Neurotoxicity induced by okadaic acid in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y line can be differentially prevented by α7 and ß2* nicotinic stimulation.

A good model of neuronal death that reproduces the characteristic tau (τ) hyperphosphorylation of Alzheimers disease is the use of okadaic acid (OA). The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of α7 and ß2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes to neuroprotection against OA in the SH-SY5Y cell line by using the selective α7 and ß2* nAChR agonists PNU 282987 and 5-Iodo-A85380, respectively. The results of this study show that both α7 and ß2* nAChR can afford neuroprotection against OA-induced neurotoxicity. Protection mediated by α7 nAChRs was independent of Ca(2+) and involved the intracellular signaling pathway Janus Kinase-2/Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt. When Ca(2+) entry was promoted through the α7 nAChR by using the α7-selective positive allosteric modulator PNU 120596, protection was lost. By contrast, protection mediated by ß2* nAChRs was Ca(2+) dependent and implicated the signaling pathways PI3K/Akt and extracellular regulated kinase 1/2. Both α7 and ß2* nAChR activation converged on downregulation of GSK-3ß and reduction of τ phosphorylation in cells undergoing cell death induced by OA. Therefore, targeting nAChR could offer a strategy for reducing neurodegeneration secondary to hyperphosphorylation of protein τ.

Mechanism of neuroprotection by donepezil pretreatment in rat cortical neurons chronically treated with donepezil.

Previously, we showed that in rat cortical neurons, chronic donepezil treatment (10 microM, 4 days) up-regulates nicotinic receptors (nAChR) and makes neurons more sensitive to the neuroprotective effect of donepezil. Here we examined the mechanism of donepezil-induced neuroprotection in neurons chronically treated with donepezil. The mechanism of neuroprotection was examined under different conditions of exposure to glutamate, acute and moderate, that induce cell death associated with necrotic and apoptotic cell death, respectively. Concomitant treatment with antagonists of nAChRs but not muscarinic receptors inhibited donepezil pretreatment-induced neuroprotection against acute glutamate treatment-induced death. Donepezil pretreatment prevented acute glutamate- and ionomycin-induced neurotoxicity, but not S-nitrosocysteine-induced neurotoxicity, suggesting that donepezil protects neurons via nAChR at levels before nitric oxide synthase activation against acute glutamate neurotoxicity. Concomitant treatment with antagonists of nAChR or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling inhibitors significantly inhibited neuroprotection against moderate glutamate neurotoxicity and decreased the phosphorylation level of Akt. Neuroprotection was also inhibited by treatment with inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase. These results suggest that donepezil protects neurons against moderate glutamate neurotoxicity via nAChR-PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. This study provides novel insight into the mechanism of donepezil-induced neuroprotection that involves nAChR up-regulation.

Mechanism of A23187-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells: dependency on mitochondrial permeability transition but not on NADPH oxidase.

Calcium ions (Ca(2+)) are involved in a number of physiological cellular functions including apoptosis. An elevation in intracellular levels of Ca(2+) in A23187-treated HL-60 cells was associated with the generation of both intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of apoptotic cell death. A23187-induced apoptosis was prevented by cyclosporin A, a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The generation of extracellular ROS was suppressed by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium, and by superoxide dismutase, but these agents had no effect on A23187-induced apoptosis. In contrast, the blocking of intracellular ROS by a cell-permeant antioxidant diminished completely the induction of MPT and apoptosis. In isolated mitochondria, the addition of Ca(2+) induced a typical MPT concomitant with the generation of ROS, which leads to augmentation of intracellular ROS levels. These results indicate that intracellular not extracellular ROS generated by A23187 is associated with the opening of MPT pores that leads to apoptotic cell death.

Regulation of ionomycin-mediated granule release from rat basophil leukemia cells.

Cross-linking the high affinity IgE receptor on the rat basophil leukemia clone 2H3 (RBL-2H3) cell line, an vitro model for mast cell signaling, results in granule release. A great deal of research has focused on the earliest steps in this signaling cascade resulting in models which include the participation of lyn, syk, phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC) and intracellular calcium mobilization. In an effort to look at pathways downstream of calcium mobilization, ionomycin-mediated granule release was studied. The kinase inhibitors PP1 (src family), GF109203X (PKC), PD98059 (MEK1/2), and U0126 (MEK1/2) substantially inhibited ionomycin-mediated granule release, while the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 did not. Both p38 and erk were phosphorylated upon ionomycin treatment, but only extracellular regulated kinase (erk) activation was completely inhibited by PP1 treatment and partially inhibited by the MEK inhibitors, thus, correlating with the granule release data. Interestingly, while GF109203X alone had no affect on erk activation, combining it with U0126 completely blocked this response. This suggests the existence an alternate pathway for erk activation that is MEK independent and PKC dependent. Experiments in which ionomycin and PP1 were titrated (independently) demonstrated a correlation between erk phosphorylation and granule release, implicating erk in a PP1-inhibitable pathway operating downstream of calcium and controlling mast cell degranulation.

Interference of MI-D, a new mesoionic compound, on artificial and native membranes.

MI-D (4-phenyl-5-(4-nitrocinnamoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazolium-2-phenylamine chloride), a new mesoionic compound, decreased the rate of swelling induced by valinomycin-K+, as well as induced swelling in the presence of nigericin-K+. Shrinkage was also affected, suggesting interference with the inner mitochondrial membrane, which would affect both fluidity and elasticity. Fluorescence polarization of DPH and DPH-PA, probing the core and outer regions respectively, of the DMPC and native membranes, indicated that MI-D shifts the midpoint of phase transition to higher values and orders of the fluid phase. These alterations in membrane fluidity are thus related to MI-D effects on the energy-linked functions of mitochondria.

Effect of H1-antagonist Dithiaden on human PMN-leukocyte aggregation and chemiluminescence is stimulus-dependent.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Contradictory data published on histamine-PMN leukocyte interactions stimulated us to study to the role of histamine and H1-antagonist Dithiaden in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and aggregation of human neutrophils. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Whole blood or isolated PMN-leukocytes were exposed in a dose-dependent way to histamine or H1-antagonist Dithiaden and subsequently stimulated. Whole blood was stimulated with opsonised zymosan (OZ). Isolated cells were stimulated with membrane stimuli (OZ, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine--fMLP), or membrane bypassing stimuli (Ca2+-ionophore A23187, phorbol-myristate-acetate--PMA). The luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) was measured separately (whole blood) in a luminometer or simultaneously with neutrophil aggregation in a whole blood lumiaggregometer. RESULTS: Depending on the concentration used, Dithiaden" was 1.5- to 25.0-times more effective in inhibiting activated CL of whole blood than histamine. In isolated neutrophils both histamine and Dithiaden inhibited OZ- and A23187-stimulated CL dose-dependently, with potentiation observed after stimulation with PMA and fMLP. Histamine did not alter aggregation with any of the stimuli tested. Dithiaden inhibited A23187-, OZ- and PMA-stimulated PMN-leukocytes but potentiated fMLP-induced aggregation of isolated neutrophils. Simultaneous application of Dithiaden and histamine abolished the effect of Dithiaden on fMLP-stimulated CL. CONCLUSIONS: Dithiaden, depending on the stimuli applied, inhibited human neutrophils, both isolated or in whole blood, more markedly than histamine. The inhibition of aggregation and CL was dose- and stimulus-dependent. Histamine administered simultaneously abolished the effect of Dithiaden on fMLP-stimulated PMN-leukocytes. It seems likely that the interaction of Dithiaden with neutrophils operated both at an extra- and intracellular level.

Estrogen regulates cytokine release in human mast cells.

Estrogens are important for bone homeostasis and are classified as anti-resorptive agents. In ovariectomized rats, mast cell changes occurred during the activation of resorption. In addition, quantitative changes occurred in mast cell population residing near the site undergoing resorption. Considering these studies, mast cells may play a role in osteoporosis. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to study mast cell cytokine production also in the presence or absence of estrogen. When cultured in the absence of estrogen, human mast cells treated with PMA or A23187 demonstrated significantly greater release of TNF-alpha and IL-6 than cells grown under estrogen-depleted condition. Our results show that treatment of mast cells with estrogen prevented PMA or A23187-stimulated TNF-alpha or IL-6 release. These data provide evidence for a potent inhibition of cytokines by estrogen in human mast cells. This study may help to explain the association between mast cells and osteoporosis.

Studies on the prevention of nigericin action in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells.

Electrophysiological analysis of neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells was used as an in vitro neuronal model system to evaluate antagonists of the K+-selective carboxylic ionophore, nigericin. Changes in membrane electrical characteristics induced by nigericin with and without the simultaneous administration of antagonists were measured using intracellular microelectrode techniques. Bath application of nigericin (3 microM) produced a severe hyperpolarization and blocked the generation of action potentials in response to electrical stimulation. Simultaneous administration of nigericin plus the Na+-K+ pump inhibitor ouabain or drugs known to influence Ca++ signaling in cells, i.e., quinidine, compound R24571, verapamil or haloperidol, was able to significantly attenuate the hyperpolarization. All antagonists acted in a concentration-dependent manner. However, nigericin plus maximally effective concentrations of ouabain (1 microM), verapamil (3 microM) and haloperidol (3 and 10 microM) resulted in moderate-to-severe depolarization by the end of 24 min. superfusions, suggesting that the concentrations of antagonists were excessive and that NG108-15 cell damage had occurred. In addition, none of the compounds studied was able to effectively prevent nigericin-induced blockade of action potentials. Thus, none of these antagonists appears suitable for transition to in vivo antidotal protection studies.

Regulatory mechanism of eosinophil peroxidase release from guinea pig eosinophils.

The regulatory mechanism of degranulation of guinea pig peritoneal eosinophils was studied by determination of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) release. Beta-agonists, such as isoproterenol, salbutamol and fenoterol, effectively inhibited A23187-induced EPO release from guinea pig eosinophils. The inhibitory effects of beta-agonists were attenuated by pretreatment with either propranolol, a non-selective beta-antagonist, or ICI 118,551, a selective beta2-antagonist. Both theophylline and dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) also significantly inhibited A23187-induced EPO release. The inhibition of EPO release induced by db-cAMP was attenuated by pretreatment with KT5720, a protein kinase A inhibitor. In addition, calphostin C as well as cytochalasin D effectively inhibited A23187-induced EPO release. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration may lead to exocytosis of eosinophil granules through activation of protein kinase C and microfilaments. Beta-agonists and theophylline were effective in inhibiting degranulation of eosinophils by increasing intracellular cAMP level coupled with the activation of protein kinase A.

Deencryption of cellular tissue factor is independent of its cytoplasmic domain.

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane molecule that, when exposed to plasma, is the key initiator of coagulation. Cellular TF activity is normally "encrypted", but treating cells with calcium ionophore (i.e. , ionomycin or A23187) increases ("deencrypts") TF activity without increasing TF mRNA or antigen expression. Deencryption results from both plasma membrane phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent and -independent mechanisms; however, the nature of the PS-independent component is unclear. Since deencryption has been suggested to result from release of TF dimers on the cell surface, and since TF's cytoplasmic domain binds to actin-binding protein 280 and interacts with the cytoskeleton, we hypothesized that interactions with the cytoskeleton, through the cytoplasmic domain, play a role in mediating encryption/deencryption. We examined TF deencryption and the role of the cytoplasmic domain in the PS-independent component using baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells expressing full length TF (BHK-TF) or TF lacking its cytoplasmic domain (BHK-descyt) (Sorensen et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21349). Both BHK-TF and BHK-descyt cells exhibited a dose-dependent, 1.5- to 10-fold increase in TF activity upon treatment with calcium ionophore, and this increase in activity was only partially blocked by annexin V. These results indicate that deencryption is not restricted to cells which naturally express TF and that the PS-independent component of deencryption is intact on cells transfected with either full length or truncated TF. Our results clearly indicate that deencryption is not dependent on an intact cytoplasmic domain in transfected BHK cells.

Microtubules, but not actin filaments, drive daughter cell budding and cell division in Toxoplasma gondii.

We have used drugs to examine the role(s) of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in the intracellular growth and replication of the intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. By using a 5 minute infection period and adding the drugs shortly after entry we can treat parasites at the start of intracellular development and 6-8 hours prior to the onset of daughter cell budding. Using this approach we found, somewhat surprisingly, that reagents that perturb the actin cytoskeleton in different ways (cytochalasin D, latrunculin A and jasplakinolide) had little effect on parasite replication although they had the expected effects on the host cells. These actin inhibitors did, however, disrupt the orderly turnover of the mother cell organelles leading to the formation of a large residual body at the posterior end of each pair of budding parasites. Treating established parasite cultures with the actin inhibitors blocked ionophore-induced egression of tachyzoites from the host cells, demonstrating that intracellular parasites were susceptible to the effects of these inhibitors. In contrast, the anti-microtubule drugs oryzalin and taxol, and to a much lesser extent nocodazole, which affect microtubule dynamics in different ways, blocked parasite replication by disrupting the normal assembly of the apical conoid and the microtubule inner membrane complex (IMC) in the budding daughter parasites. Centrosome replication and assembly of intranuclear spindles, however, occurred normally. Thus, daughter cell budding per se is dependent primarily on the parasite microtubule system and does not require a dynamic actin cytoskeleton, although disruption of actin dynamics causes problems in the turnover of parasite organelles.

T cell activation up-regulates the expression of the focal adhesion kinase Pyk2: opposing roles for the activation of protein kinase C and the increase in intracellular Ca2+.

T cell activation initiates signals that control gene expression of molecules important for T cell function. The focal adhesion kinase Pyk2 has been implicated in T cell signaling. To further analyze the involvement of Pyk2 in T cell processes, we examined the effect of T cell stimulation on the expression of Pyk2. We found that TCR ligation or PMA increased Pyk2 expression in Jurkat T cells and in normal T cells. In contrast, TCR ligation and PMA failed to induce any detectable increase in the expression of the other member of the focal adhesion kinase family, Fak, in Jurkat T cells and induced only a weak increase in Fak expression in normal T cells. The serine/threonine kinases, protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase (MEK), regulated Pyk2 expression, as inhibitors of these kinases blocked stimulus-induced Pyk2 expression. Cyclosporin A, FK506, and KN-62 did not block Pyk2 expression; thus, calcineurin and Ca2+/calmodulin-activated kinases are not critical for augmenting Pyk2 expression. TCR ligation increased Pyk2 mRNA, and the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D blocked Pyk2 expression. Strikingly, Ca2+ ionophores, at concentrations that in combination with other stimuli induced IL-2 expression, blocked TCR- and PMA-induced up-regulation of Pyk2 expression. Thus, the increase in Ca2+ has opposing effects on IL-2 and Pyk2 expression. Cyclosporin A and FK506, but not KN-62, blocked Ca2+ ionophore-mediated inhibition of Pyk2 expression, implicating calcineurin in down-regulating Pyk2 expression. These results show that TCR-triggered intracellular signals increase Pyk2 expression and shed light on the molecular mechanisms that regulate Pyk2 expression in T cells.

Secretion of metalloendopeptidase 24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15).

The metalloendopeptidase EP24.15 (EC3.4.24.15) is a neuropeptide-metabolizing enzyme present in neural and endocrine tissues, presumably functioning extracellularly. Because the majority of the EP24.15 activity is identified in the soluble fraction of cellular homogenates, suggesting that the enzyme is primarily an intracellular protein, we addressed the issue of how EP24.15 arrives in the extracellular environment. We utilized a model system of neuroendocrine secretion, the AtT20 cell. According to both enzymatic activity and immunologic assays, EP24.15 was synthesized in and released from AtT20 cells. Under basal conditions and after stimulation by corticotropin-releasing hormone or the calcium ionophore A23187, EP24.15 activity accumulated in the culture medium. This secretion was not attributable to cell damage, as judged by the absence of release of cytosolic enzyme markers and the ability to exclude trypan blue dye. Pulse-chase analysis and subcellular fractionation of AtT20 cell extracts suggested that the mechanism of EP24.15 secretion is not solely via classical secretory pathways. Additionally, drugs which disrupt the classical secretory pathway, such as Brefeldin A and nocodazole, blocked A23187-stimulated EP24.15 release yet had no effect on basal EP24.15 release, suggesting differences in the basal and stimulated pathways of secretion for EP24.15. In summary, EP24.15 appears to be secreted from AtT20 pituitary cells into the extracellular milieu, where the enzyme can participate in the physiologic metabolism of neuropeptides.

Inhibitory effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the activity and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human oral epithelial cells and in a rat model of inflammation.

We investigated the mechanisms by which caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a phenolic antioxidant, inhibited the stimulation of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in cultured human oral epithelial cells and in an animal model of acute inflammation. Treatment of cells with CAPE (2.5 microg/ml) suppressed phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; TPA) and calcium ionophore (A23187)-mediated induction of PGE2 synthesis. This relatively low concentration of CAPE did not affect amounts of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. CAPE nonselectively inhibited the activities of baculovirus-expressed hCOX-1 and hCOX-2 enzymes. TPA- and A23187-stimulated release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids was also suppressed by CAPE (4-8 microg/ml). Higher concentrations of CAPE (10-20 microg/ml) suppressed the induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein mediated by TPA. Transient transfections using human COX-2 promoter deletion constructs were performed; the effects of TPA and CAPE were localized to a 124-bp region of the COX-2 promoter. In the rat carrageenan air pouch model of inflammation, CAPE (10-100 mg/kg) caused dose-dependent suppression of PG synthesis. Amounts of COX-2 in the pouch were markedly suppressed by 100 mg/kg CAPE but were unaffected by indomethacin. These data are important for understanding the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of CAPE.

Gadolinium blocks rat Kupffer cell calcium channels: relevance to calcium-dependent prostaglandin E2 synthesis and septic mortality.

Hepatic Kupffer cells (KC), the major tissue macrophage population, produce the septic response mediators, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and have been shown to internalize gadolinium chloride (GD), a rare earth metal of the lanthanide series. Because GD pretreatment of rats has been shown to inhibit the mortality of sepsis, we studied the secretory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by KC isolated from rats injected with either saline or GD (7 mg/kg, intravenously) on the 2 days before KC isolation. Using culture conditions modified to reflect the intrasinusoidal milieu of arginine (RPMI-1640 media with 10 or 100 micromol/L arginine), KC from GD-treated rats responded to LPS (0. 0025 microg/mL) with significantly (P <.01) reduced PGE2 release. In contrast, TNF-alpha release by treated KC was significantly (P <.05) enhanced, consistent with the loss of PGE2 autocoid inhibition of TNF-alpha. Calcium flux is an early signaling event in eicosanoid synthesis, and GD is known to block calcium channels. Therefore, KC were loaded with fura-2-AM to study the effect of GD on KC calcium flux. GD prevented ionomycin and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-mediated [Ca++]i increase and calcium-dependent PGE2 synthesis, while GD did not affect PGE2 synthesis when protein kinase C (PKC) was directly activated with tetradecanoylphorbolacetate (TPA). The inhibition of calcium flux and calcium-dependent PGE2 synthesis in the major cell of the monocytic phagocytic system by GD may explain the previously reported ability of this lanthanide to prevent the mortality of endotoxemia.

The mitochondrial permeability transition mediates both necrotic and apoptotic death of hepatocytes exposed to Br-A23187.

A23187 and related Ca2+ ionophores are widely used to study Ca2+-dependent cell injury. Here, using laser scanning confocal microscopy and parameter-indicating fluorophores, we investigated the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in Br-A23187 toxicity to cultured rat hepatocytes. After 10 microM Br-A23187, over 60% of hepatocytes lost viability within 1 h. This necrotic cell killing was preceded by increased mitochondrial free Ca2+, mitochondrial depolarization, and onset of the MPT. Cyclosporin A (CsA), a blocker of the permeability transition pore, prevented the MPT and cell killing but had no effect on increased mitochondrial free Ca2+ and depolarization after Br-A23187. To determine whether Br-A23187-induced cell killing was linked to loss of cellular ATP supply, hepatocytes were incubated with fructose and oligomycin, a source of glycolytic ATP and an inhibitor of the uncoupler-stimulated mitochondrial ATPase, respectively. Fructose plus oligomycin prevented cell killing after Br-A23187 but not the MPT. When fructose plus oligomycin prevented necrotic cell killing, apoptosis developed after 10 h. When cells were treated additionally with CsA, these apoptotic changes were prevented. In conclusion, the MPT mediates Br-A23187 cytotoxicity. Acutely, the MPT causes mitochondrial uncoupling and profound ATP depletion, which leads to necrotic cell death. However, when glycolytic ATP generation is available, the MPT induces apoptosis. CsA blocks the MPT and prevents both necrotic and apoptotic cell killing after Br-A23187.

Contribution of presynaptic dopaminergic receptors to the mechanism of the reactivating effects of blockade of the GABA-benzodiazepine-ionophore complex.

Changes in the reactivating efficiency of blockade of components of the GABA-benzodiazepine-ionophore complex were analyzed in conditions of preliminary activation and inhibition of dopamine autoreceptors using (+)ZRRR and haloperidol respectively. A conditioned passive escape reflex was used, along with amnesia produced by detaining mice in the danger sector of a chamber immediately after imposition of a painful stimulus. Doses of bicuculline (1 mg/kg), picrotoxin (1 mg/kg), and flumazenil (10 mg/kg) given before testing restored performance of the conditioned response without altering the neurochemical background. Reductions and increases in dopaminergic activity during the training period prevented restoration of the conditioned passive escape response by blockade of GABAa and benzodiazepine receptors and chloride channels. It is suggested that the neurochemical mechanisms involved in restoring the damaged memory trace are based on the formation of te optimal balance in the activities of the various components of the GABA-benzodiazepine-ionophore complex and the dopaminergic system.

Bone resorption induced by A23187 is abolished by indomethacin: implications for second messenger utilised by parathyroid hormone.

Parathyroid hormone acts on the osteoblast to induce osteoclastic bone resorption. Parathyroid hormone utilises cyclic AMP as a second messenger in osteoblasts, but may also cause an increase in cytoplasmatic free calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) in the same cell. To investigate the role of osteoblastic [Ca2+]i in the induction of bone resorption, we have compared the effects of parathyroid hormone and the Ca2+-ionophore, A23187, as well as the adenylate cyclase stimulating agent, forskolin, and the phorbol ester, phorbole 12,13 dibutyrate (PDB), on bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvarial bones. Parathyroid hormone (0.1 and 1 nM) dose dependently stimulated the release of prelabelled 45Ca2+ in 72 h culture. Parathyroid hormone-induced bone resorption was not affected by the addition of 1 microM indomethacin to the incubation media, and was therefore, not mediated by local prostaglandin formation. A23187 stimulated the release of 45Ca2+ at 1-10 nM. Above 100 nM, A23187 inhibited bone resorption. The A23187 (3 and 10 nM)-induced bone resorption was abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (1 microM), indicating that the stimulatory effect was mediated via prostaglandin formation. The adenylate cyclase stimulating agent, forskolin, dose dependently stimulated bone resorption at and above 1 microM. There was no additive or synergistic effect of forskolin and A23187 on 45Ca2+ release. Forskolin-induced bone resorption was, as with parathyroid hormone but in contrast to ionophore-induced bone resorption, not abolished by indomethacin (1 microM). The protein kinase C activator, PDB, at 10 and 1000 nM stimulated the release of prelabelled 45Ca2+. The stimulatory effect of the protein kinase C stimulating phorbol ester, PDB, on bone resorption was abolished by the addition of indomethacin. In summary, bone resorption induced by a Ca2+-ionophore is abolished by indomethacin. This indicates that bone resorbing agents known to increase [Ca2+]i subsequently enhance local prostaglandin formation. Bone resorption induced by the protein kinase C activator, PDB, was also abolished by indomethacin, whereas, forskolin and parathyroid hormone-induced bone resorption was unaffected. These data indicate that cyclic AMP, but not [Ca2+]i, is involved as a second messenger in parathyroid-induced bone resorption.

Two distinct effects of 12S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid on platelet aggregation by zooxanthellatoxin-A and ionomycin.

The marine toxin zooxanthellatoxin-A (ZT-A) and the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin caused aggregation in rabbit platelets. While ZT-A-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by indomethacin, ionomycin-induced aggregation was potentiated by the drug. In contrast, both ZT-A- and ionomycin-induced accumulations of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), a stable metabolite of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), were completely inhibited by indomethacin. 12S-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), which could be accumulated in the presence of indomethacin, inhibited ZT-A-induced aggregation, but it potentiated the ionomycin-induced one. These results suggest that the different effects of indomethacin may be attributed to the distinct effects of 12-HETE on ZT-A- and ionomycin-induced platelet aggregations.

Effect of ganglionic blocking compounds on in-vivo fluid secretion in the rat small intestine.

It is well-known that enteric, secreto-motor nerves mediate cholera toxin-induced fluid secretion in the rat small intestine. This notion is, in part, derived from experiments on anaesthetized animals in which the response to cholera toxin was antagonized by the ganglionic nicotinic receptor antagonist, hexamethonium. In the current study, such anti-secretory action of ganglionic blocking compounds was analysed in an experiment designed to minimize any possible negative effect of general anaesthesia on intestinal secretion. Rats were anaesthetized with ether for 5-10 min, during which time a jejunal loop (10-12 cm) was constructed. The loop was challenged with one of the secretagogues, cholera toxin, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or okadaic acid. Saline (control) or either of the ganglionic blockers, hexamethonium and chlorisondamine, was administered intravenously. The rats were killed 5 h (cholera toxin) or 1.5 h (PGE1 and okadaic acid) after challenge, and the amount of fluid accumulated in the loops was determined. Cholera toxin-induced secretion was unchanged by hexamethonium but reduced by approximately 80% by chlorisondamine. The difference in effect between the two blockers might relate to the duration of ganglionic blockade. Chlorisondamine blocked secretion induced by either PGE1 or okadaic acid by approximately 60%. It is suggested that the anti-secretory effect of ganglionic blocking compounds might be a result of blockade of secreto-motor nerves but other mechanisms, for example interference with haemodynamic factors, cannot be ruled out.