Basolateral membrane Na/base cotransport is dependent on CO2/HCO3 in the proximal convoluted tubule

The mechanism of basolateral membrane base transport was examined in the in vitro microperfused rabbit proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) in the absence and presence of ambient CO2/HCO3- by means of the microfluorometric measurement of cell pH. The buffer capacity of the cells measured using rapid NH3 washout was 42.8 +/- 5.6 mmol.liter-1.pH unit-1 in the absence and 84.6 +/- 7.3 mmol.liter-1.pH unit-1 in the presence of CO2/HCO3-. In the presence of CO2/HCO3-, lowering peritubular pH from 7.4 to 6.8 acidified the cell by 0.30 pH units and lowering peritubular Na from 147 to 0 mM acidified the cell by 0.25 pH units. Both effects were inhibited by peritubular 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (SITS). In the absence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-, lowering peritubular pH from 7.4 to 6.8 acidified the cell by 0.25 pH units and lowering peritubular Na from 147 to 0 mM decreased cell pH by 0.20 pH units. Lowering bath pH from 7.4 to 6.8 induced a proton flux of 643 +/- 51 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in the presence of exogenous CO2/HCO3- and 223 +/- 27 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in its absence. Lowering bath Na from 147 to 0 mM induced proton fluxes of 596 +/- 77 pmol.mm-1.min-1 in its absence. The cell acidification induced by lowering bath pH or bath Na in the absence of CO2/HCO3- was inhibited by peritubular SITS or by acetazolamide, whereas peritubular amiloride had no effect. In the absence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-, cyanide blocked the cell acidification induced by bath Na removal, but was without effect in the presence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-. We reached the following conclusions. (a) The basolateral Na/base n greater than 1 cotransporter in the rabbit PCT has an absolute requirement for CO2/HCO3-. (b) In spite of this CO2 dependence, in the absence of exogenous CO2/HCO3-, metabolically produced CO2/HCO3- is sufficient to keep the transporter running at 30% of its control rate in the presence of ambient CO2/HCO3-. (c) There is no apparent amiloride-sensitive Na/H antiporter on the basolateral membrane of the rabbit PCT.     

Antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activity of an unusual amino acid (2-amino-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid) isolated from the seeds of Crotalaria juncea

In continuation of our drug discovery programme on Indian medicinal plants, we isolated an unusual amino acid, i.e. 2-amino-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid (1) from the seeds of Crotalaria juncea. The 2-amino-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid (1) showed dose dependent lipid lowering activity in the in vivo experiments and also showed good in vitro antioxidant activity. The cyclized compound, 3-amino-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one (2) showed better lipid lowering and antioxidant profile than the parent compound 1.     

不同来源肝细胞在体外降脂药物评价中药效反应的对比

目的:通过对比不同来源的人肝癌细胞系HepG2和原代大鼠肝细胞在体外降脂药物评价中药效反应,指导两种肝细胞在体外降脂药物评价中的实际应用。方法:用游离脂肪酸(油酸/棕榈酸,2:1)诱导HepG2细胞、原代大鼠肝细胞脂肪变性,并用100μmol·L-1苯扎贝特干预,检测细胞内甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、活性氧(ROS)含量,细胞内脂滴数目、并检测细胞上清液中丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。结果:FFA刺激使HepG2细胞和原代大鼠肝细胞脂质沉积(TG、脂滴)和氧化应激(ROS、MDA、SOD)水平上升。苯扎贝特对HepG2细胞1 mmol·L-1FFA造模组和原代大鼠肝细胞0.5 mmol·L-1FFA造模组脂质沉积和氧化应激水平改善显著;而HepG2细胞0.5 mmol·L-1FFA造模组和原代大鼠肝细胞1 mmol·L-1FFA造模组脂质沉积和氧化应激水平在苯扎贝特干预后变化不明显。结论:在相同FFA造模浓度,原代大鼠肝细胞病理特征变化更为明显;苯扎贝特对两种肝细胞在脂质沉积和氧化应激水平的作用也不完全相同。因而HepG2细胞和原代大鼠肝细胞在体外降脂药物评价中药效反应是不完全相同的。     

Antihypertensive treatment differentially affects vascular sphingolipid biology in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background

We have previously shown that essential hypertension in humans and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), is associated with increased levels of ceramide and marked alterations in sphingolipid biology. Pharmacological elevation of ceramide in isolated carotid arteries of SHR leads to vasoconstriction via a calcium-independent phospholipase A₂, cyclooxygenase-1 and thromboxane synthase-dependent release of thromboxane A₂. This phenomenon is almost absent in vessels from normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Here we investigated whether lowering of blood pressure can reverse elevated ceramide levels and reduce ceramide-mediated contractions in SHR.

Methods and Findings

For this purpose SHR were treated for 4 weeks with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan or the vasodilator hydralazine. Both drugs decreased blood pressure equally (SBP untreated SHR: 191±7 mmHg, losartan: 125±5 mmHg and hydralazine: 113±14 mmHg). The blood pressure lowering was associated with a 20–25% reduction in vascular ceramide levels and improved endothelial function of isolated carotid arteries in both groups. Interestingly, losartan, but not hydralazine treatment, markedly reduced sphingomyelinase-induced contractions. While both drugs lowered cyclooxygenase-1 expression, only losartan and not hydralazine, reduced the endothelial expression of calcium-independent phospholipase A₂. The latter finding may explain the effect of losartan treatment on sphingomyelinase-induced vascular contraction.

Conclusion

In summary, this study corroborates the importance of sphingolipid biology in blood pressure control and specifically shows that blood pressure lowering reduces vascular ceramide levels in SHR and that losartan treatment, but not blood pressure lowering per se, reduces ceramide-mediated arterial contractions.     

Assessment of hypolipidaemic activity of three thiazolidin-4-ones in mice given high-fat diet and fructose

Three 4-thiazolidinones, two with nicotinamide (NAT1 and NAT2) and one with 4-chlorophenoxyacetamide (PAT1) side chains were evaluated for their hypolipidaemic, hypoglycaemic activity in Swiss albino mice fed a high-fat diet along with fructose administered in drinking water. NAT1 and PAT caused reduction of elevated triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose; NAT2 was effective only against triglycerides. Nicotinamide side chain might have contributed to the lipid lowering effect of both NAT1 and NAT2, but the bulky group of the latter could have affected proper binding to the receptor sites, making it ineffective against elevated cholesterol. On the other hand, the 4-chlorophenoxyacetamide side chain of PAT might have exerted powerful hypolipidaemic activity, despite the bulky substitution at C2. As antioxidants, NAT2 and PAT1 showed superior activity, compared to NAT1. The thiazolidinone ring might be responsible for the lipid lowering effect, which is however, modified by the type of substitutions at C2 and N of the ring. Detailed study is warranted to explain the mechanism of action of these compounds as also to make more potent ones.     

Thrombin or Ca++-Ionophore-Mediated Fall in Endothelial ATP Levels Independent of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Activity and NAD Levels - Comparison with the Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide

To test the hypothesis that a fall in cellular ATP following stimulation of endothelial cells with thrombin is secondary to a decrease in NAD levels caused by poly(ADP-Ribose)polymerase (PARP), we measured the levels of NAD and ATP in endothelial cells after treatment with thrombin, the Ca⁺⁺-ionophore A23187, or hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and compared the effects of inhibitors of PARP, NAD synthesis, and ADP-ribose breakdown on these responses. Neither thrombin nor A23187 caused a reduction in endothelial NAD levels and A23187 affected ATP levels independently of NAD levels or PARP activity. H₂O₂ induced lowering of NAD caused modest lowering of ATP but marked additional ATP-lowering, independent of PARP and NAD, was also demonstrated. We conclude that in endothelial cells ATP levels are largely independent of NAD and PARP, which do not play a role in thrombin or Ca⁺⁺-ionophore-mediated lowering of ATP. H₂O₂ caused ATP lowering through a similar mechanism as thrombin and A23187 but, additionally, caused a further ATP lowering through its intense stimulation of PARP and marked lowering of NAD.     

Absolute configuration of the thyroid hormone analog KAT-2003 as determined by the 1H NMR anisotropy method with a novel chiral auxiliary, MalphaNP acid

The absolute configuration of the chiral thyroid hormone analog KAT-2003 (+)-2, showing hypocholesterolemic activities, decreases of hepatic triglyceride contents with lowering cardiac side effects, and significant inhibitory effect for the second primary hepatocellular carcinoma, was determined as S by the (1)H NMR anisotropy method using a novel chiral auxiliary, 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphtyl)propionic acid (MalphaNP acid).     

Testosterone up-regulates scavenger receptor BI and stimulates cholesterol efflux from macrophages

By lowering high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, testosterone contributes to the gender difference in HDL cholesterol and has been accused to be pro-atherogenic. The mechanism by which testosterone influences HDL cholesterol is little understood. We therefore investigated the effect of testosterone on the gene expression of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), hepatic lipase (HL), scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI), and the ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), all of which are important regulators of HDL metabolism. In both cultivated HepG2 hepatocytes and primary human monocyte-derived macrophages, testosterone led to a dose-dependent up-regulation of SR-BI, which was assessed on both the mRNA and the protein levels. As a functional consequence, we observed an increased HDL(3)-induced cholesterol efflux from macrophages. At supraphysiological dosages, testosterone also increased the expression of HL in HepG2 cells. Testosterone had no effect on the expression of apoA-I in HepG2 cells and ABCA1 in either HepG2 cells or macrophages. These data suggest that testosterone, despite lowering HDL cholesterol, intensifies reverse cholesterol transport and thereby exerts an anti-atherogenic rather than a pro-atherogenic effect.     

A comparison between cation and protein phosphorylation effects on the fluorescence induction curve in chloroplasts treated with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea

Fluorescence induction curves in chloroplasts phosphorylated by the thylakoid protein kinase activated at low light intensity and high chlorophyll concentration have been measured. At 5 mM Mg²⁺, phosphorylation did not preferentially quench variable fluorescence. At 1 mM, preferential quenching of variable fluorescence was observed, indicating a second effect of phosphorylation at low Mg²⁺ (Horton, P. and Black, M.T. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 680, 22–27). Comparison of the extent of fluorescence decrease and the resulting ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence after phosphorylation and after lowering Mg²⁺ concentration demonstrated a difference between these two mechanisms of lowering of fluorescence. The significance of these results in terms of how phosphorylation may alter membrane organization is discussed.     

Evaluation of selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 for the treatment of hypertension

In an effort to understand the origin of blood-pressure lowering effects observed in recent clinical trials with 11β-HSD1 inhibitors, we examined a set of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors in a series of relevant in vitro and in vivo assays. Select 11β-HSD1 inhibitors reduced blood pressure in our preclinical models but most or all of the blood pressure lowering may be mediated by a 11β-HSD1 independent pathway.     

Synthesis and Cardiac Pharmacology of 2-(AR)Alkoxyadenosines

Abstract

Certain relatively large 2-(ar)alkoxy substituents selectively raise the agonist potency of adenosine at the A₂ receptor of coronary artery while lowering activity at the A₁ receptor of AV node.     

Soluble lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) can be proteolytically cleaved and released as soluble forms (sLOX-1). We have determined serums LOX-1 in type 2 diabetes and evaluated the effect of glucose and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on sLOX-1 in vitro and in vivo. Endothelial cells were incubated with glucose or AGEs, and sLOX-1 in cell medium was measured. Serum sLOX-1 was measured in 219 diabetic patients and 187 controls by ELISA. The effect of lowering glucose and AGEs on sLOX-1 was determined in 38 poorly controlled diabetic patients after improvement in glycemic control. Incubation of endothelial cells with AGE-BSA led to a dose-dependent increase in sLOX-1, whereas the effect of glucose on sLOX-1 was less marked. Serum sLOX-1 was 9% higher in diabetic patients compared with controls (P<0.01). In the poorly controlled patients, serum sLOX-1 decreased by 12.5% after improvement in glycemic control (P<0.05). The magnitude of reduction in sLOX-1 correlated with the improvement in hemoglobin A1c and AGEs but not with the reduction in oxidized LDL. sLOX-1 level is increased in type 2 diabetes. Both glucose and AGEs are important determinants of LOX-1 expression, and lowering glucose and AGEs leads to a reduction in sLOX-1.     

Estrogen increases hepatic lipase levels in inbred strains of mice: A possible mechanism for estrogen-dependent lowering of high density lipoprotein

We have shown mouse to be an useful animal model for studies on the estrogen-mediated synthesis and secretion of lipoproteins since, unlike in rats, low density lipoprotein receptors are not upregulated in mice [3]. This results into the elevation of plasma levels of apolipoprotein (apo) B and apoE, and lowering of apoA-I-containing particles. The mechanisms of apoB and apoE elevation by estrogen have been elucidated [6], but the mechanism of lowering of plasma levels of HDL is still not known. Among other factors, apoA-I, cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1), and hepatic lipase are potential candidates that modulate plasma levels of HDL. Since estrogen treatment increased hepatic apoA-I mRNA and apoA-I synthesis, and mouse express undetectable levels of CETP, we tested the hypothesis that estradiol-mediated lowering of HDL in mice may occur through modulation of hepatic lipase (HL). Four mouse strains (C57L, C57BL, BALB, C3H) were administered supraphysiological doses of estradiol, and plasma levels of HDL as well as HL mRNA were quantitated. In all 4 strains estradiol decreased plasma levels of HDL by 30%, and increased HL mRNA 2–3 fold. In a separate experiment groups of male C57BL mouse were castrated or sham-operated, and low and high doses of estradiol administered. We found 1.4–2.5 fold elevation of HL mRNA with concomitant lowering of HDL levels. Ten other mouse strains examined also showed estradiol-induced elevation of HL mRNA, but the extent of elevation was found to be strain-specific. Based on these studies, we conclude that hepatic lipase is an important determinant of plasma levels of HDL and that HL mRNA is modulated by estrogen which in turn may participate in the lowering of plasma levels of HDL.     

Ginsenoside Rh2 is one of the active principles of Panax ginseng root to improve insulin sensitivity in fructose-rich chow-fed rats.

Ginsenoside Rh2, one of the ginsenosides contained in the Panax ginseng root, was employed to screen the effect on insulin resistance of rats induced by a diet containing 60% fructose. Single intravenous injection of ginsenoside Rh2 decreased the plasma glucose concentrations in 60 minutes in a dose-dependent manner from 0.1 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg in rats with insulin resistance induced by fructose-rich chow. Repeated intravenous injection of ginsenoside Rh2 (1 mg/kg per injection, 3 times daily) into rats which received fructose-rich chow for 3 consecutive days decreased the value of glucose-insulin index, the product of the areas under the curve of glucose and insulin during the intraperitoneal (i.p.) glucose tolerance test. This means that ginsenoside Rh2 has an ability to improve insulin action on glucose disposal. The plasma glucose lowering action of tolbutamide, induced by the secretion of endogenous insulin, is widely used to characterize the formation of insulin resistance. Time for the loss of plasma glucose lowering response to tolbutamide (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats during insulin resistance induction by fructose-rich chow was also markedly delayed by the repeated treatment of ginsenoside Rh2, as compared to the vehicle-treated control. Thus, the repeated treatment of ginsenoside Rh2 delayed the development of insulin resistance in high fructose feeding rats. Increase of insulin sensitivity by ginsenoside Rh2 was further identified using the plasma glucose lowering action of exogenous insulin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats). Repeated injection of ginsenoside Rh2 at the same dosing (1 mg/kg, 3 times daily) into STZ-diabetic rats for 10 days made an increase of the responses to exogenous insulin. Taken together, it can be concluded that ginsenoside Rh2 has an ability to improve insulin sensitivity and it seems suitable to use ginsenoside Rh2 as an adjuvant for diabetic patients and/or the subjects wishing to increase insulin sensitivity.     

The effect of herbicide "Chwastox p?ynny 30" on the cell cycle parameters in root meristem of Vicia faba L. subsp. minor

The duration of the cell cycle and its phases after the treatment with herbicide "Chwastox p?ynny 30" was calculated using 3H-thymidine labelling method. Inhibition of DNA synthesis and marked prolongation of G2 + 1/2 M phase were observed. Tested herbicide caused a significant lowering in the mitotic activity and accumulation of metaphase cells.     

Effect of cold on glucose metabolism by callus and tubers of Solanum tuberosum

This work was done in order to discover the immediate effects of low temperature on glucose metabolism by tissue of Solanum tuberosum. [U-¹⁴C]-Glucose was supplied to tubers, and to callus derived from tubers, for 3 hr at 2 and 25°. The detailed distribution of label showed that lowering the temperature of both callus and tuber tissue to 2° caused a striking increase in the percentage of the metabolized label that was recovered in glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate. and glucose-1-phosphate. It is suggested that these results, together with the cold-lability of glycolytic enzymes, indicate that lowering the temperature of potato tissue reduces glycolysis in relation to the activities of other reactions involving hexose phosphates.     

ABCA1 Protein Enhances Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4)-stimulated Interleukin-10 (IL-10) Secretion through Protein Kinase A (PKA) Activation

Nonresolving inflammatory response from macrophages is a major characteristic of atherosclerosis. Macrophage ABCA1 has been previously shown to suppress the secretion of proinflammatory cytokine. In the present study, we demonstrate that ABCA1 also promotes the secretion of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine critical for inflammation resolution. ABCA1^+/+ bone marrow-derived macrophages secrete more IL-10 but less proinflammatory cytokines than ABCA1^−/− bone marrow-derived macrophages, similar to alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. We present evidence that ABCA1 activates PKA and that this elevated PKA activity contributes to M2-like inflammatory response from ABCA1^+/+ bone marrow-derived macrophages. Furthermore, cholesterol lowering by statins, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, or filipin also activates PKA and, consequently, transforms macrophages toward M2-like phenotype. Conversely, cholesterol enrichment suppresses PKA activity and promotes M1-like inflammatory response. As the primary function of ABCA1 is cholesterol removal, our results suggest that ABCA1 activates PKA by regulating cholesterol. Indeed, forced cholesterol enrichment in ABCA1-expressing macrophages suppresses PKA activation and elicits M1-like response. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel protective process by ABCA1-activated PKA in macrophages. They also suggest cholesterol lowering in extra-hepatic tissues by statins as an anti-inflammation strategy.     

Attenuated Abeta42 responses to low potency gamma-secretase modulators can be overcome for many pathogenic presenilin mutants by second-generation compounds

Sequential processing of the β-amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretase generates the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ), which is widely believed to play a causative role in Alzheimer disease. Selective lowering of the pathogenic 42-amino acid variant of Aβ by γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) is a promising therapeutic strategy. Here we report that mutations in presenilin (PS), the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, display differential responses to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-type GSMs and more potent second-generation compounds. Although many pathogenic PS mutations resisted lowering of Aβ(42) generation by the NSAID sulindac sulfide, the potent NSAID-like second-generation compound GSM-1 was capable of lowering Aβ(42) for many but not all mutants. We further found that mutations at homologous positions in PS1 and PS2 can elicit differential Aβ(42) responses to GSM-1, suggesting that a positive GSM-1 response depends on the spatial environment in γ-secretase. The aggressive pathogenic PS1 L166P mutation was one of the few pathogenic mutations that resisted GSM-1, and Leu-166 was identified as a critical residue with respect to the Aβ(42)-lowering response of GSM-1. Finally, we found that GSM-1-responsive and -resistant PS mutants behave very similarly toward other potent second-generation compounds of different structural classes than GSM-1. Taken together, our data show that a positive Aβ(42) response for PS mutants depends both on the particular mutation and the GSM used and that attenuated Aβ(42) responses to low potency GSMs can be overcome for many PS mutants by second generation GSMs.