PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

C Amiel

Publications and source records attributed to C Amiel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Renal functional reserve].

The term "renal functional reserve" (RFR) refers commonly to the reserve of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow. RFR can be elicited by an oral protein load or by infusion of aminoacids, glucagon, or dopamine. The increase in GFR which follows aminoacid administration results from a cascade of events including at least pancreatic release of glucagon, involvement of an hepatic step yet unidentified, and renal synthesis of vasodilatory prostaglandins. RFR represents a constant fraction of baseline GRF as long as the latter is above 40-50 l/min. It has been suggested tha permanent challenge of RFR, which occurs in protein-rich diet or during the hyperfiltration phase of diabetic nephropathy, might lead to and accelerate impairment of renal function. The relevance of RFR measurement as a tool to predict the evolution of renal function in various types of renal diseases remains to be evaluated.

Female

Changes in the electrochemical composition of cochlear fluids after intracisternal application of doxorubicin in the rat.

Since doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is known to bind on membranous negative surface charges, its effect on the electrochemical composition of the cochlear fluids was studied in rats. Doxorubicin was infused into the cerebrospinal fluid via the lateral cerebral ventricle. The endocochlear resting potential was recorded, and endolymph and perilymph of the scala vestibuli were collected from the basal cochlear turn before and 1, 2, and 4 h after the drug application. Na+, K+, and Cl- concentrations and osmolality of the endolymph and perilymph were measured in 1 nl aliquots. In perilymph, Cl- concentration increased 4 h after doxorubicin treatment to reach a concentration 8 mM higher than recorded initially. In endolymph, the endocochlear potential decreased by 5 mV/h while its K+ concentration and osmolality increased by about 3 mM/h and 4 mosmol/kg H2O per hour, respectively. These results suggest that the negative surface charges demonstrated on Reissner's membrane may play a role in the homeostasis of endolymph.

Animals

Alterations in the concentrations and binding properties of sex steroid binding protein and corticosteroid-binding globulin in HIV+patients.

The abnormal concentrations of steroid hormones and free fatty acids in the plasma of HIV-infected subjects are associated with qualitative and quantitative alterations in two of the major steroid hormones carrier proteins, sex steroid-binding protein (SBP) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). The properties of SBP and CBG in the sera of two age-matched groups of 67 men healthy blood donors (controls) and 64 HIV+subjects: 11 CDC group II and III (ASY), 6 CDC group IVA and 47 groups IV C1+D (AIDS) were analyzed. The HIV+patients had SBP concentrations 39-51% above those of controls. The sera of AIDS patients had higher SBP association constants (Ka) for testosterone than did those of the II, III and IVA groups and controls. In contrast, the CBG concentrations in all the HIV+subjects were similar to those of the controls. However, the binding properties of HIV+CBG were abnormal: the Ka's for cortisol and 17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone binding were 50% below normal, while the number of binding sites was significantly higher. Such changes in these carrier proteins could result from conformational transitions; they may cause abnormal transfer of hormonal information and/or steroid hormones metabolism, thus modifying the impact of steroids on the immune response in HIV+subjects.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone

Peripheral B cells with intracytoplasmic mu chains in HIV infection.

Besides the major alteration of T lymphocytes, B-cell anomalies have been reported in HIV infection, related to late stages of B-cell maturation, and considered to result from the dysregulation of T/B interactions. Because T cells are also involved in the control of lymphopoiesis and/or because of specific alterations of the B lineage, anomalies of B-cell maturation could occur in HIV-infected patients. We investigated the presence of immature pre-B lymphocytes, characterized by cytoplasmic mu chains, in 35 peripheral blood samples from healthy controls, 82 from HIV-positive/non-AIDS patients, and 45 from AIDS patients. Significant numbers of such cells were observed in 48% of HIV-seropositive patients and in 40% of the patients with AIDS disease. The presence of pre-B cells correlated with higher numbers of CD8+ and/or CD57+ cells and of peripheral lymphocytes. These data suggest that B-cell dysregulation in HIV infection may lead to the abnormal release of immature B cells in the peripheral blood. This observation may be interpreted as a sign of bone marrow activity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Platelet activating factor inhibits Cl and K transport in the medullary thick ascending limb.

Since the kidney medulla was reported to generate platelet activating factor (PAF), we investigated a possible effect of this agent on the reabsorptive function of in vitro microperfused medullary thick ascending limbs from mouse kidney (mTAL). PAF, 10(-7) M in the bath, significantly decreased the net chloride flux (JCl) from 48.8 +/- 7.1 to 27.4 +/- 5.7 pmol/min. This effect was reversible, blocked by the antagonist BN 50730, and not reproduced by the inactive metabolite lyso-PAF. PAF inhibited the transepithelial potential difference with a threshold at 10(-9) M. In the presence of isoproterenol, the PAF-induced decrease of JCl was not significantly different from that observed in basal conditions; moreover, PAF did not modify the adenylate cyclase activity in isolated mTALs, either in basal condition or under stimulation by isoproterenol. The effect of PAF on JCl was not prevented by mepacrine, NDGA associated with proadifen, or adenosine desaminase. When the apical Na-K-2Cl cotransport was blocked by furosemide or bumetanide, a net K secretion occurred (-1.1 +/- 0.2 pmol/min), which was significantly decreased by PAF (-0.06 +/- 0.3 pmol/min). Moreover, it was verified on isolated mTALs that PAF did not modify the Na,K-ATPase activity. It is concluded that PAF inhibits the reabsorptive function of the mTAL, as indicated by the decrease of Cl reabsorption and K secretion. This effect could not be accounted for by adenosine or arachidonic acid metabolite action, and was not mediated by an inhibition of the adenylate cyclase activity.

Absorption

Secretion of endolymph by the isolated frog semicircular canal.

Secretion of endolymph is localized in some structures of the inner ear, namely the stria vascularis in the cochlea and the dark cells in the vestibule and in the lower vertebrate inner ear. In isolated semicircular canal it is possible to study separately the endolymphatic composition in the ampulla, which contains the dark cells, and in its non-ampullar part, which is devoid of these cells. Further, in vitro preparation of the semicircular canal provides access to both faces of the epithelium so that different agents can be applied separately to the apical or to the basolateral membranes of the epithelium. In this structure, the following results were obtained: i) in vitro, the semicircular canal secreted a K-rich, positively polarized fluid; ii) this fluid was secreted only in the ampulla of the semicircular canal; iii) the secretion of endolymph was dependent on basolateral Na+, K(+)-ATPase, inhibited by ouabain, and basolateral Na-K-Cl co-transporter, inhibited by bumetanide; iv) approximately 60% of luminal Na absorption occurred across a luminal Na channel inhibited by amiloride; v) the permeability of the paracellular pathway of the semicircular canal epithelium was 7.10(-7) cm/s. These results indicate that endolymph secretion involves basolateral Na+, K(+)-ATPase and Na-K-Cl co-transporter. An Na channel has been shown at the apical membrane.

Animals

Modulation of Na-H exchange activity by angiotensin II in opossum kidney cells.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) was shown to modulate transport in the renal proximal tubule through both inhibition of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. We evaluated the effects of ANG II on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content and Na-H exchange activity (amiloride-sensitive Na influx) in two strains of opossum kidney (OK) cells originating from different sources, OK-VD and OK-RR cells. In OK-VD cells, ANG II inhibited basal and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced cAMP generation in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner and reversed PTH inhibition of Na-H exchange. These effects of ANG II were prevented by PD 123319, a selective nonpeptide antagonist of AT2 receptors. In contrast, DuP 753, which antagonizes selectively AT1 receptors, had no effect. In OK-RR cells, ANG II had no effect on cAMP content and decreased Na-H exchange activity. The effect of ANG II persisted in the presence of PTH but was abolished by PKC downregulation and by DuP 753, but not by PD 123319. In conclusion, two types of ANG II receptors, coupled to distinct signaling pathways, were expressed independently in OK cells originating from two different sources and mediated opposite effects of ANG II on Na-H exchange activity. Those models provide a powerful tool for studying the intracellular steps involved in the tubular effects of ANG II and to evaluate the effect of pharmacological inhibitors of ANG II binding to its receptors.

Amiloride

Impairment of sodium-coupled uptakes by hydrogen peroxide in alveolar type II cells: protective effect of d-alpha-tocopherol.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is likely to play an important role in oxidant alveolar epithelium injury. We investigated the effect of H2O2 on uptake of phosphate, alanine in cultured rat alveolar type II cells. H2O2 induced inhibition of Na-dependent component of phosphate and alanine uptakes in time- and concentration-dependent manner. Twenty minutes exposure to 2.5 mM H2O2 decreased the maximum velocity (Vmax) of phosphate and alanine uptake by 50 and 62%, respectively, whereas Michaelis constant (Km) values were unchanged. H2O2 also decreased Na-K-ATPase activity, measured by ouabain-sensitive rubidium influx, and this effect was independent of H2O2-induced ATP depletion. A lipid-soluble antioxidant, d-alpha-tocopherol (20 microM, 24 h), prevented H2O2-induced decrease in Na-coupled uptake and Na-K-ATPase activity. These results indicate that H2O2 affects Na-dependent phosphate and alanine uptakes and suggest that this effect may be related at least, in part, to a decrease in Na transmembrane gradient, since H2O2 also affects Na-K-ATPase activity. The protective effect of d-alpha-tocopherol suggests that peroxidation of the membrane lipids is likely to be involved in the observed effects.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Ion transport by primary cultures of Mongolian gerbil middle ear epithelium.

The transport properties of Mongolian gerbil middle ear epithelial cells grown in primary culture were studied. These cells formed polarized monolayers that exhibited domes on nonporous supports. On porous supports, monolayers developed an apical-negative transepithelial electric potential difference (VT = -37.2 +/- 2.7 mV) and a transepithelial resistance (RT = 519 +/- 56 omega.cm2). The short-circuit current equivalent (Ieq) was 62.4 +/- 6.2 microA/cm2 (mean +/- SE, n = 15). Na+ and Cl- accumulated in the basal bath and generated a basolateral hyperosmolarity that drove a net water flow. Amiloride (10 microM), when added to the apical but not to the basal bath, induced a 23.4 +/- 1.5 mV and 44.1 +/- 1.3 microA/cm2 decrease of VT and Ieq, respectively, while RT increased by 403 +/- 69 omega.cm2 (P less than 0.001, n = 15). Exposure of the monolayers to a low-Cl- solution (30 mM) enhanced the transepithelial potential, possibly by means of a Cl- secretion through apical Cl- channels. Isoproterenol (10(-4) M basolateral) increased intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content (concentration of half-maximal response = 2.5 x 10(-7) M) and decreased VT, RT, and Ieq. The isoproterenol-induced fall of VT occurred even in the presence of low-Cl-solutions. This suggested an increase of the paracellular pathway conductance, although there was no significant modification of the mannitol permeability.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amiloride

Mechanisms whereby extracellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate inhibits phosphate transport in cultured opossum kidney cells and in rat kidney. Physiological implication.

The mechanism of phosphaturia induced by cAMP infusion and the physiological role of extracellular cAMP in modulation of renal phosphate transport were examined. In cultured opossum kidney cells, extracellular cAMP (10-1,000 microM) inhibited Na-dependent phosphate uptake in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The effect of cAMP was reproduced by ATP, AMP, and adenosine, and was blunted by phosphodiesterase inhibitors or by dipyridamole which inhibits adenosine uptake. [3H]cAMP was degraded extracellularly into AMP and adenosine, and radioactivity accumulated in the cells as labeled adenosine and, subsequently, as adenine nucleotides including cAMP. Radioactivity accumulation was decreased by dipyridamole and by inhibitors of phosphodiesterases and ecto-5'-nucleotidase, assessing the existence of stepwise hydrolysis of extracellular cAMP and intracellular processing of taken up adenosine. In vivo, dipyridamole abolished the phosphaturia induced by exogenous cAMP infusion in acutely parathyroidectomized (APTX) rats, decreased phosphate excretion in intact rats, and blunted phosphaturia induced by PTH infusion in APTX rats. These results indicate that luminal degradation of cAMP into adenosine, followed by cellular uptake of the nucleoside by tubular cells, is a key event which accounts for the phosphaturic effect of exogenous cAMP and for the part of the phosphaturic effect of PTH which is mediated by cAMP added to the tubular lumen under the influence of the hormone.

Adenosine

Time-related alteration of endolymph composition in an experimental model of endolymphatic hydrops.

The electrochemical changes of the inner ear fluids were studied in the guinea pig during the development of endolymphatic hydrops in an experimental model of Meniere's disease obtained by the blockage of the vestibular aqueduct. The endocochlear potential (first and third turns) was recorded, and the sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations, and osmolality of the endolymph (first and third turns) and perilymph were determined at different intervals from 2 to 24 weeks after the induction of the hydrops. The development of hydrops was monitored by the compound action potential once a week during the observation period. In normal, nonoperated guinea pigs, longitudinal endolymphatic gradients of endocochlear potential, potassium and chloride concentrations, and osmolality, increasing from the apex to the base of the cochlea, were observed. After 2 weeks of hydrops, no alteration of this pattern was detected. After 6 and 9 weeks of hydrops, a progressive decrease of endocochlear potential, potassium and chloride concentrations, and osmolality was noticed at the first turn (6 and 9 weeks) and then at the third turn (9 weeks) which resulted in the disappearance of longitudinal gradients. At 24 weeks, the endocochlear potential was still diminished by 60%, whereas potassium and chloride concentrations and osmolality increased as compared to 9-week values but remained lower than in controls. The changes in composition of endolymph induced by the development of the hydrops could be related to the progressive alteration of the ionic permeability of the cochlear epithelium, which should be localized at the distended Reissner's membrane.

Action Potentials

Phosphate transport by fibroblasts from patients with hypophosphataemic vitamin D-resistant rickets.

It is accepted that renal phosphate wasting is the basis of hypophosphataemia in vitamin D-resistant hypophosphataemic rickets (VDRR). Abnormal renal adaptation to phosphate deprivation has also been reported in these patients. We studied sodium-dependent phosphate transport and its modulation by phosphate deprivation in skin fibroblasts cultured from healthy subjects and patients with VDRR. Control fibroblasts exhibited high-affinity sodium-dependent phosphate transport (77 +/- 12 mumol/l) which resembled the ubiquitous transport of renal and non-renal cells. Phosphate deprivation (incubation in low phosphate medium) increased the maximal velocity (Vmax) of the transport by 2.7-fold after 24 h, with no change in the affinity. The increase in Vmax was dependent on gene transcription and protein synthesis. The sodium-dependent phosphate transport exhibited in fibroblasts from VDRR patients did not significantly differ from that of control subjects, except that the Vmax of the phosphate transport was higher in cells from patients with VDRR under normal and phosphate-deprivation conditions, although the difference was significant only after 24 h of phosphate deprivation (Vmax: 22.6 +/- 2.4 pmol/mg protein per s in VDRR vs 16 +/- 3.6 pmol/mg protein per s in controls, P less than 0.05). These data demonstrate that sodium-coupled phosphate transport in human skin fibroblasts has the properties of ubiquitous sodium-phosphate co-transport and show that this transport is not deficient in patients with VDRR. Indeed paradoxically the Vmax was 40% higher in VDRR than in control subjects after 24 h of phosphate deprivation. The transport must be either different from that of kidney cells responsible for the phosphate leak, or differently modulated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Expression of the T-cell receptor in HIV infection.

Expression of the T-cell receptor (TCR) was investigated on peripheral lymphocytes in 270 samples from HIV+ patients at different stages of infection. TCR is composed either of an alpha and a beta chain, or, in a smaller subset of T-cells, of a gamma and a delta chain, closely associated with CD3. The numbers and percentages of positive cells were established using monoclonals to the alpha and delta chains of TCR. The values of alpha-TCR positive cells were constantly lower than those observed for CD3, with a mean of 53% (+/- 19%) versus 66% (+/- 17) respectively for asymptomatic patients or patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and of 36% (+/- 19) versus 46% (+/- 21) for patients with AIDS disease. There was no compensatory increase in the number of cells expressing delta-TCR. These data demonstrate a new alteration of the immune system in HIV infection, which appears to occur early in this disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

[Hyponatremia in AIDS. Etiology and diagnosis].

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality in AIDS patients. In this study, hyponatremia was defined as natremia less than 130 mmol/l at two different samplings. Medical records of 160 hospitalized AIDS patients were exhaustively reviewed in search for hyponatremia and, if present, of its etiology. 45 cases of hyponatremia were identified in 43 AIDS patients. Two causes were predominant: hypovolemic hyponatremia, due to water and salt losses (11 cases) and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (10 cases). These results are consistent with those of the literature and were used to develop a simple diagnosis schedule based on the analysis of limited clinical and biological data: hydration status, serum and urinary osmolality, natriuria and creatininemia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Antidiuretic hormone stimulation of adenylate cyclase in semicircular canal epithelium.

Basal adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content and the modulation of its production were studied in the frog's semicircular canal epithelium. This epithelium secretes endolymph, a K(+)-rich, positively polarized fluid. The basal cAMP content measured by microradioimmunoassay was 244 +/- 14.2 fmol/structure per 5 min (n = 30). This content was increased about 8 times by 10(-5) M forskolin. Vasotocin, the frog antidiuretic hormone, increased the cAMP production by factors of 1.3 and 3.3 at concentrations of 10(-8) M and 10(-7) M, respectively. This stimulatory effect of vasotocin was blunted by the addition of alpha 2-adrenergic agonists, such as 10(-8) M-10(-5) M norepinephrine, in the presence of 10(-5) M propranolol, or 10(-5) M clonidine. Prostaglandin E2 at a concentration of 10(-8) M, which did not affect the cAMP production, did not modify the response to vasotocin. Glucagon (10(-6) M), calcitonin (10(-6) M), and parathyroid hormone (10 units/ml) did not affect the cAMP content. Prostaglandin E2 (10(-7) M) and the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10(-6) M) stimulated the cAMP production by a factor of 1.6. These results indicate that the frog semicircular canal is a target of both vasotocin and catecholamines and that catecholamines through alpha 2-receptors modulate vasotocin-induced cAMP generation. Further, this interaction might be of physiological relevance in the modulation of ion transport in this structure.

Adenylyl Cyclases

PKC and Pi deprivation modulate differently the ubiquitous Na-dependent Pi uptake in MDCK cells.

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the modulation of the ubiquitous sodium-dependent phosphate transport and in adaptation of that transport to phosphate deprivation was investigated in MDCK cells. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) had a biphasic effect on sodium-dependent phosphate uptake characterized by early inhibition (-25% at 1 h) followed by late stimulation (2.3-fold at 15 h). Late stimulation was related to a decreased apparent affinity (Km) with unchanged maximal velocity (Vmax). The 15-h stimulation of phosphate uptake was also induced by an initial 1-h PMA treatment followed by a 14-h washout of PMA or by R59 022. The stimulation was inhibited by PKC downregulation. PMA stimulation was dependent on protein synthesis but not on transcription, as shown by the respective effects of cycloheximide, 3'-deoxyadenosine, and actinomycin D. In phosphate-deprived cells PMA had also a biphasic effect. A potentiation of PMA stimulation of phosphate uptake with phosphate deprivation was observed. Adaptation to phosphate deprivation was not prevented by PKC downregulation. Cytosolic and membranous PKC activities were not changed by 15-h phosphate deprivation. We conclude that 1) PKC modulates sodium-dependent phosphate uptake in MDCK cells, and 2) phosphate deprivation and PKC modulation of sodium-dependent phosphate uptake involve different cellular pathways; that is, phosphate deprivation acts through gene regulation, and PKC acts through translation regulation.

Adaptation, Physiological

Protein kinase C modulates cAMP content in proximal tubular cells: role of phosphodiesterase inhibition.

The present study was designed to evaluate whether protein kinase C (PKC) activation affects hormone-modulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in rabbit renal proximal tubular cells in primary culture. When intracellular cAMP content was measured in the presence of Ro 20-1724, a selective inhibitor of type III phosphodiesterase (PDE), activation of PKC by the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or by diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R 59022 reinforced parathyroid hormone (PTH)- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. During PKC activation, the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on cAMP content persisted, whereas that of angiotensin II (ANG II) was blunted. In contrast, PKC activators had no effect on cAMP content during PDE blockade by the nonspecific inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). These data suggested that PKC might affect cAMP degradation through inactivation of a Ro 20-1724-insensitive PDE. The possibility that the involved PDE was calcium sensitive was assessed; during PDE inhibition by Ro 20-1724, but not by IBMX, calcium ionophore A23187 inhibited PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation and PMA abolished the effect of A23187. Finally, neither PKC inhibition by staurosporine nor its downregulation modified the magnitude of PTH-induced cAMP accumulation. In conclusion, 1) in proximal tubular cells PKC affects cAMP degradation rather than synthesis, possibly via inactivation of a calcium-sensitive PDE; 2) PKC modulates PTH-ANG II interaction; and 3) this pathway is likely to play a role in the fine tuning of the effect of PTH and ANG II in the proximal tubule.

Angiotensin II