Plasma arginine vasopressin and motor activity in major depression.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we found that mean plasma concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP), but not of oxytocin (OT), were higher in depressed patients than in healthy controls. Plasma AVP concentrations were positively correlated to clinically rated psychomotor retardation. To further explore this previously reported relation we studied psychomotor retardation by means of an activity monitor, which is a more fine-focused and more objective instrument to analyze motor retardation than a clinical rating scale. METHODS: Plasma AVP and OT concentrations, and day- and nighttime wrist activity were measured in 48 in- and outpatients with major depression and 30 healthy controls during a period of 5 consecutive days and nights. RESULTS: Principal components analysis revealed three components of motor activity: motor activity during wakefulness, motor activity during sleep, and the awake/sleep time ratio. In patients and controls an inverse relationship between plasma AVP concentrations and motor activity during wakefulness was found. Patients with elevated AVP plasma levels showed increased motor activity during sleep. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high plasma AVP levels are related to the clinical picture of daytime psychomotor retardation and nighttime motor activity in major depression. Mean plasma OT concentrations were not related to measures of motor activity.

Plasma levels of arginine vasopressin elevated in patients with major depression.

Mentally healthy subjects show increased plasma concentrations of the neuropeptides, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT), under conditions of stress, but data are lacking about plasma concentrations of AVP and OT in patients with major depression. We thus assessed plasma concentrations of AVP and OT in patients with major depression (n = 52) and healthy controls (n = 37). Mean plasma AVP concentrations were higher in the group of depressed patients than in controls. A subgroup of 16 patients showed very high levels of plasma AVP, but no other feature differentiating this subgroup from the other patients was found. In-patients showed higher plasma AVP levels than out-patients, and melancholic patients had higher plasma AVP levels than did nonmelancholic patients. Plasma AVP levels were slightly related to psychomotor retardation and significantly inversely to neuroticism. Patients' plasma OT concentrations had a wider range than in controls. AVP and AVP-mediated functions may be a factor in the clinical picture of depression, possibly by influencing the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Distribution of Lys-gamma 2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone- (Lys-gamma 2-MSH)-like immunoreactivity in neuronal elements in the brain and peripheral tissues of the rat.

Using an antiserum raised against Lys- gamma 2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (Lys- gamma 2-MSH), with a high specificity for this peptide and its des-Lys derivative, gamma 2-MSH, we found Lys- gamma 2-MSH-like immunoreactivity to have a widespread distribution in the rat brain. In colchicine-treated rats, groups of immunopositive cell bodies were found in the intermediate and anterior lobes of the pituitary gland, in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and in the commissural part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Immunopositive fibers were found to originate from the latter two cell body regions. The distribution of these fibers was similar to that of the pro-opiomelanocortin containing cell bodies and projections as it has been described previously. Immunopositive terminals were found in brain region containing neurons which have been shown to express mRNA for melanocortin receptors, though the distribution of Lys-gamma 2-MSH-like immunoreactivity is considerably more widespread than that of mRNA for the 'gamma-MSH receptor' (the melanocortin MC3 receptor), which has been reported to be mainly expressed in the hypothalamus. In the periphery Lys-gamma 2-MSH immunoreactivity was localized in the adrenal medulla and in neuronal fibers and varicosities in the heart. The vascular system, the bronchi and kidney were immunonegative. The occurrence of Lys-gamma 2-MSH immunoreactivity in many of the brain regions which are involved in cardiovascular regulation offers leads for further studies on the putative role of gamma-MSHs in cardiovascular control. The occurrence in the rat heart of Lys-gamma 2-MSH-containing fibers suggests a role of the gamma-MSHs in cardiac function.

Comparison of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes in 14 rat inbred strains.

Drug metabolic capacity in liver microsomes of 14 rat inbred strains was investigated. Cytochrome P-450 content as well as the following enzyme activities were measured: NADPH cyt. c(P-450) reductase (Red.), aminopyrine N-demethylase (APDM), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD), 1-naphthol: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (NGT) and hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; measured at pH 5.5 and pH 7.4). All enzymes measured were found to exhibit statistically significant inter-strain differences. In males the enzyme activities varied over a 7.3-fold (ECOD) to 1.4-fold (cytochrome P-450) range. Other inter-strain differences were generally larger than 2-fold: ASA-hydrolysis at pH 5.5 and 7.4 (3.9- and 3.3-fold variation, respectively), NGT and Red. (2.1-fold variation) and APDM (1.8-fold variation). In females similar, but somewhat smaller inter-strain differences were observed. Correlations between different enzyme activities were generally poor (correlation coefficients r less than 0.7). An exception was the correlation between ASA-hydrolysis at pH 5.5 and pH 7.4 (r = 0.79). We conclude that ASA hydrolysis at pH 5.5 and 7.4 is mediated by the same enzyme or by coregulated enzymes and that all other activities are mediated by different or differentially regulated enzymes. Based on analysis of variance and subsequent inter-strain comparisons, all strains appear to express a unique profile of liver microsomal drug metabolism. No two strains are identical with respect to all activities measured. We suggest that differences between inbred rat strains and particularly the difference in balance between different enzymes in various strains can be used advantageously in pharmacological and toxicological experiments.

Stereoselective formation of fenoterol-para-glucuronide and fenoterol-meta-glucuronide in rat hepatocytes and enterocytes.

The glucuronidation of fenoterol (Berotec, Partusisten) in isolated rat hepatocytes and enterocytes was investigated. Two different glucuronides, fenoterol para-glucuronide and fenoterol meta-glucuronide, were formed in proportions, that were constant over the concentration range investigated (0-1 mM). The fraction of para-glucuronide formed was 0.40 +/- 0.01 for hepatocytes and 0.54 +/- 0.01 for enterocytes. Fenoterol consists of a racemic mixture of SS'(+)fenoterol and RR'(-)fenoterol. The maximum glucuronidation rate of the (-)enantiomer (Vmax = 3.6 +/- 0.3 nmol/min/mg in hepatic microsomes and 3.4 +/- 0.1 nmol/min/mg in intestinal microsomes) is significantly lower than the same values of the (+)isomer (Vmax = 6.7 +/- 0.8 nmol/min/mg in hepatic microsomes and 5.8 +/- 0.4 nmol/min/mg in intestinal microsomes). Kmapp-values for the (-)enantiomer were lower than for the (+)enantiomer. Similar, but less pronounced, differences in Vmax were observed in isolated cells: Vmax = 148 +/- 13 and 372 +/- 50 pmol/min/mg [(-)fenoterol in hepatocytes and enterocytes], Vmax = 173 +/- 12 and 444 +/- 57 pmol/min/mg [(+)fenoterol in hepatocytes and enterocytes]. Calculation of intrinsic metabolic clearance (Clint = Vmax/Kmapp) from the cellular data suggests that the (+)enantiomer may be more efficiently eliminated by liver metabolism in vivo than the (-)enantiomer. This can result in stereoselective first-pass metabolism of the fenoterol enantiomers.

Distribution of glucuronidation capacity (1-naphthol and morphine) along the rat intestine.

The distribution of glucuronidation capacity along the rat intestine was investigated using mucosal cells, isolated from the small intestine, the caecum, and the colon plus rectum. The glucuronidation capacity for 1-naphthol decreases from 787 +/- 75 (duodenum) to 128 +/- 13 (colon plus rectum) pmoles/min X mg cell protein. The ratio between 1-naphthol and morphine glucuronidation was constant throughout the intestine (7.15 +/- 0.37). The distribution of maximal activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in intestinal cell homogenates follows the same pattern. The maximal activity of UDPglucose dehydrogenase in homogenates corresponds closely to the glucuronidation rate in mucosal cells. The activity of beta-glucuronidase in intestinal cell homogenates is constant along the duodenum and jejunum but increases throughout the terminal ileum, caecum, colon and rectum. Subcellular fractionation studies using marker enzymes indicate that UDPglucose dehydrogenase and beta-glucuronidase are cytosolic enzymes in intestinal mucosal cells. Although UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity is found in both the mitochondrial and the microsomal fractions, no indications for a mitochondrial localization of this enzyme can be found. Activity in the mitochondrial fraction appears to be due to endoplasmic reticulum, associated with the mitochondrial fraction.

Presystemic and systemic intestinal metabolism of fenoterol in the conscious rat.

The intestinal and liver first pass metabolism of fenoterol.HBr (Berotec, Partusisten) was investigated in the conscious rat. Fenoterol plasma concentrations (2-1000 ng/ml) were measured with a new HPLC determination using electrochemical detection. After intraduodenal administration, fenoterol was incompletely absorbed (47-66% not absorbed). Presystemic intestinal (EGpre) and liver (EH) extraction ratios, EGpre = 0.93 +/- 0.01, EH = 0.67 +/- 0.04, were calculated from AUC values after intraduodenal, intraportal, and iv administration. Saturation of intestinal and/or liver metabolism was checked by using three dose levels at different administration routes. Total systemic availability after intraduodenal administration ranged from 0.8 (10 mg/kg) to 1.2% (40 mg/kg). The contribution of the splanchnic region to the systemic clearance of fenoterol was assessed by measuring fenoterol and fenoterol-glucuronide concentrations in arterial and portal venous blood under steady state conditions. During iv infusion (30 micrograms fenoterol/min X kg), an intestinal extraction ratio of EG = 0.26 was observed. After iv administration of fenoterol (1 and 2 mg/kg), dose-dependent pharmacokinetics were observed. Doubling of the dose resulted in an increase of systemic clearance (Cl = 53.8 +/- 2.7 and 74.4 +/- 1.8 ml/min X kg) and distribution volume (Vss = 0.95 +/- 0.13 and 1.21 +/- 0.11 liters/kg); the mean residence time (17.9 +/- 2.4 and 16.3 +/- 1.4 min) and terminal half-life (45.8 +/- 5.5 and 46.8 +/- 2.8 min) were not changed.

Glucuronidation of morphine and six beta 2-sympathomimetics in isolated rat intestinal epithelial cells.

The metabolism of morphine and six beta 2-sympathomimetics (orciprenaline, terbutaline, fenoterol, salbutamol, ritodrine, and bamethan) in isolated rat intestinal epithelial cells was investigated. Only conjugates with glucuronic acid were detected. With regard to observed Vmax values the beta 2-sympathomimetics can be divided in two groups. The three resorcinols (orciprenaline, terbutaline, fenoterol) have a Vmax value comparable to that of morphine (70-230 pmol/min X mg cell protein). The phenolic beta 2-sympathomimetics (salbutamol, ritodrine, bamethan) exhibit a Vmax value comparable to the Vmax value of 1-naphthol (500-1100 pmol/min X mg cell protein). Calculation of intestinal intrinsic (metabolic) clearance and intestinal first pass extraction ratios from Vmax and Kappm values suggests that most of these drugs may undergo substantial intestinal first pass metabolism after oral administration. The glucuronidation of morphine in isolated mucosal cells could be completely inhibited by addition of 1-naphthol (50 microM), salicylamide (5 mM), or fenoterol (5 mM). Glucuronidation of fenoterol could be partially inhibited by 1-naphthol, salicylamide, and morphine. Preliminary data obtained with microsomes suggest that 1-naphthol and morphine are metabolized by different forms of the intestinal microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. Fenoterol and ritodrine are probably glucuronidated by the form, which also glucuronidates morphine. The results demonstrate that rat intestinal epithelial cells can be used to predict intestinal metabolism of morphine and other drugs at least qualitatively and that phenolic food constituents (e.g. 1-naphthol) and non-prescription drugs (e.g. salicylamide) may affect the intestinal first pass metabolism of morphine and fenoterol.

Cellular and subcellular studies of the biotransformation of hexamethylmelamine in rat isolated hepatocytes and intestinal epithelial cells.

The antitumor agent hexamethylmelamine is subject to oxidative metabolic conversion in rat isolated liver and small intestinal cells (conversion 40 times higher in hepatocytes). This N-demethylation is mediated by cytochrome P-450 in the microsomal fractions, and in mitochondrial preparations it has been found to occur via N- methylolpentamethylmelamine . Somehow, pentamethylmelamine, hydroxymethylpentamethylmelamine , or an intermediary metabolite becomes trapped in the intact cell, but the nature of the adduct formed is still unresolved. Pretreatment of rats with 3-methylcholanthrene p.o. caused a 5-fold increase in hexamethylmelamine turnover. Phorone administered in vivo prior to cell preparation (liver and gut) caused an increase in pentamethylmelamine production. The latter results together with results of adding glutathione to cell incubations demonstrate that glutathione contributes to the regulation of cytochrome P-450-mediated N-demethylation of hexamethylmelamine.

Comparison of two cell isolation procedures to study in vitro intestinal wall biotransformation in control and 3-methyl-cholanthrene pretreated rats.

Two cell isolation procedures, i.e. a scraping/collagenase-treatment and a new vibration procedure in EDTA containing medium, were used to isolate intestinal epithelial cells. In both cell populations the metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin and 7-hydroxycoumarin was studied. Moreover, the time course and extent of induction of both steps in the biotransformation were investigated after oral 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment of the rats. Twenty four hours after 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment (20 mg kg-1) monooxygenase activity was induced about 6-fold and 2.5-fold when studied with cells of the vibratory and enzymic procedures, respectively. Control 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase activity and 7-hydroxycoumarin glucuronidation were about the same when comparing both methods for cell-isolation. The formation of glucuronides in cells (both methods) is significantly lowered by 3-MC pretreatment, while sulphation remains unaffected. Results indicate that using enzymic treatment of mucosal scrapings, cell-populations are obtained containing relatively more differentiated (tip) cells. A number of advantages of the new (vibration) method are: better recovery, viability and reproducibility.

Kinetics of in vitro O-deethylation of phenacetin and 7-ethoxycoumarin by rat intestinal mucosal cells and microsomes. The effect of induction with 3-methylcholanthrene and inhibition with alpha-naphthoflavone.

A novel, sensitive (0.5 ng) assay for acetaminophen, using HPLC with selective electro-chemical detection, enabled us to study rat small intestinal O-deethylation of phenacetin and compare it with corresponding 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylation. Two in vitro systems, i.e. isolated intestinal mucosal cells and microsomal fractions thereof, were used to study kinetics for the O-deethylation of both substrates. Kapp m- and Vmax-values are similar for 7-ethoxycoumarin- and phenacetin-O-deethylation. Apparent Km-values varied between 50 and 70 microM in control rats and decreased after 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment to 20-45 microM. Vmax-values were increased by 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment. O-Deethylation was inhibited equally in cells and microsomes by alpha-naphthoflavone, but is inhibited more markedly in intestinal preparations after pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene. It is suggested that 7-ethoxycoumarin and phenacetin are O-deethylated by different forms of cytochrome P-450 with almost identical Kapp m and that these enzymes have a different distribution along the villus.