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Biomedical subjects

I W Rodger

Publications and source records attributed to I W Rodger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A human whole blood assay for clinical evaluation of biochemical efficacy of cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

In this study, PGE2 levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged human whole blood and TxB2 levels following blood coagulation were measured as biochemical index for cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2 and Cox-1 activity respectively. Incubation of human mononuclear cells isolated from whole blood with LPS (100 mu g/mL) induced a time-dependent increase in the expression of Cox-2 protein (>100 fold at 24 hr). This is associated with increases in PGE2 production and free arachidonate release in the plasma. Cox-1 protein was detected in the human mononuclear cells at time zero but was not induced by either LPS or PBS. Most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more potent at inhibiting Cox-1 than Cox-2. Five experimental compounds CGP-28238, Dup-697, NS-398, SC-58125 and L-745,337, have a greater selectivity for Cox-2. Indomethacin at a single oral dose (25 mg) inhibited approximately 90% the whole blood Cox-2 and Cox-1 activities ex vivo in healthy subjects. These results support the use of this assay to assess the biochemical efficacy of selective Cox-2 inhibitors in clinical trials.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Methods for studying experimental myocardial ischemic and reperfusion injury.

This review describes methodologies used to study experimental myocardial ischemic and reperfusion injury. Myocardial reperfusion injury may be manifest as myocardial stunning, ventricular arrhythmias, coronary vascular dysfunction, or the extension of the area of myocyte necrosis beyond that due to the ischemic insult alone. This review discusses methodology pertaining to the latter form of reperfusion injury. The pathophysiology of the reperfusion injury process is complex, including primarily cellular and humoral components of inflammation, as well as myocellular ionic and metabolic disturbances. Since the extent of injury may be influenced by methodological considerations this review aims to discuss the principle means of characterizing reperfusion injury in the experimental setting. The methods discussed are principally those related to in vivo research. Where appropriate, advantages, disadvantages, or alternate methods will be presented. Lastly, as understanding of the pathophysiology of reperfusion injury increases, newer techniques utilizing murine models, the study of apoptotic cell death, and the role of gender may be used more frequently and are thus briefly reviewed.

Animals↗

Involvement of NK1 and NK2 receptors in pulmonary responses elicited by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic vagal stimulation in guinea-pigs.

Previous studies from our laboratory using exogenously administered neurokinin (NK) agonists have shown that both NK1- and NK2-receptor subtypes are involved in plasma extravasation in the guinea-pig airways. In the present study, we have extended these observations using antidromic vagal stimulation to stimulate sensory c-fibres as a means of eliciting the release of endogenous tachykinins in propranolol- and atropine-treated guinea-pigs. Antidromic vagal stimulation (5 ms, 30 s) induced frequency-dependent (1-10 Hz) bronchoconstriction that was completely abolished by co-administration of the NK1-selective antagonist CP-99,994 ((2s-methoxy-benzyl)-(2-phenyl-piperidin-3s-yl)-amine), and the NK2-selective antagonist SR-48,968 ((S)-N-methyl-N-[4-(4-acetylamino-4-phenyl piperidino)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) butyl]benzamide), each at a dose sufficient to block NK1 and NK2 receptors, respectively (each at 0.3 mg kg-1, i.v.). In contrast, SR-48,968 when given alone only partially blocked the vagal stimulation-induced bronchospasm, whereas CP-99,994 had no effect. Significant increases (2-3-fold) in plasma extravasation of [125I]fibrinogen in the trachea, main bronchi, distal airways and oesophagus following vagal stimulation (5 Hz, 5 min, 10 V, 5 ms) were observed. Pretreatment with the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, thiorphan (1 mg kg-1, i.v.), and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril (1 mg kg-1, i.v.), potentiated both vagal stimulation-induced bronchoconstriction and plasma leakage in all tissues examined. This potentiation was due to reduced metabolism of endogenously released tachykinins since enhanced plasma overflow of immunoreactive substance P was observed following vagal stimulation in thiorphan- and enalapril-treated guinea-pigs. CP-99,994 substantially blocked plasma leakage in all parts of the airways and in the oesophagus. In comparison, SR-48,968 had no significant effect in the trachea and the oesophagus but partially inhibited plasma leakage in the main bronchi and distal airways. Co-administration of both CP-99,994 and SR-48,968 abolished the residual plasma leakage in these two regions. These results support the hypothesis that both NK1 and NK2 receptors are involved in tachykinin-induced pulmonary responses in the airways.

Animals↗

Neurokinin receptors subserving plasma extravasation in guinea pig airways.

In the respiratory system the tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A exhibit a variety of effects on airway function that include bronchoconstriction, vasodilatation, and plasma extravasation. Increased microvascular permeability with accompanying plasma extravasation is a principal cause of tissue edema observed in asthma. In guinea pig airways it has been suggested that neurogenic plasma extravasation is mediated by tachykinins, released from sensory nerve terminals, acting via neurokinin (NK) receptors. We have characterized NK receptor mediated plasma extravasation in guinea pig airways, using 125I-labelled human fibrinogen as a marker for leakage. Extravasation was induced using selective NK1 and NK2 receptor agonists, capsaicin, or nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerve stimulation. The inhibitory effects of the selective nonpeptide NK receptor antagonists (CP 99,994 for NI1 and SR 48,968 for NK2) were also examined. Results from our studies demonstrate conclusively that only NK1 receptors subserve plasma extravasation in the trachea and large airways of the guinea pig. In start contrast, extravasation in the lower airways (secondary bronchi and intraparenchymal airways) of the guinea pig is mediated by both NK1 and NK2 receptors.

Animals↗

Substance P-induced histamine release in tracheally perfused guinea pig lungs.

The capacity of substance P (SP) and endogenously released tachykinins to liberate histamine was examined in isolated tracheally perfused guinea pig lungs. Increasing doses of tracheally injected SP were associated with the recovery of increasing amounts of histamine from lung effluent. The mechanism of SP-induced histamine liberation was explored in studies with neurokinin-(NK) receptor agonists and antagonists. Tracheal injection of either the NK1 agonist [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP or the NK2 agonist [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A-(4-10) was associated with a significant increase in histamine recovery from lung effluent. In addition, both the NK1 antagonist CP-99994 and the NK2 antagonist SR-48968 significantly inhibited SP-induced histamine release. These findings support the hypothesis that SP can liberate histamine from guinea pigs lungs by a mechanism that depends predominantly on NK1- and NK2-receptor activation. The liberation of endogenous tachykinins by acute tracheal injection of capsaicin was also associated with augmented histamine recovery, which was inhibited by combined NK1- and NK2-receptor blockade. Tracheal injection of SP was associated with an increase in the percentage of airway mast cells exhibiting histological evidence of degranulation. This study demonstrates that exogenous SP, as well as endogenous tachykinins released from capsaicin-sensitive neurons, can liberate histamine, most likely from airway mast cells, by a mechanism that depends predominantly on the activation of NK1 and NK2 receptors.

Animals↗

Cigarette smoke-induced bronchoconstriction: cholinergic mechanisms, tachykinins, and cyclooxygenase products.

The mechanisms underlying cigarette smoke-induced bronchoconstriction were studied by using selective blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, neurokinin receptors and production of eicosanoids of the cyclooxygenase pathway in anesthetized guinea pigs. Inhalation of three breaths of cigarette smoke (University of Kentucky research series 2R1; 2.45 mg of nicotine and 35.3 mg of tar per cigarette) reproducibly induced an immediate bronchoconstriction; total pulmonary resistance increased from 0.24 +/- 0.02 to 1.44 +/- 0.21 cmH2O.ml-1.s (P < 0.01) and dynamic lung compliance decreased from 0.53 +/- 0.03 to 0.39 +/- 0.06 ml/cmH2O (P < 0.05) in 10-15 breaths after the smoke inhalation. Atropine pretreatment (50 micrograms/kg i.v.) prevented the immediate decrease in dynamic lung compliance and reduced the immediate increase in total pulmonary resistance by approximately 55%. The atropine-resistant bronchoconstriction occurring immediately after smoke inhalation was completely blocked by a pretreatment with a combination of CP-99994 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) and SR-489668 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.), the antagonists of neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptors, respectively. However, a delayed and sustained bronchoconstriction still persisted and reached a plateau in 45-55 breaths after smoke inhalation challenge. This delayed response was completely prevented by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.). We conclude that the smoke-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs consists of an early phase induced by both a cholinergic reflex and tachykinin release, probably evoked by the activation of bronchopulmonary C fibers, and a late phase caused by the action of arachidonic acid metabolite(s) of the cyclooxygenase pathway.

Animals↗

Increased airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in a rat model of chronic bronchitis.

Chronic exposure of rats to high concentrations of SO2 gas causes pathologic changes in airway similar to those seen in human chronic bronchitis. The purpose of this study was to examine the pulmonary mechanical correlates of these changes and to quantify the extent of mucous hypersecretion by measuring changes in mucous glycoproteins. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 250 ppm SO2 gas, 5 h/d, 5 d/wk, for a period of 4 wk. Control rats were exposed to air only. On the day after the last SO2 exposure, rats were anesthetized, instrumented for the measurement of pulmonary resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn), and ventilated. Chronic SO2 exposure caused a small but significant increase in RL and decrease in Cdyn. Airway responsiveness to inhaled aerosolized methacholine was increased in SO2-exposed rats, as indicated by approximately 6.6- and 4.6-fold decreases respectively, in the doses of inhaled methacholine required to double RL or decrease Cdyn to 50% of baseline. SO2 exposure had no effect on the contractile response of the trachea measured in vitro. Tracheae and lungs from SO2-exposed animals exhibited 140 and 535% increases in measured neutral mucous glycoproteins, respectively, and 33 and 37% increases in acid glycoproteins. Our results indicate that this animal model of chronic bronchitis mimics the mucous hypersecretion, airway obstruction, and increased airway responsiveness observed in human bronchitis and may allow us to begin to probe their mechanistic basis.

Animals↗

Effect of dexamethasone on antigen-induced high molecular weight glycoconjugate secretion in allergic guinea pigs.

The ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig is commonly used as a small animal model of allergic asthma. This animal model exhibits many of the hallmark characteristics observed in patients afflicted with asthma including nonspecific airway hyperreactivity, airway eosinophilia, early and late phase bronchoconstriction, and plasma extravasation into the airways. In addition, mucous hypersecretion in the airways of asthmatic patients is thought to be responsible for the plugging of distal airways and to contribute to the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease process. In this study we examined whether the allergic guinea pig model exhibits an increase in airway high molecular weight glycoconjugate (HMWG) secretion in response to an antigen challenge and whether dexamethasone exerts any modulatory effects upon the response. Ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized guinea pigs were challenged with OVA 2 wk following the initial exposure. Trachobronchoalveolar lavages (TBAL) were performed, and the samples were assayed for total eosinophil cell number, eosinophil peroxidase activity (EPO), and both acidic and neutral HMWG content. Morphometric analysis of mucous-containing cells was also performed on tissue sections prepared from the trachea, mainstem bronchus, and three lobes of the left lung. Within 24 h of an antigen challenge, TBAL samples obtained from the allergic guinea pigs exhibited increases in eosinophil cell number, measured EPO enzyme activity, and acidic HMWG content compared to TBAL samples prepared from vehicle-exposed animals. These antigen-induced changes were dependent on the concentration of aerosolized OVA administered. Exposing the animals to 0.3% OVA provoked a 6.23-fold increase in airway eosinophils, 15-fold elevation in TBAL EPO enzyme activity, and 175% increase in TBAL acidic HMWG. No significant changes in TBAL neutral HMWG were measured. The changes in measured EPO activity correlated with the levels of acidic HMWG found in the TBAL samples (r = 0.73, P < or = 0.001). The measured increase in TBAL acidic HMWG was time dependent and was found to be maximal at 2 h post-antigen challenge. Morphometric analysis of Alcian blue (pH 2.5) -stained airway sections showed a decline in stored mucosubstances following the antigen exposure, supporting the notion that the allergic guinea pig model exhibits a mucosecretory component. Pretreating the animals with dexamethasone attenuated the antigen-induced release of HMWG and changes in measured EPO activity. In conclusion, these data indicate that the allergic guinea pig may be a useful model for examining the neural and cellular mechanisms underlying mucus hypersecretion in individuals afflicted with bronchial asthma.

Animals↗

L-745,337: a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 elicits antinociception but not gastric ulceration in rats.

L-745,337 [5-methanesulphonamido-6-(2,4-difluorothiophenyl)-1-indan one] a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor reversed hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan in rats without causing gastric ulceration at doses 100 times those causing antinociception. In contrast, piroxicam and indomethacin produced ulcerations at antinociceptive doses. These findings demonstrate that L-745,337 possesses antinociceptive activity but has a reduced liability for gastric ulceration.

Analgesics↗

Dual cardiovascular effects of endothelin-1 dissociated by BQ-153, a novel ETA receptor antagonist.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide that elicited both vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses in anesthetized pigs. Within 1.0 min after the first injection of ET-1 (0.4 nmol/kg, intravenously, i.v.) there was a transient decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP 82 +/- 4 to 64 +/- 5 mm Hg; p < or = 0.01). The vasodepressor response was accompanied by reductions in left ventricular (LV) + dp/dtmax (1,834 +/- 104 to 1,493 +/- 87 mm Hg/s, p < or = 0.001), LV - dp/dt (2,600 +/- 149 to 1,865 +/- 136 mm Hg/s; p < or = 0.001) and cardiac output (CO 2.6 +/- 0.1 to 2.0 +/- 0.1 L/min, p < or = 0.001). The short (< 3.0 min) vasodilatory phase was followed by a prolonged (> 15 min) vasopressor response in which MAP (82 +/- 4 to 103 +/- 5 mm Hg; p < or = 0.001) and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP 11 +/- 1 to 15 +/- 1 mm Hg; p < or = 0.01) increased. With each subsequent dose (0.4 nmol/kg i.v.) of ET-1, the initial vasodilatory component diminished progressively, only a monophasic vasoconstrictor response was observed after the fourth dose. The reductions in CO progressively decreased from 2.6 to 0.1 to 1.7 +/- 0.1 L/min (p < or = 0.001) by the end of the experiment. In contrast to the systemic circulation effects, ET-1 produced consistent and reproducible reductions in renal blood flow (RBF 105 +/- 16 to 21 +/- 6 mm Hg; p < or = 0.004) that lasted approximately 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Evaluation of bronchoconstriction induced by neurokinins and its inhibition by selective nonpeptide antagonists in conscious guinea pigs, using a double-chamber plethysmograph technique.

Bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled neurokinins, leukotriene D4 (LTD4), and histamine was examined in conscious guinea pigs, using a double-chamber plethysmography. The reliability of the plethysmograph was established by obtaining stable baseline values of key pulmonary parameters, including specific airway resistance, over a 4-day period. As well, the usefulness of the setup was confirmed using LTD4 and the LTD4 antagonist MK-571. Aerosols of MK-571 inhibited the bronchoconstriction induced by LTD4 (0.3 microM, 3 min aerosol) with an IC50 value of 65 +/- 16 nM. Inhaled neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP), [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10), or [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP at concentrations up to 10 microM had no bronchoconstrictive effect, unless the guinea pigs were pretreated with the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor thiorphan (0.2 mg/mL, 5 min aerosol). The rank order of bronchoconstriction potency was LTD4 > [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) approximately NKA > [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP approximately SP >> histamine. Hyperresponsiveness to NKA-induced bronchoconstriction was evident after 1 day and lasted for 4 days. The response to NKA was not inhibited by mepyramine, indomethacin, or MK-571 but was significantly reduced by atropine and hexamethonium, suggesting the involvement of a cholinergic mechanism. Aerosols of SR-48,968 a selective NK2 antagonist, had potent effects on the bronchoconstriction induced by NKA (1 microM, 3 min aerosol), with an IC50 value of 17 +/- 3 nM. SR-48,968 was also active when administered intraperitoneally. The NK1 antagonist CP-99,994 (0.1 microM, 10 min aerosol) inhibited the responses to SP by 70% but had no effect on NKA-induced responses at concentrations up to 10 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗

Neurokinin (NK2) receptors mediate nonadrenergic noncholinergic contractile responses to electrical stimulation and resiniferatoxin in guinea pig trachea.

In the present study we characterized the receptor(s) that mediates non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) contractions of isolated guinea pig cervical trachea, using CP-99,994, a selective neurokinin (NK1) receptor antagonist, and SR-48,968, a selective neurokinin (NK2) receptor antagonist. The activity of these two antagonists was determined against contractions to the selective agonists ([beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) for NK2 and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP for NK1) and the nonselective (SP and NKA) NK receptor agonists. CP-99,994 was inactive versus NKA and [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) but antagonized SP- and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP-induced contractions with -log KB values of 5.6 +/- 0.2 and 7.7 +/- 0.2, respectively. SR-48,968 was inactive versus SP and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP but was active versus NKA and [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10), yielding -log KB values of 8.4 +/- 0.2 and 9.1 +/- 0.2, respectively. In the presence of 1 microM atropine, 1.4 microM indomethacin, 0.2 microM timolol, and 4 microM thiorphan, electrical field stimulation (16 Hz, 2.0 ms, 50 V for 10 every 30 min) elicited a NANC contractile response which was not significantly altered by CP-99,994 (3 microM) or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (10 microM) but was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 microM) and was also reduced to 58 +/- 12, 31 +/- 16, 8 +/- 4, and 0% of control by 15, 50, 150, and 1500 nM SR-48,968, respectively. Resiniferatoxin (1 and 10 nM) produced a well-maintained concentration-dependent contraction, which was 57.8 +/- 4.8 and 61.6 +/- 3.8%, respectively, of the carbachol-induced maximum response. Contractions were not significantly modified by L-NAME and were not blocked by TTX (1 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗

Hyperplastic effects of aerosolized sodium metabisulfite on rat airway mucus-secretory epithelial cells.

The ability of aerosolized sodium metabisulfite to induce hypertrophic and hyperplastic changes in rat airway secretory epithelial cells was investigated. A 10% solution of sodium metabisulfite was aerosolized into a Plexiglas exposure chamber, using an ultrasonic humidifier. The level of SO2 gas generated by this apparatus was measured to be 500 ppm. Measured levels of neutral and acidic mucous glycoproteins in extracts from tracheal and lung tissue were used as indices of hypertrophic (increases in mucus content per cell) and hyperplastic (increased numbers of cells containing mucus per gram of tissue) changes occurring in mucus-secreting cells of the airways. Exposing rats to sodium metabisulfite for 3 weeks resulted in profound increases in total neutral mucous glycoproteins found in tracheal and lung tissue (6.2-fold and 10.1-fold, respectively), compared with the H2O-treated counterparts. Total acidic mucous glycoproteins were significantly elevated in lung tissue only (13.5-fold). In addition, neutral and acidic mucous glycoproteins were elevated 20-fold and 9-fold, respectively, in bronchoalveolar lavage samples prepared from sodium metabisulfite exposed animals. These results indicate that aerosolized sodium metabisulfite may be a useful agent for developing small animal models of mucus hypersecretion.

Aerosols↗

Capsaicin-induced airway obstruction in tracheally perfused guinea pig lungs.

The neurokinin receptors responsible for transducing the airway obstruction resulting from capsaicin infusion were defined in the tracheally perfused guinea pig lung. In this lung preparation, buffer is perfused via the trachea and allowed to exit the lung through numerous small holes in the pleural surface; airway obstruction is monitored as the backpressure (Pao) generated at a constant perfusion flow rate. Infusion of the specific NK1 receptor agonist, Sar-9 Met02(11) substance P, resulted in an increase in Pao; this effect was prevented by the NK1 receptor antagonist CP 99,994 but not by the NK2 receptor antagonist SR 48,968. Infusion of the specific NK2 receptor agonist Nle10-neurokinin A 4-10 resulted in an increase in Pao; this effect was prevented by the NK2 receptor antagonist SR 48,968 but not by the NK1 receptor antagonist CP 99,994. In the absence of NK receptor antagonists, infusion of capsaicin resulted in a significant increase in Pao, 31 +/- 4 cm H2O. In the presence of the NK1 receptor antagonist, the capsaicin response was not diminished, but in the presence of the NK2 receptor antagonist, the Pao response diminished to only 10 +/- 2 cm H2O, p < 0.001. These data indicate that when capsaicin is presented to the epithelial surface of the lung the resulting airway obstruction is mediated predominantly by NK2 receptor stimulation.

Animals↗

Hypertrophic and hyperplastic changes of mucus-secreting epithelial cells in rat airways: assessment using a novel, rapid, and simple technique.

Determination of hyperplastic and hypertrophic changes of mucus-secreting cells in animal airways has been performed in the past by using histologic, immunologic, and/or molecular biologic approaches. Histologic techniques are tedious and time-consuming. The other approaches require specific antibodies and cDNA probes that have proved difficult to develop. Described here is a method for the rapid estimation of hyperplastic and hypertrophic changes of secretory epithelial cells in rat airways. The assay specifically measures acidic and neutral mucoproteins in a linear fashion from 0.5 microgram to at least 10 micrograms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to metabisulfite mist (10% wt/vol) for 5 days/wk for 3 wk. The lungs were removed and homogenized in a phosphate-buffered solution containing reducing agents and protease inhibitors. The particulate matter was removed by centrifugation, and the soluble extract was applied to a column packed with Sepharose CL-6B. The material eluting in the void volume was applied to a PVDF membrane and stained for either acidic or neutral mucosubstances using Alcian blue or periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and the absorbance was read using a 96-well plate reader. Lungs from sodium metabisulfite-exposed animals showed a 7-fold and 3.5-fold increase in PAS-positive and Alcian blue-positive material, respectively. The increase in both PAS and Alcian blue staining was hyaluronidase and chondroitinase insensitive. The observed changes are consistent with morphometric measurements of mucus-containing cells in histologic sections of the tissues. This assay may be useful in determining which neurohumoral mediators might be involved in mucus cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia in animal models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Leukotriene D4-induced increases in cytosolic calcium in THP-1 cells: dependence on extracellular calcium and inhibition with selective leukotriene D4 receptor antagonists.

Agonist-induced changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca++]i) were examined in human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells loaded with fura 2/acetoxymethyl ester (fura 2/AM). Leukotriene (LT)D4 induced a concentration-dependent biphasic response consisting of a transient phase (up to 5-fold peak increase) followed by a sustained phase, showing characteristics of a receptor-operated calcium channel. Homologous desensitization to LTD4 was observed. The responses to LTD4 were reduced by 80 to 90% in calcium-free buffer. The responses to LTD4 in a calcium-free buffer were dependent upon the duration of prior exposure of the cells to a calcium-free environment. The response at 30 or 60 min after exposure to calcium-free buffer was greater than that at earlier time points (time-dependent sensitization). Similar responses were obtained with THP-1 cells exposed to EDTA-containing buffer. It is speculated that such time-dependent sensitization is a result of changes at the receptor level. The responses to LTD4 were blocked by two specific LTD4 antagonists, MK-0571 and ICI-204,219, in a concentration-dependent manner. When given after addition of LTD4, MK-0571 or ICI-204,219 reversed the sustained phase of the LTD4-induced response, suggesting that maintenance of the response requires persistent activation of the LTD4 receptor. ICI-204,219 was 5 to 10 times more potent than MK-0571 (IC50 values of 1.1 and 9.3 nM, respectively), in agreement with results from radioligand binding studies reported separately.

Calcium↗

NK2 receptors mediate plasma extravasation in guinea-pig lower airways.

1. Neurokinin (NK) receptor-mediated extravasation has been examined in guinea-pig airways by use of a recently described marker for microvascular protein leakage, 125I-labelled human fibrinogen. 2. Neurokinin A (NKA) caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma [125I]-fibrinogen extravasation in trachea, main bronchi, secondary bronchi and intraparenchymal airways. In contrast, the NK2 selective agonist [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10) only caused extravasation in the secondary and intraparenchymal airways. 3. The NK2 selective antagonist, SR 48968, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of NKA and [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10)-induced extravasation of fibrinogen in guinea-pig secondary bronchi and intraparenchymal airways. SR 48968 was without effect on the NKA-induced extravasation in trachea and main bronchi. 4. NKA- or [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10)-induced plasma extravasation was not modified by pretreatment with histamine H1- or H2-receptor antagonists. 5. It is concluded that NK2 receptors mediate plasma [125I]-fibrinogen extravasation in guinea-pig secondary bronchi and intraparenchymal airways. This effect is direct and does not depend upon histamine released from mast cells.

Animals↗

Leukotriene D4 receptors are not negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in guinea-pig lung parenchyma.

1. The possibility that receptors for the peptide-containing leukotrienes may be negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in guinea-pig lung parenchyma was investigated by comparing the effect of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) on the intracellular cyclic nucleotide (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) content and on the activity of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). In addition, the potential association between changes in the cyclic nucleotide content and the ability of LTD4 to increase lung parenchymal tone was also evaluated. 2. Non-cumulative challenge of parenchymal lung strips with LTD4 elicited concentration-dependent contractions (pD2 = 8.23) that were paralleled by concentration-related increases in the intracellular level of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, and in the activation state of PKA (Kact = 33 nM). Temporally, these biochemical effects of LTD4 were transient, peaking after approximately 5 min drug contact thereafter decaying, despite the continued generation of tone. Both the biochemical and mechanical effects of LTD4 were antagonized by the LTD4-receptor blocking drug, ICI 198,615 (1 microM for 60 min), indicating that they were receptor-mediated events. 3. Challenge of guinea-pig lung with LTD4 (200 nM; EC100 for tension generation) stimulated a 150 and 70 fold increase in the elaboration of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) respectively, relative to that generated spontaneously. 4. Pretreatment of lung strips for 60 min with an irreversible inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase, flurbiprofen,at a concentration (8 microM) that abolished both basal and LTD4 (200 nM)-induced TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha release, relaxed rapidly the spontaneous tone of the tissues, reduced the cyclic AMP content by ~50%and lowered the PKA activity ratio from 29% to 17%. In addition, flurbiprofen abolished the ability of LTD4 (200 nM) to increase the cyclic AMP content and to activate PKA. Functionally, the magnitude of LTD4 (200 nM)-induced tone and the increase in cyclic GMP content were attenuated by approximately 20% and 50% respectively in flurbiprofen-treated tissues.5. In flurbiprofen-treated tissues, isoprenaline (10 microM for 10 min) increased the cyclic AMP content(from 4 to 27 pmol mg-1 protein) and activated PKA (from 15% to 26%). Preincubation (30 s or 5 min)of lung with LTD4 (200 nM) did not inhibit (or enhance) these isoprenaline-induced effects.6. Pretreatment of lung strips for 60 min with the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, dazmegrel (10 microM),relaxed the spontaneous tone of the tissues, abolished the LTD4 (200 nM)-stimulated release of TXB2 and significantly enhanced (~two fold) the elaboration of 6-keto-PGF1alpha. In addition, dazmegrel attenuated (by ~50%) LTD4 (200 nM)-induced cyclic GMP accumulation but approximately doubled both the cyclic AMP content and PKA activity ratio. LTD4-induced contractions, in contrast, were not affected by dazmegrel.7. EP 092 (1 microM for 60 min), a selective TP-receptor blocking drug, had no effect on spontaneous tone,eicosanoid formation or on the cyclic GMP content of guinea-pig lung parenchymal strips. Likewise,EP 092 exerted no significant mechancial effect in lung challenged with LTD4 (200 nM) although it did potentiate, to a small extent, the ability of LTD4 (200 nM) to increase the cyclic AMP content.8. It is concluded that LTD4 can increase the intracellular level of cyclic AMP in guinea-pig parenchyma and activate PKA by a leukotriene-receptor-mediated mechanism sensitive to ICI 198,615. However,these biochemical actions of LTD4 are induced indirectly by an arachidonic acid-derived cyclo-oxygenase product(s) other than TXA2. Thus, contrary to reports of other investigators, no evidence was found to corroborate the finding that stimulation of leukotriene receptors on guinea-pig lung parenchyma results in a rapid lowering of the cyclic AMP content even in cyclo-oxygenase-blocked tissues. These data,therefore, do not support the hypothesis that leukotriene-induced tension generation is dependent upon a prior reduction in the cyclic AMP content.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗