Action of ubenimex on aminopeptidase activities in spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages from mice

The action of ubenimex on aminopeptidase (APase) activity was studied in intact spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages from mice. Ubenimex strongly inhibited hydrolyzing activities against arginine-beta-naphtylamide (Arg-NA), Lys-NA and Pro-NA in both cells. Inhibition of hydrolysis of Leu-NA, Met-NA and Ala-NA was relatively small or not observed. When both cells were incubated in HANKS' solution, hydrolyzing activities against Arg-NA, Lys-NA and Pro-NA were released to the medium, while Leu-NA and Met-NA-hydrolyzing activities were mostly bound. In addition, the Leu-NA-hydrolyzing activity in the spleen cells was kinetically studied. The Arg-NA and Leu-NA-hydrolyzing activities in four fractions prepared from the homogenate of spleen cells were also studied kinetically. From these studies it was suggested that ubenimex inhibits aminopeptidase B and a Pro-NA-hydrolyzing enzyme more effectively than Leu-APase in intact spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages from mice.     

Lipoic acid effects on renal function, aminopeptidase activities and oxidative stress in Crotalus durissus terrificus envenomation in mice

Crotalus durissus terrificus envenomation has been associated with direct nephrotoxicity, rhabdomyolysis, hyperuricemia, urinary hypoosmolality, alterations in aminopeptidase activities (AP) and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the effects of lipoic acid (LA) on renal function, lethality, AP and GSSG/GSH in mice injected with C. d. terrificus venom (vCdt). The doses and routes of administration of LA and vCdt promoted no systemic myotoxicity. LA did not alter significantly the lethality of vCdt. In nonenvenomed, LA induced hypercreatinemia, urinary hyperosmolality, decrease of urinary urea and creatinine, increase of protein in plasma and in soluble fraction (SF) and decrease in membrane-bound fraction (MF) of cortex and medulla. Decreased levels of all AP (except neutral-AP in MF-medulla) were also induced by LA in nonenvenomed. LA associated with vCdt decreased plasma osmolality, hematocrit, urinary uric acid, but increased urinary and SF-medullar protein. LA mitigated the increase of protein in SF-cortex and corrected hyperuricemia, GSSG/GSH and protein in MF-cortex and MF-medulla, as well as decreased plasma neutral AP and acid AP in MF-medulla of envenomed mice. Data suggest that LA contributes to the solubilization/remotion of proteins in MF with impairment of most AP, but it could be beneficial for the treatment of the direct nephrotoxicity of vCdt.     

Comparison of vaginal aminopeptidase enzymatic activities in various animals and in humans.

The specific enzymatic activity of four different aminopeptidases (aminopeptidase N, leucine aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase A and aminopeptidase B) in vaginal homogenates from rabbit, rat, guinea-pig, sheep and humans was compared. The purpose of the study was to find an appropriate animal model that can be used in degradation studies of protein and peptide drugs. Different substrates were used as the relative specific substrates for the determination of aminopeptidase enzymatic activity: 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-alanine for aminopeptidase N, 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-leucine for leucine aminopeptidase, 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-glutamic acid for aminopeptidase A and 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-arginine for aminopeptidase B. The vaginal aminopeptidase enzymatic activity of different species was determined spectrofluorometrically. The inhibition of aminopeptidase activity in the presence of bestatin and puromycin inhibitors was also investigated. The results showed the presence of aminopeptidase enzymatic activity in all vaginal homogenates in the order: sheep > guinea-pig > rabbit > or = human > or = rat. Based on the results of the hydrolysis and inhibition of the 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide substrates, it was difficult to have an exact decision on the aminopeptidase type in the vaginal homogenates from the species studied. It was found that the aminopeptidase activity in rat, rabbit and humans was not statistically different. Therefore, we suggest that rats and rabbits could be used as model animals for vaginal enzymatic activity studies and for determination of the degradation of protein and peptide drugs in the vagina.     

Pentamethoxyflavanone regulates macrophage polarization and ameliorates sepsis in mice

Macrophages, owning variable phenotypes and diverse functions, were becoming the target cells in inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavanone (abbreviated as PMFA), a kind of flavonoid, on macrophage polarization, and investigated the underlying mechanism. We found that PMFA significantly inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and diminished the proinflammatory cytokines, meanwhile it greatly enhanced M2 macrophage related molecules. Moreover, PMFA facilitated the phenotype shift from M1 to M2. However, PMFA only slightly inhibited the activation of T and B cells. Further researches showed that the mechanisms can be attributed to PMFA's down-regulation on p-STAT1 and up-regulation on p-STAT6, the pivotal regulatory molecules for M1 and M2 polarization, respectively. In addition, PMFA ameliorated LPS- and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in mice, as assessed by the raise of survival rate, descend of tissue damage and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytokines. PMFA significantly decreased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and reduced the infiltration of M1 macrophages in lung. As expected, adoptive transfer of PMFA-pretreated M1 macrophages significantly increased survival rate of LPS-challenged mice compared with control mice. Taken together, the results indicate that PMFA regulates macrophage polarization via targeting the STAT1/STAT6 signals and its potential use in treatment of inflammatory disease.     

Treatment with sulphated galactan inhibits macrophage chemotaxis and reduces intraplaque macrophage content in atherosclerotic mice

Experimental data from animal models and clinical studies support connections between the haemostasis and inflammation in atherogenesis. These interfaces among inflammation and thrombogenesis have been suggested as targets for pharmacological intervention to reduce disease progression. We hypothesize that the recently discovered antithrombotic drug Sulphated Galactan (SG) (isolated from the red marine alga Acanthophora muscoides) might reduce atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and inflammatory gene expression in 10-week aged apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE −/−) mice under high-cholesterol diet for additional 11 weeks. Then, the underlying cellular mechanisms were investigated in vitro. SG (10 mg/kg) or Vehicle was subcutaneously injected from week 6 until week 11 of the diet. Treatment with SG reduced intraplaque macrophage and Tissue Factor (TF) content as compared to Vehicle-treated animals. Intraplaque TF co-localized and positively correlated with macrophage rich-areas. No changes on atherosclerotic plaque size, and other intraplaque features of vulnerability (such as lipid, neutrophil, MMP-9 and collagen contents) were observed. Moreover, mRNA expression of MMPs, chemokines and genetic markers of Th1/2/reg/17 lymphocyte polarization within mouse aortic arches and spleens was not affected by SG treatment. In vitro, treatment with SG dose-dependently reduced macrophage chemotaxis without affecting TF production. Overall, the chronic SG treatment was well tolerated. In conclusion, our results indicate that SG treatment reduced intraplaque macrophage content (by impacting on cell recruitment) and, concomitantly, intraplaque TF content of potential macrophage origin in atherosclerotic mice.     

Myelotoxicity and macrophage alteration in mice exposed to ochratoxin A

Six- to seven-week-old female B6C3F₁ mice were administered a total of 0, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg of ochratoxin A (OCT A) ip on alternate days over an 8-day period. Twenty-four hours following the final dose, histopathology, bone marrow, and macrophage parameters were assayed. There was a dramatic dose related decrease in thymic mass with the mean thymus weight of the high dose animals being only 33% of controls. Histologic evidence of nephrotoxicity was minimal and restricted to the inner cortex. Myelotoxicity was present as evidenced by bone marrow hypocellularity, decreased marrow pluripotent stem cells (CFU-S), granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GMs), and decreased ⁵⁹Fe uptake in marrows and spleens of exposed mice. Peritoneal macrophages from sc as well as ip injected mice demonstrated increased phagocytic capacities and increased capacity to inhibit tumor cell growth. These alterations in bone marrow cells and macrophages suggest myelotoxicity is an additional potential hazard of OCT A exposure.     

Bisphenol A-induced downregulation of murine macrophage activities in vitro and ex vivo

Bisphenol A (BPA) is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, but the toxicity of BPA on immune responses has not been systematically investigated. We investigated the effects of BPA exposure on the activities of murine peritoneal macrophages through evaluation of BPA-induced alteration of nitric oxide (NO) production, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) synthesis, and expression of co-stimulatory molecules B7. Macrophages were examined ex vivo from mice orally treated with various doses of BPA for 5 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks followed by culture for 2 or 4 days in the presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Macrophages from naive mice were also stimulated with LPS ± BPA for 2 or 4 days. NO production was decreased with the in vitro exposure to 1, 10 and 100μM BPA. NO production was lower in the BPA-exposed mice than the control mice with all doses. In vitro, BPA suppressed TNF-α secretion with significant reduction at 10 and 100μM BPA. Similar findings were observed with the macrophages from the BPA-exposed mice. This study provides the substantial evidence on BPA-induced alteration in macrophage activity.     

A comparative study on the rectal aminopeptidase enzymatic activities of different species

The aim of the present study was to compare the enzymatic activity of four different aminopeptidases (aminopeptidase N, leucine aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase A, aminopeptidase B) in rectal homogenates from different species: rabbit, rat, guinea-pig, sheep and human. Different substrates were used as the relative specific substrates for the determination of aminopeptidase enzymatic activity. For this purpose, 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-alanine for aminopeptidase N, 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-leucine for leucine aminopeptidase, 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-glutamic acid for aminopeptidase A and 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide of L-arginine for aminopeptidase B were employed. The rectal aminopeptidase enzymatic activity was determined spectrofluorometrically. The inhibition of activity of aminopeptidase in the presence of bestatin and puromycin inhibitors was also investigated. The results showed the presence of aminopeptidase enzymatic activity in all rectal homogenates. Sheep and guinea-pig had the greatest aminopeptidase activity. The four aminopeptidase activities of rat and rabbit were not significantly different from each other. Human data was not evaluated statistically, due to insufficient sample. But the values of human data was close to those of the rabbit and rat values except for aminopeptidase A. Based on the data of the hydrolysis and inhibition of the 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide substrates, it was rather difficult to determine the aminopeptidase type in the rectal homogenates of the species studied. It has been found that the aminopeptidase activities of rat and rabbit were not statistically different from each other and the human data were close to them.     

Renal transport of 2'-deoxytubercidin in mice

Previous results [J. F. Kuttesch, Jr. and J. A. Nelson, Cancer Chemother, Pharmac. 8, 221 (1982)] from this laboratory indicate that mechanisms exist for renal secretion of 2'-deoxyadenosine and possibly for reabsorption of adenosine in humans and in mice. Since significant metabolism of these purine nucleosides occurs even in the presence of adenosine deaminase inhibitors, the renal handling of a compound which is not significantly metabolized by the deaminase or by kinases was studied. Unlike 2'-deoxyadenosine itself, the 2'-deoxyadenosine analog, [4-amino-7-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-pyrrolo-(2,3-d)pyrimidine; 2'-deoxytubercidin], is not significantly metabolized by mammalian tissues. In mice, the renal plasma clearance of 2'-deoxytubercidin exceeded that of inulin by about 3-fold. Also, mouse kidney slices concentratively accumulated 2'-deoxytubercidin by a saturable and metabolically dependent process. The uptake by mouse kidney slices was inhibited by classical substrates for the organic cation secretory system (tetraethylammonium, choline and N1-methylnicotinamide) but was not markedly inhibited by classical substrates for the organic anion secretory system (p-aminohippurate, phenol red and probenecid). Since 2'-deoxytubercidin inhibited the active, concentrative uptake of [14C]tetraethylammonium, but failed to inhibit the uptake of p-[14C]aminohippurate by mouse kidney slices, it is concluded that 2'-deoxytubercidin may be secreted by the organic cation system. Additional studies are required, however, to unequivocally establish the relationships between 2'-deoxytubercidin, 2'-deoxyadenosine and tetraethylammonium renal secretory mechanisms.     

Augmentation of macrophage antitumor activities and nitric oxide production by oregonin

Oregonin, a diarylheptanoid derivative from Alnus hirsuta Turcz, Betulaceae, was evaluated for its antitumor activity. Oregonin, known to have an antitumor function, and is a novel immunomodulator, which may augment macrophage activity. MTT assays and NO production tests were performed in order to investigate the cytotoxicity of oregonin in tumor cells and to examine its influence on macrophage in detail. In this study, the tumoricidal activity was also evaluated by a MTT assay. The cytotoxicity measurements in the oregonin-treated group both in vitro and in vivo showed a significant difference from that of the control group. In vivo, oregonin significantly increased NO production in a dose-dependent manner, and in vitro, the thioglycolate-induced inflammatory macrophages increased NO production in a dose-dependent manner after incubation. These results suggest that oregonin reacts with both the inflammatory and non-inflammatory macrophages in a similar way.     

Renal secretion of purine nucleosides and their analogs in mice

Previous results have indicated that 2'-deoxyadenosine (dAdo) and 2'-deoxytubercidin (dTub) are secreted by the mouse kidney. Secretion of dTub appeared to occur via the organic cation carrier [J. F. Kuttesch, Jr. et al., Biochem. Pharmac. 31, 3387 (1982)]. In the current study, the structural specificity of the secretory system for d Tub was probed by evaluating the renal clearance of several sugar-modified dTub analogs. The following sugar-modified derivatives also underwent apparent secretion: 3'-deoxy, arabinosyl, and xylosyl. These results suggest a lack of structural specificity of the secretory system for dTub. Tubercidin was apparently reabsorbed, analogous to the observation in mice that adenosine clearance is less than that of inulin. In related experiments, a transport maximum for dAdo could not be demonstrated due to the marked pharmacologic activity of dAdo. Cimetidine was found to selectively inhibit the organic cation secretory system since it blocked the renal secretion of tetraethylammonium but not that of p-amminohippurate in mice. Correspondingly, cimetidine prevented the renal secretion dTub; however, cimetidine did not inhibit the renal secretion of dAdo nor the renal reabsorption of Ado. These results suggest that renal secretion of dTub occurs via the organic cation carrier. The mechanisms for the renal secretion of dAdo and for the renal reabsorption of Ado may be unique and independent of the organic cation system.     

Synthesis and inhibitory activities against aminopeptidase B and enkephalin-degrading enzymes of ketomethylene dipeptide analogues of arphamenines.

Three ketomethylene pseudodideptide analogues [(S)Lys psi(COCH2)(R and S)Phe (14 or 15 and 15 or 14) and (S)Lys psi(COCH2)(xi Trp (19)] of natural arphamenine A [(S)Arg psi(COCH2(R,S)Phe (1)] were easily prepared by a route involving two successive main reactions: a malonic ester alkylation with Z-protected lysine iodomethyl ketone and the introduction of a benzyl or (indol-3-yl)methyl moiety in position 2 of the resulting 4-ketodiester. The isomer of 1 with reversed sequence, (S)Phe psi(COCH2)(R,S)Arg (22) was synthesized by guanidylation and subsequent deprotection of Z-(S)Phe psi(COCH2)(R,S)Orn. The inhibitory effects of compounds 14, 15, 19, and 22, and the related ketomethylene dipeptides (S)Ala psi(COCH2)(R,S)Phe (3), (S)Phe psi(COCH2)(R,S)X [X = Ala (4), Orn (5)] and (S)Trp psi(COCH2)(R,S)Y [Y = Orn (6), Lys (7), Arg (8)] on aminopeptidase B (AP-B), and enkephalin-degrading enzymes [aminopeptidase N (APN) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP)] were compared with that of the model compound 1.     

Inhibitory effects of dimethylacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin on lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage activation and endotoxin shock in mice

The potential use of hydrophilic cyclodextrins (CyDs) as an inhibitor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was examined. Of the five CyDs used in this study, dimethylacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DMA7-beta-CyD) had greater inhibitory activity than other CyDs against the production of nitric oxide (NO) and various proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in murine macrophages stimulated with two serotypes of LPS and lipid A. The inhibitory effect of DMA7-beta-CyD on NO production was also observed in macrophages stimulated with lipoteichoic acid (LTA), but not peptidoglycan (PGN), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) or CpG oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN). Several studies have suggested that the inhibitory effects of DMA7-beta-CyD could be ascribed to the interaction with LPS. Simultaneous administration of DMA7-beta-CyD not only intraperitoneally but also intravenously and intraperitoneal injection of aqueous solution containing LPS and d-galactosamine in murine endotoxin shock model suppressed fatality. Also, DMA7-beta-CyD decreased blood level of TNF-alpha as well as serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in mice. In conclusion, DMA7-beta-CyD may have promise as a new therapeutic agent for endotoxin shock induced by LPS.     

Neuroendocrine, behavioral and macrophage activity changes induced by picrotoxin effects in mice

The relevance and property of studies related to stress effects on immune function are undisputable. All studies conducted on stress-immune relationships, however, provide from physical and/or psychological stressors. Indeed, as far as it is of our knowledge brain-innate immune responses were not analyzed after anxiogenic-like drugs use. The present experiment was then undertaken to analyze the effects of picrotoxin (0.3, 0.6 and 1.0mg/kg doses) on behavior, macrophage activity, serum corticosterone and noradrenaline (NE) levels and turnover in the brain of adult mice. Results showed that picrotoxin treatment in mice: (1) decreased motor and rearing activities in an open-field; (2) decreased the number of entries into the plus-maze open-arms and decreased the time spent in the exploration of the plus-maze open-arms; (3) decreased both motor activity and the level of holes exploration in the hole-board; (4) increased the levels of serum corticosterone in dose-dependent way; (5) increased noradrenaline (NE) and MHPG levels and NE turnover in the hypothalamus; and (6) increased Staphylococcus aureus and PMA-induced macrophage oxidative burst. However, and contrary to that reported after physical or psychological stress, this drug induced no effects on macrophage phagocytosis and NE levels and turnover in the frontal cortex. The present results are thus showing that picrotoxin induces some but not all neuro-innate immunity changes previously reported for inescapable foot-shock and psychological stressors in mice. These facts suggest that this chemical stressor triggers CNS pathways that might be somehow different from those fired by inescapable foot-shock and psychological stressors, leading to different neuro-innate immune responses.     

Omapatrilat decreased macrophage oxidative status and atherosclerosis progression in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Oxidative stress is an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors attenuate atherosclerosis and oxidative stress in animal models. Omapatrilat, a VasoPeptidase-inhibitor, selectively inhibits both Neutral-Endo-Peptidase (NEP) and ACE. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed the effect of Omapatrilat administration (1, 4, or 20mg/kg/d, for 12 weeks) to atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient (E0) mice on their blood pressure (BP), serum and macrophage oxidative status, and atherosclerotic lesion area. RESULTS: Following administration of Omapatrilat (4 mg/kg/d and 20 mg/kg/d), the mice systolic and diastolic BP significantly decreased by up to 33% and 25% respectively, compared with placebo-treated mice. However, administration of Omapatrilat at 1mg/kg/d did not affect the mice BP. The Omapatrilat-treated mice serum susceptibility to lipid peroxidation was reduced by up to 21%, and their serum paraoxonase activity was increased by up to 24%, compared with placebo-treated mice. Peritoneal macrophages from Omapatrilat-treated (20 mg/kg/d) mice exhibited a reduced oxidative stress, evidenced by a reduction in macrophage lipid peroxide content (by 45%), cholesteryl-linoleate hydroperoxide content (by 48%), and oxidized glutathione levels (by 40%). Finally, the area of the mice atherosclerotic lesion was dose-dependently reduced, by 50%, 67%, and 82%, following Omapatrilat administration at 1mg/kg/d, 4 mg/kg/d, and 20 mg/kg/d respectively, compared with placebo-treated mice. CONCLUSION: Omapatrilat has a substantial anti-atherosclerotic effect, which can be related not only to BP reduction but also to its ability to reduce oxidative stress in atherosclerotic E0 mice.     

Renal toxicity caused by cisplatinum in glutathione-depleted metallothionein-null mice

To elucidate the protective role of metallothionein (MT) and glutathione (GSH) in renal toxicity caused by cisplatinum (cis-DDP), we examined the sensitivity of GSH-depleted MT-null mice to the renal toxicity of cis-DDP. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values in the serum, and histopathological change in the kidney were utilized as indicators of nephrotoxicity caused by cis-DDP. Although cis-DDP exerted renal toxicity in MT-null mice and wild-type mice, the toxicity was more conspicuous in the MT-null mice than in the wild-type mice. Moreover, renal toxicity caused by cis-DDP was enhanced significantly by a decrease in the renal GSH level by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) pretreatment in both kinds of mice. The cis-DDP-caused nephrotoxicity that was enhanced by BSO-mediated GSH depletion was much more severe in the MT-null mice than in the wild-type mice. However, preadministration of zinc sulfate cancelled the BSO-enhanced, cis-DDP-dependent renal toxicity in the wild-type mice, but not in the MT-null mice. In the present study, we found that MT and GSH play an important, cooperative role in detoxification of severe kidney damage caused by cis-DDP. Moreover, the renal MT preinduced by zinc could protect mice from cis-DDP nephrotoxicity enhanced by GSH depletion.     

Biological activities of deoxyspergualin in autoimmune disease mice

An assessment of the prophylactic and ameliorative effects of deoxyspergualin (NKT-01), an immunosuppressive agent, was carried out in male MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/1) mice which spontaneously develop lupus-like lesions. When NKT-01 was administered ip daily from the age of either 8 or 19 weeks, diseases such as massive lymphadenopathy, circulating anti-DNA antibody and lupus nephritis were markedly suppressed. The primary response to lipopolysaccharide was significantly reduced in MRL/1 mice administered NKT-01 but the response to sheep red blood cells was not affected. The ability of spleen cells to release interleukins 2 and 3 with or without mitogen was significantly enhanced in mice receiving NKT-01. These findings demonstrate that NKT-01 has therapeutic activity against the development of spontaneous disease in MRL/1 mice.     

Effects of styrene on wheel-running and ambulatory activities in mice

Effects of styrene on wheel-running and ambulatory activities were investigated in mice. Sixty male mice (ICR strain) were divided into 10 groups of six mice each, and they were exposed to styrene of about 930, 425, 60, 25 or 0 ppm (control group) for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week over 2 weeks. The wheel-running and ambulatory activity tests were conducted during 2 weeks of the styrene exposure, and 1 week before and after the exposure. The wheel-running activity decreased at the high concentrations (930 and 425 ppm), and the decreased activity did not recover to the control level after cessation of the exposure. In the ambulatory activity test, styrene exposure resulted in the decrease in the activity, though the change was not concentration-dependent. The present results suggest that the behavioral effect of styrene is clearly detectable by means of wheel-running and ambulatory activities in mice.