The influence of detergents on skin barrier properties.

The influence of surfactants on the changes in skin barrier properties was investigated in rats. Various ionic and non-ionic surfactants were assessed using indomethacin as a model penetrant. The surfactants appeared to either increase or decrease the skin permeability, due to the properties of both compound and surfactant. Ionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate was the most powerful and exceeded controls by approximately 10 times measured by means of serum levels of indomethacin. Other surfactants caused concentration increase or decrease of indomethacin in serum.

Evaluation of in-vitro percutaneous absorption across human skin and in animal models.

The in-vitro permeability characteristics of human skin have been examined and compared with results in laboratory animals using various types of penetration enhancers. The study was focused on evaluation of predictable validity of the data obtained in animals mostly used in permeation studies. The results in man using the same penetration enhancers were about 30% of the value in the rat. The least potent enhancer was dimethylsulphoxide and the maximum efficacy was observed with sodium laurylsulphate in the rat experiments while in man the results were approximately equal when using any of the studied enhancers. Comparison of the results of experiments performed with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in several laboratory animals and man showed that the skin permeability in man is approximately 4 times lower than with the rat. Man and guinea-pig were not significantly different in these experiments. There were no significant differences in laurocapram penetration enhancing effect in the concentration range 0.1 to 0.5%, but there was an optimum concentration of laurocapram of 1%. The results showed quantitative differences in percutaneous absorption in various animal species in comparison with man. These differences should be considered in selecting a suitable model for preclinical drug evaluation. The guinea-pig skin penetration seems to be most similar to that in man.

Changes induced in adrenergic lipolysis by the administration of diethylstilboestrol, oestradiol and clomiphene.

The authors studied changes in adrenergic lipolysis in the epididymal adipose tissue of rats to which diethylstilboestrol and oestradiol combined with the anti-oestrogen clomiphene were administered. The maximum lipid-mobilizing effect of isoprenaline was increased not only by subcutaneously administered diethylstilboestrol, but also by the highest dose of the antioestrogen clomiphene used (p.o., 200 micrograms.kg-1 b.w.). Under the given experimental conditions, with 4 1/2 h incubation of adipose tissue, clomiphene was also effective when added in vitro. Its own oestrogenic effect probably stimulated the lipid-mobilizing action of isoprenaline. On combining the administration of increasing doses of clomiphene (p.o., 1-5 days) with a constant dose of oestradiol (200 micrograms.kg-1, s.c. on the 8th day, i.e. 24 h before the actual experiment), changes in isoprenaline lipolysis depended on the dose of clomiphene. In low doses clomiphene inhibited the stimulating effect of subsequently administered oestradiol on isoprenaline-induced lipolysis, but in large doses (100 and 200 micrograms.kg-1 daily) it potentiated, together with oestradiol, the lipid-mobilizing effect of isoprenaline. The results show that the non-steroid oestrogen diethylstilboestrol and the antioestrogen clomiphene may be included among the hormones capable of altering the response of adipose tissue to sympathomimetics (isoprenaline). We attribute the fact that clomiphene acted either as an antagonist or as an agonist of oestradiol to its combined oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic effects.

Morphine and dynorphins in lipid mobilization in rats in vitro.

In vitro lipid-mobilizing activities of morphine (MO) and dynorphin-(1-10) amide (DYA) were compared using adipocytes of young adult rats (body weight 170-200 g, age 50-60 days, diameter of adipocytes 54 +/- 1.12 microns) and of 20-month-old rats (body weight 500-690 g, diameter of adipocytes 99.5 +/- 3.0 microns). The adipokinetic activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and dynorphin-(1-13) (DY) were also tested. In the experiments 0.16 units of ADA did not influence basal or stimulated lipolysis, whereas DY exerted a slight but statistically significant adipokinetic effect. In three experimental series the EC50 of MO ranged between 0.89 and 14.60 mumol l-1, the EC50 of DYA in young rats was estimated as 0.8 mumol l-1 and in old animals, 1.3 mumol l-1. Statistically significant differences in the lipid-mobilizing potency between DYA and MO could be observed only in one experimental series in young rats. Expressed in percent of maximum lipolysis induced by isoprenaline, the maximum lipolytic response to DYA in young animals was significantly lower (Emax 26.1 +/- 1.9) when compared to the maximum effect of MO (Emax 76.3 +/- 8.5 and 68.9 +/- 3.5, respectively). Adipocytes of old rats seemed to be more sensitive not only against MO but also against DYA. When studying lipolysis no signs of competitive dualism could be observed in the interaction between MO and DYA. The possibility of two or more independent lipid-mobilizing mechanisms in the effect of the two opioids compared cannot be excluded.

Genetic differences in the resistance of rats to isoprenaline-induced heart lesions.

Two strains of rats were obtained by selective breeding: the IR strain, resistant to isoprenaline-induced myocardial lesions and the IS strain, sensitive to this damage. The IR rats grew more slowly, the weight of their adipose tissue was higher and the weight of m. soleus was less than that of the IS rats. The IR rats had a higher content of triglycerides in the serum and a lower isoprenaline-stimulated lipolytic activity of adipose tissue in vitro. The basal NEFA level in the serum and its rise after the administration of isoprenaline in vivo did not differ between the strains. The IR rats had a higher content of glycogen in the heart and in the muscle. After the administration of isoprenaline the glycogen content decreased more slowly in IR rats. The findings indicate a considerable importance of the glycogen stores in the heart for the resistance of myocardium to damage.

Lipolysis in rat adipose tissue in vitro and its alpha 2 adrenergic control.

Although the alpha 2-adrenergic inhibitory control on lipolysis in several mammalian species, e.g. in dogs, hamsters, rabbits and also in man has been proved recently, in rats some peculiarities have been described in the alpha-adrenergic regulation of lipid mobilization. In the present study the effect of the specific alpha 2-adrenergic blocking agent--yohimbine (YOH)--on lipid mobilization in young (45-55 days old) and old (6 months) rats of the Wistar strain was followed and also its interaction with the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol and the specific alpha 2-adrenergic agonist--clonidine. Furthermore, the effect of YOH on the isoprenaline (ISO) induced lipolysis was studied. The adipokinetic effect was estimated from the amount of released non-esterified fatty acids from the tissue preparation into the incubation medium. In all experimental series YOH produced a significant response, which was concentration-dependent (pD2 6.2) with the maximum effect corresponding to 40% of the highest adipokinetic action of ISO. Young rats were more sensitive than old animals. In both age groups YOH non-competitively decreased the highest effect of ISO to the level of its own lipid-mobilizing activity. In the presence of YOH, the ISO dose-response curve therefore completely disappears. The adipokinetic effect of YOH can be antagonized competitively by clonidine (CLO) (pA2 6.25 and 6.01 for concentrations of CLO 1 and 10 mumol.1(-1) respectively). The inhibitory effect of propranolol is about two orders lower. It is concluded that in rats the alpha 2-adrenergic control rather concerns basal lipolysis, whereas induced lipid mobilization can be inhibited by depression of the alpha 2-activity.

Relationship between morphine and isoprenaline-induced lipolysis. Quantitative aspects.

In order to estimate the relationship of the adipokinetic effect of morphine (MO) to adrenergic-mediated lipolysis the interaction between MO and isoprenaline (ISO) was studied in epididymal adipose tissue of rats and perirenal adipose tissue of rabbits. Two preparations of adipose tissue (AT)-trimmed tissue and fat cells (FC)-were used. Increment of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) release into the medium during 90 min of incubation was the measure of lipolysis. In rats, especially in FC, MO stimulated NEFA release up to 900% of basic values and also in rabbits the lipid-mobilizing action of MO was found as high as 320% of the non-stimulated level. The net increase due to MO expressed as % of maximum lipolysis induced by ISO was fluctuating between 30-50% except rat FC, where MO reached almost the level of ISO maximum effect. The calculated pD2 values of MO were in FC of both species 5.8, in trimmed AT 5.1 (rats) and 5.3 (rabbits). Different concentrations of MO (1-100 mumol/l) did not significantly alter the concentration-response adipokinetic curve of ISO. Naloxone in concentrations of 1 and 10 mumol/l did not exert any antagonistic action in MO-induced lipolysis. The MO effect is most probably not mediated via adrenergic receptors; the possibility of opiate receptor involvement has not been excluded. Pronounced species differences between rats and rabbits in sensitivity to the lipolytic morphine effect were observed.

Adenylate cyclase activity in crude plasma membranes of subcutaneous adipocytes during ontogenetic development of rats.

In order to explain the differences in the hormone stimulated lipolysis during ontogenic development of rats, the activity of adenylate cyclase was determined in crude plasma membranes of subcutaneous adipocytes of 5, 14, 21 and 45 to 55-day-old animals. Stimulatory effects of nonhormonal and hormonal agents were expressed as the increment in percentage of basal values which were not significantly changed in the age groups studied. The highest stimulatory effect was observed after sodium fluoride in 14 and 21-day-old rats. Guanylylimidodiphosphate and GTP revealed the lowest stimulatory effects in adult animals (greater than 45-day-old). The beta-adrenergic agent isoproterenol revealed the highest stimulatory effect in the 5 and 45-day-old group while in the preparation from 14-day-old rats the adenylate cyclase activity was significantly lower. On the other hand, tetracosactide (beta 1-24-corticotropin) revealed the smallest stimulatory effect on the preparation from 5-day-old rats; its stimulatory effect steadily increased and reached the highest value in adenylate cyclase preparations from adult animals. It can be concluded that the adenylate cyclase system in subcutaneous adipocytes is already basically mature at early ontogenic stages of development in rats. Nevertheless, the explanation for the small variations of the enzyme activity in different age groups requires further study.

Ontogenetic studies on adrenergic lipolysis in rat adipocytes from subcutaneous adipose tissue.

The in vitro release of free fatty acids from small adipocytes (mean diameter 24.4 +/- 0.4 micrometer; 11-42 micrometer) isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of rats aged 5, 14, 21 and 35 days was induced by l-isoprenaline (ISO), l-noradrenaline (NA) or l-adrenaline (ADR). The results were related to a cell count of 10(6) and compared to results in adult rats [both sexes, fed ad libitum, mean weight 180-210 g). The cell yield decreased with development, i.e. it was highest in the youngest rats. In adult rats, increasing catecholamine (CA) concentrations produced pronounced concentration-dependent lipolysis in the potency order ISO greater than NA greater than ADR which is typical of beta 1-adrenergic functions. Qualitatively the same results in 5- and 35-day-old rats were observed, the latter showing greater sensitivity towards CA. Practically no lipolytic response was recorded in 14 and 21-day-old animals, however. Not one of the CA, nor any of the concentrations used, could evoke lipolysis in these animals. The experiments were carried out simultaneously on different age groups, technical errors can therefore be excluded.

Responsiveness of the trimmed rat subcutaneous adipose tissue beta-receptors to catecholamines in ontogenesis.

In order to estimate the possible changes of the functional state of beta-adrenergic receptors during ontogenesis, the lipid mobilizing effects of isoprenaline (ISO), adrenaline (ADR) and noradrenaline (NA) were studied in trimmed subcutaneous adipose tissue of rats at different stages of postnatal development (5, 14, 21 and 35 days after birth. The release of free acids (FFA) into the incubation medium was measured after addition of increasing concentrations of catecholamines and the dose-response curves were evaluated. In all the studied age groups, ISO produced the highest maximum effect and had the greatest potency. The calculated pD2 values indicate the same potency order ISO much greater than NA = ADR in all age groups and they also demonstrate that there exist no appreciable differences in the affinity single catecholamines at different stages of postnatal development. In comparison with all the other groups, the intrinsic activity of the studied adrenomimetics was relatively low in 14-day-old rats.

Quantitative analysis of the lipid-mobilizing effects of corticotropin, beta 1-24--corticotropin (tetracosactide) and isoprenaline in older rats and rabbits.

The lipid mobilizing effects of corticotropin (ACTH), beta 1-24-corticotropin-tetracosactide (TCA) and isoprenaline (ISO) were studied in parallel experiments in older rabbits (six months, weight 3.5 kg) and rats (age 75-85 days, weight 275 g) in vitro. The results were analysed quantitatively. Compared with the effect in younger rats the lipid mobilizing action of ISO in older animals does not differ. The same applies to the very low ISO lipolytic potency in rabbits. The ACTH intrinsic activity and affinity decrease in aging rabbits, but not in aging rats. At the concentration 1 x 10(-9) mol/l of TCA 35% of its maximum effect is reached in rabbits and almost the maximum in rats. In comparison with the maximum response to ACTH the maximum of TCA is two times higher in rabbits whereas in rats it reaches only 80% of the ACTH maximum. The order of the intrinsic activities is in older rats and rabbits different: ISO much greater than ACTH greater than TCA (1.00:0.81:0.64) in rats and TCA greater than ACTH greater than ISO (1.00:0.53:0.31) in rabbits. The affinity relations TCA greater than ISO greater than ACTH are identical in both species with the ratios of ACTH:ISO:TCA = 1:50:1740 in rats and 1:34:915 in rabbits. TCA exerts the strongest lipolytic potency in rats which is 5.5 times greater than in rabbits. On the contrary the intrinsic activity of TCA in rabbits is the highest. In older rabbits the ACTH adipokinetic intrinsic activity and affinity decrease faster than those in ISO. The species differences especially in relation to ISO also remain preserved in older animals and this applies to the TCA lipolytic effects, which in turn do not seem to change with aging as much as the effects of ACTH. When evaluating the species differences or the sensitivity changes connected with aging in the action of lipolytic drugs, the intrinsic activity and affinity should be considered separately.

Differences in dihydroergotamine antagonism of glucose release by catecholamines, glucagon and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in rabbit liver slices.

1 Quantitative studies were made on the glucose release from rabbit liver slices in vitro induced by a range of concentrations of (-)-adrenaline (Ad), (-)-isoprenaline (Iso), glucagon and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in the presence and absence of several concentrations of dihydroergotamine (DHE). 2 DHE (3.16 X 10(-6) M) shifted the Ad log concentration-response (LCR) curve to the right and also reduced the maximum response; at a higher concentration (3.16 x 10(-5) M) it produced a greater shift to the right of the LCR curve and caused a reduction in the slope and a larger depression of the maximal responses. The LCR curve to Iso was similarly affected by this higher concentration of DHE. 3 DHE (1 X 10(-5) M) produced no significant effect on the LCR curves of glucagon or cyclic AMP and even at 1 x 10(-4) M DHE caused only a slight depression of the maximal responses to both agonists without any modification of the lower major portions of the curves. 4 These data indicate a selective antagonism by DHE at the rabbit liver adrenoceptor and, since the maximal responses to catecholamines were depressed by a lower concentration of DHE than was required to produce a slight depression of the responses to glucagon and cyclic AMP, the antagonism of DHE against catecholamines does not appear to be at a site beyond the formation of cyclic AMP, but rather at a site more intimately related to the adrenoceptor.