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Biomedical subjects

H Blum

Publications and source records attributed to H Blum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Isolated cardiomyocytes in conjunction with NMR spectroscopy techniques to study metabolism and ion flux.

To distinguish cellular from vascular responses to physiological and pathophysiological stimuli, we developed methods to perform NMR spectroscopy on isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. Isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes, placed in agarose beads and superfused with phosphate-free buffer (Media 199 (GIBCO 400-1100) gassed with 95% O2, 5% CO2), were used to evaluate a variety of cellular processes during different pharmacological and physiological interventions. Bioenergetic function was monitored with 31P NMR. Intermediary metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and glycolysis were monitored with 13C NMR. Sodium flux was monitored with 23Na NMR. Calcium flux was monitored with 19F NMR in conjunction with an intracellular calcium-chelating agent, 5F-1,2-bis(2-amino-phenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. Creatine kinase kinetics (forward rate constant (Kf) and flux of phosphocreatine to ATP) were estimated with 31P NMR saturation transfer data. Various combinations of NMR parameters were monitored simultaneously so that the interaction of metabolism and ion flux could be evaluated. We have demonstrated that it is possible to simultaneously monitor a variety of cellular processes in intact heart cells in real time, without the confounding influences of perfusion, contractile function, and extrinsic blood-borne neurohumoral agents. This model will be useful for longitudinal studies of myocyte metabolism and ion flux.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1991

Coupled in vivo activity of creatine phosphokinase and the membrane-bound (Na+,K+)-ATPase in the resting and stimulated electric organ of the electric fish Narcine brasiliensis.

Physiological control of the plasma membrane sodium pump, (Na+,K+)-ATPase, is essential for proper function of eukaryotic cells. In the electric organ of the elasmobranch Narcine brasiliensis, the normal demands placed upon the pump during the process of generation of electrical currents call for large and rapid changes in activity of this enzyme, making this a good model for the study of its cellular regulation. 31P NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to study metabolic regulation of membrane pump function in resting and stimulated electric organ and in skeletal muscle of the live, intact N. brasiliensis. Because the ATP synthetic abilities of the electric organ by glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation are extremely limited, depletion of phosphocreatinine (PCr) could be used to determine the activity of the (Na+,K+)-ATPase after the electric organ was stimulated to discharge, and to measure the net flux from PCr to ATP through the creatine phosphokinase (CPK) reaction in the electric organ. Saturation transfer, an NMR technique which measures exchange rates, was applied to determine the unidirectional flux in the forward direction through the same reaction in the electric organ and in skeletal muscle as a control. The pseudo first-order rate constant kf for the CPK reaction at 24 degrees C in resting electric organ was 0.000 +/- 0.002 s-1 (n = 10) and in skeletal muscle was 0.08 +/- 0.03 s-1 (n = 3). The results demonstrate that in resting electric organ, which is well supplied with CPK, there was no measurable flux through this reaction, although CPK when extracted is highly active. Measured and calculated levels of all substrates for the creatine kinase reaction in the electric organ are similar to those in unstimulated skeletal muscle, where the creatine phosphokinase reaction rates are high in vivo. In contrast to the resting electric organ, during stimulation of the electric organ the measured net rate constant was greater than 0.08 s-1. In addition, as shown by lack of PCr depletion, there was virtually no net turnover of ATP in the resting organ compared to the stimulated organ. The marked difference in the (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity in the resting and activated electric organ confirmed earlier results (Blum, H., Nioka, S., and Johnson, R. G., Jr. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 87, 1247-1251). Together, these results suggest that there is a novel method of coordinate regulation of cellular enzymes of great sensitivity and rapidity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1991

Sodium flux and bioenergetics in the ischemic rat liver.

Concurrent 23Na and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been employed to study the effects of ischemia upon the high-energy phosphagens and sodium ion concentration within the in vivo rat liver. High-energy phosphates in the form of ATP were depleted within 10 min of the onset of ischemia when measured by NMR. However, similar liver samples subjected to analytical biochemistry retained 27 +/- 12% of their ATP after a similar 10-min ischemic insult. Time-dependent 23Na NMR measurements, obtained in the presence of the shift reagent Dy(TTHA) to distinguish intracellular from extracellular sodium, revealed a rapid rise in the intracellular sodium when the liver was made ischemic. Intracellular and extracellular sodium concentrations approached equilibrium with an exponential time constant of 14.7 +/- 7 min. The initial rate of sodium influx was calculated to be 1.50 meq.l-1.min-1. The results indicate that the ischemic liver has a high passive sodium permeability and that NMR detectable 31P signals reflect the actual availability of cytosolic high-energy phosphates to enzymes, in this instance the membrane-bound [Na+, K+]-ATPase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1991

In vivo mechanisms of myocardial functional stability during physiological interventions.

Metabolic regulatory mechanisms are designed to maintain stable myocardial function during extremes in physiological insult; they can now be studied in vivo and may provide insight into mechanisms of altered myocardial functional decompensation during disease processes. To determine mechanisms of myocardial stability during hypoxia and acute pressure loading, creatine kinase (CK) kinetics (forward rate constant, Kf, and flux of phosphocreatine, PCr, to adenosine triphosphate, ATP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) redox state were determined with 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and NADH fluorometry, respectively, and correlated with heart work (heart rate x systolic blood pressure, HR x SBP), cardiac output (CO) and O2 consumption (MVO2) in 15 anesthetized open chest dogs. Hypoxia (PaO2 of 30-35 mm Hg) was produced in 6 dogs with an inspired O2/N2 of 200/3,000. Cardiac loading was produced in 9 dogs by administration of norepinephrine (NE, 1 micrograms/kg/min). Each dog acted as its own control. Baseline NADH fluorometry, 31P-NMR saturation transfer and cardiac function measurements were performed simultaneously in each dog, after which the experimental interventions were made. Similar increases in HR x SBP, CO, and MVO2 which occurred during both interventions were associated with different bioenergetic responses. During NE infusion, the Kf of CK increased from control; during hypoxia, the Kf decreased from control (p less than 0.05). Flux of PCr----ATP was significantly lower during hypoxia than during NE infusion (p less than 0.05). PCr was decreased significantly during NE infusion (p less than 0.05). In addition, NADH redox state increased (from baseline of 100%) during hypoxia (140 +/- 10%) and decreased during NE infusion (78 +/- 6%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Activation of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase in Narcine brasiliensis.

The in vivo activation and turnover rates of the sodium pump (Na+, K(+)-ATPase) were investigated in the electrocytes of the electric organ of the elasmobranch Narcine brasiliensis. The Narcine electric organ appears to be an excellent model for the study of sodium pump activation in an excitable tissue. The sodium transmembrane gradient and high-energy phosphagens were concurrently measured by 23Na and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The resting electric organ, which depends primarily on anaerobic metabolism, displays a high concentration of phosphocreatine (PCr). It has an intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) of 20 +/- 10 milliequivalents/liter as estimated by NMR. Electrical stimulation of the nerves innervating the electric organ results in an increase in [Na+]i in the electrolyte and rapid depletion of PCr. Ouabain causes an 85% decrease in utilization of high-energy phosphagens, indicating that rapid PCr turnover in this tissue is mainly due to Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. From these data we can determine that the rate of sodium pump turnover increases by greater than 3 orders of magnitude within several hundred milliseconds. In excised unstimulated electric organ slices, changes in [Na+]i equivalent to those occurring with stimulation, but induced by hyperosmolar conditions, do not result in increased PCr hydrolysis. We conclude that cholinergic stimulation of the electric organ causes a rapid and extremely large increase in sodium pump turnover, which is regulated predominantly by factors other than [Na+]i.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The expression of the TMV-specific 30-kDa protein in tobacco protoplasts is strongly and selectively enhanced by actinomycin.

The TMV-encoded 30-kDa protein has been implicated in the cell-to-cell transport of TMV in the infected plant. The polyethylene glycol-mediated inoculation of tobacco protoplasts with TMV particles and TMV RNA was used to compare the time courses of the viral 30-kDa protein synthesis in vivo. Upon infection of protoplasts with TMV RNA, the synthesis of the viral 30-kDa protein starts after 4 to 6 hr, has its maximum after 8 to 10 hr, and decreases. After inoculation of protoplasts with TMV, however, the start of the viral 30-kDa protein synthesis and its maximum are delayed by 2 hr, followed by the same decrease. We show that actinomycin D dramatically stimulates the synthesis of the 30-kDa protein by up to 2 orders of magnitude, whereas the synthesis of the viral 126 kDa, the 183 kDa, and the coat protein is increased only by a factor of 2. Surprisingly, actinomycin V is twice as active as actinomycin D, whereas actinomycin I is nearly inactive. The specific stimulation of the 30-kDa synthesis by actinomycin D in vivo depends neither on the Nicotiana variety nor on the TMV strain used. Final evidence that the 30-kDa protein is truly TMV-derived is provided by the slightly different electrophoretic mobilities of the 30-kDa proteins encoded by TMV strains vulgare, dahlemense, and U2. The identification of the 30-kDa protein in two-dimensional gels was achieved for the first time by a combination of ionic and nonionic detergents for the solubilization of the 30-kDa protein and by the specific stimulation of its synthesis by actinomycin D. The mechanism of the strong and selective actinomycin effect on the viral 30-kDa protein synthesis in vivo is as yet obscure. Actinomycin does not appear to act directly on viral protein biosynthesis, since it neither stimulates the 30-kDa synthesis upon translation of TMV RNA in vitro nor alters the ratio of the products. Actinomycin may rather act by inhibiting selectively the synthesis of a host factor whose synthesis starts at least 4 hr after TMV infection and which strongly inhibits the expression of the viral 30-kDa transport protein.

Capsid Proteins↗
PubMed1989

Rat liver metabolism in hemorrhagic traumatic shock.

Rats were bled to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg until the onset of decompensatory shock (marked by the need to return some blood in order to maintain the blood pressure) at which time all the shed blood was returned. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of their livers were collected during the shock and a subsequent 60 min recovery period. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels fell linearly with time, in some instances to zero during shock. ATP recovery was very rapid after return of shed blood but did not return to its preshock values. Levels of ATP remained stable during the 60 min of recovery. From the rapid recovery after total depletion of ATP in this study and in other NMR studies on perfused ischemic livers, as well as the discrepancy in residual levels of ATP during shock and ischemia as measured by in vivo NMR or by extraction techniques, we argue in favor of metabolically inaccessible pools of adenine nucleotides during these hepatic stresses.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1989

[An unusual slow course of systemic vasculitis with multiorgan involvement].

This paper reports on an unusually slowly progressing course seen in systemic vasculitis of the median and smaller arteries and small veins associated with dermatomyositis, chronically active hepatitis, glomerulonephritis of the immune complex and restrictive cardiomyopathy in a 35-year-old patient. The authors discuss the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis and in finding the exact classification of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Intracellular sodium flux and high-energy phosphorus metabolites in ischemic skeletal muscle.

We have employed concurrent 31P- and 23Na-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in conjunction with the paramagnetic shift reagents dysprosium-chelated tripolyphosphate and triethylenetetramine-hexa-acetic acid to observe the intracellular sodium and phosphorus signals in rat leg muscle. With induced ischemia in the leg, we find slowly falling phosphorylation potential. At a critical value of, associated with energetic failure of the Na+-K+ antiport, the intracellular sodium signal begins to increase. We find the following critical values: log, 3.12 +/- 0.32; pH, 6.86 +/- 0.13; Na+ influx with and without ouabain, 5.1 +/- 4.3 and 4.0 +/- 1.3 mol.l-1.h-1, respectively.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1988

Metabolic and ionic changes in muscle during hemorrhagic shock.

We have employed concurrent noninvasive 31P and 23Na NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with the paramagnetic shift reagent dysprosium triethylenetetramine hexaacetic acid to observe the intracellular sodium and phosphorus signals in rat leg muscle. Male Wistar rats were bled to a mean arterial blood pressure of 40 mm Hg and were maintained at that pressure. Until decompensatory shock was reached, no increase in intracellular sodium (Nai) was found. Although the high energy storage metabolite phosphocreatine fell with time during shock, ATP did not decrease until decompensation. When the phosphorylation ratio, PR = [ATP]/[ADP][Pi], fell below log(PR) = 3.21 +/- .42, Nai increase commenced at a rate of 7.97 +/- 0.60 meq/l/hr. This corresponds to a two-fold increase in Na permeability compared to normal muscle. A calculation of the free energy available from hydrolysis of ATP at the above value of PR yields -11.7 kcal/mol which is essentially equal to the value of 11.8 kcal/mol which we calculate is needed to run the Na+-K+ antiport through one cycle under normal physiologic conditions.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1987

In vivo noninvasive observation of acute mesenteric ischemia in rats.

Acute intestinal ischemia remains a catastrophic event even with the advent of modern diagnostic and vascular surgical techniques. An early noninvasive test would be valuable since early operation yields better survival rates. We have used an in vivo rat model to study acute intestinal ischemia after occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). 31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a noninvasive nondestructive technique, can detect the phosphorus metabolites most likely to be altered in ischemia: adenosine triphosphate, phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi) and phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters. Furthermore, intracellular pH can be estimated from the pH dependent position of the Pi spectral line relative to PCr. A tourniquet was loosely placed around the SMA in five Wistar rats through a transabdominal approach to the retroperitoneum. The abdomen was immediately closed. A 20 millimeter MRS surface coil was placed on the abdomen and 31Phosphorus spectra were accumulated. The SMA was then occluded and additional 31Phosphorus spectra were taken for the next 75 minutes. Significant (p less than 10(-4) changes in the position and magnitude of the spectra lines occurred within 20 minutes; the Pi position indicates severe intracellular acidosis and rapidly increases to three times its original magnitude. The PCr line decreases in magnitude. In a similar experiment, occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) produced equivalent results. Occlusion of vessels other than the SMA or SMV not accompanied by transmural ischemia resulted in spectra unaltered from control. These findings support the application of phosphorus MRS to clinical studies.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1986

Synthesis, antitumor activity, distribution and toxicity of 4-[4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]-1-hydroxybutane-1 1-bisphosphonic acid (BAD), a new lost derivative with increased accumulation in rat osteosarcoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the newly synthesized bisphosphonic acid-linked N-Lost derivative BAD retains bone-seeking and cytostatic properties. The paper describes experiments on mutagenicity in vitro and on toxicity in vivo. BAD is characterized by very low mutagenic activity toward histidine auxotrophic Salmonella typhimurium strains. Cytotoxic effects were tested in rat osteosarcoma and in Walker carcinosarcoma 256B. The LD50 of i.v. injected BAD was 146 mg/kg. Acute toxicity is probably caused by calcium complexing of the bisphosphonate part of the molecule. Labeling experiments showed moderate accumulation in bone and osteosarcoma, as well as in lung metastases. BAD effected high tumor growth inhibition in osteosarcoma and Walker carcinosarcoma-bearing rats and marked prolongation of survival; histologic and radiographic examination revealed rapid calcification of osteosarcoma and lung metastases. BAD-pretreatment produced protective effects against osteolysis induced by intratibially implanted Walker carcinosarcoma ascites cells. The cytostatic efficacy of equitoxic doses of BAD in rat osteosarcoma is comparable to that of dacarbazine and in Walker carcinosarcoma to that of melphalan.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Acute intestinal ischemia studies by phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used to follow the metabolism of acutely ischemic rat small intestine and its recovery after reversal of ischemia. Loops of small intestine were subjected to occlusive external pressure for up to 60 minutes, followed by a recovery period. The depletion of PCr and ATP is rapid and complete within 20 minutes. Recovery from ischemia is also rapid but with recovery ATP levels lower than initial values after prolonged ischemic periods. Intestinal shock was avoided. Clinical recovery correlated with shorter ischemic periods. 31P NMR spectroscopy thus appears to be a suitable technique for studying the effects of pharmacological agents and other treatments for amelioration of ischemic effects on the bowel.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1985

Combined macroscopic and microscopic detection of viral genes in tissues.

A hybridization technique has been devised for detecting and quantitating viral genes in tissues that combines macroscopic and microscopic analyses in the same section. The method is based on dual labeling virus-specific probes with 125I and 35S to generate signals that can be detected both with X-ray films and nuclear track emulsions. The regions of increased hybridization evident in the X-ray film serve as a guide to the portion of the section that warrants microscopic examination. Detection of viral RNA in tissues with visna virus and viral DNA with hepatitis B virus are illustrated, and potential applications of this technique in virology and other disciplines are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Detection of two viral genomes in single cells by double-label hybridization in situ and color microradioautography.

Double labeling and color microradioautography were used in a new method of hybridization in situ to identify different genes in individual cells. The method is based on the unequal penetration of 3H and 35S into two layers of nuclear track emulsion separated by a thin barrier film. Hybridization of a 35S-labeled probe specific for one kind of gene results in silver grains over cells in both layers of emulsion; a 3H-labeled probe for a second gene provides grains only in the first layer of emulsion. Silver grains are converted to magenta-colored grains in the first layer and to cyan-colored grains in the second to facilitate enumeration of grains in each layer. This technique should be widely applicable in analyses of differential gene expression in single cells or in discrete populations of cells.

Autoradiography↗