Lipid-lowering effect of bergamot polyphenolic fraction: role of pancreatic cholesterol ester hydrolase.

Bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) has been shown to positively modulate several mechanisms involved in metabolic syndrome, suggesting its use in therapy. In particular, it is able to induce a significant amelioration of serum lipid profile in hyperlipemic patients at different levels. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of BPF on cholesterol absorption physiologically mediated by pancreatic cholesterol ester hydrolase (pCEH). An in vitro activity assay was performed to study the effect of BPF on pCEH, whereas the rate of cholesterol absorption was evaluated through in vivo studies. In particular, male, Sprague-Dawley rats (200–225 g) were fed either normal chow or chow supplemented with 0.5% cholic acid, 5.5% peanut oil, and varying amounts of cholesterol (0 to 1.5%). BPF (10 mg/Kg) was daily administrated by means of a gastric gavage to animals fed with lipid supplemented diet for 4 weeks and, at the end of the study, plasma lipids and liver cholesteryl esters were measured in all experimental groups. Our results show that BPF was able to inhibit pCEH activity and this effect was confirmed, in vivo, via detection of lymphatic cholesteryl ester in rats fed with a cholesterol-rich diet. This evidence clarifies a further mechanism responsible for the hypolipemic properties of BPF previously observed in humans, confirming its beneficial effect in the therapy of hypercholesterolemia and in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Non-invasive real-time biopsy of intracranial lesions using short time expanded circulating tumor cells on glass slide: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are promising biomarkers for monitoring solid cancer and were used to monitor brain tumors. Here we report two cases in which, for the first time, CTCs were used in cytological diagnostic evaluation to discriminate a space-occupying lesion of the brain. CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases of focal intracranial lesions, unclassified for diagnosis, untreated and apparently symptomatic, were examined after high-contrast resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging and/or Computed Tomography scans. CTCs were seeded on chamber slides and short-time expanded under the optimized conditions as we previously reported. The first case was a focal lesion localized in the parietal-occipital area in a 67-year-old woman. The second case was a 31-year-old man with an expansive intracerebral lesion localized in the left peri-trigonal area. Both patients underwent excisional biopsy. Histopathological evaluation of the biopsy confirmed the previous cytological diagnoses, and the analysis of the clinical outcomes retrospectively validated both diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The cases here reported illustrate the potential for using expanded CTCs as non-invasive, real-time biopsy. Moreover, non-invasive real-time biopsy can represent an alternative diagnostic tool to be used when a functional area of the brain is at risk of injury from excisional biopsy procedures.

TELOMERE AND TELOMERASE MODULATION BY BERGAMOT POLYPHENOLIC FRACTION IN EXPERIMENTAL PHOTOAGEING IN HUMAN KERATINOCYTES.

Photoageing represents the addition of extrinsic chronic ultraviolet radiation-induced damage on intrinsic ageing and accounts for most age-associated changes in skin appearance. In this study, we evaluated the effect of 38% BPF, a highly concentrated extract of the bergamot fruit (Citrus bergamia) on UVB-induced photoageing by examining inflammatory cytokine expression, telomere length/telomerase alterations and cellular viability in human immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes. Our results suggest that 38% BPF protects HaCaT cells against UVB-induced oxidative stress and markers of photoageing in a dose-dependent manner and could be a useful supplement in skin care products. Together with antioxidant properties, BPF, a highly concentrated extract of the bergamot fruit, appears to modulate basic cellular signal transduction pathways leading to anti-proliferative, anti-aging and immune modulating responses.

In vitro expansion of tumour cells derived from blood and tumour tissue is useful to redefine personalized treatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

The clinical development of locally and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) suffers from a lack of biomarkers as a guide in the selection of optimal prognostic prediction. Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) are correlated to prognosis and show efficacy in cancer monitoring in patients. However, their enumeration alone might be inadequate; it might also be critical to understand the viability, the apoptotic state and the kinetics of these cells. Here, we report what we believe to be a new and selective approach to visually detect tumour specific CTCs. Firstly, using labelled human lung cancer cells, we detected a specific density interval in which NSCL-CTCs were concentrated. Secondly, to better characterize CTCs in respect to their heterogeneous composition and tumour reference, blood and tumour biopsy were performed on specimens taken from the same patient. The approach consisted in comparing phenotype profile of CTCs, and their progenitor Tumour Stem Cells, (TSCs). Moreover, NSCL-CTCs were cultivated in short-time human cultures to provide response to drug sensitivity. Our bimodal approach allowed to reveal two items. Firstly, that one part of a tumour, proximal to the bronchial structure, displays a predominance of CD133+. Secondly, specific NSCL-CTCs Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM)+CD29+ can be used as a negative prognostic factor as well the high expression of CTCs EpCAM+. These data were confirmed by drug-sensitivity tests, in vitro, and by the survival curves, in vivo.

Olea Europea-derived phenolic products attenuate antinociceptive morphine tolerance: an innovative strategic approach to treat cancer pain.

Morphine and related opioid drugs are currently the major drugs for severe pain. Their clinical utility is limited in the management of severe cancer pain due to the rapid development of tolerance. Restoring opioid efficacy is therefore of great clinical importance. A great body of evidence suggests the key role of free radicals and posttranslational modulation in the development of tolerance to the analgesic activity of morphine. Epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced incidence of pathologies such as coronary heart disease and cancer. A central hallmark of this diet is the high consumption of virgin olive oil as the main source of fat which contains antioxidant components in the non-saponifiable fraction, including phenolic compounds absent in seed oils. Here, we show that in a rodent model of opiate tolerance, removal of the free radicals with phenolic compounds of olive oil such as hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein reinstates the analgesic action of morphine. Chronic injection of morphine in mice led to the development of tolerance and this was associated with increased nitrotyrosin and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation together with nitration and deactivation of MnSOD in the spinal cord. Removal of free radicals by hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein blocked morphine tolerance by inhibiting nitration and MDA formation and replacing the MnSOD activity. The phenolic fraction of virgin olive oil exerts antioxidant activities in vivo and free radicals generation occurring during chronic morphine administration play a crucial role in the development of opioid tolerance. Our data suggest novel therapeutic approach in the management of chronic cancer pain, in particular for those patients who require long-term opioid treatment for pain relief without development of tolerance.

Protein-carbohydrate complex reveals circulating metastatic cells in a microfluidic assay.

Advances in carbohydrate sequencing technologies reveal the tremendous complexity of the glycome and the role that glycomics might have to bring insight into the biological functions. Carbohydrate-protein interactions, in particular, are known to be crucial to most mammalian physiological processes as mediators of cell adhesion and metastasis, signal transducers, and organizers of protein interactions. An assay is developed here to mimic the multivalency of biological complexes that selectively and sensitively detect carbohydrate-protein interactions. The binding of ß-galactosides and galectin-3--a protein that is correlated to the progress of tumor and metastasis--is examined. The efficiency of the assay is related to the expression of the receptor while anchoring to the interaction's strength. Comparative binding experiments reveal molecular binding preferences. This study establishes that the assay is robust to isolate metastatic cells from colon affected patients and paves the way to personalized medicine.

Effect of MN (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin by photodynamically generated free radicals on SODs keratinocytes.

Superoxide, a reactive form of oxygen, can be produced in vivo either in normal and under pathophysiologic conditions or by photosensitizing chemicals, as during photodynamic treatment. Photodynamic therapies (PDT), widely adopted in Dermatology and Oncology, are known to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and may contribute to structural alterations and oxidatively generated modifications of cellular antioxidants. We hypothesized that over-production of free radicals would decrease the enzymatic activities of endogenous cellular antioxidants. To test this hypothesis, keratinocytes were treated with the photosensitizer Photofrin plus visible light to produce free radicals and CuZnSOD and MnSOD activities were measured. Photodynamic treatment of keratinocytes increases malonylaldehyde production, nitrotyrosine staining and superoxide production. The enzymatic activities of CuZnSOD and MnSOD were significantly decreased after Photofrin plus visible light treatment. Our results suggest that the main cellular antioxidant system can be inactivated by photodynamically generated ROS. Pretreatment of keratinocytes with free radicals scavenger such as Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) was able to restore the endogenous antioxidant system activities, inhibiting the MDA formation, nitrotyrosine staining and superoxide formation. Antioxidant therapy could therefore be a useful tool in protecting healthy epidermal cells against common side effects induced by antitumor targeted therapies.

Superhydrophobic lab-on-chip measures secretome protonation state and provides a personalized risk assessment of sporadic tumour.

Secretome of primary cultures is an accessible source of biological markers compared to more complex and less decipherable mixtures such as serum or plasma. The protonation state (PS) of secretome reflects the metabolism of cells and can be used for cancer early detection. Here, we demonstrate a superhydrophobic organic electrochemical device that measures PS in a drop of secretome derived from liquid biopsies. Using data from the sensor and principal component analysis (PCA), we developed algorithms able to efficiently discriminate tumour patients from non-tumour patients. We then validated the results using mass spectrometry and biochemical analysis of samples. For the 36 patients across three independent cohorts, the method identified tumour patients with high sensitivity and identification as high as 100% (no false positives) with declared subjects at-risk, for sporadic cancer onset, by intermediate values of PS. This assay could impact on cancer risk management, individual's diagnosis and/or help clarify risk in healthy populations.

Nitric oxide-mediated cyclooxygenase activation. A key event in the antiplatelet effects of nitrovasodilators.

We have evaluated the contributions of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in the in vivo antiplatelet effects of clinically useful nitrovasodilators. In rats, intravenous infusion of three NO donors, glyceryl trinitrate, sodium nitroprusside, or 3'-morpholinosydnonimine, the stable metabolite of molsidomine, released 6-keto PGF1alpha (the stable metabolite of PGI2) and inhibited ex vivo human platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate by at least 80%. In in vitro studies, glyceryl trinitrate, sodium nitroprusside, and 3'-morpholinosydnonimine, at clinically attainable concentrations, increased cyclooxygenase activity in endothelial cells (EC), which resulted in a four- to sixfold release of 6-keto PGF1alpha. Pretreatment of the EC with hemoglobin which binds to and inactivates the biological actions of NO, but not by methylene blue (MelB), attenuated the NO-mediated PGI2 from the EC by at least 70%. Release of 6-keto PGF1alpha by the NO donors increased the ability of these compounds to inhibit thrombin-induced human platelet aggregation by at least 10 times; this potentiation was inhibited by hemoglobin but not by MeB. MeB blocked the direct anti-platelet effect of the NO donors in the absence of EC. In summary, we have demonstrated that NO, directly as well as together with an NO-driven cyclooxygenase activation (and hence PGI2), release contributes to the marked anti-platelet effects observed after the in vivo administration of clinically used nitrovasodilators.

Oxidative stress and neuroAIDS: triggers, modulators and novel antioxidants.

Neurological disorders represent one of the most common disturbances accompanying HIV infection. In the past few years, highly antiretroviral active therapy has significantly reduced the incidence of HIV-related diseases. However, neurological dysfunction in AIDS patients still remains an unresolved problem. Oxidative stress, which occurs in brain tissues of patients undergoing HIV infection and is implicated in cell death of both astroglia and neurones, has recently been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of neuroAIDS. Thus, a better understanding of the processes that trigger and modulate free radical formation in brain tissues of AIDS patients might help in a successful therapeutic approach to the neuropathogenesis of HIV infection.

Primary macrophages infected by human immunodeficiency virus trigger CD95-mediated apoptosis of uninfected astrocytes.

Infection of macrophages (M/M) by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a main pathogenetic event leading to neuronal dysfunction and death in patients with AIDS dementia complex. Alteration of viability of neurons and astrocytes occurs in vivo even without their infection, thus it is conceivable that HIV-infected M/M may affect viability of such cells even without direct infection. To assess this hypothesis, we studied the effects of HIV-infected M/M on an astrocytic cell-line lacking CD4-receptor expression. Exposure to supernatants of HIV-infected M/M triggers complete disruption and apoptotic death of astrocytic cells. This effect is not related to HIV transmission from infected M/M, because HIV-DNA and p24 production in astrocytic cells remained negative. Apoptotic death of astrocytes is mainly mediated by Fas ligand released in supernatants of HIV-infected M/M (as demonstrated by complete reversal of such phenomenon by adding neutralizing antibodies against CD95 receptor). Treatment of astrocytic cells with recombinant (biologically active) Tat induces < 10% apoptosis, and gp120 was totally ineffective. Treatment of HIV-infected M/M with AZT completely reverses the proapoptotic effect of their supernatants on astrocytes, thus demonstrating that productive virus replication within M/M is required for the induction of astrocytic cell death. Taken together, data suggest that homeostasis of astrocytes may be affected by HIV-infected M/M in the absence of productive infection of target cells. This phenomenon may help to explain the cellular damage found in HIV-infected patients also in areas of the brain not strictly adjacent to HIV-infected M/M.

Soluble CD54 induces human endothelial cells ex vivo expansion useful for cardiovascular regeneration and tissue engineering application.

AIM: Consistent expansion of primary human endothelial cells in vitro is critical in the development of engineered tissue. A variety of complex culture media and techniques developed from different basal media have been reported with alternate success. Incongruous results are further confounded by donor-to-donor variability and cellular source of derivation. Our results demonstrate how to overcome these limitations using soluble CD54 (sCD54) as additive to conventional culture medium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolated primary fragment of different vessel types was expanded in Ham's F12 DMEM, enriched with growth factors, Fetal Calf Serum and conditioned medium of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) collected at different passages. Cytokine content of culture media was analyzed in order to identify the soluble factors correlating with better proliferation profile. sCD54 was found to induce the in vitro expansion of human endothelial cells (HECs) independently from the vessels source and even in the absence of HUVEC-conditioned medium. The HECs cultivated in the presence of sCD54 (50 ng/ml), resulted positive for the expression of CD146 and negative for CD45, and lower fibroblast contamination. Cells were capable to proliferate with an S phase of 25%, to produce vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, (10 ng/ml) and to give origin to vessel-like tubule in vitro. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that sCD54 is an essential factor for the in-vitro expansion of HECs without donor and vessel-source variability. Resulting primary cultures can be useful, for tissue engineering in regenerative medicine (e.g. artificial micro tissue generation, coating artificial heart valve etc.) and bio-nanotechnology applications.

Age-related alterations in cardiovascular responsiveness to clonidine infused into the nucleus tractus solitarii in rats.

The cardiovascular response to the unilateral injection of clonidine into the nucleus tractus solitarii in old compared to young rats was evaluated. In 3-month old rats clonidine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 microgram) injected into the nucleus tractus solitarii in anaesthetized rats produced a significant fall in blood pressure (BP) and a significant decrease in heart rate (HR). In contrast, in 12 month old rats the maximum fall in blood pressure and heart rate was significantly less than in young animals. In addition, in older rats (24 month old) clonidine, at the same or larger doses given into the nucleus tractus solitarii did not produce any significant change in the cardiovascular parameters studied. In conclusion, the present experiments provide evidence that during ageing there is a progressive decrease in the cardiovascular response to alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation in the nucleus tractus solitarii. In addition, it is conceivable that such a decrease and subsequently the lack in response may be related to a progressive decrease in the number and/or affinity of the specific alpha 2-adrenoceptor binding sites at this level.

Release of nitric oxide from glyceryl trinitrate by captopril but not enalaprilat: in vitro and in vivo studies.

1. The hypotensive effects of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN, 0.5 mg kg-1) but not of 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1, 0.125 mg kg-1) in anaesthetized rats were attenuated following a seven day (using a q.i.d. dosing schedule) oral treatment with isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5-MN; 5 mg kg-1) indicative of the induction of tolerance to GTN but not to SIN-1. The hypotensive effects of GTN did not decline when the sulphydryl (SH) containing angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-1), captopril (CPT, 5 mg kg-1) or the structurally unrelated SH-containing, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 10 mg kg-1) but not the non-SH-containing ACE-I, enalaprilat (ENA, 5 mg kg-1) were given together with IS-5-MN for the seven days treatment. 2. The attenuated hypotensive effects of GTN (0.5 mg kg-1) in rats treated with IS-5-MN were also restored when CPT (1 mg kg-1) or NAC (2.5 mg kg-1) but not ENA (1 mg kg-1) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 min before GTN. Furthermore, in control rats, CPT or NAC but not ENA given i.p. 30 min before GTN, potentiated its haemodynamic effects. These effects were blocked by methylene blue (10 mg kg-1). At the same doses, CPT or NAC did not affect the hypotensive effects of SIN-1. 3. The reduced ability of cultured tolerant smooth muscle cells (SMC, 24 x 103 cells) or endothelial cells(EC, 40 x 103 cells) to potentiate the anti-platelet effects of GTN (44 microM) was restored by CPT or NAC but not by ENA or glutathione (all at 0.5 mM). Potentiation of the anti-platelet effects of tolerant SMC or EC by CPT or NAC was abolished by co-incubation with oxyhaemoglobin (Oxy-Hb, 10 microM)indicative of nitric oxide (NO) formation.4. When GTN (150-2400 microM) was incubated with CPT, NAC or glutathione but not ENA (all at 0.1 mM) for 30 min in Krebs buffer at 37 degrees C a concentration-dependent increase in nitrite (NO2-)formation was observed. 5. The antiplatelet effects of GTN (5.5-352 microM) were potentiated by co-incubation with CPT or NAC but not with ENA or glutathione (all at 0.5 mM). The concentration of GTN required to inhibit platelet aggregation by 50% (IC50) was 110 +/- 2 microM for GTN alone, 14 +/- 2 microM for GTN in the presence of NAC and 30 +/- 2 microM for GTN in the presence of CPT. The potentiation of the effects of GTN by CPT or NAC was inhibited by co-incubation with Oxy-Hb (10 microM). By themselves, CPT or NAC did not inhibit platelet aggregation.6. The ability of CPT to restore (a) the haemodynamic effects of GTN in tolerant rats and (b) the reduced capacity of tolerant SMC or EC to potentiate the anti-platelet effects of GTN is not related to its ACE inhibitory activity.7. CPT also potentiated the hypotensive effects of GTN in non-tolerant rats, and in vitro CPT released NO from GTN in the absence of a GTN to NO converting cell, so that it is unlikely that reversal of tolerance by CPT is due to the replenishment of intracellular thiols. Rather it can be explained by the ability of CPT to release NO from GTN in the extracellular space. This extracellular formation of NO from GTN by CPT would then compensate for the impaired enzymic biotransformation of GTN to NO that develops during tolerance as was originally proposed for NAC.

The effects of phosphatidylserine on the decreased cardiovascular response to clonidine microinfused into the nucleus tractus solitarii of old rats.

1. The cardiovascular effects of direct microinfusions of clonidine into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in rats of different ages were studied. 2. Clonidine microinfused into the NTS produced a dose-dependent hypotensive and bradycardic response, which was reduced by previous microinfusion of yohimbine but not of propranolol or prazosin. 3. Unilateral microinfusion of clonidine into the NTS produced a significantly smaller hypotensive and bradycardic response in 16 month old rats than in 3 month old rats, whereas in older animals (24 month old) the same doses of clonidine were ineffective. In 16 month old rats, yohimbine given into the NTS produced a smaller pressor and tachycardic response than in 3 month old rats whereas in 24 month old animals yohimbine, at the same doses, was unable to change blood pressure and heart rate. 4. Oral administration of phosphatidylserine (50 mg kg-1 day-1 for 30 consecutive days) enhanced the hypotensive and bradycardic response to clonidine microinfused into the NTS in 16 month old rats. The same schedule of treatment with phosphatidylserine did not affect the cardiovascular response to clonidine in young (3 month old) rats and did not restore responsiveness to clonidine in older rats (24 month old). 5. Methoxamine and phentolamine, given intravenously, produced similar pressor and depressor responses, respectively in 3, 16 and 24 month old rats, suggesting that the decreased sensitivity to clonidine in old rats was not due to peripheral cardiovascular changes. 6. In conclusion, the present results indicate that, during aging, there is a decreased sensitivity of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the brain. Such an alteration can be reversed by chronic treatment with phosphatidylserine during the initial but not the later stages of aging.

Nitric oxide from vascular smooth muscle cells: regulation of platelet reactivity and smooth muscle cell guanylate cyclase.

1. Incubation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) from bovine aorta for 3 min with human washed platelets treated with indomethacin (10 microM) promoted a cell number-related inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by thrombin (40 mu ml-1). This inhibition was not attributable to products of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway for the SMC were also treated with indomethacin (10 microM). 2. The inhibitory activity of the SMC on platelet aggregation was enhanced by incubating the SMC with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 micrograms ml-1) for a period of 9 to 24 h. This effect was attenuated when cycloheximide (10 micrograms ml-1) was incubated together with LPS. Cycloheximide did not prevent the inhibitory activity of the non-treated cells. 3. The inhibition of platelet aggregation obtained with non-treated or LPS-treated SMC was potentiated by superoxide dismutase (SOD, 60 u ml-1) and ablated by oxyhaemoglobin (OxyHb, 10 microM). Preincubation of the SMC with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 30-300 microM) for 60 min prevented their antiaggregatory activity. This effect was reversed by concurrent incubation with L-arginine (L-Arg, 100 microM) but not with D-arginine (D-Arg, 100 microM). 4. Exposure of the non-treated SMC (5 x 10(5) cells) to stirring (1000 r.p.m., 37 degrees C) for 10 min led to a significant increase in their levels of guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) but not adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP). L-NMMA (300 microM) attenuated the increase in cyclic GMP induced by stirring but did not affect the basal levels of cyclic GMP in the cells.5. These findings support the idea that non-treated or LPS-treated cultured SMC can produce an NO-like factor. Production by the latter requires protein synthesis as evidenced by blockade with cycloheximide. This NO-like factor may play a role in the auto-regulation of smooth muscle cell reactivity through a cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism.

Age-dependent changes in cardiovascular responses induced by muscimol infused into the nucleus tractus solitarii and nucleus parabrachialis medialis in rats.

1. The effects of muscimol and bicuculline on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were studied after their microinfusion into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and into the nucleus parabrachialis medialis (NPBmed) in 3 and 24 month old rats. 2. In 3 month old rats a dose of 0.01 microgram of muscimol given into the NTS increased MAP, whereas higher doses (0.05, 0.1 and 0.25 microgram) produced dose-dependent bradycardia with either no change (0.05 and 0.1 microgram) or a decrease (0.25 microgram) in MAP. 3. On the other hand, in 24 month old rats, the same doses of muscimol given into the NTS failed to change MAP, whereas in comparison to 3 month old rats they produced a significantly lesser bradycardia. 4. The cardiovascular changes elicited by infusion of muscimol into the NTS in 3 and 24 month old rats were prevented by prior microinfusion of bicuculline into the same site. 5. Muscimol given into the NPBmed in doses from 0.05 to 0.25 microgram produced, in 3 month old rats dose-dependent decreases in MAP and HR which were prevented by prior administration of bicuculline. These effects were significantly reduced in 24 month old rats. 6. The present experiments show that with aging there is impairment of GABA-ergic mechanisms involved in the regulation of cardiovascular activity in the NTS and NPBmed.

Cultured astrocytoma cells generate a nitric oxide-like factor from endogenous L-arginine and glyceryl trinitrate: effect of E. coli lipopolysaccharide.

1. The inhibitory activity of astrocytoma cells (0.25-3 x 10(5)) treated with indomethacin (10 microM) on platelet aggregation was enhanced by incubating the cells with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 micrograms ml-1) for 18 h. This effect was attenuated when cycloheximide (10 micrograms ml-1) was incubated together with LPS. The inhibition of platelet aggregation by cells treated with LPS was potentiated by superoxide dismutase (60 u ml-1) and ablated by oxyhaemoglobin (oxyHb, 10 microM) or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 30-300 microM). The effects of L-NMMA were reversed by co-incubation with L-arginine (L-Arg, 100 microM) but not D-arginine (D-Arg, 100 microM). LPS also increased the levels of nitrite in the culture media and this increase was ablated by co-incubation with L-NMMA (300 microM) or cycloheximide (10 micrograms ml-1). 2. Astrocytoma cells (0.5 x 10(5)) treated with indomethacin (10 microM) enhanced the platelet inhibitory activity of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN, 11-352 microM) but not that of sodium nitroprusside (4 microM). Furthermore, when incubated with GTN (200 microM) a 4 fold increase in the levels of guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) was observed. These effects were abrogated by co-incubation with oxyHb (10 microM) but not with L-NMMA (300 microM). Treatment of the cells with LPS (0.5 micrograms ml-1) for 18 h did not enhance their capacity to form NO from GTN. 3. Thus, in cultured astrocytoma cells, LPS enhances the formation of nitric oxide from endogenous L-arginine.In addition, these cells can metabolize GTN to nitric oxide but this process is not enhanced by LPS stimulation.

The effect of nitric oxide on cytokine-induced release of PGE2 by human cultured astroglial cells.

1. The role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway on the formation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by human cultured astroglial cells incubated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was investigated. 2. Incubation of T 67 astroglial cell line with IL-beta (10 ng ml(-1)) and TNF-alpha (500 u ml(-1)) produced a significant (P<0.05) increase of both nitrite (the breakdown product of NO), cyclic GMP and PGE2 levels in cell supernatants. N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 20-300 microM), an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), inhibited the increase of cyclic GMP and nitrite levels found in supernatants of cytokine-treated astroglial cells and reduced the release of PGE2. The latter effect showed that the enhanced arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism subsequent to stimulation of astroglial cells with IL-1beta and TNF-alpha was, at least in part, induced by NO. This occurred also when sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 120 microM), an NO donor, was incubated with astroglial cells, an effect antagonized by oxyhaemoglobin (OxyHb; 10 microM). 3. The inhibition elicited by L-NAME on PGE2-release by cytokine-treated astroglial cells was reversed by adding AA (40 microM), showing that the effect of NO on cytokine-dependent PGE2 release occurred at the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) level. Furthermore, the release of PGE2 in cytokine-treated astroglial cells was inhibited by indomethacin (10 microM), a COX inhibitor as well as by preincubating cells with dexamethasone (20 microM), an inhibitor of inducible enzymes, showing that the inducible isoform of COX (COX-2) was involved. 4. On the other hand, pretreating astroglial cells with methylene blue (MB; 10 microM), an inhibitor of NO biological activity acting at the guanylate cyclase level, failed to affect PGE2 release in cytokine-treated astroglial cells, leading to the conclusion that cyclic GMP changes related to NO formation are not involved in the generation of AA metabolites. 5. The present experiments demonstrated that the release of PGE2 by astroglial cells pretreated with IL-1beta and TNF-alpha is due to enhanced COX-2 activity via activation of the L-arginine-NO pathway, and this may be relevant to the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neuroimmune disorders.