Detoxification Mechanism of α,ß-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds in Cigarette Smoke Observed in Sheep Erythrocytes.

Highly reactive α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, such as acrolein (ACR), crotonaldehyde (CA) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), are environmental pollutants present in high concentrations in cigarette smoke. We have previously found that these carbonyl compounds in cigarette smoke extract (CSE) react with intracellular glutathione (GSH) to produce the corresponding GSH-ACR, GSH-CA and GSH-MVK adducts via Michael addition reaction. These adducts are then further reduced to the corresponding alcohol forms by intracellular aldo-keto reductases in highly metastatic mouse melanoma (B16-BL6) cells and then excreted into the extracellular fluid. This time, we conducted a similar study using sheep erythrocytes and found analogous changes in the sheep erythrocytes after exposure to CSE as those with B16-BL6 cells. This indicates similarity of the detoxification pathways of the α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in sheep blood cells and B16-BL6 cells. Also, we found that the GSH-MVK adduct was reduced by aldose reductase in a cell-free solution to generate its alcohol form, and its reduction reaction was completely suppressed by pretreatment with epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, a member of the aldo-keto reductase family. In the presence of sheep blood cells, however, reduction of the GSH-MVK adduct was partially inhibited by epalrestat. This revealed that some member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily other than aldose reductase is involved in reduction of the GSH-MVK adduct in sheep blood. These results suggest that blood cells, mainly erythrocytes are involved in reducing the inhalation toxicity of cigarette smoke via an aldo-keto reductase pathway other than that of aldose reductase.

Mass Spectrometric Approaches to the Identification of Potential Ingredients in Cigarette Smoke Causing Cytotoxicity.

Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals that contribute to the pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Many studies have been done to identify cytotoxic chemicals in cigarette smoke and elucidate the onset of the above-mentioned diseases caused by smoking. However, definitive mechanisms for cigarette smoke toxicity remain unknown. As candidates for cytotoxic chemicals, we have recently found methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and acetic anhydride in nicotine/tar-free cigarette smoke extract (CSE) using L-tyrosine (Tyr), an amino acid with highly reactive hydroxyl group. The presence of MVK and acetic anhydride in CSE was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). We also found new reaction products formed in B16-BL6 mouse melanoma (B16-BL6) cells treated with CSE using LC/MS. These were identified as glutathione (GSH) conjugates of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, MVK, crotonaldehyde (CA), and acrolein (ACR), by the mass value and product ion spectra of these new products. ACR and MVK are type-2 alkenes, which are well known as electron acceptors and form Michael-type adducts to nucleophilic side chain of amino acids on peptides. These α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds may have a key role in CSE-induced cell death.

Intracellular Metabolism of α,ß-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds, Acrolein, Crotonaldehyde and Methyl Vinyl Ketone, Active Toxicants in Cigarette Smoke: Participation of Glutathione Conjugation Ability and Aldehyde-Ketone Sensitive Reductase Activity.

The major toxicants in cigarette smoke, α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes, such as acrolein (ACR) and crotonaldehyde (CA), and α,ß-unsaturated ketone, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), are known to form Michael-type adducts with glutathione (GSH) and consequently cause intracellular GSH depletion, which is involved in cigarette smoke-induced cytotoxicity. We have previously clarified that exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) of a mouse melanoma cell culture medium causes rapid reduction of intracellular GSH levels, and that the GSH-MVK adduct can be detected by LC/MS analysis while the GSH-CA adduct is hardly detected. In the present study, to clarify why the GSH-CA adduct is difficult to detect in the cell medium, we conducted detailed investigation of the structures of the reaction products of ACR, CA, MVK and CSE in the GSH solution or the cell culture medium. The mass spectra indicated that in the presence of the cells, the GSH-CA and GSH-ACR adducts were almost not detected while their corresponding alcohols were detected. On the other hand, both the GSH-MVK adducts and their reduced products were detected. In the absence of the cells, the reaction of GSH with all α,ß-unsaturated carbonyls produced only their corresponding adducts. These results show that the GSH adducts of α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes, CA and ACR, are quickly reduced by certain intracellular carbonyl reductase(s) and excreted from the cells, unlike the GSH adduct of α,ß-unsaturated ketone, MVK. Such a difference in reactivity to the carbonyl reductase might be related to differences in the cytotoxicity of α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones.

Methyl vinyl ketone, a toxic ingredient in cigarette smoke extract, modifies glutathione in mouse melanoma cells.

Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals, which contribute to the pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease. The cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke is well documented, but the definitive mechanism behind its toxicity remains unknown. Ingredients in cigarette smoke are known to deplete intracellular glutathione (GSH), the most abundant cellular thiol antioxidant, and to cause oxidative stress. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced cytotoxicity in B16-BL6 mouse melanoma (B16-BL6) cells using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. CSE and ingredients in cigarette smoke, methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) and crotonaldehyde (CA), reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, CSE and the ingredients (m/z 70, each) irreversibly reacted with GSH (m/z 308) to form GSH adducts (m/z 378) in cells and considerably decreased cellular GSH levels at concentrations that do not cause cell death. Mass spectral data showed that the major product formed in cells exposed to CSE was the GSH-MVK adduct via Michael-addition and was not the GSH-CA adduct. These results indicate that MVK included in CSE reacts with GSH in cells to form the GSH-MVK adduct, and thus a possible reason for CSE-induced cytotoxicity is a decrease in intracellular GSH levels.

Abnormal amounts of intracellular calcium regulatory proteins in SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr rats with metabolic syndrome and cardiac dysfunction.

Metabolic syndrome is known to increase the risk of abnormal cardiac structure and function, which are considered to contribute to increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality. We previously demonstrated that ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction occur in SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr (SHRSP fatty) rats with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying abnormal heart function in SHRSP fatty rats. The amount of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) 2a, phospholamban (PLB) protein, and Ser(16)-phosphorylated PLB was decreased in cardiomyocytes from SHRSP fatty rats compared with those from control Wistar-Kyoto rats at 18 weeks of age, and the PLB-to-SERCA2a ratio was increased. Left ventricular developed pressure was unchanged, and coronary flow rate and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure decline (-dP/dt) was decreased in SHRSP fatty rats. Treatment with telmisartan reversed the abnormalities of PLB amount, coronary flow rate, and -dP/dt in SHRSP fatty rats. These results indicate that abnormal amounts of intracellular Ca(2+) regulatory proteins in cardiomyocytes, leading to reduced intracellular Ca(2+) reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, may play a role in the diastolic dysfunction in SHRSP fatty rats and that these effects are partially related to decreased coronary circulation. Telmisartan may be beneficial in protecting against disturbances in cardiac function associated with metabolic syndrome.

A chemical approach to searching for bioactive ingredients in cigarette smoke.

Cigarette smoke, a collection of many toxic chemicals, contributes to the pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Much work has been done on the chemical analysis of ingredients in cigarette smoke, but there are few reports on the active ingredients that can modify biomolecules. We used a sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and LC/MS/MS method to show that L-tyrosine (Tyr), an amino acid with a highly reactive hydroxyl group, readily reacts with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) at body temperature (37°C) to form various Tyr derivatives. Among these derivatives were N-(3-oxobutyl)-Tyr and two acetylated compounds, N-acetyl-Tyr and O-acetyl-Tyr, which were synthesized by reaction of Tyr with methyl vinyl ketone and acetic anhydride, respectively, at 37°C. The presence of methyl vinyl ketone and acetic anhydride in CSE was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). These results indicate that Tyr can easily react with active ingredients in CSE. The present analytical methods should aid the search for active ingredients in cigarette smoke.

Telmisartan provides protection against development of impaired vasodilation independently of metabolic effects in SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr rats with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is known to facilitate the development of cardiovascular disease. We have demonstrated that mesenteric arteries of SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr (SHRSP-fatty) rats with metabolic syndrome display an impaired vasorelaxation response mediated by nitric oxide. We examined whether the condition could be alleviated by treatment with telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist with PPAR-γ-activating properties and compared the results with those from pioglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist. Telmisartan (5 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) or pioglitazone (2.5 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) was orally administered to male SHRSP-fatty rats for 8 weeks. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were determined, and the oral glucose tolerance test was performed to evaluate insulin resistance. Vasodilations in response to acetylcholine and nitroprusside were determined by wire myographs under isometric tension conditions, protein expressions of soluble guanylyl cyclase in mesenteric arteries by Western blotting, and the contents of 3-nitrotyrosine in aortas by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Telmisartan exerted antihypertensive effects, while pioglitazone ameliorated metabolic abnormalities in SHRSP-fatty rats. Telmisartan increased acetylcholine- and nitroprusside-induced relaxation and soluble guanylyl cyclase protein expression in mesenteric arteries and reduced 3-nitrotyrosine content in aortas. Pioglitazone displayed no such alleviating effects on vascular functions. These findings indicate that telmisartan protects against vasodilation disturbance through anti-oxidative and -nitrative stress independently of metabolic effects in SHRSP-fatty rats with metabolic syndrome.

Coronary vascular dysfunction promoted by oxidative-nitrative stress in SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa) /IzmDmcr rats with metabolic syndrome.

1. Metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa) /IzmDmcr (SHRSP fatty) rat, established as a new rat model of metabolic syndrome, spontaneously develops obesity, severe hypertension and shows hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and abnormal glucose tolerance. Using SHRSP fatty rats, we examined whether or not oxidative stress was correlated with vascular dysfunction in small and large calibre coronary arteries in ex vivo beating hearts, isolated mesenteric arteries and aortas in comparison with normal rats, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Vasodilation of coronary arteries was determined by microangiography of the Langendorff heart. 2. Compared with WKY, acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxations were impaired in the coronary arteries of SHRSP fatty rats. The mesenteric arteries and aorta of SHRSP fatty rats showed impaired relaxation responses to ACh and SNP, decreased 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) production, and reduced soluble guanylyl cyclase protein expression. Superoxide release, angiotensin II and 3-nitrotyrosine contents were increased. 3. SHRSP fatty rats were orally administered olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1) ) antagonist, and amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, at doses of 5 and 8mg/kg per day, respectively, for 8weeks. Both olmesartan and amlodipine reduced blood pressure, but only olmesartan prevented the development of abnormal vascular and biochemical parameters in the SHRSP fatty rats. 4. The results showed that in the SHRSP fatty rats, the impaired nitric oxide- and cGMP-mediated relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells were linked to AT(1) receptor-induced oxidative-nitrative stress, which occurred concurrently with severe hypertension and metabolic abnormalities in vivo.

Possible participation of chloride ion channels in ATP release from cancer cells in suspension.

1. Cancer cells must detach from the primary focus to initiate the process of metastasis. Previously, we demonstrated that intracellular Ca(2+) levels are increased in endothelial cells in the presence of cancer cells and that ATP derived from these cells causes this increase. The present study clarifies the mechanism of ATP release from cancer cells by investigating the effects of Cl(-) channel inhibitors and other drugs on ATP release from human fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080 cells). 2. Levels of extracellular ATP and its metabolites were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. 3. Significantly more extracellular ATP was released by suspended than by adherent HT-1080 cells. The Cl(-) channel inhibitors 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (100 micromol/L), gadolinium (100 micromol/L) and niflumic acid (100 micromol/L) all significantly inhibited ATP release from HT-1080 cells (1 x 10(3) /mL) to 39.7 +/- 6.5, 28.5 +/- 2.5 and 82.5 +/- 4.1% of control, respectively. 4. Neither of the p-glycoprotein inhibitors (i.e. 50 micromol/L quinidine and 90 micromol/L verapamil) had any effect on ATP release from HT-1080 cells. The gap junction hemichannel inhibitor Gap26 (300 micromol/L) slightly, but significantly, decreased ATP release by approximately 20%. The gap junction inhibitor 18-alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (10 micromol/L) tended to inhibit ATP release from HT-1080 cells, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. 5. These findings indicate that Cl(-) channels play the most important role in ATP release from detached cancer cells and that gap junction hemichannels are also associated with ATP release.

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) inhibits the growth of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells through the stimulation of adenosine A3 receptor followed by glycogen synthase kinase-3beta activation and cyclin D1 suppression.

Cordyceps sinensis, a parasitic fungus on the larvae of Lepidoptera, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine. We previously reported that the growth of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma (B16-BL6) cells was inhibited by cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), an active ingredient of C. sinensis, and its effect was antagonized by MRS1191, a selective adenosine A3 receptor antagonist. In this study, the radioligand binding assay using [125I]-AB-MECA (a selective adenosine A3 receptor agonist) has shown that B16-BL6 cells express adenosine A3 receptors and that cordycepin binds to these receptors. We also confirmed the involvement of adenosine A3 receptors in the action of cordycepin using MRS1523 and MRS1220, specific adenosine A3 receptor antagonists. Next, indirubin, a glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) inhibitor, antagonized the growth suppression induced by cordycepin. Furthermore, the level of cyclin D1 protein in B16-BL6 cells was decreased by cordycepin using Western blot analysis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that cordycepin inhibits the proliferation of B16-BL6 cells by stimulating adenosine A3 receptors followed by the Wnt signaling pathway, including GSK-3beta activation and cyclin D1 inhibition.

Effect of P2 receptor on the intracellular calcium increase by cancer cells in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

One of the important functions of vascular endothelial cells is as a barrier between blood and vascular tissue. This led us to speculate that cancer cells affect endothelial cells during metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the influence of human fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), particularly intracellular calcium ion levels ([Ca2+]i), which are known to be an important intracellular signal transduction factor. HUVEC were treated with a fluorescent marker, and the fluorescence intensity of [Ca2+]i was then measured by phase contrast microscopic imaging. Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release was measured using the chemiluminescence of luciferin-luciferase and a photon counting imaging system. HT-1080 (5x10(4) cells per dish) was found to increase [Ca2+]i in HUVEC. This [Ca2+]i rise was significantly reduced by U-73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor, 1 microM) and thapsigargin (calcium pump inhibitor, 1 microM). Interestingly, the [Ca2+]i rise in HUVEC was also significantly reduced by pyridoxalphosphare-6-azophenyl-2', 4'-disulfonic acid, a P2Y receptor antagonist (100 microM) and apyrase, a nucleotidase inhibitor (2 U/ml). In addition, we observed ATP release from HT-1080. These results suggest that [Ca2+]i in HUVEC was increased through the phospholipase C-IP3 pathway via ATP release from cancer cells. We previously reported that extracellular ATP increased [Ca2+]i and enhanced macromolecular permeability via the P2Y receptor. In tumor metastasis, cancer cells may exploit these regulatory mechanisms in the endothelial cell layer.

Reinforcement of antitumor effect of Cordyceps sinensis by 2'-deoxycoformycin, an adenosine deaminase inhibitor.

In this study, an attempt was made to elucidate the combined effect of 2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF), an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, with a water extract of Cordyceps sinensis (WECS), on the growth curves of mouse melanoma and lung carcinoma cells. Sub-confluent cells were harvested with an EDTA trypsin solution, and resuspended to appropriate concentrations in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Using 1x10(5) cells/2 ml in each well of a 12-well culture plate, cells were incubated for 24, 48 and 72 h in the presence of WECS alone, or WECS plus DCF in a CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C. Duplicate samples of viable cells were enumerated with a Coulter counter. The antitumor effect of WECS on the growth curves of tumor cell lines increased over 3-fold in combination with DCF. These results suggest that DCF has a remarkable reinforcement effect on the antitumor activity of WECS. DCF is a potent adjuvant for WECS.

[Oxidative stress and atherosclerosis].

Oxidative stress is a continuous level of oxidative damage in animal cells, which is caused by an overabundance of reactive oxygen species or a decline in antioxidant ability against them. Oxidative stress increases with individual risk factors of atherosclerosis such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and smoking. Thus, oxidative stress is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This review discusses the relationship between oxidative stress and atherosclerosis based on findings from our research group. We have found that atherosclerotic lesions are formed in the aorta of mice fed a high-cholesterol and high-linoleic diet, in parallel with elevated serum lipid peroxide levels. This model is useful for primary screening of antiatherosclerotic agents with antioxidative activity. One notable factor in the development of atherosclerosis is oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL). In order to examine OxLDL levels in blood, we have developed anion-exchange HPLC methods using stepwise elution. Using these methods, we have found that OxLDL markedly increases in a rat model of metabolic syndrome, in animals exposed to cigarette smoke and in smokers in parallel with other oxidative stress markers. These oxidative stress markers have been attenuated by administration of several antioxidants. In addition, we have found that smoking accelerates atherogenesis in the aorta of apoE-deficient mice and this acceleration can be ameliorated by administration of vitamin E. These observations suggest that antioxidant supplementation may be an effective therapeutic strategy for metabolic syndrome and smoking-induced diseases in which elevated oxidative stress plays a pivotal role.

Corosolic acid prevents oxidative stress, inflammation and hypertension in SHR/NDmcr-cp rats, a model of metabolic syndrome.

Corosolic acid (CRA), a constituent of banaba leaves, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of CRA on metabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia together with oxidative stress and inflammation, all of which are characteristic of the SHR/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) (SHR-cp) rat, an animal model of metabolic syndrome. Six-week-old male SHR-cp rats were fed a high fat diet containing 0.072% CRA for 14 weeks. Treatment with CRA lowered blood pressure, which was elevated in control animals, by 10% after 8 weeks, and serum free fatty acids by 21% after 2 weeks. CRA treatment resulted in decreases in the levels of the oxidative stress markers thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine by 27% and 59%, respectively, after 2 weeks. CRA treatment also reduced the levels of myeloperoxidase markers, 3-nitrotyrosine and 3-chlorotyrosine by 38% and 39%, respectively, after 10 weeks, and tended to decrease the levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, after 6 weeks. However, CRA had no effect on weight gain or hyperglycemia. These results demonstrate that CRA can ameliorate hypertension, abnormal lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress as well as the inflammatory state in SHR-cp rats. This implies that CRA can be beneficial for preventing atherosclerosis-related diseases that are an increasing health care problem worldwide.

Disturbances in nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate system in SHR/NDmcr-cp rats, a model of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and obesity. In such lifestyle-related diseases, impairment of nitric oxide (NO) production or bioactivity has been reported to lead to the development of atherogenic vascular diseases. Therefore, in the present study we investigated changes in the NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) system in aortas of SHR/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) rats (SHR-cp), a model of the metabolic syndrome. In aortas of SHR-cp, endothelium-dependent relaxations induced by acetylcholine and endothelium-independent relaxations induced by sodium nitroprusside were significantly impaired in comparison with Wistar-Kyoto rats. Furthermore, protein levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase and cGMP levels induced by sodium nitroprusside were significantly decreased. In contrast, protein levels of endothelium NO synthase and cGMP levels induced by acetylcholine were significantly increased, and plasma NO2 plus NO3 levels were also increased. The levels of lipid peroxide in plasma and the contents of 3-nitrotyrosine, a biomarker of peroxynitrite, in aortas were markedly increased. These findings indicate that in the aortas of SHR-cp, NO production from the endothelium is augmented, although the NO-induced relaxation response is impaired. Enhanced NO production may be a compensatory response to a variety of factors, including increases in oxidative stress.

Antitumor effect of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) on mouse melanoma and lung carcinoma cells involves adenosine A3 receptor stimulation.

An attempt was made to elucidate the molecular targetfor the antitumor effects of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) using non-selective and selective adenosine A1, A2a, A2b and A3 receptor agonists and antagonists. Although adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine (up to 100 microM) had no effect, cordycepin showed remarkable inhibitory effects on the growth curves of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma (IC50= 39 microM) and mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (IC50 = 48 microM) cell lines in vitro. Among the adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists used (up to 100 microM), only 2-chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (Cl-IB-MECA), a selective adenosine A3 receptor agonist, notably inhibited the growth of both mouse tumor cell lines (B16-BL6; IC50 = 5 microM, LLC; 14 microM). In addition, the tumor growth inhibitory effect of cordycepin was antagonized by 3-ethyl 5-benzyl 2-methyl-6-phenyl-4-phenylethynyl-1,4-(+/-)-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (MRS1191), a selective adenosine A3 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that cordycepin exerts inhibitory effects on the growth of mouse melanoma and lung carcinoma cells by stimulating adenosine A3 receptors on tumor cells.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on blood pressure and vascular endothelial response by acetylcholine in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We previously demonstrated that Ginkgo biloba extract (Ginkgo) produced vasodilation via the nitric oxide pathway in aortic segments isolated from Wistar rats. In this study, we have analysed the effects of daily long-term oral Ginkgo treatment on blood pressure, vascular tone, and calcium mobilization to evaluate the clinical availability. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 0.05%-0.5% Ginkgo for 30 days. Administration of Ginkgo did not change systolic blood pressure in WKY, but significantly decreased systolic blood pressure in SHR. In thoracic aortic preparations isolated from SHR, diminished relaxation in response to acetylcholine was improved by a Ginkgo-containing diet. This diet significantly decreased the EC50 value and significantly increased maximum relaxation in response to acetylcholine in SHR. In aortic segments isolated from WKY, acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not affected by a Ginkgo-containing diet. Sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was unchanged by a Ginkgo-containing diet in SHR and WKY. We also examined the effects of a Ginkgo-containing diet on the intracellular calcium level of aortic endothelium using a fluorescent confocal microscopic imaging system. Calcium Green 1/AM preloading indicated that acetylcholine significantly increased the endothelial intracellular calcium level. The Ginkgo-containing diet significantly enhanced this increase in the aortic endothelium of SHR, but did not change that of WKY. The results suggested that Ginkgo enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilation and elevation of the endothelial intracellular Ca(2+) level in SHR, resulting in hypotension. This accelerative effect of Ginkgo on Ca(2+) mobilization seemed to be associated with restoration of impaired dilatory function induced by acetylcholine in endothelial cells.

ATP participates in the regulation of microvessel permeability.

We demonstrated previously that stimulation of the P2Y receptor enhanced the macromolecular permeability of cultured endothelial cell monolayers via the paracellular pathway. To determine whether the P2Y receptor participates in the regulation of permeability in intact microvessels, we have examined the effects of exogenous and endogenous ATP on the permeation of the surface tissue of perfused rat tail caudal artery using a fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FD-4; MW 4400; 1.0 mg mL(-1)). The permeation of FD-4 was assessed by a confocal fluorescence imaging system. We found that 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-triphosphate, a P2Y receptor agonist, enhanced the fluorescence intensity of FD-4 in the surface of the rat caudal artery tissue and that it was inhibited by pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid, a P2 receptor antagonist. Also, noradrenaline, a sympathetic neurotransmitter, and bradykinin, an inflammatory autacoid, enhanced the fluorescence intensity of FD-4 in the surface tissue of the rat caudal artery. The enhancement by noradrenaline was significantly inhibited by the P2 receptor antagonist. In addition, noradrenaline and bradykinin caused the release of ATP, ADP, AMP and adenosine from the endothelium of the rat caudal artery. These results indicated that the exogenous and endogenous ATP increased the macromolecular permeability of blood capillaries via the P2Y receptor. Such purinergic regulation of endothelial permeability may function in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Myosin light chain kinase and Rho-kinase participate in P2Y receptor-mediated acceleration of permeability through the endothelial cell layer.

We have shown that P2Y receptor stimulation accelerates macromolecular permeation through the endothelial cell layer. To elucidate the mechanism of this acceleration, we examined the effects of ML-9, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, and Y-27632, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, on fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FD-4) permeation across the human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayer. FD-4 permeation was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detection. A P2Y receptor agonist, 2meS-ATP, enhanced the permeability of FD-4, which was inhibited by pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), a P2Y-receptor antagonist. The 2meS-ATP-induced increase in the permeability of FD-4 was significantly inhibited by ML-9. Also, Y-27632 prevented the 2meS-ATP-induced increase in the permeability of FD-4. Neither ML-9 nor Y-27632 influenced the spontaneous permeation of FD-4. These results suggest that phosphorylation of the myosin light chain may play an important role in the purinergic regulation of macromolecular permeation through the vascular endothelium.

Effect of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) on hematogenic lung metastatic model mice.

We investigated the anti-metastatic effect of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) on a hematogenic metastatic mouse model which was intravenously injected with B16-BL6 melanoma cells. A 3-hour exposure to various concentrations of cordycepin (0.3, 1 and 3 microg/ml) dose-dependently reduced the number of nodules formed in lung at 15 days after the tumor injection. To elucidate the mechanism of this anti-metastatic effect, we examined the effect of cordycepin on the invasiveness of B16-BL6 cells using a chemo-invasion chamber in vitro. The B16-BL6 cells pretreated with cordycepin (3 microg/ml) for 3 hours showed a significant decrease in invasiveness. Under the same conditions, however, cordycepin did not influence the growth curve of B16-BL6 cells at concentrations up to 3 microg/ml. These results suggest that cordycepin exerts an anti-metastatic action, in part, by inhibiting the invasiveness of mouse melanoma cells.