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Biomedical subjects

P Hannaert

Publications and source records attributed to P Hannaert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Antioxidant-Angioprotective Actions of Calcium Dobesilate in Diabetic Rats.

Calcium dobesilate was tested in rats with streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetes, for its angioprotective properties against the extravasation of plasma Evans blue towards the peritoneal cavity, induced in situ by the free radical generating agent phenazine methosulfate (PMS). In diabetic rats pretreated with a single oral dose of 50 and 200 mg/kg calcium dobesilate, PMS-induced Evans blue extravasation was respectively reduced by 60 and 100% with respect to values in vehicle-treated animals (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively; in diabetic rats, PMS-induced Evans blue peritoneal extravasation was double as in control animals = 0.0814 +/- 0.019 vs. 0.0396 +/- 0.0083 h-1, p < 0.05). In diabetic rats pretreated with 50 and 100 mg/kg/day of calcium dobesilate for 7 days, PMS-induced Evans blue extravasation was respectively reduced by 56 and 80% with respect to values in vehicle-treated animals (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). In conclusion, calcium dobesilate p.o. significantly and dose-dependently antagonized the increase in capillary permeability induced by an oxidative stress in the peritoneal cavity of diabetic rats. These results further suggest that the antioxidant properties of calcium dobesilate can be involved, at least in part, in its angioprotective actions in humans.

Journal Article↗

Evidence for the involvement of K+ channels and K(+)-Cl- cotransport in the regulatory volume decrease of newborn rat cardiomyocytes.

In order to delineate ion transport mechanisms involved in volume homeostasis of freshly isolated newborn rat ventricular myocytes, we investigated the effects of ion substitutions and pharmacological maneuvers upon (1) isotonic volume, (2) hypotonically induced initial swelling, and (3) the subsequent regulatory volume decrease (RVD), as determined by electronic cell sizing. Cardiomyocytes exposed to hypotonic medium (176 mosmol/l) swelled by 51+/-1% of isotonic volume, and they underwent a partial regulatory volume decrease (RVD), reaching a maximum regulation after 30 min (51+/-1% of initial swelling), with a half-time (t1/2) of 6+/-1 min (n=60). RVD was associated with significant cardiomyocyte K+ loss (12+/-4% at 5 min and 15+/-2% of isotonic control after 30 min: n=6, P<0.001), 71% of which was Cl- dependent (P<0.05). Within the 30-min experimental time frame, ouabain, a Na+/K+ pump inhibitor, had no significant effect on RVD (despite an inhibitory trend), cell swelling or on isotonic volume (n=6). Bumetanide (50 microM), a Na+-K+-Cl- co-transport blocker, induced a significant reduction of isotonic cell volume (3+/-2%, n=6. P<0.05), potentiated initial swelling by 16+/-1% (n=8, P<0.02), and it partially inhibited RVD (24+/-11% at 30 min, n=6), whereas Na+ omission had no significant effect on isotonic cell volume, cell swelling or RVD. The effects of bumetanide on initial swelling and RVD were prevented by gadolinium ion (10 microM), a stretch-activated cation channel blocker (n=5). Quinidine (500 microM), a non-selective Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel blocker with no side-effects on K(+)-Cl(-) cotransport, did not modify initial cell swelling, but inhibited RVD (50+/-3% at 5 min, n=9, P<0.01; 22+/-3% at 30 min), an effect which was cancelled by external Ca2+ chelation with EGTA (n=5), and reproduced by tetraethylammonium (TEA, 20 mM), another K+ channel blocker. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS, 100 microM), a non-selective swelling-activated Cl- channel blocker with marginal side-effects on K(+)-Cl(-)cotransport, did not modify initial swelling, but inhibited RVD to the same extent as quinidine (42+/-3% at 5 min, and 23+/-3% at 30 min, n=15, P<0.05), whereas hypotonic Cl(-)-free solution had no effect on isotonic volume, but potentiated initial swelling by 16+/-2% (P<0.05) and fully inhibited RVD (n=5, P<0.001). R(+)-[(2-n-Butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inde n-5yl)-oxy] acetic acid) (DIOA, 80 microM), a K(+)-Cl- cotransport blocker (with inhibitory potency toward Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels), inhibited 87+/-5% of the RVD process at 5 min (P<0.001) and 56+/-16% at 30 min (P<0.001), whereas it had a small effect on isotonic volume (+4%, P<0.01) and initial cell swelling (+2%, N.S.; n=9). In contrast to quinidine, DIOA was able to inhibit Ca(2+)-omission-resistant RVD (full inhibition at 5 min, and 56+/-9% at 30 min; P<0.01, n=5). In conclusion, our results suggest that at least three distinct ion transport mechanisms are involved in the RVD in newborn rat cardiomyocytes: (1) K+ and Cl-channels, (2) K(+)-Cl- cotransport, and (3) Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- co-transport.

Animals↗

Monitoring of bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-ether (BADGE) in canned fish in oil.

A survey at the European levels was initiated on the quantification of bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-ether (BADGE) in canned fish in oil in order to assess the exposure of BADGE. A total of 382 canned fish sample were collected from all 15 Member States and Switzerland and analysed for BADGE in fish. The fish was extracted first with hexane and reextracted with acetonitrile, followed by a membrane filtration and reverse phase HPLC analysis with fluorescence detection. The analysis of the fish showed that about 3% of the samples contained BADGE at a level above 1 mg/kg. The samples exceeding the limit by a larger margin were mostly from anchovy cans and cans manufactured in 1991-1995.

Animals↗

Stability testing of selected plastics additives for food contact in EU aqueous, fatty and alternative simulants.

Within the framework of the AIR3-CT94-2360 EU-project, the stability of three plastics additives in three EU aqueous and fatty food simulants and in two alternative simulants was studied under various time-temperature conditions. The additives tested were bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (Irganox 1076). The various test conditions included exposures of 10 days at 40 degrees C, 1 h at reflux temperature for all aqueous simulants, 10 days at 40 degrees C and 1 h 175 degrees C for the olive oil and 2 days at 20 degrees C and 3 h at 60 degrees C for the isooctane simulant. Following the exposure, the additive samples were extracted from aqueous simulants with hexane. A sonication step was necessary to ensure maximum extraction of control samples. In the case of the isooctane simulant, the samples were analyzed directly from the simulant. The oil samples were extracted by acetonitrile. The extracts of samples exposed to various heat conditions as well as unexposed spiked controls and blanks were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) on a non-polar (5%--phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane capillary column with high temperature capabilities. The results showed that DEHA, DEHP and Irganox 1076 were stable at 40 degrees C and at reflux temperature in ethanolic or acidic aqueous simulants. The various additives were also stable in the organic isooctane simulant as well as in the fatty simulant olive oil. Studies on the stability of such additives used in food packaging are designed for regulatory purposes as an aid to decide whether the legislation should regulate limits for plasticizers based on a quantity in the food packaging itself or based on an ingested dose by the consumer.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Angioprotective action of calcium dobesilate against reactive oxygen species-induced capillary permeability in the rat.

Calcium dobesilate possesses antioxidant properties in vitro, but the in vivo significance and putative angioprotective role of these properties are undefined. Here, calcium dobesilate was tested in a newly developed in vivo model of microvascular permeabilization induced by reactive oxygen species in the rat peritoneal cavity. In this model, microvascular permeabilization is equated to the rate of Evans blue extravasation toward the peritoneal cavity. Basal Evans blue extravasation (rate constant values ke = 0.0176 +/- 0.0015 h-1) was markedly and significantly increased by reactive oxygen species generated in situ, with: (i) phenazine methosulfate/NADH (delta ke(phenazine methosulfate) = 0.0419 +/- 0.0043 h-1) and (ii) xanthine/xanthine oxidase (delta ke(xo) = 0.0383 +/- 0.0010x h-1). These actions of reactive oxygen species were abolished by locally injected superoxide dismutase (i.p., 300 units/kg). Intraperitoneally given calcium dobesilate (100 mg/kg) inhibited 75-100% of reactive oxygen species-induced Evans blue extravasation. By the intravenous route, calcium dobesilate i.v. (1-50 mg/kg) dose dependently inhibited phenazine methosulfate-induced Evans blue extravasation with an ID50 of 2-5 mg/kg (full inhibition was reached at 20-50 mg/kg). After single oral administration, calcium dobesilate (5-500 mg/kg) dose dependently inhibited phenazine methosulfate-dependent Evans blue extravasation with an ID50 of 50-100 mg/kg (81% inhibition at 500 mg/kg, P < 0.003). After 7 days of oral calcium dobesilate (50 mg/kg once/day) phenazine methosulfate-induced Evans blue peritoneal extravasation was significantly reduced by half. These effects of calcium dobesilate were similar to those observed with a comparative antioxidant molecule, rutin. In conclusion, rat peritoneal microvascular permeability was strongly increased by reactive oxygen species, an effect that was significantly reduced by intraperitoneal, intravenous and oral calcium dobesilate. These results support the hypothesis that the antioxidant properties of calcium dobesilate could play a role in its angioprotective properties in vivo.

Administration, Oral↗

Hypotonically induced calcium increase and regulatory volume decrease in newborn rat cardiomyocytes.

The effect of cell swelling on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was studied in newborn rat cardiomyocytes. Hypotonic cell swelling induced a fast and transient [Ca2+]i increase (hypotonically induced calcium increase, HICI; 388±47 nM, n=14). HICI was not inhibited by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of sarcoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase, nor ryanodine (an inhibitor of calcium-induced calcium release), whereas it was abolished (11±19 nM, n=5) in the absence of external calcium. Thus, HICI appeared to depend exclusively on entry of external calcium. Gadolinium ion (Gd3+), a generic inhibitor of stretch-activated cation channels (SACs), was unable to affect HICI (353±79 nM, n=6). Similarly, HICI was unaffected by internal Na+ depletion and external Na+ omission. These results suggest that neither Gd3+-sensitive SACs nor Na+-Ca2+ exchange is responsible for HICI. Conversely, HICI was inhibited by diltiazem (42±4 nM, n=3) and by membrane predepolarization (40±18 nM, n=5), suggesting an involvement of L-type voltage-activated calciumchannels. Cardiomyocyte swelling was followed by a regulatory volume decrease (RVD). The putative role of HICI in volume regulation was studied by removal of external calcium. This procedure significantly slowed RVD but did not abolish it. In conclusion, newborn rat cardiomyocytes exhibit an external-calcium-dependent HICI which contributes partially to the RVD.

Animals↗

In vitro antioxidant properties of calcium dobesilate.

Calcium dobesilate, a vascular protective agent, was tested in vitro for its scavenging action against oxygen free radicals. Calcium dobesilate was as potent as rutin to scavenge hydroxyl radicals (IC50 = 1.1 vs 0.7 microM, respectively). It was also able to scavenge superoxide radicals, but with 23 times less potency than rutin (IC50 = 682 vs 30 microM, respectively). Calcium dobesilate significantly reduced platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced chemiluminescence in human PMN cells and lipid peroxidation by oxygen free radicals in human erythrocyte membranes, although these actions required calcium dobesilate concentrations > or = 50 microM. Finally, in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, magnesium dobesilate reduced the increase in cytosolic free calcium induced by hydrogen peroxide and inhibited phenazine methosulfate-induced cell potassium loss. In conclusion, calcium dobesilate was effective in scavenging hydroxyl radicals in vitro, at therapeutically relevant concentrations. Conversely, higher concentrations of the compound were required to scavenge superoxide radicals or to protect the cells against the deleterious effects of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Further studies in vivo are required to determine if these antioxidant properties of calcium dobesilate can play a role in its vascular protective mechanisms.

Animals↗

Fenspiride and membrane transduction signals in rat alveolar macrophages.

Fenspiride inhibits the calcium signal evoked by the inflammatory peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) in peritoneal macrophages, but at concentrations (approximately 1 mM) far above the therapeutic range (approximately 1 microM). Here, in rat alveolar macrophages, high fenspiride concentrations (1 mM) were required to inhibit the calcium signals evoked by the calcium agonist Bay K8644 or by ionomycin. Moreover, fenspiride (1 mM) was a poor inhibitor of the cell membrane depolarization induced by gramicidine D. By contrast, fenspiride blocked Na+-H+ antiport activation by (i) fMLP with an IC50 = 3.1 +/- 1.9 nM and (ii) PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) with an IC50 = 9.2 +/- 3.1 nM. Finally, protein kinase C (PKC) activity of macrophage homogenate was not significantly modified by 10 or 100 microM fenspiride (at 100 microM: 2.57 +/- 1.60 vs. 2.80 +/- 1.71 pmol/10(6) cells/min). In conclusion, fenspiride inhibits fMLP- and PMA-induced pH signals in rat alveolar macrophages, probably by acting distally on the PKC transduction signal. This pH antagonistic action may be relevant for the antiinflammatory mechanism of fenspiride and requires further investigation.

Animals↗

Inhibition by xipamide of amiloride-induced acidification in cultured rat cardiocytes.

The diuretic drug xipamide improves myocardial relaxation in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, but its mechanism of action is unknown. Here, xipamide was tested in cultured rat heart myogenic H9c2 cells and newborn cardiomyocytes for its effects on cell acidification (and Ca2+ mobilization). In H9c2 cells, blocking Na+/H+ exchange with amiloride (2 mM) provoked cell acidification with rate = 0.82 +/- 0.17 pH units/h (n = 6). Xipamide 1 microM maximally inhibited 50 +/- 7% (n = 9) of cell acidification. The action of xipamide required the presence of HCO3- and was antagonized by the HCO3(-)-transport blocker DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2.2'-disulfonic acid). Conversely, the carbonic anhydrase (EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitor acetazolamide failed to prevent xipamide action. Finally, xipamide was without significant effect on the Ca2+ signals induced by endothelin-1, vasopressin or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. In newborn rat cardiomyocytes, xipamide reduced amiloride-induced cell acidification at similar concentrations as in H9c2 cardiocytes, but with a slightly higher extent of maximal inhibition (70-80%). In conclusion, xipamide reduced amiloride-dependent cell acidification in the rat heart myogenic H9c2 cell line and in newborn rat cultured cardiomyocytes. This action of xipamide seems to be related to a complex interaction with DIDS-sensitive HCO3- movements. Prevention of cell acidification by xipamide could be involved in the beneficial effects of this compound in myocardial relaxation and left ventricle filling in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

[A new natriuretic factor acting like loop diuretics. Kinetics in normal and hypertensive rats].

We have recently described that urines from salt-loaded rats contain a potent natriuretic factor acting at the Na-K-Cl cotransport system (CIF: "Cotransport Inhibitory Factor"). Here we investigated the kinetics of the urinary CIF excretion which follows an oral salt-load: (i) in normal rats, relative to that of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and (ii) in an experimental model of salt-dependent genetic hypertension (Dahl's rats). Thus, Wistar rats were orally loaded with 2% NaCl for 8 days. Urinary CIF excretion was measured by testing the inhibitory potency of urines on bumetanide-sensitive lithium efflux in lithium-loaded human erythrocytes. Plasmatic levels of ANP were measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma ANP rapidly and transiently increased during the first 24 hs of salt-load, decreasing thereafter down to normal levels in 6-8 days. Conversely, CIF slowly increased after 24 hs up to maximal constant levels after 5 days of salt-loading. Dahl salt-sensitive rats exhibited highly significant increases in urinary CIF excretion with respect to salt-resistant rats. In the basal state (before salt-loading) urinary CIF excretion was 101 +/- 13 vs 17.6 +/- 4.5 units/day in salt-sensitive vs. salt-resistant rats (n = 7 for each group, p < 0.001). This difference was maintained after salt loading (3 380 +/- 990 vs. 456 +/- 159 units/day, p < 0.05 at day 5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Edema-inducing properties of lacidipine, nitrendipine and nifedipine in the spontaneously hypertensive rat].

INTRODUCTION: Clinical studies suggest that lacidipine (LA) is better tolerated than other DHP, in terms of peripheral edema. We evaluated edema due to LA, nitrendipine (NT) and nifedipine (NF) in SHR. METHODS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured with an intra-femoral probe. Peripheral edema was determined (i) by the plasmatic distribution of 14C-albumin, (ii) by Evans blue extravasation. RESULTS: In bolus(ip), LA, NT and NF had non different effects on plasmatic *ALB, i.e. + 3.9 +/- 1.7 (delta % vs control at 60 min; mean +/- SEM, n = 18). Evans blue extravasation (hind paws muscle = EBM) was positively correlated to MAP reduction (EBM = 0.1 x delta MAP + 5.2; p < 0.025), without differences between the molecules. In chronical administration (9 days), at comparable MAP decreases (31 +/- 2 mmHg), there was less edema formation with LA (0.05 mg/kg/j) than with NT (0.5 mg/kg/j) or NF (1.4 mg/kg/j): the variations of *ALB were respectively (% vs control at 45 min after tracer injection; mean +/- SD): + 5% (n = 10) vs. 73% (n = 14; p < 0.01 vs LA) and + 34% (n = 10; p < 0.01 vs LA); no significant change of hematocrit or plasma volume was noted. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm, in SHR, that lacidipine induces a very moderate edema formation. This does not seem to be due to a renal effect, nor to an effect on peripheral resistances. It was only observed in chronical administration, which suggests that pharmacokinetic properties of lacidipine are involved.

Animals↗

Volume-dependent K+ and Cl- fluxes in rat thymocytes.

1. Hypotonic stress unmasked inward and outward K+ and Cl- movements in rat thymocytes. This KCl flux stimulation was reduced by DIOA (dihydroindenyl-oxy-alkanoic acid), but not by DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate), quinidine, DPAC 144 (5-nitro-2-(2-phenylethyl-amino)-benzoic acid), bumetanide or ouabain. 2. In isotonic media (308 +/- 5 mosmol kg-1), the cells exhibited the following DIOA-sensitive fluxes: (i) a K+ efflux of 42.7 +/- 17.1 mmol (l cells.h)-1 (mean +/- S.D., n = 7), (ii) a Cl- efflux of 68 +/- 21 mmol (l cells.h)-1 (n = 3), (iii) a Rb+ influx of 9.7 +/- 3.9 mmol (l cells.h)-1 (n = 6) and (iv) a Cl- influx of 9.4 +/- 4.1 mmol (l cells.h)-1 (n = 6). 3. Hypotonic shock (183-200 mosmol kg-1) induced a sevenfold stimulation of DIOA-sensitive K+ and Cl- effluxes and a twofold stimulation of DIOA-sensitive Rb+ and Cl- influxes (with a Rb+ to Cl- stoichiometry of 1.04 +/- 0.31; mean +/- S.D., n = 6). 4. The DIOA-sensitive membrane carrier catalysed net outward KCl extrusion (the outward/inward flux ratio was 5-7 in isotonic media and 20 in hypotonic media at 189 mosmol kg-1). Inhibition of DIOA-sensitive 36Cl- efflux by cell K+ depletion suggested coupling of outward K+ and Cl- fluxes. Conversely, inward K+ and Cl- fluxes were found to be uncoupled in NO3- media and in K(+)-free media. 5. The results clearly show that rat thymocyte membranes possess a 1:1 K(+)-Cl- co-transport system which is strongly activated by hypotonic shock and catalyses net KCl extrusion.

Animals↗

Cell volume regulation in rat thymocytes.

1. DIOA (dihydroindenyl-oxy-alkanoic acid), a potent inhibitor of the K(+)-Cl- co-transport system, fully blocked regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in swelled rat thymocytes, with an IC50 of 2.2 +/- 0.5 x 10(-5) mol l-1 (mean +/- S.D., n = 4). Conversely, RVD was resistant to quinine, quinidine, apamin, cetiedil, amiloride, bumetanide and DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate). 2. DIOA-sensitive RVD followed mono-exponential kinetics, with t1/2 (half-lifetime) of 1-3 min and maximal capacity (Cmax) of about 55% of the initial cell swelling. Cmax and the initial rate of RVD (Vo) were both linear functions of the increase in cell volume. 3. RVD was: (i) slightly increased by replacing external Cl- by NO3-, (ii) reversed by replacing external Na+ by K+ (in the presence of external Cl-) and (iii) inhibited by cell K+ depletion. All these phenomena were blocked by DIOA (86 mumol l-1). 4. Increased membrane potassium permeability by valinomycin was unable to accelerate RVD or RVD reversal. 5. In the presence of DIOA, thymocytes responded like osmometers (the relative cell volume was a linear function of the reciprocal of the relative osmolality) in a large range of osmolalities. 6. The results strongly suggest that RVD in rat thymocytes is mediated by the K(+)-Cl- co-transport system.

Animals↗

A circulating inhibitor of the RBC membrane calcium pump in chronic renal failure.

A humoral inhibitor of the membrane calcium pump was studied in plasma from 28 normal controls, 33 patients receiving long-term hemodialysis, and 26 with chronic renal failure (CRF; creatinine clearance range was 6 to 97 ml/min). Calcium pump activity was measured as the rate of Sr2+ efflux in normal erythrocytes (RBCs) loaded with Sr2+ (a substitute of Ca2+ in the calcium pump). Plasma, and plasma ultrafiltrates from hemodialysis patients strongly inhibited calcium pump activity compared with controls without plasma (36 +/- 18 vs. 25 +/- 12, %INHIBITION/CONTROL, P < 0.05). Inhibition markedly decreased with acute hemodialysis (16 +/- 12 vs. 5 +/- 14, %INHIBITION/NORMAL PLASMA, N = 15, P < 0.001). In CRF, degree of inhibition correlated with the serum creatinine concentration (r = 0.75, P < 0.001). A kinetic study showed that plasma decreased the maximal rate of the Ca2+ pumps (Vmax) without affecting the apparent affinity for internal cations (KSr). Moreover, the plasma inhibitory factor had a low molecular weight, and was dialyzable and heat stable. In conclusion, we found evidence for an RBC membrane calcium pump inhibitor in uremic plasma, which correlates with the degree of renal insufficiency. Possibly, it may increase calcium content in RBCs and other cells and could thus be related to uremic toxicity and/or hypertension.

Adult↗

Arterial effects of salt restriction in hypertensive patients. A 9-week, randomized, double-blind, crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hemodynamic effects of a moderately low-salt diet in a 9-week, randomized, double-blind, crossover study in 20 hypertensive, ambulatory patients. METHODS: All subjects followed a 9-week, low-salt diet. During this period, they received capsules containing either lactose or salt in 4-week treatment periods, separated by a 1-week washout period. Hemodynamic and biological parameters were evaluated on the day of randomization and at the end of weeks 4 and 9. We defined a low-sodium diet (LSD) as a salt-restriction period with lactose capsules, and a normal-sodium diet (NSD) as a salt-restriction period with capsular salt supplementation. RESULTS: Blood pressure was significantly lower during LSD compared with NSD. This fall in blood pressure was associated with a decrease in peripheral resistance in carotid and forearm circulation. Brachial artery diameter was larger during LSD whereas carotid artery diameter remained unchanged. The changes in brachial artery were: (1) not related to blood pressure changes; (2) positively related to age, and (3) negatively correlated with baseline intracellular sodium content. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that moderate low-salt restriction is capable of decreasing blood pressure and peripheral resistance in carotid and forearm circulation. The increase in brachial, but not carotid, artery diameter following salt restriction suggests a difference in salt dependence among different arteries.

Adult↗

Influence of environmental lead on membrane ion transport in a French urban male population.

Red cell cation transports (Na(+)-K+ pump, Na(+)-K+ cotransport system, Na(+)-Li+ countertransport, and Na+ and K+ passive permeabilities) and blood and hair lead levels were measured in 129 healthy adult Caucasians not occupationally exposed to lead. In agreement with previously reported in vitro results showing a lead-induced Na(+)-K+ ATPase inhibition, Na(+)-K+ pump activity was inversely correlated with hair lead (r = -0.18, P less than 0.05); it was not significantly correlated with blood lead. Na(+)-K+ cotransport activity was inversely correlated with blood lead contents (r = -0.23, P less than 0.05) but not with hair lead. No significant correlation was found between the remaining cation transport pathways and lead levels. It is hypothesized that environmental, long-term exposure to lead may result in pump inhibition, while a recent exposition to lead may result in inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ cotransport system. Further research is required in order to determine if red cell Na(+)-K+ pump and Na(+)-K+ cotransport activities are sensitive indicators of chronic and recent exposures to lead, respectively.

Adult↗