Antioxidation theory of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs based upon the inhibition of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence from the myeloperoxidase reaction

The action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) has been ascribed to their ability to block the reaction of arachidonate with cyclooxygenase/peroxidase, thus inhibiting the cellular production of inflammation mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. However, this and other polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) peroxidases such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) would still be capable of producing destructive oxidants which contribute to inflammation. Sulindac sulfide (Clinoril^® sulfide) has recently been shown to scavenge oxidant products of prostaglandin cyclooxygenase/peroxidase and MPO. The MPO–H₂O₂–Cl^– reaction is a potent antimicrobial/cytotoxic system which produces HOCl, a strong oxidant. MPO itself has the ability to oxidize drugs and cellular components, and may be the main oxidant in PMN defenses. An antioxidant/free radical scavenger action of NSAIDs against the MPO system could be a primary mechanism of their anti-inflammatory effects. Other antioxidant/free radical scavengers have anti-inflammatory effects.MPO activity has previously been quantified using chemiluminescence (CL). In this study, NSAIDs from various classes were tested for their ability to inhibit luminol-enhanced CL from MPO. The most potent NSAIDs against MPO-CL were BW755C, phenylbutazone, indomethacin and sulindac sulfide. Salicylates and arylacetic acid derivatives, such as naproxen, also decreased MPO-CL. These drugs are also effective against CL from PMNs, of which MPO may be a main source. This effect of NSAIDs on MPO suggests that NSAIDs may impair the killing mechanism of the PMN, preventing cell destruction and release of inflammation mediators. PMN MPO appears to be a target for the antioxidant/free radical scavenging effects of NSAIDs.     

Microbicidal activity of vascular peroxidase 1 in human plasma via generation of hypochlorous acid

Members of the heme peroxidase family play an important role in host defense. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is expressed in phagocytes and is the only animal heme peroxidase previously reported to be capable of using chloride ion as a substrate to form the highly microbicidal species hypochlorous acid (HOCl) at neutral pH. Despite the potent bacterial killing activity of HOCl, individuals who fail to express MPO typically show only a modest increase in some fungal infections. This may point to the existence of redundant host defense mechanisms. Vascular peroxidase 1 (VPO1) is newly discovered member of the heme peroxidase family. VPO1 is expressed in cells of the cardiovascular system and is secreted into the bloodstream. In the present study, we investigate whether VPO1 is capable of generating HOCl and its role in host defense. Like MPO, VPO1 in the presence of H₂O₂ and chloride generates HOCl. VPO1-dependent HOCl generation was demonstrated by chlorination of taurine and tyrosine using mass spectrometry. In addition, the VPO1/H₂O₂/Cl⁻ system can cause the chlorination of monochlorodimedone and the oxidation of 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid. Purified VPO1 and VPO1 in plasma mediate bacterial killing that is dependent on chloride and H₂O₂; killing is inhibited by peroxidase inhibitors and by the H₂O₂ scavenger catalase. In the presence of erythrocytes, bacterial killing by VPO1 is slightly reduced. Thus, VPO1, in addition to MPO, is the second member of the heme peroxidase family capable of generating HOCl under physiological conditions. VPO1 is likely to participate in host defense, with bactericidal activity mediated through the generation of HOCl.     

Altered function of synovial fluid granulocytes in patients with acute inflammatory arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) a chronic inflammatory state exists in which the synovial fluid is periodically filled with large numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Oxygen radicals produced by these cells have been implicated as mediators of tissue damage and may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of RA. We examined the production of oxygen radicals by synovial fluid PMNs (SFPMNs) and peripheral blood PMNs (PB-PMNs) by measuring chemiluminescence (CL) as well as Superoxide anion (O ₂ ^– ) release. Increased spontaneous CL in the presence of luminol and increased CL in response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was observed in SF-PMNs when compared to PB-PMNs. When zymosan was used as the stimulus in the absence of luminol, a slightly lower CL response was observed in SF-PMNs as compared to PB-PMNs. No significant differences were observed in the generation of O ₂ ^– generation with any stimulus. Preincubation of normal PBPMNs in 10% synovial fluid enhanced the luminol-dependent spontaneous and PMA-stimulated CL as well as zymosan-stimulated CL. When O ₂ ^– release from normal PB-PMNs pretreated with 10% synovial fluid was compared to untreated controls, enhancement of spontaneous O ₂ ^– release was observed. PMA- and zymosan-stimulated responses did not differ significantly from controls. Increased spontaneous and PMA-stimulated release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was also observed in normal PB-PMNs pretreated with synovial fluid. These findings may explain the increased luminol-dependent CL since this type of CL requires the presence of MPO. Our findings suggest that the enhanced chemiluminescence observed in normal PMNs treated with synovial fluids may be related to increases in spontaneous O ₂ ^– generation and myeloperoxidase release. Increased MPO release may account for enhanced CL observed in SF-PMNs.     

Neutrophils may directly synthesize both H2O2 and O2 − since surface stimuli induce their release in stimulus-specific ratios

Many stimuli induce neutrophils to undergo an oxidative burst and generate toxic oxygen metabolites. The major products are O₂ ^– and H₂O₂, the latter being presumed to arise by spontaneous dismutation of the former. If H₂O₂ were indeed derived exclusively from released O₂ ^– according to the equation 2O₂ ^– + 2H⁺ H₂O₂ + O₂, one would expect that relationship to be reflected in the ratio of the two metabolites detectable in the extracellular mileu of stimulated neutrophils. A second corollary is that H₂O₂ should not form when cytochromec is present to scavenge O₂ ^– before it can dismutate. Although H₂O₂ cannot be measured directly in the presence of cytochromec because it is consumed in reoxidizing reduced cytochromec, its presence can be detected indirectly by the ability of catalase to improve the apparent yield of reduced cytochromec. We found that the relative amounts of extracellular H₂O₂ and O₂ ^– that could be measured in the environment of stimulated neutrophils varied with the stimulus and that catalase protected reduced cytochromec from H₂O₂ oxidation when some stimuli were used but not with others. For example, the ratio of O₂ ^– to H₂O₂ produced by neutrophils exposed to PMA was about 2:1, the expected result if H₂O₂ were derived from O₂ ^–. However when cytochalasin B was added to the cells before the stimulus, the yield of H₂O₂ was reduced but not the yield of O₂ ^–. When cells were allowed to settle and spread on tissue culture plastic they produced equimolar amounts of O₂ ^– and H₂O₂. Coating the plastic with IgG doubled cytochromec reduction without effecting H₂O₂. In contrast, coating with albumin reduced H₂O₂ without effecting cytochromec reduction. Soluble IgG aggregates induced production of mostly O₂ ^– whereas immune complexes resulted in release of both metabolites.FMLP and A23187 were similar to the soluble IgG aggregates in their effects and induced release of proportionately more O₂ ^– than H₂O₂. The addition of catalase to the cytochromec solution improved the yield of reduced cytochromec when PMA or IgG was used to stimulate the cells but not when FMLP was used. These and other data suggest that H₂O₂ release is not a linear function of the amount of O₂ ^– generated and that either a variable fraction of O₂ ^– spontaneously dismutates to H₂O₂ or the neutrophil NADPH oxidase, in a manner analogous to xanthine oxidase, is capable, under some circumstances, of producing H₂O₂ as well as O₂ ^–. If the latter were true, the pathologic consequences of neutrophil activation would vary depending on whether O₂ ^– was the primary product (chemotactic activation) or whether H₂O₂ was released as well (immune complex stimulation).     

Gamete development inPlasmodium berghei regulated by ionic exchange mechanisms

Ionic regulation in the induction of exflagellation ofPlasmodium berghei was investigated by culturing the parasites in various isotonic media. Of the salts tested, NaHCO₃ exhibited the highest activity in inducing exflagellation, whereas KHCO₃ showed no activity. In the absence of HCO ₃ ^– , media containing monovalent cation (Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Rd⁺, choline⁺, lysine⁺, arginine⁺) and Cl^– also induced exflagellation, but their activities were lower than that of NaHCO₃. Anions of Br^– or NO ₃ ^– could be substituted with Cl^–, whereas other anions such as I^–, NO ₂ ^– , SO ₄ ^2– , SCN^–, H₂PO ₄ ^– , or HPO ₄ ^2– failed to induce exflagellation, as did tetramethylammonium-Cl, CaCl₂, MgSO₄, MgCl₂ and sucrose as well. These results suggest that the induction of exflagellation requires the presence of Na⁺ and HCO ₃ ^– or monovalent, membrane-permeable cation and Cl^– in the medium. Measurements of the efflux of H[¹⁴C]O ₃ ^– or Cl^– indicated that these anions were released from the cells into the NaCl or the NaHCO₃ medium, respectively, probably by exchange in HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^–. Determination of intracellular ionic concentrations by electron microscopic X-ray microanalysis of cryopreserved specimens revealed that in the NaHCO₃ medium, external Na⁺ (and probably HCO ₃ ^– ) enters the gametocytes by exchange with internal Cl^– (and probably H⁺), whereas in Cl^–-containing media, external unspecified cation and Cl^– influx by exchange, probably with H⁺ and HCO ₃ ^– . It is therefore suggested that two separate ion exchangers, i.e., Na⁺-dependent HCO ₃ ^– (in)/Cl^–(out) and nonspecific monovalent-cation-dependent Cl^–(in)/HCO ₃ ^– (out) exchangers, are involved in the induction of gametogenesis inP. berghei. Furthermore, the presence of both classes of anion in the medium enhanced exflagellation activity and increased Na⁺ uptake more than did the NaCl or NaHCO₃ medium alone. The apparent synergistic enhancement by two contraactive anion exchangers is consistent with a recycling model of pH_i regulation, in which HCO ₃ ^– and Cl^– are exchanged between the cells and the media, resulting in the acceleration of monovalent cation/H⁺ exchange.This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid (No. 01570212) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan and the Ohyama Health Foundation, Japan (to FK), and in part by the Medical Research Council, United Kingdom (to RES)     

Assessment of ferrocytochrome C oxidation by hydrogen peroxide

The reduction of ferricytochrome C is commonly employed for the quantitation of O ₂ ^– . H₂O₂ arising from the dismutation of O ₂ ^– is capable of oxidizing ferrocytochrome C. In order to assess whether this may interfere with O ₂ ^– quantitation, the amount of H₂O₂ required for the oxidation of ferrocytochrome C was determined. While H₂O₂ concentrations below 10^–5 M were ineffective, one half of the reduced cytochrome was oxidized by 5×10^–5 M H₂O₂ within 15 min. H₂O₂ in the concentration range at which ferrocytochrome C is oxidized is generated upon interaction of hypoxanthine with xanthine oxidase and upon stimulation of human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes by phorbol myristate acetate or the phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan. It is suggested that O ₂ ^– quantitation by cytochrome C reduction is routinely performed in the presence of catalase.     

Evidence from O2 uptake measurements for Na+−K+−2 Cl− co-transport in the rabbit submandibular gland

There is evidence that the production of primary saliva by acinar cells is a consequence of Na⁺–Cl^– co-transport but more recently it has been proposed that in fact Na⁺–K⁺–2 Cl^– co-transport is responsible. The latter would be energetically more efficient and the present experiments were designed to measure the stoichiometry of acinar secretion in order to distinguish between these two mechanisms.Submandibular salivary glands from anaesthetised rabbits were isolated vascularly and oxygen consumption measured from the oxygen content of arterial inflow and venous effluent blood and the total flow through the gland. Measurements were made in the steady-state at rest and during different secretion rates induced by parasympathetic nerve stimulation. The rate of sodium transport across the acinar and ductal epithelium was determined from plasma and salivary sodium concentration and salivary flow rate.Multiple regression analysis of this data showed that 22.1 mol Na⁺ was secreted per mol O₂ consumed while 11.9 mol Na⁺ was reabsorbed per mol O₂ consumed. Since acinar secretion is energetically about twice as efficient as ductal absorption, a mechanism for Na⁺ transport other than that for tight epithelia must be involved. Na⁺K⁺–2 Cl^– co-transport is thus more likely than Na⁺–Cl^– and it is suggested that Na⁺–K⁺–2 Cl^– co-transport is the main mechanism involved in salivary acinar secretion.     

Red cell hemoglobin,hydrogen ion and electrolyte concentrations during exercise in trained and untrained subjects

Summary Red cell concentrations of hemoglobin (MCHC), H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg⁺⁺, Cl^– were measured in femoral venous blood of six untrained (UT), six endurance trained (TR) and three semitrained (ST) subjects during graded increasing work (4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 mkp/s, 10–15 min on each step) on a bicycle ergometer. Before exercise no significant differences were detected for the measured variables when comparing UT and TR. During exercise MCHC, [Na⁺], [K⁺] and [Mg⁺⁺] remained constant indicating lack of water shift into the erythrocytes in spite of a marked acidosis (lowest pH_Blood value 7.225). This lack resulted from an elevated extracellular osmolality. [H⁺]_Ery and [Cl^–]_Ery maximally increased by 2.0×10^–8 eq/kg H₂O and 10 meq/l, respectively. The change was markedly greater in UT than in TR at equal load. However, if [H⁺]_Ery and [Cl^–]_Ery were related to pH of whole blood, differences between groups almost disappeared and the ions were distributed as predictable from in vitro experiments (Fitzsimmons and Sendroy, 1961). Behaviour of H⁺ and Cl^– may be of importance for oxygen dissociation under in vivo conditions.Supported by Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaften, Köln     

Principal cells of cortical collecting ducts of the rat are not a route of transepithelial Cl− transport

The rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) exhibits high rates of NaCl reabsorption when stimulated by mineralocorticoid and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The present study was undertaken to determine if there is significant transcellular Cl^– movement across the principal cells of the rat CCD. CCDs were dissected from kidneys of rats that had been injected with deoxycorticosterone (5 mg, i.m.) 2–9 days prior to the experiment. The ducts were perfused in vitro with identical perfusing and bathing solutions, except that 200 pmol.l^–1 ADH was added to the bathing solutions. The basolateral membrane voltage (PD_bl) of principal cells was –77±1 mV and the luminal membrane voltage (PD₁) was –68±1 mV (mean ± SEM, n=124). Separate impalements with single-barrelled Cl^–-selective microelectrodes gave an apparent intracellular Cl^– activity of principal cells of 17±2 mmol.l^–1. Transepithelial PD and PD_bl were unaffected by luminal furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), 4-acetamido-4-isothiocyanostilbene2,2-disulphonic acid, (SITS), or the Cl^– channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB); bath addition of SITS or the Cl^– channel blocker diphenylamino-2-carboxylic acid; or replacement of bath HCO ₃ ^– by Cl^–. The intracellular Cl^– activity (a _cell ^Cl ) also remained unchanged with the addition of HCT, SITS or the Cl^– channel blockers to either the perfusing or bathing solutions, or with replacement of the bathing solution HCO ₃ ^– . With Cl^– replacement in both solutions, a _cell ^Cl decreased to 9 mmol.l^–1, but not until after 4–6 min, indicating a very low rate of Cl^– transport in these cells, even under conditions of maximal stimulation of NaCl reabsorption by mineralocorticoid plus ADH. The remaining a _cell ^Cl could be attributed to interference with the Cl^– selective electrodes by other cytosolic anions. We conclude that a _cell ^Cl of principal cells in the rat CCD is not far above passive equilibrium, and that these cells do not contribute significantly to transepithelial Cl^– reabsorption, which must occur by alternative routes such as the paracellular pathway, and/or through intercalated cells.Parts of this study were presented at the 65th meeting of the Deutsche Physiologische Gesellschaft at Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany, 1988     

HCO 3 − -dependent ACh-activated Na+ influx in sheep parotid secretory endpieces

In the present study we used the Na⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye SBFI and optical measurement of endpiece volume to investigate the transport of Na⁺ in sheep parotid secretory cells. Sheep parotid endpiece cells bathed in a HCO ₃ ^– -free Cl^–-rich solution had a resting intracellular Na⁺ concentration ([Na⁺]_i) of 17±2 mmol/l (n=39). Exposure of the cells to a 2-min pulse of acetylcholine (ACh) (3×10^–7 mol/l) in a HCO ₃ ^– -free bathing solution produced no change in [Na⁺]_i or in cell volume. Changing from a Cl^–-containing HCO ₃ ^– -free bath solution to a Cl^– solution containing 25 mmol/l HCO ₃ ^– caused the endpieces to swell by 8±2 % (n=11) and the [Na⁺]_i to increase by 10±2 mmol/l (n=14). Subsequent exposure of the cells to ACh led to shrinkage of the cells by 12±2 % from the volume in the HCO ₃ ^– -containing solution prior to ACh exposure, with the maximum decrease occurring after 29±7 s (n=9). This shrinkage was accompanied by a rapid and transient increase in [Na⁺]_i, the [Na⁺]_i reaching a peak at 70±5 mmol/l above the unstimulated level (n=9). Substitution of gluconate for Cl^– did not significantly alter the effects of HCO ₃ ^– on unstimulated [Na⁺]_i or endpiece volume, nor did it significantly inhibit the effects of ACh on these two parameters when HCO ₃ ^– was present. Addition of 200 mol/l dihydrogen-4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (H₂-DIDS) to the gluconate/HCO ₃ ^– solution significantly reduced the peak of the ACh-induced increase in [Na⁺]_i to 34±10 mmol/l (n=4), but did not have any significant effect on the magnitude of the ACh-induced shrinkage. At 500 mol/l, H₂-DIDS abolished the ACh-induced increase in [Na⁺]_i and also significantly reduced the shrinkage due to ACh. Finally, we found that the rate of endpiece shrinkage following ACh stimulation did not depend on the presence of Cl^–.We interpret these results as indicating that sheep parotid secretory cells do not contain significant Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl^– co-transport activity and do not actively accumulate Cl^–. Rather, the mechanism of spontaneous basal secretion by these cells, in the presence of extracellular HCO ₃ ^– , is based on the accumulation of HCO ₃ ^– by the Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger. During ACh stimulation, the concentration of HCO ₃ ^– in the cytosol is also maintained by the operation of a H₂-DIDS-sensitive Na⁺-HCO ₃ ^– co-transporter. HCO ₃ ^– efflux across the apical membrane occurs via a HCO ₃ ^– conductance pathway rather than by the coupled operation of a Cl^– channel and a Cl^–-HCO ₃ ^– exchanger.     

The effect of tiaprofenic acid and indomethacin administration of human platelet function

The present study compares the effects of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on platelet function. Tiaprofenic acid (300 mg twice daily) and indomethacin (25 mg thrice daily) were administered to healthy volunteers for 6 days. Platelet aggregation and thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) release (assessed as TXB₂, the stable, spontaneous breakdown product of TXA₂) were assessed before the adminstration of NSAIDs; on day 6 (2–3 h after the last dose of NSAID); and on days 7 and 8 (24 h and 48 h after the last dose of NSAID). Both tiaprofenic acid and indomethacin significantly inhibited platelet aggregation and TXA₂ release. The extent and duration of inhibition was similar for both drugs, and the inhibition tended to reverse within 24–48 h of cessation of medication. The time required for reversal of the inhbitiory effect of NSAIDs on platelets may be of relevance in patients who are bleeding (e.g. from gastric erosions caused by NSAIDs). Tiaprofenic acid in the present study and in previous work has not been shown to be a selective inhibitor of prostanoid synthesis, as was originally claimed.     

Polyl-histidine

Poly-l-histidine (PHSTD) of molecular weight 26,000 induced the generation of large amounts of Superoxide (O ₂ ^– ) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in human neutrophils (PMNs). Despite its low solubility at neutral pH, PHSTD was bound very rapidly to the PMN surfaces. Maximal generation of O ₂ ^– took place with 4–5 ×10^–6 M of PHSTD, starting after a lag of about 25 sec and proceeding for 15–17 min at a rate of 150 nmol/10⁷ PMNs/min, suggesting that this polycation is one of the most potent stimulators of O ₂ ^– generation known, PHSTD was found to be non-toxic for PMNs even at millimolar concentrations. Generation of O ₂ ^– by PHSTD depended on extracellular calcium; it was inhibited by calcium channel blockers and by trifluoperazine, and it triggered a sharp rise in intracellular calcium as determined by the Quin 2 fluorescence technique. The generation of both O ₂ ^– and H₂O₂ by PHSTD was partially inhibited by cytochalasin B or (CYB, CYE). On the other hand, CYB markedly enhanced the generation of both O ₂ ^– and H₂O₂ following stimulation of PMNs either by PHSTD, polyarginine, histone, or by antibody-opsonized group A streptococci. Electron microscopic analysis and NBT reduction tests revealed that both PHSTD and PHSTD-opsonized streptococci were avidly phagocytosed by PMNs. Since CYB totally inhibited internalization of both PHSTD and the PHSTD-opsonized streptococci, it was suggested that these agents stimulated oxygen radical generation mainly on the leukocyte surfaces. Complexes (CX) formed between PHSTD and polyanethole sulfonate (a strong polyanion) or between histone and the polyanion mimicked immune CX in their ability to trigger the generation of large amounts of O ₂ ^– which were inhibited by CYB. Generation of O ₂ ^– and chemiluminescence either by PHSTD or by PHSTD-opsonized streptococci were markedly inhibited by poly-l-glutamate, suggesting that PHSTD acted as a cationic agent which interacted via electrostatic forces with some negatively charged sites in the leukocyte membrane. Generation of H₂O₂ by PHSTD was also markedly inhibited by deoxyglucose, KCN, DASA, as well as by the lipoxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid, phenidone, and propylgallate. On the other hand, cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin, indomethacin, and piroxicam were inactive, suggesting that arachidonic acid metabolism via lipoxygenase pathway might have been involved in the activation by PHSTD of the NADPH oxidase in PMNs. PHSTD may mimic the effects of antibodies both as an opsonin and as a potent stimulator of the respiratory burst in PMNs and may thus serve as a model for further study of leukocyte-bacteria interactions in infectious and inflammatory sites and of the pathogenicity of immune complexes.Supported by a research grant from Dr. S. M. Robbins of Cleveland, Ohio.     

Transport properties of the basolateral membrane of the oxyntic cells in frog fundic gastric mucosa

The conductive properties of the basolateral membrane of oxyntic cells (OC) of frog fundic gastric mucosa were investigated by utilizing the microelectrode technique. By examining the response of the basolateral cell membrane potential difference,V _cs, to sudden ion concentration changes in the serosal bath it was concluded that the basolateral membrane of OC has a high Ba²⁺-sensitive K⁺-conductance, and no Cl^–-conductance both in resting (cimetidine) and in stimulated (histamine) state. The response ofV _cs to serosal Cl^–-removal, consisting in a slight hyperpolarization (anomalous Nernst response), could not be explained by possible permeability changes to K⁺ and Na⁺ since the potential response to Cl^– was essentially preserved by blocking K⁺-permeability with Ba²⁺ and replacing all Na⁺ by choline. Conversely, hyperpolarization ofV _cs after Cl^–-free perfusion was abolished by exposure to HCO ₃ ^– -free solution, indicating that HCO ₃ ^– -ions are required at the serosal bath for Cl^– to get his effect. It was investigated wether the effect of Cl^– was due to an electrogenic Na⁺(HCO ₃ ^– ) _n /Cl^– exchange mechanism on the basolateral membrane. Experiments showed that the potential response to HCO ₃ ^– -removal and to Na⁺-removal, consisting in a depolarization ofV _cs, was similar both in presence and in absence of Cl^–. Furosemide (0.5 mmol/l) had no effect on steadyV _cs andV _t. The electrophysiological analysis of the data led to excluding the involvement of Na-Cl, Na-2Cl and NaK-2Cl cotransports, and to including the existence of an electrogenic Na⁺(HCO ₃ ^– ) _n /Cl^– exchange process, while suggests the presence of an electroneutral Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchange mechanism to explain Cl^–-transport across the basolateral membrane of OC.This work was supported by a research grant from Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, Rome, Italy     

Effects of environmental conditions on mitochondrial-rich cell density and chloride transport in toad skin

Chloride flux across amphibian skin is usually passive, yet largely conductive; previous reports have suggested that aldosterone influences this pathway. The conductive Cl^– pathway and its regulation were examined further, across the abdominal skin of toads (Bufo marinus) adapted to various environments. Short-circuit current (I _sc), total conductance (G _t) and Cl^– influx (J _Cl) were measured in conditions such that there was net Cl^– movement in absence of Na⁺ transport. In salt-deprived animals compared to salt-adapted ones, there was a significant increase in J _Cl (563 vs 200 pmol cm^–2 s^–1), aldosteronaemia (4.2 vs 1.1 nmol/l), as well as MRC density (1458 vs 851 mm^–2). After adaptation to dilute Na₂SO₄ compared to MgCl₂, J _Cl (631 vs 313 pmol cm^–2 s^–1) as well as the density of mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) (1306 vs 710 mm^–2) practically doubled, while the toads' aldosteronaemia was lower (2.4 vs 10.8 nmol/1). In all groups of toads, J _Cl was matched by I _sc, and there was a close correlation between G _t and J _Cl (r=0.96), which confirms the conductive nature of transepithelial Cl^– movement. Furthermore, the relationship between J _Cl and MRC density (r=0.75) argues in favour of a role played by MRC on Cl^– conductance of epithelia such as amphibian skin. As aldosterone injected for 1 week into NaCl-adapted toads did not influence MRC density and as aldosteronaemia was not correlated with Cl^– conductance, this hormone does not emerge as the determinant of these parameters.     

Mechanisms of oxalate absorption and secretion across the rabbit distal colon

To further evaluate the mechanisms of oxalate (Ox^2–) transport in the intestine the following studies were performed using isolated, short-circuited segments of the rabbit distal colon (DC). In control buffer, the DC absorbed Ox^2– (net Ox^2– flux, J _Net ^Ox =5.4±0.7 pmol · cm^–2 · h^–1). Replacement of Na⁺ with N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG⁺) abolished Ox^2– absorption by decreasing mucosal to serosal Ox^2– flux (J _ms ^Ox ), without affecting Cl^– transport, while gluconate substitution for Cl^– did not affect J _Net ^Ox or net Na⁺ flux (J _Net ^Na ). Addition of Na⁺ to the serosal side of tissues bathed by NMDG⁺ buffer increased J _ms ^Ox 40% without altering mucosal to serosal Cl^– flux (J _ms ^Cl ). Serosal amiloride or dimethyl amiloride (10^–3 M) abolished J _Net ^Ox by decreasing J _ms ^Ox , it increased serosal to muscosal Cl^– flux (J _sm ^Cl ) and it gradually inhibited short-circuit current (I _sc). Mucosal amiloride (10^–4 M) abolished I _sc but had no effect on Ox^2– or Cl^– fluxes. Serosal 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS, 10^–6 M) reduced J _ms ^Ox by 20% and J _Net ^Ox by 43% without affecting J _ms ^Cl or J _Net ^Cl . Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dB-cAMP, 5×10^–4 M, both sides) stimulated Ox^2– secretion (J _Net ^Ox = –12.6±3.3 pmol · cm^–2 · h^–1). The dB-cAMP-induced secretion of Ox^2– and Cl^– were fully abolished by serosal furosemide (10^–4 M) and partially inhibited (35%) by 5×10^–4 M mucosal NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid], a putative Cl^– channel blocker. It is proposed that: (1) basal absorption of Ox^2–, but not Cl^–, is dependent upon a previously undescribed basolateral Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger that may be coupled to a DIDS-sensitive, basolateral anion exchange system that mediates Ox^2– flux; (2) the DC secretes Ox^2– in response to dB-cAMP by a mechanism that is indistinguishable from the pathway for Cl^– secretion.     

The effect of acetylcholine on chloride transport across the mouse lacrimal gland acinar cell membranes

The mechanisms of Cl^– transport and the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and electrochemical Cl^– potential changes across the basolateral plasma membrane on intracellular Cl^– activity in the acinar cells of isolated mouse lacrimal glands were studied using double-barreled Cl^–-selective microelectrodes. In the resting state, the basolateral membrane potential (V _m) was about –40 mV and intracellular Cl^– activity was about 35 mmol/l. Addition of ACh (10^–910^–6 mol/l) hyperpolarizedV _m and decreased the Cl^– activity in a dose-dependent manner. ACh (10^–6 mol/l) hyperpolarizedV _m by 20 mV and decreased the cytosolic Cl^– activity with an initial rate of 16.0 mmol/l · min. Reduction of the perfusate Cl^– concentration to 1/9 control depolarizedV _m and decreased cytosolic Cl^– activity at a rate of 1.9 mmol/l · min. AV _m hyperpolarization of 20 mV produced by DC injection to the adjacent cell decreased Cl^– activity at a rate of 4.6 mmol/l · min. DIDS (1 mmol/l) hyperpolarizedV _m by 8 mV with little change in Cl^– activity and increased the input resistance of the cells by 25%. DIDS decreased the rate of change in Cl^– activity induced by low-Cl^– Ringer to 35% of control, but had no effect on the ACh-evoked decrease in the Cl^– activity. Furosemide (1 mmol/l) slightly hyperpolarizedV _m and decreased Cl^– activity at a slow rate but affected Cl^– movements induced by ACh or low-Cl^– Ringer only slightly. Cl^– uptake into the cells was inhibited partially by furosemide. The present results showed that ACh induces an increase in the Cl^– permeability across the luminal plasma membrane and that the basolateral membrane possesses a DIDS-sensitive Cl^– conductance pathway and a furosemide-sensitive Cl^– uptake mechanism.     

Activation of tubulo-glomerular feedback by chloride transport

Summary To define the luminal agent(s) responsible for the reduction of nephron filtration rate following increases of loop of Henle flow rate early proximal flow rate (EPFR) during loop perfusion with 17 different salt solutions were compared to the non-perfused fubules. During orthograde microperfusions a reduction of EPFR as indication of a feedback response was noted with a number of nonovalent Cl^– and Br^– salts (LiCl, KCl, NaCl, RbCl, CsCl, NH₄Cl, choline Cl, NaBr, KBr), with Na⁺ salts except Na acetate (NaHCO₃, NaNO₃, NaF, NaI, NaSCN), and with CaCl₂ and MgCl₂. These latter 2 solutions where used in a concentration of 70 mM while all other solutions had a concentration of 140 mM. During retrograde perfusion from the distal to the proximal end of the loop of Henle EPFR fell significantly with Cl^– and Br^– salts with percentage changes of EPFR ranging from –8.0 to –44.3%. In contrast, Cl^– free salts and Cl^– salts of divalent cations were associated with percentage changes of EPFR ranging from +7.1 to –6.2%, significance being reached only during perfusion with NaSCN.When furosemide (5×10^–4M) was added to NaBr or KBr a feedback response was not observed. During orthograde perfusion with NaNO₃ distal Cl^– concentrations were 44.2±5.08 mM (mean±S.E.) at a perfusion rate of 10nl/min and 59.1±3.93 mM at a rate of 40 nl/min. CaCl₂ perfusion induced a marked elevation of distal Cl^– concentrations to levels higher than 140 mM. Loop chloride handling was normal during RbCl perfusion.The magnitude of the feedback response during retrograde perfusion was not changed by lowering NaCl concentration from 140 to 60 mM, but fell when NaCl concentration was further reduced. In contrast to orthograde perfusions it was insensitive to changes in flow rate.Our results are compatible with the thesis that feedback responses depend critically upon the rate of Cl^– transport probably across the macula densa cells. Br^– ions can replace Cl^– because they appear to share a common transport pathway which can be inhibited with furosemide. Unspecificity of feedback responses during orthograde microperfusions is due to presence of Cl^– ions in the macula densa region even when solutions are initially Cl^– free. Cl^– salts of divalent cations do not elicit a feedback response because Cl^– transport is severely curtailed.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Effect of contraction on lymphatic,venous, and tissue electrolytes and metabolites in rabbit skeletal muscle

Summary The effect of muscle contraction on lymphatic and plasma [K⁺], [Na⁺], [Ca²⁺], [Mg²⁺], [Cl^–], [P_i], [lactate] ([Lac^–]); [creatine] ([Cr]), ideal osmolality (OSM), and [protein] was evaluated in femoral venous blood and lymph specimens sampled from the calf muscles of rabbits before, in the course of, and after contractions. In addition, total [K⁺], [Na⁺], [Ca²⁺], [Mg²⁺], [Cl^–], and [H₂O] were analyzed in the muscle tissue. To facilitate lymph sampling both hind limbs were passively flexed and extended, in imitation of natural running movements, by an electrically driven crank. The muscles of one side also performed superimposed rhythmic isotonic contractions. Before contractions, lymphatic [K⁺], [Na⁺], [Ca²⁺], [Mg²⁺], [Lac^–], [Cr], and OSM did not significantly differ from corresponding femoral venous concentrations, [Cl^–], and [P_i] were significantly higher, [protein] significantly lower in the lymph than in the plasma. During contractions lymphatic [K⁺], OSM, [Lac^–], and [P_i] were raised significantly more in the lymph compared with the plasma concentrations. [Na⁺], [Cl^–], [Ca²⁺], and [Mg²⁺] showed only small changes in the course of contractions and thereafter, and they were altered in a similar way in the lymph and plasma. It was suggested that lymphatic and interstitial concentrations were in equilibrium. Comparing inactive with active muscles, the latter lost K⁺ but gained Na⁺, Cl^–, and H₂O, whereas minimal changes occurred in the [Ca²⁺] and [Mg²⁺]. The changes were discussed in connection with the hypothesis that electrolyte shifts might be involved in the activation of the muscular non-proprioceptive interstitial nerve endings which appear to play a role in reflexogenic cardiovascular and respiratory control.A preliminary report of this work has been given elsewhere [33]Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Priming of human neutrophil functions by tumor necrosis factor: Enhancement of superoxide anion generation,degranulation, and chemotaxis to chemoattractants C5a and f-Met-Leu-Phe

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor- (rTNF) stimulated increased generation of Superoxide anion (O ₂ ^– ) by human neutrophils in a concentration-dependent fashion. Preincubation of human neutrophils with rTNF (2.2–2200 units/ml) for 10 min enhanced the subsequent generation of O ₂ ^– in response to C5a and f-MetLeu-Phe(FMLP). Recombinant TNF did not enhance O ₂ ^– generation by neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Recombinant TNF alone failed to induce release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lysozyme by neutrophils. However, it did enhance the release of MPO and lysozyme by neutrophils stimulated with C5a and FMLP, but not with PMA. Although rTNF alone (0.001–50,000 units/ml) was not chemotactic for neutrophils, preincubation of neutrophils with rTNF (0.001–0.1 units/ml) enhanced the chemotactic activity of suboptimal concentrations of C5a (0.1 nM) and FMLP (5 nM). Neutrophils treated with high concentrations of rTNF (100–10,000 units/ml) showed inhibition of random movement and of chemotaxis induced by C5a or FMLP. We conclude from these studies that rTNF primes neutrophils for enhanced responses to subsequent stimuli and thus may augment the inflammatory response by increased oxidant production and lysosomal enzyme release and promote down-regulation of chemotactic movement.     

pH regulation in HT29 colon carcinoma cells

The pH regulation in HT₂₉ colon carcinoma cells has been investigated using the pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Under control conditions, intracellular pH (pH_i) was 7.21±0.07 (n=22) in HCO ₃ ^– -containing and 7.21±0.09 (n=12) in HCO ₃ ^– -free solution. HOE-694 (10 mol/l), a potent inhibitor of the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, did not affect control pH_i. As a means to acidify cells we used the NH ₄ ⁺ /NH₃ (20 mmol/l) prepulse technique. The mean peak acidification was 0.37±0.07 pH units (n=6). In HCC ₃ ^– -free solutions recovery from acid load was completely blocked by HOE-694 (1 mol/l), whereas in HCO3 ₃ ^– -containing solutions a combination of HOE-694 and 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2-disulphonate (DIDS, 0.5 mmol/l) was necessary to show the same effect. Recovery from acid load was Na⁺-dependent in HCO ₃ ^– -containing and HCO ₃ ^– -free solutions. Removal of external Cl^– caused a rapid, DIDS-blockable alkalinization of 0.33±0.03 pH units (n=15) and of 0.20±0.006 pH units (n=5), when external Na⁺ was removed together with Cl^–. This alkalinization was faster in HCO ₃ ^– -containing than in HCO ₃ ^– -free solutions. The present observations demonstrate three distinct mechanisms of pH regulation in HT₂₉ cells: (a) a Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, (b) a HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^– exchanger and (c) a Na⁺-dependent HCC ₃ ^– transporter, probably the Na⁺-HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^– antiporter. Under HCO ₃ ^– — free conditions the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger fully accounts for recovery from acid load, whereas in HCO ₃ ^– -containing solutions this is accomplished by the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger and a Na⁺-dependent mechanism, which imports HCO ₃ ^– . Recovery from alkaline load is caused by the HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^– exchanger.This study was supported by DFG Gr 480/10