Prevalence of lupus anticoagulant in women with spontaneous abortion in Zaria.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous abortion (SA) is a common complication of pregnancy. Presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA), one of the antiphospholipid antibodies, has been associated with SA in many studies, especially in Caucasians. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of LA in women with SA in ABUTH, Zaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 100 consecutive women presenting with SA with no history of thrombotic episodes were enrolled into the study. Prothrombin time (PT), kaolin clotting time (KCT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were conducted on samples of all the participants. Eight patients had prolonged APTT, and after a 50:50 mixture of their plasma with pooled control plasma, four (50%) had uncorrected APTT. Staclot® (a hexagonal-phase phospholipid) test and calculated Rosner index for prolonged KCT were used for the confirmation of LA in samples with uncorrected APTT after mixing studies. RESULTS: We analyzed 100 women with one or more SA with a mean age of 31.0 ± 3.8 years. Nearly 4% and 3% of the participants were LA positive with Staclot® and KCT tests, respectively. Patients with LA were more likely to have had a past history of preeclampsia/eclampsia, small for gestational age deliveries, and previous SA (prevalence odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) of 1.9 (0.2, 20.1), 3.2 (0.3, 34.3), and 1.4 (0.1-13.6), respectively. The PT, APTT, and KCT were significantly prolonged in patients with LA (P ≤ 0.001 for each, respectively). CONCLUSION: LA may be one of the causes of SA and other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia/eclampsia and small for date deliveries. It is recommended that patients with prolonged APTT, uncorrected with 50:50 mixing study with pooled control plasma, should be evaluated further for LA.

Morphine, opioids, and the feline pulmonary vascular bed.

BACKGROUND: Opioid-induced vasodepressor responses have been reported in a variety of species and laboratory models. The aim of this study was to ascertain the relative potencies of different clinically relevant opioids compared with traditional vasodepressor agents in the feline pulmonary vascular bed. A second aim was to study the effects of morphine and to identify the receptors involved in the mediation or the modulation of these effects. METHODS: This was a prospective vehicle-controlled study involving an intact chest preparation of adult mongrel cats. The effects of various opioids, morphine, fentanyl, remifentanil, sufentanil, and meperidine were compared with other vasodepressor agents. Additionally, the effects of L-N(5)-(1-iminoethyl) ornithine hydrochloride (L-NIO) (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), nimesulide [selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor], glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker), naloxone (non-selective opioid receptor antagonist), and diphenhydramine (histamine H(1)-receptor antagonist) were investigated on pulmonary arterial responses to morphine and other selected agonists in the feline pulmonary vascular bed. The systemic pressure and lobar arterial perfusion pressure were continuously monitored, electronically averaged, and recorded. RESULTS: In the cat pulmonary vascular bed of the isolated left lower lobe, morphine, remifentanil, fentanyl, sufentanil, and meperidine induced a dose-dependent moderate vasodepressor response and it appeared that sufentanil was the most potent on a nanomolar basis. The effects of morphine were not significantly altered after administration of L-NIO, nimesulide, and glibenclamide. However, the vascular responses to morphine were significantly attenuated following administration of naloxone and diphenhydramine. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that sufentanil appears to have slightly more potency and morphine the least of the five opioid agonists studied on a nanomolar basis. Morphine-induced vasodilatory responses appeared to be mediated or modulated by both opioid receptor and histamine-receptor-sensitive pathways.

Ephedrine in the cat lung vasculature.

BACKGROUND: Ephedrine is one of the most commonly used non-catecholamine sympathomimetic agents. It is used in operating rooms and critical care settings worldwide. While it has many side effects, its ability to rapidly raise blood pressure makes it an ideal agent to maintain homeostasis as well as in emergency situations. While its effects are known to be mediated by an alpha-mediated mechanism, the exact alpha subtype is unknown. In addition, no studies using ephedrine have been performed in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. METHODS: The effects of phentolamine, a non-selective alpha-receptor blocker, and prazosin, an alpha1-selective antagonist, were investigated on pulmonary arterial responses to ephedrine, phenylepherine, norepinephrine, and U-46619. Lobar arterial perfusion pressure was continuously monitored, electronically averaged, and recorded with constant flow in the isolated left lower lobe vascular bed of the cat. RESULTS: Phentolamine and prazosin significantly reduced vasoconstrictor pulmonary perfusion pressure increases induced by ephedrine. CONCLUSION: Ephedrine has significant vasopressor activity in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat meditated predominantly by alpha1 adrenergic receptor activation.

Effects of PKC isozyme inhibitors on constrictor responses in the feline pulmonary vascular bed.

The effects of Gö-6976, a Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme inhibitor, and rottlerin, a PKC-delta isozyme/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinase III inhibitor, on responses to vasopressor agents were investigated in the feline pulmonary vascular bed. Injections of angiotensin II, norepinephrine (NE), serotonin, BAY K 8644, and U-46619 into the lobar arterial constant blood flow perfusion circuit caused increases in pressure. Gö-6976 reduced responses to angiotensin II; however, it did not alter responses to serotonin, NE, or U-46619, whereas Gö-6976 enhanced BAY K 8644 responses. Rottlerin reduced responses to angiotensin II and NE, did not alter responses to serotonin or U-46619, and enhanced responses to BAY K 8644. Immunohistochemistry of feline pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells demonstrated localization of PKC-alpha and -delta isozymes in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and angiotensin II. Localization of PKC-alpha and -delta isozymes decreased with administration of Gö-6976 and rottlerin, respectively. These data suggest that activation of Ca(2+)-dependent PKC isozymes and Ca(2+)-independent PKC-delta isozyme/CaM-dependent kinase III mediate angiotensin II responses. These data further suggest that Ca(2+)-independent PKC-delta isozyme/CaM-dependent kinase III mediate responses to NE. A rottlerin- or Gö-6976-sensitive mechanism is not involved in mediating responses to serotonin and U-46619, but these PKC isozyme inhibitors enhanced BAY K 8644 responses in the feline pulmonary vascular bed.

Analysis of ketamine responses in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that pulmonary vasodilator responses of ketamine are dependent on activation of L-type calcium channels, independent of synthesis of nitric oxide from L-arginine, activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels, and the release of cyclooxygenase products. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Isolated lobar lung preparation, mongrel cats. INTERVENTIONS: In separate experiments, the effects of nicardipine; N omega-I-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase; glibenclamide, an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel antagonist; and meclofenamate, a cyclooxygenase blocker, were investigated in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. The effects of these agents were evaluated on the pulmonary arterial responses of ketamine, acetylcholine, and isoproterenol during elevated tone conditions induced by the thromboxane A2 mimic, U46619 (Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI). MEASUREMENTS: Lobar arterial perfusion pressure, systemic pressure, and left atrial pressure were continuously monitored, electronically averaged, and permanently recorded. MAIN RESULTS: Under elevated tone conditions in the isolated left lower lobe vascular bed of the cat, N omega-I-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, glibenclamide, and meclofenamate had no significant effect on the vasodilator responses to ketamine. Nicardipine, in a dose that reduced significantly vasopressor effects to BAY K 8644, a calcium-channel opener, attenuated significantly vasodilator responses to ketamine, whereas the L-type calcium-channel blocker had no significant effects on responses to acetylcholine and to isoproterenol. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that ketamine has significant vasodilator activity in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. The present data also suggest that responses to ketamine during elevated tone conditions may in part be mediated by the activation of L-type calcium channels.

IgM-capture ELISA of serum samples collected from Filipino dengue patients.

Viral antigens for 4 dengue serotypes were produced in C6/36 Aedes albopictus cells. These were used as assay antigens for IgM-capture ELISA to detect IgM antibodies in sera of dengue patients from 3 hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines. A total of 378 serum samples came from National Children's Hospital (NCH), San Lazaro Hospital (SLH), and St Luke's Medical Center (SLMC), from January to November 1995. Three hundred and four (304) out of 378 serum samples, or 80.42% showed positive IgM ELISA titer against at least one of the 4 assay antigens. Dengue type 4 (D4) antigen detected antibodies in 61.90% (234/378) of these serum samples, whereas type 1 (D1), type 3 (D3), and type 2 (D2) had detection rates of 60.05% (227/378), 50.79% (192/378) and 49.47% (187/378) respectively. Although the results show that both D1 and D4 are the most effective antigens in identifying dengue infections for this batch of samples, the use of a cocktail of antigens is still recommended. The results of this study are the basis for the IgM-capture ELISA protocol presently applied for the laboratory confirmation of dengue cases in the Philippines.

Serosurvey of wild rodents for Rickettsioses (spotted fever, murine typhus and Q fever) in Java Island, Indonesia.

The prevalence of antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR), murine typhus and Q fever were investigated in wild rats captured in Indonesia. Sera of 327 rats were collected from Jakarta and Boyolali on Java Island. The prevalences of antibodies against SFGR and murine typhus were 128 (39.1%) and 48 (14.7%), respectively. Antibodies against Q fever were not detected in these serum samples. Antibodies against SFGR were found in all species of rats (20.8-51.9%). The antibody positive rate against murine typhus in Rattus norvegicus (38.0%) was significantly higher than that in other rat species (0-4.8%, p<0.01). The antibody positive rates against SFGR and murine typhus in rats captured in Jakarta were significantly higher than those in rats captured in Boyolali (p<0.01). In this survey, all species of rats had antibodies against SFGR, indicating that the 4 species of tested rats (R. norvegicus, R. rattus, R. exulans, R. tiomanicus) were infected with SFGR and that SFGR may infest the whole of Java Island. Most of the rats that were antibody-positive against murine typhus were captured in Jakarta. Therefore, R. norvegicus and R. rattus are likely to be important hosts of murine typhus in Jakarta. The antibody-positive rates against SFGR and murine typhus in rats captured in the dry season were significantly higher than those in rats captured in the rainy season. This may coincide with the active periods of ticks and fleas in Indonesia.

Analysis of responses to angiotensin I (3-10) and Leu3 angiotensin (3-8) in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

Pulmonary vascular responses to angiotensin (3-8) (Ang IV), leu3 angiotensin (3-8) (LeuAng IV), an Ang IV analog and angiotensin I (3-10) [Ang I (3-10)], the precursor for Ang IV, were investigated in the intact-chest cat under conditions of controlled blood flow. Intralobar injections of Ang IV, LeuAng IV, and Ang I (3-10) caused dosage-related increases in lobar arterial pressure. When responses were compared, Ang IV, LeuAng IV, and Ang I (3-10) were equipotent and were approximately 100- to 300-fold less potent than Ang II when dosages are expressed on a nanomolar basis. DuP 753, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1 ) receptor antagonist, attenuated pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to LeuAng IV, Ang IV, and its precursor, Ang I (3-10), but did not significantly change pressor responses to serotonin, norepinephrine, or U46619. PD 123319, an angiotensin II type 2 (AT2 ) receptor antagonist, and WSU 3033, a putative angiotensin II type 4 (AT4 ) receptor antagonist, did not significantly change pressor responses to LeuAng IV, Ang IV, and its precursor, Ang I (3-10). Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, decreased pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to Ang I (3-10) but did not significantly change responses to serotonin, norepinephrine, U46619, LeuAng IV, or Ang IV. These data show that LeuAng IV, Ang IV, and its precursor, Ang I (3-10), increase pulmonary vascular resistance by activating AT1 receptors, and that Ang I (3-10) is rapidly and efficiently converted by an ACE-dependent pathway into an active peptide. The present data suggest that Ang IV and LeuAng IV increase pulmonary vascular resistance by activating AT1 receptors and that activation of AT2 or AT4 are not involved in mediating or modulating responses to these peptides. These data provide support for the hypothesis that Ang I (3-10) is converted into an active peptide by ACE at or near the site of action within the pulmonary vascular bed.

Effects of phospholipase A2, 12-lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenase inhibitors in the feline pulmonary bed.

The effects of phosphonofluoridic acid, methyl-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenyl ester (MAFP), a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, on pressor responses to angiotensin II (ANG II), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), the calcium channel opener BAY K 8644, and the thromboxane A2 mimic U-46619 were studied in the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact-chest cat. Under conditions of constant lobar blood flow, injections of ANG II, NE, 5-HT, U-46619, and BAY K 8644 into the lobar arterial perfusion circuit caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure that were reproducible with respect to time. Infusion of MAFP into the perfused lobar artery at doses of 100 to 300 microg/kg for 10 min significantly reduced vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II; however, the phospholipase A2 inhibitor did not alter vasoconstrictor responses to BAY K 8644, 5-HT, NE, or U-46619. The combination of the higher dose of the phospholipase A2 inhibitor MAFP with the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 significantly affected vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II, NE, and 5-HT but not to BAY K 8644. In a separate series of animals, the effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor, baicalein, were investigated. Infusion of baicalein into the perfused lobar artery at doses of 100 microg/kg for 10 min significantly reduced vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II but not the vasoconstrictor responses to BAY K 8644, 5-HT, NE, or U-46619. In a final series of experiments, the effects of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, meclofenamate, were investigated, and intravenous injection of the meclofenamate at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg did not significantly affect vasoconstrictor responses to ANG II, 5-HT, BAY K 8644, NE, or U-46619. These data provide support for the hypothesis that pulmonary vasopressor responses to ANG II are mediated, in part, by the activation of phospholipase A2, phospholipase C, and the lipoxygenase pathway in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

Differential effects of glibenclamide on responses to thromboxane A2 mimic, U46619, in the pulmonary and hindquarters vascular beds of the cat.

The inhibitory effects of the oral sulfonylurea, glibenclamide, on vasoconstrictor responses to the thromboxane A2 mimic, U46619, were investigated in the pulmonary and hindquarters vascular beds of the cat under constant flow conditions. When lobar arterial tone was at resting conditions (14 +/- 2 mm Hg), intralobar injections of U46619, prostaglandin F2alpha, prostaglandin D2, angiotensin II, norepinephrine, and BAY K 8644 caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure without altering left atrial pressure. Following an intralobar infusion of glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), vasoconstrictor responses to U46619, prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin D2 were significantly reduced, whereas vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine and angiotensin II were not altered and responses to BAY K 8644 were significantly enhanced. When tone in the pulmonary vascular bed was raised to a high steady level (36 +/- 3 mm Hg), glibenclamide in a dose of 5 mg/kg i.a. markedly attenuated responses to injections of U46619 and reduced the vasodilator responses to the K+-ATP channel opener, levcromakalim, whereas responses to acetylcholine and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a nitric oxide donor, were not changed. In the hindquarters vascular bed of the cat, administration of glibenclamide in a dose of 5 mg/kg i.a. had no significant effect on vasoconstrictor responses to U46619, norepinephrine or angiotensin II. Hindquarters vasodilator responses to levcromakalim, but not to nitric oxide, were decreased significantly following administration of glibenclamide. These data suggest that glibenclamide, in addition to inhibiting K+-ATP channels, has thromboxane A2 receptor blocking activity in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. These data also suggest that vasoconstrictor responses to U46619 may be mediated by different thromboxane A2 receptors with different binding affinities in the pulmonary and in the hindquarters vascular beds of the cat.

Seroepidemiological survey of wild rats for Seoul virus in Indonesia.

The prevalence of antibodies against Seoul virus was investigated in 655 wild rats (Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, R. rattus diardii, R. exulans, R. tiomanicus) captured in seven port areas of Indonesia. Twenty-four of 238 R. norvegicus, one of 142 R. rattus and one of 102 R. exulans from two port areas had the antibodies against Seoul virus.

Analysis of responses to pentoxifylline in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that pulmonary vasodilator responses to pentoxifylline are dependent on the synthesis of nitric oxide from L-arginine and are independent of the release of cyclooxygenase products. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Isolated lobar lung preparation, using mongrel cats. INTERVENTIONS: In separate experiments, the effects of NG-L-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, and the effects of a cyclooxygenase blocker, meclofenamate, were investigated on pulmonary arterial responses to pentoxifylline, acetylcholine, and isoproterenol during increased tone conditions induced by the thromboxane A2 mimic, U46619, in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Lobar arterial perfusion pressure, systemic pressure, and left atrial pressure were continuously monitored, electronically averaged, and permanently recorded. Under increased tone conditions in the isolated left lower lobe vascular bed of the cat, NG-L-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester significantly reduced the vasodilator responses to pentoxifylline and to acetylcholine, whereas NG-L-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester had no significant effect on the vasodilator responses to isoproterenol. Vasodilator responses to pentoxifylline and acetylcholine were not significantly changed in the presence of meclofenamate, whereas meclofenamate markedly reduced the vasopressor effects of arachidonic acid. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that pentoxifylline has significant vasodilator activity in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. The present data also suggest that responses to pentoxifylline during increased tone conditions may, in part, be mediated by the release of nitric oxide and are independent of the release of cyclooxygenase products.

Responses to L-163,491, a nonpeptide angiotensin II mimic, in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

Pulmonary vascular responses to 5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[[2'-[butyloxycarbonyl)amino-sulfonyl]-5'-(3-meth oxybenzyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (L-163,491), a novel nonpeptide angiotensin agonist, and angiotensin IV, the 3-8 amino acid fragment of angiotensin, were compared with responses to angiotensin II. Responses were investigated in the intact-chest cat under conditions of controlled blood flow and intralobar injections of angiotensin II, L-163,491, and angiotensin IV caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure. When comparable in lobar arterial pressure of the three agents were examined, L-163,491 was approximately 3-fold less potent than angiotensin IV and approximately 100-fold less potent than angiotensin II when doses are expressed on a nmol basis. DuP 532, 2-propyl-4-pentafluoroethyl-1-([2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)bipheny l-4]-methyl)imidazole-5-carboxylic acid, an angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist, reduced pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to angiotensin II, angiotensin IV and L-163,491, but did not significantly change pressor responses to serotonin, norepinephrine, or the thromboxane A2 mimic, U46619. PD 123319, an angiotensin II subtype 2 receptor antagonist, did not significantly change pressor responses to L-163,491, angiotensin II, or angiotensin IV. Captopril, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, decreased pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to angiotensin I and enhanced vasodilator responses to bradykinin, but did not significantly change pressor responses to L-163,491. These data show that L-163,491 significant angiotensin AT1 receptor-mediated vasoconstrictor activity in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. These data also show the nonpeptide agonist has 3-fold less activity compared to angiotensin IV and is approximately 100-fold less potent than angiotensin II in the feline pulmonary vascular bed.

Influence of PLC and MLCK inhibitors and the role of L-calcium channels in the cat pulmonary vascular bed.

The effects of U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, on pressor responses to angiotensin II (ANG II), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), BAY K 8644, and the thromboxane A2 (TxA2) mimic, U-46619, were studied in the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact-chest cat. Under conditions of constant lobar blood flow, injections of ANG II, NE, 5-HT, U-46619, and the calcium channel opener, BAY K 8644, into the lobar arterial perfusion circuit caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure, which were reproducible with respect to time. Infusion of U-73122, a PLC inhibitor, into the perfused lobar artery at 10-100 micrograms/kg for 10 min significantly reduced responses to ANG II, serotonin, and NE; however, U-73122 did not alter responses to BAY K 8644 or to U-46619. In a separate series of animals, the effects of the myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, KT-5926, were investigated, and after infusion of KT-5926 into the perfused lobar artery at 1-2 micrograms/kg for 10 min, responses to ANG II, NE, 5-HT, BAY K 8644, and U-46619 were reduced significantly. In a final series of experiments, the effects of the L-type calcium channel blocker, nicardipine, were investigated, and infusion of the L-type calcium channel blocker into the perfused lobar artery at 0.5-1 microgram/kg for 10 min reduced responses to ANG II, BAY K 8644, and NE. However, nicardipine did not alter pressor responses to 5-HT or the TxA2 mimic, U-46619.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of responses of allicin, a compound from garlic, in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat and in the rat.

Allicin, diallyl disulfide-oxide, an active ingredient released from garlic is a systemic vasodilator that acts by an unknown mechanism. In the present experiments, pulmonary vascular responses to allicin (0.1-1.0 mg) were studied in the intact-chest anesthetized cat and in the isolated lung of the rat under constant flow conditions. When baseline tone in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat was raised with U46619 (11 alpha,9 alpha-epoxymethano-9 alpha,11 beta-dideoxyprostaglandin F2 alpha), intralobar injections of allicin produced dose-related decreases in pulmonary arterial pressure without changing left atrial pressure indicating that allicin had significant vasodilator activity in the pulmonary vascular bed when tone was increased experimentally. Allicin also decreased systemic arterial pressure in a dose-related manner. In terms of relative vasodilator activity in the cat, allicin was 100-fold less potent than sodium nitroprusside and many orders of magnitude less potent than isoproterenol. In the cat, vasodilator responses to allicin were unchanged by methylene blue or N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Allicin also significantly diminished the pulmonary pressor response to ventilatory hypoxia in the isolated perfused rat lung. These data show that allicin has significant vasodilator activity in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat and the rat. The present data suggest that pulmonary vasodilator responses to allicin are independent of the synthesis of endothelial-derived relaxing factor or the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase.

Influence of protein kinase C inhibitors on vasoconstrictor responses in the pulmonary vascular bed of cat and rat.

The effects of staurosporine and calphostin C, two different protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, on pressor responses were studied in the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact chest anesthetized cat and the isolated rat lung. Under conditions of constant lobar blood flow in the cat, injections of the angiotensin peptides, norepinephrine (NE), serotonin, and U-46619 into the lobar arterial perfusion circuit caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure and responses were reproducible with respect to time. Infusion of staurosporine into the perfused lobar artery at 1-2 micrograms/kg for 10 min reduced the pressor response to the angiotensin peptides and to NE; however, staurosporine did not alter pressor responses to serotonin or to the thromboxane mimic U-46619. In a separate series of experiments, the effects of calphostin C were investigated and infusion of the PKC inhibitor into the perfused lobar artery at 1-5 micrograms/kg for 10 min also reduced pressor responses to the angiotensin peptides and to NE and did not alter pressor responses to serotonin or to U-46619. In the isolated rat lung, the inhibitory effects of staurosporine on pulmonary pressor responses were investigated and injections of angiotensin II, NE, and serotonin produced dose-related increases in pulmonary arterial perfusion pressure that were decreased after administration of 20 micrograms ia of the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of thromboxane receptor-mediated responses in the feline pulmonary vascular bed.

OBJECTIVE: Current evidence suggests that thromboxane plays a role in pathophysiologic processes in the lung. Efforts to find effective, specific therapy to modify these effects have led to the development of a new class of thromboxane receptor blockers. This present investigation examined the selectivity and duration of the inhibitory effects of one of these novel agents in the pulmonary vascular bed of anesthetized cats. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study with repeated measures. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twenty-nine adult cats obtained from the Tulane University School of Medicine vivarium. INTERVENTIONS: The effects of GR32191, a thromboxane receptor antagonist, were investigated under constant-flow conditions in the intact-chest cat, using a triple-lumen, 6-Fr, balloon perfusion catheter that was placed by means of fluoroscopic guidance. Data were analyzed using a paired or unpaired t-test or analysis of variance. A p < .05 was considered statistically significant. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Aortic, left atrial, and left lobar arterial pressures were measured. After administration of GR32191 (0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg iv), pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to U46619, a thromboxane mimic, were significantly decreased. Blockade was overcome with higher doses of the thromboxane mimic. GR32191 was without significant effect on the responses to prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGF2 alpha, serotonin, the calcium-channel agonist BAY K8644, or norepinephrine. Additionally, GR32191 did not alter baseline vascular pressures. Responses to U46619 returned to 50% of control value 90 mins after administration of 0.25 mg/kg of U46619. Responses to GR32191 returned to 50% of control value 180 mins after administration of 1.0 mg/kg of GR32191. These data suggest that GR32191 selectively blocks thromboxane A2 receptor-mediated responses in a competitive and reversible manner in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that discrete thromboxane A2 receptors, unrelated to receptors activated by PGF2 alpha or PGD2, are present in the feline pulmonary vascular bed. Specific thromboxane receptor antagonists, such as GR32191, could be useful therapeutic agents in the treatment of pulmonary hypertensive and thromboembolic disorders.

Responses to a nonpeptide angiotensin receptor agonist, L 163491, in the feline pulmonary vascular bed.

The mechanism by which a novel potent non-peptide angiotensin subtype 1 receptor (AT1) agonist, (5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[[2'-[(butyloxycarbonyl) aminosulfonyl]-5'-(3-methoxybenzyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl] methyl]-3H-imidazo [4,5-b] pyridine) (L-163,491), increased pulmonary vascular resistance was investigated in the intact-chest anesthetized cat under conditions of controlled blood flow. Intralobar injections of L-163,491, in doses of 10-300 micrograms i.a., caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure that were partially antagonized by an AT1 receptor antagonist, DuP 532, or by staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, in doses that antagonized pressor responses to Ang II, but not to the thromboxane A2 mimic, U46619. Responses to L 163491 were not altered by PD 123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist. These data provide support for the hypothesis that vasoconstrictor responses to L 163491 are mediated by the activation of AT1 receptors and the protein kinase C pathway in the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact-chest cat.

Daltroban blocks thromboxane responses in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat.

The influence of daltroban (BM13.505; SK&F 96148), a thromboxane (Tx) A2-receptor-blocking agent, on responses to the TxA2 mimics U-46619 and U-44069 was investigated in the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact-chest cat under constant-flow conditions. Daltroban (5 mg/kg iv) had no significant effect on mean baseline vascular pressures but significantly decreased responses to the TxA2 mimics without altering responses to prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha or PGD2 or the PGD2 metabolite 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2. Dose-response curves for U-46619 and U-44069 were shifted to the right in a parallel manner, and daltroban had no significant effect on responses to norepinephrine, serotonin, angiotensin II, BAY K 8644, endothelin-(ET) 1, ET-2, or platelet-activating factor (PAF). After administration of daltroban, responses to U-46619 returned to 50% of control in 90 min and responses to the PG and TxA2 precursor arachidonic acid were decreased significantly. These results suggest that daltroban selectively antagonizes TxA2-receptor-mediated responses in a competitive and reversible manner. These data provide support for the hypothesis that discrete TxA2 receptors unrelated to receptors stimulated by PGF2 alpha, PGD2, or 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 are present in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat. The present data suggest that pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to PAF and ET peptides are not dependent on activation of TxA2 receptors in the cat.

Blockade of thromboxane/endoperoxide receptor-mediated responses in the pulmonary vascular bed of the cat by sulotroban.

The effects of sulotroban (BM13.177; SK & F 95587), a thromboxane (TX) A2/endoperoxide (PGH2) receptor blocking agent on responses to the TXA2/PGH2 mimics, U46619 and U44069, were investigated in the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact-chest cat under constant flow conditions. Injections of U46619 and U44069 directly into the perfused lobar artery caused dose-related increases in lobar arterial pressure without altering left atrial pressure. Following administration of sulotroban in a dose of 5 mg/kg i.v., dose-response curves for U46619 and U44069 were shifted to the right in a parallel manner. The duration of the blocking effect of sulotroban was investigated, and responses to U46619 returned to approximately 50% of control in 120 min and were not significantly different from control 240 min after administration of the receptor antagonist. Sulotroban was without significant effect on responses to prostaglandin (PG) D2 or F2 alpha or serotonin, histamine, norepinephrine, angiotensin II or BAY K8644, an agent which enhances calcium entry. Sulotroban was without effect on responses to endothelin (ET)-1, sarafotoxin (S) 6a or S6c and platelet-activating factor (PAF). Sulotroban did not alter baseline vascular pressures in the cat and responses to the PG and TXA2/PGH2 precursor, arachidonic acid, were reduced. The present data show that sulotroban selectively blocks TXA2/PGH2 receptor-mediated responses in a competitive and reversible manner in the pulmonary vascular bed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)