Enterocin CRL35 inhibits late stages of HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication in vitro

The replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 in Vero cells is inhibited in the presence of enterocin CRL35 (ECRL), a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium CRL35. Attempts to resolve the mode of action of ECRL indicate that virus adsorption and penetration are not affected. Instead, a late step of virus multiplication is hindered since the addition of 100 microg/ml of ECRL at 8h post infection still causes a 90% inhibition of virus release. The effect of ECRL on HSV antigen expression was studied by immunofluorescence using a polyclonal serum and a monoclonal antibody against glycoprotein D (gamma protein). These studies indicated that ECRL impeded the second round of infection, apparently as a consequence of the inhibition of glycoprotein D expression. The replication of syncytial mutants of HSV-1 was significantly inhibited at a ECRL concentration of 25 microg/ml. Both the percentage of fused cells and the polykaryocyte size were affected. Studies on the effect of ECRL on viral protein synthesis showed that in the presence of ECRL, HSV late gamma proteins were not synthesized. From these findings, it is concluded that inhibition of HSV spreading by ECRL is due to the prevention of mainly late glycoprotein synthesis.     

不同培养基和胰蛋白酶对Vero细胞培养及消化效果的比较

目的 比较不同公司生产的无血清培养基对病毒性疫苗生产用Vero细胞培养效果,及基因工程胰蛋白酶的细胞消化效果,以判断是否适用。方法 实验组用VirusPro Vero-A培养基进行Vero细胞的培养,用Trpzyme消化细胞。对照组用VP-SFM培养基进行细胞培养,用TrypLE Select消化细胞。两组Vero细胞以相同密度接种在T175培养瓶中,以相同的培养条件和传代方法在T175瓶和细胞工厂中各培养3代。培养期间观察细胞的上清液、形态以及汇合度,消化后检测细胞活率并计算细胞收获量。采用配对t检验比较两组消化液的pH值、总消化时长、37 ℃消化孵育时长、细胞活率以及细胞收获量。结果 两组细胞生长状态均良好。配对t检验显示,实验组消化液的pH值（6.99）、总消化时长（17.28 min）和37 ℃消化孵育时长（6.93 min）均值均大于对照组消化液的（分别为6.75、12.34 min、3.30 min）,细胞活率（94.79%）及细胞收获量（T175瓶：3.91×10⁷个;细胞工厂：1.90×10⁹个）均值均高于对照组的（分别为90.20%、3.33×10⁷个、1.26×10⁹个）,且差异有统计学意义（t值分别为9.17、3.46、2.98、2.31和4.38,P值均<0.05）。结论 实验组无血清培养基培养效果较好,基因工程胰蛋白酶细胞消化液温和、细胞损伤小,均适用于Vero细胞。     

Inhibition of voltage-gated ca channel activity in small cell lung carcinoma by the ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor KN-62 (1-[n,o-bis(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-n-methyl-L-tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperazine)

Although small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells express both voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (VGCC) and second messenger-operated Ca²⁺ channels (SMOCC), little is known about the factors that regulate the activity of these channels in SCLC cells. Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) type II has been implicated recently in regulating Ca²⁺ channel activity in other cell types. Because of this, we investigated the effects of the specific CaM kinase antagonist 1-[N,O-bis(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-N-methyl-L-tryosyl]-4-phenylpiperazine (KN-62) on Ca²⁺ channel activity in SCLC cells. Incubation with 10 μM KN-62 for 20 min inhibited depolarization-dependent ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx by 96.1 ± 2.1% in four independent SCLC cell lines, and by 42.2 ± 6.8% in the NCI-H146 SCLC cell line. Similar inhibitory effects of KN-62 were observed when Fura-2 was used to measure depolarization-dependent Ca²⁺ influx. These results indicate that KN-62 potently inhibits VGCC activity in SCLC cells. In contrast, KN-62 (10 μM, 20 min) did not inhibit significantly Ca²⁺ mobilization induced by muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation in SCLC cells. This indicates that SMOCC are less susceptible than VGCC to inhibition by KN-62 in SCLC cells. Because mAChR activation also inhibits VGCC activity in SCLC cells, we examined the effects of KN-62 on the mAChR-mediated inhibition of VGCC activity. To do this, we measured depolarization-dependent ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx in SCLC cells incubated with submaximal concentrations of KN-62 and the mAChR agonist carbachol. Treatment of cells with both drugs resulted in almost twice as much inhibition of VGCC activity as in cells treated with only one of the drugs. This indicates that inactivation of CaM kinase with KN-62 does not suppress the ability of mAChR agonists to inhibit VGCC activity.     

Fluidization of brain membranes by A2C does not produce anesthesia and does not augment muscimol-stimulated 36Cl- influx

Intravenous administration of 2-[2-methoxyethoxy]-ethyl 8-[cis-2-n-octylcloropropyl]-octanoate (A₂C) was found to disorder brain membranes but did not produce intoxication or anesthesia in mice. The abilities of A₂C and an anesthetic (benzyl alcohol) to inhibit [³⁵S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding, and modify γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-mediated ³⁶Cl⁻ influx into brain vesicles were then compared. Both of the perturbants inhibited [³⁵S]TBPS binding at the same concentrations at which they reduced membrane order; however, the anesthetic was nearly 4 times more effective in reducing [³⁵S]TBPS binding than was A₂C. Muscimol-stimulated ³⁶Cl⁻ uptake was enhanced by benzyl alcohol at a concentration which produced little or no change in membrane order. Concentrations of both A₂C and benzyl alcohol which reduced membrane order inhibited muscimol-stimulated ³⁶Cl⁻ influx. Similarly, membrane order and muscimol-activated ³⁶Cl⁻ uptake were reduced in brain vesicles prepared from mice which had received A₂C in vivo. The effects of anesthetics on the GABA_A receptor-chloride channel complex were analyzed by a two site model of action in which a ‘perturbant’ site is responsible for decreased ³⁶Cl⁻ uptake; but a distinct ‘anesthetic’ site is responsible for augmentation of chloride flux and anesthesia.     

国产与进口牛血清促进Vero细胞生长的比较

 目的  通过对国产与进口牛血清促进Vero细胞生长的比较,筛选可替代进口血清用于轮状病毒疫苗生产中Vero细胞培养的国产牛血清。方法  以国产的3批胎牛血清和1批新生牛血清为待评血清,以进口胎牛血清为对照血清,制备细胞培养液。在T175细胞培养瓶（T瓶）和2层细胞工厂中连续传代培养Vero细胞各3代,观察每一代次的培养上清液、细胞形态和细胞汇合度,计算细胞收获量和与对照血清相比较的相对增长率。采用单样本t检验对细胞收获量与生产要求的细胞产量（T瓶：>1.50×10⁷ 个/ml;细胞工厂：>3.00×10⁸ 个/ml）进行比较。根据细胞相对增长率判断国产血清与进口对照血清促细胞生长活性的相近程度。结果  国产血清培养的Vero细胞生长状态均良好。T瓶培养时,国产血清组的细胞收获量为（1.56～9.30）×10⁷ 个/ml,与生产要求细胞产量的差异有统计学意义（t=2.44～3.76,P<0.05）,且t值均>0,说明符合生产要求。细胞相对增长率接近或超过100%。细胞工厂培养时,国产血清组的细胞收获量为（1.80～4.92）×10⁸ 个/ml,与生产要求产量的差异无统计学意义（t=－0.23～1.16,P>0.05）,但是只有1批胎牛血清和新生牛血清的细胞收获量均值>3.00×10⁸ 个/ml,且细胞相对增长率>90%。 结论  经与进口牛血清比较,国产的1批胎牛血清和1批新生牛血清可替代进口血清,用于轮状病毒疫苗生产中的Vero细胞培养。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯对人脐带动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的抑制作用

目的: 考察表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(epigallocatechingallate,EGCG)对体外培养的人脐带动脉平滑肌细胞(HUASMCs)增殖的抑制作用及作用机制,为临床治疗相关的心血管疾病提供参考。方法: 组织块贴壁法原代培养HUASMCs,选传至3代的细胞进行免疫组织化学染色法鉴定;MTT比色法,测定EGCG(109.08 μmol·L^-1)在不同作用时间(3~96 h)和不同作用浓度(1.09~1 090.75 μmol·L^-1)下对HUASMCs增殖的抑制作用;RT-PCR法,测定EGCG(2.18,21.82,218.15 μmol·L^-1)对HUASMCs表达IL-6 mRNA的影响;ELISA法,测定EGCG(2.18,21.82,218.15 μmol·L^-1)对HUASMCs分泌IL-6水平的影响。结果: EGCG在各个检测时间点均可抑制体外培养HUASMCs的增殖(P<0.01),3~48 h抑制作用随作用时间延长而增加,48 h增殖抑制最强,72 h,96 h与48 h增殖抑制作用相比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。EGCG各浓度对HUASMCs体外增殖均有抑制作用(P<0.05或P<0.01),EGCG呈剂量依赖性,IC₅₀为413.39 μmol·L^-1。EGCG(21.82,218.15 μmol·L^-1)对HUASMCs表达IL-6 mRNA有抑制作用(P<0.01)。EGCG(2.18,21.82,218.15 μmol·L^-1)可抑制HUASMCs分泌IL-6(P<0.05)。结论: EGCG对HUASMCs的体外增殖有抑制作用。EGCG可抑制HUASMCs IL-6 mRNA的表达和IL-6因子的分泌。     

Inhibition of P-type ATPases by [(dihydroindenyl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA), a K+ -Cl- cotransporter inhibitor

[(Dihydroindenyl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA) has been used as a potent inhibitor of K⁺–Cl⁻ cotransporter (IC₅₀ = 10 μM). Here we found that DIOA inhibited activities of P-type ATPases such as dog kidney Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase (IC₅₀ = 53 μM), hog gastric H⁺,K⁺-ATPase (IC₅₀ = 97 μM) and rabbit muscle Ca²⁺-ATPase (IC₅₀ = 127 μM). In the membrane preparation of the LLC-PK1 cells stably expressing rabbit gastric H⁺,K⁺-ATPase, DIOA inhibited activities of the endogenous Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase (IC₅₀ = 95 μM) and the exogenous H⁺,K⁺-ATPase (IC₅₀ = 75 μM). 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB), a Cl⁻ channel blocker, had no effects on the DIOA-elicited inhibition of the P-type ATPases. These findings suggest that lower concentration of DIOA (< 20–30 μM) should be used for evaluation of the activity of K⁺–Cl⁻ cotransporter without affecting the activities of coexisting Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and/or H⁺,K⁺-ATPase in cells.     

Purification and partial characterization of hyaluronidase from five pace snake (Agkistrodon acutus) venom

—A hyaluronidase (EC 3.2.1. 35) was isolated and purified from Agkistrodon acutus venom. The purification procedure included CM-Sephadex C-50 chromatography, gel-filtration on Sephadex G-75 and CM-Sephadex C-25 chromatography. The purified preparation of the enzyme was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3, a 45-fold purification being obtained. The hyaluronidase was a glycoprotein (positive PAS staining) with a molecular weight of 33,000 and a pI of 10.3. No hemorrhagic activity was found. The hyaluronidase had an optimum pH of 3.5–5.0 and an optimum temperature of 37°C. It was heat sensitive, was more stable in the acidic than in the neutral region, and lost its activity in the alkaline region. Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ and heparin inhibited the venom hyaluronidase. The K_m value for hyaluronic acid was 6.2 × 10⁻³ mg/ml.     

The antiviral activity of sulfated polysaccharides against dengue virus is dependent on virus serotype and host cell

Two homogeneous sulfated polysaccharides obtained from the red seaweeds Gymnogongrus griffithsiae and Cryptonemia crenulata, the kappa/iota/nu carrageenan G3d and the dl-galactan hybrid C2S-3, were assayed for their antiviral properties against the four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) in different host cell types. Both seaweed derivatives were selective inhibitors of DENV-2 multiplication in Vero cells with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values around 1 microg/ml and selectivity indices > 1000. The compounds had a lower antiviral effect against DENV-3 (IC50 values in the range 13.9-14.2 microg/ml), an even lower effect against DENV-4 (IC50 values in the range 29.3 to > 50 microg/ml) and were totally inactive against DENV-1. With respect to the host cell, the polysulfates were inhibitors of DENV-2 and DENV-3 in the human hepatoma HepG2 and foreskin PH cells, with similar antiviral effectiveness as in Vero cells, but were totally inactive in mosquito C6/36 HT cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that G3d and C2S-3 were active DENV-2 inhibitors only when added together with the virus or early after infection, and both initial processes of virus adsorption and internalization are the main targets of these compounds. Therefore, the variations in antiviral activity of the polysaccharides depending on the viral serotype and the host cell may be ascribed to differences in the virus-cell interaction leading to virus entry.     

The effect of trimethyltin on acetylcholine release in the guinea-pig trachea

The purpose of the present work was to characterise the effects of trimethyltin on the release of acetylcholine from parasympathetic nerves and its effect on the postjunctional cholinergic stimulation of a smooth muscle. The guinea-pig trachea has been used as a model. Prejunctionally, trimethyltin (3.0 × 10⁻³ M) significantly enhanced in a reversible manner the high K⁺ (75 mM) evoked release of endogenous acetylcholine and [³H]acetylcholine. The evoked release of endogenous acetylcholine and [³H]acetylcholine was released from a pool of acetylcholine being independent of extraneuronal Ca²⁺ in the presence, but not in the absence of trimethyltin. The effect of trimethyltin on the release was not inhibited by low Ca²⁺ (0 mM and 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M) or by Ca²⁺ channel blockers (verapamil, 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, flunarizine, 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, ω-conotoxin GVIA, 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ M and ω-agatoxin, 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ M). The present results also demonstrate that trimethyltin induce emptying of a non-vesicular, probably a cytoplasmic storage pool of acetylcholine, since AH5183 (2.0 × 10⁻⁵ M), an inhibitor of the translocation of acetylcholine into synaptic vesicles, and -latrotoxin (1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M), a toxin from black widow spider venom inducing vesicle depletion, had no inhibitory effects on the release of [³H]acetylcholine evoked by trimethyltin (3.0 × 10⁻³ M). The release of [³H]acetylcholine was moreover enhanced by trimethyltin when the vesicular uptake of [³H]acetylcholine was inhibited by AH5183, probably as a result of a higher cytoplasmic concentration of [³H]acetylcholine. Trimethyltin also reduced the neuronal uptake of [³H]choline and this was probably due to a depolarising effect of trimethyltin on the cholinergic nerve terminals. A similar depolarisation induced by trimethyltin was observed during patch clamping of GH₄ C₁ neuronal cells. Postjunctionally, trimethyltin had no effect by itself or on the carbachol-induced smooth muscle contraction, indicating that trimethyltin did not have a general depolarising effect on smooth muscle cells or an effect on muscarinic receptors. Furthermore, the reduced electrical field-induced contraction and the subsequent increase in the basal smooth muscle tension that was observed by addition of trimethyltin was activity-dependent, and was most probably due to emptying of a nervous non-vesicular storage pool of acetylcholine, followed by rapid hydrolysis of acetylcholine by acetyl- and pseudocholinesterases.     

单胺氧化酶抑制剂氯吉灵抑制结肠癌的作用及机制研究

目的：研究单胺氧化酶A （monoamine oxidase A,MAO-A）抑制剂氯吉灵（Clorgyline）对结肠癌细胞增殖、转移的作用,以及其对MAO-A的酶活、MAO-A、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达的影响。方法：MTS法检测不同浓度Clorgyline对结肠癌细胞SW480增殖的作用;划痕实验研究Clorgyline对SW480细胞迁移的影响;Transwell实验研究Clorgyline对SW480细胞侵袭的影响;裸鼠移植瘤模型研究Clorgyline对SW480细胞体内增殖的抑制作用;酶活试剂盒检测Clorgyline对裸鼠移植瘤组织中MAO-A的作用;Western blot检测Clorgyline对裸鼠移植瘤组织中的MAO-A、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达的影响。结果：Clorgyline对SW480细胞增殖有抑制作用,且呈现剂量依赖性;Clorgyline 10 μmol·L^-1和20 μmol·L^-1浓度均能够抑制SW480细胞迁移和侵袭能力,与对照组相比具有显著性差异（P<0.01）;Clorgyline 20和40 mg·kg^-1均能够抑制SW480细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长（P<0.01）,抑制裸鼠移植瘤组织中MAO-A的酶活（P<0.05）,抑制MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白的表达水平,而对MAO-A蛋白的表达水平没有影响。结论：Clorgyline抑制SW480结肠癌细胞的增殖和转移,其机制可能与抑制MAO-A酶活和转移相关蛋白MMP-2、MMP-9的表达有关。     

5-Hydroxytryptamine induces transient Ca influx through Ni-insensitive Ca channels in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

The effects of Ni²⁺, a non-selective cation channel inhibitor, on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)- and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics in rat aortic smooth muscle cells were investigated. Ni²⁺ (1 mM) significantly inhibited the transient increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) induced by Ang II (100 nM) in aortic smooth muscle cells, as measured using fura-2. However, Ni²⁺ did not suppress the transient increase in Ca²⁺ influx induced by 5-HT (10 μM), while significantly suppressed the sustained increase. Ca²⁺ influx evoked by high KCl (80 mM), thapsigargin (TG) (1 μM) or depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ store was almost completely suppressed by Ni²⁺. Ni²⁺ had no effect on 5-HT-induced inositol triphosphate production and Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular store(s). These results suggest that 5-HT, but not Ang II, induces transient Ca²⁺ influx through Ni²⁺-insensitive Ca²⁺ channels, which are distinguishable from the voltage-dependent or store-operated Ca²⁺ channels.     

Distinct effects of ω-toxins and various groups of Ca-entry inhibitors on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and Ca channels of chromaffin cells

The effects of ω-toxins and various Ca²⁺ antagonist subtypes on the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ entry into bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells stimulated via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors or via direct depolarization with K⁺, have been compared. The conditions selected to stimulate the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ entry consisted of a 60-s period of exposure of cells to 100 μM of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium or to 70 mM K⁺. The N-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel blockers ω-conotoxin GVIA and MVIIA (1 μM) inhibited ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ entry stimulated by dimethylphenylpiperazinium or K⁺ by around 25–30%. The P-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker ω-agatoxin IVA (10 nM) did not affect the dimethylphenylpiperazinium nor the K⁺ responses; 1 μM (Q-channel blockade) inhibited both responses by around 50%. The N/P/Q-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker ω-conotoxin MVIIC (1 μM) inhibited the K⁺ evoked ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ entry by 70%, while dimethylphenylpiperazinium was blocked by 50% (P<0.001). The L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers nifedipine, furnidipine, diltiazem or verapamil (3 μM each) inhibited much more the dimethylphenylpiperazinium than the K⁺ response. The dimethylphenylpiperazinium signal was blocked 71, 88, 89, and 53%, respectively, by nifedipine, furnidipine, diltiazem and verapamil, and the K⁺ response by 38, 29, 22, and 10%. Combined ω-conotoxin MVIIC (1 μM) and furnidipine (3 μM) blocked 100% of the K⁺ evoked ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ entry. However, combined ω-conotoxin GVIA (1 μM), and furnidipine left unblocked 50% of the K⁺ response. The ‘wide spectrum' Ca²⁺ channel antagonists flunarizine or dotarizine (3 μM each) blocked the dimethylphenylpiperazinium and the K⁺ responses to a similar extent (50%); cinnarizine (3 μM) inhibited more the dimethylphenylpiperazinium (82%) than the K⁺ response (21%). At 3 μM, the highly lipophilic β-adrenoceptor antagonist (±)-propranolol, reduced by 68% the dimethylphenylpiperazinium signal and by 23% the K⁺ signal. Other high lipophilic β-adrenoceptor antagonists such as metoprolol and labetalol, reduced little the dimethylphenylpiperazinium and the K⁺ responses. The highly lipophilic agent penfluridol blocked the dimethylphenylpiperazinium response by 30% and the K⁺ response by 50%. One of the least lipophilic compounds tested, (+)-lubeluzole, blocked by 40% the dimethylphenylpiperazinium and the K⁺ responses. These data are compatible with the idea that the various ω-toxin peptides used to separate pharmacologically the different voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels expressed by neurones, do not block the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ion channel. In contrast the L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers do block the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ionophore. Lipophilicity of the compounds is not a requirement for Ca²⁺ channel or nicotinic acetylcholine receptor blockade.     

Influenza A virus replication is inhibited in IFN-λ2 and IFN-λ3 transfected or stimulated cells

Interferons lambda (IFN-λ) are the most recently defined members of the class III cytokine family. To investigate whether IFN-λ2 and IFN-λ3 displayed antiviral activity against influenza A virus (IAV), a number of cell lines induced with IFNs - as well as two established cell lines (A549-IFN-λ2 and A549-IFN-λ3) - were infected with IAV. Our results indicate that IFN-λ2 has statistically significant antiviral activity in A549-IFN-λ2 (P=0.0028) although less so than IFN-λ3, which reduced viral titer to 10% (P<0.0001). The reverse was observed for cells treated with IFNs, with IFN-λ2-treated A549 cells inhibiting IAV infection more efficiently than IFN-λ3-treated A549 cells. The antiviral effect on IFN-stimulated cells was most apparent on Vero cells (compared with MDCK and HeLa). Both IFNs significantly inhibited IAV replication and inhibition was observed in a dose-dependent manner, with an optimal IFN concentration of 20 ng/ml. IFN-λ2 was more potent than IFN-λ3 on Vero cells while IFN-λ3 appeared more efficient than IFN-λ2 on MDCK and HeLa cells.     

Blockade of 5-HT(3) receptor with MDL 72222 and Y 25130 reduces beta-amyloid protein (25--35)-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cortical neurons

The present study was performed to examine neuroprotective effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)₃ receptor antagonists against β-amyloid protein (25–35)-, a synthetic 25–35 amyloid peptide, induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cortical neurons. β-Amyloid protein (25–35) produced a concentration-dependent reduction of cell viability, which was significantly reduced by (5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801), an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, verapamil, an L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker, and N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, tropanyl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL72222, 0.1–10 μM) and N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2.]oct-3-yl)-6-chloro-4-ethyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-8-carboxamide hydrochloride (Y25130, 0.05–5 μM), decreased the β-amyloid protein (25–35) (10 μM)-induced neuronal cell death as assessed by a colorimetric 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the number of apoptotic nuclei, evidenced by Hoechst 33342 staining. MDL72222 and Y25130 inhibited the β-amyloid protein (25–35) (10 μM)-induced elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c) and glutamate release, generation of reactive oxygen species, and caspase-3 activity. These neuroprotective effects of MDL72222 (10 μM) and Y25130 (5 μM) were completely blocked by the simultaneous treatment with 100 μM 1-phenylbiguanide, a 5-HT₃ receptor agonist, indicating that the protective effects of these compounds were due to 5-HT₃ receptor blockade. These results suggest that the activation of the 5-HT₃ receptor may be partially involved in β-amyloid protein-induced neurotoxicity, by membrane depolarization for Ca²⁺ influx. Therefore, the blockade of 5-HT₃ receptor with MDL72222 and Y25130, may ameliorate the β-amyloid protein-induced neurotoxicity by interfering with the increase of [Ca²⁺]_c, and then by inhibiting glutamate release, generation of reactive oxygen species and caspase-3 activity.     

Clonidine accumulation in human neuronal cells

After transport across several epithelial barriers including the blood–brain barrier, clonidine interacts with ₂-adrenergic receptors and imidazoline binding sites in the brain. We hypothesized that neuronal cells take up clonidine thereby removing the drug from the extracellular fluid compartment. Uptake of [³H]clonidine into SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was linear for up to 1 min, unaffected by inside directed Na⁺ or Cl⁻ gradients but strongly inhibited by an outside pH of 6.0. The cells accumulated [³H]clonidine 50–70-fold uphill against a concentration gradient. Unlabeled clonidine, guanabenz, imipramine, diphenhydramine, maprotiline, quinine and the endogenous monoamine phenylethylamine (2 mM) strongly inhibited the [³H]clonidine uptake by 60–95%. Tetraethylammonium, choline and N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium had no effect. The accumulation at pH 7.5 was saturable with an apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_t) of 0.7 mM. We conclude that SH-SY5Y cells not only bind clonidine to extracellular receptors but also take up the drug rapidly by a specific and concentrative mechanism.     

Effects of L- and N-type Ca channel antagonists on excitatory amino acid-evoked dopamine release

In thc present study we tested the effect of dihydropyridine (DHP) Ca²⁺ channel antagonists and of ω-conotoxin GVIA on [³H]dopamine (DA) release evoked by the activation of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors in cultures of fetal rat ventral mesencephalon, in order to investigate the role of voltage-sensitive L- and N-type Ca²⁺ channels in these EAA-mediated processes. Micromolar concentrations (10–30 μM) of DHP L-type Ca²⁺ channel antagonists inhibited [³H]DA release evoked by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate, quisqualate or veratridine. [³H]DA release evoked by the L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonist, Bay K 8644, was inhibited by lower concentrations (0.1–1 μM) of the DHP antagonist, nitrendipine, than was the release evoked by EAAs. The DHP antagonist, ( + )-PN 200-110, was more potent than ( − )-PN 200-110 in inhibiting [³H]DA release evoked by Bay K 8644, but the two stereoisomers were equipotent in inhibiting NMDA-evoked release. These results indicate that activation of L-type Ca²⁺ channels is able to evoke [³H]DA release. However activation of L-type channels is not involved in EAA-induced [³H]DA release and therefore inhibition of EAA-induccd [³H]DA release by micromolar concentrations of DHPs must be mediated by actions other than inhibition of L-type Ca²⁺ channels. ω-Conotoxin GVIA (3 μM) had no effect on [³H]DA release evoked by Bay K 8644, indicating that the toxin may selectively inhibit N-type channels in this preparation. ω-Conotoxin GVIA (3 μM) partially inhibited [³H]DA release evoked by NMDA or kainate, suggesting that N-type Ca²⁺ channels could possibly play a role in FAA-mediated responses in these cells.     

Effects of Ca channel blockers on Ca loading induced by metabolic inhibition and hyperkalemia in cardiomyocytes

The effects of the L-type (nifedipine and verapamil) and the T-type (mibefradil) Ca²⁺ channel blockers on the increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) induced by NaCN metabolic inhibition and hyperkalemia were examined in chicken cardiomyocytes using fluorescence imaging with Fura-2. NaCN induced a slow and sustained rise in [Ca²⁺]_i, which was not affected by pretreating the cells for 5 min with nifedipine, verapamil, or mibefradil at 100 nM or 10 μM. Pretreatment of the cells with 10 μM nifedipine, verapamil, or mibefradil for 5 min remarkably inhibited the K⁺-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. These inhibitory effects diminished after 48-h pretreatment with nifedipine or verapamil but not with mibefradil. Ryanodine also induces an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, and this effect was enhanced by 48-h pretreatment of the cells with 10 μM verapamil but not with 10 μM mibefradil. We conclude that the NaCN-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i is independent of the Ca²⁺ influx though the L-type or T-type Ca²⁺ channels. Chronic inhibition of the L-type Ca²⁺ channels but not T-type channels may enhance the ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca²⁺ release, which may be responsible for the development of tolerance to their inhibitory effects on K⁺-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i.     

Cromakalim inhibits contractions of the rat isolated mesenteric bed induced by noradrenaline but not caffeine in Ca-free medium: Evidence for interference with receptor-mediated Ca mobilization

The effects of the K⁺ channel opener cromakalim on phasic contractions induced by noradrenaline and caffeine were studied in the rat isolated mesenteric bed. In the presence of 1.4 mM Ca²⁺, 1-s pulses of noradrenaline increased the perfusion pressure of the preparation concentration dependently (midpoint at 92 ± 10 μM noradrenaline). Cromakalim (0.3 and 1 μM) inhibited these contractions in a non-competitive manner. Contractions elicited by 1-s pulses of noradrenaline (100 μM) were inhibited by the dihydropyridine Ca²⁺ antagonist isradipine by maximally 24 ± 1%, indicating that only a minor component of this contraction depended on Ca²⁺ entry via dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels. Cromakalim was a much more effective inhibitor of these contractions (maximum inhibition by 80%, midpoint of the inhibition curve at 171 ± 15 nM). The effect of cromakalim was stereoselective, inhibited by the sulphonylurea glibenclamide, and abolished in partially depolarizing media (KC1 = 35 and 50 mM). In Ca²⁺-free medium, cromakalim inhibited the contraction induced by noradrenaline (100 μM) by maximally 69 ± 4%, with a midpoint at 58 ± 14 nM. The effect of cromakalim was again stereoselective, inhibited by glibenclamide, and abolished in the presence of 50 mM KC1. Contractions induced by caffeine (10 and 100 μM) were not affected by cromakalim (1 μM). The results indicate that, in rat mesenteric resistance vessels, cromakalim interferes with the ability of noradrenaline, but not caffeine, to mobilize Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores. The antivasoconstrictor effect of cromakalim against noradrenaline is inhibited by glibenclamide and appears to be linked to the ability of cromakalim to hyperpolarize the cell membrane.