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Biomedical subjects

E Dong

Publications and source records attributed to E Dong.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

ACE inhibition improves cardiac NE uptake and attenuates sympathetic nerve terminal abnormalities in heart failure.

Cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal dysfunction plays an important role in the downregulation of myocardial beta-adrenoceptors in heart failure. To determine whether chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition improved cardiac sympathetic nerve terminal function and hence increased myocardial beta-adrenergic responsiveness, we administered ACE inhibitors to dogs with chronic right-sided heart failure (RHF) produced by tricuspid avulsion and pulmonary artery constriction. The RHF animals exhibited fluid retention, elevated right heart filling pressures, blunted inotropic response to isoproterenol, and reduced beta-adrenoceptor density. These changes were accompanied by decreases in right ventricular norepinephrine (NE) uptake and neuronal NE histofluorescence and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive profiles. ACE inhibitors had no effect on the production of heart failure but greatly reduced the attenuation of cardiac NE uptake, neuronal NE histofluorescence, and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive profiles. ACE inhibition also improved the inotropic response to isoproterenol and restored myocardial beta-adrenoceptor density. The changes probably are caused by reduction of cardiac NE release by ACE inhibition and may contribute to the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with chronic heart failure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Overexpression of nerve growth factor in the heart alters ion channel activity and beta-adrenergic signalling in an adult transgenic mouse.

1. The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of cardiac myocytes from the hearts of adult transgenic mice engineered to overexpress nerve growth factor (NGF) in the heart were studied. 2. There was a 12% increase in the ventricular myocyte capacitance in NGF myocytes consistent with cardiac hypertrophy, and action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) was prolonged by 142 % compared with wild-type (WT) myocytes. This was due, at least in part, to a decrease in the density of two K+ currents, Ito and IK(ur), which were significantly reduced in NGF mice with no change in their electrophysiological characteristics. We found no change in the current density or electrophysiological properties of the L-type Ca2+ current. 3. The effect on Ito and IK(ur) of TEA and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) was not different in cells isolated from WT and NGF mice. The prolongation of APD observed in NGF cells was mimicked in WT cells by exposure to 1 mM 4-AP, which partially blocked Ito, completely blocked IK(ur) and increased APD90 by 157%. 4. The isoprenaline-induced increase in ICa was significantly smaller in NGF myocytes than in WT myocytes. This was not due to a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) density, as this was increased in NGF tissue by 55%. Analysis of beta-AR subtypes showed that this increase was entirely due to an increase in beta2-AR density with no change in beta1-ARs. 5. The response of the beta-AR-coupled adenylyl cyclase system to isoprenaline, Gpp(NH)p and forskolin was studied by measuring cAMP production. In NGF tissue, isoprenaline elicited a significantly smaller response than in WT myoyctes and this was not due to reduced adenylyl cyclase activity as the responses of NGF tissue to guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and forskolin were unaffected. 6. In conclusion, the overexpression of NGF in the mouse heart resulted in a decrease in the current density of two K+ channels, which contributed to the prolongation of the cardiac action potential. Despite an increase in beta2-AR density in the hearts of the NGF mice, the response to isoprenaline was diminished, and this was due to an uncoupling of the beta-ARs from the intracellular signalling cascade. These potentially pathological changes may be involved in the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac hypertrophy and failure, and this mouse provides a novel model in which to study such changes.

Action Potentials↗

Study on the inhibitory effect of tannins and flavonoids against the 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl radical.

Fifty-one tannins and forty-one flavonoids isolated from Oriental medicinal herbs were evaluated for their antioxidant ability with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-generating system. The results showed that tannins and certain flavonoids are potential free-radical scavengers, and that their activity against the DPPH radical is closely associated with their chemical structure. A comparison of the two classes of compounds showed that tannins have more potential than flavonoids because almost all the tannins demonstrated significant scavenging action within a low concentration range, whereas the activity of flavonoids varied distinctively among the different compounds. An increase of galloyl groups, molecular weight, and ortho-hydroxyl structure enhanced the activity of tannins, whereas the number and position of hydroxyl groups were important features for the scavenging of free radicals by flavonoids. Moreover, it appeared that when the free hydroxyl group was methoxylated or glycosylated, the inhibitory activity was obviously decreased or even abolished.

Bepridil↗

A study of ginsenoside-Rd in a renal ischemia-reperfusion model.

The effect of ginsenoside-Rd in ischemic-reperfused rats was examined. In control rats, blood and renal parameters and the activities of antioxidative enzymes in renal tissue deviated from the normal range, indicating dysfunction of the kidneys. In contrast, when ginsenoside-Rd was given orally for 30 consecutive days prior to ischemia and reperfusion, the activities of the antioxidation enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were higher, while malondialdehyde levels in serum and renal tissue were lower in the treated rats than in the controls. Decreased levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum demonstrated a protective action against the renal dysfunction caused by ischemia and recirculation. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that ginsenoside-Rd affected cultured proximal tubule cells subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation, probably by preventing oxygen free radicals from attacking the cell membranes.

Animals↗

Effects of Japanese black tea on atherosclerotic disorders.

The atherogenic index was found to be significantly better in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with black tea extract than in the ones not given the extract. It was also evident that black tea inhibited the proliferation of smooth muscle cells involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and suppressed the production of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, a cause of lipid accumulation. It thus seems likely that black tea has an antiatherosclerotic action.

Animals↗

Proof that green tea tannin suppresses the increase in the blood methylguanidine level associated with renal failure.

The effects of a green tea tannin mixture and its individual tannin components on methylguanidine were examined in rats with renal failure. The green tea tannin mixture caused a dose-dependent decrease in methylguanidine, a substance which accumulates in the blood with the progression of renal failure. Among individual tannin components, the effect was most conspicuous with (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate and (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate, while other components not linked to gallic acid showed only weak effects. Thus, the effect on methylguanidine was found to vary among different types of tannin.

Adenine↗

Influence of green tea and its three major components upon low-density lipoprotein oxidation.

The abilities of green tea extract and its three major components to inhibit lipid peroxidation in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) catalyzed by copper were tested in vitro using malondialdehyde as a parameter of antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that green tea extract markedly delays peroxidation with a dose-dependent pattern. Of the three components, polyphenols had the strongest action. Similar action was also shown in the theanine-treated group but was weaker than in the former, whereas caffeine had a very limited effect. Based on these data, it is concluded that green tea extract can effectively inhibit peroxidation and that this activity is due largely to the polyphenols it contains. According to the ultraviolet spectra, copper chelation is suggested to be one of the possible mechanisms of LDL antiperoxidation.

Catalysis↗

Magnesium lithospermate B ameliorates cephaloridine-induced renal injury.

To determine whether magnesium lithospermate B ameliorates renal injury induced by cephaloridine, the effect of cephaloridine was investigated in rats given magnesium lithospermate B for 20 days preceding cephaloridine administration and in control rats given no magnesium lithospermate B. In the control rats, blood and urinary parameters and the activity of radical-eliminating enzymes in the renal tissue deviated from the normal range, indicating damage to the kidneys. In contrast, rats given magnesium lithospermate B showed decreased urine volume, increased urinary osmotic pressure, and decreased urinary levels of glucose, protein, sodium and potassium, denoting less damage to the kidney. In this group, the urinary nitrite/nitrate ratio, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the renal tissue were increased, while the malondialdehyde levels were decreased, suggesting the involvement of radicals in the normalizing of kidney function. The increased levels of urea nitrogen in the blood of rats with induced renal failure were also lowered by administering magnesium lithospermate B.

Animals↗

Magnesium lithospermate B suppresses the increase of active oxygen in rats after subtotal nephrectomy.

Subtotally nephrectomized rats were found to have decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) showed that the amount of hydroxyl radical in the residual kidney tissue was greater than that in normal rat kidney. This indicated both direct and indirect involvement of free radicals in renal failure. In contrast, rats given magnesium lithospermate B (10 mg/kg body weight) orally for 30 days after subtotal nephrectomy showed restoration of SOD and catalase activities to almost normal levels. Hydroxyl radical, which is highly reactive and for which there is no scavenger system in the body, was decreased markedly in kidney homogenates obtained from rats given magnesium lithospermate B and in an experimental system for hydroxyl radical production to which magnesium lithospermate B was directly added. The increased levels of uremic toxins in the blood were also low in rats given magnesium lithospermate B. This indicates that magnesium lithospermate B helps to inhibit the progression of renal failure by scavenging radicals.

Administration, Oral↗

Inhibitory effect of green tea on injury to a cultured renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1.

When cells from a cultured renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1, were cultured under hypoxic conditions (oxygen concentration of 2% or less) before reoxygenation was applied (95% air, 5% CO2), the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the medium increased. This phenomenon was inhibited in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, suggesting the involvement of free radicals. Such oxidative stress was significantly inhibited by a green tea extract, and more potently by a tannin mixture. On the other hand, under ordinary culture conditions (95%, air, 5% CO2), there was cell injury, although the LDH leakage was less than that under hypoxia/reoxygenation, and such injury was inhibited by the green tea extract and the tannin mixture.

Animals↗

Alterations of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the hearts of thyroxine-treated rats.

Alterations in the cardiac alpha1-adrenoceptor and its subtypes in thyroxine-treated rats were studied by means of radioligand binding assays, measurement of contractile response and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that in thyroxine-treated rats the cardiac alpha1-adrenoceptor density (Bmax) was reduced from 51.6 +/- 6.0 fmol/mg in control to 40.9 +/- 3.7 fmol/mg (P<0.01); and the percentage of high affinity sites for 5-methyl-urapidil decreased from 23.3 +/- 2.0% in control to 10.8 +/- 2.0% in thyroxine-treated rats (P<0.05). The data indicated that the high-affinity sites for 5-methyl-urapidil (alpha1A-adrenoceptor) were reduced (from 12.0 to 4.4 fmol/mg), but the low-affinity sites for 5-methyl-urapidil (alpha1B- plus alpha1D-adrenoceptor) were not changed (from 39.6 to 36.5 fmol/mg). RT-PCR showed that steady-state levels of mRNA for alpha1A- and alpha1B-adrenoceptors were decreased, while that for alpha1D-adrenoceptor was raised in thyroxine-treated rats. In the isolated electrically driven left atria the phenylephrine-induced maximal contractions were reduced from 258 +/- 17 mg in control to 188 +/- 24 mg in thyroxine-treated rats (P<0.05). The pA2 values of 5-methyl-urapidil were reduced from 8.89 +/- 0.36 in control to the hyperthyroidism of 7.87 +/- 0.43 in thyroxine-treated rats (P<0.05). Chlorethylclonidine preincubation shifted concentration-response curves for phenylephrine to the right and reduced the maximal response to a lesser extent in thyroxine-treated rats than in control rats. Thus we concluded that the total number of cardiac alpha1-adrenoceptors is reduced in thyroxine-treated rats. The change is subtype selective, with alpha1A- and alpha1B-adrenoceptors being reduced in number and alpha1D-adrenoceptor being increased.

Animals↗

Confirmation that magnesium lithospermate B has a hydroxyl radical-scavenging action.

Male LWH: Wistar rats were given creatinine (Cr) intraperitoneally at a dose of 1.00 g/kg body weight, and the urine was collected for 3 h after administration. Magnesium lithospermate B, a compound newly isolated from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before and 30 min after Cr administration. The excretion of urinary creatol and methylguanidine induced by Cr decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Since we have already shown that the main contributor to the Cr-->creatol oxidation step is the hydroxyl radical, magnesium lithospermate B may act as a radical scavenger.

Animals↗

[Effects of the combination of aspirin and nifedipine on platelet aggregation and thrombogenesis].

The effects of nifedipine (Nif), aspirin (ASA) and ASA + Nif on platelet aggregation and generation of thrombosis were studied. Both ASA and Nif inhibited rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro and rat platelet aggregation in vivo induced by ADP, also prolonged the occlusion time of thrombosis induced electrically in the carotid artery of the rat and reduced the death rate resulting from pulmonary thrombosis induced by i.v collagen and epinephrine in mice. The above effects were markedly increased when Nif and ASA were used in combination. All the above effects were dose-dependent.

Animals↗

Adenosine triphosphatase located on unstimulated human small lymphocyte cell membranes.

This study was undertaken to localize the enzyme sodium-potassium dependent adenosine triphosphatase in unstimulated human small lymphocytes using the histochemical technique of McClurkin [1964]. The substrate adenosine 5' triphosphate is hydrolyzed by the ATPase resulting in a lead phosphate precipitate at the site of enzyme action, subsequently visualized as lead sulphide. The enzyme was demonstrated in three different patterns, and for each donor the pattern was constant both on all four of the test slides, and on different occasions. The patterns observed were: clusters of granules related to the cell membrane; positive staining localized to portions of the cell membrane, and, less commonly, the whole cell circumference. The significance of this distribution may relate to areas with large numbers of antigen recognition sites on the lymphocyte membrane.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗