Effect of flavone inhibitors of transport ATPases on histamine secretion from rat mast cells

Characterization of Mg2+- and Ca2+-ATPase activity in membrane vesicles from ejaculated ram seminal plasma

The activity of divalent cation-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) has been studied in vesicular membranes isolated from ejaculated ram seminal plasma. This nonspecific acidic ATPase can be activated by millimolar concentration of any one of the following cations: Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, or Mn2+ to give high specific activity (approximately 300 mumol/mg/hr), in absence of the other cations. Free Zn2+ inhibits activity of this ATPase. The Km for adenosonine triphosphate (ATP) ranged between 0.17 and 0.24 mM, and for the divalent cation ranged between 0.4 and 0.8 mM. When the ATPase is activated by Ca2+, two Kms for Ca2+ concentration were found: 0.8 and 0.08 mM. It is suggested that the seminal plasma membranes also contain alkaline ATPase, which is more specific for Ca2+.

Differential effects of antioxidants and indomethacin on compound 48/80 induced histamine release and Ca2+ uptake in rat mast cells

The effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), vitamin E, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and indomethacin on histamine release and Ca2+ uptake in rat mast cells stimulated with compound 48/80 was studied. NDGA inhibited both the release of histamine and Ca2+ uptake in stimulated cells; however, there was no correlation between inhibition of Ca2+ uptake and the amount of histamine release. At a concentration of 5 microM, NDGA completely inhibited Ca2+ uptake, while histamine release was decreased by less than 50%. BHT (50 microM) inhibited both the Ca2+ uptake and histamine release. On the other hand, vitamin E (50 microM) inhibited histamine release by 70% without impairment in Ca2+ uptake. In the absence of the stimulus, vitamin E increased the cell-associated Ca2+; however, it had no effect on spontaneous release of histamine. Indomethacin (3 microM) inhibited Ca2+ uptake in stimulated cells by 50%, but did not affect the release of histamine. The results suggest that a part of Ca2+-influx may not be related to the coupled activation--secretion response and that lipid peroxidation through the lipoxygenase pathway may be involved in secretion of histamine from mast cells.

Regulation of mast cell histamine release by neurotensin

Neurotensin (NT), a neuropeptide found both centrally and peripherally, stimulated release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Release was evident by 10 nM and reached a plateau of 15-20% total cellular histamine by 10(-7)-10(-6) M NT. Optimal conditions for stimulation occurred at pH 6.5-7.5, 37 degrees C and at calcium concentrations of less than 1 mM. Release was complete within 2 minutes of peptide addition. Studies of histamine release by NT analogues indicted that the C-terminus is the biologically active portion of the molecule in this system, as is true of all other systems responsive to NT (1). D-Trp11-NT, which acts as a NT antagonist in several peripheral NT-sensitive tissues (2,3), also inhibited NT action on mast cells. Manipulations involving Ca2+ availability suggest that the mechanism of NT stimulation may involve use of intracellular Ca2+ to a greater extent than extracellular Ca2+. Lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration or blocking influx of extracellular Ca2+ with lanthanum (La3+), had little effect on NT-induced release, whereas Ca2+ depletion by treatment with ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) or blockade of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by N,N-(diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), inhibited the response to NT. Increasing cellular levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), by treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP or stimulation with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), served to reduce histamine release by NT, indicating that cAMP may play a role in NT stimulation.

Effects of flavonoids and transitional metal cations on antigen-induced histamine release from human basophils

Structure-activity relationship studies have been performed on the inhibition of antigen-induced histamine release from human basophils by various naturally occurring flavonoids. Quercetin was the most active compound. Of the transitional metal ions, Cu2+ most effectively blocked the inhibitory activity of quercetin, possibly through a chelation mechanism.

Quercetin inhibition of the induction and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid, chemically related to cromolyn. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit antigen- and mitogen-induced histamine release from rat mast cells and basophils of subjects with hay fever, to increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and to inhibit phosphodiesterase and certain adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) systems. We have studied the effect of quercetin on mouse T cell responses. When 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-5) M quercetin is present throughout either allogeneic mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) or cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay culture, inhibition of in vitro CTL generation or effector function results, respectively (inhibition is 75-100% at 2 x 10(-5) M and 100% at 5 x 10(-5) M). Quercetin also inhibits concanavalin A-induced DNA synthesis. Addition of Cu2+ strongly blocks the effects of quercetin in all systems tested, in a concentration dependent fashion, while Mg2+ and Ca2+ have little or no effect and Mn2+ and Co2+ have a significant but slight blocking effect on quercetin-mediated inhibition of both CTL generation and function. In kinetic studies, evidence was obtained for the existence of a major quercetin-sensitive step in CTL induction, between 3 and 24 hr of the MLC.

Calcium channel and calcium pump involved in oscillatory hyperpolarizing responses of L-strain mouse fibroblasts

1. In fibroblastic L cells, spontaneously repeated hyperpolarizing responses (oscillation of membrane potential) and hyperpolarizing responses evoked by electrical stimuli were suppressed by the external application of a K(+) channel blocker, nonyltriethylammonium (C(9)). This hydrophobic TEA-analogue also inhibited the hyperpolarization induced by intracellular Ca(2+) injection.2. Quinine or quinidine, known inhibitors of the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel of red cells, instantaneously inhibited these hyperpolarizations. Thus, these hyperpolarizations are likely to be caused by the operation of Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) channels.3. Azide, which is known to inhibit the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake in fibroblasts, and caffeine, dantrolene Na and oxalate, which affect the microsomal Ca(2+) transport, did not exert any effects upon the electrical potential profiles.4. On the other hand, Ca(2+) channel blockers (nifedipine, D 600 and Co(2+)) suppressed the hyperpolarizing responses, but not the hyperpolarizations produced by intracellular Ca(2+) injection, suggesting that the calcium ions responsible for the hyperpolarizing responses are mainly derived from outside the cell through Ca(2+) channels.5. Flavones of plant origin, which are known to inhibit Ca(2+)-ATPase, prolonged the duration of the hyperpolarizing phase of the oscillation or produced a sustained hyperpolarization.6. It is concluded that the Ca(2+) channel and the Ca(2+) pump play essential roles in the generation of the hyperpolarizing response and of the membrane potential oscillation in L cells, and that these hyperpolarizations are brought about by a transient elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) level which, in turn, activates Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels.

The effect of calcium antagonist, nifedipine in exercise-induced asthma

The effect of nifedipine was studied in fifteen patients with exercise-induced asthma. Nifedipine inhibited the exercise-induced fall in FEV1 almost completely in four patients, offered partial protection in a further nine patients and had no effect in the remaining two patients. It is suggested that mediator release which is dependent on free calcium ions may play an important role in exercise-induced asthma and calcium antagonists may inhibit post-exercise bronchoconstriction by their blocking effect on calcium channels of the mast cells.

Carbon dioxide or bicarbonate ions release Ca2+ from internal stores in crustacean myofibrillar bundles

The paper describes an investigation into the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ and resting tension of barnacle muscle fibers when exposed to CO2. Isometric tension was recorded in isolated myofibrillar bundles prepared from barnacles and crabs. On replacement of a low relaxing bathing solution (free Ca2+: 20 nM) at pH 7.1 with a similar one containing 100% CO2 and 13 mM HCO3-, also at pH 7.1, the bundles developed a phasic contraction, which aequorin experiments confirmed was due to a release of Ca2+ from a store within the bundles. The source of this Ca2+ is tentatively identified as the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) for the following reasons: (1) prior exposure to 20 mM caffeine depleted this Ca2+ store, (2) procaine (10 mM) inhibited the response, and (3) the extracellular space or "clefts" and the mitochondria could be eliminated as possible sources. An effect of the CO2 + HCO3- on the free Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio in the bathing solution was excluded as a possible mechanism. The diuretic furosemide (1 mM) enhanced the response to CO2 + HCO3-. Both furosemide and SITS (1--10 mM), by themselves, also released Ca2+ in myofibrillar bundles. A scheme is put forward to explain these results: it is suggested that diffusion of dissolved CO2 into the SR produces an acidification of the SR lumen, which modifies either the Ca2+/-ATPase or the Ca2+-induced release process in such a way to release Ca2+.

Histamine release from rat mast cells sensitized with mouse antiserum

The characteristics of the antigen-induced and non-antigen-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells sensitized in vitro with mouse anti-ovalbumin serum were investigated. The effects of some antiallergic drugs on these release reactions were also studied. Besides antigen-specific IgE antibody, heat-labile factor(s) responsible for the non-antigen-induced histamine release were found in mouse antiserum. Such factors were also present in normal mouse serum. In the absence of antigen, the combination of phosphatidyl serine and Ca++ induced some extent of histamine release from mast cells treated with these factors. From the present results it is suggested that quercetin selectively and verapamil primarily act to block calcium-gate opening resulting from antigen-antibody interaction on the mast cell membrane, while theophylline and disodium cromoglycate selectively inhibit the passage of calcium through open calcium channels.

Calcium antagonists in exercise-induced asthma

Ten patients with exercise-induced asthma participated in a single-blind trial comparing the protective effects of inhaled verapamil (estimated dose 3 mg) and sodium cromoglycate (estimated dose 12 mg). Saline was used as control. Effects were assessed from the mean maximal percentage fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after running on a treadmill for eight minutes. There was no significant change in baseline FEV1 values after each agent. In the exercise periods, however, FEV1 fell by 45.4% (SEM 4.0) after saline inhalation, 18.4% (5.1) after sodium cromoglycate, and 16.7% (4.3) after verapamil. The inhibitory effects of sodium cromoglycate and verapamil were comparable and significantly different from saline (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.01 respectively). Nevertheless, considerable intrasubject variability was observed. The findings suggest that mediator release, which is calcium dependent, may play an important part in exercise-induced asthma, and calcium antagonists may inhibit post-exercise bronchoconstriction by their blocking effect on calcium channels.

Gastric anti-ulcer activity of (+)-cyanidanol-3, a histidine decarboxylase inhibitor

The gastric anti-ulcer activity of (+)-cyanidanol-3, a specific histidine decarboxylase inhibitor was studied on various types of experimentally induced ulcers in rats viz., pylorus-ligated and restraint ulcers, gastric mucosal damage induced by non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, phenylbutazone, indomethacin and ibuprofen and by reserpine. Guinea pigs subjected to histaminee challenge were also used in the study. (+)-Cyanidanol-3 possesses significant gastric anti-ulcer activity in all these models. However, the ED50 values against pylorus-ligated and restraint ulcers and against histamine-induced ulcers in guinea pigs differed significantly from one another. It was most effective against the restraint ulcers in rats. It is suggested that mechanisms involving formation, release or direct antagonism of histamine may be involved in the protective effects of (+)-cyanidanol-3 observed in this study. As its use as an antihepatotoxic drug has already been established, it is worthwhile to consider it for clinical trials in the therapy of human stress ulcers.

Ion pathways in proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum

In summary, we have begun to characterize three different ion pathways in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ca2+-ionophoric activity has been traced to a 13,000-dalton CNBr fragment localized at the amino terminus of the ATPase molecule... The pathway involved in Ca2+ release can be distinguished from the pathway involved in Ca2+ uptake by its insensitivity to quercetin. An anion pathway is sensitive to DIDS and appears to be localized in the ATPase molecule

The role of plasma membrane Ca++-Mg++ activated adenosine triphosphatase of rat mast cells on histamine release

The role of a Ca++-MG++ activated ATPase, demonstrated on the outer surface of rat peritoneal mast cells, on histamine release induced by antigen (anaphylactic reaction), compound 48/80 and ionophore A23187 has been studied. A high level of the enzyme activity is retained at the optimal pH for histamine release induced by the three releasing agents. The effect of fourteen inhibitors of ATPase has been studied, viz. quinidine, fluoride, platinum salt, suramin, ethacrynic acid, ethyl alcohol, N-ethylmaleimide, Mn++, Ni++, ADP, AMP and the flavones: kaempferol, quercetin, morin. All the inhibitors, which caused varying degrees of inhibition of ATPase, also inhibited histamine release. The inhibition of the enzyme was competitive with ADP, AMP, ethacrynic acid, suramin and morin and non-competitive with the others. The degree of inhibition of ATPase and of histamine release tended to be similar with six inhibitors. With the others the extent of the inhibition of the release and of the enzyme varied. But a marked inhibition of the enzyme was always associated with a pronounced inhibition of histamine release. ATP in lower concentrations (10-20 microM) has been shown to potentiate histamine release induced by all the three releasers, possibly through its utilization by plasma membrane ATPase. The observations agree with the hypothesis that plasma membrane ATPase participates in the histamine release process.

Quercetin inhibits Ca2+ uptake but not Ca2+ release by sarcoplasmic reticulum in skinned muscle fibers

Quercetin inhibited Ca2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis, ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, chelator-induced [ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid] Ca2+ release, and ATP synthesis coupled to Ca2+ release in isolated vesicles of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Use of this inhibitor permitted evaluation of whether Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in situ occurs through a reversal of the uptake pathway. Release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skinned muscle fibers can be detected by the measurement of tension in the fiber. If the sarcoplasmic reticulum of these preparations is first allowed to accumulate Ca2+, tension development may be induced by the addition of Ca2+ itself or of caffeine to the bathing medium or by depolarization with Cl-. The presence of quercetin during the loading phase inhibited Ca2+ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum in situ. When quercetin was added together with initiators of tension development, however, the rate of tension development was enhanced 4- to 7-fold and the relaxation rate of the fibers was greatly inhibited. These results suggest that quercetin had no effect on Ca2+ release in skinned fiber; its effect on Ca2+ reuptake could account for the apparent enhancement of the release rate and for the prolonged relaxation time. These observations rule out reversal of the Ca2+ pump as the mechanism of Ca2+ release in situ.

ATP-stimulated Ca2+ transport into cholinergic Torpedo synaptic vesicles

Activation of the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase associated with highly purified Torpedo synaptic vesicles results in 45Ca2+ uptake. The accumulated 45Ca2+ is released by hypoosmotic buffer and by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Density-gradient centrifugation and permeation chromatography reveal that vesicular acetylcholine and the membrane-bound 45Ca2+ co-migrate, thus implying that 45Ca2+ is transported into cholinergic vesicles. ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake follows saturation kinetics, with KmCa2+ = 50 microM, and Vmax = 3 +/- 0.3 nmol Ca2+/mg protein/min. Treatment of the vesicles with mersalyl, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and quercetin leads to inactivation of the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase and to comparable inhibition of 45Ca2+ transport. Ruthenium red and ouabain have no effect on either of these activities. Nigericin in the presence of external K+ is a potent inhibitor of 45Ca2+ translocation, whereas gramicidin activates transport. The proton translocator carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and FCCP + the ionophore valinomycin partially inhibit 45Ca2+ transport. By contrast, the above ionophores do not affect Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase activity. Tentative mechanisms for ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport into cholinergic synaptic vesicles and the physiological significance of this process are discussed.

Inhibition by quercetin of activation of polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions. Stimulus-specific effects

The effect of some bioflavonoids on the activation of polymorphonuclear leucocyte respiration and exocytosis was examined. At 10-5-10-4 M concentration, quercetin, but not morin and rutin, was found to inhibit the concanavalin A-induced enhancement of oxygen consumption markedly, without impairing leucocyte viability and concanavalin A binding. The inhibition could be reversed by either washing the leucocytes or adding a 10-fold molar excess of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonate. Concanavalin A-dependent cell secretion of lysozyme was also totally inhibited by 30 muM quercetin. The effect of quercetin on the activation of leucocyte respiration appeared to be stimulus specific. In fact, at a concentration of the flavonoid (75 muM) which provided a 95% inhibition of the concanavalin A-induced stimulation, the respiratory activation produced by phospholipase C was inhibited by about 50% and that caused by myristic acid and by the antibiotic Br-X537A by less than 25%. These data suggest that quercetin exerts its activity at specific sites of the plasma membrane of the leucocytes, and that this compound might be used to identify the membrane domain whereon different stimuli act to originate the initial stimulatory signal.

The role of cell-fixed calcium in histamine release by compound 48/80

1. Histamine release by compound 48/80 was substantially reduced in a time-dependent manner (maximum at 30 min) by pre-incubating mast cells in calcium-free medium at 37 degrees C but not at 2 degrees C. This effect was optimal at pH 7.0 to 7.5. 2. The re-introduction of calcium (0.1 to 3 mmol/l) restored histamine release to the control value; this effect was independent of temperature. 3. Strontium (1 to 30 mmol/l) partially reversed the effect of calcium deprivation but the same concentrations of barium and magnesium depressed histamine release even further. Magnesium (3 to 15 mmol/l) antagonized the effect of calcium replacement. 4. Results suggest that the level of cell-fixed calcium involved in compound 48/80-induced histamine release may be controlled by the combination of rapid passive influx and slow active efflux.

Effects of inhibitors on the plasma membrane and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatases of Neurospora crassa

A comparative study has been made of the effects of a variety of inhibitors on the plasma membrane ATPase and mitochondrial ATPase of Neurospora crassa. The most specific inhibitors proved to be vanadate and diethylstilbestrol for the plasma membrane ATPase and azide, oligomycin, venturicidin, and leucinostatin for mitochondrial ATPase. N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, octylguanidine, triphenylsulfonium chloride, and quercetin and related bioflavonoids inhibited both enzymes, although with different concentration dependences. Other compounds that were tested (phaseolin, fusicoccin, deoxycorticosterone, alachlor, salicyclic acid, N-1-napthylphthalamate, triiodobenzoic acid, cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, theobromine, theophylline, and histamine) had no significant effect on either enzyme. Overall, the results indicate that the plasma membrane and mitochondrial ATPases are distinct enzymes, in spite of the fact that they may play related roles in H+ transport across their respective membranes.

Flavonoid compounds are potent inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase

The inhibitory activity of 19 flavonoid molecules on cyclic AMP breakdown by a commercial beef heart phosphodiesterase preparation is reported. 7 compounds are active in the micromolar range, 2 of which have a potency equivalent to that of papaverine. Some structure activity relationships are drawn.

Quercetin: a novel inhibitor of Ca2+ influx and exocytosis in rat peritoneal mast cells

The effect of the transport ATPase inhibitor, quercetin on histamine secretion from antigen sensitized mast cells was examined. At micromolar concentrations, quercetin had an immediate inhibitory effect on histamine secretion mediated by antigen, concanavalin A and ATP but it had little effect on release induced by the ionophores A23187 and X537A. Quercetin exerts its effect after the binding of the releasing ligands and the distinction between its effect on ligand induced and A23187 induced secretion suggests that it affects the normal path of Ca2+ entry into the cell. The inhibitory effects of quercetin were compared with those of the structurally related anti-allergic drugs cromoglycate and AH7725.