Suppression of A-type potassium current in pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus, induced by pinacidil and its fluorine derivatives

With the use of a patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, we studied the effects of pinacidil and its fluorine derivatives on A-type potassium current (I _A) through the membrane of pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus. Hydrogen peroxide (10 mM) exerted no influence on the rate of inactivation ofI _A; therefore, this current is probably mediated by Shal Kv4.2 potassium channels. Pinacidil demonstrated the properties of a weakI _A blocker: in the 500 μM concentration it blocked about 45% of the current, while 50 μM of pinacidil fluorine derivatives were capable of blocking up to 30% ofI _A. The effects of pinacidil and its derivatives showed no dependence on the stimulating potential. A similar pattern of the effects of pinacidil fluorine derivatives, which are an order of magnitude stronger than those of pinacidil itself, allows us to suppose that the imine nitrogen of the tested compounds is significantly more involved in the molecular interaction with the site of an A-type potassium channel than the pyridine nitrogen.     

Inhibition of Membrane-Active Peptides by Fatty Acid–Peptide Hybrids

Nine fatty acid–peptide hybrid molecules were constructed using the general formula CH₃(CH₂) _n CO-Phe Asp Cys-amide and tested for their ability to inhibit cell lysis induced by the membrane-active peptide melittin. All of these molecules, where n = 4–14, inhibited the action of melittin to some extent, but the longer carbon chains were most effective. Several potential inhibitors were also constructed with conservative substitutions in the peptide portion of the molecule. All were effective to varying degrees. We concluded that in the hexapeptide inhibitor published by Blondelle et al. (1993), the role of the first three residues is only to provide hydrophobic interaction with the melittin and has no particular amino acid sequence specificity. Some of these inhibitors were found to inhibit the lytic activity of a melittin analogue which had only superficial sequence similarity to melittin and also a truncated form of melittin, indicating the generality of the action of the inhibitors.Deceased 5/4/98     

Mechanisms of changes in human hemodynamics under the conditions of microgravity and prognosis of postflight orthostatic stability

The mechanisms of hemodynamic responses to orthostatic stresses and orthostatic stability (OS) of cosmonauts were studied before and after short-and long-term spaceflights (SFs) using orthostatic tests, as well as before, during, and after SFs using ultrasonic methods in tests with exposure to lower body negative pressure (LBNP). The capacitance and distensibility of the veins of the lower extremities were studied using occlusive air plethysmography before, during, and after SFs of different durations. A stay in microgravity has been proved to result in detraining of, mainly, the vascular mechanisms of compensating orthostatic perturbations. It has been established that the decrease in OS under the influence of microgravity is determined by a reduction of the vasoconstrictive ability of large blood vessels of the lower extremities; an increase in venous distensibility and capacitance of the legs; and an impairment of blood flow regulation, which leads to a cerebral blood flow deficit in orthostatic stresses, and of the initial individual OS before the flight. The results of preflight studies of hemodynamics by ultrasonic methods at LBNP and the data of orthostatic tests before SFs make it possible to predict the degree of decrease of OS after an SF proceeding in the normal mode. At the same time, the data of ultrasonic blood flow examination provide more a accurate estimation of OS and make it possible to assess the physiological reserves of hemodynamic regulation and to reveal the loss of regulation capacity even in cases where integrated indices (heart rate and blood pressure) are within the normal ranges.     

Copper- and arsenate-induced oxidative stress in Holcus lanatus L. clones with differential sensitivity

The biochemical responses of Holcus lanatus L. to copper and arsenate exposure were investigated in arsenate‐tolerant and ‐non‐tolerant plants from uncontaminated and arsenic/copper‐contaminated sites. Increases in lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and phytochelatin (PC) production were correlated with increasing copper and arsenate exposure. In addition, significant differences in biochemical responses were observed between arsenate‐tolerant and ‐non‐tolerant plants. Copper and arsenate exposure led to the production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in significant lipid peroxidation in non‐tolerant plants. However, SOD activity was suppressed upon metal exposure, possibly due to interference with metallo‐enzymes. It was concluded that in non‐tolerant plants, rapid arsenate influx resulted in PC production, glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation. This process would also occur in tolerant plants, but by decreasing the rate of influx, they were able to maintain their constitutive functions, detoxify the metals though PC production and quench reactive oxygen species by SOD activity.