Effect of capsaicin on gastric corpus smooth muscle of the rat in vitro.

Circular strips of the rat gastric corpus muscle were mounted in Krebs solution for isometric tension recording. Addition of capsaicin usually led to either relaxation or contraction, but in some strips a biphasic response was observed. Although no clear-cut concentration-response relationship could be established, capsaicin predominantly induced contraction at 500 nM, whereas at 5 microM it mainly induced relaxation. In Krebs solution containing atropine plus guanethidine, the contraction induced by 500 nM capsaicin was significantly reduced. The contraction induced by capsaicin was abolished by spantide, a tachykinin antagonist, or by tachyphylaxis to substance P. Calcitonin gene-related peptide relaxed gastric smooth muscle, however, a dose-response relationship could not be established. This peptide contracted the muscle strips only at 1 microM. Tachyphylaxis to calcitonin gene-related peptide did not significantly influence the action of capsaicin. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide dose dependently relaxed gastric corpus strips; however, these responses were qualitatively different from those to capsaicin. It is concluded that capsaicin contracts rat gastric smooth muscle via the release of tachykinins; cholinergic interneurones are involved. The mediator of the capsaicin-induced relaxation has yet to be determined.

Homocysteic acid as a putative excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter: I. Postsynaptic characteristics at N-methyl-D-aspartate-type receptors on striatal cholinergic interneurons.

The actions of the stereoisomers of homocysteic acid (HCA) were characterized at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type receptors which mediate excitatory amino acid-evoked [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) release from striatal cholinergic interneurons. Like NMDA, L-HCA and D-HCA evoked the release of [3H]ACh formed from [3H]choline in striatal slices. The concentration-response curve for L-HCA was virtually superimposable on that for NMDA, yielding an equal EC50 value (56.1 microM) and maximal response. However, D-HCA was weaker, with an EC50 value of 81.1 microM, and an apparently smaller maximal response. L-HCA-evoked [3H]ACh release was inhibited by the same categories of compounds which inhibit NMDA-evoked [3H]ACh release: the divalent ion Mg2+ (IC50 = 25.8 microM); competitive NMDA antagonists 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate (IC50 = 51.2 microM) and 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (IC50 = 20.1 microM); and the dissociative anesthetics tiletamine (IC50 = 0.59 microM) and MK-801 (IC50 = 0.087 microM). Like NMDA, L-HCA produced a tachyphylaxis in this system. Tachyphylaxis to NMDA resulted in a decrease response to L-HCA, and conversely, tachyphylaxis to L-HCA resulted in a decrease response to NMDA. The results suggest that L-HCA is an agonist at the NMDA-type receptor and may represent an endogenous ligand for this excitatory amino acid receptor.

Differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells: marked potentiation of prostaglandin E-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP by retinoic acid.

Neuroblastoma cells in culture contain low levels of cyclic AMP, a second messenger which plays a major role in neuronal maturation. In this study, human neuroblastoma cells, SK-N-SH-SY5Y, were induced to differentiate by treatment with either nerve growth factor (50 ng/ml), retinoic acid (10 microM), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM), or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (0.1 microM), and the ability of several neurotransmitters or hormones to stimulate adenylyl cyclase was tested. Although all four differentiation factors caused morphological changes towards a neuronal phenotype, only retinoic acid dramatically enhanced cyclic AMP accumulation, specifically upon stimulation with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). PGE2 was also active, but less potent, than PGE1, whereas the other cyclic AMP-stimulating agents tested were largely unaffected. Further, the rapid desensitization of the PGE1-cyclic AMP response observed in control cells after 20 min of PGE1 exposure did not occur in retinoic acid-treated cells, and the EC50 values for PGE1 were reduced from approximately 240 to 14 nM after retinoic acid treatment. The increased sensitivity to PGE was associated with an increase of high-affinity PGE1 binding sites, whereas the Gs coupling proteins and adenylyl cyclase were not measurably affected. A similar enhancement of the PGE1-cyclic AMP response by retinoic acid was also observed in two additional human neuroblastoma cell lines tested, Kelly and IMR-32, suggesting that up-regulation of the prostaglandin response by retinoic acid is common among neuroblastoma cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An investigation of the adrenergic uptake specificity of phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfides.

In earlier work we have demonstrated that a novel series of phenylethylamine analogs (phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfides) cause a potent antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition, we have shown in vitro that these compounds are facile substrates for dopamine beta-hydroxylase, the terminal enzyme of norepinephrine synthesis. While the mechanism of action of these derivatives is as yet hypothetical, we have proposed that, if they are capable of gaining entrance into adrenergic nerve endings and neurotransmitter storage vesicles, these compounds may reduce norepinephrine synthesis by competing with dopamine for oxygenation. In this report, we present results of preliminary studies designed to examine this hypothetical mechanism of action. We find that all derivatives of this series are classical indirect-acting sympathomimetics whose initial cardiovascular activity is blocked by cocaine. These results suggest that compounds of this type gain entrance to adrenergic neurons via the normal norepinephrine uptake mechanism on adrenergic nerve endings. We also present data which demonstrate that the methylated derivative was not only the most potent indirect-acting sympathomimetic, but also the only derivative capable of producing a marked tachyphylaxis. In addition, we find these compounds affect a specific pool of intraneuronal norepinephrine, distinct from that affected by tyramine, a well-known indirect-acting sympathomimetic agent.

Neuromedin U octapeptide alters ion transport in porcine jejunum.

The gut neuropeptide, neuromedin U octapeptide (NMU-8) produced transient elevations in short-circuit current (EC50 = 0.7 nmol/l) after its contraluminal administration to sheets of porcine distal jejunal mucosa in vitro. Mucosal responses to NMU-8 were unaffected by 1 mumol/l atropine or hexamethonium, but were abolished by tetrodotoxin (0.1 mumol/l), dependent upon extracellular Cl, and underwent tachyphylaxis upon repeated peptide application. NMU-8 did not affect contractility of isolated jejunal longitudinal muscle. Thus, NMU-8 appears to selectively modify intestinal ion transport through interactions with non-cholinergic enteric neurons.

Possible mechanism of acetaldehyde-induced noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerve terminals in isolated blood vessels.

1. Vasoconstrictor responses to acetaldehyde were investigated in isolated and perfused canine intermediate auricular (ear) arteries. 2. Single injections of small doses of acetaldehyde (1-3 mumol) induced vasoconstriction in a dose-related manner and showed no tachyphylaxis. On the other hand, large doses of acetaldehyde (10-30 mumol) frequently caused tachyphylaxis when injected at 10 min intervals. 3. After tyramine treatment, constrictions induced by a large dose of acetaldehyde were consistently restored temporarily. 4. The acetaldehyde-induced vasoconstriction was inhibited by bunazosin, a potent alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist. 5. A small dose of imipramine blocked tyramine-induced vasoconstriction, but had no significant influence on noradrenaline (NA)-induced constrictions, and caused slight potentiation of acetaldehyde-induced constrictions. 6. Hydrocortisone treatment did not modify tyramine-induced vasoconstrictions and slightly suppressed NA- and acetaldehyde-induced constrictions but not significantly. 7. It is suggested that acetaldehyde causes a release of NA from a NA store of the sympathetic nerve terminals which is different from the tyramine-sensitive NA store, and that the acetaldehyde-sensitive NA store may be readily filled up with NA from the tyramine-sensitive store.

The mucosa mediates tachyphylaxis to leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4 in guinea pig trachea.

Effects of mucosal abrasion on tracheal smooth muscle leukotriene C4, D4 and E4 tachyphylaxis and on histamine contractions before and after four leukotriene exposures were studied. In intact tracheae, leukotriene C4 and E4 second exposure contractions were greater than first. Subsequent contractions showed tachyphylaxis. Leukotriene D4 contractions exhibited progressive tachyphylaxis. Mucosal abrasion potentiated initial leukotriene C4 and D contractions and eliminated leukotriene C4, D4 and E4 tachyphylaxis. Four leukotriene (10(-8) M) exposures reduced histamine (10(-4) M) responses in intact but not abraded preparations. Thus leukotriene C4, D4 and E4 release non-specific inhibitor(s) from tracheal mucosa.

Mechanism of contractile action of barium ion on rat aortic smooth muscle.

The mechanism of Ba2+-induced contraction has been examined in helical strips of Ca2+-depleted, 60 mM K+-depolarized rat aortae. The concentration-response curves to Ca2+ or Ba2+ were significantly potentiated by exposure to 3 X 10(-8) M Bay K 8644 (a Ca2+ channel agonist) in the order Ca2+ greater than Ba2+, suggesting an action of Ba2+ ions through potential-sensitive membrane Ca2+ channels. Exposure of strips to background concentration of Ca2+ (0.05 mM) enhanced the contractile responses to Ba2+, whereas background exposure to Ba2+ (0.1 mM) attenuated Ca2+ responses. Repeated stimulation with Ba2+ resulted in tachyphylaxis, contrary to the result when Ca2+ was used. The results suggest that Ba2+ ions enter rat aortic smooth muscle cells through Ca2+ channels and mobilize a noradrenaline-insensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool. Ba2+ may also cause a desensitization of some intracellular process.

Hypocapnia-induced constriction of the canine peripheral airways exhibits tachyphylaxis.

Hypocapnia-induced constriction of peripheral airways may be important in regulating the distribution of ventilation in pathological conditions. We studied the response of the peripheral lung to hypocapnia in anesthetized, paralyzed, mechanically ventilated dogs using the wedged bronchoscope technique to measure resistance of the collateral system (Rcs). A 5-min hypocapnic challenge produced a 161 +/- 19% (mean +/- SE) increase in Rcs. The magnitude of this response was not diminished with repeated challenge or by atropine sulfate (1 mg base/kg iv), chlorpheniramine maleate (5 mg base/kg iv), or indomethacin (5 mg/kg iv). The response was reduced by 75% by isoproterenol (5 micrograms/kg iv) (P less than 0.01) and reduced by 80% by nifedipine (20 micrograms/kg iv) (P less than 0.05). During 30-min exposure to hypocapnia the maximum constrictor response occurred at 4-5 min, after which the response attenuated to approximately 50% of the maximum response (mean = 53%, range 34-69%). Further 30-min challenges with hypocapnia resulted in significantly decreased peak responses, the third response being 50% of the first (P less than 0.001). The inability of indomethacin or propranolol to affect the tachyphylaxis or attenuation of the response suggests that neither cyclooxygenase products nor beta-adrenergic activity was involved. Hence, hypocapnia caused a prompt and marked constrictor response in the peripheral lung not associated with cholinergic mechanisms or those involving histamine H1-receptors or prostaglandins. With prolonged exposure to hypocapnia there was gradual attentuation of the constrictor response with continued exposure and tachyphylaxis to repeated exposure both of which would tend to diminish any compensatory effect of hypocapnic airway constriction on the distribution of ventilation.

The effects of arginine-8 vasopressin on blood vessels supplying the cerebral cortex.

A videocamera and a dissecting microscope have been used to record the effects of arginine-8 vasopressin (AVP) upon pial blood vessels in anaesthetised rats. Topical application of AVP caused a contraction of pial arteries, but had no measureable effect upon the diameter of veins. The smallest concentration of AVP that was effective in contracting arteries was 10(-7) mU/microliter. Stronger solutions (10(-5) to 2.0 mU/microliter) produced approximately the same (45%) reduction of external diameter. Contraction was maximal 0.25-1.0 min after application of the hormone, had almost recovered (10% contraction) after 10 min, and showed complete recovery by 30 min. Concentrations of AVP that were greater than 10(-3) mU/microliter produced tachyphylaxis, so that a second application of AVP 30 min later had considerably less effect. Concentrations less than 10(-3) mU/microliter produced no detectable tachyphylaxis. These results suggest that blood flow to the normal cerebral cortex may be partly under tonic control by the local concentration of AVP.

Cholecystokinin octapeptide activates an opioid mechanism in the guinea-pig ileum: a possible role for substance P.

To test the hypothesis that excitatory peptides release endogenous opioids from the myenteric plexus longitudinal muscle (MPLM) preparation of the guinea-pig ileum (GPI), the effect of cholecystokinin (CCK8) was studied in the absence and presence of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The maximum height of the contracture induced by CCK8 was not altered by the presence of naloxone in the incubation medium, however, the subsequent sustained excitation was clearly increased. This effect is interpreted as being a result of the release of endogenous opioids during the first moments of the CCK8-evoked excitation of the plexus. CCK8 still induced neurogenic contractures in the presence of atropine; these contractures were probably mediated by the release of substance P. Naloxone was used to evidence the opioid control of the CCK8-induced release of substance P. Desensitization to the effect of substance P reduced the action of CCK8 and also abolished the non-cholinergic contractures evoked by CCK8 and the subsequent effect of naloxone. These facts suggest the release of endogenous opioids within the plexus in response to the neurally mediated excitatory action of CCK8.

Suppression of histamine-induced wheal response by loratadine (SCH 29851) over 28 days in man.

Five groups of 12 healthy volunteers each received in double-blind, randomized fashion oral b.i.d. doses of 10, 20, or 40 mg loratadine, 12 mg chlorpheniramine maleate (CTM), or placebo for 28 days. Histamine and saline were injected intradermally into opposite arms at baseline and at specified times following treatment on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Notable suppression of adjusted wheal formation (histamine-induced minus saline-induced) occurred within two hours after the first dose of each active treatment on day 1. In general, throughout the treatment period, suppression of adjusted wheal formation by all doses of loratadine was significantly greater than by placebo. Suppression by 10 mg loratadine was comparable to CTM, and 20 and 40 mg loratadine were significantly greater than CTM. Suppression of wheal formation by loratadine during the treatment period and during five days posttreatment were dose related. The continued effectiveness of loratadine throughout the 28 days suggests that tolerance to loratadine did not develop in this study. Sedation occurred in 8 of 12 subjects receiving CTM, 1 of 12 receiving 10 mg loratadine, and 1 of 12 receiving placebo.

The pharmacological effects of acute and chronic clenbuterol treatments after lesions of central noradrenergic nerve terminals.

Acute administration of clenbuterol, a lipophilic beta-adrenergic agonist, decreases motor activity and antagonizes the reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice. After chronic administration of clenbuterol, the acute effect on motor activity disappears (tachyphylaxis) and the acute effect on reserpine hypothermia is potentiated (facilitation). These effects of clenbuterol (either acute or chronic + acute treatments) are not abolished after specific lesions of the noradrenergic system by the neurotoxin DSP-4 which reduces the cerebral levels of norepinephrine to 30% of controls. Although it cannot be excluded that a 70% lesion may be insufficient, another explanation is that beta-adrenergic receptors involved in hypomotility and in reserpine-induced hypothermia may not be located on noradrenergic neurons or may be different from the post-synaptic beta-adrenergic receptors which become hypersensitive after DSP-4 denervation.

Leukotriene B4 and 20-hydroxyleukotriene B4 contract guinea-pig trachea strips in vitro.

In contrast to its established myotropic effect on guinea-pig lung parenchyma, the myotropic action of leukotriene B4 on the trachea is uncertain. Our characterization of its effects on the latter organ indicates that leukotriene B4 contracts guinea-pig trachea zig-zag strips in a concentration-dependent manner from 5 X 10(-9) to 5 X 10(-7) M. Leukotriene B4 was at least 10 times more potent than histamine, but 10 times less potent than leukotriene C4. Similar effects were evident with 20-hydroxyleukotriene B4; however, this metabolite contracted the trachea less forcefully. Tracheas developed tachyphylaxis after cumulative administration of leukotriene B4, but not 20-hydroxyleukotriene B4. The myotropic effect of leukotriene B4 was attributable to an indirect mechanism involving formation of cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. For example, the levels of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha released into the incubation medium correlated with the contractile response, and suppression of their biosynthesis with cyclooxygenase inhibitors eliminated that response. We conclude that myotropic effects of leukotriene B4 occur in central airways in addition to peripheral airways. The contribution of leukotriene B4 to tracheal bronchospasm is not necessarily negligible.

Effects of chronic morphine treatment on opioid-induced inhibition and facilitation of acetylcholine release in guinea-pig thalamic slices.

The effect of chronic morphine treatment on acetylcholine (ACh) release from guinea-pig thalamic slices and on [3H]-dihydro-morphine binding to the brain of normal, tolerant and abstinent guinea-pigs was studied. Morphine (30 microM) inhibited the electrically-evoked ACh release to the same extent in normal and tolerant slices. This effect was antagonized by naloxone. Morphine (30 microM) in the presence of naloxone (10 microM) facilitated electrically-evoked release of ACh. This effect displayed tachyphylaxis in normal slices and was absent in the brain taken from tolerant animals. The reduction of [Ca++] in the medium increased the facilitatory response in normal slices and the inhibitory response in normal and tolerant tissue. The high and low affinity binding sites to [3H]-dihydro-morphine were the same in the thalami, caudate nuclei and cortices of normal, tolerant and abstinent animals. It is concluded that the cholinergic structures of the guinea-pig thalamus are unlikely to be involved in morphine tolerance. In fact, the facilitation appears to be an ancillary phenomenon which quickly displays tachyphylaxis in normal tissue while the inhibition of ACh release remains unchanged.

Bronchodilator response in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We measured response to 250 micrograms isoproterenol in 985 patients with COPD who were carefully studied and followed closely for nearly 3 yr. Response was quantitated in relative (% increase in FEV1) and absolute (change in FEV1 as a % predicted normal) terms. Patients were told to abstain from bronchodilator for 6 h before testing, and responses were larger in those who said they had done this. Responses were not related to blood theophylline concentrations. In patients who had abstained for 6 h, response averaged 15% of the baseline FEV1 or 5% of the predicted normal FEV1. Relative response was inversely proportional to baseline FEV1, whereas absolute response was directly related to baseline FEV1. Responses were positively related to symptomatic wheezing and exercise capacity, and negatively to smoking history, but these features accounted for little of the observed variation in response. Patients with large relative and absolute responses demonstrated increased variability of FEV1 with time and a decreased annual rate of decline of FEV1. There was little change in response with time, and the change observed could probably be explained by a gradual decrease in FEV1. However, time-related interindividual and intraindividual variations of response were large and impossible to separate from random variations of FEV1.

Studies on the receptor mediating cyclic AMP-independent enhancement by adenosine of IgE-dependent mediator release from rat mast cells.

Adenosine produced a concentration-related enhancement of antigen-induced 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release from rat serosal mast cells. This potentiation was maximal following the simultaneous addition of adenosine with antigen. Enhancement of 5-HT release was accompanied by potentiation of the adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) response to challenge. The cyclic AMP response, which was antagonized by 8-phenyltheophylline, was characterized as an A2-purinoceptor-mediated effect by the use of 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) and L-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (L-PIA). Enhancement of 5-HT release, conversely, was not blocked by 8-phenyltheophylline suggesting it to be mediated by a cyclic AMP-independent mechanism. The effect of adenosine on 5-HT release was not reduced by the inhibition of the facilitated uptake of adenosine with dipyridamole, hexobendine or p-nitrobenzylthioguanosine, therefore, suggesting it to be mediated by a cell surface receptor. The receptor mediating enhancement of 5-HT does not appear to belong to the P2-purinoceptor subtype as adenosine was more potent than both adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and alpha, beta-methylene ATP was inactive. Furthermore, the effects of AMP were blocked by alpha, beta-methylene ADP, which inhibits the conversion of AMP to adenosine. Adenosine, NECA, L- and D-PIA were all of equal potency in enhancing 5-HT release. Inosine and 3-deazaadenosine were also active. The rank order of potency of these adenosine analogues is not consistent with an effect at A1- or A2-purinoceptors. There appear to be two adenosine receptors on rat mast cells, an A2-purinoceptor which stimulates adenylate cyclase and a separate purinoceptor, stimulation of which produces enhancement of mediator release by an unknown mechanism. The effects mediated by these receptors appear to be independent of each other.

A study of the effect of 8-aminoquinolines (primaquine, pamaquine, pentaquine) on the guinea-pig isolated ileum.

Primaquine (10(-6) to 4.10(-5) M), an antimalarial drug, has stimulatory effects on the guinea-pig ileum which seem to be related to stimulation of histaminergic H1-receptors. Preincubation of the preparations with compound 48/80 greatly inhibits the primaquine induced contractions, indicating that they should result from histamine release. On the other hand, primaquine (from 10(-6) M) like 2 other 8-aminoquinolines, pamaquine and pentaquine, has inhibitory properties on the intramural cholinergic neurones of the ileum, and at higher concentrations (10(-5) M) exerts a direct inhibition on the smooth muscle.

Contraction of guinea pig lung by synthetic oligopeptides related to human C3a.

Complement-derived human C3a is a 77 residue protein whose biological activities include the contraction of guinea pig ileum and parenchymal lung strips. The C3a molecule is active at submicromolar concentrations and the spasmogenic activities are absolutely dependent on a carboxy-terminal arginyl residue. Studies with synthetic peptide analogues of C3a have localized the active site for all spasmogenic functions at the carboxy-terminal portion of the native molecule. Studies reported here demonstrate that the spasmogenic action of C3a on guinea pig parenchymal lung tissue is mimicked by synthetic peptides based on the carboxy-terminal sequence of C3a. Synthetic peptides with sequences corresponding to the 5, 8, 13 and 21 carboxy-terminal residues of C3a all possess spasmogenic activity on lung tissue. Molar activities of the synthetic peptides relative to that of C3a increase as the length of the peptide increases. The activity of the pentapeptide C3a 73-77 is only 0.5% that of C3a, while those of C3a 70-77 and C3a 65-77 are 3.8 and 7.8%, respectively. A 21 residue peptide, C3a 57-77, exhibits activity equivalent to native C3a. The synthetic peptides, unlike C3a, fail to produce tachyphylaxis. We compared C3a reactivity of guinea pig parenchymal lung strips with those of the synthetic C3a peptides in the presence of various inhibitor combinations. Responses of lung strips to C3a or the C3a peptides were not significantly inhibited by the antihistamine pyrilamine. However, lung responses to synthetic C3a peptides, like those to C3a, were inhibited by indomethacin. Complete inhibition of responses to C3a or the synthetic C3a peptides was produced in the presence of indomethacin, FPL55712 and pyrilamine.

Effect of sodium propionate on the contractile response of the rat ileum in situ.

Effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) on the contractile response of rat ileum were studied in vivo. The contractile response was estimated by means of changes in the intraluminal pressure under the isometric condition. Intravenous administration of sodium salts of propionate, butyrate, valerate or caproate produced biphasic contractions: an initial phasic contraction and a subsequent tonic contraction. The effect of propionate was studied in detail. A sigmoid dose-response curve was obtained for the phasic contraction. Atropine, hexamethonium and tetrodotoxin inhibited the phasic contraction, while neostigmine vigorously enhanced it. On the other hand, the tonic contraction was not inhibited by atropine, hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin. Repeated administration of propionate at intervals of less than 3 min led to tachyphylaxis, and this tachyphylaxis disappeared by about 10 min. These results suggest that SCFA induced the biphasic contraction of the rat ileum, probably by neurogenic and myogenic mechanisms.