Effect of spermine and α-difluoromethylornithine on KCl- and CaCl2-induced contraction in rat uterine smooth muscle

1 The effect of a polyamine, spermine (0.3–30 mm ), and an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; 1–10 mm ), given alone and in combination were studied on KCl (33, 60 or 90 mm )-induced tonic contraction and on the cumulative concentration–response curves elicited by CaCl₂ (30 μm to 10 mm ) in a depolarizing (with 33, 60 or 90 mm of KCl) calcium-free medium in isolated rat uterus. 2 Spermine elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation on KCl 33 mm (IC₅₀ = 2.18 ± 0.37 mm , n = 6), 60 mm (IC₅₀ = 7.80 ± 0.79 mm , n = 11) and 90 mm KCl (IC₅₀ = 29.55 ± 4.08 mm , n = 7) induced tonic contraction. The IC₅₀ values were significantly different (P < 0.01). 3 DFMO relaxed the tonic contraction induced by 33 mm of KCl (E_max = 80.70 ± 13.01%) but only relaxed the contractions induced by 60 and 90 mm of KCl to 23.60 ± 4.60% and 16.90 ± 4.10%, respectively. DFMO (10 mm ) did not modify the concentration-dependent relaxation elicited by spermine on KCl (60 mm )-induced tonic contraction. 4 KCl (33, 60 or 90 mm ) did not produce contraction in a calcium-free medium, but enabled CaCl₂ (30 μm to 10 mm ) to induce cumulative concentration-dependent contraction of the rat uterus. The EC₅₀ values for CaCl₂ were: 0.74 ± 0.08 (n = 12), 0.34 ± 0.03 (n = 14) and 0.48 ± 0.02 (n = 12) mm in medium with 33, 60 or 90 mm of KCl, respectively. 5 Spermine (1 mm ) and DFMO (1 mm ) did not modify the concentration–response curves induced by CaCl₂ in medium with 33 mm of KCl. Higher concentrations of spermine (3 mm ) and DFMO (10 mm ) strongly reduced the contractile effect of CaCl₂ to 35.69 ± 3.96% (n = 6) and 40.14 ± 10.74% (n = 6). This inhibitory effect of spermine and DFMO was prevented by increasing KCl concentration in the medium to 60 or 90 mm . Thus, the E_max of CaCl₂ in the presence of spermine (3 mm ) was 66.26 ± 6.96% and 89.02 ± 2.89% in a 60 and 90 mm KCl medium, respectively. In the presence of DFMO (10 mm ) the E_max of CaCl₂ reached 100% when KCl was increased. 6 Spermine (1 mm ) plus DFMO (1 mm ) and spermine (1 mm ) plus DFMO (10 mm ) produced a synergic inhibitory effect of CaCl₂-induced contraction in medium with 33 mm of KCl. Spermine (3 mm ) plus DFMO (10 mm ) produced a total inhibition of CaCl₂-induced contraction. 7 The inhibitory effect of spermine (1 mm ) plus DFMO (10 mm ) was also prevented by increasing KCl concentration in the medium to 60 or 90 mm . The E_max for CaCl₂ (10.9 ± 5.5%) in the presence of KCl 33 mm increased up to 93.2 ± 2.1% and 96.3 ± 1.2% when the KCl concentration in the medium was enhanced to 60 or 90 mm . 8 Our results suggest that a calcium inhibitory effect of spermine and DFMO in isolated rat uterus could be produced, since this was prevented by depolarization, as a result of the increase of KCl concentration in the medium.     

Heme oxygenase-1 inhibition prevents intimal hyperplasia enhancing nitric oxide-dependent apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, encoded by the HMOX1 gene) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) have been implicated in vascular disease; however the role of these genes remains unclear. Therefore, we studied the mechanism by which iNOS-derived nitric oxide (NO) affects the intimal hyperplasia (IH) formation in relation to HO-1. We show, in a model of balloon injury in rats, that the suppression of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation by NO required HO-1, while induction of apoptosis of the VSMC by NO does not involve HO-1. To better clarify the molecular mechanism of this finding, we used Hmox1(+/+) and Hmox1(-/-) VSMC exposed to NO. In Hmox1(+/+) VSMC, NO is antiproliferative (up to 34% inhibition) and it is associated to an increase of apoptosis (up to 35%) due to a decrease of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) expression level and to the activation of caspase-3. In the absence of HO-1 (Hmox1(-/-) VSMC) apoptosis was significantly greater (69% p<0.01 vs. Hmox1(+/+) VSMC) demonstrating that HO-1 attenuated the pro-apoptotic effect of NO on VSMC. In the context of IH, the pro-apoptotic effect of NO on VSMC is increased in the absence of HO-1 and exerts therapeutic effects with a significant reduction in IH.     

Interleukin-1β converting enzyme

A series of compounds containing a hydroxyethyl-based dipeptide surrogate have been prepared as probes to evaluate the possibility of ICE being an aspartic protease. The aldehyde t-BocAsp(β-t-butyl)H reacted with the organochromium species derived from phenethyl bromide and CrCl₂ to give the expected addition product. Lactonization, reprotection of the amine and oxidation with RuCl₃ gave the two protected dipeptide surrogates 7a and 7b. These were incorporated into tetra-, penta- and hexapeptide-like molecules and evaluated as inhibitors of the enzyme. The failure of these compounds to inhibit ICE indicated that this enzyme was very unlikely to be an aspartic protease.     

β1- and β3-adrenoceptors mediate relaxation in ovine trachealis smooth muscle

1 Isoprenaline (non-selective) and noradrenaline (β₁-selective) concentration-dependently relaxed ovine tracheal strips precontracted with carbachol. The pD₂ values were 7.07 ± 0.08 and 6.13 ± 0.10 for isoprenaline and noradrenaline, respectively. In the same preparation, salbutamol either produced weak relaxation or in some cases, contractile responses indicating the presence of very little or no β₂-adrenoceptors in this preparation. 2 Isoprenaline-and noradrenaline-induced relaxations were antagonized by propranolol and atenolol with pA₂ values in the range reported in the literature for an action on β₁-adrenoceptors. ICI 118551 also antagonized isoprenaline- and noradrenaline-induced relaxation but at concentrations much higher than are required to block β₂-adrenoceptors, confirming that β₂-adrenoceptors do not contribute significantly to these responses. 3 The selective β₃-adrenoceptor agonist, BRL 37344A produced concentration-dependent relaxation of tracheal strips. BRL 37344A was a full agonist producing 100% relaxation of carbachol-induced tone. BRL 37344A-induced relaxation was weakly antagonized by propranolol confirming an action, mainly, on β₃-adrenoceptors. Cyanopindolol antagonized isoprenaline-induced relaxation (in the presence of propranolol, 10^??7 m ) with a pA₂ value of 8.06 ± 0.24. 4 It was therefore concluded that β₁- and β₃-adrenoceptors mediated agonist-induced relaxation in sheep tracheal strips.     

β2-Adrenoceptors mediate inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction and cAMP generation in isolated smooth muscle cells from rabbit gastric antrum

The regulation of inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction by β-adrenoceptors of rabbit gastric antrum has been investigated. A functional assay using isolated smooth muscle cells (ISMC) was used to study the effect of β-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on carbacholcontracted ISMC and cAMP generation. The nonselective β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol caused concentration-related inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction associated with a significant increase in cellular cAMP. The EC₅₀ for the effect of isoproterenol on cell inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction was closely related to the EC₅₀ for cAMP formation; the two curves were superimposable, indicating a positive correlation between the biological activity (inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction) and the intracellular event (cAMP formation) caused by the activation of β-adrenoceptors. The Kinetic studies demonstrate that maximum inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction and a parallel elevation of intracellular cAMP content were reached at 30 sec of incubation with isoproterenol. The β₂-selective receptor agonist terbutaline induced inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction of carbachol-contracted ISMC and cAMP generation. However, the relatively β₁-selective receptor agonist norepinephrine had no significant effect. Propranolol, a nonselective β- adrenoceptor antagonist (β₁ and β₂) caused a significant inhibition of the carbacholβ₂ induced contraction and rise in cAMP induced by isoproterenol and terbutaline, while the β₁-selective adrenergic receptorantagonist metoprolol, even at higher concentration, was inactive. These data demonstrate that there is a correlation between inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction and cAMP generation upon activation of the β₂-adrenoreceptors in the ISMC of rabbit gastric antrum. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Structural analysis of fertilinβ cyclic peptide mimics that are ligands for α6β1 integrin

Abstract: The NMR structural analysis of two fertilinβ mimics cyclo(EC²DC¹)YNH_2, 1 , and cyclo(D²EC²D¹C¹)YNH_2, 2 is described. Both of these mimics are moderate inhibitors of sperm?egg binding with IC₅₀ values of 500 µm in a mouse in vitro fertilization assay. For peptide 1 , the optimized conformations that best match the NMR data have a pseudo‐type II′β‐turn with the linker and Glu at the i+1 and i+2 positions, respectively. The EC²D¹C¹ sequence is in a nonclassical (type IV) β‐turn. For peptide 2 , the conformation that best matches the NMR data has two turns: a pseudo‐type II′β‐turn in the D²EC²D¹ sequence followed by a nonclassical β‐turn in the EC²D¹C¹ sequence. The Cβ?Cβ distance between E and D¹ in peptide 1 is 9.1 Å, in peptide 2 , it is 7.7 Å. Thus, one possibility for the high IC₅₀ values of these cyclic peptides is that the acidic residues are not constrained to a sufficiently tight turn, and thus much entropy must still be lost upon binding to the α₆β₁ integrin. This explains why the cyclic peptides are the same as linear peptides at inhibiting sperm?egg binding.     

Mechanism underlying H2O2-induced inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contraction in rabbit tracheal smooth muscle

The mechanism underlying the inhibition by H2O2 of acetylcholine-induced contraction was investigated in epithelium-denuded strips of rabbit trachea. Acetylcholine (10 microM) generated a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in both the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and force. Although the acetylcholine-induced tonic contraction was around 9 times the high K+ (80 mM)-induced one, the two stimulants induced similar [Ca2+]i increases (around 0.2 microM), indicating that acetylcholine generates tonic contraction via increases in both [Ca2+]i and myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity. H2O2 (30 microM) (a) enhanced the acetylcholine-induced tonic (not phasic) increase in [Ca2+]i but attenuated both phases of the acetylcholine-induced contraction and (b) enhanced the high K+-induced increase in [Ca2+]i but did not modify the high K+-induced contraction. In beta-escin-skinned strips, application of acetylcholine in the presence of GTP enhanced the contraction induced by 0.3 microM Ca2+ so that its amplitude became similar to that induced by 1 microM Ca2+. H2O2 (30 microM) attenuated the contraction induced by 0.3 microM Ca2+ (alone or in the presence of acetylcholine) but not those induced by higher concentrations of Ca2+ alone (0.5 microM and 1 microM). These results indicate that H2O2 acts directly on contractile proteins in rabbit tracheal smooth muscle to inhibit the contraction induced by low concentrations of Ca2+ (<0.5 microM). An action of H2O2 that increases [Ca2+]i (and thereby masks this reactive-oxygen-induced inhibition of myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity) is apparent in the presence of high K+ but not of acetylcholine. Thus, in rabbit tracheal smooth muscle H2O2 downregulates myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity more potently during acetylcholine-induced contraction than during high-K+-induced contraction, leading to an effective inhibition of the former contraction.     

Pharmacological characterization of A-131701, a novel α1-adrenoceptor antagonist selective for α1A- and α1D-compared to α1B-adrenoceptors

New compounds selective for α_1A-adrenoceptors in the prostate may offer enhanced efficacy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with fewer side effects than current treatment. A-131701 (3-[2-((3aR,9bR)-cis-6-methoxy-2,3,3a,4,5,9b,hexahydro-[1H]-benz[e]isoindol-2-yl)ethyl]pyrido[3′,4′:4,5]thieno [3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione), from a novel class of benz[e]isolindole pyridothienopyrimidines and pyridothienopyrazines, is selective for α_1a- and α_1d-adrenoceptors in radioligand binding studies (0.22 nM at α_1a-, 0.97 nM at α_1d-) compared to α_1b-sites (2.5 nM) and in isolated tissue bioassays (pA₂ values of 8.9–9.0 for α_1A-receptors in rat vas deferens or canine prostate strips, 9.1 at α_1D-sites (rat aorta)), compared to 7.9 at α_1B-sites (rat spleen). A-131701 also potently blocked radioligand binding to α₁-adrenoceptors in canine and human prostatic membranes, but was considerably weaker at α₂-adrenoceptors. In isoflurane-anesthetized dogs, A-131701 antagonized epinephrine-induced increases in intraurethral pressure (IUP) with a pseudo-pA₂ value of 8.17. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, A-131701 caused transient decreases in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and transient tachycardia. The area under the curve (AUC₀→₆₀ min) for the hypotensive response was dose-related, with a log index value for A-131701 of 5.33, suggesting a selectivity of >600-fold comparing IUP to MABP effects. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, A-131701 was more potent in blocking phenylephrine (PHE)-induced increases in IUP (pseudo-pA₂ = 8.0) compared to concurrently measured MABP (pseudo-pA₂ = 7.2), or sixfold selective. Doses greater than 1,000 nmol/kg i.v. of A-131701 were required to lower blood pressure by 10 mm Hg in these dogs (pED₁₀ =. 5.57), indicating a uroselectivity ratio of >250, superior to doxazosin, terazosin, or tamsulosin. Thus, A-131701 is selective for α_1A- and α_1D- vs. α_1B-adrenoceptors in vitro, and prostatic function vs. blood pressure effects in vivo, which may provide therapeutic advantages in the treatment of BPH. Drug Dev. Res. 44:140–162, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

钙感受器STIM1在小鼠主动脉平滑肌收缩反应中的作用研究

目的探讨钙感受器STIM1在小鼠主动脉平滑肌收缩反应中的作用。方法采用Cre-lox重组技术制备平滑肌特异性STIM1敲除小鼠(sm-STIM1-KO);采用离体血管张力测定方法,测定sm-STIM1-KO小鼠主动脉对不同血管收缩剂反应,并给予不同的钙通道阻断剂,观察血管收缩变化。结果sm-STIM1-KO小鼠制备成功。sm-STIM1-KO小鼠钙库操纵的钙通道(SOCC)介导的血管收缩消失;与野生型相比,sm-STIM1-KO小鼠对Phe、5-HT和U46619总的收缩反应无明显变化,但在有钙和无钙的K-H溶液中,经硝苯地平孵育后,两组血管收缩均被抑制,且sm-STIM1-KO小鼠收缩明显低于野生型小鼠(P<0.01);在含硝苯地平的高钾溶液中,Phe引起的快相收缩没有变化,慢相收缩下降(P<0.01);sm-STIM1-KO小鼠肌浆网钙释放介导的血管收缩达峰速度和下降速度明显加快(P<0.05)。结论STIM1是SOCC介导的血管收缩的必须组成成分,且参与肌浆网钙释放介导的血管收缩反应。     

Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of Ca(2+)-independent contraction in uterine smooth muscle.

Uterine smooth muscle of the rat shows Ca(2+)-independent contraction in response to oxytocin in Ca(2+)-free medium. Micromolar Ca2+ inhibits this contraction. We now tested whether Ca2+ itself is the cause of this inhibition. The ratio of fura-2 fluorescence, the indicator of the intracellular level of Ca2+, was increased in parallel with the degree of inhibition by Ca2+. When inhibition was elicited by Ca2+, EGTA released the inhibition. Comparison of the dose-response curve for oxytocin in Ca(2+)-free solution and that in the medium with 1 microM Ca2+ showed that the inhibition by Ca2+ is non-competitive. EGTA chelation of the intracellular Ca2+ by loading of EGTA as its acetoxymethylester resulted in diminution of inhibition by Ca2+. EGTA suppressed the Ca(2+)-induced contraction but did not affect Ca(2+)-independent contraction. It is concluded that the inhibition is induced by intracellular Ca2+ itself.     

α-Methyl-5-HT, a 5-HT2 receptor agonist, stimulates β2-adrenoceptors in guinea pig airway smooth muscle

Alpha-methyl-5-HT is widely used as a high-affinity 5-HT(2) receptors agonist, though some studies have postulated that this drug also activates other serotonergic receptors. In the present work, we found that a wide range of concentrations of alpha-methyl-5-HT induced biphasic responses (contraction followed by relaxation) in guinea pig tracheal rings. The relaxing phase caused by 32microM alpha-methyl-5-HT was blocked by 0.1microM propranolol. Furthermore, during an ongoing histamine-induced contraction, alpha-methyl-5-HT (0.1-100microM) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation starting at 10microM. This relaxation was fully abolished by 0.1microM propranolol or 1microM ICI 118,551 (a selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist). Additionally, in electrophysiological recordings, 32microM alpha-methyl-5-HT also enhanced the membrane K(+) currents of single tracheal myocytes, an effect reverted by propranolol and ICI 118,551, and mimicked by 0.1microM salbutamol. Thus, we concluded that alpha-methyl-5-HT activates beta(2)-adrenoceptors in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle at concentrations >or=10microM. This effect must be taken into account when this drug is used in airway smooth muscle and in other tissues expressing beta(2)-adrenoceptors.     

Qualitative Differences between β-Adrenergic and α-Adrenergic Inotropic Effects in Rat Heart Muscle

Abstract If β- and α-adrenergic inotropic effects are cyclic AMP dependent and cyclic AMP independent, respectively, they may be qualitatively different. The inotropic effects of β-receptor stimulation (isoprenaline) and α-receptor stimulation (phenylephrine combined with propranolol) were characterized in isolated perfused rat hearts, rat atria and rat papillary muscles. The β-effect reached its maximum before the α-effect. The α-effect followed a three-phasic time-course indicating both stimulatory and inhibitory components. The aortic pressure wave (perfused heart) indicated a shorter contraction phase after β-stimulation than after α-stimulation. The time to peak tension (atrium, papillary muscle) was relatively shorter after isoprenaline than after α-stimulation, which tended to prolong it. The contraction-relaxation cycles (atrium, papillary muscle) were examined by recording the isometric tension (T), its first (T′) and second (T″) derivatives, α- and β-stimulation both increased T_max, T′_max (maximal rate of tension rise), T′_min, (maximal rate of tension decline) and T″_min (maximal rate of transition from rise to decline of tension). Isoprenaline increased T_min, (papillary muscle) and T″_min (atrium, papillary muscle) relatively more than did α-stimulation, i.e. the relaxing processes were activated relatively more by β-stimulation. The results indicate different mechanisms for the two adrenergic inotropic effects. The relatively larger activation of relaxation by β-stimulation is assumed to be caused by cyclic AMP.     

Differences between α-Adrenergic and β-Adrenergic Inotropic Effects in Rat Heart Papillary Muscles

Abstract: α-And β-adrenergic inotropic effects have been shown to be qualitatively different. In order to further characterize these differences we compared the mechanical responses to α- and β-adrenoceptor stimulation, respectively, in electrically driven left ventricular papillary muscles from rat heart. The muscles were stimulated by either isoprenaline (β-adrenoceptor stimulation), phenylephrine in the presence of propranolol (α-adrenoceptor stimulation) or phenylephrine alone (combined α- and β-adrenoceptor stimulation). Isometric tension (T), rate of rise and decline of tension (first derivative = T′) and rate of transition from tension rise to tension decline (negative part of second derivative = T″) were recorded. These recordings disclosed qualitative differences between the α- and β-inotropic response both in dose-response and time course experiments. Maximal β-adrenoceptor stimulation caused a small increase in T_max (18%), intermediate increases in T′_max (45%) and T′_min (68%) and a considerable increase in T″_min (145%) (“β-type” effect). Maximal α-adrenoceptor stimulation increased all qualities by about the same degree (23–24%) (“α-type” effect). While β-adrenoceptor stimulation gave a dose-dependent and pronounced increase in the ratio T″_min/T′_max (relaxation-onset index), α-adrenoceptor stimulation decreased it to subcontrol values and phenylephrine alone gave a small dose-dependent increase at higher doses. The time course of the α-adrenoceptor stimulation was characterized by a transient decrease in all qualities followed by an increase which reached maximum at 4–5 min. β-Adrenoceptor stimulation gave a monophasic response which reached maximum after 1–2 min. Phenylephrine alone gave mainly an “α-type” effect although T″_min increased significantly more in the absence than in the presence of propranolol and T″_min/T′_max showed a small increase which developed slowly. Thus β-adrenoceptor stimulation activated relaxation compared to contraction by a higher degree than did α-adrenoceptor stimulation. This probably reflects different mechanisms of action. While the α-effect may rely primarily on an increased calcium influx, the β-effect probably is the final result of several subcellular effects of cyclic AMP.     

白细胞介素－1β诱导牛脑微血管平滑肌细胞增殖及药物的拮抗作用

研究白细胞介素－１β（ＩＬ－１β）对牛脑微血管平滑肌细胞（ＢＣＳＭＣ）增殖的影响。浓度为５～１００ｎｇ·Ｌ－１的ＩＬ－１β与ＢＣＳＭＣ共同孵育２４ｈ，即可明显诱导ＢＣＳＭＣ的增殖，ＩＬ－１β浓度为５０ｎｇ·Ｌ－１时，增殖率为１７％。欧芹素乙，异欧芹素乙，６－（α，α－二苯基乙酰哌嗪基苯基－４，５－二氢－５－甲基－３（２Ｈ）－哒嗪酮（简称ＤＭＤＰ），６－（α－本基乙酰哌嗪基苯基）－４，５－二氢－５－甲基－３（２Ｈ）－哒嗪酮（简称ＰＭＤＰ）分别在不同浓度可显著抑制ＩＬ－１β所诱导的ＢＣＳＭＣ增殖。     

白细胞介素－1β诱导牛脑微血管平滑肌细胞增殖及药物的拮抗作用

研究白细胞介素－１β（ＩＬ－１β）对牛脑微血管平滑肌细胞（ＢＣＳＭＣ）增殖的影响。浓度为５～１００ｎｇ·Ｌ－１的ＩＬ－１β与ＢＣＳＭＣ共同孵育２４ｈ，即可明显诱导ＢＣＳＭＣ的增殖，ＩＬ－１β浓度为５０ｎｇ·Ｌ－１时，增殖率为１７％。欧芹素乙，异欧芹素乙，６－（α，α－二苯基乙酰哌嗪基苯基－４，５－二氢－５－甲基－３（２Ｈ）－哒嗪酮（简称ＤＭＤＰ），６－（α－本基乙酰哌嗪基苯基）－４，５－二氢－５－甲基－３（２Ｈ）－哒嗪酮（简称ＰＭＤＰ）分别在不同浓度可显著抑制ＩＬ－１β所诱导的ＢＣＳＭＣ增殖。     

Studies of peptide antibiotics. XLVI. Syntheses of gramicidin S analogs containing D-α, β-diaminopropionic acid or α,β-dehydroalanine*

A gramicidin S (GS) analog ([d -Dpr^4,4] GS) containing d -α,β-diaminopropionic acid (D-Dpr) in place of D-Phe at 4,4′ positions was derived from [l -Orn(δ-formyl)^2,2, d -Dpr(β-Z)^4,4′]GS, which was synthesized by conventional method in solution. An analog [ΔAla^4,4′]GS was synthesized from [l -Orn(δ-Boc)^2,2′, d -Dpr^4,4′]GS through Hofmann degradation of the d -Dpr residues. Antimicrobial activities of these analogs were tested; [d -Dpr(β-Z)^4,4′]GS and [ΔAla^4,4′]GS showed high antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria. [d -Dpr^4,4′]-GS showed an appreciable activity against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Four semigramicidin S (semiGS) analogs such as [ΔAla⁴]semiGS were synthesized; these had no antimicrobial activity. Analogs containing ΔAla residues were hydrogenated, and the formation of l -Ala or d -Ala residues was determined. The ΔAla residues in [ΔAla^4,4′] GS were reduced to dl -Ala, and ΔAla in [ΔAla⁴]semiGS mostly to l -Ala. The relationships of the antimicrobial activity, CD curves and asymmetric hydrogenation to the structure were discussed.     

Interleukin-1β: A possible mediator of lung inflammation and airway hyperreactivity

Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a peptide released from monocytes/macrophages, plays an important role in the inflammatory and immune responses. Airway hyperreactivity and the underlying airway inflammation are common features in asthma pathology. We investigated and characterized the inflammatory alterations induced within the guinea-pig respiratory system by IL-1 beta. Injection of IL-1 beta (1-6 micrograms/animal) into the pleural space resulted in a dose-dependent inflammatory response, as shown by the formation of pleural exudate and leucocyte recruitment. A threshold dose of IL-1 beta (1 micrograms/animal) markedly potentiated the inflammatory reaction triggered by the classical proinflammatory agent croton oil, underlining the amplifying role of IL-1 beta in the inflammatory events. The inflammatory process induced by intrapleural injection of IL-1 beta (6 micrograms/animal) was associated with the development of a hyperreactive phenomenon which involved both the peripheral and large airways. In fact, increased contractile activity of histamine was evident in the tracheas and parenchymal strips isolated from guinea-pigs exposed to IL-1 beta. These results provide evidence for a possible role of IL-1 beta in the genesis of airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity.     

Conformational investigation of αβ-dehydropeptides

Solution conformations of three series of model peptides, homochiral Ac-Pro-L-Xaa-NHCH₃ and heterochiral Ac-Pro-D-Xaa-NHcH₃ (Xaa = Val, Phe, Leu, Abu. Ah) as well as αβ-unsaturated Ac-Pro-ΔXaa-NHCH₃ [Δ Xaa =ΔVal, (Z)-ΔPhe, (Z)-ΔLeu, (Z)-ΔAbu] were investigated in CDCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂ by ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. NH stretching absorption spectra, solvent shifts Δδ for NH (Xaa) and NHCH₃ on going from CDCl₃ to (CD₃)₂SO, diagnostic interresidue proton NOEs, and trans-cis isomer ratios were examined. These studies performed showed the essential difference in conformational propensities between homochiral peptides (L-Xaa) on the one hand and heterochiral (D-Xaa) and αβ-dehydropeptides (ΔXaa) on the other. Former compounds are conformationally flexible with an inverse γ-bend, a β-turn, and open forms in an equilibrium depending on the nature of the Xaa side chain. Conformational preferences of heterochiral and αβ-dehydropeptides are very similar, with the type-II β-turn as the dominating structure. There is no apparent correlation between conformational properties and the nature of the Xaa side chain within the two groups. The β-turn formation propensity seems to be somewhat greater in αβ-unsaturated than in heterochiral peptides, but an estimation of β-folded conformers is risky.