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D Regoli

Publications and source records attributed to D Regoli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonist, [Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH2, potentiates morphine analgesia.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NC) and its receptor (OP4) represent a novel peptide/receptor system which has been implicated in the regulation of various central functions, including pain. The aim of the present study was to explore the involvement of the endogenous NC/OP4 system in the modulation of opioid analgesia using the selective OP4 receptor antagonist [Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH2. Experiments were performed in mice exposed to acute as well as chronic treatment with morphine. [Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH2, injected i.c.v. at 30 nmol, strongly potentiated the analgesic effect of supraspinal morphine (1 nmol, i.c.v.) while it only slightly increased the antinociceptive activity of morphine given systemically (5 mg/kg, s.c.). [Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH, (30 nmol, i.c.v.) also potentiated morphine analgesia in mice made tolerant to the opiate (30 mg/kg/day for 4 days). These findings implicate the endogenous NC signaling as a modulator of morphine analgesia and tolerance.

Analgesia↗

Further studies on nociceptin-related peptides: discovery of a new chemical template with antagonist activity on the nociceptin receptor.

Three series of nociceptin (NC)-related peptides were synthesized and their abilities (i) to bind to the NC sites expressed in mouse forebrain membranes, (ii) to inhibit the electrically evoked contraction of the mouse vas deferens, and (iii) to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human recombinant NC receptor (CHONCR) were investigated. The compounds of the first series (a series) have an ordinary Xaa1-Gly2 bond, those of the second series (b series) have a Xaa1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2 pseudopeptide bond, and those of the third series (c series) have a peptoid (Nxaa1-Gly2) structure. The affinity values measured in the binding assay and in the two functional assays with the compounds of the three series showed high levels of correlation. Thus, (I) the compounds of the a series in which Phe1 was substituted with Tyr, Cha, or Leu acted as potent NC receptor agonists; (II) the b series compounds behaved as NC receptor antagonists in the mouse vas deferens and as full agonists in CHO(NCR) cells with different potencies depending on the first amino acid residue, [Phe1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]NC(1-17)NH2 and [Phe1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]NC(1-13)NH2 being the most potent compounds; (III) the compounds of the third series were all inactive both as agonists and as antagonists with the exception of [Nphe1]NC(1-17)NH2 and [Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH2, which behaved as NC receptor antagonists both in the isolated tissue and in CHO(NCR) cells (pKB 6.1-6.4). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that chemical requirements for NC receptor agonists are different from those of antagonists. Moreover, modifications of the steric orientation of the aromatic residue Phe1 in the NC sequence as obtained with the pseudopeptide bond between Phe1 and Gly2 or with the displacement of the benzyl side chain by one atom, as in Nphe1, lead respectively to reduction or elimination of efficacy. Indeed, in contrast to [Phe1psi(CH2-NH)Gly2]NC(1-13)NH2 which has been reported to exhibit agonist activity in several assays involving either central or recombinant NC receptors, [Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH2 antagonizes the effect of NC at human recombinant NC receptors and in the mouse tail withdrawal assay.

Animals↗

Receptors for NPY in peripheral tissues bioassays.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its congeners, peptide YY (PYY) and the pancreatic polypeptide (PP), have a large spectrum of peripheral actions. NPY is found in peripheral neurons, co-localized or not with noradrenaline; PYY and PP are expressed in endocrine cells of the pancreas and in the intestine of vertebrates. NPY is the most abundant peptide in the brain and is involved in the regulation of food intake and of circadian rhythm. It intervenes also in the process of anxiety and memory. NPY is a potent vasoconstrictor, a cardiac stimulant, and may affect the gut through enteric neurons. PYY and PP act mainly on the gastrointestinal system; however, when in blood, they can cross-react with functional sites elsewhere and replace NPY in some parts of the brain (e.g. regions involved in feeding behavior). These peptides act through G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) of which five different types are known and have been cloned (1,2); functional sites (receptors) for NPY have been found in vessels, the gut, and in vasa deferentia (3-6).

Animals↗

[Nphe(1)]nociceptin-(1-13)NH(2) selectively antagonizes nociceptin effects in the rabbit isolated ileum.

When suspended in vitro in isolated organ baths, segments of the rabbit ileum show a fairly strong and stable spontaneous activity, which derives from the continuous release of acetylcholine and the activation of muscarinic receptors, since the activity is completely eliminated by atropine. Dynorphin A (pEC(50): 8.6+/-0.07), neuropeptide Y and its congener human pancreatic polypeptide (pEC(50): 9.40+/-0.10), and nociceptin (pEC(50): 8.08+/-0.12) dose-dependently inhibit the spontaneous activity through the activation of receptors, which are specifically antagonised respectively by naloxone (pA(2): 7.17+/-0.12), 2-(naphtalen-1-ylamino)-3-phenylpropionitrile (JCF 104; pA(2): 5. 80+/-0.10), and [Nphe(1)]nociceptin-(1-13)NH(2) (pA(2): 6.17+/-0.19). This last compound, a selective nociceptin-receptor (OP(4)) antagonist, inhibits the effect of nociceptin in a competitive manner, as demonstrated by Schild analysis. [Nphe(1)]nociceptin-(1-13)NH(2) also antagonizes the effects of other OP(4) receptor ligands such as the full agonist, nociceptin-(1-13)-NH(2), and the partial agonists, [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH(2) (intrinsic activity (alpha(E))=0.5) and Ac-RYYWK-NH(2) (alpha(E)=0.5), with pA(2) values ranged from 5.8 to 6.2. These results indicate that the functional site mediating the inhibitory effect of nociceptin in the rabbit ileum, is pharmacologically identical to the OP(4) sites of other species (mouse, rat, guinea pig, man), since the potencies (pA(2) values) of the pure and competitive antagonist [Nphe(1)]nociceptin-(1-13)NH(2) is very similar to the values obtained in the other species. Moreover, the rabbit ileum is one of the few isolated organs that allow classifying compounds, which interact with OP(4) receptors as full agonists, partial agonists, or pure antagonists.

Animals↗

In vitro characterization of J-113397, a non-peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor antagonist.

The lack of availability of a selective, highly potent, competitive antagonist for the nociceptin receptor (OP4) devoid of residual agonistic activity has hampered studies in this area. We report here the in vitro pharmacological properties of the novel non-peptide OP4 antagonist, J-113397, which was recently discovered by Banyu Pharmaceutical investigators. The compound was synthesized as a racemic mixture in our laboratories. J-113397 was shown to antagonize (pA2 7.52) the nociceptin-induced inhibition of cAMP formation in cells expressing the recombinant human OP4 receptor (CHOhOP4) and to displace [125I]Tyr14nociceptin from CHOhOP4 membranes with a pKi of 8.56. It also competitively antagonized the contractile actions of nociceptin in the mouse colon (pA2 8.07) and the inhibitory effect of nociceptin in electrically stimulated preparations such as the mouse vas deferens (pA2 7.85), the guinea pig ileum (7.75), and the rat vas deferens (7.77). At high concentrations (10 microM), the compound was devoid of agonist activity in the mouse vas deferens and CHOhOP4, while it contracted the mouse colon and increased the twitch response of the rat vas deferens, and produced a naloxone-sensitive inhibition of the electrically evoked twitches in the guinea pig ileum. pA2 values for the new antagonist against deltorphin I in the mouse vas deferens (OP1 receptors), or against dermorphin in the guinea pig ileum (OP3 receptors), etorphine in the rat vas deferens (OP receptors), U69593 in the rabbit vas deferens (OP2 receptors) and endomorphin 1 in the mouse colon (OP3 receptors) were lower than 6. Taken together, these data indicate that J-113397 is a high-affinity, selective and competitive antagonist of the OP4 receptor; this novel pharmacological tool will be of great value in studies directed at evaluating the physiological roles of the nociceptin/OP4 system.

Animals↗

Pharmacological characterization of the nociceptin receptor mediating hyperphagia: identification of a selective antagonist.

RATIONALE: Central injections of nociceptin (NC) stimulate feeding in rats. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effect of N-terminal partial sequences or analogues of NC on food intake in male Wistar rats, to characterize pharmacologically the NC receptor mediating the hyperphagic effect. METHODS: NC and related peptides were injected into the lateral (LV) or third (3V) cerebroventricle in freely feeding rats. RESULTS: In the LV, NC stimulated feeding. The N-terminal fragment NC(1-13)NH2 proved to be the least active sequence with hyperphagic activity; NC(1-12)NH2 and NC(1-9)NH2 were inactive. [Phe(1)psi(CH2-NH)Gly(2)]NC(1-13)NH2 ([F/G)]NC(1-13)NH2), an analogue of NC(1-13)NH2, markedly stimulated feeding and, coadministered in the LV with NC, never reduced the hyperphagic effect of the natural sequence. These findings suggest that [F/G)]NC(1-13)NH2, which has been reported to act as a NC receptor antagonist in peripheral tissues, behaves as a full agonist at the central NC receptors controlling feeding. The hyperphagic potencies of NC and [F/G)]NC(1-13)NH2 were much higher following injection into the 3V than in the LV. Another analogue of NC(1-13)NH2, namely [Nphe(1)]NC(1-13)NH2, injected into the 3V did not stimulate feeding, but reduced the effect of NC. [Nphe(1)]NC(1-13)NH2 at a dose of 16.8 nmol/rat significantly reduced, and at 168 nmol/rat almost completely abolished the effect of NC (1.68 nmol/rat). The latter dose of [Nphe(1)]NC(1-13)NH2 significantly reduced also feeding induced by food deprivation, but did not modify the hyperphagic effect of neuropeptide Y (0.3 nmol/rat). CONCLUSIONS: The present results confirm the orexigenic effect of NC in freely feeding rats and indicate that [Nphe(1)]NC(1-13)NH2 may represent a selective NC receptor antagonist to study the physiological and pathophysiological role of NC in feeding behaviour.

Animals↗

Structure-activity relationships of nociceptin and related peptides: comparison with dynorphin A.

Nociceptin and its receptor (OP(4)) share sequence homologies with the opioid peptide ligand dynorphin A and its receptor OP(2). Cationic residues in the C-terminal sequence of both peptides seem to be required for selective receptor occupation, but the number and the distribution of these basic residues are different and quite critical. Both receptors are presumably activated by the peptides N-terminal sequence (Xaa-Gly Gly-Phe, where Xaa = Phe or Tyr); however, although OP(4) requires Phe(4) as a determinant pharmacophore, OP(2) requires Tyr(1) as do the other opioid receptors. An extensive structure-activity analysis of the N-terminal tetrapeptide has led to conclude that the presence of aromatic residues in position one and four, preferably Phe, as well as the distance between Phe(1) and Phe(4) are extremely critical for occupation and activation of OP(4) in contrast with other opioid receptors (e.g. OP(1), OP(3), OP(2)). Modification of distance between the side chains of Phe(1) and Phe(4) (as obtained with Nphe(1) substitution in both NC and NC(1-13)-NH(2)) and/or conformational orientation of Phe(1) (as in Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)-Gly(2)) has brought to discovery of pure antagonist ([Nphe(1)]-NC(1-13)-NH(2)) and a partial agonist ([Phe(1) psi(CH(2)-NH)-Gly(2)]-NC(1-13)-NH(2)), which have allowed us to characterize and classify the OP(4) receptor in several species. Thus, although antagonist activities at the OP(4) receptor are obtained by chemical modification of Phe(1)-Gly(2) peptide bond or by a shift of Phe(1) side chain of NC peptides, antagonism at the OP(2) receptor requires the diallylation of the N-terminal amino function, for instance, of dynorphin A. These considerations support the interpretation that the two systems nociceptin/OP(4) and dynorphin A/OP(2) are distinct pharmacological entities that differs in both their active sites (Tyr(1) for Dyn A and Phe(4) for NC) and the number and position of cationic residues in the C-terminal portions of the molecules. The chemical features of novel OP(4) receptor ligands either pseudopeptides obtained by combinatorial library screening or molecules of nonpeptide structure are reported and discussed in comparison with NC and NC related peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor ligands.

Nociceptin (NC), alias Orphanin FQ (OFQ) is a heptadecapeptide structurally related to opioid peptides, especially Dynorphin A, which, however, does not interact with classic opioid receptors. NC selectively activates its own receptor (OP(4)), which has been shown to be insensitive to the naturally occurring opioid peptides as well as to a large number of non-peptide opioid receptor ligands, including naloxone. Thus, the NC/OP(4) system represents a new peptide-based signaling pathway, which is pharmacologically distinct from the opioid systems. The pharmacological tools available for investigating NC actions are at present rather limited and include: 1) peptide ligands obtained from structure activity studies performed using NC(1-13)NH(2) as a template or discovered by screening peptide combinatorial libraries; 2) nonpeptide ligands that are either molecules already known to interact with classic opioid receptors or novel molecules designed and synthesized as selective ligands of the OP(4) receptor. In the present paper the functional data obtained from both in vitro and in vivo studies with each relevant OP(4) receptor ligand will be analyzed and discussed comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each molecule. We hope that the present work will aid investigators, working in the NC/OP(4) field, in the choice of the pharmacological tools suitable for their experiments.

Animals↗

Neuropeptide Y receptor(s) mediating feeding in the rat: characterization with antagonists.

The present study evaluated the effect of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptor antagonists BIBO 3304 and SR 120562A and of the Y5 receptor antagonists JCF 104, JCF 109, and CGP 71683A on feeding induced either by NPY or food deprivation. In a preliminary experiment, NPY was injected into the third cerebroventricle (3V) at doses of 0.07, 0.15, 0.3, or 0.6 nmol/rat. The dose of 0.3 nmol/rat, which produced a cumulative 2-h food intake of 11.2 +/- 1.9 g/kg body weight, was chosen for the following experiments. The antagonists were injected in the 3V 1 min before NPY. The Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO 3304 significantly inhibited NPY-induced feeding at doses of 1 or 10 nmol/rat. The Y1 receptor antagonist SR 120562A, at the dose of 10 but not of 1 nmol/rat, significantly reduced the hyperphagic effect of NPY, 0.3 nmol/rat. The Y5 receptor antagonists JCF 104 and JCF 109 (1 or 10 nmol/rat) and CGP 71683A (10 or 100 nmol/rat) did not significantly modify the effect of NPY, 0.3 nmol/rat. However, JCF 104 (10 nmol/rat) and CGP 71683A (100 nmol/rat), but not JCF 109 (10 nmol/rat), significantly reduced food intake during the interval from 2 to 4 h after injection of a higher dose, 0.6 nmol/rat, of NPY. Feeding induced by 16 h of food deprivation was significantly reduced by the Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO 3304 (10 nmol/rat), but it was not significantly modified by the same dose of SR 120562A or JCF 104. These findings support the idea that the hyperphagic effect of NPY is mainly mediated by Y1 receptors. The results obtained with JCF 104 and CGP 71683A suggest that Y5 receptors may have a modulatory role in the maintenance of feeding induced by rather high doses of NPY after the main initial feeding response.

Animals↗

Ala scan analogues of HOE 140. Synthesis and biological activities.

The role of the amino acids contained in the sequence of HOE 140 (H-DArg(1)-Arg(2)-Pro(3)-Hyp(4)-Gly(5)-Thi(6)-Ser(7)-DTic(8)-Oic(9 )-Arg(10)-OH), a potent and selective bradykinin B(2) receptor peptide antagonist, has been investigated by the replacement of each original residue (one by one) with Ala. The resulting set of decapeptides has been tested for the B(2) antagonist activity as well as for competition with the binding of [3H]BK to plasma membranes of the human umbilical vein (hUV). Positive correlations have been established between data obtained with the bioassay and with the binding in the hUV (same species, same tissue) and also between the two bioassays, the guinea-pig ileum (GPI) and the hUV (different species, different tissue). The structure-activity study has shown that the replacement of any of the residues that constitute HOE 140 with Ala is accompanied by a decrease of potency of at least 1 log unit. The analogues can be divided into three groups, with Ala(1) and Ala(7) showing affinities lower than HOE 140 by a factor of 10, Ala(4) and Ala(10) by a factor of 100 and Ala(2), Ala(5), Ala(6), Ala(8) and Ala(9) by a factor higher than 100 (100-1000). To verify the effect of chirality, the DAla(5) and DSer(7) analogues were synthesized and it was found that the substitution with a D-residue in position 5 is not tolerated while that in position 7 is favourable. The DSer(7) derivative is the most potent analogue found in this study: it shows potency as high as that of HOE 140 in the bioassays.

Alanine↗

BIIE0246, a potent and highly selective non-peptide neuropeptide Y Y(2) receptor antagonist.

1. BIIE0246, a newly synthesized non-peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y(2) receptor antagonist, was able to compete with high affinity (8 to 15 nM) for specific [(125)I]PYY(3 - 36) binding sites in HEK293 cells transfected with the rat Y(2) receptor cDNA, and in rat brain and human frontal cortex membrane homogenates. 2. Interestingly, in rat brain homogenates while NPY, C2-NPY and PYY(3 - 36) inhibited all specific [(125)I]PYY(3 - 36) labelling, BIIE0246 failed to compete for all specific binding suggesting that [(125)I]PYY(3 - 36) recognized, in addition to the Y(2) subtype, another population of specific NPY binding sites, most likely the Y(5) receptor. 3. Quantitative receptor autoradiographic data confirmed the presence of [(125)I]PYY(3 - 36)/BIIE0246-sensitive (Y(2)) and-insensitive (Y(5)) binding sites in the rat brain as well as in the marmoset monkey and human hippocampal formation. 4. In the rat vas deferens and dog saphenous vein (two prototypical Y(2) bioassays), BIIE0246 induced parallel shifts to the right of NPY concentration-response curves with pA(2) values of 8.1 and 8.6, respectively. In the rat colon (a Y(2)/Y(4) bioassay), BIIE0246 (1 microM) completely blocked the contraction induced by PYY(3 - 36), but not that of [Leu(31), Pro(34)]NPY (a Y(1), Y(4) and Y(5) agonist) and hPP (a Y(4) and Y(5) agonist). Additionally, BIIE0246 failed to alter the contractile effects of NPY in prototypical Y(1) in vitro bioassays. 5. Taken together, these results demonstrate that BIIE0246 is a highly potent, high affinity antagonist selective for the Y(2) receptor subtype. It should prove most useful to establish further the functional role of the Y(2) receptor in the organism.

Animals↗

Characterization of [Nphe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH(2), a new selective nociceptin receptor antagonist.

1.. Nociceptin (orphanin FQ) is a novel neuropeptide capable of inducing a variety of biological actions via activation of a specific G-protein coupled receptor. However, the lack of a selective nociceptin receptor antagonist has hampered our understanding of nociceptin actions and the role of this peptide in pathophysiological states. As part of a broader programme of research, geared to the identification and characterization of nociceptin receptor ligands, we report that the novel peptide [Nphe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH(2) acts as the first truly selective and competitive nociceptin receptor antagonist and is devoid of any residual agonist activity. 2. [Nphe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH(2) binds selectively to recombinant nociceptin receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (pK(i) 8.4) and competitively antagonizes the inhibitory effects of nociceptin (i) on cyclic AMP accumulation in CHO cells (pA(2) 6.0) and (ii) on electrically evoked contractions in isolated tissues of the mouse, rat and guinea-pig with pA(2) values ranging from 6.0 to 6.4. 3. [Nphe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH(2) is also active in vivo, where it prevents the pronociceptive and antimorphine actions of intracerebroventricularly applied nociceptin, measured in the mouse tail withdrawal assay. Moreover, [Nphe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH(2) produces per se a dose dependent, naloxone resistant antinociceptive action and, at relatively low doses, potentiates morphine-induced analgesia. 4. Collectively our data indicate that [Nphe(1)]nociceptin(1-13)NH(2), acting as a nociceptin receptor antagonist, may be the prototype of a new class of analgesics.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Pharmacology of nociceptin and its receptor: a novel therapeutic target.

Nociceptin (NC), alias Orphanin FQ, has been recently identified as the endogenous ligand of the opioid receptor-like 1 receptor (OP(4)). This new NC/OP(4) receptor system belongs to the opioid family and has been characterized pharmacologically with functional and binding assays on native (mouse, rat, guinea-pig) and recombinant (human) receptors, by using specific and selective agonists (NC, NC(1 - 13)NH(2)) and a pure and competitive antagonist, [Nphe(1)]NC(1 - 13)NH(2). The similar order of potency of agonists and affinity values of the antagonist indicate that the same receptor is present in the four species. OP(4) is expressed in neurons, where it reduces activation of adenylyl cyclase and Ca(2+) channels while activating K(+) channels in a manner similar to opioids. In this way, OP(4) mediates inhibitory effects in the autonomic nervous system, but its activities in the central nervous system can be either similar or opposite to those of opioids. In vivo experiments have demonstrated that NC modulates a variety of biological functions ranging from nociception to food intake, from memory processes to cardiovascular and renal functions, from spontaneous locomotor activity to gastrointestinal motility, from anxiety to the control of neurotransmitter release at peripheral and central sites. These actions have been demonstrated using NC and various pharmacological tools, as antisense oligonucleotides targeting OP(4) or the peptide precursor genes, antibodies against NC, an OP(4) receptor selective antagonist and with data obtained from animals in which the receptor or the peptide precursor genes were knocked out. These new advances have contributed to better understanding of the pathophysiological role of the NC/OP(4) system, and ultimately will help to identify the therapeutic potential of new OP(4) receptor ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vitro and in vivo effects of kinin B(1) and B(2) receptor agonists and antagonists in inbred control and cardiomyopathic hamsters.

The aims of this study were to examine the possible alterations occurring in the effects of kinins on isolated aortae of inbred control (CHF 148) and cardiomyopathic (CHF 146) hamsters of 150 - 175 and 350 - 375 days of age. Bradykinin (BK) and desArg(9)BK contracted isolated aortae (with or without endothelium) of hamsters of both strains and ages. After tissue equilibration (90 min), responses elicited by both kinin agonists were stable over the time of experiments. The patterns of isometric contractions of BK and desArg(9)BK were however found to be different; desArg(9)BK had a slower onset and a longer duration of action than BK. Potencies (pEC(50) values) of BK in all groups of hamsters were significantly increased by preincubating the tissues with captopril (10(-5) M). No differences in the pEC(50) values and the E(max) values for BK or desArg(9)BK were seen between isolated vessels from inbred control and cardiomyopathic hamsters. The myotropic effect of BK was inhibited by the selective non peptide antagonist, FR 173657 (pIC(50) 7.25+/-0.12 at the bradykinin B(2) receptor subtype (B(2) receptor)). Those of desArg(9)BK, at the bradykinin B(1) receptor subtype (B(1) receptor) were abolished by either R 715 (pIC(50) of 7. 55+/-0.05; alpha(E) = 0), Lys[Leu(8)]desArg(9)BK (pIC(50) of 7.21+/-0. 01; alpha(E) = 0.22) or [Leu(8)]desArg(9)BK (pIC(50) of 7.25+/-0.02; alpha(E) = 0.18). FR 173657 had no agonistic activity, exerted a non competitive type of antagonism and was poorly reversible (lasting more than 5 h) from B(2) receptor. In vivo, FR 173657 (given per os at 1 and 5 mg kg(-1), 1 h before the experiment) antagonized the acute hypotensive effect of BK in anaesthetized hamsters. It is concluded that aging and/or the presence of a congenital cardiovascular disorder in hamsters are not associated with changes in the in vitro aortic responses to either BK or desArg(9)BK.

Administration, Oral↗

Delayed myocardial protection induced by endotoxin does not involve kinin B(1)-receptors.

Endotoxin is known to confer a delayed protection against myocardial infarction. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment also induces the de novo synthesis of kinin B(1)-receptors that are not present in normal conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether LPS-induced B(1)-receptors are implicated in the reduction of infarct size brought about by LPS. Rabbits were submitted to a 30-min coronary artery occlusion and 3-h reperfusion sequence. Six groups were studied: pretreated or not (control animals) with LPS (5 microgram kg(-1) i.v.) 24 h earlier and treated 15 min before and throughout ischaemia - reperfusion with either the B(1)-antagonist R-715 (1 mg kg(-1) h(-1)), the B(1)-agonist Sar-[D-Phe(8)]-des-Arg(9)-bradykinin (15 microgram kg(-1) h(-1)) or vehicle (saline). Infarct size and area at risk were assessed by differential staining and planimetric analysis. The presence of B(1)-receptors in LPS-pretreated animals was confirmed by a decrease in mean arterial pressure in response to B(1) stimulation. LPS-pretreatment significantly reduced infarct size (6.4+/-1.7%, of area at risk vs 24.1+/-2.5% in control animals, P<0.05). This protection was not modified by B(1)-receptor antagonism (7.4+/-2.2%, NS) or stimulation (5.2+/-1.2%, NS). Neither antagonist nor agonist modified infarct size in control animals. In conclusion, these data suggest that LPS-induced myocardial protection in the rabbit is not related to concomitant de novo B(1)-receptor induction.

Animals↗