Pre-race testing and its role in equine medication control

In general, blood is the only material on which a practical pre-race testing scheme can be based. Blood testing is not as sensitive as urine testing and detects only about 66 per cent of the drugs detectable in urine. Therefore, pre-race blood testing is always performed in conjunction with post race urine testing. Because blood is easily and rapidly drawn, the use of blood samples in all post race testing schemes is recommended. Pre-race testing is also a relatively expensive proposition, but it is the only method which actually prevents the running of an illegally medicated horse.

Variable-interval responding in the horse: a sensitive method of quantitating effects of centrally acting drugs

An operant conditioning apparatus for studies in equine pharmacology was constructed. Horses interacted with this apparatus by breaking a light beam and were rewarded with 30 ml of oats. Horses readily learned to use this apparatus and were trained to respond on a variable-interval-60 schedule. With this schedule, there was no direct relationship between the rate of light beam breaking and the reward. Horses thus developed their own individual response rates (ie, light-beam breaking rates), and these rates remained stable at between 5 and 35 responses/min for each horse over a period of months. The effects of 2 drugs on this paradigm were tested. Reserpine (5 mg/horse, IV) depressed the response rate in all horses tested. This depression was maximal between 3 and 5 days after treatment and lasted for up to 10 days. After small doses of cocaine (0.01 mg/kg of body weight IV), the response rate of 1 horse was stimulated, whereas 1 mg of cocaine/kg was required for maximal stimulation of response rate in another horse. Larger doses of cocaine inhibited response. Variable-interval response was a sensitive method of measuring drug effects in the horse and allowed accurate quantitation of drug effects that were not detectable by clinical observation.

Effects of enkephalins versus opiates on locomotor activity of the horse

The enkephalins are small, pentapeptide neurotransmitter molecules which have reportedly been used in racing horses. In our experiments, D-Ala2-Metenkephalinamide and leucine enkephalin were administered to horses intravenously (IV) and intracisternally (IC). Leucine enkephalin had little effect on locomotor activity by either route at doses of 0.01 mg/Kg or less. Methionine enkephalinamide, an enzyme resistant enkephalin analog, had no significant effect when given IV (0.002 and 0.008 mg/kg). Other experiments involving intracisternal dosing with this long acting form at higher levels (0.005-.011 mg/Kg), elicited an initial increase in locomotor activity, a rise in temperature, a marked increase in blood pressure, hyperventilation, the appearance of a rapid eye blinking reflex, lack of coordination and quivering. In contrast, dosing with fentanyl either IV (0.01) mg/Kg) or Ic (0.0002 mg/Kg) produced a tenfold increase in locomotor activity without accompanying adverse clinical symptoms. The data suggest that very large doses of IV administered enkephalins or their analogs may be necessary to increase locomotor activity but such doses may also elicit a number of less desirable side effect.

The pharmacokinetics, pharmacological responses and behavioral effects of acepromazine in the horse

After intravenous (i.v.) injection, acepromazine was distributed widely in the horse (Vd = 6.6 litres/kg) and bound extensively (greater than 99%) plasma proteins. Plasma levels of drug declined with an alpha half-life of 4.2 min, while the beta phase or elimination half-life was 184.8 min. At a dosage level of 0.3 mg/kg acepromazine was detectable in the plasma for 8 h post dosing. The whole blood partitioning of acepromazine was 46% in the plasma phase and 54% in the erythrocyte phase. Penile prolapse was clearly evident at doses from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg i.v., and the duration and extent of protrusion were dose related. Hematocrit levels were significantly lowered by administration of 0.002 mg/kg i.v. (about 1 mg to a 500 kg horse) and increasing dosages resulted in greater than 20% lowering of the hematocrit from control levels. Pretreatment of horses with acepromazine also reduced the variable interval (VI 60) responding rate in all horses tested. These data show that hematocrit changes are the most sensitive pharmacological responses to acepromazine, followed by changes in penile extension, respiratory rate, VI responding and locomotor responses. Acepromazine is difficult to detect in plasma at normal clinical doses. However, because of its large volume of distribution, its urinary elimination is likely prolonged, and further work on its elimination in equine urine is required.

Morphine glucuronide hydrolysis: superiority of beta-glucuronidase from Patella vulgata

beta-Glucuronidase from Patella vulgata, Helix aspersa, Helix pomatia, and bovine liver were evaluated for usefulness in routine hydrolysis of drug-glucuronic acid conjugates from equine urine samples. Factors affecting the reaction rate (enzyme concentration, ligand concentration, temperature, and pH) were optimized. A 3-h incubation at 65 degrees C with 5000 U of beta-glucuronidase from P. vulgata per milliliter of urine resulted in complete hydrolysis of all morphine glucuronide in the urine samples. Not only was the enzyme preparation from P. vulgata the most cost-effective beta-glucuronidase source studied, but also its thermal stability is such that it can be used at a temperature high enough to substantially shorten the incubation interval. Preliminary work on other drugs that form glucuronide conjugates indicates that this same procedure is similarly superior for use in their hydrolysis.

Furosemide, Patella vulgata beta-glucuronidase and drug analysis: conditions for enhancement of the TLC detection of apomorphine, butorphanol, hydromorphone, nalbuphine, oxymorphone and pentazocine in equine urine

We have investigated the action of five sources of beta-glucuronidase enzymes on the hydrolysis of glucuronides of apomorphine, butorphanol, hydromorphone, nalbuphine, oxymorphone and pentazocine in equine urine. For all glucuronides tested, Patella vulgata beta-glucuronidase yielded the largest thin layer chromatographic (TLC) spots. For oxymorphone, P. vulgata was the only treatment to yield detectable TLC spots under test parameters. For these six drugs, TLC spot size and chromatographic quality were compared between control horses and horses pretreated with furosemide four hours earlier. Furosemide pretreatment produced a statistically significant increase in spot size and was found to enhance chromatogram quality. These findings support previous suggestions that P. vulgata is a superior drug-glucuronide hydrolyzing enzyme. They also support earlier reports that administration of furosemide at four hours pre-race is unlikely to result in significant interference with routine drug testing procedures.

Morphine glucuronide hydrolysis: superiority of beta-glucuronidase from Patella vulgata

beta-Glucuronidase from Patella vulgata, Helix aspersa, Helix pomatia, and bovine liver were evaluated for usefulness in routine hydrolysis of drug-glucuronic acid conjugates from equine urine samples. Factors affecting the reaction rate (enzyme concentration, ligand concentration, temperature, and pH) were optimized. A 3-h incubation at 65 degrees C with 5000 U of beta-glucuronidase from P. vulgata per milliliter of urine resulted in complete hydrolysis of all morphine glucuronide in the urine samples. Not only was the enzyme preparation from P. vulgata the most cost-effective beta-glucuronidase source studied, but also its thermal stability is such that it can be used at a temperature high enough to substantially shorten the incubation interval. Preliminary work on other drugs that form glucuronide conjugates indicates that this same procedure is similarly superior for use in their hydrolysis.

Pharmacology of narcotic analgesics in the horse: quantitative detection of morphine in equine blood and urine and logit-Log transformations of this data

Morphine was detected in equine biological fluids by a combination of liquid-liquid extraction and column chromatography, followed by derivatization and gas-liquid chromatographic assay, using electron capture detector. Recovery of morphine from the equine biological samples was poor. However, despite an overall recovery of less than 20%, this method had a detection limit of 0.2 ng/ml. Addition of 5,000 U of bovine liver beta-glucuronidase/ml of urine enabled detection of the drug in urine for up to 144 hours after horses were given 0.1 mg of morphine/kg of body weight. Morphine was found for at least 24 hours in serum samples. An adaptation of logit-log transformation of gas-liquid chromatographic data for linearization over 3 log units suggested a simple adaptation to existing semiautomated data handling systems.

Pharmacokinetics and behavioral effects of methylphenidate in Thoroughbred horses

In horses given (rapid IV) methylphenidate (Ritalin, alpha-phenyl-2-piperidinacetic acid methyl ester; 0.70 mg/kg), plasma concentrations of the drug decreased rapidly at first, with an apparent alpha half-life of about 19 minutes, and then more slowly, with an apparent beta half-life of about 2.4 hours. These data were well fitted by a 2-compartment open model. In blood, about 40% of the methylphenidate present was in the plasma fraction, and of this, about 80% was plasma-protein bound. If given by subcutaneous or IM injection, plasma concentrations of methylphenidate peaked in about 1 hour and were no longer detectable (cleared) from plasma by 6 hours. Urinary clearance time, however, was longer, and between 12 and 24 hours should be allowed for a dose of methylphenidate to "clear" from urine. Using a variable-interval responding apparatus, methylphenidate was shown to stimulate the responding rate of horses up to 6 times above base line, making it the most potent central stimulant tested in this responding apparatus to date. Peak central stimulation at 30 minutes after IV dosing was seen in horses given 0.4 to 1.0 mg of methylphenidate/kg.

Pharmacology of narcotic analgesics in the horse: selective blockade of narcotic-induced locomotor activity

The locomotor responses of horses given morphine and fentanyl were blocked or lessened by administration of naloxone or acepromazine. Naloxone given at the dosage of 0.015 mg/kg completely blocked the locomotor activity induced in horses given fentanyl (0.020 mg/kg of body weight). The locomotor stimulation produced by morphine given at the dosage of 2.4 mg/kg was reduced by 75% of naloxone (0.020 mg/kg). Acepromazine partially blocked the locomotor responses to fentanyl and morphine. This blockade activity reached its peak about 30 minutes after acepromazine was given (IV) and lasted more than 6 hours. Simultaneous administration of acepromazine and morphine was associated with substantial respiratory depression for more than 4 hours after administration of both drugs. In other experiments, fentanyl did not add to the partial locomotor response observed after large doses of pentazocine were given--this being consistent with the concept that pentazocine possesses both antagonist and agonist actions at the narcotic receptor. Furosemide and phenylbutazone, given at usually used clinical doses, had no effect on the locomotor response to fentanyl, indicating that the usual clinical dosages of neither drug exerted stimulant or depressant actions.

Atypical conditions for quantitative recovery of acepromazine and chlorpromazine from plasma

Recoveries of acepromazine and chlorpromazine from equine plasma were examined. Recoveries of both drugs from plasma were poor under theoretically optimal conditions for basic drugs. When a wide range of extraction pH was examined, it was found that more complete recoveries of these drugs from plasma were achieved at pH 5-6. Use of [3H] chlorpromazine showed that the rate of migration of the drug from an aqueous to a nonpolar environment was much faster at pH 6.0 than at pH 9.2 from both plasma and buffer solutions. Times required for equilibration with agitation were 15 min at pH 6.0, 1 h at pH 9.2, and 2 h at pH 11.0. With these agitation times and pH values, recoveries were more than 95% complete.

Effects of monovalent cations on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in rat brain slices

The influence of monovalent cations on membrane (Na + K+)-ATPase was estimated in vitro in intact cells from the oxygen consumption of rat brain cortical slices. High concentrations of K+, Rb+ or Cs+ stimulated the respiration in the presence of Na+. This stimulation was antagonized by ouabain in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, only combinations of monovalent cations, that stimulate (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, increased oxygen consumption, indicating that the stimulated portion of respiration is realted to the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. Low concentrations of Rb+ and Cs+, however, failed to affect oxygen consumption. Li+ slightly and transiently stimulated oxygen uptake at low concentrations and inhibited it at higher concentrations. Low concentrations of Tl+ also stimulated respiration in a K+-free medium. However, the inhibitory effects of Tl+ were predominant at higher concentrations or in the presence of K+. Thus, monovalent cations can alter (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. While Rb+ and Li+ produce opposite effects on this enzyme system under certain conditions, these actions do not seem to be related to the antidepressant action of Rb+ and the antimanic action of Li+.

Pharmacology of procaine in the horse: evidence against the existence of a "procaine - penicillin" complex

It has recently been suggested that procaine penicillin existed in solution in vitro and in vivo as a "procaine - penicillin" complex rather than as dissociated ions. In vivo, this complexed procaine was considered unavailable for hydrolysis by plasma esterases or for interaction with pharmacologic receptors for procaine. When procaine penicillin was intramuscularly given to horses, about 90% of the procaine in blood drawn from these horses was split at the same rate as authentic procaine or procaine penicillin added to equine blood in vitro. In vitro, procaine and procaine penicillin partitioned similarly from aqueous medium at physiologic pH into several organic solvents and were split at the same rate by blood or plasma esterases. Experiments on the time course of the partitioning of procaine from procaine penicillin into benzene showed no evidence for the existence of a "procaine - penicillin" complex within seconds after procaine penicillin was added to aqueous medium. Thin layer chromatography in 2 dimensions also yielded no evidence for the existence of this postulated complex. These results show no evidence in support of the "procaine - penicillin" hypothesis and argue against the physical and pharmacologic and forensic implications of this hypothesis.

Drug interactions in the horse: effects of chloramphenicol, quinidine, and oxyphenbutazone on phenylbutazone metabolism

The plasma half-life of phenylbutazone in horses was not increased after pretreatment with chloramphenicol or quinidine, but was increased after oxyphenbutazone. This increased plasma half-life after oxyphenbutazone is consistent with observations in other species and suggests that oxyphenbutazone inhibits the metabolism of phenylbutazone in horses. Lack of inhibition of phenylbutazone metabolism in the horse by chloramphenicol and quinidine is inconsistent with results obtained in other species.

Electron capture detection of an apomorphine heptafluorobutyrate derivative at low picogram levels

An electron capturing derivative of apomorphine was prepared by incubating the drug with heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA), triethylamine and heat. Mass spectral analysis suggests that HFBA reacts with both phenolic hydroxyl groups on apomorphine to give a derivative detectable at low picogram levels. This method is sufficiently sensitive for pharmacokinetic studies in the horse and is likely applicable to other dopaminergic analogues of apomorphine.

A review of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and behavioral effects of procaine in thoroughbred horses

Since procaine has both local anaesthetic and central stimulant actions its presence in the blood or urine of racing horses is forbidden. After rapid intravenous injection of procaine HC1 (2.5 mg/Kg) in thoroughbred mares plasma levels of this drug fell rapidly (t 1/2 alpha = 5 min) and then more slowly (t 1/2 beta = 50.2 min). These kinetics were well fitted by a two compartment open model (Model I). This model gave an apparent Vdbeta for procaine in the horse of about 3,500 litres. Since procaine was about 45% bound to equine plasma protein this gives a true Vdbeta for procaine of about 6,500 litres. After subcutaneous injection of procaine HC1 (3.3 mg/Kg) plasma levels peaked at about 400 ng/ml and then declined with a half-life of about 75 minutes. These data were well fitted by Model I when this was modified to include simple first order absorption (K = 0.048 min-1) from the subcutaneous injection site (Model II). After intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin (33,000 I.U./Kg) plasma levels reached a peak at about 270 ng/ml and then declined with a half-life of about 9 hours. These data were approximately fitted by Model II assuming a first order rate constant for absorption of procaine of 0.0024 min-1. After intramuscular injection of procaine HC1 (10 mg/Kg) plasma levels of procaine peaked rapidly at about 600 ng/ml but thereafter declined slowly (+ 1/2 = 2 hours). A satisfactory pharmaco-kinetic model for this intramuscular data could not be developed. An approximation of these data was obtained by assuming the existence of two intramuscular drug compartments, one containing readily absorbable drug and the other poorly absorbable drug (Model III). After intra-articular administration of procaine (0.33 mg/Kg) plasma levels of this drug reached a peak at about 17 ng/ml and then declined with a half-life of about 2 hours. These data were not modelled.

The gas-liquid chromatograph and the electron capture detection in equine drug testing

Three gas-liquid chromatographic (G.L.C.) procedures discussed have been designed around the four "esses" of detection tests--speed, sensitivity, simplicity, and specificity. These techniques are admirably applicable to the very low plasma drug levels encountered in blood testing under pre-race conditions. The methods are equally applicable to post-race testing procedures, where both blood and urine samples are tested. Drugs can only rarely be detected by the electron capture detector (E.C.D.) without a prior derivatization step, which conveys to the drug(s) high electron affinity. Because of broad applicability, two derivatizing agents, heptafluorobutyric (HFBA) and pentafluorpropionic (PFPA) anhydrides are employed. The three techniques, allowing broad coverage of various drug classes are: 1) direct derivatization of drugs to form strongly electron capturing amides and esters. 2) reductive fragmentation of drugs with lithium aluminum hydride to form alcohols, with conversion to ester derivatives. 3) oxidative fragmentation of drugs with potassium dichromate to form derivatizable groups, followed by direct derivatization.

Pharmacology of procaine in the horse: procaine esterase properties of equine plasma and synovial fluid

Procaine added to whole equine blood or diluted plasma was hydrolyzed with half times of approximately 9 and 12 minutes, respectively, at 37 C. This hydrolytic activity was sensitive to heating and physostigmine, but did not affect procainamide. At pharmacologic concentrations of procaine, the rate of the hydrolytic reaction depended directly on the concentrations of plasma or procaine in the system and was less in whole blood than in plasma. These properties are consistent with hydrolysis being due to plasma esterases operating at less than saturating procaine concentrations. These esterases were also inhibited cooling, sodium fluoride, or arsenite. Synovial fluid had approximately 20% of the procaine esterase activity of plasma. Comparison of hydrolytic activities of plasmas from Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and other breeds of horses showed statistically significant differences in the rates at which individual plasmas hydrolyzed procaine. A frequency distribution of these rates showed unimodal distribution, indicating that all horses tested may be regarded as members of a single population.

Drug interactions in the horse: effect of furosemide on plasma and urinary levels of phenylbutazone

Horses pretreated with 6.6 mg/kg of phenylbutazone were injected with 1 mg/kg of furosemide intravenously. Furosemide had no clinically significant effect on either plasma levels or plasma half-life of phenylbutazone. Furosemide reduced urinary levels of phenylbutazone 18-fold to concentrations which may result in inconsistent drug detection in routine screening tests. The results show that it is not possible to monitor compliance with phenylbutazone medication rules by means of urinalysis alone if the use of furosemide is permitted. Furosemide treatment, however, does not interfere with monitoring by plasma level determinations.

Pharmacology of procaine in the horse: a preliminary report

Rapid intravenous injection of 1 g of procaine hydrochloride in Thoroughbred mares produced variable signs of central nervous system excitation for as long as 4 minutes. Plasma concentrations of procaine were similarly variable and transient, decreasing with a half-life of approximately 25 minutes. In vitro, plasma from freshly collected equine blood hydrolyzed procaine with a half-life of approximately 7.5 minutes. This hydrolysis was apparently due to plasma esterases. Penicillin, when added free or complexed as procaine-penicillin, did not protect procaine against hydrolysis by these plasma esterases at pH 7.4.

Effects of alkali metal cations on phospho-enzyme levels and [3H] ouabain binding to (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

The effects of several alkali metal cations on the relationship between steady state phospho-enzyme levels and initial velocity and equilibrium levels of [3H]-ouabain binding to (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3.) were examined. Only Na+ increased both phospho-enzyme and [3H] ouabain binding levels above those observed in the presence of Mg2+ alone. While Na+ stimulated phosphorylation with an apparent Km of about 1 mM, its stimulation of [3H] ouabain binding was biphasic, the lower Km for stimulation corresponding to the Km for formation of phospho-enzyme. Among the other alkali metal cations, potassium, rubidium and lithium were at least eight times more effect in reducing phospho-enzyme levels than in reducing [3H] ouabain binding. This discrepancy is not due to the stability of the enzyme-ouabain complex, nor to any action on the rates of formation or dissociation of the enzyme-ouabain complex. The data thus suggest that [3H] ouabain interacts with the K+, Rb+ or Li+ -enzyme complexes. For Li+, this hypothesis is further supported by the observation that Li+ can cirectly increase the equilibrium level of [3H] ouabain binding to this enzyme under certain conditions.

Comparative species studies on the effect of monovalent cations and ouabain on cardiac Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase and contractile force

The effects of ouabain, Rb+ and Tl+ on Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+-ATPase; Mg++-dependent, Na+,K+-activated ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) and contractile force were compared in guinea-pig and rat hearts. Although ouabain produced a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect in rat as well as in guinea-pig atrial preparations, concentrations of ouabain needed to produce comparable positive inotropic effects were more than an order of magnitude higher in rats than in guinea pigs. Additionally, the time to reach the plateau of the inotropic response was significantly shorter in rat than in guinea-pig atrial preparations. Concentrations of ouabain needed to produce comparable inhibition of cardiac Na+, K+-ATPase in vitro observed with partially purified cardiac enzyme preparations were also more than an order to magnitude higher in rats than in guinea pigs.

Thiocardenolides I: synthesis and biological actions of 3beta-thiocyanato-14beta-hydroxy-5beta-card-20(22)-enolide

The synthesis of a 3beta-thiocyanatocardenolide is described. The compound exhibited about 0.1 times the cardiotonic effect of digitoxyigenin in the isolated frog heart preparation. At a dosage of 20 mg/kg in the intact rat, it elicited ECG changes similar to those seen with a 10-mg/kg dose of digitoxigenin. Studies also revealed the new cardenolide to be a reversible inhibitor of sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase.

Studies on the stable inhibition of Na+ + K+-ATPase by cassaine

Exposure of rat brain Na+ + K+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase E.C. 3.6.1.3) to concentrations of cassaine greater than 1 x 10(-4) M resulted in a poorly reversible inhibition of this enzyme. Inhibition did not require the presence of ATP and developed rapidly, but the final amount of inhibition observed was independent of time. The amount of inhibition observed at a given concentration of cassaine was reduced by increasing the concentration of membranes in the system. The inhibition of Na+ + K+-ATPase activity was associated with equivalent inhibition of the phosphorylation and (3H)-ouabain binding reactions of this enzyme, while the uninhibited enzyme was apparently kinetically normal. Concentrations of cassaine which produced this stable inhibition of Na+ + K+-ATPase had no effect on the Mg2+-activated ATPase or the NADH cytochrome-c-reductase activities of crude rat brain microsomal preparations. Cassaine inhibited the cholinesterase activity of rat brain microsomes with a Ki of about 5 x 10(-5) M, but his inhibition was fully reversible. The poorly reversible inhibitory actions of cassaine, thus, appeared specific for Na+ + K+-ATPase. Because this stable pattern of inhibition of the Na+ + K+-ATPase by cassaine required drug concentrations at least one hundred-fold greater than those which produce positive inotropic effects, it appears unlikely that this pattern of Na+ + K+-ATPase inhibition is involved in the cardiotonic actions of this drug.

Cardiotonic site directed irreversible inhibition of Na+ + K+-ATPase by 3-azidoacetylstrophanthidin, a photochemical analogue of strophanthidin

A photochemical analogue of strophanthidin, 3-azidoacetylstrophanthidin (AAS) was synthesized and tested as a cardiotonic steroid (CS) site directed photoaffinity label for Na+ + K+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, E.C. 3.6.1.3). AAS-inhibited rat brain ATPase with an I50 of about 1 x 10(-6) M readily displaced 3H-ouabain from its specific binding sites on this enzyme and produced a positive inotropic effect in guinea pig atrial strips. In the absence of UV light its interaction with the CS binding sites of Na+ + K+-ATPase appeared reversible. In the presence of UV light and acetylphosphate, AAS produced about 15% irreversible inhibition of Na+ + K+-ATPase, compared with about 5% irreversible inhibition in the absence of either UV light or acetyl phosphate. Since acetylphosphate supports specific glucoside binding at the CS binding sites of Na+ + K+-ATPase these data are consistent with the concept that AAS is a cardiotonic steroid site directed photoactivatable inhibitor of Na+ + K+-ATPase.

Cassaine: mechanism of inhibition of Na+ +K+ -ATPase and relationship of this inhibition to cardiotonic actions

The erythrophleum alkaloid cassaine shares many of the pharmacological actions of the cardiac glycosides but lacks the structural characteristics typical of cardiac glycosides. To further investigate the relationship between Na+ +K+ -ATPase inhibition and the cardiotonic actions of these drugs we investigated the interaction of cassaine with the Na+ +K+ -ATPase. Cassaine inhibited rat brain Na+ +K+ -ATPase with about one quarter of the apparent affinity of ouabain for this enzyme. This inhibition was non-competitive with respect to K+. Cassaine also inhibited this enzyme in the presence of Mg2+ and this inhibition was enhanced by Pi and antagonized by Na+. In the presence of Na+, Mg2+ and (gamma-32P)-ATP cassaine acted to stabilize the phosphorylated intermediate of Na+ +K+ -ATPase. Cassaine also acted to displace specifically bound (3H)-ouabain from this enzyme. These observations suggested that cassaine inhibited the Na+ +K+ -ATPase by interacting at the cardiotonic steroid binding sites of Na+ +K+ -ATPase. Consistent with this hypothesis, dog, guinea pig and rat heart Na+ +K+ -ATPase showed differing sensitivities to cassaine paralleling their differing sensitivities to ouabain. The principal difference between the interaction of cassaine and ouabain with Na+ +K+ -ATPase appeared to be the more rapid dissociation of cassaine from the cardiotonic steroid binding site(s) of Na+ +K+ -ATPase. In keeping with this the rates of offset of cassaine-induced inotropy in Langendorff perfused dog and guinea pig hearts were several times faster than those of ouabain-induced inotropy.

Recovery of procaine from biological fluids

A published method for the recovery of procaine from human plasma using 5M NaOH gave very poor recoveries. Investigation showed that under the recommended extraction conditions procaine was rapidly hydrolysed. Extraction into benzene of samples buffered to pH 9.0 with borate buffer allowed essentially 100% recovery of procaine from equine plasma and urine.

Irreversible inhibition of 3H-ouabain binding to Na+ +K+ -ATPase by digoxigenin-3,12-dibromoacetate, an alkylating derivative of digoxigenin

Digoxigenin-3,12-dibromoacetate (DDB), an alkylating derivation of digoxigenin, was synthesized and tested as a cardiotonic steroid (CS) site directed affinity label for Na+ +K+ -ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3). DDB inhibited rat brain Na+ +K+ -ATPase with an I50 of 5 times 10(-6)M and readily displaced specifically bound 3H-ouabain from its binding sites on Na+ +K+ -ATPase. If the enzyme was exposed to DDB prior to the addition of 3H-ouabain its ability to bind 3H-ouabain was decreased, consistent with the concept that DDB interacted irreversibly with the cardiotonic steroid binding sites of Na+ +K+ -ATPase. However, DDB proved to be an even more effective inhibitor of 3H-ouabain binding under conditions where it was unlikely that it could interact with the CS binding sites of this enzyme, suggesting that DDB inhibited 3H-ouabain binding by non-cardiotonic site directed actions. Similarly, the presence of excess strophanthidin did not protect this enzyme against irreversible inhibition by DDB. The data suggest that the presence of a bromoacetate group at the 12 position on cardiotonic steroids does not confer CS binding site directed alkylating properties on these drugs.

Gel electrophoretic identity of the (Na+ + Mg-2+)- and (Na+ + Ca-2+)-stimulated phosphorylations of rat brain ATPase

The classical E2-P intermediate of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase dephosphorylates readily in the presence of K+ and is not affected by the addition of ADP. To determine the significance in the reaction cycle of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of kinetically atypical phosphorylations of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase we compared these phosphorylated components with the classical E2-P intermediate of this enzyme by gel electrophoresis. When rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was phosphorylated in the presence of high concentrations of Na+ a proportion of the phosphorylated material formed was sensitive to ADP but resistant to K+. Similarly, if phosphorylation was carried out in the presence of Na+ and Ca-2+ up to 300 pmol/mg protein of a K+ -resistant, ADP-sensitive material were formed. If phosphorylation was from [gamma-32-P]CTP up to 800 pmol-32-P/mg protein of an ADP-resistant, K+ -sensitive phosphorylated material were formed. On gel electrophoresis these phosphorylated materials co-migrated with authentic Na+ -stimulated, K+ -sensitive, E2-P-phosphorylated intermediate of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, supporting suggestions that they represent phosphorylated intermediates in the reaction sequence of this enzyme.

Showdomycin, a nucleotide-site-directed inhibitor of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

Showdomycin [2-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)maleimide] is a nucleoside antibiotic containing a maleimide ring and which is structurally related to uridine. Showdomycin inhibited rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase irreversibly by an apparently bimolecular reaction with a rate constant of about 11.01-mol- minus 1-min- minus 1. Micromolar concentrations of ATP protected against this inhibition but uridine triphosphate or uridine were much less effective. In the presence of K+, 100 MUM ATP was unable to protect against inhibition by showdomycin. These observations show that showdomycin inhibits (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by reacting with a specific chemical group or groups at the nucleotide-binding site on this enzyme. Inhibition by showdomycin appears to be more selective for this site than that due to tetrathionate or N-ethylmaleimide. Since tetrathionate is a specific reactant for sulfhydryl groups it appears likely that the reactive groups are sulfhydryl groups. The data thus show that showdomycin is a relatively selective nucleotide-site-directed inhibitor of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and inhibiton is likely due to the reaction of showdomycin with sulfhydryl group(s) at the nucleotide-binding site on this enzyme.

Irreversible inhibition of Na-+ +K-+ -ATPase by strophanthidin 3,5-bid-p-benzoyl benzoate, a photochemical analogue of strophanthidin

A photoactivatible analogue of strophanthidin, strophanthidin 3,5-bis-p-benzoyl benzoate (SBB), was synthesized and tested as a photoaffinity label for the cardiotonic steroid binding site of Na-+ +K-+ -ATPase. SBB inhibited rat brain Na-+ +K-+ -ATPase with an I50 of approximately 1 times 10-minus 5 M and displaced (3-H) ouabain from its specific binding site on this enzyme while the photoaffinity group, methyl p-benzoyl benzoate (me-pBB), alone was not effective. Ultraviolet photoactivation of SBB which had been specifically bound at the cardiotonic steroid binding sites of this enzyme produced 35% irreversible inhibition of enzyme activity. However, only slightly less irreversible inhibition was observed in the absence of cardiotonic site directed binding of SBB and photoactivation of me-pBB itself produced marked inhibition of the enzyme. It was concluded that the bulk of the photoactivated inhibition occurring with SBB does not involve the cardiotonic steroid binding site and that a substantial reduction in the concentration of non-specifically bound SBB is required to expose any site directed labeling.

Effects of monovalent cations on cardiac Na+, K+-ATPase activity and on contractile force

The relationship between Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition by monovalent cations and their inotropic effect was studied in guinea pig hearts. The activity of partially purified cardiac enzyme was assayed in the presence of 5.8 mM KC1 and either 20 or 150 mM NaCl. Rb+ and Tl+ inhibited Na+, K+-ATPase activity, the magnitude of the inhibition by these cations being greater in the assay media containing lower Na+ concentrations. Tl+ produced a dose-dependent inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the presence of 20 mM Na+ and 75 mM K+, a cationic condition similar to that of intracellular fluid. Other monovalent cations such as K+, Cs+, NH4+, Na or Li+ produced essentially no effect on the Na+, K+-ATPase activity or slightly stimulated it. In left atrial strips stimulated with field electrodes and bathed in Krebs-Henseleit solution (5.8 mM K+ and 145 mM Na+), addition of Cs+ failed to alter the isometric contractile force significantly. NH4+ and K+ caused a transient positive inotropic effect which was partially blocked by propranolol. The positive inotropic response to K+ was followed by a negative inotropic response. Rb+ produced a sustained, dose-dependent inotropic response reaching a plateau at 1-2 min, whereas Tl+ produced a dose=dependent positive inotropic effect which developed slowly over a 30-min period. The positive inotropic effects produced by Rb+ and Tl+ were insensitive to propranolol pretreatment. Concentrations of Tl+ and cardiac glycosides which produce similar inotropic effects appear to cause the same degree of Na+-pump inhibition. The onset of the positive inotropic response to Rb+ or Tl+ was not dependent on the number of contractions which is in contrast to the cardiac glycoside-induced inotropic response. Substitution of 20 mM LiCl for an equimolar amount of NaCl in Krebs-Henseleit solution produced a significantly greater inotropic response than that observed when sucrose was substituted for NaCl. It appears that, among monovalent cations, only sodium pump inhibitors produce a sustained positive inotropic response.

Fluoride nephropathy: lack of direct involvement of renal ATPase

A dose-related fluoride- or methoxyflurane-dependent nephropathy has been demonstrated in Fisher 344 rats, which appears related to methoxyflurane nephropathy in man. Since the fluoride ion inhibits Na++K4 ATPase, the possibility of direct involvement of renal ATPase in this syndrome was investigated. Fluoride inhibited rat kidney Na++K4 ATPase in vitro in the presence of Na+ and ATP and the inhibition produced in this way was stable under conditions used for preparation of this enzyme. However, when sodium fluoride was given subcutaneously to Fisher 344 rats their urinary output increased fivefold without any significant changes in renal Na++K4-ATPase or Mg2+-ATPase activity. These results appear to rule out a direct irreversible action of fluoride on renal Na++K4-ATPase or Mg2+-ATPase activity as a mechanism of fluoride or methoxyflurane nephropathy. An indirect action of fluoride on Na+ transport by limiting the supply of glycolytic energy to the pump remains likely.