Inhibitory Effects of Tiamulin on Contractile and Electrical Responses in Isolated Thoracic Aorta and Cardiac Muscle of Guinea-pigs

The inhibitory effect of tiamulin, an antibiotic produced by Pleurotus mutilis, on contractile and electrical responses in isolated thoracic aorta and cardiac muscle of guinea-pigs was studied. In the thoracic aorta, tiamulin with an IC50 of 9·7 × 10−6  m inhibited sustained contractions induced by isosmotically added 60 Mm KCl. The inhibitory effect of tiamulin on a Ca2+-induced contraction in a depolarized muscle was competitively antagonized by raising external Ca2+ concentration. Bay K 8644 (10−7  m) antagonized tiamulin's inhibition of the Ca2+ -induced contraction. Tiamulin (2×10−5  m) decreased the elevated cytoplasmic Ca2+ level measured by the fura 2 AM method in the depolarized muscle. In high K+-isoprenaline-treated left atria, tiamulin (2 × 10−5–2 × 10−4  m) produced negative inotropic effects. On the other hand in the membrane action potential of papillary muscles, tiamulin (2 × 10−6–2 × 10−4  m) produced decreases in action potential and durations and 2 × 10−4  m tiamulin depressed the slow response action potential in depolarized muscles. Tiamulin produced prolongations of the PR interval in ECG, negative chrono- and inotropic effects, and an increase in perfusion flow in guinea-pig isolated and perfused hearts. These effects of tiamulin on the aorta or cardiac muscle were similar to those of verapamil and nifedipine. These results suggest that both the inhibitory action of tiamulin on the high K+-induced contraction in the aorta and the negative inotropic effect of tiamulin on the cardiac muscle are due to an inhibition of Ca2+ entry through the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels of cells of both these muscles.

Effect of herb supplement on hepatic enzyme activities in ddY mice

Plasma glucose and lipid concentrations and hepatic enzyme activities were measured in male ddY mice supplemented with the herb, Echevaria glauca, to examine the effect of herbal treatment. In mice supplemented with the herb, plasma triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations decreased and hepatic glycolytic enzyme and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activities increased significantly compared with those in the non-treated control mice. These increases in hepatic enzyme activities were not fully dose-dependent, however the higher dose and longer duration with herb supplement induced increases in the enzyme activities. It was found that dietary herb supplement caused an acceleration of hepatic function, judged by increased activities of glycolytic enzyme and GSHpx in ddY mice.

Structure-activity relationships of triterpenoid derivatives extracted from Gymnema inodorum leaves on glucose absorption

The leaves of Gymnema inodorum (GI) have been known to be effective for some diseases including diabetes mellitus, rheumatic arthritis and gout. The crude saponin mixtures extracted from GI leaves inhibited glucose absorption in the isolated intestinal tract and suppressed the increased blood glucose in rats. In this study, we examined the relationship between chemical structure and pharmacological activity of the four components from GI leave extracts (GiA-1, GiA-2, GiA-5 and GiA-7). These components were the derivatives of (3beta,4alpha,16beta)-16,23,28-trihydroxyolean-12-en-3-yl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduroic acid. GiA-2, GiA-5 and GiA-7 that have suppressive effects on the high K+-induced contraction, an increase in deltaPD and the increased blood glucose level in the glucose tolerance test have -H at the 21st position and -CH2OH at 4beta of aglycon. On the other hand, GiA-1 that does not have any effects on the three parameters mentioned above has -H at the 21st position and -CH3 at 4beta of aglycon. In conclusion, it is suggested that the inhibitory effect of triterpenoids in Gymnema leaves on glucose absorption from the intestinal tract relies on -CH2OH at 4beta.

Mechanism of relaxant response to papaverine on the smooth muscle of non-pregnant rat uterus

In the present paper, we examined a mechanism of the papaverine induced relaxation in the smooth muscle of non-pregnant rat uterus. The hyperosmotic 65 mM KCl (H-65K+)-or oxytocin-induced contraction in the uterus was inhibited by an addition of papaverine in a concentration-dependent manner. Papaverine did not increase both cAMP and cGMP contents in the uterus in the presence of H-65K+ or oxytocin. In fura 2 loaded muscles, papaverine did not affect an increase of [Ca2+]i level by high K+ or oxytocin. In permeabilized muscles, papaverine had no effect on the Ca2+-induced contraction. H-65K+ and oxytocin increased the rate of oxygen consumption 1.8 and 1.5 times higher than that in the resting condition, respectively. The increase of oxygen consumption in the H-65K+ or oxytocin was significantly inhibited by papaverine (1-100 microM). These results suggested that papaverine inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in rat uterus as well as guinea pig ileum, which shows a highly spontaneous activity and a highly metabolic dependency of a contraction.

Inhibitory mechanism of papaverine on the smooth muscle of guinea pig urinary bladder

In guinea pig urinary bladder, the hyperosmotic 65 mM KCI (H-65K+)- or carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction was inhibited by an addition of papaverine in a concentration-dependent manner. The cAMP content of the muscle in the presence of H-65K+ or CCh was increased by papaverine only at the higher concentration of 100 microM, but cGMP content was not affected by papaverine. Forskolin, compared with papaverine, increased cAMP content in a concentration-dependent manner, and nitroprusside did not significantly increase cGMP content. In a fura 2 loaded muscle, papaverine did not affect an increase of [Ca2+]i level by high K+ or CCh. The increase of oxidized flavoprotein (FPox) fluorescence and muscle contraction in the presence of H-65K+ or CCh was decreased by papaverine (1 - 100 microM), and the increase of pyridine nucleotide (PNred) fluorescence was not affected by papaverine. In summary, it was concluded that papaverine induced relaxation by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration in guinea pig urinary bladder as well as ileum. Moreover, it is proposed that the mechanism of papaverine-induced relaxation in the smooth muscle, which shows predominantly a metabolic dependency on its contraction, is an inhibition of mitochondrial respiration.

The difference in the inhibitory mechanisms of papaverine on vascular and intestinal smooth muscles

Papaverine (0.3-100 microM) more potently inhibited phenylephrine (1 microM)-induced contraction than 65 mM K+-induced contraction of the aorta, while it equally inhibited contractions induced by 65 mM K+ and carbachol (1 microM) in ileal smooth muscle. In phenylephrine-treated aorta, papaverine (1-10 microM) increased the cAMP and cGMP content. However, in carbachol-treated ileum, 30 microM papaverine partially increased the cAMP content while it maximally relaxed the preparation. In fura2-loaded aorta, papaverine (0.3-10 microM) inhibited both the contraction and the increase in intracellular Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) induced by phenylephrine in parallel. However, papaverine inhibited carbachol-induced contraction with only a small decrease in [Ca2+]i. Papaverine (1-30 microM) inhibited the carbachol-induced increase in oxidized flavoproteins, an indicator of increased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, in ileal smooth muscle whereas it did not change the phenylephrine-induced increase in the aorta. These results suggest that papaverine inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by the accumulation of cAMP and/or cGMP due to the inhibition of phosphodiesterase in the aorta whereas, in ileal smooth muscle, papaverine inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration.

Suppression of glucose absorption by extracts from the leaves of Gymnema inodorum

Gymnema sylvestre (GS) is one of the Asclepiad strains that grows in South-east Asia. Their therapeutic effects for treating diabetes mellitus, rheumatic arthritis and gout have been well known for a long time. However, the problem is that GS suppresses sweetness and tastes bitter. For this study, we chose Gymnema inodorum (GI) instead of GS, since it has an advantage that it does not suppress sweetness nor is it bitter in taste. In this paper, effects of glucose availability of some saponin fractions (F-I to F-IV) extracted from GI leaves, which were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography were studied on a high K(+)-induced contraction of guinea-pig intestinal smooth muscle, O2 consumption on guinea-pig ileum, glucose-evoked transmural potential difference (delta PD) of guinea-pig everted intestine and blood glucose level in glucose tolerance tests on rats. The extracts of GI leaves suppressed the intestinal smooth muscle contraction, decreased the O2 consumption, inhibited the glucose evoked-transmural potential, and prevented the blood glucose level. Our studies suggest that the component of GI inhibits the increase in the blood glucose level by interfering with the intestinal glucose absorption process.

Effects of various selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors on muscle contractility in guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle

The effects of various selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on muscle contractility in guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle were investigated. 1) 3-Isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX) or zaprinast markedly inhibited the high K(+)- or carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction and increased cGMP content of the muscle strip in a concentration-dependent manner. However, these agents only slightly increased the cAMP content. Milrinone or Ro20-1724 also slightly inhibited the high K(+)- or CCh-induced contraction and increased the cAMP content, but did not increase cGMP. 2) In a fura2-loaded muscle, IBMX or zaprinast inhibited both contractions and the increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) level induced by high K+ or CCh, although the inhibitory effect on the [Ca2+]i level was smaller than that on muscle tension. 3) In alpha-toxin-permeabilized muscles, cGMP, IBMX or zaprinast significantly inhibited the Ca(2+)-induced contraction. These results suggest that IBMX and zaprinast inhibit muscle contraction in the ileal longitudinal smooth muscles mainly through an increase in cGMP and the inhibitory mechanism of IBMX or zaprinast is involved in the decreases in the [Ca2+]i level and sensitivity of contractile elements to Ca2+.

Suppression of glucose absorption by some fractions extracted from Gymnema sylvestre leaves

Extracts containing gymnemic acids, which were extracted from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre (GS) as nine fractions, were evaluated for their effects on a high K(+)-induced contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscles, on glucose transport mediated by the difference of glucose-evoked transmural potential difference (delta PD) in the inverted intestine of guinea-pig and rat, and on blood glucose in rat. Among nine fractions obtained by high performance liquid chromatography from the extract, f-2 and f-4 strongly suppressed the high K(+)-induced contraction of the ileal muscle, f-3 and f-5 did so moderately, and f-8 and f-9 did so weakly, whereas the other fractions did not affect it. The degree of suppression of high K(+)-induced contraction by f-2 at 74% was almost the same as that of f-4 at 67%, at concentrations of 0.1 mg/ml. The suppressed contraction by f-2 or f-4 was recovered by adding 5.5 mM pyruvate. The delta PD increased by 5.5 mM glucose in the inverted intestines of guinea-pig and rat were equally suppressed by 0.1 mg/ml of f-2 or f-4 to 40%. In a rat sucrose tolerance test, f-2 and f-4 suppressed the elevation of blood glucose level. Both f-2 and f-4 suppressed the contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle, interfered with the increase in delta PD induced by glucose in the inverted intestines of guinea-pig and rat, and inhibited the elevation of blood glucose level. In conclusion, it is suggested that some of the extracts containing gymnemic acids from GS leaves suppress the elevation of blood glucose level by inhibiting glucose uptake in the intestine.

Decreased pulmonary arterial endothelium-dependent relaxation in heartworm-infected dogs with pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the contractility of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle and the relation between pulmonary hypertension and endothelium-derived relaxing factor in canine heartworm disease.

ANIMALS

18 noninfected control and 9 heartworm-infected dogs.

PROCEDURE

Mean pulmonary arterial blood pressure was measured in vivo, and tension of pulmonary arterial strips was measured by use of the isometric tension method.

RESULTS

After phenylephrine (10(-5)M)-induced contraction of the pulmonary vascular smooth muscle, carbamylcholine chloride (CCh, 10(-6)M) caused more relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle of noninfected, dogs than that of heartworm-infected dogs. Furthermore, the degree of CCh-induced relaxation was inversely correlated with mean pulmonary arterial blood pressure in the noninfected and the heartworm-infected dogs. The CCh-induced relaxation was inhibited by pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (10(-5)M), and in reversed dose-dependent manner by L-arginine (10(-4) to 3 x 10(-2)M). Sodium nitroprusside (10(-8) to 10(-5)M) caused a dose-dependent relaxation in all vessels, and there was no significant difference in the relaxation responses in both groups except at 10(-7)M for vessels with intact endothelium from noninfected dogs.

CONCLUSION

The depression of endothelium-dependent relaxation is correlated with the pulmonary arterial blood pressure in heartworm-infected dogs, suggesting that the decrease is one of the essential factors for the genesis of pulmonary hypertension in canine filariasis.

[Inhibitory effects of glucose utilization by gymnema acids in the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle]

Two substances identified as ((3 beta, 4 alpha, 16 beta, 21 beta, 22 alpha)-21-tigloxy-16, 22, 23, 28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-3-yl-beta D-glucopyranosiduronic acid) (GA1) and ((3 beta, 4 alpha, 16 beta, 21 beta, 22 alpha)-21-(2-methylbutyroxy)-16, 22, 23, 28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-3-yl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid) (GA2) identified among the gymnemic acids are triterpene glycosides extracted from Gymnema sylvestre leaves. We examined the effects of GA1 or GA2 on high K(+)-induced contraction in the guinea-pig longitudinal muscle. A sustained muscle contraction induced by hyperosmotically added 65.4 mM KCI (H-65K+) was suppressed by GA1 or GA2 (7.7 x 10(-5) M). Simultaneous measurements of reduced pyridine nucleotide (PNred) or oxidized flavin protein (FPox) by the fluorescence technique and of contractile force revealed that GA1 and GA2 reduced the increase of PNred fluorescence and contractile force induced by H-65K+, whereas FPox fluorescence induced by it further increased. Reduced muscle contraction induced by GA1 or GA2 was restored by 5.5 mM pyruvate. Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]1 level and contractile force indicated that [Ca2+]1 level, which increased by H-65K+, hardly changed with GA1 and GA2. In summary, both GA1 and GA2, which are among the gymnemic acids, suppressed high K(+)-induced contraction in the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle. The difference between these two gymnemic acids was not significant. The inhibitory effect of GA1 and GA2 on smooth muscle were assumed to be a result of inhibiting glucose uptake, which is an energy source of the muscle, whereas the inhibitory mechanisms were probably not mediated by Ca2+.

Effect of phorbol ester, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutylate (DPB), on muscle tension and cytosolic Ca2+ in rat anococcygeus muscle

Effects of phorbol ester, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB), on muscle tension and cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) level was investigated in rat anococcygeus muscle in comparison with other smooth muscles. 1) DPB (10(-6) M) induced a large contraction and an elevation of [Ca2+]i level in rat aorta and small and rhythmic changes in tension and [Ca2+]i level in guinea pig ileum. However, DPB did not change either of the parameters in rat anococcygeus muscle. 2) DPB caused tension development without changing the [Ca2+]i level elevated by high K+, ionomycin or beta-escin in the anococcygeus muscle. 3) In the beta-escin permeabilized muscles of guinea pig ileum and urinary bladder, rabbit mesenteric artery and rat anococcygeus muscle, DPB enhanced the Ca(2+)-developed tension. Moreover, the enhancement was inhibited by H-7 (3 x 10(-5) M). 4) DPB did not cause muscle tension to develop in the muscle of rat aorta, guinea pig ileum and rat anococcygeus muscle, pretreated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for 24 hr. In conclusion, DPB showed different contractile effects on the aorta, ileum and anococcygeus muscle, respectively. The initiation of muscle tension by DPB probably requires [Ca2+]i and the DPB-induced enhancement may be due to a Ca2+ sensitization of contractile elements in the anococcygeus muscle. Therefore, the difference between the DPB-induced response of the anococcygeus muscle and those of the other muscles seems to be due to a different Ca2+ movement caused by DPB. Moreover, it is suggested that DPB develops muscle tension by increasing [Ca2+]i and enhances it through the mediation of protein kinase C in the anococcygeus muscle as well as the other smooth muscles.

Effects of phenylephrine on the contractile tension and cytosolic Ca2+ level in rat anococcygeus muscle

A contractile property of phenylephrine (PE), alpha 1 agonist, on rat anococcygeus muscle was compared with that on rat aorta by simultaneously measuring changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) level and muscle tension. (1) PE (0.1-30 microM) and high K+ induced a sustained increases in [Ca2+]i level and muscle tension of both the muscles. (2) An application of verapamil (10 microM) and EGTA (4 mM) decreased the PE- or high K(+)-increased tension and [Ca2+]i level in both the muscle, respectively. (3) A cumulative application of PE or high K+ to anococcygeus muscle and aorta exhibited a positive relationship between [Ca2+]i and developed tension. The developed tension by PE was greater than that by high K+ at the same level of [Ca2+]i only in the aorta. A difference of regression slopes in the relationship between [Ca2+]i level and muscle tension under PE- and high K(+)-treatments in aorta was significant, but that in anococcygeus muscle was not. (4) An application of PE to anococcygeus muscle in Ca2+ free medium elicited a small transient contractile tension and increase in [Ca2+]i level, but that to aorta showed a large and transient increase in both the parameters. (5) Phorbol ester, DPB (1 microM), did not affect muscle tension or [Ca2+]i level in anococcygeus muscle, but DPB induced greater increases in aorta. (6) An application of PE (10 microM) with GTP produced a left shift in the pCa-tension curve in the beta-escin-permeabilized fiber of the anococcygeus muscle. In summary, it is suggested that the sustained contraction induced by PE in anococcygeus muscle is involved with the increases in [Ca2+]i which is due to Ca2+ influx mediated by alpha 1 receptor, but scarcely to Ca2+ release from the intracellular storage, and that an increase in Ca2+ sensitivity to PE is found only in the permeabilized anococcygeus muscle. The Ca(2+)-independent contractile mechanism in PE response as seen in aorta is probably to be absent in anococcygeus muscle. Moreover, it seems that the effect of the drug acting protein kinase C on anococcygeus muscle is extremely lesser than that on aorta.

The inhibitory effect of Li+ on contractile elements of intestinal smooth muscle

The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of Li+ on contraction was examined in guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. Li(+)-substitution (68.4 mM) reversed contractions induced by high K+ (45.4 mM), carbachol (1 microM) and histamine (1 microM) without changing the cytosolic Ca2+ level. Li+ also had no effect on the increase in 45Ca2+ uptake stimulated by high K+. High K+ transiently increased myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, reaching a peak at 6-9 sec. Li(+)-substitution inhibited the high K(+)-induced MLC phosphorylation. In permeabilized ileal strips, contraction induced by 1 microM Ca2+ was inhibited by 10 mM Li+. The inhibitory effect was antagonized by increasing the concentration of Ca2+ or calmodulin. In the permeabilized muscle in which MLC was previously thiophosphorylated with 1 mM ATP gamma S and 3 microM Ca2+, ATP induced contraction in Ca2+ free buffer. Li+ added during this contraction did not show an inhibitory effect. In contrast, when 30 mM Li+ was added during the thiophosphorylation, the contraction induced by the subsequent addition of ATP was inhibited. Li+ (30 mM) changed neither the rate of relaxation induced by removing external Ca2+ in permeabilized muscle nor the rate of dephosphorylation of MLC induced by crude phosphatase extracted from the ileum. Li+ (15 mM), on the other hand, inhibited the rate of phosphorylation of MLC caused by crude MLC kinase extracted from the ileum. Li+ did not inhibit the calmodulin activity as measured with the (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase activity of the erythrocyte membrane. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Li+ on contractions is attributable to the inhibition of MLC kinase in guinea pig ileum.

The inhibitory effect of tiamulin on high K(+)-induced contraction in guinea pig intestinal smooth muscle

Tiamulin with an IC50 of 1.7 x 10(-6) M inhibited both the rapid and sustained contractions induced by hyperosmotically added 60 mM K+ (Hyper 60 K+) without changing the membrane potential in the intestinal muscle. Tiamulin inhibition (2 x 10(-6)-2 x 10(-5) M) of the Ca(2+)-induced contraction in depolarized muscle was competitively antagonized by raising external Ca2+. Tiamulin (2 x 10(-5) M) slightly affected the Hyper 60 K(+)-induced phasic contraction under hypoxia and the carbachol-induced phasic contraction. Moreover, tiamulin (2 x 10(-5) M) inhibited the Hyper 60 K(+)-induced contraction with decreasing [Ca2+]cyt level. Although the inhibitory effect of 10(-7)-10(-5) M monesin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration, on the Hyper 60 K(+)-induced contraction was reduced under hypoxia, the effect of tiamulin (2 x 10(-7)-2 x 10(-4) M) was not modified. Tiamulin changed neither the intracellular Na+ and K+ content of the depolarized muscle nor the Ca(2+)-induced contraction in the chemically skinned preparations. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of tiamulin on the Hyper 60 K(+)-induced tonic contraction is possibly due to the competitive inhibition of Ca2+ entry through the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel of the intestinal smooth muscle cell.

Decrease in muscle tension and reduced pyridine nucleotides of the guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle in high K+,Na(+)-deficient solution

In the present experiment, we studied the inhibitory mechanism of Na+ depletion on high K(+)-induced contraction by simultaneously measuring reduced pyridine nucleotides (PNred) or oxidized flavoproteins (FPox) fluorescence and contractile tension of the guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscle. Tension, PNred and FPox were all reversibly increased by the addition of hyperosmotic 65 mM KCl (H-65K+). A high K+, Na(+)-deficient (Iso-154K+) solution induced a contraction followed by a gradual relaxation and gradually decreased PNred fluorescence. A hyperosmotic addition of NaCl to the Iso-154K+ solution prevented the decreases in tension and PNred fluorescence. Addition of pyruvate or oxaloacetate restored the decrease in Iso-154K(+)-induced contraction, but not the decrease in PNred fluorescence. In contrast to the PNred fluorescence, an application of the Iso-154K+ solution increased the FPox fluorescence which was not significantly changed by an addition of NaCl, pyruvate or oxaloacetate. These results suggest that the inhibitory mechanism of Na+ depletion on the Iso-154K(+)-induced contraction is an inhibition of glucose utilization.

A change in inhibitory mechanism of Na+ deficiency on high K(+)-induced contraction in rat uterus with the progress of pregnancy

In the present paper, effects of high K+/Na+ deficient solution on the rat uterus with the progress of the pregnancy were examined on the mechanical response and wet weight. The progress of pregnancy was divided in four stages, early stage (Day 4 and 5 of pregnancy), middle stage (Day 8-10), late stage (Day 14 and 15) and end stage (Day 21). In the early stage muscle, an isosmotically substituted high K+/Na+ deficient (iso-154K+) solution induced a large contraction followed by a decrease in tension level, though a hyperosmotic KCI addition induced a large sustained contraction. Similar results were shown in muscles of the middle and late stages. However, a maximum tension level and a subsequent inhibition by the iso-154K+ solution in the end stage muscle were smaller than those of other stages. On the other hand, iso-154K+ solution remarkably increased the relative cellular water content in the early or middle stage muscle, but moderately in the late or end stage one. In the muscle of all stages, a hyperosmotic addition of sucrose reversed the inhibition of muscle tension and the cell swelling by the iso-154K+ solution. Moreover, a substitution of more impermeable anion (C2H5COO-) for Cl- in the iso-154K+ solution decreased the inhibition of the contraction in the early stage muscle, but increased it in the end stage one. The substitution for Cl- with more permeable anion (NO3- or I-) produced a greater inhibition of contraction in all stage muscles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibitory effect of lithium on muscle contractions caused by various stimulants in guinea-pig ileum

The tonic contractions induced in the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle by 60 mM KCl, carbachol, histamine or A23187 were inhibited similarly by Li+-substituted solution. There was a good correlation between the Li+-induced inhibition of contractions induced by these stimulants and the intracellularly accumulated Li+ content. In the experiment with fura-2, Li+-substituted solution inhibited the high-K+-induced contraction without decreasing the cytosolic Ca2+ level elevated by high-K+ solution. The concentration-response curve for Ca2+ in the skinned fiber was shifted to the right by pretreatment with Li+-substituted solution. These results suggest that the inhibitory mechanism of Li+ on the contractions by various stimulants partly involves the direct inhibition of the contractile proteins in the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle.

The effect of trifluoperazine on muscle tension and cytoplasmic Ca2+ level in guinea pig ileum

In guinea pig ileal muscle strips, trifluoperazine (TFP) inhibited the high K+-induced contraction with an IC50 of 1.9 microM and the Ca2+-induced contraction in skinned fiber with an IC50 of 44 microM. TFP decreased the high K+-induced increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ level at the concentration 3 microM, which did not inhibit the contraction in skinned fiber. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of TFP on the high K+-induced contraction is mainly due to the decrease in cytoplasmic Ca2+.

Species differences in inhibitory effect of Li+ on high K+-induced contraction in the ileal longitudinal smooth muscle

The effects of Li+ substitution for external Na+ in the medium on a 60 mN KCl (60K+)-induced contraction were compared in the ileal longitudinal smooth muscles isolated from monkey, rabbit, guinea pig and rat. Li+ substitution inhibited the 60K+-induced contraction in the ileum of all the animal species. Greater inhibitory effect was observed with the increase in external Li+ concentration and the increase in incubation period with Li+. Intracellular Li+ contents of these muscles also increased with the increase in external Li+ concentration and the incubation period. Thus, a good correlation was obtained between Li+-induced inhibition of 60K+-induced contraction and the increase in Li+ content. However, close examination revealed that the contraction in monkey and rat ileum was inhibited by much lower Li+ accumulation than that in guinea pig and rabbit ileum, suggesting the existence of species difference in the sensitivity of the ileal smooth muscle to the inhibitory effect of Li+ substitution, and a mechanism for the species differences in the inhibitory action of Li+-substitution was discussed.

A comparative study on the contraction induced by high K+/Na+ deficient solution in rat uterus or urinary bladder

In the present paper, effects of high K+/Na+ deficient solution on the rat uterus were examined on the mechanical response, wet weight of the tissue or rate of oxygen consumption, and they were compared with those in rat urinary bladder. In the uterus, isosmotic substitution of K+ for Na+ in a physiological salt solution (PSS) induced a contraction followed by a small sustained contraction, while hyperosmotic addition of KCl to PSS induced a sustained contraction. The hyperosmotic KCl addition increased the rate of oxygen consumption in comparison with that in PSS, and the substituted high K+/Na+ deficient solution decreased it as compared with that in the hyperosmotic KCl addition. Similar results were shown in the urinary bladder. At 120 min after application of the substituted high K+/Na+ deficient solution, the relative wet weight increased in the uterus, but did not change in the urinary bladder. Both the decrease in the developed tension and the increase in the wet weight of the uterus were prevented by the hyperosmotic addition of sucrose. In the urinary bladder, the decreased tension was significantly prevented by the hyperosmotic addition of NaCl to the PSS or substitution of pyruvate or oxalacetate for glucose, whereas it was slightly prevented by the hyperosmotic addition of sucrose. From these results, it is suggested that the decrease of the developed tension in isosmotically substituted high K+/Na+ deficient solution in rat uterus is probably due to cell swelling and that the inhibition of contraction in urinary bladder is mainly caused by the inhibition of glucose utilization by Na+ deficiency in the medium.

Palytoxin-induced K+ efflux from ileal longitudinal smooth muscle of the guinea-pig

In guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle, both palytoxin (PTX) and carbachol (CCh) increased K+ efflux with an EC50 of 1.8 X 10(-10) M and 4.1 X 10(-7) M, respectively. Atropine (10(-6) M) did not inhibit the K+ efflux due to PTX (3 X 10(-9) M), but completely inhibited the efflux due to CCh (10(-5) M). External Ca2+ removal and verapamil (10(-5) M) did not change the PTX-induced K+ efflux, although the CCh-induced K+ efflux was inhibited about 77% and 71%, respectively. PTX-induced K+ efflux was reduced to 31% by a depletion of intracellular Ca2+. Tetraethylammonium (15 mM) inhibited the K+ efflux due to PTX or CCh to 61% or 75%, respectively. The PTX-induced K+ efflux was also inhibited by cymarin (3 X 10(-8) M), ouabain (10(-5) M) and digitoxin (10(-5) M). These results suggest that the PTX-induced K+ efflux is less dependent on Ca2+ influx than that due to CCh. Furthermore, the binding sites for PTX in the ileal muscle of guinea-pig may be Na+, K+-ATPase, as has been suggested in other types of cells.

Effects of the high K+/Na+ deficient solution on mechanical response and wet weight of tissue in vas deferens and seminal vesicle in guinea-pig

In the present experiments, we investigated contractions of guinea-pig vas deferens or seminal vesicle in various kinds of high K+ solution. The vas deferens showed a phasic contraction followed by a tonic one in hyperosmotic 65 mM KCl (hyper-65K+), isosmotic 60 mM or 120 mM KCl solution. However, isosmotic 154 mM KCl (iso-154K+) solution induced a large phasic contraction followed by a gradual relaxation. Applications of the high K+ solutions to the preparation of seminal vesicle showed almost similar results in tension to those of the vas deferens. In the vas deferens or seminal vesicle, an application of hyper-65K+ solution significantly decreased the relative value for the wet weight of the tissue at 120 min, but that of iso-154K+ solution did not affect the wet weight of both the muscles. In the vas deferens, an hyperosmotic addition of sucrose at a concentration of 25 to 100 mM slightly prevented the tension decreased by the iso-154K+ solution and slightly decreased the relative wet weight. In the seminal vesicle, increasing sucrose concentration significantly increased the tension, but decreased the relative wet weight. In both the muscles of vas deferens and seminal vesicle, an addition of pyrvate or oxalacetate (5.5 mM) to the iso-154K+ solution without glucose maintained the muscle tension at a maximal level in the iso-154K+ solution with glucose for 120 min. Further, the tension decrease in both the muscles induced by iso-154K+ solution was also prevented by hyperosmotic application of NaCl. From these results, it is suggested that the tension decrease by high K+, Na+-deficient solution in the vas deferens is mainly caused by an inhibition of glucose utilization by Na+-deficiency in the medium, however, the seminal vesicle is probably due to the cell swelling and partly the inhibition of glucose utilization by it.

Inhibitory effect of beauvericin on a high K+-induced tonic contraction in guinea-pig taenia coli

An inhibitory effect of beauvericin, a cyclodepsipeptide, on a high K+-induced contraction in guinea-pig taenia coli was compared with those of verapamil, an organic Ca2+ antagonist, and monensin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration. Beauvericin (10(-5) M), verapamil (5 x 10(-7) M) or monensin (10(-6) M) markedly inhibited the tonic contraction, while these drugs showed less effect on the phasic contraction. Beauvericin at a lower concentration (10(-6) M) competitively inhibited the Ca2+-induced contraction in depolarized muscle, whereas higher concentrations (3 x 10(-6) or 10(-5) M) non-competitively inhibited this contraction. Verapamil (10(-8)-5 x 10(-7) M) competitively inhibited and monensin at a low concentration (10(-7) M) non-competitively inhibited this contraction. A contraction induced by 0.5 mM Ca2+ was inhibited by beauvericin with an IC50 (concentration needed for 50% inhibition) of 2.8 x 10(-7) M, verapamil with an IC50 of 2.9 x 10(-8) M, and nifedipine with an IC50 of 1.8 x 10(-9) M. 10(-6) M CGP 28392, a Ca2+ channel facilitator, increased the IC50 of beauvericin, verapamil or nifedipine. Although the inhibitory effect of monensin (10(-7)-10(-6) M) on the high K+-induced contraction was reduced under hypoxia, the effects of beauvericin (10(-7)-10(-5) M) and verapamil (10(-8)-10(-7) M) were not modified. Beauvericin (10(-5) M) changed neither the intracellular Na+ and K+ contents of the depolarized muscle nor the Ca2+-induced contraction in the chemically skinned taenia coli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The properties of a high K+-induced contraction in the ileal longitudinal and circular muscles of cat

Hypertonic 60 mM KCl (H 60K+) solution induced a phasic contraction followed by tonic one in the longitudinal (long.) and circular (circ.) muscles of cat ileum. Verapamil inhibited the tonic contraction in the long. or circ. muscle with IC50 of 2.0 X 10(-8) M or 1.0 X 10(-7) M, respectively. The sensitivity of the long. muscle to verapamil was higher than that of the circ. muscle. Ouabain (10(-5) M) increased or did not change the tonic contraction, and increased intracellular Na+ contents in the long. and circ. muscles in H 60K+ solution. Li+-substituted (1/5-1/2) solutions decreased the H 60K+-induced contraction in the long. muscle, but potentiated or did not change the contraction in the circ. one. The results with glucose removal, hypoxia, DNP application and a measurement of oxygen consumption showed that the H 60K+-induced contractions in the long. and circ. muscles are probably dependent on aerobic metabolism utilizing external glucose as well as endogenous substrates. In summary, properties of the H 60K+-induced contraction in the ileal long. of cat was not entirely similar to those of circ. muscles, but they were different from those of the ileal of other animal species and had some similarities to those of the guinea-pig portal vein.

Species differences in the inhibitory effect of ouabain on high K-induced contraction in the ileal longitudinal muscle

Effects of ouabain on a high K-induced contraction and intracellular Na and K contents of the ileal longitudinal muscle preparations isolated from various animal species was compared. In muscles of various animals (monkey, dog, cat, rabbit, guinea-pig, rat and mouse), the high K-induced contraction was inhibited by verapamil (5 X 10(-8) M) or ouabain (3 X 10(-6) M), and both the inhibitions were antagonized by an increase in external Ca in a competitive manner. Species differences were shown in the ouabain effect but not in the verapamil one. Regarding the sensitivity to ouabain, the muscles were divided into two groups, that is, the muscle from monkey, rabbit, guinea-pig or dog belongs to the high sensitivity group, and that from cat, rat or mouse belongs to the low one. The order of sensitivities of the muscles to ouabain in the relaxation was consistent with that in Na,K-ATPase inhibition, as reported by Repke et al. (1965). Intracellular Na contents of muscles were increased by an addition of ouabain to the high K solution, and the rate and amount of the accumulation of intracellular Na varied in these muscles. Except for the cat muscle, a high correlation was noted between the ouabain-induced relaxation and the amount of intracellular Na accumulation. However, the regression coefficients were variable: 4.1 in the monkey muscle, 2.2 in the rat one, and about 1.0 in the others. That is, the monkey muscle showing the high regression coefficient value probably has a high sensitivity to the inhibition of intracellular Na in the high K-induced contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Study on the contraction and oxygen consumption induced by high K, Na-deficient solution in the urinary bladder and gall bladder of guinea-pig

In urinary bladder and gall bladder of guinea-pig, the application of hyperosmotic 65.4 mM K solution induced a tonic contraction and increased the rate of oxygen consumption two or three times. The increased O2 consumption maintained steady level during 120 min. In isosmotic 154 mM K, Na-deficient solution, the tonic contraction gradually decreased and oxygen consumption also showed a transient increase followed by a small one. In the urinary bladder, the addition of pyruvic acid completely prevented the decline of the tonic contraction by iso-154K solution at 120 min, but this addition partially prevented it in the gall bladder. Hyperosmotic application of sucrose partially prevented it in the urinary bladder, but completely recovered it in the gall bladder. When NaCl was applied to iso-154K solution, the decrease of tonic contraction was prevented by half in both the muscles. The application of pyruvic acid and NaCl prevented the reduction of oxygen consumption by iso-154K solution in the urinary bladder, but in the gall bladder, this had little effect. There was a close correlation (r = 0.950) between the muscle tension and the rate of oxygen consumption in the urinary bladder at 120 min under various conditions. In the gall bladder, a correlation (r = 0.875) was also found between both when the results by hyperosmotic addition of NaCl and sucrose were omitted. In the urinary bladder, tension cost, a ratio of O2 consumption rate (mumol O2/g/min) to developed tension (kg force/cm2), was large (0.206) and similar to that of taenia coli; and that of gall bladder was small (0.130) and almost similar to that of vascular smooth muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparative study on the contraction induced by high K/Na deficient solution in the trachea, gall bladder and urinary bladder in guinea-pig

In the present paper, a comparative study of high K solution was carried out on the mechanical response, wet and dry weights of tissue, and extracellular space of 14C-sorbitol in the trachea, gall bladder, and urinary bladder of guinea-pig. Hyperosmotic addition of KCl to the physiological solution produced a sustained contraction, while isosmotic substitution of K for Na in the physiological solution induced a contraction followed by a small sustained one in the trachea, gall bladder or urinary bladder. At 120 min after application of the substituted KCl, Na deficient solution, it increased cell water content in the smooth muscle cells of the trachea or gall bladder, but did not change that in the urinary bladder. Both the inhibition of contraction and the swelling in the trachea or gall bladder were prevented by the hyperosmotic application of sucrose or NaCl. The substitution for NaCl with the K salts with more permeable anions (I- greater than NO3- greater than Cl-) produced a greater inhibition of contraction in the trachea and gall bladder. Although the impermeable anion C2H5CO2- did not inhibit the contraction in the trachea, this anion partially inhibited it in the gall bladder. On the other hand, the inhibition of contraction in the urinary bladder was prevented by addition of pyruvate, oxalacetate or NaCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

On the inhibitory mechanism of bassianolide, a cyclodepsipeptide, in acetylcholine-induced contraction in guinea-pig taenia coli

The effect of bassianolide (BASS), a cyclodepsipeptide, was investigated on mechanical response, membrane potential, intracellular Na and K contents and 45Ca uptake in response to acetylcholine (ACh) in guinea-pig taenia coli. BASS (10(-5) M) as well as verapamil (5 X 10(-7) M) and papaverine (3 X 10(-5) M) selectively inhibited the tonic component of the contraction induced by ACh (10(-5) M), but scarcely affected the phasic one. In contrast, atropine (3 X 10(-8) M) inhibited both components of contraction. BASS did not modify the change in membrane potential by ACh. BASS, ACh and the combination of both did not influence the intracellular Na and K contents and the 45Ca uptake. These data show that BASS seems unlikely to have the property of an ionophore. BASS slightly inhibited both the tonic and phasic components of contraction induced by 60 mM K in a non-selective manner, though verapamil and papaverine inhibited the tonic component more potently than the phasic one. Verapamil decreased the increased 45Ca uptake in the muscle soaked in 60 mM K medium, but BASS did not. Since BASS selectively inhibits the tonic component of the ACh-induced contraction, the inhibitory mechanism of BASS seems to be different from that of verapamil, papaverine or atropine; and the mechanism may be beyond the interactions with a binding activity of ACh to the muscarinic receptor, membrane potential and the contractile machinery of the intestinal smooth muscle.

[Caerulein-induced contraction of the ileal longitudinal smooth muscle isolated from various animal species]

An effect of caerulein was studied on a contractile response of the ileal longitudinal smooth muscle isolated from seven animal species, monkey, dog, rabbit, guinea-pig, rat, vole and mouse. In isotonic recording, caerulein induced a contraction in the muscle isolated from all animal species. Sensitivities of ileal strips to caerulein in the contractile response was divided into three groups. That is, a high sensitive group; dog and guinea-pig, a middle sensitive group; rabbit and vole, a low sensitive group; monkey, rat and mouse. In another series of experiment, effect of several antagonists was examined on the caerulein-induced contraction in ileal muscle of dog, rabbit or guinea-pig. TTX inhibited the contractions in all the ilea. As the contraction was inhibited by atropine and scopolamine in dog ileum but not in rabbit one, the contraction may be due to an excitation of the cholinergic neuron or an excitation of non-cholinergic excitatory neuron, respectively. On the other hand, it is supposed that the contraction in guinea-pig ileum is involved to both the neurons because the contraction was inhibited partially by scopolamine and not by atropine. In conclusion, the ilea isolated from seven animal species showed species differences in sensitivity to caerulein in contractile response, and caerulein seems induces the contractions involving to different nervous systems in dog, rabbit or guinea-pig ileum, respectively.

[Responses of narrow segments of intestines in the congenital aganglionosis rat to various stimulants]

The shortenings of intestinal strips isolated from narrow segments in the aganglionosis rat have been studied in response to stimulants and field stimulation. Relating to the action of nicotine, eserine and field stimulation, the number of exogenous nerve bundles observed between the longitudinal and circular muscle layer and the type of cells existing in the nerve bundles were examined by light and electron microscopes. Nicotine shortened in 16 out of 31 narrow segments and eserine 13 out of 14 preparations. In 6 out of 21 preparations, field stimulation produced weak contraction, which was abolished by pretreatment of atropine or TTX. The number of the nerve bundles was larger in the responded groups than in the non-responded. However, no ganglion cells were observed in the nerve bundle of the narrow segment of the aganglionosis rat. To acetylcholine, serotosine, prostaglandin E2, KCl and BaCl2, all narrow segments responded, though the response to these drugs particulary to KCl was extremely weaker than those in control. It is suggested that the nerve bundles of the narrow segment branched and formed nerve endings in the smooth muscle and the responsiveness of the receptor to the stimulants is maintained in the narrow segment, but contractility of the smooth muscle is small.

[Drug sensitivity of the isolated stomach and ileal preparation from a vole]

It was compared a drug sensitivity of the stomach and ileum isolated from vole with those of guinea pig, rat or mouse. Histamine produced only a contraction in the vole stomach without a relaxation. Since the histamine-induced contraction was inhibited by tripelennamine, the contraction seems to be mediated by histamine H1-receptor. These results in the vole, being herbivorous, was different from those of bovine stomach that the drug induced a contraction through H1-receptor and a relaxation involved to the H2-receptor. The histamine-induced contraction in the guinea pig stomach or ileum was highly sensitive, but those of rat was less. On the contrary, a serotonin-induced contraction in the rat stomach or ileum was highly sensitive, however, those of guinea pig were less. Drug sensitivities of stomach and ileum from vole to histamine and serotonin were intermediate between those of guinea pig and rat.

Inhibitory effect of bassianolide, a cyclodepsipeptide, on drug-induced contractions of isolated smooth muscle preparations

Bassianolide (BASS) is a cyclodepsipeptide isolated from cultured mycelia of Beauveria bassiana and is pathogenic to insects. In a longitudinal muscle preparation from guinea pig ileum, 10(-6) M BASS almost irreversibly inhibited an isotonic contraction induced by acetylcholine (ACH) and made the dose-response curve shift in parallel to the right (pA2: 7.6). It also inhibited the contractions induced by carbachol, pilocarpine, histamine, 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin E2, but did not inhibit the contraction induced by barium or a high concentration (40-60 mM) of potassium (high K). When applied to the guinea pig vas deferens, 10(-8) - 10(-7) M BASS inhibited an isometric contraction induced by norepinephrine (NE) (3 x 10(-6) - 10(-5) M), phenylephrine (3 x 10(-6) - 10(-5) M) or ACH (10(-6) - 10(-5) M). When the contractions of the three agonists exceeded the concentrations mentioned above, BASS failed to exert an inhibitory effect upon any of these agonists. It also inhibited the contraction caused by carbachol and histamine, but did not inhibit that induced by barium or high K. BASS itself failed to cause the contraction or relaxation of both muscle preparations. From these results, it is suggested that BASS inhibits the contraction induced by an agonist which acts upon selective sites of smooth muscle cells, but which does not inhibit a contraction induced by an agonist that has an effect on non-selective sites of cells.