Adrenergic,purinergic, and endothelial mediators and modulators of norepinephrine-induced mesenteric autoregulatory escape

We evaluated the effects of potential factors in autoregulatory escape from norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction in rat anterior mesenteric artery. We determined mesenteric artery blood flow velocity with a pulsed Doppler, sonic flowmeter, and systemic arterial blood pressure with a transducer. A 4-min norepinephrine infusion (0.125–1.0 × 10^–8 M/min) intravenously evoked a dose-dependent, initial vasoconstriction that was followed by rapid escape of blood flow toward or above the control value during sustained norepinephrine administration. Neonatal capsaicin treatment enhanced vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine but failed to affect escape parameters. Propranolol decreased norepinephrine-induced escape dose dependently. Adenosine deaminase attenuated escape, and the combination of this enzyme plus propranolol nearly abolished escape from norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction. Methylene blue also diminished autoregulatory escape. These findings suggest that norepinephrine-induced autoregulatory escape involves simultaneous -adrenoceptor, purinergic, and endothelial mediation. Norepinephrine-evoked mesenteric vasoconstriction appears to involve predominantly ₂-adrenoceptors and is modulated by peptidergic sensory nerves and adenosine.NIH grant number supporting these studies: USPHS # DK37050.     

Adenosine for the management of patients with tachycardias--a new protocol

We developed a new protocol for diagnosis and treatment of patientswith sustained tachycardias (heart rate > 150 beats. min^–1).The patients first underwent vagal manoeuvres; if those remainedunsuccessful, i.v. adenosine in increasing doses of 6, 12, and18 mg was administered until sinus rhythm (SR) or transientatrioventricular (AV) block, unmasking the underlying rhythm,was recorded. In the latter and in the non-responding casesother antiarrhythmics were applied. Ninety-three episodes of tachycardia in 46 patients were treatedaccording to this protocol. Six episodes (6%) were terminatedby carotid massage, 64 of the remaining 87 episodes (74%) respondedto adenosine with return to SR. Conversion to SR occurred moreoften in episodes with narrow- than in wide-complex tachycardia(81 vs 59%, P<005). To achieve SR, the mean adenosine dosewas lower in narrow- than in wide-complex tachycardia (13±8vs 21 ± 10 mg; P<0.01). The duration of asystole afteradenosine did not differ between these two groups, whereas theduration of arrhythmia after adenosine differed significantly(8.5 ± 5.8 vs 18.6 ± 22.9 s; P<0.05). Sideeffects of adenosine such as flush, dyspnoea, and chest paindid not seem to be dose dependent and occurred in about 20%. According to our protocol, in more than 75% SR was achievedin patients with sustained tachycardias after vagal manoeuvresand adenosine.     

Thiopentone inhibits beta-adrenergic responses in myocardial tissue

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of inhibition of beta-adrenergic function in thiopentone-induced myocardial depression. Using an isolated, electrically stimulated rat left atria model, contractile dose-response curves to thiopentone (200 μM, 400 μM, 600 μM, 800 μM) were shifted to the right in preparations treated with 10^{− 3} M dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) compared with atria stimulated with 10^{− 6} M isoprenaline, demonstrating that inhibition of beta-adrenergic mechanisms by thiopentone is physiologically important. Depression by thiopentone was similar in atria treated with 10^{− 5} M forskolin compared with preparations stimulated with 10^{− 6} M isoprenaline, indicating that thiopentone does not block beta-adrenergic receptors. It is concluded that thiopentone depresses myocardial function by several mechanisms, one of which involves inhibition of the adenyl cyclase cascade. The adenyl cyclase enzyme is a likely site where thiopentone inhibits the system; however, other components of the cascade may also be involved. L’objectif de cette étude consiste à déterminer l’influence de l’inhibition de l’activité β-adrenergique sur la dépression myocardique induite par le thiopentone. A l’aide d’un modèle constitué d’une oreillette gauche de rat stimulée électriquement, la relation dose-effet du thiopentone sur la contractilité (200 μM, 400 μM, 600 μM, 800 μM) se déplace vers la droite dans des préparations traitées avec de l’adénosine monophosphorique cyclique (cAMP) 10^{− 3} M comparativement à des oreillettes stimulées avec de l’isoprénaline 10^{− 6} M, ce qui démontre que l’inhibition β-adrénergique provoquée par le thiopentone est physiologiquement importante. La dépression de l’oreillette provoquée par le thiopentone est identique à celle que produit la forskoline 10^{− 5} M comparativement à celle de l’isoprénaline 10^{− 6} M, ce qui indique que le thiopentone n’inhibe pas les récepteurs β-adrénergiques. Les auteurs concluent que le thiopentone déprime la fonction myocardique par plusieurs mécanismes qui impliquent l’inhibition de la cascade de l’adényl cyclase. L’inhibition du système se produit vraisemblablement au niveau de l’enzyme adényl cyclase; cependant, il est possible que d’autres éléments de la cascade de l’adényl cyclase soient impliqués.     

The extracellular versus intracellular mechanisms of inhibition of TCR-triggered activation in thymocytes by adenosine under conditions of inhibited adenosine deaminase

The absence or low levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in humans result in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which is characterized by hypoplastic thymus, T lymphocyte depletion and autoimmunity. Deficiency of ADA causes increased levels of both intracellular and extracellular adenosine, although only the intracellular lymphotoxicity of accumulated adenosine is considered in the pathogenesis of ADA SCID. It is shown that extracellular but not intracellular adenosine selectively inhibits TCR-triggered up-regulation of activation markers and apoptotic events in thymocytes under conditions of ADA deficiency. The effects of intracellular adenosine are dissociated from effects of extracellular adenosine in experiments using an adenosine transporter blocker. We found that prevention of toxicity of intracellular adenosine led to survival of TCR-cross-linked thymocytes in long-term (4 days) assays, but it was not sufficient for normal T cell differentiation under conditions of inhibited ADA. Surviving TCR-cross-linked thymocytes had a non-activated phenotype due to extracellular adenosine-mediated, TCR-antagonizing signaling. Taken together the data suggest that both intracellular toxicity and signaling by extracellular adenosine may contribute to pathogenesis of ADA SCID. Accordingly, extracellular adenosine may act on thymocytes, which survived intracellular toxicity of adenosine during ADA deficiency by counteracting TCR signaling. This, in turn, could lead to failure of positive and negative selection of thymocytes, and to additional elimination of thymocytes or autoimmunity of surviving T cells.     

腺苷心肌保护液对离体大鼠心肌能量代谢及离子含量的影响

为观察腺苷心肌保护液对大鼠心肌ＡＴＰ及离子含量的影响, 采用离体大鼠工作心脏缺氧停搏１２０ ｍ ｉｎ, 采用高钾、高钾＋ 腺苷及腺苷停搏液进行心肌保护。发现停搏末含腺苷的两组ＡＴＰ含量明显高于高钾组, 且复灌后进一步恢复; 各离子含量均能保持平稳。高钾组复灌后细胞内Ｎａ＋ 、Ｃａ２＋ 明显增高伴Ｍｇ２＋ 的减少。结果表明： 腺苷心肌保护液能够改善心肌能量代谢, 维持停搏期间及复灌后细胞内离子含量的稳定, 对缺氧心肌发挥保护作用     

分化诱导剂对人肝癌细胞亚细胞组分酪氨酸蛋白激酶的早期影响

研究双丁酰环磷酸腺苷（ｄｂｃＡＭＰ）和全反式维甲酸（ＡＴＲＡ）两种分化诱导剂对人肝癌细胞株ＳＭＭＣ－７７２１亚细胞组分中酪氨酸蛋白激酶（ＴＰＫ）的早期（２４ｈ内）效应。方法用超离心等法制备胞液（ｃ）,胞核（ｎ）和膜性（ｍ）ＴＰＫ酶液,以聚谷氨酸∶酪氨酸（ｐｏ１ｙＥ．Ｙ）４∶ｌ及γ－３２Ｐ－ＡＴＰ为底物测定ＴＰＫ活力。结果对照和ｄｂｃＡＭＰ处理１ｈ使ｃＴＰＫ和ｎＴＰＫ升高,以后对照降至原有水平,而ｄｂｃＡＭＰ处理细胞的ｎＴＰＫ在１２～２４ｈ略低于对照细胞,但ｍＴＰＫ在１ｈ反而降低,在３ｈ（对照）或６ｈ（ｄｂｃＡＭＰ）升至高峰,１２ｈ后ｄｂｃＡＭＰ使ｍＴＰＫ活力低于对照。ＡＴＲＡ作用于ＳＭＭＣ－７７２１细胞后,１ｈ可使三类ＴＰＫ活力均升至高峰,１２ｈ后ｃＴＰＫ和ｎＴＰＫ活力低于对照细胞,但ｍＴＰＫ活力在２４ｈ才低于对照。结论ｄｂｃＡＭＰ和ＡＴＲＡ对不同亚细胞组分ＴＰＫ有不同的时相效应。一般说来,早期（１～６ｈ）有升高作用,而在１２～２４ｈ则有一下降作用,呈现双相效应     

Adenosine inhibits L-type Ca2+ current and catecholamine release in the rabbit carotid body chemoreceptor cells

In an in vitro preparation of the intact carotid body (CB) of the rabbit, adenosine (100 microM) inhibited hypoxia-induced catecholamine release by 25%. The specific A1 antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 1 microM) prevented the inhibition and increased the response to hypoxia further. In isolated chemoreceptor cells from the same species, adenosine inhibited voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents by 29% at 1 microM (concentration producing half-maximal inhibition, IC50 = 50 nM). This inhibition was mimicked by R(-)N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine (1 microM), two purinergic agonists poorly active at the intracellular ('P') site, and persisted in the presence of dipyridamole (a blocker of adenosine uptake; 1 microM) and was fully inhibited by 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM). The A1 antagonists DPCPX (10 microM) and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxantine (0.1 microM) inhibited the effect of adenosine by 93% (IC50 = 0.14 microM) and 59%, respectively. The inhibition of the Ca2+ current (I(Ca)) was reduced by nisoldipine (an L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist) by nearly 50%, and was unaltered by omega-conotoxin GVIA, a blocker of N-type Ca2+ channels. Adenosine did not affect the voltage-dependent Na+ current (I(Na)) or K+ current (I(K)). We conclude that adenosine A1 receptors are located in chemoreceptor cells and mediate the inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels and thereby the release of catecholamines produced by hypoxia. The data also indicate that endogenous adenosine acts as a physiological negative modulator of the chemoreceptor cell function. The previously reported excitatory action of adenosine on the activity of the sensory nerve of the CB is discussed in terms of a balance between the inhibition mediated by A1 receptors and the excitation mediated by A2 receptors.     

Comparison of CGS 15943, ZM 241385 and SCH 58261 as antagonists at human adenosine receptors

Three structurally related non-xanthine compounds, CGS 15943, ZM 241385 and SCH 58261, are potent A_2A adenosine receptor antagonists and have been used as tools in many pharmacological studies. We have now characterized their affinity and selectivity profile on human adenosine receptors stably transfected into either CHO cells (A₁ and A_2B receptors) or HEK-293 cells (A_2A and A₃ receptors). In binding studies using [³H]SCH 58261 as a radioligand, the three compounds were equally potent at A_2A receptors, their K _i value being less than 1 nM. Affinity for A₁ and A₃ receptors was measured using [³H]DPCPX and [¹²⁵I]AB-MECA as radioligands. Given the lack of selective ligands, interaction with A_2B receptors was assessed using the cAMP accumulation assay following stimulation by the adenosine receptor agonist N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA). CGS 15943 was almost as potent at A₁ receptors (K _i 3.5 nM) as at A_2A receptors, showed moderate affinity for A₃ receptors (K _i 95 nM) and also interacted with A_2B receptors (K _i 44 nM; pA₂ 7.5). ZM 241385 showed little affinity for A₁ receptors (K _i 255 nM), and did not interact with A₃ receptors (K _i>10 μM); however, it displayed moderate affinity for A_2B receptors (K _i 50 nM; pA₂ 7.3). SCH 58261 had weak affinity for A₁ receptors (K _i 287 nM), no interaction with A₃ receptors (K _i>10 μM), and showed negligible interaction with A_2B receptors (K _i 5 μM; pA₂ 6.0). These data indicate that SCH 58261 is the most selective A_2A antagonist currently available. Moreover, the different receptor selectivity of these three chemically related compounds provides useful information to progress with structure-activity relationship studies. Received: 2 July 1998 / Accepted: 6 October 1998     

Phase II study of intravenous adenosine 5''-triphosphate in patients with previously untreated stage IIIB and Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

Fifteen patients with Stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer gave informed consent to receive three or more 96-hour infusions of ATP at a dose of 50 mcg/kg/min or higher to determine whether ATP has antineoplastic activity against this tumor type and to better define the spectrum of toxicity for ATP given as a single agent. There were no objective complete or partial responses observed. The median survival of the overall group was 187 days and the median time to tumor progression was 113 days. The major toxic side effects were chest pain and dyspnea, leading to the cessation of treatment in 5 patients. We conclude that ATP at this dose and schedule of administration is an inactive agent in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.     

Decreased β2-adrenoceptor density and decreased isoproterenol induced c-AMP increase in juvenile type I diabetes mellitus: An additional cause of severe hypoglycaemia in childhood diabetes?

Little is known about the receptor and post receptor mechanisms of sympathoadrenal signal transmission in type I diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we examined the maximum binding of granulocyte ₂-adrenoceptors and the in vitro c-AMP accumulation in lymphocytes of 24 children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus and 14 similarly aged healthy subjects. The number of high affinity ₂-adrenoceptors on granulocytes correlated significantly with unstimulated (r=0.6,P<0.004) and with isoproterenol stimulated c-AMP values in lymphocytes (r=0.68,P<0.0007) showing the proportional changes of ₂-adrenoceptors and c-AMP in two different cells. The number of ₂-adrenoceptors on granulocytes was significantly reduced in diabetic as compared to healthy children (median 1397, range 599–3405 vs. 2205, 825–3200 ₂-adrenoceptors per granulocyte,P=0.014). Moreover, the percentage in vitro stimulation of c-AMP by isoproterenol in lymphocytes was significantly reduced in diabetic children as compared to healthy individuals (120%, 39%–278% vs. 225%, 66%–500%,P=0.012). These results indicate a decreased sympathoadrenergic signal transmission in peripheral blood cells as a model for the liver probably contributing to severe hypoglycaemia in diabetic children.