Pharmacokinetics of organic anions in rats with arterial calcinosis

1. Ageing induces calcium accumulation in the vascular system. The simplest experimental way of producing high degrees of arterial calcium overload is by administration of an overdose of vitamin D(3) to rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of organic anions in rats with arterial calcinosis induced by an overdose of vitamin D(3). 2. We used bromosulfophthalein (BSP) and sulfanilamide (SA) as models of organic anions with preferential biliary and renal excretion, respectively. 3. Increases in the clearance and elimination rate constant of BSP were observed in treated rats. The clearance and the elimination rate constant for SA were also increased in rats with arterial calcinosis. 4. Variations in arterial hepatic blood flow, aspartate aminotransferase activity and liver calcium accumulation were not observed in treated rats. In contrast, treated rats had a lower renal blood flow and increased renal calcium levels. 5. In summary, rats with arterial calcinosis showed an increase in total body clearance of both BSP and SA, probably associated with modifications in their metabolism and/or in organ extraction. Alterations to hepatic and renal blood flow do not account for these phenomena.     

Haemodynamic and tubular renal dysfunction in rats with sustained arterial calcinosis

1. In humans, two of the principal characteristics of vascular ageing are arterial wall calcification and decreased arterial distensibility, which induce organ damage. To amplify arterial calcium accumulation in laboratory animals, it is necessary to use an overdose of vitamin D(3). 2. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of arterial calcium overload on renal function. 3. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and treated rats. Treated rats were injected 10 days before the experiment with a single dose of vitamin D(3) (300 000 IU/kg, i.m.). 4. Treated rats showed a decrease in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Tubular parameters were not modified under basal conditions. In contrast, a statistically significant increase in the fractional excretion of Na, K, Ca and H(2)O were observed in treated rats after the acute increment of sodium distal delivery, suggesting that the reabsorptive capacity of the thick ascending limb may be altered in treated rats. 5. Thus, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was evaluated in homogenates from renal cortex and medulla. Rats with arterial calcinosis presented a diminished activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in medulla homogenates. 6. An increment in the abundance of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) was observed in renal medulla homogenates from treated rats. It is suggested that this may compensate for the inefficiency of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase under basal conditions but, in the presence of acute distal sodium overload, the increment in NKCC2 abundance may not be sufficient to compensate for the decrease in Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity. 7. In summary, in our experimental model of arterial calcinosis, renal function is impaired, presenting a vascular compromise and altered function of the medullar thick ascending limb that becomes evident in the presence of acute high distal sodium delivery.     

Neu-P11抑制高糖高脂喂养大鼠体重的增长和脂肪的异位沉积

目的观察Neu-P11(一种新型的褪黑素受体激动剂),对高糖高脂喂养的SD大鼠体重及脂肪的影响。方法高糖高脂喂养SD大鼠5个月,建立肥胖动物模型。分组给予腹腔注射生理盐水、褪黑素(4mg/kg)、Neu-P11(10mg/kg),每周监测体重和食物摄入量。实验末处死动物,分离腹部脂肪组织并称重。结果与生理盐水组比较,Neu-P11或褪黑素处理组肥胖大鼠体重的增长明显受到抑制,腹部脂肪减少,各组相对摄食(每100g体重摄食量)无明显差异。结论Neu-P11能降低高糖高脂喂养大鼠的体重增长和脂肪沉积。     

新型磷酸二酯酶5抑制剂CPD1对肺动脉高压大鼠血管收缩的影响

目的探讨新型磷酸二酯酶5抑制剂CPD1对肺动脉高压(pulmonary arterial hypertension,PAH)大鼠肺动脉和主动脉收缩效应的影响。方法一次性腹腔注射野百合碱(monocrotaline,MCT,50 mg·kg^-1),制备PAH大鼠模型,造模7 d后给予CPD1(10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)灌胃治疗,持续14 d。通过血管环张力检测技术观察CPD1对MCT致PAH大鼠血管收缩效应的作用。结果成功制备PAH大鼠模型;CPD1治疗可显著降低PAH大鼠右心室收缩压和右心质量指数,改善肺小动脉内膜增生情况,抑制苯肾上腺素(phenylephrine,Phen)和内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)诱导的PAH大鼠肺动脉和主动脉的收缩效应,而对KCl诱导的血管收缩效应无影响。结论磷酸二酯酶5抑制剂CPD1干预能抑制PAH大鼠模型,其机制可能是CPD1抑制PAH大鼠非电压依赖性钙通道功能,引起血管收缩力降低、血管平滑肌增殖减弱和血管重塑减轻。     

Hepatobiliary transport of YM466, a novel factor Xa inhibitor, in rats.

YM466, a novel factor Xa inhibitor, is a hydrophilic compound with a carboxylic acid moiety. Previous studies in rats have shown that YM466 does nor undergo metabolism but is excreted into the bile and urine in unchanged form. Thus, in this study, we investigated in vivo hepatobiliary transport, focusing in particular on multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2/Abcc2)-mediated transport. The hepatobiliary transport of YM466 was investigated after its systemic infusion into Sprague-Dawley rats (SDRs) and Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBRs), which lack Mrp2. When the binding of YM466 in the plasma and liver was examined, the bile-to-plasma concentration ratio and the liver-to-plasma concentration ratio for the unbound concentration in SDRs amounted to 32.2 and 2.83, respectively, suggesting concentrated transport. The bile-to-liver concentration ratio for the unbound concentration in EHBRs was not lower than that found for SDRs. These findings suggest that YM466 is excreted from the plasma into the bile in a concentrated manner; however, Mrp2 does not play a major role in biliary excretion.     

新型正性肌力活性物PHR0007对大鼠血压和心电图的影响

目的探讨新型正性肌力活性物PHR0007(三唑并二氢喹啉衍生物)对大鼠动脉血压和心电图的影响和作用机制。方法经股动脉插管连接压力换能器和用针状电极连接标准肢体导联,利用BL-420S生物机能实验系统观察给药前和静脉单用PHR0007(0.1、0.3、1.0μg.kg-1)或米力农(3.8μg.kg-1),以及合用PHR0007(0.1μg.kg-1)和米力农(3.8μg.kg-1)后1 h之内的股动脉血压和肢体标准Ⅱ导联心电图变化。结果与给药前比较,注射PHR0007后0.10~0.75 h内收缩压显著提高(P<0.05)。注射米力农后0.10~0.25 h内收缩压也明显增高(P<0.05)。合用米力农和PHR0007后0.10~0.75 h内收缩压虽然升高(P<0.05),但较单用PHR0007或米力农无明显差异(P>0.05)。0.1μg.kg-1PHR0007使心率减慢(P<0.05)。不同浓度的PHR0007使QT间期延长(P<0.05),且在低剂量更加明显。各种处理因素对舒张压和PR间期无显著性影响。结论类似米力农,PHR0007对大鼠具有强心和扩血管作用。     

Effects of ZK-807834, a novel inhibitor of factor Xa, on arterial and venous thrombosis in rabbits

Inhibition of factor Xa (FXa) may interrupt thrombus progression. This study compared the antithrombotic activity of a novel FXa inhibitor, ZK-807834 [MW, 527 D; Ki (human FXa), 0.11 nM], with recombinant tick anticoagulant peptide [rTAP; MW, 6,685 D; Ki, (human FXa) = 0.28 nM], and DX-9065a [MW 445 D, Ki (human FXa), 40 nM] in rabbits with arterial thrombosis induced by electrical vascular injury. ZK-807834 also was compared with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH; MW, 5,500 D) during venous thrombosis induced by placing a copper wire and threads in the vena cava. Inhibitors were administered as an i.v. bolus and 2-h infusion. Total dosages of ZK-807834, > or =0.7 micromol/kg (n = 18); rTAP, > or =1 micromol/kg (n = 18); or DX-9065a, > or =11 micromol/kg (n = 18) decreased the incidence of arterial thrombotic occlusion compared with control animals (p < 0.05). However, five of six animals given the lowest effective dosage of rTAP and four of six animals given DX-9065a bled from a surgical incision >5 min, but only two of six animals given ZK-807834 bled >5 min. Venous clot weights were reduced compared with controls for dosages of ZK-807834 > or =0.007 micromol/kg (n = 36) or LMWH > or =0.2 micromol/kg (n = 18). Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were unchanged from baseline at the minimally effective dose of ZK-807834, whereas aPTT was increased twofold at the effective dose of LMWH. Thus ZK-807834 may be useful to attenuate thrombosis at lower dosages and with less perturbation of systemic hemostasis compared with available agents.     

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has novel antidepressant-like properties in rats

Nerve growth factor, a neurotrophin, may have other functions, including a role in depressive disorders. The present study sought to determine whether NGF would (1) have antidepressant-like effects and (2) behave similarly to or differently from other well-recognized antidepressants. Over a broad dose-range, NGF reduced the exaggerated swim test immobility exhibited by the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats, but at a standard dose of 40 ng/ml, it was not as effective as desipramine (DMI, 5 mg/kg). The low social interaction behavior and locomotor activity of the FSL rats were less affected by NGF than was the immobility. Acute treatment with NGF did not induce c-fos expression in brain regions known to be activated by other acute antidepressants. The fact that chronic treatment with DMI blunted the corticosterone response to fluoxetine was replicated in this study. However, chronic treatment with NGF did not alter this response. Similarly, chronic treatment with fluoxetine blunted 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor-mediated responses, whereas chronic treatment with NGF was without effect. Thus, NGF has antidepressant-like effects but does not appear to have biochemical actions typical of other antidepressants.     

Blockade of nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization by a novel neurotensin analog in rats

Neurotensin is a tridecapeptide with anatomic and functional relationships to dopaminergic neurons. Previously we showed that one of our brain-penetrating neurotensin analogs, NT69L (N-met-L-Arg, L-Lys, L-Pro, L-neo-Trp, L-tert-Leu, L-Leu), blocks cocaine- and D-amphetamine-induced hyperactivity in rats. We have now performed a similar study in rats sensitized to nicotine over 15 days of administration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive daily injections for 15 days with one of the following combinations: saline/nicotine (0.35 mg/kg), NT69L (1 mg/kg)/nicotine, saline/saline, or NT69L/saline with a 30-min period between injections. On day 15 each group was given saline/nicotine or NT69L/nicotine and tested in an activity chamber. One-time administration of NT69L attenuated nicotine-induced activity with an ED(50) of 1.6 microg/kg. Rats injected with nicotine over the 15 days had a significant increase in locomotor activity, consistent with nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization. A single injection of NT69L on day 15 prior to nicotine markedly decreased nicotine-induced hyperactivity. Although daily injections of NT69L lessened its effect, statistically significant reductions in hyperactivity to nicotine persisted throughout the study. There was no significant difference in activity between rats injected with NT69L/saline and saline/saline. Thus, the activity reduction was not due to sedation. Acute and chronic nicotine injection caused an increase in cytisine binding in prefrontal cortex. NT69L significantly reduced the increase caused by acute but not chronic injection of nicotine. Nicotine injection resulted in an increase in dopamine levels in the striatum and dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the prefrontal cortex. NT69L lowered the norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex but did not affect striatal dopamine. The present study is the first report, to our knowledge, of a possible role for neurotensin in the development of nicotine dependence, and suggests that neurotensin analogs such as NT69L may be explored as treatment for nicotine and other psychostimulant abuse.     

Intrapericardial beta-adrenergic blockade with esmolol exerts a potent antitachycardic effect without depressing contractility

Hyperadrenergic states of various etiologies can contribute to tachycardias. Systemic beta-adrenergic blockade suppresses sinus tachycardia but may adversely affect arterial blood pressure and contractility, because the drug gains access to myocardial cells as well as to the sinoatrial node. We examined whether intrapericardial beta-adrenergic blockade with esmolol could suppress tachycardia without reducing contractility as a result of limited drug diffusion, which would be sufficient to penetrate the superficial sinoatrial node but not the deeper myocardial layers. In five anesthetized pigs, we provoked a reflex heart rate increase of 50 beats/min with hemorrhage. The rapidly acting beta-adrenergic blocking agent esmolol (1 mg/kg) was administered intrapericardially using a new percutaneous transatrial access method and a catheter system that can be rapidly and safely introduced. Esmolol equivalently suppressed hemorrhage-induced sinus tachycardia when administered intrapericardially (from 192 to 158 beats/min at 5 min, p < 0.05) or intravenously (from 177 to 151 beats/min at 1 min, p < 0.05). The antitachycardic effect of intrapericardial esmolol was prolonged compared with intravenous esmolol (10 min vs. 3 min, p < 0.05). Intrapericardial esmolol did not affect blood pressure or left ventricular dP/dt max, an index of contractility, whereas intravenous esmolol decreased blood pressure at 1 min for 2 min (p < 0.05) and simultaneously decreased left ventricular dP/dt max at 1 min for < 2 min (p < 0.05). Intrapericardial esmolol suppresses adrenergically induced sinus tachycardia without decreasing contractility or blood pressure. The transatrial approach for intrapericardial delivery of certain 1-adrenergic blocking agents could be employed to control tachycardias in emergency care and surgical settings in patients with impaired cardiac contractility and propensity to hypotension.     

Spontaneous oscillatory contractions in aortas of rats with arterial pressure lability caused by sinoaortic denervation

1. The spontaneous variation of blood pressure is defined as arterial pressure lability. Sinoaortic denervation (SAD) is characterized by arterial pressure lability without sustained hypertension. 2. The phenomenon of spontaneous oscillatory contractions (SOCs) occurs more frequently in the vascular beds of hypertensive animals. In large arteries, such as the aorta, SOCs occur only occasionally or they can be initiated by application of chemical stimuli. 3. In the present study, we investigated whether the arterial pressure lability evoked by SAD could be related to the emergence of SOCs in the aorta of rats submitted to SAD compared with sham-operated rats (SO). Three days after surgery (SAD or SO), aortic rings were placed in an organ chamber and the incidence (percentage of rats presenting SOCs), frequency (number of SOCs in 10 min) and amplitude (mN) of SOCs were measured. The participation of external Ca(2+) and K(+) channels in the maintenance of SOCs was also verified. 4. The incidence and frequency of SOCs were higher in endothelium-denuded aortas from SAD rats (82% and 38 +/- 4 SOCs/10 min, respectively) than in aortas from SO rats (40% and 14 +/- 2 SOCs/10 min, respectively). In aortas from SAD rats, verapamil (0.2 micromol/L), pinacidil (0.3 micromol/L) and tetraethylammonium (TEA; 5 mmol/L) totally inhibited SOCs, whereas increasing the CaCl(2) concentration to 2.0 and 2.5 mmol/L increased the frequency of SOCs. Interestingly, increasing the concentration of CaCl(2) to 3.5 mmol/L inhibited these contractions in aortas from SAD rats. 5. These results show that although SAD rats did not become hypertensive, their aortas were capable of initiating SOCs without the application of any chemical stimuli. The SOCs seem to be dependent on Ca(2+) influx sensitive to verapamil and also involve K(+) channels sensitive to pinacidil and TEA.     

Suppression of adjuvant arthritis of rats by a novel matrix metalloproteinase-inhibitor

BAY 12-9566 (4-[4-(chlorophenyl)phenyl]-4-oxo-2S-(phenylthiomethyl) butanoic acid) is a newly developed, synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor (MMPI) that selectively inhibits MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 isozymes. We study the effect of BAY 12-9566 on inflammation and cartilage destruction in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats. Rats were injected with adjuvant and treated for 21 days with vehicle, Indomethacin or BAY 12-9566. AA was assessed: by measuring arthritic index, paw volume, urinary pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr); by examining joint inflammation; and by microscopic morphometry of articular cartilages. Oral treatment of rats for 22 days with 50 mg kg(-1) body weight/d BAY 12-9566 showed decreased AA as determined by improvement in body weight gain (P<0.01), arthritic index (P<0.05) and swelling of paws contralateral to the adjuvant injection site (P<0.05). Neutrophil infiltration and collagen degradation were also significantly lower (P<0.01) in this treatment group. Cartilage destruction was successfully suppressed (P<0.01) in rats treated with either 50 mg kg(-1) body weight/d BAY 12-9566 or 1 mg kg(-1) body weight/d Indomethacin. These results indicate that BAY 12-9566 successfully suppressed inflammation and cartilage destruction in rats with AA. Moreover, these results also suggested that MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 are involved in arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.     

Generation of suppressor cells in normal rats by treatment with spirogermanium, a novel heterocyclic anticancer drug

Daily oral administration of spirogermanium to Lewis rats resulted in the generation of radiation-resistant (2000 Rad) suppressor cells which inhibited the proliferative response of normal spleen cells to an optimum concentration of concanavalin A. These suppressor cells became evident after three to six days of spirogermanium administration. After one day's treatment, although no suppressor cells could be detected, the response of these cells to concanavalin A was less than 50% of controls. Experiments designed to characterize the cell type(s) responsible for this suppression resulted in the finding that T cell-'depleted' populations of spleen cells were more suppressive than T cell-'enriched' populations. The induction of suppressor cells by spirogermanium and the previously described activity in the adjuvant arthritic rat model suggest therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases.     

一种新心律失常大鼠模型的建立

目的建立一种新的心律失常动物模型。方法大鼠脂肪乳剂灌胃建立大鼠高脂血症模型后进行冠状动脉结扎，观察术后1 h心律失常发生情况，并进行心律失常评分。结果高脂血症大鼠冠脉结扎组同正常大鼠冠脉结扎组相比，室性早博二联律、室性心动过速持续时间均明显延长。胺碘酮、维拉帕米对单纯冠脉结扎诱发的心律失常个数及持续时间无明显作用。维拉帕米对高脂血症大鼠冠脉结扎诱发的心律失常个数及持续时间也无明显影响，而胺碘酮明显减少高脂血症大鼠冠脉结扎诱发的心律失常个数及持续时间。结论通过高脂血症大鼠冠脉结扎可以建立一种接近临床的心律失常动物模型。     

重组人碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对大鼠动脉内皮损伤后再狭窄的影响

目的：探讨重组人碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（rh-bFGF)对经皮冠状动脉腔内成形术后再狭窄的预防效果。方法：用2F球囊导管造成大鼠左颈总动脉内皮损伤。治疗组每天im rh-bFGF 10kU/kg.分别于术后7天和14天,每组各处死大鼠10只,取左颈总动脉进行[^3H]胸腺嘧啶掺入测定和病理形态学检查。结果：在第7天和第14天时,与模型对照组相比,rh-bFGF治疗组颈总动脉平均新生内膜厚度明显变薄;平均中膜面积缩小;平滑肌细胞和弹力板层数减少;胶原含量及[^3H]胸腺嘧啶掺入量也比模型对照组明显降低。结论：适当应用rh-bFGF有抑制气囊损伤后动脉新生内膜增厚,降低再狭窄发生的作用。     

Targeting platelet-derived growth factor with imatinib in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background: In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) vascular remodelling is a complex process which involves platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), therefore its therapeutic targeting could be useful. Objective: To evaluate PDGF as a therapeutic target in idiopathic PAH (IPAH). Methods/results: Analysis of an study evaluating the pathogenic role of PDGF in IPAH and the effects of its blockade with imatinib. In IPAH the PDGF pathway was found to be overexpressed and imatinib showed antiproliferative effects on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Conclusions: These results encourage clinical evaluation of imatinib as a potential antiremodelling therapy in IPAH.