Complete activation of porcine oocytes induced by the sulfhydryl reagent, thimerosal

Thimerosal (200 microM) triggered Ca2+ oscillations in 56 of 56 mature porcine oocytes. The Ca2+ oscillations were blocked by the sulfhydryl-reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT), thus supporting the hypothesis that thimerosal acts by oxidizing critical sulfhydryl groups on intracellular Ca2+-release proteins. Thimerosal treatment alone arrested the oocytes in metaphase, probably by oxidizing tubulin sulfhydryl groups and thus destroying the spindle. However, a 10-min exposure to 200 microM thimerosal followed by a 30-min incubation in 8 mM DTT induced complete activation, as 73.8% of the oocytes formed pronuclei. The second polar body was visible in 73.3% (55 of 75) of the activated oocytes. Combined thimerosal/DTT treatment of the oocytes also induced cortical granule exocytosis, as revealed by confocal microscopy, and the subsequent hardening of the zona pellucida. After activation, some oocytes were incubated in vitro, or in vivo in a ligated porcine oviduct, for 6 days. When cultured in vitro, 42.0% (37 of 88) of the oocytes developed to the compact morula or blastocyst stage; the average number of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) nuclei in the blastocysts was 8.6 +/- 0.7 and 20.1 +/- 1.3, respectively. Culture in a ligated oviduct resulted in 42.9% development to the compact morula or blastocyst stage, with the blastocysts having a mean number of 12.5 +/- 1.0 ICM and 63.6 +/- 9.2 TE nuclei.

Effects of oocyte maturation media on development of pig embryos produced by in vitro fertilization

Few embryos derived from pig oocytes matured and inseminated in vitro are able to develop to blastocyts in culture. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of oocyte maturation media on the developmental ability of pig oocytes matured and inseminated in vitro. Follicular oocytes collected from ovaries of prepubertal gilts were cultured in NCSU23 medium, tissue culture medium 199 or a modified Whitten's medium. All of the media were supplemented with 0.57 mmol cysteine l-1 and 10% pig follicular fluid. After maturation, some of the oocytes were used for examination of intracellular glutathione content, nuclear maturation and cortical granule distribution. The other oocytes were inseminated in vitro in a modified Tris-buffered medium with cryopreserved, ejaculated spermatozoa for examination of cortical reaction, sperm penetration, male pronuclear formation and blastocyst development. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in nuclear maturation, cortical granule distribution, sperm penetration, male pronuclear formation, polyspermy and cleavage in oocytes matured in the three media. However, significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in glutathione content, cortical granule exocytosis, blastocyst development and number of cells in blastocysts. NCSU23 medium gave the best results of the three media, resulting in 5.8 pmol glutathione per oocyte, 97% of cortical granule exocytosis, 30% blastocyst development and 36.8 +/- 17.0 cells per blastocyst. These results clearly indicate that cytoplasmic maturation of pig oocytes was significantly affected by oocyte maturation media even in the presence of cysteine and pig follicular fluid. In addition, it was demonstrated that a large proportion of pig oocytes can develop to blastocysts under in vitro conditions.

Activation of protein kinase C induces cortical granule exocytosis in a Ca(2+)-independent manner, but not the resumption of cell cycle in porcine eggs

The effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activation on meiotic resumption and cortical granule (CG) exocytosis as well as its dependence on Ca2+ in porcine eggs matured in vitro were studied. Cortical granule release was judged by both confocal laser microscopy after the eggs were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate-peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) and electron microscopy. Meiotic resumption and pronuclear formation were observed after eggs were stained with acetic orcein. When eggs were treated with PKC activators, 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), the pronuclear formation percentage was significantly lower than that of Ca2+ ionophore A23187-treated group, but not statistically different from that in negative control group (P > 0.05), and most of the eggs were still arrested at metaphase II stage, suggesting that PKC activation does not induce the resumption of meiosis and pronuclear formation. In contrast, PKC activation induced 89.1% to 100% of the eggs completely or partially released their CG in different groups, not statistically different from A23187-treated group, and this effect could be overcome by PKC inhibition. When the intracellular free Ca2+ was chelated with acetoxymethal ester form of 1,2-bis(O-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM), and then treated with PMA or OAG in Ca(2+)-free medium, the proportions of eggs with CG release were 90.9% and 78.1%, respectively, not statistically different from the above-treated groups, suggesting that CG exocytosis induced by PKC activation is independent of Ca2+ rise. The results indicate that different events of porcine egg activation may be uncoupled from one another.

Endogenous natriuretic factors 7: biospecificity of a natriuretic gamma-tocopherol metabolite LLU-alpha

The structural elucidation and mechanism of action of a potential component, LLU-alpha, of what is possibly a multifactorial complex known as "natriuretic hormone" was recently reported [Wechter, W.J. et al. (1996a) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93: 6002-6007]. "Natriuretic hormone," a long-sought factor, is believed to regulate extracellular fluid volume and consequently be pathomimetic for hypertension, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and other volume expanded states. The studies reported herein further characterize LLU-alpha. The precursor of the endogenous LLU-alpha was demonstrated to be gamma-tocopherol by radiolabeling studies. The pharmacokinetics of infused rac-LLU-alpha proved to be biphasic (half-lives: 12 min and 6 h). Specificity of the inhibition of the 70 pS potassium channel of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle was examined with the natural S-enantiomer being the most potent known inhibitor whereas the analogous alpha-tocopherol metabolite, rac-5-Me-LLU-alpha, showed no inhibition. Rac-LLU-alpha does not inhibit two isozymes of the Na+/K+-ATPase. LLU-alpha is natriuretic acting via inhibition of the 70 pS potassium channel and not Na+/K+-ATPase, the assumed mechanism of action of the "natriuretic hormone." LLU-alpha, a metabolite of a vitamin, if it were found to play a role in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume, would be the second example of a vitamin acting as a precursor for a hormone. Of considerable interest is the fact that this manuscript reports the first biological activity of gamma-tocopherol, a member of the vitamin E complex.

Substrate-dependent optical absorption characteristics of titanium dioxide thin films

We used the electron-beam evaporation method in various oxygen partial pressure environments to deposit TiO(2) thin films on various glass substrates at 300 degrees C. We found the threshold oxygen partial pressures above which the film is transparent are different for films on various substrates. Below the threshold oxygen partial pressure, the refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the films varied from substrate to substrate. The films on substrates with higher threshold oxygen partial pressure were associated with a higher extinction coefficient and a higher growth rate. These phenomena are correlated with the appearance of rutile phase in the anatase phase, which is also correlated with variations in the Al(2)O(3) and Na(2)O content in the substrates. The Al(2)O(3) content in the substrate tends to enhance the formation of rutile phase in the film and to give a higher extinction coefficient for the film, while the Na(2)O content in the substrate tends to retard the rutile formation in the film and to give a lower extinction coefficient for the film.

Structure and function of the low conductance KATP channel, ROMK

The renal ATP-sensitive low-conductance K+ channel (KATP) plays an important role in K+ recycling in the thick ascending limb and in K+ secretion in the collecting duct. The low-conductance KATP is stimulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A and inhibited by protein kinase C, arachidonic acid, acidic pH and sulfonylurea agents. We reviewed the progress concerning the properties of the recently cloned inward-rectifying K+ channel (ROMK or KirI) and compared their regulatory mechanisms with the native low-conductance KATP. The results are important to gain insight into molecular mechanisms by which ROMK channels are regulated.

Quantified analysis of cortical granule distribution and exocytosis of porcine oocytes during meiotic maturation and activation

Polyspermy is one of the unresolved problems that exist regarding pig oocytes matured and inseminated in vitro. Quantitative study of the changes in the cortical granule (CG) population in oocytes is essential for understanding the mechanism of how oocytes block polyspermic penetration and for developing the optimum conditions for in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The present study was conducted to quantify the CG distribution in pig oocytes during IVM and IVF by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut agglutinin with laser confocal microscopy. The results indicate that CGs are distributed in the cortex cytoplasm of oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage with a mean number of 33.8 +/- 7.3 CGs/100 microm2 of cortex. As nuclear maturation proceeded to metaphase I and metaphase II, CGs migrated to the cortex and formed a continuous monolayer under the oolemma. No distinct CG-free domain was observed in oocytes during maturation. The migration of CGs to the cortex continued during maturation, with an increased CG density after the GV stage. All oocytes penetrated by spermatozoa were activated and released CGs from ooplasm with an average residual number of 3.5 +/- 4.6 CGs/100 microm2 of cortex at 18 h after insemination. Complete CG exocytosis was observed in 45% of oocytes. Calcium ionophore did not induce oocyte nuclear activation, but CGs were released from oocytes with an average of 7.1 +/- 4.5 CGs/100 microm2 of cortex still present when examined 18 h after treatment. An electrical pulse induced 89% of nuclear activation in matured oocytes, and CG exocytosis was observed only in nuclear-activated oocytes with an average residual number of 6.4 +/- 9.4 CGs/100 microm2 of cortex. Complete CG exocytosis was induced by ionophore and electrical pulse in 10% and 25% of the oocytes, respectively. These results indicate that CGs migrate to the cortex in pig oocytes during IVM and that the matured oocytes obtained under these maturation conditions possess the ability to release CGs upon sperm penetration, ionophore treatment, and electrical pulse. However, a functional block to polyspermic penetration in oocytes after CG exocytosis was not fully established in these studies. The present methods and results provide the approach for further investigation of the reasons for polyspermy in pig oocytes matured and inseminated in vitro.

Transformation of sperm nuclei into metaphase chromosomes in maturing pig oocytes penetrated in vitro

Cumulus-free pig oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage were incubated in modified Brackett & Oliphant's medium with 5% fetal calf serum and 5mM caffeine with or without cryopreserved, ejaculated spermatozoa. When oocytes were transferred into modified tissue culture medium (TCM-199B at pH 7.4) supplemented with 10 IU/ml eCG, 10 IU/ml hCG and 1 microg/ml oestradiol-17beta after 8 h of incubation with spermatozoa and cultured for 0-48 h, 86-99% of oocytes were penetrated. Most (95-100%) oocytes penetrated 0-16 h after transfer had decondensed sperm chromatin. However, 24 h after transfer 47% and 33% of penetrated oocytes contained recondensed sperm chromatin and sperm metaphase chromosomes, respectively. The proportion of penetrated oocytes containing sperm metaphase chromosomes increased after 36-48 h of transfer (51-65%). The transformation of sperm nuclei to metaphase chromosomes was obtained in 75% and 79% of anaphase I (AI) to telophase I (TI) and metaphase II (MII) oocytes, respectively, but only in 38% of metaphase I (MI) oocytes. Moreover, such transformation was observed only in 1 of 30 oocytes at the stages of GV breakdown to prometaphase I and none of 69 oocytes at the GV stage. The transformation of sperm nuclei into metaphase chromosomes was completely inhibited in oocytes penetrated by eight or more spermatozoa. Well-developed male and female pronuclei were observed in only 3 (4%) of 77 oocytes penetrated 48 h after transfer. The proportion of oocytes reaching MII was greatly inhibited by sperm penetration; only 18% of penetrated oocytes, but 87% of non-inseminated oocytes, reached MII by 48 h after transfer. None of the oocytes penetrated by seven or more spermatozoa reached MII. Most (75%) oocytes were inhibited from the transition from MI to MII even though they were cultured for 48 h. The present results indicate that: (1) the cytoplasm of maturing oocytes possesses an activity for transforming sperm nuclei into metaphase chromosomes, (2) immature pig oocytes penetrated by spermatozoa can undergo meiotic maturation to MI, and (3) the transition of such oocytes from MI to MII is inhibited, suggesting that an activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase may be retarded.

Induction of cortical granule exocytosis of pig oocytes by spermatozoa during meiotic maturation

Pig oocytes were examined to test their ability to undergo cortical granule exocytosis upon penetration by spermatozoa during meiotic maturation. Immature or maturing oocytes (cultured in vitro for 0 h, 26 h and 46 h) were inseminated with ejaculated boar spermatozoa in vitro. Before and after insemination, oocytes were stained with peanut agglutinin labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and the cortical granule distributions were examined under the fluorescent microscope and the laser confocal microscope. Before insemination, all the oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage showed a uniform distribution of cortical granules throughout the cortical cytoplasm. The granules migrated centrifugally during maturation and were distributed just beneath the oolemma in the oocytes after germinal vesicle breakdown, forming a monolayer in metaphase I or metaphase II. Cortical granules were still present in all penetrated oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage 18 h after insemination; in contrast, 26% and 84% of the oocytes inseminated at the stages of germinal vesicle breakdown or at metaphase I and II, respectively, completely released their cortical granules. Nuclear activation rates of penetrated oocytes were 0%, 38% and 96% in oocytes cultured for 0 h, 26 h and 46 h, respectively. Of the nuclear-activated oocytes, 67% (oocytes cultured for 26 h) and 88% (oocytes cultured for 46 h) released cortical granules completely. Complete cortical granule exocytosis was not observed in nuclear-inactivated oocytes. Of the nuclear-activated oocytes, 67% (oocytes cultured for 26 h) and 80% (oocytes cultured for 46 h) of monospermic oocytes and 67% (oocytes cultured for 26 h) and 91% (oocytes cultured for 46 h) of polyspermic oocytes released cortical granules, and no statistical difference was observed between oocytes cultured for 26 h or 46 h, or between monospermic and polyspermic oocytes. The proportion of oocytes with cortical granule exocytosis increased as insemination time increased and was greatest 18 h after insemination in oocytes cultured for 26 h and 46 h; no obvious changes were observed when the insemination time was prolonged to 24 h. These results indicate that pig oocytes develop the ability to release cortical granules after penetration by spermatozoa following germinal vesicle breakdown, and that this ability is not fully developed until metaphase II. Cortical granule exocytosis is accompanied by nuclear activation, suggesting that both nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation are responsible for the cortical reaction. Polyspermy may be a result of a complete failure of cortical granule exocytosis in immature oocytes and delayed CG exocytosis in matured oocytes.

Increased expression of the insulin-like growth factor-II gene in Wilms' tumor is not dependent on loss of genomic imprinting or loss of heterozygosity

Loss of imprinting of insulin-like growth factor-II gene (IGF2) and/or loss of heterozygosity at the 11p15 loci have been postulated to be responsible for IGF2 overexpression in Wilms' tumor. In order to delineate the mechanism of IGF2 overexpression in Wilms' tumors, we have genotyped the 11p15-11p13 chromosomal region and determined allelic expression of IGF2 and H19 in both tumor tissue and in normal adjacent kidney tissue from 40 patients with Wilms' tumor. In five of the eight subjects informative for the ApaI IGF2 polymorphism, loss of imprinting of IGF2 was observed in both normal and tumor tissues. A significant increase (>5-fold) in IGF2 expression in tumor tissues compared to the normal adjacent kidney tissue was observed regardless of the IGF2 imprinting or the chromosome 11p15 heterozygosity status. In each case, the overexpression of IGF2 in the tumors was accompanied by activation of all four IGF2 promoters. Our data indicate that alterations of IGF2 imprinting occurred in normal adjacent kidney tissue before tumorigenesis and that the IGF2 overexpression in Wilms' tumor tissue occurs through a loss of heterozygosity- or loss of imprinting-independent process.

Growth stimulatory effect of thrombopoietin on the blast cells of acute myelogenous leukaemia

Thrombopoietin stimulated blast colony formation in 11/20 acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) patients studied. The FAB subtypes of the blasts responding to thrombopoietin were not restricted to those of the megakaryocyte lineage, but also included M1-M5 AML blasts. The morphology of colony cells produced by megakaryocytic blasts showed megakaryocytoid features, whereas colony cells produced by M1-M5 AML blasts remained myeloblasts. An increase in CD41 was observed in the cells of colonies produced by blasts from the megakaryocyte lineage involving leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia in blastic crisis. Thrombopoietin receptor was observed on leukaemic blasts which formed colonies following incubation with thrombopoietin.

Arachidonic acid inhibits activity of cloned renal K+ channel, ROMK1

Arachidonic acid (AA) has been shown to inhibit the activity of the low-conductance ATP-sensitive K+ channel in the apical membrane of the cortical collecting duct [W. Wang, A. Cassola, and G. Giebisch. Am. J. Physiol. 262 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 31): F554-F559, 1992]. ROMK1, a K+ channel derived from the rat renal outer medulla, shares many biophysical properties of the native low-conductance K+ channel, which is localized to the apical membranes of the cortical collecting duct and thick ascending limb. This study was designed to determine whether the ROMK channel maintains the property of AA sensitivity of the native low-conductance K+ channel. Experiments were conducted in Xenopus oocytes injected with cRNA encoding the ROMK1 channel by use of patch-clamp techniques. We have confirmed previous reports that the cloned ROMK1 has similar channel kinetics, high open probability, and inward slope conductance as the native low-conductance K+ channel, respectively. Addition of 5 microM AA to an inside-out patch resulted in reversible inhibition of channel activity at a concentration similar to the inhibitor constant for AA on the native K+ channel. The effect of AA on channel activity was preserved in the presence of 10 microM indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, 4 microM cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxycyanocinnamate, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, and 4 microM 17-octadecynoic acid, an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases, thus indicating that the effect of AA was not mediated by metabolites of AA. The effect did not appear to be the result of changes in membrane fluidity, since 5 microM eicosatetraynoic acid, an AA analogue that is a potent modulator of membrane fluidity, had no effect. Furthermore, the addition of AA to the outside of the patch also had no effect on channel activity. These results indicate that, like the native low-conductance channel, AA is able to directly inhibit ROMK1 channel activity.

Cytochrome P-450 metabolites mediate extracellular Ca(2+)-induced inhibition of apical K+ channels in the TAL

We used the patch-clamp technique to study the effect of extracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+o) on the activity of the apical 70-pS K+ channel in the isolated split-open thick ascending limb (TAL) of the rat kidney. Raising Ca2+o from 1.1 to 5 mM reversibly reduced the activity of the 70-pS K+ channel in cell-attached patches to 16 +/- 2% of the control value within 300 s. In addition, 50 microM neomycin mimicked the effect of an increase in Ca2+o on channel activity in cell-attached patches and completely inhibited channel activity. The effect of neomycin on the channel activity in cell-attached patches is an indirect effect, since addition of 50 microM neomycin on the 70-pS K+ channel in inside-out patches reduced only the apparent amplitude of the channel current without changing channel open probability. We examined further the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and the cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid in mediating the Ca2+o -induced inhibition of channel activity. Addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (2 microM) reversibly blocked channel activity in cell-attached patches to 4 +/- 1% of the control value, whereas 75 nM calphostin C increased the channel activity by 115 +/- 10%. Moreover, addition of 1 nM exogenous PKC reversibly and completely inhibited the 70-pS K+ channel. However, inhibition of PKC with calphostin C (75 nM) only slightly prolonged the time course of the effect of Ca2+o on channel activity (370 +/- 40 s) and failed to abolish the inhibitory effect of 5 mM Ca2+o on channel activity in cell-attached patches, indicating that PKC was not mainly responsible for the effect of Ca2+o on channel activity. In contrast, the effect of 5 mM Ca2+o on the apical 70-pS K+ channel was completely abolished when TAL tubules were first incubated in the 17-octadecynoic acid (5 microM)-containing solution, an agent that specifically blocks cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase. In conclusion, these data indicate that Ca2+o is an important regulator of the apical 70-pS K+ channel and that a cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolite of arachidonic acid is involved in mediating this inhibitory effect.

A new endogenous natriuretic factor: LLU-alpha

For over three decades, renal physiology has sought a putative natriuretic hormone (third factor) that might control the body's pool of extracellular fluid, an important determinant in hypertension, congestive heart failure, and cirrhosis. In our search for this hormone, we have isolated several pure natriuretic factors from human uremic urine that would appear, alone or in combination, to mark a cluster of phenomena previously presumed to be that of a single "natriuretic hormone." This paper reports the purification, chemical structure, and total synthesis of the first of these compounds, LLU-alpha, which proved to be 2,7,8-trimethyl-2-(beta-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman, presumably a metabolite of gamma-tocopherol. Both natural LLU-alpha and synthetic material are identical (except for optical activity) with respect to structure and biological activity. It appears that the natriuretic activity of LLU-alpha is mediated by inhibition of the 70 pS K+ channel in the apical membrane of the thick ascending limb of the kidney.

Coordinate regulation of renal expression of nitric oxide synthase, renin, and angiotensinogen mRNA by dietary salt

Experiments were performed to examine the effect of changes in dietary salt intake on the neuronal form of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ncNOS, type I NOS), renin, and angiotensinogen mRNA expression in the kidney. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied as follows: rats maintained on a 3% Na diet plus 0.45% NaCl in the drinking fluid for 7 days (high salt), rats given a single injection of furosemide (2 mg/kg i.p.) and a 0.03% Na diet for 7 days (low salt), and rats on a diet containing 0.2% Na (control). mRNA expression was assessed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods using cDNA prepared from samples of renal cortex and microdissected tubular segments. ncNOS PCR products were quantified by comparison with a dilution series of a mutant deletion template. Compared with their respective control, ncNOS mRNA levels in renal cortical tissue were elevated in rats on a low-salt diet and reduced in rats on a high-salt diet. Similar changes were seen in the expression of renin and angiotensinogen mRNA. Dietary salt intake did not alter the mRNA levels for ncNOS from the inner medulla or for endothelial constitutive NOS (ecNOS, type III NOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS, type II NOS) in the renal cortex. ncNOS mRNA was found in glomeruli dissected with the macula densa-containing segment (MDCS), but only at marginal levels in glomeruli without MDCS. Furthermore, a low-salt diet stimulated ncNOS mRNA in glomeruli with MDCS by 6.2-fold compared with a high-salt diet. There was no effect of salt diet on ncNOS mRNA in glomeruli without MDCS or in inner medullary collecting ducts. These results suggest that ncNOS expression in macula densa cells is inversely regulated by salt intake, thus following the known response of the renin-angiotensin system to changes in salt balance.

Nitric oxide regulates the low-conductance K+ channel in basolateral membrane of cortical collecting duct

Two types of K+ channels, low conductance (28 pS) and intermediate conductance (85 pS), have been previously identified in the basolateral membrane of the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of the rat kidney (31, 32). In the present study, we used the patch-clamp technique to explore further the mechanism by which the low-conductance K+ channel is regulated. The conductance of the low-conductance K+ channel is inward rectifying, with an inward slope conductance of 30 pS between 0 and -20 mV and an outward slope conductance of 16 pS between 0 and 50 mV in symmetrical 140 mM KCl in the bath and in the pipette. This K+ channel was not sensitive to ATP (10 mM), tetraethylammonium chloride (5 mM), and quinidine (1 mM). Addition of 100 microM N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N omega-(imonoethyl)-L-ornithine (L-NIO), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), completely blocked channel activity in cell-attached patches. In contrast, addition of 200 microM-D-NAME, which does not block NOS, had no effect on channel activity. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME or L-NIO was fully reversible and completely overcome by addition of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) donors, such as 10 microM S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine or sodium nitroprusside. Furthermore, addition of 100 microM 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcGMP) restored the activity of the channel when it had been inhibited by either L-NAME or L-NIO, indicating that the effect of NO on the channel activity was mediated by a cGMP-dependent pathway. In conclusion, NO plays a key role in the regulation of the basolateral 30-pS K+ channel and the effect of NO on channel activity is mediated by a cGMP-dependent pathway.

View of K+ secretion through the apical K channel of cortical collecting duct

The apical small-conductance K+ channel plays an important role in renal K+ secretion, as evidenced by the presence of the extensive modulatory pathways. Figure 3 summarizes the current understanding of the mechanisms that modulate the apical small-conductance K+ channel. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase enhances channel activity and consequently K+ secretion. In contrast, increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and activation of Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction pathways inhibit the K+ channel and thus decrease K+ secretion. The vasopressin-induced stimulation of K+ secretion in CCD results at least in part from cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathways. The Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction pathway is responsible for modulatory coupling between Na+ pump turnover and apical K+ conductance when the Na+ pump is inhibited.

Effect of mechanical forces on growth and matrix protein synthesis in the in vitro pulmonary artery. Analysis of the role of individual cell types

The effect of mechanical stimuli on pulmonary artery growth and matrix tissue synthesis (and how individual cell types in the vessel wall respond to such stimuli) is incompletely characterized. Rabbit pulmonary arteries were placed in tissue culture medium and subjected to varying magnitudes of stretch or hydrostatic pressure (separately) for 4 days. The rate of protein synthesis in smooth muscle cells (by quantitative autoradiography) was positively related to the magnitude of stretch, as were the percentage of procollagen type I-positive cells and the rate of cell replication. In adventitial fibroblasts, stretch increased the rate of replication but not of protein synthesis. Hydrostatic pressure had little or no effect on the variables measured in either smooth muscle cells or fibroblasts. Stretch also increased the rate of elastin and collagen synthesis in the whole pulmonary artery segment, and after 4 days of stretch, the contents of actin and elastin were increased. Removal of the endothelium did not affect stretch-induced protein, collagen, or elastin synthesis but augmented stretch-induced smooth muscle replication. These data suggest that in the intact pulmonary artery, stretch, but not pressure, can stimulate hypertrophy and hyperplasia in smooth muscle cells and hyperplasia in fibroblasts. Matrix protein synthesis and accumulation are also increased by stretch. Neither stretch-mediated growth nor matrix protein synthesis required endothelium in this model.

Regulation of the hyperpolarization-activated K+ channel in the lateral membrane of the cortical collecting duct

An intermediate-conductance K+ channel (I.K.), the activity of which is increased by hyperpolarization, was previously identified in the lateral membrane of the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of the rat kidney (Wang, W. H., C. M. McNicholas, A. S. Segal, and G. Giebisch. 1994. American Journal of Physiology. 266:F813-F822). The biophysical properties and regulatory mechanisms of this K+ channel have been further investigated with patch clamp techniques in the present study. The slope conductance of the channel in inside-out patches was 50 pS with 140 mM KCl in the pipette and 5 mM KCl, 140 mM NaCl (NaCl Ringer's solution) in the bath. Replacement of the bath solution with symmetrical 140 mM KCl solution changed the slope conductance of the channel to 85 pS and shifted the reversal potential by 55 mV, indicating that the selectivity ratio of K+/Na+ was at least 10:1. Channel open probability (Po) in inside-out patches was 0.12 at 0 mV and was increased by hyperpolarization. The voltage-dependent Po was fitted with the Boltzmann's equation: Po = 1/[1 + exp(V-V1/2)zF/RT], with z = 1.2 and V1/2 = -40 mV. Addition of 2 mM tetraethylammonium or 500 mM quinidine to the bath blocked the activity of the K+ channel in inside-out patches. In addition, decrease in the bath pH from 7.40 to 6.70 reduced Po by 30%. Addition of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc; 20 U/ml) and 100 microM [corrected] MgATP to the bath increased Po from 0.12 to 0.49 at 0 mV and shifted the voltage dependence curve of channel activity toward more positive potentials by 40 mV. Two exponentials were required to fit both the open-time and the closed-time histograms. Addition of PKAc increased the long open-time constant and shortened the long closed-time constant. In conclusion, PKA-mediated phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of the voltage dependence of the hyperpolarization-activated K+ channel in the basolateral membrane of CCD.

Effects of glyburide on renal tubule transport and potassium-channel activity

Renal clearance, microperfusion and patch-clamp techniques were used to investigate the effects of the K-channel blocker glyburide on electrolyte excretion, the transport properties of the thick ascending limb (TAL) of Henle and K-channel activity in the apical membrane of the TAL and of the cortical collecting tubule. Our data suggest that the K-channel blocker glyburide can inhibit transport of Na and K in the TAL by blocking K recycling across the apical membrane. Additionally, inhibition of K secretion in the collecting ducts occurs by decreasing the activity of apical K channels and prevents kaliuresis.

Functional analysis using chlortetracycline fluorescence and in vitro fertilization of frozen-thawed ejaculated boar spermatozoa incubated in a protein-free chemically defined medium

Cumulus-enclosed pig oocytes were matured in vitro, freed from cumulus cells, and inseminated with frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa in a chemically defined protein-free medium containing 37.0 mmol NaHCO3 l-1 and 5 mmol caffeine l-1. When the medium was supplemented with 1 mg polyvinylalcohol (PVA) ml-1, more penetrated oocytes were observed 14 h after insemination with 7-12 x 10(6) cells ml-1 than with 4-5 x 10(6) cells ml-1 and the incidence of polyspermy reflected the sperm concentration used. Varying the NaHCO3 concentration but maintaining the sperm concentration at 8 x 10(6) cells ml-1 resulted in significantly more oocytes being penetrated in media containing 45.83-50.25 than 37.0-41.42 mmol NaHCO3 l-1; there were no significant differences in the incidence of either male pronuclear formation or polyspermy. In medium containing 45.83 mmol NaHCO3 l-1, the inclusion of PVA at 0-5 mg ml-1 had no effect on proportions of penetrated oocytes, male pronuclear formation or polyspermy. However, when spermatozoa from three different boars were evaluated, the penetration and male pronuclear formation rates were highly variable, unlike the incidence of polyspermy. Penetration of cumulus-free oocytes was first detected at 6 h. When spermatozoa were incubated for 6 h in the absence of oocytes, motility, but not vitality, decreased whether or not PVA was included in the medium. Chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence analysis of the capacitation state indicated a rapid decline in the proportion of live uncapacitated, acrosome-intact cells and a rapid rise in the proportion of live capacitated, acrosome-reacted cells during the first hour.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of a novel KATP channel blocker on renal tubule function and K channel activity

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) modulate Na, K and Cl reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and K secretion in the cortical collecting tubule. Inhibition of potassium recycling in the apical membrane of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle interferes with sodium reabsorption and suppression of the apical potassium conductance in principal cells of the cortical collecting tubule and reduces potassium secretion. Both potassium recycling and potassium secretion depend critically on the activity of KATP, and recent studies indicate that the sulfonylurea compound glyburide, a known KATP channel blocker, is diuretic but does not produce kaliuresis.

Two types of K+ channel in thick ascending limb of rat kidney

We have used the patch-clamp technique to study the apical K+ channels in the thick ascending limb (TAL) of the rat kidney. Two types of K+ channels, a low-conductance and an intermediate-conductance K+ channel, were identified in both cell-attached and inside-out patches. We confirmed the previously reported intermediate-conductance K+ channel (72 pS), which is inhibited by millimolar cell ATP, acidic pH, Ba2+, and quinidine (4). We now report a second K+ channel in apical membrane of the TAL. The slope conductance of this low-conductance K+ channel is 30 pS, and its open probability is 0.80 in cell-attached patches. This channel is not voltage dependent, and application of 2 mM ATP in the bath inhibits channel activity in inside-out patches. In addition, 250 microM glyburide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor, blocks channel activity, whereas the same concentration of glyburide has no inhibitory effect on the 72-pS K+ channel. Channel activity of the 30-pS K+ channel decreases rapidly upon excision of patches (channel run down). Application of 0.1 mM ATP and the catalytic subunit of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) restores channel activity. Furthermore, addition of 0.1 mM 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP or 50-100 pM vasopressin in the cell-attached patches increases channel activity. In conclusion, two types of K+ channels are present in the apical membrane of TAL of rat kidney, and PKA plays an important role in modulation of the low-conductance K+ channel activity.

Involvement of actin cytoskeleton in modulation of apical K channel activity in rat collecting duct

We have employed the patch-clamp technique to investigate the role of the actin cytoskeleton in the modulation of the low-conductance K+ channel in the apical membrane of the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD). This K+ channel is inactivated by application of cytochalasin B or D, both compounds known to disrupt actin filaments. The effect of both cytochalasins, B and D, was fully reversible in cell-attached patches, but channel activity could not be fully restored in excised membrane patches. The effect of cytochalasins on channel activity was specific and resulted from depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton, since application of 10 microM chaetoglobosin C, a cytochalasin analogue that does not depolymerize the actin filaments, had no effect on channel activity in inside-out patches. Addition of either actin monomers or of the polymerizing actin filaments in inside-out patches to the cytosolic medium had no effect on channel activity. This suggests that cytochalasin B- or D-induced inactivation of apical K+ channels is not caused by obstruction of the channel pore by actin. We also observed that channel inhibition by cytochalasin B or D could be blocked by pretreatment with 5 microM phalloidin, a compound that stabilizes actin filaments. We conclude that apical K+ channel activity depends critically on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton.

Molecular basis of a null mutation in soybean lipoxygenase 2: substitution of glutamine for an iron-ligand histidine

We have investigated the nucleotide sequence and expression of lox2, a mutant form of the gene encoding lipoxygenase 2, an enzyme responsible for unpleasant flavors in soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] seeds. Although lox2 transcripts accumulate normally, there are no detectable transcripts for lipoxygenase 1 or 3 in mutant lines that display similar phenotypes characterized by the lack of corresponding lipoxygenase activity and protein in mature seeds. The enzymatically inactive lox2 gene product is readily detectable in mid-maturation-stage seeds but is apparently unstable, since it is absent from mature seed. The protein sequence deduced from the cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of lox2 differs from that of the wild-type gene, Lox2, in the substitution of glutamine for His-532. It is known that His-504 in soybean lipoxygenase 1, which corresponds to His-532 in lipoxygenase 2, is one of the iron-binding ligands essential for lipoxygenase activity. Here we present evidence that the missense mutation substituting Gln for His-532 results in the loss of lipoxygenase 2 from mature soybean seeds.

In vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes in a chemically defined, protein-free medium varying the bicarbonate concentration

Bovine cumulus-enclosed oocytes were matured in culture, freed from cumulus cells, and inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa in a chemically defined protein-free medium containing 5 mM caffeine and 10 micrograms/ml heparin. No penetration of oocytes was observed in the medium without polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA); but when the medium was supplemented with 0.1-5 mg/ml PVA, penetration rates (9-16%) significantly increased. Sperm motility was also stimulated during incubation for 2 h in the presence of PVA. In the medium with 1 mg/ml PVA, a high penetration rate (24 of 62 = 39%) was observed at a sperm concentration of 10 x 10(6) cells/ml. When the bicarbonate concentration was changed in the fertilization medium containing 1 mg/ml PVA and 10 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, a high penetration rate (47 of 67 = 70%) and a high proportion (44 of 47 = 94%) of oocytes in which male and female pronuclei had developed were obtained at 46 mM NaHCO3. However, the penetration rate (58-95%), the incidence of pronuclear formation (64-96%), and the proportion of polyspermy (9-21%) varied according to the animal (five different bulls). Spermatozoa obtained from two bulls started to penetrate oocytes 5 h after insemination in the presence of 46 mM NaHCO3. This is the first report indicating that induction of capacitation of bull spermatozoa and penetration of oocytes matured in culture are possible in a chemically defined, protein-free medium.

A novel approach allows identification of K channels in the lateral membrane of rat CCD

We have developed a novel approach to study K channels in the lateral membrane of principal cells (PC) in rat cortical collecting ducts (CCD). The technique consists of 1) exposing the CCD apical membrane, 2) removing the intercalated cells adjoining a PC by gentle suction through a pipette, and 3) applying patch-clamp technique to the lateral membrane of PC. Functional viability of the PC was confirmed by three indexes: 1) maintenance of physiological cell membrane potentials (-85 +/- 3 mV); 2) depolarization of the cell membrane potential with 1 mM Ba2+; and 3) hyperpolarization of the cell potential with 0.1 mM amiloride. Two types of K channels were identified: a low-conductance K channel and an intermediate-conductance K channel. In cell-attached patches the slope conductance of the low-conductance K channel was 27 pS and that of the intermediate-conductance K channel was 45 pS. The open probability (Po) of the 27-pS K channel was 0.81 +/- 0.02 and was not voltage dependent. In contrast, the Po of the 45-pS K channel was 0.23 +/- 0.01 at the spontaneous cell membrane potential and was increased by hyperpolarization. In addition, decrease of the bath pH from 7.4 to 6.7 reduced the 27-pS K channel current amplitude in a voltage-dependent manner, but the Po was not affected. Finally, two time constants were required to fit open- and closed-time histograms of both populations of K channels. Application of 1 mM Ba2+ completely blocked these K channels. We conclude that two types of K channel are present in the basolateral membrane of PC.

Studies on mechanisms and blockade of carcinogenic action of female sex hormones

Tumours of mice are induced by administration of Inj. Hydroxyprogesteroni Caproatis Co. (EP) in a practical subthreshold dose of carcinogenesis or 2.5-5 times the human contraceptive dose (simply referred to as 2.5- to 5-fold dose) combined with whole-body 0.5 Gy gamma-ray irradiation. Malignant transformation of Syrian golden hamster embryo (SHE) cells is also induced by 5-fold dose of EP combined with 0.3 Gy gamma-ray irradiation in vitro, thereby indicating that synergistic carcinogenesis can be obtained by combined use of physical and chemical carcinogens. The mechanisms of synergistic carcinogenesis have been further explained by cytogenetics, damage extent of the target cell DNA and production of free radicals. The Chinese traditional medicine with antioxidating effect (Sulekang Capsule, SC), food additive--butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and green tea can effectively inhibit the carcinogenic effect of EP or EP combined with gamma rays in mice. They all have marked ability to scavenge or remove the free radicals and thereby reduce the DNA damage.

Penetration of porcine oocytes during maturation in vitro by cryopreserved, ejaculated spermatozoa

The present study was conducted to examine the penetrability in vitro of immature porcine oocytes with or without cumulus cells. Porcine oocytes were cultured for 0-36 h, at 39 degrees C in 5% CO2 in air, in modified tissue culture medium 199 (TCM-199B at pH 7.4) supplemented with 10 IU eCG/ml, 10 IU hCG/ml, and 1 microgram estradiol-17 beta/ml. At various times after the beginning of culture, some oocytes were freed from the cumulus (cumulus and corona cells), and cumulus-intact or cumulus-free oocytes were inseminated with cryopreserved ejaculated spermatozoa in TCM-199B (pH 7.8) containing 5 mM caffeine. When cumulus-free oocytes were examined 14 h after insemination, high proportions (69-84%) were penetrated and there were no significant differences among different periods of maturation culture. The incidence (47-68%) of polyspermy and the number (1.7-3.1) of spermatozoa that penetrated per oocyte were also not significantly different among oocytes cultured for 0-36 h. In cumulus-intact oocytes, however, the first evidence of penetration (15%) was observed in oocytes cultured for 6 h. The penetration rates increased significantly as the period of culture was prolonged up to 24 h. Almost all (95-100%) oocytes were penetrated when they were inseminated 24-36 h after the beginning of culture, by which time the cumulus masses showed moderate to complete expansion except for the corona radiata. A similar correlation was also observed for incidence of polyspermy and number of spermatozoa penetrated per oocyte. The presence of well-expanded cumulus around the oocyte during fertilization promoted male pronuclear formation in penetrant oocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelin-1 mRNA in glomerular and epithelial cells of kidney

To examine the question of the tubular localization of renal endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA, cDNA generated by reverse transcription of isolated rat tubule RNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using rat ET-1-specific oligonucleotides. Product identity was determined by restriction enzyme digestion or direct product sequencing. ET-1 mRNA was found to increase in renal tissue in a corticomedullary direction. High levels of ET-1 mRNA were found in dissected glomeruli and in juxtaglomerular cells in short-term primary culture. Among tubule segments, ET-1 mRNA was most abundant in inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD), but products were also found with cDNA derived from proximal convoluted and straight tubules, thick ascending limbs, and outer medullary collecting ducts. In kidneys of untreated, homozygous Brattleboro rats, the increase of ET-1 mRNA along the corticomedullary axis as well as the preponderance of tubular ET-1 mRNA in IMCD was not observed. Our data show that ET-1 mRNA is present in all nephron segments studied and that its expression may be dependent on the functional state of the kidney. Our results are consistent with the proposal that ET-1 modifies tubular function in an autocrine or paracrine fashion.

The inhibitory effect of the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter on neurones in the rostral ventrolateral medulla involves a relay in the medullary raphe nuclei

Experiments were carried out in urethane-anaesthetised rats to determine whether the inhibition of neurones in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) induced by stimulation in the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter (PAG), is mediated via a relay in the medullary raphe nuclei. Electrical stimulation in the ventrolateral part of the PAG (20-ms trains, 7 pulses, 5-100 microA) inhibited ongoing activity of neurones in the RVLM for periods of 10-120 ms (mean 43.6 ms). The duration of the inhibition was reduced by 51.1% after microinjection of GABA (40-160 nmol in volumes of 200-400 nl, 9/12 sites), but not 165 mM NaCl (8/8 sites) in nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and the rostral half of nucleus raphe obscurus (NRO). In a further series of experiments, activation of neuronal perikarya at 17 sites in NRM or NRO by microinjection of d,l-homocysteic acid (5-40 nmol in volumes of 50-400 nl) inhibited ongoing activity of 9 out of 14 neurones in the RVLM, the other 5 being excited. We suggest that the inhibitory effect on neurones in the RVLM, which can be evoked by stimulation in the ventrolateral PAG, is mediated indirectly by activation of an inhibitory projection to the RVLM from NRM and the rostral half of NRO.

The regulatory effect of substances released from porcine bronchial epithelial cells on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

In this study, porcine pulmonary artery segments (intact or denuded) and bronchial segments (with or without epithelium) were tested in organ bath. Hypoxia caused a bronchial epithelium dependent relaxation of intact or denuded pulmonary artery preconstricted with phenylephrine. Constriction in intact pulmonary artery coated with epithelium denuded bronchus was observed during hypoxia. The bronchial epithelium-dependent relaxation could be inhibited by indomethacin but not be blocked by the following agents: atropine, propranolol, gossypol, methylene blue and chlorpheniramine. The results suggested that HPV was endothelium-dependent. Hypoxia could cause the production of an epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDRF), which acted directly on smooth muscle. The effect of EpDRF was not mediated by pulmonary endothelium, but might be related to arachidonic acid cyclooxygenase pathway.

Mechanism of apical K+ channel modulation in principal renal tubule cells. Effect of inhibition of basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase

The effects of inhibition of the basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (pump) on the apical low-conductance K+ channel of principal cells in rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) were studied with patch-clamp techniques. Inhibition of pump activity by removal of K+ from the bath solution or addition of strophanthidin reversibly reduced K+ channel activity in cell-attached patches to 36% of the control value. The effect of pump inhibition on K+ channel activity was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, since removal of Ca2+ in the bath solution abolished the inhibitory effect of 0 mM K+ bath. The intracellular [Ca2+] (measured with fura-2) was significantly increased, from 125 nM (control) to 335 nM (0 mM K+ bath) or 408 nM (0.2 mM strophanthidin), during inhibition of pump activity. In contrast, cell pH decreased only moderately, from 7.45 to 7.35. Raising intracellular Ca2+ by addition of 2 microM ionomycin mimicked the effect of pump inhibition on K+ channel activity. 0.1 mM amiloride also significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of the K+ removal. Because the apical low-conductance K channel in inside-out patches is not sensitive to Ca2+ (Wang, W., A. Schwab, and G. Giebisch, 1990. American Journal of Physiology. 259:F494-F502), it is suggested that the inhibitory effect of Ca2+ is mediated by a Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction pathway. This view was supported in experiments in which application of 200 nM staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase C (PKC), markedly diminished the effect of the pump inhibition on channel activity. We conclude that a Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase such as PKC plays a key role in the downregulation of apical low-conductance K+ channel activity during inhibition of the basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase.

Inhibitory serotonergic effects on rostral ventrolateral medullary neurons

In rats anaesthetised with urethane, iontophoretic application of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the 5-HT1A agonists buspirone, flesinoxan and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin inhibited ongoing or amino-acid-evoked activity of neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) including barosensitive cells with spinally projecting axons. More than 90% of cells tested were inhibited by these agonists. In 5/9 cells the inhibition was reduced after intravenous spiperone (0.6 mg/kg). These results suggest that the sympatho-inhibitory effects produced by microinjection of 5-HT1A agonists into the RVLM are due to a direct inhibitory action on neurons that send excitatory projections to the spinal sympathetic outflow.

Excitatory 5-HT2-mediated effects on rostral ventrolateral medullary neurones in rats

Iontophoretic application of the 5-HT2 receptor agonist alpha-methyl-5-HT excited 41 neurones in the rostral ventrolateral medulla, including a population of barosensitive cells. At high ejecting currents (greater than 2-3 x threshold) the excitation was replaced by an inhibition. The excitatory responses evoked by low doses of alpha-methyl-5-HT were reduced during iontophoretic application of ketanserin (2-5 nA) in 8/9 cells. alpha-Methyl-5-HT inhibited ongoing activity of a further 28 cells. The inhibitions were not blocked by ketanserin (n = 3). We suggest that alpha-methyl-5-HT exerts an excitatory 5-HT2-mediated effect on neurones in the rostral ventrolateral medulla.

Effect of cigarette smoking on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and its relation to animal species and period of smoking

The alteration in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) induced by cigarette smoking was studied in Wistar rats, piglets and in humans. The percentage change of pulmonary vascular resistance (delta PVR%) and the amplitude of the systolic wave in impedance pneumorheogram (delta H%) were used to estimate the strength of HPV. It was observed that immediately after acute cigarette smoking, HPV in rats increased (delta PVR% from 55.0 +/- 15.6% to 102.3 +/- 12.4%), which is mainly mediated by leukotrienes (LTs); whereas HPV in piglets decreased (delta PVR% from 65.2 +/- 12.5% to 55.9 +/- 9.8%), which is mainly mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors, and HPV in humans also increased (delta H% from 20.6 +/- 2.6% to 31.1 +/- 4.1%), in which prostaglandins and leukotrienes may play the role of mediators. However, after one-month cigarette smoking, the HPV in rats fell significantly (delta PVR% 11.4 +/- 1.6%). An increase in synthesis of vasodilative prostaglandins and a decrease in leukotrienes synthesis may be the contributing factors to this alteration in HPV.

[Role of the hypophysis in the renal responses upon stimulation of the brain osmoreceptor]

The experiments were performed in rats anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose and urethane. Intracerebroventricular administration of hypertonic saline (icv. HS) resulted in an increase in renal plasma flow rate, glomerular filtration rate, urine flow rate, urinary sodium excretion, urinary potassium excretion, and osmolar clearance, and a decrease in free water clearance. These responses were abolished in hypophysectomized rats, but were not significantly affected by intravenous injection of vasopressin (VP) receptor (V1 and V2) antagonist. The urinary dopamine (DA) excretion did not change significantly after icv. HS. Moreover, administration of benserazide, an inhibitor of the enzyme L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase that converts L-dopa to DA, did not attenuate the diuresis and natriuresis induced by icv. HS. These results suggest that the renal responses upon stimulation of the brain osmoreceptor are dependent on the integrity of the hypophysis, while the VP and DA are not essential to these renal responses. The hypophysial factors responsible for the icv. HS-induced renal responses remain to be explored.

Role of sympathetic nerve and adrenal gland in the potentiation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction during cigarette smoking

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of sympathetic nerve and adrenal gland in the changes in hemodynamics and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) induced by cigarette smoking in Wistar rats. Data showed that an increment of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) induced by alveolar hypoxia was partially prevented by prazosin (alpha 1-receptor blocker) and prazosin combined with propranolol (beta-receptor blocker), but not significantly affected by propranolol or adrenalectomy. Cigarette smoking could increase PVR and potentiate HPV, whereas the potentiation of HPV was partially inhibited by prazosin and strengthened by propranolol, but not affected by adrenalectomy. It is suggested that the sympathetic nerve excitation caused by cigarette smoking may play a role in the strengthening of HPV.

Dual modulation of renal ATP-sensitive K+ channel by protein kinases A and C

A small-conductance K+ channel in the apical membrane of rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells controls K+ secretion in the kidney. Previously, we observed that the activity of the channel is stimulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-induced channel phosphorylation. We now have applied the patch-clamp technique to study the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) on the secretory K+ channel of rat CCD. In cell-attached patches, application of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate progressively reduced the open probability and current amplitude of the K+ channel. In inside-out patches, administration of PKC reversibly decreased the channel open probability (Po) without changing the channel conductance. The PKC-induced inhibition of channel activity was Ca2+ dependent: Po decreased 42%, 23%, and 11% in the presence of 1000 nM, 100 nM, and 10 nM free Ca2+, respectively. We also demonstrate that PKC antagonizes the stimulatory effect of PKA on the apical K+ secretory channel of rat CCD. These results suggest regulation of K(+)-channel activity by two separate sites of phosphorylation with distinct and opposite effects on channel activity.

In-vitro penetration of pig oocytes matured in culture by frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa

Pig oocytes matured in culture were inseminated with frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa without preincubation in modified tissue culture medium (TCM) 199. High penetration rates (85-89%) and increased incidence of polyspermy were obtained at 25-100 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml. Wide variation in penetration rates (16-89%) was observed in oocytes inseminated in medium containing 5mM caffeine and at 25-50 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml obtained from 6 boars, regardless of sperm motility. At 25-50 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, penetration rates of oocytes were dependent upon the concentration of caffeine in the medium: there was no penetration without caffeine, but penetration was highest (89%) with 5mM caffeine. None of the oocytes was penetrated in the medium supplemented with heparin at 5-40 micrograms/ml. When heparin was included in the medium with 5mM caffeine, it inhibited the efficacy of caffeine to promote sperm penetration of oocytes.

Regulation of small-conductance K+ channel in apical membrane of rat cortical collecting tubule

We used the patch-clamp technique to study the activity and regulation of single potassium channels in the apical membrane of isolated cortical collecting tubules (CCT) of rat kidney. With 140 mM K+ in the pipette the inward conductance of the channel in cell-attached patches at 37 degrees C was 35 pS (n = 106, NaCl-Ringer or 70 mM KCl and 70 mM NaCl in the bath), and the outward conductance was 15 pS (n = 15, 70 mM NaCl + 70 mM KCl in the bath). Mean open probability (Po) of the channel is voltage independent and 0.96 (n = 106). The channel displayed one open state with a mean lifetime of 18.6 ms and one closed state with a mean lifetime of 0.7 ms (n = 20). Selectivity ratio between K+ and Na+ is 20 (n = 5). High-potassium diet increased channel incidence from control 32% (53 patches with channel from 165 patches) to 64% (53 patches with channels from 83 patches). The channel could be blocked by 1 mM Ba2+ (n = 7, Ba2+ in the pipette); however, 5 mM tetraethylammonium (n = 9, TEA in the pipette) did not block the channel activity. The channel was very sensitive to intracellular pH (n = 6). Changing bath pH facing cytoplasmic side of inside-out patches from 7.4 to 6.9 reversibly reduced Po from 0.9 to 0.1. Addition of 1 mM ATP (n = 7) to bath almost completely inhibited channel activity in inside-out patches. This ATP-induced inhibition was fully reversible and was found to be dependent on the ratio of ATP to ADP, since adding 0.5 mM ADP to bath solution relieved the ATP-induced blockade. Results indicate that intracellular pH, concentration of ATP, and ratio of ATP to ADP are important regulators of potassium channel activity in the apical membrane of rat CCT, and the properties of the channel make it a strong candidate for K+ secretion in this nephron segment.

Studies on the effects of imidazole on the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection system for high performance liquid chromatography

The catalytic effect of bases (imidazole, pyridine, Tris and triethylamine) on the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) reaction for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was investigated. Imidazole increased PO-CL intensity extraordinarily, whereas the other bases (pyridine, Tris and triethylamine) did not. The peak heights of dipyridamole (coronary vasodilator) obtained using the eluents containing buffers were largest at pH 7.0, a few times less at pH 6.0 and pH 5.0, 100 times less at pH 4.0 and a few hundred times less at pH 3.0. The eluents containing buffers at pH 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 each with imidazole increased the peak heights by a few to ten times as compared with those without imidazole, and those peak heights were within one order of magnitude. On the other hand, the eluent containing buffer at pH 2 did not affect the peak heights with or without imidazole. Bis(4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl) oxalate (TDPO) alone and bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)oxalate (DNPO) plus TDPO were recommended to be used against eluents containing buffers of pH 5-7 and pH 3-4, respectively. Dipyridamole and benzydamine hydrochloride (anti-inflammatory drug) were separated on the ODS column and detected by the present system. The detection limits of dipyridamole and benzydamine hydrochloride were 40 amol and 270 fmol, respectively.

[Antifertility actions of gossypol derivatives and analogues]

This paper reports the results of 32 gossypol derivatives and analogues. Among 12 compounds screened by oral administration to male rats, only dipotassium gossypolate (NC030) exhibited an antifertility activity similar to gossypol. Among 24 compounds screened by injecting into pouches of cauda epididymides of rats, 10 exhibited spermicidal activities.

Experimental studies on the late effects of female sex hormones

Inj. Hydroxyprogesterone Co. (EP) was injected i.m. into female Wistar rats, different strains of mice of both sex and Syrian golden hamsters with doses of 5-100 times the human contraceptive dose once or twice a month for 10-32 times. In some experiments EP was combined with whole-body 3 Gy gamma ray radiation once or twice. Results show that EP has obvious carcinogenicity and can enhance the gamma ray carcinogenicity, thereby increasing the tumor incidence or the ratio of malignant to benign tumours. Carcinogenic mechanisms of EP have also been studied.

A potassium channel in the apical membrane of rabbit thick ascending limb of Henle's loop

We used the patch-clamp technique to study the activity of single potassium channels in the apical membrane of isolated thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (TAL) of rabbit kidneys. In cell-attached patches with NaCl Ringer or high-K+ solution in the bath and 140 mM K+ in the pipette, an inwardly rectifying K+ channel was observed with an inward slope conductance of 22.0 +/- 0.5 pS and outward slope conductance of 10.2 +/- 0.3 pS at 22 degrees C (n = 15). The channel was highly selective for K+, with a calculated permeability ratio for K(+)-to-Na+ of 20:1 (n = 4). The open probability (Po) of the channel was 0.89 +/- 0.03 (n = 15) and was not voltage dependent. In inside-out patches with 140 mM K+ in both the bath and the pipette solutions, both Po and conductance of the channel were similar to that in cell-attached patches. Addition of 0.1 mM Ba2+ to the pipette solution reduced Po of the channel in a voltage-dependent manner. Lowering the pH of the bath solution from 7.4 to 6.9 or increasing Ca2+ concentration from 0 to 0.5 mM in inside-out patches did not alter either Po or conductance of the channel. Addition of 2 mM ATP to the bath solution completely inhibited channel activity. This ATP-induced inhibition was fully reversible and was found to be dependent on the ratio of ATP to ADP, since adding 1 mM ADP to the bath solution relieved the ATP-induced blockade. The property of this small-conductance K+ channel make it a likely candidate for recycling of K+ across the apical membrane of TAL of the rabbit kidney. ATP and ADP are possible intracellular regulators of the channel's activity.

K+ channels of the mammalian collecting duct

Fine control of renal water and electrolyte excretion takes place in the collecting duct, a tubule segment which is also a major site of K+ secretion and hormone action. With the introduction of patch clamp techniques it has been possible to define the contribution of ion channels to K+ transport. Two types of channels have been identified in the cortical collecting tubules of the rabbit and rat: (1) a maxi- or high conductance K+ channel (single channel conductance greater than 80 pS) found only in the apical membrane, and (2) smaller conductance K+ channels (single channel conductance less than 60 pS) found in both apical and basolateral membranes. The gating properties of the K+ channels with smaller conductances differ in the apical and basolateral cell membranes; whereas the open probability of the small conductance K+ channel in the apical membrane is not voltage-sensitive, that of the basolateral channel increases with hyperpolarization. The maxi-K+ channel, so far only found in the apical cell membrane, is voltage-gated but its open probability increases with cell depolarization. The possible role of these K+ channels in different states of the K+ transport system in collecting ducts is discussed.

[The role of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolites in acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in piglets]

The role of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolites in acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) was studied in piglets. It has been found that acute alveolar hypoxia induced remarkable pulmonary vasoconstriction, associated with an increase in cardiac output. The hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction response was insignificantly attenuated after infusion of DEC. Indomethacin potentiated markedly the increase in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and thus augmented HPV. It is inferred that hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in piglet may be mediated by other important mediators in addition to leukotrienes, but modulated by prostaglandins to prevent an excessive rise in pulmonary artery pressure.

Mechanism of aldosterone-induced increase of K+ conductance in early distal renal tubule cells of the frog

Isolated early distal tubule cells (EDC) of frog kidney were incubated for 20-28 hr in the presence of aldosterone and then whole-cell K+ currents were measured at constant intracellular pH by the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Aldosterone increased barium-inhibitable whole-cell K+ conductance (gK+) threefold. This effect was reduced by amiloride and totally abolished by ouabain. However, aldosterone could still raise gK- in ouabain-treated cells in the presence of furosemide. We tested whether changes in intracellular pH (pHi) could be a signal for cells to regulate gK+. After removal of aldosterone, the increase in gK+ was preserved by subsequent incubation for 8 hr at pH 7.6 but abolished at pH 6.6. In the complete absence of aldosterone, incubation of cells at pH 8.0 for 20-28 hr raised pHi and doubled gK+. Using the patch-clamp technique, three types of K+-selective channels were identified, which had conductances of 24, 45 and 59 pS. Aldosterone had no effect on the conductance or open probability (Po) of any of the three types of channels. However, the incidence of observing type II channels was increased from 4 to 22%. Type II channels were also found to be pH sensitive, Po was increased by raising pH. These results indicate that prolonged aldosterone treatment raises pHi and increases gK+ by promoting insertion of K+ channels into the cell membrane. Channel insertion is itself triggered by raising both pHi and increasing the activity of the Na+/K+ pump in early distal cells of frog kidney.

Fate and effects of salicylic acid compounds in freshwater systems

The comparative fates and effects of salicylic acid (SA) and Na salicylate in algae (Scenedesmus subspicatus, Monoraphidium minutum), in Lemna minor, and in Daphnia magna were examined. Test methods were principally based on the OECD testing guidelines with modifications in the procedures. The influence of fulvic acid (FA) on bioconcentration and on toxic effects was studied. FA addition significantly reduced the bioavailability of SA in L. minor and the algae species. SA was more toxic to Lemnaceae, algae, and daphnids than to its Na salt. Bioconcentration factors in S. subspicatus, M. minutum, and L. minor were about 10(3) in 72-96 hr. The reproducibility of D. magna was reduced by 38% at a concentration of 20 mg SA/liter.