PDE4 and PDE5 regulate cyclic nucleotides relaxing effects in human umbilical arteries

Cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) are the main second messengers linked to vasodilatation. They are synthesized by cyclases and degraded by different types of phosphodiesterases (PDE). The effect of PDE inhibition and cyclases stimulation on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; 1 microM) and histamine (10 microM) contracted arteries was analysed. Stimulation of guanylate cyclase or adenylate cyclase relaxed the histamine- and 5-HT-induced contractions indicating that intracellular increase of cyclic nucleotides leads to vasodilatation of the human umbilical artery. We investigated the role of different PDE families in the regulation of this effect. The presence of the different PDE types in human umbilical artery smooth muscle was analysed by RT-PCR and the expression of PDE1B, PDE3A, PDE3B, PDE4C, PDE4D and PDE5A was detected. The unspecific PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 50 microM) relaxed histamine-contracted human umbilical artery on 47.4+/-7.2%. This effect seems to be due to PDE4 and PDE5 inhibition because among the selective PDE inhibitors used only the PDE4 inhibitor (rolipram; 1 microM) and the PDE5 inhibitors (dipyridamole and T0156; 3 microM and 1 microM respectively) induced significant relaxation (39.0+/-8.7, 30.4+/-6.0 and 36.3+/-2.8 respectively). IBMX, dipyridamole and T0156 produced similar relaxation on 5-HT-induced contraction. After forskolin, the addition of IBMX or rolipram increased the effect of the adenylate cyclase stimulator and almost completely relaxed the human umbilical artery contracted by histamine (92.5+/-4.9 and 90.9+/-4.7 respectively), suggesting a main role of PDE4. The data obtained with 5-HT contracted arteries confirmed this, because only rolipram and IBMX significantly increased the forskolin vasodilator effect. The administration of dipyridamole and T0156 after sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced a significant increase of the SNP relaxant effect on histamine-contracted arteries, but PDE1 and PDE3 inhibition did not increase the effect of the guanylate cyclase stimulator. Similar effects were obtained in 5-HT contracted arteries, the SNP induced relaxation was increased by the PDE5 inhibition, but not by PDE1 or PDE3 inhibition. In summary, our results demonstrate that: 1) the increase of cAMP and/or cGMP levels induces relaxation of the human umbilical vascular smooth muscle; 2) four families of PDE are expressed in this smooth muscle: PDE1, PDE3, PDE4 and PDE5; 3) between these families, PDE4 and PDE5 are the key enzymes involved in the regulation of the relaxation associated to cAMP and cGMP, respectively.     

Inhibition by licochalcone A, a novel flavonoid isolated from liquorice root, of IL-1beta-induced PGE2 production in human skin fibroblasts

Licochalcone A, a novel flavonoid isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. In this study, we examined the effect of licochalcone A on the production of chemical mediators such as prostaglandin (PG)E2 and cytokines by interleukin (IL)-1beta in human skin fibroblasts. Licochalcone A (IC50 15.0 nM) inhibited PGE2 production, but not IL-6 and IL-8 production, in response to IL-1beta. NS-398 (IC50 1.6 nM), a COX-2 selective inhibitor, also suppressed the PGE2 production. Furthermore, licochalcone A and NS-398 suppressed PGF(2alpha) production by IL-1beta. However, licochalcone A (1 microM) had no effect on increased levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein in cells. Dexamethasone (100 nM) not only inhibited PGE2, PGF(2alpha), IL-6 and IL-8 production but also strongly suppressed the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein. Licochalcone A had no effect on COX-1-dependent PGE2 production, whereas indometacin (100 nM), a dual inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, was very effective. These results suggest that licochalcone A induces an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of COX-2-dependent PGE2 production. Furthermore, it appears that the inhibitory effect of licochalcone A on PGE2 production in response to IL-1beta is quite different from that of the steroid.     

Elevated cAMP suppresses muscarinic inhibition of L-type calcium current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

We investigated the effect of carbachol (CCh) on L-type Ca2+ current (ICa(L)) enhanced by dialyzed adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and/or bath-applied 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes. At pipette concentrations ([cAMP]pip) from 30 microM to 1 mM, cAMP increased ICa(L) to 25.8 +/- 0.9 microA/cm2 (682 +/- 24.8% increase above control). CCh (100 microM) did not inhibit ICa(L) at any [cAMP]pip. IBMX, a nonselective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, increased ICa(L) maximally at 300 microM IBMX (17.9 +/- 0.7 microA/cm2; 449 +/- 20% increase). CCh (100 microM) inhibited ICa(L) by 92 +/- 9.5% at 30 microM IBMX and 78 +/- 4.6% at 100 microM IBMX; this effect was reduced or absent at higher IBMX concentrations (300 and 1,000 microM). Coadministration of cAMP and IBMX also progressively suppressed inhibition by CCh. CCh had a negligible effect on ICa(L) at 750 microM IBMX in the absence of pipette cAMP and at 50 microM IBMX in the presence of 100 microM [cAMP]pip. ACh-activated K+ current (IK(ACh)) was unchanged in atrial myocytes dialyzed with 100 microM cAMP; this excludes a phosphorylation-dependent desensitization of the muscarinic receptor (mAChR) or Gi by cAMP. LY83583 (100 microM), an inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production, attenuated inhibition of ICa(L) by CCh in the presence of IBMX. 8-Bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP), an activator of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), mimicked CCh in its actions on ICa(L) raised by both cAMP (no significant change) and IBMX (49 +/- 5.1% inhibition). Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of type 1 and 2A phosphatases, blocked inhibition of IBMX-stimulated ICa(L) by either CCh or 8-Br-cGMP. Thus the ability of CCh to inhibit ICa(L) appears caused by cGMP/PKG activation of an okadaic acid-sensitive protein phosphatase, and elevated levels of cAMP protect against this action.     

Role of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in intact canine trachealis.

The role of individual cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes in regulating cAMP and cGMP content in intact canine trachealis was examined using isozyme-selective and nonselective PDE inhibitors. The inhibitors used in this study were characterized previously [Mol. Pharmacol. 37:206-214 (1990)] and included: 1) zaprinast, an inhibitor (Ki = 0.1 microM) of the cGMP-specific PDE (cAMP Km = 135 microM; cGMP Km = 4 microM); 2) SK&F 94120, an inhibitor (Ki = 7 microM) of the cGMP-inhibited PDE (cAMP Km = 0.3 microM; cGMP Km = 8 microM); 3) Ro 20-1724, an inhibitor (Ki = 5 microM) of the cAMP-specific PDE (cAMP Km = 4 microM; cGMP Km = 40 microM); and 4) 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a nonselective PDE inhibitor (IC50 = 1-30 microM). In addition to the aforementioned isozymes, canine trachealis contains a Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE (cAMP Km = 1 microM; cGMP Km = 2 microM) and a GMP-stimulated PDE (cAMP Km = 93 microM; cGMP Km = 60 microM), for which selective inhibitors are not available. Isolated canine trachealis strips were contracted with methacholine and exposed to various concentrations of PDE inhibitors, before being relaxed by the cumulative addition of isoproterenol, an adenylate cyclase activator, or sodium nitroprusside, a guanylate cyclase activator. At the completion of the concentration-response studies, tissues were flash-frozen and assayed for cyclic nucleotide content. Neither isoproterenol-induced relaxation nor cAMP accumulation was altered by zaprinast, but both of these responses were potentiated by pretreatment of tissues with either SK&F 94120 or Ro 20-1724. The effects of SK&F 94120 and Ro 20-1724 were additive, and the combination of SK&F 94120, Ro-1724, and IBMX had no greater effect on the responses to isoproperenol than did either IBMX alone or the combination of SK&F 94120 plus Ro 20-1724. In contrast, zaprinast potentiated sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation and cGMP accumulation, whereas neither SK&F 94120 nor Ro 20-1724 altered these responses. IBMX produced a greater potentiation than did zaprinast, and the combination of zaprinast and IBMX had a greater effect than either agent alone. The results of this study suggest that the cGMP-inhibited and cAMP-specific PDEs are responsible for cAMP hydrolysis in intact canine trachealis, whereas cGMP hydrolysis is mediated by the cGMP-specific PDE as well as the Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE and/or the cGMP-stimulated PDE.     

Characterization of guinea-pig eosinophil phosphodiesterase activity. Assessment of its involvement in regulating superoxide generation.

Experiments have been performed to characterize guinea-pig peritoneal eosinophil cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and establish whether it is involved in regulating superoxide (.O2-) generation. Eosinophils were found to contain a predominantly membrane-bound cAMP PDE(s) (92.5 +/- 2.4% of total activity) which was resistant to solubilization with Triton X-100 (1%). This particulate PDE exhibited complex kinetics (Km = 1.3 and 31.4 microM) and was unaffected by cGMP (IC50 greater than 100 microM) or CaCl2 (2 mM) + calmodulin (10 units/mL). Little cGMP PDE activity was detected in either the soluble or particulate fractions. Inhibitors of the Ro-20-1724-inhibited (Type IV) cAMP PDE, namely Ro-20-1724 (IC50 = 0.92 +/- 0.43 microM), rolipram (IC50 = 0.20 +/- 0.04 microM) and denbufylline (IC50 = 0.20 +/- 0.01 microM), potently inhibited the particulate cAMP PDE, as did the non-selective inhibitors trequinsin (IC50 = 0.11 +/- 0.02 microM) and AH-21-132 (IC50 = 2.57 +/- 0.02 microM). Eosinophil cAMP PDE was resistant to SK&F 94120 (IC50 greater than 1000 microM), the cGMP-inhibited (Type III) cAMP PDE inhibitor, and the cGMP PDE (Type I) inhibitor, zaprinast, was only weakly active (IC50 = 35.33 +/- 10.74 microM). .O2- release from resting cells was potently inhibited by rolipram (IC50 = 0.05 +/- 0.03 microM) and denbufylline (IC50 = 0.06 +/- 0.04 microM) but surprisingly, in view of its potent cAMP PDE inhibitory activity, was only weakly decreased by trequinsin (IC50 = 8.0 +/- 2.7 microM). AH-21-132 (IC50 greater than 10 microM), SK&F 94120 (IC50 greater than 10 microM) and zaprinast (IC50 greater than 10 microM) were without effect. Rolipram and denbufylline alone exerted little effect on cAMP in intact cells but, in the presence of 10 microM isoprenaline, potently increased intracellular accumulation (EC50 = 0.45 +/- 0.16 and 0.28 +/- 0.08 microM, respectively). Trequinsin and AH-21-132 only weakly enhanced isoprenaline-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Although it induced a marked rise in cAMP only in the presence of isoprenaline, rolipram (50 microM) alone was able to increase the activity ratio of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from 0.24 to 0.84. The results suggest that Ro-20-1724-inhibited cAMP PDE plays a role in regulating eosinophil .O2- generation. The poor correlation between the PDE inhibitory actions of certain compounds and their effectiveness in elevating cAMP and inhibiting .O2- suggests the existence of a barrier impeding access to the enzyme.     

Effects of the triazolopyrimidine trapidil on force of contraction, beating frequency and phosphodiesterase I--IV activity in guinea-pig hearts.

The effects of the triazolopyrimidine trapidil (5-methyl-7-diethylamino-s-triazolo [1,5-alpha]pyrimidine, CAS 15421-84-8) on force of contraction, beating frequency and phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity were investigated in isolated preparations from guinea-pig hearts. The effects of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), theophylline and milrinone were studied for comparison. Trapidil exerted a concentration-dependent (1000-3000 mumol(s)/l) positive inotropic effect (EC50 562.4 mumol(s)/l) in guinea-pig papillary muscles. The positive inotropic effect was accompanied by a shortening of the duration of contraction as described for IBMX, or isoprenaline. The efficacy of trapidil was lower than that of IBMX or milrinone. Both agents maximally enhanced force of contraction to a 3fold (milrinone) or even 6fold greater amount (IBMX). The potency of trapidil was almost in the same order of magnitude as that of milrinone. The positive inotropic effect of trapidil is at least partially due to a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent mechanism because carbachol antagonized the increase in force of contraction. Trapidil concentration-dependently but nonselectively inhibited the activities of cAMP PDE isoenzymes I-IV as did theophylline or IBMX. Based on IC50 values (275 mumol(s)/l on the average) trapidil had a potency similar to that of theophylline while IBMX was about one order of magnitude more potent. Regarding the inhibition of PDE III, IBMX was 49fold and milrinone 114fold more potent than trapidil. Trapidil revealed only a marginal positive chronotropic effect. The frequency of spontaneously beating right auricles was increased by 13% at most. Trapidil did not produce any tachyarrhythmias or contractures. It is concluded that the positive inotropic effect of trapidil is mainly due to PDE inhibition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Modulation of bradykinin responses in airway smooth muscle by epithelial enzymes

We have studied the effect of epithelium removal on responses of guinea pig trachea to bradykinin (BK). BK (1 nM - 10 microM) gave a concentration-dependent relaxation when epithelium was present (E+: EC50 = 10 +/- 3 nM). Epithelium removal resulted in a biphasic response to BK with relaxation at low concentrations (E-: EC50 = 3.0 +/- 1.0 nM) and a recontraction to baseline at higher concentrations (EC50 = 2.0 +/- 1 microM). Phosphoramidon (10 microM), an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), which cleaves BK into inactive peptides, potentiated relaxation (EC50 = 1.0 +/- 0.9 nM in E+ and E respectively) and contraction in trachea with intact epithelium (EC50 = 0.08 +/- 0.03 microM). Inhibition of cyclooxygenase by indomethacin (5 microM), inhibited relaxation to BK in E+ tracheal segments, resulting in a slight contraction (EC50 = 1.0 microM), whereas a potent contractile response was observed in E- segments (EC50 1.6 microM, maximal contraction greater than 1 g). In the presence of both indomethacin and phosphormidon BK caused contraction, even in the presence of epithelium (EC50 = 0.2 +/- 0.11 microM), and the response in the absence of epithelium was similar to the response observed in trachea with intact epithelium (EC50 = 0.25 +/- 0.1 microM). The contractile effect of BK on airway smooth muscle may be inhibited by a protective role of epithelium, due to release of relaxant prostanoids and by degradation by epithelial NEP. In asthma, bronchoconstrictor responses to BK may be partly explained by loss of airway epithelium.     

Effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced relaxation of isolated guinea-pig trachea.

The relaxant effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was investigated in isolated guinea-pig trachea in the presence of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, papaverine and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and the results were compared to those obtained with the cyclic AMP-dependent bronchodilators, isoproterenol and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The relaxant effect of VIP was greater when the magnitude of the leukotriene D4 (LTD4)-induced contraction was smaller. A similar effect was also observed for the relaxation induced by isoproterenol but not by PGE2. In the presence of papaverine (1 microM) and IBMX (3 microM), which reduced the 30 nM LTD4-induced contraction to the same extent, the relaxant effect of VIP was not changed, whereas the relaxant effects of isoproterenol and PGE2 were significantly potentiated. The potentiating effect of PDE inhibitors was also observed for the relaxation induced by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, but not for the relaxation induced by the guanylate cyclase activator, sodium nitroprusside. These results suggest that the relaxation induced by VIP is different from that induced by cyclic AMP-dependent bronchodilator in the guinea-pig trachea.     

Inhibitory effects of licochalcone A isolated from Glycyrrhiza inflata root on inflammatory ear edema and tumour promotion in mice

Licochalcone A, 3-a,a-dimethylallyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-6-methoxychalcone, from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata Beta (Leguminosae) (Xin-jiang liquorice) showed anti-inflammatory action towards mouse ear edema induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) by topical application. Anti-tumour promoting action of licochalcone A was also observed in vivo for mouse skin papilloma initiated by dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and promoted by TPA. It inhibited in vitro 32Pi-incorporation to phospholipids in HeLa cells promoted by TPA. A competitive interaction of licochalcone A with the TPA-receptors in the cell membrane has been suggested.     

Prevention by phosphodiesterase inhibitors of antigen-induced contraction of guinea-pig colonic smooth muscle.

1. The ability of various phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors to reduce the initial and/or late response to ovalbumin (OVA) in isolated strips of guinea-pig colonic smooth muscle from sensitized animals was examined. 2. Both the initial and late responses to OVA (0.05 mg ml-1) were inhibited by the non-selective PDE inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX, EC50 = 26.0 and 6.1 microM, respectively), and the selective inhibitors of low Km cyclic AMP specific PDE (PDE IV), (R)- and (S)-rolipram. The (S)-isomer (EC50 = approximately 1.0 microM for both responses) was about 10 fold less potent than the (R)-isomer (EC50 = approximately 0.1 microM for both responses). 3. Zaprinast, a selective inhibitor of the cyclic GMP-specific PDE (PDE V) inhibited only the late response (EC50 = 1.4 microM). 4. SK&F 94120, a selective inhibitor of the cyclic GMP-inhibited low Km cyclic AMP PDE (PDE III), inhibited the initial response (45.9 +/- 11.9%, P < 0.05) at the highest concentration tested (100 microM), and had no effect on the late response. 5. The results suggest that PDE inhibitors, especially PDE IV inhibitors, can attenuate the contractile response of guinea-pig colon to OVA.     

Anti-proliferative effect of licochalcone A on vascular smooth muscle cells

Licochalcone A, a flavonoid found in licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), is known for its anti-microbial activity and its reported ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. In the present study, we investigated whether licochalcone A inhibits rat vascular smooth muscle cell (rVSMC) proliferation. Our data indicate that 5 microM licochalcone A inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced rVSMC proliferation, possibly through its ability to block the progression of the cell cycle from G1 to S phase. In addition, 5 microM licochalcone A significantly inhibited the PDGF-induced expression of cyclin A, cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4, and the phosphorylation of Rb. Licochalcone A also reversed the decrease in p27(kip1) expression reduced by PDGF. Finally, licochalcone A inhibited the PDGF-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. Together, these data provide the first evidence that licochalcone A can regulate rVSMC proliferation and suggest that licochalcone A inhibits the proliferation of rVSMCs by suppressing the PDGF-induced activation of the ERK1/2 pathway and Rb phosphorylation, resulting in cell cycle arrest.     

Regulation of cyclic AMP metabolism in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

The capacity of cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells to metabolize and export cyclic AMP has been studied. Basal cellular cyclic AMP levels were increased 50% by 100 microM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and rolipram, a class IV (cyclic AMP-specific) phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. They were not affected by inhibition of class I (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent), class III (cyclic GMP-inhibited) or class V PDE (cyclic GMP-specific) with vinpocetine or 3-isobutyl-8-methoxymethyl-1-methylxanthine (8-methoxymethyl-IBMX), SK&F 94120, or MB 22,948, respectively, all at 100 microM. Furthermore, only IBMX and rolipram enhanced the cyclic AMP response to 0.3 microM forskolin. Rolipram had an EC50 of < or = 1 microM and was equally effective at 100 microM and 1 mM. IBMX enhanced cyclic AMP levels significantly more at 1 mM than at 100 microM. Neither vinpocetine nor 8-methoxymethyl-IBMX (100 microM) enhanced the Ca(2+)-dependent cyclic AMP response to K+ depolarization. Elevation of cyclic GMP levels with sodium nitroprusside (10 or 100 microM), to activate any cyclic GMP-stimulated class II PDE and to inhibit any cyclic GMP-inhibited class III PDE, also had no effect on basal or forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP levels. In the presence of IBMX (1 mM), forskolin (5 microM) caused a rapid and large increase in cellular cyclic AMP levels which was maximal after about 5 min and declined slightly over 3 hr. Over this period, extracellular cyclic AMP levels rose almost linearly reaching levels 2-3 times those in the cells. The results indicate bovine adrenal medullary cells have a high capacity for sustained cyclic AMP export. Furthermore, two PDE isozymes appear to degrade cyclic AMP in these cells, a rolipram-sensitive, cyclic AMP-specific, class IV isozyme and a rolipram-insensitive isoform.     

Relaxation of guinea-pig trachea by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors and their enhancement by sodium nitroprusside.

1. The effects of agents that elevate either cyclic AMP (the phosphodiesterase (PDE) III inhibitor siguazodan, salbutamol) or cyclic GMP (sodium nitroprusside (SNP)) on the relaxant activity of the PDE IV inhibitor, rolipram, were investigated in carbachol (0.1 microM) precontracted guinea-pig tracheal sheets. 2. Rolipram, siguazodan and SNP caused concentration-related reductions in tone of tissues precontracted with 0.1 microM carbachol (EC50 values 12.5; 2.73 and 0.35 microM respectively). Whilst the concentration-response relationship for the PDE III inhibitor, siguazodan, was monophasic that of the PDE IV inhibitor, rolipram, was biphasic. 3. The relaxant activity of rolipram was markedly enhanced in the presence of 10 microM siguazodan (EC50 < 0.01 microM), 0.1 microM salbutamol (EC50 0.03 microM) and 0.3 microM SNP (EC50 0.03 microM). In contrast, the relaxant activity of siguazodan was unaffected by SNP and only modestly enhanced by rolipram (10 microM) and salbutamol (0.1 microM). 4. The relaxant activity of SNP was enhanced by the PDE V inhibitor SK&F 96231 (30 microM: EC50 0.06 microM) and rolipram (30 microM, EC50 0.08 microM) but was unaffected by 30 microM siguazodan. 5. At concentrations up to 10 microM, neither siguazodan nor rolipram elevated tracheal cyclic AMP levels. However, the combination of 10 microM rolipram and siguazodan caused a two fold increase in the cyclic AMP content (from 2.19 to 4.36 pmol cyclic AMP mg-1 protein). SNP (0.1-10 microM) failed to produce a significant increase in tracheal cyclic AMP levels. At 0.1 microM the effect of SNP on tracheal cyclic AMP levels was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the presence of rolipram but not siguadozan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lidocaine potentiates the relaxant effects of cAMP-elevating agents in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

The effect of lidocaine on the relaxation and accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) induced by salbutamol, forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) was examined in bovine tracheal smooth muscle preparations precontracted with methacholine (0.3 microM). Lidocaine attenuated the methacholine-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment of the preparations with lidocaine (100 microM) caused significant leftwards shifts of concentration/response curves for the relaxant responses to salbutamol, forskolin, and IBMX, whereas it did not change the responses to diltiazem. Similar leftwards shifts were observed when the preparations were treated with procaine (6 microM) or bupivacaine (40 microM). Lidocaine (100 microM) augmented cAMP accumulation induced by salbutamol (10 nM) and forskolin (1 microM). These results suggest that lidocaine augments the relaxant responses to cAMP-elevating agents through enhancement of cAMP accumulation.     

Selective inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase III activity by the cardiotonic agent saterinone in guinea pig myocardium

The effects of saterinone [+/-)-1,2-dihydro-5-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propoxy] phenyl]-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridine-carbonitrile, BDF 8634) on force of contraction, beating frequency, and on phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity were investigated in isolated preparations from guinea pig hearts. The effects of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and milrinone were studied for comparison. Saterinone exerted a concentration-dependent (1-30 mumol/l) positive inotropic effect (EC50 = 9.1 mumol/l) in guinea pig papillary muscles. The drug was more potent in increasing force of contraction than was milrinone, but its efficacy was only half as great as that of milrinone. Also IBMX revealed an about 4-fold greater positive inotropic efficacy than saterinone. This study provides functional evidence that the positive inotropic effect of saterinone is at least partially due to a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent mechanism because carbachol antagonized the increase in force of contraction completely. In order to elucidate a possible mechanism of action of saterinone its effects on cardiac cAMP PDE activity were investigated. Saterinone selectively and potently inhibited the isoenzyme III of PDE (IC50 = 0.06 mumol/l). The mean IC50-values for the inhibition of PDE I and II were 323-fold greater. Thus, saterinone proved to be a selective inhibitor of "low-Km, cAMP specific" PDE III. Saterinone revealed only a moderate positive chronotropic effect. The beating frequency of guinea pig spontaneously beating right auricles was augmented by 26.4% at most, that is half as much as the effect of isoprenaline at a similarly effective positive inotropic concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

胀果甘草药渣总黄酮和甘草查尔酮A的制备及其体外抗肿瘤活性研究

目的 研究胀果甘草药渣总黄酮和其指标性成分甘草查尔酮A的制备及其体外抗肿瘤活性。方法 利用大孔树脂柱色谱、聚酰胺柱色谱等方法,制备甘草药渣总黄酮,并结合色谱法和波谱法分离鉴定指标性甘草查尔酮A,应用HPLC法测定了总黄酮中甘草查尔酮A。应用A549、H1792、Calu-1 3种人癌细胞系,采用MTT法和流式细胞术法系统评价甘草药渣总黄酮和甘草查尔酮A的体外抗肿瘤活性和作用机制。结果 制备得到甘草药渣总黄酮,并从中分离鉴定了特征性指标性成分甘草查尔酮A,测定其在甘草药渣总黄酮中质量分数为7.41%。甘草药渣总黄酮和甘草查尔酮A对A549、H1792、Calu-1人癌细胞系均具有显著的抑制活性,可诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡。经流式细胞术检测,推测其作用机制为诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡。结论 甘草查尔酮A为胀果甘草药渣总黄酮发挥体外抗肿瘤活性的有效成分。     

Further investigation into the signal transduction mechanism of the 5-HT4-like receptor in the circular smooth muscle of human colon.

1. The nature of the receptor coupling mechanism of the 5-hydroxytryptamine4 (5-HT4) receptor in the circular smooth muscle of the human colon has been further investigated. 2. 5-HT stimulated cyclic AMP generation and caused a relaxation in a concentration-dependent fashion, with EC50 values of 175.5 and 274.9 nM respectively. DAU 6236 increased cyclic AMP formation and caused a relaxant effect but was a partial agonist relative to 5-HT. 3. The 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, GR 113808, inhibited cyclic AMP formation and relaxation induced by 5-HT with -log Ki values of 9.1 (cyclic AMP) and 8.9 (relaxation) and apparent pA2 values of 9.2 (cyclic AMP) and 9.5 (relaxation). 4. Ondansetron and methysergide failed to inhibit cyclic AMP formation or the relaxation induced by 5-HT. 5. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX, produced a concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 30 microM) and at 1 microM it enhanced the 5-HT-induced relaxation producing a leftward shift of the 5-HT concentration-effect curve with a concentration-ratio of 4.1. Rolipram caused a concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 564.8 nM) and at 200 nm caused a leftward shift of the concentration-effect curve to 5-HT with a concentration-ratio of 5.5. 6. Application of the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, SQ 22536 (0.1 mM), and the protein kinase inhibitors, H7 (100 nM) and H89 (200 nM), inhibited the relaxant effect of 5-HT inducing a rightward shift of the concentration-effect curve with concentration-ratios of 10.1, 2.7 and 4.2 respectively. 7. Forskolin stimulated cyclic AMP production and caused a relaxation. The maximum relaxant effect of forskolin (6 microM, 13.8 +/- 1.9 cm.s) was not significantly different from the maximum relaxant effect of 5-HT (10 microM, 12.7 +/- 4.9 cm.s). However, the cyclic AMP levels stimulated by forskolin (6 microM, 49.3 +/- 6.6 pmol mg-1) were markedly greater than those stimulated by 5-HT (10 microM, 7.6 +/- 2.0 pmol mg-1). 8. In conclusion, these results indicate that the 5-HT4 receptors of the circular smooth muscle of human colon mediate relaxation and inhibition of spontaneous contractions via activation of adenylyl cyclase, formation of cyclic AMP and activation of protein kinase A.     

Correlation between hydrophobicity of N-alkylxanthine derivatives and their biological activities on guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle

Cyclic (c) AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitory activities of N-alkylxanthine derivatives (3-methyl-,3-ethyl-,3-propyl-,3-butyl-,1,3-dimethyl-,1-methyl-3-ethyl-,1-methyl - 3-propyl- and 1-methyl-3-butyl xanthines) and their relaxant effects on carbachol-induced contraction and on resting tone guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle have been investigated. The PDE inhibition constant (Ki) and the concentration producing 50% tracheal smooth muscle relaxation in-vitro (EC50) were determined. Significant correlations between the -log Ki values and the -log EC50 values on the carbachol-induced contraction or on the resting tone were found (r = 0.902 and 0.892). The apparent partition coefficient (P) between n-octanol and pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was measured as an index of hydrophobicity of the xanthine derivatives. There were significant correlations between log P and both -log EC50 values and between the log P and -log Ki values. These findings suggest that the cAMP PDE inhibitory activity of N-alkylxanthine derivatives contributes to the mechanism of bronchodilatory action, and that an increase in hydrophobicity of the xanthine molecule enhances the biological activity.     

Mechanisms of relaxant action of 3-O-methylquercetin in isolated guinea pig trachea

We investigated the mechanisms of action of 3-O-methylquercetin (3-MQ), isolated from Rhamnus nakaharai (Hayata) Hayata (Rhamnaceae) which is used as a folk medicine for treating constipation, inflammation, tumors and asthma in Taiwan. The tension changes of tracheal segments were isometrically recorded on a polygraph. 3-MQ concentration-dependently relaxed histamine (30 microM)-, carbachol (0.2 microM)- and KCl (30 mM)-induced precontractions, and inhibited cumulative histamine-, and carbachol-induced contractions in a non-competitive manner. 3-MQ also concentration-dependently and non-competitively inhibited cumulative Ca(2+)-induced contractions in depolarized (K(+), 60 mM) guinea-pig trachealis. The nifedipine (10 microM)-remaining tension of histamine (30 microM)-induced precontraction was further relaxed by 3-MQ, suggesting that no matter whether VDCCs were blocked or not, 3-MQ may have other mechanisms of relaxant action. The relaxant effect of 3-MQ was unaffected by the removal of epithelium or by the presence of propranolol (1 microM), 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (10 microM), methylene blue (25 microM), glibenclamide (10 microM), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (20 microM), or alpha-chymotrypsin (1 U/ml). However, 3-MQ (7.5 - 15 microM) and IBMX (3 - 6 microM), a positive control, produced parallel and leftward shifts of the concentration-response curve of forskoline (0.01 - 3 microM) or nitroprusside (0.01 - 30 microM). 3-MQ or IBMX at various concentrations (10 - 300 microM) concentration-dependently and significantly inhibited cAMP- and cGMP-PDE activities of the trachealis. The IC50 values of 3-MQ were estimated to be 13.8 and 14.3 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effects of 3-MQ on both enzyme activities were not significantly different from those of IBMX, a non-selective PDE inhibitor. The above results reveal that the mechanisms of relaxant action of 3-MQ may be due to its inhibitory effects on both PDE activities and its subsequent reducing effect on [Ca(2+)]i of the trachealis.3-MQ:3-O-methylquercetinIBMX:3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthineVDCCs:voltage dependent calcium channelscAMP:adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatecGMP:guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatePDE:phosphodiesteraseWe investigated the mechanisms of action of 3-O-methylquercetin (3-MQ), isolated from Rhamnus nakaharai (Hayata) Hayata (Rhamnaceae) which is used as a folk medicine for treating constipation, inflammation, tumors and asthma in Taiwan. The tension changes of tracheal segments were isometrically recorded on a polygraph. 3-MQ concentration-dependently relaxed histamine (30 microM)-, carbachol (0.2 microM)- and KCl (30 mM)-induced precontractions, and inhibited cumulative histamine-, and carbachol-induced contractions in a non-competitive manner. 3-MQ also concentration-dependently and non-competitively inhibited cumulative Ca(2+)-induced contractions in depolarized (K(+), 60 mM) guinea-pig trachealis. The nifedipine (10 microM)-remaining tension of histamine (30 microM)-induced precontraction was further relaxed by 3-MQ, suggesting that no matter whether VDCCs were blocked or not, 3-MQ may have other mechanisms of relaxant action. The relaxant effect of 3-MQ was unaffected by the removal of epithelium or by the presence of propranolol (1 microM), 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (10 microM), methylene blue (25 microM), glibenclamide (10 microM), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (20 microM), or alpha-chymotrypsin (1 U/ml). However, 3-MQ (7.5 - 15 microM) and IBMX (3 - 6 microM), a positive control, produced parallel and leftward shifts of the concentration-response curve of forskoline (0.01 - 3 microM) or nitroprusside (0.01 - 30 microM). 3-MQ or IBMX at various concentrations (10 - 300 microM) concentration-dependently and significantly inhibited cAMP- and cGMP-PDE activities of the trachealis. The IC50 values of 3-MQ were estimated to be 13.8 and 14.3 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effects of 3-MQ on both enzyme activities were not significantly different from those of IBMX, a non-selective PDE inhibitor. The above results reveal that the mechanisms of relaxant action of 3-MQ may be due to its inhibitory effects on both PDE activities and its subsequent reducing effect on [Ca(2+)]i of the trachealis.3-MQ:3-O-methylquercetinIBMX:3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthineVDCCs:voltage dependent calcium channelscAMP:adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatecGMP:guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphatePDE:phosphodiesterase