Accumulation of cyanide and thiocyanate in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Cyanide is a toxic agent, and its detoxification product, thiocyanate, may be a major pathogenetic substance in uraemia. Recent studies examining the myeloperoxidase(MPO)/thiocyanate system have suggested a link between thiocyanate and atherosclerosis. However, inaccuracies in conventional assays for cyanide and thiocyanate have limited the understanding of their metabolism in haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: We used high-performance liquid chromatography to measure cyanide in erythrocytes and thiocyanate in plasma in 43 HD patients and in a group of 46 healthy controls that included 15 current smokers. To clarify the metabolic conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate in uraemic patients, we also measured cysteine and sulfate. We then used stepwise regression analysis to analyse factors that determine erythrocyte cyanide and plasma thiocyanate. RESULTS: Mean cyanide and thiocyanate were significantly greater in HD patients than in non-smoking controls. However, cyanide was far below lethal concentrations in dialysis patients. Thiocyanate was six to seven times greater in HD patients than in non-smoking controls, and decreases in thiocyanate following dialysis were only 19.3+/-3.5%. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive correlation between cyanide and thiocyanate in controls, but a negative correlation in HD patients. In patients, an inverse relationship between thiocyanate and BUN was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of thiocyanate in patients undergoing dialysis probably is secondary to both limited efficiency of HD and deranged metabolism of cyanide and thiocyanate. Because thiocyanate is a preferred substrate for MPO, it may play a role in uraemic complications including cardiovascular events.     

Skeletal unloading induces resistance to insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) by inhibiting activation of the IGF-I signaling pathways.

We showed that unloading markedly diminished the effects of IGF-I to activate its signaling pathways, and the disintegrin echistatin showed a similar block in osteoprogenitor cells. Furthermore, unloading decreased alphaVbeta3 integrin expression. These results show that skeletal unloading induces resistance to IGF-I by inhibiting activation of the IGF-I signaling pathways at least in part through downregulation of integrin signaling. INTRODUCTION: We have previously reported that skeletal unloading induces resistance to insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) with respect to bone formation. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify how skeletal unloading induces resistance to the effects of IGF-I administration in vivo and in vitro with respect to bone formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first determined the response of bone to IGF-I administration in vivo during skeletal unloading. We then evaluated the response of osteoprogenitor cells isolated from unloaded bones to IGF-I treatment in vitro with respect to activation of the IGF-I signaling pathways. Finally we examined the potential role of integrins in mediating the responsiveness of osteoprogenitor cells to IGF-I. RESULTS: IGF-I administration in vivo significantly increased proliferation of osteoblasts. Unloading markedly decreased proliferation and blocked the ability of IGF-I to increase proliferation. On a cellular level, IGF-I treatment in vitro stimulated the activation of its receptor, Ras, ERK1/2 (p44/42 MAPK), and Akt in cultured osteoprogenitor cells from normally loaded bones, but these effects were markedly diminished in cells from unloaded bones. These results were not caused by altered phosphatase activity or changes in receptor binding to IGF-I. Inhibition of the Ras/MAPK pathway was more impacted by unloading than that of Akt. The disintegrin echistatin (an antagonist of the alphaVbeta3 integrin) blocked the ability of IGF-I to stimulate its receptor phosphorylation and osteoblast proliferation, similar to that seen in cells from unloaded bone. Furthermore, unloading significantly decreased the mRNA levels both of alphaV and beta3 integrin subunits in osteoprogenitor cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that skeletal unloading induces resistance to IGF-I by inhibiting the activation of IGF-I signaling pathways, at least in part, through downregulation of integrin signaling, resulting in decreased proliferation of osteoblasts and their precursors.     

Intrathecal landiolol inhibits nociception and spinal c-Fos expression in the mouse formalin test

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if intrathecal landiolol, a beta1-blocker, can modulate formalin-induced nociception and spinal c-Fos expression in mice, in the absence of anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty-two mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control group (n = 8) received intrathecal normal saline 10 microL, while the other three groups (n = 8 for each) received intrathecal landiolol at escalating doses of 250 microg.kg(-1), 500 microg.kg(-1) and 750 microg.kg(-1) respectively, immediately after induction of anesthesia with isoflurane. After awakening, inflammatory pain was induced by 10 microL of 5% formalin solution injected into the dorsal surface of the right hind paw. The nociceptive behaviours including licking, biting and lifting of the injected paw were cumulatively recorded as seconds of behaviours/min during phase I (0-10 min) and phase II (10-45 min). The c-Fos protein expressions in the spinal dorsal horn were detected with immunohistochemical techniques in the control and landiolol 750 microg.kg(-1) groups. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, intrathecal injection of landiolol 750 microg.kg(-1) significantly decreased pain-related behaviours in phase I, while intrathecal landiolol 250 microg.kg(-1), 500 microg.kg(-1) and 750 microg.kg(-1) significantly decreased pain-related behaviours in phase II during the formalin test. The numbers of c-Fos immunoreactive nuclei in the L5 spinal dorsal horn were significantly lower in the landiolol 750 microg.kg(-1) group compared to the control group (landiolol 750 microg.kg(-1) 2.4 +/- 1.1 vs control 9.2 +/- 3.9; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that intrathecally administered landiolol produces significant antinociceptive effects in the formalin test. Although further studies exploring the detailed mechanism are needed, these data suggest a potential role of beta1-adrenoreceptors in spinal nociceptive processing.     

Bezafibrate improves hypertension and insulin sensitivity in humans.

We examined cellular membrane fatty acid composition and insulin sensitivity in patients with mild essential hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and investigated whether bezafibrate, a lipid-lowering drug, could improve elevated blood pressure and insulin sensitivity in these subjects by ameliorating cellular membrane fatty acid composition. Twenty-seven subjects were recruited. Twelve men with mild essential hypertension [systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 140 mmHg and 160 mmHg] and hypertriglyceridemia (plasma triglyceride concentration over 150 mg/dl) were designated the HL group. Fifteen men with mild essential hypertension and normotriglyceridemia (plasma triglyceride concentration below 150 mg/dl) were designated the NL group. Subjects in the HL group were given bezafibrate 400 mg/dl and those in the NL group were given placebo for 3 months. Bezafibrate significantly reduced SBP (140 +/- 2.6 to 131.8 +/- 2.6 mmHg, mean +/- SEM), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (87.8 +/- 2.0 to 82.8 +/- 2.6 mmHg), fasting plasma triglyceride concentration (225.5 +/- 23.5 to 102.9 +/- 10.9 mg/dl), fasting plasma insulin concentration (9.6 +/- 0.8 to 7.1 +/- 0.8 microU/ml), and homeostasis model assessment scores (HOMA-R, 2.4 +/- 0.2 to 1.7 +/- 0.2), and significantly improved the insulin sensitivity index (56.0 +/- 3.0 to 70.7 +/- 4.8 mg x l2/mmol x mU x min) in the HL group. Regarding erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition, bezafibrate reduced the percentages of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and increased the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Plasma triglyceride concentrations were positively correlated with HOMA-R (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) and SFA (r = 0.39, p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with PUFA (r = -0.45, p < 0.05) before administration of placebo or bezafibrate. In conclusion, an improvement of hyperlipidemia by bezafibrate may be attributed to reduction of blood pressure and amelioration of insulin sensitivity. Abnormalities in membrane lipid composition may play an important role in these metabolic disorders.     

Radiosensitivity of mouse skin epithelial cell line established in serum-free culture: an alternative to animal use.

A cultured line of murine skin epithelial cells was established to investigate the potential use of cultured cells as an alternative to animal use in radiation research. C3Hf/Sed newborn mouse skin cells have been successfully cultured in serum- and Ca(2+)-free medium with no terminal differentiation to keratinized cells. Presently, more than 25 passages have passed with no loss of stem cell capability. The radiosensitivity and repair of sublethal and potentially lethal radiation damages were investigated in this epithelial cell line. The population cell doubling time was 25 +/- 2.9 hr at 37 degrees C. The clonal growth of epithelial cells after irradiation was performed in the serum-free medium in the presence of lethally irradiated skin fibroblasts. Single dose survival curves of exponentially growing epithelial cells were investigated from the seventh to the twenty-third passages, and no significant changes in radiosensitivity and doubling time were found. The confluent epithelial cells also showed an identical sensitivity to radiation. The alpha/beta ratios of survival curves fitted by the linear quadratic model were 6.1 +/- 1.0 and 5.9 +/- 1.3 Gy for cells in exponential and confluent phases, respectively. The survival curve of epithelial cells left in confluence for 8 hr after irradiation showed a smaller beta value than that of cells plated immediately after irradiation with a resultant alpha/beta ratio of 9.5 +/- 3.8 Gy. This alpha/beta ratio was identical to those found in many animal experiments, suggesting a potential use of this cell line as an alternative to animal use. The magnitude of repair of sublethal damage following 6 Gy was greater than that following 3.9 Gy. Survival curves were also obtained following twice-a-day irradiations with no sign of rapid repopulation. These results are discussed by comparing with published in vivo and in vitro data.     

Excitatory mechanism of deflationary slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors in the rat lung.

The excitatory responses of deflationary slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptor (SAR) activity to lung deflation ranging from approximately -15 to -25 cm of H(2)O for approximately 5 s were examined before and after administration of flecainide, a Na(+) channel blocker, and K(+) channel blockers, such as 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). The experiments were performed in anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats after unilateral vagotomy. The deflationary SARs increased their activity during lung deflation and its effect became more pronounced by increasing the degree of negative pressure. During lung deflation the average values for the deflationary SAR adaptation index (AI) were below 40%. Intravenous administration of veratridine (50 microg/kg), an Na(+) channel opener, stimulated deflationary SAR activity: one maintained excitatory activity mainly during deflation and the other receptors showed a tonic discharge during both deflation and inflation. Despite the difference in deflationary SAR firing patterns after veratridine administration, flecainide treatment (6.0 mg/kg) blocked veratridine-induced deflationary SAR stimulation and also caused strong inhibition of the excitatory responses of deflationary SARs to lung deflation. Under these conditions, the average values for deflationary SAR AI were over 90%. The responses of deflationary SARs and deflationary SAR AI to lung deflation were not significantly altered by pretreatment with either 4-AP (0.7 and 2.0 mg/kg) or TEA (2.0 and 6.0 mg/kg). These results suggest that the excitatory effect of lung deflation on deflationary SAR activity is mediated by the activation of flecainide-sensitive Na(+) channels on the nerve terminals of deflationary SARs.     

Radiation and thermal sensitivities of murine tumor (FSa-II) cells recurrent after a heavy irradiation.

Radiation and thermal sensitivities, and cell doubling times (Tds) of C3Hf/Sed mouse FSa-II cells recurring after a heavy irradiation were examined in vitro. Tumors in the leg were irradiated with gamma-rays and observed for late recurrence (in vivo clones), or removed immediately after irradiation and single cell suspensions were plated for colony formation (in vitro clones). Five subclones were selected from original cells in vitro. Survival curves were fitted to the multi-target and linear quadratic models. Surviving fractions at 2 (SF2) and 10 Gy (SF10) irradiations, and those at 30 and 60 min heatings at 44 degrees C (SF30 and SF60), were obtained for each clone. Although, Tds of subclones were slightly longer than those of the parental cells, those of recurrent clones were prolonged substantially with an exception of one cell line. Radiosensitivities of FSa-II parental cells tested in vitro and in vivo were equally radioresistant. Thermal sensitivities of parental cells tested in vitro and in vivo were also identical. All subclones were more radiosensitive compared to the parental cells. The in vitro recurrent clones showed smaller D0 (radiation dose to reduce survival from S to S/e in the exponential portion of survival curve) than the D0 of the parental cells. The SF2 values of four in vitro recurrent clones were greater than that of the parental cells whereas those of two lines were smaller. It was of interest that the in vivo recurrent tumor cells showed a wide variation in the radiation sensitivity. Among 9 tumor cell lines examined, 4 lines were more sensitive and 4 were more resistant compared to the original. FSa-II subclones as well as both in vitro and in vivo recurrent clones showed a wide variation in thermal sensitivity. No consistent changes in the shoulder or in the slope were found. The SF30 or SF60 showed that 5 out of 9 in vivo recurrent clones and 4 out of 9 in vitro clones were more resistant compared to the original cells. No correlation was observed between thermal and radiation sensitivities. The Td was not related with radiation or thermal sensitivity.     

Association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression with Tumor Angiogenesis and with Early Relapse in Primary Breast Cancer

Angiogenesis is an independent prognostic indicator in breast cancer. In this report, the relationship between expression of vascular endothclial growth factor (VEGF; a selective mitogen for endothelial cells) and the microvessel density was examined in 103 primary breast cancers. The expression of VEGF was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining using anti-VEGF antibody. The microvessel density, which was determined by immunostaining for factor VIII antigen, in VEGF-rich tumors was clearly higher than that in VEGF-poor tumors ( P <0.01). There was a good correlation between VEGF expression and the increment of microvessel density. Furthermore, postoperative survey demonstrated that the relapse-free survival rate of VEGF-rich tumors was significantly worse than that of VEGF-poor tumors. It was suggested that the expression of VEGF is closely associated with the promotion of angiogenesis and with early relapse in primary breast cancer.