Class III β-tubulin Expression in Colorectal Neoplasms Is a Potential Predictive Biomarker for Paclitaxel Response

BACKGROUND/AIM

The challenges of cololorectal cancer (CRC) management include prediction of outcome and drug response or chemoresistance. This study aimed at examining whether βIII-tubulin (TUBB3), present in various types of normal tissues and cancer, is a biomarker for the response of colorectal neoplasms to paclitaxel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six tissue microarrays (TMAs) including 14 colon mucosa, 78 polyps and 202 CRCs were constructed. Assessment of TUBB3 expression was performed by immunohistochemistry, and it was scored as negative, focal and positive. In the HCT116 cell line, TUBB3 expression was silenced with siRNA. Paclitaxel toxicity was evaluated in TUBB3-silenced and control HCT116 cell lines.

RESULTS

The non-neoplastic colon mucosa was negative for TUBB3, while some of colon adenomas and CRCs expressed TUBB3 in various levels from focal to diffuse. TUBB3-expressing CRCs tended to have poor prognosis and silencing of TUBB3 sensitized the cells to paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

TUBB3 was expressed in a subgroup of colorectal neoplasms. Suppression of TUBB3 potentialy sensitizes neoplastic cells to taxanes.

The role of Gi proteins in reduced vasorelaxation response to beta-adrenoceptor agonists in rat aorta during maturation

Beta-adrenoceptor mediated vasorelaxation and cAMP production decline during maturation and aging in rat aorta. beta-adrenoceptor-stimulated vasorelaxation is mainly triggered by Gsalpha-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase. beta(2)-adrenoceptors can also activate Gi protein which inhibits adenylyl cyclase activity. In this study, we examined the role of Gi proteins in the decreased beta-adrenoceptor mediated responses during maturation. Pertussis toxin treatment of aortic rings to inhibit Gialpha activation completely restored age related decline in isoproterenol-stimulated maximal vasorelaxation in 3-month old rats. This treatment increased the potency, but not the maximal response of isoproteronol to produce vasorelaxation in 6 month old rats. The maximal isoproteronol stimulated cAMP responses were also partially restored in pertussis toxin-treated rings from 3 or 6-month old rats. We also examined beta-adrenoceptor stimulated binding of (35)[S]GTPgammaS to Gsalpha and Gialpha1/2 in aortic membranes from 1, 3 and 6-month old rats. In 1-month old rats, isoproterenol-stimulated (35)[S]GTPgammaS binding to Gsalpha was significantly higher than that of 3 or 6-month old rats. Isoproterenol-stimulated (35)[S]GTPgammaS binding to Gialpha1/2 was found to be significantly increased in 3 or 6-month old rats compared to 1-month old rats. The results of this study showed that beta-adrenoceptor-mediated activation of Gs and Gi proteins was declined and increased, respectively, and inhibition of the Gi mediated activity by pertussis toxin treatment partially restored impaired vasorelaxation and cAMP response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation during maturation in rat aorta. The decrease in beta-adrenoceptor mediated activation of Gs gradually increased during maturation. All together these results indicated that beta-adrenoceptor mainly activates Gs protein in aorta from 1-month old rats, while it activates Gi and with a certain degree of decline it also activates Gs in aorta from 3 and 6-months old rats and not only the increase in beta-adrenoceptor coupling to Gi but also the decrease in its coupling to Gs play a role in the impaired beta-adrenoceptor responses in rat aorta during maturation.

The role of nitric oxide synthase in reduced vasocontractile responsiveness induced by prolonged alpha1-adrenergic receptor stimulation in rat thoracic aorta

1 Prolonged exposure (6-12 h) of rat aorta to alpha1-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1)AR) agonist phenylephrine (Phe) leads to a decrease in alpha(1)AR-mediated vasoconstriction. This reduced responsiveness to alpha(1)AR stimulation was strongly dependent on the intactness of the endothelium. 2 We examined the effect of Phe on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity by measuring the conversion of [(3)H]L-arginine to [(3)H]L-citrulline in rat aorta or in endothelial cells isolated from rat aorta. Phe stimulation increased NOS activity in control aortas. This response was antagonized by prazosin. However, Phe increased neither the activity of NOS nor intracellular Ca(2+) in the isolated endothelial cells from the control aortas, whereas acetylcholine (Ach) was able to stimulate both responses in these cells. This result suggests that Phe stimulates alpha(1)AR on vascular smooth muscle cells and has an indirect influence on endothelial cells to increase NOS activity. 3 In Phe-exposed aortic rings, basal NOS activity was found to have increased compared to vehicle-exposed control rings. Stimulation with Phe or Ach caused a small increase over basal NOS activity in these preparations. Prolonged exposure to Phe also caused an enhancement of Ach-mediated vasorelaxation in rat aorta. 4 Immunoblot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction experiments showed that prolonged exposure of rat aorta to Phe resulted in an increased expression of eNOS, but not iNOS. This increase was antagonized by nonselective antagonist prazosin. Immunohistochemical staining experiments also showed that expression of eNOS increased in endothelial cells after Phe exposure of the aortas. 5 These results, all together, showed that prolonged exposure of rat aorta to alpha(l)AR agonist Phe enhanced the expression of eNOS and basal NOS activity, which probably causes a decreased vasocontractile response to Phe or to other agonists such as 5HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) in rat aorta. 6 This phenomenon can be considered more as a functional antagonism of vasocontractile response to agonists mediated by endothelium than a specific desensitization of alpha(1)AR-mediated signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Serotonergic activity and the Beck Depression Inventory in the premenstrual syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between platelet [3H]-imipramine binding and Beck Depression Inventory scores in the premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-one patients with PMS and 26 healthy female volunteers participated in the study. Imipramine binding was measured by saturation binding of [3H]-imipramine. The Beck Depression Inventory form was completed.

RESULTS

The number of [3H]-imipramine binding sites (Bmax) was significantly lower in the study group (p = 0.003). Beck Depression Scores were significantly higher in the study group as compared with the control group (p = 0.001). No correlation was found between platelet [3H]-imipramine binding and Beck Depression Inventory scores (r = 0.100, p = 0.591).

CONCLUSION

A significantly lower number of Bmax wasfound in patients with PMS as compared to controls, but no correlation between platelet [3H]-imipramine binding and Beck Depression Inventory scores was found.

Effect of Candida albicans septicemia on the cardiovascular function of rabbits

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening systemic infection in immunocompromised host. However, little is known about the effects of yeast on the cardiovascular functions. This study examined the effects of C. albicans septicemia on the heart and vessel functions and nitric oxide (NO) production in infected rabbits. Anaesthetized animals were challenged with intravenous C. albicans (6 x 10(8)/kg) or saline and the blood pressure of rabbits were measured over 5 h. After that response of the isolated thoracic aorta, right atrium and left papillary muscle were recorded. Blood pressure significantly decreased in the infected rabbits during the septicemia but in the control animals it was stable. The blood nitrite levels and NO-synthases (eNOS, iNOS) expression and tissue nitrite levels in the heart and aorta were similar in the both groups. In the aorta isolated from C. albicans-infected rabbits, acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was decreased, but contractions induced by phenylephrine were potentiated. The NOS inhibitor, L-N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced contraction increase in the right atrium was depressed by the yeast-infection. In the heart and aorta, microscopic examination revealed no tissue invasion of C. albicans. These results indicate the ability of C. albicans-induced septicemia to destroy NO-related responses of the heart and aorta and may have important implications for functional damage to endothelium and the regulation of cardiovascular functions. In addition, NOS induction and NO over-production are not stimulated by systemic C. albicans infection, which would alter the host immune reaction and homeostasis.

Treatment with AT(1) receptor blocker restores diabetes-induced alterations in intracellular Ca(2+) transients and contractile function of rat myocardium

We investigated the effect of treatment with an angiotensin II receptor blocker, candesartan-cilexetil, on the mechanical and electrophysiological properties of cardiomyocytes isolated from streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ) rats. Contractile activity and electrophysiological properties were measured in papillary muscle and ventricular cardiomyocytes from normoglycemic and STZ-induced diabetic rats given vehicle or 5mg/kg/day candesartan-cilexetil for 4 weeks. Alterations in the kinetics of contractile activity and intracellular Ca(2+) transients were observed as well as a typical prolongation of action potential duration and significant decrease of potassium currents in diabetic rat heart preparations. Candesartan-cilexetil treatment recovered significantly prolonged action potential and depressed potassium currents in diabetic rats. It was also shown that treatment with AT(1) blocker restored altered kinetics of both the Ca(2+) transients in cardiomyocytes and the contractile activity in papillary muscle strips of diabetic rats. We also showed that incubation of cardiomyocytes from diabetic rats with a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (BIM) had a similar effect to candesartan treatment on the Ca(2+) transients. Thus, angiotensin II receptor blockade protects the heart from the development of cellular alterations typically related with diabetes, and this action of AT(1) receptors seems to be related with the activity of PKC.

Fatigue of cholestasis and the serotoninergic neurotransmitter system in the rat

Fatigue associated with cholestasis may impair health-related quality of life. The pathogenesis of this symptom is largely unknown, but it has been suggested that central serotoninergic neurotransmission may be implicated and that serotonin 1A receptor agonists may yield improvement. The aim of this study was to study the central serotoninergic system, specifically the serotonin (5-HT)(1A) receptor-mediated pathway of serotoninergic neurotransmission, in a bile duct resection rat model of cholestasis. Fatigue was assessed in the forced swim test in sham and bile duct-resected rats. The serotonin behavioral syndrome, which includes hyperlocomotion, was assessed in both groups of rats after escalating doses of the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy(di-n-propylamine)tetralin (8-OH DPAT). 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2) receptor densities were explored in four brain regions using a receptor-binding assay. Extracellular 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were measured via in vivo brain dialysis. Bile duct-resected rats spent more time floating in the forced swim test, and 8-OH DPAT decreased floating time in cholestatic rats (P < .01). Dose-response curves created with 8-OH DPAT for the serotonin behavioral syndrome were similar in bile duct-resected and sham-operated rats. 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2) receptor densities in most brain regions and extracellular serotonin levels were similar in both groups of rats. In conclusion, 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist-induced amelioration of fatigue in cholestatic rats may be nonspecific and not linked to reversal of the pathophysiology of fatigue associated with cholestasis; however, these data do not exclude a potential role of the central serotoninergic system in the evolution of fatigue.

Effect of misoprostol and indomethacin on cyclooxygenase induction and eicosanoid production in carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation in rats

Effects of misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analogue, on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein level and exudate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) level were investigated in acute carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation in rats. Treatment with misoprostol (12.5, 25, and 50 microg/kg) has been started in separated groups, 30 min and 2 days before carrageenan injection and it was given twice a day (total of five doses) by orogastric route. Indomethacin, in doses of 0.5 and 5 mg/kg, and specific COX-2 inhibitor SC-58236, in doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg were given 1 h before carrageenan injection by the orogastric route. Misoprostol increased the levels of PGE2 and COX-2 protein at all doses applied. Despite indomethacin and SC-58236 increased the level of COX-2 protein when they used alone, these drugs partially inhibited misoprostol-induced increase in the level of COX-2 protein. Partial inhibition of misoprostol-induced increase in the level of COX-2 protein by indomethacin or SC-58236 may indicate the modulatory roles of endogenous prostaglandins (PGs, especially, PGE2) on the COX-2 expression.

Dietary selenium and vitamin E intakes alter beta-adrenergic response of L-type Ca-current and beta-adrenoceptor-adenylate cyclase coupling in rat heart

Previously we have shown that both insufficient (combined with vitamin E deficiency) and excess intake of selenium (Se) impairs isoproterenol (ISO)-induced contractions of rat papillary muscle. In the present study, we used patch-clamp and biochemical techniques to investigate mechanisms of this effect in rats fed a Se- and vitamin E-deficient, a Se-excess or a normal diet. Whole-cell configuration of patch-clamp technique was used to investigate L-type Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca,L)) and their regulation by beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation in enzymatically isolated single rat ventricular myocytes. Alteration of Se and vitamin E intake did not affect peak I(Ca,L), but the threshold potential of activation was significantly different among groups. Maximal I(Ca,L) responses to ISO were depressed in both experimental groups, but the EC(50) values were not affected. In the Se-deficient group, basal, ISO- or forskolin-induced adenylate cyclase (AC) activity, measured in cardiac membrane preparations, was reduced when compared to the control, whereas 5' guanylyimidodphosphate (GppNHp) stimulated activity was unaffected. Decreased beta-adrenoceptor density and reduced GppNHp-induced affinity shift in ISO binding were also observed in the deficient group. No such differences were present in the excess group. These results suggest that combined Se and vitamin E deficiency interferes with beta-adrenoceptor-AC coupling, whereas excess intake of Se does not affect it. Thus, in the deficient group, the impairment of I(Ca) responses to ISO may be a result of a defect in beta-adrenoceptor-AC pathway. Impairment of I(Ca) response in the excess group, however, appears to have a different underlying mechanism.

Ligand efficacy and affinity in an interacting 7TM receptor model

Quantitative understanding of the activation of G protein-coupled receptors is based mostly on some theoretical models that describe the interaction between ligand and protein partners and the activation process of the receptor. All of these models provide different definitions for observable affinity or efficacy. However, the property common to such parameters defined in the context of these models is that they are always independent of the concentration of the receptor molecule. This is based on the assumption that receptors do not interact with each other appreciably. In this article, experimental evidence for which this assumption does not seem to apply is discussed and an oligomerization model for seven-transmembrane-domain receptors that explains the relationship between receptor concentration, apparent affinity and efficacy is provided.

An efficacy-dependent effect of cardiac overexpression of beta2-adrenoceptor on ligand affinity in transgenic mice

In previous studies, it was shown that the overexpression of beta2-adrenoceptor (beta2AR) in the hearts of transgenic mice (Tg) leads to agonist-independent activation of adenylate cyclase and enhanced myocardial function. Here, we measured the physical coupling of beta2AR and Gs by evaluating the coimmunoprecipitation of beta2AR and Gs and the ligand binding properties of beta2AR in the hearts of Tg mice to investigate the details of the interaction among ligand, receptor, and G protein. The following results were obtained: (i) coimmunoprecipitation of beta2AR and Gs was increased in the absence of agonist in Tg mice compared with the control animals. This demonstrates directly the increased interaction between unliganded beta2AR and Gs, which is consistent with increased background cAMP production and cardiac function in the hearts of Tg mice. (ii) Guanosine-5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate abolished the association of beta2AR/Gs in the immunoprecipitate. (iii) The affinities for ligands that show agonist (isoproterenol, clenbuterol, and dobutamine), neutral antagonist (alprenolol and timolol), and negative antagonist (propranolol and ICI 118551) activities in this experimental system were increased, not changed and decreased, respectively, in Tg mice compared with the controls. (iv) This efficacy-dependent alteration in ligand affinities was still observed in the presence of a guanosine-5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate concentration that abolishes beta2AR/Gs coupling. This suggests that the altered beta2AR binding affinities in Tg mice are not due to the increased interaction between beta2AR and Gs. These data cannot be explained by using ternary, quinternary, two-state extended ternary, or cubic ternary complex models. We therefore discuss the results using a "two-state polymerization model" that includes an isomerization step for the conversion of receptor between an inactive and an active form (denoted as R and R*, respectively) and a polymerization of the active state (R*n). The simplest form of this model (i.e., noncooperative dimerization of the receptor) is found to be consistent with the experimental data.

Effects of calcium channel blockers on formalin-induced nociception and inflammation in rats

The possible anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of nitrendipine, nicardipine, diltiazem and verapamil were examined with formalin test in the rat paw. Pretreatment with these calcium channel blockers 1 h before formalin injection diminished formalin-induced inflammatory changes and nociceptive responses. Formalin-induced nociceptive responses were inhibited 20-90% by the calcium channel blockers. Nitrendipine and nicardipine were found to be highly effective in inhibiting the inflammatory changes, whereas the effects of verapamil and diltiazem were partial. Administration of naloxone affected neither the inflammatory changes and nociceptive responses induced by formalin nor the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the calcium channel blockers. The results suggest the possible anti-inflammatory and naloxone-insensitive antinociceptive properties of calcium channel blockers.

Role of α-adrenoceptors in the effects of buspirone and 5-carboxamidotryptamine in rabbit isolated thoracic aorta

1. The role of alpha-adrenoceptors in the vascular effects of buspirone (BUS) and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) was investigated in rabbit thoracic aorta. 2. Buspirone produced a concentration-dependent contraction. The non-selective 5-HT1 and 5-HT2-receptor antagonist methysergide and the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin did not alter the contractile effect of buspirone. However, the competitive antagonist of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, prazosin, shifted the concentration-response curve of buspirone to the right without changing the maximal response. 3. Benextramine tetrahydrochloride monohydrate (BHC), a noncompetitive antagonist of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, inhibited the contraction induced by buspirone in a noncompetitive manner. After pretreatment with two different concentrations of BHC, the estimated apparent dissociation constants of buspirone were found to be identical. 4. In addition, buspirone antagonized the concentration-response curve of phenylephrine again showing a similar dissociation constant, suggesting a partial agonistic action of buspirone at the level of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. 5. The concentration-response curve of 5-HT showed two components in the thoracic aorta obtained from reserpine treated and untreated animals as verified by different pD2 values. The second component was observed with relatively higher concentrations of 5-CT and could be blocked by prazosin or BHC. Neither of these compounds altered the first component. After Pretreatment with BHC, the first component of 5-CT was competitively antagonized by methysergide and ketanserin, having pA2 values of 8.81 and 9.1 respectively. 6. These results suggest that the contraction induced by buspirone is mainly mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors, while the higher concentrations of 5-CT caused contraction via alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation in addition to its 5-HT2 agonistic effect.

Heterogeneous inhibitory effect of nitrendipine on 5-HT-responses in rabbit vascular tissues

1. Sensitivity of 5-HT2 receptor mediated vascular responses to calcium channel antagonism was investigated in the rabbit thoracic aorta, common carotid artery and main pulmonary artery considering tissue-state of receptor reserve and agonist efficacy. 2. Although 5-HT2 receptor reserve seems to be similar in these preparations, nitrendipine had a heterogeneous inhibitory effect on the contractile response to 5-HT. 3. Reducing 5-HT2 receptor reserve by phenoxybenzamine caused an increase in the inhibitory effect of nitrendipine in these vascular tissues. 4. The vasoconstrictor response induced by 5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT), which is a less potent agonist, showed greater sensitivity to nitrendipine antagonism than the response to 5-HT. 5. The results suggest that efficacy of agonists and tissue-state of receptor reserve seem to be important factors which are partially responsible for the inhibitory effect of nitrendipine on the contractile responses mediated by 5-HT2 receptors.

The effects of ions on antibacterial activity of ofloxacin and ceftriaxone

MIC and MBC values of ofloxacin and ceftriaxone were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus in MHB and MHB containing additional Mg2+, Al3+, Fe3+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Cu2+. The addition of Mg2+, Al3+, Fe3+ increased the MIC and MBC of ofloxacin and the MBC of ceftriaxone. However, the addition of these cations did not change the MIC of ceftriaxone. Our findings suggest that these interactions might be due to the formation of chelates between metal ions and antibiotics. These results also indicate that some cations may have an important role in the antibacterial activity of antibiotics.