Correlation between inhibition of (Na+, K+)-membrane-ATPase and positive inotropic activity of cardenolides in isolated papillary muscles of guinea pig

Summary Concentrations of 17 cardenolides, cardenolide glucuronides and sulfates producing halfmaximal inhibition of (Na⁺, K⁺)-membrane-ATPase from different organs and animal species were determined in vitro. In addition the concentrations that increased the contractility of guinea pig isolated papillary muscles to a particular level were investigated. Comparisons between ATPase-inhibiting and positive inotropic cardiac activities showed extensive parallelism: the correlation coefficients after log/log transformation were between 0.92 and 0.97. The same close correlations are found if dissociation constants of cardenolide receptor complexes and concentrations causing ⁸⁶Rb-uptake inhibition in human erythrocytes are examined.The concentrations necessary for inhibition of (Na⁺, K⁺)-membrane-ATPase of the guinea pig heart and the concentrations required to achieve a defined positive inotropic effect in guinea pig papillary muscle showed a log/log correlation coefficient of 0.97 (P<0.001). In both tests the potencies covered more than three orders of magnitude. The results support Repke's hypothesis on the digitalis receptor.     

Effects of monovalent cations on cardiac Na+, K+-ATPase activity and on contractile force

Summary The relationship between Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibition by monovalent cations and their inotropic effect was studied in guinea pig hearts. The activity of partially purified cardiac enzyme was assayed in the presence of 5.8 mM KCl and either 20 or 150 mM NaCl. Rb⁺ and Tl⁺ inhibited Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, the magnitude of the inhibition by these cations being greater in the assay media containing lower Na⁺ concentrations. Tl⁺ produced a dose-dependent inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in the presence of 20 mM Na⁺ and 75 mM K⁺, a cationic condition similar to that of intracellular fluid. Other monovalent cations such as K⁺, Cs⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺ or Li⁺ produced essentially no effect on the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity or slightly stimulated it. In left atrial strips stimulated with field electrodes and bathed in Krebs-Henseleit solution (5.8 mM K⁺ and 145 mM Na⁺), addition of Cs⁺ failed to alter the isometric contractile force significantly. NH₄ ⁺ and K⁺ caused a transient positive inotropic effect which was partially blocked by propranolol. The positive inotropic response to K⁺ was followed by a negative inotropic response. Rb⁺ produced a sustained, dose-dependent inotropic response reaching a plateau at 1–2 min, whereas Tl⁺ produced a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect which developed slowly over a 30-min period. The positive inotropic effects produced by Rb⁺ and Tl⁺ were insensitive to propranolol pretreatment. Concentrations of Tl⁺ and cardiac glycosides which produce similar inotropic effects appear to cause the same degree of Na⁺-pump inhibition. The onset of the positive inotropic response to Rb⁺ or Tl⁺ was not dependent on the number of contractions which is in contrast to the cardiac glycoside-induced inotropic response. Substitution of 20 mM LiCl for an equimolar amount of NaCl in Krebs-Henseleit solution produced a significantly greater inotropic response than that observed when sucrose was substituted for NaCl. It appears that, among monovalent cations, only sodium pump inhibitors produce a sustained positive inotropic response.     

Quabain: Temporal relationship between the inotropic effect and the in vitro binding to,and dissociation from, (Na++K+)-activated ATPase

Summary The time course of the inotropic response to ouabain in Langendorff preparations was compared with that of the in vitro ATP-dependent (³H)-ouabain binding to cardiac (Na⁺+K⁺)-activated ATPase preparations, and subsequent dissociation, to determine the temporal relationship between the inotropic response and (Na⁺+K⁺)-activated ATPase inhibition.Species differences were minimal either in the onset of inotropic response or the (³H)-ouabain binding. The rates of both loss of the inotropic response to ouabain during washout and the dissociation of the ouabain-enzyme complex, however, were rapid in guinea pig and rabbit (relatively ouabain-insensitive species) and slow in cat and dog (ouabain-sensitive species). The half-time of the loss of the inotropic response was similar to the half-time of the dissociation of the ouabain-enzyme complex in each species.Since ATP-dependent binding of cardiac glycosides has been related to enzyme inhibition, it was concluded that the time course of the inotropic response to ouabain parallels the time course of (Na⁺+K⁺)-activated ATPase inhibition, and that the dissociation of ouabain from the enzyme may terminate the inotropic response.A part of this study was presented at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the International Study Group for Research in Cardiac Metabolism, Winnipeg, Manitoba, June, 1972.     

Effect of the digitoxigenin derivative, INCICH-D7, on Na+, K+-ATPase

Compound 14beta,17beta-cycloketoester-3beta-OH androstane (INCICH-D7) is a semisynthetic product of a structural modification of the digitoxigenin molecule. INCICH-D7 has a heterocyclic ketoester type fusion between positions C14 and C17 of the steroid nucleus, which confers this molecule stronger electronegativity than that of digitoxigenin. INCICH-D7 retained positive inotropic effect, with a greater safety margin, when compared to digitoxigenin and ouabain. In this study we have examinated the INCICH-D7 effect on Na+, K+-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (Na+, K+-ATPase) and compared these results with the ones observed with digitoxigenin and ouabain. The inhibitory effect of INCICH-D7 on Na+, K+-ATPase was five times lower (IC50=4 microM) than that of ouabain (IC50=0.8 microM) and 70 times lower than that of digitoxigenin (IC50=0.06 microM). The inhibitory effect of INCICH-D7 and ouabain on the enzyme was irreversible while digitoxigenin's one was reversible in up to an 80%. Our results indicate that inclusion of the heterocycle between positions C14 and C17 in the digitoxigenin molecule lowers significantly the inhibitory effect on Na+, K+-ATPase and renders the interaction between INCICH-D7 and enzyme irreversible under the studied reaction conditions.     

Palytoxin binds to and inhibits kidney and erythrocyte Na+, K+-ATPase

Summary Hog kidney Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, purified to the microsomal stage and activated with detergent, binds palytoxin, as shown by the nearly complete competition of the toxin with ³H-ouabain. The K _i-values of palytoxin, but not of ouabain, depend on the protein concentration; this indicates additional binding sites for the toxin on kidney membranes. — Palytoxin inhibits the enzymatic activity of the detergent-activated preparation nearly completely (IC₅₀ 8·10^–7 mol/l). Inhibition of ATPase activity and of ouabain binding are promoted by borate, a known activator of palytoxin. — Palytoxin also inhibits the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase of erythrocyte ghosts in the same dose range.The data are discussed in context with the hypothesis (Chhatwal et al. 1983) that palytoxin raises the cellular permeability by altering the state of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase or its environment.Part of the thesis (Dr. rer. nat.) of H. Böttinger     

The relationship between Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition and cardiac glycoside-induced arrhythmia in dogs

Summary In order to determine if there is a relationship between Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibition and cardiac glycoside-induced arrhythmia, the time course of the onset and offset of the arrhythmia induced by the semi-synthetic glycoside, actodigin, and the enzyme activity during arrhythmia and following reversion to normal sinus rhythm was studied in the intact, anesthetized dog. An infusion of actodigin (AY 22,241) at the rate of 0.1 mol/kg/min for 30 min induced a severe and persistent arrhythmia within 13.1±1.2 min in 9 dogs. Upon termination of the actodigin infusion, the arrhythmia spontaneously converted to sinus rhythm within 17.5±2.3 min. Left ventricular tissue was taken from dogs sacrificed at the peak of the actodigin-induced arrhythmic periods or from the dogs that were allowed to recover from the actodigin-induced arrhythmia. These samples were homogenized and the membrane-containing fraction was passed through a Millipore filter. The membrane fraction trapped in the filter was the assayed for Na⁺+K⁺ stimulate, Mg²⁺ dependent ATPase activity. The results showed that, in comparison to the time matched control dogs, the cardiac microsomes prepared from the arrhythmic dogs had a markedly reduced Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. On the other hand, actodigin-treated dogs that were allowed to recover from the arrhythmic episode had Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity that was not significantly different from the control values.The amount of ³H-actodigin bound by the cardiac muscle microsomal fraction was also investigated. The microsomes from left ventricle were isolated with a slight modification of the method of Dutta et al. (1968). The microsomal binding of ³H-actodigin was maximum at 30 min (26.6 pmol/mg protein) when the sample was prepared from the dogs at the peak of the arrhythmic effect. However, the binding was significantly reduced (11.5 pmol/mg protein) in the microsomal fraction from hearts that had returned to sinus rhythm. These data provide direct evidence that inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and cardiac glycosideinduced arrhythmia may have some cause and effect relationship.This investigation was supported in part by the United States Public Health Services Research Grant HE 07051 and The Central Ohio Heart Association GrantA report of this study has been presented in the spring meetings of FASEB, April, 1974, Atlantic City, New Jersey and submitted by J. H. Zavecz in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Ohio State University     

Chronic digoxin treatment on canine myocardial Na+, K+-ATPase

Summary In order to determine whether a prolonged inhibition of cardiac Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase causes a compensatory or adaptive change in this enzyme, the relationships among serum digoxin concentration, binding of digoxin to the enzyme and cardiac Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and sodium pump activity were studied in dogs chronically treated with digoxin. Digoxin was injected intravenously twice daily up to 4 weeks. Two hours after the injection of a single non-toxic dose of digoxin, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and sodium pump activities were inhibited quantitatively in a manner corresponding to the binding of digoxin to the enzyme. The magnitude of sodium pump inhibition was reduced 12 h after the digoxin injection, with simultaneous decreases in serum digoxin concentration and the binding of digoxin to the enzyme. After 1 or 4 weeks of digoxin treatment with non-toxic doses, the relationships among serum digoxin concentration, binding of digoxin to cardiac Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and the degree of cardiac Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase or sodium pump inhibition remained unchanged. The magnitude of the inhibition was related to serum digoxin concentrations and digoxin binding to cardiac Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, in a manner similar to that observed after a single digoxin injection. After 4 weeks of digoxin treatment with toxic doses, these relationships were also unaffected. It was concluded that prolonged digoxin treatment fails to alter the inhibition of myocardial Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase by this agent.This work was supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant HL-16052.     

Reduction of the equilibrium binding of cardiac glycosides and related compounds to Na+, K+-ATPase as a possible mechanism for the potassium-induced reversal of their toxicity

Summary The influence of potassium ions on the equilibrium state of the binding of cardiac glycosides and their derivatives to partially purified dog heart and rat brain enzyme preparations was studied in vitro. The addition of potassium to the incubation mixture containing enzyme preparation, ³H-ouabain, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP, at the time when the binding reaction is close to equilibrium, caused an immediate reduction of the bound drug concentration; the concentration apparently shifting toward a lower equilibrium state. The degree of the potassium-induced reduction in bound drug concentration was dependent on the potassium concentration and on the chemical structure of the compound. The binding of aglycones, pentacetyl-gitoxin and cassaine was affected to a greater extent than that of the glycosides. These data suggest that one of the mechanisms by which potassium antagonizes the toxic actions of digitalis on the heart is to reduce the drug binding to cardiac Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase.This work was supported by a U.S. Public Health Service Grant, HL-16052     

Distribution of cardiac glycosides in heart and brain of dogs and their affinity to the (Na++K+)-ATPase

Summary The tissue distribution after repeated intravenous administration of tritium-labelled digoxin, -methyldigoxin and ouabain was examined in heart and brain of 6 beagle dogs. In addition, the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity was measured in various heart and brain areas, and its affinity to the cardiac glycosides was determined. The glycoside concentrations in the atria are lower than in the ventricles, and the left heart areas show higher concentrations than the right areas. Significant differences in the (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity or its binding capacity in the various heart areas, which could be responsible for this characteristic distribution pattern, were not found. In agreement with its greater lipid-solubility, -methyldigoxin shows a higher accumulation in the brain than digoxin and ouabain. However, while -methyldigoxin is evenly distributed throughout all brain areas, concentration differences are found for digoxin and ouabain in the telencephalon, cerebellum and brain stem. This characteristic distribution of the more polar glycosides may be partly determined by the different structure of the capillaries in the central nervous system. In addition, the binding affinities for digoxin and ouabain also differ in the various crude brain preparations. In the diencephalon, pons, cerebellum and medulla the dissociation constants as a reciprocal measure of the binding affinity were lower for digoxin with 7.5 to 9.9×10^–9 than in the telencephalon, mesencephalon and spinal cord with dissociation constants of 1.1 to 1.45×10^–8 M. Since, in these brain areas higher glycoside concentrations per g wet weight were also measured, the glycoside accumulation in the various brain areas could be dependent on the higher receptor affinity of these brain areas. On the other hand, the binding affinities for -methyldigoxin were the same in all brain areas, with a mean dissociation constant of 1.45×10^–8 M.     

Sodium pump inhibition by sulfhydryl inhibitors and myocardial contractility

Summary In order to determine whether the positive inotropic action of cardiac glycosides is related to the inhibition of sodium pump activity, the actions of known inhibitors:N-ethylmaleimide,p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB),p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonic acid (PCMBS) and digitoxin, were studied in isolated guinea pig hearts. In electrically driven left atrial preparations, all these agents increased isometric contractile force. The inotropic effect ofN-ethylmaleimide was only partially reduced in the presence of propranolol or by reserpine pretreatment, whereas the inotropic effects of PCMB and PCMBS were unaffected by reserpine pretreatment. (±)-Propranolol markedly delayed the development of the inotropic action of PCMB and PCMBS without affecting the magnitude of the peak inotropic response. Similar effect was observed with (+)-propranolol indicating that the delayed development of the inotropic action is probably due to the action of propranolol unrelated to -adrenergic blockade. Among sulfhydryl blocking agents, the development of the inotropic effects was fastest withN-ethylmaleimide and slowest with PCMBS. Effects of these sulfhydryl inhibitors on resting potential and action potential were unrelated to the inotropic action. These agents caused a decrease in ouabain-sensitive⁸⁶Rb uptake, an estimate of sodium pump activity, in sodium-loaded ventricular slices obtained from drug-perfused Langendorff preparations. Quantitative comparisons between the degree of inotropic response and sodium pump inhibition caused by these agents were not possible because of the difference in experimental conditions. These results, however, are consistent with the hypothesis that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitors cause positive inotropic effects associated with sodium pump inhibition.Supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grants HL-16052 and HL-16788 and a grant from the National Science Foundation, BMS 74-19512     

Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase in rat renal proximal tubules by dopamine involved DA-1 receptor activation

Summary Endogenous kidney dopamine (DA) causes natriuresis and diuresis, at least partly, via inhibition of proximal tubular Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. The present study was done to identify the dopamine receptor subtype(s) involved in dopamine-induced inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. Suspensions of renal proximal tubules from Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with dopamine, the DA-1 receptor agonist fenoldopam or the DA-2 receptor agonist SK&F 89124 in the presence or absence of either the DA-1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 or the DA-2 receptor antagonist domperidone. Dopamine and fenoldopam (10^–5 to 10^–8 mol/1) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. However, SK&F 89124 failed to produce any significant effect over the same concentration range. Incubation with fenoldopam (10^–5 to 10^–8 mol/1) in the presence of SK&F 89124 (10^–6 mol/l) inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase activity to a degree similar to that with fenoldopam alone. Furthermore, DA-induced inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was attenuated by SCH 23390, but not by domperidone. Since -adrenoceptor activation is reported to stimulate Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity and, at higher concentrations, dopamine also acts as an a-adrenoceptor agonist, the potential opposing effect from -adrenoceptor activation on DA-induced inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was investigated by using the -adrenoceptor blocker phentolamine. We found that, in the lower concentration range (10^–5 to 10^–7 mol/1), dopamine-induced inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in the presence of phentolamine was similar in magnitude to that observed with dopamine alone. However, at the highest concentration used (10^–4 mol/1), dopamine produced a significantly larger degree of inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in the presence of phentolamine. These results indicate that the DA-1 dopamine receptor subtype, but not the DA-2 receptor subtype, is involved in dopamine-mediated inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. At higher concentrations of dopamine, the DA-1 receptor-mediated inhibitory effect on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity may be partly opposed by a simultaneous -adrenoceptor-mediated stimulation of the activity of this enzyme.     

Effects of lithium and thallous ions on sodium pump activity in the guinea-pig heart and their relationship to the positive inotropic action

Summary It has recently been demonstrated that both Tl⁺ and Li⁺ produce concentration-and time-dependent positive inotropic effects in guinea-pig atrial preparations although Tl⁺ inhibits and Li⁺ stimulates isolated Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in vitro. In order to elucidate the mechanism of the positive inotropic actions of these cations, the effects of Tl⁺ and Li⁺ on sodium pump activity were studied. Active ⁸⁶Rb uptake in guinea-pig ventricular slices, an estimate of sodium pump activity, was highly sensitive to the inhibitory effect of the cardiac glycosides. Preincubation of slices with Tl⁺ caused a dose-and time-dependent inhibition of active ⁸⁶Rb uptake. Similar concentration-and time-dependent inhibition of active ⁸⁶Rb uptake was observed when Na⁺ in a Krebs-Henseleit solution was partially replaced with Li⁺. Lithium, however, stimulated a partially purified Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in vitro. During heart slice incubation, Tl⁺ and Li⁺ accumulated in a time-dependent manner. This accumulation was not readily reversible when slices were transferred into Tl⁺-or Li⁺-free solutions. It appears that the inhibition of sodium pump activity is related to the positive inotropic action of these cations.This work was supported by United States Public Health Service Grants HL-16052 and HL-16055 and by the Michigan Heart Association. A part of this study was presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Anaheim, California, April 1976     

Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Method for Palytoxin Detection Based on Na+,K+-ATPase Affinity

Palytoxin (PLTX), produced by dinoflagellates from the genus Ostreopsis was first discovered, isolated, and purified from zoanthids belonging to the genus Palythoa. The detection of this toxin in contaminated shellfish is essential for human health preservation. A broad range of studies indicate that mammalian Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is a high affinity cellular receptor for PLTX. The toxin converts the pump into an open channel that stimulates sodium influx and potassium efflux. In this work we develop a detection method for PLTX based on its binding to the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. The method was developed by using the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to monitor biomolecular reactions. This technique does not require any labeling of components. The interaction of PLTX over immobilized Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is quantified by injecting different concentrations of toxin in the biosensor and checking the binding rate constant (k_obs). From the representation of k_obs versus PLTX concentration, the kinetic equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D) for the PLTX-Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase association can be calculated. The value of this constant is K_D = 6.38 × 10⁻⁷ ± 6.67 × 10⁻⁸ M PLTX. In this way the PLTX-Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase association was used as a suitable method for determination of the toxin concentration in a sample. This method represents a new and useful approach to easily detect the presence of PLTX-like compounds in marine products using the mechanism of action of these toxins and in this way reduce the use of other more expensive and animal based methods.     

Insulin induced translocation of Na^＋/K^＋-ATPase is decreased in the heart of streptozotocin diabetic rats

Aim:

To investigate the effect of acute insulin administration on the subcellular localization of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoforms in cardiac muscle of healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods:

Membrane fractions were isolated with subcellular fractionation and with cell surface biotinylation technique. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase subunit isoforms were analysed with ouabain binding assay and Western blotting. Enzyme activity was measured using 3-O-methylfluorescein-phosphatase activity.

Results:

In control rat heart muscle α1 isoform of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase resides mainly in the plasma membrane fraction, while α2 isoform in the intracellular membrane pool. Diabetes decreased the abundance of α1 isoform (25 %, P<0.05) in plasma membrane and α2 isoform (50%, P<0.01) in the intracellular membrane fraction. When plasma membrane fractions were isolated by discontinuous sucrose gradients, insulin-stimulated translocation of α2- but not α1-subunits was detected. α1-Subunit translocation was only detectable by cell surface biotinylation technique. After insulin administration protein level of α2 increased by 3.3-fold, α1 by 1.37-fold and β1 by 1.51-fold (P<0.02) in the plasma membrane of control, and less than 1.92-fold (P<0.02), 1.19-fold (not significant) and 1.34-fold (P<0.02) in diabetes. The insulin-induced translocation was wortmannin sensitive.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrate that insulin influences the plasma membrane localization of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoforms in the heart. α2 isoform translocation is the most vulnerable to the reduced insulin response in diabetes. α1 isoform also translocates in response to insulin treatment in healthy rat. Insulin mediates Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1- and α2-subunit translocation to the cardiac muscle plasma membrane via a PI3-kinase-dependent mechanism.     

Comparative studies of the influence of various K+ concentration on the action of K-strophthidin, digitoxin and strophanthidin-3-bromoacetate on papillary muscle and on membrane-ATPSA of guinea pig hearts

The influence of increasing K⁺ concentrations (5, 16, and 50 mM) on the effects of different cardenolides — digitoxin (DIG), k-strophanthidin (STR) and strophanthidin-3-bromoacetate (SBA) — on the contractile force of isolated electrically stimulated papillary muscles and on the activity of the Na⁺, K⁺-activated ATPase of guinea pig hearts was studied under comparable experimental conditions.     

Effect of sugar positions in ginsenosides and their inhibitory potency on Na+/K+-ATPase activity

Aim:

To determine whether ginsenosides with various sugar attachments may act as active components responsible for the cardiac therapeutic effects of ginseng and sanqi (the roots of Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng) via the same molecular mechanism triggered by cardiac glycosides, such as ouabain and digoxin.

Methods:

The structural similarity between ginsenosides and ouabain was analyzed. The inhibitory potency of ginsenosides and ouabain on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was examined and compared. Molecular modeling was exhibited for the docking of ginsenosides to Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

Results:

Ginsenosides with sugar moieties attached only to the C-3 position of the steroid-like structure, equivalent to the sugar position in cardiac glycosides, and possessed inhibitory potency on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. However, their inhibitory potency was significantly reduced or completely abolished when a monosaccharide was linked to the C-6 or C-20 position of the steroid-like structure; replacement of the monosaccharide with a disaccharide molecule at either of these positions caused the disappearance of the inhibitory potency. Molecular modeling and docking confirmed that the difference in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitory potency among ginsenosides was due to the steric hindrance of sugar attachment at the C-6 and C-20 positions of the steroid-like structure.

Conclusion:

The cardiac therapeutic effects of ginseng and sanqi should be at least partly attributed to the effective inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase by their metabolized ginsenosides with sugar moieties attached only to the C-3 position of the steroid-like structure.     

Evaluation of endomorphin-1 on the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase using in vitro and in vivo studies

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of endomorphin-1 on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in mouse brain synaptosome in vitro, and its antinociceptive interaction with the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain. Endomorphin-1 (0.1 nM-10 microM) produced a concentration-dependent (EC(50): 43.19 nM, CI: 23.38-65.71 nM, E(max): 25.86%, CI: 24.53-27.20%), naloxone-reversible increase of the synaptosomal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. The intrathecally (i.t.) administered endomorphin-1 (2-20 microg) produced a dose-dependent short-lasting increase in the tail-flick latency. Ouabain itself (1-1000 ng, i.t.) did not cause antinociception. Treatment with 10 ng ouabain significantly decreased the antinociceptive effect of 2 microg endomorphin-1, but none of the other combinations did significantly differ from the endomorhin-1-treated groups. These data indicate that endomorphin-1 increases the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in vitro but this effect may play a weak role in the antinociception induced by intrathecal endomorphin-1.     

Role of cannabinoid CB1 receptors and Gi/o protein activation in the modulation of synaptosomal Na+,K+-ATPase activity by WIN55,212-2 and delta(9)-THC

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (R)-(+)-[2,3-Dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone mesylate (WIN55,212-2) and the active component of Cannabis delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (triangle up(9)-THC) on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in synaptosomal mice brain preparation. Additionally, the potential exogenous cannabinoids and endogenous opioid peptides interaction as well as the role of G(i/o) proteins in mediating Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activation were also explored. The ouabain-sensitive Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was measured in whole-brain pure intact synaptosomes (obtained by Percoll gradient method) of female CF-1 mice and was calculated as the difference between the total and the ouabain (1 mM)-insensitive Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activities. Incubation in vitro of the synaptosomes with WIN55,212-2 (0.1 pM-10 microM) or triangle up(9)-THC (0.1 pM-0.1 microM), in a concentration-dependent manner, stimulated ouabain-sensitive Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. WIN55,212-2 was less potent but more efficacious than triangle up(9)-THC. N-(Piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM-251) (10 nM), a CB(1) cannabinoid receptor selective antagonist, had not effect per se but antagonized the enhancement of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity induced by both, WIN55,212-2 and triangle up(9)-THC. AM-251 produced a significant reduction in the E(max) of cannabinoid-induced increase in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, but did not significantly modify their EC(50). On the other hand, co-incubation with naloxone (1 microM), an opioid receptor antagonist, did not significantly modify the effect of WIN55,212-2 and completely failed to modify the effect of triangle up(9)-THC on synaptosomal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. Finally, pre-incubation with 0.5 microg of pertussis toxin (G(i/o) protein blocker) completely abolished the enhancement of ouabain-sensitive Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity induced by WIN55,212-2. A lower dose, 0.25 microg, decreased the E(max) of WIN55,212-2 by 70% but did not significantly affect its EC(50). These results suggest that WIN55212-2 and triangle up(9)-THC indirectly enhance Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the brain by activating cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in a naloxone-insensitive manner. In addition, the effect of WIN55,212-2 on neuronal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is apparently due to activation of G(i/o) proteins.     

Steroid-like compounds in Chinese medicines promote blood circulation via inhibition of Na^＋/K^＋- ATPase

Aim:

To examine if steroid-like compounds found in many Chinese medicinal products conventionally used for the promotion of blood circulation may act as active components via the same molecular mechanism triggered by cardiac glycosides, such as ouabain.

Methods:

The inhibitory potency of ouabain and the identified steroid-like compounds on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was examined and compared. Molecular modeling was exhibited for the docking of these compounds to Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

Results:

All the examined steroid-like compounds displayed more or less inhibition on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, with bufalin (structurally almost equivalent to ouabain) exhibiting significantly higher inhibitory potency than the others. In the pentacyclic triterpenoids examined, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid were moderate inhibitors of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, and their inhibitory potency was comparable to that of ginsenoside Rh2. The relatively high inhibitory potency of ursolic acid or oleanolic acid was due to the formation of a hydrogen bond between its carboxyl group and the Ile322 residue in the deep cavity close to two K⁺ binding sites of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Moreover, the drastic difference observed in the inhibitory potency of ouabain, bufalin, ginsenoside Rh2, and pentacyclic triterpenoids is ascribed mainly to the number of hydrogen bonds and partially to the strength of hydrophobic interaction between the compounds and residues around the deep cavity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

Conclusion:

Steroid-like compounds seem to contribute to therapeutic effects of many cardioactive Chinese medicinal products. Chinese herbs, such as Prunella vulgaris L, rich in ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and their glycoside derivatives may be adequate sources for cardiac therapy via effective inhibition on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.     

Na+/K+-ATPase α subunits as new targets in anticancer therapy

Background: The sodium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) could be a target for the development of anticancer drugs as it serves as a signal transducer, it is a player in cell adhesion and its aberrant expression and activity are implicated in the development and progression of different cancers. Cardiotonic steroids (CS) are the natural ligands and inhibitors of the sodium pump and this supports the possibility of their development as anticancer agents targeting overexpressed Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α subunits. Objectives: To highlight and further develop the concept of using Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1 and α3 subunits as targets in anticancer therapy and to address the question of the actual usefulness of further developing CS as anticancer agents. Conclusions: Targeting overexpressed Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α subunits using novel CS might open a new era in anticancer therapy and bring the concept of personalized medicine from aspiration to reality. Clinical data are now needed to further support this proposal. Furthermore, future medicinal chemistry should optimize new anticancer CS to target Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α subunits with the aim of rendering them more potent and less toxic.