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T Akaike

Publications and source records attributed to T Akaike.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

IRF-1 is an essential mediator in IFN-gamma-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of primary cultured hepatocytes.

IFN-gamma induces cell cycle arrest and p53-independent apoptosis in primary cultured hepatocytes. However, it is not yet understood what molecules regulate the mechanism. We report here that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) is an essential molecule in these phenomena. Hepatocytes from IRF-1-deficient mice were completely resistant to IFN-gamma in apoptosis indicated by three different hallmarks such as LDH release, DNA fragmentation and the activation of caspase-3 family. Caspase-1 expression was little detected in hepatocytes, and constitutive and IFN-gamma-induced mRNA expression of Fas or caspase-3 did not change in between wild type and IRF-1-deficient hepatocytes. Expression of IFN-gamma-inducible caspase, caspase-11, did not change either. Thus, it is unlikely that these molecules directly regulate the mechanisms. Interestingly, IRF-1-deficient hepatocytes were also resistant to IFN-gamma-induced cell cycle arrest despite IFN-gamma-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis are regulated by independent pathways. Results by Northern blot analysis showed that IFN-gamma-induced but not constitutive p53 mRNA expression was regulated by IRF-1. In fact, IFN-gamma did not induce cell cycle arrest in p53-deficient hepatocytes. Taken together, IRF-1 mediates IFN-gamma signaling into primary hepatocytes for cell cycle arrest via p53 expression and for apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Role of nitric oxide in pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis in rats.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis was investigated by using an experimental model of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) encephalitis in Lewis rats. The expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA determined by Northern blotting was observed first in the olfactory bulb and the brain stem on day 5 after intranasal inoculation of HSV-1, and thereafter iNOS mRNA was detected in other brain regions, i.e., cerebrum and cerebellum. In various parts of the brain, excessive NO production was identified by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The temporal and spatial patterns of iNOS expression coincided with those of viral propagation, as demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction for HSV-1 gene expression as well as by the plaque-forming assay. Immunohistochemical study determined that iNOS was localized mainly in monocyte-derived macrophages. Treatment of virus-infected animals with the NOS inhibitor Nomega-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA), but not Nomega-monomethyl-d-arginine, significantly ameliorated not only clinical symptoms such as paralysis and seizures but also mortality. Virus yield from brain tissue was not affected by l-NMMA treatment. It is of interest that increased expression of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 was observed in the HSV-1-infected brain; this increased expression was strongly inhibited by l-NMMA treatment. These data suggest that the high level of NO produced by iNOS is a pathogenic factor in HSV-1-induced encephalitis in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Poly(L-lysine)-graft-dextran copolymer promotes pyrimidine motif triplex DNA formation at physiological pH. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies.

Extreme instability of pyrimidine motif triplex DNA at physiological pH severely limits its use for artificial control of gene expression in vivo. Stabilization of the pyrimidine motif triplex at physiological pH is therefore of great importance in improving its therapeutic potential. To this end, isothermal titration calorimetry interaction analysis system and electrophoretic mobility shift assay have been used to explore the thermodynamic and kinetic effects of our previously reported triplex stabilizer, poly (L-lysine)-graft-dextran (PLL-g-Dex) copolymer, on pyrimidine motif triplex formation at physiological pH. Both the thermodynamic and kinetic analyses have clearly indicated that in the presence of the PLL-g-Dex copolymer, the binding constant of the pyrimidine motif triplex formation at physiological pH was about 100 times higher than that observed without any triplex stabilizer. Of importance, the triplex-promoting efficiency of the copolymer was more than 20 times higher than that of physiological concentrations of spermine, a putative intracellular triplex stabilizer. Kinetic data have also demonstrated that the observed copolymer-mediated promotion of the triplex formation at physiological pH resulted from the considerable increase in the association rate constant rather than the decrease in the dissociation rate constant. Our results certainly support the idea that the PLL-g-Dex copolymer could be a key material and may eventually lead to progress in therapeutic applications of the antigene strategy in vivo.

DNA↗
PubMed1999

Possible involvement of caspase-like family in maintenance of cytoskeleton integrity.

Caspases, a family of cysteine proteases, are the key effector proteins of apoptosis. These proteases cleave cellular proteins and are responsible for the destruction of the cell body during apoptosis. They are also involved in the activation of other proteins, such as cytokines. In this study, we demonstrate a novel function for these proteases. Z-Asp-CH2-DCB (Z-Asp), a general caspase inhibitor, blocked cell spreading on collagen-coated plates in a dose-dependent manner but did not affect cell viability. Caspase 3-like activity but not caspase 1-like activity was detected in adherent cells on both collagen-coated and poly-L-lysine-coated plates but not in suspended cells. The caspase 3-like activity was significantly inhibited by Z-Asp. However, only Z-Asp, not specific caspase inhibitors (Z-DEVD for caspase 3, Z-YVAD for caspase 1), was effective in the suppression of cell spreading. The inhibitory effect of Z-Asp was blocked by a phosphokinase C activator, PMA, and a Rho activator, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), while neither a Rac activator, bradykinin, nor a Cdc42 activator, sphingosine-1 -phosphate, was effective. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated that Z-Asp downregulated the expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein, downstream of Rho signaling, in adherent cells. Our results suggest that not caspase 1 or 3 but another yet unknown caspase(s) plays an important role in the maintenance of cytoskeleton integrity via FAK protein expression, implying a new function for caspases.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1999

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor promotes colonization, vascularization, and growth of transplanted hepatic tissues in the mouse.

A complex vascular network forms an important component of the liver architecture. This network is essential for the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells and delivery of molecules for metabolic exchange. In this study, we attempted to construct a vascular network in transplanted hepatic tissues and examined the effect of such network on tissue formation. Primary hepatocytes of adult mice were transfected with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene in vitro then transplanted with collagen beads intraperitoneally in mice. VEGF-transfected hepatocytes secreted sufficient protein of the transgene in vitro to induce proliferation of endothelial cells. In vivo, VEGF-transfected hepatocytes formed a large number of colonies and developed a significant vascular network in established tissues compared with control tissues. In addition, hepatocytes of VEGF-transfected, established tissues proliferated and formed a substantial parenchymal region. These hepatocytes were also functional as confirmed by the production of albumin. Our results suggested that VEGF expression conferred not only the formation of a vascular network but also promoted tissue formation. Our study showed that ex vivo gene transfection into hepatocytes is a useful method for the induction of liver reconstitution in vivo.

Albumins↗
PubMed1998

The possible effect of nitric oxide on relaxation and noradrenaline release in the isolated rabbit urethra.

We evaluated the effects of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor) and carboxy-2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO, a NO scavenger) on NO-mediated relaxation and noradrenaline release from adrenergic nerve endings induced by electrical field stimulation in the rabbit urethra. Electrical field stimulation caused frequency-dependent relaxation of rabbit urethral smooth muscles precontracted with phenylephrine. The relaxation responses were significantly inhibited by treatment with L-NNA or carboxy-PTIO. The inhibitory effect of carboxy-PTIO was significantly weaker than that of L-NNA. Electrical field stimulation caused significant noradrenaline release from adrenergic nerve endings in the rabbit urethra. Treatment with carboxy PTIO enhanced electrical field stimulation-induced noradrenaline release, and simultaneous application of L-NNA and carboxy-PTIO did not further enhance noradrenaline release in the rabbit urethra. As carboxy-PTIO reacts only with the free radical NO, the present results suggest that free radical NO and NO-containing compounds are involved in the L-NNA-sensitive nitrergic nerve-mediated relaxation in the rabbit urethra. At the same time free radical NO has a prejunctional action by which it may inhibit noradrenaline release from adrenergic nerves.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Poly(L-lysine)-graft-dextran copolymer: amazing effects on triplex stabilization under physiological pH and ionic conditions (in vitro).

Triplex DNA formation involving unmodified triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) is very unstable under physiological conditions. Here, we report a novel strategy to stabilize both purine and pyrimidine motif triplex DNA within the rat alpha1 (I) collagen gene promoter under physiologically relevant conditions by a poly(L-lysine)- graft -dextran copolymer. Using an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we show that the copolymer almost completely abrogates the inhibitory effects of physiological concentrations of monovalent cations, particularly potassium ion (K+), on purine motif triplex formation involving very low concentrations of an unmodified guanine-rich TFO. Of importance, pH dependency in pyrimidine motif triplex formation involving an unmodified cytosine-rich TFO is also significantly overcome by the copolymer. Finally, the triplex-stabilizing efficiency of the copolymer is remarkably higher than that of other oligocations, like spermine and spermidine. We suggest that the ability of the graft copolymer to stabilize triplex DNA under physiologically relevant pH and salt concentrations will be a cue for further progress in the antigene strategy.

Cations, Monovalent↗
PubMed1998

A new non-viral DNA delivery vector: the terplex system.

A new DNA delivery vector (the terplex system) based on a balanced hydrophobicity and net surface charge between stearyl-poly(L-lysine), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and genetic material (i.e. plasmid DNA or antisense oligonucleotide) was developed. The pSV-beta-gal plasmid in terplex system showed a 2-5-fold increase in beta-galactosidase expression on murine smooth muscle cells (A7R5) compared to Lipofectin. Delivery of unmodified c-myb antisense oligonucleotide to A7R5 cells was also facilitated significantly by the terplex system, requiring as little as 5.4 nM of antisense oligonucleotide to achieve a 50% antiproliferative effect. Similar antiproliferative effect was observed when the c-myb antisense/terplex formulation was tested on CCD-32 Lu human lung fibroblasts. Characterization of the physical properties of the terplex system was performed using various techniques. Plasmid DNA was condensed by addition of stearyl-PLL and LDL, resulting in the terplex system of about 100 nm in diameter as shown by atomic force microscopy. A strong hydrophobic interaction between stearyl-poly(L-lysine) and LDL was registered by 1H-NMR spectrometry, showing a significant decrease in the epsilon-methylene signal of poly(L-lysine) backbone when stearyl-poly(L-lysine) was mixed with LDL; however, this phenomenon was not observed with unmodified poly(L-lysine). Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that electrophoretic mobility of the terplex system decreased with increasing amounts of stearyl-poly(L-lysine), indicating that the surface charge of the terplex system became more positive by addition of stearyl-poly(L-lysine). Zeta-potential measurement showed that the terplex system exerted a slightly positive charge (+2 mV) at a 1:1:1 weight ratio of plasmid DNA:LDL:stearyl-poly(L-lysine). The obtained results will be utilized in the design of more efficient and safer DNA delivery vectors for in vivo gene therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Mitogenic-factor-dependent regulation of lipopolysaccharide and cytokine mixture-mediated hepatocyte nitric oxide synthesis in vitro.

Hepatocellular mitogen (HGF and EGF) inhibited lipopolysaccharide and cytokine mixture (referred as LPS/CM)-induced NO synthesis and cellular injury in hepatocytes. Mitogenic inhibitors such as hydroxyurea and Wortmannin could not reverse EGF or HGF-inhibited NO production, whereas both of them showed some inhibitory effect on hepatocyte NO synthesis. Although activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) had no effect on hepatocyte NO synthesis, deletion of PKC activity by long-term treatment of hepatocytes with PMA abolished LPS/CM-induced NO production. In addition, pretreatment of hepatocytes with HGF and EGF also blocked LPS/CM-induced NO synthesis in the hepatocyte. These results suggest that proliferating signal is not directly involved in mitogen-inhibited NO synthesis in the hepatocyte, and LPS/CM-mediated NO synthesis is associated with the metabolic/redox state of hepatocytes.

Androstadienes↗
PubMed1998

Clonazepam release from core-shell type nanoparticles in vitro.

Block copolymers consisting of poly(gamma-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) as the hydrophobic block and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the hydrophilic block were synthesized and characterized. Core-shell type nanoparticles of the block copolymers (abbreviated as GE) were prepared by the diafiltration method. The particle size diameter obtained by dynamic light scattering of GE-1 (PBLG content: 60.5 mol%), GE-2 (PBLG content: 40.0 mol %), GE-3 (PBLG content: 124.4 mol %) copolymer was 309.9 +/- 160.9, 251.9 +/- 220.6 and 200.5 +/- 177.1nm, respectively. The shape of the nanoparticles by SEM or TEM was almost spherical. The critical micelle concentration of the block copolymers obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy was dependent on the chain length of hydrophobic PBLG. The micelle structure of the copolymers nanoparticle was very stable against sodium dodecyl sulfate. Clonazepam (CZ) was loaded onto the core part of the nanoparticle as the crystalline state. Release of CZ from the nanoparticles in vitro was dependent on the drug loading contents and PBLG chain length.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1998

Modulation of enhanced vascular permeability in tumors by a bradykinin antagonist, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and a nitric oxide scavenger.

The mechanism of the enhanced vascular permeability and retention (EPR) effect seen in solid tumors was investigated with sarcoma 180 (S-180) in mice by using the bradykinin receptor antagonist D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8]bradykinin] (HOE 140), the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), and the cyclooxygenase (prostaglandin synthase) inhibitor indomethacin. In the S-180 solid tumor model, administration of HOE 140 (0.65 or 1.3 microg/kg/8 h, s.c.), PTIO (167 mg/kg/2 h, four times/8 h, i.p.), or indomethacin (5 or 10 mg/kg/day, three times, i.p.) significantly suppressed the EPR effect in the tumor, and the combined administration of these agents achieved a stronger inhibition of the EPR effect than did each compound alone. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg/day, three times) plus PTIO (167 mg/kg/2 h, four times) given i.p. had the greatest inhibition (70%) on the EPR effect. When HOE 140 was administered s.c. at a dose of 13 microg/kg/12 h for 2 weeks after tumor inoculation, growth of the solid tumor was also suppressed by 32%, by tumor weight. In the ascitic form of S-180, i.p. administration of HOE 140 at 13 microg/kg/12 h initiated immediately after tumor inoculation significantly suppressed formation of S-180 tumor ascites; the life span of ascitic S-180 tumor-bearing mice was prolonged at the same dose of HOE 140. The expression of inducible NO synthase mRNA and of cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA in S-180 tumor tissue was highly elevated, as evidenced by Northern blotting and reverse transcription-PCR and by Southern blot analyses. These results indicate that bradykinin, NO, and prostaglandins play an important role in enhanced vascular permeability in tumor tissue and sustain tumor growth. More importantly, bradykinin antagonists such as HOE 140 may be beneficial for the inhibition of tumor growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of the NO scavenger carboxy-ptio on endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of various blood vessels from rabbits.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of a nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide [carboxy-PTIO], on endothelium-dependent relaxation of a series of blood vessels from rabbits, such as thoracic aorta and femoral, renal, mesenteric, and pulmonary arteries, using a functional muscle bath technique. Carboxy-PTIO produced concentration-dependent contractions in various vessels. The contractile responses in renal, mesenteric, and pulmonary arteries were significantly greater than those in the aorta and femoral artery. Similarly, phenylephrine-induced contractions in renal, mesenteric, and pulmonary arteries were markedly enhanced after pretreatment with carboxy-PTIO. Also, carboxy-PTIO inhibited acetylcholine-induced relaxation in various blood vessels. The maximum inhibitions in aorta and femoral artery were significantly greater than those in renal, mesenteric, and pulmonary arteries. The present data demonstrate that carboxy-PTIO reduces basal, phenylephrine-, and acetylcholine-induced release of NO in rabbit blood vessels. However, different degrees of inhibition of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation were observed in various vessels. Specifically, the thoracic aorta and femoral artery are less susceptible to the action of carboxy-PTIO without acetylcholine than renal, mesenteric, and pulmonary arteries. Conversely, the most potent carboxy-PTIO-induced inhibition of acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was observed with aorta and femoral arteries. Thus, it is suggested that the contribution of endogenous NO to vascular tone and regional blood flow may vary among different rabbit blood vessels.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Comb-type copolymer: stabilization of triplex DNA and possible application in antigene strategy.

By employing a reductive amination reaction between the epsilon-amino groups of poly(L-lysine) (PLL) and the reductive ends of the hydrophilic dextran (Dex) side chain, we have prepared different comb-type copolymers which varied in the degree of grafting and the length of the hydrophilic Dex chains. The resulting copolymers, poly(L-lysine)-graft-dextran (PLL-g-Dex), were tested for their ability to stabilize triplex DNA in vitro under physiologically relevant conditions. Thermal denaturation (UV-Tm) and circular dichroism experiments revealed that the graft copolymer with the higher degree of grafting of long Dex chains significantly increased the thermal stability of triplex structure of poly(dA). 2poly(dT) by more than 50 degreesC without affecting the transition between triplex and single-stranded DNA or the native structure of DNA. Of importance is that when triplex formation involving a 30-mer target duplex from rat alpha1 (I) collagen promoter was analyzed by an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay, the graft copolymer also remarkably diminished potassium inhibition of the purine motif triplex formation up to 200 mM as well as pH-dependence of the pyrimidine motif triplex formation. Moreover the triplex-stabilizing efficiency of the copolymer was significantly higher than that of other oligocations like spermine and spermidine. We suggest that a molecular design of comb-type copolymers consisting of various types of polycation backbones (e.g., PLL) grafted with different hydrophilic side chains (e.g., Dex) is a novel strategy to create efficient triplex stabilizers that will certainly shed light on possible in vivo application of the antigene strategy.

DNA↗
PubMed1998

Terplex DNA delivery system as a gene carrier.

PURPOSE: To characterize the physical and biochemical properties of the DNA terplex delivery system, which has previously been shown to deliver and express pSV-beta-gal plasmid efficiently in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC) (1). METHODS: Atomic force microscopy (AFM), zeta-potential measurement (ZP), gel electrophoresis (GE), circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence quenching and 1H-NMR spectrometry were used. RESULTS: AFM showed that the plasmid DNA of about 600 nm long in its extended state was condensed to the size of about 100 nm by terplex formation. The DNA condensing effect of the terplex system was as good as unmodified PLL, as shown by an ethidium bromide displacement assay. Zeta-potential measurement showed that the terplex system exerts a slightly positive surface charge (+2 mV) at a 1:1:1 weight ratio of DNA:LDL:stearyl-PLL, which showed the best transfection efficiency on SMC. GE indicated that electrophoretic mobility of the terplex system decreased with increasing amounts of stearyl-PLL, indicating that the surface charge of the terplex system became more positive as more stearyl-PLL was added. Results from CD showed that there was no significant changes in tertiary structure of plasmid DNA from the terplex formation. Presence of strong hydrophobic interaction between stearyl-PLL and LDL was confirmed by 1H-NMR, where about a 30% decrease in epsilon-methylene peak of PLL backbone was observed when stearyl-PLL was mixed with LDL, but this phenomenon was not observed when unmodified PLL was used. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the plasmid DNA, when formulated with the stearyl-PLL and LDL, forms a stable and hydrophobicity/charge balanced terplex system of optimal size for efficient cellular uptake and the DNA is still intact after the terplex formation. This information is expected to be utilized for the development of much improved transfection vectors for in vivo gene therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Protective effect of linoleic acid on IFN gamma-induced cellular injury in primary culture hepatocytes.

We have previously demonstrated that treatment of hepatocytes with IFN gamma results a series of cellular injury processes, including DNA synthesis arrest, membrane breakage and apoptosis. In the present work, we show that IFN gamma suppresses cellular respiration and protein synthesis in hepatocytes, and that cellular respiration suppression is an early event in the IFN gamma-induced cellular injuries. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased cellular respiration of hepatocytes, but only linoleic acid showed some protective effect against IFN gamma-induced cellular respiration suppression. Linoleic acid also reduced other IFN gamma-mediated cellular injuries, including membrane breakage and protein synthesis inhibition. Like linoleic acid, fetal bovine serum also inhibited IFN gamma-induced cellular damage. Increased NAD levels were found in both IFN gamma-treated and non-treated hepatocytes following the addition of PUFAs, but clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator, bromophenacyl bromide (BPB), an inhibitor of phospholipase, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, and arachidonic acid, a metabolite of linoleic acid, did not inhibit IFN gamma-induced cellular injury. In addition, the combination of linoleic acid and IFN gamma induced nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in hepatocytes. These results suggest that fatty acid may play an important role in liver homeostasis during chronic inflammatory states and sepsis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Early phase tumor accumulation of macromolecules: a great difference in clearance rate between tumor and normal tissues.

The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular weight (MW) and time-dependence of the phenomenon termed "the enhanced permeability and retention" (EPR) effect in solid tumor, in particular to determine and define the early phase accumulation of macromolecules in tumor and normal tissues and the relationship between blood concentration and tissue clearance. As a model, radioiodinated N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers of MW ranging from 4.5 K to 800 K were administered i.v. to mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumor. Within 10 min all HPMA copolymers accumulated effectively in the tumor regardless of MW (1.0-1.5% of injected dose per g of tumor). However, higher MW copolymers (> 50 K) showed significantly increased tumor accumulation after 6 h, while the lower MW copolymers (< 40 K) were cleared rapidly from tumor tissue due to rapid diffusion back into the bloodstream. Blood clearance was also MW-dependent; the lower MW copolymers displayed rapid clearance, with kidney radioactivity of the copolymers of MW < 20 K representing 24% of injected dose per g kidney at 1 min after i.v. administration. Within 10 min these copolymers passed through the kidney and were excreted in the urine. Higher MW copolymers consistently showed kidney levels of 3-5% dose per g kidney in the early phase with no time-dependent accumulation in kidney. There was also no progressive accumulation in muscle or liver, regardless of polymer MW. These results suggest the "EPR effect" in solid tumor primarily arises from in the difference in clearance rate between the solid tumor and the normal tissues after initial penetration of the polymers into these tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Involvement of bradykinin generation in intravascular dissemination of Vibrio vulnificus and prevention of invasion by a bradykinin antagonist.

Involvement of bradykinin generation in bacterial invasion was examined by using a gram-negative bacillus, Vibrio vulnificus, which is known to invade the blood circulatory system and cause septicemia. V. vulnificus was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into mice with or without bradykinin or a bradykinin (B2 receptor) antagonist. Dissemination of V. vulnificus from peritoneal septic foci to the circulating blood was assessed by counting of viable bacteria in venous blood by use of the colony-forming assay. Intravascular dissemination of V. vulnificus in mice was significantly potentiated by simultaneous injection with bradykinin but was markedly reduced by coadministration with the B2 antagonist D-Arg,[Hyp3, Thi(5,8), D-Phe7]-bradykinin. Furthermore, V. vulnificus lethality was significantly increased when bradykinin was administered simultaneously with the bacillus, whereas it was definitely suppressed by treatment with D-Arg,[Hyp3, Thi(5,8), D-Phe7]-bradykinin. Similarly, ovomacroglobulin, a potent inhibitor of the V. vulnificus protease, showed a strong suppressive effect on the V. vulnificus septicemia. We also confirmed appreciable bradykinin production in the primary septic foci in the mouse peritoneal cavity after i.p. inoculation with V. vulnificus. It is thus concluded that bradykinin generation in infectious foci is critically involved in facilitation of intravascular dissemination of V. vulnificus.

Animals↗