Effect of cytoplasmic pH on Ca(2+)-stimulated eicosanoid biosynthesis in human platelets.

1. We have investigated the effect of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) on the relationship between platelet cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and eicosanoid biosynthesis. Stirred gel-filtered human platelets loaded with fluorescent indicators of Ca2+ and H+ were suspended in balanced salt solutions at 37 degrees C. [Ca2+]i was controlled by calcium ionophore (ionomycin). Increased [Ca2+]i was associated with increased production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) as determined by radioimmunoassay of its stable hydrolysis product TXB2, and of 12-hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) measured by high performance liquid chromatography. 2. Varying pHi with a K+/H+ ionophore (nigericin) in platelets suspended in K+ rich solutions of pH 6.8, 7.4 or 7.8 with subsequent resuspension in solution of pH 7.4 containing albumin (1 g l-1) and Ca2+ (1 mM) resulted in pHi of 6.72 +/- 0.05, 7.31 +/- 0.02 and 7.71 +/- 0.04 (mean +/- s.e. mean, n = 5). Ionomycin (1.2 microM) increased [Ca2+]i by 97.1 +/- 17.6, 191.9 +/- 48.7 and 322.8 +/- 55.7 nM at the different values of pHi respectively; TXB2 production was 0.7 +/- 0.2, 2.1 +/- 0.4 and 10.7 +/- 3.3 ng micrograms-1 protein, and 12-HETE production was 150.9 +/- 68.2, 184.4 +/- 77.9 and 302.3 +/- 62.8 ng micrograms-1 protein. 3. Ammonium chloride (50 mM) caused a small reduction in pHo while increasing pHi from 7.32 +/- 0.04 to 7.89 +/- 0.05 and increasing ionomycin (1.2 microM)-induced [Ca2+]i responses from 94.1 +/- 67.3 to 721.6 +/- 288.3 nM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of trimetazidine on pHi regulation in the rat isolated ventricular myocyte.

1. We have examined the effects of trimetazidine (TMZ) on intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in rat isolated ventricular myocytes. pHi was recorded ratiometrically by use of the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, carboxy-SNARF-1 (carboxy-seminaphtorhodafluor). 2. Following an intracellular acid load (induced by 10 mM NH4Cl removal), pHi recovery in HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution was significantly slowed down upon application of 0.3 mM TMZ only when myocytes were pretreated for 5 h 30 min (slowing by approximately 50%; P < 0.01). This effect of TMZ on pHi recovery was shown to be not only time- but also dose-dependent with a large, quickly reversible, effect obtained with 1 mM TMZ applied for 2-3 h (slowing by approximately 64%; P < 0.001). This slowing of pHi recovery was also associated with a decrease of the NH4+ removal-induced acidification. 3. Relationship between intracellular intrinsic buffering power (beta i) and pHi was assessed in absence or presence of TMZ (0.3 mM or 1 mM). As expected, beta i increased roughly linearly with a decrease in pHi in all cases. However, both concentrations of TMZ significantly increased beta i (by approximately 55 and 65% at pHi 7.1, respectively). 4. When Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited by dimethyl amiloride (DMA; 40 microM), trimetazidine (1 mM) did not change the H+ flux estimated at pHi 7.1 (0.31 +/- 0.03 mequiv l-1 min-1, n = 5, control, versus 0.30 +/- 0.025 mequiv l-1 min-1, n = 5, TMZ), ruling out any effect of TMZ on background acid loading. 5. Acid efflux carried by Na+/H+ exchange was significantly decreased only when myocytes were pretreated with 1 mM TMZ, for 2-3 h (JeH = 2.86 +/- 0.38 mequiv l-1 min-1, n = 26, control, versus 1.66 +/- 0.26 mequiv l-1 min-1, n = 10, TMZ, estimated at pHi 7.1; P < 0.05). 6. In conclusion, the present work demonstrates that, following an intracellular acid load in HEPES-buffered medium, trimetazidine slows down pHi recovery in rat isolated ventricular myocytes, primarily through an increase of beta i. An effect on Na+/H+ exchange is also detected but only after long-term incubation of the myocytes with TMZ.     

1—（2，6—二甲基苯氧基）—2—（3，4—二甲氧基苯乙氨基）丙烷盐酸盐抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞内向整流和延迟整流钾电流

目的:研究1-(2,6-二甲基苯氧基)-2-(3,4-二甲氧基苯乙氨基)丙烷盐酸盐(DDPH)对心室肌细胞动作电位(AP)、内向整流钾通道电流(I_(K1))及延迟整流钾通道电流(I_K)的影响。方法:全细胞膜片箝技术。结果:DDPH 10,100μmol·L~(-1)使豚鼠心室肌细胞AP时程APD_(50)明显缩短;但DDPH(>1μmol·L~(-1))延长APD_(90)。DDPH浓度依赖性地抑制I_K尾电流(I_(K·tail)),EC_(50)为13.3(11.6.6-16.7)μmol·L~(-1)。DDPH(>1.0μmol·L~(-1))明显抑制I_(Kl);同时,DDPH使I_(Kl)翻转电位向正电位方向移动。结论:DDPH对豚鼠心室肌细胞I_(Kl)和I_K具有明显的抑制作用。     

INTRACELLULAR pH AND SODIUM-PROTON EXCHANGE ACTIVITY OF LYMPHOCYTES IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

1. At the age of 20 weeks, intracellular pH (pHi) of circulating lymphocytes suspended in HCO(3-)-free NaCl media was not significantly different between stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). 2. The initial recovery rate of pHi in lymphocytes tended to be greater in SHRSP than in WKY after the addition of 60 mmol/L or 120 mmol/L of NaCl, but there was no statistically significant difference. 3. The H+ equivalent efflux rate, which was a true reflection of Na(+)-H(+) activity, was significantly greater in SHRSP than in WKY (P less than 0.05). The difference in H+ equivalent efflux rate was not due to the difference in cellular buffering power between the two groups (P greater than 0.05). An increased Na(+)-H(+) exchange activity may play a partial role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.     

Levetiracetam inhibits Na+-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange of adult hippocampal CA3 neurons from guinea-pigs

The novel anticonvulsant levetiracetam (LEV) was tested for effects on bioelectric activity and intracellular pH (pHi) regulation of hippocampal CA3 neurons from adult guinea-pigs. In 4-aminopyridine-treated slices, LEV (10-100 microm) reduced the frequency of action potentials and epileptiform bursts of CA3 neurons by 30-55%, while the shape of these potentials remained largely unchanged. Suppressive effects were reversed by an increase of pHi with trimethylamine (TMA). Using BCECF-AM-loaded slices, we found that LEV (10-50 microm) reversibly lowered neuronal steady-state pHi by 0.19 +/- 0.07 pH units in the presence of extracellular CO2/HCO3- buffer. In the nominal absence of extracellular CO2/HCO3- or in Na+-free CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered solution, LEV had no effect on steady-state pHi. Recovery of pHi subsequent to ammonium prepulses remained unchanged in the absence of CO2/HCO3- buffer, but was significantly reduced by LEV in the presence of CO2/HCO3- buffer. These findings show that LEV inhibits HCO3(-)-dependent acid extrusion, but has no effect on Na+/H+ exchange. LEV did not affect Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange because intracellular alkalosis upon withdrawal of extracellular Cl- remained unchanged. These data show that LEV at clinically relevant concentrations inhibits Na+-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange, lowers neuronal pHi, and thereby may contribute to its anticonvulsive activity.     

Comparison of the oxime-induced reactivation of erythrocyte and muscle acetylcholinesterase following inhibition by sarin or paraoxon, using a perfusion model for the real-time determination of membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase activity

The purpose of these experiments was to compare oxime-induced reactivation rate constants of acetylcholinesterase from different human tissue sources inhibited by organophosphorus compounds. To this end, preliminary testing was necessary to generate a stable system both for working with erythrocytes and musculature. We established a dynamically working in vitro model with a fixed enzyme source in a bioreactor that was perfused with acetylthiocholine, Ellman's reagent and any agent of interest (e.g. nerve agents, oximes) and analyzed in a common HPLC flow-through detector. The enzyme reactor was composed of a particle filter (Millex-GS, 0.22 microm) containing a thin layer of membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase and was kept at constant temperature in a water bath. At constant flow the height of absorbance was directly proportional to the enzyme activity. To start with, we applied this system to human red cell membranes and then adapted the system to acetylcholinesterase of muscle tissue. Homogenate (Ultra-Turrax and Potter-Elvehjem homogenizer) of human muscle tissue (intercostal musculature) was applied to the same particle filter and perfused in a slightly modified way, as done with human red cell membranes. We detected no decrease of acetylcholinesterase activity within 2.5h and we reproducibly determined reactivation rate constants for reactivation with obidoxime (10 microM) or HI 6 (30 microM) of sarin-inhibited human muscle acetylcholinesterase (0.142+/-0.004 min(-1) and 0.166+/-0.008 min(-1), respectively). The reactivation rate constants of erythrocyte and muscular acetylcholinesterase differed only slightly, highlighting erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase as a proper surrogate marker.     

Inhibition of chemotactic factor-activated Na+/H+ exchange in human neutrophils by analogues of amiloride: structure-activity relationships in the amiloride series

The ability of a number of analogues of the diuretic, amiloride, to inhibit chemotactic factor-stimulated Na+/H+ exchange in human neutrophils was investigated. Intracellular pH (pHi) changes were measured from the equilibrium distribution of 14C-labeled 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO). Exposure of cells to 10 nm N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) caused activation of Na+/H+ exchange: in 140 mM Na+ medium (extracellular pH 7.40), the pHi rose from a resting value of approximately 7.25 to reach a new steady state of approximately 7.75 by 10-15 min. This intracellular alkalinization was sensitive to amiloride (apparent Ki approximately 75 microM), a known inhibitor of Na+/H+ countertransport. The structure-activity relationships in the amiloride series were characterized by testing the effect of these compounds on the DMO-derived pHi changes and on the FMLP-stimulated rate of 22Na+ efflux from the cells. Substitutions of the guanidino group of amiloride resulted in relatively inactive products (Ki greater than or equal to 1 mM). Replacement of the 6-Cl group of amiloride by other halogen atoms had only modest effects on drug efficacy. However, replacement of one or both H atoms of the 5-amino group by short alkyl groups led to a 10-500-fold increase in potency for inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange. Amiloride and three of its more potent derivatives (compounds I, O, and MM, the 5-N,N-dimethyl, 5-N,N-diethyl, and 5-N,N-hexamethylene analogues, respectively) caused parallel inhibition of FMLP-activated 22Na+ efflux and the rate of intracellular alkalinization, with apparent Ki values of approximately 75, 8, 1, and 0.2 microM, respectively. In each instance, the inhibitory effects of the drugs were readily reversible on washing the cells. None of the compounds altered the binding of 3H-labeled FMLP to its cell surface receptors. The development of potent derivatives of amiloride should provide powerful tools for assessing the role of FMLP-activated Na+/H+ exchange and the resultant pHi transients on stimulated neutrophil functions.     

Topiramate modulates pH of hippocampal CA3 neurons by combined effects on carbonic anhydrase and Cl-/HCO3- exchange

Topiramate (TPM) is an anticonvulsant whose impact on firing activity and intracellular pH (pHi) regulation of CA3 neurons was investigated. Using the 4-aminopyridine-treated hippocampal slice model bathed in bicarbonate-buffered solution, TPM (25-50 microm) reduced the frequency of epileptiform bursts and action potentials without affecting membrane potential or input resistance. Inhibitory effects of TPM were reversed by trimethylamine-induced alkalinization. TPM also lowered the steady-state pHi of BCECF-AM-loaded neuronal somata by 0.18+/-0.07 pH units in CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-buffered solution. Subsequent to an ammonium prepulse, TPM reduced the acidotic peak but clearly slowed pHi recovery. These complex changes were mimicked by the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Alkalosis upon withdrawal of extracellular Cl(-) was augmented by TPM. Furthermore, at decreased pHi due to the absence of extracellular Na(+), TPM reversibly increased pHi. These findings demonstrate that TPM modulates Na(+)-independent Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange. In the nominal absence of extracellular CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) buffer, both steady-state pHi and firing of epileptiform bursts remained unchanged upon adding TPM. However, pHi recovery subsequent to an ammonium prepulse was slightly increased, as was the case in the presence of the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor acetazolamide. Thus, a slight reduction of intracellular buffer capacity by TPM may be due to an inhibitory effect on intracellular CA. Together, these findings show that TPM lowers neuronal pHi most likely due to a combined effect on Na(+)-independent Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange and CA. The apparent decrease of steady-state pHi may contribute to the anticonvulsive property of TPM.     

内钙动员调控凝血酶诱导的血小板Na^＋／H^＋交换

目的：研究凝血酶诱导的血小板活化中细胞内钙动员和Ｎａ＾＋／Ｈ＾＋交换的关系。方法Ｆｕｒａ－２负载测［Ｃａ＾２］ｉ和ＢＣＥＣＦ负载测ｐＨｉ。结果：凝血酶０．１ＩＵ·Ｌ＾－１引起［Ｃａ＾２＋］ｉ和ｐＨｉ，［Ｃａ＾２］ｉ增加先于ｐＨｉ增加。在无钠溶液中，Ｎａ＾＋／Ｈ＾＋交换被抑制而［Ｃａ＾２］ｉ增加不受影响；用尼日利亚菌素（１ｍｇ·Ｌ＾－１）使胞内酸化可抑制［Ｃａ＾２＋］ｉ增加，用依他酸（ＢＧＴＡ）阻断     

Low extracellular Cl- environment attenuates changes in intracellular pH and contraction following extracellular acidosis in Wistar Kyoto rat aorta

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of extracellular Cl- ([Cl-]o) on the intracellular pH (pHi) regulation and the contractile state of the isolated aorta from Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Isometric tension recording and fluorometry techniques were utilized to measure contractile response and pHi in isolated aortic strips. Decreasing extracellular pH (pHo) from 7.4 to 6.5 produced a marked contraction, which was 75.8 +/- 5.6% of the 64.8 mmol/l KCl-induced contraction. The acidosis-induced contraction was significantly attenuated in low [Cl-]o solution, the magnitude of which was 56.0 +/- 3.0% of the 64.8 mmol/l KCl-induced contraction. Decreasing pHo of the normal solution to 6.5 rapidly decreased pHi in aortic smooth muscle cells and produced a corresponding contraction. When the pHo was decreased in low [Cl-]o solution, a rapid fall in pHi followed by reversal of pHi changes, in a time-dependent manner was observed, despite low pHo. Omission of HCO3- from the low [Cl-]o solution restored the contractile response to acidosis, which was comparable to that in normal solution. Similarly, following decrease in pHo to 6.5, no recovery of intracellular acidosis was observed. We conclude that low [Cl-]o environment causes activation of extracellular HCO3- -dependent pHi-regulating mechanism, that results in the rapid recovery of pHi following acidosis, and the attenuation of acidosis-induced contraction of WKY aorta.     

Fluoride-induced cytoplasmic acidification: possible role of protein kinase C in BCECF-loaded L929 cells

The effect of fluoride on cytoplasmic pH (pHi) in L929 cells was investigated by using a fluorescent pH indicator, BCECF. Fluoride decreased pHi in a dose-dependent manner. This cytoplasmic acidification was composed of two phases: 1) a rapid decrease in pHi occurring within seconds, and 2) a slow decrease in pHi occurring 1-2 min. after stimulation with fluoride. The phase one decrease in pHi at external pH (pHe) 7.7 was more rapid than that at pHe 6.8, whereas the phase two decrease at pHe 7.7 was slower than that at pHe 6.8. In addition, both in the protein kinase C-inhibited and depleted cells, the fluoride-acidified pHi gradually returned to the resting pHi level in phase two, though the initial cytoplasmic acidification (i.e. phase one) was not affected. These results suggest that the fluoride-induced cytoplasmic acidification is dependent upon pHe and is sustained by the protein kinase C-dependent Na+/H+ exchange.     

二羟丙氧甲基乌嘌呤抗单纯疱疹病毒Ⅰ型的实验研究

二羟丙氧甲基鸟嘌岭(DHPG),在组织培养中对单纯疱疹病毒Ⅰ型(HSV-1)KOS株抑制50%空斑形成的浓度(IC_(50))为0.1μg/ml。DHPG与环胞苷联合应用的抗HSV活性呈协同作用;DHPG分别与无环鸟苷、酞丁安合用有相加作用。0.1和0.05%DHPG溶液滴眼对家兔实验性浅层单纯疱疹病毒角膜炎有显著治疗作用,浓度降低至0.025和0.0l%无明显疗效。对实质层型单疱角膜炎,0.1%DHPG溶液滴眼治疗有效。     

Chloride channel blockers decrease intracellular pH in cultured renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells.

The effects of chloride channel blockers upon intracellular pH (pHi) were examined in renal epithelial monolayers of LLC-PK1 cells. A significant intracellular acidification was found with addition of 100 microM 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), niflumic acid, flufenamate and diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) but not with 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2-2'disulphonic acid (DIDS). The effects of these agents upon pHi was dose-dependent with apparent K0.5 values of: 16.7 +/- 0.3 microM, 34.2 +/- 0.9 microM and 740 +/- 13 microM for niflumic acid, flufenamate and DPC respectively. The results indicate that at concentrations commonly used to block channel activity these chloride channel blockers have profound effects upon pHi.     

DDPH对豚鼠心室肌细胞延迟整流钾电流两种成分的抑制作用

目的:研究1-(2,6-二甲基苯氧基)-2-(3,4-二甲氧基苯乙氨基)丙烷盐酸盐(DDPH)对豚鼠心室肌细胞快激活(I_(Kr))和慢激活(I_(Ks))延迟整流钾电流的作用.方法:全细胞膜片箝技术.结果:DDPH 0.1-100μmol/L浓度依赖性抑制I_(Kr),I_Kr-tail[IC_(50)(μmol/L)为6.1,95％可信限为(2.8—13.5)].DDPH同时浓度依赖性抑制 I_(Ks),I_(Ks-tail[IC_(50)(μmol/L)为12.5,95％可信限为(4.8-32.2)].DDPH(10 μmol/L)不影响I_(Kr)和I_(Ks)的电压依赖性激活过程,给药前I_(Kr)的半激活电压(V_(1/2),mV)和斜率因子(k,mV)分别为(-21.7±0.8)和(5.9±0.8),给药后分别为(-23.5±2.4)和(8.1±2.2),无统计学意义(P>0.05).用药前后I_(Ks)的半激活电压和斜率因子的差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05),用药前分别为(27.0±0.8)和(14.9± 0.9),用药后分别为(27.1±0.7)和(16.6±0.8).DDPH(<10μmol/L)可抑制 I_(Kr)和 I_(Ks)的去激活过程,并且加快I_(Kr)的失活.结论:DDPH抑制I_(Kr)和I_(Ks)无选择性.且主要作用于其去激活过程,而非激活过程.DDPH进一步通过加速其失活过程抑制I_(Kr).     

1-(2,6-二甲氧基)-2-(3,4-二甲基苯乙氨基)丙烷盐酸盐(DDPH)拮抗α1肾上腺素受体的特性

目的　研究DDPH对α₁-肾上腺素受体(α₁-AR)及其亚型的拮抗作用。方法　放射配体结合实验和离体血管收缩功能实验。结果　DDPH对¹²⁵I-BE2254与大鼠脑皮质和脾脏α₁-AR结合呈竞争性拮抗作用。pK_I值在两者间无显著性差别, Hill系数均接近于1.0。在分别稳定表达α_1A,α_1B或α_1D-AR的克隆HEK293细胞中,其拮抗的pK_I值α_1A和α_1D比α_1B-AR高约2倍,Hill系数均接近于1.0。并拮抗去甲肾上腺素(NE)介导大鼠主动脉,肾动脉和脾脏收缩的pA₂值,在三者间无显著差别,斜率接近1.0。结论　DDPH对α₁-AR有竞争性拮抗作用,但其作用对α₁-AR亚型无选择性。     

Kinetic analysis of the protection afforded by reversible inhibitors against irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by highly toxic organophosphorus compounds

In organophosphate poisoning, the underlying mechanism of the therapeutic efficacy of carbamate prophylaxis, which was successfully tested in animal experiments, still awaits complete understanding. In particular, it is unclear whether survival is improved by increased acetylcholinesterase activity during the acute phase, when both carbamate and organophosphate are present. This question should be solved experimentally by means of a dynamically working in vitro model. Immobilized human erythrocytes were continuously perfused while acetylcholinesterase activity was monitored in real-time by a modified Ellman method. The concentrations of reversible inhibitors and of paraoxon were varied to assess the influence of both components on the enzyme activity under steady-state conditions. Physostigmine, pyridostigmine and huperzine A were tested for their prophylactic potential. Upon pretreatment with these reversible inhibitors the enzyme was inhibited by 20-90%. Additional perfusion with 1 microM paraoxon for 30 min resulted in a residual activity of 1-4%, at low and high pre-inhibition, respectively. The residual activity was significantly higher than in the absence of reversibly blocking agents (0.3%). After discontinuing paraoxon, the activity increased even in the presence of the reversible blockers. Stopping the reversibly blocking agents resulted in 10-35% recovery of the enzyme activity, depending on the degree of pre-inhibition. The experimental results agreed with computer simulations upon feeding with the essential reaction rate constants, showing that physostigmine was somewhat superior to pyridostigmine in enhancing residual activity in the presence of 1 microM paraoxon for 30 min. The model predicts that inhibitors with a faster dissociation rate, e.g. huperzine A, may be superior in case of a 'hit-and-run' poison such as soman.     

Amiloride 对离体自发高血压大鼠心肌肥厚的影响

目的:观察amilorid(阿米洛利)对自发高血压大鼠(spontaneously hypertensive rat,SHR)心肌细胞内pH值(pHi)的影响。方法:胶原酶灌流分离得到单个心室肌细胞,以pH荧光染色剂BCECF/AM染色后,在激光共聚焦显微镜(laser scanning confocal microscopy,LSCM)下,测量细胞内的荧光强度。结果:SHR对照组心肌细胞内荧光强度比正常SD大鼠对照组显著升高(P<0.01);高剂量、低剂量amiloride组和enalapril组心肌细胞内的荧光强度与SHR对照组比较,均明显下降(P值均<0.01);amiloride组低于enalapril给药组(P<0.01)。结论:SHR心肌细胞内pHi明显升高。amiloride,enalapril可以降低SHR心肌细胞内pHi,amiloride的作用比enalapril更明显。     

Inhibition of leptin release by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in human adipocytes

The addition of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to isolated human adipocytes in primary culture from very obese individuals resulted in an inhibition of leptin release after a 24- or 48-hr incubation. There was also an inhibition of leptin release by isoproterenol (ISO) that was partially reversed by insulin, whereas the inhibition due to ANP was unaffected. Similar results were seen with N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide (H-89), which is a cell-permeable inhibitor of protein kinase A. H-89 markedly reduced the effects of ISO on both lipolysis and leptin release without affecting the stimulation of lipolysis or the inhibition of leptin release due to ANP. Inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide formation using N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine resulted in a 20% increase in leptin release over 48 hr, which suggests that the nitric oxide/cyclic GMP pathway might play a small role in the regulation of endogenous leptin release. Similarly, the addition of the nitric oxide donor (Z)-1-[2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA NONOate) at 0.1 or 1 microM to explants of human adipose tissue enhanced lipolysis by 29%. Our data demonstrate that the lipolytic effect of ANP is probably secondary to stimulation of cyclic GMP accumulation in human adipocytes, and this is accompanied by an inhibition of leptin release.     

IONIC MECHANISMS REGULATING SODIUM ENTRY INTO VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE

1. Na+/H+ exchange, an ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA)-sensitive Na+ and HCO3- dependent system and a diisothio-cyanatostilbenedisulphonic acid (DIDS)-sensitive Na+ and HCO3- transporter, contribute to sodium influx and intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in vascular smooth muscle. 2. In cultured cells from the human internal mammary artery, Na+/H+ exchange and the EIPA-sensitive Na+ and HCO3- dependent system contribute about 80% to basal sodium influx. The residual Na+ influx is both EIPA and DIDS-insensitive. 3. Sodium influx via these mechanisms influences the ability of vascular smooth muscle to synthesize protein late in the G1 phase of the mitotic cell cycle. This, in turn, affects DNA biosynthesis. 4. These Na+ exchanges/transporters have the capability to facilitate the development of vascular hypertrophy in hypertension.     

Polyene macrolide antibiotics: indirect stimulation of the Na+/H+ exchanger of BALB/c B lymphoid cell line, A20.

The fluorescent pH probe, 2'-7'-bis (carboxyethyl) 5-carboxyfluorescein, was used to follow changes in internal pH (pHi) induced by aromatic polyene antibiotics in the BALB/c lymphoid cell line A20. The antibiotics studied were vacidin, which contains a free carboxylic group in the position C18 of the macrolide ring, and vacidin glycyl methyl ester and perimycin, which are without free carboxylic groups. Although all of them induced transmembrane Na+ and K+ movements, only vacidin had protonophoric activity, as previously demonstrated for red blood cells [Cybulska B et al., Biochem Pharmacol 38: 1755-1762, 1989]. However, with all three antibiotics, pHi changes were observed in A20 cells. It was demonstrated that the transmembrane H+ movements resulted to different degrees, principally in the case of perimycin and vacidin glycyl methyl ester, or partially in the case of vacidin, from the stimulation of the Na+/H+ exchanger by the induced Na+ permeability. The non-aromatic polyene antibiotic amphotericin B had a low ability to increase proton permeability.