL-1. The production of NO. was inhibited by addition of either of two inhibitors of NO.synthase, NG-monomethyl arginine, or aminoguanidine. In a different situation, NK cells that were stimulated by TNF and Listeria products to release IFN-gamma did not produce NO.. Macrophages cultured with IFN-gamma killed live LM. This increased killing of LM was significantly inhibited by amino-guanidine. In vivo, administration of aminoguanidine resulted in a marked increase in the mortality and spleen bacterial loads of LM-infected SCID or immunocompetent control mice. We conclude that NO. is a critical effector molecule of T cell-independent natural resistance to LM as studied in the SCID mouse, and that the NO.-mediated response is essential for both SCID and immunocompetent host to survive after LM infection.

A 1-hour pulse with IL-1 beta induces formation of nitric oxide and inhibits insulin secretion by rat islets of Langerhans: evidence for a tyrosine kinase signaling mechanism

Nitric oxide has been implicated as the effector molecule that mediates interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by rat islets. Brief exposures of islets (1 h) to IL-1 beta have been shown to inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion at 8 or 18 h after removal of this cytokine. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if brief exposures of islets to IL-1 beta are sufficient to induce the formation of nitric oxide and to examine the signaling process associated with IL-1 beta-induced expression of nitric oxide synthase. We demonstrate that a 1-h pretreatment of islets with IL-1 beta followed by an 8-h incubation in the absence of this cytokine results in inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (50%), which is completely prevented by pretreatment of islets with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA). The production of nitric oxide by islets under these pulse conditions is demonstrated by IL-1 beta-induced nitrite and electron paramagnetic resonance-detectable iron-nitrosyl complex formation, both of which are prevented by NMMA. IL-1 beta initiates a signal transduction process resulting in the expression of nitric oxide synthase. The signaling process appears to require the activation of a tyrosine kinase, since the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein prevents both IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of insulin secretion by islets and formation of nitric oxide by the insulinoma cell line RINm5F. These results show that short exposures of islets to IL-1 beta are sufficient to induce the formation of nitric oxide resulting in inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and that a tyrosine kinase may participate in the early signaling events required for IL-1 beta to induce the expression of nitric oxide synthase.

Prevention of diabetic vascular dysfunction by guanidines. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase versus advanced glycation end-product formation

This study was undertaken to compare the ability of two guanidine compounds (aminoguanidine and methylguanidine), with different in vitro effects on NO synthase activity and AGE formation, to inhibit diabetic vascular dysfunction developing early after the onset of diabetes. In rats with STZ-induced diabetes of 5-wk duration, regional vascular [125I]albumin permeation was increased about two- to threefold in ocular tissues, sciatic nerve, and aorta; in general, both guanidine compounds normalized albumin permeation in diabetic rats without affecting it in controls. Methylguanidine was only approximately 7% as effective as aminoguanidine as an inhibitor of AGE formation from L-lysine and G6P; both compounds were poor inhibitors of AR. Methylguanidine was approximately 1-5% as potent as aminoguanidine and L-NMMA as an inhibitor of the cytokine- and endotoxin-inducible isoform of NO synthase. In contrast, the potency of methylguanidine as an inhibitor of the constitutive isoform of NO synthase was comparable to that of aminoguanidine, and both guanidine compounds were much less effective than L-NMMA. These observations suggest a role for a relative or absolute increase in NO production in the pathogenesis of early diabetic vascular dysfunction and raise the possibility that inhibition of diabetic vascular functional changes by aminoguanidine may reflect inhibition of NO synthase activity rather than, or in addition to, prevention of AGE formation.

Release of nitric oxide during the T cell-independent pathway of macrophage activation. Its role in resistance to Listeria monocytogenes

Immunodeficient mice are remarkably resistant to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. We examined the role that nitric oxide (NO.) plays in the CB-17/lcr SCID (SCID) response to LM. SCID spleen cells produced large quantities of NO. (as measured by nitrite formation) when incubated in the presence of heat-killed LM. NO. production was dependent on the release of IFN-gamma by the SCID NK cells. When tested directly, macrophages produced large quantities of nitrite in response to LM, but only in the presence of IFN-gamma. The production of NO. induced by LM was not affected by neutralizing antibodies to TNF or IL-1. The production of NO. was inhibited by addition of either of two inhibitors of NO.synthase, NG-monomethyl arginine, or aminoguanidine. In a different situation, NK cells that were stimulated by TNF and Listeria products to release IFN-gamma did not produce NO.. Macrophages cultured with IFN-gamma killed live LM. This increased killing of LM was significantly inhibited by amino-guanidine. In vivo, administration of aminoguanidine resulted in a marked increase in the mortality and spleen bacterial loads of LM-infected SCID or immunocompetent control mice. We conclude that NO. is a critical effector molecule of T cell-independent natural resistance to LM as studied in the SCID mouse, and that the NO.-mediated response is essential for both SCID and immunocompetent host to survive after LM infection.

Nitric oxide mediates IL-1 beta-induced islet dysfunction and destruction: prevention by dexamethasone

Nitric oxide has recently been implicated as a cellular molecule that mediates interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by islets of Langerhans. In this study evidence is presented which demonstrates that islets contain both the cytokine inducible and the constitutive isoforms of nitric oxide synthase as determined by NADPH diaphorase staining and immunohistochemical localization. Untreated islets contain NADPH diaphorase activity, and the intensity of NADPH diaphorase staining is dramatically increased after culture for 18 hrs with IL-1 beta. Both control and IL-1 beta-induced NADPH diaphorase staining of islets is inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA). Importantly, approximately 60-70% of islet cells stained positive for NADPH diaphorase (under both IL-1 beta treated and control conditions), suggesting that a subset of islet cells contain nitric oxide synthase. The beta-cell appears to be the endocrine cell type which contains constitutive nitric oxide synthase as demonstrated by immunohistochemical co-localization of constitutive nitric oxide synthase and insulin. IL-1 beta is believed to stimulate the expression of cytokine inducible nitric oxide synthase because the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, prevents IL-1 beta induced inhibition of glucose stimulated insulin secretion and cGMP accumulation by islets. Both dexamethasone, and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors NMMA and aminoguanidine also prevent IL-1 beta induced islet degeneration. These results indicate that nitric oxide produced by the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase mediates cytokine induced islet dysfunction and destruction, and that the beta-cell is the islet endocrine cellular source of constitutive nitric oxide synthase.

Interleukin 1 beta induces the formation of nitric oxide by beta-cells purified from rodent islets of Langerhans. Evidence for the beta-cell as a source and site of action of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide has recently been implicated as the effector molecule that mediates IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and beta-cell specific destruction. The pancreatic islet represents a heterogeneous cell population containing both endocrine cells (beta-[insulin], alpha-]glucagon], gamma[somatostatin], and PP-[polypeptide] secreting cells) and non-endocrine cells (fibroblast, macrophage, endothelial, and dendritic cells). The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the beta-cell, which is selectively destroyed during insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is both a source of IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide production and also a site of action of this free radical. Pretreatment of beta-cells, purified by FACS with IL-1 beta results in a 40% inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion that is prevented by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA). IL-1 beta induces the formation of nitric oxide by purified beta-cells as evidenced by the accumulation of cGMP, which is blocked by NMMA. IL-1 beta also induces the accumulation of cGMP by the insulinoma cell line Rin-m5F, and both NMMA as well as the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide prevent this cGMP accumulation. Iron-sulfur proteins appear to be intracellular targets of nitric oxide. IL-1 beta induces the formation of an iron-dinitrosyl complex by Rin-m5F cells indicating that nitric oxide mediates the destruction of iron-sulfur clusters of iron containing enzymes. This is further demonstrated by IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of glucose oxidation by purified beta-cells, mitochondrial aconitase activity of dispersed islet cells, and mitochondrial aconitase activity of Rin-m5F cells, all of which are prevented by NMMA. IL-1 beta does not appear to affect FACS-purified alpha-cell metabolic activity or intracellular cGMP levels, suggesting that IL-1 beta does not exert any effect on alpha-cells. These results demonstrate that the islet beta-cell is a source of IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide production, and that beta-cell mitochondrial iron-sulfur containing enzymes are one site of action of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide and cyclic GMP formation induced by interleukin 1 beta in islets of Langerhans. Evidence for an effector role of nitric oxide in islet dysfunction

Treatment of pancreatic islets with interleukin 1 (IL-1) results in a time-dependent inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion which has recently been demonstrated to be dependent on the metabolism of L-arginine to nitric oxide. In this report IL-1 beta is shown to induce the accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in a time-dependent fashion that mimics the time-dependent inhibition of insulin secretion by IL-1 beta. The accumulation of cGMP is dependent on nitric oxide synthase activity, since NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) prevents IL-1 beta-induced cGMP accumulation. cGMP formation and nitrite production induced by IL-1 beta pretreatment of islets are also blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. The formation of cGMP does not appear to mediate the inhibitory effects of IL-1 beta on insulin secretion since a concentration of cycloheximide (1 microM) that blocks IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and nitric oxide formation does not prevent cGMP accumulation, thus dissociating the two events. By using e.p.r. spectroscopy, IL-1 beta is shown to induce the formation of a g = 2.04 iron-nitrosyl feature in islets which is prevented by cycloheximide, demonstrating the requirement of protein synthesis for IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide formation. Iron-nitrosyl complex-formation by islets confirms that IL-1 beta induces the generation of nitric oxide by islets, and provides evidence indicating that nitric oxide mediates destruction of iron-sulphur clusters of iron-containing enzymes. Consistent with the destruction of iron-sulphur centres is the finding that pretreatment of islets with IL-1 beta results in an approx. 60% inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation of D-glucose to CO2. Inhibition of islet glucose oxidation appears to be mediated by nitric oxide since both NMMA and cycloheximide prevent IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of glucose oxidation. These results show that IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide formation parallels the ability of IL-1 beta to inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by islets, and that protein synthesis is required for IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide formation. These results also suggest that nitric oxide mediates IL-1 beta-induced inhibitory effects on the pancreatic beta-cell by functioning as an effector molecule responsible for the destruction of iron-sulphur centres of iron-containing proteins, resulting in an impairment of mitochondrial function.

Does nitric oxide mediate autoimmune destruction of beta-cells? Possible therapeutic interventions in IDDM

Cytokines have been implicated as immunological effector molecules that induce dysfunction and destruction of the pancreatic beta-cell. The mechanisms of cytokine action on the beta-cell are unknown; however, nitric oxide, resulting from cytokine-induced expression of nitric oxide synthase, has been implicated as the cellular effector molecule mediating beta-cell dysfunction. Nitric oxide is a free radical that targets intracellular iron-containing enzymes, which results in the loss of their function. The cytokine IL-1 beta induces the formation of nitric oxide in isolated rat islets and the insulinoma cell line, Rin-m5F. NMMA and NAME, both inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, completely protect islets from the deleterious effects of IL-1 beta. These inhibitors are competitive in nature and inhibit both the cytokine-inducible and constitutive isoforms of nitric oxide synthase with nearly identical kinetics. This may preclude their use as therapeutic agents because of increases in blood pressure which result from the inhibition of constitutive nitric oxide synthase activity. Aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of nonenzymatic glycosylation of cellular and extracellular constituents associated with diabetic complications, recently has been reported to inhibit nitric oxide synthase. Aminoguanidine is approximately 40-fold more effective in inhibiting the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase, suggesting that aminoguanidine or analogues may serve as potential therapeutic agents to block diseases associated with nitric oxide production by the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase. In vivo administration of TNF IL-1 has been shown to induce anti-diabetogenic effects in the NOD mouse. This anti-diabetogenic effect of cytokines appears to conflict with evidence suggesting that cytokines mediate beta-cell dysfunction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aminoguanidine, a novel inhibitor of nitric oxide formation, prevents diabetic vascular dysfunction

Increased blood flow and vascular leakage of proteins preferentially affect tissues that are sites of diabetic complications in humans and animals. These vascular changes in diabetic rats are largely prevented by aminoguanidine. Glucose-induced vascular changes in nondiabetic rats are also prevented by aminoguanidine and by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), an established inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO.) formation from L-arginine. Aminoguanidine and NMMA are equipotent inhibitors of interleukin-1 beta-induced 1) nitrite formation (an oxidation product of NO.) and cGMP accumulation by the rat beta-cell insulinoma cell line RINm5F, and 2) inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and formation of iron-nitrosyl complexes by islets of Langerhans. In contrast, NMMA is approximately 40 times more potent than aminoquanidine in elevating blood pressure in nondiabetic rats. These results demonstrate that aminoguanidine inhibits NO. production and suggest a role for NO. in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications.

Parallel effects of arachidonic acid on insulin secretion, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity and protein kinase C activity in pancreatic islets

A potential role of arachidonic acid in the modulation of insulin secretion was investigated by measuring its effects on calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C in islet subcellular fractions. The results were interpreted in the light of arachidonic acid effects on insulin secretion from intact islets. Arachidonic acid could replace phosphatidylserine in activation of cytosolic protein kinase C (K0.5 of 10 microM) and maximum activation was observed at 50 microM arachidonate. Arachidonic acid did not affect the Ca2+ requirement of the phosphatidylserine-stimulated activity. Arachidonic acid (200 microM) inhibited (greater than 90%) calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity (K0.5 = 50-100 microM) but modestly increased basal phosphorylation activity (no added calcium or calmodulin). Arachidonic acid inhibited glucose-sensitive insulin secretion from islets (K0.5 = 24 microM) measured in static secretion assays. Maximum inhibition (approximately 70%) was achieved at 50-100 microM arachidonic acid. Basal insulin secretion (3 mM glucose) was modestly stimulated by 100 microM arachidonic acid but in a non-saturable manner. In perifusion secretion studies, arachidonic acid (20 microM) had no effect on the first phase of glucose-induced secretion but nearly completely suppressed second phase secretion. At basal glucose (4 mM), arachidonic acid induced a modest but reproducible biphasic insulin secretion response which mimicked glucose-sensitive secretion. However, phosphorylation of an 80 kD protein substrate of protein kinase C was not increased when intact islets were incubated with arachidonic acid, suggesting that the small increases in insulin secretion seen with arachidonic acid were not mediated by protein kinase C. These data suggest that arachidonic acid generated by exposure of islets to glucose may influence insulin secretion by inhibiting the activity of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase but probably has little effect on protein kinase C activity.

Interleukin-1 beta-induced formation of EPR-detectable iron-nitrosyl complexes in islets of Langerhans. Role of nitric oxide in interleukin-1 beta-induced inhibition of insulin secretion

The molecular mechanism by which interleukin (IL)-1 inhibits insulin secretion and ultimately causes destruction of the pancreatic beta-cell remains unknown. Evidence is presented which suggests that IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of insulin secretion is dependent on the metabolism of L-arginine to nitric oxide. NG-Monomethylarginine, a competitive inhibitor of the L-arginine-dependent enzyme nitric oxide synthase, completely prevents IL-1-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion as well as nitrite production by islets. It is further shown that IL-1 beta induces nitric oxide formation in islets as evidenced by an electron paramagnetic resonance feature at g = 2.04 which is similar to previously reported iron-nitrosyl complexes formed from the destruction of iron-sulfur centers by nitric oxide. Inhibition of the nitric oxide synthase by NG-monomethylarginine completely prevents the formation of this EPR signal in islets. These results show that IL-1-induced inhibition of insulin secretion is mediated through formation of nitric oxide and suggest that the generation of nitric oxide may represent the cellular mechanism responsible for beta-cell destruction.

Biochemical basis for the specificity of alloxan inactivation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

The specificity and biochemical basis of inactivation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II by alloxan was studied in dispersed rat brain cells and a partially purified kinase preparation from an insulin-secreting tumor-cell line, RINm5f. When mechanically dispersed rat brain cells were incubated with [32P]-phosphate to label endogenous ATP, depolarization with 44 mM KCl produced a significant (P = 0.03) increase in phosphorylation of endogenous synapsin (132 +/- 8% of basal). Pre-treatment of the brain cells with 1.5 mM alloxan reduced depolarization-sensitive synapsin phosphorylation (109 +/- 5%). Phosphopeptide mapping of depolarization-phosphorylated synapsin showed that alloxan pre-treatment reduced phosphorylation specifically at synapsin sites phosphorylated by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The results demonstrate selective inactivation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity by alloxan in an intact cell system, which may be useful in the study of the Type II kinase in cells and tissues. Using a partially purified kinase preparation from RINm5f cells, alloxan (100 microM) inactivated 76 +/- 1% calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in 5 min at 37 degrees C. Subsequent incubation with dithiothreitol restored most of the activity. 5,5'-Dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (I50 = 2.5 microM) also inactivated the kinase. These results suggested that a sulfhydryl group was involved at the inactivation site. Iodoacetamide (1.0 mM) had no inhibitory effect; however, preincubation with iodoacetamide protected the kinase activity from subsequent inactivation by alloxan. Covalent binding of [14C]-alloxan to calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was demonstrated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interleukin 1 inhibits insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreatic islets by a process that requires gene transcription and mRNA translation

Recombinant human IL 1 beta inhibits glucose-induced insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets and from purified beta-cells obtained by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of dispersed islet cells. Brief (1 h) exposure of isolated islets to IL 1 produces sustained inhibition of insulin secretion for at least 17 h after the IL 1 has been removed from the culture medium. An inhibitory effect of IL 1 on insulin secretion is not observed when islets are coincubated with an inhibitor of DNA transcription (actinomycin D). This finding indicates that the inhibitory effect of IL 1 on insulin secretion requires transcription of one or more genes during the first hour of exposure of islets to IL 1. The inhibitory effect of IL 1 on insulin secretion also requires mRNA translation, because three structurally distinct inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide, anisomycin, and puromycin) prevent IL 1-induced inhibition of insulin secretion when added to islets after the 1-h exposure to IL 1. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of islet proteins metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine demonstrates that IL 1 augments the expression of a 65-kD (pl approximately 6.5) protein by greater than 2.5-fold. These findings indicate that biochemical events occurring within 1 h of exposure of islets to IL 1 lead to an inhibition of insulin secretion that persists for at least 17 h after the removal of IL 1. One of the early biochemical effects of IL 1 on islets is gene transcription (0-1 h), which is followed by mRNA translation (after 1 h). Our results suggest that the inhibitory effect of IL 1 on insulin secretion is mediated by protein(s) whose synthesis is induced by IL 1.

Evidence for a role of microfilaments in insulin release from purified beta-cells

To determine if the failure of purified beta-cells to secrete insulin in response to a glucose stimulus results from the absence of a cytoskeletal response, the effects of cytochalasins D and B on glucose-induced insulin release were investigated. Glucose alone failed to stimulate insulin release whereas glucose in the presence of glucagon, theophylline, cytochalasin D or B markedly potentiated insulin release. Cytochalasin D potentiated insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner, and the combination of theophylline and cytochalasin D resulted in an insulin secretory response no greater than that produced by either agent alone. Both glucagon and theophylline are believed to mediate their effects via cAMP, however, cytochalasin D did not affect beta-cell cAMP levels. These results suggest that the inability of purified beta-cells to release insulin may result from the absence of the necessary modulation of the state of the microfilaments.

Interleukin-1 induces rapid and transient expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene in isolated pancreatic islets and in purified beta-cells

The effect of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) on expression of c-fos mRNA in isolated rat pancreatic islets was examined. Accumulation of c-fos mRNA was demonstrable after 30 min of exposure to IL-1, peaked by 60 min, and declined thereafter. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of dispersed islet cells was employed to localize the accumulation of c-fos mRNA to the beta-cell. Cycloheximide did not influence the induction of c fos mRNA by IL-1. Accumulation of c-fos mRNA therefore appears to be an early signal transduction event in the beta-cell and a component of the cellular mechanism(s) by which IL-1 influences beta-cell function.

Diacylglycerol synthesis de novo from glucose by pancreatic islets isolated from rats and humans

Recent evidence has suggested that pancreatic islets isolated from rats synthesize 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol (DAG) de novo from glucose and that this process may constitute the long-sought link between the metabolism of glucose and the induction of insulin secretion. The cell-permeant diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (200 microM) has been found here to amplify both the first and second phases of insulin secretion from perifused human islets. Measurements of the mass of endogenous DAG in human pancreatic islets by enzymatic and by mass spectrometric methods indicate that levels of 200 microM may be achieved under physiologic conditions. Conversion of [14C]glucose to [14C]DAG has been demonstrated here to occur within 60 s of exposure of rat and human islets to stimulatory concentrations of glucose. This process has been found to be a quantitatively minor contributor to the total islet DAG mass after acute stimulation with glucose, however, and glucose has been found not to induce a rise in total islet DAG content within 20 min of induction of insulin secretion. In contrast to the case with rodent islets, two pharmacologic inhibitors of DAG-induced activation of protein kinase C (staurosporine and sphingosine) have been found not to influence glucose-induced insulin secretion from isolated human islets. These findings indicate that de novo synthesis of DAG from glucose does not participate in acute signal-response coupling in islets.