Metabolism and presynaptic inhibitory activity of 2′,3′ and 5′-adenine nucleotides in rat vas deferens

Summary In the isolated rat vas deferens stimulated at 0.2 Hz, [¹⁴C]labelled 5-AMP, 5-ADP and 5-ATP (10 M) inhibited twitch responses, were broken down to [¹⁴C]adenosine in the medium and incorporated into [¹⁴C]adenine ribonucleotides in the tissue. Pretreatment of tissues with 6-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-thioguanosine (NBTGR), a potent inhibitor of adenosine transport, potentiated the presynaptic inhibitory action of these 5 nucleotides and reduced their incorporation in [¹⁴C]adenine nucleotides, but did not alter the appearance of [¹⁴C]adenosine in the medium.A series of 2, 3 and 5-substituted adenine nucleotides (10 M) inhibited the twitch responses of the vas deferens stimulated at 0.2 Hz. This effect was potentiated by NBTGR. Addition of exogenous adenosine deaminase very significantly reduced the inhibitory actions of adenosine, 5-AMP, 5-ADP and 5-ATP and also reduced those of 2, 5-ADP, NAD⁺ and dePCoA. The inhibitory actions of the other 2, 3 and 5 adenine nucleotides studied were not altered by exogenous adenosine deaminase.These results indicated that the presynaptic inhibitory actions of 5-AMP, 5-ADP and 5-ATP in rat vas deferens predominantly result from their prior hydrolysis to adenosine whereas the 2, 3 and 5-substituted adenine nucleotides appear to act mainly directly to inhibit transmitter release.Abbreviations. The following abbreviations are used 5-ADP 5-adenosine diphosphate - 2,5-ADP 2,5-adenosine diphosphate - 3,5-ADP 3,5-adenosine diphosphate - 2,3 or 5-AMP 2,3 or 5-adenosine monophosphate - 5-ATP 5-adenosine triphosphate - CoA coenzyme A - 2,3-cAMP 2,3-cyclic adenosine monophosphate - cNADP⁺ -nicotinamide dinucleotide 2,3-cyclic monophosphate - dePCoA dephosphocoenzyme A - NAD⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADP⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - NBTGR 6-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-thioguanosine - oxid CoA oxidized-coenzyme A     

Relaxation of hormonally stimulated smooth muscular tissues by the 8-bromo derivative of cyclic GMP

Summary Substances that cause contraction or relaxation of smooth muscle have been shown to increase intracellular levels of cyclic GMP. Because of the unclear role of cyclic GMP in the control of smooth muscle tone, cyclic GMP derivatives were exogenously applied to various smooth muscle preparations and their effects on tissue tone were studied.Whereas the basal tone of the rat ductus deferens was not affected by exogenous cyclic GMP or its dibutyryl or 8-bromo derivatives, the contractile responses of this tissue to noradrenaline and acetylcholine were depressed by preincubation with 10 M 8-bromo cyclic GMP (Br-cGMP). The 8-bromo derivatives of 2:3-cyclic GMP, 5-GMP and guanosine were without effects. Cyclic AMP levels were not changed by Br-cGMP. The frequency of oxytocin-stimulated rat uteri was also depressed by Br-cGMP (10 M). In helical strips of rat and rabbit aortae, Br-cGMP (1–100 M) caused a concentration-dependent, rapid decrease in noradrenaline-stimulated tissue tension. Br-2:3-cyclic GMP was ineffective. Noradrenaline-stimulated strips from hog spleen arteries were less sensitive to Br-cGMP than aortic tissue. In ductus deferentes and aortic strips stimulated by K⁺ at a depolarizing concentration, Br-cGMP caused less relaxation than under hormonal stimulation.These findings support the concept that cyclic GMP is involved in the control of smooth muscle tone and that hormone- and drug-induced elevations of the cyclic GMP level can reduce contractile responses to neurotransmitters and hormones.Abbreviations cGMP Guanosine 3:5-monophosphate, cyclic GMP - dibutyryl cGMP N², 2-O-dibutyryl guanosine 3:5-monophosphate - Br-cGMP 8-bromo guanosine 3:5-monophosphate - Br-2:3-cGMP 8-bromo guanosine 2:3-monophosphate - Br-GMP 8-bromo guanosine 5-monophosphate - Br-Guo 8-bromo guanosine, Br-guanosine - cAMP adenosine 3:5-monophosphate, cyclic AMP - dibutyryl cAMP N⁶, 2-O-dibutyryl adenosine 3:5-monophosphate - Br-cAMP 8-bromo adenosine 3:5-monophosphate This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Preliminary reports were presented (Schultz, 1977b; Schultz et al., 1978).     

Trennung und Bestimmung der Nucleotide des Gehirns

Ohne ZusammenfassungFolgende Abkürzungen werden in der Arbeit verwendet AMP Adenosin-5-monophosphat - ADP Adenosin-5-diphosphat - ATP Adenosin-5-triphosphat - GMP Guanosin-5-monophosphat - GDP Guanosin-5-diphosphat - GTP Guanosin-5-triphosphat - IMP Inosin-5-monophosphat - UMP Uridin-5-monophosphat - UDP Uridin-5-diphosphat - UTP Uridin-5-triphosphat - UDPAG Uridin-5-diphosphat-N-acetylglucosamin - UDPG Uridin-5-diphosphat-glucose - DPN Diphosphopyridinnucleotid - TPN Triphosphopyridinnucleotid Mit 10 TextabbildungenMit Unterstütznng der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Relationship of metabolism of 2′-, 3′- and 5′-adenine nucleotides to presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release in rat vas deferens

Summary In the isolated rat vas deferens stimulated at 0.2 Hz, a series of 2, 3-, and 5-substituted adenine nucleotides all inhibited the twitch responses, their actions being potentiated by the nucleoside transport inhibitors, HNBTGR, NBMPR and dipyridamole.The metabolism of these nucleotides was examined utilising HPLC analysis of the bathing medium after exposure to 30 M nucleoside or nucleotide for 5 min. 5-AMP, 5-ADP, 5-ATP, and NAD⁺ were all partially hydrolysed to adenosine, the relative extent of this being 5-AMP>5-ADP=5-ATPNAD⁺. However, the other nucleotides examined were not detectably converted to adenosine or to adenosine deamination products.These results indicate that the 2-, 3- and 5-substituted nucleotides studied act at a P₁-purinoceptor in rat vas deferens to inhibit neurotransmission and, with the exception of 5-AMP, 5-ADP, 5-ATP and NAD⁺, all appear to act directly at this receptor. However, the 5-adenine nucleotides (AMP, ADP and ATP) and NAD⁺ all appear to act at least partially indirectly subsequent to their hydrolysis to adenosine.Abbreviations. The following abbreviations are used ADA adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) - 5-ADP adenosine 5-diphosphate - 2,5-ADP adenosine 2,5-diphosphate - 3 5-ADP, adenosine 3,5-diphosphate - 2-, 3 or 5-AMP adenosine 2-, 3-, or 5-monophosphate - 5-ATP adenosine 5-triphosphate - cNADP⁺ -nicotinamide dinucleotide 2,3-cyclic monophosphate - CoA coenzyme A - HNBTGR 6-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-thioguanosine - NAD⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADP⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - NBMPR 6-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-purine riboside     

The in vitro/in vivo comparative metabolism of 4-aminobiphenyl using isolated hepatocytes

The metabolism of 4-aminobiphenyl by isolated hepatocytes from various species was compared with urinary metabolite profiles in the same species. Radioactive compounds in concentrates of ether extracts from hepatocytes or urine following hydrolysis were analysed by TLC and reversed phase HPLC in conjunction with radioactivity monitoring and synthetic standards.The major metabolites from hepatocytes and in urine were 4-acetamidobiphenyl, 3-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl 4-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl and 4-hydroxy-4-acetamidobiphenyl. Oxidation of the amine nitrogen gave hydroxylamino, nitroso and nitro compounds. Minor metabolites were 2-hydroxy amine and amide, the hydroxamic acid and the oxamic acid. The urinary metabolite profiles correlated well with those from hepatocytes for each species.Abbreviations Used 4-ABP 4-aminobiphenyl - AA 4-acetamidobiphenyl - A3-OH 3-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl - A4-OH 4-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl - A2-OH 2-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl - AA4-OH 4-hydroxy-4-acetamidobiphenyl - AA3-OH 3-hydroxy-4-acetamidobiphenyl - AA2-OH 2-hydroxy-4-acetamidobiphenyl - AAN-OH N-hydroxy-4-acetamidobiphenyl - NBP 4-nitrobiphenyl - AN-OH 4-hydroxylaminobiphenyl - NOBP 4-nitrosobiphenyl Dedicated to Professor Dr. med. Herbert Remmer on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Human urinary excretion of doxifluridine and metabolites during a 5-day chemotherapeutic schedule using fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

The urinary excretion of doxifluridine (5 dFUrd) and its metabolites was determined during five days of chemotherapy using fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. The daily urinary excretion of 5 dFUrd and its metabolites was high (-100% of the 5 dFUrd administered) and nearly constant through out the treatment. By far the major excreted compounds were unchanged 5 dFUrd and -fluoro--alanine which made up respectively -40% and -50% of the total. Neither accumulation of 5 dFUrd nor significant modifications in its metabolism were observed during the treatment.     

Comparative effects of adenosine and adenine and guanine nucleotides on drug biotransformation in rats

Summary The effect of various nucleotides and adenosine on the hepatic biotransformation of hexobarbital sodium (HB) and p-chloro-N-methylaniline (PCMA) was determined in male rats. Intraperitoneal administration of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3,5-monophosphate (DBcAMP), alone and in combination with theophylline, and the cyclic adenosine 3,5-monophosphate (cAMP)-theophylline combination prolonged HB sleeping time by more than 70%. cAMP or dibutyryl cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate (DBcGMP), alone or in combination with theophylline, failed to significantly alter the duration of HB-induced hypnosis. Plasma levels of HB upon awakening suggested that the increase in sleeping time was apparently not due to an altered sensitivity of the brain to the barbiturate. The effect appears to be related to an impairment of HB metabolism since only those compounds that inhibited HB oxidation when added to liver slices prolonged hypnosis. In addition, 5-AMP, adenosine, and cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate (cGMP) failed to alter HB biotransformation by liver slices. A similar pattern of impairment of metabolism by liver slices was observed when PCMA was used as the substrate. The inhibitory effect of DBcAMP was not altered by concurrent addition of either cGMP or DBcGMP. No impairment in the rate of microsomal PCMA biotransformation resulted from addition of adenosine or any of the nucleotides used in this study.     

Hemmung von Adenyl-Cyclase-Präparationen aus der Rattenniere durch Calciumionen und verschiedene Diuretica

Summary Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases the permeability to water of certain epithelial membranes. This effect, found in the urinary bladder of the toad and in the distal tubules and the collecting ducts of kidney, is mediated intracellularly by adenosine 35-monophosphate (Ado-35-P). Calcium ions and the diuretic ethacrynic acid are known to inhibit the ADH-induced increase in water permeability of the toad bladder. In adenyl cyclase preparations from rat renal cortex and medulla, the influence of these substances as well as of other diuretics added in vitro has been studied. Adenyl cyclase activity has been determined, excepted as noted, by measuring Ado-35-P formed from 1 mM ¹⁴C-ATP in the presence of 10 mM Mg⁺⁺, an ATP regenerating system, and 5 mM unlabeled Ado-35-P to reduce the enzymatic degradation of the labeled Ado-35-P.Calcium ions reduced the rate of Ado-35-P formation by particles from renal cortex and medulla when the activity was measured in the presence of either Mg⁺⁺ or Mn⁺⁺. With 10 mM Mg⁺⁺, 1 mM Ca⁺⁺ decreased adenyl cylase activity by about 50%. Activities of cortical adenyl cyclase stimulated by parathyroid hormone, thyrocalcitonin or ADH and of medullary adenyl cyclase stimulated by ADH were also reduced by about 50% in the presence of 1 mM Ca⁺⁺. The inhibition was independent of the ATP concentration, but was influenced by the Mg⁺⁺ content of the incubation medium.Adenyl cyclase activities of cortical and medullary membrane preparations were reduced by about 50% by 0.2 mM ethacrynic acid. The extent of this inhibition was essentially the same whether the enzymatic activity was determined in the absence or presence of stimulating hormones. The inhibitory action of ethacrynic acid was partially prevented by simultaneous addition of dithioerythritol (DTE). A derivative of ethacrynic acid, L 589420-0-2, also inhibited renal adenyl cyclase, but its action was not influenced by the addition of DTE. Adenyl cyclase from both parts of the kidney was inhibited by about 90% by 0.2 mM mersalyl. This action was almost completely prevented by the addition of 1 mM DTE. The pharmacological significance of adenyl cyclase inhibition by these diuretics is still uncertain since the role of Ado-35-P in the regulation of sodium transport is as yet unclear.Other diuretics, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, mefruside, amiloride, and the non-diuretic benzothiadiazine, diazoxide, had essentially no effect on cortical and medullary adenyl cyclase preparations when they were added in 0.1–0.5 mM concentration.The methylxanthines, theophylline and caffeine, which are known to inhibit nucleoside 35-monophosphate phosphodiesterase, reduced the rate of Ado-35-P formation. The unstimulated and the hormone-stimulated adenyl cyclases were inhibited to the same extent by theophylline. When adenyl cyclases was stimulated by fluoride, however, we found only a very small inhibition by theophylline. Inhibition of the medullary adenyl cyclase was greater than that of the enzyme prepared from renal cortex. At a concentration of 1 mM these methylxanthines significantly inhibited the medullary enzyme, but the inhibition became asymptotic at about 50% when concentrations up to 20 mM were used. Therefore, it is likely that inhibition by these substances varies in different cell types and tissues.Instead of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, unlabeled Ado-35-P can be used in the assay of adenyl cyclase activity to reduce the degradation of enzymatically formed labeled Ado-35-P. This addition, though, can also influence adenyl cyclase activity. In a medullary enzyme preparation 0.2 mM Ado-35-P reduced the adenyl cyclase activity by 13%, 5 mM Ado-35-P by 35%.

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Abkürzungen Ado-35-P Adenosin-35-monophosphat - Guo-35-P Guanosin-35-monophosphat - ADH antidiuretisches Hormon, Vasopressin - PTH Parathormon - TCT Thyreocalcitonin - DTE Dithioerythrit - EDTA Äthylendiamintetraessigsäure Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.Über einen Teil der Ergebnisse wurde auf der 11. Frühjahrstagung der Deutschen Pharmakologischen Gesellschaft berichtet (Jakobs et al., 1970). Einige der vorliegenden Ergebnisse sind der Inauguraldissertation von K. H. J. (Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Heidelberg, 1971) entnommen.     

Toxicokinetic interactions between chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons in the liver of the C57BL/6J mouse: I. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

2,2,4,4,5,5- (PCB 153), 2,3,3,4,4,5- (PCB 156) and 3,3,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 169) were administered orally to three groups of C57BL/6J mice using single doses of 1.5–109.1 mg/kg. Two other groups of mice received binary mixtures of PCB 153 and 156 or PCB 153 and 169. The hepatic deposition, elimination, CYP1a and CYP2b dependent enzyme activities were studied during a 77-day period. Some interactive effects on hepatic deposition and elimination were observed, resulting in increased deposition and faster elimination. These effects were most pronounced for the PCBs 156 and 169. A potentiating effect on hepatic CYP1a dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation (EROD) activity was observed for the combination of PCB 156 and 153. Based on the results from the present study and earlier studies, it is suggested that the potentiating effect on EROD activity might be caused by a mechanism that is governed by at least two factors. The first is a toxicokinetic modulation of hepatic retention. The second factor is probably an elevation of hepatic Ah receptor levels by PCB 153.     

The Liposome Partitioning System for Correlating Biological Activities of Imidazolidine Derivatives

The partitioning of 10 imidazolidines in various liposome/buffer systems (log K _m) has been determined and compared to partitioning in the n-octanol/buffer system (log P). The log K _m, which was generally greater than the log P, increased or decreased upon the addition of dicetylphosphate (DCP) or stearylamine (STA), respectively, to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes. Quantitative correlations of ₂-adrenergic potencies of imidazolidines have been made by regression analyses with log P, log K _m, binding affinity, and intrinsic activity. Both central and peripheral potencies correlated with log K _m but not with log P Multiple regressions yielded improved predictable quantification of these potencies. Thus, the liposomal membrane system shows certain advantages over the n-octanol/buffer system for the prediction of biological activities of the imidazolidines.     

Structure-activity relationship of covalently dimerized insulin derivatives: correlation of partial agonist efficacy with cross-linkage at lysine B29

The effects of 7 covalently dimerized insulin derivatives on glucose transport in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were investigated. Symmetric cross-linkage at lysine B29 with a bridge of 2 (oxalyl), 8 (suberoyl) or 12 (dodecanedioyl) carbon atoms produced derivatives with essentially unaltered receptor binding affinity but largely reduced intrinsic activity. Regardless of the chain length, these derivatives inhibited the effect of submaximal insulin concentrations. Insulin derivatives cross-linked at phenylalanine 131 or asymmetrically at 131/1129 were full agonists of the insulin receptor. When lysine B29 was cross-linked with the inactive desoctapeptide(B23-B30)insulin at phenylalanine B1, the intrinsic activity of the resulting dimer was lower than that of insulin, but higher than that of the symmetric B29-dimers. It is concluded that linkage at the B29-lysines, and not at the B1-phenylalanine, leads to partial agonism of dimerized insulin derivatives, regardless of the length of the crosslinker.Abbreviations B29 ox-B29 dimer - B29,B29 oxalyl-(insulin)₂ - B29 sub-B29 dimer - B29,B29 suberoyl-(insulin)₂ - B29 dode-B29 dimer - B29,B29 dodecanedioyl-(insulin)₂ - B1-sub-B1 dimer, B1,B1 suberoyl-(insulin)₂ - B29-sub-B1 dimer, B29,B1 suberoyl-(insulin)₂ - B1(DOP) sub-B1dimer, 131(B23-B30-desoctapeptide)insulin-B1-suberoyl-insulin - B1(DOP) sub-B29 dimer, B1(B23–B30-desoctapeptide)insulin-B29-suberoyl-insulin     

Cardiostimulatory effects of cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate and its acylated derivatives

Summary The effects of cyclic 3,5-AMP and of two acylated derivatives, dibutyryl (DBA) and dihexanoyl-3,5-AMP (DHA) were investigated in isolated perfused hearts of guinea pigs, rats and rabbits.In guinea pig hearts, DBA (Ca- and Na-salt) and DHA-Na in high doses (10 moles) produced strong and long lasting increases in the rate and amplitude of contractions, coronary flow, and moderate increases in phosphorylase activity in the majority of experiments. The positive ino- and chronotropic effects occured 3–5 min after injection of the drug, mostly in a fluctuating manner with several maxima. Theophylline augmented the effects of DBA-Na and revealed positive inotropic actions of non substituted 3,5-AMP.In rat hearts, similar, but more pronounced and dose-dependent effects were observed after 1, 5 and 10 moles DBA-Na. Propranolol (50 g) did not block the action of 10 moles DBA-Na. Non substituted 3,5-AMP, 5-AMP and ATP in doses of 10 moles had no significant positive inotropic effects.In rabbit hearts, DBA-Na (50 moles) produced moderate, non fluctuating rises in the amplitude of contraction.The results provide evidence that under certain conditions cyclic 3, 5-AMP itself, like its acylated derivatives DBA and DHA, may produce strong and direct positive inotropic and chronotropic effects in the heart. These findings support the view that cyclic 3,5-AMP is the cellular mediator of the cardiostimulant actions of substances that increase its rate of production in the myocardial cell.The excellent technical help of Mrs. Vera Bauer is gratefully acknowledged by the authors.     

Comparative studies on distribution and covalent tissue binding of 2,4,2′,4′- and 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl isomers in the rat

The ¹⁴C-labeled tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) isomers 2,4,2,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl (2,4,2,4-TCB) and 3,4,3,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl (3,4,34-TCB) were administered orally to rats, and distribution and covalent binding were measured in several organs. Marked differences in distribution and covalent binding of the two TCBs were observed. The accumulation and retention of 2,4,2,4-TCB in adipose tissue were much higher than those of 3,4,3,4-TCB, although the level of radioactivity in the blood was consistently higher in 3,4,3,4-TCB treated rats. The radioactivity bound in covalent linkages with cellular macromolecules in several tissues was also measured. The data obtained indicated that covalent binding was higher in 3,4,3,4-TCB treated rats than in those treated with 2,4,2,4-TCB, particularly in liver and blood components. These results suggest that the two TCB isomers have different pharmacokinetic properties in rats, and the association of covalent binding with 3,4,3,4-TCB-induced toxicities might be important. In addition, we found that repeated oral dosing with the two TCB isomers caused an increase in in vitro liver microsomal generation of reactive metabolites of TCBs, indicating that the microsomal enzyme system is likely to play an important role in the in vivo covalent binding of TCB.     

Role of Brain Tissue Localized Purine Metabolizing Enzymes in the Central Nervous System Delivery of Anti-HIV Agents 2′-β-Fluoro-2,3′-Dideoxyinosine and 2′-β-Fluoro-2′,3′-Dideoxyadenosine in Rats

Purpose. This study examines the central nervous system (CNS) delivery of 2--fluoro-2,3-dideoxyadenosine (F-ddA) and 2--fluoro-2,3-dideoxyinosine (F-ddl), acid stable analogues of dideoxyadenosine (ddA) and dideoxyinosine (ddI) having reduced susceptibility to purine salvage pathway enzymes important in the metabolism of ddA and ddI, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), respectively. Their CNS delivery compared to that for ddI provides insight into the role of brain tissue ADA and PNP in these processes. Methods. Brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration-time profiles were obtained for F-ddI during and after intravenous infusions of F-ddl, and for both F-ddA and F-ddI after F-ddA infusions in normal rats or rats pre-treated with the ADA inhibitor 2-deoxycoformycin (DCF). Rate constants for CNS entry, efflux and metabolism were estimated by computer fits using plasma concentration-time profiles as the driving force functions. Results. The CNS delivery of F-ddI did not differ significantly from that for ddI. F-ddA, which is more lipophilic than F-ddI, provided higher brain ( 8×) and CSF ( 11×) concentrations of total dideoxynucleoside (F-ddA and F-ddI) compared to F-ddI. Deamination by brain tissue ADA to form F-ddI reduced CNS levels of intact F-ddA but provided higher brain parenchyma (5×) and CSF/plasma (3×) ratios of F-ddI relative to F-ddI controls. Thus, F-ddA functions in part as a CNS-activated prodrug of F-ddI. DCF pre-treatment inhibited brain tissue ADA, abolishing the prodrug effect, and enhancing F-ddA concentrations in both brain parenchyma (5×) and CSF (6×). Conclusions. PNP metabolism does not appear to play a role in the low CNS delivery of ddI. On the other hand, deamination of F-ddA by brain tissue ADA is an important process, such that F-ddA functions in part as a CNS-activated prodrug of F-ddI. Enhanced CNS uptake of intact F-ddA can be achieved with ADA inhibition.     

Rat diaphragm cyclic nucleotide-phosphodiesterase: Influence of drugs affecting skeletal muscle contractility

Summary In the present study a phosphodiesterase was partly purified from rat diaphragm and its properties as well as the effects of some drugs known to affect neuromuscular transmission were examined.The enzyme preparation had a pH optimum of 7.0–8.0 As for phosphodiesterase of other organs, the activity was dependent on Mg²⁺ and mainly located in the 100 000×g supernatant. It showed two apparent K _m values (6.4 and 390 M) for the cyclic adenosine-3,5-monophosphate hydrolysis. Various drugs inhibited diaphragm phosphodiesterase non-competitively in the following order of potency: eupaverine papaverine > 1-hexyl-3,7-dimethylxanthine > Ro 7-2956 > theophylline > d-tubocurarine > hydrochlorothiazide. Succinylcholine was ineffective.Of the cyclic nucleotides tested here only cyclic guanosine-3,5-monophosphate elicited an inhibiton at low concentrations (K _i=7M), while cyclic inosine-3,5-monophosphate and cyclic N₆-2-O-dibutyryl-adenosine-3,5-monophosphate inhibited only in high concentrations. Cyclic uridine-3,5-monophosphate did not inhibit phosphodiesterase. The type of inhibition was apparently competitive for cyclic N₆-2-O-dibutyryl-adenosine-3,5-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine-3,5-monophosphate, and non-competitive for cyclic inosine-3,5-monophosphate.The present findings on phosphodiesterase inhibitors agree well with our earlier results on the ability of these drugs (except d-tubocurarine) to increase muscular contractility. It is suggested that their mode of action might be facilitation of the release of acetylcholine from motor nerve endings via the accumulation of cyclic adenosine-3,5-monophosphate.     

Two relaxation-mediating P2-purinoceptors in guinea-pig taenia caeci

2-Methylthio ATP, noradrenaline, adenosine 5-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP\S), ,\-methylene ATP, ATP and adenosine caused relaxation of guinea-pig isolated taenia caeci precontracted by carbachol, with potency decreasing in the order indicated. 4,4-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulphonate (DIDS) 10, 32 and 100 M shifted the concentration-response curve of ,\-methylene ATP increasingly to the right, by the factor 141 at DIDS 100 M. Concentration-response curves of the other agonists were not shifted to the right by DIDS 100 M, except for the curve of ADP\S which was shifted by the factor 2.4. The relaxation produced by 2-methylthio ATP faded rapidly. When the fade was complete, further addition of 2-methylthio ATP or ATP did not elicit relaxation, whereas the relaxant effect of , \-methylene ATP was unchanged. The results indicate that there are at least two relaxation-mediating P₂-purinoceptors in guinea-pig taenia caeci, the P_2Y-purinoceptor which is relatively insensitive to DIDS and a distinct receptor for ,\-methylene ATP which is very sensitive to DIDS.     

Rat adrenal cyclic nucleotide-phosphodiesterase; Inhibition by drugs known to affect steroidogenesis

Summary A cyclic 3,5-nucleotide phosphodiesterase from rat adrenals was partially purified. The enzyme preparation had a pH optimum at 7.5, the activity being dependent on Mg²⁺, similar to the enzyme in other organs. Adenosine 3,5-monophosphate, guanosine 3,5-monophosphate and inosine 3,5-monophosphate were about equally well degradated (K _m 0.1 mM), while 2-O-deoxy-adenosine 3,5-monophosphate and tubercidin 3,5-monophosphate had a considerably higher K _m. In contrast to rat adipose tissue, rat adrenal phosphodiesterase did not hydrolyse uridine 3,5-monophosphate. Adrenal phosphodiesterase was inhibited competitively by methylxanthines, papaverine and eupaverin, eupaverin being the most potent inhibitor. Adenosine, its phenylisopropyl-analogue and metabolic products of adenosine inhibited adrenal phosphodiesterase, but were considerably less potent than methylxanthines or papaverine. All inhibitors tested are able to affect either spontaneous and/or stimulated synthesis of corticosteroids in rat adrenals as shown elsewhere. The data obtained with adrenal phosphodiesterase do not allow the conclusion that inhibition of this enzyme can be correlated with effects on steroidogenesis.Part of this work has been presented at the 12. Frühjahrstagung der Deutschen Pharmakologischen Gesellschaft (Klotz et al., 1971).     

The Liposome as a Model Membrane in Correlations of Partitioning with α-Adrenoceptor Agonist Activities

The apparent partition coefficients of a group of imidazoline -adrenoceptor agonists in liposome/buffer systems (K_m) and in the n-octanol/buffer system (P) have been compared in quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) employing biological activities and receptor binding affinities. A parabolic relationship between log K _m and log P was found, and log K _m was greater than log P for all liposome compositions. In liposomes, log K _m decreased in the order, negatively charged > neutral > positively charged. Overall, hyper- and hypotensive activities of these drugs correlated better with log K _m than with log P; however, poor correlations were obtained between partition coefficients and in vitro binding affinities. Linear correlations of log K _m with hypotensive activities were obtained with negatively charged liposomes, whereas correlations with hypertensive activities were obtained using positively charged liposomes. Multiple regressions of biological activities with binding affinities showed positive correlations with hypotensive but not hypertensive activities with or without the inclusion of log K _m or log P. Thus, the liposome represents a more selective model membrane system than a bulk oil phase for predicting the biological activities of imidazoline -adrenoceptor agonists.     

Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Chalcones and Related Compounds

Purpose. Mast cell and neutrophil degradations are the important players in inflammatory disorders. Combined with potent inhibition of chemical mediators released from mast cells and neutrophil degranulations, it could be a promising anti-inflammatory agent. 2,5-Dihydroxychalcone has been reported as a potent chemical mediator and cyclooxygenase inhibitor. In an effort to continually develop potent anti-inflammatory agents, a novel series of chalcone, 2- and 3-hydroxychalcones, 2,5-dihydroxychalcones and flavanones were continually synthesized to evaluate their inhibitory effects on the activation of mast cells and neutrophils and the inhibitory effect on phlogist-induced hind-paw edema in mice. Methods. A series of chalcones and related compounds were prepared by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of appropriate acetophenones with appropriate aromatic aldehyde and the anti-inflammatory activities of these synthetic compounds were studied on inhibitory effects on the activation of mast cells and neutrophils. Results. Some chalcones showed strong inhibitory effects on the release of -glucuronidase and histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated with compound 48/80. Almost all chalcones and 4-hydroxyflavanone exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the release of -glucuronidase and lysozyme from rat neutrophils stimulated with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). Some chalcones showed potent inhibitory effects on superoxide formation of rat neutrophils stimulated with fMLP/cytochalasin B (CB) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). 2,3-Dihydroxy-, 2,5-dihydroxy-4-chloro-, and 2,5-dihydroxychalcone showed remarkable inhibitory effects on hind-paw edema induced by polymyxin B in normal as well as in adrenalectomized mice. Conclusions. These results indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds were mediated, at least partly, through the suppression of chemical mediators released from mast cells and neutrophils.     

Lysergic acid diethylamide antagonizes shaking induced in rats by five chemically different compounds

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), sodium valproate, AG-3-5 (1-[2-hydroxyphenyl]-4-[3-nitrophenyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-2-one), RX336-M (7,8-dihydro-5, 6-dimethylcyclohex-5-eno-1,2,8,14 codeinone), and Sgd 8473 (-[(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)-oxy]-isobutyric acid) each induced repetitive shaking of the body of rats after intraperitoneal injection. This action of the five diverse chemicals appears to be subserved by a common pharmacological component, because pretreatment with d-lysergic acid diethylamide (0.03–1.0 mg kg^-1, s.c.) attenuated the shaking behavior in a dose-related manner, and cross tolerance was found between RX 336-M and TRH, sodium valproate, and AG-3-5.