Revised structure of cercidinin A, a novel ellagitannin having (R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl esters at the 3,4-positions of glucopyranose.

The structure of cercidinin A, an ellagitannin isolated from the bark of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, was revised to 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-3,4-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-beta-D-glucose by two-dimensional NMR spectral analysis. Cercidinin A represents the first ellagitannin possessing a hexahydroxydiphenoyl group at the 3,4-positions of a modified 4C1-glucopyranose core.

Characterization of outward currents induced by 5-HT in neurons of rat dorsolateral septal nucleus.

Properties of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced current (I(5-HT)) were examined in neurons of rat dorsolateral septal nucleus (DLSN) by using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. I(5-HT) was associated with an increase in the membrane conductance of DLSN neurons. The reversal potential of I(5-HT) was -93 +/- 6 (SE) mV (n = 7) in the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) and was changed by 54 mV per decade change in the external K(+) concentration, indicating that I(5-HT) is carried exclusively by K(+). Voltage dependency of the K(+) conductance underlying I(5-HT) was investigated by using current-voltage relationship. I(5-HT) showed a linear I-V relation in 63%, inward rectification in 21%, and outward rectification in 16% of DLSN neurons. (+/-)-8-Hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide (30 microM), a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, also produced outward currents with three types of voltage dependency. Ba(2+) (100 microM) blocked the inward rectifier I(5-HT) but not the outward rectifier I(5-HT). In I(5-HT) with linear I-V relation, blockade of the inward rectifier K(+) current by Ba(2+) (100 microM) unmasked the outward rectifier current in DLSN neurons. These results suggest that I(5-HT) with linear I-V relation is the sum of inward rectifier and outward rectifier K(+) currents in DLSN neurons. Intracellular application of guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (300 microM) and guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (5 mM), blockers of G protein, irreversibly depressed I(5-HT). Protein kinase C (PKC) 19-36 (20 microM), a specific PKC inhibitor, depressed the outward rectifier I(5-HT) but not the inward rectifier I(5-HT). I(5-HT) was depressed by N-ethylmaleimide, which uncouples the G-protein-coupled receptor from pertussis-toxin-sensitive G proteins. H-89 (10 microM) and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate Rp-isomer (300 microM), protein kinase A inhibitors, did not depress I(5-HT). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10 microM), an activator of PKC, produced an outward rectifying K(+) current. These results suggest that both 5-HT-induced inward and outward rectifying currents are mediated by a G protein and that PKC is probably involved in the transduction pathway of the outward rectifying I(5-HT) in DLSN neurons.

Synchronous activity in locus coeruleus results from dendritic interactions in pericoerulear regions.

Locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in brain slices from adult rats were studied using intracellular and extracellular recording to investigate synchronous activity. Spontaneous field potentials were recorded with extracellular electrodes in solutions containing tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM) and BaCl2, (1 mM). These field potentials were found throughout but not outside the LC cell body region. No field potentials were observed in control solutions. Paired recordings showed that field potentials were synchronous in all areas of the LC. The synchronous activity was resistant to tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and to the neurotransmitter receptor blockers D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, bicuculline, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, idazoxan, and strychnine, suggesting that this activity was not synaptically driven. Field potentials were also synchronous with oscillations in membrane potential recorded with intracellular electrodes. The oscillations in membrane potential were 5-30 mV in amplitude and had a biphasic wave-form. Neither the frequency nor the waveform of the oscillations was dependent on the membrane potential. The glycynhetinic acid derivative carbenoxolone and intracellular acidification with CO2 disrupted synchronous activity, suggesting a role of electrotonic coupling. When the cell body region of the LC was isolated from the pericoerulear dendritic regions by sectioning the size rostral and caudal to the cell body region, synchronous activity was reduced or abolished. Dendritic interaction in the pericoerulear region was also indicated by improved voltage control of the opioid-induced potassium current, as indicated by a shift in the reversal potential to the potassium equilibrium potential. The results suggest that electrical interactions between dendrites outside the cell body region can account for synchronous activity within the nucleus.

Tachykinins cause inward current through NK1 receptors in bullfrog sensory neurons.

The effects of tachykinins on primary afferent neurons of bullfrog dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were examined by using whole-cell patch-clamp methods. Neurokinin A (NKA) caused inward current (INKA) in a concentration-dependent manner. Concentration-response curve showed that the EC50 for NKA was 6 nM. The INKA showed strong tachyphylaxis, when NKA was continuously applied for more than 1 min. Substance P (SP) also produced inward current with potency similar to that of NKA. Neurokinin B (NKB) was less effective in producing the inward current. The order of agonist potency was NKA = SP >> NKB. Spantide ([D-Arg1, D-Trp7.9, Leu11]SP), a non-selective peptide antagonist at tachykinin receptors, reduced the tachykinin-induced current. CP-99,994, a selective non-peptide antagonist for neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor, inhibited the inward currents produced by NKA and SP. The INKA was associated with decrease in K+ conductance. NKA suppressed both a voltage-dependent K+ current, the M-current (IM), and a voltage-independent background K+ current, IK(B). Intracellular dialysis with GTP gamma S (100 nM) or GDP beta S (100 microM) depressed the INKA. Pre-treatment of DRG neurons with pertussis toxin (PTX) did not prevent the INKA. Depletion of intracellular ATP depressed the INKA. These results suggest that the tachykinin-induced inward current is mediated through the NK1 receptor which mainly couples to PTX-insensitive G-protein in bullfrog primary afferent neurons.

Neurokinin A depolarizes neurons of bullfrog dorsal root ganglia by suppressing K+ conductances.

The effect of neurokinin A (NKA) on neurons of bullfrog dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in primary culture was examined by using whole-cell patch-clamp methods. Application of NKA (1 microM) depolarized the DRG neurons, resulting in spontaneous firing of action potentials. Under voltage-clamp condition, NKA (3 nM-1 microM) caused an inward current (INKA) associated with decreased membrane conductance. The INKA reversed its polarity at the equilibrium potential for K+. The INKA was blocked by extracellular Ba2+ (1 mM) but not by nominally 0 mM Ca2+, tetraethylammonium (40 mM), 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) or apamin (50 nM). Intracellular Cs+ blocked the INKA. NKA depressed a voltage-dependent non-inactivating K+ current, the M-current (IM), at potentials more positive than -55mV. NKA reduced the maximum M-conductance (GM) without changing the kinetics of M-channels. NKA also depressed a voltage- and time-independent background K+ current, IK(B). It is concluded that the INKA is produced by suppression of both IM and IK(B) in bullfrog primary afferent neurons.

Effects of restraint stress on luteal function in rats during mid-pregnancy.

This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the inhibitory effect of restraint stress and the protective effect of the feto-placental luteotrophic factors on luteal function during mid-pregnancy in rats. The number of conceptuses was adjusted to one (1C group) or more than ten (FC group) on day 7 of pregnancy, and each rat received restraint stress from day 12 to day 17 of pregnancy. Restraint stress consisted of placing a rat individually in a small plastic holder three times a day for 1 h each time. Restraint stress significantly decreased serum progesterone concentration on day 17 of pregnancy in the 1C group, but not in the FC group. Restraint stress also decreased serum progesterone concentration on day 17 of pregnancy in the 1C group which received bilateral adrenalectomy on day 12 of pregnancy. The number of animals with fetal resorption in this group of rats (10 out of 14 animals) was significantly greater than in any other group of rats. The number of animals with fetal resorption in the adrenalectomized 1C group was significantly lower after daily injections of 4 mg progesterone from day 12 to day 17 of pregnancy. In the FC group of rats, even in adrenalectomized rats, restraint stress did not cause any changes in serum progesterone concentration or fetal loss. These data indicate that restraint stress is luteolytic and causes fetal loss during mid-pregnancy; this effect can be blocked by some factors from conceptuses, as occurred in the FC group.

Substance P produces an inward current by suppressing voltage-dependent and -independent K+ currents in bullfrog primary afferent neurons.

A whole-cell patch-clamp study was carried out to examine the effect of substance P (SP) on the excitability of neurons in bullfrog dorsal root ganglia (DRG). SP (3 nM to 1 microM) produced an inward current associated with decreased membrane conductance at voltage range between -10 and -130 mV. Neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) also produced the inward current in DRG cells; the rank order of agonist potency was NKA = SP much greater than NKB. An antagonist for SP receptors, [D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]SP, did not prevent the response to SP. SP (3 nM to 1 microM) suppressed the voltage-dependent non-inactivating K+ current, the M-current (IM) by reducing the maximum M-conductance. A voltage-independent background K+ current, IK(B), could be recorded at a hyperpolarizing voltage (< or = -60 mV) from DRG neurons. SP (3 nM to 1 microM) produced the inward current associated with decreased IK(B) at a holding potential more negative than -60 mV. The SP-induced inward current reversed its polarity at the equilibrium potential for K ions. Intracellular dialysis with Cs+ blocked the SP-induced responses. Depletion of intracellular ATP reduced SP-induced inward current. These results suggest that the SP-induced inward current was due to suppression of both the IM and IK(B) that are regulated by intracellular activity of ATP in bullfrog DRG neurons.

Continuous luteinizing hormone infusion prevents atretic changes of the follicles during superovulation in hamsters.

Superovulation with exogenous gonadotropins has been used widely to study the reproductive events in animals and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in human beings. However, details of the mechanism of superovulation are not yet clearly understood. The present study was conducted to study the mechanism of superovulation with purified human FSH and LH preparations. Cyclic hamsters received continuous infusion of purified FSH and LH for 4 days, from estrus to proestrus. The number of ova shed was significantly increased by 5 iu FSH/minipump infusion, and further increased by 5 iu FSH/minipump plus 5 iu LH/minipump group. On the other hand, the number of atretic follicles was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) by the combined infusion of FSH and LH, but not by FSH alone. Among these experimental groups, there was no significant difference in embryonic development which was assessed by the counting of the number of 4-cells and more developed embryos on day 3 of pregnancy. These data indicated the different roles of FSH and LH in the superovulation process, because FSH stimulated some small follicles to grow and LH, in the presence of FSH, rescued the follicles to undergo atresia.

Intracellular ATP changes the voltage-dependence of delayed rectifier potassium current in bullfrog primary afferent neurons.

Dissociated bullfrog dorsal root ganglion cells were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration to study the steady-state activation and inactivation curves for a delayed rectifier potassium current. The 50%-activation of the current occurred at +15 mV when measured with ATP (5 mM) in the pipette solution as opposed to -11 mV with 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP, 5 mM) and -15 mV with adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (5 mM). The 50%-inactivation of the current occurred at -6 mV with ATP but at -31 mM with AMP-PNP. The results suggest that intracellular ATP modulates voltage-dependence of the delayed rectifier in amphibian afferent neurons.

Changes in activities of superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxide in corpus luteum during pregnancy in rats.

Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxide (LPO) were studied in corpora lutea of pregnant rats. SOD activities, both Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD, gradually increased in the corpora lutea until day 15 of pregnancy and decreased thereafter until day 21 of pregnancy, in a similar manner to serum progesterone concentration. LPO activities remained low until day 15 of pregnancy, but increased rapidly after day 15 to day 21 of pregnancy. Incubation of the dispersed luteal cells from day 15 of pregnancy in vitro showed that FeSO4 and ascorbic acid, which induce lipid peroxidation, significantly inhibited progesterone secretion. The inhibitory effects of FeSO4 and ascorbic acid were blocked by the simultaneous addition of alpha-tocopherol. These results suggest important roles for SOD and LPO in regulating luteal function during pregnancy.

Unique induction of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in rat liver microsomes by treatment with 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl and its effect on testosterone metabolism.

Pretreatment of male Wistar rats with 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PenCB), a potent 3-methylcholanthrene-type inducer, increased selectively 7 alpha-but strongly repressed 2 alpha-, 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxylations of testosterone in the liver microsomes. To understand this unique phenomenon, the testosterone metabolism by three isozymes (P-452, P-448 L and P-448 H) of cytochrome P-450 purified from Wistar rats treated with PenCB was studied in a reconstituted system. For comparison 4 other isozymes (P-451 I, P-451 II, P-450 II and P-450 III) of cytochrome P-450 from untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats were also studied. In addition, the contribution of cytochrome P-450's to testosterone hydroxylation was examined by an immune complex inhibition of the activity and by a determination of the individual cytochrome P-450 in microsomes using antibodies. In the reconstituted system, 7 alpha-hydroxylation of testosterone was catalyzed almost exclusively by P-452, with the exception of P-451 I. On the other hand, the 6 beta-hydroxylation was catalyzed by most of the cytochrome P-450's tested at considerably lower rates. Among the seven forms, P-451 II was the most effective catalyst for 2 alpha- and 16 alpha-hydroxylations, with equally high turnover numbers, while other forms showed only low or no activity for either or both hydroxylations. The microsomal activity of 7 alpha-hydroxylation in PenCB-treated rats was inhibited almost completely by anti-P-452. A partial inhibition of the 16 alpha-hydroxylation was achieved by anti-P-451 II and anti-P-452 while the 6 beta-hydroxylation was insensitive to anti-P-451 II but slightly sensitive to anti-P-452. The activity of 2 alpha-hydroxylation was not detected in the liver microsomes from PenCB-treated rats. Immunochemical quantitation showed that in the microsomes from PenCB-treated rats, P-451 II, P-452, P-448 L and P-448 H accounted for 4.1, 3.6, 31.6 and 62.8%, respectively, of the total cytochrome P-450 (2.69 nmol/mg protein). On the other hand, the microsomal cytochrome P-450 in untreated rat livers (0.83 nmol/mg protein) consisted of 62.7% as P-451 II, less than 1% as P-452 and the remainder as P-451 I and other unknown forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Purification and characterization of seven distinct forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 from untreated and inducer-treated male Wistar rats.

A total of nine forms of cytochrome P-450 were purified to homogeneity from liver microsomes of male Wistar rats. They were P-451 I and P-451 II from untreated rats, P-450 II and P-450 III from phenobarbital-treated rats, MC-P-448 L and MC-P-448 H from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats, and P-452, P-448 L, and P-448 H from 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl-treated rats. Among them, MC-P-448 L and MC-P-448 H were indistinguishable from P-448 L and P-448 H, respectively, with regard to electrophoretic, spectral, catalytic and immunochemical properties, and thus seven forms were distinct hemoproteins. The minimal molecular weight of each form was as follows: P-451 I (49,000), P-451 II (52,000), P-450 II (52,000), P-450 III (53,500), P-452 (48,000), P-448 L (56,000), P-448 H (54,000). Judging from the oxidized absolute spectra, P-448 H was a high-spin form and the others were of low-spin type. In a reconstituted system, N-demethylations of benzphetamine and aminopyrine were catalyzed by most of the forms at comparable rates. On the other hand, the activities for the oxidations of benzo[a]pyrene, 7-ethoxycoumarin, biphenyl, and estradiol-17 beta varied greatly among the forms of cytochrome P-450. The most efficient catalysts were as follows: P-448 L and P-451 II for benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylation; P-448 L for 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation; P-448 L, P-451 II, and P-448 H for biphenyl 4-hydroxylation; P-448 L and P-448 H for biphenyl 2-hydroxylation; and P-451 II and P-448 H for estradiol 2-hydroxylation. P-451 I, P-450 II, and P-450 III were somewhat poorer catalysts in metabolizing all the substrates except for benzphetamine and aminopyrine, but their substrate specificities were still distinguishable from one another. Of all the purified cytochrome P-450's, P-452 showed the least ability to metabolize all the substrates. Judging from the properties, it appears that six forms in male Wistar rats correspond to the distinct forms of cytochrome P-450 in Long-Evans and/or Sprague-Dawley rats reported by other workers, but P-451 I is a new constitutive isozyme in Wistar rats.