Phytotherapeutic alternatives for neurodegenerative dementias: Scientific review, discussion and therapeutic proposal

The incidence and prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative dementias have been increasing. There is no curative therapy and conventional drug treatment can cause problems for patients. Medicinal plants traditionally used for problems associated with ageing are emerging as a therapeutic resource. The main aim is to give a proposal for use and future research based on scientific knowledge and tradition. A literature search was conducted in several searchable databases. The keywords used were related to neurodegenerative dementias, ageing and medicinal plants. Boolean operators and filters were used to focus the search. As a result, there is current clinical and preclinical scientific information on 49 species used in traditional medicine for ageing-related problems, including neurodegenerative dementias. There are preclinical and clinical scientific evidences on their properties against protein aggregates in the central nervous system and their effects on neuroinflammation, apoptosis dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, gabaergic, glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems alterations, monoamine oxidase alterations, serotonin depletion and oestrogenic protection. In conclusion, the potential therapeutic effect of the different medicinal plants depends on the type of neurodegenerative dementia and its stage of development, but more clinical and preclinical research is needed to find better, safer and more effective treatments.

Medicinal plants and natural products as neuroprotective agents in age-related macular degeneration

The retina may suffer neurodegenerative damages, as other tissues of the central nervous system do, and serious eye diseases may develop. One of them is age-related macular degeneration, which causes progressive loss of vision due to retina degeneration. Treatment of age-related macular degeneration focuses on antioxidant agents and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor compounds, among others, that prevent/diminish oxidative stress and reduce neovascularisation respectively. The phytochemicals, medicinal plants and/or plant-diet supplements might be a useful adjunct in prevention or treatment of age-related macular degeneration owing to their antioxidant and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor properties. This review article presents the most investigated plants and natural products in relation to age-related macular degeneration, such as saffron, ginkgo, bilberry and blueberry, curcuma or turmeric, carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins C and E. This study provides up-to-date information on the effects, treatments, safety and efficiency of these phytotherapy products.

Neuroprotective Potential of Ginkgo biloba in Retinal Diseases

Like other tissues of the central nervous system, the retina is susceptible to damage by oxidative processes that result in several neurodegenerative disease such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, ischaemic retinal disease, retinal disease produced by light oxidation, and detached retina, among other diseases. The use of antioxidant substances is a solution to some health problems caused by oxidative stress, because they regulate redox homeostasis and reduce oxidative stress. This is important for neurodegeneration linked to oxidation processes. In line with this, Ginkgo biloba is a medicinal plant with excellent antioxidant properties whose effects have been demonstrated in several degenerative processes, including retinal diseases associated with neurodegeneration. This review describes the current literature on the role of ginkgo in retinal diseases associated with neurodegeneration. The information leads to the conclusion that G. biloba extracts might be a good option to improve certain neurodegenerative retinal diseases, but more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of G. biloba in these retinal degenerative processes.

Hystological and pharmacological study of Thymus piperella (L.)

Histological and pharmacological assays have been carried out with methanol, hexane, dichloromethane and butanol extracts of Thymus piperella (L.) leaves. All the extracts were considered innocuo in the toxicity test. Methanol and also hexane, dichlorometane and butanol fractions, inhibited significantly the contractions induced by acetylcholine in isolated rat ileum in a concentration-dependent manner and the hexane extract was the most potent. However, the methanol extract did not modify the contractile effect of noradrenaline and histamine on isolated rat aorta and guinea-pig trachea respectively at the assayed dose (10, 100, 200 microg/mL). These results contribute to explain in part the use of this plant in folk medicine. In addition, morphological and histological structures characteristic of this species have been described for the first time.

Correlation between mRNA levels and functional role of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in arteries: evidence of alpha1L as a functional isoform of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor

The mRNA levels for the three alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha1A, alpha1B, and alpha1D, were quantified by real-time RT-PCR in arteries from Wistar rats. The alpha1D-adrenoceptor was prominent in both aorta (79.0%) and mesenteric artery (68.7%), alpha1A predominated in tail (61.7%) and small mesenteric artery (73.3%), and both alpha1A- and alpha1D-subtypes were expressed at similar levels in iliac artery. The mRNA levels of the alpha1B-subtype were a minority in all vessels (1.7-11.1%). Concentration-response curves of contraction in response to phenylephrine or relaxation in response to alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists on maximal sustained contraction induced by phenylephrine were constructed from control vessels and vessels pretreated with 100 micromol/l chloroethylclonidine (CEC) for 30 min. The significant decrease in the phenylephrine potency observed after CEC treatment together with the inhibitory potency displayed by 8-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-8-azaspiro (4,5) decane-7-dionedihydrochloride} (BMY-7378, an alpha1D-adrenoceptor antagonist) confirm the relevant role of alpha1D-adrenoceptors in aorta and iliac and proximal mesenteric arteries. The potency of 5-methylurapidil (an alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist) and the changes in the potency of both BMY-7378 and 5-methylurapidil after CEC treatment provided evidence of a mixed population of alpha1A- and alpha1D-adrenoceptors in iliac and distal mesenteric arteries. The low potency of prazosin (pIC50 < 9) as well as the high 5-methylurapidil potency in tail and small mesenteric arteries suggest the main role of alpha1A/alpha1L-adrenoceptors with minor participation of the alpha1D-subtype. The mRNA levels and CEC treatment corroborated this pattern and confirmed that the alpha1L-adrenoceptor could be a functional isoform of the alpha1A-subtype.

Bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activities of glaucine: In vitro studies in human airway smooth muscle and polymorphonuclear leukocytes

1. Selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are of potential interest in the treatment of asthma. We examined the effects of the alkaloid S-(+)-glaucine, a PDE4 inhibitor, on human isolated bronchus and granulocyte function. 2. Glaucine selectively inhibited PDE4 from human bronchus and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in a non-competitive manner (Ki=3.4 microM). Glaucine displaced [3H]-rolipram from its high-affinity binding sites in rat brain cortex membranes (IC50 approximately 100 microM). 3. Glaucine inhibited the spontaneous and histamine-induced tone in human isolated bronchus (pD2 approximately 4.5). Glaucine (10 microM) did not potentiate the isoprenaline-induced relaxation but augmented cyclic AMP accumulation by isoprenaline. The glaucine-induced relaxation was resistant to H-89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. Glaucine depressed the contractile responses to Ca2+ (pD'2 approximately 3.62) and reduced the sustained rise of [Ca2+]i produced by histamine in cultured human airway smooth muscle cells (-log IC50 approximately 4.3). 4. Glaucine augmented cyclic AMP levels in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes challenged with N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP) or isoprenaline, and inhibited FMLP-induced superoxide generation, elastase release, leukotriene B4 production, [Ca2+]i signal and platelet aggregation as well as opsonized zymosan-, phorbol myristate acetate-, and A23187-induced superoxide release. The inhibitory effect of glaucine on superoxide generation by FMLP was reduced by H-89. 5. In conclusion, Ca2+ channel antagonism by glaucine appears mainly responsible for the relaxant effect of glaucine in human isolated bronchus while PDE4 inhibition contributes to the inhibitory effects of glaucine in human granulocytes. The very low PDE4/binding site ratio found for glaucine makes this compound attractive for further structure-activity studies.

Effects of erythromycin on chemoattractant-activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

1. Erythromycin (2-100 micrograms ml-1) produced a concentration-related inhibition of superoxide generation and elastase release induced by in vitro exposure of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP; 30 nM). 2. By contrast, erythromycin (100 micrograms ml-1) did not alter the leukotriene B4 production elicited by FMLP (30 nM; in the presence of thimerosal 20 microM) or the intracellular calcium changes promoted by FMLP (30 nM; in the absence or presence of thimerosal 20 microM). 3. These results indicate that by reducing chemoattractant-triggered release of oxidative and proteolytic mediators from human PMNs, erythromycin may have clinically useful antiinflammatory effects.

The spasmogenic effects of vanadate in human isolated bronchus

1. Inhalation of vanadium compounds, particularly vanadate, is a cause of occupational bronchial asthma. We have now studied the action of vanadate on human isolated bronchus. Vanadate (0.1 microM-3 mM) produced concentration-dependent, well-sustained contraction. Its -logEC50 was 3.74 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- s.e.mean) and its maximal effect was equivalent to 97.5 +/- 4.2% of the response to acetylcholine (ACh, 1 mM). 2. Vanadate (200 microM)-induced contraction of human bronchus was epithelium-independent and was not inhibited by indomethacin (2.8 microM), zileuton (10 microM), a mixture of atropine, mepyramine and phentolamine (each at 1 microM), or by mast cell degranulation with compound 48/80. 3. Vanadate (200 microM)-induced contraction was unaltered by tissue exposure to verapamil or nifedipine (each 1 microM) or to a Ca2+-free, EGTA (0.1 mM)-containing physiological salt solution (PSS). However, tissue incubation with ryanodine (10 microM) in Ca2+-free, EGTA (0.1 mM)-containing PSS reduced vanadate-induced contraction. A series of vanadate challenges was made in tissues exposed to Ca2+-free EGTA (0.1 mM)-containing PSS with the object of depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores. In such tissues cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 10 microM) prevented Ca2+-induced recovery of vanadate-induced contraction. 4. Tissue incubation in K+-rich (80 mM) PSS, K+-free PSS, or PSS containing ouabain (10 microM) did not alter vanadate (200 microM)-induced contraction. Ouabain (10 microM) abolished the K+-induced relaxation of human bronchus bathed in K+-free PSS. This action was not shared by vanadate (200 microM). The tissue content of Na+ was increased and the tissue content of K+ was decreased by ouabain (10 microM). In contrast, vanadate (200 microM) did not alter the tissue content of these ions. Tissue incubation in a Na+-deficient (25 mM) PSS or in PSS containing amiloride (0.1 mM) markedly inhibited the spasmogenic effect of vanadate (200 microM). 5. Vanadate (200 microM)-induced contractions were markedly reduced by tissue treatment with each of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors H-7 (10 microM), staurosporine (1 microM) and calphostin C (1 microM). Genistein (100 microM), an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase, also reduced the response to vanadate. 6 Vanadate (0.1-3 mM) and ACh (1 microM- 3 mM) each increased inositol phosphate accumulation in bronchus. Such responses were unaffected by a Ca2+-free medium either alone or in combination with ryanodine (10 microM). 7. In human cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells, histamine (100 microM) and vanadate (200 microM) each produced a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). 8. Intracellular microelectrode recording showed that the contractile effect of vanadate (200 microM) in human bronchus was associated with cellular depolarization. 9. It is concluded that vanadate acts directly on human bronchial smooth muscle, promoting the release of Ca2+ from an intracellular store. The Ca2+ release mechanism involves both the production of inositol phosphate second messengers and inhibition of Ca-ATPase. The activation of PKC plays an important role in mediating vanadate-induced contraction at values of [Ca2+]i that are close to basal.

Inhibitory effects of N-acetylcysteine on superoxide anion generation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

It has been suggested that reactive oxygen species released by activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in man is one mechanism of tissue injury. Therapeutic action aimed at increasing antioxidant defence mechanisms is still a clinical challenge. This study examines the activity of N-acetylcysteine, a known antioxidant, in the protection of PMN exposed in-vitro to the chemoattractant peptide fMet-Leu-Phe (FMLP), the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate or the lipid peroxidation promoter t-butyl hydroperoxide. FMLP (3-300 nM) and phorbol myristate acetate (160 pm-160 nM) induced concentration-related superoxide anion generation. Pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine (33-333 microM) resulted in concentration-related inhibition of superoxide production induced by FMLP (30 nM) or phorbol myristate acetate (16 nM);-log IC50 values were 3.97 +/- 0.07 and 3.91 +/- 0.10, respectively. Changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by FMLP (30 nM) were studied in fura-2-loaded human PMN. FMLP produced a transient calcium response, i.e. a peak followed by decay to a residual value above baseline. N-Acetylcysteine (333 microM) did not affect either basal [Ca2+]i values or changes in [Ca2+]i values after treatment with FMLP. Activation by phorbol myristate acetate caused a reduction in glutathione levels from 5.94 +/- 0.86 (control) to 1.84 +/- 0.51 nmol/3 x 10(6) cells (P < 0.05 compared with control). Pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine (333 microM) fully reversed the reduction in glutathione levels induced by phorbol myristate acetate (4.83 +/- 0.68 nmol/3 x 10(6) cells; P > 0.05 compared with control). Exposure to t-butyl hydroperoxide (0.5 mM, 30 min) markedly increased malondialdehyde levels (from 0.03 +/- 0.02 to 0.73 +/- 0.07 nmol/10(6) cells), and index of lipid peroxidation. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced in PMN treated with N-acetylcysteine (333 microM; 0.55 +/- 0.04 nmol/10(6) cells; P < 0.05 compared with untreated cells exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide). In conclusion, N-acetylcysteine reduces superoxide generation in response to FMLP and phorbol myristate acetate and partially protects against lipid peroxidation in PMN from man. The protection afforded by N-acetylcysteine is not related to alteration of the intracellular calcium signal but might be effected by replenishment of the intracellular glutathione levels.

Effects of SCA40 on human isolated bronchus and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: comparison with rolipram, SKF94120 and levcromakalim

1. SCA40 (0.1 nM-0.1 mM) produced concentration-dependent suppression of the spontaneous tone of human isolated bronchus (-log EC50 = 6.85 +/- 0.09; n = 10) and reached a maximal relaxation similar to that of theophylline (3 mM). The potency (-log EC50 values) of SCA40 compared to other relaxants was rolipram (7.44 +/- 0.12; n = 9) > SCA40 > or = levcromakalim (6.49 +/- 0.04; n = 6) > SKF94120 (5.87 +/- 0.10; n = 9). 2. When tested against the activity of the isoenzymes of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isolated from human bronchus, SCA40 proved highly potent against PDE III (-log IC50 = 6.47 +/- 0.16; n = 4). It was markedly less potent against PDE IV (4.82 +/- 0.18; n = 4) and PDE V (4.32 +/- 0.11; n = 4). 3. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) stimulated with N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) produced a concentration-dependent superoxide anion generation and elastase release. SCA40 (1 nM-10 microM) produced a concentration-related inhibition of FMLP (30 nM approximately EC50)-induced superoxide production (-log IC50 = 5.48 +/- 0.10; n = 6) and elastase release (-log IC50 = 5.50 +/- 0.26; n = 6). Rolipram was an effective inhibitor of superoxide generation and elastase release (-log IC50 values approximately 8) while SKF94120 and levcromakalim were scarcely effective. 4. FMLP (30 nM) and thimerosal (20 microM) induced leukotriene B4 production and elevation of intracellular calcium concentration in human PMNs. The production of leukotriene B4 was inhibited by SCA40 in a concentration-related manner (-log IC50 = 5.94 +/- 0.22; n = 6) but SCA40 was less effective against the elevation of intracellular calcium. Rolipram was an effective inhibitor of leukotriene B4 synthesis (-log IC50 approximately 7) and intracellular calcium elevation (-log IC50 approximately 6) while SKF94120 and levcromakalim were scarcely effective. 5. It is concluded that SCA40 is an effective inhibitor of the inherent tone of human isolated bronchus. The bronchodilatation produced by SCA40 appears mainly related to PDE inhibition since the potency of SCA40 as a relaxant of human isolated bronchus was found to be close to its potency as inhibitor of PDE III activity isolated from human bronchus. In addition, SCA40 exhibited inhibitory effects on human PMN function stimulated by FMLP. These effects may be related to the ability of SCA40 to inhibit PDE IV from human PMNs while the contribution of PDE V inhibition is uncertain. We found no evidence of a role for levcromakalim-sensitive plasmalemmal K+-channels in human PMNs.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase IV and intracellular calcium levels in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzyme type IV is the predominant cyclic AMP hydrolytic activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). PDE IV inhibitors depress functional responses of PMNs but their influence on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) has not been extensively studied. The present study examined the effects of rolipram (a selective PDE IV inhibitor) on the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced changes of [Ca2+]i in fura-2 loaded human PMNs. Rolipram (1 nM-10 microM) did not alter basal [Ca2+]i values. fMLP (10 nM approximately EC50) produced a transient calcium response, i.e., a peak followed by decay to a residual value above baseline. Peak [Ca2+]i values after fMLP were not altered but a faster decay and a lower residual [Ca2+]i were observed in rolipram (0.1-10 microM)-treated cells. fMLP added after thimerosal (20 microM) produced a peak followed by a sustained oscillatory response. Rolipram (up to 10 microM) did not alter the peak but inhibited the sustained response (-log IC50 = 6.39 +/- 0.12). The inhibitory effects of rolipram may be due to alterations in the mobilization of Ca2+ produced by the increase in the cellular content of cyclic AMP. SKF94120 (a selective PDE III inhibitor) produced minor effects on the fMLP-induced calcium response. SCA40 (a mixed PDE III/IV/V inhibitor) produced similar effects but was less potent than rolipram. Reduction of the calcium response probably underlies the inhibition of PMN functions produced by PDE IV inhibitors.

H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibits spontaneous tone and spasmogenic responses in normal and sensitized guinea pig trachea

1. H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor, fully inhibited the spontaneous and stimulated (KCl 20 mM or histamine 0.5 mM) tone of trachea from normal and sensitized guinea pig. 2. H-7 depressed the concentration-contraction curves to KCl, histamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine in epithelium-denuded, indomethacin-treated, trachea from normal and sensitized guinea pigs while responses to CaCl2 (in Ca2+ -free, K+ -depolarized tissues) and acetylcholine were not affected. 3. H-7 (100 microM did not depress Ca2+ (20 microM-induced contraction of Triton X-100 skinned trachea. 4. These results suggest the involvement of PKC in the maintenance of spontaneous tone and spasmogenic responses of guinea pig trachea.

Effects of phorbol 12,13-diacetate and its influence on spasmogenic responses in normal and sensitized guinea-pig trachea

We have studied the effects of phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA) and its influence on a variety of spasmogenic responses in trachea isolated from normal and sensitized guinea-pigs. Tracheal preparations were denuded of epithelium, treated with indomethacin (2.8 microM), and cooled to 20 degrees C. In these experimental conditions, tracheal strips contracted to PDA (0.1 nM-1 microM). Contractions to PDA (1 microM) were greater in sensitized tissues. In normal trachea, contractions to PDA (0.1 microM) were depressed by H-7, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, (50 microM), amiloride (10 microM), verapamil (10 microM) and Ca(2+)-free exposure. Similar effects were obtained in sensitized trachea except that PDA-induced contraction was resistant to verapamil and Ca(2+)-free exposure. Cooling (20 degrees C) of normal trachea substantially depressed the response to CaCl2 (in K(+)-depolarized tissues), KCl, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine without affecting the spasm induced by acetylcholine. This inhibitory effect of cooling was not observed in sensitized trachea. PDA (0.1 microM) did not affect spasmogenic responses at 37 degrees C but counteracted the inhibitory effect of cooling in normal trachea. PDA had no effect on sensitized tissues. PDA (0.1-1 microM) did not alter Ca(2+)-induced contraction of skinned normal and sensitized trachea. These results support the hypothesis that intracellularly stored Ca2+ plays an important role in the activation of sensitized tracheal muscle.

The effects of phorbol 12,13-diacetate on responses of guinea-pig isolated trachea to methylxanthines, isoprenaline and ryanodine

1. Using guinea-pig isolated trachea, we have studied how phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA) modulates mechanical responses of the tissue to methylxanthines, isoprenaline and ryanodine. 2. Caffeine (10 microM-5 mM), theophylline (10 microM-5 mM) and isoprenaline (1 nM-1 microM), each inhibited the spontaneous tone of the trachea. Pretreatment with PDA (0.1-10 microM) converted relaxant responses to high concentrations of the methylxanthines into contractions. PDA produced no equivalent effect against isoprenaline. Pretreatment with verapamil (1 or 10 microM), nifedipine (0.1 microM) or incubation with Ca(2+)-free, EGTA (0.1 mM)-containing physiological salt solution (PSS) suppressed the contraction produced by caffeine or theophylline in PDA (5 microM)-treated tissues. 3. The ability of PDA (5 microM) to convert caffeine-induced relaxation into caffeine-induced contraction was retained in tissues pretreated with a combination of atropine (1 microM) and mepyramine (1 microM) and in tissues denuded of the airway epithelium. 4. Caffeine (10 microM-5 mM), theophylline (10 microM-5 mM) and isoprenaline (1 nM-1 microM), each relaxed trachea contracted with histamine (0.1 mM). The relaxation induced by caffeine, theophylline and isoprenaline was markedly reduced in the presence of PDA (5 microM) and the responses to high concentrations of caffeine and theophylline, but not those to isoprenaline, were reversed to contractions. Verapamil (10 microM) prevented the effects of PDA against caffeine- or theophylline-induced relaxation. 5. PDA (1 microM) enhanced the tracheal spasm produced by caffeine (10 mM) and theophylline (10 mM) in indomethacin (2.8 microM)-treated trachea maintained at 20 degrees C. This enhancement was reduced in the presence of verapamil (10 microM). 6. Tested in trachea bathed by K+-rich (40 mM), Ca2+-free PSS, CaCl2 (0.1-20 mM) caused concentration-dependent spasm. PDA (1-5 MicroM) did not significantly modify the shape or position of the log concentration-effect curve for CaCl2. In contrast, verapamil (1 and 10 MicroM) antagonized CaCl2.7. Tested in trachea bathed by indomethacin (2.8 MicroM)-containing PSS, ryanodine (1-100 MicroM) caused concentration-dependent spasm. PDA (5 MicroM) potentiated ryanodine. Verapamil (10 MicroM) inhibited ryanodine in inducing spasm and suppressed the ability of PDA to potentiate ryanodine.8. It is concluded that, in guinea-pig isolated trachea, PDA augments the spasmogenic activity of the methylxanthines and ryanodine. This effect of PDA does not result from PDA-induced suppression of spontaneous tone, from increased cellular entry of Ca2+ through L-type channels or from sensitization of the intracellular contractile machinery to activator Ca2+. The evidence suggests, instead, that PDA facilitates methylxanthine- or ryanodine-induced release of Ca2+ from the intracellular store.

Differential effects of calcium channel antagonists in rat normal and skinned fundus

CaCl2 (0.1-25 mM, in K(+)-depolarized tissues), KCl (10-112 mM) and acetylcholine (1 nM-1 mM) produced concentration-dependent contractions of rat isolated fundus. Nifedipine (0.01-500 mcM), diltiazem (0.01-100 mcM) and flunarizine (10-500 mcM) each produced a concentration-related inhibition of the log concentration-effect curve for CaCl2. The rank order of potencies of these antagonists, measured as the IC50 against Ca2+ (25 mM)-induced contraction of depolarized fundus, was nifedipine (1.9 mcM) = diltiazem (2.5 mcM) >> flunarizine (660 mcM). Diltiazem depressed KCl-induced contraction with an effectiveness and potency similar to that displayed against CaCl2 but nifedipine and flunarizine were less effective against contractions to KCl compared to CaCl2. Flunarizine (500 mc), but not the other antagonists tested, depressed Ca2+ (20 mc)-evoked contraction of skinned rat fundus preparations. It is concluded that distinct differences exist between the Ca2+ channel antagonists examined. The action of nifedipine and diltiazem is restricted to the plasmalemma, whereas flunarizine also acts on the intracellular contractile apparatus.

Pharmacological modulation of the spasmogenic response to methylxanthines in guinea-pig trachea

The spasmogenic activity of methylxanthines was evaluated in guinea-pig isolated trachea treated with indomethacin (2.8 microM) and cooled to 20 degrees C. The contraction elicited by caffeine or theophylline (10 mM) was reduced in the presence of ouabain (10 microM), amiloride (100 microM), staurosporine (1 microM), H-7 (50 microM), polymyxin B (500 microM), K(+)-free solution, low Na+ (25 mM) medium or Ca(2+)-free (EGTA 0.1 mM) solution but was unaltered in the presence of verapamil (10 microM) or vanadate (10-100 microM). These results suggest that tracheal spasm to methylxanthines predominantly involves Ca2+ release from intracellular stores with a minor component due to extracellular Ca2+ entry through verapamil-insensitive pathways. A Na+/Ca2+ exchange process and the activation of protein kinase C may be also involved.

Effects of vanadate on responses of guinea-pig isolated trachea to spasmogens

The effects of vanadate on the contractility of the guinea-pig isolated trachea was examined. Vanadate (0.1 mM) produced a sustained contraction that was abolished in Ca(2+)-free EGTA (0.1 mM)-containing physiological salt solution but was resistant to verapamil (1 microM). Vanadate (0.1 mM) depressed tracheal responses to CaCl2 (in Ca(2+)-free depolarizing solution), KCl, acetylcholine, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. For vanadate (10 microM), the inhibition of spasmogenic responses only reached statistical significance for histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Caffeine (1 mM)-induced spasm (trachea at 20 degrees C in the presence of indomethacin (2.8 microM)) was not affected by vanadate (10 microM-0.1 mM). Vanadate (0.1 mM) slightly depressed the responses to KCl (50 mM), acetylcholine (1 mM), histamine (1 mM) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.1 mM) observed in Ca(2+)-free EGTA (0.1 mM)-containing physiological salt solution. Vanadate (0.5 mM) depressed Ca2+ (20 microM)-induced contraction of trachea which had been chemically skinned of its plasmalemmal membranes. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of vanadate on tracheal responses to a variety of spasmogens remains obscure, but, under in-vitro conditions, vanadate clearly does not induce hyper-reactivity of airway smooth muscle to spasmogens.