Carbonic anhydrase XII expression is linked to suppression of Sonic hedgehog ligand expression in triple negative breast cancer cells.

Aberrant activity of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway is prevalent in pathologies such as cancer. Improved understanding of Hh activity in the aggressive tumor cell phenotype is being pursued for development of targeted therapies. Recently, we described a link between Hh activity and carbonic anhydrase XII (CAXII) expression. Extracellular facing CAs (IX/XII) are highly expressed in hypoxia, contribute to tumor pH regulation and are thus of clinical interest. Here we have extended the investigation of potential interactions between Hh activity and CAXII utilizing genomic disruption/knockout of either GLI1 (the main transcriptional factor induced with Hh activity) or CAXII in the triple negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT-549. Knockout of GLI1 and CAXII significantly decreased hallmarks of tumor aggressiveness including proliferation and migration. Most intriguingly, CAXII knockout caused a massive induction of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) ligand expression (gene and protein). This novel finding indicates that CAXII plays a potential role in suppression of Shh and may act in a feedback loop to regulate overall Hh activity. Enhanced knowledge of these CA-Hh interactions in future studies may be of value in understanding this currently 'incurable' subclass of breast cancer.

Age of puberty and the risk of multiple sclerosis: a population based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Genetic and environmental factors have important roles in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. Given a potential role for sex hormones in MS, we have investigated whether or not the age of puberty influences the risk of developing MS in a population-based cohort. METHODS: We identified 5493 MS index cases and 1759 spousal controls with age of puberty information from the Canadian Collaborative Project on Genetic Susceptibility to MS. Age of puberty was compared between index cases and controls, and any effect of age of puberty on the age of onset of MS was also investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between male index cases and controls with respect to age of puberty, P = 0.70. However, a significant difference was observed between female index cases and female controls, with average age of puberty being 12.4 and 12.6 years respectively, P = 0.00017, providing a relative risk decrease of 0.9 per year increase of age of puberty. There was no effect of the age of puberty on the age of MS onset in either sex. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier age at menarche increases the risk of MS in women. Whether this association is a surrogate for a disease causative factor or directly involved in MS disease aetiology needs to be uncovered.

Glunicate (LG 13979) protects the arterial wall from cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic changes in the rabbit without affecting plasma lipids.

Glunicate is evaluated compared to nicotinic acid for effects on aortic atheromatous lesions, lipid parameters and factors involved in thrombosis and haemostasis in rabbits kept on a high-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks, using 2 doses of glunicate (0.17 and 0.69 g/day) and 1 of nicotinic acid (0.6 g/day). Glunicate afforded dose-dependent protection of the arterial wall from atheromatous lesions and from cholesterol and collagen accumulation, while nicotinic acid hardly had any effect. These effects were completely independent of plasma lipid-lowering action, the plasma levels of all lipids being indistinguishable in all cholesterol-fed groups. In addition to inducing the expected changes in the lipid pattern, the atherogenic diet increased platelet aggregation in response to collagen but not to ADP, prolonged the APTT and lowered the plasma fibrinogen levels. Both glunicate and nicotinic acid counteracted the effects of the diet on platelet aggregation and on APTT, but only glunicate normalised the fibrinogen levels. There was no change in PT or in prostacyclin-like activity release from the mesenteric artery after the diet or diet plus drugs.

1,2-Cyclomethylenecarboxylic monoamide hydroxamic derivatives. A novel class of non-amino acid angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

A series of monoamidic derivatives of cis- and trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic and 1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acids bearing either a carboxylic, sulfhydrylic, or hydroxamic group in the side chain were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory activity against angiotensin converting enzyme. The compounds were designed as potential ACE inhibitors of novel structure, assuming that a monoamidic residue of an 1,2-cyclomethylenedicarboxylic acid could be an alternative structure to the acylproline moiety, the carboxyl-terminal portion common to various ACE inhibitors. The most active compounds were found in the hydroxamic derivatives of cyclohexane series; within this series of derivatives a marked increase of potency was caused by alkylation of the amidic nitrogen with a methyl or ethyl group. Therefore enantiomers of the selected hydroxamic derivatives of cis- and trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid were prepared by two different chiral synthetic routes and evaluated in vitro for their ACE inhibitor potencies. The active enantiomers both of the cis series (21a, 21c) and trans series (16b, 16d) were found to have all R configuration at the C-2 and R or S configuration at the C-1, while in the classical ACE inhibitors S configuration at the terminal carboxylate (corresponding to the C-1 of our compounds) is strictly required for activity. The most potent compound of the series was (1S,2R)-cis-2[[[2-(hydroxyamino)-2-oxoethyl]methylamino]carbonyl] cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (21a) with an IC50 value of 7.0 nM compared with the value of 3.0 nM for captopril. Further 21a was shown to be highly selective and competitive ACE inhibitor. These results indicate that this non-amino acid structure of inhibitors meets the ACE active site requirements for the binding. The binding compatibility of the most active compounds with a model of ACE active site was evaluated by molecular modeling techniques.

Experimental pharmacology of hirunorm: a novel synthetic peptide thrombin inhibitor.

Enhanced thrombin activity has been associated with coronary thrombosis and with acute and long-term complications following coronary balloon angioplasty. Blocking thrombin activity with specific inhibitors is proposed as a promising antithrombotic therapy. We describe the anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties of hirunorm, a novel synthetic 26-aminoacid peptide thrombin inhibitor, in comparison with r-hirudin and hirulog-1. Hirunorm was equipotent to hirulog-1 and 1/30 as potent as r-hirudin in blocking alpha-thrombin amidolytic activity (IC50 = 10 +/- 2, 15 +/- 1 and 0.3 +/- 0.1 nM, respectively), but it did not affect trypsin, plasmin and t-PA activities at 10 microM. All the compounds inhibited clot-bound thrombin to clots prepared by thrombin hydrolysis of purified fibrinogen in buffer. Hirunorm and hirulog-1 showed similar species-dependent potency in doubling basal in vitro clotting times of human, rat and rabbit plasma (EC200 varied 70 to 200 nM for TT, 0.7 to 16 microM for aPTT and 0.8 to 17 microM for PT), while r-hirudin was always at least three times more active. When assayed by HPLC or by bioassay of the intact peptide, hirunorm was stable against alpha-thrombin and plasma hydrolases, but it was catabolized by rat liver and kidney enzymes. Venous thrombosis was produced in anaesthetized rats by vena cava ligation following a procoagulant serum injection. Intravenous and subcutaneous hirunorm inhibited venous thrombosis at doses (< or = 0.3 mg/kg) two-three times higher than those of r-hirudin. Hirulog-1 was as active as hirunorm only after i.v. infusion. Arterial thrombosis was obtained in the anaesthetized rat by chemical (FeCl2) stimulation of a common carotid and i.v. infused hirunorm (1-3 mg/kg/30 min) inhibited it dose-dependently; r-hirudin was partly active only at 3 mg/kg, but hirulog-1 was inactive at either dose. Full antithrombotic doses of hirunorm did not affect the bleeding time as measured from punctured mesenteric vessels, in anaesthetized rats. In conclusion, hirunorm is a potent peptide thrombin inhibitor endowed with antithrombotic activity in models of venous and arterial thrombosis.

Human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells as a model to study thrombin generation and function: effect of thrombin inhibitors.

The aim of the present work was to study how human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (HUVSMC) can initiate the coagulation process and to investigate the responses of these cells to thrombin. Exposure of HUVSMC to recalcified human plasma led to a time-dependent production of thrombin, measured both as amidolytic activity and as release of fibrinopeptide A. Thrombin activity was dose-dependently reduced by an anti-human tissue factor antibody (76 +/- 3% at 10 micrograms/ml) and by inhibitors like heparin, rec-hirudin, hirulog 1, Napap and hirunorm, a novel hirudin-like thrombin inhibitor (IC50 = 2 +/- 0.4, 8 +/- 1, 130 +/- 22, 199 +/- 29 and 68 +/- 8 nM, respectively). The release of fibrinopeptide A was similarly prevented (IC50 = 14 +/- 1, 132 +/- 25 and 50 +/- 8 nM for rec-hirudin, Napap and hirunorm, respectively). Exogenously added thrombin increased thymidine incorporation into HUVSMC to 240 +/- 30% of basal (EC50 = 0.49 +/- 0.09 nM) and thrombin inhibitors blocked this effect (IC50 = 10 +/- 3, 37 +/- 17, 343 +/- 165 and 1402 +/- 758 nM for rec-hirudin, hirunorm, Napap and hirulog-1, respectively). Also recalcified human plasma was mitogenic for HUVSMC and its effect was mainly due to endogenously generated thrombin, as shown by the use of thrombin inhibitors. In conclusion, HUVSMC are capable of initiating the extrinsic coagulation cascade, leading to the formation of thrombin which promotes clotting and stimulates DNA synthesis. Thrombin inhibitors prevent both coagulative and cellular effects of thrombin.

Catecholamines released from the adrenal medulla exert a compensatory, protective effect at beta 2-adrenoceptors against Paf-induced death in mice.

1. The effects of a number of drugs and experimental conditions, which inhibit or stimulate adrenergic function, were evaluated on platelet-activating factor (Paf)-induced death in conscious mice. 2. Adrenalectomy markedly potentiated Paf toxicity, while guanethidine and reserpine did not. However, reserpine, which produced a virtually complete depletion of catecholamines (CA) in cardiac tissue, was not able to reduce adrenal CA by more than 58%. Drugs which release noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerve terminals, such as tyramine and amphetamine, did not protect mice from Paf toxicity, while drugs or conditions which favour the release of CA from the adrenal medulla, such as urethane and cold-induced stress, did. 3. beta 2- and beta 1 + beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonists (ICI 118551, propranolol and nadolol), but not beta 1-antagonists (atenolol, practolol, metoprolol and CGP 20712 A), potentiated Paf toxicity at low doses; beta 2- and beta 1 + beta 2-agonists (salbutamol, fenoterol and isoprenaline), but not beta 1-agonists (prenalterol and tazolol) were potent inhibitors of Paf toxicity. alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists did not exert significant effects. Propranolol did not appear to enhance the hypotensive action of Paf in pentobarbitone-anaesthetized mice. 4. It is concluded that manipulation of the release of CA from the adrenal medulla, but not from adrenergic nerves, has profound effects on Paf toxicity in mice. A number of considerations support the hypothesis that bronchoconstriction is a major determinant of Paf-induced death in mice.

Paf-acether-induced death in mice: involvement of arachidonate metabolites and beta-adrenoceptors.

Intravenous Paf-acether (Paf, 15-80 micrograms kg-1) killed conscious Swiss mice in a dose-dependent manner, without causing platelet aggregation in the lung microvasculature, or pulmonary oedema. Propranolol (0.01-10 mg kg-1, i.p.) potentiated the effects of an LD20 of Paf dose-dependently, while the beta 1-adrenoceptor selective antagonist, metoprolol, was three orders of magnitude less potent in this respect. Salbutamol (1 mg kg-1, i.p.) provided complete protection against an LD80 of Paf. High doses of indomethacin, aspirin, benoxaprofen and FPL 55712 given i.p. failed to inhibit the effects of an LD80 of Paf, while BW 755C (50-100 mg kg-1) exerted a dose-dependent protection and benzydamine (50 mg kg-1) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (200 mg kg-1) were partially active. Dexamethasone (1-5 mg kg-1, s.c.) exerted a dose-dependent protection, when administered at least 4 h before Paf. In mice anaesthetized with urethane, Paf (1-30 micrograms kg-1) produced hypotension which was not clearly dose-related. The effects of the highest dose were also tested on the resistance of the lungs to inflation and found to produce bronchoconstriction. It may be concluded that pharmacological manipulation of beta 2-adrenoceptors modulates Paf-induced death in mice, while arachidonate metabolites of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway and peptidoleukotrienes do not appear to be involved. However, lipoxygenase products, distinct from peptidoleukotrienes, may play a role in this phenomenon. It is suggested that bronchoconstriction, probably associated with cardiovascular effects, is a major determinant of the acute toxicity of Paf in mice.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors potentiate the bronchoconstriction induced by substance P in the guinea-pig.

1. The effects of intravenous captopril and enalaprilic acid on the increase in pulmonary inflation pressure induced by different bronchoconstrictor agents were evaluated in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. 2. Captopril and enalaprilic acid (1.6-200 micrograms kg-1) enhanced dose-dependently the bronchoconstriction (BC) induced by substance P. The threshold effective dose was 1.6 micrograms kg-1 and maximal potentiation over the control response was more than 400% for both agents. Enalaprilic acid was also assayed for serum and lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in anaesthetized guinea-pigs. This drug produced a dose-dependent inhibition of ACE in both tissues, with ED50 s of 7.6 and 9.4 micrograms kg-1, respectively: this inhibitory activity was positively correlated to substance P potentiation. 3. Captopril (8-1000 micrograms kg-1) enhanced dose-dependently the BC induced by capsaicin. The threshold effective dose was 40 micrograms kg-1 and maximal potentiation about 90%. 4. Captopril (200-1000 micrograms kg-1) did not affect BC induced by bradykinin. However, this response was markedly enhanced (about 200%) by captopril 200 micrograms kg-1 in propranolol-pretreated animals. 5. Captopril and enalaprilic acid (200-1000 micrograms kg-1) slightly (20-40%) but significantly enhanced the BC induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine. However, this response was potentiated to the same extent by a dose of prazosin, which produced a degree of hypotension similar to that observed after administration of the ACE inhibitors. 6. In conclusion, ACE inhibitors potentiate the BC induced by substance P and, to a minor extent, that induced by capsaicin in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. Potentiation of substance P is well correlated with ACE inhibition in guinea-pig serum and lungs. These experimental results may offer a mechanistic interpretation of cough and bronchial hyperreactivity observed in patients receiving treatment with ACE inhibitors.

Bladder distension and activation of the efferent function of sensory fibres: similarities with the effect of capsaicin.

1. The effects of the tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist MEN 11420 (100 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) and isoprenaline (400 nmol kg(-1), i.v.) were compared in a model of distension-induced bladder activity in isovolumetric conditions. MEN 11420 induced a relaxation of the basal tone of the urinary bladder that was dependent on the volume of the viscus: the effect was absent at low volumes (0.2 and 0.5 ml) and it was maximal at high volumes of distension (1 and 2 ml), approaching about 60% of the isoprenaline-induced relaxation. The relaxant effect of isoprenaline was always evident at all volumes of distension. 2. Tetrodotoxin (1-100 microM, intravesically applied) abolished distension-evoked micturition contractions, but did not prevent the relaxant effect of MEN 11420- or isoprenaline on the bladder tone. 3. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor S-ketoprofen (0.5 micromol kg(-1), i.v.) produced a marked decrease of the bladder tone and a concomitant reduction of bladder motility at 1 ml volume of distension. At 2 ml of distension, S-ketoprofen still decreased the minimal pressure but had no significant effect on other parameters of vesical motility. In S-ketoprofen-pretreated rats, the relaxant effect of MEN 11420 was significant at 2 but not at 1 ml of distension, and that of isoprenaline was reduced by 50% at both 1 and 2 ml. 4. Ruthenium red (10 micromol kg(-1), i.v.) had no effect at a low volume of distension (0.2 ml) or at highest volume (2 ml) but decreased the basal tone and the frequency of bladder contractions at 1 ml of distension. In ruthenium red-pretreated rats, MEN 11420 failed to decrease bladder tone at 1 ml, whereas at 2 ml the effect of MEN 11420 was not different from that observed in controls (43 vs 60% of isoprenaline-induced relaxation, respectively). 5. At both 1 and 2 ml of distension, capsaicin pretreatment (164 micromol kg(-1), s.c. 5 days before) reduced the frequency of micturition contractions but had no effect on the bladder tone. Capsaicin pretreatment prevented the relaxant effect of MEN 11420 on the bladder tone both at 1 and at 2 ml of distension. 6. It is concluded that the release of tachykinins from capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves induced by bladder distension is resistant to tetrodotoxin and to prostaglandin synthesis inhibition. Tachykinins modulate the vesical tone by acting through NK2 receptors.

Pharmacological evaluation of the role of cyclooxygenase isoenzymes on the micturition reflex following experimental cystitis in rats.

Prostanoids, generated from cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes, play a role in the physiological function of the lower urinary tract and are important mediators of inflammatory hyperalgesia. The present work evaluates the effects of the COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor dexketoprofen as well as of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, on urodynamic function following endotoxin (LPS) or cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced inflammation of the urinary bladder. The application of arachidonic acid (330 microgram rat(-1)) onto the serosal surface of the urinary bladder in control rats elicited bladder contractions which could be blocked in a dose-dependent manner by dexketoprofen (0.1 - 3 mg kg(-1), i.v.) but not by NS-398 (0.2 - 6 mg kg(-1), i.v. ). Dexketoprofen (3 mg kg(-1), i.v.) decreased the micturition frequency and increased the pressure threshold for triggering the micturition either when administered within 15 min or 3 h following surgery in control animals. NS-398 (6 mg kg(-1), i.v.) decreased the micturition frequency and increased the pressure threshold when administered 3 h but not 15 min following surgery. Administration of LPS (2 mg kg(-1), i.v., 90 - 120 min) increased both the micturition frequency and the pressure threshold for triggering the micturition reflex. Changes in urodynamic parameters induced by LPS were prevented by doses of either dexketoprofen (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) or NS-398 (2 mg kg(-1), i.v.) which were ineffective in control animals. Pretreatment with CYP (150 mg kg(-1), i.p., 48 h) increased the micturition frequency, pressure threshold, and the minimal intravesical pressure but decreased the mean amplitude of micturition contractions. In CYP-treated rats, dexketoprofen (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) or NS-398 (2 mg kg(-1), i.v.) blocked the CYP-induced urodynamic changes with exception of the micturition contraction amplitude. These results indicate that COX-1 may be involved in modulating the threshold for activating the micturition reflex in the normal rats and also demonstrates that inhibition of COX-2 prevents or reverses the urodynamic changes associated with bladder inflammation induced either by surgery, LPS or CYP treatments.

MEN 11420 (Nepadutant), a novel glycosylated bicyclic peptide tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist.

1. The pharmacological profile was studied of MEN 11420, or cyclo[[Asn(beta-D-GlcNAc)-Asp-Trp-Phe-Dap-Leu]cyclo(2beta-5beta )], a glycosylated derivative of the potent, selective, conformationally-constrained tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist MEN 10627 (cyclo(Met-Asp-Trp-Phe-Dap-Leu)cyclo(2beta-5beta)). 2. MEN 11420 competitively bound with high affinity to the human NK2 receptor stably transfected in CHO cells, displacing radiolabelled [125I]-neurokinin A and [3H]-SR 48968 with Ki values of 2.5+/-0.7 nM (n = 6) and 2.6+/-0.4 nM (n = 3), respectively. 3. MEN 11420 showed negligible binding affinity (pIC50 < 6) at 50 different receptors (including tachykinin NK1 and NK3 receptors) and ion channels. 4. In the rabbit isolated pulmonary artery and rat urinary bladder MEN 11420 potently and competitively antagonized tachykinin NK2 receptor-mediated contractions (pK(B) = 8.6+/-0.07, n = 10, and 9.0+/-0.04, n = 12; Schild plot slope = -1.06 (95% c.l. = -1.3; -0.8) and -1.17 (95% c.l. = -1.3; -1.0), respectively). MEN 11420 produced an insurmountable antagonism at NK2 receptors in the hamster trachea and mouse urinary bladder. However, in both preparations, the effect of MEN 11420 was reverted by washout and an apparent pK(B) of 10.2+/-0.14, n = 9, and 9.8+/-0.15, n = 9, was calculated in the hamster trachea and mouse urinary bladder, respectively. 5. MEN 11420 showed low affinity (pK(B) < 6) at guinea-pig and rat tachykinin NK1 (guinea-pig ileum and rat urinary bladder) and NK3 (guinea-pig ileum and rat portal vein) receptors. On the whole, the affinities (potency and selectivity) showed by MEN 11420 for different tachykinin receptors, measured either in binding or in functional bioassays, were similar to those shown by the parent compound, MEN 10627. 6. The in vivo antagonism of the contractions produced by [betaAla8]neurokinin A(4-10) (1 nmol kg(-1)) was observed after intravenous (dose range: 1-10 nmol kg(-1)), intranasal (3-10 nmol kg(-1)), intrarectal (30-100 nmol kg(-1)) and intraduodenal (100-300 nmol kg(-1)) administration of MEN 11420. MEN 11420 was more potent (about 10 fold) and longer lasting than its parent compound MEN 10627, possibly due to a greater metabolic stability. 7. A dose of MEN 11420 (100 nmol kg(-1), i.v.), that produced potent and long lasting inhibition of the contraction of the rat urinary bladder induced by challenge with the NK2 selective receptor agonist [betaAla8]neurokinin A(4-10) (10-300 nmol kg(-1)), was without effect on the responses produced by the NK1 receptor selective agonist [Sar9]substance P sulphone (1-10 nmol kg(-1)). 8. These findings indicate that MEN 11420 is a potent and selective tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist. The introduction of a sugar moiety did not produce major changes in the affinity profile of this antagonist as compared to MEN 10627, but markedly improved its in vivo potency and duration of action. With these characteristics, MEN 11420 is a suitable candidate for studying the pathophysiological significance of tachykinin NK2 receptors in humans.

Inhibition of rabbit lung angiotensin converting enzyme by idrapril.

Idrapril, the prototype of a new class of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, competitively inhibited, with nanomolar apparent Ki, the hydrolysis of hippuryl-glycyl-glycine by rabbit lung ACE. The pre-steady-state analysis of this tight-binding inhibition showed it to be characterized by slow kinetics, but at variance with what was found for enalaprilat in the same conditions, idrapril appeared to act through a simple, single step mechanism. Kinetic Ki and k(on) and k(off) values were 470 pM, 3.0 +/- 1.5 x 10(6) M-1 sec-1 and 1.4 +/- 0.3 x 10(-3) sec-1, respectively.

Effect of rociverine on P450-dependent monooxygenases and its N-deethylation metabolism in rat liver microsomes.

Rociverine [2-(diethylamino)-1-methylethyl cis-1-hydroxy [bicyclohexyl]-2-carboxylate] citrate (ROC) is an antispasmodic agent therapeutically active in humans at doses of 0.5-1 mg/kg. This study investigated the effect of acute administration of the drug on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450)-catalysed drug metabolism. Only high doses (> or = 100 mg/kg) of ROC were able to induce in rats the hepatic microsomal pentoxyresorufin O-depenthylase (PROD) and 16 beta-testosterone hydroxylase activities both associated with P4502B1/2 and the erythromycin N-dimethylase (ErD) and 2 beta-testosterone hydroxylase activities both dependent on P4503A1/2. However, at 100 and 200 mg/kg of ROC, the 16 beta-testosterone hydroxylase and PROD were the most induced activities, suggesting that P4502B1/2 are the isoforms most sensitive to ROC induction. Accordingly, ROC treatment enhanced, in a dose-dependent manner, the amount of P4502B1/2 and 3A1/2 in microsomes as assayed by western blotting. The northern blot analysis of ROC-treated rat liver showed that the P4502B1/2 induction appears to be regulated at the mRNA level as in the induction by phenobarbital (PB). The oxidative metabolism of ROC with hepatic microsomes from control or PB- and ROC-induced rats resulted in a N-deethyl ROC derivative (major metabolite) and an unknown minor ROC derivative. The kinetic parameters for the N-deethylation of ROC were studied with purified P4502B1 and with microsomes from control or rats treated with various inducers (phenobarbital, ethanol, beta-naphthoflavone, dexamethasone and rociverine). It was found that phenobarbital-, dexamethasone- and rociverine-induced microsomes deethylated ROC with a Vmax about five times higher than that (0.9 nmol/min/mg protein) of control microsomes, although with a similar affinity (Km approximately 0.3 mM). In a reconstituted system, the purified P4502B1 metabolized ROC with a high deethylation rate (22 nmol/min/nmol P450). Moreover, the ROC deethylation was inhibited by compounds such as hexobarbital, metyrapone and triacetyloleandomicin, selective inhibitors for P4502B and/or P4503A enzymes. On the other hand ROC, when added in vitro, inhibited the 16 beta- and 2 beta-testosterone hydroxylases and the PROD and ErD activities. Taken together, these results indicate that the ROC-inducible P4502B and P4503A are involved in ROC deethylation. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that ROC is a weak phenobarbital-like inducer of P450, probably able at high and reiterated doses to alter its own metabolism, at least in the rat liver.

Kinetics of human thrombin inhibition by two novel peptide inhibitors (Hirunorm IV and Hirunorm V).

A study on the kinetics of human thrombin inhibition by two novel synthetic peptides (Hirunorm IV and Hirunorm V) and a comparison with recombinant hirudin and a commonly used thrombin inhibitor, Hirulog-1, are reported. The dissociation constants for Hirunorm IV and Hirunorm V were determined by varying the concentration of inhibitors at fixed concentrations of the chromogenic substrate Chromozym-TH (N-tosylglycyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine 4-nitroanilide acetate). Both inhibitors behaved as reversible tight-binding inhibitors of amidolytic thrombin activity. The apparent dissociation constants determined showed a linear dependence on the concentration of substrate; this finding, which indicates that the inhibition was competitive, made possible the estimation of the dissociation constants (KI) for Hirunorm IV and Hirunorm V, which were 0.134 +/- 0.014 nM and 0.245 +/- 0.016 nM, respectively. Similar dissociation constants were also obtained for the two inhibitors when thrombin activity was measured with fibrinogen in the clotting assay. When tested for resistance to thrombin proteolytic activity, both inhibitors were inviolate to cleavage by thrombin. The data obtained demonstrate that both Hirunorm IV and Hirunorm V are potent and stable inhibitors of human thrombin activity.

Defects of tyrosine289phenylalanine mutation on binding and functional properties of the human tachykinin NK2 receptor stably expressed in chinese hamster ovary cells.

A point mutation was made at position 289 in the transmembrane segment 7 of the human tachykinin NK2 receptor to yield a tyrosine/phenylalanine (Tyr/Phe) substitution. Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the wild-type or Tyr289Phe mutant NK2 receptor both bound neurokinin A (NKA) and the synthetic NK2 receptor-selective agonists, GR 64349 and [betaAla8]NKA(4-10), with high and even affinities. Neurokinin B (NKB) and substance P (SP) also displayed sizeable binding affinities, albeit with lower affinity as compared to NKA. In a functional assay (production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, IP3), NKA, GR 64349, and [betaAla8]INKA(4-10) stimulated IP3 accumulation via the wild-type and mutant receptors with similar potencies. On the other hand, NKB and SP exhibited a dramatic reduction in their agonist efficacies at the mutant receptor, NKB acting as a partial agonist (maximum effect = 50% of the response to NKA) and SP being totally inactive. The results obtained with phenoxybenzamine inactivation experiments indicated that a large and similar receptor reserve existed for both the wild-type and the mutant receptor. SP, which displayed sizeable binding affinity for the mutant receptor but did not stimulate IP3 accumulation, antagonized the agonist effect of NKA. The antagonist action of SP at the mutant NK2 receptor cannot be ascribed to receptor internalization. The Tyr/Phe replacement at position 289 markedly reduced the binding affinity and antagonist potency of the non-peptide ligand, SR 48968, without affecting the binding affinity and antagonist potency of the bicyclic peptide antagonist MEN 11420. The results indicate that the hydroxyl radical function of Tyr289 in transmembrane segment 7 of the human NK2 receptor is, directly or indirectly, involved in stimulus transduction when the NK2 receptor is occupied by NKB or SP, but not when using NKA or NK2 receptor-selective agonists.

Pharmacological profile of MEN 11066, a novel potent and selective aromatase inhibitor.

MEN 11066 is a new non-steroidal compound which potently inhibits human placenta (K(i)=0.5 nM) and rat ovarian (K(i)=0.2 nM) aromatase in vitro. In vivo, a single oral dose of 0.3 mgkg(-1) significantly decreased uterus weight in immature rats after stimulation of uterus growth by androstenedione. MEN 11066 reduced in a dose-dependent manner plasma estradiol levels in adult female rats treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). After 2 weeks of repeated daily treatment in adult rats, a significant decrease in uterine weight was observed together with a 65% decrease in plasma estradiol, whereas plasma levels of testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone, corticosterone, cholesterol, LH and FSH were not affected. The lack of any effect by MEN 11066 on adrenal steroids was confirmed by the unchanged plasma corticosterone and aldosterone levels in immature rats and also in adult rats when the repeated treatment with MEN 11066 (15 days) was followed by the administration of a synthetic ACTH analogue. No change in 11beta-hydroxylase or 21-hydroxylase activities was produced in vitro by the addition of 10 microM MEN 11066. Fifteen-day treatment with MEN 11066 did not produce changes in several rat hepatic enzymatic activities involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics. These results demonstrated that MEN 11066 is a potent inhibitor of aromatase which does not interfere with the cytochrome P450 involved in the synthesis of other steroids or in the metabolism of xenobiotics.

Differential effect of dithiothreitol and DuP 753 on angiotensin II receptor subtypes in bovine cerebellar cortex.

Angiotensin II (AII) receptor subtypes were investigated in bovine cerebellar cortical membranes (BCCM) using agonists and antagonists. Differences were observed whether the tissue for the characterization was used fresh or frozen. In fresh BCCM, AII and angiotensin III (AIII) (not selective), p -aminophenylalanine6 -AII ([pNH2Phe6]AII) (AT2 selective), and DuP 753 (AT1 selective) interacted with two sites, at high and low affinity. In the presence of 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), the low-affinity site for AIII and [pNH2Phe6]AII and the high-affinity site for DuP 753 were no longer detectable. The same effect was obtained with 1 microM DuP 753, with only the low-affinity component of [pNH2Phe6]AII being resistant to this blocker. In frozen BCCM, DuP 753, PD 123319 (AT2 selective), and sarcosine1, isoleucine8-AII ([Sar1Ile8] AII) yielded monophasic curves. These data confirm the presence of multiple receptors (AT1 and AT2) for AII on BCCM and suggest the possibility that within the AT2 receptors, one subtype, DTT sensitive, may exist. Alternatively, a heterogeneity in the AT1 class, with respect to the sensitivity to DuP753, may be considered.

Kinin B1 receptor-mediated motor responses in normal or inflamed rat urinary bladder in vivo.

The rat urinary bladder is one of the few in vivo preparations in which kinin B1 receptor-mediated contractile responses have been described, but the nature (local or reflex) of these responses has not been characterized. We have investigated the motor effects of i.v. or topical (onto the bladder serosa) administration of the selective kinin B1 receptor agonist [des-Arg9]-bradykinin ([des-Arg9]-BK) in the normal or inflamed (cyclophosphamide-induced) urinary bladder in urethane-anaesthetized rats. In both normal and inflamed bladders [des-Arg9]-BK produced a tonic contraction of low amplitude (< 15 mmHg) with phasic contractions of high amplitude (> or = 15 mmHg) superimposed (micturition reflex contractions). In inflamed bladders, the response to [des-Arg9]-BK was more prominent than in controls. Similar observations were made after the topical administration of [des-Arg9]-BK. In order to evaluate any time-dependency in the expression of B1 receptor-mediated bladder responses, [des-Arg9]-BK was administered in separate groups of control animals at 30 and 240 min after the completion of surgical procedures required for set-up of the preparation: no bladder contraction was detected at 30 min whereas both local and reflex contractions could be elicited by [des-Arg9]-BK at 240 min after the set up. In ganglionectomized rats, the response to [des-Arg9]-BK or the selective tachykinin NK2 receptor agonist [betaAla8]NKA(4-10) was evaluated at 30 and 240 min after the set up in inflamed or in control animals. The response to [des-Arg9]-BK was greater after inflammation although a time-dependent increase was evident in both groups; in contrast, the response to [betaAla8]NKA(4-10) was similar in both groups and remained constant over the observation period. After induction of inflammation, the tonic contraction induced by [des-Arg9]-BK in ganglionectomized rats was dose-dependently reduced by the kinin B1 receptor antagonist [desArg10]Hoe 140. The contractile response (number of micturition reflex contractions) induced by [des-Arg9]-BK in normal rats with intact pelvic nerves at 240 min from the set up was not changed after the administration of the selective B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140. These results indicate that stimulation of bladder kinin B1 receptors evokes a local, tonic-type contraction with reflex contractions superimposed in both normal and inflamed bladders, but in the latter situation the motor responses are magnified.

Characterization of NK-3 binding sites in rat and guinea pig cortical membranes by the selective ligand [3H]Senktide.

We have used [3H]Senktide, a selective Neurokinin B receptor ligand, for the characterization of NK-3 receptors in rat and guinea pig CNS membranes. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding studies in cerebral cortex membranes indicated that this ligand bound to a single site with apparent high affinity (KD = 4.6 +/- 1.6 and 3.1 +/- 0.37 nM, Bmax = 13.7 +/- 1.6 and 21.8 +/- 2.2 fmol/mg protein in rat and guinea pig membranes, respectively). However, in competition studies with a group of neurokinins and related peptides two different rank orders of affinities were obtained, as follows: NKB greater than [MePhe7]-NKB greater than or equal to Arg0-NKB greater than or equal to Senktide much greater than NKA greater than SP, in rat membranes, and [MePhe7]NKB greater than Senktide = NKB greater than Arg0-NKB much greater than SP greater than NKA, in guinea pig membranes.