Pathological characterization of primary splenic myxoid liposarcomas in three dogs.

Non-angiomatous-non-lymphomatous sarcomas (NANLs) represent 23%-34% of canine primary splenic sarcomas. Splenic liposarcomas account for 2%-6% of NANLs but myxoid variants are rarely reported and information on their behaviour is fragmentary. An 8-year-old male crossbreed (case 1), a 12-year-old female French bulldog (case 2), and an 11-year-old crossbreed (case 3) underwent splenectomy after the detection of a splenic nodule. Histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed. Bundles of spindle-to-polygonal cells containing occasional cytoplasmic oil-red-O positive vacuoles embedded in an Alcian blue-positive extracellular matrix were observed. Aggregates of round cells were detected in cases 1 and 3. All tumours were vimentin positive and actin, desmin, Factor VIII, and S100 negative. The TEM evidenced different maturational stages of adipose cells (lipoblasts, intermediate, and undifferentiated). All the cases developed hepatic metastases and were euthanized. Disease free interval was 2 months in cases 1 and 3, and 21 months in case 2. The presence of a neoplastic embolus in case 1 and areas of round cell differentiation in cases 1 and 3 represented the sole prognostic indices.

Feline upper respiratory tract lymphoma: site, cyto-histology, phenotype, FeLV expression, and prognosis.

Lymphoma is the most common feline upper respiratory tract (URT) tumor. Primary nasal and nasopharyngeal lymphomas have been evaluated as distinct pathological entities; however, data on their differing clinical behavior are missing. A total of 164 endoscopic- guided URT pinch biopsies were formalin fixed and routinely processed. Imprint cytological specimens were stained with May Grünwald-Giemsa. Immunohistochemistry for anti-CD20, CD3, FeLVp27, and FeLVgp70 was performed. Prognostic significance of clinicopathological variables was investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Lymphoma was diagnosed in 39 cats (24%). Most cats with lymphoma were domestic shorthair (32 [82%]), were male (F/M = 0.56), and had a mean age of 10.3 years (range, 1-16 years). Lymphomas were primary nasal in 26 cats (67%), nasopharyngeal in 6 (15%), and in both locations (combined lymphomas) in 7 cats (18%). Neoplastic growth pattern was diffuse in 35 cases (90%) and nodular in 4 (10%). Epitheliotropism was observed in 10 cases (26%). Tumor cells were large in 15 cases, were small and medium in 11 cases each, and 2 had mixed cell size. Submucosal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation was observed in 23 cases (59%). Cytology was diagnostic for lymphoma in 12 of 25 cases (48%). A B-cell origin prevailed (34 [87%]). Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) p27 or gp70 antigen was detected in 21 lymphomas (54%). URT lymphomas were aggressive, with survival varying from 0 to 301 days (mean, 53 days). Epitheliotropism in 8 B-cell lymphomas (80%) and in 2 T-cell lymphomas (20%) correlated with prolonged survival. Age younger or older than 10 years had a negative prognostic value. Lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and FeLV infection may represent favoring factors for URT lymphoma development.

Cardiovascular pharmacology of the A2A adenosine receptor antagonist, SCH 58261, in the rat.

We characterized the in vivo cardiovascular profile of SCH 58261, 7-(2-phenylethyl)-5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3-e]-1,2, 4-triazolo[1,5-c] pyrimidine, a selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonist, in conscious, freely moving rats by use of the telemetry system. In normotensive rats, SCH 58261, at 10 mg/kg i.p., significantly (P < .05) inhibited hypotension and tachycardia induced by the A2A receptor agonist 2-hexynyl-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (0.01 mg/kg i.p.), but not the bradycardic effect caused by the A1 receptor agonist 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (0.03 mg/kg i.p.). SCH 58261, when administered alone, at 0.1 and 1 mg/kg i.p., did not induce significant hemodynamic changes, but at 10 mg/kg i.p., it slightly increased both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (+19 +/- 3 and +16 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively; P < . 01) and heart rate (HR) (+85 +/- 5 beats/min; P < .01). These effects were inhibited by adrenergic blockade with propranolol (30 mg/kg i.p.) and phentolamine (10 mg/kg i.p.): -5 +/- 3 mm Hg on DBP and -12 +/- 11 beats/min on HR (P < .01). In spontaneously hypertensive rats, SCH 58261, at 3 and 10 mg/kg i.p., increased weakly both SBP (+19 +/- 5 mm Hg and +25 +/- 4 mm Hg) and DBP (+14 +/- 4 mm Hg and +23 +/- 4 mm Hg) vs. vehicle (P < .01) and HR (+45 +/- 17 and +64 +/- 18 beats/min vs. vehicle, respectively; P < .01). The data indicate that SCH 58261 retains A2A selective receptor antagonist properties in vivo. Its effect on cardiovascular sympathetic outflow further suggests that endogenous adenosine exerts a tonic vascular regulation through A2A receptors. Therefore, SCH 58261 can be a useful pharmacological tool for clarifying A2A-mediated cardiovascular actions of adenosine.

Blockade of adenosine A2A receptors by SCH 58261 results in neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischaemia in rats.

Blockade of adenosine receptors can reduce cerebral infarct size in the model of global ischaemia. Using the potent and selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonist, SCH 58261, we assessed whether A2A receptors are involved in the neuronal damage following focal cerebral ischaemia as induced by occluding the left middle cerebral artery. SCH 58261 (0.01 mg/kg either i.p. or i.v.) administered to normotensive rats 10 min after ischaemia markedly reduced cortical infarct volume as measured 24 h later (30% vs controls, p < 0.05). Similar effects were observed when SCH 58261 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to hypertensive rats (28% infarct volume reduction vs controls, p < 0.05). Neuroprotective properties of SCH 58261 administered after ischaemia indicate that blockade of A2A adenosine receptors is a potentially useful biological target for the reduction of brain injury.

Mechanism and pressor relevance of the short-term cardiovascular and renin excitatory actions of the selective A2A-adenosine receptor agonists.

Selective A2A adenosine receptor agonists are potent vasodilators that reduce blood pressure and induce marked increments in heart rate and plasma renin activity (PRA). To examine the mechanisms and pressor relevance of these cardiac and renin responses, we measured blood pressure and heart rate by telemetry and PRA in separate sets of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), which were given i.p. 2-hexynyl-5-methylcarboxamidoadenosine (2HE-NECA, 0.01 mg/kg) and 2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosin e (CGS 21680, 0.1 mg/kg) alone and after pretreatment with the beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent atenolol (100 mg/kg). The effects of 2HE-NECA (0.003 mg/kg) also were examined after pretreatment with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor spirapril (3 mg/kg). Both A2A agonists induced marked reductions in blood pressure, associated with significant increments in heart rate and in PRA. Atenolol reduced blood pressure to the same extent as did the A2A agonists and markedly decreased heart rate and PRA. Pretreatment with atenolol entirely prevented the increase in heart rate and in PRA induced by the two A2A agonists but potentiated only slightly their antihypertensive effect. Spirapril alone reduced blood pressure and increased PRA and when given before 2HE-NECA potentiated its depressor and renin-stimulating effects by 44% and 69%, respectively. These results suggest that the increase in heart rate and in PRA induced by A2A agonists is the result of a reflex increase in sympathetic activity triggered by the decrease in blood pressure rather than of a direct stimulating effect on cardiac and renal A2A-adenosine receptors; the reactive activation of the renin-angiotensin system elicited by these compounds may contribute to blunting their antihypertensive effect.

Hemodynamic changes do not mediate the cardioprotection induced by the A1, adenosine receptor agonist CCPA in the rabbit.

Stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors is known to reduce infarct size in the rabbit heart. The aim of the present study was to verify whether a protective activity similar to that of the selective A1 receptor agonist, 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), could also be obtained by inducing comparable hemodynamic effects with drugs having different mechanisms of action. The effects of the beta-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol, the calcium channel blocker felodipine, the A2A-selective adenosine receptor agonist 2-hexynyl-5'-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (2HE-NECA), and the non-selective adenosine receptor agonist 5'-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) were tested. Groups of 12-15 anesthetized open-chest rabbits received a 5-min infusion of CCPA (50 micrograms kg-1 min-1), atenolol (1 mg kg-1 min-1), felodipine (50 micrograms kg-1 min-1), 2HE-NECA (1 microgram kg-1 min-1), and NECA ( 1 microgram kg-1 min-1). Myocardial infarction was induced by a 30-min occlusion of a branch of the left coronary artery, followed by 3-h reperfusion. Infarct size was measured by tetrazolium staining. In controls, infarct size was about 40% of the zone at risk. Pretreatment with CCPA induced a marked decrease in heart rate (-40%) and blood pressure (-48%), and showed antiischemic activity (28% of the zone at risk). The other drugs tested produced similar effects on either heart rate (atenolol, -25%), or blood pressure (felodipine, 2HE-NECA and NECA, about -45%), but did not affect infarct size. IN this model, the reduction in infarct size by CCPA is most likely mediated by A1 receptors, since comparable hemodynamic effects, induced by other means, are not effective. A2A receptor stimulation does not appear to exert a protective effect.

Alternative splicing of the estrogen receptor primary transcript normally occurs in estrogen receptor positive tissues and cell lines.

Several laboratories have described estrogen receptor mRNA variants created by skipping internal exons. Some of the putative proteins encoded for by these variants have been functionally characterized by transfection analyses. The variant lacking exon 5 would lead, if translated, to a truncated receptor which shows dominant positive transactivation activity in the absence of hormone. It has been postulated that the variant could account for anti-estrogen resistant tumor growth and for expression of the progesterone receptor in estrogen negative tumors. In order to understand the possible role this and other variants may have in the tumorigenesis of mammary tissue we have carried out a thorough analysis of variants expressed in a tumor cell line (MCF-7), in a tumor sample and in a sample of normal breast tissue derived from mammary reduction surgery. We performed rt-PCR analyses followed by hybridization with exon specific oligonucleotide probes. By these means we have detected nine different variants co-expressed in MCF-7 cells and at least the major variants were equally expressed in normal and neoplastic breast tissue. The same is true for the variant lacking exon 5 which, however, resulted to be a variant of low expression in the three samples analyzed. Variant formation appeared to be restricted to the estrogen receptor messenger since several other members of the superfamily of nuclear receptors did not show variant formation. We also have analyzed the effect of the most abundantly expressed variant, the exon 4 lacking variant, on normal estrogen receptor function, on the growth and on the response to estradiol and to tamoxifen of MCF-7 cells. Although over-expressed at high levels this variant has, if any, only marginal effects on the expression of endogenous estrogen regulated genes and on growth and response to the hormone and its antagonist. Although the lack of function of this variant cannot be extrapolated to other variants, their involvement in tumor formation appears rather unlikely since they are also expressed in normal tissue and the single variant is expressed in addition to many others, some of which might have opposing effects. Variant formation is, however, specific for the estrogen receptor and apparently regulated with tissue specificity as our expression analysis in normal mouse tissues shows. Therefore the variants probably have a physiological significance yet to be discovered.

Telemetry monitoring of hemodynamic effects induced over time by adenosine agonists in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Using the telemetry system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we evaluated the hemodynamic effects of four adenosine analogs having different selectivity for A1 and A2a adenosine receptor subtypes. The selective A2a agonists, 2-hexynyl-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (2HE-NECA) and 2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoaden osi ne (CGS 21680), the selective A1 agonist, 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CCPA) and the nonselective agonist, 5'-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA), were administered i.p. to conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats. For comparison, the calcium channel blocker, felodipine, was included. CCPA and 2HE-NECA were tested also by the oral route. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded every 5 min for 24 hr after drug administration. Data were analyzed using the curve fitting model recently elaborated. All compounds caused dose-dependent antihypertensive effects. The i.p. dose inducing a decrease of 50 mm Hg (ED50) was calculated for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As regards diastolic blood pressure, ED50 values were: CCPA, 0.019 (0.013-0.027) mg/kg, 2HE-NECA, 0.009 (0.002-0.03) mg/kg, CGS 21680, 0.155 (0.084-0.246) mg/kg, NECA, 0.008 (0.004-0.016) mg/kg and felodipine, 5.16 (4.18-7.18) mg/kg. At equiactive doses, the antihypertensive effects of adenosine agonists were shorter lasting [t1/2 for DBP were: CCPA, 54 (44-76) min, 2HE-NECA, 57 (46-71) min, CGS 21680, 45 (21-94) min, NECA, 61(38-97) min] than those of felodipine [t1/2 = 233 (182-274) min]. After oral administration (0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg), hypotension induced by 2HE-NECA was longer lasting than that of CCPA. 2HE-NECA, CGS 21680 and felodipine caused tachycardia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors are involved in mediating vasodilation in the human coronary artery.

We have characterized beta-adrenoceptors in the human coronary artery and investigated the mechanism underlying vasodilating activity of dilevalol, a non-selective beta-blocking agent with beta 2 agonist properties. Specific [125I]-pindolol binding was saturable, reversible and of high affinity (Kd = 91 +/- 7 pM; Bmax = 10 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein). Competition curves of [125I]-pindolol in the presence of ICI 118,551, a selective beta 2 antagonist, or CGP 20712A, a selective beta 1 antagonist, were best explained by a two-site binding model (48 +/- 5% beta 1 and 52 +/- 4% beta 2 receptors). In isolated coronary strips, isoproterenol induced a dose-dependent vasorelaxant effect which was blocked by either ICI 118,551 (100 nM) or CGP 20712A (100 nM). Dilevalol produced about 30-40% of vasodilating activity starting at a concentration of 100 nM. The response was antagonized selectively by ICI 118,551 suggesting that dilevalol produces vasodilation through the stimulation of beta 2 receptors. These findings show that in the human coronary artery both beta 1 and beta 2 receptor subtypes are present and mediate vasodilation. This suggests that the human coronary artery could be used for the evaluation of the vasodilating component of new beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents.

Autoradiographic localization of beta-adrenergic receptors in human large coronary arteries.

The distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors in sections of the human right and left coronary arteries and of the anterior intraventricular branch was studied by the use of combined in vitro radioreceptor binding and autoradiographic techniques. [125I]Cyanopindolol was used as a ligand for beta-adrenergic receptors. Binding of the radioligand to sections of the three coronary arteries under study was saturable, stereoselective, reversible, and displaceable by antagonists and agonists with the rank order of potency expected for beta-adrenergic receptors. Analysis of binding isotherms indicated maximum binding capacities of 41.5 fmol/mg protein for the right coronary artery, 35.4 fmol/mg protein for the left coronary artery, and 25.7 fmol/mg protein for the anterior interventricular branch. Dissociation constants were approximately 35 pM in the arteries examined. The relative amounts of beta 1- and beta 2-receptor subtypes were as follows: 72% beta 1-receptors and 28% beta 2-receptors in the right coronary artery; 65% beta 1-receptors and 35% beta 2-receptors in the left coronary artery; 40% beta 1-receptors and 60% beta 2-receptors in the anterior interventricular branch. The results of autoradiographic analysis revealed a predominance of beta 1-receptors in the medial layer. beta 2-Receptors were localized primarily in the adventitia, in the adventitia-media border, and in the intimal layer. These results should lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the control of coronary circulation in humans.

Alpha 1 adrenoceptor subtype mediates noradrenaline induced contraction of the human internal mammary artery: radioligand and functional studies.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of alpha adrenergic binding sites on human internal mammary arteries and the alpha adrenoceptor mediated vasoconstrictor response to catecholamines. DESIGN: Human internal mammary arteries were cut longitudinally, the intimal layer was scraped, and the arteries homogenised and centrifuged at 50,000 g to obtain a membrane pellet. Saturation isotherms with [3H]-prazosin were done with 50-100 micrograms plasma membranes per tube and increasing concentrations of [3H]-prazosin (non-specific binding: 2.5 mM noradrenaline plus superoxide dismutase and catalase). Kinetic isotherms were done with 100 micrograms plasma membranes and 1-5 nM [3H]-prazosin for time periods ranging from 1 to 90 min; at the equilibrium, dissociation of [3H]-prazosin was achieved by 10 microM prazosin. alpha 2 Adrenoceptor density on internal mammary artery membranes was assessed with [3H]-rauwolscine (non-specific binding: 1 microM yohimbine). Separation of membrane bound radioactivity was achieved by rapid vacuum filtration through Whatman GF/C fibre filters. Saturation isotherms were evaluated by Scatchard plots and kinetic data, and competition isotherms by Enzfitter analysis. Contractility studies were done with helical strips of artery (without adventitial layer) placed in a thermostated perfusion bath. Data were obtained in the presence of different concentrations of agonists and antagonist to obtain Schild plots. Antagonist drugs were employed at only one concentration for each preparation. SUBJECTS: Mammary arteries were collected from 51 patients (age range 42-65 years) undergoing surgery for coronary grafting. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The binding of [3H]-prazosin to arterial plasma membrane was rapid and reversible. The K + 1 was 0.13 (SD 0.03) X 10(9) M.min-1 (n = 5) and the Kd, determined as a ratio between k-1/K + 1, was 0.34(0.01) nM (n = 5). [3H]-Prazosin binding, displaceable by 2.5 mM (-)-noradrenaline, was saturable and disclosed an alpha 1 adrenoceptor density of 30(3) fmol.mg-1 protein with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 215(50) pM (n = 18). The adrenergic agonists competed with [3H]-prazosin in the following order of potency: (-)-adrenaline [Ki = 0.6(0.1) microM; n = 5] greater than (-)-noradrenaline [Ki = 1.05(0.015) microM; n = 12] much greater than (-)-isoprenaline [Ki = 150(10) microM; n = 4]. Specific binding of [3H]-rauwolscine to IMA plasma membranes was negligible (about 2 fmol.mg-1 protein) (n = 15) with an unfavourable ratio of non-specific v specific binding. Catecholamines induced a dose dependent contractile response in arterial strips; (-)-noradrenaline: EC50 = 0.48(0.12) microM, n = 20; (-)-adrenaline: EC50 = 0.15(0.16) microM, n = 10; and methoxamine, a selective alpha 1 adrenergic agonist: EC50 0.67(0.15) microM, n = 10. The alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists BHT-933, BHT-920, and guanabenz did not contract the arterial strips (up to 10 mM). Prazosin (0.03-0.1 microM) produced concentration dependent right shifts of the (-)-noradrenaline [pA2 = 9.83(0.11), n = 19], (-)-adrenaline [pA2 = 9.50(0.31), n = 10], and methoxamine [pA2 = 8.96(0.18), n = 10] concentration-response curve. CONCLUSIONS - Internal mammary artery plasma membranes possess alpha 1 adrenoceptors which are involved in the vasoconstrictor response to catecholamines. alpha 2 Adrenoceptors seem not to be involved.

Role of 5-HT2 receptors in serotonin-induced contraction in the human mammary artery.

We studied the effects of serotonin (5-HT) on isolated human mammary arteries obtained from patients undergoing coronary by-pass grafting. 5-HT induced a concentration-dependent contractile response in the mammary artery, with an EC50 value of 0.34 microM. The 5-HT2 antagonist, ketanserin, reversed the contractions evoked by 5-HT in a competitive manner at a low concentration (10(-8) M), whereas non-competitive antagonism was apparent at higher concentrations (5 X 10(-8)-5 X 10(-7) M). To investigate whether the alpha 1-blocking component of ketanserin plays a role in the response observed in this vessel, we evaluated the effect of ketanserin on contractions induced by (-)-norepinephrine. Ketanserin, in concentrations up to 10(-7) M, did not influence the norepinephrine-induced contractions. Moreover, a threshold concentration of 5-HT (10(-7) M) amplified the contractile effect induced by norepinephrine (5 X 10(-8) M), and this response was inhibited by ketanserin (10(-7) M). The selective 5-HT3 antagonist, GR 38032F, did not affect the 5-HT-induced contractions. These findings indicate that the human mammary artery is a vascular tissue sensitive to 5-HT. The 5-HT2 receptor subtype appears to mediate the response.

5-Hydroxytryptamine induces contraction in isolated human mammary artery: effect of ketanserin.

5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) treatment produced dose-related contractions in the human internal mammary artery with an EC50 value of 3.4 X 10(-7) M. The 5HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin reversed the contractions evoked by 5HT in a competitive manner at a low concentration (10(-8) M), whereas a noncompetitive antagonism was apparent at higher concentrations (5 X 10(-8) M to 5 X 10(-7) M). The alpha 1-blocking component of ketanserin was evaluated by studying the effect of ketanserin upon the contractile response evoked by norepinephrine. Up to 10(-7) M, ketanserin did not influence norepinephrine-induced contractions. These findings indicate that the mammary artery is a vascular tissue sensitive to contractions induced by 5HT and that the drug ketanserin antagonizes this contractile response through the 5HT2 receptor subtype.

Interaction of selected vasodilating beta-blockers with adrenergic receptors in human cardiovascular tissues.

beta- And alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist properties of bufuralol, carvedilol, celiprolol, dilevalol, labetalol, and pindolol were investigated in human myocardium and mammary artery using binding techniques and functional studies. In myocardial membranes, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists showed monophasic competition isotherms for [125I]pindolol binding with high affinity (Ki from 1-100 nM), except for celiprolol which displayed a biphasic competition isotherm (pKi = 6.4 +/- 0.06 for beta 1- and 4.8 +/- 0.07 for beta 2-adrenoceptors). Drug interactions with alpha 1-adrenoceptors were evaluated in human mammary artery by [3H]prazosin binding and by measuring contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE). Labetalol and carvedilol showed a moderate affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors (pKi = 6.2 +/- 0.01 and 6.1 +/- 0.06, respectively), and inhibited NE-induced contractions (pA2 = 6.93 +/- 0.23 and 8.64 +/- 0.24, respectively). Dilevalol, bufuralol, and pindolol displayed weak effect both in binding (Ki in micromolar range) and functional experiments (pA2 = 5.98, 5.54, and 6.23, respectively). Celiprolol did not show antagonist properties up to 100 microM in functional studies, but displayed a slight affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors in binding studies. The data indicate that the vasodilating activity of these beta-adrenoceptor antagonists is caused in some instances by an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonism (labetalol, carvedilol), whereas for the others alternative mechanisms should be considered.

Antihypertensive effect of spirapril and felodipine during repeated administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The antihypertensive activity of spirapril given alone or in combination with felodipine was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during a 3-week treatment regimen and for one week after drug withdrawal. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded once a week just before dosing and at varying time intervals up to 6 hr thereafter. Recordings were continued for one week after drug withdrawal. Spirapril alone at 1 and 5 mg/kg p.o. was found to produce dose-related antihypertensive effects throughout the treatment period. Felodipine alone at 5 mg/kg p.o. reduced blood pressure slightly more than did the low dose of spirapril. The combination of spirapril and felodipine induced a marked antihypertensive response which was greater than that observed in rats treated with either drug alone. One week after treatment withdrawal, blood pressure was at initial levels with no evidence of rebound phenomena. No significant heart rate changes were observed in the treated groups, as compared with the controls, except for an increase on the 1st day of treatment in rats given felodipine. These findings indicate that the combination of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with a calcium antagonist leads to an effective control of hypertension over a prolonged period of treatment. Since the combination allows effectiveness with lower doses of ACE inhibitor, it is expected that the antihypertensive efficacy might be associated with a lower liability to untoward effects.

Antihypertensive activity of a new ACE-inhibitor, SCH 33844, during repeated administration in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The antihypertensive activity of SCH 33844, a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, was investigated in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats during a 3-week treatment regimen and for 1 week following drug withdrawal. SCH 33844 was given once daily at 2 dose levels (1 and 5 mg/kg orally) and its effects were compared with those of captopril (60 mg/kg orally). Systolic blood pressure was recorded twice weekly just before administration and at varying time intervals up to 6 hr after dosing; recordings were continued for 1 week after drug withdrawal. SCH 33844 was found to produce dose-related antihypertensive effects. Given at 1 mg/kg, the compound elicited small but significant blood pressure changes during the treatment. After drug withdrawal, systolic blood pressure returned to pre-drug levels within 1 week. SCH 33844 at 5 mg/kg, and captopril at 60 mg/kg, both reduced blood pressure markedly and to a similar extent. After each administration the effect was rapid in onset, lasted for over 6 hr and was not subject to tolerance. Drug withdrawal resulted in a gradual return of systolic blood pressure toward pre-treatment levels within 1 week, with no evidence of rebound phenomena. These results indicate that SCH 33844, like captopril, produces an effective antihypertensive action throughout a repeated dosing.

Comparative oto-vestibular effects in the pigmented guinea pig after dibekacin and netilmicin treatment.

We treated groups of pigmented guinea pigs with either intramuscular netilmicin or dibekacin at 100 and 150 mg/kg per day for 3 weeks. Saline was used as the control solution. All animals were tested weekly for both vestibular and auditory functions. The vestibular function was evaluated by the duration of post-rotatory nystagmus (PRN) elicited by interrupting the rotation of the animal around the vertical axis; auditory function was evaluated by the threshold response for the Preyer's pinna reflex (PPR). All animals were then sacrificed and either their labyrinths or Corti organs were processed for further investigations using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The duration of PRN decreased over the treatment period in all of the groups as a result of adaptation. However, 150 mg/kg dibekacin produced a significant decrease of the PRN responses as compared to the control and other groups. This effect also continued during the recovery period. Likewise, the PPR threshold of the animals receiving 150 mg/kg dibekacin showed a significant increase at the end of the treatments and during the recovery period, while the other dibekacin group had no significant auditory impairment. Netilmicin at both doses did not significantly affect responses following either vestibular or auditory stimulations. SEM observations demonstrated that the sensory epithelia of the labyrinths and Corti organs affected by 150 mg/kg dibekacin had great losses of stereocilia, while comparable doses of netilmicin (150 mg/kg) had only very moderate losses of stereocilia in the labyrinths but not in the Corti organs.

Effects of the R, R-isomer of labetalol, SCH 19927, in isolated tissues and in spontaneously hypertensive rats during a repeated treatment.

The alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking activity of the R, R-isomer of labetalol, SCH 19927, was assessed in isolated tissues and compared with that of labetalol. The antihypertensive actions of both compounds were then evaluated during a 10-day dose regimen in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SCH 19927 produced a competitive alpha 1- and beta 1-blockade in vitro as indicated by the parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curves for norepinephrine and isoprenaline, respectively. SCH 19927 was found 4 times more potent as beta 1-blocker and 6.5 times less potent as alpha 1-blocker than labetalol. In conscious SHR, both SCH 19927 and labetalol produced long-lasting antihypertensive effects during the 10-day period of repeated administration with 10 mg/kg p.o. No tolerance to the antihypertensive activity occurred during the treatment. These findings suggest that SCH 19927 is more potent as a beta-blocker than as an alpha-blocker in isolated tissues and produces an effective antihypertensive activity during a repeated dose regimen.