The Mechanism of Uptake of Biodegradable Microparticles in Caco-2 Cells Is Size Dependent

Purpose. To study the uptake of biodegradable microparticles in Caco-2 cells. Methods. Biodegradable microparticles of polylactic polyglycolic acid co-polymer (PLGA 50:50) of mean diameters 0.1 m, 1 m, and 10 m containing bovine serum albumin as a model protein and 6-coumarin as a fluorescent marker were formulated by a multiple emulsion technique. The Caco-2 cell monolayers were incubated with each diameter microparticles (100 g/ml) for two hours. The microparticle uptake in Caco-2 cells was studied by confocal microscopy and also by quantitating the 6-coumarin content of the microparticles taken up by the cells. The effects of microparticle concentration, and incubation time and temperature on microparticle cell uptake were also studied. Results. The study demonstrated that the Caco-2 cell microparticle uptake significantly depends upon the microparticle diameter. The 0.1 m diameter microparticles had 2.5 fold greater uptake on the weight basis than the 1 m and 6 fold greater than the 10 m diameter microparticles. Similarly in terms of number the uptake of 0.1 m diameter microparticles was 2.7 × 10³ fold greater than the 1 m and 6.7 × 10⁶ greater than the 10 m diameter microparticles. The efficiency of uptake of 0.1 m diameter microparticles at 100 g/ml concentration was 41% compared to 15% and 6% for the 1 m and the 10 m diameter microparticles, respectively. The Caco-2 cell microparticle (0.1 m) uptake increased with concentration in the range of 100 g/ml to 500 g/ml which then reached a plateau at higher concentration. The uptake of microparticles increased with incubation time, reaching a steady state at two hours. The uptake was greater at an incubation temperature of 37°C compared to at 4°C. Conclusions. The Caco-2 cell microparticle uptake was microparticle diameter, concentration, and incubation time and temperature dependent. The small diameter microparticles (0.1 m) had significantly greater uptake compared to larger diameter microparticles. The results thus suggest that the mechanism of uptake of microparticles in Caco-2 cell is particle diameter dependent. Caco-2 cells are used as an in vitro model for gastrointestinal uptake, and therefore the results obtained in these studies could be of significant importance in optimizing the microparticle-based oral drug delivery systems.     

Inhibitory activity of Chinese herbal medicines toward histamine release from mast cells and nitric oxide production by macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7

One hundred and six species of traditional Chinese herbs were collected from the northeast of China, extracted with 60% ethanol, and tested for activity inhibiting histamine release and nitric oxide (NO) production. We found that 18 of the 106 species showed strong histamine-release inhibitory activity (inhibition >80%, 100 g/ml), of which Bidens parviflora Willd. was recognized to present the strongest activity (inhibition 97.8%, 100 g/ml). Seven species exhibited strong NO-production inhibitory activity (inhibition >50%, 100 g/ml) with Pholidota chinensis Lindl. as the most active one (inhibition 86.2%, 100 g/ml).     

Presynaptic dopamine DA2-receptors in rabbit jejunal arteries

Summary Excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) evoked by nerve stimulation with 15 pulses at 1 Hz were recorded from muscle cells of rabbit isolated jejunal arteries. LY 171555 1 mol/l, SKF 38393 10 mol/l, dopamine 10 ol/l and clonidine 0.1 mol/l depressed all e j.ps in the train. The percentage inhibition was inversely related to the number of pulses. S- and R-sulpiride, 10 mol/l, domperidone 1 mol/l, SCH 23390 1 mol/l and rauwolscine 1 mol/l did not change, or even depressed the first e j.ps. Of these compounds only S- and R-sulpiride, 10 mol/l and rauwolscine 1 mol/l facilitated the late e.j.ps. The percentage facilitation increased with the number of pulses until a maximum was reached; rauwolscine 1 ol/l had the largest effect. S- and R-sulpiride, 10 mol/l, as well as domperidone 1 ol/l antagonized the action of LY 171555 1 mol/l. S-Sulpiride was more potent than its R-isomer. SCH 23390 1 mol/l and rauwolscine 1 mol/l blunted the effect of SKF 38393 10 mol/l. Rauwolscine 1 mol/l slightly reduced the inhibition by dopamine 10 mol/l; S-sulpiride 10 mol/l was antagonistic only in the presence of rauwolscine 1 mol/l. When rauwolscine 1 mol/l, prazosin 0.1 mol/l, propranolol 1 mol/l and cocaine 10 mol/l was added to the medium, dopamine 10 mol/l continued to produce the same depression of e j.ps, as in the absence of these compounds. Under such conditions S-sulpiride 10 mol/l also counteracted dopamine 10 gmol/l. Rauwolscine 1 mol/l prevented the effect of clonidine 0.1 mol/l. The antagonists were not absolutely selective against only one type of agonist. We suggest that both presynaptic DA₂- and postsynaptic DA₁-receptors are present in rabbit jejunal arteries. The activation of either receptor-type may depress the e j.ps. Dopamine interferes with neuroeffector transmission due to ₂-adrenoceptor agonist properties; its DA₂-effect is unmasked only after ₂-adrenoceptor blockade. There was no evidence for a co-transmitter function of dopamine. Send offprint requests to P. Illes at the above address     

Neonatal exposure to zearalenone causes persistent anovulatory estrus in the rat

The effect of neonatal administration of zearalenone on the female reproductive system was studied in the rat. A single subcutaneous injection of 1.0 mg zearalenone to 3- or 5-day-old rats caused persistent vaginal estrus in adulthood. Ovaries in these animals contained many large follicles but no newly formed corpora lutea. The same effects were observed in rats which had received 100 g estradiol-17 in the neonatal period. Most rats which had received 100 g zearalenone or 10 g estradiol-17 showed regular 4-day estrous cycles and had newly formed corpora lutea in their ovaries. These results demonstrate that neonatal exposure to zearalenone produces persistent anovulatory estrus in the rat, the potency being about one tenth that of estradiol-17.     

Effects of dexamethasone on [3H]choline uptake by rat forebrain synaptosomes

Summary Dexamethasone (3–300 mol/l) did not affect uptake of choline (1 mol/l) by rat forebrain isolated nerve terminals (crude synaptosomal fraction). At concentrations which have been shown to increase choline uptake by rat superior cervical ganglion, dexamethasone had no effect on synaptosomal choline uptake at choline concentrations between 0.1 and 30 mol/l, nor on choline uptake which had been partially inhibited either by hemicholinium-3 (0.1 mol/l) or by reducing the NaCl concentration (0-140 mmol/l).     

Regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in hamster adipocytes

Summary In ghosts of hamster adipocytes, the regulation of adenylate cyclase (ATP: pyrophosphate lyase, cyclizing; EC 4.6.1.1) activity by prostaglandins, -adrenergic agonists and nicotinic acid was studied. These three classes of antilipolytic agents caused adenylate cyclase inhibition without an apparent lag phase. Maximal inhibitions observed ranged between about 45% (by -adrenergic agonists) and 60% (by prostaglandins and nicotinic acid). The order of potency for the inhibitory prostaglandins (PG) was PGE₁ PGE₂>PGF₂PGI₂>PGD₂>6-keto PGF₁. The IC₅₀ values obtained were about 0.007, 0.06, 0.3 and 1 M for PGE₁, PGF₂, PGD₂ and 6-keto PGF₁, respectively. -Adrenergic agonists, studied in the presence of the -adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol (30 M), inhibited the fat cell enzyme with the order of potency (1)-adrenaline > (1)--methylnoradrenaline (1)-noradrenaline > clonidine tetryzoline > (1)-phenylephrine. The IC₅₀ values obtained for (1)-adrenaline and (1)-noradrenaline were about 3 and 10 M, respectively. The inhibitory effect of (1)-adrenaline was blocked by the -adrenergic antagonists with the potency order yohimbine phentolamine > prazosin. These findings suggest that an ₂ of receptors is involved in this catecholamine-induced inhibition. Nicotinic acid (10 M) reduced adenylate cyclase activity by about 60% with half-maximal effectiveness at about 0.6 M. The nicotinic acid derivatives, nicotinamide, -pyridylcarbinol and NAD (up to 100 M), had no effect on enzyme activity.Inhibition of the hamster adipocyte adenylate cyclase by the antilipolytic agents required the presence of both GTP, which reduced basal activity by about 80% at 10 M, and sodium ions, which specifically activated the GTP-affected from of the enzyme. Inhibition was also observed in the presence of ACTH, which in a GTP-dependent manner increased adenylate cyclase activity. Pretreatment of the enzyme preparation with NaF (10 mM) partially reduced the inhibitory effect, and preactivation with the stable GTP analogue, guanylyl 5-imidodiphosphate (100 M), abolished the adenylate cyclase inhibition by the antilipolytic agents.Abbreviations PG prostaglandin - GMP-P(NH)P guanylyl 5-imidodiphosphate Some of the data were presented in abstract form (Aktories et al., 1979a)     

Evidence for a vasoconstriction-mediating receptor for UTP,distinct from the P2 purinoceptor,in rabbit ear artery

Summary 1. The mechanism of uridine 5-triphosphate-(UTP-)induced vasoconstriction was studied in the rabbit ear artery. The arteries were incubated and perfused at a constant rate of flow. Vasoconstriction was measured as an increase in perfusion pressure. 2. Noradrenaline, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and UTP caused concentration-dependent vasoconstriction. ATP and UTP were approximately equipotent. 3. The vasoconstrictor effect of UTP 300 mol/l was enhanced by a mixture of atropine, diphenhydramine and methysergide (1 mol/l each) and not affected by indometacin 10 mol/l. 4. Prazosin (0.01 –1 mol/l) and phentolamine (1–10 mol/l) reduced the vasoconstrictor effect of UTP 300 mol/l by up to 34%. Prazosin 1 mol/l failed to diminish the vasoconstrictor effect of UTP 300 mol/l after the sympathetic nerves had been destroyed with 6-hydroxydopamine. 5. , -Methylene-ATP (10–50 ol/l) elicited transient vasoconstriction. Subsequently, vasoconstrictor responses to ATP 100 or 300 pmol/1 were reduced by 88%, whereas responses to UTP 100 gmol/1 were enhanced, responses to UTP 300 mol/l decreased by only 32% and responses to UTP 1000 gmol/1 reduced by 74%. After in vitro-denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine or in the presence of phentolamine 1 mol/l throughout, a, -methylene-ATP (10–50 mol/l) reduced the vasoconstrictor effect of UTP 300 mol/l by 44% and 43%, respectively. 6. We suggest that, in the rabbit ear artery, the non-adrenergic and , -methylene-ATP-resistant vasoconstrictor response to UTP is mediated by a separate receptor mechanism, distinct from the P₂ purinoceptor. Send offprint requests to K. Starke     

Imipramine: Clinical effects and pharmacokinetic variability

Sixty-six hospitalized depressed patients were treated for 4 weeks with imipramine (Tofranil^®) 225 mg/day. Blood samples were drawn twice weekly 15 h after the last drug intake, and IP and DMI concentrations in plasma were assayed by quantitative in situ thin-layer chromatography. Clinical rating was carried out once weekly by Hamilton's Rating Scale (HRS), Beck's Depression Inventory, WHO Depression Scale (Quantitative Part), and a side-effect scale. The patients were classified on the basis of the WHO Depression Scale (Qualitative Part) as endogenous (N=37) or non-endogenous depressions (N=29). Antidepressive effect was evaluated on the basis of the posttreatment rating scores.In patients classified as endogenous depressions all 12 responding patients (HRS7) had plasma levels of IP>45 g/l and DMI>75 g/l, whereas 11 out of 14 nonresponding patients (HRS16) had plasma levels of one or both compounds below these limits. Ten out of 12 responders had levels of IP+DMI above 240 g/l, and all nonresponders had levels of IP+DMI below this limit. Patients with partial response (HRS: 8–15) formed an overlapping group. There was no sign of an upper plasma level limit for the antidepressive effect of imipramine.The plasma level/effect relationship was less clear in patients with non-endogenous depressions, since several of them responded at low plasma levels.Some relationship between effect on blood pressure (orthostatic effect) and high plasma levels of IP and DMI was found.Using a plasma level limit of IP45 g/l and DMI75 g/l, it was possible to predict the response of the endogenous depression group for 10 out of 12 responders and 10 out of 14 nonresponders on the basis of plasma level measurements obtained after 1 week of treatment.     

Influence of papaverine derivatives on phosphodiesterase activity,cyclic 3′,5′-AMP levels and relaxing effect on rabbit ileum

Summary The correlations between the relaxing effect of papaverine derivatives, inhibition of low K_m-phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE=EC 3.1.4.17) activity and cyclic 3,5-AMP (cAMP) levels in isolated rabbit ileum were investigated. There was a strong correlation between the relaxing effect, inhibition of PDE activity and cAMP content for eupaverine, ethylpapaverine and papaverine. Eupaverine was the most effective relaxing agent (I₅₀=7.5 M) and the most potent inhibitor of PDE activity (K_i=0.6 M), followed by ethylpapaverine (I₅₀=10 M); K_i=0.8 M) and papaverine (I₅₀=20 M; K_i=2 M). In contrast, there was a strong relaxing effect (I₅₀=6 M) but only slight inhibition of PDE activity (K_i=350 M) by tetrahydropapaveroline (THP). The adenylate cyclase stimulating effect of THP which was shown by others is most likely the reason for comparatively higher cAMP levels, which were found to be elevated about seven times over basal levels of 0.35 nmoles/g wet weight, and effective relaxation. Relaxation could be induced by exogenously added cAMP (I₅₀=45 M) and dibutyryl-cAMP (I₅₀=450 M). Our results support the assumption that smooth muscle relaxation in rabbit ileum is mediated by cAMP. Some of these observations have been published in abstract form (Schulz and Berndt, 1972).     

Sodium dependent 3H-noradrenaline release from rat neocortical slices in the absence of extracellular calcium presynaptic modulation by μ-opioid receptor and adenylate cyclase activation

Summary In Ca²⁺-free EGTA (1 mmol/l)-containing medium veratrine (3 mol/l) and ouabain (100 mol/l) strongly enhanced the efflux of ³H-noradrenaline from superfused rat brain neocortical slices prelabelled with the radioactive amine. In both cases ³H-noradrenaline release was prevented by tetrodotoxin (1 mol/l). These effects of veratrine and ouabain were virtually additive and independent of whether the noradrenaline uptake carrier was blocked with 1 mol/l desipramine or not. The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (10 nmol/l–10 mol/l) strongly enhanced veratrine- and ouabain-induced ³H-noradrenaline release, without affecting spontaneous tritium efflux. The release induced by both stimuli was profoundly inhibited by the selective -opioid receptor agonist [d-Ala, MePhe⁴, Gly-ol⁵]enkaphalin (DAGO, 3 nmol/l–1 mol/l) in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of 1 mol/l DAGO were abolished by 1 mol/l naloxone. On the other hand, preincubation of the slices for 1 h with the -opioid receptor-selective irreversible ligand fentanyl isothiocyanate (1 pmol/l) did not change the inhibitory effects of DAGO.These data show that veratrine- and ouabain-induced ³H-noradrenaline release from central noradrenergic nerve terminals is facilitated by increasing intracellular cyclic AMP levels and reduced by activation of presynaptic -opioid receptors, indicating the involvement of exocytotic neurotransmitter release. The results provide further evidence for the hypothesis that under these conditions neurotransmitter release from central noradrenergic neurons is triggerred by a Na⁺-induced efflux of Ca²⁺ ions from intracellular stores.Abbreviations DAGO [d-Ala², McPhe⁴, Gly-ol⁵]enkephalin Send offprint requests to A. N. M. Schoffelmeer at the above address     

Inhibitory adenosine A1-receptors on rat locus coeruleus neurones

Summary Intracellular recordings were performed in ₁-pontine slice preparation of the rat brain containing the locus coeruleus (LC). Adenosine (100, 300 mol/l) and its structural analogues, namely (–)-N⁶-(R-phenyliso-propyl)-adenosine (R-PIA; 3 – 30 mol/l) and S-PIA (10, 30 mol/l), as well as 5-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine (NECA; 3–30 mol/l) inhibited the firing rate of spontaneous action potentials and produced hyperpolarization; their rank order of potency was RPIA - NECA > S-PIA > adenosine. When applied by superfusion, all agonists strongly desensitized the LC cells; the hyperpolarization never surmounted 6 mV. Upon pressure ejection of adenosine 10 mmol/l from ₁- micropipette positioned close to an LC neurone, the membrane potential was raised by 14 mV and the apparent input resistance decreased by 20%. When the membrane potential was hyperpolarized by current injection to ₁- similar extent as adenosine did, the fall in input resistance was only 7%. The adenosine uptake inhibitor S-(p-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioguanosine (NBTG) 30 mol/l decreased the frequency of action potentials alone; on simultaneous bath-application with adenosine 300 mol/l it potentiated the hyperpolarization caused by the purine derivative. 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPDPX) 0.1 mol/l had no effect on its own, but it antagonized both R-PIA 30 mol/l and NBTG 30 mol/l. A higher concentration of CPDPX (1 mol/l) facilitated the spontaneous firing. In conclusion, both exogenous and endogenous adenosine activates somatic and/or dendritic A₁-receptors of LC neurones leading to an enhancement of potassium conductance and thereby to ₁- decreased firing rate and ₁- hyperpolarization. Send offprint requests to P. Illes at the above address     

A method to estimate the potency of the μ-component of an opioid having mixedμ-, andκ- and/orδ-agonist activities

The SC administration of either typical-agonists such as morphine, pethidine, fentanyl and levorphanol or a mixed- and-agonist like [d-Ala²,d-Leu⁵]-enkephalin to 10-day-old rats produced loss of righting reflex. Additionally, the loss of righting reflex induced by these opioid agonists was antagonized by naloxone, an opioid antagonist having a preference for-receptors, but by neither nor-binaltorphimine nor naltrindole, a specific- or-antagonist, respectively, indicating that the loss of righting reflex was produced by the interaction of an opioid with-receptors. Moreover, the potency of each opioid agonist relative to that of morphine estimated by the present in vivo method was similar to that determined by the traditional in vitro isolated preparation. In contrast to-agonists, neither typical-agonists such as U-50, 488H, ketocyclazocine, pentazocine and butorphanol, nor a selective-agonist like [d-Pen²,d-Pen⁵]-enkephalin affected the righting reflex of 10-day-old rats, indicating that-agonists, but neither- nor-agonists, produced the naloxone-reversible loss of righting reflex in infant rats. By employing the present in vivo method to estimate the-agonist activity of an opioid with mixed agonist activities, it was indicated that the-agonist activity of ethylketocyclazocine, which had been employed as a representative-agonist, was essentially the same as that of morphine, a representative-agonist.     

Effect of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone (ZK 62711) on gastric secretion and gastric mucosal cyclic AMP

Summary The effect of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone (ZK 62711) on gastric secretion and the cyclic AMP system of the gastric mucosa was studied in rats and guinea pigs. In rats, 0.03–0.3 moles/kg ZK 62711 i.v. stimulated acid and pepsin secretion in a dose-dependent manner and 0.03 moles/kg i.v. enhanced the effect of histamine. In guinea pigs no reproducible stimulation was found after intravenous injections of ZK 62711. The stimulation of gastric secretion in the rat by 0.3 moles/kg ZK 62711 i.v. was not affected by vagotomy but was totally inhibited by 10 moles/kg cimetidine i.v. The structurally related phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidine (Ro 20-1724), at the dose of 3.3 moles/kg i.v. stimulated gastric secretion in anaesthetised rats to a similar extent as 0.3 moles/kg ZK 62711 i.v. The content of cyclic AMP in the rat gastric mucosa in vivo was slightly increased by 10 moles/kg ZK 62711 i.v, whereas lower doses did not change it. Accumulation of cyclic AMP in the rat gastric mucosa by 50 moles/kg histamine i.v. was enhanced by simultaneous injections of 3.3 moles/kg ZK 62711 i.v. In rat gastric tissue slices in vitro 1–50 M ZK 62711 increased the level of cyclic AMP but 100 M histamine had no effect in the absence or presence of ZK 62711. In gastric mucosal slices of the guinea pig 10 and 50 M ZK 62711 increased the cyclic AMP content which effect was inhibited by 100 M cimetidine and enhanced the stimulatory effect of 100 M histamine on cyclic AMP. The activity of soluble cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was inhibited by ZK 62711 in the rat (IC₅₀=18 M) and guinea pig gastric mucosa (IC₅₀=1.5 M). Adenylate cyclase was not affected in the homogenate of the guinea pig gastric mucosa. The results indicate that the phosphodiesterase inhibitor ZK 62711 which increases cyclic AMP levels in the gastric mucosa in vivo and in vitro, is a potent stimulator of gastric acid secretion.     

Frequency- and train length-dependent variation in the roles of postjunctional α1- and α2-adrenoceptors for the field stimulation-induced neurogenic contraction of rat tail artery

Summary The present paper examines the roles of postjunctional ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptors for the noradrenaline (NA)-induced neurogenic contractile response to field stimulation mainly with 1–100 pulses at 2 or 20 Hz, in the tail artery of adult normotensive rats. Pharmacological tools were employed to isolate and characterize the ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptor-mediated components of this response. The degree to which the drugs influenced NA release or reuptake was assessed by their effects on the electrochemically determined, stimulation-induced rise in the NA concentration at the innervated outer surface of the media. This response was unaffected by ,-methylene ATP (10 M) or suramin (500 M), added to desensitize or block P₂-purinoceptors, respectively prazosin (0.1 M) or SK&amp;F 104078 (6-chloro-9-[(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxyl]-3-methyl-1H-2, 3, 4, 5-tetrohydro-3-benzazepine, 0.1 M), used to block postjunctional ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptors respectively, nifedipine (10 M), blocker of Ca²⁺ influx through L-type channels, and ryanodine (10 M), which blocks mobilization of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores; it was moderately enhanced by yohimbine (0.1 M), blocker of pre- and postjunctional ₂-adrenoceptors, and strongly enhanced by cocaine (3 M) or desipramine (1 M), blockers of NA reuptake. Judging from their inhibitory effects on the contractile responses to the ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptor agonists, phenylephrine andxylazine, prazosin (0.1 M)and SK & F 104078 (0.1 M) could be used to selectively block ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptors respectively, while yohimbine (0.1 M) was less selective, strongly depressing ₂- and slightly depressing ₁-adrenoceptor-mediated responses. The ₁-adrenoceptor-mediated component of the contractile response to short trains at 20 Hz was fast in onset, brief in duration and abolished by ryanodine; that mediated by ₂-adrenoceptors was more delayed, prolonged and insensitive to ryanodine. Both components were dose-dependently depressed by nifedipine (0.1–10 M). The small contractile responses to single pulses, or up to 50 pulses at 2 Hz, or short train (< 4 pulses) at 20 Hz, were more markedly depressed by 0.1 M yohimbine or SK & F 104078 than by 0.1 M prazosin and, hence, mediated mainly by ₂-adrenoceptors. The reverse was true of the much larger response to longer trains at 20 Hz, which thus probably was mediated mainly by ₁-adrenoceptors. Cocaine or desipramine, as well as ,-methylene ATP or suramin, amplified both components of the NA induced contractile response especially that mediated via a₁-adrenoceptors and caused by single pulses or short trains.The main conclusions are (i) that the small NA-induced contractile responses of this artery to single pulses, or pulses at low frequency, or in short trains at high frequency, are mediated mainly via ₂-, and the larger responses to longer trains at high frequency increasingly via ₁-adrenoceptors, (ii) that the ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptor-mediated components interact cooperatively, probably at least in part by utilizing two different pathways to increase the intracellular Ca²⁺, (iii) that neuronal reuptake of NA strongly restricts both components of the NA-induced contraction, especially the ₁-adrenoceptor-mediated response to single pulses or short trains, and (iv) that both components of the NA-induced contraction, especially that mediated by ₁-adrenoceptors, may be depressed by ATP released by field stimulation and acting via P_2x-purinoceptors on smooth muscle. Based on these results a novel working hypothesis is proposed, in which it is assumed that the geometry of NA-mediated neuromuscular transmission in this vessel varies with the frequency and number of impulses in a stimulus train.Correspondence to J.-X. Bao at the above address     

Characterization of an endothelial 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor mediating relaxation of the porcine coronary artery

Summary The pharmacological properties of the endothelial 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors involved in relaxation of vascular smooth muscle were determined in rings of pig coronary artery contracted with 10 nmol/1 of the thromboxane A₂ receptor agonist 9,11-dideoxy-11,9-epoxy-methano-prostaglandin F₂ (U 46619).(1) In the presence of 10 mol/l ketanserin, relaxation was obtained with: 5-HT (apparent pD₂ value 7.00), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CONH₂-T; 6.42), 5-aminotryptamine (5-NH₂-T; 5.96), 5-methoxytryptamine (5-OCH₃-T; 5.92), tryptamine, 7-trifluoromethyl-4(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-pyrrolo(1,2-a)quinoxaline maleate (CGS 12066 A) and 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole succinate (RU 24969). The maximum relaxation obtainable with the agonists was about 40–60% of the U 46619-induced contraction and the concentration-response curves for 5-HT, 5-NH₂-T and 5-OCH₃-T were bell-shaped. The endothelium-dependence of this effect (i. e. the failure to relax the artery in endothelium-denuded preparations) was demonstrated for 5-HT, 5-CONH₂-T, RU 24969, CGS 12066A and tryptamine.(2) 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), 4-hydroxytryptamine, quipazine and yohimbine were ineffective in decreasing the tension of arteries with or without endothelium. Ipsapirone elicited full relaxation of U 46619-induced contraction, but this effect was not endothelium-dependent.(3) Metitepine (0.03-1 mol/l), 6-chloro-2-(1-piperazinyl)pyrazine (MK 212; 10 mol/l), methysergide (1 gmol/l) and cyanopindolol (0.1 mol/l) antagonized the relaxing effect of 5-HT in a non-surmountable manner, whereas metergoline (0.1 mol/l), quipazine (10 mol/l), yohimbine (1 mol/l), propranolol (1 mol/l) and (3-tropanyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester (ICS 205-930; 0.1 mol/l) did not. However, spiroxatrine (0.1 mol/l) and mesulergine (10 mol/l) enhanced the 5-HT-induced relaxation. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by 5-CONH₂-T was also inhibited by metitepine 1 gmol/l.(4) The 5-HT-induced relaxation was probably mediated by release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). Gossypol, an inhibitor of EDRF, virtually abolished the 5-HT-induced relaxation while indometacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and accordingly of PGI₂ formation, did not.In conclusion, the failure of ketanserin and ICS 205–930 to counteract the relaxant effect of 5-HT receptor agonists excludes the involvement of 5-HT₂ and 5-HT₃ receptors, respectively, in the endothelium-dependent relaxation of the porcine coronary artery. The rather high potency of 5-CONH₂-T and the ability of certain 5-HT receptor antagonists, such as metitepine, methysergide and cyanopindolol, to counteract the effect of 5-HT are compatible with a 5-HT₁ character of the endothelial receptor. However, on the basis of the present data, no final classification, in particular with respect to the known 5-HT₁ receptor subtypes, is possible. Classification is also hampered by the bell-shaped character of the concentration-response curves for 5-HT receptor agonists and by their property to produce only partial relaxation. Send offprint requests to M. Gothert at the above address     

Investigations differentiating the mechanism of specific bradycardic agents from that of calcium channel blockers

Summary The effects of two specific bradycardic agents, falipamil (AQ-A 39) and the alinidine-congener STH 2148 2-[N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-N-(2,6-dibromophenyl)amino]2-imidazoline, on the spontaneous electrical discharge rate of intact guinea-pig sinus node preparations were investigated in comparison to that of the calcium channel blocker verapamil. Addition of falipamil (10 g/ml) to a maximally rate lowering concentration of STH 2148 (30 g/ml) exerted no further bradycardic effect. In contrast, verapamil (0.1 g/ml) added to either STH 2148 (30 gg/ml) or a maximally effective concentration of falipamil (30 gg/ml) resulted in a further, significant reduction of sinus rate. The results are compatible with the idea of a common mechanism of the two specific bradycardic agents, different from that of calcium channel blockers. Send offprint requests to W. Kobinger at the above address     

The influence of low lead doses on the reticulo-endothelial system and leucocytes of mice

The half-life of the indian ink elimination (carbon clearance method) was used as a measure of the RES activity. A significant increase of the RES activity in mice was found already after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 20, 50, or 100 g PbAc/kg body weight (b.w.). A significant RES stimulation could also be demonstrated after a single or 10-day oral administration of lead at doses of 10–1,000 g PbAc/kg b.w. No RES stimulation occurred, however, after 30-day oral administration of lead. On determining the reactivity of the RES to 1 g endotoxin/kg b.w. it was found that it was already limited after a single and 10-day oral lead administration. After 30-day oral administration of lead (doses 10–1,000 g PbAc/kg b.w.) the reactivity of the RES was completely suppressed.After a single and 10-day oral administration of lead (doses 10–1,000 g PbAc/kg b.w.) we observed a marked leucocytosis. This effect was most clearly seen after a dose of 100 g PbAc/kg b.w.; the leucocyte counts were increased by up to 50% in comparison with controls. After 30-day oral administration of lead, such a leucocytosis was no longer detectable. In accordance with the findings on the RES, the leucocytosis that is normally induced in the animals by 1 g endotoxin/kg b.w. was significantly reduced or completely suppressed both after single and also after 10 and 30 days' oral administration of lead at doses of 100 and 1,000 g PbAc/kg b.w. These results show that the resistance state of the mouse is impaired already by low doses of lead.     

Changes in the excretion of endogenous glycine conjugate as a possible artifact in toxicological experiments

Changes in the urinary excretion of hippuric acid (HIA) and phenaceturic acid (PUA) as well as their metabolic precursors, i.e. benzoic (BA) and phenylacetic acid (PAA), in rats housed in glass metabolic cages for 4 days were monitored using gas-liquid chromatography. The amount of HIA excreted was 128±63 mol/kg for female and 79±43 mol/kg for male rats in the first 24 h and decreased to 11±7 mol/kg (p< 0.01) for female and 3.2±2.4 mol/kg (p< 0.001) for male rats on the 2nd day. These values remained nearly at the same level until the end of the experiment. The amount of PUA decreased from 48±12 mol/kg on the 1st day to 22±9 mol/kg (p< 0.05) on the 2nd day by male rats, whereas by the females the decrease from 30±9 mol/kg to 21±8 mol/kg was not significant. The decrease in the excretion of glycine conjugates was compensated by a parallel increase in the level of unconjugated BA and PAA.     

Effect of phorbol esters and polymyxin B on modulation of noradrenaline release in mouse atria

Summary Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 0.03, 0.1 and 1.0 mol/l), a protein kinase C activating phorbol ester, significantly enhanced the stimulation-induced (S-I) outflow of radioactivity at 5 Hz stimulation in mouse atria preincubated with [³H]-noradrenaline, whereas a phorbol ester which does not activate protein kinase C, phorbol 13-acetate (0.1 mol/l), had no effect. This suggests that protein kinase C may have a role in modulating sympathetic neurotransmission.Polymyxin B (7 and 21 mol/l), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, had no effect on the S-I outflow of radioactivity. However, it had a significant inhibitory effect in a concentration of 70 mol/l. Polymyxin B (21 mol/l) reduced the facilitation of the S-I outflow of radioactivity produced by PMA (0.03 mol/l), 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (90 mol/l), tetraethylammonium chloride (300 mol/l), and idazoxan (0.1 mol/l). Furthermore, when a higher frequency of stimulation was applied (10 Hz rather than 5 Hz), polymyxin B (21 pmol/1) by itself inhibited the S-I outflow of radioactivity.In the presence of a concentration of PMA (0.1 mol/l) that was maximally effective in enhancing the S-I outflow of radioactivity, both idazoxan (0.1 mol/l) and 8-bromocyclic AMP (90 mol/l) still enhanced the S-I outflow. This suggests that these agents are not operating through protein kinase C and further suggests that the inhibitory effect of polymyxin B on these agents cannot be due to inhibition of protein kinase C. The effects of clonidine on the S-I outflow were not affected by a maximally effective concentration of PMA (0.1 mol/l). These results suggest that protein kinase C is not involved in a ₂-adrenoceptor mediated modulation of noradrenaline release. Send offprint requests to I. F. Musgrave at the above address     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nitroglycerin and its dinitrate metabolites in conscious dogs: Intravenous infusion studies

Intravenous infusions of nitroglycerin (GTN), 1,2-glyceryl dinitrate (1,2-GDN), and 1,3-glyceryl dinitrate (1,3-GDN) were given to four conscious dogs at 10 g/min, 30 g/min, 50 g/min, and 70 g/min of GTN and 20 g/min and 100 g/min of GDNs. The steady state plasma concentrations (Css)of GTN were reached after about 60 min whereas for 1,2-GDN and 1,3-GDN the Csswere reached at about 150 min after the infusion began. Except for one dog, the Cssof GTN were not proportional to infusion rate, however, all dogs together showed a good linear relationship between Cssof GTN and infusion rates with an average correlation coefficient of 0.917±0.102. Large variability in GTN clearance after various infusion rates was observed in all dogs. The Cssratios of 1,2-GDN/GTN and 1,3-GDN/GTN yield overall averages of 31.5 ±17.2 and 5.47 ±3.19,respectively. Average Cssratios of metabolites 1,2-GDN/1,3-GDN were 5.78±1.23. This ratio is different from those obtained after iv bolus and oral dosing indicating that the biotransformation of GTN to 1,2-GDN and 1,3-GDN differs for each dosing route. The clearances for 1,2-GDN and 1,3-GDN were not changed over the dose range of 20 g/min to 100 g/min. Terminal half-lives of 1,2-GDN and 1,3-GDN postinfusion were similar to those values obtained after a single bolus dose (45 min). It appears that all the GTN dose at steady state can be accounted for by the formation of measurable 1,2-GDN and 1,3-GDN. Large intra- and interdog variations in systolic blood pressure decrease (SPD) following infusions of GTN were observed, however, all dogs showed a clear systolic blood pressure decrease when the highest infusion rate (70 g/min) was given. No significant systolic blood pressure drop was detected following 20 g/min infusions of 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN. It was clear that systolic blood pressure in all dogs decreased following 100 g/min infusions of 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN. When SPD values were plotted vs. log GTN concentrations following the infusion of 70 g/min of GTN in all four dogs, a counterclockwise hysteresis was observed indicating the significant contribution of the active dinitrate metabolites to GTN pharmacodynamics.This work was supported in part by NIH grant HL32243.