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N Frossard

Publications and source records attributed to N Frossard.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Activation of an epithelial neurokinin NK-1 receptor induces relaxation of rat trachea through release of prostaglandin E2.

We studied the type of neurokinin (NK) receptor involved in the epithelium-dependent substance P (SP)-induced relaxation of rat trachea precontracted with serotonin (5-HT). We first compared the relaxant effects of different agonists to the three NK receptors on rat trachea in the presence (E+) and absence (E-) of the epithelium. The three agonists to the NK-1 receptor, SP, SP-O-methylester and [beta Ala4, Sar9, Met(O2)] SP(4-11), at a concentration of 1 microM induced a relaxation of 40 +/- 5, 33 +/- 4 and 31 +/- 6%, respectively in E+ segments. They had weak and nonsignificant effects in E- segments. In addition, (+/-)CP-96,345 (1 microM), the NK-1-selective non-peptide antagonist, inhibited the SP-induced relaxation by 45%. Conversely, the three NK-2 receptor agonists, NKA, NKA(4-10) and [Nle10]NKA(4-10), and the two NK-3 receptor agonists, neurokinin B (NKB) and [MePhe7]NKB(4-10), had no effect on E+ or E- tracheal segments. The N-terminal SP fragment SP(1-9) was also inactive. These results suggest that SP-induced relaxation is mediated through activation of epithelial NK-1 receptors. Preincubation with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (2.8 microM), abrogated the relaxant effect of the three NK-1 receptor agonists on E+ tracheas. We measured in additional experiments prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGF2 alpha, 6-keto PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2. SP (1 microM) induced a 6.1-fold increase in PGE2 production (from 13 pg after 5-HT to 78 pg) in E+ segments, whereas only a 1.5-fold increase occurred in E- preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Modulation by theophylline and enprofylline of the excitatory non-cholinergic transmission in guinea-pig bronchi.

The mechanism of action of xanthines in asthma remains controversial. Since sensory innervation may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma, we investigated whether xanthines were capable of reducing the contractile response of the bronchi to nerve stimulation. In guinea-pig bronchi in vitro, electrical field stimulation (EFS: 40 V, 16 Hz, 0.2 ms during 10 s) induces a rapid cholinergic contraction followed by a long-lasting contraction due to a local release of neuropeptides from C-fibre endings. We measured isometric neuronally-mediated contractions of bronchial smooth muscle and studied the effects of increasing concentrations of two xanthine derivatives, theophylline, an antagonist of adenosine receptors, and enprofylline, which has no effect on adenosine receptors. Both enprofylline (1-50 microM) and theophylline (10-100 microM) inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the peptidergic contraction, an effect which was more marked with enprofylline than theophylline (EC50 = 9.6 +/- 0.7 microM and 62.0 +/- 4.7 microM, respectively). Conversely, the cholinergic response was unaffected. Contractions induced by exogenous substance P (0.03-3 microM) were also unaffected by theophylline and enprofylline at the above mentioned EC50s. Our results suggest that concentrations of theophylline, similar to those used therapeutically, reduce the release of sensory neuropeptides from C-fibre endings. This effect is unrelated to adenosine receptor blockade, since enprofylline had a similar inhibitory effect.

Airway Resistance↗

Tachykinin receptors and the airways.

The tachykinins, substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B, belong to a structural family of peptides. In mammalian airways, substance P and neurokinin A are colocalized to afferent C-fibres. Substance P-containing fibres are close to bronchial epithelium, smooth muscle, mucus glands and blood vessels. Sensory neuropeptides may be released locally, possibly as a result of a local reflex, and produce bronchial obstruction through activation of specific receptors on these various tissues. Three types of tachykinin receptors, namely NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors, have been characterized by preferential activation by substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B respectively. NK-1 and NK-2 receptors were recently cloned. The determination of receptor types involved in the effects of tachykinins in the airways has been done with synthetic agonists and antagonists binding specifically to NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors. Although the existence of species differences, the conclusion that bronchial smooth muscle contraction is mainly related to activation of NK-2 receptors on bronchial smooth muscle cell has been drawn. The hypothesis of a NK-2 receptor subclassification has been proposed with NK-2A receptor subtype in the guinea-pig airways. Other effects in the airways are related to stimulation of NK-1 receptors on mucus cells, vessels, epithelium and inflammatory cells. A non-receptor-mediated mechanism is also involved in the effect of substance P on inflammatory cells and mast cells.

Airway Resistance↗

Effect of tachykinins in small human airways.

We have compared the contractile responses of substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) to that of the non degradable muscarinic agonist, carbachol, in small and large human airways in vitro. We have also investigated the effects of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, thiorphan (100 microM) on these responses. NKA contracted large and small airways to a different extent (56% vs 92% of carbachol maximal contraction, respectively). NKA was significantly less potent in large vs small bronchi (EC50 = 150 +/- 15 vs 12 +/- 5 nM respectively, p less than 0.05). SP had a lower contractile effect in large (26% carbachol maximum) and small airways (59%) with EC50 values higher than 0.5 microM. The enkephalinase inhibitor thiorphan shifted the concentration-response curve to NKA to the left in large (EC50 = 35.2 +/- 8.2 nM) and small bronchi (EC50 = 2.8 +/- 1.3 nM, p less than 0.02). This shift was associated with an increase in the maximal contraction to NKA (75% in large vs 123% in small bronchi). The amplitude of contraction to SP was also potentiated in large (45%) and in smaller bronchi (101%). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that NKA has a significantly greater constrictor effect than a cholinergic agent in more peripheral human airways in vitro. This suggests that non cholinergic constrictor pathways are more likely to be important in more peripheral airways.

Bronchi↗

Clinical and inflammatory responses to exogenous tachykinins in allergic rhinitis.

Our purpose was to characterize the tachykinin receptor type involved in nasal obstruction to exogenous substance P in rhinitic patients. We also attempted to assess biochemical and cellular events associated with this response. Nasal challenges were performed in seven patients with allergic rhinitis. They received increasing doses (10 to 80 nmol) of substance P, of neurokinin A, of the N-terminal fragment of substance P, substance P(1-9), and of saline on 4 different days separated by 14 days. Nasal airway resistance (NAR) increased in a dose-dependent manner on substance P. Maximal increase reached 4.5-fold basal NAR. Response to neurokinin A was significantly lower (less than 2-fold basal NAR). No effect was observed on substance P(1-9) and saline. This order of activity [substance P much greater than neurokinin A greater than substance P(1-9) = saline] indicates an NK1 receptor-mediated mechanism inducing local vasodilation. No histamine release was found after any of the four challenges. Proteins significantly increased in nasal lavage fluid on both substance P and neurokinin A, whereas substance P(1-9) and saline had no effect. The percentage of albumin increased in nasal lavage fluid from 30 to 50% of total proteins on substance P and neurokinin A, indicating microvascular leakage. Polymorphonuclear cells significantly increased from 9 to 36% on substance P, from 13 to 49% on neurokinin A, and from 13 to 55% on substance P(1-9). Eosinophils increased in five patients on substance P (from 0.1 to 5% for the group), in three patients after neurokinin A, and in two after substance P(1-9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Modulation of bradykinin responses in airway smooth muscle by epithelial enzymes.

We have studied the effect of epithelium removal on responses of guinea pig trachea to bradykinin (BK). BK (1 nM - 10 microM) gave a concentration-dependent relaxation when epithelium was present (E+: EC50 = 10 +/- 3 nM). Epithelium removal resulted in a biphasic response to BK with relaxation at low concentrations (E-: EC50 = 3.0 +/- 1.0 nM) and a recontraction to baseline at higher concentrations (EC50 = 2.0 +/- 1 microM). Phosphoramidon (10 microM), an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), which cleaves BK into inactive peptides, potentiated relaxation (EC50 = 1.0 +/- 0.9 nM in E+ and E respectively) and contraction in trachea with intact epithelium (EC50 = 0.08 +/- 0.03 microM). Inhibition of cyclooxygenase by indomethacin (5 microM), inhibited relaxation to BK in E+ tracheal segments, resulting in a slight contraction (EC50 = 1.0 microM), whereas a potent contractile response was observed in E- segments (EC50 1.6 microM, maximal contraction greater than 1 g). In the presence of both indomethacin and phosphormidon BK caused contraction, even in the presence of epithelium (EC50 = 0.2 +/- 0.11 microM), and the response in the absence of epithelium was similar to the response observed in trachea with intact epithelium (EC50 = 0.25 +/- 0.1 microM). The contractile effect of BK on airway smooth muscle may be inhibited by a protective role of epithelium, due to release of relaxant prostanoids and by degradation by epithelial NEP. In asthma, bronchoconstrictor responses to BK may be partly explained by loss of airway epithelium.

Animals↗

Influence of epithelium on guinea pig airway responses to tachykinins: role of endopeptidase and cyclooxygenase.

We have studied the effect of epithelium removal on the contractile responses to exogenous tachykinins and to endogenous tachykinins released by capsaicin in guinea pig trachea. We also studied the effects of inhibition of endopeptidase (by phosphoramidon, 10 microM, and thiorphan, 100 microM), and of inhibition of cyclooxygenase (by indomethacin, 5 microM) on these responses. The order of potency of exogenous tachykinins was neurokinin A (NKA) greater than neurokinin B (NKB) greater than substance P (SP). Epithelium removal enhanced the sensitivity and magnitude of the contractile response to SP, and to a lesser extent NKA and NKB. Capsaicin induced only a weak contractile response in guinea pig trachea. Phosphoramidon and thiorphan increased the sensitivity to SP, but had no effect on acetylcholine responses. The leftwardshift due to epithelium removal was reduced, but not abolished, by phosphoramidon and thiorphan. NKA- and NKB-induced contractions were also enhanced significantly by phosphoramidon. The effect of epithelium removal was abolished for NKA, but not for NKB. Phosphoramidon also increased significantly the contraction to capsaicin in the presence of epithelium, without altering the response obtained in the absence of epithelium. Indomethacin potentiated the sensitivity and maximal contractile response to all the tachykinins with the greatest effect on SP responses, and to capsaicin. The combination of indomethacin with phosphoramidon or thiorphan abolished the effect of epithelium removal for all the tachykinins. We conclude that the effects of exogenous and endogenous tachykinins are enhanced by removal of epithelium and by inhibition of metalloendopeptidase and cyclooxygenase, suggesting that tachykinins may be degraded by epithelial enzymes, and may release relaxant prostanoids in airways.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Regulatory mechanisms of the contractile responses of rat airways to immunological stimulation.

Pulmonary anaphylaxis induced by antigen inhalation includes a primary release of mediators from IgE-stimulated cells together with the activation of secondary pathways. The results presented here summarize the role of cells and mediators in the immediate response of rat tracheal anaphylaxis in vitro. Modulation of rat tracheal smooth muscle response to antigen is played by sensory and cholinergic innervation and by epithelium. The epithelial modulation seems to be partly due to its innervation, mainly C-fibre endings, releasing neuropeptides at the vicinity of epithelial cells. Epithelium is playing some role in the uptake and release of serotonin, and is acting on airway smooth muscle and on the inflammatory phase by releasing secondary factors such as arachidonic acid derivatives. The implication of non-IgE-binding cells for mediator release is now proving to be of greater importance in the understanding of allergic disease.

Anaphylaxis↗

Tachykinin-induced phosphoinositide breakdown in airway smooth muscle and epithelium: relationship to contraction.

We have studied the contractile response and phosphoinositide hydrolysis induced by substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB), and Alp-Phe-Phe(R)-Gly[ANC-2]-Leu-Met-NH2 (L 363851), a selective NK2-receptor agonist, in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. The four tachykinins elicited a concentration-dependent contraction in tracheal smooth muscle devoid of epithelium, with the following order of potency: NKA greater than L 363851 greater than NKB greater than SP, (EC50 1.0 x 10(-9) M, 3.2 x 10(-9) M, 7.5 x 10(-9) M and 1.2 x 10(-7) M, respectively), which suggests that NK2 receptors predominate in airway smooth muscle. In the presence of epithelium, the sensitivity of airway smooth muscle to tachykinins was decreased, and the concentration response curves to tachykinins were shifted rightward by 30-fold for SP, 9-fold for NKA, and 5-fold for NKB. The concentration response curve to L 363851 was not significantly shifted in the presence of epithelium. This suggests that epithelium may release a relaxant factor in response to tachykinins via an NK1 receptor. In airway smooth muscle, we found that tachykinins elicited phosphoinositide breakdown with an order of potency similar to that for contractile response (EC50 2.2 x 10(-5) M, 3.6 x 10(-5) M, 4.4 x 10(-5) M, and 5.9 x 10(-5) M). In epithelium, SP alone elicited a significant phosphoinositide breakdown, suggesting that epithelial receptors to tachykinins may be of the NK1 subtype. Since it is established that phosphoinositide derivatives can elicit mobilization of intracellular calcium, our results suggest that phosphoinositide breakdown is the coupling mechanism for tachykinin-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Mu-opioid receptors modulate non-cholinergic constrictor nerves in guinea-pig airways.

A role of opioids as inhibitors of the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) excitatory nerves has been studied in the guinea-pig bronchi using electrical field stimulation. Morphine and DAGO gave dose-dependent inhibition of NANC contraction, which was reversed by naloxone, whereas the cholinergic nerve and substance P responses were unaffected. [Met5]enkephalin and [Leu5]enkephalin weakly inhibited NANC contraction, whereas dynorphin-(1-13) had no effect. These results suggest that opiates inhibit NANC bronchoconstriction via mu-opioid receptors.

Animals↗

Arachidonic acid metabolites and airway epithelium-dependent relaxant factor.

Exogenous arachidonic acid (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) contracted epithelium-free guinea pig tracheal strips. Intact tracheal strips were contracted slightly by low concentrations of arachidonic acid (10(-8) to 10(-5) M), but higher concentrations relaxed them. In contrast, when tracheal strips were precontracted with histamine or carbachol, exogenous arachidonic acid had no effect on epithelium-free preparations but induced concentration-dependent (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) relaxation of intact tracheal strips. The effects of arachidonic acid both in epithelium-free and epithelium-containing trachea were blocked by either indomethacin (10(-6) M) or aspirin (10(-4) M). Studies on the effects of exogenous arachidonic acid, performed with a "sandwich protocol," demonstrated that the postulated airway epithelium-dependent relaxant factor released by an intact tracheal strip relaxes an adjacent epithelium-free strip in the same organ bath. This relaxation is antagonized by indomethacin suggesting the involvement of a cyclooxygenase product in this phenomenon. Comparison of concentration-response curves for contractile agonists in epithelium-free preparations and in one containing epithelium suggests the mobilization of airway epithelium-dependent relaxant factor by histamine but not by carbachol. The effects of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors indicated that both relaxant and contractile arachidonic acid metabolites are generated by epithelial and nonepithelial cells alike in response to contractile agonists.

4,5-Dihydro-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-pyraz↗

Epithelial modulation of tracheal smooth muscle response to antigenic stimulation.

The role of the epithelium has been studied in the contractile responses of rat trachea. The different modulations observed are discussed in respect to vagal components of the epithelial layer. Responses of rat trachea to immunologic stimulation are shown to be dependent on the presence of the epithelium, which prolongs the relaxation stage without affecting the contractions. This prolongation is abolished by neonatal capsaicin pretreatment, whereas substance P induces a significantly greater relaxation of serotonin-precontracted intact than deepithelialized trachea. Serotonin concentration-response curves are shifted to the right in intact preparations, which is partly reversed by neonatal capsaicin pretreatment, but a hyporeactivity of the tissue exists. A relaxing factor released by the epithelium is hypothesized, possibly dependent on substance P-ergic innervation. Muscarinic cholinergic innervation slightly modulates the contractions but not the relaxations in antigen-induced responses, independently on the presence of the epithelial layer. 4-Aminopyridine induces epithelium-dependent potentiations of contractions to antigen and to serotonin, which involves acetylcholine at one step of the reaction cascade. Epithelial-dependent contracting and relaxing factors are thus suggested in rat trachea.

4-Aminopyridine↗

Calcium dependent modulation of histamine release from mast cells by sodium and potassium.

The inhibition of sodium-potassium ATPase by ouabain or potassium-deprivation led to a potentiation of histamine release induced by antigen or compound 48/80 from rat mast cells. The fullest potentiation required 30 min preincubation of cells with ouabain or without potassium before adding the triggering agent. The potentiation was observed provided that the calcium concentration was less than 0.5 mM. The effect of sodium-potassium ATPase blockade was reversed slowly by washing out ouabain or by adding potassium. Metabolic inhibition with deoxyglucose and dinitrophenol-blocked histamine release observed under all conditions described. Histamine release from rat mast cells was also elicited when the cells were incubated in sodium-deficient media where sodium was replaced by sucrose. Potassium-deprivation potentiated this secretion process previously shown to be dependent upon metabolic energy and sensitive to millimolar calcium concentrations.

Animals↗

Potential anti-anaphylactic activity of clenbuterol, a beta-agonist with calcium antagonist properties.

Clenbuterol 10(-8) to 10(-6) M inhibited antigen-induced histamine release from passively sensitized human lung tissue. This inhibition was not antagonized by propranolol, whereas the inhibitions observed with isoprenaline and fenoterol were reduced by propranolol. Clenbuterol also inhibited compound 48/80-induced histamine release and immunological histamine secretion from actively sensitized peritoneal rat mast cells. High concentrations of clenbuterol were required (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) and propranolol did not antagonize these inhibitions of histamine release. Isoprenaline and salbutamol did not modify the secretion from rat mast cells. The potential anti-anaphylactic activity of clenbuterol, might be partly related to its calcium antagonist property.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Physiological approach of beta receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase in rat airways: ontogenical modification and functional antagonism.

The relaxant effects of isoproterenol, forskolin and sodium nitroprusside were studied on tracheal pieces and lung parenchymal strips of Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats according to age and functional antagonism with carbachol applied previously to induce the contraction. The beta receptor-related maximal relaxant effect of isoproterenol decreased from 4 to 11 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rat airways contracted with 10(-6) M carbachol. This maximal relaxant effect did not change with age in the Wistar strain. When lower carbachol concentrations were applied to Wistar trachea, the maximal relaxant effect of isoproterenol raised with a large decrease of the EC50 values. In the Sprague-Dawley strain, a similar diminution of carbachol concentration also allowed to increase the maximal amplitude of relaxation, but a smaller decrease of EC50 was observed as referred to the Wistar strain. These results suggest that the decrease with age of the maximal relaxation of Sprague-Dawley airways by isoproterenol might be linked to impaired functional antagonism between beta adrenergic and muscarinic stimulation in this rat strain. This hypothesis was strengthened by the observation of the effects of forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and sodium nitroprusside, a cyclic GMP-related relaxant drug, that did not show any modified effect in function of age in both rat strains. A modified regulation of adenylate cyclase complex with ontogenesis and with rat strain is suggested.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Sodium-potassium ATPase inhibition potentiates compound 48/80-induced histamine secretion from mast cells.

The effect of ouabain on the histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80 has been studied using rat peritoneal mast cells. Ouabain did not modify histamine release in the presence of millimolar concentrations of extracellular calcium. However, when mast cells were previously washed with a calcium-free buffer, ouabain strongly potentiated histamine release elicited by compound 48/80. The full potentiation of mast cell secretion by ouabain required 30 min preincubation before adding compound 48/80. It was inhibited by lanthanum and EGTA. Potassium deprivation mimicked the effect of ouabain. A 30 min preincubation time without potassium was also required. Potassium concentrations below 2.7 mM increased the effect of ouabain whereas higher potassium concentrations reversed this effect. The potentiation of compound 48/80-induced histamine release by ouabain or potassium deprivation was not immediately reversed by washing away ouabain or by adding potassium, respectively. The data confirm that sodium-potassium ATPase is involved, through a calcium-dependent process, in the regulation of histamine release from mast cells.

Animals↗