Biomedical subjects

B M Weichman

Publications and source records attributed to B M Weichman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Phospholipase A2-induced pleural inflammation in rats.

Injection of Naja mocambique mocambique phospholipase A2 [PLA2] into the rat pleural cavity induced dose- and time-dependent fluid accumulation and cellular infiltration. The time course of the cell influx was initially neutrophilic [2-6 h] and later mononuclear [6-24 h]. During reverse passive Arthus reaction [RPAR] induced pleurisy, endogenously produced PLA2 activity, quantitated by the hydrolysis of [3H]-arachidonic acid E. coli substrate, was detected in the pleural exudate. However, the biosynthesis of eicosanoids and plasma extravasation in the pleural cavity preceded the 9-fold elevation in PLA2 activity which was obtained at 4 h. Whereas the exact role of PLA2 in the inflammatory response remains to be determined, these results demonstrate that exogenous PLA2 can induce pleural inflammation in the rat, and that this enzyme is released endogenously during experimental pleurisy.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Pemedolac: a novel and long-acting non-narcotic analgesic.

Pemedolac [cis-1-ethyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydro-4-(phenylmethyl)-pyrano [3,4-b]indole-1-acetic acid; AY-30,715] exhibited potent analgesic effects against chemically induced pain in rats and mice and against inflammatory pain in rats. In each of the animal models used the analgesic potency of pemedolac was defined by an ED50 of 2.0 mg/kg p.o. or less. Significant analgesic activity was detected in rats at 16 hr after administration of 1 mg/kg p.o. (paw pressure test) and at 10 hr after administration of 10 mg/kg p.o. to mice (p-phenylbenzoquinone writhing). Inasmuch as pemedolac was inactive in the hot plate and tail-flick tests; and its analgesic activity was not antagonized by naloxone (1 mg/kg s.c.), and tolerance did not develop upon multiple administration; this drug does not exert its analgesic effects through an opiate mechanism. Pemedolac differed from standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in that the doses which produced analgesia were much lower than those required for either anti-inflammatory or gastric irritant effects. In acute anti-inflammatory tests, pemedolac exhibited only weak activity as evidenced by an ED50 approximately 100 mg/kg p.o. in the carrageenan paw edema procedure. This demonstrates for pemedolac a separation of at least 50-fold between the acute analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, which was greater than that observed with reference NSAIDs. The compound also had a low ulcerogenic liability with an acute UD50 = 107 mg/kg p.o. and a subacute UD50 estimated to be 140 mg/kg/day p.o. In contrast, the reference NSAIDS (piroxicam, indomethacin, naproxen and ibuprofen) exhibited similar dose-response relationships for the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and gastric irritant effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analgesics↗

PubMed1988

Production of prostacyclin in mice following intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid, phenylbenzoquinone and zymosan: its role in the writhing response.

The magnitude and temporal production of PGI2, PGE2 and LTB4 were measured in the mouse peritoneal cavity for a 15 min period following the intraperitoneal injection of either acetic acid, phenyl-p-benzoquinone (PBQ) or zymosan. For each algogenic substance, PGI2 (assayed as the stable metabolite, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) represented the major eicosanoid with lower levels of PGE2 also detected. Zymosan induced the greatest 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production among the three algogenic agents, but only a weak writhing response was observed. LTB4 was detected in the peritoneal lavage only after zymosan. The magnitude of eicosanoid production did not correlate with the writhing response induced by the algogenic agents, even though the inhibition of both 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and writhing by several peripheral analgesics was positively correlated. PGI2, (100 ng), 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (1 microgram) and PGE2 (100 ng) did not induce writhing. However, only PGI2 acted synergistically with acetic acid to produce writhing. Presumably due to the short biological lifetime of PGI2, this synergism was noted only when PGI2 was administered after the acetic acid. These results suggest that PGI2 acts to sensitize the animal for the writhing response.

Acetates↗

PubMed1988

Temporal relationships of the anti-inflammatory effect of etodolac in the adjuvant arthritic rat.

Using the curative model of adjuvant arthritis, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with vehicle or etodolac (1, 3, and 8 mg/kg/day, po) for 9 days. Rats were sacrificed after 1, 2, 4, or 9 daily doses, and paw volume, PGE2 concentrations, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity were determined in the left adjuvant-injected hindpaws. All three doses of etodolac caused a significant decrease in PGE2 concentrations after the first dose, and the decreases persisted for 2, 4, and 9 days of treatment, respectively. In rats given four daily doses of 3 and 8 mg/kg/day of etodolac, the paw volume was significantly decreased by about 50%, compared with that of the arthritic controls. A significant decrease in NAG activity was observed only after nine daily doses of 8 mg/kg/day etodolac. The sequence of anti-inflammatory events manifested following etodolac treatment would appear to be an initial inhibition of PGE2 synthesis, followed by resorption of fluid, and then by a reduction in macrophage infiltration.

Acetates↗

PubMed1988

Interaction of neutrophils with vascular smooth muscle: identification of a neutrophil-derived relaxing factor.

Experiments were designed to study the interaction of rat peritoneal neutrophils with the vascular smooth muscle of the rat aorta. Rings of aorta, suspended in 10-ml organ chambers containing a physiologic salt solution, were precontracted with phenylephrine. Neutrophils (1 X 10(5) -4 X 10(7) cells/organ chamber) caused a cell number-dependent relaxation of the rat aorta that was augmented by superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml) or changing the oxygen content from 95 to 21%. The neutrophil-induced smooth muscle relaxation occurred in rings with and without endothelium and in rings precontracted with increasing concentrations of phenylephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha or KCI. Catalase (1000 U/ml) and mannitol (1 X 10(-3) M) did not block the neutrophil-induced relaxation, whereas phenazine methosulfate (1 X 10(-5) M), hydroquinone (3 X 10(-5) M) and methylene blue (1 X 10(-5) M) reversed the neutrophil-induced relaxation. Pre-exposure of endothelium-rubbed rings to neutrophils (2 X 10(7) cells/organ chamber; 15 min) depressed the subsequent concentration-response curve to phenylephrine but augmented the relaxation induced by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast (1 X 10(-5) M). The effluent from a column restraining the neutrophils induced a relaxation of endothelium-rubbed aortic rings that was prevented by methylene blue (1 X 10(-5) M). These results demonstrate that rat neutrophils release a factor that has a pharmacologic profile similar to that previously reported for the relaxing factor released from the vascular endothelium.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Histopathologic evaluation of the effects of etodolac in established adjuvant arthritis in rats: evidence for reversal of joint damage.

Histopathologic evaluation of hindpaws from control rats with established adjuvant arthritis showed severe alterations in soft tissue and bone, as well as progressive, moderate-to-severe articular changes. Following treatment with etodolac for 28 days, soft tissue and articular changes were rated mild, and bone changes were rated moderate, but with remodeling. These findings indicate that etodolac partially reversed the joint damage in these rats.

Acetates↗

PubMed1987

Leukotriene B4 production and pharmacologic regulation of reverse passive Arthus pleurisy: importance of antigen dose.

Immunoreactive leukotriene B4 (iLTB4), detected in the pleural cavity following induction of a reverse passive Arthus reaction (RPAR), was inhibited by the mixed lipoxygenase-cyclooxygenase inhibitors, phenidone and BW 755C, but not by cyclooxygenase inhibitors or by chlorpheniramine or methysergide. Both iLTB4 production and the subsequent pleural inflammation were dependent upon the dose of BSA antigen employed to elicit the RPAR pleurisy. However, inasmuch as BW 755C and phenidone were not distinguished from the cyclooxygenase inhibitors in their effects on fluid accumulation and cellular infiltration in RPAR pleurisy, it is doubtful that LTB4 plays a functional role in this inflammation model.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by etodolac. I. Selective activities in arthritis.

Etodolac is the first anti-inflammatory drug belonging to the tetrahydropyranoindole class. In contrast to several other common anti-inflammatory drugs, etodolac exhibited an unusually high potency as an inhibitor of established adjuvant arthritis relative to its activity against carrageenan paw edema in the rat. This phenomenon led us to investigate whether the ability of NSAIDs to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis differed between cultures of macrophages, which are present in inflammatory exudates, and cultures of synoviocytes and chondrocytes, which contribute to inflammation of the articulating joint. Although other anti-inflammatory drugs were found to be equally active in all three cell types, etodolac was found to be much more effective on the cells of the joint than on the macrophage. This differential activity may be responsible for the striking efficacy of etodolac as an anti-arthritic drug.

Acetates↗

PubMed1987

Differential effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on fluid accumulation and cellular infiltration in reverse passive arthus pleurisy and carrageenan pleurisy in rats.

At 4 h following induction of pleural inflammation in rats using either an immune stimulus (reverse passive Arthus reaction, RPAR) or a chemical stimulus (carrageenan), the cellular infiltration and fluid accumulation responses were quantitated. The bell-shaped antigen (BSA) dose-response curve describing the fluid response was increased upward as the anti-BSA dose was increased from 0.25 to 1 mg, whereas the dose-response curve for cellular infiltration was both shifted upward and to the right. Both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a mixed lipoxygenase-cyclooxygenase inhibitor (BW 755C) preferentially inhibited fluid accumulation in RPAR pleurisy elicited with 5 mg BSA and 1 mg anti-BSA and in carrageenan pleurisy. In contrast, these drugs inhibited cellular infiltration preferentially in RPAR pleurisy elicited with 1 mg BSA and 1 mg anti-BSA. These results demonstrate that the fluid and cellular responses in rat pleural inflammation can be differentially regulated by anti-inflammatory drugs depending upon the doses of antigen and antibody employed in RPAR pleurisy and the identity of the inflammatory stimulus.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Differential rank order of potency for antagonism of LTC4- and LTD4-induced contractions of guinea pig trachea.

In the presence of 1-serine-borate complex (SB), employed to prevent LTC4 to LTD4 metabolism, desamino-2-nor-LTE, [4-hydroxy-5-[(2,2-carboxyethyl)thio]-6-nonadecenoic acid; DN-LTE1] equally antagonized the contractions elicited by LTC4 (-log KB = 5.8 +/- 0.2) and LTD4 (-log KB = 5.5 +/- 0.4) on the isolated guinea pig trachea. In contrast, FPL 55712 preferentially antagonized the LTD4-induced contractions in the presence of SB with a -log KB = 6.2 +/- 0.2, whereas only weak antagonism of the LTC4-induced contractions was observed (-log KB = 4.9 +/- 0.2). Thus, the rank order of potency for antagonizing the LTC4-induced contractions was DN-LTE1 greater than FPL 55712, whereas the rank order for antagonizing LTD4 was FPL 55712 greater than DN-LTE1. On tissues pretreated with 10 microM FPL 55712 without SB, 10 microM DN-LTE1 antagonized the contractions elicited by LTC4 but not those elicited by LTD4. Thus, based upon the differential rank order of antagonism of the LTC4- and LTD4-induced contractions by these LT antagonists under two different experimental conditions, these results imply the existence of multiple LT receptors in the guinea pig trachea.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Synthesis and analgesic evaluation of 4-(2-heptyloxy)-7-[(Z)-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)]indole: a caveat on indole-phenol bioisosterism.

The synthesis of 4-(2-heptyloxy)-7-[(Z)-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)]indole (7) is described. Compound 7 was tested for analgesic properties in the phenylbenzoquinone writhing test and was found to be essentially devoid of activity. In contrast, cis-3-[4-(2-heptyloxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]cyclohexanol (8), the analogue in which the pyrrolo ring is replaced by a hydroxyl group, had an ED50 of 8.3 mg/kg, sc, in the same model. The absence of bioisosterism between the pyrrolo ring and the phenolic hydroxyl group, in this instance, is discussed in terms of the circumstances that control the manifestation of bioisofunctionality between a pyrrolo ring and a phenolic hydroxyl group, which functions as a hydrogen-bond donor.

Analgesics↗

PubMed1985

Differentiation of the mechanisms by which leukotrienes C4 and D4 elicit contraction of the guinea pig trachea.

The contractions elicited by leukotriene (LT) C4 and D4 in isolated guinea pig trachea were characterized under conditions in which LTC4 to LTD4 metabolism was blocked by the presence of 45 mM l-serine-borate complex (SB). The presence of SB caused a shift of the LTC4-concentration-response curve to the left by 7.5-fold, and blocked the bioconversion of LTC4 to LTD4 by the trachea as estimated by HPLC analysis of the LTs present in the tissue bath fluid. The potency of FPL 55712 as an antagonist of the LTC4-induced contractions in the presence of SB was 15-30-fold less than its potency as an antagonist of the LTD4-induced contractions. In contrast, another LT antagonist, SK&F 101132, equally antagonized the contractions elicited by LTC4 and LTD4 in either the presence or absence of SB. The differential antagonism of LTC4 and LTD4 implies the existence of multiple pharmacologic receptors for the LTs. The calcium channel entry blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, at concentrations as high as 10 microM, suppressed the maximal LTC4-induced contraction by no more than 20%, whereas the purported intracellular calcium antagonist, TMB-8, completely suppressed the LTC4 concentration-response curve in the presence of SB, a profile identical to that previously reported for LTD4. Thus, if multiple LT receptors exist, they appear to mobilize calcium in a qualitatively similar fashion following LT stimulation.

Airway Resistance↗

PubMed1985

Synthesis and LTD4-antagonist activity of desamino-2-nor-leukotriene analogs.

A series of desamino-2-nor-leukotriene analogs has been prepared by the reaction of various thiols with several methyl trans-4,5-epoxy-6Z-alkenoates, followed by deprotection. The products were assessed for their ability to antagonize the LTD4-induced contraction of the isolated guinea pig trachea. Several compounds displayed potent leukotriene antagonist activity, i.e., KB values in the sub-micromolar range, while only minimally affecting basal airway tone. The most potent analog, 4-hydroxy-5-(2-carboxyethylthio)-6Z-nonadecenoic acid, antagonized both LTD4- and LTE4-induced contractions of the trachea in an apparently competitive fashion. These agents possess increased potency relative to SK&F 101132, the first leukotriene analog identified as having LT-antagonist activity. Thus, these results demonstrate that deletion of the peptide amino group can produce leukotriene analogs which have minimal intrinsic contractile activity on the isolated guinea pig trachea, yet possess potent leukotriene-antagonistic effects.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Synthesis and LTD4 antagonist activity of 2-norleukotriene analogues.

A series of structural analogues of 4(R)-hydroxy-5(S)-cysteinylglycyl-6(Z)-nonadecenoic acid [4R,5S,6Z)-2-nor-LTD1 (10b), SK&F 101132) has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. (4R,5S,6Z)-2-nor-LTD1 significantly antagonized LTD4-induced contractile responses on isolated guinea pig trachea. The cis double-bond geometry appears to be critical for antagonist activity, whereas the trans isomer 17 exhibited weak contractile activity. Replacement of the cysteinylglycyl moiety with cysteine afforded 20, which retained significant antagonist activity, while lengthening or shortening the lipid tail by five methylene groups resulted in complete loss of activity. The eicosanoid amide 15, glycinamide 14, and C-1 carbinol 18 analogues all possessed antagonist activity, whereas the diol derivative 19 exhibited increased intrinsic agonist activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Molecular heterogeneity of leukotriene receptors: correlation of smooth muscle contraction and radioligand binding in guinea-pig lung.

The [3H]leukotriene C4 ([3H]LTC4) and [3H]leukotriene D4 ([3H] LTD4) specific binding sites in guinea-pig lung membranes were characterized and correlated with smooth muscle contractile activities of a series of LTC-, D- and E-type analogs. [3H]LTC4 bound to the specific sites with high affinity (dissociation constant Kd = 15 +/- 5 nM), saturable capacity (maximum binding = 68 +/- 15 pmol/mg of membrane protein), stereoselectivity and specificity. The [3H]LTC4 specific binding sites were detected in the membranes isolated from leukotriene sensitive (e.g., lung and heart) or insensitive (e.g., brain and red blood cells) tissues. [3H] LTD4 also bound to specific sites with high affinity (Kd = 0.20 +/- 0.05 nM), low capacity (maximum binding = 1.1 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg of membrane protein) stereoselectivity and specificity. The [3H] LTD4 specific binding sites were detected in the membranes isolated from lung and trachea. [3H]LTC4 specific binding was inhibited by treatment of the membranes with the sulfhydryl alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide. [3H]LTD4 specific binding was more sensitive to heat treatment and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate than the [3H]LTC4 specific binding. Radioligand competition activities of the LTD- and LTE-type analogs correlated well with the agonist and antagonist smooth muscle contractile activities. In contrast, the radioligand competition activity of the LTC-type analogs did not correlate with smooth muscle contractile activities. These results indicate that the [3H]LTC4 and [3H]LTD4 specific binding sites in guinea-pig lung membranes are chemically and physically distinct. The [3H]LTD4 specific binding sites represent physiologically and pharmacologically important receptors, and the smooth muscle contraction induced by LTD-, and possible LTE-, type analogs are mediated through the LTD4 receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Effect of calcium antagonists on the biosynthesis and contractile effects of peptidoleukotrienes in rhesus monkey lung.

Anti-human Ig (immunoglobulin) E induced the release of 2.84 +/- 0.33 ng/ml of immunoreactive leukotrienes (iLTs) from passively sensitized, fragmented rhesus monkey lung, whereas tissue not challenged with anti-IgE released 0.21 +/- 0.08 ng/ml of iLTs spontaneously. Whereas the preferential lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (100 microM), inhibited completely anti-IgE-induced release of iLTs, the calcium channel entry blockers, nifedipine and verapamil (1 and 10 microM), and the purported intracellular calcium antagonist, TMB-8 (100 microM), were without affect on iLT release. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (5 microM), potentiated iLT release by an average 27.7%. Anti-IgE also induced a contraction of the sensitized monkey lung parenchyma, which was partially suppressed by the antihistamine, mepyramine (10 microM). Against the residual contraction elicited by anti-IgE in the presence of mepyramine, neither FPL 55712 (10 microM) nor verapamil (10 microM) significantly suppressed the contractile activity of anti-IgE. On the monkey lung parenchyma, LTD4 elicited a concentration-dependent contraction, which was antagonized by FPL 55712 (KB = 1 microM) and suppressed by 40 to 50% by verapamil (10 microM). On monkey tracheal rings, the contraction elicited by LTD4 (30 nM) was suppressed by an average 83% by FPL 55712 (10 microM), 47% by verapamil (1 microM) and 45% by TMB-8 (100 microM). In contrast, the KCI-induced contraction was suppressed completely by verapamil and suppressed 79% by TMB-8, suggesting that LTD4 does not elicit contraction of the monkey trachea simply via voltage sensitive calcium entry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Leukotriene D4 elicits a non-sustained contraction of the guinea pig trachea in calcium-free buffer.

The contraction of the isolated guinea pig trachea elicited by leukotriene D4 (LTD4) in Ca2+-free buffer (containing 10(-4) M EGTA) achieved a maximum at 6-8 min and relaxed back to baseline approximately 25 min after challenge with LTD4. In contrast, LTD4 elicited a sustained contraction in the presence of 1.8 mM calcium. This sustained contraction in the presence of calcium was reproduced upon repeated LTD4 challenge, whereas in Ca2+-free buffer, only one LTD4-induced contraction could be obtained. The amplitude of the LTD4-induced contraction in Ca2+-free buffer decreased in a time-dependent manner which was also dependent upon the concentration of LTD4. At 10(-7) and 10(-6) M LTD4, small contractions (11% and 20% of control, respectively) were measured after 30 min in Ca2+-free buffer, whereas 10(-8) M LTD4 elicited a contraction at 15 min but not after 30 min in Ca2+-free buffer. Whereas washing the trachea for 5 min with LaCl3 (1.8 mM) only partially suppressed the LTD4-induced contraction in the presence of calcium, the contraction elicited by LTD4 in Ca2+-free buffer was not affected by LaCl3. The LTD4-induced contraction in Ca2+-free buffer was not affected by verapamil (10(-6) M); in contrast, the putative intracellular calcium antagonist, TMB-8 (10(-4) M), blocked the LTD4-induced contraction. These results provide evidence that the release of an intracellular calcium store plays an important role in the initiation of the LTD4-induced contraction of the guinea pig trachea. In addition, these results suggest that an extracellular calcium source may account for a small part of the LTD4-induced contraction.

Airway Resistance↗

PubMed1984

Differential inhibition of LTD4-mediated bronchopulmonary effects by salbutamol.

The effects of systemically administered salbutamol on LTD4-induced changes in pulmonary mechanics and tracheal microvascular permeability in the anesthetized guinea pig were compared. Salbutamol (50 micrograms/kg i.v.) virtually abolished the decreases in Cdyn and Gaw produced by i.v. LTD4, but did not alter the LTD4-induced increase in tracheal microvascular permeability. Thus, it appears that although the spasmolytic properties of salbutamol may profoundly inhibit LTD4-mediated bronchoconstriction, salbutamol might only be of limited value in reducing the airway inflammatory effects of LTD4.

Airway Resistance↗