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Biomedical subjects

M A Devynck

Publications and source records attributed to M A Devynck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nitric oxide inhibits ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into platelet membrane vesicles.

The reduction by nitric oxide donors of Ca2+ mobilization in stimulated platelets lead us to investigate the direct effect of authentic NO on ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into platelet membrane vesicles. The effects of NO were compared to those of thapsigargin and 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, two specific inhibitors of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases. All three compounds modulated the initial rate of ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. NO effects on the initial rate of active Ca2+ uptake were biphasic, with an inhibition above 10 nmol/L and a stimulation below this concentration. These effects could not be attributed to cGMP, its usual effector molecule, or to nitrite ions, its metabolic product. NO inhibitory effects were decreased after a five min incubation, indicating that they were due to a short-lived compound and reversible. These results suggest that NO is functionally coupled to SERCA pumps of the dense tubular system through a cGMP-independent mechanism.

Biological Transport, Active

Cell calcium handling and intracellular pH regulation in hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats: reduced platelet response to thrombin stimulation.

Multiple cell membrane alterations have been described in humans and animals with various genetic forms of hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. The aim of our study was to characterize some properties of platelets and/or erythrocytes (cytosolic calcium handling, intracellular pH regulation and thrombin responsiveness) in a new model of genetic hypertension associated with hyperlipidemia-Prague hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) rats. There were no differences in basal cytosolic Ca2+ values in platelets or erythrocytes of HTG rats and control Wistar rats. Ca2+ influx into erythrocytes was also similar in HTG and control rats. In both strains Ca2+ influx correlated positively with plasma triglycerides. The slope of this relationship was less steep in HTG than in Wistar rats. Cytosolic Ca2+ response to thrombin stimulation was smaller in HTG platelets, which were also characterized by a major reduction of thrombin-induced Mn2+ entry through receptor-operated Ca2+ channels. Platelets of HTG rats had the same basal intracellular pHi values and similar buffering capacity as control rats but their pHi response to thrombin stimulation was substantially reduced. It can be concluded that reduced responsiveness to thrombin stimulation is a major alteration found in platelets of hypertensive hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats.

Animals

Enhanced phospholipase A2 activity in cultured cardiomyocytes from newborn spontaneously hypertensive rat.

1. Changes in membrane lipid composition and metabolism could participate in myocardial membrane dysfunction in essential or experimental hypertension. Phospholipid-bound fatty acid profile and metabolism are altered in cultured heart myocytes of newborn genetically hypertensive rats. The present study was designed to investigate the participation of phospholipase A2 in these modifications. 2. Phospholipase A2 activity of cultured cardiomyocytes of neonate spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto rats was compared. The enzyme activity was measured using 2-[1-14C]arachidonyl-phosphatidylethanolamine as substrate. In both strains, Ca(2+)-dependent and independent phospholipase A2 activities were present. Only the Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme activity was altered in spontaneously hypertensive rat cardiomyocytes. With 0.2 mmol/l substrate and 5 mmol/l Ca2+, the phospholipase A2 activities were 79.0 +/- 13.4 and 26.0 +/- 3.6 nmol h-1 mg-1 of protein in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rat cardiomyocytes respectively (n = 10 in both cases, P = 0.001). The maximum velocity of the enzyme was three times higher in spontaneously hypertensive rat than in Wistar-Kyoto rat, without changes in the apparent affinity of the enzyme for its substrate. 3. The present results demonstrate an enhanced phospholipase A2 activity in cultured heart muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats, which could be genetically determined.

Animals

Direct measurement of nitric oxide production in platelets: relationship with cytosolic Ca2+ concentration.

NO production in platelets has been followed by electrochemical detection. It was undetectable in unstimulated platelets and in thrombin or ADP-stimulated platelets, but dose-dependently stimulated by collagen. A production of 5 10(-19) mol/platelet was reached with 9 micrograms collagen. In collagen-stimulated platelets, preincubation with 1 mM L-Arg, D-Arg or L-NMMA increased by 77%, left unchanged or decreased by 63% NO production, respectively. NO production did not parallel cytosolic Ca2+ changes, although it decreased in low Ca2+ medium or when Ca2+ transients were attenuated by intracellular Ca2+ buffer. These results confirm that human platelets can generate NO. They demonstrate that cytosolic [Ca2+], although participating in the regulation of its synthesis, is not the messenger for NO synthase activation. Platelet NO production could become functionally important when collagen fibrils of the sub-endothelium are accessible.

Adenosine Diphosphate

Endothelin-3 reduces Ca(2+)-uptake and Ca2+ content of platelet internal stores.

In stimulated platelets, endothelin-3 (ET-3) has been previously shown to attenuate Ca2+ mobilization. Using the calcium indicator chlortetracycline, the present study demonstrates that 0.5 microM ET-3 produced a 24% reduction in the Ca2+ pool mobilized by A23187. ET-3 up to 1 microM dose-dependently decreased the initial velocity and steady state value of 45Ca(2+)-uptake into platelet membrane vesicules (p < 0.001). In addition, ET-3 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of half maximally effective concentrations of thapsigargin and 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, two specific inhibitors of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases. These results suggest that ET-3 is functionally coupled to Ca(2+)-pumps of the dense tubular system. Based on these findings, we propose that ET-3 decreases the activity of Ca(2+)-pumps in the dense tubular system which accumulates less Ca2+, leading to lowered Ca2+ release in response to agonists.

Analysis of Variance

Isradipine affects histamine-induced cytosolic Ca2+ movements in human endothelial cells.

Although endothelial actions of dihydropyridines remain controversial, isradipine has been observed to exert anti-atherosclerotic actions in which endothelium could be involved. This study was designed to investigate the direct effects of isradipine on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Isradipine (from 10 nM to 1 microM) had no effect on unstimulated cells but dose-dependently decreased both the transient [Ca2+]i peak and the sustained increase induced by histamine. Its maximal effects were reached at 0.1 microM. In the absence of Ca2+ influx or in depolarized cells, 1 microM isradipine still significantly decreased the transient [Ca2+]i peak (by 23 +/- 8% and 42 +/- 11%). Ca2+ influx induced by re-establishment of transmembrane Ca2+ gradient was also inhibited by isradipine, as was that induced by 1 microM thapsigargin. These results demonstrate that isradipine is able to reduce both Ca2+ release from internal stores and the consequent Ca2+ entry in stimulated human endothelial cells.

Calcium

Refilling state of internal Ca2+ stores is not the only intracellular signal stimulating Ca2+ influx in human endothelial cells.

To further analyse the role of the refilling state of internal Ca2+ pools in the stimulation of Ca2+ influx in human endothelial cells, we investigated the combined effect of thapsigargin (TG) and histamine on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and inositol polyphosphate production. At normal extracellular Ca2+ levels, TG induced a progressive and sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i which was dose-dependently prevented by pretreatment with 1-10 microM histamine. Similarly, pretreatment with 0.1 and 1 microM TG suppressed histamine-induced Ca2+ transients partially and totally, respectively. TG pretreatment did not alter the inositol triphosphate (IP3) level liberated by histamine, but modified IP3 metabolism by decreasing inositol biphosphate (IP2) and increasing inositol monophosphate (IP1) contents. In the absence of Ca2+ influx, 1 microM TG only induced a small transient increase in [Ca2+]i whereas the Ca2+ mobilization evoked by 10 microM histamine was unchanged. In both cases, the absence of any additional effect of either TG, histamine or 2 microM ionomycin indicated the complete depletion of Ca2+ stores. The re-establishment of the transmembrane Ca2+ gradient induced a transient rise in [Ca2+]i. Its amplitude differed between histamine- and TG-treated cells. It was imposed by cell pretreatment and was selectively affected by changes in the membrane potential. At 5 mM external K+, the transient rise in [Ca2+]i was more marked in histamine- than in TG-stimulated cells; this difference was suppressed by TG pretreatment. The presence of 130 mM external K+ increased Ca2+ entry in TG-treated cells but reduced it in histamine-stimulated cells. These results indicate that the refilling state of internal Ca2+ stores does not constitute the single regulator of Ca2+ influx. TG and histamine seem to activate Ca2+ influx through distinct but interdependent pathways regulated by membrane potential.

Calcium

Alterations of cytosolic calcium in platelets and erythrocytes of Lyon hypertensive rats.

Platelet cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular pH (pHi) (including their responses to thrombin), as well as erythrocyte [Ca2+]i and 45Ca2+ influx, were studied in Lyon hypertensive (LH) and normotensive (LN) rats aged 3 months. Platelets of LH rats were characterized by substantially elevated basal [Ca2+]i values, higher [Ca2+]i levels after thrombin stimulation, and enhanced initial rate of thrombin-induced Mn2+ entry through receptor-operated Ca2+ channels. Basal platelet pHi values were not significantly different in LH and LN animals but thrombin elicited a significant alkalinization only in LH platelets. Erythrocytes of LH rats had an enhanced initial rate of 45Ca2+ and tended to elevated [Ca2+]i levels. Our data indicate profound alterations in cell Ca2+ handling in platelets and erythrocytes of LH rats, similar to those previously described in spontaneously hypertensive rats of the Okamoto-Aoki strain. The analysis of the relations between blood pressure, plasma lipids, and cell Ca2+ handling suggested that triglycerides, but not cholesterol, might be involved in altered platelet Ca2+ handling in LH rats.

Animals

Different effects of endothelin-3 on the Ca2+ discharge induced by agonists and Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors in human platelets.

1. The present study demonstrates that endothelin-3 (ET-3), previously shown to attenuate thrombin-evoked aggregation of human platelets, delayed the dose-dependent aggregatory response to thapsigargin (Tg). As this Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor induces platelet activation in part through the depletion of internal Ca(2+)-stores, we examined the influence of ET-3 on Ca2+ discharge from internal pools. 2. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was evaluated with Fura-2 in the absence of Ca2+ influx. Platelet preincubation for 15 min with 5 x 10(-7) M ET-3 decreased the Ca2+ release evoked by thrombin and U46619, a thromboxane-mimetic. However, ET-3 did not affect Ca2+ movements induced by 1 microM ADP. Addition of Tg (0.5 to 5 microM) to resting platelets induced a cytosolic [Ca2+] rise with concentration-dependent increase of the initial rate and decrease of the time to reach the peak. ET-3 slowed down these dose-dependent effects with a more marked influence on the responses induced by low concentrations of Tg. 3. ET-3 did not modify the Ca2+ response to another Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone(tBuBHQ). The thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, SQ 29548, reduced by 53% the calcium signal evoked by 1 microM Tg, which became similar to that induced by 15 microM tBuBHQ. Under these conditions, the ET-3 effects were suppressed. A subsequent addition of thrombin induced a substantial further Ca2+ increase which was again sensitive to ET-3. 4. ET-3 attenuates Ca2+ mobilization from an internal pool dependent on the stimulation of thrombin and thromboxane A2 receptors and insensitive to the direct effect of Ca2+-ATPase inhibitors. The small but significant inhibitory effect of ET-3 leads us to propose that endothelin-3 acts as a modulator of platelet activation.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5

Platelet cytosolic Ca2+ and membrane dynamics in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Effects of pravastatin.

This study was designed to evaluate the relationships between platelet cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and plasma lipids in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we determined platelet [Ca2+]i in the presence and virtual absence of extracellular Ca2+ and the effects of prolonged treatment with pravastatin, a selective inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. Platelet [Ca2+]i and membrane microviscosity were determined in 22 normotensive hypercholesterolemic men. Platelet [Ca2+]i was observed to vary with in vivo plasma lipid characteristics: in untreated patients, [Ca2+]i determined at low extracellular Ca2+ concentration was significantly associated with plasma triacylglycerols (P = .008) and with the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (P = .044). Triacylglycerol levels also correlated inversely with the external Ca(2+)-dependent [Ca2+]i rise. Pravastatin treatment reduced plasma total cholesterol (-20 +/- 3%), LDL cholesterol (-30 +/- 3%), triacylglycerols (-17 +/- 6%), and apoB levels (-25 +/- 4%) and simultaneously decreased platelet [Ca2+]i measured in a low-Ca2+ medium by 14 +/- 6% (P = .03). However, [Ca2+]i values remained positively correlated with the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (P = .04). Prvastatin treatment did not induce marked changes in membrane microviscosity, although the changes in trimethylaminodiphenylhexatriene anisotropy were inversely correlated with those of HDL cholesterol. These results indicate that plasma lipids can modulate cytosolic Ca2+ in platelets by affecting Ca2+ transport pathways that are dependent and independent of Ca2+ influx.

Adult

Endothelin-3 decreases Ca2+ uptake in platelet membrane vesicles.

To analyze the mechanisms by which endothelin-3 (ET-3) attenuates agonist-mediated Ca2+ mobilization from an internal pool, we investigated ET-3 effects on 45Ca2+ uptake in platelet membrane vesicles. They were compared to those of thapsigargin (Tg), a specific inhibitor of the dense tubule Ca2+ pumps. In the absence of ATP, ET-3 up to 1 microM did not affect the amount of Ca2+ bound to membrane sites. In the presence of ATP, ET-3 dose-dependently reduced the initial rate and the extent of Ca2+ uptake (p < 0.001). In comparison, Tg dose-dependently inhibited both the ATP-independent Ca2+ binding (p < 0.001) and the ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation (p < 0.001), with half-maximal effects at 7 nM. Pretreatment with 1 microM ET-3 decreased the inhibitory effect of 10 nM Tg, but only on the initial rate of ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake (p = 0.04; n = 6). These results indicate that ET-3 is functionally coupled to Ca(2+)-ATPases of the dense tubules. Its inhibitory effects are probably due to inhibition of the catalytic cycle of the Ca2+ pumps. Such inhibition could lead to a depletion of Ca2+ stores and therefore to reduced Ca2+ release in response to agonists.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Alterations of membrane properties in erythrocytes of salt hypertensive Sabra rats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of a hypertensive stimulus, high salt intake, in hypertension-prone (SBH) and -resistant (SBN) Sabra rats on erythrocyte Na+ content (Na+i), Ca2+ influx and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The relationships of these parameters to plasma lipids, circulating digoxin-like immunoreactivity and membrane microviscosity, determined by the fluorescence anisotropy of trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH) and diphenylhexatriene (DPH), were also evaluated. Erythrocytes of SBH rats were characterized by increased [Ca2+]i, unchanged Ca2+ influx and reduced Na+i. There were no significant differences in the plasma digoxin-like immunoreactivity between the two strains. High-salt intake decreased membrane microviscosity (DPH anisotropy) in SBH rats but did not alter the above parameters. Erythrocyte [Ca2+]i correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure and negatively with erythrocyte Na+i. Membrane dynamics evaluated by the two fluorescent probes did not correlate with [Ca2+]i, Ca2+ influx or Na+i whereas DPH anisotropy was inversely related to blood pressure. These relationships were independent of plasma cholesterol or triglycerides. It can be concluded that 1) similarly to earlier observations in essential hypertension and spontaneously hypertensive rats, erythrocyte [Ca2+]i correlates positively with blood pressure in salt-dependent hypertension, and 2) increased erythrocyte Na+ content need not be a hallmark of hypertension.

Animals

Erythrocyte Ca2+ handling in the spontaneously hypertensive rat, effect of vanadate ions.

Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and 45Ca2+ influx were investigated in erythrocytes from conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their normotensive controls Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). [Ca2+]i was evaluated with fura-2 and intra- and extra-cellular calibration parameters were compared. Irrespective of the calibration parameters used, erythrocyte [Ca2+]i was always significantly higher in SHR than in WKY and Wistar rats (by 25 and 40%, p < 0.01 and 0.001). A rise of the external Ca2+ concentration from 1 to 2 mmol/l increased less [Ca2+]i in SHR than in WKY erythrocytes (17 vs 37%, p < 0.01). SHR erythrocytes incorporated more 45Ca2+ than those from WKY, with an initial rate of 45Ca2+ uptake higher by 57% than that of WKY erythrocytes (p < 0.05). Vanadate ions, after corrections of their quenching effect on red cell and fura-2 fluorescence signals, increased [Ca2+]i by 19% in WKY erythrocytes (p = 0.05), but did not modify the SHR values. They also increased 45Ca2+ accumulation and the initial rate of 45Ca2+ influx in WKY erythrocytes only (p < 0.01). This study indicates that, when compared to WKY rats, erythrocytes from SHR are characterized by higher [Ca2+]i values, higher initial rate of Ca2+ influx and low sensitivity to vanadate ions.

Animals

Platelet membrane microviscosity in Sabra rats with early salt hypertension.

1. To investigate the possibility that arterial hypertension is associated with changes in the physicochemical properties of cell membranes, we have studied the effects of dietary salt loading on platelet membrane microviscosity in hypertension-prone and -resistant Sabra rats. 2. Sixteen hypertension-prone and 14 hypertension-resistant Sabra rats were submitted to either a low-salt (0.25% NaCl) or a high-salt (4% NaCl) diet for 3-4 weeks. Platelet membrane anisotropy was determined, in the presence and absence of extracellular Na+, using two fluorescent probes, diphenylhexatriene and trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene, inserted in different areas of the cell membranes. 3. A decrease in diphenylhexatriene anisotropy was demonstrated when platelets of hypertension-prone (but not hypertension-resistant) Sabra rats were suspended in a Na(+)-free medium. This alteration in membrane dynamic properties is localized within the hydrophobic core of the platelet membranes and is independent of salt intake. It reflects an abnormal fluidizing effect of extracellular Na+ removal. 4. Platelets of hypertension-prone and hypertension-resistant Sabra rats did not differ significantly in trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene fluorescence anisotropy, irrespective of the incubation media used. Extracellular Na+ removal caused an increase in trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene fluorescence anisotropy in all groups, the change being greatest in salt-loaded rats. 5. This study indicates that platelet membrane microviscosity is specifically altered in the hypertension-prone Sabra rat irrespective of salt intake. This raises the question of the relation of this inherited defect with the susceptibility of this strain to dietary salt loading.

Animals

Platelet and erythrocyte membrane microviscosity in Lyon hypertensive rats.

The altered membrane microviscosity demonstrated in various cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and essential hypertensive (EH) patients has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of genetic forms of hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes of membrane microviscosity in platelets and red cell ghosts of Lyon hypertensive (LH) and normotensive (LN) rats. Both erythrocyte and platelet membranes of LH rats had a clear tendency to reduced DPH fluorescence anisotropy reflecting the decreased core membrane microviscosity. On the other hand, there were no changes in TMA-DPH fluorescence anisotropy that characterizes the dynamic properties of the outer membrane leaflet. DPH, but not TMA-DPH, anisotropy correlated negatively with blood pressure. This was true for both red cell ghosts and platelets. Membrane microviscosity had no significant relationship to plasma cholesterol or triglycerides. In platelets, TMA-DPH anisotropy correlated positively with cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). A similar trend was observed in erythrocytes. In contrast, DPH anisotropy had an inverse relationship to platelet [Ca2+]i. It can be concluded that the alterations of membrane microviscosity seen in LH rats are completely different from those reported in SHR animals and that surface and core membrane microviscosity differ in their relationship to blood pressure and [Ca2+]i.

Animals

Inhibitory effect of trimetazidine on thrombin-induced aggregation and calcium entry into human platelets.

The antiaggregatory properties of trimetazidine were investigated further by analyzing its effects on cytosolic calcium and proton concentrations, well-known regulators of platelet reactivity. Aggregatory responses of washed platelets were assessed by turbidometry, and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and pH (pHi) were determined by their respective fluorescent probes: Fura-2 and BCECF. Preincubation with trimetazidine dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation induced by 0.05 U/ml thrombin (p < 0.001). At concentrations < or = 1 mM, trimetazidine did not affect the resting [Ca2+]i value but slightly alkalinized the cytosol by 0.05 +/- 0.03 pH units (p < 0.02, n = 11). In platelets stimulated by 0.05 U/ml thrombin, 0.1 mM trimetazidine did not modify pHi variations but decreased [Ca2+]i variations (p < 0.003, n = 16), blunting by 28 +/- 6% the transient peak of [Ca2+]i (p < 0.006) and decreasing by 6 +/- 2% the equilibrium value (p < 0.005). These inhibitory effects were inversely dependent on thrombin concentrations (p < 0.004, n = 21) and were abolished in the virtual absence of external Ca2+. Trimetazidine therefore attenuates the Ca2+ influx evoked by thrombin, thereby limiting Ca2+ accumulation in stimulated platelets. Such a protective effect may participate in the antiaggregatory properties of trimetazidine.

Blood Platelets

Erythrocyte membrane microviscosity and blood pressure in rats with salt-induced and spontaneous hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To study membrane viscosity in various rat strains with genetic forms of experimental hypertension. DESIGN: The relationship between blood pressure and membrane dynamics was investigated in erythrocytes from three different rat strains with experimental hypertension, namely two models of salt-induced hypertension (Sabra and Dahl rats) and Lyon hypertensive rats with spontaneous hypertension. METHODS: Membrane microviscosity was evaluated by diphenylhexatriene and trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene fluorescence steady-state anisotropy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among particular experimental groups in trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene anisotropy that reflect microviscosity changes at the water-lipid interface of the external membrane leaflet. In contrast, the diphenylhexatriene anisotropy, which is related to the core membrane microviscosity, was significantly reduced in the Dahl salt-sensitive rats (irrespective of salt intake level) and in the Sabra hypertension-prone rats with developed salt hypertension. Erythrocyte membranes of Lyon hypertensive rats also had lower values of diphenylhexatriene anisotropy than the respective normotensive controls but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic (and often also diastolic) blood pressure correlated negatively with the diphenylhexatriene anisotropy in each of the three strains studied, whereas the trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene anisotropy of the erythrocyte membranes had no significant relationship to the blood pressure. Further experiments should clarify whether the observed relationship of the diphenylhexatriene anisotropy to blood pressure reflects true pathogenetic mechanisms or is a consequence of haemodynamic changes.

Animals