Contribution of bradykinin to heat-induced substance P release in the hind instep of rats.

To investigate the possible contribution of the bradykinin (BK) system to heat-induced substance P (SP) release from the peripheral endings of primary afferent nerves, we used the high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) kininogen-deficient rat strain (Brown Norway-Katholiek, B/N-Ka) and the normal rat strain (Brown Norway-Kitasato, B/N-Ki). We found that immersion of the paw of B/N-Ki rats in water of 47 degrees C for 20 min led to significant increases of BK, SP and Evans blue extravasation in the s.c. perfusate, and that similar treatment resulted in significantly lower levels in B/N-Ka rats. Local application of BK (10(-4) M) to the s.c. perfusate and intra-arterial infusion of BK 10(-5) mol/kg) increased Evans blue extravasation and SP release evoked by heat stimulation, respectively, in B/N-Ka rats to similar levels to those in B/N-Ki rats after heat-stimulation without BK treatment. These results indicate that BK released into the extravascular space by noxious stimulation is involved in SP release from the peripheral endings of capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurons.

[Releases of bradykinin and substance P by heating hind paw of rat].

Contribution of kallikrein-kinin system to heat-induced substance P (SP) release into the periphery was studied by using plasma kininogens-deficient strain Brown Norway Katholiek (B/N-Ka) and normal strain Brown Norway Kitasato (B/N-Ki) rats. Bradykinin (BK) and SP levels in the sc perfusates of the hind instep were measured by radioimmunoassay. In B/N-Ki rat, immersion of hind paw into hot water (47 degrees C) for 20 min led to an increase of BK (43 +/- s 34 fmol.min-1) and SP (11.1 +/- 9.7 fmol.min-1) in the perfusate, whereas those in B/N-Ka rat (BK 1.3 +/- 1.0 fmol.min-1 (P < 0.01), SP 5.5 +/- 3.5 fmol.min-1 (P < 0.05)) were remarkably less. Heat-induced extravasation (leakage of Evans blue) in B/N-Ka rat was also less than that in B/N-Ki rat (P < 0.05). Results suggest that kallikrein-kinin system is involved in the release of SP into the periphery, ie, BK released into the extravascular space by noxious heat stimulation intervenes in SP release.

Antagonism by glibenclamide of the effect of morphine in hippocampal preparations.

We previously showed that morphine lowered the affinity of Ca2+ antagonist binding and subsequently enhanced field potentials in hippocampal preparations. In the present study, the effect of various K+ channel antagonists on these actions of morphine was studied. Higher Kd value of [3H]nitrendipine binding was obtained for membranes prepared from slices treated with morphine. Concomitant treatment of slices with morphine and tetramethylammonium (TMA) or glibenclamide attenuated the effect of morphine. Apamin and mast cell-degranulating (MCD) peptide were without effect on morphine-induced change in [3H]nitrendipine binding. In those experiments, no change in concentration of binding sites was observed. Glibenclamide reduced the morphine enhancement of field potentials. These results suggested the regulation of Ca2+ channels by morphine through K+ channel opening.

Opioid peptide release evoked by noxious stimulation of the hind instep of rats.

Previous studies showed that opioids and opioid peptides modulate vascular reactions such as plasma extravasation and vasodilatation through inhibition of substance P release from peripheral nerve endings of primary afferent fibers, and suggested the existence of endogenous opioid peptide activity related to regulation of inflammatory responses. Here we examined the effect of heat stimulation and antidromic stimulation of primary afferent fibers on the release of immunoreactive opioid peptides into the perfusate of the subcutaneous space in the rat instep. Antidromic stimulation of sectioned sciatic and saphenous nerves did not have any significant effect on the release of Met-enkephalin (Met-EK), while immersion of the hind paw in hot water (47 degrees C) for 30 min caused an increase in Met-EK release into the perfusate. High-pressure liquid chromatography of the perfusate revealed that noxious heat stimulation induced increase in release of Leu-enkephalin (Leu-EK) as well as Met-EK, although the maximal concentration of Leu-EK was less than 16% of that of Met-EK. No beta-endorphin was detected in the perfusate before, during or after heating. We conclude that noxious heat stimulation mainly leads to increase in Met-EK, and that this peptide originates mainly, from peripheral cells containing opioid peptides such as immune cells and/or Merkel cells, not from primary afferent fibers.

Effect of morphine on changes in cutaneous blood flow induced by antidromic stimulation of primary afferent fibers in the hind instep of rats.

The effects of morphine on the release of immunoreactive substance P (iSP) into the subcutaneous perfusate and the changes in cutaneous blood flow (CBF) elicited by antidromic stimulation of sectioned sciatic nerve were investigated in the instep of the hind paw of rats. Antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve induced a marked increase in iSP release into the subcutaneous perfusate and a biphasic flow response consisting of an initial transient decrease followed by an increase. Both the iSP release and the increase of the CBF evoked by antidromic stimulation (the second phase) were significantly inhibited by intra-arterial (i.a.) infusion of morphine (30 mumol/kg). These inhibitory effects of morphine were antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.). The i.a. infusion of SP (0.25 mumol/kg) induced a biphasic flow response similar to that elicited by antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve. Neither phase induced by i.a. infusion of SP was affected by preinfusion of morphine (10 or 30 mumol/kg, i.a.). We suggest that morphine applied locally mainly acts on the peripheral endings of small-diameter afferent fibers, not on blood vessels, and that activation of this site is involved in the regulation of the microcirculatory hemodynamics of cutaneous tissue through inhibition of SP release.

(D-Ala, D-Leu) enkephalin reduces the binding of GTP in hippocampal membranes.

The effect of (D-Ala, D-Leu) enkephalin (DADLE) on the binding of GTP in hippocampal preparations was studied. It was observed that treatment of hippocampal slices with 10(-5) -5 x 10(-5) M DADLE followed by the preparation of membrane fractions reduced the binding of 35S-GTP-gamma-S. There was no change in the affinity of the binding. This decrease of 35S-GTP-gamma-S binding was reversed when 5 x 10(-5) M naltrindole was included. The effect was not observed when the membrane fractions were incubated with DADLE. Photoaffinity labeling with the use of 32P P3-(4-azidoanilido)-P1 5'-GTP followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed the incorporation of radioactivity into molecular mass of the 43 kDa and 33-34 kDa proteins. 32P Photolabeling of both the 43 kDa and 33-34 kDa bands decreased following treatment of hippocampal slices with 10(-4) M DADLE. These results suggested that DADLE reduces the GDP-GTP exchange in hippocampal membranes.

Activation of cathepsin B involved in enkephalin production by bradykinin and its cleavage products in cultured fibroblasts of the rat dental pulp.

Mechanisms of cathepsin B activation involved in methionine-enkephalin (ME) production induced by bradykinin (BK), des-Arg9-BK or L-arginine (L-Arg) were studied using cultured fibroblasts of the rat dental pulp, especially from a viewpoint of intracellular signal transduction. BK, des-Arg9-BK, L-Arg or cysteine enhanced the release of ME-like peptides from the cells, and the release of ME-like peptides induced by des-Arg9-BK was inhibited by des-Arg9-[Leu8]-BK (BK B1-receptor antagonist) and E-64 (a specific inhibitor of cysteine proteinases). The activation of cathepsin B by BK or des-Arg9-BK was inhibited by des-Arg9-[Leu8]-BK or islet-activating protein (IAP), and the activation of cathepsin B by L-Arg was inhibited by Leu-Arg (kyotorphin-receptor antagonist) or Botulinum C3-enzyme. The activation of cathepsin B by those stimulants was dependent on calcium ion. These results suggest that the ME production by BK or des-Arg9-BK may be mediated by Ca(2+)-dependent cathepsin B activation through B1-receptors and IAP-sensitive G-proteins, whereas the production by L-Arg may be mediated by Ca(2+)-dependent cathepsin B activation through kyotorphin-receptor and Botulinum C3-enzyme-sensitive G-proteins. On the other hand, the activation of cathepsin B was inhibited by neomycin B (phospholipase C inhibitor) and various serine/threonine kinase inhibitors. These results indicate that phospholipase C and serine/threonine kinases are involved in the activation of cathepsin B by BK, des-Arg9-BK or L-Arg. Genistein inhibited the activation of cathepsin B by des-Arg9-BK or L-Arg in a different fashion, suggesting that tyrosine kinase(s) is also involved in the activation. Cathepsin B activation by BK or L-Arg but not des-Arg9-BK was inhibited by L-NMMA (inhibitor of NO synthesis), and the activation by L-Arg was enhanced by beta-glycerophosphate (beta-GP: inhibitor of phosphatases), while the activation by BK or des-Arg9-BK was inhibited by beta-GP. These results suggest that BK-induced cathepsin B activation in the fibroblasts may be due to a combined effect of des-Arg9-BK and L-Arg.

Influence of electro-acupuncture on the release of substance P and the potential evoked by tooth pulp stimulation in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis of the rabbit.

The effects of electro-acupuncture (EAP) on the release of substance P (SP) and the responses evoked by tooth pulp stimulation (ST) in superficial layers of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc-I,II) were studied in rabbits. ST evoked increase in release of immunoreactive SP (iSP). This increase was inhibited by EAP in 9 of 13 animals. The potentials evoked by ST were composed of two main components with latency times of ca 4.3 msec and ca. 9.4 msec. The latter component, reflecting the excitation of A delta fibers, was significantly inhibited by CP-96,345 (3 mg/kg, i.v.), an SP antagonist. EAP also inhibited the latter component in 8 of 11 animals. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms of analgesia induced by EAP is inhibition of stimulus-evoked SP release in the Vc-I,II.

Involvement of substance P present in primary afferent neurones in modulation of cutaneous blood flow in the instep of rat hind paw.

1. The participation of small-diameter afferent fibres in the microcirculatory haemodynamics of cutaneous tissue was examined by studies on the effects of antidromic stimulation of primary afferent neurones on cutaneous blood flow (CBF) and tachykinin release into the subcutaneous space in the instep of the hind paw of rats. 2. Antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve induced a biphasic flow response, an initial transient decrease followed by an increase, with no alteration in the blood pressure. 3. Neither phase was affected by pretreatment with phentolamine (0.1 mg kg-1, i.a.), propranolol (0.5 mg kg-1, i.a.), atropine (0.5 mg kg-1, i.a.), methysergide (0.5 mg kg-1, i.a.) or mepyramine (10 mg kg-1, i.a.) plus cimetidine (10 mg kg-1, i.a.), but both were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg kg-1, s.c.). 4. Spantide (1-2 mumol kg-1, i.a.), a substance P (SP) antagonist, reduced the basal CBF, and also inhibited both phases of the biphasic flow response evoked by antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve. 5. Intra-arterial infusion of SP (0.5 mumol kg-1, i.a.) induced a biphasic flow response similar to that elicited by antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve. 6. Antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve caused a marked increase in SP release into the subcutaneous perfusate of the instep of the rat hind paw, but no detectable increase in neurokinin A release.7. We suggest that SP and its receptors are mainly responsible for the vascular response induced by stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve, and that small-diameter afferent fibres containing SP tonically regulate vascular tone in cutaneous microvessels.

Influence of opioids on substance P release evoked by antidromic stimulation of primary afferent fibers in the hind instep of rats.

The effect of opioids on the release of immunoreactive substance P (iSP) following simultaneous electrical stimulation of the sectioned sciatic and saphenous nerves was examined by perfusion of the subcutaneous space in the rat instep. Antidromic stimulation of both the nerves caused an increase in iSP release, which was dependent on the intensity of stimulation, and an approx. 200% increase in Evans blue extravasation. Stimulation-induced iSP release and extravasation were suppressed by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg s.c.) and spantide (10 mumol/kg i.p.), respectively. Intra-arterial infusion of morphine (30 mumol/kg) or ethylketocyclazocine (30 mumol/kg) or [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (30 mumol/kg) inhibited the increase in iSP release evoked by antidromic stimulation at 10 V. This inhibitory effect of morphine was antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.). These results suggest existence of multiple types of opioid receptor on the peripheral endings of primary afferent fibers, that regulate SP release from the peripheral nerve endings into the extravascular space.

Conversion of 3H-nitrendipine binding to the low affinity binding state following the treatment of hippocampal slices with morphine.

The effect of morphine on the binding of 3H-nitrendipine was studied in rat hippocampal preparations. Treatment of slices with morphine followed by the preparation of membrane fractions revealed the presence of low affinity binding sites. The effect of morphine was antagonized by naloxone. The effect was not observed when the membrane fraction was incubated with morphine. These results suggest that morphine changes the affinity of calcium for its channels and reduces its influx.

Influence of heat stimulation on the amount of calcitonin gene-related peptide and neurokinin A in the subcutaneous space of the rat hind instep.

The release of tachykinins and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) into subcutaneous perfusates was investigated. Immersion of the hind paw of rats in water at 47 degrees C for 30 min led to a marked increase of immunoreactive CGRP (iCGRP) release as well as immunoreactive substance P release, but no detectable increase of immunoreactive neurokinin A release. Neonatal pretreatment with capsaicin or section of the sciatic and the saphenous nerves significantly inhibited the heat stimulation-induced release of iCGRP.

[Effects of morphine on cutaneous blood flow and substance P release evoked by electric stimulation of rat sciatic nerve].

Electric stimulation of the rat sciatic nerve containing sensory afferent fibers produced an increase in cutaneous blood flow. Morphine (10, 30 mumol.kg-1 ia infusion) inhibited the electric stimulation-induced increase of the cutaneous blood flow velocity, and its effect was antagonized by naloxone (2 mg.kg-1 ip). In order to investigate the cause of this effect, we determined immunoreactive substance P (iSP) levels in the sc perfusate of hind paw. We found that electric stimulation of the sciatic nerve led to a significant increase of iSP release into the sc perfusate. Morphine (30 mumol.kg-1 ia infusion) inhibited the electrical stimulation-induced release of iSP, and this effect was completely antagonized by naloxone (2 mg.kg-1 ip). These result suggest that morphine-induced inhibition of the electrical stimulation-evoked increase in cutaneous blood flow could result from inhibition of the release of SP from peripheral sensory nerve endings.

Serotonin inhibits release of substance P evoked by tooth pulp stimulation in trigeminal nucleus caudalis in rabbits.

The influence of the serotonin (5-HT) system on the release of immunoreactive substance P after electrical stimulation of the lower incisor pulp was examined by perfusion of the superficial layers of the subnucleus caudalis of the brain stem trigeminal sensory nuclear complex of rabbits in situ. Increased release of immunoreactive substance P was observed after electrical stimulation of the pulp at 40 V. Stimulation of the nucleus raphe magnus significantly increased the release of 5-HT and completely inhibited the release of immunoreactive substance P, evoked by stimulation of the tooth pulp. Local application of 5-HT (10(-6) M) inhibited the release of immunoreactive substance P induced by stimulation and this inhibition was antagonized by methysergide (10(-4) M) applied concomitantly to the superficial layers of the trigeminal nucleus. These results suggest a functional interaction between substance P and 5-HT in the superficial layers of the trigeminal nucleus for regulation of transmission of dental pain.

Subcellular distribution of enkephalin precursor proteins in rat dental pulp and the usefulness as a substrate for enkephalin-producing enzymes.

The subcellular distribution of enkephalin (EK) precursor proteins was investigated to clarify the intracellular site of biosynthesis of EK in rat dental pulp tissue. The contents of met-EK-like peptides in nuclear, microsomal, and supernatant fractions of the pulp tissue were markedly increased after sequential digestion with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B, indicating the enrichment of the precursors in these fractions. Sephadex G-100 gel filtration showed a common peak of the precursor proteins in the homogenate and its microsomal and supernatant fractions, and the molecular weight was determined to be about 58,000 by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both the partially purified precursor protein from the supernatant fraction and N alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-beta-naphthylamide (BANA) were used as substrates for a lysosomal enzyme separated by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. The major peak of EK-producing activity of the enzyme was identical with that of BANA-degrading activity of the enzyme. These results demonstrate the EK-producing activity of lysosomal proteinase, and also indicate the usefulness of the two substances as substrates for the enzyme.

Pharmacological and biochemical study on the mechanism of enkephalin production in rat dental pulp.

The production of enkephalin (EK) in the rat dental pulp was studied in pharmacological and biochemical aspects of EK-producing enzyme, EK precursor protein and the regulation of EK production. The EK precursor protein was primarily distributed in the microsomal fraction, and a common precursor protein (Mr about 58,000) was partially purified by Sephadex G-100 chromatography. Since the EK-producing enzyme, however, was mainly localized in the lysosomal fraction, and was found to be a cysteine proteinase, the lysosomal cysteine proteinases, cathepsins H, B and L, were separated by CM Sephadex C-50 ion exchange chromatography, and identified in respects to substrate specificity, pH optimum and inhibitor sensitivity. The EK-producing activity of the cathepsin B was demonstrated using the partially purified EK precursor protein from the pulp tissue as a substrate. The cathepsin B was further purified by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration to a 400-fold purity, and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme showed a distinct homogeneity (Mr about 23,600). The purified enzyme cleaved BAM-12P, a met-EK-containing peptide from bovine adrenal medulla, to met-EK-Arg6, but did not convert met-EK-Arg6 to met-EK, suggesting an endopeptidase activity of the enzyme. On the other hand, a concentration-dependent activation of the enzyme by bradykinin (BK) and des-Arg9-BK was found to be mediated through B1 receptor in intact pulp tissue. It was also demonstrated that intact structure of lysosomes and Ca++ were necessary for the activation of the enzyme by BK.

[Effects of 7 drugs on cutaneous blood flow evoked by electric stimulation of rat sciatic nerve].

The non-invasive technique of laser-Doppler flowmeter (LDF) was used to measure the change of cutaneous blood flow evoked by electric stimulation of rat sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve was cut centrally and placed on bipolar electrodes. Drug were infused in a carotid artery. Electric stimulation of the sciatic nerve containing sensory afferent fibers caused an increase in cutaneous blood flow. This increase was not modified by the ia infusion of adrenergic blocking agents (phentolamine, 0.1 mg/kg and propranolol, 0.5 mg/kg), anti-muscarinic agent (atropine 0.5 mg/kg), anti-histamines (mepyramine, 10 mg/kg and cimetidine, 10 mg/kg) and 5-HT antagonist (methysergide, 0.5 mg/kg). Pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg, sc) in the newborn rat or the ia infusion of spantide (1, 2 mumol/kg) significantly inhibited the the stimulation-induced increase of the blood flow. These results suggest that substance P released from the peripheral endings of sensory nerve may be involved in vasodilation following electric stimulation of the sciatic nerve in rat.