Placental vascular responses to leukotriene receptor antagonist FPL 55712

We have previously shown that FPL 55712, a specific leukotriene receptor antagonist, potentiates estrogen induced uterine hyperemia in nonpregnant rabbits. We therefore chose to investigate the vascular responses of pregnant rabbits to leukotriene blockade. Nine unanesthetized animals carrying 46 viable fetuses were used in this study. Regional blood flows were measured by the radioactive microsphere technique. In 5 rabbits control blood flows were measured after vehicle administration and FPL 55712, 1 mg/kg bolus, followed by infusion of 100 ug/kg/min was given via the jugular vein. Regional blood flows were measured again after 10 minutes of infusion. The procedural order was reversed in the remaining 4 animals. Resistance was calculated as mean arterial pressure divided by total flow to an organ. FPL 55712 decreased the blood pressure from 83 ± 2 to 76 ± 3 mmHg (P<.001). Uterine resistance was not significantly changed (387 ± 44 to 362 ± 42 mmHg·ml⁻¹·min·gm), but renal resistance fell from 18.5 ± 1.1 to 15.1 ± 1.2 mmHg·ml⁻¹·min·gm (P<.01). FPL 55712 induced maternal placental vasodilatation with resistance decreasing from 291 ± 33 to 261 ± 31 mmHg·ml⁻¹·min·gm (P<.04). Vehicle administration did not cause dilation in any vascular bed. FPL 55712 appears to be a placental vasodilator whose action is most likely due to receptor blockade of the vasoconstrictive endogenous leukotrienes.     

Placental vascular responses to leukotriene receptor antagonist FPL 55712

We have previously shown that FPL 55712, a specific leukotriene receptor antagonist, potentiates estrogen induced uterine hyperemia in nonpregnant rabbits. We therefore chose to investigate the vascular responses of pregnant rabbits to leukotriene blockade. Nine unanesthetized animals carrying 46 viable fetuses were used in this study. Regional blood flows were measured by the radioactive microsphere technique. In 5 rabbits control blood flows were measured after vehicle administration and FPL 55712, 1 mg/kg bolus, followed by infusion of 100 micrograms/kg/min was given via the jugular vein. Regional blood flows were measured again after 10 minutes of infusion. The procedural order was reversed in the remaining 4 animals. Resistance was calculated as mean arterial pressure divided by total flow to an organ. FPL 55712 decreased the blood pressure from 83 +/- 2 to 76 +/- 3 mmHg (P less than .001). Uterine resistance was not significantly changed (387 +/- 44 to 362 +/- 42 mmHg X ml-1 X min X gm), but renal resistance fell from 18.5 +/- 1.1 to 15.1 +/- 1.2 mmHg X ml-1 X min X gm (P less than .01). FPL 55712 induced maternal placental vasodilatation with resistance decreasing from 291 +/- 33 to 261 +/- 31 mmHg X ml-1 X min X gm (P less than .04). Vehicle administration did not cause dilation in any vascular bed. FPL 55712 appears to be a placental vasodilator whose action is most likely due to receptor blockade of the vasoconstrictive endogenous leukotrienes.     

Structure of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A)

To elucidate the chemical structure of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis from rat (SRS-A^rat), SRS-A^rat were purified by the method of Orange with modification using DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography. Ultraviolet absorption spectrum of purified SRS-A^rat indicated the presence of conjugated triene. Arylsulfatase B degradation products and HCl degradation products were subjected to analysis by a gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and a thin layer chromatography. Products obtained by arylsulfatase B catalysis contained 5,6-dihydroxy-7,9,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. HCl degradation products showed the presence of glycine, glutamic acid and cysteic acid. Furthermore, the analysis of anhydrous hydrazine degradation products of SRS-A^rat and of HCl hydrolyzed products of dinitrophenylated SRS-A^rat revealed the presence of glycine at C-terminal and glutamic acid at N-terminal. The study of the substrate specificity of arylsulfatase B against various materials including SRS-A^rat suggested the presence of sulfone in SRS-A^rat. The molecular ion peak of SRS-A^rat sodium salt was observed at m/e 680 in field desorption mass spectrum of SRS-A^rat.On the basis of these data, we identified the structure of SRS-A^rat as [γ-glutamyl-4(5-hydroxy-7,9,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid-6-yl)-4,4-dioxocysteinyl] glycine.     

Selective inhibition of the lipoxygenase metabolic pathway of arachidonic acid by the SRS-A antagonist, FPL 55712

Arachidonic acid, metabolized by the enzyme contained in the cell-free homogenate of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells, yields products of both the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways. FPL 55712, the SRS-A antagonist, was found to inhibit the formation of lipoxygenase products, but not the cyclooxygenase products. Proxicromil was qualitatively similar, but markedly less potent. Disodium cromoglycate was inactive as an inhibitor of either metabolic pathway at concentrations up to 300 microM.     

Release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis from layers of guinea pig aorta

Release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from layers of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig aorta after antigenic challenge in vitro was investigated. SRS-A was determined by bioassay and in terms of leukotriene C4-like immunoreactivity using radioimmunoassay. While no SRS-A could be detected before challenge, the adventitia released considerable amounts of SRS-A after addition of antigen to the incubation medium. On the other hand, an inner layer of the aortic wall consisting of smooth muscle tissue with some adherent endothelium released only small amounts of SRS-A after challenge.     

Release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis from layers of guinea pig aorta

Release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from layers of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig aorta after antigenic challenge in vitro was investigated. SRS-A was determined by bioassay and in terms of leukotriene C₄-like immunoreactivity using radioimmunoassay. While no SRS-A could be detected before challenge, teh adventitia released considerable amounts of SRS-A after addition of antigen to the incubation medium. On the other hand, an inner layer of the aortic wall consisting of smooth muscle tissue with some coherent endothelium released only small amounts of SRS-A after challenge.     

The release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis from guinea pig lung: effects of calcium antagonists

The effects of three calcium antagonists, verapamil, lanthanum, and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) were studied on the release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from ovalbumin-sensitized chopped guinea pig lung parenchyma in calcium-containing and calcium-free media. The SRS-A levels (mean +/- SEM) obtained from tissues incubated in normal and calcium-free Krebs-bicarbonate buffer were 51 +/- 8 (N = 19) and 21 +/- 4 (N = 14) U/mL, respectively. TMB-8 (0.1-10 microM), a reported intracellular calcium antagonist, reduced antigen-stimulated SRS-A release from lung tissue incubated in calcium-containing, but not calcium-free, medium; A23187-induced SRS-A release from normal guinea pig lung was not significantly altered by TMB-8 at concentrations up to 10 microM. Verapamil and lanthanum consistently reduced SRS-A release only at high concentrations (100 microM and 1mM, respectively). The quantities of SRS-A released from lung tissue incubated in the presence of verapamil in normal medium were similar to those obtained in calcium-free medium. Tissues incubated in the presence of potassium chloride (60 and 100 mM) did not release significant quantities of SRS-A, and release which did occur was not blocked by verapamil, suggesting that antigen-induced SRS-A release is not dependent on membrane depolarization and that verapamil was not exerting inhibition via blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels. These data suggest that although intracellular calcium is important for the regulation of SRS-A secretion from guinea pig lung tissue, extracellular calcium is necessary for optimal release of SRS-A.     

Purification and some physicochemical properties of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) from sensitized guinea pig lung.

The slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) generated by antigen challenge of sensitized guinea pig lung fragments was partially purified and the physicochemical properties of this activity were studied. The SRS-A recovered from antigen challenged lung preparations of 600 animals was used for the purification procedure. Treatment with organic solvents, extraction with 80% ethanol, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography with 80% ethanol, and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography in 60% methanol eluted with 0.0 to 0.1 M NaCl in 60% methanol was the purification sequence finally adopted. Overall recovery of SRS-A bioactivity was 60% with a specific activity of 2.52 units/ng of dry weight. This represented a 1.67 million-fold purification over the starting material. The DEAE-Sephadex A-25 step alone provided a 7600-fold purification. This highly purified SRS-A had an apparent molecular weight of 380 to 400 daltons. The bioactivity was acid labile and alkaline stable and was blocked by low concentrations of the SRS-A antagonist FPL 55712. The SRS-A was thermostable in aqueous media and displayed enhanced bioactivity after heating at 60 C for 60 min. These results indicate that we have developed a highly efficient new approach to the isolation of guinea pig SRS-A, which also may be useful in the study of SRS-A from other tissues or species. The physicochemical properties of guinea pig SRS-A appear to be very similar to those of SRS-A from other species.     

Role of the epithelium in airway smooth muscle responses to relaxant agonists.

We studied the role of the guinea pig tracheal epithelium in modulating tracheal smooth muscle responses to the relaxant agonists albuterol, sodium nitroprusside, and theophylline. We used an in vitro preparation that allowed separation of the fluids bathing the luminal (internal) and serosal (external) surfaces of the trachea, and bronchodilators were administered to either surface of carbachol-contracted tracheae. All three drugs produced dose-dependent relaxation. However, albuterol and nitroprusside were less potent (concentration that produced half-maximal effect increased by 100- and 32-fold, respectively) when given to the epithelial side with the epithelium intact compared with the epithelium denuded or compared with serosal administration with the epithelium intact. These differences were not observed for theophylline, where smooth muscle responses were independent of either the side of stimulation or of the presence or absence of the epithelium. Direct measurements of the diffusion of theophylline across the tracheal wall in the presence or absence of epithelium showed that after 5 h of incubation with a fixed luminal concentration of theophylline, only 1.7% had diffused across the tracheal wall with the epithelium intact. This increased to only approximately 3.3% when the epithelium was denuded. These results suggest that the epithelial is a relatively weak barrier for lipophilic agents but has a major role as a diffusion barrier to hydrophilic substances.     

Release of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis and leukotriene C4-like immunoreactivity from guinea pig colonic tissue

Colonic mucosa, muscularis propria and subserosa from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs were incubated and challenged with antigen in vitro. Slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxix (SRS-A) was determined biologically as well as radioimmunologically in terms of leukotriene (LT) C₄-like immunoreactivity. Before antigenic challenge release of immunoreactive LTC₄ by all tissues was below or close to the detection limit of the radioimmunoassay. After addition of antigen colonic mucosa released considerable amounts of LTC₄-like immunoreactivity, while muscularis propria and subserosa were less active. The biological activity of the SRS-A formed after challenge was antagonized by FPL 55712. Contrary to LTC₄-like immunoreactivity release of 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1_α was predominant in the subsero and smaller amounts were released from the smooth muscular and mucosal layers. Synthesis of SRS-A and LTC₄-like immunoreactivity, respectively, as well as synthesis of 6-keto-PGF_1α was inhibited by the dual inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclooygenase BW755C. The results suggest a role for LTs as local mediators of inflammatory reactions in colonic disease states, particularly those with possible involvement of immunological processes.     

Enhanced airway responses to substance P after repeated challenge in guinea pigs

We performed three consecutive dose-response curves to rapid intravenous infusions of substance P (SP) in anesthetized, mechanically ventilated guinea pigs. The dose of SP required to decrease pulmonary conductance to 50% of its base-line value (ED50GL) decreased 2.8-fold (P less than 0.002) and 3.3-fold (P less than 0.001) on the second and third dose-response curves, respectively, compared with the first. SP did not alter airway responses to intravenous histamine but did cause a significant (3.7-fold) decrease in ED50GL for dose-response curves to intravenous capsaicin, an agent that causes bronchoconstriction by release of endogenous tachykinins. The neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitor thiorphan (0.5 mg) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (1.7 mg) both caused a marked enhancement of airway responses to SP observed on the first dose-response curve but did not alter the enhancement of SP-induced airway responses produced by repeated SP challenge. The anticholinergic atropine (5 mg/kg iv), the antihistamine mepyramine (8 mg/kg iv), and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (30 mg/kg ip) had no effect on the first SP dose-response curve. Atropine and mepyramine did not prevent the enhancement of SP responses observed with repeated challenge, but after pretreatment with either indomethacin or acetylsalicylic acid, dose-response curves to SP were reproducible. Our results indicate that airway responses to intravenous SP are enhanced with repeated SP challenge and suggest that cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism are involved in the mediation of this phenomenon.     

Enhancement of taste responses to acids by calcium ions

The frog taste nerve responses to HCl and acetic acids were greatly enhanced by increasing calcium concentration in a solution to which the tongue had adapted when the lingual artery was perfused with Ringer solution. Enhancement was not seen in the responses to other taste stimuli.     

Effect of the NEP inhibitor SCH32615 on airway responses to intravenous substance P in guinea pigs.

We examined the effects of the selective neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor SCH32615 on airway responses to rapid intravenous infusions of substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) and on recovery of administered tachykinins from arterial blood in anesthetized mechanically ventilated guinea pigs. SCH32615, in doses that cause a marked increase in the magnitude of bronchoconstriction induced by infused NKA, had little effect on the changes in pulmonary conductance (GL) or dynamic compliance induced by SP. In animals in which SCH32615 (1 mg/kg) was administered in combination with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (5.7 mg/kg), the dose of SP required to decrease GL by 50% was fourfold less than in animals that received captopril alone (P < 0.005). SP measured in arterial blood withdrawn within 45 s of intravenous administration of this tachykinin was not different in control and SCH32615-treated animals, whereas captopril caused an approximately threefold increase in SP concentrations (P < 0.005). When SCH32615 and captopril were administered together, significantly more SP was recovered than when captopril or SCH32615 was administered alone (P < 0.0005). Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that both NEP and ACE contribute to the degradation of intravenously infused SP. ACE degradation of SP is sufficient to limit SP-induced bronchoconstriction even in the presence of specific NEP inhibition.