Hydroperoxide metabolism in rat liver. K+ channel activation, cell volume changes and eicosanoid formation

Induction of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by Lipopolysaccharide and the Influences of Cell Volume Changes, Stress Hormones and Oxidative Stress on Nitric Oxide Efflux from the Perfused Liver of Air-Breathing Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis

The air-breathing singhi catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) is frequently being challenged by bacterial contaminants, and different environmental insults like osmotic, hyper-ammonia, dehydration and oxidative stresses in its natural habitats throughout the year. The main objectives of the present investigation were to determine (a) the possible induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene with enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) by intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a bacterial endotoxin), and (b) to determine the effects of hepatic cell volume changes due to anisotonicity or by infusion of certain metabolites, stress hormones and by induction of oxidative stress on production of NO from the iNOS-induced perfused liver of singhi catfish. Intra-peritoneal injection of LPS led to induction of iNOS gene and localized tissue specific expression of iNOS enzyme with more production and accumulation of NO in different tissues of singhi catfish. Further, changes of hydration status/cell volume, caused either by anisotonicity or by infusion of certain metabolites such as glutamine plus glycine and adenosine, affected the NO production from the perfused liver of iNOS-induced singhi catfish. In general, increase of hydration status/cell swelling due to hypotonicity caused decrease, and decrease of hydration status/cell shrinkage due to hypertonicity caused increase of NO efflux from the perfused liver, thus suggesting that changes in hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells serve as a potent modulator for regulating the NO production. Significant increase of NO efflux from the perfused liver was also observed while infusing the liver with stress hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, accompanied with decrease of hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells. Further, oxidative stress, caused due to infusion of t-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide separately, in the perfused liver of singhi catfish, resulted in significant increase of NO efflux accompanied with decrease of hydration status/cell volume of hepatic cells. However, the reasons for these cell volume-sensitive changes of NO efflux from the liver of singhi catfish are not fully understood with the available data. Nonetheless, enhanced or decreased production of NO from the perfused liver under osmotic stress, in presence of stress hormones and oxidative stress reflected its potential role in cellular homeostasis and also for better adaptations under environmental challenges. This is the first report of osmosensitive and oxidative stress-induced changes of NO production and efflux from the liver of any teleosts. Further, the level of expression of iNOS in this singhi catfish could also serve as an important indicator to determine the pathological status of the external environment.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the mechanism of oxidant-induced cell swelling in cultured astrocytes

Cytotoxic brain edema, usually a consequence of astrocyte swelling, is an important complication of stroke, traumatic brain injury, hepatic encephalopathy, and other neurological disorders. Although mechanisms underlying astrocyte swelling are not fully understood, oxidative stress (OS) has generally been considered an important factor in its pathogenesis. To better understand the mechanism(s) by which OS causes cell swelling, we examined the potential involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in this process. Cultures exposed to theoxidant H(2)O(2) (10, 25, 50 microM) for different time periods (1-24 hr) significantly increased cell swelling in a triphasic manner. Swelling was initially observed at 10 min (peaking at 30 min), which was followed by cell shrinkage at 1 hr. A subsequent increase in cell volume occurred at approximately 6 hr, and the rise lasted for at least 24 hr. Cultures exposed to H(2)O(2) caused the activation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK and p38-MAPK), whereas inhibition of MAPKs diminished cell swelling induced by 10 and 25 microM H(2)O(2). These findings suggest that activation of MAPKs is an important factor in the mediation of astrocyte swelling following oxidative stress.

Activation of integrins by urea in perfused rat liver

High concentrations of urea were shown to induce a paradoxical regulatory volume decrease response with K(+) channel opening and subsequent hepatocyte shrinkage (Hallbrucker, C., vom Dahl, S., Ritter, M., Lang, F., and Häussinger, D. (1994) Pflügers Arch. 428, 552-560), although the hepatocyte plasma membrane is thought to be freely permeable to urea. The underlying mechanisms remained unclear. As shown in the present study, urea (100 mmol/liter) induced within 1 min an activation of β(1) integrins followed by an activation of focal adhesion kinase, c-Src, p38(MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Because α(5)β(1) integrin is known to act as a volume/osmosensor in hepatocytes, which becomes activated in response to hepatocyte swelling, the findings suggest that urea at high concentrations induces a nonosmotic activating perturbation of this osmosensor, thereby triggering a volume regulatory K(+) efflux. In line with this, similar to hypo-osmotic hepatocyte swelling, urea induced an inhibition of hepatic proteolysis, which was sensitive to p38(MAPK) inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations of a three-dimensional model of the ectodomain of α(5)β(1) integrin in water, urea, or thiourea solutions revealed significant conformational changes of α(5)β(1) integrin in urea and thiourea solutions, in contrast to the simulation of α(5)β(1) in water. These changes lead to an unbending of the integrin structure around the genu, which may suggest activation, whereas the structures of single domains remained essentially unchanged. It is concluded that urea at high concentrations affects hepatic metabolism through direct activation of the α(5)β(1) integrin system.

Effects of anisotonicity on pentose-phosphate pathway, oxidized glutathione release and t-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in the perfused liver of air-breathing catfish, Clarias batrachus

Both hypotonic exposure (185 mOsmol/l) and infusion of glutamine plus glycine (2 mmol/l each) along with the isotonic medium caused a significant increase of 14CO2 production from [1-14C]glucose by 110 and 70%, respectively, from the basal level of 18.4 +/- 1.2 nmol/g liver/min from the perfused liver of Clarias batrachus. Conversely, hypertonic exposure (345 mOsmol/l) caused significant decrease of 14CO2 production from [1-14C]glucose by 34%. 14CO2 production from [6-14C]glucose was largely unaffected by anisotonicity. The steady-state release of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) into bile was 1.18 +/- 0.09 nmol/g liver/min, which was reduced significantly by 36% and 34%, respectively, during hypotonic exposure and amino acid-induced cell swelling, and increased by 34% during hypertonic exposure. The effects of anisotonicity on 14CO2 production from [1-14C]glucose and biliary GSSG release were also observed in the presence of t-butylhydroperoxide (50 mmol/l). The oxidative stress-induced cell injury, caused due to infusion of t-butylhydroperoxide, was measured as the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage into the effluent from the perfused liver; this was found to be affected by anisotonicity. Hypotonic exposure caused significant decrease of LDH release and hypertonic exposure caused significant increase of LDH release from the perfused liver. The data suggest that hypotonically-induced as well as amino acid-induced cell swelling stimulates flux through the pentose-phosphate pathway and decreases loss of GSSG under condition of mild oxidative stress; hypotonically swollen cells are less prone to hydroperoxide-induced LDH release than hypertonically shrunken cells, thus suggesting that cell swelling may exert beneficial effects during early stages of oxidative cell injury probably due to swelling-induced alterations in hepatic metabolism.

PDGF receptor-{beta} modulates metanephric mesenchyme chemotaxis induced by PDGF AA

PDGF B chain or PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-beta-deficient (-/-) mice lack mesangial cells. To study responses of alpha- and beta-receptor activation to PDGF ligands, metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) were established from embryonic day E11.5 wild-type (+/+) and -/- mouse embryos. PDGF BB stimulated cell migration in +/+ cells, whereas PDGF AA did not. Conversely, PDGF AA was chemotactic for -/- MMCs. The mechanism by which PDGFR-beta inhibited AA-induced migration was investigated. PDGF BB, but not PDGF AA, increased intracellular Ca(2+) and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in +/+ cells. Transfection of -/- MMCs with the wild-type beta-receptor restored cell migration and ROS generation in response to PDGF BB and inhibited AA-induced migration. Inhibition of Ca(2+) signaling facilitated PDGF AA-induced chemotaxis in the wild-type cells. The antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) abolished the BB-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, suggesting that ROS act as upstream mediators of Ca(2+) in suppressing PDGF AA-induced migration. These data indicate that ROS and Ca(2+) generated by active PDGFR-beta play an essential role in suppressing PDGF AA-induced migration in +/+ MMCs. During kidney development, PDGFR beta-mediated ROS generation and Ca(2+) influx suppress PDGF AA-induced chemotaxis in metanephric mesenchyme.

Ultraviolet B radiation induces cell shrinkage and increases osmolyte transporter mRNA expression and osmolyte uptake in HaCaT keratinocytes

We have previously shown that compatible organic osmolytes, such as betaine, myo-inositol and taurine, are part of the stress response of normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. In this regard, we tested human HaCaT keratinocytes as a surrogate cell line for NHK. HaCaT cells osmo-dependently express mRNA specific for transport proteins for betaine (BGT-1), myo-inositol (SMIT) and taurine (TAUT). Compared to normoosmotic (305 mosmol/l) controls, which strongly constitutively expressed BGT-1 mRNA, strong induction of SMIT and TAUT mRNA as well as low induction of BGT-1 mRNA expression was observed between 3 and 9 h after hyperosmotic exposure (405 mosmol/l). This expression correlated with an increased osmolyte uptake. Conversely, hypoosmotic (205 mosmol/l) stimulation led to a significant efflux of osmolytes. Exposure to UVB (290-315 nm) radiation induced cell shrinkage which was followed by an upregulation of osmolyte transporter mRNA levels and osmolyte uptake. These results demonstrate that human HaCaT keratinocytes possess an osmolyte strategy including UVB-induced cell shrinkage and following increased osmolyte uptake. However, several differences in osmolyte transporter expression and uptake were noted between NHK and HaCaT cells, indicating that the use of HaCaT cells as a surrogate cell line for NHK has limitations.

Hydrophobic bile salts induce hepatocyte shrinkage via NADPH oxidase activation

Hydrophobic bile salts activate NADPH oxidase through a ceramide and protein kinase Czeta-dependent pathway as an important upstream event of bile salt-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. As shown in the present study, hydrophobic bile salts such as glycochenodeoxycholate, taurochenodeoxycholate or taurolithocholylsulfate (TLCS) also induce within 30 min hepatocyte shrinkage in perfused rat liver. TLCS-induced hepatocyte shrinkage was strongly blunted in presence of desipramine, apocynin, bafilomycin and DIDS, i.e. maneuvres previously shown to inhibit TLCS-induced NADPH oxidase activation and the subsequent oxidative stress response. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibited TLCS-induced hepatocyte shrinkage. N-acetylcysteine by itself increased hepatocyte hydration, suggesting that a basal production of reactive oxygen intermediates is involved in the regulation of liver cell hydration. TLCS failed to induce shrinkage of hepatocytes from p47(phox) knock-out, but not control mice. Likewise, hepatocytes from p47(phox) knock-out mice were resistant towards TLCS-induced apoptosis and failed to activate the CD95 system. No cell shrinkage was observed in response to taurocholate and tauroursodesoxycholate, i.e. bile salts which do not induce an oxidative stress signal and apoptosis. NADPH oxidase activation also counteracts volume recovery in response to hyperosmotic hepatocyte shrinkage. The findings indicate that hydrophobic, proapoptotic bile salts induce hepatocyte shrinkage largely through NADPH oxidase-derived oxidative stress. Because cell shrinkage in turn activates NADPH oxidase, which blunts cell volume recovery, a vicious cycle ensues between oxidative stress and cell shrinkage, which propagates CD95 activation and may finally lead to apoptosis. In addition, cell shrinkage induced by proapoptotic bile salts may augment apoptosis by increasing protein breakdown and induction of cholestasis.

Pathogenetic interplay between osmotic and oxidative stress: the hepatic encephalopathy paradigm

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) defines a primary gliopathy associated with acute and chronic liver disease. Astrocyte swelling triggered by ammonia in synergism with different precipitating factors, including hyponatremia, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, glutamate and ligands of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), is an early pathogenetic event in HE. On the other hand, reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) including nitric oxide are considered to play a major role in HE. There is growing evidence that osmotic and oxidative stresses are closely interrelated. Astrocyte swelling produces RNOS and vice versa. Based on recent investigations, this review proposes a working model that integrates the pathogenetic action of osmotic and oxidative stresses in HE. Under participation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, Ca(2+), the PBR and organic osmolyte depletion, astrocyte swelling and RNOS production may constitute an autoamplificatory signaling loop that integrates at least some of the signals released by HE-precipitating factors.

Effect of Oxidative Stress on Glial Cell Volume

Cytotoxic brain edema is a major contributor of tissue damage following cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury. The pathophysiology of cytotoxic edema formation is still not well understood. Although it is widely believed that oxidative stress causes cytotoxic brain edema, experimental proof is lacking. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the effect of oxidative stress on cell volume of glial cells. C6 glial cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide and the superoxide forming complex hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XO). Exposure to hydrogen peroxide (0.5-5 mM) resulted in initial cell shrinkage by 5.7 +/- 1.5% (mean +/- SEM; p < 0.05) and was followed by a dose-dependent recovery to baseline. Exposure to superoxide anions generated by HX/XO provoked a delayed, but sustained decrease of cell volume by 11.8 +/- 0.9% (p < 0.05). Cell volume showed no tendency to recover upon sustained exposure to superoxide. Neither hydrogen peroxide nor HX/XO exposure was associated with a decrease of cell viability. Thereby, the present study demonstrates that oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions does not induce cytotoxic cell swelling and suggests that free radicals are not directly involved in the formation of cytotoxic brain edema.

Glutamine in the mechanism of ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling

Brain edema and the subsequent increase in intracranial pressure are the major neurological complications in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Brain edema in FHF is predominantly "cytotoxic" due principally to astrocyte swelling. It is generally believed that ammonia plays a key role in this process, although the mechanism by which ammonia brings about such swelling is yet to be defined. It has been postulated that glutamine accumulation in astrocytes subsequent to ammonia detoxification results in increased osmotic forces leading to cell swelling. While the hypothesis is plausible and has gained support, it has never been critically tested. In this study, we examined whether a correlation exists between cellular glutamine levels and the degree of cell swelling in cultured astrocytes exposed to ammonia. Cultured astrocytes derived from rat brain cortices were exposed to ammonia (5 mM) for different time periods and cell swelling was measured. Cultures treated with ammonia for 1-3 days showed a progressive increase in astrocyte cell volume (59-127%). Parallel treatment of astrocyte cultures with ammonia showed a significant increase in cellular glutamine content (60-80%) only at 1-4 h, a time when swelling was absent, while glutamine levels were normal at 1-3 days, a time when peak cell swelling was observed. Thus no direct correlation between cell swelling and glutamine levels was detected. Additionally, acute increase in intracellular levels of glutamine by treatment with the glutaminase inhibitor 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) after ammonia exposure also did not result in swelling. On the contrary, DON treatment significantly blocked (66%) ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling at a later time point (24 h), suggesting that some process resulting from glutamine metabolism is responsible for astrocyte swelling. Additionally, ammonia-induced free radical production and induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) were significantly blocked by treatment with DON, suggesting a key role of glutamine in the ammonia-induced free radical generation and the MPT. In summary, our findings indicate a lack of direct correlation between the extent of cell swelling and cellular levels of glutamine. While glutamine may not be acting as an osmolyte, we propose that glutamine-mediated oxidative stress and/or the MPT may be responsible for the astrocyte swelling by ammonia.

The Osmolyte Strategy of Normal Human Keratinocytes in Maintaining Cell Homeostasis

Compatible organic osmolytes, such as betaine, myoinositol, and taurine, are involved in cell volume homeostasis as well as in cell protection, for example, against oxidative stress. This so-called osmolyte strategy requires the expression of specific osmolyte transporting systems such as the betaine/gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) transporter, the sodium-dependent myoinositol transporter and the taurine transporter (TAUT). In contrast to liver, kidney, and neural cells, nothing is known about osmolytes in the skin. Here we report that primary normal human keratinocytes (NHK) express mRNA specific for the betaine/GABA transporter, for the sodium-dependent myoinositol transporter and for the TAUT. In comparison to normoosmotic (305 mosmol per L) controls, a 3-5-fold induction of mRNA expression for the betaine/GABA-, the sodium-dependent myoinositol- and the TAUT was observed within 6-24 h after hyperosmotic exposure (405 mosmol per L). Expression of osmolyte transporters was associated with an increased uptake of radiolabeled osmolytes. Conversely, hypoosmotic (205 mosmol per L) stimulation induced significant efflux of these osmolytes. Exposure to ultraviolet B (290-315 nm) or ultraviolet A (340-400 nm) radiation, which are major sources of oxidative stress in skin, significantly stimulated osmolyte uptake. Increased osmolyte uptake was associated with upregulation of mRNA steady-state levels for osmolyte transporters in irradiated cells. These studies demonstrate that NHK possess an osmolyte strategy, which is important for their capacity to maintain cell volume homeostasis and seems to be part of their response to UV radiation.

Call volume and insulin signaling

Perturbations of cell hydration as provoked by changes in ambient osmolarity or under isoosmotic conditions by hormones, second messengers, intracellular substrate accumulation, or reactive oxygen intermediates critically contribute to the physiological regulation of cell function. In general an increase in cell hydration stimulates anabolic metabolism and proliferation and provides cytoprotection, whereas cellular dehydration leads to a catabolic situation and sensitizes cells to apoptotic stimuli. Insulin produces cell swelling by inducing a net K+ and Na+ accumulation inside the cell, which results from a concerted activation of Na+/H+ exchange, Na+/K+/2Cl- symport, and the Na+/K(+)-ATPase. In the liver, insulin-induced cell swelling is critical for stimulation of glycogen and protein synthesis as well as inhibition of autophagic proteolysis. These insulin effects can largely be mimicked by hypoosmotic cell swelling, pointing to a role of cell swelling as a trigger of signal transduction. This article discusses insulin-induced signal transduction upstream of swelling and introduces the hypothesis that cell swelling as a signal amplifyer represents an essential component in insulin signaling, which contributes to the full response to insulin at the level of signal transduction and function. Cellular dehydration impairs insulin signaling and may be a major cause of insulin resistance, which develops in systemic hyperosmolarity, nutrient deprivation, uremia, oxidative challenges, and unbalanced production of insulin-counteracting hormones. Hydration changes affect cell functions at multiple levels (such as transcriptom, proteom, phosphoproteom, and the metabolom) and a system biological approach may allow us to develop a more holistic view on the hydration dependence of insulin signaling in the future.

Hyperosmolarity and CD95L trigger CD95/EGF receptor association and tyrosine phosphorylation of CD95 as prerequisites for CD95 membrane trafficking and DISC formation

The mechanisms underlying CD95 ligand (CD95L)- and hyperosmolarity-induced activation of the CD95 system [Reinehr, R., Graf, D., Fischer, R., Schliess, F., and Haussinger, D. (2002) Hepatology 36, 602-614] as initial steps of apoptosis were studied. Hyperosmotic exposure (405 mosmol/l) of rat hepatocytes induced within 1 min oxidative stress and antioxidant-sensitive activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-Jun-N-terminal-kinase (JNK). After 30 min of hyperosmotic exposure EGFR associated with CD95 and CD95 became tyrosine phosphorylated. Inhibition of JNK or protein kinase C (PKC) had no effect on EGFR phosphorylation but abolished CD95/EGFR association, CD95-tyrosine phosphorylation, membrane targeting, and Fas-associated death domain/caspase 8 recruitment to CD95 [death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation]. Inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity prevented CD95 tyrosine phosphorylation and DISC formation but not hyperosmolarity-induced EGFR phosphorylation and EGFR association with CD95. Tyrosine-phosphorylated CD95 was enriched in the plasma membrane. All maneuvers preventing CD95 tyrosine phosphorylation inhibited CD95 membrane trafficking and DISC formation. Stimulation of EGFR by EGF induced EGFR phosphorylation but no association with CD95 or CD95 phosphorylation. Addition of CD95L also induced EGFR and JNK activation, EGFR/CD95 association, CD95 tyrosine phosphorylation, DISC formation, and CD95 membrane targeting with an inhibitor sensitivity profile similar to that of hyperosmotic CD95 activation, except that inhibition of PKC was ineffective. The data suggest that moderate hyperosmolarity or CD95L trigger oxidative stress and EGFR activation followed by a JNK-dependent EGFR/CD95association and CD95 tyrosine phosphorylation, probably through EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. This provides a signal for CD95 membrane trafficking and DISC formation.

The cellular hydration state: a critical determinant for cell death and survival

Alterations in cellular hydration not only contribute to metabolic regulation, but also critically determine the cellular response to different kinds of stress. Whereas cell swelling triggers anabolic pathways and protects cells from heat and oxidative challenge, cellular dehydration contributes to insulin resistance and catabolism and increases the cellular susceptibility to stress-induced damage. Intracellular accumulation of organic osmolytes, cell cycle delay and the expression of heat shock proteins provide cellular tolerance to hyperosmolarity and protect against stressors under dehydrating conditions. This article discusses some mechanisms by which alterations in cell hydration contribute to cytoprotection or cell damage. In addition, the close relationship between osmotic and oxidative stress and the contribution of isoosmotic shrinkage to apoptotic cell death are considered.

Free radicals in the physiological control of cell function

At high concentrations, free radicals and radical-derived, nonradical reactive species are hazardous for living organisms and damage all major cellular constituents. At moderate concentrations, however, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, and related reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role as regulatory mediators in signaling processes. Many of the ROS-mediated responses actually protect the cells against oxidative stress and reestablish "redox homeostasis." Higher organisms, however, have evolved the use of NO and ROS also as signaling molecules for other physiological functions. These include regulation of vascular tone, monitoring of oxygen tension in the control of ventilation and erythropoietin production, and signal transduction from membrane receptors in various physiological processes. NO and ROS are typically generated in these cases by tightly regulated enzymes such as NO synthase (NOS) and NAD(P)H oxidase isoforms, respectively. In a given signaling protein, oxidative attack induces either a loss of function, a gain of function, or a switch to a different function. Excessive amounts of ROS may arise either from excessive stimulation of NAD(P)H oxidases or from less well-regulated sources such as the mitochondrial electron-transport chain. In mitochondria, ROS are generated as undesirable side products of the oxidative energy metabolism. An excessive and/or sustained increase in ROS production has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, obstructive sleep apnea, and other diseases. In addition, free radicals have been implicated in the mechanism of senescence. That the process of aging may result, at least in part, from radical-mediated oxidative damage was proposed more than 40 years ago by Harman (J Gerontol 11: 298-300, 1956). There is growing evidence that aging involves, in addition, progressive changes in free radical-mediated regulatory processes that result in altered gene expression.

Retrieval of the mrp2 gene encoded conjugate export pump from the canalicular membrane contributes to cholestasis induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide and chloro-dinitrobenzene

Oxidative stress is known to induce cholestasis, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study we have characterized the short-term effects of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH)- and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) on the mrp2 gene encoded canalicular export pump (Mrp2). The effects of t-BOOH and CDNB on bile formation, tissue GSH levels and subcellular Mrp2 localization were studied in perfused rat liver. Both, t-BOOH (0.5 mM) and CDNB (0.1 mM) induced within 60 min a decrease of hepatic GSH levels by more than 90% and an almost complete cessation of bile flow. As revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, this cholestasis was accompanied by a loss of immunoreactive MRP2 from the canalicular membrane and its appearance inside the hepatocytes in putative intracellular vesicles. On the other hand, the intracellular distribution of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), another canalicular protein, and of zonula occludens associated polypeptide (ZO-1) remained unaffected, indicating selectivity of the Mrp2 retrieval pattern. Both, t-BOOH and CDNB induced a rapid net K+ efflux from the liver and a significant decrease of liver cell hydration. We conclude that severe glutathione depletion induces cholestasis by a retrieval of Mrp2, but not of DPPIV from the canalicular membrane. The underlying mechanism is unclear; however, a decrease in liver cell hydration, which occurs under these conditions, may contribute to this effect.

Protein S-thiolation can mediate the inhibition of protein synthesis induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in isolated rat hepatocytes

A rapid inhibition of protein synthesis is observed when isolated rat hepatocytes are incubated in the presence of 0.25-0.5 mM of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH). Such an inhibition occurs in the absence of a cytolytic effect by tBOOH. Iron chelators (o-phenanthroline and desferrioxiamine), protected against oxidative cell death, but they did not modify the inhibition of protein synthesis caused by tBOOH (0.5 mM), suggesting that free radicals are less implicated in such an impairment. Electron micrographs of hepatocytes under oxidative stress show disaggregation of polyribosomes but not oxidative alterations, such as blebs or mitochondrial swelling. Protein synthesis inhibition is accompanied by a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and an increase in glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and the level of protein S-thiolation (protein mixed disulfides formation). Such an increase of GSSG appears as a critical event since diethylmaleate (DEM) at 0.2 mM reduced GSH content by more than 50% but did not affect either GSSG content or protein synthesis. The addition of exogenous GSH and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to tBOOH-treated hepatocytes significantly reduced the formation of protein mixed disulfides and restored the depressed protein synthesis either completely or partially. We suggest that S-thiolation of some key proteins may be involved in protein synthesis inhibition by tBOOH.

Influence of glycine on the damage induced in isolated perfused rat liver by five hepatotoxic agents

Livers of fasted rats were perfused over 120 min in a recirculating hemoglobin-free system. Hepatotoxic injury induced by the addition of 1-butanol (130.2 mmol/l), CdCl2 (0.1 mmol/l), CuCl2 (0.03 mmol/l), Na3VO4 (2 mmol/l) or t-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH, 0.5 mmol/l) to the perfusate was shown by strong increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) release, decreased oxygen consumption between 50 and 60%, and a nearly complete suppression of bile flow. Hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations were reduced by between 30 and 80%, and 20 and 80% respectively. Only Na3VO4 and t-BuOOH evoked increased releases of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) in the perfusate. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were enhanced by all toxicants in the perfusate and by all except 1-butanol in the liver. The MDA increase, however, was much higher after Na3VO4 and t-BuOOH than after the other toxicants. When glycine (12 mmol/l) was added 30 min before the toxicants to the perfusate it prevented the enzyme releases induced by all hepatotoxic agents by about 80%. Furthermore, glycine prevented the Na3VO4 induced increase of MDA in liver and perfusate, the hepatic ATP and GSH level reductions induced by 1-butanol and attenuated the reduction of oxygen consumption induced by CuCl2 and t-BuOOH. Glycine, however, did not reverse the reductions of oxygen consumption induced by CdCl2 and Na3VO4, the suppressions of bile flow and, with the exception of 1-butanol, the decreases of hepatic ATP levels induced by all agents.

Functional significance of cell volume regulatory mechanisms

To survive, cells have to avoid excessive alterations of cell volume that jeopardize structural integrity and constancy of intracellular milieu. The function of cellular proteins seems specifically sensitive to dilution and concentration, determining the extent of macromolecular crowding. Even at constant extracellular osmolarity, volume constancy of any mammalian cell is permanently challenged by transport of osmotically active substances across the cell membrane and formation or disappearance of cellular osmolarity by metabolism. Thus cell volume constancy requires the continued operation of cell volume regulatory mechanisms, including ion transport across the cell membrane as well as accumulation or disposal of organic osmolytes and metabolites. The various cell volume regulatory mechanisms are triggered by a multitude of intracellular signaling events including alterations of cell membrane potential and of intracellular ion composition, various second messenger cascades, phosphorylation of diverse target proteins, and altered gene expression. Hormones and mediators have been shown to exploit the volume regulatory machinery to exert their effects. Thus cell volume may be considered a second message in the transmission of hormonal signals. Accordingly, alterations of cell volume and volume regulatory mechanisms participate in a wide variety of cellular functions including epithelial transport, metabolism, excitation, hormone release, migration, cell proliferation, and cell death.

Cytosolic Ca2+ and protein kinase Calpha couple cellular metabolism to membrane K+ permeability in a human biliary cell line

Cholangiocytes represent an important target of injury during the ischemia and metabolic stress that accompanies liver preservation. Since K+ efflux serves to minimize injury during ATP depletion in certain other cell types, the purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of ATP depletion on plasma membrane K+ permeability of Mz-ChA-1 cells, a model human biliary cell line. Cells were exposed to dinitrophenol (50 microM) and 2-deoxyglucose (10 mM) as the standard model of metabolic injury. Whole-cell and single K+ channel currents were measured using patch clamp techniques; and intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) was estimated by calcium green-1 fluorescence. Metabolic stress increased [Ca2+]i, and stimulated translocation of the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKCalpha) from cytosolic to particulate cell fractions. The same maneuver increased membrane K+ permeability 40-70-fold as detected by (a) activation of K+selective whole cell currents of 2,176+/-218 pA (n = 34), and (b) opening of apamin-sensitive K+ channels with a unitary conductance of 17.0+/-0.2 pS. PKCalpha translocation and channel opening appear to be related since stress-induced K+ efflux is inhibited by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+, exposure to the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (25 microM) and downregulation of PKC by phorbol esters. Moreover, K+ currents were activated by intracellular perfusion with recombinant PKCalpha in the absence of metabolic inhibitors. These findings indicate that in biliary cells apamin-sensitive K+ channels are functionally coupled to cell metabolism and suggest that cytosolic Ca2+ and PKCalpha are selectively involved in the response.

Cloning and characterization of a putative human serine/threonine protein kinase transcriptionally modified during anisotonic and isotonic alterations of cell volume

Hepatic metabolism and gene expression are among other regulatory mechanisms controlled by the cellular hydration state, which changes rapidly in response to anisotonicity, concentrative substrate uptake, oxidative stress, and under the influence of hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Differential screening for cell volume sensitive transcripts in a human hepatoma cell line revealed a gene for a putative serine/threonine kinase, h-sgk, which has 98% sequence identity to a serum- and glucocorticoid regulated kinase, sgk, cloned from a rat mammary tumor cell line. h-sgk transcript levels were strongly altered during anisotonic and isotonic cell volume changes. Within 30 min h-sgk RNA was, independent of de novo protein synthesis, induced upon cell shrinkage and, due to a complete stop in h-sgk transcription, reduced upon cell swelling. Comparable changes of sgk transcript levels were observed in a renal epithelial cell line. h-sgk mRNA was detected in all human tissues tested, with the highest levels in pancreas, liver, and heart. The putative serine/threonine protein kinase h-sgk may provide a functional link between the cellular hydration state and metabolic control.

Hydrogen peroxide activates glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in LLC-PK1 cells

Oxidant-induced damage has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several forms of cellular injury. The present study employed patch-clamp methods to determine if oxidant stress leads to activation of plasma membrane K+ channels in the renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cell line. Exposure of cells to H2O2 (0.1 to 5 mM) induced a rapid (within 5-10 min), dose-dependent membrane hyperpolarization. Perforated patch whole cell voltage-clamp studies were performed to determine the ion selectivity of the currents underlying this H2O2-induced cellular hyperpolarization. H2O2 (5 mM) produced a sixfold increase in the whole cell conductance. The reversal potential of the H2O2-induced current was consistent with a K+-selective conductance. This current was blocked almost completely by 5 mM barium and 500 microM glibenclamide but only partially by 15 mM tetraethylammonium. Exposure of LLC-PK1 cells to 5 mM H2O2 reduced cell ATP content by 70%. To evaluate more directly the role of ATP depletion in the activation of K+ channels, conventional whole cell patch-clamp studies were performed. Inclusion of ATP in the pipette solution prevented H2O2-induced activation of the K+ conductance. These findings indicate that H2O2 activates an ATP-sensitive, Ca2+-independent K+ conductance in LLC-PK1 cells.

Metabolic stress opens K+ channels in hepatoma cells through a Ca2+- and protein kinase calpha-dependent mechanism

These studies of a model liver cell line evaluate the mechanisms responsible for regulated release of K+ ions during metabolic stress. Metabolic inhibition of HTC hepatoma cells by exposure to 2, 4-dinitrophenol (50 microM) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (10 mM) stimulated outward currents carried by K+ of 974 +/- 75 pA at 0 mV (n = 20, p < 0.001). Currents were inhibited by chelation of intracellular Ca2+ or exposure to apamin (50 nM), an inhibitor of SKCa channels. In cell-attached recordings from intact cells, removal of metabolic substrates (25/28 cells) or exposure to metabolic inhibitors (32/40 cells) opened K+-selective channels with a conductance of 6.5 +/- 0. 2 pS. Channels had an open probability of 0.31 +/- 0.08 and opened in bursts averaging 3.55 +/- 0.27 ms in duration (n = 6). Metabolic stress was associated with rapid translocation of the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKCalpha) from cytosol to membrane; and down-regulation of PKCalpha by phorbol esters or exposure to the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (10 microM) each inhibited currents. Moreover, intracellular perfusion with purified PKCalpha activated currents in a Ca2+- and concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that metabolic stress leads to opening of apamin-sensitive SKCa channels in hepatoma cells through a Ca2+- and PKC-dependent mechanism and suggest that PKCalpha may be selectively involved in the response. This mechanism functionally couples the metabolic state of cells to membrane K+ permeability and represents a potential target for modification of liver injury associated with ischemia and preservation.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 by cell swelling in H4IIE hepatoma cells

Hepatic metabolism and gene expression are among the factors controlled by the cellular hydration state, which changes within minutes in response to aniso-osmotic environments, cumulative substrate uptake, oxidative stress and under the influence of hormones such as insulin. The signalling events coupling cell-volume changes to altered cell function were studied in H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. Hypo-osmotic cell swelling resulted within 1 min in a tyrosine kinase-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2, which was independent of protein kinase C and cytosolic calcium. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases was followed by an increased phosphorylation of c-Jun, which may explain our recently reported finding of an about 5-fold increase in c-jun mRNA level in response to cell swelling. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis or cholera toxin abolished the swelling-induced activation of Erk-1 and Erk-2, suggesting the involvement of G-proteins. Thus, a signal-transduction pathway resembling growth factor signalling is activated already by osmotic water shifts across the plasma membrane, thereby providing a new perspective for adaption of cell function to alterations of the environment.

Characterization of the swelling-induced alkalinization of endocytotic vesicles in fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran-loaded rat hepatocytes

Short-term cultivated rat hepatocytes were allowed to endocytose fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-coupled dextran and the apparent vesicular pH (pHves) was measured by single-cell fluorescence. After 2 h of exposure to FITC-dextran, the apparent pH in the vesicular compartments accessible to endocytosed FITC-dextran was 6.01 +/- 0.05 (n = 39) in normo-osmotic media. Hypo-osmotic exposure increased, whereas hyper-osmotic exposure decreased apparent pHves. by 0.18 +/- 0.02 (n = 26) and 0.12 +/- 0.01 (n = 23) respectively. Incubation of the cells with unlabelled dextran for 2h before a 2-h FITC-dextran exposure had no effect on apparent pHves and its osmosensitivity. When, however, hepatocytes were exposed to unlabelled dextran for 5 h after a 2 h exposure to FITC-dextran, in order to allow transport of endocytosed FITC-dextran to late endocytotic/lysosomal compartments, apparent pHves. decreased to 5.38 +/- 0.04 (n = 12) and the apparent pH in the vesicular compartment containing the dye was no longer sensitive to aniso-osmotic exposure. These findings indicate that the osomosensitivity of pHves. is apparently restricted to early endocytotic compartments. Aniso-osmotic regulation of apparent pHves. in freshly FITC-loaded hepatocytes was not accompanied by aniso-osmolarity-induced changes of the cytosolic free calcium concentration, and neither vasopressin nor extracellular ATP, which provoked a marked Ca2+ signal, affected apparent pHves. Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (cAMP) or vanadate (0.5 mmol/l) were without effect on apparent pHves. and its osmosensitivity. However, pertussis toxin-treatment or genistein (but not daidzein) or the erbstatin analogue methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate fully abolished the osmo-sensitivity of apparent pHves., but did not affect apparent pHves. It is concluded that regulation of pHves. by cell volume occurs in early endocytotic compartments, but probably not in lysosomes, and is mediated by a G-protein and tyrosine kinase-dependent, but Ca2+- and cAMP-independent mechanism.

New concepts in the pathophysiology of oxygen metabolism during sepsis

Sepsis is an intriguing pathological condition associated with many complex metabolic and physiological alterations. In this review a novel hypothesis in the pathophysiology of oxygen metabolism during sepsis is explored. It is proposed that the hypermetabolic response to sepsis results from enhanced reactive oxygen generation by phagocytes. Reactive oxygen detoxification by host enzyme systems subsequently leads to alterations in oxidative metabolism. The similarities between the metabolic consequences of reactive oxygen metabolism and the metabolic changes observed during sepsis are outlined. A unified concept is presented to help explain the pathophysiological changes in oxygen metabolism during sepsis.

Cell volume and hepatocellular function

The hepatocellular hydration state, i.e. liver cell volume, is a dynamic parameter, which changes within minutes in response to alterations in the environmental or hormonal milieu. These changes in cell hydration act as a signal which modifies metabolism and gene expression due to complex alterations in protein phosphorylation. The role of cellular hydration as an important determinant of liver cell function and gene expression may shed a new light not only on liver physiology but also on liver pathophysiology.

Effects of aniso-osmolarity and hydroperoxides on intracellular pH in isolated rat hepatocytes as assessed by (2',7')-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran fluorescence

Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were plated for 4-6 h and either loaded with (2',7)-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) or allowed to endocytose fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-coupled dextran in order to study the effects of aniso-osmotic exposure and oxidative stress on cytosolic (pHcyt) and apparent vesicular pH (pHves) by single-cell fluorescence recordings. In the presence of normo-osmotic (305 mosmol/l) medium pHcyt was 7.23 +/- 0.03 (n = 108), whereas an apparent pH of 6.07 +/- 0.02 (n = 156) was found in the vesicular compartment accessible to endocytosed FITC-dextran. Substitution of 60 mM NaCl against 120 mM raffinose had no effect on pHcyt or apparent pHves, whereas addition of NH4Cl increased both pHcyt and apparent pHves. Hypo-osmotic cell swelling lowered pHcyt, whereas simultaneously apparent pHves increased. These effects were rapidly reversible upon re-institution of normo-osmotic media. Similarly, an increase of apparent pHves was observed when cell swelling was induced by Ba2+, glutamine or histidine. Conversely, hyperosmotic cell shrinkage due to addition of NaCl or raffinose led to a cytosolic alkalinization and a vesicular acidification. Both, H2O2 (0.2 mmol/l) and t-butyl-hydroperoxide (0.2 mmol/l) were without effect on pHcyt, but lowered apparent pHves by about 0.2 pH units. Ba2+ (1 mmol/l) diminished the acidifying effect of the hydroperoxides by about 50%. Pretreatment of the cells with colchicine, but not with lumicolchicine, largely abolished the effects of aniso-osmolarity and hydroperoxides on pHves. The data suggest that hepatocellular hydration affects the proton gradients built up across the membranes of endocytotic FITC-dextran-accessible compartments in a microtubule-dependent way. They further suggest that hydroperoxides induce vesicular acidification in a colchicine- and Ba(2+)-sensitive way. Because hydroperoxides induce Ba(2+)-sensitive cell shrinkage [Hallbrucker, Ritter, Lang, Gerok and Häussinger (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 211, 449-458], the results are compatible with the view that hydroperoxide-induced cell shrinkage mediates vesicular acidification. It is concluded that modulation of vesicular pH by the hepatocellular hydration state may play a role in triggering some metabolic changes in response to cell swelling/shrinkage.

Effects of urea on K+ fluxes and cell volume in perfused rat liver

Exposure of the perfused rat liver to a perfusate made hyperosmotic by the presence of 200 mmol l-1 glucose led, as expected, to marked, transient hepatocellular shrinkage followed by volume-regulatory net K+ uptake. However, even after this volume-regulatory K+ uptake had ceased, the liver cells are still slightly shrunken. Withdrawal of glucose from the perfusate resulted in marked transient cell swelling, net K+ release from the liver and restoration of cell volume. However, when the Krebs-Henseleit perfusate was made hyperosmotic by the presence of urea (20-300 mM), there was no immediate decrease in liver mass, yet a slight and persistent cell shrinkage developing 2 min after the onset of exposure to urea. Surprisingly, urea induced concentration-dependent net K+ efflux from the liver and removal of urea net K+ reuptake from the inflowing perfusate. The urea (200 mM)-induced net K+ release resembled that observed following a lowering of the influent [NaCl]: making the perfusate hypoosmotic (245 mosmol l-1, by reducing influent [NaCl] by 30 mM) gave roughly the same K+ response as hyperosmotic exposure (505 mosmol/l) resulting from the presence of 200 mM urea. The urea-induced K+ efflux was not inhibited in the presence of ouabain (1 mM), or in Ca(++)-free perfusion, but was modified in the presence of quinidine (1 mM) or Ba++ (1 mM). The direction in which the liver was perfused had no effect on the urea-induced net K+ release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of cell function by the cellular hydration state

Cellular hydration can change within minutes under the influence of hormones, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Such short-term modulation of cell volume within a narrow range acts per se as a potent signal which modifies cellular metabolism and gene expression. It appears that cell swelling and cell shrinkage lead to certain opposite patterns of cellular metabolic function. Apparently, hormones and amino acids can trigger those patterns simply by altering cell volume. Thus alterations of cellular hydration may represent another important mechanism for metabolic control and act as another second or third messenger linking cell function to hormonal and environmental alterations.

H2O2 induced hyperpolarization of pancreatic B-cells

Conventional electrophysiology and the whole-cell patch-clamp technique have been applied to elucidate the effects of H2O2 on pancreatic B-cells of the mouse. In these cells, addition of 15 mmol/l glucose leads to depolarization and oscillation of the cell membrane potential. Subsequent addition of H2O2 (1 mmol/l) in the presence of glucose was followed by a marked and rapid hyperpolarization of the cell membrane with suppression of the electrical activity. Accordingly, in slow whole-cell patch-clamp experiments (with nystatin in the pipette solution) H2O2 induced a marked increase of cell membrane conductance. Tolbutamide, a blocker of K+ ATP channels, only partially blocked the effect of H2O2 even at high concentrations. The H2O2-induced, tolbutamide-insensitive current component, however, was largely abolished by a high concentration of TEA+ (80 mmol/l) or BaCl2 (10 mmol/l). It is concluded that in B-cells H2O2 stimulates a K+ current and that this effect leads to marked hyperpolarization and reversal of glucose-induced oscillations of cell membrane potential.

Endogenous hydroperoxide formation, cell volume and cellular K+ balance in perfused rat liver

Addition of benzylamine (0.5 mM) to isolated perfused rat liver led to a net release of K+ of 10.5 +/- 0.3 mumol/g, which was accompanied by a decrease in liver mass by 9.3 +/- 0.4% and a decrease of the intracellular water space by 13.7 +/- 0.6%, suggestive of hepatocellular shrinkage. Benzylamine had no effect on the perfusion pressure, and there was a close relationship between benzylamine-induced net K+ release and the accompanying decrease in liver mass. Benzylamine-induced net K+ release was sensitive to inhibition of monoamine oxidase by pargyline and increased with benzylamine flux through monoamine oxidase, suggesting its dependence on intracellular H2O2 formation. In line with this, infusion of H2O2 (but not of benzaldehyde, the other product of benzylamine metabolism) stimulated net K+ release from the liver. However, at a given H2O2 load K+ release was about 2-3-fold higher when H2O2 was generated intracellularly during the oxidation of benzylamine, as compared with exogenously delivered H2O2. Inhibition of catalase by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (0.2 mM) significantly increased the benzylamine-induced net K+ release as well as the benzylamine-induced release of GSSG into bile, but had no effect on benzylamine oxidation at monoamine oxidase. In the presence of Ba2+ (1 mM) or in Ca(2+)-free perfusions, the benzylamine-induced net K+ efflux was diminished by 60-70% or about 30%, respectively. This was not explained by the 20-30% decrease in flux through monoamine oxidase observed under these conditions. The results suggest that metabolic generation of H2O2 inside the liver leads to a net K+ efflux and subsequent hepatocellular shrinkage. Net K+ efflux under these conditions is enhanced when catalase is inhibited, suggesting that the rate of both intracellular H2O2 generation and degradation can modulate cellular K+ balance and cellular volume. The data support the idea that oxidative stress may affect hepatocellular functions also by lowering the hepatocellular hydration state.