Certain calcium channel blockers bind specifically to multidrug-resistant human KB carcinoma membrane vesicles and inhibit drug binding to P-glycoprotein

The calcium channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem have been shown to reverse multidrug resistance, but the mechanism of action of these agents is still unknown. We measured [3H]verapamil, [3H]desmethoxyverapamil, [3H]diltiazem, and [3H]nitrendipine binding to membrane vesicles made from drug-sensitive (KB-3-1), multidrug-resistant (KB-C4 and KB-V1), and revertant (KB-V1-R2) cells. Membrane vesicles from KB-V1 cells bound 10-20-fold more [3H]verapamil and [3H]diltiazem and about 30-fold more [3H]desmethoxyverapamil than did vesicles from the parental KB-3-1 or revertant KB-V1-R2 cell lines. These drugs reverse the multidrug resistance phenotype by increasing accumulation of drugs in the resistant cells. No difference in binding of [3H]nitrendipine, which did not reverse drug resistance, was observed. The binding of vinblastine, desmethoxyverapamil, and diltiazem to KB-V1 vesicles was specific and saturable and was inhibited by desmethoxyverapamil and quinidine greater than vinblastine and diltiazem much greater than daunomycin. In addition, verapamil and diltiazem inhibited the vinblastine photoaffinity labeling of P170, the protein previously shown to be a marker of multidrug resistance.     

Measurement of the diene conjugated form of linoleic acid in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography: a questionable non-invasive assay of free radical activity?

It has been previously reported that the main diene-conjugated fatty acid in human plasma is a non-oxygen containing linoleic acid isomer (PL-9, 11-LA'). It has also been proposed that this isomer can be used as a specific marker of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in humans. Here we report that the in vitro induction of lipid peroxidation in human and rat blood with either UV irradiation or phenylhydrazine failed to increase the plasma levels of this isomer. The induction of lipid peroxidation in vivo in rats pretreated with either phenylhydrazine or bromotrichloromethane also failed to increase the plasma levels of this isomer. These findings demonstrate that PL-9, 11-LA' cannot be used as an in vivo marker of free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in rats and casts doubts on its validity as a specific marker in humans.     

The role of region IVS5 of the human cardiac calcium channel in establishing inactivated channel conformation: use-dependent block by benzothiazepines

The role of inactivated channel conformation and use dependence for diltiazem, a specific benzothiazepine calcium channel inhibitor, was studied in chimeric constructs and point mutants created in the IVS5 transmembrane segment of the L-type cardiac calcium channel. All mutations, chimeric or point mutations, were restricted to IVS5, while the YAI-containing segment in IVS6, i.e. the primary interaction site with benzothiazepines, remained intact. Slowed inactivation rate and incomplete steady state inactivation, a behavior of some mutants, were accompanied by a reduced or by a complete loss of use-dependent block by diltiazem. Single channel properties of mutants that lost use dependence toward diltiazem were characterized by drastically elongated mean open times and distinctly slower time constants of open time distribution. Mutation of individual residues of the IVMLF segment in IVS5 did not mimic the complete loss of use dependence as observed for the replacement of the whole stretch. These results establish evidence that amino acids that govern inactivation and the drug-binding site and other amino acids that are located distal from the putative drug-binding site contribute significantly to the function of the benzothiazepine receptor region. The data are consistent with a complex "pocket" conformation that is responsive to a specific class of L-type calcium channel inhibitors. The data allow for a concept that multiple sites within regions of the alpha(1) subunit contribute to auto-regulation of the L-type Ca(2+) channel.     

Evidence that the cytosolic activity of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in chicken liver isL-3-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase

Classical fractionation studies showed that chicken liver contains two enzymes which can oxidize DL-3-hydroxybutyrate. The cytosolic enzyme is specific for the L-(+) isomer and accounts for 60% of the total activity. The mitochondrial activity is specific for the D-(?) isomer and accounts for 40% of the total activity. Kinetic studies showed that L-gulonic acid is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. We conclude that the cytosolic enzyme is the previously described L-3-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase.     

Evidence that the cytosolic activity of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in chicken liver is L-3-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase

Classical fractionation studies showed that chicken liver contains two enzymes which can oxidize DL-3-hydroxybutyrate. The cytosolic enzyme is specific for the L-(+) isomer and accounts for 60% of the total activity. The mitochondrial activity is specific for the D-(-) isomer and accounts for 40% of the total activity. Kinetic studies showed that L-gulonic acid is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. We conclude that the cytosolic enzyme is the previously described L-3-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase.     

N-Nitroso-β-lactams as β-lactamase inhibitor

N-Nitroso-β-phenyl-β-lactam has been found to be a specific inhibitor of β-lactamase. N-Nitroso--phenyl-β-lactam, by contrast, was virtually ineffective although a transient inhibition of short duration was observed. The acyl enzyme derived from the β-phenyl isomer is presumably involved in a cross-linking reaction, whereas that from the -phenyl isomer was quenched by spontaneous hydrolysis without formation of a covalent bond. No inhibitory effect of the β-phenyl isomer on chymotrypsin has been observed.     

Diltiazem enhancement of [3H]nitrendipine binding to calcium channel associated drug receptor sites in rat brain synaptosomes

The binding of the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist [³H]nitrendipine to whole rat brain synaptosomes was studied. Binding was specific, saturable, and of high affinity (K_d = 170 pM). The calcium channel antagonist diltiazem enhanced [³H]nitrendipine binding in synaptosomes in concentrations of 1 and 10 μM. Equilibrium saturation analysis demonstrated that this effect was mediated by a decrease in the dissociation constant, due to a 3-fold reduction in the rate of ligand-receptor complex dissociation. It is concluded that diltiazem allosterically modulates the calcium channel drug receptor labeled by [³H]nitrendipine in this preparation.     

Solubilization of the calcium antagonist receptor from rat brain

[3H]Nitrendipine binds with high affinity to a calcium antagonist receptor in rat brain membranes. At 4 degrees C, treatment with digitonin solubilized the calcium antagonist receptor as a stable complex with [3H]nitrendipine. The nitrendipine concentration that gave a half-maximal amount of the solubilized [3H]nitrendipine-receptor complex was identical to the Kd for specific nitrendipine binding to brain membranes. Nitrendipine dissociated from digitonin-solubilized and membrane-bound receptors with a half-time of 24 to 30 min at 20 degrees C. Verapamil increased and diltiazem decreased the dissociation rate to a similar extent in both preparations indicating that the solubilized receptor contains both the dihydropyridine and diltiazem/verapamil binding sites. Sucrose gradient sedimentation experiments gave a value of S20, omega = 19.2 for the receptor-digitonin complex. The solubilized calcium antagonist receptor binds specifically to wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose columns consistent with an identification as a glycoprotein.     

Effects of the calcium channel blocker diltiazem on the excitability of mouse oocytes

Effects of the organic Ca antagonist diltiazem on Ca channels were studied in ovulated and unfertilized oocytes of the mouse by using intracellular recording techniques. The resting potential was not affected by diltiazem. The threshold level of the Ca action potential shifted slightly toward positive voltages with diltiazem concentration, but the shift was not statistically significant. The overshoot and maximum rate of rise of the Ca action potential were inhibited by the drug in a dose-dependent manner, but higher amounts of diltiazem were necessary to cause similar blocking effects on Ca channels in mouse oocytes than in other differentiated cells. Increases of external concentration of Ca²⁺ antagonized the degree of diltiazem inhibition. However, the sequence of block of Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ currents was different for diltiazem vs Cd²⁺. It is suggested that diltiazem inhibition can not be explained by simple competitive scheme, ie, antagonism between diltiazem and permeant cations does not occur at the same binding site associated with the Ca channel in mouse oocytes.     

Transmembrane ion conductance in human B lymphocyte activation.

Human B lymphocytes were examined to determine whether transmembrane ion conductance plays a role in cell activation. Mitogens (anti-human IgM F(ab')2 fragment (anti-mu) and PMA) were used to stimulate B lymphocytes. Mitogen-induced DNA synthesis was inhibited by tetraethylammonium-Cl (TEA), 4-aminopyridine (4AP), verapamil, and diltiazem in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was not due to reduction in cell viability as determined by trypan blue exclusion. Mitogen-induced increases in RNA synthesis were partially inhibited by TEA and 4AP and were more completely inhibited by verapamil and diltiazem. Mitogen-induced cell volume increases were not affected by TEA or 4AP but were completely inhibited by verapamil and diltiazem. B lymphocytes stimulated with anti-mu expressed G1 phase cell surface antigens in the presence of TEA or 4AP, but failed to do so in the presence of verapamil or diltiazem. Substitution of PMA for anti-mu as the mitogen did not alter the effects of TEA or 4AP. However, verapamil inhibited PMA-induced expression of G1 phase cell surface markers although diltiazem did not. The patch clamp technique was used to directly examine plasma membrane ionic currents in whole-cell, cell-attached, and inside-out patch configurations. Activation of B lymphocytes with either anti-mu or the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, inhibited opening of one type of channel in cell-attached patches. In inside-out patches, this channel type conducted current when the bath [Ca2+] was low (6 X 10(-8) M) but failed to conduct current when the bath [Ca2+] was increased above 1 X 10(-6) M. The results of these experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of B lymphocytes induces alterations in plasma membrane ion conductance. Single channel studies suggest that activation induced increases in [Ca2+]i may directly inhibit a specific set of plasma membrane ion channels as one mechanism by which transmembrane ion flux is altered.     

The role of Ca2+ and protein kinase C in the differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and diltiazem

The roles of calcium (Ca2+) and protein kinase C in the differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (D3) and/or a Ca2+ antagonist, diltiazem(D-cis, L-cis), were elucidated. D3 and diltiazem (100 microM) inhibited cell proliferation, and diltiazem enhanced the D3-induced differentiation. There was no difference in potency between the two isomers of diltiazem in the enhancing activity, in spite of their different pharmacological activity. The concentration of free Ca2+ in the HL-60 cells following D3 and/or diltiazem treatment significantly increased. A protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7, inhibited the phenotypic differentiation induced by D3. These results suggest that Ca2+ and protein kinase C play an important role in the differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by D3 and diltiazem.     

Characterization and photoaffinity labeling of receptor sites for the Ca2+ channel inhibitors d-cis-diltiazem, (+/-)-bepridil, desmethoxyverapamil, and (+)-PN 200-110 in skeletal muscle transverse tubule membranes

In order to further understand the molecular nature of the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel in skeletal muscle, we have performed classical radioligand binding studies and photoaffinity labeling with different types of tritiated inhibitors of the Ca2+ channel. The equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) for (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil, d-cis-[3H]diltiazem, and (+/-)-[3H]bepridil at their receptor sites in skeletal muscle transverse tubule membranes are: 1.5 +/- 0.5, 50 +/- 5, and 20 +/- 5 nM, respectively. Maximum binding capacities in picomoles/milligram of protein were: 70 +/- 10 for (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil, 50 +/- 15 for d-cis-[3H]diltiazem, and 75 +/- 15 for (+/-)-[3H]bepridil. The kinetics of association at 10 degrees C for the three types of tritiated compounds were relatively slow (3 X 10(5) M-1 S-1 for (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil, 8 X 10(3) M-1 S-1 for d-cis-[3H]diltiazem, and 4.2 X 10(5) M-1 S-1 for (+/-)-[3H]bepridil). The dissociation of (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil and d-cis-[3H]diltiazem from their receptor sites was also a slow process with half-lives of dissociation of 33 and 36 min, respectively. Competition studies using the three tritiated ligands suggest that they bind to the same receptor site which appears to be in a 1:1 stoichiometry with the dihydropyridine receptor. Photoaffinity labeling with high intensity ultraviolet light in the presence of (+/-)-[3H]bepridil or d-cis[3H]diltiazem resulted in the specific covalent incorporation of radioactivity into a polypeptide of Mr 170,000 +/- 10,000. A polypeptide of Mr 170,000 was also specifically labeled in photoaffinity labeling experiments using the high affinity dihydropyridine derivative (+)-[3H]PN 200-100.     

Glutamate potential : differences from the excitatory junctional potential revealed by diltiazem and concanavalin A in crayfish neuromuscular junction.

1. The effect of diltiazem and concanavalin A (Con A) on the crayfish neuromuscular junction was investigated in order to compare the action of L-glutamate with that of the excitatory transmitter. 2. When diltiazem (0.3 nM) was added to the perfusion fluid, the iontophoretic glutamate potential was reduced to about half, whereas the amplitude of excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) increased by about two times. 3. Dose-response curves of L-glutamate suggested that diltiazem acted in a non-competitive manner. The decrease in amplitude of the glutamate potential caused by diltiazem was not due to the acceleration of desensitization of the glutamate receptor. 4. The increase in amplitude of EJPs caused by diltiazem was due to the increase in membrane resistance. The quantal content and size of extracellular EJPs were not affected by diltiazem. 5. In normal saline, bath application of glutamate decreased the amplitude of both glutamate potentials and EJPs because of desensitization of the glutamate receptor. The decrease in amplitude of the glutamate potential was completely prevented by previous application of Con A (10(-6) M). On the other hand, Con A had no influence on the decrease in amplitude of EJPs. 6. Some possible explanations of these pharmacological differences between glutamate potentials and EJPs revealed by diltiazem and Con A are considered.     

Interactions of digoxin with nifedipine and diltiazem

Biological serum halt-life, relative volume of distribution and digoxin clearance following a single oral dose of digoxin with diltiazem or nifedipine were evaluated. Blood serum digoxin following its administration with diltiazem and nifedipine for 8 days were assayed. It was found that diltiazem and nifedipine did not affect tested pharmacokinetic parameters of digoxin and did not change digoxin serum levels during a 8-day administration in combination with diltiazem and nifedipine.     

High-performance thin-layer chromatographic determination of diltiazem hydrochloride as bulk drug and in pharmaceutical preparations

A simple, rapid, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method for the analysis of diltiazem hydrochloride both as a bulk drug and in pharmaceuticals is reported. The mobile phase composition was ethyl acetate–methanol–strong ammonia solution (80:10:10, v/v). Densitometric analysis of diltiazem hydrochloride was carried out at 238 nm. The calibration curve of diltiazem hydrochloride in distilled water was linear in the range 40–400 ng. The mean value of correlation coefficient, slope and intercept were 0.997±0.0008, 0.0617±0.0012 and 7.16±0.2562, respectively. The limits of detection and quantitation were 20 ng and 40 ng, respectively. The recovery of diltiazem hydrochloride was about 99.5%. The method was utilized to analyse diltiazem hydrochloride from conventional and sustained release tablets in the presence of commonly used excipients.     

Inhibition of apolipoprotein B net synthesis and secretion from cultured rat hepatocytes by the calcium-channel blocker diltiazem.

1. The effect of the Ca2+-channel blocker diltiazem on hepatic apolipoprotein B (apo B) synthesis and secretion was studied in 12-18 h cultures of collagenase-dispersed rat hepatocytes. 2. The presence of diltiazem in the medium decreased apo B secretion by hepatocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. At 25 microM, diltiazem inhibited apo B secretion by approx. 36%, but there was no evidence of intracellular accumulation of apo B. 3. The inhibition of apo B secretion by hepatocytes was significantly correlated with cell-associated diltiazem (r = 0.72, P less than 0.01). 4. The rate of apo B secretion remained linear over 16 h even in the presence of 50 microM-diltiazem. 5. At diltiazem concentrations in the medium which were inhibitory for apo B secretion, [14C]acetate incorporation into cellular lipids and [35S]methionine incorporation into protein were enhanced. 6. Diltiazem inhibited the secretion of the apo B variants with a preferential inhibition of the higher-molecular-mass form of apo B (apo BH) over the lower-molecular-mass form (apo BL) at diltiazem concentrations in the medium greater than 25 microM. 7. Together, these results suggest that Ca2+ may play an important role in the synthesis and secretion of apo B-containing lipoproteins.     

Purification of synthetic all-E lycophyll (psi,psi-carotene-16,16'-diol)

An efficient purification of synthetic all-trans (all-E) lycophyll is described. The synthetic preparation of the rare xanthophyll lycophyll produces a mixture of geometric isomers. Purification by HPLC using reverse-phase C30 silica affords milligram quantities of the desired all-trans isomer in >95% purity, as confirmed by (1)H NMR and LC/MS. Most recently, a facile work-up of the geometric mixture formed during total synthesis was found to provide multigrams of the targeted all-E geometric isomer of lycophyll. The acquisition of modest quantities of this specific lycopene analog allows its therapeutic potential to be explored.     

Regulation of murine plasmacytoma transferrin receptor expression and G1 traversal by plasmacytoma cell growth factor

Many plasmacytomas arising in BALB/c mice require a specific, macrophage-derived growth factor in order to proliferate in vitro. Since transferrin receptor expression is normally regulated by tissue-specific growth factors and because expression of these receptors is required for cell proliferation, we examined the interaction of plasmacytoma growth factor (PCT-GF) on transferrin receptor expression and cell cycle progression in several PCT-GF-dependent and independent plasmacytoma cell lines maintained in vitro. We found that removal of PCT-GF results in a rapid and specific loss of transferrin receptor expression with concomitant G1 arrest in early G1. The time required for G1 arrest to become maximal correlates closely to the initial level of surface transferrin receptor expression and the rate of decay following removal of PCT-GF. The calcium channel blocker diltiazem interferes with the ability of PCT-GF to maintain transferrin receptor expression in PCT-GF-dependent cell lines and causes a G1 arrest of the cell population. When added to a PCT-GF-independent cell line, diltiazem also inhibited transferrin receptor expression and caused G1 arrest. Thus, both PCT-GF-dependent and -independent plasmacytoma cell lines require transferrin receptor expression for growth. In factor dependent cell lines, transferrin receptor expression requires exogenous PCT-GF, while in factor-independent cells, transferrin receptor expression is constitutive. In both cell types, intracellular calcium levels may play a role in receptor expression.     

Three-dimensional solution structure of a disulfide bond isomer of the human insulin-like growth factor-I.

The solution structure of a disulfide bond isomer of human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was determined using homonuclear NMR methods. A total of 292 interatomic distance constraints, including 12 related to the disulfide bridges, was used in the distance geometry calculations. The determined structures contain two helical rods corresponding to the sequence regions, Ala8-Cys18 and Leu54-Cys61. Comparison with the previously determined structure of native human IGF-I revealed partial correspondence of the secondary structure (helices I: Ala8-Cys18 and helices III: Leu54-Cys61) and internal packing. Helix II in native human IGF-I (residues Gly42-Cys48) is disrupted in the isomer. A similar relationship has been described between the structure of native insulin and a homologous disulfide isomer, suggesting that these alternative folds represent general features of insulin-like sequences. In each case the precision of the distance geometry ensemble is low due in part to resonance broadening and a paucity of NOEs relative to other globular proteins of this size. These observations suggest that tertiary structure of the isomer is not highly ordered. Comparison of the biological activities of native and the disulfide bond isomer of human IGF-I highlight the importance of Tyr24, Phe25, Phe49-Cys52 and Phe16 in binding to the IGF-I receptor or specific IGFBPs. The relationship of this proposed receptor-binding surface of human IGF-I to those of insulin is discussed.     

Influence of honey on orally and intravenously administered diltiazem kinetics in rabbits

Effect of honey on plasma concentration of diltiazem after oral and intravenous administration in rabbits, has been studied. For oral study, single dose of diltiazem (5 mg/kg, p.o.) along with saline was administered to New Zealand white rabbits (n=8). Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hr after drug administration from marginal ear vein. After a washout period of one week, diltiazem was administered with honey (2.34 ml/kg; p.o.) and the blood samples were collected as above. To the same animals honey (2.34 ml/kg; p.o.) was continued once daily for 7 days. On 8th day, honey and diltiazem were administered simultaneously and blood samples were collected at similar time intervals as mentioned above. For intravenous study the pharmacokinetic was done in each animal on two occasions. The first study was done after single dose administration of diltiazem (5 mg/kg; i.v.) along with saline (2.34 ml/kg; p.o.). Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.083, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hr after i.v. diltiazem administration. The same animals were treated with honey (2.34 ml/kg; p.o.) for seven days. On day 8, the second study was carried out with single dose i.v. administration of diltiazem along with honey (2.34 ml/kg; p.o.) and blood samples were collected. In the oral study, single dose administration of honey decreased the AUC and Cmax of diltiazem associated with significant increase in clearance and volume of distribution when compared to saline treated group. After one week administration of honey, diltiazem kinetic data showed further reduction in AUC and Cmax and increase in clearance and volume of distribution. In the i.v. study also, multiple dose administration of honey significantly reduced the AUC and increased the clearance value of diltiazem. The results suggest that honey may decrease the plasma concentration of diltiazem after its oral or i.v. administration in rabbits.