Biomedical subjects

G E Isom

Publications and source records attributed to G E Isom.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Cyanide-induced generation of oxidative species: involvement of nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2.

In cerebellar granule cells, potassium cyanide (KCN) activates the NMDA receptor resulting in generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). To study the mechanism by which KCN stimulates ROS generation, the action of cyanide on the enzymatic pathways known to generate ROS were studied. The oxidant-sensitive fluorescent dye, 2,7-dichlorofluorescin was used to measure intracellular levels of nitric oxide and ROS in cerebellar granule cells. Using selective enzyme inhibitors, it was shown that both protein kinase C and phospholipase A2 are involved in KCN-stimulated generation of NO and ROS. In cells treated with indomethacin or nordihydroguairetic acid, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) respectively, attenuated (approximately 35%) KCN-induced generation of oxidant species. When L-NAME (LG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NOS) was combined with either indomethacin or nordihydroguairetic acid, generation of oxidant species was blocked by more than 80%. Pretreatment with NS398 (COX-2 inhibitor) significantly decreased ROS generation indicating the involvement of COX-2 in KCN-induced oxidant generation. Treatment with L-NAME + NS398 blocked oxidant species generation, reflecting involvement of NOS. The participation of cytochrome P450 was not evident because SKF525A did not significantly reduce KCN-induced ROS generation. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between oxidant generation and lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes (as determined by thiobarbituric acid levels). Pretreatment with inhibitors of protein kinase C, phospholipase A2 or COX, LOX, COX-2 partially blocked KCN-induced formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, whereas coincubation of L-NAME with the inhibitors decreased lipid peroxidation by 60 to 90%. In cytotoxicity studies, KCN-induced cell death was partially blocked by the inhibitors and significant protection was observed when L-NAME was combined with these compounds. These findings show that activation of phospholipase A2 and subsequent metabolism of arachidonic acid by the COX-2 and LOX pathways and NOS contribute to cyanide-induced ROS production.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Reactive oxygen species generated by cyanide mediate toxicity in rat pheochromocytoma cells.

Peroxide formation has been implicated in impairment of motor function by cyanide which occurs in both animals and man. The present study employs the neuronal model, rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells to evaluate peroxidation as a toxic mechanism of cyanide. Confocal imaging shows that peroxides form within a few seconds in cell cytoplasm after cyanide exposure and continue to accumulate over a period of several minutes. Peroxide generation by cyanide is decreased to about 50% by phospholipase A2 inhibitors indicating involvement of arachidonic acid in the oxidative process. Also antioxidant defense enzymes (CuZn superoxide dismutase and especially catalase) in PC12 cells are inhibited by cyanide. It appears that peroxide accumulation after cyanide treatment involves both inhibition of breakdown and increased production. Furthermore, both peroxide accumulation and cell death induced by cyanide in PC12 cells are blocked by an antioxidant (ascorbate). These data support the hypothesis that the cytotoxic action of cyanide is related in part to an oxidative process.

Amitrole↗

PubMed1997

Hydrogen cyanide generation by mu-opiate receptor activation: possible neuromodulatory role of endogenous cyanide.

Hydrogen cyanide, a gaseous molecule, is produced by white blood cells during phagocytosis. The present study examined the possibility that neuronal-like cells may also produce cyanide following activation. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells exhibited a low level of cyanide generation that was significantly increased by mu-opiate agonists (hydromorphone, morphine) and blocked by naloxone. A variety of other agonists including bradykinin, nicotine and glutamate did not generate cyanide in PC12 cells. Systemic administration of hydromorphone to rats increased brain cyanide levels by 61% after 15 min. Using microdialysis probes implanted in the cortical-hippocampal areas of the anesthetized rat or in the hypothalamus of the conscious hamster, a 2- to 5-fold increase in cyanide generation was seen after hydromorphone administration and this increase was blocked by naloxone. To determine whether cyanide release by hydromorphone has functional significance in a neuronal system, cyanide enhancement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced increased [Ca2+]i was measured in rat cerebellar granule cells. Hydromorphone enhanced the response to NMDA similar to cyanide and the hydromorphone effect was blocked by cyanide scavengers. These data show that cyanide generation is increased in neuronal tissue by a mu-opiate receptor agonist and it is proposed that endogenous cyanide may modulate the NMDA receptor response.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed1997

Modulation of the NMDA receptor by cyanide: enhancement of receptor-mediated responses.

The effect of cyanide on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated increase in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca++]i) was studied by microfluorescence in fura-2-loaded cerebellar granule cells. The response to NMDA was enhanced by NaCN over a concentration range of 20 to 100 microM. These concentrations of NaCN in the absence of NMDA had no effect on basal [Ca++]i. In comparison, NaCN did not affect K+-depolarization-induced [Ca++]i elevation. The NaCN potentiation of NMDA-evoked [Ca++]i elevation was blocked by addition of Mg++ and by the NMDA receptor antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphono-valeric acid and (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohept-5,10-imine maleate. Pretreatment of the cells with pregnenolone sulfate or arachidonate, known modulators of the NMDA receptor, enhanced NaCN action. The voltage-sensitive calcium channel blockers nifedepine and diltiazem did not affect the NaCN-induced potentiation. Additionally, the NaCN action was not altered when tetrodotoxin was used to block Na+ channel-mediated glutamate release. In patch-clamp studies, NaCN increased the amplitude and duration of NMDA-stimulated whole-cell currents. NaCN also enhanced the NMDA receptor response in single-channel patch-clamp experiments. In the outside-out patch recording configuration, NaCN increased the NMDA receptor channel opening frequency without affecting single-channel conductance or mean channel open time. These results indicate that cyanide interacts directly with the NMDA receptor channel complex to enhance receptor-mediated responses.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

PubMed1997

2-Iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid produces hippocampal CA1 lesions independent of seizure excitation and glutamate receptor activation.

We previously demonstrated that 2-iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (2-ICA), formed by cyanide reacting with cysteine, caused glutamate antagonist-sensitive seizures when injected i.c.v. (intracerebroventricular) in mice and produced hippocampal CA1 damage following i.c.v. infusion in rats. In this study, the ability of either 2-ICA, glutamate, proline or NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) injected i.c.v. to produce hippocampal lesions sensitive to glutamate antagonists was compared in mice. Hippocampal CA1 damage was observed 5-days following either a seizure (3.2 mumol) or subseizure (1.0 mumol) dose of 2-ICA. Glutamate (3.2 mumol) or proline (10 mumol) also produced hippocampal damage; glutamate damage was primarily to the CA1 subfield, whereas proline damaged neurons throughout the entire hippocampal formation. NMDA (3.2 nmol) caused seizure activity in all animals with a 50% lethality. No hippocampal damage was observed in surviving mice. Neither MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate) nor CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione) pretreatment prevented hippocampal lesions produced by 2-ICA. In contrast, MK-801 significantly reduced the frequency of mice displaying glutamate hippocampal lesions, but failed to block seizures produced by glutamate. MK-801 also protected neurons in the CA2-3 zone and the dentate gyrus, but not in the CA1 region of proline-injected mice. Finally, pretreatment with the mixed metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)1/mGluR2 antagonist-agonist (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) prevented hippocampal damage produced by the mGluR1 agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), but did not protect against 2-ICA hippocampal lesions. These results show that 2-ICA hippocampal CA1 damage is not mediated through ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptors. 2-ICA hippocampal damage may represent a neurotoxicity that is distinct from excitotoxic-mediated cell death.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

PubMed1996

Cyanide-stimulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation: an intracellular neurotoxic signaling cascade.

Cyanide-induced neurotoxicity is associated with altered cellular Ca2+ homeostasis resulting in sustained elevation of cytosolic Ca2+. In order to characterize the effect of cyanide on intracellular signaling mechanisms, the interaction of KCN with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate Ca2+ signaling system was determined in the PC12 cell line. KCN in the concentration range of 1.0-100 microM produced a rapid rise in intracellular IP3 levels (peak level occurred within 60 sec); 10 microM KCN elevated intracellular levels of IP3 to 148% of control levels. This response was mediated by phospholipase C (PLC) since U73122, a specific PLC inhibitor, blocked the response. Removal of Ca2+ from the incubation medium and chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA partially attenuate the cyanide-stimulated IP3 generation, showing that the response is partially Ca2+ dependent. Also, treatment of cells with nifedipine or LaCl3, Ca2+ channel blockers, partially blocked the generation of IP3. This study shows that cyanide in concentrations as low as 1 microM stimulates IP3 generation that may be mediated by receptor and nonreceptor IP3 production since they have differential dependence on Ca2+. It is proposed that this response is an early intracellular signaling action that can contribute to altered Ca2+ homeostasis characteristic of cyanide neurotoxicity.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Cyanide-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in differentiated PC12 cells.

Terminally differentiated PC12 cells are a useful neuron-like model for studying programmed cell death in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. This in vitro model was used to investigate the mechanism by which cyanide-induced histotoxic hypoxia produces neuronal degeneration. Treatment of undifferentiated PC12 cells with 0.1 mM KCN for 24 h did not produce cell death. In contrast, treatment of differentiated PC12 cell cultures with 0.1 mM KCN for 24 h increased cell death by 43% when compared with control cultures, as measured by trypan blue dye exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. The Ca2+/Mg(2+)-dependent endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid and the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D partially attenuated hypoxic toxicity, suggesting roles for endonuclease activation and transcription in this model of neuronal death. Extracted DNA from cyanide-treated neurons demonstrated cleavage into oligonucleosomal fragments on gel electrophoresis. Transmission electron microscopic analysis showed morphological changes consistent with apoptotic cell death, including membrane blebbing and convolution, as well as chromatin condensation and margination to the nuclear membrane. Addition of either ascorbate or catalase to the cultures partially attenuated the loss of cell viability induced by cyanide, and decreased the incidence of apoptotic cells after treatment, based on the in situ detection of DNA strand breaks. The ability of cyanide to elevate intracellular oxidant species was determined by microfluorescence in differentiated PC12 cells loaded with the oxidant-sensitive dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin. Exposure of cells to 0.1 mM KCN produced a rapid generation of oxidants that was blocked approximately 50% by ascorbate or catalase. These observations indicate that cyanide induces apoptosis in terminally differentiated, and not undifferentiated, PC12 cells, and that antioxidants significantly reduce the incidence of cyanide-induced apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Cyanide-induced neurotoxicity involves nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species generation after N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation.

To study oxidative mechanisms in cyanide toxicity, cyanide-induced generation of intracellular oxidant species was determined by microfluorescence in cerebellar granule cells loaded with the oxidant-sensitive fluorescence dye 2,7-dichlorofluorescin. KCN produced a concentration-dependent (25-200 microM) generation of intracellular oxidant species that was blocked by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists (MK-801 or AP5) or by removal of extracellular Ca++ from the incubation medium. To determine the relative contribution of NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to the increase of cellular fluorescence after KCN, a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, a NO scavenger and enzymes that metabolize ROS were added to the incubation medium. Interference with the nitric oxide system (reduced hemoglobin as a NO scavenger or [N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME] reduced fluorescence by 50%). Addition of enzymes that metabolize peroxide (catalase or superoxide dismutase [SOD]) also reduced fluorescence by nearly 50%. Combination of SOD with hemoglobin or L-NAME provided additional attenuation of the fluorescence and it was concluded that both NO and ROS are generated concurrently after KCN. Furthermore a correlation was observed between NO and ROS formation and levels of malonaldehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation. Pretreatment with MK-801 blocked KCN-induced MDA formation, whereas L-NAME partially diminished MDA production. Treatment with a combination of SOD/catalase and L-NAME blocked the KCN-induced lipid peroxidation. In cytotoxicity studies cyanide-induced cell death was blocked by MK-801, whereas partial attenuation was produced by L-NAME; SOD/catalase treatments did not protect the cells. However, significant protection from cyanide-induced cytotoxicity was observed when L-NAME was combined with SOD/catalase. It is concluded that cyanide activates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to simultaneously generate both NO and ROS, which may lead to formation of the cytotoxic peroxynitrite anion.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Antagonism of cyanide toxicity by isosorbide dinitrate: possible role of nitric oxide.

In a search for improved cyanide antidotes, the efficacy of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), was compared with that of the known cyanide antidote, NaNO2. ISDN was as effective as an optimal dose of NaNO2 in protecting mice against cyanide lethality. To study the mechanism involved, the extent of formation of the cyanide scavenger, methemoglobin, in the action of ISDN was determined. ISDN (300 mg/kg, p.o.) increased methemoglobin from 5 to 10% of total hemoglobin, while, in contrast, NaNO2 (100 mg/kg, i.p.) increased methemoglobin levels to 50% of total hemoglobin. Lowering the dose of NaNO2 to 30 mg/kg reduced methemoglobin levels to approximately 10% of total hemoglobin and in turn nearly abolished its antidotal effect. Decreasing methemoglobin to less than control levels using methylene blue failed to abolish cyanide antagonism by ISDN. Thus, methemoglobin formation by ISDN does not account for its antidotal action. Further studies comparing the respiratory depressant effects of cyanide in the presence of ISDN or NaNO2 also indicated that these two antidotes have different mechanisms of action. Efforts to produce tolerance to the antidotal effect of ISDN against cyanide toxicity were unsuccessful. It is suggested that the well-known ability of ISDN to generate nitric oxide may account for the noted cyanide antagonism.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1995

Role of intracellular Cd2+ in catecholamine release and lethality in PC12 cells.

To evaluate the role of intracellular Cd2+ in catecholamine release and lethality in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells the following results were obtained: [1] the presence of Cd2+ intracellularly was demonstrated with the Cd(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye BTC-5N, [2] Cd2+ entry through Ca(2+)-channels was either blocked with nifedipine or diltiazem or increased with Bay K8644, [3] Cd2+ entry through voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels was related to dopamine release and cell lethality, [4] a calmodulin inhibitor protected against Cd2+ toxicity, and [5] extracellular Ca2+ concentration, altered prior to Cd2+ exposure, was inversely related to dopamine release by Cd2+. The data indicate intracellular effects of Cd2+ rather than cell surface actions are primarily involved in neurotransmitter release and lethality by toxic levels of Cd2+ in adrenomedullary cells. To evaluate the role of intracellular Cd2+ in catecholamine release and lethality in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells the following results were obtained: [1] the presence of Cd2+ intracellularly was demonstrated with the Cd(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye BTC-5N, [2] Cd2+ entry through Ca(2+)-channels was either blocked with nifedipine or diltiazem or increased with Bay K8644, [3] Cd2+ entry through voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels was related to dopamine release and cell lethality, [4] a calmodulin inhibitor protected against Cd2+ toxicity, and [5] extracellular Ca2+ concentration, altered prior to Cd2+ exposure, was inversely related to dopamine release by Cd2+. The data indicate intracellular effects of Cd2+ rather than cell surface actions are primarily involved in neurotransmitter release and lethality by toxic levels of Cd2+ in adrenomedullary cells.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

PubMed1995

Neuroprotective effects of PKC inhibition against chemical hypoxia.

The effect of potassium cyanide-induced chemical hypoxia on protein kinase C (PKC) translocation and cell injury was studied in differentiated PC12 cells. The cellular distribution of PKC in control cells and cells exposed to 100 microM and 1 mM KCN for 30 min. was visualized by use of an anti-PKC antibody and confocal laser scanning microscope. In control differentiated PC12 cells, PKC was localized perinuclearly, while following 12-phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA) or KCN it was translocated to the plasma and organelle membranes. Western blot analysis was used to quantify the translocation. Chemical hypoxia increased the membrane-bound PKC to 210% of control levels, while chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor, and block of calcium influx into the cells (with calcium channel blocker and calcium-free medium) prevented this effect. Cyanide-induced PKC translocation persisted for at least 120 min. Cell injury was monitored by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux from the cells 24 hr after addition of cyanide. PKC activation plays a role in hypoxic damage, since PKC down-regulation (by overnight exposure to PMA) or inhibition (with chelerythrine or staurosporine) conferred protection against KCN-induced cytotoxicity. Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine also protected against chemical hypoxia. None of the pretreatments rendered complete protection against cyanide-induced hypoxia, indicating that PKC-independent mechanism(s) are also activated during chemical hypoxia and contribute to cell injury.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1995

Excitotoxins, aging, and environmental neurotoxins: implications for understanding human neurodegenerative diseases.

We are an aging society and current demographic trends point to a likely increase in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The aged population may have a number of unique risk factors that result in a predisposition to neuronal damage from environmental neurotoxins. This symposium addressed the involvement of excitatory amino acids as final common mediators of neuronal death associated with various types of neurotoxic insult. The roles of oxidative stress, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and disruption of calcium homeostasis were discussed in relation to excitoxicity and several experimental models of human neurodegenerative diseases. The neurotoxic actions of kainic acid, 3-nitropropionic acid, cyanide, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, and methamphetamine were examined for their relevance as models of human neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanisms of action of excitotoxins in experimental models of Huntingtons's disease and Parkinson's disease were explored in light of the enhanced susceptibility and potential vulnerability of the aged nervous system to neurotoxins that perturb cellular metabolism and homeostatic processes. Bioenergetic defects and oxidative stress were found to be critical links in a neurotoxic cascade of events that trigger the sustained release of excitotoxic amino acids. The interrelationships among the aging process, the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, and the mechanism of action of various neurotoxins were addressed from the unifying perspective of the excitotoxic hypothesis of neuronal death.

Aging↗

PubMed1995

Inhibition of potassium-stimulated dopamine release by the nitric oxide generator isosorbide dinitrate.

In PC12 cells, isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) and S-nitrosol-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), both nitric oxide (NO) generators, attenuated K+ (56 mM)-stimulated release of dopamine. The attenuation was not observed with isosorbide, an ISDN analog lacking NO generating capacity. In this model, A23187 (Ca2+ ionophore), Bay K8644 (Ca2+ slow channel agonist) and veratridine (Na+ channel agonist) stimulated dopamine release. Treatment with ISDN enhanced Bay K8644 and veratridine-evoked dopamine release, while ISDN had no significant effect on the A23187 response. Incubation with 8-bromo-cGMP (membrane permeable cGMP analog) had no effect on basal or stimulated dopamine release in these cells, suggesting NO's response was not mediated by cGMP. In additional studies, K+ (56 mM), Bay K8644 and veratridine elevated cytosolic free calcium levels ([Ca2+]i). ISDN reduced K(+)-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i, but enhanced the increases of [Ca2+]i induced by Bay K8644 or veratridine. These results suggest NO interacts with K(+)-induced membrane depolarization (possibly by inhibiting membrane conductance to K+) to attenuate Ca2+ influx and Ca(2+)-mediated dopamine secretion stimulated by K+.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

PubMed1995

Modification of cyanide toxicodynamics: mechanistic based antidote development.

Cyanide's actions are complex and cannot be attributed solely to inhibition of oxygen utilization. Recent mechanistic studies show that cyanide inhibits multiple enzymes and alters several vital intracellular processes to produce the intoxication syndrome. By understanding the intracellular targets and the mechanisms underlying the toxicity, it is proposed that more effective antidotal regimens can be achieved. A mechanistic based, multi-step in vitro model was developed for screening potential cyanide antidotes. A series of compounds was screened for their ability to reverse the effect of cyanide on six neurochemical markers in the PC12 cell line (neuronal cell model). Each compound was assigned a composite score based on the six assays; several compounds were identified which then exhibited efficacy in animal testing. Additional mechanistic based studies show that antioxidants and nitric oxide generators have promise as anti-cyanide agents. It is concluded that mechanistic based antidote design can be used to identify new compounds for testing in animal models.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

NMDA receptor activation produces concurrent generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species: implication for cell death.

The ability of glutamate to stimulate generation of intracellular oxidant species was determined by microfluorescence in cerebellar granule cells loaded with the oxidant-sensitive fluorescent dye 2,7-dichlorofluorescin (DCF). Exposure of cells to glutamate (10 microM) produced a rapid generation of oxidants that was blocked approximately 70% by MK-801 (a noncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonist). To determine if nitric oxide (NO) or reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributed to the oxidation of DCF, cells were treated with compounds that altered their generation. NO production was inhibited with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) and reduced hemoglobin (NO scavenger). Alternatively, cells were incubated with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, which selectively metabolize O2-. and H2O2. Concurrent inhibition of O2-. and NO production nearly abolished intracellular oxidant generation. Pretreatment of cells with either chelerythrine (1 microM, protein kinase C inhibitor) or quinacrine (5 microM, phospholipase A2 inhibitor) before addition of glutamate also blocked oxidation of DCF. Generation of oxidants by glutamate was significantly reduced by incubating the cells of Ca(2+)-free buffer. In cytotoxicity studies, a positive correlation was observed between glutamate-induced death and oxidant generation. Glutamate-induced cytotoxicity was blocked by MK-801 and attenuated by treatment with L-NAME, chelerythrine, SOD, or quinacrine. It is concluded that glutamate induces concurrent generation of NO and ROS by activation of both NMDA receptors and non-NMDA receptors through a Ca(2+)-mediated process. Activation of NO synthase and phospholipase A2 contribute significantly to this response. It is proposed that simultaneous generation of NO and ROS results in formation of peroxynitrite, which initiates the cellular damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Activation of protein kinase C by trimethyltin: relevance to neurotoxicity.

The differentiated PC12 cell neuronal model was used to determine the effect of trimethyltin (TMT) on protein kinase C (PKC). Cells treated with 5-20 microM TMT showed a partial and sustained PKC translocation within 30 min and persisted over a 24-h period. TMT treatment was accompanied by a low level of PKC down-regulation over 24 h, which was small compared with that produced by phorbol esters. Confocal imaging of differentiated PC12 cells showed that PKC translocates to the plasma membrane and the translocation is blocked by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (1 microM). Phorbol myristate-induced PKC down-regulation or inhibition with chelerythrine provided protection against TMT-induced cytotoxicity. It was concluded that TMT-induced PKC translocation and activation contribute to the cytotoxicity of TMT in differentiated PC12 cells.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1995

Seizures and selective CA-1 hippocampal lesions induced by an excitotoxic cyanide metabolite, 2-iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid.

Excitatory amino acid (EAA)-like and excitotoxic properties of the secondary metabolite of cyanide, 2-iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, (2-ICA) were evaluated because of its possible role in cyanide-induced neurotoxicity. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of 2-ICA in mice produced wild-running seizures that were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to seizures observed with glutamate. 2-ICA, kainate and proline seizures were prevented by both the NMDA and non-NMDA antagonists, MK-801 and CNQX, respectively. In contrast, NMDA-induced seizures were prevented by MK-801, but not CNQX. When infused i.c.v. in rats over a seven day period, 2-ICA produced extensive and selective loss of CA-1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. In hippocampal slices preloaded with D-[3H]aspartate, 2-ICA superfusion did not evoke release nor significantly augment potassium stimulated release of the radiolabeled transmitter. These findings indicate 2-ICA has excitotoxic properties and its role in cyanide neurotoxicity deserves further study.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

PubMed1994

Cyanide-induced lipid peroxidation in different organs: subcellular distribution and hydroperoxide generation in neuronal cells.

To evaluate hydroperoxide generation as a potential mechanism of cyanide neurotoxicity, mice were treated with KCN (7 mg/kg, subcutaneously (s.c.)) and the level of lipid peroxidation (expressed as conjugated dienes) was measured later in various organs. Brain showed elevated conjugated diene levels after cyanide but the liver, which is not considered a target for cyanide toxicity, showed no increase. The heart also showed no increase, whereas kidney conjugated dienes slowly increased to a peak 1 h after cyanide. In vitro studies show elevation of peroxidized lipids in mouse brain cortical slices following incubation with KCN (0.1 mM). Omission of calcium from the medium or pretreatment of brain slices with diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker) prevented formation of conjugated dienes by KCN. Calcium thus appears to play a critical role in cyanide-induced generation of peroxidized lipids in neuronal cells. Subcellular fractionation of brains from mice treated with cyanide showed that lipid peroxidation increased in the microsomal fraction but not in the mitochondrial fraction. Fluorescent studies using 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (a hydroperoxide sensitive fluorescent dye) show that hydroperoxides are generated rapidly after cyanide treatment of PC12 cells, a neuron-like cell, and hydroperoxide levels remain elevated for many minutes in the presence of cyanide. These results suggest that hydroperoxide generation with subsequent peroxidation of lipids may lead to changes in structure and function of certain membranes and contribute to the neurotoxic damage produced by cyanide.

Analysis of Variance↗