A novel transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS3) overexpressed in pancreatic cancer.

We report the characterization of a novel serine protease of the chymotrypsin family, recently isolated by cDNA-representational difference analysis, as a gene overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. The 2.3-kb mRNA of the gene, named TMPRSS3, is strongly expressed in a subset of pancreatic cancer and various other cancer tissues, and its expression correlates with the metastatic potential of the clonal SUIT-2 pancreatic cancer cell lines. The deduced polypeptide sequence consists of 437 amino acids and exhibits all of the structural features characteristic of serine proteases with trypsin-like activity. TMPRSS3 is membrane bound with a NH2-terminal signal-anchor sequence and a glycosylated extracellular region containing the serine protease domain. Thus, TMPRSS3 is a novel membrane-bound serine protease overexpressed in cancer, which may be of importance for processes involved in metastasis formation and tumor invasion.

Evidence for Bicarbonate Secretion by Ameloblasts in a Novel Cellular Model.

Formation and growth of hydroxyapatite crystals during amelogenesis generate a large number of protons that must be neutralized, presumably by HCO3 (-)ions transported from ameloblasts into the developing enamel matrix. Ameloblasts express a number of transporters and channels known to be involved in HCO3 (-)transport in other epithelia. However, to date, there is no functional evidence for HCO3 (-)transport in these cells. To address questions related to HCO3 (-)export from ameloblasts, we have developed a polarized 2-dimensional culture system for HAT-7 cells, a rat cell line of ameloblast origin. HAT-7 cells were seeded onto Transwell permeable filters. Transepithelial resistance was measured as a function of time, and the expression of transporters and tight junction proteins was investigated by conventional and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Intracellular pH regulation and HCO3 (-)transport were assessed by microfluorometry. HAT-7 cells formed epithelial layers with measureable transepithelial resistance on Transwell permeable supports and expressed claudin-1, claudin-4, and claudin-8-key proteins for tight junction formation. Transport proteins previously described in maturation ameloblasts were also present in HAT-7 cells. Microfluorometry showed that the HAT-7 cells were polarized with a high apical membrane CO2 permeability and vigorous basolateral HCO3 (-)uptake, which was sensitive to Na(+)withdrawal, to the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide and to H2DIDS inhibition. Measurements of transepithelial HCO3 (-)transport showed a marked increase in response to Ca(2+)- and cAMP-mobilizing stimuli. Collectively, 2-dimensional HAT-7 cell cultures on permeable supports 1) form tight junctions, 2) express typical tight junction proteins and electrolyte transporters, 3) are functionally polarized, and 4) can accumulate HCO3 (-)ions from the basolateral side and secrete them at the apical membrane. These studies provide evidence for a regulated, vectorial, basolateral-to-apical bicarbonate transport in polarized HAT-7 cells. We therefore propose that the HAT-7 cell line is a useful functional model for studying electrolyte transport by ameloblasts.

Pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolinecarboxamide derivatives as platelet activating factor antagonists.

A series of N-[(heteroaryl)alkyl]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolines were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the binding of radiolabeled platelet activating factor (PAF) to its receptor on dog platelets. The most potent compounds in this series were found to be pyrido[2,1-b]quinazoline-8-carboxamides possessing a four- or six-carbon chain between the carboxamide nitrogen atom and a 3-pyridinyl or 5-pyrimidinyl moiety. Since earlier metabolism studies with pyridoquinazolinecarboxamides suggest that the carboxamide moiety is labile to hydrolysis in vivo, attempts were made to find isosteric replacements for this group. The substitutions examined led to a loss of activity; however, insertion of a methyl group on the carbon atom alpha to the carboxamide nitrogen led to an enantioselective enhancement of potency. (R)-2-(1-Methylethyl)-N-[1-methyl-4-(3-pyridinyl)butyl]-11-oxo-11H- pyrido[2,1-b]quinazoline-8-carboxamide (34) was more potent than the corresponding S enantiomer in the PAF binding assay and was also shown to be more resistant to degradation by amidases present in whole liver homogenates obtained from guinea pig, dog, and squirrel monkey. The corresponding rac-2-(1-methylethyl)-N-[1-methyl-4-(3-pyridinyl)butyl]-11-oxo-11H- pyrido[2,1-b]quinazoline-8-carboxamide (33) was found to inhibit transient PAF-induced thrombocytopenia and decreases in blood pressure in guinea pigs after intravenous or oral administration and to have a duration of action of greater than 5 h after an oral dose of 200 mg/kg. Compound 33 thus represents the prototype of a new class of orally active PAF antagonists.

Protection of rat myocardial phospholipid against peroxidative injury through superoxide-(xanthine oxidase)-dependent, iron-promoted Fenton chemistry by the male contraceptive gossypol.

Metal-promoted oxygen free-radical chemistry is a cause of tissue damage in many disease states, such as myocardial ischemia. The effect of gossypol, a polyphenolic plant pigment and male contraceptive, on the peroxidation of myocardial membrane phospholipid was studied and quantitatively characterized. As a result of exposure to xanthine oxidase (superoxide)-dependent, iron-promoted Fenton chemistry, cardiac phospholipid was readily peroxidized with defined kinetics. The peroxidation could be blocked by substances which interdict at specific points in the Fenton chemistry: superoxide dismutase, alpha-tocopherol, the iron chelator desferrioxamine, and the xanthine oxidase substrate-analogs allopurinol and oxypurinol. The oxidative-injury system displayed a characteristic antiperoxidant response to each type of inhibitor. Gossypol, at low micromolar concentrations, profoundly altered the rate and extent of myocardial phospholipid peroxidation. Gossypol was ineffective as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and as a superoxide scavenger at concentrations that abolished myocardial lipid peroxidation. Since metal chelation was an effective means of preventing lipid peroxidation in this system only when the iron therein was completely chelated, the low anti-peroxidant IC50 for gossypol, 1.1. microM, relative to the concentration of iron (100 microM) did not support a functionally significant antiperoxidant role for gossypol as an iron chelator. Rather, it appears that, at low micromolar gossypol concentrations which approximate the peak plasma concentrations in humans, the antiperoxidant effects of gossypol against superoxide-mediated, iron-promoted lipid damage rest with the ability of gossypol to intercept lipid radical intermediates as a "chain-breaking" aromatic phenol.

Protection of cardiac membrane phospholipid against oxidative injury by calcium antagonists.

Calcium antagonists representative of the four major chemical classes were assessed for their abilities to prevent peroxidation of rat heart membrane lipids through xanthine oxidase-dependent, superoxide-driven, iron-promoted oxygen radical chemistry. The dihydropyridines nifedipine and nitrendipine did not affect peroxidation, even at a concentration (500 microM) approaching their solubility limit. The benzothiazepine diltiazem did protect the cardiac lipids against oxidative injury, but at high micromolar concentrations: 50% inhibition of peroxidation (antiperoxidant IC50) required 510 microM diltiazem. The phenylalkylamines verapamil and gallopamil (D-600) were likewise weak antiperoxidants (approximately 35% inhibition of peroxidation at 500 microM). In contrast, two other alkylamines, bepridil and prenylamine, were very effective membrane lipid protectants with respective antiperoxidant IC50 values of 55 and 75 microM. The diphenylpiperazines flunarizine (IC50 = 190 microM) and cinnarizine (IC50 = 180 microM) displayed moderate antiperoxidant activity. No Ca2+ antagonist inhibited xanthine oxidase under conditions whereby 10 microM allopurinol inhibited enzyme activity by 50%. The effects of the Ca2+ antagonist-antiperoxidants on the kinetics of cardiac membrane lipid peroxidation indicate that they inhibit peroxidation by intercepting oxy- and/or lipid free radical intermediates. These data raise the possibility that antiperoxidant action may contribute to the spectrum of pharmacologic and therapeutic activities of certain Ca2+ antagonists.

Influence of cardioprotective cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors on peroxidative injury to myocardial-membrane phospholipid.

Oxygenase-catalyzed and non-enzymatic polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidations have potential pathogenic roles in ischemic-reperfusion damage to the myocardium. Certain oxygenase inhibitors protect heart muscle from irreversible ischemic injury, and some antiperoxidants can inhibit oxygenase enzymes. We investigated the antiperoxidative abilities of eight anti-ischemic, cardioprotective oxygenase inhibitors to prevent myocardial-membrane phospholipid peroxidation through superoxide-driven, iron-promoted reactions with xanthine oxidase as the source of superoxide. Flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, and REV-5901-5 did not affect peroxidation at concentrations up to 1000 microM. BW755C, AA-861, nafazatrom, dipyridamole, and propyl gallate did protect and cardiac lipids against oxidative injury in a concentration-dependent manner with respective and antiperoxidant IC50 values (concentrations at which peroxidation was inhibited by 50%) of 0.22, 1.25, 3.0, 3.6 and 50 microM. Catechin and phenidone, known oxygenase inhibitors not yet evaluated as anti-ischemic agents, were also found to be antiperoxidants at low micromolar concentrations. Four cyclooxygenase inhibitors ineffective against myocardial infarction (aspirin, indomethacin, naproxen, and sulfinpyrazone) evidenced no antiperoxidant properties at concentrations up to 500 microM. The oxygenase inhibitor-antiperoxidants identified could neither quench superoxide radical nor inhibit xanthine oxidase. However, they were able to interrupt the propagation of an on-going peroxidation reaction. Their antiperoxidant profiles resembled those of known antioxidants, such as alpha-tocopherol, which inhibit peroxidation by intercepting lipid free-radical intermediates. These data raise the possibility that at least some oxygenase inhibitors could exert cardioprotective effects by directly influencing the sensitivity of myocardial-membrane phospholipid to peroxidative injury. Consequently, recognition of the antiperoxidant properties of these agents may aid dissection of their physiological and pharmacological actions.

Novel 6-hydroxychroman-2-carbonitrile inhibitors of membrane peroxidative injury.

Novel 6-hydroxychroman-2-carbonitrile compounds have been synthesized, and their antiperoxidant activity against superoxide-dependent, iron-promoted mycocardial phospholipid peroxidation has been evaluated quantitatively. With few exceptions, these compounds afforded significant, concentration-dependent antiperoxidant protection to myocardial-membrane phospholipid at sub- to low-micromolar concentrations. Structure-activity correlation demonstrated that R1-, R2-, and R3-methyl groups in the aromatic ring enhanced antiperoxidant activity, whereas hydrophobic groups at either R4 or R5 of the pyran ring compromised antiperoxidant efficacy. The most efficacious antiperoxidant synthesized contained a catechol moiety at R4 and was some 10-fold more potent than alpha-tocopherol. None of the 6-hydroxychroman-2-carbonitrile antiperoxidants scavenged superoxide or inhibited the enzymatic superoxide generator, xanthine oxidase, at effective antiperoxidant concentrations. The ability of these compounds to interrupt the propagatory phase of an on-going peroxidation reaction indicated that they acted as antiperoxidants by trapping chain-carrying lipid peroxyl radicals. Since a number of the 6-hydroxychroman-2-carbonitriles were most potent antiperoxidants than a variety of known chain-breaking compounds, this new class of phenolic antioxidants may represent a novel approach to the design of therapeutics against diseases in which lipid peroxidation is a causative factor or in which lipid peroxidases serve as mediators.

GRP-receptor-mediated signal transduction, gene expression and DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line HPAF.

Bombesin-like peptides have been implicated as growth factors in various human cancers. Human adenocarcinoma cell lines (Capan-1, Capan-2, MiaPaCa-2 and HPAF) were tested to determine whether they express the gastrin-releasing peptide-preferring bombesin receptor (GRPR) and neuromedin B-preferring bombesin receptor (NMBR). Using RT-PCR the highest level of GRP receptor mRNA was found in HPAF cells. NMB receptor mRNA expression moderate in all cell lines investigated. We therefore selected the HPAF cell line to investigate whether bombesin treatment affects intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)), cAMP level, DNA synthesis as a measure of cell proliferation, and expression of three transcription factors: c-fos, c-myc and high mobility group protein IY (HMG-I(Y)).Bombesin administration led to an immediate increase in free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) but did not change cAMP levels. The peptide also enhanced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in HPAF cells (but not in the other cell lines), an effect that was concentration dependent, reaching 36 +/- 5% stimulation over control values at 24 h with an EC(50) of 2.27 x 10(-12) M. Furthermore, bombesin stimulated c-fos, c-myc and HMG-I(Y) expression in a time-dependent manner: the c-fos mRNA level increased dramatically in the first 30 min of exposure, then returned to basal level within 2 h, while the c-myc and HMG-I(Y) mRNA levels peaked at 2 h and 4h, respectively. All actions of bombesin were blocked by BME (D-Phe(6)-bombesin-(6-13)-methylester), a selective GRP receptor antagonist, but not by the NMB receptor antagonist BIM-23127 (D-Nal-cyclo[Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Val-Cys]-Nal-NH(2)). We conclude that HPAF cells express mRNA for GRP receptors and that functional receptors are present in the cell membrane. The occupation of these receptors leads to a sequence of intracellular events involving rapid mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+), expression of c-fos, c-myc and HMG-I(Y) mRNA, and stimulation of cell proliferation. Conversely, although NMB receptor mRNA can be detected, its actual translation to functional receptors does not reach a detectable level.

The effect of L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway on salivary amylase secretion in conscious rats.

In a recent study we have demonstrated the presence of nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive neurons and also perivascular, periacinar and periductal nerve fibres in feline submandibular salivary gland. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in salivary vasoregulation has been suggested by other data too, but the effect of NO on salivary amylase secretion has not been investigated yet. Under ether anaesthesia a catheter was introduced into the oesophagus for salivary juice collections, and a cannula was inserted into the jugular vein for infusions. After postanaesthesia recovery, submaximal carbachol infusion was given as a background to obtain steady secretion because of the low basal secretory rate. Then different groups of animals received NO synthase inhibitor NOLA (NG-nitro-L-arginine), L-arginine, D-arginine or NO donor SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine). Volume and amylase activity were determined in mixed saliva samples collected for 30 min. Carbachol background infusion alone induced an elevated, sustained salivary secretion. NOLA (30 mg/kg) increased both volume and amylase output (P < 0.001). This effect was prevented by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. SIN-1 did not change either volume or amylase secretion. The present results suggest that the L-arginine/NO pathway has a modulatory effect on salivary fluid and amylase secretion, which is probably not related to its effect on salivary blood flow. NO may block certain presently unidentified secretagogue mechanisms and/or may relax myoepithelial cells.

Antisecretory effects of galanin and its putative antagonists M15, M35 and C7 in the rat stomach.

The neuropeptide galanin has been reported to have a wide range of biological actions both in the central nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent works led to the discovery of selective galanin receptor antagonists including M15 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-substanceP(5-11)-amide), M35 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-bradykinin(2-9)-amide) and C7 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-spantide-amide). These antagonists were shown to competitively inhibit actions of galanin in the central nervous system. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of galanin, M15, M35 and C7 on gastric acid secretion and gastric emptying. Pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was inhibited by galanin (0.1-9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1), i.v.) in a dose-dependent manner (ID50 = 1.8 +/- 0.3 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1)). When 9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1) galanin infusion was given, inhibition became almost complete. M15, M35 and C7 (1-9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1)) did not modify responses of the stomach to galanin, but acted as agonists of galanin on acid secretion. Neither galanin nor its putative antagonists affected the emptying of non-caloric liquids from the stomach. In conclusion, galanin may play an antisecretory role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion but not in the control of gastric emptying of liquids in rats. Its antisecretory action on the stomach is mediated by galanin receptors that are distinct from those in the central nervous system.

Diverse effects of phytohaemagglutinin on gastrointestinal secretions in rats.

Kidney bean lectin phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) is known for its binding capacity to the small intestinal surface inducing marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy and an increased pancreatic function. Recent observations indicate that PHA is able to attach to gastric mucosal and parietal cells. Therefore, we compared the effects of PHA on gastric acid secretion, and pancreatic amylase secretion in rats. To study gastric secretion in conscious animals, rats were surgically prepared with chronic stainless steel gastric cannula and with indwelling polyethylene jugular vein catheter. Acid secretion was determined by titration of the collected gastric juice to pH 7.0. Similar studies were performed to investigate the effect of PHA on pancreatic enzyme secretion in conscious rats supplied with pancreatic cannula. Pancreatic enzyme secretion was also studied in rats anesthetized with either halothane or urethane. In conscious rats PHA significantly inhibited basal acid secretion when compared to vehicle-treated controls. The effect was dose-dependent and reversible. On the other hand, given in the same doses as in the acid-secretory studies, PHA stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion in rats prepared with chronic pancreatic cannula. This effect was blocked by devazepide, a CCK-A receptor antagonist. In halothane-anesthetized rats PHA administration increased pancreatic amylase secretion, too. During urethane anesthesia, however, the stimulatory effect of PHA was not observed. These results provide evidence that intragastric PHA treatment induces opposite effects on gastric acid secretion and pancreatic enzyme secretion: it is a potent inhibitor of acid output, and a stimulator of pancreatic enzyme discharge. Our data also show that the stimulatory effect of PHA on pancreatic enzyme secretion can be blocked by urethane, an anaesthetic that is known to turn off the negative pancreatic feedback control of pancreatic function in rats.

Inhibitory effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue on EGF-stimulated cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells.

Numerous studies have reported diverse effects of gut-derived regulatory peptides on growth of the normal pancreas, pancreatic neoplasms induced experimentally in animals, and pancreatic cancer cell lines, but the results of these investigations are rather controversial. The stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cell proliferation of pancreatic cell lines is well established. Whether this action can be modulated by somatostatin is not clear. Furthermore, it is not certain whether another regulatory peptide, cholecystokinin (CCK), affects the proliferation of these cells. In the present study we investigated the presence of CCK-A and CCK-B, as well as somatostatin-2 (SSTR2) receptors by RT-PCR, and studied the actions of EGF, CCK and octreotide on DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line Capan-2. Octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue was used as somatostatin agonist. Cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. They were incubated in serum free medium containing 0.2% BSA in the absence (control) or the presence of the peptides. [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA was measured after 48 h of incubation. By means of RT-PCR analysis we were able to demonstrate SSTR2 expression, but not CCK-A or CCK-B receptor mRNA in Capan-2 cells. DNA synthesis evaluated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation was found to be increased by 45.2 +/- 5.6% in response to EGF (10(-8) M) and decreased by 11.7 +/- 2.6% to octreotide (10(-8) M) compared to controls (P < 0.01). The increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly lower when EGF treatment was combined with octreotide administration (10.1 +/- 2.5% over control). In the concentration range of 10(-11)-10(-8) M, CCK did not alter significantly the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA in Capan-2 cells. In conclusion, these data support a role for EGF as a growth factor for the human pancreatic cancer cell Capan-2. Somatostatin may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells both under basal, and growth factor-stimulated conditions. Our results suggest, however, that CCK receptors are not expressed, and CCK does not affect cell proliferation in this transformed pancreatic cell line.

Essential fatty acids are antagonists of the leukotriene B4 receptor.

A series of essential fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives were evaluated for their ability to inhibit [3H] leukotriene B4 (LTB4) binding to pig neutrophil membranes. The fatty acids varied in chain length, extent of unsaturation, position of unsaturation, and isomerization. Generally, fatty acids with two or more unsaturated sites and chain lengths of 18-22 were potent inhibitors of [3H]LTB4 binding; both n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were inhibitory. The most potent compounds tested were homogammalinolenic acid and ricinelaidic acid which gave Ki values of 1 microM and 2 microM in the binding assay. Ricinelaidic acid was also tested for its ability to inhibit LTB4-mediated chemotaxis (IC50 = 10 microM) and LTB4-induced calcium fluxes (IC50 = 7 microM) in isolated human neutrophils. Ricinelaidic acid did not show agonist activity in these assays. In an in vivo model of LTB4-induced bronchoconstriction, ricinelaidic acid and homogammalinolenic acid gave 46% and 53% inhibition, respectively, at a 1 mg/kg i.v. dose. These results indicate that essential fatty acids are LTB4 receptor antagonists, which may account in part for their reported anti-inflammatory activities.

Effect of deramciclane, a new 5-HT receptor antagonist, on cholecystokinin-induced changes in rat gastrointestinal function.

Recent studies suggested that serotonin receptors may be involved in modulating the actions of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the gastrointestinal tract. The present work was designed to compare the effects of deramciclane, a recently developed serotonin-2 (5-HT2A/2C) receptor antagonist, and lorglumide, a CCK(A) receptor antagonist, on exogenous and endogenous CCK-induced pancreatic enzyme secretion and pancreatic growth, as well as on the emptying of the stomach and the gallbladder. Pancreatic secretory function was tested while CCK release was evoked by diversion of bile-pancreatic juice in rats. Adaptive growth of the pancreas was induced by chronic intragastric administration of camostate, a potent synthetic trypsin inhibitor in rats. Gastric emptying of a noncaloric test meal was investigated in response to intraduodenal intralipid infusion, also in rats. In fasted mice, gallbladder emptying was examined in response to intragastric egg yolk administration. In rats, diversion of bile-pancreatic juice from the duodenum stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion. This action was blocked by deramciclane and by lorglumide. Pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia induced by chronic camostate administration was also suppressed by both the serotonin- and the CCK-receptor antagonists. Intraduodenal administration of intralipid induced a significant delay in gastric emptying. This effect was inhibited by both deramciclane and lorglumide in rats. In mice, intragastric administration of egg yolk elicited an accelerated release of bile from the gallbladder. Prior treatment with either deramciclane or lorglumide abolished this response. Lorglumide was able to inhibit the functional responses elicited by exogenous CCK administration in both pancreas, stomach and gallbladder, while deramciclane was not effective under such circumstances. Our data show that deramciclane inhibited the effects of CCK on pancreatic, gastric and gallbladder function when its endogenous release was stimulated, but did not alter the effects of exogenously administered peptide. These results suggest that serotonin, primarily via 5-HT2A receptors, may modulate CCK-mediated gastrointestinal functions in rats.

Specific binding of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet-activating factor) to the intact canine platelet.

Binding of 3H-labeled 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet-activating factor; PAF) to the intact, washed canine platelet has been defined and characterized as being specific and receptor-mediated. Under the conditions described, specific binding to 2 X 10(7) canine platelets reached saturation within 10 min at a [3H]PAF concentration of approximately 0.4 nM. Non-specific binding was accountable for, at most, some 30% of the total PAF bound at equilibrium. Above approximately 0.4 nM [3H]PAF, total binding and non-specific binding increased in parallel. Since no involvement of PAF ligand in dog platelet intermediary metabolism during the binding incubation could be demonstrated, non-specific PAF binding may reflect a partitioning of the molecule into a cellular compartment (perhaps the platelet membranes). Equilibrium analysis revealed that the canine platelet has one class of specific binding sites with a Kd of 0.63 +/- 0.02 nM PAF, a Bmax of 222 +/- 10 fmol/10(7) platelets, and, at most, 1.33 +/- 0.06 X 10(3) binding sites/platelet. [3H]PAF specific binding to the canine platelet is ligand-selective and stereo-selective, as demonstrated by the relative abilities of non-labeled PAF and various PAF analogs/metabolites to inhibit [3H]PAF specific binding in a concentration-dependent manner. The extents to which PAF and PAF analogs were able to displace specifically-bound [3H]PAF from the canine platelet correlated well with their physiological (i. e., pro-aggregatory) effects. These data offer the first quantitative description of canine platelet high-affinity PAF binding sites/receptors and link receptor-mediated PAF binding to canine platelet physiology.

Nitric oxide modulates salivary amylase and fluid, but not epidermal growth factor secretion in conscious rats.

The involvement of the L-arginine/NO pathway in the control of salivary fluid, amylase and epidermal growth factor (EGF) secretion was investigated in conscious rats. For the collection of saliva, an oesophageal cannula was implanted. To obtain steady secretion, submaximal carbachol background infusion was given. Different treatments included NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA; with or without phentolamine, propranolol), L-arginine, D-arginine and NO donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) administration. Volume, amylase activity and EGF output in the secreted fluid were determined in 30 min mixed saliva samples. Carbachol infusion alone produced a modest, sustained salivary fluid and amylase secretion. NOLA (30 mg/kg) further increased both fluid (p<0.001) and amylase outputs (p<0.001). These latter effects were prevented by L-arginine but not by D-arginine or by phentolamine. Propranolol administration decreased both fluid and amylase secretion below the carbachol plateau, and NOLA did not modify this suppressed secretory rate. SIN-1 did not alter either volume or amylase secretion. Interestingly, NOLA given without carbachol did not modify salivation. Neither carbachol nor NOLA changed salivary EGF output. The present results suggest that the L-arginine/NO pathway has a modulatory role in the cholinergic control of salivary amylase secretion, but not in EGF output. The mechanisms of inhibitory action of NO on salivary fluid and amylase secretion remain to be identified.

Propranolol as xanthine oxidase inhibitor: implications for antioxidant activity.

Propranolol is the beta-blocker most widely used in the management of cardiovascular disorders. It has been proposed that propranolol may act as a "chain-breaking" antioxidant. We have directly examined the ability of propranolol to inhibit superoxide-dependent, iron-promoted cardiac membrane phospholipid peroxidation, with xanthine oxidase (XOD) as a physiologically-recognized, enzymatic superoxide generator. Our results demonstrate that propranolol not only protects cardiac-membrane lipid from peroxidative damage, but also acts as a simple, reversible XOD inhibitor, noncompetitive with xanthine substrate. Propranolol, at effective antiperoxidant and XOD-inhibitory concentrations, cannot scavenge superoxide radical. The antiperoxidative profile of propranolol resembles that of the known XOD inhibitor allopurinol, although allopurinol, a tight-binding substrate-analog competitive with xanthine, inhibits XOD in a manner mechanistically very different from that of propranolol. Furthermore, the antiperoxidative profiles of both propranolol and allopurinol do not resemble those of chain-breaking antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol. These data, along with the tendency of propranolol to concentrate in myocardial membranes and cytosol, suggest that the observed antioxidant action of propranolol, as a consequence of XOD inhibition, could play a pharmacologic role in propranolol's cardioprotective effects.

Expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) water channels in human labial salivary glands.

Aquaporin (AQP) water channels are widely expressed in the membranes of fluid-transporting epithelia. Despite the fact that salivary glands are the site of considerable water movement, relatively little is known about the role of aquaporins in human salivary glands. We have examined the expression of AQP1 in human parotid, sublingual and labial salivary glands. Total RNA was extracted from glandular tissue obtained from surgery or biopsy. The presence of AQP1 mRNA was demonstrated in each of the three glands by RT-PCR using primers specifically designed for human AQP1. The PCR product from the labial gland RNA was further amplified with nested primers and the sequence confirmed by automated fluorescent DNA sequencing. The cleaned first PCR product from these glands was then used as a 32P-labelled hybridization probe in a Northern analysis which confirmed the presence of significant amounts of AQP1 transcript in all three glands. AQP1 expression was also demonstrated in cryosections of human labial glands by immunohistochemistry using peroxidase-linked antibodies. Antibody labelling was most prominent in the capillaries but was also evident in the basal regions of the labial gland acini, and may therefore be associated with the serous demilunes which are believed to be a significant site of fluid movement.

Cardiac membrane vitamin E and malondialdehyde levels in heart muscle of normotensive and spontaneously-hypertensive rats.

The vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and free and bound malondialdehyde (MDA) in ventricular heart muscle and myocardial membrane from Wistar-Kyoto (W/K) normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats have been measured directly by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) in the myocardium and heart-muscle membrane of the two strains was also quantified by a colorimetric TBA test. It was found that SH-rat myocardium and myocardial membrane contained more than 3-fold less alpha-tocopherol than did heart muscle and cardiac membrane of the normotensive rat. Coincident with this relative vitamin E deficiency were several-fold greater amounts of MDA and TBA-RS in SH-rat myocardium and myocardial membrane. Most (87%) of the MDA in SH-rat heart muscle, but only 40% in W/K-rat heart muscle, was free (i.e., unbound). These results offer direct evidence that SH-rat myocardium is vitamin E-deficient and highly peroxidative, relative to cardiac muscle of the normotensive W/K parent strain. The lower vitamin E content of SH-rat myocardium is particularly striking, because SH-rat myocardial membrane was found to contain approximately 35% more phospholipid than myocardial membrane in the W/K rat. Although the amounts of myocardial TBA-RS are greater in the SH strain, they do not reflect the actual MDA profiles of the heart muscles or the heart membranes and cannot be used as a quantitative index of cardiac oxidative-injury status due to non-MDA TBA-RS in both strains.

Analysis of cardiac membrane phospholipid peroxidation kinetics as malondialdehyde: nonspecificity of thiobarbituric acid-reactivity.

When exposed to xanthine oxidase (superoxide)-dependent, iron-promoted Fenton chemistry, purified cardiac membranes evidenced, by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test, a virtually instantaneous peroxidative response with a maximal linear rate of 5.8 nmol malondialdehyde (MDA)-equivalents/mEquivalents lipid ester reacted/min. Yet when the lipids purified from these same membranes and reconstituted into liposomes were peroxidized under identical reaction conditions, the TBA test indicated that a pronounced (approximately 20-min) lag period preceded a maximal peroxidation rate of only 2.1 nmol MDA-equivalents/mEquivalents lipid ester reacted/min. After 120 min of peroxidation, the cardiac membranes yielded some 300 nmol TBA-reactive MDA-equivalents/mEquivalent ester, whereas the isolated membrane lipids evidenced approximately 40% less TBA-reactivity. To verify that these quantitative and kinetic differences in membrane (phospho)-lipid peroxidation occurred with removal of the lipids from their membrane milieu, the MDA produced during both cardiac membrane peroxidation and the peroxidation of the lipids derived therefrom was isolated as its free anion by ion-pair high-pressure liquid chromatography. As quantified spectrophotometrically, true MDA production during myocardial membrane peroxidation was identical in kinetics and in amount to the production of TBA-reactive substance from the peroxidized isolated membrane lipids. These results demonstrate that significant non-MDA, TBA-reactive species are generated during the peroxidation of cardiac membranes, especially before the maximal rates of bona fide MDA production. As a direct consequence, artifactual levels and kinetics of membrane lipid peroxidation do result.