A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography assay for rofecoxib in human serum.

Rofecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of acute pain and osteoarthritis in adults. A sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method of determining rofecoxib in human serum is described. Alkalinized plasma samples are extracted into an organic solvent containing an internal standard and evaporated under nitrogen. The dried sample residues are reconstituted with mobile phase and analyzed by HPLC. The method uses 100 microL of the sample and is linear from 20 to 2000 ng/mL of rofecoxib. Precision and accuracy studies are performed. Stability of the drug in serum over four weeks is documented. This new method is simple, sensitive, precise, and accurate. Its use will translate into faster laboratory turnaround time, and the small sample volume required (100 microL) makes this assay suitable for pediatric patients. This assay will expedite pharmacokinetic studies and the therapeutic drug monitoring of rofecoxib and possibly other COX-2 inhibitors.

The effect of heat on cytokine production in rat endotoxemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether heat stress protects the endotoxemic rat by up-regulation of the counterinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, thereby attenuating the inflammatory response. DESIGN: A total of 16 rats were assigned to either the heat stress group (n = 8) or the control group (n = 8). The heat stress group was warmed to a temperature of >42 degrees C (107.6 degrees F) rectally for 10-15 mins; 20 hrs later, all rats were intubated, paralyzed, and ventilated. After jugular venous and arterial catheterization, endotoxin was given intravenously. Arterial blood was removed at 0, 2, 4, and 5 hrs for blood gases, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, nitric oxide metabolites (NO), IL-10, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2. The alveolar macrophages were removed, counted, and then incubated for 24 hrs. The supernatant was analyzed for TNF-alpha, NO, IL-10, and MIP-2. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16). INTERVENTIONS: Administration of heat before endotoxin infusion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was lower in the heat stress group at 4 and 5 hrs after endotoxemia. Plasma and alveolar macrophage supernatant concentrations of TNF-alpha, NO, and IL-10 were not affected by heat. Plasma and alveolar macrophage supernatant MIP-2 concentrations were higher in endotoxemic rats receiving heat pretreatment compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that heat leads to pulmonary protection of short duration in severe endotoxemia. This protection was not mediated by plasma TNF-alpha, IL-10, or NO. Contrary to our hypothesis, pretreatment with heat increased rather than decreased the plasma MIP-2 concentration and alveolar macrophage production of MIP-2 in endotoxemia. The mechanism of heat-conferred pulmonary protection in endotoxemia remains unclear. Alveolar macrophages do not produce IL-10 in endotoxemia. The increased MIP-2 production by heated alveolar macrophages was not attributable to alterations in production of either TNF-alpha or IL-10. The significance of increased MIP-2 by endotoxin-exposed alveolar macrophages in heated rats is unknown.

Expression of stress proteins HSP 72 & HSP 32 in response to endotoxemia.

Pretreatment with heat decreases mortality and acute lung injury in the rat septic shock model, presumably by the production of heat shock proteins (HSP). However, endotoxin, a severe cell stresser, has not been shown to induce HSP 70. We investigated the effects of severe endotoxemia on the expression of specific protective stress proteins, including HSP 72 (inducible HSP 70), HSP 32 (heme oxygenase-1), and HSP 90. Fifteen rats received intravenously either 3 mg/kg of endotoxin (E. coli O127:B8 lipopolysaccharide, LPS) (n=9) or saline (n=6). Two hr later the spleen was removed and splenocytes were separated into three groups and analyzed for specific HSP by Western blot. In Group 1, both endotoxin-treated and saline-treated splenocytes were incubated for 3 hr at 37 degrees C. In Group 2, the splenocytes were washed twice, then heat shocked for 30 min at 42 degrees C and subsequently incubated for 2.5 hr at 37 degrees C. In Group 3, splenocytes were washed twice, then incubated for 3.0 hr at 37 degrees C. HSP 90 & HSP 70c (constitutive) were present in all groups. Consistent with observations by others, HSP 72 was not induced in Group 1. HSP 72 was induced in both the saline-treated and endotoxin-treated splenocytes after heating (Group 2). However, in the absence of heat stress, HSP 72 was present in endotoxin-treated but not in saline-treated splenocytes after incubation (Group 3). Conversely, HSP 32, while present in Group 1 splenocytes, was not detected in the endotoxin-treated splenocytes of Group 2 and Group 3, but was present in the saline-treated cells. In conclusion, endotoxemic shock results in induction of HSP 72 and depletion of HSP 32, but only after the cells have been washed and further incubated.

Effects of insulin and metformin on glucose metabolism in rat vascular smooth muscle.

Glucose metabolism in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is characterized by substantial lactate production even in fully oxygenated conditions. Insulin and metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, have direct effects on the vascular tissue metabolism. We investigated whether insulin or metformin can induce a switch in VSMC glucose metabolism from lactate production to pyruvate oxidation, by measuring lactate oxidation as determined by the conversion of [1-14C]-D,L-lactate to [1-14C]-pyruvate and subsequent oxidation to acetyl coenzyme A and 14CO2 by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). Lactate oxidation was measured in control rat aortic cultured VSMCs incubated for 30 minutes in media with and without additional glucose compared with VSMCs cultured in the presence of insulin or metformin. The addition of glucose to VSMCs decreased lactate oxidation (4.6+/-1.7 v 9.6+/-2.4 pmol/cell/min, P < .001). In the absence of additional glucose, metformin decreased lactate oxidation in VSMCs compared with controls (4.9+/-1.4 v 9.6+/-2.4 pmol/cell/min, P < .01). Metformin in the presence of glucose caused the greatest decline in lactate oxidation (2.5+/-0.4 pmol/cell/min, P < .001). In contrast to the effects of metformin, insulin increased lactate oxidation both with (12.9+/-1.5 pmol/cell/min, P < .001) and without (17.9+/-4.4, P < .01) additional glucose. This suggests that insulin facilitates VSMC utilization of lactate as a source of pyruvate and energy production even during noncontractile periods.

Ibuprofen attenuates cardiopulmonary dysfunction by modifying vascular tone in endotoxemia.

Ibuprofen, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, improves pulmonary and cardiovascular injury in endotoxemia. We studied the mechanism of the beneficial effects of ibuprofen in relation to production of inflammatory mediators which influence vascular tone in endotoxemia. Rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) control, (2) endotoxemia alone; and (3) ibuprofen pretreatment and endotoxemia. Plasma and lung lavage concentrations of tumor necrosis factor, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), leukotriene (LT) C4,D4,E4 and nitric oxide (NO) were determined over a 2 h period. Pretreatment with ibuprofen resulted in increased survival, and attenuation of pulmonary and cardiovascular dysfunction when compared to the rats receiving endotoxin alone. The marked elevation in plasma TXB2 concentration in endotoxemic rats was prevented by pretreatment with ibuprofen. Similarly, pretreatment with ibuprofen prevented the decrease in lung lavage NO levels in endotoxemic rats. The improved survival and cardiopulmonary protection in endotoxemic rats pretreated with ibuprofen appears to be related to decreased thromboxane production and preservation of endothelial production of nitric oxide.

Altered T cell cytokine production following mechanical trauma.

BACKGROUND: Cell mediated immunity is suppressed following traumatic injury. The Objective is to determine whether there is a shift from T helper type 1 (TH1) to TH2 cell cytokine production following mechanical trauma in a rat model. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and subjected to bilateral femur fractures or sham injury. Spleens were removed 3 days later. T cell proliferation and cytokine production were stimulated by culturing spleen cells with the T cell mitogen concanavalin A (con A). Interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-10 and IL-4 concentrations were measured in spleen cell supernatants using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Con A-induced spleen cell proliferation was decreased in traumatized rats compared to controls (p < 0.05). Spleen cell supernatant concentrations of the TH1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma were decreased in the trauma group (p < 0.05). Supernatant concentrations of the TH2 cytokine IL-10 were also decreased in traumatized rats (p < 0.01). The IL-4 concentrations were below the detection limit (< 15 pg/mL) in all cell supernatants. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical tissue injury leads to generalized suppression of T helper cell cytokine production rather than a shift from TH1 to TH2 cell activity. Post-trauma cellular immunosuppression is not mediated via excess IL-10 production by TH2 cells.

Elevated transforming growth factor-beta concentration correlates with posttrauma immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether trauma induces an increase in the concentration of circulating transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and whether there is a temporal correlation between plasma TGF-beta concentration and the development of posttrauma cellular immunosuppression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, subjected to bilateral femur fractures or sham injury, and killed 1, 3, or 5 days later. Plasma TGF-beta levels, splenocyte phenotypes, mitogen-induced proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression were determined at each time point. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Splenocyte proliferation increased on day 1 postinjury without corresponding change in IL-2 or plasma TGF-beta levels. Splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production were suppressed on day 3 postinjury, while plasma TGF-beta levels peaked. No differences were observed between trauma and control groups on day 5. Splenocyte phenotypes and IL-2R expression were similar in injured and control rats at all times. CONCLUSIONS: Suppression of lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production after trauma occurs concomitantly with a rise in plasma TGF-beta. The immune response is restored with normalization of TGF-beta concentration. These observations suggest that TGF-beta may contribute to posttrauma immunosuppression.

Efficacy of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in endotoxic shock.

We determined the efficacy of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) in removing tumor necrosis factor (TNF), thromboxane A2, and prostacyclin, and in improving survival in endotoxemia. Twelve rats were given 10 mg/kg of E. coli 0:127:B8 lipopolysaccharide. Fifteen min later, the rats were randomized to ultrafiltered or non-ultrafiltered groups. Blood and ultrafiltrate were collected for TNF, thromboxane B2 (TxB2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha). After 4 hr, surviving rats were sacrificed. Five of 6 ultrafiltered and none of 6 non-ultrafiltered rats survived 4 hr. Plasma TxB2 > 1,000 pcg/ml and its rate of increase within the first 2 hr predicted death (P < 0.03). Ultrafiltration decreased the rate of rise in TxB2 (P < 0.04). Plasma TxB2 inversely correlated with TxB2 clearance by ultrafiltration. The concentration and rate of increase in TNF and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha did not predict survival. We conclude that CAVH improves short term survival in endotoxemia. Salutary effects appear to be due to thromboxane A2 removal.

Tyrphostin 47 nonenzymatically decarboxylates [1-14C]-pyruvate.

Tyrphostins inhibit tyrosine kinases and have little effect on the activity of serine/threonine kinases. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inactivates pyruvate dehydrogenase by phosphorylating serine residues within the multienzyme complex. This serine/theronine kinase represents a new family of protein kinases, and one (tyrphostin 47) of two tyrphostins tested appeared to activate the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase as determined by [1-14C]-lactate oxidation to 14CO2. Experiments designed to determine if the tyrphostins altered pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in mitochondria prepared from rat epididymal adipocytes using [1-14C]-pyruvate as the substrate demonstrated a dose dependent increase in enzyme activity in the presence of tyrphostin 47, but not in tyrphostin 23. This apparent stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was attributed to tyrphostin 47's ability to nonenzymatically decarboxylate [1-14C]-pyruvate, the substrate for the pyruvate dehydrogenase assay. Neither tyrphostin directly altered pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase activity. Therefore, assays utilizing [1-14C]-pyruvate and tyrphostin 47 are subject to analytical interference.

Lactate oxidation for the detection of mitochondrial dysfunction in human skin fibroblasts.

To screen fibroblasts for defects in lactate/pyruvate oxidation, cells were grown to confluence in 25-cm2 flasks, rinsed, and incubated in glucose-free media containing 25 microM L-lactate and 0.1 microCi [D,L-1-14C]lactate. Lactate oxidation was measured as the amount of lactate oxidized in nmol of 14CO2 generated/mg protein/min. Fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial or peroxisomal disorders had decreased lactate oxidation compared to the control (CON): CON, 1.9 +/- 0.13 nmol/mg/min; neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD), 0.45 +/- 0.01 (P < 0.001); rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), 0.13 +/- 0.002 (P < 0.001); mitochondrial defect of unknown etiology (MIT), 0.77 +/- 0.003 (P < 0.001); pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency, 0.98 +/- 0.02 (P < 0.001). This method is useful for screening fibroblasts for defects in lactate oxidation in patients with mitochondrial or peroxisomal disorders. Confirmation of the site of the defect may then be investigated with specific assays, e.g., PDH, in cellular homogenates: CON, 0.93 +/- 0.02 nmol/mg/min; NALD, 0.55 +/- 0.02; RCDP, 0.44 +/- 0.02; MIT, 0.53 +/- 0.03; PDH deficiency, 0.19 +/- 0.02.

Lactic acidosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in two children with peroxisomal disorders.

Mitochondrial myopathies and defects in oxidative phosphorylation have been described in some patients with peroxisomal disorders. Although peroxisomes and mitochondria play a role in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids, the metabolic interactions between the two are not well defined. Defects in peroxisomal beta-oxidation are associated with extracellular accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids and may be accompanied by alterations in the intracellular pool of fatty acyl-CoAs, which are known to alter mitochondrial function. This study was initiated to examine alterations in the intracellular pool of acyl-CoAs and mitochondrial function in two children with generalized disorders of peroxisomal function and clinical lactic/pyruvic acidaemia. Fibroblasts were cultured from skin biopsies obtained from one child with neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD) and another with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP). Fibroblast lactate oxidation was significantly inhibited in NALD by 76% and RCDP by 92% compared to control values of 1.9 +/- 0.1 nmol/min per mg protein. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) (mean +/- SEM; activity nmol/min per mg protein) was: NALD 0.55 +/- 0.02 (p < 0.01), RCDP 0.44 +/- 0.02 (P < 0.01), and controls 0.83 +/- 0.02. The acid-insoluble (long-chain and very long-chain) acyl-CoA levels (mean +/- SEM; pmol/mg protein) were: NALD 129 +/- 69 (p < 0.01), RCDP 65 +/- 15 (p < 0.05), and control 45 +/- 7. These two patients with generalized peroxisomal disorders exhibited an increase in intracellular acyl-CoA species accompanied by decreased PDH activity and clinical lactic/pyruvic acidaemia.

Cycloheximide protection against actinomycin D cytotoxicity.

Pretreatment plus concomitant treatment with 10 micrograms/ml cycloheximide protected Chinese hamster ovary cells and Swiss 3T3 cells against the cytotoxicity of actinomycin D. The cycloheximide treatment reduced the intracellular concentration of actinomycin D by reducing the level of actinomycin D bound to the acid precipitable fraction of the cell. Levels of unbound actinomycin D were unaffected by cycloheximide, indicating that the plasma membrane permeability to AD was not reduced. Actinomycin D inhibited total transcription but did not reduce cytoplasmic levels of rRNA nor of most tested mRNA; however, cytoplasmic levels of c-myc mRNA were reduced below detectability. Cycloheximide treatment further inhibited total transcription and had no effect on cytoplasmic levels of rRNA nor of most tested mRNA. Cytoplasmic levels of c-myc were elevated by cycloheximide and remained so even in the presence of actinomycin D. These data suggested that a reduction in cytoplasmic levels of short lived, essential mRNA, such as c-myc mRNA, was one lethal lesion of actinomycin D. Furthermore, cycloheximide's protection may result, in part, from its ability to stabilize and/or elevate cytoplasmic levels of these mRNA, thus counteracting their depletion by actinomycin D. Protection may also result from the cycloheximide-induced reduction of actinomycin D bound to the acid precipitable fraction of the cells.

Assessment of mitochondrial function in cells grown in tissue culture.

To assess mitochondrial function (pyruvate dehydrogenase [PDH] activity), cells were grown in the appropriate media to confluence, rinsed and incubated in glucose free media containing 25 microM L-lactate and [1-14C]-D,L-lactate. Lactate oxidation was measured as the amount of lactate oxidized in nmol of 14CO2 generated per mg of protein per minute. Basal activity varied with cell number and the cell type studied: fibroblast 2.26 +/- 0.01; Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) 42 +/- 0.4; BC3H-1 52 +/- 2.1 nmol per mg per minute. The CHO cells screened for PDH activity decreased their dependence on lactate as a substrate in the presence of 5mM glucose by 60 percent. Increasing the cold lactate concentration diluted the labelled lactate available for pyruvate oxidation in a dose dependent manner. The mitochondrial inhibitor rotenone (25 microM) decreased assay activity by > 75 percent in CHO and BC3H-1 cells. The lactate oxidation assay was shown to be sensitive enough to measure insulin stimulation of PDH in a dose dependent manner with maximum activity occurring at concentrations between 1 microU per ml and 100 microU per ml.

Sequence of prolactin effects on phospholipid synthesis in Nb2 node lymphoma cells.

In Nb2 node rat lymphoma cells, the effects of prolactin (PRL) on the rates of incorporation of several precursors into neutral lipids, phospholipids and proteins were determined. The onset of the PRL stimulation of radiolabeled-precursor incorporation into lipids occurred between 1 and 4 hours after PRL addition to Nb2 cells; precursors employed included [14C]-acetate, [3H]-glycerol, [32P]O4, [3H]-choline, [3H]-ethanolamine, [3H]-serine and [3H]-myoinositol. No effects were observed during the initial 60 min of culture with PRL. The effects on precursor incorporation that occur after 1 hr of PRL exposure are likely related to the stimulation of cell growth by PRL. In cells that were prelabeled with the radiolabeled precursors and subsequently incubated with PRL, PRL had no effect on the metabolism of the radiolabeled phospholipids or the accumulation of phospholipid products until several hours after hormone addition. We would conclude from these studies that the initial (60 min) effect of PRL on Nb2 node lymphoma cells does not likely use a signal transduction mechanism that involves products derived from the cellular phospholipids.

Cycloheximide increases the thermostability of proteins in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Protein denaturation resulting from temperatures between 42.0 degrees C and 50 degrees C has been observed and implicated as the lethal lesion for hyperthermic cell killing. A logical corollary is that protection against hyperthermic killing requires stabilization of cellular proteins against thermal denaturation. To test this, Chinese hamster ovary cells were treated with the heat protector cycloheximide and then subjected to differential scanning calorimetry to measure protein denaturation. Cycloheximide stabilized proteins that denatured between 42 degrees C and 52 degrees C in control cells by increasing their transition (denaturation) temperature by an average of 1.3 degrees C. In addition, cycloheximide reduced the cytotoxicity of actinomycin D and adriamycin, suggesting that protein stabilization protects cells against stresses other than hyperthermia.

Possible involvement of the phospholipases in the mitogenic actions of prolactin (PRL) on Nb2 node lymphoma cells.

The possible role of the phospholipase enzymes in the prolactin stimulation of mitogenesis in Nb2 node lymphoma cells was investigated. Two phospholipase inhibitors including quinacrine and alpha-para-dibromoacetophenone (BPB) were employed. Quinacrine at concentrations of 1-5 microM attenuated the magnitude of the PRL stimulation of cell division; at concentrations of 10 microM and above quinacrine abolished the PRL response. BPB at concentrations of 1-10 microM also inhibited the mitogenic effect of PRL in a concentration response fashion. The polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid partially reversed the inhibitory effects of these drugs. In further studies, exogenously added phospholipase C at concentrations of 5-50 ng/ml was found to potentiate the mitogenic effect of prolactin when prolactin was employed at a concentration that evoked a half-maximal response. By itself, however, phospholipase C had no effect on the rate of cell division. Phospholipase A2 either by itself or in the presence of prolactin was without effect.

Prolactin stimulation of Nb 2 node lymphoma cell division is inhibited by polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors.

The mitogenic action of prolactin in Nb 2 node lymphoma cells was inhibited by two drugs which interfere with polyamine biosynthesis. At concentrations of 0.5 mM and above alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine (DFMO), which inhibits ornithine decarboxylase and the conversion of ornithine to putrescine, significantly attenuated the mitogenic effect of prolactin. This inhibition was prevented by the addition of putrescine, spermidine, or spermine to the culture medium. At concentrations of 1 microM and above methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), which inhibits S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and hence the conversion of putrescine to spermidine and spermine, abolished the mitogenic action of prolactin. This inhibition was prevented by the addition of spermidine or spermine, but not putrescine, to the culture medium. These studies show that ongoing polyamine biosynthesis is essential for prolactin to express its mitogenic effect in this lymphoma cell line.