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C R Pace-Asciak

Publications and source records attributed to C R Pace-Asciak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Hepoxilin A3 is oxidized by human neutrophils into its omega-hydroxy metabolite by an activity independent of LTB4 omega-hydroxylase.

Hepoxilin A3-methyl ester is taken up by intact human neutrophils where it is first hydrolyzed into the free acid which is subsequently converted into a single major metabolite. The structure of this metabolite was determined through mass spectral analysis of several derivatives, and through identity with an authentic compound prepared by chemical synthesis. The metabolite was identified as omega-hydroxy-hepoxilin A3 showing that the epoxide functionality of the parent hepoxilin is not opened during incubation with human neutrophils. All attempts to investigate hepoxilin metabolism in broken cells, despite the presence of protease inhibitors (Aproteinin, PMSF, DFP) and supplementation with NADPH were unsuccessful. Metabolism of hepoxilin A3 required the intact cell, while parallel experiments with LTB4 as substrate demonstrated that this eicosanoid was metabolized into its omega-hydroxy metabolite regardless of whether intact or broken cell preparations were used provided that NADPH was present in the latter. Hepoxilin metabolism in intact cells was inhibited dose-dependently by CCCP (0.01-100 microM), a mitochondrial uncoupler, whereas LTB4 metabolism was unaffected by CCCP. This data suggests that metabolism of hepoxilin A3 occurs in intact human neutrophils through omega-oxidation, is likely located in the mitochondrial compartment of the cell (inhibition by CCCP) and is carried out by an activity that is independent of the well characterized, relatively stable microsomal LTB4 omega-hydroxylase.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Docosahexaenoic acid causes accumulation of free arachidonic acid in rat pineal gland and hippocampus to form hepoxilins from both substrates.

Hepoxilins (Hx) are biologically active metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) formed regioselectively from 12(S)-HPETE by 'hepoxilin synthase'. Hx modulate synaptic neurotransmission in hippocampal CA1 neurons, and inhibit norepinephrine release in hippocampal slices. During the course of our studies we investigated whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was a substrate for hepoxilin formation. We used two tissues, the pineal gland and hippocampal slices. Tissues were incubated alone or with AA (20 microg/ml) or DHA (20 microg/ml). After 60 min at 37 degrees C, samples were acid-extracted to convert Hx into their stable trioxilin (TrX) form and analyzed as the Me-TMSi derivatives by EI-GC/MS to determine the structures of the DHA metabolites, and as PFB-TMSi derivatives by GC/MS in the NICI mode using SIM to simultaneously quantify TrX products of the 3-series (derived from AA) monitored at m/z 569, while those of the 5-series (derived from DHA) were monitored at m/z 593. Results show good conversion of both substrate fatty acids by the rat pineal gland and hippocampal slices, into the 3-series (21.3 +/- 5.8 and 12.5 +/- 2.2 ng/microg protein, respectively) and 5-series TrX (12.3 +/- 2.7 and 2.9 +/- 0.4 ng/microg protein, respectively). Surprisingly though, experiments with DHA, in both tissues, also showed formation of TrX derived from endogenous AA (3-series) (10.4 +/- 8.3 and 3.1 +/- 2.1 ng/microg protein, respectively). These experiments demonstrate previously unreported actions of DHA causing the accumulation of AA, which is converted into hepoxilins. In order to prove that AA is accumulated during DHA stimulation of the tissue, we carried out separate experiments with hippocampal slices in which the neutral lipids and phospholipids were labeled with [14C]AA. DHA caused a time-dependent appearance of free [14C]AA which was released mostly from the TG pool. Measurement of the AA/DHA ratio in the TG pool by GC/MS further indicated that DHA is incorporated into the TG at the expense of AA. These results demonstrate that DHA competes with AA for acylation into the metabolically active TG fraction, and both fatty acids are converted into hepoxilins of the corresponding series.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Hepoxilin-evoked intracellular reorganization of calcium in human neutrophils: a confocal microscopy study.

Hepoxilin A3 has previously been shown to cause a rapid dose-dependent rise in intracellular calcium in intact human neutrophils in suspension. Two components have been observed, an initial rapid phase of intracellular calcium rise, followed by a slow decline to plateau levels that remain above the original baseline calcium levels. These changes have been suggested to involve the release of calcium from intracellular stores in the ER (initial rapid phase), while the slower rate of decline (plateau phase) was presumed to be due to calcium influx as it was abolished in zero calcium extracellular medium. The present study used confocal microscopy to examine the response to hepoxilin A3 at the subcellular level. Our results show that calcium dynamics in response to hepoxilin A3 varies in different subcellular compartments within the cell and that hepoxilin A3 evoked a persistent accumulation of calcium in organelles. The hepoxilin-evoked calcium sequestration was eliminated by prior exposure to CCCP, a mitochondrial uncoupler. CCCP also eliminated the plateau phase of the calcium response in cell suspension, suggesting that this phase was due to mitochondrial accumulation of calcium rather than calcium influx. Experiments with DiI-loaded cells, a membrane marker, showed that the nuclear calcium was not elevated by hepoxilin addition to the cells. These results demonstrate that hepoxilins evoke the release of calcium from the ER which is taken up by the mitochondria where it is tightly sequestered. These results offer an explanation of observations previously made with cell suspensions in which hepoxilin A3 was shown to inhibit the calcium mobilizing effects of chemotactic agents.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1997

12-HETE and 12-HPETE potently stimulate intracellular release of calcium in intact human neutrophils.

We describe here the effects of two 12-lipoxygenase products, 12-HETE (12-hydroxyeicosa (5Z,8Z,10E,14Z) tetraenoic acid) and 12-HPETE (12-hydroperoxyeicosa (5Z,8Z,10E,14Z) tetraenoic acid), on the release of intracellular calcium in intact human neutrophils using the INDO-1 AM fluorescent dye technique. Both products dose dependently stimulate intracellular release, with 12-HETE being more powerful than 12-HPETE. The threshold concentration for 12-HETE was 5 ng/ml (1.5 x 10-8 M), while that for 12-HPETE was 10 ng/ml. The (12S) regioisomer was slightly more active than the (12R) isomer. The laser potency of 12-HPETE may be due to its conversion into the less active hepoxilins as incubation of neutrophils with (12S/R)-HPETE in a nonradioactive assay, using fluorescent ADAM esters of the products, generated mostly hepoxilin A3 (8-hydroxy-(11S,12S) epoxyeicosa (5Z,9E,14Z)trienoic acid), indicative of an enzymatic process. In contrast, boiled neutrophil preparations converted 12-HPETE primarily into hepoxilin B3 which previously showed to be derived nonenzymatically. This data demonstrates that 12-HETE, known to be generated in significant amounts by platelets, can act transcellularly to modify intracellular concentrations of calcium in neutrophils. This may in turn affect the responsiveness of these cells to other chemotactic factors.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗
PubMed1996

Wine: does the colour count?

The objective of this study was to determine whether phenolic constituents present in red wine and grape juice modulate plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in healthy human subjects. All subjects consumed in random order 375 ml of red or white wine per day or 500 ml of two different grape juices (high and low phenols) per day for periods of 4 weeks separated by 2-week periods of abstention while continuing normal activity and food intake, and their normal lives in a community setting. The subjects were 24 healthy males aged 26-45 years screened by clinical examination and laboratory tests to exclude hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and obesity, among others. Fasting blood was collected at the beginning and end of each beverage schedule for analysis of lipids and lipoproteins. Changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins in response to each beverage were measured to determine whether these were altered by red wine and grape juice phenolics independently of the effects of ethanol. Both grape juices had virtually no effect. Red and white wines raised plasma HDL-cholesterol and apo A-I and apo A-II concentrations as well as the apo A-I:apo B ratio to a similar extent. Red wine also raised plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations. Neither wine affected plasma apo B or apo (a) concentrations. The favourable effects of wines in modulating plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations are probably due to their alcohol content and cannot be reproduced by grape juices.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects.

To test the hypothesis that red wine, by virtue of its relatively high concentration of polyphenols, is more protective against atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) than white wine, and that grape juice enriched in one of these, trans-resveratrol, may share some of these properties, studies were performed on 24 healthy males aged 26-45 years. Each consumed the following beverages for periods of 4 weeks: red wine, white wine, commercial grape juice and the same grape juice enriched with trans-resveratrol. Apart from the last beverage, 2 weeks abstinence was maintained before commencing the schedule. Blood was taken at the beginning and end of each schedule to determine plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentration and the IC50 (concentration required for 50% aggregation) for ADP and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. White wine (P < 0.05) but not red wine increased the IC50 for ADP. Both wines increased the IC50 for thrombin (P < 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively) and also lowered plasma TxB2 concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.025, respectively). Neither grape juice altered ADP-induced aggregation or TxB2 concentrations, but the commercial juice lowered the IC50 for thrombin (P < 0.001) whereas the resveratrol-enriched juice caused a dramatic increase (P < 0.001). In vitro experiments demonstrated that the aggregation of fresh washed human platelets by ADP and thrombin was moderately reduced by both grape juices, strongly by red wine and not at all by white wine. The synthesis of TxB2 by platelets from labelled arachidonate was stimulated by commercial grape juice, slightly enhanced by resveratrol-enriched juice and strongly inhibited by red wine with white wine having little effect. Platelets from subjects consuming the commercial juice had a higher ratio of cyclo-oxygenase to lipoxygenase product formation and those consuming the resveratrol-enriched juice a lower ratio than during the control period. We conclude that trans-resveratrol can be absorbed from grape juice in biologically active quantities and in amounts that are likely to cause reduction in the risk of atherosclerosis. The failure of red wines (which have a 20-fold excess of polyphenols over white wines) to show any advantage suggests that, in vivo, ethanol is the dominant anti-aggregatory component in these beverages which are more potent than grape juices in preventing platelet aggregation in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hepoxilin A3-specific binding in human neutrophils.

Hepoxilins have been shown to release calcium from intracellular stores in human neutrophils [Dho, Grinstein, Corey, Su and Pace-Asciak (1990) Biochem. J. 266, 63-68; Laneuville, Reynaud, Grinstein, Nigam and Pace-Asciak (1993) Biochem. J. 295, 393-397]. In this paper we report that tritium-labelled hepoxilin A3 (8S) binds to broken neutrophil membranes in a time-, substrate- and temperature-dependent fashion. Specific binding was displaced with unlabelled hepoxilin A3. Specific binding was greatest at 37 degrees C. Competitive binding was best observed with unlabelled hepoxilin A3 (8S); the glutathione conjugate, HxA3-C (8S or 8R), or 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was less active. Similarly inactive in displacing the bound radiolabelled hepoxilin A3 was leukotriene B4 as well as a variety of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2. Formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine was similarly inactive in competing for the hepoxilin binding sites. Specific binding was inhibited by pretreatment of the broken membranes during 30 min at 37 degrees C with proteinase K, while specific binding of the intact cells was unaffected. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed a single population of binding sites with apparent KD and Bmax. of 79.3 +/- 9.1 nM and 8.86 +/- 1.4 pmol/ml per 2 x 10(6) cells (+/- S.E.M.) respectively reflecting approx. 2.67 x 10(6) sites/cell. These results demonstrate for the first time that neutrophils contain specific binding sites to hepoxilin A3.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1996

Vasorelaxing activity of resveratrol and quercetin in isolated rat aorta.

1. Both resveratrol and quercetin dose-dependently inhibited the contractile response to noradrenaline (NA) in isolated endothelium-intact rat aorta. This inhibitory effect on vascular contraction was blocked by pretreatment of the blood vessel with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, L-NNA (1 microM). 2. Quercetin at a concentration > 1 x 10(-5) M, and resveratrol at > 3 x 10(-5) M, caused relaxation of the phenylephrine (PE) precontracted endothelium-intact aorta, and L-NNA, at 1 x 10(-6) M, reversed the relaxation. 3. At higher concentrations, > 6 x 10(-5) M, resveratrol and quercetin also relaxed the endothelium-denuded aortic rings. However, this effect could not be reversed by the NO inhibitor. 4. It is concluded that resveratrol and quercetin exert both indirect and direct vasodilator effects on the blood vessel by nitric oxide-mediated and non-NO-mediated mechanisms, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Chemical synthesis and actions of 11,12-thiirano-hepoxilin A3.

A novel analog of hepoxilin A3 has been chemically synthesized in which the 11,12-epoxide group has been altered to a thiirano group. This has been accomplished through allylic rearrangement of unnatural (11 R, 12 R)-hepoxilin B3 under Mitsunobu conditions, first into unnatural (11 R, 12 R)-hepoxilin A3, followed by conversion of this compound with inversion of the epoxide centers into the thiirano-hepoxilin A3 having the natural 11 S, 12 S configuration. We also report herein evidence showing that thiirano-hepoxilin A3 raises intracellular calcium concentrations in intact human neutrophils.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1995

High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of fluorescent esters of hepoxilin enantiomers on a chiral stationary phase.

Fluorescent anthryl (ADAM) derivatives of hepoxilins have been shown to possess good chromatographic properties affording good sensitivity for the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis and detection of these compounds and related eicosanoids (12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) in biological samples. We report herein the separation of all possible stereoisomers of hepoxilins A3 and B3 as their methyl esters as well as their ADAM ester and acetate derivatives on a cellulose trisdimethyphenylcarbamate chiral stationary phase (Chiracel OD) in the normal-phase mode. This methodology is important to address the mechanistic route of biosynthesis of these products.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗
PubMed1995

Extractive derivatization of the 12-lipoxygenase products, hepoxilins, and related compounds into fluorescent anthryl esters for their complete high-performance liquid chromatography profiling in biological systems.

Facile methods for the detection of intact hepoxilins, monohydroxy-epoxide derivatives of arachidonic acid formed through the 12-lipoxygenase pathway, are unavailable because (i) an absence in these compounds of an appropriate chromophore for sensitive detection by uv exists, (ii) these compounds are sensitive to the acidic workup leading to varying degrees of decomposition, and (iii) they decompose to the derivatization procedures required for their analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Herein we apply a method which introduces a fluorescent ester chromophore to the carboxylic group of the hepoxilins under conditions which do not require acidification leading to stabilization of the derivative which is extracted into an organic solvent in situ. This procedure quantitatively derivatizes hepoxilins in a biological sample, permitting the detection of hepoxilins after a TLC purification with a limit of 50 pg/sample. This method permits the profiling of 12-HETE, hepoxilins A3 and B3, as well as the corresponding epoxide hydrolase products, trioxilins A3 and B3, in a biological sample by reverse-phase HPLC with fluorescent detection. We also report on the fluorescent and mass spectral properties of these derivatives using a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry LCMS interface with thermospray ionization.

12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid↗
PubMed1995

The red wine phenolics trans-resveratrol and quercetin block human platelet aggregation and eicosanoid synthesis: implications for protection against coronary heart disease.

A number of lines of evidence suggest that red wine may be more effective than other alcoholic beverages in decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. This protection over and above that due to ethanol itself may be explained by phenolic components with which red wines are richly endowed. We have studied the effects of the trihydroxy stilbene trans-resveratrol on human platelet aggregation and on the synthesis of three eicosanoids from arachidonate by platelets, i.e. thromboxane B2 (TxB2), hydroxyheptadecatrienoate (HHT) and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoate (12-HETE). These effects were compared with the actions of other wine phenolics (quercetin, catechin and epicatechin) and antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, hydroquinone and butylated hydroxytoluene). trans-Resveratrol and quercetin demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of both thrombin-induced and ADP-induced platelet aggregation, whereas ethanol inhibited only thrombin-induced aggregation. The other compounds tested were inactive. trans-Resveratrol also inhibited the synthesis of TxB2, HHT, and to a lesser extent 12-HETE, from arachidonate in a dose-dependent manner. Quercetin inhibited only 12-HETE synthesis, and hydroquinone caused slight inhibition of TxB2 synthesis, the remaining compounds being ineffective. De-alcoholized red wines inhibited platelet aggregation; their ability to inhibit the synthesis of TxB2 but not that of 12-HETE from labelled arachidonate by washed human platelets was proportional to their trans-resveratrol concentration. These results are consistent with the notion that trans-resveratrol may contribute to the presumed protective role of red wine against atherosclerosis and CHD.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1995

Hepoxilin binding in human neutrophils.

Hepoxilins have previously been shown to release intracellular calcium in human neutrophils. We show herein that tritium-labeled hepoxilin A3 of high specific radioactivity binds to human neutrophils, and this binding is reversed by the addition of unlabeled compound, demonstrating that specific binding for these compounds exists in these cells. Specific binding of both the methyl ester derivative as well as the free acid form of the hepoxilin takes place in broken membrane fragments. In contrast only the methyl ester derivative binds specifically to the intact cells. We also show that intact neutrophils form hepoxilin A3 when incubated in the presence of the hepoxilin precursor, 12(S)-HPETE. These data demonstrate that hepoxilin synthesis can occur in the neutrophil and that hepoxilin binding sites, which appear to be located intracellularly, exist in these cells.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗