Opioid peptides and receptors in joint tissues: study in the rat.

Using immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques, the occurrence of endogenous opioid peptides and their receptors in normal rat bone and joint tissues was investigated. Opioid receptors were detected, quantified, and characterized in homogenates from capsule/synovium and periosteum using radioligand binding assays. Receptor binding of the nonselective opioid [3H]naloxone to tissue homogenates was stereospecific and saturable, showing similar characteristics to that of brain tissue, although with lower binding capacities. By immunohistochemistry, the neuronal occurrence of four different enkephalins was demonstrated in synovium, bone marrow, periosteum, and juxta-articular bone, whereas no neuronal dynorphin immunoreactivity was detected. Double-staining studies disclosed that enkephalins coexisted with substance P in primary afferent fibers. The applied techniques can be used to assess changes in the distribution of endogenous opioids and their receptors in joint tissues in conditions associated with pain and inflammation. The endogenous opioid system now demonstrated might be targeted and exploited therapeutically to obtain peripheral control of symptoms in joint disorders.     

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay of Pro-gastrin-releasing Peptide for Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Comparison with Neuron-specific Enolase Measurement

Our previous study demonstrated that pro-gastrin-releasing peptide(31–98), or ProGRP, is a specific tumor marker in patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Using a newly developed, highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for ProGRP, we analyzed 1,446 samples including those obtained from 478 lung cancer patients to evaluate the clinical usefulness of this ELISA. Several properties indicated that ProGRP is a useful tumor marker for SCLC. First, ProGRP was specifically elevated in SCLC patients. In non-SCLC patients and patients with non-tumorous lung diseases, its serum level was very rarely elevated. Secondly, ProGRP was a reliable marker, in terms of the marked elevation of serum ProGRP levels in SCLC patients. Thirdly, serum ProGRP levels were elevated in SCLC patients even at a relatively early stage of this disease. Fourthly, changes in the serum ProGRP level showed an excellent correlation with the therapeutic responses in SCLC patients. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is accepted as a tumor marker of SCLC patients. With the aim of comparing ProGRP and NSE as tumor markers for SCLC patients, we measured serum NSE levels in all samples collected in the present study. We found that ProGRP was superior to NSE in terms of sensitivity, specificity and reliability. Therefore, we consider that ProGRP can play a major role as a clinical tumor marker for SCLC patients.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of the N-terminal dermorphin tetrapeptide analogs with CH2-NH peptide bond isosteres

The synthesis of pseudotetrapeptides H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-NH-(CH₂)₂-NH₂ (1a), H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-ψ(CH₂-NH)-Gly-NH₂ (2a), H-Tyr-D-Ala-ψ(CH₂-NH)-Phe-Gly-NH₂ (3a), and H-Tyr-ψ(CH₂-NH)-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-NH₂ (4a), representing the N-terminal tetrapeptide sequence of dermorphin, in which amide bonds are replaced by CH₂-NH bond, is described. N-acetyl-Tyr and desamino-Tyr pseudopeptide analogs (1-4b), (1-3c) are also described. The analogs were assayed in binding studies based on displacement of μ and δ-receptor selective radiolabels from rat brain membrane and in a bioassay using guinea pig ileum (GPI). Pseudopeptides in which the C-terminal (1a) or D-Ala-Phe (3a) amide bond are substituted, exhibit higher μ-affinities and μ-receptor selectivity than the corresponding Phe-Gly or Tyr-D-Ala analogs (2a, 4a). Acetyl-and desamino-Tyr pseudopeptide analogs (1-4b) and (1-3c) did not exhibit μ and δ-opioid receptor affinity at nM concentration. The relevance of the single peptide replacement and of its association to acetylation or amino group elimination of Tyr, is discussed on the basis of a receptor model for μ and δ opioids.     

Inhibition of growth of PC-82 human prostate cancer line xenografts in nude mice by bombesin antagonist RC-3095 or combination of agonist [D-Trp6]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin analog RC-160.

The effects of treatment with a bombesin receptor antagonist [D-Tpi6, Leu13 psi (CH2NH) Leu14]BN(6-14)(RC-3095) and the combination of an agonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and somatostatin analog D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val- Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) were studied in nude mice bearing xenografts of the hormone-dependent human prostate tumor PC-82. During the 5 weeks of treatment, tumor growth was decreased in all treated groups compared with controls. Bombesin antagonist RC-3095 and the combination of [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and RC-160 caused a greater inhibition of tumor growth than [D-Trp6]-LH-RH or RC-160 alone as based on measurement of tumor volume and percentage change in tumor volume. The largest decrease in tumor weight was also seen in the groups treated with the bombesin antagonist and with the combination of RC-160 and [D-Trp6]-LH-RH. Serum prostatic-specific antigen levels were greatly decreased, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as well as growth hormone levels were reduced in all treated groups. Specific binding sites for [D-Trp6]-LH-RH, epidermal growth factor (EGF), IGF-I, and somatostatin (SS-14) were found in the tumor membranes. Receptors for EGF were significantly down-regulated by treatment with the bombesin antagonist or RC-160. Combination of LH-RH agonists with somatostatin analog RC-160 might be considered for improvement of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. The finding that bombesin antagonist RC-3095 inhibits the growth of PC-82 prostate cancer suggests the merit of further studies to evaluate the possible usefulness of antagonists of bombesin in the management of prostatic carcinoma.     

Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp containing snake venom peptide, inhibits aggregation of human platelets induced by human hepatoma cell line

Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptide, purified from snake venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, inhibits human platelet aggregation through the blockade of fibrinogen binding to fibrinogen receptors associated with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. In this report, we examined the effect of triflavin on tumor cells (human hepatoma J-5)-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) of heparinized platelet-rich plasma (PRP). ADP-scavenger agents, apyrase (10 U/ml) and creatine phosphate (5 mM)/creatine phosphokinase (5 U/ml) did not inhibit TCIPA while hirudin (5u/ml) completely inhibited it. J-5 cells initially induced platelet aggregation, then blood coagulation occurred. J-5 cells concentration-dependently shortened the recalcification time of normal as well as Factor VIII, IX-deficient human plasmas, while it was inactive at shortening the recalcification time of Factor VII-deficient plasma, suggesting J-5 cells induced platelet aggregation through activation of extrinsic pathway, leading to thrombin formation as evidenced by the amidolytic activity on S-2238 by expressing tissue factor-like activity. Triflavin inhibited TCIPA in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀, 0.02 μM). When compared on molar ratio, triflavin was approximately 30,000 times more potent than GRGDS (IC₅₀,0.58 mM). On the other hand, GRGES showed no significant effect on TCIPA, even its concentration was raised to 4 mM. Additionally, the monoclonal antibodies, raised against glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex (i.e., 7E₃ and 10 E₅) inhibited J-5 TCIPA. In conclusion, we suggest the inhibitory effect of triflavin on J-5 TCIPA may be chiefly mediated by the binding of triflavin to the fibrinogen receptor associated with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex on platelet surface membrane.     

Increase of prolactin mRNA in the rat hypothalamus after intracerebroventricular injection of VIP or PACAP

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), the structurally homologous pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and the pituitary hormone, prolactin (PRL) enhance rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). VIP and PACAP are both inducers of PRL gene expression and release in the pituitary gland. Little is known about PRL regulation in the brain although it is hypothesized that the REMS-promoting activity of i.c.v. administered VIP may be mediated via the activation of cerebral PRL. To test whether VIP or PACAP in fact increase intracerebral mRNA, the peptides (VIP: 30 or 300 pmol; PACAP: 220 pmol) were injected i.c.v. into rats at dark onset. 1 h later, cDNA was synthesized from purified hypothalamic mRNA. Standardized amounts were analysed for PRL using the polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blotting and hybridization. Compared with β-actin mRNA levels, both VIP and PACAP increased PRL mRNA levels in a dose-dependent fashion though VIP was more effective on a molar basis. The previously reported alternatively spliced PRL mRNA (lacking exon 4) was not detected. The data support the hypothesis that the REMS-promoting activity of central VIP and PACAP might be mediated by cerebral PRL.     

降钙素基因相关肽对犬冠脉流量及冠状动脉的作用

本研究通过整体及离体灌流实验观察到重庆冠脉狭窄时，犬冠脉流量（ＣＢＦ），平均动脉压（ＭＡＰ）明显减小，而心率（ＨＲ）则增加。狭窄３０ｍｉｎ后由冠状动脉注射降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）０．３μｇ／ｋｇ后，ＣＢＦ、ＭＡＰ和ＨＲ可恢复正常水平。同时，缺血犬的离体冠状动脉对ＣＧＲＰ的反应也出现改变。大冠脉舒张反应明显降低，而小冠脉的舒张反应与正常相比，无明显改变，这可能与缺血后大冠脉的内皮细胞容易损伤有关。同时也提示:急性心肌缺血时，冠脉流量的减少，主要由于小冠状动脉收缩所致。     

A VIP antagonist distinguishes VIP receptors on spinal cord cells and lymphocytes

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide which also interacts with cells of the immune system. The paucity of specific VIP receptor antagonists has hampered studies of possible receptor heterogeneity and of VIP function. To aid in achieving these goals, a new VIP antagonist, a hybrid between neurotensin and VIP, has been synthesized. This peptide interacted with VIP receptors on spinal cord cells with an affinity 10-fold greater than VIP itself. In contrast, 1000-fold higher concentrations of the antagonist were required to displace labeled VIP from its receptor on lymphoid cells as compared to VIP itself, suggesting VIP receptor heterogeneity between immune and spinal cord cells.     

急性等容性血液稀释对血浆ET和CGRP水平的影响

目的　探讨急性等容性血液稀释 (ANH)对血浆内皮素 (ET)和降钙基因相关肽(CGRP)水平的影响。方法　选择非心脏手术ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级患者 2 0例 ,麻醉前快速输入复方乳酸钠1 0～ 1 5ml/kg。麻醉后从桡动脉放血 1 0ml/kg ,同时经静脉输入等量的 4 %琥珀酰明胶。观察ANH麻醉前 (T0 )、血液稀释完成后 1 0min(T1 )、2 0min(T2 )、30min(T3 )的血液动力学、血浆ET和CGRP浓度的变化。结果　ANH前后MAP、HR、SpO2 和ECG均较稳定。ANH后 1 0min、2 0min血浆ET水平分别为 (1 4 4 4 7± 1 9 1 7) pg/ml和 (1 5 7 1 7± 1 2 4 5 ) pg/ml,但明显高于ANH前的 (1 2 7 6 8±2 0 92 ) pg/ml(P <0 0 5 )。ANH后 1 0min、2 0min血浆CGRP水平分别为 (5 4 72± 2 5 6 5 )pg/ml和(5 5 32± 1 7 94 )pg/ml,也明显高于ANH前的 (4 4 6 2± 1 6 90 ) pg/ml(P <0 0 5 )。而ET/CGRP比值无明显变化。结论　ANH近期血浆ET和CGRP水平均有一定的增加 ,但ET/CGRP比值的变化无统计学意义 ,同时心血管反应不明显 ,表明血浆ET和CGRP的动态平衡对ANH时的循环稳定起着重要的作用