Receptor- and G-protein-regulated 150-kDa avian phospholipase C: inhibition of enzyme activity by isoenzyme-specific antisera and nonidentity with mammalian phospholipase C isoenzymes established by immunoreactivity and peptide sequence.

A 150-kDa phospholipase C previously was purified from turkey erythrocytes and shown to be a P2Y-purinergic receptor- and guanine nucleotide-binding protein-regulated enzyme [J. Biol. Chem. 265:13508-13514 (1990)]. The relationship of this enzyme to the 150-kDa mammalian phospholipase C isoenzymes, termed phospholipase C-beta and -gamma, has been examined. Four antisera to the turkey erythrocyte phospholipase C recognized the avian enzyme in immunoblots but failed to recognize phospholipase C-gamma; one of the these weakly recognized phospholipase C-beta. Antibodies to phospholipase C-beta and -gamma failed to recognize the turkey erythrocyte phospholipase C. However, two antibodies raised against peptide sequence in regions of conserved sequence common to mammalian phospholipase C isoenzymes recognized the 150-kDa turkey erythrocyte phospholipase C. Antisera against the native form of the turkey erythrocyte phospholipase C inhibited the activity of this enzyme against phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate presented as a component of mixed phospholipid vesicles or of mixed phospholipid and sodium cholate micelles; inhibition occurred as a decrease in Vmax, with no apparent change in Km for substrate or in the Ca2+ dependence of phospholipase C activity. Catalytic activity of phospholipase C-beta or -gamma against exogenous substrate was unaffected by antisera to the turkey erythrocyte enzyme. Antisera against the native form of the turkey erythrocyte phospholipase C also partially inhibited (50-60% inhibition) the capacity of AIF4- or adenosine 5'-O-(beta-thio) diphosphate plus guanosine 5'-O-(gamma-thio) triphosphate to stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis in ghosts prepared from [3H]inositol-prelabeled turkey erythrocytes. Moreover, the capacity of the purified 150-kDa enzyme to reconstitute receptor and G-protein-regulated phospholipase C activity in purified turkey erythrocyte plasma membranes devoid of this activity was completely inhibited by antisera to the turkey erythrocyte enzyme. Five peptides that were purified by high performance liquid chromatography from a tryptic digest of the turkey erythrocyte 150-kDa phospholipase C had no recognizable sequence homology with any deduced sequence of the mammalian phospholipase C isoenzymes. One turkey erythrocyte phospholipase C-derived peptide had clear homology with sequence in the first (X-domain) conserved region common to at least three of the mammalian phospholipase C isoenzymes, and another 16-amino acid peptide had partial sequence homology with the second (Y-domain) conserved region common to the mammalian enzymes. An 8-amino acid peptide from the tryptic digest had 75% homology with a sequence near the carboxyl terminus of mammalian phospholipase C-beta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mode of action of the lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics duramycin, duramycin B and C, and cinnamycin as indirect inhibitors of phospholipase A2.

Effects of the lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics duramycin, duramycin B, duramycin C and cinnamycin on the activity of phospholipase A2 from six different sources were studied, and their mode of action was investigated. The four antibiotics inhibited potently all tested phospholipases A2, with IC50 values of around 1 microM, using phosphatidylethanolamine or [1-14C]oleate-labelled Escherichia coli, whose phospholipids are rich in phosphatidylethanolamine, as substrates. No inhibition was observed when the substrate was phosphatidylcholine. Binding of the antibiotics to the lipid fraction of E. coli could be demonstrated by co-sedimentation with whole, but not with lipid-depleted E. coli. In addition, preincubation of duramycin B with vesicles of phosphatidylethanolamine, but not those of phosphatidylcholine, prevented the inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity. The interaction of duramycin B and C, but not that of the biologically inactive compounds actagardine and the duramycin B trisulphoxide, with phosphatidylethanolamine was demonstrated using circular dichroism studies. On the other hand, no interaction of duramycin B with phosphatidylcholine could be demonstrated. A strict correlation between the physico-chemical interaction of the studied lantibiotics, demonstrated by circular dichroism spectroscopy, and their inhibition of phospholipase A2 was observed. These results suggest that lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics inhibit phospholipase A2 indirectly by specifically sequestering the substrate phosphatidylethanolamine. This mode of action is analogous to the one described for the protein lipocortin.     

Cinatrins, a novel family of phospholipase A2 inhibitors. II. Biological activities.

Cinatrins A, B and C3 inhibited phospholipase A2 purified from rat platelets in a dose-dependent manner. Cinatrin C3, the most potent component (IC50 70 microM), was noncompetitive with a Ki value of 36 microM. Cinatrins B and C3 also inhibited both porcine pancreas and Naja naja venom phospholipase A2. Inhibition of rat platelet phospholipase A2 by cinatrin C3 was independent of Ca2+ and substrate concentration. Comparison with duramycin, another phospholipase A2 inhibitor, displayed inhibition dependent on substrate concentration when phosphatidylethanolamine was the substrate. These results indicate that the inhibition of phospholipase A2 by cinatrin C3 may result from direct interaction with the enzyme.     

Both A chain and B chain of beta-bungarotoxin are functionally involved in the facilitation of spontaneous transmitter release in Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures.

In the present study, Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures were used to explore the functional roles of A chain (a phospholipase A(2) subunit) and B chain (a non-phospholipase A(2) subunit) of Bungarus multicinctus beta-bungarotoxin. It was found that beta-bungarotoxin induced an increment of the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents (SSCs) in the nerve-muscle cultures. Modification of beta-bungarotoxin with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate or substitution of Ca(2+) with Ba(2+) in buffer abolished the phospholipase A(2) activity of beta-bungarotoxin and the facilitatory phase of SSC as well. Antibodies that were directed specifically against A chain or B chain effectively inhibited phospholipase A(2) activity, and as a consequence the SSC frequency was not greatly different from the control rate. These results suggest that both A and B chains are indispensable parts of beta-bungarotoxin for inducing the facilitation of SSC frequency with Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures.     

Preparation and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> evaluation of povidone-sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles for the solubilization of poorly soluble drugs

Mixed micelles made of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), sodium cholate, and phospholipids were prepared to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. Sylibin, a drug used in treating liver diseases, was incorporated into the mixed micelles. The formulation of sylibin containing PVP-sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles with an optimized composition (PVP/sodium cholate/phospholipid/silybin = 3:3:4:1∼2 by weight) was obtained based on the study of pseudoternary phase diagrams. The critical micelle concentration was used to evaluate the micellar stability towards dilution. The results showed that addition of PVP to sodium-cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles increased stability. The solubility of sylibin in PVP-sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles was higher than that in pure water or in sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles. In a stability study, we found that PVP-sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles showed good stability. After 3 months storage at 40°C, just 2.6% sylibin was lost with only minor changes of the particle size when compared to a reference formulation containing sodium cholate and phospholipid mixed micelles. In addition, the developed formulation significantly improved in vitro drug release. The time required to release 50% sylibin (t50%) from sodium cholate and phospholipid mixed micelles was 326 h, while the t50% from PVP-sodium cholate-phospholipid mixed micelles was only 51.1 h. Our results suggest that these mixed micelles might have significant potential application to the biomedical field.     

Metabolism of selegiline hydrochloride, a selective monoamine b-type inhibitor, in human liver microsomes

The participation of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoforms in the metabolism of selegiline was investigated. Experiments using recombinant CYP isoforms expressed in human lymphoblastoid cells showed CYP2B6 to be the major CYP isoform involved with the metabolism of selegiline. CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 also contributed to the metabolism of selegiline but their catalytic activities were much less than that of CYP2B6. CYP2B6 had a higher affinity for both N-depropagylation (K(m)=21.4 microM) and N-demethylation (K(m)=25.2 microM) of selegiline than CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. In immunoinhibition studies using mixed human hepatic microsomes, selegiline N-depropagylation activity was most strongly inhibited by anti-CYP2B and anti-CYP3A antibodies, while selegiline N-demethylation activity was most inhibited by anti-CYP2B antibody. In CYP2B6-rich human hepatic microsomes, anti-CYP2B antibody had the strongest inhibitory effects on both activities. Selegiline inhibited CYP2B6-mediated (S)-mephenytoin N-demethylation activity and CYP2C19-mediated (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation activity. These findings suggest that attention should be paid to the drug-drug interaction associated with CYP2B6 and CYP2C19. In conclusion, CYP2B6 participates in the metabolism of selegiline but the degree of its contribution varies with the level of its expression in human liver.     

Differential effects of B2 receptor antagonists upon bradykinin-stimulated phospholipase C and D in guinea-pig cultured tracheal smooth muscle.

1. Guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells were isolated and maintained in culture for 14-21 days prior to the study of the effect of a selective bradykinin B1 agonist and B2 antagonists upon bradykinin-stimulated phospholipase C and D activities. 2. Bradykinin-stimulated phospholipase C activity was determined by mass measurement of inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in unlabelled cells, whereas phospholipase D activity was assayed by the accumulation of [3H]-phosphatidylbutanol ([3H]-PtdBut) in [3H]-palmitate-labelled cells, which were stimulated in the presence of butan-1-o1 (0.3%, v/v). 3. Bradykinin elicited the rapid and transient formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3, in a concentration-dependent manner (log EC50 = -7.55 +/- 0.1 M, N = 3). Bradykinin also rapidly activated the concentration-dependent (log EC50 = -8.3 +/- 0.4 M, n = 3) phospholipase D-catalysed accumulation of [3H]-PtdBut; the accumulation of [3H]-PtdBut was sustained. These effects were not inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with indomethacin (1 microM). 4. The bradykinin B1 agonist, desArg9-bradykinin (1 microM) was without effect upon phospholipase C or phospholipase D activity. Bradykinin-stimulated (10 nM, EC40) Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation was inhibited by B2 receptor antagonists, D-Arg-[Hyp3,D-Phe7]-bradykinin (NPC 567) and D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]-bradykinin (NPC 349), with log IC50 values of -6.3 +/- 0.5 M and -6.3 +/- 0.4 M, respectively. However, bradykinin-stimulated (10 nM, EC100) [3H]-PtdBut accumulation was poorly inhibited and with low potency by each B2 receptor antagonist and bradykinin-stimulated phospholipase D activity persisted at concentrations of antagonist that completely blocked bradykinin-stimulated Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation (30 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ca(2+) influx stimulated phospholipase C activity in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells: responses to K(+) depolarization and histamine

The role of Ca(2+) influx in activating phospholipase C in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells has been investigated. Phospholipase C activity in response to K(+) depolarization (56 mM) was blocked by the L-type Ca(2+) channel antagonist nifedipine and partially inhibited by the omega-conotoxins GVIA and MVIIC. In contrast, phospholipase C activity in response to histamine receptor activation was unaffected by omega-conotoxin GVIA and partially inhibited by omega-conotoxin MVIIC or nifedipine. This response was however markedly inhibited by the non-selective Ca(2+) channel antagonists La(3+) or 1-[beta-[3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoyphenethyl]-H-imidazol e (SKF-96365). Despite this Ca(2+) dependence phospholipase C activity was not increased during periods of "capacitative" Ca(2+) inflow generated by histamine-, caffeine- or thapsigargin-mediated depletion of internal Ca(2+) stores. Thus, while Ca(2+) influx in response to K(+) depolarization or G-protein receptor activation can increase phospholipase C activity in these cells, in the latter case it appears to be ineffective unless there is concurrent agonist occupation of the receptor.     

Effects of modification of tyrosines 3 and 62 (63) on enzymatic and toxicological properties of phospholipases A2 from Naja nigricollis and Naja naja atra snake venoms

Previously we selectively modified His (48), Arg, Lys, Asp, Glu and Trp residues in the basic phospholipase A2 from Naja nigricollis and the acidic phospholipase A2 from N. n. atra snake venoms. Evidence was obtained for the existence of separate but perhaps overlapping sites responsible, respectively, for their enzymatic and pharmacological properties. We have now modified one or two (Tyr 3, Tyr 62 [63], Tyr 3 + 62 [63]) out of the nine tyrosine residues in these enzymes using p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl fluoride. The derivatives were separated by HPLC, and modified residues determined by amino acid analysis. Enzymatic activity was tested on lecithin--Triton mixed micelles, egg yolk and heart and diaphragm homogenates. The N. nigricollis modified derivatives retained a greater percentage of their enzymatic activities than did the N. n. atra derivatives and also a greater percentage of their activity on natural substrates than on lecithin--Triton mixed micelles. The greatest loss in activity resulted when both tyrosines were modified and the least when tyrosine 3 was modified. Modification of tyrosine 62 of N. nigricollis caused a much greater loss of intraventricular lethal potency than of enzymatic activity, whereas modification of tyrosine 3 of N. n. atra increased lethal potency over six-fold while enzymatic activity decreased about 60%. Examples of dissociation between enzymatic and pharmacological potencies were also noted when hemolytic, anticoagulant and cardiotoxicity on isolated ventricular muscle were measured. The extents of phospholipid hydrolysis were relatively low in brain homogenates, synaptic plasma membranes and heart ventricular muscle. However, they were similar for the native enzymes and all of the tyrosine modified derivatives. These tyrosines do not appear to be part of the enzymatic active site, even though they are thought to be associated with substrate and calcium binding. These results strengthen our earlier conclusion that some pharmacological effects of phospholipase A2 are not due to enzymatic hydrolysis, and that there are separate but perhaps partly overlapping sites for enzymatic and pharmacological activities.     

Isolation and partial characterization of a cerulenin-sensitive mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to cerulenin was first tested. The result indicated that this bacterium is resistant to cerulenin. Cerulenin-sensitive mutants were isolated from P. aeruginosa PML 1552 by 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine treatment and following carbenicillin plus D-cycloserine screening. Isolated mutants were designated CSM-1 to CSM-19, and some characters of CSM-19, which showed rapid growth almost as well as parent strain in the medium without cerulenin, were examined. The cell growth of CSM-19 was greatly inhibited by 50 micrograms/ml of cerulenin, but when the mixture of cellular fatty acids or both cis-vaccenic acid and palmitic acid were added to the medium, the growth was partially recovered. Incorporation of radioactivity into fatty acids from [1-14C]acetate was lowered by cerulenin. Those results mean that the fatty acid synthesis of CSM-19 was decreased by cerulenin. Although cellular fatty acid composition and amount were not notably different between CSM-19 and PML 1552, CSM-19 had less phosphatidylethanolamine, and more phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin than PML 1552. CSM-19 was also supersensitive to several other antibiotics, especially to carbenicillin and tetracycline, when compared with PML 1552, although both strains showed identical sensitivity to D-cycloserine, polymyxin B, and chloramphenicol.     

Phospholipase A2 from Bothrops alternatus (víbora de la cruz) venom. Purification and some characteristic properties

One single protein species with phospholipase activity has been isolated from Bothrops alternatus venom by a procedure involving gel-filtration on Sephadex G-50 (Step 1), chromatography on SP-Sephadex C-50 (Step 2) and gel-filtration on Sephadex G-75 (Step 3). The purified sample behaved as a homogeneous, monodisperse protein with a molecular weight of 15,000 and isoelectric point of 5.04. The yield in enzyme activity was 48% of the starting material and the apparent purification was 51-fold. When assayed on 1,2-diheptanoyl- or 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine, fatty acids and lysolecithins were the only reaction products, in accordance with the predicted stoichiometry. Studies on positional specificity suggested that the enzyme is a phospholipase A2. The enzyme requires Ca2+ ions for activity and exhibited stereochemical specificity, since the enantiomeric 2, 3-diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-1-phosphorylcholine was not hydrolyzed. Under the experimental conditions employed, reaction products representative of either phospholipase B or C activities could not be detected. After Step 1, the phospholipase activity recovered was higher than the total activity in the crude venom sample, which is explained by the separation of an inhibitor during enzyme purification. The inhibitor was responsible for the initial lag period that characterized the kinetics of the enzyme reaction with crude venom acting on aggregated substrates (lipoprotein, vesicles or micelles), while the rate of hydrolysis of monomeric lecithins was not affected.     

Effect of the aminosteroid U73122 on prostaglandin E(2) production in a murine clonal osteoblast-like cell line, MC3T3-E1

Prostaglandin E(2) production stimulated by various agents (arachidonic acid, prostaglandin F(2alpha), ionomycin, the calcium ionophore A23187, and melittin) was investigated after pretreatment of murine osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells with the putative phospholipase C blocker, U73122. The aminosteroid dose dependently inhibited prostaglandin E(2) production induced by all agonists, except arachidonic acid. The results suggest an inhibitory role of U73122 on phospholipase A(2) activity or activation.     

Role of group IIA phospholipase A2 in rat colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium

Although group IIA phospholipase A(2) has been suggested to be implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, its pathophysiological role in colitis remains unclear. We investigated whether group IIA phospholipase A(2) had pro-inflammatory roles in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in the rat. Secretory phospholipase A(2) activity was markedly increased in the distal colon with two peaks. Strong immunostaining for group IIA phospholipase A(2) was found in subepithelial tissue and lamina propria at early stage and in deeper tissues of the erosion area at later stage. Treatment with a specific group IIA phospholipase A(2) inhibitor, S-3013/LY333013 (methyl[[3-(aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)]-1H-indol-4yl]oxy) acetate), reduced erosion area, shortening of colon and colonic inflammation, and strongly inhibited the increase in secretory phospholipase A(2) activity and moderately reduced myeloperoxidase activity in the colon in vivo, while eicosanoid levels were not affected. Marked group IIA phospholipase A(2) expression in the erosion area and the improvement of colitis by the group IIA phospholipase A(2) inhibitor strongly suggest that this enzyme plays pro-inflammatory roles in this colitis model.     

Substrate specificity of the different forms of monoamine oxidase in rat liver mitochondria

Rat liver mitochondrial monoamine oxidase was inhibited by deprenil (selective inhibitor for the ‘B form’ of monoamine oxidase) to study the ‘A form’ of the enzyme separately. The activity towards serotonin (usually classified as a substrate for the ‘A form’) was estimated in the presence of additional monoamine oxidase substrates. All of the additional substrates investigated inhibited the activity towards serotonin competitively. In the deprenil inhibited preparation all of the residual activity towards β-phenylethylamine (usually classified as a substrate for the ‘B form’) was shown to be sensitive to the ‘A form’ inhibitor clorgyline, indicating that the ‘A form’ was also able to oxidize this substrate. The K_m values of the ‘A form’ for serotonin, tyramine and β-phenylethylamine did not differ significantly.When the ‘B form’ of monoamine oxidase was studied after inhibition of the ‘A form’ by clorgyline, all additional substrates investigated were able to inhibit the activity towards β-phenylethylamine in a competitive fashion. All of the remaining activity towards serotonin in the clorgyline inhibited preparation was sensitive to deprinil. Thus the ‘B form’ also appears to be able to oxidize this substrate. The K_m values for the ‘B form’ differed considerably: 4 μM for β-phenylethylamine, 102 μM for tyramine, and 2.5 mM for serotonin.     

Studies of phospholipase A and B activities of Egyptian snake venoms and a scorpion toxin

Phospholipase A and B activity of several Egyptian snake venoms and scorpion toxin was determined by employing the rates of hydrolysis of lecithin and lysolecithin indicating phospholipase A activity and phospholipase B activity, respectively. Phospholipase A showed maximal activity at pH range 7·0–9·0. Marked activation of the enzyme occurred upon the addition of ether, sodium deoxycholate, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, while inhibition occurred upon the addition of EDTA, or a combination of sodium deoxycholate and calcium. The enzyme phospholipase B showed maximal activity at pH range 8·0–10·0 and was inhibited by EDTA and ether.     

Sensitization of vanilloid receptor 1 induced by bradykinin via the activation of second messenger signaling cascades in rat primary afferent neurons

Vanilloid receptor 1 was recently reported to play an important role in hyperalgesia, but the mechanisms by which this receptor is activated by endogenous inflammatory mediators, such as bradykinin and nerve growth factor, are not yet fully understood. Here, we investigated whether bradykinin, which is a pain-producing inflammatory mediator, sensitizes vanilloid receptor 1 by inducing the activation of cyclooxygenases, phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 in rat dorsal root ganglion cells. We demonstrated this using 45Ca2+ uptake and inositol phosphates accumulation assays, bradykinin activates phospholipase C and cyclooxygenase-1 through the bradykinin B2 receptor. The bradykinin B2 receptor then sensitizes vanilloid receptor 1 activity by facilitating non-selective Ca2+ channel activity, increasing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration from the extracellular pool. These methods would be useful for screening new drugs for activity at vanilloid receptor 1. These data suggest that endogenous substances produced by several enzymes may be capable of producing a synergistic response involving the vanilloid receptor 1.     

Solubilization and pharmacokinetic behaviors of sodium cholate/lecithin-mixed micelles containing cyclosporine A

The purpose of this study was to investigate the solubilization capacity of sodium cholate/lecithin-mixed micelles and to evaluate the potential of mixed micelles as a carrier of cyclosporine A for intravenous infusion. The mixed micelles were prepared by coprecipitation technique. The formulation components and preparation procedures, which may affect the solubilization of cyclosporine A, were studied. The dilution stability of cyclosporine A-containing mixed micelles was investigated. Pharmacokinetic behaviors of mixed micelles in rabbits after intravenous infusion were compared with Sandimmun. Results showed the strategies to increase the solubility of cyclosporine A include lowering the molar ratio of sodium cholate to lecithin, increasing the concentration of lecithin, and reducing the ionic strength of the dispersion medium and temperature. The largest solubility was found to be 5.42 +/- 0.16 mg/ml. The leakage of mixed micelles in 5% glucose (5.84%) was much less than that in saline solution (36.7%). The relative bioavailability of mixed micelles versus Sandimmun was 112 +/- 20%, and statistical analysis demonstrated both preparations were bioequivalent. Sodium cholate/lecithin-mixed micelles are promising carriers in the intravenous delivery of cyclosporine A, considering their capability of large-scale production and low-toxic property.     

Solubilization and Pharmacokinetic Behaviors of Sodium Cholate/Lecithin-Mixed Micelles Containing Cyclosporine A

The purpose of this study was to investigate the solubilization capacity of sodium cholate/lecithin-mixed micelles and to evaluate the potential of mixed micelles as a carrier of cyclosporine A for intravenous infusion. The mixed micelles were prepared by coprecipitation technique. The formulation components and preparation procedures, which may affect the solubilization of cyclosporine A, were studied. The dilution stability of cyclosporine A-containing mixed micelles was investigated. Pharmacokinetic behaviors of mixed micelles in rabbits after intravenous infusion were compared with Sandimmun®. Results showed the strategies to increase the solubility of cyclosporine A include lowering the molar ratio of sodium cholate to lecithin, increasing the concentration of lecithin, and reducing the ionic strength of the dispersion medium and temperature. The largest solubility was found to be 5.42 ± 0.16 mg/ml. The leakage of mixed micelles in 5% glucose (5.84%) was much less than that in saline solution (36.7%). The relative bioavailability of mixed micelles versus Sandimmun® was 112 ± 20%, and statistical analysis demonstrated both preparations were bioequivalent. Sodium cholate/lecithin-mixed micelles are promising carriers in the intravenous delivery of cyclosporine A, considering their capability of large-scale production and low-toxic property.     

The involvement of phospholipase A(2) in ethanol-induced gastric muscle contraction

To understand the underlying mechanism of ethanol in tonic contraction, the effect of ethanol on phospholipase A(2) and phospholipase C activities and the effects of phospholipase inhibitors on ethanol-induced contraction of cat gastric smooth muscle were tested. Circular muscle strips (2.0 x 0.2 cm) obtained from the fundus of cat stomach were used to measure isometric contraction. Ethanol elicited tonic contraction and activated phospholipase A(2) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Phospholipase A(2) inhibitors, manoalide (0.1--10 microM) and oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (1--10 microM), significantly inhibited ethanol-induced contraction. Furthermore, 342 mM ethanol-induced contraction was significantly inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, ibuprofen (10--100 microM) and indomethacin (10--100 microM), but not by lipoxygenase inhibitors. On the other hand, phospholipase C inhibitors had no effect on ethanol-induced contraction, indicating that phospholipase C is not involved in ethanol-induced contraction. It is suggested from the above results that ethanol-induced contraction in cat gastric smooth muscle is, in part, mediated by phospholipase A(2) and cyclooxygenase pathways.     

Venom from southern copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix). II. A unique phospholipase A2 that induces platelet aggregation

A platelet aggregation factor was purified from the venom of southern copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, precipitation with ammonium sulfate, affinity chromatography using bovine serum albumin as ligand, and gel filtration on Cellulofine GCL-2000. It had molecular weights of 11,000 and 14,000, as determined by gel filtration chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), respectively. It consists of a single polypeptide, and was identified as a phospholipase A2. It was quite resistant to heat and various denaturing reagents including urea and SDS. It lost both phospholipase A2 activity and platelet aggregating activity upon modification of histidine residue(s) with p-bromophenacyl bromide. Its specificity towards the beta-position of phospholipid in esterolytic reaction was confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography using a pure synthetic phosphatidylcholine. Platelet aggregation by this phospholipase A2 was completely inhibited by prostacyclin, but was little inhibited by aspirin which indicates almost no direct participation of released arachidonic acid in the aggregation mechanism.