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Biomedical subjects

J M Lundberg

Publications and source records attributed to J M Lundberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Free haemoglobin interferes with detection of endothelin peptides.

High levels of endothelin-like immunoreactivity were detected in red blood cells from rat, pig and man. When characterized on HPLC the immunoreactivity coeluted with haemoglobin, however. Thus, the high levels of endothelin-like immunoreactivity did not reflect occurrence of endothelin peptides but rather the interference of haemoglobin in the RIA. Free haemoglobin > 0.8 g/l (which may occur in haemolytic samples) increased measured plasma "endothelin-like immunoreactivity". SepPak extraction of plasma samples markedly reduced this interference, although some effect still remained at high haemoglobin concentrations. The influence of microperoxidase in the RIA suggests that the interference is related to the haeme portion of haemoglobin and thus may be extended to other haeme-containing proteins, e.g. cytochrome c or guanylate cyclase. The present findings emphasize the importance of characterizing endothelin-like immunoreactivity with HPLC, especially in haemolytic samples.

Animals

Inhibition of low pH evoked activation of airway sensory nerves by capsazepine, a novel capsaicin-receptor antagonist.

Low pH is a well known sensory irritant in pathological conditions such as inflammation. The mechanisms underlying this low pH effect were therefore studied in the guinea pig. Acid exposure caused marked nasal irritation via a specific subset of sensory nerves sensitive to capsaicin. Furthermore, acid caused bronchoconstriction via release of neuropeptides from capsaicin sensitive afferents. Interestingly, capsazepine, a recently developed competitive capsaicin receptor antagonist, selectively inhibited these responses to low pH. Ruthenium red, which blocks the cation channel associated with the capsaicin receptor, had effects similar to those of capsazepine. Therefore, acid irritation of the airway mucosa may involve capsaicin-receptor mechanisms and capsazepine represents a novel protective agent.

Animals

Regulation of lung endothelin content by the glucocorticosteroid budesonide.

Intratracheal instillation of Sephadex beads induced a long-lasting inflammation in the rat lung as seen by an increase in lung weights. Repeated instillation enhanced this reaction and increased lung endothelin-1 content 3.5 times. Budesonide given s.c. abolished these effects and even reduced basal endothelin-1 content by 72%. The tissue content of the sensory neuropeptide neurokinin A were unaffected by both treatments. Endothelin has been proposed to play a part in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. If it is so, the ability of budesonide to reduce endothelin-1 content could thus be added to the list of beneficial effects of glucocorticosteroids in these conditions.

Administration, Inhalation

CP-96,345 antagonism of NK1 receptors and smoke-induced protein extravasation in relation to its cardiovascular effects.

The effects of the non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonist, CP-96,345, on cardiovascular homeostasis were investigated in conscious and anaesthetized rats in vivo and on heart function and muscle tonicity of vessels in vitro. CP-96,345 and its enantiomer, CP-96,344, which does not exhibit NK1 receptor-blocking activity when tested at a concentration of 1 microM, significantly decreased blood pressure in conscious rats at a dose of 0.32 mg/kg i.v. CP-96,345 and CP-96,344 additionally reduced heart rate at doses of 1 and 3.2 mg/kg, respectively. Studies in anaesthetized rats showed that ganglionic blockade did not modify the decreases in blood pressure and heart rate elicited by CP-96,345. In the isolated guinea-pig heart, CP-96,345 and CP-96,344 exerted negative chronotropic effects at 10(-7) M; negative inotropic effects were observed at 10(-6) M. At 10(-5) M, both CP-96,345 and CP-96,344 decreased the amplitude of contraction of the rat portal vein, whereas at 10(-4) M, both compounds increased the frequency of contraction of this vessel. CP-96,345, at 5 x 10(-8) M, caused relaxation of precontracted pig coronary arteries. Since both CP-96,345 and CP-96,344 produced similar changes in haemodynamics and in the contractility of vascular and cardiac tissue, the cardiovascular effects of CP-96,345 are probably not related to NK1 receptor antagonism. As only the enantiomer with NK1 antagonistic activity inhibited cigarette smoke-induced plasma protein extravasation in rat trachea, CP-96,345 remains a useful tool for elucidating NK1 receptor-mediated responses, provided CP-96,344 is included as control.

Animals

No effect of D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-triphosphate on vasoconstriction evoked by neuropeptide Y and non-adrenergic sympathetic nerve stimulation.

The effects of the proposed neuropeptide Y (NPY) antagonist, D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-triphosphate (PP56), on vasoconstrictor responses evoked by NPY and non-adrenergic sympathetic nerve stimulation were investigated in the pig in vivo. Under control conditions, exogenous NPY evoked a dose-dependent increase in arterial blood pressure and vasoconstriction in spleen, kidney and skeletal muscle. After administration of PP56 (50 mg/kg), which transiently reduced systemic blood pressure by 18 +/- 5 mm Hg, the vascular responses evoked by NPY did not differ from those observed under control conditions. Stimulation of the splenic nerve and the lumbar sympathetic chain with 20-Hz burst activity in reserpine-pretreated pigs, which are devoid of their noradrenaline content, decreased splenic and hindlimb vascular conductance by 67 +/- 7 and 57 +/- 7%, respectively, under control conditions. In the presence of PP56 the nerve stimulation-evoked reductions in splenic and hindlimb vascular conductance were slightly but not significantly reduced to 59 +/- 9 and 48 +/- 7%, respectively. It is concluded that PP56 in the presently used high dose, which causes non-selective inhibition of vasoconstriction in the rat, cannot be used as an antagonist of vasoconstrictor responses evoked by NPY or non-adrenergic sympathetic nerve stimulation in the pig.

Animals

Capsazepine inhibits low pH- and lactic acid-evoked release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from sensory nerves in guinea-pig heart.

In the isolated perfused guinea-pig heart low-pH buffer (pH 5), lactic acid (5 mM), capsaicin (10(-7) M) and nicotine (10(-4) M) all evoked a clear-cut release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from sensory nerves. Incubation with the proposed capsaicin receptor antagonist, capsazepine (10(-5) M), significantly reduced the CGRP release evoked not only by capsaicin but also by low pH and lactic acid, indicating a common mechanism of C-fibre activation, while the nicotine response remained unchanged.

Animals

Vascular control of the pig nasal mucosa: distribution and effect of somatostatin in relation to noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y.

By means of immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay (RIA), we have investigated the possible occurrence of somatostatin (SOM)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in the autonomic innervation of the pig nasal mucosa. SOM-immunoreactive (-IR) fibres were present around nasal arteries, arterioles and venous sinusoids. Double-labelling experiments revealed that SOM-LI was co-localized with the noradrenaline (NA) markers tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase as well as with neuropeptide Y (NPY) in a subpopulation of neurons in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion and in perivascular nerve terminals. Furthermore, SOM-LI was also present in perivascular fibres containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and NPY of presumably parasympathetic origin. The parasympathetic fibres that were associated with glands contained peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), VIP and NPY but not SOM, suggesting that in the nasal mucosa SOM-IR is restricted to perivascular nerves. As revealed by RIA, the content of SOM-LI in biopsies of both nasal mucosa and superior cervical sympathetic ganglion was about 12 pmol/g and the reverse phase HPLC characterisation of SOM-LI shown two separate peaks for SOM-28 and SOM-14. In thiopentone anaesthetized pigs (n = 10), local intra-arterial (i.a.) infusion of SOM (1-14) induced dose-dependent, long lasting and parallel reduction of the nasal arterial blood flow, the volume of the nasal mucosa (reflecting capacitance vessel function) and decrease of the laser Doppler flowmeter signal (reflecting superficial nasal mucosal blood flow). These functional responses were not modified after pretreatment with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phenoxybenzamine (1 mg kg-1 i.a.) whereas the effects of NA were almost abolished. SOM (6.10(-6) mol, i.a.) did not influence the nasal vascular responses to single impulse stimulation of the nasal sympathetic nerve supply providing no evidence for prejunctional activity in spite of clear-cut vascular effects. It is concluded that SOM-LI is co-localized with NA and NPY in sympathetic nerves and with VIP/NPY in parasympathetic perivascular nerves of the pig nasal mucosa. Since SOM evokes vasoconstriction via non-adrenergic mechanisms, this peptide should also be considered when discussing mediator candidates for the neural regulation of the nasal vascular bed.

Animals

Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from sensory neurons.

CGRP is released from capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner in a variety of peripheral organs as well as from central terminals. The mechanisms for CGRP release by low concentrations of capsaicin, electrical antidromic nerve stimulation, and bradykinin have several similar characteristics regarding sensitivity to TTX, CTX, and alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation. High capsaicin concentration and nicotine evoke CGRP release via other mechanisms. The effects of capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, and SO2 are blocked by RR, which probably inhibits ion fluxes associated with capsaicin receptor activation. CGRP released upon irritation of peripheral branches of primary afferents may evoke a variety of cardiovascular actions and influence motility in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts.

Animals

Variable alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of bronchoconstriction and peptide release upon activation of pulmonary afferents.

In the present study, we evaluated the possible regulation by alpha 2-receptor agonists (SKF 35886 and UK 14304) of peptide release and functional responses upon sensory nerve activation in the guinea-pig lung. The peptide release and bronchoconstriction caused by antidromic vagal nerve stimulation (low frequency, 1 Hz), and a low concentration of capsaicin (10(-8) M) and resiniferatoxin (3 x 10(-10) M) were attenuated by alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists. The effects of capsaicin and nicotine in high concentrations and high frequency nerve stimulation (10 Hz) were influenced to a much smaller extent by alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation. The calcitonin gene-related peptide release evoked by bradykinin but not the functional effects was inhibited by alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation. It is concluded that alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation mainly inhibits the release of mediator and/or the bronchoconstriction caused by moderate activation of sensory nerves. It is necessary to measure mediator release directly to reveal prejunctional effects and not to rely only on indirect functional evidence.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists

Distribution and vasomotor effects of neuropeptides in angular oculi and facial veins of reindeer.

1. The vasomotor responses to neuropeptides of the angular oculi and facial veins of reindeer were examined in vitro and correlated with the neuropeptide distribution in the perivascular nerves, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. 2. Nerves displaying calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)- or neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) were observed in the media of both veins, while very few fibers were immunoreactive to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) or substance P (SP) in either vein. 3. The staining pattern for NPY-LI was largely identical to that of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, a marker for noradrenaline (NA) producing fibers, indicating coexistence of NPY and NA. 4. Administration of NPY in vitro elicited contractions in both veins in the presence of propranolol, though more conspicuously in the angular oculi vein. 5. The peptide was without any modulating effect on NA-stimulated contractions in the angular oculi vein, whereas a small enhancement of the NA-induced tone was seen in the facial vein. 6. CGRP caused partial relaxation of both veins, whereas atrial natriuretic polypeptide caused relaxation only in the facial vein. VIP and SP had no effect on either vein. 7. The results suggest that in reindeer the sympathetic nerve fibres to both facial and angular oculi veins contain the vasoconstrictor neuropeptide NPY besides NA, even though these fibres exert a vasodilator action on the myogenically active facial vein. 8. The vasodilator neuropeptide CGRP, which is present in other more sparse perivascular nerve fibres mainly in angular oculi vein, is perhaps of afferent nature in which case CGRP might subserve axon reflex functions. 9. If, however, also the CGRP fibres are truly efferent in nature, chances for a central reciprocal control of flow through angular oculi vein might be at hand.

Animals

Evidence for involvement of nitric oxide in the regulation of hypothalamic portal blood flow.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and peptide histidine isoleucine, two peptides with a common precursor and with strong vasodilatory actions, have been suggested to be involved in control of blood flow through the hypothalamic portal blood vessels, in this way regulating the amounts of releasing and inhibitory factors reaching the anterior pituitary. Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique, we now show that this system also contains the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, as well as acetylcholinesterase. It is therefore likely that the control of blood flow through the portal vessels is mediated via relaxation of smooth muscle cells with a high myogenic tone by neuronal release of four vasodilatory compounds, acetylcholine, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, peptidine histidine isoleucine, and nitric oxide, i.e. a classic neurotransmitter, two neuropeptides and a gas.

Acetylcholine

Splanchnic and renal vasoconstriction during neuropeptide Y infusion in healthy humans.

To assess whether neuropeptide Y (NPY) causes vasoconstriction in human splanchnic and renal tissues, six healthy subjects were given NPY intravenously in the basal resting state for 15 min. The NPY dose of 10, 25, and 50 pmol kg-1 min-1 was increased every 5 min. The infusion was accompanied by elevated arterial plasma levels of NPY-like immunoreactivity (Li) which were 15, 40, and 85 times higher than the basal value. After the infusion plasma NPY-Li fell with two half-lives of 5 +/- 0.4 and 29 +/- 1.7 min but was still 4 times the basal values 60 min after the infusion (P less than 0.01). A vasoconstrictor effect was seen at about 500 pM plasma NPY-Li. During the NPY infusion splanchnic and renal blood flows decreased by 26% and 29% respectively. The blood flows in these regions were still below the basal value 40 to 60 min after the NPY infusion. Plasma noradrenaline fell by 20% (P less than 0.02) and arterial glucose by 3% (P less than 0.005) during the NPY infusion. It is concluded that NPY causes a dose-dependent long-lasting vasoconstriction in human renal and splanchnic tissues. The results also suggest that elevated plasma NPY-levels may be associated with changes in the turnover of noradrenaline and glucose.

Adult

Selective inhibition by dactinomycin of NANC sensory bronchoconstriction and [125I]NKA binding due to NK-2 receptor antagonism.

In the present study, dactinomycin (10(-5) M) inhibited the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic bronchoconstriction upon antidromic vagal nerve stimulation (1 Hz for 1 min) in the isolated perfused guinea-pig lung by 84%. The release of calcitonin gene-related peptide was unchanged, however, suggesting a postjunctional action. Dactinomycin (10(-5), 5 x 10(-5) M) also reduced non-adrenergic non-cholinergic bronchial contractions (maximally by 75%) induced by electrical field stimulation or capsaicin, while the cholinergic component and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic relaxation remained intact. The neurokinin-2 receptor antagonist L-659,877 (10(-6) M) had a similar effect as dactinomycin, inhibiting the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic bronchial contractions by 69%, while the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist CP-96,345 (10(-6) M) had no effect. The bronchoconstriction evoked by neurokinin A, the selective neurokinin-2 receptor agonist Nle10neurokinin A (4-10) and capsaicin was markedly inhibited by dactinomycin while the contraction induced by substance P (SP), the selective neurokinin-1 receptor agonist Sar9Met(O2)11SP, endothelin-1 and acetylcholine was not affected. In autoradiographic experiments on guinea-pig lung, [125I]neurokinin A-labelled sections showed dense binding in the bronchial smooth muscle layer. Dactinomycin inhibited the specific binding of [125I]neurokinin A in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 6.3 x 10(-6) M) and 66% of [125I]neurokinin A total binding was inhibited by 10(-4) M dactinomycin. In the rat colon, [125I]neurokinin A binding to neurokinin-2 sites on circular smooth muscle was inhibited by dactinomycin with an IC50 value of 7.9 x 10(-6) M. Dactinomycin failed to reduce increased nerve-evoked contractions or those caused by Nle10neurokinin A (4-10) per se in the rat vas deferens, which are considered to be mediated by neurokinin-2 receptor activation. In the rat portal vein, dactinomycin did not influence the contractions caused by the neurokinin-3 selective agonist Pro7neurokinin B. In conclusion, dactinomycin selectively inhibited neurokinin-2 receptor activation in guinea-pig lung and rat colon, but not in rat vas deferens, which may depend on the existence of different neurokinin-2 receptor subtypes. Neurokinin A is most likely the main endogenous excitatory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic transmitter in guinea-pig bronchi.

Acetylcholine

Splanchnic and renal vasoconstrictor and metabolic responses to neuropeptide Y in resting and exercising man.

The local clearance of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and whether NPY influences splanchnic and renal metabolism in man have not been investigated previously. The influence of NPY on splanchnic and renal blood flows at physiologically elevated levels has also not been investigated. The effects of a 40-min constant NPY infusion (3 pmol kg-1 min-1) at rest and during 130 min of exercise (50% of VO2max) were studied in six healthy subjects and compared with resting and exercising subjects receiving no NPY. Blood samples were drawn from arterial, hepatic and renal vein catheters for the determination of blood flows (indicators: cardiogreen and para-aminohippuric acid [PAH]), NPY, catecholamines, glucose, lactate and glycerol. NPY infusion was accompanied by: (1) significant fractional extraction of NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-Li) by splanchnic tissues at rest (58 +/- 5%) and during exercise (53 +/- 6%), while no arterial-venous differences could be detected across the kidney; (2) a reduction in splanchnic and renal blood flows of up to 18 and 13% respectively (P less than 0.01-0.001) at rest without any additional changes during exercise; and (3) metabolic changes as reflected in: (a) a more marked fall in arterial glucose during exercise compared to the reference group (P less than 0.05); (b) a 35% lower splanchnic glucose release (P less than 0.01) during exercise due to diminished glycogenolysis (P less than 0.01); and (c) a lower arterial lactate level (18% P less than 0.05) together with unchanged splanchnic lactate uptake during exercise, suggesting reduced lactate production by extrahepatic tissues. The disappearance of plasma NPY-Li after the infusions was biphasic with two similar half-lives at rest (4 and 39 min) and during exercise (3 and 43 min).

Adult

Different ion channel mechanisms between low concentrations of capsaicin and high concentrations of capsaicin and nicotine regarding peptide release from pulmonary afferents.

Vagal nerve stimulation (1 Hz for 1 min), capsaicin (10(-8) M and 10(-6) M), resiniferatoxin (3 x 10(-10) M) and nicotine (10(-4) M) evoked a non-cholinergic bronchoconstriction in the isolated perfused guinea-pig lung preparation. Simultaneously there was an increase in the perfusate levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity, suggesting release from sensory nerves. Both the bronchoconstriction and peptide release evoked by a low concentration of capsaicin (10(-8) M) and that evoked by nerve stimulation were depressed by tetrodotoxin, suggesting involvement of Na+ channel dependent depolarization. Since the effects of capsaicin (10(-8) M) and vagal nerve stimulation were inhibited by omega-conotoxin but not influenced by nifedipine, the Ca(2+)-channel dependent is probably of N-type. Furthermore, the capsaicin analogue resiniferatoxin also evoked omega-conotoxin sensitive peptide release and bronchoconstriction. At the higher capsaicin concentration (10(-6) M), the functional response was only slightly inhibited by omega-conotoxin or tetrodotoxin indicating that capsaicin at this concentration evoked peptide release and functional effects through other mechanisms, probably involving Ca2+ fluxes in the non-selective cation channel associated with the proposed capsaicin receptor. The nicotine (10(-4) M) evoked peptide release and bronchoconstriction were only marginally influenced by omega-conotoxin or tetrodotoxin. It is concluded that the ion-channel mechanisms underlying the peptide releasing properties of antidromic nerve stimulation and low concentrations of capsaicin are similar and depend on action potential propagation, whereas capsaicin in high, toxic concentration and nicotine mainly act via receptor operated channels.

Animals

Effects of acute and long-term atropine treatment on levels, release and response to VIP and PHI in the submandibular gland of cat and rat.

We have studied the effects of acute and long-term treatment of cats and rats with atropine on the levels, release and effects of two peptides, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), that probably co-exist with acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nerves supplying the submandibular gland. Atropine treatment (progressively increasing doses from 2 to 15 mg kg-1 injected s.c.) for 14 days did not alter the contents of VIP- or PHI-like immunoreactivity (-IR) in the cat submandibular gland or in three other tissues (nasal mucosa, trachea and tongue). Acute as well as long-term atropine treatment decreased the vasodilation following low-, but not high-, frequency parasympathetic nerve stimulation. During prolonged stimulation (60 min) there was a decreased vasodilatation response following both acute and long-term atropine treatment. The overflow of VIP-IR and PHI-IR following parasympathetic nerve stimulation was markedly increased by acute, but not by long-term atropine treatment. The VIP- or PHI-induced stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in the cat submandibular gland was not altered after long-term atropine treatment. Similarly, treatment of male Sprague-Dawley rats with atropine (20 mg kg-1) or imipramine (20 mg kg-1) for 14 days did not alter the sensitivity to VIP or to PHI of cAMP accumulation in the submandibular gland, nor was there any change in VIP-IR or PHI-IR content. In conclusion, although atropine treatment causes an acute increase in the overflow of VIP and PHI evoked by parasympathetic nerve stimulation, there is no depletion of peptide stores upon long-term treatment, nor is there any change in the effect of exogenous VIP and PHI on cAMP-accumulation.

Adenylyl Cyclases

Tolerance to haemorrhage during vasopressin antagonism and/or captopril treatment in conscious sheep.

The effect of separate and combined blockade of vasopressin (AVP) V1-receptors and angiotensin II formation on resistance to a slow venous haemorrhage (0.7 ml kg-1 min-1) was studied in six conscious adult sheep by bleeding to the point of an abrupt fall in the mean systemic arterial pressure (MSAP). Intravenous administration of the V1-receptor antagonist [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP] (10 micrograms kg-1) and/or the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (20 mg + 1 mg h-1) did not cause any significant haemodynamic changes in the normovolaemic animal. The volume of haemorrhage necessary to induce acute hypotension (MSAP < 50 mmHg) was significantly smaller after AVP blockade alone (13.8 +/- 0.7 ml kg-1; P < 0.01) but not after captopril treatment (14.7 +/- 1.6 ml kg-1; n.s.) compared to control animals receiving no drug treatment (16.8 +/- 0.6 ml kg-1). The combined treatment with the AVP antagonist and captopril caused a further decrease in tolerance to haemorrhage (9.4 +/- 1.2 ml kg-1; P < 0.001). Blockade of AVP V1-receptors was associated with an attenuated increase in systemic vascular resistance immediately after the end of haemorrhage, concomitant with an accentuated lowering of the central venous pressure. In contrast, captopril treatment decreased the degree of vasoconstriction mainly during the second half of the posthaemorrhage observation period of 1 hour. It is concluded that both AVP and angiotensin II contribute to the maintenance of the MSAP during haemorrhage in conscious sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II