Pharmacological properties of trimebutine and N-monodesmethyltrimebutine.

Trimebutine [2-dimethylamino-2-phenylbutyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrogen maleate (TMB)] has been demonstrated to be active for relieving abdominal pain in humans. To better understand its mechanism of action, we have tested TMB; nor-TMB, its main metabolite in humans; and their respective stereoisomers for their affinity toward sodium channels labeled by [3H]batrachotoxin, their effect on sodium, potassium, and calcium currents in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons, and their effect on veratridine-induced glutamate release from rat spinal cord slices. TMB has also been tested in an animal model of local anesthesia. TMB (Ki = 2.66 +/- 0.15 microM) and nor-TMB (Ki = 0.73 +/- 0.02 microM) displaced [3H]batrachotoxin from its binding site with affinities similar to that of bupivacaine (Ki = 7.1 +/- 0.9 microM). nor-TMB was found to block veratridine-induced glutamate release with an IC50 value of 8.5 microM, which is very similar to that of bupivacaine (IC50 = 8.2 microM); the effect of TMB was limited to 50% inhibition at 100 microM. TMB and nor-TMB blocked sodium currents in sensory neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia (IC50 = 0.83 +/- 0.09 and 1.23 +/- 0.19 microM, respectively), whereas no effect was observed on calcium currents at the same concentrations. A limited effect was observed on potassium currents (IC50 = 23 +/- 6 at 10 microM) for TMB. In vivo, when tested in the rabbit corneal reflex, TMB displayed a local anesthetic activity 17-fold more potent than that of lidocaine.

Hyperactivation of phospholipase C does not support the enhanced proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

When cultured in the presence of fetal calf serum, arterial smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) proliferate more rapidly and are more numerous at confluency than cells from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) animals. The phenomenon has been demonstrated in several laboratories but its molecular origin remains unclear. On the other hand phospholipase C activation and c-fos transcription are early events able to trigger cell mitosis. Therefore, the enhancement of inositol phosphates formation induced in SHR cells by various vasoactive agents and growth factors suggests that this enzyme might be implicated in the abnormal proliferation triggered by serum. In this case a unique molecular abnormality would be responsible for both arterial hypercontractility and dystrophy encountered in hypertension. In order to test this hypothesis we have compared DNA replication, phospholipase C activation, and c-jun and c-fos nuclear protooncogene transcriptions stimulated by fetal calf serum (FCS), vasoactive agents (angiotensin II and vasopressin), and epithelial growth factor (EGF) in SHR and WKY rat cells. The results obtained with these various agonists tested under the same experimental conditions confirm that the classical pathogenic diagram: (PLC hyperactivation----increase in c-fos transcription----enhanced cell proliferation) may apply to the action of vasoactive agents which are only slightly mitogenic on SHR cells, but not to the very important effect of fetal calf serum. Indeed, FCS stimulated inositol phosphate formation and c-jun and c-fos transcription, but none of these parameters was enhanced in SHR cells. Phospholipase C activation may exert some control upon DNA replication, as its partial inhibition by pertussis toxin coincided with an equivalent decrease in thymidine incorporation. It is, however, not absolutely required for the onset of DNA replication in aortic smooth muscle cells, as shown by the results obtained with EGF under the same experimental conditions. An abnormal molecular reaction different from PLC activation is therefore responsible for the enhanced proliferation of cultured SHR aortic smooth muscle cells, and several cell alterations may concur to the formation of the hypertensive arteriopathy.

JO1784, a novel sigma ligand, potentiates [3H]acetylcholine release from rat hippocampal slices.

JO1784, a potent and specific sigma ligand, potentiated the KCl-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) from rat hippocampal slices superfused in vitro at 10 and 30 microM. This effect was stereospecific and was antagonized by the presence of haloperidol (0.3 microM). Under similar conditions, (+)-SKF 10,047 also had a potentiating effect whereas di-o-tolyl-guanidine had an inhibitory effect. Phencyclidine was devoid of activity up to a concentration of 30 microM. These results show that sigma compounds display differential effects on evoked [3H]ACh release in rat hippocampal slice preparations.

[Role of external calcium on the growth of aortic smooth muscle cells in SHR]. / Rôle du calcium externe sur la croissance des cellules musculaires lisses aortiques de SHR.

Cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from SHR proliferate more actively than cells normotensive control animals. This experimental data may be related to the hypertensive arteriopathy which mainly proceeds from media dystrophy made of hypertrophy, hyperplasia and excessive protein secretion of the smooth muscle cells. In order to precise the molecular cause of the phenomenon and the eventual action of calcium channel blockers on the development of this organic characteristic of hypertension, we have compared the responses of cultured cells from both SH and WKY rats to various agents in the absence or presence of verapamil. Cell proliferation, phospholipase C activation, and c-jun and c-fos oncogene expressions were measured in both cultures under the same conditions. The mitogenic actions of both foetal calf serum (FCS) and angiotensin II are two times more important on SH than on WKY rat cells. However, while inositol phosphate production elicited by angiotensin in also doubled in SHR cultures versus WKY ones. FCS-induced PLC activation is equivalent in both types of cells. The proto-oncogenes are more intensively expressed when WKY cells are stimulated by FCS than in the presence of angiotensin, but, contrarily to angiotensin, serum is not more active upon this parameter in SHR cultures. Verapamil (from 10(-8) M to 10(-5) M) decreases by 30% the proliferative effect of serum in both SH and WKY rat cells but is not significantly active on angiotensin stimulation. It also depresses in the same proportion the serum-induced inositol phosphate production and oncogene expressions without altering the responses to angiotensin. Nicardipine is less active than verapamil.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II-induced proliferation of aortic myocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In order to determine whether the morphological modifications observed in arterial media of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) could be induced by an abnormal response of the smooth muscle cells to vasoactive agents, we studied the action of angiotensin (Ang) II on cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from both SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Under our experimental conditions, Ang II exerts a mitogenic action on SHR cells, whereas its effect is very weak on WKY cells. Phospholipase C activation and c-fos and c-myc proto-oncogene expressions induced by Ang II are considerably enhanced in SHR cells, and these abnormalities may be linked to an increased number of Ang II receptors.

Role of nuclear proto-oncogenes in the proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In order to define the molecular mechanism involved in the enhancement of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) cell proliferation, we compared the actions of fetal calf serum and angiotensin II on both SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) aortic smooth muscle cells. Both compounds were more mitogenic on the SHR cells than on the controls. However, phospholipase C hyper-responsiveness was present only after angiotensin stimulation. This was also true of the expression of c-jun, c-fos and c-myc. Oncogene overexpression therefore appears to be more strongly related to phospholipase C hyperreactivity than to enhanced proliferation of SHR aortic smooth muscle cells.

Adenylate cyclase of platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats: reduction of the inhibition by GTP.

We have compared the effects of Gpp[NH]p on adenylate cyclase activity of platelet membranes in SHR and WKY rats. In the presence of 50 microM forskolin, low concentrations of Gpp[NH]p (0.01 to 0.3 microM) inhibited the enzyme activity in both strains, but the maximal level of inhibition was significantly lower in SHR (- 20%). In the absence of forskolin, 0.1 microM Gpp[NH]p was inhibitory only in WKY and the adenylate cyclase activity was greater in hypertensive rats at this nucleotide concentration. Increasing Gpp[NH]p from 0.1 to 3 microM induced the same increase of enzyme activity in both strains. In SHR, GTP itself induced a lower inhibition of the enzyme stimulated by 50 microM forskolin or 0.1 microM prostaglandin E1. These results suggest that the modulatory effect of the guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein on adenylate cyclase may be reduced in platelets from SHR.

A randomized double blind trial of dialysate sodiums of 145 mEq/L, 150 mEq/L, and 155 mEq/L.

Most hemodialysis is now carried out with a dialysate sodium concentration of 140-145 mEq/L. Higher dialysate sodium has been used, but controversy exists concerning the increased incidence of high blood pressure (HBP), thirst, and weight gain. A double blind prospective study was carried out in five stable men on chronic hemodialysis. Dialysis was performed in random sequence with a dialysate sodium of 145, 150, or 155 mEq/L for 2 months at a time. Vital signs were monitored before, during, and after dialysis, and the presence of symptoms during and between dialyses was documented. There was a significant increase in interdialytic weight gain with increasing dialysate sodium: 145 mEq/L (2.2 kg), 150 mEq/L (2.6 kg), 155 mEq/L (2.9 kg). There was a small, nonsignificant increment in dry weight of 0.5 kg between a dialysate of 145 mEq/L to 155 mEq/L but no increase in the mean arterial blood pressure. There was no difference in the incidence of interdialytic or intradialytic symptoms, including cramps, nausea, or fatigue, nor any change in serum sodium or other routine laboratory data before dialysis. It is concluded that a high dialysate sodium is not associated with an increased incidence of hypertension, symptoms, or a change in serum sodium but is associated with an increase in interdialytic weight gain.

[Anomalies of the adenylate cyclase system in platelets of the SHR rat]. / Anomalies du système adénylate cyclasique des plaquettes du rat SHR.

The hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase system of plasma membrane is composed of at least three types of proteins: hormone receptors, activatory (Gs) and inhibitory (Gi) guanine nucleotide-regulatory proteins and the catalytic unit (C). Abnormal hormonal regulations of platelet adenylate cyclase in both humans and experimental animals have been reported to occur in hypertension. However, little is known about the mechanisms for these alterations. The aim of the present study was to compare the activity of C and the inhibitory capacity of Gi in platelet membranes from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their normotensive controls (WKY). Adenylate cyclase activity of 40,000 g membranes was assessed at pH 7.5 with 0.1 mM (alpha-32P) ATP and an appropriate bivalent cation (Mn2+ or Mg2+). Under incubation conditions that uncoupled C from Gs and Gi (25 mM MnCL2, 100 microM forskolin), a significantly lower adenylate cyclase activity was measured in membranes from SHR rats (2.07 +/- 0.12 vs 2.36 +/- 0.1 nmol cAMP/mn/mg of protein, p less than 0.05). This difference between the two strains was also observed in platelet homogenates. In a second kind of experiments, membranes were incubated with 2.1 mM MgCl2 instead of MnCl2. In both strains of rats, low concentrations of Gpp (NH)p (10 to 300 nM) inhibited adenylate cyclase activity when stimulated by 50 microM forskolin. However, the maximal extent of inhibition was significantly reduced in hypertensive rats (49.7 +/- 2.4 vs 60.5 +/- 2.3 p. 100, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activity of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in aortae from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

It has been suggested that various agents induce relaxation of vascular smooth muscles through guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP-PK). In this work, the activity of cGMP-PK was studied in the 30,000 g supernatant from aortae of 4, 6, 8 and 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and also of 4 and 12-week-old normotensive Wistar (W) and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. At 4 weeks of age, both basal and cGMP-stimulated activity were not different in SHR and WKY rats. Nevertheless, a greater basal activity was measured in W (+50%) and SD (+20%) rats than in SHR, while no difference was observed between stimulated activities. In contrast with observations in the three normotensive rat strains, cGMP-PK activity did not decrease in the aortae supernatant of SHR rats aged 4-12 weeks. This resulted in mean increases of 45 and 30% in the basal and the cGMP-stimulated activity, respectively, in the 12-week-old SHR rats. The abnormal evolution of cGMP-PK activity in the hypertensive strain was already detectable at 4-6 weeks of age. In apparent agreement with observations on protein kinase activity, cGMP binding activity attributable to cGMP-PK was 25% greater in 12-week-old hypertensive rats compared with age-matched WKY rats. These results indicate that in aortae of SHR rats, control of cGMP-PK activity is abnormal early in life.

Occurrence of the methylisobutylxanthine-stimulated cyclic GMP binding protein in various rat tissues.

A new type of cGMP binding protein, the activity of which is characteristically stimulated by methylisobutylxanthine, has been previously discovered in rat lung and platelets (Hamet, P. and Coquil, J.F. (1978) J. Cyclic Nucleotide Res. 4, 281-290). In the present study, we demonstrate the occurrence of this protein in soluble extracts of a variety of rat tissues fractionated by a DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. In several tissues (spleen, lung and brain) the binding activity of this protein was of the same order of magnitude as that of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase.