Inhibitory effects of norepinephrine, methoxamine and phenylephrine on renin release from rat kidney cortical slices

We attempted to determine whether the inhibition of renin release from rat kidney cortical slices by alpha adrenoceptor agonists is mediated by activation of alpha-1 and/or alpha-2 adrenoceptors, and to investigate the role of calcium in the mechanisms of this inhibition. Norepinephrine (NE), methoxamine (ME) and phenylephrine (PE) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of renin release from rat kidney cortical slices, whereas clonidine was without effect. NE-, ME- and PE-induced inhibition of renin release was blocked by prazosin, which was 2 or 3 orders of magnitude more potent than yohimbine. The inhibitory effects of NE, ME and PE on renin release from the slices were abolished by removal of calcium from the incubation medium. Calcium antagonists, verapamil and nifedipine, attenuated the responses of renin release to NE, ME and PE, in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of NE, ME and PE on renin release were blocked significantly by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, a calmodulin antagonist, but not by N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, which has virtually no calmodulin antagonistic activity. These findings suggest that alpha adrenoceptor agonists inhibit renin release from rat kidney cortical slices mainly via alpha-1 adrenoceptors and that calcium influx followed by the activation of the calcium-calmodulin system is involved in the above inhibition.     

Comparative behavioral, neurochemical and pharmacological activities of dihydropyridine calcium channel activating drugs.

The behavioral (deficits in motor function in mice), neurochemical (affinity for mouse brain membrane dihydropyridine receptors, effects on neurotransmitter/metabolite levels in mice) and pharmacologic (effect on the contractile activity of guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle) properties of the calcium channel activators (+/-)-BAY K 8644, (+/-)-202-791 (and their corresponding channel activating and antagonist enantiomers) and CGP-28392 were investigated and compared. The calcium channel activating enantiomers (-)-S-BAY K 8644, (+)-S-202-791 and (+/-)-BAY K 8644, (+/-)-202-791 and CGP-28392 produced a dose-dependent impairment of rotarod ability and decreases in motor activity in mice with the following order of potency: (-)-S-BAY K 8644 greater than (+/-)-BAY K 8644 much greater than (+)-S-202-791 greater than (+/-)-202-791 = CGP-28392. The calcium channel antagonists (+)-R-BAY K 8644 and (-)-R-202-791 were behaviorally inactive but blocked the behavioral effects of (-)-S-BAY K 8644. The binding of dihydropyridine calcium channel activator and antagonist enantiomers to mouse brain membranes was described by both one and two site models. (-)-S-BAY K 8644, (+/-)-BAY K 8644, (+)-S-202-791 and CGP-28392 produced contractions in partially depolarized (15 mM K+) strips of guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle which differed in the degree of maximum contraction obtained. (+)-R-BAY K 8644 and (-)-R-202-791 inhibited potassium-induced contractions (80 mM K+) in guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Agonist actions of Bay K 8644, a dihydropyridine derivative, on the voltage-dependent calcium influx in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery

Actions of methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2- trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay K 8644) on the mechanical response evoked in intact and skinned mesenteric artery of the rabbit were investigated. The data were compared to that of nisoldipine, another dihydropyridine derivative Bay K 8644 increased the amplitudes of both the phasic and tonic components of the K+-induced contraction which is due to an increase in the voltage-dependent influx of Ca ion. Bay K 8644 antagonized competitively the actions of nisoldipine (a Ca antagonist) on the tonic but not on the phasic component of the K+-induced contraction. The contractions caused by high concentrations of norepinephrine were enhanced to a greater extent by Bay K 8644 than that evoked by lower concentrations of norepinephrine. Bay K 8644 had no effect on Ca++ extrusion from cells, which was estimated from the change in amplitudes of the norepinephrine-induced contractions in Na+- and Ca++-free solutions. This agent had no effect on the contractile proteins and Ca storage sites, as estimated from the Ca++- or caffeine-induced contraction observed in skinned muscles. The results suggested that Bay K 8644 acts primarily on the voltage-dependent Ca++ channel, presumably the same site at which other dihydropyridine derivatives (Ca antagonists) act, and that the influx of Ca++ is accelerated.     

Competitive and cooperative effects of Bay K8644 on the L-type calcium channel current inhibition by calcium channel antagonists

Phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and dihydropyridines bind noncompetitively to the L-type calcium channel. The molecular mechanisms of this interaction were investigated in enzymatically isolated rat ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. When applied alone, felodipine, verapamil, and diltiazem inhibited the L-type calcium current with values of inhibitory constant (K(B)) of 11, 246, and 512 nM, respectively, whereas 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-[trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid methyl ester (Bay K8644) activated I(Ca) with activation constant (K(A)) of 33 nM. Maximal activation of I(Ca) by 300 nM Bay K8644 strongly reduced the inhibitory potency of felodipine (apparent K(B) of 165 nM), significantly reduced the inhibitory potency of verapamil (apparent K(B) of 737 nM), but significantly increased the inhibitory potency of diltiazem (apparent K(B) of 310 nM). In terms of a new pseudoequilibrium two-drug binding model, the interaction between the dihydropyridine agonist Bay K8644 and the antagonist felodipine was found purely competitive. The interaction between Bay K8644 and verapamil or diltiazem was found noncompetitive, and it could be described only by inclusion of a negative interaction factor nu = -0.60 for verapamil and a positive interaction factor nu = +0.24 for diltiazem. These results suggest that at physiological membrane potentials, the L-type calcium channel cannot be simultaneously occupied by a dihydropyridine agonist and antagonist, whereas it can simultaneously bind a dihydropyridine agonist and a nondihydropyridine antagonist. Generally, the effects of the drugs on the L-type calcium channel support a concept of a channel domain responsible for binding of calcium channel antagonists and agonists changing dynamically with the membrane voltage and occupancy of individual binding sites.     

Cellular mechanisms of somatostatin inhibition of calcium influx in the anterior pituitary cell line AtT-20.

The cellular mechanisms by which the hypothalamic peptide somatostatin (SRIF) inhibits Ca+(+) influx were investigated in the pituitary cell line AtT-20. Cytosolic Ca+(+) levels were measured using the fluorescent probe Quin 2. Calcium influx was stimulated by the Ca+(+) channel agonist Bay K 8644. Bay K 8644 increased Ca+(+) influx in a concentration-dependent manner and the stimulation of Ca+(+) influx was blocked by the Ca+(+) channel antagonists nifedipine and nitrendipine. SRIF analogs also blocked Bay K 8644-stimulated Ca+(+) influx. The rank order of potency of the analogs (SRIF-28 greater than D-Trp8-SRIF greater than SRIF) suggests that the effects of SRIF are mediated by SRIF-28 preferring receptors. Pretreatment of AtT-20 cells with pertussis toxin abolished SRIF's inhibition of Bay K 8644-evoked Ca+(+) influx suggesting that G proteins mediate the inhibitory effects of SRIF on Ca+(+) influx. The K+ channel antagonists tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine and CsCl all stimulated Ca+(+) influx into AtT-20 cells. These agents did not alter Bay K 8644-evoked Ca+(+) influx or did they affect the ability of SRIF to inhibit Ca+(+) influx. Tetrodotoxin, the sodium channel blocker which inhibits action potential generation in AtT-20 cells, lowered basal Ca+(+) levels in AtT-20 cells but did not modify SRIF's inhibition of Bay K 8644-stimulated Ca+(+) influx. These findings suggest that SRIF receptors, linked directly to Ca+(+) channels via G proteins, may mediate SRIF's inhibition of Ca+(+) influx.     

Relaxant effects of beta-carbolines on rat aortic rings.

The effects of two beta-carbolines, methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta- carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM) and ethyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta CCE) were assayed on rat aortic rings precontracted with different agonists. The beta-carbolines tested induced a concentration-dependent (2-200 microM) relaxation of aortic rings precontracted with 30 mM KCl. This relaxation was not modified by the removal of the rat aortic endothelium. Contractions elicited by the activation of either voltage-gated calcium channels (0.05 microM BAY K 8644) or receptor-operated calcium channels (0.1 microM norepinephrine), as well as contractions produced by the entry of calcium as a lipid-soluble complex (10 microM A23187), were also reduced by DMCM and by beta CCE. In addition, whereas DMCM did not modify calmodulin activity, both beta-carbolines inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner (0.6-200 microM) the rat aortic cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. Moreover, DMCM as well as beta CCE potentiated the relaxation of K(+)-contracted aortic rings induced by the stimulation of either adenylyl cyclase with forskolin (0.1-1 microM) or guanylyl cyclase with sodium nitroprusside (0.1-100 nM). The intracellular rat aortic levels of cyclic AMP measured in the presence of 0.1 microM forskolin were increased by 100% in the presence of DMCM. On the other hand, 6 microM DMCM potentiated the relaxation induced by nifedipine in K(+)-contracted aortic rings, whereas the K+ channel blocker 10 mM tetraethylammonium did not modify the relaxation elicited by DMCM in the norepinephrine-contracted preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibition of the cardiac L-type calcium channel current by antidepressant drugs

Antidepressants inhibit many membrane receptors and ionic channels, including the L-type calcium channel. Here, we investigated the inhibition of calcium current (I(Ca)) by antidepressants in enzymatically isolated rat ventricular myocytes using whole-cell patch clamp. The molecular mechanism of inhibition was studied by comparing the voltage and state dependence of antidepressant inhibition of I(Ca) to the respective properties of calcium antagonists, and by studying the effect of (+/-)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-[trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid methyl ester (Bay K8644) or diltiazem on the inhibitory potency of the antidepressants. All selected antidepressants inhibited calcium currents reversibly and concentration-dependently. At a stimulation frequency of 0.33 Hz, the antidepressants imipramine, clomipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, maprotiline, citalopram, and dibenzepin blocked I(Ca), with IC(50) values of 8.3, 11.6, 11.7, 23.2, 31.0, 64.5, and 364 muM. The antidepressant drugs shifted steady-state inactivation curves of I(Ca) to negative voltages. The extent of the shift was similar to that induced by diltiazem or verapamil, but it was significantly smaller than that induced by felodipine. The use-dependent component of the antidepressant-induced block was similar to that of diltiazem, and it was significantly more and less, respectively, than those of felodipine and verapamil. In the presence of Bay K8644, antidepressants were more effective in inhibiting I(Ca). However, the inhibitory effect of antidepressants was also augmented by diltiazem, suggesting that these drugs do not compete with diltiazem for a single binding site. These data suggest that antidepressants exert their inhibitory action on cardiac L-type calcium channels by a specific interaction at a receptor site similar to, but distinct from, the benzothiazepine site.     

BAY-K-8644-stimulated cyclic GMP synthesis in mouse pituitary tumor cells

The 1,4-dihydropyridine BAY-K-8644 [methyl-1,4-dihydro-2, 6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate] acts as both a calcium channel agonist and antagonist by stimulating or inhibiting inward calcium current. In AtT-20 mouse pituitary tumor cells, BAY-K-8644 both stimulates and blocks adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion. Because in several cell systems the cytoplasmic enzyme guanylate cyclase is activated, presumably by calcium entry, the effect of BAY-K-8644 on cyclic GMP (cGMP) synthesis in AtT-20 cells was assessed. BAY-K-8644 increased cGMP accumulation in a time-dependent manner. The concentrations of BAY-K-8644, however, required to increase cGMP formation were not associated with its stimulatory effects on secretion but rather with its ability to antagonize basal and (-)-isoproterenol-induced ACTH secretion. The inhibitory effect of BAY-K-8644 on ACTH secretion was not mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP. The cGMP response to BAY-K-8644 was not mimicked by the cationophore, A-23187, or depolarizing concentrations of K+. Other calcium channel antagonists such as nifedipine or verapamil had markedly smaller effects on cGMP formation compared to BAY-K-8644. Sodium nitroprusside and sodium azide both increased cGMP synthesis in AtT-20 cells and both inhibited, to a lesser extent than BAY-K-8644, both basal- and (-)-isoproterenol-stimulated ACTH release. The data suggest that BAY-K-8644 stimulates cGMP synthesis by binding to sites less accessible or poorly activated by other dihydropyridines, and that stimulation of guanylate cyclase is independent of inward calcium current.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Contractile effects of Bay k 8644, a dihydropyridine calcium agonist, on isolated femoral arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Agonist actions of methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)- pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay k 8644) were investigated in femoral and mesenteric arteries from 6-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and data compared with findings in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs). The addition of Bay k 8644 produced a dose-dependent contraction in SHR femoral artery with a pD2 value of 8.55. Maximum contraction induced by this agonist (1 X 10(-7) M) was comparable to the maximum developed by K+-depolarization. Bay k 8644 was much less effective in eliciting the contractile responses on WKY femoral artery. Contractile responses of mesenteric and tail arteries to Bay k 8644 were weak and were not significantly different between SHR and WKY. Thoracic aorta was sensitive to the contractile response to Bay k 8644, but the sensitivity was not significantly different between SHR and WKY. Increased responsiveness to exogenously applied K+ was also observed in SHR femoral artery as compared to WKY. Contractile responses of SHR femoral artery to Bay k 8644 were antagonized competitively by nifedipine (pA2 = 8.36), a dihydropyridine Ca++ antagonist, but noncompetitively by diltiazem, a non-dihydropyridine Ca++ antagonist. When the effect of nifedipine on the dose-response curve for Bay k 8644 was determined in WKY femoral artery, there was a similar extent of rightward displacement of the dose-response curve to that seen in SHR. Nifedipine was less efficacious in relaxing the contractile response to Bay k 8644 compared to the contractile response to K+ in SHRs femoral arteries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bay K-8644 in different solvents acts as a transient calcium channel antagonist and a long-lasting calcium channel agonist.

This report describes the effect of Bay K-8644 dissolved in various solvents on two types of calcium channel currents in neuroblastoma cells. Transient calcium channel (T channel) currents were not affected by Bay K-8644 dissolved in ethanol (EtOH) or polyethylene glycol (PEG). However, at the same concentration of 0.6 microM, Bay K-8644 dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (Bay K-8644/DMSO) decreased the T channel current by 50%. The concentration of all three solvents in the bath was fixed at 0.3% to reach different final concentrations of Bay K-8644. At this fixed solvent concentration, the inhibitory effect of Bay K-8644/DMSO on T channel currents was dose-dependent; the solvents alone did not have any effect on T channel currents; and DMSO pretreatment of cells did not render the T channel current sensitive to Bay K-8644 dissolved in EtOH or PEG. Bay K-8644/DMSO was dried using a flash evaporator and redissolved in EtOH or PEG. Dried Bay K-8644 that was redissolved in EtOH or PEG to achieve a final concentration of 0.6 microM inhibited T channel currents by 39 or 35%, respectively. Furthermore, Bay K-8644 (10 nM) increased L channel currents by 80% with DMSO, but only 30% with EtOH as the solvent. These results show that in neuroblastoma cells Bay K-8644/DMSO, within the concentration range examined, is a T channel antagonist and more effective L channel agonist than Bay K-8644 dissolved in the two other solvents.     

Nifedipine and Bay K 8644 Induce an increase of

BACKGROUND: The dihydropyridine-induced vasorelaxation is partly dependent on the endothelium, which does not express L-type calcium channels. Because nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important endothelium-derived vasorelaxing factors, we investigated how the calcium antagonist nifedipine and the calcium agonist Bay K 8644 modulate intracellular calcium and NO formation in porcine endothelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: NO formation of porcine aortic endothelial cell cultures and of native endothelium of intact porcine coronary arteries was measured with an electrochemical electrode, and the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+) [Ca(2+)](i) was evaluated using the Fura-2 technique. Nifedipine induced a concentration-dependent [0,01-1 μmol/L] increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and NO formation in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells, and moreover a dose-dependent NO formation in native endothelial cells from intact porcine coronary arteires, which was higher than in cultured cells. This effect was inhibited by N-nitro-l-arginine, a specific NO synthase inhibitor. Bay K 8644 caused a [Ca(2+)](i) increase and NO release in cultured cells, too, although to a lesser extent. Nifedipine-induced and Bay K 8644-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise could be blocked by removal of extracellular calcium, indicating that a calcium influx may be involved. CONCLUSIONS: The calcium antagonist nifedipine as well as the calcium agonist Bay K 8644 cause an increase of [Ca(2+)](i) and NO in porcine endothelium. Therefore, these effects seem to be related to the dihydropyridines as a substance class, which may explain the endothelial component in dihydropyridine-induced vasorelaxation.     

Dihydropyridine-sensitive and -insensitive components of acetylcholine release from rat motor nerve terminals

Effects of the dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644 on spontaneous and neurally evoked release of acetylcholine were measured using conventional intracellular microelectrode recording techniques at rat neuromuscular junctions of preparations that were transected to prevent contraction ("cut muscle preparation"). At concentrations of 0.65 to 2 microM Bay K 8644 caused significant increases in end-plate potential amplitude and mean quantal content in cut muscle preparations, but no effect in uncut preparations in which contractions were blocked by using d-tubocurarine (1 microM). The dose-dependence of this effect occurred over a very narrow concentration range. This increase in quantal content, which occurred within 5 to 10 min of application of Bay K 8644, could be blocked by pretreatment or reversed by subsequent treatment of the preparation with nimodipine, a DHP antagonist. Nimodipine itself had no effect on quantal content. At concentrations of Bay K 8644 in excess of 1 microM, increase quantal content was usually followed by a subsequent complete failure of nerve-evoked release of transmitter. Administration of Bay K 8644 was also associated with an increase in the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs). This effect was observed in 5 of 6 "cut" and only 1 of 6 "uncut" preparations. Increase of MEPP frequency occurred after a latent period of 15 to 25 min of treatment with Bay K 8644, and was not prevented pretreatment with nimodipine. Nimodipine itself had no effect on MEPP frequency. Increased MEPP frequency occurred in cut preparations treated with Bay K 8644, but with solutions to which no extracellular Ca++ was added.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A possible role for the endothelium in porcine coronary smooth muscle responses to dihydropyridine calcium channel modulators

The role of the endothelium in contraction and relaxation produced by the dihydropyridine calcium channel modulators was examined in porcine coronary smooth muscle. The optically pure dihydropyridine calcium agonists (+)-S202-791 and (-)-Bay k 8644 both produced greater contractions in tissues without endothelium compared with tissues with intact endothelium. In contrast, histamine produced the same degree of contraction in tissues with and without endothelium. In the presence of KCl-induced active muscle tone, the optically pure calcium antagonists (-)-R202-791 and (+)-Bay k 8644 and the nitrovasodilator isosorbide dinitrate all produced the same degree of relaxation in tissues with and without endothelium. These results suggest that the endothelium plays an inhibitory role in dihydropyridine-induced contraction. When coronary rings with intact endothelium were pretreated for 60 min with 10 or 100 nM (-)-R202-791, the contraction to subsequent addition of (+)-S202-791 was significantly greater than in control tissues pretreated with only solvent. However, in rings with denuded endothelium, pretreatment with (-)-R202-791 resulted in a rightward shift of the dose-response curve to (+)-S202-791, and a depression of the maximal contraction compared with controls. Thus, the interaction between the calcium agonist [(+)-S202-791] and antagonist [(-)-R202-791] is more complex than competitive inhibition. We suggest that the calcium agonists produce two effects, a release of endothelium-derived relaxant factor and a direct contraction of smooth muscle; the calcium antagonists can inhibit both processes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Glycine-evoked neurotransmitter release from rat hippocampal brain slices: evidence for the involvement of glutaminergic transmission

Glycine caused a concentration-dependent evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from rat hippocampal brain slices. Other amino acids evoked [3H]norepinephrine release with a rank order of potency: L-serine greater than or equal to glycine greater than beta-alanine greater than D-serine. Strychnine inhibited [3H]norepinephrine release evoked by both glycine and L-serine, but was less effective in inhibiting the release evoked by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and kainic acid. Inhibitors of the NMDA receptor/ionophore complex, MK-801, CPP and Mg++, as well as the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor antagonist, HA-966, caused an incomplete inhibition (maximum approximately 60%) of glycine-evoked [3H]norepinephrine release. The potencies with which MK-801, CPP and Mg++ inhibited glycine- and NMDA-evoked [3H]norepinephrine release were very similar. The combination of MK-801 plus kynurenic acid, a nonselective glutamate receptor antagonist, caused no greater inhibition of glycine-evoked release than MK-801, alone. omega-Conotoxin GVIA, an inhibitor of neuronal L- and N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, inhibited glycine-evoked [3H]norepinephrine release by approximately 50%, whereas the L-channel inhibitor PN 200-110 had no significant effect. The combination of MK-801 plus omega-conotoxin GVIA caused only a slightly greater inhibition (P greater than .05) of glycine-evoked release than MK-801 alone. Tetrodotoxin inhibited glycine-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine by approximately 75%. The inhibitory effects of tetrodotoxin and omega-conotoxin GVIA suggest that voltage-sensitive sodium channels and N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels are important mediators of glycine-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The role of ion channels and protein kinase C activation in the stimulation of complement protein synthesis

Monocyte C2 synthesis is stimulated by antigen-antibody complexes (IC), carbamylcholine (C-Ch), phenylephrine (PE) and gamma-interferon. Tetrodotoxin or nifedipine abrogated the effects of IC, C-Ch and PE but did not influence the effect of gamma-interferon on C2 synthesis. Thus stimulation of C2 synthesis by IC, C-Ch and PE is dependent upon activation of Na+/K+ and Ca2+ channels, whereas gamma-interferon operates independently of these ion channels. Calcium channel agonists (CG28392 and BK8644) stimulated C2 synthesis, and this effect was prevented by nifedipine but not by tetrodotoxin. Thus Na+/K+ channels are activated prior to Ca2+ channels. Stimulation of C2 synthesis occurred when phospholipase C or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were added to the monocyte cultures, suggesting that PI cycle turnover and protein kinase-C (PK-C) activation are involved in the stimulation of C2 synthesis in monocytes. PMA, an activator of PK-C, stimulated the synthesis of C2, C3, B, P and C1-inhibitor approximately two-fold. In contrast gamma-interferon reduced synthesis of C3 and P by 44% and 22% respectively, and stimulated C1-inhibitor synthesis twelve-fold. These data suggest that the action of gamma-interferon complement synthesis is, at least partially, independent of PK-C activation. The effects of IC, C-Ch, PE, PI, CG28392, BK8644 and gamma-interferon were inhibited by trifluoperazine implying that calmodulin and/or other calcium binding proteins play a role in the modulation of complement protein production.     

Vascular and cardiac effects of a new dihydropyridine derivative, YC-170: a comparison with Bay K 8644

The pharmacological effects of YC-170, a new dihydropyridine derivative, were studied in the rabbit aortic strips and guinea pig cardiac preparations and compared with those of Bay K 8644. In the rabbit aortic strips, YC-170 produced contraction in normal physiological saline solution ([K+]0 = 5.9 mM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Increasing the [K+]0 of the medium to 15 mM enhanced the contractile response. The maximum contraction produced by YC-170 at [K+]0 of 15 mM was comparable to that by Bay K 8644. However, YC-170 induced relaxation when the strip was contracted by 60 mM K+. In guinea pig left atrium, YC-170 produced a positive inotropic effect in a concentration-dependent manner, but its extent was far less than that of Bay K 8644. Like Bay K 8644, however, YC-170 increased the time to peak tension and relaxation time of the isometric tension, and prolonged the action potential duration. YC-170 failed to produce a positive inotropic action in the papillary muscle in which Bay K 8644 was a potent positive inotropic agent. In spontaneously beating right atria, YC-170 caused a negative chronotropic effect, whereas Bay K 8644 a positive one. The positive inotropic and vasoconstrictor effects of YC-170 were antagonized competitively by a Ca++ antagonist nicardipine. When the left atria were depolarized with high-K+ medium, the positive inotropic effect of YC-170 was attenuated progressively with increasing [K+]0 and at 13.2 mM K+ a negative inotropic effect was induced by YC-170.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Action and mechanism of action of veratrine on renin secretion from rat kidney slices

It is well known that norepinephrine released from the renal nerves stimulates the secretion of renin by a beta adrenergic mechanism. In the present experiments, we investigated the effects of renin secretion of veratrine, which depolarizes nerve terminals and thereby causes transmitter release. The rat renal cortical slice preparation was used. Veratrine (10-200 microM) stimulated renin secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Veratrine-stimulated secretion was antagonized by timolol (0.9 and 9.0 microM) and by tetrodotoxin (0.5 and 5.0 microM), a sodium channel blocker. Neither drug abolished completely the stimulatory effect of veratrine. Moreover, veratrine stimulated renin secretion in slices prepared from previously denervated kidneys; this response was not antagonized by timolol. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that veratrine stimulates renin secretion by at least two mechanisms. One component probably consists of veratrine-induced depolarization of renal nerve terminals, release of norepinephrine and activation of juxtaglomerular cell beta adrenergic receptors; the other component appears to be independent of nerve terminals in the preparation. We conclude that the tetrodotoxin-sensitive component of veratrine-stimulated renin secretion in this preparation is an in vitro model of renal nerve-stimulated renin secretion; it should be useful in investigating substances which affect renin secretion by presynaptic modulation of transmitter release.     

Inhibition by 5,6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin (M7) of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the rabbit hypothalamus: role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors and of dopamine receptors

Rabbit hypothalamic slices were prelabeled with [3H]norepinephrine and transmitter release elicited by electrical stimulation. In the presence of 10 microM cocaine and in a low Ca++ medium (0.65 mM), exposure for 8 min to exogenous dopamine (0.01-1 microM) inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine. This inhibitory effect of dopamine on [3H]norepinephrine release was antagonized by the dopamine receptor antagonist S-sulpiride (1 microM), but remained unchanged in the presence of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan (1 microM) or yohimbine (0.1 microM). These results indicate that, in a low Ca++ medium, exposure to dopamine decreased [3H]norepinephrine overflow in rabbit hypothalamic slices through the exclusive activation of presynaptic inhibitory dopamine receptors. M7 (5,6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylaminotetralin) is a potent agonist at central presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors and at peripheral alpha-2 adrenoceptors. Exposure to M7 in a normal Ca++ medium, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine without affecting the spontaneous outflow of radioactivity. The slope of the concentration-effect curve for these inhibitory effects of M7 was rather flat and the maximal inhibition obtained was 80%. The selective D2 receptor antagonist S-sulpiride (1 microM) failed to produce a significant shift to the right in the concentration-effect curve for the inhibitory effects of M7 on [3H]norepinephrine release. The preferential alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly antagonized the inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine release elicited by 0.01 microM M7, but not for higher concentrations of this aminotetraline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ca²⁺ channel activators reveal differential L-type Ca²⁺ channel pharmacology between native and stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes provide new models for studying the ion channel pharmacology of human cardiac cells for both drug discovery and safety pharmacology purposes. However, detailed pharmacological characterization of ion channels in stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes is lacking. Therefore, we used patch-clamp electrophysiology to perform a pharmacological survey of the L-type Ca2? channel in induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and compared the results with native guinea pig ventricular cells. Six structurally distinct antagonists [nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, lidoflazine, bepridil, and 2-[(cis-2-phenylcyclopentyl)imino]-azacyclotridecane hydrochloride (MDL 12330)] and two structurally distinct activators [methyl 2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate (Bay K8644) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(phenylmethyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (FPL 64176)] were used. The IC?? values for the six antagonists showed little variability between the three cell types. However, whereas Bay K8644 produced robust increases in Ca2? channel current in guinea pig myocytes, it failed to enhance current in the two stem cell lines. Furthermore, Ca2? channel current kinetics after addition of Bay K8644 differed in the stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes compared with native cells. FPL 64176 produced consistently large increases in Ca2? channel current in guinea pig myocytes but had a variable effect on current amplitude in the stem cell-derived myocytes. The effects of FPL 64176 on current kinetics were similar in all three cell types. We conclude that, in the stem cell-derived myocytes tested, L-type Ca2? channel antagonist pharmacology is preserved, but the pharmacology of activators is altered. The results highlight the need for extensive pharmacological characterization of ion channels in stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes because these complex proteins contain multiple sites of drug action.     

Stimulation of adrenocorticotropin secretion from AtT-20 cells by the calcium channel activator, BAY-K-8644, and its inhibition by somatostatin and carbachol

Somatostatin and carbachol receptors are believed to be negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase in AtT-20 mouse pituitary tumor cells by an inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory subunit. Activation of these receptors causes inhibition of cyclic AMP synthesis and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion stimulated by a variety of hormones. Secretion in response to several pharmacological agents, which do not increase AtT-20 cyclic AMP levels, is also antagonized by both somatostatin and carbachol. Inasmuch as ACTH secretion in response to all stimulants is dependent on extracellular calcium, the possibility that somatostatin and carbachol block calcium entry was investigated by observing the effects of these agents on the activity of the calcium channel activator, BAY-K-8644 [methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4- (2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxy-late] in AtT-20 cells. In first characterizing the effect of BAY-K-8644, it was noted that the channel agonist at 10(-10) to 10(-6) M itself rapidly increased basal ACTH secretion; higher concentrations (10(-4) M) reduced basal, (-)-isoproterenol, phorbol ester, 8-Br-cAMP and K+-stimulated secretion. BAY-K-8644 did not alter basal formation of cyclic AMP. The secretory response to BAY-K-8644 was dependent on extracellular calcium, and was inhibited by the calcium channel antagonist, nifedepine. When coapplied with (-)-isoproterenol, phorbol ester and 8-Br-cAMP, at a concentration which optimally stimulated ACTH secretion, BAY-K-8644 had an additive effect; the secretory responses to K+ (50 mM) or the calcium ionophore, A-23187, on the other hand, were potentiated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)