Elevated blood lactate is not a primary cause of anorexia in tumor-bearing rats

Tumor-bearing (TB) rats exhibit elevated concentrations of lactate in blood contiguous with the development of anorexia. Continuous intravenous infusion of lactate into non-TB rats reduced food intake at plasma concentrations lower than those observed in anorectic TB rats. Levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) were elevated in the ventromedial (VMH) and dorsomedial hypothalamic regions of lactate-infused rats. The addition of the enhancer of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, dichloroacetate (DCA), to the drinking water of TB rats (0.1-0.4%) normalized blood lactate concentration but had no significant effect on anorexia. However, the elevated concentration of NPY in the VMH of anorectic TB rats was also normalized by the DCA treatment. No alterations in regional hypothalamic levels of corticotropin-releasing factor were observed within any treatment conditions. These results suggest that, although hyperlactatemia may be involved in maintaining elevated NPY concentrations in anorectic TB rats, it does not appear to be a significant factor in the etiology of experimental cancer anorexia.

Acidogenicity of buccal plaque after a single rinse with amine fluoride - stannous fluoride mouthrinse solution

Caries and gingivitis prevention may benefit from chemotherapeutic plaque control, therefore we compared in a cross-over study with 5 subjects the anti-acidogenic effects of a single use of AmF-SnF2 mouthrinse solutions (Meridol with and without 5% alcohol) with baseline and with the effects of a placebo and a chlorhexidine mouthrinse (CHX). Buccal plaque was collected 0.5, 3 and 8 h after the subjects used one of the mouthrinses, each time before and after a rinse with 10% sucrose to induce lactic acid production. Samples were analysed for acid anions by capillary electrophoresis and for protein. At 0.5 h after the use of AmF-SnF2 or CHX, the concentration of acetate in resting plaque was 70% lower than at baseline or after using the placebo. Average post-sucrose acetate and lactate concentrations in the placebo group were 30-80% higher than at baseline; up to 3 h this difference was significant. 8 h after using AmF-SnF2 or CHX, the post-sucrose acetate and lactate concentrations were still 30-50% lower than after the placebo, and up to 40% lower than at baseline. To conclude, AmF-SnF2 in both Meridol formulations and CHX were shown to have a similar potency to inhibit acid production after a single rinse.

L-[U-14C] lactate binding to a 43 kDa protein in plasma membranes of Candida utilis

To identify the putative lactate transporter protein of Candida utilis, plasma membranes from cells grown either on lactic acid (presence of lactate proton symport) or glucose (absence of lactate proton symport) were incubated with L-[U-14C]lactic acid and the membrane proteins were then separated by SDS-PAGE. A well-defined peak of radioactivity occurred in the lane of the gel containing plasma membrane proteins from lactic-acid-grown cells but not from glucose-grown cells. Binding was inhibited by unlabelled pyruvate and lactate, whereas succinate and citrate were not inhibitory. The monocarboxylate transporter inhibitor of animal cells, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate, competitively inhibited the lactate proton symport in the whole yeast and also inhibited lactate binding to proteins of isolated plasma membranes. The polypeptide pattern of plasma membranes from lactic-acid-grown cells revealed a 43 kDa polypeptide associated with the peak of labelled lactate. Altogether the results suggest that this polypeptide is either the lactate transporter or a component of it.

Amrinone prevents the inhibition of muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity during sepsis

A decreased proportion of active pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH) in skeletal muscle has been implicated as an important factor in elevating plasma lactate concentrations in hypermetabolic sepsis. The mediators of the septic process responsible for the inhibition of PDH complex in muscle are unknown. To assess the role of tumor necrosis factor in mediating the effects of sepsis, the effect of daily injections of amrinone (5 mg/kg/day), which inhibits the release of tumor necrosis factor during sepsis, on the proportion of PDH in the active form (PDHa) was investigated in a model of chronic hypermetabolic sepsis. In skeletal muscle from untreated septic rats, PDHa was decreased 50%. Treatment of septic rats with amrinone for 5 days prevented the sepsis-induced decrease in PDHa. Sepsis caused a 2.5-fold elevation in plasma lactate concentrations. The maintenance of the PDH complex activity at control values following injection of amrinone in septic rats was associated with reduced lactate concentrations in plasma. Thus, amrinone prevented the sepsis-induced abnormalities in skeletal muscle PDH activity and plasma lactate concentrations.

L(+)-lactate binding to a protein in rat skeletal muscle plasma membranes

Biochemical studies were conducted to determine the location of a putative lactate transport protein in rat skeletal muscle plasma membranes (PM). PM (50-100 micrograms protein) were incubated with [U-14C] L(+)-lactate, in the presence or absence of unlabeled monocarboxylates or potential inhibitors, after which proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. Gel slices (2 mm) were cut and analyzed for 14C. [U-14C] L(+)-lactate was bound to plasma membranes in the 30 to 40 kDa molecular mass range. Binding of [U-14C] L(+)-lactate was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, unlabeled L-lactate and pyruvate, and in a dose dependent manner by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (r = 0.995), but not by cytochalasin-B. The inhibition of [U-14C] L(+)-lactate binding was similar to the inhibition of lactate transport. Therefore the transport of L(+)-lactate across skeletal muscle plasma membranes involves a polypeptide of 30 to 40 kDa.

Mechanisms of stimulus-evoked intracellular acidification in frog nerve fibres

Measurements of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) in frog nerve fibers (sciatic nerve and its thin bundles) were performed by using fluorescein diacetate. Earlier it had been established that veratridine (VER) treatment of the nerve greatly enhances the stimulus-evoked intracellular acidification (SEIA) which becomes irreversible after blockade of the Na+/K+ pump with ouabain. Present experiments have shown that inhibition of lactic acid production by iodacetamide (5 mM) or blockade of Cl- influx by SITS do not prevent or attenuate the VER- and stimulus-evoked decrease in pHi. Blockade of Na+/H+ exchange by EIPA impedes pHi recovery following repetitive stimulation. Lowering of external pH (pHe) to 6.5 enhances, while elevation of pHe to 9.5 greatly diminishes SEIA, both in the presence or absence of VER. The hypothesis is put forward that SEIA results from excessive influx of H+ and Na+ into the fiber via activated Na+ channels: internal Na+ suppresses Na+/H+ exchange which potentiates the pHi decrease caused by H+ influx.

Evidence for a lactate-anion exchanger in the rat jejunal basolateral membrane

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The mechanism by which lactate, absorbed from the intestinal lumen or generated within the epithelium, crosses the basolateral membrane of the enterocyte and enters the bloodstream has not previously been characterized in detail.

METHODS

L-lactate uptake into and efflux from isolated jejunal basolateral membrane vesicles was investigated at room temperature using rapid filtration techniques.

RESULTS

Furosemide sensitive uptake of L-lactate was unaffected by cis sodium or proton gradients but could be stimulated by a trans gradient of bicarbonate and chloride. Kinetic analysis showed uptake to consist of a saturable component with a Michaelis constant (Km) of 3.2 mmol/L and a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 67 pmol.mg protein-1 x s-1 and a nonsaturable alpha-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid insensitive component. Pyruvate, butyrate, acetate, valerate, and propionate competitively inhibited lactate uptake into the vesicles. Efflux of lactate from preloaded vesicles was furosemide sensitive and accelerated by a trans bicarbonate gradient as well as by 10 mmol/L acetate, butyrate, and pyruvate.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that there is a short chain-fatty acid carrier system in the intestinal basolateral membrane, which operates as an anion exchanger.

Iron- and lactic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rat kidney homogenates and slices

Lactic acid 4 mM acted as a lipoperoxidant by increasing production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in rat kidney slices and homogenates. This effect occurred mainly when slices and homogenates were incubated in a pH 5.4 medium conductive to full expression of compound acidity. TBARS increase was only slight when incubation was performed in Krebs buffer, pH 7.4. Moreover, sodium lactate 4 mM increased TBARS production only when homogenates were incubated in the pH 5.4 medium. Deferoxamine (1 mM) inhibited the prooxidant effect of lactic acid 4 mM, and TBARS increase was correlated with iron release. The iron mobilized may come from reserves where it is weakly bound or from ferritin; and ascorbic acid, present in low quantities in kidney, might trigger the release of this product.

Inhibition by noradrenaline and adrenaline of the increase in glucose and lactate output and decrease in flow after sympathetic nerve stimulation in perfused rat liver: possible involvement of protein kinase C

In perfused rat liver stimulation of the hepatic nerve plexuses increased via alpha 1-receptors glucose and lactate output decreased flow and caused an overflow of noradrenaline into the hepatic vein. Infusion of noradrenaline and adrenaline also elicited similar metabolic and hemodynamic alterations via alpha 1-receptors, whereas infusion of isoproterenol via beta 2-receptors enhanced glucose output and slightly reduced lactate release without affecting flow. The influence of circulating catecholamines on the nerve stimulation-dependent changes was investigated. Noradrenaline (100 nmol/L) or adrenaline (40 nmol/L) but not isoproterenol (1 mumol/L), which themselves caused about half-maximal alterations, strongly inhibited the nerve stimulation-induced increase in glucose and lactate output and decrease in flow but had no effect on noradrenaline overflow. The protein kinase C activator (4 beta)phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (100 nmol/L) but not its analog (4 alpha)phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (100 nmol/L) strongly inhibited the metabolic and hemodynamic changes caused by nerve stimulation or noradrenaline infusion. The protein kinase C inhibitor H7 (20 mumol/L) partially prevented the inhibition of the nerve actions by noradrenaline. The results lead us to conclude that noradrenaline and adrenaline inhibited the metabolic and hemodynamic nerve actions by means of a mechanism involving protein kinase C rather than presynaptic alpha-receptors or beta-receptors. The catecholamines apparently increased via alpha 1-receptors inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which in turn enhanced cytosolic Ca2+ and thus altered metabolism and in part hemodynamics, and diacylglycerol, which in turn activated protein kinase C and thus feedback inhibited the signal chain from alpha 1-receptors via G proteins to phospholipase C.

Inhibition of lactate-induced swelling by dichloroacetate in human astrocytoma cells

High levels of tissue lactate exacerbate tissue damage that results from cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury that follows. Post-ischemic treatment with dichloroacetate (DCA) facilitates a decrease in lactate in the central nervous system (CNS) of animals during reperfusion following experimental ischemia, thus it may help to ameliorate ischemic cell damage. It has been suggested that the lactate lowering effect is mediated through a stimulatory effect of DCA on pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDHC) activity. We have studied such a hypothesis in a human astrocytoma derived cell line, UC-11MG. Under conditions resembling those of the ischemic tissue (i.e. high lactate and low pH) these cells accumulate lactate, driven by the inwardly directed proton gradient, and swell as a consequence of the osmotic effect of intracellular lactate. We have demonstrated that DCA increases PDHC activity and also reduces lactate-induced swelling. However, we also found that these two effects could be uncoupled and that the ability of DCA to prevent swelling is still present in the absence of any stimulation of PDHC. We also demonstrated that DCA competitively inhibits the uptake of lactate (Ki = 1.9 mM) and increases the efflux of lactate in a trans-acting manner that suggests the presence of a lactate-DCA exchange. We present a mechanism by which reduction in the rate of lactate uptake could account for the observed inhibition of swelling. This effect of DCA on lactate transport indicates another possible mechanism of action for DCA in facilitating the decrease in lactate observed in vivo during reperfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modulation of the beta-adrenergic-response in cultured rat heart cells. II. Mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) blocks induction of beta-adrenergic supersensitivity. Dissociation from lipid-binding activity of MDGI

'Mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI)' is a 14.5 kDa polypeptide with growth-inhibitory activity for various mammary epithelial cells in vitro which is highly homologous to cardiac fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP). Here we describe a new biological activity of MDGI: Inhibition of L(+)-lactate-, arachidonic acid- and 15-S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced supersensitivity of neonatal rat heart cells for beta-adrenergic stimulation, concerning particularly a small population of beta 2-receptors. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the MDGI-sequence, residue 121-131 mimic the effect of MDGI. Measurements of lipid-binding to MDGI and synthetic peptides excluded the binding of arachidonic acid, 15-S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid or beta-adrenergic agonists to MDGI or the peptides as the mechanism for this effect. Also, no direct interference of MDGI and the synthetic peptides with the binding of the beta-adrenergic agent CGP 12177 to its receptor on A431 cells could be detected. We suggest that MDGI and the peptides act by interference with the function of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor and that this mechanism might also be relevant for the growth-inhibitory activity of MDGI. Furthermore, the data point to a possible function of H-FABP for the modulation of beta-adrenergic sensitivity of cardiac myocytes.

Lactate-proton cotransport in rabbit corneal epithelium

The presence of the membrane transport mechanism, lactate-H+ cotransport, was tested in explants of rabbit corneal epithelium. Basal corneal epithelial cells were loaded with the pH sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured by rationing the fluorescence emission output following excitation at 490 and 440 nm. Perfusion of explants in lactate-containing Ringer's, pH 7.40, produced a reversible decrease in pHi. The lactate induced proton influx (mM/min) followed saturating kinetics, Km = 10.7 mM lactate, Vmax = 10.2 mM/min. Proton influx following addition of 10 mM lactate was inhibited 36, 60 and 47% by pre-perfusion in 1 mM CHC (cyano-hydroxycinammic acid), 500 microM H2DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanato-dihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) and 1 mM LAIE (lactic acid isobutylester), respectively. These inhibitors of lactate-H+ cotransport were reversible. Mersalyl acid (500 microM) inhibited proton flux from 10 mM lactate addition by nearly 100%, but was irreversible. Stimulation of lactate production by perfusion in N2 equilibrated Ringer's (hypoxia) or the addition of 1 mM NaCN led to a slow alkalinization (0.1 pH unit in 10 min). Pre-perfusion with the reversible inhibitors slowed the hypoxic alkalinization by approximately 40%. It is concluded that lactate-H+ cotransport is present in the corneal epithelium and that it contributes to pHi regulation during hypoxia.

[Pathophysiological and clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of dalargin in the treatment of arterial occlusive diseases of the lower extremities]

Eighty seven patients with Stages II-III vascular occlusions in the lower extremities were examined. The clinical and biochemical parameters of the course of the disease were found to improve in the patients who received in earlier periods dalargin supplemented to the combined therapy than in those from a matched group. There was a decrease in femoral venous blood lactate concentrations in the diseased extremity, blood cholesterol and parathyroid hormone levels. The mechanisms responsible for effects of dalargin on metabolic parameters and clinical indices of the patients' condition were also discussed. Whether it is possible to use dalargin in the combined therapy for extremity vascular occlusive diseases is considered.

Inhibition of endogenous lactate turnover with lactate infusion in humans

The extent to which lactate infusion may inhibit endogenous lactate production, though previously considered, has never been critically assessed. To examine this proposition, single injection tracer methodology (U-14C Lactate) has been used for the estimation of lactate kinetics in 12 human subjects under basal conditions and with the infusion of sodium lactate. The basal rate of lactate turnover was measured on a day before the study with lactate infusion, and averaged 63.7 + 5.5 mg/kg/h. Six of these individuals received a stable lactate infusion at an approximate rate of 160 mg/kg/h, while the remaining six individuals were infused at the approximate rate of 100 mg/kg/h. It has been found that stable lactate infused at rates approximating 160 mg/kg/h consistently produced a complete inhibition of endogenous lactate production. Infusion of lactate at 100 mg/kg/h caused a lesser and more variable inhibition of endogenous lactate production (12% to 64%). In conclusion, lactate infusion significantly inhibits endogenous lactate production.

Balancing of mitochondrial and glycolytic ATP production and of the ATP-consuming processes of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells in a high phosphate medium

A balance of energy budgeting of Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells including mitochondrial and glycolytic ATP production and about 80% of ATP consumption in a high phosphate medium is presented. In the share of glycolysis was about one-third of the total ATP production, more than twice that found in a low phosphate medium. The extent of a single energy reaction was assessed from the decrease of coupled oxygen consumption and lactate formation following the specific inhibition of this process. The inhibitory effects on coupled respiration and glycolysis were identical for the energy consuming processes measured: protein turnover, Na+/K(+)-ATPase, Ca2(+)-transport and RNA synthesis.

Imipramine and alprazolam treatment of lactate-induced acute endogenous distress in nonhuman primates

The authors studied the response of 10 macaque monkeys to administration of sodium lactate, a panicogenic agent used in human panic disorder research, after treatment with the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, the triazolobenzodiazepine alprazolam, or placebo. Both drugs effectively blocked the lactate-induced acute endogenous distress responses that had been reliably observed in the monkeys before drug treatment. Only alprazolam significantly reduced the occurrence of conditioned situational anxiety responses observed in the home cage. The alprazolam monkeys appeared to be sedated compared to the imipramine and placebo groups, and tremor and temporary exacerbation of anxious behaviors were observed during alprazolam withdrawal.

In vitro lactic acid inhibition and alterations in volatile fatty acid production by antimicrobial feed additives

Batch culture fermentations were used to determine the effects of avoparcin, lasalocid, monensin, narasin, salinomycin, thiopeptin, tylosin, virginiamycin, monensin + tylosin combination, and two new ionophore compounds (RO22-6924/004 and RO21-6447/009) on lactic acid and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. Ruminal fluid from cattle fed a high alfalfa hay diet was incubated with glucose for 12 h in a buffered medium to determine the effect of antimicrobial compounds on lactic acid concentration. Fermentations treated with antimicrobial compounds had higher final pH and lower L(+) lactic acid concentration. Narasin and salinomycin were more inhibitory than other ionophore compounds. Monensin and tylosin in combination was more effective than monensin alone. Among the nonionophore compounds, avoparcin was the least effective and thiopeptin, tylosin and virginiamycin were extremely effective in reducing lactic acid concentration. Ruminal fluid from cattle fed a diet of alfalfa hay and grain (50:50) was incubated with a mixture of sugars, casein and urea for 12 h in a buffered medium to determine the effect of antimicrobial compounds on VFA production. Generally, total VFA concentration was not affected by antimicrobial compounds except RO22-6924/004, tylosin and virginiamycin, which caused a reduction at high concentrations. Tylosin, monensin and tylosin mixture, thiopeptin and virginiamycin at high concentrations (greater than 6.0 micrograms/ml) increased the acetate proportion. All compounds increased the molar proportion of propionate. Tylosin and virginiamycin at high concentrations (greater than 6.0 micrograms/ml) decreased the proportion of propionate. Monensin and tylosin in combination had no effect on propionate proportion. Among the compounds tested, narasin and salinomycin were the most effective in enhancing propionate proportion. Ionophore compounds were more inhibitory to butyrate production than the nonionophore compounds. Batch culture fermentations may be used to quantitate the relative efficacy of antimicrobial compounds to alter ruminal fermentation characteristics.

Lactate transport by cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

L-lactate is taken up by cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles in a process that is saturable with respect to L-lactate, stereospecific, associated specifically with the sarcolemmal membrane, and inhibited by other monocarboxylic acids and by the protein modifiers p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonate and N-ethylmaleimide. 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, an inhibitor of the inorganic anion transporter, is without effect. The L-lactate transport is very sensitive to pH. Uptake is stimulated by a proton gradient directed inward and decreased when internal pH is lower than external pH. Passive diffusion of nonionized lactic acid into the vesicles is negligible at physiological pH and appears to remain minor even when external pH is lowered by more than one unit. Also, the mechanism does not require specific Na+-L-lactate contransport. The properties of the L-lactate transporting system in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles appear similar to those of the monocarboxylate transporter in erythrocytes, hepatocytes, and Ehrlich ascites cells. The present results do not allow a distinction to be made between stepwise interaction of lactate- and H+ or association of nonionized lactic acid with the carrier.

Hypoglycemia following insulin and proinsulin. A comparison

The counterregulatory hormonal response to proinsulin-induced hypoglycemia was investigated in eight volunteers. Proinsulin cleared slower from the circulation than insulin. Hypoglycemia occurred slower (2P less than 0.005) and was prolonged, while the overall hypoglycemic activities were comparable. The antilipolytic effect of proinsulin was also prolonged (2P less than 0.001). The response of epinephrine to hypoglycemia was less pronounced after proinsulin (2P less than 0.05). The amount of epinephrine was correlated to the rate of fall in plasma glucose (P less than 0.005). The production of lactate induced by beta-stimulation was also correlated to the fall of glucose (P less than 0.005). The responses of prolactin (2P less than 0.02), norepinephrine (2P less than 0.02), cortisol, and growth hormone were attenuated following proinsulin. The decreases of serum potassium and serum phosphate (2P less than 0.05) were less pronounced. Symptoms like sweating (2P less than 0.01) and dizziness (2P less than 0.01) were milder after proinsulin. It is concluded that the rate of fall in glucose concentration determines the differing counterregulatory responses. We don't relate the differing counterregulatory responses to special insulin-like properties of proinsulin, but to the slower kinetics which is emphasized by the intravenous bolus injection.

Inhibition of acid production from oral bacteria by fluorapatite-derived fluoride

The inhibitory effect of fluorapatite (FAP)-derived fluoride upon resting cell suspensions of Streptococcus mutans incubated at pH 4.5 and 6.5 was studied using lactic acid production from 0.1% sucrose as an indicator of fermentation activity. Cells incubated with FAP produced significantly less lactic acid than did cells incubated with hydroxyapatite (HAP). Addition of HAP to cell suspensions containing FAP reduced this inhibition, suggesting that dissolution of the FAP was necessary for inhibition. Incubation with low concentrations of NaF showed significant inhibition in cell suspensions incubated with as little as 0.45 micrograms/mL F at pH 5.0. These results provide further support to the hypothesis that fluoride levels in plaque and enamel, achievable through use of fluoridated water and/or fluoride dentifrices, may produce appreciable inhibition of glycolysis at the acidic pH levels which are readily achieved in plaque. Thus, bacterial acid production may activate plaque and enamel-bound fluoride, resulting in inhibition of further acid production, and thereby contribute substantially to the other cariostatic mechanisms of fluoride.

Sodium lactate infusions and panic attacks: a review and critique

Response to sodium lactate infusions has been proposed as an experimental model and a biologic marker for panic attacks. Several authors have claimed that patients suffering from panic attacks, but not normal controls, "panic" in response to lactate. A careful review of methods and results of 13 studies, however, reveals serious methodologic problems, lack of specificity and sensitivity, and a failure to consider cognitive variables. When baseline differences are ruled out, the responses of patients and controls may not differ. So far, response to lactate cannot be interpreted as a model and marker for panic attacks and does not provide evidence for their underlying biologic distinctness from other types of anxiety. Known biologic mechanisms do not sufficiently explain the effects of lactate. Instead, an interaction of peripheral physiologic changes, past experience, environmental cues, and their appraisal as threatening or dangerous seems to be a more appropriate model.

Protective effects of diazepam and valproate on beta-vinyllactic acid-induced seizures

GABA level and the activity of L-glutamate-1-decarboxylase (GAD) (EC 4.1.1.15) were studied in brains of mice treated with beta-vinyllactic acid, a new, selective and pyridoxal phosphate-independent GAD inhibitor. Valproate and diazepam protected mice against convulsions caused by beta-vinyllactic acid although both anti-epileptic drugs antagonized neither the decrease in GABA concentrations nor the inhibition of GAD observed after treatment with beta-vinyllactic acid alone. Assuming that the anticonvulsant effect measured with both antiepileptics is GABA mediated, these results support the hypothesis of a postsynaptic enhancement of GABAergic transmission by diazepam and valproate.

Evidence that glucose and sucrose uptake in oral streptococcal bacteria involves independent phosphotransferase and proton-motive force-mediated mechanisms

Sugar transport and glycolysis in Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7865, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903, Streptococcus salivarius NCTC 8606 and several strains of Streptococcus mutans were investigated by following the rate of acid production by washed bacteria at a constant pH of 7.0. The phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system (PTS) was inhibited by low concentrations of chlorhexidine. When this PTS-inhibitory concentration of chlorhexidine was added to cells washed and re-suspended in KCl, glucose uptake and glycolysis continued at a greatly-reduced rate. Chlorhexidine abolished glucose and sucrose uptake and metabolism in bacteria washed and incubated in saline. The Na+-inhibition was reproduced in KCl-washed bacteria using the cyclic peptide ionophores, valinomycin and gramicidin, to dissipate K+ and H+ gradients across the cell membrane. Glucose metabolism by Strep. mutans B13 was more resistant to chlorhexidine than that of Strep. mutans NCTC 10449 or Strep. sanguis but was more sensitive to the ionophores. Valinomycin had a greater inhibitory effect on strain B13 than the other two. That ion gradients are important in the chlorhexidine-resistant glucose-uptake mechanism was confirmed using the classical uncoupling agents, carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone, 2,4-dinitrophenol and KSCN. Glucose metabolism was inhibited in the presence of both the uncouplers and the PTS-inhibitory concentration of chlorhexidine and significant inhibition was also observed in the absence of the PTS inhibitor. Lactate or the ATPase inhibitor, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCCD), had similar inhibitory effects on the non-PTS uptake system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A possible central opiate mechanism involved in the inhibition of food intake and reticular motility by duodenal DL-lactic acid infusion in sheep

Intraduodenal infusion of DL-lactic acid was performed in sheep fitted with a permanent cannula into the lateral cerebral ventricle and nichrome electrodes on the reticulum in order to record its electrical activity during periods of controlled food intake in a series of experiments subsequently repeated in animals fasted for 12 hours. A solution of 0.2M DL-lactic acid was infused at a rate of 1 ml/min during the 1st hour of a 3-hour period of feeding with or without previous intracerebroventricular (ICV) or IV administration of naloxone (2.4 and 10 micrograms/kg). During lactic acid infusion, the food intake and the frequency of reticular contraction (measured during eating) were reduced by 48% and 19%, respectively--these effects being prolonged for the 1st hour after infusion. Previous ICV administration of naloxone (2.4 micrograms/kg) partially blocked the effects of lactic acid on food intake (63%) and frequency of reticulum contractions (58%). These effects were abolished for the largest dose of naloxone (10 micrograms/kg) administered ICV, whereas its IV administration did not affect significantly the effects of lactic acid. It is concluded that the duodenal lactic acid concentration may have a role in the control of food intake by a mechanism involving central opiate mediation.

Lactate carriers in the artificially perfused human term placenta

Thirty-two isolated cotyledons from human term placentae were perfused artificially with a tissue culture medium on the maternal and the fetal side. The transfer and uptake of labelled L-lactate and D-lactate (test substance) relative to L-glucose (reference substance, extracellular marker) were investigated in steady-state experiments (n = 9) and in a single passage paired tracer dilution technique (n = 23). The L-lactate transfer exceeded the L-glucose transfer two to three times. The L-lactate uptake into the trophoblast--both from the maternal and the fetal side--was more than three times that of D-lactate. L-lactate transfer and uptake were inhibited by phloretin. The L-lactate transfer showed a saturation kinetic at increasing chemical concentrations of lactate. It is concluded that lactate carriers exist both in the maternal and fetal side of the trophoblast.

The status of metformin in Canada

During the 1970s two biguanide drugs, phenformin and metformin, were used to control hyperglycemia. Phenformin was phased out of the Canadian market because it carried an unacceptable risk of causing lactic acidosis, but metformin remains available. All documented cases of lactic acidosis associated with metformin administration, which are rare, have occurred abroad in patients who were taking the drug in spite of having contraindications to its use. The two drugs are metabolized differently, phenformin being deactivated and concentrated in the liver, and metformin being excreted rapidly, unchanged, by the kidneys. In properly selected diabetic patients therapeutic doses of metformin do not raise the blood levels of intermediary metabolites enough to induce ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis. The safety of the drug is supported by the clinical experience over about 56,000 patient-years in Canada.

Indomethacin inhibits bone resorption and lysosomal enzyme release from bone in organ culture

The effect of indomethacin on bone resorption was studied in an organ culture system, using calvarial bones from 6--7-day-old mice. It was found that indomethacin inhibited spontaneous bone resorption, as estimated by decreased release of 45Ca, Ca2+ and Pi. Indomethacin reduced the release of beta-glucuronidase, beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, diminished glucose consumption and lactate production, but showed no effect on the release of lactate dehydrogenase. No inhibitory effect of indomethacin on the release of 45Ca stimulated by parathyroid hormone, prostaglandin E2 or 1 alpha(OH)D3 could be registered. 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, an inhibitor of both cyclo- and lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonate metabolism, reduced the spontaneous release of 45Ca, whereas the selective lipoxygenase inhibitor 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid was without effect. The results presented indicate that indomethacin may have an inhibitory effect upon the osteoclasts, probably by decreased metabolism of arachidonic acid via the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. A possible relationship between this finding and the pathogenesis of rapid destruction of articular bone in osteoarthritic patients treated with indomethacin is discussed.

Relationships among purine nucleoside metabolism, adenosine triphosphate catabolism, and glycolysis in human erythrocytes

In human erythrocytes incubated with both naturally occurring purine nucleosides and with a variety of purine nucleoside analogs, ATP catabolism was accelerated and lactate accumulation was increased. Tubercidin was a particularly potent inducer of ATP catabolism. In cells incubated with tubercidin, the major route of adenylate metabolism was deamination, whereas in cells incubated with deoxyglucose, the major pathway was dephosphorylation.

Gluconeogenesis in the kidney cortex. Effects of D-malate and amino-oxyacetate

1. Rat kidney-cortex slices incubated with d-malate alone formed very little glucose. d-Malate, however, augmented gluconeogenesis from l-lactate and inhibited gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and l-malate. 2. d-Malate had little effect on the rate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle with or without other substrates added. 3. d-Malate inhibited the activity of the l-malate dehydrogenase in a high-speed-supernatant fraction from kidney cortex. 4. It was concluded that d-malate inhibited either the operation of the cytoplasmic l-malate dehydrogenase or malate outflow from the mitochondria in the intact kidney-cortex cell. This supports the hypothesis of Lardy, Paetkau & Walter (1965) and Krebs, Gascoyne & Notton (1967) on the role of malate as carrier for carbon and reducing equivalents in gluconeogenesis. 5. Gluconeogenesis from l-lactate in kidney-cortex slices was strongly inhibited by a low concentration (0.1mm) of amino-oxyacetate, whereas glucose formation from pyruvate, malate, aspartate and several other compounds was only slightly affected. 6. High concentrations of l-aspartate largely reversed the inhibition of gluconeogenesis from l-lactate caused by amino-oxyacetate. 7. Amino-oxyacetate inhibited strongly the glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase in the 30000g supernatant fraction of a kidney-cortex homogenate. The presence of l-aspartate decreased the inhibition of the transaminase by amino-oxyacetate. 8. Detritiation of l-[2-(3)H]aspartate was inhibited by 90% during an incubation of kidney-cortex slices with l-lactate and amino-oxyacetate. 9. Low concentrations (10mum) of artificial electron acceptors such as Methylene Blue and phenazine methosulphate abolished most of the inhibition of gluconeogenesis from l-lactate by amino-oxyacetate. This is interpreted as an activation of net malate outflow from the mitochondria by-passing the inhibited transfer of oxaloacetate. 10. These findings support the concept that transamination to aspartate is involved in the transfer of oxaloacetate from mitochondria to cytosol required in gluconeogenesis from l-lactate.