Biomedical subjects

Michiko Oka

Publications and source records attributed to Michiko Oka.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Functional expression of metabotropic GABAB receptors in primary cultures of astrocytes from rat cerebral cortex.

GABA(B) receptor subunits are widely expressed on neurons throughout the central nervous system (CNS), at both pre- and postsynaptic sites, where they mediate the late and slow component of the inhibitory response to the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Recently, GABA(B) receptors have been reported to be expressed in astrocytes and microglia in the rat CNS by immunocytochemistry. However, there are few reports available for the functional characterization of GABA(B) receptors on astrocytes. In the present study, we therefore investigated the functional expression and characteristics of GABA(B) receptors in primary cultures of astrocytes from rat cerebral cortex. In the presence of 10 microM GTP, forskolin concentration-dependently increased adenylylcyclase (AC) activity in membranes prepared from rat astrocytes. The selective GABA(B) agonist (R)-baclofen concentration-dependently reduced forskolin-stimulated AC activity in the presence of 10 microM GTP. This effect was reversed by the selective GABA(B) antagonists, CGP-55845 and CGP-54626, and was completely abolished by treatment of astrocytic membranes with pertussis toxin. In addition, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemistry clearly showed that metabotropic GABA(B) receptor isoforms (GABA(B)R1 and GABA(B)R2) are expressed in rat cerebrocortical astrocytes. Taken collectively, these results demonstrate that functionally active metabotropic GABA(B) receptors are expressed in rat cerebrocortical astrocytes.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

PubMed2004

Irsogladine, an anti-ulcer drug, suppresses superoxide production by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 4 in human neutrophils.

Neutrophil superoxide production is implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal damage induced by various ulcerative agents and Helicobacter pylori infection. We investigated here the effects of an anti-ulcer drug irsogladine [2, 4-diamino-6-(2, 5-dichlorophenyl)-s-triazine maleate] on cAMP formation in isolated human neutrophils. The cAMP level in human neutrophils was elevated by a phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 selective inhibitor rolipram, but not by any inhibitors of PDE1, PDE2 and PDE3. Irsogladine also increased cAMP formation in a concentration-dependent manner in neutrophils. A non-selective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) alone significantly increased cAMP level, whereas irsogladine was unable to further increase cAMP level in the presence of IBMX. Irsogladine inhibited concentration-dependently the superoxide (O(2)(-)) production induced by various stimuli including formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, opsonized zymosan, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio] triphosphate, A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. These effects of irsogladine were mimicked by rolipram, IBMX and dibutyryl cAMP. The inhibitory effects of irsogladine and rolipram on the O(2)(-) production were reversed by a protein kinase A inhibitor H-89. These results indicate that irsogladine inhibits the superoxide production in human neutrophils by the increase of cAMP content by PDE 4 inhibition, which in turn contributing to the anti-ulcer effects of irsogladine on gastric mucosal lesions associated with oxidative stress.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed2004

Phosphodiesterase inhibition by a gastroprotective agent irsogladine: preferential blockade of cAMP hydrolysis.

The effect of irsogladine [2,4-diamino-6-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-s-triazine maleate], an antiulcer drug, on contents of cyclic nucleotides including cAMP and cGMP was investigated in rat stomachs. Irsogladine concentration-dependently increased cAMP content in rat glandula stomach. However, irsogladine at higher concentration (10(-5) M) was unable to further increase cAMP level in the presence of non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, although 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine by itself increased cAMP level. On the other hand, irsogladine had no effect on the glandula cGMP content. Subsequently, the effect of irsogladine on the cyclic nucleotide degradation by purified bovine brain and heart PDEs was investigated. The cAMP degradation by purified bovine brain PDE was partially suppressed by PDE1 inhibitor vinpocetin, PDE2 inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine hydrochloride and PDE4 inhibitor rolipram but not by PDE3 inhibitor cilostamide, and completely inhibited by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, suggesting that is attributed almost exclusively to PDE1, PDE2 and PDE4. Meanwhile, cGMP degradation by purified bovine brain PDE was partially suppressed by erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine hydrochloride. Irsogladine preferentially inhibited the response to cAMP degradation compared with cGMP degradation by this brain PDE. The cAMP degradation by bovine heart PDE was almost completely inhibited by the combination with vinpocetine and cilostamide, indicating that is mediated almost exclusively by PDE1 and PDE3. Irsogladine suppressed this cAMP degradation measured in the presence of vinpocetine to almost the same extent as that determined in the presence of cilostamide. These results indicate that irsogladine produces the increase of intracellular cAMP content via non-selective inhibition of PDE isozymes, which may be a key mechanism involved in its gastroprotective actions.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed2004

Functional expression of constitutive nitric oxide synthases regulated by voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channels in cultured human astrocytes.

We report the functional characterization of constitutive nitric oxide synthase(s) (NOS) such as neuronal and endothelial NOS in cultured human astrocytes. Exposure of cultured human astrocytes to 1 microM veratridine or 50 mM KCl produced a pronounced increase in a calmodulin-dependent NOS activity estimated from cGMP formation. The functional expression of voltage-gated Na(+) channel, which is estimated by the response to veratridine, appeared to be earlier (at second day in culture) than that of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, which are estimated by the response to the KCl stimulation (at fourth day in culture). The KCl-evoked NO synthesis was totally reversed by L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers such as nifedipine and verapamil, but not by omega-conotoxin GVIA, an N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, or omega-agatoxin IVA, a P/Q-type Ca(2+) channel blocker. In addition, verapamil abolished the KCl-induced increase in the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration. RT-PCR analysis revealed that mRNA for neuronal and endothelial NOS was expressed in human astrocytes. In addition, Western blot analysis and double labeling of NOS and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) showed that cultured human astrocytes expressed neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS as well as the alpha(1) subunit of Ca(2+) channel. These results suggest that human astrocytes express constitutive NOS that are regulated by voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) channel as well as Na(+) channel.

Astrocytes↗

PubMed2003

Carbazochrome sodium sulfonate (AC-17) reverses endothelial barrier dysfunction through inhibition of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in cultured porcine endothelial cells.

The effect of carbazochrome sodium sulfonate (AC-17), a hemostatic drug with capillary stabilising action, on the endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by a variety of vasoactive substances or agents that increase the vascular permeability was investigated in the monolayers of cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs). The endothelial barrier function was determined by the transendothelial transport of albumin-conjugated Evans blue. AC-17 (0.1-1 M) reversed the barrier dysfunction induced by tryptase, thrombin and bradykinin without affecting the endothelial permeability enhanced by Ca(2+) ionophores such as ionomycin and A23187 or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that AC-17 reversed the tryptase-induced formation of actin stress fibres and disruption of VE-cadherin in PAECs. On the other hand, AC-17 (0.1-10 M) reduced concentration-dependently the enhancement of [(3)H]inositol triphosphate formation from [(3)H]myo-inositol induced by bradykinin and thrombin.Therefore, it is suggested that AC-17 reduces the vascular hyperpermeability induced by a variety of vasoactive agents through inhibition of agonist-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Actins↗

PubMed2003

Gabapentin blocks L-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels involved in depolarization-stimulated nitric oxide synthase activity in primary cultures of neurons from mouse cerebral cortex.

PURPOSE: The effect of gabapentin [1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane acetic acid] on Ca2+ channels involving the activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was investigated in primary neuronal culture of mouse cerebral cortex. METHODS: The expression of alpha2delta subunits of Ca2+ channels was investigated by RT-PCR using specific primer sets. The K(+)-evoked NOS activity was estimated by guanosine 3'5' cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) formation. RESULTS: mRNA for alpha2delta subunits of Ca2+ channels is found in these cells. Gabapentin blocked the K(+)-evoked NOS activity estimated from cGMP formation in a concentration dependent manner. The increase in NOS activity by the K(+)-stimulation was almost completely reversed by the combination of nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, and omega-agatoxin VIA, a P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blocker. On the other hand, omega-conotoxin GVIA, an N-type Ca2+ channel blocker, was failed to reverse the increase in NOS activity by the K(+)-stimulation, indicating that the activation of NOS by the depolarizing stimulation might be not mediated by N-type Ca2+ channel. Under the presence of nifedipine or omega-agatoxin IVA, gabapentin inhibited the increase in NOS activity concentration-dependently. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gabapentin inhibits depolarization-induced NOS activation in murine cortical neuronal culture via blockade of both P/Q-type and L-type Ca2+ channels.

Acetates↗

PubMed2003

A comparison of Ca2+ channel blocking mode between gabapentin and verapamil: implication for protection against hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices.

1 The mode of Ca(2+) channel blocking by gabapentin [1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane acetic acid] was compared to those of other Ca(2+) channel blockers, and the potential role of Ca(2+) channel antagonists in providing protection against hypoxic injury was subsequently investigated in rat cerebrocortical slices. 2 mRNA for the alpha(2)delta subunits of Ca(2+) channels was found in rat cerebral cortex. 3 Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis estimated from cGMP formation was enhanced by KCl stimulation, which was mediated primarily by the activation of N- and P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels. Gabapentin blocked both types of Ca(2+) channels, and preferentially reversed the response to 30 mM K(+) stimulation compared with 50 mM K(+) stimulation. In contrast, verapamil preferentially inhibited the response to depolarization by the higher concentration (50 mM) of K(+). 4 Gabapentin inhibited KCl-induced elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) in primary neuronal culture. 5 Hypoxic injury was induced in cerebrocortical slices by oxygen deprivation in the absence (severe injury) or presence of 3 mM glucose (mild injury). Gabapentin preferentially inhibited mild injury, while verapamil suppressed only severe injury. omega-Conotoxin GVIA (omega-CTX) and omega-agatoxin IVA (omega-Aga) were effective in both models. 6 NO synthesis was enhanced in a manner dependent on the severity of hypoxic insults. Gabapentin reversed the NO synthesis induced by mild insults, while verapamil inhibited that elicited by severe insults. omega-CTX and omega-Aga were effective in both the cases. 7 Therefore, the data suggest that gabapentin and verapamil cause activity-dependent Ca(2+) channel blocking by different mechanisms, which are associated with their cerebroprotective actions and are dependent on the severity of hypoxic insults.

Acetates↗

PubMed2003

Irsogladine prevents monochloramine-induced gastric mucosal lesions by improving the decrease in mucosal blood flow due to the disturbance of nitric oxide synthesis in rats.

The inhibitory effect of an anti-ulcer drug irsogladine [2,4-diamino-6-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-s-triazine maleate] on monochloramine (NH(2)Cl)-induced gastric mucosal lesions and its mechanisms of action were clarified in rats. Irsogladine dose-dependently prevented the formation of gastric mucosal lesions induced by 60 mM NH(2)Cl. The mucosal protective effect of irsogladine was not influenced by capsaicin-sensitive sensory defunctionalization. On the other hand, its protective effect was diminished by the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), but not by the inducible nitric oxide synthase selective inhibitor aminoguanidine. Irsogladine restored the NH(2)Cl-induced decrease in the gastric cGMP formation as an index of nitric oxide synthesis, while it alone had no influence on the cGMP formation in intact tissues. Pretreatment with L-NAME abolished the recovery of cGMP by irsogladine. Furthermore, irsogladine ameliorated the NH(2)Cl-induced decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow, which was also reversed by pretreatment with L-NAME. These findings suggest that the improvement of the decrease in mucosal blood flow subsequent to the disturbance of gastric nitric oxide synthesis is involved in the protective effect of irsogladine on gastric mucosal lesions caused by NH(2)Cl.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Calcium-dependent injury of human microvascular endothelial cells induced by a variety of iodinated radiographic contrast media.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the possible mechanisms underlying the endothelial cell damage induced by iodinated radiographic contrast materials (RCM). METHODS: The cultured human skin microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) were exposed to various contrast media, and the cell viability was measured by mitochondrial enzyme activity. Nuclear damage was assessed by Hoechst 33342 staining and a fluorescent single-cell gel electrophoresis. The effects of contrast materials on the cellular ATP content and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration were subsequently examined. RESULTS: Although the iodinated RCM tested all caused the cell injury in HMVECs, ionic RCM including amidotrizoate and ioxaglate were more potent in producing the cell damage than nonionic RCM. It is unlikely that the contrast material-induced cell damage is associated with hyperosmolality, since hyperosmolar solution of mannitol or NaCl had no marked influence on the endothelial cell viability. Nuclear damage was noted in cells exposed to amidotrizoate. Amidotrizoate lowered cellular ATP content while elevating the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. It was notable that the RCM-induced endothelial cell damage was reversed by the chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid but not by the removal of extracellular Ca2+. CONCLUSIONS: Both ionic and nonionic contrast materials caused nuclear damage of endothelial cells. The decrease in tissue ATP content and elevation of intracellular Ca2+ are likely to contribute to the contrast materials-induced endothelial cell damage.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2002

Functional role of inhibitory and excitatory nerves in the porcine lower urinary tract.

In the trigone (three portions) and proximal urethra isolated from castrated male pigs, transmural electrical stimulation (0.5-10 Hz) induced no or slight contractions followed by frequency-related relaxations. Atropine suppressed the contraction and potentiated the relaxation. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, depressed or abolished the relaxation induced by low frequency stimulation, but only slightly attenuated the response to high frequency stimulation. L-Arginine reversed the inhibitory effect. L-NAME-sensitive relaxation by 1 Hz stimulation was abolished by 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo-(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. Release of NO by nerve stimulation to trigonal strips was determined by increased formation of cyclic GMP in the incubation media containing guanylate cyclase and GTP. L-NAME-resistant relaxation by 10 Hz stimulation was not impaired by ODQ, capsaicin, chymotrypsin, K(+) channel inhibitors and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. Similar results were obtained in the trigone and urethra from normal male and female pigs. Detrusor muscle responded to nerve stimulation with contraction followed by slight relaxation. Relaxations at 1 and 10 Hz stimulation under treatment with atropine and alpha,beta-methylene ATP were partially attenuated by L-NAME. It is concluded that there is no significant difference in the inhibitory responses, sensitive and resistant to L-NAME, to nerve stimulation in the trigone and proximal urethra from castrated and non-castrated male and female pigs. Relaxations to stimulation at 1 Hz seem to be mediated exclusively by neurogenic NO and cyclic GMP generation, whereas those to 10 Hz stimulation is mainly associated with non-NO relaxing factor(s), peptides, K(+) channel openers and beta-adrenoceptor agonist being unlikely involved.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed2002

Halothane attenuates the cerebroprotective action of several Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockers via reversal of their ion channel blockade.

We have previously shown the involvement of Na(+) channel as well as N-type and P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels in the oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced injury in rat cerebrocortical slices. In the present study, we investigated the influence of halothane on the cerebroprotective effects of a variety of Na(+) and Ca(2+) channel blockers in rat cerebrocortical slices. The hypoxic injury was attenuated by Na(+) channel blockers including tetrodotoxin, lidocaine and dibucaine, and Ca(2+) channel blockers, such as verapamil, omega-agatoxin IVA and omega-conotoxin GVIA. Halothane abolished the protective effects of lidocaine, dibucaine and verapamil, all of which block the respective cation channels in a voltage-dependent manner, without affecting the actions of tetrodotoxin, omega-agatoxin IVA and omega-conotoxin GVIA, which reveal voltage-independent blockade. On the other hand, the nitric oxide synthesis estimated from the extracellular cyclic GMP formation was elevated during exposure to hypoxia. All channel blockers tested here attenuated hypoxia-evoked nitric oxide synthesis. Halothane blocked almost completely these actions of lidocaine and verapamil. Moreover, the Na(+) and Ca(2+) channel blockade by these compounds, as determined by veratridine- and KCl-stimulated nitric oxide synthesis, respectively, was also reversed by halothane. These findings suggest that an anesthetic agent halothane reversed the Na(+) and Ca(2+) channel blockade of several voltage-dependent ion channel blockers, leading to the attenuation of their cerebroprotective actions. Therefore, the influence of halothane anesthesia should be taken into consideration for the evaluation of neuroprotective action of Na(+) and Ca(2+) channel blockers.

Animals↗