Renal sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase and sodium reabsorption.

The role of renal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in sodium reabsorption was further examined in dogs in which digoxin, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme system, was infused into one renal artery in doses ranging from 0.4 to 0.9 mug/kg/min (low dose) and from 1.0 to 4.0 mug/kg/min (high dose). A significant natriuresis occurred with both dose ranges which was accompanied by inhibition of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase of cortex and medulla in the infused kidney. Despite over 90% enzyme inhibition in many experiments, at least 80% of the filtered sodium continued to be reabsorbed. The per cent change in enzyme activity correlated with the rate of digoxin administration and the total dose administered but not with changes in sodium excretion. Changes in medullary Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, however, bore a direct relationship to alterations in fractional solute free water reabsorption (T(c) (H2O)). Inhibition of cortical enzyme activity alone was not associated with natriuresis, suggesting that medullary enzyme activity must be depressed for increased sodium excretion to occur during digoxin infusion. In high-dose experiments, significant inhibition of cortical and medullary enzyme in the contralateral control kidney was also observed, but natriuresis did not occur. In these experiments the rate at which digoxin reached the control kidney rose progressively but never equaled the rates in the directly infused kidney with either dose. Nevertheless, it is clear that under certain circumstances enzyme inhibition of either cortex or medulla need not be accompanied by natriuresis. We conclude that the major role of renal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is in sodium reabsorption in the medulla (ascending limb of Henle's loop) and that it has a relatively small role in proximal sodium reabsorption. The kidney can rely on other sodium reabsorptive mechanisms depending on the rate of enzyme inhibition, so that natriuresis may not occur at all if depression in activity occurs "slowly." The nature of these mechanisms is not clear.

Anti-prolactin (PRL) autoantibody-binding sites (epitopes) on PRL molecule in macroprolactinemia.

Macroprolactinemia, in which serum prolactin (PRL) mainly consists of PRL with a molecular mass greater than 100 kDa, has been demonstrated to be associated with hyperprolactinemia. We previously reported that anti-PRL autoantibody is the major cause of macroprolactinemia. In this study, the autoantibody-binding sites (epitopes) on the PRL molecule were examined using deletion mutant PRL. The sera from 159 patients with hyperprolactinemia were screened for macroprolactinemia using the polyethylene glycol method and 18 patients (11%) were diagnosed with macroprolactinemia. The sera from these patients were incubated with glutathione S-transferase-human prolactin (hPRL) fragment fusion proteins immobilized on glutathione sepharose and the amounts of bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured using ELISA. IgG was bound to full-length hPRL1-199 in significantly greater amounts in sera from 14 of 18 patients with macroprolactinemia than in controls. hPRL, but not PRL of other species such as bovine, porcine, rat, or human GH, dose-dependently displaced the binding, suggesting that these patients had hPRL-specific autoantibodies. Deletion of 34 amino acid residues from N-and/or C-terminals significantly reduced the binding and N- or C-terminal fragment alone showed partial but significant binding, suggesting that the major epitopes recognized by anti-PRL autoantibodies are located in both N- and C-terminal residues of the PRL molecule.

Effects of amiloride on thermosensitivity of Chinese hamster cells under neutral and acidic pH.

The modifying effects of amiloride on the thermosensitivity of Chinese hamster V-79 cells were examined under both neutral (pH 7.3) and acidic (pH 6.6) conditions. Amiloride, a diuretic drug, is known to inhibit the Na+/H+ exchange activity. Under the extracellular pH of 7.3, amiloride (0.1-0.5 mM) enhanced the thermal cell killing powers of 42 degrees C hyperthermia with increasing concentration and exposure time of the drug. The age response of cells to 42 degrees C hyperthermia in the presence or absence of amiloride (0.5 mM) showed that amiloride sensitized cells to heat, especially those at G1-S boundary through middle S phases. On the other hand, the lowering of extracellular pH to 6.6 enhanced cell killing by 42 degrees C hyperthermia. When cells were exposed to 42 degrees C hyperthermia in the presence of amiloride at pH 6.6, cell survival decreased still more. The thermosensitizing effects of the lowered pH at 6.6 and amiloride appeared to be additive. From these results, it is suggested that the thermosensitization by amiloride is probably due, in part, to the inhibition of cellular Na+/H+ exchange activity. The present study proposes the possibility that amiloride may be useful as a hyperthermic sensitizer in a clinical treatment of cancer.

Anti-prolactin (PRL) autoantibodies cause asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia: bioassay and clearance studies of PRL-immunoglobulin G complex.

The causes of hyperprolactinemia are varied, but some cases are classified as "idiopathic" because of unknown causes. We examined whether anti-prolactin (PRL) autoantibodies can cause hyperprolactinemia, especially the asymptomatic type. Serum PRL in four women with anti-PRL autoantibodies and five control patients with prolactinoma was characterized by a sensitive enzyme immunoassay, Nb2-bioassay, gel chromatography, affinity chromatography for immunoglobulin G (IgG), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under nonreducing conditions, and clearance studies using anesthetized rats. In four women with anti-PRL autoantibodies, serum immunoreactive PRL concentrations were elevated (326 +/- 216 micrograms/L, normal < 30 micrograms/L), and PRL (84 +/- 5.5%) mostly consisted of the large molecular form in which a significant amount of 23 kDa PRL (60.6 +/- 14.7%) was noncovalently bound to IgG. Although three of the four women lacked clinical symptoms of hyperprolactinemia such as amenorrhea and galactorrhea, the IgG-bound PRL was fully bioactive in vitro. It was cleared more slowly from circulation than free PRL. The data suggest that PRL forms a complex with IgG, and this probably results in delayed clearance of PRL and leads to hyperprolactinemia in women with anti-PRL autoantibodies.

GH, GH receptor, GH secretagogue receptor, and ghrelin expression in human T cells, B cells, and neutrophils.

We examined GH and GH receptor expression in human leukemic cell lines and leukocytes of normal subjects to elucidate the cell types expressing GH and GH receptor, the individual variations of their expressions, their correlation and the relationships with serum IgG and IGF-I concentrations. In addition, the expression of GH secretagogue receptor, which enhances GH secretion from the anterior pituitary by synthetic GH secretagogues and that of its endogenous ligand, ghrelin, were also examined in these immune cells. GH expression in human leukemic cell lines was observed mainly in B cell lines at both the mRNA and protein level [3.8 +/- 0.2 pg/10(6) cells in Raji and 19.9 +/- 3.3 pg/10(6) cells in Daudi vs. negligible in T cell lines (Jurkat and Hut-78) and in myeloid cell lines (K-562 and HL-60)]. B cells in normal subjects were also found to be the major immune cells expressing GH mRNA, with significant individual variation. GH receptor mRNA expression was detectable in all human leukemic cell lines, although the expression level varied widely among the cell lines and was weaker than that in the liver. On the other hand, GH receptor mRNA expression was mainly found in B cells, with marked individual variation in normal subjects. There was a positive correlation between the mRNA expressions of GH and GH receptor in B cells of normal subjects (r = 0.89; P < 0.001). Single cell RT-PCR revealed that some B cells expressed both GH and GH receptor transcripts, and others expressed only GH. GH/GH receptor expression levels in B cells did not show any correlation with serum IgG and IGF-I levels in normal subjects. Expression of GH secretagogue receptor and ghrelin was detectable in all immune cells regardless of the maturity and cell types with great individual variations. In summary, GH secreted from B cells may act locally on their own receptors, and their variable expressions may be related to individual immune functions. Widespread distribution of ghrelin and GH secretagogue receptor in human immune cells may indicate unknown biological functions other than enhancing GH secretion in the immune system.

Effects of avermectin B1a and picrotoxin on striatal release of dopamine with reference to replacement of extracellular chloride with nitrate.

The present study was an attempt to elucidate the effects of avermectin B1a (AVM) and picrotoxin, an anion channel opener and blocker, respectively, on the release of endogenous dopamine from the slices of caudate nucleus of the rat, using a superfusion method in order to determine the interaction between these agents with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-anion channel complex. Avermectin (1.14-11.4 microM) reduced the Ca2+-dependent release of dopamine stimulated by 40 mM KCl without affecting the basal release of dopamine. In contrast, picrotoxin in doses larger than 20 microM facilitated the K+-stimulated release of dopamine. The inhibitory effect of avermectin was completely antagonized by 10 microM picrotoxin and 0.1 mM bicuculline; these doses of both agents did not change the K+-stimulated release of dopamine. Replacement of chloride (Cl-) in the superfusion medium with nitrate (NO3-) markedly facilitated the K+-stimulated release of dopamine and the increase was antagonized by verapamil (10 microM) and tetrodotoxin (1 microM). In the nitrate medium, avermectin reduced the K+-stimulated release of dopamine and the inhibitory effect was antagonized by bicuculline. However, picrotoxin up to 100 microM did not affect the K+-stimulated release of dopamine either in the presence or absence of bicuculline. These results suggest that the dopaminergic nerve terminals in the caudate nucleus receive inhibitory regulation through the facilitation of anion channels. This regulation is apparently altered depending on the main anion in the extracellular fluid.

Inhibitory effects of brotizolam, a new thienodiazepine, on limbic forebrain and neostriatal dopaminergic systems in vivo and in vitro.

Studies were performed to elucidate the effects of brotizolam, a newly synthesized thienodiazepine, chemically related to the benzodiazepines, on dopamine turnover in the limbic forebrain and neostriatum. Intraperitoneally administered brotizolam retarded the rate of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine-induced depletion of dopamine in the olfactory tubercle (OT), nucleus accumbens (NA) and caudate nucleus (CN). Significant retardation was observed with brotizolam in doses ranging from 0.1-10 mg/kg in the olfactory tubercle, and from 1-10 mg/kg in the nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus. These inhibitory effects of brotizolam were antagonized by bicuculline, a GABA antagonist, in all of the regions examined. Using slices of the olfactory tubercle, nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus, the effects of brotizolam on dopaminergic nerve terminals were examined in vitro. Basal release of dopamine was not affected by brotizolam in concentrations up to 10(-6) M; however, K+-stimulated release of dopamine was significantly reduced by brotizolam at 10(-7) M or above. The reduction of K+-stimulated release of dopamine was antagonized by bicuculline, added in the superfusion medium. These data suggest that brotizolam inhibits the release of dopamine in the limbic forebrain and neostriatal systems probably through mechanisms including a facilitation of GABAergic action on dopaminergic nerve terminals.

Protective effects of estradiol against amyloid beta protein-induced inhibition of neuronal Cl(-)-ATPase activity.

Low concentrations of amyloid beta proteins (Abetas, 1-10 nM) were recently demonstrated to reduce Cl(-)-ATPase activity in parallel with an increase in the intracellular Cl(-) concentration ([Cl(-)]i) and decreases in plasma membrane phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol (PIP and PIP2) levels in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In this study, 17 beta-estradiol (estradiol) at a therapeutic concentration (1.8 nM) for Alzheimer's disease was found to block these Abeta (Abeta25-35)-induced changes. This protective effect of estradiol on Cl(-)-ATPase activity was antagonized by a pure estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182780 and inhibitors for cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) (KT5823), Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) (KN62) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase (wortmannin and quercetin). Estradiol recovered Abeta-induced decreases in plasma membrane phosphoinositide (PIP and PIP2) levels, this effect being inhibited by KT5823 and KN62. Glutamate toxicity was augmented in neurons with elevated [Cl(-)]i either by Abeta-treatment or carbachol+KCl+LiCl-treatment. The increased glutamate toxicity in the Abeta-treated neurons was attenuated by estradiol. Thus, a therapeutic concentration of estradiol protected Abeta-treated neurons against inhibition of Cl(-)-ATPase activity and an increase in [Cl(-)]i through its receptor, probably via PKG- and CaMKII(-)mediated recovery of PI4P formation. Elevated [Cl(-)]i may be related to enhancement of glutamate toxicity.

Different patterns of protein kinase C redistribution mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation and phorbol ester in rat isolated left ventricular papillary muscle.

1. In rat left ventricular papillary muscle, phenylephrine, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, had a staurosporine-sensitive positive inotropic effect and increased the particulate-associated protein kinase C (PKC) activity without significant changes in total PKC activity or in cytosolic Ca2+/phospholipid-independent kinase (PKI) activity. 2. A PKC stimulant, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), decreased contractility and slightly increased PKC activity in the particulate fractions, with a marked decrease and increase in total PKC and PKI activities, respectively. 3. The PDBu-induced negative inotropic response was attenuated by two protease inhibitors, leupeptine and a microbial peptide isolated from Aspergillus japonicus (E-64), which are known to inhibit the conversion of particulate-associated PKC to PKI. 4. Such differences in the patterns of PKC redistribution, i.e. marked increases in particulate PKC and cytosolic PKI activities caused by phenylephrine and PDBu, respectively, may account for the opposite inotropic effects of PKC stimulation by an alpha 1-agonist and a phorbol ester.

Effects of inhibitors of protein kinase C and Na+/H+ exchange on alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic responses in the rat left ventricular papillary muscle.

1. Alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation of rat left ventricular papillary muscle produced a triphasic inotropic response: an initial transient positive inotropic effect (PIE) followed by a transient negative inotropic effect (NIE) and a sustained PIE. 2. The protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, at concentrations ranging from 30 nM to 100 nM inhibited the sustained PIE, but had no significant effect on the transient PIE and NIE. 3. H-7, 1-(5-isoquinoline sulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, a less specific inhibitor of protein kinase C than staurosporine, at a concentration of 100 microM inhibited both the transient NIE and the sustained PIE without affecting the transient PIE. 4. Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 mM to 1 mM inhibited the sustained PIE and, at higher concentrations, also inhibited the transient NIE. 5. An amiloride analogue, 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride (MIBA), inhibited only the sustained PIE with an IC50 of 0.3 microM which is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than amiloride. 6. The receptor-linked stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange through protein kinase C activation may be a mechanism for alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated sustained PIE.

Novel microsomal anion-sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity in rat brain.

Ethacrynic acid (EA) highly sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity was demonstrated in rat brain microsomes. Marker enzyme studies suggested that the EA highly sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity originated mainly from plasma membranes, and possibly from synaptic vesicles. Oligomycin did not affect the EA highly sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity. Sulfhydryl reagents, such as N-ethylmaleimide and 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and anion transport inhibitors, such as 4-acetamide-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene, completely inhibited the EA highly sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity with apparent Ki values at 5, 5, 8, 8 and 10 microM respectively. Treatment of microsomes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ammonium sulfate increased the EA highly sensitive Mg2+ and Na+,K+-ATPase activities, but not EA less sensitive Mg2+- or HCO3-ATPase activity, 2- to 3-fold that in crude microsomes. Relative substrate specificities of ATP much greater than GTP greater than ITP greater than UTP, CTP, a Km for ATP at 0.77 mM, and an optimal pH at pH 7.4 were observed. Among the anions tested (Cl-, Br-, F-, HCO3-, I-, SCN-, NO3-), EA highly sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity was stimulated significantly by Cl- and reduced by NO3-. These data suggest that a novel, plasma membrane-located and anion-sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity exists in the brain.

Human lymphocytes express hGH-N gene transcripts of 22kDa, 20kDa and minor forms of GH, but not hGH-V gene.

Expression of human growth hormone (hGH) in lymphocytes was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in five normal subjects. Transcripts of hGH-N gene, but not hGH-V gene, were detected. Sequence analysis revealed four kinds of transcripts: 22kDa GH, 20kDa GH and two other forms of variant GH. The 20kDa GH transcript was generated by alternative splicing within exon 3, resulting in a 45bp deletion. One of the variant GH transcripts was also generated by alternative splicing within exon 3, but at a different site, resulting in a 73bp deletion. Because of a frameshift, this variant GH transcript may encode a 6.6kDa protein (truncated GH) that structurally differs from that of 22kDa GH after residue 31. In the other variant GH mRNA, exons 3 and 4 were completely skipped. The proportions of expression of 22kDa GH, 20kDa GH and the truncated GH were 60.9+/-13.6 (+/-S.D.)%, 32.7+/-14.1% and 6.4+/-1.1% (n=5), respectively, by comparative RT-PCR. We conclude that human lymphocytes, like the pituitary gland, express hGH-N gene transcripts of mainly 22kDa GH, but also 20kDa GH and minor variant forms of GH.

Role of sodium pump activity in warm induction of cardioplegia combined with reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution.

Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase (sodium pump) may play a key role in the prevention of reperfusion injury caused by Ca2+ overload. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of sodium pump activity in warm induction of cardioplegia combined with reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution. Isolated and perfused rat hearts were subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia to produce a model of severely failing heart. The hearts then received myocardial preservation. Warm (37 degrees C) or cold (4 degrees C) oxygenated modified St. Thomas' Hospital solution was given for 5 minutes before and after 120 minutes of hypothermic cardioplegic arrest. Reduced myocardial pH during normothermic ischemia was adjusted toward the baseline level by administration of cold or warm oxygenated cardioplegic solution without a significant intergroup difference. Myocardial adenosine triphosphate levels decreased to less than 30% of the preischemic level during 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia, but were increased partly by induction of cold or warm oxygenated cardioplegia. Thus these metabolic indices failed to demonstrate the superiority of warm over cold oxygenated cardioplegia. Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase activity in the membrane fraction was significantly stimulated by a cardioplegic dose of K+ with maximum activity at 16 mEq/L. The enzyme activity of the heart measured after normothermic ischemia was reduced to less than 50% of that in the nonischemic heart. Although warm induction of cardioplegia and reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution maintained Na+/K+ adenosinetriphosphatase activity at the preischemic level, the enzyme activity was abolished at 4 degrees C, which is the temperature used in cold cardioplegia. A subtoxic dose of ouabain (0.1 mmol/L) inhibited the enzyme activity of the heart undergoing this preservation regimen to approximately 50%. Warm induction and reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution showed significantly better recovery of isovolumic left ventricular function during reperfusion compared with that obtained with cold oxygenated cardioplegia. However, the beneficial effect of warm oxygenated cardioplegia on left ventricular function was compromised by inclusion of 0.1 mmol/L ouabain without a significant effect on myocardial metabolic parameters. These results suggest that stimulation of Na+ pump activity may account for the beneficial effect of warm induction and reperfusion of oxygenated cardioplegic solution in the energy-depleted heart.

Long-term treatment with antidepressants increases glucocorticoid receptor binding and gene expression in cultured rat hippocampal neurones.

Since the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and/or mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the hippocampus have been implicated in cortisol feedback of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, abnormalities in those receptors might underlie the hyperactivity of the HPA axis described in patients with major depression. Animal studies have shown that long-term in-vivo treatment with antidepressants up-regulates hippocampal GR and/or MR, but it is not clear whether this up-regulation is evoked through a direct action of antidepressants on these receptors. We therefore examined the direct effects of long-term antidepressant treatment on GR binding and the levels of GR messenger RNA (mRNA) in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurones. The time course of the effects of the tricyclic antidepressants desipramine and amitriptyline on GR binding, as assessed by [3H]dexamethasone binding using RU 28362, a specific agonist for GR, showed a biphasic mode of stimulation: desipramine significantly increased the GR binding with 2-day exposure by 36% over that in controls and by 99% and 60% with 10- and 14-day exposures, respectively. Amitriptyline also led to a significant increase in GR binding, with peaks at 2 (by 60%) and 14 days of exposure (by 60%). The effects of 14-day treatment with desipramine required at least the first 4-day exposure, and the first 10-day exposure was required for the full effect. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the GR mRNA level was significantly increased by 14-day treatment with desipramine (+142% over control), amitriptyline (+108%), mianserin (+124%), paroxetine (+42%) and sulpiride (+92%), but not with haloperidol. Immunocytochemistry for GR revealed that 2- or 14-day treatment with desipramine significantly increased the number of GR-positive cells with dominant immunoreactivity in the nuclei of granule cell-like neurones or in perikarya of pyramidal cell- and granule cell-like neurones. These findings suggest that tricyclic antidepressants directly increase hippocampal GR by short-term (2-day) and long-term (14-day) exposure, and that the increase by long-term exposure is evoked commonly with different classes of antidepressants through transcriptional up-regulation of GR expression.

Effects of m-aminobenzamide on the response of Chinese hamster cells to hyperthermia and/or radiation.

The modifying effects of m-aminobenzamide (m-ABA), an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, on 42 degrees C hyperthermia- and/or radiation-induced cell killing were examined in Chinese hamster V-79 cells. When cells were exposed to 42 degrees C hyperthermia in combination with m-ABA (10 mM), cell survival decreased compared with that for 42 degrees C hyperthermia alone. Thermosensitizing effects of m-ABA changed with treatments in a decreasing order of during and after heating greater than during heating greater than after heating. Treatments with m-ABA during and/or after X irradiation enhanced radiation-induced cell killing. When cells were exposed to combined treatment with X irradiation, 42 degrees C hyperthermia (60 min), and m-ABA (24 hr), cell survival decreased markedly compared with that for X irradiation alone. However, with both X----42 degrees C and X----42 degrees C----m-ABA, the enhancement ratios (ER), designated as D0 ratio, were similar. These results suggest that the mechanisms of radiosensitization by m-ABA may be similar to those of 42 degrees C hyperthermia.

Distribution of neurone-specific clathrin light chain b between clathrin-coated vesicle subclasses.

The clathrin light chains (LCs) may serve to introduce diversity into the structure and/or function of clathrin-coated vesicles (CVs). To understand such involvement of LCs, it is advantageous to study the distribution of various LC subclasses among CV populations with specified structure and/or function. We have previously separated three populations of CV from rat brain, the small- and medium-sized populations originated from neurones and large-sized one from glial cells. In the present study, we examined whether the neurone-specific LCb is localized in either or both of those neuronal CV populations by immunogold electron microscopy, and showed the distribution of the LCb between both CVs. These findings suggest that the neurone-specific LC subclass does not specify morphologically distinct subtype of neuronal CVs but plays a role in constructing the CVs generally smaller than those from other tissues and/or in neurone-specific mechanisms associated with both of the neuronal CVs.

Influence of histamine and prostaglandin on desensitization to neurotensin in rat blood pressure.

Triphasic depressor-pressor-depressor blood pressure responses to neurotensin (NT: 1.67 micrograms/kg i.v.) in anesthetized rats were not elicited when the second dose of NT was administered 20 min after the first injection. Pretreatment of animals with histamine markedly reduced the depressor response to NT, and vice versa. The triphasic blood pressure pattern remained unaffected with acetylcholine and serotonin treatment, and hypotensive effects of acetylcholine and serotonin were not modified by NT. Attenuation of depressor response induced by the second injection of NT was antagonized by pretreatment with prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as indomethacin, mefenamic acid and acetylsalicylic acid. These results suggest that histamine and prostaglandins play a role in the development of desensitization to NT in rat blood pressure.

Ethacrynic acid-induced glutamate release from mouse brain synaptosomes.

A loop diuretic, ethacrynic acid (0.3 mM), released glutamate from mouse brain synaptosomes as potently as 40 mM K+, and was more potent than furosemide and bumetanide. Ethacrynic acid-induced glutamate release was suppressed by depletion of Ca2+ or Cl- from the incubation medium. The findings suggest that ethacrynic acid enhances glutamate release through Cl(-)-related depolarization of nerve endings.

Histochemical demonstration of Cl(-)-ATPase in rat spinal motoneurons.

Using an enzyme-histochemical technique, rat spinal cords were stained for Cl(-)-ATPase, Na+,K+-ATPase and anion-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase. Cl(-)-ATPase activity was demonstrated in plasma membranes of spinal motoneurons, Na+,K+-ATPase activity and anion-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity were detected in neuronal plasma membranes and blood vessels, respectively.

Electrogenic and phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate-stimulated Cl- transport by Cl- pump in the rat brain.

Rat brain Cl(-)-ATPase was solubilized and reconstituted in asolectin liposomes. Phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate increased Cl(-)-ATPase and ATP-dependent Cl- uptake activities in proteoliposomes. The ATP-dependent Cl- uptake was inhibited by a Cl(-)-ATPase inhibitor, ethacrynic acid, and increased at an inside-positive membrane potential or in the presence of a protonophore. These findings suggest that Cl(-)-ATPase is an electrogenic Cl- transporter, or a primary Cl- pump, probably regulated by phosphoinositide turnover in vivo.