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L Tretter

Publications and source records attributed to L Tretter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of high intracellular [Na+]-induced release of [3H]noradrenaline in rat hippocampal slices.

Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the high intracellular sodium-induced transmitter release in the CNS through the characterisation of the veratridine-evoked (40 microM) noradrenaline release from rat hippocampal slices. The response to veratridine was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin (1 microM), indicating that the effect is due to the activation of sodium channels. Omission of Ca2+ from the superfusion fluid inhibited the veratridine-evoked release by 72%, showing that the majority of release results from external Ca2+-dependent exocytosis. The residual Ca2+-independent release was not blocked by the intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (100 microM) suggesting that intracellular Ca2+ stores are not involved in this component of veratridine effect. The noradrenaline uptake blockers, desipramine (10 microM) and nisoxetine (10 microM), inhibited the external Ca2+-independent release by 50 and 46%, respectively, indicating that the release partly originates from the reversal of transporters (carrier-mediated release). In contrast to uptake blockers, lowering the temperature, another possibility to inhibit transporter function, completely inhibited the effect of veratridine in the absence of Ca2+. Further experiments revealed that low temperature (20 and 12 degrees C) reduces the veratridine-induced increase of intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) in rat cortical synaptosomes (68 and 78% inhibition, respectively). The clinical relevance of our data is that during ischemia a massive release of transmitters occurs mainly due to the elevation of [Na+]i, which contributes to the development of ischemic brain injury. Our results show that low temperature may be a better therapeutic approach to the treatment of ischemia because it has a dual action on this process. Firstly, it inhibits the function of uptake transporters and hence reduces the carrier-mediated outflow of transmitters. Secondly, it inhibits the sodium influx and therefore prevents the unwanted elevation of [Na+]i. Our data also suggest that veratridine stimulation can be a suitable model for ischemic conditions.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗

Inhibition of Krebs cycle enzymes by hydrogen peroxide: A key role of [alpha]-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase in limiting NADH production under oxidative stress.

In this study we addressed the function of the Krebs cycle to determine which enzyme(s) limits the availability of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) for the respiratory chain under H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress, in intact isolated nerve terminals. The enzyme that was most vulnerable to inhibition by H(2)O(2) proved to be aconitase, being completely blocked at 50 microm H(2)O(2). alpha-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (alpha-KGDH) was also inhibited but only at higher H(2)O(2) concentrations (>/=100 microm), and only partial inactivation was achieved. The rotenone-induced increase in reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H] fluorescence reflecting the amount of NADH available for the respiratory chain was also diminished by H(2)O(2), and the effect exerted at small concentrations (</=50 microm) of the oxidant was completely prevented by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase. BCNU-insensitive decline by H(2)O(2) in the rotenone-induced NAD(P)H fluorescence correlated with inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Decrease in the glutamate content of nerve terminals was induced by H(2)O(2) at concentrations inhibiting aconitase. It is concluded that (1) aconitase is the most sensitive enzyme in the Krebs cycle to inhibition by H(2)O(2), (2) at small H(2)O(2) concentrations (</=50 microm) when aconitase is inactivated, glutamate fuels the Krebs cycle and NADH generation is unaltered, (3) at higher H(2)O(2) concentrations (>/=100 microm) inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase limits the amount of NADH available for the respiratory chain, and (4) increased consumption of NADPH makes a contribution to the H(2)O(2)-induced decrease in the amount of reduced pyridine nucleotides. These results emphasize the importance of alpha-KGDH in impaired mitochondrial function under oxidative stress, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases and cell damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion.

Aconitate Hydratase↗

Exacerbated responses to oxidative stress by an Na(+) load in isolated nerve terminals: the role of ATP depletion and rise of [Ca(2+)](i).

We have explored the consequences of a [Na(+)](i) load and oxidative stress in isolated nerve terminals. The Na(+) load was achieved by veratridine (5-40 microM), which allows Na(+) entry via a voltage-operated Na(+) channel, and oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide (0.1-0.5 mM). Remarkably, neither the [Na(+)](i) load nor exposure to H(2)O(2) had any major effect on [Ca(2+)](i), mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim), or ATP level. However, the combination of an Na(+) load and oxidative stress caused ATP depletion, a collapse of Deltapsim, and a progressive deregulation of [Ca(2+)](i) and [Na(+)](i) homeostasis. The decrease in the ATP level was unrelated to an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and paralleled the rise in [Na(+)](i). The loss of Deltapsim was prevented in the absence of Ca(2+) but unaltered in the presence of cyclosporin A. We conclude that the increased ATP consumption by the Na,K-ATPase that results from a modest [Na(+)](i) load places an additional demand on mitochondria metabolically compromised by an oxidative stress, which are unable to produce a sufficient amount of ATP to fuel the ATP-driven ion pumps. This results in a deregulation of [Na(+)](i) and [Ca(2+)](i), and as a result of the latter, collapse of Deltapsim. The vicious cycle generated in the combined presence of Na(+) load and oxidative stress could be an important factor in the neuronal injury produced by ischemia or excitotoxicity, in which the oxidative insult is superimposed on a disturbed Na(+) homeostasis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Dinoflagellates from marine algal blooms produce neurotoxic compounds: effects on free calcium levels in neuronal cells and synaptosomes.

In this report, evidence is presented that the marine unicellular eukaryotic dinoflagellates can cause neurotoxicity very likely by an increase in intracellular free calcium ions ([Ca(2+)](i)). Determinations of the effects of culture supernatants from different clones of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium sp. isolated from algal blooms on the viability of rat primary neuronal cells revealed that all clones tested were toxic for these cells. In addition, all Alexandrium clones tested, except for A. ostenfeldii BAH ME-141, were found to be toxic for rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. No toxicity was observed for culture supernatants from Gonyaulax and Coolia monotis. Calcium ions are important in the process of apoptotic cell death; our studies revealed that the dinoflagellate supernatants from A. lusitanicum K2, A. lusitanicum BAH ME-091, and A. tamarense 1M caused an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) levels in both PC12 cells and primary neuronal cells. These dinoflagellate supernatants, as well as the A. tamarense ccmp 115 supernatant, were found to cause also an increase in free calcium concentration in isolated synaptosomes. Our results suggest that the neurotoxic effects of certain dinoflagellate supernatants may be associated with disturbances in [Ca(2+)](i) levels.

Journal Article↗

Reversible depolarization of in situ mitochondria by oxidative stress parallels a decrease in NAD(P)H level in nerve terminals.

We have reported recently (Chinopoulos et al., 1999 J. Neurochem. 73, 220 228) that mitochondrial membrane potential (delta(psi)m) in isolated nerve terminals is markedly reduced by H2O2 in the absence of F0F1-ATPase working as a proton pump. Here we demonstrate that delta(psi)m reduced by H2O2 (0.5 mM) in the presence of oligomycin (10 mM), an inhibitor of the F0F1-ATPase, was able to recover by the addition of catalase (2000 U). Similarly, a decrease in the NAD(P)H level due to H2O2 can be reversed by catalase. In addition, H2O2 decreased the ATP level and the [ATP]:[ADP] ratio measured in the presence of oligomycin reflecting an inhibition of glycolysis by H2O2, but this effect was not reversible. The effect of H2O2 on delta(psi)m in the presence of the complex I inhibitor, rotenone, was also unaltered by addition of catalase. These results provide circumstantial evidence for a relationship between the decreased NAD(P)H level and the inability of mitochondria to maintain delta(psi)m during oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Depolarization of in situ mitochondria due to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in nerve terminals: inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)) was determined in intact isolated nerve terminals using the membrane potential-sensitive probe JC-1. Oxidative stress induced by H2O2 (0.1-1 mM) caused only a minor decrease in delta psi(m). When complex I of the respiratory chain was inhibited by rotenone (2 microM), delta psi(m) was unaltered, but on subsequent addition of H2O2, delta psi(m) started to decrease and collapsed during incubation with 0.5 mM H2O2 for 12 min. The ATP level and [ATP]/[ADP] ratio were greatly reduced in the simultaneous presence of rotenone and H2O2. H2O2 also induced a marked reduction in delta psi(m) when added after oligomycin (10 microM), an inhibitor of F0F1-ATPase. H2O2 (0.1 or 0.5 mM) inhibited alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and decreased the steady-state NAD(P)H level in nerve terminals. It is concluded that there are at least two factors that determine delta psi(m) in the presence of H2O2: (a) The NADH level reduced owing to inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase is insufficient to ensure an optimal rate of respiration, which is reflected in a fall of delta psi(m) when the F0F1-ATPase is not functional. (b) The greatly reduced ATP level in the presence of rotenone and H2O2 prevents maintenance of delta psi(m) by F0F1-ATPase. The results indicate that to maintain delta psi(m) in the nerve terminal during H2O2-induced oxidative stress, both complex I and F0F1-ATPase must be functional. Collapse of delta psi(m) could be a critical event in neuronal injury in ischemia or Parkinson's disease when H2O2 is generated in excess and complex I of the respiratory chain is simultaneously impaired.

Animals↗

The neuroprotective drug vinpocetine prevents veratridine-induced [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i rise in synaptosomes.

The effect of the neuroprotective drug, vinpocetine on the veratridine-evoked [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i rise in isolated nerve terminals was studied. Vinpocetine, in a pharmacologically relevant concentration range (0.4-10 microM)i reduced the increase of [Na+]i induced by veratridine (100 microM). The effect of the drug was concentration-dependent with 10 microM vinpocetine completely preventing the increase of [Na+]i. The [Ca2+]i rise in response to veratridine was also prevented by vinpocetine. In addition, the [Ca2+]i signal induced by depolarization with 20 mM K+ was reduced by vinpocetine (1-20 microM). This effect was not influenced by preincubation with 1 microM TTX and was also observed when Na+ was replaced by N-methyl glucamine in the medium. It is concluded that vinpocetine is capable of inhibiting voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels, respectively, and these effects might contribute to the neuroprotection exerted by the drug.

Animals↗

Effects of retinoic acid on rat forebrain cells derived from embryonic and perinatal rats.

All-trans retinoic acid (RA), a potent inducer of neural development in non-committed neuroectodermal precursors and also, a teratogenic agent for early prosencephalic development is reported to promote the survival and differentiation of embryonic forebrain neurons, in vitro. In cultures of embryonic (E13, E15) rat forebrain cells, long-term (2-5 days) treatment with RA increased the number of neurons and the overall neurofilament immunoreactivity. Treatment with RA for periods longer than 1 h resulted in enhanced binding of the non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist, TCP, by embryonic and fetal (E17, E18) cells, but not by cells derived from perinatal (E19, P0) forebrains. As TCP binding-sites are localised within the channel-complex, treatment with RA was thought to result in an opening of the NMDA receptor channel. In direct binding assays, however, RA had no detectable effect, while conditioned media taken from RA-treated embryonic or fetal cells increased the TCP-binding, immediately. Analyses on conditioned media taken from control cultures of cells with various in vivo or in vitro ages revealed a stable extracellular glutamate level ([Glu]e) of 1-3 microM. This basal [Glu]e was restored within 24 h after addition of 100 microM exogenous glutamate. In the presence of RA, however, [Glu]e was stabilised at an approximately three-fold higher (4-10 microM) level by cells derived from embryonic and fetal brains. RA-treatment did not influence the [Glu]e in cultures of perinatal cells. The RA-induced rise in the neurofilament-immunoreactivity of embryonic brain cell cultures was prevented by simultaneous treatment with APV, a competitive antagonist of NMDA-receptors. The data suggest that a RA-induced shift in the set-point of extracellular glutamate-balance plays an important role in the promotion of survival and maturation of developing neurons, in culture.

Animals↗

Plasma membrane depolarization and disturbed Na+ homeostasis induced by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazon in isolated nerve terminals.

The effect of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazon (FCCP) was studied on the intracellular [Na+], pH, and plasma membrane potential in isolated nerve terminals. FCCP induced a rise of [Na+]i at, and even below, the concentrations (0.025-1 microM) in which it is usually used in intact cells to eliminate Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria. The FCCP-induced increase of [Na+]i correlates with a fall in both the ATP level and the ATP/ADP ratio. In addition, a sudden rise of the intracellular proton concentration ([H+]i) from 83 +/- 0.4 to 124 +/- 0.7 nM was observed on the addition of FCCP (1 microM). Parallel with the rise in [H+]i, an abrupt depolarization was detected, followed by a slower decrease in the plasma membrane potential. Both the extent of the pHi change and the fast depolarization of the plasma membrane were proportional to the proton electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane; when this gradient was increased, greater depolarization was detected. The slower decrease of the membrane potential after the fast initial depolarization was abolished when the medium contained no Na+. It is concluded that FCCP (1) gives rise to a depolarization by setting the plasma membrane potential close to the proton equilibrium potential and (2) enhances the intracellular [Na+] as a consequence of an insufficient ATP level and ATP/ADP ratio to fuel the Na+,K+/ATPase. Because both disturbed Na+ homeostasis and plasma membrane depolarization could profoundly interfere with Ca2+ homeostasis in the presence of protonophores, consideration given to these alterations may help to clarify the cellular Ca2+ sequestration processes.

Animals↗

Enhanced depolarization-evoked calcium signal and reduced [ATP]/[ADP] ratio are unrelated events induced by oxidative stress in synaptosomes.

Oxidative insult elicited by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was previously shown to increase the basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration in synaptosomes. In the present study, the effect of H2O2 on the depolarization-evoked [Ca2+] signal was investigated. Pretreatment of synaptosomes with H2O2 (0.1-1 mM) augmented the [Ca2+] rise elicited by high K+ depolarization with essentially two alterations, the sudden sharp rise of [Ca2+]i due to K+ depolarization is enhanced and, instead of a decrease to a stable plateau, a slow, steady rise of [Ca2+]i follows the peak [Ca2+]i. H2O2 in the same concentration range lowered the ATP level and the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio. When carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) (1 microM) or rotenone (2 microM)/oligomycin (10 microM) was applied initially to block mitochondrial ATP production, the lowered [ATP]/[ADP] ratio was further reduced by subsequent addition of 0.5 mM H2O2. The decline of the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio was parallel with but could not explain the enhanced K+-evoked [Ca2+]i signal, indicated by experiments in which the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio was decreased by FCCP (0.1 microM) or rotenone (2 microM) to a similar value as by H2O2 without causing any alteration in the [Ca2+]i signal. These results indicate that H2O2-evoked oxidative stress, in its early phase, gives rise to a complex dysfunction in the Ca2+ homeostasis and, parallel with it, to an impaired energy status.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Early events in free radical-mediated damage of isolated nerve terminals: effects of peroxides on membrane potential and intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations.

The effects of peroxides were investigated on the membrane potential, intracellular Na+ ([Na+]i) and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) concentrations, and basal glutamate release of synaptosomes. Both H2O2 and the organic cumene hydroperoxide produced a slow and continuous depolarization, parallel to an increase of [Na+]i over an incubation period of 15 min. A steady rise of the [Ca2+]i due to peroxides was also observed that was external Ca2+ dependent and detected only at an inwardly directed Ca2+ gradient of the plasma membrane. These changes did not correlate with lipid peroxidation, which was elicited by cumene hydroperoxide but not by H2O2. Resting release of glutamate remained unchanged during the first 15 min of incubation in the presence of peroxides. These alterations may indicate early dysfunctions in the sequence of events occurring in the nerve terminals in response to oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Relation of [Ca2+]i to dopamine release in striatal synaptosomes: role of Ca2+ channels.

We compared the effects of KCl and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) stimulation on the coupling of Ca2+ channel activation to [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) release in rat striatal synaptosomes and used specific Ca2+ channel blockers to discriminate between the different VSCC's activated by the two stimulatory agents. We found that whereas [3H]DA release is strictly Ca(2+)-dependent in the case of KCl depolarization, 4-AP, at concentrations above 100 microM, progressively causes a large Ca(2+)-independent release of [3H]DA. Thus, at 1 to 3 mM 4-AP, as much as 80-95% of the [3H]DA release is Ca(2+)-independent and can be partially blocked by nomifensine, indicating that some [3H]DA release is occurring through reversal of the DA carrier. Therefore, in the studies relating [Ca2+]i to [3H]DA release we selected 4-AP concentrations lower than 100 microM and corrected for the Ca(2+)-independent release. Under these conditions, we determined that: (1) Ca2+ entry through N-type VSCC's is involved in [3H]DA release both in the case of KCl depolarization (35% inhibition by omega-CgTx) and in 4-AP stimulation (23% inhibition by omega-CgTx); (2) Ca2+ entering through P-type and/or Q-type VSCC's is also involved in [3H]DA release due to 4-AP stimulation (26% inhibition by 200 nM omega-Aga IVA); (3) Neomycin (0.35 mM) inhibited the [3H]DA release due to 4-AP stimulation by about 20% and decreased the KCl induced [3H]DA release by 55%; the effects of neomycin (0.35 mM) and omega-CgTx were additive in both cases, indicating that, at this concentration, the antibiotic does not affect significantly N-type Ca2+ channels; (4) When applied together, omega-CgTx and omega-Aga IVA inhibited the 4-AP stimulated [3H]DA release by about 40-50%, suggesting that the remaining large fraction of the VSCC's activated by 4-AP stimulation are non-N, non-P VSCC's and are coupled to Ca(2+)-dependent [3H]DA release; (5) The contribution of L-type VSCC's is uncertain, since there seemed to be a small contribution in the case of KCl depolarization, but not in the case of 4-AP stimulation. On the whole, the results suggest that the release of [3H]DA in the rat striatal nerve terminals depends on Ca2+ entry through N-, P-, possibly Q-, and other non-N-, non-P-type VSCC's when either KCl or 4-AP stimulation is utilized.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Severe depletion of cellular thiols and glutathione-related enzymes of a carmustine-resistant L1210 strain associates with collateral sensitivity to cyclophosphamide.

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) increased the life span of both carmustine (BCNU)-resistant (L1210/BCNU) and BCNU-sensitive L1210 (L1210/0) leukaemic mice; their sensitivity to CPA, however, was extremely different. The BCNU-resistant strain was much more sensitive (collaterally) to CPA than was its sensitive counterpart. The collateral sensitivity was accompanied by a severe reduction in the activity of glutathione-related enzymes and in protein thiol (SH) and non-protein SH levels in BCNU-resistant cells. The activity of glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) was 2 times higher in the L1210/0 cells than in the L1210/BCNU cells. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was also almost 2 times more active in the sensitive cells than in the resistant strain. To develop resistance against CPA with a single treatment (60 mg/kg) per passage, the L1210/BCNU strain needed 26 passages, whereas the L1210/0 strain required significantly fewer. The resistance developed against CPA was associated with a moderate elevation of thiols in the L1210/CPA cells, whereas this elevation was approximately 3 times more pronounced in the L1210/BCNU/CPA cells. The severely reduced activity of GST in the L1210/BCNU strain was markedly increased when these cells were made resistant to CPA; the GSSG-R activity, however, remained low, suggesting an irreversible injury of this enzyme by BCNU.

Animals↗

Lack of involvement of [Ca2+]i in the external Ca(2+)-independent release of acetylcholine evoked by veratridine, ouabain and alpha-latrotoxin: possible role of [Na+]i.

Synaptosomes were challenged by veratridine, ouabain and alpha-latrotoxin, and the release of 14C-acetylcholine (ACh) was measured in the absence of external Ca2+. We wished to test whether Ca2+ mobilized from internal stores triggered the ACh release that was independent of external Ca2+. We found that none of the agents altered the [Ca2+]i in a Ca(2+)-free medium. Buffering the intracellular Ca2+ concentration with BAPTA did not prevent the increase in release of 14C-ACh by veratridine or ouabain in the absence of Ca2+, however, it greatly reduced the release evoked in a Ca(2+)-containing medium. In parallel samples the release of ACh and the change in the internal Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) were measured. It was found that veratridine, ouabain and alpha-latrotoxin all enhanced [Na+]i in a concentration-dependent manner and a good quantitative relationship existed between the increase in [Na+]i and the release of ACh.

Acetylcholine↗

The effect of the radioprotector WR-2721 and WR-1065 on mitochondrial lipid peroxidation.

The radioprotective agent WR-2721 is dephosphorylated to the free thiol form WR-1065 in vivo. The effects of WR-2721, WR-1065 and reduced glutathione on a mitochondrial lipid peroxidation system were compared. WR-2721 had no effect on mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in vitro, and could not prevent the inactivation of mitochondrial enzymes. Both WR-1065 and glutathione were effective inhibitors of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation induced by ADP/Fe/NADPH or by ADP/Fe/ascorbate. Both thiols correspondingly delayed the free radical-mediated inactivation of succinate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. WR-1065 was able to reduce cumene hydroperoxide non-enzymatically, and proved to be weak substrate for glutathione peroxidase. The disulfide formed from WR-1065 could be reduced by glutathione without the participation of glutathione reductase. A redox cycle is proposed between WR-1065, glutathione and glutathione reductase to explain the inhibitory effect of WR-1065 on lipid peroxidation.

Amifostine↗

Lipid peroxidation in Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria is not determined by the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the membrane.

Lipid peroxidation intensity is compared in Ehrlich Ascites Cell and in liver mitochondria, prepared from tumor bearing mice. Malondialdehyde formation is negligible in intact ascites tumour mitochondria, but it is significantly increased in permeabilised mitochondria and in isolated mitochondrial membranes. We suggest that the resistance against oxidative stress is a consequence of efficient protective mechanisms operating in the intact tumour mitochondria and the low level of polyunsaturated fatty acids under these circumstances cannot be the rate limiting factor in lipid peroxidation. Succinate, an effective inhibitor of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation in liver, cannot determine malondialdehyde formation in ascites tumour mitochondria.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Lipid peroxidation in liver and Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria.

Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondria are highly resistant to lipid peroxidation as compared to liver mitochondria from host animals. Succinate protects mitochondria from peroxidative damage, proteins from cross-links, enzymes from inactivation of the enzymes and membranes from permeability changes. The sensitivity of Ehrlich ascites cell mitochondrial membranes to lipid peroxidation is significantly increased in submitochondrial particles. Lipid peroxidation in tumour mitochondrial membranes can not be diminished by succinate as effectively as in liver mitochondria. Ascites cell mitochondria seems to be protected very efficiently from peroxidative damage by a glutathione-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗