Biomedical subjects

E J Verspohl

Publications and source records attributed to E J Verspohl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

The role of protein kinase C in the desensitization of rat pancreatic islets to cholinergic stimulation.

It is well known that protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in mediating insulin secretion in response to cholinergic stimulation. In various cells PKC also mediates a desensitization process. The role of PKC for homologous desensitization of the insulin response to repetitive stimulation with the muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCh) was investigated in perifusion experiments using isolated rat pancreatic islets. Repetitive (six times) stimulation with CCh (100 microM) reduced insulin secretion over time (up to 50% during the second challenge). This was not a toxic effect since the desensitizing effect was mostly washed out after 45 min. When PKC was downregulated by long term preincubation (20 h) with 200 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA), the initial stimulation of insulin release by CCh was reduced by 50%, and a desensitization by further CCh stimulation was no longer obvious. In contrast, when other compounds with different mechanisms of actions for inactivating PKC were used, i.e. PKC inhibitors such as staurosporin (100 nM), Ro 31-8220 (5 microM) or PKC peptide(19-31), the insulin secretion in response to CCh was reduced but the desensitization was not abolished. When PKC was downregulated or inhibited by the above methods, the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA; 200 nM) was no longer able to evoke an increase in insulin secretion during static incubation, i.e. these control experiments indicate a real PKC inhibition. When heparin (50 microg/ml), an inhibitor of G-protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK), was used, the desensitization of the cholinergic stimulation of insulin release remained unchanged. The data indicate that PKC plays a role in CCh-mediated insulin secretion and also show a desensitization of this effect after repetitive stimulation with CCh. The data further indicate that specific PKC isoenzymes that are inhibited by staurosporin or Ro 31-8220 do not take part in the desensitization process, while isoenzymes that are downregulated by TPA are involved. It may be speculated that a hitherto unknown PKC isoenzyme that is downregulated by TPA but not by the other used PKC inhibitors is involved in the desensitization process, or that a nonspecific effect of TPA is involved. Members of the GRK family are not involved in the desensitization process of CCh.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1998

Diadenosine polyphosphates in insulin-secreting cells: interaction with specific receptors and degradation.

A role of diadenosine polyphosphates as second messengers was suggested for insulin-secreting cells. It has not yet been investigated whether specific receptors for these compounds exist and how these extracellular compounds and their degradation products may contribute to insulin release. Specific saturable binding sites for diadenosine polyphosphates exist in INS-1 cells and rat pancreatic islets. In INS-1 cells, the rank order of diadenosine polyphosphates displacing [3H]Ap4A from binding sites was Ap4A = Ap5A >Ap3A = Ap6A. Binding was specific, since suramin was not able to displace the binding; adenosine, ATP, UTP, alpha,beta-methylene ATP, beta,gamma-methylene ATP, ADP-betaS, 2-methylthio ATP, and pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS) were able to displace [3H]Ap4A from its binding sites. Insulin release was investigated in INS-1 cells. Perifusion experiments showed an increase in insulin release stimulated by the diadenosine polyphosphates in the presence of 8.3 mmol/l glucose; in static incubations (90 min), however, insulin release was inhibited dose dependently by the four diadenosine polyphosphates. This discrepancy might be due to the instability of the compounds. [3H]Ap4A was degraded in the extracellular medium to mainly adenosine and low concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP, and inosine (half-maximal degradation after 25 min). The insulin stimulatory effect is due to the original compounds (acute perifusion experiments), and the insulin inhibitory effect (static incubation experiments) is due to the production of inhibitory compounds, such as adenosine, in the medium. Small amounts of intact [3H]Ap4A, but mainly [3H]ATP, accumulated in the cells within 20 min. The uptake of labeled compounds is dependent on an intact metabolism and intact receptor internalization. This data indicates that 1) specific bindings sites for diadenosine polyphosphates exist in INS-1 cells and rat pancreatic islets mediating insulin release; 2) the receptors involved in INS-1 cells may be diadenosine polyphosphate receptors, albeit others, such as P2X-receptors, cannot be ruled out; and 3) diadenosine polyphosphates, and mainly their degradation products in the extracellular space, are to a high degree accumulated within cells with unknown function. Thus, diadenosine polyphosphates are worth being investigated more closely in physiological and pathophysiological terms.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

PubMed1997

Introducing specific antibodies into electropermeabilized cells is a valuable tool for eliminating specific cell functions.

A technique is established for the role of intracellular proteins to be eliminated and thereby gives information about their specific role in signal transduction within cells. Rat pancreatic islets as well as INS-1 cells (an insulin secreting cell line) were electrically permeabilized in order to introduce high molecular weight compounds. Optimized conditions were five exposures with 15-s intervals, tau = 200 ms, an electric field of 1.36 kV per 0.4 cm in a specific permeabilization buffer at a calculated Ca++ concentration of 5 x 10(-8) M. In electroporation control experiments the spectrophotometrically measured uptake of the cell membrane-impermeable propidium iodide, FITC-labelled dextran (MW approximately 4000) and FITC-labelled antibodies (MW approximately 150,000) was established as being 81.5 +/- 5.0, 82.7 +/- 3.0 and 81.0 +/- 1.0 per cent of maximum, respectively. These data were corroborated qualitatively by visualizing microscopically the fluorescence of the FITC-labelled compounds in islets as well as in INS-1 cells. The cells appear to reseal since control experiments indicated a short-lived outflow of lactate dehydrogenase (MW of 140,000 which is similar to that of antibodies) and of insulin for the first 15-20 min. After electroporation the cells were functionally intact, i.e. responded to the stimulus carbachol (CCh). Only 18.0 +/- 10.1 per cent of cells had not resealed after 2 h (propidium iodide uptake measured at various time intervals after electroporation). As was shown recently the effect of specific compounds such as CCh and CCK8 on insulin release was eliminated selectively by antibodies against specific G proteins thus proving this method to be a valuable tool. In conclusion, adding antibodies to electrically permeabilized cells is a valuable tool for eliminating a specific cell function in order to elucidate the specific role of intracellular compounds. This method can probably be used for testing the specific role of other proteins in cell functions.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-induced inhibition of glucagon secretion: mechanism of action in isolated rat pancreatic islets.

ANP increases insulin levels in vivo. Because in vitro an ANP-induced increase in cGMP levels of islets of Langerhans was observed but no simultaneous increase in insulin release, secreted glucagon may be a candidate for this second messenger affected by ANP. The inhibitory effect of glucose on glucagon secretion was pronounced by 1.0 nM ANP at 3.0 mM glucose as well as at 5.6 and 8.3 mM glucose. Because in other tissues cGMP (the specific second messenger of ANP1 inhibits Ca2+ channels, the uptake of 45Ca2+ was investigated. ANP (1.0 nM) inhibited 45Ca2+ uptake, which was nearly completely abolished by a pertussis toxin (PT) pretreatment. The inhibition of 45Ca2+ uptake fits to inhibitory ANP effects on glucagon secretion but does not fit to insulin secretion. The glucagon secretion coupling cascade affected by ANP probably involves an increase in cGMP because 8-Br-cGMP (a membrane-permeable cGMP analogue) also decreased glucagon secretion. ANP(4-23), a truncated form of ANP, which is selective for the ANP clearance receptor, also inhibited glucagon secretion. HS-42-1, a guanylate cyclase receptor antagonist, tended to reverse the effect of ANP on glucagon release. The data indicate that in the presence of ANP, the in vivo homeostasis of glucose, though plasma insulin levels are increased, is not due to an ANP-mediated increase in glucagon secretion; ANP has a complex inhibitory effect on glucagon release. The data further indicate that the ANP-induced inhibition of glucagon secretion probably involves the cGMP system, an inhibition of Ca2+ uptake and the involvement of PT-sensitive G-proteins. Moreover, an involvement of the clearance receptor seems to be likely. ANP is a valuable tool for investigating glucagon secretion from pancreatic islets because paracrine effects of insulin can be excluded.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1996

Monitoring of asparaginase activity and asparagine levels in children on different asparaginase preparations.

The antileukaemic enzyme L-asparaginase is used to achieve the greatest possible reduction in blood levels of the amino acid asparagine, an essential factor for the growth of leukaemic blasts. There are two main sources of the enzyme, E. coli and Erwinia. Faced with increasing reports of treatment complications, we established a programme to monitor enzyme activity and asparagine levels in serum, in children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Trough asparagine and asparaginase levels were measured in 49 children on induction treatment with different E. coli preparations (Asparaginase medac, Crasnitin) and in 52 children on re-induction (Asparaginase medac, Crasnitin, and, in the event of allergic reactions, Erwinase) just prior to each sequential application of 10000 U/m2 of asparaginase. Measurements were made by an enzyme assay and an HPLC method. During induction, both Escherichia coli preparations induced the desired reduction in asparagine, but the asparaginase activity with Asparaginase medac was significantly higher than with Crasnitin (median of trough levels 475 versus 74 U/l). Under re-induction treatment (median, Asparaginase medac 528 U/l, Crasnitin 49 U/l, and Erwinase < 20 U/l) complete asparagine depletion was recorded on day 3 in more than 90% of Asparaginase medac samples, more than 60% of Crasnitin samples and in 26% of Erwinase samples. The latter two groups included some children with unchanged asparagine levels and no measurable enzyme activity. Different asparaginase preparations are not readily interchangeable. When Asparaginase medac is used instead of Crasnitin, and identical dose will be associated with significantly higher enzyme activity, well above the level required for complete asparagine depletion. Clinical studies will need to specify both the preparation and the dose to be used. When substitution of an alternative drug is mandatory owing to allergic reactions, monitoring is advisable.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Reduction of ACh-induced contraction of rat isolated ileum by coptisine, (+)-caffeoylmalic acid, Chelidonium majus, and Corydalis lutea extracts.

The crude extracts of Chelidonium majus and Corydalis lutea were examined for antispasmodic activity against acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction on isolated rat ileal smooth muscle. Further, coptisine and caffeolmalic acid as components of the alkaloid and the hydroxycinnamic acid ester fraction of both plants were similarly investigated. The ACh-induced contraction was found to be antagonized weakly by caffeolymalic acid (6.9%; 2.5 x 10(-5) g/ml/organ bath), C. majus extract (12.7%; 2.0 x 10(-4) g/ml), and a higher concentration of coptisine (16.5%; 1.0 x 10(-5) g/ml) whereas the antispasmodic activity of C.lutea extract reached 45% (2.0 x 10(-4) g/ml). Antagonism by papaverine as a positive control amounted to 83.2%.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1996

Involvement of G proteins in the effect of carbachol and cholecystokinin in rat pancreatic islets.

Phospholipase C is involved in the insulinotropic effect of carbachol (CCh) and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). The involvement of the type of G protein was investigated in rat pancreatic islets. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S; a nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue) increased insulin release in electrically permeabilized islets. Both CCh and CCK-8 increased the GTP gamma S effect indicative of an involvement of G proteins. Pretreatment of the islets with pertussis toxin (PT) impaired the CCh-induced insulin secretion in the presence of 3.0 mM glucose and inhibited the stimulatory CCh effect on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) levels at low and high glucose. In contrast to CCh, the CCK-8 effect on both insulin release and IP3 levels of islets was not modified by a PT pretreatment at various glucose concentrations. Two types of experiments indicate the type of G protein involved: first, long-term agonistic stimulation by either CCh or CCK-8 led to a downregulation of alpha o and alpha q/11, respectively; second, introduction of specific anti-alpha o or -alpha q/11 antibodies into electrically permeabilized islets nearly completely abolished the effects of CCh and CCK-8, respectively. The data indicate that both CCh and CCK-8 act as insulinotropic agents via the phospholipase C system; in the effect of CCh the PT-sensitive alpha o and in the effect of CCK-8 the PT-insensitive alpha q/11 is involved.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Role of tyrosine kinase in insulin release in an insulin secreting cell line (INS-1).

Tyrosine kinases are involved in cell signalling of growth factors such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and others. Insulin and IGF-I receptors which possibly feedback on insulin release are established in insulin-secreting cells. The role of tyrosine kinase in insulin secretion is controversial. Both the tyrosine kinase inhibitors tyrphostin 25 (TYR) and genistein (GEN), but not its structurally similar albeit biologically inactive analogue daidzein, increase insulin release at 16.7 mM glucose in INS-1 cells, an insulin secreting cell line. Tyrosine kinase activity is inhibited by GEN, but not diadzein. The inhibitory effects of either insulin or IGF-I on insulin release are abolished by 10(-4) M GEN but not by daidzein indicating an involvement of tyrosine kinase in the inhibitory effect of both insulin and IGF-I on insulin release. Since GEN was argued not to be specific for tyrosine kinase, several second messengers were investigated. cAMP is not influenced. The insulinotropic effect of acutely administered TPA is not influenced by GEN while in protein kinase C (PKC)-downregulated cells the insulinotropic effect of GEN is preserved: both indicate no involvement of PKC in GEN effect. Since pertussis toxin (PT) pretreatment has no effect on the inhibitory effects of IGF-I on insulin release, a PT-sensitive G-protein is not likely to be involved. The data indicate that tyrosine kinase is involved in the inhibitory effects of insulin and IGF on insulin release in INS-1 cells, possibly mediating the negative feedback effect.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1994

Evidence for cholecystokinin receptor subtype in endocrine pancreas.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gut hormone that regulates pancreatic endocrine functions via CCKA receptors. CCK4 (Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2) has an insulinotropic effect, but is 1000-fold less potent than CCK8. The in vitro potencies and selectivity of newly synthesized CCK4 analogs were investigated. Exchanging various a amino acids, for example Met by Nle and modifying Phe and/or Trp, led to compounds that were much more effective than CCK4 itself and show insulinotropic effects comparable with those of CCK8. Compounds that possess electron withdrawing groups on the C-terminal phenylalanine were especially effective; compounds with electron-donating groups had no effect. In contrast to CCK8 the synthetic CCK4 compounds were selective for the endocrine pancreas: they had no agonistic or antagonistic effect on the contraction of the guinea pig ileum, amylase release from isolated acini, and no major effect on the feeding behavior of mice being supplied with either compound by an implantable AlzetR pump for 8 days. The data indicate that some of the synthetic tetrapeptides exhibit a high affinity for the CCK receptor of the endocrine pancreas and that they are highly selective for this (peripheral) CCKA receptor subtype. The beta-cell CCKA receptors are different from those in exocrine pancreas, smooth muscle, and those for regulating appetite; these peripheral receptor subtypes can be discriminated for the first time.

Amylases↗

PubMed1993

Activin A: its effects on rat pancreatic islets and the mechanism of action involved.

Activin A now used as a recombinant product was first isolated from ovarian fluid. Its effects on insulin and glucagon secretion, 45Ca2+ net uptake, 86Rb+ efflux and inositol-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) content were investigated in rat pancreatic islets. Activin A increased insulin secretion at either 3.0, 8.3 or 16.7 mM glucose. It decreased glucagon secretion at 3.0, had no effect at 8.3 and increased glucagon secretion at 16.7 mM glucose. The effect on insulin release was concentration dependent; effects were obvious at 1 and 10 nM activin A. The effect on insulin release was paralleled by an effect on 45Ca2+ net uptake. 10 nM activin A were effective in elevating Ins-1,4,5-P3 content at either glucose concentration used. 86Rb+ efflux as an indicator for closing K+ channels which leads to a depolarization of the beta-cell membrane and which is a prerequisite for Ca++ influx was inhibited by activin A at a low glucose concentration (3.0 mM). The data indicate that the new peptide activin A elevates insulin release at various glucose concentrations: at low and high glucose concentrations 45Ca2+ uptake is involved. At low glucose concentrations inhibition of 86Rb+ efflux is a prerequisite sufficient to lead to a depolarization and subsequent Ca++ uptake; accumulation of Ins-1,4,5-P3 probably helps mediating the insulinotropic effect by additionally elevating intracellular Ca++.

Activins↗

PubMed1992

Are ionic fluxes of pancreatic beta cells a target for gastric inhibitory polypeptide?

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), an incretin candidate, is suggested to amplify the glucose-induced insulin secretion. To evaluate its mode of action we examined whether GIP affects 86Rb+ efflux, 45Ca2+ uptake or efflux, and intracellularly recorded electrical activity of mouse pancreatic islets. GIP (5 nM) neither inhibited 86Rb+ efflux at 3 mM glucose nor modulated 86Rb+ efflux that was inhibited by 5.6 mM glucose or stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187. 45Ca2+ uptake was increased by GIP in the presence of 16.7 mM which was not observed at 3 or 11 mM glucose. GIP elevated 45Ca2+ efflux from islets, but did not modify 45Ca2+ efflux when a virtually Ca2+ free medium was used. Electrical activity of beta cells induced by 16.7 mM glucose was significantly increased by 5 nM GIP. It is concluded that the amplification of insulin release by GIP is based on the effect of GIP on Ca2+ uptake.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1992

Gastrin-releasing peptide: binding and functional studies in mouse pancreatic islets.

The binding of GRP (gastrin-releasing peptide) to mouse pancreatic islets was studied. Binding of 100 pM 125I-GRP to collagenase-prepared isolated islets at 22 degrees C was one-half maximal after 15 min and maximal at 60 min. At 60 min, total binding was 1.62% of total radioactivity per 50 islets; nonspecific binding (presence of 1 microM unlabeled GRP-1-27) was 0.05-0.61% of total radioactivity. GRP binds specifically to a high-affinity site (Kd1 = 0.81 nM; Bmax1 = 12.8 fmol/50 islets). The specific binding is saturable. Hormones with the intact C-terminus of GRP-1-27, such as N-acetyl-GRP-20-27 and neuromedin C (GRP-18-27), possess the same inhibition curve as GRP-1-27. GRP-1-16, with a cleaved C-terminus, does not inhibit binding of 125I-GRP. However, hormones that virtually are not structurally related to GRP, such as eledoisin, galanin, and VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) do not compete for GRP binding. The rank order of GRP analogs such as GRP-1-27, N-acetyl-GRP-20-27, and GRP-1-16 is similar though not identical with respect to inhibition of 125I-GRP binding and insulin secretory potency. We found that 1 and 10 nM GRP-1-27, at a stimulatory glucose concentration, increases the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol to Ins-1,4,5-P3, the biological relevant isomer of Ins-P3; 10 nM GRP-1-27 is effective even at a nonstimulatory glucose concentration in this respect. In a virtually Ca(2+)-free medium, 5 nM GRP-1-27 increases the 45Ca2+ efflux from 45Ca(2+)-prelabeled islets. These data indicate that (a) specific binding sites for GRP are present in mouse pancreatic islets; (b) GRP superimposes the maximal insulinotropic effect of glucose; and (c) Ins-1,4,5-P3 is probably involved as a second messenger in the biological effects of GRP-1-27, which is underlined by the efflux of Ca2+ from intracellular stores but is not a sufficient signal by itself.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Gastrin releasing peptide augments glucose mediated 45Ca2+ uptake, electrical activity, and insulin secretion of mouse pancreatic islets.

Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) has recently been shown to increase glucose-induced insulin secretion in vivo. Being present in pancreatic tissue, the 27-amino acid peptide could play a role in the control of the glucose-induced insulin secretion of islets of Langerhans. In the presence of a stimulatory glucose concentration, GRP augmented insulin secretion of isolated islets in batch incubations. The peptide did not affect 56Rb+ efflux in the presence of 3 or 5.6 mM glucose but reduced the increase of 86Rb+ efflux evoked by the calcium ionophore A23187. 45Ca2+ uptake and intracellular recorded electrical activity induced by glucose were amplified by GRP. It is suggested that GRP plays a role in the regulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion by increasing the uptake of Ca2+ directly or by inhibition of the Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel activity and reduced repolarization of the cell.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Indirect evidence for short-loop negative feedback of insulin secretion in the rat.

Feedback inhibition of glucose-mediated insulin release has repeatedly been demonstrated in isolated pancreatic islets and in the perfused pancreas. It was the aim of the present study to determine whether inhibition occurs through a long-loop (plasma concentration of insulin) or a short-loop (local concentration) action of insulin. The perfused rat pancreas was used, with different perfusion rates and different insulin concentrations in the medium. Increasing the flow rate from 1 to either 3 or 6 ml/min gradually decreased the insulin concentration in the effluent, at stimulatory concentrations of glucose (11.1 and 16.7 mmol/l). Under the same conditions, however, the integrated amount of insulin released over a period of 30 min was significantly enhanced. When exogenous insulin (2.7 and 5.4 mumol/l) was added to the perfusion medium, insulin secretion in the presence of 11.1 or 16.7 mmol glucose/l at flow rates of 3 and 6 ml/min was diminished. This effect was most prominent with 11.1 mmol glucose/l and 2.7 mumol exogenous insulin/l at all flow rates (except 1 ml/min), as well as at the high perfusion flow rates with other glucose concentrations. Insulin secretion was not affected by 5.4 mumol exogenous insulin/l at 1 ml/min or by 2.7 mumol exogenous insulin/l at 3 ml/min. The data support a negative feedback inhibition of insulin secretion by secreted insulin, since insulin secretion was decreased by either adding exogenous insulin or by lowering endogenous insulin as the consequence of increased flow rates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Anti-insulin antiserum increases inositol phosphate accumulation in rat pancreatic islets.

The role of insulin in modulating phosphoinositide breakdown and accumulation of inositol phosphates was investigated in isolated rat pancreatic islets by using GPAIS (guinea-pig anti-insulin antiserum) that neutralizes effects of insulin in the medium. At either 3.0 mM- or 16.7 mM-glucose or 3.0 mM-glucose plus 10 microM-arecaidine propargyl ester (muscarinic receptor agonist), GPAIS (but not control serum) was able to increase InsP2 and InsP3, but not InsP, in myo-[3H] inositol-prelabelled islets. The effect of GPAIS on 3H incorporation into InsP3 was dose-dependent, with a half-maximal effect at a concentration able to bind 4004 +/- 163 microunits of insulin. A specific mass assay of the biologically relevant isomer Ins (1,4,5)P3 revealed a huge increase (greater than 3-folf). Formation of PtdIns, PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 was not affected by GPAIS. This is indirect evidence for an effect of insulin on inositide metabolism, and therefore endogenously released insulin may have led to an underestimation in earlier studies of effects of insulinotropic substances on inositol phosphate accumulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat pancreatic islets: binding and functional studies.

Cholinergic agents are potent modulators of insulin release that act via muscarinic receptors. We now investigated the muscarinic receptor subtype present in rat pancreatic islets in binding and functional studies. Binding of 5 nM [3H]N-methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS) was half maximal at 30 min. At 60 min, the maximal total binding was 1.29% and the non-specific binding (presence of 100 microM atropine) was 0.18% of the total radioactivity per 10 micrograms islet protein. Unlabelled atropine inhibited [3H]NMS binding with an IC50 of ca. 30 nM. The rank order of antagonist high-affinity binding was atropine greater than sila-hexocyclium methyl sulfate (SiHC; M1 greater than M3 greater than M2) greater than pirenzepine (M1 greater than M2 approximately M3) = methoctramine (M2 greater than M1 greater than M3). The high-affinity Kds were 8.5, 56, 1300 and 1300 nM, respectively. The high affinity Kd of the muscarinic receptor agonist, arecaidine propargyl ester (APE), was 8.1 nM. The EC50 for the biological effects of APE on insulin and glucagon secretion was 3.2 and 2.3 nM. The rank order for the high-affinity biological effects of antagonists (inhibition of APE-mediated insulin/glucagon release) was almost the same as for binding. The data indicate that rat pancreatic islets contain neither an M1 subtype (high-affinity for pirenzepine) nor an M2 subtype (high-affinity for methoctramine) receptor. However, the data evidence an M3 receptor subtype, since SiHC in the absence of the M1 receptor subtype shows a relatively high affinity to the receptors in rat pancreatic islets.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Evidence for more than one binding site for sulfonylureas in insulin-secreting cells.

Specific binding of both [3H]glibenclamide and [3H]gliquidone has been observed in a particulate fraction of insulin-secreting rat tumour (RIN m5F) cells. The binding of both the labels was time-dependent, of high affinity (including a low affinity binding site), saturable and reversible. The rank order of inhibition of [3H]glibenclamide binding was glibenclamide greater than gliquidone greater than AG-EE 388 = AG-EE 86 = AG-EE 319 greater than AG-EE 436 (AG coded drugs are benzoic acid derivatives which lack the sulfonylurea moiety of sulfonylureas). The Kds of high affinity binding for glibenclamide and gliquidone were 0.08 and 1.3 nM, respectively. When [3H]gliquidone was used as the labelled compound this rank order of binding and the affinities of drugs were different, e.g. glibenclamide was less potent than gliquidone. The Kd values of high affinity binding to the [3H]gliquidone binding site were 810 and 79 nM with respect to glibenclamide and gliquidone. The binding site labelled by [3H]gliquidone, in contrast to that labelled by [3H]glibenclamide, was not able to discriminate between the two enantiomers AG-EE 319 and AG-EE 436. The data indicate that there are different binding sites for glibenclamide and gliquidone in RIN m5F cells. In extension to data of other groups it is speculated that there exists more than one specific binding site for sulfonylureas and other related compounds, e.g. benzoic acid derivatives and that sulfonylureas behave differently not only in quantitative but in qualitative terms as well.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Synthesis, central nervous system activity and teratogenicity of a homothalidomide.

The optical isomers of alpha-phthalimidoadipinimide (1) were synthesized by a route based on D(+)- and L(-)-amino-epsilon-caprolactam (5) as synthon. The isomers of 1 were obtained in high yields by treating D(+)- and L(-)-amino-epsilon-caprolactam (5) with N-carboethoxyphthalimide (4), followed by oxidation with benzeneseleninic anhydride (7). The teratogenic potency of both isomers of 1 was studied by the HET-(Hen's Egg Test); 1 caused distinctly lower teratogenic effects in contrast to thalidomide (2). D(-)-1 and L(+)-1 showed sedative effects with a lower activity than 2. Both are more stable in alkaline solution at the same time with a smaller tendency for racemization.

Animals↗