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F Staub

Publications and source records attributed to F Staub.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Damage to tumor cells by photodynamic therapy].

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new, promising method in the treatment of cancer. To gain insights into PDT-mediated tumour destruction we studied the influence of treatment with Photofrin and laser light on changes in cell volume and cell viability. A-Mel-3 tumour cells were subjected to Photofrin or illumination with laser light, or a combination of both (PDT). Cell volume was measured by flow cytometry and cell viability by the trypan blue exclusion test for up to 60 min after PDT and the respective controls. In addition, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed. Tumour cells incubated in concentrations of 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0 micrograms Photofrin/ml revealed a rapid increase in cell volume to 117%, 207% and 235% 30 min after PDT and to 147%, 210% and 199% 60 min after PDT. Cell viability with 1.5 and 3.0 micrograms Photofrin/ml and laser light was reduced to 83% and 44% at 30 min after PDT and to 38% and 17% 60 min after PDT. At Photofrin concentrations of 1.5 micrograms/ml and exposure to laser light scanning electron microscopy revealed extreme loss of microvilli and formation of blebs on the cellular surface. Transmission electron microscopy showed swollen mitochondria and ruptures of the cell membrane. This study demonstrates that PDT induces a significant time-dependent and dose-related increase in tumour cell volume. We suggest that the PDT-induced swelling of tumour cells contributes to the increase of interstitial fluid pressure and to impairment of microvascular perfusion of tumours.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of vasogenic brain edema with the novel Cl- transport inhibitor torasemide.

The efficacy of the diuretic agent torasemide, which antagonizes the Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport and Cl- channels, was investigated to determine its inhibition of brain edema from a focal cerebral lesion. For this purpose, cold injury of the brain was induced in 50 Sprague-Dawley rats while monitoring arterial blood pressure. The brain was removed for gravimetric assessment of swelling of the traumatized hemisphere 24 h after trauma. The water content was also determined after drying the cerebral hemispheres for 24 h. Animals were divided into five groups. A control group with trauma received vehicle only; two other groups received 1.0 or 10.0 mg torasemide/kg body weight 30 minutes before and 6 h after trauma (n = 10-12). Administration of the drug after the insult was also investigated in animals with application of vehicle or 10.0 mg/kg of torasemide at 30 minutes and 6 h following the brain lesion (n = 8). Torasemide did not affect important physiologic variables, such as the arterial pO2, pCO2, pH, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or plasma osmolality, while increasing blood pressure (p < 0.01). The blood pressure response notwithstanding, treatment significantly attenuated hemispheric brain swelling from trauma. In control animals without treatment, cold injury led to hemispheric swelling of 8.89%. In animals with 1 mg torasemide/kg BW, brain swelling amounted to 8.51% and to 7.04% in animals receiving 10 mg/kg before and after the insult (p < 0.005). Treatment was also found to attenuate the increase in tissue water content from trauma, but without reaching statistical significance. Postinsult treatment with torasemide (10 mg/kg BW) at 30 minutes and 6 h after trauma was again associated with a significant reduction in hemispheric brain swelling, which in this group amounted to 7.46% compared with 9.76% in the untreated controls (p < 0.005). The increase in the cerebral water content from trauma was also significantly blunted in the latter experiments (p < 0.01). The present data indicate a remarkable therapeutic potential of the novel diuretic agent torasemide to reduce vasogenic brain edema from an acute cerebral lesion. It is surmised that the compound specifically interferes with Cl- transport mechanisms, which apparently are activated in edematous brain involving neuronal and glial cells, for example. This conclusion is supported by in vitro observations that torasemide inhibits the swelling of glial cells from acidosis. On the other hand, it is unlikely that gross dehydration of the brain secondary to the induction of diuresis by the agent played a role, because hematocrit and plasma osmolality were not found to be affected.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Swelling of glial cells in lactacidosis and by glutamate: significance of Cl(-)-transport.

Swelling of glial and nerve cells is characteristic of brain damage in cerebral ischemia or trauma. The therapeutical efficiency of inhibition of Cl(-)-transport by a novel antagonist, the diuretic torasemide, on cytotoxic swelling of glial cells from lactacidosis, or glutamate was analyzed. Lactacidosis and the interstitial accumulation of glutamate are hallmarks of the pathophysiological alterations in ischemic or traumatic brain tissue. C6 glioma cells harvested from culture and suspended in a physiological medium were either exposed to pH 6.2, or 5.0 by lactic acid, or exposed to 1 mM glutamate at normal pH. Cell swelling and viability were quantified by flow cytometry. Lactacidosis of pH 6.2 led to an increase in cell volume to 117.9 +/- 0.7% within 60 min. Torasemide (1 mM) inhibited the swelling response by 50% (P < 0.01). Cell swelling at pH 5.0, although more severe, was again attenuated by torasemide (P < 0.01). No effect was seen on the decrease in cell viability at this level of acidosis. Addition of glutamate led to a steady increase in cell volume which, contrary to cell swelling from lactacidosis, was not inhibited by torasemide. Inhibition of cell swelling from acidosis by this diuretic may be attributed to blocking of Cl-/HCO3- exchange mechanisms activated by acidosis. The lack of effect by torasemide in glial cell swelling from glutamate indicates operation of a different mechanism inducing cell swelling, for example cellular accumulation of the amino acid together with Na+ and water.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1993

A Ca(2+)- and pH-dependent K+ channel of rat C6 glioma cells and its possible role in acidosis-induced cell swelling.

The aim of the present study was to explore whether a change in membrane K+ conductance contributes to acidosis-induced swelling of cultured rat C6 glioma cells. Electrophysiological studies were performed using whole-cell and single-channel recordings in combination with cell volume measurements in cell suspension by flow cytometry. Whole-cell recordings revealed a voltage-dependent K+ conductance. The predominant K+ channel in single-channel recordings with symmetrical high K+ concentrations was inwardly rectifying and had conductances of 35 and 15 pS, respectively. A raised internal free Ca2+ concentration and membrane depolarization increased the open probability of this channel. Internal acidosis (pH 6.4-5.4), on the other hand, reduced open probability and single-channel conductance. Both whole-cell and single-channel K+ currents were blocked by quinidine (0.1-1 mM), which was therefore used to analyze the functional consequences of an inhibition of this conductance for cell volume. Thereby, quinidine (1 mM) produced a small (5%) and transient cell swelling of C6 glioma cells. In contrast, acidosis (pH 5.6) caused a much larger (about 20%) and maintained swelling. Since quinidine produced only a minor swelling of C6 cells, it is unlikely that inhibition of the K+ conductance caused acidosis-induced cell swelling. Other mechanisms, such as activation of ion transporters, must therefore be responsible.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1993

Relationship of cerebral blood flow disturbances with brain oedema formation.

Brain oedema is an important factor which compromises maintenance of the cerebral blood flow. Conversely, primary blood flow disturbances are leading to brain oedema. The mechanisms underlying blood flow impairment by brain oedema are associated with an increased regional tissue pressure in proportion to the degree of water accumulation in the parenchyma. The release of vasoactive mediator compounds might be considered in addition. Primary disturbances of the cerebral blood flow, such as focal or global cerebral ischaemia are leading to an increased cerebral water content. A decrease of the cerebral blood flow to ca. 40% of normal or below has been found to result in the development of brain oedema. This flow threshold is in the neighbourhood of the ischaemic flow level causing irreversible tissue damage. Whereas in focal ischaemia oedema formation is a function of the severity of the flow decrease, it is a pathophysiological hallmark of early postischaemic recirculation in global cerebral ischaemia. Nevertheless, during complete interruption of cerebral blood flow translocation of interstitial fluid into the intracellular compartment occurs as manifestation of ischaemic cell swelling. Cell swelling under these conditions may, however, not necessarily indicate cell damage, but more likely a compensatory response attributable to the uptake of excitotoxic transmitters such as glutamate, and of K(+)-ions which are excessively released at the onset of ischaemia into the extracellular space. Purpose of the swelling process, thus, is clearance of extracellular fluid from this material to re-establish homeostasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

An in vitro model to study cellular photosensitizer uptake and photodynamic dose-response relationships of tumor cells.

Cellular fluorescence intensity (CFI) after incubation with varying concentrations of the photosensitizer Photofrin and the photodynamically induced dose-response relationships of hamster melanoma cells (A-MEL-3) were studied in a recently developed in vitro model. After administration of Photofrin to the extracellular serum-free medium, CFI was evaluated by flow cytometry together with constantly fluorescing latex particles used as a reference. After 5 min, 50% of maximal CFI was found, and after 60 min CFI was maximal. No further increase was obtained during the exposure to Photofrin over the incubation period of 4 h. During this plateau phase, CFI was significantly related to the concentration of Photofrin in the extracellular medium (r = 0.94; P < 0.001). Subsequent to increasing intervals of Photofrin exposure, cells were irradiated with laser light at 630 nm (40 mW/cm2, 4J). Cell viability as evaluated by trypan blue exclusion was significantly decreased with increasing concentrations of Photofrin in the medium, and significantly correlated with CFI during the plateau phase. After photodynamic treatment (PDT) cell fluorescence was reduced by about 15%. This was neither dose- nor time-dependent. On the basis of these findings we propose that CFI indicates photosensitizer uptake. This is also supported by the relation between CFI and phototoxicity. The latter also suggests that CFI might be useful to predict the PDT in vivo efficacy by this in vitro model. Besides measurements of photosensitizer uptake and cell photoxicity, the model demonstrates an excellent opportunity to study the molecular mechanisms of action associated with PDT.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Swelling and death of neuronal cells by lactic acid.

Lactacidosis occurring in cerebral ischemia or trauma is a major mechanism of cytotoxic brain edema and brain damage. Respective effects of lactacidosis were currently analyzed in vitro by employment of the murine neuronal cell line, Neuro-2A, in order to obtain a better understanding of specific mechanisms underlying cell swelling and cell death in comparison with glial cells. The cells were suspended in a physiological medium in the presence of lactic acid at increasing concentrations. Levels of acidosis reaching from pH 6.8-5.6 were obtained while other parameters, such as osmolarity and electrolyte concentrations, were maintained in the physiological range. Assessment of cell swelling and cell viability using exclusion of propidium iodide was made by flow cytometry with employment of an advanced Coulter system. Swelling of Neuro-2A cells commenced once the pH in the medium was lowered to 6.8 or below. From this level downward, cell swelling was a function of the severity of acidosis and duration of exposure. For example, lactacidosis of pH 6.8 or 5.6 lasting 90 min led to an increase in cell volume to 109.5% or 159.6% of normal, respectively. Viability of the neuronal cells was 85% under control conditions. It remained in this range down to pH 6.2. At pH 5.6, however, cell viability decreased in a time-dependent fashion. At 90 min, only 48.9% of the neuronal cells were viable at pH 5.6. The swelling response and impairment of viability of the neuronal cells was compared with that of C6 glioma cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Glial ion transport and volume control.

K(+)-induced glial swelling results from an intricate interaction of transport and diffusion processes and metabolic stimulation, with many open questions remaining. Our concept of the major mechanisms involved can be summarized as follows: high extracellular K+ causes a burst-like stimulation of Na+/K+ ATPase and, hence, increases the metabolic demands. Lactate is produced; the cell is slightly acidified. To maintain a normal intracellular pH, the Na+/K+ antiporter extrudes protons and supplies Na+ for further Na+/K+ exchange. In addition, K+ ions enter the cell via membrane channels or furosemide-inhibitable transport. K+, Cl-, and lactate- ions accumulate as the osmotic basis for cell swelling. Later, cell volume normalizes slowly, a process involving lactate export and other, so far unidentified mechanisms. Taken together, the temporary swelling of glia at high K+ concentrations is the result of a homeostatic function, for the maintenance of a constant extracellular potassium concentration. Ion control ranges over volume control. In pathophysiologic states the loss of cell volume regulation may become a clinical problem, if cerebral swelling leads to an increase in intracranial pressure. It should be kept in mind, however, that elevation of the extracellular K+ concentration is not the only cause of glial swelling. Tissue acidosis, the release of neurotransmitters, especially glutamate, or free fatty acids are other mediator mechanisms initiating the swelling of glial elements. Only under controlled in vitro conditions can the individual significance of these factors be evaluated on a quantitative basis. Therapeutic approaches should be selected very carefully in order to maintain homeostatic mechanisms that are of utmost importance, especially after an insult to the brain.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1991

[Mediator substances of brain edema in cerebral ischemia].

Brain edema in focal or global cerebral ischemia is associated with formation and release of pathophysiologically active mediator compounds. Therapeutical methods which interfere with mediator compounds under these circumstances might improve specificity of treatment of ischemic brain edema and thereby effectivity. Ischemic brain edema has a vasogenic and cytotoxic component. Extravasation of edema fluid under these conditions can be attributed to ischemic damage of the elements of the blood-brain barrier, the cerebrovascular endothelium. The development of ischemic cell swelling involving nerve- and glial cell processes can not be viewed only as manifestation of cell damage resulting from e.g. energy failure but also as an attempt to maintain or reestablish homeostasis important for cell survival and nerve cell function. The acidosis-induced cell swelling is a case in point. Accumulation of H(+)-ions in the cell causes activation of ion exchange mechanisms to protect or normalize the intracellular pH, respectively. Consequently, Na(+)- and Cl-ions together with water accumulate in the cell as the final process underlying cell swelling. Further, the increased concentrations of glutamate and K(+)-ions found in ischemic brain tissue cause glial cell swelling secondary to an active accumulation of this material together with water in the intracellular compartment in an attempt to normalize the extracellular milieu. A therapeutical inhibition of those mechanisms underlying ischemic cell swelling would prevent reestablishment of the homeostasis and, thereby, enhance secondary tissue damage. A focal brain tissue necrosis, such as an ischemic infarct or traumatic contusion can be utilized to illustrate the pathophysiological significance of the formation and release of mediator compounds of secondary brain damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of lactacidosis on volume and viability of glial cells.

The effect of lactacidosis was analyzed in vitro by employment of C 6 glioma cells and astrocytes from primary culture. The cells were suspended in an incubation chamber under continuous control of pH, temperature and pO2. Cell swelling and viability were quantified by flow cytometry using propidium iodide for staining of dead cells. After a control period, the pH of the suspension medium was titrated to levels between pH 6.8 down to 4.2 by addition of isotonic lactic acid. Acidification below pH 6.8 led to an immediate swelling of C 6 glioma cells as well as of astrocytes. The degree of cell swelling was related to the decrease in pH and the duration of exposure. For instance, lactacidosis of 60 min at pH 6.2 resulted in an increase of glial volume to 124.5 +/- 4.6%, while pH 4.2 in an increase to 190.9 +/- 8.4%. Cell viability remained unchanged down to pH 6.2. At pH 5.6 and below viability decreased in relation to the severity of acidosis. When sulfuric acid was used, the extent of cell swelling at pH 5.6 was only 50% of what was found by addition of lactic acid, whereas cell viability was not differently affected. The results demonstrate a specific efficacy of lactic acid to induce glial swelling, which might be due to a cellular accumulation of the compound.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1990

Effects of lactacidosis on glial cell volume and viability.

Effects of severe lactacidosis were analyzed in vitro by employment of C6 glioma cells and astrocytes from primary culture. The cells were suspended in a physiological medium, which was rendered acidotic by addition of lactic acid in rising concentrations. A pH range of 7.4-4.2 was studied under maintenance of isotonicity and a normal electrolyte concentration of the medium. Cell swelling was quantified by flow cytometry using an advanced Coulter system with hydrodynamic focusing. The method was also utilized for assessment of cell viability by exclusion of the fluorescent dye propidium iodide. The volume of C6 glioma cells was found to increase if the pH was titrated to pH 6.8 or below. From this level downward, the extent of cell swelling depended on the degree of acidosis and the duration of exposure. For example, lactacidosis of pH 6.2 for 60 min led to an increase in cell size to 124.5% of normal, while pH 5.0 or 4.2 led to a cell size of 151.1 or 190.9%, respectively. A comparative analysis of the acidosis-induced cell swelling was made by using sulfuric acid. Swelling of C6 glioma at a given pH was only half of what was found when using lactic acid. This indicates specific swelling-inducing properties of lactic acid, while cell viability was not differently affected by both acids. Of the C6 glioma cells, 89.1% were viable under control conditions at pH 7.4. The viability remained unchanged down to pH 6.2. At pH 5.6, viability remained normal for 30 min, but it decreased to 73.4% after 60 min. Further lowering of pH to 5.0 or 4.6 respectively, decreased the number of viable cells to 47.8 or 40.3%. At pH 4.2 only 21.1% of the cells were surviving 1 h of lactacidosis. Cell swelling from lactacidosis could be largely inhibited by replacement of Na+ and bicarbonate ions in the medium by choline chloride and N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid buffer, suggesting an involvement of the Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- antiporters in the swelling process. Omission of Na+ and bicarbonate was, however, associated with reduced viability of the glial cells in acidosis. The swelling response of astrocytes obtained from primary culture was similar to that of C6 glioma. Lactic acid was also more effective in inducing cell swelling than sulfuric acid at the same level of acidosis. In astrocytes, viability at, e.g., pH 5.6 appeared to be more affected by lactic than by sulfuric acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1990

Molecular mechanisms of glial cell swelling in acidosis.

The mechanism of glial swelling in acidosis were investigated in an in vitro model. C6 glial cells were exposed to pH levels between 7.4 and 6.2. The cell volume response was determined by flow cytometry. Cell swelling of 110% to 115% was observed if pH was reduced to 6.8 or below. This effect was independent of the length of exposure to acidosis. Swelling induced by pH could be attenuated by (a) inhibition of the Na+/H+ antiporter by amiloride, (b) replacement of bicarbonate by HEPES, and (c) inhibition of carbonic anhydrase by acetazolamide. Absence of Na+ ions from the incubation medium completely prevented acidosis-induced glial swelling. Inhibition of the Cl-/HCO3- antiporter reduced swelling only in its first phase. The results suggest that glial swelling in acidosis may be from an activation of anion and cation antiporters as an attempt to maintain a normal intracellular pH. It is concluded that swelling of glial cells in the ischemic penumbra zone evolves along similar mechanisms.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1988

Glial swelling during extracellular acidosis in vitro.

Intracellular and extracellular acidosis may determine the ultimate outcome for brain tissue in cerebral ischemia. An extracellular acidosis that occurs in the penumbra zone was investigated in vitro as to its role in the formation of cytotoxic cell swelling. For that purpose, C6 glioma cells or primary cultured astrocytes were suspended in normal isotonic medium in normoxia during acidification to a final pH of 6.2. The cell volume response was determined by flow cytometry using hydrodynamic focusing, which allows one to recognize changes in cell size of less than 1%. A threshold pH of 6.8 was found that had to be crossed to induce cell swelling by acidosis. Once pH fell below this threshold, the increase in cell size appeared to be an all-or-nothing phenomenon. The cells rapidly assumed a final cell size of 115% of normal in the case of C6 glioma or of 118% in the case of primary cultured astrocytes independent of the actual level of acidosis or the duration of exposure. Acidosis-induced glial swelling could be significantly attenuated by 1) addition of amiloride, 2) administration of acetazolamide, or 3) replacement of bicarbonate buffer against N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). Replacement of extracellular Na+ by choline chloride led to complete prevention of the acidosis-induced cell swelling. Taken together, the findings strongly indicate a central involvement of Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- exchange mechanisms in the development of cell swelling under these conditions. Activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter can be considered an attempt to maintain a normal intracellular pH at the expense of an abnormal cell volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular mechanisms of glial swelling in vitro.

The pathophysiological chain of events occurring during cerebral ischemia is still poorly understood on a molecular level. Therefore, an in vitro model to study glial swelling mechanisms, using C6 glial cells under controlled extracellular conditions, has been established. Flow cytometry serves to determine even small cell volume changes. In this report, the effects of anoxia and acidosis on glial swelling are summarized. Anoxia alone, or in combination with iodoacetate to inhibit anaerobic glycolysis, did not cause an increase of glial volume for up to 2 h. Acidification of the incubation medium below pH 6.8, on the other hand, was immediately followed by cell swelling to 115% of normal. Amiloride or the absence of bicarbonate and Na+ in the medium significantly reduced glial swelling. The data support the contention that swelling results from an activation of the Na+/H+-antiporter to control intracellular pH. It is suggested that swelling in an ischemic penumbra is promoted by this mechanism. Therapeutic approaches to control cerebral pH might be useful to protect brain tissue in cerebral ischemia.

Acidosis↗