Exposure to high ambient temperature increases absorption and plasma concentrations of transdermal nicotine.

Absorption and plasma concentrations of transdermally delivered drugs may be increased during heat exposure. We studied the effects of short-term heat exposure in a sauna bath on the pharmacokinetics of transdermal nicotine, 25 mg/16 hr, in 12 healthy smokers in an open, randomized crossover study that consisted of a control session and a sauna bathing session. In the sauna session the subjects stayed seated in a sauna bath (mean temperature 82 degrees C (180 degrees F); mean relative humidity 28%) for three 10-minute periods separated by two 5-minute breaks. Sauna bathing significantly (p < 0.01 versus control) increased peak plasma concentration, area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 1 hour, the amount of nicotine absorbed, and the mean plasma nicotine concentrations during heat exposure. No significant difference in nicotine area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 3 hours was observed. In addition, the combined effects of transdermal nicotine and sauna bathing on hemodynamics, some psychomotor skills, and subjective symptoms were evaluated. We concluded that absorption and plasma concentrations of transdermally delivered nicotine may be increased during exposure to high ambient temperature, probably because of enhanced skin blood flow. However, no adverse symptoms were recorded.

Glycan engineering of proteins with whole living yeast cells expressing rat liver alpha2,3-sialytransferase in the porous cell wall.

The N-glycans of recombinant proteins produced via the secretory pathway of cultured mammalian cells are often undersialylated, and insect cells lack sialytransferases. Undersialylated glycoproteins are rapidly cleared from the circulation, compromising the effect of pharmaceuticals. We show that incubation with living Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells expressing the catalytic ectodomain of rat liver alpha2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Ne) in the porous cell wall resulted in sialylation of glycoproteins. The Km values of the yeast enzyme for several substrates were similar to those of recombinant ST3Ne from insect cells and of authentic ST3N. The yeast strain provides an inexpensive self-perpetuating source of ST3N activity for glycan engineering of recombinant proteins.

Inhibitory effects of mesoionic 3-aryl substituted oxatriazole-5-imine derivatives on vascular smooth muscle cell mitogenesis and proliferation in vitro.

1. The effects of oxatriazole-type (GEA 3162 and GEA 5624) nitric oxide (NO) donors on mitogenesis and proliferation were studied in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) culture. The effects of the GEA-compounds were compared with well-known NO-donors 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). 2. All NO-donors released NO and increased the production of cyclic GMP concentration-dependently. The production of cyclic GMP was inhibited by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one). 3. The NO-donors inhibited basal and serum-induced DNA synthesis concentration-dependently. The GEA-compounds were needed in concentrations 10 times lower than SIN-1 and SNAP. GEA 3162, SIN-1 and SNAP were also able to inhibit serum-induced cell proliferation. GEA 5624 was ineffective. The antimitogenic effect of NO-donors was not reduced by inhibiting the guanylate cyclase. 4. These results suggest that NO inhibits serum-induced DNA synthesis and proliferation of VSMC by a cyclic GMP-independent mechanism. The oxatriazole-type NO-donor GEA 3162 was found to be a more potent inhibitor of mitogenesis and cell proliferation than SIN-1 and SNAP.

Catechol estrogens as inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis.

Estrogens have a beneficial effect on atherosclerosis and osteoporosis after menopause, but their exact mechanism of action is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of estradiol and its metabolites catechol estrogens on arachidonic acid metabolism in vitro. Estradiol had no effect on arachidonic acid metabolism up to 33 microM in A23187-stimulated human whole blood. All catechol estrogens (2-hydroxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestrone, 4-hydroxyestradiol and 4-hydroxyestrone) had similar kinds of actions on arachidonic acid metabolism, being over ten times more potent inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis (IC50 values 0.044-0.16 microM) than thromboxane (IC50 values 0.99-2.1 microM) and prostaglandin E2 synthesis (IC50 values 0.84-5.5 microM). It is suggested that some of the protective actions of estrogens--e.g., on atherosclerosis and osteoporosis--may be related to the inhibition of leukotriene synthesis by catechol estrogens.

Nicotine stereoisomers and cotinine stimulate prostaglandin E2 but inhibit thromboxane B2 and leukotriene E4 synthesis in whole blood.

The effects of (-)-nicotine (0.0005-500 microM), (+)-nicotine (0.0005-50 microM) and (-)-cotinine (0.0005-500 microM) on arachidonic acid metabolism were investigated in Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (calcimycin)-stimulated human whole blood in vitro. (-)-Nicotine and (-)-cotinine stimulated prostaglandin E2 but inhibited thromboxane B2 synthesis, as has been observed previously in A23187-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes and platelet-rich plasma [Saareks, V., Riutta, A., Mucha, I., Alanko, J., Vapaatalo, H., 1993. Nicotine and cotinine modulate eicosanoid production in human leukocytes and platelet rich plasma. Eur. J. Pharmacol., 248, 345-349.]. (+)-Nicotine also stimulated prostaglandin E2 but inhibited thromboxane B2 synthesis. High concentrations of (-)-nicotine and (-)-cotinine and even nanomolar concentrations of (+)-nicotine inhibited leukotriene E4 synthesis. These results indicate that (-)-nicotine and (-)-cotinine stimulate cyclooxygenase but inhibit thromboxane synthase and 5-lipoxygenase in whole blood in vitro. (+)-Nicotine is capable of affecting in the same direction as well.

Clinical pharmacology of eicosanoids, nicotine induced changes in man.

Smoking is an important risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The role of numerous chemical, partly uncharacterised compounds existing in tobacco smoke is not known. (-)-Nicotine, its stereoisomer (+)-nicotine and main metabolite cotinine are biologically active compounds influencing e.g. catecholamine and eicosanoid systems. The precise mechanisms are not well known. The purpose of the present study consisting of a PhD thesis (11) and five original papers was to investigate the in vitro effects of nicotine isomers and cotinine on eicosanoid production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets and whole blood in vitro, and to clarify the effects of smoking without and with nicotine substitution on eicosanoid production in vivo and ex vivo. It was found that all the tested compounds modulated blood cell eicosanoid synthesis. Nicotine isomers and cotinine increased PGE2 but decreased TXB2, LTB4 and LTE4 synthesis in vitro. Eicosanoid synthesis in vivo and ex vivo was higher in smokers (n = 60) than in non-smoking controls (n = 20). This may contribute to the harmful cardiovascular effects of smoking. Cessation of smoking without, but not with, nicotine substitution reduced eicosanoid synthesis measured ex vivo as whole blood production or in vivo as urinary excretion of eicosanoid metabolites after 3, 7 and 14 days. Thus long-term nicotine substitution diminishes the beneficial effects of smoking cessation.

Antihypertensive drugs reduce noradrenaline-induced hypertrophy of cultured myocardial cells.

The cellular mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy are still largely unknown. In-vivo studies have demonstrated that antihypertensive drugs can regress hypertrophy independently of reductions in blood pressure. The antihypertrophic effects of metoprolol, propranolol, felodipine, verapamil and captopril were studied in neonatal cardiac myocyte culture. Prazosin was used as a positive control. Hypertrophy was defined as an increase in protein content measured by [3H]leucine incorporation. Noradrenaline induced a 1.5-fold increase in protein synthesis over 48 h. Prazosin prevented the hypertrophic effect of noradrenaline. Adrenergic beta-receptor blocking agents and calcium antagonists reduced myocyte hypertrophy in a dose-dependent manner. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril was ineffective. These results indicate that adrenergic beta-receptor blockers and calcium antagonists may have direct nonhaemodynamic effects on the growth of cultured cardiac myocytes.

Proteolytic function of GPI-anchored plasma membrane protease Yps1p in the yeast vacuole and Golgi.

Yps1p is a member of the GPI-anchored aspartic proteases which reside at the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we show that in Delta erg6 cells, where a late biosynthetic step of the membrane lipid ergosterol is blocked, part of Yps1p was targeted to the vacuole. There it overtook proteolytic functions of the Pep4p protease, resulting in processing of pro-CPY to CPY in cells lacking the PEP4 gene. Yps1p was enriched in membrane microdomains, as it could be isolated in detergent-insoluble complexes from both normal and Delta erg6 cells. Vacuolar Yps1 caused degradation of a mammalian sialyltransferase ectodomain fusion protein (ST6Ne), which was directed from the Golgi to the vacuole in both normal and Delta erg6 cells. Unexpectedly, ST6Ne was degraded also when arrested in the Golgi in a temperature-sensitive sec7-1 mutant. Newly synthesized Yps1p, in transit to the plasma membrane, was also involved in the Golgi-associated degradation. These data show that GPI-anchored proteases, whose biological roles are unknown, may reside and function in different subcellular locations.

Adrenaline infusion increases systemic prostacyclin production in man.

We have previously shown that adrenaline infusion induces an almost twofold increase in systemic thromboxane synthesis, measured as urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether high levels of adrenaline, found e.g. in heavy physical exercise and myocardial infarction are involved in the regulation of prostacyclin synthesis. To this end the effect of adrenaline infusion (0.1 microgram/kg/min for 45 min and thereafter 0.2 microgram/kg/min for 15 min) on prostacyclin synthesis in healthy male volunteers was investigated. Adrenaline infusion produced an over twofold increase in systemic prostacyclin synthesis, measured as urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. Our study demonstrates that high circulating levels of adrenaline are associated with increased formation of prostacyclin.

Nicotinic acid and pyridoxine modulate arachidonic acid metabolism in vitro and ex vivo in man.

The in vitro effects of nicotinic acid (10-1000 microM), pyridoxine (0.1-500 microM) and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (0.1-500 microM) and the ex vivo effects of nicotinic acid (2500 mg orally during 12 h) and pyridoxine (600 mg orally daily for seven days) on arachidonic acid metabolism were investigated in calcium ionophore A23187 (calcimycin)-stimulated human whole blood. In vitro nicotinic acid stimulated prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and leukotriene E4 synthesis. Pyridoxine at all concentrations and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate at the highest concentration stimulated prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 production, but had no effect on leukotriene E4 synthesis. Nicotinic acid treatment increased ex vivo prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and leukotriene E4 synthesis to 185%, 165% and 175% of the initial values, respectively. In the pyridoxine-treated subjects, ex vivo prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and leukotriene E4 synthesis was decreased after seven days to 75%, 65% and 45% of the initial values, respectively. In the present study the effects of nicotinic acid on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in arachidonic acid metabolism were studied for the first time and the drug was found to stimulate this pathway in vitro and ex vivo. In vitro pyridoxine and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate had no effect on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. The inhibition of leukotriene synthesis by pyridoxine ex vivo might be of therapeutic importance.

Effects of NO-donors, SIN-1 and GEA 3175 on prostacyclin and cGMP synthesis in cultured rat endothelial cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate, whether nitric oxide (NO) modifies prostacyclin synthesis in endothelial cells. Two different NO-donors: SIN-1 (3-morpholino sydnonimine) and GEA 3175 (4-aryl-substituted oxatriazol derivative), and the NO-synthesis inhibitor; L-NAME were used. Endothelial cells were incubated with the tested compounds with or without Ca ionophore A23187 stimulation. SIN-1 (> 33 microM) and GEA 3175 (> 1 microM) increased the endothelial cGMP levels independently of A23187 stimulation. SIN-1 did not influence prostacyclin synthesis. GEA 3175 (> 33 microM) increased prostacyclin synthesis up to 2-fold, when incubated without A23187. GEA 3175 with A23187 induced about 30% inhibition in prostacyclin synthesis. L-NAME decreased unstimulated prostacyclin synthesis and this inhibition was reversed by GEA 3175. Obviously NO is able to modulate prostacyclin synthesis, however, much higher concentrations are needed than those to increase cGMP synthesis.

Interrelationships between salt and fish oil in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat.

The cardiovascular effects of a partially purified extract of fish oil, enriched in the n-3 series fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were studied in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) fed with high- and low-sodium diets during 5 weeks. Addition of salt to the low-salt control diet at a level commonly found in human food items (6% NaCl of the dry weight of the diet) produced a remarkable rise in blood pressure, an increase in left ventricular weight-to-body weight ratio (LVH-index) and an increase in kidney weight-to-body weight ratio (RH-index). Fish oil (20% of the dry weight of the diet) did not significantly influence the blood pressure or LVH-index or RH-index during the low-salt control diet. However, fish oil completely prevented the remarkable rise in blood pressure and clearly antagonized the rise of both LVH- and RH-indices, induced by the high-salt diet. The fish oil supplementation increased the levels of the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 series and decreased those of the n-6 series in plasma and kidney, irrespective of the salt content of the diet. Fish oil lowered serum thromboxane B2 concentration by approximately 75%. During the high-salt diet, fish oil markedly decreased water intake and urine volume, and increased urinary sodium concentration by about 60%. Our findings show that, in addition to an antihypertensive effect, fish oil also decreases LVH and RH. These effects appear to be due to an improved ability to excrete sodium and could be explained by the observed changes in the fatty acid composition and metabolism.

Nitric oxide as a regulator of prostacyclin synthesis in cultured rat heart endothelial cells.

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) and its second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMT) on prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis were studied in cultured rat heart endothelial cells using three different non-enzymatic nitric oxide releasing substances as well as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and of soluble guanylate cyclase. Production of prostacyclin, measured as 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), was stimulated up to 1.7 fold in endothelial cells treated with the NO donors SIN-1 (3-morpholino sydnonimine), GEA 3162 (3-aryl-substituted oxatriazole imine) and GEA 3175 (3-aryl-substituted oxatriazole sulfonyl), chloride). In each case the synthesis of cGMP increase as much as 40-100 fold. An inhibitor of NO synthase, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), decreased the basal production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in non-stimulated endothelial cells, an effect that could be reversed by the NO donors SIN-1, GEA 3162 and GEA 3175. cGMP formation in the L-NAME treated endothelial cells was unaltered. The guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue (100 mumol/l) and LY83583 (100 mumol/l), caused a 1.5-10 fold increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production while NO-donor-stimulated endothelial cGMP production was decreased by 10 to 90%. However, when SIN-1 was used as a stimulant, LY83583 had no significant effect on the production of cGMP. These findings support the hypothesis that NO stimulates prostacyclin production directly by activating cyclooxygenase. The results also suggest that NO could have an indirect effect on prostacyclin production via cGMP.

Amrinone, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, and arachidonic acid metabolism in humans.

Amrinone-a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor-is used in the treatment of acute heart failure. In addition to its hemodynamic effects, amrinone has been shown to inhibit thromboxane synthesis in vitro. We investigated the effects of amrinone on thromboxane, prostaglandin, and leukotriene synthesis in humans. Eight healthy male volunteers took part in this single-blind study in which either amrinone (a 1.5-mg/kg bolus in 30 min and after that 10 microg/kg/min for 1 h 30 min) or placebo (0.9% NaCl) were infused. Amrinone infusion increased systolic blood pressure but had no significant effect on diastolic blood pressure or heart rate. Amrinone did not modulate thromboxane B2 synthesis stimulated by either spontaneous clotting or calcium-ionophore A23187 in whole blood. Amrinone had no effects on prostaglandin E2 or leukotriene E4 production in A23187-stimulated whole blood, nor did it affect urinary excretion of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 or 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha, the index metabolites of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin productions, respectively. We conclude that amrinone has no effects on eicosanoid production in humans at the dose level used in this study, and that the hemodynamic effects noticed are not mediated via cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism.

The contribution of the O-glycosylated protein Pir2p/Hsp150 to the construction of the yeast cell wall in wild-type cells and beta 1,6-glucan-deficient mutants.

The cell wall of yeast contains a major structural unit, consisting of a cell wall protein (CWP) attached via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-derived structure to beta 1,6-glucan, which is linked in turn to beta 1, 3-glucan. When isolated cells walls were digested with beta 1,6-glucanase, 16% of all CWPs remained insoluble, suggesting an alternative linkage between CWPs and structural cell wall components that does not involve beta 1,6-glucan. The beta 1,6-glucanase-resistant protein fraction contained the recently identified GPI-lacking, O-glycosylated Pir-CWPs, including Pir2p/Hsp150. Evidence is presented that Pir2p/Hsp150 is attached to beta 1,3-glucan through an alkali-sensitive linkage, without beta 1,6-glucan as an interconnecting moiety. In beta 1,6-glucan-deficient mutants, the beta 1,6-glucanase-resistant protein fraction increased from 16% to over 80%. This was accompanied by increased incorporation of Pir2p/Hsp150. It is argued that this is part of a more general compensatory mechanism in response to cell wall weakening caused by low levels of beta 1,6-glucan.