Tween-80胶束对苝醌类光敏剂基态和激发态的保护作用

用Tween-80非离子型胶束增溶竹红菌甲素、乙素(HA、HB)及金丝桃蒽酮(HYP)等苝醌类光敏剂,发现该胶束对HA的基态和激发态都有保护作用.相对于含水有机体系,HA在胶束中基态的pKa值升高,荧光量子产率增大,光敏反应产生的活性中间体1O2和·0H的产额增加,从而提高了其光敏活性,这在光敏损伤作用中具有重要的生物学意义.实验还发现,Tween-80胶束对HB及HYP的保护作用与HA类似,而且保护作用与苝醌的结构有关,这对筛选光敏剂作为光疗药物具有指导作用.     

The influenza hemagglutinin precursor as an acid-sensitive probe of the biosynthetic pathway.

The hemagglutinin of influenza virus (HA), an acid-activated membrane fusion protein, is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and transported through the Golgi complex to the cell surface of infected cells as an uncleaved, fusion-incompetent precursor, HA0. The mature, proteolytically activated HA is known to undergo a rapid, irreversible, acid-induced conformational change which mediates membrane fusion and virus penetration. On the basis of antigenic modifications and the acquisition of trypsin susceptibility, we demonstrate here that HA0, while unable to cause fusion, is acid sensitive. It undergoes irreversible conformational changes quite similar to those of HA at mildly acidic pH (pH less than 6.0). The ectodomain of HA0 does not, however, acquire hydrophobic properties and the changes occur in a less concerted manner (the pH dependence is much broader and the rate of conversion slower). These differences are likely to account for the inability of acid-treated HA0 to trigger membrane fusion. It was shown, moreover, that HA0 acquired its acid-sensitive properties immediately following trimerization in the endoplasmic reticulum. Since HA0 did not convert to the acid form at any point during its intracellular transport, we concluded that the trans-Golgi compartment, known to be more acidic than the cytosol and involved in constitutive membrane transport, is not likely to have a pH less than 6.0.     

Reevaluation of Phosphate as a Means of Retarding Lead Transport from Sandy Firing Ranges

Phosphate has become an accepted remediation strategy to immobilize lead on firing ranges. In some cases, however, phosphate treatment has been reported to increase lead concentrations in field water leaching tests. The present study evaluated the influence of phosphate (sodium phosphate, PO_4(aq), or particulate hydroxyapatite, HA) and lead (lead nitrate, Pb_(aq), or particulate lead oxide, PbO_(s)) sources on the physical, chemical, and relative transport properties of their reaction products. Relative transport behavior of the product of each of the four possible combinations was investigated with settling columns assessing potential surface water transport and sand columns assessing potential ground water transport. Pyromorphite (HYP) was the only product formed when PO_4(aq) and Pb_(aq) were combined. The HYP formed under these conditions was the least mobile form of lead and phosphate examined in this work. Although additional products were formed when PO_4(aq) was combined with PbO_(s), lead transport was significantly reduced compared to the PbO control. On the other hand, HA was much less effective at controlling the transport of Pb_(aq) in sand columns, particularly at low pH. In addition, the presence of HA increased the mobility of PbO at pH 7.2 relative to the control. It is recommended that the accepted practice of using HA in sandy firing range soils, under low to neutral pH conditions, be reconsidered.     

Theoretical study on the photophysical and photochemical properties of elsinochrome A

Elsinochrome A (EA) is one of the important perylenequinonoid photosensitizers (PQPs); however, its photophysical and photochemical properties were given less attention in comparsion with other PQPs. In view of the successful use of quantum chemical methods, especially time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), in investigating the photo-physicochemical characters of various photosensitizers, we attempt to explore the photophysical and photosensitive properties of EA by theoretical methods. Firstly, the absorption spectra and lowest-lying T(1) excitation energy of EA were estimated by TD-DFT calculations. Then, the photosensitizing mechanisms of EA were explored. It was found that EA can photo-generate (1)O(2) through energy transfer in both benzene and DMSO. However, EA gives birth to O(2)(.-) only in DMSO, and it is E(A)(.-) generated from autoionization reactions that is responsible for the O(2)(.-)-generation, which gains some deeper insights into the photosensitive behaviors of EA.     

Characterization of high-yield pulp (HYP) by the solute exclusion technique

By following the solute exclusion technique, we determined the pore characteristics of 3 hardwood high-yield pulps (aspen, birch, maple). The fiber saturation point (FSP) was 1.40, 1.36 and 1.19 g water/g pulp, for aspen, birch, maple, respectively, which is lower than that of chemical pulps. Different fractions obtained from the Bauer–McNett classifier showed that the HYP fines have much more pore volume than their long fiber counterparts. The effects of beating, drying and re-wetting on the pore characteristics of HYP were also studied. Beating led to increased total pore volumes. Upon drying and re-wetting, much of the small pores from the HYP underwent permanent closure while the big pores were only slightly affected. Finally, the relationship between the water retention value (WRV) and FSP for HYP was examined.     

Theoretical Study on the Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of Elsinochrome A

Abstract

Elsinochrome A (EA) is one of the important perylenequinonoid photosensitizers (PQPs); however, its photophysical and photochemical properties were given less attention in comparsion with other PQPs. In view of the successful use of quantum chemical methods, especially time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), in investigating the photo-physico- chemical characters of various photosensitizers, we attempt to explore the photophysical and photosensitive properties of EA by theoretical methods. Firstly, the absorption spectra and lowest-lying T₁ excitation energy of EA were estimated by TD-DFT calculations. Then, the photosensitizing mechanisms of EA were explored. It was found that EA can photo-generate ¹O₂ through energy transfer in both benzene and DMSO. However, EA gives birth to O₂ ^? only in DMSO, and it is E_A ^.- generated from autoionization reactions that is responsible for the O₂ ^.-- generation, which gains some deeper insights into the photosensitive behaviors of EA.     

Free proline contents in two different groups of rice mutants resistant to hydroxy-L-proline

Summary In four rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutants resistant to hydroxy-L-proline (Hyp), HYP101, HYP203, HYP205 and HYP210, and in their original variety, Nipponbare, free proline and Hyp contents in the seeds and in the 14-day-old seedlings have been determined. The four mutants can be divided into two groups: HYP101 and HYP203 are classified as to recessive gene and the levels of free proline are similar to that of the original variety; the second group includes mutants HYP205 and HYP210 where the Hyp resistance is transmitted heterozygously and, both in the seeds and in the seedlings, a remarkable increase in free proline content is observed. In particular, free proline contents in the seeds of HYP205 and HYP210 are, respectively, 24 and 12 times that of the original variety. Hyp is detected only in the seedlings cultured with Hyp solution. In the Hyp resistant seedlings of HYP205 and HYP210, Hyp contents are twice that of the original variety and less than half in the seedlings of HYP101 and HYP203. Hyp resistance and differential proline levels are also evident in the callus initiated from the mutants. This suggests that the Hyp resistant mutants are good genetic markers both in planta and in vitro. The Hyp mutants are also discussed with regard to stress resistance.     

Biophysical properties of hypoglossal neurons in vitro: intracellular studies in adult and neonatal rats

A brain stem slice preparation from adult and neonatal (less than or equal to 12 days old) rats and intracellular recordings were used to examine the cellular properties of neurons within the hypoglossal (HYP) nucleus. Resting membrane potential (Vm) for adult hypoglossal neurons was -80 +/- 2 (SE) mV. Rheobase was 2.1 +/- 0.4 nA, and input resistance (RN) was 20.8 +/- 1.5 M omega and decreased during the hyperpolarizing period ("sag"). Compared with adult HYP cells, newborn HYP neurons had significantly lower resting potentials (Vm = -73 +/- 2 mV), lower rheobase (0.7 +/- 0.2 nA), and higher RN (27.6 +/- 3.9 M omega). Single action potentials, elicited by short depolarizing-current pulses, were followed by a slow afterhyperpolarization in adult [6.4 +/- 0.3 mV, time constant (tc) 31.0 +/- 1.2 ms] and newborn cells (7.4 +/- 0.2 mV, tc 37.2 +/- 8.2 ms). Prolonged outward current (2 s) produced little spike frequency adaptation in either adult or newborn neurons. Onset of spike activity was not delayed by hyperpolarizing pulses preceding depolarizations. In addition, pharmacological experiments showed that HYP neurons have a tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ current and a delayed and an inward rectifier current but no major Ca2+ current. We conclude the following. 1) Electrophysiological membrane properties mature postnatally in HYP neurons; some of these developmental changes can be ascribed to an increase in soma size and dendritic outgrowth but others cannot. 2) Adult HYP neurons, compared with other brain stem neurons (i.e., vagal cells or cells in the nucleus tractus solitarius), are not endowed with major Ca2+ currents or K+ currents such as the A current and the Ca2(+)-activated K+ current.     

Involvement of organic anion transporters in the efflux of uremic toxins across the blood-brain barrier

Renal failure causes multiple physiological changes involving CNS dysfunction. In cases of uremia, there is close correlation between plasma levels of uremic toxins [e.g. 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF), hippurate (HA) and indoleacetate (IA)] and the degree of uremic encephalopathy, suggesting that uremic toxins are involved in uremic encephalopathy. In order to evaluate the relevance of uremic toxins to CNS dysfunction, we investigated directional transport of uremic toxins across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using in vivo integration plot analysis and the brain efflux index method. We observed saturable efflux transport of [(3)H]CMPF, [(14)C]HA and [(3)H]IA, which was inhibited by probenecid. For all uremic toxins evaluated, apparent efflux clearance across the BBB was greater than apparent influx clearance, suggesting that these toxins are predominantly transported from the brain to blood across the BBB. Saturable efflux transport of [(3)H]CMPF, [(14)C]HA and [(3)H]IA was completely inhibited by benzylpenicillin, which is a substrate of rat organic anion transporter 3 (rOat3). Taurocholate and digoxin, which are common substrates of rat organic anion transporting polypeptide (rOatp), partially inhibited the efflux of [(3)H]CMPF. Transport experiments using a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system revealed that CMPF, HA and IA are substrates of rOat3, and that CMPF (but not HA or IA) is a substrate of rOap2. These results suggest that rOat3 mediates brain-to-blood transport of uremic toxins, and that rOatp2 is involved in efflux of CMPF. Thus, conditions typical of uremia can cause inhibition of brain-to-blood transport involving rOat3 and/or rOatp2, leading to accumulation of endogenous metabolites and drugs in the brain.     

A novel antioxidant role for ligandin behavior of glutathione S-transferases: attenuation of the photodynamic effects of hypericin

Hypericin (HYP) is a major constituent of the herbal antidepressant St. John's wort with potential utility as an antitumor photodynamic sensitizer and antiviral agent. Upon irradiation at 540-600 nm, HYP generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induces oxidative stress. Here, human glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoforms GSTP1-1 (P1-1) and GSTA1-1 (A1-1) are shown to bind with high affinity to HYP and to differentially quench its photodynamic properties. In steady-state turnover studies, HYP inhibits A1-1 and P1-1 with IC(50) values of 160 and 190 nM, respectively. Fluorescence titration experiments and fitting of the data to the Hill equation yield apparent K(D)s for binding to A1-1 and P1-1 of 0.65 and 0.51 microM, respectively. The recovered Hill coefficients are 1.8 for both GSTA1-1 and GSTP1-1, indicating that multiple HYPs bind to each isoform. This behavior is reminiscent of classic "ligandin" activity of GSTs, wherein nonsubstrate planar aromatic anions are sequestered on, and inhibit, the enzyme. However, HYP complexed with P1-1 is photodynamically attenuated, with minimal protein oxidation. In contrast, light-dependent, oxygen-dependent, oxidation of A1-1 was modest and oxidation of human albumin was extensive in the presence of HYP, as monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). A peptide "trap" of diffusive ROS was oxidized extensively upon irradiation of HYP in the presence of albumin but very little in the presence of P1-1 or A1-1. Solute quenching studies were used to probe the accessibility of the bound HYP in each of the protein complexes. The fluorescence of HYP complexed with albumin, A1-1, or P1-1 was quenched by I(-) with quenching rate constants (k(q)) of 1.1 x 10(9), 2.4 x 10(9) and 0.5 x10(9) M(-1) s(-1), respectively, indicating that small molecules such as O(2) have similar diffusional access to the complexed HYP in each of the proteins, eliminating the possibility of differential accessibility of oxygen as the source of a different yield of ROS. This is the first demonstration of a possible antioxidant role for the ligandin activity of GSTs and a striking example of protein-specific effects on hypericin photodynamic activity. Even highly homologous protein isoforms can differentially promote or inhibit photosensitizer activity.     

Shell cross-linked hyaluronic acid/polylysine layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte microcapsules prepared by removal of reducible hyaluronic acid microgel cores

Shell cross-linked hollow polyelectrolyte microcapsules composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly- l-lysine (PLL) were prepared by layer-by-layer (LBL) adsorption and subsequent core removal by a reductive agent. Disulfide cross-linked HA microgels were used as template core materials for the LBL deposition on the surface and removed by treatment of dithiothreitol at neutral pH condition. HA/PLL polyelectrolyte multilayers on the shell were chemically cross-linked via carbodiimide chemistry, and their physicochemical properties and drug release behaviors were investigated. Shell cross-linked HA/PLL polyelectrolyte microcapsules exhibited far enhanced physical stability against freeze-thaw cycles and acidic pH conditions compared to the un-cross-linked ones. The cross-linked HA/PLL multilayer shell also demonstrated pH responsive permeability, which became more permeable at low pH than at neutral pH. When bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a model protein drug, was loaded inside using the pH-dependent permeability, BSA release profiles from the microcapsules could be readily modulated by varying medium pH values or adding an HA digesting enzyme (hyaluronidase) in the incubation medium.     

Description of characteristics of humic substances from different waste materials

Humic acids (HAs) extracted from different organic wastes have been characterised by chemical methods. The chemical properties of HAs showed differences depending on the source from which they were obtained. The C content in HAs from organic wastes (41.1-63.2%) fluctuated around the C value in soil HA with the exception of composted bark and tobacco dust. Compared with soil HA, the N contents of HAs from sewage sludge and brewery sludge were found much higher than the others. E4:E6 ratios for HAs in organic wastes were generally greater than that for soil HA, which indicated a low degree of condensation and humification. The carboxyl and phenolic-OH group contents ranged 0.51-2.23 and 11.1-20.7 meq g(-1), respectively. High values of carboxyl and phenolic-OH contents indicated that these materials were still within early stages of humification.     

Hypericin photo-induced apoptosis involves the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and activation of caspase-8

Hypericin (HYP) is a photosensitizing pigment from Hypericum perforatum that displays cytotoxic effects in neoplastic cell lines. Therefore, HYP is presently under consideration as a new anticancer drug in photodynamic therapy. Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of HYP photo-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells compared to the cytostatic drug paclitaxel (PXL). Both photoactivated HYP and PXL similarly increased the activity of caspase-8 and caspase-3, and drug-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells was completely blocked by inhibitors of caspase-8 (Z-IETD-FMK) and caspase-3 (Z-DEVD-FMK). The involvement of death receptors was analyzed using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against Fas (SM1/23), FasL (NOK-2) and TNF-R1 (MAB225), and a polyclonal rabbit anti-human TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) antiserum. TRAIL antibody blocked TRAIL-induced and HYP photo-induced, but not PXL-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells. In contrast, PXL-induced, but not HYP-induced apoptosis was blocked by the SM1/23 and NOK-2 antibodies. Anti-TNF-R1 antibody had no effect. These findings suggest that HYP photo-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells is mediated in part by the TRAIL/TRAIL-receptor system and subsequent activation of upstream caspases.     

无功能性垂体巨大腺瘤卒中的特点及预后分析

目的:探讨无功能性垂体巨大腺瘤瘤内卒中的临床和影像学特点,及其对手术疗效和预后的影响。方法:回顾性分析我院自2012年1月至2015年12月收治的86例垂体卒中病例的临床资料。结果:出血性卒中组患者就诊时间较缺血性卒中组更及时(P0.001);梗阻性卒中组的垂体腺瘤侵袭范围更广(Hardy's分级:P=0.02;Knosp分级:P=0.002);出血性卒中形态更倾向于团块状聚集发生,而有不少缺血性卒中形态呈现多发/散点状分布(P=0.005);缺血性卒中易发生于鞍隔上区,而出血性卒中于鞍内较多见(P0.001);缺血性卒中组患者的术后视敏度改善情况优于出血性卒中组(P=0.028);缺血性卒中组术后并发症发生率低于出血性卒中组(P0.05)。结论:出血性垂体卒中就诊相对及时,及时手术治疗能获得较好的预后,但手术时需仔细辨别正常组织,防止术后并发症;缺血性卒中就诊时机较晚,侵袭范围广,但术后并发症相对较少。合理区分垂体卒中类型对于制定治疗方案及评价预后有一定的价值。     

A semiempirical study of the prototropic tautomerism of hypoxanthine

The total and relative energies, bond order matrices and localized MOs for the eight possible tautomers of hypoxanthine (HYP) have been calculated, with full geometry optimization, using both AM1 and MNDO methods. The AM1 relative energies show that HYP(9,1), HYP(7,1) and HYP (9,10) are the predominant species at room temperature, the two former being in larger concentration that the latter. The calculated IR spectra for these species agree well with the reported spectrum in an isolated matrix, which has been interpreted in terms of the presence of these three tautomeric forms. The MNDO method does not predict the right order, and the more stable tautomer would be HYP(9,10). The calculated structure for the HYP(9,1) species shows that the molecule is essentially planar. The bond distances compare well with those of hypoxanthine hydrochloride and guanine and also correlate well with the calculated bond orders. The proton affinities for the three more stable tautomers have also been calculated. For HYP(9,1) the prefered site of protonation is N7, whereas for HYP(7,1) the protonation occurs rather at N9. These results agree well with¹⁵N and¹³C NMR studies in DMSO.     

Role of membranes on the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of the bioactive compounds from Hypoxis rooperi corm extract

Hypoxis rooperi corm extract (‘African potato’) is known for its traditional and ethnomedical uses in the treatment of a large variety of diseases. Its main bioactive compound hypoxoside (HYP) and its aglycone derivative rooperol (RO) were isolated and the interaction of these compounds with several types of model membranes was studied in order to contribute to the understanding of their molecular mechanism. The results show that RO abolishes the main transition phase and perturb the van der Waals interactions between phospholipid acyl chains in a stronger way than HYP in dimiristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DEPE) and dimiristoylphosphatidylglycerol membranes (DMPG), probably indicating that this molecule inserts into the bilayer. This effect decreases as the acyl chain length of the phospholipid increases. RO also promoted the formation of hexagonal H_II phases at lower temperatures compared to pure DEPE. On the contrary, HYP showed a shallow interaction with phospholipids. This compound promoted the formation of gel-fluid like intermediate structures with isotropic motion in phosphatidylglycerol membranes at physiological pH, and affected the phospholipid/water interface probably through the variation of the surface charge of the phospholipid phosphate groups. Moreover, RO inhibited Staphylococcus aureus in a stronger manner than Escherichia coli and promoted a higher leakage level in E. coli, PG and PE-containing synthetic membranes. Furthermore, RO showed a significant degree of inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) evidencing an approximate COX-2/COX-1 IC₅₀ ratio of 1.9, therefore this compound may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of H. rooperi corm extract. These results may contribute to understand the molecular mechanism of the antibacterial and/or anti-inflammatory properties of the bioactive compounds deriving from the African potato corm extract.     

Long-range effects on the binding of the influenza HA to receptors are mediated by changes in the stability of a metastable HA conformation

X-ray studies show that influenza hemagglutinin (HA) forms an elongated structure connecting the influenza virus at one end to cell-surface receptors at the other. At neutral pH, the 20 N-terminal residues of HA2—referred to as the fusion peptide—are buried in a hydrophobic pocket, about 100 Å away from the receptor-binding site, and thus seem unlikely to affect HA binding to the receptor. To test this assumption, we mutated residues in the fusion peptide, heterologically expressed the mutated proteins in COS7 cells, and examined their ability to bind fluorescently labeled red blood cells (RBCs). Surprisingly, a significantly reduced binding was recorded for some of the mutants. Ample experimental data indicate that HA has at least two forms: the native structure at neutral pH (N) that is metastable and the fusogenic form (F), observed at low pH, which is stable. Thus, a simple interpretation of our data is that HA can bind to its receptors at the RBC surface in the N form much more effectively than in the F (or in any other stable) form and that the altered binding properties are due to destabilizing effects of the mutations on the N form. That is, some of the mutations involve reduction in the free energy barrier between the N and F forms. This, in turn, leads to reduction in the population of the N form, which is the only form capable of binding to the cell-surface receptors. To explore this possibility, we estimated the stability free energy difference between HA wild-type (wt) and mutants in the N form using an empirical surface tension coefficient. The calculated stability differences correlated well with the measured binding, supporting the above interpretation. Our results are examined taking into account the available experimental data on the affinity of different soluble and membrane-attached forms of HA to its receptors.     

Recovery effects of hyperoxic gas inhalation or contrast water immersion on the postexercise cytokine response, perceptual recovery, and next day exercise performance

The effect of different recovery modalities on the postexercise cytokine response, perceptual recovery, and subsequent day athletic performance were investigated. Eight highly trained athletes completed 3 swimming sessions consisting of 20 × 200 m efforts, in a counterbalanced repeated-measures design. At the conclusion of each session, athletes undertook a 30-minute recovery intervention of contrast water therapy (CWT), supplemental oxygen (HYP), or passive rest (CON). Venous blood samples were analyzed for levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the pre-, post-, and 30-minute postswim time points, and a rating of perceived recovery was recorded at the conclusion of the 30-minute intervention and upon returning to the pool 12 hour later. Finally, a 200-m swim time trial was completed as a measure of next day performance. The results showed that there was a significant increase in IL-6 at the completion of exercise, which persisted after 30 minutes of recovery (p < 0.05), with no differences evident between the groups. Additionally, the perception of recovery after the 30-minute intervention was significantly lower in the CON when compared with the CWI and HYP (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the 12-hour postrecovery time trial performances. These results suggest that a 30-minute recovery intervention using CWT or HYP has limited influence on the acute-phase response or on improving subsequent day athletic performance. However, strength and conditioning specialists should encourage the use of a structured postexercise recovery procedure because the evidence suggests that the acute perception of recovery is much greater when some form of intervention is implemented in comparison with no recovery procedure at all.     

Examination of corneal proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans by rotary shadowing and electron microscopy

Proteoglycans (PGs) from cornea and their relevant glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, dermatan sulphate (DS) and keratin sulphate (KS), were examined by electron microscopy following rotary shadowing, and compared with hyaluronan (HA), chondroitin sulphate (CS), alginate, heparin, heparan sulphate (HS) and methyl cellulose. Corneal DS PG had the tadpole shape previously seen in scleral DS FG, and the images from corneal KS PG could be interpreted similarly, although the GAG (KS) chains were very much fainter than those of DS PG GAG. Isolated GAG (KS, DS, CS, HA, etc.) examined in the same way showed images that decreased very significantly in clarity and contrast, in the sequence HA greater than DS greater than CS greater than KS. The presence of secondary and tertiary structures in the GAGs may be at least partly responsible for these variations. HA appeared to be double stranded, and DS frequently self-aggregated, KS and HS showed tendencies to coil into globular shapes. It is concluded that it is unsafe to assume the absence of GAGs, based on these techniques, and quantitative measurements of length may be subject to error. The results on corneal DS PG confirm and extend the hypothesis that PGs specifically associated with collagen fibrils are tadpole shaped.     

Effects of alveolar hypoxia on the pulmonary circulation and lung mechanics after cromolyn sodium and U-60,257 in lambs.

Because alveolar hypoxia (HYP) triggers pulmonary mast cell degranulation with elaboration of vasoactive mediators such as leukotrienes, we investigated the effects of aerosolized cromolyn sodium (CS), a mast cell stabilizing agent, and U-60,257(U) (a leukotriene blocker) on the circulation, lung mechanics and thromboxane (TXB2) levels in 11 lambs during acute exposure to HYP. Studies were performed in awake, chronically instrumented animals, once after placebo (saline) and again after CS (100 mg; n = 5) or U (90 mg; n = 6). Pulmonary arterial pressure increased 42% during HYP after saline, and 32% and 19% after CS and U, respectively. Pulmonary vascular resistance did not change during HYP after CS or U. Systemic arterial pressure was unchanged after saline and CS but decreased after U; systemic vascular resistance dropped after both CS and U. No changes were seen in tidal volume, lung compliance or airway resistance during HYP after saline or either drug, but minute ventilation increased during HYP in all studies. TXB2 increased during HYP after saline in both studies and was not altered by CS. In contrast, after U, TXB2 decreased. Thus, U more effectively blunted the pulmonary vascular response to HYP than CS and resulted in mild systemic hypotension. The drop in TXB2 after U suggests leukotriene-induced thromboxane synthesis contributes to regulation of pulmonary, and possibly, systemic vasoactivity.