Renal and intestinal autocrine monoaminergic systems: dopamine versus 5-hydroxytryptamine

Medicinal chemistry of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors and their therapeutic utility

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) is the enzyme responsible for the O-methylation of endogenous neurotransmitters and of xenobiotic substances and hormones incorporating catecholic structures. COMT is a druggable biological target for the treatment of various central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia, and other dopamine deficiency-related diseases. The purpose of this perspective is fourfold: (i) to summarize the physiological role of COMT inhibitors in central and peripheral nervous system disorders; (ii) to provide the history and perspective of the medicinal chemistry behind the discovery and development of COMT inhibitors; (iii) to discuss how the physicochemical properties of recognized COMT inhibitors are understood to exert influence over their pharmacological properties; and (iv) to evaluate the clinical benefits of the most relevant COMT inhibitors.

Genomic regulation of intestinal amino acid transporters by aldosterone

Overexpression of renal LAT2, a Na+ -independent L-amino acid transporter, in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) is organ specific and precedes the onset of hypertension (Pinho et al., Hypertension, 42:613-618, 2003). However, the expression of LAT2 correlates negatively with plasma aldosterone levels after high sodium intake (Pinho et al., Am J Physiol Ren Physiol 292:F1452-F1463, 2007). The present study evaluated the expression of Na+ -independent LAT1, LAT2, and 4F2hc and Na+ -dependent ASCT2 amino acid transporters in the intestine of normotensive Wistar rats chronically treated with aldosterone. In conditions of high salt intake, to keep endogenous aldosterone to a minimum, rats were implanted with aldosterone or spironolactone tablets. In aldosterone-treated and aldosterone + spironolactone-treated rats, aldosterone plasma levels were increased by fourfold. At the protein level, aldosterone treatment significantly increased LAT1 (62%), LAT2 (49%), 4F2hc (48%), and ASCT2 (65%) expression. The effect of aldosterone upon LAT1, LAT2, 4F2hc, and ASCT2 protein abundance was completely reversed by spironolactone. Aldosterone significantly increased intestinal LAT2 and 4F2hc mRNA levels (27% and 35% increase, respectively), with no changes in LAT1 and ASCT2 transcript levels. In conclusion, increases in intestinal Na+ -independent LAT1 and LAT2 and Na+ -dependent ASCT2 transcript and protein abundance during chronic treatment with aldosterone occur through a spironolactone-sensitive genomic mechanism.

The dopaminergic system in hypertension

Dopamine plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension by regulating epithelial sodium transport, vascular smooth muscle contractility and production of reactive oxygen species and by interacting with the renin–angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems. Dopamine receptors are classified into D1-like (D1 and D5) and D2-like (D2, D3 and D4) subtypes based on their structure and pharmacology. Each of the dopamine receptor subtypes participates in the regulation of blood pressure by mechanisms specific for the subtype. Some receptors regulate blood pressure by influencing the central and/or peripheral nervous system; others influence epithelial transport and regulate the secretion and receptors of several humoral agents. This review summarizes the physiology of the different dopamine receptors in the regulation of blood pressure, and the relationship between dopamine receptor subtypes and hypertension.

Jejunal dopamine and Na,K-ATPase activity in early chronic renal insufficiency

AIM

The uninephrectomised and three-quarter nephrectomised (3/4nx) rats present dopamine-sensitive enhanced natriuresis. This is accompanied in uninephrectomised rats by a reduced jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity with recovered sensitivity to inhibition by dopamine. The present study examined the jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and the role of dopamine in 3/4nx animals.

METHODS

Fourteen days after surgery, the L-amino acid decarboxylase activity (AADC) activity, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of dopamine, and the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, were determined in jejunal epithelial cells from 3/4nx and Sham rats. In addition, the effect of dopamine (1 micromol/L) on jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

The 3/4nx rats presented a reduced AADC activity in jejunal epithelial cells (V(max) in nmol/mg prot/15 min, 142 +/- 6 vs 190 +/- 10, P < 0.05). In addition, the jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was increased in 3/4nx rats (Pi release in nmol/mg prot/min, 137 +/- 1 vs 122 +/- 2, P < 0.05). However, dopamine was unable to inhibit the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in jejunal epithelial cells from both 3/4nx and Sham animals.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to uninephrectomy, the jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity is increased in 3/4nx rats and is not sensitive to inhibition by dopamine.

Contrary to Rat-Type, Human-Type Na,K-ATPase Is Phosphorylated at the Same Amino Acid by Hormones that Produce Opposite Effects on Enzyme Activity

Renal sodium homeostasis is a major determinant of BP and is regulated by several natriuretic and antinatriuretic hormones. These hormones, acting through intracellular secondary messengers, either activate or inhibit proximal tubule Na,K-ATPase. It was shown previously that phorbol esters and angiotensin II and serotonin induce the phosphorylation of both Ser-11 and Ser-18 of the Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit. This results in the recruitment of Na,K-ATPase molecules to the plasma membrane and an increased capacity to transport sodium ions. Treatment of the same cells with dopamine leads to phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit Ser-18. The subsequent internalization of Na,K-ATPase molecules results in a reduced capacity to transport sodium ions. These effects are observed in cells that express the rat-type Na,K-ATPase. However, the Na,K-ATPase alpha1-subunit of several species, such as human, pig, and mouse, does not have a Ser-18 in their N-terminal region. Therefore, the possibility exists that, in those species, the Na,K-ATPase is not regulated by the hormones that regulate natriuresis. This study presents evidence that in cells that express the human-type Na,K-ATPase, dopamine inhibits and phorbol esters activate the Na,K-ATPase-mediated transport. These opposite effects are mediated by the phosphorylation of the same amino acid residue, Ser-11 of Na,K-ATPase alpha1, and the presence of alpha1 Ser-18 is not essential for the hormonal regulation of Na,K-ATPase activity in LLCPK1 cells. It was observed that, whereas the regulatory stimulation of Na,K-ATPase is mediated by protein kinase Cbeta, the regulatory inhibition is mediated by protein kinase Czeta. This is similar to what was demonstrated previously in cells that express the rat-type Na,K-ATPase.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel low affinity aromatic-preferring amino acid transporter (arpAT). One of the few proteins silenced during primate evolution

We have identified in silico arpAT, a gene encoding a new member of the LSHAT family, and cloned it from kidney. Co-expression of arpAT with the heavy subunits rBAT or 4F2hc elicited a sodium-independent alanine transport activity in HeLa cells. L-tyrosine, l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), L-glutamine, L-serine, L-cystine, and L-arginine were also transported. Kinetic and cis-inhibition studies showed a K(m) = 1.59 +/- 0.24 mM for L-alanine or IC50 in the millimolar range for most amino acids, except L-proline, glycine, anionic and D-amino acids, which were not inhibitory. L-DOPA and L-tyrosine were the most effective competitive inhibitors of L-alanine transport, with IC50 values of 272.2 +/- 57.1 and 716.3 +/- 112.4 microM, respectively. In the small intestine, arpAT mRNA was located at the enterocytes, in a decreasing gradient from the crypts to the tip of the villi. It was also expressed in neurons from different brain areas. Finally, we show that while the arpAT gene is conserved in rat, dog, and chicken, it has become silenced in humans and chimpanzee. Actually, it has been recently reported that it is one of the 33 recently inactivated genes in the human lineage. The evolutionary implications of the silencing process and the roles of arpAT in transport of L-DOPA in the brain and in aromatic amino acid absorption are discussed.

Decreased availability of intestinal dopamine in transmural colitis may relate to inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma upon L-DOPA uptake

AIMS

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between intestinal inflammation, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels and intestinal levels of dopamine, its precursor l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), and the activity of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity along the digestive tract in a rat experimental model of colitis.

METHODS

Colitis was induced by rectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). Catechol derivatives were assayed by means of HPLC-EC.

RESULTS

It is shown that dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the distal colon (inflamed mucosa), but not in the ileum (non-inflamed mucosa), of TNBS-treated rats were markedly lower than in control animals. A slight decrease in L-DOPA tissue levels, no changes in AADC activity and an increase in plasma IFN-gamma levels accompanied this decrease in dopamine levels. Exposure of Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal epithelial cell line, to human IFN-gamma resulted in a concentration-dependent and long-lasting inhibition of L-DOPA uptake, which most likely explains the decrease in dopamine levels in the inflamed mucosa.

CONCLUSION

Changes in tissue levels of noradrenaline and dopamine in experimental colitis in the rat follow a similar pattern to that observed in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In this model of experimental colitis, the decrease in dopamine levels is most likely explained by the inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma on L-DOPA uptake by intestinal epithelial cells.

Hormonal-dependent recruitment of Na+,K+-ATPase to the plasmalemma is mediated by PKC beta and modulated by [Na+]i

1. The present study demonstrates that stimulation of hormonal receptors of proximal tubule cells with the serotonin-agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetraline (8-OH-DPAT) induces an augmentation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity that results from the recruitment of enzyme molecules to the plasmalemma. 2. Cells expressing the rodent wild-type Na(+),K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit had the same basal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity as cells expressing the alpha-subunit S11A or S18A mutants, but stimulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was completely abolished in either mutant. 3. 8-OH-DPAT treatment of OK cells led to PKC(beta)-dependent phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit Ser-11 and Ser-18 residues, and determination of enzyme activity with the S11A and S18A mutants indicated that both residues are essential for the agonist-dependent stimulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. 4. When cells were treated with both dopamine and 8-OH-DPAT, an activation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase was observed at basal intracellular sodium concentration (approximately 9 mM), and this activation was gradually reduced and became a significant inhibition as the concentration of intracellular sodium gradually increased from 9 to 19 mM. Thus, besides the antagonistic effects of dopamine and 8-OH-DPAT, intracellular sodium modulates whether an activation or an inhibition of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is produced.

Intestinal dopaminergic activity in obese and lean Zucker rats: response to high salt intake

The present study examined intestinal dopaminergic activity and its response to high salt (HS, 1% NaCl over a period of 24 hours) intake in obese (OZR) and lean Zucker rats (LZR). The basal Na+,K+-ATPase activity (nmol Pi/mg protein/min) in the jejunum of OZR was higher than in LZR on normal salt (NS) (OZR-NS = 111.3 +/- 6.0 vs. LZR-NS = 88.0 +/- 8.3). With the increase in salt intake, the basal Na+,K+-ATPase activity significantly increased in both animals (OZR-HS = 145.9 +/- 11.8; LZR-HS = 108.8 +/- 6.7). SKF 38393 (10 nM), a specific D1-like dopamine receptor agonist, inhibited the jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity in OZR on HS intake, but failed to inhibit enzyme activity in OZR on NS intake and LZR on NS and HS intakes. The aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity in OZR was lower than in LZR on NS intake. The HS intake increased AADC activity in OZR, but not in LZR. During the NS intake the jejunal monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in OZR was similar to that in LZR. The HS intake significantly decreased MAO activity in both OZR and LZR. The jejunal COMT activity in OZR was higher than in LZR on NS intake. The HS intake reduced COMT activity in OZR but not LZR. It is concluded that inhibition of jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity through D1 dopamine receptors is dependent on salt intake in OZR, whereas in LZR, the enzyme failed to respond to the activation of D1 dopamine receptors irrespective of their salt intake.

Regulation of apical transporter of L-DOPA in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

The present study examined the nature of the apical inward L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) transporter in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells, and whether protein kinases modulate the activity of this transporter. The apical inward transfer of L-DOPA was promoted through an energy-dependent and sodium-insensitive transporter (Km=33 microM; Vmax=2932 pmol/mg protein/6 min). This transporter was insensitive to N-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid, but competitively inhibited by 2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH; IC50=83 microM). The organic cation inhibitor decynium 24 failed to affect the accumulation of L-DOPA, whereas the organic anion inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocynatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) competitively inhibited L-DOPA uptake (IC50=83 microM). However, the apical-to-basal and basal-to-apical transepithelial transport and the cell accumulation of [3H]-PAH was close to that of [14C]-sorbitol and insensitive to DIDS (300 microM). Modulators of protein kinase A (PKA) [cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), forskolin, H-89 and cholera toxin], protein kinase G (PKG) [cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP), zaprinast, LY 83583 and sodium nitroprusside] and protein kinase C (PKC) (phorbol 12,13-dibutirate and chelerythrine) failed to affect the accumulation of L-DOPA. The Ca2+/calmodulin inhibitors calmidazolium and trifluoperazine inhibited L-DOPA uptake (IC50s of 53 and 252 microM, respectively), but the rise of intracellular Ca2+ by A23187 (1 microM) and thapsigargin (1 microM) played no role on L-DOPA uptake. It is concluded that Caco-2 cells take up L-DOPA over the apical cell border through the sodium-independent and pH-sensitive L-type amino acid transporter.

The L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine transporter in human and rat epithelial intestinal cells is a type 2 hetero amino acid exchanger

Information on the intestinal transport of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is scarce. We present here the functional characteristics and regulation of the apical inward L-DOPA transport in two intestinal epithelial cell lines (human Caco-2 and rat IEC-6). The inward transfer of L-DOPA and L-leucine was promoted through an energy-driven system but with different sensitivity to extracellular Na(+) concentration: a minor component of L-leucine uptake (approximately 25%) was found to require extracellular Na(+) in comparison with L-DOPA transport which was Na(+)-independent. L-DOPA and L-leucine uptake was insensitive to N-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid, but competitively inhibited by 2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). L- and D-neutral amino acids, but not acidic and basic amino acids, markedly inhibited L-DOPA and [(14)C]L-leucine accumulation in both cell lines. The [(14)C]L-DOPA and [14C]L-leucine outward were markedly increased by L-leucine and BCH present in extracellular medium, but not by L-arginine. In both cell lines, L-DOPA transport was stimulated by acidic pH in comparison with [(14)C]L-leucine inward which was pH-independent. In conclusion, it is likely that system B(0) might be responsible for the Na(+)-dependent uptake of L-leucine in Caco-2 and IEC-6 cells, whereas sodium-independent uptake of L-leucine and L-DOPA may include system type 1 and type 2 L-amino acid transporter (LAT1 and LAT2), the activation of which results in trans-stimulation of substrates outward transfer.

Monoamine oxidase in developing rat renal cortex: effect of dexamethasone treatment

The expression of the biogenic amine degrading enzyme monoamine oxidases-A and -B depends on several factors including regional distribution, development and hormonal environment. In the present study, we investigated the expression of monoamine oxidases in developing kidney and their regulation by dexamethasone treatment. Immunoblots and enzyme assays, performed using [14C]5-hydroxytriptamine and [14C]beta-phenylethylamine as substrates for monoamine oxidases-A and -B, respectively, showed that monoamine oxidase-A is the isoenzyme largely predominant in 9-day-old rats renal cortex. Experiments performed in 5-week-old rats showed an increase in monoamine oxidase-B activity and a decrease in monoamine oxidase-A activity and substrate affinity. The changes of monoamine oxidase-A activity and affinity were mimicked by dexamethasone treatment (0.60 mg/kg body weight injected subcutaneously three times at intervals of 24 h) of 9-day-old rats. In contrast, dexamethasone administration induced a modification of monoamine oxidase-B activity opposite to that found between 9-day- and 5-week-old rats. Dexamethasone treatment did not modify immunoreactivity and mRNA corresponding to monoamine oxidases-A and -B indicating that changes of enzyme activities were unrelated to regulation of protein synthesis and mRNA turnover. These results show that monoamine oxidases-A and -B are differently expressed in developing renal cortex and are regulated by dexamethasone treatment.

Concerted action of dopamine on renal and intestinal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the rat remnant kidney

The present study evaluated renal and intestinal adaptations in sodium handling in uninephrectomized (Unx) rats and the role of dopamine. Two weeks after uninephrectomy, the remnant kidney in Unx rats weighed 33 +/- 2% more than the corresponding kidney in sham-operated (Sham) animals. This was accompanied by increases in urinary levels of dopamine and major metabolites [3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid] and increases in maximal velocity values (169 vs. 115 nmol. mg protein(-1). 15 min(-1)) for renal aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of renal dopamine. High salt (HS) intake increased (P < 0.05) the urinary excretion of dopamine and DOPAC in Unx and Sham rats. However, the urinary levels of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, and DOPAC in Sham rats during HS intake were lower than in Unx rats. Blockade of dopamine D(1) receptors (Sch-23390, 2 x 30 microg/kg) reduced the urinary excretion of sodium in Unx (31% decrease) more pronouncedly than in Sham (19% decrease) rats. However, inhibition of renal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity by dopamine was of similar magnitude in Unx and Sham rats. In parallel, it was observed that uninephrectomy resulted in a significant reduction in jejunal sodium absorption and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in jejunal epithelial cells. In jejunal epithelial cells from Sham rats, dopamine (1 microM) failed to inhibit Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, whereas in Unx rats it produced a significant reduction. It is concluded that uninephrectomy results in increased renal dopaminergic activity and dopamine-sensitive enhanced natriuresis. Furthermore, it is suggested that decreased jejunal absorption of sodium may take place in response to partial renal ablation, as an example of renal-intestinal cross talk.

Salt intake and sensitivity of intestinal and renal Na+-K+ atpase to inhibition by dopamine in spontaneous hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats

The present study evaluated the activity of jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase and its sensitivity to inhibition by dopamine in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats during low (LS), normal (NS) and high (HS) salt intake. Basal jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase activity in SHR on LS intake was higher than in WKY rats. Jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase activity in WKY rats, but not in SHR, on LS intake was significantly reduced (20% decrease) by dopamine (1 microM) and SKF 38393 (10 nM), but not quinerolane (10 nM), this being antagonized the D1 receptor antagonist (SKF 83566). Changing from LS to NS or HS intake in WKY rats increased basal jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase activity and attenuated the inhibitory effect of dopamine. In SHR, changing from LS to NS or HS intake increased basal jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Basal renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity in SHR on LS intake was similar to that in WKY rats and was insensitive to inhibition by dopamine. Changing from LS to NS or HS intake in WKY rats increased basal renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity without affecting the inhibitory effect of dopamine. In SHR, changing from LS to NS or HS intake failed to alter basal renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. It is concluded that inhibition of jejunal Na+-K+ ATPase activity by D1 dopamine receptor activation is dependent on salt intake in WKY rats, and SHR animals fail to respond to dopamine, irrespective of their salt intake.

Food intake abolishes the response of rat jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase to dopamine

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the sensitivity of jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase to inhibition by dopamine (DA) in young rats is related to the type of food (breast milk vs. solid) or reflects a developmental adaptation. When 18-d-old rats were separated from their dams and fed solid food (the same used to feed adult rats) for 2 d, intestinal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was significantly greater than that of breast-fed pups of the same age (20 d) (127 +/- 8 vs. 52 +/- 4 nmol Pi. mg protein(-1). min(-1); P < 0.05). Activity in rats fed solid food was insensitive to inhibition by 1 micromol/L DA. Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in 60-d-old rats (117. 4 +/- 4.2 nmol Pi. mg protein(-1). min(-1)) was also higher (P < 0. 05) than in breast-fed rats, and DA (1 micromol/L) did not inhibit enzyme activity. The B(max) value for binding of [(3)H]-Sch 23390 in 20-d-old breast-fed rats did not differ from that in age-matched rats fed a solid food for 2 d and or that in 60-d-old rats. Levels of DA, but not L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and amine metabolites, in the jejunal mucosa of 20-d-old rats that had eaten solid food for 2 d were 60% lower than in age-matched rats, breast-fed rats, and not different from those in the jejunal mucosa of 60-d-old rats fed the solid food. We conclude that in adult rats, in contrast to in young rats, DA does not inhibit jejunal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, and food intake in young rats plays an important role in the development of the insensitivity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity to DA.

Ontogenic aspects of D1 receptor coupling to G proteins and regulation of rat jejunal Na+, K+ ATPase activity and electrolyte transport

1. The present study examined the effect of dopamine on rat jejunal electrolyte transport (rheogenic transport and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity) in adult (60-day old) and young (20-day old) animals. 2. In young rats, dopamine, in the presence of phentolamine, produced an increase in jejunal Isc, this being completely abolished by SKF 83566, and not changed by S-sulpiride. SKF 38393, but not quinerolane, also increased Isc; this effect was abolished by SKF 83566 and ouabain, but not by furosemide. In adult rats, dopamine in the presence of phentolamine (0.2 microM) decreased Isc. 3. Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in isolated jejunal epithelial cells from adult rats was 2.4 fold that in young rats. In the presence of phentolamine, both dopamine and SKF 38393, but not quinerolane, significantly decreased jejunal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in young animals but not in adult animals. 4. Binding [3H]-Sch 23390 to membranes of jejunal mucosa revealed the presence of a single class of receptors in both young and adult rats, with similar KD and Bmax values. 5. GTP gamma S and cholera toxin inhibited jejunal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in young, but not in adult rats. Co-incubation of pertussis toxin with dopamine was found to potentiate the inhibitory effects of dopamine upon the enzyme in both young and adult rats. 6. Regulation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity by cholera toxin-sensitive G proteins is absent in adult animals, and such difference may explain the failure of dopamine to inhibit intestinal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in adult rats.

Effect of salt intake on jejunal dopamine, Na+,K+-ATPase activity and electrolyte transport

The present study addresses the question of the relevance of salt intake on jejunal dopamine, Na+,K+-ATPase activity and electrolyte transport. Low salt, but not high salt, intake for 2 weeks increased dopamine levels in the jejunal mucosa accompanied by a marked decrease in L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine tissue levels. By contrast, in rats fasted for 72 h the effect of refeeding for 24 h with a low salt diet failed to change dopamine tissue levels, although it significantly increased those of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. By contrast, high salt intake markedly increased the tissue levels of both dopamine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, without changes in dopamine/L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine tissue ratios. Tissue levels of both L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and dopamine in control conditions (normal salt intake for 2 weeks) were markedly higher (P < 0.05) than in rats submitted to 72 h fasting plus 24 h refeeding. The effect of fasting for 72 h followed by 24 h refeeding was a marked decrease in jejunal Na+,K+-ATPase activity, particularly evident for rats fed a normal salt and high salt diets during the refeeding period. Basal short circuit current was similar in rats fed a normal salt diet for 2 weeks and 24 h, and the type of diet failed to alter basal short circuit current after refeeding with normal, low and high salt diets. On the other hand, the effect of prolonged low salt intake was a marked decrease in jejunal Na+, K+-ATPase activity and basal short circuit current, whereas high salt intake failed to alter enzyme activity and basal short circuit current. In rats fed for 2 weeks a high salt diet ouabain was found to be more potent in reducing jejunal short circuit current than in rats fed normal and low salt diets. The effect of furosemide was more marked in rats fed for 2 weeks high and low salt diets than in animals receiving a normal salt intake. Dopamine (up to 1 micromol L-1) was found not to alter Na+,K+-ATPase and basal short circuit current in jejunal epithelial sheets, in rats fed with normal, low and high salt diets for 2 weeks and 24 h.

Caco-2 cells in culture synthesize and degrade dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine: a comparison with rat jejunal epithelial cells

To explore the usefulness of Caco-2 cells in the study of intestinal dopaminergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic physiology, we have undertaken the study of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and type A and B monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B) activities in these cells using specific substrates. The activity of these enzymes was also evaluated in isolated rat jejunal epithelial cells. The results showed that Vmax values (in nmol mg protein(-1) h(-1)) for AADC, using L-DOPA as the substrate, in rat jejunal epithelial cells (127.3+/-11.4) were found to be 6-fold higher than in Caco-2 cells (22.5+/-2.6). However, Km values in Caco-2 cells (1.24+/-0.37 mM) were similar to those observed in rat jejunal epithelial cells (1.30+/-0.29 mM). Similar results were obtained when AADC activity was evaluated using L-5HTP as substrate; in rat jejunal epithelial cells Vmax values (in nmol mg prot(-1) h(-1)) were found to be 5-fold that in Caco-2 cells (16.3+/-1.0 and 3.0+/-0.2, respectively), and Km values in Caco-2 cells (0.23+/-0.08 mM) were again similar to those observed in rat intestinal epithelial cells (0.09+/-0.03 mM). Caco-2 cells were not able to O-methylate dopamine, in contrast to rat jejunal epithelial cells (Vmax = 8.6+/-0.4 nmol mg protein(-1)(h-1); Km = 516+/-57 microM). Vmax values (in nmol mg protein(-1)(h-1)) for type A and B MAO in Caco-2 cells (19.0+/-0.6 and 5.4+/-0.6, respectively) were found to be significantly lower (P<0.05) than those in rat jejunal epithelial cells (46.9+/-3.1 and 9.6+/-1.2, respectively); however, no significant differences in the Km values were observed between Caco-2 and rat jejunal epithelial cells for both type A and B MAO. In conclusion, Caco-2 cells in culture are endowed with the synthetic and metabolic machinery needed to form and degrade DA and 5-HT, though, no COMT activity could be detected in these cells.

Uptake and intracellular fate of L-DOPA in a human intestinal epithelial cell line: Caco-2

The aim of the present study was to examine the kinetic characteristics of the L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) transporter and the fate of newly formed dopamine in Caco-2 cells. In the presence of 50 microM benserazide (an inhibitor of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase), L-DOPA was rapidly accumulated in Caco-2 cells. At equilibrium (30 min of incubation) the intracellular L-DOPA concentration was 10.2 +/- 0.1 microM at a medium concentration of 0.5 microM. In saturation experiments the accumulation of L-DOPA was saturable with a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 60 +/- 10 microM and a maximal reaction velocity (Vmax) of 6.6 +/- 0.3 nmol . mg protein-1 . 6 min-1; at 4 degrees C the amount of L-DOPA accumulated in the cells was nonsaturable. When cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of L-DOPA (10-100 microM) in the absence of benserazide, a substantial amount of the L-DOPA that was taken up was decarboxylated to dopamine, with an apparent Km of 27.2 microM. In experiments performed in cells cultured in polycarbonate filters, the accumulation of L-DOPA in the presence of benserazide was greater when the substrate was applied from the basolateral cell border than when it was applied from the apical cell border. In the absence of benserazide, L-DOPA applied from the basolateral cell border resulted in a nonlinear formation of dopamine (Km = 43 +/- 7 microM, Vmax = 23.7 +/- 1.2 nmol . mg protein-1 . 6 min-1). The amount of dopamine leaving the cell through the apical cell border was lower than the amount that escaped through the basolateral cell border, and the process was saturable (Km = 623 +/- 238 microM, Vmax = 0.19 +/- 0.02 nmol . mg protein-1 . 6 min-1). In conclusion, the data presented here show that Caco-2 cells are endowed with an efficient L-DOPA uptake system, and intracellular L-DOPA was found to be rapidly converted to dopamine, some of which diffuses out of the cell. The utilization of Caco-2 cells cultured on polycarbonate filters probably provides a better way to look at processes such as the outward transfer of intracellular molecules, namely, the outward transfer of newly formed dopamine.

The renal monoamine oxidases: pathophysiology and targets for therapeutic intervention

The mitochondrial enzyme monoamine oxidases A and B are among the major metabolic agents for the degradation of the biogenic amines adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. The fact that the kidney contains a large amount of monoamine oxidase suggests that the renal effects of biogenic amines might depend in part on the activity of these enzymes.

Uptake of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and dopamine formation in cultured renal epithelial cells

In the presence of benserazide (50 microM), L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) was rapidly accumulated in both LLC-PK1 and OK cells; equilibrium was attained at 30 min of incubation. For these LLC-PK1 and OK cells, the analysis revealed a rate constant of inward transport (k(in) in pmol/mg protein/min) of 3.6 +/- 0.4 and 18.1 +/- 0.3 and a rate constant of outward transport (k(out) in pmol/mg protein/min) of 1.0 +/- 0.1 and 5.2 +/- 0.1, respectively. Nonlinear analysis of the saturation curves for LLC-PK1 and OK cells revealed a Km (in microM) of 86 +/- 12 and 14 +/- 4, respectively. The cellular accumulation of the substrate was temperature-dependent and stereoselective. Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) activity was determined in cell homogenates; nonlinear analysis of the saturation curves revealed, for LLC-PK1 and OK cells, a Km (in microM) of 1866 +/- 107 and 845 +/- 153 and a Vmax (in nmol/mg protein/15 min) of 4.4 +/- 0.1 and 0.9 +/- 0.1, respectively. In the absence of benserazide, only a limited amount of the L-DOPA taken up was decarboxylated to dopamine in cell monolayers; the Km value (in microM) for decarboxylation of intracellular L-DOPA in LLC-PK1 and OK cells was 61 +/- 14 and 108 +/- 36, respectively. A low amount of newly formed dopamine was found to escape to the apical bathing fluid. This outward transfer of newly formed dopamine was a nonsaturable process up to 300 microM intracellular dopamine. In conclusion, the data presented here show that OK cells are endowed with a more efficient L-DOPA uptake system than LLC-PK1 cells, but the latter are endowed with a significantly higher AAAD activity than OK cells. In both cell lines, intracellular L-DOPA is rapidly converted to dopamine, some of which diffuses out of the cell.