Effect of erythromycin on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with bronchial asthma.

The effects of erythromycin (erythromycin stearate, Erythromycin; CAS 643-22-1) on the bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the functions of lymphocytes and neutrophils were evaluated. Administration of erythromycin to asthmatic patients in a dosage of 600 mg/d for 10 weeks reduced the bronchial hyperresponsiveness measured by histamine inhalation test. Furthermore, incubation with erythromycin for 96 h inhibited the mixed lymphocyte reaction at the concentration of more than 10 mumol/l in a dose-dependent manner, and the value of IC50 was about 30 mumol/l. 2-h incubation with erythromycin showed a weak inhibition to n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced superoxide production of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) at the concentration of more than 30 mumol/l in a dose-dependent manner. 1-h incubation with 1 mumol/l and 100 mumol/l of erythromycin inhibited FMLP-induced chemotaxis of PMNs. The rates of inhibition at the concentration of 1 mumol/l and 100 mumol/l were 29.7% and 41.7%, respectively. Erythromycin thus showed a beneficial effect on bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This effect might be due to the regulation of the inflammatory cells.     

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitors potentiate superoxide production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The possible role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) in superoxide anion (O2-) production induced by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) was investigated in mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). KN-93 and KN-62, specific CaMK II inhibitors, augmented FMLP-induced O2- production. KN-92, an analogue which did not inhibit CaMK II, did not affect O2- production. W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, augmented O2- production when administered at 30 mM for 5 min. KN-93 and recombinant mouse tumour necrosis factor-alpha (rmTNF-alpha) each augmented the maximal production of O2- induced by FMLP, and an additive effect of a combination of KN-93 and rmTNF-alpha was observed. CaMK II activity in the PMNs was increased by FMLP, and the increase was inhibited by KN-93 but not by rmTNF-alpha. These results suggest that the inhibition of CaMK II resulted in the augmentation of FMLP-induced O2- production in PMNs by a mechanism different from that of the augmentation shown by TNF-alpha.     

Enhancing and inhibitory effects of nitric oxide on superoxide anion generation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

1. The effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a nitric oxide donor) and authentic nitric oxide (NO) on superoxide anion (O2-) generation were investigated in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). 2. Neither SNP (10 nM to 10 microM) nor NO (40 nM to 40 microM) alone induced O2- generation or change of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human PMNs. 3. Pretreatment with SNP or NO at the concentrations used (SNP, 10 nM to 10 microM: NO, 40 nM to 40 microM) showed a biphasic concentration-dependent effect on O2- generation induced by f-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). Low concentrations of SNP (10 nM to 100 nM) and NO (400 nM) did not affect either basal cyclic GMP levels or cyclic GMP levels stimulated by FMLP, but enhanced FMLP-induced O2- generation and [Ca2+]i elevation. On the other hand, high concentrations of SNP (10 microM) and NO (40 microM) alone elevated cyclic GMP levels and inhibited FMLP-induced O2- generation and [Ca2+]i elevation. 4. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP (8-Br-cyclic GMP) at concentrations ranging from 1 microM to 1 mM did not induce O2- generation on its own and had little effect on FMLP-induced O2- generation and [Ca2+]i elevation. 5. Addition of a high concentration of NO (40 microM) decreased authentic O2- formation by pyrogallol in a cell-free system, but a low concentration of NO (400 nM) had no effect on this. On the other hand, addition of SNP in the concentration-ranges used had no effect on authentic O2- formation by pyrogallol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cholesteryl butyrate solid lipid nanoparticles inhibit adhesion of human neutrophils to endothelial cells

1. Adhesion of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) to vascular endothelial cells (EC) is a critical step in recruitment and infiltration of leukocytes into tissues during inflammation. High doses of butyric acid have been shown to ameliorate inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Cholesteryl-butyrate solid lipid nanoparticles (chol-but SLN) as prodrug are a possible delivery system for butyric acid. 2. Sodium butyrate or chol-but SLN were coincubated with human PMNs and human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC); adhesion was quantified by computerized microimaging fluorescence analysis. Both chol-but SLN and sodium butyrate displayed antiadhesive effects on FMLP- and IL-1beta-stimulated cells in a concentration-response curve (10(-8)-10(-5) M), but chol-but SLN were in all cases more active. Moreover, chol-but SLN inhibited FMLP-induced adhesion of PMNs to FCS-coated plastic wells, thus showing a direct effect on PMNs, while sodium butyrate had little effect. Confocal microscopy showed that fluorescent SLN entered PMNs and HUVEC after 10 min incubation. Chol-but SLN acted either on activated PMN or HUVEC. 3. Chol-but SLN inhibited O2-* production and myeloperoxidase release by PMNs evoked by FMLP, in a dose-dependent, but not time-dependent, manner and were more active than sodium butyrate. 4. In conclusion, in all tests chol-but SLN were more active than sodium butyrate. Thus, chol-but SLN might be a valid alternative to sodium butyrate in the anti-inflammatory therapy of ulcerative colitis, avoiding complications related to the administration of sodium butyrate.     

The effect of six prostaglandins, prostacyclin and iloprost on generation of superoxide anions by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by zymosan or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine

Prostaglandins (PG) E2,E1,6-keto-E1 and D2 at concentrations of 0.15-0.80 microM inhibited by 25% the generation of superoxide anions (O2-) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The potency of that inhibition by either PGD2 or PGE1 was the same when zymosan was used as a stimulator whereas PGE2 and 6-keto-PGE1 were by 13 and 21 times less potent inhibitors of O2-) in zymosan-stimulated as compared to FMLP-activated PMNs. PGF2 alpha inhibited the generation of O2- by activated PMNs only when used at the highest concentration studied (30 microM). Prostacyclin, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and Iloprost (a carbacyclin analogue of prostacyclin) at concentrations up to 30 microM showed no significant inhibition of O2- in human PMNs stimulated either with FMLP or with zymosan. It is concluded that PGD2 and PGEs use a common basic mechanism for inhibition of the generation of O2- by PMNs activated with FMLP or zymosan. PGD2 is most generously furnished with these properties. In addition to this basic mechanism PGE2 and 6-keto-PGE1 abrogate the FMLP-induced response by occupation of formyl peptide receptor of PMNs. It is hypothesised that inhibition of the generation of O2- in PMNs and, possibly, in other cells by PGD2, PGE2 and by products of prostacyclin biotransformation might be responsible for their cytoprotective action in myocardial infarction, stroke, liver damage and peripheral vascular disease.     

EFFECT OF COLFORSIN ON HUMAN NEUTROPHIL SUPEROXIDE PRODUCTION AND INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM MOBILIZATION

1. The effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (cAMP), isoproterenol and colforsin (forskolin) were evaluated on respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). 2. Dibutyryl cAMP showed a dose-dependent inhibition of n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced superoxide production by human PMN. 3. Administration of isoproterenol induced a dose-dependent inhibition of FMLP-induced superoxide production by human PMN, and the inhibition was blocked by propranolol. 4. Administration of colforsin induced a dose-dependent inhibition of FMLP-induced superoxide production by human PMN, and the inhibition could not be blocked by propranolol. 5. Incubation with colforsin caused a significant increase in the cAMP level in human PMN. 6. Pretreatment with colforsin caused a dose-dependent inhibition in the elevation of intracellular free calcium (monitored by fura-2 fluorescence), which was observed in human PMN stimulated with FMLP. 7. These results suggest that cAMP is an inhibitory factor of superoxide production and intracellular calcium mobilization in human PMN stimulated with FMLP.     

Effect of etizolam (Depas) on production of superoxide anion by platelet-activating factor and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Effect of etizolam on platelet activating factor (PAF) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced superoxide anion (O2-) production in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was investigated. Etizolam showed the inhibitory effect on PAF-induced O2- production concentration dependently, with an IC50 value of 4.7 microM, but it had no inhibitory effect on FMLP-induced O2- production at 100 microM. These results suggest that etizolam has a selectively strong inhibitory effect on PAF-induced O2- production in guinea pig PMNL.     

Sulfasalazine inhibition of binding of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) to its receptor on human neutrophils

Sulfasalazine, a drug useful in the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease, was found to block N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced arthritis in rabbits as well as FMLP-induced superoxide production and chemotaxis in human neutrophils in vitro. Sulfasalazine was also found to block FMLP binding to human neutrophils with an I50 of 10 microM. The dose-response curve for the inhibition of binding was very similar to the dose-response curves for the inhibition of FMLP-induced neutrophil activation.     

Effect of phosphotyrosine proteins on phorbol myristate acetate-induced NADPH oxidase activation in guinea pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide radical (O(2)(-))-production in guinea pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was significantly lower than that in peripheral cells. To determine the role of phosphotyrosine proteins in the lower O(2)(-) production, the effect of ST638 and genistein, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, on PMA-induced O(2)(-) production in peritoneal PMNs was examined. PMA-induced O(2)(-)-production of the cells was increased by the pretreatment with ST638 or genistein, the increment depending on the inhibitor concentration. The p47phox level in the plasma membrane of PMA-stimulated PMNs was increased by the pretreatment with ST638, although the phosphorylated p47phox level in the cells was not altered by ST638. On the other hand, PMA-induced O(2)(-)-production of peripheral PMNs was not affected by the pretreatment with ST638, but that of cytochalasin B (CB)-primed peripheral PMNs significantly increased by further treatment with ST638. The phosphotyrosine protein level of peritoneal PMNs was higher than that of the peripheral cells, especially in cytosolic proteins including 50-60 and 70-85 kDa proteins, and that of the CB-primed peripheral cells was also higher than that of the intact cells in similar cytosolic proteins to those above. Further treatment of CB-primed peripheral cells with ST638 resulted in a lower level of phosphotyrosine proteins. These findings suggest that phosphorylation of some protein(s) at specific tyrosine residues inhibits the translocation of p47phox to the plasma membrane from the cytosol, resulting in lower O(2)(-)-generation in casein-induced peritoneal exudate PMNs.     

重组人白细胞介素10对角朊细胞增殖及产生细胞因子的影响

目的：研究重组人白细胞介素10(rhIL-10)对无血清培养的角朊细胞增殖和产生细胞因子的影响，探讨其治疗银屑病的作用机制。方法：用四甲基偶氮唑蓝比色法(MTT)测定其对细胞增殖的影响；小鼠胸腺细胞增殖法检测白细胞介素1(IL-1)；ELISA法检测白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)。结果：重组人白细胞介素10抑制角朊细胞增殖与IL-1、IL-6及IL-8的分泌，并呈剂量依赖关系。结论：重组人白细胞介素10抑制角朊细胞与细胞因子分泌，可能是治疗银屑病的作用机理之一．     

Inhibition by nitric oxide-donors of human polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions.

1. The study was designed to test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compounds increase guanosine 3'':5''-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) production in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) and concomitantly inhibit PMN functions, i.e. leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis, degranulation, chemotaxis and superoxide anion (O2-) release. The effects of two new NO-releasing compounds, GEA 3162 and GEA 5024 were compared to 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP). 2. GEA 3162 and GEA 5024 (1-100 microM) inhibited Ca ionophore A23187-induced LTB4 and beta-glucuronidase release, chemotactic peptide FMLP-induced chemotaxis and opsonized zymosan-triggered chemiluminescence dose-dependently in human PMNs. SIN-1 and SNAP were weaker inhibitors. 3. Cellular cyclic GMP production was increased after exposure to NO-donors concomitantly with the inhibition of PMN functions. No alterations in the levels of adenosine 3'':5''-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) were detected. 4. The results suggest that NO, possibly through increased cyclic GMP, inhibits the activation of human PMNs and may thus act as a local modulator in inflammatory processes.     

Evaluation of in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of some 2-alkyl-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazines

The ability of some 2-alkyl(aryl)-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine derivatives to interfere with production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human phagocytes was evaluated in an in-vitro cell model. Superoxide anion (O(2)(-*)) production by human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), challenged by the chemotactic agent N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by all the compounds tested, compounds 3, 4 and 5 being statistically the most active. Adhesion of PMNs to vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is a critical step in recruitment and infiltration of leucocytes into tissues during inflammation, and the effects of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives on PMN adhesion to ECs from the human umbilical vein (HUVEC) were also investigated. Triazines were incubated with PMNs and HUVEC; adhesion was quantitated by computerized micro-imaging fluorescence analysis. The 1,3,5-triazines tested inhibited the adhesion evoked by pro-inflammatory stimuli, such as platelet activating factor (PAF), FMLP, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta) in a dose-response manner over the concentration range 10(-9) to 10(-4)M, compounds 5 and 6 being the most active. Both of these compounds inhibited PMN adhesion to HUVEC, even when endothelial or PMN stimuli were used. Indeed, when both cell populations were activated contemporarily, the anti-adhesive effect was enhanced. The study suggests that 2-aryl-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazines deserve further evaluation as anti-inflammatory agents.     

Inhibitory effect of disodium cromproxate on superoxide anion (O2-) generation and membrane potential changes in stimulated neutrophils

Disodium cromproxate is an antiallergic agent. This drug (0.5-2 mmol/L) inhibited O2- production by neutrophils induced by FMLP and PMA. However, the inhibition of FMLP-induced O2- generation was more pronounced than that induced by PMA. Disodium cromproxate also counteracted the changes in membrane potential in neutrophils induced by either FMLP or PMA. The actions of disodium cromproxate differed from those of propranolol, as propranolol had no antagonistic action on membrane potential changes induced by FMLP and PMA.     

Neutrophil priming by granulocyte colony stimulating factor and its modulation by protein kinase inhibitors.

Upon stimulation by various ligands, freshly isolated human peripheral neutrophils (PMN) respond in a variety of ways, such as superoxide (O2-.) generation, phagocytosis enzyme release, migration etc. Chemotactic peptide formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and opsonized zymosan activate neutrophils by a receptor-mediated mechanism, while phorbol myristate acetate and dioctanoylglycerol activate the cells by a mechanism involving Ca(2+)-and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC). Receptor-mediated but not PKC-mediated O2-. generation in PMN was enhanced by the priming of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). FMLP-dependent luminol chemiluminescence was also enhanced by G-CSF. However, no appreciable enhancement was observed in FMLP-induced intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i). Enhancement of FMLP-induced generation of O2-. by G-CSF was inhibited by genistein or alpha-cyano-3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-phenylthiomethylcinnamamide (ST 638), inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (TK), and was stimulated by staurosporine and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-3-methyl-piperazine (H-7), inhibitors of PKC. The ED50 values of genistein and ST 638 for the inhibition of the FMLP-induced O2-. generation from G-CSF were 0.5 and 5 microM, respectively. In contrast, O2-. generation by PKC activation without G-CSF priming was inhibited by stauroporine and H-7, but was stimulated by genistein and ST 638. These results suggested that the enhancing effect of G-CSF on receptor-mediated generation of the O2-. might be regulated by protein kinases, such as TK and PKC, and that the TK inhibitor selectively inhibited the G-CSF-primed receptor-mediated O2-. generation of neutrophils.     

Phorbol myristate acetate enhances human polymorphonuclear neutrophil release of granular enzymes but inhibits chemokinesis.

The effects of the co-carcinogenic phorbol ester, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), on N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP)-induced human polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemokinesis and release of granular lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase were compared with those of the inactive phorbol didecanoate (PDD). Release of the enzymes was enhanced by PMA but was unaffected by PDD which also had no effect on chemokinesis. In contrast, FMLP-induced chemokinesis was completely suppressed by PMA in a dose-dependent fashion (ID50 = 3.5 nM). PMA also inhibited the FMLP-induced increase in cytoplasmic calcium level, measured by the fluorescent indicator quin-2. These and other results suggest that although the diacylglycerol/protein kinase C system is involved in the positive regulation of certain neutrophil functions (degranulation and superoxide generation), if it is very powerfully stimulated, as with PMA, it has inhibitory actions on other neutrophil properties such as motility.     

Arachidonic acid release and platelet-activating factor formation by staurosporine in human neutrophils challenged with n-formyl peptide.

Staurosporine, a putative protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, increased the release of [14C]arachidonic acid dose dependently between 100 nM and 1000 nM in human neutrophils challenged with 100 nM N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (FMLP). Staurosporine also increased the formation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, exogenously added lyso-PAF further augmented [3H]PAF formation in staurosporine-pretreated human neutrophils stimulated by FMLP, thus suggesting an activation of acetyl-CoA: lyso-PAF acetyltransferase by staurosporine. The potentiation of [14C]arachidonic acid release and [3H]PAF formation by staurosporine was further enhanced in the presence of 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which pinpoints a mechanism other than the modulation of PKC in this process, inasmuch as staurosporine antagonizes PMA-induced O2- production and [3H]PAF formation. Additional studies with other putative PKC inhibitors also revealed the potentiating effects of 1-(5-isoquinolinsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7, 20 microM) and sphingosine (2.5 microM) on FMLP-induced [14C]arachidonic acid release and [3H]PAF formation. We therefore conjecture that staurosporine-sensitive protein kinases including PKC are not involved in the activation of phospholipase A2 and acetyl-CoA:lyso-PAF acetyltransferase.     

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

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

Diclofenac binding to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils: effect on respiratory burst and N-formylated peptide binding

The respiratory burst of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) induced by particle or soluble stimuli was measured in the presence of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium (Voltaren). Diclofenac (25-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited the oxygen consumption of PMN stimulated by 5 X 10(-7) M of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The inhibition was linearly correlated to diclofenac concentration. By contrast, diclofenac did not affect the rate of heat-killed Klebsiella pneumoniae ingestion of PMN, or the PMN O2-uptake induced by (0.67 microgram/ml) serum-opsonized zymosan or (1 microgram/ml) phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The PMN production of superoxide anion induced by various FMLP concentrations (10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) was also decreased by diclofenac. However, this inhibition declined when the formylated peptide concentration was raised suggesting that diclofenac could alter FMLP binding to the PMN membrane. Binding experiments of tritiated FMLP to intact PMN performed at 22 degrees and 4 degrees showed high- and low-affinity FMLP sites with dissociation constant (Kd) values of approximately 2 X 10(-8) M and 10(-5) M respectively. Diclofenac did not significantly alter the low-affinity component but induced modifications of the high-affinity component which were different at 22 degrees and 4 degrees. At 22 degrees only the dissociation constant value was enhanced by diclofenac (competitive inhibition) whereas at 4 degrees both binding parameters (i.e. dissociation constant and number of available binding sites) were modified (mixed inhibition). Diclofenac was also shown to bind to PMN with a low affinity. This binding was not diminished at 4 degrees by various concentrations of FMLP which even increased the number of diclofenac binding sites on PMN at 22 degrees. These data suggest that diclofenac binding to PMN may decrease FMLP-induced PMN respiratory burst by interfering with the peptide recognition by specific FMLP receptors.     

Pyrrolomycin group antibiotics inhibit substance P-induced release of myeloperoxidase from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

In order to search for microbial modulators of the activity of neuropeptide, we established a screen based on substance P (SP)-induced myeloperoxidase (MPO) release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). SP induced MPO release in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 1 approximately 10 x 10(-4) M. In comparison at 1 x 10(-4) M, induction was also observed with SP derivatives but not with other neuropeptides such as neurokinin and enkephalin. Based on this, we searched for microbial inhibitors against SP-induced MPO release. An actinomycete metabolite designated HS3, which turned out to be identical with dioxapyrrolomycin or A1-R2081, and structurally related pyrrolomycins were found to inhibit SP-induced MPO release. In addition, these compounds inhibited the f-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP)-induced MPO release from PMN. Pyrrolomycin derivatives with an N-methylated pyrrole ring showed, however, a selective inhibition of the SP-induced MPO release. This was in contrast to results with aseanostatin P5 which selectively inhibited FMLP-induced MPO release.     

Inhibitory effects of various drugs on phorbol myristate acetate and n-formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine induced O2- production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes

To clarify the mechanisms of O2- formation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), the effects of clinically employed drugs on PMNs were investigated by measuring changes in membrane potential and rates of O2- production. These variables were effectively diminished with antihistaminic agents, adrenergic beta-antagonists, and antiarrhythmic drugs when guinea pig peritoneal PMNs were stimulated by either phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The order of potency of the inhibitory effects of these chemicals on the PMA-induced O2- formation was as follows: azelastine (IC50 = 4.1 microM) less than clemastine less than dl-propranolol less than chlorpheniramine maleate less than dichlorisoproterenol less than quinidine less than diphenhydramine less than indomethacin (IC50 greater than 400 microM). Similar phenomena were observed when FMLP was employed instead of PMA, but the FMLP-stimulated O2- production was effectively inhibited by indomethacin. Changes in membrane potential, using the cyanin dye method, also indicated that most of these drugs cancelled functional changes of plasma membrane of PMNs. From these observations, it was demonstrated that changes in membrane potential by the stimuli were essential for the initiation of O2- generation from plasma membrane of PMNs, although the initiation mechanisms were not identical for the two stimuli.