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C Richer

Publications and source records attributed to C Richer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

A young Alu subfamily amplified independently in human and African great apes lineages.

A variety of Alu subfamilies amplified in primate genomes at different evolutionary time periods. Alu Sb2 belongs to a group of young subfamilies with a characteristic two-nucleotide deletion at positions 65/66. It consists of repeats having a 7-nucleotide duplication of a sequence segment involving positions 246 through 252. The presence of Sb2 inserts was examined in five genomic loci in 120 human DNA samples as well as in DNAs of higher primates. The lack of the insertional polymorphism seen at four human loci and the absence of orthologous inserts in apes indicated that the examined repeats retroposed early in the human lineage, but following the divergence of great apes. On the other hand, similar analysis of the fifth locus (butyrylcholinesterase gene) suggested contemporary retropositional activity of this subfamily. By a semi-quantitative PCR, using a primer pair specific for Sb2 repeats, we estimated their copy number at about 1500 per human haploid genome; the corresponding numbers in chimpanzee and gorilla were two orders of magnitude lower, while in orangutan and gibbon the presence of Sb2 Alu was hardly detectable. Sequence analysis of PCR-amplified Sb2 repeats from human and African great apes is consistent with the model in which the founding of Sb2 subfamily variants occurred independently in chimpanzee, gorilla and human lineages.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Trandolapril's protective effects in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats persist long after treatment withdrawal.

The effects of long-term oral administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor trandolapril (0.01 mg/kg [T0.01] and 1 mg/kg [T1]) on the occurrence of stroke and on mortality were investigated in young salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats during the treatment period (5-20 weeks of age) and up to 8 weeks thereafter. During the treatment period T1, but not T0.01, limited the increase in blood pressure. However, both doses of trandolapril prevented stroke and mortality and strongly opposed (T0.01) or abolished (T1) the increases in saline intake, diuresis, and proteinuria observed in control animals. Simultaneously, trandolapril markedly prevented (T0.01) or abolished (T1) vascular fibrinoid necrosis formation in the brain, kidney, and heart. Finally, trandolapril dose-dependently reduced arterial thickening and glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions in the kidney, as well as arterial thickening, infarction, and fibrosis in the myocardium. At 8 weeks after treatment withdrawal, the antihypertensive effect of T1 had disappeared, but stroke-related mortality and fibrinoid necrosis remained completely suppressed. Further, no additional cerebral, renal, or cardiac lesions developed, and no increase in proteinuria occurred. In the T0.01 group, 17% of the animals died, fibrinoid necrosis tended to develop, organ lesions worsened, and proteinuria strongly increased. We conclude that (1) early ACE inhibition with trandolapril affords a long-lasting protection versus stroke and mortality both during and after the treatment period; and (2) that this beneficial effect is due to the suppression of fibrinoid necrosis formation and not to the drug's antihypertensive action. In contrast, both properties appear to contribute to trandolapril's renal and cardiac protective effects.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1994

Influence of chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on anesthetic induction.

BACKGROUND: Several cases of hypotension have been reported in patients who received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) before a surgical procedure, suggesting that interactions between ACEIs and anesthesia may be neither beneficial nor predictable. To determine if continuation of ACEI therapy until the morning of surgery leads to an unacceptable decrease in blood pressure on induction, we investigated 51 vascular surgical patients that were chronically treated for hypertension with either captopril or enalapril. METHODS: After randomization, ACEI therapy was either continued until the morning of surgery or stopped at the time of the preanesthetic visit, at least 12 h (captopril) or 24 h (enalapril) before surgery. Each patient received a standardized anesthetic induction. If systolic blood pressure (monitored using a radial artery cannula) decreased to less than 90 mmHg in response to induction, ephedrine was administered. RESULTS: A marked decrease in plasma converting-enzyme activity was found in patients who received enalapril until the morning of the surgical procedure, and 100% of them required ephedrine after induction. In patients who received their usual dose of captopril on the morning of surgery, plasma converting-enzyme activity was reduced to a lesser extent (when compared with patients who received enalapril). Finally, in the patients in whom ACEI therapy, either enalapril or captopril, was stopped of the evening before surgery, the incidence of induction-induced hypotension was significantly less when enalapril or captopril therapy has been discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that in hypertensive patients chronically treated with ACEIs, maintenance of therapy until the day of surgery may increase the probability of hypotension at induction.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1994

Noninvasive assessment of regional arteriolar and arterial dilating properties of lisinopril in healthy volunteers.

The effects of single oral doses of lisinopril (5 and 20 mg) on systemic and regional hemodynamics were investigated noninvasively in a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study of 6 healthy male volunteers. Lisinopril induced a dose-dependent (significant after 20 mg) and long-lasting (< or = 8 h) decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP, approximately 11% after 20 mg) that was related to a decrease in total peripheral resistance (TPR), because simultaneously heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) were unchanged. Brachial artery flow (+42 and +47% after 5 and 20 mg, respectively) and diameter (+8 and +9%) increased significantly, whereas brachial vascular resistance (-31 and -38%) decreased significantly from 2 to 8 h after drug intake. Common carotid artery flow (+20 and +24%) also increased significantly, whereas corresponding resistance (-18 and -26%) decreased significantly during the same period. Finally, CO was significantly redistributed toward the brachial and, to a lesser extent, the carotid vascular beds after both doses of lisinopril. We conclude that in healthy subjects lisinopril, at non- or slightly hypotensive doses, dilates both arterioles and large arteries and that this vasodilation is not homogeneous, affecting preferentially the brachial rather than the carotid vascular bed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Quinapril prevents stroke both during and after the treatment period in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of long-term oral administration of quinapril on the occurrence of stroke and on mortality were investigated in young salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SPs) during the treatment period (8th-34th week of age) and up to 6 weeks thereafter. Simultaneously, blood pressure, saline intake, diuresis, and proteinuria were investigated at regular intervals, and cerebrovascular, renal, and cardiac lesions were assessed after death. Untreated SHR-SPs served as controls. Quinapril completely suppressed stroke and mortality, afforded only limited protection v blood pressure rise, and prevented any increase in saline intake, diuresis, and proteinuria both during and after the treatment period. Quinapril long-lastingly prevented vascular fibrinoid necrosis development at the cerebral, but also at the renal and cardiac levels. In the kidneys, vascular intimal and medial hyperplasia were strongly reduced, as were the glomerular and tubulo-interstitial lesions. At the cardiac level, intimal and medial hyperplasia were slightly reduced but infarction and fibrosis were hardly affected. As the renin-angiotensin system is highly stimulated in SHR-SPs and as angiotensin II (AII) is responsible for fibrinoid necrosis formation, vessel obstruction, and stroke in these animals, we conclude that the long-lasting protection afforded by quinapril v stroke and mortality in SHR-SPs both during and after the treatment period is mostly due to the drug-induced interruption of the renin-angiotensin system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1993

Sympathoinhibitory effects of losartan in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Nonselective inhibition of endogenous angiotensin II (AII) by AI-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) results in sympathoinhibitory effects. We wished to examine the influence of selective inhibition of endogenous AII by losartan, a nonpeptide AT1-receptor antagonist, on the sympathetic system. Cardiac, systemic, and regional vascular (kidney, mesentery, hindlimb) responses to selective alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and to electrical stimulation of the spinal cord were investigated in pithed spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by pulsed Doppler technique. Losartan (10 mg/kg) was administered orally, either as a single dose or for 8 successive days. Under both conditions, AII systemic pressor, regional vasoconstrictor, and tachycardic responses were completely abolished by losartan. At the vascular level, losartan did not affect postsynaptic alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated systemic pressor and regional vasconstrictor responses, but reduced postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction. Losartan significantly decreased the systemic pressor and regional vasoconstrictor responses elicited by spinal cord stimulation. This sympathoinhibitory effect was not homogeneously distributed, preferentially affecting the kidney. At the cardiac level, spinal cord stimulation induced a strong tachycardia which remained unaffected by losartan. Thus in SHR, losartan exerts sympathoinhibitory effects against the vascular but not the cardiac responses to spinal cord stimulation. Because the vascular responses to postjunctional alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation, except in the kidney, simultaneously remain poorly affected, the sympathoinhibitory effects of losartan mainly develop prejunctionally through AT1-receptors blockade.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1993

Losartan's protective effects in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats persist durably after treatment withdrawal.

The effects of long-term oral administration of losartan on the occurrence of stroke and on mortality were investigated in young salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SPs) during the treatment period (5-20 weeks of age) and up to 8 weeks thereafter. Two doses of losartan, 1 and 10 mg/kg/day, were investigated, which afforded no and only moderate antihypertensive effects, respectively. During the treatment period, losartan at both doses completely suppressed stroke and mortality and strongly opposed (low dose) or abolished (high dose) the increases in saline intake, diuresis, and proteinuria observed in controls. It markedly limited (low dose) or abolished (high dose) vascular fibrinoid necrosis formation in the brain, kidneys, and heart. Finally, losartan, especially at the high dose, reduced arterial thickening and glomerular and tubulo-interstitial lesions in the kidneys, as well as arterial thickening, infarction, and fibrosis in the heart. Eight weeks after treatment discontinuation, all animals but one (low dose) were still alive. Vascular fibrinoid necrosis development remained strongly prevented (low dose) or fully suppressed (high dose) in all investigated organs. Finally, cardiac and renal lesions tended to worsen, and proteinuria was noted only in the low-dose group. We conclude that in SHR-SPs, angiotensin II, through AT1 receptor stimulation, most likely plays a major role in fibrinoid necrosis formation, vascular proliferative changes, and stroke occurrence and that losartan, most likely independently of its effect on blood pressure, affords a full and long-lasting protection against stroke and mortality both during and after the treatment period.

Aging↗
PubMed1993

[Interaction between SR 47436, a new angiotensin II antagonist and sympathetic nervous system in pithed SHR rats].

In vivo studies have previously shown that exogenous angiotensin II (AII) reinforces sympathetic nervous system activity. Conversely, non selective inhibition of endogenous AII by angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) results in sympathoinhibitory effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of selective inhibition of endogenous AII by SR 47436, a non peptide AT1-receptor antagonist, on the sympathetic nervous system. Cardiac, systemic and regional vascular (kidney, mesentery, hindlimb) responses to selective alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and to electrical stimulation of the spinal cord were investigated in the pithed spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Male adults SHRs were orally treated by SR 47436 (10 mg/kg/day for 8 days) or by distilled water. Two hours later, they were anesthetized with pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.), pithed and artificially ventilated. Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and regional (kidney, mesentery and hindlimb) blood flows (pulsed Doppler technique) were measured. Corresponding vascular resistances were calculated. Three hours after SR 47436--at the time of the drug's maximal effects--or distilled water administration, cardiac, systemic pressor and regional vasoconstrictor responses (a) to increasing i.v. doses of AII, (b) to increasing frequencies of electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, and (c) to increasing i.v. doses of cirazoline, a selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, and of UK-14,304, a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, were investigated. AII systemic pressor, regional vasoconstrictor and tachycardic responses were completely abolished by SR 47436. SR 47436 significantly reduced the systemic pressor responses elicited by spinal cord stimulation, cirazoline and UK-14,304.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1992

Beneficial effects of trandolapril on experimentally induced congestive heart failure in rats.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to prolong life expectancy in patients with congestive heart failure. In order to determine the relative contributions of the different factors involved in this beneficial effect, we investigated in an experimental model of postinfarction cardiac insufficiency in the rat over a 9-12-month period (1) the kinetics of the development of the hemodynamic, biologic, and morphologic alterations that accompany heart failure, and (2) the kinetics of the effects of a new, long-acting ACE inhibitor, trandolapril. Following induction of infarction, systolic blood pressure, left ventricular dP/dt, and end-diastolic pressure were immediately decreased, decreased, and increased, respectively, and these modifications persisted throughout the study. Cardiac index, on the other hand, was only initially and transiently decreased. Cardiac remodeling (left ventricular dilation, myocardial hypertrophy, and fibrosis) occurred as early as 7 days after infarction and worsened throughout the study. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also increased. In this model, a 1-year oral treatment with trandolapril resulted in early hemodynamic and biologic beneficial effects (reductions in pre- and afterload, increase in cardiac index, and decrease in plasma ANF), and in a delayed reversal of the infarction-induced cardiac morphologic alterations. Hence, the trandolapril-induced increase in survival rate is due initially to the drug's hemodynamic effects and over the long-term to both its hemodynamic and cardiac morphologic (limitation of remodeling) effects.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1992

Alu RNA transcripts in human embryonal carcinoma cells. Model of post-transcriptional selection of master sequences.

Alu master sequences colonized the human genome using RNA as amplification intermediate. To understand this phenomenon better we isolated and analyzed Alu RNA from NTera2D1 pluripotential cells. Northern hybridization, primer extension, cDNA cloning and sequencing data are congruent and demonstrate a low level of Alu specific transcription. These bona fide RNA Polymerase III Alu transcripts, although enriched in the cytoplasm, are not dominated by a single master species but rather originate from a variety of loci. However, when compared with the genomic average, or to repeats from RNA Polymerase II co-transcripts, they belong to the youngest group of Alu subfamilies (p less than 0.001) and have a higher content of intact CpG-dinucleotides. This suggests that Alu transcription is influenced both by mutations and the genomic context, and points to a possible role of DNA methylation in silencing the bulk of genomic repeats. Because of the heterogeneity of Alu transcripts a post-transcriptional selection mechanism recruiting Alu master sequences for retroposition is required. We propose that Alu RNA masters could have evolved as selfish satellites to a more complex retroposition system equipped with a reverse transcriptase activity and that their structure was conserved through "phenotypic" selection of the RNA level.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Single-strand conformational polymorphisms (SSCP): detection of useful polymorphisms at the dystrophin locus.

We searched for DNA polymorphisms in seven amplified fragments of the dystrophin gene. Three fragments exhibited variable mobilities during nondenaturing strand-separating gel electrophoresis (SSGE). These variants were due to single base changes (three transversions and one transition). Three were intronic (upstream from exons 17, 15, and 48) and one was in exon 48. The frequencies of these sequence variants were determined in a sample of 54 normal X chromosomes of Caucasian origin. One of these DNA polymorphisms was observed in every 650 bp tested and the average heterozygosity was 0.05% per base pair (0.08% if exons were excluded). Such a detection density and the fact that single-strand conformational polymorphisms do not depend on the presence of any specific sequence makes them especially valuable as genetic markers. In the dystrophin locus this approach could allow simultaneous detection of frequent deletions.

DNA, Single-Stranded↗
PubMed1992

Long-term treatment with trandolapril opposes cardiac remodeling and prolongs survival after myocardial infarction in rats.

Long-term treatment with angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) prolongs survival in rats developing congestive heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). In this experimental model, we investigated at regular intervals the effects of a 1-year oral treatment with trandolapril, a new ACEI, on (a) survival rate and duration and (b) hemodynamic, biological, and cardiac and vascular histomorphological parameters. Control MI rats and sham-operated trandolapril-treated and control rats were simultaneously studied. In MI rats, trandolapril significantly increased the survival rate and duration, increasing the life expectancy by approximately 6 months. It also significantly decreased the arterial blood pressure and increased diuresis. These effects occurred as soon as the treatment was started and persisted throughout the study. Trandolapril significantly limited the development of myocardial hypertrophy, decreasing the heart weight and left ventricular hypertrophic area and increasing the left ventricular myocyte nuclear density, but these effects, starting after 3-6 months, were delayed compared to the hemodynamic ones. Finally, trandolapril limited the development of myocardial (both subendocardial and subepicardial) and aortic fibrosis. It is concluded that the early pre- and afterload effects of trandolapril are initially responsible for its beneficial action on survival, whereas later the drug's antihypertrophic and antifibrotic properties together with persistent hemodynamic effects account for the prolonged survival improvement.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1992

Use of ultrasonic and microsphere techniques to evaluate regional aspects of vasodilator therapy in myocardial ischaemia, arterial hypertension and heart failure.

PURPOSE: To review regional aspects of vasodilator therapy in myocardial ischemia, arterial hypertension and heart failure. DATA IDENTIFICATION: Results were obtained from experiments (1) performed either in experimental animals or in human volunteers or patients; (2) using either ultrasonic or microsphere techniques; (3) on the effects of different drug classes, including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists, potassium channel openers and nitrates; and (4) on the arterial and arteriolar vasodilating effects of different drug classes. CONCLUSIONS: The regional vasodilator effects, both arteriolar and arterial, of the major classes of drugs used in the treatment of coronary insufficiency, arterial hypertension and cardiac failure appear to be heterogenous. This heterogeneity is seen with a given drug in different vascular beds; within a class of drugs in a single vascular region; and between the regional vasodilator profiles of different classes of drugs. From the clinical point of view, the consequences of this heterogeneous vasodilation may be either positive (increase in flow, favourable redistribution of flow) or negative (steal phenomenon, opening of shunts).

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alu RNA secondary structure consists of two independent 7 SL RNA-like folding units.

The amplification of genomic Alu elements by retroposition, i.e. by reintegration of reverse-transcribed RNA, suggests that Alu RNA plays an important role in this process. We report enzymatic studies of the secondary structure of Alu RNAs transcribed in vitro from two recently retroposed Alu elements. These experiments show that the dimeric organization of an Alu sequence is reflected in its RNA folding. Alu subunits fold independently, conserving secondary structure motifs of their progenitor 7 SL RNA molecule. Energy minimization analysis indicates that this folding pattern is also characteristic of different Alu and Alu-like sequences and has been conserved since primate divergence. By analogy to 7 SL RNA, the Alu RNA folding may be important for specific interactions with proteins. This could indicate a physiological function for Alu transcripts. However, this can be also seen as a structural adaptation leading to efficient retroposition of these sequence elements.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

[Potassium channel activators. Perspectives in the treatment of arterial hypertension].

Potassium channel activators (PCAs) open the membrane potassium channels, thus increasing the cell potassium efflux. This results in hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, the main result of which is a reduction of the penetration of calcium into cells. The resulting decrease of intracellular Ca++ produces relaxation of the smooth muscle fibres, notably in blood vessels. In animals, PCAs reduce total peripheral resistance and lower blood pressure. These vasodilator and hypotensive effects are accompanied by reflex tachycardia and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system and they are antagonized by glibenclamide, an antagonist of ATP-dependent potassium channels. Very recent experimental data have shown that in the ischaemic myocardium PCAs tend to improve the balance between oxygen supply and demand and to exert a cardioprotective effect. Up to now, the only use of PCAs has been in arterial hypertension, and the only drugs used are pinacidil, minoxidil and diazoxide. Unfortunately, the PCAs that are available at present are rather poorly tolerated, which limits their development in this particular field. However, their combination with beta-blockers and/or diuretics reduces the incidence of their side-effects and improves their effectiveness. A synergistic effect between PCAs and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is probable.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1991

Evolution of mouse B1 repeats: 7SL RNA folding pattern conserved.

In a recent report mouse B1 genomic repeats were divided into six families representing different waves of fixation of B1 variants, consistent with the retroposition model of human Alu elements. These data are used to examine the distribution of nucleotide substitutions in individual genomic repeats with respect to family consensus sequences and to compare the minimal energy structures of the corresponding B1 RNAs. By an enzymatic approach the predicted structure of B1 RNAs is experimentally confirmed using as a model sequence an RNA of a young B1 family member transcribed in vitro by T7 RNA polymerase. B1 RNA preserves folding domains of the Alu fragment of 7SL RNA, its progenitor molecule. Our results reveal similarities among 7SL-like retroposons, human Alu, and rodent B1 repeats, and relate the evolutionary conservation of B1 family consensus sequences to selection at the RNA level.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Implication of the central nervous system in the systemic and regional hemodynamics of two centrally acting hypotensive drugs, flesinoxan and clonidine, in the rat.

The systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist flesinoxan (3-300 micrograms/kg, i.v., in cumulative doses) were investigated in normotensive anesthetized and pithed rats using a pulsed Doppler system and were compared to those of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. In anesthetized rats, flesinoxan and clonidine induced dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Total peripheral resistance and hindquarters vascular resistance dose-dependently decreased after flesinoxan administration whereas cardiac output remained unchanged. Clonidine dose-dependently decreased cardiac output and did not change total peripheral resistance. These results indicate that the decrease in blood pressure induced by flesinoxan is due to a reduction in total peripheral and hindquarters vascular resistance. In contrast, clonidine decreased blood pressure by reducing cardiac output. In the pithed rat, the systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of flesinoxan were abolished whereas those of clonidine were reversed. These results provide evidence for the participation of the central nervous system in the systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of flesinoxan. However, direct administration into the central nervous system remains to be performed in order to strengthen this conclusion.

Anesthesia↗