Regulation of endogenous calcium-dependent synaptic membrane phospholipase A2

Combined targeted Omic and Functional Assays Identify Phospholipases A₂ that Regulate Docking/Priming in Calcium-Triggered Exocytosis

The fundamental molecular mechanism underlying the membrane merger steps of regulated exocytosis is highly conserved across cell types. Although involvement of Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) in regulated exocytosis has long been suggested, its function or that of its metabolites-a lyso-phospholipid and a free fatty acid-remain somewhat speculative. Here, using a combined bioinformatics and top-down discovery proteomics approach, coupled with lipidomic analyses, PLA₂ were found to be associated with release-ready cortical secretory vesicles (CV) that possess the minimal molecular machinery for docking, Ca²⁺ sensing and membrane fusion. Tightly coupling the molecular analyses with well-established quantitative fusion assays, we show for the first time that inhibition of a CV surface calcium independent intracellular PLA₂ and a luminal secretory PLA₂ significantly reduce docking/priming in the late steps of regulated exocytosis, indicating key regulatory roles in the critical step(s) preceding membrane merger.

Global cerebral ischemia due to circulatory arrest: insights into cellular pathophysiology and diagnostic modalities

Circulatory arrest (CA) remains a major unresolved public health problem in the United States; the annual incidence of which is ~0.50 to 0.55 per 1000 population. Despite seminal advances in therapeutic approaches over the past several decades, brain injury continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after CA. In brief, CA typically results in global cerebral ischemia leading to delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal pyramidal cells as well as in the cortical layers. The dynamic changes occurring in neurons after CA are still unclear, and predicting these neurological changes in the brain still remains a difficult issue. It is hypothesized that the "no-flow" period produces a cytotoxic cascade of membrane depolarization, Ca²⁺ ion influx, glutamate release, acidosis, and resultant activation of lipases, nucleases, and proteases. Furthermore, during reperfusion injury, neuronal death occurs due to the generation of free radicals by interfering with the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The efficacy of many pharmacological agents for CA patients has often been disappointing, reflecting our incomplete understanding of this enigmatic disease. The primary obstacles to the development of a neuroprotective therapy in CA include uncertainties with regard to the precise cause(s) of neuronal dysfunction and what to target. In this review, we summarize our knowledge of the pathophysiology as well as specific cellular changes in brain after CA and revisit the most important neurofunctional, neuroimaging techniques, and serum biomarkers as potent predictors of neurologic outcome in CA patients.

Neuroprotective effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in ICV-STZ induced sporadic Alzheimer's disease in rats

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease is an age-related neurological and psychiatric disorder characterized by impaired energy metabolism. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have been implicated in pathophysiology of sporadic type of dementia. The central streptozotocin administration induces behavioral and biochemical alterations resembling those in sporadic type of Alzheimer's patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic pretreatment with cyclooxygenase-1 or cyclooxygenase-2 or cyclooxygenase-3 selective inhibitors on cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress markers in intracerebroventricular streptozotocin-treated rats. Chronic treatment with valeryl salicylate (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and etoricoxib (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) on a daily basis for a period of 21 days, beginning 1 h prior to first intracerebroventricular streptozotocin injection, significantly improved streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairment. However, phenacetin (20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to restore the cognitive performances of streptozotocin-treated rats. Besides, improving cognitive dysfunction, chronic administration of highly selective cyclooxygenase-1 and/or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (valeryl salicylate and etoricoxib, respectively), but not cyclooxygenase-3 inhibitor (phenacetin), significantly reduced elevated malondialdehyde, nitrite levels, and restored reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels. Furthermore, cyclooxygenase-1 and/or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors significantly increased the survival of pyramidal neurons. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time that both cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 isoforms, but not cyclooxygenase-3, are involved in the progression of neuronal damage in intracerebroventricular streptozotocin-treated rats.

Phospholipase A2 inhibitors protect against prion and Abeta mediated synapse degeneration

BACKGROUND

An early event in the neuropathology of prion and Alzheimer's diseases is the loss of synapses and a corresponding reduction in the level of synaptophysin, a pre-synaptic membrane protein essential for neurotransmission. The molecular mechanisms involved in synapse degeneration in these diseases are poorly understood. In this study the process of synapse degeneration was investigated by measuring the synaptophysin content of cultured neurones incubated with the prion derived peptide (PrP82-146) or with Abeta1-42, a peptide thought to trigger pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. A pharmacological approach was used to screen cell signalling pathways involved in synapse degeneration.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment with phospholipase A2 inhibitors (AACOCF3, MAFP and aristolochic acids) protected against synapse degeneration in cultured cortical and hippocampal neurones incubated with PrP82-146 or Abeta1-42. Synapse degeneration was also observed following the addition of a specific phospholipase A2 activating peptide (PLAP) and the addition of PrP82-146 or Abeta1-42 activated cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 within synapses. Activation of phospholipase A2 is the first step in the generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and PAF receptor antagonists (ginkgolide B, Hexa-PAF and CV6029) protected against synapse degeneration induced by PrP82-146, Abeta1-42 and PLAP. PAF facilitated the production of prostaglandin E2, which also caused synapse degeneration and pre-treatment with the prostanoid E receptor antagonist AH13205 protected against PrP82-146, Abeta1-42 and PAF induced synapse degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that PrP82-146 and Abeta1-42trigger abnormal activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 resident within synapses, resulting in elevated levels of PAF and prostaglandin E2that cause synapse degeneration. Inhibitors of this pathway that can cross the blood brain barrier may protect against the synapse degeneration seen during Alzheimer's or prion diseases.

Gene expression changes presage neurodegeneration in a Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease

Transgenic Drosophila expressing human alpha-synuclein faithfully replicate essential features of human Parkinson's disease, including age-dependent loss of dopaminergic neurons, Lewy-body-like inclusions and locomotor impairment. To define the transcriptional program encoding molecular machinery involved in alpha-synuclein pathology, we characterized expression of the entire Drosophila genome at pre-symptomatic, early and advanced disease stages. Fifty-one signature transcripts, including lipid, energy and membrane transport mRNAs, were tightly associated with alpha-synuclein expression. Most importantly, at the pre-symptomatic stage, when the potential for neuroprotection is greatest, expression changes revealed specific pathology. In age-matched tau transgenic Drosophila, the transcription of alpha-synuclein associated genes was normal, suggesting highly distinct pathways of neurodegeneration. Temporal profiling of progressive gene expression changes in neurodegenerative disease models provides unbiased starting points for defining disease mechanisms and for identifying potential targets for neuroprotective drugs at pre-clinical stages.

Brain ischemia and reperfusion: molecular mechanisms of neuronal injury

Brain ischemia and reperfusion engage multiple independently-fatal terminal pathways involving loss of membrane integrity in partitioning ions, progressive proteolysis, and inability to check these processes because of loss of general translation competence and reduced survival signal-transduction. Ischemia results in rapid loss of high-energy phosphate compounds and generalized depolarization, which induces release of glutamate and, in selectively vulnerable neurons (SVNs), opening of both voltage-dependent and glutamate-regulated calcium channels. This allows a large increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) associated with activation of mu-calpain, calcineurin, and phospholipases with consequent proteolysis of calpain substrates (including spectrin and eIF4G), activation of NOS and potentially of Bad, and accumulation of free arachidonic acid, which can induce depletion of Ca(2+) from the ER lumen. A kinase that shuts off translation initiation by phosphorylating the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF2alpha) is activated either by adenosine degradation products or depletion of ER lumenal Ca(2+). Early during reperfusion, oxidative metabolism of arachidonate causes a burst of excess oxygen radicals, iron is released from storage proteins by superoxide-mediated reduction, and NO is generated. These events result in peroxynitrite generation, inappropriate protein nitrosylation, and lipid peroxidation, which ultrastructurally appears to principally damage the plasmalemma of SVNs. The initial recovery of ATP supports very rapid eIF2alpha phosphorylation that in SVNs is prolonged and associated with a major reduction in protein synthesis. High catecholamine levels induced by the ischemic episode itself and/or drug administration down-regulate insulin secretion and induce inhibition of growth-factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity, effects associated with down-regulation of survival signal-transduction through the Ras pathway. Caspase activation occurs during the early hours of reperfusion following mitochondrial release of caspase 9 and cytochrome c. The SVNs find themselves with substantial membrane damage, calpain-mediated proteolytic degradation of eIF4G and cytoskeletal proteins, altered translation initiation mechanisms that substantially reduce total protein synthesis and impose major alterations in message selection, down-regulated survival signal-transduction, and caspase activation. This picture argues powerfully that, for therapy of brain ischemia and reperfusion, the concept of single drug intervention (which has characterized the approaches of basic research, the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trials) cannot be effective. Although rigorous study of multi-drug protocols is very demanding, effective therapy is likely to require (1) peptide growth factors for early activation of survival-signaling pathways and recovery of translation competence, (2) inhibition of lipid peroxidation, (3) inhibition of calpain, and (4) caspase inhibition. Examination of such protocols will require not only characterization of functional and histopathologic outcome, but also study of biochemical markers of the injury processes to establish the role of each drug.

Cell death, calcium mobilization, and immunostaining for phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha (eIF2alpha) in neuronally differentiated NB-104 cells: arachidonate and radical-mediated injury mechanisms

These experiments examine the effects of arachidonate with respect to cell death, radical-mediated injury, Ca2+ mobilization, and formation of ser-51-phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha [eIF2alpha(P)]. It is known that during brain ischemia the concentration of free arachidonate can reach 180 microM, and during reperfusion oxidative metabolism of arachidonate leads to generation of superoxide that can reduce stored ferric iron and promote lipid peroxidation. During early brain reperfusion, we have shown an approximately 20-fold increase in eIF2alpha(P) which maps to vulnerable neurons that display inhibition of protein synthesis. Here in neuronally differentiated NB-104 cells, equivalent cell death (assessed by LDH release) was induced by 40 microM arachidonate and 20 microM cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH, a known alkoxyl radical generator). In these injury models (1) radical inhibitors (BHA, BHT, and the lipophilic iron chelator EMHP) block CumOOH-induced cell death but do not block arachidonate-induced death; (2) 40 microM arachidonate (but not up to 40 microM CumOOH) rapidly induces Ca2+ release from intracellular stores; (3) both 40 microM arachidonate and 20 microM CumOOH induce intense immunostaining for eIF2alpha(P); and (4) the elF2alpha(P) immunostaining induced by CumOOH but not that induced by arachidonate is completely blocked by anti-radical intervention with EMHP. Arachidonate-induced formation of eIF2alpha(P) and cell death do not require iron-mediated radical mechanisms and are associated with Ca2+ release from intracellular stores; however, radical-mediated injury also induces both eIF2alpha(P) and cell death without release of intracellular Ca2+. Our data link eIF2alpha(P) formation during brain reperfusion to two established injury mechanisms that may operate concurrently.

Excitotoxicity and neurological disorders: involvement of membrane phospholipids

Excitatory amino acids and their receptors play an important role in membrane phospholipid metabolism. Persistent stimulation of excitatory amino acid receptors by glutamate may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases and brain and spinal cord trauma. The molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration induced by excitatory amino acids is, however, not known. Excitotoxin-induced calcium entry causes the stimulation of phospholipases and lipases. These enzymes act on neural membrane phospholipids and their stimulation results in accumulation of free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, eicosanoids, and lipid peroxides in neurodegenerative diseases and brain and spinal cord trauma. Other enzymes, such as protein kinase C and calcium-dependent proteases, may also contribute to the neuronal injury. Excitotoxin-induced alterations in membrane phospholipid metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases and neural trauma can be studied in animal and cell culture models. These models can be used to study the molecular mechanisms of the neurodegenerative processes and to screen the efficacy of therapeutic drugs.

Reciprocal regulation of fatty acid release in the brain by GABA and glutamate

Several model systems have been used to test the hypothesis that the release of FFA in the brain is regulated by depolarization of neurons. This FFA release is likely the result of the activation of phospholipase A2. The increased neuronal activity that occurs due to synchronous depolarization during seizures causes activation of phospholipase A2. Decreasing neuronal activity by administering the anxiolytic, diazepam, appears to decrease the activity of phospholipase A2. The GABA antagonist, bicuculline, which causes depolarization by negating the hyperpolarizing tone imposed on neurons by GABA, causes FFA release in synaptosomes and in neurons in tissue culture. Likewise, the glutamate agonist, kainic acid, which depolarizes neurons by opening sodium channels, increases the activity of phospholipase A2. PC-specific phospholipase C, another enzyme important in the generation of the second messenger, DG, is also activated by depolarization. Several important questions remain to be answered. The site of FFA release, in terms of the pre-vs. postsynaptic membrane, is not clear, although the experiments with synaptosomes support the hypothesis that activation of phospholipase A2 may be an important regulator of presynaptic events. This idea has also been suggested by studies on the phenomenon of long-term potentiation, where free 20:4 or its metabolites may be involved in presynaptic facilitation of neurotransmitter release (Freeman et al., 1990; Massicotte et al., 1990; Williams et al., 1989; also see Dorman, this volume). The activation of the PI cycle and subsequent stimulation of protein kinase C may be a postsynaptic event important in the integration of inputs at the dendrite and soma or a presynaptic event involved in the modulation of neurotransmitter release (Taniyama et al., 1990; El-Fakahany et al., 1990; also see Nishizuka, this volume). Therefore the stimulation of a PC-specific phospholipase C, which is capable of generating large amounts of DG over a prolonged period of time (Exton, 1990; Martinson et al., 1990; Diaz-Laviada et al., 1990), could occur at either site. Another important question is the role of FFA and DG in affecting cell-cell signaling events, particularly with regard to ion fluxes. Modulation of an acetylcholine-linked K+ channel in the heart by FFA and their oxygenation products has been reported (Kim and Clapham, 1989). The cardiac muscarinic receptor is linked to a hyperpolarizing K+ channel via a G protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Excitatory amino acid receptors, neural membrane phospholipid metabolism and neurological disorders

Excitatory amino acids and their receptors play an important role in membrane phospholipid metabolism. Persistent stimulation of excitatory amino acid receptors by glutamate may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases and brain and spinal cord trauma. The molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration induced by excitatory amino acids is, however, not known. Excitotoxin induced calcium entry causes the stimulation of phospholipases and lipases. These enzymes act on neural membrane phospholipids and their stimulation results in accumulation of free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, eicosanoids and lipid peroxides in neurodegenerative diseases and brain and spinal cord trauma. Other enzymes such as protein kinase C and calcium-dependent proteases may also contribute to the neuronal injury. Excitotoxin-induced alteration in membrane phospholipid metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases and neural trauma can be studied in animal and cell culture models. The models can be used to study the molecular mechanisms of the neurodegenerative processes and to screen the efficacy of therapeutic drugs for neurodegenerative disease and brain and spinal cord trauma.

Are disturbances in lipid-protein interactions by phospholipase-A2 a predisposing factor in affective illness?

Current theories of affective disorders do not account for many of the biological markers replicated in patient studies. We link many biological findings in a reasonable physiological relationship, compatible with mechanisms of action of pharmacological and electroshock therapies for depression. We propose that excessive phospholipase-A2 (PLA2) activity disrupts membrane fluidity, composition, and therefore, the activity, of membrane-dependent proteins. Similar disruptions in these proteins are documented in depressed patients and can be accounted for by excessive PLA2 activity. This paradigm accounts for disturbances in the activity of Na-K-ATPase, beta2- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors, MAO, norepinephrine and serotonin uptake, and imipramine binding. Disturbances in other membrane-dependent proteins, tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase, can explain the biogenic amine hypothesis. Inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor and TRH receptor binding to their respective ligands by PLA2 may explain patient nonsuppression in the Dexamethasone Suppression Test and poor response in the TRH stimulation test. Physiological regulators of PLA2 activity; calcium, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and PGE2 are documented abnormalities in some patients with affective disorders and consistent with excessive PLA2 activity. Thus, postpartum depression and premenstrual tension syndrome may be described in the paradigm. The mechanisms of action of tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, electroconvulsive shock, and some novel antimanic agents can be described in terms of alterations of PLA2 activity. Interestingly, ethanol perturbs membrane fluidity and membrane-bound enzymes in a manner similar to excessive PLA2 activity. A hereditary factor predisposing patients to affective disorders may be a gene defect at either PLA2 or in its regulation.

Involvement of phospholipase A2 in the regulation of [3H]hemicholinium-3 binding

We have examined the effects of exogenous phospholipase A2 (PLA2) on the sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake mechanism as assessed by the specific binding of [3H]hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HCh-3). Incubation of striatal synaptic membranes with bee venom PLA2 resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in the specific binding of [3H]HCh-3. The effect of PLA2 on [3H]HCh-3 binding was inhibited by quinacrine, a PLA2 inhibitor, and by removal of calcium. Scatchard analysis revealed that the observed changes in binding reflected a 2-fold increase in both the capacity and affinity of [3H]HCh-3 for its binding site. Choline and N-butylcholine inhibited the specific binding of [3H]HCh-3 in both control and PLA2-treated membranes with similar potency. When a low concentration of PLA2 was incubated with the striatal synaptosomes, a small but significant increase in high-affinity [3H]choline uptake was observed. However, higher concentrations of PLA2, which further increased the specific binding of [3H]HCh-3, caused a reduction of [3H]choline uptake, apparently due to disruption of synaptosomal integrity by PLA2. Finally, potassium depolarization- and PLA2-induced increases in specific [3H]HCh-3 binding were not additive. These results suggest a possible role for endogenous PLA2 in the calcium-dependent regulation of sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake.

Occurrence of phospholipase A1-A2 and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activities in axolemma-enriched fractions of brain stem, optic pathway, and cranio-spinal nerves of the rabbit

An axolemma-enriched fraction was isolated and characterized from homogenates of brain stem, pooled optic nerve and tract, and sciatic and hypoglossal nerves of adult rabbits. In these fractions, the phospholipase A1 and A2, as well as the activity of acyl-CoA:1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine and acyl-CoA:2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine acetyl transferase, using 1-acyl- and 2-acyl-GPC as acyl acceptors, were studied. The activity of the four enzymes was clearly detectable in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) axolemmatic preparations, as well as in other subcellular fractions examined. The axolemma fractions, in which acetylcholinesterase displayed the highest activities, were particularly enriched in the acylation reaction enzymes. These latter showed specific activities about twofold higher compared with those of the homogenates and significant correlation with acetylcholinesterase. The noticeable presence of these enzyme activities in both CNS and PNS axolemma suggests that a deacylation-reacylation system for phospholipids may be operative in this membrane.

The synaptic vesicle and the cytoskeleton

Images

Presynaptic effects of 4-aminopyridine and changes following a single giant impulse at the Torpedo nerve-electroplaque junction

The presynaptic changes caused by 4-aminopyridine were studied in the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata, in the resting state and during the period following transmission of a single giant discharge. Incubation with 4-aminopyridine provoked a 30-40% decrease in the density of synaptic vesicles in nerve terminals, and a similar decrease in the content of vesicular and free acetylcholine. These changes were not observed when 4-aminopyridine was applied in a low-calcium, high-magnesium solution. In the standard medium, 4-aminopyridine treated junctions were able to generate a giant electrical discharge of long duration in response to a single stimulus. During the seconds and minutes following the giant discharge, the number of synaptic vesicles was not found to be significantly altered in the whole population of nerve terminals. However, new membranous structures--looking like sacs with double membranes encircling a part of cytoplasm--were seen in approximately 25% of nerve endings; in those terminals, the number of synaptic vesicles was significantly decreased. At this stage, the junctions had not recovered their capability to generate a second giant discharge of full size and the yield of acetylcholine, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate was diminished. Thirty minutes after the single discharge, the functional recovery was achieved and the membranous sacs had disappeared; but the levels of acetylcholine, ATP and creatine phosphate were still not restored.

The release of choline from phospholipids mediated by beta-adrenoceptor activation in isolated hearts

The resting efflux of choline into the perfusate (Tyrode's solution) of isolated hearts was equal to the rate, at which choline was liberated from phospholipid degradation (Lindmar et al. 1986). Infusion of isoprenaline (2 X 10(-7) mol/l), forskolin (1-3 X 10(-6) mol/l) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 3 X 10(-4) mol/l) for 40 min markedly enhanced the efflux of choline. The increase was linear during the experimental period and, in the case of isoprenaline, was blocked by 3 X 10(-7) mol/l atenolol. In the guinea-pig heart, IBMX at a threshold concentration of 10(-4) mol/l shifted the concentration-response curve for the effect of forskolin on the efflux of choline to the left by one log unit. Forskolin (10(-6) mol/l) increased also the tissue content of cyclic AMP. This effect and the increase of choline efflux evoked by forskolin were blocked by 2 X 10(-7) mol/l carbachol. Likewise, inhibition of cholinesterase activity caused by diisopropylfluorophosphate antagonized the forskolin-evoked acceleration of choline efflux indicating a response to endogenous acetylcholine. The muscarinic inhibition of the enhanced choline efflux was reversed by 3 X 10(-7) mol/l atropine. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor mepacrine as well as infusion of a low Ca2+-Tyrode's solution (0.2 instead of 1.8 mmol/l) blocked the effect of forskolin on choline efflux, whereas the generation of cyclic AMP by forskolin was unaffected by low Ca2+-solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of dihydropyridine receptors differentially regulates temperature responses in rat

Rats receiving the dihydropyridine Ca++ agonist BAY K8644 (0.1-3 mg/kg SC) displayed increasing loss of body temperature. At the highest dose tested (3 mg/kg) rats exhibited decreased motor activity, ataxia, increased vocalization upon handling and increased auditory sensitivity. Nimodipine (1 mg/kg SC) produced antagonism of this response when used as pretreatment at 15 and 30 minutes. The phenylalkylamine, verapamil (5 mg/kg) and the benzothiazepine diltiazem (10 mg/kg) did not alter BAY K8644-induced hypothermia. None of the three Ca++ channel antagonists produced changes in body temperature at the antagonist doses used. BAY K8644 (3 mg/kg SC) produced stimulation of Ca++/Mg++ ATPase activity by 31% in hypothalamus but not in cortex or cerebellum. This stimulation of enzyme activity was selectively prevented by nimodipine but not verapamil or diltiazem. No changes in enzyme activity were observed when Ca++ channel antagonists were used alone. These studies demonstrate that the Ca++ agonist BAY K8644 produces receptor mediated hypothermia which is dihydropyridine receptor dependent. Activation of Ca++ ATPase in the hypothalamus suggests that activation of dihydropyridine receptors may be coupled to Ca++ transport systems in this brain region and may reinforce the Ca++ set point theory of thermoregulation.

A pharmacological analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms of posttraumatic spinal cord ischemia

A pharmacological analysis was carried out to determine the possible role of aberrant calcium fluxes, vasoactive arachidonic acid metabolites, and microvascular lipid peroxidation in the development of posttraumatic spinal cord white matter ischemia. Pentobarbital-anesthetized cats were treated intravenously 30 minutes before a 500-gm-cm contusion injury to the lumbar spinal cord with one of the following test drugs: the Ca++ channel antagonists verapamil, diltiazem, or nifedipine; the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors ibuprofen or meclofenamate; the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor furegrelate sodium; or the stable epoprostenol (prostacyclin, or PGI2) analogue ciprostene calcium alone or in combination with furegrelate sodium. Another group of animals was pretreated for 5 days before spinal injury with a combination of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium in high doses. The hydrogen clearance technique was used to make repeated measurements of spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) in the dorsolateral funiculus of the injured segment before and for 4 hours after injury. In 11 untreated uninjured cats, the mean preinjury SCBF was 12.7 +/- 1.5 ml/100 gm/min. Following contusion, there was a progressive decline in SCBF to 6.8 +/- 0.4 ml/100 gm/min, or 53.5% of the preinjury level at 4 hours. In comparison, the Ca++ antagonists diltiazem and nifedipine (but not verapamil) prevented a significant posttraumatic decrease in SCBF. Similarly, both cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (ibuprofen and meclofenamate) maintained SCBF within normal limits (10 ml/100 gm/min or greater). However, neither TXA2 synthetase inhibition nor the stable PGI2 analogue alone had a significant effect in preventing ischemia, whereas a combination of the two agents did serve to support SCBF. The most impressive preservation of posttraumatic SCBF, however, was observed in the antioxidant-treated animals. Based upon these results, a hypothesis is presented concerning the pathogenesis of posttraumatic central nervous system ischemia which integrates an injury-induced rise in intracellular Ca++, the increased synthesis of vasoactive prostanoids (such as prostaglandin F2 alpha and TXA2), and progressive microvascular lipid peroxidation.

Characterization of choline efflux from the perfused heart at rest and after muscarine receptor activation

The resting efflux of choline from perfused chicken hearts varied from 0.4 to 2.6 nmol/g min, but was constant for at least 80 min in the individual experiments. The rate of choline efflux was found to be equal to the rate of choline formation in the heart, which, from the following reasons, was essentially due to hydrolysis of choline phospholipids. Cardiac content of choline phospholipids (7,200 nmol/g) was much higher than that of acetylcholine (5.5 nmol/g). Resting release of acetylcholine was 0.016 nmol/g min and, after inhibition of cholinesterase, only about 0.1 nmol/g min. Resting efflux of choline was reduced by mepacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, by perfusion with a Ca2+-free Tyrode's solution containing EGTA and by the combination mepacrine plus Ca2+-free/EGTA solution. In all experiments the reduced choline efflux levelled off within 10 min at about 50%. Omission or elevation of Mg2+ from 1.05 to 10.5 mmol/l had no effect. Resting efflux was increased to 150% by oleic acid (as sodium salt; 2 X 10(-5) mol/l) which is known to activate phospholipase D. Likewise muscarinic agonists (carbachol and acetylcholine) caused facilitation of the efflux of endogenous choline that was blocked by 3 X 10(-7) mol/l atropine. This effect was not reduced, but even slightly enhanced, by mepacrine and by infusion of EGTA in a modified Tyrode's solution (Ca2+-free, 10.5 mmol/l Mg2+). It is concluded that the resting efflux of choline from the heart is essentially due to hydrolysis of choline phospholipids, that half of the efflux is insensitive to mepacrine and is Ca2+-independent (excluding an involvement of phospholipase A2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phase equilibria in four lysophosphatidylcholine/water systems. Exceptional behaviour of 1-palmitoyl-glycerophosphocholine

The phase equilibria in four lysophosphatidylcholine/water systems were investigated at different temperatures. Each of the 1-palmitoyl-, 1-stearoyl-, 1-oleoyl- and 1-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines was dispersed in heavy water at different concentrations. The phase structures were determined by 2H-, 14N- and 31P-NMR, polarization microscopy and low-angle X-ray diffraction. The phase diagrams of the oleoyl and linoleoyl systems were quite similar. At room temperature and with decreasing water content the isotropic micellar solution was followed by a hexagonal phase and then a cubic phase. Finally the lamellar phase appeared before the region of hydrated crystals. The same sequence of phases was observed in the stearoyl system at elevated temperatures. The palmitoyl system differed from the others: here a cubic phase followed after the micellar solution, then came a hexagonal phase and after this a lamellar phase. In general the lysophosphatidylcholines seem to behave similarly to the many soaps and detergents as they show the same sequence of isotropic micellar solution, hexagonal phase, lamellar phase with interspersed cubic phases. The presently established phase diagrams demonstrate that the major lysophosphatidylcholines which may be generated by phospholipase A2 in mammalian cell membranes, viz. 1-palmitoyl- and 1-stearoyl-glycerophosphocholines differ greatly in their packing properties. The extraordinary ability of 1-palmitoyl-glycerophosphocholine to form a cubic phase in equilibrium with a micellar solution is of particular interest with regard to the possible occurrence of cubic structures in biomembranes during the process of fusion.

Beneficial effects of acute intravenous ibuprofen on neurologic recovery of head-injured mice: comparison of cyclooxygenase inhibition with inhibition of thromboxane A2 synthetase or 5-lipoxygenase

The ability of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen to affect early neurologic recovery following a moderately severe concussive head injury was studied in male CF-1 mice. Each mouse received a 900 g-cm (50 g weight dropped 18 cm) head injury, followed within 5 minutes with a single IV dose of ibuprofen (sodium salt; 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg). At 1 hour postinjury, their neurologic status was assessed using a grip test. Drug administration and neurologic evaluation were carried out blindly. A dose-related improvement in recovery was observed, with a 10 mg/kg IV dose causing a 122% increase in the mean grip test score compared to 0.9% saline treatment (p less than 0.01 by one-way ANOVA). In addition, there was a significant decrease in the number of mice in the 10 mg/kg ibuprofen group that fell off the grip test string in 0-5 seconds (i.e., that were severely impaired). In comparison, neither the selective thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor furegrelate sodium, the stable epoprostenol (PGI2) analog ciprostene calcium, nor the selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor piriprost potassium caused any therapeutic effect. The highest dose of the TXA2 synthetase inhibitor (30 mg/kg IV) actually had a statistically significant detrimental action that appeared to be due to an increase in posttraumatic cerebral hemorrhage. The possible mechanisms of the beneficial effect of ibuprofen in acute head injury are discussed in relation to an attenuation of the synthesis of vasoactive arachidonic acid metabolites (e.g., prostaglandin F2 alpha, thromboxane A2) and oxygen-free radical-induced lipid peroxidation.

Phospholipase A2 activity of pancreatic secretory factor, a new secretagogue isolated from the venom of Heloderma suspectum

Pancreatic secretory factor (PSF), an efficient pancreatic secretagogue recently isolated from the venom of Heloderma suspectum, is shown to exert phospholipase A2 activity towards phosphatidylcholine. This activity is strictly dependent on calcium (apparent Ka 40 nM) and has an optimum pH around 9. At pH 7.4 and in the presence of calcium, PSF retains 40% of its phospholipase A2 activity. These results are compared to the calcium dependency of the secretory effect of PSF on rat pancreatic acini. Taken collectively, the present data on PSF suggest that a similar endogenous phospholipase A2 activity might be involved in the late steps of stimulus-secretion coupling in the exocrine pancreas.