Identification of the major Abeta1-42-degrading catabolic pathway in brain parenchyma: suppression leads to biochemical and pathological deposition.

Alzheimer amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) is a physiological peptide constantly anabolized and catabolized under normal conditions. We investigated the mechanism of catabolism by tracing multiple-radiolabeled synthetic peptide injected into rat hippocampus. The Abeta1-42 peptide underwent full degradation through limited proteolysis conducted by neutral endopeptidase (NEP) similar or identical to neprilysin as biochemically analyzed. Consistently, NEP inhibitor infusion resulted in both biochemical and pathological deposition of endogenous Abeta42 in brain. This NEP-catalyzed proteolysis therefore limits the rate of Abeta42 catabolism, up-regulation of which could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by preventing Abeta accumulation.

Effects of elevated cytoplasmic calcium and protein kinase C on endoplasmic reticulum structure and function in HEK293 cells.

In human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells stably transfected with green fluorescent protein targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), elevation of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) altered ER morphology, making it appear punctate. Electron microscopy revealed that these punctate structures represented circular and branched rearrangements of the endoplasmic reticulum, but did not involve obvious swelling or pathological fragmentation. Activation of protein kinase C with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), prevented the effects of ionomycin on ER structure without affecting the elevation of [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that protein kinase C activation alters cytoplasmic or ER components underlying the effects of high [Ca2+]i on ER structure. Treatment of HEK cells with PMA also reduced the size of the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ pool and inhibited Ca2+ entry in response to thapsigargin. Thus, protein kinase C activation has multiple actions on the calcium storage and signalling function of the endoplasmic reticulum in HEK cells: (1) reduced intracellular Ca2+ storage capacity, (2) inhibition of capacitative Ca2+ entry, and (3) protection of the endoplasmic reticulum against the effects of high [Ca2+]i.

Opioid receptor types on adrenergic nerve terminals of rabbit ear artery.

Methionine enkephalin, leucine enkephalin, [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin, alpha-neoendorphin, beta-endorphin, dynorphin (1-13) and ethylketocyclazocine inhibited the contractions of rabbit ear artery ring segments elicited by transmural nerve stimulation at 8 Hz. Ethylketocyclazocine, dynorphin (1-13) and leucine enkephalin produced partial inhibition, their apparent intrinsic activities (alpha) being 0.57, 0.75 and 0.66, respectively. Morphine and normorphine, which are agonists at mu-receptors, did not inhibit the response of the artery. Naloxone antagonized the actions of opioids and ethylketocyclazocine, and was more effective against methionine enkephalin, leucine enkephalin and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin than against alpha-neoendorphin, ethylketocyclazocine and dynorphin (1-13). The pA2 values of naloxone against so-called delta-agonists were approx. 8.5, and against so-called kappa-agonists were approx. 7.7. The supposed kappa-antagonist, Mr2266, was more effective than naloxone in antagonizing the actions of alpha-neoendorphin, and the kappa-agonists dynorphin (1-13) and ethylketocyclazocine. The pA2 values of Mr2266 against kappa-agonists were 8.5-9.0, and against delta-agonists were 7.8 or less. The opioid peptides and opioids tested did not cause dilatation of the artery previously contracted with histamine. These results suggest that the opioid peptides and ethylketocyclazocine acted on opioid receptors at adrenergic nerve terminals in the ear artery. The opioid receptors appear to be of the delta- and kappa-types, not the mu-type.

Chloride-sensitive Ca2+ entry by histamine and ATP in human aortic endothelial cells.

The regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was studied in cultured human aortic endothelial cells loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2. Histamine and ATP at concentrations of 10 microM and higher produced a biphasic change in [Ca2+]i, which consisted of an initial transient elevation followed by a sustained elevation. Reduction of the extracellular Cl- concentration to 40 mM, or exposure to the Cl- channel antagonist N-phenylanthranilic acid selectively prevented the sustained response to histamine or ATP, but they did not affect the sustained response to the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Elevation of extracellular K+ concentration to 90 mM had no influence on the sustained response to histamine or ATP. These results suggest that the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i in response to histamine and ATP is due to the Cl(-)-sensitive entry of extracellular Ca2+ in cultured human aortic endothelial cells.

Modulation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid in human aortic endothelial cells.

To clarify the agonist-induced Ca2+ entry mechanism, effects of thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, selective inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were studied in cultured human aortic endothelial cells loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2. Thapsigargin (1-1000 nM) and cyclopiazonic acid (0.1-100 microM) produced a biphasic change in [Ca2+]i, which consisted of a transient peak elevation followed by a long-lasting decline of [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid, the rapid transient elevation of [Ca2+]i elicited by histamine was attenuated in a time-dependent manner. The slow declining phase of the response to thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid was completely eliminated by removal of extracellular Ca2+, and it was also prevented by reduction of the extracellular Cl- concentration to 40 mM or by the Cl- channel blocker N-phenylanthranilic acid. These findings suggest that the initial transient rising phase and the slow declining phase of [Ca2+]i in response to thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid reflect a blockade of Ca2+ uptake into the endoplasmic reticulum and the Cl(-)-sensitive Ca2+ entry activated by the depletion of agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores, respectively, in human aortic endothelial cells.

Age-related decrease in endothelium-dependent dilator response to histamine in rat mesenteric artery.

The effect of aging on the vasodilator responses to histamine, 2-pyridylethylamine and 4-methylhistamine of ring segments of rat mesenteric arteries were investigated. The maximal extent of histamine-induced dilatation of the arteries previously contracted with norepinephrine was greatest for arteries from rats aged 2 and 8 weeks. The maximal response decreased progressively with an increase in age to 13 and 56 weeks. Arteries from 99 week old rats scarcely responded to histamine. Under these conditions, the dilatation induced by papaverine showed no change with age. The vasodilatation caused by 2-pyridylethylamine and 4-methylhistamine also decreased age dependently. The dilatation of the arteries induced by these agents was inhibited by the H1-antagonist chlorpheniramine, but not by the H2-antagonist cimetidine. Removal of the endothelium completely abolished the vasodilator effect of histamine, leaving the effect of papaverine unaffected. Hydroquinone and methylene blue reversed the dilatation induced by histamine, without affecting that caused by papaverine. These results suggest that the age-related decrease in dilatation of rat mesenteric artery in response to histamine is mainly due to a decrease in the ability of the endothelium to liberate a mediator(s).

General pharmacological properties of the new vasodilator flosequinan.

Pharmacological effects of a new vasodilator, flosequinan (7-fluoro-1-methyl-3-(methylsulfinyl)-4(1H)-quinolone, BTS 49 465, CAS 76568-02-0) on the central nervous system, somatic nervous system, autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle, digestive system and miscellaneous organs were investigated. 1. The central nervous system: Flosequinan inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing at doses of more than 30 mg/kg p.o. and decreased body temperature and tended to decrease spontaneous movement slightly in mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. However, flosequinan had little effect on hexobarbital-induced hypnosis, reserpine-induced hypothermia and motor coordination and lacked anticonvulsant and analgesic activities in mice. Flosequinan had little effect on general behavior in rats and did not have any effect on spontaneous EEG and EEG arousal response in rabbits. 2. The somatic nervous system: Flosequinan did not cause muscle relaxation in mice and had little effect on neuromuscular transmission in cats. No local anesthetic activity was exhibited through inhibition of the corneal reflex in guinea pigs. 3. The autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle: Flosequinan produced a relaxation of the isolated trachea of guinea pigs at concentrations of more than 3 x 10(-5) mol/l, but its potency was very weak in comparison with that of isoproterenol (isoprenaline). Flosequinan inhibited spontaneous motility of the isolated uterus of pregnant rats at concentrations higher than 10(-4) mol/l and the motility of the uterus of non-pregnant rats in vivo was inhibited at 30 mg/kg i.v. Flosequinan does not seem to exert any on norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine or histamine. This is supported by the fact that at concentrations of 10(-4)-3 x 10(-3) mol/l non-competitive inhibition was observed with regard of the contractions of the isolated aorta and vas deferens of rats induced by norepinephrine, the contraction of isolated rat stomach induced by serotonin, the contraction of isolated guinea-pig ileum induced by acetylcholine, histamine and barium chloride and the contraction of the isolated uterus of non-pregnant rats induced by oxytocin. However, flosequinan was more potent as a relaxant of vascular than of these other smooth muscles. The drug was slightly inhibitive at a high dose of 30 mg/kg i.v. with regard of the contraction of nictitating membrane induced by stimulation of preganglionic sympathetic nerve in cats. 4. The digestive system: Flosequinan at 100 mg/kg p.o. inhibited intestinal propulsion in mice and inhibited spontaneous motility of stomach and duodenum of rats at a dose of 30 mg/kg i.v.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

General pharmacological properties of the main metabolite of flosequinan.

The general pharmacological profile of 7-fluoro-1-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)- 4(1H)-quinolone BTS 53 554, CAS 76568-68-8), the main metabolite of a new vasodilator, flosequinan (BTS 49 465), was investigated. 1. The central nervous system: BTS 53 554 at the dose of 30 mg/kg i.v. caused an increase in respiratory rate and a sedation in general behavior in rats. The drug also inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing and slightly decreased normal body temperature in mice. However, the drug at the doses up to 30 mg/kg i.v. had little effect on the spontaneous movement, hexobarbital-induced hypnosis, reserpine-induced hypothermia and motor coordination in mice. The drug showed neither anticonvulsant nor analgesic actions in mice. Furthermore, it had no effect on the spontaneous EEG, sleep-wakefulness cycle and EEG arousal response in rabbits at doses up to 10 mg/kg intravenously. 2. The somatic nervous system: BTS 53 554 induced no muscle relaxation in mice and exerted no local anesthetic action in guinea pigs by corneal reflex method. In addition, it had little effect on the neuromuscular transmission in cats. 3. The autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle: BTS 53 554 showed no effect on the sympathetic ganglionic transmission in cats. In isolated smooth muscles, at doses up to 10(-3) mol/l it showed little effect on the acetylcholine- or barium chloride-induced contraction of guinea-pig ileum, norepinephrine-induced contraction of rat vas deferens or oxytocin-induced contraction of nonpregnant rat uterus. However, it inhibited non-competitively norepinephrine-induced contraction of isolated rat aorta at 10(-4) mol/l or more and serotonin-induced contraction of isolated rat fundus at 3 x 10(-4) mol/l or more. In the isolated guinea-pig ileum, the drug slightly inhibited the histamine-induced maximal contraction at 10(-3) mol/l. These results suggest BTS 53 554 had no specific effect on norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine or histamine. The drug relaxed isolated guinea-pig trachea at 3 x 10(-5) mol/l or more and inhibited the spontaneous movement of isolated pregnant rat uterus at 10(-4) mol/l or more, although these actions were extremely weaker than those of isoproterenol (isoprenaline). BTS 53 554 also showed a slight inhibition of uterus movement in anesthetized rats at 30 mg/kg intravenously. 4. The digestive system: BTS 53 554 tended to inhibit the gastrointestinal propulsion in mice and showed a slight inhibition of gastric and intestinal motilities in rats at 10 mg/kg intravenously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)