Ligustrazine suppresses platelet aggregation through inhibiting the activities of calcium sensors

Abstract Ligustrazine is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medication. It has been reported that Ligustrazine decreases the concentration of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+); however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of Ligustrazine on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation was evaluated using a turbidimetric approach. The changes in concentration of intracellular Ca2+ stimulated by ADP was measured using fluo-4, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye. The mRNA expression of stromal interaction molecule l (STIM1) and Orai1, calcium sensor, was determined using real-time PCR. In addition, the protein expression of STIM1, Orai1, and serum/glucocorticoid-regulated protein kinase 1 (SGK1) was determined using Western blot analysis. The data demonstrated that Ligustrazine significantly suppressed platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ triggered by ADP. Our data showed that Ligustrazine treatment inhibited the expression of STIM1 and Orai1 induced by ADP at both mRNA and protein levels, and suppressed the protein expression of SGK1. Taken together, our data indicated that Ligustrazine suppressed platelet aggregation by partly inhibiting the activities of calcium sensors, thereby suggesting that Ligustrazine may be a promising candidate for the treatment of platelet aggregation.

Molluscicidal activity of the secondary metabolites from Streptomyces nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 against Oncomelania hupensis and its preliminary mechanisms of molluscicidal actions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the storage stability of metabolites from actinomycetes Streptomyces nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 and the mollcuscicidal activity against Oncomelania hupensis in the laboratory, and to preliminarily explore the mechanisms of the molluscicidal activity.@*METHODS@#The fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 was prepared and stored at -20, 4 °C and 28 °C without light for 10 d; then, the molluscicidal effect was tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h. The fermentation supernatant was boiled in a 100 °C water bath for 30 min and recovered to room temperature, and then the molluscicidal effect was tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h. The pH values of the fermentation supernatant were adjusted to 4.0, 6.0 and 9.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, and the fermentation supernatant was stilled at room temperature for 12 h, with its pH adjusted to 7.0; then, the molluscicidal effect was tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h. The fermentation product of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7was isolated and purified four times with macroporous resin, silica gel and octadecylsilane bonded silica gel. The final products were prepared into solutions at concentrations of 10.00, 5.00, 2.50, 1.25 mg/L and 0.63 mg/L, and the molluscicidal effect of the final productswas tested against O. hupensis following immersion for 72 h, while dechlorination water served as blank controls, and 0.10 mg/L niclosamide served as positive control. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels were measured in in O. hupensis soft tissues using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following exposure to the final purified fermentation products of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7.@*RESULTS@#After the fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 was placed at -20, 4 °C and 28 °C without light for 10 d, immersion in the stock solution and solutions at 10- and 50-fold dilutions for 72 h resulted in a 100% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality. Following boiling at 100 °C for 30 min, immersion in the stock solution and solutions at 10- and 50-fold dilutions for 72 h resulted in a 100.00% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality. Following storage at pH values of 4.0 and 6.0 for 12 h, immersion in the fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 for 72 h resulted in a 100.00% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality, and following storage at a pH value of 9.0 for 12 h, immersion in the fermentation supernatant of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 for 72 h resulted in a 33.33% (10/30) O. hupensis mortality (χ2 = 30.000, P < 0.05). The minimum concentration of the final purified fermentation products of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 was 1.25 mg/L for achieving a 100% (30/30) O. hupensis mortality. The ATP level was significantly lower in O. hupensis soft tissues exposed to 0.10 mg/L and 1.00 mg/L of the final purified fermentation products of S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 than in controls (F = 7.274, P < 0.05), while no significant difference was detected in the ADP level between the treatment group and controls (F = 2.485, P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The active mollcuscicidal ingredients of the S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 metabolites are maintained stably at -20, 4 °C and 28 °C for 10 d, and are heat and acid resistant but not alkali resistant. The metabolites from S. nigrogriseolus XD 2-7 may cause energy metabolism disorders in O. hupensis, leading to O. hupensis death.

Effects of hydrocortisone and aminophylline on the aggregation of equine platelets in vitro

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effects of hydrocortisone and aminophylline on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation in horses. Blood samples from 30 healthy Thoroughbred horses were collected by via jugular venipuncture to assess platelet aggregation. Platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma were prepared from all samples by centrifugation and divided into three different aliquots. In the first aliquot, platelet aggregation was measured after platelet activation with 1 microM and 0.5 microM ADP (Group A). In the other two aliquots, the effect of a 10 min preincubation with hydrocortisone (Group B) or aminophylline (Group C) on ADP-induced aggregation at final ADP concentrations of 1 microM and 0.5 microM was observed. Platelet aggregation, recorded by an aggregometer, was evaluated by measuring the maximum degree of platelet aggregation and the initial velocities of platelet aggregation were obtained. Our results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone and the induction effect of aminophylline on equine platelet responses in vitro.

Ondas ultra-sônicas de alta freqüência causam disfunção endotelial em artérias coronárias caninas epicárdicas / High-frequency ultrasonic waves cause endothelial dysfunction on canine epicardial coronary arteries

OBJETIVO: Aplicação de energia por ultra-som pode facilitar a remoção da placa ateromatosa, mas o efeito desse procedimento em vasos próximos ainda é matéria de estudos experimentais. MÉTODOS: Para determinar se a energia ultra-sônica compromete a produção de óxido nítrico, segmentos de artérias coronárias caninas foram expostos a baixos (0-10 W) e altos (25 W) níveis de energia por 15 segundos, utilizando-se protótipo de aparelho para a realização de endarterectomia. Após exposição, segmentos das artérias coronarianas foram estudados em organ chambers. Para os ensaios farmacológicos foram utilizadas as seguintes drogas:difosfato de adenosina (ADP), acetilcolina (Ach) e fluoreto de sódio (NaF) para a avaliação do relaxamento dependente do endotélio. O nitroprussiato de sódio (NPS) e o isoproterenol foram utilizados para a avaliação do relaxamento independente do endotélio. RESULTADOS: A aplicação de alta energia ultra-sônica comprometeu o relaxamento dependente do endotélio induzido por ADP (10-9 - 10-4 M), Ach (10-9 - 10-4 M) e NaF (0,5 -9,5 mM) em artérias coronarianas epicárdicas. Entretanto, baixos valores de energia ultra-sônica não alteraram o relaxamento dependente do endotélio (nem o relaxamento máximo e nem a EC50) induzido pelos mesmos agonistas. O relaxamento da musculatura lisa vascular induzido por isoproterenol (10-9 - 10-5 M) ou NPS (10-9 - 10-6 M) não foi comprometido, tanto por baixos, quanto por altos níveis de energia ultra-sônica. CONCLUSÃO: Os experimentos demonstram que altas energias ultra-sônicas alteram a função endotelial. Entretanto, o ultra-som não altera a habilidade de relaxamento da musculatura lisa vascular de artérias caninas epicárdicas.

OBJECTIVE: Application of ultrasound energy by an endarterectomy probe can facilitate the removal of atheromatous plaque, but the effect of this procedure on surrounding vessel structure and function is still a matter of experimental investigations. METHODS: To determine whether ultrasound energy impairs the production of nitric oxide or damages vascular smooth muscle function, isolated canine epicardial coronary artery segments were exposed to either high (25 W) or low (0-10 W) ultrasonic energy outputs, for 15 seconds, using an endarterectomy device prototype. After exposure, segments of epicardial coronary artery were studied in organ chambers. The following drugs were used: adenosine diphosphate (ADP), acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium fluoride (NaF) to study endothelium-dependent relaxation and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and isoproterenol to evaluate endothelium-independent relaxation. RESULTS: Application of high ultrasonic energy power impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation to ADP (10-9 - 10-4 M), Ach (10-9 - 10-4 M) and NaF (0.5 - 9.5 mM) in epicardial coronary arteries. However, low ultrasound energy output at the tip of the probe did not alter the endothelium-dependent relaxation (either maximal relaxation or EC50) to the same agonists. Vascular smooth muscle relaxation to isoproterenol (10-9 - 10-5 M) or SNP (10-9 - 10-6 M) was unaltered following exposure to either low or high ultrasonic energy outputs. CONCLUSION: These experiments currently prove that ultrasonic energy changes endothelial function of epicardial coronary arteries at high power. However, ultrasound does not alter the ability of vascular smooth muscle of canine epicardial coronary arteries to relax.

Inherited heterogenous defect in platelet aggregation selectively with ADP and epinephrine--a series of 25 cases.

Inherited heterogeneous defects of platelet function caused by impairment of platelet responses to weak agonists as ADP, epinephrine and others as low concentration collagen and platelet activating factor (PAF) have been described, though quite rarely. We describe here 25 cases of this defect with impairment in response to ADP and epinephrine. Subjects with a history of generalized bleeding and a prolonged bleeding time, PF3 availability or prothrombin consumption index and a normal platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and clot solubility were subjected to platelet aggregation. Those of these which showed a normal aggregation with collagen and arachidonic acid and an absent or reduced aggregation with ADP and epinephrine were included in our study group. Subjects with history or findings suggestive of antiplatelet drug intake or any acquired condition affecting platelet functions were excluded from this study. 76% of the patients had onset of recurrent bleeding manifestations since childhood with a mean age at onset of 9.2 years. A positive family history was present in 36% of the patients. Majority of the patients (88%) presented with mild bleeding manifestations, the commonest symptom being appearance of recurrent ecchymotic spots. We present here a series of patients with a hereditary platelet aggregation defect selectively with ADP and epinephrine.

Efeito protetor da criocardioplegia cristalóide na isquemia global e reperfusäo durante circulaçäo extracorpórea: um mecanismo dependente do endotélio? / Protective effect of crystalloid cryocardioplegia in the global ischemia and reperfusion during extracorporeal circulation: an endothelium-dependent mechanism?

Estudos prévios demonstraram que o comprometimento da produçäo de EDRF/NO mediada por receptores, após isquemia global e reperfusäo, possa ser devido a uma disfunçäo de G-proteínas que liga os receptores da célula endotelial à via da síntese de EDRF/NO. O presente trabalho experimental sugere que a criocardioplegia cristalóide, associada a hipotermia tópica, previne ou pode reverter, em parte, a disfunçäo endotelial nas mesmas condiçöes. Mais estudos seräo necessários para conclusöes mais definitivas, pois as análises estatísticas mais acuradas sugeriram aumento da amostragem. Este detalhe talvez seja devido às grandes dificuldades de uniformizaçäo relacionada a este tipo de experimentos. Além disso, demonstrou-se pela primeira vez que a hipotermia, por si só, pode estimular a liberaçäo de EDRF/NO pelo endotélio vascular. Isto sugere que o endotélio possa ser um importante sensor de mudanças da temperatura sangüínea e tem importantes implicaçöes para o entendimento da fisiologia da CEC e dos mecanismos locais de auto-regulaçäo.

Regulation and properties of purified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat brain.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat brain was purified 13,000 fold to a specific activity of 480 units/mg protein. The molecular weight was 121 kDa. The kinetics of brain glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are compatible with a model involving two possible states of the enzyme with a low and high affinity for the substrate D-glucose-6-phosphate. NADP+ and ADP offered protection against p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibition. NADPH is a powerful competitive inhibitor with respect to NADP+. The apparent Ki for NADPH inhibition was lower than the Km for NADP+. ADP inhibited the enzyme competitively with respect to NADP+. ATP inhibited the enzyme non-competitively with respect to NADP+, whereas kinetics of mixed inhibition was observed with respect to substrate D-glucose-6-phosphate. The interplay between NADP+ and NADPH leading to enzyme activation or inhibition according to their relative or absolute concentrations as well as the control of enzyme activity by the adenine nucleotide system may contribute a refined mechanism for the regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and therefore the pentose phosphate pathway in brain.

Cardioplegia cristalóide, barotrauma e funçäo endotelial: consideraçöes experimentais / Crystalloid cardioplegia, barotrauma and endothelium function: experimental considerations

O presente ensaio experimental estudou o efeito da infusao de soluçao cardioplégica cristalóide a altas pressoes sobre a funçao endotelial de artérias epicárdicas de caes. Nao se encontraram alteraçoes a nível de receptores (curvas dose-respostas à ACH e ADP; da transduçao do sinal iniciado nos receptores/sitema de G-proteínas (fluoreto de sódio) e nos processos intracelulares da produçao de EDRF/NO (fosfolipase C e ionóforo do cálcio A23187). A funçao da musculatura lisa vascular nao foi afetada quando se analisaram as respostas relaxantes (nitroprussiato de sódio e isoproterenol) e contráteis (KCI e prostaglandina 2alfa). Estes achados permitem as seguintes consideraçoes especulativas: a) O barotrauma produzido pela infusao da cardioplegia cristalóide a altas pressoes ocorreria apenas em circulaçoes coronarianas previamente doentes? b) Uma vez que as infusoes duraram de 2 a 3 minutos, seria o barotrauma coronariano um fenômeno dependente do tempo de infusao? c) Para que ocorra o barotrauma seriam necessários níveis mais elevados de Potássio? d) Questionara existência do fenômeno do barotrauma coronariano produzido pela infusao de soluçoes cadioplégicas pelo menos nas condiçoes experimentais utilizadas. e) A metodologia empregada estuda apenas as reatividades vasculares de artérias coronarias epicárdicas. estas artérias seriam menos sensíveis aos efeitos da pressao de infusao da cardioplegia do que a microcirculaçao coronariana? f) Seria a circulaçao coronária do cao menos sensível a altas pressoes do que do homem? Estas observaçoes experimentais sugerem que a infusao de cardioplegia cristalóide, moderadamente hipocalêmica, a altas pressoes em um tempo de 2 a 3 minutos, nao interfere com a produçao de EDRF/NO pelo endotélio de coronárias epicárdicas do cao.

The kinetics of chondroitin 4-sulfate release from stimulated platelets and its relation to thromboxane A2 formation and granule secretion

1. In platelet rich plasma (PRP), chondroitin 4-sulfate release from platelets occurred after stimulation with ADP (5µM), collagen (5-10µM). Release started within 60 s and maximum release (0.7-2.0 mg/l) was reached within 180 s. TXA2 formation and dense granule release reached a maximum within 90 s after stimulation. 2. Using washed platelets (1.5 x 10**8 cells/ml), the platelet responses were faster. Release of chondroitin 4-sulfate and TXA2 started within 20-30 s after thrombin addition (100 mU/ml). Maximum release was reached within 60 s in both cases. Dense granule release started in the first 5 s of stimulation (34.6 ñ 12.4 por cento) reaching maximum secretion (74.4 ñ 8.7 por cento) within 60 s. 3. Our results demonstrate that maximal chondroitin 4-sulfate release occurs after the dense granule release reaction in both PRP and washed platelets. This observation suggests that chondroitin 4-sulfates is unlikely to be stored in the dense granules but may be stored in the alfagranules

Difference in the sensitivity of junctional and longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase to ADP

The Ca2+ release mechanism that triggers muscle contraction is still not completely understood. We compared Ca2+ accumulation and acetyl phosphate hydrolysis by the Ca(2+)-ATPases present in the longitudinal and junctional membrane of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle and found that Ca(2+)-ATPase is more sensitive to ADP inhibition when the enzyme is located on the junctional membrane than when the enzyme is located on the longitudinal membrane (K0.5 = 144 microM for the junctional enzyme vs K0.5 = 415 microM for the longitudinal enzyme). When the enzyme was solubilized in non-ionic detergent (2% v/v Triton X-100) and tested again using 2 mM AcP as substrate, the difference in ADP sensitivity observed with native preparations disappeared. We conclude that the enzyme is regulated differently depending on its localization on the membrane of the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Differential effect of retinoic acid on ADP and collagen induced platelet aggregation.

Retinoic acid (RA) was found to inhibit ADP induced but not collagen induced aggregation of human platelets and the differential action is related to intraplatelet Ca2+ reflux. RA was active at concentrations as low as 10(-7) M and required 20 min prior incubation with platelet suspension in order to inhibit aggregation by ADP. All the steps in ADP induced but not collagen induced platelet activation, viz. hydrolysis of phosphatidyl inositol, phosphorylation of 20, 47 and 250 kDa proteins as well as increased association of actin with Triton X-100 insoluble cytoskeletal matrix were inhibited by RA. RA when used as an agent for differentiation induction of cell progenitor is likely to affect the platelet aggregation and thereby the haemostatic process.

Effect of retinoic acid on adenosine diphosphate and collagen-induced alterations in enzymes of GSH-linked antioxidant defence system of human blood platelets in vitro.

Collagen stimulation of blood platelets resulted in significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and a decrease in catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Retinoic acid (RA) pretreatment did not show any appreciable changes except for a decrease in G6PDH activity as compared with collagen alone. RA pretreatment of human blood platelets resulted in an increase in the activities of catalase and GPx, two important radical scavenging enzymes, with significant decrease in MDA formation when compared with ADP alone. It is suggested that RA has a significant effect on the antioxidant defence system in ADP stimulated platelets but not in the collagen stimulated platelets.

Effect of metronidazole on platelet aggregation

The removal of T. cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes (BTRYS) from the circulation is mediated mostly by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS). In the present study we investigated the nonspecific and the immune clearance of BTRYS in groups of 4 mice whose MPS activity was either enhanced by BCG treatment or depressed by silica treatment. Treatment with BCG resulted in a significant increase in the nonspecific clearance of both carbon particles (100% after 6 min) and BTRYS (60% after 5 min) 28 days after BCG treatment but there was bi change in the immune clearance of the parasites. Pretrteatment of the animals with silica induced a significant reduction of the colloidal carbon clearance (80% less than control 15 min later) but did not alter the nonspecific or the immune clearance of BTRYS. We conclude that the removal of the opsonized parasites from the circulation is due to a mechanism different from that of the nonspecific clearance

A novel property of an aqueous guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana): inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo

Aqueous extracts of guaraná were studied in terms of effects on the aggregation of human and rabbit platelets. Guaraná extracts have anti-aggregatory and de-aggregatory actions on platelet aggragation induced by ADP or arachidonate but not by collagen. The active material was shown to be water soluble and heat resistant and appeared to be different from salicylates, nicotinic acid or known xanthines. Guaraná extracts inhibited platelet aggregation in rabbits following either intravenous or oral administration

Influência do substrato succinato e do cofator difosfato de adenosina sobre o consumo de oxigênio pelas mitocôndrias da placenta humana de termo / Influence of succinate substract and of co-factor adenosine-diphosphate on oxygen consumption by full-term human placenta mitochondria

Estudou-se a influência do substrato succinato e do cofator difosfato de adenosina sobre o consumo de oxigênio pelas mitocôndrias da placenta humana de termo. O consumo de oxigênio endógeno, isto é, num meio sem substrato nem cofator, foi relativamente baixo (0,013 + ou - 0,0023 micronM O**2/min/mg de proteína total). O consumo de oxigênio mitocondrial aumentou significativamente quando se agregou succinato de sódio (43 micronM) ao meio de respiraçäo, na ausência ou em presença do cofator difosfato de adenosina (20 mM) (0,021 + ou - 0,0051 e 0,026 + ou - 0,0033 micronM O**2/min/mg de proteína, respectivamente)