Intravenous esomeprazole 40 mg vs. intravenous lansoprazole 30 mg for controlling intragastric acidity in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous (IV) formulations of proton pump inhibitors are effective for patients in whom oral therapy is not appropriate. AIM: To compare IV esomeprazole and IV lansoprazole for the control of intragastric pH. METHODS: In this open-label crossover study, healthy, Helicobacter pylori-negative adults were randomized to one of two treatment sequences, each consisting of two 5-day dosing periods of IV esomeprazole 40 mg or IV lansoprazole 30 mg. Twenty-four-hour intragastric pH monitoring was conducted on days 1 and 5 of each dosing period. RESULTS: On days 1 and 5, intragastric pH was >4.0 significantly longer with esomeprazole than lansoprazole (least-squares means: day 1, 40.0% vs. 33.6%; day 5, 61.9% vs. 45.4%; both P < 0.0001). During the first 4 h of pH monitoring, intragastric pH was >4.0 significantly longer on days 1 and 5 with esomeprazole than lansoprazole (P < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier estimates of median hours to stable pH >4.0 were 4.92 for esomeprazole and 5.75 for lansoprazole (P = 0.0014 for test on Gehan scores). CONCLUSION: In healthy adults, IV esomeprazole 40 mg controlled intragastric acidity faster and more effectively than IV lansoprazole 30 mg.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction in mice with a targeted mutation in the gene encoding vasoactive intestinal polypeptide: a model for the study of intestinal ileus and Hirschsprung's disease.

In 1970, Drs. Said and Mutt isolated a novel peptide from porcine intestinal extracts with powerful vasoactive properties, and named it vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Since then, the biological actions of VIP in the gut as well as its signal transduction pathways have been extensively studied. A variety of in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that VIP, expressed in intrinsic non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurons, is a potent regulator of gastrointestinal (GI) motility, water absorption and ion flux, mucus secretion and immune homeostasis. These VIP actions are believed to be mediated mainly by interactions with highly expressed VPAC(1) receptors and the production of nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, VIP has been implicated in numerous physiopathological conditions affecting the human gut, including pancreatic endocrine tumors secreting VIP (VIPomas), insulin-dependent diabetes, Hirschsprung's disease, and inflammatory bowel syndromes such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. To further understand the physiological roles of VIP on the GI tract, we have begun to analyze the anatomical and physiological phenotype of C57BL/6 mice lacking the VIP gene. Herein, we demonstrate that the overall intestinal morphology and light microscopic structure is significantly altered in VIP(-/-) mice. Macroscopically there is an overall increase in weight, and decrease in length of the bowel compared to wild type (WT) controls. Microscopically, the phenotype was characterized by thickening of smooth muscle layers, increased villi length, and higher abundance of goblet cells. Alcian blue staining indicated that the latter cells were deficient in mucus secretion in VIP(-/-) mice. The differences became more pronounced from the duodenum to the distal jejunum or ileum of the small bowel but, became much less apparent or absent in the colon with the exception of mucus secretion defects. Further examination of the small intestine revealed larger axonal trunks and unusual unstained patches in myenteric plexus. Physiologically, the VIP(-/-) mice showed an impairment in intestinal transit. Moreover, unlike WT C57BL/6 mice, a significant percentage of VIP(-/-) mice died in the first postnatal year with overt stenosis of the gut.

Three-year oral pantoprazole administration is effective for patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other hypersecretory conditions.

BACKGROUND: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and idiopathic hypersecretion are gastrointestinal hypersecretory conditions requiring long-term maintenance. AIMS: The safety and efficacy data for short-term (6-month) treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and idiopathic hypersecretion with oral pantoprazole were previously published. This study extends the initial observations to 3 years. METHODS: The primary efficacy end point for this report was the control of gastric acid secretion in the last hour before the next dose of oral pantoprazole (acid output of <10 mmol/h; <5 mmol/h in subjects with prior acid-reducing surgery). Dose titration was permitted to a maximum of 240 mg per 24 h. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects completed the study. The acid output of 28 of 34 subjects was controlled at initial enrolment. The mean acid output rates were <10 mmol/h throughout the 36 months of treatment for 90-100% of the patients. The majority of the patients were controlled with b.d. doses of 40 or 80 mg pantoprazole at 36 months (acid output was controlled in 24 of 24 subjects). Pantoprazole was generally well tolerated with minimal adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance oral pantoprazole therapy up to 3 years at dosages of 40-120 mg b.d. was effective and well tolerated in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other hypersecretory conditions.

Review article: oesophageal complications and consequences of persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

The major oesophageal complications associated with persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include erosive oesophagitis, ulceration, strictures and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Although the causes of these complications are uncertain, studies indicate that erosive oesophagitis may progress to the development of ulcers, strictures and GI bleeding. Pharmacological treatment with proton pump inhibitors is favoured over that with H(2)-receptor antagonists for the treatment of strictures. The treatment of strictures is accomplished with dilation and many favour the concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors. Most gastroenterologists are seeing far fewer oesophageal strictures these days since the introduction of proton pump inhibitors. In addition, research has shown that oesophageal complications have a greater impact on patients suffering from night-time GERD than on those suffering from daytime GERD. Barrett's oesophagus is a significant complication associated with persistent GERD and those at risk generally experience a longer duration of symptoms, especially those with a high degree of severity. In addition, there is a strong relationship between Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. This is in part due to the association of obesity and the development of hiatal hernias. Furthermore, endoscopic screening is being used to detect Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in persons suffering from chronic GERD, even though screening may not have an impact on outcomes (Sharma P, McQuaid K, Dent J, et al. A critical review of the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus: The AGA Chicago Workshop. Gastroenterology 2004; 127: 310-30.).

Rabeprazole is superior to omeprazole for the inhibition of peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in Helicobacter pylori-negative subjects.

BACKGROUND: Peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid output is considered to be a reliable means to evaluate drug-mediated inhibition of stimulated gastric acid output, an important measure of the efficacy of the agents--such as proton pump inhibitors--used to treat acid-related disorders. AIM: To compare the initial and overall inhibitory effects on peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion of rabeprazole and omeprazole, 20 mg, in Helicobacter pylori-negative subjects on the first and eighth days of treatment. METHODS: Healthy volunteers (n = 27) were randomized in a single-centre, double-blind, double-dummy, 2 x 2 cross-over study. Subjects received an oral dose of rabeprazole or omeprazole, 20 mg once daily, for 8 days. After a 2-4-week washout period, subjects were crossed over to receive the other medication for 8 days. Peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion was measured at hours 11 and 23 at baseline and on days 1 and 8 of treatment. RESULTS: On days 1 and 8, rabeprazole demonstrated a significantly greater inhibition of peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion compared with omeprazole at all time points (P < 0.03). Median values of steady-state inhibition on day 1 were statistically significant at hour 23 (rabeprazole 100% vs. omeprazole 74%, P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Rabeprazole, 20 mg, demonstrated superior control of peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion compared with omeprazole, 20 mg, after the first dose and after the eighth daily dose. Rabeprazole achieved a more rapid onset of acid inhibition and a greater steady-state reduction in peptone meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion.

Hepatic cytoreduction followed by a novel long-acting somatostatin analog: a paradigm for intractable neuroendocrine tumors metastatic to the liver.

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of symptomatic neuroendocrine tumors that metastasize to the liver is controversial. We investigated aggressive hepatic cytoreduction and postoperative administration of octreotide long-acting release (LAR), a long-acting somatostatin analog. METHODS: Between December 1992 and August 2000, 31 patients underwent hepatic surgical cytoreduction (20 carcinoid, 10 islet cell, and 1 medullary). All patients had progressive symptoms refractory to conventional therapy. RESULTS: Hepatic cytoreduction (resection, cryosurgery, and/or radiofrequency ablation) eliminated symptoms in 27 patients (87%) and decreased secretion of hormones by an overall mean of 59%. When minor symptoms returned and/or hormonal levels increased during follow-up, adjuvant therapy was started. Ten patients received adjuvant octreotide LAR once a month, and 21 received other adjuvants. At a median postoperative follow-up of 26 months, 16 patients had progressive/recurrent disease, 13 had died of their disease, and 2 remained free of disease. Median symptom-free interval was 60 months (95% confidence interval, 48-72) with octreotide LAR and 16 months (95% confidence interval, 10-29) with other adjuvants (P = .0007). Two-year symptom-free survival rate was 100% with octreotide LAR and 33% with other adjuvants. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic surgical cytoreduction can palliate progressive symptoms associated with liver metastases from intractable neuroendocrine tumors. Postoperative adjuvant therapy with octreotide LAR can prolong symptom-free survival.

Impaired renal D(1)-like and D(2)-like dopamine receptor interaction in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

D(1)-like (D(1), D(5)) and D(2)-like (D(2), D(3), D(4)) dopamine receptors interact in the kidney to produce a natriuresis and a diuresis. Disruption of D(1) or D(3) receptors in mice results in hypertension that is caused, in part, by a decreased ability to excrete an acute saline load. We studied D(1)-like and D(2)-like receptor interaction in anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by the intrarenal infusion of Z-1046 (a novel dopamine receptor agonist with rank order potency of D(3)> or =D(4)>D(2)>D(5)>D(1)). Z-1046 increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow, and sodium excretion in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats but not in SHRs. The lack of responsiveness to Z-1046 in SHRs was not an epiphenomenon, because intrarenal cholecystokinin infusion increased GFR, urine flow, and sodium excretion to a similar extent in the two rat strains. We conclude that renal D(1)-like and D(2)-like receptor interaction is impaired in SHRs. The impaired D(1)-like and D(2)-like receptor interaction in SHRs is not caused by alterations in the coding sequence of the D(3) receptor, the D(2)-like receptor expressed in rat renal tubules that has been shown to be involved in sodium transport. Because the diuretic and natriuretic effects of D(1)-like receptors are, in part, caused by an interaction with D(2)-like receptors, it is possible that the decreased Z-1046 action in SHRs is secondary to the renal D(1)-like receptor dysfunction in this rat strain.

Characterization of the pharmacology, signal transduction and internalization of the fluorescent PACAP ligand, fluor-PACAP, on NIH/3T3 cells expressing PAC1.

Fluor-PACAP, a fluorescent derivative of PACAP-27, has been confirmed to share a high affinity for PAC1 receptors transfected into NIH/3T3 cells and to have comparable pharmacological characteristics to the unconjugated, native form. Through competitive binding with 125I-PACAP-27, the two ligands exhibited similar dose- dependent inhibition. Additional examination of the efficacy of activating adenylyl cyclase revealed that both ligands analogously stimulated the production of cyclic AMP. Furthermore, PAC1 internalization visualized by our Fluor-PACAP, is compareable to that performed with the radioligand, 125I-PACAP-27, with maximal internalization achieved within thirty minutes. Thus, Fluor-PACAP exhibits intracellular signaling abilities homologous to the native ligand.

Switching between intravenous and oral pantoprazole.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective antisecretory drugs available for controlling gastric acid acidity and volume. They are the drugs of choice in the treatment of moderate-to-severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypersecretory disorders, and peptic ulcers. Currently in the United States, they are only available in an oral formulation. However, pantoprazole will soon be available in an intravenous formulation and will extend the power of PPIs to inpatient hospital settings. Intravenous pantoprazole has been shown to be effective and safe in clinical trials. Intravenous pantoprazole is indicated for the treatment of patients who require PPI therapy but who are unable to take oral medication. Intravenous pantoprazole has been shown to maintain acid suppression in patients switched from oral PPIs, so no change in dosage is required when switching from one formulation to the other. Potential hospital-based uses for intravenous PPI therapy include perioperative use as prophylaxis for acid aspiration syndrome during induction of anesthesia, prophylaxis for stress-related mucosal disease, and management of gastrointestinal bleeding from stress or acid peptic disease.

Replacement of oral proton pump inhibitors with intravenous pantoprazole to effectively control gastric acid hypersecretion in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) or other conditions requiring oral doses of proton pump inhibitors, it frequently becomes necessary to use parenterally administered gastric acid inhibitors. However, i.v. histamine-2 receptor antagonists are not effective at usual doses and lose their effectiveness because of tachyphlaxis. With the approval in the United States of i.v. pantoprazole, a substituted benzimidazole available in i.v. formulation, it will become possible to acutely manage gastric acid secretion in the acute care setting of a hospital. This study was developed to monitor the safety and establish the efficacy of i.v. pantoprazole as an alternative to oral proton pump inhibitors for the control of gastric acid hypersecretion in patients with ZES. METHODS: The efficacy of replacing oral PPI therapy with i.v. pantoprazole was evaluated in 14 ZES patients. After study enrollment, patients taking their current doses of oral PPI (omeprazole or lansoprazole) were switched to pantoprazole i.v. for 6 days during an 8-day inpatient period in the clinical research center. Effective control was defined as an acid output (AO) of < 10 mEq/h (< 5 mEq/h in patients with prior gastric acid-reducing surgery). RESULTS: The mean age of the 14 patients enrolled in the study was 52.4 yr (range = 38-67). Mean basal AO was 0.55 +/- 0.32 mEq/h and mean fasting gastrin was 1089 pg/ml (range = 36-3720). Four patients were also diagnosed with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type I syndrome, nine were male, and two had previously undergone acid-reducing surgery. Before study enrollment, gastric acid hypersecretion was controlled in nine of 14 patients with omeprazole (20-200 mg daily) and five of 14 with lansoprazole (30-210 mg daily). In the oral phase of the study all patients had adequate control of gastric acid secretion, with a mean AO of 0.55 +/- 0.32 mEq/h (mean +/- SEM). Thereafter, 80 mg of i.v. pantoprazole was administered b.i.d. for 7 days by a brief (15 min) infusion and the dose was titrated upward to a predetermined maximum of 240 mg/24 h to control AO. A dose of 80 mg b.i.d. of i.v. pantoprazole controlled AO in 13 of 14 of the patients (93%) for the duration of the study (p > 0.05 compared to baseline values for all timepoints). One sporadic ZES patient (oral control value = 0.65 mEq/h on 100 mg of omeprazole b.i.d. p.o.) was not controlled with 80 mg of i.v. pantoprazole b.i.d. and dosage was titrated upward to 120 mg b.i.d. after day 2. CONCLUSIONS: There were no serious adverse events observed. Intravenous pantoprazole provides gastric acid secretory control that is equivalent to the acid suppression observed with oral proton pump inhibitors. Most ZES patients (93%) maintained effective control of AO previously established with oral PPIs when switched to 80 mg of i.v. pantoprazole b.i.d.; however, for difficult-to-control patients, doses > 80 mg b.i.d. may be required.

GERD and its complications. The pathogenic relationship between symptoms and disease progression.

Chronic daytime and noctural acid reflux causes mucosal damage, heartburn, and other symptoms of GERD. The esophageal complications of GERD result from long-term exposure of the esophagus to acid. Extraesophageal GERD complications, such as laryngitis and asthma, develop when some of the acidic refluxate in the proximal esophagus enters the lower or upper airways because of comprised defense mechanisms. A growing body of evidence suggests that nocturnal reflux is more important to the development of severe complications than is daytime reflux. Defects in the lower esophageal sphincter and clearance mechanisms are related in part to recumbency during sleep; they may explain why transient episodes of nocturnal reflux outnumber daytime episodes in patients with GERD. Currently, the hope is that management strategies aimed at control of nocturnal symptoms can prevent, reduce the severity of, or resolve the long-term complications of chronic GERD.

Identification of an essential amino acid motif within the C terminus of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I receptor that is critical for signal transduction but not for receptor internalization.

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) type 1 (PAC1) receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor and class II receptor member. The receptor domains critical for signaling are unknown. To explore the role of the C terminus, truncations of 63 residues (Tr406), 53 residues (Tr416), 49 residues (Tr420), 44 residues (Tr424), and 37 residues (Tr433) were constructed and expressed in NIH/3T3 cells, and immunofluorescence, radioligand binding, adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC) assays were performed. (125)I-PACAP-27 binding (K(d) = 0.6-1.5 nm) for the Tr406 and Tr433 were similar to wild type Hop and Null splice variants (K(d) = approximately 1.1 nm). Although internalization of ligand for both the Tr406 and Tr433 mutants was reduced to 50-60% at 60 min compared with 76-87% for WT, loss of G protein coupling did not account for differences in internalization. Despite similar binding properties Tr406 and Tr416 mutants showed no AC or PLC response. Addition of 14 amino acids distal to HopTr406 resulted in normal AC and PLC responses. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated that Arg(416) and Ser(417) are essential for G protein activation. The proximal C terminus mediates signal transduction, and the distal is involved with internalization. Two residues within the C terminus, Arg(416) and Ser(417) conserved among class II receptors are the likely sites for G protein coupling.

Salivary and gastric epidermal growth factor in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: its protective potential.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence is accumulating that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a major molecule contributing to the maintenance of the integrity of the upper alimentary tract mucosa before and after injury by acid and pepsin. Patients with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) typically have hypersecretion of acid and pepsin; however, the concentration and rate of secretion of salivary and gastric EGF that could counteract these potentially aggressive factors are unknown. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine whether EGF affords mucosal protection in ZES patients. METHODS: The concentration and output of salivary (sEGF) and gastric epidermal growth factor (gEGF) were measured in eight patients with ZES and the results compared to those in 17 patients with nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD), serving as a control group. All patients had normal esophageal and gastric mucosa as determined by endoscopy. Total saliva was collected during 1-h parafilm- and 1-h pentagastrin/parafilm-stimulated conditions, as well as basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric juice. The concentration and output of EGF were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The concentration of EGF in saliva collected from ZES patients after parafilm chewing was significantly higher compared to that in NUD patients (4.61 +/- 0.59 vs 2.75 +/- 0.50 ng/ml, p < 0.05). The concentration of EGF in saliva collected after pentagastrin stimulation in ZES patients was also significantly higher than in NUD patients (4.37 +/- 0.73 vs 2.22 +/- 0.37 ng/ml, p < 0.05). Salivary EGF output during parafilm chewing in ZES and NUD were similar (68 +/- 6.4 vs 109 +/- 25.2 ng/h). Salivary EGF output after administration of pentagastrin in ZES and NUD was also similar (66 +/- 6.1 vs 132 +/- 45.4 ng/h). Basal EGF output in the gastric juice of patients with ZES was 3-fold higher than in patients with NUD (801 +/- 73 vs 271 +/- 32 ng/h, p < 0.01). Pentagastrin-stimulated EGF output was similar in both groups (705 +/- 92 vs 675 +/- 168 ng/h). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ZES have a significantly higher EGF concentration in saliva and EGF output in basal gastric juice. This elevated content of salivary and gastric EGF in ZES patients may play a protective role in preventing the development of reflux esophagitis and gastric ulcer under the impact of gastric acid and pepsin hypersecretion.

Intravenous pantoprazole rapidly controls gastric acid hypersecretion in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Parenteral control of gastric acid hypersecretion in conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) or idiopathic gastric acid hypersecretion is necessary perioperatively or when oral medications cannot be taken for other reasons (e.g., during chemotherapy, acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or in intensive care unit settings). METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of 15-minute infusions of the proton pump inhibitor pantoprazole (80-120 mg every 8-12 hours) in controlling acid output for up to 7 days. Effective control was defined as acid output >10 milliequivalents per hour (mEq/h) (<5 mEq/h in patients with prior acid-reducing surgery) for 24 hours. RESULTS: The 21 patients enrolled had a mean age of 51.9 years (range, 29-75) and a mean disease duration of 8.1 years (range, <0.5-21); 13 were male, 7 had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type I, 4 had undergone acid-reducing surgery, 2 had received chemotherapy, and 13 had undergone gastrinoma resections without cure. Basal acid output (mean +/- SD) was 40.2 +/- 27.9 mEq/h (range, 11.2-117.9). In all patients, acid output was controlled within the first hour (mean onset of effective control, 41 minutes) after an initial 80-mg intravenous pantoprazole dose. Pantoprazole, 80 mg every 12 hours, was effective in 17 of 21 patients (81%) for up to 7 days. Four patients required upward dose titration, 2 required 120 mg pantoprazole every 12 hours, and 2 required 80 mg every 8 hours. At study end, acid output remained controlled for 6 hours beyond the next expected dose in 71% of patients (n = 15); mean acid output increased to 4.0 mEq/h (range, 0-9.7). No serious or unexpected adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous pantoprazole, 160-240 mg/day administered in divided doses by 15-minute infusion, rapidly and effectively controlled acid output within 1 hour and maintained control for up to 7 days in all ZES patients.

Oral and intravenous dosage forms of pantoprazole are equivalent in their ability to suppress gastric acid secretion in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of pantoprazole to maintain gastric acid suppression in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who are switched from an oral (p.o.) to an intravenous (i.v.) dosage form. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease were administered either 40 or 20 mg of p.o. pantoprazole daily for 10 days, then were switched to either a matching dose of i.v. pantoprazole or to placebo for 7 days. Acid output (basal and maximal) was measured at the end of the p.o. treatment period and on the first and last days of i.v. therapy. In the primary efficacy analysis, the acid output values at the end of the p.o. pantoprazole treatment were compared with those at the end of the i.v. treatment. Safety was monitored by periodic vital sign measurements, clinical laboratory evaluations, ophthalmic examinations, electrocardiograms, and reports of adverse events. The data were tested by an analysis of covariance and by Wilcoxon signed rank and t tests. RESULTS: Maximal acid output (mean +/- SD) in the 40 mg and 20 mg pantoprazole group after p.o. treatment was 6.5 +/- 5.6 mEq/h and 14.5 +/- 15.5 mEq/h, respectively; whereas, at the end of the i.v. treatment period, the values were 6.6 +/- 6.3 mEq/h and 11.1 +/- 10.2 mEq/h, respectively. In patients given i.v. placebo, acid output was significantly (p < 0.05) increased to 29.2 +/- 13.0 mEq/h by day 7. Both p.o. and i.v. pantoprazole dosage forms had similar favorable safety and tolerability profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The p.o. and i.v. formulations of pantoprazole (40 and 20 mg) are equivalent in their ability to suppress gastric acid output. The i.v. form of pantoprazole offers an alternative for gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who are unable to take the p.o. formulation.

Essential structural motif in the C-terminus of the PACAP type I receptor for signal transduction and internalization.

The objectives of the study reported here were to identify amino acid residues of the C-terminus that are critical for intracellular signaling. A total of nine amino acid substitution and truncation mutants were constructed by PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Mutant and wildtype receptors were stably transfected into NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and studied for their ability to bind PACAP-27 and activate phospholipase C (PLC) and adenylyl cyclase (AC). Receptor affinity of 125I-PACAP-27 for the wildtype and mutants were similar (Kd = 0.6-1.5 nM). However, truncation of the entire 63 amino acids of the hPAC1 resulted in no signaling to either AC or IP. Addition of the proximal 10 amino acids of the C-terminus failed to restore AC or IP signaling, whereas addition of the proximal 27 amino acids of the C-terminus resulted in reconstitution of complete AC and IP responses, identical to the WT. Point mutations within this 17 amino acid region identified specific amino acids involved in PAC1 signaling. These results indicate that a structural motif within the proximal region of the carboxyl terminus is critical for G protein coupling.

Role of PACAP1 receptor in regulation of ECL cells and gastric acid secretion by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide.

We previously reported that PAC1 is expressed on ECL cells resulting in stimulation of [Ca2+]i, histamine and acid secretion. The study reported here characterized the signaling by PAC1 on ECL cells; determined the effects of PACAP on the gastric acid secretion in vivo, and determined the effects of chronic administration of PACAP-27 on ECL cell proliferation. PACAP-27 dose dependently stimulated ECL cell Ca2+ and AC with detectable stimulation at 1 nM and maximal stimulation at 100 nM (six-fold). In rats PACAP-27 administration (10 pmol/kg/h) increased the rate of gastric acid secretion when an antisomatostatin antibody was co-administered. Chronic administration of PACAP (10 pmol/h for seven days) via osmotic pump resulted in a more than twofold increase in BrdU incorporation into ECL cells. PACAP acting at the PAC1 results in dual signaling responses to both [Ca2+]i. AC in ECL cells stimulates gastric acid secretion via the actions of histamine acting at the parietal cell and in whole animals leads to proliferation of ECL cells when administered chronically.

PACAP type I receptor activation regulates ECL cells and gastric acid secretion.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is present in gastric nerves, and PACAP receptors (PAC1) are found on gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Expression of PAC1 splice variants in purified ECL cells was determined by RT-PCR. PACAP effects on ECL cells were analyzed by video imaging of [Ca(2+)](i) and histamine release; its effects on gastric glands were examined by confocal microscopy of [Ca(2+)](i) in ECL and parietal cells. PACAP action on D cells was measured by [Ca(2+)](i) and radioimmunoassay. PACAP effects on acid secretion were determined in fistula rats with or without neutralizing anti-somatostatin antibodies. All splice variants of PAC1 were found, but vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor (VPAC) products were absent. PACAP-27 and -38 dose-dependently raise [Ca(2+)](i) in ECL cells, and stimulated histamine release. VIP had a much lower affinity, which demonstrates the presence of PAC1 but not VPAC. PACAP elevated [Ca(2+)](i) in ECL and parietal cells of superfused gastric glands, but only the parietal cell signal was inhibited by ranitidine, showing the absence of PAC1 on parietal cells, and demonstrating functional coupling between the cell types. PACAP and VIP stimulated calcium signaling and somatostatin release from D cells with almost equal efficacy. Acid secretion was stimulated after intravenous injection of PACAP into rats treated with somatostatin antibody. PACAP is a candidate as a mediator of neural regulation of acid secretion.

PACAP(6-38) is a PACAP receptor antagonist for breast cancer cells.

The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) analogs were investigated using breast cancer cells. 125I-PACAP-27 bound with high affinity (Kd = 5 nM) to T47D cells (Bmax = 29,000 per cell). Specific 125I-PACAP-27 binding was inhibited half maximally by PACAP-27, PACAP-38, PACAP(6-38) and PACAP(28-38) with IC50) values of 8, 17, 750 and >3000 nM, respectively. By RT-PCR, PACAP receptor mRNA was present in MCF-7 and T47D cell lines. Polyclonal antibodies to a PACAP receptor fragment (A-8-C) were elicited. The antibodies were affinity purified, recognized a 60-kDa protein by western blot, and stained malignant cells in breast cancer biopsy specimens by immunohistochemistry. PACAP-27 elevated the cAMP in T47D cells and the increase in cAMP caused by PACAP was inhibited by PACAP(6-38). PACAP-27 stimulated c-fos mRNA in T47D cells and the increase in c-fos gene expression caused by PACAP was reversed by PACAP(6-38). PACAP(6-38) inhibited colony formation using a soft agar assay and inhibited breast cancer xenograft growth in nude mice. These data suggest that PACAP(6-38) functions as a breast cancer PACAP receptor antagonist.