Polyspecific organic anion transporting polypeptides mediate hepatic uptake of amphipathic type II organic cations.

Hepatic uptake of albumin-bound amphipathic organic cations has been suggested to be mediated by multispecific bile salt and organic anion transport systems. Therefore, we investigated whether the recently cloned rat organic anion transporting polypeptides 1 and 2 as well as the human organic anion transporting polypeptide might be involved in the hepatocellular uptake of bulky type II organic cations. In cRNA-injected Xenopus laevis oocytes, all three carriers mediated uptake of the known type II model compounds N-(4, 4-azo-n-pentyl)-21-deoxy-ajmalinium and rocuronium, whereas the newly synthesized type II model compounds N-methyl-quinine and N-methyl-quinidine were transported only by the human organic anion transporting polypeptide. This carrier-mediated uptake of N-methyl-quinine and N-methyl-quinidine was sodium-independent and saturable with apparent K(m) values of approximately 5 and approximately 26 microM, respectively. In contrast to bulky type II organic cations, more hydrophilic type I organic cations such as tributylmethylammonium and choline were not transported by any of the organic anion transporting polypeptides. These findings demonstrate that organic anion transporting polypeptides can also mediate hepatocellular uptake of type II organic cations, whereas uptake of small and more water-soluble type I cations is mediated by different transport systems such as the organic cation transporters.     

Hepatic organic anion uptake in the rat.

The hepatic uptake of bilirubin (BR), indocyanine green (ICG), and sulfobromophthalein (BSP) was studied in 350 anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats by determining the initial plasma disappearance rate (V) of various doses of unlabeled ICG, or of tracer quantities of [3H]BR or [35S]BSP injected into the jugular vein simultaneously with varying amounts of unlabeled BR or BSP. Similar studies were also performed involving the simultaneous injection of potential inhibitors of hepatic uptake. The results indicate that: (a) hepatic uptake determined by direct tissue measurement could be accurately estimated from the plasma disappearance data; (b) saturation of hepatic uptake with increasing dose was readily demonstrated for each of these three organic anions, and in each instance a plot of V versus dose took the form of a rectangular hyperbola analyzable in terms of Michaelis-Menten kinetics; (c) for BR, the saturable uptake process showed a Vmax more than 100 times the normal net transfer rate from plasma to bile; (d) hepatic uptake of BR, BSP, and ICG showed relatively selective, mutually competitive inhibition; glycoholic acid did not inhibit hepatic uptake of any of these substances; and (e) "counter-transport" could be demonstrated for each of the three test substances. These data are compatible with the existence of a carrier-mediated transport process for hepatic uptake of each of these three organic anions and clarify the relationship of hepatic BR uptake to its overall transport from plasma to bile.     

Transplantation of isolated hepatocytes in hepatic failure

The authors review achievements in the field of prophylaxis and treatment of acute liver failure with donor's allo- and xenogenic isolated hepatocytes. Present-day clinical and experimental data on transplantation of hepatocytes evidence for their ability to produce a detoxicating action, to restore the lost functions of the affected part of the liver, to prevent death of hepatocytes caused by ischemia, to activate regeneration. This method is easy to conduct and obtained cells from one donor can by used for many recepients. Problems in transplantation of isolated hepatocytes are shown. Factors stimulating hepatocyte regeneration are mentioned with a special focus on hepatocyte growth factor having the most potent mitogenic effect.     

Influence of Cl- on organic anion transport in short-term cultured rat hepatocytes and isolated perfused rat liver.

Transport of 35S-labeled sulfobromophthalein [35S]BSP was studied in short-term cultured rat hepatocytes incubated in bovine serum albumin. At 37 degrees C, initial uptake of [35S]BSP was 5-10-fold that at 4 degrees C, linear for at least 15 min, saturable, inhibited by bilirubin, and reduced by greater than 70% after ATP depletion or isosmotic substitution of sucrose for NaCl in medium. Replacement of Na+ by K+ or Li+ did not alter uptake, whereas replacement of Cl- by HCO-3 or gluconate- reduced uptake by approximately 40%. Substitution of Cl- by the more permeant NO-3 enhanced initial BSP uptake by 30%. Efflux of [35S]BSP from cells to media was inhibited by 40% after ATP depletion or sucrose substitution. To confirm these results in a more physiologic system, transport of [3H]bilirubin was studied in isolated livers perfused with control medium or medium in which Cl- was replaced by gluconate-. Perfusion data analyzed by the model of Goresky, revealed 40-50% reductions in influx and efflux with gluconate- substitution. These results are consistent with existence of a Cl-/organic anion-exchange mechanism similar to that described by others in renal tubules.     

Thiol-disulfide effects on hepatic glutathione transport. Studies in cultured rat hepatocytes and perfused livers.

In cultured rat hepatocytes, cystine led to an inhibition of GSH efflux by lowering the Vmax by approximately 35% without affecting the Km. The cystine-mediated inhibition of GSH efflux was rapid in onset (< 1 h), with near maximum effect at 0.1 mM. Inhibition was still observed when cystine uptake was prevented. Cystine and sulfobromophthalein-GSH, a selective inhibitor of sinusoidal transport of GSH, did not exhibit additive inhibitory effects on GSH efflux. Depletion of ATP or membrane depolarization after cystine treatment were excluded as potential mechanisms. DTT not only reversed the cystine-mediated inhibition of GSH efflux, it stimulated GSH efflux up to 400-500%. The DTT effect was immediate in onset, reaching maximum after 30 min, and was partially reversed by cystine, suggesting that the two share a common site(s) of action. DTT treatment did not alter cellular ATP levels or change the membrane potential. In cultured hepatocytes, DTT treatment increased the Vmax of GSH efflux by approximately 500% without affecting the Km. Inhibition of microtubular function and vesicular acidification did not affect basal or DTT stimulated efflux. Both cystine and DTT effects on sinusoidal GSH efflux were confirmed in perfused livers. In summary, the capacity of the sinusoidal GSH transporter is markedly influenced by thiol-disulfide status.     

Nicotine increases hepatic oxygen uptake in the isolated perfused rat liver by inhibiting glycolysis

Nicotine influences energy metabolism, yet mechanisms remain unclear. Since the liver is one of the largest organs and performs many metabolic functions, the goal of this study was to determine whether nicotine would affect respiration and other metabolic functions in the isolated perfused liver. Infusion of 85 microM nicotine caused a rapid 10% increase in oxygen uptake over basal values of 105 +/- 5 micromol/g/h in perfused livers from fed rats, and an increase of 27% was observed with 850 microM nicotine. Concomitantly, rates of glycolysis of 105 +/- 8 micromol/g/h were decreased to 52 +/- 9 micromol/g/h with nicotine, whereas ketone body production was unaffected. Nicotine had no effect on oxygen uptake in glycogen-depleted livers from 24-h fasted rats. Furthermore, addition of glucose to perfused livers from fasted rats partially restored the stimulatory effect of nicotine. Infusion of atractyloside, potassium cyanide, or glucagon blocked the nicotine-induced increase in respiration. Intracellular calcium was increased in isolated hepatocytes by nicotine, a phenomenon prevented by incubation of cells with d-tubocurarine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Respiration was also increased approximately 30% in hepatocytes isolated from fed rats by nicotine, whereas hepatocytes isolated from fasted rats showed little response. In the presence of N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89), an inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A, nicotine failed to stimulate respiration. These data support the hypothesis that inhibition of glycolysis by nicotine increases oxygen uptake due to an ADP-dependent increase in mitochondrial respiration.     

Cyclical oxidation-reduction of the C3 position on bile acids catalyzed by rat hepatic 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. I. Studies with the purified enzyme, isolated rat hepatocytes, and inhibition by indomethacin.

We recently identified that the Y' bile acid binders are 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3 alpha-HSD). In the present studies, purified 3 alpha-HSD catalyzed rapid 3H loss from [3 beta-3H, C24-14C]lithocholic and chenodeoxycholic acids without net conversion to 3-oxo bile acids under physiologic pH and redox conditions. [3 beta-3H]Cholic acid was a poor substrate. The Y' fraction of hepatic cytosol was exclusively responsible for this activity and 3H was transferred selectively to NADP+. Time-dependent 3H loss was also seen in isolated hepatocytes. Further hydroxylation products of lithocholic and chenodeoxycholic acids lost 3H at the same rate, whereas 3H loss from lithocholic acid rapidly ceased, which suggests compartmentation of this bile acid in hepatocytes. Indomethacin inhibited 3H loss from bile acids either in incubations with the pure enzyme or in isolated hepatocytes. Indomethacin did not alter the initial uptake rate of bile acids by hepatocytes, but caused a redistribution of unconjugated bile acids into the medium at early time points (2.5 and 5.0 min) and that of conjugated bile acids at later time intervals (30 min). 3H loss from the 3 beta position therefore can be used to probe the interaction between bile acids and cytosolic 3 alpha-HSD in intact cells, and indomethacin is capable of inhibiting this interaction.     

Evaluation of the relaxant effect of levetiracetam on isolated rat duodenum

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an approved drug for the treatment of some epileptic disorders. With few and controversial reports addressing its possible pharmacodynamic interactions, the current study aimed at studying the effect of LEV on isolated rat duodenal strips to enlighten its possible intestinal adverse effects using the isolated smooth muscle strips of rat duodenum. LEV showed a dose‐dependent inhibition in KCl (80 mm )‐induced contractions in normal Tyrode's solution. Moreover, preincubation with LEV (3 mm ) in K⁺‐rich/Ca²⁺‐free medium led to a significant decrease in the maximum contractions (E_max) coupled to a right shift of the cumulative CaCl₂ concentration curves implying a possible Ca²⁺ channel blocking potential. In addition, LEV exhibited a typical noncompetitive inhibition in the cumulative carbachol concentration curves evidenced as a decrease in E_max without the alteration of EC₅₀, thus eliminating any possible role of the muscarinic receptors in the relaxant effect. To rule out other possible relaxant mechanisms, tests were conveyed in Tyrode's solution containing either 100 μm l ‐NAME or 10 μm glimepiride to test the possible relaxant roles exhibited by nitric oxide (NO) and K_ATP channel opening, respectively. None of the tested pathways was involved in LEV‐mediated relaxation. Taken altogether, the results of the current study entail that LEV might exert a relaxant effect on intestinal smooth muscles through blocking L‐type voltage‐operated calcium channels, but not involving either NO release or K_ATP channel opening.     

Metabolism of reverse triiodothyronine by isolated rat hepatocytes.

Reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) is metabolized predominantly by outer ring deiodination to 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T2) in the liver. Metabolism of rT3 and 3,3'-T2 by isolated rat hepatocytes was analyzed by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, and radioimmunoassay, with closely agreeing results. Deiodinase activity was inhibited with propylthiouracil (PTU) and sulfotransferase activity by sulfate depletion or addition of salicylamide or dichloronitrophenol. Normally, little 3,3'-T2 production from rT3 was observed, and 125I- was the main product of both 3,[3'-125I]T2 and [3',5'-125I]rT3. PTU inhibited rT3 metabolism but did not affect 3,3'-T2 clearance as explained by accumulation of 3,3'-T2 sulfate. Inhibition of sulfation did not affect rT3 clearance but 3,3'-T2 metabolism was greatly diminished. The decrease in I- formation from rT3 was compensated by an increased recovery of 3,3'-T2 up to 70% of rT3 metabolized. In conclusion, significant production of 3,3'-T2 from rT3 by rat hepatocytes is only observed if further sulfation is inhibited.     

Sequestration of organic cations by acidified hepatic endocytic vesicles and implications for biliary excretion.

A number of cationic amine drugs that are taken up by liver and excreted into bile may accumulate in acidified intracellular organelles such as lysosomes and endosomes. These studies were undertaken to assess directly the uptake and accumulation of three types of model organic cationic amines by endocytic vesicles, and the role of vesicle acidification in this process. Uptake of tubocurarine (TC), vecuronium and tributylmethylammonium (TBuMA) by purified rat liver multivesicular bodies (MVB) (prelysosomal endocytic vesicles) was dependent upon MgATP, time and drug concentration. After 60 min, 52 to 81% of MVB cation content was dependent upon vesicle acidification (due to an electrogenic proton pump), but not upon an interior positive vesicle membrane potential. Nineteen to 42% of MVB cation content appeared due to binding to MVB membranes or to internal lipoproteins. Vesicle-to-medium ATP-dependent apparent concentration ratios for these three cations were 3.3 to 51. MVB uptake of these cations resembled uptake of methylamine, a tertiary amine known to distribute across organellar membranes according to pH gradients. By contrast, MVB uptake of the lipophilic quaternary amine methyldeptropine was not dependent upon MgATP or on development of MVB pH or membrane potential gradients. In further studies, TC, vecuronium and TBuMA were rapidly taken up by the isolated perfused rat liver and excreted in bile. Exposure to 250 mciroM primaquin (which partially alkalinized acidic endosomes and lysosomes) reduced accumulation of [3H]vecuronium in a lysosomal fraction by 23%, decreased perfusate disappearance of TC and TBuMA, but not of vecuronium, and decreased biliary appearance of all three cations. These studies suggest that acidified intracellular organelles sequester certain organic cationic drugs, possibly via a drug/proton antiporter, and/or diffusion followed by intravesicular protonation and trapping of tertiary amines. However, attempts at partial displacement of these drugs, accomplished through partial vesicle alkalization by primaquin, decreased excretion of TC, vecuronium and TBuMA, perhaps reflecting the small functional size of the displaceable organellar drug compartment and/or competition between primaquin and the organic cations for membrane transport processes.     

Mechanisms of extraneuronal serotonin uptake in the rat aorta

The mechanisms of extraneuronal serotonin (5-HT) uptake in the rat aorta were studied. Aortic strips were pretreated with 0.1 mM pargyline and incubated with 0.1 to 9.1 microM 5-HT (5-HT, 0.02-1.60 microgram/ml including [3H]-5-HT, 0.02 microgram/ml) for 1, 2, 3 and 5 min at 37 degrees C. Accumulation of [3H]sorbitol was used to correct for extracellular distribution of this amine. The initial rate of 5-HT uptake was related linearly to the substrate concentration within the tested range. Cocaine, imipramine, desipramine (10 microM each), Na+-free solution and cooling (0 degrees C) inhibited markedly both the 1- and 5-min uptake of 5-HT. Removal of the endothelium did not affect the 5-HT uptake for 1 min but reduced slightly that for 5 min. Corticosterone (10 microM), norepinephrine (10 microM) and 6-hydroxydopamine pretreatment did not affect the uptake of 5-HT. Autoradiography demonstrated that uptake of 5-HT for 5 min in the rat aorta occurs primarily at the smooth muscle cells near the lumen. These results suggest that the rat aorta has a large capacity of cocaine-sensitive extraneuronal uptake of 5-HT. This uptake appears to occur primarily in the muscle layers adjacent to the lumen, suggesting that the muscle cells of the luminal side function differently from those from the adventitial side. The mechanism of the extraneuronal uptake of 5-HT appears to be different from that of norepinephrine and the extraneuronal uptake of 5-HT occurs initially in a nonsaturable mode and later through a Na-dependent, carrier-mediated transport.     

Insulin and glucocorticoid dependence of hepatic gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione synthesis in the rat. Studies in cultured hepatocytes and in vivo.

We reported that glucagon and phenylephrine decrease hepatocyte GSH by inhibiting gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis (Lu, S.C., J. Kuhlenkamp, C. Garcia-Ruiz, and N. Kaplowitz. 1991. J. Clin. Invest. 88:260-269). In contrast, we have found that insulin (In, 1 microgram/ml) and hydrocortisone (HC, 50 nM) increased GSH of cultured hepatocytes up to 50-70% (earliest significant change at 6 h) with either methionine or cystine alone as the sole sulfur amino acid in the medium. The effect of In occurred independent of glucose concentration in the medium. Changes in steady-state cellular cysteine levels, cell volume, GSH efflux, or expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were excluded as possible mechanisms. Both hormones are known to induce cystine/glutamate transport, but this was excluded as the predominant mechanism since the induction in cystine uptake required a lag period of greater than 6 h, and the increase in cell GSH still occurred when cystine uptake was blocked. Assay of GSH synthesis in extracts of detergent-treated cells revealed that In and HC increased the activity of GCS by 45-65% (earliest significant change at 4 h) but not GSH synthetase. In and HC treatment increased the Vmax of GCS by 31-43% with no change in Km. Both the hormone-mediated increase in cell GSH and GCS activity were blocked with either cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Finally, when studied in vivo, streptozotocin-treated diabetic and adrenalectomized rats exhibited lower hepatic GSH levels and GCS activities than respective controls. Both of these abnormalities were prevented with hormone replacement. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo, In and glucocorticoids are required for normal expression of GCS.     

Effect of sodium taurocholate on amiloride-inhibitable sodium uptake and on intracellular pH of isolated rat hepatocytes

Evidence is accumulating that bile salts affect cellular mechanisms for the transport of inorganic electrolytes. We investigated the effect of amiloride on 22Na+ uptake rates in the presence and absence of sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and the effect of NaTC on intracellular pH (pHi) in isolated rat hepatocytes. Initial 22Na+ uptake rates (nanomoles per milligram of protein per minute) were significantly suppressed by amiloride (0.6 mmol/L), although the effect was small. NaTC significantly increased 22Na+ uptake rates. The amiloride-sensitive portion of 22Na+ uptake was significantly increased in the presence of NaTC (0.36 +/- 0.07 SEM nmol/mg protein/min vs. 0.20 +/- 0.07 nmol/mg protein/min, P less than 0.02). The pHi was estimated by using the pH probes carbon 14-labeled 5,5'-dimethyloxazolidinedione and acridine orange. NaTC caused intracellular alkalinization. Amiloride caused intracellular acidification, and the reduction of pHi by amiloride was enhanced in the presence of NaTC, although this enhancement is difficult to interpret because of the large effects of amiloride on pHi relative to those of NaTC. Our results indicate that NaTC affects sodium uptake by isolated hepatocytes probably by stimulating the Na+-H+ antiport.     

Insulin stimulates the uptake of chylomicron remnants in cultured rat hepatocytes

The effects of insulin (10-1000 microU ml-1) on chylomicron remnant uptake and degradation were studied in hepatocyte monolayer cultures. Both uptake and degradation were stimulated by insulin. The degree of stimulation was influenced by cell density, being most pronounced in sparse cultures. The uptake was stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion and was noticed already at a physiological insulin level (100 microU ml-1). At this insulin concentration uptake was stimulated by approximately 50% (range 26-84%). As suggested by the increase in Vmax for the remnant uptake, the number of lipoprotein receptors on the hepatocytes was increased by 100 microU ml-1 of insulin. Apolipoprotein-E-free low density lipoproteins (LDL) competed much less efficiently for the uptake of radioactive remnants than did unlabelled remnant particles. About half of the stimulatory effect of insulin on the remnant uptake could, however, be abolished by adding an excess of LDL, indicating that at least part of the stimulation by insulin was due to increased activity of the LDL receptor. This study thus shows that physiological insulin levels increase chylomicron remnant uptake in hepatocyte monolayer cultures. It is assumed that the effect of insulin is to increase the number of lipoprotein receptors at the cell surface, and at least part of the stimulation is due to an increase in LDL receptor activity.     

Effect of apoproteins on hepatic uptake of triglyceride emulsions in the rat.

The addition of apoprotein E isolated from human very low density lipoproteins to both rat lymph chylomicrons and a triglyceride emulsion significantly increased the hepatic uptake of these particles in a nonrecycling isolated rat liver perfusion system. The cleared triglyceride was removed without apparent hydrolysis by the hepatocyte. When lymph chylomicrons were loaded with both Apo E and Apo C proteins by exposure to rat plasma, no increment in hepatic clearance was observed. Sequential evalutions of the influence of the C apoproteins on the hepatic clearance of both emulsions and chylomicrons revealed that the CIII (CIII-1) protein had a pronounced inhibitory effect on hepatic removal. The inhibition was observed for both Apo E-enriched chylomicrons and those containing little of this apoprotein.     

Sex differences in the hepatic uptake of sulphobromophthalein in the rat

Sex difference in the hepatic uptake of sulphobromophthalein (BSP) was investigated in male and female rats in three different experimental models. In the intact animal the BSP plasma disappearance rate was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in females than in males when 0.15 or 1.5 mumol/kg body wt. was injected. Comparable values were found at the highest BSP dose (15 mumol/kg body wt.) used. In the perfused liver, the first-pass hepatic extraction and the uptake velocity were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in female rats at low BSP doses (0.3-750 mumol/g of liver) whereas identical values were found at higher concentrations. In hepatocytes isolated by collagenase perfusion, the BSP uptake occurs via two different uptake sites in both sexes. The Km of the high affinity sites was lower in females than in males (3.67 +/- 0.58 vs 7.24 +/- 0.68 mumol/l, P less than 0.001) whereas Vmax. showed comparable values (2.70 +/- 0.36 vs 2.47 +/- 0.45 nmol of BSP/mg of protein, NS). In contrast, no difference was found in the kinetic parameters of the low affinity sites (Km 50.6 +/- 31.1 vs 61.0 +/- 17.5 mumol/l; Vmax. 21.9 +/- 13.2 vs 25.0 +/- 3.6 nmol of BSP/mg of protein, mean +/- SD, NS, females and males respectively). Taken together these data show that low doses of BSP are taken up by the liver more efficiently in female than in male rats and are consistent with a sex-related difference in the affinity but not in the number of the BSP high affinity uptake sites.     

Carrier-mediated efflux of ketone bodies in isolated rat hepatocytes

The rate of efflux of ketone bodies has been studied in isolated hepatocytes prepared from starved rats and preloaded with D-3-[14C]hydroxybutyrate. Efflux of ketone bodies was temperature-dependent, saturable and inhibited by alpha-cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate and phloretin. The rate of efflux was also reduced by 6 mmol/l lactate and pyruvate added to the external medium. Under conditions of simulated metabolic acidosis in the hepatocyte suspension medium, ketone body efflux rate was reduced. The experimental data suggest that hepatic plasma membrane ketone body transit is carrier-mediated.     

Lipoprotein-deficient serum stimulates the uptake of chylomicron remnants in cultured rat hepatocytes

Rat hepatocyte monolayers were cultured in the presence of 1-10% lipoprotein-deficient foetal calf serum. This increased the uptake and degradation of chylomicron remnant cholesteryl ester significantly. The increase occurred at all cell densities, i.e. also with less dense cultures where the basal rate of uptake per mg protein was highest. This indicates that tissue culture medium content of lipoprotein cholesterol can regulate the uptake of chylomicron remnants in hepatocytes, analogous to the regulation of the LDL receptor in extrahepatic cell.     

Several years observations with Mydocalm muscle relaxant in locomotor disease patients.

Two therapeutic methods were compared on locomotor disease patients; the currently used anti-inflammatory complex therapy and the same therapy complemented with Mydocalm. On the basis of the changes of pain indices and motion indices chosen as parameters it could be concluded that Mydocalm is a valuable adjuvant, especially in improving locomotor functions, and it promotes the improvement of the general condition of the patients and the performance of their daily activities by relieving muscular hypertonia and contractures.