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Biomedical subjects

L Zilletti

Publications and source records attributed to L Zilletti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Peroxidase catalysed formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid.

Horseradish peroxidase and bovine lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), when incubated aerobically with arachidonate, gave rise to the formation of substances identified by bioassay as prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha)- and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-like compounds. Boiling of enzymes, which suppressed their capacity to peroxidize guaiacol, also destroyed their capacity to convert arachidonate into PG-like compounds. The rates of formation of PG-like compounds rapidly declined with time, approaching zero after 10 and 20 min for PGE2 alpha- and PGE2-like compounds, respectively. Addition of more enzyme further promoted the reaction. Horseradish and lacto-peroxidases showed optimum pH values of 9.0 and 10.0, respectively. Both enzymes exhibited apparent Km values of about 5 x 10(-5) M for arachidonate. Some reducing agents such as ascorbic acid, NADH and adrenaline dose-dependently inhibited this reaction. The haem poison, phenylhydrazine, also inhibited, with an IC50 of 1 x 10(-7) M. Indomethacin inhibited only the formation of PGE2-like compounds with an IC50 of about 3 x 10(-6) M. As compared to a standard commercial preparation of horseradish peroxidase, the purified horseradish basic and acidic isoenzymes exhibited a higher activity, towards arachidonate whereas other haemoproteins, possessing peroxidase activity, were less active. TLC and GC-MS analyses performed on the reaction products led to the identification of PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and PG6K1 alpha and other unidentified arachidonate derivatives. At 25 degrees, pH 9.5, horseradish peroxidase, acting on saturating concentration of arachidonate, catalysed the formation of 60 mumol/min/mmole enzyme of PGE2 + PGF2 alpha. This appears to be the first report of the synthesis of prostaglandins catalysed by peroxidases.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Capsaicin and anaphylactic reactions in the guinea-pig.

The influence of capsaicin on anaphylactic reactions in the guinea-pig was studied both in vivo and in vitro. In guinea-pigs actively sensitized with ovalbumin, Herxheimer microshock was elicited by antigen aerosol and the preconvulsion time recorded. The preconvulsion time was reduced by about 30% in animals pretreated with capsaicin (1 mg/kg) injected i.p. 30 min before antigen aerosol, whereas it remained unchanged when the drug was administered two days before aerosol treatment. Capsaicin shows a partial protective effect when the provocative aerosol was administered 3 h after the last of three doses of capsaicin (100 micrograms/kg, i.p.), which had been injected for three consecutive days. Ileum longitudinal muscle strips were used for in vitro anaphylaxis studies. These were isolated from guinea-pigs actively sensitized with ovalbumin and histamine release evoked by antigen was measured. Preparations perfused with capsaicin (10(-6)-10(-4) M) and desensitized to the drug, showed a lower anaphylactic release of histamine. This effect was dose-dependent, with the histamine release reduced by 35% at higher concentrations (10(-5)-10(-4) M) of capsaicin. The mechanism of the influence of capsaicin on anaphylactic reactions is discussed briefly.

Anaphylaxis↗

Decreased response to GABA-B agonists in longitudinal smooth muscle-myenteric plexus preparations from morphine-tolerant guinea-pigs.

1) Responsiveness of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle-myenteric plexus preparations to drugs activating GABA-B receptors was studied in morphine-tolerant animals. For this purpose morphine pellets (75 mg each) were implanted subcutaneously in guinea-pigs and experiments were performed three days later in electrically-stimulated ileal strips. 2) Activation of GABA-B receptors with GABA (10(-6) -10(-3) M) or (-)-baclofen (10(-6)-10(-3) M) caused a dose-related inhibition of twitch response that was about 80% lower in preparations from morphine-tolerant animals than in controls. This was found both in preparations maintained in the presence of morphine (10(-6) M) and in morphine-free Krebs. The effect was evident also in ileal preparations from morphine-tolerant animals in which a withdrawal syndrome was induced by the administration of naloxone before sacrifice. 3) The phenomenon was specific since the dose-response curve of the adenosine-inhibitory effect was comparable in preparations from tolerant animals and controls. 4) The hyporesponsiveness to GABA-B receptor activation began 12 h after pellet implantation and was maximal on the third day. 5) It is concluded that during tolerance to and withdrawal from morphine there is a hyporesponsiveness of GABA-B receptors in "in vitro" guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations.

Animals↗

Agonists, antagonists and modulators of excitatory amino acid receptors in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus.

1. The receptors for glutamic acid (L-Glu) present in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus-ileal longitudinal muscle preparation have been studied by measuring the muscle contraction induced by numerous putative endogenous agonists acting at these receptors. Furthermore, the actions of different concentrations of antagonists, glycine, Mg2+ and Ca2+ on the ileal contractions induced by L-Glu have been evaluated. 2. The EC50 values of the most common putative endogenous agonists of these receptors were: L-Glu 1.9 X 10(-5) M; L-aspartate 8 X 10(-5) M; quinolinate 5 X 10(-4) M; L-homocysteate 1.4 X 10(-4) M; the dipeptide aspartyl-glutamate 8 X 10(-5) M, while N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate was inactive. Among the molecules used to classify excitatory amino acid receptors, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was the most potent (EC50 5 X 10(-4) M). Kainic and quisqualic acids were almost completely inactive. 3. The responses to L-Glu were competitively antagonized by 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. They were, also, prevented by hyoscine (10(-7) M) and by tetrodotoxin (3 X 10(-7) M), suggesting that the L-Glu-induced ileal contraction was in some way dependent upon an action on the myenteric cholinergic neurones. Kynurenic acid was a non-competitive antagonist, gamma-D-glutamyl-taurine (10(-4) M) and aminophosphonobutyric acid (10(-4) M) did not modify the L-Glu-induced contractions. 4. Glycine (10(-5) M) significantly potentiated the effects of glutamate especially when the ionic composition of the superfusion medium contained concentrations of Ca2+ in the range of 0.6-1.2 mM. Strychnine 3 X 10(-5) M did not modify the actions of glycine. 5. The data presented here confirm the presence of NMDA receptors in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus, and show that these receptors, similar to those present in primary neuronal cultures may be modulated by glycine.

Animals↗

Effect of various GABA-receptor agonists and antagonists on anaphylactic histamine release in the guinea-pig ileum.

In this paper we confirm the previously reported inhibition by GABA of anaphylactic histamine release from isolated guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle. Moreover we report that: GABA-inhibition of anaphylactic histamine release is mimicked both by GABA-A and GABA-B agonists; both GABA-A and GABA-B antagonists are effective in reversing GABA's inhibitory effect; the effect is exerted specifically by GABA-ergic drugs: taurine and beta-alanine are ineffective; the GABA-ergic effect seems not to involve cholinergic and adrenergic transmission. It is concluded that it might be interesting to assess the clinical value of GABA-ergic drugs in allergic gut disorders.

Anaphylaxis↗

Effect of baclofen on different models of bronchial hyperreactivity in the guinea-pig.

In this paper we report an inhibitory effect of (-)-baclofen on many models of bronchial hyperreactivity both in vivo and in vitro. (-)-Baclofen protects guinea-pigs from the anaphylactic bronchospasm induced in sensitized animals by an ovalbumin aerosol and from that induced by aerosols of histamine and PGF2 alpha. Moreover (-)-baclofen reduces the TXA2 and TXB2 output induced by ovalbumin from isolated sensitized guinea-pig lungs. On the other hand (-)-baclofen does not show antihistaminic, anticholinergic or antiprostaglandinic action on isolated tracheal preparations. It is concluded that baclofen can provide protection from bronchial hyperreactivity possibly through a modulation of autonomic nervous system activity.

Acetylcholine↗

Effects of nesosteine on Herxheimer microshock in guinea-pigs.

In this paper we firstly report the inhibitory effect of nesosteine, a mucolytic drug, on Herxheimer microshock in guinea-pigs. Nesosteine (5-50 mg/kg) is able to protect sensitized animals from ovalbumin-induced bronchospasm. On the other hand, the drug is ineffective against the bronchospasm induced by histamine and acetylcholine. These results have also been confirmed in in vitro experiments where it has been demonstrated that nesosteine (10(-5) M) inhibits ovalbumin-induced histamine release in the trachea of sensitized animals. In the same preparation, the drug is ineffective against the contractions induced by histamine or acetylcholine. In conclusion, the drug presented here may be helpful in pathological conditions where reductions both of mucolysis and bronchospasm are sought.

Anaphylaxis↗

Rhein: an anthraquinone that modulates superoxide anion production from human neutrophils.

Rhein (4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid), the active metabolite of diacetylrhein, which has been reported as an effective antirheumatic drug in man, inhibited superoxide anion production from human neutrophils challenged with N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP: IC50, 2 x 10(-5) M) and A23186 (IC50, 10(-5) M), but not with phorbol myristate acetate. In the same concentration range (10(-6)-10(-3) M), the drug did not affect oxy-radical production by a cell-free hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and exerted weak inhibitory effects on FMLP-evoked lysosomal enzyme release. Rhein inhibitory effects on neutrophil functioning may contribute to the overall therapeutic activity of the parent drug, diacetylrhein.

Adult↗

The presence of N-methyl-D-aspartate-type receptors for glutamic acid in the guinea pig myenteric plexus.

The actions of agonists and antagonists of excitatory amino acid receptors were studied in the isolated ileal longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparation of the guinea pig incubated 'in vitro', by recording the contraction of the longitudinal muscle. L-Glutamate, L-aspartate, quinolinate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), in concentrations ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-4) M, induced a rapid contraction of this preparation while kainate and quisqualate were not active at a concentration of 10(-4) M. The excitatory amino acid responses were competitively antagonized by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate. They were also prevented by Mg2+ ions (0.1-1 mM), by tetrodotoxin 3 X 10(-6) M and by hyoscine 10(-7) M. The last observations suggest that the myenteric cholinergic interneurons are in some way involved in the glutamate-induced ileal contraction. These results demonstrate the existence of receptors for excitatory amino acids (possibly of NMDA type) in the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig.

Animals↗

The effect of lipoxygenase inhibitors and leukotriene antagonists on anaphylaxis.

The experiments whose results are reported here were carried out with the aim of showing a possible role for lipoxygenase products in the modulation of the Schultz-Dale reaction. For this purpose, the actions of nordihydroguaieretic acid (NDGA) and of FPL 55712 were tested during anaphylaxis in guinea-pig ileum and trachea in vitro. Isolated preparations from guinea-pigs, which had been subcutaneously sensitized with ovalbumin and incomplete Freund adjuvant, were challenged with increasing concentrations of antigen; in preparations isolated from the same animal an antigen-concentration anaphylactic-reaction curve was performed in the presence of the drugs. NDGA 3.3 X 10(-6) M was capable of inhibiting anaphylaxis in the trachea to a maximum extent of 40% but it did not affect anaphylactic reaction in the intestinal smooth muscle. FPL 55712 2 X 10(-6) M did not exert any activity on anaphylaxis in either preparations. The difference between SRS-A and histamine as mediators of anaphylaxis in the tissue preparations used could explain the fact that NDGA acted on the trachea alone.

Anaphylaxis↗

Effects of GABA agonists on Herxheimer microshock in guinea pigs.

In this paper we describe the first observation of GABA inhibition in an experimental model of asthma in vivo. Guinea-pigs were actively sensitized with ovalbumin i.p. and 20 days later the Herxheimer microshock was performed. GABA and (-)-baclofen injected 20 min previously significantly prevented the development of microshock. Therefore GABAergic drugs appear to modulate in vivo anaphylactic reaction. The value of this observation with regard to the physiopathology and therapy of asthma remains to be elucidated.

Anaphylaxis↗

GABA-related activities of amino phosphonic acids on guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle.

The effects of phosphonic analogues of GABA, beta-alanine and glycine on guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle were measured. Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPh) and 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid (2-AEPh) were devoid of any effect both in non-stimulated preparations and in electrically-stimulated preparations. The phosphonic analogue of GABA, 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid (3-APPh) possessed a GABAB agonistic effect (relaxation and inhibition of twitch response) at doses of 10(-3)M. No agonistic effect on GABAA receptors was observed. 3-APPh at doses tested (2 X 10(-4)M and 10(-3)M) also displayed antagonistic action on the effects of GABAB agonists producing a parallel shift of the log dose-effect curves of GABA- and (-)-baclofen-inhibition of twitch responses. In contrast 3-APPh did not antagonize the inhibitory effect of morphine and noradrenaline. The contractile effect of GABA, mediated via GABAA receptors, was unaffected by 3-APPh(10(-3)M). It is concluded that 3-APPh is a partial agonist at the GABAB site in guinea-pig ileum.

Animals↗

Diazepam potentiates GABA-contraction in guinea-pig ileum.

Both GABA-receptors and benzodiazepine receptors have recently been described in the ileum. In this work we tested whether an interaction between diazepam and GABA-A- or GABA-B-mediated effects took place in guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle. We found that diazepam dose-dependently (10(-9) M-10(-6) M) potentiates the contractions caused by the activation of GABA-A receptor while it is ineffective at the same doses on GABA-B- mediated effects (relaxation and inhibition of twitch response). The drug "per se" does not affect the ileum. Diazepam potentiation is specific since this drug does not potentiate contractions caused by acetylcholine (10(-8) M), 5-HT (10(-7) M), histamine (10(-7) M), and electrical stimulation. Diazepam potentiating effect was not evident in the presence of bicuculline (10(-5) M) or hyoscine (2 X 10(-7) M). Ro 15-1788 (10(-5)M) and beta CCE (10(-5)M) antagonized diazepam potentiation of GABA contraction, while PK 11195 (10(-5) M) was ineffective. We conclude that diazepam modulates the effects evoked by stimulation of peripheral GABA-A receptors, while it is ineffective on GABA-B mediated effects.

Animals↗

Inhibition of anaphylactic histamine release in vitro by GABA.

Inhibitory effect of GABA on anaphylactic histamine release in vitro is not mimicked by 2-aminoethansulphonic acid (taurine), an aminoacid unrelated to GABA neuro-transmission. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) 6 X 10(-7) M, a concentration known to block neuronal mechanism but not to modify muscle membrane and anaphylactic histamine release, strongly prevented the inhibition caused by GABA in the Schultz-Dale reaction and in anaphylactic histamine release. The inhibitory effect of GABA on anaphylactic reaction in vitro thus appears to be specific for this aminoacid and is neurogenic in nature, in that it requires integrity of neuronal mechanisms.

Anaphylaxis↗

5-Aminovaleric acid interactions with GABAA and GABAB receptors in guinea-pig ileum.

The potential interaction of 5-aminovaleric acid (5-AVA) on GABAA and GABAB receptors was investigated on the guinea-pig isolated ileum myenteric plexus preparation. In the unstimulated preparation 5-AVA (0.1-3 mM) produced a transient contraction which was abolished by previous exposure to picrotoxin (0.1 mM), atropine (3 microM) or tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM). Cross desensitization was observed between the contractile effects of 5-AVA and GABA, while a previous exposure to (+/-)-baclofen did not affect 5-AVA induced contractions. 5-AVA antagonized the relaxant effect of (+/-)-baclofen in unstimulated preparations. 5-AVA (1 mM) had no effect on amplitude of twitches in supramaximally stimulated preparations while GABA produced a concentration related inhibition. In the presence of 5-AVA (1 mM) the concentration response curve to GABA was shifted to the right without a reduction of the maximal effect attainable. These observations indicate that 5-AVA interacts with both GABAA and GABAB receptors in guinea-pig ileum. The concentrations required to observe a GABAA effect are of the same order as those which are effective in producing a blockade of GABAB mediated responses.

Amino Acids↗

Modulatory activity of GABAB receptors on cholinergic tone in guinea-pig distal colon.

The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) administration was studied in both in vitro and in vivo preparations of the guinea-pig distal colon. In in vitro preparations GABA (10(-7) - 10(-3) M) elicited a dose-dependent relaxation; a decrease in the spontaneous contractions was sometimes observed. The effect of GABA was mimicked by (-)-baclofen, which gave a dose-response curve overlapping that of GABA, while (+)-baclofen was about one hundred times less potent. The relaxation responses induced by the above drugs were antagonized by 5-aminovaleric acid (5 X 10(-4) M), which did not affect adenosine-induced relaxation, but they were insensitive to bicuculline (10(-5) M) and picrotoxin (10(-5) M). Moreover, they were prevented by tetrodotoxin (6 X 10(-7) M). In hyoscine (10(-7) M)-pretreated preparations, GABA still evoked a small relaxation response (approx. 10% of the maximum) that was bicuculline-sensitive. Desensitization to GABA (10(-5) M) was observed. A specific cross-desensitization occurred between GABA (10(-5) M) and (-)-baclofen (10(-5) M). In in vivo preparations, GABA (10 mumol kg-1) and (-)-baclofen (5 mumol kg-1) produced a dose-related inhibition of basal tone, while (+)-baclofen (5 mumol kg-1) had much less effect (about 25%). A decrease in the spontaneous contractions was sometimes observed. The relaxant effect of GABA and (-)-baclofen persisted in guinea-pigs pretreated (1-2 min) with picrotoxin (1.6 mumol kg-1), whereas it was significantly reduced in animals injected 1 min beforehand with 5-aminovaleric acid (0.2 mmol). The maximal relaxant effect induced by GABA and (-)-baclofen did not differ from that of atropine (0.9 mumol kg-1) and after atropine administration GABA had no further inhibitory effect. Relaxation responses induced by GABA and (-)-baclofen still occurred after blockade of nicotinic receptors by hexamethonium (0.17 mmol kg-1), which itself caused an increase in the basal tone. When the tone was increased by topical application of physostigmine (40 micrograms), GABA and (-)-baclofen induced a greater relaxation than that obtained in basal conditions. It is concluded that GABA, both in vitro and in vivo administration, inhibits cholinergic tone in guinea-pig distal colon and that this effect is mediated mainly by activation of GABAB receptors. Further experiments are required to ascertain the possible physiological role of a GABA-releasing neuronal system in the colon in vivo.

Amino Acids↗